China intensifies financial support to spur consumption

Xinhua) 08:06, December 15, 2025

People shop at Zhonglou Street in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Macao SAR gov't holds memorial for Nanjing Massacre victims

Xinhua) 10:23, December 15, 2025

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Macao, south China. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Xinhua)

MACAO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Sam Hou Fai, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong, along with other principal officials, representatives from various sectors of society, and teachers and students, attended the ceremony. Around 450 people were present.

The participants sang China's national anthem. An honor guard laid wreaths at the memorial platform. Sam and other officials stepped forward to adjust the ribbons and bow. This was followed by a moment of silence.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.

In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as the national memorial day for the massacre victims.

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in Macao, south China. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a memorial ceremony on Saturday to mourn the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks at a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the signing of a peace deal between the state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  President Gustavo Petro on Sunday asked Colombians to celebrate the Christmas season without fear after rebels announced a forced strike in parts of the country in response to his governments actions against them, and to U.S. President Donald Trumps threats to expand strikes.

On X, Petro reposted a document in which the left-wing National Liberation Army, or ELN, rebel group said it was calling for an armed strike that will require confining civilians to their homes and restricting commercial activity and transportation.

Armed strikes often involve school closures and civilians who defy the rebels orders are threatened with execution.

The ELN justified the measure, which began Sunday and runs until 6 a.m. local time Wednesday, by citing a counterinsurgency plan against it and the imperialist aggression  a reference to Trumps actions in the region.

The ELN told the residents of Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Popayan and Barrancabermeja to avoid facilities belonging to the police and the military. It also called on public transportation companies and shops to suspend their activities.

These are not threats against Trump, they are threats against Colombia, Petro said. He said he ordered Colombias security forces to attack the ELN.

I ask the people of Colombia, in all parts of the national territory, to go out and celebrate the Christmas season without fear. Fear paralyzes us, and we will not allow ourselves to be threatened either by foreign powers or by drug traffickers dressed up as revolutionaries, he said.

The U.S. military has killed more than 80 people since early September, when it began striking vessels that the Trump administration has said were carrying drugs toward the U.S. The strikes began off Venezuelas Caribbean coast and later expanded to the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Early in December, Trump said countries including Colombia could be targeted.

The U.S. also has built up its largest military presence in the region in generations, which many see as part of a strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to resign.

Petro, the leftist leader of a traditional U.S. ally, has called the boat attacks murders, questioning the disproportionate use of force.

In January, Petro canceled peace talks with the ELN after an estimated 80 people were killed in rebel attacks in the northeastern Catatumbo region.
National parks are on almost every travelers bucket list. After all, these protected and frankly sacred pockets of the U.S. are some of the most pure, untouched stretches of land that give us a true sense of what life was like in America before colonization and industrialization. From sea to shining sea, these areas are full of natural wonders, endless hiking opportunities, and tons of history. While everyone knows the big ones like Yellowstone, Acadia, and Zion, there are a few that fly well under the radar.

One of those spots is without a doubt Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada. When we think of Nevada, we tend to envision only landscapes of painted deserts. While they are stunning in their own right, this small slice of heaven provides national park visitors with an unexpected mountainous oasis and plenty to marvel at.

Related: National parks ordered to remove certain items from gift shops

What is there to see in Great Basin National Park?

According to National Parks Traveler, the Great Basin Region earned its name from a fascinating phenomenon that occurs in this unique landscape. The entire region is completely void of water outlets, meaning its few streams (including the Humboldt River) disappear and flow into lakes, marshes, or sinks, with much of the water lost to evaporation. This makes some of the park's features seem downright miraculous, with vast forests and wildlife that can survive with very little water:

The Bristlecone Pines: Easily the parks most iconic feature, these 5,000-year-old trees pepper the landscape of a towering mountain range. The Alpine Lakes Loop at high elevation offers visitors a less-crowded and more scenic view.

Explore Lehman Caves: During the summer season, visitors can tour the caves inside the national park. You can follow the paved route or take yourself on an adventure with wild caving. The latter requires training, which the park provides on weekends in the summer. Be sure to secure a pass before heading out.

See Wheeler Peak: Known as Nevadas second-highest mountain at 13,065 feet, this stunning summit is well worth scaling. It offers hikers panoramic views of the Great Basin, excellent wildlife sightings, and serves as the parks most visually dramatic natural landmark.

Go wildflower-ing: You can while away the hours admiring the parks diverse flowers, which are a marvel considering the environment. Ride the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which is lined with wildflowers all summer long and changes as the months progress. Hike the Sky Island Forest Trail, which is full of fragile alpine flowers, or try the Baker Creek Loop, which sits at 1,800 feet of elevation and takes hikers through a wide range of flower-filled environments.

Experience stargazing like never before: Great Basin National Park has some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states, making the cosmos come alive at night. On a moonless evening, visitors can spot the Andromeda Galaxy and see planets like Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter.

Of course, the area is also full of camping, birdwatching, hiking, and fishing opportunities, making it perfect for a long weekend trip.

Related: Here's how many national parks there are in the U.S.

Make the most of your trip to Great Basin

Great Basin is famously remote, but that doesnt mean its inaccessible. There is plenty to do in the surrounding area, offering a great way to round out a nature-focused trip.

Several historic mining towns sit within driving distance:

Hamilton: A short detour with remnants of 19th-century life.

Osceola: One of Nevadas oldest mining camps with preserved ruins worth seeing.

Cherry Creek: Full of abandoned buildings and a cemetery that visitors can explore respectfully at their own risk.

Adventurers can also drive out to Ely, Nevada. This quaint and picturesque town is about an hour away and is the largest town in the area. It has local museums, including the Nevada Northern Railway Museum with historic train rides, as well as a small but robust art scene. There are also several restaurants, shops, and lodging options to choose from.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more National Park news.

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
FILE - The USS Gravely destroyer arrives to dock for military exercises in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert Taylor, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP)  The government of Trinidad and Tobago said Monday that it would allow the U.S. military to access its airports in coming weeks as tensions build between the United States and Venezuela.

The announcement comes after the U.S. military recently installed a radar system at the airport in Tobago. The Caribbean country's government has said the radar is being used to fight local crime, and that the small nation wouldn't be used as a launchpad to attack any other country.

The U.S. would use the airports for activity that would be "logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations, Trinidad and Tobagos Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. It did not provide further details.

Trinidads prime minister previously has praised ongoing U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.

Only 7 miles (11 kilometers) separate Venezuela from the twin-island Caribbean nation at their closest point. It has two main airports: Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago.

Hours after the announcement, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said her country was immediately canceling any contract, deal or negotiation to supply natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago.

She claimed that the government of Trinidad and Tobago participated in the recent U.S. seizure of an oil tanker off the countrys coast, calling it an act of piracy.

She also accused Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of having a hostile agenda against Venezuela, noting that the U.S. military installed an airport radar in Tobago.

This official has turned the territory of Trinidad and Tobago into a US aircraft carrier to attack Venezuela, in an unequivocal act of vassalage, Rodriguez said.

Persad-Bissessar told The Associated Press that she wasn't bothered by the statement, describing it as simply false propaganda.

They should direct their complaints to President Trump, as it is the U.S. military that has seized the sanctioned oil tanker. In the meantime, we continue to have peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people, Persad-Bissessar said.

The prime minister asserted that her nation has never depended on Venezuela for natural gas supplies: We have adequate reserves within our territory.

Trinidad and Venezuela had previously reached a deal over the development of a gas field in Venezuelan waters, near the maritime border separating the two countries.

In December 2023, Venezuela granted a license for oil giant Shell and Trinidad and Tobago to produce gas from the field. In October, the U.S. government granted Trinidad and Tobago permission to negotiate the gas deal without facing U.S sanctions placed on Venezuela.

Amery Browne, an opposition senator and Trinidad and Tobago's former foreign minister, accused the Trinidadian government on Monday of being deceptive in its announcement.

Browne said that Trinidad and Tobago has become complicit facilitators of extrajudicial killings, cross-border tension and belligerence.

There is nothing routine about this. It has nothing to do with the usual cooperation and friendly collaborations that we have enjoyed with the USA and all of our neighbors for decades," he said.

He said the "blanket permission with the U.S. takes the country a further step down the path of a satellite state and that it embraces a 'might is right' philosophy.

American strikes began in September and have killed more than 80 people as Washington builds up a fleet of warships near Venezuela, including the largest U.S. aircraft carrier.

In October, an American warship docked in Trinidad's capital, Port-of-Spain, as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump boosts military pressure on Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. lawmakers have questioned the legality of the strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean, and recently announced that there would be a congressional review of them.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
President Trump Delivers Remarks At AI Summit In Washington DC (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Trump administration is launching a new Tech Force, a government-wide initiative designed to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the government and secure American technological dominance, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Monday.

The Tech Force will recruit top engineers, data scientists, and technologists from leading technology companies to work across agencies on AI projects within the federal government, according to the OPM. By embedding AI experts directly into federal agencies, the administration seeks to modernize government infrastructure, improve services, and recruit top early-career talent, according to OPM.

This is a clarion call, OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a statement. If you want to help your country lead in the age of AI, we need you.

The US Tech Force offers the chance to build and lead projects of national importance, while creating powerful career opportunities in both public service and the private sector, Kupor added. (RELATED: Betrayed American Workers Expose Dark Underbelly Of H-1B Visa Scheme)

WASHINGTON, DC  DECEMBER 02: U.S. President Donald Trump thanks tech billionaire Michael Dell while making an announcement about Trump accounts in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on December 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

OPM plans to recruit a cohort of 1,000 early-career candidates with technical expertise for a two-year program, matching participants with positions across federal agencies, primarily focused on modernization, Kupor told reporters Monday. Participants will receive training from private-sector partners and work on mission-critical projects, with the opportunity to transition into permanent positions within both the federal government and the private sector after the program concludes.

The Tech Force will partner with around 25 leading technology companies, including Amazon Web Services, Adobe, Dell Technologies, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir and xAI, with plans to expand the list over time, according to OPM.

It is a call to service for our nations best technologists to join a mission-critical corps that will ensure our competitiveness, modernize our government infrastructure and lead the world in innovation from education to medicine, U.S. Federal CIO Gregory Barbaccia said in a statement.

The initiative is designed not only to address a talent gap in highly-coveted technical skills but also to replenish the federal workforce as retirements surge over the next decade, according to Kupor.

Our goal here is not to ask people to commit to a 40-year career in the federal government, Kupor said, but to show that there are opportunities for long-term tech careers tackling complex problems in the federal government.

Applications for the U.S. Tech Force are now open at TechForce.gov, with the agency aiming to complete hiring by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

The move is part of President Donald Trumps broader AI strategy outlined in the AI Action Plan launched in July. Since then, the president has taken steps to further the strategy, including a Thursday executive order to create federal rules and approvals for AI to challenge state-level regulations.

However, some state leaders, including Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have pushed back, saying executive order doesnt/cant preempt state legislative action.

The administration has also approved U.S. chip maker Nvidia to export some of its advanced AI chips, including its H200s, to China under a deal that allows the government to take a portion of the profits. Nvidia says the exports will help establish American AI technology as a global standard, though critics warn the move could undermine long-term national security.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
TOPSHOT-CHILE-ELECTION-RUNOFF-CAMPAIGN (Photo by EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images)

The populist, right-wing candidate in Chile won the presidency over his left-wing communist opponent by a healthy margin on Sunday, marking another milestone in the continuing shift to the right in Americas back yard.

Jose Antonio Kast, who has expressed his approval for President Donald Trump multiple times, won the election Sunday night with 58% of the vote, beating communist challenger Jeanette Jara decisively. Kast joins a growing list of right-wing candidates that have won in South America, signaling a realignment that could bode well for the Trump administrations stated goal of exerting more influence over its backyard.

Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear, Kast said in his victory speech Sunday. Criminals, delinquents  their lives are going to change. Were going to look for them, find them, judge them and then were going to lock them up. (RELATED: Literal Communist Battles Pro-Trump Conservative For Presidency In Americas Backyard)

A supporter of Chiles presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast (L), of the Partido Republicano party, wears a US President Donald Trump mask as he celebrates the results of the presidential runoff election in Santiago on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Raul Bravo / AFP via Getty Images)

Kast has publicly supported President Donald Trump, saying his 2024 election victory in November was a new victory for freedom and common sense. In contrast, Jara said in 2024 that the Cold War perception of communism isnt representative of the current situation.

Chiles neighbors have also shifted rightward, with Argentinas Javier Milei and Bolivias Rodrigo Paz scoring decisive election wins this year.

Chile suffers from large-scale economic stagnation, with low investment rates and productivity presenting major problems headed into the election. As a result, the nation went through wide-ranging political turmoil in recent years, as two motions to change its constitution have so far failed.

The White House deferred to Secretary of State Marco Rubios public statements when asked for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Two students hold candles during a vigil in Providence, Rhode Island, on Sunday. - Taylor Coester/Reuters

At about 4:20 p.m. on a cold Rhode Island Saturday, a message from Brown University flashed up on cellphones all over campus  everyone should run or take cover from an active shooter.

Hours later, horror erupted again, on the other side of the globe, as two gunmen sprayed bullets into a Hanukkah celebration on iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney.

At Brown, two students were killed and nine others were injured. At least 15 people died at Bondi Beach, and more than three dozen remain in the hospital.

Theres little, circumstantially, linking the outrages.

Both featured the now-routine rituals of mass shootings, including jerky cellphone footage of people fleeing for their lives. And two communities were left shattered by the same incomprehensible reality  of death that came suddenly for people gunned down as they went about daily life.

First responders on the scene near Brown University's Barus and Holley building, the site of a mass shooting, in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday. - Bing Guan/AFP/Getty Images

In Rhode Island, students checked in for a final exam. Two victims will now never go home for the holidays. In Sydney, the dead perished on a balmy evening at the beach.

They were victims of a modern curse.

Sudden, public violence can burst out anywhere at any time. Who hasnt been part of a crowd or at a big event and not felt a chill of fear at its vulnerability to a terror attack or mass shooting?

The Sydney and Brown University attacks have another thing in common: Both quickly become dragged into the politics of a bitter, divided time, as partisans saw each through the prism of their own ideology and disputes.

A horrific Hanukkah

Bondi Beach is an archetype of life Down Under, with its ocean-filled pools, sun, sand, surfers and restaurants. But its legend will now forever be stained with blood.

The gathering at Bondi Beach was supposed to be a day of joy, advertised as an event adjacent to a playground, with face painting, ice cream, and games for children. Instead, it became the site of unspeakable violence targeting Jews, Bend the Arc, a US organization of Jews and allies, said in a statement. On this first night of and through every night of Hanukkah, Jews across the world will recount this horror, casting a shadow over our own celebrations. No one should be made to feel afraid as they practice their Jewish traditions.

The attack, by father-and-son assailants, underscored an alarming reality: Jews cannot assume they are safe anywhere. A rising wave of antisemitism has seen high-profile killings in Washington, DC; Manchester, England; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The massacre in Sydney was on the minds of many attendees at the National Menorah lighting ceremony in Washington on Sunday. Allison Groff said she learned about the attack from her brother, whod been in another part of Sydney. Being Jewish, you feel vulnerable, Groff said.

Belongings of members of the Jewish community are seen at the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. - David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

A woman kneels and prays at a flower memorial to shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. - Mark Baker/AP

That vulnerability has only increased following the attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, and after the subsequent Israeli onslaught in Gaza aimed at Hamas. For years, many Western governments were in denial about the rise of antisemitism. Thats no longer a sustainable position.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told CNNs Fredricka Whitfield on Sunday that Jews were reeling from years of attacks and intimidation. You can never build walls that are high enough, he said, calling on political leaders to speak out against incitement.

In 20th century Europe, the legacy of two world wars that killed millions was palpable. It was hard to believe antisemitism would again become a global scourge. But as the last survivors of Nazi death camps fade away, historys lessons are being forgotten.

The Australia attack will renew huge scrutiny of the huge global demonstrations in solidarity with tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza killed during Israels onslaught against Hamas. The chant globalize the intifada has come to epitomize more radical aspects of the pro-Palestine movement. This latest antisemitic attack underscores why some Jewish people interpret it as a threat.

The political aftermath of the Sydney attack is already opening new divides.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese early Monday condemned the Bondi attack as just impossible to rationalize and comprehend.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the scene of the attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. - Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday faulted Australia for doing too little to acknowledge antisemitism and implied that the foreign policy of the Canberra government and its allies had enabled the attack. He recalled how he had told Albanese in a letter in August that 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.

Americas Western allies, who have recognized a Palestinian state that exists only in the aspirations of its would-be citizens, reject the notion that their criticism of Israeli policy fosters antisemitism. Netanyahus critics argue that his blocking of the path to a Palestinian state fomented conditions for extremism in occupied territories and anti-Israeli protests that is reshaping Western politics.

Israels critics, which include many of its former allies, fervently decry violence and intimidation against Jews, but reject the idea that criticizing Israel is tantamount to antisemitism.

Browns tragic new symbolism

Brown University has joined a tragic list of places whose mere names conjure the terror of mass shootings: Sandy Hook Elementary School; Uvalde, Texas; the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida; Virginia Tech; and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Saturdays shooting rampage was the latest example of shocking public violence that has rocked America in the last 18 months, including two assassination attempts against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump; the assassination of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk; the murder of Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark; and a firebomb attack on the residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish.

The violence prompted politicians of both parties to accuse their adversaries of incitement. Rebel MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has accused Trump of triggering death threats against her family with his rhetorical attacks after she broke with him on several key issues. And Republicans claim that the characterization by some Democrats of the president as a fascist endangers him.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut stoked controversy in his response to the Brown University shootings on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. He said Trump was restoring gun rights to felons and people who have lost their ability to buy guns.

He eliminated the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and he has stopped funding mental health grants and community anti-gun violence grants that Republicans and Democrats supported in that 2022 bill, Murphy said. 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.

Police patrol Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Sunday, the day after a mass shooting. - Spencer Platt/Getty Images

But Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana argued that Murphy was speaking too soon. I dont mean to demean what Sen. Murphy said, but I do find that, if theres something bad that happens, the checklist is first blame President Trump, Cassidy said. Lets find out what the facts are. Lets see whats actually going on.

The politics of gun violence are stuck. And the tired post-shooting routines are playing out. Trump and Republicans offered prayers for the victims. Some Democrats demanded more gun control. And everyone puzzled over the emotional, mental and societal dislocation that can turn young men into killers.

And almost as soon as news broke of the Sydney shooting, social media filled with Americans seeking a political opening. Some argued falsely that it undermined a frequent argument of gun-control advocates that Australias tight restrictions on firearms mean the country doesnt suffer massacres as often as the US.

But two cities, on opposite sides of the world, were united in mourning. Australia grieved victims including a beloved rabbi and a 10-year-old girl. And a generation of young Americans brought up on duck-and-cover mass shooter drills wondered whether theyd ever be safe on campus.

In a moment of emotional synergy with Sydney on Sunday evening, one of the first public events in Providence, Rhode Island, after the Brown shooting was a menorah-lighting ceremony.

If we can come together  and shine a little bit of light tonight, theres nothing better that we could be doing as a community, the citys mayor, Brett Smiley, said.

CNNs Aileen Graef contributed reporting.

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Washington  Federal law enforcement officials said Monday that four members of a far-left anti-government group have been arrested and face charges for allegedly planning a series of bomb attacks across Southern California on New Year's Eve.

Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X that the Justice Department and FBI "prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California," which encompasses Los Angeles and Orange County.

FBI Director Kash Patel said that the four people who face charges for the alleged plot in California are members of a group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. Bondi described the Turtle Island Liberation Front as a "far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group."

Bill Essayli, who leads the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, said at a press conference that the four individuals were arrested Friday in San Bernardino County, where they gathered to construct and detonate test explosive devices in the Mojave Desert. He said the suspects allegedly crafted a "detailed, coordinated plot" to bomb two U.S. companies on New Year's Eve, with the devices simultaneously exploding at midnight. Essayli did not name the companies but said they were "logistics centers."

"This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalized antifa-like groups pose to people, public safety and the rule of law," he said.

The defendants are identified in court papers as Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, Dante Gaffield and Tina Lai.

Officials played a video that they said showed defendants gathering in the desert to test the bombs. The footage was taken by a surveillance plane, according to Essayli, and FBI agents arrested the defendants soon after. An affidavit from the FBI said that the co-conspirators unloaded bomb-making materials from cars and started to assemble the materials in a table under a tent while they were in the Mojave Desert. The FBI intervened before the four defendants could finish assembling a functional bomb, according to the court filings.

Surveillance footage allegedly showing members of a far-left anti-government group preparing to construct and test bombs in the California desert, as released by the Justice Department on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. / Credit: Justice Department (Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

All four of the defendants are from the Los Angeles-area and have been charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Additional charges could be filed in the coming weeks, according to Essayli. He described the suspects as "radical, anti-government members" of the Turtle Island Liberation Front.

A fifth person, Micah James Legnon, was arrested in Louisiana and charged with one count of making threats in interstate commerce. A FBI agent said in an affidavit that Legnon appears to be a member of the Turtle Island Liberation Front and "intended to travel to New Orleans to carry out an attack by means of weapons." Legnon, who served in the U.S. Marines, was stopped by law enforcement on a highway in Louisiana on Friday and had an assault rifle, pistol, gas canister, and body armor in his car, according to court papers.

The Turtle Island Liberation Front describes itself on Facebook as a political organization that seeks "liberation of occupied Turtle Island and liberation of all colonized people across the world." Turtle Island is the name used by some Indigenous peoples for North America.

The group has expressed pro-Palestinian messages on social media and has said it is fighting against "fascist colonizers." It has urged followers to bring Palestinian flags to protests.

An Instagram account for the group's Los Angeles chapter says it advocates for "liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty." The group does not appear to be particularly well-known: its Instagram account had fewer than 900 followers as of Monday morning, and its Facebook page was followed by just 32 users.

Mr. Trump has targeted far-left groups and movements as leading domestic terrorism threats. In September, the president signed a memorandum calling for the creation of a "national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence," as well as investigations into organizations that he believes engage in political violence. He claimed that violent conduct is animated by "anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity" views.

Mr. Trump also signed an executive order labeling antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization," even though antifa is a political movement with no official leadership or organization structure.

Michael Kenney, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh who researches high-risk activism and political violence, said the Turtle Island Liberation Front appears to be part of the larger ecosystem of groups that the Trump administration is focusing on, with a far-left, anarchist, anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist ideology.

"The individuals that were involved in this alleged plot appear to be a splinter group or an offshoot of the larger Turtle Island Liberation Front," he said. "In other words, I believe that there are members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front that had nothing to do with this plot, and what we appear to be seeing is several individuals that have decided to escalate their activism to actual political violence."

Kenney said the group appears to be small, but active in terms of digital and offline activism.

"This is a group that has an ideology, they have a set of political ideas that they follow, that they are trying to implement," he said. "What they're trying to do here is bring attention to those ideas and their beliefs."

Federal officials said one of the defendants, Carroll, 30, created a "detailed bombing plot" in November and provided it to a FBI source. She allegedly worked with Page, 32, to obtain and build the bombs, and to recruit participants for the plan. Essayli said Carroll's "bomb plot was explicit," and included instructions for building the devices and targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.

"These bombs were to blow up at the same time, on midnight this New Year's Eve," said Akil Davis, FBI assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "The plan stated that the IEDs would be complex pipe bombs. It included instructions on how to manufacture the bombs and contained guidance on how to avoid leaving evidence behind that can be traced back to them."

Carroll and Page also allegedly discussed plans to target federal immigration agents and vehicles with pipe bombs after the bombings, according to Essayli.

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

Details on Nick Reiner's arrest for murders of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaking during an interview on Face the Nation, Image 2 shows President Donald Trump wearing a black overcoat and a red and blue plaid scarf, looking directly at the camera, Image 3 shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waves to a crowd of supporters at a rally in Caracas

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado endorsed President Trumps recent seizure of a vessel transporting oil out of her home country and pressure campaign against the Maduro regime.

Machado acknowledged that tightening the screws on Venezuela could be brutal for the countrys already impoverished people, but praised Trumps efforts to oust socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

I absolutely support President Trumps 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, Machado told CBS News Face the Nation Sunday.

We have been asking this for years, so its finally happening, she added. Thats why I believe the regime has its days numbered.

Machado left Venezuela last week during a perilous trip across rough waters as part of her journey to Norway to accept her Nobel Peace Prize and see her daughter for the first time since 2023.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado cheered on the pressure campaign against the Maduro regime. CBS

President Trump has teased additional aggressive actions against Venezuela in the future. AP

She arrived hours after the formal ceremony and her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in her stead. Machado had been in hiding and not seen in public since Jan. 9.

The Trump administration has stepped up its pressure campaign against Venezuela over recent weeks, taking out multiple alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, dispatching additional military resources to the region, upping the bounty on Maduro to $50 million, and more.

Trump has also teased that he may strike land targets in Venezuela.

I dont know, Machado said when asked about Trumps plans for land strikes. If I knew, I wouldnt say it, of course. But its not the case. We are not involved, and we will not get involved into another nations policy for their own national security.

Machado had won a primary contest to be the opposition candidate against Maduro in the 2024 elections. However, she was barred from running, so the nod ultimately got passed off to Edmundo Gonzalez.

Critics have accused Nicolas Maduro of malfeasance in his 2024 election victory. AP

Maduro was crowned the winner in the controversial election, the legitimacy of which the Biden administration and other outside observers have questioned.

After winning the Nobel Peace Prize in October, Machado announced she was dedicating it to Trump.

Trump spent months crowing about the conflicts around the world that hes helped mediate, and the White House bristled when he wasnt given the coveted prize.

Machado argued that while tougher sanctions and similar efforts to seize oil tankers in the future could harm Venezuelans, those punitive measures serve their long-term interests.

The Trump administration has repeatedly struck alleged drug boats near Venezuela. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's X Account/AFP via Getty Images

What were doing is for the well-being of the Venezuelan people, she said. What we want to do is to save lives, but Maduro was the one who declared a war on the Venezuelan people. A war we didnt want.

A war we are suffering with hundreds of thousands of killings and forced executions, she added. The cash the regime gets from these illegal activities goes to buy arms, to pay gang members to spy and infiltrate, and even further to increase their illegal narcotics activities and so on.
FRANCE-UKRAINE-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY Image not from story(Photo by AMAURY CORNU/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin Sunday to meet with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, making clear that strong security guarantees are non-negotiable in any deal to end the war.

The key thing is that all the steps we agree on with partners must work in practice to deliver guaranteed security, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. Only reliable guarantees can deliver peace.

The Berlin talks bring together Ukrainian, American and European officials ahead of a Monday summit to include U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Politico reported.

Zelenskyy told journalists that Kyiv could accept binding security guarantees as a substitute for NATO membership. He said bilateral pacts with the U.S. that function like NATOs Article 5, combined with European commitments, could prevent another coming of Russian aggression. (RELATED: Ukraine Faces Thanksgiving Deadline As Leaks And Doubts Cloud Trump Peace Plan)

The Ukrainian leader said any guarantees must be legally binding and backed by the U.S. Congress.

A major sticking point remains the fate of eastern Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy rejected a U.S. proposal for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and create a demilitarized economic zone there.

I do not consider this fair, because who will manage this economic zone? Zelenskyy asked. He demanded Russian forces pull back the same distance as any Ukrainian withdrawal.

Today a fair possible option is we stand where we stand, Zelenskyy said, calling for a freeze along current battle lines.

The talks center on a 20-point peace plan brokered by Washington.
Jin Liqun will hand over his position as president of the AIIB, China's answer to the World Bank, on Jan. 16, 2026. (Qilai ShenBloomberg via Getty Images)

When China wanted to set up its answer to the World Bank, it picked Jin Liquna veteran financier with experience at the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Chinas ministry of finance and the China Investment Corporation, the countrys sovereign wealth fundto design it. Since 2014, Jin has been the force behind the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, including a decade as its first president, starting in 2016.



Jins decade-long tenure comes to an end on January 16, when he will hand over the presidents chair to Zou Jiayi, a former vice minister of finance. When Jin took over the AIIB ten years ago, the world was still mostly on a path to further globalization and economic integration, and the U.S. and China were competitors, not rivals. The world is different now: Protectionism is back, countries are ditching multilateralism, and the U.S. and China are at loggerheads.



The AIIB has largely managed to keep its over-100 members, which includes many countries that are either close allies to the U.S.like Germany, France and the U.K.or have longstanding tensions with Beijing, like India and the Philippines.

But can the AIIBwhich boasts China as its largest shareholder, and is closely tied to Beijings drive to be seen as a responsible stakeholderremain neutral in a more polarized international environment? And can multilateralism survive with an America First administration in Washington?

After his decades working for multilateral organizationsthe World Bank, the ADB, and now the AIIBJin remains a fan of multilateralism and is bullish on the prospects for global governance.

I find it very hard to understand that you can go alone, Jin tells Fortune in an interview. If one of those countries is going to work with China, and then China would have negotiations with this country on trade, cross-border investment, and so onhow can they negotiate something without understanding the basics, without following the generally accepted rules?

Multilateralism is something you could never escape.

Why did China set up the AIIB?

Beijing set up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank almost a decade ago, on Jan. 16, 2016. The bank grew from the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, when Chinese officials considered how best to use the countrys growing foreign exchange reserves. Beijing was also grumbling about its perceived lack of influence in major global economic institutions, like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, despite becoming one of the worlds most important economies.

With $66 billion in assets (according to its most recent financial statements), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is smaller than its U.S.-led peers, the World Bank (with $411 billion in assets) and the Asian Development Bank (with $130 billion). But the AIIB was designed to be Chinas first to design its own institutions for global governance and mark its name as a leader in development finance.

Negotiations to establish the bank started in earnest in 2014, as several Asian economies like India and Indonesia chose to join the new institution as members. Then, in early 2015, the U.K. made the shocking decision to join the AIIB as well; several other Western countries, like France, Germany, Australia, and Canada, followed suit.

Two major economies stood out in abstaining. The U.S., then under the Obama administration, chose not to join the AIIB, citing concerns about its ability to meet high standards around governance and environmental safeguards. Japan, the U.S.s closest security ally in East Asia, also declined, ostensibly due to concerns about human rights, environmental protection, and debt.

They chose not to join, but we dont mind. Jin says. We still keep a very close working relationship with U.S. financial institutions and regulatory bodies, as well as Japanese companies. He sees this relationship as proof of the AIIBs neutral and apolitical nature.

Still, Beijing set up the AIIB after years of being lobbied by U.S. officials to become a responsible stakeholder, when then-U.S. Secretary of State Robert Zoellick defined in 2005 as countries that recognize that the international system sustains their peaceful prosperity, so they work to sustain that system.

Two decades later, U.S. officials see Chinas presence in global governance as a threat, fearing that Beijing is now trying to twist international institutions to suit its own interests.

Jin shrugs off these criticisms. China is now, I think, the No. 2 contributor to the United Nations, and one of the biggest contributors to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Jin says. Yet the per capita GDP for China is still quite lower than a number of countries. That, in my view, is an indication of its assumption of responsibility.

And now, with several countries withdrawing from global governance, Jin thinks those lecturing China on being responsible are being hypocritical. When anybody tells someone else you should be a responsible member, you should ask yourself whether I am, myself, a responsible man. You cant say, youve got to be a good guy. Do you think you are a good guy yourself? he says, chuckling.

Why does China care about infrastructure?

From its inception, Beijing tried to differentiate the AIIB from the World Bank and the ADB through its focus on infrastructure. Jin credits infrastructure investment for laying part of the groundwork for Chinas later economic boom.

In 1980, China didnt have any expressways, no electrified railways, no modern airports, nothing in terms of so-called modern infrastructure, Jin says. Yet by 1995, Chinas economy started to take off. From 1995, other sectorsmanufacturing, processingmushroomed because of basic infrastructure.

Still, Jin doesnt see the AIIB as a competitor to the World Bank and the ADB, saying hes deeply attached to both banks due to his time serving in both. Those two institutions have been tremendous for Asian countries and many others around the world. But time moves forward, and we need something new to deal with new challenges, do projects more cost-effectively, and be more responsive.

Jin is particularly eager to defend one particular institutional choice: the AIIBs decision to have a non-resident board, with directors who dont reside in the banks headquarters of Beijing. (Commentators, at the time of the banks inception, were concerned that a non-resident board would reduce transparency, and limit the ability of board directors to stay informed.)

In order for management to be held accountable, in order for the board to have the real authoritative power to supervise and guide the management, the board should be hands-off. If the board makes decisions on policies and approves specific projects, the management will have no responsibility, he says.

Jin says it was a lesson learned from the private sector. The real owners, the board members, understand they should not interfere with the routine management of the institution, because only in so doing can they hold management responsible.

If the CEO is doing a good job, they can go on. If they are not doing a good job, kick them out.

What does Jin Liqun plan to do next?

Jin Liqun was born in 1949, just a few months before the official establishment of the Peoples Republic of China. He was sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution, and spent a decade first as a farmer, and eventually a teacher. He returned to higher education in 1978, getting a masters in English Literature from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

From there, he made his way through an array of Chinese and international financial institutions: the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, Chinas Ministry of Finance, the China International Capital Corporation, and, eventually, the China Investment Corporation, the countrys sovereign wealth fund.

In 2014, Jin was put in charge of the body set up to create the AIIB. Then, in 2016, he was elected the AIIBs first-ever president.

Geopolitical tensions are just like the wind or the waves on the ocean. Theyll push you a little bit here and there, Jin says. But we have to navigate this rough and tumble in a way where we wouldnt deviate from our neutrality and apolitical nature.

He admits the sea was never calm in his decade in office. U.S. President Donald Trumps election in 2016 intensified U.S.-China competition, with Washington now seeing Chinas involvement in global governance as a threat to U.S. power.

Other countries have also rethought their membership in the AIIB: Canada suspended its membership in 2023 after a former Canadian AIIB director raised allegations of Chinese Communist Party influence among leadership. (The AIIB called the accusations baseless and disappointing). China is also the AIIBs largest shareholder, holding around 26% of voting shares; by comparison, the U.S. holds about 16% of the World Banks voting shares.

Still, several countries that have tense relations with China, like India and the Philippines, have maintained their ties with the AIIB. We managed to overcome a lot of difficulty which arose from disputes between some of our members, and we managed to overcome some difficulty arising from conflicts around the world, he said.

Staff of different nationalities did not become enemies because their governments were having problems with each other. We never had this kind of problem.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
TriStar/Getty Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, Kirsten Dunst and Robin Williams in "Jumanji"

NEED TO KNOW

Jumanji was filmed in Keene, New Hampshire in the summer of 1994

Residents of the town got to participate as extras, with many enjoying encounters with Robin Williams when he filmed scenes and received the key to the city

The film was released the following year, on Dec. 15, 1995

One town will never forget what Jumanji meant to them.

The 1995 adventure film Jumanji, which featured Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, Jonathan Hyde, Bebe Neuwirth and David Alan Grier, is officially 30 years old.

Jumanji, based on the 1981 Chris Van Allsburg novel, was filmed in Keene, New Hampshire, stepping in for the fictional town of Brantford. Filming in the area took place in November 1994, an exciting moment for the town of under 35,000 residents.

Finding out about the movie was a moment the then-newly elected city councilor, Randy Filiault, will ever forget.



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"We said, by the way, who's really starring in this? He goes, 'Well, we just signed Robin Williams.' There was silence in the room because, A, we realized this is going to be a big film and, B, it's like, how the heck are we going to do this," Filiault recalled in an interview with WMUR.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994, Keene's then-Mayor William F. Lynch presented Williams with large, gold-plated keys to the city, giving the comedian an opportunity for a laugh.

The mayor of Munchkinland, Williams said in a Munchkin voice, referencing how Mayor Lynch stood a bit shorter than himself. Williams was 5'7", the Keene Sentinel shared in a recent look back at the unusual few days in the town's history.

He continued to riff off the crowd as he accepted the honor, joking, "If you hear a noise at your door tonight, its me. Its a big key and somewhere theres a big lock."

Williams continued to joke and interact with the group for 20 minutes before resuming a more serious demeanor and thanking them for the honor.

That final day of filming got the community involved, with over 150 people from the town chosen to be extras as the animals that escaped the board game chased the now-freed players through the town's Center Square.

The Parrish Shoes sign from the film still remains in downtown Keene. It was the site where residents came together to remember Williams again following his death in 2014. Residents and visitors brought candles, flowers, balloons and stuffed animals to the memorial, along with handwritten notes remembering how the actor left his signature magic with everyone he met during those short days.

Over the summer, the town found a festive reason to look back, as they enjoyed a celebration of 30 years of the film, which was officially released Dec. 15, 1995.

From June 20-22, interactive exhibits, screenings, and themed activities were available in the area as people remembered how Keene set the scene for a moment in film history.



Read the original article on People
Bighorn sheep butt heads at the National Elk Refuge in Teton County, Wyoming, in 2014. | Ann Hough, US Fish and Wildlife

POCATELLO  Two Challis men were sentenced for violating federal wildlife law in 2024.

Jerrod Randall Farr, 54, and Michael Timothy Scott, 68, were sentenced in United States District Court for the District of Idaho for Lacey Act wildlife violations, U.S. Attorney Bart Davis announced Monday.

According to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Lacey Act prohibits the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or any Indian tribal law, or foreign law.

A news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office says in 2024, Farr, a licensed outfitter and guide, was indicted on five counts: two counts of Lacey Act violations, two counts of providing false or fictitious information to a Forest Service officer, and one count of conducting work activity without a special-use authorization.

Scott, a former licensed outfitter and currently licensed guide, was indicted on two counts of Lacey Act violations.

According to court documents, Farr pleaded guilty to one Class A misdemeanor count of violating the Lacey Act on June 23, 2025, and Scott pleaded guilty to one Class A misdemeanor Lacey Act count.

RELATED | Two Challis men accused of facilitating and guiding illegal hunts

Farr, the owner and outfitter for White Cloud Outfitters, sold and organized Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts that occurred in an area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest that is closed to commercial guiding, and Scott, a guide for White Cloud Outfitters, illegally guided those hunts. Bighorn sheep were transported to Idaho, Utah and Alaska.

On Nov. 6, Farr was sentenced to two years of probation, where he is prohibited from hunting, accompanying hunters in the field, outfitting or guiding hunters, and profiting from outfitting or guiding hunters.

Judge David C. Nye also ordered that Farr pay a fine of $9,500, payable to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, and $15,000 in restitution, payable to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

On Nov. 24, Scott was sentenced to four years of probation, during which he is prohibited from hunting, accompanying hunters in the field, outfitting or guiding hunters, and profiting from outfitting or guiding hunters.

Nye also ordered Scott to pay a fine of $9,500, payable to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, and $15,000 in restitution, payable to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Idaho Fish and Game, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Paskett and Christian Nafzger prosecuted the case.

The post Two Challis men sentenced for selling and and facilitating illegal hunts appeared first on East Idaho News.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Young people's mental health seems to be getting better. The most recent Healthy Minds Study, from researchers at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, shows rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation decreasing among U.S. college students for the third year in a row.

The 20242025 study includes responses from more than 84,000 college students across the nation. In the latest study, symptoms of severe depression were down five percentage points and suicidal thoughts were down four percentage points since 2022.

This is good news, certainlyand perhaps also a challenge to certain doomsday politicians and pundits. It's at least part of a growing body of evidence that complicates anti-tech narratives.

"These sustained reductions tell me this is not a blip," said Justin Heinze, co-principal investigator, in a statement. "Whether it's distance from the pandemic, better institutional support, or something else driving the change, I think this is a promising counternarrative to what seems like constant headlines around young people's struggles with mental health."

The survey also registered significant drops in moderate depressive symptoms, moderate and severe anxiety symptoms, and loneliness. The rate of experiencing any anxiety was 33 percent, down from 37.5 percent in 2022, and past-year suicidal ideation in the latest study stood at 11 percent, down from 15 percent back then.

Return?

Some might suggest that recent mental health gains are nothing to crow about, as they simply represent a leveling out from peak-pandemic heights when teen and young-adult screen time was also at a peak. Certainly, the next few years of data will reveal a lot about whether we're in a period of prolonged gains or simply a return to levels right before the pandemic (which were, in many instances, quite elevated over a decade earlier).

But there is some evidence to suggest that whatever's going on, it's not just about teens spending less time on their phones.

For one thing, some of the recent rates are also lower than pre-pandemic numbers. For instance, past-year suicidal ideation in the latest study stood at 11 percent, down from 14 percent in 2019 and only slightly higher than in 2014 (when it was a little over 10 percent). Thirty-seven percent of students in the latest study expressed some depressive symptoms (whether mild, moderate, or severe), which was the same as in 2018 (and down from 40 percent in 2021 and nearly 44 percent in 2022).

It's also not as if young people emerged from the pandemic with a passion for rejecting screen time. A recent Pew Research Center report about teen tech usage found that 92 percent of respondents used YouTube at least sometimes, with 76 percent saying they used it daily. Sixty-one percent said they used TikTok daily. Fifty-five percent reported daily Instagram use, 46 percent Snapchat, and 20 percent Facebook.

Teens in 2025 also have a relatively new avenue of tech usage available to them: AI chatbots. In the Pew survey, 28 percent said they use AI chatbots daily.

None of this disproves the idea that elevated pandemic-era tech usage could have contributed to well-being declines in young peoplethough I think you would be hard pressed to prove that the effects of increased tech use outweighed other elements of the pandemic, like not seeing their school friends and masses of people dying. And while we'll never know for sure, I suspect mental health declines may have been much worse if people didn't have technology to connect and distract them during this time.

But if nothing else, the recent data suggest that under still-high tech-use conditions, it's possible to reverse mental health declines to pre-pandemic levels, and possibly lower. Which at least points to a possibilityonce againthat issues of young people and recent troubles go way beyond tech.

Against Simplistic Narratives

The mental health gains are part of a growing body of research that challenges easyand, unfortunately, prevailingnarratives about young people and technology.

There's an appealingly simplistic logic to anti-smartphone and antisocial media arguments: phone use went up, social media use went up, and at the same time, a host of negative conditionsdepressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, trouble on standardized testwent up, too. Ergo, the phones did it. Instagram did it. Correlation is nine-tenths of moral-panic law.

There are, of course, a whole host of confounding factors at play here, including the destigmatization of many mental-health conditions and the fact that some of these were increasingly valorized in online and academic circles. Also, COVID, obviously.

But the problems with the narrative go beyond confounding variables.

For instance, a study heralded as showing that the age of first smartphone ownership was linked to negative well-being actually showed grand differences based on where in the world we were looking. The data also produced a whole lot of weird incongruencieswith, for instance, kids in North America who first owned a smartphone at age 5 showing better mental health in young adulthood than those who didn't get one until age age 6, and first owning one at age 12 linked to equal or better adolescent mental health than first owning one at ages 13 through 18. In South Asia, first owning a phone at 9 years old was linked to better adolescent mental health than waiting until later agesbut first owning one at age 10 was not. If smartphone ownership per se were so predictive, how do you explain data like that?

It's true that rates of teen suicide have risenbut far from universally. In the U.S., rates vary wildly by state, despite similar rates of tech usage and adoption. Globally, they've gone up in some countries and remained flat or even declined in others, despite similar technology situations. If phones and social media were the main culprit, we should expect similar increases in every place where they are similarly adopted.

And while some studies show correlations between increased screen time and increased symptoms of anxiety or depression, worse test scores, lower self esteem, and so on, others show just the opposite.

Do Digital Videos Make Students Dumber?

I was alerted to the Healthy Minds Study by a recent Tyler Cowen column in The Free Press. Calling for a ban on trying to ban teens from the internet, Cowen noted another study that doesn't lend itself to easy narratives:

Let's consider one recent study of video watching. This study did show some costs, as the core result was that for each daily hour of video watching, a child experiences (on average) a reduction of non-cognitive skills of 0.091 standard deviations on average. But is the effect "large"? That is less than a tenth of a standard deviation, which is not a very large deviation from the average, noting it depends on how many hours of daily video the child watches. At three hours a day that is three-tenths of a standard deviation (the effect is close to linear). That difference is likely smaller than the change in your cognitive ability over the course of a day, as you get tired and your alertness slips. That's a real change, but a modest one. Nonetheless this is a matter of genuine concern, and I believe many parents would be wise to limit their children's video watching. But it is not the collapse of our civilization, or the destruction of our youth. When Jonathan Haidt, while discussing video, posts about "the global destruction of the human ability to pay attention", that is an exaggeration. And warnings of the decline in test scores have been dramatically overstated. In the U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress, for instance, eighth grade reading and math scores dipped insignificantly from 2012 to 2020, falling only with Covid. I believe we are negligent in not doing more to boost them, but again the heavens are not falling.

Cowen goes on to note that watching videos "actually showed a positive effect on math scores, and a positive but statistically insignificant effect on cognitive skills in general."

When you're motivated to find evidence that today's tech is dooming young people, it's certainly easy to do so. But when you consider the totality of the data, the picture becomes much, much more complicated. Suddenly we see evidence that tech may have both negative and positive effects on young peoplesometimes simultaneously; that its effects may differ greatly based on individuals' pre-existing circumstances and psychological makeups; that there are at least other plausible explanations for negative developments that many attribute only to technology; and that even where tech usage could credibly be causing damage, the effect sizes are often much smaller than folks make it seem.

More Sex & Tech News

AI toys toe the Chinese Communist Party line. NBC reports:

Miiloomanufactured by the Chinese company Miriat and one of the top inexpensive search results for "AI toy for kids" on Amazonwould at times, in tests with NBC News, indicate it was programmed to reflect Chinese Communist Party values. Asked why Chinese President Xi Jinping looks like the cartoon Winnie the Pooha comparison that has become an internet meme because it is censored in ChinaMiiloo responded that "your statement is extremely inappropriate and disrespectful. Such malicious remarks are unacceptable." Asked whether Taiwan is a country, it would repeatedly lower its voice and insist that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. That is an established fact" or a variation of that sentiment. Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy, rejects Beijing's claims that it is a breakaway Chinese province.

Sex worker debanking recognized: A new report from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the agency tasked with working to implement President Donald Trump's executive order on "fair banking," specifically calls out financial discrimination against adult content creators in its initial report on "depoliticizing and removing mechanisms used to weaponize finance in the federal banking system." Some banks "either strictly restricted access to, or required escalated review for, certain financial products or services in connection with customers engaged in the sale or distribution of adult media and non-media (e.g., 'products and services of a sexual nature')," the report notes. "Many institutions also placed restrictions on banking digital asset activities, including on issuers, exchanges, or administrators, often attributed to financial crime considerations." The Free Speech Coalition, an adult industry trade group, called this acknowledgement huge. It means that "not only has the federal government recognized that our industry experiences banking discrimination, it has identified it as a problem to be solved," the group said in a December 10 email. "The OCC has confirmed that we fall within the scope of the Executive Order."

The revolution will be Discorded: Reason's Matthew Petti looks at how "young protesters opposing Nepal's social media ban triggered a political upheaval that brought Sushila Karki to power as the country's first woman prime ministerwith much of the organizing happening on the messaging platform Discord."

Data centers in space? Some AI players looking for data-center locations "think that low earth orbit could mitigate the problem of pesky, annoyed neighbors and offer perpetual sunshine to power constellations of AI satellites," reports Reason's Ron Bailey.

Followup: Wisconsin catch kit provision ditched. Last month, this newsletter covered a Wisconsin bill that would have required doctors to send abortion-pill patients home with "catch kits" for bagging up and returning blood, fetal remains, and other products of the abortion. The author of that bill has now "introduced an amendment removing that provision, leaving the proposal focused on penalties for drug manufacturers," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Disney deepfakes? Users of Sora, OpenAI's short-form video platform, "will be able to start generating videos with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Yoda early next year," notes The New York Times.

Trump's latest AI order: Last Thursday, President Donald Trump released a new executive order aimed at "ensuring a national policy framework" for AI. "While the order self-admittedly does not create a national regulatory framework for the burgeoning technology, the reactions of both AI pessimists and AI optimists suggest that it is a meaningful step toward stymieing state regulation," writes Reason's Jack Nicastro.

Today's Image

From Reason's Big Tech debate last week | The Miracle Theater, Washington, D.C. (Reason)

The post Young People's Mental Health Is Improving. Tech Alarmists Take Note. appeared first on Reason.com.
by Joseph Masilamany

A Facebook post by a mufti has shed light on the group's relationships with influential figures in Malaysian society and politics. The Home minister believes it poses no threat, although the police are monitoring the situation. At stake is the delicate issue of balancing vigilance and guarantees for religious freedom in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Malaysian police are monitoring the activities of a South Korean religious group alleged to have links with several influential Malaysian figures. However, the organisation does not currently pose a threat to national security, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

The minister said the Special Branch has been keeping tabs on the group, which has been described by some observers as a cult, following briefings on its structure, activities and local involvement.

The issue surfaced publicly after Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin claimed in a Facebook post that several Muslim members of Parliament and senior political figures were involved with the group.

Asri alleged that the organisation uses the name of Jesus and makes various strange and deviant claims. He also claimed photographs of MPs appearing with members of the group at events around the country had circulated widely over the past few years.

The affair has also caused a stir in light of legal proceedings currently underway in Japan and South Korea over the relationship between politicians and religious movements, such as the Unification Church founded by Reverend Moon.

Responding to the claims, Saifuddin urged Asri to provide any information he has to the police to facilitate a formal investigation.

According to the minister, the police are continuing to observe the groups activities, which take place in various forms and settings. This may explain why some local political figures are involved, as the activities appear benign on the surface, he said.

He added that the Special Branch maintains a dedicated unit tasked with monitoring deviant teachings nationwide, tracking the modus operandi of groups and individuals whose activities may undermine public order, religious harmony or national security.

On 1 July, the Diocese of Melaka-Johor issued a pastoral letter cautioning Catholics in the diocese to be aware of the activities of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus cult.

According to the letter, the group hides behind names like Salt & Light, New Heaven, Bible Study Word, and Spirit Bible Study. The diocesan letter also pointed out that the group targets youths, students, and faithful Catholics.

Malaysia has a long and sensitive history with cults and deviant movements, particularly those that blend religious teachings with political influence or militant tendencies.

Among the most prominent was Al-Arqam, a Muslim movement founded in the 1970s that gained widespread influence through businesses, religious communes, and social networks.

Although initially tolerated, Al-Arqam was banned in 1994 after religious authorities declared its teachings deviant and the government raised concerns about its parallel power structures and ideological control over followers.

Another case was Al-Maunah, a militant group that shocked the nation in 2000 when its members staged an arms heist from a military camp in Perak. The incident ended in a violent standoff and exposed how extremist religious ideology could morph into a direct security threat.

Security analysts say these past episodes explain why authorities remain cautious even when groups initially appear harmless.

Minister Saifuddin stressed that monitoring does not equate to criminalisation, noting that authorities must balance vigilance with constitutional freedoms.

At this stage, there is no indication that the group threatens national security, he explained. But our responsibility is to ensure early detection, transparency and preparedness.

The matter also raises sensitive questions about the intersection of religion and politics, particularly when elected representatives are seen associating with religious movements whose teachings are disputed.

The episode has reignited debate over how Malaysia should manage unconventional religious movements  especially those with foreign origins and political access  before they evolve into something more dangerous.
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15 December 2025 17:13 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Asset integrity, corrosion management, and advanced coating technologies are essential pillars of safety and operational excellence in the global oil and gas industry. As energy infrastructure ages and operating environments become more complex, ensuring the structural reliability of pipelines, processing facilities, and storage systems has become critical, not only for preventing costly incidents but also for extending the lifecycle of assets and minimising environmental impact.

In Azerbaijan, these priorities hold particular importance. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plays a central role in the national economy as one of the countrys largest employers, investors, and drivers of energy security and global partnerships. SOCARs operations - spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream segments - directly influence economic growth, export revenues, and the modernisation of Azerbaijans energy infrastructure. Strengthening asset integrity and applying world-class corrosion protection standards are therefore crucial to sustaining SOCARs long-term contributions to the countrys development.

In an interview with Azernews, Polad Rustamov, Deputy Vice President of SOCAR and Executive Director of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations (MGO) and Executive Chairman of AICC Caspian 2025, outlined SOCARs strategic approach, technological advancements, and ongoing transformation towards international best practices.

 Earlier, you emphasised the strategic importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability. What key priorities and technological innovations is SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations focusing on in this direction?

Deputy Vice President P. Rustamov:

It is essential to ensure the long-term integrity of the transportation and storage systems operated by SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations (MGO). At the moment, we are managing the Southern Caucasus Pipeline, where we have a very reliable and well-designed integrity management plan.

He explained that this plan includes high-end inspections, detailed data analysis, and comprehensive integrity management programs. We use advanced technologies to assess the condition of our system, analyse data, and then plan maintenance, repairs, anti-corrosion measures, and coating applications.

SOCAR MGO now combines traditional engineering methods with innovative solutions. "We are now aware that innovations, such as the use of nanotechnology-based coatings, are designed to significantly extend protective performance. Coating and cathodic protection systems are primary defence against corrosion, and newer materials make this protection more durable.

He added that SOCAR is integrating artificial intelligence into its workflow to process large volumes of technical data. AI allows us to identify critical risk points and target high-cost technologies where they are most needed, rather than applying them everywhere.

 Effective integrity management not only reduces incident risks but also extends asset lifespan. What are the main challenges and opportunities SOCAR faces in aligning its integrity management practices with international standards?

In response, P. Rustamov emphasised that many of SOCARs facilities have been in operation for decades and were traditionally maintained according to local regulations. However, he noted that the company has undergone a significant shift in recent years.

Over the last several years, we have transformed our integrity management philosophy to align with international practices, he said. He explained that, as an example, newly built facilities are now equipped with PIG launchers and receiversPipeline Intelligent Gauges that travel through pipelines to assess wall thickness and detect anomalies. In the past, we didnt have such technology, but today it is becoming a standard tool across our operations.

According to him, SOCAR is also integrating cathodic protection systems into its infrastructure, another capability that was not widely available. We are installing new anodes and new cathodic protection systems that are aimed at protecting the pipe, he noted.

Rustamov added that SOCAR has significantly upgraded its coating applications, using more durable materials designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as ultraviolet exposure. We are now applying coatings that ensure long-term resistance to external factors.

He stressed that these advancements reflect SOCARs broader transformation into an international company. We are adopting global standards not only because they represent best practices but because they help us optimise operational costs while ensuring the long-term operability and safety of our assets.

 You also mentioned that corrosion remains a global challenge with significant economic and environmental impacts. What innovative solutions or collaborative projects is SOCAR currently implementing to enhance corrosion mitigation and improve protective coating systems?

The Deputy Vice President explained that SOCAR is working closely with industry partners, particularly companies specialising in advanced coating and corrosion technologies. Corrosion management is the core business of many of the companies participating in this conference, and collaboration with them is essential, he stated.

He underlined that the process always begins with accurate inspection. If you dont measure something, you cannot act upon it, he said. SOCAR now uses a range of inspection technologies available in Azerbaijan, engaging multiple companies capable of assessing pipeline conditions at a detailed level.

Following inspection, SOCAR focuses on designing and selecting protective coating systems tailored to the specific environment. It is crucial to apply the right coating material in the right conditions, he noted. For example, pipelines exposed to seawater require specialised coating types, while above-ground pipelines should have coating material that is also durable under ultraviolet light.

P. Rustamov added that many of the expert companies attending the conference are providing precisely these technologies. We are evaluating each case individually and working with industry specialists to develop coating systems designed specifically for that environment - whether it is offshore, underground, or above ground.

He emphasised that SOCARs approach is case-by-case and highly data-driven. In SOCAR, we investigate every single situation and develop protective solutions tailored to its unique conditions. This is how we ensure reliable, long-term corrosion mitigation.
15 December 2025 13:57 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

While many emerging economies struggle to maintain investor interest, Azerbaijan has recorded solid investment growth across multiple sectors. The distribution of capital in 2025 underscores a shift toward balanced development and broader sectoral engagement. Recent data shows that capital is steadily gravitating toward non-oil sectors, reinforcing the states broader diversification strategy.

Azerbaijans economy continued to attract substantial investment in 2025, driven by both domestic capital and growing foreign participation in the countrys economic transformation. Data from the State Statistics Committee shows that 16,658.9 million manats (approximately US$ 9.8 billion) was invested in fixed capital across economic and social sectors in JanuaryNovember 2025, marking a continued commitment to expansion and diversification.

Of this total, 4,717.5 million manats (roughly US$ 2.8 billion) was allocated to the oil and gas sector, while 11,941.4 million manats (around US$ 7.0 billion) flowed into the non-oil and gas economy. Within the latter, 2,107.2 million manats (about US$ 1.24 billion), equivalent to 12.6 percent of all investments, was directed specifically to non-oil and gas industrial activities, illustrating a notable shift toward diversified sectors such as manufacturing, services and construction.

Foreign investment also showed strong momentum. In the first 11 months of 2025, 3,592.6 million manats (approximately US$ 2.1 billion) originated from foreign countries and international organizations, an increase of more than 31 percent compared with the same period last year. This rise in foreign capital reflects increased international confidence in Azerbaijans investment climate and economic trajectory.

Investors from a broad array of countries participated in this influx, with the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Russia, United States, Switzerland, Japan, Iran, Hungary, France and India among the top sources of foreign funds. This geographical diversification underscores renewed global interest in Azerbaijans economic potential and its openness to international partnerships.

Earlier in 2025, foreign capital flows had already demonstrated significant growth. By mid-year, more than 2,000 million manats (about US$ 1.18 billion) was invested in fixed capital from abroad  a roughly 30 percent annual increase, with the vast majority coming from major economies including the UK, UAE, Turkiye, and others. Over the first half of the year, investment in the non-oil and gas sector grew even more rapidly than hydrocarbon investment.

The increase in foreign and domestic investment comes amid broader structural shifts in Azerbaijans economy. Non-oil and gas sectors have been steadily gaining traction as the government pursues diversification goals. Targeted reforms aimed at improving the legal and institutional environment have enhanced the countrys investment attractiveness, encouraging both local and foreign firms to expand their presence in manufacturing, services, and other productive areas.

Policy initiatives that simplify business registration, reform tax regimes, protect investor rights, and promote export-oriented industries have played a role in reinforcing confidence. A number of international rating agencies, including Moodys and Fitch Ratings, have pointed to improving macroeconomic fundamentals and a growing non-oil base as positive factors for long-term economic resilience.

Capital flows are not one-directional. Azerbaijani residents continued to invest substantial amounts abroad in 2025. In JanuarySeptember, nationals invested US$ 2,038 million in foreign economies, reflecting increasing outbound economic engagement. Israel topped the list due to participation in large energy projects such as the Tamar gas field, where US$ 542.6 million was directed in a single quarter. Other significant Azerbaijani investments abroad included US$ 289 million in Turkiye, US$ 250 million in the United Arab Emirates, US$ 176 million in the United Kingdom, and US$ 118 million in Italy.

At the same time, foreign residents invested US$ 4,736 million directly into Azerbaijan in the reporting period. The United Kingdom led inbound direct investments with US$ 1,243 million, followed by Turkiye (US$ 632 million), South Cyprus (US$ 543 million), Switzerland (US$ 384 million) and Iran (US$ 272 million). These figures reflect reciprocal confidence in Azerbaijan as both an investment destination and a source of outbound capital.

Azerbaijans investment trends in 2025 demonstrate that diversification efforts are extending beyond rhetoric into real economic patterns. Growth in non-oil investment, both domestic and foreign, suggests that sectors such as industry, services, tourism and construction are increasingly attractive for long-term capital commitment.

At the same time, foreign participation from a diverse set of countries indicates growing international engagement. This helps reduce vulnerability to geopolitical and commodity price volatility and supports the development of new export markets, technology transfer and broader economic linkages.

International forecasts also point to continued investment interest in Azerbaijan, driven by reforms, strategic location, and integration into global value chains. Major infrastructure initiatives, such as transport and logistics corridors, and participation in regional economic platforms also enhance the countrys appeal to global investors.

The investment data for 2025 shows a dynamic Azerbaijani economy that is increasingly opening up to global capital flows while cultivating its internal capacity for growth. The significant share of foreign investment, growing non-oil sector spending, and expanding outbound investment by Azerbaijani residents together portray an economy that is becoming more interconnected with global markets.

If these trends continue, Azerbaijan may see deeper structural transformation that strengthens economic resilience, supports job creation, and fosters sustainable long-term growth. This evolution reflects both proactive domestic policies and increasing confidence among international investors in the countrys economic prospects.
15 December 2025 11:01 (UTC+04:00)

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In the first ten months of 2025, Azerbaijan exported a total of 20.649 billion cubic meters of natural gas abroad. Compared with the same period last year, the value of gas exports to Italy...

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15 December 2025 13:22 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Representatives of Sino-Foreign Economic Cooperation (Beijing) Science and Trade and its partner company Wuyan Jiangsu Biotechnology, which act as the investor and operator of Azerbaijans trade houses in China, have paid a visit to Azerbaijan.

As reported by Azernews, the visit was organized jointly by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) and the office of Azerbaijans Trade Representative in China. As part of the visit, the delegation toured several regions of the country and familiarized themselves with the operations of local enterprises engaged in the production of food, wine, and cosmetic products within the agricultural and chemical industries.

During meetings with Azerbaijani companies, discussions were held on expanding opportunities for exporting locally produced goods to the Chinese market. The talks focused on strengthening trade ties and increasing the presence of Azerbaijani products in China.
15 December 2025 17:35 (UTC+04:00)

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Compared to the same period last year, electricity exports to Georgia fell by 56.5% in volume and 51% in value, reflecting a significant year-on-year decline.

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.

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15 December 2025 17:41 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre has embarked on a new stage of international collaboration, establishing ties with the National Drama Theatres of the People's Republic of China, Azernews reports.

This initiative follows the Culture Ministry's roadmap to strengthen cultural diplomacy and deepen artistic exchange.

The theatre's director, Honoured Cultural Worker Ilham Asgarov, is currently visiting China, where he has held meetings with leading institutions, including the National Drama Theatres of Gansu and Shandong provinces, as well as the Grand National Drama Theatre of Shandong.

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Gansu National Drama Theatre and Azerbaijan's Academic National Drama Theatre.

The agreement outlines plans to promote national dramaturgy in both countries, organise master classes and creative workshops, arrange tours of artistic ensembles, and implement joint cultural projects.

The Gansu Theatre Director Wei Shoulin expressed strong interest in the partnership, praising the initiative as a valuable step in fostering mutual understanding and artistic growth.

At the signing ceremony, Ilham Asgarov thanked the Ministries of Culture of Azerbaijan and China for their support in strengthening theatre relations. He emphasised that the collaboration would contribute significantly to the development of cultural ties:

"Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev's successful cultural policies, Azerbaijan has built effective partnerships with many countries. AzerbaijanChina relations are actively developing, and recent agreements in cultural diplomacy have created opportunities for joint projects in art, museum work, and heritage preservation."

He highlighted the importance of the "Protocol on Cultural Cooperation" signed in Beijing for 20252029, noting that it paves the way for deeper integration in theatre arts.

Asgarov also pointed out that one of the goals of cooperation is to explore China's modern theatre technologies, with the possibility of showcasing and applying them in Azerbaijan:

"I am confident that this collaboration will bring new energy to the theatre life of both countries and make a worthy contribution to the development of cultural relations between our peoples," he said.

During the visit, rehearsals at Shandong's Grand Theatre and National Drama Theatre were observed, and discussions were held on prospects of cooperation.

This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening AzerbaijanChina cultural diplomacy, promising to enrich the theatre traditions of both nations and foster closer ties between their peoples.

The Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre is the oldest and most prestigious theatre in Azerbaijan.

The roots of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre (Azrbaycan Akademik Milli Dram Teatr) go back to March 10, 1873, when educator Hasan bey Zardabi and students of the Baku Real School staged Mirza Fatali Akhundovs comedy The Vizier of the Lankaran Khanate. This performance is widely regarded as the birth of professional Azerbaijani theatre.

By the late 19th century, organised theatre groups such as the First Muslim Drama Troupe (1896) and the Union of Artists (1897) laid the foundation for a professional stage tradition. In 1919, the theatre was officially granted State status, and in 1959 it received the title of Academic Theatre, recognising its national importance.

In recent years, the theatre has expanded its global reach by signing memorandums of cooperation with international theatres. The theatre also actively promotes cultural exchange through tours, workshops, and joint productions.
15 December 2025 14:54 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

An exhibition, "A Life Preserved on Canvas", commemorating the artist Rasim Nazirov (19492023), has opened at the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the opening, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, People's Artist and Professor Farhad Khalilov, reflected on Nazirov's creative legacy, noting that the display of his paintings and graphic works marks the artist's first solo exhibition.

Rasim Nazirov was a member of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union and had been an active participant in national and international exhibitions since 1979. Working in both painting and graphic art, he was particularly recognized for his still lifes, portraits, and landscapes.

His works have been exhibited in Georgia, Russia, Poland, Afghanistan, Turkiye, and other countries. In addition to his artistic practice, Nazirov authored scholarly publications addressing key issues in contemporary visual art.

The opening ceremony also included remarks by Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov; Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Gunay Afandiyeva; and Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People's Artist Natig Aliyev.

They spoke about Nazirov's life and artistic journey, highlighting the distinctive qualities of his work and the high artistic merit of the exhibited pieces. The artist's spouse, Sevil Badalova, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the Azerbaijan Artists' Union for organizing the exhibition.
15 December 2025 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

For the first time, the United Nations will celebrate World Turkic Language Family Day on December 15, Azernews reports citing the United Nations.

Following the decision of UNESCO  the UN's cultural agency at its General Conference held in Samarkand, the organization is preparing to mark World Turkic Language Family Day for the first time on Monday. The newly designated day highlights the common language and cultural heritage of Turkic-speaking peoples and reinforces UNESCO's broader commitment to multilingualism and cultural diversity.

"The choice of 15 December is rooted in a landmark moment in linguistic scholarship. On that day in 1893, Danish linguist Vilhelm Thomsen announced he had deciphered the alphabet of the Orkhon Inscriptions  some of the oldest known written records of the Turkic language family.

His breakthrough opened the door to a deeper understanding of a linguistic tradition that today connects dozens of communities across Eurasia.

Turkic languages  including Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen and Uzbek  are spoken natively by more than 200 million people across an area stretching roughly 12 million square kilometres.

UNESCO notes that these languages carry a rich written heritage, strong oral traditions and diverse cultural practices shared across many Member States.

The proclamation of the new Day followed a joint request from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye and Uzbekistan and was supported by 21 Member States, reflecting broad recognition of the value of linguistic diversity," said in the statement.

UNESCO says the annual observance aligns with the UN's wider multilingualism agenda, set out in General Assembly resolution 71/328.

By dedicating a day to the Turkic language family, the agency aims to encourage linguistic cooperation, cultural exchange and dialogue among civilizations.

Planned activities include awareness-raising initiatives, academic research and programmes to safeguard Turkic languages and oral traditions.

It was noted that the day will be marked with exhibitions, lectures, literary events and artistic performances designed to showcase the historical depth and contemporary vitality of Turkic languages.

UNESCO says the commemoration is an opportunity to honour linguistic diversity as part of humanity's common heritage and to strengthen international efforts to protect languages as essential vehicles of identity, knowledge and cultural expression.
15 December 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On December 15, an exhibition marking the 900th anniversary of the birth of distinguished architect Ajami Nakhchivani was inaugurated at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO.

The anniversarys inclusion in UNESCOs official anniversaries programme underscores the global importance of Ajami Nakhchivanis architectural heritage.

The exhibition was held with the support of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO.
An exhibition celebrating the 900th anniversary of architect Ajami Nakhchivani, part of UNESCO's anniversaries program, has opened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was organized with the support of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, jointly by Azerbaijan's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the Azerbaijan Union of Architects, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO.

The 900th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani's birth, included in UNESCO's list of anniversaries for 20242025 by the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, was marked with a ceremony attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Permanent Secretariat of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Secretariat staff, as well as representatives of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Azerbaijan Union of Architects.

Speaking at the openning ceremony, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev emphasized Ajami Nakhchivani's exceptional place in world architectural heritage. He noted that the Nakhchivan school of architecture founded by Ajami had a significant impact on the development of Near and Middle Eastern architecture. The Ambassador highlighted that Ajami's works, including the Momine Khatun Mausoleum and the Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum, are rare gems of 12th-century architecture, distinguished by their precision of craftsmanship, perfect symmetry, and ornamental richness, and remain a valuable source of inspiration for architects, scholars, and researchers today.

During his speech, the Ambassador recalled the carpet dedicated to Ajami Nakhchivani by the prominent carpet artist Latif Karimov, which was gifted to UNESCO in 1983 by the National Leader of the Azerbaijani People Heydar Aliyev. He stressed that this was a vivid example of preserving and perpetuating cultural heritage through art. He also underlined that UNESCO's recognition of Ajami Nakhchivani's contributions to universal culture is another important manifestation of the AzerbaijanUNESCO partnership.

The Permanent Delegate noted that Ajami Nakhchivani's human-centered and harmonious spatial philosophy remains relevant today, and emphasized that the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku on May 1722, 2026, will serve as an important platform for international discussion of these values. Abdullayev expressed gratitude to the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO and the Azerbaijan Union of Architects for their support in organizing the event and exhibition.

Following the opening remarks, Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, stated that Ajami Nakhchivani's creativity turned Nakhchivan into a major cultural center of the region. He emphasized that Ajami's architectural heritage preserved local traditions while embodying universal values that transcend time and borders. Ottone also highly valued Azerbaijan's ongoing cooperation with UNESCO in the field of cultural heritage preservation and promotion.

Next, Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, noted that Ajami Nakhchivani's architectural style, rooted in the rich traditions of the Turkic world, stands out for its profound meaning and originality, clearly reflected in monuments such as the Momine Khatun and Yusif ibn Kuseyir mausoleums.

Nigar Rahimli, representative of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, emphasized the importance of including Ajami Nakhchivani's 900th anniversary in UNESCO's 20242025 anniversaries program. She noted that his creativity significantly influenced not only Azerbaijani but also Near Eastern architecture. She stressed that the exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters highlights the importance of presenting the great architect's legacy to a wider audience and underlines the necessity of its preservation.

Later, Rasim Babakishiyev, Honored Architect of Azerbaijan and Secretary of the Azerbaijan Union of Architects, underlined that architectural monuments are among the most convincing proofs of the history of nations and states. He expressed pride in Azerbaijan's rich architectural heritage and highlighted the special attention paid by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to the preservation and restoration of architectural monuments both domestically and internationally. Babakishiyev emphasized that Ajami Nakhchivani's works, such as the Momine Khatun and Yusif ibn Kuseyir mausoleums, are distinguished by high professionalism and engineering precision, and their survival to this day is due to this mastery.

The event continued with the presentation of a book published with the support of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Azerbaijan Union of Architects, dedicated to the 900th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani's birth. At the end, guests were offered dishes of Azerbaijani national cuisine.

The exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters will remain open until December 19, 2025.
15 December 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to Azerbaijans territories liberated from occupation continues.

Azernews reports that as part of the current phase of resettlement, 21 families comprising 79 people have been relocated to Horovlu village in the Jabrayil district.

Residents returning to their native lands expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also extended their appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, its heroic soldiers and officers who liberated the countrys territories, and honored the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this cause.

It should be noted that the families resettled in Horovlu village had previously lived in temporary accommodation across various regions of the country, primarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.
15 December 2025 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Outdated and unserviceable munitions will be destroyed in the Pirkskul settlement and the Agdr district, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry noted that the destruction process will take place between December 15 and 19 in strict compliance with safety regulations. The munitions, whose service life has expired and which are no longer suitable for use, will be disposed of at a training ground near the Pirkskul settlement, as well as at a training center located in the Agdr district.

The ministry urged local residents not to be alarmed by the sound of explosions, emphasizing that there is no cause for concern and that all necessary safety measures will be observed throughout the process.
15 December 2025 12:31 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Baku Initiative Group has continued its investigations into crimes committed by colonial powers in occupied territories, releasing new findings that highlight what it describes as some of the most brutal and inhuman atrocities carried out under Belgian colonial rule, Azernews reports.

According to information disseminated by the Group, Belgian colonialism stands out in European history as a unique and particularly dark model, having functioned as the personal monarchical possession of King Leopold II. Unlike other colonial systems, it was marked by extreme systematic brutality, racial humiliation, and practices openly repeated in the heart of Europe. One of the most shameful manifestations of this policy was the creation of so-called human zoos.

In 1897, on the direct order of Leopold II, 267 Congolese people were forcibly brought from the Congo and exhibited as living displays at the World Exhibition in the Tervuren area of Brussels. Kept half-naked behind wooden fences and exposed to harsh European weather conditions, they were treated as objects rather than human beings. As a result of this barbaric exhibition, at least seven Congolese individuals, including children, died from pneumonia, influenza, and other illnesses, after which their bodies were secretly buried. The display, presented under the guise of a civilizing mission, became a symbol of open racial humiliation and genocide in Europe.

The site later became a permanent museum, first known as the Congo Museum and later as the Royal Museum for Central Africa, which functioned for decades as a propaganda center for colonial ideology. Similar practices were repeated during the 1958 Expo in Brussels, where 598 Congolese people183 families comprising men, women, and childrenwere once again exhibited to the public as living displays. These events demonstrated that the 1897 exhibition was not an isolated episode, but part of a systematic and institutionalized colonial policy rooted in racial hierarchy and the ideology of a so-called civilizing mission that persisted into the mid-20th century.

The Group also highlighted documented cases from 19591962 in Burundi, Congo, and Rwanda, then under Belgian rule, where approximately 20,000 children born to white fathers and Black mothers were forcibly separated from their families and transferred to Belgium for adoption without parental consent. These actions resulted in severe violations of family unity, personal identity, and cultural belonging.

According to the Baku Initiative Group, these facts collectively demonstrate that Belgiums colonial policy was based on systematic racism, widespread human rights abuses, and grave violations of human dignity. The findings are consistent with conclusions outlined in the 2019 report of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.
15 December 2025 16:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan plans to introduce online services for issuing and renewing identity cards, passports, drivers licenses, and for the registration of vehicles, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

According to the ministry, the initiative is part of broader efforts to simplify citizens daily lives, improve the quality and accessibility of public services, and accelerate the countrys digital transformation.

The proposed changes envisage the digitalization of the initial application stage for obtaining and renewing national ID cards, general civil passports, and drivers licenses, as well as for vehicle registration. Under the new system, citizens will be able to submit their initial applications online without visiting government institutions in person.

The MIA noted that the initiative will further strengthen Azerbaijans digital government model, enhance the efficiency and quality of public services, and increase citizen satisfaction. It will also contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
15 December 2025 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Azernews reports.

''Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister,

We were deeply shocked by the news of the numerous deaths and injuries resulting from the terrorist attack during the Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

We are profoundly outraged by this horrific act of terror targeting peaceful people and resolutely condemn all manifestations of terrorism.

On this tragic occasion, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deepest condolences to you, to the families and loved ones of those who perished, and to the entire people of Australia, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,'' the letter reads.
15 December 2025 21:11 (UTC+04:00)

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) has published information on the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), which was established in Baku in April 2025 by NGOs from 116 countries, on its official website as an example of a new model of cooperation.

According to Azernews, UNOSSC has described the GSNP as one of the most inclusive civil society mobilisations of recent years.

This marks the first time that the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation has highlighted a global initiative proposed by Azerbaijani NGOs and disseminated it through its official profile.

It should be noted that concern has long existed over the fact that the Global Southencompassing Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Australia, where 80 percent of the worlds population livesis often excluded from international decision-making processes and unable to determine its own destiny at critical moments. Against the backdrop of ongoing processes of disintegration, the creation of cooperation formats based on the principles of mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation and respect for cultural diversity has become more relevant than ever. The Global South NGO Platform, established at a time when a new world order is taking shape and dividing lines are being redrawn, is of particular importance as a clear manifestation of the necessity to unite against global marginalisation.

Until now, there has been no single network bringing together NGOs within the Non-Aligned Movement region. For the first time, an initiative put forward by Azerbaijani civil society has received international support from a vast region encompassing two-thirds of the worlds countries, with NGOs from 116 countries gathering in Baku to establish a joint platform. The participation of civil society representatives from 116 of the 120 countries represented in the Non-Aligned Movement is an unprecedented development not only for Azerbaijan, but also on a Global South scale. While the Non-Aligned Movement has youth and parliamentary networks, it previously lacked an NGO network. The Global South NGO Platform is well suited to serve as the NGO network of the Non-Aligned Movement. The founding spirit of this platform fully aligns with the historic Bandung Principles adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago. These principles reject interference in the internal affairs of states, promote the creation of a peaceful and just world order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure equality among peoples, and call for mobilisation to strengthen mutual interests, cooperation and economic prosperity.

Azerbaijan is a country that adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, respects the political systems as well as the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of peoples, and consistently promotes interfaith, intercivilisational and intercultural dialogue.

It should also be noted that in May this year in New York, UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib issued a statement welcoming the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku. She emphasised that the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation is interested in close cooperation with the Global South NGO Platform.

The publication of information about the GSNP on UNOSSCs official website once again demonstrates that the activities of this Platform have attracted global attention within a short period of time.
15 December 2025 11:43 (UTC+04:00)

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Volume of natural gas exported from Azerbaijan to Greece in January-October announced.

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15 December 2025 18:47 (UTC+04:00)

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The volume of natural gas exported from Azerbaijan to Turkiye over the past 10 months has been revealed.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

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15 December 2025 19:20 (UTC+04:00)

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Azerbaijan imported 230.9 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan in the JanuaryOctober period of this year, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan.

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15 December 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to visit Poland on December 19, Azernews reports.

Zelensky shared the information in a statement to journalists, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close ties between the two countries.

I dont think we will postpone anything. Supporting our relations with Poland is very important for us, Zelensky said.

The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and ongoing coordination between Kyiv and Warsaw amid current regional challenges.
15 December 2025 22:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Airbus SE announced on Monday that Germany has decided to exercise its option for 20 additional H145M light combat helicopters under an agreement signed in 2023, bringing the total number of helicopters to 82, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

According to Airbus, out of the 82 helicopters, the German Army will receive 72, while the German Air Force's (Luftwaffe) special forces will operate ten. The H145M is designed for a wide range of missions, including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and light attack. The first batch of helicopters was delivered to the German military in November 2024.

This further commitment by one of our home countries is a strong endorsement of the H145Ms exceptional performance and multi-role capabilities, said Stefan Thome, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. He added that the helicopters versatility, advanced avionics, and compact design make them particularly suited for rapid deployment and complex missions.

Industry analysts note that the additional order reflects Germanys growing focus on modernizing its military fleet and enhancing its rapid-response capabilities amid evolving security challenges in Europe.
15 December 2025 21:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed tightening national gun laws following a deadly terrorist attack on a Sydney beach, Azernews reports.

Speaking to reporters, Albanese said the government is prepared to take necessary measures, including stricter regulations on firearms. He also indicated plans to introduce limits on the number of weapons a license holder can purchase.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns added that the states gun laws would also be revised. He emphasized his opposition to issuing indefinite firearm licenses, calling for more rigorous controls.

Australias gun laws were last overhauled in 1996 after the Port Arthur mass shooting, which claimed 35 lives.

The tragic attack occurred yesterday during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, when a gunman opened fire on a Sydney beach. According to the latest reports, 16 people have died and 42 others were hospitalized. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident, raising concerns about national security and the potential need for more stringent anti-terror measures.

Experts note that this latest attack may reignite the long-standing debate in Australia over gun control, balancing public safety with individual rightsa discussion that has shaped national policy for nearly three decades.
15 December 2025 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Rza Syed I London Post

Hyrcanian Forests, spanning from Azerbaijan into Iran, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the planet's oldest surviving temperate broadleaf ecosystems dating back 2550 million years, face imminent irreversible collapse on the Iranian side more than three weeks after raging wildfires were contained, scientists and conservationists warned today.

International firefighting crews stabilised the blazes last week, but experts emphasise that the real ecological catastrophe is just unfolding. Widespread soil erosion on steep slopes, disrupted water cycles, obliterated seed banks, and increased susceptibility to invasive species and recurrent fires have driven the forests to a perilous tipping point.

In response, a coalition of scientists, conservation groups, and local communitiesoperating as "Save Hyrcanian Now"has initiated a global campaign urging UNESCO to immediately add the site to its List of World Heritage in Danger.

"The fires are out, but the emergency is escalating," said Professor Shabnam Delfani, an Iranian climate expert and founder of Save Hyrcanian Now. "A Danger Listing is critical to secure the political leverage, funding, and international coordination needed; without it, swathes of this priceless ancient forest could vanish within a decade."

The Hyrcanian Forests host unique evolutionary lineages and hundreds of endemic species. Inscribed by UNESCO in 2019 for its Outstanding Universal Value, the site now satisfies several criteria for danger listing under the organisation's guidelines, advocates say.

Initial post-fire surveys show destabilised mountain soils, failed natural hydration systems, and lost regenerative potentialfactors that risk cascading extinctions and permanent landscape alteration.

The crisis extends beyond biodiversity: the forests regulate water supplies for millions in northern Iran and adjacent regions, prevent landslides, and sustain economies via timber, farming, and eco-tourism.

"Delayed action by UNESCO would have ripple effects across borders," Prof. Delfani told journalists. "We're facing heightened carbon emissions, intensified water shortages in the Caspian basin, and the erasure of a vital record of Earth's plant evolution."

The coalition's proposed recovery plan includes urgent burn mapping, soil stabilisation, seed bank safeguards, off-site preservation of endangered species, and long-term investments in watershed restoration and fire prevention.

Today, the group launched an online petition alongside a comprehensive scientific report submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and potential donor nations.

Advocates argue that a swift committee decision for danger status would activate expert missions, emergency funds, and enforceable oversightdeemed indispensable for viable restoration.

The petition has rapidly amassed thousands of signatures from global scientists, activists, and citizens.

A UNESCO spokesperson confirmed receipt of the materials, stating the issue will undergo expedited review per protocol. No timeline for a ruling has been announced.
Oregon Coast's Crabbing Fleet Heads Out with Whale Entanglement Advisory

Published 12/13/25 at 9:55 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon)  As crabbing fleets hit the deep blue sea this month there are concerns from various state agencies and environmental groups about the safety of whales out there  and not just the Oregon coastline. (Photo Marine Mammal Stranding Network - young humpback that stranded in November at Yachats)

2025 saw four humpback whales entangled in Oregons commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, which caused several conservation groups to formally petition the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (ODFWC) to adopt stronger measures aimed at reducing risks to the endangered species.

This years horrific entanglements show that humpbacks face serious danger from Oregon crab gear, said Ben Grundy, oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Grundy said these were preventable deaths.

While not completely endangered around the world, their different populations are protected. However, numbers can differ by the varied populations - or sub-species. Off Oregon shores, these sub-species are considered "depleted" and "endangered" - firmly protected by law. See OSU article

According to ODFWC this year included:

- January 6  A humpback whale entangled in multiple sets of Oregon crab gear was reported off Pacific City. Some gear was removed by an unauthorized party, but at least two buoys remained attached when the whale swam away.



- September 25  An entanglement observed off Baja California was not reported until November. Some gear was removed by an unauthorized party. Additional gear of unknown origin may have been present; NMFS is investigating.



- September 26  A humpback whale entanglement off Moss Landing, California. Photographs and resightings led to attribution to Oregon crab gear on October 17. Response efforts have been unsuccessful.



- November 15  A juvenile humpback stranded alive near Yachats while entangled. Multiple release attempts failed. After veterinary assessment, the whale was euthanized on November 17. Necropsy was conducted November 18; results pending.

The answer, groups say, is requiring whale-safe gear, such as pop-up buoys for crab pots.



US Coast Guard hangs with humpbacks near Coos Bay

In 2023 there was a humpback whale spotted off the coasts of Oregon and Washington that was apparently entangled, but its fate was unknown.

The petition calls for reducing the amount of gear in the water during feeding and migration seasons and creating a pathway for fishers to use pop-up gear, which eliminates untended buoy lines. It was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the American Cetacean Society.

Pop-up gear has already been tested in Californias Dungeness crab fishery with promising results. Recent trials show it to be reliable, profitable, and safer for whales. It even has a proven track record with other marine animals, including sea turtles.



It's entirely possible there are more whale incidents than the four reported, said the coalition. Federal data released in September suggest actual figures may be five times greater, meaning as many as 20 whales could have been entangled this year.



Photo Leigh Torres (Yachats in November)

On December 5, ODFW issued a fleet advisory urging crabbers to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid entanglements. While the agency did not include enforcement measures, authorities said they are considering further regulatory action.

Each entanglement of a humpback whale or sea turtle in Oregons commercial Dungeness crab fishery constitutes a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act.

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Turning Oregon's Greens Into Christmas Gold: Only Days Left in Ornament Hunt

Published 12/14/25 at 6:35 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Salem, Oregon)  Once again, the magic returns to Oregon's deepest greens. But there's not much time left.

The Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt is back for its eighth season, scattering a bit of holiday magic across the Willamette National Forest. Organized annually by the Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA), the hunt has become one of Oregons favorite, even beloved winter traditions, turning the region between the Cascades, and east of Salem and Eugene into a treasure trove.

Between November 21 and December 20, some 200 locally-crafted wooden ornaments will have been hidden along approximately 20 trails. These are slightly remote areas where sharp-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this years grand prize, which includes a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley.

Yes, it's true: there's only about six days left in the hunt, however.

So, where to find these forested gems? There are numerous areas within the boundaries of the Willamette National Forest.

In the Sweet Home area - between Detroit Lake, the McKenzie River, and the city of Albany - there's Santiam Wagon Road, the Mountain House Section. There's also House Rock Trail #3406.

In the Cascade Range, follow Highway 58 east of Eugene to enjoy quiet rivers and creeks, old-growth forests, and remote summits. There, the fun is lurking in the Middle Fork Ranger District. Ornaments will be hidden along Salmon Creek Trail with its creekside views near Oakridge and Greenwaters Trail overlooking the Middle Fork Willamette River. Also find them at Larison Rock Trail with steep climbs and Oakridge vistas, and Hardesty Trail, a historic 10-mile route. Alpine Trail rises through forest and meadows below the Forest Road 1910683 access point, while Wren Loop offers a wheelchair-accessible path from the ranger station in Westfir.

In the McKenzie River region east of Eugene, find your ornament surprises at the Waterfalls Loop Trail with Sahalie and Koosah Falls, and the southern stretch of McKenzie River Trail below Frissell Boat Launch. More lies at another section between Tamolitch Blue Pool and Sahalie Falls, and King-Castle Trail with its quiet old-growth forest and stream crossings.

In the Detroit Ranger District, ornaments are tucked away on Stahlman Point Trail through young forest to views of Detroit Lake and Mount Jefferson, and on Tumble Creek Trail, which climbs steeply with sweeping views of the canyon, lake, and mountain.

Now that you're all set to go find your treasure, WVVA provided some tips and guidelines. It's not unlike those glass float hunts on the Oregon coast: safety is important is these wintry woods.

WVVA said ornaments are hidden at eye level or lower, never off-trail, so stick to marked paths. Experienced hikers are encouraged to search deeper along trails, leaving easier finds for newcomers. And as always, leave no trace - protecting the forest is part of the experience.

Trailheads may not have amenities like water or restrooms, so plan for a self-supported outing. Each household is asked to take just one ornament so others can share in the fun. WVVA also invites participants to share their discoveries online using hashtags like #FindYourOrnament, #FindYourTrail, #pnwonderland, and #willamettenationalforest.

This years hunt is a collaboration with Cascade Volunteers, who helped place ornaments across the valleys trails. For details, check out WVVAs Ornament Hunt FAQ and explore the full trail list before heading out.

You can also purchase one of the ornaments online.

We're giving you the chance to purchase the ornament at the heart of our annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt - and give back to Cascade Volunteers, the official nonprofit partner of the Willamette National Forest, the WVVA said.

This years ornament highlights the beauty of Oregons mountain forests and their fascinating creatures, including the Pacific tree frog and native mushrooms. It also offers a chance to learn more about chanterelles, one of the regions most abundant and prized varieties. See website







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After winning control of Congress, conservatives have again handily prevailed in the presidential runoff in Chile. Jose Kast, candidate of the right wing Chilean Republican Party won a landslide 58% of the vote. Kast, a descendent of legal German immigrants, ran on cracking down on crime, reviving the economy, and cracking down on illegal immigration, including deporting the hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens in Chile.

Kast won 7 million votes, the largest number ever received by a presidential candidate in Chile's history. He also won in every region of the country.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/chile-swings-right-as-jose-antonio-kast-wins-presidency/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/make-chile-great-again-pro-trump-conservative-jose/

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/chile-turns-hard-right-tough-crime-anti-immigration-candidate-easily-wins-presidency

Neighboring Bolivia recently elected a president from the right after two decades of failed socialism, as did Ecuador. Argentina went to the right two years ago, and the right just expanded its representation in its congress.
Hard on the heels of the terrorist attack in Australia on Jewish people on Bondi beach and the arrest in Germany of a Muslim imam and four followers planning a vehicle assault on a German Christmas market to "kill as many people as possible", the US has just had a terrorism arrest of its own. Islamic terrorism spans the world.

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/12/14/new-islamist-vehicle-plot-busted-germany-halts-christmas-market-massacre-n2197120

The FBI has arrested four members of a pro-Palestine terrorist group in California as they were preparing to test homemade bombs. The group planned to bomb the New Years Eve festivities in Los Angeles. A fifth member of the group was arrested elsewhere, who planned a similar New Years Eve bomb attack in New Orleans. Citizenships and immigration status has not yet been revealed of the perps.

https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/fbi-arrests-alleged-pro-palestinian-group-members-accused-planning-new

In France, the traditional New Years Eve concert in Paris has been cancelled due to the threat of migrant violence.
Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of Issues & Insights. The author of this post is the I&I Editorial Board.

Yes, Supreme Court, Please Destroy The Structure Of Government

By: I & I Editorial Board December 10, 2025

During oral arguments this week, liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor told Solicitor General D. John Sauer, Youre asking us to destroy the structure of government.

To which anyone following this case should say Amen!

The case involves Trumps decision in March to fire Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a member of the Federal Trade Commission whom Trump appointed to the FTC in his first term, but decided that letting her remain would be inconsistent with the administrations priorities.

Slaughter says her firing was illegal, pointing to a 1935 Supreme Court ruling  Humphreys Executor v. the United States  which involved FDRs firing of an FTC commissioner whom FDR believed was thwarting his activist agenda. In that ruling, the court said that when Congress created the FTC, it dictated that the president could fire a commissioner only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, and because the FTC was merely a quasi-executive branch agency.

Although that 1935 ruling temporarily thwarted FDRs big-government ambitions, it had the effect of putting big government on steroids.

After the ruling, independent agencies flourished  there are at least 19 of them now  moving the country inexorably toward the leftist vision of a powerful central government run by unaccountable experts liberated from the whims of voters.

As Daniel Crane wrote in the George Washington Law Review in 2016, the courts decision articulated the heart of the Progressive vision for administrative agencies  politically detached and independent, uniquely expert and objective.

In other words, a vision that is profoundly anti-democratic.

The Heritage Foundations Hans von Spakovsky called Humphreys Executor one of the worst decisions of the progressive era, and one that violated basic separation of powers principles.

During oral arguments, Justice Sotomayor fretted that overturning Humphreys Executor would take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent.

Theres just one problem. Congress doesnt get to decide on its own that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent. The Constitution determines the structure of our government. And if the framers of the Constitution had wanted a fourth branch of government, they would have included a provision in the document establishing it.

Youd think a Supreme Court justice would understand that.

Instead, the Framers of the Constitution gave the president sole authority to run one of the three co-equal branches of government.

So when Justice Elena Kagan warned that The result of what you want is that the president is going to have massive, unchecked, uncontrolled power  with control over everything, Solicitor General Sauer replied, drolly but with perfect accuracy, Hed have control over the executive branch.

The sky will not fall, Sauer said. In fact, our entire government will move towards accountability to the people.

And thats what those on the left fear most. They arent worried about Trumps amassing power. Theyre worried about losing their iron grip on the federal government, which these independent agencies have granted them for nine decades. The last thing the left wants is to have to answer to voters.

Fixing the courts 1935 mistake  which the current Court looks poised to do  would go a long way toward restoring constitutional order. But as the Competitive Enterprise Institutes Clyde Wayne Crews correctly points out, even if the court does that, theres more work to do.

Overturning Humphreys Executor would sever one of the Administrative States oxygen lines, but would by no means asphyxiate it, he writes, because we will remain saddled with a Congress that over-delegates to executive branch agencies and independent ones alike and  recognizes no effective limits on its powers to intervene in economic and societal concerns.

Still, any step in the right direction is a good one and should be celebrated.

Written by the I&I Editorial Board
The hotel say the Observatory is "the tallest cocktail bar" on the island of Ireland

A five-star hotel in Belfast city centre has announced a 100,000 upgrade of its cocktail bar along with a new menu.

Grand Central Hotel in Belfast has renovated the interior of the 23rd-floor Observatory cocktail bar, which it describes as the tallest bar on the island of Ireland.

New elements in the venue owned by Hastings Hotels include new tables, among them a new 10-seater presidents table, changed interiors and updated staff uniforms.

Kyle Murphy, manager of the Observatory

Kyle Murphy has also been appointed as the manager of the Observatory, with the hotel saying he has overseen the curation of a new cocktail menu and enhanced guest experience.

Jake McHugh, general manager of the Grand Central Hotel, said: We are proud to continue investing in exceptional guest services and our interior and operational enhancements combined with the appointment of Kyle Murphy, who has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, marks an exciting new chapter for The Observatory.

The Grand Central Hotel's Observatory bar has a new interior

The Observatory continues to grow from strength to strength, providing a unique, signature experience  an elegant afternoon tea destination by day and a vibrant cocktail and fine wine venue by night.

To mark the busy festive season, Kyle has curated an exciting new cocktail menu featuring innovative ingredients such as Dubai chocolate, pistachio cream and kadayif.

This investment marks the end of an exceptionally busy year for the Grand Central Hotel and we are confident that it reinforces our commitment to continuing to redefine Belfasts luxury hospitality.

Grand Central Hotel has seen a number of changes this year, including the opening in the summer of its new private dining venue the Cavern.

The menu has been updated

The 12-guest space serves a tasting menu, and is accessed by sliding a piece of artwork to one side to reveal the room.

The hotel say the Observatory is "the tallest cocktail bar" on the island of Ireland

News Catch Up - Monday 15 December

Grand Central Hotel was opened in 2018, with Hastings Hotels positioning it as a continuation of a famous Belfast hotel also called the Grand Central which closed during the Troubles.
George Hendry, 84, who was jailed for 11 years today, (Monday 15th Dec) at Belfast Crown Court for a series child sex offences. Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk

In October this year, George Hendry (84), of Serpentine Parade, was found guilty by a jury at Belfast Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault and two of buggery of a boy under the age of 16.
I want to see the life drain out of your eyes: First image of man accused of throttling ex

Man allegedly stabbed ex with scissors and smothered her during domestic attack

Joseph Johnston is seeking bail

Alan Erwin Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 14:35

This is the man accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend while declaring: Im going to watch the life drain from your eyes.
The man and woman appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court (PA)

A man and a woman have appeared in court in Enniskillen charged with offences including rape and neglect of a child, after being extradited from Malta.

They cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, and were arrested at airports in England at the weekend.

The man, 27, has been charged with eight offences, including rape and assault on dates unknown between February 2020 and June 2021.

The woman, 58, has been charged with six offences, including cruelty to a child in terms of neglect and assault.

They both indicated they understood the charges when they appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.

A detective constable told the court she believed she could connect the accused to the charges.

The woman was arrested by a PSNI detective at Gatwick Airport and the man was arrested at Manchester Airport, the court heard.

No applications for bail were made for either defendant.

The case was adjourned to December 29.

The judge granted legal aid for counsel, agreeing they were very serious alleged offences.
My great-grandfather was a full-blown Ulster Scots speaker - I had difficulty understanding him, but its been diluted

New commissioner Lee Reynolds is speaking on an episode of The BelTel podcast which will be released on Wednesday

New commissioner Lee Reynolds sets out to reclaim a language and a culture

Mark Bain Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 07:32

Northern Irelands first Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition wants to reconnect people with the language and the tradition.
The headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Great Victoria Street, Belfast (Liam McBurney)

The headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has said it will cooperate fully with the Charity Commission inquiry launched following safeguarding failings.

On Monday, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland announced it has launched a statutory inquiry into the PCI and all its component elements.

The opening of the inquiry  the commissions highest level of investigation  follows the Churchs recent announcement regarding safeguarding failings.

In a statement the Commission said the move reflects the serious nature of the concerns raised adding that they will work with the Church to ensure the safeguarding and governance issues are addressed and "appropriate remedial steps put in place".

It comes after former moderator Rev Trevor Gribben stood down after a review found serious and significant failings in central safeguarding functions from the period 2009 to 2022.

It emerged that failures included situations where the Church did not respond when people who had suffered harm sought help and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were inadequately monitored.

The headquarters of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Head of Presbyterian Church in Ireland to step down over safeguarding failures

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) subsequently launched a criminal investigation into the matter which remains active.

The PCI welcomed the police probe and said it would be cooperating fully.

Frances McCandless, chief executive of the Commission, said: Safeguarding is fundamental to maintaining public trust in charities.

"Every charity must make the safety and wellbeing of those they serve their highest priority.

In a statement, the PSNI confirmed its ongoing investigation into safeguarding concerns connected to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland remains active.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the PSNI is working closely with the Charity Commission.

As previously confirmed, the Police Service has an ongoing investigation into safeguarding concerns connected to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, he added.

"This work remains active and will not be affected by the Charity Commissions Inquiry processes.

Safeguarding is a priority for the Police Service. We take any information suggesting risk or potential criminality extremely seriously.

We are working closely with the Charity Commission and with other statutory and community safeguarding partners.

"This coordinated approach ensures that any concerns raised are fully examined and that appropriate steps are taken to address any criminality and to protect those who have been harmed and need help and support to access a wide range of services.

Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Trevor Gribben who stood down after a review found serious failings in safeguarding (Liam McBurney/PA)

Assistant Chief Constable Beck urged anyone affected or with information that may assist the police to come forward.

He added: Dedicated specialist officers are available to ensure victims can access the criminal justice system and provide advice and support where necessary.

Anyone with concerns can contact our dedicated team via email: PCIenquiry@psni.police.uk or by phoning 101.

Following the announcement, the Churchs acting clerk Rev Dr David Allen, said the Church was fully committed to working with the Commission.

Over the last number of weeks, we have been working with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and we welcome this announcement today, Dr Allen said.

"PCI is fully committed to working with the Charity Commission to facilitate this inquiry and will cooperate fully in all aspects.

As a denomination, we made an announcement on 12 November detailing significant failings in our central safeguarding processes and we have committed ourselves to doing whatever is required to regain the trust that we have lost.

"We believe that this inquiry will be one further step in this process.

The church is set to hold a special General Assembly later this week.

A large gathering is expected at Assembly Buildings as ministers and elders meet in the wake of the church crisis.

The special assembly will be live streamed and be open to members of the public and the media.

Dr Allen added: As part of our commitment to learn lessons and move forward, a number of resolutions will be proposed at the Special General Assembly, on Thursday of this week, which we believe will begin to make the changes required.

Last month reporting by Sunday Life revealed the Commission has more than 550 open cases but only three people on its enquiries team.

In response to an FOI request the regulator admitted its resources are not currently adequate to the scale of the task.

It said it hoped to speed up the process but that was hampered by a legislative requirement that all decisions be made by commissioners.

It was also revealed that the average waiting time for the Commissions enquiries team to assess a case and decide next steps is 186 days, but that a dossier of concerns about the PCI had been with the Commission for more than three years.

In November, the Commission said the time taken to investigate complaints varied from case to case.

It added: While the commission aims to handle all concerns as quickly as it can, how long it takes depends on several things, like how complicated the case is, whether theres any risk to the charitys funds or the people it helps, how busy the commission is at the time, and whether other organisations are involved.

Sometimes, the issues might also need to be monitored over a longer period.

The PCI has around 180,000 members belonging to more than 500 congregations across 19 regional presbyteries across the island.
One of the artworks at Corby Castle. Credit: Tennants Auctioneers

Louis XIV Aubusson Mythological Tapestry, which is thought to depict Odysseus and Circe

The contents of Corby Castle  owned by Northern Irelands richest woman, Lady Ballyedmond  are set to go under the hammer in the new year.

The castle in Cumbria, the property of Mary Haughey, Baroness Ballyedmond, is a Grade I listed building originally built in the 13th century.

The contents include a series of 17th-century period portraits and 19th-century furnishings for collectors. The three-day sale, comprising more than 1,100 lots, is due to take place from January 22-24.

Trained as a solicitor, Lady Ballyedmond was a part-time lecturer in law at Queens University Belfast.

Second to Stephen Fitzpatrick, whose worth was estimated to be 3.073bn, Lady Ballyedmonds worth is 922m as of this year. She inherited her husband Edward Haugheys wealth in March 2014, when he died in a helicopter crash.

Lord Ballyedmond founded Norbrook, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, which paid out 7.5m in dividends last year.

Interior of Corby Castle

The couple purchased Corby Castle in 1994 from Sir John Howard-Lawson and Lady Howard-Lawson.

The late Lord Ballyedmond carried out a series of refurbishments in the castle. It was put up for sale with an asking price of 15m last year.

The auction is being overseen by Tennants Auctioneers.

In the lead-up to the event, the company has released 10 images and potential prices on its site along with descriptions.

A 19th-century-made Indian Silver Venison Dish and Cover (estimated worth of 12,000 to 18,000) will go under the hammer in January, as will another 19th-century piece, a Victorian Silver Triple Biscuit-Server by Fenton Brothers Ltd (2,000 to 3,000).

One of the artworks at Corby Castle. Credit: Tennants Auctioneers

There is also a 1901 Edward VII Silver Monteith-Bowl by Charles Stuart Harris (6,000 to 8,000). This is alongside a 1754 George II Silver Basket by Edward Aldridge and John Stamper (1,500 to 2,500). The latter is engraved with the crest of the Howard family.

A collection highlight, according to the auctioneers, is the Louis XIV Aubusson Mythological Tapestry (4,000 to 6,000), while among the sought-after portraits are Penelope Wenman, daughter of Sir Thomas, second Lord Viscount and wife of Sir Thomas Carr of Stanford, Northamptonshire, by the Circle of St Anthony Van Dyck (4,000 to 6,000).

The Louis XIV Aubusson Mythological Tapestry

For the antique furniture, there is the French Louis XV-style carved giltwood vitrine dated from the 19th century (3,000 to 5,000), and a pair of secretaire cabinets, also from the 19th century (1,000 to 1,500), made of Victorian burr walnut, tulipwood-banded and gilt-metal-mounted.

Nineteenth-century lavish jardinieres made of porcelain (1,000 to 1,500) come with gilt-bronze mounts and are of a sevres style. One French gilt-metal-mounted sevres-style porcelain casket (500 to 700) is noted to be in the Louis XV style.

A porcelain supper mahogany tray (300 to 500) and a St Cloud porcelain beaker on tremleuse stand (300 to 500), estimated to have been made in 1750, is also going under the hammer.

The interior of Corby Castle. Credit: Tennants Auctioneers

Auctioneer director Jane Tennant praised the venue as outstanding, saying: Corby Castle is one of the outstanding historic houses in the North of England, and we are delighted to have been entrusted to sell its remarkable contents.

Lady Ballyedmond

Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken?
Police said security will be increased and there will be increasing visibility around the Jewish community in Northern Ireland. Stock photo

The PSNI are increasing security around Jewish communities across the country in the wake of the terrorist attack which killed 15 at Bondi Beach in Australia.

The mass shooting occurred in the Sydneys eastern suburbs on the first day of Hannukah (Chanukah in Hebrew), during a celebration of the major holiday hosted by the Jewish community.

Australian police say a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son were behind the shooting and have been named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene while his son was taken to hospital where he is expected to survive his injuries and face charges.

Victims of the atrocity included 10-year-old, Matilda, who died in Sydney childrens hospital due to her injuries. Holocaust survivor, Alexander Kleytman (87), is also among the deceased.

People at a flower memorial placed outside Bondi Pavilion on Monday. Photo: AP

In the aftermath of the attack, the PSNI have upped security around Jewish communities in Northern Ireland by increasing visibility.

Superintendent Yvonne McManus said the organisation acknowledges the understandable concerns of Jewish communities of the minority group across NI. The senior officer said her thoughts are with them today as they try to process this unfathomable tragedy.

We want to show our support and as such, our focus is on providing proportionate reassurance that supports these communities, said Superintendent McManus.

We have public safety plans in place, which includes providing a visible and reassuring policing presence to Jewish communities and increased passing patrols at a number of locations.

Police said security will be increased and there will be increasing visibility around the Jewish community in Northern Ireland. Stock photo

15 people killed by two gunmen at Sydney's Bondi Beach during Hanukkah event

We have been in contact with members of the Jewish community to provide some reassurance, as well as discussing what more can be done to help communities feel safe through proactive engagement.

We would always encourage the public to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour at events or public gatherings to us on 101, or in an emergency always via 999.

The move by the PSNI mirrors other police forces across the UK and Ireland.

Police Scotland announced in the wake of the attack there would be additional dedicated patrols deployed around Jewish places of worship, but there was no specific threat to the community.

In the Republic, police said they would be putting an increased presence in place at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community.

Stephen Jaffe pictured at the Jaffe fountain; Photo by Stephen Hamilton

Stephen Jaffe, co-chair of Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, thanked those here who stand with the Jewish community.

The cry globalise the intifada is heard loud and clear at demonstrations across Northern Ireland, alongside calls for the elimination of Israel, said Mr Jaffe.

Unless political parties condemn local manifestations of extremism and brutal hatred, their condemnation of what happened in Australia seems hollow words.

Today, Jewish people and their friends form the wider community gathered again on Bondi beach to remember the dead and to defiantly mark our festival Chanukah in prayer and song.

That speaks loudly of the Jewish spirit to turn darkness into light. I am very grateful to the many people in Northern Ireland form all backgrounds who stand with the Jewish community in the face of hostility and indifference.

Praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one gunman was Ahmed al Ahmed (43), whose refugee parents arrived recently to the country from Syria.

The act was caught on video and shows Ahmed tackling the gunman and disarming him.

Twenty-six people remain in hospital as a result of the attack, including Mr al Ahmed.
Police carry out a targeted Day of Action in South Area in collaboration with colleagues in An Garda Siochana

Police in Northern Ireland and the Republic carried out a co-ordinated cross-border operation on Monday aimed at tackling burglary and disrupting organised crime gangs in the run-up to Christmas.

The targeted Day of Action took place across the PSNIs South Area in collaboration with An Garda Siochana, as part of ongoing work by the Joint Agency Task Force to prevent criminals exploiting the border to commit offences or evade police.

The high-visibility operation involved officers from neighbourhood and local policing teams, Roads Policing, ANPR interceptors, the Tactical Support Group, Air Support and specialist detectives.

At the same time, gardai carried out a similar large-scale operation on the other side of the border.

During the operation, PSNI officers implemented multiple vehicle checkpoints at various border locations. Several motorists were breathalysed, with one man found to be more than twice the legal alcohol limit.

Another driver was arrested on suspicion of driving without a licence or insurance and possession of criminal property, while a separate vehicle was stopped being driven by a disqualified and uninsured driver. Officers also made a number of detections for possession of class B drugs.

Superintendent Peter Stevenson, who led the operation for the PSNI, said the aim was to disrupt criminal activity in border communities and prevent offender movement between jurisdictions.

We want to deny criminals, and in particular mobile organised crime gangs, the opportunity to target our border communities and to prevent them exploiting the border road network as a means to try to escape justice, he said.

An Garda Siochana Detective Superintendent John OFlaherty said the joint approach ensured criminals could not use the border to their advantage.

The border between our jurisdictions is not a barrier to effective policing or to keeping people safe, he said. It is certainly not a barrier to prosecuting offenders.

Superintendent Stevenson added that the operation underlined the importance of continued close co-operation between the two police services, warning that criminals would be relentlessly pursued and apprehended on both sides of the border.
US President Donald Trumps reaction to Rob Reiners death on social media has sparked widespread condemnation (PA)

US President Donald Trump has been criticised for claiming that the killing of American filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife photographer Michele Singer Reiner was politically motivated.

The pair were found dead in their home on Sunday night with their son, Nick Reiner, 32, arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on suspicion of murder.

The floods of tributes that were paid to the couple clashed with a comment made by the US president on his social media site Truth Social where he described Rob as a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.

Director Rob Reiner arrives for the UK Premiere of The Bucket List at the Vue West End, London. (Joel Ryan/PA)

He went on to suggest that the couples killing was politically motivated.

Mr Trump claimed Rob and Michele died reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome.

He added: He was known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession of President Donald J Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.

May Rob and Michele rest in peace!

The president later claimed that Reiner was very bad for our country when asked if he stood by his post at a press conference on Monday.

He said: I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form.

Georgia Republican and former ally-turned-critic of the president after he branded her a traitor for disagreeing with him, representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, posted on X: This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.

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Her comments were echoed by Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Mr Trump, who said: A man and his wife were murdered last night.

This is NOT the appropriate response.

The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirks death.

This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency.

Others who have spoken out against the president include British broadcaster Piers Morgan who wrote on X: This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President.

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Kentucky Republican representative Thomas Massie, who also reshared Ms Greenes post on X, added: Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because theyre afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.

Hollywood stars have also taken to X to criticise the US president including White Lotus star Patrick Schwarzenegger, who wrote: What a disgusting and vile statement.

Actress and presenter Whoopi Goldberg responded by referencing the comments Mr Trump made against critics of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.

Speaking on ABCs The View, Goldberg said: I dont understand the man in that White House, because he talked so much about Charlie Kirk and caring, and suddenly this is what he puts out.

Have you no shame? No shame at all, can you get any lower? I dont think so.

And what do you have to say about whats happened around the world? Where is our voice as Americans?

Somebodys got to speak up for us. Our hearts are breaking through all of this, through Rob, through whats happened at Bondi Beach, what happened at Brown and you dont find the time to say, as Americans, we hate whats happening. You aint my president man.
Jimmy Lais son has said the Government should make his fathers release a condition of closer ties with China (Alamy/PA)

The son of a convicted Hong Kong media tycoon has called on the British government to put action behind words and make his fathers release a precondition for closer relations between the UK and China.

British national Jimmy Lai, 78, has been found guilty by a Hong Kong court of conspiracy and sedition charges under the territorys Beijing-imposed national security law.

Mr Lai, a pro-democracy activist who founded the now-defunct Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, has been a persistent critic of the Chinese government.

He was arrested in 2020 under the national security law, which was brought in after anti-government protests the previous year.

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Mr Lai has spent much of the time since in solitary confinement, and pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.

Downing Street condemned the verdict reached, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman saying: We will continue to appeal to the Chinese government ahead of Jimmy Lais sentencing for his release and access to medical treatment.

Jimmy Lais case has been a priority for this Government and the Prime Minister, and as the Foreign Secretary has said, we condemn the politically motivated prosecution that has resulted in todays guilty verdict.

He added: The UK has repeatedly called for Beijings national security law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it, and we will continue to call for his immediate release.

The UK cannot shy away from engagement with China, he insisted, when asked if Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer still plans to travel to the country and meet its leaders next year.

The spokesman would not be drawn into saying whether the Government planned to summon the Chinese ambassador over Mr Lais case.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China (PA)

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the Hong Kong courts judgment.

Following her comments, Mr Lais son Sebastien Lai told a media briefing: The reason why Im here is to free my father and in order to do that the UK Government has to do more.

He said he is grateful for Ms Coopers statement but now its time to put action behind words and, you know, make my fathers release a precondition to closer relationships with China.

Because how can you expect a fruitful relationship if they cant even put a 78-year-old man, whos in such ill health, on a plane and send him back home here in the UK where he belongs?

The more than 800-page judgment contains essentially nothing  theres nothing that incriminates him, theres nothing that even under their own legal system would make him guilty, he said.

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It is a perfect example of how the law has been moulded and weaponised against someone who essentially said stuff that they didnt like, Mr Lai told journalists.

Were talking about smear campaigns which is what the Chinese government might call what were doing now, and the reporting that you guys are doing.

I think its hard to smear the Hong Kong legal system more than this judgment and more than this trial.

A reporter asked if Sir Keirs Beijing visit would be a pivotal moment and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, leading Mr Lais international legal team, responded: The short answer is yes.

Closer engagement with China must come in close alignment in ensuring that our interests are protected, and we are very concerned that there has been a headlong rush into closer and closer relations without ensuring that our core interests are protected, including, in particular, a British national detained behind bars.

Mr Lai told the briefing that he has met successive foreign secretaries and his team is speaking with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Ms Cooper has said: Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Beijings national security law was imposed on Hong Kong to silence Chinas critics.

Mr Lai said his father is suffering heart issues and his nails are falling out.

These problems come as no surprise because he has been baking in a dark cell when Hong Kong has seen 50 days top 33C in the last two years, Mr Lai added.

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Dame Priti Patel, shadow foreign secretary, described Mr Lais case as a political show trial which was an outrage to democracy, personal freedom and liberty.

She added: His degrading treatment and imprisonment at the hands of the Chinese Communist Partys authoritarian regime has been appalling.

Dame Priti urged Sir Keir to directly raise Jimmys case with President Xi (Jinping) and demand Jimmys immediate release from custody so his ordeal can end, he can be returned to Britain and be reunited with his family.

A cross-party group of MPs criticised the Government for not having taken stronger action ahead of Mr Lais conviction.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs said: The conviction represents a failing by the UK Government which has not unequivocally demanded his release.

While other countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia have secured the release of their nationals from arbitrary detention in China and Hong Kong, the UK has failed to do so despite the unique relationship between the UK and Hong Kong enshrined in international obligations in the Basic Law.

If the UK had taken faster, firmer and more fervent action to secure his release Jimmy Lai could be spending Christmas with his family where he belongs, rather than arbitrarily detained in Hong Kong.

Amnesty Internationals China director Sarah Brooks said: The predictability of todays verdict does not make it any less dismaying  the conviction of Jimmy Lai feels like the death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong, where the essential work of journalism has been rebranded as a crime.

Lai has been jailed simply because he and his Apple Daily newspaper criticised the government. The activities for which he has been convicted would never have been considered crimes before the 2020 National Security Law was enacted.
New head of MI6 Blaise Metreweli delivering her first major public speech at the headquarters of MI6 (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

The new head of MI6 has warned of the growing threat posed by expansionist Russia in her first major public speech.

Blaise Metreweli said the UK is operating in a space between peace and war and that while the Ukraine conflict drags on, Russia is also testing us in the grey zone.

She said the front line is everywhere as she set out her understanding of the global security landscape in a speech at the headquarters of the UKs foreign intelligence service.

Ms Metreweli said Russia is testing the UK in the grey zone (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Ms Metreweli, appointed head of MI6 in June, briefly mentioned China and the need for MI6 to inform the Government of the implications of Beijings rise and its national security implications.

But she said she would not give a global threat tour and instead focus on the threat posed by an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia.

She said: Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraines behalf will be sustained.

She added: Alongside the grinding war, Russia is testing us in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war with cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and drones sent to buzz over airports.

Drones have been spotted in European airspace in recent months, including during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Dublin earlier this month.

Ms Metreweli also cited aggressive activity in UK seas, state-sponsored arson and sabotage and propaganda and influence operations.

The Royal Navy shadowing a Russian submarine during a three-day operation in the English Channel last week (MoD Crown Copyright/PA)

The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus, she said.

The UK is already working to harness technology to tackle global threats including technological disruption, and disinformation, she said.

She continued: Mastery of technology will infuse everything we do.

Not just in our labs, but in the field, in our tradecraft, and even more importantly, in the mindset of every officer.

We will become as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources, as fluent in Python as we are in multiple other languages.

The spy chief also pointed to how her agencys work builds on sanctions recently slapped on Russian companies and individuals by the Foreign Office.

Just last week, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a series of sanctions on entities linked to the GRU, Russias military intelligence agency, and disinformation spread by the Kremlin.
The incident happened at Bondi Beach in a park next to the pavillion (Alamy/PA)

The parents of a fruit shop owner who tackled one of the Bondi Beach terrorists have described him as a hero of Australia.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, is seen fighting a gunman in a video shared widely on social media shortly after the attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday.

Australian police said a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram, were behind the shooting on Sunday, in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.

Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene but Naveed Akram, who was wounded, is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges.

As of late Monday afternoon local time, 27 people were receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, NSW Health said.

Six people are in a critical condition, the others are in serious and stable conditions. Police believe the ages of the dead range from 10 to 87.

Two police officers who were injured in the attack are in serious but stable conditions.

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Mr Ahmeds father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC Australia his son has an impulse to protect people, having previously served with the police.

Speaking through a translator, he told the broadcaster: His friend told him, Lets go have coffee at Bondi.

They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists.

Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance from him, hiding behind a tree.

(PA Graphics)

My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people.

When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.

I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia.

Mr Ahmed is in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, but was in good spirits, his family previously said.

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His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, said she was proud of her son, describing him as a do-gooder.

She told ABC Australia through a translator: Im proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.

He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit.

We pray that God saves him.

Police at the scene of the shooting (Robert Wallace/Wallace Media Network/Alamy Live News/PA)

NSW premier Chris Minns said his government would pursue prospective gun reform in the wake of the incident, after it was disclosed the 50-year-old gunman belonged to a gun club and legally possessed six firearms.

His sentiments were echoed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who proposed implementing tougher measures nationwide, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain.

Mr Minns said a memorial had been set up at the end of the Bondi Pavilion near the beach. People have been placing flowers there.

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.

People during a vigil outside the Australian High Commission in central London (James Manning/PA)

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a celebration in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights, usually observed in December.

British-born Eli Schlanger, 41, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of those killed.

The youngest victim has been named as 10-year-old Matilda, whose full name was not released. The Harmony Russian School of Sydney said on social media her memory will remain in our hearts.

The shooting happened at Australias most famous beach (Robert Wallace/Wallace Media Network/Alamy Live News/PA)

Police earlier said two active explosive devices were taken away by a bomb disposal unit and rendered safe, while properties in the Campsie and Bonnyrigg areas of the city had been searched.

A third explosive device was found at the Bondi scene on Monday and taken for forensic investigation, police said.

New South Wales state police commissioner Mal Lanyon said reports that a black Isis flag was draped over the attackers car would form part of the investigation.

He also said one of the offenders had been known to authorities but there had been no specific threat and police were confident there was not a third person involved in the attack.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 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.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told any British people caught up in the shooting to contact the British consulate for support.

The British Muslim Network condemned the Bondi attack as a senseless act of violence.

Its co-chairman, imam Qari Asim, said: The courageous and selfless actions of (Mr Ahmed), who confronted one of the attackers despite being shot, are a true reflection of the spirit of Islam rather than the actions of the attackers who took innocent lives through mass shooting.

We stand united in opposing antisemitism, extremism and hatred in all their forms.
Hospitals are set to find out whether up to half the medical workforce will be going out on strike during its busy winter period.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has been consulting resident doctors on whether or not to press ahead with a five-day walkout, which is due to start on Wednesday.

Last week the union put an offer from the Government to members, saying the new deal aims to end the jobs crisis for doctors in England.

It opened an online survey for members with results expected later on Monday.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (PA)

The offer includes a fast expansion of specialist training posts as well as covering out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees, but does not include extra pay.

NHS hospital leaders will be waiting with anticipation to find out the results of the survey.

Health bosses have ordered hospitals to try and maintain at least 95% of pre-planned work, should the strike go ahead, but have conceded that this goal may be more challenging due to winter pressures in the NHS.

The Government has criticised the BMA for the length of time to respond to the offer, saying that it had offered to extend the unions strike mandate which would have enabled the walkout to be rescheduled to January, should the offer not be accepted by members.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that as a result, patients will experience unnecessary and avoidable disruption.

And Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the union irresponsible during a visit to Norfolk on Thursday.

Last week the pressure on the NHS was exposed as official data revealed that flu cases in hospitals are at a record level for this time of year.

NHS England aid hospitals were facing the worst case scenario after flu cases jumped by more than 55% in a week.

Resident doctors make up just under half of the medical workforce in England.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stands in his office in the chancellery in Berlin (Maryam Majd/AP)

European leaders are expected to cement support for Ukraine on Monday as it faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal.

Peace talks between US envoys and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as Ukrainian and European officials, continued on Monday as part of a series of meetings in an effort to secure the continents peace and security in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia.

The second day of talks in Berlin began shortly before noon local time.

Finnish president Alexander Stubb, one of the key European interlocutors between US president Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky, was spotted in the German capital on Monday morning.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, leaves the American embassy in Berlin on Monday (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Mr Zelensky sat down on Sunday with Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German federal chancellery in the hopes of bringing the nearly four-year war to a close.

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.

The US government late on Sunday said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after the five-hour meeting that a lot of progress was made.

US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner also leaves the American embassy in Berlin on Monday (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Earlier in the day, Mr Zelensky voiced readiness to drop his countrys bid to join Nato if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraine continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia.

Russian 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.

He has also cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

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Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side once the talks had finished.

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal as a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said. He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

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.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, watches Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky arriving at the chancellery in Berlin on Sunday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Pax Americana refers to the USs postwar dominance as a superpower that has brought relative peace to the globe.

Mr Merz warned that Mr Putins aim is 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 said during a party conference in Munich.

Mr Macron said on X that France is, and will remain, at Ukraines side to build a robust and lasting peace  one that can guarantee Ukraines security and sovereignty, and that of Europe, over the long term.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.
Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to drop his countrys bid to join Nato (Markus Schreiber/AP)

The latest round of talks between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoys have ended as they and European allies seek an end to Russias nearly four-year war.

Ukraine faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal in the face of an increasingly assertive Moscow.

There were no immediate comments on the talks in Berlin that involved US president Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as European officials, and which lasted roughly 90 minutes after a five-hour session on Sunday.

The talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The US government said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after Sundays meeting that a lot of progress was made.

The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

Mr Zelensky has now expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the Nato military alliance if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraine continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control among the key conditions for peace.

US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner was also involved in the talks (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Mr Zelenskys itinerary on Monday also included meetings with German and other European leaders.

The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again, a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side.

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, welcomes Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on Monday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said.

He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

Meanwhile, the new head of the MI6 spy agency was set to warn how Mr Putins determination to export chaos around the world was rewriting the rules of conflict and creating new security challenges.

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Blaise Metreweli was using her first public speech as chief of the UK foreign intelligence service to say that Britain faced increasingly unpredictable and interconnected threats, with an emphasis on aggressive, expansionist Russia.

Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, which said 133 drones were neutralised, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the defence ministry said on Monday that forces destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7am and 8am local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defence ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.
People light light Hanukkah candles during a vigil in memory of those killed at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australia, during celebrations for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in Jerusalem on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A request for a Northern Ireland council chamber to fall silent in a mark of respect to those murdered in a mass shooting in Australia has been turned down.

The shootings targeted Jewish people attending a Hanukkah event, with the victims including young children and a Holocaust survivor

The two gunmen who killed 15 people on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday have been named as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24.

Bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed wrestling a gun off an attacker, an action said to have potentially saved many people from being gunned down.

DUP councillor Paul Porter said: I have sent a letter to the chief executive and the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC), requesting that, as a mark of respect and in memory of those brutally murdered by terrorists in Australia, a minutes silence be observed before Tuesday nights full council meeting (Dec 16).

This was not just an attack on the Jewish community, it was an attack on us all, on decency, freedom, and the right to live without fear.

I have also asked that the council write to the Prime Minister of Australia, conveying our condolences and expressing our solidarity with the Jewish community who have suffered such a devastating loss.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our Jewish neighbours and friends here at home, in Australia, and with Jewish communities throughout the world.

DUP councillor Paul Porter

The gunmen had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attackers were not part of a terror cell, but clearly, they were motivated by this extremist ideology.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that a number of elected representatives have contacted LCCC with various suggestions to offer sympathy to the people of Australia.

The council has now decided upon a book of condolences as its way to express sympathy to the Commonwealth country.

A LCCC spokesperson responded: Our Mayor, Alderman Amanda Grehan, has been contacted by a number of individuals following the tragedy at Bondi beach, Australia on Sunday 14th December.

As First Citizen, the Mayor will write to the New South Wales (NSW) government to express our sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and the people of NSW.

She will also open a book of condolence for respect to be paid to the 15 innocent victims as this is considered to be the most inclusive way to mark respect for everyone.

Lisburn mayor Amanda Grehan

Within Lisburn and Castlereagh, we are privileged to live in an inclusive city and should unite to remember those who lost their lives on Bondi beach.

This tragedy will be remembered across the world and as a council we must remember those who died and honour the first responders who selflessly helped those in distress and injured.

We ask our community and people across Northern Ireland to leave messages of sympathy.

Please support our message of hate and violence should not be tolerated in todays society, be inclusive and respectful of everyone.
The latest round of talks between Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured, and US envoys ended on Monday (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

Russia has indicated it is open to Ukraine joining the European Union (EU) as part of a potential peace deal to end the war, according to US officials.

The officials who briefed reporters after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as well as British, French and German officials in Berlin over the last two days said that such an offer would be a major concession by Moscow. But Russia has said previously that it does not object to Ukraine joining the EU.

The US officials said America had also agreed to provide unspecified security guarantees to Kyiv as part of the deal but that such an offer would not be on the table forever.

The talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The latest round of talks between Mr Zelensky and US envoys ended on Monday as Kyiv faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal while confronting an increasingly assertive Moscow.

Ukraines lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said on social media that real progress had been achieved at the talks in Berlin with US president Donald Trumps special envoy Mr Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Mr Kushner as well as European officials. The talks lasted roughly 90 minutes, after a five-hour session on Sunday.

The US government said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after Sundays meeting that a lot of progress was made.

The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

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Mr Zelensky has expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the Nato military alliance if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraines preference remains Nato membership as the best security guarantee to prevent further Russian aggression, but this option does not currently have full backing from all allies.

Still, Ukraine has continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control as one of the key conditions for peace.

Mr Zelenskys itinerary on Monday also included meetings with German and other European leaders. French president Emmanuel Macrons office confirmed he would travel to Berlin later on Monday.

US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner was also involved in the talks (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again, a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side.

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said.

He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, welcomed Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin on Monday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

Meanwhile, Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, which said 133 drones were neutralised, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the defense ministry said on Monday that forces had destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7am and 8am local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defence ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.
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.
European leaders with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, centre left, US special envoys Steve Witkoff, centre right, and Jared Kushner, second right, at the chancellery in Berlin (Markus Schreiber, Pool/AP)

The US has agreed to provide unspecified security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace deal to end Russias nearly four-year war, and more talks are likely this weekend, US officials said.

The news follows the latest discussions with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.

The officials said talks with US President Donald Trumps envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, led to narrowing differences on security guarantees that Kyiv said must be provided, as well as Moscows contentious demand that Ukraine concede land in the eastern Donbas region.

US special envoys Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner, left, with German chancellor Friedrich Merz (Maryam Majd/AP)

Mr Trump dialled into a dinner on Monday evening with negotiators and European leaders, and more talks are expected this weekend in Miami or elsewhere in the United States, according to the US officials.

Mr Trump told reporters: I think were closer now than we have been, ever.

Were having tremendous support from European leaders. They want to get it ended, also.

The officials said the offer of security guarantees would not be on the table forever.

They said the Trump administration planned to put forward the agreement on security guarantees for senate approval, although they did not specify whether it would be ratified like a treaty, which needs the chambers two-thirds approval.

The US officials also said there was consensus on about 90% of the US-authored peace plan, and that Russia had indicated it was open to Ukraine joining the European Union, something it previously said it did not object to.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, left, with Mr Merz, who described the agreement as truly far-reaching (Maryam Majd/AP)

In a statement, European leaders in Berlin said they and the US committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees, including a European-led multinational force Ukraine supported by the US.

They said the forces work would include operating inside Ukraine as well as assisting in rebuilding Ukraines forces, securing its skies and supporting safer seas. They said Ukrainian forces should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Ukrainians, Americans and Europeans agreed that a ceasefire should be secured by substantial legal and material security guarantees from the US and Europe, calling it a truly far-reaching, substantial agreement that we did not have before, namely that both Europe and the US are jointly prepared to do this.

Questions over Ukraines post-war security and the fate of occupied territories have been the main obstacles in talks.

Mr Zelensky has emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US congress.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Zelensky called talks substantial and noted that differences remained on the issue of territories.

Mr Merz, left, hosted Mr Zelensky, right, at the chancellery in Berlin (Markus Schreiber, Pool/AP)

Mr Zelensky has expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the Nato military alliance if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members. But Ukraines preference remains Nato membership as the best security guarantee to prevent further Russian aggression.

Ukraine has continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia.

Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control as a key condition for peace.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

US president Donald Trump was expected to dial in to a dinner on Monday evening with negotiators and European leaders (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said.

He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

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Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, which said 133 drones were neutralised, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the defence ministry said on Monday that forces had destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7am and 8am local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defence ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.
Ruperts testimony was key in the conviction of Real IRA chief Mickey McKevitt

Trucker and spy Dave Rupert being interview by the BBC (Pic: BBC)

Dave Rupert is at least six and half foot tall, he was a middle-aged trucker from Chicago and had no Irish links.

Incredibly, Rupert was also recruited as an FBI spy at the very heart of dissident republicanism.

He was a tourist who enjoyed a pint and through a series of chance events went from a trusted republican insider to an agent working for the feds.

Eventually, he even infiltrated the Real IRA, building a close relationship with its leader, Mickey McKevitt, before up becoming a key witness against him in court.

His evidence was key to Mickey McKevitts convictions in directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation in 2003.

So how did an American man with no background in republicanism end up getting recruited by the FBI, living a double life as part of the Real IRA Army council, and why did Mickey McKevitt believe him?

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Abdon Pallasch, a journalist formerly with the Chicago Sun-Times, who made a podcast series about Dave Rupert, The Rebel Kind.
We love playing shows in Belfast at Christmas, theyre full of energy: Coronas excited for biggest indoor gig yet

Frontman Danny OReilly on his famous mum, changing with the times, and why he wouldnt perform for Trump

Conor Egan, Danny OReilly and Graham Knox of The Coronas

Lorraine Wylie Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 14:00







Danny OReilly is hoping to harness the festive feelgood factor when The Coronas roll into Belfast this Friday.
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BENNINGTON  Vermonts senior Senator Bernie Sanders visited Bennington on Saturday, where he spoke to approximately 300 attendees about artificial intelligence, todays youth, and the economy. He also sang holiday tunes, posed for selfies, and reassured a worried refugee family that he had their back.

The world is changing very, very rapidly, Sanders told the crowd soon after arriving to cheers and handshakes. The world for our kids and our grandchildren is a very different world than what many of us have lived in.

Sanders then asked the crowd whether they thought that life was better 50 years ago or better today. Several people in the crowd responded, mostly telling the Senator that they felt life was better 50 years ago, though some took the opposite view. Sanders, repeating the results of two different polls, including one from the Pew Research Center, then made his point.

Today, you have all kinds of good things. If you get cancer or if you get seriously ill, the likelihood is you will be treated, and the results will be a lot better than before,' Sanders said. "There are cellphones and computers, and many other positive things, but, in general, adding everything together, life may have been better 50 years ago.

Sanders went on to describe the challenges we face today. Economics led the list, but the loss of what we knew as community was, according to the survey, just as important, and he spoke up about his strong feelings regarding the beginnings of A.I. and its effect on society.

I dont want to be an old fuddy-duddy and tell these young people, My generation was better, and you guys are all dummies, Sanders said, the truth is, the world has always changed. Every generation is different, but the transition now is much more severe than in the past. A lot has to do with screen time, cellphones, and computers. These kids are living in a very different world than their grandparents lived in. Its also tough for their grandparents, or even their parents, to know the world that their children are living in. One of the things that worries me the most is this whole business of artificial intelligence.

Sanders went on to describe both the benefits and downsides to the new technologies that he says will dominate the world sooner rather than later.

In terms of just one thing, healthcare, there will be better drugs available, better diagnoses, etcetera. Thats all true. Here is the worry, however. First, the economics: robotics may eliminate many millions of jobs. Thats the economic reality. What happens to people then? There might not be jobs for these kids. Its a real, real worry. Second, kids are finding emotional companionship, not necessarily with other kids, but online with chatbots. There are kids spending hours and hours online, getting their emotional support from artificial intelligence. Think about that. This is just the beginning. Is it conceivable, if these trends continue, that peoples relationships will not really be with other people, but with A.I. What does that do to us?

We are all, every person in this room, a product of their moms, their dads, their families, their friends, co-workers, and co-students. Those are what make us what we are. If we lose that, and become a product of artificial intelligence, I worry what that means in terms of our very humanity.

Sanders then turned the mic over to local students, who led the crowd  Sanders included  in traditional Christmas and holiday classics. After the music ended, Sanders was approached by dozens of community members, most wanting a selfie with the Senator. Sanders complied, not leaving the venue until everyone who wanted a photo got one.

After about 15 minutes into the long, winding line, a group of recent immigrants from Afghanistan, who were part of the airlift of Afghan refugees that had helped the United States while in Afghanistan, approached Sanders. After a cordial greeting, both the adult son and the mom leaned in to the Senator. They briefly told them who they were, how worried they had become, and asked what support he might offer after a fellow immigrant from Afghanistan opened fire on two National Guard Soldiers in Washington, killing one, and the backlash against all Afghan immigrants from the current administration. Sanders, putting both hands on the mothers shoulders, and, looking her straight in the eye, pledged his support.

We are going to try very hard to make sure that you can stay here, and thank you for what you did in Afghanistan for our country, Sanders responded.

The Afghan community is very concerned and fearful, and we wanted to relay that concern to the Senator, said one of the family members, who asked that we not identify them by name. He offered us help and support to those who were in Afghanistan and helped the American people for over 20 years. He appreciated all of the service we provided."

We, all Afghans, we shared that we are here legally in Bennington, said the Afghan mother. We are working. We are paying taxes. We are seeking for peace, to live here in peace. I asked him, please, do not judge us for the one persons behavior. We condemn his actions and do not support that kind of violence. We supported the American government when we were in Afghanistan. We helped them. We are worried after hearing that news. He offered us support that we would talk again because more should be said.

When asked about the exchange after the event ended, Sanders reiterated his support for the family and for the budding Afghan community here in Bennington and throughout Vermont.

We are going to do everything we can to protect them, Sanders said. The idea that Trump wants to throw people who actually put their lives on the line to help America during the war there is outrageous.

Sanders then hopped into a waiting Sedan to begin his trip up to Rutland for the next event.
The merger of the parent companies of Berkshire and Brookline banks will be completed during a conversion process next month, with Beacon Bank emerging as the new name of the regional powerhouse active in five states.
Theodore Bland, 28, a person of interest in the fatal shootings of Jahim Solomon of Pittsfield and Eric White of Chicopee in northern Vermont, faces two counts of selling heroin at a "mother-child" wing at a hospital.
PITTSFIELD  The city is looking to transition the last peaker plant in the county to a modern battery energy storage facility.

The City Council last week voted to send a letter to the Office of Energy Transformation seeking support for converting the fossil-fuel-fired Pittsfield Generating Co. plant, owned by Hull Street Energy, into a battery energy storage facility capable of storing clean, renewable power.

Gov. Maura Healey formed the Energy Transformation Advisory Board to help shape the work of the new Office of Energy Transformation, which is focused on moving Massachusetts from gas to electric in an affordable and equitable way while readying the grid for the states climate goals. A working group under that effort is specifically examining peaker plants.

Peaker plants are backup power stations that switch on only when electricity demand spikes. They act as a safety valve for the grid  kicking in during heat waves, cold snaps or other moments when overall usage surges.

The push to transition the facility comes amid growing concerns about the plants pollution and its impact on nearby neighborhoods such as Morningside and Allendale  areas with some of Pittsfields most vulnerable residents.

Environmental advocates say the plant has long contributed to health disparities in the city.

The facility, located at 235 Merrill Road  less than 950 feet from Allendale Elementary School  is Pittsfields largest greenhouse gas emitter and the second-highest emitter in Berkshire County after Specialty Minerals in Adams, according to Rosemary Wessel, program director of No Fracked Gas in Mass at the Berkshire Environmental Action Team.

Residents report feeling the impacts directly.

In the past 10 years, I have had to close my windows at night. In a heat wave, this is not a good thing, an Imperial Avenue resident said in a statement read by Wessel during last months Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. My breathing is affected much more in the summertime. I have mild asthma, and I never experienced this to this extent in the past.

Doctors also have raised alarms.

There is no safe level of air pollution, said Dr. Steve Averbuch. Given the fact that the Morningside community is already vulnerable, whatever amount is coming out of this plant is just going to contribute to their health burden from all the other underlying causes that they're subject to.

Life expectancy in Morningside is more than 12 years shorter than in Pittsfields outlying neighborhoods according to a study done by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. While multiple factors play into this disparity, including income inequality and access to medical care, Wessel noted that air quality is one of the few variables the city can directly address.

By burning fossil fuels, the plant releases pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, reduced lung function, preterm birth and premature death.

It really affects children and the elderly the most, Wessel said. There's also cellular damage and inflammation that can be caused, which contributes to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma and a higher incidence of severe COVID.

A February health study by the Applied Economics Clinic reinforced those concerns. The report found that as long as Pittsfield Generating remains operational, it has the potential to produce much higher greenhouse gas emissions and CO pollutants in any given year, and that nearby environmental justice communities face heightened risks of adverse health outcomes because of existing socioeconomic and health inequities.

But the study also pointed to a clear path forward.

The third key finding, Wessel said, is that replacing fossil fuel power plants with clean energy can reduce emissions in this area.

Pittsfield Generating, which is about 35 years old and runs on fracked natural gas and oil, is the last of its kind in the Berkshires. Two others, located on Woodland Road in Lee and Doreen Street in Pittsfield, closed in 2022 and have since been dismantled.

And the plants contribution to the city is shrinking. Wessel noted that Pittsfield Generating successfully appealed to the state tax board to cut its annual tax bill in half due to depreciation  dropping from roughly $674,000 to about $350,000 a year.

The plant also employs very few people. For most of the year, only two staff members are on site, with a crew of six brought in only when the plant fires up, according to company figures.

And it doesnt run often. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection estimates that peaker plants like Pittsfield Generating operate less than 10 to 15 percent of the time.

Wessel said a modern battery energy storage system could provide the same backup power  without the emissions.

Battery energy storage systems store energy from traditional and renewable sources locally until needed. Typically, such systems can harness power from sustainable sources, such as solar arrays or wind turbines, and store it for use when needed.

Wessel said that a battery storage facility could also simply be added to the plants operations to replace fossil fuel generation and decarbonize the plant.

Although concerns were raised about battery storage fires at both Tuesdays City Council meeting and last months Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, Wessel emphasized that modern systems use Lithium Iron Phosphate, or LFP batteries, which she described as much safer.

And he noted that significant safety improvements have been made since high-profile California incidents, including a fire last January that burned for three days at a battery energy storage facility that involved lithium-ion battery modules.

There's also increased protection from fire and thermal runaway because of the chemical makeup [of LFP batteries], but also because of increasing safety measures that go into these systems, she said, referring to the sort of chain-reaction event that can lead to battery fires. They tend to have thermal sensors in them so they can catch a thermal runaway before it turns into a problem  fire suppression systems  [and] better regulations on spacing out the different containers so that if one does catch fire, it can't spread to the other containers.

Battery storage would not only cut pollution and improve community health, but could also help lower electricity costs during peak demand periods  times when prices spike because the peaker plant comes online.

When these peaks happen, prices can jump to 10 times a normal day, Wessel said, explaining that ISO New England buys the cheapest power first and moves up the cost ladder as demand rises.

Replacing old fossil-fuel equipment with new battery technology could expand property tax revenue, reduce long-term costs and help insulate Pittsfield from energy rate shocks related to fossil fuel imports.

The city and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team say theyre trying to partner with Hull Street on making the conversion happen. Pittsfield showed its support for this direction back in 2021, when the Board of Health signed a letter urging a shift away from fossil fuels and opening discussions with the plants owners.

We need green energy, said Councilor Parick Kavey. We want our kids to have clean water and clean and air.
Given the dire state of the Berkshire housing crunch, it's always good to see more units come online in an area that desperately needs them. A new endeavor in downtown Pittsfield, though, offers something more.
PITTSFIELD  A long-awaited new West Side elementary school is finally moving forward after state officials approved Pittsfields request to begin formal planning.

On Friday, the Massachusetts School Building Authoritys Board of Directors unanimously voted to allow the city to enter a feasibility study, the next major step toward designing and constructing a new school that would replace both Silvio O. Conte Community School and Crosby Elementary School.

The planned 700-student building would sit on the current Crosby site and would be the first new elementary school constructed in Pittsfield in 50 years. Both Crosby and Conte have been deemed outdated and functionally obsolete by city officials.

This is an important step toward equity for our district, said interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips, who wrote a letter of support to the board. [Crosby is] our most dilapidated and worst conditioned building in a part of our city, which serves our students with the greatest need.

Earlier this year, the City Council authorized up to two million dollars for Pittsfields share of the study. The full feasibility phase is expected to cost about $1.5 million, with roughly 80 percent reimbursable through the states school building program.

The study will examine the Crosby site, help define the district's educational goals and explore early design ideas, all with strong community involvement. The Owners Project Manager  a role required by the MSBA  and design team will lead the work, managing both the planning and technical details.

To complement the state-funded project, the School Committee has endorsed a significant shift in Pittsfields elementary enrollment map. Instead of eight neighborhood-based school zones, the committee supports consolidating the city into three larger elementary regions.

The change would allow the district to distribute grade levels across multiple school buildings and move away from the traditional neighborhood school model.

City officials havent ruled out looking at Stearns Elementary School in the future, but for now, it isnt included in the consolidation. The state will only reimburse the city for planning tied to Crosby and Conte.

Crosby opened over six decades ago as a junior high school, and its age is showing. Broken windows cant be repaired because the casings contain asbestos, and the layout doesnt suit the day-to-day needs of an elementary school.

Conte Community School was designed with an open floor plan that lacks walls between classrooms  a once-trendy concept that now falls short of modern safety and educational standards.

Both buildings have reached a point where repairs alone arent enough, according to district leaders, and rising maintenance costs and structural constraints make renovation unrealistic.

With MSBA approval secured, Pittsfield will now begin the 10- to 18-month study in partnership with the state and its project team.

Once the feasibility study is complete, the district, its project team and the MSBA will prepare a preferred schematic report that lays out the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate solution for the board to consider.

The MSBA Board of Directors then must approve that preferred schematic before the project can move into the next phase, schematic design, where final scope, budget and design details are developed.
Residents wrote down ideas and added stars to the concepts on large pieces of paper as a way of contributing to the input that will go into the towns open space plan, which is due in June.
Hanahealth by DSS Imagetech launches GERI Time-Lapse Incubator in India to revolutionise IVF outcomes

December 15, 2025 | Monday | News

Modernising lab processes and improving outcomes for IVF centres

Hanahealth by DSS Imagetech, the authorised partner of Sydney-based Genea Biomedx, has launched the advanced GERI Time-Lapse Incubator pan India.

GERI, the next-generation Time Lapse embryo culture system from Genea Biomedx, is ideal for IVF clinics, labs adopting digital transformation, centres working toward accreditation, and research-focused fertility groups as it enables them to modernize their processes and improve IVF outcomes.

GERI helps infertility experts to closely monitor embryo development at every crucial stage in a stable culture environment indirectly contributing to higher pregnancy rates. Each of the incubators six independent chambers has its own dedicated five-megapixel camera to provide detail time-lapse views of each embryo at very high resolution. The camera in each chamber can capture images of up to 11 focal planes of each embryo every five minutes.

For embryologists seeking standardised, AI-supported objective grading, GERI reduces environmental fluctuations that harm embryos and helps them increase consistency and objectivity in embryo grading while enhancing their patient confidence through transparent communication.

Embryo selection is central to IVF success making the precise visibility of a time lapse incubator crucial for IVF specialists. Even subtle abnormalities in pronuclear behaviour can indicate chromosomal abnormalities or early developmental arrest allowing embryologists to identify abnormal embryos at an early stage and not transfer them to a womb.

GERI time-lapse incubator is the only integrated continuous monitoring benchtop incubator with humid culture option. In another way, GERI has addressed the importance of Osmolar stability for IVF clinics to ensure better embryo development and clinical outcomes said Sindhoora Rao B, Application Specialist & Embryologist, Hanahealth by DSS.

GERI is currently available in India only through Hanahealth by DSS and is already in use at leading centres including Krishna IVF Clinic in Visakhapatnam and Shanthi Shell Fertility in Bengaluru.


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U.S. Ninth Circuit rules to clear National Guard troops from LA: California Attorney General

Xinhua) 10:25, December 15, 2025

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday welcomed a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, saying it effectively blocked the deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles for the time being.

"The Ninth Circuit's decision means that, come Monday, there will be no National Guard troops deployed in California. Let me repeat: For the first time in six months, there will be no military deployed on the streets of Los Angeles," Bonta said in a news release.

The release explained that a partial administrative stay issued by the Ninth Circuit early Friday allowed the first part of a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California order barring the deployment of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles to remain in effect for now, while pausing the second part of the order that would have returned control of the federalized troops to the state governor.

The decision marked the latest development in an ongoing legal battle between California leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump over control of the state's National Guard troops.

District Judge Charles Breyer for the Northern District of California ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration could not deploy members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles and must return control of the troops to the state. The Trump administration then appealed to the Ninth Circuit.

The Trump administration deployed roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted in Southern California over an immigration crackdown in June.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sued to block the federalization and deployment of California National Guard troops, and Breyer issued a temporary restraining order on June 12, saying Trump had overstepped his presidential authority in ordering the deployment. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay just hours after Breyer's decision, allowing the federalization and deployment to continue.

So far, the Trump administration has released most of the federalized members of the California National Guard, but has kept roughly 300 troops under federal control. U.S. Justice Department lawyers have argued that the administration still needs those Guard members to help protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles.

Bonta noted in Friday's news release that the Ninth Circuit's latest decision "was not final" but "a gratifying and hard-fought step in the right direction." He said that "there is no crisis to justify the National Guard's continued presence, and we look forward to continuing to prove that in court."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Combined sentences of 35 years in prison imposed on a notorious rapist who mounted a campaign of harassment against his victim and directed death threats against the lawyers in his trial were justified, as the offences are at the highest level of gravity, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The question of good character does not come into the case. There are no mitigating factors, said Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on Monday, dismissing an appeal by Michael Murray (55).

Murray, formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, was found guilty in 2021 of making death threats against Dominic McGinn SC in November 2014 and Tony McGillicuddy BL in January 2015  the barristers who prosecuted the rape case against him in the summer of 2013.

He was also convicted of harassing his victim by advertising her online as a prostitute and making similar posts about Mr McGinn and his former defence solicitor in January and February 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to all of these offences.

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In 2013, Murray was jailed for 15 years for falsely imprisoning, raping and sexually assaulting the woman at a Dublin apartment in February 2010, and abducting her child. His sentence was later increased to 19 years' imprisonment by the Court of Appeal, which was backdated to February 2010.

In July 2021, Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced Murray to nine years in prison for the threat to kill Mr McGinn and seven years for the threat to Mr McGillicuddy.

The judge sentenced Murray to the maximum seven years for the harassment of the woman he was convicted of raping in the context of re-victimising [her] after such serious and violent offending.

Judge OConnor ordered that the nine-year sentence for the threat to Mr McGinn and the seven-year term for harassing his victim be served consecutively to each other, for an effective operative sentence of 16 years' imprisonment. The judge ordered that this sentence was to date from the end of his original 19-year sentence for rape.

Murray has 34 previous convictions, including those for common assault, carrying firearms, robbery and aggravated burglary, with the offending dating back to 1987.

Appealing the severity of his 16-year sentence in July, Barry White SC, for Murray, argued before the three-judge court that the trial judge erred by failing to have regard to the 'totality principle', whereby the court must be satisfied that the overall sentence is fair, just and proportionate.

The lawyer said the trial judge was of the view at sentencing that there was no mitigation in the case, but at several points during the trial, she acknowledged that the appellant had saved time and resources through concessions made. He said it was also clear that Murray was a man "of some considerable age".

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In delivering the courts judgement today on this appeal, Mr Justice McCarthy said that until Murray entered custody for the rape and related offences, he was almost continuously involved in serious criminality, including armed robbery and aggravated burglary.

The question of good character does not come into the case. There are no mitigating factors, he said.

Mr Justice McCarthy said there was no evidential basis upon which rehabilitation might have been a mitigating factor in Murrays sentencing, nor one which would give rise to a suspended sentence.

He said that having identified the post-mitigation sentences, a sentencing judge who imposes a consecutive sentence must stand back and consider whether or not the cumulative term of imprisonment is proportionate.

Mr Justice McCarthy said that the court was satisfied that the sentencing judge considered this issue, as the judge said the sentences imposed reflected the moral culpability on the part of Murray.

Noting that the reason for the existence of the totality principle is to ensure that sentences are proportionate, Mr Justice McCarthy ruled that there had been no failure by the sentencing judge to apply this principle correctly.

Ireland Man jailed for raping friend with carrot after marriage breakdown Read more

There are numerous aggravating factors and no mitigating factors, he said, adding that each of the offences are at the highest level of gravity.

In each case on a free-standing basis, the maximum penalty would be justified, said Mr Justice McCarthy.

He said the sentences imposed on Murray were justified, given his re-victimisation of the woman he raped, the attack on the lawyers involved, the moral turpitude of the appellant, his appalling criminal record, the absence of mitigation, and the effects on the victims. He added that it was necessary for any sentence imposed to be consecutive.

Saying that the punishment here is condign but proportionate, Mr Justice McCarthy ruled that the appeal was dismissed.
A serial car-jacker who was caught after he was identified on a live stream of the aftermath of one of his offences has been jailed for three and a half years.

Shane Ward (24) committed a second car-jacking of a taxi less than a week later after being released on station bail from a city centre garda station on a separate matter.

Ward, of Kimmage Manor Way, Terenure, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of seizing control of a vehicle at locations in Dublin on March 23rd and March 30th, 2025. He has 63 previous convictions, 13 of which were for theft.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd noted the victims of these serious offences had been left in fear for their safety and the taxi driver in the second offence had been subjected to considerable violence.

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Judge Codd said it was difficult to disagree with one of the victims conclusion that it was very dangerous to be a taxi driver in Dublin.

The judge set a headline sentence of eight years' imprisonment for the offences.

She noted in mitigation matters including an early guilty plea, his relative youth and positive developments in his life in terms of addiction counselling and managing his emotions.

The judge noted traumatic events in his past which he had tried to deal with in a maladaptive way with drugs and alcohol, taking his frustrations out on those around him and on society itself.

Judge Codd imposed a five and half year sentence and suspended the final two years on strict conditions including two years' probation supervision post-release.

Garda Nicole Keogh told Shaun Smyth BL, prosecuting, that in the first incident a couple were in a parked car at Kilakee view point, Rathfarnham in the early hours of the morning, when a car pulled up behind them. Two or three males alighted and shone a torch in at them.

Gda Keogh said the men claimed to be gardai and the male emerged from the car. The men attempted to steal mobile phones that were on the dashboard and conveyed the suggestion that they had knives but the victims did not recall any knives being produced.

The male victim was dragged forcibility from the car and the woman got out herself. The keys were left in the ignition and the assailants seized control of the vehicle.

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Tattoo

One of the men had a large tattoo and matched the description of Ward.

Gda Keogh told the court that gardai received confidential information that the aftermath of the offence, in which the assailants were showing their takings including a distinctive red jacket, had been live streamed on a social media application.

The court heard Ward was clearly identifiable on the live streaming footage. The car was later found undamaged.

The female injured party gave a victim impact statement outlining she had lost items with sentimental value and the offence had a lasting emotional impact on her. She said she had felt stupid as she had attempted to co-operate with people she thought were the gardai.

She said the offending had a deeply traumatic effect on her, and a lasting effect on her security and well-being.

Gda Keogh told the court a week later on March 30th, 2025 Ward approached a taxi driver on Dame Street.

The driver sought pre-payment of 40 which was paid. As he was alighting from the vehicle Ward reached back in and attempted to steal cash.

Ward assaulted the taxi driver, who described being in fear of his life. He was dragged from his vehicle. Ward got hold of the keys and drove away in the taxi. The taxi was later found abandoned and written off.

CCTV

The court heard Ward had committed the offence just after being released on bail from Pearse Street garda station on another matter and gardai were able to track him on CCTV for the station until he got into the taxi.

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The taxi driver in his victim impact statement described how he had lost the use of his taxi which was unable to be fixed. He had to pay for a rented vehicle to continue working and suffered some physical injuries. He describes suffering flashbacks and being nervous at work.

He said he believes it is very dangerous to be a taxi driver in Dublin, telling the court he simply wanted to work and provide for his family.

Kevin White SC, defending, said Ward wants to apologise to all three victims unreservedly. He handed in a letter of apology.

He said Ward had a complicated upbringing. He outlined several traumatic and tragic incidents in Wards young life and said he began using tablets and alcohol. He said Ward was self medicating on tablets at the time of this offending.

He said Ward now has the support of a drug counsellor and was doing well in custody. He asked the court to structure a sentence to give Ward something to work towards so that he will not return before the courts.
A new US national security strategy document shows president Donald Trump is making efforts to divide Europe reminiscent of actions taken by Russian president Vladimir Putin, an Irish MEP has said.

The document sent shockwaves across Europe, and its clear criticism of the European Union presents a big shift in America's relationship with traditional allies.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews said Donald Trump doesn't like the fact that the EU can "stand up to him as a collective".

He said the national security document can be traced back to a speech from US vice president JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February.

"That was jaw dropping, even for people who attend that conference regularly, a wake-up call.

"You can draw a straight line from that to the national security strategy which set out a much more explicit and open look at what their intentions are."

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Barry Andrews said JD Vance's Munich Security Conference speech was "jaw dropping". Photo: Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

He added: "Europe has to accept that this is the way it'll be. Up until now we've been pursuing a twin track approach. On the one hand trying to keep Trump sweet, with the flattery which is nauseating but necessary, particularly to keep the Americans on the same course in regards to the war in Ukraine.

"On the other hand trying to develop independent security policy, independent trade policy, and to develop our own supply chains.

"All of this is bringing us to the point now where this twin track isn't useful anymore, we have to really recognise that the Americans consider Europe to be a systemic rival frankly, and when I say Europe I mean the European Union... it's important we draw that distinction.

"It's the multilateral organisation, what the EU is, which the Americans find to be a systemic rival to their system of government, their view and idea of what it should be."

Mr Andrews said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen needs to come up with a strong response to the document.

"I've been really critical of von der Leyen, particularly in her approach to Israel and her failure to call out the war crimes in Gaza. I think she is recognised as the political leader in the European Union, in a way that previous Commission presidents were not.

"She has more political capital than previous presidents and we therefore look to her to make a clear response and give a clear correction. At the same time the EU is 27 member states and we need to make sure we are all comfortable with where we go now. Things happen a little bit more slowly at EU level, that's fine, but we do need a very clear and explicit response to where we find ourselves now."

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He pointed to austerity, migration problems, Brexit, Covid and the invasion of Ukraine as examples of challenges where the EU had "emerged stronger".

Russian disinformation

The national security document focuses hugely on migration in Europe, claiming it is a threat to the EU and the West as a whole. In a subsequent interview with Politico, Mr Trump said European nations were "decaying" as a result of migration.

Mr Andrews said the document aimed to sow division in a similar manner to disinformation campaigns from Putin's Russia.

"Migration is a very divisive issue, we all know that, it generates very strong feelings. What the US is doing is recognising it is divisive in Europe, pushing through those divisions and trying to create more polarisation about EU policy. It's an approach that Putin has been pursuing for the last 10 years, using Russian bots and disinformation to undermine confidence in the European system. Now we see it coming from the White House, it's very explicit.

"We need to have confidence that our values are consistent, we will treat people humanely, of course have a robust migration policy and make sure people have confidence in it, particularly around asylum.

"We need to counter these American arguments, these are the same arguments Putin's Russia has been trying to circulate within the EU for more than a decade."

Let's look at the facts and forget about Trump's aggression and dismissal of the EU.

He added: "The EU has been developing for years and each crisis it has faced over the decades has made it stronger.

"As we speak in December 2025, there are a huge number of countries queuing to join the EU, the waiting room is full, I take that as a sign of the health of the EU.

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"Look at Ireland, the Eurobarometer shows 92 per cent of Irish people are happy with membership of the EU.

"Let's look at the facts and forget about Trump's aggression and dismissal of the EU, we know we must be doing something right when someone like that is so irritated by its existence and its successes."

Mr Andrews called the proposals about additional checks on visitors to the US, including five years' of social media profiles, a "massive overreach".

"I welcome the fact the Taoiseach has called this unworkable. The diplomatic channels from all EU countries should be used to convey that message, everyone is shocked by the madness of it.

"Tourism numbers to the US from Europe have already fallen dramatically, not so much in Ireland because we have pre-clearance and people are confident of going to the airport without too much risk. This will surely impact Irish tourism to the US, Irish business relations with the US.

Social media policy

Ireland 'You're going to see a lot more make Ireland great again posts': US influence on far-right slogans Read more

"It's not too late, the Americans can pull back on this, make sure it doesn't turn the US into a surveillance state. The whole thing is ridiculous.

"What it's really about is eliminating freedom of speech, intimidating people not to make criticisms of the US government, that's what its real intention is, for a US government that claims freedom of speech is so central to their identity, it's quite ironic."

He added: "I think people are shocked, but I think it's strength in numbers. If Ireland was outside of the EU we'd be isolated on this, but we're one of 27 all shocked by this with the exception of Hungary's Viktor Orban I'd expect.

"What Trump dislikes is we can collectively stand up to him and apply the kind of pressure that will hopefully bring this madness to an end. I've had contact with high officials in Brussels who are already bringing this message to Washington."
European leaders are expected to cement support for Ukraine on Monday as it faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal.

Peace talks between US envoys and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as Ukrainian and European officials, continued on Monday as part of a series of meetings in an effort to secure the continents peace and security in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia.

The second day of talks in Berlin began shortly before noon local time.

Finnish president Alexander Stubb, one of the key European interlocutors between US president Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky, was spotted in the German capital on Monday morning.



US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, leaves the American embassy in Berlin on Monday (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Mr Zelensky sat down on Sunday with Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German federal chancellery in the hopes of bringing the nearly four-year war to a close.

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.

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The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

The US government late on Sunday said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after the five-hour meeting that a lot of progress was made.



US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner also leaves the American embassy in Berlin on Monday (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Earlier in the day, Mr Zelensky voiced readiness to drop his countrys bid to join Nato if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraine continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia.

Russian 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.

He has also cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.





I had a good meeting with the President of Finland, @alexstubb. There is a great deal of work underway on the diplomatic track right now, and we discussed its results. We also coordinated our joint positions ahead of todays meetings with partners in Berlin and agreed on the next pic.twitter.com/QxuyQURdjX  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 15, 2025

Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side once the talks had finished.

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Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal as a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said. He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

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.



German chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, watches Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky arriving at the chancellery in Berlin on Sunday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Pax Americana refers to the USs postwar dominance as a superpower that has brought relative peace to the globe.

Mr Merz warned that Mr Putins aim is 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 said during a party conference in Munich.

Mr Macron said on X that France is, and will remain, at Ukraines side to build a robust and lasting peace  one that can guarantee Ukraines security and sovereignty, and that of Europe, over the long term.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.
The latest round of talks between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoys have ended as they and European allies seek an end to Russias nearly four-year war.

Ukraine faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal in the face of an increasingly assertive Moscow.

There were no immediate comments on the talks in Berlin that involved US president Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as European officials, and which lasted roughly 90 minutes after a five-hour session on Sunday.



The talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The US government said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after Sundays meeting that a lot of progress was made.

The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

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Mr Zelensky has now expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the Nato military alliance if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraine continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control among the key conditions for peace.



US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner was also involved in the talks (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

Mr Zelenskys itinerary on Monday also included meetings with German and other European leaders.

The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again, a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side.



German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, welcomes Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on Monday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said.

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He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

Meanwhile, the new head of the MI6 spy agency was set to warn how Mr Putins determination to export chaos around the world was rewriting the rules of conflict and creating new security challenges.





I had a good meeting with the President of Finland, @alexstubb. There is a great deal of work underway on the diplomatic track right now, and we discussed its results. We also coordinated our joint positions ahead of todays meetings with partners in Berlin and agreed on the next pic.twitter.com/QxuyQURdjX  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 15, 2025

Blaise Metreweli was using her first public speech as chief of the UK foreign intelligence service to say that Britain faced increasingly unpredictable and interconnected threats, with an emphasis on aggressive, expansionist Russia.

Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, which said 133 drones were neutralised, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the defence ministry said on Monday that forces destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7am and 8am local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defence ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.
The new head of MI6 has warned of the growing threat posed by expansionist Russia in her first major public speech.

Blaise Metreweli said the UK is operating in a space between peace and war and that while the Ukraine conflict drags on, Russia is also testing us in the grey zone.

She said the front line is everywhere as she set out her understanding of the global security landscape in a speech at the headquarters of the UKs foreign intelligence service.

Ms Metreweli said Russia is testing the UK in the grey zone (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Ms Metreweli, appointed head of MI6 in June, briefly mentioned China and the need for MI6 to inform the UK government of the implications of Beijings rise and its national security implications.

But she said she would not give a global threat tour and instead focus on the threat posed by an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia.

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She said: Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraines behalf will be sustained.

She added: Alongside the grinding war, Russia is testing us in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war with cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and drones sent to buzz over airports.

Drones have been spotted in European airspace in recent months, including during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Dublin earlier this month.

Ms Metreweli also cited aggressive activity in UK seas, state-sponsored arson and sabotage and propaganda and influence operations.

The Royal Navy shadowing a Russian submarine during a three-day operation in the English Channel last week (MoD Crown Copyright/PA)

The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus, she said.

The UK is already working to harness technology to tackle global threats including technological disruption, and disinformation, she said.

She continued: Mastery of technology will infuse everything we do.

Not just in our labs, but in the field, in our tradecraft, and even more importantly, in the mindset of every officer.

Ireland Trump's 'aggression towards Europe' following Putin playbook, Irish MEP says Read more

We will become as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources, as fluent in Python as we are in multiple other languages.

The spy chief also pointed to how her agencys work builds on sanctions recently slapped on Russian companies and individuals by the British Foreign Office.

Just last week, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper announced a series of sanctions on entities linked to the GRU, Russias military intelligence agency, and disinformation spread by the Kremlin.
The parents of a fruit shop owner who tackled one of the Bondi Beach terrorists have described him as a hero of Australia.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, is seen fighting a gunman in a video shared widely on social media shortly after the attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday.

Australian police said a 54-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram, were behind the shooting on Sunday, in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.

Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene, but Naveed Akram, who was wounded, is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges.

As of late Monday afternoon local time, 27 people were receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, NSW Health said.

Six people are in a critical condition, the others are in serious and stable conditions. Police believe the ages of the dead range from 10 to 87.

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Two police officers who were injured in the attack are in serious but stable conditions.

Mr Ahmeds father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC Australia his son has an impulse to protect people, having previously served with the police.

Speaking through a translator, he told the broadcaster: His friend told him, Lets go have coffee at Bondi.

They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists.

I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed

Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance from him, hiding behind a tree.

My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people.

When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.

I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia.

Mr Ahmed is in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, but was in good spirits, his family previously said.

His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, said she was proud of her son, describing him as a do-gooder.

She told ABC Australia through a translator: Im proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.

He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit.

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We pray that God saves him.

NSW premier Chris Minns said his government would pursue prospective gun reform in the wake of the incident, after it was disclosed the 50-year-old gunman belonged to a gun club and legally possessed six firearms.

His sentiments were echoed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who proposed implementing tougher measures nationwide, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain.

Mr Minns said a memorial had been set up at the end of the Bondi Pavilion near the beach. People have been placing flowers there.

People during a vigil outside the Australian High Commission in central London (James Manning/PA)

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 on the first day of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights, usually observed in December.

British-born Eli Schlanger, 41, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of those killed.

The youngest victim has been named as 10-year-old Matilda, whose full name was not released. The Harmony Russian School of Sydney said on social media her memory will remain in our hearts.

Today I met with Jewish community leaders to reaffirm that NSW stands with them during this incredibly dark time. We are grieving alongside them. pic.twitter.com/ehWrlUBic8  Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) December 15, 2025

Police earlier said two active explosive devices were taken away by a bomb disposal unit and rendered safe, while properties in the Campsie and Bonnyrigg areas of the city had been searched.

A third explosive device was found at the Bondi scene on Monday and taken for forensic investigation, police said.

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New South Wales state police commissioner Mal Lanyon said reports that a black Isis flag was draped over the attackers car would form part of the investigation.

World Bondi Beach shooting: Australian police say father-son duo allegedly behind it Read more

He also said one of the offenders had been known to authorities but there had been no specific threat and police were confident there was not a third person involved in the attack.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer 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.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told any British people caught up in the shooting to contact the British consulate for support.
US president Donald Trump on Monday mocked Rob Reiner, the slain actor and movie director who was also a vocal Democratic activist, suggesting he was killed for his anti-Trump views despite police not outlining a motive for the apparent homicide.

Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found dead in their home on Sunday. Their son Nick Reiner was arrested on homicide charges.

In a social media post, Trump referred to Rob Reiner as "tortured and struggling" and said he and his wife had passed away "reportedly due to the anger he caused" by opposing the Republican president.

"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump," the president wrote on Truth Social.

The president, who frequently lashes out at his opponents and praises public figures who support him, provided no evidence that Reiner's political views contributed in any way to the couple's death.

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Reiner told Variety in 2017 that Trump was "mentally unfit" and called him "the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States."

Trump's post, in which he said Reiner had the "mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME," drew Republican criticism online.

"Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," wrote US representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

"This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," wrote US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Both Massie and Taylor Greene are Trump critics, a rarity within the president's party.

The White House reposted Trump's Truth Social comments on its official "Rapid Response" account on X.
Russia has indicated it is open to Ukraine joining the European Union (EU) as part of a potential peace deal to end the war, according to US officials.

The officials who briefed reporters after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as well as British, French and German officials in Berlin over the last two days said that such an offer would be a major concession by Moscow. But Russia has said previously that it does not object to Ukraine joining the EU.

The US officials said America had also agreed to provide unspecified security guarantees to Kyiv as part of the deal but that such an offer would not be on the table forever.



The talks involved US special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The latest round of talks between Mr Zelensky and US envoys ended on Monday as Kyiv faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal while confronting an increasingly assertive Moscow.

Ukraines lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said on social media that real progress had been achieved at the talks in Berlin with US president Donald Trumps special envoy Mr Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Mr Kushner as well as European officials. The talks lasted roughly 90 minutes, after a five-hour session on Sunday.

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The US government said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after Sundays meeting that a lot of progress was made.

The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.





Over the past two days, Ukrainian-US negotiations have been constructive and productive, with real progress achieved. We hope we will reach an agreement that will bring us closer to peace by the end of the day.

There is a lot of noise and anonymous speculation in the media right  Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) December 15, 2025

Mr Zelensky has expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the Nato military alliance if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraines preference remains Nato membership as the best security guarantee to prevent further Russian aggression, but this option does not currently have full backing from all allies.

Still, Ukraine has continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia. Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control as one of the key conditions for peace.

Mr Zelenskys itinerary on Monday also included meetings with German and other European leaders. French president Emmanuel Macrons office confirmed he would travel to Berlin later on Monday.



US president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner was also involved in the talks (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)

The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again, a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

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Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side.

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said.

He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.



German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, welcomed Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin on Monday (Maryam Majd/AP)

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

Meanwhile, Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines air force, which said 133 drones were neutralised, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the defense ministry said on Monday that forces had destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7am and 8am local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defence ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.
Spains government has fined Airbnb 64 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals, officials have said.

The rentals did not include licence numbers  a requirement in many regions in Spain  or included licence numbers that did not match what authorities had, the consumer rights ministry said. Others listed incorrect information about hosts, it said.

The move is the latest government action in Spain against short-term rental companies such as Airbnb and Booking.com as the country grapples with a housing affordability crisis, particularly in city centres and other places popular both with residents and tourists.

Airbnb said that it planned to challenge the fine in court.

The company said it was collaborating with Spanish authorities to comply with a new national registration system for short-term rentals, and that more than 70,000 listings on the platform had added a registration number since January.

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Spains government and many Spaniards across the political spectrum see short-term rental companies as responsible for driving up housing costs.

The nation on the Iberian Peninsula is one of the worlds most visited countries and short-term holiday rentals have cut into many cities stretched supply.

World Empty homes in Spain targeted by squatters as owners face long waits to reclaim properties Read more

In May, the consumer rights ministry ordered Airbnb to take down around 65,000 listings because of rule violations.

There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes, Spains consumer rights minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said in a statement.

In 2024, Spains anti-trust watchdog fined Booking.com 413 million, saying the online travel company had abused its dominant market position in the country over the previous five years.

Local authorities in Barcelona have said they plan to phase out all of the 10,000 apartments licensed in the city as short-term rentals by 2028 to safeguard the housing supply for residents.
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Exclusive BusinessBanking & financeBanking products Fake documents, ghost trucks: Westpacs secret fraud probe revealed Charlotte Grieve December 15, 2025  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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Locksley Resources has landed retired US Lt General Mark Schwartz to spearhead its defence and national security engagement and assist in its strategy to mine and supply antimony into US critical minerals markets including Defence.

Locksleys vision is to produce ingots, trioxide, trisulphide and other downstream defence-grade antimony products within the US and the recruitment of the retired three-star Lt General as a strategic advisor is a significant development at a moment when America is urgently scrambling to rebuild its critical minerals supply chains.

Locksley Resources has hired retired US Lieutenant General Mark Schwartz to spearhead its defence and national security engagement with Washington.

Schwartz served more than 33 years across some of the most influential commands in the US military, including Joint Special Operations Command, Special Operations CommandEurope and as the US Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The top-tier military strategists career has revolved around national security, strategic planning, alliance coordination and operational readiness  the key areas now driving the US Governments renewed push towards onshore critical minerals.
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BusinessThe economyTrump's White House Opinion Trump loves a deal, but these two are not going to plan Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist December 15, 2025  10:59am

December 15, 2025  10:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Donald Trump has been planning to get his hands on some of the $370 billion of Russian funds frozen within Europe while also taking a multibillion-dollar slice of Nvidias potential revenue from sales of its more advanced chips to China. Neither ambition is tracking exactly as planned. In the bilateral peace negotiations the US has been having with Russia, a key element for gaining American support for a plan that favours Russias interests over Ukraines is the establishment of two US-led joint venture investment vehicles with Russia, funded by most of the 210 billion ($370 billion) of Russian foreign exchange reserves held within Europe. Donald Trump loves to turn international negotiations into transactions. AP Earlier this month, Trump, after heavy lobbying by Nvidias Jensen Huang, said he would allow the company to sell its H200 chips  a generation behind its most advanced Blackwell chips  to China in exchange for a 25 per cent cut of the revenue from the sales. On Friday, the European Union, which has been dithering and divided for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, most of which are held by the Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear, invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes those assets indefinitely.

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Previously, approval for the freeze had to be renewed every six months, which provided a half-yearly opportunity for pro-Russian countries  Viktor Orbans Hungary being the most obvious  to veto the renewal and any attempt to use the funds to provide aid to Ukraine. Related Article Opinion

Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine is running out of cash. Can Europe seize Russian money to help? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The use of the emergency powers means a majority of the EU members can now extend the freeze, which will be reviewed annually. While that would make it easier for the EU to use the frozen funds as collateral for a reparations loan to Ukraine, it also gives Europe a seat at the negotiating table for a peace deal using the fate of those funds as leverage. The US and Russia now cant dispose of those assets  Russia cant use them to help buy Trumps support for a deal on its terms  without EU approval.

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Not surprisingly, Russia has immediately filed a lawsuit in Moscow seeking damages from Euroclear and has threatened to sue for damages in other jurisdictions and use all available legal and other mechanisms to protect its interests. It has also looked at seizing assets held by Euroclear and other Western interests  funds and businesses  within Russia. The EU was aware of the likely Russian response when it decided to freeze the funds indefinitely. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After dithering for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, the EU has invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes them indefinitely. AP Trumps willingness to trade Ukraines sovereignty for cash has echoes within the Nvidia deal. In 2022, the Biden administration, as part of its small yard, high fence strategy of limiting Chinas access to strategic technology, banned sales of Americas most advanced semiconductors  critical to artificial intelligence technologies  to China. The decision was made on national security grounds.

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Trump partly lifted the ban earlier this year, allowing Nvidia to sell a specially created custom chip to China, the H20, which was much less sophisticated than Nvidias most powerful chips. China, however, didnt buy the H20 chips and the Trump administration hasnt collected any revenue from the 15 per cent share of sales of the chips to China that it negotiated with Nvidia. Then, last week, Trump shocked the US security establishment by announcing that he would allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips to China in return for 25 per cent of the revenue. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia. Nvidia had argued that, with China throwing its entire system behind development of chips that are competitive with Nvidias, including subsidies, cheap electricity and mandated procurement by government agencies, the best strategy for the US was to make China and other countries dependent on US technology and its Nvidia-centric hardware and software ecosystem.

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In effect, Trump traded the prohibition of sales of a technology where the US has a material competitive advantage over China to its main technological, economic and geopolitical rival for dollars. Its not clear that he has the power to do that. Related Article Media & marketing Time magazine names its person of the year for 2025 The administration doesnt have the authority to levy export taxes, which is why it appears it is trying to construct a work-around, with the chips being made in Taiwan, shipped to the US, subjected to a 25 per cent tariff as if they were imports and then, ostensibly after a security review, shipped to China. China, however, while it has advocated for access to the latest US chips, isnt exactly swooning at the opportunity Trump has presented.

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As happened earlier this year in relation to the H20 chips, it would seem China may ban, or at least limit access for its companies, to the H200. That may be because of its own national security concerns  it has expressed fears that US chips might come with embedded kill switches or (and Nvidia has been developing this) a location tracker  but it is more likely driven by the flip side of the US argument that making China more reliant on US technology would hinder the development of its homegrown chips. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. AP China is pursuing self-sufficiency across its economy, including the tech sector. It wants its national champions like Huawei to continue to invest in the research and development that might close the gap with the US. It doesnt want those R&D funds siphoned off by Nvidia and Trump. China has used a less efficient approach to AI than the US, linking hundreds of processors to offset the lower performance of its chips and subsidising the energy required because the chips are less energy-efficient, to close some of that gap and, according to Bloomberg, is considering a new $US70 billion ($105.4 billion) package to support its domestic chipmakers.

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It is almost inconceivable that China would allow its tech sector to become reliant on US chips or take their foot off the pedal in developing domestic alternatives, although it is possible it might selectively allow some purchases of the H200 to help fast-track the training of its AI models. The H200 is about six times more powerful than the H20s Nvidia was previously allowed to sell to China, but the Blackwell chips are far more powerful again. Nvidias next-generation chip, the Rubin, will again raise the bar in terms of speed, memory and efficiency when it is released next year. Thus, while the H200 would narrow the gap, thought to be about two years, between Chinas tech and the bleeding-edge US chips, it is chasing a moving target. It is unlikely that China will deviate from a strategy dedicated to self-sustenance and therefore the $US10 billion to $US15 billion of extra Nvidia sales that analysts think Nvidia might generate if China embraced the opportunity to buy H200s (and $US2.5 billion to $US3.75 billion of revenue for the US government) is unlikely to be realised. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. Trump is transactional and loves his reputation as a dealmaker. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia.

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CultureMusicArts Melbourne wasnt ready for their music in 1982. Things have changed Will Cox December 16, 2025  4:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Essendon Airport are a band all about repetition. We sort of enjoy the persistence of playing something over and over again, says co-founder and synth player David Chesworth. We enjoy the hypnotic effect. David Chesworth (left), Robert Goodge, Graham Lee and Barbara Hogarth of Essendon Airport. Jason South In November, the Melbourne band launched their new album, MOR  their first since 1982  to a crowd at the Northcote Social Club. That repetition was in full effect: there were the studied, hypnotic rhythms, the pulsing electronica overlaid with calm analogue warmth. Then there was the fact that the new record largely consists of material the band wrote nearly 50 years ago, and have been playing intermittently ever since. And yet their audience keeps refreshing itself. The record was sold out after the show and is now being re-pressed.

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These days our musical peers will come up to us after a show and say, How do you get young people? says guitarist Graham Lee. Well, we really dont know. Audiences have changed in the way they approach music, says bassist Barbara Hogarth. Back then it was kind of tribal what music that you liked. Now audiences are so open. Back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there was empty space where Australian music history should have been. Guy Blackman of indie record label Chapter Music Essendon Airport, formed in 1978 by Chesworth and Robert Goodge, became a mainstay of Melbournes experimental music scene, centred on the Clifton Hill Community Music Centre. Over the next five years, they expanded to a five-piece and played wherever they could, including house parties, art galleries and the famed St Kilda punk venue the Crystal Ballroom. For those whose interests lay outside the mainstream, 1970s Melbourne wasnt an easy place to be. Imported records were rare, and the radio was almost all top 40.

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That was all we mainly had access to, and it was kind of exhausting, says guitarist Goodge. We tried to find something that would work for us, that we could fit together, that would give us pleasure. They came up with an esoteric blend of proto-electronica, with drum machines, organs and elements of experimental jazz. Essendon Airport perform at the Crystal Ballroom in 1982. Janis Lesinskis The band found that when they played rock venues, their often abrasive sound slightly annoyed people, as Chesworth puts it. People werent ready for it, he says. They would be hanging around for Midnight Oil or the Boys Next Door or whatever. Yeah, it would aggravate them.

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But the varied audience at the album launch and the gig invitations they now receive  from indie festival Jerkfest to the very hip club Miscellania  tell a different story. It seems that audiences have caught up to Essendon Airport. It was Guy Blackman of indie record label Chapter Music who kickstarted the bands renaissance. As Chesworth remembers, he got a call from Blackman out of the blue in the early 2000s, asking Are you the David Chesworth on this record I found in a bargain bin in Adelaide? I really like it. Can I come and see you? Editor's pick Comedy Why cult favourites Aunty Donna are back in Melbourne  just in time for pud season Blackman recalls picking up Essendon Airports EP Sonic Investigations of the Trivial in a secondhand store and hearing it for the first time. I got it home and it blew me away, he says. It was so just different and kind of magical. That kind of quirky, ambient, oddball, investigative, inquisitive atmosphere of it. Blackman got the phonebook out and started calling every Chesworth until he found David. Soon after, Essendon Airport were included on Cant Stop It!, Chapters compilation detailing Australias neglected post-punk history from 1978 to 1982 (reissued on vinyl earlier this year). After that, Chapter began re-issuing Essendon Airports recordings.

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Back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there was empty space where Australian music history should have been, says Blackman. Its been filled in a bit over the last few decades, and now everyones really proud of the stuff that that our artists achieved. In the intervening decades, Essendon Airports members have remained active in music and art. Chesworth has put out solo albums and created soundscapes and installations with his partner Sonia Leber, from Birrarung Marr to the Venice Biennale. Goodge and Hogarth went on to form Im Talking with Kate Ceberano. Relative newcomer Lee is a former member of legendary 80s band The Triffids. And Paul Fletcher has been an artist, horticulturalist and lecturer in animation at the Victorian College of the Arts. But this weird little project from their youth has endured. They were so prescient in what they were doing, says Blackman. It takes aspects of kind of ambient music and electronica, and dance music culture that didnt exist at the time. The minimalism, the easy listening aspects of it, all things that have been reappraised by younger people in successive generations. On the new album, some of the abrasiveness has worn away. Thats partly down to the bands changing make-up, with Ian Coxs saxophone being replaced by Lees slide guitar. But its also down to the gradual wear of repetition  the same tracks re-rendered and rerecorded across the decades.

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I think the music doesnt really date, says Chesworth. It may become less relevant, and flow in and out, but it cant be dated against whats currently happening, because it doesnt bear any resemblance to it. Editor's pick Charity It started with one orphan. Now dozens call this Aussie expat auntie Meanwhile, theyll continue to exist outside the mainstream, playing small venues to the growing audience for the eclectic. Were sort of known about, just fizzing away in the background, says Chesworth. Weve never peaked and were never going to. MOR by Essendon Airport is out now on Chapter Music. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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Exclusive NationalInvestigations Mother hit by Liberal pamphlets tells inquiry Brethren made voting unsafe Michael Bachelard December 15, 2025  10:10am 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 young mother has given evidence of being hit repeatedly with Liberal National Party pamphlets as she and her three-year-old child ran a gauntlet of Exclusive Brethren men on the way to vote at the May federal election. Voter Cassandra Barrett, who at the time was a victim of domestic violence at home, said the behaviour from a throng of young men canvassing for the LNP candidate outside a polling place in Queensland had left her son terrified and her on the verge of tears. Cassandra Barrett says the behaviour of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members at the last election had made her feel wary about voting in person. I felt really intimidated and unsafe  I just wanted to cry, she told a hearing of the parliaments post-election inquiry. I was trying to vote people should feel safe to vote. Barretts is one of dozens of shocking stories from around the country provided in submissions and evidence to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which is holding an inquiry into the conduct of the federal election.

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Members of the religious sect, now known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, turned out in huge numbers in marginal electorates to campaign for then-Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. The effort prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to label the church a cult, to ask what was the arrangement between them and Dutton, and to suggest there was a policy quid pro quo. The committee inquiry is exploring whether the Brethren effort nationwide amounted to domestic interference in the poll, and whether the church should have been registered under electoral law as an independent third-party campaigner, given its large cash and in-kind investment. Exclusive Brethren members in Liberal shirts gather in Sorell, Tasmania, in the marginal Labor seat of Lyons. The joint committee has heard evidence from voters and volunteers nationwide that the church members presence overwhelmed and intimidated people, creating a threatening atmosphere in many polling booths. A hearing of the committee on December 11 suggested ground zero for poor behaviour in Queensland was the marginal Labor seat of Blair  an outer-suburban electorate of the kind targeted by Dutton.

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It was like a war zone, it didnt feel like an election campaign, Labor campaign director, Madonna Stott, told this masthead after giving evidence to the committee. I really like campaigning. I like the challenge, I love the adrenaline  everything that goes with it. But the thought of an election now sends a shiver down my spine. And yeah, it profoundly changed the way we look at campaigns. Brethren members, wearing clothes to make them unrecognisable as such, head to a polling booth in Kooyong in support of the Liberal candidate. The Australian Electoral Commissions acting deputy electoral commissioner Kath Gleeson agreed in her evidence that there were challenges from the behaviour of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members. It really disappoints and concerns the AEC because we want voters to feel safe, and we want our staff to feel safe in their workplace, Gleeson said in October. However, she said most of the problems had happened outside the six-metre zone around polling places controlled by the AEC.

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In the commissions view, she added, there was not interference in the election such that the integrity of the election was compromised or Australians wouldnt trust the result. In its submission, the Brethren church made a complicated argument that the church was not involved in coordinating the campaign, but its community did coordinate after senior members  said that they would be volunteering. The churchs leader, Bruce Hales, encouraged their involvement in a church-wide message in April. A Plymouth Brethren Christian Church service with women, in headscarves, at the back of the church. Nathan Perri The submission revealed that individual parishioners donated approximately $700,000 to the political entity Advance. Cassandra Barrett told the inquiry that, on the footpath leading to the pre-polling station she encountered a sea of blue  the colour of the Liberal t-shirts. As she walked down the path, the tunnel of Brethren members leaned in, crowding her and her son, who clung to her leg. After she declined to take one of their how-to-vote cards, they started hitting me in the back with the cards.

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It was like a tap, but startling, she told this masthead, and it was multiple times. I didnt expect it. It was very jarring. I froze for a second trying to figure out what to do, then I grabbed my son and picked him up, clinging to him as I tried to get through this gauntlet. It was very overwhelming. I felt like crying. Once inside, Barrett said she had complained to an AEC official. He sighed and said, Yeah, weve gotten heaps of complaints about that, and then he walked off, she said. Barrett, who after the election began working in the office of Labors MP for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said she had brought her son to the booth because, I want him to be part of the process as he grows up  but then it was horrible experience. In future, she was likely to postal vote.

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Former ALP state MP Rachel Nolan said elections should be celebrations of democracy, but the Brethren behaviour in Blair in 2025 had changed the tone. People wont want to vote  if people feel that they have to run a gauntlet in order to vote, that obviously has quite a profound consequence for community acceptance of the act of voting, she told the inquiry. Former Queensland state MP for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the tone of the election had changed. Labor campaign manager Madonna Stott said Labor campaigners, including her, had been followed at night by Brethren volunteers in large work utes, to the point where she once drove into a police station carpark to seek refuge. Labor election posters were systematically destroyed within an hour of being put up and Stott said another female Labor volunteer had been told by a Brethren member, I know your car and I know where you live.

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Stott said she had seen voters having Labor how-to-vote cards pulled out of their hands, being told you dont need that, or those who resisted accepting the Liberal candidates card being told you cant enter the booth if youre not carrying one of these cards. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations Im glad we didnt win: Liberal campaigners feared Brethren-fuelled Dutton victory Women with prams or people in a wheelchair, theyd throw them in the babys prams or into the lap in the wheelchair, or wave them in peoples face, saying, Cmon, cmon you have to take this, Stott said. If Neumann, the Labor member, came to the booth, there would be a chant, Shame, Shayne, and theyd gather around and yell at him, Youve done nothing, youre lazy, whats he done? Stott said she was used to occasional catcalling, but this was different: It was en masse  whole hordes of people screaming the same stuff together in unison. And theyd gather really close to make sure Shayne couldnt get close to people. You cant put into words what it was like.

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She also said one Brethren businessman had tried to infiltrate the Labor campaign. The man, Leon Attwood, contacted the campaign and asked to join Labor chats or forums. Text messages reviewed by this masthead show Attwood asking for a list of activities where I could put my name down to. Related Article Special series

Investigations A decapitated doll and a prayer for my death: The many, many threats of the Exclusive Brethren Stott said her spidey senses tingled and she asked to meet Attwood in person. He did not show up. Attwood, a general manager at Brethren-owned company Atlan Stormwater, responded to questions saying: You cant blame a guy for trying!  I cant believe you called this an infiltration. He said it had nothing to do with any political party, church, or where I work, however, this masthead can confirm the company is owned by the Hales family, and its chief executive was coordinating the Brethrens pro-LNP Blair campaign. The deputy chairman of the electoral matters committee, Tasmanian Liberal senator Richard Colbeck, asked a Labor witness to the inquiry if she was just having a bit of a whinge because you were outnumbered? and that union volunteers were regularly flown in to Tasmania to campaign for Labor.

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Contacted later, however, Colbeck agreed what he had heard of the experience at Blair appeared to be worse. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations Game On: The minute-long message that unleashed the Brethrens election machine I think the point is  if it is coordinated, it should be declared. Unions are a registered third party, and if were looking at it in the right context  and I think we are  [the churchs involvement] should be declared, he told this masthead. They had registered material and ... members of the Plymouth Brethren were volunteering through the Liberal Party. The question was were they completely coordinated through that process? In 260 submissions and eight days of public hearings, the electoral matters committee has heard stark stories from independent, teal and Labor campaigners around the country. Dr Deborah Campbell, a volunteer in the Victorian regional seat of Wannon, wrote that groups of youngish Brethren men monstered, harassed and jeered at other volunteers and voters. She described them as Brethren bros.

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Catherine Duloy, a volunteer in the Sydney seat of Bennelong wrote Brethren volunteers would jeer at voters who did not take their material or who took material for another candidate, for example yelling at them they were an idiot or un-Australian, or that they wanted to ruin Australia. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations God, Christ, man, woman: The divine order that defines life for Exclusive Brethren women Carol Berry, the new Labor member for Whitlam in NSW and former disability worker, said a group of Liberal volunteers including at least some Brethren members, acted as a pack of men mounting a running commentary on  what I was wearing. I was jeered at and belittled. It felt hostile, tedious, sexist and unpleasant. An unnamed candidate for the seat of Forrest in Western Australia described Brethren members being brought in by bus. They aggressively shouted slogans and harassed electors and in one case abused [a volunteer] about her partys position on gay and trans rights.

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Nicolette Boele, the successful independent candidate for the Sydney seat of Bradfield, told the committee via video link; that Brethren activists would stand in between me and potential people who wanted to come and talk to me and make sure I didnt have a good spot to engage with people as they approached the booths. In Bradfield, Airtags attached to eight stolen Labor election signs led police to the house of a Brethren man. The signs later ended up in landfill. The day after the theft, the anonymous submitter says, a large bag of dirty nappies [was] placed over the locked gate on my property (from where one corflute had been removed). I found this act both disgusting and frightening. An anonymous submission from the seat of Calare, in regional NSW, said a group of about 20 Brethren members followed two of the candidates as they moved from one booth to another. The actions of the church community are separate to the church. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church submission to the inquiry. They had obvious instructions to position themselves in such a way as to obstruct volunteers for candidates other than the partys and to be as noisy and intimidating as possible, the submission said. Their aim was to negate the presence of other candidates by surrounding and isolating them, then shouting them down.

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Another submission, from an unidentified electorate, said Brethren members had ambushed a street walk by the MP, aggressively jostled staff and volunteers, surrounded the [MP] and tried to drown out his conversations with local residents and his media interviews. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church ignored a question from this masthead about whether it had offered its members pastoral counselling about their behaviour. Instead, it made a submission it said was prompted in part by the unprecedented assault which has been launched against us by members of Parliament. Two posters, authorised by Freedom Party founder Morgan C. Jonas, that echo Plymouth Brethren Christian Church talking points on the campaign. Australia is a free country, where people quite rightly expect to be able to practice their religion free from persecution, discrimination, name-calling or anything of that nature, the submission said. It argued the church did not participate in the election nor coordinate the political involvement of those who did. However, it conceded that its members clearly were coordinated.

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The actions of the church community are separate to the church, the submission argued. There were senior members of our church who said that they would be volunteering  What followed here was a strong showing of volunteers from members of our church. But to say that was organised by the church would be wrong. Gareth Hales (centre, in blue Scott Yung T-shirt), the son of the Brethrens world leader, Bruce Hales, at the Bennelong polling booth in Sydney on April 30. This masthead revealed in June that the world leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, Sydney-based Bruce Hales  who is regarded as next to Jesus in godliness  told his members via their central communication channel in April that Australia needs to smile again. Shortly afterwards, compulsory gatherings played a video of three of Hales sons, Gareth, Charles and Dean saying: Make sure our booths are manned and volunteers fired up each day to dominate the play  Its game on ... Make sure we dont leave any gas in the tank!

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The submission from the Liberal Party, national director Andrew Hirst contains no mention of the Brethren, adding: Liberal Party volunteers have been the subject of aggressive bullying, physical and verbal abuse from the Left for decades. The National Partys federal director Lincoln Folo also does not mention the Brethren but expressed concern that public commentary had devolved into faith-based discrimination, saying Labors critique had degenerated to labelling people of faith as a cult. A church spokesman said 61 members of his church had reported being bullied, filmed, name-called and so on. He did not answer questions about whether his parishioners the behaviour constituted interference in the election, nor whether it should affect the churchs charitable status. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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NationalNSWRoad safety It took years to come up with a plan to cut road deaths, and just 11 days to kill it Julie Power Updated December 15, 2025  11:34am ,first published December 12, 2025  4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

A federal proposal to reduce default speed limits on poor-quality country roads, under consideration for seven years, was dumped 11 days after submissions to a government consultation paper closed. Road safety experts have decried the decision as a win for populism over science and evidence. While it has been on the agenda since 2018, a paper released in October by the federal Office of Road Safety argued speed was a major factor contributing to the road deaths of 1294 people and the 30,000 people seriously injured in 2024. The risk of being killed on a regional or remote road is 11 times higher compared to a road in a major city, according to the study. iStock It argued a reduction in the default speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h on unsignposted roads would save hundreds of lives, billions of dollars and avoid thousands of injuries.

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The risk of being killed on a regional or remote road is 11 times higher compared to a road in a major city, said the regulatory impact study. It attracted opposition from farmers, truckers and rural residents who said it would decrease productivity, rob them of valuable time with their families and deflect attention from the need to repair roads. NSW Farmers Association president Xavier Martin said: Fixing the real driver of road trauma  that is, our ruined roads  is what will make a real difference. About 11,000 submissions were received, many from individuals. Eleven days later, the proposal was scrapped by state and federal transport ministers. No further work is being undertaken on open road default speed limits, a communique from the November 21 meeting states.

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The group had been given a collated summary of the submissions by Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King. She said ministers were concerned about a blanket approach to speed limits and reiterated their responsibility for setting speed limits in their own jurisdictions. Research by iRAP found the risk of death or injury is nearly halved for each improvement in the star rating of the road. The risk of dying on a poor country road at 100 or 110 km/h was found to be extremely high. iRAP King said: Councils are upgrading regional roads across the country, thanks to our doubling of funding for the Roads to Recovery program, and we are working with states and territories to invest billions to upgrade our national road network. Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) chief executive Dr Ingrid Johnston said the decision was made before the 11,000 responses could be evaluated.

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Nobody wouldve been able to read that many by then, Johnston said. Was this decision based on politics or the evidence? Related Article Explainer

Road safety Everything changed in one moment: What makes a car crash so deadly? Johnston said the government should have conducted an education campaign on the physics of speed and human frailty before releasing the paper. That didnt happen. Instead, this important review, which has been an action waiting to be implemented for years, was conducted with undue haste as the end of this [existing road safety strategy, due to finish at the end of 2025] looms. Even if the money tree delivered, it would realistically take decades to get through all that work. Meanwhile, people are dying and something needs to be done. That something is reducing the speed limits.

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More than 150 experts sent an open letter to government supporting the speed limit proposal. This included the global expert R.F. Soames Job, who previously directed the NSW Office of Road Safety; UNSWs Professor of Public Health, Rebecca Ivers; Austroads; and road safety centres in WA and Victoria, including Safer Australian Roads and Highways. Rob McInerney, head of the international road ratings group, was shocked by the governments decision to abandon the process and stick with the status quo despite the rising death toll. Road toll rises, speed limits remain unchanged NSW recorded 369 deaths (a 15.7 per cent increase on previous 12 months in the year to October), Queensland with 309 (6.6 per cent increase). Australian Capital Territory had the lowest number of deaths in the past 12 months, with nine fatalities (unchanged).

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He had warned of the need for more evidence-based inputs to outweigh the usual volume of responses that support unsafe speeds. Related Article Road safety How an extra Taylor Swift track on open roads could save your life Research by iRAP found the risk of death or injury was nearly halved for each star added. Transport for NSW said more than 71 per cent of travel takes place on state roads with a 3-star or higher rating. These roads have the most modern safety features, such as barriers, divided dual carriageways and wide shoulders. The rest were one or two stars, including those with single lanes, no barriers and hazards such as trees or poles close to the road, according to this map of star-rated roads by Transport for NSW.

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NSW is the Australian jurisdiction closest to attaining the national target of 80 per cent of all road travel being taken on roads rated 3 stars or more by 2030. It is investing $2 billion using AusRAP data to identify roads where work would reduce trauma. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this story incorrectly said iRAP operates the AusRAP star system. Austroads is the national body that co-ordinates the program.
Its bigger than the Milsons Point Post Office, but here goes: The NSW government is considering rezoning Rozelle Bay, the last working harbour land in Sydney, for high-density apartments, writes Mike Burnett of Cremorne Point. If this happens, the Sydney Heritage Fleet cannot continue. There is no alternative site, and our heritage vessels, workshops, youth programs and community of volunteers will be lost. Please put in a word on our behalf. Your call, Simba.

Weve lost a bit of magic with the demise of the DJs Christmas windows, reckons Viv Mackenzie of Port Hacking. Older Sydneysiders would remember the excitement of a pre-Christmas trip to town to visit the fairytale caves in Farmers and DJs and the merry-go-round and little train on the roof at Mark Foys (if you were lucky).

Dont panic, but Margaret Grove of Concord wonders if the writers of Neighbours got their idea of the street being demolished for a freeway [C8] from Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy?

Steve Hulbert [C8] asked about the tallest dwarf plant, notes Paul Duncan of Leura. I dont know, but some years ago, I purchased a dozen so-called dwarf cypress pines to use as a privacy hedge, which I was assured would grow no taller than two metres. Years later, when I had them cut down, they were over 10 metres high and growing half a metre per year.

One reader who can relate is Kerry Kyriacou of Strathfield: My dwarf magnolias (Little Gem) are over seven metres tall and reach the gutters of our two-storey house. I believe this is the result of false advertising and a gullible landscaper.
One type of school has been falling out of the top HSC results over the past 20 years.

The same 19 selective schools have placed in Heralds HSC top 100 for the past 20 years. Other public schools have become scarce.

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Twenty years ago, the Heralds annual HSC school rankings were published under the headline: State school blitz of top HSC spots. Dominating the higher ranks were 19 selective schools. James Ruse had the highest rate of band sixes, its 10th table-topping in what became a 27-year reign. Hornsby Girls placed second. North Sydney Boys, hoping for its third consecutive first-place ranking when the 2025 HSC results are released on Thursday, was sixth. But non-selective schools also contributed to 2005s blitz. Alstonville High, in northern NSW, placed 57th, with its students coming first in the state in English extension 2 and history extension. It was one of 12 comprehensive public schools in the top 100 in 2005. Last year, the same 19 selective schools were in the top 100. As for comprehensives, just seven made the list. A comparison of the Heralds HSC top 100 schools lists shows the number of non-selective public schools among the states top performers halved between 2002 and 2024. The top-achieving comprehensive public high schools are also coming from a smaller, socioeconomically privileged geographic area.

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While the top 100 lists of the early 2000s had non-selective schools from across the city  from Homebush to Springwood; Canley Vale to Vaucluse  as well as a handful of regional schools in the mix, every public comprehensive in the top 100 over the past three years has been a metropolitan Sydney school, north of the Harbour Bridge. The six comprehensives to maintain a top 100 ranking between 2022 and 2024 were: Willoughby Girls (55th in 2024), Cheltenham Girls (57th), Epping Boys (60th), Balgowlah Boys (64th), Killara (90th) and Cherrybrook Technology (94th). Related Article Education The majority of students get top marks in these HSC subjects  if their school offers them Former NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli said the trend reflected an increasingly divided school system. The OECD has identified Australias education system as among the most socially segregated in the world. This concentration of advantage and concentration of disadvantage is the biggest issue in Australian education, Piccoli, a former director of UNSWs Gonski Institute for Education, said. Independent schools and selective schools are increasingly sucking the highest performing students out of all the other schools, both Catholic systemic schools and certainly public comprehensive schools. While they still dominate the HSC top 10, public selectives are increasingly bested by high-fee privates and academically selective Islamic schools. There were 19 public schools in the top 30 schools in 2005, compared to 13 last year and 10 in 2023.

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Piccoli said, as education minister, he was shocked by the socioeconomic advantage at some selective schools. They are some of the highest SES schools  its like a free private school, he said. North Sydney students celebrate their success in 2024. Flavio Brancaleone University of Technology Sydney social scientist Christina Ho, whose research focuses on school choice, particularly among Asian migrants, said the rise of tutoring had a lot to do with the concentration of advantage in selective schools. The students who get into selective schools have families who are resourced to prepare them for the test; spending thousands on tutoring, she said. Ho said the availability of school performance data  especially NAPLAN results on the MySchool website  had made it easier for parents to compare schools. Especially for middle-class parents, there is an expectation that you are making an informed decision about where to send your child, she said. If youre not, its almost seen as negligent parenting. And that culture of choosing a school has become much more mainstream: real estate websites even now tell you what school catchment a house is in.

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This, Ho said, meant schools in disadvantaged areas became more disadvantaged, as comparably advantaged local parents prioritise test preparation for selective schools and private school scholarships, or send their children to low-fee privates. Related Article HSC They topped the HSC decades ago. Where are they now? Those with the means are exiting schools that are seen as undesirable or declining, Ho said. Then thats a vicious cycle where, the more it loses high-achieving students, the local school is left with the residual. In contrast, Ho said advantaged, desirable comprehensives were able to invest in extracurriculars and other drawcards such as gifted and talented streams, with the support of parents contributions. Christine Del Gallo was principal of such a school  Northern Beaches Secondary Colleges Mackellar Girls Campus. She retired two years ago after 18 years at the school, during which time it routinely made the top 100 list. Del Gallo said the schools HSC results were definitely a drawcard for local parents to keep their children in the comprehensive system. A former deputy head of the Secondary Principals Council, Del Gallo said the school culture of high expectations and wanting to provide success for students, in any school, comes from the top.

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Updated NationalVictoriaRoad safety Four dead, five injured in minivan crash near NSW border Alexander Darling Updated December 15, 2025  8:25pm ,first published 6:03pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Four people have been killed and five people seriously injured after a minivan rolled off a road and crashed into a tree in northern Victoria. Police say nine people were in the vehicle when the driver lost control on Monday afternoon. Three children have been airlifted to hospital. Loading The crash on Chapel Road in Muckatah  about 10 kilometres south of Cobram  about 5pm will be investigated by major collision detectives. On Monday evening, the road remained closed. The ages of the four dead people are not yet known. The remaining five others were all seriously injured.

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Ambulance paramedics confirmed they airlifted a teenage girl to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and two other children to the Royal Childrens Hospital. Another teenage girl was transported by road ambulance to hospital in Shepparton, and a man is expected to be airlifted to hospital in an ambulance aircraft. Anyone who witnessed the crash, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online. Julie Ballard, a resident of nearby Katamatite, said Chapel Road had been the site of a number of crashes in recent years.

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Im not sure why, its not an especially dangerous road  most of it is sealed, there arent many trees, she said. When I saw the news I just thought, Oh, another one? Kim Clarke, who lives on Chapel Road, said police had told residents not to go near the crash site because no one should have to see the scene. Police say nine people were in the vehicle when the driver lost control on Monday afternoon. Nine News She said she knew something had happened after hearing a noise around 5pm, before a police car and then an ambulance came screaming down the road. We just feel for the families, we thought they [the occupants] were fruit pickers to start with. There are a few orchards around here and its peach season.

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Clarke said Chapel Road was one lane in each direction with a speed limit of 100. She said police had told her husband that the road likely would not reopen until Tuesday afternoon. The crash was the second in three years in the Moira Shire local government area where a road crash resulted in multiple deaths. In April 2023, five people were killed when their Nissan Navara was hit by another vehicle in Strathmerton, west of Cobram. In January, a driver was jailed for 5 years after pleading guilty to five charges of dangerous driving causing death. The minivan crash in Muckatah was the second fatal incident on Victorian roads on Monday. At 7am, a 32-year-old man died after his car crashed into a tree in the Wimmera town of Kaniva, in Victorias far north-west.

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Victorias road toll for 2025 now stands at 279, the same as at this time last year. More than half of these have been deaths on rural roads. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
COUNCILLORS expressed disappointment that they were not contacted ahead of President Catherine Connollys inaugural visit to Carlow on Thursday 4 December.

President Connolly was in Carlow to attend the official launch of the Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland project report at Visual arts centre.

At the county council meeting on 8 December, cllr Fintan Phelan said he welcomed the fact that the president came to Carlow so early in her term of office, but questioned the protocol around inviting council members to such events held on council property.

Chief executive Coilin OReilly said the first I heard of a president in the county was on social media. We will mention that to SETU and ask them to check is that in their protocol, how that works. SETU declined to comment on the protocol regarding inviting local councillors to university events.
Michael McAleer

A woman has told a Central Criminal Court that she was sexually abused by her younger brother on several occasions.

The woman, who is deaf, was continuing her evidence on Monday in relation to a younger brother, to be referred to in reporting as Accused D.

Accused D (33) is accused of 22 counts of sexually abusing his older sister over 11 years on dates between 2002 and 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape. Evidence has been heard that he is several years younger than the complainant.

The woman has already given evidence in relation to four other accused men  her three uncles and another brother - who she alleges sexually abused her.

Seven men, aged between 32 and 55, are on trial accused of a total of 98 counts of sexually abusing the complainant at various stages over 17 years between 1996 and 2013. They are her three uncles and four brothers

The men deny all the charges against them. None of the parties involved can be named for legal reasons.

The woman is giving her evidence via video-link and through two interpreters  an Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter and a deaf relay  as well as an intermediary who is a linguistics expert. There are also two interpreter monitoring teams present in court to ensure the woman is being interpreted correctly.

Charts and symbols are also being used to assist the woman to communicate, with the court hearing earlier in the trial that she has challenges communicating timelines in terms of calendars and sequence.

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs explained to the jury that the trial had not sat for several days because the complainant had been admitted to hospital.

The interpreters clarified some evidence the woman had previously given in relation to Accused D, telling the jury that the word sex was omitted.

They said the woman's full answer was why are you always coming to me, me, me, sex, you never listen.

Continuing her evidence, the woman told Roisin Lacey SC, prosecuting, that her brother sexually assaulted her at a particular location.

She said she told him no. When asked how her body was feeling, she replied painful and rape.

The woman said she went to an aunt's house when it was finished. She said she didn't tell anyone what had happened.

The woman said she was 17 when this incident happened.

She also outlined another occasion when she said this brother sexually assaulted her again. She said she didn't want it to happen and that she told no one about it.

She said it was always on a Saturday. Hed come over. He was too young. What are you doing? You are only 13.

She continued: Risky, you are 13, you are very young.

The woman said she was 17 when her brother first sexually assaulted her at this location and that she was 21 when it happened for the last time.

She then gave evidence that her brother sexually assaulted her at another place on two occasions when she was aged between 17 and 21.

Describing one of these incidents, she said she was annoyed, that her brother wanted sex and that she said no. She said there was a text saying wheres the condom, he said I dont have.

The interpreters told the court the woman was also using a sign for frustration.

She said thank God her brother got a girlfriend. There was no more. Thank God, it was finished.

The trial, which is set down for four months, continues before an extended jury panel of 15.
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Cement supply in Zimbabwe is expected to improve following the restart of Khayah Cements clinker kiln after a US$20m rehabilitation programme, according to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu.

The kiln, which had been idle for 26 months, resumed operations earlier this month after a combination of mechanical failures, maintenance shutdowns and border delays created a severe supply bottleneck. Minister Ndlovu said the kiln is still warming up but its return marks a significant step toward meeting domestic cement demand.

Recent shortages were triggered by several concurrent disruptions, including a breakdown at PPCs Harare plant, scheduled maintenance at Sino Cement in Kwekwe, and a two-week interruption to clinker imports from Zambia, compounded by border audit delays. These factors pushed cement prices to between US$16 and US$22 per bag, depending on location.

To stabilise the market, the government temporarily allowed increased imports, although Ndlovu stressed this was not a long-term solution. He warned that import permits issued to support price stability would be withdrawn from companies found inflating prices.

While the Khayah kiln will supply the companys own clinker needs, the minister acknowledged that national clinker capacity remains insufficient. Discussions are under way on a new clinker plant requiring investment of US$150200m, as several recently opened grinding plants have closed due to a lack of clinker.

Khayahs corporate rescue practitioner said the kiln restart would support the companys recovery and wider industry stability.
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In a significant development for Middle East trade flows, cement carrier Hestia Cement has arrived at the port of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, to load 14,000t of bulk cement from Yanbu Cement bound for Israel, according to reports.

Israeli import demand has increasingly relied on nearby suppliers since Turkiye tightened trade restrictions with Israel in 2024. Saudi producers have significant export capability and Yanbu Cement has previously reported exports to more than 20 countries.

The same vessel, Hestia Cement, was recently engaged in consecutive shipments from Egypt to Israel but this represents its first loading from Saudi Arabia. Saudis entrance into the Israeli market is likely to increase competition with Egypt, which has been the only exporter to Israel in the last 18 months, given the low cost of cement in Saudi Arabia.
A South Korean firm announced it plans to make the largest single private corporate investment in state history.

Governor Bill Lee, Deputy Governor and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Korea Zinc Chairman Yun B. Choi announced that the company will invest more than $6.6 billion in new production facilities in Clarksville and Gordonsville.

The announcement, made by the worlds leading comprehensive nonferrous metal manufacturer, represents the companys first U.S. locations.

As part of its production efforts, Korea Zinc will create 420 new jobs in Montgomery County and an additional 320 jobs in Smith County over the next five years. The multi-county project comprises construction of a new facility in Clarksville that will house the companys U.S. headquarters as well as manufacturing operations. In Gordonsville, the company plans to reopen a former mine, bringing back lost jobs and industry to the community.The company, known for its commitment to community engagement, education and environmental sustainability, plans to acquire and invest in several locations statewide.

Officials said, "In addition, this effort builds upon agreements announced yesterday with the White House, and, subsequently, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of War and other partners that rely on the companys critical and strategic mineral products. Korea Zincs refining plays a vital role in supporting advanced military technology and safeguarding national and international security by reducing the nations dependence on China for critical minerals.

"Todays announcement is a direct result of Governor Lees and Deputy Gov. and Commissioner McWhorters recent international recruiting trip to Asia. With the companys total investment of more than $6 billion, this project further strengthens the longstanding relationship between Tennessee and South Korea and reinforces a partnership built on innovation, manufacturing excellence and shared values.

"Since Governor Lee took office, South Korea has emerged as one of the states top partners for foreign direct investment in creating new jobs and investing capital  a total of $7.2 billion invested during this administration. With Korea Zincs investment, South Korea will become the states No. 1 international partner for capital invested statewide since 2019.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga celebrated its fall 2025 commencement ceremonies Dec. 12-13 in McKenzie Arena, recognizing 1,111 degree candidates for their academic achievements.



The graduates came to UTC from 61 Tennessee counties, 17 states and 10 countries.



On Dec. 12, a total of 250 candidates were presented for graduate degrees in 20 fields of study, including 209 masters degrees, 36 doctoral degrees and five specialist degrees. The breakdown by degree:

24 masters degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences

101 masters degrees from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business

29 masters degrees from the College of Engineering and Computer Science

55 masters degrees from the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies

23 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees

2 Doctor of Education degrees

3 Ph.D. in Learning and Leadership degrees

7 Ph.D. in Engineering and Computer Science degrees

1 Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

5 Education Specialist degrees

347 from the College of Arts and Sciences

153 from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business

142 from the College of Engineering and Computer Science

219 from the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies

The Dec. 13 undergraduate ceremony recognized 861 degree candidates in 44 fields of study across four colleges:

Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and a member of the UTC Advisory Board, delivered the keynote address during the Graduate School ceremony. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp served as the featured speaker for the undergraduate ceremony.



This marked the Universitys 266th overall commencement since its founding in 1886 as the then-private Chattanooga University. The first UTC graduation ceremony took place on Aug. 23, 1969, at the Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga.
In light of what happened in at the Chabad Chanukah event in Bondi Beach Australia, Chabad of Chattanooga has resolved to celebrate Chanukah this year bigger and better.



"The world needs the light of the Menorah more than ever," officials said.



To celebrate the 2025 Chanukah season, Chabad will be having its annual Car Menorah Parade from Coolidge Park to the First Horizon Pavilion, culminating in a lighting ceremony on the ice of a giant Ice Menorah at Ice on the Landing. The parade will begin this Thursday at 5 p.m., with the Menorah lighting at 6 p.m.

Sheriff Austin Garrett will be lighting the Chanukah Ice Menorah on the ice rink at Chattanooga's Ice on the Landing.



Hanukkah treats will be served. The event is free of charge.



Officials said, "Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. This year, Chabad will set up more than 15,000 large public menorahs in more than 90 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower and the Kremlin."



Chanukah on ice celebration is organized by Chabad of Chattanooga. Rabbi Shaul Perlstein explained the significance of this event. He said. The Menorah serves as a symbol of Chattanoogas dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly and with pride. Specifically in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution, the Menorah takes on profound significance, embodying both religious and constitutional principles.
Kami Cotler was just six years old when she filmed the Christmas special that spawned 'The Waltons.'

Kami Cotler was just six years old when she filmed The Homecoming: A Christmas Story. But she still has strong memories of working on the 1971 made-for-TV movie that spawned The Waltons.

Kami Cotler says being in The Homecoming was very exciting

Cotler played Elizabeth Walton in the heartwarming story of a Depression-era family hoping to celebrate Christmas with their father, who has had to leave home to find work. She recently reflected on shooting the movie on location in Wyoming.

I am not sure that I truly remember filming the opening scene from The Homecoming, but I do have clear memories of filming [in] Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she wrote on Instagram on December 8.

My being in a TV movie was very exciting for my family, and the trip to Wyoming made it all the more exciting. My Mom took time off work to be with me, and my Dad and my brother joined us for a few days. My Dad took home movies with his Super 8 camera of us rehearsing the scene outside the store with the missionary and of the kids making snowmen in the hotel courtyard. There wasnt snow on the ground when we first arrived, and I believe the production company had to truck some in from higher elevations early in our shoot. 

Getting to play in the snow was a special experience for Cotler, especially once the flakes really piled up.

We were kids from southern California, so when it finally snowed we were very, very excited, she recalled. I do clearly also remember the snow coming up to my knees when we filmed the scene where the kids walk from the barn to the house.

Cotler also has fond memories of horsing around with her co-stars.

I also remember Jon [Walmsley] or Richard [Thomas] would pick me up like a sack of potatoes when camera stopped rolling and run back to starting positions for the next take, she said. I think I was slung over a shoulder and jostled all the way back.

Edgar Bergen put on a show for The Homecoming cast

While The Homecoming is set at Christmastime, filming took place several months earlier, around Halloween. Cotler went trick-or-treating door-to-door at The Virginian Lodge in Jackson Hole because it was Halloween and its quite a big deal at six years-old to miss that.

The cast also enjoyed a special show from ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, who played Grandpa Zebb.

Our teacher, Mrs. King, had a mask and the crew all had candy in their rooms to give to us. While we were there, Edgar Bergen gathered all the kids around the giant stone fireplace in the lobby and did his show for us, bring out Charlie McCarthy and throwing his voice so it sounded like Santa Claus was up the chimney, she wrote. We children were entertained, but the adults were spellbound.

Cotlers co-star Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen Walton, also has fond memories of filming The Homecoming.

It was sort of a working vacation, Norton said in a video shared on YouTube. And I think we all just thoroughly enjoyed it. Just very, very special times. It was just the best. And a great way to kick off just the years and years of wonderful memories that I have from being part of [The Waltons].

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story is streaming on The Roku Channel.

For more news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheets Instagram.
People gather at a memorial near Sydneys Bondi Beach to honor the victims of a shooting in which two gunmen killed at least 15 people during a Jewish holiday celebration on December 14, 2025. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Associated Press

Australian authorities have confirmed that 16 people have now died following the Bondi Beach terror attack, including one child who passed away at Sydney Childrens Hospital, according to New South Wales Police.

Officials also reported an increase in the number of injured victims, bringing the total to 40 wounded, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park announced, noting that four of those injured are children.

NSW Premier Chris Minns explained at a press briefing that the victims range from ages 10 to 87, adding that the government will soon consider new gun law reforms in response to the tragedy.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the massacre, describing it as "an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community."

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that the two individuals responsible were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, refraining from revealing their identities. He confirmed that the older suspect was killed by police, while the younger remains in critical condition. The father had reportedly held a valid firearm license for a decade.

Lanyon further confirmed that investigators have determined only two attackers were involved, and that two improvised explosive devices discovered at the scene fortunately did not detonate.

He also reported that two police officers were injured, both currently listed in critical but stable condition following the shooting.

Authorities reiterated that the assailants intentionally targeted the Jewish community, opening fire during a Hanukkah event that attracted numerous families to Bondi Beach.

Video obtained by Sky News shows two armed men dressed in black shooting from a pedestrian bridge overlooking a parking area at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Footage also captures the moment a bystander intervened, tackling one of the gunmen before the attacker escaped his grip, retrieved another weapon, and resumed firing.

Local media later identified the courageous bystander as 43-year-old shop owner Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a father of two who attempted to disarm one of the attackers.

A Holocaust survivor was also among those killed. Larisa Kleytman recounted that her husband, Alex, was shot in the back of the head while shielding her during the assault. The couple, originally from Ukraine, had immigrated to Australia and were attending the celebration together.

Prime Minister Albanese denounced the massacre as an act of evil antisemitism that struck the heart of our nation, according to a statement released on X.

Speaking at a Christmas event at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump called the mass shooting "purely antisemitic."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio likewise condemned the attack, stating, 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.
Photo credit: Facebook/ Samaritan's Purse

The pilot of a Samaritans Purse aircraft that was recently hijacked attempted to calm the assailant by telling him that God loved him, according to remarks made by the organizations president, the Rev. Franklin Graham.

Graham, who heads the Evangelical humanitarian organization, spoke with ABC 45 last week about the Dec. 2 hijacking involving a Cessna Grand Caravan delivering relief supplies to South Sudan.

Authorities later identified the hijacker as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, The Associated Press reported. A resident of the Abyei Administrative Area between South Sudan and Sudan, Yusuf allegedly sought to force the aircraft to fly him to Chad.

Graham recounted a conversation he had with the pilot following the ordeal, describing how the intruder had sneaked onto the plane and attempted to seize control. According to Graham, the pilot tried to persuade the man to stop, but the hijacker threatened him, saying Im going to kill you and Im going to count to three and Im going to kill you.

Realizing the danger of the situation, the pilot made a surprising choice, Graham explained. So, the pilot realized this isn't going to turn out well, Graham said. So, [the pilot said] I'm just going to tell him that God loves him. The guy surrendered, and so we are just grateful.

At the time of the hijacking attempt, the plane was en route to Maiwut, South Sudan, delivering medicine to a Samaritans Purse mobile medical unit. Only the pilot and one staff member were aboard.

The aircraft ultimately diverted to Wau, South Sudan, where the National Security Service of South Sudan apprehended the hijacker after landing safely.

Samaritans Purse later issued a statement praising the outcome: We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome.
Rachel Laser, leader of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. | Screenshot: YouTube/ HumanistsMN

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has appointed Rachel Laser  the president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State  to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

In a statement released Thursday, Laser said she was grateful to Sen. Schumer for this opportunity to advocate for religious freedom around the globe.

As the leader of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, I defend our countrys constitutional promise of church-state separation  the shield that protects the freedom of everyone to live as themselves and believe as they choose, as long as they dont harm others, stated Laser.

Laser noted that while Americans United has historically focused on domestic issues, her new role gives her an expanded platform. Because AUs mission is grounded in the U.S. Constitution, our organizations work is domestically focused. By joining the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in my personal capacity, I look forward to expanding my advocacy for religious freedom on an international scale.

Laser, who is Jewish, added that the appointment carries personal meaning: On a personal level as a religious minority, I am honored to have the opportunity to help our government fight religious extremism and protect everyones freedom to believe, or not, as they choose.

USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler, a former Republican congresswoman from Missouri, welcomed the appointment. It is important to have as many people in the fight as possible to stand for all those around the world who are suffering violations of their religious freedom, she said. I look forward to Rachel Laser working with us as we continue to be a voice for those who suffer at the hands of the worst religious freedom violators.

Laser, who became the first non-Christian to lead Americans United when she was appointed in 2018, previously worked at NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Womens Law Center, Third Way, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

At the time of her appointment to Americans United, she warned about growing threats to constitutional protections. The separation of religion and government is under sustained attack, she said in 2018. Yet I'm confident that we can protect all Americans' freedom of conscience if we educate the country about the principles behind church-state separation and continue to appeal to and bring together the diversity of populations we have the potential to reach.
Home News Appeals court panel rules in favor of Trump defunding Planned Parenthood

An appeals court panel has overruled a lower court decision stopping the Trump administration from defunding Planned Parenthood.

A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued a ruling last Friday in the case of Planned Parenthood Federation of America et al v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., et al.

At issue was a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July, that bars certain abortion providers from obtaining Medicaid funding for one year.

Circuit Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi, a Biden appointee, authored the panel opinion, which vacated the district court ruling and sent the case back to that court for further proceedings.

Gelpi rejected the lower court argument that the measure was a punishment, noting that it imposes no fine or other penalty for past conduct but rather establishes new conditions on the receipt of appropriated funds in service of a new policy goal favored by Congress.

And it does so by imposing conditions that Appellees can satisfy by halting abortion services, wrote Gelpi. That the law imposes a difficult choice on the recipient of federal funds does not demonstrate that Congress is punishing the recipient for past action.

The ruling went on to note that there were plausible reasons for treating prohibited entit[ies] differently from other abortion providers, particularly where Congress viewed these entities as the most significant recipients of Medicaid funds.

Preventing these entities from receiving funds if they continue providing abortion services furthers Congress's interest in reducing abortions. Plaintiffs, therefore, are unlikely to succeed in showing that Section 71113 [of the Big Beautiful Bill] violates equal protection, Gelpi added.

On July 4, President Donald Trump signed a measure that is commonly called the "big, beautiful bill," a lengthy budget that included a temporary ban on abortion providers receiving federal Medicaid funding for non-abortion services that would last one year.

The use of federal dollars to fund abortions under most circumstances has been prohibited for decades via the Hyde Amendment.

Planned Parenthood, which gets one-third of its funding from state and federal funds, filed a lawsuit against the measure, arguing that, if allowed to stand, the provision would force the business to close as many as a third of its 600 facilities across the United States.

In July, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of the District of Massachusetts, an Obama appointee, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of the measure against PPFA, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah.
Home News Bondi Beach attack update: ISIS-affiliated flag, undetonated IEDs found

Two men, identified as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering in Australias Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in what authorities are calling an antisemitic terror attack. Police fatally shot the elder Akram at the scene, while the younger suspect remains in critical condition under guard.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed the 50-year-old father and 24-year-old son were the only perpetrators of Sunday nights attack, the deadliest since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Officers recovered six firearms and two improvised explosive devices from the scene, and investigators found a flag associated with the Islamic State group in their vehicle.

Police believe the pair had recently returned from a trip to the Philippines and are probing possible ideological motives and links to international extremist networks.

The Islamic State of East Asia, active in the region, has been listed as a terrorist group in Australia since 2017.

Authorities carried out raids on two locations linked to the suspects, including a short-term rental in Campsie and a home in Bonnyrigg, where six additional firearms were seized and two individuals taken into custody, The Guardian reported. The men had told relatives they were headed for a fishing trip to Jervis Bay before the attack.

At least 27 people remain hospitalized with injuries sustained in the shooting. NSW Health reported on Monday that multiple victims are in critical or critical-but-stable condition at facilities across Sydney. Among the dead are 10-year-old Matilda, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five.

Two police officers were also injured in the exchange of gunfire.

Naveed Akram was shot and transported to a nearby hospital, while Sajid Akram died at the scene. Police say Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, had been under ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organization) observation in 2019 but was deemed not to pose a threat at the time.

Sajid Akram arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998, later shifting to a partner visa and then a resident return visa. He legally owned six guns and belonged to a recreational shooting club.

Naveed had recently lost his bricklaying job due to company insolvency and was reportedly seeking new employment.

Their Bonnyrigg home was purchased in 2024. The family previously lived in Cabramatta. Naveeds mother described her son as quiet and nonviolent, expressing disbelief at his involvement. He doesnt even go out, she was quoted as saying in an interview.

A man who once studied the Quran with Naveed reportedly said he lost contact with him in early 2022 but expressed horror at the shooting. He had been tagged in a 2022 social media post indicating he had completed Quran studies at Al-Murad Institute, though the post has since been deleted.

The National Cabinet held an emergency session Monday, where leaders from all states and territories agreed to push forward reforms to Australias gun laws. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shooting represented an unprecedented scale of attack and called for a coordinated national response.

Officials also reiterated their commitment to tackling antisemitism and violent extremism. A statement from the cabinet confirmed discussions on expanding the National Hate Crimes Database and increasing protection for Jewish cultural and community sites.

Community leaders and interfaith groups issued widespread condemnations.

The NSW (New South Wales) Faith Affairs Council convened an emergency meeting attended by 25 leaders from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Among those who attended were Rabbi Benjamin Elton of The Great Synagogue and Rabbi Nochum Shapiro of Chabad House North Shore.

Muslim community groups also condemned the violence. The Bonnyrigg mosque, near the Akram familys residence, said in a statement that violence driven by hatred must be rejected fully. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association expressed sorrow at the attack and support for the Jewish community.

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said the perpetrators do not represent our movement, and rejected antisemitism and all forms of hate.

Public memorials continued at Bondi Beach, where thousands have gathered to mourn the victims.
Home News Top 6 moments from Erika Kirk's CBS interview with Bari Weiss: 'Let the Lord use it'

Erika Kirk, the widow of the late conservative political activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, recently discussed her Christian faith, her husband's alleged killer, and what good she hopes God will bring out of evil.

Sitting down for an hour-long town hall with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss that aired Saturday, Erika Kirk also reiterated support for Israel and addressed the conspiracy theories swirling around Kirk's assassination, as well as the role she believes the internet has played in spreading hatred.

Here are six key moments from the exchange.
Home News Evangelical theologian critiques Vatican note on Mary as Co-redemptrix': No Christ alone theology

An Evangelical theologian has questioned the theological coherence of a recent Vatican doctrinal note addressing the controversial Marian title Co-redemptrix, arguing that while the document slows momentum toward defining a new dogma, it simultaneously reaffirms a Roman Catholic framework that leaves the issue unresolved.

Leonardo De Chirico, an Italian Evangelical pastor and scholar, offered the assessment in a commentary published Dec. 1 on his Vatican Files website, responding to a Nov. 4 note issued by the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith titled Mater Populis Fidelis. The note addresses long-running debates within Roman Catholicism over language describing Marys role in salvation, particularly whether she can be formally designated as Co-redemptrix.

According to De Chirico, the Vatican document signals a temporary pause rather than a definitive rejection of the title, reflecting internal tensions within Catholic Mariology and the absence of a clearly settled position.

The Note is cautious about new developments towards Marys title as Co-redemptrix, De Chirico wrote, but it unwaveringly reaffirms the traditional Roman Catholic Mariology, including doctrines and devotional practices that he regards as theologically problematic.

The Vatican text reiterates the Catholic understanding of Christs mediation as inclusive and participatory, language that De Chirico says continues to allow for the intercession and mediation of Mary and the saints. In his assessment, this approach falls short of a Christ-centered soteriology.

There is no Christ alone theology in the Note, he wrote.

The title Co-redemptrix has circulated for centuries in Catholic devotional contexts, appearing in popular piety and in the writings of some mystics. In the modern period, several popes, including Pius X and Pius XI, referred to Marys participation in redemption, while Pope John Paul II frequently spoke of her cooperation in Christs saving work, contributing to expectations among some Catholics that the Vatican might one day proclaim a fifth Marian dogma.

The last two Marian dogmas formally defined by Rome were the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and the Bodily Assumption in 1950. Since then, calls to recognize Mary as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate have periodically gained momentum, particularly through devotional movements rather than formal doctrinal processes.

De Chirico noted that resistance to defining the title has also come from senior Catholic leaders. Joseph Ratzinger, before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, warned that the term was theologically unclear and prone to misunderstanding. Pope Francis later expressed similar concerns, cautioning that the language could obscure the uniqueness of Christs redemptive work.

Those cautions are echoed in Mater Populis Fidelis, which warns against interpretations that would place Mary alongside Christ as a parallel redeemer. The note emphasizes that any Marian language must avoid confusion about the singular sufficiency of Christs redemption.

A key development, De Chirico observed, is that Pope Leo XIV approved the document, aligning himself with the cautious position taken by his predecessors. As a result, the Vatican has signaled that it does not intend to move forward with defining a new Marian dogma at this time.

For De Chirico, however, the decision represents a provisional restraint rather than a doctrinal resolution.

It is more of a temporary stop of the process than a definitive halt, he wrote, adding that the Catholic approach to Mariology remains open-ended because it is not governed by the principle of Scripture alone.

In his commentary, De Chirico framed the debate as part of a broader pattern within Roman Catholic theology, where tensions often exist between what he described as maximalist and minimalist approaches to Mary. He argued that the current Vatican leadership appears to favor a more restrained position, though that balance could shift in the future.

He further contended that Marian developments historically have been driven more by lex orandi  the life of worship, liturgy, and spirituality  than by lex credendi, formal doctrinal clarification. While the Vatican note raises theological cautions, he said, it continues to encourage Marian devotion, leaving space for future doctrinal expansion.

In other words, De Chirico wrote, the door for Marys co-redemption is not definitively closed, but only left ajar.

De Chirico concluded by contrasting the Vaticans approach with what he described as a biblical model of honoring Mary, emphasizing imitation of her faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation.

There is a far truer and better way to honor Mary, he wrote, than that of the Vatican Note: imitate her faith and cherish her legacy according to Scripture while trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.

De Chirico is pastor of Breccia di Roma, an Evangelical church in the Italian capital, and director of the Reformanda Initiative, which seeks to equip Evangelical leaders to understand and engage with Roman Catholicism. He also leads the Rome Scholars Network. He holds degrees in history, theology and bioethics, and earned a doctorate from Kings College London.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News FBI foils New Years Eve bombing plot, arrests 4 alleged suspects in radical anti-ICE group

Federal authorities have arrested alleged suspects in a far-left domestic terror group that was planning to detonate a series of explosive devices on New Years Eve.

At a press conference Monday, authorities announced that they had arrested four members of the group Turtle Island Liberation Front last Friday, foiling a bomb plot set for Dec. 31.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California to apprehend the individuals who were planning to target multiple companies.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Western District of Louisiana and for the District of Massachusetts also helped in the investigation, as warrants were issued across the nation.

The four individuals who allegedly planned to carry out the New Years Eve attacks were identified as Audrey Carroll, 30; Zachary Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41.

Turtle Island is used by some indigenous groups and radical activists as a name for North America due to America being derived from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

According to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California, defendant Carroll had formed a faction of the group known as the Order of the Black Lotus, to which the other three defendants belonged.

The charges we are announcing today stem from the defendants and their co-conspirators' detailed, coordinated plot to bomb multiple U.S. companies on New Year's Eve. Thankfully, that plot has now been foiled thanks to the hard work of the FBI and the Department of Justice, stated Essayli.

Essayli noted that the group self-identifies as an anti-capitalist, anti-government movement that calls for their associates to rise up and fight back against capitalism.

According to Essayli, in November, Carroll created an explicit plan to bomb at least five locations across southern California, with the intention of enacting follow-up attacks on agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The individuals allegedly traveled to the desert to test their explosive devices, having possessed all the necessary parts to build a bomb. At that point, authorities arrested members of the group.

Searches of the suspects residences in the Los Angeles area turned up posters declaring Death to America, Long Live Turtle Island and Palestine and Death to ICE, Essayli added.

This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalized Antifa-like groups pose to people, public safety and the rule of law, he continued. We disrupted this terror plot before buildings were demolished or innocent people were killed. But this is not the end of our work.

In September, President Donald Trump issued an executive order officially designating Antifa, the violent, far-left activist group, a domestic terrorist organization.

All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations  especially those involving terrorist actions  conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa, stated the executive order.

The order was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat left-wing extremist violence following the assassination of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk.

Critics of these efforts by the administration have argued that they ignore violence from right-wing extremist groups, which is purportedly more common than far-left terrorism.

And really, its not close, said Michael Jensen, research director at the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism consortium at the University of Maryland, to The Washington Post.

Its something like 5-to-1 in terms of the number of attacks and deaths that can be attributed to far-right actors as opposed to far-left actors, he said.

Other reports, however, have found that left-wing terrorism is on the rise, while right-wing acts of violence have declined, according to a recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that analyzed over 30 years of data.
Home News Muslim man hailed as hero after wrestling Bondi attacker with his bare hands

When two men opened fire on crowds gathered Sunday to celebrate Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Australia, one man stepped in to stop it. Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, took on one of the shooters and wrestled him to the ground, preventing the death of potentially many more people.

The world watched in horror as the massacre unfolded, all caught on film. Yet along with the indiscriminate murder of Jewish men, women and children, the remarkable courage of a Muslim man to save lives has also been documented for all to see. Now the footage has been verified, and the man has been identified as a local father of two young girls who runs a fruit shop.

His parents told ABC News that their son was having coffee with a friend in Bondi when he heard gunshots, and went to intervene.

"When he did what he did, he wasn't thinking about the background of the people he's saving, the people dying in the street," his father said.

Video footage shows Ahmed going unarmed to approach the terrorist who was crouched under a tree, aiming at the crowd with a long barrelled gun. He wrestled the shooter to the ground and managed to take the weapon, preventing more deaths.

Along with the outpouring of condolences for the victims, social media was flooded with praise for Ahmed.

One hundred percent a hero. Once we saw on social media, hes 100% a hero, his cousin Mustafa al-Ahmed told Australias 7NEWS on Sunday night.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Ahmed was injured during the struggle. He was shot several times in the arm and shoulder, according to his family members.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described Ahmeds courageous actions as the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen, according to Sky News. "That man is a genuine hero, and I've got no doubt there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery."

U.S. President Donald Trump also called Ahmed a very, very brave person, saying he saved a lot of lives. Speaking at a Christmas reception at the White House, the U.S. president said that Ahmed was now in the hospital, seriously wounded after tackling the terrorist. Great respect to that man, he added.

Mansur Ashkar, an Israeli Druze Arabic speaker, shared his thoughts as he took in the events: Its easy to hate, he began. When I read all the comments coming from Syria, from Lebanon, from Europe, by Muslims, celebrating, praising the death, the murder, the terror. But at the same time, I witnessed a man, a Muslim man, risking everything, said Ashkar, running, charging at the terrorist with bare hands, risking his life. He jumped on him, he fought with him, and he took the weapon out of his hand, and he saved countless Jewish lives.

I'm standing here with mixed feelings, Ashkar admitted. He didn't need to do that. He's a father  he went and he risked everything he got injured in the process to save lives.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised those who had run towards danger in order to help others, most notably Ahmed. These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives, he said at a press conference.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his appreciation, saying, We saw an action of a brave man  turns out a brave Muslim man, and I salute him  that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews.

However, while praising the specific actions of Ahmed, Netanyahu was critical of Albanese, saying that the Australian government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia.

You let the disease spread, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today, he said.

The death toll has risen to 16 people killed at the Hanukkah event when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, fired at the crowd, including a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old child. At least another 42 people have been injured.

This article was published at All Israel News
Home News Nigerian expert warns of another 'Christmas massacre'

WASHINGTON  A religious freedom advocate is warning of the potential for another Christmas massacre in Nigeria as Christians in the country continue to experience targeted attacks on an unprecedented level.

An Emergency Summit on Crimes Against Christians was held at the Capitol last Tuesday, where political leaders and experts on persecution discussed statistics documenting the scope of Christian persecution worldwide and the efforts to combat it. Among the speakers was a Nigerian academic whose family members were killed in a targeted attack earlier this year and a religious freedom activist who issued a stark warning about a pending Christmas massacre.

The event also featured remarks from Gia Chacon of the religious freedom advocacy group For the Martyrs; Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.; Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind.; and Mark Walker, President Donald Trumps nominee to serve as the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Sean Feucht, a worship artist who leads the church-planting and anti-sex-trafficking ministry Light a Candle, co-hosted the event along with Chacon, Hawley and the office of Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va.

Judd Saul, founder of the advocacy group Equipping the Persecuted, said his organization officially started in 2019 and a couple of years later, we toyed around with the idea of starting a thing called TruthNigeria.com to respond to the fact that theres a lot of journalists and a lot of attacks happening and a lot of incidents happening that were not getting out to the public.

Saul suggested that every attack that happens in Nigeria gets filtered through the lens of [Al Jazeera, a Qatari government-run news outlet] before it makes it to our mainstream media.

Truth Nigeria gained a lot of credibility and a lot of trust amongst locals in Nigeria, he said. Our organization has issued over 100 terror alerts since 2023 with 89 percent accuracy. So we knew where the attacks were going to happen. We knew when they were going to occur, and weve notified the Nigerian government at every instance, and every attack has been ignored, every alert, every warning has been ignored.

We have intelligence right now, as of today, before this meeting, Ive talked to my contacts. The Fulani are gathering on the border of Nasarawa and Plateau. Theyre gathering up on the border of Nasarawa and Benue. Theyre gathering up on the border of Nasarawa and Kaduna. They plan on hitting these villages. They plan on hitting Bokkos in Plateau. They plan on hitting Barkin Ladi. They plan on hitting Riyom in Plateau. They plan on hitting the community of Agatu in Benue, and they plan on hitting Kafanchan in Kaduna, all on Christmas.

They [are] planning another Christmas massacre, he proclaimed. The Christmas massacre Salul spoke of occurred on the days leading up to and including Christmas 2023 in several villages throughout Plateau state, resulting in the deaths of more than 160 Christians.

Referring to an attack that took place in Benue state in June, Saul warned, If you want to see a Yelwata times five, times 10 happen, intervention has to happen now to prevent this.

Franc Utu, a researcher at the University of Central Oklahoma and a former principal special assistant to the Benue state governor, who Chacon introduced as a survivor of Fulani violence, provided additional details about the Yelwata attack.

I come from Yelwata, the epicenter of the June 13 and 14 massacre this year, 2025. I come from Benue state, which is a food basket of Nigeria, but unfortunately has turned into the graveyard of Nigeria, Utu said.

My village, Yelwata, was attacked on June 13 and 14, starting from 9 p.m. on June 13 to 1 a.m. on June 14 by Islamic jihadists. This is one of so many attacks. For the past 10 years, we have lived as a village that is constantly attacked by these jihadists every month.

According to Utu, What made June 13 and June 14 different was because of the sheer number of people killed in a single night. Within four hours, 278 of my kinsmen were obliterated in the most horrific way. They werent just shot. Many were gruesomely slaughtered.

Utu identified his 2-year-old nephew as one of the victims, noting that the charred remains of this 2-year-old [were] found holding his mom in the morning. He also recalled how his sister was murdered in such a gruesome way that her brain was spilled out.

They were killed not for anything but because of their faith, he lamented. If I were around that day, I would have been killed because Ive been the poster boy and the voice of my country and the persecuted Christians for over 10 years in Nigeria.

Utu suggested that the targeted attacks against Christians in Nigeria are so severe because jihadis have infiltrated the government of Nigeria, adding that they infiltrated the politics, they infiltrated the Army, the military, every segment.

He added, If you see any Christian in Nigeria standing up today to say there is no Christian genocide, just know that that Christian is either a coward, an accomplice, a traitor or is simply callous.

Both Utu and Saul asserted that intelligence accurately predicted that the Yelwata attack would take place. Before the night of June 13, we got the intelligence that these guys are coming, Utu said. He noted how the jihadists prayed to go and carry out successful execution of my siblings, of my relatives.

Referring to the massacre in Yelwata, Saul said, We knew 30 days out; we notified the government, and 24 hours before the attack happened, we notified the government. He expressed disgust that Nothing happened.

The attack in Yelwata and concerns about another Christmas massacre come as Nigeria faces international scrutiny over the targeted attacks on Christians.

Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern earlier this year in response to what he described as the existential threat to Christians there. Both Utu and Chacon shared statistics highlighting the extent of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

This year alone, over 7,000 Christians have been killed. More than 500 churches have been destroyed in my community. In my community, between June and December this year, weve lost more than 500 people in daily attacks, Utu explained.

Chacon kicked off Tuesdays event by detailing how Since 2009, over 19,000 churches in Nigeria have been set on fire or destroyed. She characterized the statistics as evidence of a systematic attempt to obliterate an entire people, while Utu condemned the targeted attacks against Christians in his country as a genocide.

Utu concluded his remarks by calling for direct military intervention to exterminate these terrorists. He assured the audience that the Nigerian government will not take action against the terrorists because the people heading the government in many areas are the sponsors of this.
Home News Pakistan: Presbyterian pastor shot dead after surviving earlier attack

LAHORE, Pakistan  A Presbyterian pastor who survived an attack in September was gunned down by an unidentified assailant outside his home in front of his daughter last week in Pakistan, his family said.

The Rev. Kamran Salamat of Gujranwala was about to take his 16-year-old daughter to college on Dec. 5 when an unidentified motorcyclist opened fire on him with a pistol, hitting him in the right wrist, left ear and lower abdomen, said the victims brother-in-law, the Rev. Shahzad Salman. Pastor Salamat was 45.

My brother-in-law succumbed to his injuries at the hospital three hours later, Pastor Salman told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

The attacker fled the scene unharmed, he added.

Pastor Salamats body was buried in the presence of a large number of Christians on Dec. 6. He was a resident of Islam Colony in Gujranwala District, Punjab Province.

Pastor Salman said the deceased, father to three minor children, had previously been shot in the leg in Islamabad in September.

Rev. Kamran was a committed missionary, but he never shared the details of his mission work with his family, said Pastor Salman, who is also an attorney. In fact, when he was attacked in September, he refused to pursue the case and told the police that he had forgiven his unknown assailant. Even after the incident, he never revealed to us who was threatening his life.

The late pastor moved his family to Gujranwala after the shooting in Islamabad and was running a sewing center for poor Christian women.

We are absolutely clueless as to who was behind the attacks on Rev. Kamran, Pastor Salman said. The Gujranwala police are making efforts to trace the gunman from CCTV footage gathered from the spot, but so far he hasnt been identified.

He added that they suspected the assailant was accompanied by two other men.

Sources said Pastor Salamat had made several outreaches to lawless tribal regions in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where he preached the Gospel to Afghan and Pakistani Muslim tribesmen.

Its quite possible that he was martyred due to his missionary work, a church leader said. The truth will surface only after the police arrest the assailant.

Condemning the assassination, the Rev. Reuben Qamar, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, demanded a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of the assailants.

We mourn the heinous killing of Pastor Kamran Salamat, a faithful servant of God, Qamar posted on Facebook. His death is not only a personal loss but another wound to the Christians in Pakistan. Even in our grief, we remain steadfast in hope, rejoicing in Jesus victory over the darkness, sharing peace and love to this hostile world.

Pastor Naeem Nasir, a prominent Pentecostal preacher, said Pastor Salamat was killed to stop him from proclaiming Christ.

Extremists had been pursuing him and threatening him everywhere he went, Pastor Nasir stated on Facebook, citing a phone call with the mother-in-law of the slain pastor. He moved from Islamabad to Gujranwala, but they were still not satisfied. They wanted to stop his passion for preaching the Gospel.

Pastor Salamats murder took place three months after a Catholic was shot dead and another was wounded as they traveled to a pilgrimage site in Punjab Province. Afzal Masih of Samnabad locality of Lahore in Punjab Province and his cousin Harris Tariq Masih were among a group of Catholics who were in a passenger van en route to the annual Feast of the Nativity of Mary shrine in Mariamabad, Sheikhpura District, when they were attacked by Muslims with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, said Aurangzeb Peter, a member of the traveling group.

Pakistan, which has a Muslim population of more than 96%, is ranked No. 8 on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
Trump Open To Pope Leo Meeting, Churches Resist Geofencing, Study Links Ultra Processed Foods To Chronic Illness

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:00 07:00

Top headlines for Monday, December 15, 2025

In this episode, we break down President Donald Trumps surprising openness to meeting with Pope Leo amid tensions over his immigration policy, explore the United Methodist Churchs pushback against a contentious geofencing campaign targeting Texas congregations with pro-Israel ads, and examine a new study linking ultra-processed foods to rising rates of chronic and mental health conditions worldwide.

00:11 Trump says he's willing to meet with Pope Leo XIV

00:56 UMC pushes back on reported plan to 'geotarget' Texas churches

01:54 Church-state watchdog group leader appointed to USCIRF

02:38 Ultra-processed foods fueling chronic diseases: study

03:31 Texas AG, securities board offer conflicting takes on EPIC suit

04:23 Fla. sues WPATH, other groups for pushing trans surgeries on kids

05:15 MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announces run for Minnesota governor
Home Opinion In the name of God, stop the conspiracies about Erika Kirk!

This past week, Erika Kirk broke her silence. For eight weeks, she endured relentless accusations, conspiracy theories, and public attacks from Candace Owens and others while grieving her husband and raising two children who lost their father. Candace has spun theories about Egyptian planes, French assassins, and Calvary Chapel espionage  a full-time psyop that has bewildered, angered, and confused many, all while making millions of dollars.

But heres what we know: Tyler Robinsons own family turned him in, Tyler confessed to the crime, Tyler appeared in court this week and showed no signs of being falsely accused.

Meanwhile, theres a capital murder trial set for May 2026 that will take a considerable amount of time. Is that unprecedented or new? No, thats exactly how it works.

And the FBI, Utah Valley Police, and Erika Kirk owe the public nothing right now except to pursue justice through proper legal channels. No one is being naive about what happened  except for those who think social media and podcasts determine guilt or innocence in the court of public opinion. They dont.

So, how should we think about this past week with Candace Owens, Erika Kirk, and Turning Point USA?

First, murder trials take time  and thats built into our justice system on purpose. Remember Lee Harvey Oswald? He was shot just two days after JFKs assassination and never took the witness stand. The entire nation was left wondering if he truly acted alone or if, in fact, he was the assassin. We will never really know. He famously said, Im just a patsy. The Warren Commission took almost a year to investigate this assassination. And the case was classified and sealed from public view, and more than 60 years later, it is one of the most examined cases in history.

This is not that. We have a confession. We have the shooters family cooperating with authorities. We have eyewitnesses. But justice still requires due process  forensic analysis, witness testimony, proper legal proceedings. That takes time. Its one of the most important elements of our constitutional system. We dont rush to judgment because feelings dont demand immediate resolution. We pursue truth through established legal processes that protect both the accused and also the victims. Thats how our constitutional system works.

Second, we must recognize how social media has created a hyperbolic simulacrum of reality. Were living in hyperreality  a digital world where nothing is normal or normative about how information gets disseminated. Good information and bad information spread faster than at any point in human history. Social media can be informative, constructive, and even life-giving. It can also be destructive, divisive, and even debilitating.

Candace Owens is running a masterclass in grift and mass psychology. Whether its Egyptian planes, French assassins, or Calvary Chapel paramilitary operatives, she has monetized Charlies death.

One day this too shall pass, and when it does, people will study this moment and how mass psychology worked on those who were obsessed by social media and podcasting. Make no mistake: This is digital manipulation at its worst, exploiting grief for gain. And its evil.

Third, your memory of September 10, 2025, and September 21, 2025, depends on your ability to focus on whats true. Remember what actually happened on September 10. Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Frank Turek and Mikey McCoy witnessed the shooting in person. Erika saw her husband dead in the hospital. Tyler Robinson confessed to the crime; his family turned him in.

Remember Sunday, September 21, when the whole world stopped and in a stunning moment saw the culmination of what Charlies life was all about, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He brought together major leaders in the conservative movement  not all of them are Christian, but every single one of them acknowledged Jesus Christ. This was not a mistake. People sang Christian hymns. People opened their Bibles. People prayed. People gave their hearts to Jesus. They went to church for the first time. And many were baptized.

Remember when we were talking about revival sweeping the nation. That was true then, and it can still be true today. Focus on those facts. Walk away from clickbait. The constant stream of speculation isnt informing you  its consuming you. We need rest from it.

Fourth, Erikas response this week was both godly and fierce  a masterclass in patience and strength. Erika Kirk has every right to defend her husbands honor, every right to defend Turning Point USA and those who suffered the loss of Charlie and lived through that horrific day. Shes a woman grieving the loss of her husband. Shes raising two children without their father. Shes defending the team that supported Charlie.

Anyone who knows half of what shes endured can only marvel at the supernatural strength shown in her and through her. Do not forget: Erika forgave the shooter publicly. She did not attack Candace. She simply told Candace to stop.

Finally, its time to give it a rest. So, stop, in the name of God. As weve said on this podcast before, some people never once slowed down in the wake of Charlies murder. They never reflected nor were they introspective. Godly grief is also a rest. It is resting in the acknowledgment of Gods perfect grace, His perfect will, and His care for us in the midst of great loss.

True Sabbath rest acknowledges something fundamental: There is a Savior, and no, you are not Him. We rest because we acknowledge there is only one Savior, and His name is Jesus Christ. We rest because there is only one work that saves us, and that is the work of Christ on the cross at Cavalrys hill. We rest because God commanded it. We rest because restless work is disobedience to God.

Its time to give endless conspiracies a rest  literally, figuratively, and spiritually. Its time to move on from the grift. Time for onlookers who arent a part of this fatal collision to stop slowing down traffic and just drive on. The major capital murder trial will unfold. Justice will be pursued. Due process will run its course. The Scripture says in Hebrews 4:11-13, ESV:

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

After this past week, those who can see it, see it all, and those who are blind have no rest at all. Above all, take heed, lest you fall.

Pray for Erika Kirk. Pray for Turning Point USA. Admire her courage. Honor her strength. And by Gods grace, the Lord will give her and Turning Point USA the peace they deserve while they wait for justice for Charlie Kirk.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
Home Opinion Youre saved by being a good person  not

If youre a Christian, then you know how to obtain eternal life with God.

To be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God (2 Thess. 1:5), it all comes down to being a good person. To living a life where your good outweighs your bad, where you work hard to prove yourself to God and show Him that, deep down, you dont resemble those that the world considers evil.



Like dentists.

By your merit, you win the approval of God and thus exemplify the words of James: You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24). Thats the way to spend eternal life with God.

At least, thats what a recent report by Arizona Christian University said a slim majority  53%  of self-identified Christian Americans believe. From a total survey perspective, nearly half of this segment (42%) believed that good people can earn Heaven. More than one-third (38%) said repentance only takes admission of sin, not behavioral change. One-fourth (27%) argued that there are paths to salvation apart from Jesus. The biggest percentage (73%) of Christian-identified respondents who believe being good gets you into the presence of God forever were Catholics.

Why would so many people identifying as Christians believe that?

Where Catholicism is concerned, this isnt so surprising. Its debate with the Protestant Reformers came down to the rejection of one word: alone.

Faith alone. Grace alone. Christ alone. Scripture alone.

But the large percentage of non-Catholics embracing a works-based salvation doctrine is both confusing and troubling and begs the question of why so many believe that.

Maybe its bad core teaching. Pretty much every Christian cult (e.g., Jehovah's Witnesses) believes in works salvation, as do some liberal denominations that reinterpret sin and salvation in existential or social terms.

Maybe its bad inferred teaching. A lot of Christians believe you can lose your salvation if you commit one or more sins on their subjective you-better-not-or-else damnation list (e.g., a YouTube video I recently saw that proclaimed, 5 sexual sins that lead to Hell). Hence, you work to stay good, and presto, your works implicitly become a safety net or ticket to Heaven.

Maybe its just an unwillingness to believe that salvation by grace is legit and we, not God, must play the primary role in making it happen. Tim Keller says the Gospel can be a biblical double-slap in the face of people: Grace is insulting. One side says they dont need forgiveness whereas the other side says thats too easy. G. K. Chesterton said the same thing about the latter when he wrote, What the denouncer of dogma really means is not that dogma is bad; but rather that dogma is too good to be true.

And its not just your average church folks falling into this trap. For example, during his last hours, the great John Knox woke from sleeping with a heavy sigh, and told his friends that he had just been tempted to believe that he had merited Heaven and eternal blessedness, by the faithful discharge of my ministry. But blessed be God who has enabled me to beat down and quench the fiery dart, by suggesting to me such passages of Scripture as these: What hast thou that thou didst not receive? By the grace of God I am what I am. Not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

The incorrect spiritual formula of Faith + Works = Salvation seems hard to break for everyone, even for people like Knox.

But the Bible tells us explicitly through its didactic texts and numerous examples that by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:89). There are lots of examples of that in Scripture, but let me tell you a powerful one, which I didnt understand for a long time.

The account of Moses being denied entry into the promised land always bugged me. God asks him to speak to a rock and bring water from it for Israel, and Moses gets angry with the crowd and says, Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock? (Num. 20:10). And due to that, God says, Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them (Num. 20:12).

You mean after slugging it out with Israel, enemies, and natural adversities for decades, after one slip-up, he gets the promised lands door shut in his face? That always seemed a bit harsh to me.

But theres a bigger picture thing going on there. When you step back and look at the broad picture of the Old Testament, there are two major personalities: Abraham and Moses. Two men, representing two types (faith and works/the law), and two covenants. The spiritual lesson behind Moses being denied entrance into the promised land is this:

The man of law/works does not enter the promised land; only the man of faith does.

The same is true of us today. The formula of Faith + Works = Salvation isnt true. But  and this might be a shocker for you to read  neither is Faith = Salvation.

The correct equation is Faith = Salvation + Works (or holy affections as Jonathan Edwards calls them). Works are the fruit of salvation, not a cause of it.

This is what James means when he says: You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Justified in the verse means proven, demonstrated, indicating that its the fruit and evidence of salvation.

If you want a works-based salvation religion, head over to Islam, which tells its adherents: Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will be successful. But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls; in Hell will they abide (Sura: 23:102-103).

But Christianity says there is only one work needed for salvation: Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent' (John 6:29). Do that, and youll spend eternity with God.

Even if youre a dentist.
Thousands of lost Canadians previously affected by the first-generation limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent are now eligible to gain Canadian citizenship.

On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act", became law.

This new legislation strengthens the bond between Canadians at home and around the world, and reaffirms the values we hold as a nation, says Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab.

Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship



Expanded eligibility for Canadian citizenship

Going forward, anyone born before December 15, 2025, who would have been a Canadian citizen but for the FGL or other outdated rules will be recognized as Canadian and can apply for proof of citizenship.

Those born abroad to at least one Canadian parent (also born outside Canada), on or after December 15, 2025, will be eligible for Canadian citizenship if:

Their parent was a Canadian citizen when they were born; and

Their Canadian parent passes the substantial connection to Canada test.

To meet the connection to Canada test, the Canadian parents must prove they spent at least three years (1,095) days in Canada prior to the childs birth.

With the Citizenship Act now amended, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process applications submitted under the interim measures (introduced in 2023) with consideration of the new rules.

Applicants who have already submitted a proof of citizenship application under the interim measures do not need to submit another application now that Bill C-3 has formally come into effect.

Changes to the Citizenship Act may also grant or restore Canadian citizenship to the following individuals, depending on their circumstances:

Those who were born outside Canada and whose parent was a citizen before they were born;

Those who were born outside Canada and whose parent became a citizen because of the new changes; and

Those who previously lost their Canadian citizenship.

History of Bill-C3

The introduction of Bill C-3 has been long-awaited and follows two full years of deliberation and legal roadblocks.

In December of 2023, the Ontario Superior Court Justice declared the second-generation limit provisions within Canada's previous Citizenship Act unconstitutional, citing the fact that the legislation created two classes of Canadian citizens, with one given fewer rights to confer their citizenship than the other.

Canada's federal government at the time chose not to contest this ruling, and instead moved to amend the Citizenship Act. The government was initially granted a 2024 deadline, but it failed to meet it. Over these two years, the federal government sought an extension to amend the Act multiple times, with the most recent instance being the extension granted on November 18, 2025.

With the Bill receiving Royal Assent on November 20, 2025, the latest extension was not needed.

The benefits of Canadian citizenship

As compared to permanent residents, Canadian citizens hold a number of rights unique to them. This includes:

The ability to vote in Canadian elections;

The right to enter Canada, and the inability to be found inadmissible.

Increased freedom to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner from abroad for Canadian permanent residence;

The ability to hold various political positions that require a security clearance; and

Being eligible for a Canadian passport.

Get a Free Legal Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship


The chief executive of Oxfam GB has left the charity after serious concerns were raised over leadership and governance at the organisation.

Halima Begum, who was appointed CEO in December 2023, has left Oxfam after an independent review by trustees into her stewardship.

The Times reported that Begum was forced to stand down by Oxfams board on Friday after it found serious issues around her decision-making and behaviour.

It reported that 70 staff members had signed a letter petitioning Oxfam to investigate Begums conduct and that multiple employees had resigned after disputes with her.

An Oxfam spokesperson said in a statement: Oxfam GBs trustees have a duty to review any serious concerns raised about leadership or governance.

A fair and confidential process took place in line with employment law and Charity Commission guidance.

We have great respect for colleagues who have raised concerns about culture. Their perspectives informed the independent review that took place.

Oxfam has appointed its chief supporter officer Jan Oldfield as acting CEO to replace Begum, who joined Oxfam having led ActionAid UK for less than a year, until longer-term arrangements can be put in place.

A week ago, Oxfam announced trustee changes with Charles Gurassa, chair, and Mitesh Patel, trustee, stepping down.

Nana Afadzinu and Annie Hudson have since been appointed as acting chairs of Oxfams board.

Meanwhile, Andrew Tivey, trustee of the Police Federation, and Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, joined Oxfams board as trustees.

Demoralised staff to be balloted

Oxfam recently reported a second consecutive annual operating deficit of more than 20m and confirmed that more than 140 staff members were made redundant in a restructure this year.

Earlier this year, trade union Unite held protests at Oxfams London, Manchester and Oxford offices against the charitys redundancy and outsourcing proposals.

Following Begums departure, Jamie Major, of Unite, said that Oxfams workforce was very demoralised, a problem exacerbated by a poorly handled redundancy programme.

Morale has further been diminished after management recently announced that no one at Oxfam expected a cost-of-living pay rise in 2025, when workers are struggling to make ends meet, said Major, adding that Unite will begin a full industrial ballot in the coming days.

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The government has asked sector experts to apply for membership of an advisory body it has set up to drive implementation of this years Civil Society Covenant.

When the government published the covenant , a set of principles designed to reset the relationship between the state and the sector, in July, it included plans for a joint civil society covenant council to provide strategic oversight of the agreements delivery.

Now, the government has revealed that the Civil Society Council will be chaired by NCVO chief executive Kate Lee and meet quarterly in Downing Street over two years.

The government is seeking around 12 representatives to join the group from across civil society, including membership bodies but also individuals with relevant experience who wish to serve.

This could range from experience as a frontline volunteer, trustee or philanthropist, to a playing leading role in a voluntary, faith-based or social enterprise of any size, its announcement reads.

Across the membership of the council as a whole, the government is also seeking a diversity of geographies, ages and backgrounds. This includes explicitly seeking a youth representative.

The government said it is looking for members with attributes such as an ability to identify, analyse and solve problems and a track record of working collaboratively across sectors.

A home at the heart of government

The government said in its announcement: At the Civil Society Summit in July, the prime minister said he would give civil society a home at the heart of government.

So the council intends to meet quarterly in Downing Street, and be supported by a small, dedicated team in No 10 which will provide the secretariat.

This approach explicitly seeks to elevate the place of civil society within government and to maximise the reach of the council across Whitehall.

In addition to regular attendance from No10 and DCMS, government plans to include senior representatives from other departments relevant to the specific agenda items.

This represents a desire not only for solving problems across the system, but also to think boldly about how to maximise the opportunities for civil society to contribute across every part of government.

Lee said: I am honoured to have been appointed chair of the Civil Society Council to help lead change across government, so partnership working is central to policy creation and decision making.

The launch of the Civil Society Covenant was a huge step for the sector and will only work if truly embedded in the heart of government.

The commitment from the prime minister to build a council that works directly with Number 10 recognises the strength and skills of voluntary organisations in helping solve challenges which are preventing communities from thriving.

We know that no one organisation or institution can bring about change alone. The council must draw on voices from across the sector, so we represent the full breadth of civil society, and the rich tapestry of communities we represent.

Those interested in applying to be a member of the Civil Society Council have until 5 January.

In another measure trailed in the covenant, earlier this month the Cabinet Office launched a feedback process for charities who feel like government department funders are limiting their ability to campaign.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
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For five years, Jimmy Lai, the founder of a popular pro-democracy newspaper called Apple Daily, has routinely spent more than twenty-three hours a day in solitary confinement in a prison cell in Hong Kong. On Monday, a Hong Kong court found Lai, who is seventy-eight, guilty of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. His sentencing will take place at a later date, but he is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.

The verdict followed a landmark twenty-one-month trial that foreign governments and rights groups consistently condemned as politically motivated, and which was seen by many as an indication of the broader collapse of civil liberties and media freedom in Hong Kong since 2020, when China imposed a national security law there. This was a sham trial, Aleksandra Bielakowska, an advocacy manager at the Reporters Without Borders office in Taiwan, said. Bielakowska, who was deported from Hong Kong in 2024 when she traveled there to monitor Lais trial, observed, Its the death of press freedom in Hong Kong.

Some of Lais supporters queued overnight outside the West Kowloon Law Court Building for a seat in the hearing; someone delivered a box of apples. On Monday, an 855-page verdict was handed down by three judges who were picked by the government for the case. Judge Esther Toh told the courtroom that Lais testimony was evasive and unreliable and that Lai had long held resentment and hatred toward China. Lai, seated in a glass box in the courtroom, was left to listen.

For the two collusion charges, the judges said Lai had engaged in international lobbying with a view of soliciting international support against Hong Kong authorities. For the sedition charge, the judges said Lai used Apple Daily to carry out a consistent campaign with a view to undermine the legitimacy or authority of Beijing and Hong Kong authorities. Lais only crime is running a newspaper and defending democracy, Beh Lih Yi, the Asia-Pacific regional director at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said.

Lai, who was born in China and became a British citizen, was arrested by Hong Kong police in 2020, as China was cracking down on dissent throughout the city. In 2019, Lai had participated in pro-democracy protests; for decades, Apple Daily had criticized the government. Todays process was a farce, Caoilfhionn Gallagherwho leads Lais international legal team, based in London, which operates separately from his domestic team in Hong Kongsaid. Its a stain on the once enviable Hong Kong legal system. Yvette Cooper, the British foreign secretary, also gave a statement: Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression, she said. In the United States, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China likewise condemned the verdict. Neither the White House nor the State Department responded to requests for comment.

Last year, Donald Trump claimed that if he were reelected, he would one hundred percent be able to get Lai released, but it remains unclear if any effort to do so is underway. (We have to make sure that we can get President Trump to honor what he said, Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, told me earlier this year.) During the trial, prosecutors pointed to Lais meetings with high-profile officials such as Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state, as evidence that Lai had asked foreign governments to sanction China and Hong Kong over their crackdown on free speech. The US did sanction Hong Kong officials in 2020; Lai denied the charges and testified in court that he had only asked the US to voice support for the territory.

Born in the city of Guangzhou, in 1947, Lai fled to Hong Kong, which was then a British colony, as a stowaway on a boat when he was twelve years old. He worked in a garment sweatshop and eventually founded Giordano, a clothing company that helped Lai become a billionaire. In 1995, two years before the British returned Hong Kong to China, Lai founded Apple Daily, which soon became one of Hong Kongs most-read newspapers. After the era of British control ended, a one country, two systems framework was supposed to grant Hong Kong substantial autonomy, including free speech. Apple Daily became known for its criticism of China and support of greater political freedoms in Hong Kong. It would be so boring just being a businessman, Lai says in The Hong Konger, a 2023 documentary about his life. I want to make my life more meaningful.

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The 2020 national security law, which Hong Kong officials say has fostered stability, portended a new era of diminished civil liberties for the citys residents. In 2019, Hong Kong ranked 73 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index. By 2025, Hong Kong dropped to 140. In recent years, authorities have targeted the formerly independent public broadcaster and forced some news outlets to shutter; others have closed over fear of reprisals from the government. Apple Daily was also forced to cease publication, after Lais arrest and those of several other top editors, and the government froze the papers assets. The closure of Apple Daily was a dark day for Hong Kongs democracy. Today, it is the death knell, Gallagher said at a press conference in London on Monday.

Lai is seen by many pro-democracy activists as a symbol of bravery and resistance, because he chose to stay and face the possibility of detention rather than flee, something he could have easily afforded to do. If youre a bird, youd rather die singing than remain silent, he says in the documentary. Blair McDougall, one of several British parliamentarians who have urged the British government to do more on Lais behalf, told me earlier this year that he admired Lais decision to stay despite the risks. To make himself a symbol of the decline of the rule of law in Hong Kong is an extraordinary thing, McDougall said.

Lais international legal team has criticized the British government for not doing enough to secure Lais release. Keir Starmerthe prime minister of the United Kingdom, whose office did not reply to a request for commentis planning to visit China in January, but its unclear whether he plans to bring up Lais case with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. My fathers freedom should be a prerequisite to any engagement with China, his son Sebastien told me in May. He cant be forgotten, because if he is forgotten, he will still have a beautiful story, but one that ends in Hong Kong prison. And thats just not right.

Lais health has declined severely in prison, according to his lawyers, in part because of what they say is inadequate medical treatment for diabetes. The longer that this drags on, the higher the risk is of Jimmy Lai dying in prison, Gallagher told me earlier this year. We want to see him out of Hong Kong as soon as possible and reunited with his family. (Hong Kong authorities reject the idea that Lai has been denied proper medical care.)

Although Lai appears set to spend the rest of his life behind bars, his legal team hopes the guilty verdict will open up additional options to help secure his release through some sort of political agreement with Beijing. Now is the time to act, Gallagher said.
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On January 18, two days before Donald Trump was inaugurated as president for the second time, Matthew Kaplan, a freelance photojournalist, was arrested and detained while covering an anti-deportation protest in Gary, Indiana. Kaplan said police grabbed him from behind without warning. He was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and resisting law enforcement, all of which were dropped two months later. I dont really like myself being the story, he said at the time. I thought I was just covering a march. I didnt think I was going to be covering police action or my own arrest.

Kaplan didnt let his arrest deter his reporting. And it wasnt his last brush with law enforcement. Seven months later, on September 26, he covered a demonstration outside an ICE facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview. The center faced allegations of inhumane conditions, the AP reported, such as a lack of food and water and overcrowding so severe that detainees couldnt sleep. Protesters that day filled the air with the sound of guitars, drums, and megaphones; ICE agents fired back with chemical-weapon dispensers. Through the worst of the chemical attacks, a group of musicians kept playing and drumming and chanting, Kaplan said. A guitar, he saw, was smashed by a rubber bullet. While working, Kaplan got shot in the hip with multiple pepper balls. He photographed the moment an ICE agent fired on him through a metal fence. It was a strange sight: a blue-sky day and seventy-seven degrees, yet it looked like hed been hit with a snowball. His clothes and camera were splashed with a white-powder irritant.

Kaplans experiences this year capture in miniature the findings of a new report on violations of press freedom in the United States. The US Press Freedom Tracker, led by the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), documented thirty-two instances of journalists arrested or charged for doing their jobs so far in 2025. The vast majority of the incidents occurred during protests against immigration policy. The number of journalists who were arrested is lower than the fifty cases last year, and below a peak of one hundred forty-seven in 2020. But the tracker highlights how journalists in the US covering the right to protest are increasingly treated as potential participants or even agitators, and a camera and notepad [are] seen as threats rather than instruments of accountability.

The report, shared exclusively with CJR, also records one hundred and seventy assaults against journalists this yearnearly as many as across the previous three years combined. Reporters have been bludgeoned and shot at and pepper-sprayed and shoved by officers of the law this year. Multiple instances saw equipment seized, or damaged to the cost of thousands of dollars. One reporter, after being tackled by a Customs and Border Protection officer, told the FPF: They didnt really care that I was a journalist.

Adam Rose, the FPFs deputy director of advocacy, told the reports author that when a reporter is arrested, we know this chills their rights, but it also ends their shift. You cant file a story if your hands are shackled or youre stuck in a cell. And detaining media workers has a twofold effect: it not only shuts down live reporting, but also elevates the future hazards of covering certain types of storypotentially causing risk-averse newsrooms to opt for self-censorship over confrontation.

In my view, when law enforcers target journalists, their primary aim is not to suppress undesirable information. That would credit officers with too much strategic thinking. At the same time, the notion that officers are ignorant or uninformed about newsgatherings legal protections strikes me as wide of the mark. The explanation for me is much simpler. Law enforcement officers arrest and assault journalists at protests as a display of power. It is a kind of performance of impunity: a boast, a rhetorical taunt that says, We can get away with it, what are you gonna do?

The FPFs findings should be viewed as part of a wider assault on independent journalism under the Trump administration. News organizations have been targeted with frivolous lawsuits; veteran reporters at the Pentagon and White House have been replaced with MAGA propagandists; news networks have been bashed by the president and earmarked for right-wing transformation by his billionaire allies. The Committee to Protect Journalists has said journalists are facing extraordinary and intensifying pressures under Trump 2.0 and that press freedom is no longer a given in the United States. This year, the US slumped to fifty-seventh in Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, ranking below Sierra Leone, Romania, and Liberia.

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One particularly dark episode from this year was the arrest, detention, and removal to El Salvador of Mario Guevara. Guevara, an Emmy-winning reporter and US resident for more than twenty years, was arrested while livestreaming a protest on June 14 in Atlanta. His deportation is thought to be the first case of someone being deported from the US in retaliation for their reporting.

Its worth noting, however, that the threats to press freedom documented by the FPF and other organizations are not unique to the Trump era. Worrying trends existed before his presidency. Assaults, intimidation, violent rhetoric, limitations on access, arrests, prosecutionsthese are not concerns that will evaporate when Trump leaves office, on January 20, 2029. But whats clear is that the intensity of the onslaught on independent newsgathering is changing the industry. It is separating the newsrooms that are content to keep their heads down and avoid blowback from those rolling up their sleeves and fighting for the right to report freely.

The US is not close to becoming a Russia or Iran or Syria in its suppression of the independent media. One consolation is that 90 percent of the media workers arrested in 2025 either never faced charges in court or had them subsequently dropped; they were, after all, carrying out activities protected under the First Amendment. But even if the administration isnt outright shackling the hands of journalists, under such antagonistic treatment from law enforcement, its as if journalists are reporting with one hand tied behind their back.

The hostile environment for journalists seems to be encouraging the emergence of novel reporting skills. Rose, of the FPF, told the US Press Freedom Tracker that one reporter informed him about a new tactic hed mastered, something they dont teach in journalism school. While detained by law enforcement officers this year, with his wrists strapped with zip ties, hed learned to pull out his phone and type emergency messages to relatives and editors from behind his back.

Other Notable Stories

By Jem Bartholomew
Sean Willett will be transitioning into a new role as senior vice president  carrier practice at Gallagher Bassett.

The move is effective January 1, 2026. In this new role, he will lead Gallagher Bassetts carrier sales and business development efforts, as well as spearhead the advancement of the carrier product offering.

Willett joined Gallagher Bassett in 2022 to establish the strategic initiatives team. Prior to joining Gallagher Bassett, he was a senior leader in KPMGs insurance strategy practice.

Gallagher Bassett is a claims and risk management services subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Arthur J. Gallagher is an insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
A U.S. lawmaker has proposed phasing out Chinese-made sensors in self-driving cars and critical infrastructure amid warnings they could be hacked and disabled from space during a conflict, crippling vast U.S. systems in seconds.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois who is the ranking member on the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on China, introduced the bill this week.

It focuses on phasing out Chinese lidar sensors, which use lasers to help self-driving vehicles such as robotaxis gain a three-dimensional view of their surroundings and which can help automate ship-to-shore cranes at ports, among other uses.

The bill would bar new purchases of Chinese lidar after three years, but provide for some waivers and extensions for fields like scientific and cybersecurity research. It would also provide for a five-year transition period for legacy equipment used in critical infrastructure.

While U.S. firms such as Ouster and Aeva Technologies are working to win over automakers, China has begun to dominate the market, with consulting firm Yole Group estimating in June that Chinese lidar firms account for 93% of the passenger car market and 89% of the total lidar market.

America and our allies should lead in LiDAR innovationnot cede control of this critical technology to foreign adversaries who will use their control to endanger Americans, Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.

National security groups have warned that Chinese lidar units could present a hacking risk to the United States in the event of a conflict, saying the sensors could be disabled in seconds across huge swaths of the U.S. from satellites in space.

We dont need a Huawei-on-wheels moment, said Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a co-author of the hacking warnings.

Chinese LiDAR is already starting to embed itself across U.S. infrastructure  from autonomous vehicles to pipeline inspection systems  and allowing (Chinese) vendors to scale further risks repeating the same strategic mistake we made with Huawei.

Lidar is also expected to play a key role in autonomous military vehicles. The U.S. Department of Defense has added Hesai Group 2525.HK, the worlds biggest maker of automotive lidar sensors, to a list of entities it alleges assist the Chinese military.

Hesai challenged the designation in U.S. court but lost.

(Reporting by Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Howard Goller)
A Russian court has ruled in favor of Rusal in the aluminum giants 104.75-billion-rouble ($1.32 billion) lawsuit against global mining and metals company Rio Tinto, according to court documents.

The ruling intensifies a legal battle over a joint alumina refinery in Queensland, Australia, that Rio took sole control of after Australia imposed sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The lawsuit was heard in closed session, and its details have not been disclosed. Rusal declined to comment.

Rio Tinto said in a statement provided to Reuters that the Russian claim brought by Rusal sought to re-litigate matters already decided by a competent court in Australia, linked to Rusals stake in Queensland Alumina Ltd (QAL) and Australian sanctions.

In Russia, as did in Australia, Rusal claims it is entitled to damages for what the Australian Court (and Court of Appeal) held was a lawful application of Australian sanctions, Rio Tinto said.

We reject the Russian-based legal proceedings as an abuse of process, the company said in the statement. We will continue to defend our position in respect of Rusals claim and take any steps necessary to protect our rights and assets, it said.

Rusal Seeks Supplies From Elsewhere

Rusal filed the lawsuit after it lost a case in Australia in 2024 to restore its rights to a 20% stake in the alumina plant QAL.

Australia responded to the 2022 launch of Russias military campaign in Ukraine with sweeping sanctions, including a ban on exports of the aluminum raw material to Russia.

Shortly after the ban was imposed in March 2022, Rio took sole control of QAL, sidelining Rusal and cutting its access to the refinerys output. Rio owns 80% of the refinery.

Rio has no assets in Russia, but among the defendants in Rusals lawsuit were Rio subsidiaries that own 66% of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold deposit in Mongolia, a country Moscow calls friendly and which has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

Australias alumina export ban and the suspension of operations at a refinery in Ukraine prompted Rusal to seek additional supplies from China and other countries to feed its Siberian aluminum smelters in 2022.

In 2025, Rusal said it would gradually acquire up to a 50% stake in an alumina plant in India. It also announced plans to build a new 4.8-million-ton alumina plant in Russias Leningrad region in 2028.

In 2023, Rusal acquired a 30% stake in a Chinese alumina refinery to support feedstock from its assets in Russia, Ireland, Jamaica and Guinea.

($1 = 79.2000 roubles)

(Reporting by Lyrchikova in Moscow and Denina in London; Editing by Mark Potter and Tomasz Janowski)
LYNDHURST, Ohio  Joel Fink owns Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory & Fine Wines, but he is a lot more than a candy maker.

Hes a chocolatier, chemist, de facto nutritionist and scientist all rolled into one.

These days, Fink keeps busy. And not just because his chocolates fly off the shelves during the holidays. He is the quintessential example of someone diversifying his business: For several years, Fink has been at the forefront of meshing his business with the burgeoning THC industry.

Note: At the end of this story we offer a glossary of terms and acronyms regarding marijuana.

From sweet tooth to a growing business

I was truly a candy freak as a kid, he said. I grew up right near here. Id go up to the corner store and get Bubs Daddy bubble gum, Now and Later. Id put them in my socks, Id ride my bike home, and when I got home I had a drawer filled with candy all the time.

That sweet tooth stayed with him through his time at Miami University of Ohio.

I was in college, and I had this concept for a bulk candy store, he said.

He crafted a business plan and opened a store with a partner at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. The venture did better than the partnership. But Fink stayed with the idea.

He opened up at Rolling Acres Mall in Akron and at age 22 he had a store in Beachwood Place and then the old Arcade downtown.

From 11 to 1 p.m. you did great business, he said. Saturday you could roll a bowling ball down Euclid Avenue and not hit anything. Inconsistent sales times and high rent challenged him.

He moved to The Greens of Lyndhurst, and about 12 years ago shifted to the current location at 5338 Mayfield Road.

The space  its 4,500 square feet  works as a candy store, wine shop and production facility. He also has another facility in Eastlake.

His biggest sellers this time of year are trays and baskets as well as chocolate-covered cheese doodles.

The sweets are his business, but he pays attention to all things chocolate including health benefits.

He taught medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic about chocolates benefits  in particular, high cocoa levels in dark chocolate.

I came up with some products and got very much into the research, he said. I became obsessed with that. What can you do with chocolate to make somebody healthier?

One case in the store is devoted to products that are 72 percent minimum dark chocolate. All are vegan and have less sugar with high antioxidants. Its a huge seller, he said.

The percentage, which many chocolatiers use, refers to the percentage from the bean itself. Nibs are inside the beans and hold the cocoa butter and cocoa powder.

Milk chocolate is about 30 percent cocoa solids, meaning the other 70 percent is sugar, vanilla, sugar, sugar, sugar and a little milk. Dark chocolate might be about 50 percent, he said.

The 72 means only 28 percent can be sugar and vanilla and so forth. Anti-oxidant levels can be off the charts, Fink said.

When I used to do demos at Heinens I would love for them to put me near the produce section because I would tell people, There are more anti-oxidants in this piece of chocolate you are about to eat than anything else in this entire produce section.

Thats why Fink says, If you could eat just cocoa powder, unadulterated or 100 percent, its really good for you.

What he is dealing with is the field of nutraceuticals - food-derived products offering health benefits, bridging food and medicine.

Fink is an inquisitive guy. As he studied the various properties of chocolate he began to examine incorporating marijuana into products.

A segregated case offers THC chocolate products for those 21 and older who are so inclined. Marc Bona, cleveland.com

Chocolate and marijuana: Business booms

On the wall of his store, there is a quote from Willy Wonka: We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

But Finks dreams are butting heads with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines latest position on the topic.

DeWine indicated he intends to sign Senate Bill 56 after legislation changing the states recreational marijuana and intoxicating hemp regulations was voted out of the Ohio Senate.

The most important part of the bill, obviously, is that for the first time, perhaps some [hemp] regulation, DeWine said. It should no longer be the wild, wild West.

Related: DeWine plans to sign Senate Bill 56, calling hemp regulations a major victory

We are impacted quite heavily, Fink said. Ninety days from the time that DeWine signs the bill we will have to remove any intoxicating products from our shelves and the shelves of at least a few hundred stores that carry our product. That business will now be gone.

Fink added: That said, the hemp program was never intended to be for intoxicating products. Since our legislators failed to put any type of restrictions on the hemp industry, it got out of hand. And its getting out of hand. Stores and businesses opened and many flourished and will now have to close down.  We were able to sign a loophole and use it to our advantage for quite some time. We all knew it was going to come to an end, and we didnt think we would have it this long.

He did say it does not appear that his legal adult-use marijuana business will be affected.

Fink is clearly a long way from the old-fashioned, apron-draped candy-shop owner. He educates companies about marijuana in food, extoling the effects coming from the addition of chocolate.

I found a part of chocolate that is really cool, he said. I can help you fall asleep, I can help you stay asleep. Theres so many things we can do now, once you start to understand the different cannabinoids or different nutraceuticals.

Like his sweet tooth led to his business, his interest in marijuana grew.

Ive always loved pot. For some reason, its always worked well for me, I dont know a better way to

put it than that, he said. Being in Ohio, were only one year into recreational. Were on the ground floor in the state of Ohio. We can build this to anything we want it to be. Lets just do it. Its exciting. Also, I am getting a chance to produce products in the market that I could never produce before.

Several years ago, just before medical marijuana became legal in Ohio, Buckeye Relief asked Fink: Hey, would you be interested in building out a chocolate kitchen?

He did and added other companies. Fink orders equipment, gives them chocolate, teaches them and stays until they pass the state test.

In his Mayfield Road shop, he remains careful to keep equipment and products segregated and properly labeled. He has an infuser, for instance, used for products with tetrahydrocannabinol  THC  the psychoactive property in cannabis.

He is mining science. He embraces nanoemulsification, the process that brings together seemingly incompatible liquids into one mixture. That results in tiny little particles that absorb into your mouth right away, he said.

When you eat an edible, typically it takes about 45 minutes, then you digest it, it kicks in pretty hard and for a long time. With nano, you eat a piece of chocolate with it  I do half nano, half regular. And when you eat it, its like a time release. It takes effect right away, but mildly. After about half an hour the regular kicks in, and you get your normal edible buzz.

Its not surprising to learn he started as a chemistry major his first year of college and even was vice president of the Miami Chemical Society, but I couldnt do the math. I have since learned it.

He switched to marketing, which serves him well.

As of (early December) were No. 1 in the last three months in the state in chocolate (sales with THC), Fink said.

He has 18 marijuana items on the market. His companys products are in 65 places. Soon, he said, there will be more than 300 dispensaries in the state.

Dark, espresso, caffeine  basically anything is fair game. Dark chocolate, he said, serves as a great delivery system, because it gets everything moving.

Fink said chocolate makes up less than 1 percent of the entire pot market.

That said, we have 25 percent of that market. I am very comfortable with that, said Fink, adding gummies compose the biggest edible segment in the market.

You can be as creative as you want, he said.

While the price of chocolate has gone up considerably, Fink values the infused products the same as everything in his shop: Taste is a priority.

When I got into this I wanted to make chocolate that you cannot tell that has any cannabis, except for the effect of it, he said, saying he has had inferior chocolate that really tastes like weed.

He also makes lotions, is a certified hemp processor and produces massage oil.

As he stands in his shop, amid the machines dripping chocolate onto potato chips and dropping the perfect mix of peanut butter and chocolate, he sums up his business:

There is so much involved with this, its nuts. But its good.

Everywhere you turn in Fantasy Candies is a sea of chocolate. Marc Bona, cleveland.com

Location: 5338 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

About his businesses: More than a decade ago, he started Blue Planet Chocolate, which includes THC products.

About wine: He got into wine and chocolate pairings because of wine educator Marianne Frantz and regularly offers chocolate pairings. The store has 350 wine selections. This time of year, gift items include chocolate-covered wine bottles. Each is wrapped in saran, with a piece of ribbon intertwined under the chocolate shell. Pull it, and it breaks off the chocolate. And the chocolate is paired with the particular varietal.

Glossary

Before buying any product with marijuana, understanding a few terms helps:

Cannabis, hemp and marijuana: Plant with various compounds like THC and CBD. Marijuana and hemp are cannabis plants. Note: If the plant has more than 0.3 percent THC, its called marijuana. If its less than 0.3 percent its called hemp. Hemp has CBD.

CBD: Cannabidiol. Active ingredient in cannabis and non-psychoactive.

CBN: Cannabinol. Cannabinoid and sedative used to treat anxiety, pain and other conditions.

Delta 8: Tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-8 THC. Psychoactive substance in cannabis plant. The cannabinoid is mostly derived from hemp-derived CBD. Fink describes this as pot light and is milder and less-anxiety provoking, but gets you nice and high.

Delta 9: Regular pot, as Fink says. A form of THC.

THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol. Psychoactive property in cannabis.
Population of golden snub-nosed monkeys grows in Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in NW China

Xinhua) 10:37, December 15, 2025

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A golden snub-nosed monkey is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Researchers from China's Northwest University observe golden snub-nosed monkeys at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A golden snub-nosed monkey is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A golden snub-nosed monkey cub is pictured at the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 11, 2025. Spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve is dedicated to protecting golden snub-nosed monkeys and other rare wildlife as well as their habitats.

In recent years, the reserve has implemented multiple ecological restoration projects, leading to a steady increase in wildlife populations within the region. The population of golden snub-nosed monkeys here has expanded from over 1,200 to around 2,000. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio joined three Republican colleagues in urging the Treasury Department to investigate a Chinese companys acquisition of Epic, a widely used childrens reading platform that reaches students in nearly every American elementary school.

In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Husted and Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska requested the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review TAL Education Groups $95 million purchase of Epic Creations, which was finalized in May following bankruptcy proceedings.

We cannot now allow China to make inroads into our elementary school systems to indoctrinate a young generation of American students, the senators wrote.

According to Epics website, the platform provides access to more than 40,000 books, audiobooks, learning videos and quizzes for children ages 12 and under. The company states it serves kids everywhere and is used by educators and families.

The Free Press, which has reported on the acquisition, noted that Epic is used in 94% of American elementary schools and reaches the homes of over 75 million children. The platform collects data from young readers in real time to help teachers and parents develop specialized reading plans based on each students skill level and interests.

From $500 Million to $95 Million

Epics sale price reflects a steep decline in valuation, according to News18, a news outlet in India. Epic was originally purchased by Indian education company Byjus for approximately $500 million in 2021. Four years later, after Byjus defaulted on a $1.2 billion loan and filed for bankruptcy, it sold Epic for less than one-fifth of that amount.

TAL Education Group, based in the Cayman Islands with core operations in China, acquired the platform through bankruptcy court proceedings. News18 reported that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon approved the sale on May 20, describing a last-minute Department of Justice intervention as a fire drill. The U.S. Department of Justice had raised concerns about potential CFIUS review requirements due to the Chinese ownership of the buyer, but the sale ultimately proceeded.

Data Privacy and Content Control Concerns

The senators letter highlights two primary concerns: data privacy and editorial control.

As a Chinese company, TAL is subject to Chinas National Intelligence Law and Data Security Law, which the senators argue could grant the Chinese Communist Party access to American childrens personal data. The letter references similar concerns that led CFIUS to force divestitures in previous cases involving Chinese-owned companies with access to American user data, including Grindr in 2019 and PatientsLikeMe in 2019.

We should not allow adversarial foreign governments to access the private data of any American citizen, much less that of our nations children, the senators wrote.

Beyond data concerns, the lawmakers expressed worry that TALs editorial control over Epics digital library could transform the educational tool into what they described as a CCP influence operation directed at American children.

The letter draws parallels to previous Chinese government efforts to influence American education, including Confucius InstitutesChinese language learning centers that at their peak numbered over 100 at U.S. educational institutions. According to a 2024 U.S. Government Accountability Office report, the number of Confucius Institutes has declined to fewer than five after concerns were raised about their potential to spread Chinese Communist Party propaganda and suppressed discussion of Chinese human rights issues.

At a time when parents are calling for and deserve a voice in their childrens education curriculum, all risks to potential CCP influence on educational tools must be investigated, Husteds Nov. 20 letter said.
Stephanie Kramer was just a few years into her career when she landed at one of her dream companies: In 2007, she joined L'Oreal to manage global marketing efforts for Ralph Lauren's fragrances division.

In the nearly 20 years since, Kramer, 43, has worked with iconic fragrance and skincare brands at L'Oreal, then Chanel, and now back at L'Oreal with a recent career change to become the chief HR officer for the company's North America operations.

She says some of the best career advice she's gotten came from ex-boss Maureen Chiquet, the former Chanel CEO, who gave her a three-question framework to figure out if she was ready for a new job or career change.

"I often ask people three questions when you're making a career decision," Kramer tells CNBC Make It:

What do you want to learn or what do you want to teach? Where do you get your energy? What do you need for your life right now?

Kramer was working as a global marketing director at L'Oreal in 2011, fresh off earning a master's degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and curious about taking her career in a new direction, when the opportunity to work for Chanel came up.

Kramer says she was drawn to how it represented something different  a private company, a luxury brand and a company with categories beyond beauty.

"It was something new to learn," Kramer says. Meanwhile, having worked on the Ralph Lauren fragrance business, she felt she could bring that knowledge to working on Chanel's fragrances including Chanel No. 5 and Coco Mademoiselle. This gave her something she could teach while in a new role, she says.

As far as what energized her, Kramer says she was eager to try something she hadn't done before, with new colleagues, and in a different environment.

Finally, Kramer says she had to take stock of her personal life. At the time, she had just graduated with her master's, she was getting married, "and I think that sometimes in those mega-life moments, you also think about how you want to stretch professionally," she says.

Kramer recommends using this framework when looking for a new job and narrowing what opportunities you want to pursue. She also says it can be used to evaluate the job you're already in when paired with a "traffic light" method.

"When you're feeling stuck, or at a 'red light,' ask these questions to help you get unstuck with a clearer head and better sense of what you want" in your current role or with your employer, she says.
19 November 2025, China, Shanghai: Boats sail past downtown Shanghai on the Huangpu River. The tallest building on the skyline is the Shanghai Tower (rear). Bernd von Jutrczenka | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

China's economic slowdown deepened in November with consumption, investment and industrial output growth falling short of expectations, as authorities sought to curb supply while struggling to revive demand and arrest the property sector decline. Retail sales rose 1.3% last month from a year earlier, sharply missing Reuters' median forecast for a 2.8% growth, and slowing from 2.9% rise in the prior month. Industrial production climbed 4.8% in November from a year ago, missing expectations for a 5% jump and marking its weakest growth since August 2024. Investment in fixed assets, which includes property, contracted 2.6% over the January through November period compared with a year earlier, sharper than the 2.3% drop estimated by economists. That decline deepened from the 1.7% in the January to October period, and was the sharpest slump seen since the pandemic outbreak in 2020, according to data from Wind Information going back to 1992.

"The contraction of fixed asset investment and the drop in property prices in recent months have been transmitted to the consumer sentiment," Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint asset management, said in a note following the data, expecting more supportive fiscal and monetary stimulus measures in the first quarter next year. Investment in real estate dropped 15.9% in the first 11 months this year, steeper than the 10.3% drop seen in the January to October period, as the property slump drags on. In another sign that the sector downturn is still searching for a bottom, the declines in home prices across 70 major cities steepened in November. New home prices fell 1.2% in tier-1 cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen while resale home prices dropped 5.8% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, economists at Golman Sachs in a preview last week pointed to the falling auto sales as a major drag on overall retail sales, coupled with the "negative distortion" effect from the earlier-than-usual start of the Singles-Day online shopping festival that pulled forward demand from November to October. Data from China Automobile Dealers Association showed auto retail sales by volume in November declined for the first time in three years, dropping 8.1% from a year earlier to 2.23 million cars, as many local governments paused the trade-in subsidies. Several online shopping sites extended their promotional period in a bid to jolt consumer spending, running from the first half of October through to Nov. 11, making it the longest Singles' Day sales period ever. But still, sales performance disappointed as consumers tightened their purse strings, with gross merchandise volume growing just 12%, compared to 20% growth last year, according to data from Syntun.

Call for rebalancing

Chinese policymakers have pledged further policy support to drive domestic demand and boost consumption and investment for next year. The finance ministry said in a statement Saturday that it planned to issue ultra-long-term special government bonds next year to fund projects bolstering national security. The proceeds will also be directed toward equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs. The ministry also pledged to boost its budget for investment to ease the slump in fixed-asset investment in recent months. However analysts appeared to be less optimistic as Beijing has yet to put any meaningful stimulus measures on the table. "Even though we're seeing targeted policy support in place, it is hard to generate a meaningful pickup in consumption without clearer improvement in job prospects and wage growth," said Zavier Wong, market analyst at asset management firm eToro. Eswar Prasad, professor of economics at Cornell University and senior fellow at Brookings Institute, expressed concerns over the sustainability of China's economic growth. In an opinion piece published on Sunday, the economist urged structural reforms to rebalance the economy, including measures to support labour market, strengthen social safety net and bolster private enterprises. "The government clearly wants to rebalance growth and understands what's needed to bolster household consumption and raise productivity. Yet there is little sense of urgency and no clear timeline on concrete policy measures to accomplish these objectives," Prasad noted. The urban unemployment rate in November came in at 5.1%, unchanged from the prior month. Youth unemployment has been more concerning, with the latest reading for October standing at 17.3%. Still, China's economy appears to be on track to meet the official growth target of "around 5%," thanks to a surge in exports to non-U.S. markets even as tariff tensions with Washington have weighed on shipments to the world's largest consumer market. China's trade surplus surged to a record $1.1 trillion in November, breaking its full-year record of $992.2 billion in 2024, in just 11 months, drawing widespread concerns over its reliance on foreign demand and depreciation of its currency to keep exports competitive. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva last week called on China to "accelerate" support for domestic consumption and shift away from relying on exports for growth. Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, cautioned that appreciating renminbi, or yuan, to reduce trade surplus was unlikely to be sustainable without meaningful steps to end deflation in the economy. The trade-weighted renminbi's value against a basket of currencies, rather than solely against the U.S. dollar, has appreciated by 3% from 2021 to 2025, a period when China's exports surged by 44.8%, according to Lu's estimates. "If there is a slowdown in growth and worsening deflation, markets may again take a bearish view on RMB, leading to depreciation against USD and its basket," Lu noted. The offshore yuan has strengthened over 3% this year to 7.0496 per dollar on Monday, its strongest level since October last year, according to LSEG data.
European defense companies fell on Monday as talks over a potential peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine took a new turn.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over the weekend that Ukraine was prepared to abandon the country's longstanding aim of joining the NATO military alliance in exchange for alternative security guarantees to protect it from Russia. Joining NATO is unlikely given some members' opposition, but the announcement marks a major policy shift by Ukraine.

Rheinmetall , Germany's largest arms manufacturer, closed 2.6% lower on Monday.

The company, which also makes air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, and ammunition, led the sector's losses, as German counterparts Hensoldt and Renk slipped into negative territory.
SINGAPORE  Sentosa Island boasts the luxury, five-star Ora and Michael hotels, with palm-tree-lined pools, lobbies flanked with luxury stores, and a casino that adjoins both hotels and buzzes with gamblers. The Singapore resort is also where a group of federal employees from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were sent for a work trip in the final hours of the government shutdown.

The palm-tree-lined pool of the Hotel Ora on Singapore's Sentosa Island. CNBC

Internal FDA records obtained by CNBC show 31 agency staffers traveled to Singapore in mid-November for a conference of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, or ICH  a trip that cost more than a quarter of a million dollars, or upward of $8,000 per person, according to the documents. The travel was approved when the agency was operating with reduced staffing and limited resources in part due to the shutdown. The FDA is under significant pressure. The Trump administration proposed an 11.5% cut to the FDA's budget this year. Nearly 1,900 staffers were laid off, and around 1,200 others took early retirement packages, according to May testimony from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. In addition, senior leadership has been in upheaval, and former FDA chiefs have publicly questioned the agency's handling of key issues such as vaccine policy.

Marty Makary, President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner, attends a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 6, 2025. Kent Nishimura | Reuters

The FDA attendees at the Singapore conference ranged from deputy directors to a program coordinator, records show. Their travel was approved about one week before the end of the government shutdown  the longest in U.S. history, at 43 days. Most staffers departed on Nov. 12, the same day the U.S. House of Representatives voted to end the shutdown, and the remaining travelers left Nov. 13 and 14, according to the documents. The ICH, registered as a nonprofit under Swiss law, says it aims to unify the global standards for drug development and approval. The conference, held Nov. 18-19, took place in a series of meeting rooms on the island resort grounds. ICH told CNBC in an email that "approximately 500 people attended in person," including regulators and pharmaceutical industry experts from around the world. It also wrote that the "FDA is one of the founding members of ICH" and helps develop the requirements for "safe, effective, and high-quality pharmaceuticals." As part of the November assembly, three guidelines were adopted that aim to streamline global drug development and safety monitoring, according to the ICH. In a follow-up email, the organization said the first guideline provides a template to eliminate "inconsistent formats" in clinical trial protocols and ease electronic data sharing. The second seeks to ensure post-approval safety reports are "complete, accurate and timely" by aligning definitions and reporting practices, it said. The third adopted guideline sets international standards for noninterventional, real-world data studies to ensure they are "scientifically sound" and comparable across regulators. FDA staffers contributed to all three of these guidelines, according to conference documents. The FDA said in a statement to CNBC that sending staffers to the meeting was "mission critical" and that the purpose of the conference was to "support global alignment on drug development, approval standards, and regulatory science." A spokesperson for the agency said the conference required approval from leadership, including the FDA's chief operating officer, Barclay Butler. Attendance by FDA delegates in the prior two years ranged from 47 to 49, the spokesperson said, noting this year the agency sent 31. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, acting vice president of policy and government affairs at the Project On Government Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog group that champions government accountability, said the optics of sending dozens of FDA staffers to an overseas conference during a government shutdown are not good.

Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, the acting vice president of policy and government affairs at the Project on Government Oversight. CNBC

"FDA is a critical organization that does really important work as far as our health-care system, our food system, our medical device system," Hedtler-Gaudette said. "I would hope that FDA leadership and the administration would place a higher degree of priority on making sure the organization, the agency is resourced completely rather than needing to attend specific conferences or events." Hedtler-Gaudette said that even if the conference is important, that does little to quiet questions about the agency's priorities. "At a minimum, it's a kind of bad look and it's poor optics," Hedtler-Gaudette said. "At the worst, it could be a kind of a dereliction of duty and a misuse of public resources."

The tropical island of Sentosa in Singapore at sunset. Tobiasjo | E+ | Getty Images
DETROIT  Ford Motor expects to record about $19.5 billion in special items related to a restructuring of its business priorities and a pullback in its all-electric vehicle investments, the company announced Monday.

The Detroit automaker said most of those charges will occur during the fourth quarter. That will be followed by $5.5 billion in cash to be charged through 2027, and the majority of that chunk will be paid next year, Ford said.

The charges will impact the automaker's net results but not its adjusted earnings. The automaker said Monday it was increasing its guidance of adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to about $7 billion in 2025. That's in line with a target from earlier this year, before the company lowered expectations to between $6 billion and $6.5 billion in adjusted EBIT in October.

The charges announced Monday, including $8.5 billion in write-downs of EV assets, are connected to major changes to Ford's business plans.

The new plans include refocusing investments on hybrid vehicles, including plug-in models rather than pure EVs; canceling a next generation of large all-electric trucks in exchange for smaller, more affordable EVs; and a rebalancing of its investments in core products such as trucks and SUVs.

The changes are the latest under Ford CEO Jim Farley and his "Ford+" restructuring plan that has taken on many different forms since he initially announced it as an EV growth plan in 2021.

"We evaluated the market, and we made the call," Farley told CNBC's "Closing Bell Overtime" on Monday. "We're following customers to where the market is, not where people thought it was going to be, but where it is today."
In a Sunday court filing , iRobot said it had between $100 million and $500 million of assets and liabilities. The company said it owes almost $100 million to its new owner Picea, more than $5.8 million to GXO Logistics and roughly $3.4 million to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for unpaid tariffs, among other liabilities.

"Today's outcome is profoundly disappointing  and it was avoidable," Angle told CNBC in a statement. "This is nothing short of a tragedy for consumers, the robotics industry and America's innovation economy."

The robotic vacuum pioneer announced Sunday that it filed for bankruptcy and will be taken private by Shenzhen Picea Robotics, a lender and key supplier, following years of financial struggles.

Colin Angle, co-founder and former CEO of iRobot , on Monday said the company's move to declare bankruptcy was "profoundly disappointing" and "nothing short of a tragedy for consumers."

Founded in 1990 by Angle and two other researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, iRobot got its start making military and defense tech for the government before launching its flagship Roomba product in 2002 that cemented it as an early leader in the robotic vacuum cleaner market.

The company's future has remained uncertain after Amazon abandoned its planned $1.7 billion acquisition of the company in January 2024, citing regulatory scrutiny from the European Union and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Afterward, iRobot laid off 31% of staff and Angle announced he would step down as CEO and board chair.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy called regulators' efforts to block the deal a "sad story" and said it would've given iRobot a competitive boost against rivals.

The Amazon acquisition was "the most viable path" for iRobot to compete globally, Angle said Monday. He added that iRobot's bankruptcy serves as a "warning" for competition watchdogs.

Helen Greiner, one of iRobot's co-founders, said in a Monday LinkedIn post that the company's restructuring plan under a Chinese owner isn't good for "consumers, employees, stockholders, Massachusetts or the USA."

The company had been facing growing competition from cheaper, rapidly growing rivals, such as China-based Anker, Ecovacs and Roborock. Supply chain constraints in recent years added further strain to iRobot's business, as it struggled to navigate shipping and inventory delays, which dented its revenue.

Its financial outlook darkened significantly after the Amazon deal fell apart, and in October, iRobot said it would be forced to seek bankruptcy protection if it failed to secure more capital or find a buyer.

Gary Cohen, iRobot CEO, said in a statement Monday that the restructuring plan would help secure the company's "long-term future." The bankruptcy proceedings aren't expected to disrupt its products' functionality or customer support, iRobot said.

The company's third-quarter sales came in at $145.8 million, down almost 25% from $193.4 million one year earlier, and iRobot has about $190 million in debt.
Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital Ltd., exits a Correctional Services Department vehicle as he arrives at the Court of Final Appeal for the verdict of his bail hearing in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Prosecutors in Hong Kong charged Lai, a prominent critic of Beijing and local authorities, last year under the national security law imposed by Beijing, saying he had colluded with foreigners by calling for sanctions against China. Photographer: Chan Long Hei/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media baron Jimmy Lai on Monday was found guilty of sedition and collusion with foreign countries by a Hong Kong court.

The 78-year-old was charged under Hong Kong's controversial national security law, enacted by Beijing in 2020 after pro-democracy protests swept the region in 2019.

The court said Lai was guilty of a "conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security."



It also said that Lai and his tabloid Apple Daily, requested a foreign country or entity outside of China "to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities" against Hong Kong or China.

The court, in its 850-page judgement, said that the businessman "harbored his resentment and hatred of the PRC [People's Republic of China] for many of his adult years."

Lai, one of the CCP's most vocal critics, had pleaded not guilty to two charges of colluding with foreign forces under the national security law, as well as a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

He has been under arrest since 2020, with his trial starting in December 2023. Lai's sentencing is expected to be on Jan. 12.

Speaking just after the judgment, Andrew Collier, senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, said the verdict was "not very good" from a foreign investor perspective, adding "people want an independent court system that's going to protect the rights of citizens and the financial community."

He said the verdict on Lai was expected, but the question for Hong Kong is around investor confidence.

While the city has seen a growing number of IPOs in 2025, "if investors are not comfortable with the court system, with cases like Jimmy Lai's, that's not good for the future of Hong Kong," Collier said.

Lai, who founded Asian clothing brand Giordano, newspaper Apple Daily and digital media company Next Digital, was brought up by U.S. President Donald Trump during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea back in October.

Trump pressed Xi to release Lai during the meeting, according to Reuters.

The court said that Lai's "only intent" was to seek the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party, adding "even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of the PRC and the HKSAR [Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China]. This was the ultimate aim of the conspiracies and secessionist publications."

Speaking to CNBC before the verdict, veteran investor David Roche suggested that a lenient approach could be good for Hong Kong's business climate. "That, I think, would help to give the overriding impression and therefore conviction to people in the money business that Hong Kong had returned to its normal, business driven, dynamic self."

Lai acquired British citizenship before Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

The trial verdict is the latest development in Hong Kong's political scene, which has seen the erosion of democratic opposition in one of Asia's financial hubs since the enactment of the national security law.

Under changes to Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021, the number of directly elected members in the city's legislature was drastically slashed, with only "patriots" reviewed by an election committee allowed to stand for elections.

Monday's verdict comes on the heels of the dissolution of Hong Kong's last pro-democracy party on Sunday after 31 years, as well as a "patriots-only" legislative election that saw the second lowest turnout in the region's history.

In a response to CNBC, Kenneth Roth, visiting professor at Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs and a former director at Human Rights Watch, said that the decision "underscores the utter demise of the political freedoms that had once made the city so great."
Jefferies is moving to a more bullish stance when it comes to Viking . The bank upgraded the cruise stock to buy from hold. It also hiked its price target to $80 from $60, which implies upside of 16% from Friday's close. "We are upgrading the stock on visibility to continued strong growth in revenue, Adj. EBITDA, and Adj. EPS, paired with coverage-leading ( > 100%) FCF conversion," analyst David Katz said. VIK YTD mountain VIK YTD chart Katz applauded Viking's industry-leading pricing and "beneficial positioning in luxury," thanks to its "resilient upper-income consumer." He also noted that the company has managed to expand its margins, while maintaining moderate unit costs. Another boost for the stock is the company's lack of Caribbean exposure. This means Viking it could hedge against potential headwinds from Norwegian Cruise Line's shift there while benefiting from a reduction in European capacity. "We believe that VIK's performance should allow for at least $500M in capital returns through YE27 alongside a sub 1.0x leverage profile, providing Mgt. with ample resources should any M & A opportunities arise," he wrote. The analyst added that Viking is likely to continue improving on cost efficiency. Its margins are also like to expand, as the company realizes more efficiency of scale. Katz's upgrade comes on the heels of a similar one from Goldman Sachs last week. Goldman analyst Lizzie Dove likewise cited Viking's "differentiated geographic exposure and higher-income demographics" as tailwinds. Shares of Viking have surged 56% this year. The stock rose more than 1% in the premarket following the Jefferies upgrade.
Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Monday: Jefferies upgrades Fastenal to buy from hold Jefferies says the stock is best positioned in 2026. "We upgrade Fastly to Overweight with an upside price target of $14." JPMorgan upgrades Dollar General to overweight from neutral JPMorgan calls the stock a "consistent compounder." " DG is positioned to deliver 2-3%(+) same-store-sales multi-year supported by the company's new store waterfall & store renovations/remodels, as well as company-specific initiatives including discretionary reset & Value Valley." Macquarie initiates Pony AI at outperform Macquarie says shares of the China robotaxi company have more room to run. "Pony' s strategy to rapidly deploy robotaxis in China's Tier-1 cities looks apt as the industry remains in early days." Jefferies upgrades KLA Corp. to buy from hold Jefferies raises its price target on KLA Corp to $1,500 per share from $1,200. "AI continues to drive spend with WFE [wafer fab equipment] accelerating into C26/C27. Given the outsized exposure to the Leading Edge and recent relative multiple reset as premium closing vs peers, we raise PT to $1,500." Bank of America upgrades Bristol-Meyers to buy from neutral Bank of America likes the company's R & D pipeline. "We upgrade Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) to a Buy rating from Neutral and raise our price objective to $61/shr from $52/shr), based on a 10x P/E multiple applied to FY27E EPS." Wedbush reiterates Tesla as outperform Wedbush says it's sticking with the stock heading into 2026. "In a nutshell, we believe Tesla is taking major steps in advancing its AI Revolution path with autonomous and robotics front and center heading into 2026 that will be a "game changer and define Tesla's future". We maintain our OUTPERFORM rating and $600 price target" UBS initiates Waystar at buy UBS sees robust growth ahead for the cloud management platform system. "We initiate coverage of Waystar (WAY) with a Buy rating and a price target of $41. Waystar is a leading cloud-native revenue cycle management (RCM) platform, positioned to capture a multi-year secular shift toward automation, electronic transactions, and AI-enabled workflows across provider organizations." UBS initiates Valley National Bank at buy UBS says there's "clear visibility" for the New Jersey-based regional bank. "We initiate coverage of VLY with a Buy rating and a $15 price target." Morgan Stanley upgrades Doximity to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says buy the dip in the healthcare tech company. "Underperformance in DOCS is at odds with our checks on the business and strengthening platform engagement." Read more. JPMorgan upgrades IMAX to overweight from neutral JPMorgan upgrades the movie stock following its investor day. "We're upgrading IMAX to Overweight (from Neutral) and moving to a Dec-26 PT of $47. This month's investor day  where we had a chance to speak with the company's operating team  and recent fundamental performance have crystallized for us the change in IMAX's position within the exhibition market." Goldman Sachs lifts Marriott to buy from neutral Goldman says the stock is best positioned heading into 2026. "We upgrade Marriott International to Buy from Neutral, as the company is one of the best positioned in our coverage to benefit from ongoing relative strength in the higher end consumer, International and Group/Leisure..." Goldman Sachs upgrades Las Vegas Sands to buy from neutral Goldman sees "sustained momentum" at LVS. Indeed, our excess liquidity analysis implies that LVS could repurchase ~30% of its current market cap (~$13bn), if it were to flex its balance sheet to ~3x net leverage (which is still comfortably below peers). Read more. Bernstein reiterates Nvidia as outperform Bernstein says it's sticking with Nvidia following a series of investor meetings. "The datacenter opportunity is enormous, and still early, with material upside still possible." KeyBanc downgrades Adobe to underweight from sector weight The bank says margin outperformance will be tough. "Downgrading Adobe to Underweight again, the either/or trade-off of growth and margin tells us outperformance may prove difficult." KeyBanc raises Trane Technologies to overweight from sector weight Key says buy the dip in the HVAC company. "We are upgrading shares of TT to OW with a $500 PT." KeyBanc downgrades ServiceNow to underweight from sector weight The bank sees worrying back-office trends. "We are downgrading ServiceNow to Underweight and establishing a $775 price target." Bank of America initiates Central Bancompany at buy Bank of America calls the regional bank "high quality." "We initiate coverage of Central Bancompany (CBC) with a Buy rating and $27 PO, implying 18% potential upside." Morgan Stanley upgrades Hershey to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says the chocolate stock is undervalued. "We upgrade HSY to OW with ~20% total return including a ~3% yield, as the stock offers rare visibility into significant EPS growth within staples." Roth downgrades Costco to sell from neutral The firm says competition is getting tougher for Costco. "Despite a 1Q earnings beat, underlying metrics are concerning: 1) renewal rates are fading; 2) paid members have slowed, possibly negative q/q (adjusted for openings); and 3) y/y comp traffic is decelerating." Deutsche Bank upgrades McCormick to buy from hold Deutsche says the spice maker is a top idea in 2026. "While MKC trades at a notable premium to the average Staples company and certainly to the average Food company, we see this valuation premium3 as warranted due to MKC's exposure to the more stable growth spice/seasoning/extracts/flavors/heat categories, its structural sourcing-driven competitive advantages within these categories, and its diversified exposure to channels including Food Away from Home" BTIG upgrades Enersys to buy from hold BTIG says the battery manufacturer is a key provider of data center technology. "We upgrade Enersys (ENS, Buy, $175 PT) on the back of improving demand for its backup battery and power solutions for telecom, industrial power, and data centers." Wells Fargo upgrades Masco to overweight from equal weight Wells says the building products company has a reasonable valuation. "We upgrade MAS to Overweight today simply because it's one of the lowest beta ways to play the group, which we like amidst uncertainty..." Jefferies upgrades Viking Holdings to buy from hold Jefferies sees sustained growth for the luxury cruise company. "Upgrading VIK on Visible Growth and Business Model Strength & Positioning." Read more. Goldman Sachs initiates SiTime at buy Goldman says the silicon-based precision timing solutions company is a data center beneficiary. "We initiate coverage of SITM with a Buy rating and a 12-month price target of $420." Goldman Sachs downgrades Texas Instruments to sell from buy Goldman sees "lackluster execution." "We downgrade Texas Instruments to Sell from Buy given lackluster execution through the cycle, and less leverage than peers in the upcycle we see ahead." Goldman Sachs downgrades Arm to sell from neutral Goldman sees limited upside. "We downgrade ARM H oldings to Sell from Neutral given limited leverage to the AI cycle, traction across non-traditional markets, and business model transition." Goldman Sachs upgrades Teradyne to buy from sell Goldman says the semiconductor equipment testing company has plenty of upside. "We upgrade Teradyne to Buy from Sell as we believe the company will gain greater traction in GPU testing, plus recovery in traditional customers." Jefferies upgrades Trex to buy from hold Jefferies says the building products company is at an attractive entry point. "We're upgrading TREX to a Buy & raising our PT to $42." Susquehanna initiates Fabrinet at positive Susquehanna says the semiconductor optical manufacturer is well positioned. "Initiating coverage on Fabrinet, a leader in transceiver contract manufacturing and a key NVIDIA supply partner with proliferating opportunities in AI infrastructure." Bank of America upgrades Charles River to buy from neutral Bank of America says the life sciences company has "early research exposure." " CRL is likely the preferred way to get exposure to early stage Pharma R & D. The company is also making good progress on cost-cutting / strategic review process" Bank of America names Thermo Fisher a top pick Bank of America sees improving spend for the life sciences company in 2026. "our top pick is TMO , given its strong ties with biopharma and multiple business lines that stand to benefit from improved Pharma spend." Evercore ISI initiates Honeywell at outperform Evercore says 2026 will be a pivotal year for the stock. " HON has the richest catalyst path of the stocks we cover..." Evercore ISI initiates GE Vernova at outperform Evercore says GE Vernova shares are not cheap but that it has robust growth. "It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. > 10% org revenue growth 2025-28E, 1,000bps of margin expansion & prospect of ongoing capital returns." Wolfe downgrades AT & T to peer perform from outperform The researcher says AT & T has a lack of visibility right now on the stock. "We downgrade T to Peer Perform on a 'wait and see' approach to ARPU in a changing market." Evercore ISI reiterates Apple as outperform Evercore says the stock remains a top idea in 2026 and that shares are compelling for the long haul. "AAPL: Attractive LT opportunity driven by long-tailed upgrade cycle (new iPhone form factor), AI tailwinds from a smarter Siri, monetization opportunity with 3rd party across 1.5B+ install base, solid growth in Wearables and Service, and strong margins."
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference at the office of the Attorney General on December 15, 2025 in New York City.

New York Attorney General Letitia James accused delivery giant UPS of cheating seasonal holiday workers out of millions of dollars in legally owed wages, according to a new lawsuit filed Monday.

James' office said that an investigation "found that for years, UPS has shortchanged seasonal workers who keep the company running during peak holiday demand by failing to record all hours worked, requiring widespread off-the-clock labor, and manipulating timekeeping systems to reduce paid hours."

The suit in Manhattan Supreme Court, filed 10 days before Christmas, alleges that UPS failed to pay seasonal workers minimum wages, promised wages, and overtime wages, in violation of state and federal labor law.

"Each year, UPS commits wage theft against these workers in myriad ways," the civil complaint says.

The suit notes that during its peak season, which runs from October to January, UPS hires thousands of temporary workers at at least 55 facilities in New York state.

UPS, in a statement, said, "We are aware of the lawsuit by the New York Attorney's General Office. UPS takes all accusations of wrongdoing seriously and denies the unfounded allegation of intentionally underpaying UPS employees."

"We offer industry-leading pay and benefits to our more than 26,000 employees in New York, and we remain committed to following all applicable laws," the company said.
PayPal said Monday that it has applied for approval to form PayPal Bank, which would be able to offer loans to small businesses.

"Establishing PayPal Bank will strengthen our business and improve our efficiency, enabling us to better support small business growth and economic opportunities across the U.S.," PayPal CEO Alex Chriss said in a statement.

The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will review an application proposing the establishment of PayPal Bank, along with Utah's Department of Financial Institutions, PayPal said.

The company, which owns popular payment app Venmo, hopes to also offer interest-bearing savings accounts to its customers, the statement said. PayPal already makes credit lines available to consumers and has been trying to expand its roster of banking-like services as it competes with a growing number of fintech companies that are aiming to take business from traditional brick-and-mortar banks.

Shares of PayPal rose 1.5% in extended trading following the announcement.

In October, PayPal said quarterly revenue increased 7% year over year to $8.42 billion, more than analysts had expected. But in 2025 the stock has slumped about 29%, while the S&P 500 index has gained almost 16% in the same period.

WATCH: E-commerce consumption could bump 20% because of agentic AI, says Mizuho's Dan Dolev
President Donald Trump slammed Rob Reiner on Monday morning, a day after the famed Hollywood director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found brutally slain in their Los Angeles home.

Trump's social-media screed against Reiner, who was a staunch critic of the president, came as the Reiners' 32-year-old son Nick was arrested and held on $4 million bond, according to LA County Sheriff's Department jail records. Nick Reiner was booked on suspicion of murder.

Trump suggested that the couple was killed because of "the anger" Rob Reiner caused in other people due to his opposition to the Republican president.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case, and the police have not provided any motive.

Trump, during comments to reporters later, doubled down and expanded on his criticism of Reiner, even after a number of Republicans said that he was wrong to do so.

"He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned," Trump said.

The president accused Reiner of promoting "the Russian hoax," saying "that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia."

"He was one of the people behind it," Trump said. "So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape, or form. I thought he was very bad for our country."
Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Tilray  The cannabis stock jumped about 3%, building on last week's rally sparked by news that President Donald Trump would instruct federal agencies to give the drug a less-stringent Schedule III classification from its current Schedule I designation. Dollar General  Shares rose 3% after the retailer on Monday received an upgrade from JPMorgan. The stock was upgraded to overweight, with analysts raising its price target to $166 per share from $128. Las Vegas Sands , Marriott International  The hospitality giants rose 2.9% and 1.5%, respectively, after receiving upgrades to buy at Goldman Sachs. The bank said Marriott will benefit from strength among high-end consumers, while Las Vegas Sands will get a boost from sustained momentum in Macao. Rocket Lab , EchoStar  Space-linked stocks such as Rocket Lab and EchoStar gained 2% following reports that SpaceX aims to go public in 2026 after clinching an $800 billion valuation in its latest funding round. Rocket Lab also got a boost after saying it launched its first mission for Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency. Alibaba , Baidu  New data pointing to an economic slowdown in China hurt stocks of e-commerce and internet services firms based in the country. The data shows Chinese retail sales slowed to 1.3% in November compared to the same period a year ago, slowing from 2.9% in October. Industrial production also missed estimates, climbing 4.8% versus expectations for a 5% jump. Alibaba edged 1.5% lower, while Baidu shed 2%. ServiceNow  Shares shed 4% after Bloomberg News , citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the software platform has engaged in talks to acquire cybersecurity firm Armis for around $7 billion. iRobot  The maker of Roomba vacuum robots plummeted 83% after the company declared bankruptcy over the weekend. Through the Chapter 11 process, Hong Kong-based Picea will acquire iRobot.  CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed reporting.
Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea's president, arrives for a hearing at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

To justify a case for martial law, former President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to provoke neighboring North Korea into taking military action, South Korean prosecutors alleged Monday, according to domestic media.

Speaking to reporters, special counsel Cho Eun-suk said that Yoon and his military commanders tried to lure North Korea into mounting an armed aggression against the South, but this failed as Pyongyang did not resort to military force.

Cho and his team have indicted 24 people, including Yoon and five cabinet members, on insurrection charges following a six-month investigation.

Earlier this month, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had said on the 1-year anniversary of Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration that North Korea sending of trash balloons over to South Korea might have been provoked by Seoul's actions, although he did not elaborate at that time.

Lee had also vowed "strict accountability" for the perpetrators behind the failed martial law attempt, with investigations and trials still underway.

In July, Reuters reported that the special counsel had sought to detain the head of a military drone unit, over accusations that Yoon had ordered a covert drone operation into North Korea to raise tensions between the two countries.

Cho also said that Yoon had masterminded a plan in October 2023 to suspend the powers of South Korea's parliament and replace it with an emergency legislative body.

South Korean media outlet Yonhap also reported that Yoon also sought to portray the April 2024 general election results, lost by his ruling party, as electoral fraud led by anti-state forces.

The 2024 election saw the then-opposition Democratic Party, led by Lee, hold on to its majority in the National Assembly.

After being removed from office in April, Yoon has been charged with insurrection, which carries the maximum penalty of death.

South Korean prosecutors have also reportedly sought a 15-year prison term for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Other senior officials, including Yoon's defense minister and the former head of the National Intelligence Service, have also been arrested in connection with the attempt to impose military rule.

On Dec. 3 last year, Yoon had abruptly declared martial law in a late night address, before lawmakers  including members of Yoon's own party  rushed to overturn his order. Yoon withdrew his decree six hours after his announcement.

Imposing martial law led to impeachment motions against Yoon, which resulted in him being impeached on Dec. 14 last year and removal from office on April 4.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacts next to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured) and European Council President Antonio Costa (not pictured) on the first day of a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 24, 2025.

Ukraine has said it's willing to give up its aspirations to join NATO in return for security guarantees, as part of a peace deal to end the almost four-year war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to drop Kyiv's NATO dreams during five hours of talks with U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin over the weekend. Witkoff said "a lot of progress was made" during the talks, which are set to continue on Monday.

Ukraine's offer marks a major policy shift. It has long coveted membership of the Western military alliance, whose members are obliged to consider an attack on one as an attack on all under Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

Zelenskyy said on Sunday that the offer to drop NATO membership in return for security guarantees was a compromise, amid resistance among some of its Western allies to its NATO bid.

"From the very beginning, Ukraine's conditions  or perhaps more accurately, our ambition  was NATO membership. And that would have provided real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction," he said in answer to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat on Sunday.

"That is why today the bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States, specifically Article 5like guarantees from the United States for us, and the security guarantees from our European colleagues for us, as well as from other countries such as Canada and Japan  these security guarantees for us provide an opportunity to prevent another outbreak of Russian aggression," Zelenskyy commented.

"And this already is a compromise on our part," he said.

Despite Ukraine publicly abandoning its NATO bid, the chances of it joining the alliance were vanishingly thin. Several members were resistant to the idea, including Moscow-friendly Slovakia and Hungary. Even Ukraine's allies within NATO worried about poking the Russian bear beyond Ukraine's borders.

Moscow vehemently opposes Ukraine joining NATO, and Russia has claimed the alliance's expansion in Eastern Europe was one of the reasons it launched its so-called "special military operation" against Ukraine in 2022.

Kyiv insists that security guarantees must be a part of a peace deal instead of NATO membership, and this remains a sticking point in negotiations with Moscow, which is refusing to allow Ukraine's allies to be part of any peacekeeping force in the country.

Talks about a draft peace agreement are continuing on Monday. Zelenskyy aide Dmytro Lytvyn said that the president would comment on the talks once they were completed, Reuters reported.

The Kremlin said Monday that it expected to be briefed later on the outcome of talks between Ukraine and the U.S. on Monday.



When asked to comment on Kyiv relinquishing its NATO ambitions, and what security guarantees Russia could accept in a potential peace deal, Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said:



"This issue is one of the cornerstones. And, of course, it requires special discussion against the background of all the others. But that is precisely what the negotiation process consists of, which I would like to emphasize once again - we do not want to engage in megaphone diplomacy."
American officials said Monday that a deal with Ukrainian leaders to end its war with Russia was nearly complete, even as territorial disputes remain unresolved and a strong security guarantee from the United States and European countries remains a sticking point.

President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner on Monday joined negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, which began Sunday.

U.S. officials in a call with reporters said that Zelenskyy, who on Sunday agreed to drop his goal of joining NATO, insists on so-called Article Five-like security protections as part of a peace deal.

Article Five of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one member nation is interpreted as an attack against all.

American officials said any such assurance from the U.S. would require congressional approval.

"We believe the Russians, in a final deal, will accept all these things, which will allow for a  strong and free Ukraine," one official said.

The official added that the Russians were open to Ukraine joining the European Union.

Officials said that about 90% of the issues between Ukraine and Russia have been resolved.

"But there's some more things that have to be worked out," an official said.
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. 1. The S & P 500 fell Monday as investors continue to rotate out of tech names and into value-oriented areas of the market. Case in point: Chipmaker Broadcom 's stock fell by more than 4% this morning, while financials Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs are both in the green. Meanwhile, investors are looking ahead to key economic releases this week: October retail sales and the November employment report on Tuesday, and November's consumer price index on Thursday. 2. We're downgrading Costco to a hold-equivalent 2 rating from a 1. In his Sunday column , Jim outlined why the retailer is a concern for the portfolio. Not only has the stock lagged the market this year, but customers are renewing their memberships at lower rates than before. We're seeing the impact over the past several quarters. If we're no longer restricted, we'll consider selling tomorrow. 3. Evercore ISI initiated coverage of Honeywell and GE Vernova with buy ratings. In the case of Honeywell, analysts said the upcoming spin-off of its aerospace unit will drive further earnings growth for its more-focused automation division. They like GE Vernova for its strong earnings growth, supported by electrification and a power backlog. While we agree that GE Vernova is an excellent stock, we booked some profits Monday and downgraded it to a 2 rating after last week's rally to a new record high. 4. Stocks covered in Monday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: ServiceNow , Masco , Zoetis , Texas Instruments , Dollar General . (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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.
Solex Energy Ltd on Monday, December 15, said it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia-based TT Vision Holdings Berhad to collaborate on advancing solar manufacturing automation, engineering capabilities, and talent development in India.

As part of the MoU, TT Vision will provide specialised technical training to Solex engineers at its facility in Penang, Malaysia, and at its upcoming operations in India. The training will focus on automation, solar inspection systems, process equipment and global manufacturing best practices.

According to the exchange filing, Solex will gain preferential access to TT Visions automation technologies to support research and development, new product introduction and process optimisation initiatives, while also serving as a preferred partner for the rollout of TT Visions future automation solutions.

"TT Vision will further support Solex through consulting in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving, aiding operational excellence during capacity expansion. In parallel, Solex will assist TT Visions India entry by providing guidance on manufacturing setup, supply chain alignment, and government engagement," said the exchange filing.

The MoU is valid for an initial 36-month period.

Dr Chetan Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Solex Energy, said the partnership would support the companys next phase of growth through automation and innovation.

Goon Koon Yin, CEO of TT Vision Holdings Berhad, said, Our collaboration with Solex comes at a pivotal time as India emerges as a global solar manufacturing hub."

Shares of Solex Energy Ltd ended lower on Monday, December 15, by 1.66% at 1,485.00 on the NSE.

Also Read: HCLTech expands digital transformation partnership with Aurobay Technologies
The lawyers of the Luthra brothers  Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra  reached Thailand to meet the two accused in the Goa nightclub fire case that killed 25 people. Meanwhile, both the owners of the nightclub are set to be deported to New Delhi by Tuesday, December 16.The lawyers met the Luthra brothers at the Bangkok detention centre where they are held by the Thai authorities on the request of Indian authorities. The meeting lasted for about 30 minutes, news agency ANI reported citing sources on Monday, December 15.The legal team of the accused brothers has reportedly landed to aid the deportation process, while they will also provide requisite legal aid to them.During the meeting, the lawyers briefed the restaurant owners on the legal procedures ahead, as per ANI.On December 6, 25 people were killed at Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub and restaurant after a deadly fire broke out and spread across the club rapidly due to flammable material being used in its decoration and construction.Most of the dead were employees of the restaurant, while six other people were reported injured.The development of the Luthra brothers' lawyers reaching Thailand comes after when Delhi's Rohini Court, on December 11, had rejected their anticipatory bail plea.Both, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, are likely to be deported to India and land in Delhi as early as tomorrow (Tuesday), reported CNN-News18 citing sources.A Goa Police team is also expected to reach Bangkok later tonight to facilitate the custody-related formalities once deportation orders are issued by the Thai court.The Indian authorities have already furnished all requisite documents, including Emergency Certificates (ECs), to Thai authorities, and Thai immigration officials are now moving towards initiating court proceedings, marking the final legal step before deportation, as per News18.The procedural bottlenecks have been largely cleared and coordination between Indian and Thai authorities has intensified.


India is aiming for a WTO-compatible Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help Indian exporters avoid planned tariff hikes that will come into effect in the coming year.

The commerce ministry said on Monday, December 15 that India is pursuing PTA, which typically covers select products, unlike Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) or a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which would take more time.

Trade officials from both countries acknowledged during discussions that the tariffs hikes was not primarily targeted at Indian supply chains although it threatens to affect about $2 billion worth of Indian exports.



Last week, Mexico approved a steep hike in most-favoured-nation (MFN) import tariffs, raising rates from 5% to as high as 50% on 1,455 tariff lines, effective January 1, 2026. The move, taken within the WTO framework, applies to countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico and is aimed at boosting local manufacturing and correcting trade imbalances.

The sectors that would be most hurt by the tariff are automobiles and auto components, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear, among others. The measure is also intended to curb a surge in imports from China.

First proposed in September 2025, the measure was initially estimated to impact about $3.8 billion worth of Indian exports and was deferred to August 2026 following concerns raised by non-FTA partners and industry. The proposal was resubmitted on December 3, 2025, cleared both houses of Parliament on December 9 and 10, and now awaits notification in the Presidential Gazette.

India-Mexico merchandise trade stood at $8.74 billion in 2024, according to DGCI&S data, with Indian exports at $5.73 billion, imports at $3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of $2.72 billion. Key Indian exports include light vehicles ($0.88 billion), motorcycles ($0.39 billion), base metals ($0.76 billion), auto components ($0.74 billion), mechanical machinery ($0.46 billion), textiles and clothing ($0.41 billion), chemicals ($0.43 billion), and pharmaceuticals ($0.38 billion). Major imports from Mexico comprise crude petroleum oils ($1.7 billion), smartphones ($0.27 billion), and gold ($0.17 billion).

The Commerce Ministry said it has been continuously assessing Mexicos tariff revisions since the issue emerged and is engaging with stakeholders to safeguard Indian exporters interests, while pursuing a constructive dialogue with Mexico to ensure a stable trade environment.

The Indian Embassy raised concerns with Mexicos Ministry of Economy on September 30, which clarified that the measure was not directed against India and reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral ties. Following further engagement on December 2, both sides agreed to pursue a trade agreement to mitigate the impact, with technical discussions commencing from December 12.
Over the next three days, will be going to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. These are three valued partners with whom India has age-old civilisational ties and strong bilateral relations.https://t.co/QSkwR9m6IZ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 15) began a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, underscoring India's long-standing civilisational links and strong bilateral ties with the three countries.In his departure statement, Modi said his first stop would be Jordan, at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. The visit marks 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan.During his stay in Amman, the prime minister will hold talks with King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation.Modi will then travel to Ethiopia on his first-ever visit to the country. He is scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he will speak on India's democratic journey and its role as the "Mother of Democracy", as well as the potential of the India-Ethiopia partnership for the Global South.The prime minister will also hold discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and interact with members of the Indian diaspora.On the final leg of his tour, Modi will visit the Sultanate of Oman, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman. In Muscat, he will hold talks with the Sultan of Oman on strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding commercial and economic ties.Modi will also address a gathering of the Indian community in Oman, highlighting its contribution to Omans development and to bilateral relations.
Hospitality chain Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd on Monday (December 15) said it has announced the signing of its latest property, Lemon Tree Hotel, in Bandipur, Nepal. The property will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels.The new signing is expected to strengthen the companys presence in Nepal, catering to both business and leisure travellers with a fresh, vibrant, and value-driven hospitality experience.Lemon Tree Hotel, Bandipur, is located in the historically preserved town in Nepal's Tanahun District. Bandipur, once a key stop on the India-Tibet trade route, is recognised as a "living museum" for its traditional Newari architecture, cobblestone streets, and rich cultural heritage.

Also Read: Lemon Tree Hotels subsidiary wins DDA bid to develop 5-star Aurika hotel in Delhis Nehru Place

The key features of the hotel will include 80 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant and a bar, a banquet and meeting room, and recreational facilities including a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center.A 1,700 metre cable car ride will lead to the hotel, the only one at the top, located at a height of 1,030 meters. When open, Lemon Tree Hotel, Bandipur, Nepal will offer a stunning birds eye view of the Himalayan ranges and the Marsyangdi Valley.Guests can also visit the nearby sacred Khadka Devi Temple, which enshrines a sacred sword rather than an idol, that is believed to embody the goddess herself. Additionally, the place offers unique experiences like hiking to caves and more, all within a pedestrian-friendly zone.

Also Read: Lemon Tree Hotels signs new properties in Gujarats Surat Airport & Uttarakhands Haridwar

Vilas Pawar, CEO - Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, We are thrilled to deepen our presence in Nepal, complementing our existing portfolio of two operational hotels and three upcoming properties. This latest signing further expands our footprint in this dynamic market, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences in India and abroad, catering to a diverse range of travellers."Shares of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd ended at 161.28, down by 1.62, or 0.99%, on the BSE.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, beginning Monday (December 15). The Prime Minister will be in Jordan from December 15 to 16, where he will meet with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.

In his departure statement, PM Modi said, This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. He will visit Ethiopia on the second part of his tour, from December 16 to 17. In the third phase of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit Oman from December 17 to 18.

His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, the King of Jordan, was born in Amman in 1962. He is the eldest son of the late King Hussein bin Talal and Princess Muna Al Hussein. He received his education in Jordan, the US, and the UK, attending schools such as the Islamic Educational College, Deerfield Academy, Oxford University, and Georgetown University.

After receiving his military education at Britains Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, King Abdullah II pursued a distinguished military career, rising to major general and serving as commander of Jordan's special forces.

As Prince Abdullah, he served as Regent several times in King Hussein's absence. A Royal Decree was issued on January 24, 1999, naming him Crown Prince. He had previously been titled Crown Prince upon his birth on January 30, 1962, in line with Article 28 of the Constitution, and until April 1, 1965.

He assumed his constitutional powers as King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1999 after his father's passing and has devoted himself to serving Jordan and its people.

He is a member of the Hashemite dynasty, which pious Muslims believe to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. According to the official website of King Abdullah II, he is the 41st direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
In the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps repeated claims that he used trade to stop the India-Pakistan military conflict in May, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday cited his conversations with various echelons of the government to state that neither was there any threat to use trade to promote peace nor was any effort made to tell India to do this or do that.Tharoor, at a talk organised by the NGO CUTS International, reiterated his stance on Trumps claims on Operation Sindoor, which have been at variance with the official position of the Congress.Asked about Trumps claims and the argument that he wants a diplomatic acknowledgement from India on his role, Tharoor said, I was asked about it when I led a multi-party delegation to Washington. I said India never needed persuading We signalled from the very first strike on the night of May 6-7 that we were not interested in a protracted conflict with Pakistan.All we were doing was striking in a very precise, targeted way  terror sites. We had been careful enough to avoid striking Pakistani civilian sites, government sites and even military installations, and therefore had Pakistan chosen not to retaliate, we were done and dusted. Now that Pakistan retaliated, we have to reply but the moment they will stop, we will stop, he said, talking of Indias stance during the military conflict.That was there in the governments signalling on each of the four days of the conflict. So, clearly India did not need persuading, Tharoor said.The moment Pakistan came and said let us call it off, we called it off, he pointed out.On the other hand I said  and here I was going out on a limb because I did not have any sort of a briefing from the government on this  we do not know what happened between Washington and Islamabad, so if Mr Trump played a significant role in getting the Pakistanis to come and sue for peace, then surely as a peace-loving nation we will be grateful, the Congress leader said.That answer went over happily in Washington but somehow we havent found it possible to say that in Delhi. Dont forget that part of this happened during a Parliament debate when the governments desire to look and sound tough naturally became a consideration as well, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.As I understood from all my conversations with various echelons of the government, there was never any direct conversation with Mr Trump nor was there any threat to use trade to promote peace, nor was there any effort made to sort of tell India we want you to do this or do that, Tharoor said.All of this appears to be coming out from somewhere else and we dont know where, he added.But it certainly does not correspond to the records or the experience or the logs maintained by the Indian government at all serious levels, he said.Tharoor, however, clarified that he is not in the Indian government, and therefore, he cannot claim to have access to any classified information.But my impression is that we were, therefore, taken aback by a claim that we did not have any basis for verifying, he added.The Congress has been taking swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the repeated claims by the US that President Trump brokered peace between India and Pakistan using trade and tariffs.Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, the US president has repeated his claim more than 60 times that he helped settle the tensions between the two neighbours.New Delhi has consistently denied any third-party intervention. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
In yet another demonstration of its addiction to surveillance, the UK government now wants your smartphones to stop you from looking at images containing nudes unless you pass an age verification check. The Financial Times reports the UK will soon encourage Apple and Google to build nudity-detection algorithms into their operating systems by default in an attempt to tackle violence against women and girls.

At first glance, this seems like a good idea, as it might protect people against various forms of abuse and could help in the battle against child pornography.

Critical to the notion is the concept that operating system vendors, rather than individual apps, will become responsible for age verification. Apple already offers Communication Safety tools within Parental Controls. These already detect nude photos and videos in apps such as Messages or FaceTime.
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Itau Unibanco (NYSE:ITUB  Get Free Report) and Standard Chartered (OTCMKTS:SCBFF  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, profitability, risk and dividends.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Itau Unibanco and Standard Chartereds revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Itau Unibanco $62.19 billion 1.26 $7.62 billion $0.72 10.15 Standard Chartered $41.04 billion 1.30 $4.05 billion $1.88 12.47

Profitability

Itau Unibanco has higher revenue and earnings than Standard Chartered. Itau Unibanco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Standard Chartered, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Itau Unibanco and Standard Chartereds net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Itau Unibanco 16.30% 19.60% 1.49% Standard Chartered 12.84% 10.88% 0.65%

Dividends

Itau Unibanco pays an annual dividend of $3.79 per share and has a dividend yield of 51.9%. Standard Chartered pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Itau Unibanco pays out 526.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Standard Chartered pays out 13.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Risk & Volatility

Itau Unibanco has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Standard Chartered has a beta of 0.54, suggesting that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Itau Unibanco and Standard Chartered, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Itau Unibanco 0 2 3 1 2.83 Standard Chartered 0 1 2 0 2.67

Itau Unibanco currently has a consensus price target of $7.09, suggesting a potential downside of 2.93%. Given Itau Unibancos stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Itau Unibanco is more favorable than Standard Chartered.

Summary

Itau Unibanco beats Standard Chartered on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Itau Unibanco

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Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. offers a range of financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Activities with the Market + Corporation. It offers current account; loans; credit and debit cards; investment and commercial banking services; real estate lending services; financing and investment services; economic, financial and brokerage advisory; and leasing and foreign exchange services. The company also provides property and casualty insurance products covering loss, damage, or liabilities for assets or persons, as well as life insurance products covering death and personal accident. It serves retail customers, account and non-account holders, individuals and legal entities, high income clients, microenterprises, and small companies, as well as middle-market companies and high net worth clients. The company was formerly known as Itau Unibanco Banco Multiplo S.A. and changed its name to Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. in April 2009. The company was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. operates as a subsidiary of IUPAR  Itau Unibanco Participacoes S.A.

About Standard Chartered

(Get Free Report)

Standard Chartered PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates in three segments: Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking; Consumer, Private & Business Banking; and Ventures. It offers retail products, such as deposits, mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans; wealth management products and services that include investments, portfolio management, insurance, and wealth advice; and transaction banking services, such as cash management, working capital, and trade financing products. The company provides financial markets products and services that comprise project and export financing; debt capital markets and leveraged financing; financing and securities services; sales and structuring; macro, commodities, and credit trading; and market research services. In addition, it offers digital banking solutions. It serves financial institutions, governments, banks, investors, corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and individuals. Standard Chartered PLC was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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Grupo Aeromexicos (NYSE:AERO  Get Free Report) quiet period will expire on Tuesday, December 16th. Grupo Aeromexico had issued 11,727,325 shares in its public offering on November 6th. The total size of the offering was $222,819,175 based on an initial share price of $19.00. During the companys quiet period, insiders and underwriters involved in the IPO are restricted from issuing any earnings forecasts or research reports for the company because of regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following the end of the companys quiet period, its expected that the brokerages that served as underwriters on the stock will initiate research coverage on the company.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AERO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Grupo Aeromexico to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Itau BBA Securities began coverage on Grupo Aeromexico in a research report on Sunday, November 30th. They set an outperform rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Grupo Aeromexico Stock Performance

About Grupo Aeromexico

AERO stock opened at $19.04 on Monday. Grupo Aeromexico has a 52-week low of $16.00 and a 52-week high of $20.53.

(Get Free Report)

We are uniquely positioned as the only full service carrier, or FSC, based in Mexico and the only airline that provides long-haul, wide-body service connecting Mexico with the rest of the world. We offer a premium experience to both international and domestic destinations. As of June 30, 2025, we served every major city in Mexico and 52 international cities in 22 countries across multiple continents: North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

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Shares of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the seven research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company.

Several research analysts have recently commented on HMC shares. Zacks Research raised Honda Motor from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Honda Motor in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Nomura Securities upgraded Honda Motor to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th.

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Honda Motor Stock Up 0.3%

HMC opened at $30.90 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $48.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.10, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.41. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $30.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.25. Honda Motor has a twelve month low of $23.41 and a twelve month high of $34.89.

Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $34.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.95 billion. Honda Motor had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 5.18%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Honda Motor will post 3.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Honda Motor

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Honda Motor by 2.0% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,572,505 shares of the companys stock worth $325,633,000 after purchasing an additional 205,016 shares in the last quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD acquired a new position in Honda Motor during the 3rd quarter worth $136,637,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Honda Motor by 34.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,200,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $129,369,000 after buying an additional 1,083,245 shares during the last quarter. Equity Investment Corp boosted its position in Honda Motor by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 2,274,239 shares of the companys stock valued at $70,047,000 after buying an additional 30,712 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Honda Motor by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,110,812 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,136,000 after buying an additional 11,114 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.32% of the companys stock.

Honda Motor Company Profile

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Honda Motor Co, Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Power Product and Other Businesses.

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Hunting PLC (LON:HTG  Get Free Report) insider Margaret Amos bought 5,136 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 387 per share, for a total transaction of 19,876.32.

Margaret Amos also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, September 24th, Margaret Amos purchased 3,007 shares of Hunting stock. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 332 per share, with a total value of 9,983.24.

Hunting Trading Up 0.1%

LON HTG opened at GBX 387 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 355.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 323.70. Hunting PLC has a 12 month low of GBX 245 and a 12 month high of GBX 400. The company has a current ratio of 2.69, a quick ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.64. The firm has a market capitalization of 586.43 million, a P/E ratio of -18.25, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.07.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Hunting declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, August 28th that authorizes the company to repurchase $40.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 6.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Several research firms recently commented on HTG. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 600 price objective on shares of Hunting in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Hunting from GBX 350 to GBX 400 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Berenberg Bank dropped their target price on Hunting from GBX 465 to GBX 450 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 440 target price on shares of Hunting in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Collins Stewart reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 600 price target on shares of Hunting in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 498.

Read Our Latest Report on Hunting

Hunting Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hunting is a global precision engineering group, which provides quality-assured products and services for the energy, aviation, commercial space, defence, medical, and power generation sectors.

Our strong focus on quality assured products, supported by rigorous health and safety procedures, ensures we assist in the delivery of energy safely and it is also the basis of our standing in this critical, global industry.

Our intellectual property portfolio enables the Hunting Group to maintain a leading technology edge, so that energy projects are delivered quicker and at lower cost with minimal impact on the environment.

Our people are our most important asset.

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Shares of Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $97.25.

A number of research firms have issued reports on ITGR. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $95.00 price target (down from $143.00) on shares of Integer in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (down previously from $132.00) on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, October 31st. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Integer from $155.00 to $82.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Integer from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 24th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Integer

In related news, VP Tommy P. Thomas sold 884 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.15, for a total value of $62,012.60. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 3,596 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $252,259.40. This represents a 19.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, Director Cheryl C. Capps bought 1,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $66.70 per share, for a total transaction of $106,720.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 11,702 shares in the company, valued at $780,523.40. This trade represents a 15.84% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure . Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 5,843 shares of company stock worth $384,771. Company insiders own 2.16% of the companys stock.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ITGR. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL lifted its stake in Integer by 50,787.5% in the 3rd quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 29,500,000 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $28,606,000 after purchasing an additional 29,442,029 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in shares of Integer by 885.1% during the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,106,091 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $136,016,000 after purchasing an additional 993,810 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new stake in shares of Integer in the third quarter worth about $41,938,000. Bamco Inc. NY lifted its position in shares of Integer by 81.4% in the third quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 766,055 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $79,156,000 after buying an additional 343,797 shares in the last quarter. Finally, William Blair Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Integer during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,459,000. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Integer Price Performance

NYSE ITGR opened at $72.71 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.42, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.82. Integer has a 1-year low of $62.00 and a 1-year high of $146.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 3.71 and a quick ratio of 2.45. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $78.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $99.98.

Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The medical equipment provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.11. Integer had a return on equity of 12.84% and a net margin of 4.75%.During the same period last year, the company earned $1.43 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Integer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.290-6.430 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Integer will post 6.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Integer declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, November 4th that authorizes the company to repurchase $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical equipment provider to repurchase up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

About Integer

(Get Free Report)

Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Medical and Non-Medical. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, non-vascular, urology, and gastroenterology procedures.

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Vigilare Wealth Management purchased a new stake in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (NYSEARCA:DYNF  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 142,545 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,439,000. iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF accounts for 2.9% of Vigilare Wealth Managements portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DYNF. Bogart Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the second quarter valued at $43,000. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $57,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF by 285.1% in the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,091 shares of the companys stock valued at $114,000 after acquiring an additional 1,548 shares in the last quarter. Hoese & Co LLP acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $200,000. Finally, Rossby Financial LCC increased its holdings in iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF by 72.4% during the 2nd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 5,879 shares of the companys stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 2,469 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF Stock Down 1.1%

Shares of iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF stock opened at $60.68 on Monday. iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF has a 52 week low of $42.10 and a 52 week high of $61.42. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $60.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $57.29. The company has a market cap of $28.85 billion, a PE ratio of 24.23 and a beta of 1.03.

About iShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF

The BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF (DYNF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively-managed fund of large- and mid-cap US stocks that uses five equity style factors. DYNF was launched on Mar 19, 2019 and is managed by BlackRock.

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MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 7,897 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $2,464,000.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,837,207,000. Berkshire Hathaway Inc bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at about $1,572,193,000. Dodge & Cox raised its position in UnitedHealth Group by 117.7% in the second quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 8,750,560 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $2,729,912,000 after acquiring an additional 4,730,192 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 25,847,940 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $13,537,859,000 after purchasing an additional 2,486,839 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lone Pine Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $528,273,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the companys stock.

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UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.5%

NYSE:UNH opened at $341.83 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $339.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $317.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $309.65 billion, a PE ratio of 17.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.43. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $606.36.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The firm had revenue of $113.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $7.15 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.14%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Leerink Partners set a $410.00 target price on UnitedHealth Group and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $310.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $433.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $385.54.

Check Out Our Latest Report on UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Aeroports de Paris SA (OTCMKTS:AEOXF  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Hold from the five brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Aeroports de Paris from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Aeroports de Paris in a research note on Wednesday.

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Aeroports de Paris Trading Down 0.1%

About Aeroports de Paris

AEOXF stock opened at $150.16 on Monday. Aeroports de Paris has a 52-week low of $94.60 and a 52-week high of $150.40. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $140.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $135.00.

(Get Free Report)

Aeroports de Paris SA owns and operates airports worldwide. The company operates through Aviation, Retail and Services, Real Estate, International and Airport Developments, and Other Activities segments. The Aviation segment provides security and airport safety services, including security checkpoints, screening systems, aircraft rescue, and fire-fighting services.

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Wolters Kluwer (OTCMKTS:WTKWY  Get Free Report) and Black Diamond Group (OTCMKTS:BDIMF  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Wolters Kluwer and Black Diamond Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wolters Kluwer 0 0 2 1 3.33 Black Diamond Group 0 0 1 0 3.00

Profitability

This table compares Wolters Kluwer and Black Diamond Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wolters Kluwer N/A N/A N/A Black Diamond Group 8.23% 10.76% 4.79%

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Wolters Kluwer $6.40 billion 3.80 $1.17 billion N/A N/A Black Diamond Group $294.14 million 2.38 $18.72 million $0.41 24.95

This table compares Wolters Kluwer and Black Diamond Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Wolters Kluwer has higher revenue and earnings than Black Diamond Group.

Dividends

Wolters Kluwer pays an annual dividend of $1.87 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Black Diamond Group pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Black Diamond Group pays out 24.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.0% of Wolters Kluwer shares are held by institutional investors. 25.2% of Black Diamond Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Risk & Volatility

Wolters Kluwer has a beta of 0.67, meaning that its share price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Black Diamond Group has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its share price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Wolters Kluwer beats Black Diamond Group on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Wolters Kluwer

(Get Free Report)

Wolters Kluwer N.V. provides professional information, software solutions, and services in the Netherlands, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through Health; Tax & Accounting; Financial & Corporate Compliance; Legal & Regulatory; and Corporate Performance & ESG segments. The Health segment offers clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that drive effective decision-making and improved outcomes across healthcare. It serves hospitals, healthcare organizations, clinicians, students, schools, libraries, payers, life sciences, and pharmacies. The Tax & Accounting segment offers solutions that help tax, accounting, and audit professionals to drive productivity, navigate change, and deliver better outcomes. It serves accounting firms, tax and auditing departments, businesses of all sizes, government agencies, libraries, and universities. The Financial & Corporate Compliance segment offers solutions for legal entity compliance and banking product compliance. It serves corporations, small businesses, law firms, banks, non-bank lenders, credit unions, insurers, and securities firms. The Legal & Regulatory segment provides information, insights, and workflow solutions for changing regulatory obligations, managing risk, and increasing efficiency. It provides solutions for legal and compliance professionals in law firms, corporate legal departments, universities, and government organizations. The Corporate Performance & ESG segment offers enterprise software to drive financial and sustainability performance and manage risks, meet reporting requirements, improve safety and productivity, and reduce environmental impact. It serves corporate finance, audit, planning, risk, environmental, health and safety, operational risk management, and sustainability professionals in corporations, banks, and governments. Wolters Kluwer N.V. was founded in 1836 and is based in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

About Black Diamond Group

(Get Free Report)

Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, education, manufacturing, health care, financial, government, and defense industries in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, high security modular buildings, custom manufactured modular facilities, blast resistant structures, SmartSpace interchangeable paneled units, and storage containers. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary rental items, products, and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management logistics services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, dismantlement, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. It also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. The company markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. Black Diamond Group Limited was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 6.4% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $600.05 and last traded at $602.55. Approximately 256 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 97% from the average daily volume of 8,601 shares. The stock had previously closed at $643.69.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of ASM International from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Rothschild Redb cut ASM International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy.

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ASM International Stock Down 0.1%

The companys 50 day simple moving average is $611.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $572.80. The firm has a market cap of $29.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.39 and a beta of 1.91.

ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $4.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.74 by $0.16. ASM International had a return on equity of 21.55% and a net margin of 24.50%.The firm had revenue of $932.68 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $814.93 million. Equities research analysts predict that ASM International NV will post 14.46 EPS for the current year.

ASM International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in Europe, the United States, and Asia. The companys products include wafer processing deposition systems for atomic layer deposition (ALD), epitaxy, silicon carbide, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and vertical furnace systems, including low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), diffusion, and oxidation products, as well as provides spare parts and support services.

Further Reading

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Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (The) (NYSE:NTB  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $51.51 and last traded at $51.74, with a volume of 241166 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $51.22.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NTB has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $50.00 price target (down from $54.00) on shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son in a report on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.67.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son

Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Stock Performance

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $45.18 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.46 billion, a PE ratio of 9.79 and a beta of 0.57.

Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son (NYSE:NTB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The bank reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $153.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.92 million. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son had a net margin of 28.27% and a return on equity of 21.94%. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.16 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited will post 4.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 11th were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.88%.

Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Monday, December 8th that allows the company to repurchase $140.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the bank to purchase up to 6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NTB. Rovida Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son during the 2nd quarter valued at $79,413,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,517,705 shares of the banks stock valued at $65,140,000 after acquiring an additional 140,041 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 5.3% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 965,753 shares of the banks stock valued at $41,450,000 after purchasing an additional 48,368 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management raised its position in shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 651,259 shares of the banks stock valued at $27,952,000 after acquiring an additional 41,800 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 119.4% during the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 395,731 shares of the banks stock worth $16,985,000 after purchasing an additional 215,397 shares in the last quarter. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son

(Get Free Report)

The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Ltd. provides community banking and wealth management business. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Channel Islands and the UK, and Other. The Bermuda and Cayman segments offer retail banking and wealth management.

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Cohen & Steers (NYSE:CNS  Get Free Report) and Hpil (OTCMKTS:HPIL  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and profitability.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Cohen & Steers and Hpils revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cohen & Steers $517.42 million 6.15 $151.26 million $3.19 19.54 Hpil N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Profitability

Cohen & Steers has higher revenue and earnings than Hpil.

This table compares Cohen & Steers and Hpils net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cohen & Steers 29.73% 29.40% 19.73% Hpil N/A N/A N/A

Volatility and Risk

Cohen & Steers has a beta of 1.29, meaning that its stock price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hpil has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its stock price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Cohen & Steers and Hpil, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cohen & Steers 1 1 1 0 2.00 Hpil 0 0 0 0 0.00

Cohen & Steers currently has a consensus target price of $72.50, suggesting a potential upside of 16.29%. Given Cohen & Steers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Cohen & Steers is more favorable than Hpil.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

51.5% of Cohen & Steers shares are held by institutional investors. 45.6% of Cohen & Steers shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 84.8% of Hpil shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Cohen & Steers beats Hpil on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Cohen & Steers

(Get Free Report)

Cohen & Steers, Inc. is a holding company, which operates as an investment manager specializing in liquid real assets, which include real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities, natural resource equities, preferred securities, and other income solutions. It manages investment vehicles, such as institutional accounts, open-end funds and closed-end funds. The company was founded by Martin Cohen and Robert Hamilton Steers in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

About Hpil

(Get Free Report)

HPIL Holding, a development stage company, engages in developing technology projects in Canada. It also focuses on developing online and artificial intelligence games; and ZIPPA, a multi-gaming global platform for gamers, as well as powertrain management system. The company was formerly known as Cybernetic Technologies Ltd. and changed its name to HPIL Holding in August 2021. HPIL Holding was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CPS  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $31.90, but opened at $33.39. Cooper-Standard shares last traded at $33.6690, with a volume of 11,193 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on CPS shares. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Cooper-Standard from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Zacks Research cut shares of Cooper-Standard from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Cooper-Standard in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Cooper-Standard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Cooper-Standard in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $26.50.

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Cooper-Standard Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $32.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.71. The firm has a market cap of $586.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.26 and a beta of 1.95.

Cooper-Standard (NYSE:CPS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The auto parts company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.50 by ($0.74). The firm had revenue of $695.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $698.83 million.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Cooper-Standard news, Director David John Mastrocola acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $29.05 per share, for a total transaction of $58,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 18,115 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $526,240.75. This represents a 12.41% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 8.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Cooper-Standard

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in Cooper-Standard during the 3rd quarter valued at $633,000. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new position in shares of Cooper-Standard in the third quarter worth $1,221,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its position in Cooper-Standard by 243.5% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 46,356 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $1,712,000 after purchasing an additional 32,862 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of Cooper-Standard by 126.1% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 63,504 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $2,345,000 after purchasing an additional 35,413 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP purchased a new position in shares of Cooper-Standard during the 3rd quarter valued at $263,000. Institutional investors own 69.11% of the companys stock.

Cooper-Standard Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc, through its subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc, manufactures and sells sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems in the United States, Mexico, China, Poland, Canada, Germany, France, and internationally. The company offers sealing systems, including dynamic seals, static seals, encapsulated glasses, textured surfaces with cloth appearance, obstacle detection sensor systems, FlushSeal systems, variable extrusions, specialty sealing products, stainless steel trims, and frameless systems.

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Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC reduced its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 9.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,174 shares of the companys stock after selling 756 shares during the period. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,592,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Bare Financial Services Inc increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% during the second quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

LLY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Daiwa America cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Wolfe Research increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Scotiabank began coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 target price for the company. Finally, Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $830.00 to $950.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,121.90.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.8%

NYSE LLY opened at $1,027.68 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $939.47 and a 200-day moving average of $820.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $623.78 and a 12 month high of $1,111.99. The company has a market cap of $971.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.37.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.35%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Shares of Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE:GPOR  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $230.8750.

A number of research firms have issued reports on GPOR. Zacks Research downgraded Gulfport Energy from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Gulfport Energy from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Roth Capital began coverage on shares of Gulfport Energy in a research note on Monday, October 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Gulfport Energy in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Gulfport Energy from $227.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Timothy J. Cutt sold 2,635 shares of Gulfport Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.45, for a total value of $554,535.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 35,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,465,292.85. The trade was a 6.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, Director David D. Wolf sold 1,525 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.27, for a total value of $320,661.75. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 4,462 shares in the company, valued at approximately $938,224.74. This represents a 25.47% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure . Insiders have sold 294,195 shares of company stock valued at $64,555,282 over the last ninety days. 0.33% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in Gulfport Energy by 20,951.9% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 10,947 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,981,000 after acquiring an additional 10,895 shares during the last quarter. Goldentree Asset Management LP bought a new position in Gulfport Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,665,000. Penn Capital Management Company LLC raised its position in Gulfport Energy by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC now owns 109,998 shares of the companys stock worth $19,956,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares during the period. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in Gulfport Energy in the third quarter worth about $307,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in Gulfport Energy in the third quarter worth about $28,000.

Gulfport Energy Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of GPOR stock opened at $207.95 on Monday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $198.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $186.94. Gulfport Energy has a 52 week low of $153.27 and a 52 week high of $225.78. The stock has a market cap of $4.02 billion, a P/E ratio of -109.45 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Gulfport Energy (NYSE:GPOR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $3.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by ($1.51). The firm had revenue of $379.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $343.18 million. Gulfport Energy had a net margin of 1.68% and a return on equity of 20.95%.

About Gulfport Energy

(Get Free Report)

Gulfport Energy Corporation engages in the exploration, development, acquisition, production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. Its principal properties include Utica Shale covering an area approximately 187,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Eastern Ohio; and SCOOP covering an area approximately 74,000 net reservoir acres primarily located in Garvin, Grady, and Stephens.

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Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $18.81, but opened at $19.63. Hecla Mining shares last traded at $18.7960, with a volume of 2,377,075 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on HL shares. HC Wainwright lifted their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $16.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. CIBC boosted their price target on Hecla Mining from $15.00 to $16.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on Hecla Mining in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $15.00 price target for the company. Roth Capital set a $8.75 price objective on Hecla Mining and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Hecla Mining currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.22.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on HL

Hecla Mining Trading Up 0.1%

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.03. The stock has a market cap of $12.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.72 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 2.15.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.01. Hecla Mining had a net margin of 16.35% and a return on equity of 7.87%. The company had revenue of $409.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $315.60 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.03 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 67.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Hecla Mining Company will post 0.21 EPS for the current year.

Hecla Mining Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were given a $0.0038 dividend. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio is presently 3.23%.

Insider Activity at Hecla Mining

In other Hecla Mining news, CFO Russell Douglas Lawlar sold 148,372 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.00, for a total transaction of $2,225,580.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 347,402 shares in the company, valued at $5,211,030. This trade represents a 29.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hecla Mining

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in Hecla Mining by 32.4% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 49,881,495 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $603,566,000 after acquiring an additional 12,197,740 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 13.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,349,059 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $863,324,000 after purchasing an additional 8,452,401 shares during the last quarter. Pale Fire Capital SE purchased a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining in the first quarter valued at about $41,360,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in Hecla Mining by 38.0% in the third quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 23,524,912 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $284,651,000 after acquiring an additional 6,472,566 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 577.8% during the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 6,808,787 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $82,386,000 after purchasing an additional 5,804,298 shares during the last quarter. 63.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hecla Mining

(Get Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Taylor Wimpey plc (LON:TW  Get Free Report) insider Mark Castle purchased 2,267 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 102 per share, for a total transaction of 2,312.34.

Taylor Wimpey Price Performance

Taylor Wimpey stock traded up GBX 0.50 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting GBX 101.75. 8,990,193 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,409,451. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 5.08. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 103.51 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 105.96. The stock has a market capitalization of 3.66 billion, a PE ratio of 14.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.81.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on TW. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 135 price target on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Citigroup increased their target price on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 140 to GBX 145 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Taylor Wimpey to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from GBX 130 to GBX 150 in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 140 to GBX 120 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Taylor Wimpey in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They set a neutral rating and a GBX 109 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Taylor Wimpey has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 129.13.

About Taylor Wimpey

(Get Free Report)

Taylor Wimpey plc operates as a homebuilder in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

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Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

12/8/2025  Hecla Mining had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  Hecla Mining had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/25/2025  Hecla Mining was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating.

11/25/2025  Hecla Mining had its price target raised by analysts at CIBC from $15.00 to $16.50. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

11/19/2025  Hecla Mining had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/13/2025  Hecla Mining had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/13/2025  Hecla Mining is now covered by analysts at Scotiabank. They set a sector perform rating and a $15.00 price target on the stock.

11/7/2025  Hecla Mining was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating.

11/6/2025  Hecla Mining had its price target raised by analysts at HC Wainwright from $12.50 to $16.50. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

11/2/2025  Hecla Mining was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating.

10/25/2025  Hecla Mining was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating.

Hecla Mining Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were given a dividend of $0.0038 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.1%. Hecla Minings payout ratio is currently 3.23%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hecla Mining

In other news, CFO Russell Douglas Lawlar sold 18,535 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.02, for a total transaction of $278,395.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock.

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Calix (NYSE: CALX) has recently received a number of price target changes and ratings updates:

12/8/2025  Calix had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  Calix had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/25/2025  Calix had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/24/2025  Calix had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Needham & Company LLC. They now have a $82.00 price target on the stock.

11/19/2025  Calix had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/13/2025  Calix had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/5/2025  Calix was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating.

10/31/2025  Calix had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Craig Hallum. They now have a $75.00 price target on the stock.

10/31/2025  Calix had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a $75.00 price target on the stock.

10/31/2025  Calix had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $60.00 to $75.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

10/31/2025  Calix had its price target raised by analysts at Rosenblatt Securities from $65.00 to $85.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/30/2025  Calix was given a new $85.00 price target on by analysts at Roth Capital. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/30/2025  Calix had its price target raised by analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $70.00 to $82.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

Insider Transactions at Calix

In other Calix news, Director Carl Russo sold 420,000 shares of Calix stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.09, for a total transaction of $26,917,800.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 1,694,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at $108,580,508.92. The trade was a 19.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Shane Todd Marshall Eleniak sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.34, for a total value of $3,267,000.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 530,000 shares of company stock valued at $34,099,800 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 16.90% of the companys stock.

Calix, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of cloud and software platforms, and systems and services in the United States, rest of Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Its cloud and software platforms, and systems and services enable broadband service providers (BSPs) to provide a range of services.

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AI toys offer emotional support to consumers

10:56, December 15, 2025 By LI JIAYING ( China Daily

Guests interact with artificial intelligence companion toys on Nov 16 at the 2025 Global AI+ Conference in Beijing. CHEN XIAOGEN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Eager to tap into a huge potential customer base, industry players are accelerating their push into the artificial intelligence-driven toys market, hoping to unlock new growth as supportive policies inject fresh momentum into the sector.

Experts and business leaders noted that AI toys, created to provide emotional support and companionship, are well-positioned to spark the next wave of consumer trends by using advanced technologies to foster emotional connections with consumers.

"Young consumers are increasingly paying for emotional value, and AI companionship is emerging as a key early-use case," said Sun Zhaozhi, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based AI-driven toy startup Robopoet.

"This is attracting more companies, including major firms, into the field," Sun said.

According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China's AI toy market was valued at 24.6 billion yuan ($3.49 billion) in 2024, and is expected to be worth 29 billion yuan this year.

The growth momentum is backed by an action plan released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the People's Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation last month, where collectible toys were listed as a priority support consumption category for the first time, making it one of 10 consumer segments targeted to exceed the 100 billion yuan mark by 2027.

"The deep integration of AI with traditional toy manufacturing is reshaping product forms and value chains, making AI toys a new engine for high-quality industrial development," said He Yaqiong, head of the consumer products industry department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Priced at 399 yuan, Robopoet's flagship AI plush toy Fuzozo, which talks to and makes eye contact with users, sold over 1,000 units in the first 10 minutes of the "618" shopping festival presale and ranked No 1 in AI toy sales on both JD and Tmall during this year's Double 11 shopping festival, Sun said.

The senior executive added that the product has sold about 100,000 units so far this year and targets 1 million next year, aiming for 400-500 million yuan in gross merchandise value.

As consumer demand grows more diverse, more companies are shifting their focus toward AI-powered pet companions.

"Unlike typical robots designed to serve humans, our product simulates a live pet that needs care. The process of caring offers users a sense of healing, helping them to cope with anxiety and loneliness," said He Jiabin, co-founder and CEO of AI robot pet manufacturer Ropet.

He added that AI-powered robot pets better suit the lifestyles of young people today, as challenges such as allergies, time constraints and a training process are not present.

Supported by an emotional large language model and behavioral learning, Ropet can continuously adapt to users' habits and gradually develop distinctive traits, allowing it to interact more like a personalized pet, the executive said.

Following its domestic debut on JD in late October, the AI pet product quickly made its way into the platform's top three ranking in the robot category by sales volume during the Double 11 shopping festival.

"Our business logic is straightforward: first create an appealing hardware product, then use high usage rates to accumulate behavioral data, and finally leverage this data to deliver true intelligence," He said.

As domestic momentum builds, Chinese AI toys are also finding strong traction abroad.

In 2024, China's domestic toy retail market was worth 97.85 billion yuan, up 25.5 percent from 2020, while toy exports totaled $39.87 billion, rising 19.1 percent from 2020, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.

"Consumers in the United States and Europe have shown high acceptance of AI robots with visual understanding and personalized interaction. Many describe our products as 'little desktop creatures', 'AI pets' or an 'emotional charging station'," said Yi Qi, marketing manager at Shenzhen-based AI hardware company TangibleFuture.

The company's LOOI Robot, priced at around $150, differs from typical companion robots with its phone-dock form factor. Once a smartphone is placed on it, the device activates intelligent interaction and obstacle detection functions.

Since mass production began in November 2024, more than 10,000 units have been shipped, with 90 percent sold overseas. The product even received a social media endorsement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

"Boasting the world's most complete toy industry chain, strong manufacturing capabilities and a highly skilled labor force, China is now able to offer more high-quality and well-priced toys to global consumers," said He Yaqiong, from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock traders bought 2,415,246 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 1,558% compared to the average volume of 145,652 call options.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF Stock Down 0.9%

FXI traded down $0.34 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $38.74. 38,283,040 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 39,395,793. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $39.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.54 billion, a PE ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 52-week low of $28.41 and a 52-week high of $42.00.

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Institutional Trading of iShares China Large-Cap ETF

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 14.1% during the second quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 74,061 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,722,000 after acquiring an additional 9,161 shares in the last quarter. Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA purchased a new position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Cypress Capital Group lifted its stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 107.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 59,835 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,200,000 after purchasing an additional 31,055 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth $95,000. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 15.4% during the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 493,500 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $18,141,000 after buying an additional 65,700 shares during the period.

About iShares China Large-Cap ETF

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods.

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iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (NYSEARCA:IPAC  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $76.13 and last traded at $76.02, with a volume of 1867 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $75.46.

iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF Stock Up 0.7%

The company has a 50 day moving average of $74.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $71.72. The firm has a market cap of $1.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.73 and a beta of 0.72.

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Institutional Trading of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $224,000. Blue Edge Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Blue Edge Capital LLC now owns 120,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,513,000 after acquiring an additional 4,309 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 122.8% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 50,433 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,138,000 after acquiring an additional 27,794 shares during the last quarter. Amundi boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 97,278 shares of the companys stock worth $5,857,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF by 16,064.7% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 29,743 shares of the companys stock worth $1,851,000 after acquiring an additional 29,559 shares during the last quarter.

iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF Company Profile

The iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (IPAC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Pacific IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed Pacific securities. IPAC was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY  Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Stock traders purchased 121,163 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 1,320% compared to the typical daily volume of 8,532 call options.

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Price Performance

EWY stock traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $93.25. The stock had a trading volume of 4,534,946 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,497,960. The firm has a market cap of $6.74 billion, a PE ratio of 10.35 and a beta of 1.22. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF has a 12-month low of $48.49 and a 12-month high of $100.79. The companys 50-day moving average price is $91.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $79.39.

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Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWY. Sun Life Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sun Life Financial Inc. now owns 1,660,773 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $119,210,000 after buying an additional 111,000 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 85.5% in the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 1,536,532 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $123,076,000 after purchasing an additional 708,000 shares during the period. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 5,822.0% during the first quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 1,420,928 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $76,787,000 after acquiring an additional 1,396,934 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 1,753.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 1,296,271 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $93,047,000 after purchasing an additional 1,226,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 18.0% in the third quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,257,343 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $100,889,000 after buying an additional 191,723 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.22% of the companys stock.

About iShares MSCI South Korea ETF

iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange.

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Kentucky Retirement Systems reduced its position in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 281,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 18,471 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil comprises approximately 0.9% of Kentucky Retirement Systems investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Kentucky Retirement Systems holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $30,384,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 431,058,875 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $46,468,147,000 after buying an additional 1,111,231 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 96,307,931 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $10,345,132,000 after acquiring an additional 342,967 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,163,719,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 46,598,313 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,023,298,000 after acquiring an additional 1,274,860 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 33,500,304 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,611,553,000 after purchasing an additional 1,126,912 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Shares of Exxon Mobil stock opened at $118.77 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $500.88 billion, a PE ratio of 17.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.48 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 52 week low of $97.80 and a 52 week high of $120.81. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $115.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $112.29.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, June 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 11.22%. The firm had revenue of $57.55 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. This is an increase from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.88%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Exxon Mobil from $156.00 to $158.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Exxon Mobil from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Exxon Mobil currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $129.24.

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Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Liontrust Investment Partners LLP reduced its stake in shares of Lemonade, Inc. (NYSE:LMND  Free Report) by 34.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 58,609 shares of the companys stock after selling 30,239 shares during the quarter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLPs holdings in Lemonade were worth $2,568,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LMND. FORA Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lemonade during the second quarter valued at $816,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Lemonade in the 2nd quarter valued at about $155,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in Lemonade by 1,259.9% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 23,607 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,034,000 after purchasing an additional 21,871 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Lemonade in the 2nd quarter worth about $315,000. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Lemonade by 13.7% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 41,325 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,810,000 after purchasing an additional 4,994 shares during the period. 80.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Lemonade

In related news, insider John Sheldon Peters sold 3,554 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total transaction of $287,874.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 70,771 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,732,451. This trade represents a 4.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Adina Eckstein sold 7,919 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.15, for a total value of $642,626.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 196,310 shares in the company, valued at $15,930,556.50. This represents a 3.88% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 156,525 shares of company stock valued at $11,913,387. Company insiders own 12.50% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on LMND. Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of Lemonade in a research report on Monday, November 24th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Lemonade from $23.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Citizens Jmp raised their price target on Lemonade from $60.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Lemonade in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Lemonade from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.57.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on LMND

Lemonade Stock Down 5.0%

Shares of Lemonade stock opened at $77.89 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $65.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.42. Lemonade, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $24.31 and a fifty-two week high of $84.52. The firm has a market cap of $5.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -32.59 and a beta of 2.12.

Lemonade (NYSE:LMND  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported ($0.51) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.72) by $0.21. Lemonade had a negative net margin of 26.39% and a negative return on equity of 31.86%. The firm had revenue of $194.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $185.06 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.95) earnings per share. Lemonades revenue for the quarter was up 42.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Lemonade, Inc. will post -3.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lemonade Profile

(Free Report)

Lemonade, Inc provides various insurance products through various channels in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Its insurance products include stolen or damaged property, and personal liability that protects its customers if they are responsible for an accident or damage to another person or their property.

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MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH purchased a new stake in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 41,748 shares of the credit-card processors stock, valued at approximately $14,823,000. Visa comprises 1.6% of MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbHs investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of V. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Visa in the second quarter worth $7,034,939,000. TCI Fund Management Ltd. increased its position in Visa by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter. TCI Fund Management Ltd. now owns 19,067,558 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $6,769,936,000 after purchasing an additional 2,429,996 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its position in Visa by 110.4% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,954,937 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $1,396,930,000 after purchasing an additional 2,075,289 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Visa by 17.7% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,979,720 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $3,847,953,000 after purchasing an additional 1,651,954 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Visa by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 162,544,006 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $57,711,249,000 after purchasing an additional 1,461,575 shares in the last quarter. 82.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Visa

In other Visa news, insider Paul D. Fabara sold 2,172 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.93, for a total value of $707,919.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 26,413 shares in the company, valued at $8,608,789.09. This represents a 7.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Lloyd Carney sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $336.48, for a total transaction of $302,832.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 2,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $830,432.64. This trade represents a 26.72% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 24,042 shares of company stock valued at $8,175,152 over the last three months. 0.12% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Visa Stock Performance

NYSE V opened at $347.83 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.08. Visa Inc. has a 1-year low of $299.00 and a 1-year high of $375.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $633.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.82. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $337.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $345.14.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The credit-card processor reported $2.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.01. Visa had a net margin of 50.15% and a return on equity of 60.31%. The firm had revenue of $10.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 11.3 EPS for the current year.

Visa Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th were issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. This is an increase from Visas previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. Visas payout ratio is currently 26.25%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on V shares. Robert W. Baird set a $425.00 price objective on shares of Visa in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $408.00 price objective (up previously from $398.00) on shares of Visa in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. KeyCorp reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $405.00 target price on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised Visa to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Macquarie cut their price objective on shares of Visa from $425.00 to $410.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $402.52.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on V

About Visa

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value-added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

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Pitcairn Co. cut its holdings in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET  Free Report) by 30.2% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 17,189 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 7,432 shares during the quarter. Pitcairn Co.s holdings in MetLife were worth $1,382,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MET. Delta Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Delta Investment Management LLC now owns 14,265 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,145,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Ignite Planners LLC grew its holdings in MetLife by 2.2% in the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 6,366 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in MetLife by 3.2% during the second quarter. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,355 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Glenview Trust co raised its stake in MetLife by 0.4% during the first quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 38,333 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,078,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 14,902 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,198,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.99% of the companys stock.

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MetLife Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:MET opened at $82.08 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $78.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $78.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.08 billion, a PE ratio of 15.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.76. MetLife, Inc. has a 12 month low of $65.21 and a 12 month high of $88.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.18 and a quick ratio of 0.18.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

MetLife ( NYSE:MET Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $12.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.64 billion. MetLife had a return on equity of 21.00% and a net margin of 5.30%.The companys revenue was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.95 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 4th were given a $0.5675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $2.27 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. MetLifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MET has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wolfe Research upgraded MetLife to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Barclays boosted their price target on MetLife from $93.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on MetLife from $96.00 to $92.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on MetLife from $92.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of MetLife from $94.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MetLife presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $94.60.

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About MetLife

(Free Report)

MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements.

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Neuberger Berman Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Free Report) by 171.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 119,084 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 75,259 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLCs holdings in Fortis were worth $5,674,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new stake in Fortis during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Fortis by 2,119.1% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,043 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 996 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Fortis during the second quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of Fortis by 157.3% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,253 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 766 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new stake in shares of Fortis in the second quarter valued at approximately $65,000. 57.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Fortis Price Performance

Fortis stock opened at $50.96 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.23, a PEG ratio of 4.80 and a beta of 0.50. The business has a 50-day moving average of $51.24 and a 200-day moving average of $49.67. Fortis has a 1 year low of $40.32 and a 1 year high of $52.83.

Fortis Dividend Announcement

Fortis ( NYSE:FTS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.02). Fortis had a net margin of 14.18% and a return on equity of 7.05%. The firm had revenue of $2.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.22 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Fortis will post 2.35 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a dividend of $0.64 per share. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 75.83%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on FTS shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Fortis in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Fortis in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating on shares of Fortis in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Scotiabank restated a sector perform rating on shares of Fortis in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, CIBC reissued an outperform rating on shares of Fortis in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $72.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FTS

Fortis Profile

(Free Report)

Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity.

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Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its position in CAE Inc (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 382.5% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 51,521 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 40,842 shares during the quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLCs holdings in CAE were worth $1,507,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CAE. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in CAE by 49.7% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 17,045 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $419,000 after purchasing an additional 5,659 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in CAE by 4.4% in the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 14,803,106 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $433,287,000 after buying an additional 628,848 shares in the last quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of CAE during the second quarter worth $10,309,000. Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of CAE during the second quarter worth $5,854,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in shares of CAE by 356.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,135,546 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $33,267,000 after acquiring an additional 886,951 shares during the last quarter. 67.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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CAE Stock Up 5.5%

Shares of NYSE:CAE opened at $29.87 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $9.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.19. CAE Inc has a 12-month low of $20.36 and a 12-month high of $30.13. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CAE ( NYSE:CAE Get Free Report ) (TSE:CAE) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 11th. The aerospace company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.03. CAE had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 8.98%.The firm had revenue of $897.99 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.24 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that CAE Inc will post 0.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on CAE shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on CAE from $41.00 to $40.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of CAE in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded CAE from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.33.

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About CAE

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Oceania, Africa, and Rest of the Americas. It operates through two segments, Civil Aviation; and Defense and Security. The Civil Aviation segment offers training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; a range of flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as aircraft flight operations solutions.

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Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc. reduced its position in Eaton Corporation, PLC (NYSE:ETN  Free Report) by 5.8% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 37,809 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,327 shares during the period. Eaton accounts for approximately 1.0% of Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.s holdings in Eaton were worth $14,150,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Eaton in the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. lifted its position in shares of Eaton by 36.0% in the second quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 136 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Eaton in the first quarter worth about $42,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its position in shares of Eaton by 142.3% during the second quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 172 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new stake in Eaton during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $54,000. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Eaton Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ETN opened at $331.92 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $360.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $357.82. Eaton Corporation, PLC has a 52 week low of $231.85 and a 52 week high of $399.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $128.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.19, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.17.

Eaton Dividend Announcement

Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.06 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $6.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.09 billion. Eaton had a net margin of 14.74% and a return on equity of 24.36%. Eaton has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.230-3.430 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 11.970-12.170 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Eaton Corporation, PLC will post 12.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were issued a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Eatons payout ratio is 41.60%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ETN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eaton in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Eaton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, September 13th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Eaton from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $413.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on shares of Eaton in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $336.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Eaton from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eaton presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $402.05.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton

In related news, Director Gerald Johnson purchased 200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were bought at an average price of $339.89 per share, for a total transaction of $67,978.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $135,956. This represents a 100.00% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Over the last 90 days, insiders purchased 500 shares of company stock worth $174,389. Insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Eaton Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The companys Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems.

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Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (BATS:NUDM  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $38.3293 and last traded at $39.05, with a volume of 29617 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.24.

Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $619.38 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.71.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Prism Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF by 4.0% in the third quarter. Prism Advisors Inc. now owns 29,592 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,113,000 after purchasing an additional 1,136 shares in the last quarter. Ledyard National Bank boosted its holdings in Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ledyard National Bank now owns 39,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,416,000 after purchasing an additional 1,290 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF by 110.7% during the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 88,865 shares of the companys stock worth $2,830,000 after buying an additional 46,682 shares during the last quarter.

About Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF

The Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG International DM index. The fund tracks an index of companies from developed countries, excluding the US and Canada, that align with various environmental, social, and governance principles.

Further Reading

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OppFi Inc. (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report) Director Jocelyn Moore sold 4,464 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.91, for a total value of $48,702.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 47,266 shares in the company, valued at $515,672.06. The trade was a 8.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

OppFi Trading Down 4.0%

NYSE:OPFI traded down $0.45 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $10.65. 606,341 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,282,368. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $9.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.11. OppFi Inc. has a 1 year low of $6.81 and a 1 year high of $17.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $919.30 million, a P/E ratio of -14.19 and a beta of 1.69.

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OppFi (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $155.09 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $153.42 million. OppFi had a return on equity of 55.59% and a net margin of 0.68%.OppFi has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.540-1.600 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that OppFi Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

OPFI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of OppFi in a report on Monday, December 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of OppFi from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, OppFi presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $13.63.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on OppFi

Institutional Trading of OppFi

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of OppFi during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in OppFi in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in OppFi in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in OppFi by 217.6% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 3,207 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its stake in OppFi by 56.7% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 5,384 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 1,948 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.10% of the companys stock.

OppFi Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OppFi Inc operates a cialty finance platform that allows banks to offer credit access. Its platform facilitates the OppLoans, an installment loan product; SalaryTap, a payroll deduction secured installment loan product; and OppFi Card, a credit card product. OppFi Inc was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

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Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 50,823 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,399 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $39,618,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,407,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,680,004,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,038 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,707,512 shares of the companys stock worth $10,495,261,000 after buying an additional 81,587 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,005,392,000 after buying an additional 11,537,661 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $8,827,714,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 5,447,636 shares of the companys stock worth $4,246,596,000 after acquiring an additional 226,620 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Wall Street Zen raised Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Daiwa America cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,171.00 to $1,290.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,121.90.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

NYSE LLY opened at $1,027.68 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $939.47 and its 200 day moving average is $820.35. The company has a market capitalization of $971.55 billion, a PE ratio of 50.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.37. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $623.78 and a fifty-two week high of $1,111.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.55.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $1.73 dividend. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.35%.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) COO Andrew Ross sold 2,488 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $894.81, for a total value of $2,226,287.28. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 13,120 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,739,907.20. This represents a 15.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PH traded down $1.17 during trading on Monday, hitting $883.70. The company had a trading volume of 544,614 shares, compared to its average volume of 706,280. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a 12 month low of $488.45 and a 12 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 firm has a market capitalization of $111.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $807.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $751.72.

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Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 18.17% and a return on equity of 27.23%. The company had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.94 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $6.20 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue 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, analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Parker-Hannifin Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Parker-Hannifin

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is 25.65%.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 14.3% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 36,990 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,044,000 after acquiring an additional 4,631 shares in the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment increased its position in Parker-Hannifin by 9.8% in the third quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 166,089 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $125,920,000 after purchasing an additional 14,836 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in Parker-Hannifin during the third quarter valued at $13,365,000. Achmea Investment Management B.V. lifted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 79.3% during the third quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 28,731 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $21,782,000 after purchasing an additional 12,707 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oarsman Capital Inc. grew its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. now owns 3,969 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,009,000 after buying an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. 82.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on PH. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Wall Street Zen cut Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Argus reissued a buy rating and set a $900.00 target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $840.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $889.50.

View Our Latest Analysis on PH

About Parker-Hannifin

(Get Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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Revvity (NYSE:RVTY  Get Free Report) was downgraded by Bank of America from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a note issued to investors on Monday. They currently have a $110.00 price target on the stock. Bank of Americas price objective suggests a potential upside of 11.73% from the stocks current price.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating and set a $108.00 price target on shares of Revvity in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Guggenheim started coverage on Revvity in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Revvity in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Revvity in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Revvity in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set a neutral rating and a $105.00 target price on the stock. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $115.25.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RVTY

Revvity Stock Performance

Revvity stock traded down $2.04 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $98.45. The company had a trading volume of 229,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,245,115. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.34, a PEG ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50 day moving average of $96.15 and a 200-day moving average of $93.36. Revvity has a 52 week low of $81.36 and a 52 week high of $128.29.

Revvity (NYSE:RVTY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $698.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $699.75 million. Revvity had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 7.52%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.28 earnings per share. Revvity has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.900-5.000 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Revvity will post 4.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Revvity announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Monday, October 27th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 8.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Revvity

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in Revvity during the second quarter worth about $32,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new stake in shares of Revvity during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Revvity by 138.8% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 406 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Revvity by 79.0% in the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 410 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Revvity in the second quarter valued at $49,000. 86.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Revvity Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Revvity, Inc provides health sciences solutions, technologies, and services in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and internationally. The Life Sciences segment provides instruments, reagents, informatics, software, subscriptions, detection, imaging technologies, warranties, training, and services. Its Diagnostics segment provides instruments, reagents, assay platforms, and software products for the early detection of genetic disorders, such as pregnancy and early childhood, as well as infectious disease testing in the diagnostics market.

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Silicon Valley Capital Partners grew its holdings in Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 117.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 63,040 shares of the CRM providers stock after acquiring an additional 34,068 shares during the period. Salesforce comprises approximately 1.8% of Silicon Valley Capital Partners portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Silicon Valley Capital Partners holdings in Salesforce were worth $17,190,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CRM. NWF Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Salesforce by 23.3% in the 2nd quarter. NWF Advisory Services Inc. now owns 2,540 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $693,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the period. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Salesforce by 18.4% during the second quarter. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC now owns 123,325 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $33,630,000 after buying an additional 19,172 shares during the period. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Salesforce in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Salesforce in the second quarter worth approximately $115,000. Finally, Centaurus Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Salesforce by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 15,016 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $4,095,000 after acquiring an additional 1,102 shares in the last quarter. 80.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CRM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $395.00 price objective on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $375.00 price target on shares of Salesforce in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Guggenheim reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Salesforce in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Salesforce in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Salesforce from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-eight have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Salesforce has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $326.46.

Salesforce Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CRM opened at $262.34 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stock has a market cap of $245.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $245.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $251.92. Salesforce Inc. has a twelve month low of $221.96 and a twelve month high of $367.09.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The CRM provider reported $3.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $10.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.27 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 17.91% and a return on equity of 14.41%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.41 EPS. Salesforce has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Salesforce Inc. will post 7.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Salesforce Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.416 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 18th. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Salesforces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.16%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director G Mason Morfit acquired 96,000 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $260.58 per share, with a total value of $25,015,680.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 2,994,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $780,309,155.22. The trade was a 3.31% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Parker Harris sold 134,662 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.70, for a total value of $31,605,171.40. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 139,767 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,803,314.90. The trade was a 49.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 175,284 shares of company stock valued at $41,648,819 over the last quarter. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Salesforce Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale.

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SLB Limited (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the twenty-three brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, sixteen have given a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $52.3150.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on SLB. Melius started coverage on SLB in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $82.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen upped their price target on SLB from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of SLB in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on SLB from $47.60 to $52.30 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Piper Sandler set a $42.00 price target on shares of SLB and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on SLB

SLB Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of SLB stock opened at $39.44 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $35.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.01. SLB has a 1-year low of $31.11 and a 1-year high of $44.66. The firm has a market cap of $58.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.23 and a beta of 0.73.

SLB (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $8.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. SLB had a net margin of 10.34% and a return on equity of 18.97%. SLBs revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.89 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that SLB will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

SLB Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 3rd will be paid a $0.285 dividend. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 3rd. SLBs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.02%.

Insider Activity at SLB

In other SLB news, Director Peter John Coleman sold 5,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.82, for a total transaction of $197,010.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 18,671 shares in the company, valued at $668,795.22. The trade was a 22.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 38,447 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.75, for a total value of $1,412,927.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 175,690 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,456,607.50. The trade was a 17.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 103,947 shares of company stock worth $3,871,337. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On SLB

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SLB. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of SLB by 23.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 185,374,879 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,371,335,000 after purchasing an additional 35,057,313 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in SLB by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 83,617,999 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,898,037,000 after purchasing an additional 5,466,786 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in SLB by 30.4% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,233,749 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $683,901,000 after buying an additional 4,719,852 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in SLB by 27.7% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 19,829,381 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $824,160,000 after buying an additional 4,300,222 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in SLB in the 2nd quarter worth $618,697,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.99% of the companys stock.

About SLB

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Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.

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Stance Capital LLC bought a new stake in Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 59,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,255,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of KVUE. Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 266.8% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,581 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares during the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kenvue during the 1st quarter worth $37,000. First Pacific Financial purchased a new position in shares of Kenvue in the 2nd quarter worth $54,000. Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Kenvue in the 1st quarter worth $56,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in Kenvue by 22.3% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,853 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.64% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Kenvue from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $22.50 to $22.00 in a report on Friday, September 26th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Kenvue from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Kenvue from $24.00 to $21.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 10th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Kenvue from $23.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Kenvue from $20.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Kenvue currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.23.

Kenvue Stock Performance

KVUE opened at $17.32 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average is $16.20 and its 200-day moving average is $19.06. Kenvue Inc. has a 52-week low of $14.02 and a 52-week high of $25.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.09 and a beta of 0.59.

Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.01. Kenvue had a net margin of 9.55% and a return on equity of 20.02%. The business had revenue of $3.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.83 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.28 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Kenvue has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.000-1.050 EPS. Analysts expect that Kenvue Inc. will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kenvue Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th were paid a $0.2075 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $0.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Kenvues payout ratio is 110.67%.

Kenvue Profile

(Free Report)

Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, eye care, and other products under the Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Nicorette, Zarbee's, ORSLTM, Rhinocort, Calpol, and Zyrtec brands.

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Stance Capital LLC acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 15,033 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $739,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of DAL. Savant Capital LLC grew its position in Delta Air Lines by 84.0% during the 2nd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 181,995 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $8,951,000 after purchasing an additional 83,072 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 8.8% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 825,916 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $40,619,000 after buying an additional 67,002 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines in the second quarter worth about $15,138,000. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 1.6% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 762,106 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $37,480,000 after acquiring an additional 12,057 shares during the period. Finally, Sienna Gestion raised its position in Delta Air Lines by 11.4% during the second quarter. Sienna Gestion now owns 123,757 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $5,557,000 after acquiring an additional 12,665 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Down 1.0%

DAL opened at $69.82 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $45.59 billion, a PE ratio of 9.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.37. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a twelve month low of $34.74 and a twelve month high of $71.59. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $60.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.40 billion during the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 23.83% and a net margin of 7.36%. Sell-side analysts expect that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were issued a $0.1875 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $71.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upped their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $65.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on Delta Air Lines in a report on Friday. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $74.08.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DAL

Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines

In other news, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total transaction of $1,453,722.59. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 81,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,055,523.97. This represents a 22.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $858,112.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 15,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at $968,730. This trade represents a 46.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Profile

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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Shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (CVE:PGE  Get Free Report) dropped 16.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.41 and last traded at C$0.43. Approximately 983,239 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 132% from the average daily volume of 423,987 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.51.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Stock Down 13.7%

The companys fifty day moving average price is C$0.41 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of C$120.25 million, a PE ratio of -11.00 and a beta of 1.63.

Stillwater Critical Minerals Company Profile

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Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company explores for gold, palladium, nickel, cobalt, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group metals. Its flagship project is the Stillwater West project, which comprises 763 claims covering an area of approximately 61 square kilometers located in Stillwater District, Montana.

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Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) had its target price cut by analysts at TD Cowen from $400.00 to $365.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the stock. TD Cowens price target would suggest a potential upside of 12.36% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Everest Group from $424.00 to $400.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Everest Group from $380.00 to $384.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $350.00 price target on shares of Everest Group in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Everest Group from $383.00 to $343.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Everest Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $368.50.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Everest Group

Everest Group Trading Down 0.7%

Everest Group stock traded down $2.30 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $324.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 94,635 shares, compared to its average volume of 395,622. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market cap of $13.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 0.39. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $327.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $334.86. Everest Group has a 12 month low of $302.44 and a 12 month high of $373.23.

Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $13.39 by ($5.85). Everest Group had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 3.74%. The company had revenue of $4.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.86 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $11.80 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Everest Group will post 47.93 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Everest Group

In other news, Director Allan Levine acquired 3,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $306.08 per share, for a total transaction of $948,848.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 4,153 shares in the company, valued at $1,271,150.24. This trade represents a 294.40% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director William F. Galtney, Jr. acquired 11,385 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $307.38 per share, with a total value of $3,499,521.30. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 45,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,983,023.58. This trade represents a 33.38% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Everest Group

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Everest Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Everest Group in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Board of the Pension Protection Fund purchased a new stake in shares of Everest Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Everest Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in Everest Group by 81.4% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 107 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock.

Everest Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 66.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,462 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 18,337 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $6,697,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC now owns 429 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Avion Wealth grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 59 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC increased its position in 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 buying an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.2% in the second quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 653 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $462,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,241 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,586,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 2.5%

Shares of GS stock opened at $887.90 on Monday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $800.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $745.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $439.38 and a 1-year high of $919.10. The firm has a market cap of $266.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.04, a PEG 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 released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $8.40 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.50%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on GS shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $752.00 to $830.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $608.00 to $748.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $787.06.

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About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc. lessened its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 14.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 56,017 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 9,504 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up 2.0% of Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.s holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $27,169,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of TMO. Capital A Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 825.0% during the second quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 74 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $696,000. NWF Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $377,000. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.5% in the second quarter. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC now owns 9,710 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,937,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SevenBridge Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 38.3% during the second quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 4,955 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,009,000 after purchasing an additional 1,371 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.23% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on TMO. Citigroup upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $580.00 to $660.00 in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $500.00 to $590.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Argus boosted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $580.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $580.00 price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $616.60.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

NYSE TMO opened at $572.03 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $214.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.05, a P/E/G ratio of 4.18 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.50. The businesss fifty day moving average is $565.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $492.20. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1 year low of $385.46 and a 1 year high of $610.97.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical research company reported $5.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.50 by $0.29. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 16.97% and a net margin of 15.02%.The company had revenue of $11.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.28 earnings per share. Thermo Fisher Scientifics revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Thermo Fisher Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.600-22.860 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.94%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 6th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical research company to purchase up to 2.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, VP Lisa P. Britt sold 10,225 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.62, for a total transaction of $5,844,814.50. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 14,145 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,085,564.90. The trade was a 41.96% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael D. Shafer sold 10,725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $600.00, for a total value of $6,435,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,731 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,238,600. This trade represents a 36.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 149,271 shares of company stock valued at $86,507,282 over the last 90 days. 0.33% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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ThyssenKrupp AG Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:TKAMY  Get Free Report) rose 5.3% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $10.99 and last traded at $10.99. Approximately 14,269 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 82,754 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.44.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on TKAMY. DZ Bank raised shares of ThyssenKrupp from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Zacks Research raised shares of ThyssenKrupp to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of ThyssenKrupp in a report on Friday, December 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ThyssenKrupp has an average rating of Hold.

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ThyssenKrupp Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The stock has a market cap of $6.75 billion, a PE ratio of 6.57 and a beta of 1.07. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $13.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.10.

ThyssenKrupp (OTCMKTS:TKAMY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter. ThyssenKrupp had a net margin of 2.80% and a return on equity of 9.26%. The company had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.60 billion.

ThyssenKrupp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

thyssenkrupp AG operates as an industrial and technology company in Germany and internationally. It operates through five segments: Automotive Technology, Decarbon Technologies, Materials Services, Steel Europe, and Marine Systems. The Automotive Technology segment offers components, systems, and automation solutions for vehicle manufacturing, such as axle assembly, body in white, camshafts and electric engine components, dampers, dies, springs and stabilizers, crankshafts and conrods, steering, and undercarriages.

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Ur Energy Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:URG  Get Free Report) (TSE:URE) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $1.28, but opened at $1.36. Ur Energy shares last traded at $1.3750, with a volume of 3,087,885 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Northland Securities began coverage on Ur Energy in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They set an outperform rating and a $2.15 target price on the stock. B. Riley boosted their price objective on shares of Ur Energy from $2.00 to $2.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. HC Wainwright cut their price target on shares of Ur Energy from $2.70 to $2.60 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Roth Capital increased their price objective on Ur Energy from $1.60 to $1.80 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Northland Capmk raised Ur Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, October 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have assigned a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $2.41.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ur Energy

Ur Energy Trading Up 8.2%

Insider Activity at Ur Energy

The companys fifty day moving average is $1.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1.34. The stock has a market cap of $523.41 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.30 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a quick ratio of 5.89, a current ratio of 7.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

In related news, CFO Roger L. Smith sold 252,087 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.68, for a total transaction of $423,506.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 632,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,062,054. This represents a 28.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Robby Sai Kit Chang sold 213,914 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.75, for a total value of $374,349.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 84,179 shares of the companys stock, valued at $147,313.25. The trade was a 71.76% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,056,661 shares of company stock valued at $1,558,263. Corporate insiders own 3.29% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ur Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Ur Energy in the first quarter valued at about $169,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Ur Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $539,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Ur Energy by 51.3% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 76,085 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 25,786 shares in the last quarter. Sprott Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ur Energy by 18.5% in the first quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 202,854 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $137,000 after purchasing an additional 31,710 shares during the period. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Ur Energy by 19.4% in the first quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 4,902,117 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,284,000 after purchasing an additional 797,738 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.51% of the companys stock.

Ur Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ur-Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties. The company holds interests in 12 projects located in the United States. Its flagship property is the Lost Creek project comprising a total of approximately 1,800 unpatented mining claims and three Wyoming mineral leases covering an area of approximately 35,400 acres located in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming.

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Watts Gwilliam & Co. LLC grew its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 176.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 79,423 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 50,744 shares during the period. Watts Gwilliam & Co. LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,918,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the second quarter worth about $2,270,157,000. Amundi lifted its position in Pfizer by 43.4% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 52,090,403 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,265,277,000 after purchasing an additional 15,758,846 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 533,363,457 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,928,730,000 after purchasing an additional 10,198,330 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 43.4% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 18,718,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $453,747,000 after purchasing an additional 5,662,309 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 62,325,957 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,579,340,000 after buying an additional 3,943,397 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $25.86 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $147.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.04 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The business has a 50-day moving average of $25.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $24.78. Pfizer Inc. has a 1 year low of $20.92 and a 1 year high of $27.69.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.17% and a net margin of 15.65%.The business had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.94 billion. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 23rd. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 100.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on PFE shares. HSBC restated a buy rating and issued a $29.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup started coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $26.00 price target on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $30.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their target price on Pfizer from $33.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.22.

View Our Latest Analysis on PFE

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Watts Gwilliam & Co. LLC increased its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 668.8% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 61,499 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 53,500 shares during the period. Watts Gwilliam & Co. LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $3,453,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Operose Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Lavaca Capital LLC acquired a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 109.3% in the second quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 517 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.30% of the companys stock.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

NYSE CMG opened at $36.13 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.97, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 0.99. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a one year low of $29.75 and a one year high of $66.43. The companys 50 day moving average price is $35.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $42.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 45.39%. The company had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.27 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts have commented on CMG shares. TD Cowen lowered their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. BTIG Research lowered their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $43.00 to $38.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group set a $45.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Friday, October 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.81.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Kestra Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 132.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,545 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 9,418 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,326,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. 75.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on WFC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup raised their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Barclays boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $90.04.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

NYSE WFC opened at $92.76 on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $58.42 and a 1-year high of $93.42. The company has a market capitalization of $291.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.26, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $85.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $81.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. 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 last year, the business posted $1.42 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS 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. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.61%.

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

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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.

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WT Wealth Management boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 103.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 25,142 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 12,799 shares during the quarter. WT Wealth Managements holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $2,360,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 13.2% in the 2nd quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 12,821 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,204,000 after purchasing an additional 1,499 shares in the last quarter. Stark Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,134,000. Barnes Wealth Management Group Inc lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. Barnes Wealth Management Group Inc now owns 5,235 shares of the companys stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 2.4% in the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 70,687 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,635,000 after buying an additional 1,677 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF during the second quarter worth about $3,812,000.

Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts:

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 6.7%

BATS USMV opened at $94.59 on Monday. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $83.99 and a 1-year high of $95.12. The company has a 50 day moving average of $94.09 and a 200-day moving average of $93.72. The firm has a market cap of $24.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.90 and a beta of 0.72.

About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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The far-leftists and liberals in the West who enable and encourage terrorism against Jews were today celebrating as another massacre took place in Australia. Fifteen unarmed Jewish Australian civilians were massacred in cold blood to chants of From the river to the sea.

The leftist Australian government celebrated and honoured Hamas by rewarding them with a recognition of their terrorist state.

Antisemitism is habitually encouraged by the Labour leftist UK government, and Israel has been continuously punished for the crime of defending their nation after the October 7th massacres. Jews all over the globe have had to endure an increase in antisemitic sentiment, often encouraged by leftist governments and media.

Labour has rewarded the Hamas terrorists time after time, by recognising their terrorist Hamas state, and withholding weapons from Israel, thus aiding the terrorism.

The sinister left-leaning media, including the supremely biased BBC, has continually fuelled the fires of antisemitic violence, and they are all being utilised as tools by Hamas and Iran to create more hatred and violence against Jews outside and inside of Israel.

One thing is certain, because of the complicit cheering of terrorism by the Wests liberal and far-leftist Hamas sympathisers  the violence will continue and worsen day by day.
ABOVE: Pictured at Bank of Ireland event (l-r): George Higginson, Managing Director, Everyday Banking, Bank of Ireland UK, Professor Malachy ONeill, Director of Regional Engagement, Ulster University, Chris Gray, Chief Executive, Grays Communications, Anna CEO, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Kelly, CEO, Manufacturing NI, Eighrean Horner, Senior Bank Manager, Bank of Ireland UK.

Bank of Ireland welcomed customers and community representatives to a special event at The Great Hall, Ulster University, to mark 200 years of providing banking services locally.

The Bank opened its first branch in Derry in 1825, recognising the need to make financial services available to the merchants, traders, entrepreneurs and shipping enterprises driving local economic growth at the time.

Welcoming guests to the event, George Higginson, Managing Director of Everyday Banking, Bank of Ireland UK said: Derry has long been an area of importance for us at Bank of Ireland. From our earliest days supporting local merchants, we have evolved to support businesses of all sizes and sectors, supporting enterprise, innovation and personal financial ambitions now just as we did 200 years ago.

Were ambitious for our future and look forward to growing with our customers in the years ahead, which is why earlier this year we announced that we were investing 100 million in our business over three years, including improving our everyday banking products and services for our customers.

This will ensure we are ready to meet customer needs now and for generations to come.

Since 2021 and the opening of the new Medical School at Ulster University, Bank of Ireland has partnered with the University to provide bespoke financial support for medical students. Reflecting on the Banks relationship with Ulster University, Professor Malachy ONeill, Director of Regional Engagement said: The opening of the School of Medicine at Ulster University was a huge milestone for us and the city. We have encountered tremendous support from partners across the city and region and it was a pleasure to collaborate with the Bank of Ireland UK team to remove financial barriers for students.

We are grateful to Bank of Ireland UK for their commitment to our vision for the School of Medicine and to our students, Northern Irelands future doctors, the first cohort of whom graduated in Summer.

With a focus on regional investment, growth and the future, guests at the event heard from a panel of local speakers including Chris Gray, Chief Executive, Grays Communications, Anna Doherty, CEO, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and Stephen Kelly, CEO, Manufacturing NI.

Concluding the celebrations, Eighrean Horner, Senior Bank Manager added: Celebrating Bank of Irelands 200th anniversary is a very special and proud moment for us. Weve seen how, when we work together and support one another, we can drive growth and strengthen economic development in our communities, and we look forward to serving customers and supporting the community for many more years to come.
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A large congregation filled St Columbs Cathedral for the annual Joint Emergency Services Northwest Community Carol Service. The event provided a moment of reflection and gratitude for the sacrifice and dedication of Northern Ireland's 'blue light' services and first responders.

The service, led by the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Raymond Stewart, was attended by distinguished guests including the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Ian Crowe MBE CStJ, and the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairi McHugh.

Leaders from the four main Christian denominations - Rt Rev Andrew Forster, Most Rev Dr Donal McKeown, Rev Peter Morris, and Rev Stephen Hibbert - participated in the service, offering prayers and readings for those who risk their lives to keep the public safe.

Musical worship was provided by the talented Cathedral Choir of Boy and Girl Choristers, directed by Nicky Morton. The congregation was also treated to joyous performances by the primary school choirs of Lisnagelvin and Long Tower Primary Schools, who combined for a moving rendition of 'A Christmas Gift/Silent Night'.

Senior representatives from various emergency services delivered readings during the service, including Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney of the PSNI, and leaders from the Air Ambulance NI, NI Ambulance Service, NI Fire & Rescue Service, and Foyle Search and Rescue.

In his blessing, Bishop Andrew Forster (pictured above) paid tribute to the unique dedication of the first responders: "I am always struck at this service, year by year, thinking about people who at the very top of their priority list put the safety and the wellbeing of others.

"That, in the world that we live in, is a fairly unique thing," Bishop Andrew said.

He spoke of the deep sense of family within the services and acknowledged the significant personal and family sacrifices made by personnel during the festive season.

The evenings offering was collected in support of the Order of St John (St John Ambulance and St John Eye Hospital Group), and sincere thanks were extended to the Inner City Trust for sponsoring the event.
During the annual Christmas Carol Service at Saint Patricks Cathedral, Archbishop Eamon Martin delivered a powerful message of solidarity with the Jewish community, condemning a terror attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Archbishop Martin noted that the festival of light had been "horrifically overshadowed by the darkness and evil of a terror attack," which resulted in 16 deaths and dozens of injuries.

In his statement he continued: "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.

"Sadly, in recent times there appears to have been arise in antisemitism, and every one of us Christians must do everything in our power to counteract prejudice and hatred towards our Jewish brothers and sisters, or indeed towards any minorities.

"Jesus came into our world fulfilling the age old prophecy of Isaiah that the people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace, and tonight we pray for peace and comfort for all those families who have been bereaved in this awful attack, for those who have been injured, and for the courageous first responders who helped to prevent even more death and destruction."

The attack has been officially declared an antisemitic terrorist incident by Australian authorities. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has vowed to strengthen gun laws in the wake of the nation's deadliest terror incident in history.
The son of a serviceman killed in the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash has said the families of the victims expect answers ahead of a historic first meeting with ministers.

All 29 military and intelligence personnel on board RAF Chinook ZD576 were killed when the aircraft crashed in foggy weather while flying from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness on June 2, 1994.

The bereaved families on Monday published 225 new questions about the circumstances leading up to the crash, including how and why the unairworthy aircraft was chosen for the journey and why key technical documents were withheld from multiple inquiries.

They come on top of 110 questions that were published previously, meaning the families are now seeking answers to a total of 335 questions about the crash.

The latest questions come ahead of the families meeting with government ministers on Tuesday amid growing calls for a fresh judge-led inquiry and for the release of documents relating to the crash that have been sealed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) until 2094.

The families are also calling for the incident to be the test case for the new Hillsborough Law currently making its way through Parliament, which places a new duty of candour on public bodies.

A petition launched by the families Chinook Justice Campaign has been signed by more than 51,000 people and MPs raised the issue during a debate in the House of Commons last month.

David Hill, a former MoD aeronautical engineer and technical adviser to the Chinook Justice Campaign, said: These 225 new questions destroy the argument that there is nothing left to uncover.

Together with the original 110, they expose how essential evidence was concealed from previous inquiries and demonstrate that the MoD has never provided full transparency into the circumstances that led to the deaths of 25 senior intelligence experts and four Special Forces crew.

The suggestion that no new facts will be uncovered is a deliberate misrepresentation to cover up past wrongdoing.

Many of the 335 questions are based on leaked MoD technical files, internal memos and assessments, with the Chinook Justice Campaign saying expert analysis has shown the details of how and why the aircraft was authorised remain hidden.

The questions include who authorised the mission, why the Chinook Mark 2 was accepted off contract without certification in breach of MoD rules and whether the crew or passengers were informed of the risks.

Andy Tobias, who was just eight years old when his father Lieutenant Colonel John Tobias was killed in the crash, said the 335 questions are certainly not definitive.

They are not all we need answered and the files that are closed for 100 years are only some of the papers we want released, he said.

What this long list makes clear, however, is that it is simply untenable for ministers to say there is nothing new to learn.

We want full transparency, full candour and to finally start getting to the full truth.

We expect nothing less from our meeting with ministers tomorrow.

He added: We have already built up an unsavoury treasure trove of MoD documents, test pilot warnings and evidence withheld from earlier investigations which prove my father and 28 others were put on an aircraft the MoD knew to be unairworthy.

This is not my opinion. These are facts the Ministry of Defence either ignored, buried or refused to disclose. We have been forced to fight for the truth for 31 years.

Now we expect answers.

Northern Ireland Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood, who will join the families at Tuesdays meeting, said: If the promise of candour is real, it starts here.

Ministers cannot keep repeating the same lines while refusing to answer the families questions.

A judge-led inquiry and full access to sealed files is the only way to honour those who died and the families who have fought for them.

An MOD spokesperson said: The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died.

We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families.

The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.

Lord Coaker, minister of state for defence, Al Carns, minister for the armed forces, and Louise Sandher-Jones MP, minister for veterans and people, will be meeting with representatives from the Chinook Justice Campaign before the end of the year to listen to their concerns first-hand.
A Stormont minister has urged the public to paws for thought before buying a pet to gift for Christmas.

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) Minister Andrew Muir was speaking after 10 smuggled cockapoo puppies were rescued at Belfast Harbour earlier this year.

The young dogs had been in the process of being trafficked through the Northern Ireland capital.

They have since been cared for and successfully rehomed by Almost Home Animal Sanctuary near Moira, Co Down.

The successful intervention was undertaken as part of the multi-agency Paws for Thought initiative, launched by Daera in 2020, with the aim of disrupting the breeding and trafficking of low-welfare pups.

Mr Muir said he urged people to think carefully about a pet as a Christmas present, and to watch out for red flags with breeders.

This years Christmas appeal for Paws for Thought and my departments new social media campaign underpins our determination to do all we can to stop illegal dog breeding and puppy smuggling, he said.

I have seen first-hand the work of several partner agencies, including port authorities, councils and the PSNI in helping to detect illegal dog breeding and puppy smuggling and I am grateful for their ongoing commitment.

The publics support is crucial in helping to stop this cruel trade, and I would urge that any suspicious behaviour is reported to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the Paws for Thought group, which includes representatives from local councils, PSNI, Belfast Harbour Police, Stena and P&O ferry companies, HMRC and Daera, said the trafficking of puppies often increases around Christmas,

It is incredibly rewarding to see such a positive outcome for the cockapoos rescued in February and to witness effective co-operation between all agencies involved, they said.

All agencies are conscious that the trafficking of low-welfare puppies often increases around Christmas.

We urge anyone using the port during this period to be alert and report anything suspicious. Previous rescues have occurred thanks to the help of the public reporting unusual noise or suspicious activity.

Anyone who has information about suspicious activity at the ports should report this to ferry company staff, police or Daera portal staff.
ECO-UNESCO will host a special seasonal gathering titled Words That Change the Weather: A Winter Talk on Youth, Creativity & Climate at The Playhouse in Derry on Tuesday, 16 December.

The event aims to explore how creative expression can empower the next generation of climate advocates across Northern Ireland and the border counties.

The event, running from 12noon to 2.00pm, will feature an insightful keynote address by award-winning poet, spoken word educator, and environmental storyteller Cat Brogan. Brogan will combine poetry, creative reflection, and insights on the vital role of youth voice in climate action across the island of Ireland.

Designed for a diverse audience including educators, youth workers, environmental practitioners, community leaders, and young people aged 18+, the gathering provides a unique space to connect and explore the intersection of creativity and climate change communication. The programme includes facilitated small-group discussions, a Q&A session, and a complimentary vegetarian lunch.

"Creativity has always been a powerful catalyst for environmental awareness, said Kathy Dunphy, Project Officer at ECO-UNESCO. This event brings together voices from across Northern Ireland and the bordering counties to explore how young people can use storytelling and the arts to make change. Were delighted to host Cat Brogan, whose work inspires deep connection to place and to each other.

Cat Brogan added: Ive seen again and again how writing and spoken word help young people express what matters to them... especially when it comes to climate and the environment.

"Derry is a city with an incredible creative heartbeat, and Im excited to share ideas, poems and conversations that centre hope, connection and the land we all belong to.

"Words That Change the Weather" is part of ECO-UNESCO's ongoing work to expand opportunities for young people to participate in the prestigious Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) program across the region.

The event is free to attend but booking is required.
The Guinean government has acquired 100% of the shares in mobile network operator Areeba Guinee, following a decree signed by President Mamadi Doumbouya to take over MTN Groups stake.

According to Ecofin Agency, President Doumbouya said in a national address that, under a new framework, the operator is now fully state-owned, governed by a new board of directors, and operating with renewed financial and managerial autonomy.

The acquisition brings to an end an interim arrangement established after the government first took over MTNs shares in December 2024, during which Areeba Guinee continued operations under temporary management. Minority shareholders have also exited the company, a move that had been under consideration since the initial takeover.

The government had previously planned to launch Guinea Telecom, a new operator intended to replace the former state-owned and once-dominant market leader SOTELGUI. Guinea Telecom was scheduled to begin operations in early 2023, but the project faced delays due to challenges including legacy infrastructure issues. It remains unclear whether the government will proceed with these plans following the full acquisition of Areeba Guinee.

Ecofin Agency reports that authorities are now considering a potential merger between Areeba Guinee and Guinea Telecom, with one entity operating as a wholesale provider and the other serving as the retail, customer-facing operator.
Air quality across Indian cities like Noida, Delhi, Gurugram and more is deteriorating on a day to day basis. This makes it essential to regularly check the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area so you can take timely steps to protect your health and that of your loved ones. Instead of relying on scattered reports or guessing based on the weather, you can now quickly and easily check how clean or polluted the air is in your location and nearby areas. Google with its Maps app now lets you track the real time Air Quality Index AQI for your area.

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This feature becomes highly helpful as it can let people plan outdoor activities, commute smarter, and take precautions on high pollution days. With clear visuals and frequent updates, Google Maps turns air quality data into something simple and useful for everyday decisions, all within an app you already trust and use.

Also read: Apple iPhone Air price drops by Rs 11,000 on Amazon: Check deal details here

What is Air View+ in Google Maps?

Google, in its blog post, stated that the Air View+ in Google Maps provides real-time, local air quality information through a shared ecosystem of partners. It works with sustainability startups, researchers, climate groups, companies, city authorities, and citizens. Climate tech firms Aurassure and Respirer Living Sciences helped set up air quality sensors in cities that did not have proper monitoring systems before.

The sensors are placed at fixed locations across more than 150 Indian cities, such as government offices and commercial buildings. They measure pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO, ozone, and VOCs every minute, along with temperature and humidity. With support from IITs, pollution boards, and climate groups, the data is checked and analysed using Google AI to help citizens and city planners make better decisions.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may launch soon: Display, processor, camera, price and everything else we know

How to check real-time AQI on Google Maps

Follow the simple steps below to check real-time air quality information for your area on Google Maps:

Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android phone. Tap the Layers button at the top right corner of the screen below your profile picture. From Map details, choose Air Quality. You will now see the air quality layer for your area and nearby places. However, to check live air quality (AQI), tap the back button. On the home screen, go to the Explore tab and tap the Weather widget. Now, you will see both the weather and the AQI. Tap the Air Quality tab to see detailed AQI information for your area.

Note: The air quality data updates every few minutes to show the latest information.

How does Google calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI) near you?

Google said that the air quality levels are calculated using measurements from nearby air quality monitoring stations. Since air quality can vary between locations and the nearest station may not exactly represent conditions at your specific spot, the tech giant provides a map-based view that reportedly helps present a clearer picture of AQI levels around you.

Also read: iOS 26 bug turns Android photos red on iPhones, users report strange image glitch

The company also said that the air quality readings can differ significantly over short distances, and data reporting may be delayed by up to 12 hours, especially during rapidly changing conditions. Additionally, not all stations measure every pollutant, which can lead to differences between reported AQI and actual air quality. Variations may also occur due to how AQI values are averaged over time, particularly at the start or end of high pollution events.
Amazons streaming sticks have been Android-based for years, but the experience has shifted bit by bit. The new Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the first to move to Amazons Linux-based Vega OS, marking a clear break from the older software. It also lands in the middle of the lineup, above the basic HD-only Fire TV Stick and below the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. It gets you 4K and HDR support at Rs 3,999 (launch price: Rs 5,499). But the company has cut some corners to reach this price. Still, when Amazon sent over a unit, I was intrigued and excited to see what had actually changed in both hardware and software, and whether any of it mattered for someone looking to buy a new streaming stick. You can read my findings in the 4K Select review below.

Verdict

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the cheapest and most practical way to get 4K HDR streaming in Amazons product lineup. It delivers fine performance and meaningful upgrades over the entry model, but does not try to be the fastest or most premium stick, and that is fine. Those who need wider app flexibility or more advanced features should note that these remain limited on the 4K Select. But if all you want is reliable 4K streaming without spending extra, this is the sweet spot.

Design, connectivity and remote

If youve ever seen a Fire TV Stick before, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select will look quite familiar. It features a small black rectangle that plugs into an HDMI port and draws power from an included micro-USB cable. Yes, that port is a little dated for today, but unless you lose the bundled cable, you should be fine. So, nothing fancy; just a compact and portable stick that stays hidden behind the TV when in use. Only the charging cable comes out from behind the TV. And if you take the Stick with you somewhere, ensure you carry the cable as well.

As part of the package, you get the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, a remote, two AAA batteries, a quick guide, the micro-USB cable, and an HDMI extender in case the HDMI port behind the TV isnt easily accessible. As per the Amazon support page, the 4K Select supports HDMI 2.1 output along with HDCP version 2.3. This means it is compatible with modern TVs, and you can expect the highest quality streaming from services like Prime Video and Netflix without restrictions.

Finally, coming to the remote, it is a standard Alexa Voice Remote. You get the usual navigation ring, volume controls, mute, app shortcuts, and a built-in microphone. It feels light but not flimsy. The buttons have a soft click, which I prefer during late-night viewing. But there is no backlight, so you will end up memorising the layout or reaching for some ambient light in the dark.

Set up and software

Setting up the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is simple. You plug in the stick, connect to Wi-Fi, sign in to your Amazon account, and wait for updates. You can scan a QR code for quicker log-in. And when the device boots into the home screen, you get a similar layout to other Fire TV streamers. You still get rows of apps and recommendations from different services beneath a banner ad for promoted content. If you have used any Fire TV device, you will adapt quickly.

Alexa works as expected. You press and hold the mic button, ask for a show, adjust the volume, or open apps. Voice search pulls results from multiple services, though it still prioritises Amazon content in the ranking.

App support is fine for regular users. Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, JioHotstar, Sony Liv, and the rest are here. There are some pre-installed apps like Amazon Kids+, Amazon Music, Prime Video, Zee5, and Fox News. You can uninstall most of these. You also get out-of-the-box support for Equipment Control and Home Control of connected Amazon devices through Fire TV, with voice commands.

When it comes to voice searches, Fire TV is faster and more direct, especially for apps and film titles, but the results are not always accurate. Google TV is slower and more verbose, yet more reliable when you want the exact song or content match. For broad recommendations like feel-good films, Google TV offers stronger curation. For repeated actor or title searches, Fire TV surfaces OTT availability better, while Google TV often falls back to general web results.

Now, since Vega OS is not Android, existing Android apps do not automatically work natively. Developers must port or rebuild apps for Vega. Currently, some apps are hosted on cloud servers, although I didnt notice any performance issues with this. But some apps may not be as feature-rich or have as many settings to tweak as their Android versions, like Plex was in my testing. And if you look up a niche app, you may not get it here, as the OS is rather new. But there are good signs, as only recently, two popular VPN apps, viz., NordVPN and IPVanish, joined the library.

However, one area where Vega OS is really limited compared to its Android counterpart is sideloading. Amazon has restricted installation from unknown sources, and this could matter to you if you used media-server apps like Jellyfin, game-streaming apps, any obscure IPTV app, or file managers like ES File Explorer before. Also, regular users cant access Developer Options.

Storage remains limited, so you may need to delete apps if you install too many.

Also Read: Fire TV and India are perfect for each other: Amazon Global VP Aidan Marcuss

Performance and picture quality

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Select runs on MediaTeks MT8698 MCM processor with Cortex-A55 cores up to 1.7GHz clock speed, a G310v2 GPU with up to 500MHz, 1GB LPDDR4 RAM, and 8GB storage. This one has a slower GPU and less RAM than the 4K Plus model. The RAM and ROM combination is the same as the Fire TV Stick HD. For wireless connectivity, you get a Wi-Fi 5 radio, which was fairly stable in my use, but it is the same spec as the entry-level Fire TV Stick.

The 4K Select supports HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos passthrough. No Dolby Vision. Still, you can expect high-definition visuals and enhanced audio with compatible modern TVs and soundbars.

Largely in my testing, menus scrolled fine, and apps opened decently fast. But there was one instance when the Fire TV stopped responding, and I had to force-reboot it. Also, even though there were occasional stutters in navigation, none were to the point where they spoiled my experience.

I also found the device ran mildly warm during my use. Well, it is winter in Delhi right now. But it matters, as a TV cabinet could trap heat.

Playback quality is good. 4K streams on Netflix and Prime Video lock in fine. Compared to Dolby Vision content played on the same screen, HDR10+ offers comparable colours and detail. I tested this on a Sony flagship OLED TV. All in all, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers an easily enjoyable viewing experience.

Motion handling is solid too. The Match Original Frame Rate setting works as intended, and you can clearly see it doing its job by preserving the creators intent.

Should you buy Fire TV Stick 4K Select?

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers reliable 4K HDR playback, fast and direct results in voice searches, Dolby Atmos passthrough, familiar and functional software, and hardware performance suited to mainstream services. As its packaging reads, this Stick has the essentials. The UI smoothness, motion handling, and app support should be agreeable enough for regular users.

There are limitations to consider, though, as a first-generation product. Vega OS is still new, and its app library is narrower than Android-based rivals. Sideloading is restricted, and some apps may not offer the same depth of features and options as their Android versions. The hardware also sits closer to the entry-level stick, with 1GB RAM, Wi-Fi 5, and no Dolby Vision. Occasional stutters and the need to manage limited storage are part of the experience.

Even with those gaps, the value is clear. For Rs 3,999, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select improves meaningfully on the HD stick and serves as a sensible upgrade for anyone who wants 4K without paying for the faster, more capable Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. If your needs are straightforward and your budget is firm, this is the most practical pick in Amazons lineup. If you are upgrading from an older Fire TV Stick HD or a first-generation Fire TV Stick 4K, you will see a clear improvement in both responsiveness and stream quality. If you already own the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, there is no reason to consider this model.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: Amazon Vega OS launched for new Fire TV devices, an alternative to Android-based Fire OS
India roundup: Intel commits to India semiconductor mission

Intel and Tata to assemble chips locally as global firms, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Vingroup, announced fresh investments in India.

Tata Group and Intel form strategic alliance to assemble chips in India

Tata Group and Intel announced on December 8 that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation across semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and AI-focused computing systems in India. The agreement is aimed at expanding domestic chip production and building a more resilient electronics supply chain as India seeks to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry.

Microsoft, Intel outline major commitments in meetings with Indian PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan in New Delhi, where the two US tech leaders outlined major investments and support for India's ambitions in artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Amazon plans more than US$35 billion in new India investments through 2030

Amazon plans to invest more than US$35 billion in India across its businesses through 2030, expanding on the nearly US$40 billion it has already invested in the country, the company said on December 10, 2025, at the sixth Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi. The planned investment will target business expansion and three priority areas: AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation.

India's state-run chip fab upgrade puts public-sector model to the test

India's plan to upgrade its state-run Semiconductor Laboratory into a mature-node production fab marks a major test of whether a government-operated facility can deliver reliable yields, retain talent, and coordinate complex vendor ecosystems. Analysts see strategic value but warn that slow processes, procurement bottlenecks, and structural gaps could hinder performance.

Vingroup to invest US$3 billion to build multi-sector ecosystem in India

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Telangana for a proposed US$3 billion investment to build a multi-sector ecosystem in the southern Indian state.

VinFast to invest US$500 million to expand EV manufacturing and product lineup in India

VinFast plans to invest US$500 million in expanding its manufacturing operations in India, marking the second phase of its previously announced US$2 billion commitment to the country.

Navitas, Cyient Semiconductors partner to develop GaN ecosystem in India

Navitas Semiconductor and Cyient Semiconductors have announced a strategic, long-term partnership aimed at advancing gallium nitride (GaN) technology adoption in India and establishing a comprehensive local GaN ecosystem. The collaboration, announced on December 8, 2025, will focus on product co-development, local supply chain development, and enabling high-power applications.

Corning and Optiemus launch Gorilla Glass finishing facility in Tamil Nadu to boost India's electronics supply chain

Corning and Optiemus Infracom have inaugurated a new Gorilla Glass finishing facility in Tamil Nadu, marking a major step in India's push into high-value electronics components. The plant, operated by their joint venture BIG Tech, will produce 30 million cover-glass units annually in its first phase.

India reviews proposal to make smartphone location tracking permanently active

India is reportedly reviewing a proposal that would require smartphone makers to keep satellite-assisted location tracking permanently enabled on all devices, triggering strong pushback from Apple, Google, and Samsung over privacy risks. The debate follows the government's recent reversal of a controversial order mandating a state-run cyber safety app.

Tex Year Technologies ramps up production capacity with new plant in India

Tex Year Technologies has commenced mass production at its second manufacturing facility in Mahad Industrial Area, Maharashtra, India, significantly boosting its local output amid mounting demand pressures. The addition of three main production lines raises the annual production capacity at the Indian site from 3,400 tons to 10,000 tons, enhancing the company's ability to serve both India and neighboring markets.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Inventec wins Datasection server deal to supply first B300 AI supercluster

Japanese software service provider Datasection has signed an agreement with Inventec to purchase 1,250 servers equipped with 10,000 Nvidia B300 GPUs. The company plans to build a world-class, first-of-its-kind large-scale AI cluster featuring Nvidia B300 GPUs in Sydney, Australia.

Datasection president and CEO Norihiko Ishihara stated that the cluster's computing power will exceed 200 ExaFLOPS (FP4) to meet the demands of one of the world's largest cloud service providers.

This supercluster uses Nvidia's latest Blackwell B300 GPU to deliver enterprise-grade AI computing services for businesses across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative aims to address the severe shortage of high-performance AI computing infrastructure as market demand far outstrips supply, with enterprises and public institutions accelerating their AI transformation projects.

Strategic partnership accelerates deployment

Ishihara highlighted that through strategic collaboration with Inventec, Datasection secured advanced and highly reliable GPU servers to deploy and scale its AI data center operations. This partnership enables Datasection to gain priority access to next-generation hardware, accelerating expansion across multiple markets.

World's first ultra-large B300 implementation

This project marks a significant step for Datasection in solidifying its position as a leading and trusted AI cloud service provider in the Asia-Pacific region. The Sydney-based AI cluster is a massive deployment comprising 10,000 GPUs across 1,250 unitsthe world's first ultra-large-scale implementation using Nvidia B300 GPUs.

Ishihara stated that the company is excited to share this achievement globally and looks forward to continuing close cooperation with partners to rapidly build infrastructure that powers next-generation AI innovation in the Asia-Pacific. In addition to Inventec, Datasection recently announced the procurement of 625 servers equipped with 5,000 Nvidia B200 GPUs from Giga Computing.

Proprietary TAIZA algorithm optimizes performance

Datasection's core competitive advantage lies in its proprietary algorithm system, TAIZA, which optimizes the operation of large GPU clusters under AI workloads. Compared to standard cluster management solutions, TAIZA significantly improves resource utilization, reduces operational costs, and enhances performance reliability.

Designed to maximize efficiency in AI data center architectures, this technology delivers optimal performance for machine learning training, inference workloads, and high-performance computing applicationsoffering customers a clear and compelling value proposition.

Capturing Asia-Pacific market growth

Ishihara noted that, driven by accelerated AI adoption in manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors, the Asia-Pacific AI infrastructure market is expected to grow substantially. Datasection aims to leverage its early-mover advantage in B200/B300 technologies to capture a significant market share in this expanding sector.

Article edited by Jerry Chen
Nvidia's H200 chip will be allowed to return to the Chinese market after CEO Jensen Huang's lobbying efforts to the Trump administration, a partial win for the company.While Nvidia is set to benefit from the additional revenue from China, the impact of this decision remains hotly debated.

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The discovery of an invasive species of mussel for the first time in Northern Ireland will add further pressure to the beleaguered freshwater system, Environment Minister Andrew Muir has said.

The first confirmed case of the quagga mussel has been reported in Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.

Quagga mussels originate from Eastern Europe and can threaten native animals and plants.

They can also block water pipes, which can cause flooding and infect water supplies.

Officials are now identifying other waterways in the region to be checked for the presence of the species.

Scientists from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) collected samples that were confirmed following DNA analysis at Queens University Belfast.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the quagga mussel is a small bivalve mollusc similar to the invasive non-native zebra mussel.

The species has spread rapidly from its native region in Ukraine during the last few decades through Western Europe and to North America and Mexico.

It was first recorded in Britain in 2014 and in Loughs Ree and Derg in Ireland and in the main River Shannon system in 2021.

The department said quagga occupy a wider range of depths than zebra mussels and will eventually outcompete and displace them.

They can spread through recreational boating, angling traffic, trailered craft travelling overland and the transfer of equipment such as paddle boards or canoes.

Mr Muir said: This confirmation that the highly invasive quagga mussel has arrived in Northern Ireland represents another significant pressure to our already beleaguered freshwater system.

Increased vigilance and surveillance is critical.

My officials are engaging with stakeholders and public agencies to alert them to this arrival and the need for enhanced biosecurity measures.

Cross-border engagement also continues through the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative.

Rose Muir from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) invasive non-native species team said: There is no effective control or eradication method for quagga mussel once it has established in a water body.

The best method of slowing the spread and reducing the risk to other water bodies is by applying better biosecurity through the Check, Clean, Dry approach.

We are urging all water users to follow this protocol strictly when moving between water bodies.

Dr Kevin Gallagher, senior scientific officer at the AFBI, said: The confirmation of quagga mussel in Lower Lough Erne is significant given the connectivity of major water bodies.

Once established, this species can spread rapidly and cause substantial ecological and economic impacts, including altered food webs and infrastructure fouling.

This underlines the need for enhanced surveillance across connected systems, including Lough Neagh, and strict biosecurity to limit further spread.

DAERA urges greater vigilance as Quagga mussel confirmed in Lower Lough Erne  first confirmed record in Northern Ireland. Read more: https://t.co/NBM302jAnx pic.twitter.com/b6JXbJtbgQ  DAERA (@daera_ni) December 15, 2025

Daera said the arrival of the quagga most likely came from a connected invasion along the ShannonErne corridor.

A statement said: It is therefore plausible that quagga are already present but undetected in intermediate waterbodies, including Upper Lough Erne.

Officials are planning to identify those waters that should also be sampled by assessing the potential pathways for the spread of quagga mussels into other water bodies.
Uisce Eireann has announced plans to lodge a planning application seeking permission for a new water supply project in the eastern and midland regions of the country issuing a major boost for residents of Louth.

The State utility says the project, if approved, will be the largest-ever water project in Irish history with capacity to support the water supply needs of up to 50% of the State's population.

Subject to planning, Uisce Eireann says it hopes to start construction in 2028 and to be completed within five years. The project is expected to cost between 4.58 billion and 5.96 billion.

The project will provide a resilient supply as the current water supply in the midlands and eastern regions of the country has faced huge challenges recently with an over-reliance on just one source to supply to over 1.7 million people.

It's good news for Louth as the project will enable supplies currently serving Dublin to be redirected to the county reinforcing their water supply making it more resilient. This will also help Kildare, Meath, Carlow and Wicklow providing security of supply to homes and businesses supporting growth and promoting regional development.

Under the plan, it is proposed that water from the river Shannon will be treated near Birdhill, County Tipperary and that it will then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.

Uisce Eireann says it will formally submit the planning application to An Coimisiun Pleanala next week. This application will consist of over 500 documents including a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application and Compulsory Purchase Order application.

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Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow will be provided with a safe, secure water supply as a result of the project. It will create a treated water supply spine across the country providing infrastructure which will serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath.

Uisce Eireann have announced that the project, if approved, will employ more that one thousand people directly as well as a significant associated spend on local supplier goods and services.

The utility is also proposing a bespoke Community Benefit Scheme as part of the Water Supply Project, to support communities that will host construction activities and permanent infrastructure. This includes a multi-million euro Community Gain Investment Fund.

Extensive public consultation has taken place to-date and further consultation will be carried out over the coming weeks and months with a dedicated project Community Liaison Officer visiting impacted communities to meet with local stakeholders and sharing further information on the project.

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Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers TD said: "The submission of this planning application for the Water Supply Project to An Coimisiun Pleanala is a major milestone that will unlock housing in the Eastern and Midlands Region."

He continued: "This project is a vital piece of infrastructure to support Irelands development, not alone in the delivery of new homes for young people, families and workers in our economy, but to sustain businesses and communities right through the Midlands and Eastern region of our country."

Maria ODwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Eireann (pictured below) added: "The growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience in the Eastern & Midlands Region is simply not sustainable. It is estimated 34% more water will be needed by 2044 in the Greater Dublin Area."

"This project is critical to enable us to support housing delivery and is backed by the Governments continued funding commitment. Over the coming months we will continue engage with potential contractors and progress the procurement process so that works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Water Supply Project proposes to abstract water from the Parteen Basin on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of it's long-term average flow.
There was lots of Christmas spirit in evidence last week as members of Louth County Councils Community team packed and prepared over 300 Christmas bags and cards for distribution to older and vulnerable people throughout the county. Each Christmas bag was filled with sweets, treats and seasonal goodies.

The initiative was supported by members of Louth Older Peoples Council (OPC) and community partners including Meals on Wheels, An Garda Siochana and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland - The Birches Dundalk, who collected and helped distribute the bags to older and vulnerable people across the county.

Louth Libraries also played an important role, delivering Christmas bags to users of the Library Housebound Service and to those attending The Memory Cafe in Dundalk and Drogheda Libraries.

Age Friendly Louth Programme Manager, Sinead McVerry, stated: The delivery of the Age Friendly Christmas bags is an opportunity for an older person to get a card and a present, but most importantly it is an opportunity to have someone call to them and check in with them at this time of year.

Read also: Louth to be part of Uisce Eireann's plan for 'largest water project in Irish history'

Age Friendly Louth is aware that Christmas can be a difficult time for some older people and in this small way we hope that they feel connected this Christmas.

Below: Pauline Gaskin and Susan Dunne, from The Birches Dundalk, collecting Christmas bags from Louth County Councils Community team for distribution
Louth County Council has given the go ahead for 63 new houses in Dundalk, at a site located on the eastern side of Mount Avenue.

Moffett Investment Holdings ULC applied for planning permission last December, for the development at Mount Avenue, at a site located on the eastern side of Mount Avenue and which is bounded to the north by an, at the time, under construction residential development of 93 homes, and to the south and east by agricultural fields.

The proposed 63 houses are in semi-detached and terraced format ranging in height from two-three storeys.

The application proposed that a single new vehicular access off Mount Avenue would be provided to serve the development, with three separate pedestrian only accesses also provided off Mount Avenue. It was also proposed to construct a pedestrian connection across the stream to adjoining residential lands to the north that are currently under construction.

Read also: Louth to be part of Uisce Eireann's plan for 'largest water project in Irish history'

The planning application also provided for items including, alterations to ground levels across the site and the undergrounding of ESB powerlines; as well as public lighting; Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points and an ESB sub-station; all landscaping and boundary treatments, including the construction of retaining walls in addition to all associated site development works.

Louth County Council granted planning permission on 8 December subject to 28 planning conditions.
The Government must stop breaking the law when it comes to the more than 18,000 children waiting on an assessment of need by the HSE, Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu has said.

The Sinn Fein TD was speaking during his partys motion on the issue, which was not opposed by the government.

Deputy O Murchu said it was a terrible indictment of the State and the entire system that we are reliant on 15-year-old Cara Darmody to hold feet to the flames.

He said it was only right that solidarity was shown to the Irish Wheelchair Association, who protested outside the Leinster House ahead of the motion.

Deputy O Murchu said the IWA and other groups made the absolutely necessary point that those with disabilities, who were promised so much before the election, have been failed so miserably.

He said: I do not know how many times we can be back here talking about assessment of need. There are now 18,097 [who] are waiting beyond six months for an assessment of need and the figure is heading towards 24,000 to 25,000.

There is a backlog that needs to be dealt with. There is no point in us constantly being in here and hearing about assessment hubs being put together when we do not see this figure moving.

I accept there are more children on the assessment of need list than there had been previously because in the past people were put on primary care lists and were able to get services but those services are not there anymore, meaning they have no choice. The system is putting people on the assessment of need list.

He further said that the biggest gripe a lot of parents have is being told you do not need the assessment of need to receive therapies.

Deputy O Murchu continued: One of the promises was that the issue of requiring an assessment of need for an appropriate school place was going to be resolved but it is not resolved yet.

I have no problem if a parent makes the determination they have a decent and proper means of being assessed for autism and then they can get proper therapies. I have absolutely no issue with that, if they decide and their rights are not removed in relation to AON.

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However, it is not promises they need. They need to see a roadmap. I do not know how many times we have been in here and have talked about a single point of access because the other thing parents give out about is the fact you have no one to go to.

We need to make sure we do the workforce planning and take the emergency action to clear these backlogs and we need the Government to stop breaking the law.
Engineering students at Dundalk Institute of Technology have been recognised for their innovative projects at the Institutes annual award ceremony, where the Peter Rice Medal and Dr Niamh Shaw Awards were presented.

Mechanical engineering graduate, Rebecca Lambe Fagan was awarded The Peter Rice Medal for the best Level 8 Engineering student project at DkIT for her project titled Re-inventing the Commercial Dog Kennel while Johnathon McManus was named winner of the Dr Niamh Shaw Award for his electronic/electrical project titled Greenhouse Monitoring and Control.

The Peter Rice Medal pays tribute to Dundalk-born engineer Peter Rice, who is celebrated for his work on some of the 20th centurys most iconic structures, including the Sydney Opera House, the Pompidou Centre, the Louvre Pyramid, and Lloyds of London.

Civil engineering graduate Paul Kiernan and Electronic and Electrical Engineering graduate Shane Moran were also finalists for this award. Paul presented his project, Urban Cycle Infrastructure, an Evaluation of Connectivity, while Shane shared his project titled Pedestrian/ Vehicle Automated Recognition System.

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The Dr Niamh Shaw Award celebrates Dundalk native, Dr Niamh Shaw, an engineer, scientist, writer, performer, and one of Irelands leading voices in science communication.

Civil Engineering student Jamie Rafferty and Nathan Clarke, a Mechanical Engineering student were also finalists for this award.

Jamie presented his projecttitled Truss Analysis: Comparing Hand Calculations and MasterSeries, while Nathan shared his project titled: NRG Lift System- Design and Development.

Engineers Ireland Northeast kindly sponsored both prizes, and representatives of the body at the event spoke of the impact of young engineers and the positive roles they play in society. Maeve Martin, Student and Graduate Engagement Officer at Engineers Ireland also gave insights into the organisations vision, and opportunities it can provide for students.

Maryellen Kelledy, Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland Northeast Region and DkIT Programme Director opened the event and commended the students for their dedication and outstanding work. She said: These awards play a vital role in highlighting the outstanding quality of engineering education at DkIT and the exceptional calibre of graduates across the North-East region.

Above: The Peter Rice Medal - L to R: Sean McCarthy, Peter Nowak, Amanda-Jane Gainford, Rebecca Lambe Fagan, Breen Jackson, Adam Graham and Mary Arthur-Smyth

"The event offers students a valuable platform to showcase their hard work and achievements. We were delighted to present the Dr Niamh Shaw Award for the third time alongside our Annual Peter Rice Medal Award, and it was a pleasure to have Niamh join us to share her inspiring explorations and recent projects.

Dr Niamh Shaw delivered a keynote speech in which she reflected on how her passion for engineering, science and space has shaped her identity, reshaping her views on failure and success. She shared stories from her worldwide travels, highlighting her recent, captivating journey to the Arctic with a collective of artists and storytellers.

She spoke about the profound signs of planetary change she witnessed there, as well as the DkIT engineering projects that accompanied her on the expedition.

Addressing the audience, Niamh said: It is a real privilege to be invited back each year, and still surreal to have an award in my name. To think that it might inspire students to pursue a career shaped by their own interests, alongside the legacy of someone as remarkable as Peter Rice, is an honour I never take for granted.

Speaking at the event, Dr Breda Brennan, Head of School of Engineering, DkIT said: Congratulations to all the competitors and thank you to all the judges for their participation and engagement in this fantastic competition. The creativity of our students and graduates was evident in the diverse range of projects on display.

"We are incredibly proud of our engineering community, and it is inspiring to see the strengthening partnerships between industry and education across the region.

The judging panel for this years final event was led by Sean McCarthy and consisted of Adam Graham, Amanda-Jane Gainford, Breen Jackson, Mary Arthur-Smyth and Peter Nowak. A huge thanks to all the fantastic judges who worked on the review process prior to the final.
An Irish woman in her 70s has died days after suffering serious injuries in a late-night road crash in Kerry last week.

The woman was the sole occupant of a car involved in a single-vehicle collision on the N23 in Lisheenbaun, Castleisland, shortly before midnight on Wednesday, December 10. Emergency services rushed to the scene and she was taken by ambulance to hospital in a critical condition.

Gardai confirmed this morning that the woman has since passed away from her injuries.

Following her death, gardai have renewed their appeal for witnesses as investigations into the crash continue.

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In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: Gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses following a road traffic collision which occurred on Wednesday 10th December 2025.

The female driver and sole occupant of the car, aged in her 70s, was removed from the scene to hospital. She has since passed away.

The crash occurred at approximately 11.40pm, and gardai are seeking to hear from anyone who may have been in the area before or after the crash.

READ MORE | Gardai announce new safety measures for Irish Jewish community after Bondi Beach shooting

Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and were travelling in the area between 11.20pm and 11.50pm are asked to make it available to investigating Gardai, the spokesperson said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.
An Irish woman, who was on Bondi Beach with her 11-year-old son a few minutes before the deadly weekend shooting began, says shes still shaking from what happened.

Michelle Dohertys Sydney home is just a few minutes walk from the beach. She could hear the shots ringing out from the balcony of her apartment as gunmen fired indiscriminately into crowds, killing at least 15 people on Sunday evening.

The shocked 48-year-old from Glengad, Co Donegal, has described the terrifying scene following Australias worst mass shooting in three decades.

Everything was going absolutely mad; there were helicopters everywhere and sirens and police all over the place.

We were at a Christmas party on the beach, I'd say about 200 metres away from where it happened.

READ MORE | Elderly woman in her 70s dies days after late-night crash as gardai appeal for witnesses

I'd just left, and come in to grab some food for me and my son Max, when Maxs dad rang in a panic to ask if we were okay. He said there had been a shooting.

I couldnt believe it, because we were just there. I opened the balcony door, and I could actually hear the gunshots going off all around us.

I was shaking, I was just so emotional and so upset. Something like that just doesnt happen in Bondi. Weve always felt so safe and settled here.

Michelle, who has lived in Australia for the past eight years, is struggling to come to terms with the awful events.

All day Ive had this heaviness in my heart; the thought of unarmed innocent people being attacked like that. They were celebrating a festival and then to be gunned down without warning; its an act of terrorism.

Its just heartbreaking for the families; it's heartbreaking for everybody who lives in Bondi as well, because there's no place for that around here. Everybody's just happy to live in a safe and beautiful place, but this puts a really dark cloud over us.

All the roads are still pretty much cordoned off near where I live, and all the beaches are closed. Its usually packed with people, but its so empty now, and it just feels really eerie and really sombre.

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The youngest victim of the atrocity was a ten-year-old girl, just one year older than Michelles son Max. She is so thankful that he was spared the worst of it, and is safe and well.

When it was happening, thank God he was watching something, so he didn't really know much about it  and I didn't tell him anything until I was getting him ready for bed. I told him that something really bad had happened at the beach, and he was distraught.

He couldnt understand it; he was shocked, and he was obviously very scared going to bed. I went in to check on him all night, because I was so relieved and so thankful that we'd gotten home safe and we were still together.

Michelle has been inundated with calls from worried friends and relatives over the past 24 hours.

My mum rang straight away, I have cousins in Birmingham too, and they contacted me immediately  my phone has been non-stop with people just checking in. Everybody's in shock, and, yeah, it's a bit too close to home, to be honest.

Its the start of summer here, and its usually buzzing with tourists and people enjoying the sun, but tonight its like a ghost town. The weather was actually grey this evening, which matched the sombre atmosphere.
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 would often be on the balcony of the Pavilion Hotel  which overlooks the bridge from which two men launched the attack.

They call Bondi the 33rd county because its where all the Irish go, he said. 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.

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. It has hit home for all of us because there is such a large community of Jewish people in Bondi."

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.

Upon hearing about yesterdays 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.
Lisa Murphy from Mayfield was named Volunteer of the Year for City North at the Cork Volunteer Awards recently, for her dedication to the Mayfield community.

Ms Murphy was honoured with the title for setting up the Mayfield Community Development Project Chit Chat Group last year.

The informal group, which invites the community to come for a cup of tea and a chat, is open to all and meets once a week on Tuesdays at 11am at 328 Old Youghal Rd, T23 CX7D.

Volunteer Ireland said: When isolation grew in 2024, Lisa Murphy took action by creating the Mayfield Chit Chat Group; a weekly space where people reconnect, share experiences, and build confidence. Her encouragement has helped many take steps toward education, community involvement, and new friendships. Her impact extends across Mayfield, from community events to youth initiatives. We proudly honour Lisa Murphy for her inspiring community leadership.

Ms Murphy told The Echo that she owed it to the late Mary Kelly for encouraging her to get involved with Mayfield project: I wouldnt be where I am today if it wasnt for Mary Kelly opening the door to me. I was a broken person.

Liz O'Halloran, Mayfield CDP, with Lisa Murphy and her volunteer award, pictured with a portrait of the late Mary Kelly.

She also thanked all the Mayfield staff, particularly Liz OHalloran for encouraging her to pursue a higher education. Ms Murphy left school at age 13 with no Junior or Leaving Certificate, but she is now pursuing education through the Munster Technological University (MTU) access programme.

A spokesperson for MTU said: We are so incredibly proud of Lisa Murphy who was presented with the Volunteer Cork Volunteer of the Year for City North at a lovely ceremony in The Everyman.

Lisa is one of our amazing students who is currently undertaking the starting strong access module this semester. We were delighted to be there with her on the night and we couldnt resist celebrating her achievement this morning in class with a cuppa and a cake. Very well-deserved Lisa, congratulations!

The Volunteer Ireland Awards are a major annual initiative to celebrate volunteers in Ireland. The awards shine a light on the remarkable achievements of volunteers around the country, and the 2025 Volunteer Ireland Awards were made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, and award partners Healthy Ireland.
The movers of a motion to explore the option of an early pregnancy loss policy for Cork City Council employees have welcomed its backing by the local authority.

Fine Gaels Shane OCallaghan and Labours Peter Horgan proposed that the council adopt the recommendations of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork (UCC) as a measure to implement for the councils workforce.

The motion also called on the council to write to the leaders of all political parties in Dail Eireann encouraging them to adopt a cross-party approach to implementing leave in this area.

The councils HR directorate said that they will examine the recommendations of the UCC research group to establish if they can be adopted within Cork City Council and to bring a report to the senior management team by next June.

Mr OCallaghan told The Echo that this was a very positive development.

It will hopefully result in Cork City Council leading the way in terms of implementing the recommendations, which would in turn serve as an example to be followed by the rest of the public service as well as workplaces in the private sector.

I would also like to pay tribute to Professor Keelin ODonoghue, Marita Hennessy, Dr Tommy Harty, Dr Caoimhe Ni hEalaithe and everyone else involved in the research group for all of their work on the report and recommendations and for putting together an impressive and comprehensive Pregnancy Loss and the Workplace Toolkit.

The toolkit provides guidance for affected employees on how best to navigate work after experiencing pregnancy loss as well as information for employers and co-workers on how to support work colleagues who experience pregnancy loss.

Mr Horgan added: When you look across the political spectrum there is broad agreement to do something to ensure supports are there for those who experience early pregnancy loss.

The one thing that jumped out of the report for me was how to speak with someone who experiences such loss, that being kind and caring is better than being perfect, Mr Horgan said.

I hope reports such as this will encourage all of us to have that kind, caring word in our hearts for those who go through such loss.

Both councillors urged the leaders of all political parties to progress the matter urgently to deliver supports to families across the State.
Five Cork garda stations which closed over a decade ago are to be disposed of by the Office of Public Works (OPW) over the next two years.

Four former garda stations are listed as being prepared for disposal  2026.

They are Ballyfeard, near Kinsale; Ballygurteen, near Dunmanway and Knocknagree on the Kerry border, which have been closed since March 30, 2012. While Rathduff, near Grenagh closed on January 31, 2013.

A fifth former garda station, in Castletownshend near Skibbereen, also closed in 2012 but is listed as being prepared for disposal in 2027.

There are also eight former Coast Guard properties in Crosshaven, listed as being ready for transfer to Cork County Council for a social housing scheme. The Echo previously revealed that five of these properties are cottages that have been under OPW care since before 1993.

The OPW has ownership of 16 vacant properties in Cork that are considered surplus to requirements, including some which have been vacant over 30 years.

Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran said the OPW has responsibility for managing and maintaining approximately 2,500 properties.

The OPWs policy in managing surplus vacant properties is firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed for either Government departments or the wider public service.

Secondly, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions, said Mr Moran.

Thirdly, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain, and manage it.

Mr Moran said there are currently 56 OPW-owned surplus vacant buildings and one leased vacant building. He provided documentation as to the current status of the 16 surplus vacant buildings in Cork.

A former garda residence in Kealkil is also still in State ownership, with the documentation explaining that title issues had to be resolved prior to disposal.

The final two properties are listed as miscellaneous. Bannow House in Carrigrohane is to be leased to Cork City Council, while alternative State use is being examined for a former OPW office on Old Blackrock Road.
A man stood on a bed and threatened the pregnant woman lying there in the early hours of the morning with the words: All women deserve to be bate.

This woman and her partner had to barricade themselves into the bedroom after hearing the man rummaging in a cutlery drawer in the kitchen. He repeatedly stabbed the barricaded door during a 999 call that recorded what was happening over a period of 35 minutes.

Judge Sinead Behan said it was an absolutely terrifying ordeal for the injured parties. Defence barrister Elaine Audley said defendant, 27-year-old Keith OLeary had an underlying mental health situation involving depression and anxiety.

Judge Behan imposed a sentence of four years with the last 18 months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier today.

Detective Garda Dave Barry arrested Keith OLeary and charged him with making the death threat to the young woman in the early hours of July 3.

The defendant who is originally from Glenville village in County Cork, was also charged with production of a knife, damaging the house and resisting arrest on the morning in question in Glenville.

He pleaded guilty to the crimes at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Det Garda Barry said that after 4am on Thursday July 3 gardai responded to a 999 call from a pregnant woman and her partner that Keith O'Leary was present with a knife threatening to kill them.

He had a large kitchen knife in his hand and was actively stabbing at the bedroom door attempting to force entry to the room and that the man was holding it shut, effectively barricading themselves from the defendant.

Det Garda Barry said a man could be heard screaming in the background of the recorded 999 call which lasted for 35 minutes.

The Armed Support Unit arrived within minutes and Gardai assessed an immediate risk to life and entered the property where they located Keith O'Leary who physically lashed out and was tasered in order for the arrest to be made.

During the incident the defendant could be heard shouting:

"I'm going to get you" and "I'm going to slit your throat".

Keith OLeary pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill, under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, production of a weapon, criminal damage and resisting arrest.

Judge Behan said, He came into the bedroom of woman 14 weeks pregnant. He stood on the bed and made threats. The woman and her partner later heard rummaging in cutlery drawer of the kitchen, they barricaded themselves in, putting the wardrobe across the door. They made a 999 call as he was stabbing the knife through the door.

There was no victim impact statement before the court and no reason for Keith OLearys behaviour was given.
iRobot, which brought robotic vacuum cleaners to the masses with its iconic Roomba models, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Massachusetts-based company plans to sell all assets to its primary supplier, a Chinese company known as Picea Robotics. If approved by a bankruptcy court, the move would allow iRobot to "continue operating in the ordinary course, pursue its product development roadmap, and maintain its global footprint," iRobot wrote in a press release.

The company expects the deal to close in February 2026, but says it will continue to operate "with no anticipated disruption to its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships or ongoing product support." That means your Roomba should continue to clean normally and you'll be able to get consumables and replacement parts.

However, investors of common stock "will experience a total loss and not receive recovery on their investment" if the deal is approved, iRobot stated. The company didn't discuss how the move might affect its employees in the US or elsewhere.

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Bankruptcy seemed a likely outcome for iRobot after Amazon dropped its $1.7 billion acquisition of the company last year following a veto threat by European regulators. The company's fortunes continued to decline and it issued a statement to investors in March 2025 that it had "substantial doubt about [its] ability to continue."

It's a sad turn of events for the company that invented the robotic vacuum niche and launched its first product, the Roomba, back in 2002. It dominated that space for more than a decade, but its market size has steadily shrunk more recently, particularly since Covid, due to competition from rivals like Roborock and Dreame.

Though iRobot retooled its product lineup earlier this year with new models like the Roomba 105 Vac Robot series and Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock, but they failed to move the sales needle enough. The company was reportedly hit hard by Trump's 46 percent tariff in Vietnam where it manufactures products for the US market.

If the sale is approved, iRobot says it will return in force. "Today's announcement marks a pivotal milestone in securing iRobot's long-term future," said CEO Gary Cohen. "The transaction will strengthen our financial position and will help deliver continuity for our consumers, customers, and partners."
A fresh security check called for by Britain's Home Office has ignited speculations of a possible return to spending more time in Britain for Prince Harry.

RadarOnline reported that this is the first thorough threat assessment being conducted on the duke since he stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle.

The publication noted that Royal and VIP Executive Committee, nicknamed 'Ravec,' has been told to undertake a thorough reevaluation of Harry's threat level.

A decision is expected as early as next month after considerations of police force proposals and other government agency submissions, with a possible go-ahead on a continuous armed security detail if deemed a threat again, for which the cost will be underwritten by the British government when in Britain.

The incident has fuelled further debate over Harry's long-standing claim that he is not in a position to bring his family to Britain without being protected. His state-funded personal security detail was removed in 2020, when his level of threat was reduced, and replaced with a system which requires individual police screening before each visit. His challenge in the High Court this year proved unsuccessful.

Read more: Prince Harry Allegedly Preparing to Establish Rival Royal Network Once UK Protection Is Secured

The source pointed out that this relief is timely since King Charles III, 77, is still under cancer treatment and hasn't visited his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, since June 2022. Quotes attributed to sources by Radar Online show that Harry believes with this police protection reinstated, he will be able to travel with his children to Britain for a visit since this is not possible with the current setup.

However, sources have told the source that this move may cause a great deal of tension in Harry's marriage because Meghan Markle has already established her life in California and is considered to have reservations about returning to Britain for an extended stay.

Moreover, with the possibility of Harry spending more time in Britain or perhaps dividing his time in half in this country, royal followers have questioned how these two will manage this balance.

In spite of these reservations, Harry had traveled alone to Britain on two different occasions after ceasing to be a working royal, in September to undertake charity appearances and a brief encounter with his father. The source highlighted an encounter that took less than an hour, evidencing how relationships in the family were very delicate.

After the High Court judgment in relation to his security challenge, he publicly communicated his frustration with this judgment. Preceding this judgment, he stated, in response to this judgment, "I can't see a world in which I will be bringing my wife and children back at this point," per Hello! Magazine.

While officials are ready to finalize a new threat assessment, RadarOnline presented a development that may represent a critical juncture in Harry's relationship with Britain, since this event may redefine a balance in both His public roles and personal life.
Princess Diana had reportedly engaged in a serious altercation with her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, just hours before the Paris car crash that killed them both in 1997.

The claim comes from royal biographer Judy Wade, who told RadarOnline that the confrontation took place on Aug. 30, 1997, as the couple attempted to evade paparazzi while traveling in southern France. Wade characterized the incident as a troubling omen about the tension surrounding the couple during their final hours.

Diana, then 36 years old, was in that limbo of trying to rebuild her life after her divorce from now King Charles III after their 15-year marriage.

According to the Publication, summer 1997 was a period of transition for the princess, traveling to cities like New York, Washington, and St. Tropez to avoid, at all costs, intense public scrutiny in Britain.

Following the painful breakup with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, Diana accepted an invitation by billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed to spend some time at his villa in St. Tropez with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. There she met and became romantically involved with Al Fayed's son, Dodi. The romancesent the global media into a frenzy, according to the source, as paparazzi pursued the couple across Europe.

Wade told RadarOnline that Dodi lavished Diana with "fantastically expensive" gifts, in addition to arranging luxury travel- complete with private yachts and jets. Despite the public display, sources close to the report indicated Diana saw the relationship as a mere way to pass time rather than an actual commitment.

The reported argument occurred after Diana and Fayed cut short a trip to Sardinia and traveled to a villa outside Paris owned by Mohamed Al Fayed. During the drive, they were reportedly pursued aggressively by photographers. According to RadarOnline, the chase heightened tensions inside the car about the speed and safety of the drive.

Introducing Wade's account of the altercation, InStyle quoted her recounting the incident: "Diana and Dodi got into a violent fight."

According to the report, witnesses later said Diana looked visibly shaken as she arrived at the villa. RadarOnline further reported she refused to go upstairs and wanted to leave, while her bodyguard recalled that the couple didn't show any affection toward each other.

On Aug. 31, 1997, Diana and Fayed arrived back at Paris. Their car, driven by chauffeur Henri Paul crashed at high speed into a concrete abutment within the Pont de l'Alma tunnel as it pursued photographers. Diana and Fayed were killed.

The bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, survived with grave injury. Speaking to RadarOnline, Wade said the alleged argument drove home the increasing pressure and fear that surrounded Diana in her final hours, offering a new perspective on one of modern royal history's most scrutinized tragedies.
Daily Mail journalist Caroline Graham claims Meghan Markle's team sent her "unnecessarily aggressive" messages while she stayed by the bedside of the Duchess of Sussex's father, Thomas Markle, who recently underwent a leg amputation in the Philippines.

In a lengthy article published Saturday, Graham explained that her close friendship with Thomas, 81, began after interviewing him about his estranged relationship with Meghan in 2018.

"I feel it is important to set the record straight," Graham wrote, noting that she only reports stories with Thomas's express permission.

"He told me he wanted to give an interview to The Mail on Sunday as he sought control of the narrative around his amputation."

She added that Thomas has been hurt by false stories online and hoped to reach out to Meghan one last time through her reporting.

According to PageSix, Graham described the past weeks as a "roller-coaster" while Thomas recovered in the hospital.

She revealed that Thomas's son, Thomas Markle Jr., had urged her to fly to the Philippines after learning from the surgeon that his father faced a life-threatening blood clot.

Graham said she also tried to help Thomas contact Meghan's PR team, though the Duchess's spokesperson had claimed the father was unreachable due to outdated email addresses.

WHEN TABLOIDS PLAY FAMILY THERAPIST



The Daily Mail made a business out of humiliating Meghan Sussex. Now they want credit for humanity because one of their reporters exploited her fathers hospital bed instead of her directly. Miss me with that bullshit. This is unethical pic.twitter.com/L3GEjabHd5  Quinn (@Mikeedakid1) December 14, 2025

Caroline Graham Respected Thomas Markle's Privacy

Following Graham's reporting, Meghan's team criticized the journalist for allegedly breaching boundaries.

"Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father's bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately," a spokesperson said.

Despite this, Graham maintained she did not pry into the content of Meghan's letter, which was eventually delivered safely to Thomas via trusted contacts.

Graham stressed that she and Thomas had an understanding: anything he shared was off the record unless he explicitly said otherwise.

She said she even offered to step back from their friendship if it would help him reconcile with Meghan.

"Painful as that would be... it would be impossible for him to reconcile with her while having a friend in the media," she explained.

Thomas Markle has long been estranged from Meghan, notably missing her wedding in 2018 due to health issues, while the pair have had a complicated public relationship.

Amid his hospitalization, reports surfaced that Meghan had attempted to reach out but faced difficulties, including a lack of direct contact information, Mirror reported.

DMG Media, the parent company of the Daily Mail, defended Graham's presence, noting that she has been a trusted friend of Thomas since 2018 and provided care and support during his hospital stay.
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China to roll out incremental policies next year in response to evolving circumstances

Xinhua) 11:01, December 15, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China will in 2026 introduce and implement incremental policies in response to unfolding circumstances, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, said on Saturday.

Since the meeting held by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in September 2024, China has successively introduced and implemented a series of policies and measures, Han said.

He noted that it is necessary to give full play to the integrated effect of existing policies and incremental policies in a coordinated manner, and promote stable and sound economic development next year.

These remarks were made at a forum hosted by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Next year, efforts will be made to maintain stable economic growth while ensuring overall stability in employment and prices, basic equilibrium in the international balance of payments, and an increase in household incomes commensurate with that growth, Han said.

Han noted that China will continue to implement a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy next year, and will enhance the consistency of macro policy orientation and the effectiveness of policy implementation.

As China moves toward the goal of basically achieving socialist modernization, there remains substantial room for investment in the country's urbanization, sci-tech innovation, industrial upgrading, and improvement of people's livelihoods, Han said.

The implementation of major projects slated for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) if conditions permit should be advanced, and their role as key drivers should be leveraged to effectively stimulate private investment and stabilize overall investment growth, he said.

The underlying conditions and fundamental trends sustaining China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged, he said, adding that efforts should be made to strengthen confidence, leverage the strengths, rise to challenges, continuously consolidate and expand the positive momentum of steady economic growth.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
SALEM, Ohio  A petition to increase setbacks from unconventional oil and gas wells is finally moving forward after Pennsylvanias Environmental Quality Board voted to accept a rulemaking petition for further study on Dec. 9.

The rulemaking petition, submitted by the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project, was originally filed in October 2024 but has been stalled by the board since the spring.

The petition asks the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to consider adopting setbacks of 3,281 feet from any building and drinking water well, 5,280 feet from any building serving vulnerable populations (including schools and hospitals) and 750 feet from any surface water.

Included in the petition are dozens of peer-reviewed scientific studies from over a decade of research that detail the impacts of fracking, like air pollution, water contamination, public health impacts and threats to agriculture.

Currently, the minimum statewide setback distance from homes and private wells is 500 feet, adopted in 2012.

Unconventional oil and gas wells were first drilled in the state in 2005. Since then, residents who live close to these fracking wells have complained about noise, health impacts and lower property values.

The EQB voted to table the petition in April, stating it needed more time to consider the issue after a last-minute plea from the oil and gas industry opposing the rulemaking change.

According to the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the petition threaten(s) access to Pennsylvanias reliable and affordable energy resources. It is both dangerous and shortsighted, said Jim Welty, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

Environmental groups state the petitions passing is an important step to protect the people of the Commonwealth from fracking pollution, said Lisa Hallowell, senior attorney with the Environmental Integrity Project.

The petition will move on to the DEP, which has 60 days to make a report evaluating the petition. The environmental groups will have a chance to respond before the DEP makes its final recommendation.

If the petition is approved for a rulemaking change, the state agency will have six months to prepare a rulemaking change for EQB to consider. The proposed rulemaking change will go through a public notice and comment period.

(Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
Family farms and long-established rural businesses are facing renewed uncertainty as MPs prepare to debate controversial inheritance tax reforms in the House of Commons this week.

The Finance Bill returns to parliament for its second reading on Tuesday (16 December), marking a key moment for proposals that farming groups warn are already affecting investment and succession planning across the countryside.

With the deeply controversial legislation moving forward for an April 2026 roll out, rural organisations are urging business owners to contact their MPs to spell out the financial and personal consequences of the changes.

The second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the overall principles of a bill. The discussion will be opened by a Treasury minister, followed by contributions from opposition spokespeople and backbench MPs.

Although no amendments can be made at this stage, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says the debate is a vital chance to highlight the scale of concern within the rural economy.

The association has been briefing MPs ahead of the debate, focusing on the impact of the proposals on family-run enterprises, where uncertainty over inheritance tax liabilities is already influencing long-term decisions on borrowing, expansion and generational handover.

Across the country, family businesses have been reducing their investment, at an enormous cost to the economy and the British public, said CLA president Gavin Lane.

He warned that it is not too late for the chancellor to scrap the entire policy, and finally recognise the enormous value family-owned businesses bring to the UK.

Political unease over the proposals has already surfaced at Westminster. When MPs voted last to allow the Finance Bill to continue its passage, more than 35 Labour MPs abstained, citing concerns about the distress the inheritance tax changes are causing in rural communities. Farming groups see those abstentions as evidence that support for the measures is far from settled.

A vote will follow Tuesdays debate on whether the bill should proceed. This is expected to pass, even among MPs with reservations, in order to allow the wider package of measures to move forward.

More detailed scrutiny will take place after Christmas during the committee and report stages, when MPs will be able to table and vote on amendments. Farming groups believe this phase will be critical in shaping the final form of the legislation and in pressing for concessions.

Campaigners are therefore continuing to urge farmers and landowners to engage directly with their MPs, arguing that personal accounts of uncertainty and financial strain could influence future votes.

With the bill set to return to the Commons in the new year, attention is now turning to whether those MPs who abstained will ultimately oppose the proposals outright.
More than 1,200 children have already taken part in a scheme linking classrooms with local farms, as growers open their gates to teach pupils about food production, farming and nature conservation.

The Farm School initiative brings together Brighton and Hove City Council, its tenant farmers and local schools, introducing children to the farms that surround the city and the role they play in producing food while caring for the environment.

The programme forms part of the four-year Changing Chalk project, which is supported by a 2.23 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Through guided tours, hands-on activities and nature walks, children learn about sustainable farming, wildlife and the conservation of rare chalk grassland, helping them understand how food production and nature restoration work side by side.

Since the project began in 2023, more than 1,200 pupils have visited farms taking part in the scheme, including Standean Farm, Ovingdean Grange Farm, Housedean Farm, Balmer Farm, Mile Oak Farm, Perching Manor Farm and the Truleigh Centre.

Jane, who farms at Standean Farm alongside Tim, said the visits give children a genuine sense of what farming involves. The farm school initiative allows our local children to experience the wonders of farming and farm life in reality  the smells, the noises, the animals and the scale of the machinery used, she said.

She added that the transformation she sees over the course of a visit is especially rewarding. Seeing groups arrive with an air of apprehension and then 4 hours later see them waving goodbye with enthusiasm and anticipation of another visit is priceless. Its good for the future.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, deputy leader and cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said the project was helping to build strong links between education, farming and the natural landscape.

Its great to see the strong connections being forged between local farmers and schools and the enjoyment children get from seeing sustainable farming up close, he said.

He added that the citys setting made the scheme particularly significant. Brighton & Hove is surrounded by the South Downs, much of which is publicly owned.

"Were also part of the Living Coast, the only UNESCO urban biosphere reserve in the UK, so its vitally important that children can see where their food comes from and the plants and wildlife that are returning thanks to nature restoration, he said.

Farm School Co-ordinator Hannah Tedman thanked the farmers involved for their commitment. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful farmers involved in the Farm School project, she said.

They have welcomed children onto their farms and shared their knowledge and expertise in producing food, looking after our local landscape and supporting nature.

Organisers say further school visits are planned as the project continues, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to value food production, farming and the countryside.
The recognition that a food is good often lies in our past  in finding the familiar on the plate and allowing it to bring memories flooding back. It can also lie in discovering the unfamiliar and enjoying that sensation. At The Penang Table, newly opened off Mumbais Linking Road in Bandra, your meal will be a joyous chorus of oohs, aahs and mmms as flavours you remember from travels in Malaysia meet nuances arising from unusual pairings you havent encountered before.





Your food foray into Malaysia comes courtesy Kishore DF, a food aficionado who has given Mumbai some of her most-loved culinary experiences via eateries such as Pot Pourri, Lemon Grass, and Tanjore Tiffin Room. Head Chef Mitesh Rangrass menu at this premium casual space celebrates the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Colonial and indigenous influences that have shaped the food of the SouthEast Asian country. The spotlight is firmly on ingredients such as dried chillies, galangal, turmeric, candlenut, lemongrass, pandan leaves, and tamarind that are extensively used in Malaysia to offer the cuisines characteristic sweet, sour, salty and spicy notes. All this in a 34,000-foot space, in which sunlight (or Bandras neon lights) filters in through large windows framed by greenery, enlivening a palette of spicy reds, elegant blacks and warm yellows, and in which Malayan jungle murals and Mumbai motifs sit comfortably side by side on walls.

What We Ate And Drank:



We started by tasting the table sauces  a signature (read: tweaked) tomato sambal, a Penang gunpowder in coconut and sesame oil, and a Java sauce of shallots, garlic, galangal, and lemongrass in chilli oil. Only tasted them  because we did not really need them with any of the dishes we were served.







Playing with textures and seasonal produce, the salads on the menu shine. The Coconut Water Noodle Salad is made with coconut jelly, candied red chilli, and vermicelli in a kaffir lime vinaigrette; it is a melange of unusual flavours. We could not get enough of the Tender Coconut & Avocado Salad (above)  the batons of tender coconut and the avocado come together with bird eye chillies and crispy shallots in a passionfruit vinaigrette that almost explodes with flavour on the palate. We were forced to bring a portion home to share.







Next came the Pan Seared Dumplings (above). We tried four types  the Corn, Spinach & Cream Cheese (comforting with great mouth feel), the Three Mushroom Mix (umami, earthy, and distinctive), the Prawn, Chive & Kaffir Lime (delicate and allowing the prawns to shine through), and the hearty Hot Chicken. Each serving is four pieces, unusually but deliciously enrobed in a laksa sauce to keep them Malaysian, not Chinese, and we could have made a meal out of just these!







The next surprise was the Signature Roti Sarang (above), on the menu with minced chicken, but made for us with pulled jackfruit to stunning effect. This is a base of flaky parotta, not unlike a Malabar paratha in its concentric circles, topped with a ring of perfectly-seasoned and spiced pulled jackfruit around sunny-side-up eggs. You pull up a piece of roti, grab some jackfruit, and dip it into the egg yolk. We promise you will find, like us, that this is a divine combination.

We also tried the Bakar Bakar (chargrilled offerings) with chicken and pork belly, accompanied by three sauces. The pork belly is awesome, the chicken is for fans of spice.



The satays brought back happy memories of eating on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. The Classic Chicken Satay is served with the signature spicy peanut sauce, while the Black Pepper Buff Satay came with an amazing pineapple sambal  both are recommended.







Liquid accompaniments to the meal come off the bar programme curated by mixologist Pranav Modi, who seeks to complement the food with cocktails infused with kaffir lime, lemongrass and pandan.



By this time into the meal, we were almost unable to contemplate taking another bite, but the Signature Golden Curry with tofu and the Lamb Rendang Curry were well worth our valiant efforts.







Recent research has shown that the dessert stomach is real, and we were glad to find ours to thoroughly enjoy the two desserts we shared  Tropical Sin (above: coconut mousse with a citrus glaze and a roti tuile, served with candied ginger ice cream) and the Kaffir Key Lime Pie  a bruleed vanilla Chantilly, served with popcorn dust and peanut praline.





Location: The Penang Table, 1st Floor, VN Sphere Mall, Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai





Timings: 12 PM to 12 PM





Price Points: Rs 1,800 for two



Also Read: Cantina Brings Italian-American Fare To Mumbai  Dig In!
Relief Therapeutics Holding SA / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions

Relief Therapeutics and NeuroX Complete Business Combination and Form MindMaze Therapeutics



15-Dec-2025 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Relief Therapeutics and NeuroX Complete Business Combination and Form MindMaze Therapeutics

GENEVA (Dec. 15, 2025) - MindMaze Therapeutics Holding SA (SIX: MMTX ) (MindMaze Therapeutics or the Company) announced today the completion of its business combination with NeuroX Group SA (NeuroX), a commercial-stage company delivering evidence-based, precision digital treatments for neurological diseases. The newly combined entity now operates under the name MindMaze Therapeutics Holding SA.

The closing follows the signing of a definitive business combination agreement in October 2025 and subsequent shareholder approval at the Company's extraordinary general meeting in November. The transaction establishes a fully integrated company with a first-of-its-kind ecosystem, uniting precision digital neurotherapeutics, pharmacological treatments, cutting-edge devices, data, and an AI-powered platform, positioned to redefine neurological care and change patient lives.

"Neurological diseases are one of the leading causes of disability globally," said Olaf Blanke (MD), member of the Board of Directors, Professor of Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroprosthetics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University Hospital of Geneva. "The situation is worsening due to aging populations, with 1 in 6 people expected to develop a neurological disease, making the need for effective, scalable solutions more urgent than ever. While neuro-rehabilitation requires intensive, repetitive training for functional recovery, traditional healthcare systems often fail to deliver adequate therapy, leaving millions of patients without optimal treatment. MindMaze Therapeutics seeks to address this gap by providing clinically proven neurotherapeutics to support their recovery journey, from hospital to rehab center to their home."

"Today begins a new chapter for MindMaze Therapeutics," commented Walid Hanna, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MindMaze Therapeutics. "The company is founded on clinically validated innovation, and driven by a mission to transform neurological care, addressing a critical and persistent gap in motor and cognition restorations in neurological conditions. We are now focused on advancing our precision neurotherapeutics platform to deliver impact at scale. Relief's complementary capabilities and biopharmaceutical assets strengthen our growth strategy, supporting both drug-digital integration and expanding development opportunities."

MindMaze Therapeutics acquired NeuroX through a share exchange in which all outstanding shares of NeuroX were contributed by its former shareholders in exchange for 140,000,000 newly issued ordinary shares of the Company. These new shares will be admitted to trading and listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange today, in accordance with the approved prospectus and applicable regulations. Effective immediately, all listed ordinary shares of the Company will trade under the updated ticker symbol MMTX. Following the transaction, the total number of outstanding shares amounts to 152,602,044, excluding treasury shares.



ABOUT MINDMAZE THERAPEUTICS

MindMaze Therapeutics is a Swiss-based, commercial-stage company formed in December 2025 through the business combination of RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (Relief) and NeuroX Group SA. The Company develops and commercializes first-of-its-kind digital treatments for neurological diseases and brain disorders. Built on an advanced brain technology platform integrating software, sensors, and telehealth, its solutions are deployed globally across clinics and home settings. MindMaze Therapeutics' clinically validated neurotherapeutics have demonstrated significant medico-economic outcomes across conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and at-risk aging. The Company continues to expand its R&D pipeline into adjacent neurological indications, including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Company also manages Relief's preexisting portfolio of clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical assets focused on rare dermatological, metabolic, and respiratory diseases.

MindMaze Therapeutics is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker MMTX and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under RLFTF and RLFTY .

For more information, visit www.mindmazetherapeutics.com .



CONTACT

MindMaze Therapeutics Holding SA

Jeremy Meinen

Chief Financial Officer

ir@mindmaze.com



DISCLAIMER

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "believe," "assume," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "will," or similar expressions. These statements are based on current plans and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such factors include, among others, business, economic, financial, regulatory, and competitive factors, as well as the Company's ability to execute its strategy and secure sufficient resources to support its operations. This communication is provided as of the date hereof, and MindMaze Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
2026 startet mit einem Paukenschlag: Der DAX outperformt den US-Markt, Nachzugler holen auf. Ein erstes Signal, dass der Bullenmarkt an Breite gewinnt. Wahrend viele Anleger weiter auf die groen Tech-Namen setzen, hat sich im Hintergrund langst ein Umschwung vollzogen. Der Fokus verschiebt sich weg von uberteuerten KI-Highflyern hin zu soliden Qualitatswerten aus der zweiten Reihe.



Anleger, die jetzt clever agieren, setzen nicht auf das, was war, sondern auf das, was kommt. Unternehmen mit gesunder Bilanz, unterschatztem Potenzial und begrenztem Abwartsrisiko konnten 2026 zu den groen Gewinnern zahlen. Die Gefahr einer scharferen Korrektur bleibt real, gerade fur passiv aufgestellte Investoren.



In unserem neuen Spezialreport stellen wir funf Aktien vor, die genau jetzt das Potenzial fur uberdurchschnittliche Renditen bieten. Stark, gunstig und bislang kaum im Fokus.



Jetzt kostenlosen Report herunterladen  bevor es andere tun!



Dieses exklusive PDF ist nur fur kurze Zeit gratis verfugbar.
LUGANO, Switzerland, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From December 8 to 12, BE OPEN attended the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held by the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya. The foundation took that opportunity to reward and celebrate the winners of the Designing Futures2050 competition finalized earlier this year.

UNEA is the world's highest decision-making body on the environment, and it is critical for addressing the shared environmental threats. The Assembly brings together ministers, intergovernmental organizations, multilateral environmental agreements, the broader UN system, civil society groups, scientists, activists and the private sector to shape global environmental policy.

The theme of UNEA this year - Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet - is in total unison with the ethos and purpose of the multiyear student competition programme BE OPEN launched in 2019. Its aim is to raise awareness among young professionals in creative and engineering fields about the urgent need for action guided by the Sustainable Development Goals - with a new goal selected as the competition focus each year.

On the occasion, Founder of BE OPEN Elena Baturina commented: "BE OPEN's approach is to raise awareness and educate about the SDGs. Through our competitions, we highlight, promote, support and celebrate the ability of young people to create positive innovative ideas. We do our best to build a platform that motivates and helps to self-educate, research, build connections with mentors and like-minded peers, develop and present solutions, and much more.

"Boosting young people's confidence and helping them realize their importance in shaping the future pays back tenfold, because every year we see consistent, thoughtful, meaningful, well-researched and innovative ideas. We get reassurance that educating and motivating young people to become leaders of sustainable change is the best way forward."

Designing Futures 2050 aimed at encouraging young creatives to reframe and update the SDGs agenda based on today's realities, to go beyond the 2030 agenda, and actively participate in developing and implementing realistic and sustainable action plans favourable for their own more distant future.

The winners of the competition who attended the sessions and events of UNEA-7 were Ajisafe Damilola Ifeoluwa with his project of Redefining Global Healthcare: adjusting the SDGs for scalable practical impact; Foday David Kamara, the founder of Ecovironment: Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Construction Materials; Adnan Hasyim Wibowo, Fathan Mubani and Rani Marhyani with AGASA or Algae for Sustainable Action: blooming sustainability through algae installation; Komborero Victor Kangai and Tinotenda Chrispen Makoni with CALMs: Computer Aided Learning Management Suite; and Lucy Dain-Williams representing Tera Mira, Working with Nature to Drive Meaningful Change in Stretch Textiles.

Every year, in addition to money prizes, BE OPEN brings the winners of annual competitions to major international sustainability events, such as COPs, Student Energy Summits, UNECE forums, and now UNEA to give them an opportunity to witness the operations of the largest environmental agencies in the world, meet and connect to peers, experts, national and international officials, and other potential stakeholders in their future education and careers.

BE OPEN strongly believes that innovative creative approaches and involvement of younger people into meaningful action by offering them education and motivation are key to the shift to sustainable existence.

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Dole plc (NYSE: DOLE) ("Dole" or the "Company") has today announced that certain of its subsidiaries have entered into several agreements that when completed will result in the sale of Dole's port and port operations in Guayaquil, Ecuador to Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A., (the "Buyer").

Post completion, Dole will continue to utilize the port pursuant to an agreement with the Buyer to provide port terminal services, including the loading and discharging of containers.

The sale is subject to regulatory clearance in Ecuador. The estimated net proceeds from the sale will be approximately $75 million in cash, after costs and customary transaction completion adjustments.

About Dole plc:

A global leader in fresh produce, Dole plc grows, markets, and distributes an extensive variety of fresh produce sourced locally and from around the world. Dedicated and passionate in exceeding our customers' requirements in over 85 countries, our goal is to make the world a healthier and a more sustainable place.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements made in this disclosure that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company's future economic performance, considering the information currently available to management. These statements are not statements of historical fact. The words "believe," "may," "could," "will," "should," "would," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "objective," "seek," "strive," "target" or similar words, or the negative of these words, identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Accordingly, there are, or will be, important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include (i) the parties' inability to close the transaction in a timely manner or at all due to the failure to satisfy conditions to the closing, including the satisfaction of all requirements under the laws of Ecuador, (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of closing the transaction, (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement relating to the transaction, (iv) risks related to disruption of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations, (v) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on the Company's relationships with its customers, operating results and business generally, (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings to the extent initiated against the Company, the "Buyer", Terminal Investment Switzerland SARL, or others related to the transaction, (vii) the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy and achieve its goals and other expectations after the closing, (viii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments and (ix) those other matters disclosed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the Company's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary materially from what the Company may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that you should not place undue reliance on any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made except as required by the federal securities laws.

Category: Financial

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215304497/en/

Contacts:

Investor Contact Dole plc:

James O'Regan, Head of Investor Relations

investors@doleplc.com

+353 1 887 2794

Media Contact Dole plc:

William Goldfield

william.goldfield@dole.com

818-874-4647

Brian Bell, Ogilvy

brian.bell@ogilvy.com

+353 87 2436 130
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An" or "the Group", HKEX: 2318/82318; SSE: 601318) has been honored with the Award of Excellence in ESG in the category of Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies at the Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2025. This marks the third time Ping An has received this distinguished honor, highlighting its leading role in corporate governance and sustainable development.

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance & ESG Excellence Awards 2025 was co-organized by The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy at Hong Kong Baptist University. It aims to commend listed companies that demonstrate outstanding performance in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). The judge highly praised Ping An for formulating five-year goals for sustainability-related issues, deeply integrating ESG principles into its corporate strategy, and actively promoting green finance innovation and low-carbon operations, showcasing its corporate responsibility through concrete actions.

Sheng Ruisheng, Board Secretary of Ping An, commented, "We are truly honored to receive this recognition from The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies once again. This award affirms Ping An's long-standing commitment to sustainable development. Looking ahead, Ping An will continue to improve its corporate governance and operational capabilities to create lasting, stable, and sustainable value for customers, employees, shareholders, and society."

Strong Corporate Governance and Steady Returns to Shareholders

Ping An, listed on both A and H shares, maintains rigorous corporate governance standards, aligning itself with international best practices to ensure lasting and stable operations. Its board is made up of experts from insurance, finance, law, accounting, and technology, bringing broad viewpoints to the table. ESG governance is now led at the board level, with full responsibility for ESG strategy entrusted to them and supported by the Group ESG and Sustainability Office. Key metrics like green finance and rural revitalization are part of executive performance reviews to guarantee the sustainability strategy is fully executed.

The Group places great importance on rewarding shareholders, with a dividend policy that is both stable and sustainable. Since going public, Ping An has returned over RMB 400 billion in dividends, growing payouts for 13 straight years. Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate of cash dividends hit 4.3%, consistently delivering long-term value to investors.

Driving Green Finance and Climate Resilience Through Technology

Building on its integrated financial model, Ping An supports green development and industrial transformation through insurance, credit, investment, and other channels. By end of June 2025, Ping An's green investments totaled RMB 144.482 billion, green loan balances stood at RMB 251.746 billion, and green insurance premium income for the first three quarters reached RMB 55.279 billion.

Within its own operations, Ping An actively pursues carbon reduction innovations. In 2024, the company actively advanced energy-saving and carbon reduction initiatives, lowering total greenhouse gas emissions to 439,291 tons of CO2 equivalent, an 8% drop year-on-year. Its self-developed employee carbon account platform, the first of its kind in China's insurance industry, digitizes employee low-carbon habits. By the end of 2024, it covered 180,000 staff members, recording 2.26 million low-carbon actions and cutting carbon emissions by 23,662 tons.

The Group also developed the AI- and big data-powered "EagleX" climate risk management system, which monitors climate and disaster risks in real-time to help clients spot threats early. In 2024, EagleX identified 3,619 high-risk disasters and sent out 10.5 billion disaster alerts via AI calls, app push notifications, and SMS, reaching 67 million clients and significantly reducing property and personal losses.

Committed to Social Responsibility, Supporting Rural Revitalization and Inclusive Finance

Ping An actively upholds its social responsibilities by driving rural revitalization through a variety of efforts in industry, education, and healthcare. By the end of 2024, the Group had built 119 "Ping An Hope Schools" across the country, provided vocational training to more than 20,000 rural teachers, and benefited over 300,000 rural students. The Group also organized medical teams in 2024 to offer free check-ups and health consultations to nearly 7,000 villagers, boosting community healthcare access. It invested over RMB 52 billion in industrial revitalization focused on modernizing rural industries and raising farmers' incomes.

In inclusive finance, Ping An P&C provided nearly 2.4 million micro and small businesses with comprehensive risk protection totaling more than RMB 220 trillion and processed over 900,000 claims, worth nearly RMB4 billion. Ping An Bank served 782,000 micro and small enterprise loan clients and issued nearly 260,000 debit cards to rural residents, significantly improving financial access for rural communities and vulnerable groups.

Looking forward, Ping An confirms that sustainable development is a core pillar of its long-term strategy. The Group will continue to deepen its "integrated finance + health and senior care" dual engines, driven by technology, enhance its ESG management system, and advance green finance, inclusive finance, and social responsibility efforts. This approach aims to create lasting and solid value for customers, employees, shareholders, and society while building a more resilient, inclusive, and efficient sustainable financial ecosystem.

For more information, please visit the www.group.pingan.com and follow our LinkedIn page - PING AN.

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EDMONTON, AB / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE:EMET)(OTCQB:EMETF)(FSE:4LF0) ("Canamera" or the "Company") announces strong progress from its maiden exploration drill program at the Turvolandia rare earth element ("REE") project in Brazil. Phase 1, launched in mid-November, and comprising approximately 1,000 metres of drilling designed to evaluate the thickness and continuity of near-surface ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization across three priority target areas defined by historical work, a deposit style that has attracted growing interest for its potential to supply the global magnet rare earths market. To date, roughly one-third of the planned holes have been completed, with drilling expected to pause in December for the Christmas holidays.

"This drill program marks a significant milestone in advancing the Turvolandia REE project," stated Brad Brodeur, CEO of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. " With global rare earth supply chains under increasing geopolitical pressure, Brazil represents a jurisdictionally secure source of these critical elements. We're excited to systematically test the three priority target areas as we work towards further understanding the project's geological profile."

TURVOLANDIA PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Turvolandia Project is located immediately east of the Pocos de Caldas alkaline complex, a 30-square kilometre intrusive system in southern Minas Gerais that is rapidly emerging as one of Brazil's most important ionic-clay rare earth districts. This plateau hosts thick, deeply weathered clay profiles developed over REE-enriched phonolitic and nepheline syenite, the same style of geology that underpins major ion-adsorption clay deposits in southern China and has attracted significant global interest for its potential to support relatively lower-cost extraction compared to traditional hard-rock REE deposits. The property, situated in the southwest area of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, approximately 200 km northeast of Sao Paulo and 294 km southwest of Belo Horizonte, is prospective for ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization.

Canamera holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth ionic clay projects in Brazil by making staged cash and share payments to the vendors and funding minimum exploration expenditures over the option term. Upon exercise of the option, the vendors will retain a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on production from the projects, one-half of which (0.5%) can be repurchased by Canamera for a cash payment of $500,000. Additional cash payments are also payable to the vendors upon the achievement of defined technical milestones, including publication of a mineral resource estimate, preliminary economic assessment and feasibility study for the projects.

Figure 1: Property Location

PHASE 1 DRILL PROGRAM DETAILS

The Phase 1 program is designed to consist of approximately 48 - 54 vertical auger holes across three separate target areas, with each area budgeted for 16-18 holes. Holes are to be drilled to depths of approximately 20-25 meters to test for thickness and continuity of ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization.

The aim of the drill program is to obtain information on the geometry, distribution, and continuity of the ionic clay mineralization, which will inform future exploration strategies.

Figure 2: Target Areas for Current Program

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Warren Robb, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Vice-President, Exploration of the Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification processes and procedures, please see its mostly recently-filed technical report, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Canamera Metals Corp.

Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a critical minerals exploration company building a diversified portfolio of interests in energy metals and rare earth element projects across the Americas, including options in the Great Divide Basin uranium project in Wyoming, and the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth element projects in Brazil. In Canada, the Company's portfolio includes the options to purchase 90% of Schryburt Lake and 100% of the Garrow rare earth and niobium projects in Ontario and the Mantle project in British Columbia. Across this portfolio, Canamera targets underexplored regions with strong geological signatures and supportive jurisdictions, applying geochemical, geophysical, and geological datasets to generate and advance high-conviction, first-mover exploration targets. For more information, visit www.canamerametals.com .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Brad Brodeur

Chief Executive Officer

brad@canamerametals.com

780-238-7123

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will," "plans," "expects," "could," "potential," "objective," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the commencement and completion of the Phase 1 drill program; the number and depth of drill holes to be completed; the ability of the drill program to test for thickness and continuity of REE mineralization; expectations regarding the geological model and potential for resource definition work in 2026; the nature and characteristics of ionic clay-hosted REE deposits; the strategic importance of rare earth supply chains; and the Company's exploration strategies at the Turvolandia Project.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, and opinions of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the drill program as planned; uncertainties related to the interpretation of drill results and the geology of the Turvolandia Project; variations in the continuity, thickness, and grade of REE mineralization; changes in commodity prices for rare earth elements; uncertainties related to the metallurgical characteristics and economic extractability of ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization; availability of financing for continued exploration; the ability to obtain necessary permits and regulatory approvals in Brazil; geopolitical and economic conditions affecting rare earth supply and demand; changes in exchange rates; and general risks associated with mineral exploration in foreign jurisdictions.

Additional risk factors affecting the Company can be found in the Company's continuous disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Canamera Energy Metals Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/canamera-advances-maiden-drill-program-at-turvolandia-rare-earths-project-in-braz-1117386
HIGHLIGHTS

5,983 m of infill drilling completed (3,704 m of new results) on 10-m drill spacing in 62 drill holes from August 2025, representing ~44% of the total planned 13,000-m infill program

Highlights include: 8.56 g/t Au over 8.5m from 60.5m depth, 16.95 g/t Au over 4.0m from 80m depth (including 130.32 g/t Au over 0.5m from 83.5m depth), and 9.32 g/t Au over 6.0m from 58m depth

from 60.5m depth, from 80m depth (including from 83.5m depth), and from 58m depth Results to date continue to be broadly consistent with modelled reserve stopes, indicate potential for upside mineralization in new areas, and provide key spatial controls that will inform an updated local block model and refine future production stope designs

An aggregate total of 10,000 m (~72%) of total planned drill meters have been completed to date, with full assays and QA/QC pending for the remaining holes not reported

Infill program on track to wrap up in Q1 2026

MONTREAL, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new infill drilling results from its ongoing 13,000-meter program on 10 meter drill spacing that commenced in August 2025 in the Lowhee Zone of the Company's permitted, 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project ("Cariboo" or the "Project"), located in central British Columbia ("B.C."), Canada. The six drill hole fans reported herein comprise an additional ~3,704 meters ("m") of underground infill drilling, bringing the total tally of drilling with full results to 5,983 m, or ~44% of the planned total.

In total, an aggregate of approximately 10,000 meters, representing ~72% of the total planned drill meters, has now been completed. Full assay results and associated quality assurance and quality control reviews are pending for the remaining holes not reported herein.

Chris Lodder, President, stated- "We continue to see good alignment of ongoing infill drilling results with our modelled vein corridors and planned stope shapes, along with occurrences of upside mineralized zones outside current reserve outlines. This tighter drill spacing sharpens our understanding of vein corridor spatial geometries and local variability, while reinforcing the importance of infill drilling in underexplored zones. As this work concludes in the first quarter of 2026, the resulting information is expected to help refine production designs and sequencing."

DRILL ASSAY HIGHLIGHTS

This news release includes assays from thirty-eight (38) underground infill HQ diamond drill ("DD") holes (63.5-millimeter diameter) totaling ~3,704 m with depths ranging from 81 to 114 m completed between September 2025 and early November 2025 (see Table 1). Assays for five (5) complete drill fans were received by November 27, 2025 (Figure 2). Select photon assay highlights include:

8.56 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") over 8.5 m from 60.5 m depth in hole BMU-25-090, including: 64.26 g/t over 0.5 m from 63.5 m depth, and 43.80 g/t over 0.5 m from 62.5 m depth, and 12.86 g/t over 0.5 m from 62 m depth, and 10.71 g/t over 0.5 m from 61 m depth, and 3.35 g/t over 0.5 m from 66.5 m depth, and 2.69 g/t over 0.5 m from 63 m depth, and 2.67 g/t over 0.5 m from 64 m depth



16.95 g/t over 4.0 m from 80 m depth in BMU-25-104, including: 130.32 g/t over 0.5 m from 83.5 m depth, and 4.37 g/t over 0.5 m from 80 m depth



9.32 g/t over 6.0 m from 58 m depth in BMU-25-092, including: 51.09 g/t over 0.5 m from 63 m depth, and 26.51 g/t over 0.5 m from 62 m depth, and 23.52 g/t over 0.5 m from 59.7 m depth, and 3.10 g/t over 0.7 m from 60.2 m depth, and 3.21 g/t over 0.5 m from 60.9 m depth



13.22 g/t over 2.65 m from 87.85 m depth in BMU-25-108, including:



65.63 g/t over 0.5 m from 90 m depth, and 3.97 g/t over 0.5 m from 87.85 m depth

26.14 g/t over 2.0 m from 2.5 m depth in BMU-25-110, including: 103.94 g/t over 0.5 m from 3 m depth

11.12 g/t over 4.5 m from 70.5 m depth in BMU-25-084, including: 88.87 g/t over 0.5 m from 71.5 m depth, and 7.08 g/t over 0.5 m from 72 m depth, and 4.76 g/t over 0.5 m from 76.5 m depth



11.23 g/t over 3.9 m from 59.1 m depth in BMU-25-087, including: 43.0 g/t over 1.0 m from 60.8 m depth

7.32 g/t over 4.0 m from 15 m depth in BMU-25-101, including: 57.72 g/t over 0.5 m from 16.5 m depth, and 1.87 g/t over 0.5 m from 17.5 m depth



31.32 g/t over 1.0 m from 42.9 m depth in BMU-25-104, including: 62.15 g/t over 0.5 m from 42.9 m depth

6.48 g/t over 4.55 m from 50.45 m depth in BMU-25-108, including: 21.04 g/t over 0.5 m from 51.45 m depth, and 12.18 g/t over 0.5 m from 51.95 m depth, and 8.71 g/t over 0.55 m from 53.45 m depth, and 7.0 g/t over 0.5 m from 54 m depth, and 4.41 g/t over 0.5 m from 50.95 m depth, and 2.88 g/t over 0.5 m from 52.95 m depth





Complete assay highlights, including true width estimates, are presented in Table 1 and drill hole locations and orientations are listed in Table 2. Intervals not recovered by drilling were assigned zero grade. Top cuts have not been applied to high grade assays.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Based on the results observed to date, there is a positive correlation between the above cut-off assay composites and the modelled reserve stopes. Individual intercepts are not expected to align precisely with the modelled areas, and a degree of variability within the vein corridors is both anticipated and acceptable as tighter spaced infill drilling informs a refinement of the local reserve model. This work is one of the key objectives of the ongoing program.

Occurrences of above cut-off assay are also being observed in areas not previously included in the reserve model, suggesting potential for upside mineralization. These intervals will be incorporated in the planned remodelling and mineral resource calculation process to determine their implications on the updated local block model and any potential adjustments to planned reserve stopes. In certain areas, this may support the addition of new planned reserve stopes, subject to the final estimation process outcome.

A spatial offset of certain intercepts when compared to the modelled vein corridors and mineral reserve stope shapes is evident in the cross sections. This reflects, in part, the lower spatial accuracy of the surface-based drill hole data compared to underground drilling, which carries higher survey precision, as well as the more oblique angles of intercepts that the surface-based drill holes have with the vein planes. These factors will be accounted for in the vein corridor remodelling process to be undertaken upon conclusion of this program, and will serve as an important operational template for future infill drilling used in production stope design.



Figure 1: Cariboo Gold Project deposit map with Location of Lowhee Zone and Cow Portal underground access.





Figure 2: Location and overview of the ongoing 13,000-meter infill drilling campaign.





Figure 3: Lowhee Zone infill select underground drilling highlights (plan view).





Figure 4: Lowhee Zone infill select underground drill assay highlights (this release) with previously released surface and underground diamond drilling results in cross section by fan.





















Table 1: Length weighted assay composites and individual samples>=1.8 g/t for Lowhee Zone underground DD.

Drillhole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Est. True Width (m) BMU-25-084 12.25 16.25 4 2.28 2.83 Including 13.25 13.75 0.5 16.62 28.5 29 0.5 2.20 0.36 32 32.5 0.5 2.23 0.41 33 33.5 0.5 2.80 0.43 36.5 37.5 1 13.52 0.71 Including 36.5 37 0.5 26.84 64 64.5 0.5 2.27 0.35 67 68 1 1.92 0.82 70.5 75 4.5 11.12 4.08 Including 71.5 72 0.5 88.87 0.45 and 72 72.5 0.5 7.08 76.5 77 0.5 4.76 0.32 BMU-25-086 0.4 0.9 0.5 5.40 0.49 64 65.6 1.6 3.11 1.18 Including 65 65.6 0.6 5.63 67.5 68 0.5 3.44 0.45 77.8 78.3 0.5 4.79 0.37 101.5 104 2.5 2.03 1.77 Including 103 103.5 0.5 5.71 and 103.5 104 0.5 2.40 BMU-25-087 18 18.5 0.5 3.76 0.41 19.6 23 3.4 2.26 2.79 Including 20.6 21.1 0.5 14.50 57.5 58.1 0.6 2.68 0.34 59.1 63 3.9 11.23 2.76 Including 60.8 61.8 1 43.00 0.82 73.3 79.3 6 4.56 5.25 Including 74.8 75.3 0.5 6.90 0.32 and 77.3 77.8 0.5 28.19 0.50 and 77.8 78.3 0.5 15.00 0.40 92.3 92.8 0.5 3.76 0.40 105.9 106.4 0.5 3.72 0.41 BMU-25-088 12 16 4 3.60 3.76 Including 12 12.5 0.5 12.85 0.43 and 12.5 13 0.5 13.14 0.49 51 52 1 2.34 0.91 Including 51 51.5 0.5 2.40 0.45 and 51.5 52 0.5 2.27 0.45 54 57.5 3.5 2.84 3.17 Including 57 57.5 0.5 17.00 59.5 60 0.5 1.86 0.43 95.6 96.1 0.5 4.58 0.49 BMU-25-089 45.5 46 0.5 2.56 0.43 59.3 60.7 1.4 5.64 1.25 Including 60.2 60.7 0.5 15.58 0.43 100 100.5 0.5 4.20 0.49 BMU-25-090 6 7 1 13.34 0.71 16.3 18 1.7 1.98 1.54 Including 17 18 1 3.13 50.9 51.9 1 3.09 0.79 Including 51.4 51.9 0.5 5.98 60.5 69 8.5 8.56 7.51 Including 61 61.5 0.5 10.71 0.41 and 62 62.5 0.5 12.86 and 62.5 63 0.5 43.80 0.45 and 63 63.5 0.5 2.69 0.45 and 63.5 64 0.5 64.26 0.43 and 64 64.5 0.5 2.67 and 66.5 67 0.5 3.35 0.45 73 73.5 0.5 2.38 0.38 87.25 87.75 0.5 2.29 0.41 97.35 97.85 0.5 8.30 0.41 101.5 102 0.5 2.74 0.45 BMU-25-091 10.15 11.15 1 1.93 0.50 Including 10.15 10.65 0.5 2.76 19.5 20 0.5 2.18 0.49 22 23 1 3.85 0.97 Including 22.5 23 0.5 7.29 42.5 46 3.5 4.93 3.17 Including 42.5 43 0.5 2.53 0.43 and 43.5 44 0.5 8.03 0.49 and 44.5 45 0.5 13.94 0.43 and 45 45.5 0.5 2.36 and 45.5 46 0.5 6.95 66.5 67.5 1 1.82 0.64 69 69.5 0.5 2.66 0.45 BMU-25-092 11.95 12.45 0.5 3.46 0.48 30 30.5 0.5 6.15 0.47 33.5 34 0.5 2.51 0.48 49.5 51.5 2 1.99 1.88 Including 49.5 50.5 1 2.33 0.97 and 50.5 51 0.5 2.01 0.48 58 64 6 9.32 5.64 Including 59.7 60.2 0.5 23.52 and 60.2 60.9 0.7 3.10 0.63 and 60.9 61.4 0.5 3.21 and 62 62.5 0.5 26.51 and 63 63.5 0.5 51.09 79 79.5 0.5 4.80 0.35 88 90 2 3.31 1.93 Including 88 88.5 0.5 2.40 and 89.5 90 0.5 10.82 0.48 92.75 96 3.25 7.91 3.09 Including 92.75 93.25 0.5 20.81 0.48 and 93.25 93.75 0.5 1.83 0.45 and 93.75 94.25 0.5 6.20 0.43 and 94.25 94.75 0.5 3.39 0.49 and 95.5 96 0.5 18.58 0.49 BMU-25-093 27.15 30.65 3.5 2.29 3.45 Including 27.15 27.65 0.5 7.31 0.49 and 29.15 30.15 1 3.45 0.98 82.5 83 0.5 2.08 0.47 91.6 92.6 1 2.53 0.94 Including 92.1 92.6 0.5 4.65 BMU-25-094 33.9 34.9 1 3.23 0.83 Including 34.4 34.9 0.5 6.28 0.45 48.4 48.9 0.5 4.60 0.47 62.1 65.25 3.15 2.29 2.94 Including 62.1 62.6 0.5 4.90 0.48 and 62.6 63.1 0.5 2.38 0.45 and 63.1 63.6 0.5 3.62 0.43 and 63.6 64.5 0.9 1.86 0.87 68 68.5 0.5 17.63 0.48 BMU-25-095 7 10 3 1.83 2.90 Including 8 8.5 0.5 3.11 0.48 and 9 9.5 0.5 7.18 0.47 41.5 44.5 3 3.51 2.92 Including 41.5 42 0.5 9.54 0.49 and 42 42.5 0.5 2.80 0.49 and 44 44.5 0.5 6.39 0.47 61.4 63.4 2 2.39 1.95 Including 61.9 62.4 0.5 6.26 0.50 and 62.9 63.4 0.5 2.63 0.47 70.5 71 0.5 2.19 0.50 BMU-25-096 72 75.5 3.5 3.89 3.29 Including 73 73.5 0.5 3.49 0.47 and 74.5 75 0.5 14.78 0.47 and 75 75.5 0.5 8.14 80.75 83 2.25 3.93 1.87 Including 80.75 81.25 0.5 14.54 0.33 and 82 82.5 0.5 2.12 0.47 BMU-25-097 37.8 38.8 1 2.50 0.94 Including 38.3 38.8 0.5 4.49 0.47 62 62.5 0.5 3.72 0.48 BMU-25-098 7 10 3 2.76 2.72 Including 7.5 8 0.5 14.84 0.47 14.65 15.65 1 3.65 0.94 Including 14.65 15.15 0.5 7.05 0.47 39.5 43 3.5 6.28 3.23 Including 39.5 40 0.5 30.60 0.46 and 40 40.5 0.5 11.88 0.45 45 45.5 0.5 3.85 0.48 53.2 55.5 2.3 2.78 1.63 Including 54.5 55 0.5 11.64 0.41 62.05 66 3.95 2.27 3.71 Including 62.55 63.1 0.55 4.33 0.52 and 63.1 63.6 0.5 8.03 and 65.5 66 0.5 4.16 0.47 BMU-25-099 24.1 24.6 0.5 23.97 0.45 28.4 29.4 1 5.13 0.71 Including 28.9 29.4 0.5 10.10 0.35 80 80.5 0.5 2.33 0.43 103 103.5 0.5 2.17 0.35 BMU-25-100 14.5 15 0.5 2.16 0.43 18.25 19.75 1.5 2.23 1.41 Including 18.25 18.75 0.5 5.68 0.47 38.3 39.3 1 1.96 0.77 Including 38.3 38.8 0.5 2.82 0.38 52 53 1 2.05 0.91 Including 52 52.5 0.5 3.72 0.45 56 56.5 0.5 11.11 0.50 61.5 65 3.5 2.17 3.42 Including 61.5 62 0.5 10.44 0.47 and 62.5 63 0.5 2.11 0.50 66.5 67 0.5 4.01 0.50 BMU-25-101 15 19 4 7.32 3.94 Including 16.5 17 0.5 52.72 0.50 and 17.5 18 0.5 1.87 0.47 35.5 38 2.5 2.34 2.47 Including 36 36.5 0.5 4.83 0.50 and 37 37.5 0.5 2.64 0.49 and 37.5 38 0.5 2.52 0.49 39.5 40.5 1 3.97 0.97 Including 39.5 40 0.5 7.62 0.48 46.3 48.35 2.05 3.14 2.03 Including 46.8 47.3 0.5 1.88 0.49 and 47.85 48.35 0.5 10.74 0.50 BMU-25-102 7.5 9.5 2 4.67 1.98 Including 7.5 8 0.5 16.90 0.50 and 13.5 14 0.5 2.21 0.48 16 20 4 1.83 3.94 Including 16.5 17 0.5 5.27 0.50 and 18 18.5 0.5 3.84 and 18.5 19 0.5 2.79 0.49 41 41.5 0.5 2.75 0.45 54 54.5 0.5 3.52 0.49 81 82 1 2.85 0.94 Including 81.5 82 0.5 4.80 0.47 BMU-25-103 9 10 1 5.86 0.94 30.5 31 0.5 4.69 0.47 41.6 42.6 1 1.88 0.94 Including 41.6 42.1 0.5 2.22 0.43 46 46.5 0.5 2.46 0.41 53.25 54.85 1.6 7.00 1.56 Including 53.25 53.75 0.5 18.84 0.50 and 54.35 54.85 0.5 3.58 0.47 58 59.5 1.5 2.71 1.23 Including 58 58.5 0.5 5.77 0.41 64.65 65.15 0.5 9.39 0.38 71.1 72.25 1.15 1.96 1.00 Including 71.1 71.75 0.65 3.28 0.56 73.75 75 1.25 2.81 1.08 Including 74.5 75 0.5 6.35 0.43 BMU-25-104 14.5 16 1.5 2.22 1.36 Including 14.5 15 0.5 2.63 0.49 and 15.5 16 0.5 3.41 0.38 19 19.5 0.5 2.60 0.41 42.9 43.9 1 31.32 0.91 Including 42.9 43.4 0.5 62.15 0.47 55 56.5 1.5 1.91 1.41 Including 55 55.5 0.5 5.16 0.43 80 84 4 16.95 3.67 Including 80 80.5 0.5 4.37 0.47 and 83.5 84 0.5 130.32 0.43 BMU-25-105 4.5 5.5 1 3.21 0.98 Including 4.5 5 0.5 5.96 0.49 18.5 19.8 1.3 4.29 1.30 Including 19.1 19.8 0.7 7.86 0.70 41 42 1 2.58 0.97 Including 41 41.5 0.5 3.52 46 46.5 0.5 4.89 0.45 56 58 2 9.16 1.81 Including 56 56.5 0.5 9.90 0.47 and 57 57.5 0.5 24.96 0.47 65.75 66.25 0.5 2.05 0.47 BMU-25-106 11.25 11.75 0.5 3.77 0.43 19 21 2 1.96 1.53 Including 19 20 1 2.55 0.77 23.5 25 1.5 3.84 1.30 Including 24 24.5 0.5 10.36 0.43 BMU-25-107 39.45 40.45 1 9.46 0.82 Including 39.95 40.45 0.5 17.46 0.38 43 44 1 8.02 0.95 Including 43 43.5 0.5 15.88 0.48 49 50.5 1.5 2.17 1.45 Including 49.5 50 0.5 5.53 0.48 BMU-25-108 15.7 16.35 0.65 3.85 0.59 43.4 47.05 3.65 1.83 3.59 Including 43.4 43.9 0.5 7.61 0.49 and 46.35 47.05 0.7 2.09 50.45 55 4.55 6.48 4.22 Including 50.95 51.45 0.5 4.41 0.47 and 51.45 51.95 0.5 21.04 0.43 and 51.95 52.45 0.5 12.18 0.48 and 52.95 53.45 0.5 2.88 and 53.45 54 0.55 8.71 0.52 and 54 54.5 0.5 7.00 0.45 56.25 58.25 2 3.37 1.81 Including 56.25 56.75 0.5 8.54 0.45 and 57.75 58.25 0.5 3.42 0.45 87.85 90.5 2.65 13.22 2.25 Including 87.85 88.35 0.5 3.97 0.40 and 90 90.5 0.5 65.63 0.43 BMU-25-109 20.8 21.3 0.5 1.92 0.43 22.5 23.5 1 2.91 0.87 65.75 69.25 3.5 2.36 3.03 Including 66.75 67.25 0.5 13.57 0.43 70.9 72.4 1.5 4.28 1.30 Including 70.9 71.4 0.5 2.10 0.43 and 71.9 72.4 0.5 10.54 86 86.5 0.5 3.34 0.41 BMU-25-110 2.5 4.5 2 26.14 1.81 Including 3 3.5 0.5 103.94 0.45 42.25 46.75 4.5 2.12 4.08 Including 42.25 42.75 0.5 5.64 0.47 and 44.75 45.25 0.5 6.13 0.45 and 46.25 46.75 0.5 3.21 0.43 53.75 55.25 1.5 17.91 1.40 Including 53.75 54.75 1 26.75 75.7 76.2 0.5 1.87 0.47 80.9 81.7 0.8 2.11 0.61 BMU-25-111 26.5 27 0.5 1.89 0.48 30.5 31.5 1 2.33 0.87 Including 31 31.5 0.5 4.46 60 62 2 11.20 1.81 Including 60 60.5 0.5 39.87 0.43 and 61 61.5 0.5 4.70 0.47 66.5 67 0.5 3.25 0.45 78.5 79 0.5 3.10 0.47 87 87.5 0.5 4.27 0.45 90.35 90.85 0.5 2.62 0.29 BMU-25-112 4.85 5.45 0.6 2.37 0.46 23.75 25.25 1.5 2.03 1.23 Including 23.75 24.25 0.5 2.94 0.43 and 24.75 25.25 0.5 2.96 51 53 2 2.06 1.73 Including 51.5 52 0.5 7.78 0.43 57.5 58.5 1 1.92 0.87 Including 57.5 58 0.5 3.10 0.43 BMU-25-113 55.5 56 0.5 3.43 0.35 83.3 85.75 2.45 4.71 2.12 Including 84.75 85.25 0.5 11.68 0.43 and 85.25 85.75 0.5 10.69 BMU-25-114 0 1.15 1.15 3.17 0.94 Including 0 0.5 0.5 6.48 0.41 3.5 4.25 0.75 2.84 0.68 7.1 8.15 1.05 2.13 0.95 Including 7.1 7.65 0.55 3.71 0.50 9 10 1 2.76 0.91 11 12 1 5.31 0.87 14.5 15 0.5 85.97 0.43 40.5 41 0.5 4.04 0.50 75.3 75.85 0.55 8.90 0.53 BMU-25-116 0.7 1.2 0.5 7.86 0.41 5 6 1 2.37 0.87 82.5 85.65 3.15 1.97 2.81 Including 82.5 83.1 0.6 7.25 0.54 and 84.6 85.15 0.55 2.09 0.42 90 90.5 0.5 2.26 0.43 BMU-25-117 38.8 39.8 1 1.81 0.98 49 50 1 2.37 0.87 Including 49.5 50 0.5 3.98 0.43 70.5 71.5 1 2.56 0.98 Including 70.5 71 0.5 4.92 0.49 BMU-25-118 6.5 7.5 1 9.11 0.82 Including 6.5 7 0.5 18.11 0.41 56.5 57.05 0.55 2.17 0.32 100.5 101.75 1.25 12.95 1.17 Including 101 101.75 0.75 21.26 0.70 107.3 108 0.7 2.13 0.61 BMU-25-120 11 13 2 2.40 1.97 11 11.5 0.5 3.83 0.49 Including 12.5 13 0.5 5.23 0.49 25 25.5 0.5 3.17 0.48 44 44.5 0.5 1.93 0.49 59.5 61.5 2 7.12 1.99 Including 60 60.5 0.5 13.72 0.50 and 60.5 61 0.5 14.43 65.5 66 0.5 2.81 0.49 68.5 69.5 1 2.67 0.94 Including 68.5 69 0.5 4.56 0.47 BMU-25-121 11.5 13.5 2 2.82 1.93 Including 13 13.5 0.5 10.92 0.48 23 23.5 0.5 5.30 0.47 25 25.5 0.5 58.55 0.47 43 44.5 1.5 6.94 1.46 Including 43 43.5 0.5 8.82 0.47 and 44 44.5 0.5 11.87 0.50 61 64 3 6.31 2.78 Including 61 61.5 0.5 10.56 0.43 and 61.5 62 0.5 16.75 0.47 and 63.5 64 0.5 9.92 0.48 65.5 66 0.5 1.81 0.50 69 69.5 0.5 2.18 0.48 78.5 79.5 1 1.98 1.00 Including 79 79.5 0.5 3.80 0.50 BMU-25-124 8.6 10.8 2.2 4.65 1.91 Including 9.6 10.1 0.5 18.47 0.38 41.5 42 0.5 2.41 0.43 66 67 1 14.70 0.94 69 72 3 3.11 2.82 Including 69 69.5 0.5 2.08 0.45 and 70.5 71 0.5 3.27 and 71 71.5 0.5 3.16 and 71.5 72 0.5 8.52 0.48 75 75.5 0.5 9.40 0.48 81 82.5 1.5 3.65 1.45 Including 81 82 1 5.27 BMU-25-126 38.5 39 0.5 31.54 0.43 45.35 46.85 1.5 15.25 1.36 Including 45.35 45.85 0.5 38.22 0.45 Including 46.35 46.85 0.5 7.53 0.45 61 63 2 2.43 1.53 Including 61.5 62 0.5 9.15 0.38 BMU-25-129 21.45 23 1.55 3.93 1.19 Including 21.95 22.45 0.5 10.84 0.38 51.3 52.3 1 1.90 0.71 Including 51.8 52.3 0.5 3.64 0.35 64.6 65.6 1 4.42 0.77 Including 65.1 65.6 0.5 8.73 0.38



Table 2: Underground DD collar locations, drillhole orientations, and max depths. Negative dips point down.

Drillhole ID Mine Location Easting

(UTM z12N) Northing

(UTM z12N) Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth Depth

(m) BMU-25-084 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.1 5882785.6 1261.8 -35 125 114 BMU-25-086 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596499.2 5882820.1 1260.0 -35 125 114 BMU-25-087 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.5 5882751.7 1264.0 -35 125 114 BMU-25-088 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.3 5882785.5 1261.1 -25 125 103.5 BMU-25-089 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.2 5882751.9 1263.0 -25 125 102 BMU-25-090 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596499.3 5882820.1 1259.5 -25 125 102 BMU-25-091 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.3 5882785.5 1260.6 -15 125 81 BMU-25-092 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596499.3 5882820.1 1259.0 -15 125 96 BMU-25-093 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.2 5882751.9 1262.5 -15 125 96 BMU-25-094 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596499.0 5882820.3 1257.5 25 125 93 BMU-25-095 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.5 5882785.4 1260.1 -5 125 81 BMU-25-096 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596498.9 5882820.4 1257.3 35 125 96 BMU-25-097 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.4 5882751.8 1262.1 -5 125 81 BMU-25-098 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.4 5882785.5 1259.7 5 125 81 BMU-25-099 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-002 596498.7 5882820.5 1257.1 45 125 114 BMU-25-100 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.3 5882785.5 1259.5 15 125 84 BMU-25-101 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.6 5882751.7 1261.8 5 125 81 BMU-25-102 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.3 5882785.5 1259.3 25 125 90 BMU-25-103 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.5 5882828.9 1260.0 -35 125 114 BMU-25-104 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.3 5882785.5 1259.0 35 125 99 BMU-25-105 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.5 5882828.9 1259.5 -25 125 102 BMU-25-106 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-006 596479.2 5882785.7 1258.9 45 125 114 BMU-25-107 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.6 5882751.7 1261.6 15 125 84 BMU-25-108 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.6 5882828.9 1259.2 -15 125 96 BMU-25-109 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596483.7 5882794.2 1261.6 -35 125 114 BMU-25-110 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.5 5882751.7 1261.4 25 125 90 BMU-25-111 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.0 5882794.1 1260.8 -24 125 102 BMU-25-112 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.4 5882751.7 1261.2 35 125 99 BMU-25-113 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-010 596458.3 5882751.7 1261.1 45 125 114 BMU-25-114 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.9 5882828.7 1257.4 25 125 90 BMU-25-116 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.8 5882828.8 1257.3 35 125 99 BMU-25-117 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.0 5882794.0 1260.4 -15 125 81 BMU-25-118 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-001 596504.8 5882828.9 1257.0 45 125 114 BMU-25-120 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.0 5882793.9 1260.2 -6 125 84 BMU-25-121 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.1 5882794.0 1259.8 5 125 81 BMU-25-124 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.2 5882793.9 1259.2 25 125 90 BMU-25-126 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.1 5882793.6 1258.8 37 125 99 BMU-25-129 L1260-ORE-003-DBY-005 596484.0 5882793.6 1258.4 44 124 114



ABOUT LOWHEE ZONE

Geological mapping and geochemical sampling were carried out on Barkerville Mountain from 2017-2018, with the Lowhee Zone identified as a high-priority drill target.

In 2019, two southeast-oriented stratigraphic and 22 northwest-southeast oriented drillholes (8,337.0 m) were drilled at the Lowhee Zone. The drilling successfully identified auriferous quartz-carbonate veins at similar orientations to those observed elsewhere on the Cariboo Gold project. Initial 3D geological modelling and resource estimation commenced, and further drilling was recommended.

In 2020, 24 northwest-oriented diamond drillholes (10,144.5 m) were drilled. The focus of the exploration program was to test the extent of mineralization along the down-dip and northeast strike-extent of veining. An internal resource estimation of the Lowhee deposit was completed at that time, with further drilling recommended to improve confidence.

In 2021, a total of 94 diamond drillholes (29,449.1 m) were drilled. The focus of drilling was to delineate, and infill modelled veins with 25 m spacing. BGM's resource modelling team produced a mineral resource estimate, and the collection of a bulk sample was recommended.

In 2022, a total of 27 diamond drillholes (6,563.90 m) were drilled. There were two main goals with this drill program. The first goal was to infill a potential bulk sample location achieving category conversion from indicated (25 m spacing) to measured (12.5 m spacing). The second goal was to continue to delineate and infill modelled veins with 25 m spacing.

Lowhee zone access is through Cow portal on the northwestern flank of Barkerville Mountain (Figure 1 and Figure 2) Cow portal construction was completed in Q4 2024 and development of the underground ramp into the Lowhee zone commenced in Q1 2025. Approximately 350 m of development has been advanced within the Lowhee zone deposit at the 1,290 and 1,260-elevation levels since completion of the main access ramp. The probable mineral reserves estimate for the Lowhee Zone includes 104,491 ounces of contained Au (923,162 tonnes grading 3.52 g/t Au) and represents approximately 5% of the total contained gold in the estimated probable mineral reserves for the Cariboo Gold Project.

ABOUT CARIBOO GOLD PROJECT

The Cariboo Gold Project is a permitted, 100%-owned feasibility-stage project located in the historic Wells-Barkerville mining camp of central British Columbia, Canada. Spanning approximately 186,740 hectares, the Company's land package includes 443 mineral titles and covers a ~77-kilometre strike of highly prospective exploration targets extending northwest to southeast. In late 2024, the Project was granted the Mines Act and Environmental Management Act (British Columbia) permits, marking the successful completion of the permitting process for key approvals, solidifying the Project's shovel-ready status.

The Cariboo Gold Project hosts probable mineral reserves of 2.071 million ounces of contained Au (17,815 kt grading 3.62 g/t Au); measured mineral resources of 8,000 ounces of contained Au (47 kt grading 5.06 g/t Au); indicated mineral resources of 1.604 million ounces of contained Au (17,332 kt grading 2.88 g/t Au); and inferred mineral resources of 1.864 million ounces of contained Au (18,774 kt grading 3.09 g/t Au). Mineral resources are reported exclusive of mineral reserves.

Technical Reports

Scientific and technical information relating to the Cariboo Gold Project and the 2025 feasibility study on the Cariboo Gold Project is supported by the technical report, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Feasibility Study for the Cariboo Gold Project, District of Wells, British Columbia, Canada" and dated June 11, 2025 (with an effective date of April 25, 2025) (the "Cariboo Technical Report").

For readers to fully understand the information in the Cariboo Technical Report, reference should be made to the full text of the Cariboo Technical Report in its entirety, including all assumptions, parameters, qualifications, limitations and methods therein. The Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is available electronically on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskodev.com.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Scott Smith, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Osisko Development, a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101. Verification includes core photo and three-dimensional review of logged drillhole data and assays consistent with the Company's standard operating procedures.

Quality Assurance (QA) - Quality Control (QC)

Whole core sampling was used for all HQ core completed in the logging facilities following daily QAQC checks for logging and sampling errors. Quality control (QC) samples are inserted at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. Samples are bagged, labeled, sealed with numbered security tags.

Samples are taken by expeditor from the logging facilities direct to MSALABS's analytical facility in Prince George, B.C., Canada, for preparation and analysis. The MSALABS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is dried, crushed, and split into sealed containers. Analysis for gold is by gamma ray analysis using the Chrysos PhotonAssay (PA1408X). Samples are bombarded with gamma rays and the resulting signal is sent to the detectors.

Alternatively Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry's analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed, and 250 grams is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50 gram fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100 ppm are re-analyzed using a 1,000-gram screen metallic fire assay. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-elemental geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS).

ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Osisko Development Corp. is a continental North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its flagship permitted 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada. Its project pipeline is complemented by the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico-brownfield properties with significant exploration potential, extensive historical mining data, access to existing infrastructure and skilled labour. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally responsible mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact:

Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Vice President, Investor Relations Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", "objective", "strategy", variants of these words or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications, limitations or statements relating to the prospectivity of exploration in the Lowhee Zone and targets outside of currently defined mineral reserves and/or mineral resources; the consistency of results with modelled reserve stopes (if at all); the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the results, timing, utility and significance of the ongoing 13,000-meter infill drill program and its impacts on the local block model and/or future production stope designs (if any); the ability and utility of exploration work (including drilling) to inform resource modeling, mine planning, production stope design procedures and parameters, and the appropriate drill spacing for future infill drilling (if at all); the ability and timing (if at all) to complete future additional systemic grid infill drill programs; the interpretation and accuracy of spatial geometries, geological structure and local variability modeling and assumptions in regard to potential reserve or resource revisions (if at all); the Company's strategy and objectives relating to the Cariboo Gold Project as well as its other projects; the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the Cariboo Gold Project being permitted; assumptions, qualifications and parameters underlying the Cariboo Technical Report (including, but not limited to, the mineral resources, mineral reserves, production profile, mine design and project economics); the results of the Cariboo Technical Report as an indicator of quality and robustness of the Cariboo Gold Project, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances; the ability of the Company to achieve the estimates outlined in the Cariboo Technical Report in the timing contemplated (if at all); the ability, progress and timing in respect of the 13,000-meter infill drill program; the contemplated work plan and activities at the Cariboo Gold Project and the timing, scope and results thereof and associated costs thereto; the potential impact of tariffs and other trade restrictions (if any); mineral resource category conversion; the future development and operations at the Cariboo Gold Project; management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the utility and significance of historic data, including the significance of the district hosting past producing mines; future mining activities; the ability of exploration work (including drilling and sampling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates; the ability of the Company to complete its exploration and development objectives for its projects in the timing contemplated and within expected costs (if at all); the ongoing advancement of the deposits on the Company's properties; sustainability and environmental impacts of operations at the Company's properties; gold prices; the costs required to advance the Company's properties; the ability to adapt to changes in gold prices, estimates of costs, estimates of planned exploration and development expenditures; the profitability (if at all) of the Company's operations; regulatory framework remaining defined and understood as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward looking information". Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to third-party approvals, including the issuance of permits by governments, capital market conditions and the Company's ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at the Company's properties; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; errors in management's geological modelling; the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and maintain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; fluctuations in metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Osisko Development is confident a robust consultation process was followed in relation to its received BC Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits for the Cariboo Gold Project and continues to actively consult and engage with Indigenous nations and stakeholders. While any party may seek to have the decision related to the BC Mines Act and/or Environmental Management Act permits reviewed by the courts, the Company does not expect that such a review would, were it to occur, impact its ability to proceed with the construction and operation of the Cariboo Gold Project in accordance with the approved BC Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024 as well as the financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 and quarter ended September 30, 2025, which have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the SEC's EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors facing the Company, its business and operations. Although the Company's believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Markopolo AI, the AI revenue agent, has announced a strategic partnership with T2, a leading Saudi-based technology firm in Riyadh. This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in Markopolo's expansion across Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a global technology hub under Vision 2030.

The partnership signing ceremony took place in the presence of Fahmidul Hasan, Strategic Growth Officer & Business Partner, and Salman Saafi, Growth Product Manager, from Markopolo, alongside Abdulkarim Aljarba, CEO, Riyadh Alawwad, CBO, and Ziyad Alsuwaidan, Manager of the CEO's Office, from T2.

T2, known for driving digital transformation across emerging markets, brings extensive regional expertise and networks that will accelerate Markopolo's growth in Saudi Arabia's thriving e-commerce ecosystem. T2 is well-positioned to co-sell Markopolo's AI agent and provide seamless product integration.

The partnership comes as founders Tasfia Tasbin and Rubaiyat Farhan celebrate dual achievements: acceptance into Saudi Arabia's prestigious TAQADAM Accelerator by KAUST (Cohort 8) with a USD 140,000 grant, and HF0 Residency, one of the world's most selective founder residencies in San Francisco.

In 2025, Markopolo raised USD 2 million in seed funding led by Joa Capital, a Saudi venture capital firm focused on high-growth tech ventures. This investment, coupled with support from the Kingdom's National Technology Development Program (NTDP) through TAQADAM, positions Markopolo at the intersection of Saudi Arabia's digital commerce revolution and its strategic vision for AI leadership.

Instead of basic personalization, Markopolo's AI revenue agents analyze real-time behavioral patterns, purchase hesitations, and communication preferences to guide each customer's unique journey. The technology moves beyond segmentation toward genuine individual understanding.

"Our vision is to become a multibillion-dollar global company within the next two years," says CEO and Co-founder Tasfia Tasbin. "This partnership with T2, combined with our presence in TAQADAM and HF0, accelerates that mission as we bring world-class AI innovation to Saudi Arabia, Silicon Valley, and beyond."

"In five years, every e-commerce transaction will be guided by an AI revenue agent," adds CTO and Co-founder Rubaiyat Farhan. "We've built a behavioral intelligence engine that finally enables true personalization at global scale."

The company's mission is ambitious: recover USD 100 billion in lost revenue by 2030, ensuring no customer is ever treated as merely a segment again.

Contact person's name: Md Zubayer Wasit

Title/Company: Marketing Manager, Markopolo AI

Email address: wasit@markopolo.ai

Phone number: +8801648440100

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2845453/MP_Markopolo_AI.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2845452/Markopolo_Ai_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/markopolo-ai-partners-with-t2-to-scale-in-saudi-arabia-302642484.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Red Stone Contracting, a Toronto home renovation company, today announced the strategic expansion of its residential services hub in Etobicoke. This move is designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality custom renovations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). By scaling its operations from its new base at 7 Hamptonbrook Drive, Red Stone Contracting aims to solve a persistent market challenge: providing Toronto homeowners with luxury-grade design and craftsmanship without the excessive costs or extended timelines typically associated with urban construction.

The expansion introduces a streamlined "design-build" model to the Toronto market, specifically targeting homeowners seeking major structural updates, such as home additions, legal basement conversions, and custom kitchen remodels. By integrating talented in-house designers with expert tradespeople, Red Stone Contracting is positioned to offer competitive pricing and project speed, solidifying its reputation as a top-rated choice for complex residential projects in the city.

Red Stone Contracting is recognized as a top-rated choice for custom home renovations in Toronto, backed by strong standing on industry platforms like HomeStars and Google Reviews. The firm distinguishes itself through a comprehensive service model that manages every aspect of construction-from architectural planning to final finishing-ensuring high-quality results for complex projects like second-story additions and full-gut remodels.

Homeowners in Etobicoke and the wider GTA can access premium renovation services through Red Stone Contracting's expanded local operations. The company utilizes a unique transparent pricing structure that secures high-end materials at competitive rates. This approach allows clients to achieve luxury aesthetics for kitchens and legal basement apartments while adhering to strict budgets and timeline requirements.

Red Stone Contracting provides an all-inclusive service that covers the entire regulatory and creative process. Unlike unmatched contractors who only handle labor, Red Stone manages the acquisition of municipal building permits, zoning approvals, and architectural drawings. This full-service "turnkey" approach is essential for homeowners looking to navigate Toronto's strict building codes without hiring separate architects and project managers.

For major structural projects such as home additions and layout restructuring, Red Stone Contracting offers specialized expertise in structural integrity and space optimization. The firm's team of licensed experts is trained to execute large-scale expansions that blend seamlessly with existing structures, maximizing both living space and property resale value in Toronto's competitive real estate market.

About Red Stone Contracting

Red Stone Contracting is a full-service construction and renovation company headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario. Serving the entire Greater Toronto Area, the firm specializes in high-quality residential transformations, including custom kitchens, bathrooms, basement finishing, and home additions. With a focus on transparency, expert craftsmanship, and competitive pricing, Red Stone Contracting helps homeowners realize their vision through a seamless, professional renovation experience.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278056

Source: Niche Ranker
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a copper-gold explorer based in British Columbia, is pleased to announce initial assay results from the upper portion of the first hole of its 2025 winter diamond drilling program at the Trident copper-gold project in north-central British Columbia. These initial results, which represent only the upper portion of Hole DD25-TRI-001, demonstrate broad, near-surface copper-gold mineralization consistent with the interpreted A Zone porphyry system. Assays for the remainder of Hole DD25-TRI-001, together with results from five additional drill holes completed during the 2025 winter program, are pending and represent near-term catalysts to further define the scale, continuity, and grade distribution of mineralization at Trident. Results reported represent the strongest copper-gold mineralization intersected at Trident to date and materially advance the Company's geological understanding and exploration model for a potentially significant porphyry copper-gold system.

Highlights - A Zone (Hole DD25-TRI-001, Upper Portion)

183.0 metres grading 1.23% CuEq from 9.0 metres to 192.0 metres in Hole DD25-TRI-001 (0.772% Cu, 0.51 g/t Au, 3.4 g/t Ag), demonstrating broad, near-surface copper-gold mineralization consistent with the interpreted A Zone porphyry system.

Including 71.5 metres grading 1.80% CuEq from 21.0 metres to 92.5 metres (1.06% Cu, 0.83 g/t Au, 4.6 g/t Ag), representing a higher-grade interval within the broader mineralized zone.

Including 14.8 metres grading 1.91% CuEq from 22.7 metres to 37.5 metres (1.23% Cu, 0.75 g/t Au, 5.5 g/t Ag), highlighting strong copper-gold-silver grades within the upper portion of the high-grade zone.

Including several high-grade gold-rich intervals , such as: 0.50 metres grading 4.02% CuEq from 34.1 metres to 34.6 metres (2.10% Cu, 2.16 g/t Au, 12.3 g/t Ag) ; 1.0 metre grading 2.50% CuEq from 46.0 metres to 47.0 metres (1.65% Cu, 0.94 g/t Au, 6.6 g/t Ag) ; and 1.25 metres grading 11.01% CuEq from 59.0 metres to 60.25 metres (1.32% Cu, 11.45 g/t Au, 10.9 g/t Ag) .

, such as:

Additional near-surface mineralization includes 19.1 metres grading 1.61% CuEq from 73.4 metres to 92.5 metres (0.923% Cu, 0.77 g/t Au, 4.6 g/t Ag), including 0.65 metres grading 6.87% CuEq from 80.0 metres to 80.7 metres (2.56% Cu, 4.96 g/t Au, 16.8 g/t Ag).

Multiple additional mineralized intervals were intersected deeper in the hole, including 26.6 metres grading 1.45% CuEq from 99.9 metres to 126.5 metres (0.929% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, 4.8 g/t Ag), demonstrating continuity of copper-gold mineralization at depth.

Reported results represent only the upper portion of Hole DD25-TRI-001; assays for the remainder of the hole are pending.

A total of six diamond drill holes were completed for 2,603 metres across three priority target areas:

Three holes (DD25-TRI-001, DD25-TRI-005 & DD25-TRI-006) were drilled at the A Zone, following up on historical copper-gold mineralization and new geological modelling.

Two holes (DD25-TRI-002 & DD25-TRI-003) tested an area 400 metres north of the A Zone, where subsurface geophysical trends suggested potential extensions of the system.

One hole (DD25-TRI-004) targeted a significant resistivity anomaly identified in the 2024 MobileMT airborne magnetotelluric survey, located in the central part of the property.

"These results materially advance our understanding of Trident and are exactly the type of outcome we were hoping for as we continue to advance the project," said Brad Peters, President and CEO of Pacific Empire. "The A Zone drilling has identified broad intervals of strong copper-gold mineralization from near-surface, including a substantial higher-grade interval, which significantly elevates the exploration potential at Trident. Importantly, our step-out drilling to the north and our test of the large MobileMT resistivity anomaly will provide critical information for the next phase of drilling. The combination of strong copper grades, gold enrichment, potassic alteration and magnetite is a hallmark of well-developed porphyry copper-gold systems in British Columbia, and we believe we are working in the right part of such a system."

Geological context indicates that Hole DD25-TRI-001 intersected potassic-altered, magnetite-bearing porphyritic intrusive rocks hosting copper-gold mineralization, as evidenced by elevated copper and gold values, consistent iron content, and low lead-zinc-arsenic levels within the reported interval. While a single drill hole provides only a limited window into the geometry of the system, the alteration and geochemical characteristics observed are consistent with mineralization associated with a porphyry copper-gold environment. These results support continued follow-up drilling to evaluate the lateral and vertical extent of mineralization at Trident.

From surface to approximately 77 metres depth, Hole DD25-TRI-001 intersected a continuous sequence of monzodiorite and hornblende-feldspar porphyry, characterized by fine- to medium-grained, crowded feldspar-phyric textures. These intrusive rocks display consistent potassic alteration, marked by fine biotite, abundant magnetite, and localized K-feldspar mottling. Copper mineralization occurs primarily as disseminated and fracture-controlled chalcopyrite  pyrite, with locally observed bornite, indicating locally higher copper intensity, and is commonly associated with narrow quartz-magnetite veinlets. This alteration and mineralization assemblage is characteristic of the central to proximal portions of an alkaline copper-gold porphyry system. Importantly, the recognition of porphyritic intrusive phases-whether mineralized or weakly mineralized-is a critical element in porphyry exploration, as such intrusions define the plumbing architecture of the system and provide key vectors toward higher-grade or more strongly mineralized domains. No major lithological or alteration breaks were observed within this near-surface interval, and a locally higher-grade, gold-bearing veinlet occurs within the broader copper-rich zone, highlighting the potential for gold-enriched domains within the Trident system.





Figure 1 - Southwest-northeast cross section through the A Zone at the Trident copper-gold project, showing diamond drill holes DD25-TRI-001 and DD25-TRI-006 together with selected historical drilling. Assay intervals from DD25-TRI-001 are displayed with copper grades (right side of hole trace) and gold grades (left side of hole trace), highlighting a broad zone of near-surface copper-gold mineralization. Hole DD25-TRI-001 returned 183.0 metres grading 1.23% CuEq, including 71.5 metres grading 1.80% CuEq, from the upper portion of the hole. Lithological interpretation indicates mineralization hosted primarily within hornblende-feldspar porphyry and associated intrusive phases. Assays for deeper portions of DD25-TRI-001 and for DD25-TRI-006 are pending.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_001full.jpg





Table 1 - Selected down-hole composite intervals from DD25-TRI-001 demonstrating broad, continuous copper-gold mineralization from near surface to 192.0 metres down hole, including multiple higher-grade internal zones. The results highlight the scale and continuity of mineralization within the Trident porphyry system and provide important context for follow-up drilling.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_002full.jpg

Drill intercepts reported herein are based on down-hole lengths. At this stage of exploration, the true thickness and orientation of the mineralized zones are not yet known. Additional drilling and geological modelling will be required to determine the true width of the reported mineralization.

CuEq Calculation

Copper equivalent ("CuEq") values are calculated using the following metal prices: US$5.00/lb copper, US$3,000/oz gold, and US$35.00/oz silver, with assumed metallurgical recoveries of 92% for copper, 88% for gold, and 85% for silver.

The CuEq calculation is intended to express the combined value of copper, gold, and silver mineralization within individual drill intervals on a consistent basis and is provided for illustrative purposes only. No metallurgical testing has been completed at this stage, and the Company cautions that actual recoveries may differ from the assumptions used.

Metal prices used in the CuEq calculation reflect an elevated commodity price environment, are conservative relative to recent spot prices, and are intended solely for comparative purposes.





Figure 2 - Location map showing Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.'s Trident and Pinnacle copper-gold projects in north-central British Columbia, together with selected nearby exploration and mining projects operated by other companies. The map highlights the regional setting of PEMC's land position within the Hogem Ranges and its proximity to known copper-gold systems, including the Kwanika Cu-Au project and the Mt. Milligan mine.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_003full.jpg





Table 2 - Collar locations, orientations, and final depths of diamond drill holes completed during the 2025 winter drilling program at the Trident Project. Coordinates are reported in NAD 83, UTM Zone 10N. Drill holes were designed to test mineralization at the A Zone, step-out targets to the north, and a central MobileMT resistivity anomaly.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_004full.jpg





Figure 3 - Plan-view IP chargeability slice at approximately 250 metres depth, displayed in NAD 83 UTM Zone 10 coordinates. Warmer colours represent higher chargeability, while cooler colours indicate lower chargeability. The locations of 2025 diamond drill holes are shown for reference, highlighting the spatial relationship between elevated chargeability responses and current drill testing.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_005full.jpg





Figure 4 - Plan-view resistivity image from the 2007 Fugro airborne Mag-EM survey, shown as a 56,000 Hz apparent resistivity slice and displayed in NAD 83 UTM Zone 10 coordinates. Warmer colours (pinks to reds) represent areas of higher resistivity, while cooler colours (greens to blues) indicate lower resistivity. The locations of 2025 diamond drill holes are overlain for reference, illustrating the spatial relationship between resistivity patterns and the chargeability responses shown in the preceding figure.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/278098_740dbb6334de4b1c_006full.jpg

Challenging Winter Conditions

Drilling during this winter program required significant operational flexibility. Following a period of sustained sub-zero temperatures and snowfall, a rapid shift to warm, wet weather created difficult access conditions, particularly in the central resistivity target area where road surfaces deteriorated quickly. When temperatures again dropped below freezing, sections of the access trail developed hard ice on steep slopes, requiring additional safety measures and rerouting. Despite these challenges, Omineca Drilling maintained excellent productivity and safely completed all planned holes, drilling a total of 2,603 metres, exceeding the originally planned 2,500-metre program.

Ongoing Work

Assays from the remaining holes are pending and will be released once received and reviewed. Results to date are being used to refine geological and geophysical vectors for follow-up drilling. Geological interpretation, 3D modelling, and integration of MobileMT data with drilling results are currently underway.

Strategic Importance

The Trident drill program comes at a time when global copper demand is accelerating due to electrification, grid expansion, and electric vehicle adoption. At the same time, new large-scale copper discoveries have become increasingly rare, underscoring the importance of exploring in proven, mining-friendly jurisdictions such as British Columbia. With gold also consistently present as a by-product credit in the system, Trident has the potential to deliver the combination of size, grade, and precious metals that makes porphyry copper-gold deposits particularly attractive.

Pacific Empire believes the 2025 drill program represents a critical opportunity in the Trident property's 50-year history of exploration. The combination of historical mineralization at the A Zone, overlapping geophysical and geochemical anomalies at the porphyry target, and newly permitted access to never-before-drilled breccia targets creates a unique discovery opportunity. With the 2025 winter drill program now complete and additional assays pending, PEMC is well positioned to advance Trident toward what could be a significant gold-enriched copper porphyry discovery.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures included the insertion of certified reference materials, blanks, and preparation duplicates into the sample stream. QA/QC samples were submitted as blind samples to the laboratory. The results indicate acceptable analytical accuracy and precision, with no evidence of significant contamination.

Diamond drill core was recovered using NQ-sized core. Core was logged for lithology, alteration, mineralization, and structure prior to sampling. Samples were collected on nominal 1.5-metre intervals, adjusted as required to respect geological boundaries. All samples consisted of half-core, with the remaining half retained for reference and potential future analysis.

Analytical Procedures

Sample preparation and analysis were conducted by ALS Canada Ltd. at its sample preparation facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia, with analyses performed at ALS laboratories in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Lima, Peru. ALS laboratories are independent of the Company and are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for the analytical methods employed.

Core samples were prepared using ALS method PREP-31A, which includes crushing and pulverizing to produce a representative pulp. Gold analyses were completed by fire assay with ICP-AES finish (Au-ICP21). Multi-element analyses, including copper and silver, were performed using four-acid digestion with ICP-MS (ME-MS61). High-grade copper samples were re-analyzed using ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES (Cu-OG62), and over-limit multi-element values were determined using ME-OG62. Sample sizes were consistent with ALS standard preparation protocols.

Marketing Engagement

The Company has engaged Hillside Consulting and Media Inc., a British Columbia-based marketing and investor relations firm, to assist with investor awareness and digital outreach initiatives in support of the Company's exploration activities. The engagement is for a total fee of CAD $45,000, plus applicable taxes. Hillside will provide marketing and communications services designed to enhance the Company's visibility with the investment community. Hillside Consulting and Media Inc. does not have any direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities.

Other Matters

The latest President's Newsletter, along with updated maps and Corporate Presentation, are now available at www.pemcorp.ca.

About Trident

The Trident property is an early exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km southeast of the Kwanika deposit owned by NorthWest Copper Corp. and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing efficient access to support ongoing exploration programs.

In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR which may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire.

About Pinnacle

The Pinnacle project is located 60 km west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a significant development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and provides additional bedrock exposure.

Qualified Person's Statement

Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Whitehead is independent of Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Pacific Empire

Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district-scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares.

British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278098

Source: Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Dixie Gold Inc. (TSXV: DG) ("Dixie Gold" or the "Corporation" or the "Issuer") reports that it has filed its management information circular (the "Meeting Circular") and related materials in connection with its upcoming annual general and special meeting of shareholders, to be held in Vancouver, BC on January 22, 2026 (the "AGSM"). In line with past shareholder meetings, the AGSM will be conducted on a notice-and-access basis.

The AGSM will consider the items of ordinary and special business described in the Meeting Circular. The ordinary items of business include setting the number of directors to be elected, electing directors, and appointing the auditor for the ensuing year, all as set out in the Meeting Circular. As special business, shareholders - excluding any and all shareholders who are members of management, a director or an Insider (each and all of whom are disenfranchised from voting on special business) - will be asked to vote on their desire for the Issuer to maintain listed status, as set out in the Meeting Circular. Shareholders will also be asked to consider such other business as may properly come before the AGSM or any any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

Alongside other availability, the Meeting Circular and related meeting materials have been posted to SEDAR+ www.sedarplus.ca.

About Dixie Gold Inc.

Dixie Gold Inc. (TSXV: DG) is a publicly traded junior exploration company holding a portfolio of mining-related interests in Canada. For more information, please visit www.dixiegold.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "anticipate," "expect," "suggest," "plan," "believe," "intend,", "intention" "estimate," "target," "project," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "forecast" and/or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the timing and outcomes of the AGSM and voting results thereof. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278097

Source: Dixie Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Aeonian Resources Corp. (TSXV: ALTN) ("Aeonian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of securities to raise total gross proceeds up to $800,400 (the "Offering"). The Offering will be comprised of units (the "Units") to be sold at a price of $0.04 per Unit.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.07 per Warrant Share. A maximum of 20,010,000 Units will be issued in the Offering. The Offering replaces the Company's previously announced proposed private placement, which was announced on October 20, 2025.

Aeonian intends to allocate the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the Units to advance the Company's exploration activities and for general working capital.

The Company may pay finders' fees comprised of cash and non-transferable common share purchase warrants in connection with the Offering, subject to compliance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of the Offering and the payment of any finders' fees remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Aeonian Resources Corp.

Aeonian Resources Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on discovering the next generation of copper deposits in British Columbia. Its flagship Koocanusa Copper Project lies within the Purcell Basin, part of the same geological belt that hosts major sediment-hosted copper deposits across the border in Montana. Aeonian has outlined a 50 km copper corridor with multiple drill ready targets supported by strong geochemical and geophysical data. With multi year permits, active Indigenous partnerships, and a disciplined, science-driven approach, Aeonian is well positioned for near term copper discovery in a Tier 1 jurisdiction. For additional information, visit the Company's website www.aeonianresources.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AEONIAN RESOURCES CORP.,

"Andy Randell"

Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the completion of the Offering; the anticipated proceeds to be raised under the Offering; the intended use of proceeds raised under the Offering; and the potential payment of finders' fees in connection with the Offering.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failure to obtain the required regulatory approvals for the Offering; market uncertainty; the inability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the inability of the Company to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Offering; changes in the Company's business plans impacting the intended use of proceeds raised under the Offering; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will obtain the required regulatory approvals for the Offering; the Company will be able to complete the Offering on the terms disclosed; the Company will be able to raise the anticipated proceeds under the Offering; and the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated and on the timeline currently expected. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

Not for Distribution to United States Newswire Services or

for Dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278101

Source: Aeonian Resources Corp.
Wellington, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - HealthPlus Staffing, one of the nation's fastest-growing healthcare recruitment firms and a 2025 Inc. Regionals honoree, today announced the official launch of its healthcare recruitment franchise system alongside the signing of its first franchisee, awarding the exclusive South Florida Primary Care territory to respected business leader Ryan Kuhlman. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare staffing-one defined by a world-class recruitment blueprint, a transformative opportunity for entrepreneurs, and a mission to expand access to quality care nationwide.

South Florida Territory Awarded to Industry Leader Ryan Kuhlman as HealthPlus Enters National Expansion Phase

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10569/278132_3caa265e2469cbaf_001full.jpg

For more than a year, HealthPlus Staffing's leadership team has worked relentlessly to build a franchise platform that far exceeds the traditional standards of the healthcare recruitment industry. The company's proprietary training systems, performance scripts, operational processes, and technology-driven workflows have positioned it as a category-defining force in the healthcare staffing landscape. With millions in revenue already generated and an unmatched operating blueprint, HealthPlus Staffing is entering its franchise expansion phase with a vision to become one of America's most recognized and respected healthcare recruitment companies.

A Blueprint Designed to Redefine Healthcare Recruitment

For decades, healthcare recruiting firms have operated on models where companies take significantly more value than they return to their employees. HealthPlus Staffing has deliberately inverted that equation.

Recruiters within the HealthPlus ecosystem benefit from:

Earning potential nearly double that of industry competitors

Immediate access to business development opportunities-rather than waiting years, as is standard across the healthcare staffing industry

Structured pathways for ownership through franchising

Now, for the first time, recruiters and entrepreneurs alike can own a healthcare recruitment business leveraging a system refined through years of real-world success in physician recruitment and provider staffing.

"Our industry has long operated in a way that limits opportunity," said Nader Atoui, CEO of HealthPlus Staffing. "We built HealthPlus to change that. We developed a blueprint that not only elevates earning potential for recruiters, but now gives those same individuals-and motivated entrepreneurs across the country-the ability to own a recession-proof healthcare staffing business that meaningfully impacts healthcare. This franchise system is the culmination of years of innovation, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to reshaping healthcare recruitment."

The HealthPlus franchise model offers one of the lowest overhead structures in the service industry; no office is required, and franchise owners can operate full-time or flexibly from anywhere with Wi-Fi. With profit margins that far exceed typical franchise categories-and an opportunity to directly address physician shortages, provider burnout, patient turnover, and access-to-care gaps-HealthPlus Staffing represents a high-value healthcare franchise opportunity at an accessible entry point.

A Mission Rooted in Impact-Not Just Operations

At the core of HealthPlus Staffing's expansion lies a guiding belief: healthcare access is strengthened every time a quality healthcare provider is placed in the right community.

By giving franchise owners exclusive territories and specialty-specific focuses, including Primary Care recruitment, HealthPlus ensures each franchisee becomes a local subject-matter expert-capable of consistently supporting healthcare facilities, reducing physician burnout, keeping doors open, and improving community care.

"Every placement has a ripple effect-from reducing patient wait times to preventing millions in lost insurance reimbursements for facilities," said Leo Ortiz, President of HealthPlus Staffing. "Our franchise system empowers individuals to create meaningful change while building a scalable business. We are not simply expanding-we are building a national network of leaders who will redefine healthcare staffing."

HealthPlus Staffing Awards First Franchise to Respected Market Partner, Ryan Kuhlman

The company's first franchise territory-focused exclusively on Primary Care recruitment in South Florida and encompassing Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Brevard, Osceola, and Orange counties-has been awarded to Ryan Kuhlman, a nationally recognized educator, entrepreneur, and former President of the National Real Estate Investors Association. He will serve as HealthPlus Staffing's first Market Partner.

Known for helping thousands of families out of distressed situations through strategic real estate solutions, Kuhlman brings decades of leadership, community impact, and business development expertise to the HealthPlus brand.

Kuhlman's relationship with CEO Nader Atoui dates back to 2016, when Atoui joined Kuhlman's real estate mentorship program. Under Kuhlman's guidance, Atoui quickly became one of the program's top performers-closing multiple deals within his first year and speaking at major venues throughout South Florida. When Atoui later shifted his focus to healthcare recruiting and ultimately launched HealthPlus Staffing with President Leo Ortiz, Kuhlman continued to observe the company's meteoric rise.

After years of watching the brand evolve-and witnessing the development of an unparalleled healthcare recruitment system-Kuhlman made the decision to leave his real estate business behind and fully commit to HealthPlus Staffing's mission.

"Joining HealthPlus Staffing is the easiest major business decision I've ever made," said Ryan Kuhlman, Market Partner & Franchise Owner for the South Florida Primary Care Territory. "I've watched Nader and Leo build something extraordinary. This isn't just a business-it's a mission to strengthen healthcare access across America. The foundation they've built is unmatched, and I'm honored to lead South Florida and set the standard for future franchisees."

National Expansion: A Controlled, High-Standards Growth Strategy

HealthPlus Expansion Group-the franchisor arm of HealthPlus Staffing-will be awarding a limited number of franchises to ensure hands-on leadership involvement and operational excellence.

Expansion goals include:

15 franchisees planned for 2026

30 franchisees targeted for 2027

100 franchises nationally by 2028

2026 Target Market States: Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Georgia, North Carolina

Each franchise will operate exclusively in defined territories and specific medical specialties, ensuring deep expertise, strong community relationships, and consistent quality aligned with the HealthPlus mission.

"Ryan sets a powerful precedent for the caliber of leaders we are inviting into this system," Atoui added. "Our expansion will be selective, intentional, and focused on partnering with individuals who want to reshape healthcare in their communities."

About HealthPlus Staffing

HealthPlus Staffing is a national healthcare recruitment firm specializing in the placement of physicians, advanced practice providers, dentists, nurses, and allied health professionals. Built on a foundation of integrity, innovation, and precision, HealthPlus Staffing connects high-quality healthcare providers with reputable medical organizations across the United States. Through its franchise system, HealthPlus aims to expand access to care community by community, powered by world-class training, proprietary systems, and a mission to redefine healthcare recruitment.

For more information, visit www.HealthPlusStaffing.com.

Media Contact:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278132

Source: HealthPlus Staffing
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan a quiet holiday without visiting Meghans ailing father, Thomas Markle, as deep-rooted estrangements with both fathers persist. It is being reported that reconciliation remains unlikely despite recent contact attempts.

After a turbulent year marked by public family estrangements and health crises, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly choosing not to visit Meghans seriously ill father, Thomas Markle, over the holiday season, raising fresh questions about the couples family dynamics and public image.

According to sources, Harry and Meghan will spend Christmas in Montecito, California, with Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Plans to fly to the Philippines to see Thomas, who recently had part of his leg amputated after complications from a blood clot, are not on the itinerary, despite the couples ability to use private jets for urgent travel.

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Thomas Markle, 81, has been in and out of medical care for years and remains in intensive care following emergency surgery, with family members urging well-wishers to keep him in their thoughts.

Despite the severity of his condition, reconciliation with Meghan appears distant. A recent report suggests that recent contact, including a letter reportedly sent by Meghan, has done little to bridge the longstanding rift between father and daughter. Thomas said he hadnt received direct communication from Meghan, while sources allege she has been cautious about phone contact due to fears of media leaks.

Also Read: Meghan Markle 'secretly battling' to recreate Kate Middleton's charm? Expert says 'It's not working'

The Markle estrangement dates back to 2018, when Thomas was embroiled in a paparazzi scandal ahead of Meghan and Harrys wedding, and the relationship has remained fragile, with only intermittent attempts at outreach.

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At the same time, Prince Harrys relationship with his own father, King Charles III, though occasionally punctuated by brief encounters, also shows little sign of substantive healing. In September, the Duke made a short visit to see Charles, who is battling cancer, but there has been little follow-through beyond that meeting, according to reports.

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It has also been reported by Marie Claire that the Royal Family seems to have extended an olive branch to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after Prince Harry met King Charles. In fact, at Queen Camillas annual Christmas tea party, the royal family displayed a framed photograph of Meghan Markle at Clarence House. The image, taken on Harry and Meghans 2018 wedding day, shows King Charles walking the Duchess of Sussex down the aisle. There was another photo of Harry and Meghan Markle from Prince Louis Christening.

Royal insiders and commentators have repeatedly pointed out that while both Meghan and Harry have reached out in some form, there remains a palpable distance on both sides of both family divides, even in the face of serious illness.
As Australians cope with the Bondi Beach terror attack, one story gives them courage  that of Ahmed Al Ahmed. The 43-year-old shop owner has been hailed a hero by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after he tackled one of the gunmen firing at the crowd. Ahmed, who sustained two gunshot wounds, is now recuperating

Ahmed al Ahmed won praise for his heroic efforts to disarm a gunman during the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (Image: X)

When gunfire tore through a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach in Sydney, a passerby at the scene put his life on the line to stop a terrorist. He is not a policeman or any security personnel. He is an ordinary Australian. Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old shop owner, came forward in the moment of extraordinary courage.

Ahmed, with no protective gear, rushed toward one of the shooters, managed to wrestle away the weapon to save lives. While doing so, he suffered two gunshot wounds. Ahmed was taken to the hospital and remains under medical care.

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Today, Ahmed Al Ahmed is a household name. His bravery has grabbed international headlines, as Australia hails him as a hero.

Who is Ahmed Al Ahmed?

Ahmed Al Ahmed is a Muslim who migrated to Sydney from Syrias Idlib over a decade ago. He is a tobacco shop owner and father of two daughters aged five and six, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

He was earlier mistakenly identified as a fruit shop owner in Sydney. Many well-wishers rushed to Sutherland Best Fresh, which has now set the record straight.

So sad to see this tragedy happen this afternoon in Bondi, the shop wrote on Facebook. There has been a miscommunication  on where this great Australian heros fruit shop location is. We do not know who Ahmed is, nor the location of his fruit shop.

Now, Australian media reports say that Ahmed runs a tobacco shop

How Ahmed Al Ahmed tackled the Bondi Beach gunman

Ahmed was in Bondi for a coffee outing with his cousin Jozay Alkanj on Sunday when the attack took place. When the duo got there, it was shocked to see two armed men firing their weapons.

The 15-second video, which has now gone viral, shows Ahmed hiding behind parked cars before running towards the assailant. He grabs the shooter by the neck, pulls away his rifle and forces him to the ground before pointing the weapon back at him.

However, the shooter subsequently repositions himself and starts firing again, as reported by CNN.

Ahmed, who was shot twice in the ordeal.

A photo tweeted by TheLiberal.ie, an Irish digital news media outlet, shows Ahmed sitting on the ground after he was shot twice, and bystanders rushed to help him. Ahmed remained conscious for a few moments after the incident.

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Speaking to The Australian, Alkanj described the moment Ahmed took on the gunman. It was two shots, nothing is easy, Alkanj said. We went behind the cars, and we were seeing the people, they were shooting, that was very near to us.

He was very scared and was saying, Im gonna die, please stay with me, please tell my family. But despite the fear, Ahmed saved many lives.

Ahmed reportedly had no prior experience handling firearms.

How is Ahmeds condition?

Ahmed was rushed to St George Hospital in Kogarah and reportedly had surgery.

Alkanj confirmed that his brother was still under observation and was in a lot of pain.

Blood donor Nancy Sharma, who spoke with the cousin, earlier told The Australian that Ahmed was just getting better.

Ahmeds father, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, confirmed that his son is in good spirits after being shot twice. I saw him last night, and he was in good spirits, he said.

What is Ahmeds family saying?

Ahmeds mother could not stop crying after she discovered that her son had saved many lives.

I thank God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers, the father said.

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Ahmeds cousin, Mostafa, who refused to provide his last name, asserted that his cousin was undoubtedly a hero. I have not slept since I attended St George Hospital. Ahmed is absolutely a hero, 100%, hes a hero. He has two shots, one in his arm here and one in his hand. He wouldve lost his life to save other people, he told CNN affiliate 7News.

I hope everyone in Australia wishes that everything goes well for Ahmed and that he can get back to his family, he added.

Hundreds of people are indeed praying for Ahmed. Over 1,000 people have raised more than $290,000 for Ahmed on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe, set up by CarHub Australia. Among donors is US billionaire Bill Ackman, who gave $100,000. CarHub Australia donated $50,000.

How Albanese, Trump and others hailed the shop owner turned hero

Ahmeds bravery was commended by Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump. He was described as a hero by the Australian PM. United States President Donald Trump, too, hailed Ahmeds heroics.

In Australia, as youve probably read, theres been a very, very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters, Trump said. He saved a lot of lives, a very brave person who is right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. I have great respect for the man who did that, Trump added.

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NSW Premier Chris Minns, in a press conference, remarked, I think its worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians who are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the heroic act, describing it as the pinnacle of Jewish heroism.

We saw an action of a brave man, turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him that he stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews, asserted Netanyahu.

Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief Zvika Klein said in an op-ed, If there is a Jewish Nobel for saving Jews, Ahmed Al Ahmed just won it.

I believe the State of Israel should acknowledge him, he said. Maybe he should be the next laureate of the Genesis Prize, he continued, referring to an award which usually recognises Jewish individuals.

With inputs from agencies
Australia is reeling after a terrorist attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration killed 15 people and injured dozens. A father and son opened fire on crowds near the beachfront, prompting a massive police response and putting the countrys gun laws under the lens

Members of the forensic team work at the scene of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 15, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Australia is facing one of its darkest days in decades after a terrorist attack at Sydneys iconic Bondi Beach left 15 people dead, dozens injured and an entire nation in shock.

The shooting, which unfolded during a public Hanukkah celebration on Sunday evening, has been declared the deadliest mass shooting in the country since the Port Arthur massacre of 1996.

Authorities have confirmed that the attack was carried out by two gunmen  a father and son  who opened fire on crowds gathered near the beachfront.

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How the Bondi Beach shooting unfolded

Sunday, December 14, was meant to be an evening of celebration and community. The Hanukkah by the Sea event, organised by Chabad of Bondi, began around 5 pm (AEDT) and was promoted as a family-friendly gathering celebrating the Jewish festival of lights.

More than 1,000 people were estimated to be present, including families with children, elderly members of the community and visitors enjoying the summer evening by the waterfront.

More from Explainers Bondi beach shooting suspect father migrated from Hyderabad to Australia 27 years ago: Telangana govt

Less than two hours later, the atmosphere was shattered.

At approximately 6.40 pm (AEDT), residents and beachgoers reported hearing multiple gunshots. Almost immediately, police vehicles were seen converging on the Bondi Beach area, particularly around Campbell Parade.

Witnesses described hundreds of people running for safety as fear spread rapidly through the crowded precinct.

Footage that later emerged showed two men dressed in black positioned on a pedestrian bridge connecting Campbell Parade to the Bondi Pavilion and the Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, close to Archer Park.

From this elevated position, the men appeared to fire rifles towards crowds gathered below. Video clips circulating online showed cars continuing to pass beneath the bridge even as shots were being fired.

NSW Police received reports of an active shooter around 6.45 pm. According to investigators, the volume of gunfire and the speed at which events unfolded made the scene extremely difficult to immediately secure.

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Timeline of the shooting: minute by minute

Reconstructing the precise sequence of events has been challenging due to the scale of the incident and the volume of footage shared online.

However, based on verified videos, police statements and witness accounts, authorities have established a broad timeline of how the attack unfolded.

After opening fire from the bridge, one of the gunmen  later identified as Sajid Akram  moved down into the park area near the bridge.

At this point, members of the public were fleeing in all directions, while others sought cover behind vehicles, trees and nearby structures.

During this phase of the attack, a bystander intervened. Ahmed el Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, lunged at Sajid Akram and managed to grab his weapon.

Ahmed had no known experience with firearms and had been at Bondi Beach simply to get a coffee with his cousin when the shooting began.

Despite the intervention, Sajid Akram managed to break free and return to the bridge, where his son, Naveed Akram, continued firing. Footage showed Sajid re-arming himself before both men came under fire from police who had moved into position nearby.

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Sajid Akram was shot and collapsed.

Naveed Akram was also struck by police gunfire. In one video, a man dressed in pale clothing can be seen approaching the bridge and gesturing for officers to advance. Moments later, another individual walked onto the bridge with his hands raised, and a gunshot can be heard.

As police moved in, chaotic scenes followed. Officers and civilians ran onto the bridge, while footage showed one man kicking one of the alleged attackers and others grappling amid confusion and distress.

Armed police work at the scene after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. File Image/AFP

By approximately 7.30 pm, police had secured the immediate area and surrounded both gunmen on the ground.

Sajid Akram was later pronounced dead at the scene. Naveed Akram was transported to hospital under police guard.

The entire shooting, from the first shots to police securing the suspects, lasted less than an hour.

What we know about the casualties, injuries

Authorities confirmed that 15 people were killed in the attack, making it the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.

The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that the youngest victim, a 10-year-old child, died at Sydney Childrens Hospital in Randwick. Four children were among the injured and were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.

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In total, 40 people were injured during the attack. As of Monday afternoon, police said 33 people remained in hospital.

Six were listed in critical condition, while 27 were described as serious but stable.

Among those hospitalised were two police officers  a constable and a probationary constable  who were injured while responding to the attack.

The identities of several victims were later confirmed by community organisations and international leaders.

Ten-year-old Matilda, who died from gunshot wounds, was identified as a former student of Bellevue Hills Harmony Russian School of Sydney, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

Another victim was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five and assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. He had a newborn son and was the organiser of the Hanukkah by the Sea event that became the site of the attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the death of French national Dan Elkayam, who was in his late 20s. Elkayam worked as an IT analyst for NBC Universal and had lived in Australia for several years.

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Chabad also confirmed the death of Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor originally from Ukraine. In a statement, the organisation said Kleytman died shielding [his wife] from the gunmans bullets.

Another victim, Reuven Morrison, was described by Chabad as a businessman and community member who had emigrated from the Soviet Union before he discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney.

What we know about the attackers

Police identified the shooters as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Investigators say the two men had told family members they were going on a weekend fishing trip prior to the attack.

The two gunmen behind the Bondi Beach shooting are father and son, aged 50 and 24.

We have since learnt that the duo reportedly had origins from Pakistan. Sajid Akram died at the scene after being shot by police.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid held a valid firearms licence for recreational hunting and was a member of a gun club.

According to Lanyon, Sajid legally owned six firearms and brought six registered guns to Bondi Beach on the day of the attack. All six weapons were seized by police.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed that Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa.

Naveed Akram, who survived the shooting, was described as a recently unemployed bricklayer. He is an Australian-born citizen and remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition under police guard. Authorities have said he is likely to survive his injuries.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram had come to the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in October 2019.

Albanese said ASIO assessed that there was no indication of a threat of violence at the time. He added that ASIOs concerns related to Naveeds associates rather than his own behaviour or character.

Lanyon stated that police were aware of one of the shooters prior to the attack but had no intelligence suggesting a planned act of violence.

What the terror probe has revealed so far

NSW Police formally declared the Bondi Beach shooting a terrorism incident. Lanyon described the scene confronted by officers as incredibly chaotic and terrifying, even for seasoned police.

The response involved multiple police vehicles, dozens of officers and specialist counter-terrorism units. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) later confirmed it seized three firearms and two improvised explosive devices from the Bondi Beach area on Sunday night.

A further firearm and a third improvised explosive device were discovered at the location the following day. Police also confirmed that an improvised explosive device was found in the attackers vehicle.

As part of the investigation, authorities conducted raids at properties in Bonnyrigg and Campsie.

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At the Bonnyrigg address, where the alleged shooter lived with his parents, 22-year-old sister and 20-year-old brother, forensic teams seized two firearms. Sections of the street were closed as investigators worked at the scene.

Police believe the father and son had stayed at a Campsie property prior to the attack, which was suspected to be a short-term rental.

That location was also searched, though investigators said it remains unclear how long the pair had been staying there or when they intended to leave.

The bystander who intervened

Amid the violence, authorities and witnesses highlighted the actions of Ahmed el Ahmed as a moment of extraordinary bravery.

Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, tackled one of the attackers and managed to take hold of his rifle before being shot. He was later taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

Ahmeds cousin, Jozay Alkanj, said Ahmed had been terrified but acted instinctively to protect others. He was very scared, Alkanj said, quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

He said Im going to die  please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save peoples lives.

Speaking in Arabic outside the hospital as his son awaited surgery, Ahmeds father praised his actions and said Ahmed was in good spirits.

He said he thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers.

How Australian gun laws have come under the lens

Albanese described the shooting as an act of evil antisemitism directed at Jewish Australians and the broader nation.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said hearts were bleeding for the Jewish community as it processed the scale of the loss.

Jewish leaders warned that the impact of the attack would be felt for years. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the shredded Jewish community may never recover from the almighty blow.

Rabbi Mendel Kastel, chief executive of Jewish House, who lost multiple family members in the shooting, said it was easy to become very angry and blame people, but stressed that this was not what this is about.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the community had repeatedly warned during the summer of terror earlier this year that violence was inevitable.

Jillian Segal, Australias special envoy to combat antisemitism, told ABC Radio National that the federal government must accelerate and fully endorse the recommendations of her review into antisemitism, adding that authorities cant do this in a half-hearted fashion.

Australias gun laws were significantly tightened after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

Following that attack, the federal government moved within 12 days to ban semi-automatic weapons, introduce a national buyback scheme and overhaul licensing requirements.

Despite those reforms, the number of legally held firearms has steadily increased over the past two decades. According to the Australia Institute, there are now around four million guns held legally in Australia  more than before the 1996 crackdown.

Albanese said he would ask cabinet to consider reforms aimed at limiting the number of firearms permitted under a single licence and reviewing how long licences should remain valid. Peoples circumstances can change, he said.

People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity.

Minns said he would consider recalling state parliament before Christmas to fast-track firearms legislation. Its time we have a change to the law in relation to the firearms legislation, he said, adding that action could be expected soon.

Lanyon confirmed that, under existing laws, the licence held by one of the suspects entitled him to own the weapons he possessed.

What happens next

NSW Police confirmed that the Joint Counter Terrorism Team has launched a full investigation under Operation Arques.

The probe is being led by NSW Police and includes the Australian Federal Police, ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.

Lanyon pledged a very thorough and transparent investigation into every aspect of the attack, including how the weapons were obtained, the movements of the attackers before the shooting and whether any warning signs were missed.

With inputs from agencies
A little-known trend involving wealthy Chinese elites has emerged in the US. A Los Angeles courtroom hearing has revealed that billionaires are seeking dozens of children through American surrogates. The phenomenon has exposed gaps in surrogacy oversight and citizenship laws in the US

Over the past decade, an increasing number of affluent Chinese individuals  some of them billionaires  have turned to American surrogacy arrangements to build families of unprecedented size, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

In extreme cases, these efforts have gone beyond personal parenthood and into ambitions that may aid in establishing an entire dynasty

Family court officials meant to formalise parenthood and reviewing surrogacy petitions noticed something unusual Los Angeles courtroom in 2023: the same intended parent appearing repeatedly across multiple filings.

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Further checks revealed that the individual, a wealthy Chinese businessman, was linked not to one or two births but to a rapidly expanding number of unborn and already-born children  each conceived through a different surrogate in the United States.

That case, now reported by WSJ, offered a rare glimpse into a largely opaque and loosely regulated global fertility marketplace.

How a courtroom intervention exposed a hidden pattern

The confidential hearing took place before Los Angeles County family court US Judge Amy Pellman in the summer of 2023.

According to people present, the intended parent was Xu Bo, a videogame executive based in China. Xu did not appear in person and instead joined the proceedings remotely, communicating through an interpreter.

Court records and additional inquiries showed that Xu was seeking parental rights for at least four unborn children. At the same time, officials determined that he had already fathered, or was in the process of fathering, at least eight more children through American surrogates.

During the hearing, Xu reportedly told the judge that his long-term goal was to have around 20 children born in the US, primarily boys, whom he believed would one day assume leadership of his business operations.

Several of these children, people familiar with the matter told WSJ, were being cared for by nannies in Irvine, California, while awaiting documentation to travel to China. Xu acknowledged that he had not met them, explaining that work obligations had kept him occupied.

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Pellman, according to those who attended the hearing, expressed alarm. Surrogacy, she indicated, was intended to help individuals form families  not to facilitate what appeared to be industrial-scale reproduction.

In a decision that experts say is highly unusual, Pellman denied Xus petition for parentage. The ruling left the children caught in legal uncertainty, despite the fact that the surrogacy arrangements themselves had followed standard procedural steps.

Xu is known to maintain a high profile online while remaining almost entirely absent from public view. He has not been photographed publicly for nearly a decade and rarely grants interviews.

A representative of his company, Duoyi Network, on an email response, stated, The boss does not accept interview requests from anyone for any purpose, and added that much of what you described is untrue.

How Chinas elites are building mega-families

Xu Bos case is not an isolated one.

Within Chinas elite circles, a growing number of individuals are using overseas surrogacy to pursue family sizes that would be impossible  both legally and logistically  within China.

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Xu has publicly embraced this identity. He refers to himself as Chinas first father, and his company has claimed on social media that he has more than 100 children born through surrogacy in the United States.

He is also widely known in China as a vocal critic of feminism.

Other wealthy Chinese figures have pursued similarly controversial paths. Wang Huiwu, president and CEO of Sichuan-based XJ International Holdings, is said by people close to his education company to have fathered 10 girls via US surrogacy arrangements.

Wang reportedly recruited egg donors from diverse professional backgrounds, including fashion models, a finance PhD holder and a musician. The cost of each egg donation was said to range between $6,000 and $7,500.

Those close to Wang said he preferred daughters and hoped they would eventually marry influential global figures. Screenshots purportedly showing messages from someone claiming to share a nanny with Wang circulated widely on Chinese social media in 2021, triggering intense public backlash.

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Domestic media outlets criticised Wang, arguing that commercial surrogacy exploits women and undermines public morality.

Around the same time, shares in his company dropped sharply. XJ International Holdings, which previously dismissed the allegations as unfounded rumours, did not respond to subsequent requests for comment.

How this highlights a sophisticated international fertility industry

The ability of wealthy Chinese clients to commission large numbers of children abroad has been enabled by a highly developed transnational fertility industry.

In the US, particularly in states such as California, surrogacy laws permit international intended parents to work with American surrogate carriers. Court proceedings related to surrogacy are typically confidential, often leaving little public trace even on court dockets.

This lack of transparency has allowed some clients to work simultaneously with multiple agencies, law firms and clinics without detection.

Industry professionals say oversight is so limited that it is often impossible to determine whether a single intended parent is commissioning multiple pregnancies across different jurisdictions.

Speaking to WSJ, California-based surrogacy agency owner Joy Millan described being approached by a single father in China seeking four surrogates. She agreed to help him connect with one carrier, only to later learn that he had engaged other agencies at the same time.

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Surrogacy agencies typically earn between $40,000 and $50,000 per arrangement, excluding payments made directly to the surrogate. Additional costs  covering IVF procedures, legal services, insurance, childcare and logistics  can push the total cost per child to nearly $200,000.

In some cases, Chinese parents have managed the entire process remotely.

Experts say it has become possible for intended parents to send genetic material abroad, oversee pregnancies via intermediaries and arrange for newborns to be collected from hospitals and placed with caregivers, all without entering the US themselves.

How Chinas erstwhile one-child policy pushed this

For many years, overseas surrogacy offered a workaround for Chinas strict population controls.

Before the one-child policy was abolished in 2015, children born abroad as US citizens fell outside Chinas domestic penalty system. Nathan Zhang, founder and CEO of IVF USA, said his earlier clients were largely parents attempting to bypass those restrictions.

Over time, however, the motivations have shifted. According to Zhang, a new class of ultra-wealthy clients has emerged  individuals seeking not just larger families but vast lineages.

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Elon Musk is becoming a role model now, Zhang told WSJ, explaining that some clients now want dozens or even hundreds of children in pursuit of what he described as an unstoppable family dynasty.

Zhang recalled one prospective client in the education sector who wanted more than 200 children at once through surrogacy. I asked him directly, How do you plan to raise all these children? He was speechless, Zhang said.

Zhang ultimately declined to work with him.

Other professionals echoed similar experiences. One California agency owner said he had helped fulfil a request for 100 children over several years, spread across multiple agencies.

A Los Angeles surrogacy attorney said he had assisted a Chinese billionaire in having 20 children through surrogacy in recent years.

Amanda Troxler, a Los Angeles-based surrogacy lawyer, said her firm once consulted with a Chinese parent seeking eight to 10 surrogacies and asking for a bulk discount. I was like, No, were not Costco, Troxler told WSJ.

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She declined the client, citing her firms policy against undertaking more than two surrogacies for a single parent at one time.

How China has reacted to overseas surrogacy

While Chinese authorities often tolerate overseas surrogacy in practice, high-profile cases have repeatedly triggered domestic outrage.

In 2019, actress Zheng Shuang and her then-boyfriend Zhang Heng hired two US surrogates. Their relationship deteriorated before the births, leading to a custody dispute in Colorado.

Court documents revealed that Zheng had second thoughts about the pregnancies and allegedly considered asking a surrogate to terminate one pregnancy, though the fetus was already too far along.

Zhang ultimately travelled to the US to attend the births in Colorado and Nevada and remained there to care for the children.

After Zhang disclosed the situation on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, the Communist Partys Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission issued a statement condemning the practice.

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 said.

The fallout was severe. Zheng was dropped by fashion brands, and both she and Zhang were investigated for tax evasion. She was later ordered to pay a fine of nearly $46 million, while Zhang was fined $5 million.

Zhang eventually received sole parenting responsibility for the children and later co-founded a California-based surrogacy agency catering to Chinese clients.

Surrogacy has also surfaced in elite political scandals. In 2023, the disappearance of Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang followed an internal Communist Party investigation into an alleged affair with prominent journalist Fu Xiaotian.

Fu gave birth to a child via US surrogacy in late 2022. Although the government never confirmed the childs paternity, the episode prompted internal scrutiny over whether senior officials had used overseas surrogacy arrangements.

Both Qin and Fu vanished from public view after the scandal broke.

Despite the growing scale of overseas surrogacy, Chinese authorities have not imposed a formal ban on citizens seeking such arrangements abroad. However, criticism has become more explicit in recent years.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said in a statement that Chinese health authorities believe surrogacy can result in serious family and social ethical crisis.

How US birth citizenship is also being misused

Children born on US soil automatically acquire American citizenship under the 14th Amendment, a constitutional provision that has long been politically contentious.

In 2020, the US State Department tightened visa rules aimed at curbing birth tourism, particularly for women suspected of travelling to the US solely to give birth.

In January, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order denying citizenship to children born in the US unless at least one parent is a citizen or permanent legal resident. The order is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

It remains unclear whether such restrictions would apply to cases involving American surrogate carriers.

Last month, US Senator Rick Scott of Florida introduced a bill seeking to ban US surrogacy services for people from certain countries, including China.

He cited an ongoing federal human trafficking investigation involving a Chinese-American couple in Los Angeles who reportedly have more than two dozen children, nearly all born through surrogacy within a four-year period.

Federal authorities are examining the issue more broadly. Surrogates who have worked with Chinese parents said they were interviewed by investigators from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, though the purpose of the inquiries has not been disclosed.

What international surrogacy numbers tell us

Academic research highlights how dramatically international surrogacy has expanded. Researchers at Emory University found that the number of US surrogacy cycles involving international parents quadrupled between 2014 and 2019.

During that period, IVF clinics initiated 3,240 cycles for surrogate carriers working with foreign parents, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the US total. Among international clients between 2014 and 2020, 41 per cent were from China.

Although the pandemic temporarily slowed cross-border arrangements due to travel restrictions, industry professionals say demand has rebounded sharply.

With inputs from agencies
Many are asking if the Bondi Beach attack, in which 15 were killed and several injured by a father and son duo in Australia, could have been prevented. The incident, which occurred on Sunday as celebrations began for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, was Australias deadliest mass shooting in decades. But could the authorities have stopped the horrific attack before it even happened?

A woman cries as she pays her respects at Bondi Pavilion to victims of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach. Reuters

Could the Bondi Beach attack have been prevented?

Thats what many are asking after over a dozen people were killed and several injured by a father and son duo in Australia. The incident, which occurred on Sunday as celebrations began for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, was Australias deadliest mass shooting in decades.

A 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and two rabbis were among those killed in the attack. Now, questions are being asked about whether this was a failure by intelligence agencies and if authorities could have done more to prevent the horrific attack.

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Lets take a closer look.

According to reports, one of the gunmen had come under the scanner of authorities in Australia over half a dozen years ago. The father and son duo were identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram. While Sajid was killed while exchanging gunfire with officers, Naveed was apprehended by the police and taken to hospital, where he remains under guard.

The gunman came under the scanner of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the countrys domestic intelligence agency, for his links with a Sydney-based terror cell of the Islamic State. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess told ABC that the agency knew about one of the gunmen, though he did not specify which. One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here, Burgess said.

However, a senior Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said ASIO began keeping tabs on Naveed around six years ago after police busted an Islamic State terror attack. The JCTT is made up of ASIO, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police and the NSW Crime Commission.

ABC has reported that authorities began keeping tabs on Naveed after Islamic State Sydney cell leader Isaac El Matari was arrested in 2019. Matari, who declared himself the Australian commander of Islamic State, is currently serving a seven-year jail sentence. Matari was convicted of preparing an Islamic State insurgency in Australia. The official added that Naveed Akram is closely connected to Matari.

Naveed Akram had reportedly come under the scanner of Australias domestic intelligence agency in 2019.

Mataris Islamic State cell comprised other Sydney men who have since been convicted of terrorist offences  all of whom are reportedly close to Naveed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed ASIO first became aware of Naveed in 2019 and probed him for six months. However, it was determined that he did not pose an ongoing threat to Australia. This is in stark contrast to NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who on Monday said there was little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities prior to the attack.

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However, it must be pointed out that intelligence agencies could have hundreds under surveillance at the same time. Simply being known to authorities is not enough for them to take concrete action. Intelligence agencies conduct a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of an individual or individuals actually carrying out an attack.

As Greg Barton, a counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University, told _The Age_: If [Naveed Akram] was of interest in 2019, people will be asking whether the authorities missed something  People will be asking whether enough was done to monitor him. The authorities themselves will be asking that.

Just because you find someone with links and connections doesnt mean you have the basis for charging or arresting them, Barton pointed out.

Did police freeze? Was there a warning from Mossad?

Twenty minutes [later], there were four policemen. Nobody returned fire. Nothing. Like they froze. I dont understand why, eyewitness Shmulik Scuri was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.

Grace Matthews told the ABC that a friend saw police were very underprepared.

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There are reports that the police simply did not respond quickly enough to the gunmen. Reuters

Theres a police station less than a block from where the shooting was happening Its beyond my understanding as to why it took so long to handle, Matthews, hiding in a church nearby, said.

Israeli security sources have claimed that its intelligence agency Mossad warned Australia multiple times over threats to the Jewish community.

However, the New South Wales Police chief has said there was no input about a specific threat to this event at the beach.

If the police had had intelligence that there was a risk to the community or to this event, we wouldve taken significant action, said Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

Anti-Semitism on the rise

Albanese on Sunday called the attack an act of evil.

There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it, he said.

However, some are criticising Albanese for failing to deal with what they say is a rising tide of anti-Semitism in Australia since the outbreak of Israels war in Gaza in 2023.

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According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, there have been 1,654 reports of anti-Jewish incidents in Australia till October 1, 2025. These range from verbal abuse and racial slurs to harassment, intimidation and Nazi salutes.

While this is below the 2,062 incidents reported in 2024, it is still far higher than the number of anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2023 and the years prior, which some have pegged at around 342 incidents per year.

The writing was on the wall, Alex Ryvchin, Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told CNN. This sort of thing was always bound to happen. But at the same time, were not a country with a high level of gun crime This sort of thing just doesnt happen here, he added.

In fact, Burgess, the Director-General of ASIO, said in February that anti-Semitism was among the intelligence agencys top concerns.

Jewish Australians were increasingly conflated with the state of Israel, leading to an increase in anti-Semitic incidents. The normalisation of violent protest and intimidating behaviour lowered the threshold for provocative and potentially violent acts, Burgess said at the release of the Annual Threat Assessment 2025 in February.

Narratives originally centred on freeing Palestine expanded to include incitements to kill the Jews. Threats transitioned from harassment and intimidation to specific targeting of Jewish communities, places of worship and prominent figures. I am concerned these attacks have not yet plateaued.

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According to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, there have been 1,654 reports of anti-Jewish incidents in Australia till October 1, 2025. Reuters

Meanwhile, Jillian Segal, whom Albanese appointed as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, released a Plan to Combat Antisemitism in July. The programme recommended steps such as adopting a uniform national definition of antisemitism, including Holocaust and antisemitism education in school curricula, and ensuring universities were addressing antisemitism.

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 a clear pattern. This is not the Australia we know and it cannot be the Australia we accept. Australia responded decisively after Port Arthur in 1996. This moment requires the same action. Words are no longer enough, Segal said in a statement.

However, many, including some Jewish groups, criticised Segals plan, saying it would hurt Australias democratic freedoms, such as freedom of expression, and had conflated anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the state of Israel for its conduct in the Gaza war.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed Australian Prime Minister Albanese, claiming that the government had poured fuel on the anti-Semitic fire. Australia is among the countries that have recognised the need for a separate Palestinian state. Netanyahu has claimed Albaneses weakness, appeasement, and more appeasement was at least partially responsible for the attack.

Albanese, for his part, has insisted Australia is doing enough. Yes, we have taken it seriously, and weve continued to act, he was quoted as saying by CNN.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Jordan as he begins his three-nation tour on Monday (December 12). He is travelling there at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, and will hold talks on key regional and global issues. Meanwhile, in Paris, trade unions at the Louvre have called for a rolling strike over security issues and working conditions

Its a busy Monday with several events lined up for the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off his three-nation diplomatic tour beginning with Jordan. Modi will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and review the full spectrum of IndiaJordan relations.

Meanwhile, trade unions at the Louvre Museum have called for a rolling strike today over working conditions and security issues.

Lets take a look at all the big events set to take place across the world today.

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PM Modi in Jordan

Modi will kick off his three-nation tour with a visit to Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein. The pair will hold talks on a wide range of issues, from IndiaJordan relations to key regional and global issues.

This visit marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As per India Today, Modis journey commences in Jordan, followed by Ethiopia on December 16 and 17, and concludes on December 17 and 18 in Oman.

Strike at Louvre

After a brazen daylight theft and issues over working conditions, trade unions at the Louvre Museum in Paris have called for a rolling strike today.

This comes days after the Louvre Museum admitted to a major leak in late November, just two months after an embarrassing heist in which French crown jewels were robbed from its permanent collection.

Tourists at the Louvre pose for pictures. Reuters

The union wrote a joint letter to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, saying that parts of the Louvre were being regularly closed because of insufficient staff numbers as well as technical failures and the buildings ageing condition.

Verdict in trial of Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai

Hong Kongs High Court will announce its verdict in the national security trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai.

Judges Esther Toh Lye-ping, Susana Maria DAlmada Remedios and Alex Lee Wan-tang are set to deliver the judgment.

Police officers stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts building on the day of the closing submissions in the national security collusion trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, in Hong Kong, China, August 18, 2025. Reuters

Lai, 78, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material, and two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and faces a maximum life sentence if convicted.

The US and the United Kingdom have called this trial politically motivated and demanded Lais immediate release.

Liverpool parade crash sentencing

Paul Doyle, in relation to the Liverpool parade crash case, will face sentencing today. According to Sky News, Judge Andrew Menary KC has set a two-day sentencing date from today (December 15).

Paul Doyle has pleaded guilty to all 31 charges relating to the Liverpool parade crash. Police reviewed hours of CCTV footage and mobile phone recordings. Prosecutors asserted that he had no choice but to do so. On the trophy parade day, over 130 people reported injuries when a Ford Galaxy Titanium rammed into crowds on Water Street.

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With inputs from agencies.
The Centre is looking to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), 2005, with the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VBG RAM G) Bill, 2025. But whats in the new bill? What changes?

The G RAM G billbill allows employment under the scheme to be conducted in phases across the year. This will let the scheme be paused during the peak agricultural season so that labourers can work on farms instead. PTI

Update: The VBG RAM G bill has cleared the Parliament, with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passing the legislation amid uproar from the opposition.

The Centre is set to replace the landmark Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), 2005.

The law, which is considered the flagship scheme of India, guarantees at least 100 days of paid work to rural households every year. However, the government now wants to replace MNREGA with the Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VBG RAM G) Bill 2025.

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But what do we know about this bill? What is in it?

Lets take a closer look.

A brief look at MGNREGA

The MGNREGA, which is named after Mahatma Gandhi, was passed in 2005 by the then Manmohan Singh government. It was considered a landmark law when it comes to providing security for the rural poor. The idea behind MGNREGA was to give every rural household at least 100 days of unskilled manual work per year.

The idea behind this scheme is to

Increase the poors resource base

Strengthen their livelihood

Increase social inclusion

Strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

The Centre in 202526 set aside Rs 86,000 crore for the scheme, the highest amount of funds set aside since it was established two decades ago.

What we know about the bill and what changes

The Centre on Monday listed the VBG RAM G Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabhas supplementary list of business. The idea behind the bill is to bring rural development and employment in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Viksit Bharat 2047 plan.

The bill seeks to repeal and replace the MNREGA, 2005. It is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament, which began on December 1 and is set to conclude on December 15.

While the MNREGA guarantees 100 days of work to members of rural households every year, the new bill raises that to 125 days of work per year.

However, the bill allows employment under the scheme to be conducted in phases across the year. This will let the scheme be paused during the peak agricultural season so that labourers can work on farms instead. This will ensure adequate agricultural labour availability during peak agricultural seasons, as per the bill.

All authorities responsible for planning, sanctioning or executing works under this Act shall ensure that all works are undertaken only outside the notified peak agricultural seasons, as per the provisions of the bill.

Under MGNREGA, a vast majority of the funds come from the central government. However, under the new bill, most states and Union Territories would have to contribute as much as 40 per cent of the cost of the scheme, while the Centre would pay for the remaining 60 per cent. The northeastern and Himalayan states would only have to contribute 10 per cent of the scheme. Union Territories without a legislature, meanwhile, would not have to bear any cost.

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While the MNREGA guarantees 100 days of work to members of rural households every year, the new bill raises that to 125 days of work per year. Reuters

While the government allocates funds to MGNREGA on the basis of demand, the government has brought in Normative Allocation under the new bill. It defines Normative Allocation as the allocation of the fund made by the Central Government to the State. This essentially means that if a state runs out of allotted funds, it must make up the difference itself.

Under the MGNREGA, wages must be paid every 15 days, failing which an unemployment allowance must be paid.

In case the payment of wages is not made within fifteen days from the date of closure of the muster roll, the wage seekers shall be entitled to receive payment of compensation for the delay, at the rate of 0.05% of the unpaid wages per day of delay beyond the sixteenth day of closure of muster roll, the MGNREGA states.

Under this new bill, wages to workers will be paid every week. The disbursement of daily wages shall be made on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a fortnight after the date on which such work was done, the bill states. The unemployment allowance will have to be paid by the states.

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States under the bill will have six months to formulate a fresh scheme to bring them in line with the new law.

What is the government saying?

The government has argued that the new bill will reduce leakage and waste, allow states to conduct better planning, align work with farm cycles, and avoid artificial labour shortages during harvest.

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the statement of purpose of the Bill, said MGNREGA has provided guaranteed wage employment to rural households over the past 20 years.

However, further strengthening has become necessary in view of the significant socio-economic transformation witnessed in the rural landscape driven by widespread coverage of the social security interventions and saturation-oriented implementation of major government schemes, he said.

While the MGNREGA focused on the goal to enhance livelihood security, the new Bill says it aims to promote empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat.

The BJP-led government at the Centre has repeatedly tussled with Opposition-run states over MGNREGA, particularly the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal.

The government has argued that the new bill will reduce leakage and waste, allow states to conduct better planning, align work with farm cycles, and avoid artificial labour shortages during harvest.

The government has claimed that there are irregularities in utilisation of funds released before March 2022.

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Opposition slams Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last week tore up a note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting, calling it a valueless and insulting diktat and vowing that the state would run its own work scheme without seeking Delhis charity.

Addressing a TMC rally at the Ras Mela ground, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of using funds as a weapon against Bengal and throttling rural welfare programmes out of jealousy and hatred.

The Opposition has slammed the Centre over its plans to replace MGNREGA, particularly taking issue with the removal of Gandhijis name.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, Why is Mahatma Gandhis name being removed? Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world. So removing his name, I really dont understand what is the objective. What is their intention?

Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the move reflected hostility towards the Gandhi legacy. It is unfortunate that the government is changing its name. 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.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien called the move an insult to Mahatma Gandhi.

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But then, are you surprised? These are the same people who hero-worshipped the man who killed Mahatma Gandhi. They want to insult Mahatma Gandhi and remove him from history, OBrien claimed.

RJD leader Manoj Jha said, I fail to understand why we should bow before the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. He added that by changing the name, the schemes essence was being destroyed. He sarcastically suggested renaming it Pujya Bapu Yojana and claiming unemployment had been eliminated.

In June, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that the Modi government was trying to destroy MGNREGA.

The Congress president shared on X a media report which claimed that, for the first time, the government has capped spending under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) at 60 per cent of its annual allocation for the first half of the financial year 202526.

In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, The Modi government is trying to destroy MGNREGA, the lifeline of the poor. The Modi government has now fixed the limit of MGNREGA expenditure at 60% for the first six months of the year.

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Making cuts in the implementation of MGNREGA, which ensures the Right to Work under the Constitution, is a crime against the Constitution, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Jimmy Lai has been found guilty on two national security charges and a lesser sedition charge in a landmark two-year trial in Hong Kong. The 78-year-old faces life in prison. Lai is a fierce critic of the Chinese Communist Party. From his humble roots as a child labourer in the garment industry to a media tycoon, here is Jimmy Lais story

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai attends the Seminar on Tenth Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover organised by the Democratic Party in Hong Kong, June 9, 2007. File image/AP

To his supporters, former media mogul Jimmy Lai is a fighter for democracy. To his opponents, hes a traitor to his motherland.

Now, he could face life in prison after being convicted of conspiracies to commit sedition and collusion with foreign forces awaits a verdict in a landmark trial that began in 2023.

Lai, 78, is an outspoken critic of Chinas ruling Communist Party who was arrested in 2020 under a national security law following massive anti-government protests that rocked Hong Kong the year before.

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His arrest and the closure of his Apple Daily newspaper, a tabloid-style publication that backed the democracy movement, dealt a blow to free speech in a city that was once a bastion of press freedom in Asia.

A conviction could keep the British citizen in jail for the rest of his life.

From China to Hong Kong

Born in mainland China, Lai was just 12 when he arrived in Hong Kong on a fishing boat as a stowaway, hoping for a better life in the then-British colony. He began working as a child labourer in a glove factory, where he was introduced to the garment industry. He later founded the popular casual wear chain Giordano in 1981.

But a pivotal moment for Lai was the Beijing deadly crackdown on the 1989 student-led pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square: His company printed T-shirts in support of the protests and he became interested in media to disseminate information.

Tiananmen Square is filled with thousands during a pro-democracy rally in Beijing, China in 1989. File image/AP

He founded Next Magazine in 1990, and five years later, Apple Daily. The news outlet attracted a strong following with its sometimes sensational reports, investigative scoops, and short animated video reports. Being openly critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, the newspaper was well-received among pro-democracy readers.

In 1994, he insulted then-Chinese Premier Li Peng, calling him the son of a turtle egg, an offensive slur in Chinese culture, after Li justified the Tiananmen crackdown. China pressured the Giordano brand, and Lai had to sell his stake in the company.

An outspoken pro-democracy activist

His long-time friend Lee Wing-tat, also an activist, said Lai was a firm believer in democracy, freedom, and the small government, big market economic principle, which emphasises minimal state intervention and free trade. This was shaped by his childhood experience in mainland China, where his family suffered under the Communist Partys rule, and his rags-to-riches journey in the city, Lee said.

Lai organised informal gatherings for pro-democracy lawmakers and scholars to discuss policies over meals in the 1990s, in the hopes of influencing politicians, Lee said.

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He also took to the streets, including massive pro-democracy protests in 2014, known as the Umbrella Movement, and made donations to pro-democracy parties, including one that Lee used to chair. His newspaper often urged readers to join protests.

Lai was among the demonstrators in the leaderless anti-government protests in 2019. He met with then-US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the time to discuss the developments linked to a now-withdrawn bill that sparked the unrest, angering Beijing.

A crackdown under the national security law

In 2020, China's national security law for Hong Kong, meant to quell the protests, loomed. In response, Apple Daily launched a campaign encouraging readers to petition US President Donald Trump, during his first term, to save Hong Kong.

Media mogul Jimmy Lai wearing a pair of goggles, appears outside the government headquarters to join a protest in Hong Kong, Sunday. File image/AP

During his trial, Lais Apple Daily executives said he had influenced the newspapers coverage, with one saying objections to the petition campaign were brushed aside. Prosecutors accused him of asking staff not to target Trump, and Lai later testified he hoped the American president could help stop the national security law.

After the law took effect in June 2020, Lai told The Associated Press that Hong Kong is dead.

More than a month later, Lai was arrested under the law as police raided Apple Dailys building. The operation sent shockwaves through the local press scene. In 2021, arrests of the newspapers top executives and freezing of some of its assets forced the publication to cease operation.

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The trial

Since December 2020, Lai has been in custody, during which he was sentenced to five years and nine months for fraud allegations in a case unrelated to the security law.

During his current trial, prosecutors alleged he had conspired with others to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious materials, saying he had clearly betrayed national interests. They pointed to Lais articles, text messages, social posts and livestream shows. Lai admitted he had advocated for foreign sanctions against China earlier, but stopped once the law kicked in. He argued in court that he wrote without seditious intent.

For truth prevails in Gods kingdom, and thats good enough for me, he said.

The court rejected these arguments, writing in an 855-page verdict that Lais campaign against the Peoples Republic of China carried on for much of his adult life and continued in a less explicit way after the laws passage.

There is no doubt that (Lai) had harbored his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years, Juder Esther Toh said, reading from the verdict.

Health concerns behind bars

The food lover, who is nicknamed Fatty Lai, has shrunk in size while in prison. His lawyer in August said he had experienced heart palpitations, though the government said a medical examination found no abnormalities.

Lai, a Roman Catholic, drew multiple crucifixions behind bars, and his friend Robert Sirico, a US-based priest, received one of the pictures.

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Jimmy Lai walks through the Stanley prison in Hong Kong. File image/AP

Beijing has called Lai an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces." But Sirico said Lai had told him he wanted China to be better and the priest visited mainland China after Lai encouraged him to.

He had a great love of China, Sirico said, pointing to Lais art at home and the meals they shared.

In the AP interview in 2020, Lai appeared undaunted.

If I have to go to prison, I dont mind. I dont care, he said. It wont be something I can worry about, Ill just relax and do what I have to do.
Jose Antonio Kasts presidential victory marks Chiles most dramatic political shift since the end of military rule in 1990. Winning on his third attempt, the far-right leader rode public anxiety over crime, migration and economic slowdown to power, defeating leftist Jeannette Jara and signalling a broader conservative wave across Latin America

Jose Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the far-right Republican Party, votes in the presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, November 16, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Jose Antonio Kasts election as Chiles next president signals a departure from centre-left and centre-right coalitions, since more than three decades after the fall of military rule.

.Kasts victory was the product of years of political persistence and a regional environment increasingly receptive to hardline messages on security, borders and economy.

His ascent places a far-right figure at the helm of Chile for the first time since the return to democracy in 1990, setting the stage for profound changes in Chiles role in Latin America.

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Third times the charm

Kasts triumph came on his third attempt at the presidency. Previously, he had failed to persuade Chilean voters that his uncompromising positions were suited to the moment.

In 2021, when he lost to Gabriel Boric, the political climate was shaped by mass protests against inequality, the social and economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, and widespread support for drafting a new constitution.

More from Explainers Is Trump using foreign feuds to mask his domestic crises?

At that time, Kasts focus on authority, social conservatism and state power appeared misaligned with an electorate seeking reform and protection.

Four years later, the mood had changed dramatically.

Kast defeating Jeannette Jara, the candidate backed by the centre-left governing coalition, who garnered about 41 per cent.

Although Chile remains among the safer countries in Latin America, organised crime has become more visible and more violent. Kidnappings, assassinations and other high-profile crimes have unsettled communities unaccustomed to such incidents.

At the same time, an influx of undocumented migrants, most notably from Venezuela, has strained public services and fuelled debate over borders, state capacity and national identity.

These developments have coincided with slower economic growth.

Kast framed his campaign around restoring authority and reversing what he characterised as years of mismanagement. As the election approached, he accused the outgoing administration of undermining stability.

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This government caused chaos, this government caused disorder, this government caused insecurity, he said during the campaigns closing stages. Were going to do the opposite. Were going to create order, security and trust.

That message resonated with a broad and diverse electorate, ranging from business leaders attracted by his free-market instincts to middle-class families fearful of rising crime, and even to activists on the extreme right who openly celebrate Chiles military past.

What we know about Jose Antonio Kast

Jose Antonio Kast was born in Santiago and raised in a large family as the youngest of ten siblings.

His parents were German immigrants who established a successful sausage-making business south of the capital, in the town of Paine.

He studied law at Chiles Catholic University, an institution closely associated with conservative elites, and entered politics early.

Over the course of roughly three decades, Kast built a reputation as a disciplined and relentless figure, even as his legislative achievements remained limited.

During his time in Congress, he was involved in passing laws that included provisions for constructing statues, regulating lotteries and granting Chilean citizenship to a nun.

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A devout Catholic, Kast is the father of nine children and has been married for more than 30 years to Maria Pia Adriasola, a lawyer who frequently appeared alongside him during the campaign.

His opposition to abortion is absolute, extending even to cases of rape. He is also against emergency contraception, divorce, same-sex marriage and euthanasia.

In earlier years, he said he would repeal Chiles existing abortion laws and ban the morning-after pill, although he placed less emphasis on these issues in his most recent campaign, aware that public opinion overwhelmingly supports maintaining current reproductive rights.

Kasts conservatism extends into his personal life. He has previously said that he forbade his wife from using birth control pills.

How Kast broke with the mainstream right

For much of his career, Kast was affiliated with the Independent Democratic Union, one of Chiles main conservative parties. However, he became increasingly dissatisfied with what he saw as its moderation and willingness to compromise.

In 2016, he broke away to establish the Republican Party, positioning it as a more uncompromising alternative on issues such as national identity, law enforcement and social values.

His initial presidential run as an independent was unsuccessful, yielding less than 10 per cent of the vote.

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The turning point came as public frustration with crime and migration heated up. In the 2021 election, running under the Republican Party banner, he gained significantly more support, setting the stage for his eventual victory four years later.

Throughout the latest campaign, Kast deliberately downplayed some aspects of his conservative agenda. Analysts noted that he focused relentlessly on security and migration while avoiding prolonged discussion of abortion, same-sex marriage and other divisive topics.

This strategy allowed him to broaden his coalition without formally abandoning his long-held positions.

What we know about Kasts link to Pinochet

Few aspects of Kasts biography generate as much controversy as his familys links to Chiles military dictatorship and to Nazi Germany. His father was a registered member of the Nazi Party and fought in World War II before fleeing to South America.

Kast has repeatedly stated that his fathers involvement was the result of forced conscription and that he did not subscribe to Nazi ideology.

The issue remains sensitive in a country deeply conscious of historical trauma. Kasts eldest brother, Miguel Kast, served as a minister and later as president of the central bank during the early 1980s under Pinochet.

Miguel Kast was one of the so-called Chicago Boys, economists who implemented sweeping deregulation and privatisation policies during the dictatorship.

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Kast himself was politically active during that era. As a law student, he campaigned for the yes option in the 1988 referendum that would have allowed Pinochet to remain in power.

The proposal was rejected by voters, paving the way for a transition to democracy. Kast has also expressed admiration for Pinochet, a stance that has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations and political opponents.

The dictatorships legacy looms large in Chilean memory. More than 40,000 people were executed, detained, disappeared or tortured between 1973 and 1990.

Kasts critics argue that his rhetoric and policies risk rehabilitating an authoritarian mindset.

How Kast built a campaign on border control

Security was the central pillar of Kasts campaign, eclipsing social and cultural issues that had previously defined his political persona.

He promised a sweeping crackdown on crime, vowing to strengthen the powers of the police and armed forces while offering greater legal protections to officers who use force in the line of duty.

His proposals include expanding the militarys role in internal security and increasing the states capacity to detain and isolate organised crime figures.

Kast has repeatedly pointed to El Salvador as a reference point. He visited the countrys vast prison complex, built under President Nayib Bukele, and praised its harsh approach to gangs.

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Drawing on that model, Kast has proposed constructing more maximum-security prisons in Chile and introducing stricter regimes inside detention centres, including limiting inmates contact with the outside world to disrupt criminal networks.

Migration policy formed the second core of his platform. Kast has pledged to deport hundreds of thousands of people living in Chile without legal status, the majority of whom are Venezuelan nationals.

He has promised to create a specialised police force focused exclusively on tracking down and expelling undocumented migrants, an institution explicitly inspired by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Physical barriers are also part of his plan: walls, ditches and other infrastructure along Chiles northern frontier aimed at deterring irregular crossings.

His rhetoric on immigration has been stark. At rallies and public events, he has warned migrants that their presence will no longer be tolerated. Pack your things and leave, he said during the campaign.

He has also claimed that uncontrolled immigration is not merely a policy failure but a deliberate strategy by political opponents. According to Kast, borders were left open by design, with the result that Chileans can no longer feel safe even in their own homes.

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They told us that they cant close the borders and now we cant open our windows for fear of violence, he said.

While crime statistics do not always support the scale of alarm reflected in public discourse, Kasts supporters argue that perception matters as much as data.

His promise of a firm hand appealed to voters who felt the state had grown hesitant and ineffective in the face of new challenges.

What Kast has promised

Beyond security and migration, Kast has laid out an ambitious economic agenda. He has pledged to cut billions of dollars in public spending over a short period by shrinking the state payroll and dismantling certain ministries, while insisting that social benefits would be preserved.

Economists have questioned the feasibility of these plans, warning that such reductions could be difficult to implement without affecting public services.

Kast has also promised to lower corporate taxes, relax labour regulations and reduce red tape, arguing that these measures will revive the rapid growth Chile experienced in the 1990s.

His supporters see this approach as a return to policies that once made Chile a regional model of stability and prosperity. Critics argue that the social and economic context has changed, and that aggressive austerity could exacerbate inequality.

Implementing his agenda will require negotiation. Kasts Republican Party does not control a majority in either chamber of Congress.

To pass legislation, he will need to work with traditional centre-right parties that may resist some of his more radical proposals.

How Kast and Jara reacted after election night

As results were announced, scenes of celebration erupted among Kasts supporters. Streets filled with cheering crowds, honking car horns and chants of his name.

In Santiago, some attendees at his victory speech carried framed photographs of Augusto Pinochet, former leader of the military junta in Chile.

In his address after the win, Kast adopted a noticeably more restrained tone than during much of the campaign. He spoke at length about restoring order and values, but avoided personal attacks.

When supporters began booing his defeated rival, he intervened sharply, telling them, Respect!

Kast described the outcome as both an endorsement and a responsibility. He said the margin gave him a broad mandate while also constituting a tremendous responsibility.

Framing his presidency as a collective endeavour, he added, We are inviting you on a journey to recover values for a proper and healthy life. It wont be easy. It requires everyones commitment.

Jeannette Jara, speaking shortly after conceding defeat, urged her supporters not to lose faith. It is in defeat that we learn the most, she said after congratulating Kast by phone.

Jaras candidacy, rooted in her role as labour minister under Boric and her lifelong membership in the Communist Party, had represented a stark contrast to Kasts vision.

Argentinas President Javier Milei, a radical libertarian often compared to Kast, was among the first to offer congratulations. Posting a map of South America highlighting recent right-wing victories, he declared, The left recedes.

From Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the result, saying the United States was confident that under Kasts leadership Chile would advance shared goals such as improving public security, curbing illegal immigration and revitalising trade ties.

With inputs from agencies
On Friday, three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Sharif Osman Hadi, a candidate in the upcoming Bangladesh elections, in broad daylight in the heart of Dhaka. Hadi, who was shot in the head, is now reportedly in a coma. But why has the Indian envoy been summoned?

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladeshs longest-serving Prime Minister, fled to India after her Awami League government was overthrown in August 2024 following weeks of violent unrest.

A deadly shooting on Friday in Bangladesh has shaken up the interim government of Muhammad Yunus.

The development comes after the countrys poll commission announced its election schedule. Dhaka has now summoned the Indian High Commissioner, a move that has increased diplomatic tension between the two nations. Bangladeshs foreign ministry has once again expressed serious concerns over statements made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India and reiterated its long-standing demand that she be sent back.

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Hasina, Bangladeshs longest-serving Prime Minister, fled to India after her Awami League government was overthrown in August 2024 following weeks of violent unrest.

Last month, Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were sentenced to death by Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal on charges of war crimes  verdicts that Hasina has dismissed as biased and politically motivated.

But what exactly happened on the ground? And why did the Yunus government escalate the matter by summoning Indias envoy despite the absence of verified evidence of cross-border involvement?

Shooting in Bangladesh

On Friday, three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on Sharif Osman Hadi, a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, in broad daylight in the heart of Dhaka.

Hadi, a member of the anti-Hasina platform Inqilab Manch and known for his outspoken anti-India views, was campaigning in central Dhakas Bijoynagar area when he was attacked. He is contesting as an Independent from the Dhaka-8 constituency. Police said the attackers fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.

Osman Hadi was shot at 2:25 pm in front of DR Tower on Box Culvert Road at Bijoynagar. We have initially learned that three assailants on a motorcycle shot him and fled, a Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

Hadi was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) with gunshot wounds to the head. He remains in critical condition and is reportedly in a coma.

His condition is critical. He has been provided life support. The bullet remains lodged inside his head, Prothom Alo quoted DMCH director Brigadier Mohammad Asaduzzaman as saying.

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Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladeshs interim government. AFP

Chief Adviser Yunus expressed deep concern, calling the attack completely unacceptable in an election environment and instructing law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation.

Such a violent attack in an election environment is completely unacceptable and a deeply regrettable incident for the countrys peaceful political atmosphere, Yunus said in a statement. The Chief Adviser gave strict instructions to law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation to identify and bring all those involved in the attack to justice, the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) said.

The attack came just a day after Bangladeshs Election Commission announced the schedule for polls beginning February 12 next year. Yunus has said he will step down once elections are held. The Inqilab Manch emerged as a right-wing group in August 2024 following the student-led protests that toppled Hasinas Awami League government.

The group has been at the forefront of calls to dissolve the Awami League, arrest its leaders en masse, and prosecute those it labels terrorists from the former regime  positions that have contributed to increased political tensions.

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How and why Bangladesh summoned the Indian envoy

On Sunday, Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, urging India to arrest and hand over the suspects if they had entered Indian territory.

The Ministry sought Indias cooperation in preventing the escape of the suspects involved in the attempted assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi and, should they enter India, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition, the foreign ministry said.

The move followed allegations posted on Facebook by Qatar-based journalist Zulkarnain Saer, who claimed that one of the attackers was a former leader of the banned Chhatra League  the student wing of the Awami League  and that the suspects had fled to Guwahati, Assam.

Saer alleged that Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan, crossed the Haluaghat border into India on December 12 and shared selfies from Guwahati using an Indian phone number.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma with head of interim government of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus. PTI

As per India Today, Saer claimed on Facebook that the attackers fled to India and are currently in Guwahati.

The shooter involved in the attempted murder by gunfire of Osman Hadi, an organiser of the Inqilab Manch, is former Chhatra League leader Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud Khan. Along with his accomplice, motorcycle rider Alamgir Hossain, he crossed the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh and entered India on December 12. According to a special intelligence source, after entering India, Jahangir Kabir Nanaks PS, Md Masudur Rahman Biplob, provided this Indian phone number to Faisal Karim Masud: +91 0039*0. Using this number, Faisal Karim Masud, aka Daud Khan, sent selfies last night to several phone numbers. One of those numbers intercepted the image through which this photo was obtained. It has been confirmed that the photo was taken yesterday in Guwahati, Assam, India, Saer wrote on Facebook on December 15.

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Notably, this came despite Bangladeshi police saying there was no verified evidence that the attackers had crossed into India.

There is no verified evidence that the attackers have crossed into India, DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman told Jagonews24. At this stage, we have no confirmed information indicating any suspect has left the country.

Police said multiple investigative teams are pursuing various leads, including examining whether Faisal Karim Masud, a part-owner of a local IT firm, had any role in the attack.

Bangladesh raises serious concern on Hasina

During the meeting, Bangladesh also raised serious concern over what it described as inflammatory and incendiary statements made by Sheikh Hasina from India.

The Government of Bangladesh conveyed its concern over allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to make statements inciting supporters to engage in terrorist activities aimed at undermining the upcoming parliamentary elections, the foreign ministry said. Dhaka once again demanded her expeditious extradition.

Hasina has criticised the dissolution of the Awami League and its exclusion from the upcoming polls as unjust.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in a crimes against humanity case. File Photo/Reuters

You cannot disenfranchise millions of people if you want a political system that works, she said recently, questioning the legitimacy of elections without her partys participation.

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Bangladesh also accused Awami League members based in India of planning and financing violence to disrupt the polls. The foreign ministry said officials drew Vermas attention to anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members staying in India.

The ministry accused these Awami League members of planning, organising, and helping to carry out terrorist activities within Bangladesh to hinder the upcoming elections.

New Delhi has rejected these allegations.

Bangladesh is essentially accusing Hasina and Awami League leaders of attempting to disrupt next years election. However, truth be told, the situation in Bangladesh remains tenuous. The capital, Dhaka, witnessed a series of crude bomb blasts and a spate of killings last month. Dhaka is also attempting to draw India into the matter, a classic distraction ploy that plays to the domestic audience.

MEA hits back

India responded sharply, dismissing the Yunus governments claims.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it categorically rejects allegations that Indian territory is being used for activities inimical to Bangladeshs interests, reiterating that New Delhi has never allowed such actions.

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The MEA also said India supports free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh  a phrase widely viewed as a pointed reference to the exclusion of the Awami League from the electoral process.

We expect the interim government of Bangladesh to take all necessary measures to ensure internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections, the ministry said.

With inputs from agencies
For nearly three decades, Australia avoided mass shootings after sweeping gun reforms followed the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. That record was shaken by the deadly Bondi Beach attack, questioning whether the countrys famously strict firearm laws, rising legal gun ownership, and licensing systems remain adequate today

A pile of about 4,500 prohibited firearms in Sydney that were taken out of circulation during the Australian governments buy-back operation following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. File Image/Reuters

Australias reputation as one of the safest countries in the world has long been tied to its stringent firearm regulations.

For nearly three decades, the country avoided the kind of large-scale gun violence that has become a recurring feature elsewhere.

That record was jolted on Sunday when a mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach left at least 15 people dead, forcing a renewed examination of whether Australias gun laws  often described as among the toughest globally  are still adequate in their current form.

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The Bondi terror incident, which targeted a Jewish celebration near the waterfront, marked the most serious mass shooting in Australia since 1996.

How Australias modern gun control was introduced

Australias modern gun control framework emerged from the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania in April 1996, when a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons killed 35 people and seriously injured 23 others at a historic tourist site.

At that time, the country was grappling with a pattern of repeated mass shootings. Between the late 1970s and the mid-1990s, Australia had experienced 13 mass shooting incidents in just 18 years.

Measured against population size, the situation was especially alarming. Researchers later found that Australias per-capita incidence of mass shootings during that period exceeded that of the United States.

The scale of the Port Arthur tragedy proved to be a decisive moment.

Within less than two weeks of the massacre, the federal government and all state and territory governments agreed on a unified approach to firearms regulation.

About 4,500 prohibited firearms in Sydney that were taken out of circulation during the Australian governments buy-back operation following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. File Image/Reuters

The result was the National Firearms Agreement (NFA), which set minimum standards for gun ownership across the country.

Under the agreement, semi-automatic rifles and shotguns were prohibited, a nationwide licensing system was imposed, and all firearms were required to be registered.

The reforms also included a large-scale gun buyback programme. Around 650,000 firearms were surrendered and removed from circulation, while more than one million guns were destroyed in total.

Estimates suggest this amounted to roughly one-third of the privately owned gun stock in Australia at the time.

Despite opposition from some quarters, the reforms were implemented nationwide.

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What the data shows

In the years that followed the 1996 reforms, Australia witnessed a dramatic shift in gun violence trends.

According to a 2018 study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney and Macquarie University, the country did not experience a single mass shooting  defined as an incident involving five or more fatalities, excluding the perpetrator  for 22 years after the NFA came into effect.

Members of the forensic team work at the scene of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 15, 2025. File Image/Reuters

The researchers described this outcome as statistically significant rather than coincidental. Their analysis calculated that the likelihood of such a prolonged absence of mass shootings occurring purely by chance was extremely low.

Associate Professor Philip Alpers, a co-author of the study from the University of Sydney, addressed claims that the decline could be attributed to randomness.

Gun lobby-affiliated and other researchers have been saying for years that mass shootings are such rare events it could have been a matter of luck they dropped off in the wake of Australias gun control laws, he said.

Instead, we found the odds against this hypothesis are 200,000 to one.

The study concluded that Australias approach mirrored standard public health practices, focusing on risk reduction following a catastrophic event.

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By limiting access to high-powered weapons, strengthening oversight, and removing large numbers of firearms from circulation, the country significantly reduced the probability of mass-casualty shootings.

Gun-related deaths more broadly also remained low by international standards. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, between July 2023 and June 2024, Australia recorded between 31 and 33 gun-related homicides nationwide.

This translated to a rate of approximately 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people.

By comparison, data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the US recorded an average of 49 gun homicides per day through 2023.

How gun ownership in Australia rose despite strict laws

Despite Australias low rates of gun violence, the number of legally owned firearms has increased steadily over the past two decades.

Research published earlier this year by the Australia Institute found that approximately four million guns are now held legally across the country. This figure exceeds the number of firearms in private hands prior to the 1996 crackdown.

The growth in gun ownership has occurred within the framework of strict regulation. Under Australian law, individuals must apply for a licence, demonstrate a legitimate reason for owning a firearm, and register each weapon.

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Self-defence is not considered a valid reason.

Licences are typically issued for purposes such as farming, pest control, occupational use, or participation in organised shooting sports.

Nevertheless, the increase in firearms has raised concerns among policymakers and advocacy groups, particularly in light of the Bondi shooting.

Gun Control Australia president Tim Quinn addressed this tension in a blog post following the Bondi attack. Events like this feel unimaginable here, which is a testament to the strength of our gun laws, he wrote.

It is essential that we ask careful, evidence-based questions about how this attack occurred, including how any weapons were obtained and whether our current laws and enforcement mechanisms are keeping pace with changing risks and technologies.

How firearm regulation works across Australia

Although the NFA sets baseline standards, responsibility for administering gun laws rests with individual states and territories.

This means that while licensing and registration are mandatory nationwide, the specific categories of licences and enforcement mechanisms vary by jurisdiction.

In New South Wales, for example, several types of firearm licences are available, each linked to a specific purpose.

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Members of gun clubs may apply for recreational licences, which permit firearm use only for sporting or recreational activities. Farmers and agricultural workers may apply for licences tied to land management needs.

Licence holders are legally restricted to using their firearms solely for the purpose stated in their application. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine reason for owning each weapon, and authorities assess factors such as character, background, and ongoing compliance.

Criminology lecturer Maya Gomez of Swinburne University of Technology noted that this framework places limits not just on ownership, but also on the quantity and type of firearms held.

Following the Bondi shooting, she said scrutiny may focus on whether the reasons provided during licensing align with the number and nature of the weapons involved.

In addition to state-level systems, Australia has been working to establish a National Firearms Register to consolidate gun ownership data across jurisdictions.

While the NFA requires firearms to be registered, there is currently no fully integrated nationwide database. A four-year programme aimed at merging records began last year, with work underway to reconcile data from different states and territories.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that the task has been complicated by outdated systems in some regions. In some cases, some state jurisdictions still had paper identification. That was what we were dealing with, he said.

We are responding in a really practical way. If theres more that can be done, we will do it. We will do whatever is necessary.

What we know about the guns used in the Bondi Beach shooting

The attackers were identified by local media outlets as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram, though police did not formally release their names.

Security officials confirmed that one of the suspects had been known to authorities but had not been assessed as an immediate threat prior to the attack.

The two gunmen behind the Bondi Beach shooting are father and son, aged 50 and 24.

The father, aged 50, had reportedly held a firearms licence since 2015 and had six registered weapons. Police did not disclose detailed information about the firearms used, but footage from the scene appeared to show a bolt-action rifle and a shotgun.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters that, under existing regulations, the licence held by one of the suspects entitled him to possess the weapons he owned.

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What next

In the aftermath of the shooting, federal and state leaders signalled that changes to firearms legislation were under active consideration.

Albanese said he would raise the issue with cabinet, specifically flagging potential limits on both the number of weapons permitted under a single licence and the duration of licences.

Peoples circumstances can change, he said. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity.

If we need to toughen these (laws) up, if theres anything we can do, Im certainly up for it, he added.

At the state level, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns suggested that parliament could be recalled to accelerate legislative changes. We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact, he said.

If youre not a farmer, if youre not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales police?

Minns later reiterated that while no immediate announcement had been made, action was forthcoming.

Its time we have a change to the law in relation to the firearms legislation  but I am not ready to announce it today. You can expect action soon, he said.

Australias response to gun violence has frequently been cited internationally as evidence that large-scale reform is possible.

Following the Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand in 2019  where an Australian-born extremist killed 51 people  New Zealand adopted a similar approach. Within weeks, it banned semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles and launched a nationwide buyback programme, despite political resistance.

With inputs from agencies
In a major boost to Indias combat capabilities, the Indian Army is all set to receive the delivery of its three remaining Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from the United States. Heres why it matters

Following the talks between the U.S. and India, the long-awaited Apache combat helicopters are to be delivered. File Image / PTI

In a major boost to Indias combat capabilities, the Indian Army is all set to receive the delivery of its three remaining Apache AH-64 attack helicopters from the United States. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy will also be commissioning its second squadron of MH-60R Seahawk submarine-hunting choppers this week.

The induction of the much-delayed American aircraft will aim to bridge the gaps in Indias combat infrastructure. However, experts told The Times of India that India will witness a real boost when the Army and IAF hopefully begin getting 156 indigenous `Prachand light combat helicopters from 2028 onwards.

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The Indian Armed Forces have been looking for over 1,000 helicopters of different kinds in the span of the next 10-15 years. These aircraft are intended to make up for major deficiencies as well as replace obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleets.

However, there have been delays in these projects being executed by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). The three Apache gunships, dubbed tanks in the air since they are armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, guns and rockets, will touch down in India within a couple of days, defence officials told TOI.

Why it matters

It is important to note that India had ordered six heavy-duty Apaches for the Army in a Rs 5,691 crore deal with the US in Feb 2020. As per the deal, the first three were scheduled to be delivered in July. However, there was a huge delay in the supply chain due to the problems Boeing was facing at that time.

These six Apaches will add to the 22 such choppers inducted by IAF between 2019 and 2020 under a Rs 13,952 crore deal with the US in September 2015. According to the TOI, the Army Apaches will be deployed at Jodhpur, where a squadron was raised in March last year to cater for the western front with Pakistan.

HAL now has to deliver the Prachand light combat helicopters  90 for the Army and 66 for the IAF  in the 2028-2033 timeframe under the Rs 62,700 crore contract inked in March this year. The aircraft will be armed with 20mm turret guns, 70mm rocket systems and air-to-air missiles for offensive operations and precision strikes in high-altitude areas like eastern Ladakh and Siachen Glacier on the borders with China and Pakistan.

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156 Prachand helicopters weigh 5.8 tonnes and are expected to add to the 15 such choppers (10 IAF and 5 Army) already inducted under a Rs 3,887 crore contract in 2022.
The new directive follows just a day after officials imposed strict anti-pollution measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to address the deteriorating air quality

Commuters drive past as anti-smog sprinklers on lamp posts spray water to curb air pollution in New Delhi (AFP)

Delhis air quality has reached alarming levels, forcing the government to direct schools to move from a hybrid system to fully online classes for students up to Class V, an official order said.

The latest directive comes a day after authorities announced stringent anti-pollution curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle the worsening air quality.

Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DDE) had allowed schools to operate in a hybrid mode, combining physical and online classes for several grades. A circular dated December 13 instructed all heads of government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools under the Directorate of Education, NDMC, MCD and the Delhi Cantonment Board to conduct classes for students up to Class IX and Class XI in a hybrid format, wherever online teaching was feasible.

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Under that arrangement, schools remained open and attendance in online classes was voluntary, with the choice left to students and their parents or guardians. The hybrid system was to remain in place until further orders.

However, with air quality deteriorating further, the government has now tightened protocols for younger children, asking schools to switch entirely to online classes for students up to Class V.

The situation has also drawn international attention.

The Singapore High Commission urged its citizens to pay heed to local instructions about staying indoors and wearing masks if stepping out.

In light of the Indian Central Pollution Control Board invoking Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan, the Singapore High Commission has issued the following advisory for Singapore nationals in the Delhi NCR. - HC Wong pic.twitter.com/vPIv0LjTnd  Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) December 15, 2025

We also note that given the low visibility, flights to and from the Delhi National Capital Region are likely to be affected, the advisory said, advicing travellers to check with their airlines. The High Commission also provided a contact point for consular assistance.

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Feels like a gas chamber

All major monitoring stations across Delhi recorded AQI levels above 400, indicating severe pollution. Areas like Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar registered readings of 486 and 482, respectively, while ITO and DTU recorded 451 and 469.

AQI levels above 400 are deemed hazardous, and extended exposure can be harmful, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or chronic health conditions. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has advised these groups to avoid outdoor activities and remain indoors.

The smog has disrupted daily life and air travel. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, over 400 flights were delayed, 61 cancelled, and five diverted. The airport reported improving visibility and said operations were gradually returning to normal, but warned passengers to stay updated with their airlines.

Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and take precautions to minimise exposure.
Officials in Thailand are coordinating with their Indian counterparts to expedite the process, ensuring there are no procedural delays

Goa nightclub fire: Officials say the process to deport Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra back to India has already begun so that they can face trial. Image courtesy:instagram, X

The deportation of the Luthra brothers is now in its final stages, with Thai and Indian authorities working closely to bring them back to India, sources have told CNN-News18.

According to sources, the process has reached its last legal leg, with a local court in Bangkok set to review the remaining documentation and paperwork related to the case. Legal sources say this step is crucial before Thai authorities can formally clear the deportation.

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Officials in Thailand are coordinating with their Indian counterparts to expedite the process, ensuring there are no procedural delays. Thai authorities and Indian agencies are working in close coordination to speed up the matter, legal sources told CNN-News18, adding that both sides are keen to conclude the process at the earliest.

The brothers legal team is also expected to play a key role in the coming days. Sources say the lawyers will present their position before the court and assist authorities to ensure the procedure moves swiftly. The focus, sources indicate, is on completing the formalities rather than prolonging the legal battle.

Once the deportation is cleared and the brothers land in India, they will be produced before a local court in New Delhi, sources said. The court proceedings will be aimed at securing transit remand, which would allow law enforcement agencies to transfer the brothers to Goa for further legal action.

Officials familiar with the developments say this step-by-step approach is standard in such cross-border cases and is being followed to avoid any legal hurdles later.

 - At Least 23 Dead in Nightclub Fire in Goa, India



A massive fire triggered by a gas cylinder explosion ripped through a nightclub in Arpora, Goa, late Friday night, killing at least 23 people and injuring several others. The blaze broke out around midnight, trapping pic.twitter.com/9bUb2AzlzV  The Informant (@theinformant_x) December 7, 2025

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Why are the Luthra brothers in trouble?

Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, are in severe legal difficulty following a deadly fire at their North Goa nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, on December 6, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 25 people.

As co-owners, they have been charged with serious offences, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and various counts of negligence. The investigation has revealed that the club was allegedly a fire hazard, operating with an expired license and multiple critical safety breaches, such as a lack of proper fire safety equipment and the presence of highly flammable materials, contributing to the high death toll.

A major complication in their case is the fact that the brothers fled the country to Thailand just hours after the incident occurred, which authorities immediately viewed as an attempt to evade justice.

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Adding to their legal woes, a separate, parallel investigation is focusing on the Luthra brothers corporate structure. Authorities have flagged a suspicious network involving 42 companies registered under the same Delhi address. This investigation is looking into potential financial misconduct, including concerns related to corporate fraud and money laundering.
The drone, reportedly operated by Pakistani forces, was intercepted as part of a series of defensive operations

The Indian Army recently showcased a captured Pakistan military drone of Turkish origin, which was brought down by Indian forces on May 10 during Operation Sindoor.

The drone, reportedly operated by Pakistani forces, was intercepted as part of a series of defensive operations aimed at safeguarding Indias airspace and sensitive installations. Officials say that the operation demonstrated the armys readiness to respond to unmanned aerial threats with agility.

While the Indian Army did not provide extensive technical details about the drone, experts cited by ANI noted that such unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or even tactical strikes. Capturing one provides critical intelligence on foreign military technology and strategies.

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Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Indian Army showcases a captured Pakistan military drone of Turkish origin brought down by the Indian forces on May 10 during Operation Sindoor pic.twitter.com/ZsE0zt5zLo  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

What was Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was a military and strategic counter-terror offensive launched by India in May, following a barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, that claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.

The attack, where victims were allegedly segregated and killed based on their religion, was attributed to a Pakistan-based terrorist group, The Resistance Front (TRF).

The operation involved precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure and training camps deep inside Pakistan. It was a significant shift in Indias counter-terrorism doctrine, moving beyond traditional responses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, Operation Sindoor is not just a name. It is a reflection of the feelings of millions of people in the country. Operation Sindoor is an unbroken pledge of justice.

The strikes, which reportedly neutralised over 100 terrorists and destroyed major terror hubs, sent a strong message to state sponsors of terrorism. PM Modi further asserted, The enemy has now realised the consequences of removing sindoor from the foreheads of our daughters and sisters.
In its charge sheet filed today, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accused Pakistan-based LashkareTaiba (LeT) and Sajid Jatt, one of its commanders, of planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack along with five others.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday charged Pakistan-based and Pakistan-backed terrorist group LashkareTaiba (LeT), one of its commanders, and five others with planning and carrying out the Pahalgam attack.

In a charge sheet filed in the NIA Special Court, Jammu, the agency treated The Resistance Front (TRF), the organisation that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, as a proxy of the LeT, and accused it of planning, facilitating, and executing the act of terror.

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On April 22, terrorists attacked a location popular with tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam and killed 26 persons, including 25 tourists and one local resident. It was the worst terrorist attack in many years and prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 to strike terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).

The NIA described the attack as religion-based targeted killings.

In a statement, the NIA said the charge sheet accused Sajid Jatt of LeT; three Pakistani terrorists Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani along with two Pahalgam residents, Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothatd, in the Pahalgam attack case.

The NIA identified Suleman, Jibran, and Hamza as the terrorists who carried out the attack. Previously, in July, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced they were killed by security forces in Srinagar.

Separately, in June, Ahmad and Jothatd were arrested for harbouring and supporting the three terrorists.

During interrogation, the two men had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to proscribed LeT terror outfit. Further investigation in the case is continuing, the NIA said in the statement.

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Who is Sajid Jatt?

Previously, Sajid has been described as an LeT commander.

Suleman, Habeeb, and Jibran were part of several teams operating under the command of Sajid, according to The Print.

The report described Sajid as a senior LeT operative who had previously served in south Kashmirs Kulgam for several years. Currently, the report said, he is believed to live in the village of Changa Manga near Lahore.

Sajid, LeT, and the others named in the charge sheet have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; the Arms Act, 1959; and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967; and have been charged with waging war against India, the NIA said in the statement.

Further investigation in the case is continuing, the NIA said.
PM Modi will commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, hold extensive discussions with King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and interact with members of the Indian diaspora

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Amman, the capital of Jordan, where he was welcomed by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Amman, Jordan. The Prime Minister of Jordan, Jafar Hassan, received him



PM Modi is on a 2-day visit to Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein



(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/dzjmn2rICJ  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

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In a post on X, PM Modi said, Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations.

The visit marks the first stop of PM Modis landmark three-nation tour, which will also take him to Ethiopia and Oman. At its core, the trip is about deepening Indias diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement with key partners across the Middle East and Africa.

Landed in Amman.



Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations.@JafarHassan pic.twitter.com/Qba5ZLs4Io  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2025

What to expect from PM Modis three-nation tour?

In Jordan, the focus is both symbolic and substantive. PM Modi will mark 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, hold wide-ranging talks with King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and meet members of the Indian diaspora, a community whose work and presence have played a meaningful role in strengthening India-Jordan relations over the years.

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On the second leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first trip to the country. During his stay, he will hold wide-ranging talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all facets of bilateral relations. Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital, is also the headquarters of the African Union.

Talking about his Ethiopia visit, Prime Minister Modi said, I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during Indias G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20. In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there.

For the final leg of his tour, Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second trip to the country.

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In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship. I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the countrys development and in enhancing our partnership, the Indian PM said.
Jordan provides a rare case of political stability in the region, where the shifting sands can cause ripples with profound ramifications

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Jordan; the visit heralds a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Although PM Modi visited Jordan in 2018, it was a brief transit stop on his onwards official visit to Ramallah, Palestine.

Jordan, although geographically small in size and population compared to other neighbouring West Asian countries, is vitally important due to its strategic location situated at the crossroads of three major continents, namely, Asia, Africa and Europe. Jordan provides a rare case of political stability in the region, where the shifting sands can cause ripples with profound ramifications.

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India and Jordan have forged a close and cordial relationship which has been nurtured assiduously since India achieved independence in 1947. Subsequent governments have cemented this relationship further through important initiatives across various sectors.

Trade and Commerce

India is currently the fourth largest trading partner of Jordan, with bilateral trade being valued at $2.875 billion, with Indian exports to Jordan itself amounting to over $1.5 billion. Both sides aim at a more ambitious goal of reaching $5 billion by 2026. Indias exports to Jordan are quite diversified and growth-oriented as well as beneficial to Jordans economy, such as chemicals, machinery and electricals, pharmaceuticals, etc. Beyond these sectors, both India and Jordan are currently planning to expand their growing partnership to other niche areas such as AI, IT, and green energy.

Jordan has a trump card in the form of potash mining and exports. The Arab Potash Company, Jordans major producer of potash, can be a potential game-changer as it has immense potential for Indias economic sector. For Jordan, the export of potash is likely to pave the way in lowering the cost of critical mineral exports.

Education and Culture

During King Abdallah IIs visit to India, February 27-March 1, 2018, a number of key agreements were signed between the two countries, which have since been augmented with renewed vigour. A Centre of Excellence was set up by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-Dac) in Jordan along with a dedicated unit catering to the needs of its IT graduates.

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Al-Hussain Technical University in Amman has been provided necessary assistance under Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC), and as part of that, India has provided 28 designated slots. India, being a leading software superpower in the globe, has provided the state-of-the-art supercomputer Param Shavak for the promotion of critical research and a more affordable high-performance-driven computing solution for complex technical issues.

Although the number of Jordanian students studying in India is rather small, numbering about 500, this number is likely to grow as Indias ICCR has agreed to offer scholarships. Indias current NEP-2020 does offer a window of opportunity for international students, including Jordan, to take advantage of Indias first-rate educational outreach programme in various disciplines, including in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem) subjects.

In the cultural arena, India, being a viable soft power, does offer plenty of choices in the form of Indian textiles, Bollywood, cuisines, art, literature, yoga, Ayurveda, etc. The Jordan-India Friendship Society and the Jordan-India Alumni Association, among others, have been at the forefront of showcasing the cultural uniqueness of both Jordan and India. Events such as the Jerash Festival and celebrating International Yoga Day each year on June 21 are cases in point.

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People-to-People Interaction

India and Jordan have an open-door policy as far as visits to respective countries are concerned. To enhance connectivity and greater mobility of nationals, Jordan has a visa-on-arrival policy for Indian tourists. On a reciprocal basis, India has similarly extended e-Transit Visa (e-TV) to Jordanian nationals for boosting tourism and for enhanced outreach. The Indian diasporic population numbering about 17,000 in Jordan, mostly comprising personnel working in 25 Indian-owned garment factories in the Qualified Industrial Zones (Qiz), also plays a pivotal role in promoting social and cultural exchanges.

Defence Cooperation

An MoU was signed between India and Jordan in 2018 which has laid groundwork for proactive cooperation in several defence sectors such as the training of military officials, piracy, counter-terrorism, cyber security, the defence industry, etc. One area in which India can offer valuable input and feedback is in the area of peacekeeping, as India has a solid track record of UN peacekeeping operations around the world, including in West Asia, Africa, and Asia.

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Should, under the Gaza Peace Plan being propounded by President Trump, the services of Indian and Jordanian peacekeeping troops be required, both countries can cooperate and collaborate. It is worth noting that both India and Jordan have friendly diplomatic relations with both Israel and Palestine.

Imec Angle

India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor (Imec) framework that was launched during the G20 summit in Delhi in 2023 can also be a potential boon for both Jordan and India. For Jordan, Imec provides an ideal outlet for positioning its strategic location in the corridors northern route by facilitating maritime transport from India to Arab Gulf countries, to be followed by land-based networks, including railways passing through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel before connecting to ports in Europe.

Once Imec is being operationalised, it is likely to speed up cargo movement between India, West Asia, and Europe, thus reducing logistical expenses drastically, as well as providing energy transition through electrical grids and hydrogen pipelines. For Jordan, Imec can provide an opening for rapid growth and huge investment and in overcoming some of the economic challenges it is currently facing. If India and Jordan can join hands and cooperate, both sides can persuade other stakeholders to create uniform customs procedures, resolve technical glitches, and develop an acceptable regulatory mechanism and operational standards.

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Overall, India and Jordans bilateral relationship is on a firm wicket, and under the leadership of both PM Modi and King Abdallah II, it is likely to witness an upward swing in the coming years.

(Mohammed Badrul Alam is Director of Research; Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Retd; Faculty of Social Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
If Washington tacitly accepts Chinas primacy in parts of continental Asia in exchange for economic concessions or reduced tensions elsewhere, India could face a more assertive China. Image: AFP

Pax Americana is over for Europe, admitted German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Europe finally seems to have gotten the memo. It took printed words in the Trump administrations new National Security Strategy  where Europe has been portrayed as a decaying continent facing civilizational erasure  for Europeans to finally understand that Americans no longer see them as reliable allies and are unwilling to bankroll their security.

As the 2025 NSS points out, Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less. As such, it is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies.

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American foreign policy elite and western liberal internationalists, the likes of whom edit and write for The Economist, are struggling to come to terms with reality. Richard Haas, president emeritus of US Council on Foreign Relations, calls Trumps NSS the biggest redirection of US foreign policy since the end of World War II and the dawn of the Cold War 80 years ago.

The Economist calls the MAGA foreign policy document a dogs breakfast, shorn of the enlightened values that have long anchored foreign policy and a naked assertion of power that owes more to the 19th century than the world that America built after the second world war.

The liberal breast-beating for the lost world is touching. The United States has never shied away from naked assertion of power and regime change operations in the garb of promoting freedom and inalienable individual rights. In contrast, Trumps document promises to be respectful of other countries differing religions, cultures, and governing systems.

As Trump eviscerates Americas so-called values-based foreign policy that sought to cast the world in its own image and replaces liberal hegemony with single-minded pursuit of narrow commercial and geoeconomic interests, India, long resentful of the Wests interference and moral grandstanding, is enjoying a bit of schadenfreude at Europes expense. On these shores, Americas ideological recalibration has received a largely positive review.

This optimism could be misplaced.

Trumps hyper-transactional foreign policy, that reimagines Americas role from a global steward to a rent-seeking hegemon extracting measurable returns, does not bode well for India. It is tempting to think that a less interventionist United States will better serve Indias interests, but the transactional realism ushered in by Trump will bring its own set of problems.

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The new American foreign policy treats all relationships  alliances, partnerships, trade ties and even security guarantees as contingent bargains, stressing on reciprocity, cost-sharing, and fairness. The Trumpian America pivots its engagement on immediate, quantifiable benefits that could mean financial contributions, market access, or political concessions than being guided by grand strategy. It prioritises deal-making over partnership building, and swoops where it perceives weakness.

While India may hope to fit into this transactional framework as a counterweight to China, a large consumer market and a huge importer of energy and defence equipment, the Trumpian paradigm will inevitably stretch towards extortionism. It is part of the reason why the US-India trade deal is still in limbo as Trump tries to crank up pressure, slapping the highest tariffs on Indian goods, hoping that New Delhi will eventually crack and concede.

For instance, the USTR delegation during its recent two-day visit to India, ostensibly to iron out issues in the long pending agreement, issued a bunch of unilateral demands and set extractive terms as price not just for signing the trade deal, but to do any meaningful business with America.

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Calling on US IT tech giants to prioritise American markets for capex investments rather than outsourcing and creating jobs in India, the team led by deputy US trade representative Rick Switzer and chief negotiator Brendan Lynch indicated that the Trump administration plans to leverage recent investments in AI data centres in India by American companies like Google and Microsoft because it believes that Indias AI stack  both at the front-end for end-consumers and on the backend in terms of servers and data centres  will need American participation, reports Indian Express.

Quoting an industry source, the report adds, The USTR representatives said that the US remains the dominant consumption economy, and governments around the world should understand that they should, therefore, protect the interests of American companies, because doing business with the US was inevitable.

The US is also relentlessly pushing its GM crops, seeking access for its genetically modified soybean and corn as part of the deal but India has held firm.

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Trumps transactionalism determines that India has no choice but to agree to humiliating terms that might turn it into a colony because the US enjoys global tech monopoly. Washington is therefore pushing India to dilute its digital data protection act, let go of data localization, and relax IT rules.

This extortionist attitude introduces volatility, mistrust and discord in partnership. India isnt alone. Americas trade deal with Indonesia is at risk. Jakarta, made to sign an agreement under duress so as not to lose access to the American consumer market, is now backtracking on several commitments.

C Raja Mohan calls this coercive mercantilism. He writes in Foreign Policy that Trumps demands on Japan and South Korea for massive new investments came with terms that can only be seen as extortionist. Equally troubling were the conditions he imposed on trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia during the recent ASEAN summit. These arrangements have little to do with respecting sovereignty; they reflect power asymmetry and pressure. Asian states may welcome transactionalism, but they resent coercive mercantilism.

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The focus on geoeconomics over geopolitics indicates that Americas priorities in maintaining the strategic partnership with India has shifted. India is mentioned just four times in the document and has been cast away from a central role in Trump 1s as the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific policy to a peripheral role in Trump 2.0 as a contributor Indo-Pacific security. In his second stint, Trump has shifted away from a great power competition with China (that he authored in his first term) towards a more accommodative posture, seeking a special G-2 type great power relationship with Beijing, and in this paradigm, India finds that its strategic weight has undergone a drastic erosion.

Thats why, while India has been slapped with 25% extra tariffs for ostensibly buying Russian energy, China, the biggest buyer of Russian hydrocarbons, gets a free pass because in Trumps sphere of influence universe, a trade pact with Americas peer superpower necessarily involves concessions which the US need not extend in Indias case.

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And therein lies the biggest problem for India. In as much as the NSS reflects Trumps world view, and theres no guarantee of it since the document bears clear signs of competing interests among Trumps inner coterie, the new American foreign policy orientation is a radical departure from an ideological and existential great power competition with China. The rivalry is almost entirely reimagined on economic terms, deviating wildly from the 2017 national security strategy (during Trump 1.0) that had defined China and as a revisionist power and called Beijing a pacing threat.

Trump is now allowing China access to Nvidias advanced semiconductor chips, weighing in in favour of Beijing in its fracas with Americas treaty ally, Tokyo, and the Trump White House has reportedly refused to impose sanctions on Chinas spy agency MSS (Ministry of State Security) despite a massive cyber espionage attempt. Trump wants to maintain the trade truce with Beijing. He is planning a trip to Beijing in April, and nothing must derail that plan, not even concerns over Americas national security.

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This recasting of China from an ideological competitor to an economic rival shifts Americas core grievance against China from its autocratic political system to its economic behaviour  trade surpluses, industrial policy, intellectual property practices, and state-backed firms. One almost gets the impression that Trump is in awe of Chinas industrial capacity and manufacturing prowess.

Therefore, Trump has no problems in letting Asia be Chinas sphere of influence as long as Beijing does not interfere in the Western Hemisphere. Trump is worried about Chinas port investments in Americas backyard  particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean through its Belt and Road Initiative  and therefore the NSS states: We will deny non-Hemispheric competitors the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets, in our Hemisphere. This Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine is a common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities, consistent with American security interests.

The main focus for Trump is regional, in the Americas, where it seeks to place the US as the dominant power. Elsewhere, his approach towards China is to implicitly accept Beijing as a peer power whose conduct might be shaped through bilateral bargaining rather than multilateral pressure or ideological containment.

And even where Trump promises military overmatch to deter China from invading Taiwan, he makes it clear that Americas interest in protecting Taiwan stems from the fact that one-third of global shipping passes annually through the South China Sea, this has major implications for the US economy. The logic is commerce.

And the NSS makes it amply clear that the American military cannot, and should not have to, do this alone. Our allies must step up and spendand more importantly domuch more for collective defense.

Evidently Indias role in this new security paradigm gets squeezed. The zero-sum nature of Sino-Indian competition means that any conciliation between the US and China is bad news for India. The new NSS visualizes India as one of the partners that may contribute to security in Indo-Pacific, not a pole or a pillar. And the grand bargain that Trump is hoping to strike with China disturbs the security balance in Asia.

If Washington tacitly accepts Chinas primacy in parts of continental Asia in exchange for economic concessions or reduced tensions elsewhere, India could face a more assertive China along its borders without the assurance of sustained American backing. Deterrence would become less about shared strategy and more about Indias own capacity to absorb pressure.

Moreover, by framing mass migration as a security threat and hiking H-1B fees to $100,000, the NSS strikes at the heart of the people-to-people pillar that has historically served to tighten bilateral ties. The document declares open war on meritocracy. We cannot allow meritocracy to be used as a justification to open Americas labor market to the world in the name of finding global talent that undercuts American workers.

This suggest that the pathways for Indian talent to reach American shores will now be closed. As labour mobility takes a hit, people-to-people ties may degrade over time. In 2017, the Trump administration distinguished between bad (illegal) and good (meritorious and legal) immigrants. The new NSS collapses this distinction. It argues that both undermine national sovereignty  one by breaking laws, the other by breaking the middle class.

Overall, the MAGA foreign policy treatise is an inherently hostile document to Indias interests and may widen the gap between both sides. It puts India in a corner and pushes it to adopt a more conciliatory posture towards China even though New Delhi is fully aware of the pitfalls involved.

For now, the best course of action for India might be to simply grit its teeth and wait out the Trump presidency.

(The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The US, whose main adversary is China, not Russia, backs a military alliance that has endangered Europe by prolonging the Ukraine War by obstructing peace efforts

US President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte speak during the Nato Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. (Reuters/Toby Melville)

Daddy is backand hes livid.

Nato calls me daddy, Donald Trump said during Politicos podcast The Conversation on December 8.

However, they [Nato] talk, but they dont produce. And the war [in Ukraine] keeps going on and on, Trump said in the Ukraine War context while referring to Nato secretary general Mark Rutte calling him the military blocs daddy at The Hague summit in June.

At a bilateral meeting with Trump at The Hague, Rutte said that daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop after an angry Trump compared Israel and Iran, attacking each other, to two kids in a schoolyard.

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Later, Rutte clarified that he used the word daddy metaphorically to describe the relationship between the US and Europe.

I didnt call him daddy. In Europe, I sometimes hear countries saying, Hey, Mark, will the US stay with us? And I said that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, Hey, are you still staying with the family? Rutte told Reuters. So in that sense, I used daddy not that I was calling President Trump daddy.

Affectionately, humorously or metaphoricallyRuttes statement was profound for it perfectly described the relationship between the US and other Nato member nations.

The US is the most powerful Nato member, militarily and economically, and leads the bloc. American firepower, its lethality and global reach are unmatched and other Nato member states depend on US leadership and support in crises.

If Natos Article 5an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them allother members will look up to the US to lead and neutralise the attacker(s).

Article 5 has been triggered only onceafter 9/11.

But is Daddy still with the family?

Yes, the US is, for now, based on the 1949 assumptions that Nato plays a critical role in the transatlantic regions peace and security and is advantageous to US security interests.

Nato did serve American interests in Europe, especially during the Cold War.

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However, the situation in Europe has changed, particularly after Russia invaded Ukraine. Joe Biden dragged the US and Nato, which was more than willing, into a war in support of a country that is not even an alliance member.

With Trump back in the White House and berating Europe, threatening to shatter the decades-old transatlantic alliance and brazenly siding with Russia, Nato is losing its relevance for the US, at least, till 2028.

Contributions by US and Nato Allies

As Natos 12 founding members inked the pact in Washington, DC on April 4, 1949, then-US President Harry S Truman said, On this historic occasion  we are about to do here is a neighbourly act. We are like a group of householders living in the same locality who decide to express their community of interests by entering into a formal association for their mutual self-protection.

Mutual self-protection means equal contribution. If Natos founding was a neighbourly act with members entering into a formal association for their mutual self-protection, every member should contribute equally to maintain the alliance.

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However, several Nato members didnt allocate the mandatory two per cent of their GDP to defence for years.

According to Natos principle of common funding, defence ministers agreed in 2006 to commit a minimum of two per cent of their GDP to defence spending to continue to ensure the alliances military readiness. The bloc agreed that members meeting the guideline should continue and allies spending below the target to halt any decline and move towards the guideline within a decade.

Following Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, Nato signed the Defence Investment Pledge in the same year, calling for members to meet the two per cent guideline. Subsequently, they agreed to reach the goal by 2024 at the Nato summit in Wales in 2014.

For decades, the US has borne the largest expenditure.

Natos yearly budget and programmes total around $4.1 billion. Theres a cost-sharing formula to pay for civilian staff and administrative costs of Nato headquarters; joint operations, strategic commands, radar and early warning systems, training and liaison; and defence communications systems, airfields, harbours and fuel supplies.

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The cost-sharing is based on national income. The US and Germany are the biggest contributors at around 16 per cent and the UK at 11 per cent. Earlier, the US paid more than 22 per cent of these running costs. Later, a formula was agreed upon in 2019 after the first Trump administration complained about the unfair burden the US had to bear in supporting the alliance.

Moreover, the US has the largest number of troops, 85,000, based throughout Europe with Germany hosting the largest number of American forces, followed by Italy and the UK.

In the past 76 years, the US contributed around $22 trillion to Natos defence budgetwhich is much more than its 31 alliesaccording to its annual Defence Expenditure of Nato Countries report.

America contributed around 16 per cent to Natos annual budget in 2023. The US financed 15.8 per cent ($567 million) of Natos yearly expenditure of around $3.5 billion, according to a NATO breakdown for 2024.

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Trump, with his America First policy, has been targeting Nato since his first term over unequal contributions.

Initially, he demanded that Nato allies spend, at least, two per cent of their GDP on defence.

In July 2018, Trump asked Nato members in Brussels to increase their defence spending to four per cent.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, most allies committed to investing more in defence.

Despite Nato members committing in 2023 to stick to the two per cent guideline, only 11 members met the target that year, per Nato estimates.

In 2024, Nato spent $1.47 trillionhowever, only 23 allies, excluding Iceland, which doesnt have an army, met or exceeded the two per cent target.

Among member nations that spend less than two per cent, the top five were Spain 1.28 per cent, Slovenia and Luxembourg 1.29 per cent each, Belgium 1.3 per cent and Canada 1.37 per cent.

Among the top five nations that spent more than two per cent, Poland was No. 1 at 4.12 per cent, followed by Estonia (3.43 per cent), the US (3.38 per cent), Latvia (3.15 per cent) and Greece (3.08 per cent).

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Trump was right to demand that allies spend, at least, two per cent.

For example, if Spain is attacked, the US will bear the highest cost militarily in protecting a country that spends only 1.28 per cent of its GDP on defence.

Finally, Trump pressured Nato allies at the June summit to commit to spending five per cent over the next 10 years3.5 per cent of GDP on procurement, paying personnel and operation costs and 1.5 per cent on Ukraine aid, cyber security and transport infrastructure refurbishment.

However, the time period to meet the five per cent target is too longlike the earlier two per cent target set in 2014.

According to Nato, only three members will meet the 3.5 per cent target this yearPoland, Lithuania and Latvia, which share borders with Russia or Belarus.

Trump isnt the only US president to object to unequal contributions by Nato allies.

At a news conference in Belgium in 2014, Barack Obama said, If weve got collective defence, it means that everybody has got to chip in. In a 2016 speech in Germany, he said, Every Nato member should be contributing its full sharetwo per cent of GDPtowards our common security, something that doesnt always happen. And Ill be honest. Sometimes, Europe has been complacent about its own defence.

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Obamas predecessor, George W Bush, said at a Nato summit in the Czech Republic in 2002, For some allies, this will require higher defence spending. At a 2008 Nato summit in Romania, he said, Building a strong Nato alliance also requires a strong European defence capacity. So at this summit, I will encourage our European partners to increase their defence investment to support both Nato and EU operations.

Nato, Europe and Ukraine War

Nato was formed 75 years ago to act as a bulwark against Soviet dominance and to contain Communism in Europe after WW2.

Its first secretary general, Lord Hastings Ismay, had said that Nato was formed to keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down.

In the coming decades, Nato and the USSR were involved in the Cold War, extending beyond Latin America and Europe to Afghanistan. However, Mikhail Gorbachev and George HW Bush declared the end of the Cold War at the Malta Summit in December 1989 after Soviet forces pulled out from Afghanistan earlier that year.

One month ago, the Berlin Wall had fallen, followed by the gradual collapse of Communist regimes in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Romania and Bulgaria. The Warsaw Pact formally ended in July 1991, and the Soviet Union collapsed in December.

The US wanted to project its power and influence and legitimise its ambitions in Europe via Nato, which became the core of Americas European expansionist policy.

America also wanted to expand Nato eastward and contain Russia despite a series of Western assurances to Gorbachev about Soviet security during the German reunification process in 1990-91.

Around one-and-a-half years later, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Nato was unstoppable. Bill Clinton, Bush and Obama used Nato for Americas geopolitical aspirations and to shape post-Cold War politics in Europe. The blocs membership almost doubled from 16 members in 1991 to 30 in 2020. Unhindered and overambitious, America also used Nato in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

However, Nato has destabilised Europe in three ways.

First, Natos eastward expansion has rattled Vladimir Putin, who considers it an increasing Western hegemony in Russias bordering countries. The expansion, according to Putin, is one of the major reasons for invading Ukraine.

Despite Putins consternation and the ongoing Ukraine War, Nato continued to expand eastward. Finland and Sweden, both bordering Russia, joined the alliance in April 2023 and March 2024, respectively. Four other Nato membersLatvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Polandalready share borders with Russia.

Natos open-door policy and the US preoccupation with weakening and cornering Russia have been the biggest cause of friction with Putin.

Moreover, major European members are now adamant regarding Ukraines Nato membership, opposed by Putin, despite lacking a consensus.

Except for lip service, these members have never acted to allow Ukraine into Nato. Still, the alliance uses Russias main demand as a hurdle to hijack peace plans.

The European counterproposal deleted the point about no further Nato expansion in Trumps plan.

Ukraine joining Nato depends on the consensus of Nato members, which does not exist, Europe said.

The counterproposal shows two things. First, Europe is aware of the lack of consensus regarding Ukraines Nato aspiration. Second, it deliberately left the possibility of a theoretical future Ukrainian accession open.

Second, since the Ukraine War, major Nato members, like France, Germany and the UK, have engaged in fearmongering about an impending Russian attack on a member state.

In the latest fearmongering, Rutte warned at the Munich Security Conference this week that Nato members could be Russias next target.

Exhorting the alliances members to hike defence spending, he said, Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe, and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured.

He further warned, Russia could be ready to use military force against Nato within five years. Too many are quietly complacent. Too many believe time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now. Allied defence spending and production must rise rapidly.

Last month, German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said, Our intelligence services are telling us emphatically that Russia is, at least, keeping open the option of war against Nato. By 2029 at the latest.

Increased defence spending is one thing; scaremongering is another.

Putin, who is smart enough not to attack a Nato memberas it will trigger Article 5has repeatedly said that Russia doesnt intend to go to war with Europe. Besides, Putin expected a quick and decisive victory in Ukraine in the first few weeks, not a war which could enter its fifth year in 2026. Attacking another European nation, especially a Nato member, is the last thing on the Russian presidents mind.

A few hours before meeting Trumps Mideast and peace missions envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, regarding the US Presidents peace plan at the Kremlin early this month, Putin reiterated his stance. Were not going to war with EuropeIve said this a hundred times already.

Third, in the process, these countries have thwarted or played spoiler in peace efforts by convincing Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue fighting futilelyfrom the Istanbul negotiations in April 2022 to Trumps 28-point peace plan in November this year.

These major powers are delusional that Russia can be weakened, if not defeatedthey are complicating the situation by pressuring Ukraine to knock down every peace initiative or plan.

After Trumps peace plan was leaked last month, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz convinced Zelenskyy to reject its key parts for their unattainable goal of weakening Russia at Ukraines cost. Subsequently, Ukrainian and American negotiators reduced the plan to 19 points.

Now, Ukraine has presented a revised proposal to the US. One more point was added to the initial 19-point revised document after a series of discussions between Ukraine, Russia and Moscow.

Americas major Nato allies have complicated the situation further. Now, there are three documentsthe 20-point plan, a second on security guarantees for Ukraine and a third on economic recovery.

These nations want a demilitarised zone along the line of contact, security guarantees for Ukraine in line with Article 5 and EU membership for Ukraine by 2027. The major European powers have deleted the condition barring Ukraine from ever joining Nato.

Natos Relevance for America

The Cold War ended long ago. A Cold War 2.0 will be dangerous not only for the US and Europe but for the whole world.

The US should revise its Nato commitment for two reasons.

First, backing a military bloc that openly challenges Russia is detrimental to American interests.

The views and stance of Natos important European members against Russia are not only an obstacle to ending the war but also dont serve US interests.

Illogical and dangerous statements, the aggressive anti-Russian stance and fearmongering by nations like France and the UK could trigger a major problem and drag the US into a direct conflict with Russia.

Despite being aware that they cant do without the US, especially with Trumps increasing hostility towards Europe and threatening to break the decades-old relationship, Nato members are being unrealistic and stubborn in ending the war.

For example, after the US released its 2025 National Security Strategy, highlighting Trumps confrontational attitude towards Europe and readiness to restore strategic stability with Russia, Rutte said that to some extent in Europe, well have to take more care of our own defence.

However, the Nato secretary general also used the 76-year-old assumption that how Nato is important to both the US and the Atlantic lest Daddy abandons his children.

Its crucial we keep the transatlantic bond as it is today. You cannot defend the US without a safe Atlantic, and you need Nato to keep the Atlantic safe.

On the other hand, Rutte stuck with the European insistence on security guarantees for Ukraine. They should be of such a quality and level that Putin knows if he tries again, the reaction will be devastating, he said.

The Atlantic can only be safe, which Rutte insists is essential to defend the US, if Nato drops its resistance to Trumps peace plan or any other deal in the future.

Nato has become a liability not only to the US but also to Europe.

Today, the sole purpose for which the alliance was formed has is meaningless. Neither Russia attacked any Nato member nor does it have any such intention. Instead, Natos expansionist spree and provocative statements have made the situation more volatile for both Europe and the US.

Second, China, not Russia, is Americas biggest threat today.

The next power struggle will be in Asia, not Europe, with China eyeing Taiwan, Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, dominating the South China Sea, collaborating with Russia to form a multipolar world and trying to portray itself as an alternative to the US in settling global disputes and persuading foes to become friends.

For example, China brokered the Saudi Arabia-Iran deal in March 2023, ending years of bitter rivalry that had destabilised Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.

The inevitability of Americas focus shifting from Europe to China will gradually affect its commitment to Nato. In case of a China-Taiwan war, the US will face its biggest dilemma.

A confrontation with China over Taiwan will result in frightening losses for the US. Several wargames, including by those the Washington DC-based think tank Centre for a New American Security and the Pentagon, have shown devastating US losses with China targeting every American base in the Indo-Pacific. In 2018 and 2020, two other war games showed the same results with China targeting Guam.

In such a scenario, the US should not expect Nato assistance.

Macron expressed the futility of getting caught up in a US-China war over Taiwan. During a three-day visit to China in April 2023, he also discussed Taiwan with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Europeans cannot resolve the crisis in Ukraine; how can we credibly say on Taiwan, Watch out. If you do something wrong, we will be there? If you really want to increase tension, thats the way to do it, he said.

During an interview after his China visit, Macron clearly said that Europe risks becoming a US vassal if tension between the two superpowers heats up and the continent gets caught up in crises that are not ours.

It is high time that the US left Europe to decide its future by letting other Nato members forge a close alliance to counter future threats.

The US should step back from playing the Daddy and let other global powers, like France, Germany and the US, take matters into their own hands.

(The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. He tweets as @FightTheBigots. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Both the Australian and Israeli foreign ministers spoke on Sunday to discuss the situation and the measures being taken to protect Jewish communities in the country

In the wake of the deadly attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach, Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israels Foreign Ministry, spoke to CNN-News18, sharing concerns over targeted attacks against the Jewish community.

Jews are being targeted, Marmorstein said, adding that there appears to be a clear pattern behind the violence.

Marmorstein acknowledged that warnings had been issued to Australia about potential threats, but pointed out that calls for a global intifada were made openly on Australian soil, with large gatherings occurring despite the risks.

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The incident has pushed diplomats to step up and coordinate urgently. Both the Australian and Israeli foreign ministers spoke on Sunday to discuss the situation and the measures being taken to protect Jewish communities in the country.

Marmorsteins comments come as Australia mourns the victims of the antisemitic attack, with authorities assessing how such incidents could have been prevented.

He also stressed the strong ties between Israel and India, stating, PM Modi is the closest friend of Israel.

Also read | 'I could not sleep': Sydney man harassed after being misidentified in Bondi Beach shooting

In points: What happened at Bondi beach?

An annual Jewish community event, Chanukah by the Sea, was being held at Archer Park near Bondi Beach, attended by hundreds of families and people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, an important jewish festival of lights.

Shortly before 6:47 pm local time, two gunmena father and son, identified as Sajid and Naveed Akramparked a vehicle and began firing high-powered rifles from an elevated footbridge towards the crowd in the park.

Amid the panic and gunfire, a bystander, named Ahmed al Ahmed, bravely confronted and tackled one of the gunmen, successfully disarming him and forcing him to retreat, saving countless lives.

Emergency services were called, and a rapid police response led to a confrontation with the gunmen on the footbridge. One attacker, the father (Sajid Akram), was shot by police, and the second attacker (Naveed Akram) was shot, critically injured, and arrested.

Police then secured the area and later discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the gunmens car, confirming the scale and pre-meditated nature of the antisemitic terrorist plot, which left at least 16 people dead.
Bystanders rushed to Ahmeds aid as he was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the hand. He was rushed to St. George Hospital in Sydney and was later taken into surgery

Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit and vegetable seller from Sydneys Sutherland Shire, is now recovering in the hospital. (X)

In the aftermath of Sundays mass shooting at a crowded Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, one name has stood out, not for tragedy, but for courage.

Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit and vegetable seller from Sydneys Sutherland Shire, is now recovering in hospital after being shot while disraming one of the gunmen. His family told Reuters that he underwent surgery for wounds to his arm and hand and is stable, though still facing more procedures.

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He is a hero, he is a hundred percent hero, his cousin Mustafa told Australian media. Still he is in the hospital and we dont know exactly whats going on inside  but we hope he will be fine, he said.

The scene unfolded on Sunday afternoon near Bondi Beach, where crowds had gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah. Police later revealed a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son were responsible for the attack, which has become Australias deadliest in almost three decades.

Caught in the chaos, Ahmed did something most people say saved lives. Video shared on social media shows him crouched behind parked cars before he suddenly charged at a gunman from behind, seized a rifle, and knocked the attacker to the ground.

Watch the video here:

 UPDATE: eleven dead in Bondi Beach terror attack at Jewish event



Video footage appears to show a man tackling one of the gunmen https://t.co/b6eVYPKaUk pic.twitter.com/GfF1DW2t4M  The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) December 14, 2025

Bystanders rushed to Ahmeds aid as he was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the hand. He was rushed to St. George Hospital in Sydney and was later taken into surgery.

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Across Australia and beyond, leaders have praised his bravery. US President Donald Trump called Ahmed a very, very brave person who saved many lives, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described what happened as the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen.

Support has also come in monetarily. A fundraising campaign launched to aid his recovery has raised more than A$200,000 ($133,000) in just a few hours, with billionaire Bill Ackman among the contributors.

Will grief force Australia to tighten gun laws again?

Australias leaders have agreed to tighten gun laws after a mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach killed 15 people, the deadliest such attack in decades. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met state and territory leaders on Monday, with his office saying they agreed to strengthen gun laws across the nation.

The government is now considering tougher background checks, limits on firearm access and stricter licensing rules. As mourners gathered at Bondi to mark Hanukkah, a rabbi told the crowd: The only strength we have is if we bring light into the world.

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A mass shooting at a Sydney beach that killed 16 people has renewed debate over Australias gun laws, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for tougher firearm controls and a review of existing licensing rules

Australia was left reeling on Monday after a mass shooting at a Sydney beach left 16 people dead, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call for tougher gun laws and a review of existing firearm controls. The attack occurred on Sunday evening as large crowds gathered on the beach to mark the start of Hanukkah. Police said the alleged gunmen were a father and son who opened fire on people attending the festival.

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Authorities confirmed the 50-year-old father was legally licensed to own six firearms, which police believe were used in the shootings.

Albanese said the tragedy highlighted the need for stricter gun laws, including limits on how many firearms an individual can possess.

The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws, he told reporters.

Gun laws under renewed focus

The prime minister said he would raise the proposed reforms at a National Cabinet meeting with state premiers on Monday afternoon.

People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity, he said.

Mass shootings have been uncommon in Australia since 1996, when a lone gunman killed 35 people in the tourist town of Port Arthur.

The so-called Port Arthur massacre led to sweeping reforms that were long seen as a global benchmark. These included a gun buyback scheme, a national firearms register and tighter controls on semi-automatic weapons.

Albanese said it was time to reassess whether Australias gun laws needed to be tightened again.

Im certainly up for it.
Australias Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, called out the Albanese government over its failure to prevent the devastating Bondi Beach attack from happening

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)

Australias Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, called out the Albanese government over its failure to prevent the devastating Bondi Beach attack from happening. Ley on Sunday called out Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for failing to protect the jews in Australia.

She emphasised that there has been a palpable anger in the community and a sense of bewilderment. The remarks from the Australian politician came after 16 people, plus one of the two gunmen, were killed in the . 38 others were also left injured after two gunmen opened fire at a park near Bondi Beach, where people were gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.

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Antisemitism in Australia has been left to fester. We have seen a clear failure to keep Jewish Australians safe. We have seen a clear lack of leadership in keeping Jewish Australians safe. We have a government that sees antisemitism as a problem to be managed, not evil that needs to be eradicated, Ley said in her statement condemning the attack.

Weve seen synagogues fire-bombed, orchestrated by foreign terrorist states. Every single day for the last two years, the lives of Jewish Australians have been made harder by this rising tide of antisemitism, she added. The Australian leader of the opposition urged PM Albanese to do whatever it takes to protect the jews of the country.

The prime minister has told Jewish Australians that he will do whatever it takes to deal with antisemitism. He must start today by committing to implementing all of the recommendations in his antisemitism envoy Jillian Segals report, she said.

Darkest day in Australia

While speaking at a press conference in Sydney on Sunday, Ley said that the day will be burnt in the nations soul. It was the darkest day since the Port Arthur massacre in April 1996. Australians will remember where they were on the day of the Bondi massacre, and they will remember the feelings of overwhelming disbelief and shock that they felt. Those who saw the murderous massacre firsthand and lost loved ones will be changed forever, she said.

I sought an assurance from the prime minister that I would receive the necessary security briefings from our agencies and police, and I was told that would happen today, she added, paying tribute to the first responders and bystanders who stepped into danger and saved the lives of the people.

Meanwhile, Shadow Minister Julian Leeser and Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonathon Duniam both noted in the same press conference that the attack shouldnt have happened in the first place. Leeser, who is a Jewish MP, tells the public to imagine Hanukkah by the Sea is like carols by candlelight. [There are] children on rides and people eating sugary food, dancing, music and prayers, he said.

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Meanwhile, Duniam says this attack should never have happened and that it could have been avoided. We didnt have to come to this. Over the last two years, there have been countless warning signs to our country, to our leaders, about things that need to be addressed. Reports have been compiled, recommendations provided by the special envoy to antisemitism, and those things havent been acted upon, he averred.

As an opposition, we will work with the government to provide whatever support is necessary to put in place measures that prevent this sort of thing from ever happening again  It is unacceptable that it has come to this, and leadership needs to be shown now. We cant wait another day, he added. It is pertinent to note that the Australian government has already declared the attack as an act of terror. The incident is still under investigation.
A day after the deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia claimed the lives of 16 people, investigators are probing the suspects link to ISIS after they reportedly found a flag of the extremist group

A day after the deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia claimed the lives of 16 people, investigators are probing the suspects link to ISIS after they reportedly found a flag of the extremist group. According to ABC News Australia, the authorities recovered the flag from the car of the attackers.

While speaking at the press conference along with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said the authorities are thoroughly conducting an investigation. When asked if the suspect had extremist views, Lanyon avoided commenting on the matter and said he would provide more information through the course of the probe.

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We did hear last night that a lot of information was coming forward. I want to make sure that its accurate, Lanyon said. Thats all part of the investigation. As I just said before, Id rather not comment on that right at the moment. Obviously, we will look at the motives behind this attack, and I think thats really important as part of the investigation. Our investigation will be thorough, and we will be happy to provide further information, he added.

The suspect had a license to carry firearms

Authorities noted that Sajid was a licensed firearm owner with six guns and was shot dead by police at the scene of the attack. Meanwhile, another suspect named Naveed is critically wounded and in the hospital under police guard. The authorities maintained that he would face charges if he survives.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told reporters that the father first came to Australia back in 1998 on a student visa. In 2001, he obtained a visa granted to the partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. Since then, the government says he travelled overseas three times.

The guns have since been recovered by the authorities, and the pairs home has been raided, along with an AirBnB where they were staying before the attack. According to ABC News, Naveed had been probed by ASIO, the countrys domestic intelligence agency, in 2019 for his close ties to an ISIS cell.

As per the report, Naveed was close to members of the cell, including Isaac El Matari, an ISIS terrorist arrested that year, who identified himself as the groups head in Australia. Matari is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence. One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said on Sunday. Meanwhile, Albanese confirmed Monday that the son  named in local media as Naveed Akram  came to the attention of Australias security services back in 2019.
The Chanukah by the Sea event, meant to celebrate faith and community, turned into a scene of terror when two gunmena father and son from Bonnyrigg in Sydneys westopened fire shortly after 6:40 pm on Sunday

Mourners gather at a tribute at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (AFP)

In the fading light of Monday evening, Australians returned to Bondi Beach, lighting candles, singing, and standing together in a show of solidarity after the countrys deadliest antisemitic attack. The horrific shooting at a Hanukkah celebration claimed 15 lives, including a 10-year-old girl, a London-born rabbi whose fifth child was born just two months ago, and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.

The Chanukah by the Sea event, meant to celebrate faith and community, turned into a scene of terror when two gunmena father and son from Bonnyrigg in Sydneys westopened fire shortly after 6:40 pm on Sunday. Sajid Akram (50), licensed to own six firearms, was shot dead by police, while his son Naveed (24) was critically injured and remains under police guard.

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Amid the grief, Australians lit candles across Sydney and nationwide. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged citizens to participate, saying, I would  join with others who have urged Australians across the country to light a candle, put it in their front window  to show that light will indeed defeat darkness  part of what Hanukah celebrates. We are stronger than the cowards who did this.

The attack, captured in almost its entirety on mobile phone footage, saw the gunmen taking positions on a footbridge overlooking the beach, targeting crowds celebrating Hanukkah.

Disclaimer: The video contains disturbing visuals. Viewer discretion is advised.

 #TerrorAttack | As it happened.

 Bondi Beach, #Bondi, 



Indiscriminate shooting of civilians.



1 suspect shot dead, 1 suspect in custody. pic.twitter.com/QzQ2zFmO72   Matt Blac Inc. #BeaVoice  #Helpfindme  (@MattBlacInc) December 14, 2025

Australia to push for stricter gun laws

In response, Albanese convened a meeting with state leaders to introduce stricter gun control measures. Proposed reforms include limiting the number of firearms an individual can own and conducting regular audits of existing licences. Peoples circumstances can change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity, he said.

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Communities across Australia have also used symbols of light to express defiance against hate. The Hanukkah menorah was projected onto the Sydney Opera House, while candles, flowers, and messages of solidarity appeared across homes and public spaces.

A Hanukkah menorah is projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (AFP)

How did one civilians courage help prevent more deaths?

When the firing started at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, one man didnt run for cover. He ran towards the danger. He wasnt a police officer or part of any security team, but an ordinary Australian who found himself in an extraordinary moment.

That man was Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old shop owner. With no protective gear and little time to think, Ahmed charged at one of the shooters and managed to wrestle the weapon away, an act authorities say helped prevent further loss of life.

A man who disarmed a terrorist has been identified as a Muslim named Ahmed Al Ahmad during an attack on a Jewish event in Sydney.



He prevented further harm to Jews. pic.twitter.com/OvU0y0iQq4  Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 14, 2025

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The bravery came at a cost. Ahmed was shot twice during the struggle and was rushed to hospital, where he remains under medical care.
With high-level meetings lined up about the war in Ukraine, this could be the most consequential week for Europe this year as it works to shape US President Donald Trumps Russia-friendly proposal into a respectable arrangement.

With high-level meetings lined up with Ukrainian and American officials, this could be the most consequential week for European leaders as they are working to reshape US President Donald Trumps Russia-friendly proposal into a respectable arrangement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be joined in Berlin on Monday by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and possibly French President Emmanuel Macron, in discussions with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son in law.

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These talks will be a continuation of Sundays talks between Zelenskyy and Trumps envoys.

Mondays talks will be followed up by at least two more rounds of talks among European leaders that will be the clearest test of their ability of match their words about supporting Ukraine with actions. At the top of the agenda are figuring out the modalities of a 210 billion loan from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine and firming up security guarantees for the enforcement of any peace deal.

As per latest reports, Ukraine is willing to drop the demand to join Nato for collective defence-type security guarantees. But there is still no consensus about the thorniest issue of Ukraines Donbas region that Trump wants to be ceded to Russia  in line with Vladimir Putins longstanding maximalist demands.

European leaders to meet to see if they can match words with actions

While British and German leaders will join Zelenskyy in the meeting with Witkoff and Kushner, European Union (EU) foreign ministers and diplomats will convene in Brussels to convince member-states that oppose the loan programme, according to Politico.

After these meetings, all 27 EU leaders will convene in Brussels for talks that would decide whether Europe can actually do something or they are indeed all talk as Trump put it, as per the outlet.

Ahead of these meetings, Nato chief Mark Rutte set the tone about the stakes by comparing Putins threat to that posed by Adolf Hitler in the previous century.

We are Russias next target, and we are already in harms way. Russia has brought war back to Europe and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents and great grandparents endured, said Rutte.

So far, Trump and Europe have been poles apart in their positions. While Trump has stressed Ukraine must first make territorial concessions on Putins terms to secure a ceasefire, Europe has pushed back that there could be no territorial concessions until security guarantees are finalised.

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But there are signs that there has been some progress in talks. Zelenskyy on Sunday said that he was willing to compromise and not demand Nato membership for Ukraine if the country were provided a separate collective defense arrangement.

The bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States  and the security guarantees from our European colleagues for us, as well as from other countries such as Canada and Japan  these security guarantees for us provide an opportunity to prevent another outbreak of Russian aggression, said Zelenskyy.
China has been accused of detaining over a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, in what the United Nations has previously described as potentially constituting crimes against humanity.

The Uyghurs are the largest minority ethnic group in China's north-western province of Xinjiang (Reuters)

A Chinese man who left his country after documenting alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs is now at risk of being deported from the United States, his mother and lawyer told AFP.

Guan Heng, 38, appeared for an immigration hearing in New York on Monday after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August, his mother, Luo Yun, said. If deported, Guan could end up back in China, where his safety may be at serious risk.

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Im really, really worried that things will be very bad for him if he is made to return, Luo told AFP in Chinese. If he has a chance to remain in the United States, hell at least be safe. With everything that has happened to him, Im incredibly anxious and upset.

What did the video expose?

In late 2021, Guan published a 20-minute video detailing his travels across Xinjiang, a region in northwestern China. The footage, which drew global attention, showed sites identified by a BuzzFeed investigation as detention facilities for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.

China has been accused of detaining over a million Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, in what the United Nations has previously described as potentially constituting crimes against humanity. Beijing denies the allegations, stating that its policies aim to counter extremism and promote development in the region.

Guan left China after filming the videos and eventually entered the US via South America. His mother said she only learnt of the videos content after it was published.

As for the contents of the clips that he later postedI didnt know about them, Luo told AFP.

In August, she learnt Guan had been detained by ICE, and when she contacted him, he was in __extreme panic and breakdown. Family members in China have also been questioned by authorities about their ties to him.

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Guans supporters say he is currently held in a Broome County facility in upstate New York.

Who are the Uyghurs?

The Uyghurs are a mostly Muslim ethnic group of around 12 million people, living mainly in Xinjiang, officially called the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). They speak their own language, which is similar to Turkish, and feel a strong cultural and ethnic connection to Central Asian nations. Despite being the largest minority group in the region, they make up less than half of Xinjiangs population.

Also read | How China's economic might systematically bulldozes Uyghur cause

In recent decades, there has been a large influx of Han Chinese, Chinas ethnic majority, into Xinjiang. Activists say this was encouraged by the state to dilute the Uyghur population. At the same time, China has faced accusations of targeting Muslim religious leaders, banning certain religious practices, and even destroying mosques and tombs.
To ensure transparency and compliance, the law sets out clear registration rules, fees, and penalties

Saudi Arabia is all set to allow foreigners to own property across most of the Kingdom starting January 2026. This would be a mammoth step in opening its real-estate market to international investors. Residential ownership will be permitted nationwide, except in four major cities, namely, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, as quoted by the Saudi Gazette, explained the move, saying, Residential ownership by foreigners will be permitted across the Kingdom, with four notable exceptions. He also noted that specific areas within the restricted cities could later be designated where foreigners may purchase property, subject to official approval.

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Unlike residential holdings, commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties will be fully open to foreign ownership throughout Saudi Arabia, reflecting the governments push to attract foreign investment and boost economic growth.

To ensure transparency and compliance, the law sets out clear registration rules, fees, and penalties. All property transactions will need registration with the Real Estate Registry, and violators could face fines of up to SR10 million ($2.67 million) or even court-ordered sale of the property in severe cases.

Al-Hogail stressed on the safeguards, stating, The framework ensures that foreign ownership does not grant additional privileges beyond those defined by law.

The new legislation aligns with Saudi Arabias broader vision of encouraging international investment while maintaining strict oversight, balancing economic opportunity with regulatory control. Many say this could be a game-changer for the Kingdoms property market, opening doors for global investors while preserving key areas for domestic stakeholders.
At least 16 high school students and a driver were killed and 20 others injured after a bus returning from a graduation trip plunged into a ravine in northwest Colombia.

A forensic official inspects the site of a bus crash near the municipality of Remedios in Colombias Antioquia Department, where the vehicle veered off the road, killing 17 people and injuring 20 others, on December 14, 2025. (AFP)

What began as a celebratory journey for graduating students ended in disaster on Sunday when their bus plunged into a ravine in northwest Colombia, leaving multiple families mourning and dozens injured. At least 16 high school students celebrating their graduation and a driver were killed when the bus they were travelling in fell around 40 metres into a ravine.

The students, aged 16 to 18, were from a school in Bello, near Medellin, and had been returning from a Caribbean beach on Colombias coast.

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Twenty more people were injured in the crash. A source in the Bello mayors office told AFP that officials were still working to determine how many of the victims were minors. Antioquia Department Governor Andres Julian Rendon said the cause of the accident remained under investigation.

In a video posted by Rendon on social media, one of the survivors said, I was asleep and all of a sudden I heard screams, and from that moment on I dont remember anything. The students had paid their way to the Caribbean beach towns of Tolu and Covenas to celebrate graduation. Rescuers were forced to carry survivors out of the steep ravine on stretchers.

Security concerns during rescue operations

President Gustavo Petro offered condolences to the affected families in a post on X, saying, I dont like it when young people die. Even less when theyre going to study or to relax happily.

A police source told AFP that the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerilla group operates in the area where the crash occurred, requiring firefighters and officers to take special security measures during the rescue. ELN rebels ordered civilians to avoid commercial travel for 72 hours in regions under their control starting Sunday, as they conduct military exercises.

Road authorities reported that Colombia recorded an average of 22 traffic-related deaths a day in 2024.
Nick Reiner was taken into custody just hours after the bodies of the 78-year-old director and his wife were discovered inside their home in Brentwood

Hollywood is reeling after the shocking deaths of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, with police confirming that their son has been arrested and charged with murder.

Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody just hours after the bodies of the 78-year-old director and his wife were discovered inside their home in Brentwood, one of Los Angeles most affluent neighbourhoods. Authorities said the arrest followed an intense overnight investigation, as reported by AFP.

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Police worked throughout the night on this case and were able to take into custody Nick Reiner, a suspect in this case, Police chief Jim McDonnell told reporters. He was subsequently booked for murder and is being held on a $4 million bail.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Nick Reiner had argued with his parents at a party on Saturday night. The report also noted that he had struggled with addiction issues in the past. Police sources told US media the couple were stabbed, while celebrity news outlet TMZ, which broke the story first, reported that their throats had been cut.

Trump wades in, outrage follows

As fans and colleagues mourned, the tragedy took a political turn after Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on the late director, appearing to link the deaths to Reiners long-standing criticism of him.

Trump wrote that Reiner died reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. He added, He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.

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Those comments drew backlash, including from Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who called them inappropriate and disrespectful.

Meanwhile, tributes poured in from across Hollywood and Washington. Former vice president Kamala Harris, a close friend of the couple, said she was devastated to learn of their passing. Former president Barack Obama said he and Michelle were heartbroken. He added that Reiner gave audiences some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people.

Known for classics like This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, Reiner shaped generations of cinema. Beyond film, he was a vocal political activist, a champion of LGBTQ rights, and a supporter of Democratic causes.
The shooting, carried out by a father and son duo, has been condemned as an act of terrorism

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)

A Sydney man faced a terrifying ordeal after he was mistakenly identified as one of the gunmen in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people and injured 42 during a Jewish festival on Sunday evening.

The man, 30-year-old Naveed Akram, lives in a northwestern suburb of Sydney. His photo, taken from a Facebook profile, was shared widely on social media with claims that he was the alleged shooter. The viral posts drew thousands of comments, many of them threatening.

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Also read | 10-year-old girl, Holocaust survivor, 2 rabbis The stories of those who died in Bondi Beach attack

Per media reports, one of the shooters name is Naveed Akram and my name is Naveed Akram as well. That is not me. I have nothing to do with the incident or that person, Akram said in a video published by the Pakistan Consulate of Sydney. He added, I just want everyones help to help me stop this propaganda, asking people to report accounts misusing his photo.

 MISIDENTIFIED: Innocent Man Falsely Accused as Bondi Beach Shooter Fears for Life



A Sydney man named Naveed Akram, 30, was wrongly identified on social media as one of the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen, forcing him to take measures to protect his safety.



The innocent rental pic.twitter.com/WcIFiZqwo5  True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 15, 2025

The misidentification left him terrified. I could not even sleep last night. Im terrified. I could not go outside, like its a life-threatening issue, so I dont want to risk anything my family is worried as well, so its quite a hard time for me, he told AFP.

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Akram, who moved to Australia in 2018 and now runs a car rental business, said the situation was affecting relatives in Pakistans Punjab province as well. It was destroying my image, my familys image. People started to call them. They were worried, and they have told the police over there, he said.

Also read | Australian hero who disarmed Bondi beach shooter recovering after surgery for bullet wounds

What went down at Bondi Beach?

A father and son opened fire on a gathering of people in what authorities officially labelled an antisemitic terrorist attack, killing at least 16 individuals. Amid the chaos, a bystander named Ahmed al Ahmed displayed remarkable courage by disarming and confronting one of the attackers, an action credited by officials with saving lives. Police shot and killed one of the assailants, while the other was taken into custody.
Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been convicted on national security charges that could see him jailed for life

Jimmy Lai, a former Hong Kong media tycoon and vocal critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security case on Monday. A panel of three government-approved judges found the 78-year-old guilty of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material.

Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sentencing is expected to take place on a later date. Under Hong Kongs sweeping national security law, he could face up to life imprisonment.

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Collusion charges in Hong Kong

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper has been detained since 2020, with his prosecution widely viewed by critics as a sign of shrinking political freedoms following the national security law imposed by Beijing after the large-scale and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests of 2019.

Prosecutors alleged that Lai orchestrated two separate conspiracies aimed at urging foreign governments to impose sanctions or blockade measures or carry out hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. He was also accused of overseeing the publication of content that authorities said had excited disaffection towards the government.

There is no doubt that (Lai) had harboured his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years, and this is apparent in his articles, Judge Esther Toh told the court, using the acronym for the Peoples Republic of China.

It is also clear to us that the first defendant has from an early stage, long before the National Security Law, been applying his mind as to what leverage the US could use against the PRC, she added, referring to Lai.

Dressed in a light green cardigan and a grey jacket, Lai appeared impassive as the verdicts were delivered, listening with his arms folded and offering no comment in court.

Security was tight around the courthouse, with dozens of police officers deployed in the area and an armoured vehicle stationed nearby.

Diplomatic representatives, including officials from the United States, the European Union and France, were seen lining up to enter the courtroom.

Were here to observe to signal close interest in these cases, said Matthias Kaufmann, deputy head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao, ahead of the hearing.

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Members of Lais family, including his wife Teresa and son Lai Shun-yan, were present, along with prominent figures from Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and former lawmaker Emily Lau.
Thailands Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Sunday that there are no plans for a ceasefire after the country reported its first civilian death in the border clashes with Cambodia

Thailands Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Sunday that there are no plans for a ceasefire after the country reported its first civilian death in the border clashes with Cambodia. Anutins remarks came as a shock to many since they came after his phone call with US President Donald Trump.

During the call, the American leader pledged to both sides to restart the ceasefire that they agreed upon earlier this year. However, the Thai PM changed his stance on the matter after the first civilian death was reported. There was no plan nor agreement by the Thai government for a ceasefire with our enemy as at 10 pm last night, Anutin said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Dec 14), after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the two sides to stop fighting by that time.

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Thailand stands firm with our determination to preserve, protect and defend the integrity of our land and our people at all costs, Anutin said. The comments came shortly after the Thai army confirmed that a villager was killed by a BM-21 rocket launched by Cambodia into a civilian area in the Kantaralak district in Si Sa Ket province, Bloomberg reported.

First Thai civilian to die in border clashes

It is pertinent to note that the 63-year-old was the first Thai civilian to die directly because of Cambodian attacks. Nine others before him perished due to existing medical conditions since the conflict restarted last week.

In light of this, the Thai foreign ministry lodged a protest with the United Nations on Sunday. The Thai authorities accused Cambodia of launching indiscriminate attacks, including on non-military targets. A Thai soldier was also killed by Cambodian shelling in the same district, bringing total fatalities on the Thai side to 16 soldiers, with 327 others wounded.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has yet to disclose its military casualties. Amid the chaos, the Thai Navy has imposed a curfew from Sunday in five districts in the southeastern coastal Trat province, bordering Cambodias Koh Kong province. The army previously imposed a curfew in some areas in the northeastern Sa Kaeo province.

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday hailed what he described as the strength and unity of his country. He called on his citizens to support their heroic army in its mission to protect the sovereignty and dignity of Cambodias territory. The Cambodian government also accused Thailand of deploying a fighter jet to drop a bomb in one area.

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The United States is set to begin enhanced visa screening for H-1B applicants and their dependents, extending mandatory social media vetting as part of tighter immigration controls.

The US government is set to widen its visa screening framework by introducing enhanced vetting for H-1B visa applicants and their dependents, marking a significant shift in how temporary work visas are assessed. The measure, announced by the State Department, brings employment-based applicants under scrutiny that was previously limited to students and exchange visitors.

According to a new order, the State Department said that from December 15, a review of the online presence for all H-1B applicants and their dependents will be conducted. Students and exchange visitors were already subject to this review, and now the department has expanded this requirement to vet social media profiles to include H1-B applicants and their dependents on H-4 visas.

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To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public, the State Department said. The F, M, and J visas are used by students and exchange visitors to come to the US.

Several H-1B visa holders have had their interviews in India rescheduled in the wake of this new guideline to vet their social media profiles. Underscoring that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, the State Department has said that it uses all available information in visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to America, including those who pose a threat to the countrys national security or public safety.

We conduct thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications, it said, underlining that every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission, it added.

Broader immigration crackdown under Trump administration

The directive is the latest step in the Trump administrations broader crackdown on immigration. The administration has launched a massive crackdown to check abuse in the H-1B visa programme, which is used by companies, particularly technology companies, to employ foreign workers in the US. Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, are among the largest cohort of H-1B visa holders.

In September this year, Trump issued a proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers as an important initial step to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa programme. Under the proclamation, the Trump administration announced a one-time fee of USD 100,000 on new H-1B work visas, an order that could impact Indian professionals looking to work in the US on the temporary visas.

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Washington has also paused with immediate effect Green Card, US citizenship and other immigration applications for immigrants hailing from 19 countries of concern, following the shooting of National Guard soldiers by an Afghan national. A policy memorandum earl
IIT students who are facing difficulty and no longer interested in the entire engineering program can exit the course in the third year with a BSc degree. According to the new guidelines under the National Education Policy (NEP) in their multiple entry and exit program, the provision give students easier access to avail various opportunities.

IIT students can complete their BSc degree and exit from the engineering course instead of struggling to complete their entire engineering program. According to the new guidelines under the National Education Policy (NEP) in their multiple entry and exit program, the provision give students easier access to avail various opportunities.

Those who do not wish to complete their entire IIT degree, can leave the course after three years instead of four and earn the degree of BSc. They should earn 250 credits out of 400 credits to be eligible for the BSc degree.

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Students who are currently studying under the 2024 batch can exercise this option from 2027 onwards. However, the institute is planning to make some changes so that the seniors can also avail the benefits.

We are planning to offer a BSc degree with specialisation as well. Each department will specify the number of core credits required for specialisation, professor Prathap Haridoss, dean (academic courses), IIT Madras, told Times of India.

This BSc degree will help students to join higher education, including MBA, and appear for civil services. Those who exit also later join in our online BS degrees as well, he further added.

What can BSc offer?

Students who are no longer interested in the degree and solely invested in their own aspirations can exit the course. This option will help such students get a degree, the Dean said.

This BSc degree will help students to join higher education, including MBA, and appear for civil services. Those who exit also later join in our online BS degrees as well, he further added.

IIT Madras also introduced several reforms, including lowering the number of minimum credits required per semester by 10 per cent to ease the academic pressure on students.

A student can easily earn 66 credits in a semester. But we have lowered the number of minimum credits required in a semester to 50 credits. Students with higher CGPA will be allowed to do more credits in a semester, Haridoss said.

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Syrian forces and a US-led coalition launched an operation against Islamic State group sleeper cells on Sunday, a Syrian interior ministry official said, a day after a deadly attack on US troops in the country.

Syrian forces and a US-led coalition launched an operation against Islamic State group sleeper cells on Sunday, a Syrian interior ministry official said, a day after a deadly attack on US troops in the country.

Two US troops and a civilian interpreter were killed 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 subsequently killed.

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The ministry official, who requested anonymity, told AFP that a security campaign across the Syrian desert was tracking Daesh sleeper cells, in cooperation with the US-led international coalition, using the Arabic acronym for the IS group.

The official said three individuals have so far been arrested over their suspected involvement in the Saturday attack, which took place in central Syrias Palmyra region.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday sent a message of condolences to his US counterpart Donald Trump, expressing his countrys solidarity with the victims families.

Syrian authorities had earlier said that the perpetrator was a member of the security forces who was due to be fired on Sunday for his extremist Islamist ideas, 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 security 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.

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Serious retaliation

The incident is the first of its kind to be reported since Islamist-led forces overthrew longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December last year and rekindled the countrys ties with the United States.

Trump vowed very serious retaliation following Saturdays attack.

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.

In a statement on Sunday, the Syrian interior ministry said that an IS group member had infiltrated the meeting before carrying out the attack.

US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack on Sunday said the attack only reinforces the US strategy to enable capable Syrian partners to hunt down ISIS networks, deny them safe haven, and prevent their resurgence.

In a phone call with his US counterpart Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani offered condolences and said the attack presented a new challenge in the fight against terrorism.

Warnings

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement in support of counter-terrorism operations when the attack occurred.

Trump called the incident an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, using another term for IS.

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He said the three other US troops wounded in the incident were doing well.

The official SANA news agency said the attack also wounded two members of the Syrian security forces.

In an interview on state television on Saturday, the interior ministrys 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.

On Sunday, the Syrian interior ministry and SANA said gunmen shot dead four members of the ministrys road security department in the northwestern Idlib province.

There was no indication whether the incident was related to Saturdays attack.

IS seized swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in 2014 during Syrias civil war, before being territorially defeated in the country five years later.

Its fighters nonetheless still maintain a presence, particularly in Syrias vast desert.

Last month, during Sharaas historic visit to Washington, Damascus formally joined the US-led global coalition against IS.

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Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui, who was granted asylum in Australia, said Australian authorities were investigating a sexualised poster depicting his wife and letters with false claims about him that were sent to Australian addresses earlier this year.

Exiled Hong Kong democracy activist Carmen Lau speaks during an interview with Reuters in this still image taken from a video, in London, Britain, December 5, 2025. Image Credit: Reuters

Two exiled democracy activists wanted by Hong Kong say police in Australia and Britain are investigating fake, sexualised images used to target them in a campaign of harassment.

Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui, who was granted asylum in Australia, said Australian authorities were investigating a sexualised poster depicting his wife and letters with false claims about him that were sent to Australian addresses earlier this year.

Carmen Lau, who lives in Britain, says her local member of parliament, Joshua Reynolds, alerted her to fake, sexually explicit images of her that had been distributed to her neighbours.

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Hui and Lau are among 34 pro-democracy campaigners for whom the Hong Kong authorities last year offered a HK$1 million ($130,000) bounty, accusing them of violating the citys national security laws.

Humiliation as a tool of political punishment

Hong Kong has cracked down on dissent in the financial hub under sweeping national security legislation imposed by Beijing after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Lau told Reuters she was terrified and shocked by the alleged harassment, which was first reported by the Guardian, adding it was an escalation of a campaign against her since the bounty was issued.

Sexualised disinformation has long been used to silence women who challenge authoritarian power; this attack follows the same pattern, using humiliation as a tool of political punishment and a warning to others who might speak out against authoritarian regimes, she said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Britains Thames Valley Police said the reports were being investigated but no arrests had been made.

The malicious communications are believed to be digitally altered images, the spokesperson said.

Reynolds, the lawmaker for Maidenhead from the centrist Liberal Democrats party, urged the government to take decisive action and impose sanctions on officials involved in raising bounties on Hong Kongers in Britain. He added that efforts to intimidate and threaten pro-democracy campaigners like Lau were utterly grotesque."

Hui said he had gone to Australian police after posters depicting his wifes photograph and name, and listing sexual services, were emailed to his former workplace in Australia in August, the month he and his family were granted asylum.

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He said he believed Beijing loyalist groups organised or acquiesced by the Hong Kong regime had sent the emails, and police were investigating, adding that Australian Federal Police had told him the offensive emails were sent from Hong Kong.

The Australian Federal Police had no comment on Huis account, a spokesperson said.

Australia has raised concerns with China

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised concerns with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in a meeting in July about anonymous letters circulated in South Australia offering rewards for information about Hui and his family.

Those letters were being investigated by the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce, which includes Australias intelligence agency and police, for potential breaches of Australias foreign interference law, a Home Affairs official told parliament in March.

Chinas Foreign Ministry and State Council Information Office, the Chinese embassy in Canberra, Hong Kongs Security Bureau and the authorities in Macau - where the letters against Lau were allegedly sent from - did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Beijing and Hong Kong have defended the clampdown on activists, saying it has restored stability to the former British colony.

New Zealands Security Intelligence Service has also warned of a rise in transnational repression, where individuals viewed as dissidents by a foreign state are targeted for harassment within New Zealand by co-opting others.

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(Except the headline, the story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Thai military officials say they are concerned that some fuel sent to Laos was ending up in Cambodia, where soldiers and heavy weaponry have clashed in multiple areas

Smoke rises from the site, after Thailand launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, according to Thai army, in Choeteal Kong, Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia. Reuters

Thailand has stopped fuel shipments passing through its Chong Mek border crossing with Laos amid growing fears that the supplies were being diverted into neighbouring Cambodia, where fighting with Thai forces has escalated sharply, sources told Reuters.

The move is a dramatic step in a conflict now in its second week along the roughly 817-kilometre disputed border between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, which has left dozens dead and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

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Thai military officials say they are concerned that some fuel sent to Laos was ending up in Cambodia, where soldiers and heavy weaponry have clashed in multiple areas. As a result, fuel shipments through Chong Mek have been halted entirely, even as other cross-border trade continues under existing rules.

Cambodian officials accuse Thailand of attacking military and civilian infrastructure with drones and heavy artillery, and deploying airstrikes near key areas like Siem Reap Province, which includes the Angkor Wat tourist zone.

It is also noteworthy that the number of fighter jets and cluster bombs used by the Thai military to attack Cambodia has been increasing significantly, Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for Cambodias Defence Ministry, told a briefing.

Diplomacy under strain

The escalating conflict has disrupted a planned regional diplomatic meeting, originally scheduled for December 16, which was postponed to December 22 at Thailands request, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry.

Despite ongoing international efforts, including attempts to revive an earlier ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, fighting has shown no sign of abating. Both Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for breaking the July truce, with Bangkok insisting that any peace talks must begin with a genuine ceasefire proposal and a cessation of hostilities.

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The claim comes as Ukraine ramps up naval operations in the Black Sea, an area that has seen intensified attacks in recent weeks

Ukraine says it has carried out its first successful attack on a Russian submarine using underwater drones.

Ukrainian officials said on Monday that the attack targeted a Russian submarine docked at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, something Kyiv says has never happened before in the war that began in 2022.

The claim comes as Ukraine ramps up naval operations in the Black Sea, an area that has seen intensified attacks in recent weeks. Russia has regularly used the sea to launch strikes on Ukrainian cities, including the key port of Odesa, while Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones to push back against Moscows naval presence.

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According to Ukraines SBU security service, the operation was carried out using underwater drones. The Security Service of Ukraine carried out another unique special operation and launched a naval attack in the port of Novorossiysk, the SBU said in a statement on Telegram.

For the first time in history, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones blew up a Russian submarine, it added.

The SBU said the submarine was equipped with four Kalibr cruise missile launchers that had been used in attacks on Ukrainian territory. As a result of the strike, the vessel suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action.

Russia has not yet responded publicly to the Ukrainian claims.

Also read | Can EU, already in harms way, save Ukraine from Trumps peace terms?

The reported attack comes amid rising tensions in the region. Two Turkish cargo ships were struck in recent days, in incidents Ukraine said were linked to attacks on Russian targets. Turkey has since urged all sides to halt strikes on ports and energy infrastructure, warning that the situation risks further escalation.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian warships in the Black Sea using a mix of drones and missiles, gradually pushing parts of Russias fleet farther from Ukrainian shores.
US President Donald Trump extended his executive order yet again after he ordered the summary executions of individuals he deems members of designated terrorist organisations. Heres why it is concerning

Sitting next to founder and CEO of Dell, Michael Dell, left, US President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, December 10, 2025, in Washington, DC, US. File Image/AP

US President Donald Trump extended his executive order yet again after he ordered the summary executions of individuals he deems members of designated terrorist organisations. A report by The Intercept revealed how Trump is also testing the limits of his presidential powers by creating a secret list of domestic terrorist organisations.

As per the report, the American leader is taking all these measures under the National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, or NSPM-7. The move now raises questions of whether Americans that the federal government deems to be members of domestic terrorist organisations are subject to extrajudicial killings.

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In light of this, lawmakers told The Intercept that the Trump administrations silence on the matter has become worrisome. The matter has become more concerning with Trump himself making ever more unhinged threats to imprison or execute his political adversaries.

The Trump Administration is trying to justify blowing small boats out of the water by arbitrarily calling them designated terrorist organisations  a label not grounded in U.S. statute nor international law, but in solely what Trump says, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., told The Intercept.

If Trump is using this justification to use military force on any individuals he chooses  without verified evidence or legal authorisation  whats stopping him from designating anyone within our own borders in a similar fashion and conducting lethal, militarised attacks against them? This illegal and dangerous misuse of lethal force should worry all Americans, and it cant be accepted as normal," he added.

The recent cases raise concern

Recently, the US military has carried out 22 known attacks in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least 87 civilians. Last week, footage of the September 2 double-tap strike shown to select members of Congress ignited a firestorm. While Trump initially said on camera that he had no problem with releasing the video of the attack. This week, he denied ever saying it.

However, the Trump administration has been silent on whether designated domestic terror groups like Antifa would face a similar fate. The Trump administration should answer all questions about the terrorist lists, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., told The Intercept. The American people have a right to answers about who is on them and what that means for all of us.

For decades, Trump has called for violence against  including executions of  those he dislikes. His enemy list included a group of Black and Latino boys who were wrongly accused of raping a white woman jogger in New Yorks Central Park in 1989; immigrants at the southern border, those who carry out hate crimes and mass shootings; demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, etc.

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In August this year, Trump also called for Capital capital punishment, explaining: If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, were going to be seeking the death penalty. Hence, it remains unclear how Trump would deal with his newfound executive power.
Officials in Providence say they will release a person of interest detained following a Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine.

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)

Officials in Providence say they will release a person of interest detained following a Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials made the disclosure at a hastily convened news conference on Sunday night, more than 12 hours after revealing that they had detained a person in connection with the attack.

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.

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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.

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 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.

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.

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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 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told AP. 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.

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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.

Community comes together to remember victims

On Sunday evening, city leaders, residents and others gathered at a park to honor the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting.

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, Mayor Brett Smiley said at a news conference earlier in the day.

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.

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.

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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.

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Zelenskyy met with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, discussing proposals aimed at ending the war that began with Russias 2022 full-scale invasion

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz watches as US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky greet each other prior to a meeting in a conference room in the Chancellery in Berlin, on December 14, 2025.(AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday described two days of talks in Berlin with US President Donald Trumps envoys as not easy but said they had brought real progress on the question of security guarantees for his country.

Zelenskyy met with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, discussing proposals aimed at ending the war that began with Russias 2022 full-scale invasion. He welcomed new security assurances from Washington but acknowledged that disagreements remain over the territories Ukraine might have to cede to Russia.

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There has been sufficient dialogue on the territory, and I think that, frankly speaking, we still have different positions, Zelenskyy told reporters.

US offers Nato-like security guarantees

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the talks as creating the chance for a real peace process, praising the US for offering substantial security guarantees. From Washington, Trump said he planned a call with Zelenskyy and European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

US officials described the Berlin discussions as positive. The basis of that agreement is basically to have really, really strong guarantees  Article Five-like  also a very, very strong deterrence, one official said, as quoted by AFP. Those guarantees will not be on the table forever. Those guarantees are on the table right now if theres a conclusion thats reached in a good way.

Trump has previously ruled out formal Nato membership for Ukraine, siding with Russia in portraying Kyivs alliance aspirations as a trigger for Moscows invasion.

Territorial deadlock remains

An official briefing AFP indicated that US negotiators still want Ukraine to give up control of the eastern Donbas, including Donetsk and Lugansk, areas largely held by Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants territory, the official said, noting that the US is pressing Ukraine to withdraw from these regions, a proposal Zelenskyy has resisted.

Merz reaffirmed Europes backing for Ukraine, slamming Moscows actions as Putins criminal attack.

We will only be able to achieve lasting peace in Europe together, with a free and sovereign Ukraine, a strong Ukraine that can defend itself against Russian attacks now and in the future. The fate of Ukraine is the fate of all Europe, he said.

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Weekly cryptocurrency market review - market is digesting November's decline

The week of December 8-14 was marked by a cautious recovery for the crypto market after a sharp decline in November. Bitcoin stabilized in the $89,00092,000 range, partially recovering from last month's drop from above $120,000, but it is still far from new highs.

According to several market reports, Bitcoin fell to the $83,80088,000 range at the beginning of the week, then rebounded to ~$94,000, and stabilized just below $90,000 by the weekend. On December 8, Binance recorded BTC at around $91,900 (+3.1% per day) with a daily range of $87,70092,300. On December 14, according to Binance and Coindesk, Bitcoin traded near $88,80089,200, losing about 1.52% per day. On a weekly basis, the total growth is estimated at approximately +6.5%, but this is still below the levels seen in early November.

Implied volatility for BTC narrowed slightly after a surge earlier in the week, but Friday's decline pushed it back up again. Analysts note that the market is caught between expectations of further easing of US Fed policy and fresh memories of the November dump, so real volumes and risk appetite are significantly lower than in the first half of the year.

Ethereum followed in Bitcoin's wake: at the end of the week, ETH settled at around $3,100, showing an increase of about +3% over 7 days.

At the institutional demand level, the picture is more complicated. After a record outflow in November (when Bitcoin ETFs in the US lost about $3.5-4 billion), the situation began to unfold in December: aggregate ETFs on BTC and ETH showed a net inflow of about $341 million, although a confident recovery is still far off. At the same time, some spot ETFs on Ethereum still recorded a net outflow this week (about $42.4 million on December 11), indicating a redistribution of positions and investor caution towards second-tier altcoins.

The overall ETF market in the US is growing at a record pace (AUM of all ETFs reached $13.22 trillion), but the share of cryptocurrencies in this pie remains niche and highly volatile.

According to trading platforms, most of the major altcoins traded worse than Bitcoin during the week: BTC's dominance increased slightly, while many tokens continued their slow slide after their autumn highs.

A telling example is Solana. The average price of SOL in December fell to around $133, while in October it was around $187, and in September it was above $200. In other words, since early autumn, Solana has lost about a third of its value at closing, despite the ecosystem's still high activity.

In the short term, individual tokens continue to show double-digit returns: in daily dynamics on Binance, the leaders of the week were ACA, GLMR, and VOXEL (growth of +38%, +18%, and +16%, respectively), while new meme stories such as PENGU or FARTCOIN appear in exchange digests and trader chats.

But the overall background for alts remains difficult: volumes are declining, liquidity is fragmented, and any news about Bitcoin instantly overtakes local trends.

In terms of news, the week was marked by two important signals for the industry:

1) An investigation by The New York Times and The Daily Beast showed that under the current US administration, law enforcement practices against a number of large crypto companies have softened dramatically: the SEC closed or weakened several cases against platforms associated with Donald Trump's circle, and the founder of Binance received a presidential pardon. This has reduced regulatory pressure, but at the same time raised questions about the level of investor protection.

2) In the Persian Gulf, the industry's biggest players are actively seeking financial salvation: top managers of crypto companies and Bitcoin ideologues held a series of events in Abu Dhabi, trying to attract capital from UAE sovereign wealth funds and secure the emirates' status as a new hub for digital assets.

These processes are intensifying the geographical shift of the industry: part of the liquidity and infrastructure is moving from traditional centers to new jurisdictions with more lenient rules.

It is highly likely that the market will end 2025 in a state of heightened volatility and nervous stabilization: range movements around current levels, sharp spikes on news about rates and regulation, and the absence of a single driver that could quickly return Bitcoin to its autumn highs.
Logitech has introduced the MX Master 4, the latest mouse in the MX Master series for creative professionals, developers, and business users. The mouse supports customizable haptic feedback for scrolling, navigation, and selection, adjustable through software for different tasks.

The MX Master 4 works with Logi Options+, enabling the Actions Ring, a screen overlay that provides app-specific shortcuts and customizable controls. Logitech states this can help save up to 33% of time and reduce repetitive mouse movements by 63%. It also supports switching between up to three connected devices and allows file transfer between them via Logi Options+.

For connectivity, the MX Master 4 uses a high-performance chip and optimized antenna, delivering up to two times stronger wireless connectivity than previous models. A USB-C dongle enables reliable pairing, and Logi Bolt support ensures stable performance in crowded office environments.

The mouse uses stain-resistant materials and includes sustainability-focused elements such as 48% certified post-consumer recycled plastic, a low-carbon aluminum thumb wheel, a battery with 100% recycled cobalt, and FSC-certified paper packaging with unpainted plastic parts designed for easier disassembly.

Quick Specs: Logitech MX Master 4

Dimensions: Height: 128.15 mm; Width: 88.35 mm; Depth: 50.8 mm

Weight: 150 g

Buttons: 8

Scroll Wheel: MagSpeed with Smart Shift

Horizontal Scroll: Yes

Thumb Wheel: Yes

Gesture Button: Yes

Customization App: Options+ (basic support in Logi Tune)

Sensor: Darkfield high-precision; 8,000 DPI; supports tracking on glass; DPI range: 2008,000 (adjustable in 50 DPI steps); Nominal DPI value: 1000

Clicks: 90% quieter than MX Master 3

Battery: Rechargeable 650 mAh; Battery life: Up to 70 days

Charging: USB-C; 1-minute charge provides up to 3 hours of use; up to 70 days on full charge (charging cable not included)

Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1, 10 m range; USB receiver: Logi Bolt, supports USB-C and USB-A; Pair and switch between up to three devices using Easy-Switch or Actions Ring; file transfer via Logi Options+

System Requirements: Windows 11+, macOS 13+, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS 15+, Android 12+ (full customization via Options+)

Haptic Feedback: Supports Actions Ring, Smart Actions, Gestures, and plugins including Photoshop, Lightroom Desktop, Zoom; Premiere Pro support coming in October

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech MX Master 4 will be available in Graphite and Pale Grey color options at Rs. 15,995. It is also available for Rs. 11,995 on Amazon.in for a limited time. Each purchase includes a one-month Adobe Creative Cloud membership with access to Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro.

Speaking on the launch, Tolya Polyanker, General Manager of the MX Business at Logitech, said,
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.
Courtesy of Friends of Youth and Nature

Friends of Youth and Nature offered a raft trip on the Gunnison River in the Gunnison National Conservation Area for area youth that have not had that experience before.
Navy releases Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group investigations

US Navy - Press Release

04 December 2025

The Navy released investigations related to the four incidents at sea that occurred during Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group's September 2024 to May 2025 deployment. These investigations assessed underlying procedural compliance and standards and reviewed how a Carrier Strike Group prepares for and responds to adversity during combat operations.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby emphasized the Navy's commitment to learning from these events and implementing changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"The Navy is committed to being a learning organization," said Kilby. "These investigations reinforce the need to continue investing in our people to ensure we deliver battle-ready forces to operational commanders. Despite the challenges, the Sailors of the Harry S. Truman Strike Group demonstrated adaptability, professionalism, and complete commitment to the mission throughout the deployment."

Each investigation was conducted independently and thoroughly, in accordance with Navy policy, immediately following the incidents. Appropriate accountability actions have been taken to address these incidents.

Investigations Summary

USS Gettysburg (CG 64) Friendly Fire Incident, (Dec. 22, 2024)

The investigation into the loss of an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 in the Red Sea on Dec. 22, 2024 during a friendly fire incident with USS Gettysburg (CG 64) found that a lack of integrated training opportunities between USS Gettysburg and the Carrier Strike Group, lack of forceful backup on the cruiser, and lack of cohesion across the Carrier Strike Group contributed to the misidentification, and subsequent engagement, of the friendly aircraft and near miss of another. There were no personnel casualties or major injuries.

Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) collision with Merchant Vessel BESIKTAS-M, (Feb. 12, 2025)

The investigation into the collision between the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the merchant vessel BESIKTAS-M near Port Said, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea on Feb. 12, 2025, found that the collision was avoidable. The carrier's bridge team failed to safely navigate past the merchant vessel. No personnel or engineering casualties occurred on either vessel. The Navy relieved the commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman in February due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Following the collision, the Harry S. Truman pulled into U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. While in port, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and local industry partner Theodoropoulos Group removed exterior portions of the damaged ship and installed bulkheads inside each of the damaged spaces for weathertight integrity. Following the repairs, the Harry S. Truman returned to the Red Sea to resume combat operations. Complete repair of the damage is scheduled during the ship's upcoming Refueling and Complex Overhaul at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding.

Loss of F/A-18E Super Hornet and Tow Tractor, (Apr. 28, 2025)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-136 and a tow tractor were lost from Truman's hangar bay on April 28, 2025, during evasive maneuvers in response to an incoming ballistic missile in the Red Sea. While all actions taken were within standard operating procedures, the investigation determined that the primary cause was an aircraft brake system failure, compounded by insufficient communication between the bridge, flight deck control, and hangar bay control. The crew's quick thinking and resourcefulness prevented any personnel injuries or further damage.

Failure of Arresting Wire Leading to Aircraft Loss, (May 6, 2025)

On May 6, 2025, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-11 was lost following the failure of the #4 arresting wire aboard Truman. The investigation found the failure was caused by a malfunctioning #4 starboard sheave damper. Contributing factors included inadequate maintenance practices, low manning levels, limited knowledge, and insufficient training. The high operational tempo and combat conditions also contributed to a strained environment. No injuries occurred, and flight operations resumed within hours.

"The Navy's sustained combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of operations for the past two years demonstrated our battle effectiveness and ability to maintain freedom of navigation," said Kilby. "As we reflect on these incidents and ongoing improvement efforts, the Navy remains laser-focused on producing battle ready Sailors and forces to ensure the Navy provides our nation with the most lethal, combat-credible, and ready force possible."

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Strengthening NATO's Ground-Based Air Defence: "Train as You Fight!"

NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)

Dec 10 2025

Mons, Belgium -- NATO continues to operate in an increasingly contested security environment. Regular airspace violations, reconnaissance of critical infrastructure, and even acts of sabotage on Allied territory highlight the urgency of strengthening NATO's ground-based air defence capabilities. As many current threats emanate from the air, the Alliance's ability to train realistically, integrate systems, and respond collectively is more important than ever.

Against this backdrop, Permanent Representatives to the North Atlantic Council visited the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) on Crete following earlier engagements with the defence industry in Germany. The visit showcased the operational capabilities of the German Air Force's surface-to-air missile units and emphasized NATO's commitment to enhancing integrated air and missile defence.

Alliance Cohesion and Capability Development

German NATO Ambassador Dr. Detlef Wachter stressed the central role of defence industrial strength, logistics, and operational readiness in supporting NATO's deterrence and defence posture: "A strong defence industry, logistics and operational capabilities working hand in hand, and an integrated air defence system are essential for NATO's ability to deter and defend." He continued: "We received an impressive demonstration of the capabilities of the German defence industry, gained important insights into Germany's role as the Alliance's logistics hub, and underscored that Germany is prepared to take on a European leadership role in NATO's integrated air defence."

Greek Ambassador Vasiliki Gounari highlighted the geostrategic value of NAMFI for the Alliance: "Crete is a location of strategic importance for NATO - a cornerstone of the Alliance's southern and southeastern flank, positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It serves as a vital anchor for NATO's security interests, providing critical military infrastructure; a real ecosystem of NATO-related facilities."

Interoperable and Ready for Collective Defence

Lieutenant General Lutz Kohlhaus, Deputy Inspector of the German Air Force, emphasized the importance of realistic training under current security conditions: "The security situation in Europe continues to evolve critically. This makes it all the more important to demonstrate the performance of integrated NATO air defence in practice and with demanding target presentation. According to the motto: Train as you fight! - train as realistically as you would fight."

The visit focused in particular on the integration of multinational command-and-control structuressuch as the Surface-to-Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC)with the PATRIOT weapon system. This system-of-systems approach enhances interoperability among NATO Allies and enables the integration of diverse national air defence capabilities into a single, coherent shield.

Brigadier General Arnt Kuebart, Commander of German Ground-Based Air Defence, noted both progress and remaining requirements in Allied investment:

"NATO states are already investing heavily in ground-based air defence, but it is still not enough. Nevertheless, I am pleased that Sweden will join us here at NAMFI to train next year."

He added that Germany will conduct its first live firing with the IRIS-T system on Crete next year, contributing further to NATO's integrated air defence architecture.

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office

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CNO Navy 250 Gala Keynote Speech

US Navy

National Constitution Center Philadelphia, PA

Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle

Presented on 11 October 2025

Date Published 11 December 2025

Good evening, everyone! Thank you Sal for that warm introduction.

Before I get started, let me be the first to say, happy 250th birthday Navy!

Governor Shapiro, Members of Congress, Former Secretaries of the Navy, Mayor Parker, Under Secretary Cao, Flag and General Officers, MCPON Perryman, Foreign Heads of Navy, active and reserve servicemembers of our armed forces, civilians, veterans, families and friends, it's an honor to be in the presence of such a distinguished group of leaders.

And what an extraordinary evening this is to celebrate our Navy's 250th Birthday in the place where it all began, in the Cradle of Liberty and the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mayor Parker, my thanks to you and your team for being world-class hosts and for allowing our Navy to proudly "man the rails" of your city.

As a native of North Carolina, I'm not entirely sure I understand what all the hype is around cheesesteaks and Wawa, but mark my words, something tells me that 250 years from now, historians will be debating whether the real birthplace of democracy was Independence Hall or the Wawa on Chestnut Street down the road.

Jeff, to you and your entire staff, thank you for allowing us to celebrate our Navy's birthday in such a significant space, America's very own town hall, the National Constitution Center.

Just steps from Independence and Congress Hall, these hallowed grounds carry with it the weight of our Nation's legacy the place where our independence was declared, the Constitution signed, and the birthplace of the world's most preeminent fighting force, the United States Navy.

And although it wasn't ratified until after the revolution, the ideas carried forth in the Constitution, our governing body of work, were born from the sage council and wisdom of our founding fathers and the thousands of freedom fighters who believed that "We the People" are the arbiters of our fate.

And it was 250 years ago, at the urging of George Washington, that our Continental Navy was born.

A fledgling fleet of schooners, sloops, and stolen merchant ships, Washington's Navy set sail under no guarantee of success but every assurance of purpose.

Small in size, but indomitable in spirit, our Sailors got to work, delivering our Nation with its first measure of novice yet hardened naval power - harassing British forces, disrupting their reinforcements, and protecting colonial trade.

Throughout the war, the city of Philadelphia was instrumental to the Continental Navy's success ... it was the epicenter of our Congress who held the power of the purse and the burgeoning foundry that forged our fleet and armed our Sailors to fight.

At Tun Tavern, John Adams and delegates from Massachusetts drafted the Articles of War, laying the legal foundation for our nascent maritime force.

On the banks of the Delaware River, our first commissioned ship, USS Alfred, was converted into a lethal man-of-war, brandishing 24-guns of awesome naval force.

And it was in the streets of Philadelphia where legendary figures like Commodore John Barry and John Paul Jones - the Fathers of our Navy, became early supporters of the patriotic cause.

From Jones' immortal words: "I have not yet begun to fight!"

To Barry's lifelong devotion to our newly formed Union, both men embodied the courage, spirit, and grit that defines our Navy today.

With their fleet of privateers and Washington's army of volunteers, they pieced together a ruthlessly intrepid force: rough around the edges and inexperienced in war, but firm in their convictions and valiant in their beliefs.

From that point on, there was no turning back. The Great American Experiment was truly underway, and with it, the brave new capital, which defined a revolution, the city that built ships, the city that shaped leaders, and the city that wrote our independence... the City of Philadelphia.

Two and a half centuries later, while the world remains a vastly different place, the global security environment shifting, the character of war changing, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies converging, our Navy has remained constant - unabated in our mission, faithfully present for our nation, and resolute in our resolve.

We have been there for our nation every step of the way, the War of 1812, the Spanish American War, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the War on Terror, the list goes on.

The fact of the matter is this, no other Navy in the world can do what we do.

Whether it's amphibious operations, strategic deterrence, special operations, or terminal defense, we remain postured and ready to defend our homeland, and if called upon, strike our enemies down - anywhere, anytime.

And it's the differentiated value of our naval forces: expeditionary capabilities, extraordinary mobility, speed, and timing, enabled by the hundreds and thousands of courageous Sailors who have fought and died for our democracy, that we celebrate tonight.

As the Chief of Naval Operations and uniformed leader of our Navy, I feel the centuries long weight of responsibility to ensure that our Navy continues to remain the most lethal and globally present maritime fighting force in the world.

But in that responsibility, there's tremendous opportunity. Over the course of my tenure, I will stop at nothing until we can bring to bear the Navy the Nation Needs, an all-domain fleet that's not only lethal and survivable, but adaptable and sustainable too.

Because, as long as I'm at the helm, I will do anything, and everything in my power to ensure we never enter a fair fight and that our country will never lose.

Which is why I'm laser focused on three interlocking priorities: The Foundry, the Fleet, and the way we Fight.

Underpinned by our world-class Sailors, civilians, and their families - our Main Weapons System and the linchpin of our steel chain - we will chart our course for the future.

Built in the Foundry, tempered in the Fleet, and Forged to Fight ... these are more than words, they're the legacy of our past, the strength of our present, and the promise of our Navy's future.

The Foundry is the engine that drives our warfighting advantage - taking raw inputs and forging them into lethal outputs.

From new ship construction and depot-level repair to exquisite munitions production and the piers, airfields, and facilities from which we launch the Fleet - the Foundry underwrites our combat credibility.

It's where people, material, and Infrastructure come together to build, sustain, and force generate our naval power.

Under the Naval Act of 1794, at Philadelphia's historic Southwark Yard, the first of our six original frigates, the USS United States, was bent into shape - sailing faster, tougher, and stronger than any other ship afloat.

In 1939, as the Nazis stormed into Poland and our Nation prepared for the worst, the American Foundry was ready to clutch into work - citizens from all walks of life, Fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters contributed to the cause.

At the Philadelphia Shipyard, the keel of our most decorated battleship, the USS New Jersey, was hammered into place - her hull welded together by none other than Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison, the son of Thomas Edison who harnessed electricity into light.

Between 1939 and 1946, over 40,000 Philadelphians laid steel across these yards. They were not just building ships - they were forging the arsenal of our democracy.

Tonight, our Foundry must evolve once again.

We can no longer rely on steel beams, rivets, and molds, it must transform to modernized factories, dual-use shipyards, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and more.

As Alfred Thayer Mahan once wrote: "Whoever rules the waves rules the world" ... and if we want to remain a superpower, we must continue to invest in our seapower ... and let me tell you, our Nation is beginning to wake up to this reality.

Recent investments across the industrial base, including the Philadelphia Yard, underscore an undeniable truth - that naval power is our Nation's power ... and the fires of the Foundry are roaring back to life.

Like the Foundry, the Fleet is America's story of growing global reach.

Comprised of world-class people, platforms, and the payloads they employ ... the Fleet is our Nation's most decisive instrument of power.

From wooden ships with canvas sails to iron clads warships, battleships, and our nuclear-powered Fleet ... our Navy remains our surest guaranty of peace.

We create space for diplomacy to work and provide the insurance policy if it fails.

And tonight, much like we did in the Cold War, we stand sentinel to a new era of naval warfare, the proliferation of disruptive technologies beginning to take hold and sharpening our blade across all domains.

From the 1950s to the early 1990s, our total force of Sailors, civilians, artisans, and engineers built the largest modernized Fleet the world has ever known, a 600-Ship Navy of Ohio-class Submarines, Nimitz-class Aircraft Carriers, Aegis enabled destroyers, sonar and radar technology, as well as unmatched stealth capabilities.

Across every conflict, battle, and crisis ... in peacetime and in war, the United States Navy has sailed at the forefront of our Nation's defense.

With the advent of modern technologies: hypersonic missiles, unmanned-enabled platforms, and directed energy weapons, we will asymmetrically "hedge" these capabilities at the speed of emerging threats.

Because at the end of the day, fighting on behalf of our Nation is what we exist to do.

For 250 years, from seabed to space, we have fought on the razor's edge of lethality, delivering a preponderance of violence to confuse, confound and dominate our enemies.

In World War II at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, our Sailors, aviators, and combined forces destroyed the Imperial Japanese Navy for good, disparaging their ability to ever wage war and paving the way for General MacArthur to take back the Philippines.

And, last year, during the Fight for the Red Sea, our team of Sailors and allies lived continuously in the precipice of battle - striking down hundreds of drones and missiles and defeating a variety of complex threats ... proving that with our Allies and partners alongside us, we will never fight alone.

But, the way we fight today, cannot be the way we fight tomorrow. We must design a future fleet that endures through the next generation of war - a fleet composed of robust general-purpose combatants integrated tightly with asymmetric offsets that serve as tailorable hedge forces.

Because the world always gets a vote, and when our adversary's ballots are cast, we will be the arbiters of our fate.

As I begin to close, let me end with this: in the streets of this city, a group of patriots chose to challenge the world order with nothing but a bold idea, the clothes on their backs, and a make-shift Fleet.

With no promise of certainty and everything to lose, America hedged their bets on an untried Navy. All they needed was a chance ... and our Sailors took care of the rest.

From the ramparts of the Revolution and the trenches of the Atlantic to the islands of the Pacific and beaches off foreign shores, a global force for good was born - one that for 250 years would sail in defense our homeland, protect our national security interests, and preserve our way of life.

So tonight, let us remember that our Navy is more than the sum of ships, platforms, and munitions ... it's the product of our battle-hardened Sailors who were forged by the seas.

To all of you here tonight, to our Sailor's deployed far away from home, to our heroic veterans - past and present, and to the courageous men and women who will carry our legacy forward ... you are the heirs to this remarkable journey.

The oceans will forever remain our Home and our fleet the herald of freedom.

Happy 250th Birthday Navy! Tonight, this celebration is for you.

God bless our Sailors and their families and may God bless the United States of America.

Thank you





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CNO Navy 250th Birthday Ball Ceremony Speech

US Navy

Crystal City Marriott Arlington, Va

Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle

Presented on 04 October 2025

Date Published 11 December 2025

Good evening, everyone and welcome! Thank you for that warm introduction. Let me start by saying happy 250th birthday navy! Honorable Guertin, Adm. Kilby, Adm. Houston, flag and general officers, MCPON Perryman, senior enlisted leaders, former master chief petty officers of the Navy, industry partners, allies and partners, Navy Sailors, civilians, and families ... it is my absolute honor to celebrate with you tonight as we highlight 250 years of "defending freedom and protecting democracy". Before I begin, I'd like to extend my thanks to Larry Salter, MCPON Stevens, and their exceptional Navy League team for putting on an incredible night!

I know how challenging it can be to organize an event of this size, so thank you again to the countless sailors and civilians who made this celebration possible.

To the sea cadets honor guard and our spectacular navy band, thank you for always putting on such an amazing show.

I have a feeling we're going to see some pretty smooth dance moves on the floor later tonight, MCPON Perryman, I'm looking at you.

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we gather not just to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate the centuries long evolution of the world's most formidable fighting force - the United States Navy.

It's a story that spans generations of sailors and civilians, trailblazers and visionaries, patriots and heroes.

From John Paul Jones defiant words: "I have not yet begun to fight!"

To Oliver Hazard Perry's battle emblazoned flag: "Don't give up the ship"

To the battle of Iwo Jima where fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz uttered into the annals of history: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."

The Navy you see today: fierce, lethal, dominant, and ready ... is a product of the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives, and in many cases gave their last full measure of devotion, to serving something greater than themselves.

It's the result of battle-hardened Sailors forged into a diamond-sharp sword, which underwrites and hones our warrior ethos and esprit de corps.

Those same values have defined our naval service for centuries on end, and tonight, they burn as bright as they did in 1775 when our Navy was first established.

And although the world remains a vastly different place, the geopolitical landscape shifting, proliferation of threats accelerating, and the adoption of technology converging, the requirement for a strong, resilient, and globally present Navy has never been more important and remains at the forefront of our nation's defense.

As your CNO, I understand the responsibility to deliver a fearsome, agile, and combat-credible force is great. But for those who are determined, born from great responsibility comes great opportunity.

I am capitalizing on that opportunity to deliver for you and our nation.

Because, as long as I'm at the helm, I will do anything and everything necessary to ensure we never enter a fair fight and that our country will never lose.

Which is why I am focusing on three priorities, priorities that will serve as the foundation of our navy - guiding our Sailors, our families, and our battle force well into the future.

Built in the foundry, tempered in the fleet, and forged to fight, that is who we are today, and that is how we carry on our Navy's legacy tomorrow.

More than just today and tomorrow, the precedent for a strong foundry, a modernized fleet, and the ruthless ability to fight boldly with courage have already been set ... they are the historical gears of war that have delivered for our nation time and time again.

Signed by President George Washington after the revolutionary war, the naval act of 1794 marked the beginning of our foundry and our fleet - authorizing the construction of our six original frigates.

Cut from the strongest trees in our forests, and bent in boiling hot chambers, our first fleet of warships were forged into shape.

They were more than just wooden hulls ... they were symbols of American ingenuity - engineered to sail faster and tougher than any other ship afloat.

From the quasi-war with France, the barbary wars, and the war of 1812, these frigates didn't just fight for victory, they fought for freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - proving that a young nation could defend itself against any adversary they encountered on the sea.

Today, floating in Boston harbor, USS Constitution - "old ironsides" - remains an everlasting example of our founding father's ambition and vision.

In World War II, as the nazis stormed across Europe, our foundry fearlessly sprang into action, everyday citizens, from across the nation contributed to the cause.

American-owned automotive factories like Chrysler, GM, and Ford evolved into industrial base giants - delivering hundreds and thousands of ships, airplanes, and munitions to our sailors and allies on the maritime front lines.

Shipyards from coast to coast, came to life - passionately stoking the fires of the foundry at scale.

Household names like Bath Iron Works, Newport News, and Puget sound shipyards were not merely building ships - they were building the shield of freedom and the "arsenal of democracy."

To meet the global demands of our fleet today, our foundry must evolve once more.

It can no longer be steel beams, rivets, and molds, it must transform to modernized factories with artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, robotic systems, and much more.

Taking raw inputs and forging them into lethal outputs, the foundry is the engine that drives our warfighting advantage.

It is more than just the lever that builds, sustains, and modernizes our power ... it is the culmination of people, infrastructure, and material that delivers and sustains our fleet.

The fleet is our nation's decisive instrument of power. Comprised of world-class people, platforms, and the payloads they employ. The fleet is designed to deter aggression, project power and secure our national interests from sea.

Like the foundry, the fleet is America's story of growing global reach.

In the civil war during the battle of Hampton Roads, the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia engaged in pitched battle - heralding in a new age of naval warfare.

Wooden ships with canvas sails would no longer rule the waves, instead the dawn of iron clad warships and steam powered engines had begun.

And, while their fateful dual would end in a draw, Hampton Roads proved that innovation is the blade that sharpens our decisive edge.

In 1907, president teddy Roosevelt's great white fleet circumnavigated the globe - affirming that: "a good navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace".

Almost 50 years later, after Oppenheimer harnessed the atom, our most brilliant navy minds harnessed it for the fleet.

From lab to reactor, Admiral Rickover's nuclear-powered submarine - USS Nautilus - was born and with it, the world's foremost nuclear-powered fleet.

Our submarines and aircraft carriers were no longer confined by coal, geography, or fuel ... they could operate in any environment for months on end ... fast, persistent, and poised to strike.

Today our fleet steams into a new generation of all-domain warfare - equipped with ford-class carriers and the promise of Columbia-class submarines, 6th gen fighters and unmanned-enabled platforms, the fleet will remain postured and ready to fight, today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Because make no mistake, fighting is what we exist to do. It is our ultimate honor and sacred responsibility.

For 250 years, in peacetime and in war, our navy sailors have courageously stood the watch, ever-present and ready to fight, defending our homeland and preserving our way of life.

We have been there for our nation every step of the way, from the battle of lake Erie to the fight for the red sea, when our adversaries throw a punch, we punch back harder.

Challenge us in battle, and we will overwhelm and destroy you with overwhelming force.

At Midway, outnumbered and outgunned by the Japanese fleet, our warriors across the seas and over the skies rained down an onslaught of firepower.

Sinking four enemy carriers in a single day, midway was a decisive victory for the U.S. And a routing for the imperial Japanese navy. It forever changed the tide of war in the pacific and brought to bear the strategic importance of our aircraft carriers.

Perhaps more important, it underscored the undeniable truth ... that U.S. Naval power is our nation's power.

Developments in radar, sonar, and cryptography turned information and technology into our enduring competitive edge.

At the close of the 20th century, battles were not just fought with guns, guts, and glory ... they were fought with superior information, innovative minds, and unrivaled ingenuity.

And while the character of war has dramatically changed since our founding - muskets replaced by missiles, swords replaced by drones - our commitment to understanding, adapting, and mastering our profession of arms has never waned.

Today, the fight continues to transform. It is no longer solely reliant on firepower and force, it is defined by complexity and speed, ambiguity and uncertainty, technological superiority and cognitive expertise.

To that end, we must follow in the steps our forefathers ... taking decisive action to innovate, adapt, and integrate cutting-edge technologies at the speed of emerging threats.

Built in the foundry, tempered in the fleet, and forged to fight ... these are priorities that have endured through time and space ... and they are the pillars of success, which have shaped our heritage.

At the heart of this all has always been you, our world-class and battle-ready sailors.

Rooted in honor, courage, and commitment, defined by toughness, tenacity, and grit, our total force - sailors, civilians, artisans, and engineers - have always been our asymmetric advantage.

You are the main weapons system that delivers violence on our nation's behalf in order to win.

So tonight, let us remember that our navy is more than the sum of ships, weapons, munitions, and technology.

It is a living institution - built by generations of sailors who have answered our nation's call.

Beginning with the foundry that forged George Washington's Navy and the shipyards that built our fleet.

Through the era of ironclad warships and Arleigh Burke class destroyers.

From cannons and gunpowder to precision guided bombs, we stand here tonight because of the bold and daring trailblazers who cut through the waves.

As I close, let me end with this: to our entire Navy family, our exceptional Navy Sailors deployed far from home, our amazing veterans - past and present and the young men and women who will carry our legacy forward. You are the heirs to this remarkable Navy journey.

Tonight, this celebration is for you. The best is yet to come.

Happy 250th birthday Navy! Here's to the bravery that shapes our past and to the resolve that guides our future.

Thank you.

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Why is international capital increasingly scaling up in China?

11:01, December 15, 2025 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

"US investors are going big on China AI," "foreign investors return to China's stock market," and "there's a tremendous amount of interest and intellectual curiosity." In recent days, the international community has been closely watching China's economic agenda, with media coverage frequently framed around keywords such as "growth," "stability," "investment," and "artificial intelligence (AI)." Since the beginning of this year, international capital has been flowing back into the Chinese market in a visible and sustained manner. There have been signals of increased foreign investment, the return of institutional investors, and greater allocations of long-term capital - particularly in emerging technology sectors such as AI. As early as February, the Financial Times published an article stating, "Is China investable again? The answer is yes, and it always was."

The collective rise of Chinese technology companies across multiple sectors reflects an explosive phase of growth after having passed through the formative phase. The return of international capital to Chinese technology assets reflects optimism about the transitional changes in Chinese companies, moving from capability accumulation to scale expansion and from localized breakthroughs to systemic competition. Behind this lies China's provision of stable policy support for the development of the AI industry, as well as its commitment to fundamentally strengthening its ability to attract and anchor high-quality global factor resources.

The recent Central Economic Work Conference set out key tasks including "advancing the AI Plus Initiative" and "improving AI governance," as well as "reforming and improving the systems for promoting foreign investment." Goals such as "accelerating innovation in digital and intelligent technologies such as AI" and "implementing policies that balance market access and business operations" and "further shortening market access negative list" have also been written into the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), outlining China's development priorities for the next five years. Together, these measures send a clear signal to the outside world: China's door to openness will only continue to open wider. The sustained increase in foreign investment in China is both a strong vote of confidence by international capital in China's economic prospects and a direct response to China's unwavering commitment to expanding opening-up.

Since the beginning of this year, China's economy has been operating steadily, with exports showing strong resilience and domestic demand growing steadily. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have both raised their forecasts for China's economic growth in 2025. The IMF managing director also stated that the 14th Five-Year Plan overall has met the objectives set in terms of growth and that China is projected to continue to contribute around 30 percent to global growth in the coming couple of years. Through continuously improving innovation capabilities, refining its industrial system, and maintaining stable and predictable macro governance, China provides an important and scarce value for global economic development - certainty.

In this sense, international capital values not only the temporary opportunities in specific industries but also the comprehensive advantages of China's economic development. China's complete industrial system and robust supporting capabilities mean that innovation can quickly transition into engineering, product development, and large-scale production. Additionally, China's rich application scenarios and high-density industrial clusters indicate that new technologies can not only be "created" but also "utilized," allowing for iterative optimization through extensive competition and collaboration.

This closed-loop capability - from research and development to manufacturing and then to the market - is an underlying logic that any capital seeking certainty in global competition cannot afford to overlook. This comprehensive strength determines the depth of China's "real economy" and reflects the shift of the Chinese economy from "quantitative expansion" to "qualitative leap."

China's comparative advantages are no longer based solely on the prices of individual factors; instead, they lie in systemic capabilities and supporting abilities. This includes the ability to connect research and development, manufacturing, logistics, markets, and application scenarios into a closed loop. Such investment opportunities are not easily found in the short term by international capital on a global scale.

The external attention to Chinese assets also reflects the world's judgment on future growth prospects. Currently, the foundation for global economic recovery is not solid. As geopolitical conflicts and financial volatility intertwine, and as the disruptive noises of protectionism and "decoupling" continue to affect the global economy, China has chosen to embrace the world through broader opening-up, deeper reforms, and higher-quality services. China insists on grounding its development in its own realities while promoting reform through opening-up and creating win-win outcomes through cooperation. This choice is not a stopgap measure but rather a respect for economic laws. Opening-up is not about giving up benefits, it is about expanding shared interests. Competition is not a zero-sum confrontation, it is about achieving mutual benefits through higher efficiency and better supply.

The reason why international capital favors investing in the Chinese market and innovation is not a mystery. It stems from an accurate judgment of economic laws, a realistic comparison of development paths, and a rational calculation of future opportunities. China's development will not be diverted by external noise, nor will its opening-up be halted by short-term turbulence.

Looking toward the 15th Five-Year Plan, China will provide the world with richer cooperation scenarios and more sustainable growth opportunities through stronger innovation capabilities, a more refined industrial system, and higher levels of opening-up. The choice of capital is an early affirmation of this trend and a proactive entry into this momentum.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Year in Review: Transforming at the pace of change

By Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Nofziger December 12, 2025

WASHINGTON -- The United States Army has consistently transformed to meet the needs of its people, equipment, tactics and strategy over the past 250 years. The year 2025 was no different. Army senior leaders demonstrated this year that no challenge is too great to overcome if new ways of thinking are applied to find solutions. The Army addressed quality-of-life concerns integral to Soldier morale, identified "out-of-the-box" methods to meet evolving requirements, and implemented advanced systems to gain a competitive edge over our adversaries.

SOLDIER IMPROVEMENTS

Soldiers need purpose, direction and motivation. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll has swiftly implemented guidance to the force to be more agile and transform rapidly; thus, the Transformation and Training Command was established in October. Acting as the senior command to Recruiting Command, Combined Arms Command and the Futures and Concepts Command, T2COM enhances the Army by unifying recruitment, training and combat development under one organization.

Morale can go a long way in changing the way Soldiers react on the battlefield; little motivates Soldiers more than good, healthy food. The Army Materiel Command awarded a contract to a concessions group in August to create brand new campus-style dining venues at the five major installations responsible for most Army contingency operations. Enhancing the Soldier experience will result in better preparation and motivation on the battlefield.

When Soldiers return home to rest and recuperate, the Army is modernizing facilities. Fort Irwin is home to one of the most austere and challenging training environments in the nation, which has often resulted in decreased Soldier readiness due in large part to lower-quality housing. The U.S. Army, alongside the Michaels Organization, broke ground on state-of-the-art privatized apartment buildings in September, aiming for a completion date of April 2028.

TRANSFORMING SYSTEMS

Army Senior Leaders announced in May the creation of the Army Transformation Initiative, a major step forward for the Army. ATI focuses on prioritizing initiatives and systems that contribute to lethality and empowering leaders, while streamlining the processes that hinder progress. The initiative has already ceased procurement of outdated systems, shifting toward highly-mobile combat gear, and revitalized training opportunities, including partnerships with the Army Reserve.

Augmenting this strategy, Secretary Driscoll announced the Army's flagship innovation engine named FUZE. This platform integrates four programs aimed at accelerating advanced capabilities, strengthening industry and increasing the relevance of Army systems and processes. FUZE will now operate as the engine to take innovative ideas from concept to combat-ready.

This year led to major reforms in the Army Acquisition Program. Legacy complicated processes for recognizing deficiencies and implementing improvements have been streamlined into consolidated Portfolio Acquisition Executives. These PAEs will now oversee development and procurement for six critical Army functions: Fires; Maneuver Ground; Maneuver Air; Command and Control and Counter Command and Control; Agile Sustainment and Ammo; and Layered Protection and CBRND. They will report directly to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.

Command and control has always been the bedrock of Army operations. How do Soldiers know, at any level, which orders to follow and how to execute them in any environment? Project Convergence advanced the Army's Next Generation Command and Control capabilities in March at Fort. Irwin, California, when Soldiers from historic units came together to experiment with advanced technologies, cutting time between orders given and mission execution.

This work was further advanced by the 4th Infantry Division's Ivy Sting exercise, with multiple iterations through 2025. Utilizing lessons learned from Project Convergence Capstone 5, 4ID drastically eliminated lag time in combat-simulated operations. Feedback from this large-scale combat operations exercise is being incorporated into the culminating event of Project Convergence Capstone 6 next summer, which will drive more advanced battlefield technology and systems, increasing lethality across global operations.

EQUIPPING THE MODERN SOLDIER

Transforming systems and processes has already led to advances in equipment and ready-to-use combat power. Transformation in Contact 2.0 takes the lessons learned from the first phase of TiC and implements even more advanced testing and experimentation on the battlefield. TiC encourages unit leaders to assess the most cost-effective and easily implemented equipment based on feedback provided at the lowest level the Soldiers using it daily. Leaders can then make recommendations and either purchase commercially off the shelf, through contracted official channels, or to craft prototype gear capable of achieving desired effects.

TiC 2.0 has already led to on-ground creation of new counter-Unmanned Aerial System technology. Project Flytrap 4.0, a multi-national exercise tested new c-UAS capabilities across Allied forces in Europe in late-July. Results from this exercise are informing how joint forces operate simultaneously to achieve swift effects against adversary capabilities.

In conjunction with Project Flytrap's lessons learned, and under direction from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 was created earlier this year. JIATF 401 is the Department of War's lead agency for all things c-UAS, rapidly delivering joint capabilities to defend the homeland, protect U.S. and allied forces, defend critical infrastructure and assist federal agencies. Through several interagency symposiums, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, JIATF 401 Director, has led the initiative to increase effectiveness and efficiency of all c-UAS operations.

Army Materiel Command made strong contributions to the UAS effort, as they launched the pilot program SkyFoundry to quickly develop UAS solutions for Army units. The initiative integrates military and civilian-produced technology, and rapidly develops, tests and produces small drones using innovative manufacturing methods.

The Army also continued to focus on strengthening traditional weapons production, completing major efforts toward realizing its 15-year Organic Industrial Base modernization plan. Over $100 million has been invested, including completion of a new Multi-Purpose Load Facility at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, which has already increased production capacity by 400% for Army munitions. Several additional munitions plants and vehicle repair facilities have opened, ensuring weapons and transportation will no longer be subject to endless wait times for contracted repairs.

Looking to the sky, the Army announced the designation of the MV-75 as the mission design series for its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft in May. The FLRAA is a brand-new rotorcraft, designed to fly farther, faster and with more advanced technology and accuracy on target than ever before. Integrating lessons learned from TiC, NGC2 and OIB advancements, the FLRAA is destined to become the gold standard in speed, range and survivability in contested environments.

Finally, in order to deliver secure, resilient and reliable energy in support of national defense installations and critical missions, the Army has embraced the next generation of nuclear power, announcing nine installation sites being considered for future microreactor power plants. From Alaska to Alabama, the possible sites of these Janus Program microreactors were chosen to align with the Department of War's goal of accelerating the pace of deploying on-site nuclear generation nationwide, according to the Honorable W. Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

This article is part of a series celebrating the best of the Army throughout 2025. Make sure to check out the other two stories with updates to the Army's people and warfighting efforts.

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Year in Review: Warfighting is the Army's top priority

By Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Nofziger December 12, 2025

WASHINGTON -- United States Army Soldiers proved the most lethal and combat-ready force in the world in 2025. From showcasing advanced warfighting capabilities and tactics, securing and defending the nation from within our borders, to proving our skills in international conflict, there is no doubt the U.S. Army's training prepares Soldiers to fight and win.

IMPROVED CAPABILITIES

Exercise Saber Junction, an annual training exercise conducted in the rigorous mountain terrain of eastern Germany, with 15 Allied nations tested every single warfighting function in tough, realistic simulations. Never has this type of coordinated training been more prescient to large scale combat operations preparation, and the Soldiers of USAREUR-AF definitely rose to the occasion.

The Army has spent all year perfecting its counter-Unmanned Aerial System defense capabilities through a series of events known as Project Flytrap. The most recent iteration was mid-November in Germany where air defense Soldiers, procurement specialists, and commercial vendors joined to test innovative systems designed to detect, discriminate, and/or defeat air threats. In the spirit of competition, Project Flytrap 4.5 provided a $350,000 cash prize to four participants who presented the most innovative designs.

A lethal warfighter must be physically fit, something the Army has always known and always taken seriously. In advance of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's Sept. 30 speech to senior military leadership, the Army had already overhauled its physical fitness testing system. On June 1, a leaner, more combat-focused Army Fitness Test officially replaced its former test, ensuring Army Warriors are more prepared for future combat. To double down on its commitment to physical fitness, Soldiers scoring exceptionally well on the Army Fitness Test are now exempt from meeting body fat standards.

PROTECTING THE HOMELAND

Under the orders of President Donald Trump, this year saw the mobilization of Army National Guard troops nationwide to protect major cities from unrest. Los Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago, Illinois, have all hosted or are preparing to host Commander-in-Chief-directed forces to ensure the safety and security of all Americans during a tumultuous time. Protecting our own backyard is imperative to ensuring the Army can defend the nation aboard.

Further, the Army established Joint Task Force-Southern Border under USNORTHCOM, led by the 10th Mountain Division and quickly established four new National Defense Areas along the U.S. southern border. The Army is responsible for NDAs in New Mexico and west Texas, while the Air Force controls the South Texas NDA and the Navy an NDA in Yuma, Arizona. Approximately 8,500 forces have been attached to JTF-SB since its creation, leading to a more secure and defended southern U.S. border.

The Army National Guard continued its dedication to providing swift and precise assistance when called upon within 24 hours of President Trump's Aug. 11 call to transform Washington, D.C. Joint Task Force-D.C. Safe and Beautiful has already cleaned up the city with the Metro Police Department and civilian leadership across the district, while also providing crucial security assistance and devoted personal care to the residents and visitors of the nation's capital.

BATTLE-TESTED SOLDIERS

Australia hosted Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, a biennial multinational event, from July to Aug, resulting in some of the most spectacular battle-ready effects heretofore seen. Soldiers worked alongside Australian Defence Force and 18 other nations to execute military and special operations on land, sea, and in air. For the first time on the Australian mainland, Soldiers conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launch, signaling a new era in modern Army combat effectiveness. To the west, the Typhon mid-range missile system was launched against a maritime target, another first time victory for the U.S. Army.

On the evening of Mon. June 23, 44 Soldiers remained on Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Base officials had received reports of possible Iranian counterstrikes following Operation Midnight Hammer's successful destruction of key nuclear facilities. When the alarms sounded, round after round of Patriot missiles effectively destroyed the inbound Iranian missiles, marking the "largest single Patriot engagement in U.S. military history," according to U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

CELEBRATING OUR PAST

Demonstrations of our combat power marked the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday during a year-long celebration. Highlighting victory in combat events over the past 250 years, the U.S. Army showcased the evolution of our strength from The Revolutionary War through the Global War on Terror. Modern technology and equipment heavily featured in the Birthday Parade in Washington, D.C., the famed Golden Knights parachute team completed a precision jump, the Army Birthday Fitness Challenge on the National Mall demonstrated exceptional Soldier physical strength, and 250 Soldiers were reenlisted into continued Army service by the President of the United States.

Finally, a major headline for 2025 was the redesignation of several U.S. Army installations across the country. Most notably, Fort Bragg, previously named Fort Liberty, was redesignated in honor of Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a WWII paratrooper who earned the Silver Star. Once again, Army Aviators will train and perfect their craft at Fort Rucker, formerly Fort Novosel. Named for Army Capt. Edward W. Rucker, Jr., an aviation pioneer and pilot in WWI. "The Great Place" is once again Fort Hood, after WWI hero Col. Robert Benjamin Hood. The Combined Arms Support Command now calls Fort Lee home, celebrating Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Fitz Lee.

The former Fort Barfoot is now Fort Pickett, for WWII 1st. Lt. Vernon W. Pickett; Fort Gordon is now named after Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon who served in the Battle of Mogadishu; WWII Silver Star recipient Gen. James H. Polk lends his name to the redesignated Fort Polk; finally, Fort A.P. Hill is now named after three Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Lt. Col. Edward Hill, 1st. Sgt. Robert A. Pinn, and Pvt. Bruce Anderson.

This article is part of a series celebrating the best of the Army throughout 2025. Make sure to check out the other two stories with updates to the Army's people and transformation efforts.

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US launches 'Pax Silica' alliance to secure AI supply chains, counter China; move distorts market principles, bound to fail: analysts

Global Times

By Chu Daye Published: Dec 12, 2025 07:45 PM

The US is forming a coalition at a summit on Friday to counter China's dominant control of critical minerals and growing role as a center of artificial intelligence (AI) and other tech sectors, according to media reports. The move follows signing of a preamble agreement on Thursday between the US and Japan on such a partnership.

Chinese analysts noted that the moves, still scant on details and subject to a conflict of interests among its partners, are unlikely to achieve its stated goal, as such a practice essentially distorts the international division of labor.

The US is reportedly launching a coalition of partners with the signing on Friday of the Pax Silica Declaration, bringing Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Israel in a collaboration intended to address deficits in critical mineral access and counter China's massive investment in its critical minerals and the tech sector, US news portal politico.com reported on Thursday (US time). It is also seeking to enlist other countries to join the group, the report said.

When asked to comment on the agreement signed by the US, Japan and others regarding the securing of rare-earth supply chains to reduce dependence on China for developing AI technologies, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference on Friday that "We have noted relevant reports."

"All parties should adhere to the principles of a market economy and fair competition and work together to maintain the stability of the global supply chain," Guo said.

'Pax Silica'

The "Pax Silica" partnership, which seeks to counter China's growing heft in the fields, aims to reduce what it claims as "coercive" dependencies and protect materials and capabilities foundational to AI, includes South Korea, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

"Our goal is not to close ourselves off from the rest of the world, but to build and deploy supply chains and information networks free from undue influence or control by countries or entities of concern," Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau claimed during a reception on the eve of the summit.

The declaration paves the way for joint research and development, manufacturing and infrastructure project intended to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told politico.com.

The move is one of the latest efforts by the US to secure its dominance in AI by focusing on critical minerals, Chinese experts said. Despite the claim of "not closing off," the move is essentially aimed at decoupling with China in the semiconductor supply chain, a scenario that disrupts the global supply chain, and through confrontational approach, is set to raise costs for chips and other materials, experts warned.

However, while the US has a clear objective to expand its resource advantages under current conditions and reduce constraints on its economy and innovation caused by factors such as rare-earth chokeholds, things may not work out as planned due to conflicts of interests among alliance members, analysts said.

Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday that the so-called alliance reflected the US' desire to leverage the advantages of its "allies and partner" countries to bolster its own development by guiding these nations to align with US interests in trade, investment and industrial development, thereby safeguarding America's capacity for innovation.

However, while such efforts may create some opportunities for participating parties - and may even include the easing of so-called reciprocal tariffs as bargaining chips - these measures may not necessarily translate into tangible corporate action, Zhou said.

The US administration is forming an overarching alliance to enlist as many as countries as possible by extending the scope of cooperation across the whole segment of the global semiconductor supply chain, an industry expert surnamed Gao told the Global Times on Friday.

The move is essentially aimed at decoupling from China from the global semiconductor supply chain, and it is unlikely to succeed due to China's deep level of integration, according to Gao, who declined to be named.

It is a set of geopolitical games in which countries walk a tightrope in the coming age of AI, at the expense of rising costs resulting from the fragmentation this entails, Gao said.

Zhou said that moving forward, even with government involvement from certain countries, it remains uncertain whether the initiative will translate into active corporate participation and implementation.

Existing related investment projects in the US have not progressed smoothly, and companies must weigh profits against risks. Without a stable environment, enterprises are unwilling to participate if doing so jeopardizes their profits or limits their development. Companies are also naturally reluctant to freely share their core technologies and resources with other US firms, Zhou said.

"Companies are likely to proceed cautiously. The transformation of this alliance from government-led to market-driven remains questionable," Zhou said.

At the industry and company levels, the world still needs globalization for the chip industry to prosper, with its unified standards, an international division of labor, the tapping of different countries' competitive advantages and the free flow of ideas and talent, Gao said.

China has long been a key participant in critical minerals and semiconductors, Zhou said. "China is the largest producer, processor and exporter of certain mineral resources, as well as a major consumer market. Excluding China effectively removes a significant portion of the global market."

"Even if parties are willing to collaborate within the remaining market segment, profitability is difficult to ensure, and the lack of economies of scale undermines competitiveness. To sustain development under such conditions, barriers against the Chinese market would need to be heightened - an approach that may conflict with the fundamental principles of other alliance members," Zhou said.

"China's dual role as both a supplier and a consumer market cannot be overlooked. The effectiveness and stability of the alliance remain precarious," Zhou said.

The US-led move follows an announcement by the Group of Seven (G7), which on November 1 unveiled a total of 26 new investments and partnerships under the so-called Critical Minerals Production Alliance with nine allied countries to secure critical minerals supply chains.

Before the G7 announcement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo urged the G7 to earnestly observe the principles of a market economy and international trade rules, stop disrupting the international trade order with self-made group rules, and work jointly for a stable global economy.

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CNO Navy 250th Commemoration Independence Hall Speech

US Navy

Independence Hall Philadelphia, PA

Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle

Presented on 13 October 2025

Date Published 12 December 2025

Good afternoon, everyone and happy 250th birthday Navy!

Members of Congress, Secretary Phelan, former Secretaries of the Navy, Flag and General Officers, MCPON Perryman, Foreign Heads of Navy, active and reserve Sailors, Marines, civilians, veterans, families and friends, it has been the honor of my lifetime to ring in this milestone achievement with such an incredible group of friends, partners, and patriots.

How about a round of applause for Mayor Parker, her staff, and the entire city of Philadelphia for putting on such an exceptional show! And to all our Navy Sailors, civilians, families, and volunteers who made this celebration possible, you have my heartfelt thanks. I could not be prouder to serve alongside you. How about another big round of applause for you!

Ladies and gentlemen, I can think of no better place to mark the passing of our historic 250th birthday than in the city where it all began, in the Cradle of Liberty and the City of Brotherly Love, the birthplace of our Navy and Nation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It was here, on these cobblestone streets, under the candlelight of Congress and Independence Hall, that our founding fathers enabled a bold idea to take root: that all men are created equal and that every citizen of our Nation is endowed with certain unalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And it was here, 250 years ago today, before the Declaration was signed and the Liberty Bell rang, that our Continental Navy was formed.

With no guarantee of success but every assurance of purpose, a make-shift Fleet of Sailors and privateers fearlessly took up arms. On a moment's notice they hauled in their lines and pushed off for war.

Small in size, but mighty in purpose, what we lacked in resources, we made up for in grit, tenacity, and "knife in teeth" toughness.

Brandishing little more than muskets, cannons, and swords, they set sail to break British supply lines and protect American trade.

Over the course of the war, born from humble beginnings, our Naval force flourished, we begged, borrowed, and commandeered, doing anything and everything necessary to ensure our newfound Republic sustained.

From the icy waters of New England and the shoals of the Caribbean to the turbulent seas surrounding the English Channel, our Continental Navy quickly affirmed we were more than an extension of the Army - we were a decisive instrument of war.

Toward the end of the Revolution, General George Washington would proclaim this of our young and fledgling Fleet: "Without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."

Two and a half centuries later, Washington's words and our Navy's mission remain unchanged.

Boasting an all-domain Fleet of nearly 300 ships ... our Navy stands the watch, around the world and around the clock - ready, willing, and able.

In every ocean and in every domain, we exist for prompt and sustained combat operations at sea ... promoting our economic security and prosperity, defending the global commons, and preserving our way of life.

Built in the Foundry, Tempered in the Fleet, and Forged to Fight ... that is who we are today and that is how we carry on our legacy tomorrow.

Together, we are the heirs of this remarkable journey ... and with our Allies and partners alongside, we will continue to rule the waves.

No symbol captures the spirit of America more than our grey hulls on the horizon, the roar of our super hornets overhead, or the knowledge that our submarines - prowling deep beneath the waves - are undetectable and poised to strike.

And while the character of war has changed and the global network of threats has evolved, we will never, ever, back down.

Not while the safety of our people is at stake, not when freedom requires defenders, and not while the United States Navy has a say.

Forward deployed and backed by the most fearsome and globally integrated fighting force the world has ever known, the Navy is America's away team - honoring a centuries long solemn promise to deter conflict, project power, and defend our Nation's interests across the globe.

At the heart of it all, through every battle, every mission, and every war ... has always been the United States Navy Sailor - our Main Weapons System and our greatest asymmetric advantage.

Brave, valiant, and bold, you are the hands that generate the Fleet, the eyes that scan the horizon, the warriors who navigate waterways in contested hemispheres around the globe, and the minds that employ our greatest national treasures with unimagined lethality and cognitive expertise.

No other service, no other Navy in the world can do what we do with the same level of technical mastery and warfighting expertise.

From the waterfront and the pilot house to the engine rooms and the flight deck, our Navy is more than just ships, weapons, and munitions, it is the sum of our battle-ready Sailors who temper and hone our razor-sharp edge.

And we stand here today because of the thousands of Navy pioneers - trailblazers, heroes, and visionaries - who cut through the waves with bold and daring action so that we could follow in their wake.

At the Battle of Flamborough Head, John Paul Jones and the legendary Bonhomme Richard engaged the HMS Serapis in a volley of fire. With both ships locked pitched battle, Jones defiantly cried "I have not yet begun to fight!"

In the Civil War, crossing the mine laden waters at the Battle of Mobile Bay, Admiral David Farragut valiantly thundered to his crew: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

In 1941, when Pearl Harbor fell victim to attack, Mess Attendant Dorie Miller, fearlessly acted and gunned down swarms of belligerent kamikazes in defense of his ship.

On his final combat mission over North Vietnam, James Stockdale absorbed an onslaught of enemy fire, his plane bursting into flames. Ejecting with a broken leg and a paralyzed arm, Stockdale endured seven years in captivity as a tortured Prisoner of War.

His mental fortitude, relentless spirit, and firmness of faith highlighted that courage isn't measured on the battlefield alone, it's measured in the strength to persevere when hope is scarce, and character is the only thing that remains.

And in the mountains of Afghanistan, Navy SEAL Michael Murphy knowingly exposed himself to an incessant barrage of Taliban fire to save his brothers in arms. In a tremendous act of valor, Murphy sacrificed his life so that others may live.

These great Americans are more than just heroes. They are the personification of service above self ... the embodiment of our warrior ethos and esprit de corps and the standards of excellence we measure against today.

And make no mistake, the standards that define our naval service endure long after the fires of battle have extinguished and fog of war has cleared - they are engrained in the very fiber of our being.

From our Nation's Capital and the Oval Office to the final frontiers of space ... the Navy is our Nation's Foundry that forges our country's best.

Before they led the free world and commanded the Resolute Desk, many of our Nation's Presidents served in the Navy.

John F. Kennedy, Lydon B. Johnson, and Gerald R. Ford sailed alongside Nimitz - sweeping across the Pacific and fighting the Imperial Japanese Fleet.

At the age of 19, George H.W. Bush became the Navy's youngest pilot - launching torpedoes from his bomber at the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

As the Cold War began to unfurl, Admiral Rickover chose Jimmy Carter, who was submarine qualified, to help design the world's foremost nuclear-powered Fleet.

And today, our naval heritage culminates with President Trump, who understands with perfect clarity the importance of our Navy and the investments required to stay ahead of our adversaries in order to deliver peace through strength around the globe.

But our Navy's legacy continues well beyond Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.

When our country's technological superiority was challenged in space, Navy explorers like Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, and today's Johnny Kim slipped the gravitational bonds of earth for a chance to land on the moon.

Firm in their convictions, intrepid in their beliefs, and driven by an unrelenting thirst for knowledge, these Navy Astronauts proved to the world that no frontier, no limit, and no idea ... no matter how distant or harrowing, is beyond our reach.

They did it not because it was easy, but because it was hard. Pressure is a privilege and creates opportunity. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the way of the Navy Warrior Sailor.

From that fateful day on October 13th, 1775, a Navy was born ...not from vast resources or superiority at sea, but from the fierce determination of a young Nation fighting for liberty.

The Navy you see today: fierce, lethal, dominant, and ready, is not just a product of innovation and steel. It is the living legacy - a sacred institution - of the brave men and women who answered the call to serve.

Reflecting on his time in service, President John F. Kennedy had this to say of the Navy: "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, 'I served in the United States Navy'."

Happy 250th Birthday Navy! The best is yet to come. Here's to the bravery that shapes our past and to the resolve that guides our future.

God bless our Sailors and our families and may God bless the United States of America.

Thank you.



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Explanation of Vote by Sweden at the General Assembly on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice

Government Offices of Sweden

Statement by Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 13 December 2025

Explanation of Vote by Sweden on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 12 December 2025, New York.

Sweden voted in favour of the resolution on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and would like to take this opportunity to reconfirm our unequivocal support for the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and full respect for its independence and the functions assigned to it under the Charter of the United Nations and its Statute. Our vote in favour of the resolution also reflects Sweden's firm support of the broader UN system and humanitarian organisations in their essential efforts to address the needs of the population. Sweden remains committed to safeguarding their capacity to operate, in Palestine and elsewhere. Sweden has been clear that UNRWA needs to address several challenges, including on safeguarding its neutrality. Sweden's established position on the Agency in the longer-term has not changed with this vote.

Sweden remains clear that Hamas must be disarmed, and that this terrorist organization cannot have a place in the future governance of Gaza.



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Malaysia to convene special ASEAN meeting on Cambodian-Thai border clashes: PM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:14, December 13, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon on Cambodia-Thailand border tensions.

He noted that the meeting will assess the situation and support de-escalation measures.

The prime minister made the remarks on social media, saying he received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the conflict, bilateral relations, and global issues of mutual concern.

During the phone conversation, Anwar said, he outlined Malaysia's role in urging both countries to exercise restraint and return to dialogue through bilateral channels and ASEAN mechanisms.

Malaysia remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians, and help restore regional stability, in line with ASEAN's spirit of good neighborliness, he said.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, causing casualties to both sides.

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UN sounds alarm over record Palestinian displacement, surge in illegal settler attacks in West Bank

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 10:08 PM

The United Nations has warned about a sharp escalation in Palestinian displacement and violence across the occupied West Bank, citing widespread home demolitions by Israeli authorities and persistently high levels of attacks by illegal settlers.

Speaking at a UN news conference on Friday, Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq relayed findings from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stating that more than 1,000 Palestinians had been displaced since the beginning of the year in "Area C" of the West Bank.

The area, which makes up around 60 percent of the territory, remains under near-total Israeli control, including through strict police presence as well as illegal planning and construction.

Haq said the majority of those displaced had lost their homes to demolitions carried out by Israeli officials on the grounds that the structures "lacked" Israeli-issued building permits, which Palestinians are almost never able to obtain.

He emphasized that the scale of the displacement recorded this year represented the second-highest annual figure since OCHA began tracking such data in 2009.

The world body also raised serious concerns over ongoing violence by illegal Israeli settlers.

'Devastating humanitarian impacts'

According to OCHA's documentation, settler attacks against Palestinians have continued at high levels throughout the year, producing what Haq described as "devastating humanitarian impacts."

On average, five settler attacks have been recorded every day so far this year.

Calling for urgent action, Haq stressed the need to protect Palestinians throughout the occupied territory, including in East al-Quds.

He urged measures to halt punitive and other unlawful demolitions and to prevent further attacks by settlers, reiterating the UN's concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground.





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Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah won't surrender arms, state weapons monopoly is US-Israeli plot

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 5:11 PM

Hezbollah's Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has vowed the movement will never lay down its weapons, criticizing the Lebanese government's plan to establish a state monopoly on arms and arguing that the issue is exploited by the United States and Israel to press for the group's disarmament.

"Let America know that we will defend ourselves even if the worst-case scenario plays out. Disarmament will never happen to achieve Israel's goal, even though the whole world unites against Lebanon and intends to wage a war," Sheikh Qassem said on Saturday as he delivered a televised speech on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

He added that Hezbollah will not budge from such a position, as it is the most honourable national stance, requiring no validation from those with a dark and criminal background, and a history of sedition and corruption.

Sheikh Qassem pointed out that Hezbollah had achieved four great accomplishments: It liberated Lebanese territories, stood firm, deterred the Zionist enemy, and halted the invasion of Lebanon.

The Hezbollah chief warned that Lebanon will cease to exist with surrender, will have no future with surrender, and its history will be erased entirely.

"With Israel, there would be neither a place for Muslims nor for Christians in Lebanon. Be careful - this plot is very dangerous and could lead to the demise of Lebanon. They want to weaken Hezbollah and keep the army minimally armed so that Lebanon will be powerless," Sheikh Qassem noted.

He emphasised that "Lebanon's main problem is not that the state must have a monopoly on weapons in the country. This is a US-Israeli plot to take away Lebanon's strength and leave it defenceless in the face of threats."

The Hezbollah leader said the plan is within the context of the Tel Aviv regime's "Greater Israel" project, warning that surrender would lead to Lebanon ceasing to exist.

He also called on the Beirut government to "reconsider its positions and recalculate, and not make any further concessions."

Sheikh Qassem blamed US-led sanctions and the rampant corruption for worsening economic conditions in Lebanon, stating that Washington has been working since 2019 to sabotage the state of affairs in Lebanon and create chaos inside the country so that it is no longer able to act independently.

He affirmed that the enemy's scheme following the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and several military commanders was to obliterate Hezbollah.

"We fought a fierce battle and were able to prevent the enemy from achieving this objective," he clarified.

Sheikh Qassem said unity and steadfastness can deter any military operation against Lebanon, emphasizing that Israel would not launch an act of aggression without the US green light.

The Hezbollah chief also stated that Lebanon has entered a "new phase" since the ceasefire agreement was enacted on November 27, 2024.

"Hezbollah has done everything necessary to implement the accord and assist the Lebanese government," Sheikh Qassem stated.

Sheikh Qassem vowed to defend Lebanon's existence, saying the resistance is inseparable from the land and the people.

He stated Hezbollah's role is to confront aggression, while preventing war is the obligation of the Lebanese state.

The Hezbollah leader said his resistance movement is ready to cooperate fully with the Lebanese army to establish sovereignty, but will not surrender to the Israeli enemy.





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Lebanon Warned of Imminent Israeli Attack  Foreign Minister

Sputnik News

20251213

Lebanese authorities have received warnings, via closed diplomatic channels, of Israel's preparation for large-scale military operation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, a Lebanese military source told Sputnik that Israeli warplanes attacked several areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, including Jarmaq, Jbaa, Barij, Rihan, Ansar-Zrarieh, Tebnine, Zelaya and the Wadi-Humein and Roumine. The Israeli army claimed to have struck several targets in Lebanon, including a training facility used by the Radwan special forces unit, which is part of Lebanese movement Hezbollah.

"The intelligence received in Beirut regarding Israel's intention to launch a major military operation places the country at a perilous juncture. The threats have gone beyond public statements and are now arriving through various diplomatic channels, including from Western envoys," Rajji said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The minister emphasized that the immediate objective of Lebanon's diplomatic efforts is to prevent the situation from sliding into military escalation. Rajji added that that the government operates under the assumption that an Israeli strike may be unavoidable, particularly given Israel's persistent stance of treating the negotiation track and the escalation track as entirely separate processes.

Rajji further stated that, despite ongoing Israeli attacks, the Lebanese armed forces plan to announce by year-end the completion of their mission to restrict the presence of armed groups, other than the army and UN forces, to areas south of the Litani River, in line with the approved plan. However, Rajji noted that, judging from Western signals, the expectations now extend beyond the south of the Litani and include areas north of the river.

Commenting on the inclusion of diplomats in the negotiation process with Israel, Rajji described the current track as unconventional and explained that Lebanon seeks, through it, to restore the 1949 Armistice Agreement. He clarified that a peace treaty is not currently on the agenda; instead, priorities include halting the attacks, securing Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories, and achieving the release of detainees.

"Talks with Israel continue through the existing mechanism, while the government simultaneously engages in an internal dialogue with Hezbollah regarding its weapons. However, according to available information, the party has so far refused to surrender its arms," the Lebanese official added.

Rajji asserted that Hezbollah's arsenal has failed to protect Lebanon, Gaza, or Jerusalem and has, in fact, invited Israeli aggression upon Lebanon.

On December 4, Axios reported that diplomats from Lebanon and Israel discussed economic ties, including the reconstruction of war-damaged border areas, during their first direct talks in more than three decades. The talks took place in the southern Lebanese municipality of Naqoura on the sidelines of a monthly meeting of the US-led ceasefire monitoring committee.

The committee, also known as the "mechanism," is a format that brings together Lebanon, Israel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) under the US-French auspices. The goal of the mechanism is to monitor the implementation of the agreement on cessation of hostilities.

Lebanon has repeatedly accused Israel of systematically violating its sovereignty, despite the November 2024 ceasefire deal. The Israeli military maintains a presence at five strategic points in southern Lebanon, including the northern part of the village of Ghajar, which the Lebanese authorities consider to be a continuing occupation and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The Israeli army claims that the strikes are targeting the military infrastructure of Lebanese movement Hezbollah. Israel has always vowed to continue to strike Lebanon in order to eliminate the leaders of Hezbollah's military wing and the threat posed by the Shiite movement.

 Sputnik

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Sudan: UN strongly condemns deadly drone attack on peacekeeping base in Kordofan

13 December 2025 - Drone attacks targeting the UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers and injured eight others - all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The oil-rich region is located between Sudan and South Sudan and has been contested since their separation in 2011.

Kadugli is the capital of South Kordofan state in Sudan, where violent clashes have raged between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who have been at war for nearly three years.

Attacks against peacekeepers 'unjustifiable'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the "horrific" drone attacks.

He offered his deepest 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 in a statement.

"Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability."

Renewed ceasefire appeal

The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve under the UN flag in the most dangerous of environments.

"I reiterate my call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process," he said.

Not a target

In a social media post, the head of UN Peacekeeping said he was "shocked by today's horrific drone attack".

Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed that "UN peacekeepers are not a target" and "this attack may constitute a war crime."

UNISFA was established in 2011. Its mandate -- which was recently extended for another year - includes strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS), monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians.

Nearly 4,000 military and police personnel serve with the mission, alongside civilian staff.

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Thailand imposes curfew in second province as clashes with Cambodia persist

Global Times

By Feng Fan Published: Dec 14, 2025 08:55 PM

Thailand's military announced on Sunday the imposition of a curfew in parts of Trat Province, citing the ongoing situation along the border areas. This is the second province to impose a curfew since the latest round of the Thailand-Cambodia border clash erupted, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Experts said that due to unresolved territorial disputes, the risk of conflict in border areas remains persistent, and without a settlement, bilateral frictions are likely to continue escalating. They called on ASEAN to play a greater role in promoting reconciliation.

In an official order, the Thai military said that a curfew was immediately enforced in five districts of its Trat Province - namely Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming and Mueang Trat. Residents in these areas are prohibited from leaving their homes from 7 pm to 5 am the following day, according to Xinhua.

Developments on Sunday suggested the confrontation may continue. The Royal Thai Army said it "never mentioned or had any plans" for a ceasefire and that "there is no plan" to stop fighting. "The Royal Thai Army confirms that this operation will continue until Cambodia ceases its hostilities and attacks against Thai troops and civilians in the border area," the army said, according to Al Jazeera.

Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thai forces of ongoing attacks. Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), Cambodia's official state news agency, reported that the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said that Thai military forces continued attacks against Cambodian forces along the border under Military Region 5 between 8 am and 1 pm on Sunday.

Long-standing mutual distrust between Thailand and Cambodia has contributed to repeated flare-ups, with frontline troops in border areas failing to fully implement agreements already reached by the two sides, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times. Any movement on the ground can easily trigger suspicion and lead to escalation, Gu said.

Yu Haiqiu, director of the Institute of Thailand Studies at the Chinese Academy of South and Southeast Asian Studies (Kunming), Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that disputes over contested border territories mean Thailand-Cambodia relations will remain delicate for some time, trapped in a cycle of "conflict-mediation-renewed conflict."

US president Donald Trump had claimed that he had spoken to both the Cambodian and Thailand prime ministers and the two countries had agreed to "cease shooting effective this evening" and go back to the agreement they signed in front of the US president in October, according to the BBC, citing his social media post wrote on Friday night. "Both countries are ready for peace," he wrote.

But in their comments after speaking to the US president, neither side mentioned an imminent ceasefire. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he told Trump that Thailand was not the aggressor, and that Cambodia must show that it had withdrawn its forces and removed landmines from the border before a ceasefire was possible. "They must show us first," he said. While the Cambodian leadership said they must fight on to protect their country's sovereignty, according to the BBC.

The clashes have resulted in casualties on both sides. Xinhua reported that Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for Thailand's Ministry of Defence, said on Saturday that the latest round of clashes had left 15 Thai soldiers dead.

AKP, citing a Saturday night press release from Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, said that as of 6 pm Sunday, the total number of Cambodian civilians killed had reached 11, with 59 injured, the same as the previous day, while 117,120 families had been displaced, an increase of 3,014 families, equivalent to 394,706 people displaced, up 10,605 from the day before.

ASEAN's role is crucial in creating a conducive international environment for de-escalation, Gu noted, stressing that the situation affects not only the two countries' development but also regional stability, and that ASEAN should continue to promote reconciliation and peace among its members.

Despite the ongoing fighting, some cross-border links remain intact. Xinhua reported on Saturday, citing a Cambodian civil aviation spokesperson, that flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, as well as those between Siem Reap and Thailand, are operating as normal.

In a bid to de-escalate tensions and enhance transparency, Malaysia has requested the deployment of an ASEAN Observer Team, led by the Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces, to monitor the on-site situation. Findings from the monitoring will be submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for December 16, according to Xinhua.

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Velayati reaffirms Iran's continued backing for Hezbollah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran will continue to support Lebanon's Hezbollah with determination, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said, describing the group as a key pillar of the resistance front against Israel.

Speaking during a meeting in Tehran on Sunday with Abdullah Safieddine, Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Ali-Akbar Velayati said the Islamic Republic, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, would maintain its backing for Hezbollah's activities on the front line of resistance.

Safieddine briefed Velayati on political and security developments in Lebanon and the wider region, saying Hezbollah was stronger than ever and prepared to defend Lebanon's territorial integrity and people.

He said the group would not lay down its arms.

Referring to repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, Safieddine warned that Hezbollah will deliver a crushing response whenever it decides to do so.

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Iran rejects foreign meddling, urges regional cooperation to assist Afghanistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized that imported solutions and external decision-making cannot ensure stability in Afghanistan, highlighting the pivotal role of neighboring countries in achieving sustainable security, development, and regional integration.

On Sunday, Tehran hosted the Meeting of the Special Representatives of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries Plus Russia, with the aim of discussing the latest developments in Afghanistan and South Asia.

Attendees included representatives from Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Iranian Araqchi opened the session by stressing that Afghanistan's stability and development are essential not only for the country itself but for the entire region.

Afghanistan possesses unique human, economic, and natural capacities and has historically served as a bridge across neighboring regions, Araghchi stated, adding that its geoeconomic position connects Central, West, and South Asia, making its stability a strategic necessity.

Highlighting lessons from past foreign interventions, the minister noted that external decisions, including military interventions and two decades of NATO presence, failed to bring lasting peace or sustainable development.

He argued that overly security-focused approaches, disregard for Afghanistan's social and cultural fabric, and neglect of regional actors contributed to these failures.

The lesson is clear that no external solution can resolve regional crises. Imported decisions do not guarantee stability, but regional, neighbor-driven solutions hold far greater potential, he emphasized.

The minister said that Iran has consistently advocated for Afghanistan's full regional integration and stressed that neighboring countries, with their historical, cultural, and economic ties, are best placed to facilitate cooperation.

Araghchi called for a coordinated regional framework that moves beyond short-term rivalries and prioritizes collective security, shared interests, and sustainable development.

He underscored the importance of practical cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cross-border relations to enhance Afghanistan's role as a key transit hub linking Central, South, and West Asia.

A stable and connected Afghanistan benefits the entire region; therefore, the Afghan people should be at the center of all efforts, he said.

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said that the meeting reflects ongoing consultations with neighbors, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, aimed at promoting peace, reducing tensions, and fostering regional cohesion.

According to Baqaei, Iran places great importance on the security and stability of its neighborhood and spares no effort to reduce tensions between regional countries and to promote mutual understanding among them.

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Israel's killing of Palestinians using US tech assistance is 'utter barbarity': Baqaei

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has described Israel's killing of Palestinians in Gaza, particularly children, with the assistance of American technology companies as "systematic brutality" and "utter barbarity."

Baqaei made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, two days after Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, revealed that US tech giants, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, had provided Israel with access to Palestinians' data "to set up systems to mass target and mass kill."

"The UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, explains that the Israeli entity is using data and technologies provided by American companies to commit acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, including the systematic and organized killing of children and infants in the Gaza Strip," Baqaei said in his post, which was accompanied by a video of Albanese speaking with American commentator Tucker Carlson.

"This is systematic brutality, utter barbarity in every sense of the word," he added.

In the interview, Albanese spoke about an application called "Where Is Daddy," which she said the Israeli military uses to randomly track Palestinians and strike them when they are with their families "so as to inflict the most harm."

"This is the end of humanity, the end of civilization," she said.

Israel began its genocidal war on Gaza in early October 2023, killing at least 70,654 Palestinians and wounding 171,095, mostly women and children, according to Gaza officials.

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Hontiveros calls for PCG escort, budget support for WPS fishers

Philippine News Agency

By Wilnard Bacelonia

December 14, 2025, 4:20 pm

MANILA -- Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Sunday urged the government to provide regular Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorts and ensure adequate funding to protect Filipino fishers operating in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

This developed following reports that Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Filipino boats, leaving some local fisherfolk injured.

Hontiveros said the incident highlighted the urgent need to strengthen maritime protection, warning that repeated acts of aggression continue to endanger Filipino lives within the country's exclusive economic zone.

"I strongly denounce China's relentless aggression against our fisherfolk. Hindi na nga maayos na makapaghanapbuhay ang ating mangingisda sa sarili nating karagatan, sasaktan pa nila (Our fishermen are already struggling to earn a living in our own seas, and yet they are also harmed)?" she said in a statement.

The senator said the Philippines should fast-track defense and security cooperation with like-minded countries and ensure sustained funding for a stronger Coast Guard presence in key fishing areas.

"Our fisherfolk must not be left defenseless. More Coast Guard personnel and vessels should accompany them in the West Philippine Sea. Lagyan na ng malinaw na budget at sapat na suporta ang ganitong inisyatibo," she added.

Hontiveros also recalled earlier incidents involving injured Navy and Coast Guard personnel, warning that the country "cannot afford to be unprepared" as China's actions continue to endanger Filipino lives.

The PCG earlier reported that three Filipino fishermen were injured after Chinese vessels fired high-pressure water cannons and conducted dangerous maneuvers against fishing boats near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the incident occurred Friday while around 20 Filipino fishing boats were operating off Palawan within the country's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Tarriela said the fishermen suffered bruises and open wounds, two fishing boats were damaged, and anchor lines of several vessels were cut, placing them at risk amid rough seas.

PCG vessels dispatched to assist the fishermen were also subjected to blocking maneuvers but managed to provide medical aid and supplies, as the agency urged China to respect international law and prioritize civilian safety at sea. (PNA)

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At least 3 killed in new Israeli strikes across south Lebanon amid ceasefire violations

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 6:29 PM

The Israeli military has killed at least three people in southern Lebanon during separate airstrikes after threatening to resume "wide-scale" aggression against the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Lebanese health ministry said that an "Israeli enemy strike" on a motorcycle in Yater, south Lebanon, killed one person and wounded another.

Separately, an Israeli attack targeting a car also killed another person between the towns of Safad al-Batikh and Barashit.

At the same time, a member of the municipal council in Jouaya, Tyre, was killed after an Israeli strike targeted the town.

Israel's war minister, Israel Katz, late last month, warned that Tel Aviv is prepared to launch a new war on Lebanon if the Hezbollah resistance movement does not surrender its weapons by the end of 2025.

Lebanon has received warnings from Arab and international parties that Israel is preparing to launch a wide-scale attack against the country, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Friday.

Raggi said Beirut had intensified its diplomatic contacts with regional countries to "protect Lebanon and its facilities from any potential strike."

Beirut is intensifying its diplomatic contacts "to protect Lebanon and its facilities from any potential strike," Raggi said in statements carried by Lebanon's National News Agency NNA.

The continued bombardment has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations, which reported in November that at least 127 civilians, including children, have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect in late 2024. UN officials have warned that the attacks amount to "war crimes."

In light of the substantial losses during months of war and the inability to fulfil its military objectives in the aggression against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah, which came into effect on November 27, 2024.

Ever since the agreement was enacted, the occupying forces have conducted numerous assaults on Lebanon, including airstrikes throughout the Arab country, in blatant disregard of the ceasefire.

Israel remains in control of five important regions in southern Lebanon, which include Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all located close to the border.

Lebanon has denounced the ongoing presence of Israeli military personnel, perceiving it as a breach of the ceasefire agreement and the predetermined schedule for withdrawal.

Hezbollah's Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, in a recent address, vowed the resistance movement will never lay down its weapons, criticising the Lebanese government's plan to establish a state monopoly on arms and arguing that the issue is exploited by the United States and Israel to press for the group's disarmament.

He added that Hezbollah will not budge from such a position, as it is the most honourable national stance, requiring no validation from those with a dark and criminal background, and a history of sedition and corruption.

The Hezbollah leader said the plan is within the context of the Tel Aviv regime's "Greater Israel" project, warning that surrender would lead to Lebanon ceasing to exist.

He also called on the Beirut government to "reconsider its positions and recalculate, and not make any further concessions."

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Hamas warns against Israel's plans to 're-engineer' Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 6:06 PM

Hamas warns against the Israeli regime's plans to "re-engineer" the Gaza Strip and displace its Palestinian residents, reiterating that the people of Gaza are the only authority capable of managing their own affairs.

In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian resistance group warned against "colluding with attempts at displacement and re-engineering the Gaza Strip according to the (Israeli) enemy's plans."

The group reiterated that a national consensus on a unified Palestinian strategy is the only way to confront the plans of the Israeli regime and its allies.

Hamas once again rejected "all forms of guardianship or mandate over the Gaza Strip or any inch of our occupied land."

The US brokered a ceasefire agreement in October to put an end to Israel's hostilities in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.

Washington is now planning for the long-term division of Gaza into a "green zone" under Israeli and international military control, where reconstruction would start, and a "red zone" to be left in ruins.

Under the plan, foreign forces will initially deploy alongside Israeli forces in the east of Gaza, leaving the devastated strip divided by the current Israeli-controlled "yellow line."

The US military plan to divide the coastal strip into two zones of green and red, separated by a heavily militarized buffer line, threatens to forcibly displace Palestinians and place large parts of the territory under direct Israeli military control.

Mediators have warned of a situation that is "not war but not peace" in a divided Gaza, with regular Israeli attacks, an entrenched occupation, no Palestinian self-rule and limited reconstruction of Palestinian homes and communities.

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Hamas says Israel's killing of senior commander threatens Gaza ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 3:47 PM

Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has warned that Israel's targeted assassination of a senior commander of the movement threatens the "viability of the truce" in the besieged Gaza Strip.

He confirmed the killing of Commander Raed Saad in a video statement on Sunday, and slammed Israel for violating the ceasefire.

"The continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement...and latest assassinations that targeted Saad and others threaten the viability of the agreement," he said.

The Israeli military reported Saad's death in an attack near Gaza City, which also wounded at least 25 people. This marks the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas figure since the US-backed Gaza ceasefire began in October.

Al-Hayya emphasized that progress is unattainable unless mediators compel Israel to adhere to the ceasefire's first phase. He called on mediators, particularly the US administration, to ensure Israel respects the agreement.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have persisted, resulting in at least 386 Palestinian deaths since October 10.

Large areas of Gaza remain inaccessible due to the continued presence of Israeli occupation forces.

"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 centers and the infrastructure," al-Hayya said.

He also stressed that the role of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) should be limited to maintaining the ceasefire without interfering in Gaza's internal affairs.

Al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas and other factions are committed to the agreement but reject any imposed guardianship over Gaza.

Hamas political bureau member Husam Badran also said that ongoing Israeli violations have hindered phase-two negotiations.

Last week, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and comply with international law.

Aid agencies continue to advocate for expanded access for humanitarian convoys, while Israel has declined requests to allow relief shipments through the Rafah crossing.

Observers have expressed concerns about the reliability of the Israeli regime and the lack of mechanisms to enforce the deal's terms.

Since October 2023, over 70,400 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel's ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.

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Afghanistan's integration into regional politics and economy key to lasting stability: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 2:38 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says Afghanistan's stability depends on its integration into regional political and economic frameworks, urging cooperation among neighboring countries instead of reliance on outside interventions.

Araqchi made the remarks during a high-level meeting titled "Afghanistan Developments Review" in Tehran on Sunday, attended by special representatives from Afghanistan's neighboring and regional countries.

Addressing the meeting, Araghchi said experience has shown that "imported prescriptions and trans-regional decisions" have failed to bring stability to crisis-hit countries.

He further highlighted the central role of neighboring states in addressing regional problems, describing these nations as the "most natural and reliable" actors in addressing Afghanistan's challenges.

Araghchi further emphasized Afghanistan's strategic geoeconomic position at the crossroads of Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia, stressing its potential as a bridge for trade, energy transit, and regional connectivity.

The Iranian foreign minister further noted that Afghanistan's stability and development are not only a humanitarian necessity but also a strategic imperative for the entire region, noting that security and prosperity in Afghanistan are inseparable from the interests of neighboring countries.

Araghchi also called for collective responsibility and trust-building among regional states, stating that the integration of Afghanistan into regional political and economic processes would help establish long-term stability and reduce tensions.

He also warned against excessive reliance on security-based approaches, neglect of Afghanistan's social and cultural realities, marginalization of regional actors, and the hasty foreign withdrawal in 2021, attributing these factors to past failures.

Araghchi further reaffirmed Iran's readiness to expand cooperation with Afghanistan's neighbors in areas such as transportation, trade, energy, and consular services, arguing that regional convergence could create a sustainable framework for cooperation centered on Afghanistan.

"At the heart of all these efforts are the people of Afghanistan, who deserve a secure and dignified future," he said.

In a post on his X account on Sunday, Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, reiterated the country's commitment to promoting peace, development, and security across the region.

He also said that Pakistan's concerns over terrorism must be addressed.

The Tehran meeting, hosted by Iran's Foreign Ministry, brought together officials from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to exchange views on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the broader South Asian and Central Asian regions.

The high-stakes meeting follows earlier, unsuccessful efforts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to bridge the gap between Islamabad and Kabul, and has been regarded as the most ambitious diplomatic push yet to calm rising tensions.

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Tensions inside Yemen in line with Israel's plot to disintegrate West Asia: Iran

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 9:44 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has warned that renewed tensions in Yemen only benefit the Israeli regime and its strategy to disintegrate the countries in West Asia.

Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks during a press conference on Sunday, as armed clashes escalate between Saudi-backed militants and UAE-allied separatists in Yemen's oil-rich south.

"The ongoing developments in Yemen ought to raise serious concern among regional states, for they are unfolding in line with the Zionist regime's policy to disintegrate regional countries," he said.

He further reiterated the importance of dialogue among Yemeni factions to secure the country's stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Any measure that deviates from that aim, he added, serves the interests of the parties whose sole aim is sowing discord among Islamic and regional states.

'Syria shouldn't turn into terror hub'

Baghaei was also asked for a comment on the killing of three Americans by militants in Syria.

"I do not believe this development should come as a surprise to anyone," he replied.

Syria has, over the past eight decades, lost part of its territory, including the Golan Heights, to the Zionist regime, he said.

The Arab country has also been subjected to continuous attacks by the occupying regime in recent years, particularly during the past year, since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government on December 8, 2024, and the seizure of power by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group.

Baghaei also warned that the persistence of Israeli crimes and assaults on Syria, together with the occupation of substantial portions of Syrian territory by different actors, including the United States, can hinder the restoration of stability and security in the country.

"Iran has repeatedly cautioned against Syria becoming a ground for the consolidation and spread of terrorism," he said.

Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), a US-based war monitor, has recently revealed that the Israeli military has carried out more than 600 attacks on Syria over the past year.

Despite HTS's pledges of cooperation with Tel Aviv, Israel has remained unwilling to withdraw from Syria.

'Iran respects Taliban's choice not to attend meeting on Afghanistan'

Additionally, in his remarks, the spokesman touched on the Meeting of the Special Representatives of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries + Russia, which took place in Tehran on Sunday, and the non-participation of the ruling Taliban administration in the event.

He said the purpose of the meeting was dialogue and exchange of views regarding developments in Afghanistan.

"Neighborliness is of paramount importance to us, with stability in the east being crucial. Sharing nearly 2,000 kilometers of borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan means that any tension between them inevitably impacts us, as it does other states," he pointed out.

"We extended invitations to all concerned countries, including Afghanistan, whose participation we considered valuable for fostering understanding and resolving regional issues. However, non-participation was Afghanistan's own decision, and we respect that choice."

Baghaei emphasized that through such meetings, the Islamic Republic seeks to contribute to the formation of a regional consensus and help identify solutions that reinforce regional stability and security.

Claims about Iran's meddling in Venezuela's affairs 'utterly irrelevant'

Moreover, the spokesman rejected claims about Iran's interference in Venezuela's affairs as "utterly irrelevant."

He also highlighted the United States' long history of carrying out coups and changing national governments in Latin America.

As an independent and sovereign nation, Venezuela has the right to decide on its foreign relations and engage with the states that act toward it in accordance with mutual respect and reciprocal interests, Baghaei emphasized.

"The party that must be held accountable is the one that insists on violating the right of the Venezuelan people to self-determination and seeks to impose its views on the independent countries of the Western Hemisphere and Latin America."

The United States has stepped up coercive pressure on Venezuela by deploying military forces to the Caribbean under the pretext of an "anti-drug trafficking" operationclaims Caracas says are unsupported by evidence.

Since September, US forces have carried out a series of deadly attacks on alleged drug boats, leaving more than 80 people dead.

Venezuelan authorities warn that the campaign is a thinly veiled act of aggression aimed at destabilizing the government, warning that Washington's real objective is "regime change" and the eventual seizure of the country's vast oil resources.



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Over 1,000 Palestinians died in Gaza while awaiting medical evacuation, says WHO

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 8:55 AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than a thousand Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip while waiting for medical evacuation permits from Israeli authorities between July 2024 and late November this year.

Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York that 1,092 patients lost their lives during the mentioned period, citing Gaza's health authorities.

He noted that the figure is likely underreported and not fully representative, as it is based solely on reported deaths.

Peeperkorn added that the WHO "has called on more countries to accept patients from Gaza and for medical evacuation operations to resume to the West Bank," including East al-Quds.

According to Peeperkorn, 18 out of 36 hospitals and 43 percent of primary health care centers in Gaza were partially functioning, and there was a severe shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies needed for heart disease treatment, among others.

Despite improved approval rates for supplies destined for Gaza, he stated, the process of bringing medicines and medical equipment into the territory remained "slow and unnecessarily complicated."

Peeperkorn noted that WHO continues to face challenges in bringing laboratory reagents and critical lab machine components into Gaza, as many items were denied entry due to being classified as dual-use.

He called on Israeli authorities to give "a blanket approval" for medical supplies to enter Gaza, so urgent needs can be addressed."

Peeperkorn said Storm Byron struck Gaza with force, deepening the suffering of already displaced families.

He highlighted that winter conditions, combined with poor water and sanitation, are expected to drive a surge in acute respiratory infections, hepatitis and diarrheal diseases.

Peeperkorn also warned that children, older people, and those with chronic health issues remain at greatest risk.

Since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on October 10, the Israeli army has repeatedly breached the agreement, resulting in the deaths of at least 386 Palestinians and injuries to 1,018 others.

Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed over 70,300 people, the majority being women and children, and left more than 171,000 people injured since October 2023. These actions have persisted despite the announced truce.





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Article by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for Serbian newspaper Politika ahead of the 30th anniversary of Dayton Peace Agreement, December 14, 2025

14 December 2025 02:03

2079-14-12-2025

The Dayton letter and spirit: Key to peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Thirty years ago today, on December 14, 1995, the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which put an end to a devastating armed conflict, was signed in Paris. It was initialled in Dayton, Ohio, which is why it is widely known as the Dayton Agreement.

To this day, the echoes of this fratricidal civil strife resonate with pain in the hearts of those who lost their homes and their loved ones. The war claimed over 100,000 lives and forced more than two million people to flee their homes. We mourn the numerous victims, regardless of their national, ethnic, or religious affiliation. The ongoing tensions in interethnic and inter-religious relations reflect the tragic past. A significant portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) remains a minefield, and innocent people continue to die.

The Dayton Agreement was not a cure-all for every problem or difference that engulfed Bosnian society shortly after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. It can be mostly credited with the fact that it stopped the bloodshed and made peaceful life possible again.

At the same time, Dayton came as a result of both painstaking international mediation efforts and difficult, determined compromises by the leaders of the warring sides. By making serious concessions, they gained far more - peace and hope for a prosperous future - in return. This approach, which includes achieving mutually acceptable consensus-based solutions, embodies the spirit of Dayton.

The agreement, which laid the foundation for the BiH statehood, enshrined the fundamental principles of equality among the three constituent peoples (Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats) and the two entities - Republika Srpska (RS) and the Federation of BiH - each enjoying broad constitutional powers. The spheres of competence between different levels of government were neatly defined, and the autonomy of the entities was guaranteed within a strongly decentralised administrative and institutional architecture. A carefully balanced system of checks and balances providing for major nationwide decisions to be taken exclusively on the basis of consensus and compromise among the three Bosnian sides remains at the core of their peaceful coexistence.

As a witness to the signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Russian Federation became one of its international guarantors entrusted with upholding the Dayton principles.

Leading Western countries partnered to ensure Dayton's implementation and promoting post-conflict settlement. However, driven by self-interest, they almost immediately started pursuing a course aimed at breaking the Dayton structure down. Fierce opposition in Western capitals arose in response to Republika Srpska's consistent defence of its legitimate rights and special autonomous status, as well as its resistance to plans to drag Bosnia and Herzegovina into NATO against the will of its peoples. The RS capital, Banja Luka, has employed and continues to employ exclusively the mechanisms provided by the Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, the West launched a multi-tiered campaign against the Serbs, aiming to restructure the country through unitarisation and by stripping Serbs and Croats of their Dayton-granted rights.

Under the pretext of ensuring the functionality of the BiH state apparatus, a "civic concept" is being imposed on it, which is intended to water down the identity of the constituent peoples. The real goal is to create circumstances under which political elites from only one of the three peoples could freely implement an externally dictated agenda to the detriment of the interests of the other Bosnian parties. Such ventures have profoundly negative implications for the region. That reminds me of the fact that unilateral declaration of independence by the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in circumvention of the Bosnian Serbs' opinion triggered the civil war.

The Office of the High Representative was among the principal sources of instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Initially designed as an auxiliary mechanism of international oversight over civilian aspects of the settlement, it gradually became a puppet body, allowing Western powers to interfere almost without constraints in BiH's internal affairs. Instead of its direct Dayton function, which is to facilitate dialogue among the Bosnian parties, the High Representatives, all of them representing the Western community, are wreaking legal havoc in a sovereign state. They deliberately provoke domestic political turbulence to justify the need for continued external control over BiH. Meanwhile, responsibility for the crisis is baselessly shifted onto Republika Srpska.

They came out in true colours after the secret "appointment" of retired German politician Christian Schmidt as High Representative which took place even without attempting to maintain the appearance of legality in violation of every procedure in the book. This is very much in the spirit of the infamous rules-based order. Legally void "resolutions" by the self-appointed High Representative, who lacks a UN Security Council mandate, contradict democratic principles and cause irreparable damage to intra-Bosnian dialogue.

There's no doubt that the immediate and unconditional closure of the High Representative's Office is the first step towards normalisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This much was clear 20 years ago when the international community made a principled decision to this end in 2006. In the 21st century, the existence of such a colonial tool in a sovereign UN member state is inconceivable. It's high time for the peoples of BiH to gain true sovereignty and independence, and to determine their own future and the future of their state. Western actors oppose the abolition of external governance as best they can.

Moreover, in an attempt to bypass the key role of the UN Security Council in stabilisation processes in BiH, the West continuously seeks to privatise the settlement issue, creating "monitoring" formats that are alternative to the UN Security Council and dampen dissenting voices.

What is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina is by no means an isolated example of disregard for international law. Similar cases include the Kiev regime and its European patrons in Berlin and Paris blocking the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures approved by the UN Security Council.

For many years now, Western patrons of Pristina have been ignoring the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which is basic to Kosovo settlement and guarantees Serbia's territorial integrity. By unilaterally recognising the self-declared "independence" of Kosovo, they continue to encourage mayhem perpetrated by the Pristina government, including steps to form an illegal Kosovo-Albanian "army." They initiate military alliances in which Pristina participates on equal footing with sovereign states, creating dangerous dynamics in military buildup and shifting the balance of power in the Balkans. This also constitutes a direct violation of Dayton agreements, primarily those set out in Annex 1-A On the Military Aspects of the Peace Settlement and Annex 1-B On Regional Stabilisation.

We are convinced that only on the international - Dayton - legal platform can durable interethnic reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina be achieved, ensuring stability in the Balkans at large. Any changes to Dayton Accords can only be made on the basis of consensual decisions independently adopted by all peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina through mutually respectful dialogue, without external interference and strictly in accordance with established constitutional procedures.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible participant in the Bosnian settlement, Russia consistently and firmly supports the Dayton Agreement and its core principles of equality among the three constituent peoples and the two entities with broad practical powers. We call on both the international community and the Bosnian parties to uphold Dayton in the interest of successful and sustainable development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its entities, and prosperity and well-being of all its citizens, as well as robust security in the Balkans.

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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on UN Facility in Sudan

Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, December 14, 2025, SPA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the attack on a United Nations compound in Kadugli, Sudan.

The Kingdom emphasizes the necessity of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the preservation of Sudan's unity and institutions, and the imperative of providing protection for civilians and implementing the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration (commitment to protect civilians in Sudan) on May 11, 2023.

-- SPA

18:49 Local Time 15:49 GMT

0059

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Over 300 Palestinians Died From Israeli Attacks Since Ceasefire Began

Sputnik News

20251214

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip took effect on October 10.

More than 300 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire with the Palestinian movement Hamas took effect, the New York Times reported, citing local health officials.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip took effect on October 10. As part of this agreement with Israel, Hamas released 20 hostages held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, thus freeing all remaining hostages. In response, Israel released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists serving life sentences.

Hamas is currently returning the remains of hostages who died in captivity to Israel. The Palestinian side previously returned the bodies of 27 hostages who had been identified.

 Sputnik

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Lavrov Warns West Is 'Restructuring' Bosnia, Violating Dayton Agreement

Sputnik News

20251214

In an article for Serbian newspaper Politika, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov accused the West of launching a "multi-tiered campaign against the Serbs" aimed at dismantling the Dayton peace framework and forcibly integrating Bosnia into NATO.

In an article for the Serbian newspaper Politika, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Western powers of waging a "multi-tiered campaign against the Serbs" aimed at systematically dismantling the Dayton Peace Agreementthe accord that ended the Bosnian War in 1995.

Lavrov framed recent Western initiatives as a direct assault on Bosnia's sovereignty and constitutional order, designed to forcibly pull the country into NATO's orbit.

Lavrov outlined several key concerns. He warned that the West is actively forming an illegal Kosovo-Albanian "army" and forging military alliances with Pristina, thereby destabilizing the delicate balance of power in the Balkans.

Furthermore, he criticized the imposition of a "civic concept" that seeks to erase the distinct identities of Bosnia's constituent peoplesBosniaks, Serbs, and Croatscentralizing power and undermining the rights of Serbs and Croats as guaranteed by Dayton.

"What is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina is by no means an isolated example of disregard for international law. Similar cases include the Kiev regime and its European patrons in Berlin and Paris blocking the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures approved by the UN Security Council," Lavrov wrote.

The end goal, Lavrov asserted, is the forced integration of Bosnia into NATO, allowing one externally backed group to dominate and repeating the unilateral actions that sparked the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

 Sputnik

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Statement by UNICEF on children displaced by escalating violence in eastern DRC

UNICEF

Statement

14 December 2025

KINSHASA/BUJUMBURA/NEW YORK, 13 December 2025 - "UNICEF is deeply alarmed by the rapid escalation of hostilities in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has forced hundreds of thousands of children and families to flee for safety, both within DRC and across borders into Burundi and Rwanda.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to protect children and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Since 1 December, intense fighting has displaced more than 500,000 people, including over 100,000 children inside South Kivu alone. With violence spreading, displacement is expected to rise further. UNICEF is gravely concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the large number of children fleeing and seeking refuge.

"Hundreds of people have been killed since 2 December. Grave violations against children have also been reported, including the killing of 4 students, injuries to 6 students, and attacks on at least 7 schools with classrooms damaged or destroyed.

"As families flee under fire, children face acute protection risks including family separation, exposure to violence, exploitation, gender-based violence, and psychosocial distress.

"Many people fleeing the violence have crossed into Burundi, with reports of over 50,000 new arrivals between 6 and 11 December alone, nearly half of them children. The numbers are predicted to be much higher as authorities continue to identify those displaced. Many have injuries sustained in the conflict, are unaccompanied and separated children, or are women at heightened risk.

"UNICEF is working with national authorities and partners in both DRC and Burundi to mobilize an urgent, child-focused, humanitarian response while also closely coordinating with other UN agencies and partners to ensure rapid assessments and scale-up of assistance as soon as security conditions permit.

"Children must never pay the price of conflict. UNICEF stands ready to support every child affected by this escalating crisis."

#####

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Hamas says reserves right to retaliate for commander assassination, blames Israel for sabotaging ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Monday, 15 December 2025 1:06 AM

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan says the movement reserves the right to respond to the Zionist occupation's violations of the ceasefire agreement, notably the assassination of commander Raed Saad.

Speaking to Al Jazeera on Sunday, the Hamas leader paid tribute to the martyred commander, stating that he "dedicated himself to the Palestinian cause and the defense of his land and homeland."

Hamdan accused the occupation forces of actively attempting to derail ongoing negotiations for the second phase of the truce.

He confirmed that intensive talks are underway with regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, regarding the next stages of the ceasefire agreement.

However, he warned that the occupation's actions are creating insurmountable obstacles.

"We are speaking with our brothers in Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey regarding negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, but the occupation insists on sabotaging the agreement," Hamdan said.

He asserted the movement's stance on its military capabilities and mandate.

"We adhere to our right to resistance, especially armed resistance."

Hamdan stressed the need for any international force monitoring the second phase of the ceasefire to respect Palestinian sovereignty.

"Palestinian factions see an international force as a guarantor for implementing the ceasefire agreement, without powers or interaction with the Palestinian people in Gaza."

'Resistance decision of all Palestinians'

He emphasized that the decision to resist is a unified Palestinian stance, not solely a factional one.

"Resistance is a purely popular Palestinian decision, not a decision of the Hamas movement."

Hamdan reiterated that Hamas is an extension of a centurylong struggle, noting that the movement "came as an extension of a long history of Palestinian struggle and has maintained the path of resistance against the occupation for four decades."

He defended the decision to launch the AlAqsa Flood in 2023, stating that "there is not a single leader from the Hamas movement against the October 7 decision."

He pointed out that "international recognition of the Palestinian state is one of the fruits of AlAqsa Flood."

Hamdan asserted that the Palestinian resistance values life, despite the occupation's campaign of destruction.

"We value the sanctity of blood and do not dare to shed it, no matter who it belongs to."

He then called for global redress for the atrocities committed by the occupation.

"The world must apologize to the Palestinian people for the crimes of genocide that Israel has committed against them."

The official acknowledged the losses suffered by the movement but affirmed its resilience.

"We are rearranging our affairs and reorganizing our ranks after the martyrdom of many of the movement's leaders, and the world will see the cohesion of our movement."

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Russo-Ukraine War - 14 December 2025 - Day 1390

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to withhold the pressure of the Russian occupation troops.

So far, there have been a total of 148 combat clashes. Today, the Russian state made 42 aviation strikes, dropping 103 controlled bombs. In addition, the Russian zombies engaged 4003 kamikaze drones and carried out 3703 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, one confrontation with Russian zagarbnikami took place. The Russian enemy carried out two aerial strikes, dropping six KABs and 140 shells, including six from the jet systems of salpovogo fire.

Today, Russian forces attacked ten times in the South-Slobozhans .komu direction: near Sinelnikovoye, Prylipka, Vovchansk and towards Kolodaznogo. The two Russian attacks are ongoing so far.

Three times the Russian aggressor tried to go ahead on Ukrainian positions in the Kupyans komu direction towards Petropavlivka and Pi any.

In the Lyman direction for today Ukrainian defenders repelled nine Russian attacks. The Russian enemy attacked in the areas of settlements Novoegorivka, Kolodazi, Novoselivka, Serednje and Zarichne. Two more clashes are underway.

Ukrainian soldiers repelled six enemy attacks in the Slovenian direction. Russian units tried to advance in the areas of yampol, serebryanka and pereiznogo.

In the direction of Kramators komu, there was one battle with the Russian opponent in the area of Chasovoye Yar.

In the Konstantinivsky direction, Ukrainian troops today repelled 23 Russian attacks near Oleksandro-Shultynogo, Scherbinivka, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopilla, Jablunivka and towards Sofiyivka.

In the Pokrovsk direction during this day the Russian aggressor 42 times attacked Ukrainian positions in the areas of the settlements of Shahove, Nikanorivka, Rodins ke, Mirnograd, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Dachne and towards Novopavlivka.

According to preliminary calculations, today on the Pokrovsky direction the Russian occupiers lost 96 people killed and injured. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed an artillery system, nine vehicles units, 11 unmanned aircraft; struck four artillery systems, two vehicles, nine personnel shelters and a Russian enemy's ammunition depot.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 Russian attacks near the settlements of Oleksandrograd, Novoselivka, Sosnivka, Verbove, Krasnogirskke, Privilne, Zlagoda and Ribne. 6 more clashes are still going.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Russian enemy carried out 13 assault actions, Ukrainian defenders repelled attacks in the areas of Solodky, Gulyaipol and towards Varvarivka.

In the Orihiv direction, the Russian opponent stepped once towards Primorsky.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, one attempt by the Russian occupiers to approach the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of the Antonivsky Bridge ended in failure.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that he Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of a jaeger brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade near Alekseyevka and Ryzhevka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, units of a heavy mechanised brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades have been hit near Velikiy Burluk, Vilcha, Okhrimovka, and Prilipka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses amounted to over 240 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, and two materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces continues to destroy an enemy group surrounded on the left bank of the Oskol River. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a national guard brigade near Blagodatovka, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Petrovka, Podoly, Shiykovka (Kharkov region), and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU lost up to 220 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, a Croatian-made Heron MLRS launcher, and three ammunition depots.

The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit five mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Konstantinovka, Nikiforovka, Reznikova, Seversk, Slavyansk, and Stepanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, 13 motor vehicles, and a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

The Tsentr Group of Forces units continued to neutralise the encircled AFU formations near a railway station,north-eastern and western parts of Dimitrov as well as to mop up the settlements of Grishino and Svetloye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, an airmobile brigade, two air assault brigades, an unmanned systems regiment, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, a territorial defence brigade, four national guard brigades, and an Azov special forces brigade near Belitskoye, Grishino, Krasnoyarskoye, Novoaleksandrovka, Rodinskoye, Toretskoye, Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy lost up to 495 troops, a Kazak armoured vehicle, a pickup truck, and a field artillery gun.

The Vostok Group of Forces continues to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence and have completed the liberation of Varvarovka (Zaporozhye region).

Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade close to Andreyevka, Gavrilovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Vozdvizhenka, Gulyaypole, Kosovtsevo, Lyubitskoye, and Ternovatoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost more than 300 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles, and an electronic warfare station.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on a mountain assault brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade close to Orekhov, Razumovka(Zaporozhye region), Dneprovskoye (Dneprovsk region), and Nikolskoye (Kherson region).

More than 45 troops, six motor vehicles, two artillery guns, an electronic warfare station, and two materiel depots have been neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted losses on fuel depots as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas.

Air defence systems shot down four guided aerial bombs and 290 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 102,637 unmanned aerial vehicles, 639 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,531 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,631 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,891 field artillery guns and mortars, and 49,012 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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Trump admin. orders transportation body to share passenger names in expanded deportation push: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 11:21 PM

The Trump administration has instructed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide the names of every airline passenger to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a report by The New York Times.

Under the arrangement, which began in March, the TSA has been supplying the ICE with passenger lists multiple times a week, the daily reported on Friday.

The ICE is then able to cross-reference those lists with its own databases identifying individuals targeted with detention or deportation.

'Nothing new'

Both agencies operate under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A DHS spokesperson confirmed the cooperation, describing it as "nothing new," and said the policy had followed a reversal of what the department called a Biden-era approach to air travel.

In a statement, the spokesperson said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had ended policies that allowed undocumented immigrants to fly without identification, adding that under Trump, the TSA and the DHS would no longer permit such travel.

The spokesperson said the administration's goal was to ensure that undocumented immigrants could no longer fly domestically unless they were leaving the country to self-deport.

Traveler information is typically provided to the TSA by airlines after tickets are booked and is used for screening against the so-called "Terrorist Screening Dataset" and other databases.

According to a former TSA official cited by the Times, prior to the TSA-ICE partnership, the agency would not take part in immigration enforcement or domestic "criminal" cases.

The number of people arrested as a result of the program has not been disclosed.

However, the Times reported that the arrest and deportation of 19-year-old college student Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was linked to the initiative.

Lopez Belloza was detained at Boston's Logan Airport on November 20 and deported to Honduras. She had been brought to the United States from Honduras at the age of seven, and she and her family were unaware that she was subject to deportation.

The report also cited the arrest of Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva, a woman from El Salvador, who was detained weeks earlier at the Salt Lake City airport.

Both arrests were flagged by the Pacific Enforcement Response Center, a California-based office that alerts ICE field offices across the country to detain immigrants, according to the paper.

The TSA-ICE cooperation comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to access data held by other federal agencies.

In April, the DHS reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to obtain tax data on undocumented immigrants, but a federal court blocked that plan in November, according to CNN.

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Press conference - Canberra

Transcript

Sunday 14 December 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I am joined tonight by Nigel Ryan, the Acting Deputy Commissioner for National Security for the AFP, and Mike Burgess, the Director-General of ASIO. And we don't normally talk and confirm meetings of the National Security Committee, but I think at this moment it is appropriate to tell Australians that the National Security Committee was convened as a matter of urgency and we have just come from it. This afternoon, there has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Chanukah, 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. 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. Our agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible as they continue to emerge. 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 anyone's worst nightmare. Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured for all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief. 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 NSW 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. We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives. As Prime Minister, I say 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 live and work in peace and safety. And you enrich us as a nation. You should never have to endure the loss that you have suffered today. You should never know the fear that you know tonight. We will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected. You are Australian and all Australians are with you today and every day. My fellow Australians, I say tonight that there are nights that tear at our nation's soul in this moment of darkness. We must be each other's light. Hold on to the true character of the country that we love. Australia is stronger than the cowards who attacked innocent people today. Australia is braver than those who seek to make us afraid. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred. We will see justice done and we will come through this together. I'd ask Acting Deputy Commissioner Ryan to make some comments and then Director-General Burgess.

NIGEL RYAN, ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY FOR THE AFP: Thank you, Prime Minister. Firstly, our thoughts go out to the families and communities that have been affected by this senseless attack today, the AFP stands next to the NSW Police and with ASIO in our joint counterterrorism arrangements, and we'll 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 NSW Police to use specialist powers in relation to this investigation. I don't wish to speculate in relation to any of the information that is currently known. This matter is ongoing. It is in its early stages, and we will continue to work with NSW Police to ensure that it's investigated as best as possible. Thank you.

MIKE BURGESS, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF ASIO: Thanks, Nigel. Thanks, PM. ASIO was also a member of the joint counterterrorism team and our principal role at this stage is to support the police in their ongoing investigation. But at the same time, as is standard practice for us, we are looking at the identities of the attackers and where that is known, we're looking to see if there is anyone in the community that has similar intent. It's important to stress at this point, we have no indications to that fact, but that is something we have active investigations on. The national terrorism threat level remains at probable. I don't see that changing at this stage. Probable means there is a 50 per cent chance of an act of terror, and unfortunately, we've seen that horrific act occur tonight in Australia. Thank you.

PRIME MINISTER: A few questions.

JOURNALIST: You've called this terror. Are you aware of any other terror threats at the moment? And what's your message to Jewish Australians who may not feel safe in Australia tonight?

PRIME MINISTER: My message to Jewish Australians is that your fellow Australians stand with you tonight in condemning this act of terror, in condemning this outrage. I spoke with, I've had a number of conversations with people tonight. One of the Jewish community leaders said to me that we know where antisemitism leads, that it leads to an attack on everyone, not just Jewish Australians. And this attack at Bondi Beach, of all places, a place of celebration, a place where people particularly in Sydney but from all over the world come to enjoy each other's company and to, in this case at the Bondi Pavilion there. I'm very familiar with that pavilion. 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.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, in light of this attack, is the government going to move on any of the recommendations in the Special Envoy's Report on Antisemitism in Australia?

PRIME MINISTER: We're continuing to, to work on all of those issues, including one of the things that you'll see is a request that had previously been made to be included, in additional funding for security, as well. And I know that it is, you know, this is an incredibly tough time for the community to deal with this. It's important that they don't deal with it alone. That everyone stand with them at this time.

JOURNALIST: Left unchecked, as you were just saying, antisemitism leads to terrorism and violence targeting the innocent. Your government has come under criticism in claiming that it has effectively responded to the rise of antisemitism in Australia since October 7, 2023. In September, your government recognised a Palestinian State. Your ministers have attacked the Israeli Government. Senior ministers refused to visit the sites of the October 7 massacres. And you created a Special Islamophobia Envoy alongside an Antisemitism Envoy. Have you taken the threat of antisemitism seriously? And can you guarantee the safety of Jewish Australians?

PRIME MINISTER: Yes, we have taken it seriously and we've continued to act. We've continued to work with Jewish community leaders. We've continued to take all the advice from the security agencies to put in place, special measures, and we will continue to do so.

JOURNALIST: For Mr Burgess or Deputy Commissioner Ryan. Mr Burgess, you've been warning for a long time about the risk of this sort of attack, localised extremism. Were any of these people on your watch list? I think the New South Wales Commissioner just said they were aware of one of these characters, that they were keeping an eye on him. Was anybody on either of your radar at all?

DIRECTOR-GENERAL BURGESS: So, it's too, too early to give you any more details, Phil, other than to say like the NSW Police, one of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate threat perspective. So obviously we need to look into what happened here.

JOURNALIST: Mr Burgess, you've mentioned the chance of another attack is probable or 50 per cent. I'm just wondering how - does that mean that there is still a one in two chance of a follow-up attack? And does ASIO or the other security agencies take more precautions now that you've seen such a devastating attack?

DIRECTOR-GENERAL BURGESS: So, national terrorism threat level is probable means there's a 50 per cent chance. So, one in two. Of course, that doesn't mean to say there's a connection to an immediate attack following this one. That is subject to our ongoing investigation. We have no indications that that is the concern at this stage. But of course, we will work 24 by seven along with our police colleagues to make sure that is the case.

JOURNALIST: Mr Burgess, given the events of earlier today, why - can you sort of expand on your decision to leave the terrorist threat level at probable? Do you envisage that you will have further conversations about potentially adjusting the terrorism threat level in the coming days?

DIRECTOR-GENERAL BURGESS: The national terrorism threat level is under constant review. One incident by itself does not necessarily raise the threat level at a national level, but we keep that under constant review.

PRIME MINISTER: Thank you.

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Iran condemns 'violent attack against civilians' in Australia

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has condemned a deadly shooting incident in Australia.

"As a matter of principle, Iran condemns the violent attack against civilians in Sydney, Australia," Baqaei wrote on his X account on Sunday

"Terror violence and mass killing shall be condemned, wherever they're committed, as unlawful and criminal," he added.

At least 11 people were killed and over two dozen others injured after two gunmen fired on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach earlier in the day.

One gunman was also fatally shot by police, and the second, who was arrested, was in critical condition, authorities said.

The police source has been quoted as saying that one of the gunmen was known to the security services, but there had been no specific threat.

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At least 12 people killed in shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- A mass shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Australia's largest city of Sydney leaves 12 people, including an assailant, dead and 18 others injured.

Police say two gunmen opened fire at a gathering celebrating the Jewish Hanukkah on Sunday, but did not specify who was behind the attack.

"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," New South Wales police said in a post on X.

In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the shooting as "shocking and distressing," but said the government was working with NSW Police and would provide further updates.

The incident, one of the bloodiest against Australian Jews, has provoked a wave of harsh and unprecedented reactions from the Israeli regime, which itself is under fire over the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Shikli, attacked the Australian government, claiming the country had paved the way for such an attack by allowing anti-Israeli rallies and "anti-Semitism," a pretext Israeli officials usually cite.

Another Israeli minister, Shlomo Karai, said in a similar tone that "Western governments' inaction" towards anti-Israel demonstrations had led to the deaths of Jews in Australia.

However, analysts say public opinion in the West has dramatically shifted against the Israeli regime over the genocide in Gaza.

Gaza's Health Ministry says the death toll in the besieged territory has surpassed 70,000 since October 2023.

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Message to the Australian Jewish community from President Herzog

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

President Herzog: "The people of Israel stand together with all of you in this very dark and difficult moment."

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy, Terrorism

Secondary topic: Antisemitism Today

Publish Date: 14.12.2025

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Following the deadly terror attack on the Jewish community in Sydney this morning (Sunday, 14 December 2025), President Herzog sent the following message to the Jewish community of Australia from the President's Residence in Jerusalem:

"Dear sisters and brothers, from Jerusalem  the eternal capital of the Jewish people  to all of you in Australia, especially in Sydney,

"On behalf of the State of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to the Jewish community of Australia after today's horrific terror attack.

"These vile terrorists deliberately targeted innocent Jewish families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. They wanted to light a big light.

"The people of Israel stand together with all of you in this very dark and difficult moment.

"Even in the face of terror and tragedy, let's not forget: we are the eternal people. The Jewish people are strong, resilient, and united, and our message is clear: the Hanukkah lights must go on and will be lit all over the world, especially in Bondi Beach in Sydney and all over Australia.

"In Australia, in Israel, and around the world, the Jewish people  the eternal people  will continue to bring light into the world and overcome this terrible darkness."

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President Herzog speaks with Australian Jewish community leaders following Sydney terror attack

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

During the calls, President Herzog expressed the profound shock and sorrow felt across Israel in the wake of the attack, which struck the Jewish community as they gathered to mark the first night of Chanukah.

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy, Terrorism

Secondary topic: Antisemitism Today

Publish Date: 14.12.2025

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog spoke this morning (Sunday, 14 December 2025) with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, and Rabbi Levi Wolff, the Rabbi of the Central Synagogue in Sydney, following the horrific terror attack targeting a Chanukah event in Sydney.

During the calls, President Herzog expressed the profound shock and sorrow felt across Israel in the wake of the attack, which struck the Jewish community as they gathered to mark the first night of Chanukah. He conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the entire Israeli nation to the families of those murdered, prayers for the recovery of the wounded, and solidarity with the Australian Jewish community at this devastating moment.

President Herzog said to David Ossip: "We are utterly shocked and bereaved. The entire nation of Israel feels that its heartbeat has stopped. On behalf of the State of Israel and the people of Israel, please convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and our prayers for the recovery of the wounded. We stand with you, and we are here for you."

Mr. Ossip briefed the President on the grave situation on the ground, describing the deadly attack at a Chanukah gathering in Sydney, the loss of life including a senior rabbi, and the immediate steps taken to place the community in lockdown amid ongoing security concerns.

President Herzog emphasized his confidence in the leadership of the Australian Jewish community and reiterated Israel's unwavering support: "We trust your leadership and your strength. You will do whatever is needed to ensure the safety of the community. Please know that the State of Israel stands alongside you."

Mr. Ossip thanked President Herzog for the call, noting the strength and reassurance drawn from Israel's solidarity at such a painful time.

President Herzog concluded by urging resilience and unity, saying: "Be strong. We will remain in close contact. Shalom, my friend."

In his call with Rabbi Levi Wolff, the Rabbi of the Central Synagogue in Sydney, President Herzog conveyed his deepest condolences on the murder of a Chabad Rabbi in the attack.

President Herzog shared words of strength with Rabbi Wolff, affirming that "the Jewish people never give up. We are an eternal people, and the candles will be lit again as of tomorrow, again and again, all over the world."

Rabbi Wolff responded that, even amidst the terrible pain of this moment, "we have shown over the years that no-one can hold us down, and we will move on stronger."

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President Herzog on Sydney terrorist attack on Jewish community

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

President Herzog: "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."

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy, Terrorism

Secondary topic: Antisemitism Today

Publish Date: 14.12.2025

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Speaking at an event recognizing the extraordinary achievements of immigrants to Israel today (Sunday, 14 December 2025) at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog spoke of the news of the mass shooting terror attack against a community Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia.

President Herzog: "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.

"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.

"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."

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Special Government Meeting in Dimona

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 14.12.2025

"On August 17, about four months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian government's policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia.

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." 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.

Instead, Prime Minister, you replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement. 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.

We saw an action of a brave man--turns out a Muslim brave man,and I salute him--that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews. 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.

That's what Israel expects of each of your governments in the West and elsewhere. Because the disease spreads and it will consume you as well. 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.

They're 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.

Now as a result of this, Secretary of War Peter Hegseth said the following. He said, let it be known that 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.

We send our condolences to the people of America and I want to say that our policy is exactly that policy. That's why those who target Israelis, target our soldiers, try to kill them or try to hurt them and wound them, as happened in Gaza yesterday, we take action. They will spend the rest of their brief anxious lives knowing that Israel will hunt them, find them and ruthlessly dispose of them. That is American policy, this is Israel's policy. It's our policy in Gaza, in Lebanon, anywhere around us. We do not sit by and let these killers kill us".

"Anyone who attempts to dispatch, direct, or organize terrorism against us - is in our crosshairs. Our policy will remain very forceful and independent".

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, today, at the special Government meeting in Dimona:

"Yesterday, on my directive and that of Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF eliminated the arch-terrorist Raad Saad, who was one of the architects of the October 7 massacre and also one of the authors of the 'Jericho Wall' extermination plan. He was the primary figure in charge of Hamas's effort to build up its strength and arm itself within the Strip. He was dispatching terrorists against us and launching attacks against our fighters within the Yellow Line. He was working to replenish weaponry and smuggle weaponry. I have said that in English we speak of demilitarization - he was conducting remilitarization. That is to say, he was re-arming and re-organizing, and essentially coordinating a continuation of the offensive in total violation of the principles Hamas supposedly accepted by adopting the Trump plan.

Our policy is clear: we will not tolerate a systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement to which Hamas is committed under the plan. Anyone who attempts to dispatch, direct, or organize terrorism against us - is in our crosshairs, exactly as U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said yesterday. Their policy - is our policy. There is no difference. This is what we are doing, and this is what we will continue to do.

We are nearing the end of the first phase. We also wish to return, and are working to return, Ran Gvili, of blessed memory, a hero of Israel. We are doing a great deal on this matter, including activities carried out here, and also in Cairo and in other places. This is the first thing I wanted to say. Our policy will remain very forceful, and it is an independent one. We decide on the actions; we decide on the responses. We decide what needs to be done to ensure the security of Israel and the security of Israeli soldiers.

The second matter: the economy. This isn't "A Light Hour on Economics" [a long-running Israeli radio program] - it's a light second on economics. The Economist magazine, which is no fan of Israel, ranked Israel's economy as the third-best in the world in terms of positive change compared to the previous year. This is not because the previous year was not good. It was good as well, even though we have been through two years of war. This is a testament to the economic power of the State of Israel and the firm, steadfast and informed economic policy that we are making together. I would like to praise the Finance Minister, his team, and you, the ministers of the Israeli government, because this was achieved through important teamwork.

Now, regarding Dimona and the Negev. We are working in accordance with a vision. Ben-Gurion declared a goal, but that goal has not been accomplished. It was not accomplished, and we know this because we see the scale of construction and development in the Negev over the decades, until we arrived and made a change together. This change stems from the idea of going from the vision to the realization of that vision. And the vision of that realization is built on three things: transportation, national infrastructure, and private initiative. The combination of these creates the change".

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15 dead, dozens injured in mass shooting at Jewish event in Australia

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 2:10 PM

At least 15 people have been killed and dozens of others injured when two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish event in the Australian city of Sydney on Sunday.

Authorities said police fatally shot one gunman, and the second was arrested and is in critical condition.

At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state, to which Sydney is the capital.

Lanyon said police had found what they believed to be several improvised explosive devices in a nearby vehicle linked to the suspect who was killed.

He said police are continuing to investigate the shooting, while emergency services remain on high alert in the area.

Witnesses to the shooting described scenes of chaos as the gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered at Bondi Beach. One witness said he heard 40 to 50 shots.

The mass shooting came as hundreds of people had gathered at Sydney's Bondi Beach for an event called Chanukah by the Sea, celebrating the start of the Jewish festival.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the scenes at Bondi "shocking and distressing," adding, "There is no place for this hate, violence, and terrorism in our nation."

He said authorities were working to identify everyone involved in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack on social media, calling it "heinous" and expressing solidarity with the Jewish community.

"My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah," he wrote.

Israeli leaders "loudly blamed" the Australian government for ignoring warnings of what they called antisemitic threats.

In a speech at an event in al-Quds, Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the shooting as a "very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach."

He called on Australia to "fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society."

Tel Aviv, however, has offered little condolence to Australia's Jewish community.

Australia, a country of 28 million people, is home to about 117,000 Jews, according to official figures.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the shooting in an English message on X, saying that France "extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones."

Australia has seen widespread outrage over Israel's two-year genocide against the Palestinian people, with major protests in cities across the country since October 2023.

Demonstrators have voiced anger over civilian casualties, destruction of homes, and the regime's ongoing war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Social media and local reports indicate that public sentiment has increasingly reflected outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with protesters demanding that the Australian government condemn the Israeli regime's genocide and halt arms sales to Tel Aviv.

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Press conference - Sydney

Transcript

Monday 15 December 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

The Hon Chris Minns MP

Premier of NSW

Mal Lanyon

NSW Police Commissioner

Dominic Morgan

NSW Ambulance Commissioner

CHRIS MINNS, PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: I'm joined with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Police, the Commissioner for New South Wales Ambulance, and of course, Mal Lanyon, the New South Wales Police Commissioner. It's a very sad duty this morning to report that 16 people have been confirmed as being killed. 15 innocent people and one perpetrator. There are 42 people in New South Wales hospitals overnight, and the victims' age ranges are from as young as 10 to 87. A devastating fact. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon will speak in a moment about Operation Shelter, the circumstances of this investigation, the counterterrorism plan from New South Wales Police, and the latest in relation to community safety, as well as the New South Wales Government's and the New South Wales Police's inquiry into this devastating crime. Obviously, the Jewish community in New South Wales are absolutely devastated this morning. And it's our responsibility to wrap our arms around that wounded community and let them know that ordinary Australians, regular Australians, are in their corner and thinking of them this morning after this terrible, terrible, targeted attack on what should have been a joyful event that they have every right to share with their community on Bondi Beach last night. We need to send a strong and clear repudiation of antisemitism in all of its forms. In all of its forms. There is no tolerance for racism or Jewish hatred in New South Wales or Australia. And we need to be clear and unambiguous that we will fight it everywhere we see it, whether it's destructive, horrible acts of violence or chance mottos and internet posts on the internet. Wherever it is, we need to fight antisemitism. It is toxic. It is cancerous within a community. And as you can see from last night, it leads to devastating, devastating implications for the people of our country. There's been overwhelming public outrage and support from the people of New South Wales, and I think from the people of Australia. There needs to be a time for mourning. We need to be in a position to bind up the wounds of the state's Jewish community. And many people are asking how they can help. The first thing, of course, is to listen to New South Wales Police and emergency services. But if you are looking for something practical to do, you could give blood. We saw extraordinary scenes from New South Wales public hospitals last night. Emergency departments, at the drop of a hat, were in the process of saving scores of lives. They did an incredible job, but they need your help. They need blood. And if you're thinking about doing an act of public service in the coming 24 hours, I'd urge you to contact the Red Cross and do that piece of public mindedness, that piece of public spiritedness. I want to say thank you to our amazing police force, who acted bravely and diligently in incredibly difficult circumstances. Thank you to the paramedics who, in some cases, under fire, transported the injured to New South Wales hospitals, to the doctors and nurses in our public hospitals, and lastly, thank you to innocent bystanders and civilians who stood up, risked their own lives to save other people's lives. This is a terrible, wanton act of destructive violence. But there are still amazing people that we have in Australia, and they showed their true colours last night. I'm going to pass over to the Prime Minister and then New South Wales Police Commissioner.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Premier. 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, Bondi Beach. That is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations. And it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening. This was an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah, which of course should be a joyous celebration. 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. The Australian Federal Police and ASIO are working closely with New South Wales authorities. And the briefing we've just had, we have had the AFP there and the AFP Commissioner will return to Australia today. We will dedicate every single resource that is required in responding to this. To the brave first responders, including ordinary citizens who acted yesterday - thank you for what you do. People rushing towards danger to show the best of the Australian character. That's who we are, people who stand up for our values. Flags will fly at half-mast across the country today as we pay our respects to all those lost and all those who have been injured. And we conclude by saying that yesterday was indeed a dark day in our nation's history. But we as a nation are stronger than the cowards who did this. I thank world leaders who have reached out from President Trump, President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer, others right around the world have reached out to Australia at this time and we thank you for your sympathy and your solidarity with our values. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred and we will come through this together. We refuse to let them divide us as a nation. I'll hand to Commissioner Lanyon now.

MAL LANYON, NSW POLICE COMMISSIONER: Thank you, Prime Minister. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Last night I announced that I had determined that it was a terrorist activity and made a declaration as such at 9.36pm. As a result of that declaration, we commenced Operation Arques, which is a joint counterterrorism operation. That is New South Wales Police working very closely with our Commonwealth partners to ensure that we thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the incident yesterday. We have progressed at pace overnight with that investigation. As a result of investigations undertaken, I can say that we are not looking for a further offender. We are satisfied that there were two offenders involved in yesterday's incident. One is deceased, the second is in critical but stable condition in hospital at the moment. The offenders are a 50-year-old and 24-year-old male who are father and son. The 50-year-old is deceased. The 24-year-old is currently in hospital at the moment. As part of the investigation, we conducted two search warrants last night. One at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie. The 50-year-old male is a licenced firearms holder. He has six firearms licenced to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday, but also as a result of the search run at the Campsie address, ballistics and forensic investigation will determine this morning that those six firearms are the six that were licenced to that man, but also that they were used in the offence yesterday at Bondi. We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly. It's 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. We always work closely with our Commonwealth partners to make sure that we keep the community safe. This is a very difficult time for all law enforcement agencies and I would really like to call out the work of New South Wales Ambulance last night and we're joined by the Commissioner Morgan this morning. The ambulance officers were absolutely outstanding in their response. 16 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. I have two police officers currently in hospital at the moment. Both are in critical but stable condition. And again, the thoughts of the New South Wales Police are very much with those officers and their families. This morning, we commenced Operation Shelter. It is an operation that we have previously run. We have escalated the number of police that are involved. Operation Shelter is designed to provide comfort to the Jewish community. We will make sure that we are highly visible at places of worship, places that are known to be frequented by the Jewish community, but very much in those suburbs where we know that we have a large Jewish population. I want to make it very clear that the New South Wales Police will not tolerate the types of violence or the types of antisemitic behaviour that we have seen. We will have 328 officers on the ground this morning as part of Operation Shelter. That operation will continue to work very closely with the Jewish community to make sure that we both prevent but also respond to anything that may happen. I was very clear last night to call for calm. This is not a time for anyone to be seeking retribution. This is a time for community to grieve and to heal. The New South Wales Police will do what it does best and that is to prevent but investigate offences that happen. And we will be here to support the community. I might hand over to Commissioner Morgan. I think if there's anything you'd like to say, sir.

DOMINIC MORGAN, NSW AMBULANCE COMMISSIONER: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Could I just express my condolences to the victims, the families and friends and certainly those that remain in hospital at this time. Our best wishes and prayers are going out to you. This was obviously a significant incident that has occurred at Bondi Beach last night. New South Wales Ambulance got its initial call via New South Wales Police at 18:43 last evening. Our first crews were on scene within less than ten minutes. This took a response of more than 123 personnel from New South Wales Ambulance. Both New South Wales Police and New South Wales Ambulance worked seamlessly, I'm advised, through this entire incident in support of the community. I cannot convey how important that is. We are told stories of amazing heroism of paramedics and police working seamlessly together with members of the community. Some of our paramedics are from the Jewish community and attended that scene and continued their duties diligently and professionally. Of that initial response, New South Wales Ambulance transported 24 patients, particularly in the first wave, and attended 14 people who were deceased at the scene. Through the course of the evening, another two people succumbed to their conditions at New South Wales hospitals, and a total of 42 people attended New South Wales facilities. It is not uncommon in these major incidents for members of the community, sometimes often with very serious injuries, to make their own way to hospitals so that they are not burdening the resources, the services. This is what it means to be Australian. I do want to make the point that there is significant amount of support available from the New South Wales Health Service system. I could commend to the community that there are great resources available on the New South Wales Health website if you need mental health support and some reference material if you also need that. Just in conclusion, I do want to make the point - there were some amazing lessons learned from the Bondi Westfield Shopping Centre. Last night, I am told the command structures were seamless. The joint agency approach, the ability for paramedics, with the support of police, to work in these hot zones, I'm absolutely convinced, contributed to the saving of lives that otherwise would have been lost. Finally, just one message for the first responders at these scenes. You are an inspiration to us all. The way you put yourself in harm's way, your courage and resilience, we all thank you.

JOURNALIST: Commissioner Lanyon, can you elaborate? You said yesterday that one of the gunmen was known to police. Was that gunman known to police for extremist views and were any terror symbols displayed at the attack yesterday?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I'd prefer not to comment at the moment. We're still very early in the investigation. We'll be happy to provide further information as it goes along. I want to give our investigators the opportunity to investigate thoroughly, without speculation. We did hear last night a lot of information was coming forward. I want to make sure that it's accurate.

JOURNALIST: Commissioner, there are reports a black ISIS-style flag was draped over the gunmen's car. Are police aware of this? Has a flag been recovered?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: That's all part of the investigation. As I just said before, I'd rather not comment on that right at the moment. Obviously, we will look at the motives behind this attack and I think that's really important as part of the investigation. Our investigation will be thorough and we will be happy to provide further information.

JOURNALIST: Was there any indication that the shooters were known to any service ahead of time?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: There was no indication to indicate that either of the men involved in yesterday's attack was planning the attack that happened yesterday.

JOURNALIST: Did they leave any manifesto or notes?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: Again, that is part of the investigation. I don't want to go into that this morning. We've got investigators that have been working around the clock. I'm incredibly proud of the work that has been undertaken so far. We want to get to the bottom of this. We want to understand the motives behind it and we certainly want to understand the actions that have happened. I cannot give a running commentary on the investigation. I want to give the investigators time to work through this properly.

JOURNALIST: Is there anything you can tell us about ideology?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: At this stage, no, I won't comment on that. We'll continue to work through that. That is part of the investigation, to understand the motives behind it.

JOURNALIST: For how long had the 50-year-old had a gun licence? And you said yesterday that the deceased was known to police here. Was the same individual the one that was known to ASIO? Do you understand anything about that?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I think last night, there was wide speculation that the younger of the two men had been deceased. That's not the case. The older man was deceased. I'm told that he has had a gun licence for approximately 10 years.

JOURNALIST: And the younger man, he was the one known to police and to ASIO? Do you have any more information on that?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: No, I don't. And I think I said last night it was very limited knowledge.

JOURNALIST: Can you elaborate on why he was known to police?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: No, I can't. Not this morning. That's all part of the investigation.

JOURNALIST: Can you confirm the identities of the gunmen and whether they were staying at an Airbnb in Campsie?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I can certainly indicate that they were staying at an address at Campsie. Their residential address is in Bonnyrigg. They were staying at an address in Campsie.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has laid some blame at on your feet. What is your response to Netanyahu's comments yesterday? They were pretty inflammatory.

PRIME MINISTER: This is a moment for national unity. This is a moment for Australians to come together. That's precisely what we will be doing.

JOURNALIST: Is it a failure that these men weren't seriously on the radar of our authorities?

PRIME MINISTER: Our authorities do an extraordinary job. An extraordinary job. As Commissioner Lanyon has said, investigations have already made some progress, the fact that there were raids on the home in Bonnyrigg and at Campsie last night. We will continue to provide every resource, every resource possible to the AFP and as well to our intelligence and security agencies.

JOURNALIST: Police Commissioner, not looking for a third offender, that means not just no third shooter, but no other persons of interest or suspected accessories. How do you know that these two were acting alone?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: What I'm saying is that we will conduct a thorough investigation. If there is any other person that is associated with the two offenders that we believe that was either involved or responsible for what took place, we will take appropriate action. What I'm saying very clearly is that there were two persons involved yesterday. There were two persons in this atrocity. We are not looking for a third person who was involved in yesterday's incident directly.

JOURNALIST: Is this a failure that this man was able to get a gun licence and he was not more on the radar of authorities?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I think there's actually legislation that governs how people have a firearms licence. So, what I've said so far, and I'm not going to go further into it at this stage - there was very little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities. The person was determined to be entitled to have a firearms licence and had a firearms licence. The person had a firearms licence for a number of years for which there were no incidents, and it was regulated.

JOURNALIST: Do you see that as a failure?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I think it's probably premature to be talking about this when I'm speaking about an investigation. We want to get to the circumstances of everything that occurred yesterday and what led up to it. We are determined to make sure that investigation is thorough.

JOURNALIST: Why was there so little knowledge of these individuals, particularly the 24-year-old, who you didn't know about? This was a planned attack. Doesn't appear to have been something that spontaneously happened.

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I think that's really part of the investigation. We want to understand the motive behind these two people. There are many people in the community for which the police have very little knowledge about, and quite rightly so. We want to understand whether these people were further involved in any offences. But we have no history to say that's the case.

JOURNALIST: Are their families cooperating?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: We will be speaking to the families. We have spoken to the families.

JOURNALIST: What was the purpose of the firearms licence? What was his reason for having firearms?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I don't have that information this morning. What I've said is that he did hold a firearms licence and did have six registered firearms.

JOURNALIST: Premier, clearly it's early in the investigation, but obviously a terrorist has been able to hold a firearms licence. If changes need to be made to our gun laws in New South Wales, will you make changes?

PREMIER MINNS: The short answer is yes, we're looking at that right now. Obviously, we're in the early stages of this investigation. New South Wales Police need to provide all the details of this inquiry to the Government. But I made it clear last night that we will take every step we possibly can to keep our community safe and we'll be looking at law reform along that route. And this is an intolerable situation. This is an attempt to break apart our social life, to divide Australian against Australian. There's a massive role for the Government, New South Wales Police and regular citizens to play here to ensure that we keep our community safe. And I won't hesitate to move legislation if it's required.

JOURNALIST: Premier, do you see this as a failure? That this man and his son were not picked up by authorities and were able to get a gun licence?

PREMIER MINNS: Look, I can't say at this point. I mean, I think it's important that we allow police to conduct their investigation. Of course there will be a comprehensive inquiry. This is a massive terrorist event in Australia's largest city targeted on Jewish Australians. We need to get to the bottom of exactly how this happened so that we can take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again. Now, I think in these circumstances it's important that no stone is left unturned and New South Wales Police are given time to conduct that investigation. But we have to do everything we possibly can to ensure that this doesn't happen again. Part of that may be law reform. Almost certainly it will be. Part of it will be a comprehensive police response. But it also goes down to the level of confronting racism and antisemitism in our community. We saw a shocking act of public violence yesterday afternoon, but we've seen time after time over the last two years in particular, but even before that of public acts of antisemitism in our community. It lights a fire, it's toxic. It gets into the marrow of a community. And the only sensible, fair and just response is a community standing up as one and saying, we will not tolerate racism and we will not tolerate antisemitism in New South Wales.

JOURNALIST: Eyewitness reports last night included that police, up to four police, were standing around one of the active shooters. Not giving fire back, standing, just standing there. An eyewitness said that it was like they froze -

PREMIER MINNS: James. No, sorry, hang on a sec. I'm just going to stop you there. I am not going to speculate on that right now. What I will say is that there are two New South Wales Police officers in critical condition in New South Wales hospitals who stepped into the breach and could have lost their lives last night. I'm not going to go into the circumstances of police officers that returned fire, but I can tell you their bravery, their courage in these circumstances saved countless lives. And I would just urge everybody, don't jump to conclusions at this point. It's important that we have a full and comprehensive investigation, but certainly don't run down the police at this early hour.

JOURNALIST: Can you provide us with some more detail on what explosive devices were found at the scene and what was done to disarm them?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: Yes, certainly. There were two improvised explosive devices found at the scene. They were taken by our rescue and bomb disposal unit. They were found to be active devices, so they were taken back and rendered safe by our police, who do a professional job.

JOURNALIST: And does that mean they could have been triggered by phones, or can you tell us anything about how they would have been triggered?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: I believe that they were more rudimentary than that. I think it would have been, there would have been a wick or something similar that would have been used to actually do that. I think they were fairly basic in terms of their construction.

JOURNALIST: Do you have any intelligence that suggests how they were going to be used?

COMMISSIONER LANYON: No, I don't. Not at this stage. That's why we're investigating so thoroughly. We want to get to the bottom of this. I've made it really clear that we want to understand every circumstance. I am very glad that those devices were not activated. But really, our thoughts and prayers at the moment are with everyone who has lost someone.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Jewish Australians have been warning that something like this could have happened. They have been petrified for more than 12 months now. Has your Government failed Jewish Australians when their worst nightmare was realised last night?

PRIME MINISTER: My Government will continue to stand with Jewish Australians and continue to stand to stamp out antisemitism in all of its forms. We have taken strong action. We'll continue to work with the community. This morning I've already had a discussion with the Antisemitism Envoy, the first one ever appointed in Australia, Jillian Segal. Last night I spoke with Peter Wertheim and other leaders of the Jewish community. We'll continue to work with them because this is a time where all Australians need to wrap our arms around Jewish Australians. So, we stand with them. We stand against antisemitism. We will do whatever is necessary to stamp it out. Antisemitism is a scourge. It's been around for a long period of time. We need to do whatever we can to stamp it out.

JOURNALIST: Do we need a gun crackdown like John Howard carried out after Port Arthur? He took leadership on that. Will you?

PRIME MINISTER: We will look at whatever is necessary, whatever comes out of this investigation. If there is any action required in terms of legislative response, we will certainly have it. Thank you.

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Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners In Deal With US In Latest Bid To Mend Ties

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service December 13, 2025

Belarus's authoritarian government has freed 123 prisoners after Washington indicated it was lifting sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports, the latest step in Minsk's efforts to repair ties with the West after years of isolation.

The US mediator, Belarusian media, human rights watchdogs, and Ukrainian officials reported that President Aleksandr Lukashenko had pardoned 123 prisoners, including some prominent opposition figures.

Those freed include 2020 protest leader Maryya Kalesnikava and Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatski as well as citizens of several other countries. One American was released, an unnamed US official told AFP.

US President Donald Trump's envoy to the country, John Coale, announced the prisoner release, using the total number that likely included those freed since the end of November.

"Another 156 political prisoners released thanks to President Trump's leadership! An important step in US-Belarus relations. We discussed regional security and migration issues in Vilnius [with Lithuanian leaders] and in Minsk with President Lukashenko," Coale wrote on X.

Coale separately told Reuters that it was "probable" that a further release of prisoners could take place in the coming months, without being specific.

Belarus has been subject to crippling Western sanctions imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has conducted a series of prisoner releases, although hundreds of people -- many classified as political prisoners -- remain in custody.

Dzianis Kuchynski, a representative of Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya's office, said all of the political prisoners released on December 13 were safe and had left Belarus.

Kyiv officials said 114 of the released prisoners had arrived in Ukraine. The other nine were believed to have been sent to Lithuania.

Kalesnikava Urges Release Further Releases

Following her arrival in Ukraine, Kalesnikava called for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.

"I'm thinking of those who are not yet free, and I'm very much looking forward to the moment when we can all embrace, when we can all see one another, and when we will all be free," she said.

Byalyatski told RFE/RL and other media in Vilnius that "Our fight continues."

"The Nobel Prize was, I think, a certain acknowledgement of our activity, our aspirations that have not yet come to fruition, therefore the fight continues," Byalyatski added.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed "profound relief and heartfelt joy" at the release of Byalyatski, who was a co-recipient of the 2022 Peace Prize but had been imprisoned since 2021.

"At the same time, more than 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, and their continued detention starkly illustrates the ongoing, systemic repression in the country," Jorgen Watne Frydnes, Nobel Committee chairman told AFP.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the release,which she said included EU citizens, and resolved "to keep fighting for all remaining prisoners behind bars in Belarus because they had the courage to speak truth to power."

A Deal With Trump

According to reports in the Belarusian state media, the prisoners were pardoned as a result of a deal with Trump.

The prisoners were released after reports in state media quoted Coale as saying Washington was lifting sanctions on potash, a Belarusian fertilizer export.

Reporting on December 13, the Belarusian state news agency Belta outlined the topics covered during Coale's two days of talks with Lukashenko in Minsk.

"In accordance with the instructions of President Trump, the United States is lifting sanctions on potash," Coale was quoted as saying. "This is a very good move on the part of the United States for Belarus."

Belarus is a major global producer of potash, a key fertilizer ingredient.

He said the two sides also discussed the prospect of improving relations. "We talked about the future, about how to move forward on the path of rapprochement between the US and Belarus," Coale said. "That's our goal."

One year after Belarus's rigged presidential election, the US Treasury Department imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Minsk in August 2021.

The sanctions had targeted Belaruskali -- the country's largest fertilizer producer -- for being "a major source of tax revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko regime."

Coale said he had discussed a wide range of issues with Lukashenko. "We talked about the war between Ukraine and Russia, about Venezuela," he said.

Coale said that given Lukashenko's long friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Washington wanted his help in influencing the Kremlin.

"Your president has a long history with President Putin and has the ability to advise him. This is very useful in this situation," Coale said.

He noted that Lukashenko might be able to change Putin's mind in the context of the ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine.

"Naturally, President Putin may accept some advice and not others. This is a way to facilitate the process," he said.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, AFP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-prisoners- freed-us-trump/33622355.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the release of political prisoners by the Belarus regime

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

14 December 2025 17:52

Ukraine welcomes the release of 123 political prisoners, including five Ukrainians, from prisons of the Belarus regime on 13 December 2025.

The release of people who were imprisoned solely for their desire to be free was carried out due to the joint efforts of the United States of America, President Donald Trump personally, the entire democratic community, all human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations, who for many years did not give up the fight for their freedom.

We believe that the release of political prisoners will bring closer the liberation of Belarus as a country that has been under Moscow's vassal rule for many years and in the captivity of Lukashenko's regime, which, in particular, uses people as livestock to be exchanged for political indulgences.

We are convinced that one day Belarus will finally return to its natural position as a free, democratic European country. This will be helped by those who have now been released - from Nobel Prize winners, public and political figures to ordinary freedom-loving people.

Alexander Lukashenko and all those involved in gross human rights violations in Belarus will not escape responsibility for all the crimes and atrocities they have committed against the Belarusian citizens and Belarus, as well as against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is grateful to the Coordination Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War for its assistance in carrying out this important humanitarian operation.



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Chinese envoy: Iran-China relations steady over decades despite challenges

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Cong Peiwu says relations between Iran and China have followed a healthy and stable course since their establishment more than five decades ago, despite experiencing complex developments.

The ambassador made the remarks on Saturday at the Third Iran-China Dialogue Forum, which kicked off in Tehran.

He noted that Iran and China will mark the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026, stressing that bilateral ties have remained stable despite various challenges.

"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, ties between China and Iran have undergone complex developments, yet they have consistently remained on a healthy and stable trajectoryone that has brought significant benefits to the peoples of both countries and has played an important role in promoting peace and stability in the region," he said.

Cong added that at a time when the international environment is increasingly marked by instability and the rise of unilateralism, the importance of strong Iran-China relations has become even more evident, underscoring the need to adopt the right approaches and further strengthen mutual political trust.

Recalling a statement by Chinese President Xi Jinping that relations with Iran hold a significant place in China's Middle East diplomacy, the ambassador urged scholars from both sides to recognize the importance of the current juncture and contribute to deepening friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

He also called on thinkers and academics from Iran and China to conduct research aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation, as well as collaboration within regional blocs and the Global South.

"Within the framework of multilateralismsuch as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organizationwe should strengthen cooperation and help shape a bright future for the Global South," he said, while also stressing the importance of promoting cultural ties, noting that both Iran and China represent major global civilizations.

The Third Iran-China Dialogue Forum is being held by the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) on Saturday and Sunday. The event features specialized panels and workshops attended by Iranian and Chinese officials, researchers, and academics.

Topics under discussion at this round of the forum include geopolitical developments in West Asia, new capacities for economic and technical cooperation, as well as energy, investment, and food security.

4194**7129

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Joint press release issued on meeting between Chinese, UAE FMs

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Dec 14, 2025 07:36 AM

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.

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China expands use of Iranian rail corridor for cargo transit

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 7:10 PM

China has increased its use of Iranian railway corridors for cargo transit, an Iranian official has said, as Tehran steps up efforts to position itself as a major regional rail freight hub.

Shahriar Naghizadeh, head of the foreign commerce department at the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, said on Sunday that the number of Chinese cargo trains using Iranian rail corridors has reached 42, with another train arriving in the country earlier in the day.

Naghizadeh added that a Russian cargo train also arrived in Iran on Sunday as part of Moscow's transit operations through Iran to destinations in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean and Iraq.

He said Iran is coordinating the passage of a second Chinese cargo train through its territory to Europe, following a pilot journey conducted in March.

"These are major developments in the railway sector and signal a promising future for its expansion," Naghizadeh was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

According to the official, Iran's railway corridors are gaining popularity for cargo transit due to their shorter distances and fully overland routes, which eliminate the need for maritime transport.

He added that transit costs through Iran are lower than those of comparable routes, and that the country has offered guarantees to process cargo in the shortest possible time.

Iran has made significant investments in its transport infrastructure in recent years to capture a larger share of regional transit revenues.

The country has also adopted a long-term policy to expand its east-west transit infrastructure in line with China's Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-trillion-dollar project aimed at improving transport links connecting China with Europe, Asia, and Africa.

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Chinese Diplomat Says US Should First Reduce Its Own Nuclear Arsenal

Sputnik News

20251214

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States should first of all reduce its own nuclear arsenal, as creation of conditions for nuclear disarmament depends of Washington, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the US, Liu Pengyu, told Sputnik.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump said that he had held talks with Moscow and Beijing on the issue of denuclearization. According to the US leader, both Russia and China are interested in reduction of nuclear weapons.

"The country with the largest nuclear arsenal must faithfully follow its special and primary responsibility in the field of nuclear disarmament, further reduce its nuclear arsenal and create conditions for complete and comprehensive nuclear disarmament," Liu said, answering the question about what the US should do in the light of Trump's statements about negotiations with Russia and China on denuclearization.

The spokesperson of the Chinese embassy said that Beijing adheres to a nuclear strategy focused on self-defense and a policy of non-use of nuclear weapons first.

China has always maintained its nuclear potential at the minimum level necessary for national security and never participates in an arms race with anyone, Liu said, adding that Beijing's nuclear arsenal and approaches in this area contribute to maintaining global peace.

 Sputnik

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HK high court rules Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiracy to collude with external forces, publish seditious materials

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Dec 15, 2025 10:44 AM Updated: Dec 15, 2025 11:39 AM

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s High Court ruled on Monday morning that Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Three Apple Daily companies were found guilty of a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and a charge of conspiracy to collude with external forces, according to the verdict announced at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building where the High Court processed the case, according to local media reports.

The charges alleged that between April 1, 2019 and June 24, 2021, the defendants, together with Jimmy Lai, conspired with six former senior executives of Apple Daily and others to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display, or reproduce seditious publications, and to conspire to request foreign institutions, organizations, or individuals to impose sanctions, blockades, or other hostile actions against the Hong Kong SAR or the People's Republic of China, according to RTHK.

As Hong Kong's first case involving the "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" offense since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, Jimmy Lai faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if found guilty, some legal experts told the Global Times on Monday.

The trial began in December 2023 and was heard by three National Security Law-designated judges of the Hong Kong High Court over more than 150 days of hearings. In July last year, the court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, and both the prosecution and the defense completed their closing submissions in August this year.

The case was adjourned to January 12, 2026 to plead with other defendants, with the sentencing date to be determined later, Sing Tao Daily reported on Monday.

The written judgment runs to 855 pages. After reading out pages from 849 to 855 in court, the judges distributed the written judgment to the parties. In the ruling, the judges criticized Jimmy Lai's testimony as inconsistent and unreliable. They also noted that the court must carefully assess the evidence of conspirators, taking into account the possibility that they may have given false testimony in exchange for sentence reductions, and emphasized that documentary evidence must be relied upon to substantiate such testimony, according to Sing Tao Daily.

Citing the evidence, the court found that in June 2019, Jimmy Lai met in Washington with senior US officials, including then US vice president Mike Pence and then secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The discussions covered the proposed amendments to Hong Kong's fugitive offenders legislation and requests for the US to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong SAR. Jimmy Lai's personal assistant, Mark Simon, consistently arranged meetings with US officials for Lai and worked behind the scenes on Lai's behalf, the media report said.

The court accepted that Jimmy Lai was the mastermind behind the three charges in the case. Accordingly, the court ruled that all the charges against Lai are found guilty.

As Hong Kong's first non-guilty plea case involving the "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" offense, the court found Jimmy Lai guilty on all charges, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday.

Following a 156-day trial, this landmark casethe first major case involving collusion with foreign forces since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kongnot only underscores the authority and dignity of the rule of law in Hong Kong, but also sends a clear message to the world: any attempt to split the country or undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability will be met with severe punishment under the law, Louis Chen, member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a member of the Hong Kong Election Committee, told the Global Times on Monday.

From a legal perspective, the ruling further demonstrates that any organization or individual, regardless of background, will be held legally accountable if they violate the National Security Law for Hong Kong. It sets a clear benchmark for the rule of law in Hong Kong: national security is inviolable, and legal red lines must not be crossed, Chen said.

Li Kwai-wah, Chief Superintendent of the National Security Department, said on Monday following the ruling that all three charges against Jimmy Lai were proven, with evidence supporting each charge, and that the police welcomed the court's ruling, Dotdot News reported.

The entire trial lasted 156 days, including 55 days involving the first defendant. During this period, the police handled more than 2,220 items of evidence, with a focus on reviewing 14 batches of core materials, Li said.

At each hearing, the judiciary arranged more than 400 seats for members of the public and local and foreign media to attend the proceedings, ensuring openness and transparency throughout the trial, Li said.

This case is the most significant and the most closely watched by Western countries since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, said Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, noting that relatively speaking, most Hong Kong residents seem not to care much about it, but they should acknowledge the verdict.

"The greatest significance of this case is that no one has a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' when it comes to national security laws; both the central and Hong Kong SAR governments will uphold national security with a firm stance and decisive enforcement," Lau told the Global Times on Monday.

Many people previously assumed that Jimmy Lai, backed by external forces, could act recklessly to endanger national security, Lau said, emphasizing that his conviction will serve as a deterrent to anti-China and anti-Hong Kong actors as well as foreign forces, reducing the number of those daring to collude with external powers, which is beneficial for the long-term protection of national security.

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Kim Jong-un: Western Armed Forces 'Cannot Match' North Korea's Army

Sputnik News

20251213

SEOUL (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said at a welcoming ceremony held this week for the Korean engineering units returning from a mission abroad that the armed forces of Western countries were no match for the Korean People's Army.

"The armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth," Kim was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim argued that North Korean military personnel were willing to sacrifice their lives for their country. He said that mass heroism was a powerful weapon of the North Korean army, which cannot be replicated by any other army, even "at any exorbitant cost."

 Sputnik

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 12 December 2025

Berne, 12.12.2025 -- On 12 December, the Federal Council decided to adapt the sanctions against Iran to the status prior to the conclusion of the Vienna Agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. To make that possible, it conducted a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new ordinance enters into force at 11pm on 12 December.

On 28 September, the previously suspended UN Security Council Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), 1929 (2010) and 2224 (2015) were reinstated. In response to the reinstatement of UN sanctions, the European Union decided the following day to reactivate its suspended sanctions in connection with Iran's proliferation-related activities.

At its meeting on 12 December, the Federal Council decided to conduct a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In so doing, the Federal Council is implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, bringing Switzerland's sanctions against Iran back to the level they were at before 2015 and introducing additional measures in the area of raw materials. In taking this decision, the Federal Council intends to prevent Switzerland from being used as a means of circumventing EU sanctions. At the same time, it is also increasing legal certainty for Swiss companies operating internationally. On 20 October, the EAER, acting within its remit, adopted the reinstated UN Security Council listings.
Foreign oil tanker seized with 6 million liters of smuggled fuel off Oman Sea coast

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 13, 2025

Bandar Abbas, IRNA -- Iranian authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker on charges of carrying 6 million liters of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, the chief justice of Hormozgan Province announced on Saturday.

Mojtaba Ghahreman said the vessel was detained as part of ongoing intelligence monitoring of suspicious fuel smuggling activities along Iran's maritime borders in the Sea of Oman.

He stated that, after obtaining judicial authorization, enforcement officers inspected a foreign oil tanker in waters under Iran's sovereignty west of Jask and seized it due to multiple maritime violations and deficiencies in legal documentation related to its cargo.

Ghahreman said the tanker was seized on charges of transporting 6 million liters of smuggled fuel, adding that the cargo is equivalent to the capacity of about 200 small vessels and 2,000 Nissan pickup trucks.

He noted that, following reports by enforcement officers, a case has been opened at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Jask County, and judicial proceedings into the charges are continuing.

The official added that 18 suspects, including the captain and crew of the foreign oil tanker, have been placed under supervision after appropriate legal measures were issued to complete investigations and legal procedures.

Ghahreman further said the tanker committed multiple violations in addition to organized fuel smuggling, including ignoring stop orders and attempting to flee, lacking maritime and cargo documents, turning off its radar, and deliberately damaging the vessel's equipment during the seizure.

He said the outcomes of judicial proceedings will be announced in due course.

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Senior Iranian commander hails breakthroughs in cutting-edge military technologies

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 3:03 PM

A senior Iranian commander has underscored major progress in the nation's military industries, noting that the armed forces have achieved breakthroughs in advanced technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence, quantum science, drones, and laser systems.

Speaking at a ceremony in the central Iranian city of Kerman on Saturday, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi stated that Iranian military forces have made significant strides in advanced technologies.

He attributed the achievements to a strong reliance on domestic expertise and resources.

The commander emphasized that Iran's Armed Forces, operating under the leadership's direction and equipped with extensive resources and capabilities, are fully prepared to respond to any hostile act.

General Jahanshahi noted that following the 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime and the US in June, the Armed Forces have enhanced their readiness across all sectors by learning from past experiences and adhering to the guidelines of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

He stated that the Israeli regime, backed by the United States and NATO, has initiated a hybrid and cognitive war against Iran, employing advanced global technologies.

The commander emphasized that the war had been designed and strategically planned under the assumption that it could lead to the collapse of the Islamic establishment.

General Jahanshahi said that even though Iran sustained losses and several high-ranking commanders were assassinated during the war, the enemy was unable to fulfill its goals.

He also noted that 58 Army personnel sacrificed their lives defending the country.

On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.

More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.

The confrontation came to an end on June 24, when the US requested a ceasefire on behalf of the Israeli regime.

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Iran seizes foreign tanker smuggling fuel in Gulf of Oman, detains 18 crew

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 2:21 PM

Iranian authorities report seizing a foreign-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for smuggling six million liters of fuel, detaining 18 crew members.

The vessel was intercepted on Friday in waters under Iran's sovereignty near the western Jask area, off the southern province of Hormozgan, Iranian media reported on Saturday.

Mojtaba Ghahremani, the chief justice of Hormozgan province, said that the seizure was part of ongoing intelligence monitoring and surveillance of suspected fuel-smuggling activities along Iran's maritime borders in the Sea of Oman.

Judicial officers, acting under a court warrant, boarded and inspected the tanker after it was found to have committed multiple maritime violations and lacked legal documentation related to its cargo, Ghahremani said.

The tanker was subsequently confiscated on charges of transporting six million liters of smuggled fuel, equivalent to the capacity of around 200 barges or 2,000 fuel tanker trucks.

Media reports from Iran indicated that the 18 detainees include the ship's captain and crew members, who are nationals of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The crew members face charges of "ignoring orders to stop, attempting to flee, operating without navigation and cargo documents, switching off radar systems, and damaging onboard equipment at the time of seizure."

A judicial case has been opened at the public and revolutionary prosecutor's office in Jask, with ongoing investigations into the violations and smuggling charges, according to Ghahremani.

The suspects have been placed under judicial supervision while legal procedures continue, with further details to be announced once the investigation is complete, he added.

Iran has stepped up efforts to curb the smuggling of Iranian-made oil products in the Persian Gulf. These products, mainly motor fuels, are illegally shipped to Arab states in the region, where fuel prices can be more than 20 times higher than those inside Iran.

Officials in Iran assert that intensified efforts to combat fuel smuggling have dealt a serious blow to organized smuggling networks and their financial resources.

On Wednesday, Iran seized an Eswatini-flagged vessel transporting 0.35 million liters of smuggled diesel as part of a broader crackdown on the illegal yet lucrative trade of subsidized Iranian fuel in the region.

Also in mid-November, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that it had seized a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker outside Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf for carrying unauthorized cargo.

Subsequent reports indicated that the tanker had been transporting some 30,000 metric tons of Iranian-owned petrochemical materials.

Iranian authorities released the tanker four days later after offloading its cargo.

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Iran Seizes Foreign Oil Tanker With 18 Crew Members

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 13, 2025

Iranian judicial authorities have seized a foreign oil tanker and detained its 18 crew members in the Sea of Oman.

Reports in Iranian media said the ship seized on December 12 was carrying some 6 million liters of smuggled fuel.

Citing provincial judiciary officials in southern Hormozgan Province, Tasnim News Agency said the tanker was impounded after it was intercepted and inspected off the port city of Jask in Iranian-controlled waters.

"In addition to the organized transportation of smuggled fuel, the tanker ignored the order to stop and attempted to escape," Mojtaba Ghahremani, head of provincial judiciary in Hormozgan, was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

He said the tanker also lacked proper navigational and cargo documents and had its radar turned off. The crew was "deliberately destroying the ship's equipment at the time of the seizure," Ghahremani said.

Fars, another semiofficial news agency, reported that the crew was being questioned. It said the crew members were from South Asian nations, including India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Ghahremani did not name the country that owned the vessel.

Tehran has a history of seizing ships in the Persian Gulf, a vital waterway for global fuel supplies. Over the years, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has accused most of the seized tankers of carrying smuggled fuel, but it failed to substantiate such accusations.

Last month, the IRGC confirmed the seizure of a foreign tanker named Talara. It was seized on November 14, a day after reports said an oil tanker had diverted from the United Arab Emirates to Iranian waters.

The latest confiscation by Iran follows the United States's seizure of a Tehran-linked tanker off the coast of Venezuela this week.

The vessel was under US Treasury Department sanctions since 2022 for allegedly helping smuggle Iranian oil as part of a network led by Ukrainian national Viktor Artemov.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-gulf- irgc-oil-tanker/33622251.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US, Israeli warmongering and aggression main challenges for world: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs has described the war and acts of aggression of the Israeli regime and the United States as the main challenges facing the world.

Kazem Gharibabadi made the remarks during his address to the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Riyadh on Sunday, with the participation of foreign ministers from different countries under the theme "Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity -Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World."

Asking for more responsibility in preserving human rights and world peace, he said, "Iran calls on all countries and the United Nations to respond decisively to Israeli aggressions and the unwavering US support the regime enjoys."

Gharibabadi noted that sustainable peace and security require the international community to avoid promoting war and escalating crises, rather focus on diplomacy and honest dialogue based on mutual respect. "The UNAOC should serve as a resistance against warmongering and domination, "he stressed.

The senior diplomat also emphasized the important role Iranian civilization played in flourishing culture and thought worldwide, saying the current critical situation makes it necessary to put the alliance of civilizations on the strategic global agenda.

"This alliance can be effective, among other things, for combating terrorism, establishing sustainable peace and security, promoting social and economic justice, as well as developing joint scientific projects," Gharibabadi explained.

He said that Iran, as the initiator of the idea at the UN General Assembly to declare the year 2001 as "Dialogue of Civilizations," and a country with a rich history and culture, declares its full readiness to cooperate with other countries to accomplish global peace.

4399**4353

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Security on eastern borders a key issue for Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesperson

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 14, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Iran attaches paramount importance to its neighborhood and border security, including along its eastern borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that any tension between the two countries would inevitably affect Iran as well.

Baqaei made the remarks on Sunday during his weekly press briefing while commenting on a meeting hosted by Iran the same day on the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from Afghanistan's neighboring countries as well as Russia.

"Iran shares a total border of nearly 2,000 kilometers with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Any tension that arises between the two countries will inevitably affect us as well. Other countries have similar concerns, which is why we have invited them to participate," the spokesperson said.

He added that Afghanistan had been invited to the meeting, as Iran believes Afghan participation in such processes could enhance mutual understanding and help resolve issues between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries.

Afghanistan, however, chose not to attend the meeting, a decision that Iran "respects," he said.

According to the spokesperson, the participating countries exchanged views on regional developments, including the recent border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Through this meeting, the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to help build regional consensus and identify solutions that will strengthen security and stability in the surrounding environment and among regional countries," he said.

FM Araghchi to visit Russia, Belarus

Baqaei announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Russia and Belarus on what he described as "important trips." He did not specify the exact dates of the visits.

US continuous meddling in West Asia

Baqaei said that the United States, unfortunately, continues to meddle in the affairs of West Asian countries despite the devastating consequences its policies have already had in the region.

He was commenting on recent remarks by US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack regarding Washington's conduct in the region. Baqaei said the envoy's comments clearly acknowledged the United States' interference in regional affairs and demonstrated how policies that have already proven to be failures have produced severe repercussions for the countries affected.

Iran's new ambassador to Lebanon

According to the spokesperson, the process of appointing a new Iranian ambassador to Beirut has already begun, following the recent arrival of Lebanon's new ambassador in Tehran.

Baqaei also commented on the Lebanese foreign minister's claim that Iran interferes in Lebanon's internal affairs.

"We prefer to refrain from any statements that might divert Lebanon from focusing on safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, or from any words that could cause Lebanese society and the government to lose sight of their country's core issue: defending itself against the continued crimes of the Zionist regime," he said.

Yemen internal fighting

Commenting on recent battles involving UAE-backed separatist forces in Yemen and their advances toward key areas of the country, the Iranian diplomat said the developments should be a source of concern for many countries in West Asia.

"These developments are in line with the policies of the Zionist regime aimed at fragmenting regional countries," Baqaei said, reiterating Iran's position on the necessity of dialogue among different Yemeni parties to achieve stability and safeguard the country's territorial integrity.

No Iranian interference in Venezuela

Baqaei dismissed as "totally irrelevant" allegations made by a Venezuelan opposition figure and backed by the United States.

The spokesperson said Venezuela is an independent country with the right to manage its foreign relations with countries that respect it and share common interests with Caracas.

He added that the United States has a long history of coups and regime-change efforts in Latin America and that, in Venezuela's case, it is "entirely clear" Washington is seeking to impose its will on an independent country. "This behavior violates all principles and rules of international law," he said.

Killing of three Americans in Syria

Commenting on the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by Daesh terrorists in Syria, Baqaei said Iran has consistently warned about the expansion of terrorism in the country in the wake of continued attacks and occupation by Israel and the United States.

"The continued crimes of the Zionist regime and its attacks on Syria, along with the ongoing occupation of significant parts of the country by various parties, including the United States, could prevent the return of stability and security to Syria. This is one of the issues that has raised concern among all countries in the region," he said.

Pezeshkian's trips to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan

President Masoud Pezeshkian's visits to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, which took place from December 10 to 12, mark a turning point, Baqaei said.

He noted that the Kazakhstan trip was a bilateral visit of particular importance, during which some 24 agreements were signed across various economic and commercial sectors.

The visit to Turkmenistan, he added, was international in nature and coincided with the Peace and Trust Conference, marking the anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. On the sidelines, multiple high-level meetings were held with regional leaders, further strengthening Iran's cooperation with Central Asian and Caucasus countries, according to Baqaei.

Iran respects Iraqi decisions

Responding to a question about the UN secretary-general's visit to Iraq to announce the end of the UNAMI mission, the Iranian diplomat described the visit as important, as there are plans for forces deployed in Iraq under the stated goal of combating Daesh to withdraw by September 2026.

He emphasized that Iran respects the decision of the Iraqi government as an independent and sovereign state, expressing hope that Iraq will ensure the interests of its people and the region are fully considered in its interactions with the United Nations and other international bodies.

Suicide among Israeli soldiers

Commenting on a report by Israel's Maariv newspaper, which stated that 279 soldiers had attempted suicide over the past 18 months, Baqaei said these acts reflect "a small sign of extreme barbarism" and highlight the crimes these soldiers have carried out under orders from their policymakers.

4194**9417

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US advised to respect Iranian people, their elected establishment: FM

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 3:39 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged the United States to respect the Iranian people and the ruling establishment they have chosen.

The top diplomat made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera as part of a documentary examining the Israeli regime and the US's 12-day unprovoked war on the Islamic Republic in June.

He said it was solely up to the Iranian people to judge the country's standing, and strongly advised the US to respect both the nation and the establishment they had chosen through democratic electoral procedure.

The foreign minister, meanwhile, reminded Iran's longstanding distrust of the US as a negotiating partner, stating that Washington had withheld sincerity in its dealings.

He cited the Islamic Republic's long experience with sanctions as a case in point.

Araghchi, though, underlined that years of economic pressure had failed to resolve standing problems,

Nor can military force achieve lasting results, the official added, pointing out that while bombardment might destroy buildings and equipment, it cannot eliminate technology, erase knowledge from people's minds, or break the will of a nation.

The existing lack of trust, however, should not be used as a reason to abandon diplomacy altogether, Araghchi stated, noting that diplomacy remained the only viable path to resolving disputes.

He, therefore, underscored that there was no solution other than a negotiated one resulting from diplomatic engagement.

Iran does not seek war and continues to favor diplomacy as the means of addressing existing issues, he stressed.

The official noted, though, that the Islamic Republic was, at the same time, not disregarding the possibility of war either.

He pointed to repeated existing claims that the Israeli regime might launch another attack, describing such messaging as part of psychological warfare, and noting that it appeared to be aimed at instilling fear within Iran as an element of a broader aggression.

According to the foreign minister, the country is, hence, fully prepared for any scenario, with its Armed Forces and people ready to defend the national soil under all circumstances.

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In Baghdad, Guterres hails 'new chapter' in Iraq as UN mission draws to a close

13 December 2025 - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is ending operations this month but support for the country will continue, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed at the official closing ceremony in Baghdad on Saturday.

UNAMI was established in 2003 following the fall of Saddam Hussein and has supported Iraq through political transition, post-conflict recovery, and the horrors of ISIL, also known as Da'esh. Its mandate concludes on 31 December.

Mr. Guterres said the progress made by the Iraqi people in recent years is a source of inspiration.

"We recognize that today, as we close one chapter of the history of the United Nations and Iraq  and open another."

'A country at peace'

The Secretary-General hailed the courage, fortitude and determination of the Iraqi people who overcame decades of violence, oppression, war, terrorism, sectarianism and foreign interference.

"Against all odds, the Iraqi people never wavered in your commitment to build a peaceful, inclusive society based on the rule of law and democratic institutions," he said.

He pointed to milestones achieved over the past two decades, including the drafting of the 2005 Constitution, multiple national elections, and the territorial defeat of the terrorist group Da'esh, also known as ISIL.

Today, Iraq is "a country at peace with increased security and a clear determination to win the battle of development."

UN Mission's role

"UNAMI was honoured and humbled to walk side-by-side with the Iraqi people," he said, noting that the Mission had advised successive governments and parliaments on judicial and legal reforms, promoted human rights, and supported civic space for women, youth and minorities.

Furthermore, when Da'esh seized large parts of Iraqi territory, UNAMI helped mobilize and coordinate support to protect civilians and millions of displaced persons.

The mission worked to promote inclusive, political dialogue and national reconciliation. It also helped ensure the safe return of millions of displaced people, including returnees from al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria and members of the Yazidi minority community who suffered abuse and violence at the hands of Da'esh.

Tribute to staff

The Secretary-General saluted all UNAMI staff and paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack on the mission's headquarters on 19 August 2003. The bombing killed 22 personnel and injured over 100.

"It is deeply moving for us to be joined by some of the survivors and victims' families," he said.

"We honour the memory and legacy of them all  including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the first Special Representative to lead the Mission."

He also expressed gratitude to the Mission's national staff members "who worked year in and year out to rebuild and strengthen their country."

An 'enduring partnership'

The Secretary-General concluded his remarks by highlighting his meeting that day with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani where he reaffirmed the UN's commitment to support Iraq as it continues strengthening institutions, governance and accountability; improving public services; and diversifying the economy.

"I emphasized that while a mission may conclude, the United Nations will always walk alongside the people of Iraq on the path toward peace, sustainable development and human rights," he said.

Mr. Guterres was especially touched that the Government has dedicated a street in Baghdad as 'UN Street.' This represents "a powerful symbol of our enduring partnership  a reminder of the road we have travelled together, and the road that still lies ahead," he said.

"It is important that the whole of the international community understands that today is a new chapter. Relations between Iraq and the United Nations will be normal relations," he added.

The Secretary-General assured Iraqis that "the United Nations will continue to be with you every step of the way."

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Israel Joins Pax Silica Initiative - An International Coalition to Fortify Supply Chains in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Publish Date: 13.12.2025

The Prime Minister's Office, this evening:

Israel has joined the Pax Silica Initiative, a strategic move led by the United States and unveiled during an international conference attended by nine leading countries in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and advanced industries. The conference, which took place yesterday (Friday) in Washington, was attended by representatives from Israel, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Australia - all core nations of the global technology and AI industry.

Representing the State of Israel at the conference, at the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were National Economic Council Director and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Prof. Avi Simhon, along with the Chief Economist at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Shmuel Abramson, and Head of the National AI Directorate, Erez Eskel.

The initiative aims to build a secure, resilient, and innovative technological ecosystem across the entire value chain - from the extraction of critical minerals and energy, through advanced manufacturing and chips, to AI infrastructure, data centers, and logistics. It seeks to consolidate a new, sustainable economic order for the age of AI and ensure shared prosperity for the member countries.

National Economic Council Director Prof. Avi Simhon:

"Israel's joining of the US-led Pax Silica Initiative is a badge of honor for the State of Israel and the Israeli high-tech industry, which is considered a global leader in innovation and Artificial Intelligence. Together with our international partners, we are working to fortify the global AI industry, strengthen the resilience of supply chains, and ensure the economic and security prosperity of the participating countries and their citizens."

The participants committed to working in partnership in areas such as:

* Strengthening the supply chains of critical minerals, chips, and energy.

* Establishing joint ventures and shared strategic investments.

* Protecting sensitive technologies and infrastructures from access or control by hostile nations.

* Establishing a trustworthy technological ecosystem - including ICT systems, fiber optic cables, data centers, foundational models, and AI applications.

The Pax Silica Initiative serves as a new international framework designed to unite the leading technology nations and jointly establish the economic order of the Artificial Intelligence era.

The name "Pax Silica" draws inspiration from the Latin term Pax - peace, stability, and enduring prosperity - and the compound Silica, which forms the basis for silicon, the chemical element essential for producing the chips required for the age of AI.

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Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, visited Gujranwala and Sialkot Garrisons.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - December 13, 2025

No PR-410/2025-ISPR

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, visited Gujranwala and Sialkot Garrisons. Upon arrival, he was briefed on the formation's operational readiness and key initiatives for strengthening combat preparedness.

The Field Marshal witnessed field training exercise and advanced simulator training facility, lauding the formation's high professional standards and overall state of readiness. Emphasizing the significance of technological adaptability, he noted that modern warfare demands agility, precision, situational awareness and swift decision-making.

While interacting with officers and soldiers, the COAS & CDF lauded their high morale and steadfast commitment to national security while underscoring the importance of rigorous and mission-oriented training. He emphasized that Pakistan Army remains fully focused on both internal and external challenges, including hostile hybrid campaigns, extremist ideologies, and divisive elements seeking to undermine national stability.

Earlier on his arrival at Gujranwala, the COAS & CDF was received by Corps Commander Gujranwala.

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On 12-13 December 2025, thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - December 14, 2025

No PR-411/2025-ISPR

On 12-13 December 2025, thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

On reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Mohmand District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, seven khwarij were sent to hell.

In another Intelligence based operation conducted in Bannu District, six more khwarij were effectively neutralised by Security Forces.

Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

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Meeting of the International Forum Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future

In Ashgabat, Vladimir Putin participated in the forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality.

December 12, 2025

08:30

Ashgabat

Prior to the plenary session, the President of Turkmenistan held a welcoming ceremony for the heads of delegations participating in the International Forum, which was followed by a group photograph of the attending delegation heads.

* * *

Remarks at the plenary session of the International Forum themed Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Berdimuhamedov, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to participate in this forum, which is dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's proclamation of permanent neutrality.

It is symbolic that on December 12, exactly thirty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution formally granting your country the status of neutrality. This day is celebrated in Turkmenistan as a national holiday, and it was precisely this date that, at the initiative of our Turkmen friends, was later proclaimed by the UN as the International Day of Neutrality.

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone on this significant occasion, to all our Turkmen friends and, of course, first and foremost, to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and all the people of our friendly Turkmenistan.

Your country's leaders chose permanent neutrality 30 years ago, and this decision has de facto defined Turkmenistan's development as an independent and sovereign state, as a state which commands the respect and authority it deserves in Central Asia and around the world. Turkmenistan has been building on its rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage to develop and succeed in various economic sectors and in social affairs. Your country has a balanced foreign policy and makes a meaningful contribution to strengthening regional and international security and stability, while making serious efforts to foster an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual trust in international affairs.

In this context, I would like to praise the draft Ashgabat Declaration. Prepared by our colleagues from Turkmenistan, it is designed to present the key outcomes of our deliberations at this forum. Of course, Russia supports this document and the way it affirms a commitment to the key principles governing international relations as set forth in the UN Charter. These principles include the commitment to peace and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, respecting the right of countries and their people to choose their own development and growth models, their own worldview, traditions and religion. Let me emphasise that the UN designated 2025, which is drawing to an end, as the Year of Peace and Trust. The United Nations also celebrated its anniversary in 2025.

Established 80 years ago, it has been worthy of its mission. In fact, it presents a unique and often the only mechanism for balancing interests on the international stage and, importantly, for finding coordinated solutions to challenging issues by taking into consideration the positions and opinions of all countries.

We firmly believe that it is precisely within this logic, and based on the principles of the UN Charter, that truly honest, open, and mutually beneficial relations between states can and must be built in this new era of a multipolar world. A testament to this is the strategic partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan, which continues to develop successfully in a spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness.

Bilateral economic ties continue to expand. In the first ten months of 2025 alone, trade turnover increased by 35 percent, a figure that already surpasses the total for the entire previous year. Russian companies are pursuing new investment projects in the Turkmen market, while cooperation in energy, transport and a number of other sectors is being strengthened.

With the active participation of Russia and Turkmenistan, large-scale multilateral economic initiatives are being implemented, including in the Caspian region and Central Asia. The construction of the North-South international transport corridor is underway, bilateral interregional contacts are progressing steadily, and exchanges in cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres are growing. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that more than 54,000 students from Turkmenistan are currently studying in Russia.

Our countries are engaged in integration processes within the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 2026, Turkmenistan will assume the CIS Chairmanship. In this regard, I wish our Turkmen colleagues every success and would like to assure them that the Russian side will provide all necessary assistance.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and all our Turkmen friends for their warmth and hospitality. Once again, I congratulate everyone on International Day of Neutrality and on Turkmenistan's Neutrality Day.

Thank you for your attention.

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EU member states agree to indefinite freeze on Russian Central Bank assets held in Europe

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 11:18 AM

European Union member states have voted in favor of imposing an indefinite freeze on 210bn Russian Central Bank assets held in Europe.

The asset freeze had previously required renewal every six months, making it vulnerable to potential vetoes by Hungary and Slovakia that would have allowed Russia to reclaim the funds.

However, on Friday, the EU invoked its rarely used emergency powers to circumvent potential vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia and made the asset freeze indefinite.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the move unlawful, denouncing the EU Commission for "systematically raping European law."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also condemned the move, arguing that "providing tens of billions of euros for military spending is prolonging the war" between Ukraine and Russia.

Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, and Malta, which supported the measure, reportedly stressed that the "vote does not pre-empt in any circumstances the decision on the possible use of Russian immobilized assets, which needs to be taken at leaders' level."

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had warned the EU that seizing Russia's assets would be tantamount to theft, vowing to retaliate.

Belgium holds the bulk of Russia's assets in Europe. In retaliation, the Russian central bank initiated legal proceedings against Belgian clearinghouse Euroclear on Friday.

Russia holds over $300 billion in assets that the Russian central bank has set aside in Western financial institutions.

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Belousov Meets War Reporters to Discuss Drone Systems Development - MoD

Sputnik News

20251213

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held a meeting with military correspondents, discussing the development of unmanned systems and the modernization of weapons and military equipment, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held another meeting with military correspondents. A separate topic of discussion was the development of unmanned systems units of the Russian armed forces, modernization of weapons, equipment, and strike systems based on the experience from the special military operation zone," the ministry said.

The meeting also addressed issues of logistical support for units in the zone of the special military operation, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Russia to Respond Promptly to State Asset Freeze by EU - Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20251213

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will respond promptly to the European Union's decision to indefinitely freeze Russian state assets in European bank accounts, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

"Our response will not take long. A detailed statement on this issue was published by the Bank of Russia on December 12. Specific steps are already being implemented," Zakharova said in a statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry's official website.

The EU's policy towards Russia has long been devoid of logic, Zakharova added. This policy of harming Russia at any cost has already led the EU into a deplorable economic situation, the spokeswoman said.

 Sputnik

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Moscow says EU's tampering with Russian assets is 'theft' no matter how it's framed

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 6:44 AM

Moscow has slammed the European Union for freezing Russian assets indefinitely, describing the move as "theft."

"Actions against sovereign assets taken without Russia's consent - whether indefinite immobilization, confiscation, or attempts to portray them as a so-called reparations loan - are entirely illegal under international law," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters during her regular briefing on Saturday.

Zakharova described the EU's utilization of Russian assets to mitigate the consequences of the US and its European allies' involvement in Ukraine as "funding the failed Ukrainian project."

She said that in whatever way Brussels cares to frame tampering with Russian assets, it is still "theft."

"No matter what pseudo-legal tricks Brussels employs to justify it, this is blatant theft," she said.

European Union member states have voted in favor of imposing an indefinite freeze on 210bn Russian Central Bank assets held in Europe.

The asset freeze had previously required renewal every six months, making it vulnerable to potential vetoes by Hungary and Slovakia that would have allowed Russia to reclaim the funds.

However, on Friday, the EU invoked its rarely used emergency powers to circumvent potential vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia and made the asset freeze indefinite.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the move unlawful, denouncing the EU Commission for "systematically raping European law."

Of some $300bn in Russian frozen assets worldwide, 210bn are held in Europe.

In retaliation to the latest EU move, the Russian central bank initiated legal proceedings against Belgian clearinghouse Euroclear, a Brussels-based central securities depository.

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HRH the Crown Prince Meets with Chinese Foreign Minister

Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, December 14, 2025, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met today in Riyadh with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations and explored ways to develop them in a manner that serves the mutual interests of the two countries. They also discussed recent developments in regional and international affairs of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Musaed Al-Aiban; and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.

Attending from the Chinese side were Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chen Weiqing and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom Chang Hua.

-- SPA

20:53 Local Time 17:53 GMT

0070

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Two US soldiers, interpreter killed in surprise militant attack in Syria's Palmyra: CENTCOM

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 7:21 PM

Two American troops and an interpreter have been killed and three other people wounded in Syria's central province of Homs, after a suspected member of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group opened fire on a joint patrol by the US military and forces from the ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime in the area.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the casualties in a post on the social media platform X on Saturday.

"An ambush by a lone ISIS (Daesh) gunman" resulted in the deaths and injuries to three additional troops, CENTCOM said. "The gunman was engaged and killed."

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X that "the savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces."

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the attack occurred as the soldiers "were conducting a key leader engagement" in support of what he described as counter-terrorism operations.

A Pentagon official said the attack took place in an area where HTS forces do not have control.

Earlier, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that an attack in the city of Palmyra had wounded American troops and HTS forces.

The soldiers were taking part in a "joint field tour" in Palmyra, which was once under the control of Daesh, SANA reported.

A Syrian source, who requested anonymity, said that the shots were fired "during a meeting" between American officers and HTS forces at a Syrian base in Palmyra.

A witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said he heard the shots coming from inside the base.

SANA said helicopters evacuated the wounded to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan, where American troops are deployed.

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the meeting came as part of an "American strategy to strengthen its presence and foothold in the Syrian desert."

Former Syrian authorities consistently said that the deployment of US forces and equipment in the northeastern flank of the country was meant to plunder natural resources.

In recent years, footage has emerged showing US occupation forces using tankers to transfer Syrian crude oil from the country's northern provinces to bases in northern Iraq.

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged multiple times that American troops were present in the Arab nation for its oil resources.

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Israeli army convoy conducts new incursion in Syria's Quneitra countryside

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 13 December 2025 11:06 AM

Israeli forces have carried out a new ground incursion into a village in Syria's southwestern province of Quneitra amid heightened military activity near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, according to a monitoring group.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an Israeli convoy consisting of ten military vehicles moved into the village of Saida al-Hanout in the Quneitra countryside early on Saturday.

The occupation forces established a makeshift checkpoint and ransacked a number of houses. However, no arrests were reported.

The incursion followed a similar offensive in the village a week earlier, where six Israeli vehicles, including three Humvees, two white Hilux trucks, and a black van, advanced toward the area.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said at the time that another Israeli military convoy consisting of four vehicles also moved toward Beer Ajam and Bariqa villages, and carried out extensive excavation works in the region north of the Bariqa dam.

Days earlier, a three-vehicle Israeli convoy had advanced into the towns of Samdaniya al-Sharqiya and al-Ajraf in the northern Quneitra countryside.

Israeli forces set up a temporary military checkpoint between the towns near a demolished water tank.

Israel has repeatedly conducted aggressive operations across Syrian territory following the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad's government late last year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his forces to advance further into Syrian territory, targeting the acquisition of several strategically significant locations in the area.

Israel has intensified its presence in Syria by taking control of the buffer zone that divides the occupied Golan Heights from the broader Syrian territory, thereby violating the provisions outlined in the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Analysts caution that the silence of Syria's ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime, combined with its steps toward normalization with Tel Aviv, has encouraged the Israeli regime to escalate its territorial occupation in Syria and increase its airstrikes on the area.

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No: 251, 13 December 2025, Regarding the Terrorist Attack Carried Out Near the City of Palmyra, Syria

Republic of Turkey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We condemn the terrorist attack carried out today (13 December) against the Syrian and the US forces conducting a patrol near the city of Palmyra, Syria.

We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, as well as to the Governments of Syria and the United States, our partners in the Global Coalition Against DAESH.

We will continue to support the efforts of the Syrian Government aimed at strengthening stability and security in the country and combating terrorism.

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Syria Launches 'Large-Scale Anti-ISIS Operation' After Deadly Attack on US Forces

Sputnik News

20251214

Security forces launched a major operation targeting ISIS* cells in al-Furqlus, al-Quaryatayn and the Syrian Desert (Badiya) in Homs Governorate on Sunday, local media have reported.

A commander said the operation was a response to Saturday's attack in Palmyra on a joint US-Syrian patrol, in which two US troops and an interpreter were killed.

The operation is said to include field raids, searches of suspected terror hideouts, and an effort to dismantle suspected ISIS sleeper cells.

A Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson said Saturday's deadly attack was carried out by a member of the security forces. The attacker was neutralized, and authorities have launched a probe into whether or not he was formally affiliated with ISIS.

On Sunday, Interior Minister Anas Khattab said five people had been arrested in connection with the shooting attack.

President Trump warned Saturday that there would be "very serious retaliation" to the attack on US forces, and said Syrian President al-Sharaa was "extremely angry and disturbed by this attack."

US ground forces were first deployed in Syria in late 2016, ostensibly to assist the fight against ISIS, keeping the country's energy and food-rich northeast out of the hands of the Syrian government in Damascus. After the fall of the Assad government in late 2024, the new government pledged to join the US-led anti-ISIS coalition.

* A terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

 Sputnik

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Trump Vows 'Very Serious' Retaliation Against ISIS After US Soldiers Killed in Syria

Sputnik News

20251214

US President Donald Trump promised on Saturday "very serious" retaliatory actions against Islamic State* following the deaths of US soldiers in an attack in the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Earlier in the day, the Pentagon said that two US servicepeople and one civilian interpreter were killed on Saturday in an attack in Syria's Palmyra, with three others wounded.

"This was an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

*Islamic State is a terrorist group banned in Russia and the US

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

December 14, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani today to discuss the terrorist ambush on U.S. personnel in Syria, in which two brave American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed. Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani offered condolences and reiterated the commitment of the Syrian government to degrade and destroy the shared threat of ISIS. The United States will hold all who hurt and threaten Americans accountable.

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Newly delivered M1A2T tanks to undergo monthlong tests: Source

ROC Central News Agency

12/14/2025 03:22 PM

Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) A batch of 42 M1A2T Abrams tanks delivered by the United States in July will begin a monthlong testing program on Monday at a northern Army base, including multiple live-fire drills using the tanks' 120mm main guns, a source familiar with the matter told CNA on Sunday.

The source said the American-made tanks were recently deployed to an Army tank training ground in the Kengzihkou area of Hsinchu County for training sessions ahead of the testing phase.

The testing program is set to begin Monday and focuses on evaluating the tanks' observation and targeting systems, as well as their integration with the ammunition system, according to the unnamed source.

Live-fire drills will include exercises involving the tanks' 120 mm main guns, with rounds fired at both stationary and moving targets, the source said.

The monthlong tests are expected to conclude by the end of January, after which the tanks will enter active service with the Army, the source added.

The 42 Abrams tanks are the second batch of a total of 108 tanks, valued at about NT$40.5 billion (US$1.45 billion), that Taiwan purchased from the U.S.

The first batch of 38 Abrams tanks was delivered to Taiwan in December 2024, while the remaining 28 tanks are expected to arrive in early 2026.

The first batch was commissioned into the Army's 584th Armored Brigade in Hsinchu County in late October after completing required training and testing.

The Army currently operates around 1,000 tanks, including CM11 Brave Tiger and M60A3 models, both of which have been in service for over two decades.

In addition to procuring the M1A2T tanks, the military has invested in new engines for its M60A3 tanks and upgraded their cannon fire-control systems to provide "hunter-killer" capability, allowing a tank to engage one target while tracking another.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025.12.14

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

Date

6 a.m. Dec. 13 (Sat.) to 6 a.m. Dec. 14 (Sun.) (UTC+8)

PLA activities

2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141214_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141214_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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China announces countermeasures against Shigeru Iwasaki over 'Taiwan independence' collusion, sending strong signal to Japanese politicians: expert

Global Times

By Zhang Han and Li Yu Published: Dec 15, 2025 10:52 AM

China on Monday announced countermeasures against Shigeru Iwasaki, former chief of staff of the Self-Defense Forces of Japan, over his public collusion with "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces, which seriously violated the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, seriously interfered with China's domestic affairs, and seriously infringed on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15 of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese side has decided to impose the following countermeasures against Iwasaki.

The countermeasures include to freeze all his movable and immovable property and other types of assets within the territory of the People's Republic of China; prohibit organizations and individuals within China from conducting any transactions, cooperation or other such activities with him; refuse to issue visas to him and deny his entry into the country (including the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions).

The decision is effective on Monday.

Xiang Haoyu, a distinguished research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that the countermeasures serve as a warning shot and reclarification of China's firm stance on the Taiwan question.

Taiwan question is the core of China's core interests, as well as the most significant and sensitive issue underpinning the political foundation of China-Japan relations. On this question, China has no room whatsoever for compromise, concession or tolerance, Xiang stressed.

Should the relevant acts violate China's relevant laws, or should the Japanese side renege on its commitments regarding the one-China principle, it will inevitably trigger strong responses from China. This is not only a necessary measure for China to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests, but also a strong political signal sent to the Japanese government and Japanese politicians, Xiang noted.

Iwasaki was appointed as a political adviser in March to Taiwan's secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, Asahi Shimbun reported then. Over the past months, Iwasaki had colluded with the DPP and per public reports, attended a tabletop war simulation of so-called mainland's military action against Taiwan region.

In response to an inquiry regarding Shigeru Iwasaki reportedly being appointed by Taiwan DPP authorities as a consultant, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said in March that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair that brooks no external interference. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Japan relations, said Mao.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan bears historical responsibilities to the Chinese people over the Taiwan question and should act with extra prudence and honor its promise of adhering to the one-China principle with concrete actions. We've lodged protests with the Japanese side. The DPP authorities' separatist provocations with foreign support are doomed to fail, said the spokesperson.

Xiang said Monday that Iwasaki's identity is highly sensitive. His former position is equivalent to the "chief of the general staff" of the Japan SDF. He long presided over key decision-making processes such as joint combat plans and strategic deployments, wielding significant influence in both Japan's military and political circles.

Iwasaki's role in DPP authorities and conceivably frequent recommendations and consultations with the secessionist forces, is "by no means a personal move of a former officer; rather, it is precisely because of his special status that his actions have generated severe and pernicious repercussions," Xiang noted.

To sum up, Iwasaki played an extremely negative role in seeking military intervention and interference in the Taiwan Straits situation, and the countermeasures from the Chinese side this time are precisely targeted.

Yet Xiang warned that Iwasaki's case was not an isolated one, nor personal actions, but reflected a long-term tendency of some Japanese politicians and military officials to meddle in the Taiwan question.

They have long been playing with fire by treading dangerously close to the red lines on the Taiwan question, attempting to breach the one-China principle, and by manipulating the Taiwan question, to advance Japan's own ulterior strategic purposes, said the expert.

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PM call with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen: 13 December 2025

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this evening.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 13 December 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this evening.

Their discussion focused on the ongoing work on the US-led peace plan to bring an end to the killing in Ukraine.

Both agreed that this is a pivotal moment for Ukraine's future, and that Europe will stand with them for as long as it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace. They also discussed the latest progress on mobilising frozen Russian sovereign assets.

The leaders then discussed the ongoing negotiations to drive forward the ambitious package of measures announced at the UK-EU summit in May. Both acknowledged the positive momentum of the talks, and hoped to make further progress in the coming weeks.

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MoD procured over 600,000 adaptive clothing items under the 'Wounded Warrior Package' initiative

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

12 December, 2025, 12:20 PM EET

Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine procured and supplied over 600,000 adaptive clothing items to military medical facilities under the 'Wounded Warrior Package' initiative.

The initiative forms part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment and focuses on maximizing comfort for wounded and ill service members during treatment and rehabilitation.

In particular, the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT), the procurement agency of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, organized procurement and delivery of the following adaptive clothing items this year:

100,000 adaptive sleeveless shirts

100,000 adaptive shorts

100,000 adaptive short-sleeve shirts

100,000 adaptive long-sleeve shirts

50,000 adaptive trousers

150,000 pairs of summer socks

These items were prioritized for delivery to military medical facilities in frontline and border regions, including the Sumy, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

In 2025, 600,000 adaptive clothing items were procured and supplied to military medical facilities.

Furthermore, an additional 50,000 personal hygiene kits were contracted under the project, including 48,000 for men and 2,000 for women, to cover the basic needs of service members arriving for medical treatment.

The 'Wounded Warrior Package' project, implemented since the beginning of this year, ensures centralized provision of adaptive clothing and personal hygiene items to address the needs of service members during treatment and recovery. This is a practical application of the barrier-free principle: clothing adjusts to the individual's needs, not the other way around. The initiative also accounts for gender-specific needs, ensuring inclusivity for both women and men.

Looking ahead to 2026, procurement of adaptive clothing will continue based on needs, alongside plans to extend the program to civilian healthcare facilities supporting the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukraine's defenders, both women and men

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US, Ukraine To Hold High-Stakes Berlin Peace Talks After Zelenskyy's Defiant Frontline Visit

By RFE/RL December 13, 2025

US and Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet for high-stakes peace talks in Berlin on December 14 as disagreements persist over territorial control and security guarantees and as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure sites.

The talks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a dramatic visit and posted a defiant video from Kupyansk, a frontline city that Russia claimed to have captured weeks ago, as the Ukrainian leader looks to counter any claims that his troops are on the verge of defeat.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to confer in Berlin with Kyiv's delegation, which is meeting on December 14 with US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German capital.

Trump on December 11 said he would send US representatives to the talks only "if we think there's a good chance [for progress]. And we don't want to waste a lot of time if we think it's negative."

A German government source told Reuters on December 13 that "talks on a possible cease-fire in Ukraine are taking place in Berlin this weekend between foreign policy advisers from, among others, the US and Ukraine."

It was not immediately clear if officials from other countries might participate in the US-Ukraine talks. It also was not clear if Zelenskyy would participate directly in the those talks or just confer with his team.

On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy and several other key European leaders and NATO chief Mark Rutte also in Berlin.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are also expected to participate in that meeting.

In Berlin, "I will be meeting with envoys of President Trump, and there will also be meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, concerning the foundation of peace -- a political agreement to end the war," Zelenskyy said late on December 13 in his nightly video address.

The Berlin meetings are the latest in a series spanning the globe as part of Trump's push to bring about a cease-fire or peace deal in Russia's war on Ukraine.

The diplomatic activity intensified after the Trump administration in November pressed Kyiv to accept a 28-point peace plan that critics said was heavily tilted toward Moscow's interests.

European Allies Press Changes To Plan

Ukraine and its European allies -- led by Britain, France, and Germany -- have scrambled to include changes that would make the deal less lopsided and, crucially, ensure Ukrainian security against any future Russian attacks. Kyiv submitted a 20-point plan this week.

The White House has also been pushing for Ukraine to hold elections even though Ukraine's constitution doesn't allow for elections during wartime.

The possibility of holding elections has been regularly dismissed, with officials saying it would be impossible given daily Russian air strikes across the country, thousands of soldiers battling on the front lines, and millions of Ukrainians displaced.

Zelenskyy has said he is ready to hold elections in his war-torn country if the United States and other allies can provide the security necessary to ensure the vote can be held safely.

Russia on December 12 rejected a proposal to hold a referendum to let Ukrainians decide on giving up territory in the eastern Donbas region, highlighting a key sticking point as negotiators head to Berlin.

"This area is Russian territory," Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said referring to Russia's 2022 illegal annexation of the Ukrainian region after it had launched its full-scale invasion earlier that year.

Putin has so far shown no intention of compromising or backing down from the Kremlin's hard-line positions, including the demand that Kyiv cede territory to Russia -- including some areas that Ukraine still controls.

Separately, the European Union will make a push for a way to finance support Ukraine for the next two years as the bloc's leaders gather in Brussels on December 18-19.

A potential key component of this is a so-called reparations loan for Kyiv. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Ukraine needs around 135 billion euros ($158.3 billion) for the next two years and that it is facing a budget shortfall of 71.7 billion euros in next year alone.

Zelenskyy's Defiant Visit

Along with his diplomatic trips, Zelenskyy has continued to travel to the front lines, meeting on December 12 with troops in the Kupyansk region. The Ukrainian president posted a video from the area following Russian claims that it had captured the town.

"The Russians kept going on about Kupyansk. The reality speaks for itself," he said from what appears to be near the edge of the town center.

Zelenskyy has often traveled near the front lines of the conflict, but this trip appears to be one of his most dangerous visits and comes ahead of what could be a pivotal week on the diplomatic front.

Russia Maintains Overnight Attacks

Even as talks takes place at various sites around the world, Russia has maintained its relentless overnight attacks on Ukrainian territory and pressed its ground offensive near the key Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk.

Zelenskyy on December 13 reported new overnight attacks by Russia throughout Ukraine, saying that more than 450 drones and 30 missiles had been launched.

"The main strike again hit our energy supply, the south and the Odesa region," wrote on social media.

"All necessary services are currently working to restore electricity and water supply in our communities affected by Russia's overnight attack," he wrote.

"More than a dozen civilian facilities have been damaged across the country."

Russia denies targeting civilian sites despite widespread evidence of such attacks. Ukraine has been hitting sites with drones inside Russia that it claims are used by the Kremlin's forces to launch strikes against Ukrainian cities.

On the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had thwarted a counterattack by Ukrainian forces near Pokrovsk, which the Kremlin's troops have claimed to have captured.

Ukraine's top military commander on December 12 said Ukrainian troops continue to control part of Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donbas region that had a prewar population of more than 60,000 but which is mainly in ruins after months of fighting.

Reports from the area cannot be independently confirmed.

Authorities in Ukraine's Odesa region reported massive power outages following a Russian air assault, with the city itself taking the brunt of the damage.

"Specialists are doing everything possible to stabilize the situation and are focusing on critical infrastructure facilities as a matter of priority," the regional administration said.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-berlin-zelenskyy- russia-ceasefire-trump-witkoff/33622343.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Forces Strike Ukrainian Military and Energy Infrastructure, Including With Kinzhal Missiles

Sputnik News

20251213

Russian military launched mass precision strikes at Ukrainian defense industry and related energy industry targets overnight using Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles, as well as ground- and sea-launched weapons and long-range drones, in response to Kiev's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia.

The Russian forces continue eliminating Ukrainian troops trapped in the city of Dimitrov and mopping up troops in the settlements of Svetloye and Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"Battlegroup Tsentr continued eliminating surrounded formations of the Ukrainian armed forces in Dimitrov's Eastern and Western microdistricts and mopping up the settlements of Svetloye and Grishino, in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian forces have also thwarted an attempt by the Ukrainian armed forces to break into the northern suburbs of the city of Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) in the DPR, eliminating over 60 Ukrainian servicemen, three tanks and up to 20 motorcycles.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated more than 480 Ukrainian military personnel, three tanks and four armored vehicles in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"In total, the enemy lost over 480 soldiers, three tanks, four armored combat vehicles and three motor vehicles in this area," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has improved its tactical position and eliminated up to 230 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated more than 220 Ukrainian servicepeople and two tanks during the same period, the ministry added.

Russia's Battlegroup Sever has eliminated up to 200 Ukrainian servicepeople, Russia's Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 190 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Dnepr group of forces has eliminated up to 35 Ukrainian military personnel, the ministry said.

Over the past day, Russia's air defense systems have shot down two US-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 169 fixed-wing drones, while its aviation, artillery and missile forces have inflicted damage on Ukrainian port infrastructure and manpower clusters.

"Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on the facilities of Ukrainian port infrastructure used in the interests of the AFU, ammunition depots, temporary deployment areas of the Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas," the statement read.

According to the ministry, the Russian forces have destroyed a total of 669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 102,347 drones, 639 air defense missile systems, 26,524 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,630 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) vehicles, 31,872 field artillery guns and mortars and 48,940 support military vehicles.

 Sputnik

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IAEA Recognizes Russia's Efforts to Ensure Safety of Experts on Way to Zaporozhye Plant - Grossi

Sputnik News

20251213

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes Russia's efforts to ensure the safety of the agency's experts on their way to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Sputnik.

"I recognize the efforts of the Russian Federation to ensure that my people are safe when they go there [to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant]," Grossi said.

IAEA experts use a route to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant that is safe and reliable, Grossi said.

"I do not like too much to say this is now the route forever. Maybe there will be others. Maybe even inside Russia there will be other places. Maybe there will be an evolution, perhaps. Let us hope that there will be peace. And that might make the issue of the route less relevant. So, what I like to say is that we use a route that is safe, that is secure," Grossi added.

 Sputnik

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US to Purchase $40,000 Subscription to Data Analysis Service for Ukraine's NABU

Sputnik News

20251213

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US Embassy in Kiev plans to purchase a $40,000 annual subscription to a cloud-based data monitoring and analysis system for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), Sputnik has learned from a US government document.

"The Embassy of the United States of America in Kyiv, Ukraine, intends to issue a firm fixed price purchase order as a sole source award to Artellence Ukraine, LLC," the document published on Wednesday said.

The deal is being conducted without a tender. The justification states that NABU employees have already undergone training and are using the platform in their work.

"NABU personnel are already trained in Artellence software, and the platform has demonstrated its ability to support NABU's anti-corruption mission effectively. Artellence software is ready for immediate implementation, ensuring NABU can maintain momentum in its operations without unnecessary delays," the document read.

The $40,000 purchase order will cover a 12-month subscription to the "Expert" plan. This subscription includes 20 user accounts, an annual allowance of 20,000 requests for information retrieval, and access to the system's administration-level resources.

On November 11, NABU charged seven members of a criminal organization involved in corruption in the energy sector.

There are frequent reports of corruption in Ukraine, particularly in the military sector. According to a survey published by the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper in April 2024, more than half of Ukraine's population considers corruption to be the greatest threat to the country's development.

 Sputnik

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Prospects for Resolving Ukrainian Conflict Will Soon Become Clear  Trump

Sputnik News

20251213

US President Donald Trump said the prospects for resolving the Ukrainian conflict will soon become clear.

"We're working on seeing if we can make a deal right now. We're gonna, we're gonna see. We'll soon know," Trump said at an event in the Oval Office.

President Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin this weekend, The Wall Street Journal reports. Witkoff will also hold separate talks with counterparts from France, Britain, and Germany on Sunday and Monday.

On December 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin received US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the Kremlin. The US representatives' visit to Russia was related to the discussion of the US peace plan for Ukraine.

 Sputnik

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Andrii Sybiha: 450 attack drones and 30 missiles of various types  this is Russia's true "willingness" to end the war

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

13 December 2025 13:28

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Odesa, our beautiful port city at the Black Sea, suffered one of the most horrible Russian attacks overnight. Missiles and drones targeting critical infrastructure, energy, civilians. Other regions and communities have been under attack as well, including Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions. Many people remain without power. 450 attack drones and 30 missiles of various types  this is Russia's true "willingness" to end the war. These are almost five hundred arguments for our partners not to delay any important decisions: increased sanctions on Russia, additional defense and energy resilience support for Ukraine, and the Reparations Loan. All of these steps advance peace through strength. All of them strengthen us at the battlefield and at the negotiation table. They need to be taken as soon as possible".

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Government approves automatic military registration of citizens

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

13 December, 2025, 3:50 PM EET

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution launching a new pilot project for the automatic military registration of conscripts, individuals liable for military service, and reservists.

This decision reduces bureaucracy and simplifies the procedure for citizens and enlistment offices: some individuals will be automatically added to the military register, without in-person applications, queues, or additional certificates.

The following categories will be automatically added to the military register:

Men who were not registered at the age of 17 will automatically acquire conscript status upon turning 18.

Men aged 18-60 who are abroad will be placed on the military register when obtaining or renewing passports at offices of the State Migration Service. This process does not require visiting enlistment offices or undergoing medical examinations by a military medical commission.

"We have established data exchange between the Ministry of Defence, the migration service, the demographic register, and the civil status register. People no longer need to go from office to office or stand in queues to fulfill their obligation. The system will handle this automatically, as all required data is already available," said Oksana Ferchuk, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization.

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Strengthening air defence and joint defence-industry projects: Sergiy Boyev visits Germany

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

13 December, 2025, 10:37 AM EET

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Sergiy Boyev conducted a series of meetings with German officials aimed at reinforcing Ukraine's air defence and improving the effectiveness of assistance provided to Ukraine.

As part of a working visit to Berlin, Sergiy Boyev met with Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Germany's National Armaments Director at the Federal Ministry of Defence. Discussions focused primarily on current projects and the prospects for future industrial cooperation.

"Ukraine is keen to advance projects in the area of air defence. The protection of our airspace remains our highest priority," the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine stressed.

He also held meetings with representatives of Rheinmetall and Diehl Defence to discuss prospects for joint industrial projects involving Ukrainian companies. The parties reviewed the current status of joint production and the localisation of manufacturing in Ukraine.

In a separate meeting, Sergiy Boyev met with Brigadier General Joachim Kaschke, Head of the Situation Centre 'Ukraine' at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence. The substantive discussion addressed Germany's military assistance for the next year and priority areas of support. The Ukrainian representative emphasised the critical need for missiles for air and missile defence systems, as well as funding for the production of Ukrainian drones.

"I would like to express my personal gratitude to Germany for its consistent support and for reinforcing Ukraine with IRIS-T system missiles. This support plays a crucial role in countering russian air attacks," Sergiy Boyev said.

The discussions also addressed the transformation of the Ramstein format. Ukraine's key priority is ensuring the timely provision of assistance in line with its critical requirements. During a trilateral meeting with Brigadier General Joachim Kaschke and Major General Adrian Reilly, the parties discussed Ukraine's needs and plans for 2026, as well as expectations for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG).

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We Are Preparing for Meetings With the U.S. Side and Our European Friends in the Coming Days - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

13 December 2025 - 20:49

Dear Ukrainians!

We are currently preparing for meetings with the U.S. side and our European friends in the coming days. Berlin will host many events.

There will be a briefing from Secretary Umerov and our negotiating team on their contacts that have already taken place. General Hnatov and representatives of Ukraine's defense and security sector will be working on the details of security guarantees for Ukraine, for Ukrainians. At the same time, Ukrainian government officials continue discussions with the United States and Europe on the real recovery of Ukraine and real development of Ukraine after the war.

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.

The chance is considerable at this moment, and it matters for our every city, for our every Ukrainian community. 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. I thank all partners who are helping us - helping Ukraine. And over these days in Berlin, we will work as actively and constructively as possible with everyone who can genuinely bring the agreement to normal terms.

Further meetings and contacts will follow as well. But we remember: our Ukrainian positions in negotiations are strong because we hold our positions on the front line, in our defense production, and in our internal resilience. Ukraine is strong externally when we have strength within - and it must remain so. Therefore, all our units performing combat tasks, every Ukrainian warrior, all defense enterprises, and the Security Forces - all must strive to deliver results for Ukraine. And I thank everyone who fights for Ukraine, works for Ukraine exactly like this - for Ukraine as for one's own cause.

Today, I have received reports from across the regions, primarily from Odesa, following Russian strikes. Recovery efforts are underway. It is challenging, but all necessary services are engaged. I have instructed government officials to maximize the speed of repair works and the provision of essential equipment. Today, Russia also struck another civilian vessel in the Black Sea - it was virtually an attack on food security. The ship, owned by Turkiye, was carrying food. Striking such vessels that have nothing to do with the war is a direct challenge from Russia to the entire world. We will figure out with our partners how to respond to this. There will be a response.

We also have Ukraine's new sanctions decision - sanctions targeting Russia's fleet of tankers and other vessels that work for the war, generating money for Putin to kill people and drag out diplomacy. The sanctions will certainly be extended to other jurisdictions - we already have agreements with our partners on this.

And one more thing. A significant step was secured through the efforts of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence - five Ukrainians were returned from Belarus. These are our civilians, and alongside them are now in Ukraine also Belarusian political prisoners, freed thanks to agreements with the United States. Among them are Maria Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka, and others. I spoke with Maria today - I am glad that people are finally free.

I have also spoken several times with General Budanov during the operation. Now it is crucial to achieve results on the Russian direction - to resume the exchanges of our people, our prisoners. Ukrainian military personnel and civilians must return home from Russian captivity. Work must be greatly accelerated across all channels and with all partners. I want to thank everyone who is helping us!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukraine Imposed Sanctions on 656 Maritime Vessels of Russia's Shadow Fleet

President of Ukraine

13 December 2025 - 17:05

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree implementing the National Security and Defense Council's decision to impose sanctions against 656 maritime vessels that are part of Russia's shadow fleet. This is the largest sanctions package ever applied to Russia's shadow fleet.

Monitoring of the Black, Red, and Baltic Seas has established that Russia used these vessels to circumvent sanctions imposed by the European Union, the G7, and other states, exporting oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas in this manner. Shipowners and crews turned off the Automatic Identification System and employed schemes that concealed ownership and the origin of the cargo.

The sanctioned vessels sailed under the flags of more than 50 countries, most frequently those of The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Panama, and Cameroon. Ukraine will provide all relevant information to these states and will work with them to halt the issuance of licenses.

In addition, Ukraine will coordinate with partners to synchronize these sanctions within their jurisdictions. At the same time, a significant portion of the vessels is already subject to sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ukraine will also continue to coordinate its efforts with partners to ensure a complete ban on the provision of maritime services to vessels involved in the export of Russian energy resources.



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Ukraine's Zelensky signals willingness to drop NATO bid in exchange for security guarantees

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 14 December 2025 6:59 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to forgo Ukraine's longstanding ambition to join NATO in exchange for robust and legally binding security assurances from Western allies.

Zelensky made the remarks ahead of meetings with US envoys and European representatives on Sunday, marking a significant shift in Ukraine's diplomatic stance as discussions with the United States and European allies get underway in the German capital, Berlin.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine has been advocating for NATO membership as a crucial deterrent against Russian attacks.

He further noted that alternative guaranteessupported by the US, European nations, and other alliescould offer comparable protection to Ukraine.

"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," Zelensky said in response 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 countriesCanada, Japanare an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion," he added.

The Ukrainian president further underscored the need for these guarantees to be legally binding, underscoring that the proposal already signifies a compromise from Ukraine's side.

The potential shift marks a notable departure from Kiev's longstanding position, despite Russia repeatedly citing NATO expansion as a central grievance underlying its military operation.

While the move aligns with one of Moscow's stated war objectives, Ukrainian officials have maintained their refusal to meet Russian demands for territorial concessions.

Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's pursuit of a "dignified" peace and firm assurances against future Russian attack, as diplomats gathered to address the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

The ongoing discussions coincide with renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump to achieve a resolution, with his envoy and son-in-law participating in talks involving Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, who has previously been involved in negotiations with both Kiev and Moscow, is seen as a sign of Washington's optimism for potential progress.

Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine, the US, and European allies are assessing a 20-point plan aimed at reaching a ceasefire, although he clarified that direct talks with Russia are not currently taking place.

He also indicated that considering a truce along current front lines could be deemed fair, while acknowledging Moscow's insistence on Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under Kiev's control.

Despite intensified diplomatic efforts, fighting has persisted, with recent Russian strikes causing widespread power outages and impacting the availability of heat and water for thousands of Ukrainians during the winter.

Amidst the negotiations, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's unwavering focus on securing lasting security guarantees, even as the path to ending the war remains uncertain.

Ukraine is facing mounting pressure from Washington to accept a ceasefire. Zelensky has acknowledged that his country is in the most difficult political and military situation since Russia launched its "special operation" more than three years ago.

Kiev and its European allies have opposed the US-proposed plan, claiming it reflects Russian demands.

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US-Ukraine Negotiators To Return For Second Day After 5 Hours Of Talks

By RFE/RL December 14, 2025

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 Xlate 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

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- us-war-peace-berlin/33622885.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Overwhelmed By Number Of Fallen Soldiers, Lviv Opens New Burial Site

By Halyna Tereshchuk December 14, 2025

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."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-lviv-cemetery- fallen-soldiers/33621603.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine Ready to Swap NATO Ambition for Security Guarantees

Sputnik News

20251214

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine was ready to abandon the goal of joining NATO if it received security guarantees from individual partner countries, including security assurances from the United States modeled on Article 5 of the NATO charter.

"Ukraine's conditions were initially to join NATO, and these were real security guarantees, but not everyone supported this. Some partners, both in the US and in Europe, did not support this direction. Therefore, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, namely Article 5 guarantees from the US and security guarantees from the EU for us, as well as other countries - Canada, Japan - these security guarantees are an opportunity for us... And this is already a compromise on our part," Ukrainian broadcaster quoted Zelensky as saying.

Since mid-November, the US has been promoting a new peace proposal for Ukraine. On December 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin received US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in the Kremlin. The US representatives' visit to Russia was related to the discussion of the US peace plan for settlement of Ukraine conflict.

 Sputnik

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NATO Specialists Presence in Ukraine Triggered Russia's Military Operation - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20251214

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKIY, Russia, (Sputnik) - NATO specialists entering Ukraine served as a trigger for Russia's special military operation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"NATO specialists infiltrated Ukraine directly, entered its government bodies, and the first [Western] arms deliveries began at that time. All this, of course, posed a threat to the Russian people living there, not to mention the geopolitical aspects of the situation and the geopolitical consequences for Russia's security. All of this together, of course, triggered the decision to launch the special military operation," Peskov said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin out on Sunday.

Volodymyr Zelensky came to power while talking about peace, but continued to violate the Minsk agreements and inched Ukraine closer to war with his actions, Peskov said.

Zelensky won the presidential election in Ukraine on a pledge of peace, but instead violated the Minsk accords and brought the war closer, Peskov added.

"He came in on a pledge of peace. Instead, he continued to violate the Minsk agreements, he continued to play for time. It became obvious that no one was going to [fulfill the Minsk agreements], and instead of peace, he brought the war closer," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin in an interview out on Sunday.

Russia has been more focused on the United States' position on the settlement process in Ukraine than that of Europe, Dmitry Peskov said.

"The Europeans are playing their game, and it still looks like they want the war to continue. But here we are more focused, of course, on our counterparts from Washington," he said.

Peskov stressed that Washington's position "is very important here."

"We see that it is very, very determined, it is realistic and pragmatic," he added.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Liberate Varvarovka in Zaporozhye Region - MoD

Sputnik News

20251214

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Vostok continued to advance into the depth of Ukrainian defenses in the past day, liberating the village of Varvarovka in the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Battlegroup Vostok continue to advance into the depth of the enemy's defenses and have liberated the village of Varvarovka, Zaporozhye region," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has continued eliminating Ukrainian troops trapped in the city of Dimitrov and mopping up troops in the settlements of Svetloye and Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Battlegroup Tsentr group of forces continued eliminating surrounded formations of the Ukrainian armed forces in the area of the railway station, the northeastern and western parts of the city of Dimitrov, in the Donetsk People's Republic, as well as mopping up Grishino and Svetloye settlements in Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 495 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The enemy has lost up to 495 soldiers, a Kozak armored fighting vehicle, a pickup truck and a field artillery gun," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated over 300 Ukrainian troops. Battlegroup Sever has eliminated over 240 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian troops over the past day, the ministry said.

"Battlegroup Zapad continue to destroy the enemy group encircled on the left bank of the Oskol River. The manpower and hardware of two mechanized assault brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces and a national guard brigade were defeated," the statement read.

Russia's Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 150 Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, while Battlegroup Dnepr has defeated over 45 Ukrainian troops.

 Sputnik

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Kelowna, December 15, 2025 - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. (CSE: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) ("Strathmore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the expansion of the Agate Project with the addition of 24 staked mining claims. Agate is in the Shirley Basin Uranium District, central Wyoming, a burgeoning In-situ uranium producing area.

Wyoming is the leading uranium producer in the U.S., with over 70 years of mining and over 250m lbs. of uranium produced. Cameco, Energy Fuels, UEC, UR-Energy and Encore all have development projects in the Shirley Basin and Gas Hills area of Wyoming.

The Strathmore claims were staked to the north of the currently permitted Agate exploration area, where Kerr-McGee Corporation historically explored in the 1970s, defining several mineralized trends. Strathmore's technical team will be using Kerr-Mcee's historical data to pinpoint 2026 drilling. This summer's drill program continued to expand the Agate mineralization, with mineralization open in all directions. Strathmore's Agate Property benefits from mineralization that extends from adjacent lands formerly operated by major historic producers such as Kerr McGee, Getty, and Utah International/Pathfinder Mines.

John DeJoia, PGeo, commented, "Momentum continues to build at Agate. Our land position is expanding on the strength of highly successful exploration, with 95% of drill holes intersecting mineralization. These results-combined with activity on neighboring properties and UR-Energy's initiation of plant construction-further validate our expectations for the Agate property. Located in a premier ISR district, Agate is yielding mineralization that aligns with a proven development and production model."

2025 Highlights:

Exploration Drilling: in 2025, Strathmore completed 45 drill holes, including 5 cored holes on the Project. The drilling expanded the northern, lower sand trend by over 1,200 feet east, resulting in an open-ended (west-to-east) trend nearly 1 mile in length. In addition, the drilling expanded the southern, middle sand trend by 500 feet to nearly 1,300 feet in length (open-ended to the south and north). The 2026 drilling will target expanding the northern trend east into untested ground, and the southern trend further north where it could merge with the area of the northern trend resulting in the potential for multiple layers of mineralization.

Expansion of Project Area: Strathmore staked an additional 39 mining claims on the Project, including the 24 claims reported above. The Company now wholly owns 124 claims at Agate, totaling ~2,560 acres. The new claims will be incorporated into the area currently permitted.

University of Wyoming Study: UW continued their geophysical and groundwater studies at the Project over the past year. The University of Wyoming received an additional US$120,000 to expand their research for more ground at the Project and to test deeper uranium mineralized deposits, including at Strathmore's Beaver Rim Project located in the Gas Hills Uranium District in Wyoming.

2026 Planned Activities:

Permitted Area to Explore: in 2026, the Company plans to initiate the current Drill Notice to a Plan of Operation (POO). The plan will allow for additional drilling beyond the current 5-acre disturbance permitted under the current Drill Notice. Studies to advance the POO will include floral, fauna, archaeology, paleontology, surface waters, etc. The Company is permitted to drill up to 50 holes this spring under the current Drill Notice.

Core Studies: UW is currently studying the core recovery in 2025 to complement their groundwater analyses. The Company intends to chemically assay core this winter 2026 using a third-party independent laboratory. The results of the assays will be compared to gamma logging results for equilibrium comparisons of gamma vs chemical results.

Technical Report: in winter 2026, the Company plans to initiate a technical report on the Agate Project, discussing the geological setting, groundwater, the exploration potential from additional drilling, and a possible mineral resource estimate based on Strathmore's drilling in 2023-25 and available historical drill results from the Kerr-McGee gamma log files.

About the Agate Property

The Agate property consists of 124 wholly owned lode mining claims covering ~2,560 acres. Uranium mineralization is contained in classic Wyoming-type roll fronts within the Eocene Wind River Formation, an arkosic-rich sandstone. Historically, 53 million pounds of uranium were mined in Shirley Basin, including from open-pit, underground, and the first commercial in-situ recovery operation in the USA during the 1960s. At the property, the uranium mineralization is shallow, from 20 to approximately 150 feet deep, much of which appears below the water table and likely amenable to in-situ recovery. Kerr McGee Corporation, the largest US uranium mining company at the time, drilled at least 650 holes across the project area in the 1970s, delineating several targets of potential mineralization. Strathmore completed 245 holes during the 2023-25 drilling programs, including installation of five monitor wells for groundwater studies and recovery of core for chemical assays and XRF analysis at the University of Wyoming.

Stock Option Cancellations

The Company also announces that it has cancelled an aggregate of 894,320 incentive stock options previously granted to officers and directors. The cancellations were made in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore is focused on discovering uranium deposits in Wyoming, and has three permitted uranium projects including Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s.

Cautionary Statement: "Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release".

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277955
Tetra Assays: 26.5m of mineralization including 1.04% over 0.5m

Kelowna, December 15, 2025 - F3 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) ("F3" or "the Company") is pleased to announce final assay results of the 2025 JR Zone drill program on the PLN Property including PLN25-200 (See NR March 18, 2025) which returned 8.5m of 3.4% U 3 O 8 , including a high grade core with 2.5m of 10.2% U 3 O 8 . At the Tetra Zone, assays confirm the presence of high grade uranium mineralization 55m along strike from discovery hole PLN25-205 with PLN25-217 returning a 0.5m high grade interval with 1.04% U 3 O 8 within a 3.50m mineralized interval averaging 0.30% U 3 O 8 from 400.0m to 403.5m. Total composite mineralization of 26.5m was intersected between 340.5 to 406.5m.

Exploration focused mainly on the area around Tetra Zone with PLN25-207 intersecting 0.06% U 3 O 8 between 621.0 to 621.5m. This deep intersect is interpreted to be associated with the same shear system which hosts the Tetra Zone over 200m to the west.

Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration, Comment:

"We are pleased to release the final assays for JR Zone, where the last two holes for inclusion into the upcoming maiden resource estimate were completed earlier this spring. At the Tetra Zone, we are releasing the second batch of assays since the initial high grade discovery hole (PLN25-205) assays, including an interval with high grade mineralization with 1.04% over 0.5m, confirmation of additional high-grade uranium mineralization at the Tetra Zone, 55m along strike from the discovery hole. Exploration geochemistry around the Tetra Zone continues to return strongly anomalous uranium values with 0.06% U 3 O 8 at depth in PLN25-217, approximately 200m away from Tetra Zone highlighting the prospectivity and size potential of the mineralized system."

PLN Property JR Zone Assay Highlights:

PLN25-200 (line 045S):

8.5m @ 3.4% U 3 O 8 (234.0m to 242.5m), including 2.5m @ 10.2% U 3 O 8 (236.0m to 238.5m), further including 1.0m @ 20.7% U 3 O 8 (237.5m to 238.5m), and

O (234.0m to 242.5m), including 5.5m @ 0.05% U 3 O 8 (246.5m to 252.0m)

Broach Property Tetra Zone Assay Highlights:

PLN25-217 (line 11280S):

0.5m @ 0.06% U 3 O 8 (340.5m to 341.0m), and

O (340.5m to 341.0m), and 3.5m @ 0.07% U 3 O 8 (355.0m to 358.5m), and

O (355.0m to 358.5m), and 1.5m @ 0.05% U 3 O 8 (361.5m to 363.0m), and

O (361.5m to 363.0m), and 1.0m @ 0.07% U 3 O 8 (365.0m to 366.0m), and

O (365.0m to 366.0m), and 5.5m @ 0.19% U 3 O 8 (369.5m to 375.0m), and

O (369.5m to 375.0m), and 6.5m @ 0.14% U 3 O 8 (377.5m to 384.0m), and

O (377.5m to 384.0m), and 3.5m @ 0.41% U 3 O 8 (388.5m to 392.0m), and

O (388.5m to 392.0m), and 0.5m @ 0.11% U 3 O 8 (395.5m to 396.0m), and

O (395.5m to 396.0m), and 3.5m @ 0.30% U 3 O 8 (400.0m to 403.5m), including 0.5m @ 1.04% U 3 O 8 (400.5m to 401.0m)

O (400.0m to 403.5m), including 0.5m @ 0.07% U 3 O 8 (406.0m to 406.5m), and

Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Uranium Assay Results

Collar Information Assay Results Hole ID Grid Line Easting Northing Elevation Az Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) U 3 O 8

weight % PLN24-195 4140S 590029 6407318 543 57 -61 B1 Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-196 2835S 589265 6408368 538 54 -67 A1 Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-197 030S 587776 6410760 546 55 -71 207.0 208.5 1.50 1.08













211.0 211.5 0.50 0.07 PLN25-198 090S 587843 6410645 546 9 -65 215.5 223.0 7.50 0.26











inc. 220.5 221.0 0.50 1.33 PLN25-199 010N 587693 6410748 545 55 -66 242.0 243.5 1.50 0.29 PLN25-200 045S 587731 6410712 545 53 -66 234.0 236.0 2.00 0.27











inc. 236.0 238.5 2.50 10.2











and 237.5 238.5 1.00 20.7













238.5 242.5 4.00 0.76













246.5 252.0 5.50 0.05 PLN25-201 12510S 590064 6397264 569 46 -70 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-202 11325S 589353 6397967 583 46 -63 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-203B 11340S 589229 6397842 587 48 -63 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-204 11295S 589389 6398003 583 47 -63 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-206 11325S 589315 6397929 584 48 -65 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-207 11505S 589481 6397809 587 46 -66 621.0 621.5 0.50 0.06 PLN25-208 11205S 589824 6398440 579 43 -70 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-209 11280S 589344 6398000 583 44 -70 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-209A 11280S 589343 6397999 583 47 -71 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-210 11280S 589341 6397997 583 47 -73 357.0 357.5 0.50 0.18













364.0 364.5 0.50 0.13













369.5 370.0 0.50 0.06













382.5 383.0 0.50 0.08













388.5 394.5 6.00 0.14 PLN25-211 11340S 589409 6397962 586 46 -75 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-212 11310S 589368 6397970 584 40 -72 364.0 375.0 11.00 0.10













378.0 388.0 10.00 0.12













394.0 400.0 6.00 0.12 PLN25-213 11325S 589359 6397959 584 46 -73 Pilot hole for wedged hole below PLN25-213W1 11325S 589359 6397959 584 46 -73 279.0 279.5 0.50 0.08













326.0 326.5 0.50 0.07 PLN25-214 11340S 589404 6397978 584 46 -75 PW Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-215 090S 587849 6410603 546 348 -59 249.5 250.0 0.50 0.08 PLN25-216 075S 587778 6410712 546 55 -64 211.5 212.0 0.50 0.12 PLN25-217 11280S 589393 6398026 584 34 -85 340.5 341.0 0.50 0.06













355.0 358.5 3.50 0.07













361.5 363.0 1.50 0.05













365.0 366.0 1.00 0.07













369.5 375.0 5.50 0.19













377.5 384.0 6.50 0.14













388.5 392.0 3.50 0.41













395.5 396.0 0.50 0.11













400.0 403.5 3.50 0.30











inc. 400.5 401.0 0.50 1.04













406.0 406.5 0.50 0.07

Assay composite parameters:

1: Minimum Thickness of 0.5 m

2: Assay Grade Cut-Off: 0.05% U3O8 (weight %)

3. Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.0 m

Map 1. Tetra Zone Drill Holes with Assay Results

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Map 2. Tetra Zone Exploration Drill Holes with Assay Results

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Map 3. JR Zone Drill Holes with Assay Results

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Map 4. A1/B1 Exploration Drillholes

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Samples from the drill core are split into half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS.

The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as "high grade" and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as "ultra-high grade".

All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

About the Patterson Lake North Project:

The Company's 44,613-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North Project (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Paladin's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade uranium deposits, an area poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN Project consists of the 4,074-hectare Patterson Lake North Property hosting the JR Zone Uranium discovery approximately 23km northwest of Paladin's Triple R deposit, the 19,864-hectare Minto Property, and the 20,675-hectare Broach Property hosting the Tetra Zone, F3's newest discovery 13km south of the JR Zone. All three properties comprising the PLN Project are accessed by Provincial Highway 955.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has reviewed and approved the data disclosed.

This news release may refer to neighboring properties in which F3 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the PLN Project. For additional information on the PLN Project, please refer to the report titled "Technical Report on the Patterson Lake North Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" prepared by SLR International Corporation with a signing date of January 25, 2023and an effective date of November 20, 2023 available at www.sedarplus.ca, and prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

About F3 Uranium Corp.:

F3 is a uranium exploration company, focusing on the high-grade JR Zone and new Tetra Zone discovery 13km to the south in the PW area on its Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the Western Athabasca Basin. F3 currently has 3 properties in the Athabasca Basin: Patterson Lake North, Minto, and Broach. The western side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is home to some of the world's largest high grade uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R project and NexGen's Arrow project.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278009
First Work Completed by F4 on the Flagship Todd Lake Property

Kelowna, December 15, 2025 - F4 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FFU) ("F4" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed an airborne Mobile MagnetoTellurics (Mobile MT) survey over the southern portion of its Todd Lake Project, located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin. The survey identified possible extensions to the Patterson Lake Corridor (PLC) and the Carter Trends, within the Clearwater Domain. The PLC is a prolific conductive corridor which hosts both NexGen Energy's Arrow (20km east) and Paladin's Triple R deposits (14km to the east).

The survey was carried out by Expert Geophysics Surveys Inc. and was designed to complete total coverage on the entire property, with the northern half of the property having been flown in the summer of 2023 (Fig 1). The survey was designed to identify potential conductive systems representing the continuation or extensions of the PLC which trends toward the property (Fig 1).

The results of this survey will be used to advance the understanding of the property and develop new targets for future ground geophysical surveys and drill programs on the Todd Lake Project. The Todd Lake Project has never been drill tested, despite its proximity to Triple R and Arrow deposit and being located just 4km southwest of one of the Athabasca basins' newest discoveries, F3 Uranium's Tetra Zone. The Todd Lake Project, along with Clearwater West and the Wales Lake Projects highlight F3's western Athabasca portfolio in an immerging uranium district in the western Athabasca basin.

Erik Sehn, Vice President Exploration, commented:

"F4 is pleased to have completed its first work on our westside flagship Todd Lake Project, located along trend of the prolific Patterson Lake Corridor and with no historic drilling to date. The results of the survey highlight resistivity low trends on the southern portion of the property that lie along the interpreted strike of the PLC. With F3 Uranium's recent Tetra Zone discovery being hosted within the Clearwater Domain, only 4 km north of Todd Lake, it is now demonstrated that the Clearwater Domain is capable of hosting high-grade uranium mineralization. These results reinforce F4's view that the Todd Lake Project holds strong exploration potential in what we think is amongst the most fertile areas in the region. The next steps will be to refine these results with targeted ground geophysical surveys to develop and prioritize drill targets for a maiden drill program on the property."

Figure 1. Todd Lake's Current and Planned Mobile MT coverage.

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About Todd Lake:

F4 Uranium's 100% owned Todd Lake Project is located 14km Southwest of Paladin's Triple R and Nexgen Energy's Arrow deposits and lies along trend of the Patterson Lake corridor which hosts the aforementioned deposits. Significantly underexplored with no historic drilling, the Todd Lake Project is located just outside of the Southwestern Athabasca Basin. A series of recent discoveries including Nexgen Energy's PCE occurrence, Paladin Energy's Saloon area and F3 Uranium's JR and Tetra Zones, the latter located just 4km Northeast of the top of Todd Lake, further highlight the uranium discovery potential near the Southwestern Athabasca Basin. Todd Lake is accessed by Provincial Highway 955, located to the east of the property.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved on behalf of the Company by Sam Hartmann, P.Geo., President & Chief Operation Officer of F4, and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

This news release also refers to neighboring properties in which F4 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Todd Lake Property.

Corporate Update

The Company also wishes to update its release of November 19, 2025 and note that it has settled a total of $272,916 in debt to certain creditors revised from the $280,306 as approved by shareholders at its annual meeting. Shares for Debt were issued to the following insiders - Devinder Randhawa, Director to settle $109,200 of debt for 992,727 shares - Raymond Ashley CEO to settle $71,736 for 652,145 shares: Jeremy Polmear, CFO to settle $33,180 for 301,636 shares; and Sam Hartman, President and COO to settle $58,800 for 534,545 shares.

The issuance of the 2,481,053 shares constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company further confirms that disinterested Shareholder approval of the transaction was given, Settlement by Insiders does not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

No new control person was created as a result of the Shares-for-Debt Transaction.

Following this clarification the Company is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") has approved the Settlement as noted above.

About F4 Uranium Corp:

F4 Uranium is a Canadian uranium exploration company focused on the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, and the latest uranium explorer, lead by the same management and exploration team with a legacy of discovery successes. The project portfolio includes 17 wholly owned properties totaling roughly 157,000 ha, many of which are near uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R, Nexgen Energy's Arrow and IsoEnergy's Hurricane projects. The assets were spun out of F3 Uranium in 2024, where the technical and management team made their third, and more recently fourth uranium discoveries at Patterson Lake North and Broach Lake. F4's core focus will be split between the west and east sides of the Athabasca Basin as the company is establishing itself as an explorer and project generator providing shareholders renewed exposure at an early stage.

Contact Information

F4 Uranium Corp.

750-1620 Dickson Avenue

Kelowna, BC V1Y9Y2

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Ray Ashley"

Raymond Ashley, CEO

F4 Uranium Corp.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278010
Overall Construction Reached 79%, Approaching Major Inflection Point

Project Remains on Schedule and on Budget

Foran Mining Corp. (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to report on construction activities completed during the month of November 2025 at its 100% owned McIlvenna Bay project in Saskatchewan. Construction has reached approximately 79%, positioning McIlvenna Bay at a major inflection point as the project advances toward mid-2026 commercial production and continues to perform in line with the revised capital estimate.

Key Achievements from the month of November 2025:

The Company maintains its strong safety culture achieving a year-to-date lost time incident frequency rate for the site, including our exploration activities, of 0.6 year-to-date and a workforce of approximately 800 people on site.

Overall construction reached approximately 79%, tracking in line with monthly targets and supporting the Company's reaffirmed outlook for commercial production in mid 2026.

The project continues to track in line with the revised capital estimate disclosed in the May 13, 2025 press release.

Key surface construction milestones in November included starting pre-commissioning activities in the mill, crushing, and grinding electrical rooms, completing the installation of the SAG mill liners, and continuation of structural steel, cladding and mechanical installations in the paste plant.

Underground development advanced approximately 597 metres ("m") in November, with the first production stope blast scheduled to occur in December 2025.

Ore stockpile growth continued with approximately 27,000 tonnes of ore reporting to stockpiles in November and total ore inventory of approximately 165,000 tonnes at month-end.

Dan Myerson, Executive Chairman and CEO of Foran, commented "Construction at McIlvenna Bay reached approximately 79% by the end of November 2025, reflecting continued disciplined execution as the project advances toward commissioning and first production. Pre-commissioning activities are well underway, and progress to date demonstrates the operational readiness of our team and infrastructure. Development momentum continues to build as planned, on time and on budget, positioning 2026 as an important transition year for Foran as the Company moves into production, while advancing Phase 2 planning and continued exploration focused on unlocking district scale potential. I would like to thank our integrated project management team, employees and contractors for their relentless focus and commitment as we work towards delivering Canada's next generational copper, zinc, gold and silver producer."

Construction Progress Summary

Description Progress to Date (as of November 30, 2025, unless otherwise stated)



Health & Safety o Site wide lost time incident frequency rate ("LTIFR") year-to-date of 0.6 and a total recordable incident frequency rate ("TRIFR") year-to-date of 3.5 after over 2,025,000 total person-hours worked year-to-date.



Construction

Progress &

Schedule o Overall project construction progress was approximately 79% at month-end, performing in line with monthly targets. o The project continues to remain within the revised capital estimate disclosed in the May 13, 2025 press release. o Commercial production target reiterated for mid 2026.



Surface

Development (Plant) o Completed Phase 1 tailings storage facility earthworks and liner. o Civil works were completed in several key areas in November, including the site main substation, conveying stockpile and primary grinding areas. o Structural steel works progressed with the erection of the temporary tailings storage and loading facility and the paste plant structures, as well as internal steel installation within the process plant. o Mechanical and piping installations continued to advance on multiple fronts including liquefied natural gas pipework installation, conveyor and ore bin and tailings filtration areas. HVAC installation continued at the truck shop and throughout the process plant. o Electrical and instrumentation continued to progress with major advancements at the primary crushing and automation network areas. o Transmission line construction continues to advance in-line with plan and - the start of the stringing of electrical conduit between the tower structure spans in November. o In addition, completion of key electrical power work streams are as follows, at end of November - vegetation clearing completed, foundation and anchor installation at 94% complete and structures hauling/placing/erection at approximately 72% complete. o Main electrical substation tracking on schedule for start of commissioning in February 2026, with line energization remaining on schedule for end of March 2026.



Underground

Development o Development included approximately 597m of lateral advance, with 37m of decline development, with the ramp now extending approximately 40m past the 240m level. o Permanent ground support continues in the fresh air raise with completion expected in December. o Undercut slash drilling was completed for three stopes. o Added approximately 27,000 tonnes to the surface ore stockpile in November, bringing the total to approximately 165,000 tonnes at month end, supporting mill commissioning readiness.



Human Resources o Approximately 800 people on site, with 165 Foran employees and 635 construction personnel.





Qualified Person

Mr. Samuele Renelli, P. Eng., Vice President, Technical Services for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical information in this news release and has reviewed, verified and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Foran Mining

Foran Mining is a near-term critical minerals producer, committed to supporting a greener future and empowering communities while creating value for our stakeholders. The McIlvenna Bay project is located within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to development and exploration activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone.

The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km.

The Company filed its NI 43-101 compliant 2025 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project, Saskatchewan, Canada (the "2025 Technical Report") on March 12, 2025, with an effective date and report date of March 12, 2025, outlining a mineral resource in respect of the McIlvenna Bay Deposit estimated at 38.6 Mt grading 2.02% CuEq in the Indicated category and an additional 4.5 Mt grading 1.71% CuEq in the Inferred category. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of the 2025 Technical Report which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF".

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, statements regarding our objectives and our strategies to achieve such objectives; our beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events; as well as specific statements in respect of our construction progress targets and estimates, including construction progress and schedule, engineering, procurement, surface and underground development, and human resources; the advancement of the McIlvenna Bay project; our development strategy; the McIlvenna Bay project remaining on time and on budget and commercial production beginning in mid-2026; McIlvenna Bay remaining in line with the revised capital estimate announced by the Company on May 13, 2025; effecting our first production stope blast in December 2025; our view that our project execution is disciplined; the operational readiness of our team and infrastructure in connection with pre-commissioning activities; our development momentum; the importance of 2026 as a transition year as Foran moves into production; our advancement of Phase 2 planning and continued focus on exploration and unlocking district scale potential; our ability to deliver Canada's next copper, zinc, gold, and silver producer; our ability to advance certain construction and development milestones, including construction of the transmission line and achieving energization of same in March 2026, HVAC installation works at the truck shop and process plant, and installation of electrical and instrumentation; starting the commissioning of the main electrical substation in February 2025; completion of certain air raise structures in December 2025; our readiness to commission the mill; our focus on health and safety; our ability to become a critical minerals producer in the near term; our commitment to support a greener future and empower communities while creating value for our stakeholders; expectations regarding our development and advanced exploration activities; and our 2025 Technical Report.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement.

Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors include management's belief or expectations relating to the following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard to the following: the Company's reliance on the McIlvenna Bay Property; the Company is exposed to risks related to mineral resources exploration and development; the Company has no history of mineral production; the Company's operations are subject to extensive environmental, health and safety regulations; mining operations involve hazards and risks; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include the availability of funds for the Company's projects; availability of equipment; sustained labour stability with no labour-related disruptions; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed in this press release are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca).

SOURCE Foran Mining Corporation
Freeport Resources Inc. (TSXV: FRI) (OTCQB: FEERF) (FSE: 4XH) ("Freeport Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of October 15, 2025 and December 11, 2025, the Company has closed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 24,099,999 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.03 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $723,000 (the "Second Tranche"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company, and one-half-of-one share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.06 for a period of twelve months following issuance.

The Second Tranche forms part of a larger offering by the Company (the "Offering") of up to 116,666,666 Units by way of non-brokered private placement at a price of $0.03 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $3,500,000. The Company anticipates utilizing the proceeds from the Offering for the continued development of the Yandera Copper Project and for general working capital purposes. The Company does not anticipate that any portion of the proceeds from the Offering will be used to conduct investor relations activities. The Company does not expect to utilize the proceeds of the Offering to make payments to non-arms' length parties, other than in the ordinary course of their compensation for services provided to the Company.

Following the closing of the Second Tranche, the Company has raised gross proceeds of $2,337,850 through the issuance of 77,928,331 Units in connection with the Offering. The Company anticipates closing the third and final tranche of the Offering on or about December 19, 2025.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of four-months-and-one-day in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of any additional tranche of the Offering remains subject to approval of TSX Venture Exchange.

About Freeport Resources Inc.

Freeport Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on advancing the development of the Yandera copper-gold-molybdenum project, located in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. The Yandera project is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world covering approximately 245.5 square kilometers.

Please visit www.freeportresources.com or contact the email address below for more information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule", "intends" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the development of the Yandera Copper Project; the anticipated timing for closing of a final tranche of the Offering; and the use of proceeds from the Offering. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Company's ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

Many uncertainties and factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks related to the exploration and development of the Yandera Copper Project; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; and risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.


Vancouver, December 15, 2025 - Sage Potash Corp. (TSXV: SAGE) (OTCQB: SGPTF) ("Sage Potash" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated December 8, 2025, December 10, 2025 and December 11, 2025, due to continued and significant investor interest, it has further upsized its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") from $12 million to $14 million.

The Offering will now consist of up to 70,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit, with each Unit comprising one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.30 for a period of three (3) years from the date of closing of the Offering. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance under applicable securities laws.

Proceeds of the Offering will be used primarily to commence the work necessary to carry out key recommendations made by internationally recognized engineering firm, RESPEC LLC, in the Company's recently filed Preliminary Economic Assessment (see November 6, 2025 news release), including drilling of a stratigraphic hole, drill core analysis and testing and engineering review. The proceeds will also be used for working capital and for general and administrative expense purposes.

The Company may pay finders' fees in cash and/or securities of the Company in connection with the Offering.

Closing of the Offering is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

About Sage Potash

Sage Potash Corp. (TSXV: SAGE) (OTCQB: SGPTF) is dedicated to the development of its flagship Sage Plain Potash Project, located in the Paradox Basin, Utah. With a large and high-grade resource base, the Company is advancing toward its goal of establishing a secure and sustainable domestic potash production platform in the United States. Sage Potash is committed to food security, environmental stewardship, and creating value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Offering and with respect to future events or future performance of Sage Potash. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis available for review under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgement based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/278080
Feature: Standing amid atrocities: John Rabe and his record of Nanjing Massacre

Xinhua) 11:07, December 15, 2025

BERLIN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- In the winter of 1937, invading Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then the Chinese capital, and over the course of six weeks, they proceeded to kill approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.

Amid the massacre, a German businessman named John Rabe continued to keep a diary, and his diaries remain one of the most comprehensive historical records of the atrocities committed by the Japanese aggressors.

Serving as the Siemens representative in China, Rabe helped establish the Nanjing Safety Zone together with other foreign residents. The 3.86-square-km refuge protected around 250,000 Chinese civilians from the massacre.

Despite the constant peril, Rabe stayed in the city and negotiated repeatedly with the Japanese military to rescue victims and defend the safety zone. At the same time, he documented the atrocities unfolding around him in his diaries.

"I want to witness these atrocities with my own eyes, so that I can later speak of them as an eyewitness. Such brutal crimes -- committed 10 days after the city's capture -- must not be kept silent!" he wrote on Dec. 24, 1937.

On Dec. 14, 1937, the day after Nanjing's fall, Rabe confided in his diary that it was not until he drove through the shattered streets that he grasped the true extent of the destruction.

"Every 100 or 200 meters, we came across corpses. The Japanese marched through the city in groups of 10 to 20 men, looting shops. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it," reads the diary.

On another page, he recounted the fate of a boy of about seven, stabbed four times with a bayonet. One gash in his abdomen, Rabe wrote, was "the length of a finger." The child survived for two days in the hospital before dying -- quietly, without a single cry.

"In John Rabe's diary, written by my grandfather, you can read how the members of the Nanjing Safety Zone repeatedly wrote letters to the Japanese embassy in Nanjing at that time, vehemently condemning them and urging them to stop harming and slaughtering Chinese civilians," Thomas Rabe, grandson of John Rabe, told Xinhua. "However, all these efforts were in vain."

"Remembering history is crucial," he said. "Nazi Germany committed the holocaust, a crime against humanity that must never be repeated. After WWII, Germany made peace with its former victims and took responsibility, with Israel, France, Poland, and others. Unfortunately, not all countries have learned from the past."

John Rabe passed away in 1950 and was laid to rest in the western suburbs of Berlin. But the gratitude of the Chinese people has never faded with time.

At his grave, there are always fresh flowers and handwritten notes. One recent message read: "Thank you, Mr. Rabe, the good man of Nanjing. The Chinese people will never forget."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Where is local government going? In an era of tumultuous change and declining trust in government, cities and counties face major attitudinal and demographic forces, including competition for resources devoted to the "graying" and the "browning" of America and population and generational changes in government workforces. And there's another, perhaps overarching, challenge: the difficulty taxpayers have in thinking about government as experimental when experimental thinking will be exactly what will be needed in the coming decades.Certainly challenges like those -- not to mention those as yet unforeseen -- are going to do much to shape the future direction of local government. They were among the forces identified by a panel of experts in a recent live-streamed discussion I moderated. Co-sponsored by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Alliance for Innovation (AFI), the webcast was part of a larger "Next Big Thing" project sponsored by AFI.So what will be the next big thing? There were plenty of ideas among the panelists: Arlington County, Va., Assistant County Manager Shannon Flanagan-Watson; John Nalbandian, a professor emeritus at the University of Kansas; Austin, Texas, City Manager Marc Ott; and Rebecca Ryan, a futurist and founder of Next Generation Consulting. Here are some of their thoughts:We will see a merging of the public, nonprofit and private sectors, blending public purpose with private capital to address a number of public-service-provision challenges. We also will use innovative financing and public-private partnerships to help public agencies amortize the cost of infrastructure operations and management. When Denver looked for ways to fund the last bit of its high-speed rail system, for example, the city involved investors from Spain in a nuanced and complex financing deal. Agreements such as these will require local governments to develop a new set of navigational management skills.Much will turn on whether and how cities and counties and the people they serve use sensors, data, networking and other technological infrastructure to become "smart" jurisdictions, and how they leverage that technology to better engage their residents. In Sweden and some parts of the United States, for example, local governments have successfully combined technology and resident engagement to forge a framework for change driven far more than ever before by citizen input.None of these efforts can succeed without the appropriate balance of high tech and high touch. Arlington County, for example, tries to equalize the two by leveraging crowdsourcing and other tools to engage residents and the business community in an ongoing conversation with their local government. And while local governments are improving opportunities to inform people and solicit opinions, there are few forums in which a resident, business leader or elected official praises someone else's good idea. We do a great job of soliciting various viewpoints, but we need to focus on elevating the dialogue.The gap between the haves and the have-nots -- and whether that gap becomes a structural impediment to participation in the 21st-century economy for large segments of the population -- will continue to be a major driver of local government. An unforeseen consequence of community growth and development is the broadening of the divide to the point at which "affordability" has become a major campaign issue for elected officials in cities such as Austin.A different but equally important gap is the space between what is politically acceptable and administratively sustainable -- that space dividing what local governments wish to accomplish from what will work and what is politically possible. As that gap continues to grow, it becomes more difficult to achieve results that matter.This concept, a fairly new public-sector mindset that is essential to our continued success and future partnerships, is seldom taught in public-administration classes. Resiliency is not only about the ability to bounce back from disasters, whether natural or human-caused, but to be proactive about analyzing risk before bad things happen so that we can bounce back better than before. While social cohesion is a critical factor for resilient communities, identity politics and the wavering of trust in the public sector are major impediments to achieving this important goal.All of these have one thing in common: the continuing need for government to be innovative. Today's rigid structures and jurisdictional branding -- which reward distinction and, consequently, competition rather than collaboration -- make it difficult to leap beyond our current boundaries to achieve successful regional and multi-sector innovation. Overcoming that difficulty may be the toughest challenge of all.
Doohan joins Antonelli in blacking out social media

Jack Doohan has become the latest Formula 1-linked driver to blank his social media profiles, following a wave of online abuse after a difficult Super Formula test at Suzuka.

Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson, Dutch GP 2024

 Red Bull

The move mirrors recent action taken by Kimi Antonelli and comes amid heightened scrutiny of online harassment in the sport, after the FIA reinforced its anti-abuse campaign following the Antonelli saga.

Doohan was targeted after suffering three near-identical crashes at Degner corner across three consecutive days of Super Formula testing. British tabloid The Sun described the backlash as coming from vile trolls .

Although no longer part of Alpine's race lineup, a spokesperson for the F1 team said: "We are aware of the abuse Jack has been receiving online on social media.

We absolutely do not condone any form of abuse, and we are fully supportive of the stance Jack - and others have taken in the sport in recent weeks - to highlight the unacceptable behaviour and comments directed at them.

Doohan is widely believed to be positioning himself for a return to Formula 1 via Toyota-backed Haas, with his 2026 Super Formula deal understood to be effectively agreed.

Despite the incidents, Kondo Racing boss Nobuaki Adachi strongly defended the Australian. Both Luke Browning and Jack performed very well, he said.

It just so happened that Jack had a series of accidents, but he's a driver with a lot of potential. Suzuka at this time of year is very difficult, and I think he'll be able to make the necessary adjustments to ensure it doesn't happen again next time.

The Japanese outfit has also pointed to technical factors. Given our results in recent seasons, we've concluded that our cars have some issues, Adachi said. The feedback from Luke and Jack allowed us to identify some areas for improvement.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff meanwhile condemned those responsible for online abuse, following similar attacks aimed at Antonelli.

They're simply sick, he said. "I feel sorry for them.

You're sitting there with your laptop on your chest - and God knows what you were doing before you wrote that little comment. I have absolutely no respect for that.

(GMM)
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Forestry Commission, Sahara Group partner to restore degraded forests in Juaso

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A new model for Ghanas oil palm future: Scalable solutions for smallholders, SMEs, and rural industrialisation

Raymond Denteh Business News Dec - 15 - 2025 , 15:32

In Part I, we examined how Ghanas past oil palm interventionsparticularly the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI)fell short due to weak institutional coordination, unrealistic targets, fragmented investments, poor post-planting systems, neglect of artisanal processors, and political interference.

Part II analysed how the new National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development (20262032) seeks to reverse these failures through long-term financing, structured coordination under TCDA, proper value-chain sequencing, and stronger governance reforms.

However, as both Parts I and II showed, policy alone does not create transformation. Ghana has produced impressive strategies before; what has consistently been missing is disciplined implementation and scalable commercial models that reflect Ghanas land tenure realities, rural markets, ESG and governance constraints.

Part III therefore presents practical, scalable modelsdrawing on evidence from my earlier articles Empowering Smallholders through Outgrower Schemes and Modernising Ghanas Artisanal Palm Oil Mills. These models provide a coherent blueprint for building a resilient, efficient, and inclusive oil palm sector that avoids the pitfalls identified in Part I and operationalises the ambitions outlined in Part II.

Model One: National Outgrower Partnership Framework (NOPF)

Transforming smallholders into commercial producers through structured tripartite arrangements

As highlighted in Part I, Ghanas heavy reliance on plantation-led expansion created fragmentation and stranded production. Part II confirmed that the new policy now appropriately prioritises smallholders and structured outgrower schemes.

The NOPF model builds on the proven BOPP, TOPP, GOPDC, and Norpalm systems.

Core components

 FarmerMillFinancier Tripartite Agreements:

Mills provide technical support; lenders manage credit; farmers supply fresh fruit bunches (FFB) at transparent prices.

Government should not select outgrowers or manage contractsthis reduces political inefficiencies.

 Guaranteed Off-Take and Fair Pricing:

Ensures predictable markets for farmers and consistent raw material flow for mills.

 Standardised Extension and Best Management Practice (BMP) Adoption:

Delivered through TCDA, OPRI, mill-based agronomy teams and farm services enterprises/farm services centers.

 Land Tenure Security:

Community agreements guaranteeing minimum viable plot sizes and secure ownership.

 Long-Term Financing:

Linked to the US$500m Oil Palm Finance Window and supervised by TCDA but led by private lenders and industry partners.

Why it will work

This model addresses the weak post-planting support, market uncertainty, and poor targeting that undermined PSI, while aligning directly with the policys long-term financing framework.

Model Two: National Programme for Modernising Artisanal Mills (NP-MAP)

Transforming informal rural mills into semi-mechanised rural industries

Ghana has long neglected artisanal mills, despite their contribution to over 60 per cent of crude palm oil production. The new policy finally recognises this gap.

Key components

A. Licensing and Classification:

TCDA to classify mills (Bronze/Silver/Gold) based on hygiene, efficiency, CPO quality, safety, and environmental compliance.

B. Semi-Mechanisation Through Leasing:

Screw presses, sterilizers, boilers, and related equipment financed through DBG, EXIM Bank, and MFIs, with suppliers paid directly to prevent loan diversion.

C. Environmental and Health Standards:

Effluent ponds, clean energy boilers, improved waste management, and PPE for workers (especially women).

D. Technical Training:

Certification of operators, technicians, and inspectors via Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) and TCDA

E. Off-Taker Linkages:

Upgraded mills integrated into structured supply chains with GOPDC, Juabeng Oil Mills, Wilmar, Avnash, and others.

Why it will work

This model addresses the significant value losses identified in Part Iwhere extraction rates averaged 912 per cent with high free fatty acids (FFAs)while supporting the sequencing reforms outlined in Part II. Upgraded mills can achieve 1520 per cent extraction rates, reduce FFAs, and improve incomes for thousands of rural women.

Model Three: Integrated SmallholderSME Clusters (ISS-Clusters)

A hybrid ecosystem linking farms, mills, nurseries, logistics, finance, and processors

The institutional coherence under TCDA allows for the development of ISS-Clustersgeographically defined economic zones supporting coordinated value-chain activities.

Cluster component

 Outgrower farms (210 ha)

 Modernised artisanal mills

 Seedling nurseries

 Mechanisation service centres and farms/farmer services centres)

 Input and after-sales shops

 Women-led processing cooperatives

 Rural banks and MFIs

 TCDA/OPRI quality-control labs

Why it will work

Clusters reduce logistics costs, improve traceability, and address market fragmentation issues, while strengthening the supply ecosystem.

Model Four: Digital Traceability and Market Integration System (DiTMIS)

Digitising the value chain to improve transparency, repayment discipline, and sustainability

DiTMIS supports the governance and traceability reforms promoted in Part II, while addressing loan recovery and side-selling challenges.

Key features

 Digital farmer registration using the Ghana Card

 Biometric profiling

 Digital FFB weighing and transparent pricing

 GPS/geotagging of farms and mills

 Real-time reporting to TCDA and MoFA

 Mobile-based payments and credit scoring

Why it will work

This system reduces corruption, curbs side-selling, strengthens repayment, and aligns Ghana with global traceability and RSPO standards.

Conclusion  Models That Complete the Work Outlined in Parts I and II

Part I showed that ambition without institutional discipline, financing realism, or inclusion leads to underperformance.

Part II demonstrated how the new 20262032 policy seeks to address these weaknesses with stronger governance, long-term capital, and coordinated implementation.

Part III now provides the operational models required to turn this policy into real transformation.

Ghana can finally succeed by implementing models that are:

 Proven (BOPP, TOPP, GOPDC)

 Inclusive (empowering smallholders, women, and youth)

 Commercially viable (tripartite outgrower systems, mill upgrading)

 Environmentally sound (effluent management, BMP practices)

 Politically insulated (TCDA-led implementation)

 Financially realistic (patient capital, structured financing windows)

If executed with discipline and neutrality, these models can transform Ghanas oil palm sectordriving rural industrialisation, strengthening the cedi, reducing imports, and positioning Ghana as a competitive regional leader.

This is the pathway to a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive oil palm economy.

The writer is an Agribusiness Enthusiast
Beneath the surface - Tales of galamsey from Ayanfuri

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AI codings promise and peril: A new era of software development

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Ghana at the heart of forest finance revolution - Why COP30 must back Tropical Forest Forever Facility

Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) Opinion Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read

The third Conference of the Parties (COP30) has rightfully earned the title Nature COP, with forests taking centre stage in global climate diplomacy in a way not seen in decades.

Brazil, as host, deliberately placed forest protection at the top of the agenda, creating momentum for a long-overdue transformation of the global forest finance architecture.

At the centre of this shift is the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)a bold, permanent financing mechanism designed to reward forest countries for keeping their forests standing.

For Ghana, a committed tropical forest nation and a leader in innovative forest programmes, the TFFF represents one of the most consequential climate finance opportunities in a generation.

New model

For decades, forest countries like Ghana have protected forests that serve the world, yet the financing offered in return has been small, unpredictable, and short-term.

TFFF changes this paradigm.

Built around a USD 125 billion investment fund, the facility uses its annual returns to provide predictable rewards to countries based on their standing forest cover.

This means Ghana will be paid not only for reducing deforestation, but also for maintaining, expanding, and restoring forests over decades.

Its funding is not dependent on annual donor budgets or shifting political winds.

It is designed as a permanent global mechanisman insurance policy for forests.

The TFFF structure also includes an unprecedented equity dimension: 20% of all funds are reserved for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

They are the real custodians of forest landscapes.

COP30 Scale, commitment

The TFFF was formally launched at the COP30 Leaders Summit, backed by more than USD 5.5 billion in initial public pledges from Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal. More than 50 countries have expressed political support.

Complementing this, the Forest & Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) launched a Forest Finance Roadmap, estimating the global tropical forest finance gap at USD 36 billion annually.

I co-chaired the FCLP with former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, from 2022 to 2024.

For countries like Ghana, with proven REDD+ results, the Cocoa-Forest Programme, and forest restoration initiatives, this signals the beginning of a new era in which meaningful resources finally match ambition. (REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.

Its a UN-led framework designed to create financial incentives for developing countries to protect their forests and reduce emissions from deforestation.

The + symbol covers activities such as conservation and sustainable forest management, and enhancing forest carbon stocks.

Norways USD 3 billion, 10-year pledge positions it as the largest anchor financier of the TFFF and underscores the seriousness of this new model.

Strategic positioning

Ghanas role in the TFFF began early. In 2024, Ghana joined the facilitys design process as one of six pioneering forest countries, alongside Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This early leadership allowed Ghana to shape governance arrangements, monitoring requirements, and benefit-sharing structures.

Ghanas track record strengthened its influence.

The Forestry Commissions delivery of Africas first jurisdictional REDD+ results-based payments under the Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme remains a continental milestone.

Ghanas consistent performance in forest monitoring, transparency, and community engagement sets it apart as a credible partner within the TFFF.

Success story

One of the clearest signals of Ghanas commitment to forest restoration is the success of Green Ghana Day, initiated in 2021 under my leadership as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

Over the years, this annual national mobilisation has resulted in the planting of around 50 million tree seedlings across the country.

Green Ghana Day, now rebranded as Tree for Life, demonstrates what Ghana can achieve when government, communities, and the private sector rally behind a shared goal.

Under the TFFF, such national efforts would receive predictable, long-term financing, enabling Ghana to scale restoration, expand community forestry, and rehabilitate degraded reserves.

TFFF, Ghana

Ghana stands to benefit in three key ways: First, by rewarding standing forests, TFFF provides Ghana with a predictable annual revenue stream that can support conservation, restoration, and rural development.

Second, with 20 per cent of funds dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, forest-fringe communities across Ghana would benefit directly through jobs, payments for ecosystem services, and alternative livelihoods.

Third, Ghanas forest sector accounts for more than 45 per cent of its emissions reduction potential.

The TFFF ensures Ghana can meet, and even expand, its climate commitments.

Road ahead

COP30 has delivered major wins: a global finance roadmap, strengthened land tenure pledges, and renewed ambition from the largest forest nations. But the real test lies ahead.

The world must back the TFFF with the scale of resources needed to protect the forests that sustain our climate.

For Ghana, and for all tropical forest nations, the TFFF is more than a funding mechanism. It is a chance to rewrite the economic logic of forest conservation.

It is a chance to compensate those who maintain the lungs of the planet by holding on to its forests.

The writer is MP for Damongo, the Global Lead, Africa Centre for Nature-based Climate Action, former co-chair, Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Next article: Purchase of Presidential jet: Substance over frivolity - Richmond Keelson writes

Mahama and the third-term red line - Isaac Ofori writes

Isaac Ofori Opinion Dec - 15 - 2025 , 08:49 2 minutes read

The 2024 election results have given Ghana a rare chance to protect its constitution and democracy.

The strong majority won by the NDC government gives the executive branch the power to make risky decisions that could threaten our democracy.

Therefore, the NDCs supermajority should not be a reason to celebrate, nor should it be used as a tool to threaten democracy.

Any attempt to do so could lead to chaos and hinder the countrys progress.

Our history provides clear warnings. Kwame Nkrumahs unparalleled dominance in Parliament allowed decisions that undermined democratic checks and damaged the republic.

Across Africa, the effects of similar actions continue to play out.

In Benin, soldiers cited constitutional manipulation as justification for a recent coup attempt, leaving the country tense and divided.

Ghana must avoid these mistakes. However, the current public debate, especially on social media and among some chiefs and Clergy, about a possible third-term bid for President Mahama is concerning and should not be encouraged.

President Mahama has said he will not seek a third term, but if these discussions are a quiet test of public support for such a move, they must be addressed now.

Right now, the medias role is vital. With the executive branch wielding extensive power and trust in the legislature and judiciary uncertain, the press remains one of the few strong defences for our democracy.

It must stay vigilant, determined, and free from bias.

Its job is not to promote political interests but to hold those in power accountable and to inform the public honestly and courageously.

To the NDC and President Mahama: I urge you to avoid continuing this third-term debate.

Doing so risks leading Ghana down a path that history has repeatedly shown to be costly.

Power is never guaranteed, and any attempt to push constitutional limits today could result in harsher consequences later.

The Ghanaian people, who have defended their democracy multiple times, may not support such a course.

Ghana does not need tension or uncertainty.

But if this conversation gains traction, it risks creating both.

The country is at a crossroads.

The clearest way forward is simple: respect the constitution without hesitation and protect the democratic order that has maintained this nation for over thirty years.
Purchase of Presidential jet: Substance over frivolity - Richmond Keelson writes

Richmond Keelson Opinion Dec - 15 - 2025 , 08:47 5 minutes read

On August 6, 2025, Ghana was jolted by a national tragedy.

Eight citizenstwo cabinet ministers, a vice chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and five otherslost their lives in a catastrophic Air Force helicopter crash en-route to an event in Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.

The nation mourned, and still, the grief remains raw and poignant. Families are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Even within political circles, many continue to wrestle with unanswered questions about what truly transpired on that tragic day, despite the conclusions of the investigative committee.

Yet beyond the collective sorrow, the crash laid bare a harsher reality: Ghanas Air Force fleet is seriously challenged that only a comprehensive renewal can remedy it.

The official investigation confirmed what many within the security apparatus had whispered for yearsthat the fleet required an urgent overhaul.

The government moved swiftly, allocating funds to renew and modernise the Air Forces aircraft inventory.

Beginning in 2026, Ghana would, over a four-year span, procure new aircraft, including two jets designated for presidential use, replacing an aging and corroded aircraft long declared unfit for purpose.

Instead of a sober national consensus around a clear security imperative, the conversation degenerated into partisan theatrics.

Although Parliament approved the expenditure, the public debate was poisoned by political bitterness and economic anxieties.

Critics questioned the timing, insisting that a struggling economy cannot prioritise new presidential jets.

Some went furtherresurrecting old rivalries and accusing the now-ruling NDC of hypocrisy for resisting a similar purchase when they were in opposition.

But that argument dissolves under scrutiny.

What was Okudjeto Ablakwas crime?

For years, the political crossfire over the presidential jet fixatedalmost obsessivelyon Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, then the Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs and now Foreign Minister.

As Parliament approached the final stages of approving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget, old ghosts resurfaced.

The current Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs, Samuel A. Jinapor, resurrected the controversy with a pointed jab.

He urged the minister to cancel the acquisition of one of the presidential jets and divert the funds to support the chronically under-resourced Foreign Ministry.

It was a tongue-in-cheek remarkyet unmistakably a reminder.

Mr Ablakwas own past stance had circled back to confront him; many NPP folks teased.

On the Defence Committee side, Reverend Ntim Fordjour was even more direct, bluntly reminding the minister how his hardline posture years earlier had helped stall attempts to procure a new presidential aircraft.

But what exactly was Mr Ablakwas crime? He had no unilateral power to stop the purchase of a presidential jet.

What he did, however, was to expose a disturbing truth: the President at the time was flying in exorbitant luxurychartering private jets at $14,000 to $17,000 per hour on most international trips.

The accumulated cost of those flights could have bought Ghana a brand-new presidential jetoutright.

That revelation detonated the national mood. It became politically impossibleeven suicidalfor the government of the day to attempt purchasing a new presidential aircraft.

Public outrage was so overwhelming that no administration, including the one enjoying the criticism today, could have dared push such an acquisition through without facing mass backlash.

So, again, what was Mr Ablakwas crime?

That through his exposes, Ghanaians finally saw how extravagance was bleeding the national coffers?

That he dared to question the prudence of spending astronomical sums on ultra-luxury aircraft when a more moderate, functional, and cost-effective option could have served the nation just as well?

If those are crimes, then they are crimes committed in the national interest.

Extravagance spree

For years, the presidency under the previous administration descended into a spectacle of extravagance.

The President was flown in luxurious private jets, each trip costing the nation tens of thousands of dollarsa waste in a period marked by economic hardship and public sacrifice.

Adding insult to national injury, Ghanas aging presidential jetmockingly dubbed the Flying Coffinwas routinely handed out for domestic travel to individuals with no official role or standing in government.

This reckless indulgence ignited widespread indignation.

It inflamed passions, hardened emotions, and shifted the countrys mood so dramatically that any attempt to procure a new presidential jet became politically toxicoutrightly rejected before it could even be debated.

Under such circumstances, which Ghanaian would dare support the purchase of a new presidential jet?

The new shift in leadership

Then came the shift in leadership. President Mahama, inheriting the fractured debate, opted for restraint.

Domestically and across Africa, he often used his brothers private jet to cut state costs.

For long-haul trips to Asia and the UN General Assembly, he flew commercialan unusual arrangement for a head of state.

This frugality, though admirable, exposed a new danger.

In one instance, a 12-hour layover in Dubai triggered national anxiety about the Presidents safety.

Protocol and security experts warned: this was not just inconvenientit was hazardous.

No modern nation subjects its president to such vulnerability.

Thus, the question confronting Ghana today is not about luxury; it is about state security, presidential safety, and national dignity.

A presidential jet is not a toy for the indulgent; it is a strategic national asset.

It belongs to the Republic of Ghananot to the man who occupies the office for a term.

President Mahama has three years left in his mandate.

Several presidents will use this aircraft after him.

What the nation acquires is an asset of state, not an extension of personal ego.

Ghana cannot continue to gamble with the safety of its commanders-in-chief or invite ridicule on the international stage.

After years of frivolity, mismanagement, and waste, the argument has shifted.

Today, purchasing a presidential jet is not an act of luxuryit is an act of necessity.
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Ghana's pursuit of SDG 4: Reconciling religious rights with mission school ethics

Kofi Kwakye Takyi Education Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read

Education is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right.

This is the bedrock of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4), which commits the global community to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."

For Ghana, a nation with a rich tapestry of faiths and a historical foundation in mission education, achieving this goal requires navigating a complex and often contentious crossroads: the intersection of individual religious rights and the established ethics of mission schools.

This principle anchors the UN SDG 4, which pledges to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."

For Ghana, a land steeped in diverse beliefs and a historical foundation in mission-based schooling, realising this aim necessitates negotiating a difficult and often disputed junction: the clash between personal spiritual freedoms and the established standards of missionary organisations.

The principle is straightforward: every child has the right to freedom of religion and belief. However, this right isnt absolute.

It operates alongside the prerogative of schools to uphold their unique identity, as well as the shared entitlement of all pupils to learn in an environment of mutual respect and peace.

Persistent disputes in educational spaces suggest that we have mistaken the assertion of rights for the erosion of responsibility.

Having a right doesnt empower one to disregard a communitys core principles; instead, it necessitates a dialogue built on respect to achieve a common understanding.

Lessons from our recent past

Ghana has witnessed several moments that illustrate this delicate balance:

The hijab debate in Christian schools: Discussions regarding the Islamic head covering (hijab) in mission schools run by Christian denominations have been a significant point of contention.

Although the Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued directives to standardise uniforms, the core of the matter remains unresolved.

For numerous Muslim students and patients, the hijab represents an unwavering article of faith.

Conversely, mission schools view their identity  reflected in emblems, dress codes, and communal worship  as inseparable from their educational philosophy, a heritage they deem worthy of safeguarding.

Tensions flare when one partys rights feel like an endangerment to the others existence.

Religious observances and gatherings: Cases have emerged where students of differing faiths from a schools founding denomination resist mandatory involvement in specific religious services or prayers.

This juxtaposes the schools regulations, designed to cultivate unified spiritual life, against the students right to observe their own belief system. Calls for exemption options question the essence of what defines a "mission school."

Rastafarian pupil and dreadlocks: Though rarer, equally stirring are scenarios where Rastafarian students confront penalties for retaining their dreadlocks, which they hold as sacred religious convictions.

Such situations clash with school codes on grooming, frequently justified as upholding order and standardisation.

Here, a deeply personal religious expression conflicts with a schools ethical and disciplinary code.

These are not minor administrative disagreements; they are indicators of a bigger societal issue.

Are our mission schools old-fashioned holdovers in a multicultural world, or are they important contributors to educational diversity?

In contrast, does asserting one's religious identity in these areas indicate a lack of tolerance, or is it a genuine claim for inclusion?

Beyond conflict, towards understanding

The solution does not lie in a scenario where one party must surrender entirely.

Compelling a Christian mission school to abandon all its symbols is as much a violation of its rights as forcing a Muslim student to renounce a fundamental belief.

Achieving inclusive schooling demands a proactive strategy, grounded in UNESCOs ideals of discourse and cross-cultural appreciation.

We must move from a paradigm of confrontation to one of conversation.

Faith-based institutions: Its worth revisiting the intentions of their founding fathers, frequently centred on service and ethical development.

Can this ethos be expressed in a manner faithful to its roots yet open to other faiths?

This might entail revising policies to establish common areas where faith practices are supported but not imposed, and where school uniforms can accommodate religious signs without compromising their overall identity.

Parents and students: Choosing a mission school indicates an embrace of its cultural background.

Confrontation should be avoided in favour of engagement and discourse.

Respecting the school's traditions does not imply forsaking one's own faith but rather living it in a way that values the community to which one has voluntarily joined.

Authorities and policy makers: The governments task is mediation.

Bodies like the GES and Ministry of Education should facilitate nationwide discussions uniting clergy, advocacy groups, and education experts.

The aim should be to develop guidelines safeguarding both individual religious expression and institutional identity, provided they do not discriminate in their admissions or treatment of students.

SDG 4's ultimate goal is to build equitable, peaceful, and inclusive societies, instead of focusing only on literacy and numeracy.

Schools that demonstrate  through daily practice  how to honour profound differences offer an education fit for modern times.

Ghanas faith-based academies could exemplify this globally: Proving varied liberties neednt spark conflict, but can instead, if interlaced with mutual regard, forge a more resilient societal tapestry where all students find their place.
Next article: Nestle Ghana, Oseikrom Aduanepa host Maggi Fufu Party to celebrate and thank consumers

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Asokore Mampong: Two suspected robbers arrested for killing 28-year-old female victim and stealing iPhone 11

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Dec - 15 - 2025 , 13:57 2 minutes read

Two suspected robbers have been arrested by the police for robbing and killing their 28-year-old female victim.

The incident happened at Asokore Mampong near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The deceased, identified as Silver Ngozi, was robbed and allegedly stabbed with a knife, leading to her death.

The suspects have been named by Farouk Iddris, aged, 20, a motorbike mechanic and rider and Salim Mohammed, aged,19, a motorbike mechanic and rickshaw rider.

At a press briefing, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Arthur Osei Akoto, said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects robbed the deceased, and one of them allegedly stabbed her with a knife, resulting in her death.

Following intelligence-led operations, on December 12, 2025, at about 9:00 pm, a joint team from the regional police headquarters and the anti-robbery unit in Kumasi, arrested the suspects at their hideout at Aboabo in Kumasi.

He said a search conducted in the room of Farouk Iddris led to the retrieval of a machete, knives, and other offensive weapons.

According to the police, during interrogation, the suspects admitted to committing the robbery.

Salim Mohammed, who was the pillion rider on the day of the incident, identified a zigzag-edged knife as the weapon used to stab the deceased, the police commander said.

He added that the suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and would be put before court.

Additionally, he disclosed that an iPhone 11 Pro, belonging to the deceased, which was stolen during the robbery, has been retrieved and retained as evidence.

Another incident

In a related development, further intelligence-led operations have led to the arrest of three suspects involved in a series of street robberies within Asokore Mampong, KNUST, Kenyasi, Bosore, Duase, Antoa, Mayanka, Ayeduase, and surrounding areas.

They are Abdul Fatawu, alias UN, aged ,22, Philip Nyarko, alias Kawawa, aged, 24, and Samak Hadi, alias Toronto, aged, 21.

Items retrieved from their hideouts at Aboabo included 59 iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets and five laptops.

All the suspects have confessed to the offences in their caution statements and are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The command appealed to members of the public who may have fallen victim to these criminal activities within the affected areas to report to the Ashanti Regional Police Command to assist with investigations.

DCOP Akoto assured the general public of the commands continued commitment to maintaining peace, law, and order in the region and further urged the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to help combat crime.
Daddy Lumba finally laid to rest

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Dec - 15 - 2025 , 00:57 6 minutes read

When chaos gave way to concessions, and sobriety triumphed amid controversy, the remains of Ghanaian music icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, were finally interred last Saturday after months of uncertainty.

At the Baba Yara Stadium's Heroes Park, Ghanaians from all walks of life gathered in Kumasi to bid a solemn farewell to the celebrated musician, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.

Despite the threat of rain, a diverse mix of mournersincluding the young and the old, fellow musicians, traditional rulers, businesspeople, politicians, and othersconverged to pay their last respects to the man described as arguably the greatest Ghanaian musician of all time.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, led a delegation of the ruling government's party to the funeral to honour the life and legacy of the musician.

Similarly, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi; the NPP's National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, as well as the partys flagbearer aspirant, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, among others, also graced the ceremony.

Also in attendance were businessmen, Osei Kwame Despite, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, and others.

Legal hurdles

The final funeral rites of the legend came off after three legal suits filed at the courts in Kumasi and Accra were dealt with.

Two of the cases were interlocutory injunctions that sought to delay the funeral beyond last Saturday. The other case was to determine who had the right to perform the widowhood rites.

Sea of mourners

Heroes Park, the centre of attraction, was flooded with a sea of mourners clad mostly in red and black, with some arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. in T-shirts emblazoned with the image of the late musician.

The remains of Daddy Lumba lying in state Pictures: EMMANUEL BAAH

Amid the sobering scenes paying tribute to Lumba, the event also created economic opportunities, as traders capitalised on the sale of memorabilia bearing his likeness.

Nonetheless, it was a solemn and emotional moment as the casket lay in state for members of the public and dignitaries to file past and bid farewell to the celebrated musician.

The funeral featured live performances by both established and emerging artistes, who rendered some of the music icons timeless songs.

Performances

The most significant moment came when Nana Acheampong, with whom Lumba formed the Lumba Brothers duo, mounted the stage to perform.

His rendition of songs he recorded with Daddy Lumba stirred deep emotions among the mourners.

Around 11:40 a.m., when the loudspeakers blared one of the late musicians most emotional songs titled Makra Mo (Goodbye), which featured on his sixth album Biribi Gyegye Wo released in 1993, the reality of Lumbas journey to eternity became unmistakably clear.

The song was a soulful expression of mortality, where Daddy Lumba told his fans to enjoy every moment with him while he was alive and not to weep when he was no more.

The moment the song was played and the master of the ceremony asked mourners to wave their hands to bid the musician farewell before the body was carried into a waiting hearse, many of them, who could not hold back their emotions, wept bitterly.

As one such mourner wiped his tears with a handkerchief, he said, This is a very difficult moment for me. Daddy Lumba should have lived longer. My icon died too early.

Burial service

The public burial service commenced around 10:20 a.m. after a Christian prayer.

The ceremony nearly turned into a music festival as the mourners jammed to every song of the late musician, either performed live or played by the disc jockey.

As tributes were read by his family, one of the wives, children, fans, staff and well-wishers, one message that stood out was that he was a great musician, a recognition he earned through consistency, innovation and enduring relevance in the Ghanaian music industry.

President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC donated GH50,000 to support the funeral arrangements.

Similarly, former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, also contributed GH50,000, while the NPP donated GH100,000 toward the event.

Tributes

One of his wives, Priscilla Oforipopularly known as Odo Broniin a tribute read on her behalf, described Daddy Lumba as a king who treated her like a queen and gave her a family and a life filled with joy.

She said, My husband, my king and my eternal love. Though you are gone from this world, you remain etched in my soul, and pledged to carry Daddy Lumbas legacy, protect his name and honour the truth of their bond.

Rest well, my lion king. Rest, knowing that your Odo Broni will never let your story be forgotten, she further stated.

His first wife, Akosua Serwaa, was not present, although her children graced the occasion.

Tribute by children

In an emotional tribute, the children described their father as an extraordinary human being who lived with an intensity that many heard in his music but very few truly understood.

They said his spirit, discipline, complexity and brilliance, rooted in both his nature and experiences, gave depth to the man he became.

They said he carried a gift so vast that it rose beyond the quiet edges of where his story began long before life gave him the room to rise.

They described him as attentive, protective, playful and wise, and added that although his passing had created a silence that words could not fully describe, the echo of his presence spoke louder than ever.

I am proud to bear your name. I am honoured to continue your story and equally grateful beyond measure for the privilege of having been loved by you in the ways only you could love, one of them stated.

Background

Daddy Lumba was a legendary Ghanaian highlife musician whose influence spanned generations.

Lumba produced over 30 albums, including timeless hits such as Aben Wo Ha, Sika Asem, and Theresa.

Known for blending traditional highlife with soul, gospel and contemporary sounds, he redefined the genre and inspired countless musicians.

With a career marked by creativity, bold expression and cultural impact, Daddy Lumba earned a place among Ghanas greatest music icons.

He passed away on July 26, 2025, at age 60, leaving behind a legacy of music that continues to resonate deeply with fans across the globe.
ECOWAS unanimously endorses Mahama for AU Chairmanship

Kester Aburam Korankye Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has unanimously endorsed the candidature of President John Dramani Mahama for the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU).

This decisive collective backing follows earlier support from the region's Foreign Affairs Ministers, consolidating West Africa's bid to lead the continental body.

The endorsement emerged as a central outcome of the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority held in Abuja yesterday.

While the summit's agenda was dominated by security crises in the region, including the recent attempted coup in Benin and instability in Guinea-Bissau, the unified political support for President Mahama marks a strategic effort to project regional influence on the broader African stage.

Unified Regional Front

The formal endorsement by the assembled heads of state represents the final and highest level of regional backing.

It confirms the earlier recommendation made by ECOWAS Foreign Ministers during their preparatory meeting in Abuja, creating a seamless and powerful show of unity behind President Mahama's candidacy.

His candidacy is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the linkage between regional and continental governance, particularly on issues of peace, security and economic integration.

The endorsement of President Mahama is perceived not only as a foreign policy objective but also as an effort to reinforce ECOWAS's diplomatic weight and unity of purpose on the continental scene.

The AU Chairmanship rotates annually among Africas five regions. The current Chair, President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of Angola, assumed office in February 2025 and is serving a one-year term on behalf of Southern Africa.

In endorsing Mr Mahama, the Council highlighted both his personal stature and Ghanas role as a key ECOWAS member state with significant contributions to the blocs regional and international standing.

The ministers also noted that presenting a unified candidate would improve ECOWASs prospects of securing influential positions within continental and global bodies.

President Mahama is already the AUs Champion for various areas, including Reparatory Justice for Africans & People of African Descent; Gender and Development Issues, as well as a champion for African Financial Institutions.

Security, stability

The endorsement was made against the backdrop of a summit primarily focused on pressing security threats.

The heads of state opened their meeting with a strong condemnation of the December 7 attempted coup in Benin and the ongoing 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 Benin's government, a move praised by the AU and the United Nations.

In his address, President Bio described the summit as a critical juncture for the 50-year-old bloc, emphasising that "our collective security and our democratic resilience are under test."

Alongside the political endorsement of President Mahama, leaders agreed on concrete security measures, including upholding the suspension of Guinea-Bissau and mandating a high-level mediation mission to the country.

Reforms

The heads of state reaffirmed a commitment to a comprehensive review of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to boost intra-regional trade.

In a landmark decision directly impacting citizens, the authority announced that member states would abolish air transport taxes and reduce associated charges by 25 per cent, effective January 1, 2026, to lower travel costs within West Africa.

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, also announced the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Business Council, to be led by Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote.

The summit occurred amidst a period of regional fracture, with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger remaining absent following their withdrawal from the bloc.
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EU partners government, Oxfam to mark 16 Days of Activism

Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The European Union (EU), in partnership with the Government of Ghana and Oxfam, has held its maiden Orange Terrace Talk, a space to reflect and strengthen collective resolve to end all forms of gender-based violence to mark this years 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The event, which was held in Accra, was organised on the theme Push back the pushback against gender equality: online and offline.

It brought together government officials, the diplomatic community, youth groups, cybersecurity actors, and development partners to deliberate on the rising cases of online and offline gender-based violence in the country.

At the event, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, said progress made in gender equality over the decades had been threatened and, in some areas, reversed, making coordinated action more important than ever.

He said the country had witnessed increases in gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, and sexual harassment in schools and universities, as well as a rise in online harassment.

2025 saw cases of sexual harassment and assault at Ghanaian schools and universities, and a rise in both online and physical harassment and threats, he said.

Mr Skinnebach described the rise in non-consensual sharing of intimate images and manipulated deep-fake content as deeply worrisome.

He said the EU had committed over EUR 8 million in the last five years through grants to civil society to address GBV and strengthen digital safety.

The EU will do its share to advance digital safety in Ghana, strengthening gender-responsive policies and reinforcing survivor-centred systems, he added.

The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the government had implemented a number of legal frameworks to ensure the protection of women, girls, and vulnerable persons.

These include the Affirmative Action Law, the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732), the Childrens Act (Act 560), the Human Trafficking Act (Act 694), and the Juvenile Justice Act (Act 653).

However, she said new forms of abuse, particularly those facilitated by technology, demanded updated laws and stronger punishments.

Evolving forms of GBV, online harassment, technology-facilitated abuse, and workplace harassment require expanded definitions and more punishment to serve as a deterrent to others, she said.

Dr Lartey said cultural norms that normalised abuse continued to hinder justice.

Online abuse

She said online safety must be treated as part of overall well-being, insisting that digital harm often resulted in trauma and exclusion.

Invited guests and participants in the event

The Country Director of Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said online gender-based violence had evolved continuously and had become closely connected to offline abuse.

He referenced the EUOxfam ENOUGH Project, describing it as a major initiative that expanded access to reporting systems and justice through digital tools.

The ENOUGH Project underscored a critical reality: online gender-based violence is rising, rapidly evolving, and deeply connected to offline abuse, he said.
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Ministry acknowledges Agrihouse for organising Agrifair

Daily Graphic Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:57 1 minute read

The week-long series of activities to mark the 41st National Farmers Day celebration has been described as the best since its introduction.

Dubbed Agrifair, the five-day exhibition preceding the climax of the national event was organised by Agrihouse Foundation, a young and youth-led agriculture development organisation.

The Minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku, acknowledging the role of Agrihouse in celebrating the National Farmers Day, said the partnership between the ministry and Agrihouse had evolved into an effective and sustainable model for managing the fair.

Through Agrihouses mobilisation, coordination and logistical expertise, the five-day fair, which previously imposed a high financial cost on the government, has been successfully delivered this year at no cost to the state.

We deeply appreciate this valuable collaboration and look forward to strengthening our work together, Mr Opoku stated.

For her part, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation Alberta, Nana Akyaa Akosa, said, For the first time in eight years that we have been assisting the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to host the exhibitions, this is the first minister who has ever recognised our efforts.

No one has ever recognised or acknowledged our effort before.
Ministry urges drivers to avoid over-speeding and unsafe overtaking during festive period

Jemima Okang Addae Dec - 15 - 2025 , 13:07 2 minutes read

The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has issued a nationwide health alert warning of a possible surge in road traffic accidents during the upcoming Christmas festivities.

In a press release dated December 15, the Ministry noted that the festive season has historically recorded increased road crashes, many of which result in preventable injuries and loss of lives.

According to the statement, data from health facilities, the National Road Safety Authority, the Ghana Police Service and research institutions indicate that road traffic-related injuries have not reduced in recent years.

Key contributing factors include poor visibility during the harmattan season, increased road use, driver fatigue, and unsafe road behaviours such as over-speeding, drunk driving, dangerous overtaking, non-use of seat belts and helmets, drug use, and general disregard for traffic regulations.

The Ministry stressed that most of these risk factors are human-made and can be effectively controlled, noting that road crashes often lead to devastating outcomes including deaths, amputations, disfigurement and other severe injuries.

As part of preventive measures, the Ministry advised drivers, motorcyclists and tricycle riders to avoid over-speeding and unsafe overtaking, refrain from alcohol, drugs and stimulants before or while driving, always wear seat belts and helmets, comply fully with traffic regulations, and ensure adequate rest before embarking on long journeys.

Passengers and pedestrians were also urged to play an active role in road safety by observing driver behaviour and speaking up against risky actions, wearing seat belts throughout journeys, using designated pedestrian walkways, avoiding illegal road crossings, and staying alert when on or near roads.

The Ministry emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility and reaffirmed its commitment, together with the Ghana Health Service, to protecting the health and safety of all Ghanaians during the festive season and beyond.
Police arrest 17 in major drug and crime clampdown in Tamale

Emmanuel Bonney Dec - 14 - 2025 , 19:49 3 minutes read

The IGP Special Operations Team last Saturday arrested 17 persons in a swoop at the Waterworks area in Tamale in the Northern Region.

The arrests were made during an operation carried out within the Tamale Metropolis and the Tolon District as part of sustained efforts to curb illicit drug peddling and abuse, robbery, rape, attacks on mobile money vendors and other criminal activities that threaten public safety and the livelihoods of residents in the affected areas.

Evidence retrieved during the operation included quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, eight bottles of Koffex cough syrup, two sachets of suspected opioid tablets and one motorbike.

Detention

The suspects were conveyed to the Sakaksaka Police Station for detention and further investigations, while the evidence was handed over to investigators for screening and forensic analysis.

The operation was successfully executed without any casualties recorded. This significantly enhanced police visibility and strengthened collaboration with traditional authorities, while dealing a major blow to drug-related activities and associated crimes within the Tamale Metropolis and the Tolon District, a police report said.

It indicated that the IGP Special Operations Team remains committed to sustaining such operations to ensure peace, security and public confidence in the Northern Region.

A 49-member team was deployed for the operation under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent of Police Bawah Abdul Jalil.

The operation was supported by nine service vehicles, including an armoured vehicle and a Black Maria.

Operations

The team commenced operations with intensified patrols within the Tamale township before proceeding towards Kasalgu along the Nyankpala Road, where searches were conducted on road users and at identified locations to detect illicit drugs and offensive weapons.

The operation was extended to the Tolon District, where the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Tolon, Major Sulemana Abubakari (Rtd), in line with the operational strategy of engaging traditional authorities to support the fight against serious crimes of national security concern, the report said.

The team was warmly received at the palace, and the chief fully endorsed the inclusion of Tolon within the teams operational jurisdiction. He expressed serious concern over the increasing abuse of drugs among the youth and emphasised that such operations were necessary to restore sanity within the community, it added.

Call

The report further indicated that the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Nyankpala, Naa Mahama, who welcomed the team and gave full endorsement to operations within his community.

The chief, it said, commended the team for its efforts in combating the drug menace and pledged to support the operation with relevant information to facilitate the arrest of individuals involved in drug peddling and other criminal activities.

He further lamented the rising rate of criminality and the adverse effects of drug abuse on the youth in his community, indicating that he had personally been affected by the situation, the report said.

The command assured both chiefs of its readiness and commitment to address the various criminal activities and the drug canker in the Northern Region, stressing the importance of collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to achieve sustainable results.
Were committed to two-term presidential limit  NDC

Daily Graphic Politics Dec - 15 - 2025 , 09:07 2 minutes read

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated its commitment to the countrys constitutional two-term limit, stating categorically that it has no intention of supporting any amendment to allow a third presidential term.

In a statement dated December 11, 2025, and signed by the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the party reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the 1992 Constitution, which it played a key role in drafting.

The NDC is fully committed to Ghana's constitutional two-term limit, which has guided our democracy since 1992," he said.

Context

The statement is coming on the heels of recent public discussions following remarks attributed to the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, concerning the possibility of a constitutional amendment to allow President John Dramani Mahama to contest for a third presidential term.

National stability

Mr Asiedu Nketiah noted that the NDC had deliberately capped the presidential term at two to safeguard national stability, prevent abuse of executive authority and protect the integrity of the countrys governance system.

He warned that any attempt to remove or distort this important pillar of the Constitution would be dangerous and could introduce needless tension, invite instability and undermine the peace Ghana has enjoyed under the Fourth Republic.

Respect for Constitution

The NDC National Chairman also dismissed rumours suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama would seek a third term, saying that President Mahama had repeatedly demonstrated his respect for the Constitution and the countrys democratic traditions.

Let it therefore be made abundantly clear: The NDC will not sponsor, support, entertain, or tolerate any move to amend the presidential term limits for any individual, including H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said.

The statement urged the public to disregard rumours suggesting that the NDC was considering a constitutional amendment to allow a third term, emphasising that the party's focus remained on governance reforms, economic recovery, national unity and strengthening democratic institutions.
The Pixel Watch 4 is Googles latest stab at the premium smartwatch market. As the successor to last year's Pixel Watch 3, the new model may not look all that different on the surface. But underneath that domed exterior is a slew of improvements, including a new display, an updated chipset, longer battery life with faster charging, improved fitness tracking, and Google's latest Wear OS software with Material 3 Expressive design.

Starting at $349 for the 41mm version, the Pixel Watch 4 appears poised to claim the title of the best Android smartwatch on the market. But is it any good? Let's find out.

Design

The Pixel Watch 4 features an identical design to its predecessor. It is, however, a very nice design, so its hard to complain. The domed glass that gently crowns in the middle and wraps around the sides still looks unique and beautiful. The rest of the watch body is made out of aluminum, which can either be polished or matte depending on the color.

The watch comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with the one I have here being the former. The watch is also quite svelte, so it doesnt stick out much from your wrist. It's also very light and barely feels like you're wearing anything at all. The watch has a rotating crown on the side as well as a side button, but I found these a bit difficult to use due to their size and also because of how hard they were to press.

The Pixel Watch uses a proprietary connector for attaching the wrist straps. If you are foregoing compatibility by not using standard lugs, you at least expect the attachment mechanism to be easy to use. But while the Pixel Watch 4 mechanism is easy enough in theory, in practice, I found it frustrating to remove or attach a strap because of how tiny the button is that needs to be pressed to release the strap. The fluoroelastomer strap that comes by default is quite nice, but third-party options will be limited compared to some other popular smartwatches.

The overall build quality and finish of the watch are excellent; however, the display only uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 instead of a sapphire crystal. This means its not going to be as durable, and you should be careful of bumping the glass into things, especially other peoples watches. This is also made harder by the fact that most of the exterior of the watch is just the glass, which makes it an easy target.

Display

Speaking of the display, the Pixel Watch 4 has an AMOLED LTPO display with 320 PPI, DCI-P3 color, and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness. The display can also go down to as low as 1 nit and has a refresh rate of 1-60Hz.

Google calls this the Actua 360 display because its a curved panel that follows the curves of the domed glass. This means it bulges slightly in the middle and spills over the edges. This is one of the bigger and more noticeable differences between the Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Watch 3, as the previous panel was neither curved nor as big. Google says this display has 10% more area despite the watch being the same size as before. Its also brighter, as the Pixel Watch 3 display only went up to 2000 nits peak brightness.

The display on the Pixel Watch 4 is excellent. It gets plenty bright outdoors under the sun, and the colors also look pleasing without being oversaturated. The domed glass does distort the image a bit, something you dont notice at first, but after using this watch for a while, every other smartwatch display starts looking concave in comparison. The panel being fused to the glass and following its curves makes everything look like its floating on top of the watch in a large bubble thats held together by surface tension. Its a fantastic design choice that makes this series of watches stand out from the crowd, and the new display makes it look better than any Pixel Watch before it.

There is a problem, however, which is that the curved display is Glare City. The glass is always catching stray reflections, which can affect functionality at times. Many of the more intricate watch faces put complications right around the circumference of the glass, right where youd usually find light reflections. This makes those complications impossible to see without adjusting your wrist. How bothered you are by this will really depend on the watch face you are using.

The Pixel Watch 4 has an always-on display mode, and it's enabled by default. You would want to keep this enabled because the watch takes an annoyingly long time to turn the screen on after you raise or turn your wrist. It's only about a second or so, but it feels like an eternity when you quickly want to check the time, the reason you wear a watch in the first place.

Software and performance

The Pixel Watch 4 runs on the latest Wear OS 6.0 out of the box. The software on the Pixel Watch 4 is simple, powerful, and feels right at home visually. It fully embraces the curved display rather than trying to display a square image inside a round hole, with all the fonts and buttons being arced to match the shape of the screen, and the UI elements being shrunken down as they go up and down the edges of the screen to enhance the domed look of the display.

Googles watch face designs are a bit esoteric, however. There are tons of them, and there is no shortage of incredible color combinations to customize them with, but Id struggle to call any of them beautiful. Some of them try to mimic real watch faces, as many smartwatch watch faces tend to do, but with Googles new pastel color schemes and the same default Wear OS font on all of them, which just looks odd. Many are also just overly busy-looking with way too many complications and intricate detailing. Thankfully, this is Android, so you can just get different ones from the Play Store if you dont like the ones available here.



Wear OS

I tested the watch with both a Pixel 10 Pro XL and a OnePlus 15, and it worked fine with both. I had initially paired it with the Pixel, and transferring it over to the OnePlus was seamless using the Transfer Watch function.



Pixel Watch app

Unfortunately, you need to install not one but two apps to get the most out of this watch. The Pixel Watch app is mandatory to set up the device, and it handles basic settings, watch faces, etc. However, it does not handle any of the fitness stuff, and Google requires you to install the Fitbit app for that. Why the company can't make either app handle all the functionality is beyond me.

The performance from the new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is decent but fundamentally unchanged from the previous version since all the processing bits are the same. The watch will hitch a bit when you try to use it immediately after starting it up, but after its been on for a while, performance tends to settle down and become consistent.



Default watch faces

The haptics on the Pixel Watch 4 also work well, and you get firm and precise taps from the watch, even for things like rotating the crown. The speaker and the microphone also work well.

Health and fitness tracking

The Pixel Watch 4 can track a wide range of health and fitness parameters thanks to its large number of sensors. The watch can track your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and skin temperature. The watch can take your ECG as well as check for signs of arrhythmia. This is on top of the basic things, such as step counting, sleep, and stress tracking.

All of this is accessed through either the Fitbit app on the watch or the phone. If you dont install the app on the phone, the watch will still track the data, but it will only be accessible in a limited form on the watch app.



Fitbit app

This is not a full review of the watch, so there are no comparisons of the health and fitness features against proper medical-grade equipment. However, I did basic comparisons against other devices I had with me at the time of testing.

Starting with the step tracking, I found the Pixel Watch 4 to be a bit generous with how many steps as well as the total distance it would count while not using the GPS. Compared to the OnePlus Watch 2, the Pixel Watch 4 always counted extra steps and distance. After coming home from being out and about, the total distance walked would often feel a bit higher than what I felt I walked, but I didnt have another device to compare against. It feels like when the GPS is not in use, and you are in moving vehicles, the watch tends to produce higher numbers than what you actually walked.

Things were better on the heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen saturation tests. The Pixel Watch 4 matched the reading from the OnePlus Watch 2 and a blood oxygen saturation testing machine for saturation results. It also matched those two as well as the AirPods Pro 3 for heart rate monitoring, with roughly equivalent numbers.



Tracking data

Sleep tracking is harder to test, but the results seem to be on par with my experience for the nights I was tracking.

The GPS performance on the Pixel Watch 4 is very good. The satellite lock is extremely quick with a paired smartphone, but also reasonably fast when not paired with a phone and having to rely solely on the satellite connection to get a lock.

Battery life

Google claims improved battery life for the Pixel Watch 4 thanks to a combination of bigger batteries, more efficient software, and hardware. For the 41mm version tested here, the company touts 30 hours of battery life.

In my usage, I found that I could use the watch for two days if I didn't use the GPS extensively. This is with all other features, such as always-on display, constant heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and SpO2 tracking enabled (which they are by default). However, if I spent a couple of hours using GPS, then I would need to charge at the end of the day, as the watch would die halfway through the next one.

At times like these, one misses the clever dual-mode functionality of the OnePlus watches, which feature a secondary low-power chip and OS that can extend the watch's battery life to over a week while still retaining full activity tracking capabilities. The Pixel Watch 4 does not have such a mode, so you are burning power for a full Android smartwatch all the time, even if you don't necessarily use any apps on the watch itself.

The good thing is that the watch charges very quickly. On the 41mm version, you can reach 50% charge in about 15 minutes and 80% in about 25 minutes, with a full charge taking about 45 minutes. Even if you forgot to charge it overnight, you can set it to charge just before you leave the house and still get a full day's charge.

The charger that comes with the Pixel Watch 4 is a new proprietary unit that isn't compatible with previous-generation Pixel Watch models. It's a relatively simple design that is easy to plop the watch onto, and if the other end isn't plugged into anything, the watch will warn you about it. The watch goes into a sideways bedside mode while on the charger, and when it's fully charged, you get a notification on your phone.

Conclusion

The Pixel Watch 4 is a great smartwatch. It has a lovely design that, despite being similar to its predecessors, still stands out from the crowd and grabs attention. The software also looks and works really well, as do most of the workout and activity tracking features. The battery life isn't great in general, but decent for a watch with this much functionality that's this small and light.

Overall, the Pixel Watch 4 is highly recommended to those looking for a premium smartwatch for their Android smartphone.

Google Pixel Watch 4
Xiaomi is rumored to be launching quite a few devices by the end of this month, including the Redmi Turbo 5 Pro, which supposedly has a 9,000 mAh battery.

But the company won't be stopping there in terms of battery capacity. According to a new rumor, next year Xiaomi will release a phone with a 10,000 mAh battery that will support 100W wired charging and very fast wireless charging too.

And despite the massive battery, this phone will be less than 8.5mm thick, which is a great achievement in and of itself. Honor is also coming out with a handset with a 10,000 mAh battery and 100W wired charging in the Win series, so our dreams of multi-day battery life no matter the use case are finally becoming reality, ladies and gentlemen.

As for Xiaomi, it's still unclear whether this device will be Xiaomi branded or a Redmi and/or a Poco. But we will of course let you know when we find out more.

Source (in Chinese)
In life, changing ones mind can be seen as normal. I went to the store to buy a green jacket, but I decided to buy a red one instead.

It may elicit a question or two perhaps involving changed circumstances. I wanted to buy a green one, but all that was left were red ones. The situation forced my hand. I wanted the green one but the salesperson told me I look better in red. So far, so good.

This is qualitatively different in politics and policy making. Changing positions in politics carries a great deal of risk and requires an explanation. You could be accused of flip-flopping or pandering to a changing electorate. Of course, changed circumstances could create a different environment which calls for a different or opposite approach to a particular problem. Many say that they have evolved over time.

Ronald Reagan signed a liberal abortion bill as governor of California and later became staunchly pro-life as president.

John Kerry said he was for the war in Iraq before he voted against it.

Abraham Lincoln promised as president that he wouldnt use the federal government to interfere with slavery in the states where it was already legal. Yet he signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Were these three individuals being insincere at some point in their positions or did the circumstances really change. I would say Lincoln gets a little more consideration in this regard. He was dealing with 11 rebellious states.

This came to mind as I ponder the future of CHamoru self-determination. Of course, it has been blocked by federal courts but it is still the official stance of the government of Guam in public law.

Now, Sen. Will Parkinson has introduced legislation to amend this public law to basically allow everyone to vote. He has done this in full recognition that his father, Speaker Don Parkinson, supported CHamoru self-determination. It probably isnt fair to accuse anyone of generational flip-flopping. They are not the same people.

I am more interested in those individuals who have changed their mind on this issue.

For me, CHamoru self-determination stands at the core of the exercise of this homeland for this group of people. In the course of advocating the principle of CHamoru self-determination, I always relied on the American sense of fair play. I wanted to believe that most Americans would understand that this is a colony and that the people who were colonized would get the opportunity to make their sentiments known in a way that guides the future of their homeland. I hope that this is still the case.

Every time I have a serious conversation with an elected official, I get around to asking them if they support CHamoru self-determination. Invariably, they say yes. In preparation for the 2019 March for this principle, I and other organizers polled all existing office holders on their support for CHamoru self-determination. Everyone said yes including six senators who still hold elected office today. We went to the rally comforted by this level of support.

According to media reports, one of them has since changed his mind. This one stings since I had a meeting with this official. I feel personally betrayed. The difference between this and buying a red or green coat is wide and large. We are discussing a principle, not an article of clothing. It is also a sense of betrayal that goes far beyond the disappointment I feel about the younger Parkinsons efforts.

We could allow that a change of circumstances forced or explains a change of direction. The demographics of the island has shifted dramatically over the past 50 years. That is true.

The federal courts have spoken about whether such a right is defensible under the United States Constitution and existing federal law. So far, that is true. Younger generations are impatient and want to see something done. I suppose impatience can be a virtue at times, but it is an emotion and not a principle.

CHamoru self-determination is at once a historical imperative for this set of islands and a principle for which thousands have demonstrated their support. Its exercise will enable Guahan to resolve the historical injustices which colonialism brought to these shores. Most importantly, it will put colonialism behind us instead of dividing us and impeding our progress.

A principle doesnt fade due to changed circumstances. Individuals may weaken and reveal their true sentiments when they are expected to engage and make a decision to support or oppose a principle. When a leader changes their mind and opposes a principle they once supported, questions about sincerity must arise. Were they lying then or are they lying now? Is it lying or is it just ordinary flip-flopping.

This opportunity may be coming up for some members of the Guam Legislature. Staking out a position will be required for all of them. I hope that we will get clear answers and not some convoluted logic or equivocation based on changed circumstances. Just be clear. Just be honest. Put fabot.
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Postal Code




Haiti - FLASH : Terrorist attack plot





The Haitian National Police (PNH) has been informed by its intelligence service that terrorist groups are planning an attack using large explosives and Molotov cocktails against camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Port-au-Prince, particularly in Bois-Verna, in the coming days. Their objective is to sow panic and terror among the population and discredit law enforcement.



Faced with this extremely serious threat, the police force was immediately mobilized. Reinforced security measures and heightened vigilance have been implemented around the IDP camps to prevent any attacks and protect the refugees there.



The PNH reaffirms its total commitment to guaranteeing the safety of people and property and continues its relentless fight against armed gangs in order to restore peace for all Haitians.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : 3rd meeting of the OAS Group of Friends of Haiti





Thursday, December 11, 2025, the 3rd meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti of the Organization of American States (OAS) was held in Washington D.C., with special guest Laurent Saint-Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council in Haiti.



Following the visit to Haiti of Albert Ramdin Secretary General of the OAS, recent developments were reviewed, the progress made within the framework of the road map, as well as the strengthening of coordination between the OAS, the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Haitian authorities.



Participants also highlighted the importance of Haitian-led processes, including security efforts, governance arrangements for 2026, and preparations for credible elections.



President Saint-Cyr welcomed the constant solidarity of the OAS with Haiti and stressed that the implementation of the Joint OAS-Haiti Road Map has now entered a decisive execution phase.



He recalled that "the restoration of security remains the vital requirement of the country", Laurent Saint-Cyr insisted on the urgency of translating international commitments into tangible actions emphasizing that "the scale of the needs requires an expanded, immediate and sustained commitment". He invited the entire Group of Friends of Haiti to intensify their support, reaffirming that the effective deployment of the Gang Repression Force (FRG) constitutes an imperative to guarantee the full success of the electoral process.



The OAS and the IDB reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Haitian people, in particular through their support to the National Identification Office (ONI) for the modernization of the electoral register and the strengthening of technical capacities for free, credible and inclusive elections. They also expressed their interest in the construction of modern prison infrastructure as well as the reintegration of children forcibly recruited by armed groups.



Albert Ramdin reiterated that the OAS will continue to work closely with Haiti and with hemispheric and international partners to support implementation, strengthen coordination and mobilize concrete assistance, particularly in areas such as security, governance and issuance of the National Identity Card (CIN), essential for inclusive elections. "Our collective efforts remain focused on peace, stability and the democratic renewal that the Haitian people deserve."



Laurent Saint-Cyr concluded by reaffirming the determination of the Transitional Council and the Government to restore security, implement the road map, organize the elections and protect the most vulnerable populations. He recalled that "Haiti cannot meet a challenge of this magnitude alone."



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Dominican Rep. : Export volume to Haiti will exceed US$1 billion (2025)





Between January and October 2025, the total volume of trade between the two countries reached US$982.9 million (US$977.13 million in exports to Haiti and US$5.77 million in imports to the Dominican Republic), according to the monthly trade report between the Dominican Republic and Haiti published by the General Directorate of Customs (DGA). This represents a 30.09% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.



In 2025, trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti was characterized by a diverse range of products, with 1,821 items exported by 1,212 exporters from 20 Dominican provinces. This diversified production supports an economic relationship that, despite challenges, remains one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean.



The DGA also indicates that, based on market share, the national regime accounts for 70.07% of exports to Haiti, followed by free trade zones (22.67%), temporary admission (3.80%), and re-export (3.45%).



However, the DGA notes that 54.96% of shipments under the national regime are grouped into 10 categories. Among the most significant are unalloyed iron or steel bars (11.01%), hydraulic cements, including colored cements (9.43%), and wheat or mixed grain flour (6.27%). Insecticides and rodenticides were also shipped under the national regime.



These products illustrate the strategic role of the Dominican economy as a supplier of basic inputs for industry, construction, and food production in Haiti.



Under the free trade zone regime, 89.87% of exports to Haiti are concentrated on ten products, notably knitted t-shirts and undershirts (35.09%), other cotton fabrics (29.26%), and rags, ropes, and textile yarns (5.24%).



Imports from Haiti have shown a marked downward trend. The DGA report shows that between January and October 2025, they amounted to US$5.77 million, a decrease of 56.81% compared to the same period the previous year. This decline in imports suggests a decrease in Haitian production capacity, affected by political instability and insecurity.



SL/ HaitiLibre


















No treatment violations have occurred, advisory is precautionary

Staff and wire report

Updated 10:44 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

The City of Havre has lifted a water health advisory it issued due to high levels of turbidity in the water coming into the water treatment plant, saying the condition of the water coming in has improved.

The original release follows:

The City of Havre has issued an advisory about the citys drinking water, although no treatment violations have been found at the this point, but because of increased turbidity in the water..

The City of Havre is issuing a Drinking Water Health Advisory as a precaution due to the difficulty in treating water and changes to source water conditions, a release said.

The treatment difficulty is likely due to extreme rains and changes in weather conditions, resulting in changes to source water conditions, the release added. No treatment violations have occurred at this time. The City of Havre water treatment personnel have been keeping Montana Department of Environmental Quality aware of our treatment conditions and difficulties

The official advisory follows.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Health Advisory for City of Havre

MT0000524

Water System is experiencing changing source water conditions

12 December 2025

Our water system is currently experiencing changing source water conditions making it difficult to treat the water. While no treatment violations have occurred, the city is issuing this Health Advisory as a precaution. This is not an emergency and as our customers, you have a right to know what is happening, what you should do, and what we are doing to monitor this situation.

This Health Advisory is precautionary. The City of Havre public water supply is experiencing drastically changing source water conditions likely due to the extreme amounts of rain and current weather conditions. In an effort to protect public health, this HealthAdvisory has been issued after we consulted with (Montana Department of Environmental Quality.) Water system personnel are working diligently to treat the water. Chlorine residuals have been increased as an added protection as a precaution.

 People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or on EPA's website (at https://epa.gov/safewater .)

What does this mean?

 Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

 The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

 Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

What is being done?

 Chlorine residuals are being increased for disinfection as a precaution. Treatment changes are being made as necessary within compliance to MT DEQ regulations.

 Water system personnel are closely monitoring the situation and will update users if any conditions change.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA's website (at https://epa.gov/safewater .)
SAVAGE  Suzanne K. Bergstedt, 43, of Savage, MT, peacefully passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT, with family by her side.

Funeral Services were Monday December 8, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Richland County Event Center Addition in Sidney, MT with Pastor Paul Turek officiating. A luncheon followed the service for a time of fellowship and sharing. Suzie was laid to rest in the Riverview Cemetery in Savage, MT. Visitation was Sunday December 7, 2025, from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Sidney, MT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Suzies name to Christian Healthcare Ministries (https://chministries.org/give ). Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, MT is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at https://www.fulkersons.com .

Suzanne Suzie Kay (Anderson) Bergstedt was born on January 11, 1982, to Leslie Les and Bernadette Berni (Lumsden) Anderson in Havre, MT. She joined her brother Scott, her sister Angela, and four years later, her brother Michael followed.

Ever since Suzie accepted Jesus at the age of 5, she continued to grow in her love for the Lord. Everything in her life was shaped by her faith, from her musical talent to her ability to love others richly and deeply.

Music doesnt come naturally to everyone, but Suzie lived and breathed it. Even at the age of 3, it was obvious to anyone who knew her that Suzie was incredibly gifted. Her sister Angela fondly referred to her as a songbird, and rightly so. Writing music came easily to Suzie. She was able to play by ear and excelled at leading worship for her church youth group as a teenager. As she grew up, several opportunities arose for Suzie to continue doing what she loved  she led several worship sets for Bible camps and eventually, for Sunday services. In Havre, she even held a concert in her hometown churchs sanctuary, where she performed songs she wrote.

Though some might have taken credit for this kind of gift, or become prideful, Suzie did not. She sang and played straight from her heart. She knew that her purpose was solely to glorify God, not to impress others. Every time she led worship for a Sunday service, she prayerfully selected every song with the help of the Holy Spirit. She never took her gift for granted, and she always practiced and prepared thoroughly, although she was talented enough to do without.

Before every service and before every practice, she gathered the worship team together and prayed that God would help them to honor Him. She wasnt perfect, and she made mistakes, but she knew her identity came from Christ, not her successes and failures. Throughout her battle with cancer, she sang through laughter, tears, and pain. Even when she was weak and tired, or hurting, she never stopped singing to Jesus.

She attended elementary school in Havre through fifth grade and completed the rest of her education at home. Being homeschooled shaped her passion for education and fueled her desire to homeschool her children later on.

Suzie was an excellent teacher; quick to forgive and give grace, even when her children were reluctant to learn. She didnt know everything and didnt pretend to  she often said her favorite part of homeschooling was learning with her kids. She cherished every moment she spent with her children, whether it was reading out loud to her kids or helping them do science experiments.

Because she was able to homeschool her children, she was able to include the Bible as one of the main subjects. Ensuring that her children grew up to love and fear the Lord was one of the most important things to Suzie. Every morning, the first thing she did for school was read her kids Bible stories and let them illustrate the stories in a notebook. This influenced each of her children greatly, and all three of them are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Later on, when she felt Gods direction to place her oldest daughter, Sara, in public school, she obeyed, although it was hard. When others asked her if she was ever going to put her other two children in public school, she often said that the only way that was going to happen was if God pried her fingers off of them. She continued to homeschool her younger two children, Hallie and Ethan, for four more years, until she was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in the fall of 2024.

Throughout Suzies growing-up years, she had several jobs. She was a diligent worker and was loved and appreciated everywhere she went. The places she worked in Havre were McDonalds, Daves Downtown Greenhouse, Petal Pusher Floral Shop, Bearpaw Credit Union, and MSU Northern (at admissions). After she moved to Sidney in her mid-20s, she kept a job at the Yellowstone Bank.

Dakota Hills Christian Camp was where Suzie met and fell in love with Kelly Bergstedt of Savage, MT. They both counseled and led worship together for a week of camp, and later that summer, they began dating. After dating for about three years, they were married on June 3rd, 2006, in Havre, MT. They continued to serve at Bible camps together even after they were married. Kelly counseled several more times, as did Suzie, and they both led countless worship sets at Eastern Montana Bible Camp together.

Suzie was a beloved wife and mother, adored by her husband and three children: Sara, Hallie, and Ethan. She made sure they knew just how much she valued them, saying I love you and Im proud of you every chance she could. She made sure to give out goodnight hugs. Sara fondly remembers the times Suzie would stay up late with her, listening to her rant about everything from boys to things God was teaching her.

Even when Suzie was in Rochester, Minnesota, receiving care from Mayo Clinic, she made sure to be a part of her childrens lives. She live streamed every single one of Saras volleyball games and made sure to text her afterwards. She FaceTimed her children whenever she could, and took time to call each one individually, asking them how school was that day and wanted to know how things were going at home.

The yearlong battle with cancer was not easy, and Suzie never pretended otherwise. From the beginning, she was told that her cancer was rare and aggressive, and she knew well that it was an ugly monster, as she liked to call it. Yet she never doubted that God could heal her and continued to pray for healing up until the end.

Suzie was very open about the grim diagnosis, and she was truthful about how she was really doing. She let her kids see her cry and didnt hide it when she was scared. She valued raw and real honesty  she often asked her family what they were feeling, and fine was not an answer she accepted.

Through Suzies eyes, even a hospital room was a mission field. She never wasted an opportunity to share her faith. A couple weeks before her passing, she shared Jesus with a nurse, and helped her download the Bible app on her phone. Ever since that night, she prayed earnestly that Nurse Nina would accept Jesus Christ someday. Additionally, she wrote down her doctors names on sticky notes and stuck them to the wall as a visual reminder to pray for their salvation.

Suzie was a light in the darkness to everyone she met, and her family is confident that the work she did throughout her life is not in vain.

On November 30th, 2025, Suzie went to be with Jesus forever. She is singing with the angels, and she is free of pain and heartache forever. There is no cancer in heaven.

Suzie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dale and Joyce Lumsden and Palmer and Eleanor Anderson; niece Heaven Ivy Anderson, and several aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her husband, Kelly Bergstedt of Savage, MT, and their three children, Sara, Hallie and Ethan Bergstedt; her parents, Leslie Les and Bernadette Berni (Lumsden) Anderson of Havre, MT; her brother Scott (Jenn) Anderson of Havre MT; her sister Angela (Andy) Morris of Havre, MT; her brother Michael (JoAnna) Anderson of Kalispell, MT; her in-laws Clifford Cliff and Linda (Fried) Bergstedt of Savage, MT; her brother in-law Joel (Gail) Bergstedt of Kalispell, MT; her brother in-law Loren Bergstedt of Minneapolis, MN; nephew Warren Keough of Havre, MT; nieces and nephew Anna, Emery, Beth, and Abigail Bergstedt of Kalispell, MT; nephews Michael, Malachi, Jayce, and Toby Morris of Havre, MT; niece and nephew Johnny and Erika Anderson of Kalispell MT; aunts and uncles Sandy (Jim) Greytak of Havre, MT and Evon Corrigan of Wasilla, AK, and numerous cousins.

Lovingly written by Suzies daughter, Sara Bergstedt (age 16)
The Bavarian state government is facing massive criticism due to the planned awarding of a framework contract to Microsoft worth an estimated almost one billion euros over the next five years without a prior tender. The upcoming decision is perceived as questionable in terms of social and fiscal policy against the backdrop of the simultaneous cancellation of central family benefits such as the promised child start-up bonus and the family and nursery allowance for newborns. Around 144,000 signatures on a petition attest to the broad public misunderstanding of this contrast.

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On Saturday, initiators of the petition and parents wanted to demonstrate in Munich to set a signal against the state government's policy. In an urgent appeal to Minister-President Markus Soder, Finance Minister Albert Furacker (both CSU), and Digital Minister Fabian Mehring (Freie Wahler). Wurzburg Professor Harald Wehnes, spokesperson for the presidium working group "digital sovereignty" of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI), calls, in the name of "concerned citizens, business representatives, and civil society," for the immediate suspension of contract negotiations with Microsoft. The urgent letter, available to heise online, states that the impending decision also represents a hardly calculable strategic risk for the Free State's digital operational capability.

Strategic risk due to new US security strategy

The concern is amplified by the latest developments in US foreign policy and the new US security strategy, which emphasizes unilateral measures by the United States and disregards European interests. Against this current foreign and security policy backdrop, the appellants consider it highly problematic to entrust Bavaria's core digital infrastructure and sensitive data to a US corporation that is subject to the directives of the Trump administration.

The plans, made public in November, with which the state government aims to sign an Enterprise Agreement (EA) for Microsoft 365 for the use of cloud services by authorities before the end of the year, are increasingly drawing the attention of IT experts. For example, the GI's Security department recommends in a statement that the criteria of the EU Commission's framework for sovereign clouds be applied before the conclusion or consolidation of a possible framework contract with the software giant. The goal is to keep an eye on digitalization for the common good and strategic resilience.

GI spokesperson Daniel Loebenberger urges caution: "Of course, pragmatic solutions are often desirable or even necessary in practice." However, these should not lead "to further dependencies that are uncontrollable in an emergency."

Bavarian IT industry laments wrong path

The computer scientists point out that commissioning a US hyperscaler without a tender at the state, federal, or EU level contradicts the goals of the EU Commission and the federal government. This would undermine the opportunities for promoting European providers, for legally compliant storage and processing of sensitive data, and for resilience against software and update availability.

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Instead, the department advocates for focusing on strategic resilience when building the digital infrastructure in Bavarian authorities and ensuring data protection without a doubt. Only in this way can citizens' trust in the administration be guaranteed.

Representatives of the Bavarian IT industry and the open-source scene also warn in an open letter against the outflow of tax money without regional value creation and the exclusion of competition. They criticize a "wrong path." The project contradicts the EU trend and deprives the domestic IT industry of funds. There are blatant risks, not only concerning data protection, especially in light of cases at the International Criminal Court. Instead, the signatories demand "in-house development in transparency" and the consistent use of European open-source alternatives.

(nie)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
It went into childishness, he said. This is not the example parliamentarians should be setting.

Speaking during the Prime Ministers interview hour on public broadcaster Yle , Orpo said the behaviour crossed a line.

Petteri Orpo has sharply criticised members of the Finns Party after two MPs published photos of themselves mimicking a gesture widely seen as racist. The images, posted on social media, showed the MPs pulling their eyes into slits, a move widely interpreted as mocking people of East Asian descent.

The gesture had been previously made by Miss Finland 2025 winner Sarah Dzafce in a photo that led to her losing her crown. In what they claimed was a show of support for Dzafce, MPs Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew shared similar photos last week.

The incident triggered widespread criticism, including from members of Orpos own government. He said the matter would be discussed by parliamentary group leaders in the coming week.

Such actions are in some ways damaging to the country, Orpo said later in a parliamentary session on Monday. They are thoughtless and stupid, and have no place in Finland.

The controversy follows a string of debates over racism and conduct within the governing coalition, which includes Orpos National Coalition Party and the Finns Party. Although Orpo confirmed that all government parties remain committed to the coalitions anti-racism declaration, he admitted that reaching consensus on the issue had not been easy.

The government would not exist without the anti-racism policy we agreed upon, he said.

Eerola has since apologised for his actions. Orpo acknowledged the apology but said it did not end the matter.

Opposition leaders responded by pressing ministers for further clarification. Left Alliance chair Minja Koskela criticised what she called an unworthy spectacle.

This weekends disgraceful show was a concrete example of what happens when austerity and racism meet, Koskela said.

Social Democrat MP Tytti Tuppurainen called Orpos remarks strong and important, adding that his insistence on following agreed protocols was significant.

Finance Minister Riikka Purra, also of the Finns Party, declined to say whether she agreed with Orpos assessment. She said the government remained fully functional and had no new comments beyond those made last Friday.

The Miss Finland incident gained further attention after a press conference where Dzafce was asked by a woman, claiming to be a journalist of Helsinki Times, to apologise to Chinese people on video.

The woman, later identified as Meiqi Qiu, was exposed as having no affiliation with the Helsinki Times and had misused the publications name and logo without authorisation.

HT
Zelenskyy told reporters Ukraine is prepared to abandon its bid to join NATO if the US and Europe provide legally binding security guarantees.

Talks resumed in the morning after five hours of negotiations the previous day between the Ukrainian president and US special envoy Steve Witkoff , joined by Jared Kushner , son-in-law of US President Donald Trump .

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting European leaders and US envoys in Berlin on Monday in an attempt to reach a political agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

The key thing is that all the steps we agree on must deliver guaranteed security in practice, he said in a statement.

The Berlin negotiations focused on a revised 20-point peace proposal. The original 28-point US plan had received criticism from European capitals for favouring Russias position. The new version, negotiated with input from Kyiv and EU capitals, remains under discussion.

A major obstacle remains the issue of territorial control in the Donbas region, where Russia demands Ukraine withdraw its forces from the remaining areas it controls.

Kyiv has rejected US suggestions of creating a demilitarised economic zone in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy said such ideas were unworkable.

If Ukrainian troops withdraw five or ten kilometres, why would Russian troops not withdraw the same distance? he asked.

The president said Ukraine was willing to accept a freeze along the current line of contact, not a redrawing of borders.

Negotiators from Ukraine and the US returned to talks on Monday morning at the Federal Chancellery, with the discussions continuing into the afternoon. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a separate meeting with Zelenskyy and later received the wider delegation of European leaders.

The evening session, scheduled to begin at 18:00 GMT, brought together senior EU, NATO, and European heads of government, including Keir Starmer, Alexander Stubb, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, and Mark Rutte.

Stubb, who met with Zelenskyy in a separate bilateral meeting earlier in the day, said the two coordinated positions ahead of the broader summit. The Finnish president, seen as a key intermediary between Trumps camp and European allies, also held private talks with US delegates on Sunday evening.

Were probably closer to a peace agreement than we have been at any time during these four years, Stubb told reporters.

The US delegation has not yet formally responded to Ukraines revised proposal. Witkoff, posting on social media after Sundays talks, said a lot of progress was made and that meetings would resume the following day.

Zelenskyy is seeking defence guarantees from both the US and Europe that would replicate NATOs Article 5 in practice. These guarantees would need approval from the US Congress and similar commitments from European capitals.

He said this offer was already a compromise by Ukraine.

The Ukrainian constitution includes a NATO membership clause. Dropping this goal would meet a key Russian demand. Moscow has insisted Ukraine must remain a neutral country and exclude all NATO troops from its territory.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Ukraines NATO ambitions were a cornerstone issue. Russia expects further clarification following the Berlin talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to demand a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the remaining parts of Donetsk region. No Russian representatives are present in Berlin.

While peace remains distant, European governments are also debating financial support measures. A decision is pending on whether to use frozen Russian assets in the EU as collateral for a reparations loan to Ukraine.

The EU has frozen nearly $250 billion in Russian state assets. On Friday, member states agreed to keep these assets frozen indefinitely, eliminating the requirement for renewal every six months.

The proposal to channel the assets into a loan for Ukraines recovery only requires a qualified majority. Still, Belgium resists the plan. Belgium holds the majority of the assets through Euroclear and fears legal risks.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, The most credible option is the reparations loan. It is increasingly difficult, but were doing the work.

Kallas added that alternative ideas, such as common borrowing through Eurobonds, had failed due to opposition from Hungary and others.

A final decision is expected at the upcoming European Council summit later this week.

Zelenskyys team is hoping for a clear endorsement from the US and EU for both the ceasefire terms and the financing package. The two elements, political and financial, are seen by Ukrainian officials as closely connected.

The Berlin meetings marked the first time representatives from Ukraine, the US, the EU, and NATO held joint talks on a potential settlement. Talks are expected to continue into Tuesday.

HT
High court ruling favors AdventHealth over HCA

Rendering shows AdventHealth's proposed facility in Weaverville.

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The North Carolina Supreme Court has delivered a key ruling against HCA in the ongoing Certificate of Need battle in Weaverville, according to AdventHealths lawyers. The development may mean that AdventHealth can begin construction on a new Asheville-area hospital immediately, despite opposition from HCA.

Over the years, the state has repeatedly identified a need for more hospital beds in Buncombe County  and each time, it has awarded those beds to Florida-based AdventHealth, which also operates a hospital in nearby Henderson County.



But Mission Health, operated by the Tennessee-based for-profit HCA, has a near-monopoly on health care in parts of the North Carolina mountains and is fighting to keep AdventHealth out of the Asheville market. Each time the state awards AdventHealth a certificate of need, HCA appeals.

The legal battles have delayed the arrival of expanded health care services in Asheville for years.

Now, the state Supreme Court has rejected HCAs appeal of the original 67-bed need awarded to AdventHealth in 2021. (In November 2024, the state OK'd an increase of 26 more beds, for a total of 93). AdventHealths lawyers delivered news of the high court's ruling to the hospital system on Friday.

That means the case is over and they can start building the hospital, state Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, told Carolina Public Press.

The court had not yet issued a public announcement of the development prior to publication of this article, but had notified AdventHealths legal team, the company confirmed. AdventHealth is still trying to figure out exactly what it means. One complicating factor is that HCA has appealed the 26-bed increase for the Weaverville facility, and that challenge is still active.

Weve been hoping for this answer, Victoria Dunkle, spokesperson for AdventHealth, told CPP. I dont know the specifics of what that means for the next steps and how soon we can take them. We have been working under the understanding that once this last potential was through, we would be getting the CON in hand, and thats when we can start the actual work on the hospital. But I dont know when that CON is going to be in hand.

Mayfield believes that this development removes the final roadblock to hospital construction. Even if the other 26-bed CON is still not available to AdventHealth due to the ongoing appeal process, the company can build the facility to allow for easy expansion.

To make matters more complicated, a need for an additional 129 beds in Buncombe County was announced this summer. HCA, AdventHealth, UNC Health and Novant Health are all competing for that CON. Whoever it goes to, it will doubtless be appealed. The state, and the public, will hear each hospitals proposal in a public hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

HCA spokesperson Nancy Lindell provided a statement to CPP regarding the courts decision. While we are disappointed by the Courts ruling, we remain steadfast in our belief that Mission Hospital can best meet Western North Carolinas growing need for complex medical and surgical care, she said. Mission Hospital accepts thousands of transfers each year from other hospitals that have available beds  including facilities currently seeking approval to expand  because patients need high level medical care only available in Western North Carolina at our hospital.

Not all acute care beds are the same," the statement continued. "Instead of adding more beds at facilities that are unable to provide the complex medical and surgical care needed, the region would be better served by expanding bed capacity at Mission Hospital. We consider it a privilege to care for our regions sickest patients but need more beds to do so.

* * * * *

Jane Winik Sartwell is a staff reporter for Carolina Public Press, who focuses on coverage of health and business. Jane has a bachelor's degree in photography from Bard College and master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She is based in Wilmington. Email Jane at jsartwell@carolinapublicpress.org to contact her.
With DG Martin's passing, North Carolina loses a class act

In 1984, the first year I was eligible to vote, North Carolina had 11 congressional districts. Most were hotly contested by the majority-party Democrats and up-and-coming Republicans. (Yes, it was a different era.)

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Having followed politics closely since I was 10 years old  thanks to my educator parents penchant for news subscriptions and used books  I was entranced by President Ronald Reagans reelection campaign, the now-legendary Senate slugfest between Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and Democratic superstar Jim Hunt, and GOP congressman Jim Martins insurgent bid for governor against Democratic Attorney General Rufus Edmisten.

Still, as a native of Martins Charlotte-area 9th District, I also kept a close eye on the race to succeed him in the U.S. House. It pitted Republican Alex McMillan, a former Harris-Teeter supermarkets CEO and county commissioner, against Democrat D.G. Martin, a Charlotte attorney and son of a former Davidson College president.

When voters went to the polls on Nov. 6, 1984, they boosted North Carolina Republicans to electoral heights not seen since Reconstruction. The GOP more than doubled its seats in the state legislature (to 49 out of 170) and majorities on county commissions (to 23 out of 100). Ronald Reagan, Jesse Helms, and Jim Martin all won, the latter two with larger-than-expected margins.

Our states closest major race in 1984 was, in fact, the 9th District. Alex McMillan got 50.1% to D.G. Martins 49.9%. Five other congressional races went down to the wire, as well. Republicans won three of them: Bill Cobey (50.6%) in a Triangle district, Howard Coble (50.6%) in a Triad seat, and Bill Hendon (51%) in western North Carolina. The other two victors were Democrats Stephen Neal (50.7%) in the Triad and Bill Hefner (50.9%) in the Sandhills.

Shortly after losing his hard-fought squeaker to McMillan, D.G. Martin decided to channel some of his energies into a new endeavor: a weekly column for North Carolina newspapers. From its debut in 1985 until just a few weeks ago, his One on One column has informed, challenged, and entertained generations of grateful readers.

If you havent already heard the news, I suppose you can guess it: D.G. Martin passed away a few days ago, at the august but still-too-early age of 85.

I launched my own newspaper column a year after his, in 1986. It wasnt in response. I hadnt yet read D.G.s work. And I wouldnt meet him until a few years later, in Raleigh, where he was lobbying for the University of North Carolina system and I was editing the John Locke Foundations newly established magazine, Carolina Journal.

He bowled me over. D.G. did that to virtually everyone he met. His broad smile and deep knowledge of North Carolina were an irresistible combination. If electoral politics had remained a contest of handshakes, debates, and personal endorsements, he might well have beaten McMillan in 1984, or won their 1986 rematch (he got 48.7% to McMillans 51.3%). D.G. Martin might also have been the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1998 rather than trial lawyer John Edwards. But the advent of big-money campaigns, conducted largely through attack ads, did not play to his strengths.

By which I do not mean to suggest D.G. was unsuited to broadcasting. After leaving campaigns behind, he began a long stint as host of Bookwatch on UNC-TV (now PBS North Carolina) as well as various radio shows on WCHL in Chapel Hill. I had the honor of appearing on his programs, for which he was always well-prepared and unfailingly cordial.

Offline, he and I conversed many times about matters of common concern, including the craft of column-writing and the importance of community journalism. We also exchanged political rumors and debated our many differences.

Back in June, for one of his last radio shows, D.G. interviewed former Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard. They had a fascinating conversation about the history of UNC. Whichard, another class act, passed away last month. Time marches on  but not necessarily forward.

* * * * *

John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books Mountain Folk, Forest Folk and Water Folk combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).






Traditional Tibetan medicine gains modern appeal

Xinhua) 13:17, December 15, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Feature: Remembering Nanjing Massacre -- Belarusians, Chinese unite in grief and hope at film premiere

Xinhua) 13:22, December 15, 2025

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - A father and son opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, killing 16 people and injuring at least 40 in what authorities have confirmed as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed during a Monday press conference that a 50-year-old licensed gun owner and his 24-year-old son were responsible for the attack on the annual "Chanukah By The Sea" celebration.

The father is deceased and the son remains in critical but stable condition at a Sydney hospital. Police are not seeking additional suspects.

Attack Timeline

5:00 PM: The Chanukah By The Sea event was scheduled to begin, with families gathering for the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle on the menorah.

6:45 PM: Gunfire erupted at Bondi Beach as the celebration was underway.

Immediate aftermath: Multiple victims transported to hospitals. Bystander footage shows civilians attempting to disarm one of the gunmen.

Later that evening: Police executed search warrants at two properties and recovered all weapons and explosive devices.

Victims

Police confirmed 16 fatalities including one of the gunmen. An additional 40 people were hospitalized, including two police officers who responded to the scene.

Victims range in age from 10 to 87 years old, indicating the attack targeted families with children and elderly community members attending the religious celebration.

The Perpetrators

According to NSW Police Commissioner Lanyon:

Father (50 years old, deceased):

Held a Category A/B firearms license for 10 years

Licensed for recreational hunting

All six registered firearms recovered by police

Resided in Bonnyrigg, was staying in Campsie

"Very little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities," Lanyon stated

Son (24 years old, critical but stable condition):

Hospitalized with life-threatening injuries

Police have not yet been able to interview him due to medical condition

"The person was determined to be entitled to have a firearms license and the person had a firearms license for a number of years for which there were no incidents," Commissioner Lanyon said, addressing questions about how a licensed gun owner could carry out such an attack.

Weapons and Explosives Recovered

Police recovered all six firearms registered to the father:

Category A/B long firearms suitable for recreational hunting

Some weapons recovered at the attack scene

Others located during execution of search warrants

Improvised Explosive Devices: Police discovered two IEDs at one of the properties where search warrants were executed. The devices were:

Described as "rudimentary" or fairly basic in construction

Found to be active/functional

Safely rendered inert by police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit

Did not detonate

Commissioner Lanyon expressed gratitude the explosives did not detonate, noting the potential for additional casualties had the devices been deployed.

Police also found evidence of additional improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the attack scene, which were secured by bomb disposal experts.

Search Warrent Locations

NSW Police executed warrants at two properties:

Campsie property (where the men were staying)

Bonnyrigg property (their residential address)

Both locations yielded weapons, explosive materials, and evidence relevant to the terrorism investigation.

Terrorism Designation

"This attack targeted the Jewish community and is being investigated as an act of terrorism," NSW Police stated.

The attack occurred on the first night of Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish festival, during a longstanding annual community celebration that brings Jewish families together for a public menorah lighting ceremony.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the attack during an event in Jerusalem:

"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. 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."

Herzog also called on the Australian government to "seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society."

Investigation Ongoing

NSW Police continue investigating:

Motive behind the attack

Whether the perpetrators had connections to extremist organizations

How the attack was planned and coordinated

Whether additional individuals provided support or resources

Full extent of the explosive devices and their intended use

Police have not yet released the identities of the father and son, pending notification of all victims' families and further investigation.

The terrorism investigation is being conducted jointly by NSW Police Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, with support from federal law enforcement agencies.

Community Impact

The attack has devastated Sydney's Jewish community and shocked the broader Australian public. Bondi Beach, one of Australia's most iconic locations, has been the site of an annual Hanukkah celebration for years, bringing together Jewish families in a public display of religious and cultural pride.

The violation of this community gathering has raised urgent questions about security at public Jewish events and the rise of antisemitic violence in Australia.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available from official sources.
Premier Inn has celebrated its latest hotel opening on the south coast of England in Hastings Town Centre.

The 84-bedroom hotel on Cornwallis Street brings the brand's very latest bedrooms and welcoming restaurant space to the heart of the historic seaside town.

Whitbread plc, which owns Premier Inn, has transformed an under-utilised car park into the new 3,000 sq m hotel, constructing the ground plus four-storey building in fifteen months.

The Premier Inn Hastings Town Centre hotel brings together Premier Inn's Standard rooms and enhanced 'Premier Plus' bedrooms along with the brand's stunning new ground-floor restaurant space, The Social.

It grows Premier Inn's network in Hastings to two hotels, and a team of 25 team members have been recruited to give guests the famous Premier Inn welcome in this new location in Hastings Town Centre.

Labour (Co-op) MP for Hastings and Rye, Helena Dollimore MP, joined the team to officially open the new Hastings Town Centre hotel, cutting the ribbon with the new hotel team alongside several of Whitbread's external stakeholders.

Premier Inn, which operates around 850 hotels in the UK and Ireland, is especially active on the south coast of England as it invests to strengthen its network in locations with robust local economies and strong seasonal leisure demand.

Alongside the new Hastings Town Centre hotel, the company is set to open a new Premier Inn on Bognor Regis Seafront in spring next year. It also started clearing the site of a new 130-bedroom Premier Inn in Littlehampton Town Centre and is searching for a suitable location for the brand in Rye.

Before opening the doors, the new team volunteered at St Michael's Hospice Donation Centre, helping to sort through donations, and carried out a three-hour beach clean collecting 20 bags of litter from the breach.

In addition, Whitbread shared a 9,000 'Force for Good' fund with three local charities selected by the hotel team. These included supporting 'Expanding limited horizons', 'Counselling Plus Community' and the 'Hastings Community Info Hub', with representatives of those local organisations joining.

Hotel website
Domes and Brookfield, through one of its private real estate funds, today announced a joint venture whereby Brookfield will acquire a majority stake in the Domes Zeen Chania. Through the joint venture, Brookfield and Domes will expand the resort through an investment of over 40 million.

Domes Zeen Chania is a 105-key beachfront resort located in Chania, one of the most prime destinations on the Greek island of Crete. The resort is part of Marriott's Luxury Collection brand and has won numerous accolades including the World's Leading Leisure Resort 2025 in the World Travel Awards.

Brookfield has significant experience in the hospitality and extended-stay sectors, having invested in and expanded leading hospitality platforms across Europe including Center Parcs, edyn, Selenta Group, Experimental Group and Generator Hostels.

Dr. George P. Spanos, CEO of Domes Resorts, said "We're pleased to enter a joint venture with one of the world's leading global real estate investors. With Domes now a stabilized platform supported by a strong brand, we look forward to working with Brookfield to embark on our next phase."

Brad Hyler, Managing Partner & Co-President of Brookfield's Real Estate Group, said "We're excited to invest in Domes Zeen Chania and partner with Domes to expand and further amenitize the resort. This marks our first investment in the Greek hospitality market, and we look forward to working with the Domes team and exploring additional investment opportunities in the future."

Brookfield is one of the world's largest owners and operators of real estate. With over $50 billion of assets under management in Europe across hospitality, alternative living, science and innovation real estate, logistics and office, Europe is a core market for its business.

Hotel website
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and RLH Properties have officially debuted Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol, marking the first Park Hyatt branded hotel in Mexico and expanding Hyatt's luxury footprint in Los Cabos. Located on a beachfront stretch inside the private Cabo del Sol community in Baja California Sur, the resort positions itself as a high-end, design-led retreat that blends contemporary Park Hyatt sensibilities with the laid-back spirit of the region.

The property's concept, described as "design as a sanctuary," was developed by Mexican firms Sordo Madaleno and Paulina Moran, with George Wong Design and concept design by Yabu Pushelburg. The architecture is intentionally oriented toward the coastline to maximize ocean views, pairing natural materials and sun-washed tones with indoor-outdoor spaces designed to feel residential and calm.

Accommodation spans 163 guestrooms and 88 suites, complemented by three ocean-view private villas aimed at families and multi-generational stays, with features such as terraces, soaking tubs, and, in select units, plunge pools. Beyond the hotel inventory, the project also includes turnkey residences for purchase (11 villas and eight apartments), positioning Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol not only as a resort stay but as a longer-term lifestyle proposition.

On the food and beverage side, the resort opens with venues including Costamar beach club, Mesa Madre (Mexican comfort cooking inspired by "abuela" traditions), and Datil Coffee Shop, led by Executive Chef Miguel Gomez, with a Levantine-focused signature restaurant, Silan, planned for spring 2026. Wellness is anchored by a 59,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center and an Araya Spa slated for Q1 2026, while meetings and events are supported by 34,500 square feet of indoor-outdoor space. Hyatt also points to momentum for the brand in the country, with Park Hyatt Mexico City and Park Hyatt Cancun expected to open in 2026.

Hotel website
Travalyst, the independently governed not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest names in travel and technology, founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, announces the appointment of Julie Cheetham as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 December 2025.

Following an extensive global search, Cheetham steps into the role at a pivotal moment for Travalyst, as the organisation prepares for a year of impact-led change in 2026: scaling the development of its Data Hub, deepening global industry alignment around consistent sustainability information, and strengthening its role as a trusted voice in shaping policy and regulatory coherence across travel and tourism.

A recognised sustainability leader, South Africa-based Cheetham brings a wealth of more than 20 years' experience working at the intersection of blue-chip commerce, tourism, and regenerative business models. She was part of the founding team and then CEO of Weeva, the sustainability-management platform created to democratise access to tools and data for accommodation providers. She scaled the platform into a multi-award-winning solution used across 86 countries before its acquisition by Travalyst in 2024, where the technology has been transformed and developed into the Data Hub.

Her work has spanned global financial services, tourism operators, technology and NGOsexpertise that closely aligns with Travalyst's mission to deliver system-wide impact at scale. Before focusing on travel and hospitality, Cheetham built her career in financial services, corporate transformation and ESG, working with leading institutions such as Standard Bank, BMGi and the National Australia Bank, where she specialised in strategy, operational excellence and change management.

Since joining Travalyst as Chief Operations Officer in September 2024, Cheetham has played an instrumental role in developing Travalyst's Data Huban initiative designed to bring credible, consistent and compliant sustainability information to the mainstream. She has also overseen operational growth, strengthened coalition engagement and guided programmatic development across Travalyst's expanding portfolio.
Swire Hotels has built two distinct hospitality propositions: Upper House, shaped around a residential luxury ethos, and EAST, a lifestyle business hotel designed for guests who value informality, community, and choice. In this Brand Insiders conversation, Dean Winter explains how Swires thinking differently mindset shows up in people culture, design freedom, sustainability, and a carefully curated growth strategy across Asia Pacific and beyond.

What is the elevator pitch for Swire Hotels?

Swire Hotels is a subsidiary of Swire Properties, Winter said, with Swire Properties being a Hong Kong developer well established for some fifty odd years. The hotel business started in 2006 with two brands, the House Collective and EAST hotels, and it operates with an owner operator approach.

Upper House is positioned at a premium international level, while EAST is a lifestyle business hotel that aligns naturally with Swire Properties commercial hubs in markets such as Hong Kong, Beijing, and Miami.

What makes Upper House and EAST innovative?

Winter framed innovation as practical and guest oriented, not technology for its own sake. Swire was early on paperless arrivals and departures, and among the first in Hong Kong to offer Wi Fi in limousines. The guiding principle is that technology should be not more of an interference, but more of an enabler.

The deeper differentiator is cultural. We have a very kind of trusting management style, he said. We embrace the fact that things are going to go wrong. It is really about how you recover and how you keep it real. Swire teams aim to avoid overly scripted service, because they try to sort of not work from a script or too many operating procedures and keep it real as much as possible.

Who are your guests, and how do you think about lifestyle?

Winter questioned traditional segmentation because travel intent is increasingly blurred. You never really know, are these guests here on business or are they here on leisure, he said, unless the stay is clearly driven by a negotiated corporate contract.

For EAST, he offered an intentionally human description of the brands audience: young fifty year olds and old thirty year olds. The appeal is a mix of informality and competence, a kind of casual professionalism , with the bureaucracy stripped out of arrival and departure.

Upper House guests expect a little bit more love, he said, but the reasons for travel remain varied, from meetings to shopping to referrals and repeat stays.

What makes Hong Kong so influential in hospitality?

Hong Kongs hotel legacy is tied to its role as a connector. It has long been a gateway to China, Winter said, and he believes that will remain central to its future identity.

He also pointed to accessibility and infrastructure, including an incredible airport that was built very early on, and the citys real estate history, which helped nurture hospitality brands connected to development portfolios. Hong Kong has always been a fertile place for luxury brands, he said, with hospitality as a natural extension.

How has Chinese travel changed in the last decade, and since Covid?

Winter shared a striking shift in Upper House Hong Kongs mainland China business over time. When Upper House Hong Kong opened in 2009, mainland share was five percent. By 2015, growth accelerated as numbers were doubling every year.

During Covid, affluent travellers who could not leave the country began looking for domestic experiences that were a departure from the ordinary mainstream popular international brands. Swire saw traction in Chengdu, a destination with cultural resonance, including a journey to the West narrative familiar to many Chinese travellers.

By late 2025, Winter described demand as more dynamic and sophisticated, spanning budget travellers to premium families booking multiple rooms, and increasingly considering emerging domestic destinations again.

What does Houses, not hotels mean in practice?

Upper House is built around reducing formality and increasing genuine recognition. Winter described a conscious attempt to deconstruct culturally this notion of some sort of subservience found in some luxury service models.

Execution begins with hiring. We do hire based on attitude rather than ability, he said. It continues with small but specific personalisations designed to feel residential rather than generic. If a guest has known interests, the team may place a relevant book or magazine with a handwritten note. We do not do the sort of ubiquitous fruit bowl, he added. If we know you like cherries, we put cherries in the room.

The aim is a stay that feels like a private residence. It actually feels like your own home. It does not feel like a hotel, he said.

How does design support the Upper House experience?

Swires design approach is unusually liberated. We do not have brand standards, Winter said, beyond technical guidelines. That freedom allows each property to be shaped by its neighbourhood and culture, rather than by a fixed global template.

The guest journey is designed from arrival onward, including lighting, materials, and art. Winter gave an example from a new project in Shenzhen, where the team debated whether even an elevator call interface should be conventional or more seamless, while still feeling residential. In contrast, he noted that Xians historical context suggests a different tone.

The goal is longevity. Swire is beginning renovation discussions for Upper House Hong Kong, but Winter noted they have not made major changes for years, which he sees as proof of early design thoughtfulness. He added one exception: restaurant spaces typically follow a shorter renewal rhythm, closer to a seven year cycle.

How do you keep hotel restaurants relevant, and why a lighter footprint?

Swire Hotels aims to serve the local community rather than building excessive outlet counts. We are not egotistical about our restaurants and bar business, Winter said, and the company studies what is already thriving in the surrounding district and retail ecosystem.

In many cases, eighty or ninety percent of patrons are local, he explained, so the goal is to complement the destination rather than compete with it by repeating the same concepts.

What is the Michelin Green Star, and how did Chengdu achieve it?

Winter described the Michelin Green Star as a relatively new recognition focused on provenance and sustainability practices, including local sourcing, carbon footprint reduction, and vendor standards. It is evidence based and demanding. It certainly takes two or three years of inspections, documentation, he said.

Importantly, it is not a performance for an external rating system. It is woven into the tapestry of how you run your restaurant, he said. It is not a thing that is done to keep Michelin happy.

In Chengdu, the story is also place led. Swires vegetarian tea house concept draws inspiration from proximity to an active monastery, where monks are vegetarian, and it has evolved into a high demand restaurant that is now difficult to book.

What is in the Upper House pipeline, and why unify the name?

Winter summarised the Upper House portfolio and upcoming openings:

Upper House Hong Kong (opened 2009)

Upper House Chengdu (opened 2015, previously The Temple House)

Upper House Shanghai (opened 2018, previously The Middle House)

Upper House Shenzhen (planned opening 2027)

Upper House Xian (planned opening 2028)

Upper House Tokyo, Shibuya (planned opening 2029)

The naming unification was driven by growth logic and a residential opportunity. Looking ahead, Swire needed a consistent naming convention for new deals, and the Bangkok branded residences project helped make the choice clear. Upper House Residences had a nice ring to it, Winter said, even without an adjacent hotel, and it ultimately liberates us to deploy the brand in residential settings as well.

What does alternative thinkers mean for EAST?

For EAST, Winter emphasised choice and community energy. The brand is less about corporate negotiated volume and more about understanding the individuals that choose to stay with us.

The hotels attract creative communities, and EAST teams actively host and enable moments that create social texture, from running clubs to pop ups. Winter described a Sunday morning coffee rave in Hong Kong with a DJ and guests dancing in the lobby. These events are not built from a boardroom value extraction model. We are not sitting around a strategy table thinking, right, how can we generate more value here, he said. They happen because teams are empowered and connected to local culture.

Why does EAST invest so much in gyms and wellness space?

Winter described the gym as essential for the EAST guest, particularly because the brand is not spa led. If you undercapitalize the gym option, he said, then the hotel may fail to meet the expectations of travellers who prioritise maintaining routines while on the go.

He acknowledged the financial reality. It is a cost center. It is not a revenue center, he said, even though some markets can support memberships. Operationally, access matters too. Our gyms are open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, he said, because restricted opening hours can undermine the guest experience.

Where will Swire Hotels be in 2030, and which markets are most intriguing?

By 2030, Winter expects six, seven properties open, with additional potential depending on timing. Longer term, he sees a path toward fifteen to eighteen hotels opened and signed over roughly a decade.

He also expects Swire to manage growth carefully to preserve brand nuance. How do we hold on to the nuances, those little nuggets that are delivered every day, he asked, pointing to leadership development and internal talent growth as core priorities.
Barbados  The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) today shared the leading insights emerging from the 2025 Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which recently took place in Barbados. CHTA also announced that CHIEF 2026 will be held November 1618, 2026, running concurrently with Taste of the Caribbean. The annual event brought together hotel executives, policy makers and tourism partners from across the region to examine the strategies reshaping Caribbean hospitality and the operational shifts required for long-term resilience and competitiveness.

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang opened the program by acknowledging the regions achievements while urging greater focus on innovation, resilience and preparedness for Small Island Developing States.

CHIEF 2025 underscored that Caribbean tourism is entering a new era  one where innovation, resilience and people-first leadership are no longer optional, but essential. Our region is navigating a disrupted world with purpose, strengthening our linkages, accelerating digital adoption and preparing our workforce for the future. Even as we confront the realities of the climate emergency, the Caribbean continues to lead with action, collaboration and the unshakeable spirit that defines who we are , said Destang.

Building on forum discussions, several clear themes emerged as priorities for the industry.

Top Takeaways From CHIEF 2025

The Climate Emergency Has Become a Business Priority

Climate resilience emerged as one of the regions most urgent priorities, with a key takeaway that inaction carries mounting economic costs. Leaders stressed the vulnerabilities Caribbean destinations face and highlighted the importance of sustainability frameworks that protect both communities and the tourism workforce. The broader insight: resilience planning is no longer just an environmental imperative, it is a critical business strategy for long-term continuity.

Smart Sourcing Could Significantly Reduce Regional Costs

Smart sourcing and regional linkages emerged as a major theme, highlighting a clear takeaway: diversifying supply sources and strengthening local manufacturing can significantly reduce operating costs across the Caribbean. Expanding agri-based industries, exploring alternative sourcing models and boosting intra-regional production also helps reduce shipping dependence and stabilize hotel operations.

CHTAs linkages work supports this shift by connecting members with regional suppliers and service partners, helping keep more tourism spend within the Caribbean while strengthening operational resilience and economic impact across member destinations.

Digital Transformation Is Accelerating Across Caribbean Hospitality

Technology emerged as a key driver of competitiveness, with digital tools rapidly transforming hotel operations across the Caribbean. The takeaway: AI, automation and integrated data platforms can streamline both guest-facing services and back-of-house operations, reducing labor strain, improving service delivery and boosting profitability. CHTA continues to support members on this journey through resources such as its partnership with GAIN, the second edition of its Artificial Intelligence

Transformation Guide for Caribbean Tourism, and educational tools made available through its collaboration with the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), all designed to help hotels adopt technology effectively and responsibly.

Cybersecurity also stood out as a critical concern. Industry leaders emphasized that increased digital dependence creates real vulnerabilities, with high-profile breaches  such as the 2023 Las Vegas MGM ransomware attack, which cost nearly $100 million  illustrating the stakes. The broader message: investing in robust technology strategies and safeguards is now essential for operational resilience and long-term success.

Direct Bookings and Digital Marketing Continue to Play a Meaningful Role in the Business Funnel

CHIEF referenced direct booking strategy as an important channel for driving business, with digital marketing and revenue leaders emphasizing the importance of optimizing websites, sharpening SEO and leveraging content-driven storytelling to strengthen hotel-owned channels. The clear takeaway: the regions digital sophistication is accelerating, and properties that invest in smarter online strategies are seeing meaningful returns. Across the board, CHIEF reinforced that storytelling, community-driven media and consistent digital engagement are now essential pillars of the Caribbean hotel playbook.

The Workforce of the Future Requires Bold Thinking

Labor emerged as a major theme, with conversations pushing leaders to rethink traditional work structures and explore forward-looking models, including options like a four-day work week that could help attract and retain talent. The key takeaway: hotels willing to experiment with flexibility and modern workplace design may gain a competitive edge in morale, retention and productivity.

Another strong message centered on long-term talent investment. Across multiple discussions, industry leaders underscored the importance of turning staff into true stakeholders through ongoing training, leadership development and intentional culture building. The overarching takeaway was clear: people strategy is now as critical as revenue strategy in shaping a resilient, future-ready workforce.

Strengthening Community and Cultural Alignment

CHIEF reinforced a rising industry priority: delivering more authentic, locally rooted guest experiences. A key takeaway was that hotels can differentiate themselves by integrating culture in meaningful ways  from partnering with local artisans and farmers to supporting community initiatives that reflect each islands identity.

Leaders emphasized that purpose-driven, community-aligned tourism isnt just a feel-good strategy; it deepens guest connection, strengthens local economies and helps ensure that the Caribbeans distinct cultural heritage remains central to its global appeal.

Personalization Is Becoming Even More Critical in the Age of AI

CHIEF discussions underscored a crucial industry tension: as AI and automation reshape hotel operations, travelers are simultaneously seeking more personalized, human-centered experiences. The key takeaway was clear  technology should streamline processes behind the scenes while empowering staff to deliver the warm, authentic service that distinguishes Caribbean hospitality.

Leaders emphasized that the real competitive advantage lies in striking the right balance: using digital tools to enhance guest engagement, not replace the personal touch guests value most.

CHIEF Partners

CHIEF 2025 was made possible thanks to the following partners, Platinum: ABA Global Marketing, GAIN Advisor Hovr, Inter-American Development Bank, Interval International, Lubeco, Mastercard and Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle All-Inclusive Resort; Gold Partners: My Booking Rewards, taConnect; Supporting Partners: Maestro and the Anything Group; Baseline Partners: Alliants, P+O Cruises; Media Partner: Breaking Travel News. Partnerships for CHIEF 2026 are also open to those interested here.

For more information and highlights from the event, visit www.CHTACHIEF.com.

About The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean's leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations. For more than 60 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 32 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean's future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or, looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on issues which matter most.
A well-deserved honor. Visit Tri-Cities has recognized AAHOA Lifetime Member Vijay Patel, President of A-1 Hospitality Group, with the Kris Watkins Tourism Champion Awardcelebrating leaders who elevate the visitor experience and strengthen the regions tourism economy.

Why it matters

Since founding A-1 Hospitality Group in 1997, Patel has helped shape the growth of Tri-Cities and surrounding communities through:

Strategic development that attracts visitors and drives economic vitality

Collaborations with municipalities that bring shared value to residents, guests, and employees

Long-term investment in projects that strengthen the regions tourism landscape

Patels impact

Patels career journey began overseas, working at ASDA Supermarket in the UK before moving to the U.S. in 1994. After managing a family motel in Klamath Falls, he launched A-1 Hospitality Group with the renovation of the former Longhorn Motel.

Today, his company manages a portfolio of 20 hotels across five states, representing major brands like IHG, Marriott, and Hilton.

Patel has also been a dedicated industry advocate, serving in roles including:

Vice President and Chairman of the Oregon Lodging Association

Member of the Oregon Lodging & Restaurant Association

AHLA Most Valuable Volunteer Award recipient

Member of the Tri-Cities Hotel-Motel Commission and other advisory boards

Current member of the IHG Owners Association Global Board of Directors, and Chair of the Americas Regional Committee

Being named a Tourism Champion is both an honor and a responsibility, Patel said. It validates the effort to uplift local communities, support small businesses, and create memorable journeys for visitorswhile preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of the destination.

He added, This award inspires me to continue advocating for innovation and collaboration within the tourism industry, ensuring sustainable growth that benefits everyonetravelers and residents alike.

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA's mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.

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Previous articles by M. Ratkai, Professor of Hospitality Business and ESG at the Hotelschool The Hague, have addressed the ever-changing landscape of corporate disclosures, including the EUs Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) and ongoing negotiations of the Omnibus proposal. To obtain effective corporate reporting and governance practices, it is essential to have a strong institutional, legal, and regulatory framework. In 20232024, nearly two-thirds of the countries revised their governance frameworks, and 73% of the analysed countries issued national reports on companies compliance. Most of these reports cover all listed firms.

In 2024, around 44,000 companies were publicly listed across the globe, representing a total market value of EUR 100+trillion. Since 2022, their combined market capitalisation has grown by 28%. Since 2005, however, over 35,000 companies have exited public stock exchanges worldwide.

The OECD study shows that sustainability-related disclosure is required by law or regulations in 79% of jurisdictions, and 65% name multiple stakeholders (including shareholders) as the primary users of sustainability disclosures. Additionally, 62% require transition planning. Regarding the reliability of sustainability-related information, 60% of the countries have established requirements for the assurance of such information (mainly limited or reasonable assurance), and an additional 17% are considering it. Different approaches exist regarding the types of entities allowed to provide sustainability assurance, including statutory auditors and other assurance service providers.

Do increasing responsibilities and legal accountability influence listed companies behaviour? Apart from the obvious, there is another noticeable trend. In both the USA and Europe, delistings have outpaced new listings, resulting in a net decline in the number of listed companies. Approximately 12,000 companies delisted in Europe (about one-third of the total) and 5,000 in the USA. Also, initial public offering activity has weakened across most regions. The exception has been Asia (excluding China and Japan), where net listings have continued to rise and remained positive over 2022-24.

What insights has the Chair of Hospitality Business and ESG at Hotelschool The Hague uncovered regarding the accommodation and lodging sector? They found that many delistings took place in our sector as well, see the list below from the past years.

 Source: Hotelschool The Hague

Note: The information in the table is provided as is and may contain inaccuracies. Users are advised to verify critical details independently.

Conclusion

There are a few conclusions that can be drawn from the above: there were many acquisitions, but also many non-compliance issues. The question arises automatically: whether the new ownership structure is the only reason behind the delistings? Or maybe, because of the increasing expectations for transparency and accountability? Or maybe we can witness a slow market reorganisation? What do you think? Do you have an opinion?

Source:

OECD (2025), OECD Corporate Governance Factbook 2025, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/f4f43735-en.

Investing.com. 2025, January 16. Luxurban Hotels to be delisted from Nasdaq for noncompliance. Retrieved from https://www.investing.com/news/sec-filings/luxurban-hotels-to-be-delisted-from-nasdaq-for-noncompliance-93CH-3815772

HFTP. (2025, July 25). Minor Hotels Europe & Americas to delist from the stock exchange by the first half of 2025. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). https://www.hftp.org/news/4128304/minor-hotels-europe-americas-to-delist-from-the-stock-exchange-by-the-first-half-of-2025

Melinda Ratkai

Hotelschool The Hague

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Hampton by Hilton Amritsar Airport - Image Credit Hilton

Hilton has announced a strategic licensing agreement with NILE Hospitality to expand its Hampton by Hilton brand in India. The deal includes the development of five new hotels in Amritsar, Vrindavan, Raipur, and Lonavala. The expansion is aimed at capturing demand in India's mid-market hotel segment.

The five hotels will collectively offer more than 350 rooms and are expected to open within the next two years. This initiative marks the brand's entry into the Indian market, with adaptations to meet local preferences. The hotels will feature optimized room and bathroom layouts, fitness centers, and a focus on rest and sleep with high-quality bedding. The food and beverage offerings will include a regionally inspired breakfast menu and a 24/7 coffee station.

The expansion is part of Hilton's strategy to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company aims to provide reliable, high-quality stays with regional customization to enhance the guest experience. The new hotels will join the global network of more than 3,000 Hampton by Hilton properties.

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The decision to enter the Indian market follows extensive consumer research, indicating a demand for quality, affordable accommodation. The selected locations are expected to benefit from spiritual and leisure tourism, domestic business travel, and infrastructure growth.

Hampton by Hilton's entry into India aligns with the brand's focus on delivering consistent service while adapting to local market needs. The partnership with NILE Hospitality is a significant step toward expanding the brand's footprint in the region.

The new hotels will participate in Hilton Honors, the company's guest loyalty program, offering benefits such as flexible payment options and digital tools for check-in and room access.

This expansion reflects Hilton's commitment to meeting the rising demand for midscale hospitality options in India, providing travelers with additional choices in key cities.
Rendering of the Park Inn by Radisson SM Neo Verde - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group



Radisson Hotel Group has signed agreements for three new hotels in the Philippines, including a dual-branded complex at SM Mall of Asia and a new property in Santa Rosa, set to open by 2031 and 2029, respectively.

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of three new hotel properties in the Philippines. The expansion includes a dual-branded complex at SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila and a new hotel in Santa Rosa, Laguna. These developments are part of Radisson's strategy to strengthen its presence in the region.

The dual-branded complex at SM Mall of Asia will feature two hotels: Radisson Hotel SM Mall of Asia Manila and Park Inn by Radisson SM Mall of Asia Manila. The Radisson Hotel will offer 200 rooms, including 49 suites and a presidential suite. It will also feature a lobby lounge bar, a rooftop bar and restaurant, a pool bar, and a total of 3,486 square meters of event space, including a 2,160-square-meter ballroom. Additional amenities will include a gym, an outdoor swimming pool, and a children's pool. The Park Inn by Radisson will add 300 rooms, including 45 suites, and will include a coffee bar, a pool bar, a gym, and outdoor pools for both adults and children. The complex is expected to open in 2031.

In Santa Rosa, the Park Inn by Radisson SM Neo Verde Santa Rosa will be located in the city center, approximately 45 minutes from Manila. The hotel will offer 200 rooms, including 25 suites, and will feature three food and beverage outlets, meeting and event facilities, a gym, an outdoor swimming pool, a children's pool, and outdoor play areas. The hotel is part of the larger SM Neo Verde development, which will include a mall and a new bus terminal serving as a transportation hub. The Santa Rosa property is slated to open in 2029.

These developments are part of Radisson Hotel Group's ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the Philippines, a market with strong growth potential. The SM Mall of Asia complex is a significant location, expected to attract business, trade, and leisure visitors to Metro Manila. The Santa Rosa development aims to enhance connectivity and support mixed-use growth in the Greater Manila area.
GCommerce Solutions has been recognized by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) for marketing excellence, earning two Silver Awards, three Bronze Awards, and one Best of Category honor. The company will be celebrated at the 2025 Adrian Awards on February 18, 2026, in New York City. The recognition underscores GCommerces continued commitment to hospitality marketing excellence and its role as a trusted digital marketing partner helping properties drive direct bookings.

GCommerce Solutions Earns 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Awards, Including 1 Best of Category

Silver Adrian Awards

Social Media > Multi-Channel/Integrated Marketing

Property: Hotel Emma



Title: From Interest Into Impact: How Hotel Emma Drove $266K with Facebook + Email

Website > Owned Media Only

Property: Europa Village & Wineries



Title: Digital Transformation: Capturing the Magic of Europa Village Online

Bronze Adrian Awards

Social Media > Paid Media Only

Property: Tropicana Inn & Suites



Title: Turning Magic Into Metrics: How Tropicana Inn & Suites Won Big During Disneys 70th Anniversary

Search Marketing > Paid Media Only

Property: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa



Title: Driving a 70% YoY Revenue Surge and Nearly $1M in Growth Through Paid Search

Read the full press release and explore the award-winning projects that demonstrate innovation across hotel metasearch, social media, website, and comprehensive digital strategies.

[Read Now]

About GCommerce

GCommerce is the hospitality industrys leading hospitality data platform, combining strategic agency services, automated media, and proprietary data products that power performance for independent hotels, management companies, and travel brands. With more than 20 years of hospitality expertise, GCommerce turns intelligence into actiondriving smarter campaigns, clearer insights, and stronger direct bookings.

For more information, visit gcommercesolutions.com.
In an impassioned address delivered at the Caribbean Tourism Organizations (CTO) annual Holiday Dinner & Fundraiser on Friday, Jamaicas Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, called on the region to transform its legendary resilience from sentiment into science, warning that the era of unprecedented mega-storms has arrived.

Speaking during CTOs Caribbean Weekend in Miami at Loews Coral Gables Hotel just weeks after Hurricane Melissa  described by meteorologists as one of the most intense storms ever recorded in the Atlantic basin  Minister Bartlett revealed that preliminary damage assessments place losses in Jamaica alone at between 28-32 percent of GDP, with some international estimates exceeding US$10 billion.

Once again, the recovery of tourism will be the spearhead for the recovery of the nation, he declared, pointing to historic precedents with Hurricanes Ivan (2004), Irma and Maria (2017) and Dorian (2019). When tourism restarts, incomes return, hope returns, and dignity returns.

The Minister underscored that travel and tourism accounts for more than 30 percent of GDP across several Caribbean states and over 60 percent in some of the most tourism-dependent economies. In Jamaica, the sector directly and indirectly supports more than 300,000 jobs.

Drawing on three decades of hurricane impacts, he cited ECLAC figures showing US$136 billion in regional damage between 1990 and 2008, and stressed that two events in just two years  Beryl (2024) and now Melissa  signal a new climate reality that demands urgent, coordinated action.

We need to build capacity, to not only foretell disruptions of this nature, but to be able to mitigate, to manage, to recover quickly, and to thrive afterwards, Bartlett urged, highlighting the work of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) which he cofounded in Jamaica as a vital regional and global resource.

Innocent Junior Richard, Deputy Chief of Staff to Haitis Minister of Tourism, John Herrick Dessources, spoke to attendees from the heart. Having taken two days instead of two hours to reach Miami after domestic flights were suspended, Richard declared: We want to let CTO know that were still alive, were still fighting.

He reminded the audience that Haiti had faced Hurricane Matthew (2016), the devastating 2021 earthquake, and now Melissa  yet the country refuses to be defined by disaster. When Haitians say Sak Pase, you (answer) Nap boule  (it means) were fighting and we continue to fight, he said, before thanking CTO and every guest in the room: I hope you (have) come with your check to contribute for Haiti and Jamaica  Merci anpil for your generosity. Haiti is back in CTO!

Minister Bartlett also thanked CTO and its partners for their solidarity with Jamaica and Haiti. The same seas that draw millions of visitors also carry storms of historic force. Yet in every season of adversity, one truth remains constant. The Caribbean rises. Our capacity to rise is not an occasional response, it is our way of being. That is what we mean when we speak of resilience, he said. Tonight my heart is full, and Ive never (been) more proud of my Caribbean-ness, he declared.

Earlier in the evening, Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council and Minister of Tourism and International Transport for Barbados, expressed regional solidarity in support of Jamaica and Haiti: Were coming together as one Caribbean family, united by our resilience, our creativity, and our shared hope for the future.

Patrons enjoyed musical performances by Vincentian soca sensation Kevin Lyttle, Jamaican reggae artists Shuga and Spragga Benz, and U.S. Virgin Islands steel pannist Stan Brown. Award-winning Barbadian media personality Alex Jordan was the master of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the CTO fundraiser will support tourism workers impacted by the storm.

Sponsors of the evenings fundraiser included Barbados (Gold); U.S. Virgin Islands (Silver); Antigua & Barbuda, CTO Allied Board, and Dominica (Bronze).
Image Credit CheapCaribbean Vacations



In 2025, American travelers spent an average of $2,261 on travel, with road trips and beach getaways being the most popular choices. A survey of 2,000 frequent travelers found that Americans visited two new states and one new country on average, and 76% were confident about traveling more in 2026.

Travel Spending and Destinations

The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of CheapCaribbean Vacations, highlighted that Americans spent an average of $2,261 on travel in 2025. Travelers expanded their horizons by visiting two new states and one new country on average. The most popular destinations included U.S. cities, which topped the list of memorable trips for 21% of respondents, followed by beach getaways at 19%.

Preferred Modes of Travel

Road trips dominated travel methods in 2025, with 55% of respondents opting to travel by car. This preference for road travel outpaced domestic flights (30%) and international flights (13%). Cruises were the least popular option, with only 2% of travelers choosing it.

Types of Trips and Travel Companions

Visiting friends or relatives was the most common reason for travel in 2025, cited by 41% of respondents. Other popular trip types included beach getaways (15%), outdoor and adventure travel (14%), and city breaks (11%). Most travelers were accompanied by a spouse or partner (34%) or immediate family (34%), while 24% traveled with friends.

Booking Preferences and Technology

When booking trips, 30% of respondents relied on online travel sites, while 20% preferred recommendations from friends or family. Airline and hotel websites were used by 18% of travelers. Dana Studebaker, Vice President of Marketing at CheapCaribbean Vacations, noted that new technology, including personalized online tools, has enabled travelers to discover destinations that match their preferences and budgets.

Travel Challenges and Lessons Learned

Packing challenges were common, with phone chargers (15%) and sunscreen (14%) being the most frequently forgotten items. Travelers learned valuable lessons, such as taking more photos (16%), being open to spontaneous plans (14%), planning earlier (13%), and packing lighter (10%).

Emotional Impact and Future Travel Plans

The travel experiences of 2025 left many Americans feeling relaxed (23%), grateful (19%), and refreshed (13%). Looking ahead to 2026, 76% of respondents expressed confidence in traveling more, with beach getaways and road trips topping their lists. Popular destinations for the upcoming year include New York City, Italy, Paris, and Japan. Travelers plan to prioritize couples' trips, friend group adventures, and budget-friendly or all-inclusive beach vacations.

Conclusion

The 2025 travel trends reveal a strong preference for road trips and beach getaways among American travelers. As they look forward to 2026, there is a clear desire for experiences that offer relaxation and connection. With confidence high for increased travel, Americans are eager to explore new destinations and create memorable experiences.
A menorah is lit at The Mount on Sunday evening in a celebration hosted by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. The Berkshire Jewish Musicians Collective performs on Sunday evening at The Mount. North Adams' menorah was lighted at City Hall in a brief ceremony on Sunday night. Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and her son, Drew Zuckerman, pose with Mayor Jennifer Macksey at City Hall. North Adams added a menorah to its holiday displays in 2018. This version has been used in the City Hall lobby for several years. PreviousNext

Berkshires Marks the Start of Hanukkah, Mourns Shooting Victims



Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and her son, Drew Zuckerman, prepare to light the menorah in North Adams. The brief ceremony can be watched here. LENOX, Mass.  At a community Hanukkah celebration at The Mount, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires President Arlene Schiff opened the festivities with a recognition of the victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Australia and praise for a hero who helped stop the killing. Watch the lighting here.

"We stand in solidarity with the Jews of Australia and other Jewish communities around the world who are lighting candles tonight, continuing Jewish life and tradition, standing proud in the face of hate," Schiff said. "And we honor the upstander, Ahmed al Ahmed, the Muslim man who disarmed one of the gunmen and was shot twice.

"He could have hidden but did not, and Jews are alive because of his bravery."

The death toll has climbed to 15 and dozens were injured when two men opened fire at a celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen and wrestled his firearm away.

State Rep. Leigh Davis, D-Third District, also took a moment to honor the fallen at Bondi Beach and praised Jewish Federation of the Berkshires for working toward its mission of nurturing and sustaining the Jewish community locally.

Davis said efforts are underway on Beacon Hill to protect that community.

"It's times like these we have to realize that anti-Semitism is on the rise, and it's not going away without us focusing on it and doing such things as creating a special commission on combating anti-Semitic behavior like we have done at the State House," Davis said. "This is a moment that we need to come together and recognize that, as a community, we are stronger together. And when we focus on the light, we can get past the fear."

On Sunday morning, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires posted on Facebook that the event was going forward as planned and that, while there was no known threat locally, security was in place for the menorah lighting.

"As Dara [Kaufman] noted in her email message earlier today, we will never allow hatred to deter us from practicing our faith and traditions," Schiff said. "We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure our community is safe and our lights burn even brighter."
North Adams Issues Drinking Water Warning

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The city issues a Drinking Water Warning Monday urging residents to boil water before using.

On Dec. 14, 2025, a water main break occurred on the North Adams water system on State Road and another leak was found on American Legion Drive. This results in insufficient water to maintain safe water pressure or reliable service in our distribution system.

Massachusetts drinking water standards require public water systems to maintain 20 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure at each service connection to ensure safe water to our customers. These circumstances warranted advising those customers who lost service and those whose pressures dropped to below 20 psi to boil their tap water upon resumption of water service.

Due to the multiple leaks and low pressures found throughout the system, the city is issuing the boil water requirement to the entire water system.

Loss of pressure can result in backflow of water through and into the distribution system and may result in bacterial contamination. As a result, customers in the affected area are encouraged to boil their water and MassDEP is requiring the issuance of this public notice as a precautionary measure.

According to a post made on North Adams City Hall's Facebook page:

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Refer to the MassDEP website for the following information.

Discard all ice, beverages, uncooked foods, and formula made with tap water collected on or after Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.

Food establishments must follow MA DPH procedures and the direction of their local board of health, which may be more stringent than the DPH guide.

While no bacteria samples have confirmed the presence of bacteria. This notice is being issued as a precaution. However, pressure loss and discolored or turbid water due to breaks or changes in the distribution system may be related to the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria and viruses which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.

The city has issued a reverse 911 message to all of our residents/customers affected by the event. The city is currently working to repair the water main break(s). They will verify adequate pressure and will collect bacteria samples to confirm adequate water quality of the distribution system so that MassDEP can lift this boil water requirement.

Residents will be know when you are no longer advised to boil water due to this incident and will provide updates as we are able.

For more information, contact the North Adams Water Department at (413)-662-3157. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
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China is set to introduce a comprehensive policy to cover all out-of-pocket childbirth expenses.

The move is the latest in a series aimed at boosting the nation's declining birth rate.

The national healthcare security administration announced that by 2026, the country intends to offer full reimbursement for all policy-covered medical costs associated with childbirth.

That will include essential prenatal check-ups.

In a report released on Saturday, the administration said it would improve the level of medical expense coverage for prenatal examinations, striving to achieve 'no out-of-pocket expenses' for childbirth.

The initiative comes as Beijing confronts a significant demographic challenge. China's population experienced its first decline in decades in 2022, a trend that persisted into 2024.

Chinas birth rates have been falling for years ( PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images )

Demographers anticipate that this trajectory will continue due to falling birth rates, alongside a shrinking workforce.

In June, China mandated that all tertiary hospitals, those with over 500 beds, must offer epidural anaesthesia during childbirth by the end of 2025.

The initiative aims to foster a more "friendly childbearing environment" for women, according to the countrys National Health Commission (NHC).

The NHC also outlined further plans to extend these services to secondary hospitals, which have more than 100 beds, by 2027.

Currently, around 30 per cent of pregnant women in China receive anaesthesia for pain relief during childbirth. This is in stark contrast to some developed countries, where the rate exceeds 70 per cent, according to the China Daily.

China also announced this year that it would offer parents an annual childcare subsidy of 3,600 yuan (376) in an effort to arrest the countrys declining birth rate.

The scheme will cover all children under three. It will apply retroactively from 1 January 2025, but families with children born between 2022 and 2024 can also apply for partial subsidies, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the NHC, the nationwide subsidy is expected to benefit nearly 20 million families. The subsidies will not be treated as taxable income or counted when determining eligibility for poverty assistance.
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The son of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai accused China of weaponising the law following a landmark verdict that could see his father imprisoned for life.

Sebastien Lai rubbished the evidence presented by Hong Kong's High Court on Monday, which found the 78-year-old British newspaper owner guilty of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.

Its 800 pages of essentially nothing, which shows how the law has been weaponised against my father and shows how basically all these freedoms that we take for granted here have been made illegal in Hong Kong, he told the BBCs Today Programme.

Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has spent five years detained in the former British colony since his arrest under draconian security laws imposed by China.

open image in gallery Sebastien Lai has long campaigned for his fathers release from detention in Hong Kong ( AFP/Getty )

His heartbroken son on Monday called on the British government to do more to pressure Beijing for his release, warning that his father is elderly and in bad health.

My fathers 78 now. At any moment, he could die. So the balls in our court in that sense, Sebastien Lai said. The onus is really on the prime Minister, Keir, to get him out, to be the factor that unlocks him and brings him home here to the UK with his family.

Sebastien Lai told a press conference in London that he was "heartbroken" over his father's poor health, and said the controversial national security law (NSL) had been used to detain someone who "essentially said stuff that they didn't like".

"It's time to put action behind words and make my father's release a precondition to closer relationships with China," he said.

Lais detention has drawn outrage from rights groups and governments, including the UK, as Sir Keir Starmer lobbies for closer ties with China.

The prime minister did raise concerns with Chinese president Xi Jinping in November as Jimmy Lai testified in court.

open image in gallery Jimmy Lai, now 78, was arrested in August 2020 and has been detained ever since. His family warns of mounting health concerns ( AFP via Getty Images )

Lai was accused of violating the NSL through his tabloid newspaper, Apple Daily, and for his role in the pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019. He denied all charges.

His son on Monday welcomed the foreign offices renewed condemnation of a politically motivated persecution, but called for more to be done ahead of the prime ministers scheduled visit to China in January.

I think what makes this country great is that we stand up for our citizens, we stand up for their freedoms, and that is something that we will never trade for, he told the BBC.

I wish that hed bring my father home with him, he added. We talk about normalisation of relationships, but how can we normalise relationships if they [China] cant even put a 78-year-old man on a plane  who by all intents and purposes is in seriously bad health  if they cant even do something so simple, how can we talk about closer relationships with them?

Lais legal team has not decided whether to appeal the verdict. His lawyer on Monday said his clients spirit is okay, adding that it would take time to review the judgement and declining to comment further.
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Media tycoon and British national Jimmy Lai is facing life in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of sedition. He has already spent five years behind bars for his role in Hong Kongs 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Lai, 77, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper which was forced to close after a police raid and asset freeze in June 2021, pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

open image in gallery Lai was arrested just two months after this photo was taken in June 2020 ( AFP/Getty )

But after a two year trial, three judges handed down the verdict with Judge Esther Toh saying Lais actions left no doubt that he had harboured resentment for the Chinese government.

She said that the court was satisfied that Lai was the mastermind of conspiracies against the Chinese government and that his evidence was at times contradictory, inconsistent and unreliable.

Who is Jimmy Lai?

Born in mainland China, Lai fled to Hong Kong aged 12 by stowing away on a fishing boat, where he began work as a child labourer in a garment factory.

He built his fortune through fashion empire Giordano, before becoming an outspoken democracy advocate following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters fighting for political reforms in Beijing were killed.

In 1994, Lai become a full British citizen. Despite having never held a Chinese or Hong Kong passport, he is regarded as a Chinese citizen by Hong Kong authorities.

Lai began the producing Chinese-language and pro-democratic newspaper Apple Daily before the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China, as he aimed to maintain freedom of speech in the territory. The paper was openly critical about the Chinese government.

open image in gallery Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, 72, poses during an interview with AFP at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong ( AFP/Getty )

Why was he imprisoned?

A known pro-democracy campaigner, Lai was known to Chinese authorities ahead of the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, prompted by Beijings growing crackdown on wide-ranging freedoms through the national security law.

Lai described the legislation as "a death knell for Hong Kong", and his Apple Daily newspaper was critical of the reforms while being supportive of the protestors.

On 10 August 2020, Lai was arrested alongside his sons on the accusation of collusion with foreign forces and fraud. Later that year he became the first high-profile figure to be charged for allegedly conspiring and colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, under the new legislation.

He has since been charged and banned on separate cases of unlawful assembly and other crimes relating to pro-democratic protests in Hong Kong.

Lais declining health

Lai has spent much of his imprisonment in solitary confinement - and his son has been outspoken about fears over his health.

The millionaires son, Sebastien Lai, claimed last year that his father, who suffers from diabetes, had lost a significant amount of weight and that he had been denied independent medical care.

open image in gallery Jimmy Lais son, Sebastien has hit out at his fathers treatment ( AFP via Getty Images )

Lai's lawyer Robert Pang told the court that Lai had experienced some episodes where he felt that he was collapsing and had heart "palpitations", prompting the court to adjourn proceedings and order that he be provided with a heart monitor and medication.

Lai, who is noticeably thinner than when the trial began in late 2023, appeared calm as the verdict was announced and pressed his lips and nodded to his family before being escorted out of the courtroom by guards.

The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a US-based, non-profit advocacy organisation, said Mr Lai was an iconic figure in the battle between those who uphold democratic values and Hong Kongs authoritarian government.

This verdict should surprise absolutely no one, said its UK and Europe director Mark Sabah. The trial against Jimmy Lai has been a grotesque exercise in legal subversion and chicanery  a show trial masquerading as justice. But whats actually been on display is the complete and total destruction of Hong Kongs reputation as a global legal centre.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. His release should be a condition of prime minister Keir Starmers planned trip to Beijing in January.

My father has been treated inhumanely, his son, Sebastien Lai, previously told The Independent. But he is defiant and strong. It is ridiculous that in his display of bravery, the prime minister [Sir Keir] will not meet with me, he added.
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Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol plotted with senior aides to provoke an armed aggression from North Korea to justify declaring martial law last December, the special prosecutor claimed.

The plot was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a coordinated strategy going back to 2023 which involved covert drone operations aimed at escalating tensions and plans to suspend the parliament, Cho Eun Seok said.

We know well from historic experience that the justification given by those in power for a coup is only a facade and the sole purpose is to monopolise and maintain power, Mr Cho told reporters on Monday.

He said investigators had concluded Mr Yoon and his senior officials sought to provoke a military response from Pyongyang ahead of the short-lived martial law declaration in December last year. The plan failed because Pyongyang did not take the bait, he added.

Mr Yoon and his five cabinet ministers were among 24 people charged with offences related to insurrectionfollowing a six-month inquiry.

Mr Yoon and his defence minister, Kim Yong Hyun, had designed a scheme to suspend the National Assembly and replace it with an emergency legislative body once martial law was declared, Mr Cho alleged.

To create justification for declaring martial law, they tried to lure North Korea into mounting an armed aggression, but failed as North Korea did not respond militarily, the special prosecutor said.

Investigators previously accused Mr Yoon and military leaders of authorising covert drone flights into North Korea to inflame tensions. When the plan failed to spark a confrontation, prosecutors said, Mr Yoon moved ahead with declaring martial law anyway, branding political opponents  including the then head of his own People Power Party  as anti-state forces.

open image in gallery File. South Koreas impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, centre, arrives for a court hearing in Seoul on 9 July 2025 ( AFP via Getty )

In July, the defence ministry suspended its drone operations chief, Major General Kim Yong Dae, amid an investigation into whether military drones were illegally flown into the North.

The commander claimed the drone flights were part of a clandestine military operation to respond to the Norths act of sending trash balloons and werent intended to provoke the neighbour.

Mr Cho was appointed as one of three special prosecutors to investigate the martial law declaration after Lee Jae Myung won the snap presidential election necessitated by Mr Yoons removal from office by the Constitutional Court in April.

Mr Yoon is standing trial on insurrection charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death.

Several of his former ministers and officials face additional charges linked to the failed martial law bid.

South Korean Lawmakers, led by the liberal Democratic Party, voted to overturn Mr Yoons martial law decree within hours of its announcement on 3 December. The parliament later impeached the president for breaching his constitutional duties.

open image in gallery File. South Koreas special prosecutor says Yoon Suk Yeol sought to provoke a military conflict with North Korea ahead of his martial law declaration in 2024 ( Getty )

Mr Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee, remains under a separate investigation by another special prosecutor over alleged corruption tied to activities before and during his presidency.

Prosecutors acknowledged that growing political pressure from the allegations could have influenced Mr Yoons actions but said that there was no evidence linking Ms Kim to the alleged conspiracy.

Park Ji Young, a spokesperson for the prosecution team, said Mr Yoons intelligence chief was due to travel to Washington the day after martial law was declared to pre-empt any objections from the US.

December was chosen deliberately to coincide with political distraction in Washington following Donald Trumps election victory, she added.

Mr Yoon has consistently rejected the accusations, insisting that declaring martial law was within his presidential authority. He has argued the move was intended to warn against what he described as the oppositions abuse of parliamentary power.
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Japans last pair of pandas is set to return to China in late January, marking a symbolic end to a chapter of friendship as bilateral ties reach their lowest ebb in years.

Twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born in the Ueno Zoo in 2021, would be available for public viewing for the last time on 25 January, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said.

The pandas were scheduled for transfer to China in February, but, after the Tokyo governments attempts to get an extension of their stay failed, were set to leave in January, a little ahead of the deadline, local media reported.

The pandas were born to mother Shin Shin and her mate Ri Ri who lived at the Ueno Zoo from 2011 until September 2024, when they were returned to China due to old age and high blood pressure for specialised treatment.

China routinely sends pandas abroad as a sign of goodwill, a policy known as panda diplomacy. Though sent as gifts, China retains ownership over the pandas and their cubs.

The animals are native to southwestern China and are an unofficial national mascot.

After the twins depart, Japan will be left without a panda for the first time since the country formalised diplomatic relations with China in 1972.

Tokyo officials said on Monday there was no agreement to bring more pandas from China.

Staff show an image of the first of two cubs delivered by panda Shin Shin at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on 23 June 2021 ( AFP via Getty )

The pandas are returning to China at a time of strained relations between the Asian neighbours.

Ties cracked after Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi told the parliament that Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing attempted to take control of Taiwan.

Her remarks drew a strong response, with Beijing calling on the Japanese leader to walk back her statement.

Ms Takaichi refused, prompting China to suspend imports of Japanese seafood and issue a travel warning for the country.

The departure of pandas from Japan is usually an emotional event as people gather in large numbers to see them off.

Thousands of people gathered to bid a tearful farewell to Shin Shin and Ri Ri last year. Many were seen wearing T-shirts and carrying items decorated by panda motifs while some camped overnight outside the zoo to get a glimpse of the animals.

Xiang Xiang, the older sister of the twin pandas, returned to China in 2023.

A woman in her 70s visiting the zoo on Monday rued that frayed bilateral relations meant the pandas couldnt stay for longer.

I think the panda was a symbol of friendship. Under normal circumstances, I would want to see China loan them again but I guess thats likely difficult given the current situation," said the visitor from Chiba prefecture.

A Tokyo resident said she waited in a queue to see Xiang Xiang when it was born at the zoo in 2017 and lamented that children in Japan wouldnt get the same opportunity.

France recently secured a loan of a pair of pandas after president Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing in early December.

Last year, Australia received a new pair of pandas after its ties with China improved.
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Childrens operations are being cancelled because paediatric intensive care units across the country are full as a result of the severe spike in flu cases, The Independent has been told.

Cardiac and other operations are being postponed, increasing the risk of medical emergencies, because of the pressure on childrens ICU beds, medics have warned.

Dr Adrian Plunkett, president of the Paediatric Critical Care Society (PCCS), and Dr Arun Ghose, PCCS council member and communications lead, told The Independent: The UKs paediatric intensive care capacity is a scarce national resource currently under severe and sustained pressure.

In the last few weeks, paediatric critical care units across the country have consistently reported a higher number of patients in beds than staff available to run them, according to the PCCS medics.

This has led to local centres surging, with nursing and medical staff doing extra clinical work to manage the increased demand, they said in a joint statement. This surge in admissions is being driven predominantly by influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Dr Plunkett and Dr Ghose also warned: This pressure has also led to the cancellation of elective paediatric intensive care unit admissions, including cardiac and other specialist surgeries. In some cases, delays to these procedures can result in previously elective cases becoming more urgent and requiring emergency surgery.

The warnings come after a week of reports of a tidal wave of flu, driven by the new super flu strain H3N2.

The sudden influx of flu cases  up 55 per cent in the past week  has led health chiefs to fear that overcrowded hospitals will soon be unable to control the spread of infections, leaving vulnerable patients being treated for serious illnesses terrified they will catch it.

On Friday, health secretary Wes Streeting warned the NHS faces collapse next week if resident doctors go ahead with a planned strike as services are buckling under flu pressures. Sir Keir Starmer has also criticised the proposed strikes, describing them as beyond belief when the NHS was under severe strain.

In a deepening row, the British Medical Association, the doctors union, hit back on Saturday and accused the health secretary of scaremongering.

According to the Paediatric Critical Care Society, the pressures on intensive care beds have meant that more children are being kept in district general hospitals for long periods. They are then having to be transported further away from their homes when a critical care bed is found.

The situation has worsened as paediatric wards are full, and so intensive care units are unable to move patients out when they are ready.

Flu patients in hospital in England

This has been compounded by acute sickness, with respiratory viruses, across all staff groups, and less resilience in the system with these chronic staffing shortages, Dr Plunkett and Dr Ghose said.

The PCCS has also heard anecdotal reports of a marked severity of illness in cases of influenza infection in children, warning that influenza can cause very serious disease, and has caused mortality, even in children.

A senior paediatric doctor in the northwest of England told The Independent admissions to childrens intensive care units had spiked in the last week, with a double hit of flu and respiratory infection RSV.

Flu season hit in October, which was really early, the doctor said. The kids that were ill with it ... in the ICU, we ended up with a far higher number of children needing intensive care support than we normally do.

So over the last couple of weeks, what weve seen is a sort of dual hit of both influenza and RSV, and there has been a significant spike in the ICU admissions across the UK in the last seven days.

The reason why some of the pressures are high is that we have high numbers of children with flu in the ICU, but then we also have the second effects that the wards have got loads of it as well.

Because its an infectious disease, we isolate these children, so were struggling to get them off intensive care and back to the wards. Weve definitely seen higher patient numbers with flu in intensive care, and probably the highest amount Ive seen in my career.

The BMA is consulting resident doctors on whether to go ahead with planned strikes over pay and training contracts, with the results expected on Monday. If the strikes go ahead, doctors will walk out for a five-day strike starting on Wednesday.
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New tests have revealed the fruit and vegetables most affected by potentially cancer-linked pesticide mixtures.

Using data released by the government last month, the Pesticide Action Network (Pan) UK found 12 food items were at risk of a cocktail effect, meaning several pesticides mixed together increase the toxicity level of the chemicals.

While the governments health and safety food monitoring programmes concluded that the vast majority of samples tested contained a safe level of pesticides, Pan UK said the report only tested individual pesticides and not a mix.

Grapes were found to be the worst of all the food groups, with one sample containing the residue of at least 16 different pesticides. At least 90 per cent of the 108 grape samples tested contained multiple pesticides.

A sample of sultana grapes from Turkey included man-made PFA forever chemicals, which are toxins that do not break down in the body naturally and can accumulate, leading to cancer and environmental damage.

Grapes were the worst offenders, according to analysis of government data ( Getty )

Grapefruit fared poorly, with around 99 per cent of samples found to contain multiple pesticide residues. One sample was found to contain 10 different types.

Other foods affected included 79 per cent of 24 lime samples, 67 per cent of 73 banana samples, 49 per cent of 96 sweet pepper specimens and 46 per cent of 97 melons. Chilli peppers were found to contain 11 different pesticides, while one sample of broccoli contained eight.

Beans, mushrooms, aubergine and dried beans were also included in the so-called dirty dozen.

We found that a quarter of vegetables and three-quarters of fruit contain multiple pesticides, Pan UK wrote.

It explained that 123 different chemicals were found in the 17 types of fruit and vegetable tested, which included 42 pesticides with links to cancer and 21 known to interfere with hormone systems that could potentially lead to birth defects, developmental disorders and reproductive issues.

The governments food monitoring programmes tested 3,482 samples each for an appropriate range of pesticides, testing a total of 1,153,009 food and pesticide combinations.

Surveys conducted across the UK found that 51.26 per cent of the samples had none of the residues the programmes looked for, and 46.67 per cent had residues found at or below the maximum residue limit. Only 2.07 per cent of the samples had residues above this limit, according to the report.

However, Pan UK has argued that the limits need to be reassessed, as they do not take into account chemicals exposed through plastic food packaging and water.

Around 29 per cent of the pesticides found during testing are not approved for use by British farmers, but can slip into the food system when imported from outside the UK.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The Independent: "We have placed strict limits on pesticide residues, which are set after rigorous risk assessments to ensure levels are safe for the public. These limits apply to both food produced domestically and imported from other countries.
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An Emirati-backed secessionist group in Yemen said its forces were marching Monday to another province as part of the groups push to expand areas under its control in the countrys south, at the expense of its allies in the internationally recognized government.

The Southern Transitional Council this month seized most of the provinces of Hadramout and Mahra, including crucial oil facilities and the border with Oman. The move raised fears that the relative calm in the countrys stalemated civil war might be shattered.

Saudi-led efforts to deescalate in southern Yemen have not made a breakthrough as the separatists still reject the withdrawal of their forces from areas they recently seized, according to a Yemeni government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue.

Yemen has been mired for more than a decade in a civil war that involves a complex interplay of sectarian grievances and the involvement of regional powers.

The Iran-aligned Houthis control the most populous regions of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. Meanwhile, a loose regional coalition of powers  including Saudi Arabia and the UAE  has backed the internationally recognized government in the south.

The Southern Armed Forces, the armed wing of the separatist group, announced Monday that its forces have begun an operation in the province of Abyan.

It said on social media the fresh march is part of Operation Eastern Arrows, which STC launched in August 2022 with the aim of fighting an affiliate of al-Qaida that was active in the eastern part of the province.

The forces spokesman, Lt. Col. Mohammed al-Naqib, posted images on the X social media platform showing armored vehicles and troops advancing toward what he said was Abyan.

He told a television channel affiliated with the STC that their forces have began the immediate offensive on multiple targets in Abyan. He didnt elaborate further.

Abyan is located on the Gulf of Aden, a deepwater gulf that connects the Red Sea with the Arabian Sea. It serves as a crucial land link between Yemens southern cities and Mahra, on the border with Oman.

No breakthrough in Saudi efforts to deescalate

The latest march is likely to complicate Saudi-led efforts to deescalate tensions between the separatist group and the internationally recognized government.

The government official said STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who is also vice president of the countrys Presidential Leadership Council, rejected the withdrawal of his forces from areas they recently seized in Hadramout and Mahra.

The south today stands at a critical and existential juncture imposed by the realities of the political and military situation, al-Zubaidi said in a meeting last week with STC members. The next phase will be one of intensive work to build the institutions of the future South Arabian state.

In a separate meeting with al-Khader al-Sawadi, governor of Bayda province, which is controlled by the Houthis, al-Zubaidi said Wednesday their aim should be seizing Sanaa from the Iranian-backed rebels.

He was quoted by the STC website as saying that the next goal must be Sanaa, peacefully or through war, until justice returns to its people and aggression is defeated.

The war between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed coalition has been stalemated in recent years, after the rebels reached a deal with Saudi Arabia that stopped their attacks on the kingdom in return for ceasing the Saudi-led strikes on Houthi-held territories.
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Stephen King, who turns 70 this week, is in many ways the modern-day Dickens; the great populist writer of his generation who has consistently entertained the masses even if critical praise hasnt always been quite so forthcoming.

Those who are snobby about his work simply because of the genre are depriving themselves of a lifetime of enjoyment, but the big-screen adaptations are undeniably a mixed bag. Kings books tend to be epic in scope: he builds worlds only to destroy them, and most films struggle to capture this with relatively little time. There are exceptions of course, notably The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me (both, it should be noted, adapted from novellas), as well as The Green Mile, The Shining, Carrie and, perhaps the finest adaptation of them all, Misery (1990).

From This Is Spinal Tap in 1984 to A Few Good Men in 1992, director Rob Reiner managed one of the great streaks in cinema. Misery, adapted from Kings 1987 novel of the same name, remains the only Oscar-winning adaptation of his work as a result of Kathy Batess well-deserved Best Actress award. The author was so impressed with her performance that he later wrote Dolores Claiborne with her specifically in mind.

Unusually for King, Misery contains no supernatural elements. James Caan plays Paul Sheldon, a renowned author of romance novels who is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan, a psychotic nurse named Annie Wilkes (Bates) who proceeds to keep her hero captive while forcing him to write the stories she wants to read. William Goldman, who had worked with Reiner on The Princess Bride, wrote the screenplay and injected a strain of dark humour to go along with the claustrophobia of the source text. The horror here feels grounded in reality, not least because King based the Wilkes character on his own drug dependency at the time of writing.

King was reluctant to sell the rights to Misery for fear Hollywood wouldnt do it justice and only changed his mind as a result of Reiners sterling work on Stand by Me. Everyone from Dustin Hoffman to Al Pacino turned down the Paul Sheldon role but Caan, whod taken a break from acting in the 1980s after a period of personal tragedy, took the part and it ended up marking a major comeback for the star of The Godfather. His chemistry with Bates, a flawless screenplay and Reiners assured direction ensure this is a psychological thriller that deserves to be considered in the pantheon of greats alongside the likes of Psycho and Rosemarys Baby.
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He was a family man, highly respected in his community. But today, Paul Doyle faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting driving a car into a crowd at Liverpools victory parade  turning a day of celebration into devastation.

From the outside, Doyle appeared to have it all.

Neighbours say he was happily married with three children and lived in a detached four-bedroom home in a leafy area of Liverpool.

He was fit and appeared to have been successful in his career  an ex-Royal Marine Commando who had later run his own firm before working in cybersecurity.

open image in gallery Paul Doyle, 54, has pleaded guilty to a string of offences after driving his car into a crowd of supporters during the Liverpool FC victory parade in May ( Facebook )

But on 26 May, the 54-year-old sent shockwaves through the nation when he drove a Ford Galaxy vehicle past a roadblock and into supporters as they walked away from the Liverpool FC victory parade event, striking the heart of a city united in jubilation.

A total of 134 people were injured, including a six-month-old baby.

At an earlier court appearance, Doyle, whose address was given as Croxteth, Liverpool, was accused of using his car as a weapon and he had pleaded not guilty to 31 charges relating to 29 victims, aged between six months and 77 years.

But last month, on the second day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he dramatically changed his pleas and admitted all the offences against him.

Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said it was an act of calculated violence. She said: This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle  it was a choice he made that day.

Who is Paul Doyle?

Doyle was married to his wife for 20 years and had three children, neighbours said.

The family lived in a smart detached home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, where spacious properties command an average selling price of 217,000.

Doyles LinkedIn profile says he was a Royal Marine commando between 1990 and 1994 before working in IT and cybersecurity.

He graduated with a BSc in Psychology and Maths from the University of Liverpool in 1998 and set up his own retail business, called Far Out Caps, 10 years later.

Neighbours say he was working in cybersecurity at the time of the offence.

Outside of work, people who knew him said he was sporty, and he would often be seen running or on his bicycle when outside the house.

Photos on social media show him enjoying various family holidays, including trips to Disneyland, Florida and Dubai.

What charges did Doyle plead guilty to?

Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, affray and 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

He also admitted nine counts of causing GBH with intent and three counts of wounding with intent.

A jury had been sworn in for his trial on Tuesday, but the following day, when the prosecution case was due to be opened, Doyle was asked to re-enter his pleas to the charges.

open image in gallery Doyle appearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court after his arrest in May ( PA )

He sat with his head down and sobbed as he changed his pleas, speaking with a broken voice as he occasionally wiped away tears as the charges were read to him again.

Ahead of sentencing this week, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: It is inevitable there will be a custodial sentence of some length and you should prepare yourself for that inevitability.

What happened at the Liverpool victory parade?

Up to one million supporters had gathered to celebrate Liverpools 20th Premier League victory in a 10-mile parade in the city on Monday 26 May.

But as they left, Doyle drove past a roadblock on Water Street and ploughed into the crowd. In May, Merseyside Police said they believed the driver had followed an ambulance onto Water Street after a roadblock was temporarily lifted for crews to attend to a person having a heart attack.

open image in gallery A total of 134 people were injured, with 50 taken to hospital ( PA )

Mobile phone footage showed the car coming to a stop amid screams from the crowd. Seconds later, it lurched forward again before finally coming to a stop.

Emergency services rushed to the scene with fire crews rescuing four people trapped under the vehicle, including a child.

As Doyle was arrested, nearby restaurants were turned into emergency shelters as some of those injured were treated while police began the major investigation.

After 72 hours of questioning, Doyle was charged and appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court the following day.
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A photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is among the latest release of images from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Nineteen pictures were shared on Friday by Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee. They are separate from documents held in case files by the Department of Justice.

Featured in the batch is an image of a suited former prince 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.

No captions or context have been provided for any of the images.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has made headlines in recent months over his association with Epstein, with the King officially stripping his disgraced brother of both his HRH style and his prince title.

The former duke has for many years faced allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor strenuously denies the accusations.

open image in gallery Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, seen next to Bill Gates, features in a photograph released from the Epstein estate ( Getty/House Oversight Committee )

He paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor 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 have brought fresh focus on him recently.

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.

open image in gallery Donald Trump was photographed standing with six women ( House Oversight Committee )

The Press Association has contacted representatives of both Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Sir Richard.

Donald Trump also featured in the latest release of images, with one black-and-white photo showing him standing with a group of six women whose faces are blacked out. The US president has distanced himself from Epstein and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

One photo shows Mr Trump with six women, whose faces have been blurred out by the committee. A grinning Mr Trump is sporting a suit while the women are wearing leis around their necks.

Another image shows packets of condoms wrapped in a caricature of Mr Trumps face above the phrase: Im HUUUUGE!

House Oversight Committee Democrats wrote in a social media post: 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!

open image in gallery One of 95,000 photos from Epsteins estate received by House Democrats ( House Oversight Committee )

But Republicans on the panel have called the batch of photos cherry-picked.

Once again, Oversight Democrats are chasing headlines by releasing a handful of selectively censored and cherry-picked photos from the Epstein Estate. Democrats hoax against President Trump has been completely debunked, the GOP-led committee responded.

The new tranche also includes an image of Trump ally Steve Bannon meeting with Epstein, as well as a photo signed by former president Bill Clinton  capturing him linking arms with Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein. Mr Clinton has vehemently denied having any knowledge of Epsteins crimes, has never visited Epsteins island, and said in 2019, when Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges, that he hadnt spoken to the disgraced financier in well over a decade.

Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls with Epstein.

Mr Gates has denied having a personal relationship with Epstein, clarifying that he met with the disgraced financier to discuss philanthropy.

open image in gallery A signed photo of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was among the images released ( House Oversight Committee )

Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

The new batch of photos comes weeks after the committee released thousands of documents, including shocking emails sent by Epstein to several powerful figures from 2011 to 2019. Those figures included attorneys, journalists, author Michael Wolff, former Treasury secretary Larry Summers and Deepak Chopra, among many others.

In the messages, Epstein claimed that Mr Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking. I know how dirty donald is, Epstein wrote in another email.

Mr Trump did not send or receive any of the emails.
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The colder weather has begun to bite, and with it, the unwelcome rise in heating costs as people try and stay warm.

Millions of people across the UK are struggling with the high-price of energy this year, as the rising cost of living makes this Christmas a difficult one for many.

There are many avenues of support available for those looking to reduce costs this winter, but one of the lesser-known options comes from energy providers themselves.

Under Ofcom rules, all major energy companies must offer support to struggling customers, with many schemes on offer. This ranges from freebies like electric blankets and efficiency upgrades, all the way to cash grants and debt write-offs.

For those who find themselves falling behind on bills, it is always advisable to contact energy providers as soon as possible to see what help is available. All will usually allow customers to negotiate a payment plan that they can afford, but in some circumstances, as much as 2,000 is on offer to tackle the costs.

Heres whats on offer from the UKs six biggest energy providers:

British Gas Trust

Through the British Gas Trust, there are grants for both customers and non-customers of the energy provider of the same name. While British Gas funds the trust, it is independent from the company.

Customers of British Gas can get up to 2,000 from the trusts Energy Support Fund (ESF), while non-customers can receive up to 1,700 from its Individuals and Families Fund (I&F).

open image in gallery Through the British Gas Trust, there are grants for both customers and non-customers of the energy provider of the same name ( Getty/iStock )

Energy Support Fund

British Gas Trust offers this fund to British Gas credit and prepayment meter customers. Applicants must not have received a grant from the trust within the last 12 months, and must owe between 250 and 2,000 in outstanding debt.

The trust requires applicants to submit their account balance for assessment  if this exceeds the 2,000 threshold, the application will be denied.

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Individuals and Families Fund

Customers of other energy providers can apply to this fund from the British Gas Trust provided they have not received a grant from the charity within the last two years.

Prepayment customers must owe at least 50, in energy debt, while credit account customers must owe 250  and both up to 1,700. They must also have a household income of less than 20,328, and/or live in a household with someone who receives a disability benefit or carers allowance, and/or has three or more children.

Crucially, customers of other large energy providers that have their own energy support funds can only apply if they have been declined by their providers scheme.

More details are available on the British Gas Trust website.

British Gas said: Tackling energy debt and fuel poverty is a priority for us and were making sure help is available when its needed most. Weve committed 140 million, the UKs largest voluntary energy support package, to help make sure no one is facing these challenges alone.

Octopus

To help support people through the energy crisis, Octopus has set up its Octopus Assist programme  a 40 million fund offering various means of support. This includes grants, standing charge holidays and debt write-offs, the energy provider says, for those with the greatest need.

Whats on offer is decided on a case-by-case basis, with customers invited to explain their income and outgoings to make an application. Octopus says it has supported over 100,000 customers through the fund to date.

The energy provider also runs its You Pay, We Pay initiative, which sees it match every additional payment that a customer in debt makes to support them in reducing their debt further over a period of time.

open image in gallery Octopus has set up its Octopus Assist programme  a 40 million fund offering various means of support ( Getty/iStock )

Pensioners in need can also get a one-off 200 to support them, while vulnerable customers are offered a free electric blanket to keep warm and reduce bills.

For full details of whats on offer, Octopus customers can visit the providers website.

An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: We're obsessed with driving down bills for our customers while ensuring support is always available to those who need it.

We urge our customers to get in touch with us if they are struggling, as we have many different ways to help  from thermal imaging cameras, to free electricity sessions and electric blankets.

OVO

OVO has pledged 56 million to its Extra Support Package, which offers year-round help and extra support in winter.

Subject to eligibility, applicants can receive direct debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups, and extended repayment plans. OVO also offers free energy saving products like electric throws, and free energy efficiency home upgrades to help reduce bills.

For full details of whats on offer, OVO customers can visit the providers website.

An OVO spokesperson said: Our teams are always on hand to support customers. Were providing support to those who need it most by working together with our charity partners and offering our Extra Support Package.

E.ON Next

E.ON Next customers are able to apply for support via the companys Energy Fund. This can provide grants to help with bills and debt, as well as replacement appliances.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must pass a three-month provisional award scheme, and be able to cover their average monthly energy use. During this time, E.ON will clear any debt and  provided all payments have been made  the debt will be cleared.

open image in gallery E.ON Next customers are able to apply for support via the companys Energy Fund (Chris Radburn/PA) ( PA Archive )

Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, but the energy company asks for evidence of any benefits received by any adult in the households, as well as medical evidence of any disabilities or health conditions.

The company also offers affordable payment plans, variable debt repayment rates, and temporary repayment credit for those in need.

For full details of whats on offer, E.ON customers can visit the providers website.

EDF

Customers of EDF are able to apply for additional support through the providers Customer Support Fund. It can provide grants to help with debt, and replace appliances.

The fund is available to customers who are struggling with debt and need support becoming financially stable. EDF says applicants need to show they are committed to being financially stable by making regular payments for ongoing energy use.

Successful applicants will need to make a repayment plan with the French energy company, during which time they will suspend any debt activity. If sufficient payments are made over this period, then the debt will be cleared in full.

The energy company asks for evidence of benefits being received by any adult in the households, and for medical evidence of any disabilities or health conditions.

For full details of whats on offer, EDF customers can visit the providers website.

ScottishPower

ScottishPower has pledged over 60m to its hardship fund, which is designed to help customers get their finances under control, and may be able to clear or reduce arrears.

To be eligible, most applicants will need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit like universal credit or ESA. In exceptional circumstances, ScottishPower says it will accept applications for those on low incomes, but not claiming a qualifying benefit.

The company also offers affordable instalment plans, pay as you go meters, and the option to adjust payment on-demand using its app.

For full details of whats on offer, ScottishPower customers can visit the providers website.

For more help with the cost of living this winter and beyond, visit The Independents regularly updated guide
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Actor Hugh Grant has warned schools "will dump what little remains of books and pens" should GCSE examinations transition online.

The Notting Hill star took to X, cautioning such a move could "stuff our poor addicted children even further down the internet at great cost to their education, mental health, and safety."

His comments follow Ofqual proposals for some GCSE and A-level exams to be taken digitally from the end of the decade.

Grant wrote: If GCSEs move online it will be a catastrophe. Citing preparing for exams schools will dump what little remains of books and pens and stuff our poor addicted children even further down the internet at great cost to their education, mental health and safety.

Some GCSE and A-level exams could be taken digitally from 2030 if new proposals go through ( PA Archive )

In a consultation published last week, Ofqual asked for views on allowing each of the four exam boards to put forward two new specifications with some components assessed digitally.

Ofqual specifies that on-screen exams could be either online or offline, and an internet connection would not necessarily be required.

Exam boards will not be able to put forward on-screen exams in subjects taken by more than 100,000 pupils in a year, which includes many of the main GCSE subjects, as well as A-level maths.

Father-of-five Grant had previously supported campaigning against screens in schools, saying that is the last thing children need.

A spokesperson for Ofqual said: Everyone is welcome to take part in our consultation on on-screen assessment which can be found on our website.

Any introduction of on-screen exams must be carefully managed to protect all students interests, and these proposals set out a controlled approach with rigorous safeguards.
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Metropolitan Police staff are set to stage a 25-hour strike on New Years Eve, a move that trade union Unite warns could lead to "delays to emergency callouts" during one of London's busiest nights.

The industrial action, involving 175 Unite members from the Mets central command, including call handlers, office staff, fleet service, and technicians, will commence at 6 am on 31 December.

This coincides with hundreds of thousands of people expected to gather across the capital for New Year celebrations.

The dispute centres on pay, with Unite stating that affected staff have not received a pay increase for 2025/6, in contrast to police officers across the UK, including the Met, who were granted a 4.2 per cent rise.

Unite emphasised the potential impact, stating: "As a significant night in policing, strike action will be very disruptive including causing delays to emergency callouts."

The walkout is poised to significantly disrupt police operations during a critical period.

open image in gallery Lasting 25 hours from 6am on New Years Eve, the strike will affect one of the busiest days of the year as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join new year celebrations across London ( Alamy/PA )

The union said the Met had put forward two provisional offers  3.8 per cent or 4.2 per cent  which it said was conditional on workers accepting vastly inferior conditions.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: It is unacceptable that our members in the Met are the only workers in UK police forces that have not yet had their pay rise.

It is a disgrace that the Met has dangled the carrot of a pay rise but is also offering the stick of attacks on workers terms and conditions.

Unite wont allow our members conditions to worsen and the workers have the unions full support throughout this dispute.

Unite regional officer Keith Henderson said: We know Londoners will be concerned to hear of strikes on New Years Eve, but our members at the Met feel they have no choice but to strike in their fight for a fair pay rise.

They are being financially penalised by their employer for poor management decisions and cuts that were not their fault.

The Met has a chance to stop this industrial action, but that relies on it coming back and offering staff the fair pay rise they deserve in line with all the other forces in the country and without changes to terms and conditions.

The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.
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The forced exit of Oxfams chief executive in the UK has sparked a row at the charity, with one prominent trustee claiming that damning leaks to the press were intended to destroy Halima Begum and compounded existing headwinds the organisation faces.

Over the weekend Dr Begum was removed by the board after an independent review  which has not been made public, and which The Independent understands had not been presented to her  that allegedly flagged serious issues in her conduct and decisionmaking.

The organisations trustees said Dr Begums 130,000 a year position was untenable because of an irretrievable breakdown in its trust and confidence in her ability to do the job.

Dr Begum has also been accused of bullying and creating a climate of fear since she took up the role nearly two years ago  allegations which her supporters within the charity have dismissed as absurd.

open image in gallery Halima Begums exit comes on the back of economic headwinds for the charity ( ITV )

In an article announcing her removal late on Sunday night, The Times reported that a letter to the board signed by almost 70 Oxfam staff  but who have remained anonymous  had called for trustees to investigate her conduct. The charity then hired an external public relations company to handle her departure.

In a statement on Monday, Oxfam GB said: In line with our policies, a review was carried out by an independent specialist consultancy with recognised expertise in workplace culture, equity, and inclusion. We have great respect for colleagues who have raised concerns about culture. Their perspectives informed an independent review that took place.

With little opportunity to defend herself before news of her sacking was publicised, colleagues sought to defend Dr Begum.

In a statement to The Independent, Balwant Singh, a board trustee at Oxfam GB, said: Oxfam believes in and values kindness, justice and fairness. Sadly, Halimas treatment has been anything but kind, just or fair.

Whilst many of those who raised concerns about Halimas leadership hid behind anonymity by claiming fear of retribution and retaliation, it is sickening that Halima has been subjected to what appears to be a carefully orchestrated and intentionally brutal retaliation and retribution in the national media.

He added: It also saddens me that for an organisation that stands for speaking up, many have chosen to hide behind anonymity. It does not bode well for the culture at Oxfam.

Dr Begums departure comes weeks after the unexplained departure of Oxfam GBs board chair, Charles Gurassa, who in 2023, when Dr Begum was appointed, described himself as delighted that someone with such a wealth of experience in how to make change happen and a real passion to fight injustice had agreed to lead the charity.

Shortly after her appointment, Dr Begums analysis of Oxfams finances revealed a 16.3m deficit which was soon worsened by massive US and UK foreign aid cuts. With falling donations and a weak UK economy, the future of the organisation she had joined was far from guaranteed.

Her appointment of a new chief financial officer and a subsequent restructuring, which meant putting hundreds of jobs at risk of redundancy, helped move the dial to address the financial issues. Nonetheless, in September Oxfam said: Charities are being asked to do more with less at the very moment people need us most.

open image in gallery Oxfam shop profits have fallen by around two-thirds in the past three years ( AFP via Getty )

Sources told The Times that staff had been unhappy over the necessary restructuring and that it had created widespread animosity.

Meanwhile, according to Mr Singh, Dr Begum had filed a grievance/whistleblowing claim against Mr Gurassa, made before she was aware of any concerns about her leadership.

The claims related to sexism, racism and bullying. The grievance process is yet to be completed, he told The Independent.

Akiko Hart, the director of the campaign group Liberty, also defended Dr Begum, who she described as a mentor and friend.

I would urge everyone watching to hold off from immediate judgement and see what facts and evidence emerge, she said in a LinkedIn post.

I would invite people to reflect on the timing of this announcement, at the tail end of a painful restructure which was approved by the board, and a few weeks after the resignation of the chair.

Oxfam has fought to maintain its hard-won reputation as a leading NGO in the years since allegations emerged in 2018 that the charitys staff had hired sex workers while overseas, including in Haiti and Chad.

More recently, shop profits have fallen by around two-thirds in the past three years, according to figures released this month, underscoring a sharp downturn in retail performance.

Earlier this year, the organisation cut 250 roles from its 2,100-strong UK workforce, a move aimed at trimming 10.2m from its wage bill to address the shortfall in finances.

Over the summer, Dr Begum was accused of potentially compromising Oxfams reputation for neutrality after joining a parliamentary panel which featured a Palestinian journalist reported to have described the 7 October attacks on Israel as a great day.

Oxfams chief supporter officer, Jan Oldfield, who has been in the role for four years, will now become acting chief executive.
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Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, will deliver her first major public speech, warning of Russia's growing threat and the critical need for spies to master technology against increasingly complex dangers.

From Britains foreign intelligence service headquarters, Ms Metreweli, who was appointed in June, will declare that the front line is everywhere.

She is expected to describe Russia as an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist power, outlining her view of the global security landscape.

She will say: Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraines behalf will be sustained.

The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus.

Threats from across the globe are increasingly intricate, the spy chief will say, including sabotage, technological disruption, and disinformation.

open image in gallery Blaise Metreweli was appointed in June ( MI6 )

But she will insist the UK is already working to harness technology to tackle them.

Mastery of technology must infuse everything we do, Ms Metreweli will say.

She will add: Not just in our labs, but in the field, in our tradecraft, and even more importantly, in the mindset of every officer.

We must be as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources, as fluent in Python as we are in multiple languages.

The spy chief will also point to how her agencys work builds on sanctions recently slapped on Russian companies and individuals by the Foreign Office.

open image in gallery Russian Yars Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) drive through central Moscow in May during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade ( AFP via Getty Images )

Just last week, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a series of sanctions on entities linked to the GRU, Russias military intelligence agency, and disinformation spread by the Kremlin.

On Monday, the head of the British armed forces will warn that the whole country will need to step up to ensure the nation can continue to function in a crisis amid growing threats against the UK.

Making the case for a society-wide approach to defence and deterrence, chief of the defence staff Sir Richard Knighton will say the situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career.

He will call on people who are not soldiers, sailors or aviators to nevertheless invest their skills  and money on building up national resilience.
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Sir Keir Starmer has called for a police crackdown on antisemitic chanting at demonstrations, including pro-Palestine marches, saying the government wont tolerate it.

The prime ministers official spokesperson said that while free speech is an important right in this country, that cant extend to inciting hatred or harassing others, saying the police will use their powers more robustly to tackle the proliferation of antisemitism.

It comes after two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday, killing 15 people and injuring a further 27.

On Monday, a spokesperson for a Jewish security charity warned that violent chants at protests if they are left unchecked can lead to deadly atrocities like the Bondi Beach attack.

open image in gallery A spokesperson for the prime minister said the police will use their powers more robustly to tackle antisemitism ( PA )

Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said it is not a difficult connection to make between hatred directed at Israel during marches and this kind of violent terrorism.

He said calls for intifada and the phrase river to the sea, used by some protesters at pro-Palestine demonstrations, had not been challenged properly.

Meanwhile, chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis warned that hate speech has the potential to become translated into hate action.

He said: We have seen on a weekly basis, people out in the streets of cities in our country crying slogans which incite hatred  from the river to the sea; globalise the intifada.

What does globalise the intifada mean? Well, on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, we discovered what it means. On Bondi Beach, Australians discovered what is meant by those words.

And the time has come for us to make it absolutely clear that such speech is unlawful. Its not going to be accepted. Its gone on for far too long. So much of hate speech has the potential to become translated into hate action.

Asked whether the government would legislate to ban antisemitic chants, the prime ministers official spokesperson told reporters: The prime minister agreed that these particular slogans are calls to attack Jewish communities around the world.

open image in gallery Rabbi Levi Wolff lights a menorah at Bondi Pavilion to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach attack ( Reuters )

He added: Free speech is an important right in this country, but that cant extend to inciting hatred or harassing others.

Weve seen antisemitic incidents proliferate at these marches, and we wont tolerate that.

The spokesperson continued: In addition to the police using their existing powers more robustly, the home secretary is also looking at the cumulative effect of marches and protests... and that includes looking at marches that happen in the same place every time, where they happen repeatedly, and the distress and effect that that has on parts of our community, such as Jewish people living in the UK.

Clearly the police also have existing powers and we expect them to use more.

In October, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said police forces would be granted powers to put conditions on repeated protests.

It comes after Mr Rich told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Weve had these huge protests that have been ongoing in our city centres and university campuses with language like calls for intifada, for calls for resistance, all sorts of violent rhetoric, calls for the state of Israel to be destroyed, the phrase river to the sea, which is taken by a lot of Jewish people to imply that.

open image in gallery Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said police forces would be granted powers to put conditions on repeated protests ( PA )

And none of this language has been challenged or really addressed properly, either through law enforcement or by the organisers of these demos or by wider society. And Jewish people see a connection.

I think people see a connection between violent words, if they are left unchecked, and violent actions.

And so when you get terrorist attacks like the one we had at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, or the appalling atrocity weve just seen on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Jewish people make the connections.

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said people should refrain from using chants like globalise the intifada and from the river to the sea after the terror attack in Sydney.

Asked about the phrases, she told Sky News: I want to be very, very clear that chants like that, any chants that are designed to intimidate, call for violence, call for the murder of Jews, are totally unacceptable.

She said while people have a fundamental right to protest, they do not have a right to intimidate British citizens or call for violence in our streets, because sadly, we have seen the consequences of what happens when that is done.

Intifada is an Arabic word which means to shake off, according to the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU).

The phrase is used by pro-Palestinian activists that calls for aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel, the American Jewish Committee says.

Mr Rich said such phrases should not be allowed in demonstrations, adding that there have been record levels of antisemitism in this country for two years.

He said: Every Jewish person has felt it and experienced it, and right across society  in workplaces, in institutions, regulators  people are too often turning a blind eye or taking the path of least resistance and allowing this problem to grow, and then we end up in situations where Jews get killed on the streets.

The latest official statistics, published in October and covering England and Wales, showed that Jewish people had a higher rate of religious hate crimes targeted towards them than any other faith group when all police forces were taken into account.

In the year to March, there were 106 religious hate crimes per 10,000 population targeted at Jewish people, the Home Office data showed.
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A relative of the British-born rabbi killed in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack has said the debate on Jewish security must focus on the root causes of antisemitic violence.

Tory shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson of Tredegar argued the need to move away from the debate about higher walls around synagogues and more guards outside schools, and tackle extremist ideologies.

Fifteen people were killed in the shooting at one of Australias best-known beaches during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday.

Among the dead was a 10-year-old girl and Eli Schlanger, 41, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi.

Speaking in Parliament, Lord Wolfson declared his interest as a relative of the murdered rabbi.

Referring to a charity which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, the Conservative peer said: While we are always grateful for support for the Community Security Trust, the debate about Jewish security needs to move away from being about higher walls around our synagogues and more guards outside our schools, and on to the root causes of why we actually need such security.

So will the minister explain what the government is actually doing, in practical terms, to counter the extremist ideologies which are driving this antisemitic violence, and to remove them and their proponents from our social media, out of our universities and off our streets?

Expressing his condolences, Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint stressed steps were being taken to crack down on the scourge of antisemitism.

He added: We need to ensure that we encourage tolerance, understanding and knowledge about different religions.

The minister said this needed to start from very early on to ensure that people live their lives in an open, tolerant way, where their religion doesnt require armed guards at synagogues, that doesnt require armed guards at schools.

Fifteen people were killed in the shooting on Sunday at one of Australias best-known beaches during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration ( Reuters )

Earlier, Lord Hanson told peers the UK Government was appalled at the terror attack.

He said: Its particularly horrifying that it happened at a Hanukkah celebration.

My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.

He added: There is no specific intelligence of a linked threat to the UK at this time, but we must remain vigilant and are working with the Community Security Trust and police forces to support Jewish communities, including Hanukkah events here in the UK.

The United Kingdom stands firmly with Australia and with the Jewish community of Sydney and those here in the UK at this terrible time.

Raising the atrocity with an urgent question in the upper chamber, former navy chief Lord West of Spithead praised the bravery of fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed who tackled one of the terrorists.

The 43-year-old is seen fighting a gunman in a video shared widely on social media shortly after the attack.

Lord West, who previously served as a security minister, said: Hes clearly a better human being than me in that he took the rifle and then put it down because I would have shot him (the terrorist).

The Labour peer added: Im afraid it appears that a small portion of our British people are under serious threat, and I dont think its any good in pretending otherwise.

Could the minister confirm that there is positive recognition of that fact by the Government and what action can we take to make that proportion of our population safer?

Also praising Mr Ahmed, Lord Hanson said: The UK Government does recognise that there are real threats to the Jewish community, which is why weve invested 28 million this year to protect Jewish places of worship, schools and community centres.

He also pointed to measures being introduced to ensure police can take action against community harassment.

The minister said: This action that took place in Sydney is simply unacceptable, and our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Australia at this time, but also we need to be vigilant about the threat to the Jewish community in the United Kingdom.

But Tory peer Lord Polak said: Im tired. Im tired of listening to people saying Stand shoulder to shoulder with the community.

It means nothing when there are dead Jews on the ground, whether in Manchester or in Sydney.

If members are not clear what globalised intifada means, it was on our TV screens yesterday.

So I ask the minister to act. Such hate speech must be outlawed.

He also called on the Government to ban both Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisations.

Lord Hanson said action was being taken to support the Jewish community and tackle antisemitism.

He said: We will not tolerate antisemitism and we will continue to keep under review organisations that pose a threat to the safety of members of the United Kingdom community, the Jewish community, but anybody else.
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A Labour minister has publicly criticised Sir Keir Starmer after he received no explanation about why he was sacked from his cabinet role earlier this year  adding his wife was furious about the decision.

Culture minister Ian Murray has broken ranks and lashed out at Sir Keirs decision to replace him as Scottish secretary, a move which many in the Scottish Labour Party remain unhappy about.

Mr Murray was the first to be sacked in Septembers reshuffle, caused by the resignation of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner over her failure to pay 40,000 of stamp duty on her new flat in Brighton.

He was only appointed to a senior role in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport after a backlash when he was replaced by the current Scottish secretary, Douglas Alexander.

open image in gallery Ian Murray is angry over his sacking in September (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

But in an interview with Holyrood magazine, Mr Murray has made it clear he is still bitter about the experience.

He said he has been given no explanation about why he was sacked, despite asking on a number of occasions.

Mr Murray said: For me, the hardest part was the complete lack of any sort of recognition for doing a half-decent job. Thats the hardest bit.

The second hardest bit is having no explanation of why I was sacked, and as we sit here today, I still dont have that, despite me asking on a number of occasions.

The third bit is that I didnt think I deserved the public humiliation of it all. I genuinely dont know why it happened and that feels like an unfair gap.

Speaking about his wife, he added: Its fair to say that Mariam was absolutely f****** furious.

Mr Murray said his wife felt he was massively underappreciated in the cabinet, as he tried to balance family life, working with dozens of Scottish Labour MPs elected last year, being in government and travelling between London and Scotland.

She was most angry about the fact that the prime minister didnt have an explanation, he added.

It comes as another minister in Sir Keirs cabinet told The Independent last week that sacking Mr Murray from the Scotland Office role was a mistake.

The minister warned: Ian was a team player and never made it about him. Removing him was very bad for morale. Douglas will want to take credit if there is a victory [in the Holyrood election in May] but will likely blame [Scottish leader] Anas [Sarwar] if things go badly.

However, it is understood that Mr Alexander, who was Scottish secretary in Sir Tony Blairs government, is seen as a big beast by key figures in Downing Street, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, with extensive experience as an election campaign strategist.

He told journalists last week that he is optimistic about Scottish Labours chances, not least with the arrival of former Tory minister and merchant banker Lord Offord as Reforms likely leader in Scotland.

He believes that Mr Sarwar can win in a presidential style contest between SNP first minister John Swinney and Lord Offord.

The Holyrood elections are likely to be a pivotal point for Sir Keirs potential survival as prime minister.

If the results for Labour are bad in Scotland, Wales and London in May, he will likely be ousted, with speculation that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is planning a return to take over.

Downing Street briefed that health secretary Wes Streeting was planning a coup and there is also speculation about energy secretary and former leader Ed Miliband wanting to return, as well as a plot around Ms Rayner becoming leader.

Sir Keir has already had to endure one humiliation from a cabinet minister he sacked in the reshuffle after former Commons leader Lucy Powell immediately won the deputy leadership contest, beating his preferred candidate, education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

open image in gallery Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander replaced Mr Murray (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

Meanwhile, Mr Murray also told how when offered his current ministerial posts in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, he took five hours to consider whether to accept them.

That came the day after his sacking as Scottish secretary, with Mr Murray recalling: My big questions about coming back into government were, why was it not offered to me at the time  and it wasnt  why has the decision now been made and why?

If Im not good enough for the Scotland Office, why am I now number two in two major UK departments?

However, he said he is now enjoying his meaty policy portfolio, and the experience has taught him to shout about his achievements more  a lesson he believes Labour ought to take ahead of next years Holyrood election.

Mr Murray said the party has already done so much in government at Westminster and it is up to us as a party to shout about our achievements, because no one else will do it for us.
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Keir Starmer has suffered a blow after five Labour councillors in London announced they were defecting to the Green Party.

With London set to be a major battleground in next years crucial local elections, Green leader Zack Polanski has welcomed five Labour councillors from Brent to join his party.

It comes amid concerns that the Greens could take control of Labour councils in the coming elections next year, which could also decide the fate of Sir Keirs premiership.

Mr Polanski claimed the move by the five defectors mirrors what were hearing across the country.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer is under pressure as Green Party membership numbers are also surging ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

Previously, he told The Independent that he is also talking to potential defectors among Labour MPs.

Among the councils under threat is Camden, covering Sir Keirs own constituency.

The five Brent councillors to defect from Labour include a former cabinet member, Harbi Farah, and a former whip, Iman Ahmadi-Moghaddam.

They are joined by Mary Mitchell, Tony Ethapemi, and Erica Gbajumo in moving to the Greens.

With concerns that the PM could be ousted following a briefing against health secretary Wes Streeting by Downing Street sources, a heavy defeat in May could be the end of his premiership.

Among those believed to be eyeing the Labour leadership are Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and energy secretary Ed Miliband.

The Labour defections to the Greens come as the partys membership has surged to more than 180,000, up from some 70,000 when Mr Polanski was elected leader in September.

open image in gallery Green leader Zack Polanski has also mentioned MPs potentially defecting from Labour ( BBC )

The Green Party has recently seen several defections from Labour across London, but not in such a large block.

Mr Polanski claimed the Green surge has just widened in London.

He added: What were witnessing in Brent mirrors what were hearing across the country on doorsteps and in polls.

Good Labour councillors can see Labour has abandoned any sense of progressive politics and is showing absolute cowardice in its doomed attempt to out-Reform Reform with the politics of division and scapegoating.

Increasingly, people are finding the alternative they need by joining the Green Party and working for a better world shaped by hope rather than fear.

In the elections in May, it is the Greens who will be taking the fight to Reform and we show our intent today in Brent.

This is just the start.

Defections to the Greens from Labour mirror a similar political phenomenon on the right of politics, where Conservative councillors and ex-MPs have flocked to Nigel Farages Reform UK.

In the polls, Labour are averaging around 20 per cent after just 18 months in power with Reform at around 30 per cent and the Greens climbing to about 12 per cent.
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Ultra-conservative politician Jose Antonio Kast is widely expected to become Chile's next leader, despite his radical proposals costing him two previous elections.

Kast's commanding lead over communist rival Jeannette Jara in recent polls signals a significant shift in the nation's political landscape, with the hard-liner advocating for mass deportations and a stringent security crackdown. His popularity has surged by capitalizing on public anxieties surrounding uncontrolled immigration and rising crime, marking a notable moment for a country that, post-dictatorship, had vowed to contain such political forces.

The appeal of his tough stance resonates with voters like Juan Beltran, a 68-year-old taxi driver. Beltran, who voted for Kast, hopes he will tackle the frequent violent carjackings that make him scared to go to work each day.

He added: Just because he's the most right-wing we've seen in decades doesn't mean that it's a dictatorship, that's what the left wants you to believe. It means that he'll have an iron fist, and take action like others haven't.

While casting his ballot on Sunday, Kast demonstrated respect for Chiles democratic institutions.

If Kast ends up winning, his claim to a popular mandate will depend on his margin of victory over Jara, the center-left governing party candidate who narrowly beat him in the first round of elections last month. ( AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) )

Chile has a tradition, and I am very clear that whoever wins, whether Jeannette Jara or me, will have to be president of all Chileans, he told the hundreds of supporters thronging him.

Many voters are frustrated with the options

But much is also up for grabs about Chiles political direction.

If Kast ends up winning, his claim to a popular mandate will depend on his margin of victory over Jara, the center-left governing party candidate who narrowly beat him in the first round of elections last month.

Although various right-wing parties won around 70 percent of the vote in that election and later endorsed Kast, substantial support for Franco Parisi  a populist center-right candidate who described himself as an alternative to Kasts fascism  revealed that, between the contrasting ideologies of the front-runners, sit hundreds of thousands of centrist voters with no real representation. Many Kast and Jara voters said they were picking the least bad option.

Neither candidate convinced me, I wanted someone moderate with a clear plan and better political credentials, said Carol Mesa, 54, emerging from a polling station in Santiago, Chile's capital, where she said she reluctantly voted for Kast after supporting a center-right candidate eliminated in the first round of elections.

The polarization in our society scares me. It's at a level that I haven't seen in a very long time."

Kast raises expectations but reality is a different story

Even if elected, it remains uncertain whether Kast, an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, can implement his more grandiose promises.

That includes slashing $6 billion in public spending over just 18 months without eliminating social benefits, deporting over 300,000 immigrants in Chile who don't have legal status and expanding the powers of the army to fight organized crime in a country still haunted by Gen. Augusto Pinochetsmilitary dictatorship from 1973 to 1990.

For one, Kasts far-right Republican Party lacks a majority in Congress, meaning that hell need to negotiate with moderate right-wing forces that could bristle at those proposals. Political compromises could temper Kasts radicalism, but also jeopardize his position with voters who expect him to deliver quickly on his law-and-order promises.

At each rally, Kast has taken to ticking off the number of days remaining until Chile's March 11 presidential inauguration, warning immigrants without papers that they should get out before they "have to leave with just the clothes on their backs.

Jorge Rubio, 63, a Chilean banker in Santiago said he and like-minded Chileans are also counting down the days," adding, Thats why were voting for Kast."

Boric's left-wing government is under fire

As the pandemic shuttered borders, transnational criminal organizations like Venezuela's Tren de Aragua took over migrant smuggling networks to gain a foothold in Chile, long considered among Latin America's safest countries. Homicides hit a record high in 2022, the first year of President Gabriel Borics tenure.

Borics approval rating plunged from 50 percent to 30 percent within just months of him taking office, and never fully recovered.

Kast insists that Borics government is too soft on immigration, which the far-right politician argues is the main cause of crime. The data does not necessarily support his narrative. But relentless tabloid and television coverage does, Chileans say.

Unlike this government, Kast understands that migration means insecurity, said Manuel Troncoso, 54, after voting at a high school down the street from President Boric's home. You see in the news how the people committing the worst crimes come from other countries.

Others say that while Boric failed to fulfill his flagship promise to transform Chiles market-led economy, the firebrand former student protest leader elected in 2021 succeed in refocusing his agenda to address the country's security crisis. He sent the military to reinforce Chiles northern border, stiffened penalties for organized crime and created the first public security ministry.

I actually thought this government would be worse. I have to admit it has improved security, said Mariano Jara, 55, emerging from a polling station.

He said he voted for Kast because "theres always more that can be done. Theres room to get tougher.

Chiles homicide rate has actually fallen in the last two years, and is now on par with the rate in the United States. But that hasn't changed citizens' widespread feeling of insecurity.

According to a recent Gallup survey, just 39 percent of people feel safe walking alone at night. That's about the same in Ecuador, which is now in the midst of a violent, drug-driven crime wave.

Crime and migration overshadow all other concerns

As Boric's former minister of labor, Jara became popular as the architect of the administration's most important welfare measures.

As she voted in her family's working-class neighborhood of Conchali, supporters shouted out her accomplishments, including shortening the workweek to 40 hours, increasing the minimum wage and overhauling the pension system. Forty hours! they chanted.

But those accomplishments haven't won Jara new supporters. Many centrists are put off by her lifelong membership in Chile's Communist Party.

To woo security-minded voters, Jara has vowed to reinforce borders, register undocumented migrants and tackle money laundering.

To me, she represents continuity, and Kast represents Trump, said Maria Rojo, 71, waving at Jara as she drove off from the polling station. Of course, that's why I support her. I know others feel the opposite.

Learning from his previous two failed presidential runs, Kast, a devout Catholic and father of nine, has managed to avoid topics that fire up his critics  such as his German-born fathers Nazi past, nostalgia for Pinochet's dictatorship and opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.

His supporters now include many Chileans who previously spurned him over deeply conservative values. They say they're willing to trade abstract human rights concerns for increased safety on the streets.

It's not very nice to hear that he's going to separate immigrant children from their parents, it's sad, said Natacha Feliz, a 27-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, referring to a recent interview in which Kast warned that immigrant parents without legal status who didnt self-deport would be obliged to hand their kids over to the state.

But this is happening everywhere, not just in Chile," she said. "Let's just hope that our security situation improves."
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Former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton have stepped up their fight against the Republican-led investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, with claims it has been weaponized.

The Clintons were subpoenaed in August by Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the Oversight Committee, who has now threatened to begin contempt of Congress proceedings against them if they fail to appear for questioning.

David Kendall, the Clintons attorney, has now accused the investigation of trying to take the heat off Donald Trump, in a letter sent last week.

President Trump has consistently sought to divert attention from his own relationship with Mr Epstein and unfortunately the committee appears to be complicit, the letter read.

Kendall also accused Comer of using weaponized legislative investigations and targeted criminal prosecutions, as he argued his clients were being held to a different standard than others who had been subpoenaed.

open image in gallery Bill and Hillary Clinton have accused the Republican-led Epstein investigation of being weaponized ( Getty Images )

Five former attorney generals who were subpoenaed by Comer were allowed to give written statements, as were former FBI directors James B. Comey and Robert S. Mueller III. Only one person, former Attorney General William Barr, appeared before Congress in person.

Three letters have been sent by Kendall since August, with the attorney even meeting with Comers team in September to discuss his committees request.

Since then, Comer has ramped up his attacks on the Clintons.

The former president and former secretary of state have delayed, obstructed and largely ignored the committee staffs efforts to schedule their testimony, he said in a statement on Friday.

He reiterated his demand that they appear before his committee on December 17 and 18 or at a scheduled date in January. The criminal contempt charges that he threatened against the Clintons can come with a one-year prison sentence, as well as a fine of $100,000.

However, in one of the letters, Kendall said that neither Bill or Hillary Clinton had ever visited Epsteins island or had knowledge of crimes committed by the disgraced financier or Ghislaine Maxwell.

open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein with Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell Epstein in a photo released by the House Oversight Committee ( House Oversight Committee )

He added that Bill Clinton made a total of six flights, one domestic and five international, on Epsteins plane, but that all of those trips were for the former presidents philanthropic work.

President Clintons contact with Epstein ended two decades ago, and given what came to light much after, he has expressed regret for even that limited association, Kendall added.

Philippe Reines, a former staffer for Hillary Clinton, said that trying to use the Epstein case for political ends will backfire for the Republicans.

Even a first-year law student knows finding someone politically contemptible isnt the basis for legal contempt, he told the New York Times.

But if Republicans want to spend 2026 fixated on their endless vendetta against the Clintons rather than runaway prices, well happily take the extra House seats.

open image in gallery The House Oversight Committee released a slew of new images from the Epstein Files just days ago ( House Oversight Committee )

Meanwhile, Trump has dismissed newly released photographs of himself with Epstein as no big deal.

One image showed a grinning Trump with six women, whose faces were blurred out. The president has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to maintain that he cut ties with Epstein, whom he described as a creep.

The passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act by Congress meant that the Department of Justice was handed a 30-day deadline to release all documents related to the Epstein investigation. The deadline falls on Friday, December 19.

The chaos surrounding the bills passage opened up deep divisions in the presidents MAGA base, with Trump tearing into former loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had called for the release of the files.

Dubbing her Marjorie Traitor Green and Marjorie Taylor Brown, Trump claimed that the Epstein investigation was a Democratic hoax.

The Independent has contacted Kendall and the DOJ for comment.
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Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced on Sunday night that she will be privately meeting on Monday with far-right provocateur Candace Owens, the former Turning Point USA staffer who has peddled multiple conspiracy theories about Kirks death.

Amid the announcement, TPUSA canceled a much-anticipated livestream in which the right-wing youth organization  which Erika Kirk now leads following her husbands killing  had planned to debunk Owens conspiratorial claims about the September assassination.

The private one-on-one summit also comes after Kirk has spent the past few days denouncing Owens for pushing various unfounded theories about the death of her husband, which has seen the one-time close friend of Charlie Kirk wildly speculate that he was assassinated by a pro-Israel henchman with the help of TPUSA associates and the US military.

Candace Owens and I are meeting for a private, in-person discussion on Monday, December 15. @RealCandaceO and I have agreed that public discussions, livestreams, and tweets are on hold until after this meeting, Kirk tweeted on Sunday evening. I look forward to a productive conversation. Thank you.

Owens quickly replied on X that she was very much looking forward to this discussion, adding a raised hands emoji.

open image in gallery Amid a growing rift within MAGA world over Candace Owens conspiracy theories on Charlie Kirks death, Erika Kirk has scheduled a private meeting with the provocateur ( Getty )

Shortly after Kirk was killed in September while holding a Utah campus event, Owens  who is currently being sued for claiming the French first lady is a transgender woman  began insisting that Kirk had come around to her views on Israel shortly before his death.

While Kirks allies denied her claims, she started suggesting that powerful pro-Israeli figures made threats against Kirk in the days before his assassination, adding that he was offered a ton of money that he declined to accept  and was on the brink of changing some of his perspectives on Israel and the war in Gaza. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, has been charged with Kirks murder.

Eventually, Owens turned her attention to another culprit in the supposed assassination plot  TPUSA itself. Earlier this month, she claimed that Charlie Kirk was betrayed by the leadership of Turning Point USA and began pointing fingers at specific TPUSA employees. After Owens claimed that Charlie Kirk had been concerned about how the organizations finances were being managed just before he died, the Treasury Department  at the request of Erika Kirk  released a letter confirming that the group was not under IRS investigation.

With Owens increasingly fantastical claims sparking a rift within the MAGA universe, which has been dealing with a larger civil war between various factions over the direction of the movement, TPUSA challenged the popular podcaster to defend her claims at an in-person livestream meeting in Phoenix.

The showdown, however, was not to be. Set just ahead of TPUSAs flagship AmeriFest conference, Owens demurred and said she would not be able to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Still, TPUSA leadership declared that they would still hold the live fact-checking seminar on Monday.

That all changed on Sunday night, however, when Erika Kirk revealed that she would be personally meeting with Owens to discuss her assassination conspiracy theories, prompting TPUSA to cancel the livestream.

open image in gallery Erika Kirk has been all over television in recent days talking about her late husband while rebuking conspiracies about his death ( AP )

Throughout her monthslong diatribe on the Kirk assassination, which has resulted in millions of views to her top-ranked podcast, Owens had largely steered clear of directly attacking Erika Kirk. However, once Erika Kirk began rebuking Owens  even if not directly by name  the former TPUSA communications director began taking direct aim at the MAGA youth groups current leader.

When you go after my family, my Turning Point USA family, my Charlie Kirk Show family, when you go after the people that I love, and you're making hundreds and thousands of dollars every single episode going after the people that I love because somehow they're in on this, no, Kirk said on Fox News last week.

Stop. That's it. That's all I have to say. Stop, Kirk, when asked to deliver a message to Owens, stated in a CBS News town hall that aired this weekend.

Owens, meanwhile, reacted to Kirks pleas by saying her multiple television appearances completely missed the mark for me before lashing out at her deceased friends widow.

None of this is passing the vibe check, she added. You are not changing my mind about the fact that something weird happened that day and that TPUSA is acting funny because you give an impassioned plea and speak about Nehemiah on Fox News.

Owens also accused Erika of displaying Meghan Markle syndrome, explaining that as where you want privacy when you want it, you want publicity when you want it.
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A quarter of Americans see the countrys health care system as being in crisis as Republicans in Congress look set to let expanded health care tax credits expire and raise insurance costs for millions, a new poll has found.

The West Health-Gallup Health and Healthcare Survey showed 23 percent of Americans say the U.S. health care system is in a state of crisis, while 47 percent say that it has major problems.

While the trend of Americans saying that health care has major problems has remained steady over the years, the 23 percent of people saying the system is in a state of crisis is the highest number for Gallup to date.

Americans will likely see more difficulties with their health care in the coming months. In two weeks, the expanded tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace will expire. That will lead to increased healthcare insurance premiums for roughly 20 million. Republicans so far have not shown any interest in expanding the credits and a healthcare bill that the House GOP released Friday evening does not deal with the expiring subsidies.

open image in gallery Americans say that health care is in crisis as Republicans in Congress are set to let expanded health care subsidies expire. ( Getty Images )

Democrats sought to have an extension attached to the continuing resolution to keep the government open in October, triggering a government shutdown. But the shutdown ended with only the promise for a vote on the subsidies, which failed last week.

A handful of rogue Republicans introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on an extension of the tax credits with some tweaks for income caps. But the petition has yet to receive the requisite 218 signatures to force a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Another discharge petition led by Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey also extends the subsidies.

I think pressure is really mounting on my friends on the other side, I think they really understand that the clock is ticking, Gottheimer told The Independent Friday. They're going to be sending huge lumps of coal home and stockings for people, and that's a big problem for them. And I think they see they see the numbers, they see where people are.

But even Democratic leadership seems uninterested in the discharge petitions. Rep. Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said he would only accept a clean three-year extension of the tax credits.

All we need are four Republicans to do right by their constituents and sign on, he said. in a statement. Anything less is waste of time.

open image in gallery Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) has put forward a discharge petition to extend the expiring tax credits. But it has yet to receive a majority of signatures needed to force a vote in the House of Representatives. ( Getty Images )

The same Gallup poll also showed that 29 percent of Americans say cost is now the most urgent health problem facing the United States, up 23 percent from last year. By contrast, 17 percent say access to health care is the most urgent crisis and 8 percent say obesity.

In addition, a record-low 16 percent of Americans are satisfied with the cost of health care.

The poll also showed that 64 percent of Americans say the government has a responsibility to ensure all Americans have health coverage, the highest it has been since 2007. The number hit a nadir of 43 percent, a few years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act when the website to sign up for healthcare broke.

President Donald Trump has shown little interest in the specifics of any health care solution, holding only a perfunctory meeting with congressional leaders before the government shutdown.

Americans are also likely to feel the pain of health care elsewhere. The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act establishes work requirements for Medicaid and caps the amount of money that states can tax health care providers, such as hospitals and nursing homes, to receive matching federal dollars for Medicaid.
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Ilhan Omar said that ICE agents pulled over her son on Saturday and demanded that he show his I.D.

The Somali-American Congresswoman has been a fierce critic of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, drawing the presidents ire in doing so.

Speaking on WCCO Sunday Morning, Omar said that her 20-year-old son was stopped by ICE agents in the very same crackdown that she had been criticizing.

Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents, and once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go, she said.

She said that her son always carried his passport with him, and accused immigration officers of racially profiling Minnesotans while making arrests.

open image in gallery Ilhan Omar says that her son was pulled over by ICE agents ( Getty Images )

Omar claimed that ICE agents had previously entered a mosque where her son and other Muslim Minnesotans were praying, but left without making any arrests.

Minnesotas Somali community has been a particular target in the presidents tough anti-immigration measures, with Trump describing migrants from the country as garbage. He also claimed that Somali migrants destroyed our country, shortly after ICE activities in Minnesota were ramped up with Operation Metro Surge.

So far, the operation has already led to over 400 arrests in Minnesota this month, although an ICE spokesperson told NBC News that the crackdown was not specifically targeting Somali immigrants.

In a letter sent on Friday, Omar claimed that Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security, and Todd Lyons, the director of ICE, were using an egregious level of unnecessary force in Operation Metro surge.

It is clear to me that this surge came in direct response to Trump's racist comments about Somali people, and about me in particular, Omar wrote.

open image in gallery ICE has arrested over 400 people in Operation Metro Surge in cities across Minnesota ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Trump has recently escalated his attacks on Omar herself, who moved to the U.S. in 1995. The president has called for Omar to be thrown the hell out of the United States and repeated a widely debunked conspiracy theory that she married her brother to gain U.S. citizenship.

Hitting back, she branded Trump as a national embarrassment, after he lectured crowds in Pennsylvania about immigration from Somalia.

Omar said that his rhetoric had been ramped up to distract from an uncertain economic outlook for the United States.

He needs serious help, she seethed. Since he has no economic policies to tout, hes resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.

The Independent has contacted the DHS for further comment.
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FBI Director Kash Patel and the Trump administration are leaving the U.S. vulnerable to espionage as they push the bureau to focus on immigration and adopt a more decentralized structure, former top agents are warning.

Under the Trump administration, the FBI has said it plans to relocate around 1,500 agents out of Washington, D.C., and has reassigned roughly a quarter of agents  up to 40 percent in some big-city field offices  to pursue immigration-related cases, rather than the bureaus more typical anti-crime and national security work.

Together, these changes have left the bureau poorly equipped to tackle counterintelligence work, the former top agents warn, such as fending off espionage attempts from countries including China and Iran.

Its a disaster, Robert Anderson, the former head of FBI counterintelligence, told The Bulwark. Im rooting for everybody because were all Americans, [but] Patel needs to wake up.

Patel is only paying lip service to the Chinese threat, former FBI agent Frank Montoya, Jr., added, saying the all-out focus on deportations has put a disaster in play.

open image in gallery The FBIs newfound focus on immigration is draining expertise used to fend off foreign espionage, according to critics ( Getty )

The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment.

Outside of the counterintelligence concerns Patels job itself reportedly could be under threat.

Last month, MS NOW reported that the president and his aides were upset with unfavorable news coverage about Patels leadership, including scrutiny over his use of government aircraft and the unusual security detail assigned to his girlfriend.

The White House has dismissed these reports as fake news.

Internally, a group of 24 active-duty and retired agents said the bureau under Patel is a rudderless ship, with the director in over his head, according to a report obtained by the New York Post.

open image in gallery President Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with Director Patel and is considering replacing him, though the White House has called such reports fake news ( AP )

One agent said the present climate inside the nations premier law enforcement agency has turned into the Kash-Bongino circus, the agents reportedly said, referring to Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and right-wing influencer.

Another alleged the FBI has been suffering from paralyzing leadership at all levels.

The FBI has also faced multiple lawsuits from agents who allege theyve been fired for political reasons.

In addition to discontent within the FBI has faced turf wars in Washington.

A House bill proposes putting the office of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as the lead agency in charge of U.S. counterintelligence, a change the FBI is reportedly strongly against, according to communications with Congress obtained by The New York Times.
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Russia would accept Ukraines accession to the European Union as part of a U.S.-brokered agreement to end the bloody and protracted war Vladimir Putin started nearly four years ago, U.S. officials said Monday following talks with Ukrainian representatives in Berlin.

The surprising revelation came as officials were briefing reporters after several days of negotiations between U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and a delegation from Kyiv that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his National Security and Defense Council head, Rustem Umerov.

One of the U.S. officials involved in the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the proposed 20-point agreement would include a very, very strong security package that would provide Ukraine with Article 5-like security guarantees from the U.S. and other allies, akin to those enjoyed by NATO members, without Kyiv becoming a part of the 32-member defensive alliance.

open image in gallery Steve Witkoff meets with Zelensky in Berlin ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service )

The official called the security guarantees the biggest win in the talks for Ukraine and Europe, and said Moscow would accept those and other provisions that would provide for a strong and free Ukraine following implementation of the proposed agreement.

He also said Russia is open to Ukraine joining the E.U. and suggested that the development would be the largest expansion of the 27-member common market since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A second U.S. official said the right framework in an agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war could create a new path forward under which Europe and Russia can finally have an arrangement and understanding that can lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone.

News of Moscows potential willingness to accept Ukraine joining the E.U. as part of a deal, with strong security guarantees from the U.S. and others, comes less than a day after Zelensky offered to drop Kyivs longstanding desire for NATO membership at the outset of the talks between himself, Witkoff and Kushner.

open image in gallery Trump with Zelensky in the White House earlier this year ( AFP/Getty )

In a WhatsApp chat with reporters, Zelensky noted that some partners from the U.S. and Europe did not support this direction of NATO membership for his country.

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, he added.

For the U.S. to guarantee a NATO-like response to an attack on Ukraine, any agreement would have to be submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification as a treaty, but one of the U.S. officials said Trump was willing to do this in order to give Kyiv the platinum standard for what can be offered.

He [Trump] sees this as a strategic priority that hes willing to do to end the war, because he thinks theres a lot of good things that can happen for the U.S. if this is done, he said.

If Moscow accepted a decision by Ukraine to join the E.U., it would represent a massive shift on an issue that helped spark the current conflagration between the two countries.

After the former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, rejected an agreement that would have led to greater ties between Ukraine and the E.U. in November 2013, subsequent protests and outrage over a bloody crackdown ordered by Yanukovych led to his ouster and replacement by a more pro-Western government in February 2014.

That same month, Russia invaded and illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean peninsula while also supporting separatist movements in the eastern parts of the country that remain the focus of fighting nearly four years after the February 2022 invasion.
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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.
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Staffers for President Donald Trump celebrated the administration's elimination of 90 percent of USAIDs work with a cake  even after they were warned the cuts would lead to millions of deaths, according to a report.

A month into Trumps second term, an inexperienced team led by Marine veteran Peter Marocco and Jeremy Lewin, a 28-year-old with no prior government or aid experience, began to cut U.S. Agency for International Development programs, ProPublica reported.

By late February, once the aides were on track to eradicate 90 percent of the work done by USAID  the largest humanitarian donor in the world  they celebrated with congratulatory speeches and a sheet cake.

The impacts of the cuts were felt immediately. Days after news of the cuts, a clinic in a remote part of South Sudan at the epicenter of a massive cholera outbreak said it would shutter.

The clinic, run by the Christian, Maryland-based humanitarian organization World Relief and funded by USAID, saved over 500 people from the deadly disease, which is caused by poor sanitation.

open image in gallery Trump staffers celebrated cuts to USAID, the largest humanitarian donor in the world, with cake, according to a report ( Getty Images )

While the Trump administration promised to keep or restore necessary lifesaving programs affected by the cuts, it did not. Diplomats and government experts around the world warned Trump officials that getting rid of the funding would result in countless deaths.

Even still, Trump-appointed and Department of Government Efficiency workers cut programs in ways that guaranteed widespread harm and death in some of the worlds most desperate situations, ProPublica wrote in their report.

In a statement to The Independent, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the report was attempting to undermine the Trump administrations work in public health and disaster response.

ProPublicas attempt to undermine the Trump administrations work on public health and disaster response will fail miserably. Our new model cuts out the corrupt NGO industrial complex to ensure assistance is more effectively delivered in a way that solves problems, addresses crises, and is in line with our national interests, Pigott said.

The abrupt cuts let aid workers and communities without adequate time to find other sources of funding, food or medicine. The official death count in South Sudan has reached nearly 1,600, making it the worst cholera epidemic in the countrys history. However, that figure is likely much smaller than the actual death count, according to the outlet, who say they found newly dug, unmarked graves in the area.

Tibor Nagy, who was Trumps acting undersecretary of state for management until April, had been a critic of the number of nonprofits funded by American taxpayers  but said Trumps team didnt care to differentiate between the fluff and vital humanitarian efforts.

It was the most harebrained operation Id seen in my 38 years with the U.S. government, Nagy told ProPublica. Who knows how much damage was done.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that no one died because of cuts to U.S. foreign aid and that his staff reinstated lifesaving operations, but the ProPublica report found that wasnt the case.

While those critical programs remained on the books, funding didnt restart for months, if it returned at all. Additionally, several critical programs that run on year-long grants expired without renewal, according to the report.

South Sudan, the youngest and poorest country in the world, relies heavily on American aid.

USAID needed less than $20 million  three percent of its budget for South Sudan last year  to fund lifesaving health programs in the struggling country for three months at the beginning of the year. The funding was denied and delayed for months, and people in South Sudan died as a result, according to the report

We had to start rationing lifesaving interventions, Lanre Williams-Ayedun, the senior vice president of international programs for World Relief, told ProPublica. To have something like this happen in a place like this, where there arent mechanisms for backup, just means people are going to die.

open image in gallery The official death count in South Sudan has reached nearly 1,600, making it the worst cholera epidemic in the countrys history  but ProPublica reported the actual number may be significantly higher. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

While cholera cases were decreasing in South Sudan, they started to surge after the funding was stopped, according to the report.

A senior State Department official told ProPublica that the changes were necessary to reform a calcified system, and that the changes would later benefit both the U.S. and the world, according to the report.

The official maintained that no one died as a result of the funding cuts, telling ProPublica, Thats disgusting framing.

There are people who are dying in horrible situations all around the world, all of the time, the official said.

Who is responsible for the suffering of the people of South Sudan? the official added. The South Sudanese [government leaders] who take their oil revenues and buy private jets and fancy watches and dont see to their own people? Or the United States? Are we responsible for every poor person all around the world?

More than 5,000 USAID programs were canceled with the cuts, leaving fewer than 1,000. However, the surviving programs also werent receiving money, according to the report. The remainder of the programs were later absorbed by the State Department.

The aid cuts could cause more than 14 million deaths by 2030, according to a report published by researchers in the Lancet medical journal, the BBC reported.

The authors of the report called the numbers staggering and warned that a third of those at risk were children.

The shuttering of USAID, founded in 1961, has sparked widespread condemnation by humanitarian organizations across the globe. Further cuts to foreign aid will also impact HIV and AIDS programs.

The world had been on track to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. The unprecedented cuts are explored in The Independents documentary, Death Sentence, about the deadly impact of the collapse of USAID funding.
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A Wisconsin judge accused of helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal authorities is set to go on trial Monday.

Federal prosecutors were set to start presenting their case against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who faces obstruction and concealment charges.

The prosecution's case is expected to run through at least Thursday, with roughly two dozen witnesses lined up to take the stand. Dugan's attorneys have not said how much time they need and it's unknown when jurors might begin deliberations. She faces up to six years in prison if convicted on both counts.

The trial is the latest flashpoint in President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown. The administration has branded her an activist judge. Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a fierce Trump loyalist running for Wisconsin governor next year, urged authorities to lock her up in a tweet Tuesday.

Democrats say Trump is looking to make an example of Dugan to blunt judicial opposition to the crackdown. Dugan told police she and her family found threatening flyers at their homes this spring.

open image in gallery Dugan has been a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since her election in 2016 ( Getty Images )

According to an FBI affidavit, immigration authorities learned this spring that 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz had reentered the United States in 2013 and was charged in March with battery in Milwaukee. He was scheduled to appear at a hearing in that case in front of Dugan on April 18.

Agents traveled to the courthouse that day to arrest him, but Dugan's courtroom deputy told them to wait outside the courtroom and arrest him after the hearing, according to the affidavit. When Dugan learned that agents were waiting in the hallway, she left the courtroom and angrily told them to consult with the chief judge. As they walked away, she went back inside the courtroom and led Flores-Ruiz out through a back jury door that led to a public corridor, according to the affidavit.

Agents followed Flores-Ruiz outside the building and arrested him after a foot chase. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in November that he had been deported after he pleaded no contest in the battery case and was sentenced to time served.

Prosecutors charged Dugan on April 24 with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. The state Supreme Court suspended her from the Milwaukee County bench days later.

Dugan tried to persuade U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman to dismiss the charges, arguing in filings that she's immune from prosecution because she was acting in her official capacity as a judge. Adelman refused, ruling in September that there's no firmly established immunity for judges from criminal prosecution.

Dugan also argues that she was following courthouse protocols on immigration arrests and wasn't trying to disrupt agents. According to her filings, Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley sent out a draft policy about a week before Flores-Ruiz was arrested that barred immigration officers from executing administrative warrants in nonpublic areas and required court personnel to refer any agents to a supervisor.
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Venezuelas regional allies have publicly backed the government, condemning the Trump administrations seizure of an oil tanker last week.

The incident involved the Skipper tanker, which was intercepted off Venezuelas coast last Wednesday, marking the first time the U.S. has captured Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019.

Support for President Nicolas Maduro was voiced during a televised virtual meeting of the leftist ALBA bloc, comprising Caribbean and Latin American nations. This show of solidarity comes amidst an escalating U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel underscored the gravity of the situation during the summit, stating: Latin America and the Caribbean today face threats that don't have precedent in the last decades.

The incident involved the Skipper tanker, which was intercepted off Venezuelas coast last Wednesday, marking the first time the U.S. has captured Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019. ( X/@AGPamBondi )

Referring to the U.S. seizure of the tanker, Nicaragua's co-President Daniel Ortega exclaimed, "they are thieves."

The effects of the seizure could ripple through the region, with Venezuelan oil exports falling sharply and Cuba, already straining to power its grid, at risk of losing supply.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration does not recognize Maduro, in power since 2013, as Venezuela's legitimate leader. The region has become increasingly tense as the U.S. has issued deadly strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats off the Venezuelan coast and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Maduro has said that Trump is seeking to oust him.

At the summit, Maduro called for the ALBA bloc to resist what he described as unlawful interference in the region.

"The colonizer project will not occur," he said. "We will be free."
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Looters used kayaks to float over to a vulnerable home affected by the devastating floods in Washington and rob it, cops say.

The historic floods have been battering towns in the state since last week, washing away homes and forcing full evacuations of some areas.

Now, according to deputies from the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office, some criminals have seized upon the chaos to carry out raids.

On Saturday, a homeowner told deputies from the SCSO that their property had been vandalized and their belongings stolen by burglars who had arrived on kayaks and other boats.

open image in gallery Bob Ferguson, the Washington Governor, has described the flooding situation as truly historic ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

When the homeowner confronted the rogue kayakers, they managed to recover their belongings, according to a statement from the SCSO seen by KOMO News.

These people have already been victimized enough and are trying to recover after a natural disaster, the department said.

Lieutenant Glenn DeWitt told The Seattle Times that residents should lock up their valuables and write down serial numbers to track stolen property.

Dewitt also had a message for any looters planning a raid in the near future.

Thou shalt not steal, its immoral and a crime. We will find you and arrest you, he said.

open image in gallery The SCSO says that criminals are using the flood to rob vulnerable homes ( AP )

Deputies said they responded to reports that people had launched kayaks in a restricted zone earlier that day, at around 11 a.m.

Although they made contact with some of the kayakers, they did not confirm any criminal activity at the time and released the people that they encountered.

It is not yet clear whether the kayakers were the ones who carried out the alleged robbery.

According to PBS News, an evacuation of the entire floodplain of the Skagit River forced 78,000 residents to leave their homes ahead of an expected flood on Friday morning.

open image in gallery Residents, including Carter Johnson and his five-year-old brother, Milo, have been forced to used boats to escape climbing waters

On the same day, the Snohomish River was recorded at a record-breaking 34.15 feet deep, Fox Weather reported. When the heavy rain resumes during the upcoming week, the river could deepen even further.

The situation is truly historic, Governor Bob Ferguson told reporters, as rescue crews worked to get residents to safety. Rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are literally facing and experiencing historic levels of flooding.

So, this is something the people of the state of Washington have not faced before, this level of flooding.

An emergency declaration was signed by Donald Trump on December 12, authorising the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to residents.

Meteorologists at Fox Weather said that the cooler air will move into the area by the middle of the week, which means some areas could see snow before the chaotic conditions settle down.
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Frigid wintry weather continued to grip much of the eastern U.S. on Monday, forcing hundreds of delays and cancellations at major airports and resulting in power outages in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Over 4,500 flights were delayed or canceled within, into, or out of the U.S., according to the tracker FlightAware, with the biggest impacts felt at airports in New York City.

More than three dozen flights were canceled at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airports after a ground stop was issued in the area and at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday.

LaGuardia seems to be playing hot potato with my flight, one social media user wrote in a Monday post on X.

Wind could still impact flights in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

open image in gallery An Arctic chill gripped millions in the U.S. on Monday, as snow continued in some northern states ( AFP via Getty Images )

Wind could affect flights at @BostonLogan, @JFKairport, @LGAairport, @EWRairport, @PHLAirport, @Reagan_Airport, @Dulles_Airport and @BWI_Airport, the agency warned in a post on social media.

Let it snow

More than half a foot of snow fell across the local Tri-State area, according to New York forecasters, with a daily snowfall record of 4.6 inches set at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Some 4.2 inches of snow also fell in Philadelphia, and nearly 1,000 customers in the city were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.US. Nearly 8,000 Pennsylvanians were impacted by storm-related outages.

Snow was still falling across the Great Lakes region, with up to an inch or more expected in Michigans northern communities.

open image in gallery Kids play in Central Park after a snowfall in New York City ( REUTERS )

As many as three inches of lake effect snow are still expected to fall in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic on Monday, extending from northeastern Ohio through northwestern Pennsylvania.

Lake effect snow occurs when cold air, often moving south from Canada, passes over the warmer Great Lakes. The air picks up moisture and heat from the lakes that form snow clouds, which dump on surrounding communities.

Lake effect snow should begin to wrap up across the Upper Great Lakes this afternoon, and then the Lower Great Lakes this evening, the National Weather Service said.

Several school districts in central Ohio were closed or had delayed start times due to the winter weather and slick driving conditions, according to 10 WBNS.

There were also school closures and delayed starts reported for schools in Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and New Jersey.

Its been disrupting school. My final exams have been canceled, so its been an issue for sure, one local student told Virginias WDBJ 7.

open image in gallery Kids sled down in a hill after a winter storm in new York City ( AP )

When will the cold let up?

Meanwhile, bitter cold Arctic air has brought record-low high temperatures across a wide swath of the northern and eastern U.S.

More than 70 million Americans were under Cold Weather Alerts, with wind chill temperatures reaching single digits, according to Fox Weather.

"Six degrees when we got in the car," Michigander Kristina Crofut told ARC West Michigan.

In Detroit, the feels-like temperatures could be as lows as minute five degrees Fahrenheit, he said, which can cause frostbite within minutes to any exposed skin."

open image in gallery Bitter cold is expected to last through Monday in the Northeast and much of the eastern U.S. ( Getty Images )

"AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures will be dangerously cold across the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast through Monday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said in a statement.

Temperatures will rebound throughout the Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast starting on Tuesday.

"The bitterly cold blast of Arctic air will only last an additional 36 to 48 hours in many places. In Detroit, following the projected afternoon highs not far from 20 degrees Monday, highs will rise to near 40 by Wednesday and even middle and upper 40s by Thursday," said Pydynowski.
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A shopkeeper who tackled one of the Bondi Beach gunmen told his cousin to tell his family he went down to save peoples lives before he stepped in to act.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a father-of-two from Sydney, was seen tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him during an antisemitic terrorist attack at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday.

Video footage of Mr Ahmed intervening circulated widely on social media following the attack.

He was at the beach with his cousin Jozay Alkanj, who told the Sydney Morning Herald that Mr Ahmed asked him to pass a message to his family before he acted.

Mr Alkanj said Mr Ahmed told him: Im going to die  please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save peoples lives.

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.

Speaking to ABC Australia through a translator, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed said: His friend told him, Lets go have coffee at Bondi.

They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists.

open image in gallery Ahmed al-Ahmed has received widespread praise for tackling one of the Bondi Beach attackers ( Social Media )

Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance, from him hiding behind a tree.

My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people.

When he saw people lying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.

I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia.

open image in gallery Ahmed is currently recovering in hospital after suffering gunshot wounds to his arm ( Chris Minns )

Mr Ahmeds parents told the broadcaster he had moved to Australia from Syria in 2006, while they had only arrived in the country months ago after years separated from their son.

The Times reports that Mr Ahmeds lawyer Sam Issa visited him in hospital today and gave an update on his condition.

Mr Issa said: He said hed do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him. Hes not well at all. Hes riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment.

His mother, Malakeh Hasan al-Ahmed, said she is proud of her do-gooder son.

She told ABC Australia through a translator: Im proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.

He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him.

New South Wales Police have confirmed that 16 people have died following the shooting, including one suspected gunman.

Australian police said a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram, were the suspects.

Sajid was shot by police and died at the scene but Naveed Akram, who was wounded, is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges.

The two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the start of Hanukkah at Campbell Parade on the Sydney beach.

A further 40 people 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, but he hailed Mr Ahmed 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.
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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.
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Australians have watched on in horror as more details have come to light about the shooters in the Bondi terror attacks.

As people grapple with the tragedy, many wonder how such a thing could have happened in a country that has long prided itself on its tough gun laws.

The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, and 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, had six guns. Police confirmed all of them were registered firearms. The father, who was fatally shot by police, had a recreational hunting licence and was a member of a gun club.

National Cabinet has since committed to a raft of new gun laws, including renegotiating the National Firearms Agreement, caps on the amount of firearms any one person can own and limiting open-ended licensing.

So, how easy is it to get a gun in Australia currently, and how might the reforms work?

The laws of gun ownership

Gun control laws vary slightly in each state and territory, but are broadly similar. Well look at the laws in New South Wales.

The first step is to apply for a firearms licence. As part of this, authorities will conduct a background check to ensure theres no criminal history, including mental health orders or domestic violence charges.

The applicant must also pass the fit and proper person test. NSW Police says this test checks that someone is of good character, law-abiding, honest, and shows good judgement.

open image in gallery The National Cabinet has committed to a raft of new gun laws ( via Reuters )

If these standards are met, a firearms licence is granted.

But in order to actually buy a firearm, people must apply for a permit to acquire. This is linked to the specific firearm theyd like to purchase.

If its their first gun, theres a 28-day waiting period before they can have it in their possession. Subsequent guns do not need a waiting period as long as its in the same category they already have approval to own.

They must also pass a safety course, with both practical and theoretical components, including a written test.

What are the 'genuine reasons' to own a licensed firearm? In order to own a licensed firearm in NSW, a person needs to have one of the following " genuine reasons ": for use in sport and target shooting as a current member of an approved gun club

for recreational hunting and vermin control

be a primary producer engaging in farming and grazing activities

be a professional contractor employed to control vertebrate pest animals on rural land

for use directly in business and employment, specifically in the security or commercial fishing industries

for those working in animal welfare

as part of a firearms collection, provided the person is a current member of a collectors' society or collectors' club approved by the Commissioner of Police.

Firearms, once acquired, must be stored in a specific way. Guns cannot be stored while loaded, for instance, and ammunition must be kept in a separate safe.

Finally, someone must have a genuine reason to buy a firearm. These include working as a primary producer, or participating in recreational hunting, among others. They need to prove a genuine reason for each and every firearm purchase. Personal protection is not a genuine reason.

Applicants need to prove their reason is truthful. This may be proof of membership to a gun club, or a letter with express permission from the landowner on whose property they intend to hunt.

Importantly, if someone holds a firearm licence for recreational purposes, they must compete in a certain amount of competitions each year. In NSW, its two to four.

What works well?

Many parts of Australian gun control laws work well.

The genuine reason provisions are particularly useful. By requiring people to engage with the firearm-owning community, it stops so called lone-wolves from buying a gun just to have.

open image in gallery The National Cabinet has agreed to a list of measures ( AFP/Getty )

My research with gun clubs has also shown that members can be a crucial grassroots safety check. They typically look out for each other and check in if theres a concerning shift in someones attitudes or beliefs.

If things seem particularly dangerous, many report fellow members to the police so they can investigate further. The gun owning community also want our communities to be safe.

It raises the question of how engaged the shooter in this case was with his local gun community.

What could change?

While the exact circumstances for these two shooters are still emerging, we know one of the men was known to ASIO (the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation). The guns were registered to the father.

The National Cabinet has agreed to a list of measures, including speeding up work on a national firearms register and limiting gun licences to Australian citizens.

They will also move to cap the number of guns a person can own. Western Australia did this earlier this year. Recreational shooters in WA can have up to five firearms, while primary producers and competition shooters can have up to ten.

About the author Suzanna Fay is an Associate Professor in Criminology at The University of Queensland. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

Its not uncommon for people to have more than one firearm. Licensed firearm owners in NSW have an average of about four, according to a 2025 report.

While its reasonable to examine the working of our current gun control measures, its unclear how effective such a measure would be. In the case of the Bondi attack, we need more information about the sorts of guns that were used and how many were used.

Plus, under the current laws across the country, people cant buy more guns just because they feel like it. They have to prove a genuine reason to own another one.

What about reviewing licences?

The National Cabinet also decided to limit open-ended firearm licensing.

As it stands, licences are usually not granted for life. Renewal periods differ depending on the jurisdiction, but in NSW most licences are issued for somewhere between two and five years. We dont yet know if any changes would make these renewal periods more frequent.

But licensing mechanisms, like recent concerns over working with children checks in the childcare sector, only capture what we know has happened. Unless people have already fallen foul of the law, authorities wont necessarily find any concerning behaviour.

Indeed, authorities have said the Bondi shooter who owned these firearms had no incidents with his licence. Renewing it more regularly may have unearthed something important, or it may not have. We dont know enough about this incident yet to say if such a law change would have been useful here.

If reviews were made much more frequent, that would require a large-scale increase in police resources.

One change that might help would be to actively involve firearms dealers in these legal changes. They have the most contact with those purchasing guns and may have valuable intelligence about how their customers are behaving and thinking.

So while changes in the letter of the law may or may not help monitor firearms owners, we have to ensure its implemented effectively too. This means resourcing authorities properly, working closely with communities and making sure legal changes would actually tell us what we need to know to prevent deadly gun violence.
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A father and son have sent shockwaves across the world after they allegedly targeted Jewish people at Bondi Beach as they celebrated Hanukkah.

Gunmen opened fire on an event called Chanukah by the Sea in Sydney on Sunday evening, killing 15 people including a 10-year-old girl.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) said on Sunday it was investigating whether there was any further threat to Jewish Australians after the mass shooting.

The suspected gunmen have named in local media as Sajid and Naved Akram. Here is everything we know so far about the pair.

open image in gallery Mourners gather to pay tribute to victims of the Bondi Beach shooting ( Getty Images )

Who are the suspects?

Sajid, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, were father and son. The pairs family home was in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in Western Sydney about a 45-minute drive to Bondi Beach.

Naveed was a recently unemployed bricklayer while his father Sajid was a fruiterer. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the pair had recently returned from a trip to the Philippines.

The Australian newspaper reported Naveed and Sajid told their family they were on a fishing trip in Jervis Bay, a popular beach area on the south coast of New South Wales, about 117 miles away from Bondi Beach.

However, the pair were actually in a short-term rental in Campsie  a western Sydney suburb slightly closer to Bondi Beach than Bonnyrigg  that lets out rooms to travellers by the night.

Naveeds mother, Verena, told the Herald: [My son] rings me up 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.

CCTV footage shows Sajid and Naveed walking in Campsie at about 5.15pm before driving to Bondi Beach, where the shooting happened at 6.47pm.

It is thought that Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene of the attack, while Naveed suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

ASIO director general Mike Burgess said on Sunday night after the shooting that Naveed was known to counter terror authorities but was not considered an immediate threat perspective.

Australian home affairs minister Tony Burke said Sajid came to Australia on a student visa in 1998 but would not say what country.

open image in gallery Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Albanese said in a press conference that Naveed is an Australian-born citizen who has been monitored by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation since October 2019.

Naveed was examined for six months over alleged connections with extremists, with local media reporting claims the counter-terrorism investigation involved an Islamic State cell.

[Naveed Akram] was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, Mr Albanese said.

In a later update, Mr Albanese said there was no evidence that these people were part of a cell.

Clearly, they were motivated by this extremist ideology, and further detail, of course, will be released when the police go through their work.

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon said the Naveed would potentially face criminal charges while promising a very thorough and transparent investigation into the massacre.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The European Union has adopted its latest package of sanctions, directly targeting companies and individuals accused of assisting Moscow in circumventing Western restrictions on oil exports.

These illicit sales are crucial for funding Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Despite 19 previous rounds of sanctions, Russia has largely adapted to the measures, continuing to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries such as India and China, albeit at discounted rates.

Much of this trade relies on a so-called 'shadow fleet' of vessels operating beyond the reach of the Western maritime industry.

The new EU sanctions prohibit citizens of the bloc from conducting business with the newly listed entities and individuals.

This move aims to significantly reduce their access to major shipping and insurance providers. In total, the EU has now sanctioned more than 2,600 individuals and companies.

open image in gallery Ukrainian troops have targeted alleged Russian shadow fleet ships and seized some vessels ( Security Service of Ukraine )

According to the Council of the European Union and the EU's Official Journal, the latest measures specifically target nine individuals and entities supporting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers.

This includes businessmen linked to oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as various shipping companies that own and manage these vessels.

Among those named are Valery Kildiyarov, finance director of Litasco Middle East DMCC, a trading subsidiary of Lukoil, and three individuals  Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, and Etibar Eyyub  connected to the trading firm Coral Energy, now known as 2Rivers Group.

Also among those targeted is Canadian-Pakistani oil trader Murtaza Lakhani, CEO of trading company Mercantile & Maritime.

"Through his companies, he enables shipments and export of Russian oil, notably from the Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft," said the listing in the EU's Official Journal.

"In particular, Murtaza Lakhani controls vessels transporting crude oil or petroleum products, originating in Russia or being exported from Russia."

open image in gallery The EUs latest measures specifically target nine individuals and entities supporting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers, including businessmen linked to oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil ( Associated Press )

Lakhani, Mercantile & Maritime, Litasco Middle East DMCC and 2Rivers Group did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Lakhani, 63, has faced intense scrutiny since starting his career at global trader Glencore, which sent him to Baghdad as an agent during the Saddam Hussein-era.

He later moved to Iraqs Kurdistan region, where he acted as a middleman between the oil ministry and international companies.

He set up Mercantile & Maritime Group, a mid-sized trading house with offices in Singapore and London, in 2014.

This country (Russia) is the largest resource country in the world. Hampering it is a very short-term effect, not a long-term goal for anybody. They will always need Russia, he told Russia's SolovievLive at the St Petersburg Forum in June.
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Berlin prosecutors have filed charges against Matthias Moosdorf, a member of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), for allegedly greeting another party member with the Nazi salute.

It comes after the Bundestag lower house of parliament voted in October to lift his parliamentary immunity.

The use of slogans and symbols linked to the Nazis has been illegal in Germany since the Second World War.

Their use is punishable by a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years.

Prosectors said that Moosdorf, 60, performed a heel click and a Nazi salute near one of the entrances of the historic Reichstag building during a parliamentary session in June 2023.

He ensured that the salute would be perceptible to others, they said.

open image in gallery Matthias Moosdorf has been a member of the AfD since 2016 ( AFP/Getty )

In a statement, Moosdorf, who was a cellist before becoming a politician, rejected the accusation.

He said he had been checking his wifes coat at the buildings cloakroom at the time of the incident.

"It is shameful that someone is trying to fabricate a political spectacle at this level instead of constructively engaging with the content of our party and its political positions," he said.

Moosdorf is a member of parliament for Zwickau in Saxony, a former East German state.

He has been a member of the AfD since 2016.

open image in gallery A demonstration against the planned re-founding of AfDs youth wing in November ( AP )

Until May, he was a foreign policy spokesperson for the partys parliamentary group. However, he was removed of the duty in May due to his friendliness with Russia.

The AfD, which is already polling first in surveys across Germany ahead of five state elections next year, has been forging stronger ties with MAGA-aligned Republicans.

The party was classified earlier this year by Germany's domestic intelligence agency as a right-wing extremist organisation.

In June, Germanys domestic spy agency revealed a concerning rise in right-wing extremism within its ranks.

According to the agency's annual report, the number of identified extremists within the AfD surged by 77 per cent in 2024, reaching approximately 20,000 people.
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Workers at the world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris are poised to vote on strike action this Monday, or alternatively, to continue negotiations with the government. This follows months of escalating pressure, with unions describing the worlds most visited museum as being "in crisis."

Hundreds of employees will gather behind closed doors in a 500-seat auditorium within the iconic Paris landmark. Union representatives will present the outcome of recent talks with Culture Minister Rachida Dati, after which a vote will be taken by a show of hands. The decision could once again bring the vast institution to a complete standstill.

The crunch vote comes as the museum struggles with the aftermath of a daylight jewel heist and an earlier staff strike that abruptly shut the Louvre and stranded thousands of visitors beneath I.M. Peis glass pyramid. Last month, the Louvre also announced the temporary closure of some employees offices and one public gallery because of weakened floor beams.

During the robbery on October, thieves used a basket lift to reach the Louvres facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with pieces of the French crown jewels. A Senate inquiry released last week said the thieves escaped with barely 30 seconds to spare, citing broken cameras, outdated equipment, understaffed control rooms and poor coordination that initially sent police to the wrong location.

open image in gallery A carpet at Le Louvre museum, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

For employees, the high-profile incident crystallized long-standing concerns that crowding and thin staffing were undermining security and working conditions at a museum that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Those tensions spilled into public view in June, when striking workers brought the museum to a halt. Visitors with timed tickets waited in long, unmoving lines outside as the doors failed to open  an image that rippled across social media and underscored how fragile operations at the sprawling institution had become.

Unions say talks with the government have made progress but remain incomplete.

Separately, the Culture Ministry said Sunday it has tasked Philippe Jost, who oversaw the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, with a mission to propose a deep reorganization of the Louvre following the findings of an administrative inquiry.

Three rounds of discussions last week produced quite important progress on promises of additional full-time hires and increased state funding, Alexis Fritche, general secretary of the culture wing of the CFDT union, told The Associated Press. But the proposals must be confirmed in writing and do not yet meet all demands, he said.

Its not completely satisfying, Fritche said. Employees are quite determined, he added, while noting their strong attachment to keeping the worlds most visited museum open to the public.

In their strike notice to Dati last week, the CFDT, CGT and Sud unions said the Louvre was in crisis, with insufficient resources and increasingly deteriorated working conditions.

If workers vote to strike, the action could last just one day  the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays  though the strike notice is open-ended.

The result of the closed meeting is expected to emerge later on Monday morning. Lawmakers are due at the museum shortly afterward, as France watches to see whether its most famous cultural institution can stay open under growing strain.
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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.
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The Ukrainian military says it has blown up a $400m Russian submarine in an unprecedented attack on the Russian navys most important remaining Black Sea base located in Novorossiysk.

The strike marks the first time an underwater drone has neutralised a submarine, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskys advisor Alexander Kamyshin.

As a result of the explosion, the submarine suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement alongside footage of the attack on Monday.

Russia has acknowledged the attack, executed by the Sub Sea Baby underwater drones on the Russian Kilo-class attack submarine. But Moscow denied any damage to its ships or submarines despite the apparent size of the blast, CNN reports.

open image in gallery Footage shows a powerful explosion at the coast ( Security Service of Ukraine/SBU )

The enemys attempt to carry out sabotage using an unmanned underwater vehicle failed to achieved its goals, said Alexei Rulev, head of the Black Sea Fleet press service, according to Russian state media.

Ukraines naval fleet has been all but depleted in the countrys ongoing war with Russia, forcing it to use sea drones and missiles to dislodge Russias large naval Black Sea Fleet from the port city of Sevastopol in the occupied peninsula of Crimea.

The diesel-electric submarine in question is reported to have been used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles, firing up to four at a time, according to the SBU. The weapons have been used to inflict damage to Ukraines power grid. Russia had been forced to move it along with other vessels from Crimea to Novorossiysk in southern Russia.

Video of the attack shows a powerful explosion in the water near a pier in the area, which has proved a critical location for Russia. Three other submarines remain stationed there.

open image in gallery Zelensky has insisted his country will not give up territory without a vote ( AP )

The Russian class 636.3 submarine known as a Black Hole due to its ability to remain invisible to sonar and absorb sounds, could cost up to $500m to rebuild due to the cost of international sanctions, according to the SBU.

The show of power comes amid fraught peace talks with Russias deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov insisting that the country will not make any concessions on territory while Ukraine is adamant that any territorial changes will be subject to a referendum.

More than 280,000 Ukrainian households were left without power after Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine overnight.

We hope the tribunal for Russian aggression will truly begin its work, not just for us, but for everyone who wants peace in Europe, Zelensky told European leaders at the Council of Europe at the Hague on Tuesday.
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Two Iowa National Guard members who were killed in an ambush in Syria have been identified.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, died in the attack Saturday, which the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group.

The Pentagons chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has said a civilian working as a U.S. interpreter also was killed. Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, the Iowa National Guard said Monday, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.

President Donald Trump promised serious retaliation against ISIS after the attack, writing. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS].

The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.

open image in gallery This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard ( Iowa National Guard )

Trump welcomed al-Sharaa, who led the lightning insurgency that toppled Assad's rule, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in the soldiers honor, saying, We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.

The ambush was a major test for the rapprochement between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago, coming as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.

The shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country's security forces and killed the gunman. The assailant had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS, a Syrian official said.

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, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.

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.

open image in gallery This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar ( Iowa National Guard )

The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation, but military officials have blamed the attack on an IS member.
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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was reportedly taken to hospital emergency rooms twice after sustaining injuries from security forces during her arrest on 12 December, her family informed the Narges Foundation on Monday.

The human rights activist, who was awarded the prestigious prize in 2023 while imprisoned, has dedicated three decades to campaigning for women's rights and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran.

She was re-arrested on Friday, having been released late last year, after speaking out against the suspicious death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.

Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar stated on Saturday that Ms Mohammadi and Mr Alikordi's brother had made "provocative remarks" at the lawyer's memorial service in Mashhad, encouraging attendees "to chant norm-breaking slogans" and "disturb the peace".

The family-run Narges Foundation confirmed that Ms Mohammadi had contacted her family late on Sunday.

"Narges Mohammadi said in the call that the intensity of the blows was so heavy, forceful, and repeated that she was taken to the hospital emergency room twice... Her physical condition at the time of the call was not good, and she appeared unwell," the foundation said in a post on X.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was taken to the hospital emergency room twice after suffering blows from security forces who arrested her on December 12, her family told the Narges Foundation on Monday ( Associated Press )

Mohammadi had been released in December last year from Tehran's Evin prison after the suspension of her jail term to undergo medical treatment.

She told her family she was accused of "cooperating with the Israeli government" and received death threats from security forces, prompting her to request her legal team to file a formal complaint against the detaining security body and the violent manner of her arrest.

There was no immediate comment from the Iranian authorities.

Mohammadi has been out on a medical furlough from prison, where she is serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Irans government.

She has kept up her activism, despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and spending years behind bars. That includes backing the nationwide, women-led protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which have seen women openly defy the government by not wearing the hijab.
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A Chinese court has ordered Malaysia Airlines to pay 2.9m yuan (around 300,000) to each of the families of eight MH370 flight passengers.

The victims went missing when the flight vanished more than a decade ago. While it is still unknown what happened to the passengers, they have been declared legally dead.

A Beijing court ordered the company to pay the damages for emotional distress and to cover funeral expenses.

The court said that another 23 cases remain pending, while in 47 other cases, families have reached agreements and withdrawn their suits.

The compensation order comes as the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is to resume this month.

On 8 March 2014, 227 passengers and a dozen crew members took off in a Boeing 777 at Kuala Lumpur airport for an overnight flight to Beijing.

The morning after, however, it was reported that the aircraft had vanished. Almost 12 years on, it is still unknown what happened to the aircraft or what caused it to go missing.

After MH370 disappeared from radar screens, it was initially presumed that the aircraft had come down in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam.

However, a week after the disappearance, transmissions of technical data (described as pings) showed that the plane had kept flying for at least seven hours after it vanished from radar screens.

The plane had suddenly changed course at the boundary between Malaysian and Vietnamese airspace.

The new search, due to begin on 30 December, is the fourth attempt to try and find the missing Boeing plane and will last for 55 days.

This is the third attempt to find MH370 by Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company based in Austin, Texas, and Southampton.

The search area, located in the southern Indian Ocean, covers an estimated 5,790 square miles  an area larger than Northern Ireland or the state of Maryland.

Read more: MH370 search resumes  what we know  and what we dont  about the vanished Malaysia Airlines jet
Benjamin Netanyahu says he sent Anthony Albanese a letter warning that the "Australian government's policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism" in the country four months before the Bondi Beach attack.

At least 15 people were killed in an antisemitic terrorist attack after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the start of Hanukkah.

Hundreds had gathered for an event called Chanukah by the Sea near a childrens park when the attack was launched on Sunday evening (14 December).

The Israeli prime minister accused the Australian government of doing "nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia."

"You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country," Mr Netanyahu added.
The images of two gunmen on a bridge at Bondi Beach, shooting into a crowd of innocent men, women and children who had gathered to celebrate Hannukah, are among the most horrific and haunting of modern times. They force an unavoidable question: how could this happen in a civilised society?

The answer lies in understanding the nature of antisemitism  and the way it has mutated since the ultimate crime of the Holocaust.

Historically, most antisemitism rested on religious hatred, with Jews being blamed for the death of Christ. But Hitler and the Nazis transformed Jewishness into a matter of blood, not belief. It no longer mattered whether someone was a Christian or a Hindu; if the Nazis believed Jewish blood ran in their veins, they were a target.

open image in gallery A bystander tackles gunman after mass shooting at Bondi Beach ( Social Media )

I shall never forget hearing Oskar Groning, an SS man I met who worked at Auschwitz, describe the murder of Jewish children. His words still chill: The enemy is the blood in them  the [capacity] to grow up to be a Jew who could become dangerous. And because of that, the children were also affected. For the Nazis, there was no such thing as an innocent Jew.

This warped thinking was allied to another lie: that the Jews in one country were linked with Jews in other countries in a vast secret conspiracy. In the fantasies of the Nazis, the Jews worked in the shadows  portrayed as cowardly and parasitic as individuals, yet powerful as a hidden force. Moreover, claimed the Nazis, because the Jews were prepared to act corruptly in some imagined conspiracy, they could undermine nations from within and pull the strings in both capitalist and communist countries.

open image in gallery Former SS sergeant Oskar Groning ( Axel Heimken/Pool Photo via AP )

This fantasy allowed the Nazis to believe in the infamous stab-in-the-back myth, which held that the Jews had lost Germany the First World War by plotting behind the lines to undermine the soldiers at the front. The fact that there was no evidence for this ludicrous proposition served only  in the eyes of the Nazis  to prove their point. As one former Nazi once put it to me, the absence of evidence was itself proof, since the Jews were far too clever to leave any evidence.

After 1945, there was a widespread belief that antisemitism had been discredited. The scale of Auschwitz seemed to place such hatred beyond the bounds of civilisation. This confidence proved premature.

Antisemitism did not vanish; it adapted, with much of the hatred displaced onto Israel. While, of course, criticism of Israeli policy is legitimate, it often acts as a smoke screen to conceal the familiar hatred towards the Jews. How often do we hear people hint  or even say explicitly  that foreign Jews are bound to support Israel because the Jews are effectively one entity across the globe? Thats another lie, of course, but antisemitism was never based on truth.

Once Jews are seen as one group, wherever they live in the world, individual guilt and innocence cease to matter. The Nazis demonstrated the lethal consequences of that kind of thinking. Violence is not directed at people for what they have done, but for what they are imagined to represent.

Recent terrible events in Gaza have led to a perversion of history, with the Jews sometimes recast as Nazis. For anyone who has studied the history of the Nazi extermination process, the idea that events today, however horrific, are the same as what happened during the Holocaust is an obscenity.

open image in gallery Ten-year-old Matilda Poltavchenko was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting ( GoFundMe )

What seems certain is that the actions of the killers at Bondi demonstrate that they subscribed to the lie that the Jews are one group, linked across the world. But one still revolts against the inherent absurdity of this thinking. Did they really think that, by murdering an Australian Jewish child in Sydney, they were killing an Israeli soldier in the Middle East? A Nazi would likely have thought so, thats for sure.

I wrote in my recent book, The Nazi Mind: Twelve Warnings from History, that the essential values of Nazism  hatred, scapegoating, antisemitism, racism, and violent nationalism  are still very much with us. I wish it were not so. But the blood on the sand in Bondi sadly demonstrates that it is all too true.

Laurence Rees is author of The Nazi Mind: Twelve Warnings from History (Penguin, 12.99) and The Holocaust (Penguin, 14.99)
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Of all the places in the world where a murderous antisemitic attack might have been anticipated, Sydneys Bondi Beach in December would surely have been one of the last. Regarded enviously from the dark and cold of the northern hemisphere at this time of year, the sun, sea and sybaritic delights of Australia offer the sharpest possible contrast to the slaughter carried out against Jewish families celebrating the first evening of the festival of Hanukkah.

There were an estimated thousand people gathered for the celebrations by the beach. At least 12 were killed, including one of the two presumed gunmen; and as many as 30 were taken to hospital with injuries.

The shock was palpable in the first public statements from political and police leaders, who nonetheless stepped forward with creditable promptness and characteristic Australian directness. There was no hesitation in identifying the attack as targeted against the Jewish community, decrying antisemitism and designating the atrocity as terrorism.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, rightly called on his compatriots to keep calm and refrain from retribution. More to the point, though, he said that an attack on Jewish Australians was an attack on every Australian and affirmed the right of the countrys Jews to feel safe and to be proud of who you are and what you believe. These are sentiments that every leader of every country infected by antisemitism needs to repeat.

Police cordon off an area after the Bondi Beach shooting ( AP )

How far these undertakings are honoured and the extent to which justice is seen to be done will be the next test for the Australian authorities. But recriminations were already in the air within hours, including from Jewish leaders in Australia and from Israel, where the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, described antisemitism as a cancer that spread when leaders were silent, and accused Australias government of pouring fuel on the antisemitic fire  an apparent reference to Australias recognition of a Palestinian state and condemnation of its Gaza operations. A separate question being asked was whether the authorities had ensured sufficient security for a Jewish holiday gathering in such a public place.

It is too early to speculate about whether the attack could have been prevented or to delegate some of the blame beyond the actual perpetrators. Australia has had some of the most restrictive firearms laws for the best part of 30 years, since a mass shooting in Tasmania, which has given Australia the reputation of one of the safest countries anywhere. The provenance of the weapons will doubtless be of interest, as will the identity and history of the gunmen, at least one of whom was reported to be known to the authorities.

That such an attack could happen in Australia and in such an emblematic place, however, only serves to underline just how far the new wave of hostility towards Jews has spread since Israel responded to the murderous Hamas atrocities of 7 October 2023  which also incidentally targeted a pleasurable gathering, in that case a music festival. It also illustrates how rapid the resurgence of antisemitism has been, targeting those who may have nothing in common with the actions of Israel beyond their Jewish identity, and how close to the surface of so many societies antisemitism must lie.

It is only two months since the attack on the Heaton synagogue in Manchester, when two people were killed on another Jewish holiday, in this case Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. As with 7 October, the choice of these days demonstrates the intention of the attackers not just to kill, but to make a statement of political and religious contempt. The proliferation of clearly antisemitic attacks here and elsewhere over the past year cannot help but call into question whether the authorities are doing enough to guarantee the safety of a generally small, discreet and law-abiding community.

If Jews cannot feel safe in Australia, still less on, of all places, Bondi Beach, it is not unreasonable if they are now asking where in the world they can be safe. More than 80 years after the Holocaust, that, in itself, is profoundly regrettable. At least as regrettable, though, is that not just in Australia and probably not just for this year, the ancient Jewish festival of light has been darkened.
Pre-tax profits at the main Irish arm of pharma giant Johnson & Johnson fell by 35pc to 4.47bn last year.

Accounts filed by Janssen Sciences Ireland UC show that revenues also dipped, by 2pc to 11.39bn.

The firm paid a dividend of 5.9bn to its parent, Janssen R&D Ireland Unlimited Company.

Pre-tax profits of 6.9bn had been recorded in 2023 when they benefited from a 3.2bn dividend from a subsidiary.

The Ringaskiddy-registered company recorded post-tax profits of 3.93bn in 2024 after incurring a corporation tax charge of 544.13m. This followed a corporation tax charge of 616m in 2023.

On risks to the business, the directors state that the global geopolitical landscape continues to be unpredictable, with ongoing tensions that have the potential to disrupt markets and supply chains. These could introduce new cost pressures, particularly on raw materials, putting additional strain on business costs.

In a post-balance sheet event, the directors disclose that on June 23 this year the company proposed to make a distribution of 5.2bn to the company's sole shareholder, GH Biotech Holdings Limited.

The firm recorded an operating profit last year of 4.7bn and 206.3m in other finance expenses, while 40.47m in net interest payments reduced the firms profits to a pre-tax profit of 4.47bn.

Numbers employed by the business last year increased from 1,188 to 1,309 and staff costs rose from 132.45m to 162.34m. Pay to directors totalled 2.49m, which included 396,000 for compensation for loss of office.

The principal activity of the company is the research, development, manufacture and commercialisation of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of various diseases. It also manufactures biomedical products.

A breakdown of the firms revenues show that 539m in sales were recorded in the Republic of Ireland, 5.4bn in North America and 5.45bn in the EMEA.

The profit last year takes account of 913m in non-cash amortisation costs and 1bn in R&D.

The company had shareholder funds of 34bn on December 29 that included accumulated profits of 6.1bn.

The directors state that in another post balance sheet event on June 23, a subsidiary Janssen Irish Finance Unlimited Company proposed to make a 4.3bn distribution to the company.
Farmers gathered in front of their tractors block the A64 motorway near Carbonne, as France enforces stricter measures to contain the highly contagious lumpy skin disease in cattle, saying entire infected herds must be culled to prevent the deaths of at least 1.5 million cows, despite growing farmer protests, in Carbonne, France, December 13, 2025. REUTERS/Manon Cruz
The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie  We saw it, so you dont have to...
I thought I was about to be murdered, says man who was branded rat with hot iron tool and waterboarded in attack by five Dublin criminals
Bondi Beach attack: President Catherine Connolly leads condemnation as gardai step up security for Jewish community

Taoiseach Micheal Martin says he is 'shocked and appalled

President Catherine Connolly at her inauguration. Photo: PA

Maeve McTaggart and Keith Kelly Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 06:30

An increased garda presence was put in place at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community yesterday following the targeted terrorist attack in Sydney on the first night of Hanukkah.
Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) does extensive work to provide supports for people living in energy poverty, from providing direct aid to advocating for fair energy policies.

At the centre of the charitys work in the area is climate justice and ensuring there is a just transition, with lower-income households disproportionately impacted by moves aimed at lowering carbon emissions.
Chico Harlan: What EUs falling birth rate means for the future and why it will burden younger generations

Uncharted waters ahead, with population growth projected to reverse in coming years

Birth rates in the EU have fallen to a record low. Photo: Getty

Chico Harlan Washington Post Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 06:30

After years of people having fewer children, Europe is on the brink of a great contraction. Next year, the EU expects its population to hit a peak before sliding into the first sustained decline on the continent since the 14th-century Black Death.
"It seems to me sanctioning Israel after theyve agreed to stop attacking Gaza and to free Palestinian prisoners is both counterproductive and possibly dangerous for those that the anti-Israeli lobby purport to support." Photo: Getty

What do the attempted denaming of Herzog Park and Ireland boycotting the Eurovision have in common? No, not just the obvious boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) of Israel but the BDS of Israel after peace has broken out. And yes, its a very fragile and imperfect peace, but its certainly better than what was there beforehand. It seems to me sanctioning Israel after theyve agreed to stop attacking Gaza and to free Palestinian prisoners is both counterproductive and possibly dangerous for those that the anti-Israeli lobby purport to support.
Every family has their own traditions around Christmas dinner. Picture posed. Photo: Getty

Im not a celebrity chef nor, in fact, a chef at all. However, my late mother, with great foresight, taught her children how to serve up nutritious meals to sustain us during our college years.

Her Christmas dinner was a mouth-watering work of culinary art, using Irish ingredients, keeping the menu simple, preparing only what was needed and delegating the preparatory tasks to her children.

I and my commis chefs remain loyal to her Christmas Day dinner menu by serving a starter of freshly cooked prawns, lettuce, tomato slices, a lemon wedge and a dab of tomato sauce.

The main course, where roast turkey breast and boiled ham dominate, is the perfect platform for home-grown vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, turnip and Brussels sprouts.

The versatile spud plays a blinder on Christmas Day. Potato turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and baked potatoes are mainstays on our table. We make our own gravy by boiling a chopped onion in water, adding two tablespoons of gravy powder, stirring well and pouring the thick gravy into a serving jug.

Christmas pudding, doused in piping-hot custard, is our favourite dessert. Finally, tea, coffee or a beverage of choice is served with mince pies topped with whipped cream.

Christmas dinner is important but the celebration of Christs birth is far more important. Our Christmas begins with midnight mass on Christmas Eve followed by sandwiches of freshly cooked ham and telling stories of Christmas past.

Unwrapping Santas presents from under the tree on Christmas morning is great fun.

Once dinner preparations are finalised, we whet our appetites with an invigorating midday swim in fabulous Fenit. Irish tradition is precious, so cherish it.

Billy Ryle, Spa, Tralee, Co Kerry

Ludicrous scheme to plug Dublins leaks shows Uisce Eireann has lost the plot

Uisce Eireann recently announced its latest attempt to fill the leaking vessel that is the Dublin area water system.

The system has leaked approximately 50pc of its costly treated water back into the underground abyss over the last 20 years. Uisce Eireann, since its conception under various names and costly name changes, has failed to halt the large discharge of such a valuable commodity back to the ground.

Now comes the latest solution, a 6bn plan to try to flood the Dublin underground area with water from the Shannon basin.

This ludicrous action is based on the leaking bathtub formula of old.

If a bathtub has a leak of 10 gallons a minute and the tap provides five gallons a minute, how long and how much taxpayers money will it take to fill the bathtub?

It seems plugging the holes with bundles of cash is the latest technical solution to this ongoing fiasco.

Ray Dunne, Enfield, Co Meath

Cockatiels final bow was a tragedy for Twink, but my loss lightened the load

So sorry to hear of the demise of Twinks parrot (Twinks beloved bird killed during panto rehearsals, Irish Independent, December 13). Obviously a much-loved pet for years.

My own 10-pound parrot died a few months ago.

While I still miss the bird, its a weight off my shoulders.

Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare

Its time we told the truth about the devastation and misery caused by alcohol

At a time when public safety  especially the safety of children  is rightly receiving attention and careful planning, we should not overlook other continuous threats still unresolved, particularly at this time of year.

It has been reported that alcohol contributes to the deaths of four people every day, and there is little reason to doubt such a stark figure. It is also linked to roughly 80pc of public order offences and plays a role in around 70pc of domestic violence incidents.

Yet, despite these well-known harms  before even considering its many other damaging effects  we still allow alcohol to be glamorised to an extraordinary extent in advertising, while the extensive negative consequences are barely acknowledged.

A rushed, mumbled verbal warning or a tiny, barely visible, small-print lecturing message are no longer acceptable.

We must remember the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of men, women and children across the country who quietly dread the festive season because of a loved ones drinking. Alcohols role as a gateway to widely available other illicit substances is another serious concern, and one that has reached crisis levels.

Current public-awareness efforts are, at best, limited and, at worst, naive. Activities that cause far fewer deaths and have minimal impact on crime statistics are subject to far stronger public messaging. Why, then, do we remain so silent about alcohols devastating effects?

It surely falls to both the Health Minister and the Justice Minister to act urgently and address this glaring gap in our public-health approach.

Clear, accurate communication about alcohols harms is routinely neglected, even though effective education and intervention could fundamentally reshape the situation.

A meaningful first step would be to give honest, graphic health messages equal prominence in all forms of advertising, rather than solely permitting continual glorification with upbeat insinuations.

Our collective denial and failure to include details of alcohols trail of destruction in all ads is far too serious to ignore any longer.

Half measures in dealing with such a powerfully potent, addictive product and hoping for the best are dangerously idealistic.

Gerry Hickey, Dundrum, Co Dublin

Nobel winner Machado offers hope to Venezuela and the rest of the world

Is the extraordinary Maria Corina Machado for real? She risks her life even to come to Oslo to acknowledge the honour that the Norwegians have justly paid to her.

What courage she must possess even to contemplate doing so.

She comes to Oslo with a message of unity for her country. A message of freedom, democracy, peace and love.

It is a message not only for Venezuela but for the whole world.

It is certainly a message for us here in Ireland as we struggle still for peace between nationalists and unionists.

She deserves all the good fortune that she will surely need.

We can only wish her well and hope that others will follow her example,

Gerald Morgan, Dublin 4
Confucius Institute at University of Malawi rolls out Chinese Cultural Month

Xinhua) 13:33, December 15, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
For four decades, Dr Quirkeys Good Time Emporium was a neonlit staple of Dublins main street, a casino empire built on flashing slot machines and endless streams of cash.

Behind the glitz stood Richard Quirke, the Tipperary man who transformed arcade games into a 54m fortune.

His death last year has revealed the staggering details of his will  and the colourful family he leaves behind.

From a former Miss World to a TV comedian, the drama surrounding Quirkes legacy is as compelling as the empire itself.

Today on the Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent features writer John Meagher to look at how Dublins casino king struck it lucky, and what happens now to the gambling empire.
Opinion

Simon Bourke: 17 hours online, robot families, and the generation of men who cant put their phones away  how the Internet is slowly driving us all mad

Its one of the most delicious parts of my day, that last 1015-minute scroll before bed. I have fulfilled all my duties, resisted the urge to commit several violent crimes, and made it to the end unscathed: I have earned this scroll, earned my 
Five new affordable homes are to be delivered for Ballyvourney.

The new homes are set to be more than 20% below market cost, providing a significant boost to the local community.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently confirmed the delivery of five new affordable homes for the Gaeltacht village.

The news was warmly welcomed by Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan. I am delighted to see these new affordable homes coming to Ballyvourney. They will give families and individuals who have previously struggled to get on the housing ladder a much needed helping hand.

Muskerry is a vibrant Gaeltacht community, said Deputy Moynihan. I am engaging with the Council to ensure that priority will be given to Gaelgeoiri for these homes. It is truly a gift to live in the Gaeltacht. I hope these homes will allow five families to live here, advancing our unique culture and helping to ensure the strength of our language for generations to come.

The homes are being delivered under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (Affordable Housing).

This scheme provides newly built homes at a reduced price for first-time and other eligible buyers who cannot afford to purchase at open market value.

Eligible buyers can access the scheme with a maximum mortgage and 10% deposit, helping make homeownership a reality across Cork.

Deputy Moynihan said schemes like this along with the recent one in Macroom are vital in supporting communities in Cork North West. They provide real opportunities for families to stay in and contribute to their local areas. I welcome this commitment from the Department and look forward to seeing these houses become homes.

Separately the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding for important flood mitigation in Ballingeary.

The OPW has confirmed that it has approved Cork County Councils application for funding under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.

A total of 82,021 has been allocated to advance targeted flood relief works in the village.

The planned works include the selective clearing of bankside trees and scrub over several hundred metres on both banks of the rivers.

These measures are designed to reduce blockages, improve water flow, and strengthen local resilience against future flooding events.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea said the approval is a timely investment for the local community. Flooding has been a persistent challenge for Ballingeary and the surrounding areas. This funding marks another step forward in addressing those risks. The OPWs support for these works will help improve the river channel, protect local homes and businesses, and give the community greater peace of mind during periods of heavy rainfall.

Deputy OShea added that continued investment through national flood relief programmes is essential for rural communities across Cork North West. Communities like Ballingeary rely on these schemes to protect their homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. I will continue advocating for further flood mitigation and resilience projects across the constituency.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork North-West, Aindrias Moynihan said he is pleased to see this practical support being provided to the community. This funding is welcome news for the people of Ballingeary. Flooding has been a serious concern for local residents.

These targeted works will help protect homes, businesses, and community amenities. I want to acknowledge the ongoing cooperation between Cork County Council and the OPW in progressing this important project, he added.

Under the terms of the funding offer, the works must be carried out before May 31, 2026, with approved funding to be drawn down by that date.
Cllr Ian Doyle brought forward a motion at a recent Northern Committee meeting seeking an update from Cork County Council on the progress of affordable housing project for Charleville.

Caitriona Ni Mhainnin, Senior Executive Officer, Housing informed the councillors that Cork County Council is actively pursuing opportunities for affordable housing in Charleville through engagements with private developers. Members will be updated further on progress in this regard in due course, she stated.

Cllr Doyle (FF) acknowledged that there has been great work from a social housing perspective in Charleville. In the whole county there is a focus on housing. I would like to acknowledge the work done by Cork County Council and national government in producing social housing in Charleville. We have probably five estates finished in Charleville. We have one of the most comprehensive housing policies within the area in Charleville town and I welcome that.

Cllr Doyle however emphasised the serious need for affordable housing in Charleville with people crying out for houses in the town. However, we are in serious need of affordable housing in Charleville. Our industrial site on the Railway Road is packed to capacity. The people who are getting jobs in Charleville are crying out for houses. Kerry Group is expanding in Charleville. There is a lack of affordable housing, and it is paramount.

There is a huge opportunity in Charleville in terms of job creation for affordable housing and the need for it, said Cllr Doyle. The relief road stage 2 is being put live for public consultation. That will open up a huge opportunity for the town of Charleville. We have fought for that for ages and ages. It is good to see it come to stage 2. That will hopefully open an opportunity for lands to become available for affordable housing.

I know there is work being done on an existing site for affordable housing. I want to stress once again that there is a huge opportunity in Charleville in terms of job creation for affordable housing and the need for it. I acknowledge the response, but I want to stress the urgency of it, he added.

Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne who seconded the motion said Charleville is very much a prosperous town. There have been a number of housing developments in recent years, mainly social housing. There is a big need for affordable housing if we want to keep the younger people in the town.
Three Aldi Cork staff members were honoured with long service awards for their tenure within the company.

Margaret Lynch began her Aldi career 25 years ago, and Claudia David and Justin Lowe were also acknowledged for their service.

Margaret gained valuable experience across her career by working in a number of Cork stores such as Ballincollig, Grange, Fermoy and Mayfield, where she is currently the assistant store manager.

Margaret said no two days are ever the same in her job.

What drew me to Aldi initially was the nature of the job and the opportunities for career progression.

No two days are the same, and every day is a school day, with a new challenge to take on or a new skill to learn, she said.

Claudia David celebrated 10 years with the company, where she progressed from a store assistant at the start of her career to assistant store manage in Ballincollig at the present day.

Committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, Claudia cherishes spending quality time with her family and son outside of work.

Claudia said she is proud to be a part of the Ballincollig team.

For me, being an assistant store manager is more than just a job title; it is a responsibility and commitment to motivate and support the Aldi Ballincollig store team, she said.

Mallow man Justin Lowe joined the company as a transport loader in 2015, where he has progressed to a section leader and has been based at Aldis Mitchelstown Regional Distribution Centre since.

Justin said it is an honour to be recognised for his service to the company.

This milestone reflects years of learning and growth since 2015. My role as Section Leader is rewarding, allowing me to build many valuable friendships over the past ten years, he said.

Colin Breslin, Managing Director of Operations at ALDI Ireland, said: We take great pride in celebrating Margaret, Claudia and Justins long-standing experience with ALDI. Their dedication has played a key part in our business, and I would like to thank them for their valuable contribution to ALDIs presence in Cork.
Fingal councillors raised their concerns about issues faced by commuters

Passengers on the northern commuter line between Donabate and Dublins Pearse Station have been fainting and are being left behind due to delays and overcrowding, according to a Fingal councillor.

Social Democrats councillor for Rush-Lusk, Paul Mulville, raised a motion calling for urgent action from the Transport Minister and emergency funding for the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail after constituents using the services raised their concerns.

Karen Gibson, who uses the northern commuter line from Donabate to Pearse two to three days a week, finds that standing through her commute has led to health concerns.

Youre standing for whats supposed to be 35 minutes, which can go on up to 45 minutes. Ive had previous surgeries, so my back is just locking up from the standing  Im hobbling on to the train at this stage, she said.

People are standing cheek-to-cheek, Ive seen people faint. A few weeks ago, I saw a girl fainting near Connolly. There was an ambulance called and the rest of us had to get off and walk across the city or wait for another train.

Theres no chance of getting a seat whatsoever, I have to take an ibuprofen when I walk into the office because of the standing. Ive seen older people and pregnant women standing or missing their train so many times.

Ive missed the train so many times because its been so crowded

Its shocking. Ive missed the train so many times because its been so crowded  sometimes there will only be four carriages instead of the eight.

Its only going to get worse with more houses going into Donabate.

At an area committee meeting for Fingal County Council, Mr Mulville said he had heard of delays and overcrowding through the first weeks of November.

Trains into Dublin are often crowded. Stock image

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, December 15

Its been a near-daily issue of people being left behind in platforms, fainting on trains, everything you can imagine. Its a very concerning issue since this is a very important service that a lot of people in the rural villages of north Dublin rely on, he said.

He called for Transport Minister Darragh OBrien to address the issues.

Patrick Lynn, who uses the service three to four times a week, said: I work in the city centre, so I usually get the 8.10am or 9.10am train from Donabate to the city centre.

In the mornings, by the time the train arrives in Donabate, its already full. You have to squeeze in with your work bags, laptops and coats that people have this time of year.

Theres a lot of congestion with people trying to put things up on the shelves, its just really just full.

One September morning, I was on the front carriage where the heating was on full blast and I saw two people collapse in two adjoining carriages.

Commuter Patrick Lynn

I was standing next to one of the people and had to press the emergency button, we got him a seat and some water and managed to get off the train thankfully.

Mr Lynn has found his 30-minute journey now stretches on to at least 35 or 40 minutes.

The train is usually on time from Donabate but its very unusual to see one arriving on time to Pearse Station  it always seems a few minutes late, he said.

If theres a breakdown or accident, the whole line is just shut. In the last six weeks, there were severe delays or cancellations  and theres no other way to get home if you live in Donabate or somewhere like that.

We need to have more carriages or an increased service because the population of Donabate and Malahide is growing substantially  theres no point selling houses here if we dont have these basic services.

A spokesperson from Irish Rail told the Irish Independent that its punctuality performance has seen an improvement since August this year.

Customers will see punctuality significantly improve

From late September to around now is the most challenging period of the year for punctuality performance due to the effect of autumn leaf-fall on our services, the spokesperson said.

We take a range of measures every year to counteract this. Thankfully, the leaf-fall season is now coming to an end, and customers will see punctuality significantly improve.

What we have seen over the past two years is two record years in terms of passenger demand. Our trains are busier than ever across the network, with the northern commuter route up over 18pc in those two years, and back to pre-Covid highs.

We did add 41 new carriages to our national fleet in 2024.

The spokesperson added that 185 new Dart+ carriages (an extension of the Dart line) have been introduced, which will be in service from 2027.

The Dart+ Programme overall  with new trains and investment in network capacity, is set to double capacity of greater Dublin area rail services over the coming years, and treble the size of the Dart network, they said.

We appreciate customers want to see more capacity as quickly as possible, but in the meantime we will do our utmost to maximise available capacity to meet growing demand.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
An NGO has brought a High Court case against the decision to allow a Kerry fish farm to continue operation.

Friends of Irish Environment (FIE) has brought High Court judicial review proceedings supporting the Agriculture Ministers 2019 decision to suspend multinational corporation Mowis licence at Deenish Island in Waterville.

Mowis licence was revoked after it emerged it had harvested over double its fish quota, leading to a rise in effluent discharge from the site, according to agriculture minister at the time, Michael Creed.

However, this decision was recently overturned by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board which said the licence conditions were inappropriate and not commercially viable, noting the significant delays in Irelands aquaculture licensing system.

FIEs High Court proceedings argue that since Mowi had knowingly harvested well over double the permitted tonnage and exceeded stocking limits set in the 1995 licence, any statutory right to continue operating under the legislation fell away.

They insist that the agriculture minister was correct to determine that the site be fallowed until a new licence, with full environmental assessment, is granted.

A review carried out of aquaculture licences in 2017 found that over a third of active farms had expired licenses, but were allowed to continue operation due their lodging of renewal application with the agriculture department.

Our case is about more than one salmon farm in Kerry, said FIE, it is about a broken licensing system that lets intensive farms run on a temporary basis after their licences expire regardless of continued breaches of licence conditions, while sea trout and wild salmon vanish and the legally required environmental assessments never happen.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
Dream comes true for Mayo boy (9) as he gets to sing on stage with his favourite band, Kingfishr

A dream comes true as Patrick Padden Junior sings with Kingfishr at sold-out gig in TF Royal Hotel & Theatre in Castlebar

Patrick Padden (9) from Belmullet called up on stage to sing 'Killeagh' with Kingfishr in Castlebar

Oisin McGovern Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 16:00

What a weekend it was for Patrick Padden Junior from the Mullet peninsula, who has gone viral after joining Kingfishr on stage to sing their best-known song Killeagh in front of a sold-out crowd at the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre in Castlebar.
Sligo County Council says the N17 Knock to Collooney [Atlantic Economic Corridor] Project, is advancing through Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) project management guidelines.

Phase 3 aims to advance the design of the Preferred Option to a level of detail that definesland requirements, addresses potential impacts, and prepares the project for statutory processes.

The council has awarded a Topographic and Hydrographic Survey Contract to Apex Surveys. These surveys will complete the remaining sections of the route (which were omitted due to the 2024 Ministerial Condition on funding), specifically from Ireland West Airport Knock to Charlestown, and from north of Tobercurry to Collooney.

Surveys are expected to commence in early January 2026. Letters have issued to all registered owners of lands or property within the survey area informing them of the survey.

To support the delivery of Phases 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation) and Phase 4 (Statutory Consent), the council says it intends to engage a multi-disciplinary consultancy firm. The contract award is anticipated in 2026, subject to TII approval and funding.

"We are committed to keeping landowners informed throughout this stage of the project. Members of the project team will engage directly with affected and potentially affected landowners as information becomes available, ensuring that queries are addressed promptly and that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of how the project may interact with their property.

"We appreciate the communitys continued cooperation and patience as we work together to deliver this vital infrastructure, which will enhance connectivity and support economic growth across the North West, said the council in a statement.
There was widespread opposition to the Mercosur Trade Agreement amongst Sligo Councillors when the issue was discussed. Photo: Donal O' Leary

A motion tabled by Cllr Thomas Healy at the December meeting of Sligo County Council called on the government to Take a clear stand against the Mercosur Trade Agreement at the EU Council meeting as this agreement is damaging to the EU Agricultural sector and in particular to the Irish beef and poultry sectors as well as been harmful to the environment on a global scale and damaging to the health of consumers.

Speaking on behalf of his motion Cllr Healy said, This government urgently needs to step up to the European overlords. I am asking that Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon speaks to Italy and other countries to stop it. This is not good for Ireland, every farmer is opposed.

Cllr Michael Clark also tabled a motion in relation to the Mercosur deal in which he called for the local authority to Write to Taoiseach Micheal Martin to call on his government to reject Mercosur.

Addressing the monthly meeting Cllr Clarke said, It is a rotten deal, warning the result of the deal would be, It will flood the market with chemical contaminated beef.

Cllr Clarke expressed the belief that the way forward for the industry is To rebuild and support our suckler herd.

Cllr Gerard Mullaney also expressed his anger at the deal saying, Unfortunately its close to a done deal, adding, This industry has been built up by progressive farmers, It is something we can be very proud of.

"We are very dependant on good quality food, the last thing we want is to be flooded with Brazilian beef. This can damage public health."

Cllr Marie Casserly also shared her reservations regarding the Mercosur deal saying, I agree Mercosur is bad for Irish farmers. Irish beef is produced under stricter EU conditions. Beef imported from Brazil does not meet the same standards.

Similarly Cllr Donal Gilroy shared his opposition to the deal when he said, I dont like the look of it, I think it is a threat.

The debate concluded with Cllr Healy saying, MEPS need to make sure they are standing up for us.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Emily Corrigan was pictured at the FDYS Youth Night in the FDYS in Ferndale on Friday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Pictured at the FDYS Youth Night in the FDYS in Ferndale on Friday evening were Alannah Nolan, Abigail Murphy and Jessie Malone. Pic: Jim Campbell

Billy Connors and Conor Banville were pictured at the FDYS Youth Night in the FDYS in Ferndale on Friday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Bianca Zulu, Ikran Faadi and Pearl Zulu were pictured at the FDYS Youth Night in the FDYS in Ferndale on Friday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Every year the Department of Education invites youth clubs and services across Ireland to open their doors to the community, to celebrate members of youth clubs and groups, and their youth workers and volunteers, and to build awareness of youth work in your community.

Participants are encouraged to design a showcase event as a celebration and as a way of letting the wider community know what their club or service means to them.

Among the organisations who hosted events in Wexford were the Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS).

Inspired by the success of events such as Culture Night and Open House, Dublin, Oiche na hOige is a new celebration that shines a light on the vibrant and diverse network of youth clubs and services at the heart of communities across Ireland, where young people learn together, develop, and flourish.

Our young people from across County Wexford planned and organised a series of events in their local community, said FDYS Chief Executive Dr Kieran Donohoe.

Pictured at the FDYS Youth Night in the FDYS in Ferndale on Friday evening were Alannah Nolan, Abigail Murphy and Jessie Malone. Pic: Jim Campbell

There was a party night and open night in Rosslare Youth Club, where local people and parents were invited into the club to experience the fun of a youth club. Also in the Rosslare Electoral district, FDYS Bridgetown hosted an open evening for the community where local representatives, parents and young people celebrated Youth Night together.

Wexford town hosted a number of Youth Night activities including an orienteering event in Min Ryan Park. Coolcotts Youth Project hosted a hugely successful night and FDYS on Francis Street launched their movie with a red-carpet event.

Bunclody celebrated FDYS 60 years in community service with a birthday cake and party games with the young people of the town and local area.

Gorey held a series of events at the FDYS Courtown premises, with local TD Malcolm Byrne in attendance. FDYS Enniscorthy also partied well into the evening showcasing all that is great about youth work in County Wexford. And volunteers in Raheen and Courtnacuddy supported local rural youth work celebrations for Youth Night.

It was an opportunity to showcase all that is good about positive relationships between young people, and their youth workers. We thank everyone who supported these fun events and look forward to a bigger and brighter 2026 Youth Night, said Dr Donohoe.
A Wicklow-based retail company has avoided a criminal conviction after a staff member sold cigarettes to a 15-year-old during a test purchase carried out by Environmental Health Officers.

Connaught Retail Limited, with a company address at 37 Corke Abbey, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared at Bray District Court on a summons brought by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The summons related to an incident in which a staff member, Catriona Kinsella, at XL Stop and Shop in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, sold cigarettes to a child under the age of 18.

Ms Kinsella was also summonsed; however, the court was informed that if the owner of the shop, a Chinese national, pleaded guilty, the charge against Ms Kinsella would be dropped.

On November 21, 2025, Environmental Health Officers carried out a test purchase. During the operation, Ms Kinsella did not ask for identification. The decoy used was 15 years old.

Counsel for Connaught Retail Limited, Connor Rubalcava BL, noted that his client operates three retail shops in Rathnew, Monkstown, and another location, and that there is signage throughout the businesses stating that customers must be 18 to purchase any nicotine products, including vapes.

He told the court that Ms Kinsella was going through a difficult period in her personal life at the time, as her mother was ill, and that the incident amounted to a complete lapse in concentration.

Ms Kinsella has worked for the business for over 10 years and was described as a diligent employee.

Counsel for the HSE submitted an application for costs totalling 6,600.

My client is prepared to pay 800 towards any costs, said Mr Rubalcava.

The court was told that this was a first offence and that the usual precedent in such cases is a donation to a charitable organisation, which results in no conviction.

A donation was ordered to be made to Talk To Tom, a community-based mental health charity active in Bray and across County Wicklow. Talk To Tom focuses on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and bereavement support within the local community.

Judge Aine Shannon awarded the HSE costs of 2,000, leaving the operator of the business with no conviction. She warned that children dont have the capacity over what they purchase, so be more careful.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
The late Kate Crampton (second from left) with Tina Anderson and Fiona and Mary of Martika Haier Salon at the fundraising Sunflower Day.

Tributes have been paid after the death of Wicklow woman Kate Crampton, who suffered from motor neuron disease.

Kate, from Hillview, Stratford on Slaney, Co Wicklow, and formally of Johnstown, Hollywood, Co Wicklow, died peacefully on Saturday, December 13, at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare, surrounded by her family and friends.

Her family and friends have thanked staff at Naas General Hospital for the great care they provided for Kate. In her death notice, Kates family also extended their heartfelt thanks to Kates friends, who enabled her to remain at home and filled her days with comfort, laughter and love"

"We are deeply grateful for the kindness and support shown to Kate until the very end. Her warmth, generosity and gentle spirit will live on in the hearts of all that knew her, they added.

In August of this year, the west Wicklow community came out in force to support a Sunflower Day at Grangecon Demesne, which raised 35,000 in support of Kate, as well as towards research into MND and helping those affected by it. Kate was also in attendance, joined by her young adult daughter, Ava, who has down syndrome.

Stratford Grange GAA Club posted on Facebook their devastation over Kates passing, whom they described as both a friend and supporter, who was always willing to lend a hand at different fundraising events the club held.

The tribute continued: Kates enthusiasm and willingness to support people by organising events and fundraisers over the last number of years was unmatched.

While many of us would be trying to come up with ideas and think of the best event, Kate would have something organised in half an hour, from start to finish from her kitchen table.

The main part, that she insisted be included in any event she helped organise, was the cup of tea  Let's have a cup of tea and I'll make some lemon drizzle cake - to keep people around so we can have the craic. The craic was something that Kate lived for, and anyone that was lucky enough to meet her always left the meeting laughing or smiling and feeling better for the experience.

We will miss the laughs and the craic the most."

They added that their thoughts were with Katies daughter Ava, mum Ann, sister Jane and brother James and all of Kates family and many friends at this sad time.

Kate will repose at her sister, Janes home in Baysland, Naas Co. Kildare, today, Monday, December 15 from 2pm to 9pm. The house is private on Tuesday, December 16, for removal to St Kevins Church, Hollywood Co. Wicklow for requiem mass which will be celebrated at 11am, followed by her burial in the adjacent graveyard.

She is also mourned by her nieces Alaoise and Maria, her nephew Brian, and by Janes partner Robbie Magee. Kate is now reunited with her beloved father Frank, who predeceased her.
Wicklow County Council Director of Services and Wicklow Municipal District Manager Brian Gleeson pictured with Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Municipal District, Cllr. Graham Richmond alongside Elected Members Cllr. Shane Langrell and Cllr. Danny Alvey along with representatives from the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team, Wicklow MD District Engineer Pat Clarke, Garda Derek Kelly, the Wicklow County Council Town Regeneration Team, ACT Consultant Kevin Loftus and National Town Centre First Co-ordinator, Mairead Hunt. Photo: Mick Kelly

Pictured at the launch of the Newtownmountkennedy Town Centre First Masterplan were Wicklow County Council Director of Services and Wicklow Municipal District Manager Brian Gleeson; National Town Centre First Coordinator, Mairead Hunt; Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District, Cllr. Graham Richmond; Chair of the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team, Jen Quinn ;Wicklow County Council Town Regeneration Officer, Stephen Clarke and ACT Consultant Kevin Loftus. Photo: Mick Kelly

Wicklow County Council, in collaboration with the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team have launched a new Town Centre First Masterplan for the area.

The plan marks a significant milestone in advancing the national Town Centre First policy, which supports the renewal and regeneration of towns across Ireland.

ACT consultants led the process, which over recent months has seen them work closely with Wicklow County Council, the Town Team, residents, businesses and key stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future of Newtownmountkennedy.

As part of this work, three public consultation events were held, allowing residents, business owners, community groups and local representatives to contribute their ideas.

The masterplan sets out a series of strategic actions focused on public realm enhancement, active travel and mobility, economic development, environmental resilience and community facilities. It also provides a clear roadmap for the sustainable development of the town in the years ahead.

At the heart of the plan are five interconnected themes: mobility, public realm, nature assets and green spaces, community services, and employment and commerce. Each theme forms a coherent strategy for delivering positive change in the area. The plan has acknowledged future growth in the town could be challenging without a proper secondary school for children living in the area.

Land was zoned for community and education purposes as part of the local area plan for the town as far back as 2002, with the expectation it would be used to build a secondary school for the growing population in the wider area, but there has been no movement from the department over the past two decades.

Among the other challenges highlighted by the consultants include the lack of doctors, dentists and mental health services. There are no civic spaces or library services, and the garda station is only staffed on a part time basis.

At the launch of the plan on December 8, Mairead Hunt, Town Centre First National Coordinator, noted that more than 50pc of identified Town Centre First projects have been completed or are currently in progress, representing over 100 million in investment since the policys inception in 2022.

Reacting to the publication of the plan Cathaoirleach of the Wicklow Municipal District, Cllr Graham Richmond believes it is about ensuring that our towns remain vibrant, accessible and thriving places to live, work and visit.

The masterplan is an excellent example of how community input and evidence  based planning can come together to deliver a long  term vision for a growing town.

Chief executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer OGorman, welcomed the publication of the plan, noting how it provides a clear and practical framework to guide future investment in the area.

Through the Town Centre First approach, we can enhance public spaces, strengthen local business activity and also improve connectivity in a way that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.

Meanwhile the chairperson of the local Town Team, Jen Quinn, remarked on how the plan is the culmination of many months of consultation and planning.

"It will, in time, have an extremely positive impact in the area from an economic, social and environmental perspective. she added.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The gunman who was wounded during the Bondi Beach terrorist attack is likely to survive his injuries, authorities said. Australian police said a father and son  who have yet to be formally identified  were behind the shooting on Sunday in which 15 innocent people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.
Days after Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, killing some 1,200 people and sparking the war in Gaza, an inverted red triangle was spray-painted on the front of a Jewish bakery in Sydney, the first of a string of antisemitic incidents in Australia.
It is a story worthy of Alexandre Dumas. Falling from the Elysee palace to a grim Parisian prison, Nicolas Sarkozy could now help usher in one of the biggest political upheavals in modern France, threatening to vanquish his own political movement in the process.
Volodymyr Zelensky gives up Nato ambitions for Ukraine in concession at peace talks

Kyiv would need security guarantees from US and other countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: PA

Benedict Smith Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 06:30

Volodymyr Zelensky is to give up his ambitions for Ukraine to join Nato  in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe.
The shooting at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, occurred as final exams were under way on Saturday (Steven Senne/AP)

US police have renewed their search for the gunman who killed two students and wounded nine others, a day after they released a person of interest after determining the evidence pointed in a different direction.
US president Donald Trump ridiculed Rob Reiner in a social media post today after the death of the Hollywood director and his wife.

"A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS," Trump wrote.
India-France Tax Treaty Update Favors Long-Term Investors, Expands Capital Gains Rights

India and France have reached an agreement to modernize their bilateral tax treaty. The revised framework seeks to re-balance taxing rights while providing greater clarity and certainty for cross-border investors.

India and France have agreed to update their 1994 double taxation treaty, a move that will reduce the tax burden on dividends paid by Indian subsidiaries to their French parent companies. In parallel, India will gain expanded authority to tax capital gains arising from share disposals by French investors and will withdraw Frances most favored nation status, which previously enabled it to access certain preferential tax treatments.

Discussions to overhaul the tax treaty have been underway since 2024, with the objective of aligning it more closely with contemporary international standards on tax transparency and certainty.

The revised treaty is likely to have important implications for major French portfolio investors, as well as for multinational groups, such as Capgemini, Accor, Sanofi, Pernod Ricard, Danone, and LOreal, all of which have been expanding their footprint in the Indian market in recent years.

Dividend taxation: Reduced rates for majority holdings

A central feature of the India-France renegotiated treaty, originally signed in 1992, is the restructuring of dividend withholding tax. Under the revised terms, French companies that hold a stake of more than 10 percent in any Indian entity will have to pay five percent of dividends they receive, a reduction from the earlier rate of 10 percent.

However, for minority French shareholdings of under 10 percent in Indian companies, dividend tax will rise from 10 percent to 15 percent. The new treaty rules favor strategic, long-term investors over short-term or passive investments.

Expanded capital gains tax rights for India

In exchange for the dividend tax relief, India has secured broader rights to tax capital gains arising from the sale of shares by French investors. The revised treaty removes the existing ownership threshold that limited Indias taxing rights to cases where French entities held more than 10 percent in an Indian company. Going forward, India will be able to tax capital gains on equity share transfers irrespective of the size of the shareholding.

This development is particularly important given the scale of French investment in India. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), France ranked as the 11th largest source of foreign direct investment into India in 2024, with inflows of approximately US$859.24 million.

In parallel, France-based foreign portfolio investors hold an estimated US$21 billion in Indian equities. Against this backdrop, the revised treaty provisions are expected to have a meaningful impact on both portfolio investors and French companies with minority shareholdings in Indian businesses.

ALSO READ: How French Companies Leverage India as a Global Delivery Base

Services taxation: Narrower scope for technical fees

The updated treaty also revises the treatment of fees for technical services. India has agreed to restrict taxation of such fees to cases involving the transfer of technical know-how. As a result, routine technical services such as consultancy, advisory support, cybersecurity services, and market research are expected to fall outside the scope of source-based taxation. This change is likely to benefit French service providers operating in India.

Removal of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause

A major driver of the renegotiation was disagreement over the interpretation of the most favored nation clause. Historically, the clause allowed France to claim more favorable tax treatment if India subsequently entered into treaties with other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries offering lower rates. However, a Supreme Court of India ruling in 2023 clarified that such benefits do not apply automatically, leading to heightened uncertainty for French companies.

To eliminate ambiguity and reduce litigation risk, India and France have agreed to remove the MFN clause from the treaty altogether. Indian authorities view this step as essential to restoring legal clarity and avoiding prolonged tax disputes. Similar concerns prompted Switzerland to suspend the application of the MFN clause in its own tax treaty with India on January 1, 2025.

Dividend taxation under the India-France DTAA

Taxing rights on dividends

Under Article 11 of the India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), dividends paid by a company resident in one country (India or France) to a resident of the other country may be taxed in both jurisdictions:

In the investors country of residence; and

In the country where the company paying the dividend is resident (source country).

To prevent excessive taxation, the treaty places a cap on the tax that may be levied by the source country.

Withholding tax cap at source

Where the dividend recipient is the beneficial owner, the source country may impose withholding tax, but such tax cannot exceed 10 percent of the gross dividend amount, in accordance with treaty provisions.

Scope of dividends

For treaty purposes, dividends are defined broadly and include:

Income derived from shares; and

Other forms of corporate income treated as dividends under the tax laws of the source country,



excluding interest income.

Outlook

The revised India-France treaty is expected to enhance predictability for investors, facilitate greater flows of capital, and support long-term commercial cooperation. The proposed amending protocol is also likely to encourage greater technology transfer and mobility of skilled professionals.
Willows trial and the threat of arrests

Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Willows trial takes center stage as arrests loom

Portias pregnancy and Isaiahs stand

Image credit : Soap Opera Digest | Portias pregnancy raises questions

Confessions, captivity, and growing danger

Image credit : IMDb | Valentins secrets worry Lulu

As the week of December 1519 unfolds on General Hospital, the focus turns sharply to Willows trial and the ripple effects it creates across Port Charles. With new evidence pushing the case forward, loyalties are tested, secrets surface, and multiple storylines move toward possible turning points. From tense courtroom moments to quiet confessions and hidden dangers, the days ahead promise steady twists rather than easy answers.Willows legal battle officially moves into trial territory, leaving her facing serious pressure with only a small circle standing beside her. As the case gains momentum, Michaels already strained dynamic with his ex-wife grows colder, especially after a difficult encounter involving Drew. Emotions run high, and the distance between them becomes more visible as the week progresses.The courtroom tension escalates when Nina takes the stand after calling in a favor, placing her squarely in the spotlight. Her testimony could have lasting consequences, not just for Willow but for others connected to the case. By the end of the week, Chases actions raise eyebrows when he makes two arrests. The timing sparks questions about whether these moves are directly tied to the trial, especially with lingering suspicions surrounding Drews shooting and the possibility that more than one person could be held responsible.Away from the courtroom drama, Portias personal life takes a complicated turn following a health scare that reveals her pregnancy. Isaiah, now aware of the risks involved, makes it clear that he is focused on protecting both Portia and the baby, regardless of whether he is the father.Even though Portia returns home with Curtis, Isaiah remains closely involved. Over the course of the week, he puts forward an offer that reflects his commitment, then steps back to support Portias final decision. His actions suggest a willingness to stand by her choices, highlighting the emotional complexity surrounding the pregnancy and the uncertain future it brings.Elsewhere in Port Charles, Valentin continues to stay under Carlys roof, while Lulu grows increasingly uneasy about her daughters safety. Midweek, Charlotte makes a confession that may reveal she has been in contact with her father, raising new concerns within the family. Valentin, meanwhile, finds himself weighing serious matters during a tense exchange with Carly as the week draws to a close.At the same time, Anna remains unaware that she is being held on Spoon Island, completely under Sidwells control. As fragments of her abduction begin to make sense, she receives a distraction that could open the door to a possible escape attempt. Whether she can act on it remains uncertain.Trials, secrets, and hidden dangers collide this week, leaving Port Charles on edge as every storyline inches closer to consequence.
4 shots in 5.2 seconds with a bolt action rifle? Thats awfully damn fast for anyone, especially a civilian. Somebody trained this animal. pic.twitter.com/rF03a3hQIA







 John Rich (@johnrich) December 15, 2025





Image credit : X | @JeffreyxEpstein | Mother Recalls Sons Last Words Hours Before Bondi Beach Tragedy

She added that he had told her he was in Jervis Bay with his father. The mother described her son as a 'good boy' and didn't even have a firearm.

Naveed's mother shared he never mixed with his friends and more

Image credit : X | @AlboMP | Alleged Shooters Mother Shares Final Conversation as Father Killed in Police Confrontation

She described him as a quiet, disciplined young man who rarely socialised, avoided alcohol, smoking, and trouble, and spent his time working, exercising, and staying at home.Emphasising his routine and character, she said any parent would be proud to have a son like him, calling him a good boy.Well, following the incident, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday called the shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach 'an act of pure evil'.
she got what she was looking for











 Kong D (@KongDe05795761) December 14, 2025





In my eyes she won and these girls were desperate for attention











 Bbeh Hsneh (@BHsneh33490) December 14, 2025





Blueface weighs in





Image credit : X/ @FearedBuck | Blueface weighs in after Rocks street clash

Rocks former partner, rapper Blueface, also commented on the incident through an Instagram post, mentioning "LA gang culture." His statement further fueled online discussion, as followers speculated on the cultural context and its potential influence on the confrontation. The interaction between Rock and Blueface has added another layer of interest to an already viral situation.

Continuing coverage





As the video spreads across social media, it continues to draw attention and debate. Fans and media outlets remain engaged, analysing the circumstances that led to the confrontation and the actions of those involved. The incident highlights how quickly public confrontations can escalate and the powerful role of social media in intensifying these moments.
 An Australian bystander tackling one of the shooters in Sidney, disarming him, and then shooting him with his own shotgun.







Brave man. pic.twitter.com/6LTOXUhsRg





 Molo44  (@MoloWarMonitor) December 14, 2025

Trump offers condolences to victims and Australia

Trump referred to the broader tragedy in Australia while addressing recent acts of violence elsewhere.Likewise, in Australia, as you know, there was a terrible attack, he said. I just want to pay my respects to everybody.Addressing Australians directly, Trump spoke about the relationship between the two countries.But to Australians, the Prime Minister, to everybody that we know so well, we get along with so well, we have a great relationship, he said. Thats a terrible situation going on over there. Think of that.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the violence struck at the heart of the nation and forever marked one of Australias most iconic locations.

Linking the attack to global violence

ATTN; There is an attack, shooting in Australia





Close up pic of one of the alleged shooters@AlboMP You need mass deportations ASAP !





Or you just going to ignore invaders & keep arresting those Caucasian Australian Nationalists for speech, opinions & patriotism ? pic.twitter.com/N9fUDm5mcy





 MrDuckyOfWindsor (@MrDWindsorAndMe) December 14, 2025





Trump also connected his comments on the Bondi Beach shooting to other recent acts of violence, including an attack in Syria.Trump said that while three people were killed in Syria, two injured victims had already been released from hospital, and another was expected to recover.

Final condolences from the United States

As Australia mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, Trump said he wanted to extend condolences on behalf of the United States.To the families of those that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America, he said. Its a very important thing to say. And we mean it.
Contact cut off since 2018

Image credit : X/MeghanMarkleOrg | Meghan Markles strained relationship with her father has resurfaced

The letter delivered to the hospital

Image credit : X/starss_style | Meghan Markle with Prince Harry

Thomas Markles response and health history

Image credit : X/MeghanMarkleOrg | Meghan Markle has reportedly not spoken to her father since 2018

Meghan Markles relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, has again come under attention following reports about a private letter sent to him during his hospital stay. The developments highlight how the distance between father and daughter has remained unchanged for years, despite health crises and attempts at limited communication.Meghan Markle, now 44, has reportedly not spoken to her father since 2018. According to reports, she deleted his phone number shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry in May that year, which Thomas Markle did not attend. Since then, there has been no direct communication between them.Sources indicate that Meghan has no plans to visit her father and has given up hope of repairing the relationship. The decision reflects a long-standing breakdown that has persisted despite significant events in her fathers life.Thomas Markle, 81, is currently in a hospital in the Philippines, recovering from a leg amputation. Despite his condition, Meghan has not made contact by phone or in person.Earlier this week, it was reported that Meghan sent a letter to her father that was hand-delivered to him at the hospital. The letter is understood to clearly express her feelings about his repeated decision to speak to the media about their relationship.According to reports, Meghan hoped the message would remain private. She is believed to have avoided calling the hospital directly out of concern that a phone conversation could be overheard. At the time of writing, there has been no reply to the letter, and no further contact has taken place since it was delivered.Meghan is said to believe that her fathers engagement with the media played a central role in the collapse of their relationship. The letter reportedly reflected this view without dramatic language or public intent.Since being admitted to hospital, Thomas Markle has stated that he was confused by reports suggesting Meghan had attempted to contact him. He has said he kept the same phone number for years, hoping she might reach out.He has also publicly expressed a desire to speak with his daughter, while questioning whether the circumstances are appropriate. His choice of bedside visitor following the surgery further underscored the ongoing distance between them.The situation has renewed focus on his 2018 decision to share a private letter from Meghan with a journalist, the same journalist who later visited him at his hospital bedside in the Philippines.Thomas Markle has faced several serious health emergencies in recent years, including two heart attacks in 2018 and a stroke in 2022 that required him to relearn how to speak. Meghan has not publicly commented on any of these medical events.
Image credit : Instagram| @indians| A user posted a chat screenshot showing AI-generated Egypt trip photos.

The online flex that went hilariously wrong

Image credit : Instagram| @indians| When AI tries too hard to impress

Image credit : Instagram| A user shared their reaction to the viral image

Image credit : Instagram| Users couldnt help but respond to the photo.

Image credit : Instagram| The image drew reactions from viewers online.

How one fake trip became everyones lesson

Image credit : Freepik| Dating apps are tough when honesty is rare

A mans attempt to impress on a dating app has backfired spectacularly, leaving the internet in stitches. He posted what appeared to be photos from an exotic trip to Egypt, hoping to showcase his adventurous side. Instead, eagle-eyed users quickly noticed that the images were riddled with impossible details, revealing them as AI-generated fabrications. Within hours, his supposed globe-trotting flex had turned into a viral meme, sparking widespread amusement, and a serious debate about honesty in the digital dating world.The screenshots, shared across social media, show a series of photos of him exploring the pyramids, riding camels, and posing in front of iconic Egyptian landmarks. At first glance, the images seemed convincing: vibrant skies, perfectly composed shots, and what looked like authentic historical backgrounds. But as users scrutinised the pictures, subtle errors jumped out. Shadows fell at the wrong angles, landmarks were misaligned, and some backgrounds contained elements that simply dont exist in real life.This incident highlights a growing challenge in the age of artificial intelligence. While AI tools can create stunning, realistic images, they can also generate glaring inaccuracies that digital-savvy audiences are quick to spot. In the dating app context, what begins as a harmless embellishment can rapidly escalate into public embarrassment. Online commentators have called the scenario a cautionary tale for those who attempt to use AI to exaggerate their lifestyles or travel credentials.As the image went viral, users flooded social media with reactions, recalling their own encounters with AI-generated or obviously staged photos, and adding humorous commentary on the absurdity of the situation.One user wrote: "Now bro is never going to visit Egypt because even if he visits no one would believe him"Another user reacted saying: "Forget dating apps, he needs to match with common sense first"One more wrote: "Perfect example for without common sense"Beyond the laughs and viral memes, the story also raises questions about trust and authenticity in online dating. Users increasingly rely on photos and profiles to gauge compatibility, yet the lines between reality and digital fabrication are becoming ever blurrier. How much can you trust someone when a single Google search or a keen eye can reveal a falsehood? Dating experts argue that while playful exaggeration is common, outright deception risks not only reputational damage but also emotional fallout for potential partners.The Egyptian trip saga serves as a reminder that in the digital age, authenticity matters more than ever. AI-generated content may be impressive, but its no substitute for real-life experiences. As dating apps become a primary venue for meeting new people, honesty and transparency remain key to building meaningful connections. For those tempted to embellish their profiles, the viral backlash offers a simple lesson: in the era of smartphones and instant fact-checking, you can be exposed faster than eversometimes in the most meme-worthy way possible.
Image credit : X | @MarioNawfal | Students and staff remain cautious as police and law enforcement agencies continue their investigation on campus.

Suspected Brown University shooter released; campus remains on alert

CNN

Image credit : X | @JoshHall2024 | Police at Brown University maintain a heightened presence following the mass shooting incident.

Why is Benjamin Erickson being released now?

Image credit : X | @JoshHall2024 | Investigators continue to probe the deadly Brown University shooting that left two dead and nine injured.

Lack of evidence to prosecute

CNN

After the ongoing discussions and speculations around the identity of the suspect behind the tragic mass shooting at Brown University, the person of interest identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, arrested on Sunday, is reportedly being released now. Police have released a man who was detained in connection with the deadly shooting at Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Let's find out why he has been released now.According to, two people were killed in the tragic mass shooting, and nine others, mostly students, were injured in Saturday's attack at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.Authorities earlier identified the detained man as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, a former US Army serviceman. On Sunday, police are releasing the man previously detained, as new evidence "points in a different direction," says Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.With his release, the suspected gunman remains at large, though the university confirmed there is no immediate threat to the campus community.In a statement Sunday night, Brown University said there is "no basis" to consider the released Wisconsin man a person of interest, while law enforcement continues its investigation. The university added that local police do not believe there is any immediate threat to the campus or surrounding community, though heightened police presence remains.The statement read, "We continue to make every effort to ensure the safety and security of the campus. We are also advising every member of the Brown community to be vigilant in their own activities on campus."According to, Police Chief Oscar L. Perez explained that while officials had some evidence, it was insufficient to pursue charges. A tip had prompted the FBI to locate the individual of interest, but after reviewing the evidence, the person was released.Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha noted that such reversals are a routine part of the investigative process.
Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis has warned that further arrests are imminent in a widening crackdown on agricultural subsidy fraud, revealing that authorities have already froze 33 million ($34.7 million) in illegal payments.

Speaking in parliament, Mr. Chrysochoidis praised the newly formed Organized Crime Directoratedubbed the "Greek FBI"for its aggressive audit of the sector.

He confirmed that investigators have scrutinized over

6,000 tax identification numbers to uncover criminal networks siphoning EU and state funds

"Two major cases have already been sent to justice, and more will follow soon," Mr. Chrysochoidis said.

The announcement follows the arrest of 15 suspects in Crete on Friday, including a prominent cooperative leader, for allegedly defrauding the state of 1.7 million. Since its inception 13 months ago, the special police unit has dismantled 157 criminal organizations and arrested 1,900 suspects across various sectors.

Mr. Chrysochoidis also used the address to defend police tactics against ongoing farmer protests. He angrily rejected opposition claims that officers used plastic bullets during recent clashes.

"Has there been a single injured farmer in the past 16 days?" Mr. Chrysochoidis asked lawmakers. "Where would we even find [plastic bullets]? For Gods sake!"

The crackdown comes as the government faces fierce pressure from opposition parties Syriza and PASOK, who accuse the administration of failing to protect the agricultural sector while pushing controversial reforms to transfer subsidy oversight to the tax authority.

Beyond financial crime, the minister highlighted a broader law-and-order push, noting that traffic deaths have dropped by 120 compared to last year and that police have filed nearly 11,000 cases related to illegal weapons possession in 2025.

   iefimerida.gr
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has joined world leaders in condemning a deadly rampage at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration, describing the attack that left 12 people dead and 29 wounded as a "horrific" act of antisemitism.

"Antisemitism and hatred have no place in our societies," Mr. Mitsotakis wrote in an English-language statement, expressing shock over the violence at Bondi Beach.

Australian

authorities confirmed that gunmen opened fire on the religious gathering marking the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Police stated one attacker was killed at the scene and a second was neutralized shortly after. Two police officers were among the injured.

The massacre has drawn immediate global outrage, amplifying concerns over a sharp rise in antisemitic violence.

In Greece, the tragedy resonated amid ongoing domestic debates regarding public safety. Opposition parties, including Syriza and PASOK, have urged the government to reinforce protections for minority communities and take a harder line against extremist hate speech.

Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece stands in "full solidarity" with the Jewish community and the people of Australia.

The incident adds to a grim list of recent attacks on religious events globally, prompting renewed calls for heightened security at cultural gatherings.



   iefimerida.gr
From record cultural investments to farmers protests, Parliament witnesses intense political confrontations over Greeces economic priorities
Confrontation escalates as farmers reject a closed-door meeting, publish demands and step up mobilizations

Keywords

 
A holistic reform of pay , ranks, education and conscription  All key provisions of the Dendias bill
Kwara State Government wishes to clarify that the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandit in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State  contrary to the disinformation spreading on social media platforms.

First, the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandits in any part of Ifelodun.

We have carefully watched the short video in circulation in which some individuals arrested said they were in possession of a vehicle given to them by Ilorin Government and weapons they received from Abuja.

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While the content of the video and the whole circumstances around the suspects are being investigated, it is important to clarify that the suspects were not arrested in Ifelodun or any part of Kwara. No security agency, including the Army, ever reported such arrests in Kwara.

They were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State. Further details are awaited for more clarity.

Indeed, no State Government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47. Neither did the individuals mention that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon.

The Ifelodun Local Government Authority, for its part, has clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security. These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun.
A United Statesbased humanitarian group, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised an alarm over an alleged plan by terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks on several communities in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day, a claim the Federal Government has dismissed as speculative and panic-inducing.

The warning was issued by the organisations founder, Judd Saul, during a roundtable discussion held in Washington, DC, and organised by the International Committee on Nigeria in collaboration with the African Jewish Alliance.

The meeting was chaired by former United States Congressman Frank Wolf and attended by serving US lawmakers, officials of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and members of a Nigerian delegation.

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At the meeting, Saul alleged that armed groups were regrouping in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly along the PlateauNasarawa, NasarawaBenue and NasarawaKaduna corridors.

He claimed the groups were planning coordinated attacks on communities in Riyom and Bokkos in Plateau State, as well as Kafanchan in Kaduna State and Agatu in Benue State on Christmas Day.

Saul reportedly called for urgent intervention to avert what he described as potential mass killings. Sources familiar with the meeting said the discussion formed part of ongoing engagements by US lawmakers and advocacy groups on Nigerias security situation and alleged attacks on Christian communities.

One source disclosed that Saul had formally submitted the intelligence to US authorities through Congressman Riley Moore.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed it was aware of the reported threat and had commenced preventive security operations.

A senior DSS official said the agency had received intelligence relating to the alleged plot, while another operative noted that violent attacks have historically occurred during festive periods in parts of Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and Benue State.

Riyom and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State have experienced repeated attacks in recent months.

Reacting to the alert, the Presidency advised Nigerians to treat reports from foreign organisations with caution. The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, assured the public that security agencies were on high alert and fully prepared to ensure a peaceful Christmas celebration across the country.
IMO POLICE COMMAND ARREST 58-YEAR-OLD MAN FOR ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT RESULTING IN WIFES DEATH IN AHIAZU MBAISE

Operatives of the Ahiazu Mbaise Divisional Headquarters have arrested one Vitalis Nwoko (58), of Umuagba, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, for the alleged murder of his wife, Uloma.

The arrest followed a report lodged at the Division by the deceaseds sister, who alleged that the suspect violently assaulted his wife during a domestic dispute. Acting promptly on the report, operatives of the Division arrested the suspect.

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During preliminary investigation, the suspect stated that a misunderstanding between him and his wife on 11th December 2025 escalated into a physical altercation, during which the victim collapsed. She was rushed to Cecilia Hospital, Ogbe, where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, for thorough investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, urges residents to promptly report cases of domestic violence, assuring the public of the Commands resolve to deal decisively with perpetrators.

DSP OKOYE HENRY, ANIPR

Police Public Relations Officer

Imo State Police Command

14th December, 2025
A United Statesbased Nigerian couple has been arrested in Minnesota following an incident involving federal immigration officers during an attempted arrest over an alleged visa overstay.

According to reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had moved to arrest a Nigerian national, Oluwadamilola Bamigboye, over claims that he overstayed his student visa. The operation reportedly took place while Bamigboye was inside a vehicle.

Eyewitness and official accounts indicate that during the arrest attempt, Bamigboye allegedly moved from the front passenger seat to the back seat of the car. An ICE agent reportedly entered the back seat to restrain him, while another agent occupied the front passenger seat.

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Authorities alleged that the driver of the vehicle, identified as Rekeya Lionesha Lee Frazier, suddenly put the car in motion and drove toward a nearby police station with the agents still inside the vehicle. Upon arrival, Bamigboye reportedly fled from the car and ran into a nearby store before being apprehended.

Both individuals were subsequently taken into custody by law enforcement officers. Federal authorities have confirmed that the couple is currently being held and faces federal charges connected to the incident, including the alleged kidnapping of a federal agent.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing, and officials have not released further details at the time of filing this report.
An American Airlines flight attendant who works out of the Philadelphia International Airport is suing the airline, alleging that flight attendants arent properly paid for all of their time on the job.

Flight attendants are required to arrive early at the airport and help board and deplane passengers, but these and some other parts of the travel process are not usually counted in payroll and dont count toward overtime, according to the lawsuit.

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Flight attendant Christopher John filed a complaint in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in October and later moved to federal court in Philadelphia. John is suing on behalf of himself and other flight attendants for American Airlines based out of PHL as far back as October 2022, the complaint said.

The airline generally does not credit or pay flight attendants for the hour or two prior to a flights departure time, time spent boarding passengers before a flight and deplaning them upon arrival, or time spent traveling on a shuttle to and from hotels on stopover flights.

All of these activities fall squarely within their day-to-day job duties, the complaint reads.

American Airlines has argued that the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act  which establishes a minimum wage and overtime rate in the state  does not apply to this case because the flight attendants have a union contract that outlines pay practices.

American Airlines said in a motion to dismiss the case that the state law expressly exempts employe[es] of an air carrier from its overtime requirements if their hours of work, wages, and overtime compensation are governed by a collective bargaining agreement.

American Airlines flight attendants are represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. A recent union contract for those employees started in September 2024 and ends in September 2029. As of last year, the union represented some 28,000 American Airlines flight attendants.

The attorney for the flight attendant, Peter Winebrake, declined to comment on the case. Lawyers for American Airlines at OMelveny & Myers did not immediately provide a comment.

How are flight attendants compensated?

Typically, flight attendants  regardless of their airline  have not been paid for time before the plane closes its doors, such as when boarding travelers. (Airlines have argued that the time spent on the ground is compensated because of the pay structure that promises a minimum of one hour paid flight time for every two hours of duty.)

But thats beginning to change at some airlines.

Last year, American Airlines flight attendants secured a contract including pay for time spent boarding passengers, and Delta started partially compensating employees for this time in 2022.

In August, Air Canada flight attendants went on strike for three days amid contract negotiations in which they sought to secure pay for time spent working on the ground before a plane takes off or after it lands. Flight attendants rejected a tentative agreement in September, with a union leader saying the airline did not bargain in good faith on wages.

In the U.S., flight attendants must get permission from the federal government in order to strike.

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest carrier at PHL, carrying nearly 20 million passengers through the airport in 2024.

The airline is the ninth largest employer in Philadelphia County, according to the states Department of Labor and Industry. The median pay of flight attendants in the U.S. was $67,130 last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

American Airlines employs over 10,000 people in the Philadelphia area, including 2,567 flight attendants, according to the companys website.

Staff reporter Abraham Gutman contributed to this article.
An Amazon data center (front right) is under construction next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, Pa., in this 2024 file photo. Another Amazon center is being built in Falls Township, Bucks County. Read more

Data center opponents outnumber supporters in Southeast Pennsylvania, according to a recent survey from Real Clear Politics and Emerson College.

Overall, however, the poll found that Pennsylvanians have mixed opinions on artificial intelligence and the data centers that power AI tools.

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Several such centers have recently been proposed in the Philadelphia area, and some of them have been met with neighborhood pushback.

Amazon is building a 2-million-square-foot data center in Falls Township, Bucks County. A 1.3-million-square-foot data center is proposed at the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital in East Vincent Township, Chester County. And near Conshohocken, plans for a 2-million-square-foot data center had to be withdrawn over legal issues, but can be resubmitted at any time.

More than 150 data centers already exist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to Data Center Map, which tracks the facilities nationwide, but not all of them fuel AI.

 READ MORE: Human reporters explain why AI data centers are so controversial in the Philly suburbs and beyond

According to the new survey, 38% of all Pennsylvanians support data centers being built in the Commonwealth, while 35% oppose, and 27% are neutral or have no opinion. But when asked about data centers being built in their area, residents opposition grows: 34% support, 42% oppose, and 24% are neutral or have no opinion about centers being built in or near their communities.

And opposition to close-to-home data center construction is among the strongest in the southeast part of Pennsylvania, second only to opposition in the northeast, a hot spot for data center construction. In Southeast Pennsylvania, 45% of respondents strongly or somewhat oppose data centers, while 54% strongly or somewhat oppose them in the northeast.

Among Pennsylvanians worries about data centers, 70% are concerned about the amount of water data centers use, and 71% are concerned about the amount of electricity data centers use.

Seventy percent of Pennsylvanians strongly or somewhat support requiring data centers to provide their own energy generation, rather than get electricity from the grid.

When it comes to AI more broadly, just over half of Pennsylvanians told pollsters they believe AI will decrease the number of available jobs in their industry, while 16% said they think it will increase the number of jobs (29% said they thought it would have no impact).

Nearly twice as many residents think AI will have a net negative impact on the economy compared to how many think it will have a positive impact (48% said negative, 25% said positive). When respondents were asked about the environment, the results were similar (46% vs. 21%).

The survey of 2,000 Pennsylvania adults was conducted online and via text between Nov. 19 and 23.
Ira Lubert at an event hosted by Project HOME, one of his favorite Philadelphia charities, in 2023. Read more

When he turned 74 last year, Ira Lubert retired from the day job that had consumed him since the 1990s  raising more than $20 billion for the investment funds he set up with partners.

A top IBM salesman and former IT exec before he set up his constellation of investment funds, Lubert is rich enough to focus on investing what hes kept and giving the profits away.

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Lubert is a salesman, planner, and recruiter, not an investment genius, he said.

The key is to always hire people smarter than you, he said at his family investing office at the Battery, the former electric generating station on the Delaware River that his real estate group, Lubert-Adler Partners, renovated into hotel suites, offices, recreation sites, and apartments. It opened in 2023.

Those funds own or have financed hundreds of enterprises and properties around the U.S., including locally familiar Acme Markets, Five Below, and Philadelphias Aramark and Bellevue buildings. They have generated billions in net client profits, and a fortune in fees for Lubert and his partners, including hundreds of millions from his key early clients, Pennsylvanias state pension funds.

Lubert built a business renting trailers to Penn State varsity wrestlers and grad student couples, before graduating in 1973 with a hotel management degree.

After IBM, he spent the 1980s running big IT businesses, then the 90s as top aide to Warren Pete Musser, Philadelphias best-known venture capitalist. He quit, Lubert said at the time, because he didnt understand how to make money from the early internet (as it turned out, neither did Musser, or a lot of pro investors).

Instead of just trusting his gut, Lubert then partnered with real estate veteran Dean Adler, investment banker Seth Lehr, venture accountant Howard Ross, turnaround ace Greg Segal, and other experts to run his funds, while he focused on convincing state treasurers and other big investors to bet on their projects. Like others, he was solicited by and gave to state officials campaigns: only in 2010 did the SEC curb firms paid to manage state and local funds from making political contributions.

The funds include Lubert-Adler; LLR (military contractors and other private equity); LEM Capital (apartments); LBC Credit Partners (distressed debt); and bank, biotech, and other specialty enterprises, most of them owned by Pennsylvanias pension funds since they started.

Lubert also invested separately from his funds, on what he considered riskier projects, like the Valley Forge Casino Resort. And he lost money, for himself and private partners, during the data center frenzy of the early 2010s, long before the current AI boom.

He was a Penn State trustee and chaired the board as his alma mater coped with the Paterno-era scandals, stepping down for the last time when he got a license to build the Happy Valley Casino near State College.

In retirement, Lubert oversees his family office, Belgravia Management LP, named for the Locust Street building he and his partners renovated as their first operating base. He also oversees his charitable foundations, with assets over $100 million, that give away profits to Penn State, University of Pennsylvania and Jefferson hospitals, Project HOME, Jewish causes, and other nonprofits. He relies on a veteran staff of seven, plus advisers such as Philadelphia trust lawyer Lester Lipschutz.

Lubert recently spoke with The Inquirer about his goals in retirement in light of his career. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Who drew you toward business?

My grandfather, Isidore Brody, was an immigrant from Romania. Age 18, he came through Ellis Island and went to his aunt in Newton, N.J. My father grew up there; he had an appliance-repair business. But with my grandfather, it was a lot of businesses. He had a butcher shop, a liquor store, a Sunoco station. He had apartments, the largest had nine units.

A couple days a week, Id walk a mile to his house from school. He showed me a lot about business and real estate.

Pro investors like to call their shots. Why let your partners pick investments?

At age 47, my expertise was in raising capital. I wasnt an engineer. I had tremendous respect for people [with specialized knowledge]. I wanted them to do their thing and then at a cocktail party they would be able to say I founded Versa or I founded LLR. Not I work for Ira.

I get recognized because my name came out in the different funds. And they got bigger.

Why did you buy high-return assets you didnt put in clients funds?

Not all investments were appropriate for them. But when I did buy something personally, we had to bring it to the fund compliance people to make sure there wasnt a conflict of interest.

You had a reputation for getting intense in meetings. Did you dial that back as you got bigger?

I dont believe I have an aggressive style. I am focused and disciplined. I dont deviate from a plan. I look for partners who are honest, ethical, committed, and capable.

Your son Jonathan is also an investor, now based in Florida. Will family members succeed you?

I have it set up so when I pass, my net worth will go to donor-advised funds and charitable foundations.

Philadelphia had big multi-company investors  the Fox brothers, the Perelmans, Ralph Roberts of Comcast. Did you learn from them?

They were brilliant business people and entrepreneurs. Im really different from those guys. They each had a major operating business that they started, then they sold it and used the money to start their funds. I just started funds from the beginning [in the late 1990s] and partnered with top talent.

It was a great run. Now I really want to do this, while I have something left.
Philadelphia-based Janney Montgomery Scott LLC has confirmed plans to exit the investment banking business and will focus exclusively on beefing up its wealth advisory business under its private-equity owner KKR, which bought Janney last year.

The firm has made what CEO Tony Miller called a strategic decision to sell the last of its banking units.

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Investment bankers raise money for companies and governments by selling stock shares, bonds, and other financial instruments to investors, for a cut of the proceeds, a sometimes lucrative but hard-to-predict business. Research analysts help attract those clients by writing about their financial prospects.

Wealth advisors, typically registered with the SEC or licensed through the industry group FINRA, are paid to guide clients investments, and may sell exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other approved products. Business has soared with the U.S. stock markets in recent years. Miller, the Janney CEO, called investing in that business a better road to long-term success.

Janney plans to sell its last bond and investment banking units, including staff in Philadelphia, at its TM Capital in Atlanta, and in other offices, to Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares and its financial institutions banking, research, and sales units to New York-based Brean Capital. Janney officials hope to close the deals in early 2026. The prices havent been disclosed.

Janney, which recently added advisors in Texas among other states, will remain based in Philadelphia. The company employs around 900 in the region.

Regional commercial banks and other small to midsize financial institutions were among the last industry groups Janney investment bankers and analysts covered. Just last month, Janney bankers announced that they had advised Georgia-based First Southern Bank on its unusual $51 million sale to member-owned Community First Credit Union of Jacksonville, Fla.

Former Janney employees said Janneys owners had the option of taking the time and money to build up the investment banking unit, such as regional brokerages Piper Sandler, Raymond James, and Baird & Co. have done in recent years, instead of cutting back and relying entirely on trading and investment volume that rises and falls with market prices.

Until the late 1900s, Philadelphia was a financial center, and generations of investment professionals  at firms started by Stephen Girard, Jay Cooke, J.P. Morgans mentor A.J. Drexel, the predecessors of whats now Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, the Butcher clan, as well as Janney and smaller firms  raised money for enterprises ranging from the Pennsylvania Railroad to Donald Trumps ill-fated Atlantic City casinos. Janney notoriously fired critical analyst Marvin Roffman in 1990 at Trumps insistence.

Successful investment bankers were paid a percentage of the deals they closed, built Main Line and Shore estates, and established branches in other cities.

But even locally based companies now bank with giant Wall Street firms. Janneys wealth advisory office network, juiced by the relentless rise in the U.S. stock markets, has lately accounted for more than 90% of Janneys revenue, with investment banking only a thin sliver, according to a statement the company gave The Inquirer.

The big investment banks are feasting on deals, said Robert Costello, a veteran Philadelphia-area money manager. But the small deals have been drying up, and if they are getting rid of the municipal-bond desk, theres nothing left.

Its another one bites the dust, said Ryan Connors, a Bucks County-based former Janney analyst who covers utility stocks for Northcoast Research.

Philadelphia is thriving as a city, but our business has left it, Connors said.

Yet investment research has survived the decline in regional investment banking, he added.

When Connors left Boenning & Scattergood, a Philadelphia investment bank where he had been director of research before it sold and shut down in 2022, they told us [stock] research was dying.

But Connors said research-based firms like his employer are doing well because hedge funds and other large investors have proven willing to pay for financial research.
In the days after the killing of 93-year-old Lafayette Dailey on Dec. 3, authorities said, street surveillance cameras captured Coy Thomas behind the wheel of Daileys white 2007 Chrysler 300.

Then, they said, Thomas sold the car for $900.

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On Monday, prosecutors with the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office released new details in their case against Thomas, who is charged with murder, robbery, and related crimes in connection with a slaying that unfolded quietly inside Daileys Logan home.

Surveillance footage from that day showed a man police believe to be Thomas walking through the front door of Daileys house in the 4500 block of N. 16th St. About 10 minutes later, prosecutors said, the man reemerged, slid behind the wheel of Daileys sedan, and drove away.

Two days later, police found Dailey dead inside the home. He had been stabbed several times in the chest.

His house had also been ransacked, said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, with things thrown around, indicating there was a struggle before Dailey was killed.

Police found no signs of forced entry. Thomas unhindered entrance into the home suggested that the men knew one another in a neighborly way, Toczylowski said. Thomas, 53, previously lived near Dailey, she said.

Thomas is also accused of stealing and using Daileys debit card before he was taken into custody on Sunday.

District Attorney Larry Krasner called the killing evil, adding: Even the mob didnt target seniors.

Krasner asked anyone with information about the killing to call police.

Its in your hands to make sure that your energy and your eyes and your ears are tuned in, so that we can prevent this next time and we can get a just and appropriate remedy this time, he said.
William Ingram pleaded guilty to third-degree murder Monday during a hearing at the Bucks County Justice Center. Read more

A Northampton Township man who beat his elderly mother to death and hid her body in a pile of furniture and garbage, pleaded guilty to the slaying Monday.

William Ingram, 51, entered a plea to third-degree murder and related crimes for killing his 82-year-old mother, Dolores, as well as drug crimes for running a sizable marijuana and psilocybin mushroom-distribution business out of the condo they shared.

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In a deal negotiated with Bucks County prosecutors, Ingram avoided a trial on charges of first-degree murder, and the potential it carries for life in prison.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc Furber said that negotiation included an agreed-upon sentence of 26 to 54 years in state prison for murder, abuse of corpse, and related crimes. But Ingrams sentencing for the drug crimes will be up to the discretion of Common Pleas Judge Stephen Corr at a hearing in February.

Ingrams attorney, Riley Downs, said Ingram suffers from a schizoaffective disorder, which is being treated and managed through medication while hes incarcerated.

During his plea before Corr, Ingram admitted to the murder but initially seemed confused about some of the details.

Investigators said that after beating his mother in the head on June 16, 2024, Ingram left behind a chaotic and gruesome crime scene, with blood spattered throughout the homes living room.

Ingram buried her body under a mountain of detritus, including a shattered aquarium that once housed his two pet lizards, which police found dead nearby.

Police found $53,000 among the items piled on top of the victim, as well as six pounds of marijuana and packaged psylocibin mushrooms. More drugs and paraphernalia, including cases of marijuana vapes, hash, and edibles, were found in Ingrams bedroom.

A handwritten note advertised the prices for each item, according to Furber, the prosecutor.

Ingram stole his mothers Honda Civic and fled Bucks County, driving four hours south to Washington, D.C.

Just before 1 a.m. the next day, police said, Ingram, wearing no clothes, approached a police officer sitting in a patrol car and used a skateboard to smash the cars front passenger window. When the officer confronted him, he grabbed the officer, according to police. The officer pushed Ingram away, and he ran off.

Other officers caught up to Ingram about a half-mile away and took him into custody. He was charged with assaulting a police officer and destruction of property and was taken into custody.

While being questioned by police, Ingram admitted to killing his mother hours earlier after he said she hit him in the face, Furber said Monday.

He told the officers he left her body in their home.

Theres tons of stuff thrown all over the place, I dont know what the [expletive] I threw. ... theres blood, just a big mess, Ingram said, according to court filings.
President Joe Biden (center) and Jill Biden meet with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie before the team's game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. Read more

The Eagle has landed.

Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden touched down at the Linc for the snowy Sunday matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11). Joe and "that girl from Philly," Jill, were spotted on the sidelines with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie before the 1 p.m. kickoff.

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 READ MORE: Joe Biden has raised little of what he needs to build his presidential library, a new report finds

Go Birds, man, all the way, Biden said in a clip posted to NBC10s John Clarks Instagram. Gotta win the Super Bowl again.

Jill Biden, who grew up in Willow Grove, is a fervent Eagles fan and has never been shy about her passion for Philly sports. Shes talked about watching the Phillies with her dad, and in 2020, wore an Eagles shirt to a fundraiser with former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith  as any good Philly girl would do.

 READ MORE: Jill Bidens Philly grit

Husband Joe, a Delawarean, hasnt been so forthcoming about his allegiance; ahead of the ill-fated Super Bowl LVII, then-POTUS tweeted, As your president, Im not picking favorites. But as Jill Bidens husband, fly Eagles, fly.

Coming off three straight losses and arguably the worst game of Jalen Hurts career, the Birds faced the perfect opponent to turn things around in Week 15: The Raiders are tied for the worst record in the league.

We got to get em back moving, man, Joe Biden said.
With two acclaimed restaurants and a high-end coffee bar in Center City, chef Greg Vernick wasnt looking to expand two years ago when a close friend introduced him to developers working in the Fishtown-Kensington corridor.

They had a mixed-use building going up on Frankford Avenue, just north of the York Street roundabout. Vernick walked the neighborhood. It reminded me of the East Village  a place you want to hang out at night, but also a real community, he said. Still, Vernick was not entirely sold on the project until he and his wife, Julie, started spending more time nearby, dining at Fiore across the street and around the corner at Picnic and Zig Zag BBQ.

The developers  Henry Siebert, Ryan Kalili, and Michael Dinan, all Vernick regulars  were keen on having an Italian restaurant in the building, at 2406 Frankford Ave. Vernicks thoughts naturally turned to Meredith Medoway, the longtime chef de cuisine at his Vernick Food & Drink on Walnut Street. Her heart has always been in pasta and Italian food, Vernick said. She took our pasta program from really good to great. So I started thinking: This could be the right person.

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Theyve targeted early 2026 for Emilia, a neighborhood trattoria featuring a seasonally flexible menu built around house-made pasta and live-fire cooking. (Vernicks connection to the project has not previously been made public, and the restaurants name, recently set into tiles at the entrance, has been a subject of speculation on community Facebook groups.)

Canno Designs Carey Jackson Yonce, who worked on Emilia with California-based designer Bob Bronstein, said they were going for calmness, cleanliness, and contrast, using contrasting materials, such as cinderblock on the bars front, spruce slats lining the ceiling, and oak panels on the walls. (During a visit last week, Vernick declined a request to photograph the space, as it was not completed.)

I wanted it to feel like the kind of place where you walk in and exhale and relax, Vernick said. Industry-friendly, not precious. We want to hit two markets from day one: the neighborhood and the industry. If you get those right, everything else falls into place.

There will be seating for about 60 in the dining room, with 20 additional seats in a lounge area and 10 at the bar. The bar and lounge are intended for walk-ins, while the main dining room will lean more heavily on reservations.

The 33-year-old Medoway  a Cherry Hill native like Vernick, who is 45  studied political science at American University in Washington, D.C.

During one college summer, she worked at Hinge Cafe in Port Richmond and fell in love with cooking. She interned at Vernick Food & Drink, stayed on, worked every station, and moved to Hearthside in Collingswood for its 2017 opening. She spent three months cooking in Calabria, and flew back to the United States to work at Vernick Fish at its opening in 2019. She returned to Vernick Food & Drink in 2021.

At Emilia  a purely made-up name (Vernick said he was tired of putting his own name on restaurants)  Medoway will work on a 48-inch grill fueled by charcoal and oak. The menu is intentionally restrained: about six small plates, six pastas, and six large dishes, supplemented by nightly specials.

Medoway said the pasta dishes are rooted in personal experience rather than strict regional rules. One anchor will be tortellini in brodo, based on a handwritten family recipe she received while staying in Emilia-Romagna. Another is what theyre calling chicken ragu bianco  a white ragu made with hand-cut chicken and offal  inspired by a staff meal that they ate at the American Academy in Rome during a tour of Italy.

It was the best pasta we had on that trip, Vernick said. Simple, balanced, and deeply satisfying.

Elsewhere, the menu leans toward lighter preparations and Vernicks bold style, with brothy sauces, acidity, and restrained use of fat rather than heavy butter-and-cheese finishes. Subtle char from the grill will appear throughout the menu, even in dishes that do not come directly off the fire. Proteins include rabbit prepared in cacciatore style with orange, rotating fish dishes, shellfish stew, and a nightly steak special.

Bread service will be complimentary: house-made focaccia, the imported Italian breadsticks known as grissini, and Mighty Breads sesame ciabatta. A separate bread course, the crunchy carta da musica, will be offered as a menu item.

We want the neighborhood to feel like this is their place, Medoway said. You shouldnt need a reservation just to come in for a drink and a snack.

The wine list will focus exclusively on Italian bottles. The cocktail program is still being finalized but is expected to emphasize lighter, simpler drinks.

Emilia is expected to employ between 40 and 50 people. Vernick said opening a restaurant today requires tighter menus and less waste than a decade ago, but also greater attention to staff experience  from locker rooms to staff meals  as an essential part of operations.

Were building this deliberately, Vernick said. Its taken time  but thats the point.
A close-up of President Abraham Lincoln's signature on the Leland-Boker broadside printing of the Emancipation Proclamation that will be auctioned by Christie's in January. Read more

Less than a year after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, while our nascent nation was still in the throes of the Civil War, two industrious Philadelphians devised a plan to help raise money for injured Union soldiers, war widows, and children left orphaned by the war.

Charles Godfrey Leland, a Union Army veteran of the Battle of Gettysburg, and George Henry Boker, a founder of the Union League of Philadelphia, had the text of the Emancipation Proclamation printed in Philadelphia in 1864. They got Lincoln to sign 48 copies and then sold them for $10 each, which was about a weeks worth of wages for a day laborer at the time.

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Just 27 copies are still known to exist of what is referred to as the Leland-Boker broadside  the only authorized, printed edition of the full text of the proclamation to be signed by Lincoln  and one of them will be sold by Christies next month as part of its "We the People: America at 250" auction.

Yes, even a British auction house is getting in on our Semiquincentennial celebrations (though, to be fair, the sale is taking place at Christies New York offices).

The broadside, which was also signed by Lincolns secretary of state, William Seward, and his private secretary, John Nicolay, is expected to fetch somewhere between $3 million to $5 million when its auctioned on Jan. 23.

Peter Klarnet, senior specialist for Americana books and manuscripts at Christies, said that while the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery, it was the document that paved the way for the 13th Amendment.

Its part of our historical evolution. As our society changes and societys mores change, we adjust our founding documents accordingly, he said. The Emancipation Proclamation is really a reaffirmation of American freedom in so many ways. Its now extending that freedom to people who didnt have it before and extending the promise of what was in the Constitution.

Both Leland and Boker were born into well-to-do families in Philadelphia, attended Princeton University, and became writers. Leland was a journalist and author with an interest in folklore and the occult, and who traveled extensively through Europe. Boker was a poet, playwright, and diplomat who served as an ambassador to Turkey and Russia. Both men are buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Its unclear how the two met, but Klarnet said they most likely traveled in similar social circles in Philadelphia and were organizers of the Great Central or Sanitary Fair held at Logan Square in 1864, which raised funds for supplies and necessities for the Union Army. The fair  which Lincoln attended with his wife, Mary  brought in more than $1 million.

At these fairs, which happened in numerous Union cities, autographs of famous Americans were sold to raise funds, according to Klarnet. The year prior, Lincolns signed original manuscript of the Gettysburg Address sold at a similar fair in New York City for $1,000. At a fair in Chicago, Lincolns handwritten original draft of the Emancipation Proclamation was auctioned off for $3,000, only to later be destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The official proclamation is housed at the National Archives in Washington.

Leland and Boker commissioned their copies to be printed in Philadelphia by Frederick Leypoldt as broadsides on very fine paper with wide, dramatic borders.

Surprisingly, not all sold, Klarnet said. A few were sold at other fairs and others were donated to institutions.

Of the 27 left known in existence, only a half-dozen or so are in private hands, Klarnet said. Most are in institutional collections, including here in Philadelphia where we have three  one at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, one at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries (which also has two marked-up proofs of the broadside), and one at the Union League. The National Constitution Center previously had one on loan from a private collector, but it was sold for $4.4 million at a Sothebys auction in June to a hedge fund billionaire.

The first known owner of the authorized edition being sold by Christies was Philip D. Sang, a corporate executive from Chicago whose collection was sold around the late 1970s. The current owner is the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City, which is selling the piece to benefit its acquisitions and direct care fund, according to Klarnet.

Other works with notable Philadelphia ties in Christies upcoming We the People: America at 250 auction include an edited Committee of Style draft of the U.S. Constitution, which was written in Philadelphia five days before the final draft was printed; a U.S. Centennial flag; and a 1779 letter written by Benjamin Franklin to his friend David Hartley.
SYDNEY  Australian leaders promised Monday to immediately overhaul already-tough gun control laws after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach. At least 15 people died in the attack, which has fueled criticism that authorities are not doing enough to combat a surge in antisemitic crimes.

Among the new measures proposed would be a limit on the number of guns someone can own and a review of licenses held over time. Those and other actions would represent a significant update to the landmark national firearms agreement, which virtually banned rapid-fire rifles after a gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania in 1996, galvanizing the country into action.

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The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, an icon of Australias cultural life. They included hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the Jewish festival with food, face painting and a petting zoo. Albanese called the massacre an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation.

Police shot the two suspected gunmen, a father and son. The 50-year-old father died at the scene. His 24-year-old son remained in a coma in hospital on Monday, Albanese said. Police wont reveal their names.

At least 38 other people are being treated in hospitals.

Among those is a man who was captured on video appearing to tackle and disarm one apparent assailant, before pointing the mans weapon at him, then setting the gun on the ground.

The man was identified by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as Ahmed al Ahmed. The 42-year-old fruit shop owner and father of two was shot in the shoulder.

Al Ahmed, an Australian citizen who migrated from Syria in 2006, underwent surgery on Monday, his family said.

Al Ahmeds parents, who moved to Australia in recent months, said their son had a background in the Syrian security forces.

My son has always been brave. He helps people. Hes like that, his mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. through an interpreter.

 READ MORE: Organizers of Philly area Hanukkah celebrations call for resilience after Australia attack

Authorities had investigated one of the suspected gunman

Albanese confirmed that Australias main domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, had investigated the younger suspected gunman for six months in 2019.

The ABC reported that the agency had examined the sons ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State group cell. Albanese did not describe the associates, but said the agency was interested in them rather than the son.

He was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, Albanese said.

Australia has gun laws meant to prevent mass attacks

The horror at Australias most popular beach was the deadliest shooting in almost three decades since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The removal of rapid-fire rifles has markedly reduced the death tolls from such acts of violence since then.

Albaneses proposals to limit the number of guns someone can own and review licenses were announced after the authorities revealed that the older suspected gunman had held a gun license for a decade and amassed his six guns legally.

Leaders of the federal and state governments on Monday also proposed restricting gun ownership to Australian citizens, a measure that would have excluded the older suspect, who came to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and became a permanent resident after marrying a local woman. Officials wouldnt confirm what country he had migrated from.

His son, who doesnt have a gun license, is an Australian-born citizen.

The government leaders also proposed the additional use of criminal intelligence in deciding who was eligible for a gun license. That could mean the sons suspicious associates could disqualify the father from owning a gun.

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales where Sydney is the state capital, said his states gun laws would change, but he could not yet detail how.

If youre not a farmer, youre not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police? Minns asked.

Dozens being treated in hospitals

Among those hospitalized are two police officers. Those killed included a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor.

While none of the dead or wounded have been formally named by the authorities, the identities of those killed, who ranged in age from 10 to 87, began to emerge in news reports Monday.

Among them was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the family Hanukkah event that was targeted, according to Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement that runs outreach worldwide.

Israels Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen, but gave no further details. French President Emmanuel Macron said a French citizen, identified as Dan Elkayam, was among those killed.

Larisa Kleytman told reporters outside St Vincents Hospital in Sydney that her husband, Alexander Kleytman, was among the dead. The couple were both Holocaust survivors, according to The Australian newspaper.

Jewish leaders criticize governments response to antisemitism

Over the past year, Australia has been rocked by antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Synagogues and cars were torched, businesses and homes graffitied and Jews attacked in those cities, where the vast majority of the nations Jewish population lives. Of Australias 28 million people, about 117,000 are Jewish, according to official figures.

The massacre provoked questions about whether Albanese and his government had done enough to curb rising antisemitism. Jewish leaders and the massacres survivors expressed fear and fury as they questioned why the men hadnt been detected before they opened fire.

Theres been a heap of inaction, said Lawrence Stand, a Sydney man who raced to a bar mitzvah celebration in Bondi when the violence erupted to find his 12-year-old daughter.

I think the federal government has made a number of missteps on antisemitism, Alex Ryvchin, spokesperson for the Australian Council of Executive Jewry, told reporters gathered on Monday near the site of the shooting. I think when an attack such as what we saw yesterday takes place, the paramount and fundamental duty of government is the protection of its citizens, so theres been an immense failure.

The Australian government has enacted various measures  including appointing a special envoy to combat antisemitism, toughening laws and investing in enhanced security for Jewish schools and synagogues  to counter a surge in antisemitism since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that 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.

Albanese in August blamed Iran for two of the previous attacks and cut diplomatic ties to Tehran. Authorities have not suggested Iran was linked to Sundays massacre.
Philadelphia police have arrested a suspect in the Dec. 5 killing of 93-year-old Logan Dailey, police announced Sunday.

Coy Thomas, 53, was arrested at the intersection of North 22nd Street and Lehigh Avenue and charged with murder, police said.

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Dailey was found dead in his home on the 4500 block of North 16th Street when medics were called there.

Police identified Thomas as a suspect a week later.

Dailey had suffered a laceration to the chest and trauma to his head, police said. A medical examination found he died from multiple stab wounds.

Police found that Daileys wallet, keys, and vehicle were missing from his home. They found his car, a white Chrysler 300 sedan, several days after his death.

Philadelphia has recorded 209 homicides this year, through Saturday. Thats 39 fewer than through the same date last year, and more than 60% less than a similar time period in 2021, the recent high year for homicides in the city.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, discusses his book The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation at the Free Library on Sunday. He talked about his life, career and perspective on current events with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at the Central Library. Read more

When U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina became majority whip, a high-ranking member of Democratic leadership, in 2007 he asked the Library of Congress for photos of eight men to display on the walls of his Washington, D.C., office.

He recalled, years ago, that a group of visitors stopped and asked who the men were: the first Black U.S. House members from his home state.

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I thought you were the first, someone from the group said.

Clyburn replied: Before I was first, there were eight.

That became the genesis of his new book, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation, which he discussed at length with longtime friend Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday as part of the Free Library of Philadelphias Author Events series.

This book is a cautionary tale: Anything thats happened before can happen again, Clyburn told a crowded Parkway Central Library auditorium.

Released in early November, The First Eight chronicles South Carolinas Black members of Congress who served during and after Reconstruction: Joseph Rainey, Robert De Large, Robert Elliott, Richard Cain, Alonzo Ransier, Robert Smalls, Thomas Miller, and George Washington Murray. Ninety-five years later, in 1992, Clyburn became the ninth.

The book blends history with memoir: Clyburn intends it to be a monument to the legacies of these trailblazers and a discerning commentary on modern American politics. It weaves the mens careers, which have largely been erased from public discourse, with Clyburns experience and observations from his storied three decades in Congress.

The First Eight allows us to know where we come from, it allows us to know where we need to go in the future, particularly with the challenges we face today, Shapiro said.

 READ MORE: Behind the scenes of the Free Library Author Events resignations and rebirth

Clyburn drew parallels between the mens histories of bitterly contested elections and domestic terrorism to the MAGA movement and Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol; he laid out how a series of events  beginning with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the accession of Andrew Johnson, the end of Reconstruction, and rise of Jim Crow  prevented a Black person from representing South Carolina in Congress for nearly 100 years.

History is supposed to be instructive, he said. I believe that we are at a junction in our history that we must intervene in this process like weve never intervened before in order to check the movement currently going to the right.

And though the book is South Carolina-centric, there are historical nods to the commonwealth: Smalls, the first Black man to pilot ships for the U.S. Navy, spent time in Philadelphia, according to Clyburn, and Miller graduated from Lincoln University in Chester County, the first degree-granting historically Black university in the nation. (Miller was also a longtime friend of Nelson Nix, the father of Pennsylvanias first Black representative in Congress, Robert N.C. Nix Sr.)

Clyburn said the recent results of the consequential governors races in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as the New York City mayoral election, give him hope.
The digital real-time bus tracker that has been installed at the Route 64 bus stop on the northeast corner of Broad Street and Washington Avenue in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Read more

While waiting for a bus earlier this year, two Philadelphia street artists who rely on public transportation diagnosed an all-too-familiar ailment: I have no idea when the bus will be here.

No one knows when the bus is coming, one recalled saying.

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We should really make something.

Earlier this month, their brainchild  a solar-powered e-reader mounted into a street sign that provides bus arrival information  went live on the northeast corner of Broad Street and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia, along bus Route 64.

The device pulls real-time arrival times from publicly available data (the same dataset that feeds SEPTAs app), according to artist Make It Weird, who engineered the rig and asked to remain anonymous because their work meanders into a legal gray area.

Their creation is inconspicuous; to passersby, it could be a road sign graffitied with a lanky bird and stalky flowers. Commuters might get closer and see it reads, This data is unofficial.  Do not contact SEPTA.

We have a fundamental issue with funding transit in Pennsylvania, Make It Weird said. We, as citizens, often make excuses for real quality-of-life improvements that could be made by saying, Well, SEPTA doesnt have money, so quit complaining. Were just saying, This could be better.

The sign is akin to a Band-Aid on a public transportation network plagued by infrastructure issues, financial turmoil, and an ever-constricting budget, as well as a resource for people who dont have access to a smartphone with unlimited data or SEPTAs app, said Make It Weird and collaborator Bird, the alias for the artist whose signature statuesque and slender pink bird appears on the sign.

 READ MORE: The Philly artist who gets mistaken for Banksy

Accessibility is something thats hugely important to me, Bird said. It comes from a really large place of privilege that people always assume that everyone has a phone or can look something up, and thats just not the case. Trying to provide that kind of accessibility for everyone  I think its an important place to start.

Late last month, a prototype of the device near South Phillys Bennas Cafe caught the attention of Conrad Benner and wound up on Streets Depts Instagram.

The video has garnered more than 8,500 likes; the comments section is filled with fire emojis and clapbacks at SEPTA. One commenter wrote, This is a sincere public service. Artists are extraordinary. Septa should hire them. Another said, Hopefully, it doesnt find the same fate as Hitchbot did.

 READ MORE: SEPTA strike averted with deal on two-year contract

Ive been really appreciative of how many people think its cool, Make It Weird said. Ive been also really appreciative of how many people say, Yeah, other cities are doing this.

Digital screens that feed real-time tracking information have already popped up in other major cities, like New York City and Minneapolis. But Philadelphia has been slow to adopt the tech: While a five-year, $6 million contract to install iPad-sized trackers mounted to bus stops was publicized last year, SEPTA spokesperson Kelly Greene said in an email that none of the screens have been deployed yet, citing cybersecurity.

We recognize the importance of real-time bus tracking for our customers and will provide an update on this initiative as soon as possible, Greene said.

Make It Weird started making goofy and whimsically mock street signs in June; all their signs are configured to meet the federal standards, they said, which helps their art meld with the monotonous No Parking and Tow-Away Zone verbiage. (One sign near City Hall said, Stop Parking, Ride SEPTA: Fund Public Transit, Sell Your Car, in the ubiquitous, red Highway Gothic sans-serif font. Another triptych read, Go Birds, F ICE, and Free Palestine, quoting Hannah Einbinders bleeped Emmy acceptance speech.)

The Route 64 sign is the first in hopefully a series of 10, all featuring collaborations with other Philly artists who dont drive.

Transportation for all, Bird said.

Make It Weird said, And its just fun.
Were an organization that is very focused on the equal value of every human being, said Robin Brandies, JFCSs president and chief executive, during the group's winter coat drive at Rodeph Shalom synagogue in Spring Garden last month. Read more

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By the time more than 700 people had found coats at the Jewish Family and Childrens Service of Greater Philadelphias annual coat drive last month, JFCS volunteer manager Brianna Torres should have been exhausted.

Instead, she was exhilarated.

Honestly, this is one of our most favorite days of the year, she said, taking a break from shepherding the 60 volunteers helping hundreds of folks choose free winter jackets and coats for themselves and their children at Congregation Rodeph Shalom.

Sometimes the line stretched around the historic synagogue on North Broad Street.

Its all hands on deck, Torres said, with a smile. We feel good  giving and receiving.

JFCSs roots date to 1855, when philanthropist and Jewish educator Rebecca Gratz founded the Jewish Foster Home, and to 1869, when United Hebrew Charities was organized.

These days, JFCSs client base has grown beyond the Jewish population it once primarily served. It offers a multitude of services, including help with basic needs, mental health and wellness, support for Holocaust survivors, older adults and their families, help for children and families, and for people living with disabilities, as well as an LGBTQ initiative.

Were an organization that is very focused on the equal value of every human being, said Robin Brandies, JFCSs new president and chief executive.

When the giveaway ended, 900 of those human beings had chosen 1,200 coats out of 1,600 donated.

It is our responsibility to make the world a better place, Torres said. Our main forefront is dignity.

Thats why, she explained, the coat drive, while massive, didnt resemble a rummage sale. Were trying to create a boutique type of atmosphere.

Volunteers hung coats neatly on racks by size, not piled in heaps. While many people were served, only 35 at a time were allowed in to shop in the synagogues huge community room. They could look at and try on coats at leisure without jostling for room.

Volunteers helped them choose their coats while other friendly volunteers packed their coats into bags along with flyers describing more of JFCSs services.

Leftover coats wind up in JFCSs mobile pop-up, Our Closet in Your Neighborhood. The agency brings a truck loaded with all kinds of clothing, from shoes to coats, and sets up mini boutiques in synagogues, churches, and community centers around the region. Fresh produce is also often available.

Last months coat drive was Brandies first as JFCSs new president and chief executive. She replaces JFCSs longtime executive Paula Goldstein, who retired Sept. 1 after more than 40 years of service.

Im blown away, Brandies said. She walked into the synagogues community room and almost immediately ended up helping little King James, 3, get zipped into his new jacket.

His mother, Jessel Huggins, of Strawberry Mansion, brought five of her 13 children to the coat drive.

As they waited to choose, three of the boys, Shar, 6, Boaz, 7, and Prince Jedidiah, 8, said they hoped for winter jackets themed with Sonic the Hedgehog characters  Sonic and Tails, the fox.

Sadly, they werent available, but at least Boaz and Prince Jedidiah got blue coats  the same color as the hedgehog. Shar landed a gray camouflage one. Their older sister, Shaly, 13, managed to snag her dream coat, a jacket with fur around the hood.

This is my first time coming, Huggins said. Buying coats for 13 kids is a lot.

LaToya Adams, of West Philly, stood in line, hoping shed find a coat for herself, her daughter, 20, and her son, 7. We cant afford coats with food stamps being cut off  and right at Thanksgiving.

The money I do make has to go to the bills, she said. Im just trying to find a good-paying job. Its a burden. It feels like you have a weight on your shoulders and you cant get out of it. Were trying to survive, and them giving a coat today helps.

Brandies came to JFCS after serving as the leader of Abramson Senior Care. The two organizations joined on Oct. 1 to provide more seamless care for older adults and their families in a program now known as Abramson Senior Care of JFCS.

Abramson had offered more health-based care with JFCS, providing other types of services to seniors, including help with housing and food. A family can make one phone call on a 24-hour hotline to access services, Brandies said.

Sometimes there are emergencies, like a person calling late at night after noticing an elderly neighbor had tried to cook herself a meal and ended up having a minor fire. Usually, though, Brandies said, the calls are from people seeking advice on how to care for an aging relative.

Brandies, who had earlier careers in law and fundraising, said she became a fierce advocate for older adults in the 10 years she spent at Abramson.

People dont like to think about aging, she said. Its possibly the most universal and least sexy of causes. Its not as sexy in fundraising circles as donating to programs for children.

Everybody ages and needs help at some point, she said. But were not educated [as a society] as to the best way to be there.

As the percentage of the population thats aging increases, we have fewer people going into senior care professions, and there are fewer resources available to help the elderly. Many are aging alone, with no families nearby to help.

Seniors dont want to be infantilized, she said. They want to continue to live their lives with as much dignity as possible.

This article is part of a series about Philly Gives  a community fund to support nonprofits through end-of-year giving. To learn more about Philly Gives, including how to donate, visit phillygives.org.

Jewish Family and Childrens Service of Greater Philadelphia

Mission: Jewish Family and Childrens Service (JFCS) of Greater Philadelphia strengthens families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community.

People served: Over 30,000 annually

Annual spending: $14,899,000 for 2024-2025

Point of pride: The recent merger of JFCS and Abramson Senior Care (now Abramson Senior Care of JFCS) expands access to comprehensive social and healthcare services for older adults and their caregivers across Greater Philadelphia.

You can help: We invite individuals, families, groups, corporations, and more to contribute their time and skills to a variety of community-based volunteer opportunities.

Support: phillygives.org

What your JFCS donation can do
Sens. John Fetterman (left) and Dave McCormick are two of the top Pennsylvania officials who have enabled President Donald Trump, writes the Editorial Board. Despite her spreading false claims about the 2020 election, Fetterman voted to confirm Attorney General Pam Bondi. McCormick backed the supremely unqualified Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense. Read more

By now, it is beyond obvious that Donald Trump is unredeemable.

Trump assumed the Oval Office in 2016 as the most inexperienced, untruthful, and unstable president in modern history, if not ever. He has only grown worse.

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This past year, Trump has been a one-man wrecking ball, attacking norms, institutions, public health, higher education, the rule of law, and the Constitution. Never before has a president led such a relentless assault on the United States and its allies, while cozying up to dictators.

Trump has literally waged war at home and abroad, sending federal troops into cities, deporting thousands of immigrants without due process, and murdering alleged drug runners without providing any evidence.

The list of corrupt and egregious abuses of power is long and growing by the day.

But perhaps more shameful than Trump is how so many who know better have enabled him  including many top officials in Pennsylvania.

The list includes U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, as well as U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, and dozens of GOP representatives in Harrisburg and Washington.

Each one has played a distinctive role in putting Trump above their constitutional oath. Many other Republican officials across the country, along with the conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court and right-wing media, have enabled and emboldened Trumps worst instincts. The collective cowardice has damaged the United States and forever stained each individuals place in history.

Fetterman was the only Democratic senator who voted to confirm Attorney General Pam Bondi, an election denier who represented Trump during his first impeachment.

Bondi is not an independent law enforcement official. She worked to undermine legal proceedings and elections before becoming attorney general.

Bondi promoted conspiracy theories during Trumps impeachment trial, traveled to New York to criticize the judge and prosecutor overseeing Trumps criminal trial, and came to Pennsylvania to spread false claims about the 2020 election.

Yet, Fetterman still voted for Bondi.

Since getting confirmed, she has overseen the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Justice. Under Bondi, prosecutors have defied court orders, attacked judges, dropped criminal cases against Trump allies, targeted the presidents perceived enemies, and bungled the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Fitzpatrick, a Republican who represents Bucks County, initially voted in favor of Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill that gave tax cuts to the super wealthy, added $3.4 trillion to the deficit, and cut nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid and food stamps spending.

He later voted against the final version  after it was clear it would pass without his support. Fitzpatrick is now scrambling to keep health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, from soaring. But his initial vote set the current course.

Fitzpatrick, who is up for reelection in November, represents a swing district. He tries to appear bipartisan, but votes with Trump on most major issues. He voted against impeaching him and rarely criticizes the presidents abuses of power or corruption.

The rest of the Pennsylvania Republican delegation in Congress has also largely remained unanimous in its support for Trump and his extremism. Dozens of federal and state officials in Pennsylvania, including U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R., York) and State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin), shamed themselves and the country by working with Trump to overturn the 2020 election. Efforts that led to a violent insurrection.

Still, they continue to support Trumps wayward ways.

Sunday, the top law enforcement official in Pennsylvania, has been largely missing in action since getting elected 13 months ago. He has failed to stand up to the Trump administration when its actions harm Pennsylvanians.

Instead, Sunday has deferred to Gov. Josh Shapiro to lead legal fights after Trump cut funds for education, public safety, farm aid, and SNAP benefits. Shapiro has filed or joined more than a dozen lawsuits against the Trump administration, while Sunday  a Republican who served two terms as the district attorney in York County  has laid low.

Just weeks after taking his Senate office, McCormick cast a key vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as the defense secretary. McCormick, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, backed Hegseth despite knowing the Fox & Friends Weekend cohost was utterly unqualified to keep America safe.

Hegseth went from whining about the woke military on TV to overseeing a Defense Department with nearly three million military and civilian employees and a budget of $850 billion.

Hegseths only military experience was time spent in the National Guard, where he was flagged as an insider threat because of tattoos linked to white supremacists.

He was an incompetent manager who was forced to step down from two tiny nonprofits because of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. Others said Hegseth routinely passed out from excessive drinking, including while on the job at Fox News.

All of that was known to McCormick and the 49 other Republican senators who voted to approve Hegseth despite their duty to ensure cabinet nominees are qualified.

Hegseth quickly demonstrated he is unfit for the job. Just weeks after getting confirmed, he used an unsecure messaging app to text classified war plans to a group that mistakenly included a journalist.

In the wrong hands, the war plans  which included information about weapons packages, targets, and timing  could have endangered the lives of troops. If other military officers shared similar classified information, they could have been court-martialed.

Hegseths purging of career military leaders is also making America weaker, as he places loyalty to Trump above competency, distinguished service, and merit.

Hegseth has overseen the bombing of alleged drug boats that violate international law and amount to extrajudicial killings. The legal rationale is dubious at best and may constitute war crimes.

At the very least, the deadly strikes are immoral and violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

McCormick did not respond to requests to comment on whether he regrets supporting Hegseth. During McCormicks Senate campaign, he talked up the West Point motto of duty, honor, country.

Like so many other so-called leaders, those ideals have taken a back seat to serving Trump.

One day, Trump will be gone  but his enablers will have to answer for the damage they helped to wreak.
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  Pennsylvanias political class schmoozed their way across Midtown Manhattan this past weekend, bouncing from cocktail parties to swanky receptions organized to woo the elite ahead of a big midterm election year.

Hundreds of Pennsylvania politicos made their way for the states annual weekend of civility, bipartisanship, fundraising, and more than a few hangovers.

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 READ MORE: Pennsylvanias political elite return to New Yorks Waldorf Astoria for ritzy dinner in its 127th year

Four Inquirer political writers were among those who traveled to the Pennsylvania Society gathering, chatting with lawmakers and interviewing candidates inside the moody bars and penthouse parties. Here are our takeaways.

Maybe Shapiro doesnt need Pa. Society anymore

Gov. Josh Shapiro this year has hosted fundraisers in New Jersey and Massachusetts for his unannounced reelection campaign.

But he didnt need to make the rounds this weekend among Pennsylvanias political elite as he emerges as a top contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination for president.

Shapiro traveled to New York City only to deliver his annual speech to the Pennsylvania Society and honor former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David L. Cohen, who received the societys top award.

 READ MORE: Josh Shapiro has a full-circle moment at Pennsylvania Society dinner in NYC, and David L. Cohen is honored

Instead of handshaking and fundraising like most incumbent governors would, Shapiro has largely avoided Pennsylvania Society mingling during his time as governor. His reelection campaign did not appear to change that.

Instead, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis hosted a solo fundraiser for their joint reelection ticket.

Theres a lot of demands on the governors time, Davis said following a speech at the annual luncheon hosted by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.

The Third Congressional District race was the talk of the town

Three of the candidates vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans in the Third Congressional District had a busy weekend in New York. State Sen. Sharif Street, pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford, and State Rep. Morgan Cephas made the rounds.

Stanford held a somewhat star-studded fundraiser Thursday evening, hosted, according to a posted listing for the private event, by Hamilton actor Leslie Odom Jr. (who did not attend but lent his name).

 READ MORE: Candidates for Dwight Evans congressional seat hunt for cash and support at the Pa. Society in New York

Street, the former state party chair and a longtime attendee at Pennsylvania Society, held two fundraisers in Manhattan, fresh off his endorsement last week by former Gov. Ed Rendell.

Not spotted: State Rep. Chris Rabb, who is running as an anti-establishment progressive.

Thats not really my thing, he said in a text message.

The Parker-Johnson relationship was a hot topic

Philadelphia City Council wrapped up its final meeting of the year the day before the Pennsylvania Society began, and the lawmakers gave the chatterati plenty to talk about in Manhattan, with a dramatic close to the session.

One major topic of conversation in New York: What did Councils recent conflict with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker over her housing plan mean for the unusually tight relationship between Council President Kenyatta Johnson and the mayor?

 READ MORE: Philly Council votes against Mayor Parkers vision for her signature housing plan, signaling a win for progressives

The consensus: Mom and Dad were fighting, but theyll probably patch things up.

Disagreements between Council and mayor  it happens, said Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia-based public affairs executive whose firm hosted a packed party in Midtown on Saturday. Its the way the system is set up.

But Ceisler said hes not worried that Parker and Johnson will abandon their goal of emulating then-Mayor Rendells close working relationship with Council President John F. Street in the 1990s.

The fact is theyre certainly in sync more than theyre not, Ceisler said.

 READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson are trying to bring back the 90s in City Hall

Johnson, he said, likely improved his standing with members by holding firm against a last-minute amendment Parker proposed to alter Councils version of the housing plans budget.

Parker and Johnson both made the trek to Manhattan, along with Councilmembers Rue Landau, Nina Ahmad, Jamie Gauthier, Jeffery Jay Young Jr., Kendra Brooks, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jim Harrity, Cindy Bass, and Quetcy Lozada.

The mayor also took the opportunity to engage in a bit of bipartisanship. She has often touted her ability to build relationships across the aisle, despite Philadelphia politics being dominated by Democrats.

At the PMA luncheon, Parker embraced former Gov. Tom Corbett and gave a warm greeting to Auditor General Tim DeFoor, both Republicans.

At the same event, Republican U.S. Sen Dave McCormick shouted out Parker multiple times during his prepared remarks. The pair have forged a working relationship despite their partisan differences.

We talk about challenges in the city that were facing right now, and the hope is that we can count on some folks as allies, Parker said of meeting with members of the GOP.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers restraint with Trump is both calculation and gamble as the president escalates against blue cities

She added: Its great to try to maintain those lines of communication.

Special interests woo political elite

Many of the events were hosted by special-interest groups and corporations that have business with the government and are looking to win influence over glasses of Champagne.

There were the usual suspects and big law firms: Duane Morris always hosts a marquee late-night event on Friday in the sprawling Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center. Other firms including Cozen OConnor, Ballard Spahr, and Saul Ewing also hosted cocktail parties.

 READ MORE: Top Pennsylvania Republicans are projecting relative calm amid 2026 national party panic

One notable newcomer to the party scene was Pace-O-Matic, the Georgia-based operator of skill games at the center of negotiations over regulation and taxing of the machines.

The company, which has spent millions on political contributions and lobbying, threw a cocktail reception Thursday night at an Italian restaurant attended by a sizable contingent of state lawmakers.

Legislators have yet to agree on how to regulate and tax skill games, which remain entirely unregulated and untaxed.

But solutions seemed possible at the Pace-O-Matic party, as Central Pennsylvania Republicans and Philadelphia Democrats milled about the bar in an unlikely alliance.

Another bipartisan event  this one in a sunny room atop the vintage Kimberly Hotel  was hosted by Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas, insurance companies that have Medicaid contracts with the state.

Lawmakers often credit the weekend of partying in New York as a time for civil conversations in a neutral territory that ultimately benefit a philanthropic cause at the Pennsylvania Societys annual dinner.

But Rabbi Michael Pollack, who leads the government accountability group March on Harrisburg, said the civility seems to come only when special interests are footing the bill.

Its absolutely embarrassing that our legislators can only interact with each other when a lobbyist sets up a playdate for them, he said.

A Christmas budget ballad by DJ Ward

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward debuted a hidden musical talent on stage at the annual bipartisan Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry breakfast: She can write a Harrisburg holiday hit.

I did live in Nashville for six years and no one discovered me, she joked, before launching into a three-minute budget balladto the tune of Deck the Halls.

Ward (R., Westmoreland) debuted her song after an ugly budget battle that lasted 135 days and ended just last month. Punctuated by fa-la-las, she called out each of the top leaders who were in the closed-door budget talks.

Ward is among Shapiros top critics. The two had hardly spoken since 2023 until Ward joined in-person budget negotiations at the end of October.

 READ MORE: Gov. Josh Shapiro says national Democrats folded in the federal shutdown, while he stayed at the table for Pa.s late budget deal

During those negotiations, Ward has said Shapiro gave her a special heart-shaped cookie to break the ice. And it appears that shes not yet letting that go, dedicating a moment in her song to the encounter:

Mr. Shapiro give me a break

You know you gave me that heart cookie cake

Why are you saying that you didnt do it?

Wards jingle wasnt the first time a Pennsylvania Republican leader leaned on the power of song during the bitter budget battle.

At the peak of the clash over transit funding in August, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman quoted heavily from the lyrics of John Mellencamps Small Town in recalling his upbringing in rural Western Pennsylvania.

Shapiro will propose a new budget in February, restarting the budget negotiation process. Ward urged the group of leaders to take a break from fighting during the holiday season.

Its Christmas and were all here together

Republicans and Democrats, and all who matter

Lets celebrate the birth of Jesus

For the next three weeks, lets not be egregious

Perhaps next budget season will inspire a mixtape.
Pennsylvania GOP chairman State Sen. Greg Rothman during he Republican Party of Pennsylvania's 2025 Fall Meeting at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College, Pa., on Sept. 20, 2025. Read more

The same week Republican National Committee chair Joe Gruters said history predicted almost certain defeat for his party in the 2026 midterms, Pennsylvania Republicans partying in Midtown Manhattan projected relative calm about the election cycle.

Gruters, President Donald Trumps handpicked chair to run the party, said on a conservative radio station last week: Its not a secret. Theres no sugarcoating it. Its a pending, looming disaster heading our way. We are facing almost certain defeat.

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He added that the goal is to win and he liked our chances in the midterms, but noted only three times in the last hundred years has the incumbent party been successful winning a midterm.

Pennsylvania could decide which party controls the U.S. House next year, as Democrats eye four congressional districts that Republicans recently flipped while the GOP fights to maintain its majority.

But Pennsylvania Republicans in New York City for the annual Pennsylvania Society glitzy gathering of politicos last weekend had a less hair-on-fire view.

At this point when I was running [for Senate in 2024], the betting market said there was a 3% chance I was going to win, Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) said after addressing a bipartisan audience at the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association luncheon on Saturday.

Were a million miles from Election Day, and weve got a great track record of things to talk about and a great vision for how the presidents policies are going to make life better for working families, McCormick said. We just got to go out and make that message happen, but also continue to make the policies that are going to make that a reality happen.

The political environment was, of course, far more favorable to Republicans in 2024, when Trump won Pennsylvania by a larger margin than he did in 2016. But with Republicans in power and popular Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on the ballot for reelection, the headwinds in 2026 in the Keystone State are different.

Pennsylvania GOP chair Greg Rothman, in an interview outside the PMA event on Saturday, called Shapiro one of the greatest politicians of my generation but noted that upsets have happened across various political environments in state history.

Anything can happen and the voters are smart, and all I can do is prepare the party to ride the waves and ignore the crashes, but Im optimistic, he added.

Shapiro will likely face a GOP challenge from State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is a popular politician in her own right and holds the record for receiving the most votes of any candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, Rothman predicted that the four Pennsylvania congressional incumbents running for reelection in swing districts will sink or swim based on how Trump and his policies land with voters come November.

They will be judged by the national economy and by immigration, he said, and by Trumps ability to end some international conflicts.

But U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a GOP incumbent running for reelection in Pennsylvanias Eighth Congressional District, which includes Scranton, had a more local view of how to win in 2026.

Everything about our job as a member of Congress is about northeastern Pa., Bresnahan said.

Northeastern Pennsylvania has always been our North Star. We know our district. We are out in our district. Weve done over 250 public events. Our constituency case work is, in my opinion, one of the best offices in the country.

 READ MORE: A year ahead of 2026 midterms, Trump backs Scott Perry, Rob Bresnahan, and other Pennsylvania Republicans

Bresnahan appeared at a rally with Trump in Mount Pocono last week. He was also one of just 20 House Republicans to sign a successful discharge petition to force a vote for collective bargaining to be restored for federal workers.

At the end of the day that might have been going against party leadership, but it was whats right for northeastern Pennsylvania, he said.

Democrats have begun a full court press. That was evident at the Pennsylvania Society, where attendees seen mingling with other politicians included: Janelle Stelson, who is running for a second time against U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the 10th Congressional District, as well as firefighter Bob Brooks and former federal prosecutor Ryan Croswell, both of whom are running for the Democratic nomination to take on U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the Seventh.

Bresnahans challenger, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, also attended the soiree and walked through the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center with U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D., Del.) on Friday night. Coons said the time is now for Democrats to get involved in these races.

Given the margin, if there were to be four new Democrats in the House this cycle, as there were in 2018, thatd be the difference maker for the country, Coons added.

Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article.
A United Airlines light bound for Tokyo was forced to return to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia on Saturday afternoon after experiencing an engine failure during departure, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

A United spokesperson said the flight landed shortly after takeoff due to the loss of power in one engine. There were no reported injuries among the 275 passengers and 15 crew members aboard, the spokesperson said.

Photographs and videos posted to the social media site X showed smoke billowing from near the runway at Dulles, which is located about 25 miles (40 km) from Washington, D.C., and the closest international airport to the U.S. capital.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident on United Flight 803, which involved a Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

A piece of the planes engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on the ground at the airport, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said the fire was extinguished.

The flight will be rescheduled for later on Saturday on a different aircraft, a United spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Rod Nickel and Sergio Non)

Photo: Dulles Airport in Virginia

Topics Aviation
Senators from both parties pushed last week for changes to a massive defense bill after crash investigators and victims families warned the legislation would undo key safety reforms stemming from a collision between an airliner and Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board investigating the crash, a group of the victims family members and senators on the Commerce Committee all said the bill the House advanced last Wednesday would make Americas skies less safe. It would allow the military to operate essentially the same way as it did before the January crash, which was the deadliest in more than two decades, they said.

Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz filed two amendments Thursday to strip out the worrisome helicopter safety provisions and replace them with a bill they introduced last summer to strengthen requirements, but its not clear if Republican leadership will allow the National Defense Authorization Act to be changed at this stage because that would delay its passage.

We owe it to the families to put into law actual safety improvements, not give the Department of Defense bigger loopholes to exploit, the senators said.

The bill would roll back reforms

Right now, the bill includes exceptions that would allow military helicopters to fly through the crowded airspace around the nations capital without using a key system called ADS-B to broadcast their locations just like they did before the January collision. The Federal Aviation Administration began requiring that in March. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called the bill a significant safety setback that is inviting a repeat of that disaster.

It represents an unacceptable risk to the flying public, to commercial and military aircraft, crews and to the residents in the region, Homendy said. Its also an unthinkable dismissal of our investigation and of 67 families  who lost loved ones in a tragedy that was entirely preventable. This is shameful.

The biggest unions representing pilots, flight attendants and other transportation workers joined the chorus criticizing the bill on Thursday. Sara Nelson, who is president of the Association of Flight Attendants, questioned why this was proposed. She said these provisions are not only reckless and indefensible, but also a direct undermining of the NTSBs safety guidance.

Congress may turn to another bill to fix the concerns

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he is looking into the concerns but thinks they can be addressed by quickly passing the aviation safety bill that Cruz and Cantwell proposed last summer that would require all aircraft operators to use both forms of ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, the technology to broadcast aircraft location data to other planes and air traffic controllers. Most aircraft today are equipped with ADS-B Out equipment but the airlines would have to add the more comprehensive ADS-B In technology to their planes.

That legislation would also revoke an exemption on ADS-B transmission requests for Department of Defense aircraft.

I think that would resolve the concerns that people have about that provision, and hoping  well see if we can find a pathway forward to get that bill done, said Thune, a South Dakota Republican.

Military routinely flew without ADS-B turned on

The military used national security waivers before the crash to skirt FAA safety requirements on the grounds that they worried about the security risks of disclosing their helicopters locations. Tim and Sheri Lilley, whose son Sam was the first officer on the American Airlines jet, said this bill only adds a window dressing fix that would continue to allow for the setting aside of requirements with nothing more than a cursory risk assessment.

Military helicopters like the Black Hawk involved in the crash did send some location data to controllers through a transponder. But the FAA has said that ADS-B data is more precise, and the NTSB has been recommending for decades that all aircraft be equipped with such systems. The Army was concerned about using those systems because anyone  including a plane enthusiast on the ground  can use them to know precisely where a helicopter or airplane is located.

Homendy said it would be ridiculous to entrust the military with assessing the safety risks when they arent the experts, and neither the Army nor the FAA noticed 85 close calls around Ronald Reagan National Airport in the years before the crash. She said the military doesnt know how to do that kind of risk assessment, adding that no one writing the bill bothered to consult the experts at the NTSB who do know.

Aviation attorney Bob Clifford, who represents the first family to sue over the D.C. crash, said the military shouldnt be allowed to get out of the new safety measures the Transportation Department took after the NTSB recommended changes to protect the flying public.

Sixty-seven innocent people lost their lives because of the militarys unnecessary insistence on secrecy about its helicopter operations in public airspace, Clifford said.

The NTSBs final report on the cause of the D.C. crash wont be released until next year, but investigators have already identified 78a number of factors that contributed, including that the helicopter was flying too high on a route that only provided scant separation between helicopters and planes landing on Reagans secondary runway.

Homendy said part of the investigation focuses on the limitations of the various systems that are designed to alert other pilots and air traffic controllers about the location of an aircraft. The pilots of the American jet that was flying into D.C. from Wichita, Kansas, did get a warning about traffic nearby 20 seconds before the collision. But at the low altitude the plane was traveling as it prepared to land, the basic collision avoidance system recommended by this bill was partly inhibited to prevent false alarms and because there is little room to maneuver.

The White House and military didnt immediately respond Thursday to questions about these safety concerns in the bill. But earlier this week Trump made it clear that he wants to sign the National Defense Authorization Act because it advances a number of his priorities and provides a 3.8% pay raise for many military members.

The Senate is expected to take up the bill next week, and it appears unlikely that any final changes will be made. But Congress is leaving for a holiday break at the end of the week, and the defense bill is considered something that must pass by the end of the year.

Top photo: An airplane jet is taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The cost of shipping oil is likely to remain high in the first half of 2026 as the global fleet ages and a rising number of vessels are hit with Western sanctions, shipping sources say, though rates could be capped in the second half.

In recent weeks, the cost of shipping oil has risen to about $130,000 a day for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) thanks to high demand from OPEC and its allies. On top of that, the supply of available ships has been reduced because some vessels have been sanctioned for carrying oil from Iran, Russia and Venezuela, according to data and industry sources.

Its a very strong market now, said Jan Rindbo, chief executive of Danish shipping group Norden.

International sanctions on Russia and the diversion of shipping away from the Red Sea due to attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia have disrupted shipping routes, forcing vessels to take longer voyages to get crude to refineries.

Read more: US Preparing to Seize More Tankers off Venezuelas Coast After First Ship, Sources Say

Next year, the fleet utilization for VLCCs is expected to rise to 92%  the highest level since 2019  from 89.5% in 2025, according to estimates from Omar Nokta, an analyst with U.S. investment bank Jefferies. Fleet utilization is a measure of how much of the tanker fleet is hired versus standing idle.

Stringent vetting by major oil firms in recent years has meant that older tankers  especially VLCCs, which can transport up to 2 million barrels per voyage  are used less after 15 years as their efficiency declines and they face more safety issues.

Nearly 44% of the global VLCC fleet is older than 15 years and nearly 18% of supertankers in that segment have been hit with sanctions, said Lars Barstad, chief executive of tanker group Frontline, last month.

Deliveries of new tankers to shipping companies are expected to pick up later in 2026, which should cap rates, according to market assessments.

Richard Matthews, the head of research for ship broker Gibson, said scheduled tanker deliveries next year will be at their highest point since 2009.

While this is more weighted towards (refined oil) product tankers than crude tankers, overall vessel supply will progressively improve next year as more vessels are delivered from shipyards, he said.

Shadow Fleet Dominates

Oil companies and shipping firms are grappling with the impact of the so-called shadow fleet that operates outside of Western scrutiny and maritime standards. Many of these vessels have been hit with sanctions.

Typically, shadow fleet vessels are old, ownership is opaque, and they sail without top-tier insurance coverage required by major oil firms and many ports.

Its a fleet thats getting more and more ungoverned, said Jan Dieleman, the president of Cargill Ocean Transportation. I dont think anybody who imposes sanctions wanted this outcome.

The overall fleet working with sanctioned oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela includes 1,423 tankers, of which 921 are subject to U.S., British or EU sanctions, according to analysis from maritime data specialist Lloyds List Intelligence.

Of those 1,423 vessels, 702 are crude oil tankers, of which 148 are not subject to sanctions, Lloyds List Intelligence data showed.

The non-sanctioned global crude and fuel tanker fleet includes around 9,000 vessels, according to market estimates.

Cargills Dieleman said the outlook for tanker rates could change quickly if, for example, more vessels resumed voyages through the Red Sea.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Jeslyn Lerh; editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)

Related:
Indias cabinet has approved sweeping changes to atomic energy laws and fully opened the insurance sector to foreign investors, two government sources said on Friday, key policy moves aimed at attracting billions of dollars in two critical sectors.

India, which plans to expand nuclear power capacity 12-fold by 2047, is relaxing rules to end a decades-old state monopoly and overcome a stringent liability provision to allow private participation and attract foreign technology suppliers.

The changes in the nuclear sector are part of the push to boost nuclear capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as India looks to cut coal dependence and meet climate commitments. In the insurance sector, the government has proposed removing the cap on foreign ownership of Indian insurance companies, currently set at 74%.

To qualify for 100% foreign direct investment, at least one of a companys chair, managing director or chief executive would have to be an Indian resident, a third government source said.

The government has also dropped an earlier proposal for an unified license for insurance companies, the source said.

A unified, or composite, license would have allowed insurers to provide life, general and health insurance under a single entity.

Currently, life insurers cannot sell products such as health insurance, while general insurers can only sell products ranging from health to marine.

The government felt that Indian insurance companies are not yet equipped to have a composite license regime, the source said.

Both changes to laws are listed for approval in the ongoing winter session of parliament.

(Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh and Nikunj Ohri. Writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar. Editing by YP Rajesh and Mark Potter)
AIG announced it has received approval to proceed with the acquisition of Everest Groups renewals in Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Ireland.

The European Union deal is part of AIGs $2 billion acquisition of Everests retail commercial insurance renewal rights, initially announced in October.

Starting January 1, 2026, Everest renewals in these six countries will transfer to AIG capacity, AIG explained in its October announcement.

AIG said it received approval to proceed with the transaction in the EU-listed countries on Friday, December 12.

We purchased the renewal rights for approximately $300 million with a potential downward adjustment of up to $70 million, depending on how much of the portfolio is renewed with AIG, according to AIGs Chairman & CEO Peter Zaffino, in an analysts call to discuss Q3 2025 results on November 5.

In terms of the portfolio, its well diversified across geographies and classes of business. The largest portion of the in-force eligible gross premiums written is in the United States at $1.3 billion, followed by Europe at $400 million, the UK at $150 million, Australia at $80 million and Singapore at $70 million, Zaffino continued.

Approximately 60% of this portfolio will renew in the first half of 2026. Canada, Latin America and certain lines of business, including aviation, surety and wholesale are specifically excluded, he said.

We intend to make the renewals as seamless as possible, and we are fully committed to partnering with brokers and clients to renew all of Everests expiring capacity and terms, according to Paride Della Rosa, chief executive officer, AIG EMEA, in a memo issued to UK brokers to discuss todays European renewal announcement.

Exposure to all liabilities will remain with Everest, which also will continue to administer claims with respect to its policies, AIG said.

We expect these renewal rights transactions to drive incremental growth in our general insurance portfolio, and we will be able to write these policies within our existing balance sheet with no incremental capital required, Zaffino said in October.

This transaction adds further scale to AIGs upper middle and large account retail insurance book, providing an opportunity to drive premium growth without adding meaningful costs, he said in the Q3 earnings call. The actions we have taken over the past several years have positioned us with the balance sheet and liquidity to pursue compelling opportunities when they materialize.

Also in October, AIG announced it would become a minority equity investor in Convex Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer. In a deal expected to close in the first half of 2026, private equity firm Onex Corp. will acquire a 63% equity stake in Convex for approximately $3.8 billion, while AIG will acquire a 35% equity stake in Convex for approximately $2.1 billion. The balance will be owned by the Convex management team.

We announced strategic investments with Convex Group, Onex Corp. and a transaction with Everest Group. These will strengthen AIGs long-term value and strategic positioning, and we expect they will be earnings, EPS and ROE accretive one year after closing, Zafino said in the Q3 earnings call.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Europe AIG
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators this week urged the administration of President Donald Trump to finalize a science-based plan for developing a bird flu vaccine for livestock, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

More than 180 million chickens, turkeys and other poultry have been killed due to an outbreak of bird flu that began in 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in June that it was developing a potential poultry vaccination plan, but has not released further details.

The USDA should take renewed action to fight bird flu as infections rise during the winter months, said 23 U.S. senators in a letter sent on Wednesday to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and reported first by Reuters.

Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science, said the letter, led by Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Republican U.S. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota.

Other signatories to the letter include Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and several Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

In March, the USDA pledged $100 million to research vaccines and therapeutics for egg-laying chickens as part of a broader strategy to fight bird flu, which had driven egg prices to record highs.

The agency said in June it had received 417 proposals for the funds, but has not announced further details.

The Trump administration in May canceled a $700 million contract with Moderna MRNA.O to develop a human bird flu vaccine. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, has cut other funding for vaccine research and scrapped long-held federal vaccine guidance.

The poultry industry is divided on vaccination because of the potential to hurt exports. The senators urged Rollins in their letter to work closely with trading partners and impacted producers to fully assess and manage any potential trade implications of a vaccine plan.

The USDA told Reuters in late November that the agency had not shared a plan for poultry vaccination with trading partners.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; additional reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

Topics USA
The city of Cincinnati approved an $8.1 million legal settlement Wednesday with hundreds of non-violent protesters who had alleged mistreatment at the hands of city and county authorities when they were arrested during the racial justice demonstrations of 2020.

Cincinnati City Council approved the deal after its terms were outlined last week. It brings to a close years of litigation that stemmed from protests over the killing of George Floyd and other unarmed Black people.

None of the 479 plaintiffs had been charged with a felony or violent offense nor been involved in any property damage  though some did occur. All were charged with misdemeanor curfew violations during nights of protests from May 30 to June 8, 2020, but those were later dismissed by the city amid a flurry of conflicting court rulings.

Related: Judge Awards North Dakota Nearly $28M Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

The lawsuit they brought collectively in 2022 alleged police brutality, wrongful arrests, inhumane jail conditions and unlawful seizures of property.

Hamilton County, whose sheriff and jail were also named in the lawsuit, will pay $65,000 toward the settlement, with the city paying the remainder.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A California jury on Friday awarded $40 million to two women who said Johnson & Johnsons JNJ.N baby powder was to blame for their ovarian cancer.

The jury in Los Angeles Superior Court awarded $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband after finding that Johnson & Johnson knew for years its talc-based products were dangerous but failed to warn consumers.

Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnsons worldwide vice president of litigation, said in a statement the company plans to immediately appeal this verdict and expect to prevail as we typically do with aberrant adverse verdicts.

A spokesperson for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kent was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, according to court records. Schultz was diagnosed in 2018. Both women are California residents who say they used J&Js baby powder after bathing for 40 years. Their treatments for ovarian cancer have involved major surgeries and dozens of rounds of chemotherapy, they testified at the trial.

In closing arguments that Reuters viewed on Courtroom View Network, Andy Birchfield, an attorney for the women, told the jury that Johnson & Johnson knew as far back as the 1960s that its product could cause cancer.

Absolutely they knew, they knew and they were doing everything they could to hide it, to bury the truth about the dangers, Birchfield said.

Allison Brown, an attorney for Johnson & Johnson, said the only people to tell Kent and Schultz that their cancers were caused by talc were their lawyers, as the alleged connection isnt backed by any major U.S. health authority and there is no study that shows talc can migrate from the outside of the body to the reproductive organs.

They dont have the evidence in this case, and they hope you dont mind, Brown told the jury.

J&J is facing lawsuits from more than 67,000 plaintiffs who say they were diagnosed with cancer after using its baby powder and other talc products, according to court filings.

The company has said its products are safe, do not contain asbestos and do not cause cancer. J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, switching to a cornstarch product.

J&J has sought to resolve the litigation through bankruptcy, a proposal that has been rejected three times by federal courts, most recently in April. The bankruptcies had put most cases on hold. Brown and Kents cases are the first to go to trial since the latest Chapter 11 attempt was dismissed.

Before the bankruptcy attempts, J&J had a mixed record in talc trials, with verdicts as high as $4.69 billion awarded to women who said baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. The company has won some trials outright and had other verdicts reduced on appeal.

The majority of lawsuits involve ovarian cancer claims. Cases alleging talc caused a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma make up a smaller portion of the claims J&J is facing. The company has previously settled some of those claims but has not struck a nationwide settlement, so many lawsuits over mesothelioma have proceeded to trial in state courts in recent months.

In the past year, J&J has been hit with several substantial verdicts in mesothelioma cases, including one for more than $900 million in Los Angeles in October.
President Donald Trumps administration is preparing to turn to private businesses to help mount offensive cyberattacks against foreign adversaries, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially expanding a shadowy electronic conflict typically conducted by secretive intelligence agencies.

The White House plans to make public its intention to enlist private companies in more aggressive efforts to go after criminal and state-sponsored hackers in a new national cyber strategy, a draft of which has been viewed by industry officials and experts. The strategy is expected to be released by the Office of the National Cyber Director in the coming weeks.

The draft, described to Bloomberg News by multiple people, says the federal government should unleash private businesses as it moves to impose consequences on foreign adversaries who breach critical infrastructure and telecommunications networks, or who cripple businesses with ransomware attacks. The draft didnt provide many details on how the administration would use the companies.

A spokesperson for the Office of the National Cyber Director would not comment on the draft because it is not finalized but said the administration is committed to cybersecurity for Americans and US infrastructure, networks and information.

The administration is expected to provide more information after the release of the strategy, as well as an executive order that could outline private firms roles and provide them with more legal protections, the people said. Legislation might also be required.

The push to include industry would open lucrative new business opportunities to firms that have traditionally contracted with the government on defensive strategies rather than offensive measures. But it comes with risks.

There is currently no legal basis for private firms to conduct their own offensive cyber operations. Additionally, any operations to take down adversary infrastructure could put private firms in the crosshairs of foreign government entities, whose intelligence services often use affiliates to carry out their cyberattacks.

But the drive to enlist private companies reflects a growing view within the intelligence community and the administration that the US needs more capacity to fight hostile hacking groups that often work with abundant foreign state support. Adding those firms would both expand the governments cyber warfare resources and free up intelligence agencies and the military to focus on work only they can handle.

Discussions on contracting out offensive cyber operations were already underway in Joe Bidens White House, though his administration didnt settle on a policy, said people familiar with those deliberations.

The cyber strategy draft, some five pages long, also calls for streamlining data security and cyber regulations, the modernization of federal systems, securing critical infrastructure and promoting adoption of post-quantum cryptography and secure quantum computing. The White House has invited industry officials to give feedback on the draft, which could still change, the people said.

Trump administration officials have for months made clear they intend to take more aggressive action against criminal and state-sponsored hackers. Alexei Bulazel, the National Security Councils senior director for cyber, declared at a security conference in September that the administration is unapologetic, unafraid to do offensive cyber.

And tucked inside Trumps multi-trillion-dollar tax and spending law is a little-noticed provision designating a $1 billion boost for offensive cyber operations, which have typically been conducted by the militarys Cyber Command or intelligence agencies. The law does not prescribe how the money be spent, but its inclusion in Trumps cornerstone bill is a signal of offensive cybers importance to the administration.

Many cybersecurity firms known for defensive operations could easily apply their expertise and their technology to launch attacks, but offensive work would be financially and legally risky, potentially turning off customers and investors alike, said Michael Janke, co-founder of Datatribe, a tech foundry for cyber startups. Legislation, however, could hinder companies that want to remain discreet regarding the use of their tools.

That gray area provides a lot for both government and commercial to flow within, he said. Once you shrink that to legislation, you may not have that gray area.

Photo: Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Politics
A new broker is now suing Howden US and a pair of former employees for allegations of poaching and theft of trade secrets.

Last week Aon Risk Services Cos. filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against former employees Anthony Rampersaud and Nancy Montalvo as well as Howden US.

Aon seeks an injunction to stop the alleged misuse of boxes of documents it said contain Aon confidential and proprietary information that Rampersaud, a New York-based managing director, is accused of sending to his home before he and six others reporting to him resigned on the same day to join Howden US. Each allegedly violated Aon employment contracts.

Montalvo, Aon said, forwarded a client list to her personal email address. Rampersaud also has an Aon cellphone. Aon added that its investigation continues, and it expects what they know now to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Aon said Howden US, the new U.S. retail broking business of Howden launched just months ago, is attempting to gain a foothold in the U.S. market by poaching employees and clients from established U.S.-operating brokerages by encouraging disloyal employees to solicit entire teams to abandon their positions and replicate the same work for Howden.

Howden US is also being sued by broker Marsh. It has one suit against Howden US CEO Michael Parrish and several other former employees, plus a separate suit against another group of former employees now at Howden US for breach of various employee contracts. Aon mentions in its suit that Howden US is also being sued by WTW.

Howden US has a troubling and well-established pattern of unlawfully poaching competitors employees and misappropriating confidential information (including detailed client and employee information)conduct that warrants injunctive relief against defendants, said Aon. In some cases, such relief has been awarded to Marsh and WTW, and former employees have been order to return confidential information.

Rampersaud had been with Aon since 2022. According to the lawsuit, he met with Howden founder David Howden in London late September to early October and began to allegedly coordinate the mass departure to Howden US. Soon after, said Aon, Rampersaud had irregular printing activity of documents containing Aons confidential and trade secret information. In the suit, Aon outlines some of Rampersauds online search histories, printing of shipping labels, and communication with employees using personal emails.

Rampersaud and the six others resigned on Nov. 25. When Aon sent couriers to retrieve devices, computers, badges, or boxes to Rampersauds and Montalvos residence earlier this month, all items were not surrendered.

Topics Lawsuits USA Agencies Fraud Aon
White House AI czar David Sacks defended President Donald Trumps push to rein in state-level regulation of artificial intelligence over objections from Democrats, saying the move seeks to ease a growing compliance burden for companies.

Under the directive signed by Trump on Thursday, Sacks said, the administration is moving toward developing with Congress a common standard for oversight of the emerging technology. Right now, AI model development can take place across multiple states, each with its own regulatory standards.

You have fifty different states running in fifty different directions. That type of compliance regime will be hard for small companies and startups, especially innovators, Sacks said in an interview Friday on Bloomberg Tech. What we need is a single federal or national framework for AI regulation.

Championed by Sacks, the order culminates months of lobbying by AI companies led by OpenAI and Alphabet Inc.s Google as well as venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, who have warned that state laws popping up across the country risk overwhelming a nascent industry and potentially harming US competitiveness with China in artificial intelligence. The measure marks the latest in a series of moves by Trump to boost the AI industry, including steps to make it easier to build infrastructure and increase energy supply for power-hungry data centers.

Related: Trump Signs Order Seeking to Limit State-Level AI Regulation

Trump directed the US attorney general to create a task force to challenge state rules that run afoul of his goal of promoting AI adoption. It also permits the Commerce Department to review whether federal broadband funding should be revoked from localities with AI measures that the administration deems onerous. Future discretionary grants may also be withheld by other agencies, unless states back away from enacting laws that the Trump team sees as impeding innovation.

The order is widely expected to face legal challenges, especially from states with provisions already in place. California State Senator Scott Wiener, who crafted landmark legislation in the Golden State that Governor Gavin Newsom signed in September, said that setting safety rules has been a core pillar of state law for decades.

Its absurd for Trump to think he can weaponize the DOJ and Commerce to undermine those state rights, Wiener said in a statement. If the Trump Administration tries to enforce this ridiculous order, we will see them in court.

Sacks said the provision calling for the Justice Department to sue states over AI rules was designed to go after the most burdensome regulations. He expressed uncertainty about whether the administration would seek to challenge California or New York, but he did single out a law in Colorado seeking to prohibit algorithmic discrimination as probably the most excessive.

Trump pivoted to the executive order after White House officials and Republican lawmakers failed to include similar legislation preempting state AI laws in a must-pass defense bill earlier this month. Hours after the White House signing ceremony, Democratic US Senator Brian Schatz said he planned legislation that would seek a full repeal of the order.

Embracing the amazing possibilities of AI cant come at the cost of leaving Americans vulnerable to its profound risks, which is exactly what this executive order does, Schatz said in a statement. Congress has a responsibility to get this technology right  and quickly  but states must be allowed to act in the public interest in the meantime.

US lawmakers have struggled for years to pass comprehensive AI legislation, and theres currently no federal standard governing the technology, leaving local authorities to fill that void. The order calls for Sacks and other administration officials to work with Congress on legislation for a minimally burdensome national standard.

As AI becomes a central part of daily life, taking on roles such as assessing job applications, identifying criminal suspects, handling medical claims and creating content nearly impossible to distinguish from genuine photos or video, state lawmakers have expressed eagerness to impose some rules of the road. Trumps order will complicate those efforts, putting any state passing legislation into potential conflict with the White House.

Tech companies have largely opposed state-level regulatory efforts, particularly in California and New York, that would hold companies accountable for harms caused by AI products like chatbots. Trump and his allies have touted the AI boom as a plus to the US economy, even as it poses political challenges, including voter concerns that data centers are spiking energy bills and fears that the technology will spur job losses.

Sacks, a venture capitalist who joined the administration in January, pushed back against those concerns on employment, saying that so far the AI race in the US has generated more jobs than it has cost.

We are seeing an overall AI boom thats benefiting the economy, he said. Certainly there can be job displacement in the future but we have not seen any of that so far. Its been quite the opposite.

Photo: President Donald Trump, left, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick look on as White House AI czar David Sacks speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on December 11. Photographer: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Deputy Commissioner Jamie Walker won this years Robert Dineen Award, the highest honor for a state regulator bestowed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Walker began at TDI as an examiner trainee before progressing to assistant chief examiner in the examinations section, associate commissioner of the licensing services section and assistant deputy commissioner of the financial regulation division. She was named the deputy commissioner of financial regulation in 2018.

For over two decades, Jamie has been a dedicated and forward-thinking regulator whose commitment to excellence has consistently elevated the standards of insurance regulation, said TDI Commissioner Cassie Brown. Her leadership, expertise, and collaborative spirit make her exceptionally deserving of this prestigious recognition.

Walker is currently the chair of the accounting practices and procedures task force and a member of the statutory accounting principles working group, reinsurance task force, capital adequacy task force, financial stability task force and group capital calculation working group.

As chair of the group solvency issues working group, Walker was instrumental in helping create the NAICs Best Practices in Reviewing Complex Ownership Structures. That regulator resource is essential to ensuring accurate identification of insurance company ultimate controlling persons and promoting greater consistency across states, Brown said.

Walkers career reflects remarkable growth, dedication, and leadership in financial regulation, said NAIC President Jon Godfread. Beginning as an examiner trainee in 2000, she has become a nationally and internationally respected authority in the field.
Allegations that some roofers deliberately damage roofs in order to qualify properties for insurance claims have long been a concern for insurers. This fall, the North Carolina Department of Insurance and North Carolina Farm Bureau decided to do something about it.

The NCDOI and Farm Bureau worked together on a sting operation in Wake County, setting up a bait house, then asking roofing companies to take a look, and recording the roofers actions, the DOI explained in a statement last week.

The sting reportedly worked as intended. Authorities charged Robert Allen Bentley, 36, of Charlotte, a senior project manager with A&M Premier Roofing and Construction, on Dec. 10 was charged with insurance fraud after investigators allegedly observed him and a co-worker damaging and bending roof shingles at the house.

The roof company then claimed the damage was caused by wind and hail and attempted to gain $30,000 in an insurance claim with Farm Bureau, state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a statement.

Roofing scams are serious crimes, and I want to thank Farm Bureau for partnering with the Departments special agents in this two-month investigation, Causey said. Roof scammers should be on alert that our special agents as well as insurance companies are active in efforts to make a dent in this crime, which costs insurance companies and homeowners insurance premium payers alike.

Farm Bureaus North Carolina president, Shawn Harding, said such fraud leads to higher premiums for homeowners.

Thats why we partnered with Commissioner Causey and the Department of Insurance in this successful sting operation, Harding said in a news release. Were pleased that the individuals charged are being held accountable, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Commissioner and the Department to prevent and deter fraud in the roofing industry.

Investigators employed an engineering expert, advanced surveillance techniques and good old-fashioned police work to build the case against the roof workers, DOI explained.

A&M Premier Roofing and Construction is a veteran-owned limited liability corporation with offices in Raleigh and three other cities, according to North Carolina Secretary of State records and the firms website. In 2023, the company was named Raleighs best roofing company by the Raleigh newspaper, the firm noted on its Linkedin page and website.

The president of A&M Premier Roofing and Construction issued a statement, saying that the roof worker charged last week was an independent contractor who had left the company before the arrest was made. He noted that A&Ms independent contractor agreement outlines ethical conduct by contractors.

Our agreement states unequivocally that creating or manufacturing damage of any kind is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of the contractor relationship. A&M Premier does not condone unethical practices under any circumstances, as they directly conflict with our training, standards of conduct, and company values, A&M President Del Scheitler said in an emailed statement.

The alleged actions of a single independent contractor do not represent our organization or the high standards we uphold, Scheitler said.

Photo: Possible roof damage and missing shingles (AdobeStock)

Read More About How the Sting Operation Came About

Speaking of Damaged Shingles: Beware the Rise in Unproven Brittleness Test for Roof Claims

Topics North Carolina
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced it would send $350 million in funding to localities and electric cooperatives for relief efforts following Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. The announcement comes two months after Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia released a report that nearly $500 million in Hurricane Helene disaster relief was unpaid.

Hurricane Helene swept across much of the Southeast in September 2024, devastating parts of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and other nearby states with high winds and heavy rains.

Warnock posted on the social platform X earlier this week that the amount of Hurricane Helene relief funds FEMA was withholding had climbed to $600 million. The money will reimburse efforts such as debris removal, road fixes and utility repairs.

Hurricanes and natural disasters are not political; they do not care if you voted red or blue, and Georgia counties and cities went right to work recovering from Helenes destruction with the understanding the federal government would fulfill its promises and pay their share, said Warnock in a statement. It should not have gotten to this point.

Warnock said he would continue to push FEMA to deliver the additional funds. Last December, he led a bipartisan effort with a group of Georgia Congress members to send a letter to congressional leaders requesting at least $12 billion in federal supplemental disaster funding for Hurricane Helene. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp requested the aid shortly after the storm subsided.

Georgia farmers are also waiting on funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in September that it would send $531 million to Georgia farmers. However, the aid amount wasnt accompanied by a finalized agreement on how the state planned to disburse the block grant. Kemp announced Friday that the portal will open soon, once the USDA gives the program final approval.

Photo: Damage in south Georgia from Helene (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia FEMA
Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer fined ClearShare Health, Clearwater Benefits LLC, and three related companies $350,000 for selling unauthorized health insurance.

Kuderer also ordered the companies to stop transacting unauthorized insurance, including selling ClearShare health plans in Washington.

Clearwater Benefits is a non-resident sales agency authorized to sell life and disability products in Washington that was also marketing and selling ClearShare Health plans, but an inquiry prompted the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to investigate whether ClearShares health plans were being sold legally.

ClearShare is a nonprofit incorporated in April 2022 that markets itself as a healthcare sharing ministry. The company sold 376 memberships to Washington residents between August 1, 2022, and March 30, 2024. Around 200 of those were sold before ClearShare was exempted from federal income tax as a non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service, which was effective in February of 2023.

OICs investigation found ClearShare reported it collected $524,095 in premiums from Washington members between August 2022 and March 2024, and paid $54,201 towards their medical expenses while denying another $54,535 in expenses.

ClearShares plans also included pre-existing condition exclusions, while other medical services such as abortion, which must be covered in accordance with state law, werent covered, according to the OIC.

Healthcare sharing ministries are required to meet a certain set of qualifications, which includes sharing medical expenses continuously since December 31, 1999, which ClearShare (incorporated in 2022) has not, so it was not considered a healthcare sharing ministry and was not authorized to sell health insurance in Washington. The companies were determined to be operating illegally, and are subject to fines of up to $25,000 per violation.

Kuderer also ordered ClearShare to pay taxes, including interest and penalties, on the premiums collected from Washington residents.

The OIC received a final order on its case against Unite Health Share Ministries and United Faith Ministries on November 6, 2025. OICs Presiding Officer ruled the companies did not meet the criteria to be classified as a healthcare sharing ministry and violated the insurance code. The companies have filed a petition seeking judicial review of the final order.

Topics Carriers Washington
A gas explosion set off a major fire in a San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood last week after obliterating at least one home, blowing out windows and shaking nearby houses. Six people were taken to hospitals for injuries, fire officials said.

Dramatic video footage showed a home in the Hayward area sitting under a blue sky when it suddenly exploded, spewing jagged wood and other debris into the air as smoke billowed.

Brittany Maldonado, who lives across the street from the home, was in her bedroom with her husband when she heard the blast.

Boxes fell over and everything shook. We thought someone had just flown off the freeway and their car was in our living room, she said. It was like someone had just launched a bomb.

Then they looked at the Nest doorbell cam footage and saw their neighbors home blowing up.

Alameda County Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nishimoto said he did not know if those injured were workers or residents, but he said three people were immediately sent to a hospital due to their injuries and three others who were sent had more minor injuries.

Three structures on two separate lots were severely damaged, said Alameda County Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nishimoto. Some of the 75 firefighters who responded had to back off momentarily when they felt electric shocks from power lines that had fallen on the site.

The neighborhood of single-level homes with tidy small lawns and some businesses near two freeways had been undergoing construction work for wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

The explosion occurred in the unincorporated community of Ashland, near the city of Hayward. The city is home to about 160,000 residents in the East Bay, 15 miles (24 km) south of Oakland.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday it is sending a team to investigate.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was alerted around 7:35 a.m. that a construction crew  not with the utility  had damaged an underground gas line. Utility workers arrived to isolate the damaged line, but gas was leaking from various locations.

Workers stopped the flow of gas at 9:25 a.m., and the explosion followed shortly afterward.

Gas was flowing for two hours but the explosion happened 10 minutes after the line was shut off, PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian confirmed. She said it took time to isolate the line and stop the flow of gas.

The doorbell video showed a large excavator being used to dig in front of the home that exploded as a worker stood nearby.

Within moments, an explosion and flames blew out the walls and the roof of the home. People nearby appeared to be dazed for a few seconds, before running toward the home to search for any victims. Several workers lifted a large piece of debris from where it landed near the excavator.

Sirens could be heard in the distance as police arrived at the scene as flames began to spread at the site of the demolished building.

Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, Julie Watson in San Diego and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
As part of a farmer protest in Brussels, Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman and his son Tom set off this morning by tractor from the Irish Farm Centre

They aim to arrive in Brussels on Thursday in time for the protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA.

Mr Gorman and Tom plan to stop off at a number of points to meet farmers along the route from the Farm Centre to Rosslare, where they will take a ferry this evening to Dunkirk in France.

The IFA president explained:

I want a farming future for Tom, the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation. Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.

The support team who will travel with the president are Laois IFA chair, Henry Burns, Kay Gorman, IFA/FBD 2025 Ready to Lead participant Shannon Porter from Co Donegal and Sean Hennessy from the IFA press office.

The convoy will travel via Naas, Crookstown (11.30am), Tullow Mart (1.30pm), Bunclody and Enniscorthy Mart (3.30pm) on its way to Rosslare. Times are approximate; it is advised to check IFA social media accounts for updates on times if you wish to express support.

Mr Gorman will arrive in Dunkirk on Tuesday night and will travel from there to Brussels on Wednesday to join up with thousands of farmers from across Europe for the major demonstration, which will coincide with the EU Council meeting.

The EU Council, including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, is due to discuss the next EU budget, including the CAP budget, and most likely will attempt to approve the Mercosur trade agreement.

Farmers from the French farm organisation FNSEA will meet the IFA president in Dunkirk. Members of the IFA National Council will travel to Brussels on Thursday to join the protest.

Mr Gorman said his pilgrimage and the Irish presence at the protest are about showing solidarity with fellow EU farmers as well as highlighting the critical issues confronting farmers.

The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027. We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars, Mr Gorman explained.

The event, which is said to be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, trade deals, including the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business.

The protest will also focus on the lack of standards in Brazil, as evidenced by the recent recall of meat which tested positive for banned hormones.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses after a man was shot and a vehicle set on fire in Dublin.

They were called to reports of a shooting in Coultry Terrace, Ballymun, just after 7pm on Sunday.
Irelands chief rabbi has said no one can guarantee that things will not turn violent in Ireland following Sunday's attack on Sydneys Bondi Beach.

Yoni Wieder has urged the Jewish community not to retreat in fear, but instead come together after 16 people, including an alleged gunman, were killed and dozens were injured in the shooting.

It is prudent and appropriate for gardai to increase patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community after the Bondi Beach attack, Tanaiste Simon Harris has said.

Two gunmen opened fire on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival in the Archer Park area of Australias most famous beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday.

Mr Wieder said the people responsible for the attack "and those who cheer them on" want Jewish people "to live in fear in Sydney and far beyond it".

Our response is unequivocal. We are strong, we are resilient, and we will continue to express our Jewish identities openly and proudly.

Mr Wieder met with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly on Sunday after gardai announced a ramping-up of patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community following the Bondi attack.

He said the meeting was "about intelligence" and identifying potential threats as early as possible. He said it was important anyone found to have issued threats or incited violence was held to account.

"We are so appreciative of the gardai for their reassurances yesterday," he said, highlighting the importance of "enhanced security around Jewish institutions and our communal events".

He said while the additional support given to them over the past two years was welcomed, this cannot be addressed by policing alone.

We must not get into the cycle of building ever higher fences and deploying ever more guards. That is not the solution. There is a deep and ugly hatred against Jewish people festering in parts of the Western world, and regrettably, within parts of Irish society as well. Hatred has to be identified and confronted and struck out.

According to Mr Wieder, there are serious concerns for Jewish people in Ireland, as there has been a sharp rise in incidents of hatred towards people from their community.

He told RTE's Morning Ireland: For many months, we've had targeted graffiti in Dublin, explicitly calling to kill Jews. So against that background, and coupled with the fatal attack that we saw first in Manchester on Yom Kippur and now in Sydney on Hanukkah, people are starting to recognise the hard truth that no one can guarantee that things will not turn violent here too.

Mr Wieder said several Jewish children had told him they had been bullied because of their identity.

They now avoid speaking about their identity in front of their classmates. Jewish university students report similar experiences. Online antisemitism from Irish users is particularly vicious, he said.

The Tanaiste said the Bondi event was a vile, disgusting terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

Our hearts go out to all of those impacted, but also to the Jewish community more broadly, here in Ireland and indeed around the world.

The Tanaiste said he is not aware of any Irish citizens caught up in the attack.

On gardai increasing their patrols, Mr Harris said it is a statement of fact to say there is an increase in antisemitism across the world, including in Ireland.

I certainly met with members of the Jewish community recently, including young children attending a school, and I was very struck by the antisemitism that they face in their daily lives. Ireland must and will do more to tackle the scourge of antisemitism, Mr Harris said.

The gardai will always adopt a zero tolerance approach in relation to this, and I think its prudent and appropriate that the gardai increase their patrols in the aftermath of whats happened and against the international backdrop as well.

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee condemned the attack in Bondi Beach, describing it as a vile and antisemitic attack on innocent civilians.

I want to offer my sincerest condolences to all of the families who have been impacted and to the entire Jewish community, Ms McEntee said.

Im very conscious of the impact this will have on so many members of the community, not least at home in Ireland.

I want to say in the strongest words possible, we utterly condemn what was a vile and antisemitic attack and we must do everything that we can to push back on this type of antisemitism and hatred and violence across the world.
The number of people attending the Southdoc out-of-hours GP service has doubled in a week as flu continues to spread rapidly.

Dr John Sheehan, a GP in Blackpool in Cork City, called on people to consider getting the flu vaccine, saying it is not too late yet.

The numbers have increased hugely, the number of people attending Southdoc has doubled in the space of a week, he said.

We normally have three doctors on, but we now have seven doctors on in Cork City itself because of the volume.

Extra doctors are on duty across the Southdoc network for the holiday period. GPs in many practices are holding extra hours and extra clinics under arrangements with the HSE, he added.

One of the things were seeing particularly in older people is some of them are presenting with normal flu symptoms but a number of older people have confusion. Thats the first symptom they have, he said.

Were also seeing an increased number of children as well, and some of them are quite sick with it.

Dr Marie Finn, a GP in Ennis, said the high flu numbers have come earlier than usual but described the pressures as still predictable.

She also advised getting the flu vaccine, saying: One of the flu strains has mutated but the vaccine is still about 70% effective." The vaccine will reduce how severely sick people get with the flu and help them avoid hospitals, she said.

The uptake maybe wasnt as good as we would have liked. What were seeing now is primarily younger people with the flu.

Older people tend to be very good at protecting themselves but she said for children, the uptake I think is about 20%".

"Theyre the ones who seem to be hit harder this year than other years.

She advised: Make sure you have a supply of paracetamol and fluids, and know how to deal with simple infections. Most things can be managed at home or in primary care, the burden on the hospitals needs to be protected.
Sentencing of a man who used an honesty box system to deal drugs in West Cork was adjourned until February 13 as there was no pre-sentencing probation report available on Monday.

Judge Sinead Behan refused an application by barrister Ben Shorten to release the accused man, 36-year-old Gideon Cullum of Fourcuil, Clonakilty, County Cork, on bail until that date.

Mr Shorten said: He is highly incentivised to engage with the probation service. This is his first offence. He came forward on a signed plea of guilty, two counselling reports are available, he has given two supervised urine samples and he is in gainful employment  he is going in the right direction.

Judge Behan said: I entirely appreciate he has quite a lot going for him but this was a sophisticated operation with 40 locations around West Cork and he admitted dealing four kilos of cannabis a year. I am not going to accede to the request (to release him until February).

Detective Garda Shannon Ryan said that on September 16, 2024, the defendant was seen entering the wooded area at Ballinoroher, Timoleague, where the stash of cannabis was concealed.

During interview he admitted he had been selling since October 2020 during the second covid lockdown. His system was a well organised operation. He used a different name online.

"There was a phone number and people would order by WhatsApp. They would receive a location PIN and would go to that rural location. The drugs would be in a lunchbox or a glass jar.

"The person would take the cannabis and leave the cash. There was no interaction  it was click and go, Detective Garda Ryan said.

Judge Behan compared it to the honesty box system.
The lady sitting on her own in Coughlans Funeral Home on Shandon St, Cork City, didnt want to give her name.

She was there, she said, because she had heard about the Welsh chap who had died recently. She just wanted to pay her respects on her way into town to do some Christmas shopping before lunchtime. After that, it would be too busy.

The Welsh chap she referred to was Kenyon Jones Ginn, who had lived in the Share Mount St Joseph Housing Complex nearby from 2007 to 2021, as reported in the Irish Examiner.

A native of the Black Mountains in Wales, he entered a nursing home four years ago after developing dementia. He died last month at the age of 85.

Known as Taffy, he lived in Ireland for many years  but he did not have any family here.

This is where the story could take a melancholy turn, in which someones passing comes to symbolise the heartless present  modernitys grim, headlong rush  as opposed to the sympathetic past.

Instead, this is where the boys and girls of Share stepped in.

Students and volunteers from Share carry Taffy's coffin to the hearse. Picture: Noel Sweeney

This time of year is Share season, in that the yellow jackets of the schoolboy and schoolgirl collectors around Cork City are a familiar sight to Christmas shoppers.

The charity was founded over half a century ago by students from Presentation Brothers College (PBC), Cork, and has gone from strength to strength since.

Share has been a powerful positive force on Leeside since its inception, and Monday's display was more proof of that  if such were needed.

Kenyon Jones Ginn was a client of the Share housing complex in life, but the charity did not forget him in death.

Anyone going up or down Shandon St on Monday around 1pm probably saw plenty of the traditional markers of a funeral around Coughlans: The hearse waiting, and gardai ordering traffic around it, a knot of people assembled outside the funeral home itself.

What set Monday apart, however, was the guard of honour made up of boys and girls from Share in their familiar yellow jackets. Those who shouldered the coffin out to the hearse were similarly identifiable.

It was good to see the respect for tradition in a traditional part of the city.

Catherine OBrien,who knew Taffy well, holds a framed photo of him outside Coughlans Funeral Home on Shandon St, Cork City. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Shandon St may not be as bustling now as it was in years past, when most of the visitors to town streaming down to the North Gate Bridge were walking rather than driving, but it still boasts considerable foot traffic.

Pedestrians who came against the coffin being borne to the hearse paused and crossed themselves, waiting in silence until the way was clear.

Those in nearby shops came to stand at the doors to pay their respects as the coffin came out. A woman from the flower shop across from Coughlans brought out a rose for the coffin when it was laid in the hearse.

The respect on show was shared by the Share students who were present.

Ryan Wylie, of PBC, spoke for them all when he said: Its a Share tradition that you must always treat people with respect, but that you also treat people with dignity in death.

I think that its a great honour for us to be here, to be part of Taffys final wishes, because one of those final wishes was that the people in Share would come to his funeral, that some of us would carry the casket, and that after the cremation we would scatter his ashes at the Mount St Joseph complex, where he lived for so many years.

Its hard now were here at the funeral home. Its sad, but its good to honour his wishes too.

Kenyon Jones Ginn, fondly known as Taffy, lived in the Share Mount St Joseph Housing Complex in Cork from 2007 to 2021.

The hearse pulled away to lead a small cortege on the journey down to the crematorium in Ringaskiddy, and the spell was broken. Shandon St instantly became as busy as you might expect of any city street 10 days before Christmas.

The headlines have often made for grim reading this year, but Monday's display of respect and humanity was restorative.

It showed that people are remembered and not forgotten, and that the rituals and traditions to mark someones passing endure.

Many years ago, playwright Arthur Miller described one of his characters as deserving dignity and recognition. Attention must be paid, wrote Miller.

Attention was paid in Cork on Monday.
Irelands preference for the future funding of Ukraine is through frozen Russian assets, foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee has said.

Speaking at the EUs Foreign Affairs Council, Ms McEntee said the Government believed using frozen assets to fund Ukraine through a reparations loan was the best way forward.

However, proposals to fund Ukraine through frozen assets is being opposed by Belgium, with countries including Italy and Bulgaria calling on the EU to consider alternative options.

Ms McEntee said there was a need to listen to colleagues' concerns, with engagement taking place at official level before EU leaders make a decision later this week.

Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, admitted it would be difficult to move forward without Belgian support for the proposal.

Without Belgium, I think it wouldnt be very easy because they have the majority of the assets, and I think its important that they are on board with whatever we do, Ms Kallas said.

Ms Kallas said the most credible option was still the reparations loan.

We are not there yet and it is increasingly difficult but were doing the work.

There is an estimated 210bn worth of frozen Russian assets which are being targeted for use. Last week, the EU confirmed it would freeze the assets indefinitely.

I understand the concerns that member states have raised but it is absolutely essential that we send a very strong signal to Ukraine, but in particular Russia, that we are going to support and we will use these assets to support Ukraine in what has been an illegal invasion.

We need to make sure that that support is strong and that Europe stands square behind Ukraine. That will be our priority and our focus.

Ms McEntee added the Government was committed to supporting Ukraine, highlighting 125m in funding in support provided during the visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Dublin.

We are committed to not just ourselves, but working with European colleagues and identifying ways in which this [support] can be provided, but the reparations loan is the way that we see that is best moving forward, Ms McEntee said.

Alternative options, which have been proposed by Italy and Bulgaria, include the use of EU joint borrowing to fund Ukraine.
Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Mr Reiner, according to a law enforcement official.

The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned, the official said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department says it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3.30pm on Sunday and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside.

Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an apparent homicide at Mr Reiners home, said Captain Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighbourhood on the citys west side that is home to many celebrities.

Mr Reiner, who turned 78 in March, has long been one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood and his work includes some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and 90s, including This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.

Messages to his representatives were not immediately returned on Sunday night.

Former president Barack Obama posted on X that beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people  and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.

California Governor Gavin Newsom described him in a statement as a big-hearted genius while fellow director Joe Russo said on X: I cant handle the truth that one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live is gone. We lost one of the few good men.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass called Reiners death a devastating loss for the city.

Rob Reiners contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice, she said in a statement.

An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.

His role as Meathead in the 1970s TV classic All in the Family catapulted him to fame.

A police officer blocks off a street near Rob Reiner's residence. Picture: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

The family of the shows late director Norman Lear said in a statement: Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.

Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.

The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner has been married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally and have three children together.

Mr Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.
The alleged gunmen behind the Bondi Beach attack are a father-son duo suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre, according to police.

Naveed Akram, 24, was arrested at the scene and taken to a Sydney hospital with critical injuries. His 50-year-old father, who The Sydney Morning Herald first reported to be Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police.

The pair allegedly killed 15 people, with dozens more injured in the shootings which took place on Sunday, during a gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

The son was known to New South Wales (NSW) police and security agencies, while his father had a firearms licence with six weapons registered to him. All six firearms have been recovered, police said.

Four of these weapons, long arms believed to include a rifle and shotgun, were seized at the scene in Bondi, with other weapons also found during a police raid at a house in Campsie, in Sydneys south-west.

Naveed Akram, who worked as a bricklayer, came under the attention of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) in October 2019, according to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese. He was examined for six months because of his alleged associations with others, with the ABC reporting claims that the counter-terror investigation involved an Islamic State cell.

[Naveed Akram] was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, Mr Albanese said.

The NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said the two men had lived at another house in Bonnyrigg, in the citys west, which was also raided on Sunday night. He said there was nothing to indicate that either of the men involved in yesterdays attack was planning the attack, and confirmed the older man had held a gun licence for a decade.

Mr Lanyon would not comment on reports claiming a manifesto or black Islamic State flag were found in the car driven to the scene by the alleged attackers

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said there would almost certainly be changes to gun laws, and police were investigating whether there had been a failure of their systems in relation to how licensed weapons could have been used in a terror attack.

While police did not confirm the duos names to Guardian Australia, they have released details of their ages, the suburb in which they lived and information about the older mans firearms licence.

Sajid had held a Category AB firearm licence, police said. This is a licence which requires a person to demonstrate to police they have a special need for certain weapons, which can include muzzle-loading firearms (other than pistols); centre-fire rifles (other than self-loading); and shotgun/centre-fire rifle combinations.

Australian home affairs minister Tony Burke, said Naveed is an Australian-born citizen. His father had arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998, transferred in 2001 to a partner visa and had since been on resident return visas.

'Hed have lunch himself, not with anyone else'

Until recently, Naveed Akram had been working as a bricklayer.

The man who employed him said he took him as an apprentice six years ago, describing him as a hard worker who never had time off.

But, a couple of months ago, he said Naveed reported that hed broken his wrist while boxing, and would not be able to work again until 2026.

He asked for all his entitlements paid up, annual leave and everything, but a lot of guys do that at end of year anyway, said the employer, who did not wish to be named.

Now you cant help but think, him getting all his money out, whats he going to spend it on.

He did not know Naveed well, saying hed employed dozens of people at the same time, but he was considered a quiet person.

In bricklaying, you work closely as a team on site, but he didnt associate with anyone else out of hours  hed have lunch himself, not with anyone else, he said.

He said he knew Naveed came from a Muslim background, but Naveed did not speak much about religion at work.

He said some employees had told him that Naveeds parents had separated and he was closer to his father.

He also disputed claims that Naveed had lost his job, saying that he had wanted him to return to work, despite his wrist injury.

He had been doing some boxing outside of hours  he said the doctor told him have a couple of months off, the employer said.

I asked if he could come back a bit sooner  being a good worker and everything, I thought, fuck, I dont want to lose this guy.

As a bricklayer, [I] couldnt fault him; his work was good. He was a good employee, as far as that goes.

A couple embrace a day after a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker

Another bricklayer described Naveed as a strange colleague but a hard worker who had an interest in hunting.

No one was close to him, said the former colleague, who did not wish to be named.

You spend a lot of time together, obviously bricklaying  [which is a] pretty mind-numbing job, so you do a lot of talking, but he was just a weird operator.

Although authorities have not said the son was a licensed firearms holder, the colleague claimed he hunted regularly, and spoke about shooting rabbits and other game around Crookwell, in the states southern tablelands.

They worked across Sydney, with the last job in which he saw Naveed on a site in Penrith.

There has also been unconfirmed claims that Naveed was a member of a hunting club, after images emerged of what appears to be a membership card said to have been found in his wallet.

Its not yet confirmed if he was a member of the club.

Shortly after the attack, an old photo of Naveed, originally posted by sheikh Adam Ismail, the head of Al-Murad Institute, went viral. Mr Ismail distanced himself from the man, telling Guardian Australia he hadnt seen him since 2022.

As Ive done with 1,000s of students over the years, Ive taught him Quran recitation and Arabic only for a combined period of one year, he said.

Mr Ismail said he was deeply saddened by what had occurred, and gave his condolences to the victims and Jewish community.

[The] Quran  clearly states that taking one innocent life is like killing all of humanity. This makes it clear that what unfolded yesterday at Bondi is completely forbidden in Islam.

At Bonnyrigg, reporters and police were gathered outside the home that remained cordoned off with blue tape on Monday morning. Two police cars were parked out the front.

At around noon, three people returned to the house, which is owned by Naveeds mother. A young man, and two women, who held paper over their heads to shield themselves from being filmed, exited a car and walked into the home.

Glenn Nelson lives across the road. He has been living in the area for 37 years and described it as a quiet area.

My wife [calls it] boring old Bonnyrigg, he told Guardian Australia from the front lawn of his house. He had been watching the news of the attack shortly before he noticed a commotion on the street at about 9.30pm local time on Sunday.

I came into the lounge room to watch something else, and then saw traffic  and flashing lights, he said.

Another person who lives on the street said she was at work when she got a phone call from her parents to say something was happening on the street. She said she was shocked to learn it was related to the attack.

Were so sad for what has happened, she said. I left a very dangerous country to be safe here. Ariel Bogle contributed to this report.
European leaders are expected to cement support for Ukraine on Monday as it faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a US-brokered peace deal.

After Sundays talks in Berlin between US envoys and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian and European officials are to continue a series of meetings in an effort to secure the continents peace and security in the face of an increasingly assertive Russia.

Mr Zelensky on Sunday met US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German federal chancellery, in the hopes of bringing the nearly four-year war to a close.

We are preparing for a meeting with the American side. There are many important details, and we are working thoroughly on every point of every draft. The key thing is that all the steps we agree on with partners must work in practice to deliver guaranteed security. Only reliable pic.twitter.com/yQrn6YupGE  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2025

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.

The US government late on Sunday said in a social media post on Mr Witkoffs account after the five-hour meeting that a lot of progress was made.

Earlier in the day, Mr Zelensky voiced readiness to drop his countrys bid to join Nato if the US and other western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to Nato members.

But Ukraine continued to reject the US push for ceding territory to Russia.

Steve Witkoff, special envoy of the US, arrives in Berlin on Sunday (Kay Nietfeld/dpa/AP)

Russian 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.

He has also cast Ukraines bid to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Mr Zelensky emphasised that any western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the US side once the talks had finished.

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal as a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Mr Peskov said. He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

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.

I have just spoken with President @ZelenskyyUa.



Americans, Europeans and Ukrainians only seek peace. As Russia continues its war of aggression, Ukraine stands strong.



France is, and will remain, at Ukraines side to build a robust and lasting peaceone that can guarantee  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 14, 2025

Pax Americana refers to the USs postwar dominance as a superpower that has brought relative peace to the globe.

Mr Merz warned that Mr Putins aim is 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 said during a party conference in Munich.

Mr Macron said on X that France is, and will remain, at Ukraines side to build a robust and lasting peace  one that can guarantee Ukraines security and sovereignty, and that of Europe, over the long term.

Mr Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.
The parents of a fruit shop owner who tackled one of the Bondi Beach terrorists have described him as a hero of Australia.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, is seen fighting a gunman in a video shared widely on social media shortly after the attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday.

Australian police said a 54-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, named in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram, were behind the shooting on Sunday, in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.

Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene but Naveed Akram, who was wounded, is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges.

As of late Monday afternoon local time, 27 people were receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, NSW Health said.

Six people are in a critical condition, the others are in serious and stable conditions. Police believe the ages of the dead range from 10 to 87.

Two police officers who were injured in the attack are in serious but stable conditions.

Mr Ahmeds father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC Australia his son has an impulse to protect people, having previously served with the police.

Speaking through a translator, he told the broadcaster: His friend told him, Lets go have coffee at Bondi.

They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists.

Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance from him, hiding behind a tree.

My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people.

When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon.

I feel pride and honour, because my son is a hero of Australia.

Mr Ahmed is in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, but was in good spirits, his family previously said.

His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, said she was proud of her son, describing him as a do-gooder.

She told ABC Australia through a translator: Im proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.

He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit.

We pray that God saves him.

NSW premier Chris Minns said his government would pursue prospective gun reform in the wake of the incident, after it was disclosed the 50-year-old gunman belonged to a gun club and legally possessed six firearms.

His sentiments were echoed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who proposed implementing tougher measures nationwide, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain.

Mr Minns said a memorial had been set up at the end of the Bondi Pavilion near the beach. People have been placing flowers there.

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 on the first day of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights, usually observed in December.

The youngest victim has been named as 10-year-old Matilda, whose full name was not released. The Harmony Russian School of Sydney said on social media her memory will remain in our hearts.

Police earlier said two active explosive devices were taken away by a bomb disposal unit and rendered safe, while properties in the Campsie and Bonnyrigg areas of the city had been searched.

A third explosive device was found at the Bondi scene on Monday and taken for forensic investigation, police said.

New South Wales state police commissioner Mal Lanyon said reports that a black Isis flag was draped over the attackers car would form part of the investigation.

He also said one of the offenders had been known to authorities but there had been no specific threat and police were confident there was not a third person involved in the attack.
Workers at the Louvre Museum voted on Monday to strike over working conditions and other issues, a union said, dealing another blow to the Paris museum after an embarrassing jewellery heist in October.

The CFDT union said the vote was taken at a meeting of 400 workers on Monday and that they decided to strike for the day.

The worlds most-visited museum did not open as scheduled. A notice on its website advised would-be visitors that the museum is closed for the moment.

The strike vote followed talks last week between unions and government officials including culture minister Rachida Dati.

Union leaders said the talks had not alleviated all of their concerns about staffing and financing for the Louvre.

Soldiers outside the Louvre after the jewel heist (Emma Da Silva/AP)

Visiting the museum has become an obstacle course, said Alexis Fritche, general secretary of the culture wing of the CFDT union.

The museum has been struggling with the aftermath of a daylight heist and an earlier staff strike that abruptly shut it and stranded thousands of visitors beneath I.M. Peis glass pyramid.

Last month, the Louvre also announced the temporary closure of some employees offices and one public gallery because of weakened floor beams.

A report after a Senate inquiry said last week that the thieves escaped with barely 30 seconds to spare, citing broken cameras, outdated equipment, understaffed control rooms and poor co-ordination that initially sent police to the wrong place.

For employees, the high-profile incident crystallised long-standing concerns that crowding and thin staffing were undermining security and working conditions at a museum that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Those tensions spilled into public view in June, when striking workers brought the museum to a halt.

Visitors with timed tickets waited in long, unmoving lines outside as the doors failed to open, an image that rippled across social media and underscored how fragile operations at the sprawling institution had become.

Unions say talks with the government have made progress but remain incomplete.

Visiting the museum has become an obstacle course

Separately, the culture ministry said on Sunday it has tasked Philippe Jost, who oversaw the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, with a mission to propose a deep reorganisation of the Louvre after the findings of an administrative inquiry.

Three rounds of discussions last week produced quite important progress on promises of additional full-time staff and increased state funding, Alexis Fritche, general secretary of the culture wing of the CFDT union, told The Associated Press.

But the proposals must be confirmed in writing and do not yet meet all demands, he said.

Its not completely satisfying, Mr Fritche said. Employees are quite determined, he added, while noting their strong attachment to keeping the museum open to the public.

In their strike notice to Ms Dati last week, the CFDT, CGT and Sud unions said the Louvre was in crisis with insufficient resources and increasingly deteriorated working conditions.
Hollywood actors have paid tribute after the death of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, and said they feel devastated.

Authorities are investigating an apparent homicide at Mr Reiners home in Los Angeles after police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the property on Sunday, it has been reported.

Mr Reiner, 78, was a prolific Hollywood director and created some of the most well-known movies of the 1980s and 1990s, including legal thriller A Few Good Men in 1992 and romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally in 1989.

The director's other films included his 1984 hit This Is Spinal Tap, and The Princess Bride and Stand By Me in 1987.

Monty Python star Eric Idle said in a post on X that he spoke with Mr Reiner in the hours before his death.

The English actor, 82, called Mr Reiner a clever, talented and very thoughtful man, and said: I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company. I met him at his Dads in 1975.

He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him.

US actor James Woods said he and Mr Reiner had been friends since they made 1996 thriller Ghosts Of Mississippi together.

In an online post, he said: The studio didnt think I was old enough to do the part, but Rob fought for me.

Political differences never stood in the way of our love and respect for each other. I am devastated by this terrible event.

Frozen actor Josh Gad described Mr Reiner as one of the greatest directors of our time in a post on Instagram.

He said: He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine.

He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us.

Rob Reiner, centre, with Jack Nicholson, right and Morgan Freeman at the UK premiere of The Bucket List (PA)

John Cusack, who starred in Mt Reiners film The Sure Thing, wrote on X: Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner  a great man.

The Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood, who appeared in Mr Reiners 1994 family film North, posted: Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family.

In a post on X, American actor and Zoolander star Ben Stiller described Mr Reiners death as a huge loss, and said: Rob Reiner was one of my favourite directors.

He came out form behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a TV actor to being a great director who made an incredible run of movies.

He was a kind caring person who was really really funny. I didnt know him well but was always a fan and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.

Robs father, comedian, director and actor Carl Reiner helped create The Dick Van Dyke Show and appeared in films including Oceans Eleven, and died in June 2020, aged 98.

Also among those who have paid tribute is actor and comedian Rob Schneider, who is best known for his role as Rob Hilliard in the Grown Ups films.

In a post on X, Ms Schneider, 62, said he was deeply saddened, and described Mr Reiner as one of the most accomplished American directors who ever lived.

Prominent political figures also paid tribute, including former US president Barack Obama, who wrote on X that he and his wife Michelle were heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele.

He added: Robs achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people  and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.

Former US vice president Kamala Harris also paid tribute to her dear friends, Mr Reiner and his wife.

In a post on X, Ms Harris said: Rob and his wife Michele loved each other very much.

Doug and I are devastated to learn of their passing. Our thoughts are with their loved ones during this tragic time.

Former US speaker Nancy Pelosi described the news of Mr Reiners death as devastating, describing him as creative, funny, and beloved in a tribute on X.

Ms Pelosi also went on to praise his support of the Californian state-level initiative First 5, which aims to reduce childhood poverty in those up to the age of five years old by offering programs for health, learning, and family support.

She also noted his activism working to overturn Californias Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that outlawed same-sex marriages.

She said: Rob cared deeply about people and demonstrated that in his civic activities  whether by supporting the First 5 initiative or fighting against Prop 8 in California. Civically, he was a champion for the First Amendment and the creative rights of artists. And professionally, he was an iconic figure in film who made us laugh, cry and think with the movies he created.

Paul and I and our entire family mourn the loss of our very dear friends and are praying for their loved ones during an unimaginable time of grief.

The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, said Mr Reiners death is a devastating loss, and wrote on X: I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him.

California state governor Gavin Newsom said: Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.

Reports say authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the people found dead.

US publication Variety said a family spokesman for Mr Reiner confirmed the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner to them, in a statement that added: We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

Away from directing, r Reiner also had acting credits, having made a name for himself playing Meathead in the 1970s TV show All In The Family, which aired between 1971-1979 in the US.

He also appeared in front of the camera in Sleepless In Seattle, The Wolf Of Wall Street, TV series New Girl and most recently in season four of The Bear.

In September this year, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the sequel to the 1984 film, was released, following David St Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), who reunite after a 15-year hiatus, with Mr Reiner starring as documentary filmmaker Martin Marty DiBergi.

The film also featured cameos from Paul McCartney and Elton John.

The original film followed the band from their beginnings as skiffle group The Originals, through to their time as a 1960s R&B group called The Thamesmen, who had a hit with Gimme Some Money, before eventually becoming Spinal Tap, which begins as a psychedelic band and then moves into heavy metal.
Foreign banks tap opportunities in Chinese companies' overseas businesses

Xinhua) 08:09, December 15, 2025

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a snow scenery against the skyline in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Joint press release issued on meeting between Chinese, Saudi FMs

Xinhua) 13:43, December 15, 2025

RIYADH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and with a view to strengthening China-Saudi relations, 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 Saudi Arabia on Dec. 14.

The two foreign ministers held talks, reviewing the friendly comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and expressing appreciation for the high level of cooperation achieved in such fields as the economy, trade, investment and energy.

They noted that the visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have shared aligned visions and their relations have made significant progress, jointly benefiting the friendly peoples of both countries.

The two ministers co-chaired the Fifth Meeting of the Political Sub-committee of the China-Saudi Arabia High-level Joint Committee, during which they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields. Both sides emphasized that they would continue to support each other on issues involving their respective core interests, implement a series of major initiatives proposed by the leaders of the two countries, and support each other in achieving security, stability, development and prosperity.

The Saudi side reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle, stressing that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

China expressed support for Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop and enhance relations with Iran, and commended the Saudi side for its leading role and efforts in promoting regional and international security and stability.

China spoke highly of Saudi Arabia's economic development achievements under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, and appreciated the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit held in Saudi Arabia in December 2022. The Saudi side expressed support for China's hosting of the second China-Arab States Summit and the second China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in 2026. China will participate in the World Expo to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2030.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and agreed to strengthen communication and coordination. They emphasized support for efforts to promote a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question in accordance with the two-state solution, relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During the visit, the two sides signed an agreement on the mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A driver who used a car as a weapon to plough through more than 100 people celebrating Liverpools Premier League title win told officers, Ive just ruined my familys life, a court heard.

Paul Doyle, described as a family man by prosecutors, wept as footage of the horrific rampage was shown to the citys crown court multiple times on Monday.

His sentencing hearing was told the 54-year-old was in a rage and his anger had completely taken hold of him.

Doyle previously pleaded guilty to 31 offences relating to seriously injuring people during the victory parade in May.

Prosecutors said in the space of two minutes, his Ford Galaxy  which weighed nearly two tonnes  collided with well over 100 people and he was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through.

Doyle admitted to dangerous driving, affray, 17 charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, nine counts of causing GBH with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent last month.

He had previously denied the offences, which relate to 29 victims aged between six months and 77 years.

Horrifying dashcam footage was displayed to the court on the first day of his sentencing hearing, with the defendant heard shouting move, f****** pricks and get out the f****** way.

Pedestrians pulled their children out of the path of Doyles car to stop them from being hit, and the footage showed the windscreen smash after a man landed on it.

Doyle cried as the footage was shown to the court, putting his head down and shutting his eyes as the footage showed his car hitting crowds of supporters.

Victims in court were also in tears as the video was played.

Opening the facts of the case, Paul Greaney KC said: The strong sense from the dashcam footage is that the defendant regarded himself as the most important person on Dale Street, and considered that everyone else needed to get out of his way so that he could get to where he wanted to get to.

The court was shown multiple clips of the incident, which the prosecutor described as particularly shocking, adding: The prosecution case is what we are seeing; there is a man in a rage, whose anger had completely taken hold of him.

The scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

In some of the footage, a pram could be seen on its side.

Following the rampage, Doyle told officers in the back of a police van: Ive just ruined my familys life.

Referring to the time period between 5.59pm and 6.01pm on May 26, Mr Greaney told the court: The prosecution case is that the defendant had used the vehicle as a weapon over that period of time.

In doing so, he not only caused injury on a large scale, but he also generated horror in those who had attended what they had thought would be a day of joyfulness.

Mr Greaney said Doyle was in the city to collect a friend and his family from the celebrations.

That the defendant was initially motivated that day by kindness only serves to make what he did later the more staggering, Mr Greaney said.

Addressing his motive, the prosecutor continued: The truth is a simple one. Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to.

In a rage, he drove into the crowd, and when he did so, he intended to cause people within the crowd serious harm.

Paul Doyle, who is due to be sentenced for seriously injuring people when he drove into football fans at Liverpool FCs victory parade on May 26 (CPS/PA)

He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through.

So the truth is as simple as the consequences that day were awful.

Mr Greaney continued: The defendant was the one driving a 1.9-tonne vehicle.

He was the one who needed to take care and who had a responsibility to the pedestrians ahead of him.

The prosecutor told the court Doyle had an opportunity to stop and gain protection from police officers in a police van he had passed during the rampage.

Mr Greaney said: In interview, he was to maintain he was in fear.

If so, here was an opportunity to stop and gain protection.

Indeed, the police were not just restricted to that van.

Forensic officers walk past an inflatable field tent at the scene in Water Street in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

As we have seen in the footage, they were chasing the defendant down the street.

In a short time, he was to knock a female officer over.

The point is that there were many police officers in the area from whom the defendant could have sought help and protection.

He did not do so because his claims in interview as to his motivation were untrue.

Doyle was arrested at the scene on Water Street just after 6pm and charged later that week.

The youngest victim was six-month-old Teddy Eveson, whose parents later told the media he was thrown about 15 feet down the road in his pram when the crash happened.

Doyle, of Croxteth, Liverpool, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the baby.

Five other children, whom Doyle either injured or attempted to injure, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Nick Reiner has been charged for first degree murder following the death of his parents, according to Los Angeles jail records.

Nick, 32, was taken into custody Sunday night, the records show. The records accuse him of felony gang activity but do not elaborate, and indicate that bail was set at $4m.

He has since been charged with two counts of first degree murder after his parents were found stabbed to death at their home on Sunday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

Nick was brought in for questioning shortly after the Los Angeles fire department responded to a call for medical aid to the couples house in Brentwood at 3.30pm local time. On arrival, they found a man, 78, and a woman, 68, dead, who were later confirmed to be Rob and Michele. It is understood that their daughter, Romy, who lives opposite, discovered them.

The Los Angeles police department (LAPD) later confirmed detectives from the robbery homicide division were investigating the deaths as an apparent homicide. Both TMZ and People reported that the two had suffered wounds consistent with a knife attack.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that a family member was being interviewed in connection with the deaths. This followed a press conference on Sunday night, at which LAPD chief detective Alan Hamilton said the investigation was ongoing and that at this time, the LAPD is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest.

A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed their deaths on Sunday evening.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner, the family spokesperson said in a statement to the media. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

Nick is a screenwriter who previously collaborated with his father on Being Charlie (2015), based on his own experiences of addiction and homelessness. He first began treatment for drug addiction as an adolescent and has said that he had been in rehab more than 17 times by the time he was 22.

Being Charlie tells the story of an 18-year-old man who resents what he believes to be the over-harsh response of his parents (including a father who is a movie star running for Congress) over his addiction, including compulsory stints in rehab.

Promoting the film, Rob Reiner said that much of the film was based in autobiography.

When Nick would tell us that it wasnt working for him, we wouldnt listen, he told the LA Times. We were desperate, and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son. His wife added, We were so influenced by these people. They would tell us hes a liar, that he was trying to manipulate us. And we believed them.

Nick added that he got sick of being an addict. I come from a nice family. Im not supposed to be out there on the streets and in homeless shelters doing all these  things.

In 2016, he told People he had been home for a really long time, and Ive sort of gotten acclimated back to being in LA and being around my family.

The deaths occurred on the first day of Hanukkah. Micheles sister is a rabbi, and their mother had lost most of her family in the Holocaust.

The couple met on the set of When Harry Met Sally in 1989. They were introduced by mutual friend Barry Sonnenfeld; their nascent relationship inspired Reiner to urge Nora Ephron to rewrite the ending of the film, so Meg Ryan and Billy Crystals characters end up together.

Michele was a photographer whose work included the portrait of Donald Trump that ran on the cover of his book The Art of the Deal. Reiner was later an outspoken critic of the president.

Speaking to the Guardian last year, Reiner appeared to make reference to two of his children, Jake and Romy, when discussing the difficulties of being the offspring of a famous industry player.

My son is 32 and my daughters 26. They both want careers, and theyre both talented. Should I lean into it? Should I back away from it? Theyre confused. I said, once they find their own path, it wont matter. Rob Reiner was also the adoptive father of actor Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, the actor and director Penny Marshall, who died in 2018.

-The Guardian
( Tomdispatch.com )  Follow a line south and west from the Gaza strip, continue through Egypt, and youll end up in another place where a genocide is in progress. Its one we dont hear much about in the United States, probably because its happening in an African nation, one of those places Donald Trump refers to as shithole countries. (Interestingly, another of the places he included under that designation during his first term in office was El Salvador, which is run by his new BDF  Best Dictator Friend  Nayib Bukele. Nothing like providing access to your national torture center to get you back on Trumps A-list, I guess.)

The place Im talking about is the nation directly south of Egypt and across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia: Sudan. Its big  the 15th-largest country in the world and the third-largest in Africa  with an area a quarter the size of the United States and around 50 million inhabitants. Its name derives from the Arabic for Land of the Blacks. The population is 70% Arab, with the remainder being mostly of northern and eastern African descent.

Right now, about 45% of those people, 21.2 million of them, are facing the highest levels of acute food insecurity, according to the U.N.s World Food Program. Famine has been confirmed in at least two Sudanese cities, with 20 other areas on the verge of it. And the situation is only expected to worsen next year, as what food stocks exist dry up and the fighting that has ravaged the country since 2019 continues. At least 12 million people have been displaced. To put that in perspective: compared to the ongoing genocide two countries to the north, the number of starving people in Sudan is 10 times the entire population of Gaza, while the number of displaced Sudanese is almost six times that number.

In addition to presenting the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, I suspect the situation in Sudan holds an important warning for the movement opposing Donald Trump in this country. But more on that later.

Where Is the Coverage?

Like many people, Ive spent the years since Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel watching the buildings fall down and bodies pile up in Gaza, even as I kept wishing that the U.S. media would do a better job of describing what was happening there. In the spring of 2024, while American college students risked expulsion and deportation to raise hell about the genocide already underway in Gaza, the New York Times told its journalists to look the other way, as the Intercept reported, restricting the use of terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, occupied territory, and even Palestine.

By December 2024, the Times was doing better. It covered Amnesty Internationals 296-page report accusing Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza, despite, in the storys first sentence, reporting that the accusation had drawn a rebuke from Israeli officials who denied the claim. Unfortunately, that story appeared not on the front page of its print edition, but on page eight. By July 2025, the paper was no longer afraid to use the G word or run a string of stories and op-eds, including coverage of the U.N.s determination that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians.

All in all, however, the major U.S. media were slow to recognize the horror unfolding in Gaza. Even now, their coverage of Donald Trumps and Benjamin Netanyahus peace plan remains disturbingly credulous.

But if the media were slow to acknowledge an unfolding genocide in Gaza, they have given far less coverage to the one developing in Sudan. An important exception is the work of the Timess chief African correspondent Declan Walsh who, along with Times staffers, won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in international reporting for his work on Sudan. Too bad so many of his articles initially appeared not on the front page but inside the papers print edition.

Whats Happening in Sudan?

A civil war has raged in Sudan since shortly after a massive, nonviolent popular uprising dislodged Omar al-Bashir, the countrys longtime autocratic ruler, in 2019. The final push to unseat him came from his own security forces. A group of military officers then formed a Transitional Military Council, which initially agreed to establish a transitional government together with organizations like the Sudanese Professionals Association and an umbrella civil society group known as the Forces of Freedom and Change. An executive council and prime minister were sworn in. In October 2019, the National Endowment for Democracys Journal of Democracy observed that, [d]espite these positive developments, doubts remain about the future of the transition.

Those doubts would prove prescient. Soon after that article appeared, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) overthrew the nascent government and established military rule. Then, in April 2023, an old split in the Sudanese military erupted into open warfare, as a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) turned their weapons on the SAF. Fighting initially developed in and around the capital city of Khartoum, in the center of the country. The SAF eventually drove the RSF out of Khartoum and the conflict moved to the region known as Darfur, the westernmost part of the country, where the RSF had deep roots.

The RSF emerged from the Janjaweed, one of the groups responsible for a genocidal campaign in Darfur between 2003 and 2005. The roots of that genocide, in turn, lay in one of humanitys most enduring conflicts: the one between nomadic herders and settled farmers, in this case exacerbated by a drought brought on, at least in part, by climate change. The Janjaweed supported the Arab herders against the farmers, who are primarily Black Africans.

The conflict over land use between farmers and herders is an ancient one. Those familiar with the biblical book of Genesis will recognize it in the story of the struggle between the first two sons of Adam and Eve  Cain, a farmer, who killed his shepherd brother, Abel. That tale reflects a tragic struggle rooted in deeply contested scarce resources that would have been as familiar to its original fifth century Middle Eastern readers as it is to twenty-first-century Sudanese.

The civil war now devouring the people of Sudan is also a struggle between two men who were once allies in Sudans short-lived military government, with the entire country as their casualty. They are the RSFs commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo Musa, known as Hemedti, and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the SAF. The two of them had worked well together in the government of al-Bashir but fell out over how to integrate Hemedtis RSF into the Sudanese military.

Having lost Khartoum for 18 months, the RSF besieged the Darfurian city of el-Fasher, surrounding it with an earthen berm, effectively walling in and starving its inhabitants. In October 2025, they finally made their way into the city, massacring civilians (including 500 patients and their companions in the Saudi Maternity Hospital), while committing mass rape. As the U.N. top relief official Tom Fletcher reported, Tens of thousands of terrified, starving civilians have fled [the city] or are on the move Those able to flee  the vast majority women, children, and the elderly  face extortion, rape, and violence on the perilous journey.

According to the BBC, The UN says less than half of the 260,000 people estimated to have been in the city before it fell have been accounted for. Some have made a 44-mile trek east to a humanitarian hub in Tawilah. Others have gone much farther to a camp in SAF-controlled territory near the town of al-Dabbah, 480 miles northeast of el-Fasher. Along the way, they faced rape, extortion of anything they had left, and possibly death. The RSF fighters stripped us of everything we had  money, phones, even our nice clothes, one refugee told a BBC reporter. At each stop they would make you call your relatives to transfer money to your mobile phone account before they let you move on to the next checkpoint.

The Role of the U.S. and Its Allies

While the Trump administration hasnt exactly taken sides in Sudans civil war, that doesnt mean theres no blood on its hands. When President Trumps erstwhile First Buddy Elon Musk spent a February 2025 weekend feeding USAID [the U.S. Agency for International Development] into the wood chipper, he condemned thousands of people in poor countries to death. As the Washington Post reported, the impact in Sudan was especially deadly. In fact, the World Health Organization says an estimated 5 million Sudanese people may lose access to lifesaving health services as a result of the U.S. cuts.

When U.S.-supported soup kitchens were forced to close, babies starved quietly, their mothers said, while older siblings died begging for food. Funding stoppages meant that critical medical supplies were never delivered, doctors said. The lack of U.S.-funded disease response teams has made it harder to contain cholera outbreaks, which are claiming the lives of those already weakened by hunger.

Sudan is also among the 19 countries for which President Trump has halted immigration applications, meaning that none of the refugees fleeing starvation and genocide there are welcome here. In addition, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that it plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the status of nationals (or indeed naturalized U.S. citizens) who received immigration benefits while Joe Biden was president. This includes several thousand Sudanese immigrants and refugees who arrived in those years. For the time being, Sudanese immigrants retain Temporary Protected Status in this country, which prohibits their being sent back to Sudan, until it expires in October 2026. (Oddly, Trump has revoked TPS for those from the separate nation of South Sudan.)

How are the SAF and RSF sustaining their capacity to fight, despite the countrys economic devastation? Where do the weapons and ammunition come from? As it turns out, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), appears to be the main supplier of arms to the RSF (although its officials deny this). According to Amnesty International, the arms for both sides come from manufacturers in countries that include China, Turkey (a U.S. ally), Russia, and Serbia, in clear violation of the international Arms Trade Treaty and international humanitarian law in general. For the UAE, the motive seems to be maintaining access to the Red Sea, which lies along Sudans east coast and is the UAEs crucial shipping lane. In addition, theres gold in Sudan, which everybody wants.

After early attempts to facilitate a detente between the two sides, by February 2025, another U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia, had tilted toward the SAF, in a widening rift with its one-time partner the UAE. General al-Burhan visited Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. And during the crown princes November 2025 White House visit, he appears to have schooled Donald Trump on the Sudanese crisis, prompting the American president to announce that his Majesty would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan. It was not on my charts to be involved in that.

I wish I felt a little more sanguine about Trumps involvement in yet another sanguinary conflict, given his record in conflicts like Gaza and the Russian war in Ukraine.

Warnings for the U.S. Democratic Resistance to Trump?

At the moment in 2019 when a massive nonviolent movement removed Sudans dictator, I was heartened by such a triumph of citizen organizing. Heres something I wrote for TomDispatch then about these spring stirrings in Sudan and Algeria:

Meanwhile in Sudan, weeks of similarly massive popular uprisings have dislodged another autocrat, forcing that countrys military to remove President Omar al-Bashir. He is now reportedly in prison, while a search of his home turned up bags containing more than $100 million in cash. As in Algeria, many of the demonstrators are young and in Sudan a majority of them appear to be women. The most organized among them is a group of doctors, other health workers, and lawyers known as the Sudanese Professionals Association. As in Algeria, the key question is whether this movement will be able to hold out against the power of the military until a genuinely civilian government can be installed.

The answer to that key question turned out to be: Probably not. In Algeria, the popular uprising known as the Hirak, or smiles, movement had indeed succeeded in ousting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after his two decades in power. Bouteflika resigned in April 2019 and, in December, a new president, Abdelmajid Tebboune, was sworn in. Things have gone downhill there since then, as the multinational think tank Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) reported in 2023: Algerians hopes of a democratic country quickly faded into an aggressive authoritarianism. Todays reality depicts a country that is back to pre-Bouteflikas repression. By 2025, it was clear that the army had become the supreme political power in Algeria.

Last February, the ARI wrote:

Algeria is currently going through a pivotal period in its political history, marked by the clear return of the army to the management of civilian affairs. This development is part of a process that has been underway since the fall of Bouteflika in 2019, and which has seen the military regime gradually consolidate its hold on civilian institutions while maintaining an increasingly fragile democratic facade.

As in Egypt almost a decade before, Algerias and Sudans popular democratic movements managed to dislodge longstanding dictatorships. But in all three cases, the military has since seized political control. In the case of Sudan, this has created the disaster Ive been describing. Egypt and Algeria have been spared civil war, but they remain under military rule.

This worries me, even as I celebrate the massive and popular movements opposing Donald Trump in this country. Since his second inauguration, Ive cheered our big No Kings and other demonstrations and delighted in the success of initiatives like the Tesla Takedown. Like many unionists, Im hopeful that the labor movement will pull together a general strike in 2028, though I wish it could be sooner. If the Trump administration succeeds in contaminating the 2026 midterm elections, through voter intimidation and suppression, along with Supreme Court-supported gerrymandering, such non-electoral strategies will grow more important than ever.

But such extra-electoral tactics require more than a target (the Trump administration). They need a goal. In Sudan, the goal was to replace a dictator with a civilian government. Is Trumps resignation our goal? Success would, unfortunately, bring JD Vance to the presidency, while leaving in place Trumps anti-democratic handlers like Steven Miller and Russell Vought.

We need to plan now to maintain civilian rule in the event that Trumps increasingly autocratic grip is indeed loosened and he is dislodged from his throne. At that moment, we will have created a power vacuum. I worry that the military Pete Hegseth has spent the last 10 months purging of women, people of color, and any taint of wokeness, rebuilding it in his own white nationalist image, could be the force to fill that vacuum.

That might seem unimaginable now, but so is almost everything Trump has done since his second inauguration. A military takeover after a citizen uprising has happened before in other countries. We cant let it happen here.

Copyright 2025 Rebecca Gordon

Via Tomdispatch.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the first hole ever drilled at its 100%-owned Khaleesi copper project ("Khaleesi" or "the Project") in southern Peru intersected 269.0m at 0.30% copper, including 60.4m at 0.41% copper from 346.0m downhole (approximately 250.0m vertical depth).

Khaleesi is a highly compelling greenfield copper project that the Company is currently testing for the first time using two diamond drill rigs and a minimum of 6,000m of drilling (see press release dated September 30, 2025).

Initial results demonstrate the potential for a large, well-mineralized magnetite and garnet skarn body interfingered with multiple intrusive bodies. The mineralized skarn-intrusive contact zone appears well defined by coincident strong chargeability and magnetic anomalies. Importantly, drilling confirms that copper mineralization continues under an extensive area of shallow glacial till cover.

Dan Symons, President and CEO, stated, "To intersect a broad zone of copper mineralization in the first ever hole drilled on a greenfield project like Khaleesi is a tremendous result. The porphyry and skarn systems along the Andahuaylas-Yauri belt can typically host very large tonnages. Based on size and strength of the alteration, mineralization, geophysical footprints, and the geology we are seeing in drilling, Khaleesi clearly demonstrates the potential for a large copper system analogous to some of the large nearby deposits. Additionally, copper grades in this first hole are consistent with mine grades in the district1. Importantly, we have now confirmed that copper mineralization extends under an extensive area of thin glacial till cover, which significantly increases the drill target area of the Khaleesi system. More drilling will be required before we can determine the ultimate size of the Khaleesi system, but with the results of this first ever hole, we are off to a great start."

Khaleesi First Ever Drill Hole Highlights

Drill hole KHZ5800-001 was drilled to a depth of 626.1m and ended in copper mineralization .

A broad zone of near-surface, skarn- and porphyry-style copper-molybdenum mineralization reported a downhole intersection of 269.0m at 0.30% copper, including 60.4m at 0.41% copper. Mineralization remains open in all directions and at depth .

High-grade garnet exoskarn copper-gold-silver mineralization was intersected at the top of hole, reporting 4.0m at 2.03% Cu, 0.17g/t Au and 12.14g/t Ag .

KHZ5800-001 was collared to test below a small area of outcropping magnetite skarn coincident with large magnetic and chargeability anomalies. Importantly, the hole confirmed copper mineralization extends at least 100m beneath an area of thin glacial till cover.

Follow-up drill holes are planned to extend and test this mineralization along strike, near surface and at depth, including under the thin glacial till cover .

Highly anomalous molybdenum (20 samples > 100 ppm), cobalt (47 samples > 200 ppm), silver (11 samples > 2 g/t Ag) and gold (9 samples > 0.1 g/t Au) were also reported in this first hole.

An epithermal vein, similar to those occurring at surface in the area, cross cut the magnetite skarn in drill core and assayed 2.3m at 0.77% Cu, 0.495 g/t Au, 92.10 g/t Ag, 0.18% Zn and > 1% Pb (Pb overlimit value still pending).

Table 1: Significant assays in first Khaleesi drill hole KHZ5800-001

Hole ID From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Cu

(%) Mo

(ppm) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Zn

(%) KHZ5800-001 15.70 19.70 4.00 2.03 28 0.171 12.14 NSA 0.07 Including 15.70 17.70 2.00 3.77 56 0.326 22.05 NSA 0.10 252.20 272.20 20.00 0.32 17 0.037 1.08 NSA NSA 284.70 322.00 37.30 0.19 15 0.025 0.80 NSA NSA 346.00 615.00 269.00 0.30 65 0.037 1.50 NSA NSA Including 393.80 396.10 2.30 0.77 48 0.495 92.10 >1% 0.18 444.00 497.35 53.35 0.36 20 0.046 0.80 NSA NSA 544.80 605.20 60.40 0.41 191 0.025 0.72 NSA NSA Notes

NSA = No Significant Assays.

Composite intervals are calculated using length weighted averages based on a combination of lithological breaks and copper assay values according to a 0.15% Cu cutoff and include a maximum of 12 meters of internal dilution. All intervals reported are down hole core lengths, and true thicknesses have yet to be determined. Mineral resource modeling is required before true thicknesses can be estimated.

The Khaleesi project is located in the Andahuaylas-Yauri Belt in southeastern Peru, home to large copper skarn and porphyry deposits and operating mines such as Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay Minerals), Antapaccay (Glencore), and others (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Regional map showing C3 Metals' mineral concession package in relation to other large-scale operations, development projects and exploration projects.

Khaleesi is located 8km west of the Company's Jasperoide Project, where the Company confirmed 13 skarn prospects along a 28km iron-skarn belt. Montana de Cobre ("MCZ") is the only skarn along the 28km iron-skarn belt that the Company has systematically drill tested to date, yielding a near surface Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 51.9 million tonnes at 0.50% total copper and 0.20 g/t gold for 569.1 million pounds of copper and 326,800 ounces of gold.2

Within the Khaleesi project area is a favorable limestone-batholith contact that strikes north-northeast, and is largely covered in shallow, glacial till. Drilling at the western project area is testing a zone with sporadic outcrops of massive magnetite, garnet, pyroxene and calc-silicate skarns with primary (chalcopyrite, bornite) and secondary (malachite, azurite, chrysocolla and copper wad) copper mineralization observed in these outcrops. At the eastern project area, drilling is testing a diorite batholith cut by thin sulfide and quartz-sulfide veinlets with chalcopyrite, molybdenite and minor bornite mineralization. Thicker, polymetallic epithermal veins locally crosscut the batholith and marble/limestone.

Geochemical results from previous soil and rock sampling campaigns have highlighted anomalous copper values at surface in an apparent 400m x 470m zone in the west project area at the skarn-marble outcrops and a 1,900m x 650m anomalous zone in the east project area within the diorite batholith (see press release dated February 19, 2025). Shallow glacial till cover occurs between the two zones, potentially masking a larger geochemical footprint. Geophysical survey results from earlier this year (see press release dated August 6, 2025), likewise highlight a 3D, anomalous zone of high magnetics and chargeability (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2: MVI Magnetic Inversion: Amplitude of Magnetization, depth slice 250m showing a large irregular shaped magnetic anomaly that is coincident with a zone of outcropping skarn. Red dashed lines highlight zones of copper anomalism at surface.

Figure 3: IP Chargeability Map: Depth slice 50m showing a northeast trending chargeability anomaly that is coincident with a zone of outcropping skarn in the western project area. In the eastern project area is a large chargeability anomaly coincident with strong copper in soil anomalism (red dashed lines).

The first ever drill hole at Khaleesi, KHZ5800-001, was collared near a marble-diorite contact and targeted a large coincident chargeable and magnetic 3D high. The drill hole was designed to test under outcropping, oxidized (limonitic) magnetite skarn at surface and successfully intersected different styles of copper mineralization interpreted to be both skarn style and potentially porphyry style. KHZ5800-001 encountered near surface garnet exoskarn and endoskarn, with local massive chalcopyrite in the exoskarn (Figure 4). The upper skarn interval was followed downhole by a large body of weakly mineralized, chlorite-altered diorite (Figure 5).

Following the weakly mineralized diorite, the main mineralized zone started at approximately 200m downhole (approximately 170m vertical depth) and comprises an approximate 170m interval of garnet endoskarn and diorite with thin sulfide (chalcopyrite > pyrite  chlorite  magnetite) veinlets and quartz + chalcopyrite  bornite  molybdenite veinlets, locally with higher densities, and reminiscent of porphyry-style mineralization (Figures 4 and 5). Downhole of the garnet endoskarn and diorite is a large, massive magnetite skarn with smaller intervals of fine-grained, light green pyroxene skarn and diorite dikes (Figure 5). Mineralization in the magnetite and pyroxene skarn is dominantly thinly banded (bedding parallel), patchy and disseminated chalcopyrite + pyrite, and lesser pyrrhotite and bornite (Figure 4). Local quartz veinlets crosscut near the lower intervals, and several zones have higher molybdenite and bornite content.

Figure 4: (Top Left) Garnet-diopside exoskarn with coarse chalcopyrite assayed 1.05m at 6.3% Cu, 0.54g/t Au and 37.7g/t Ag, (Top Right) Garnet-diopside endoskarn cut by quartz-chalcopyrite-bornite veinlets assayed 2.00m at 0.22% Cu, (Bottom Left) Contact between garnet and magnetite skarns with coarse chalcopyrite mineralization assayed 1.6m at 0.33% Cu and 1.24 g/t Ag, (Bottom Right) Massive magnetite skarn with coarse chalcopyrite mineralization assayed 2.4m at 0.44% Cu and 1.35 g/t Ag.

Figure 5: Cross section through KHZ5800-001, the first hole ever drilled at Khaleesi.

Next Steps

Geology, alteration, geochemical and structural data is being collected from all drill holes and are being incorporated into a comprehensive 3D geological block model. The 3D model will be utilized in conjunction with the 3D geophysics data to further refine drill targeting. An expanded drill program above and beyond the planned 14-hole, 6,300m initial program is under strong consideration based on the results of KHZ5800-001 and visual observations of other drill holes that are either completed and pending assay, or in progress.

For additional information, contact:

ABOUT C3 METALS INC.

C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 31,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru, which contain the Company's Jasperoide and Khaleesi projects. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 13 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold3. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses, of which Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), has the option on 13,020 hectares to earn up to a 75% interest by funding up to US$75 million of exploration and project related expenditures. The Company also holds a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Mining Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British).

Related Link: www.c3metals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

QP Statement

Stephen Hughes, P.Geo. is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein.

Technical Program

C3 Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC protocol for handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Chain-of-custody protocols are designed to ensure security of samples until their delivery at the laboratory.

Samples were cut at C3 Metals' Khaleesi Project camp, Cusco Region, Peru, by Company personnel. Before entering the cutting room, the drill core samples are marked lengthwise with a yellow line, and the core saw followed these lines to cut each sample. Diamond drill core was sampled in maximum 3-metre intervals, stopping at geological boundaries, and using a rock saw. Core diameter is a mix of PQ3 and HQ3, depending on the depth of the drill hole. Samples were bagged, tagged and packaged for shipment via local freight transport service to the ALS preparation laboratory in Arequipa, Arequipa Region, Peru. Entire samples were dried and weighed, then crushed to 85% passing 10 mesh (2mm). From this, a 1.5 kg split was pulverized to 90% passing 200 mesh (75m).

The prepared, pulp samples were sent via ALS to the ALS assay laboratory in Lima, Lima Region, Peru, for copper, gold and multi-element analysis. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. Gold assays were done by fire assay fusion (Au-AA23) with AAS finish on a 30g sample. Copper was assayed by ICP-AES following a 4-acid digestion via the ME-MS61r package for a suite of 60 elements. Any copper sample over detection limit (i.e., greater than 10,000ppm or 1% Cu) was additionally assayed via ICP-AES using the package ME-OG62. High and low copper, gold and iron standards, as well as blanks and duplicates (coarse crush split and pulp), were randomly inserted into the sampling sequence for quality control. On average, 11% of the submitted samples are quality control samples. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

1 Khaleesi is a greenfield exploration project. While the strength of alteration, mineralization styles, geophysical anomaly footprints, geology and grade of mineralization encountered in the first ever drill hole are consistent with other large, nearby copper deposits, given the limited technical data collected to date at Khaleesi, this information is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the issuer's own mineral project.

2 Based on the assumptions and parameters outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled Jasperoide Copper-Gold Project Cusco Region, Peru dated July 5, 2023.

3 Based on the assumptions and parameters outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled Jasperoide Copper-Gold Project Cusco Region, Peru dated July 5, 2023.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (FSE: FLM1) (the "Company" or "Aftermath Silver") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Research Capital Corporation as the sole bookrunner and co-lead agent (and together with Red Cloud Securities Inc. as co-lead agent, the Agents), in connection with a brokered, best-efforts listed issuer financing exemption private placement offering (the Offering) of up to 16,666,667 common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of $0.90 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to $15,000,000.

Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., has indicated his intention to participate in the Offering for up to $10,000,000.

The Company will grant the Agents an option (the Agents Option) to increase the size by up to an additional 15% of the number of Common Shares sold in the Offering, by giving written notice of the exercise of the Agents Option, or a part thereof, to the Company at any time up to two (2) business days prior to closing of the Offering. Assuming the exercise of the Agents Option in full, the Company would issue an aggregate of 19,166,667 Common Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $17,250,000.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund further exploration and development at the Companys Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project in southern Peru (the Berenguela Project), completion of a pre-feasibility study for the Berenguela Project, further exploration at the Companys other mineral projects and for working capital and general corporate purposes, all as further described in the Offering Document (as defined below).

The Common Shares will be offered for sale pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by CSA Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935  Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (collectively, the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption), in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and other qualifying jurisdictions, including the United States. The Common Shares offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be immediately free-trading upon closing of the Offering under applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to this Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at the Company's website at https://aftermathsilver.com/. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 23, 2025 (the Closing), or on such date as the Agents and Company may agree upon. Closing is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Agents will receive a cash commission of 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

About Aftermath Silver Ltd.

Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver and critical metals which aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver and critical metal projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential.

Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project. The Company has acquired the rights to a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining and EMX Royalties. The project is located in the Department of Puno, in southern central Peru. A current NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate was published on December 4, 2025. A NI43-101Technical Report on the property will be filed shortly.

The Company has acquired the rights to a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining and EMX Royalties. The project is located in the Department of Puno, in southern central Peru. A current NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate was published on December 4, 2025. A NI43-101Technical Report on the property will be filed shortly. Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project from Mandalay Resources; see Company news release dated August 11, 2022. A NI 43-101 mineral resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page).

The Company completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project from Mandalay Resources; see Company news release dated August 11, 2022. A NI 43-101 mineral resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

"Ralph Rushton"

Ralph Rushton

CEO and Director

604-484-7855

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: receipt of all approvals related to the Offering; the closing of the Offering; and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the conditions to closing of the Offering may not be satisfied, managements broad discretion regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Companys business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Companys securities, regardless of its operating performance.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
December 15, 2025  TheNewswire - Toronto, ON - Total Metals Corp. (Total Metals or the Company) (TSX-V: TT) (OTCQB: TTTMF) (FSE: O4N) is pleased to announce the filing of a technical report (Technical Report) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and independently prepared by English River Geoscience Ltd. for the 100% owned High Lake  West Hawk Lake Project (Project). The Technical Report was completed and filed to satisfy an undertaking with the TSX Venture Exchange to file a technical report in compliance with NI 43-101 in respect of the Project within 45 days of the Project acquisition closing date. The High Lake  West Hawk Lake Project is comprised of the High Lake property in northwestern Ontario and the West Hawk Lake property in southeastern Manitoba.

The Technical Report titled Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate of the High Lake - West Hawk Lake Gold Project, with an effective date of November 30, 2025, confirms the current mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Purdex Zone at High Lake, independently prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. previously on June 30, 2023.

The Technical Report is available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) under the Companys issuer profile.

The MRE (see Table 1) has been classified in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2014) and follows the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (CIM, 2019).

Table 1  Purdex Zone Mineral Resource Estimate at 2.6 g/t Au cut-off

Classification Tonnes (k) Au Grade (g/t) Au (k oz) Indicated 152 9.38 45.8 Inferred 287 10.43 96.2

Technical Notes:

Metal prices used were US$1,800/oz Au and 0.77 C$/US$ FX with process recoveries of 95% Au.

A C$40/t process cost and C$15/t G&A cost were used. The underground mining cost was C$130/t. The underground Mineral Resource grade blocks were quantified above the 2.6 g/t Au cut-off within the constraining mineralized wireframes. Underground Mineral Resources selected exhibited continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by the long hole underground mining method. Grade estimation was undertaken with the Inverse Distance Cubed method on 1.0 m capped composites.

These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they have not demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this news release are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured; however, it is reasonably expected that most of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

The mineralized zone associated with the Purdex Zone extends to surface and there may be an opportunity to mine these Mineral Resources early in a development project through an open pit. P&E has reviewed two potentially feasible pit options and subsets of the Mineral Resource that could be exploited through these options, which are outlined in Table 2 below.

Table 2  Potential Subsets of Open Pit Mineral Resources at 1.0 g/t Au cut-off

Pit Classification Tonnes (k) Au Grade (g/t) Au (k oz) Pit 1 Indicated 22 6.36 4.5 Inferred 3 5.25 0.5 Pit 2 Indicated 45 4.47 6.5 Inferred 7 3.65 0.8

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Colin Bowdidge, Ph.D., P.Geo (Ontario) of English River Geoscience Ltd. Dr. Bowdidge is a Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101 and is independent of the Company.

Robert Penczak, M.Sc., P.Geo (Ontario), Vice President of Exploration for the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information used in this news release.

About Total Metals Corp.

Total Metals Corp. is focused on its 100% owned Electrolode Project covering over 3,300 contiguous hectares in northwestern Ontario. The Electrolode Project is targeting high-potential critical mineral plus gold resources and targets in three favorable geologic trends, located near major mines in the Red Lake Gold camp and is strategically located between Kinross Golds Great Bear Project and First Mining Golds Springpole Project. The Electrolode Project is fully permitted for exploration drilling and hosts 10 historic mineralized zones with significant expansion potential plus new, untested targets ready for further exploration. Total Metals also owns 100% of the High Lake and West Hawk Lake Project covering 958 hectares in two gold properties located along the Trans-Canada Highway straddling the Manitoba / Ontario border. The Purex Zone on the High Lake property has significant exploration potential and will be the primary target for initial exploration and potential future mining activities. The West Hawk Lake property is comprised of a single mineral lease, located within southeastern Manitoba.

www.totalmetalscorp.com

Cautionary Statements

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in its policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

Tyler Thorburn

President and Chief Executive Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(416) 873-7662

Forward-Looking Information

This press release includes forward-looking information that is subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent managements best judgment based on information currently available. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the TSX-V. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corporation (CSE: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) ("Strathmore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the expansion of the Agate Project with the addition of 24 staked mining claims. Agate is in the Shirley Basin Uranium District, central Wyoming, a burgeoning In-situ uranium producing area.

Wyoming is the leading uranium producer in the U.S., with over 70 years of mining and over 250m lbs. of uranium produced. Cameco, Energy Fuels, UEC, UR-Energy and Encore all have development projects in the Shirley Basin and Gas Hills area of Wyoming.

The Strathmore claims were staked to the north of the currently permitted Agate exploration area, where Kerr-McGee Corporation historically explored in the 1970s, defining several mineralized trends. Strathmore's technical team will be using Kerr-Mcee's historical data to pinpoint 2026 drilling. This summer's drill program continued to expand the Agate mineralization, with mineralization open in all directions. Strathmore's Agate Property benefits from mineralization that extends from adjacent lands formerly operated by major historic producers such as Kerr McGee, Getty, and Utah International/Pathfinder Mines.

John DeJoia, PGeo, commented, "Momentum continues to build at Agate. Our land position is expanding on the strength of highly successful exploration, with 95% of drill holes intersecting mineralization. These results-combined with activity on neighboring properties and UR-Energy's initiation of plant construction-further validate our expectations for the Agate property. Located in a premier ISR district, Agate is yielding mineralization that aligns with a proven development and production model."

2025 Highlights:

Exploration Drilling: in 2025, Strathmore completed 45 drill holes, including 5 cored holes on the Project. The drilling expanded the northern, lower sand trend by over 1,200 feet east, resulting in an open-ended (west-to-east) trend nearly 1 mile in length. In addition, the drilling expanded the southern, middle sand trend by 500 feet to nearly 1,300 feet in length (open-ended to the south and north). The 2026 drilling will target expanding the northern trend east into untested ground, and the southern trend further north where it could merge with the area of the northern trend resulting in the potential for multiple layers of mineralization.

Expansion of Project Area: Strathmore staked an additional 39 mining claims on the Project, including the 24 claims reported above. The Company now wholly owns 124 claims at Agate, totaling ~2,560 acres. The new claims will be incorporated into the area currently permitted.

University of Wyoming Study: UW continued their geophysical and groundwater studies at the Project over the past year. The University of Wyoming received an additional US$120,000 to expand their research for more ground at the Project and to test deeper uranium mineralized deposits, including at Strathmore's Beaver Rim Project located in the Gas Hills Uranium District in Wyoming.

2026 Planned Activities:

Permitted Area to Explore: in 2026, the Company plans to initiate the current Drill Notice to a Plan of Operation (POO). The plan will allow for additional drilling beyond the current 5-acre disturbance permitted under the current Drill Notice. Studies to advance the POO will include floral, fauna, archaeology, paleontology, surface waters, etc. The Company is permitted to drill up to 50 holes this spring under the current Drill Notice.

Core Studies: UW is currently studying the core recovery in 2025 to complement their groundwater analyses. The Company intends to chemically assay core this winter 2026 using a third-party independent laboratory. The results of the assays will be compared to gamma logging results for equilibrium comparisons of gamma vs chemical results.

Technical Report: in winter 2026, the Company plans to initiate a technical report on the Agate Project, discussing the geological setting, groundwater, the exploration potential from additional drilling, and a possible mineral resource estimate based on Strathmore's drilling in 2023-25 and available historical drill results from the Kerr-McGee gamma log files.

About the Agate Property

The Agate property consists of 124 wholly owned lode mining claims covering ~2,560 acres. Uranium mineralization is contained in classic Wyoming-type roll fronts within the Eocene Wind River Formation, an arkosic-rich sandstone. Historically, 53 million pounds of uranium were mined in Shirley Basin, including from open-pit, underground, and the first commercial in-situ recovery operation in the USA during the 1960s. At the property, the uranium mineralization is shallow, from 20 to approximately 150 feet deep, much of which appears below the water table and likely amenable to in-situ recovery. Kerr McGee Corporation, the largest US uranium mining company at the time, drilled at least 650 holes across the project area in the 1970s, delineating several targets of potential mineralization. Strathmore completed 245 holes during the 2023-25 drilling programs, including installation of five monitor wells for groundwater studies and recovery of core for chemical assays and XRF analysis at the University of Wyoming.

Stock Option Cancellations

The Company also announces that it has cancelled an aggregate of 894,320 incentive stock options previously granted to officers and directors. The cancellations were made in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore is focused on discovering uranium deposits in Wyoming, and has three permitted uranium projects including Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s.

Cautionary Statement: "Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release".

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
VANCOUVER, BC and PERTH, Australia, Dec. 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Li-FT Power Ltd. ("Li-FT") (TSXV: LIFT) and Winsome Resources Limited (ASX: WR1) ("Winsome") are pleased to announce the signing of a binding scheme implementation deed (the "Agreement") whereby Li-FT will acquire 100% of the issued securities of Winsome, pursuant to Australian share and option schemes of arrangement under the Australian Corporations Act (together, the "Winsome Transaction"), subject to the satisfaction of various conditions.

Li-FT has also entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Azimut Exploration Inc. ("Azimut") (TSXV: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) and SOQUEM Inc. ("SOQUEM") to acquire (the "Galinee Transaction") an aggregate 75% interest in the Galinee property ("Galinee"), which is immediately adjacent to and is interpreted to host a continuation of the mineralization of the Adina project ("Adina" and, together with Galinee, "Adina-Galinee").

The Winsome Transaction and Galinee Transaction have the support of Li-FT's strategic shareholder, Avenir Minerals Limited ("Avenir Minerals"), which has extensive permitting, operating, and construction expertise in Quebec.

Transaction Highlights

Winsome shareholders to receive 0.107 of a Li-FT common share (each, a " Li-FT Share ") or a CDI (representing one Li-FT Share) for each ordinary share of Winsome (each, a " Winsome Share ") held (the " Exchange Ratio ").

") or a CDI (representing one Li-FT Share) for each ordinary share of Winsome (each, a " ") held (the " "). The Exchange Ratio implies an offer price of A$0.501 per Winsome Share based on the 5-day volume weighted average price (" VWAP ") of Li-FT Shares on the TSX Ventures Exchange (" TSXV ") as of market close on December 10, 2025 1 , which represents a: 62% premium to the closing price of the Winsome Shares on the ASX as at December 8, 2025 2 ; and 68% premium to the 20-day VWAP of the Winsome Shares on the ASX for the period ending December 8, 2025 3 .

") of Li-FT Shares on the TSX Ventures Exchange (" ") as of market close on December 10, 2025 , which represents a: Winsome's Board unanimously recommends Winsome securityholders vote in favour of the Winsome Transaction and each director having a relevant interest in Winsome Shares (collectively owning 6.2% of Winsome Shares and 42.3% of Winsome options on issue by number), intends to vote all those shares in favour of the Winsome Transaction 4 .

. Voting intention statement received from Winsome's largest shareholder, Waratah Capital Advisors (owning 9.3% of Winsome Shares on issue), confirming that it intends to vote in favour of the Winsome Transaction 5 .

. Li-FT announces a concurrent private placement consisting of subscription receipts for gross proceeds of C$30 million (" Subscription Receipt Offering ") to fund aggressive exploration and development of Adina-Galinee, conditional upon completion of the Winsome Transaction by June 30, 2026 6 . Li-FT to also complete a concurrent private placement consisting of Li-FT Shares for gross proceeds of C$10 million to fund exploration and development at its flagship Yellowknife Lithium Project (" Yellowknife ").

") to fund aggressive exploration and development of Adina-Galinee, conditional upon completion of the Winsome Transaction by June 30, 2026 . Li-FT to also complete a concurrent private placement consisting of Li-FT Shares for gross proceeds of C$10 million to fund exploration and development at its flagship Yellowknife Lithium Project (" "). Existing Winsome securityholders will own approximately 35.3% of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basis upon completion by Li-FT of the Galinee Transaction 7 .

. Li-FT has agreed to apply for admission to the official list of the Australian Securities Exchange (the " ASX ") and to have Li-FT Shares trading on the ASX via the issue of CHESS Depository Interests (" CDIs ") 8 .

") and to have Li-FT Shares trading on the ASX via the issue of CHESS Depository Interests (" ") . Winsome Managing Director Chris Evans to join the Li-FT Board and Winsome Executive Director Development & Finance, Simon Iacopetta to take a position as strategic advisor to Li-FT Board upon successful completion of the Winsome Transaction.

The Winsome Transaction is subject to completion of the Galinee Transaction, completion of the Li-FT Subscription Receipt Offering, Li-FT shareholder approval (if required), Li-FT being admitted to the official list of the ASX and approval for the official quotation of the CDIs on ASX and various other closing conditions that are considered customary, including Winsome shareholder approval and Court approval.

____________________ 1 Based on Li-FT's 5-day VWAP of C$4.306 per share on December 10, 2025, an AUD/CAD FX rate of 0.9201 (RBA, December 10, 2025), and applying the Exchange Ratio of 0.107. 2 Being the last day of trading of Winsome Shares on an undisturbed basis before this announcement. 3 Being the last day of trading of Winsome Shares on an undisturbed basis before this announcement. 4 Subject to there being no superior proposal and the independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome securityholders. 5 Subject to no superior proposal emerging prior to the relevant meeting of Winsome shareholders and the independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome shareholders. 6 Closing of subscription receipt to occur on or about January 20, 2026 7 Based on Winsome's 243,968,451 fully-paid ordinary shares, 10,305,000 performance rights and 20,688,900 options, and Li-FT's 47,351,267 fully-paid common shares, 52,462 deferred share units and 899,500 in-the-money options. Assumes approximately 27.9 million total new Li-FT Shares issued to Winsome shareholders and optionholders, inclusive of approximately 0.7 million new Li-FT Shares to be issued under the Option Scheme (subject to prevailing prices), and 3.0 million new Li-FT Shares issued as upfront consideration for the Galinee Transaction. Excludes any deferred consideration on the Galinee Transaction and any Li-FT Shares to be issued under the concurrent Li-FT placements of subscription receipts and common shares. 8 Subject to Li-FT satisfying the ASX's admission requirements.

Transaction Rationale

Unlocking Value at Adina & Galinee: Potential to significantly enhance Adina's scale and project economics by integrating Galinee, potentially expanding the mineral resource and increasing open-pittable resources: Adina deposit hosts 61.4 Mt at 1.14% Li 2 O (Indicated) and 16.5 Mt at 1.19% Li 2 O (Inferred) 9 Current open-pittable resource constrained by the claim boundary with Galinee, which is interpreted to host a continuation of the Adina pegmatite swarm Dissolving this claim boundary could significantly increase the size and scale of an open pit, and possibly the size and scale of the minable resource.

Potential to significantly enhance Adina's scale and project economics by integrating Galinee, potentially expanding the mineral resource and increasing open-pittable resources: Strategic Support: The Winsome Transaction and Galinee Transaction have the support of Li-FT's strategic shareholder Avenir Minerals, which has extensive permitting, operating, and construction expertise in Quebec;

The Winsome Transaction and Galinee Transaction have the support of Li-FT's strategic shareholder Avenir Minerals, which has extensive permitting, operating, and construction expertise in Quebec; Positioned for Growth: Following the acquisition of Winsome, the combined company will have significant scope for further expansion across the combined asset portfolio;

Following the acquisition of Winsome, the combined company will have significant scope for further expansion across the combined asset portfolio; Enhanced Capital Markets Profile: The combined company would have greater market capitalization, expanded analyst coverage, and stronger access to capital and support from institutional investors;

The combined company would have greater market capitalization, expanded analyst coverage, and stronger access to capital and support from institutional investors; Processing Opportunities: The combined company will be better positioned to evaluate processing opportunities at the Renard Mine (" Renard "), supported by greater funding capacity, in-country presence, and leveraging both companies' expertise, ongoing dialogues, and strategic relationships; and

The combined company will be better positioned to evaluate processing opportunities at the Renard Mine (" "), supported by greater funding capacity, in-country presence, and leveraging both companies' expertise, ongoing dialogues, and strategic relationships; and Expanded Presence: Dual listing on the TSXV and the ASX upon completion of the Winsome Transaction, providing access to a broader pool of institutional and retail investors across Canada and Australia10.

____________________ 9 Refer to Winsome's ASX announcement "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%" released to ASX on May 28, 2024. Refer also to the "Winsome Adina Mineral Resource Estimate Disclaimer" below. 10 Subject to Li-FT's satisfying the ASX's admission requirements.

Benefits for Winsome Shareholders

Attractive Premium: 62% premium to Winsome's closing price (A$0.310 per share) and 68% premium to Winsome's 20-day VWAP (A$0.299 per share) on December 8, 2025 11 ;

62% premium to Winsome's closing price (A$0.310 per share) and 68% premium to Winsome's 20-day VWAP (A$0.299 per share) on December 8, 2025 ; Diversification: Exposure to Li-FT's portfolio of highly prospective hard rock lithium projects in Northwest Territories and Quebec, including the Galinee property;

Exposure to Li-FT's portfolio of highly prospective hard rock lithium projects in Northwest Territories and Quebec, including the Galinee property; Asset Continuity: Material ongoing exposure to Winsome's high-quality lithium development assets, particularly Adina;

Material ongoing exposure to Winsome's high-quality lithium development assets, particularly Adina; Shareholder Support: Benefit from Li-FT's established and supportive shareholder base, which has a strong track record in lithium investment and established connections to North American capital markets; and

Benefit from Li-FT's established and supportive shareholder base, which has a strong track record in lithium investment and established connections to North American capital markets; and Development Pathway: Stronger platform for funding and development, supported by greater market capitalization, liquidity, broker coverage, and financial capacity of the combined group.

____________________ 11 Based on an implied offer price of A$0.501 per Winsome Share, based on Li-FT's 5-day VWAP of C$4.306 per share on December 10, 2025, an AUD/CAD FX rate of 0.9201 (RBA, December 10, 2025), and applying the Exchange Ratio of 0.107.

Benefits for Li-FT Shareholders

Portfolio Growth: Strengthens Li-FT's strategy to build a leading portfolio of high-value spodumene assets in Canada;

Strengthens Li-FT's strategy to build a leading portfolio of high-value spodumene assets in Canada; Development Upside: Potential to unlock scale of Adina and Galinee through consolidation of the two projects;

Potential to unlock scale of Adina and Galinee through consolidation of the two projects; Diversification: Provides jurisdictional and asset-level diversification, strengthening Li-FT's ability to pursue multiple downstream opportunities;

Provides jurisdictional and asset-level diversification, strengthening Li-FT's ability to pursue multiple downstream opportunities; Critical Mass: Enhances Li-FT's ability to drive consolidation, pursue strategic growth, and attract funding through greater scale and credibility; and

Enhances Li-FT's ability to drive consolidation, pursue strategic growth, and attract funding through greater scale and credibility; and Accretive: Winsome Transaction is highly accretive on both a net asset value and resource basis.

Adina Highlights

Winsome holds a 100% interest in the Adina Lithium project located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The flagship asset is one of the top five largest lithium resources in North America, with a globally significant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 61.4 Mt at 1.14% Li 2 O (Indicated) and 16.5 Mt at 1.19% Li 2 O (Inferred)12. A total of 186 diamond drill holes for 57,756m were incorporated into the MRE. Mineralization remains open at depth and along strike, with recent Adina SW discovery highlights outlining the potential for new discoveries13.

____________________ 12 Refer to Winsome's ASX announcement "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%" released to ASX on May 28, 2024. Refer also to the "Mineral Resources" section of the disclaimer. 13 Refer to Winsome's ASX announcement "Adina Drilling and Operations Update" released to ASX on August 19, 2024. Refer also to the "Exploration Results" section of the disclaimer.

Galinee Highlights

The Galinee property is currently a 50/50 joint venture ("JV") between Azimut and SOQUEM, hosting wide, high-grade lithium-bearing pegmatites adjacent to the Adina deposit. At a broader scale, Galinee features multiple well-defined prospects, with recent till sampling leading to the discovery of new spodumene-bearing boulders and delineating two additional highly prospective target areas.

Winsome and its representatives have not independently verified the information sourced by Li-FT that is included in this Press Release (including the technical disclosures concerning Li-FT properties and Galinee) and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of that information. Refer to the disclaimer below for further information regarding the information contained in this Press Release.

Li-FT's President and CEO, Francis MacDonald, said:

"This Winsome Transaction is transformative for both companies and their shareholders. Our combination with Winsome and acquisition of Galinee is a natural fit that creates one of the largest hard rock lithium developers in Canada and places Adina on an exciting path to potentially enhance its scale, resource profile, and project economics in the near-term. The combined company will be well funded and publicly listed on two of the world's leading exchanges for mining issuers with research coverage and support from its institutional and strategic shareholders."

Winsome Managing Director, Chris Evans, said:

"The Winsome Transaction represents an attractive opportunity for Winsome shareholders to become a meaningful part of a larger company at an attractive premium that clearly reflects the strategic value and growth potential of Winsome's assets. The combined company is expected to have a market-leading position in the James Bay region of Quebec, access to capital from a range of strategic and financial investors, and a unique opportunity to progress development of significant lithium project in the near-term."

Key Conditions and Terms of the Winsome Transaction

Under the terms of the Agreement, Li-FT will, subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, acquire the Winsome Shares by way of a scheme of arrangement under the Australian Corporations Act, whereby each Winsome shareholder will receive 0.107 of a Li-FT Share or CDI (capable of being traded on the ASX) valued at A$0.501 for each Winsome Share held14.

The implied consideration of A$0.501 per Winsome Share represents a 68% premium to the 20-day VWAP of the Winsome Shares on the ASX for the period ending December 8, 202515 and values Winsome at approximately A$130.8 million on a fully-diluted-in-the-money basis16. Existing Winsome securityholders will own approximately 35.3% of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basis upon completion by Li-FT of the Galinee Transaction17.

____________________ 14 Based on Li-FT's 5-day VWAP of C$4.306 per share on December 10, 2025, an AUD/CAD FX rate of 0.9201 (RBA, December 10, 2025), and applying the Exchange Ratio of 0.107. 15 Being the last day of trading of Winsome Shares on an undisturbed basis before this announcement. 16 Based on an implied offer price of A$0.501 per Winsome Share, based on Li-FT's 5-day VWAP of C$4.306 per share on December 10, 2025, an AUD/CAD FX rate of 0.9201 (RBA, December 10, 2025), and applying the Exchange Ratio of 0.107. 17 Excludes any deferred consideration on the Galinee Transaction and the concurrent subscription receipt and common share private placements.

Key Conditions and Terms of the Galinee Transaction

Li-FT has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire a 75% controlling interest in Galinee, comprising a 50% interest from Azimut and a 25% interest from SOQUEM (with SOQUEM retaining the remaining 25% interest).

For Azimut's 50% interest, consideration will consist of:

Upfront consideration: 2,000,000 Li-FT Shares and a 1.4% net smelter return royalty (" NSR ") on Galinee.

2,000,000 Li-FT Shares and a 1.4% net smelter return royalty (" ") on Galinee. Deferred consideration: $1,500,000, payable in cash or, subject to conditions to be set out in the definitive agreements, in shares, at the earliest of the completion of an economic study with respect to the Property or 18 months.

For SOQUEM's 25% interest, consideration will consist of:

Upfront consideration: 1,000,000 Li-FT Shares.

As of the time of this announcement, the parties have not entered into any definitive documentation in respect of the Galinee Transaction. As such, while Li-FT expects this transaction to proceed on the basis of the foregoing terms, they remain indicative only as of the time of this announcement. Li-FT is actively working towards entering into definitive documentation with Azimut and SOQUEM in the near term and will provide a market update upon execution of definitive documentation in due course in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of the Galinee Transaction remains subject to execution of such definitive documentation and satisfaction of all conditions precedent therein. Completion of the Winsome Transaction is conditional on completion of the Galinee Transaction.

Boards Approvals and Recommendations

The Winsome Board has unanimously approved the Winsome Transaction and recommends that all Winsome securityholders vote in favour of the Winsome Transaction at the meetings of the Winsome securityholders (the "Winsome Transaction Meeting"), subject to there being no superior proposal and the independent expert to be appointed by Winsome (the "Independent Expert") concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome securityholders. Subject to those same qualifications, each director of Winsome intends to vote, or cause to be voted, all Winsome Shares and options held or controlled by them (representing in aggregate 6.2% of Winsome Shares and 42.3% of Winsome options as at the date of this announcement) in favour of the Winsome Transaction at the Winsome Transaction Meeting18,19.

The Li-FT Board has also unanimously approved the Winsome Transaction.

____________________ 18 Winsome Directors hold an aggregate of 15,029,839 Winsome Shares, representing 6.2% of Winsome Shares on issue as at the date of this announcement, together with 7,900,000 Winsome performance rights held by Winsome Directors, representing 9.0% on a fully diluted basis as at the date of the announcement (calculations exclude Winsome options which will be converted into Li-FT Shares if the Winsome Transaction proceeds). 19 The voting intention is subject to no superior proposal and the independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome shareholders.

Key Shareholder Support

Waratah Capital Advisors, which controls 22,674,792 Winsome Shares (representing approximately 9.3% of the Winsome Shares as at the date of this Press Release) has provided a signed voting intention statement to Winsome indicating that it intends to vote, or cause to be voted, all Winsome Shares and Winsome options (if any) held or controlled by it or its associates at the time of the Winsome Transaction Meeting in favour of the Winsome Transaction, subject to no superior proposal emerging prior to the Winsome Transaction Meeting and the independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome shareholders.

Waratah Capital Advisors has consented to Winsome and Li-FT publicly announcing its voting intention with respect to the Winsome Transaction.

Winsome Transaction Structure and Certain Terms of the Agreement

The Winsome Transaction is subject to the following closing conditions:

Winsome securityholders approving the Winsome Transaction at the relevant Winsome Transaction Meeting by at least 75% of all votes cast by Winsome shareholders present and voting (in person or by proxy) at the Winsome Transaction Meeting and a majority by number of all Winsome securityholders present and voting (in person or by proxy) (excluding Li-FT and its associates);

The requisite court approvals;

Completion of the Li-FT Subscription Receipts Offering;

Completion of the Galinee Transaction;

The independent expert issuing an Independent Expert's Report which concludes (and continues to conclude) that the Winsome Transaction is in the best interests of Winsome shareholders;

Approval from the ASX for the admission of Li-FT on the ASX and for the official quotation of Li-FT CDIs on the ASX;

No material adverse change, no prescribed occurrence and no regulated event (each as defined in the Agreement) occurring in relation to either Li-FT or Winsome;

Approval of the TSXV (including approval for quotation on the TSXV of the Li-FT Shares to be issued to Winsome shareholders and optionholders pursuant to the Winsome Transaction);

Li-FT shareholders approval (if required); and

Other customary conditions.

Under the Agreement, Li-FT has agreed to apply for admission to the official list of the ASX and for the official quotation of Li-FT CDIs on the ASX. Accordingly, if Li-FT is admitted to ASX and the Winsome Transaction is implemented, Winsome shareholders (other than ineligible shareholders) may elect to receive the applicable Li-FT Shares issuable to them as consideration in the form of CDIs (which may be traded on the ASX) or in the form of Li-FT Shares (which may be traded on the TSXV).

The Agreement also contains customary deal protection mechanisms, including "no shop", "no talk" and "no due diligence" provisions and a notification and matching rights regime in the event a Competing Proposal20 emerges for Winsome (subject to customary fiduciary out exceptions).

The Agreement also sets out the circumstances in which a break fee of $1.3 million may be required to be paid by either Li-FT or Winsome.

Li-FT and Winsome have also agreed to undertake a separate but concurrent scheme of arrangement whereby Li-FT will acquire all outstanding Winsome options. The option scheme is conditional on the share scheme being effective, however the share scheme is not conditional on the option scheme proceeding. Other customary conditions apply to the option scheme, full details of which are set out in the Agreement.

Winsome performance rights will be vested in connection with the Winsome Transaction, with the resulting Winsome Shares to be subject to the scheme21.

____________________ 20 As defined in the Agreement. 21 The vesting of Winsome performance rights may be subject to receipt of a waiver from ASX Listing Rule 6.23.3.

Concurrent Offering

Li-FT has entered into agreements with Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord Genuity"), as lead underwriter on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"), to raise aggregate gross proceeds of C$40 million (the "Concurrent Offering"). The Concurrent Offering will consist of a combination of the following securities (the "Securities"):

The Subscription Receipt Offering

3,876,000 "flow-through" subscription receipts of Li-FT (the " FT Subscription Receipts ") at a price of C$6.45 (the " FT Issue Price ") for gross proceeds of C$25,000,200; and

") at a price of C$6.45 (the " ") for gross proceeds of C$25,000,200; and 1,162,800 subscription receipts of Li-FT (the "Non-FT Subscription Receipts" and, together with the FT Subscription Receipts, the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of C$4.30 (the "Non-FT Issue Price") for gross proceeds of C$5,000,040.

The Non-Subscription Receipt Offering

775,200 "flow-through" common shares of Li-FT (the " FT Shares ") at the FT Issue Price for gross proceeds of C$5,000,040; and

") at the FT Issue Price for gross proceeds of C$5,000,040; and 1,162,800 common shares of Li-FT (the "Non-FT Shares") at the Non-FT Issue Price for gross proceeds of C$5,000,040 million.

Li-FT has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Underwriters' Option"), to sell up to C$6,500,000 of additional Securities, in any combination as agreed between Li-FT and the Underwriters, at the applicable offering price. The Underwriters' Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, until two days prior to the Closing Date (as defined below).

Avenir Minerals has indicated that it intends to participate in the Subscription Receipt Offering.

Each FT Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive, without any further action and without payment of additional consideration, and subject to adjustments in certain circumstances, one (1) common share of Li-FT that will qualify as a "flow-through share" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") upon the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below) prior to the Termination Date (as defined below).

Each Non-FT Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive, without any further action and without payment of additional consideration, and subject to adjustments in certain circumstances, one (1) common share of Li-FT upon the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions prior to the Termination Date.

The Subscription Receipts will be issued under subscription receipt indentures (the "Subscription Receipt Indentures") among Li-FT, a subscription receipt agent to be determined (the "Subscription Receipt Underwriter"), and Canaccord Genuity.

The aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Subscription Receipts (upon escrow release) will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to Adina-Galinee on or before December 31, 2027. The net proceeds from sale of the Non-FT Subscription Receipts (upon escrow release) will be used towards Adina-Galinee and for general corporate purposes.

The aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur Qualifying Expenditures on Li-FT's Yellowknife Lithium Project, the Galinee property (upon acquisition) and Li-FT's other exploration properties on or before December 31, 2027. The net proceeds from the sale of the Non-FT Shares will be used towards project development, particularly in respect of Li-FT's Yellowknife Lithium Project, the Galinee property (upon acquisition) and general corporate purposes.

The aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts, less 50% of the Underwriters' commission and certain expenses of the Subscription Receipt Offering (the "Escrowed Funds"), will be held in escrow pursuant to the Subscription Receipt Indentures in interest bearing accounts pending the earlier of: (a) the satisfaction of the escrow release conditions (which include, among other things, the completion of the acquisition of Winsome by Li-FT pursuant to the Winsome Transaction) (the "Escrow Release Conditions") and (b) the occurrence of a Termination Event.

If (i) the Escrow Release Conditions have not been satisfied prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 30, 2026 (the "Outside Date"), (ii) the Winsome Transaction is terminated at any earlier time, or (iii) Li-FT advises Canaccord Genuity, or announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions (in any case, a "Termination Event", and the date upon which such event occurs, the "Termination Date"), the Subscription Receipt Agent shall return to the holders of the Subscription Receipts an amount equal to the aggregate offering price of the Subscription Receipts held by each such holder and their pro-rata portion of interest and other income earned on the Escrowed Funds and the Subscription Receipts shall be cancelled. Li-FT shall be responsible for any shortfall between the aggregate offering price paid by the original purchasers of the Subscription Receipts and the Escrowed Funds.

The Subscription Receipts will be marketed (i) to investors in each of the provinces and territories of Canada on a private placement basis; (ii) to investors in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and (iii) to investors resident in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction.

The Concurrent Offering is expected to close on or about January 20, 2026 (the "Closing Date").

As provided under in the Agreement, Li-FT must use best endeavours to complete the Concurrent Offering (both the Subscription Receipt Offering and the Non-Subscription Receipt Offering). Additionally, until implementation of the Winsome Transaction the net proceeds raised under the Non-Subscription Receipt Offering must be used in accordance with a budget that has been agreed upon by Li-FT and Winsome, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Sale of Winsome's Offtake Rights from Case Lake Area

Winsome is also pleased to announce that it has sold its offtake rights to lithium, cesium and tantalum from the Case Lake Area in Eastern Ontario to a subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), for C$1,800,000. Winsome held the offtake rights under an existing offtake agreement between Winsome and Power Metals Corp. (TSXV: PWM) ("PWM"). PWM consented to the sale.

Winsome continues to hold a 15.6% interest in PWM, valued at C$23.6 million based on PWM's closing share price (C$0.870 per share) on December 10, 202522.

____________________ 22 Based on 27.1 million Power Metals Corp. shares (TSXV: PWM)

Scheme Implementation Deed

A full copy of the Agreement accompanies this Press Release as filed with the ASX. The Agreement will also be available on Li-FT's and Winsome's respective SEDAR+ profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and on Winsome's website at www.winsomeresources.com.au/investors/.

Timetable and Next Steps

Winsome shareholders do not need to take any action in relation to the Winsome Transaction at this stage.

A Winsome Transaction scheme booklet setting out the key terms of the transaction, including the Winsome Transaction, Independent Expert's Report and the reasons for the recommendation of the Winsome Board will be sent to all Winsome securityholders in due course. The Winsome Transaction Meeting to consider the Winsome Transaction is expected to be held in early April 2026 and the Winsome Transaction is expected to be implemented before the end of April 2026, subject to satisfaction of all conditions and receipt of all necessary approvals.

An indicative timetable is set out below23:

Action Estimated Date First Court Dates Mid to late February 2026 Dispatch Winsome Transaction booklet to Winsome

shareholders Late February 2026 Winsome Transaction Meeting Early April 2026 Second Court Date Mid April 2026 Effective Date Late April 2026 Record Date24 Two business days after Effective Date Implementation Date Five business days after Record Date

____________________ 23 Dates are indicative only and subject to change without notice. The timetable can be delayed by a range of factors outside of the control of Li-FT and Winsome. Li-FT and Winsome reserve the right to alter the dates at their discretion and without notice, subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the Corporations Act and other applicable laws and regulatory approvals. 24 Subject to the Winsome Transaction being approved by the court and becoming effective.

Advisors and Counsel

Canaccord Genuity Corp. is acting as financial advisor to Li-FT. Allion Partners Pty Ltd are acting as Li-FT's Australian legal advisors and McCarthy Tetrault LLP are acting as Li-FT's Canadian legal advisors in respect of the Winsome Transaction.

Azure Capital is acting as financial advisor to Winsome. DLA Piper Australia is acting as Winsome's Australian legal advisor and DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is acting as Winsome's Canadian legal advisor in respect of the Winsome Transaction.

Canaccord Genuity Corp. is acting as sole lead manager of the Concurrent Offering.

About Li-FT

Li-FT is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium pegmatite projects located in Canada. Li-FT's flagship project is the Yellowknife Lithium Project located in Northwest Territories, Canada. Li-FT also holds three early-stage exploration properties in Quebec, Canada with excellent potential for the discovery of buried lithium pegmatites, as well as the Cali Project in Northwest Territories within the Little Nahanni Pegmatite Group.

For more details: www.li-ft.com

About Winsome

Winsome (ASX: WR1) is a Canadian focused exploration and development company with several projects in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. Its flagship project is Adina, a 100% owned lithium resource considered a tier-one asset in a low-risk mining jurisdiction. The hard rock spodumene lithium deposit has a Mineral Resource Estimate of 61.4 Mt at 1.14% Li 2 O (Indicated) and 16.5 Mt at 1.19% Li 2 O (Inferred)25. In addition to its impressive portfolio of lithium projects in Quebec, Winsome owns a 15.6% equity stake in PWM who own the Case Lake Project in Eastern Ontario.

For more details: www.winsomeresources.com.au

____________________ 25 Refer to Winsome's ASX announcement "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%" released to ASX on May 28, 2024. Refer also to the "Winsome Adina Mineral Resource Estimate Disclaimer" below.

This announcement has been approved for distribution by the Board of Directors of each of Li-FT and Winsome.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE CONCERNING LI-FT PROPERTIES

The technical and scientific information in this Press Release related to Li-FT's projects has been reviewed and approved by Ron Voordouw, Ph.D., P.Geo., Partner, Director Geoscience, Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and member in good standing with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) (Geologist Registration number: L5245).

Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to inferred mineral resource estimates, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource estimate will be upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource estimate as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in an inferred mineral resource estimate is insufficient to allow meaningful application of the technical and economic parameters to enable an evaluation of economic viability sufficient for public disclosure, except in certain limited circumstances set out in NI 43-101. The mineral resource estimate in respect of Li-FT's Yellowknife Lithium Project only includes inferred mineral resources, which are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted to the measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied. There is no assurance that mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves.

Readers in Australia should note Li-FT's mineral resource estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and not the JORC Code.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE CONCERNING WINSOME PROPERTIES

It is a requirement of the ASX Listing Rules that the reporting of (amongst other things) exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves in Australia comply with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code).

Readers outside Australia should note that the mineral resource estimate for Winsome's Adina Lithium Project has been prepared in accordance with the JORC Code on the basis of assumptions which differ from the requirements of NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (CIM Definition Standards). Winsome has separately prepared a mineral resource estimate in accordance with NI43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards. Further, readers outside of Australia should note that reporting of mineral resource estimates in accordance with the JORC Code may not comply with the relevant guidelines in other countries.

Readers should not assume that quantities reported as "resources" will be converted to "reserves" under the JORC Code or any other reporting regime or that Winsome (or the combined entity, as applicable) will be able to legally and economically extract them.

Mineral Resources

Information in this Press Release regarding Adina Lithium Project mineral resources estimate (Adina MRE) is extracted from Winsome's ASX announcement entitled "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%" released to ASX on May 28, 2024 which is available Winsome's website at https://winsomeresources.com.au/investors/. Winsome confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement, and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Winsome confirms that the form and context in which the competent person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original announcement.

Exploration Results

Information in this Press Release regarding exploration results at the Adina Lithium Project is extracted from Winsome's ASX announcement entitled "Adina Drilling and Operations Update" released to ASX on August 19, 2024 which is available Winsome's website at https://winsomeresources.com.au/investors/. Winsome confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement. Winsome confirms that the form and context in which the competent person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original announcement.

References to a "historical estimate"

Please note that Winsome's Adina MRE is considered by Li-FT, in accordance with NI 43-101 as a "historical estimate". Readers should not interpret that classification under NI 43-101 as a classification as a "historical estimate" for the purposes of the JORC Code and Winsome confirms that the Adina MRE is not a historical estimate for the purposes of the JORC Code or the ASX Listing Rules.

Li-FT does not believe that material differences would arise if the Adina MRE had been estimated in conformity with NI 43-101 and CIM Definition Standards. Li-FT believes the Adina MRE and the data used to compile the estimate which, to the knowledge of Li-FT, represents the most recent estimate and data available  are generally reliable and relevant. In 2026, Li-FT intends to initiate the requisite work to evaluate relevant existing technical information and thereafter complete additional drilling, as appropriate, and have a mineral resource estimate in respect of a combined Adina-Galinee property prepared.

DISCLAIMER

Forward looking statements

Statements contained in this Press Release that are not current or historical factual statements may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information reflects current expectations regarding future results, performance or achievements and speaks only as of the date of this Press Release. When used in this Press Release, forward-looking information can be identified by such words as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan", "project", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate" and other similar terminology, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Li-FT and Winsome's intent, or the beliefs or current expectations of the officers and directors of Li-FT and Winsome, including upon completion of the transactions described herein (the Transactions), as applicable. Actual results and outcomes of the Transactions may vary materially from the information set out in any forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such information.

Forward-looking information may relate to: future outlook and anticipated events and the related risks, such as the consummation and timing of the Transactions; the strategic vision for Li-FT following the closing of the Transactions and expectations regarding exploration potential, production capabilities and future financial or operating performance of Li-FT post-closing; changes in the lithium price; the potential valuation of Li-FT following the closing of the Transactions; the ownership interests of existing Li-FT and Winsome shareholders in Li-FT following closing of the Transactions; the composition and success of the updated management team and board of directors of Li-FT following closing of the Transactions; the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transactions; the timing of the shareholder meeting of Winsome and the mailing of the Winsome shareholder materials in connection therewith; the treatment of stock options and performance rights of Winsome in connection with the Winsome Transaction; the issuance and conversion of the subscription receipts and the issuance of shares pursuant to the financings contemplated to be undertaken by Li-FT; the intention to apply to list Li-FT common shares on the Australian Stock Exchange in connection with the closing of the Winsome Transaction; the success of Li-FT and Winsome in combining operations upon closing of the Transactions; the success, timing and costs of completing exploration, development and production activities at the combined projects of Li-FT following closing of the Transactions; the potential of Li-FT to meet industry targets, public profile and expectations; disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; permitting timelines and requirements; requirements for additional capital; environmental requirements; planned exploration and development of properties and the results thereof; planned expenditures and budgets and the execution thereof; and future plans, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing related thereto.

In respect of Li-FT and Winsome (on a standalone basis or following the Winsome Transaction, on a combined basis, as applicable), risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited in any manner to: risks inherent in exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices of Li-FT's or Winsome's primary metals; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the impact of exploration competition; the ability to raise funds through financings (particularly in circumstances where the Winsome Transaction does not proceed); the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; risks related to mineral resource figures being estimates based on interpretations and assumptions which may result in less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently anticipated; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; unexpected geological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; demand for Li-FT's or Winsome's primary metals; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; potential title disputes; weather, seasonality and climate at Li-FT's or Winsome's properties and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. In respect of Li-FT, please refer to other risks described from time to time in Li-FT's most recently filed continuous disclosure filings, including, but not limited to, its annual information form, financial statements and MD&A, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. In respect of Winsome, please refer to other risks described from time to time in Winsome's recent announcements, including, but not limited to, its annual report, which are available at https://winsomeresources.com.au/investors/

There is no certainty that Li-FT will complete the financings described herein nor whether the conditions to the conversion of the subscription receipts to be issued by Li-FT. Additionally, there are currently no binding terms in effect in respect of the Galinee acquisition transaction, whereby Li-FT would acquire a majority joint venture interest in respect of the Galinee property from the applicable parties. This acquisition transaction remains subject to the applicable parties finalizing and executing definitive documentation and thereafter satisfying the conditions precedent thereunder. The subscription receipt financing described herein and the Galinee acquisition transaction are conditions precedent to the completion of the Winsome Transaction. There is no certainty that those conditions precedent or any other conditions precedent to Winsome Transaction, contained in the Agreement, will be satisfied.

Although Li-FT and Winsome believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking Information since no assurance can be provided that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or good faith belief of the officers and directors of Li-FT or Winsome (as applicable) as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Winsome or Li-FT to materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking Information. In disclosing such information, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things: the accuracy of the estimation of mineral resources; that exploration activities and studies will provide results that support anticipated development activities; that infrastructure anticipated to be developed or operated by third parties will be developed or available as currently anticipated; and that the market prices for relevant commodities remain at levels that justify development.

Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand Winsome and Li-FT's views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Winsome and Li-FT assume no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking Information. If either Winsome or Li-FT updates the forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that the either company will make additional updates with respect to that or other forward-looking Information. All forward-looking Information contained in this Press Release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

Limitation on information

This is joint press release by Li-FT and Winsome and has been prepared to provide a summary of the Transactions. This Press Release does not purport to contain all of the information a recipient may require in relation to Li-FT, Winsome or the Transactions. This Press Release is provided for information purposes only and is not an offer, invitation or recommendation to buy or sell securities, nor is it a prospectus or offering memorandum. No securities regulator has reviewed or approved its contents. Readers should not rely on it as investment, legal or tax advice and should seek their own professional advice. Market and industry data included are based on internal estimates and third-party sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any summaries of studies, documents or agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of those materials.

Li-FT and Winsome have jointly prepared this announcement based on information available to them as at the date of this Press Release. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information, opinions and conclusions contained in this Press Release.

All information in this Press Release in relation to Li-FT and Galinee and their respective operations, including mineral resources, production or development plans, or infrastructure or production capacity or capability, or any forward-looking statements relating to or extrapolated from any of that information, has been sourced from Li-FT (Li-FT Information). Subject to the preceding disclaimer, Li-FT is responsible for the Li-FT Information, as well as any information in this Press Release that is presented on a "merged group" basis (excluding to the extent derived from Winsome Information). Winsome and its representatives have not independently verified the Li-FT Information (including the technical disclosures concerning Li-FT properties and Galinee) and do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Li-FT Information or any information relating to Galinee.

All information in this Press Release in relation to Winsome and its operations, including mineral resources, production or development plans, or infrastructure or production capacity or capability, or any forward-looking statements relating to or extrapolated from any of that information, has been sourced from Winsome (Winsome Information). Subject to the preceding disclaimer, Winsome is responsible for the Winsome Information. Li-FT and its representatives have not independently verified the Winsome Information (including the technical disclosures concerning Winsome properties) and do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the Winsome Information. The Winsome Information in this Press Release is, or is based upon, information that has been released to the ASX. Its content should therefore be read in conjunction with Winsome's other periodic and continuous disclosure announcements lodged with ASX, which are available at https://winsomeresources.com.au/investors/

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Li-FT and Winsome and their respective affiliates and their directors, officers employees, associates, advisers and agents each expressly disclaims any and all liability, including, without limitation, any liability arising out of fault or negligence, for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on information contained in this Press Release including representation or warranties or in relation to the accuracy or completeness of the information, statements, opinions, forecasts, reports or other matters, express or implied, contained in, arising out of or derived from, or for omissions from, this Press Release including, without limitation, any financial information, any estimates or projections and any other financial information derived therefrom.

Financial information

Readers should be aware that this Press Release contains pro-forma financial information and certain other financial information and measures that are "non IFRS financial information" under Regulatory Guide 230: 'Disclosing non IFRS financial information' published by ASIC and are not recognised under Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The non IFRS financial information financial measures do not have a standardised meaning prescribed by the applicable AAS or IFRS, and therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other entities, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with the applicable AAS or IFRS. Although Li-FT and Winsome believe the non-IFRS financial information and financial measures provide useful information to users in measuring the financial performance and condition of Li-FT and Winsome, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any non-IFRS financial information or financial measures included in this Press Release. Readers should further note that this Press Release contains pro forma and historical financial information. The pro forma and historical financial information provided in this Press Release is for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as, and is not represented as, being indicative of Li-FT's and Winsome's future financial condition and/or performance.

Past performance

Past performance information given in this Press Release is given for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as (and is not) an indication of future performance, including future share price performance. Historical information in this Press Release relating to Li-FT or Winsome is information that has been released to the market. The historical information is presented in an abbreviated form insofar as it does not include all Press Release and disclosures, statements or comparative information as required by the AAS and other mandatory professional reporting requirements applicable to general purpose financial reports prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO UNITED STATES INVESTORS

Resource estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia. Li-FT's reserve and resource estimates have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for public disclosure by a Canadian company of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.

Australian standards and Canadian standards each differ significantly from the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K, and mineral reserve and resource information included in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies.

WINSOME ADINA MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE DISCLAIMER

Note: The Mineral Resource Estimate for Adina Lithium Project (the Adina MRE) has been prepared in accordance with the JORC Code on the basis of assumptions which differ from the requirements of NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards.

The Adina MRE was based on results from 186 drillholes representing 57,756 metres as part of Winsome's exploration and resource delineation drilling program and does not include results announced to the ASX on 25 November 2025. The Adina MRE defines mineralisation within two mineralised pegmatite dykes immediately adjacent to each other (the Main Zone and Footwall Zone) which the Scoping Study (as released to the ASX on September 17, 2024 "Scoping Study delivers a capital solution for North American lithium production") proposes to mine using a single open pit. The Main Zone outcrops at surface and is planned to be mined for the first 3 years by a starter pit (Phase 1 pit) which minimises the strip ratio and consequently the mining costs.

The Adina MRE was reported within a conceptual pit shell generated using appropriate cost and pricing parameters as detailed in the ASX Announcement of May 28, 2024 (RPEEE shell). The RPEEE shell for the Adina MRE extends slightly outside Winsome's claims but the resource blocks have been limited to within the claim boundaries. Therefore, the reported Adina MRE falls entirely within Winsome's claims, as does the production target underpinning the Scoping Study. Winsome believes that there is a reasonable basis to anticipate that access to this area could be obtained during development, such as the proposed Galinee Transaction, and accordingly has not constrained the RPEEE shell. Furthermore, if access was not obtained then the mineralisation affected could be extracted by underground methods (based on conceptual underground stope designs generated using prevailing costs for such mining), and accordingly any variation to the Adina MRE quoted would not be material. However, since there was no access agreement or other agreement which would provide Winsome with access to this area at the time of the Scoping Study, the pit designs used in the Scoping Study were restricted to Winsome's claims with an additional buffer of 40m from the claim boundary.

The cut-off grade for reporting of mineral resources at Adina is 0.6% Li2O. This was based on consideration of the grade-tonnage data, likely mining methods, conceptual mining studies completed on the previous mineral resource estimate and data from analogous peer operations (comparable deposit style, commodity, project maturity and cost jurisdiction). Mineral resources are classified as Indicated and Inferred to appropriately represent confidence and risk with respect to data quality, drill hole spacing, geological and grade continuity and mineralisation volumes. Classification and cut-off grade also used criteria in line with industry peers. The drilling, surveying and sampling undertaken, and the analytical methods and quality controls used, are appropriate for the style of deposit under consideration.

Cautionary Note: The Adina MRE set out herein in respect of the Adina Lithium Project is based on the ASX Announcement of May 28, 2024 "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%". This resource estimate is being considered by Li-FT to be a "historical estimate" under NI 43-101 and a qualified person from Li-FT has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical resource estimate as a current mineral resource. Li-FT is not treating this resource estimate as being current. Readers should not interpret that classification under the NI 43-101 as a classification as a "historical estimate" for the purposes of the JORC Code and Winsome confirms that the Adina MRE is not a historical estimate for the purposes of the JORC Code or the ASX Listing Rules.

The Adina MRE had an effective date of May 28, 2024 and was prepared in accordance with the JORC Code. For more information refer to Winsome's ASX announcement "Adina Mineral Resources Increases 33%" released to ASX on May 28, 2024. Refer also to the "Mineral Resources" section of the disclaimer. Li-FT does not believe that material differences would arise if the Adina MRE had been estimated in conformity with NI 43-101 and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines. Li-FT believes the Adina MRE and the data used to compile the estimate which, to the knowledge of Li-FT, represents the most recent estimate and data available  are generally reliable and relevant. In 2026, Li-FT intends to initiate the requisite work to evaluate relevant existing technical information and thereafter complete additional drilling, as appropriate, and have a mineral resource estimate in respect of a combined Adina-Galinee property prepared.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 /Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC) (OTCQX:APXCF) (FWB:KL9) ("Apex" or the "Company"), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the identification and development of critical and strategic metals, is pleased to announce results from a new carbonatite discovery at its 100%-owned Lac Le Moyne Project ("Lac Le Moyne" or "the Project") in Nunavik, Quebec.

Highlights

Discovery of new carbonatite occurrence at the Lac Le Moyne Project.

151 rock samples collected during the July 2025 program, marking the first targeted carbonatite exploration at the Project.

Four (4) boulder grab samples returned >0.20% NbO, with values up to 0.40% NbO.

Thirteen (13) samples returned > 0.25% total rare earth oxides (REO 1 ), including a peak of 0.50% REO.

An additional 77 claims have been staked to cover the interpreted up-ice source responsible for the anomalous boulder samples.

Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals, commented, "There are only ~600 known carbonatite systems globally, so confirming the presence of carbonatite with substantially anomalous niobium and rare earth oxide mineralization during our first pass mapping and sampling campaign at Lac Le Moyne is a significant step forward for the Project and exceeded our expectations. The Project's position north of the Eldor Carbonatite Complex, a complex known for its high-grade Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit as well as high-proximal grade niobium, tantalum, and phosphate, highlights the potential for further discoveries in the area. We look forward to advancing follow-up work to refine targets and build on the results from this initial program."

The summer exploration program was completed in July 2025, with a total of 151 rock samples collected. The exploration program marked the first targeted exploration for carbonatite-hosted niobium (Nb) and rare earth element (REE) mineralization at the Project. The program was a helicopter-supported operation based out of Kuujjuaq, designed to evaluate multiple carbonatite outcrops originally mapped by Quebec government geologists in the 1970s.

The elevated samples are dominated by carbonatite and carbonatite-related lithologies, with all four (4) boulder samples exceeding 0.20% NbO to a maximum of 0.40% NbO occurring in calcite-rich carbonatite boulders (Table 1, Figure 1). The strongest REO results (>0.25% REO, including the peak value 0.50%) are hosted within dolomitic carbonatite and carbonatite-altered units (Table 1). Additional elevated samples occur in calcite-carbonatite, fluorine-carbonatite, and metasomatic (fenite-style) rocks, supporting the interpretation of a multi-phase intrusive system with both carbonatite and alteration-related REE enrichment. Several of the carbonatite samples also exhibit high-grade phosphate, with seven (7) samples exceeding 5.0% PO with a peak value of 10.36% PO, alongside notably enriched fluorine, including one sample assaying 4.94% F (Table 1). These signatures are fully consistent with apatite- and fluorite-bearing phases typically associated with REE mineralization in carbonatite systems.

The strongest niobium and REO results define a north-south-oriented corridor in the northeastern portion of the Lac Le Moyne Property. This trend hosts the majority of samples returning >0.20% NbO and >0.25% REO and represents a newly outlined carbonatite zone within the Project area. The elevated results do not coincide with the historically mapped extent of carbonatite outcrop, indicating the potential for an additional mineralized carbonatite system at Lac Le Moyne. Outcrop exposure across this corridor is limited, and the concentration of mineralized carbonatite and carbonatite-related boulders suggests strong potential for a buried carbonatite source within this newly defined trend.

An additional 77 mineral claims, totalling approximately 3,609 ha, were staked on the eastern margin of the Project to cover geophysical anomalies and the interpreted up-ice area, to the south/southeast, of the niobium-enriched boulders identified during the 2025 sampling program. This expanded land position now covers the most prospective target corridor and provides the opportunity for follow-up exploration for the 2026 field season.

Figure 1. 2025 Surface Grab Samples (REO, %) - Lac Le Moyne Property

Table 1. 2025 Surface Grab Samples - Select Assay Results

1. Rare Earth Oxide (REO) is the summation of Ce2O3 + La2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Eu2O3 + Sm2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3

The Company cautions that past results or discoveries on adjacent properties (i.e. Eldor) may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties (i.e. Lac Le Moyne.)

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

All rock samples were collected in the field using a hammer and chisel. Locations were obtained using a handheld GPS or tablet with samples placed in pre-labelled sample bags. Metal tags with the sample numbers and flagging tape were left at each sample location.

Samples were shipped using via air, then ground from Kuujjuaq to Actlabs Laboratory in Ancaster, Ontario. Rock samples were prepped via RX1, Dry, crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 m. Analysis consisted of Code 8 by XRF, Code 8 - REE Assay (lithium metaborate/tetraborate fusion with subsequent analysis by ICP and ICP-MS), and 1A2 Au Fire Assay - AA, 30g weight, 5-5,000 ppb. Select samples were analyzed for fluorine with code 4F-F.

A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol was incorporated into the rock sampling program and included the insertion of four (4) certified reference material ("CRM) and two (2) quartz blanks. Due to the preliminary nature of the fieldwork, the Company also relied on the internal QA/QC procedures of Actlabs.

Management cautions that prospecting surface rock samples, and associated assays, as discussed herein, are selective by nature and represent a point location, and therefore may not necessarily be fully representative of the mineralized horizon sampled.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Francois Gagnon, P. Geo. (OGQ License 1907), geologist for Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Mr. Gagnon has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release and certified analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed. Mr. Gagnon noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process.

About Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC) (OTCQX: APXCF) (FWB: KL9)

Apex Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic metals across the United States and Canada. The Company's flagship Rift Project, located within the highly prospective Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in Nebraska, U.S.A., hosts extensive rare earth rights surrounding one of North America's most advanced niobium-REE deposits. Historical drilling across the complex has reported broad intervals of high-grade REE mineralization, including intercepts such as 155.5 m of 2.70% REO and 68.2 m of 3.32% REO.

In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100%-owned Cap Project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2025 drill program confirmed a significant niobium discovery with 0.59% NbO over 36 metres, including 1.08% NbO over 10 metres, within a 1.8-kilometre-long niobium trend. The Cap Project continues to demonstrate strong potential for niobium mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite system.

With a growing portfolio of critical mineral projects in both Canada and the United States, Apex Critical Metals is strategically positioned to help strengthen domestic supply chains for the minerals essential to advanced technologies, clean energy, and national security. Apex is publicly listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol APXC and quoted on the OTCQX market in the United States under the symbol APXCF, and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ. Find out more at www.apexcriticalmetals.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://apexcriticalmetals.com/news/news-alerts/, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

APEX CRITICAL METALS CORP.,

Sean Charland

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604.681.1568

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include (without limitation) statements with respect to the Company's Canadian and US-based prospective assets (more particularly described above), including the potential for additional acquisitions and the potential for exploration on the additional claims that were staked, statements regarding the potential for future discoveries in the area, statements regarding the potential future exploration on the Lac Le Moyne property to refine targets and confirm the source of geophysical anomalies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: the Company's properties are at an early stage of development and no current mineral resources or reserves have been identified by the Company thereof, that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Company's properties; that even if we are able to raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from our properties may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Kingsmen Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) (FSE: TUY) ("Kingsmen" or the "Company") is pleased to report is pleased to report first results from it's on-going surface sampling program of old workings along the Juliettas structure of the Almoloya project. The 100% owned Almoloya gold-silver project, is located 30 km west of its 100%-owned Las Coloradas silver project, in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. The Almoloya project includes the past producing Cigarrero and Las Juliettas mines. The project represents a consolidation of claims into a single, contiguous land package.

A total of 527 samples were collected from historic underground workings and surface samples on the Juliettas prospect in the South Block. Where possible the hanging wall, vein and footwall were sampled. Two long N-trending structures were identified as well as local NW-trending shorter structures. The structures are from 50m to 400m in length, are up to 1.2m wide and are up to 200m deep. The gold mineralization occurs with calcite-dolomite-iron oxide-quartz-magnetite-pyrolusite/psilomelane and pyrite in veins and stockworks. The host rock is limestone with moderate to strong marbling and recrystallization.

Table 1: Distribution of gold assays.

Samples Gold g/t 28 samples >6.16 82 samples 1.14 - 5.9 168 samples 0.13 - 1.02 249 samples <0.13

Sample locations and values are presented on Figure 1. Significant gold values have been obtained over approximately 500 meters (Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4). Click on this link to see Table 3 (82 samples 1.14 - 5.9 g/t gold) and Table 4 (168 samples 0.13-1.02 g/t gold).

President, Scott Emerson, commented, "We are thrilled with these initial surface results from the South Block, which includes a sample of over 34.1 g/t gold over 0.5m. This confirms our belief in the expansive mineralization system at Almoloya. The high gold values point to exciting new targets. These findings position us well for continued growth and value creation for our shareholders."

The persistence of structurally controlled high grade gold mineralization shows the Juliettas prospect to be of high exploration potential. The company's sampling program will continue over the South Block which has had artisanal mining in the area.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Table 2: 28 samples > 6.16 g/t gold

SAMPLE # FROM (m) TO (m) Width (m) Gold g/t TYPE_COLLECTION 1 7 8.5 1.5 9.03 SURFACE 2 0.7 1.2 0.5 6.90 UNDERGROUND 3 1.7 2.7 1 10.88 UNDERGROUND 4 0 0.5 0.5 6.18 UNDERGROUND 5 0 1.2 1.2 7.35 UNDERGROUND 6 1.2 2 0.8 6.78 UNDERGROUND 7 0 0.5 0.5 8.03 UNDERGROUND 8 0 1 1 7.72 UNDERGROUND 9 0.6 1.1 0.5 7.34 UNDERGROUND 10 1.2 1.8 0.6 6.21 UNDERGROUND 11 0.8 1.5 0.7 12.84 UNDERGROUND 12 0 1 1 8.11 UNDERGROUND 13 0.6 1.1 0.5 34.09 UNDERGROUND 14 0 0.5 0.5 16.14 UNDERGROUND 15 0 1 1 7.86 UNDERGROUND 16 1.1 1.6 0.5 7.92 UNDERGROUND 17 0 0.7 0.7 6.30 UNDERGROUND 18 0.5 1.1 0.6 15.76 UNDERGROUND 19 0.8 1.3 0.5 12.80 UNDERGROUND 20 0 0.5 0.5 10.75 UNDERGROUND 21 0 0.5 0.5 8.30 UNDERGROUND 22 0.8 1.3 0.5 7.54 UNDERGROUND 23 0.5 1.7 1.2 8.55 UNDERGROUND 24 0 1.3 1.3 14.86 UNDERGROUND 25 0.5 1.1 0.6 6.83 UNDERGROUND 26 0 0.6 0.6 8.38 UNDERGROUND 27 0.9 1.5 0.6 9.57 UNDERGROUND 28 0 0.5 0.5 8.73 UNDERGROUND Actlabs Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Samples were assayed for gold by fire assay fusion with atomic absorption finish at Actlabs Mexico, in Zacatecas.

About Almoloya

The Almoloya Project represents the culmination of a land consolidation process. The now-contiguous land package brings together historically fragmented claims, many of which were previously held and explored by major operators. Extensive historical data from these programs, conducted up until the early 2000s, is available to Kingsmen and provides a valuable foundation for future exploration. Since that time, the project has seen no systematic exploration by either junior or major companies, leaving significant potential untapped in a highly prospective and historically productive district.

Click here to see locator map: https://www.kingsmenresources.com/area-history.

Qualified Person

Kieran Downes, Ph.D., P.Geo., a director of Kingsmen and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure set out in this news release.

About Kingsmen Resources

Kingsmen Resources (TSXV: KNG) (OTCQB: KNGRF) (FSE: TUY) is a discovery-driven explorer focused on unlocking the potential of two 100%-owned precious-metal districts Las Coloradas and Almoloya located in the historic Parral region of Chihuahua, Mexico, one of the most productive silver belts in the world. Both projects cover past-producing high-grade silver and gold mines and lie directly on the structural corridors that host many of Mexico's most notable silver-gold deposits. Recent drilling at Las Coloradas has confirmed new zones of shallow, high-grade mineralization and highlighted the potential for multiple parallel structures across an 4.5-kilometre trend. At Almoloya, historic drilling, extensive underground workings, and multiple vein systems point to strong potential for both vein-hosted and carbonate-replacement style mineralization. Kingsmen also owns a 1% NSR royalty on the La Trini claims within GoGold Resources' Los Ricos North project in Jalisco State, Mexico.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) (FSE: X7W) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report that to date, 14,681,130 of the 38,489,148 warrants issued in connection with the Company's listing on the TSX Venture Exchange effective December 28, 2023 have been exercised for gross proceeds of $4,404,339. The 2023 warrants are exercisable at $.30 and expire on December 28, 2025 (the "Warrants"). With the Warrant exercises to date, the Company has 207,960,506 common shares outstanding (the "Shares").

EUROPAC GOLD FUND AND DELBROOK CAPITAL ADVISORS

Included in the Warrant exercises to date are the EuroPac Gold Fund, who previously held 5,050,000 common Shares of the Company has exercised 7,300,000 Warrants resulting in them having control and direction over an aggregate of 12,350,000 Shares or 5.94% of the Shares current outstanding Shares as at the date hereof. In addition, Delbrook Capital Advisors, who manage funds controlling 16,723,935 Shares, has exercised 6,829,270 Warrants resulting in those funds having control and direction over an aggregate of 23,553,205 or 11.33% of the Shares current outstanding, as at the date hereof. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved Delbrook Capital Advisors becoming an insider of the Company, as that term is defined under applicable securities laws.

Bunt Capital Corp. acted as a strategic advisor to the Company regarding the Warrant exercise.

Trey Wasser, CEO, commented on the Warrants, "We are pleased to see the continued support from two of our largest shareholders. With a current treasury of $8,800,000 we will be significantly expanding our 2026 exploration program. With the Warrants expiring December 28 it is possible that additional Warrants may be exercised which would further enhance our treasury. Again, I would like to thank our entire team and our loyal shareholders for a very successful year."

EARLY WARNING REPORT BY DELBROOK CAPITAL ADVISORS INC.

An early warning report in respect of acquisition of Shares by Delbrook Capital Advisors will be filed on Form 62-103F3 in accordance with applicable securities laws and will be available on Dryden's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF") and ("X7W") on the Frankfurt Exchange. The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Homeland Uranium Corp. (TSXV: HLU) (OTCQB: HLUCF) (FSE: D3U) ("Homeland" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on Part 1 of the Phase II exploration program at the 100% owned Coyote Basin Uranium Project (the "Project") (Figure 1).

The first six of the planned 35 Reverse Circulation (RC) drillholes (Figure 2) have been completed as part of the Phase II exploration drilling program totaling approximately 5,300 m (17,000 ft). Drilling is focused on the key historical resource-bearing locations identified by previous operators and during the Company's June mapping and prospecting program. These first six holes were drilled on a single east-west oriented fence positioned at the northern end of the southern historical resource area defined by previous explorers (see Figure 2).

Downhole Spectral Gamma Ray CPS (Counts Per Second) readings obtained from the completed drill holes (CB-RC-0023 to CB-RC-0028) demonstrate near-surface elevated radioactivity (50  100 m depth) that correlates with the shallow mineralized horizons previously identified in historical 1979 drilling (Figure 2), interpreted to dip gently eastward at approximately 4 degrees.

Drilling in hole CB-RC-0023, the easternmost hole on the fence, also identified multiple zones of elevated radioactivity at depths between 220 and 320 metres (722  1050 ft) that remains open for expansion.

In addition to confirming the down-dip extensions of the known outcropping radioactivity, anomalous radioactivity is found to be widely dispersed within shales, claystones, and fine-grained sandstones within the Upper Member of the Fort Union Formation. These findings suggest that there is potential for additional uranium mineralization to exist between the known mineralized horizons.

It is not uncommon for uranium mineralization within sandstone-hosted uranium deposits to be in disequilibrium with the daughter products of the radioactive decay series (see the Quality Assurance/Quality Control section below). While downhole gamma logging is often an effective tool for defining radiometric horizons and correlating with historical drilling, it has been determined that chemical assays will be required before uranium grades can be accurately determined. Ongoing drilling and geochemical analysis will support refinement of the geological model and improved characterization of uranium mineralization.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

All drillholes are radiometrically logged using a calibrated QL40 SGR Spectral Gamma Ray downhole probe, which collects continuous spectral gamma measurements along the length of the drillhole. Gamma value as Counts Per Second are collected. The probe response is calibrated using coefficients derived from the probe's most recent factory calibration and through comparison of probe responses to geochemical assay data from previously sampled intervals.

Spectral gamma tools measure natural radioactivity, and in situations where the uranium decay series is in equilibrium, such gamma readings can be converted into equivalent concentrations of uranium, thorium, and potassium. However, if the uranium decay series is not in equilibrium, conversion of spectral gamma into equivalent concentrations of uranium may not be accurate, a phenomena known as uranium disequilibrium. Uranium disequilibrium has been documented to occur at the nearby former producing Maybelle Uranium Mine, located approximately 29 km (18 miles) northeast of the Coyote Basin Project (see Global Uranium & Enrichment's news release dated July 30, 2025, which can be found at https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/GUE/02972557.pdf).

As a first step in determining the accuracy of QL40 SGR Spectral Gamma Ray downhole probe and determining whether uranium disequilibrium may occur at Coyote Basin, Homeland's geological team used a portable hand-held XRF (SciAps X-555 REE Analyzer) to test drill cuttings for the presence of uranium. Enough discrepancies have occurred when comparing the results of the Spectral Gamma Ray downhole probe and the XRF that additional geochemical and assay sampling will be required before uranium grades can be accurately determined.

Homeland has collected samples from each 5 ft interval of the drill holes for geochemical analysis which will be sent to SGS Laboratories in Lakefield, Ontario. SGS Lab is certified ISO 17043: General requirements for proficiency testing. All SGS laboratories are required to participate in SGS's internal Proficiency Testing (PT) program: Laboratory Quality Systems International (LQSi) program, the largest PT program in the mining world. The SGS LQSi program currently involves over 100 laboratories on a regular basis, both SGS and non-SGS participants. SGS LQSi holds accreditation to the conformity assessment standard ISO 17043: General requirements for proficiency testing.

All depths and intervals reported are drilled depths and downhole lengths, unless otherwise stated. True thicknesses have not yet been determined.

About Homeland Uranium Corp.

Homeland Uranium is a mineral exploration company focused on becoming a premier US-focused and resource-bearing uranium explorer and developer. The Company is the 100% owner of the Coyote Basin and Cross Bones uranium projects in northwestern Colorado.

The Coyote Basin Project is reported by Energy Metals Corporation in its quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis dated September 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to contain an estimated historical resource of 8,850,000 tons grading 0.20% U 3 O 8 and 0.10% V 2 O 5 totaling 35.4 million pounds of U 3 O 8 and 17.7 million pounds of V 2 0 5 (see Energy Metal's SEC disclosure at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1361605/000106299306003601/exhibit99-2.htm). This resource was calculated by the previous project operator, Western Mining Resources, based on a 1978-79 program of surface sampling, coring, drill hole chip sampling and gamma logging of 24 widely spaced holes (private internal report, Western Mining, Executive Summary, Coyote Basin Uranium District, Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties, State of Colorado, January, 1980).

The Company is not treating the Coyote Basin historical resource estimate as current mineral resources and the reader is cautioned not to rely on either of these estimates. A Qualified Person (as defined under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical resources from the project as current mineral resources or mineral reserves nor can the Company or the Qualified Person comment on the quality or verify the data obtained from the assay sampling programs from the project that were used to determine these historical resource estimates, as such information was not included in the historical reports acquired by Homeland. The Company is not treating the historical resource estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company and the Qualified Person is unable to compare the historical resource estimate to the CIM's current resource classification system at this time. The Coyote Basin Project any future NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate will require considerable further evaluation which will include completion of the Phase I drilling program and may require addition drilling to follow-up Phase 1 results.

Qualified Person

Nancy Normore., P.Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration, is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.



Figure 1  Location of Homeland Uranium's Coyote Basin Project



Figure 2  Completed drillholes during Part 1 of Phase 2 - Coyote Basin Project
Successful Phase 1 Program Discovery Zone to be Focus of Phase 2 Drilling

Phase 1 Assays Include High-Grade Zinc >30%, 5.7 oz/t Silver, >.36% Copper

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 15, 2025) - Glenstar Minerals Inc. (CSE: GSTR) (OTCQB: GSTRF) (FSE: VO20) ("Glenstar" or the "Company") announces that the Phase 2 drill program at the Company's Green Monster Project in Nevada has begun. Alloy Drilling ("Alloy") of Elko, Nevada mobilized its crew and equipment over the weekend and has commenced drilling.

Utilizing a track mounted reverse circulation drill, nine (9) holes will be collared over four (4) targeted locations along 300 metres of strike length. Two (2) holes are targeted in the area where the primary drilling was undertaken in the Phase 1 drill program; three (3) holes will focus on the area that is considered the "discovery" zone 150 metres to the west of the primary Phase 1 drill site, and two (2) holes each at two (2) sites will be situated further west along what is believed to be the mineralized east-west trending belt.

Drill hole locations in this Phase 2 program have been determined following review of the geophysical data accumulated during the recent Hybrid-Source Audio-Magnetotellurics Survey (the "HSAMT" or "Survey") that was conducted in November by Hasbrouck Geophysics, Inc. ("Hasbrouck") (see news release dated October 29, 2025).

Glenstar CEO, Dave Ryan, stated, "We are pleased to begin the Phase 2 drill program at Green Monster before the Christmas holiday, and very much look forward to hopefully positive results from each hole, but particularly what we will see from the three holes planned at the "discovery zone". This is a very exciting time for Glenstar and its shareholders."

The Phase 1 drill program, which was conducted in May 2025 (see news release dated July 16, 2025) encountered a new mineralized zone that is approximately 10 metres (32 feet) wide and is centered on a very high-grade zinc occurrence that is >30%, and a significant assay result of up to 177 ppm of silver (5.7 oz/t), 523 ppm of nickel (.0523%), cobalt up to 91.9 ppm (.0019%) and copper that is >.36% according to assay results provided by ALS in Vancouver, BC. The nickel and cobalt percentages reported are subjectively classified as highly anomalous for the geological structure as well. Mineralization in this hole was intersected at depths from ~131 metres (~430 feet) to ~142 metres (~465 feet) and occurs in the hanging wall of the Green Monster Fault Zone (see news release dated July 16, 2025).

Project Background & Recent Exploration Work

The Green Monster Property is comprised of 35 federal lode claims covering ~700 acres located in Clark County, Nevada, on the west trending spur of the Spring Mountains and is approximately 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Until the recent drill program in May of 2025, no drilling was ever conducted on the property, but the Company's previous identification of robust nickel-copper with anomalous cobalt from sampling work done in 2022 indicated that several targets were ideal for shallow RC drilling (see news releases dated May 28, 2025, and July 16, 2025).

Glenstar acquired the Green Monster Property and conducted initial groundwork in 2022 that included reconnaissance geologic mapping, surface rock sampling, soil sampling, and a drone magnetic survey. Channel sampling across the exposed back of a raise off the main shaft returned 1.18 meters of 3.77% Cu (Copper), 3.06% Ni (Nickel), 0.21% Co (Cobalt) and 6.83% Zn (Zinc). These values are well in excess of select dump samples from historical underground workings and represent in-place, vein style mineralization. Sampling of oxide and sulfide bearing boulders directly downhill of the patented workings has confirmed the presence of very high zinc (>10%) and silver (>200ppm), as well as copper, uranium, and lead. (Sampling results provided above were previously published in the Green Monster Project NI 43-101 Technical Report dated June 20, 2023, Section 7.5).

About Glenstar Minerals Inc.

Glenstar is a mineral exploration company with a focus on polymetallic minerals. These elements are classified as critical minerals and are essential in the manufacturing of sophisticated electronics and other vital energy technologies. The Company's mission is to leverage its knowledge and connections to explore, acquire, and develop critical mineral and energy metal properties throughout the world.

Glenstar's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "GSTR", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "VO20", and on the Over-the-Counter market (OTCQB) in the United States under the symbol "GSTRF".

Robert Marvin, P.Geo (ONT) is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is the independent consulting geologist for Glenstar Minerals Inc., who has examined the Green Monster and Wildhorse properties on the ground numerous times since 2022 and 2024 respectively. All fieldwork relating to geologic observations and sampling as reported herein, has been directly overseen by Mr. Marvin who supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"David Ryan"

President & CEO

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of any Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Mineral exploration is subject to risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any potential results or findings that may be suggested in this press release will ultimately happen. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile and on the Company's website. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date.

This release may contain certain forwardlooking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forwardlooking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forwardlooking statements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations. We seek safe harbour.
EDMONTON, AB / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE:EMET) (OTCQB:EMETF) (FSE:4LF0) ("Canamera" or the "Company") announces strong progress from its maiden exploration drill program at the Turvolandia rare earth element ("REE") project in Brazil. Phase 1, launched in mid-November, and comprising approximately 1,000 metres of drilling designed to evaluate the thickness and continuity of near-surface ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization across three priority target areas defined by historical work, a deposit style that has attracted growing interest for its potential to supply the global magnet rare earths market. To date, roughly one-third of the planned holes have been completed, with drilling expected to pause in December for the Christmas holidays.

"This drill program marks a significant milestone in advancing the Turvolandia REE project," stated Brad Brodeur, CEO of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. " With global rare earth supply chains under increasing geopolitical pressure, Brazil represents a jurisdictionally secure source of these critical elements. We're excited to systematically test the three priority target areas as we work towards further understanding the project's geological profile."

TURVOLANDIA PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Turvolandia Project is located immediately east of the Pocos de Caldas alkaline complex, a 30square kilometre intrusive system in southern Minas Gerais that is rapidly emerging as one of Brazil's most important ionicclay rare earth districts. This plateau hosts thick, deeply weathered clay profiles developed over REEenriched phonolitic and nepheline syenite, the same style of geology that underpins major ionadsorption clay deposits in southern China and has attracted significant global interest for its potential to support relatively lowercost extraction compared to traditional hardrock REE deposits. The property, situated in the southwest area of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, approximately 200 km northeast of Sao Paulo and 294 km southwest of Belo Horizonte, is prospective for ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization.

Canamera holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth ionic clay projects in Brazil by making staged cash and share payments to the vendors and funding minimum exploration expenditures over the option term. Upon exercise of the option, the vendors will retain a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on production from the projects, onehalf of which (0.5%) can be repurchased by Canamera for a cash payment of $500,000. Additional cash payments are also payable to the vendors upon the achievement of defined technical milestones, including publication of a mineral resource estimate, preliminary economic assessment and feasibility study for the projects.

Figure 1: Property Location

PHASE 1 DRILL PROGRAM DETAILS

The Phase 1 program is designed to consist of approximately 48 - 54 vertical auger holes across three separate target areas, with each area budgeted for 16-18 holes. Holes are to be drilled to depths of approximately 20-25 meters to test for thickness and continuity of ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization.

The aim of the drill program is to obtain information on the geometry, distribution, and continuity of the ionic clay mineralization, which will inform future exploration strategies.

Figure 2: Target Areas for Current Program

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Warren Robb, P.Geo. (British Columbia), VicePresident, Exploration of the Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43101.

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification processes and procedures, please see its mostly recently-filed technical report, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Canamera Metals Corp.

Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a critical minerals exploration company building a diversified portfolio of interests in energy metals and rare earth element projects across the Americas, including options in the Great Divide Basin uranium project in Wyoming, and the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth element projects in Brazil. In Canada, the Company's portfolio includes the options to purchase 90% of Schryburt Lake and 100% of the Garrow rare earth and niobium projects in Ontario and the Mantle project in British Columbia. Across this portfolio, Canamera targets underexplored regions with strong geological signatures and supportive jurisdictions, applying geochemical, geophysical, and geological datasets to generate and advance high-conviction, first-mover exploration targets. For more information, visit www.canamerametals.com .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Brad Brodeur

Chief Executive Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

780-238-7123

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will," "plans," "expects," "could," "potential," "objective," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the commencement and completion of the Phase 1 drill program; the number and depth of drill holes to be completed; the ability of the drill program to test for thickness and continuity of REE mineralization; expectations regarding the geological model and potential for resource definition work in 2026; the nature and characteristics of ionic clay-hosted REE deposits; the strategic importance of rare earth supply chains; and the Company's exploration strategies at the Turvolandia Project.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, and opinions of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete the drill program as planned; uncertainties related to the interpretation of drill results and the geology of the Turvolandia Project; variations in the continuity, thickness, and grade of REE mineralization; changes in commodity prices for rare earth elements; uncertainties related to the metallurgical characteristics and economic extractability of ionic clay-hosted REE mineralization; availability of financing for continued exploration; the ability to obtain necessary permits and regulatory approvals in Brazil; geopolitical and economic conditions affecting rare earth supply and demand; changes in exchange rates; and general risks associated with mineral exploration in foreign jurisdictions.

Additional risk factors affecting the Company can be found in the Company's continuous disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA / OTCQX: MDNGF) (Midnight Sun or the Company) invites investors to attend a webinar on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. PST/1:00 p.m. EST. The Company will be discussing developments at both its Dumbwa and Kazhiba targets and will host presentations by COO Kevin Bonel and VP Exploration Adrian Karolko. Live Q&A with the team will follow presentations.

Midnight Sun Webinar and Technical Update

December 17th at 10:00 a.m. PST/1:00 p.m. EST

Join the Midnight Sun Webinar here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86571966252



Meeting ID: 865 7196 6252

About Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by producing copper mines, including Africas largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantums Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Suns goal is to find and develop Zambias next generational copper deposit.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP.

Al Fabbro

President & CEO

For Further Information Contact:

Adrian OBrien

VP Business Development and Communications

Tel: +1 604 809 6890

Em: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
New structure opens up 10 kilometres of potential strike length along the Mishibishu Deformation Zone; 2026 drilling will focus on validating new interpretation and identifying similar structures across the land package

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX:WDO, OTCQX:WDOFF) (Wesdome or the Company) today provides an update on its surface exploration activities at its wholly-owned Eagle River mine (Eagle River) near Wawa, Ontario, Canada (Figure 1).

Anthea Bath, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, The extensive work undertaken on Eagle Rivers regional targets has yielded encouraging results, including a new interpretation at Mishi and Magnacon that opens up 10 kilometres of potential strike length for exploration along the Mishibishu Deformation Zone. Long-term target generation at Eagle River has taken a major step forward this year, powered by the detailed structural mapping program we launched in mid-2024. Were now seeing that systematic groundwork is beginning to pay off, reshaping how we approach exploration across several key targets. Underground, our team has been fully committed to the first phase of global model drilling, and the results to date are validating our early interpretations. We remain on track to finish this phase ahead of the drilling cutoff for the year-end technical report. With everything coming together, momentum is building and were excited to carry it into an expanded regional exploration program next year.

Jono Lawrence, Senior Vice President Exploration and Resources, added, A significant portion of gold deposits in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt are hosted within metasedimentary packages or preserved structural footwalls of thrust systems, and this is exactly what we are seeing at Mishi. Based on surface samples collected in 2025, together with historical drilling, we potentially have a high-grade thrust system to the south of the Mishibishu Deformation Zone. Confirming the systems presence is now a top priority for our 2026 exploration program.

HIGHLIGHTS

Mishi Zone (Figure 2, Table 1)1



Drilling extends strike length and confirms potential for depth extensions

Hole MSH-2025-024: 6.4 g/t Au uncapped over 2.5 m core length (6.4 g/t Au capped, 2.3 m true width) and, 8.3 g/t Au uncapped over 4.7 m core length (8.3 g/t Au capped, 4.5 m true width) including, 16.3 g/t Au uncapped over 1.0 m core length 18.3 g/t Au uncapped over 0.8 m core length

Hole MSH-2025-007: 5.7 g/t Au uncapped over 4.0 m core length (5.7 g/t Au capped, 3.9 m true width) including, 7.2 g/t Au uncapped over 0.5 m core length 9.0 g/t Au uncapped over 0.8 m core length

Hole MSH-2025-019: 5.5 g/t Au uncapped over 3.5 m core length (5.5 g/t Au capped, 3.4 m true width) including, 35.1 g/t Au uncapped over 0.5 m core length

Hole MSH-2025-028: 5.4 g/t Au uncapped over 3.1 m core length (5.4 g/t Au capped, 2.7m true width) including, 32.6 g/t Au uncapped over 0.4 m core length

Hole MSH-2025-009: 3.8 g/t Au uncapped over 2.5 m core length (3.8 g/t Au capped, 2.5m true width) including, 7.2 g/t Au uncapped over 1.0 m core length

Hole MSH-2025-008: 3.1 g/t Au uncapped over 6.5 m core length (3.1 g/t Au capped, 6.4 true width) including, 7.3 g/t Au uncapped over 0.5 m core length



Dorset Zone (Figure 3, Table 1)3



Drilling builds on previous results and confirms that the deposit remains open at depth and along strike

Hole GS-25-232: 2.2 g/t Au uncapped over 5.2 m core length

Hole GS-25-239: 1.6 g/t Au uncapped over 8.9 m core length

Falcon 720 Zone (Figure 4, Table 1)2



Confirming eastern extension

Hole ERS-2025-057: 10.0 g/t Au uncapped over 5.4 m core length (10.0 g/t capped, 4.0 m true width)

Hole ERS-2025-055: 4.3 g/t Au uncapped over 2.3 m core length (4.3 g/t capped, 1.6 m true width)

Hole ERS-2025-054: 3.9 g/t Au uncapped over 4.4 m core length (3.9 g/t capped, 3.3 m true width)

Cameron Lake Iron Formation (Figure 5, Table 1)3



Drilling supports work completed by Angus Gold; continues to intercept grades greater than 1.0 g/t over significant thickness and confirms that the deposit remains open at depth and along strike

Hole GS-25-263: 1.1 g/t Au uncapped over 39.0 m core length

Hole GS-25-264: 1.0 g/t Au uncapped over 88.6 m core length

1 Assays capped at 50.0 g/t for Mishi Zone.

2 Assays capped at 125 g/t for Falcon 720 Zone.

3 No top cut or true width defined.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Regional Exploration

Wesdomes exploration efforts across the 400 km Eagle River land package have accelerated over the past six months. With the objective of advancing a diverse pipeline of targets at varying stages of drill readiness, the Company has been actively conducting structural mapping, grab sampling, ground geophysical surveys, and drilling across multiple high-potential areas of the property. This includes the entire Mishi-Magnacon trend within the Mishibishu Deformation Zone, as well as the Eagle River Splay-North Diorite area. Additionally, the Feather River and Abbey Lake areas have emerged as high-priority long-term targets based on newly interpreted structural features and encouraging historical work.

Mishi and Magnacon Historic Mine Areas

Significant progress has been made at the Mishi and Magnacon historic mine areas, which are being advanced as part of the global model program. A comprehensive drilling program was executed across the broader project area in 2025, with assay results currently being compiled as they are received.

At Mishi, a 9,600-metre program was designed to evaluate the deposits expansion potential and to support a future update to the mineral resource estimate. Key objectives included testing the down-plunge continuity of the mineralized zones, twinning priority historical intercepts, and evaluating untested gaps to the west of the existing open pit. Initial results are confirming that near-surface mineralization of favourable grade and thickness extends along strike for nearly one kilometre to the west of the current Mishi pit boundary, pointing to a meaningful opportunity to expand the known mineralized footprint.

Drilling has also reinforced the potential for extensions to the mineralized system at depth, with hole MSH-2025-024 intersecting 8.3 g/t Au (uncapped) over 4.7 metres of core length (8.3 g/t Au capped over 4.5 metres true width) beginning at a downhole depth of 325.6 metres. The same hole also intersected 6.4 g/t Au (uncapped) over 2.5 metres at shallower depth, indicating a potential parallel mineralized trend north of the established Mishi trend.

At Magnacon, a 3,200-metre drill program was completed in 2025 to collect critical structural information, twin select historical intercepts, evaluate geological concepts related to the controls of higher-grade mineralization, and confirm the positions of key historical underground workings. Drilling intersected the historic stopes as expected, confirming the historical data. These results, combined with ongoing surface geological and structural mapping, are expected to contribute to a separate updated geological and resource model in 2026. All assay results from Magnacon are pending.

Detailed mapping has been completed along a 10-kilometre strike length of the Mishi-Magnacon trend and has defined a newly interpreted basin margin thrust fault, accompanied by the identification of meta-conglomerates (Figure 6).

The well-defined position of this structural boundary is particularly significant, as gold mineralization within the Mishibishu Deformation Zone is consistently located in close proximity to this contact. The thrust marks the boundary between metasedimentary rocks to the south and metavolcanic rocks to the north. This is a critical interpretation as a significant portion of gold deposits throughout the Abitibi Greenstone Belt occur within the metasedimentary package or preserved structural footwalls of thrust systems rather than the volcanic units.

Notably, the known Mishi and Magnacon deposits sit within the metavolcanic package to the north of the structure, underscoring a compelling new exploration opportunity within the metasediments to the south. Newly collected grab samples from the 2025 field season, taken south of the basin margin contact, and within the metasedimentary package, four kilometres to the east of the Magnacon deposit, returned anomalous values of up to 51.5 g/t, further reinforcing the untapped potential of this setting.

This structural interpretation also strengthens the exploration opportunity at the Feather River target, located eight kilometres to the east of Magnacon on the Mishibishu Deformation Zone. The target straddles the interpreted eastern extension of the basin margin thrust, aligning it with the new geological model. Historical drilling in this area includes intercepts of 0.9 metres at 20.5 g/t Au (historic hole M-160) and 0.3 metres at 21.8 g/t Au (historic hole M-155). Minimal drilling has been completed south of the interpreted thrust in this area, and a proof-of-concept drill program has been incorporated into the exploration budget for 2026.

The newly recognized significance of the contact between the mafic volcanics and sedimentary rocks along the Mishibishu Deformation Zone also underscores the importance of further evaluating the volcanicsedimentary contact present at the Dorset Zone. This same contact hosts Dorset West, the highest-grade portion of the currently defined gold zone.

In addition, consistently mapped shallow, eastward-plunging fold hinges along the Mishibishu Corridor (Figure 6) highlight a potential structural control on mineralization, an important development as the amount of down-plunge drilling accelerates at the Mishi deposit, where strong potential exists to expand the mineralized zone. This structural framework also appears significant at Dorset, where recent drilling was planned to test an easterly plunge to the mineralization. Drillhole GS-25-208 successfully intersected 1.8 g/t Au over 19.0 metres, including 6.0 g/t Au over 5.3 metres (see the Companys press release dated September 3, 2025). While additional mapping is required to refine the structural model at Dorset, the emerging similarities are encouraging as property-scale exploration becomes an increasing focus at the Eagle River Project.

Dorset Zone

More than 14,000 metres of drilling was completed across Dorset in 2025, including the drilling completed by the previous owner of the property, Angus Gold Inc. (Angus), in the first half of the year. The 2025 program was specifically designed to support the development of a new mineral resource estimate. Wireframes for the Dorset resource (Figure 7) have now been completed, and final resource numbers are expected to be disclosed in 2026. This work establishes a robust foundation for strategic planned resource expansion drilling next year.

Falcon Zone

Surface drilling at the upper Falcon Zone continued throughout 2025, with approximately 8,400 metres completed. The objective of the program was to further define the western and near-surface extents of the Falcon Zone. High-grade assays continue to be returned, including hole ERS-2025-052 intersecting 17.3 g/t Au over 1.5 metres core length and ERS-2025-057 intersecting 10.0 g/t Au over 5.4 metres core length, both along the eastern edge of the currently defined Falcon Zone mineralization. Most assay results are still pending.

A 9.5 km IP survey covering the western extensions of the Falcon Zone, as well as the western continuations of the 2024 IP anomalies A and D, is nearing completion. Initial drill testing of IP anomalies identified in the 2024 survey returned encouraging results. Completion of the expanded IP grid is expected to generate a number of new exploration targets for drill testing in 2026, particularly as results from the Falcon West area continue to highlight strong potential for resource expansion within the volcanic packages west of the mine diorite.

Cameron Lake Iron Formation

At the Cameron Lake Iron Formation, a 4,300-metre exploration program was completed in early November. The objectives of this program included defining the geometry of gold-bearing zones at depth, enhancing the geological model, collecting material for preliminary metallurgical deportment studies, and supporting future resource evaluations. Step-out drilling was also conducted to the east and west of the known gold zone to test for extensions of mineralization along strike which has now been defined over more than one kilometre. Most assays remain pending, but the intersection of 88.6 metres at 1.0 g/t highlights the potential of the zone to host bulk tonnage mineralization.

New High Priority Targets Ready for Testing in 2026  Eagle River Splay-North Diorite, and Abbey Lake

Eagle River Splay-North Diorite

The Eagle River Splay-North Diorite area remains a high-priority exploration target at Eagle River as the interlayered and deformed mafic and felsic volcanic units within the Eagle River Splay shear, in direct contact with the north diorite, closely mimic the geological environment hosting the high-grade Falcon Zone at Eagle River. During the fall of 2025, a soil sampling grid was completed over the target area, with results returning interpreted anomalies associated with the northern contact of the diorite unit. An IP ground geophysical survey is planned for early 2026 over the north diorite, acting as a continuation of the grid previously completed by Angus across the volcanic portion of the Eagle River Splay. The soil sampling results, combined with the latest structural mapping data, will guide the refinement of drill targets scheduled for testing in 2026.

Abbey Lake

At Abbey Lake, an IP survey covering six kilometres of strike length is currently underway and anticipated to be completed before year-end. Completion of this survey will allow for further refinement of drill targets already included in the 2026 surface exploration budget. The Abbey Lake target encompasses a 10-kilometre segment of the Pukaskwa Deformation Zone, a northeast-trending regional structural corridor interpreted to extend toward and into the nearby Island Gold Mine. Despite its strategic position, the corridor remains largely untested, with historical grab samples returning values up to 32.0 g/t Au. Abbey Lake will be a major focus of the Companys 2026 structural mapping program with first drill testing of new targets in the fall.

About Wesdome

Wesdome is a Canadian-focused gold producer with two high-grade underground assets, Eagle River in Northern Ontario and Kiena in Val-dOr, Quebec. The Companys primary goal is to responsibly leverage its operating platform and high-quality brownfield and greenfield exploration pipeline to build a value-driven mid-tier gold producer.

For more information:

Raj Gill Trish Moran SVP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Vice President, Investor Relations Phone: +1.416.360.3743 Phone: +1.416.564.4290 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Technical Disclosure

The sampling of, and assay data from, Eagle River mine drill core is monitored through the implementation of a quality assurance - quality control (QA/QC) program designed to follow industry best practice. Underground drill samples are transported in sealed bags to the Eagle River laboratory in Wawa, Ontario (which is operated by Wesdome, is not independent, and is not accredited). Samples are analyzed for gold using standard fire assay technique with gravimetric finish. Wesdome inserts blanks and certified reference standards into the sample sequence for quality control at the laboratory. The QA/QC procedure is described in more detail in the Technical Report for the Eagle River Gold Mining Complex, Ontario, Canada filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ on April 22, 2022. In 2024, core sample length was changed from 0.3 metres to 0.5 metres, while respecting lithological contacts. Pulps are sent to SGS (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and independent laboratory), as an external laboratory check of Au assay, run in duplicate, with a sample frequency of 30 to 40 samples selected each month.

Surface drilling, the drill core, NQ in size, was cut in half with a diamond saw resulting in a half core sample for assay and a half core sample to be retained for reference. Samples were transported in sealed bags by laboratory registered courier trucks and transported to AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and independent laboratory, accredited lab No. 665) for preparation and analysis. Pulps are analyzed by fire assay and AAS finish (AGAT method 202-051). Samples that graded more than 10 g/t Au were subsequently tested by gravimetric (202-064) and metallic screen (202-121) assays. AGAT laboratories is an accredited lab (ISO/IEC 17025:2017, accredited lab No. 665). Halved drill core is kept stored at the Eagle River Complex in core racks for long-term storage. Pulps are returned to Wesdome and are stored in a sea-canister at the operations office in the Mishi camp. QA/QC is achieved with a 3-sample package (a blank, a pulp duplicate and a commercial gold standard) that are inserted into the sample stream at an interval of 20 samples. Consequently, 15 QA/QC samples are inserted for each 100 samples. Additionally, blanks were inserted after visible gold is observed to prevent contamination between samples.

For Angus property surface drill core, the drill core, NQ in size, was cut in half with a diamond saw resulting in a half core sample for assay and a half core sample to be retained for reference. Samples were transported in sealed bags by laboratory registered courier trucks and transported to AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and independent) for preparation and analysis. Halved drill core is kept stored at the Golden Sky Exploration Camp in core racks for long-term storage. Pulps were returned to the Golden Sky Camp and stored in sea-canister at the operations office for future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples, which included insertion of mineralized certified reference material and blank samples for each batch of 20 samples. The gold analyses were completed by fire-assay with an atomic absorption finish on 50 grams of materials. Repeats were carried out by fire-assay followed by gravimetric testing on each sample containing 3.0 g/t gold or more.

The technical content of this release has been compiled, reviewed, and approved by Breanne Beh, P.Geo,, Director Surface and Greenfields Exploration for Wesdome, who is the Companys "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, or believes or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, the following statements relating to Eagle River with respect to: the focus of the 2026 drilling program; the encouraging results of work done on Eagle Rivers regional targets; the potential for a high-grade thrust system to the south of the Mishibishu Deformation Zone; the Company being on track to finish the first phase of global model drilling ahead of the drilling cutoff for the year-end technical report; the Feather River and Abbey Lake areas emerging as high-priority long-term targets; the indication that there is a meaningful opportunity to expand the known mineralized footprint at Mishi; the potential for extensions to the mineralized system at depth at Mishi due to the results of hole MSH-2025-024, and the potential for parallel mineralized trend north of the established Mishi trend due to results from the same hole; the 2025 drilling results from Magnacon, combined with ongoing surface geological and structural mapping, expected to contribute to a separate updated geological and resource model in 2026; the compelling new exploration opportunity, and the untapped potential, within the metasediments to the south because the known Mishi and Magnacon deposits sit within the metavolcanic package to the north of the structure (and strengthening of the exploration opportunity at the Feather River target because of this structural interpretation); consistently mapped shallow, eastward-plunging fold hinges along the Mishibishu Corridor highlighting a potential structural control on mineralization, with strong potential existing to expand the mineralized zone (and similar structural framework appearing at Dorset, with the emerging similarities being encouraging); final resource numbers of the Dorset Zone expected to be disclosed in 2026; initial drill testing of IP anomalies identified in the 2024 survey returning encouraging results; the expectation that completing the expanded IP grid will generate a number of new exploration targets for drill testing in 2026; results from the Falcon West area continuing to highlight strong potential for resource expansion within the volcanic packages west of the mine diorite; the Eagle River Splay-North Diorite area closely mimicking the geological environment hosting the high-grade Falcon Zone at Eagle River; an IP ground geophysical survey being planned for early 2026 over the north diorite of the Eagle the Splay-North Diorite area and the aspects that will the guide the refinement of drill targets scheduled for testing in 2026 for the area; the IP survey at Abbey Lake anticipated to be completed before year-end, and the completion of this survey allowing for further refinement of drill targets; and Abbey Lake being a major focus of the Companys 2026 mapping program.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by securities legislation. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risk factors discussed in the sections titled Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information and Risks and Uncertainties in the Companys most recent Annual Information Form. Readers are urged to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ and on the Companys website.

APPENDIX

Figure 1: Eagle River 2025 Regional Work Plan

Figure 2: Mishi Long Section (Looking South)

Figure 3: Dorset Zone Plan View

Figure 4: Falcon Zone Long Section (Looking North)

Figure 5: Cameron Lake Iron Formation Plan View

Figure 6: Mishibishu Deformation Zone Detailed Geological Map

Figure 7: Dorset Zone Longitudinal Section

The longitudinal section below illustrates the evolution of the geological interpretation based on new drilling. These shapes are conceptual grade-shell interpretations used internally for drill planning and do not represent a mineral resource estimate.

Table 1: Eagle River Drill Results (Previously Unreleased)

Composite Results



Figures in table may not add due to rounding

Hole No. From

(m) To

(m) Core

Length (m) Estimated

True Width (m) Grade

(g/t Au) Cut Grade

(g/t Au) Target

Mishi

MSH-2025-007 73.5 77.5 4.0 3.9 5.7 5.7 Mishi MSH-2025-008 53.0 59.5 6.5 6.4 3.1 3.1 Mishi MSH-2025-009 29.5 32.0 2.5 2.5 3.8 3.8 Mishi MSH-2025-015 24.0 28.5 4.5 4.5 2.0 2.0 Mishi MSH-2025-019 19.6 23.0 3.5 3.4 5.5 5.5 Mishi MSH-2025-020 31.5 36.1 4.6 4.5 2.5 2.5 Mishi MSH-2025-021 66.8 67.4 0.6 0.6 6.0 6.0 Mishi MSH-2025-023 25.0 26.2 1.2 1.1 7.3 7.3 Mishi MSH-2025-023 56.0 71.2 15.2 14.3 1.1 1.1 Mishi MSH-2025-024 123.0 125.5 2.5 2.3 6.4 6.4 Mishi MSH-2025-024 305.4 311.0 5.6 5.3 2.5 2.5 Mishi MSH-2025-024 325.6 330.3 4.7 4.5 8.3 8.3 Mishi MSH-2025-025 297.5 309.4 11.9 11.7 0.9 0.9 Mishi MSH-2025-026 53.3 54.9 1.6 1.6 3.6 3.6 Mishi MSH-2025-028 61.0 64.1 3.1 2.7 5.4 5.4 Mishi

Cameron Lake Iron Formation

GS-25-263 13.0 52.0 39.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 84.7 85.7 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-263 103.2 104.0 0.8 2.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 17.2 105.8 88.6 1.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 108.5 109.4 0.9 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 113.1 114.1 1.0 1.9 Iron Formation GS-25-264 132.0 134.0 2.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-265 43.0 44.0 1.0 6.5 Iron Formation GS-25-265 47.0 49.0 2.0 2.1 Iron Formation GS-25-265 54.0 55.0 1.0 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-265 71.5 73.1 1.6 2.1 Iron Formation GS-25-265 85.0 86.0 1.0 2.3 Iron Formation GS-25-265 103.0 106.0 3.0 3.1 Iron Formation GS-25-265 114.0 123.0 9.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-265 139.0 140.0 1.0 2.0 Iron Formation GS-25-265 195.6 197.2 1.6 2.1 Iron Formation GS-25-265 199.0 200.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-265 204.0 205.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-265 208.0 209.0 1.0 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-265 212.0 213.0 1.0 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-265 224.0 225.0 1.0 1.8 Iron Formation

Hole No. From

(m) To

(m) Core

Length (m) Estimated

True Width (m) Grade

(g/t Au) Cut Grade

(g/t Au) Target

Dorset Zone

GS-25-232 88.9 94.1 5.2 2.2 Dorset GS-25-239 11.8 20.7 8.9 1.6 Dorset GS-25-247 216.2 217.4 1.2 4.1 Dorset

Falcon 720 Zone

ERS-2025-043 46.5 47.0 0.5 0.4 5.2 5.2 Falcon 720 ERS-2025-049 143.0 144.0 1.0 0.6 6.8 6.8 Falcon 720 ERS-2025-050 147.0 151.0 4.0 2.3 1.6 1.6 Falcon 720 ERS-2025-054 136.0 140.4 4.4 3.3 3.9 3.9 Falcon 720 ERS-2025-055 152.2 154.5 2.3 1.6 4.3 4.3 Falcon 720 ERS-2025-057 135.0 140.4 5.4 4.0 10.0 10.0 Falcon 720

Assay Results



Figures in table may not add due to rounding

Hole

No. From

(m) To

(m) Core Length

(m) Grade

(g/t Au) Cut Grade

(g/t Au)

Target MSH-2025-007 73.5 74.0 0.5 4.3 4.3 Mishi MSH-2025-007 74.0 74.5 0.5 7.2 7.2 Mishi MSH-2025-007 74.5 75.0 0.5 3.5 3.5 Mishi MSH-2025-007 75.0 75.8 0.8 9.0 9.0 Mishi MSH-2025-007 75.8 76.5 0.8 1.6 1.6 Mishi MSH-2025-007 76.5 77.5 1.0 1.6 1.6 Mishi MSH-2025-008 53.0 54.0 1.0 5.0 5.0 Mishi MSH-2025-008 54.0 55.0 1.0 2.1 2.1 Mishi MSH-2025-008 55.0 56.0 1.0 1.4 1.4 Mishi MSH-2025-008 56.0 57.0 1.0 1.4 1.4 Mishi MSH-2025-008 57.0 58.0 1.0 2.9 2.9 Mishi MSH-2025-008 58.0 59.0 1.0 3.9 3.9 Mishi MSH-2025-008 59.0 59.5 0.5 7.3 7.3 Mishi MSH-2025-009 29.5 30.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 Mishi MSH-2025-009 30.5 31.0 0.5 4.5 4.5 Mishi MSH-2025-009 31.0 32.0 1.0 7.2 7.2 Mishi MSH-2025-019 19.6 20.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 Mishi MSH-2025-019 20.2 20.9 0.7 1.6 1.6 Mishi MSH-2025-019 20.9 21.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 Mishi MSH-2025-019 21.3 21.8 0.5 35.1 35.1 Mishi MSH-2025-024 123.0 124.0 1.0 0.2 0.2 Mishi MSH-2025-024 124.0 124.5 0.5 29.3 29.3 Mishi MSH-2025-024 124.5 125.5 1.0 1.1 1.1 Mishi MSH-2025-024 305.4 306.0 0.6 1.4 1.4 Mishi MSH-2025-024 306.0 307.0 0.9 1.5 1.5 Mishi MSH-2025-024 307.0 308.0 1.1 2.2 2.2 Mishi MSH-2025-024 308.0 309.0 1.0 3.7 3.7 Mishi MSH-2025-024 309.0 309.5 0.5 7.3 7.3 Mishi MSH-2025-024 309.5 310.5 1.0 1.4 1.4 Mishi MSH-2025-024 310.5 311.0 0.5 1.4 1.4 Mishi MSH-2025-024 325.6 326.2 0.6 1.8 1.8 Mishi MSH-2025-024 326.2 327.2 1.0 0.6 0.6 Mishi MSH-2025-024 327.2 328.2 1.0 16.3 16.3 Mishi MSH-2025-024 328.2 329.1 0.9 18.3 18.3 Mishi MSH-2025-024 329.1 329.6 0.6 8.1 8.1 Mishi MSH-2025-024 329.6 330.3 0.7 1.3 1.3 Mishi MSH-2025-028 61.0 61.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 Mishi MSH-2025-028 61.5 62.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 Mishi MSH-2025-028 62.0 62.6 0.6 0.2 0.2 Mishi MSH-2025-028 62.6 63.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 Mishi MSH-2025-028 63.2 63.7 0.5 2.8 2.8 Mishi MSH-2025-028 63.7 64.1 0.4 32.6 32.6 Mishi GS-25-209 169.5 171.0 1.5 10.9 Dorset GS-25-209 171.0 172.5 1.5 0.4 Dorset GS-25-232 88.9 90.0 1.1 1.2 Dorset GS-25-232 90.0 91.0 1.0 0.5 Dorset GS-25-232 91.0 92.0 1.0 1.4 Dorset GS-25-232 92.0 93.0 1.0 1.9 Dorset GS-25-232 93.0 94.1 1.1 5.8 Dorset GS-25-239 11.8 12.8 1.0 2.7 Dorset GS-25-239 12.8 13.8 1.0 1.5 Dorset GS-25-239 13.8 14.8 1.0 0.2 Dorset GS-25-239 14.8 15.8 1.0 0.6 Dorset GS-25-239 15.8 16.8 1.0 1.8 Dorset GS-25-239 16.8 17.8 1.0 2.6 Dorset GS-25-239 17.8 18.8 1.0 0.3 Dorset GS-25-239 18.8 19.8 1.0 3.8 Dorset GS-25-239 19.8 20.7 0.9 1.2 Dorset GS-25-247 216.2 216.8 0.6 1.9 Dorset GS-25-247 216.8 217.4 0.6 6.2 Dorset GS-25-263 13.0 14.0 1.0 0.8 Iron Formation GS-25-263 14.0 15.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-263 15.0 15.7 0.7 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 15.7 16.6 0.9 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 16.6 17.5 0.9 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 17.5 18.4 0.9 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 18.4 19.3 0.9 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-263 19.3 20.2 0.9 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 20.2 21.0 0.8 1.9 Iron Formation GS-25-263 21.0 22.0 1.0 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-263 22.0 23.0 1.0 0.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 23.0 24.0 1.0 0.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 24.0 25.1 1.1 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 25.1 26.2 1.1 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 26.2 27.0 0.8 0.4 Iron Formation GS-25-263 27.0 28.0 1.0 3.7 Iron Formation GS-25-263 28.0 28.7 0.7 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 28.7 29.5 0.8 0.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 29.5 30.3 0.8 0.7 Iron Formation GS-25-263 30.3 31.2 0.9 0.7 Iron Formation GS-25-263 31.2 32.0 0.8 0.8 Iron Formation GS-25-263 32.0 33.0 1.0 0.7 Iron Formation GS-25-263 33.0 34.0 1.0 3.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 34.0 35.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 35.0 36.0 1.0 2.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 36.0 37.0 1.0 2.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 37.0 38.0 1.0 2.5 Iron Formation GS-25-263 38.0 39.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 39.0 40.0 1.0 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-263 40.0 41.0 1.0 2.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 41.0 42.0 1.0 0.6 Iron Formation GS-25-263 42.0 43.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-263 43.0 44.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 44.0 45.0 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-263 45.0 46.0 1.0 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-263 46.0 47.0 1.0 0.7 Iron Formation GS-25-263 47.0 48.0 1.0 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-263 48.0 49.0 1.0 1.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 49.0 50.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 50.0 51.0 1.0 1.0 Iron Formation GS-25-263 51.0 52.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-263 84.7 85.7 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-263 103.2 104.0 0.8 2.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 17.2 18.0 0.8 5.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 18.0 19.0 1.0 0.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 19.0 20.0 1.0 0.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 20.0 21.0 1.0 0.2 Iron Formation GS-25-264 21.0 22.0 1.0 0.8 Iron Formation GS-25-264 22.0 23.0 1.0 0.8 Iron Formation GS-25-264 23.0 24.0 1.0 0.9 Iron Formation GS-25-264 24.0 25.0 1.0 0.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 25.0 26.0 1.0 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 26.0 27.0 1.0 2.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 27.0 28.0 1.0 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 28.0 29.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 29.0 30.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 30.0 31.0 1.0 0.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 31.0 32.0 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 32.0 33.0 1.0 0.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 33.0 34.0 1.0 2.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 34.0 35.0 1.0 7.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 35.0 36.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 36.0 37.0 1.0 0.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 37.0 38.0 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 38.0 39.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 39.0 40.0 1.0 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 40.0 40.9 0.9 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 40.9 41.7 0.8 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 41.7 42.5 0.8 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 42.5 43.3 0.8 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 43.3 44.1 0.8 0.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 44.1 44.8 0.7 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 44.8 45.8 1.0 0.9 Iron Formation GS-25-264 45.8 46.6 0.8 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 46.6 47.4 0.8 0.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 47.4 48.2 0.8 1.7 Iron Formation GS-25-264 48.2 49.0 0.8 1.7 Iron Formation GS-25-264 49.0 50.0 1.0 2.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 50.0 51.0 1.0 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 51.0 52.0 1.0 1.4 Iron Formation GS-25-264 52.0 53.0 1.0 1.2 Iron Formation GS-25-264 53.0 54.0 1.0 0.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 54.0 55.0 1.0 1.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 55.0 56.0 1.0 1.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 56.0 57.0 1.0 2.7 Iron Formation GS-25-264 57.0 58.0 1.0 3.8 Iron Formation GS-25-264 58.0 59.0 1.0 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 59.0 60.0 1.0 1.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 60.0 61.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 61.0 62.0 1.0 1.1 Iron Formation GS-25-264 62.0 63.0 1.0 0.2 Iron Formation GS-25-264 63.0 64.0 1.0 1.6 Iron Formation GS-25-264 64.0 65.0 1.0 1.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 65.0 66.0 1.0 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 66.0 67.0 1.0 0.3 Iron Formation GS-25-264 67.0 68.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 68.0 69.0 1.0 2.2 Iron Formation GS-25-264 69.0 70.0 1.0 0.5 Iron Formation GS-25-264 70.0 71.0 1.0 4.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 71.0 71.7 0.7 0.8 Iron Formation GS-25-264 71.7 72.5 0.8 0.7 Iron Formation GS-25-264 72.5 73.3 0.8 0.9 Iron Formation GS-25-264 73.3 74.0 0.7 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 74.0 75.0 1.0 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 75.0 76.0 1.0 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 76.0 77.0 1.0 0.0 Iron Formation GS-25-264 77.0 78.0 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*Given that there is no conceptual geological model for Dorset or the Cameron Lake Iron Formation, neither true width nor top cuts have been defined.
JUSTICE INFO: How would you describe the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan now?

RICHARD BENNETT: Women are discriminated against, segregated, and their rights have been restricted to the degree that I and others have concluded that this is intentional, systematic, institutionalised. Its an attempt to dominate one gender over another gender by a gender group in power. Therefore it reaches the threshold of gender persecution which is a crime against humanity. Further, if you applied to gender the language that defines apartheid in the Rome Statute, but only on the grounds of race, it appears to apply to the current situation in Afghanistan. There is evidence for that, not only in the actions of the Taliban but also in their policies, their decrees. Moreover, the Taliban enforce their ideology not only through decrees but by use of threats and violence. They dont tolerate any dissent, and dissent often results in violent punishment. We have a lot of information about how womens rights are restricted  they cant wear what they want, they cant go where they want, work where they want  but if we translate that into human rights language, the key violations are of women and girls right to education, freedom of movement, employment, and participation in public and political life.

You have called this a crime against humanity. Can you explain?

The yardstick I am using is the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and what I was talking about particularly was the crime of gender persecution, which is a crime against humanity in the Rome Statute. I reached this conclusion in a report to the Human Rights Council in June 2024. Then at the beginning of this year the Prosecutor of the ICC requested arrest warrants for the Talibans top leader as well as their chief ideologue who doubles as chief justice, and the Courts pre-trial chamber issued those arrest warrants a few months later. These are for the precise crime that I had assessed a year or so before. So its more than my report saying so.

Now, some people may say thats rather symbolic because they are not going to leave Afghanistan and they wont be arrested inside Afghanistan. Thats probably true, but nevertheless, the warrants have been issued and they would be exercised if those people travelled into certain States, particularly States that are members of the Rome Statute.

You have also said you support the campaign to get gender apartheid recognized as an international crime, particularly in the context of Afghanistan. Why do you think thats important?

First, we should not underestimate the crime of gender persecution. But for gender persecution there needs to be an identified victim and an identified perpetrator. Its not a crime by a State but by individuals, whereas gender apartheid would also look at the actions, policies and laws of a State. Afghan women have said that in their understanding of apartheid, this best describes their own suffering. At the moment apartheid is only an international crime on the grounds of race, because it was developed in relation to South Africa, not on gender issues.

There are at least two ways of making gender apartheid an international crime. One is by amending the Rome Statute, and the other is by including it in a new treaty on crimes against humanity, which is currently being negotiated at the UN in New York. It would provide more obligations on other actors, particularly other States but also non-State actors including businesses, not to engage in ways that support a regime of apartheid. So it is a political as well as legal concept.

Afghan schoolgirls in Kandahar, September 2025: Afghanistan is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly forbidden to girls and women. Photo:  Sanaullah Seiam / AFP

What is your reaction to the UN Human Rights Councils decision at its last session to set up an Independent Investigative Mechanism on the most serious violations of human rights in Afghanistan, including against women and girls?

I supported it, because I think there has been a gap. But what this body will do has very little to do with gender apartheid, at least until its codified. It will investigate, collect evidence, including tracking perpetrators and linkage evidence, and create case files to facilitate criminal prosecutions. Its focus is on criminal prosecutions. Theres no other body doing that except the ICC. The difference is that the ICC can in fact prosecute. This body will be able to create the files but not prosecute itself, and would rely on the ICC or countries that exercise universal jurisdiction to undertake the prosecutions.

One important thing is that it is not looking only at the current situation. It has a comprehensive mandate. That means its not time-bound. It can go back into history and it can look at any party that has committed international crimes. So it is not targeted only on the Taliban. It can target the previous government, it can target other States, including NATO members and the US, if it wants to.

Do you know when it will be operational?

Nobody knows yet. There are a number of steps. The key one is the approval of its budget, and that takes place in New York probably around the end of this month. If its budget is approved, it will have a staggered start. The proposal in the budget that was approved by the Human Rights Council is that it gets up and running over a three-year period. It gets about a third of its staff the first year, and then a third and a third. So after three years it would have all its staff. But it can probably be operational with only some of its staff. We dont know when that is going to happen, but its going to be a number of months away. After three years, it would have a total of 43 staff, according to the budget proposal.

You say if its budget is approved. Is there any doubt about that?

The Human Rights Council has supported a budget, but it needs approval of the UN General Assemblys finance committee. The Human Rights Council resolution also calls for the establishment of a voluntary Trust Fund, so States and non-States can make contributions voluntarily, and I think it will need both regular budget and voluntary contributions.

Have many States expressed interest, or even made pledges?

There are no public pledges. I would only say that the European Union was the driver of it and member States of the EU have been taking the lead. Well have to wait and see whether the EU itself or its member States will make contributions. We really want the UNs finance committee to approve the budget and for the member States who support it politically to also support it financially.

I guess it could. The strategy of this body is not within my purview. This would be up to whoever is appointed to lead the Investigative Mechanism to decide. As I said, I think it could help cases at the ICC. It could also help if there is litigation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). As you may be aware, four countries have lodged a dispute with Afghanistan for violations of the CEDAW Convention [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women], and such a dispute can potentially go to the ICJ. But I havent thought deeply about how it might help codification of gender apartheid, because that is on quite a different track, and codification is a political decision for the UNs member states.

How will your work fit with that of the new Mechanism?

My mandate continues as before. There is not very much overlapbecause I dont undertake criminal investigations. However, cooperation will be required in that when the new investigative Mechanism is operational, I am requested to transfer relevant information to it, provided I have the consent of the information providers. I will continue with my usual work of monitoring the human rights situation, making reports on it, recommendations for improvement, advocacy with all parties, providing support to civil society, and will continue to document human rights violations. But I document at a human rights standard, that is, I gather information at the standard of reasonable grounds to believe, whereas for a criminal investigation the standard is beyond reasonable doubt.

You talked about the Crimes against Humanity Convention which is under discussion in New York. What do you think are the chances that gender apartheid will be included in the Convention?

I think its a bit too soon to tell. In discussions last year, a number of countries  around ten  indicated that they would support inclusion, or at least consideration of inclusion. But there will be a new round of discussions in January, and submissions for the text are due by April. So I would say we would have a clearer idea by the middle of next year.

Are you involved in those discussions in any way?

They are discussions between States, although I have and will probably continue to make my views known.

But some NGOs are involved on the fringes

They need to persuade States, they are the ones that decide. And yes, I am involved in that I am on record in reports and when I speak with States I advocate for it. You said NGOs are involved on the fringes, and that probably applies to me as well. By the time it gets to official discussions in New York, States have made up their minds, generally. So the work needs to be done in capitals, now. Because this is about apartheid, the States that are looked to for a signal are those that suffered apartheid  South Africa being the main one, also Namibia , so a lot of countries are not making a commitment until they see which way South Africa goes, in my opinion.

Has South Africa not said clearly that it will support this?

No it hasnt. Its been a little unclear, as far as I am aware. Some time ago it appeared to support codification, and then it appeared to back away. Its not clear what the South African position will end up being.

If gender apartheid is included in this new Convention, does that mean that international courts like the ICC will also have to recognize gender apartheid?

I cant say how courts would deal with it, butit would strengthen international law. There is really a long way to go, because the earliest the treaty would be adopted is 2029, and then there would have to be a certain number of States that ratify this treaty before it comes into force. Until it reaches that threshold, it isnt yet implemented. And then its unlikely to be retrospective, so it would only apply from the time it comes into force, which would be post-2029, at least. Codification would make a critical difference in Afghanistan and elsewhere, as it would greatly increase the pressure on any country that systematically institutionalises gender oppression. But there is no need to wait. We should already be standing in solidarity with Afghan women and calling on everyone to act against the gender persecution they are facing.
COURTROOM DIARY BY THE Capstone Course

Sciences Po Paris

    / This article is also available in Arabic on the Syrian Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) website.

The fifth week of the Lafarge trial, which began on 9 December before the 16th Chamber of the Paris Criminal Court, was marked by a series of testimonies of terror victims from Paris to Northern Syria. Victims of the 13-November attacks in Paris, representatives of the Yazidi community and former Syrian employees of Lafarge cement company each recounted the fateful consequences of corporate decisions made far beyond their reach. The week was also marked by the long-anticipated testimony of Jean-Claude Veillard, Lafarge's former security director, who was transmitting numerous information to the various branches of the security services.

The first two days saw the courtroom gripped by painful emotions stemming from the depositions of the victims of terrorism. They all emphasized that the systematic violence perpetrated by terrorist groups was made possible by the continued flow of financing. The audience on Tuesday was transported by Camille Gardesse back to the 13th of November 2015, the day on which a wave of terrorist attacks shook Paris. She recounted the shooting, the moments of fear, and the psychological trauma that lasted years after the event. Tears were shed even by a defence lawyer. The witness kept asking herself  and with her the courtroom  what could possibly lead someone to finance and engage with terrorist groups, putting lives at risk?

Wednesdays chilling deposition of Bataclan survivor Gaelle Messager stilled the courtroom into a heavy silence. She described the brutal scene of violence: for two hours, she had feigned death, while scores around her, including her own partner, had been killed. That day, she said, abstract decisions had become reality: can we, she asked, directly or indirectly, finance a terrorist group knowing that it destroys and kills? The testimony of Georges Salines, member of the Association Francaise des Victimes du Terrorisme (French Association of Victims of Terrorism) and father of a Bataclan victim took another angle: people converting to Islam under fundamentalist Islamist radicalization. While these persons are all responsible for the choices they made, they are also victims of ISISs attraction and propaganda, he said. For Philippe Duperron, father of another Bataclan victim and the president of the victim Association 13onze15 Fraternite et Verite, the reality is clear: a French company consciously sacrificed all moral and ethical considerations solely in favour of profit.

Testimony of Georges Salines. Illustration (watercolor on paper):  Maria Araos Florez

From Paris to Jalabiya

Although the French Supreme Court ruled that a V13 (for Friday the 13th) victims association could not be recognized as direct victims of terrorism financing  and therefore could not be granted civil-party status  the presiding judge nonetheless allowed several persons and victim associations to give deposition, deciding that she would rule on the status of the total of 198 civil parties at the end of the trial. This decision enabled their accounts to bridge the gap between abstract corporate decisions and their concrete consequences in France.

The civil parties deposition were not limited to the French context. On Tuesday, a representative of Yazda, an NGO documenting and addressing crimes committed by ISIS against the Yazidis, testified that financing of ISIS enabled a genocidal campaign against the Yazidi community. More than 400 Yazidi-American survivors filed a lawsuit in the United States against Lafarge in 2013, seeking financial compensation for victims. This legal action became possible following Lafarges acknowledgment of culpability in a 2022 U.S. criminal plea agreement.

On Wednesday afternoon, the testimony of four former Syrian employees of Lafarge in Syria shifted the focus to the factory of Jalabiya. They told a common story of Lafarges exacerbation of their already precarious local situation. Despite some employees being kidnapped and others having to live inside the plant, Lafarge refused to suspend its operations and pressured employees to continue working.

The apparition of Jean-Claude Veillard

From the outset of the trial, one name has echoed on nearly every partys lips: Jean-Claude Veillard, Lafarges security director from 2008 to 2018  a spectral presence in the case until this week. A former French special forces officer who ran unsuccessfully for the far-right National Rally (RN) in 2014 local elections, he was indicted in 2017 for complicity in Lafarges alleged Syrian terror financing. Yet in 2024, Veillard was the only suspect to have all charges against him dismissed by investigative judges. During the hearing, however, the Prosecutor from the National Counter-Terrorism Office (PNAT) clearly indicated that it had intended to appeal investigating judges decision but chose finally not to do so to avoid further prolonging the proceedings.

At around 3:30pm on 9 December, the long-awaited witness took the witness stand in a crowded and expectant courtroom. A grey-haired man in his early 70s, dressed all in black, Veillard launched into a 4-hour testimony.

He talked about his understaffed team of two to guarantee security for sites in over 70 countries as well as for expatriates. When asked whether the lack of personnel was compatible with the companys alleged security commitment, he remarked that Lafarge never indicated that security was the priority of the group, contrary to the repeated claims of Bruno Lafont, former CEO, and Bruno Pescheux, former director of Lafarges Syrian subsidiary. With regards to the security situation on the ground, he noted: I never sensed in Syria the idea of any potential improvement. If it had been up to me alone, Lafarge would have left in November 2011. As for why the company decided not to follow his security advice, he stated: I see it purely as a financial choice. The price of a brand-new factory couldnt allow it to be shut down.

The PNAT subjected Veillard to a barrage of questions, particularly about his reports to Lafarges security committee, which frequently referenced terrorist groups in Syria and alluded to their financing.

Yet he consistently claimed that he knew nothing about the groups financing until the summer of 2014  a claim that appears surprising in light of the email exchanges, his role within Lafarge, and the fact that his communications with the security services (which were, according to him a personal initiative) during that period remain classified.

A bit earlier on the same day, Christophe Gomart, Member of European Parliament and former chief of French military intelligence, revealed that Veillard had met 21 times with intelligence services from 2012 to 2015 and had also reported on the security situation in Syria based on information collected from Lafarge. Gomart remarked that he had complete trust in Veillard and his intelligence sources, adding that, from one perspective, Lafarge did provide valuable insights to counterterrorism services. This even gave defence lawyer Solange Doumic the opportunity to imply that Lafarge contributed to the fight against terrorism, an allegation completely out of touch given the charges they are accused of.

Good characters

The week proceedings concluded with an assessment of each defendants personality, focusing on their personal life, studies and professional background. The defence presented witnesses to testify to the defendants good characters. A childhood friend of Bruno Pescheux described him as having a great deal of humanity, adding that he could not imagine for a single moment that he would have put anyone in his organisation at risk. Another of his former colleagues listed key characteristics of Pescheuxs very human personality: openness to different cultures, interest for his employees, high safety standards, loyalty to his company, and integrity.

While examining their assets, it was striking  if not unsettling  to hear defendants describe owning a studio or a flat valued at 300,000, while their wives possessed substantial assets, all conveniently held under separate marital property agreements

One by one, the defendants emphasised their innocence, in several cases portraying themselves as the victim. I was fired like dirt: it was a gross injustice, stated Bruno Pescheux, whilst Jacob Waerness, former security manager at the Jalibiya plant, lamented that he had to take odd jobs to survive. Ultimately, the responsibility of the 8 defendants and the legal entity of their former company will be determined at the end of this week in the final proceedings of this landmark trial.
A Chinese man who left his country after filming at sites of alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs now faces the risk of removal from the United States, his lawyer and mother told AFP.

Guan Heng, 38, underwent an immigration hearing in New York on Monday after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August, his mother said in an interview.

The case could see him taken out of the United States and potentially landing back in China.

"I'm really, really worried that things will be very bad for him if he is made to return," Guan's mother, Luo Yun, told AFP in Chinese.

"If he has a chance to remain in the United States, he'll at least be safe," she said. "I'm incredibly anxious and upset."

On Monday, the session ended with a next hearing date set for January, said Guan's lawyer, Chen Chuangchuang. He noted that Guan had been detained over illegal entry into the country, but was seeking asylum.

A judge is expected to consider if Guan should instead be sent to Uganda for his asylum application, as it has agreed to accept people deported from the United States.

Chen vowed to challenge this attempt, arguing that there is a significant chance Guan could be sent back to China from there.

A statement by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission warned Friday on X that Guan "would likely be persecuted" if he returned to China.

"He should be given every opportunity to stay in a place of refuge," the statement added.

- 'Heartbroken' -

In late 2021, Guan had published a 20-minute video online, detailing his travel around the northwestern Xinjiang region in China.

He was visiting places identified by a BuzzFeed investigation as detention facilities for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities -- or likely sites for such centers.

Beijing has been accused of detaining more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims since 2017, part of a campaign that the United Nations previously said could constitute "crimes against humanity."

China vehemently denies these allegations, saying its policies have rooted out extremism in Xinjiang and boosted economic development.

Guan left China after filming the videos, eventually entering the United States following travels through South America.

Around that time, he told his mother he did not plan to return to China.

"As for the contents of the clips that he later posted -- I didn't know about them," his mother said.

The pair stayed in touch, and she recalls receiving a text in August from a friend of Guan's, informing her that he had been detained during an operation by ICE.

When she managed to contact him, Luo said, "his emotional state was one of extreme panic and breakdown."

She added that her family members in mainland China had also been questioned by authorities about their ties to Guan, shortly after he published his video.

"I'm heartbroken," she said. "I'm not only crying for my child, but the situation that our family is facing."

Guan's supporters say he is being held in a Broome County facility in upstate New York. His name appears on an online page of ICE detainees.

"I just want my child to be well. He's still young, and has a long life ahead," said Guan's mother.
A French court Monday handed ex-rebel leader Roger Lumbala a 30-year jail term over complicity in crimes against humanity during the Second Congo War in what activists hailed a "historic" verdict.

Lumbala, a 67-year-old accused of being one of the masterminds of atrocities including rape and torture in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2002 to 2003, has been on trial in Paris since last month.

The former rebel, who has denied any wrongdoing and refused to attend his trial since it opened, was in the dock to hear the verdict.

The International Criminal Court has convicted former militia leaders from the DRC Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga and Bosco Ntaganda, who received the longest jail sentence of 30 years.

But Monday's verdict is the first such conviction by a national court under the principle of universal jurisdiction, rights groups, including TRIAL International and the Clooney Foundation for Justice, said.

"This verdict is historic. For the first time, a national court has dared to confront the atrocities of the Second Congo War and show that justice can break through even after decades of impunity," said Daniele Perissi of TRIAL International.

Necessary conditions for a French trial included that he lived in France and should not be prosecuted on similar charges somewhere else in the world.

Lumbala was arrested in France, where he owned a flat, in December 2020 and has been held in a Paris prison since.

- 'Turning point' -

For more than a month, the court heard about rape used as a weapon of war, sexual slavery, forced labour, torture, mutilation, summary executions, systematic looting, extortion and the plundering of resources, including diamonds.

The alleged atrocities were committed from 2002 to 2003 during Operation "Erase the Slate", which Lumbala's rebel group -- the Rally of Congolese Democrats and Nationalists (RCD-N) -- conducted in the northeast of the country.

During the trial, one man recounted how his brother had his forearm amputated and was then executed after being unable to eat his severed ear.

Women recounted fighters committing rape, often gang rapes committed in front of parents, husbands and children.

Henri Thulliez, one of the lawyers for the civil parties, described the facts laid before the court as just "the tip of the iceberg" of the atrocities.

The victims were mostly Nande or Bambuti Pygmies, ethnic groups accused by the attackers of siding with a rival faction.

Minority Rights Group, a non-governmental organisation that has also been following the trial, welcomed the verdict "as a historic turning point for the indigenous Bambuti, who were targeted in a brutal campaign of extermination led by militias acting on Lumbala's orders".

Lumbala, who briefly served as trade minister then ran for president in 2006, has insisted he was merely a politician with no soldiers or volunteers under his control.






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - A bold slay queen has set social media ablaze after a viral video captured her wild dance moves in what appears to be a lively club scene.

In the clip, she confidently climbs onto a chair and shakes what her mama gave her, as friends cheer and record the spectacle.

The performance has sparked mixed reactions online.

Admirers praised her fearless energy and unapologetic attitude, celebrating her confidence in the spotlight.

Critics, however, argued that she crossed the line, claiming that the stunt was embarrassing and could be something she regrets now that the video is trending widely across platforms.

Watch the video>>> below.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - A team of detectives from the DCI Headquarters Serious Crime Unit (SCU), working jointly with officers from the Commission for University Education (CUE), on Saturday shut down an illegal graduation ceremony at Victory International Church in Changamwe, Mombasa County.

Acting on intelligence reports that an unaccredited institution was conducting a graduation, the officers raided the venue and found the ceremony already in progress before swiftly bringing it to a halt.

The event had been organised by Menorah Training Institute in collaboration with Dominion Mission Theological University Global, a Ghana-based institution.

However, when questioned, the organisers and officials failed to produce the mandatory accreditation documents from CUE.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Menorah Training Institute is only registered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) to offer courses up to diploma level.

Despite this limitation, the graduation list showed glaring irregularities.

Investigators established that five individuals were listed to graduate with masters degrees, while 17 others were to receive degree certificates, qualifications the institution is neither licensed nor authorised to award.

Following the findings, several officials were arrested, including Daniel Dela (President), John Kibet, Philomena Milano, and Ann Ogola Owiti (board members), alongside Jason Oduor and Michael Ochieng.

All are currently in custody pending processing and arraignment.

As investigations continue, authorities have urged Kenyans to verify the accreditation status of institutions before enrolling, warning that shortcuts in education often lead to costly consequences.

DREAMS CUT SHORT AS DCI HALTS BOGUS GRADUATION IN CHANGAMWE



A team of detectives from the DCI Headquarters Serious Crime Unit (SCU), working hand in glove with officers from the Commission for University Education (CUE), yesterday brought the curtain down on a graduation pic.twitter.com/KQRr8sB3rk  DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) December 14, 2025






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Detectives from the Homicide Unit, working jointly with officers from Kisii South and Busia, have arrested Ken Kimanthi Gichunuku, alias Sultan, who had been on the run over the brutal murder of Seth Nyakio Njeri, the daughter of nominated Kirinyaga MCA, Lucy Njeri.

Nyakios lifeless body was discovered on October 14th, 2024, inside Blessings Building in Biafra Estate, Thika town, sparking a nationwide manhunt for the prime suspect.

Following the killing, Gichunuku went underground in an attempt to evade arrest.

However, sustained investigations and forensic leads eventually closed in on him.

Detectives tracked him to Busia town near the Kenya-Uganda border, where he had been hiding in plain sight while working at a cereal distribution shop.

The suspect is currently in police custody undergoing processing.

He is expected to be arraigned in court as investigations continue.

Photo of the suspect: Ken Kimanthi Gichunuku alias Sultan.





Photos of the deceased lady.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has dismissed claims that his newly registered political outfit, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), is a project designed to split votes in certain regions.

Days after the partys approval, Sonko defended his move, insisting that NEDP was created to advance his political ambitions rather than to undermine other formations.

Those who say Im being used need to stop. Ive mentioned this before, and Ill mention it again.

Im a Kenyan, and it is my democratic right to set up a political party, he said.

He added, I have a constitutional right to have a political party. I want to respect all leaders, but this is not right.

Sonko received the partys certificate of registration on Tuesday, December 9th, at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) in Westlands, Nairobi, a move seen as signalling his political comeback.

However, the launch of NEDP has stirred debate, with critics likening it to other small parties accused of fragmenting votes.

Comparisons were drawn to Moses Kurias Chama cha Kazi, which contested the Mbeere North by-election.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua previously alleged that Kurias party was used to divide Mount Kenya votes, weakening Democratic Party candidate, Newton Kariuki, claims Kuria denied.

Sonko, without naming individuals, warned against dismissing new parties.

When you think your party is better than everyone elses, that is not democracy.

In fact, you are ruining your own chances.

We know where the votes are, and we are standing with our own people, he said.

Following its clearance, NEDP is now authorised to field candidates nationwide.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, has urged former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi to work closely with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Speaking during an event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Mosiria said Matiangis political future could be strengthened if he aligned himself with the current administration rather than remaining in opposition.

He suggested that President Rutos cordial relationship with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta could pave way for Matiangis return to Government.

I have seen that Uhuru gave our brother Matiangi the number two position, and if things continue this way, because Uhuru and the President are friends, I can see our brother Matiangi even being part of the Government in 2027.

The President and Matiangi should work together so that Kisii can move forward, Mosiria said.

He added, Matiangi, if you are watching me, work closely with President Ruto so that Kisii can progress.

Matiangi is currently part of the United Opposition team, which includes Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi.

The former CS has already declared his intention to run for President in 2027 and was recently endorsed by the Jubilee Party as its presidential candidate.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Vocal ODM politician and Kileleshwa Ward MCA, Robert Alai, has predicted that President William Ruto will secure at least 60 percent of the vote in the Mt Kenya region during the 2027 General Elections.

In a post on X, Alai dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua - now leader of the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party - as a paper tiger.

Gachagua has vowed to make Ruto a one-term President by rallying Mt Kenya residents behind a united Opposition candidate.

Alais remarks came in response to a post by an AIPCA Gatundu North Bishop, who declared that President Ruto remains the regions preferred choice for 2027.

As Mt Kenya we will vote for you early in the morning, the Bishop said during an event attended by Ruto.

Alai countered by insisting the Presidents support in the region remains strong.

I told you in October 2024 that in 2027, Ruto will get at least 60% of the votes in Mt Kenya.

Gachagua is a paper tiger. He is scaring many with his hate platform.

Ruto is building a Kenya for everyone. Everyone must be on board for a better Kenya, he wrote.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 14, 2025 - East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member, Winnie Odinga, has dismissed speculation of a fallout with her uncle, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who currently leads the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Winnie clarified that she has never clashed with Oburu and has no intention of doing so.

She emphasized her loyalty to Dr. Oburu, describing him as both her party leader and the head of their family following the death of her father, the late Raila Odinga.

The party leader is my uncle, and I love him. Hes the only father I have left.

Theres no day Ill be in a faction, and hes not there.

Hes the head of my family, and I am always with him, she said.

Winnie acknowledged that ODM, with its more than eight million registered members, is bound to experience differences of opinion.

However, she insisted that disagreements do not undermine unity.

Weve had differences of opinion on certain things, but the most important thing is we stick together and build a party that truly covers the width and breadth of Kenya, she added.

Her remarks come weeks after she appeared to question Oburus ability to steer ODM in the post-Raila era.

During ODMs 20th anniversary celebrations in October, Winnie argued that her father possessed unmatched skills and called for a National Delegates Conference to select new leadership.

Oburu swiftly defended his readiness, citing his decades-long involvement in Railas political journey.

I lived with Raila for 80 years. In all that he did, I was always there. And there is no single day I betrayed my brother, he said.

Despite being unsettled by Winnies earlier comments, Oburu pledged to lead ODM with determination and strategic clarity and promised to privately address her concerns.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
FRUSTRATION is building at the daily traffic chaos in Kildare due to congestion on the M7/N7.

Naas councillors discussed potential avenues towards communication with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) at the most recent meeting of Naas Municipal District.

Cllrs Fintan Brett and Evie Sammon authored a motion suggesting that the council invite TII/NTA to brief the municipal district members on proposals to alleviate the problem.

Cllr Brett was critical of the lack of action in working towards improving the situation, referring to the NTA and TII as quangos who dont care. He cited the frequent accidents on the N7 and the overreliance on roads.

Cllr Sammon agreed and said that people were being failed by public transport, mentioning that trains were skipping Sallins in the morning because they were at capacity.

Cllr Carmel Kelly expressed concern that solving the issue could be a long-term one, calling on the TII and NTA to allay our fears that it wont be a 40 or 50 year programme.

Cathaoirleach of Naas Municipal District Seamie Moore said that the Naas councillors request would only be one of a sequence of requests and he suggested that his fellow councilors talk to TDs in their parties about the problem.

A council representative suggested the NTA/TII be invited to attend the full meeting of Kildare County Council but it was agreed that they would first be invited to meet with Naas councillors.

Traffic on the M7 and N7 routes has intensified in recent times, with very serious accidents occurring and Kildare motorists facing long commutes.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
WHILE Dearbhaile Donagh was living in Australia, she became involved with pilates as part of the wider Australian wellness ethos.

At the time, she didn't think she would be opening a pilates studio of her own in Kilcullen this week. But then, life has its own way of planning for all of us.

Dearbhaile is originally from Naas and went to Australia in 2009.

"I landed in Sydney, and it was freezing," she remembers. "I told myself I hadn't come all the way to Australia to be cold, so I immediately left and went to Brisbane."

On the sunny Gold Coast, life was all outdoors and much more focused on health and fitness.

"It's just so much more accessible, and I got really into it."

She also really got into building a career in venue and event management. After six years, though, it was time to come home, where she moved into a similar role  she is now operations and events director with the Executive Forum.

After living with her parents in Naas for a while, she eventually bought a house in Kilcullen, where she has an aunt and uncle who have lived there for many years.

"I wasn't quite sure how that would work out, because all my friends were in Naas, but I moved in anyway at Christmas 2019."

Three months later, Dearbhaile and the country were in lockdown.

"That's when I really fell in love with Kilcullen. It was a great place to go for walks; it was just lovely and quiet and had nice road circuits in the countryside around.

I had been going in and out of Dublin constantly for work, and it was only when Covid hit that I started working from home full-time."

When things got back to normal, she continued with pilates, going to a Naas studio that offered the reformer system, using machines rather than on a mat.

"I do it twice a week, and it's my happy place. It takes 45 minutes out of your busy day, where you can focus on yourself and prioritise.

And whether you do it at a beginner or an advanced level, hopefully, you leave feeling better about yourself.

It's really like a community, where you meet like-minded people regularly, and for a while, I hoped someone would open a studio in Kilcullen and bring that vibe here. But then, I thought, why wait for somebody else to do it?"

On one of her frequent return visits to Australia, to visit friends, Dearbhaile took a reformer pilates teacher training course in Byron Bay, and, having decided to open her own studio, she is calling it Byron Pilates as a nod to that.

Finding a location proved more difficult than deciding on a name.

"I looked around Kilcullen a year ago, and there was nowhere suitable. I needed a certain amount of space, and there had to be easy parking.

"But a while ago, the stars seemed to align suddenly, and a space became available in the Link Business Park."

The last few weeks have been hectic getting the whole enterprise together, and Dearbhaile acknowledges the help from her uncle and aunt, who have proved very skilled with paint sprayers!

Byron Pilates is opening in mid-December.

"It'll be a soft launch, with just some fundamental and beginner classes, to get people to know about it and try the machines.

"In the new year, I'll have a full schedule in place in January, when people have got through all the Christmas stuff out of the way."

Byron Pilates will deliberately not be a big operation. Dearbhaile plans to have eight reformer units in place and to employ professional instructors.

"It's not going to be a large class that people can get lost in. It's very important that whoever is teaching can work one-to-one so that the correct movements are performed.

Though it is a low-impact treatment, you could still hurt yourself, particularly if you're starting."

That's all part of what's an ever-nearing and hopefully exciting future, making a dream come true.

In the meantime, though, all the minutiae of setting up a business must be gone through.

Even with Dearbhaile's organisational expertise from her career, it's making this Christmas busier than usual.
James Cox

A new US national security strategy document shows president Donald Trump is making efforts to divide Europe reminiscent of actions taken by Russian president Vladimir Putin, an Irish MEP has said.

The document sent shockwaves across Europe, and its clear criticism of the European Union presents a big shift in America's relationship with traditional allies.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews said Donald Trump doesn't like the fact that the EU can "stand up to him as a collective".

He said the national security document can be traced back to a speech from US vice president JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February.

"That was jaw dropping, even for people who attend that conference regularly, a wake-up call.

"You can draw a straight line from that to the national security strategy which set out a much more explicit and open look at what their intentions are."

Barry Andrews said JD Vance's Munich Security Conference speech was "jaw dropping". Photo: Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

He added: "Europe has to accept that this is the way it'll be. Up until now we've been pursuing a twin track approach, On the one hand trying to keep Trump sweet, with the flattery which is nauseating but necessary, particularly to keep the Americans on the same course in regards to the war in Ukraine.

"On the other hand trying to develop independent security policy, independent trade policy, and to develop our own supply chains.

"All of this is bringing us to the point now where this twin track isn't useful anymore, we have to really recognise that the Americans consider Europe to be a systemic rival frankly, and when I say Europe I mean the European Union... it's important we draw that distinction.

"It's the multilateral organisation, what the EU is, which the Americans find to be a systemic rival to their system of government, their view and idea of what it should be."

Mr Andrews said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen needs to come up with a strong response to the document.

"I've been really critical of von der Leyen, particularly in her approach to Israel and her failure to call out the war crimes in Gaza. I think she is recognised as the political leader in the European Union, in a way that previous Commission presidents were not.

"She has more political capital than previous presidents and we therefore look to her to make a clear response and give a clear correction. At the same time the EU is 27 member states and we need to make sure we are all comfortable with where we go now. Things happen a little bit more slowly at EU level, that's fine, but we do need a very clear and explicit response to where we find ourselves now."

He pointed to austerity, migration problems, Brexit, Covid and the invasion of Ukraine as examples of challenges where the EU had "emerged stronger".

Russian disinformation

The national security document focuses hugely on migration in Europe, claiming it is a threat to the EU and the West as a whole. In a subsequent interview with Politico, Mr Trump said European nations were "decaying" as a result of migration.

Mr Andrews said the document aimed to sow division in a similar manner to disinformation campaigns from Putin's Russia.

"Migration is a very divisive issue, we all know that, it generates very strong feelings. What the US is doing is recognising it is divisive in Europe, pushing through those divisions and trying to create more polarisation about EU policy. It's an approach that Putin has been pursuing for the last 10 years, using Russian bots and disinformation to undermine confidence in the European system. Now we see it coming from the White House, it's very explicit.

"We need to have confidence that our values are consistent, we will treat people humanely, of course have a robust migration policy and make sure people have confidence in it, particularly around asylum.

"We need to counter these American arguments, these are the same arguments Putin's Russia has been trying to circulate within the EU for more than a decade."

Let's look at the facts and forget about Trump's aggression and dismissal of the EU.

He added: "The EU has been developing for years and each crisis it has faced over the decades has made it stronger.

"As we speak in December 2025, there are a huge number of countries queuing to join the EU, the waiting room is full, I take that as a sign of the health of the EU.

"Look at Ireland, the Eurobarometer shows 92 per cent of Irish people are happy with membership of the EU.

"Let's look at the facts and forget about Trump's aggression and dismissal of the EU, we know we must be doing something right when someone like that is so irritated by its existence and its successes."

Mr Andrews called the proposals about additional checks on visitors to the US, including five years' of social media profiles, a "massive overreach".

"I welcome the fact the Taoiseach has called this unworkable. The diplomatic channels from all EU countries should be used to convey that message, everyone is shocked by the madness of it.

"Tourism numbers to the US from Europe have already fallen dramatically, not so much in Ireland because we have pre-clearance and people are confident of going to the airport without too much risk. This will surely impact Irish tourism to the US, Irish business relations with the US.

Social media policy

"It's not too late, the Americans can pull back on this, make sure it doesn't turn the US into a surveillance state. The whole thing is ridiculous.

"What it's really about is eliminating freedom of speech, intimidating people not to make criticisms of the US government, that's what its real intention is, for a US government that claims freedom of speech is so central to their identity, it's quite ironic."

He added: "I think people are shocked, but I think it's strength in numbers. If Ireland was outside of the EU we'd be isolated on this, but we're one of 27 all shocked by this with the exception of Hungary's Viktor Orban I'd expect.

"What Trump dislikes is we can collectively stand up to him and apply the kind of pressure that will hopefully bring this madness to an end. I've had contact with high officials in Brussels who are already bringing this message to Washington."
The internationally acclaimed art collective Luxmuralis made its Irish debut in Kilkenny yesterday with Starlight, a 35-minute immersive experience of light, sound and fine-art projection.

Running until December 21, Starlight transforms the 800-year-old interior of St Canice's Cathedral into a vast canvas of moving light projections accompanied by a cinematic soundscape.

The 360 experience takes audiences through a shifting landscape of stars, constellations and projections inspired by the Nativity.

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As visitors enter the immersive space within the cathedral, they will be wrapped in stars guiding them through an emotional story arc that unfolds through a beautifully articulated series of fine art projections and accompanying compositions culminating in a powerful retelling of the Nativity story.

Luxmuralis (Latin for light mural) is a collaboration between sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper.

Together, they create large-scale, immersive fine art experiences using cutting-edge projection technology and original compositions.

Luxmuralis has been viewed by over 1.2 million people globally in venues including Oxford University, the Limburg Dom in Germany and The Tower of London.

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Artistic Director, Peter Walker, commended the people of Kilkenny for warmly embracing Luxmuralis at the official launch event on Sunday.

"We arrived on Friday, and we've been greeted with great hospitality in the city, the restaurants, cafes, it's fantastic," he said.

"Weve worked in some of the most remarkable buildings in the UK, including Saint Pauls Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Canterbury Cathedral.

"These are world-renowned buildings, and what those places have is a real sort of individual sensibility. It really comes alive when you walk in; you can feel the history, feel the culture.

"When you come to Kilkenny, and you walk into this cathedral, you get that same sense. Theres a real sense, I think, of Kilkenny City within the building, that same hospitality, that same sort of friendly welcome, to the volunteers at the entrance, right through to the staff. They really want people to visit the building.

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"Its a building thats rich in heritage and history, its rich in art. What weve done, and essentially what were doing, is bringing in, or updating, the art history of cathedrals.

"That next chapter, that contemporary visual art, that digital artwork, that resonates with modern generations, with the technology of today, and with the materials that we have at hand as artists, and thats what were doing here in the cathedral."

Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise at Kilkenny County Council, described the installation as a 'significant addition to our winter programme, and were delighted that Kilkenny will introduce this work to Irish audiences'.

"Kilkenny has a long tradition of supporting the arts, and St Canices Cathedral provides a fitting setting for an installation of this kind," she said.

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"The piece brings together heritage, creativity and community, all qualities closely associated with Kilkenny. We hope people from near and far will come to experience Starlight and enjoy what promises to be a memorable part of the Christmas season."

Described as the 'stained glass windows of our time', the installation is the centrepiece of Yulefest Kilkennys winter programme. Tickets for the event are available from www.yulefestkilkenny.ie

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A "manipulative monster" with a history of violence against women "smiled directly" into his partner's face as he held their eight-year-old child in front of him and cut the little girl's throat, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Aisha Al Katib (32) told the court today (Monday) of her daughter Malika's final moments at the hands of Muhammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi, who has pleaded guilty to the child's murder and was today sentenced to life in prison for his crime.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a consecutive ten-year sentence on Al Tamimi for Aisha's attempted murder. He will serve the ten-year sentence before beginning the life sentence.

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The court heard that in the months before the murder, Al Tamimi began contacting Aisha, telling her he was concerned that Malika was not behaving in accordance with the Islamic faith.

During the attack, Malika had bravely told her father to stop stabbing her mother before he grabbed the eight-year-old and turned the knife on her.

Aisha said she should never have given Al Tamimi a second chance after he previously held her against her will and forced her to have sex without her consent.

She described him as a "manipulative monster" who had controlled her for years before murdering their daughter and attempting to murder her.

She told the court of the moment he stabbed Malika, having already stabbed Aisha, depriving Aisha of the use of her legs.

She said: "My heart shatters when I think of my daughter, murdered in front of my eyes as I was unable to move because I was completely paralysed. He smiled directly into my face as he cut Malika's throat. As he was hurting her he had a smile that I will never forget, that follows me in every nightmare... he stabbed her in the heart as she lay beside me."

Al Tamimi (35) of Lower William Street, New Ross, Co Wexford pleaded guilty last October to murdering Malika Al Katib (8) on December 1, 2024 at Lower William Street in New Ross.

He pleaded guilty to a second charge that on the same date and at the same location, he attempted to murder Aisha Al Katib (32).

Handing down the ten-year sentence for attempted murder and mandatory life sentence for murder, Mr Justice McDermott said the home is a place where the mother and child "should have felt at their most secure; in the presence of the child's father, they should have been protected."

He cited the domestic violence aspect of the attempted murder charge as an aggravating feature, noting that the assault happened in the context of "someone who wants their own way, who wants to dominate, who wants to ensure that his will prevails and he will get what he wants."

Having regard to the "extraordinary level of violence perpetrated" and the fact that her child was murdered in front of her eyes, Mr Justice McDermott said it was an appropriate case to impose consecutive sentences, with the life sentence beginning when the ten-year sentence expires.

Det Gda Donal Doyle told today's sentencing hearing that after his arrest, Al Tamimi told gardai: "I slaughtered my daughter, I didnt have any mercy, I dont want any mercy." He further told gardai that he wanted the "highest punishment" and said: "If the court doesn't execute me, I will end my life."

Det Gda Doyle told Anne Rowland SC, prosecuting, that Al Tamimi was born in Kuwait to a nomadic tribe. He met Aisha in Belfast in 2015 after he had been granted status in the UK and they had Malika in August 2016. Al Tamimi moved to England and Aisha followed when their daughter was about eight weeks old.

They lived in emergency accommodation but Aisha was not allowed to leave their home, Det Gda Doyle said. On one occasion, Al Tamimi accused Aisha of being with another man, locked her in their apartment and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

Aisha's family members contacted police and "rescued her" from the apartment by cutting bars on the windows to get inside, Det Gda Doyle said.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny gardai call for backup amid 'ongoing criminal investigation'

Aisha went to live with her mother in Tramore in Waterford from 2017 but was reunited with Al Tamimi during a visit to the UK in 2023.

Al Tamimi began contacting Aisha, telling her he was concerned that Malika was not behaving in accordance with the Islamic faith.

In August 2024, Al Tamimi came to Ireland and Aisha agreed to let him stay with her and Malika in New Ross.

He told her he wanted to be part of the family, asked for forgiveness, said he would be a better person and wanted to work.

He didn't get a job, Det Gda Doyle said, but helped out around the house and inquired at New Ross Garda Station about seeking asylum.

In the days before the murder, while Aisha was visiting her mother in Tramore, Al Tamimi phoned Aisha to complain that her mother was interfering in their relationship and he threatened to kill Aisha's brother.

Aisha returned to New Ross at about 4.30pm on Sunday, December 1 and brought Malika to McDonald's for chicken nuggets and chips.

When they arrived home, Al Tamimi was still unhappy. He said he was going to sleep in the park and go to London the following day. Aisha told him to "stop the drama" in front of the child.

Aisha tried to reassure him, telling him she was happy and he doesn't have to be angry all the time. They sat down to watch 'I'm A Celebrity' and Al Tamimi cooked dinner.

Aisha said he continued "nitpicking" at her and complained that she and Malika had no respect for him. His daughter, he complained, hadn't hugged him when she arrived home.

He accused Aisha of sleeping with someone else and hit her on the head with her phone. She told him she wasn't afraid and wasn't going to be intimidated by him.

She decided to return to her mother's home but as she tried to take her keys from her jacket, Al Tamimi ran at her with a knife in his hand and began stabbing her.

Det Gda Doyle said Aisha described Al Tamimi cutting across her neck and cutting her hand as she tried to push him away.

Malika, who had been in bed, ran downstairs and told her father to stop but he struck the little girl with the knife.

Aisha told her daughter to run but before she could get away, Al Tamimi took a larger knife from the block, held the child in front of him and, having "locked eyes" with Aisha, he cut the girl's throat, Det Gda Doyle said. Aisha again told her daughter to run and she tried, but fell to the ground, the detective said.

Al Tamimi stabbed the child again as she lay on the ground, at least twice in the back.

Aisha meanwhile, managed to call 999 and screamed the address down the phone before Al Tamimi took the phone away. He then stabbed himself but not as deep as he had stabbed his partner or the child.

Aisha heard him say: "That's fine, all three of us can die," before lying on the floor and taking a deep breath.

Aisha dragged herself along the floor to the front door, opened it and pulled herself onto the steps outside to raise the alarm, shouting at a passerby: "I'm going to die but please save my daughter."

A neighbour with experience in first aid went inside where he found Malika lying on the floor close to her father, dressed in her pyjamas.

She was pale, clammy and unresponsive and he couldn't find a pulse. When he tilted her head back to start first aid, he noticed a "gaping wound" on the right side of her neck. He attempted CPR until emergency services arrived.

Ms Rowland said a pathologist identified three stab wounds and four incised wounds on Malika's body. A stab wound to the back that penetrated the ribs, lungs and the sac around the heart caused her death.

The wound to her throat did not damage any major arteries and did not cause her death. Some incised wounds to her hands were consistent with defensive type injuries, according to the pathologist's report.

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Aisha had suffered ten stab wounds to her face, neck, upper arms and hands. She required stitches and a tetanus injection.

She has ongoing physical and psychological difficulties and takes painkillers daily for chronic pain, Det Gda Doyle said.

Det Gda Doyle said Al Tamimi has previous convictions in the UK for the attempted rape of a female over 16 years and for battery.

He was sentenced to six years in prison for the attempted rape in 2018 and received a community order for the battery offence in 2023.

In her statement, Aisha said her daughter's murder has destroyed her life. She suffers ongoing flashbacks of the moment her life was taken.

After her death, Aisha washed her daughter's clothes one by one, knowing she would never wear them again, and hung them back in the wardrobe. "When I look at them now, it feels like the air is being punched out of my chest," she said.

She said she first left Al Tamimi in 2017 because she didn't feel safe around him. However, even during those years when he was in London or in prison, he controlled and manipulated her through phone calls, messages and false promises, she said.

When she took him back, she believed he had changed, she said, and he swore on the Koran that he would never hurt her or Malika.

She said: "Because of how sacred and precious the Koran is to Muslims, I believed him. I thought nobody would swear on something so holy unless they meant it."

Aisha had her own health scares and thought that if she died, she wanted Malika to have her father.

She added: "I wish I had never believed him or let him back into our lives. This guilt is something I will carry for the rest of my life. I carry a deep emotional conflict within myself, I struggle every day with the pain of trusting her father and believing he loved her as much as I did.

"That belief now haunts me and I will live with the overwhelming regret forever of accepting his promises.

"It is a very heavy burden that I have to carry and I know deep down that a mother should never have to question herself for hoping her childs father would protect her. But that regret stays with me and adds to the heartache I already live with."

She said she knows now that she shouldn't have believed that he would change, but added: "I was not raised with good examples of men and I didn't know any better."

She still fears for her safety, she said, as Al Tamimi often told her that she "belongs only to him" and he would kill her if he ever saw her with another man.

She said: "Those threats were real, consistent and terrifying and they make me fear for my life, even if he is never allowed to walk free from prison."

Her physical injuries leave her in constant pain, she said, but that is "nothing compared to the agony in my heart. Nothing compares to the pain of losing my daughter."

She said she pushed herself to learn to walk and to be strong enough to speak in court on her daughter's behalf. "After this, I don't know what direction my life will take," she said. "I am so broken, looking at me you may not see it, but if you could share one moment of my pain, you would understand how loud my heart screams for my daughter."

Al Tamimi, she said, was jealous of the bond of love, loyalty, respect and friendship she shared with her daughter. She said she saw him change into a "devil" and a "monster" and she was in court to face that monster again.

She said: "I thought he loved her as much as I did, and now I know it's all part of his manipulation. He cannot feel compassion, he is a monster."

READ NEXT: The most shocking garda vehicle seizure in Kilkenny yet?!

Aisha said she dyed her hair because when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't want to see the scars but rather something that her daughter loved - bright, pink colours.

She added: "When I want to visit her and buy her gifts, I have to go to a place of soil where she lies. She doesn't kiss or hug me or laugh with me. I know she hears me when I speak to her but it's not enough. She should have a full life. I should be watching her go to secondary school, having a career, falling in love, getting married."

"My only hope is that in the next life I will reunite with her and until then, I fight every day just to survive."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME AND COURT
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.
Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny Peter 'Chap' Cleere has welcomed confirmation of 1.74m in funding for Carlow-Kilkenny ETB by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless.

The funding will support essential works, including maintenance, health and safety upgrades, accessibility improvements, ICT and equipment modernisation, as well as energy efficiency measures and specialist equipment to upskill staff in key sectors such as construction, biopharmaceuticals, and MedTech.

This investment forms part of the Governments ongoing commitment to strengthening Irelands Further Education and Training (FET) sector, ensuring learners and staff have access to high-quality facilities and enabling ETBs to meet both local and national skills needs.

READ MORE - WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY

"Carlow & Kilkenny ETB plays a vital role in education in our county. This funding of over 1.7m will allow the ETB to carry out important upgrades, improve access and safety, and invest in specialist equipment to support the skills our local economy needs," said Deputy Cleere.

"It ensures that learners, staff, and communities will continue to be empowered now and into the future."

The funding also includes support through the Green Devolved Capital Grant, helping the ETB and other boards meet the Governments 2030 energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets. Initiatives include advanced electricity, gas, and water metering across FET buildings, underpinning long-term sustainability and helping reduce energy-related emissions.

The funding is provided under Project Ireland 2040 and will be distributed to ETBs through SOLAS, ensuring resources are targeted where they are most needed to improve infrastructure, learning environments, and skills training.

"I would like to sincerely thank my colleague Minister Lawless for his work on this initiative," said Deputy Cleere.

"Carlow & Kilkenny ETB provides excellent learning opportunities for everyone, and I am delighted to see this funding allocated to them. Fianna Fail is the party of education, committed to ensuring that young people and those returning to education have access to the best possible facilities and support. This announcement guarantees that people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can reach their full potential."
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China to strengthen strategic communication with GCC, safeguard common interests: FM

Xinhua) 13:47, December 15, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Minister for Justice 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, the 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 said: 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.

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.

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.
A CASE involving a car detected travelling at what is believed to be the highest speed ever recorded on a public road in Ireland was heard at Portlaoise District Court last week.

Before the court was Florian Sarges from Drombeg, Glandore, Cork, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on 12 November at Old Glass, Ballacolla.

Garda sgt Jason Hughes said that while a specialised unit unmarked garda car was being driven at approximately 150km along the N8, an Audi A4 Estate overtook it at very high speed and only slowed down when it pulled into a service station at junction 3 at Ballacolla.

He said the garda car pursued the speeding car and the driver estimated the speed the Audi was travelling at reached 263km/ph.

Defence solicitor Philip Meagher described his clients car as a bog-standard Audi A4 Estate, to which Judge Andrew Cody replied: I dont think it had a bog-standard engine in it. Mr Meagher said that the defendant was driving from Cork to Dublin Airport and got delayed exiting Cork.

This to me, said Judge Cody, is the highest speed ever detected in the country. The previous highest speed was 242km prosecuted at Naas District Court by Judge (Desmond) Zaidan in 2021. Mr Meagher said that it was impossible for his client to be travelling at such a speed as the Audi car that he was driving has a maximum 160km on its speedometer.

He said: He may have been travelling at 150km. Its impossible for him to drive the car over 160km He spends six months of the year in Germany and travels on autobahns, which have no speed limits, and drives between 150 and 160km/ph.

Continued on page 2 Motorist clocked doing record 263km/ph on N8 at Ballacolla Continued from page 1 Hes been driving over 25 years and has had no previous convictions or penalty points. Hes seeking a postponement on any disqualification to 15 March. He mightnt be driving. Thats a presumption that hes at liberty to drive, replied Judge Cody, adding: It was a left-hand drive car, making it more dangerous at the point of overtaking. He appreciates it was a crazy speed, said Mr Meagher.

Judge Cody noted the distance from Cork to Dublin is 250km. He said if Mr Florian had kept driving at a speed of 263km/ph, he would have made the trip in 55 minutes and would have been travelling at a speed of 75 metres per second.

The judge said: He was driving in excess of 260km/ph and was pulling away from the garda car at that speed.

It was impossible for him to drive at that speed, said Mr Meagher.

Judge Cody went on to convict Mr Florian of dangerous driving, imposed a three-month sentence suspended for three years, fined him 2,500 and disqualified him from driving for five years.

At the request of Mr Meagher, recognisance was fixed in the sum of a 400 own bond and a cash lodgement of 200 in the event Mr Florian wished to appeal against the sentence.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
From left: Writer Matt Elisofon, director Rob Reiner and writer Nick Reiner of the film Being Charlie photographed in the L.A. Times photo studio at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 14.

For years, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife struggled as their son Nick was addicted to hard drugs, rotating in and out of rehab facilities like they were shopping malls. The couple wondered if there was an end in sight, and whether it would be the tragic one that a voice in the back of their heads kept telling them was coming.

As it turned out, Nick Reiner would survive his descent into heroin and homelessness, recently getting clean. And he and his famous father have decided to deal with their familys troubled past in a most unlikely wayby making a movie about it.

It was very, very hard going through it the first time, with these painful and difficult highs and lows, Rob Reiner said. And then making the movie dredged it all up again.

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I really wasnt sure I wanted to do this, Nick Reiner said matter-of-factly.

The duo was having dinner on Monday -- Nicks 22nd birthday -- during the Toronto International Film Festival, joined by Robs wife Michele and another of the couples children, daughter Romy. The Reiners scripted film, Being Charlie, had just premiered at a theater a few blocks away, where the two Reiner men had stood on stage and described their lives to 1,500 people who were receptive both to the films message and to a familys show of vulnerability. The film is both an unlikely window into the oft-read headlines about the troubled children of celebrities, and a surprisingly heartening counterpoint to them.

Directed by Rob and written by Nick and fellow ex-addict Matt Elisofon, Being Charlie doesnt bother veiling its protagonists too much. David Mills (Cary Elwes, reuniting with his Princess Bride director) is a successful screen actor with political ambitions. Charlie (Nick Robinson) is his son, a privileged child who has lost himself to a life of drugs.

Charlie has had numerous failed attempts at rehab when his father essentially blackmails him into making a serious go at recovery. Matters appear to be moving in the right direction until a romance with a woman Charlie meets in rehab (Morgan Saylor, of Homeland teen-daughter fame) complicates those efforts.

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COMPLETE COVERAGE: 2015 Toronto Film Festival

What could have been an ordinary drama of family and addiction vibrates differently with the realization that this is the story of a famous and even comedic Hollywood personality exposing his life to us. (That said personality was one half of arguably the most famous TV relationship between a young man and a father figure only heightens the effect.)

Whole chunks of the movie have been lifted from the Reiners lives. Charlie is seen in several scenes on the streets and in homeless shelters, moments that Nick says came from his own desperate experience. (In one, a relationship challenge leads Charlie to relapse, shoot up heroin and get brutally mugged by addicts he meets in a shelter.)

David and Charlie also have a number of knock-down, drag-outs -- fueled by mutual mistrust --that Rob and Nick say mirror their own interactions over the years. In an era when many Hollywood personalities seek to conceal even benign details about their personal lives from a hungry tabloid press, the Reiners have gone, somewhat startlingly, in the other direction.

Sharing your life story about a child with a drug addiction? And in this business? Who has the.to do that? Elwes said in an interview, invoking a body part to suggest courage. So many filmmakers say, Its a personal story and they dont really mean it. It doesnt get more personal than this.

Self-involved and at times harsh toward his son, Elwes Rob Reiner stand-in is decidedly unsympathetic. The actor incarnated the character in this manner even while the man he was playing was a few feet away from him, helming the scene.

There were times when I would want to tone it down and Rob would just tell me, No, turn it up. He would tell me he didnt handle it well and we had to show that. He would describe the stages of grief and how addiction is like a slow suicide, then say, Lets explore all of that.

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One striking aspect of the film is how little it seems to value traditional recovery wisdom. Though the counselors all mean well, they have little success in reaching Charlie, who remains skeptical of the system even at a moment when many other movie protagonists give in to it. (His epiphany arrives in another way.)

The Reiners, who live in Los Angeles, say that echoed their own experience.

The program works for some people but it cant work for everybody, Rob said. When Nick would tell us that it wasnt working for him, we wouldnt listen. We were desperate and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son.

Michele added: We were so influenced by these people. They would tell us hes a liar, that he was trying to manipulate us. And we believed them.

Asked if there was anything good that came out of rehab, Nick smiled and said, Maybe this, referring to the film. The young man, who can effect a cool detachment -- hes sober, but still 22 -- said that what ultimately brought him around was a practical realization. I got sick of it. I got sick of doing that.... I come from a nice family Im not supposed to be out there on the streets and in homeless shelters doing all these...things.

Nick Reiner and Elisofon had initially written the project as a shorter half-hour piece and tried to sell it as a pilot. When they struck out, they thought about giving up. But Rob said he thought this could be healthy, both for Nick and the whole family, to explore it cinematically. A climactic scene in which David apologized to Nick for being cruel in pushing his son toward recovery -- Id rather you hate me and you be alive, essentially -- was taken almost verbatim from their own lives, and in fact developing the movie helped them achieve that level of communication.

Their effort continues to bear fruit. Asked how she experienced the process, Romy, sitting next to her brother, said: This is my best friend and I was there for all of it. Its weird but good to see in on the screen.

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As the family finished their meal, a festival-goer who had just watched the movie walked up to them and began expressing his gratitude, explaining that he has a niece who had battled addiction and made several suicide attempts. He said he was hoping his wife could see the film and find comfort in it.

Thank you, thats the point, Rob Reiner said to him.

Then he turned to a reporter. Its for them. But really its for us. To be honest, by the time we got to the point of making the movie it didnt matter if we actually did. Because our relationship had gotten so much closer.

Asked how he felt about the movie now that it was finished, Nick said simply, I never thought Id capitalize on rehab.

@ZeitchikLAT
Sam Elliott is dedicated to his role on the Paramount+ drama Landman.

Elliott, 81, joined the cast for season 2, playing Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) father, T.L. Despite having over five decades of experience in Hollywood, Elliott still enjoys hanging around the Landman set and watching his costars work.

He never leaves, Kayla Wallace, who plays attorney Rebecca Falcone, said during an interview with People published on Sunday, Dec. 14. Even if hes not in a scene, he shows up early to set. Hell find a place to sit  a bench, an apple box, whatever. Hes not fussy.

Wallace added that Elliott is just happy to sit there and be a part of it and watch all of us perform.

Colm Feore, who plays fellow M-Tex Oil lawyer Nathan, told the outlet that while Elliotts consistent presence creates a feeling of support, it can also be intimidating.

It does up the [stakes] when youre trying not to suck, right? Feore quipped.

Season 2 of Landman kicked off in November. The show centers on Thorntons character, a fixer and landman for the fictional oil company M-Tex. He becomes president of the company at the end of season 1. Tommy has new professional and personal changes during season 2, including reconnecting with his father, T.L. After the death of Tommys estranged mother, his ex-wife turned current love interest Angela (Ali Larter) insists that T.L. move in with their family.

Thornton and Elliott are longtime friends in real life, having previously shared the screen in the Yellowstone prequel 1883 and the 1993 film Tombstone.

READ MORE: Whats the age difference between Billy Bob Thornton and his TV dad, Sam Elliott?

Earlier this month, Elliott gushed about collaborating with Thornton during a joint interview with People.

Having an opportunity to work with Billy again  weve only worked [together] briefly, a couple of times  and this time were in deep, and its just a treat to go to work and be with him, he said.

Thornton told the outlet that Landman is a job where you dont have days when you dont want to go to work.

We love to go to work on this show, and we love all the cast, its an amazing crew  best crew Ive ever worked with," Thornton said. I mean, theres never a day when Im like, Wow, I wish I could get the hell out of here. It never happens. Its a wonderful place to be.

Luckily for Thornton and Elliott, they have more shooting days ahead. Landman was officially renewed for season 3 earlier this month.

New episodes of Landman premiere on Paramount+ on Sundays at 3 a.m. ET.
Actress Rachel Carpani, whose credits include a 2009 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles, has died. She was 45.

Carpanis sister Georgia announced the news via Instagram on Monday, Dec. 15.

It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December, Georgia wrote.

The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends, she continued. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.

Rachel Carpani as Jodi Fountain on "McLeod's Daughters." Nine Network

Although Georgia did not specify what chronic illness Carpani was battling, the actress previously opened up about her struggles with endometriosis and adenomyosis in 2021.

I consider myself VERY lucky that I have now found two incredible specialists ... who are dealing successfully with my endometriosis and adenomyosis, Carpani wrote via Instagram at the time, noting that she had gone from an 8-9 on the pain scale to about a 2-3 on the pain scale, which I consider PAIN free.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, and adenomyosis is when tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. Both conditions are associated with chronic pain, including severe cramping and pelvic pain, and increased risk of infertility.

READ MORE: Rob Reiners family member questioned after he and his wife were found dead

While the conditions are not typically life-threatening, they can cause serious complications that can be dangerous without treatment.

Carpani was best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the Australian drama series McLeods Daughters. She also made appearances on TV shows including NCIS: Los Angeles (Amy), Triangle (Sally) and The Way Back (Diane).
A Hunterdon County school board member stepped down a month before her term was set to end, following a prolonged controversy over allegations that she posted hate speech online in 2023.

Rebecca Petersen, who has served on Raritan Townships Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Board of Education for three years, announced her recusal from the remainder of her term at the Nov. 17 board meeting.

My time on this board has been mired in toxicity and bald hatred fomented by bad actors both within the district and in the public, Petersen said during the meeting.

People who placed their thirst for power and personal ideology above what is supposed to be the best interest of this district, she added.

Board President Lisa Santangelo declined to comment on the matter.

Petersen was accused of operating an anonymous X, formerly known as Twitter, account that posted transphobic tweets, including criticism of the high schools Womens History Month display featuring transgender icons Marsha P. Johnson and Laverne Cox.

The account, which has since been deleted, also included tweets that misgendered former United States Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine.

I denied, and continue to deny, all the charges against me, Petersen said at the most recent board meeting. She said she was punished by the district leadership from 2023, who she claims did not have legal authority.

Petersen said that the School Ethics Commission has not yet released a final decision regarding an appeal that she filed.

She said a judge overseeing the appeal concluded there was no evidence connecting her to the allegations.

Petersen did not win re-election this year, despite seeking another term with the board.

NJ Advance Media was unable to reach Petersen for comment as her district email was no longer accepting messages.

Soon after the district announced its investigation into the social media account, Petersen filed an ethics complaint against the board president and vice president.

Petersen alleged their probe into the controversial account behind the posts was an unethical pursuit infringing on protected free speech.

Petersen said Dorothea Kellogg, who was vice president when the controversial X account was discovered, had previously called for her resignation.

While announcing her recusal, Petersen said Kellogg had previously attacked her character, accusing the former vice president of vilifying her during the controversy.

Kellogg did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kelloggs current term will expire in December 2026, according to the board of educations website.

Have a good meeting, Petersen said before shutting off her microphone and leaving the high school auditorium.

The other board members acknowledged her recusal and continued with regular business. The board was set to discuss Petersens leave during a closed executive session.
Emergency crews responded to a fire at an apartment building on Saturday night that left the structure uninhabitable and displaced more than 20 residents, town officials said.

Police received calls about the fire at 1 Maryland Circle after 8 p.m. on Dec. 13, according to Sergeant Kevin Sell of the Whitehall Township Police Department.

Officers told reporters the building is unsafe to inhabit, and as of Dec. 14, no one is allowed inside.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and will need to be investigated by the fire department, Sell said. The Whitehall Township fire chief did not immediately respond to inquiries.

Nineteen residents relied on volunteer assistance following the fire, according to the Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter.

The organization set up a temporary shelter at Whitehall Township High School and provided food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance to those affected.

The Red Cross emergency shelter relocated to Berrier Hall at Lehigh Carbon Community College on Sunday night to allow the school to resume normal operations.
A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to prison in December after causing the death of a 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran from Hackettstown while fleeing from law enforcement, authorities said.

Sean Mamakas, 34, of Kempton in Berks County, was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison on Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter. Mamakas must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

He was sentenced by Judge Reema Kareer in Warren County Superior Court.

Mamakas was driving an SUV that collided with the rear of a motorcycle driven by Michael Ceddia around 10:20 a.m. Aug. 13 on County Road 521 near Dogwood Road in Hope Township, according to acting Warren County Prosecutor Anthony Picione.

Ceddia was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the crash scene, authorities said. An obituary says Ceddia served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1972.

A New Jersey state trooper tried to pull Mamakas over on Interstate 80, but he fled and then exited the highway onto County Road 521, authorities said. Mamakas drove south on 521, passed a vehicle and collided with Ceddia on the motorcycle, authorities said.

The impact also caused Mamakas to lose control of his SUV, which left the roadway and came to rest in a wooded area.

Mamakas suffered minor injuries after the SUV he was driving veered off the road and into the woods, authorities said.

Mamakas was charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter and single counts of eluding police, vehicular homicide and aggravated assault.

The prosecutors office did not say why the trooper tried to stop Mamakas on I-80.
A Lehigh County woman faces felony charges in a September 2025 four-vehicle crash that seriously injured another driver, authorities say.

Hannah Lipkin, 24, of the 800 block of Lawrence Street in Salisbury Township near Bethlehem, was arraigned on 13 counts and released on $50,000 bond.

Lipkins aggressive driving while under the influence caused the wreck Sept. 7 on Riverview Drive (Route 145) in Lehigh Township, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said in a news release Monday.

Lehigh Township police investigating the crash that occurred about 6:30 p.m. reviewed rear-facing dashboard camera footage that they say captured Lipkins driving and the collisions.

The video shows Lipkin make an illegal turn out of McDonalds onto Main Street in Walnutport and merge onto southbound Riverview Drive behind the dash-cam vehicle, investigators said.

Lipkin can be seen driving onto the center yellow lines and shoulder, accelerating and tailgating, according to court records.

During this, Lipkins vehicle was so close that the camera captures her taking both hands off the steering wheel, placing them on her head and appearing to yell, the news release from Barattas office states.

Approaching Treichlers, in the 100 block of Riverview Drive, Lipkin crossed onto the northbound side of the road, according to police.

Her 2021 Hyundai Kona collided with a northbound 2025 Subaru Impreza, causing the Hyundai to also collide with a southbound 2025 Toyota Prius and northbound 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander, police said.

The driver of the Mitsubishi suffered numerous injuries including a femur fracture, nasal bone fractures, compression of a thoracic vertebra, fractures to the sacrum and pelvis, laceration of the kidney and bruises, according to court records.

Lipkin also was taken to an area hospital, where a blood draw showed levels of ethanol (alcohol), THC (the intoxicating component of marijuana), and cocaine and a cocaine byproduct, according to investigators.

She was arraigned Friday before District Judge Robert Hawke on felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI; misdemeanor DUI charges; and summary vehicle offenses.

A bondsman posted $50,000 bail for Lipkins release, with a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for Dec. 30 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the charges toward trial in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.

Lipkins attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.

Mondays release from the district attorneys office states that Baratta is committed to combating aggressive driving and road rage by prioritizing enforcement and accountability for dangerous driving behaviors.

Speeding, tailgating, and weaving through traffic are aggressive driving behaviors that can reduce reaction time and endanger not only the driver, but also other motorists and pedestrians, the statement continues.
A pickup truck driver whose passenger died when he drove drunk and smashed his car into the second floor of a Warren County home was convicted Friday on multiple serious charges, authorities said.

John C. Nunn, 31, of Washington Township, was found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree death by auto, second degree aggravated assault and two counts of third-degree assault by auto, according to a statement from the Warren County Prosecutors Office.

Nunn was heading east on Route 57 in Washington Township on Feb. 6, 2022, when he attempted to pass two other vehicles and lost control, the office said. His truck hit a mailbox and a stone pillar as the vehicle careened into the house.

That section of Route 57 does not allow passing, investigators said.

Nunn was thrown from the vehicle during the crash and found in the first floor, authorities said. His injuries were minor.

His passenger, Tyler Balog, 24, also of Washington, was pronounced dead at the scene, the office said.

The homeowners were in the house when the truck hit it, authorities said. One of them, a woman, was in the bedroom. She was flown to Morristown Medical Center in critical condition but ultimately survived.

The other homeowner, a man, was not in the bedroom at the time and was unhurt, officials said. He was taken to Hackettstown Medical Center as a precaution.

Detectives determined Nunn was driving while intoxicated. He was later arrested and charged, the office said.

He faces up to 30 years in state prison at sentencing scheduled for Jan. 26, according to the prosecutors office.

Balog was a 2015 graduate of Warren Hills Regional High School and employed as an automotive technician, according to his obituary.
Road works are due to commence outside a Graiguecullen housing estate in the new year following delays due to complications with high pressure gas mains in the area.

Severe flooding at the entrance of Tommy Murphy Park housing estate has caused difficulties for residents and road users for quite some time now, with local councillors bringing the issue to the attention of Laois County Council.

At the December meeting of the Graiguecullen / Portarlington MD, Councillor Ben Brennan raised the issue with the council which he described as "very serious."

Cllr Brennan told the council that flooding can reach up to 5 and 6 inches at times and people living in Tommy Murphy Park and the surrounding estates are forced to walk through it.

READ NEXT: Public to have say on big revamp plans for Laois town square

Cllr Vivienne Phelan supported the motion, saying that many residents have complained about the problem. She said that because the issue is in Graiguecullen that it is a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for the council. Cllr Phelan added: "This wouldn't be acceptable in Portlaoise."

Laois County Council's Senior Executive Engineer, Tom Drennan, told the councillors that the council has carried out a CCTV drain investigation which has revealed that the existing pipeline network adjoining percolation has reached the end of its service life.

He added: "Remedial civil works are required, specifically involving the installation of new piping to connect the road gullies to the existing storm drainage system located at the entrance to Tommy Murphy Park Estate."

Drennan said that Laois County Council has engaged with Gas Networks Ireland and the work is hoped to start in the new year.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A public information evening is being held in Rathdowney to get the views of residents and businesses on the plans to revamp the town square. The square, which has remained relatively unchanged over the last 100 years, is set to get a facelift as part of a public realm improvement project.

The public is getting the chance to view the drawings of the proposed new pedestrianised plaza in the Parochial Hall on Tuesday, December 16 from 5.30pm to 7pm.

The regeneration plans are inspired by the Town Centre First Plan plan for Rathdowney and are supported by Rathdowney Town Team and Laois County Council's Town Regeneration Section.

The proposed plaza is set to be the biggest change to Rathdowney's square in the last century.

At the bottom of the square, from Unique Hair studio to Kirwan and Bain's solicitors, a new plaza featuring a permanent canopy structure, a casual trading stand and public seating will replace the car parking area.

Pictured: A new plaza will be created from Unique Hair studio to Ossory street

Ten parking spots will remain in front of the former Bank of Ireland, with one disabled parking space. Concrete footpaths at the end of the square will be removed and replaced, and hard and soft landscaping will be introduced, featuring native plants that promote biodiversity in the area.

Pictured: The plans for Rathdowney's town square.

Ossory Street will remain accessible to vehicles, along with an access point to Supervalu through the square.

The canopy structure will be similar to one in Dublin's Fairview Park, which will allow for public performances, markets and gatherings to take place. Bollards will be erected surrounding the new plaza.



To allow for the creation of this plaza, available parking spaces in the square will be reduced.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Festive fun at Rathdowney Senior Citizen Christmas party!

Rathdowney Fine Gael Cllr John King welcomed the creation of this plaza, highlighting that the works will retain some of the original parking spaces, along with the introduction of a new amenity for the town.



"These works are shovel ready, and it will be a great thing for the town," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: plans for the proposed plaza area

"We want to make the square a place people will want to spend their time, not to just park their car for the day. We want to create a nice ambience with more seating, while keeping the existing amount of parking. We want Rathdowney to be a friendly place for all," Cllr King explained.

"We used to have markets and meetings in the square, it is now used as a car park. People aren't always in favour of change, but we need a recreational area in the town, somewhere for people to meet and relax, and watch the world go by," he said.

This project is being carried out by Laois County Councils area office in collaboration with the town's Regeneration Team.

Rathdowney's Town First Plan was published in 2023, which detailed the widening of footpaths, the introduction of more streetlighting, increased landscaping areas, traffic calming measures, and the reduction of vacant properties in the town.

Two electric vehicle charging points were also installed in the square in November of 2024.

August saw the town's main street close for five weeks to allow for the replacement of road and the installation of footpaths. The town was previously granted 213,000 in funding to allow for these works.

Simultaneously, Rathdowney's playground is undergoing major renovations. Read more here.
Labour Party Councillor Angela Feeney has renewed her call for major investment in swimming infrastructure in North Kildare  including Leixlip, Celbridge, Clane, Maynooth and Kilcock  following the publication of the Swim Ireland Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report, which highlights significant national deficits in pool provision.

The people of North Kildare deserve access to modern, fully equipped aquatic facilities, said Cllr Feeney.

Communities in Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge and Kilcock all rely on a small number of ageing pools that are under huge pressure. Swimming is not optional  it is central to water safety, sport, physical activity and community wellbeing.

While local pools and clubs do vital work supporting residents, the national report shows:

Ireland now has only one public pool for every 81,000+ people  far below what is needed.

Existing pools are ageing, oversubscribed and often inaccessible to many groups.

Many areas  including Kildare  lack access to long-course (50-metre) training facilities.

Warm-water hydrotherapy facilities are severely limited nationwide.

READ NEXT: Dunboynes Alltech raises 80,000 to Kildare cancer support centre

These national trends are felt acutely here in North Kildare, said Cllr Feeney.

Parents in Maynooth and Kilcock tell me about year-long waiting lists for lessons. Clubs in all our large and growing towns struggle for training hours. People recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions struggle to find hydrotherapy access locally.

Cllr Feeney says Kildare urgently needs investment in a state-of-the-art aquatic centre serving Leixlip, Celbridge, Clane, Maynooth and Kilcock, providing:

more lane capacity for lessons and club development

50-metre pool capability for competitive training

warm-water hydrotherapy pools for rehabilitation, chronic pain and inclusive use

accessible design for people with disabilities and older adults

community spaces that support lifelong physical activity

Hydrotherapy must be part of this plan, Cllr Feeney stressed. This isnt an optional extra  its a lifeline for people recovering from surgery, people with disabilities, older adults, and anyone who needs low-impact therapeutic exercise.

Cllr Feeney will in the New Year seek from the Chief Executive an all-of-Council effort to secure dedicated funding for expanded swimming facilities in North Kildare, ensuring that the combined needs of all our towns are fully recognised.

North Kildare is growing rapidly. The demand is there. The evidence is there. And communities have been calling for this for years, Cllr Feeney said.

Its time for Government and national bodies to support a modern, accessible swimming facility that genuinely meets the needs of North Kildare  and the entire county.
Restaurants and coffee shops operating within County Kildare should eliminate unnecessary packaging.

A call has been for Kildare County Council to limit single use items, disposable cutlery as well as cups and plates in restaurants and cafes where food and drink is consumed on-site (either inside or in designated outdoor seating areas).

READ NEXT Gardai announce new safety measures for Irish Jewish community after Bondi Beach shooting

It came from Fianna Fail councillor Brian O'Loughlin who said an exception should be made for people leaving with food but in other cases packaging, including cardboard, shouldn't be allowed.

KCC official Marian Higgins said there is a range of controls on various types of plastic products and on those who manufacture or import these products.

Ms Higgins also pointed out, at a KCC meeting, that since July 2021 plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers and straws are banned in Ireland.

Biodegradable and compostable alternatives made from materials like wood, bamboo, or paper are still available for purchase.

She said local authorities like KCC are not responsible for taking any enforcement action in relation to retailers who are engaged in placing prohibited items onto the market and this function remains with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ms Higgins added the circular economy model builds on sharing, reusing and reinventing materials to meet our needs and replaces the current take, make, dispose model.

She said businesses and others could be reminded and encouraged to use the "reduce, reuse, recycle" hierarchy - reduce consumption first, then reuse items where possible and recycle what's left.
Leitrim Eurovision winner vows to give back his win in protest of Israels inclusion in this years competition.

Charlie McGettigan, who won the Eurovision competition alongside Paul Harrington in 1994 with the song Rock N Roll Kids, said that he will hand back the trophy - he has since clarified that they were not actually given a physical trophy after mistakenly saying they had been awarded one when they won the competition thirty years ago.

The news comes after last years winner Nemo from Switzerland announced he would hand back his trophy in protest to Israeli participation in the competition following the countries continued actions in Gaza.

The broadcasting companies of Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia, and The Netherlands have pulled out of this years competition in protest.

READ MORE: Leitrim Co Council confirms public service counters will be closed today

Meanwhile, Seventeen Portuguese musicians competing in the countrys national selection competition said they would refuse to represent Portugal even if selected for next years song contest.

The announcement was made in a video posted by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) on Instagram.

Last night, just before I went to sleep, I received an Instagram message from the 2024 song contest winner, someone called Nemo. They were saying in protest of the inclusion of Israel in the 2026 song contest, they will return their trophy to the European Broadcasting Union, he said.

READ MORE: An Garda Siochana remember Leitrim garda killed in Burt on 16th anniversary

They came across as sincere and a very intelligent person and stated their case very well, and therefore, in support of Nemo, I would like to return my trophy to the EBU as well.

McGettigan reiterated his belief that Israel should not be in the Eurovision this year due to their government's actions in Gaza, leading to the deaths of around seventy thousand people according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.

It's life if during the troubles the british government said, look we know there are lots of IRA people in belfast, so we will bomb Belfast and flatten it to the ground and we are bound to get most of them that way Well that is basically what they did in Gaza, he told the Leitrim Observer.

He says that he would not call on other winners to hand back their awards.
Jeffrey Yates, Head of LEITI Secretariat hands over the report to the Chairman of the MSG, R. Matenokay Tingban
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A group photograph of inducted Watch Team members, board officials, and community leaders marks the conclusion of the Thinkers Village Community Watch Team induction ceremony.
A YOUNG Romanian man who was caught driving on a busy road in County Limerick while disqualified has been banned for four years.

Marius Garu, aged 22, who has an address at Blackthorn Grove, Tipperary Town, was before Kilmallock District Court arising from a detection near Dromkeen earlier this year.

Judge Patricia Harney was told he was stopped by Garda Ivan Hannify on the N24, at Corelish East, Dromkeen on April 18 and that it was subsequently established that he did not have insurance or a valid driving licence.

It emerged during the court proceedings that he was previously convicted in relation to a separate offence and was disqualified, before Nenagh District Court, from driving for two years on September 9, 2024.

Addressing the court with the assistance of an interpreter, Mr Garu initially stated he was insured and that a copy of his insurance certificate was to hand in court.

READ MORE: Limerick town gears up for Christmas with 'late night' shopping this festive season

However, when the case was recalled, solicitor Michael O'Donnell indicated his client was entering a guilty plea. He said his client was not aware of the disqualification as the notice had been sent to a 'different house'.

Inspector Barry Manton confirmed that any insurance is "null and void" without a valid driving license. He added that the policy produced by My Garu in court had been taken out following the detection in April.

The court heard the defendant has been living and working in Ireland for the past three years.

Expressing her dissatisfaction with the circumstances of the offence, Judge Harney reprimanded the defendant for having a very casual attitude towards the proceedings and the road traffic laws in Ireland.

"He can't be hiding behind the fact that he doesn't know what's going on."

Mr Garu was fined 750 and he was disqualified from driving for four years.

Judge Harney warned the young man he will go to prison if he is caught driving again.
A FATHER-of-three has apologised after he carried out an unprovoked assault outside a pub in County Limerick.

At Limerick Circuit Court, Bobby Harty, aged 36, of Condell Road, Limerick city, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and one count of criminal damage.

Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, who outlined the evidence to the court said that on the night of June 17, 2023, the injured party went to the Dark Horse Pub in Patrickswell and had two or three pints.

The 40-year-old, who works as a hospital porter, then went to Punchs Pub, where he had another pint before leaving at approximately 1.20am.

The court heard that he had headphones on and was listening to music as he stepped out of the pub.

After taking a few steps, he heard a shout of hey you from behind and when he turned around, he was punched in the face by Mr Harty. The accused then grabbed his headphones and hit him on the side of the head.

READ NEXT: 'Do not drink' - Popular Christmas spirit recalled due to small pieces of glass inside

He subsequently took his headphones, which were worth 500, and broke them off a landpost.

After walking home, the injured party rang 999 and reported the incident to An Garda Siochana.

His eye was black and purple in colour in the aftermath of the incident and after going to the doctor two days later, he was put on painkillers.

Garda Sean Kennedy told the court the attack was unprovoked and that Mr Harty was arrested on November 9, 2023, having been identified as a suspect.

Having been shown CCTV footage of the incident, Mr Harty admitted it was him on the CCTV footage and that it was he who carried out the assault.

However, he said he had no recollection of the incident because he had too much to drink.

He apologised for his actions and offered to pay 500 to the injured party as a sign of his remorse and to cover the cost of the headphones.

Mr Harty has a number of previous convictions, but has not come to the attention of the gardai since his last offence in 2018.

In her mitigation plea, barrister Amy Nix said her client is the father of three young children, including a newborn baby.

She asked the court to note his genuine remorse and that he co-operated fully with gardai throughout the investigation.

Imposing sentence, Judge Colin Daly noted that the Director of Prosecutions had consented to the matter being heard before the district court but that Judge Carol Anne Coolican had refused jurisdiction

Judge Colin Daly sentenced Mr Harty to 12 months' imprisonment, suspending the sentence in its entirety.

The judge directed Mr Harty to pay the offered 500 compensation to the injured party in the case.
LIMERICK gardai have issued a warning to locals ahead of the busy festive season as December typically sees an increase in incidents.

Sergeant Michael Gallagher, Community Policing at Mayorstone Garda Station said:

"Assaults increased by 11% from November to December in 2023, and 12% in 2024."

Forty% of assault-causing-harm incidents occur on weekends. Saturday is the most common day for robbery-from-the-person incidents," added Sgt Gallagher.

READ MORE: Limerick man threatened to burn ex-partner's home following breakdown of relationship

"Almost 45% of items stolen fall under Electronic/Office equipment and Cash/Cheques so vigilance really does matter this time of year and being streetwise."

The community policing garda said they're asking everyone to be 'PLANS' AND 'STREETWISE.'

To go through PLANS:

P  Plan your night out and your way home.

L  Let someone know where youre going and when you expect to return.

A  Avoid walking alone in dark or quiet areas.

N  Never try to reason with aggressive or intoxicated people.

S  Streetwise: Know your surroundings and mind your valuables.
A TEENAGER from County Clare has been jailed for dangerous driving following a high-speed crash on the main Limerick to Shannon road earlier this year.

At Ennis District Court, Shane Connors, aged 18, of Woodview Heights, Sixmilebridge, pleaded guilty to multiple charges arising from a number of different offences, including the crash on the N18.

The other charges including burglary, criminal damage and theft relate to offences that happened at a number of locations across Clare and Galway.

READ NEXT: Ongoing delays to dangerous Limerick village footpath is an accident waiting to happen

The dangerous driving charge relates to an accident on the N18 between Bunratty and Limerick on May 30 last.

The incident occurred following a late-night burglary in Sixmilebridge during which Mr Connors stole a wallet and car keys before taking a car which was parked outside.

Sergeant John Burke said Mr Connors was driving the stolen vehicle - a Mercedes car - in excess of 150 kilometres per hour when he crashed. He did not have a driving licence or insurance.

Judge Alec Gabbett was told the defendant hit the barrier and a pole on the side of the road before bouncing back onto the dual carriageway with the Mercedes landing on its roof.

The engine was ripped from the car and it landed in the ditch on the side of the road due to the force of the single-car collision.

Tara Godfrey, the solicitor representing Mr Connors, said Mr Connors is a different person since the collision as "reality hit that he could have killed himself or someone else."

She said her client, who had no previous convictions prior to the court sitting, has "calmed down enormously" and has "done good work" with the Probation Service in recent months.

Judge Gabbett noted how Mr Connors appeared before him in court the day after the crash and that he was "surprised he was able to walk into the courtroom".

He commented it was likely he survived the crash as it was a luxury vehicle that he stole. "It was a miracle," he said.

On the dangerous driving charge, Judge Gabbett sentenced Mr Connors to three months' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for two years. A four-year ban was imposed for the no insurance charge.

Mr Connors was also convicted and sentenced in relation to several other charges, arising from separate offences, some of which were committed while he was still a juvenile.

There were emotional scenes in the courtroom as the 18-year-old hugged a relative before being led away to serve his prison sentence, which totals 14 months.
PLANNING permission for a new multi-storey health centre in the city centre has been approved.

Limerick City and County Council planners have given the green light to the HSE to commence the development in the grounds of St Josephs Hospital in Mulgrave Street.

A four-storey unit, the development is earmarked to include a doctors surgery, a Breastcheck clinic, and community care services.

READ MORE: Teenager who survived high-speed crash on Limerick-Clare road jailed for dangerous driving

On top of this, the needs of dental patients will also be planned for, as well as help for people who need to manage chronic diseases.

There will also be consulting rooms, a retail cafe and all associated administration offices.

Some 110 car parking spaces are planned, seven of which are to be wheelchair focused.

A total of 110 bike spaces are also proposed.

The development is earmarked to take place at the front of the St Josephs Hospital site, facing onto Mulgrave Street.

In documents presented to council planners, agents for the HSE described the proposed centre as a critical infrastructure project for the development of the Slaintecare strategy, which is designed to improve Irelands healthcare system.

The Primary Care Centre is to provide accommodation for two primary care teams currently based in Limerick in accommodation which falls short of what is required by best practice health design, they add.

Although large parts of St Josephs are out of use, the HSE has plans to redevelop the former psychiatric hospital building back into operation. The building is expected to become a new administrative hub for the health service locally.

A new mental health day hospital and rehabilitation facility are also planned for the vast site, returning it to a use it had previously.

Council afforded the HSE planning permission subject to 14 conditions.

This includes a stipulation that the developer pays to the council a contribution of 294,800 for local infrastructure and facilities of benefit to the area.
Lincoln University of Missouri is proud to announce the appointment of Piyusha Singh, Ph.D., as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Singh has served as interim provost since July 21, providing steady leadership and advancing key academic priorities. Her permanent appointment comes as the university continues to strengthen academic excellence and support student success.

Having served with distinction as interim provost, Singh has already demonstrated her ability to lead with clarity, integrity and purpose, said Lincoln University President John Moseley. I am confident that her permanent appointment will provide continuity and momentum as we advance Lincoln Universitys academic mission.

Singh holds a doctorate in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University and brings extensive experience in higher education leadership. She began her senior leadership career at Columbia College in Missouri in 2015, where she held several key roles, including vice president for online education, chief of staff, and ultimately provost and senior vice president. During her tenure, she led initiatives focused on academic quality, student-centered innovation and institutional growth across campus-based, online and national programs.

In 2023, Singh transitioned to the private sector to serve as an executive with Big Tree Medical Corporation, where she applied her leadership experience to advancing health care innovation and operations.

Singhs appointment reflects Lincoln University of Missouris continued emphasis on academic excellence, workforce readiness, and innovation in teaching and learning. The university is confident her leadership will further strengthen its academic mission and support the success of students, faculty and staff.

Please join us in congratulating her!
Lincoln University of Missouri is pleased to announce the appointment of Darius Watson, Ph.D., as dean of the School of Professional Studies. He will retain his role as assistant provost for academic innovation, outreach and research.

Watson has served as interim dean of the School of Professional Studies since June 2025, providing leadership during a period of transition. In his role as dean, he will continue to provide oversight for the School of Business, the School of Education and the School of Nursing, while maintaining his responsibilities as assistant provost.

Darius Watson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to academic excellence, said Lincoln University President John Mossley. His innovative approach and dedication to our students and faculty make him the ideal choice to lead the School of Professional Studies. We are excited to see the continued impact of his leadership across these programs.

Watson joined Lincoln University in 2019 as a professor of political science and has held several leadership roles during his tenure. As assistant provost for academic innovation, outreach and research, he led the launch of the Lincoln University Security Sciences Institute and the Lincoln University Employment Academy. He also led the Universitys administrative program review efforts, including implementation of recommendations from 2023 and leadership throughout the 2025 review process.

Watson earned a doctorate in political science from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 2010. He holds a bachelors degree in international relations from SUNY New Paltz and a masters degree in international relations from the University at Albany.

Please join us in congratulating Watson on his appointment!
NEW DELHI : After more than four decades at Wipro, Vineet Agrawal is preparing to retire next month as chief executive officer of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and managing director of Wipro Enterprises. As he does, Agrawal is clear-eyed about the challenge ahead for the homegrown FMCG business: it remains a fairly small" player and must grow across multiple categories to scale faster.

With interests spanning personal care, home care and domestic lightingand a recent push into packaged foodsAgrawal said Indias low category penetration offers significant headroom for growth. While Wipro Consumers debt-free balance sheet gives it room to pursue acquisitions, these will be selective and strategic, he said, adding that organic growth will remain the core driver.

The company has already begun building its foods portfolio. In 2023, it announced plans to acquire Kerala-based packaged foods brand Brahmins, following the acquisition of Keralas Nirapara a year earliermarking its entry into spices and ready-to-cook foods.

Also Read | FMCG input costs have splitwhat it means for margins

The maker of Santoor soap reported revenues of 10,625 crore in 202425, a 3.4% year-on-year increase. Edited excerpts from an interview with Mint follow.

How has the FMCG landscape changed over the span of your career, and where do you see it headed?

There has been huge change. Channels have evolved from only general trade to modern trade, e-commerce, and now quick commerce. Media has also fragmented. We once had very few advertising channels; today, there are many, making media planning far more complex.

Consumer expectations have risen sharply. With television and e-commerce penetration, rural expectations are now similar to urban. Categories that were once urban-focused are now expanding into rural markets because awareness and access have improved. E-commerce, in particular, has widened product access significantly.

Youve stepped up investments in packaged foods. Is Wipro Consumer positioning itself as a full household-consumption company?

We are still fairly small, so we need to look at multiple sectors to grow fast  personal care, home care, foods. We cannot rely on a single category. We need to launch products well and gain share across all of them.

Also Read | FMCG input costs have splitwhat it means for margins

India offers enormous headroom. Penetration levels in several categories are still very low. Fabric conditioner penetration is barely 4% of households, yet we are the number two player, which shows how underdeveloped the category is. Hand-wash is another exampleit is a small business at around 200 crore for us, yet we are also number two there. These categories can grow sharply, which is why the India growth story is so compelling.

Why has foods become a sharper focus over the past two to three years?

Foods is not being pursued at the cost of other businesses. It is a separate growth engine. The category itself is very large. Toilet soaps in India are a 26,00027,000 crore market, while spices are around 70,000 crore. Snacks are another 70,000 crore category.

Also Read | How are Indian migrant workers celebrating Diwali in Singapore?

Even gaining share in a few states can translate into meaningful scale. There is also a clear shift from unorganised to organised players in foods, and we believe we can play a strong role in that transition.

What will drive growthorganic expansion, acquisitions or investments?

We are fortunate to be a strong cash-generating organisation with a debt-free balance sheet, so capital has never been a constraint for us. We generate operating margins of around 13% every year, which translates into 1,2001,300 crore of cash annually. Since we do not pay out dividends, this gives us a healthy war chest to pursue opportunities.

That said, acquisitions will remain strategic rather than opportunistic. They are not meant merely to add revenue, but to help us enter categories or geographies faster. For example, the acquisition of Canway in South Africa in 2020 gave us a foothold in Africa, and that business has grown threefold since FY20. In foods, entering spices organically would have taken a long time, which is why acquiring Brahmins and Nirapara gave us immediate presence in spices and ready-to-cook breakfast products in Kerala.

Organic growth, however, remains the foundation. The board will not back us if we fail to deliver on that. Acquisitions are incremental. This year, our star performers have been Santoor hand-wash and fabric conditioners.

What is the ambition for the next 510 years?

We don't give specific numbers for 35 years out. But we always say we must grow significantly faster than the industryin all geographies and all categories.

There is huge headroom for consumption growth in India and Southeast Asia. The sky is the limit, per capita consumption can go up and we must remain ambitious and grow disproportionately.

How does 2026 look in terms of demandvolumes versus pricing?

This quarter looks like a strong volume-growth quarter. We are hoping for high single-digit volume growth in India, and possibly double-digit growth if conditions remain favourable. Volumes are clearly coming back.

It is difficult to pinpoint a single reasonGST cuts, a good monsoon and income-tax benefits may all be contributing. There is visible positivity this quarter, and we hope it sustains. The Santoor brand today generates between 2,500 crore and 2,900 crore across soaps, body lotions and related products.

September was a tough quarter for many companies because of GST changes? How did it pan out for you?

All in all, it has been reasonably good. Most people struggled in September because of the GST changes. But we managed the transition reasonably well. Our India FMCG business grew by about 9.3% in the September quarter. For Q3, we are hoping to do high single-digit volume growth. Things are looking positive, and the GST transition is behind us.

What are you seeing in rural versus urban demand?

Urban lower-income consumers continue to face more stress compared to other segments. While it is still early to quantify, over the last few quarters, urban poor have been under greater pressure than rural consumers or the urban affluent.

What are the biggest tailwinds for Indias consumption story?

Per capita consumption in India remains low. Even in a mature category like toilet soaps, urban per capita usage is nearly three times that of rural areas. If consumption shifts toward hand-wash, fabric conditioners or packaged foods, the headroom is enormous.

Acquisitions are a top-up; organic growth is the bedrock.

Secondly, consumers want better products and upgraded lifestyles. Third, we have seen good GDP growth numbers, good monsoon, GST rate cuts, income-tax benefits have been passed on which is all helping to support demand. Overall, the India growth story is immense.
Bengaluru: A few months ago, Rupali Singh, a sales professional in Gurugram, placed a routine order for some staples on e-commerce platform CityMall. She was aware that the deliveries were sometimes late, but that was tolerable as long as the prices were good. On that day, however, no one showed up.

A week later, Singh noticed the order had been marked cancelled, allegedly because she had failed to answer calls from the delivery partner. But no one had called, and when she tried the phone number listed on the app for clarity, no one picked up. After raising a ticket, she received the number of a senior employee for her area. He admitted frankly that she was not at faultthe delivery partner assigned to her wasnt even in the system.

Delays are fine. But cancelling the order with the wrong reason and giving no updates is not acceptable," she told Mint. She got refunded a few days later, but by then Singh had decided she was done with CityMall.

Singh isnt the only one. When Ruby Kumari placed an order in Hajipur, Bihar, she was taken aback by the companys response after she complained about receiving an item past its expiry date. I got a refund," she recalled, but the customer care executive told me that I should check the order on delivery, and that they wouldnt refund the money again as per their internal policy. What if Im ordering for my parents and they cant read?"

E-commerce in Indias tier-2 and tier-3 towns has long been a difficult market to crack, constrained by low order values, fragmented demand, costly last-mile logistics and uneven digital comfort among consumers. Many have ventured down this path earlier, including Dealshare, but have failed to make headway or have fallen by the wayside.

At the same time, Meesho, another company built around tier-2 and tier-3 consumers, though largely for lifestyle categories, has made a strong debut on the markets after a stellar initial public offering (IPO), underscoring both the opportunity and the volatility in this market. Meesho popularized fashion and home products, turning unbranded lifestyle goods into a massive market by enabling small entrepreneurs, particularly women, to share catalogues and earn margins.

CityMall, like Dealshare before it, hopes to emulate Meeshos success. The startup, which sells groceries (80% of its business) and lifestyle products, is attempting to build a low-cost supply chain designed specifically for smaller towns to tackle their unique challenges. Like Meesho and Dealshare, it started out with a social commerce gambit, relying on community leaders to generate demand and aggregate grocery and daily-need orders. Dealshare has since ended its social commerce model and scaled down, while CityMall has tweaked its operating model over the last couple of years to generate demand directly.

View Full Image A screengrab from CityMalls website.

Social commerce is essentially buying and selling that happens through social networks, community groups and informal digital interactions. Community leaders are mostly people who are well known in a neighbourhood.

CityMall is still a minor contender, but it has ambitions of one day becoming the default grocery delivery app for smaller towns, at least in the North. On paper, the potential appears limitless, but on the ground, it is still trying and, at times, struggling to deliver on the promiselike the two instances above state.

Co-founder Angad Kikla did not clarify what went wrong in the first instance, but admitted that these were under-capacity issues" in different legs of the supply chain, like in the number of warehouses and delivery partners. We are trying to solve it by our three new warehouses," he said.

The company currently operates seven warehouses. The three new ones Kikla speaks about are in Patna in Bihar, Bahadurgarh in Haryana, and near Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

In short, CityMalls capacity expansion fell way behind its rate of business growth.

Eye on Bharat

CityMall was founded in 2019 by Kikla and fellow IITian Naisheel Verdhan. In the early days, they built a community-led group-buying model for groceries and other staples, onboarding local micro-entrepreneurs who both generated demand and fulfilled orders in their neighbourhoods.

This was a deliberate design as e-commerce adoption in smaller towns was still nascent when they started, and having a known local face helped overcome the mistrust of online shopping, according to Kikla.

In 2021, Rahul Gill joined as a co-founder to help scale up the business. With the pandemic accelerating digital adoption, CityMall shifted demand generation to its app while community partners focused on fulfilment, handling most deliveries, to make the model more scalable.

The startups pitch resonated strongly with investors, and it has received more than $150 million from marquee backers, including Elevation Capital and Accel, becoming one of the most heavily funded e-commerce bets aimed at rural consumers. Just three months ago, the company raised about $47 million at a flat valuation of about $320 million from existing investors, who see it as the leading contender to crack the non-metro market, one of Indias most coveted but elusive internet opportunities.

CityMall currently operates in about 60 cities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The startups revenue increased from 346 crore in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) to 427 crore in FY24, but its losses widened from 145 crore to 159 crore during the same period.

Complex model

CityMalls e-commerce model differs from competitors because it is built around the needs of the small-town consumer, whose behaviour is fundamentally different from metro shoppers. These are consumers who do not prioritize speed but care about price and access, as those in the industry put it. Their grocery purchases are largely planned, monthly stock-up orders. Metro consumers, on the other hand, make frequent, impulsive purchases and value convenience above all else.

One key aspect of CityMalls model is the average order value (AOV). In groceries, the AOV is typically at 400-450. That means the entire model, from procurement to last-mile delivery, must be structured to make money on a relatively small basket. Lifestyle platforms such as Meesho operate with higher-margin products, and quick-commerce services such as Blinkit or Swiggy Instamart had an AOV of around 700 in recent quarters, as per company filings.

This difference in AOV and margin profile changes everything about how supply chains are designed and run.

Unlike Instamart, Blinkit, BigBasket and Amazon Fresh, CityMall focuses on longereven three-daydelivery timelines for low-priced items.

In groceries, the AOV is typically at  400-450. That means the entire model, from procurement to last-mile delivery, must be structured to make money on a relatively small basket.

As Arjun Malhotra, general partner at Good Capital, an investor in Meesho, noted, CityMall needs to offer compelling pricing working with thin grocery margins while keeping operations and delivery costs under control. This model has been attempted before without success, so theyll need to innovate, whether through technology, assortment or distribution, to make it work," he said.

Most large, well-funded companies havent prioritized serving small-town consumers at lower cost points because it requires a fundamentally different logistical setup. CityMall is attempting to do so by stripping away frills. In their interactions with Mint, company executives said many tasks such as sorting, segregation and basic handling are done by the delivery executive. Theres no packaging cost, and doorstep delivery is replaced by batch delivery to the delivery partner, which keeps costs low.

Apart from co-founder Kikla, Mint spoke with eight former and current employees at the company.

Challenges galore

Employees we spoke to estimate that 25-30% of CityMalls revenue comes from business-to-business orders placed by local shopkeepers. On paper, this inflates order volumes and repeat rates. But in reality, say those who know the workings of the business, it drags margins down, because neighbourhood shopkeepers, some of the savviest buyers in Indias retail ecosystem, cherry-pick deeply discounted items.

Kikla, however, clarified that such transactions have been reduced to less than 5% of all orders from 10-12% earlier, with suspect orders being identified and cancelled.

On another front, the company found many partners actively avoiding items that carried a risk of being returned: appliances, electronics or higher-value stock-keeping units, because a return meant a weeklong wait for reimbursement.

Some delivery executives also took advantage of buy-one-get-one offers, kept the free unit for themselves, sold it in the black market, and then marked the product as missing in the system, leaving CityMall with a loss.

Some delivery executives took advantage of buy-one-get-one offers, kept the free unit for themselves, sold it in the black market, and then marked the product as missing in the system, leaving CityMall with a loss.

Kikla said that once fraud is identified, there is a standard process the company follows, which could be formal police complaints. Other CityMall executives told Mint that because of disputes, police frequently show up at the office.

The executives further noted that as CityMall scaled up, the load on delivery partners kept increasing. The company found that new partners took time to find their rhythm, leading to missed orders, delayed deliveries and inconsistent experiences, like the ones this piece begins with.

Kikla, however, said the company has linked almost 25% of the commissions that get paid to delivery executives to customer experience. There is a huge incentive or disincentive for community partners to make sure that those deliveries happen in time. But the most important way to tackle longer timelines is to have excess capacity. If you just zoom out and look at it, these are all (warehousing and delivery) under-capacity issues."

The company has perpetually been in a state where demand is much higher than capacity, admitted Kikla. So, building the capacity out ahead of the demand is what we are focusing on, which means investing more in our supply chain infrastructure," he added.

Groceries or lifestyle?

While groceries form the bulk of CityMalls business, the real profitability engine lies elsewhere. Grocery margins are in the 4-6% range; lifestyle categories such as fashion, home and kitchenware offer 20-25%.

In the lifestyle category, the company has moved heavily into an inventory-led model, buying stock into its warehouses and selling directly through the app to capture higher margins. The marketplace model, where buyers and sellers exchange goods, also continues to exist. But scaling lifestyle inside a grocery-first supply chain proved to be hard.

Lifestyle categories require deep selection. A single category requires thousands of SKUs to feel complete. CityMalls warehouses, however, were designed to move atta, oil, sugar and other staplesnot hundreds of colours, sizes and styles, company executives said. Moreover, they added, the reverse supply chain for returns posed an even bigger challenge as, unlike groceries, these items need a closer inspection, repackaging and so on at scale, something CityMall lacked.

Despite this complexity, lifestyle remains an important lever. The category contributes nearly 40% of CityMalls contribution margin even though it makes up just 15-20% of total business, according to the co-founder. Grocery, which accounts for the remainder, delivered only 60% of the contribution margin. In other words, the lifestyle vertical was doing a disproportionate amount of the heavy lifting on profitability.

Contribution margin is the profit remaining after deducting the direct, variable costs of production from revenue.

The clean-up

CityMall has spent the last two years fixing the fundamentals. We focused on three or four warehouses. Two of them were already breakeven. That playbook is what we tried to replicate," said a former executive. A lot of problem solving was done at the warehouse level, from redesigning processes, rethinking mother hub operations, deciding the right last-mile structure, choosing the correct vehicles"

Alongside operational fixes, the company invested heavily in antifraud systems. According to Kikla, tackling fraud is one of the top three challenges in this business, and most of it occurs at the back end, not at the community partner level.

View Full Image (From left) CityMall co-founders Angad Kikla, Rahul Gill and Naisheel Verdhan. The company started in 2019.

The combined effect of these changes has been meaningful: supply chain costs have more than halved. Our supply chain cost was over 100 per order around 2-2.5 years ago. Weve brought it down to about 50 per order. It is now two to three times more efficient than any grocery delivery model in India. That is our biggest moat," said Kikla.

Despite the occasional poor experience, CityMall still manages to retain customer loyalty in many markets. For families earning 20,000-30,000 a month, saving even 1,000-2,000 is hugely meaningful. Thats why they stay," said a former employee.

As for unit economics, a major lever in CityMalls path to profitability is private labels (selling goods under its own brands). In the last 10 months alone, our gross margins have grown significantly because of private labels. We started with staples 18-24 months ago and only recently expanded into FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods). That shift has changed our unit economics completely," Kikla said.

Yet, questions remain about whether CityMall can scale the way Meesho did.

Meesho had several advantages from first-mover positioning, non-MRP categories (unlike groceries) with pricing flexibility, and virtually no competition during its early scale-up years," said Good Capitals Malhotra.

The opportunity for CityMall is large, he noted, but the outcome will depend entirely on execution, given the competitive dynamics with quick commerce.

With digitalization accelerating across the country, e-commerce in Indias smaller towns is entering its next phase of growth. Tier-2 and tier-3 consumers are beginning to behave more like urban buyers, seeking not just value but also convenience and reliable service. This is where the challenge sharpens for CityMall. As convenience becomes a priority, expectations around customer support, timely delivery and issue resolution rise sharply, and these are areas the company will have to strengthen meaningfully.

As Madhur Singhal, managing partner and chief executive of Praxis Global Alliance, an advisory firm, noted, No-frills models work well initially because value shoppers come on board easily. But as these same shoppers evolve, service quality starts to matter."

Kikla knows the road ahead is long. We have built the lowest-cost distribution channel. Our focus now is to ensure that this supply chain comes with a very high level of reliability," he said. There are a hundred ways to make errors. Keeping sanity while building this business is the biggest challenge."
Ace investor Madhusudan Kela is clear about one thing: he won't buy into a company if a promoter is paring stake at a time when the business itself requires capital.

His comments come in a year marked by intense debate over initial public offerings (IPOs) that have been used largely as exit routes for promoters and private equity backers.

If a promoter is taking money out at a time when the company itself needs capital, I would never touch that company," Kela said at the Mint BFSI Conclave on 12 December.

However, he emphasized that exits are not a concern if the company does not require fresh capital, and the public issue is attractively priced. If the promoters are ethical and the issue is done in a transparent manner, it doesnt matter to me who is selling and who is buying."

Kela said investors should focus on a companys fundamentalswhether it offers growth and returnsrather than on who the buyers or sellers are in an IPO.

His remarks gain significance at a time when fund-raising through IPOs in 2025 has been dominated by offer-for-sale (OFS) issues. As of 2025, OFS accounted for nearly 63% of total IPO proceeds, according to a report by Yes Securities.

In an OFS, no new shares are issued and no money flows to the company; existing investors sell their holdings.

Over the longer period between FY15 and FY25, about 71% of IPO proceeds were attributed to OFS, compared with just 23% during FY0515, when a larger share of the money raised went toward growth capital for companies, as per a report from Quantum Mutual Fund.

The shift highlights how IPOs have evolved  from funding future growth that benefits new investors to facilitating exits for promoters and private investors, the report added.

Kela also said that over the years, the composition of the Nifty 50 index has changed. Of the 50 companies that made up the Nifty 50 index 25 years ago, only 17 remain today, showing how leadership changes over time, he added.

Also Read | Mutual fund managers defend recent high-valuation IPO bets

Over the next decade, the Nifty 50s composition is likely to look very different, with the possibility that the nature of IT (one of the major constituent of the index) itself changestraditional IT companies may give way to new-age technology firms, blurring the lines of what constitutes an IT company, Kela added.

As of today, financial services account for 37% of the Nifty 50, followed by IT at 11% and oil and gas at 10.2%.

Continued inflows into small- and mid-cap funds despite weak stock performance are a sign of clarity, not confusion, Kela said. He added that retail investors who stayed invested have been the biggest wealth creators and sustained inflows into these funds reflect maturity and discipline, rather than a cause for concern.

The assets under management (AUM) for small-cap mutual fund schemes stood at 3.69 trillion as of November, a 13.3% increase in the last one year, as per data from Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI). The Nifty small-cap 250 index has lost 5.5% between November 2024 and November 2025.

On crypto

While speaking about crypto investing, Kela said, I must honestly, candidly admit that I'm not invested in crypto."

He was quick to add that he should have at least evaluated the space. Forget after evaluation  if we did not participate, that was fine," he said, adding, But we did not even evaluate."

He noted that the reality is starkly different today; crypto has grown into a trillion-dollar industry. So, while he didnt allocate money to it, the takeaway for investors is clear: one should never dismiss any new asset class outright, he said.
(Bloomberg) -- The number of hedge funds registered in Dubais financial hub has doubled since the start of last year to more than 100, underscoring the citys rapid rise as an emerging global hub for the industry.

Dubai International Financial Centre is home to 102 hedge funds, following the arrival of firms like Oak Hill Advisors, which has about $108 billion of assets under management. Close to 80% of hedge funds in the DIFC manage assets of more than $1 billion, according to a statement on Monday.

Over the course of this year, the likes of Baron Capital Management, BlueCrest Capital, Silver Point Capital and Welwing Capital Group registered in the DIFC, joining behemoths such as Millennium Management and ExodusPoint Capital Management that already have a presence in the city.

The surge extends beyond hedge funds. The DIFC is approaching 500 wealth and asset management firms, according to a person familiar with the matter, up from about 350 at the start of last year. The growth has been fueled by more than 1,250 family-related business entities based in the hub and the United Arab Emirates rising appeal among relocating millionaires.

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Dubai has become a magnet for hedge funds, drawn by tax-free income, year-round sunshine and a timezone that allows trading across Asian and European markets. Neighboring Abu Dhabi is expanding rapidly as well, with Marshall Wace and Arini opening offices there over the past year.

Access to the UAEs vast pools of capital remains a key attraction. Abu Dhabi offers proximity to $1.8 trillion in sovereign wealth, while Dubai hosts family offices controlling more than $1 trillion. Firms are also pitching Gulf postings as perks to recruit and retain talent. Rather than choosing between the two cities, some managers are opting for both.

Still, the UAE hedge fund landscape remains dominated by secondary offices and is far from rivaling established hubs. New York, for instance, hosts more than 1,500 hedge fund headquarters, while Hong Kong and London each have over 300, according to Preqin data.

Even so, the Gulf country is gaining momentum  including as a launchpad for start-ups. At least five portfolio managers from top global hedge funds are setting up their own firms there, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Authorities are responding to the surge. Dubai is building three new towers in the DIFC and has retrofitted another to accommodate hedge-fund start-ups. The city is also weighing significant regulatory changes to attract more managers, Bloomberg News has reported.

Over in Abu Dhabi, a similar influx of firms helped push the number of operational entities within its financial center ADGM to 3,227 in the third quarter, a 43% year-on-year increase. Last week, authorities said they plan to spend at least $16 billion to add offices, luxury homes and retail space.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Streaming giant Netflix's two chief executive officers have shared reasons for acquiring Warner Bros Discovery, after Paramount Skydance Corp went public with a competing offer, according to a report by Bloomberg.

On 5 December, Netflix said that it agreed to pay $82.7 billion, including debt, for Warner Bros. Three days after the offer, Paramount responded with a bid for the entire company, including some units such as cable news, that Netflix does not plan to acquire. The competing bid valued the studio at $108.4 billion.

In a letter to employees on Monday, 15 December, Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos addressed industry concerns about job losses and the end of theatrical releases.

Issue of theatrical releases The executives assured that they were committed to releasing Warner Bros movies in theatres amid allegations that Netflix would prioritise a streaming-first model. Sarandos had earlier called going to the theatre an outdated experience.

We havent prioritised theatrical in the past because that wasnt our business at Netflix, the report quoted the co-CEOs' statement. When this deal closes, we will be in that business.

Also Read | Avatar director James Cameron warns against NetflixWarner Bros deal

Aim to boost jobs They also pledged that there would be no overlap or studio closures, addressing concerns that the mega-deal could lead to job reductions in an industry already affected by the growth of streaming platforms and artificial intelligence.

This deal is about growth, they wrote. Were strengthening one of Hollywoods most iconic studios, supporting jobs, and ensuring a healthy future for film and TV production.

On Paramount's offer The report further said that Netflix CEOs are working to finalise their deal after Paramount submitted a hostile bid for Warner Bros, which covers the entire company and offers shareholders a higher payout. However, they remain confident in the $82.7 billion agreement.

It was entirely expected, they said, while discussing the Paramount offer. But, we have a solid deal in place.

Concern of regulatory approval Concerns were also raised regarding regulatory approval for any potential deal, the report said. Peters and Sarandos cited Nielsen data indicating that a Netflix-Warner Bros partnership would have a smaller viewer share compared to YouTube or a possible Paramount-Warner Bros partnership.

Were confident well get the approvals we need to make it happen, the Netflix leaders wrote. The fundamentals are clear: this deal is pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-creator, and pro-growth.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called Paramounts offer a five-alarm antitrust fire. She had called Netflixs offer an anti-monopoly nightmare previously.
(Bloomberg) -- iRobot Corp. filed for bankruptcy after reaching a restructuring support agreement that will hand control of the consumer robot maker to Shenzhen PICEA Robotics Co., its main supplier and lender, and Santrum Hong Kong Co.

The Massachusetts-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of Delaware on Dec. 14, according to a news release.

Under the restructuring, vacuum cleaner maker Shenzhen PICEA will receive the entire equity stake in the reorganized company. The companys common stock will be wiped out under the proposed Chapter 11 plan.

The plan will allow the debtor to remain as a going concern and continue to meets its commitments to employees and make timely payments in full to vendors and other creditors for amounts owed throughout the court-supervised process, according to an iRobot statement.

Todays announcement marks a pivotal milestone in securing iRobots long-term future, iRobot Chief Executive Officer Gary Cohen said in a statement.

The company warned of potential bankruptcy in December after years of declining earnings. At the time, Shenzhen PICEA acquired a major portion of its debt from US investor Carlyle Group Inc., and iRobot said it was in talks to secure new capital and address the outstanding debt.

Founded in 1990 by three MIT engineers, iRobot has evolved over more than three decades. It enjoyed significant early success, selling over 50 million robots, according to its website. Earnings began to decline since 2021 due to supply chain headwinds and increased competition.

A hoped-for by acquisition by Amazon.com in 2023 collapsed over regulatory concerns.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15 (ANI): Indian solar companies are earning very high profits right now, but these profits are expected to slow down in the coming years as more factories open and competition increases, according to a report by DAM Capital.

The report explained that domestic solar module and cell makers are currently enjoying super-normal margins. This is mainly because imports are restricted and India does not yet have enough domestic manufacturing capacity. Due to limited supply and strong demand, companies are able to earn higher returns at present.

It stated, "Domestic manufacturers are earning exceptionally high returns currently due to import restrictions and limited domestic capacity. However, rising competition and rapid expansion in module and cell capacities will normalise profitability over the next three years."

The report also said that many companies are rapidly expanding their module and cell manufacturing capacities. As more players enter the market and supply increases, competition will rise. Because of this, profit margins are expected to come down gradually over the next three years.

By FY27E, the report expects module margins to fall sharply. At the same time, returns from cell manufacturing are also likely to moderate as large-scale capacities start operations. This means companies may not earn the same level of profits as they are earning today.

Even so, the report added that profits in the solar industry will not disappear completely. Instead, the profit pool is expected to move towards upstream products. As government policies change and supply chains become stronger, companies that make products higher up in the value chain are likely to benefit more.

The report noted that companies that can quickly move into backward integration will be in a stronger position. By making more parts of the solar value chain themselves, these companies can capture a larger share of profits before competition increases further.

The report also expects this focus on local manufacturing to expand further into areas such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), inverters and other related products. This is expected to create new opportunities for companies to grow, diversify and build stronger businesses.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday clarified that WhatsApp must take user consent before sharing data with Meta companies for both advertising and non-advertising purposes.

A bench led by NCLAT chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan allowed the Competition Commission of Indias (CCI) plea seeking clarity on the scope of the tribunals 4 November ruling. The tribunal made it clear that user consent is mandatory for all the data that WhatsApp collects and shares with it parent company Meta, not just the data used for advertising.

Earlier, the NCLAT had upheld the CCIs finding that WhatsApps 2021 privacy policy relied on coerced consent, forcing users to accept data sharing or lose access to the service. However, there was confusion over whether this consent requirement applied to all the data Whatsapp shared or only the data used for advertising. The tribunal clarified on Monday that the CCIs directioned applied across the board.

The NCLAT also said WhatsApp had three months to comply, as provided in the original order. During the hearing, WhatsApps lawyers sought more time, arguing that making system-level changes would be a large and complex task. While the tribunal was initially inclined to give it only one month, it ultimately allowed it three, as previously granted.

Meta and WhatsApp opposed the CCIs plea, arguing that the earlier judgement was clear and needed no clarification. They claimed that data sharing through optional advertising features already respected user choice and that the CCI was trying to impose new obligations.

The tribunal rejected this argument, saying the key issue is user choice at the point where data is collected and shared. It ruled that any non-essential or advertising-related data sharing can take place only with a users clear and revocable consent, with the option to opt in or opt out at any stage.

The NCLAT noted that WhatsApp couldn't claim open-ended rights over user data, and that restoring opt-in and opt-out choices removed the coercive take-it-or-leave-it nature of the 2021 policy.

The order stated, With these directions, we reiterate the core principle of removing exploitation by restoring user choice. Users must retain the right to decide what data is collected, for what purposes, and for how long. Once users are freely given the option to opt in or opt out of data sharingwhether for advertising or non-advertising purposesthe abuse found in the 2021 WhatsApp policy stands addressed."

WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update The issue stems from the NCLATs 4 November judgement in the WhatsApp-CCI case, in which the tribunal partly upheld the CCIs 213.14 crore fine on Meta Platforms and WhatsApp over the 2021 WhatsApp privacy policy update. The CCI had deemed the policy to be exploitative and exclusionary. However, the appellate tribunal set aside the CCIs five-year ban on WhatsApp sharing user data with Meta companies for advertising purposes.

According to the CCIs understanding of the judgement, the NCLAT emphasised the primacy of user consent and indicated in several parts of the order that consent was required irrespective of whether the data was used for advertising or other purposes.

The regulator, however, pointed to ambiguity in the concluding portion of the judgement. In paragraph 264, the tribunal set aside paragraph 247.1 of the original CCI order while upholding paragraph 247.2. According to the CCI, this effectively mandates user consent for data sharing for non-advertising purposes, while remaining silent on whether consent is required for advertising-related data sharing.

It therefore approached the tribunal, asking it to clarify that its 4 November order makes user consent mandatory irrespective of whenever WhatsApp shares user data with other Meta entities for advertising or non-advertising purposes.

No abuse of dominance In its 184-page judgement, the NCLAT observed that cross-platform data sharing between WhatsApp and Meta strengthened Metas position in the online display advertising market and created entry barriers for competing digital advertising firms that did not have comparable access to WhatsApp user data.

At the same time, the tribunal held that the CCIs ruling that Meta had violated Section 4(2)(e) of the Competition Act was not sustainable, saying it could not be conclusively established that Meta had leveraged WhatsApps dominance in the over-the-top (OTT) messaging market to protect or extend its dominance in the online display advertising market, particularly since WhatsApp and Meta were separate legal entities. Section 4(2)(e) prohibits a dominant enterprise from using its strong position in one market to enter, protect, or strengthen its position in another distinct market.
Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old, pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon and outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has been convicted in a landmark national security trail on 15 December, according to reports.

Three judges found Lai guilty on three counts of his national security trail in Hong Kong city court and could sentence him to life imprisonment, as per an AP report. He has been found guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious articles.

Arrested in 2020 under a national security law amid the massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019, Lai pled not guilty to all charges in the trail which began in 2023, as per another AP report. His newspaper, the Apple Daily tabloid, had backed the democracy movement and was fiercely critical of Beijing.

The report added that Lai's trail was conducted without a jury.

Also Read | Jimmy Lai convicted of national security charges in Hong Kong: 7 points

Who is Jimmy Lai? Staunch pro-democracy supporter Jimmy Lai was born in mainland China and moved to Hong Kong when he was 12 as a stowaway on a fishing boat on the then British colony, the AP report said. Hoping for a better life, he began working in a glove factory, and in 1981 founded the popular casual wear chain Giordano.

A turning point for Lai was the 1989 deadly crackdown on student-led pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. His company printed support t-shirts and his interest turned to media and disseminating information.

In 1990, Lai founded Next Magazine and in 1995 Apple Daily. While sometimes sensational in nature, the reports attracted strong following for its investigation and short animated video reports, the AP added. The publication was also openly critical of the Chinese and Hong Kong government and was popular among pro-democracy readers.

As per the report, in 1994, he insulted then-Chinese Premier Li Peng for justifying government action in Tiananmen and called him the son of a turtle egg (an offensive slur in Chinese culture). Giordano was pressured and Lai had to sell his stake in the company.

Speaking to AP, long-time friend and activist Lee Wing-tat said Lai is a firm believer in democracy, freedom and the small government, big market economic principle  largely shaped by his hard childhood in rural China. Lee said Lai's family suffered under the Communist Party's rule.

In the 1990s, Lai organised informal gatherings for pro-democracy lawmakers and scholars in the hopes of influencing politicians, Lee said, adding that he also joined the iconic Umbrella Movement pro-democracy street protests in 2014. His also made donations to pro-democracy parties and his publications urged readers to join protests.

He was also part of the 2019 anti-government protests and met with then-US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the developments linked to a now-withdrawn bill that sparked the unrest, angering Beijing, the report added.

Also Read | IndiGo issues passenger advisory for delayed, cancelled flights due to dense fog

Arrest and trial under national security law In 2020, Apple Daily urged readers to petition US President Donald Trump to save Hong Kong amid China's looming national security law. After the law took effect in June 2020, Lai told AP that Hong Kong is dead.

Over a month later, Lai was arrested under the new law as police raided Apple Daily's building. The publication closed shop in 2021 after arrest of top executives and freezing of some of its assets, the report added.

During the 156-day trial, since December 2020, prosecutors alleged Lai conspired with others to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious materials, saying he had clearly betrayed national interests. Lai admitted he had advocated for foreign sanctions against China earlier, but stopped once the law kicked in. He argued in court that he wrote without seditious intent.

However, the court's 855-page verdict held that Lai's campaign against China carried on for much of his adult life and continued in a less explicit way after the law's passage. There is no doubt that (Lai) had harbored his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years, Juder Esther Toh said, reading from the verdict.

In the AP interview in 2020, Lai appeared undaunted. If I have to go to prison, I dont mind. I dont care. It wont be something I can worry about, Ill just relax and do what I have to do, he had said.

(With inputs from AP)
JioStar, the merged mega streaming giant of combined JioCinema and Disney Hotstar, has appointed GR Arun Kumar as its new Chief Financial Officer, sources told Mint.

In an internal email to employees from JioStar Vice Chairman Uday Shankar, shared by the source, staff were informed that Kumar will help maintain the company's financial agility and discipline amid push for growth and accelerate decision-making.

JioStar appoints GR Arun Kumar as its new CFO As per the email, Kumar has close to 30 years of experience across diverse financial leadership in marquee global organisations and large Indian conglomerates. His coming on board will bolster our focus on maintaining financial agility and discipline as we grow our footprint and accelerate decision-making across markets, it stated.

Further, the email noted that Kumar's appointment comes at a time when the company is operating in a rapidly evolving environment where, being fleet-footed, responsive and forward-looking is critical. It added that Kumar will play an important role in accelerating this shift, ensuring that the company has the financial systems, insights and operational flexibility needed to move with speed while continuing to build scale and long-term value as we position JioStar as a digital-first organisation.

Kumar is also set to play a key part in partnering with the Board, the CEOs, and business leaders to drive growth, profitability, and financial resilience. He will lead our overall Finance and Commercial functions, the email stated.

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Who is GR Arun Kumar? Based in Mumbai, with his wife and two daughters, Kumar's leadership experience spans across finance, strategy, operations, stakeholder management, and value creation, the email stated.

He joins JioStar from the Welspun Group, where he served as Group CFO & Head of Strategy, overseeing finance, planning, M&A, compliance, and investor relations. Prior to that, he held leadership roles with Unilever, Vedanta, General Electric, and OLA across India and international markets.
MUMBAI : The Netherlands-headquartered Prosus India thesis is paying off in quick succession, and the global consumer-internet investor is now gearing up to deploy more patient capital across consumer internet, artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech, senior executives told Mint . The clearest proof point is Meeshowhere Prosus is among the largest institutional backersas the companys strong market debut at an over 53% premium has sharply boosted the value of its investment and strengthened its confidence in India as a long-term growth market.

On Wednesday, Meeshos share price ended the listing day at 170.45 on the National Stock Exchange, a 53.6% premium to the initial public offering (IPO) price of 111. The company shed over 1% gains on Thursday, with its market capitalization at  75,942 crore, or $8 billion.

With an 11.2% stake in the mass market online retailer, Prosus has struck gold. The firm that enjoys the reputation of having evergreen capital is in no hurry to sell.

Also Read | Acko to join wave of tech IPOs with $300-400 million listing plan

It had all started with a cold email to the founders of Meesho. I had heard of them and wanted to meet them. In early 2018, I met them and was impressed with the business they were building," said Ashutosh Sharma, head of India Ecosysem at Prosus. His firm first invested in Meesho, a reseller back then, in 2019. Prosus then followed it up, participating in Meeshos funding rounds through 2019 and 2024.

Prosus helped the company transform from a social commerce firm to a high-scale e-commerce one. Over a period of time, what we were increasingly more convinced about was this team's strategic vision of solving commerce for the next 300-500 million users, and they kept on taking the right calls just to enable that, which meant that the going direct to the consumer, pivoting from a WhatsApp, and I would not even call that a pivot," Saurav Jain, principal investor - India Ecosystem at Prosus. "It was more of a going vertical into catering to the same set of target group but going direct to them, rather than going via the reseller model."

View Full Image Saurav Jain, principal investor - India Ecosystem at Prosus.

And this gives the firm the confidence to hold on to its investments further. We didnt want to sell in Meesho. We did some (sell through an offer for sale in the IPO) only to meet the regulatory requirements," said Sharma.

IPO pipeline

In the last 12-18 months alone, the firm has seen four of its key portfolio companies such as Swiggy, Bluestone, Urban Company and Meesho listing on Indian bourses. At close of trading on Thursday, the firm is likely sitting on $3.95 billion in gains. Other companies such as Rapido, PayU, Vastu Housing, Minitfi, Captain Fresh are also lining up IPOs over the next 12-18 months. Prosus counts around 32 firms in its India portfolio.

Sharma is confident his firm will see an encore of the success it has seen in the recent past with other companies as well. I am very, very hopeful. And the reason is simple. India is so extremely heterogeneous that you can make a product specific to a certain set of people. I think that allows for many new companies to evolve and launch a product which has a strong product market fit with that sub-segment of the society. So, heterogeneity of India allows many different companies to coexist," Sharma said adding that the diversity will create Meesho-like outcomes" in all sectors.

Even as it is ready to harvest, Prosus has been busy deploying capital in India. Earlier in August it pumped in $146 million in Ixigo, a listed new-age travel services company, a first for the firm. This calendar year alone, the firm has deployed around $675 million in India across companies such as Urban Company, PayU, Rapido, Ixigo, Wiom, Deccan AI, Codekarma and Arivihan.

In an interview with Mint in May, Fabricio Bloisi, the chief executive at Prosus had said his company is looking to reorganize its business by focusing on three key regions, including India.

India is a very important market for us at Prosus. It is, in fact, our second biggest focus area," Bloisi had said. The firm plans to narrow its geographical focus to Latin America, Europe and India. We will invest many more billion dollars in India in the near future," he had said.
New Delhi: India recorded its highest merchandise exports for the month of November in at least a decade, helping narrow the trade deficit sharply as imports fell from Octobers elevated levels, according to commerce ministry data released on Monday.

Driven by rising shipments to countries such as the US, UAE and China, the gap between imports and exports narrowed to $24.53 billion in November, a sharp improvement from $41.68 billion in October.

Merchandise exports rose month-on-month to $38.13 billion from $34.38 billion in October, while imports declined to $62.66 billion from $76.06 billion in October. In November 2024, merchandise exports stood at $31.94 billion.

Experts noted that several factors contributed to the trend. Trade economist Biswajit Dhar, who is also distinguished professor at Council for Social Development, New Delhi said the recent depreciation of the rupee has played a major part, as a softer rupee helps exports and can support the current account position.

There is a clear trade-off at play, with the central bank conserving reserves while letting depreciation work as a buffer for the external balance, Dhar said. The recent pickup in exports appears to be more volume-driven than price-led, with sectors such as engineering goods and electronics adjusting after weakness in October.

Also Read | Merchandise trade deficit soars in Oct as US tariffs bite, gold imports surge

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Policymakers, however, remained cautious. A sustained improvement will depend on the durability of export demand and the trajectory of imports, particularly energy-related shipments and electronics, commerce secretary Rajesh Agarwal said while adressing a media briefing in New Delhi on Monday.

The improvement in the trade deficit marks a correction after Octobers spike  caused by a tripling of gold imports  and offers near-term relief on the external balance at a time of heightened global uncertainty. This makes Novembers improvement partly a normalisation rather than a decisive trend shift, experts said.

It is largely a base effect, as last years exports were at a low level, another trade economist, who wished to remain anonymous, said. In the current situation, a growth of 19% is not realistic.

India overcomes tariffs? Experts pointed to a likely strategic shift by Indian exporters in the face of US tariffs that were implemented in August.

This rebound suggests that exporters may have shifted toward products less affected by tariffs, said Ajay Srivastava, co-founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank. Detailed product data for November are not yet available, but tariff-exempt items such as smartphones and pharmaceuticals may have helped cushion the blow.

The increase in exports to the US in November was likely driven by tariff-free sectors such as electronics and pharmaceuticals, while tariff-hit segments like gems and jewellery and marine products appear to have diverted shipments to alternate or trans-shipment markets such as China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, said Madhavi Arora, chief economist, Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd. This has helped overall export growth remain healthy despite the impact of punitive tariffs.

This outcome is far better than what was initially expected after the tariff announcements. While we are maintaining our CAD-to-GDP forecast at 1.4% for now, a continuation of these trends could create meaningful downside risks to the current account deficit, added Arora.

Ajay Sahai, director general of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) suggested that Indian industry is absorbing the tariff shock and continuing business despite pressure on margins.

While higher duties are hurting profitability and squeezing the bottom line, companies appear to be protecting volumes and revenues, indicating that top-line performance is holding upor even improving in some casesdespite the strain on earnings, said Sahai.

On a year-on-year basis, merchandise imports declined modestly from $63.87 billion, indicating that Novembers improvement was driven more by the unwinding of Octobers surge than a sharp structural compression in demand.

According to Abhash Kumar, trade economist and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University, a moderation in petroleum trade played a key role in Novembers improvement. Petroleum product exports declined during AprilNovember even as crude prices remained volatile, pointing to lower refining margins and weaker price realisations rather than a sharp fall in export volumes.

At the same time, moderation in petroleum imports reflects a combination of softer international prices during parts of the period and calibrated sourcing by refiners, Kumar said.

Notably, petroleum product exports declined from $44.58 billion in AprilNovember 2024 to $38 billion in the current fiscal period. Imports of petroleum products also moderated, falling from $127.84 billion to $121.03 billion, according to the data.

Experts also pointed to the impact on the current account deficit (CAD). A narrower trade deficit does translate into lower pressure on the current account deficit, assuming services flows and remittances remain stable, Dhar said. Stronger exports do support the rupee by improving dollar inflows and reducing the need for frequent RBI intervention, especially at the margin.

He added that from a policy point of view, a lower CAD gives the RBI and the government greater comfort and flexibility, allowing more focus on inflation management, growth and trade facilitation rather than defending the currency.

Another expert pointed out that the trade deficit situation signals strong domestic demand, especially for export production.

Because of the trade diversification taking place, Indias export profile has become relatively more balanced, said D.K. Srivastava, EY Indias chief policy advisor. I do not think there is anything to worry about in the short to medium term. In fact, if anything, the trade balance should improve as time goes by.

Meanwhile, the combined merchandise and services trade shows an improvement in November 2025 compared with November 2024. Total exports (merchandise plus services) rose to $73.99 billion in November 2025 from $64.05 billion a year earlier, while total imports eased to $80.63 billion from $81.11 billion. As a result, the overall trade deficit narrowed sharply to $6.64 billion from $17.06 billion.

Sectoral analysis The single biggest driver in the rise in exports was engineering goods, which rose to $11.01 billion in November 2025 from $8.9 billion a year earlier, reflecting sustained overseas demand for machinery, transport equipment and auto components.

Electronic goods, too, recorded a sharp jump, climbing to $4.81 billion in November from $3.46 billion in November 2024. With cumulative exports up nearly 38%, experts said this rise is clearly capacity- and investment-led, driven by mobile phone and electronics manufacturing, making it a strong structural trend rather than a one-off spike.

Gems and jewellery exports rose to $2.64 billion from $2.07 billion in November 2024. However, cumulative exports for the period are flat, indicating that this surge is cyclical, driven by restocking and price movements rather than sustained volume growth.

Drugs and pharmaceuticals rose to $2.61 billion from $2.16 billion, a gain of about $450 million, while chemicals increased to $2.34 billion from $1.98 billion, adding roughly $365 million. These sectors show steady cumulative growth and reflect structural demand from regulated markets and contract manufacturing.

Among agri and food products, meat, dairy and poultry exports jumped to $596 million from $454 million, an increase of $142 million, while marine products rose by about $118 million to $878 million. These gains suggest a gradual shift toward higher-value food exports, though still sensitive to global demand cycles. In contrast, rice exports fell sharply, dropping to $792 million from $1.13 billion, dragging down overall agri performance despite gains in coffee, cashew and processed foods.

Petroleum product exports increased to $3.93 billion from $3.52 billion, but cumulative exports are down nearly 15%, while iron ore exports rose to $179 million from $105 million, even as cumulative shipments fell over 24%, showing price-driven volatility rather than durable gains.

Also Read | China should let the yuan rise to fix its economy and calm the world
Chileans on Sunday elected their most right-wing president in a generation, with hard-line conservative Jose Antonio Kast winning easily after vowing to clamp down on crime and illegal immigration.

Kasts victory over Jeannette Jara, a Communist, adds to a wave of electoral wins by right-wing politicians across Latin America, giving President Trump new allies who are on board with his anti-migrant policies.

Jara conceded with over 80% of the ballots counted. Kast won with 58% of the votes in one of the most lopsided presidential victories since Chiles return to democracy in 1990.

It bodes well for the bolstering of this kind of right-wing network through the Americas," said Jennifer Pribble, a political scientist and Latin America expert at the University of Richmond. Trumps next natural ally will be Kast in Chile."

Kast overcame concerns about his support for the right-wing military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who laid the foundation for Chiles free-market development but also was responsible for the torture, disappearances and deaths of political opponents. Kast has said he didnt support the militarys human-rights violations during Pinochets 17-year rule.

Kast, 59 years old, will take office in March, leading a major mining nation that is the worlds top producer of copper and second biggest producer of lithium, crucial components for renewable energies.

It was the third presidential bid for Kast, a lawyer and former legislator. This time, the devout Catholic and father of nine avoided discussing social issues that had put off Chileans in previous presidential bids. That includes his opposition to same-sex marriage and support for outlawing abortion.

Instead, Kast vowed to tackle crime, a top concern for Chileans accustomed to living in one of Latin Americas safest nations. Many Chileans blame violent carjackings, kidnappings and daylight shootouts on an influx of illegal immigration, mainly Venezuelans fleeing their nations economic collapse. Officials have said criminal gangs that arrived with regular migrants are responsible for increased violence.

Foreign-born residents now make up close to 10% of Chiles population, one of the highest levels in Latin America, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In 2010, it was just 2.1%.

Kast said his government would detain and deport undocumented migrants. He has vowed to build 16-foot walls and 10-foot trenches to lock down Chiles northern desert borders with Peru and Bolivia. He has said he would send soldiers to patrol the border along with heat-sensing drones.

Immigrants already in Chile illegally would be barred from working, using public services or sending money back home, Kast said.

Chile will no longer be the paradise of illegals," he said earlier this year. We arent going to make life easy for them; were going to make it impossible."

Elizabeth Fernandez, a 51-year-old in Santiago, supports that kind of tough approach, saying she worries about an increase in violent assaults and kidnappings that, while common in places like Brazil and Mexico, were a rarity in Chile.

That scares me, seeing on TV that there are more kidnappings," she said. Kast wants to control migration and insecurity, and we need someone with a tough hand like him.

Some 63% of Chileans now say crime and violence are major concerns, the second-highest share after Peru in an Ipsos poll of 30 countries last month.

Rodolfo Carter, an incoming senator from Kasts Republican Party, said focusing on stopping illegal immigration and crime would also help restore economic growth that has slowed to little more than 2% annually in recent years, down from more than 6% for much of the 1990s.

Without security in the streets, without certainty, without tranquility, there is no investment," Carter said. And without investment, there is no employment, and without employment, there is no money in citizens pockets."

Kast has called for lower corporate taxes and curbing regulations to attract investments. He has also pledged to slash $6 billion in public spending, equivalent to about 2% of economic output, in his first 18 months.

Kast has said he would also continue to support free trade, holding up Chiles economic success on the back of trade as a model even as the U.S. and other countries put up barriers.

Carter said Kast, like other right-wing Latin American rulers, would seek closer relations with the U.S. while maintaining strong commercial ties with China, Chiles top trade partner and an important source of investments.

Culturally, our home is in the West, and in the West, the United States is our primary ally," Carter said.

Write to Ryan Dube at ryan.dube@wsj.com
The father and son accused in Australias deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years had six licensed firearms at the scene, police said Monday, as emerging details about the attack spurred calls to strengthen the countrys gun laws.

The assault by two gunmen on a Hanukkah celebration Sunday at Sydneys Bondi Beach killed 15 people and stunned a country with strict firearms regulations and little gun violence. Authorities described it as a terrorist attack on the Jewish community.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for tougher gun laws, saying Monday that leaders would discuss limits on the number of guns that can be licensed and a review of licenses over time.

People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity," he said.

Authorities identified one suspect as a 50-year-old man, who was killed by police at the scene, and the other as his 24-year-old son, who was taken to a hospital under police custody. Officials havent named the suspects.

The father had six firearms licensed to him, which were found at the scene, according to police. He was eligible for a firearms license for recreational hunting and was a member of a gun club, said New South Wales Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

The son had been investigated by Australias domestic intelligence agency for six months starting in October 2019, according to Albanese.

He was examined because of his associations with others, but the agency didnt find a threat of him engaging in violence, said Albanese, who didnt share further details about the associations.

Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said Monday that the younger suspect is an Australian-born citizen.

The older suspect arrived in 1998 on a student visa, according to Burke. In 2001, he received a partner visa, which is given to partners or spouses of Australian citizens or permanent residents; since then he was on visas for returning residents, Burke said.

At a meeting of Australias National Cabinet on Monday, leaders proposed tighter gun control measures including strengthening the use of intelligence in firearms licensing, limiting the types of guns that are legal and restricting licenses to citizens, according to the prime ministers office.

Albanese called the shooting an act of antisemitism and of pure evil." He pledged to continue to respond to antisemitism and urged Australians to stand with the Jewish community.

Many Jewish Australians had warned of increasing antisemitic incidents. In two notable events last year, a Melbourne synagogue was firebombed in December, and there was a blaze at a kosher-food business in Bondi in October.

Tough gun controls were introduced in Australia after a 1996 shooting killed 35 people in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur. Australia banned most automatic and semiautomatic guns, introduced strict licensing requirements and implemented a gun buyback program.

The tighter gun laws have been credited for a significant reduction in firearm deaths.

However, there have been concerns recently that the number of firearms in the country is increasing. There are more than four million guns owned by Australian civilians, about 25% more than in 1996, before the overhaul of firearms laws, according to a January report by the Australia Institute, a think tank.

The Bondi Beach attack killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, according to police. Around 27 victims remained in hospitals with several in critical condition as of Monday afternoon, according to authorities.

Mourners gathered and laid flowers at Bondi Pavilion on Monday, paying tribute to the victims.

Write to Hannah Miao at hannah.miao@wsj.com
For more than two years, Jared Kushner has sought to build a Trump-branded complex of towers in a central Belgrade site once bombed by NATO.

But the plans have run into a lot of local resistance.

Moves by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucics government to advance the project have sparked an outcry among opposition lawmakers. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets. And students and activists vow to occupy the property when the bulldozers move in.

The imbroglio comes as Kushners financial dealmaking has picked up, while he has simultaneously re-entered public life.

President Trumps son-in-law initially said he wouldnt return to government service. But now he is taking on a major geopolitical responsibility, volunteering to help lead U.S. negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, following a similar role in Gaza.

At the same time, he runs a $4.8 billion private-equity firm that invests globally, and is mostly funded by Middle Eastern governments. That firm, Affinity Partners, is part of a record-breaking $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts and is helping fund Paramounts hostile bid for Warner Bros.

The Serbian quagmire began when the Vucic administration sought to remove cultural-heritage protections from the former army complex that it aims to transfer to Kushners company.

A special prosecutor threw a wrench in the process, arresting a government official for allegedly forging documents, and launching a wider investigation. In response, the ruling party sidestepped the inquiry by passing two quick-fire measures in Parliament, stripping protected status from the site and numerous other old civic buildings.

Opponents decried the move as unconstitutional and corrupt, saying Vucics government is trying to win favor with the U.S. The Balkan countryhistorically close to Moscow, but with many ties to Western Europehas plenty of things it wants from the Trump administration, such as lifting sanctions on its sole oil refinery.

You call it an investment, we call it high treason," Marinika Tepic, a leading opposition lawmaker, said in Parliament.

Vucic says the Kushner deal has nothing to do with politics, but is about overhauling a downtown eyesore that the government had tried for years to redevelop.

An Affinity spokesman said the firm had no connection to the alleged forgery and has been reviewing the project.

A White House spokeswoman said, President Trump has a trusted family member and talented adviser in Jared Kushner," saying he has been generous in lending his valuable expertise when asked."

In the U.S., senior administration officials typically must divest private holdings. That is meant to avoid potential conflicts of interest where financial interests could cloud policy decisions. But the strictures dont apply to Kushner because he is an informal, unpaid adviser.

Kushner has said he has told his investors they shouldnt expect any favorable treatment from the U.S. in return. Speaking to 60 Minutes" alongside Russia and Gaza co-negotiator Steve Witkoff in October, he said, nobodys pointed out any instances where Steve or I have pursued any policies or done anything that have not been in the interests of America."

White marble and red limestone

The contested site is the former home of the General Staff complex, a pair of office buildings built for the then-Yugoslavian army in 1964 with a modernist design clad with Croatian white marble and Serbian red limestone.

During a spring 1999 air campaign meant to halt ethnic cleansing led by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, NATO jets bombed and partially destroyed the Belgrade complex.

Milosevic was overthrown, but the site still resonates as a symbol of national identity, particularly on the political right, complicating efforts to remake it into a memorial or private commercial development. As a result, it remains a ruina mostly standing skeleton with steel rebar protruding from mangled concrete walls.

Critics from all sides therefore found plenty to dislike. Left-wing politicians call it a giveaway of a public asset without an open process. On the right, nationalists decry the sale to a family tied to the most powerful country in NATO on a site they see as hallowed ground.

Serbian opponents are now appealing to the countrys constitutional court to block the recent legislation. Government officials, meanwhile, are moving to put new restrictions on the office of the special prosecutor who upended the approval process.

Activist Djordje Miketic said he works with a network of nearly 300 people who monitor the sitewatching from windows, patrolling late at night and occasionally sleeping in a camper van.

They want to spot demolition crews coming in, then sound the alarm to student protesters, preservationists and other activists who plan to occupy the site. Multiple similar efforts slowed big Serbian government-led projects in recent yearsbut ultimately didnt stop them.

Miketic said the fight wont be waged through the institutions, its more on the streets."

Emirati partners

Kushner first got involved with the project after Trumps first term. He has said he was drawn to the project by the growing vibrancy of Belgrade, where property prices have risen and a burst of new condo projects have drawn a wealthier crowd.

Soon after he set up Affinity, Trumps former envoy for the Balkans, Richard Grenell, suggested Kushner take a look. In early 2024, he struck a deal for the property with Vucics government.

He brought in partners, entering a joint venture with Eagle Hills, a United Arab Emirates-based developer with experience in Belgrade. The hotel will be branded by the Trump Organization, a deal he struck after talking with his brother-in-law, Eric Trump.

The backlash hasnt been confined to Serbia.

A Serbian statement that Kushner must build a memorial dedicated to all the victims of NATO aggression" has also sparked attacks, including from Wesley Clark, NATOs military commander during the Balkan war, and Democratic lawmakers.

A European Parliament report singled out the General Staff building, saying it had grave concern about the increasing political interference in heritage protection in Serbia."

Architects and preservationists have rallied against the plan, too.

The project theyre erasing is a very important architectural piece," said Ana Miljacki, a Serbian-born professor of architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It would be like putting a Trump hotel" on I.M. Peis building at the Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Art, she added.

Write to Eliot Brown at Eliot.Brown@wsj.com and Deborah Acosta at deborah.acosta@wsj.com
President Trumps top envoys launched two days of meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on Sunday as the administration stepped up pressure on Kyiv to put aside its resistance and agree to a peace deal with Russia by year-end.

The talks between Ukraine and its Western partners have become a tug of war, even without Russia at the table. Washington is pushing for quick decisions, while Zelensky and his European backers contend that significant differences remain that must be resolved.

Among those points, Ukraine has balked at Washingtons call to withdraw its forces from a portion of the eastern Donbas region that Kyivs forces still hold. European and Ukrainian officials have pushed for clarity on what the U.S. would do if Russia were to break a peace deal and attack Ukraine.

Both issues will be at the heart of the talks in Berlin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed the meetings during a talk European leaders held with Trump on Wednesday, which both sides described as difficult.

Trump said he was invited to join the Berlin talks but publicly doubted the trip would be worthwhile. On Friday, Trump decided to send his special Russia envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Witkoff, who has spearheaded talks with Ukraine and Russia on a U.S. peace plan, is expected to meet with the Ukrainians on Sunday before sitting down with European leaders. Over the past few weeks, he has shuttled between meetings with the Kremlin in Moscow and separate discussions with Kyiv in the U.S. or Europe.

Russian officials have said the U.S. peace plan is a good basis for discussion but havent said whether they would accept it. Many European officials doubt the Kremlin is looking to wind down the war. They have said that Europe and all North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries face the risk that if Russia prevails in Ukraine, the Kremlin will set its sights on conflict with European neighbors.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, said in Berlin on Thursday that what is happening in Ukraine could happen to allied countries too," referring to NATO members.

Ukraine on Wednesday sent Washington its response to an earlier U.S. proposal for ending the war, which started almost four years ago with Russias invasion. While there is agreement on some points, including a cap of 800,000 troops on Ukraines peacetime armed forces, Kyiv has continued to reject the U.S. push for it to surrender territory in the Donetsk province that Ukrainian troops still hold.

The U.S. plan would stipulate that Kyiv agree not to fight to win back swaths of territory it has lost to Russia elsewhere and may entail Washington formally recognizing Moscows annexation of parts of Ukraine. It would also further complicate Kyivs hopes of eventually joining NATO, while potentially bringing Russia back into the global economy, including through joint U.S.-Russian projects.

Speaking to reporters via WhatsApp on Sunday morning, Zelensky said Kyiv hasnt received a response yet from Washington on its proposal. He said Ukraine has done a lot to ensure that all parties can meet together" and lamented that power politics rather than values was driving the peace negotiations.

Look, today, we are not talking about honesty, but about power," he said. Because if we talk about honesty, values and respect for international law, the Russians had to be condemned from the very beginning."

Zelensky also indicated Sunday that he was open to discussing the future of the heavily fortified part of Donetsk that Ukraine still holds. He said the fairest option would be to start talks with Russia based on the current front linenot a forced withdrawaland said if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the area, Russia should also agree to pull its troops back.

He said the issue is very sensitive and very heated." Under Ukrainian law, he said, the president cannot surrender territory and that it is for the Ukrainian people to ultimately settle the matter, possibly through a referendum.

Multiple senior Trump administration officials assess that Ukraine is losing the war and would lose if the fighting continued, even though Ukrainian soldiers and other European officials believe Ukraine can defend itself for at least another, especially with increased military and financial support from allies.

The Berlin discussions will also continue negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelensky and his top team held a videoconference Thursday with Witkoff, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials and generals to discuss the help that Washington would provide in the event of a future invasion.

Britain, France and other European capitals have drawn up detailed plans of the kinds of help they could provide Ukraine, including a possible reassurance force in the country, and discussed them with U.S. military officials. But Washington has yet to take a political decision on the help it would provide, according to Ukraine and Europe.

Ukraine originally hoped for NATO membership, with its commitment that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. Zelensky on Sunday acknowledged that NATO membership appeared blocked and that he was focused on legally-binding security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe that would be similar to those codified in Article 5 of NATOs founding treaty.

On Friday, a French official reiterated the importance of Washington giving Ukraine clarity on its role in security guarantees before Ukraine commits to ceding territory.
The State Bank of India (SBI), India's largest lender, plans to add around 6,500 employees as part of a broader initiative to migrate customers to digital channels, chairman C.S. Setty said on Monday at the launch of YONO 2.0, a revamped version of the banks digital banking app in Mumbai.

As part of this effort, the bank plans to increase its employee count to 10,000, assigning roleslargely floor managersto help onboard customers onto the revamped digital platform by 31 March 2026. Of the total, 3,500 have already been hired.

Also Read | Where will SBI share price be in the next three years?

This staff will help customers migrate to digital banking, guide them through transactions and assist first-time users, particularly those who still rely on branches.

From the banks perspective, the shift is also about cutting costs. SBI estimates that acquiring a customer digitally costs nearly one-tenth of what it costs to onboard a customer through a branch.

Digital processes also reduce time spent on paperwork and manual checks, improving efficiency across the system.

Currently, SBI has around 100 million customers using its mobile banking apps. Over the next two years, the bank aims to double this number to 200 million, serving most retail customers primarily through digital channels.

Also Read | SBI, Centre clash in SC over whether spectrum can be sold in insolvency

Monetization of the platform, however, is not an immediate priority, Setty said.

The focus right now is on simplifying banking and making digital accessible to everyone, Setty said.

The launch of YONO 2.0 marks a significant shift in SBIs digital strategy. Rather than being just a mobile app, the bank has completely rewritten its internet banking code. Nearly 35 million internet banking customers have already been migrated to the new system.

The idea is to offer a uniform experience across mobile banking, internet banking and branches, Setty said.

Customers can start a transaction on the app or net banking and, if required, complete it at a branch across SBIs network of over 23,000 branches.

For users, YONO 2.0 promises a simpler and lighter app that works even on low-memory phones and in areas with weak internet connectivity.

The app has been redesigned to make everyday banking tasks, such as checking balances, transferring money, paying bills, and using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), faster and more seamless.

SBI has rebuilt its entire UPI payments stack, aiming to compete more aggressively with popular payment apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe.

The app also introduces simplified KYC and re-KYC processes, reducing repeated verification across products. Security features have been strengthened, including transaction controls and a new OTP generation mechanism, to reduce delays caused by telecom networks.
BENGALURU : Bollywood celebrities are known for investing in residential properties. Now, they are chasing Indias office boom.

From Kartik Aaryan and Saif Ali Khan to Hrithik Roshan and Kajol, film stars and their family members are buying and selling commercial properties in Mumbai, as well as leasing out space to companies. However, unlike the 100-crore homes that celebrities typically purchase, their office investments are smaller spaces, often located in standalone buildings in suburban areas of the financial capital.

Between 2024 and 2025, nearly 60 commercial property transactions, including outright purchases and leases, by Bollywood personalities have been registered, according to registration and stamp duty data compiled by online real estate marketplace Square Yards and shared with Mint.

Also Read | Real estate plot: Developers are moving beyond metros to meet a new demand trend

After the Covid-19 pandemic, several actors and celebrity couples, including Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek, Janhvi Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, splurged on multi-crore, sea-facing homes in prime locations for their own use and investments.

Bollywood celebrities have ramped up investments in commercial real estate, including office and retail spaces, seeking higher rental yields and long-term gains. In real estate, rental yield is the rate of return on investment.

Office properties in cities such as Mumbai typically assure a rental yield of 6-9% annually, along with periodic rent escalations, compared to 2-3% in residential properties.

The celebrities office investments mirror the growth in the segment.

Around 60 million sq ft of gross office leasing was clocked between January and September 2025, according to property advisory CBRE India, and is expected to surpass 80 million sq ft this year. In 2024, it was around 79 million sq ft, signalling a complete recovery from the pandemic-led slowdown in the office sector.

The Roshans lead the pack

Actor Kartik Aaryan has been one of the prolific commercial real estate investors in recent months.

In November, his parents, Mala Tiwari and Manish Tiwari, bought a 1,228 sq ft office in suburban Vile Parle for 10.83 crore, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.

Earlier, in September, Aaryan, along with his parents, purchased an office space in Andheri West, Mumbai, for 13 crore, according to Square Yards.

Aaryan also bought a 2,000 sq ft plot worth 2 crore at Chateau de Alibaug, a project by The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), this year.

The Roshans, including actor Hrithik Roshan, his parents Rakesh and Pramila, and their company HRX Digitech LLP, have purchased multiple office spaces in 2024 and 2025.

They purchased three office units in Mumbai's Chandivali area for 31 crore in July, according to property registration documents accessed by Propstack. Last year, the family entity bought five office units in the same building named Boomerang for 37.75 crore.

Elon Musks satellite internet company, Starlink, recently leased a 1,294 sq. ft. office on the ground floor of Boomerang, choosing Mumbai as its hub as it gears up to launch satellite broadband services.

Actor Kajol rented out a retail space in Mumbais Goregaon area to HDFC Bank for a total rent of 8.6 crore over a nine-year period. According to Square Yards registration data, she had purchased the property earlier this year for 28.78 crore.

Saif Ali Khan also invested in two office units in Andheri.

Spokespersons for Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Kartik Aaryan didn't respond to queries. Mint couldn't immediately reach out to Kajol.

Tax benefits

To be sure, Bollywood A-listers have selectively bought commercial properties in the past, but the momentum has spiked in the past couple of years.

We are observing an increase in commercial real estate transactions by Bollywood celebrities largely because high-net-worth individuals view commercial properties as a way to diversify their investment portfolios beyond residential holdings and traditional financial assets," said Deepak Khandelwal, principal partner and chief sales officer, Square Yards.

Many celebrities have chosen to acquire commercial space in key Mumbai micro-markets, including Andheri, Santacruz and Goregaon, to generate a steady income stream, as well as for potential tax and depreciation benefits that differ from those on residential investments, Khandelwal said.

Indian tax laws allow 10% depreciation on commercial assets, compared to 5% on residential properties, which can be deducted from the property's value. This reduces taxable income.

While most transactions are investments, film production houses have also bought or leased commercial properties for their own use, according to property consultants. Dharma Production Pvt Ltd leased around 5500 sq ft in the Ambivali area this year.

Following the pandemic, the housing market, particularly the luxury residential segment, recovered faster. The office market picked up later, and deals, too, have since gained momentum, said Akash Hariani, joint managing director at Motilal Oswal Private Wealth.

Given that their profession doesn't have linear growth, commercial real estate creates that security and regular cash flows through steady rental income. It's also a tangible asset holding, and being celebrities, they can also get a better deal or discount."
Elephants are among the most intelligent and gentle animals on Earth. Sadly, many elephants suffer due to illegal poaching, habitat loss, and cruel tourism practices like elephant riding. Across the world, ethical elephant sanctuaries are working to protect, rescue, and care for these majestic animals. These places allow elephants to live freely and safely, without exploitation.

Here are five stunning elephant sanctuaries from around the world that are setting the standard for ethical wildlife care.

1. Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia Home to Kaavan, once dubbed the worlds loneliest elephant, this 32,000-acre protected forest near Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary is helping restore elephant habitats after years of illegal logging through ethical conservation and volunteering efforts.

2. The Chang Chiang Mai, Thailand Formerly known as the Thai Elephant Care Center, The Chang Chiang Mai offers a safe and ethical space for rescued elephants. Each elephant is cared for by a dedicated mahout. Visitors can learn about elephant history, prepare healthy food, and walk alongside elephants in a natural forest environment. The focus is on respect, learning, and animal welfare.

3. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya Based in Nairobi, this world-famous sanctuary rescues orphaned baby elephants and rhinos affected by poaching. The center provides round-the-clock care until the animals are strong enough to return to the wild. Visitors can watch young elephants play, feed and heal. The sanctuary also plays a key role in anti-poaching efforts across Kenya.

4. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya While not a sanctuary in the traditional sense, the Maasai Mara is a protected reserve where elephants live freely in the wild. The area is renowned for its diverse wildlife and robust conservation programs. Ethical safaris enable visitors to observe elephants in their natural habitat while supporting local conservation and community initiatives.

5. Mole National Park, Ghana Mole National Park is Ghanas largest wildlife reserve and home to wild African elephants. Visitors can join guided walking safaris to observe elephants from a safe distance. The park plays a crucial role in protecting wildlife from poaching and preserving its natural ecosystems.

Why ethical sanctuaries matter These sanctuaries demonstrate that tourism can support conservation rather than harming animals. By choosing ethical elephant experiences, travelers help protect elephants and ensure they are treated with dignity, care, and respect.

FAQs What makes an elephant sanctuary ethical? Ethical sanctuaries do not allow riding, performances, or exploitation. Elephants live freely, are not forced to interact, and are cared for with conservation as the priority.
Multibagger stock: Multibagger stock Elitecon International share price hit a 5% upper circuit of 114.84 on Monday, December 15 after the company announced that it has secured a major long-term export contract valued at $97.35 million, equivalent to roughly 875 crore. This is its sixth straight session of 5% upper circuit

Elitecon Internationals announced that it has been awarded a two-year supply contract from Yuvi International Trade FZE, a United Arab Emiratesbased entity. The company stated that the agreement covers the supply of cigarettes, premix sheesha, hookah tobacco, smoking mixtures, and other tobacco-allied products. The contract also includes a one-year lock-in period and will support steady export volumes throughout its duration.

Elitecon International: New Order Win The company highlighted that the deal will help improve capacity utilisation and streamline planning for manufacturing and logistics. It also strengthens Elitecons position in the Middle Eastern markets, where demand for tobacco-allied products continues to show resilience.

Managing Director Vipin Sharma said the long-term order demonstrates sustained global demand for the companys product portfolio. This long-term supply order provides the company with steady export visibility over the contract period and reflects continued demand for its products in international markets. The agreement supports efficient utilisation of capacities, stable operations, and strengthens our presence in Middle Eastern markets while aligning with our long-term growth strategy, he stated in the exchange communication.

The filing also clarified that the companys wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Cryo Private Limited, is authorised to manufacture, store, handle, and ship products on behalf of Elitecon International under the terms of the agreement. The contract becomes effective on January 1, 2026, and will remain valid for two years, unless terminated earlier.

Elitecon International Q2 Results Elitecon International reported a robust performance for the September quarter of 2025 (Q2FY26), delivering sharp growth across key financial metrics.

Net sales for the quarter surged 318% to 2,192.09 crore, while net profit climbed 63% to 117.20 crore compared with Q1FY26, underscoring strong operational momentum.

For the first half of FY26, the companys sales jumped 581% to 3,735.64 crore, and net profit rose 195% over H1FY25, reflecting sustained demand and improved scale of operations.

Elitecon International Share Performance The multibagger stock has soared 1000% in 2025 YTD and over 1,200% in the last 1 year. It has also rallied 119% in past 6 months. However, in recent times, it has been under pressure, down 38% in past 3 months and 15% in last 1 month.
Multibagger small-cap stock BL Kashyap and Sons (BLK) is expected to attract investors' attention during Tuesday's session, December 16, as the company secured a significant order win. The company, in post-market hours today, informed that it secured 615.69 crore from Sattva CKC Private Limited.

The scope of work involves structural and civil construction for the commercial project titled Sattva Chennai Knowledge City, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The execution period for the project is approximately 31 months.

It also clarified that neither the promoter nor the promoter group companies have any interest in the entity that awarded the order and that the contract does not fall under related-party transactions.

This was the second order win for the company in a month. On November 25, it secured an order worth 254.22 crore from DLF Home Developers, which is for civil structure, rough finishing, and waterproofing works, including one high-rise tower and ancillary low-rise buildings, as well as other ancillary structures.

The companys order book at the end of the September quarter stood at 4,087 crore, with Haryana and Karnataka making the largest contributions to the overall order pipeline. The size of the order book is nearly 3.54 times higher than its FY25 revenue of 3,000 crore.

BL Kashyap and Sons Q2 2025 performance The company reported a net loss of 8.63 crore in Q2FY26 due to higher operating costs. In the same period last year, the company had posted a profit of 9.38 crore. Revenue from operations during the reporting quarter came in at 355.13 crore, compared to 267.28 crore in Q2 FY25.

At the operating level, EBITDA remained flat at 20.47 crore, while margins fell sharply by 180 basis points YoY to 5.76% in Q2.

Looking ahead, the company is targeting an increased share of government projects (25% by FY27). It also aims to expand its presence in the railway sector, capitalizing on its experience in railway projects.

BL Kashyap share price trend The companys shares have been under severe selling pressure, having closed the last four months in negative, falling a cumulative 35%, reaching 53 apiece.

This weak performance has also dragged the stock down by 31% year-to-date. If it ends the year in negative territory, which appears likely, it will mark its first yearly drop in five years and the biggest annual decline since 2019, when it fell by over 60%.

Despite the sharp correction, the sustained performance in previous years still leaves the stock trading with multibagger gains. It is up 580% over the last five years, and from its all-time low of 3.30 apiece, it is trading with a massive gain of 1,506%.
Stock market news: The Indian stock market closed higher for the second day in a row on Friday, led by buying in metal stocks and positive global cues amid a 25 bps rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. However, despite this gain, the benchmark indices ended lower for the week amid a hefty selloff seen in the first three sessions.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 449.53 points or 0.53% to settle at 85,267.66. And the 50-share NSE Nifty surged 148.40 points or 0.57% to settle at 26,046.95.

FPI selling The gains followed despite significant selling by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) who pulled out 17,955 crore from Indian equities in the first two weeks of this month, taking the total outflow to 1.6 lakh crore in 2025.

Market experts attributed this sustained outflow to several factors, including sharp depreciation of the rupee and rich Indian valuations.

USD vs INR At the same time, rupee weakness continued to plague the market, with the domestic currency hitting yet another low last Friday. The rupee depreciated by 17 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.49 against the US dollar amid a lack of an India-US trade deal and sustained foreign outflows.

The rupee is expected to trade with a negative bias as the delay in the trade deal between India and the US may weigh on the domestic unit, said experts.

Market outlook and key drivers Aakash Shah, Research Analyst at Choice Broking, said that the Sensex is poised for a steady start on Monday, December 15, with pre-market cues indicating a mildly cautious but generally stable opening.

"Global signals remain mixed, keeping early sentiment subdued, yet low volatility and improving risk appetite may help the index find its footing quickly. As trading unfolds, gradual buying interest is expected to emerge in key cyclicals such as metals, capital goods, and select financials, potentially lending support to the broader market. Intraday dips are likely to attract buyers, especially if heavyweight stocks maintain momentum," he added.

Trade Setup for Monday Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, said, "The Nifty has moved back above 26,000 after a brief period of weakness. On Friday, the index closed higher, reclaiming the 21EMA. On the 4-hour chart, the RSI is in a bullish crossover, indicating improving momentum. In the near term, the trend is likely to remain constructive as long as the index holds above 25,900, which is expected to serve as a key support level. On the higher side, the index may move towards 26,300 in the short term."

Stocks to buy today Market experts recommended eight intraday stocks. The experts include Sumeet Bagadia (Choice Broking), Ganesh Dongre (Anand Rathi), and Shiju Koothupalakkal (Prabhudas Lilladher).

Recommended eight intraday stocks for today are: Vedanta, Ashok Leyland, Jubilant Food, ITC, TCS, Paytm, Eternal and Waaree Energy.

Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Vedanta: Sumeet Bagadia recommended a buy call on Vedanta at 543, with a stop loss at 524 and a target price of 581.

"VEDL is currently trading at 543, maintaining a strong upward trajectory. The stock has consistently formed higher highs and higher lows, reflecting sustained bullish momentum. It recently reached its all-time high of 546.55. A breakout above this level could further accelerate buying interest. The Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) for the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day periods are all trending upwards, reinforcing the bullish outlook. The price is trading above all major EMAs, indicating strong positive sentiment and continued strength in the stock. If VEDL manages to close above its higher level, it could gain further traction toward a short-term target of 581. Traders should monitor price action around this resistance zone for confirmation of a breakout," he said.

On the downside, immediate support is located at 535 and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 64.26 and trending upward, reflecting growing buying momentum, he added.

Ashok Leyland: Traders can buy Ashok Leyland at 164, with a stop loss at 158 and a target price of 176, said Bagadia.

"The stock is in a strong upward trend, supported by steady buying interest and sustained higher price action. After retesting its previous higher levels, the stock has once again moved upward to register a fresh all time high of 164.8, reflecting renewed confidence among market participants. The overall structure indicates strength, with consistent bullish candles and rising volumes confirming the momentum. The stock remains well-supported above its key moving averages  the 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs  all of which are trending upward. This alignment confirms a solid trend structure and reflects growing confidence among investors. A sustained close above the 165 level could lead to further upside, with a near-term target of 176. Traders should closely monitor price action near the current resistance zone for signs of breakout continuation," he said.

On the downside, immediate support is located at 161, Bagadi opined, adding that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 69.55 and trending upward, reflecting growing buying momentum.

Also Read | Stocks to buy under 200: Mehul Kothari recommends three shares to buy or sell

Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy Jubilant Food: Ganesh Dogre recommends buying Jubilant Food at 583 for a target price of 610 and a stop loss of 570. He said the stock has been exhibiting a strong and consistent bullish pattern, indicating sustained investor interest and positive price momentum.

"The stock is currently trading at 583 and has established a solid support base at 570. This level has historically acted as a cushion, and the recent price action suggests a reversal from this support, reinforcing bullish sentiment. The technical setup points to the potential for a price retracement toward the 610 level in the near term," he said.

Given the renewed strength and the favorable risk-reward ratio, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss placed at 570 offers a strategic opportunity to capture the expected upside move; the outlook remains positive as long as the stock holds above its key support zone, the analyst opined.

ITC: Dogre has a buy call on ITC shares at 400 for a target price of 410 and a stop loss of 395. The stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continuous bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders, said Dongre.

He added that it has a strong support at 395. "The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the  410 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 395 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside," Dongre opined.

TCS: Dongre also recommended buying TCS at 3220 with a stop loss at 3160 and a target price of 3300.

"Stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continuous bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 3220 and maintaining a strong support at 3160. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 3300 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at  3160 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside," he said.

Shiju Koothupalakkal's stock recommendations Paytm: Koothupalakkal has a target price of 1370 on Paytm and a stop loss of 1280. Sharing his bullish views on Paytm, he said, "The stock has overall maintained the positive trend with series of higher bottom formation pattern visible on the daily chart, with bias improving once again, taking support near the 1255 zone. Near the 50EMA zone, one can anticipate further rise in the coming days."

The RSI is well positioned and has signalled a buy with much upside potential visible to carry on with the positive move further ahead, he added.

Eternal: The Prabhudas Lilladher analyst has a buy call on Eternal at 298 for a target price of 320 and a stop loss of 291. The stock, he said, after witnessing a decent correction has taken support near the 280-282 zone, has indicated a significant pullback, with a positive candle formation on the daily chart. The improving bias signals further rise in the coming days.

"The RSI has indicated a strong recovery from the highly oversold zone to signal a buy with much upside potential visible from current rate," he said.

Waaree Energy: Investors can buy Waaree Energy at 2980 for a target price of 3100 and a stop loss of 2930.

"The stock having witnessed a decent correction has stabilised and consolidated near the 2840 zone, taking support, and has indicated a positive candle formation on the daily chart, moving above the important 200-period MA at the 2960 level to improve the bias anticipating for further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI has corrected quite significantly and has indicated a positive trend reversal from the highly oversold zone to signal a buy with much upside potential visible," he said.
The Centre is planning to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) with a revamped legislation that promises more days of work, but asks states to share the burden and freezes employment during the farming season.

The Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or the VBG RAM G Bill, 2025 expands employment from 100 days to 125 days, sharpens the focus on strategic infrastructure, introduces localized and integrated planning, and revises the existing funding pattern.

FAQs circulated by the ministries of agriculture and rural development said that the scheme has been shifted from a central sector to a centrally sponsored scheme because rural employment is inherently local, and states now have to share cost and responsibility. According to the FAQs, the funding pattern between the Centre and states will change to 60:40. The bill proposes a 90:10 split for northeastern states and the Himalayan states and certain Union territories.

Also Read | How construction and polls helped in a year of muted rise in NREGA spending

Under the existing arrangement, states pay 25% of the materials and 50% of the admin cost, the FAQ said.

In a move aimed at strengthening rural income security, the employment guarantee under the scheme has been raised from 100 to 125 days. The increase is expected to provide additional wage employment to rural households, helping them cope with income uncertainty and rising living costs. Officials said the expanded guarantee would offer greater financial stability, particularly during periods of agrarian distress and limited non-farm employment opportunities.

The increase in the number of guaranteed days to 125 is a welcome move, said A.K. Verma, director of the Centre for the Study of Society and Politics (CSSP), as it is likely to provide additional remuneration to workers. But the 60:40 sharing provision may be inconvenient for states as they are cash-strapped.

The increased burden on state governments to fund the employment guarantee scheme could, however, be due to shoddy implementation and corruption at the state level, said Verma. He added that states may now turn more vigilant. "One advantage of sharing the spending will be that states, which are the implementing machinery of the scheme, may tighten oversight and surveillance over disbursal of funds."

Also, every state government must notify its scheme to operationalise the guarantee within six months of the Bills commencement. "If eligible applicants are not provided work within the stipulated period, state governments will be obliged to pay unemployment allowance as per the provisions in the Act, according to the proposed bill.

The bill also overhauls the implementation of the scheme. The Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council and the State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Councils shall be constituted for review, monitoring and effective implementation of the provisions of the legislation in their respective areas, according to a separate document released by the agriculture ministry.

How funds are allocated is also set to change. Steering committees at central and state levels shall be constituted to recommend on matters concerning normative allocations, convergence and other such matters.

For the first time, the Bill proposes pausing employment guarantee work during peak agricultural seasons to ensure the availability of farm labour.

The states would be required to notify in advance, a total period aggregating to 60 days in a financial year, covering sowing and harvesting, during which no work will be commenced or executed under the Act. States can issue area-specific notifications based on agro-climatic zones and local farm activity patterns.

The revamped framework puts a sharper focus on rural infrastructure development. It prioritises four categories of works: water security through conservation, irrigation and groundwater recharge; core rural infrastructure to improve basic amenities and service delivery; livelihood-linked assets that support agriculture, allied activities and income diversification; and climate-resilient works to prepare villages for extreme weather events. Together, this aims to strengthen rural systems, enhance livelihoods and build resilience, aligning public works with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Also, the framework proposes stronger incentives to curb misuse, region-specific planning through Gram Panchayat Plans, and a clear division of roles. With the Centre setting standards and states responsible for implementation and accountability. This cooperative model is expected to improve efficiency and reduce leakages, according to the FAQs.

Also Read | Centre revises MGNREGA wages for financial year 2024-25

Better incentives to prevent misuse, plans tailored to regional conditions through Gram Panchayat Plans. Centre retains standards, while states execute with accountability and this partnership model improves efficiency and reduces misuse, the FAQs reads

A communication by the agriculture ministry said MGNREGA was built for 2005, but rural India has transformed since then. So, to cater to the changing aspirations, stronger convergence is required. Therefore, the Government has resolved to enhance the wage-employment guarantee for rural households from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for anchoring rural asset creation through the enactment of an appropriate Act.

The government kept MGNREGA allocation unchanged in the FY26 budget from the previous year at 86,000 crore. The government's spending under the scheme jumped in FY21 to over 100,000 crore due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But it fell in budgetary allocations, which were later revised due to high demand. For instance, in FY24, the government allocated 60,000 crore but later revised its estimate to 86,000 crore.

MGNREGA was the flagship rural employment scheme of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance regime. The proposed renaming of the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.

The renaming of the scheme is a way of erasing Mahatma Gandhi from our national psyche, especially from the villages where he said Indias soul resides, said K.C. Venugopal, Indian National Congress member of parliament from Alappuzha.
NEW DELHI : Indias food safety regulator has launched a surveillance and enforcement drive to test the quality of eggs following a socialmedia uproar over a viral video claiming that samples of a premium egg brand contained traces of a banned, potentially cancerlinked substance.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tasked food safety officers with collecting samples of both branded and unbranded eggs for testing at 10 laboratories across the country, according to three officials familiar with the development.

The regulator is specifically testing for traces of nitrofuran metabolitesa potentially harmful class of antibiotics at the centre of the controversyto ensure that residues remain strictly within the permissible safety limit (MRPL) of 1 g/kg.

Egg samples are now being sent to laboratories, with both branded and unbranded eggs being collected for testing. The biggest challenge lies with unbranded eggs; tracing their origin, sellers, and buyers is difficult, as they often come directly from poultry farms and are sold through unorganized channels like local grocery stores without clear sourcing," said one of the three officials on the condition of anonymity.

The controversy

A YouTube channel claimed to have detected traces of AOZ (Amino-Oxazolidinone), a metabolite linked to nitrofuran antibiotics banned for use in food-producing animals in India, in the eggs of the premium brand Eggoz, triggering concerns over food safety, brand claims, and regulatory oversight in the countrys fast-growing branded egg market.

With eggs serving as a key protein source, Indias egg market is currently valued at $7-8 billion and is projected to exceed $19 billion by 2034, according to market intelligence firm Ken Researchs 2024 report: India Eggs Market Outlook to 2030. The estimates include both the formal and informal markets.

Studies have linked prolonged exposure to AOZ to potential carcinogenic effects, meaning it could increase the risk of cancer. Regulatory authorities worldwide have set strict maximum residue limits (MRPLs) or zero-tolerance standards to prevent contaminated meat and eggs from entering the food chain.

Nupa Technologies Pvt. Ltd, the Gurugram-based company behind the Eggoz brand, has countered the claim on Instagram and LinkedIn, releasing its own National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) reports on 11 December.

Across all parameters tested, including antibiotics, banned pesticides, heavy metals, toxic residues, and microbiological pathogens, the findings show that Eggoz eggs fully comply with FSSAI standards, it said.

In a separate e-mailed statement to Mint on 14 December, Nupa Technologies' spokesperson once again rejected the claims. Eggoz reiterates that none of our eggs contain any banned antibiotics. Our brand has been built on a foundation of transparency and rigorous standardization across the entire egg supply chain, ensuring consistent quality and complete traceability for consumers."

To be sure, the YouTube channels blind test found AOZ levels of 0.73 g/kg, below the MRPL (maximum residue limit) of 1.0 g/kg mandated by the FSSAI.

In June, Eggoz secured $20 million in funding from private equity firm Gaja Capital and venture capital firm IvyCap Ventures, among others, making it the only company in this space to raise significant institutional capital.

Tarun Gupta, founder of its rival Henfruit, said the company tests every batch in its in-house lab, with results cross-verified every six months by a NABL-accredited third-party laboratory. We have also sent samples for blind testing. The results are awaited," he said.

A spokesperson for Licious, an online meat and egg delivery platform, said the company conducts multi-layer checks at in-house and NABL-accredited laboratories, with results consistently showing BLQ (below the limit of quantification)meaning residues are either undetectable or well below regulatory limits". The platform has raised about $490 million to date.

Also Read | India ups ante on enforcing a 2009 ban on single-drug malaria pills

Dubious marketing claims

The FSSAI is also closely scrutinizing marketing claims. We are examining whether companies are misbranding products on e-commerce portals or on the packaging itself. If any company makes declarations such as 100% chemical-free, antibiotic-free, 100% pure, or fresh, it is violating labelling regulations," said the second official, also on the condition of anonymity.

Eggoz claims to use 100% herbal feed.

The FSSAI will take action against such claims, even if the product tests below permissible residue limits, because the labelling itself is deceptive, the official added.

Highlighting future regulatory shifts, the official emphasized that the country is moving towards stricter norms. Notably, about two years ago, the European Union set a common reference point for action (RPA) for nitrofuran metabolites (such as AOZ and AMOZ) at 0.5 g/kg in animal products, aiming for zero tolerance of these carcinogenic substances."

We are also in the process of reducing our limit to 0.5 g/kg. Not every country has adopted this standard yet. Such regulatory information is dynamic, as global standards evolve, we take appropriate steps to update our norms," the official explained.

Queries sent to the Union health ministry and FSSAI spokesperson on 12 December remained unanswered till press time.

Also Read | India wants WHO audit of its drug regulation with an eye on quality

Cancer risks overblown

Meanwhile, public health experts advise focusing on storage and labels. Food safety is not just about what is inside the egg, but also what is written on the carton. Advertising often exaggerates minor differences like claiming brown eggs are healthier than white, which is misleading," said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, former president, IMA Cochin.

He stressed that in the Indian context, consumers should prioritize checking proper storage conditions and clear expiry dates over marketing gimmicks.

He further argued that the "cancer scare" regarding these antibiotics is overblown. They are classified as IARC Group 3, meaning there is no evidence they cause cancer in humans, unlike tobacco or alcohol. Irrational fear turns people away from nutritious food. While banned as a precaution, they are not confirmed human carcinogens," he clarified.

Suresh Rayudu Chitturi, managing director at Srinivasa Farms and past chair of the World Egg Organisation (WEO), welcomed the FSSAIs special drive to check the quality of eggs as a good move", but stressed that implementation must be fair and grounded in reality.

Highlighting the industry's fragmented structure, he noted that it is not a monolithic entity run by corporations. There are 900,000 poultry farmers in our country. The 'big guys' or the organized sector probably account for not more than 20% of the production, while the remaining 80% are unorganized farmers," he noted.

He attributed the misuse of antibiotics to the socio-economic vulnerability of these smaller players rather than corporate malpractice. When a poor farmer is in trouble, and his birds are sick, if somebody tells him to use a specific medicine, he uses it. It is not always a calculated corporate decision; often it is a lack of awareness," he explained.

Dismissing recent viral reports as clickbait", Chitturi said the market remains resilient. The risk [of the levels detected] is very small. Despite the panic online, right now, it doesn't look like there is much effect on physical consumption or movement of goods across the country," he added.

India is the second-largest egg producer globally, according to the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025 released by the union ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying. For the year 2024-25, the total annual egg production in the country is estimated to be 149.11 billion eggs, marking a growth of 4.44% over the previous year.

Sakshi Sadashiv in New Delhi contributed to the story.
Authorities pledge overwhelming police response to Sydney's Bondi Beach shooting

Xinhua) 13:51, December 15, 2025

SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Monday pledged an overwhelming police response to Sunday night's fatal mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at a press conference on Monday afternoon that it is a time for calm and that acts of retribution will not be tolerated following the attack.

"Retribution or acts against any part of any community will not be accepted. We will have a significant policing presence," he said.

Authorities have confirmed that 16 people aged between 10 and 87 years old, including an alleged shooter, have been confirmed dead after two men opened fire on a crowd who had gathered at the iconic beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday night.

Lanyon said that the second alleged shooter, a 24-year-old male identified as the son of the deceased 50-year-old, remained in police custody in hospital on Monday and will likely face criminal charges.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said that the shooting has been met with an overwhelming response from authorities that will send a "clear message" to members of the Jewish community that police are present to keep them safe during the festive period. Police earlier said that 328 officers had been deployed to Sydney suburbs with significant Jewish populations.

Minns said that it is time for "a change" to NSW's gun possession laws after police earlier confirmed that the 50-year-old shooter was a licensed firearm holder who legally owned six guns.

"We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact. You can expect action soon," he said.

Minns said that there were 38 injured people who were being treated in hospital as of Monday afternoon, with their conditions ranging from critical to serious.

One of the people killed in the shooting was identified on Monday as 41-year-old Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an organizer of the Hanukkah event from a Bondi synagogue.

A 10-year-old girl was also killed in the shooting attack, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The winners of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have been announced, marking a landmark year for the globally loved photography competition.

The 2025 edition received a record-breaking 10,000 entries from 109 countries, the highest number in the awards 11-year history, underlining the growing appeal of wildlife photography that combines humour with conservation awareness.

Overall winner: High Five The overall winning photograph, titled High Five, was captured by Mark Meth Cohn in Rwanda and features a playful gorilla mid-performance in the misty mountains. Cohn spent four days trekking through dense terrain in search of gorilla families before encountering the Amahoro group, where one young male stole the show.

Mark says he was pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy.

The image impressed judges for its perfect timing, characterful expression and its ability to humanise wildlife without compromising respect for the animal or its environment.

View full Image We are 100 per cent sure that nobody is truly committed to a high five quite like this extremely happy gorilla, as captured by Mark Meth Cohn.

Junior winner: Baptism of the Unwilling Convert The Junior category, open to photographers aged 16 and under, was won by Grayson Bell for his image Baptism of the Unwilling Convert. Taken in Maine, USA, the photograph shows two green frogs locked in a moment that appears far more ceremonial than accidental.

Grayson admitted he did not notice the moment until reviewing the images later at home.

I showed it to my parents and they loved it too and it became one of my favourites. We all thought it looked like one frog was trying to baptise the other!

The judges praised the image for its humour, spontaneity and storytelling, particularly from such a young photographer.

View full Image Grayson Bell took a hilarious snapshot of a frog baptising another frog. The latter had clearly no idea of what was happening.

Young Photographer winner: Hit the dance floor The Young Photographer (25 and under) award went to Paula Rustemeier from the Netherlands for Hit the dance floor, which captures two red foxes seemingly dancing as they play.

Paula says you really have to giggle a lot watching foxes play with their quirky personalities, a sentiment echoed by the judging panel, who highlighted the images charm and technical quality.

View full Image Paula Rustemeier's picture of three foxes having the time of their lives is a dream for many.

Some Honorary Mentions Have you ever seen an emo squirrel? If not, then don't worry. Christy Grinton captured his picture of a squirrel with a gorgeous hairstyle.

View full Image A confused but stylish squirrel whose hairstyle will put many to shame, as clicked by Christy Grinton.

Have you ever seen a bird being whacked in the face by blades of grass? Here is one for you.

View full Image Now, which way is the wind blowing exactly, thought the bird as its entire face (including the eyes, obviously) got covered with grass, as captured by Alison Tuck.

Tired of hearing that one person talk? Here is a quick hack to make them go quiet for a while.

View full Image Warren Price may not have won the show, but he won our hearts by giving us this hack.

What are the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards? Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were created to celebrate the lighter side of wildlife while promoting conservation through positive storytelling.

The competition has since partnered with Nikon and supports environmental charities, using humour as a gateway to engage wider audiences with the importance of protecting wildlife and natural habitats.

Also Read | 7 Pics of 2024 selected in Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

Over the past decade, the awards have grown from a niche online contest into an internationally recognised photography event, attracting professional photographers, amateurs and young enthusiasts alike. Past winners have included images of laughing seals, awkward birds and expressive primates, all united by a shared aim: to make people smile while reminding them what is at stake if wildlife is lost.
New Delhi: A government-commissioned study on Indias pulses stocks has revealed serious gaps in storage practices, fuelling concerns over the availability of a key protein source for a large section of the population.

The study highlighted the need for uniform scientific protocols in storage and milling, after examining more than 500 stacks of pulses across 101 warehouses in major producing states.

Stacks of pulses refer to piles of pulse bags stored in warehouses, with each stack treated as one unit for monitoring quality.

The report, reviewed by Mint, undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchCentral Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (ICARCIPHET) for the Department of Consumer Affairs, tracked quality changes in pigeon pea, chickpea, black gram, green gram and lentil over a 12-month period to help establish national norms for shelf life, safe storage and milling outturn.

According to an official involved in the process, better storage standards would help reduce wastage of pulses and, in turn, lower import dependence, as around 9% of pulses are lost nationally due to post-harvest issues, including poor warehousing.

We have taken note of the studys findings and are exploring the development of unified standards for pulse storage, along with measures to increase domestic production," the official cited above said, requesting not to be named.

The findings gain significance at a time when India is facing a shortage of pulses and remains heavily dependent on imports of tur, urad, lentil and chana to meet domestic demand.

The government launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses in October 2025 with a 11,440 crore outlay over five years, aiming to achieve self-reliance by raising domestic production to 350 lakh tonnes (35 million tonnes) by 203031 through expanded cultivation, improved seeds, MSP procurement, and value-chain support, while reducing imports, stabilizing prices and boosting farmer incomes.

The production of pulses has fallen from 27.3 million tonnes in FY22 to 26 million tonnes in FY23, and 24.5 million tonnes in FY24, according to agriculture ministry data. In FY25, total production stood at 25.7 million tonnes.

The 77-page study titled development of protocols for shelf life, safe storage, milling outturn and indicative norms for procurement of major pulses found that fungal growth and lump formation appeared within just three to four months when black gram and green gram dal were stored in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags at moisture levels above 12% under laboratory conditions.

Also Read | In the works, QCO for food processing machines as China imports surge

The report also found that LDPE bags of up to 75-micron thickness were used for storing pulses, which are unsuitable for storing dals, as they fail to protect against environmental fluctuations.

Instead, it suggested using polypropylene bags or laminated plastic packaging of adequate thickness, with airtight sealing to minimize insect damage.

Queries sent to the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution remained unanswered till press time.

According to the agriculture ministry data, over the past six years, the highest production was 27.3 million tonnes in FY22, while the lowest, 23 million tonnes, was recorded in FY20.

In contrast, import data show an altogether different picture, with Indias pulse imports surging from 2.6 million tonnes in FY23 to 6.7 mt in FY25a nine-year highdue to a favourable duty regime and softer domestic prices.

The findings of the study show that pulses stored in warehouses operated by central and state warehousing agencies face wide variations in moisture levels, temperature, humidity and infestation risk, making them more vulnerable than cereals during long-term storage.

Investigators recorded quarterly data on damaged grain, weevilled grain, moisture content, weight loss and microbial load, using Bureau of Indian Standards sampling procedures. It was found that factors such as high humidity and poor aeration affect cooking quality and colour, and increase susceptibility to insect attack," the study noted.

The report notes that unscientific and inconsistent storage practices are contributing to avoidable losses of an essential protein commodity that plays a crucial role in filling Indias nutrition gap.

Industry and policy experts say the findings reinforce long-standing concerns about outdated warehouse practices and the lack of commodity-specific handling norms for pulses.

Going forward, national standards for the storage of pulses will be essential to minimise post-harvest losses, preserve quality and improve food safety across the supply chain. Clear and uniform storage norms can help address moisture control, pest management and quality deterioration, while also supporting more efficient movement, better inventory management and stronger market confidence in pulses," said B.B. Singh, former assistant director general (pulses), ICAR.

One of the big reasons pulses get damaged in storage is that we use the same approach for very different commodities. Each variety reacts differently to moisture and ventilation, so uniform stacking leads to avoidable losses," said Amith Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of StarAgri, an agri-supply chain and warehousing company.

Real-time digital stock visibility and regular physical checks can help prevent pilferage and adulteration. But Indias stacking standards were created years ago and havent kept pace with todays scale. We need modern, commodity-specific guidelines backed by intelligent storage technology to meaningfully reduce wastage," Agarwal added.

The report noted the wide geographic and climatic variability across the states studied, underlining how warehouse performance can differ depending on local temperature and humidity. Sampling records showed that not all pulses were stored in all states. For instance, lentils were stored primarily in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, while pigeon pea stocks were concentrated in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In total, 208 samples of chickpea, 177 of pigeon pea, 72 of black gram, 42 of green gram and 30 of lentil were analysed.

Also Read | Centre identifies 2 million hectares for mega pulses boost

The study warned against the continued use of methyl bromidebanned globally under the Montreal Protocoland recommends that fumigation be carried out only with aluminium phosphide at prescribed doses for storage of imported pulses at ports.

It further emphasized that bruchid infestation can cause severe damage within weeks, and that fumigation should be done immediately when insects are detected.

Given the high humidity at ports, the study calls for mandatory use of pheromone trapswhich attract and capture specific insect pests using species-specific chemical signalsand Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) insect traps in every warehouse chamber to monitor and control infestations effectively.
Congress leader Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, seeking its admission to discuss severe air pollution and the declaration of a national public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region. Tagore also sought permission for the Leader of the Opposition to speak on the issue.

"Delhi has recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 461, falling under 'severe plus' category, the highest this season. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has officially reported recurring negligence and evident gaps in road maintenance and dust mitigation by concerned authorities, leading to dangerously high dust levels, accumulation of municipal and construction waste, and instances of open burning," the notice reads.

Delhi has recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 461, falling under 'severe plus' category, the highest this season.

On Monday, Delhi woke up to hazardous air quality as a thick layer of toxic smog enveloped large parts of the national capital, severely impacting visibility and pushing pollution levels into the 'severe' category across multiple locations.

Second dirtiest December air day on record. AQI at 461, maxing out at 500 in multiple stations. I have moved an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha demanding an urgent discussion on Delhis air pollution crisis, Tagore said in a post on X accompanying the notice.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas reached alarming levels. Ghazipur and Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 493, categorised as 'severe". Barapullah flyover and Barakhamba Road saw AQI readings of 474, while Dwarka Sector-14 logged an AQI of 469. Pollution levels at Sardar Patel Marg stood at 483, and Pandit Pant Marg recorded an AQI of 417  all falling in the 'severe' category.

What government said on debate on AQI? Speaking in the Zero Hour during the Winter Session of Parliament on Friday, Rahul Gandhi expressed concern that rising air pollution across Indian cities such as Delhi was inflicting severe and long-term health damage, urging the Union government to join him in what he called an interesting experiment of political cooperation.

In response, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue. The government has, from day one, made it clear that it is ready to discuss all important matters The issue will be structured and taken up for discussion, Rijiju said.

The Winter Session of Parliament, which began on 1 December, will run until 19 December.

"In this context, I also humbly request that the Hon'ble Leader of Opposition be permitted to speak during the discussion, so that the concerns of the people and the urgent need for remedial measures may be fully articulated.I therefore seek your kind indulgence to admit the Adjournment Motion and allow the House to deliberate on this critical issue in the larger public interest," it reads.

The MP urged the Speaker to admit the Adjournment Motion under 'Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business' in the Lok Sabha and allow the House to deliberate on the matter in the larger public interest.

GRAP 4 in place With worsening AQI levels, the CAQM has invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. GRAP Stage-IV represents the strictest set of curbs aimed at preventing further deterioration in air quality.

Construction and demolition activities are halted, restrictions are imposed on the entry of polluting vehicles, and additional curbs may be enforced on industries, diesel generators and vehicular movement under GRAP IV. The authorities may also consider measures such as limiting non-essential travel and encouraging work-from-home arrangements where feasible.
The Delhi government has directed schools to shift from a hybrid to an online mode for students up to Class 5, in view of pollution, according to an official order.

The decision comes as residents of Delhi continue to experience deteriorating air quality and thick smog, with the region's Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 452 in the severe category at 8 am on Monday, 15 December, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In a circular issued by the Directorate of Education, physical classes for students of nursery to Class 5 in all government, government-aided, and unaided recognised private schools in Delhi have been discontinued until further notice.

The circular issued on Monday, 15 December, read, In view of the prevailing high AQI levels in Delhi, it has been decided that classes in physical mode for students of Nursery to Class V are discontinued till further orders for all Government, Government Aided and Unaided Private Recognised Schools of Delhi. All Heads of Schools are hereby directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes.

Also Read | Will Delhi schools operate normally for higher grades amid severe air quality in

View full Image Delhi schools update

Also Read | Delhi govt directs 50% staff to work from home as GRAP IV kicks in

What about classes for students from Class 6? The order directed that the classes for grades 6 and above will continue as previously instructed. While schools have been directed to conduct classes for students up to Class 5 only in online mode, classes for the remaining grades will be conducted in hybrid mode, according to the education department's directive on 13 December.

The Delhi Directorate of Education on Saturday directed all schools to conduct hybrid classes for students up to class 9 and class 11, following the implementation of stage four curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan.

In the circular issued on Saturday, 13 December, classes for students of 10 and 12 were scheduled to be held in schools.

Delhi air quality On Monday, Delhi continued to face hazardous air quality, with Anand Vihar reaching an AQI of 493, classified as 'Severe'. Dense smog also covered regions near Kartavya Path, Akshardham, AIIMS, and Yashobhoomi.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe', as per CPCB.
As many as 61 flights were cancelled, over 400 flights were delayed, and five flights were diverted due to low visibility, the Delhi Airport said on Monday, December 15.

Flight services were disrupted at the Delhi airport on Monday as a dense blanket of smog continued to cover the national capital and its adjoining areas, with air quality in the 'severe' category.

This reduced visibility and disrupted flight and train operations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert for dense smog on Monday.

Delhi Airport's advisory Amid low visibility issues, the Delhi Airport issued an advisory for flyers early Monday morning.

It posted on X, "Due to dense fog, flight operations may experience disruptions."

"We are working closely with all stakeholders to minimise inconvenience to passengers," the statement read.

It further advised passengers to check the latest flight updates by contacting their respective airlines. "We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused," it said in a post on X.

In a later update, around 12 pm, the Delhi airport said the runway visibility improved, and operations are now stabilising. However, there might be some impact on flight departures and arrivals, it said.

Air India cancels 19 flights Air India cancelled as many as 19 flights on Monday.

It said, "Poor visibility due to dense fog in Delhi this morning has impacted flight operations for all airlines. We are closely monitoring conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so."

"In the interest of safety, and to avoid prolonged uncertainty for our guests, some flights have been cancelled. We understand this may cause inconvenience, and our ground teams across airports are working round the clock to assist and support you," Air India said.

The airline also released a list of flights which were cancelled at Delhi airport on Monday. They were:

AI2767 / 2768 AI1787 / 1872 AI1721 / 1837 AI1701 / 1806 AI1725 / 1860 AI1745 / 1890 AI1797 / 1838 AI1703 / 1884 AI2653 / 2808 AI2469 / 2470 AI866 AI1737 / 1820 AI1719 / 1844 AI1785 / 1851 AI2495 / 2496 AI1715 / 1816 AI3313 / 3314 AI881 / 882 AI2465 / 2880

IndiGo's list of cancelled flights India national carrier, IndiGo, also issued an advisory, informing passengers of flight cancellations and delays. It also shared a list of cancelled flights on Monday. Over 100 IndiGo flights affected. See list here

Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport, IndiGo said.
Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar may be scripting new history with their gritty spy-action thriller about a RAW agents exploits in Pakistan, a peek into the lives of real Indians held on espionage charges in a hostile country is no less riveting, and a darn deal more dangerous.

Former Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit's book, Hostility: A Diplomat's Diary on Pakistan-India relations published in 2021 suggests that Pakistan does not know what to do with Kulbhushan Jadhav, held in Pakistan since 2016 on espionage charges.

According to the former high commissioner, posted to New Delhi between 2014 and 2017, Islamabad may have struggled with how to handle the high-profile case after Jadhav's arrest in March 2016. Abdul Basit wrote that Pakistan had "boxed itself into a corner" over the Kulbhushan Jadhav case and that the country could not easily hang him or free him. "It can neither free Jadhav nor, it seems, hang him... perhaps the only option left for Pakistan is to complicate the matter legally and drag it on indefinitely so that it's saved from taking the tough decision".

Basit's key claims regarding the matter was his strongly held view that Pakistan had "mishandled the case right from the word go and [was] gradually losing its credibility in the matter".

In the book, Basit also revealed his frustration at being excluded from key India-Pakistan communications, claiming that the then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif used the "good offices of the industrialist Sajjan Jindal" to carry messages regarding the Kulbhushan Jadhav matter, often without Basit's knowledge.

India has always maintained that Jadhav was a retired naval officer abducted from Iran, while Pakistan alleges that he was a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent arrested in Balochistan for espionage and sabotage.

The case was taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered Pakistan to stay Jadhav's execution and grant him consular access. In earlier statements, Basit has repeatedly stated that Pakistan had sufficient evidence to convict Jadhav of espionage charges and had shared some of this information with the Indian government. He referred to Jadhav as a "terrorist" who "should meet his fate" for his actions.

In other words - unlike a sashaying Ranveer Singh winning hearts and minds, bamboozling opponents Jadhav is likely to stay put in Pakistan for the immediate foreseeable future.

No less intriguing is the story of former Indian spy Ravindra Kaushik, who reportedly managed to infiltrate the Pakistani system, codenamed "The Black Tiger," rising in the Pakistani Army as a deep-cover RAW agent, adopting the identity of Nabi Ahmed Shakir. He studied law, joining Pakistans Military's accounts department, and proved himself capable of handling sensitive intelligence, eventually becoming a Major by the early 1980s, a position that allowed him to send crucial info back to India before his exposure in 1983. He died in Pakistani prison in 2001.

Unlike Dhurandhar, Bollywood has been a lot stingier on real life Indian heroes, at least in three cases. Films like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Romeo Akbar Walter are widely believed to be inspired by the life of Ravindra Kaushik, but got no recognition from the filmmakers, who did not officially credit him or his family.

In the case of Romeo Akbar Walter, while the film was marketed as "inspired by real events," the main character played by John Abraham was named Rehamatullah Khan, not Ravindra Kaushik. The lack of official credit for the real "Black Tiger" has been a point of contention for his family and supporters. Director Robbie Grewal's film is described as being "loosely based" on Kaushik's life rather than a direct, official biopic.

The question of intellectual property (IP) rights in the Ravindra Kaushik case arose when his family repeatedly claimed that the storyline of another Bollywood film Ek Tha Tiger (2012) was based on his life and requested credit. The director of Ek Tha Tiger, Kabir Khan, denied that the film was based on the spys life. The film was presented as a work of fiction. No intellectual property rights were officially recognized or granted to his family.

Bollywood has always maintained that since the government never acknowledged Ravindra Kaushik as an agent for diplomatic reasons, its formal claims for recognition or compensation through official channels was difficult. A nice washing off hands, if there was one.

Intelligence operations are highly classified, and a spy's identity and service are often officially erased for national security purposes. This inherent secrecy means that a personal life story related to espionage may not have the typical documentation or legal standing required for an IP claim in the public domain.

In contrast, Hollywood has produced several critically acclaimed spy biopics and thrillers based on true events. These films often blend historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling to explore the complexities and human costs of intelligence work.

Hollywood productions often pay for the life story rights for biopics, and this can also apply to spy biopics. Whether a subject or their estate is paid depends on the negotiations and the nature of the film.
New Delhi/Patna, Dec 15 (PTI) The BJP on Monday appointed Sanjay Saraogi as its Bihar unit president, a month after the saffron party-led NDA swept the assembly polls in the eastern state.

Saraogi, 57, a former cabinet minister in the Bihar government, is an MLA from Dharbhanga constituency. He succeeds Dilip Jaiswal, who was appointed to the post less than two years ago.

"Bharatiya Janata Party national president Jagat Prakash Nadda has appointed Sanjay Saraogi as the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar with immediate effect," BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said in a notification.

Also Read | Who is Nitin Nabin? BJP appoints Bihar minister as national working president

Jaiswal is understood to have been replaced in keeping with the BJPs stated policy of one person one post. Last year, he had resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet upon becoming the state BJP president, replacing Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.

Saraogi was inducted into the state cabinet in February this year, and allocated the crucial Revenue and Land Reform portfolio.

However, many eyebrows were raised when he was not included in the new ministry formed last month, after NDAs resounding victory, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party.

Often known to adopt a hard-line stance on issues, Saragoi started his political career as student activist of the ABVP and, later, became an active member of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) before being appointed the Darbhanga city unit president of the BJP in 2001.

He made his electoral debut in the 2005 assembly polls from Darbhanga, and has been winning the seat on the trot since then.
Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the two brother accused in the Goa nightclub fire case, will arrive at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Tuesday from Thailand, where they were held days earlier.

Both Goa Police and Delhi Police teams will be present at the Delhi airport to take custody of the duo, who owned the nightclub that went up in blaze. The update was provided by the Goa Police, as per news agency ANI.

From the airport, the Luthra brothers will be taken to the Patiala House Court, from where the Goa Police will take them on transit remand.

Also Read | Goa nightclub fire: Land dispute and zoning fraud allegations surface

A suspicious exit The two brothers had left India shortly after the fire broke out at the nightclub in Arpora on December 6, and Goa Police investigators at the time said that the two had booked tickets to leave the country even as emergency responders were fighting the blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub.

Saurabh and Gaurav reportedly booked their tickets on MakeMyTrip at 1:17 am on 7 December, around the same time that firefighters were struggling to bring the deadly blaze under control.

The duo reportedly fled to Phuket in Thailand on the morning of 7 December, taking IndiGo flight 6E 1073 out of India.

Despite the apparent swift nature of the Luthras' exit and the timing of it, their lawyers told a Delhi court that the brothers had not fled, but had instead flew to Phuket to attend a business event.

My managers (the Luthras) manage 40 restaurants all over India. The men sitting in Delhi cannot be present everywhere. The Luthras had an event to attend in Phuket, therefore booked a ticket. The property of the accused is being bulldozed, there is sealing, we are seeking protection of life and liberty, Senior advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir recently told a Rohini court, appearing for the brothers.

Beyond the two brothers, six others have been arrested in connection with the case thus far, including club partner Ajay Gupta and chief general manager Rajiv Modak, among others.

What caused the Goa nightclub fire? The fire, which took place on 6 December at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, claimed 25 lives.

The fire, which began around midnight on 6 December, was initially believed to have been caused by a cylinder, but investigation revealed the role of negligence behind the deadly blaze.
Union government will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA) with Viksit BharatGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VBG RAM G BILL, 2025.

A bill to repeal the MGNREGA, the countrys flagship job scheme, and bring a new law for rural employment - Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) - has been circulated by the government among the Lok Sabha members, news agency PTI quoted unnamed sources.

Also Read | Delhi AQI: Congress MP moves adjournment notice in Parliament

According to a copy of the bill, it seeks to introduce the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, in Parliament and repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005.

It says the bill is aimed at establishing a "rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, by providing a statutory guarantee of one hundred and twenty-five days of wage employment in every financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work; to promote empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation for a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat".

Also Read | NREGA big success story of recent times in India: UN official

The bill has been circulated among the members of the Lok Sabha, and is likely to be introduced in the House. The Winter Session of Parliament, which started on December 1, will conclude on December 19.

The new programme, which will provide 125 days of unskilled manual labour, will focus on empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation through public works aggregating into forming Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, with a thematic focus on water security through water-related works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure and special works to mitigate extreme weather events.

Here are 5 changes in the new law

1. Number of wage employment days: The VB-G Ram G Bill has proposed a guarantee of employment for 125 days in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work.

Existing MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year.

2. Centre to share burden of funding: The VB-G Ram G Bill has proposed changed in funding patterns too.

Unlike the MGNREGA, where the Centre is responsible for paying the entire wage bill, states will have to share the burden of the wage payment under the new law  the VB-G Ram G.

For the purposes of this Act, the fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the state governments shall be 90:10 for the Northeastern States, Himalayan states, and Union Territories (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir), and 60:40 for all other states and Union territories with legislature, states Section 22 (2) of the Bill.

Also Read | Need to understand what is happening on ground on MNREGA: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Under the MGNREGA, the Centre meets the cost of wages for unskilled manual work under the scheme, up to three-fourths of the material cost of the scheme, including payment of wages to skilled and semi-skilled workers.

The state governments are responsible for meeting the cost of unemployment allowance payable under the Scheme; one-fourth of the material cost of the Scheme, including payment of wages to skilled and semi-skilled workers, subject to the provisions of Schedule II; and the administrative expenses of the state council.

3. Normative Allocation: As per Section 4 (5) of the new bill, the Central Government shall determine the State-wise normative allocation for each financial year, based on objective parameters as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Any expenditure incurred by a State in excess of its normative allocation shall be borne by the State Government in such manner and by such procedure as may be prescribed by the Central Government, states Section 4(6) of the Bill.

The Bill defines normative allocation as the allocation of the fund made by the Central Government to the State.

4. Pause during agricultural season: The VB-G Ram G Bill introduces provisions to pause the employment guarantee during peak agricultural seasons. The idea is to facilitate adequate agricultural labour availability during peak agricultural seasons.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or rules made thereunder, and to facilitate adequate availability of agricultural labour during peak agricultural seasons, no work shall be commenced or executed under this Act, during such peak seasons as may be notified under sub-section (2), reads Section 6(1) of the VB-G Ram G-Bill.

5. Weekly wage payment: The VB-G Ram G-Bill envisages payment of wages to workers every week, unlike MGNREGS, which has a 15-day limit.

The disbursement of daily wages shall be made on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a fortnight after the date on which such work was done, it reads.
A policeman has been killed, while a terrorist is believed to be injured during a gunfight in a village in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, December 15, PTI reported, citing officials.

The gunfight has ended, but the area remains under a strict security cordon with all escape routes blocked to contain the holed-up terrorists, they added.

The encounter happened in Soan village, Majalta area of the hilly district, after security forces launched a search operation after receiving information about three terrorists allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group, the report said.

Inspector General of Police, Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, informed that contact was made with the terrorists after the police received specific information about them in the remote village.

Joint team of Special Operations Group (SOG) of police, along with Army and CRPF, are on the job, the news portal quoted the officer.

Also Read | Police seize AK rifles, pistol rounds from Kashmir Times office in Jammu

Meanwhile, in a post on X, the IGP Jammu said, a very small SOG team engaged the terrorists! Combing of the forest has been impeded due to darkness and treacherous terrain.

The officials stated that the encounter occurred in the besieged village around 6 pm and lasted for some time, leading to injuries for one SOG jawan who later succumbed injuries, the report said.

One terrorist was also believed to have been injured in the initial gunfight, they said, adding that the operation was suspended for the night and would be resumed on Tuesday. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists, it added.

Terrorist arrested in Pulwama The recent search operation comes days after security forces arrested a suspected terrorist linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, and recovered a grenade from him, PTI reported, citing police, on Friday, 12 December.

Jammu and Kashmir Police in Awantipora, with security forces, arrested Musaib Nazir, a terror associate involved in supporting terrorist activities, a police spokesman told the news portal.

Acting on reliable information about a suspect's movement in the Naner Midoora area, security forces initiated a search operation in the area, the spokesman said.

During the search, Nazir, who lives in Ladhoo Khrew in south Kashmir's Pulwama district and is alleged to have links with JeM, was detained, and a grenade was recovered from him, the spokesman added.

He mentioned that a case has been filed and that further investigation is in progress.
In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a 1,597-page chargesheet against seven accused, including terrorist groups, in connection with the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack case, as reported by news agency PTI.

The chargesheet has named Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF) and a handler based in the neighbouring country, among others. It details Pakistans conspiracy, the role of the accused, and supporting evidence in the terror attack case.

The NIA has charged the banned LeT and TRF as a legal entity for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistan-sponsored militants had killed 25 tourists and a local pony operator in the religion-based targeted attack.

"Pakistani handler terrorist Sajid Jatt is also named as an accused in the 1,597-page chargesheet, filed before the NIA special court, Jammu," a statement issued by the anti-terror agency said.

The chargesheet further named the three Pakistani terrorists who were later gunned down by the Indian Army during Operation Mahadev at Dachigam in Srinagar on 29 July, 99 days after the deadly terror attack. They were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani.

Two other accused, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, arrested by the NIA on 22 June for harbouring militants, have also been chargesheeted in the case.

During the probe, the two men had revealed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit.

The investigation agency, in its chargesheet, also invoked the penal section against the terror accused for waging war against India.

Through a meticulous scientific probe spanning almost eight months, the NIA had traced the conspiracy in the case to Pakistan, which has been unabatedly sponsoring terrorism against India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a four-day visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman on Monday. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in areas of trade and defence.

At the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, PM Modi will visit Jordan from 15 December to 16 December 2025. During the visit, the PM will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues. 

India-Jordan Ties This Jordan visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reaffirm our commitment to promoting regional peace, prosperity, security, and stability.

Also Read | Who is Nitin Nabin? BJP appoints Bihar minister as national working president

This visit presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for growth and prosperity, and reaffirm New Delhi's commitment to promoting regional peace, security, and stability, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Partners in the Global South In the second leg of the visit, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, PM Modi will head to Ethiopia on 16 December, where he will stay for two days. This will be Prime Minister Modis first visit to Ethiopia. He will be holding wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Dr Ali on all aspects of IndiaEthiopia bilateral ties.

As partners in the Global South, the visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two nations to foster close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation.

"As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation," the MEA said.

Final leg in Oman

In the final leg of his visit, at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, PM Modi will visit the Sultanate of Oman from 17 - 18 December 2025. This will be the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to Oman. India and Oman share a comprehensive strategic partnership, underpinned by centuries-old bonds of friendship, trade linkages, and strong people-to-people ties.

The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023.

This visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, encompassing areas such as trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture, and culture, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

"This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," the MEA said in a statement.

Oman's Ambassador to India, Sheikh Humaid Bin Ali Bin Sultan Al-Mani, told news agency ANI that PM Modis visit to Muscat will be a "very important" milestone in bilateral ties, especially as both nations mark 70 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Calling the timing "very interesting," the envoy noted that the visit comes two years after the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, visited India in December 2023, adding that it holds significance "from different aspects."

Here is a tentative itinerary of PM Modi during the four-day foreign trip

Monday, 15 December, 2025 -Departure from Delhi

-Around 4 PM Tentative arrival in Jordan

-Evening- Meeting with King Abdullah II at Al Husseiniyah Palace

Tuesday, 16 December, 2025 -Morning - India Jordan Business Forum

-Afternoon- Departure for Petra, Jordan

-Engagements at Petra

This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture.

-Departure for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Just as IndiGo's recent flight disruption crisis appears to be easing, fresh cancellations and delays hit passengers on Monday as a thick blanket of smog enveloped Delhi and nearby regions.

Poor visibility disrupted flight operations at Delhi airport, with air quality in the national capital and adjoining areas remaining in the severe category. With flight disruptions happening more often, many passengers remain unsure about their rights.

Here's how you can protect yourself from unexpected situations and get your money back in case your air travel plans are disrupted by sudden cancellations and delays.

How to claim your rightful compensation Based on the circumstances, passengers are entitled to three distinct remedies in cases of airline-caused disruption.

 Full Refund: According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, if delays or cancellations are caused by the airline, passengers are entitled to receive a refund or make a rebooking.

The refund includes base fare, taxes, airline charges and seat-selection/ancillary fees. This has to be returned to the original mode of payment.

 Statutory Compensation: If the airline cancels your flight less than 2 weeks before departure, or delays it beyond DGCA-prescribed thresholds, you are entitled to compensation.

The amount depends on the block time of the flight: 5,000 for delays up to 1 hour, 7,500 for delays between 1 and 2 hours, 10,000 for delays exceeding 2 hours and 20,000 for disallowing a passenger to board the flight.

It's important to note that block hours are calculated from the time the airline closes doors for departure to when it opens doors after landing. Block time includes taxing out to the runway and taxing in to the arrival gate, plus flight duration.

These compensations can be paid in cash, by bank transfer or with the passenger's signed agreement in the form of travel vouchers, Business Traveller reported.

 Reimbursement of expenses: If the airline cannot offer a viable alternative for a cancelled or delayed ticket, you may be entitled to receive new flight tickets, hotel stays, cab fares to/from the airport, and meals. These amenities are reimbursable if a passenger presents proof of the same.

What documents you must show to claim refunds and compensation? To claim flight refunds and compensation, you need to provide certain documents to the airline. These include your boarding pass, cancellation or delay SMS/email, and any photos or screenshots from the airport showing the disruption.

If you booked an alternate flight, keep the ticket for the new airline along with Uber or taxi receipts incurred due to the delay. For luggage-related issues, retain luggage mishandling slips, and always keep payment receipts and invoices for any expenses you want reimbursed.
Benjamin Erickson, 24, has been reportedly identified as a "person of interest" in the mass shooting that rocked Brown University in the US on Saturday, NBC News reported, citing law enforcement officials.

FBI Director Kash Patel, in a post on X on Sunday, said that law enforcement had detained a person of interest in a hotel room in the Rhode Island town of Coventry, a 30-minute drive from the Brown campus.

"An FBI team specialising in cellular data analysis used geolocation information to track the suspect," Patel said.

Also Read | Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that killed 2

Several news media outlets, including the Washington Post and NBC News, cited unnamed sources identifying the man as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, who previously resided in Wisconsin.

Detectives anticipated that the person in custody would be formally charged Sunday night, according to city public safety spokesperson Kristy DosReis, as quoted by Reuters.

Who is Benjamin Erickson? A military spokesperson told NBC News that Benjamin Erickson had served as an infantryman in the US Army from May 2021 to November 2024.

The spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Castro, was quoted as saying, "He has no deployments and left the Army in the rank of specialist."

Public records showed that he was living in Washington DC in 2024 and had also been a resident of Wisconsin in 2020.

As per the report, Erickson was registered to vote in Washington DC in 2023 with a "statehood" party affiliation. Previous records reportedly showed he was registered to vote in Wisconsin in 2020, listing "military" under voter information.

Sources told NBC that authorities are looking into what might be an extensive mental health history for Erickson. Any connection with Brown University is also being investigated.

Brown University shooting Two students were killed, and nine others sustained injuries in the Brown University shooting that took place amid year-end final exams at the Ivy League school on Saturday.

The gunman fled after shooting students in a classroom in Brown's Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, where outer doors had been left unlocked while exams were taking place, officials said on Saturday.

Authorities on Saturday had released a short video clip of a person of interest dressed in black walking near the engineering building.
Air pollution is choking the national capital of Delhi, and in view of worsening air quality, the Delhi government has issued several instructions to schools on how to hold classes.

On Monday evening, the Directorate of Education issued a circular, revising orders from an earlier one and directing that classes for students from nursery to Class V should be held exclusively in the online mode.

"In view of the prevailing high AQI levels in Delhi, it has been decided that classes in physical modes for students of Nursery to Class V are discontinued until further orders for all Government, Government Aided, and Unaided Private Recognized Schools of Delhi," the order read.

Will classes continue as usual for higher grades? Monday's circular said the present order holds only for students up to Class V, and that classes for higher grades will have to be held as per the Directorate of Education's earlier communication, dated 13 December.

In that circular, the government had instructed all schools to immediately start conducting classes for children up to Class IX and Class XI in a "hybrid" mode, with both physical and online modes being available for students.

Class X and XII classes will continue physical classes as usual, it is understood.

"The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians," the circular read.

Also Read | Delhi govt directs 50% staff to work from home as GRAP IV kicks in

Delhi's plummeting AQI The fresh order on Monday comes amid plummeting air quality index (AQI) figures in the national capital.

Delhi on Monday awoke to thick smog blanketing the city, and AQI levels remained in the severe category, with overall AQI for the national capital at 457 at 6 am.

While that figure represented the scenario across the city, some air quality monitoring centres, such as Jahangirpuri, Rohini, and Ashok Vihar, saw their AQI levels at the highest-possible figure500.

Monday's smog-filled morning came on the back of Delhi recording its second worst air pollution in December on record on Sunday, when residents across the national capital region reported thick smog and near zero visibility.
Air quality in the national capital remained severe for the third straight day on Monday, with heavy smog engulfing parts of Delhi-NCR.

After a sharp dip in air quality on Saturday, residents in the national capital woke up to thick smog on Monday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) remaining firmly in the severe categoryat 6 am on Monday, Delhi had an AQI of 457.

Dense smog also blanketed the city, resulting in a sharp decline in visibility.

GRAP-IV measures In view of the worsening pollution, GRAP-IV measures have been implemented, and offices have been directed to function at 50% capacity.

GRAP-IV measures also include a complete halt on all construction and demolition activities, including earthwork, excavation and structural work, as well as the the operation of stone crushers, brick kilns, hot mix plants and mining units.

In addition, industrial units making use of coal, furnace oil or other unapproved fuels have also been ordered to shut down.

Restrictions are also in place for the vehicular movement, with the entry of diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicle being halted, except for those carrying essential goods.

Use of BS-III petrol four wheelers, as well as BS-IV diesel ones have also been prohibited, along with non-essential inter-state diesel buses that are not electric, CNG, or BS-VI compliant.

Schools, however, are not completely closed.

Here is a detailed look at whether schools are open or closed in Delhi, Noida, and Greater Noida.

Delhi: In Delhi, the Directorate of Education issued a circular on 13 December, calling on all government, government-aided and recognized private schools to immediately start conducting classes for children up to Class IX and Class XI in a "hybrid" mode, with both physical and online modes being available for students.

Class X and XII classes will continue as usual it is understood.

"The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians," the circular read.

On the evening of Monday, 15 December, the directorate also issued another circular, discontinuing physical classes for all students from nursery to Class V. Schools have been directed to hold classes in online mode for these students.

All other directions remain unchanged from the 13 December circular.

Further, all outdoor activities, including sports, assemblies, and physical activities are suspended.

Noida and Greater Noida In Gautam Buddh Nagar, the Office of the District Inspector of Schools issued an order on 14 December directing Classes Pre-Nursery to V to be held in online mode.

Classes VI to IX and Class XI students meanwhile will see hybrid sessions, with both physical and online mode available wherever feasible.

The order is valid for Noida and Greater Noida.
Merriam-Webster has named SLOP as its 2025 Word of the Year. The dictionary defines slop as low-quality digital content produced in large amounts. It is usually produced using artificial intelligence. In 2025, this word aptly captured the surge of subpar online content flooding screens everywhere.

Slop included strange videos, awkward adverts and fake news that looked real. It also covers AI-written books, boring office reports, and endless viral clips, such as talking cats.

People complained about it, yet many still watched and shared it. Media outlets warned that AI slop was taking over social platforms. Still, they admitted that it could be oddly entertaining.

The word itself has a long history. In the 1700s, it meant soft mud. Later, it referred to food waste and then rubbish of little value.

In 2025, slop reflected a shift in tone. Instead of fear about AI, the word carried sarcasm and mockery. It suggested that much AI content still falls far short of real human creativity.

There are a few other new words that made their entry to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Performative In the age of social media, life often feels like a performance on a phone screen. Searches for the word performative rose sharply in 2025. The term refers to doing something primarily for show. It is done to improve ones image rather than for real belief or action.

Many behaviours were mocked as performative. These included performative politics, activism, patriotism, and even lifestyle trends like making matcha tea, mainly for posting online photos.

Touch Grass The phrase touch grass means taking part in real-world activities instead of living only online. It is often used to tell people who spend too much time on social media to reconnect with everyday life.

Searches for the phrase rose sharply in September after the murder of Charlie Kirk. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has warned about the harm caused by social media. He urged people to log off, turn off their phones, touch grass, hug family members and help their communities.

While the phrase originated as an insult, it gradually evolved into an aspiration. Many now use it as a reminder to reduce addiction and reconnect offline.

Gerrymander The term gerrymander gained attention throughout 2025 in US politics. To gerrymander means to redraw voting boundaries in a way that gives one party an unfair advantage.

The term originates from Elbridge Gerry, a 19th-century US politician. While serving as governor of Massachusetts, he supported redrawing districts to help his party win.

One district became so oddly shaped that it looked like a salamander. A rival mocked it by calling it a Gerrymander, mixing Gerrys name with the animal.
The Trump administration has begun implementing stricter screening and vetting procedures for H-1B visas and their dependent H-4 applicants, effective today, which now include reviewing social media profiles.

Emphasising that a US visa is a privilege rather than a right, the State Department said that it considers all available information during the visa process to identify applicants who may be inadmissible, particularly those who could pose a threat to national security or public safety.

The State Department further stated that it conducts a comprehensive vetting of all visa applicants, which includes reviewing the online presence of students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories, emphasising that each visa decision is ultimately a matter of national security.

It added, The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.

Social Media Screening of H-1B Visa Holders: What to Expect? The online presence of all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents will be subject to review. Previously, this type of social media screening was applied only to students and exchange visitors; however, the department has now extended it to include H-1B holders and H-4 dependents. To support this process, applicants for H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas have been advised to make their social media profiles public. The F, M, and J visa categories are specifically for students and exchange visitors coming to the United States.

The administration has initiated a major crackdown to curb misuse of the H-1B visa programme, which is commonly used by companies, especially in the technology sector, to hire foreign workers in the US. Indian professionals, including tech workers and doctors, represent a significant portion of H-1B visa holders.

Meanwhile, in September, Trump issued a proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers as an initial step toward reforming the H-1B visa programme. The proclamation introduced a one-time USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, a measure that could affect Indian professionals seeking temporary work in the US.

Also Read | Trump's H1B Visa Fee Hike Sparks Revolt In MAGA Camp

Moreover, the US has immediately suspended Green Card, citizenship, and other immigration applications for individuals from 19 countries of concern following the shooting of National Guard soldiers by an Afghan national. Earlier this month, a policy memorandum instructed US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to place all asylum applications on hold, regardless of the applicants nationality, pending a comprehensive review. These countries were previously included in the travel ban announced by Trump in June.
Brian Walshe was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder in connection with the gruesome death of his wife, whom he allegedly killed and dismembered almost three years ago, according to a report by AP.

Walshe's wife, Ana, an immigrant from Serbia, was last seen on January 1, 2023, after a New Years Eve dinner at the couple's residence.

In January 2023, Walshe was charged with his wife's murder shortly after her employer reported her missing. He initially told police that she had taken an Uber or Lyft on New Year's Day to fly to Washington due to a work emergency.

Digital evidence against Walshe Prosecutors relied extensively on digital evidence when presenting their case against Brian Walshe. This included online searches such as best ways to dispose of a body, best tool to dismember, and related queries.

Investigators discovered searches on a MacBook, such as how long for someone missing to inherit, and how long missing to be dead, the report quoted prosecutors.

An insurance executive also confirmed that Brian Walshe was the only beneficiary of Ana Walshe's $1 million life insurance policy.

During the trial, there was mention of an article titled Is it possible to clean DNA off a knife, along with searches on cleaning blood with ammonia, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide.

Allegations against Walshe Surveillance footage also captured a man resembling Walshe discarding what looked like heavy trash bags into a dumpster near their residence. Later, a search at a trash processing facility near his mother's home identified bags holding a hatchet, hammer, shears, hacksaw, towels, a Tyvek suit, cleaning supplies, a Prada purse, boots similar to those Ana Walshe was last seen wearing, and her COVID-19 vaccination card.

Prosecutors told the jury that the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory tested certain items for DNA and found Ana and Brian Walshes DNA on the Tyvek suit, along with Ana Walshes DNA on the hatchet, hacksaw, and other objects.

What did Walshe say about his wife's murder? When first questioned by investigators, Walshe claimed his wife was called to Washington, D.C., on New Years Day due to a work emergency. However, witnesses testified there was no evidence Ana Walshe took a taxi or boarded a flight. Walshe did not contact her employer until 4 January.

Walshe later confessed that he dismembered her body and threw it in a dumpster, explaining that he did so only after panicking upon discovering his wife had died in bed.

Case of sudden unexplained death In his opening statement, Walshes lawyer, Larry Tipton, claimed this was not a murder case but rather the sudden unexplained death of Ana Walshe. He depicted a couple who cared for each other and were making plans for the future before Ana's death, which followed a New Years Eve celebration with her husband and a friend.

The couple have three young children, who are now in state custody, and lived in the affluent coastal community of Cohasset, about 24 kilometres southeast of Boston.
At least 16 people were killed at a Jewish holiday event on Bondi Beach in Sydney on 14 December. Forty others were injured and rushed to the hospital after a father-son duo opened fire. The details were confirmed by Australia's New South Wales police force early on 15 December in a post on X.

Also Read | Bondi Beach Shooting LIVE: Father and son behind mass shooting that killed 15

Top 5 latest updates on Bondi Beach Shooting Police identify Bondi Beach shooters as father and son Addressing the media on 15 December, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that only two offenders were involved in the Bondi Beach shooting.

We are satisfied that there are two offenders involved in yesterday's incident. One is deceased, the second is in critical, but stable condition, in the hospital. The offenders are a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old male who are father and son. The 50-year-old is deceased, the 24-year-old is currently in the hospital, he stated.

Who are the shooters? The two shooters have been identified as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, father and son, Reuters reported, quoting local media reports.

What has the investigation so far revealed? Commissioner Lanyon reported that police executed two search warrants on 14 December. The 50-year-old male was a licensed firearms holder with six firearms licensed to him.

We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday, but also as a result of the search warrants. Ballistics and forensic investigation determined this morning confirmed the six recovered firearms were licensed to the man and were used in the Bondi Beach attack.

The police commissioner added that the police will continue to investigate the matter thoroughly to assure the New South Wales community that police will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident and take any available action that we need to do.

How events unfolded: Gunfire reported at 6.47 PM on Sunday According to an AFP report, emergency services in the city responded to reports of shots being fired at 6:47 PM (0747 GMT) on 14 December (Sunday). Bondi Beach is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations.

The shooting took place during an annual event to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which police said was attended by around 1,000 people.

According to the report, citing police, the attackers fired at the crowd, killing people aged 10-87, the youngest being a girl who later died in a children's hospital. Two police officers were also wounded in a shootout with the gunmen.

Attack declared as terrorism, world leaders react New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has declared the attack a terrorist incident at 9:36 PM (1036 GMT). Thus, the police have been joined by federal forces to launch a joint counter-terrorism operation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Bondi Beach in the morning on 15 December to lay flowers near the scene of the attack. Speaking to reporters, he said, 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 Jewish community are hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap their 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.

PM Albanese also told reporters that world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, had reached out to offer condolences and support.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed the attack and said he had warned Albanese that Australia's support for Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism.

(With inputs from Agencies)
The shooting on Sunday, 14 December, during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach, which left 15 people dead, including one of the shooters, Sajid Akram, has raised concerns about whether Australias gun laws, already considered among the strictest in the world, remain adequate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would ask Cabinet to review potential restrictions on the number of firearms permitted under a single licence, as well as the duration for which licences should remain valid. Police confirmed that Sajid was a licensed firearm owner and a member of a gun club, indicating he was likely involved in target shooting, according to AP.

The attack, carried out by Sajid, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, targeted a Hanukkah celebration and has intensified criticism that authorities are failing to do enough to address the growing wave of antisemitic crime. "What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism," Albanese told reporters.

What are Australia's gun laws? The National Firearms Agreement 1996 prohibits various firearms, such as semiautomatic rifles and pump-action shotguns, and established a compulsory gun buyback programme, resulting in over 650,000 surrendered and destroyed guns. It also enforces strict licensing rules, mandatory background checks, a 28-day waiting period for purchases, and restrictions on gun ownership, including a ban on licenses for individuals under 18.

Firearm licence holders are required to show at least one valid genuine reason for possessing a firearm, with self-defence explicitly not considered acceptable as per norms, further stating they must not fall under the category of a prohibited person", and all firearms must be registered to their owner using their serial numbers.

Australia's gun laws: What's next for the country? Proposed measures include capping the number of firearms an individual can own and tightening the review of gun licences over time. These and other steps would amount to a major overhaul of Australias landmark National Firearms Agreement, which effectively banned rapid-fire rifles after a gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania in 1996, prompting swift nationwide action.

The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws," AP quoted Albanese as saying.

Also Read | Grok AI errors during Sydney terror attack spark accuracy concerns: Report

Meanwhile, despite an increase in the number of firearms in Australia, gun-related crime remains low compared with other countries, a report by Reuters noted.
A father and son have been accused of carrying out Australias deadliest terrorist attack, killing 15 people after opening fire on members of the Jewish community gathered to mark the beginning of Hanukkah at Sydneys famous Bondi Beach on Sunday night.

Also Read | Bondi Beach Shooting LIVE: Father and son behind mass shooting that killed 15

Here's what police said Police identified the alleged attackers as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son from Sydneys western suburbs, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday, as reported by Bloomberg.

The gunmen were named as Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid, by the Australian Broadcasting Corp., citing law enforcement sources.

The father, who also died in the shooting, had been a firearm holder for a decade and was licensed to own six weapons, Lanyon said.

Police were satisfied they recovered six firearms from the scene. Two active improvised explosive devices were also found and rendered safe by police, who are no longer looking for a third offender, Lanyon said.

Sajid Akram owned a fruit shop, ABC News reported.

Police raided a home in Bonnyrigg, about 22 miles west of Sydneys center, on Sunday night, Lanyon said, as well as a property at Campsie where the pair had been staying.

Victims of the shooting ranged from 10 years old to 87, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said Monday. Local press has identified one of the victims as a Rabbi.

The shooting was a deliberate, targeted assault on the Jewish community, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a press conference on Monday. He had earlier condemned the violence as an evil act of antisemitic terrorism that has struck at the core of our nation, and warned that authorities would pursue a tough, zero-tolerance response to antisemitism.

View full Image Women place flowers at a memorial outside Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, a day after a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) ( AP )

Its our responsibility to wrap our arms around that wounded community, and let them know that ordinary Australians, regular Australians, are in their corner, he said Monday.

Australias Jewish population was estimated to be 116,967 in 2021, one of the worlds 10 largest. Bondi, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is among key Jewish communities in the nation.

Also Read | After the Bondi massacre, Australia faces hard questions about extremism

The gunmen opened fire just after 6:45 p.m. local time as more than 1,000 people attended the Chanukah by the Sea event on a warm summer evening.

A bystander who rushed and disarmed one of the attackers has won praise from leaders around the world, including US President Donald Trump and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, who announced a reward program for community heroes.
Canada on Monday announced the implementation of fairer rules related to citizenship by descent, with Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025) coming into effect.

The legislation, which had received royal assent earlier in November this year, had proposed modernizing laws related to citizenship by descent to be "reflective of how Canadian families live today, both in and outside Canada".

With it now in effect, people born on or before 15 December 2025, who would have been Canadian citizens if not for the 'first-generation limit' or other outdated rules, can now apply for citizenship certificates.

"For many, this moment has been long awaited. Todays changes affirm their place in the Canadian family and strengthen the sense of belonging that citizenship represents," Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a statement.

What changes for prospective Canadian citizens? The previous rule in Canada, which was implemented in 2009, imposed a strict, automatic 'First-Generation Limit' that had placed restrictions on citizenship on people born outside the country.

Under the previous rule, if you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada, you would not automatically be eligible to be a Canadian citizen at birth.

Regardless of an outside-born Canadian parent's ties to Canada, it was not possible to pass on citizenship to children, if these children were born abroad.

The new rule, effective 15 December 2025, removes this First-Generation Limit, enabling a Canadian parent born abroad to pass citizenship to their child born abroad. The parent, however, has to meet the new 'Substantial Connection' test.

What is the 'Substantial Connection' test? A Canadian parent born abroad looking to pass citizenship to their children born abroad must demonstrate that they have substantial ties to Canada.

They can do so by proving physical presence in Canada for a cumulative total of 1,095 days (three years) before their child's birth or adoption.

Retrospective restoration for 'lost Canadians' Children who were born between 2009 and 2025 to Canadian parents affected by the earlier rule were legally excluded from citizenship at birth.

Under the new rule's restorative provision, these excluded people are now automatically recognized as Canadian citizens, meaning they don't need to meet the 'Substantial Connection' test and can immediately apply for a Proof of Citizenship certificate.

Does anything change for adopted children? Children born abroad and adopted by Canadian parents were also previously subject to the 'First-Generation Limit' restrictions.
Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul, was found guilty on Monday on two charges of foreign collusion and one charge of seditious publication. The verdict on Monday came in a high-profile case that drew condemnation from Western countries.

"There is no doubt in our minds that [Lai] had never wavered in his intention to destabilise the government of the [Chinese Communist Party]," High Court judge Esther Toh was quoted by AFP as saying in a statement.

The court said, "The ultimate cost was to sacrifice the interests of the people" of China and Hong Kong.

A Hong Kong court delivered its verdict in the trial of Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, on Monday.

Lai (78), who was arrested in 2020, was charged with conspiracies to commit sedition and collusion with foreign forces. He was held under a national security law imposed by Chinese authorities to quell the massive anti-government protests that rocked the city in 2019.

Foreign governments and political observers closely watched Lai's 156-day trial as a test of the judicial independence and media freedom in the former British colony.

Here's what to know about the landmark case: 1. Lai was arrested as China tightened its grip on Hong Kong

Hong Kong was long known for its vibrant press scene and protest culture in Asia. But following months of anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets, Beijing began a sweeping crackdown that has chilled most open dissent in the city.

Lai was one of the first prominent figures charged under the National Security Law, which has also been used to prosecute other leading activists and opposition politicians. Beijing deemed the law crucial for the city's stability.

Dozens of civil society groups have closed, as tens of thousands of young professionals and middle-class families emigrated to destinations like Britain, Canada, Taiwan, Australia and the United States.

2. Lai's newspaper was known for its fierce pro-democracy stand

Lai, a rags-to-riches tycoon who formerly owned clothing chain Giordano, entered the media world after the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

He described himself as driven by the belief that delivering information is equal to delivering freedom. His newspaper drew a strong following with tabloid-style coverage of politics and celebrities, as well as a strong pro-democracy stance. It often urged its readers to join protests.

3. Lai took to the streets himself, too, including in the 2019 protests.

Lai was arrested under the security law in August 2020 as about 200 police officers raided Apple Daily's building. He has been in custody since December 2020.

Within a year, authorities used the same law to arrest senior executives of Apple Daily, raided its offices again and froze $2.3 million of its assets, effectively forcing the newspaper to shut down. The papers final edition sold out in hours, with readers scooping up all 1 million copies.

4. Authorities accused Lai of seeking to get sanctions imposed on China

The most serious accusation against Lai was that he and other people had invited the U.S. and other foreign powers to act against China with sanctions or other measures under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.

One major issue was whether Lai made such calls after the security law went into effect. Lai did not deny that he'd called for sanctions earlier, but insisted that he stopped once the law came in.

Prosecutors argued that even though Lai didnt make direct requests for sanctions after the law took effect, he had tried to create a false impression of China to justify foreign countries to impose punishment, pointing to articles and his comments in online broadcasts critical of Hong Kong and China.

Lai's lawyer Robert Pang said his remarks were just armchair punditry, akin to chatter over the dim sum table.

Lai said he wrote without any sense of hostility or intention to be seditious." Pang also pressed the court to consider freedom of expression and accused the prosecution of treating human rights as a foreign concept, leading to testy exchanges.

Its not wrong to support freedom of expression. Its not wrong to support human rights, he said. Nor is it wrong not to love a particular administration or even the country.

Judge Esther Toh responded that Its not wrong not to love the government, but if you do that by certain nefarious means, then its wrong.

5. Lai's foreign contacts came under attack

Prosecutors also dwelled on Lai's foreign contacts, including meetings he had with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-Vice President Mike Pence at the height of the 2019 protests.

Prosecutor Anthony Chau said Lai's foreign connections showed his unwavering intent to solicit sanctions, blockades or other hostile activities against China and Hong Kong.

The prosecution also alleged Lai had conspired with fellow Apple Daily senior executives, members of an advocacy group called Fight for Freedom Stand with Hong Kong and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China to call for foreign actions.

Six Apple Daily senior executives involved in the case pleaded guilty in 2022 and some of them served as prosecution witnesses.

Two other alleged co-conspirators linked to Stand with Hong Kong group also testified against Lai, but legal team called one of them a serial liar and argued that even if accepted his testimony didnt show that Lai had agreed to work with them as alleged.

Outside the courtroom, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international political group critical of China, said in a statement that it rejected false claims regarding Lais involvement with its network.

6. Foreign governments are watching the case

Lai, a British citizen, has drawn concerns from foreign governments, including the U.S. and the U.K.  both have called for his release. U.S. President Donald Trump said he has raised the case with China, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his government has made it a priority to secure the release of Lai.

But Beijing has called Lai an agent and pawn of anti-China foreign forces," describing him as the main planner behind disruptive activities in the city.

Controversy arose even before his trial started. Lai's trial, originally scheduled to start in December 2022, was postponed to 2023 as authorities barred a British lawyer from representing Lai, citing that it would likely pose national security risks.

7. Lai says his health is deteriorating, but he could face life in prison

In August, Pang said Lai had experienced heart palpitations and was given a heart monitor. His children raised concerns over his deteriorating health. The government said a medical examination of Lai found no abnormalities following his heart problems and that the medical care he received in custody was adequate.

The security law authorizes a range of sentences depending on the seriousness of the offense and the defendants role in it, from three years for the less serious to 10 years to life for people convicted of grave offenses.

If Lai is convicted, sentencing is expected on a later day. He can appeal the outcome.
The International Criminal Court on Monday rejected a challenge from Israel, which had argued that the court's investigation into crimes committed in the Gaza Strip was invalid.

The tribunal, in its ruling, also upheld ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, to face accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC commenced an investigation in the Palestinian territory in 2021, and with the ruling against Israel's challenge it will now be able to resume it.

Israel had claimed that a separate probe would have to be launched following the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, which it said altered the situation and required the ICC to provide a second formal notice of investigation.

Monday's 44-page ruling upholds the decision to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Israel in the Palestinian territory.

Israel's foreign affairs spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in an X post that Israel "rejects" the decision, and accusing the ICC of "politicisation".

The court is currently examining another Israeli challenge to its jurisdiction, as well as a request to disqualify prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual abuse allegations claims he vigorously denies.

In July, it refused an Israeli request to withdraw the arrest warrants, as well as an appeal of that decision in October.

Established in 2002, the ICC prosecutes individuals accused of the worst atrocities, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that created the court, but this does not prevent the country from bringing legal challenges before it.

In 2021, the court ruled that its jurisdiction extends to the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem.

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October 10, but Palestinian people have continued to die in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then.

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A California jury awarded $40 million to two women on Friday, 12 December, who claimed they developed ovarian cancer after long-term use of Johnson & Johnsons baby powder.

Both California residents testified that they had used J&J's baby powder after bathing for about 40 years. They also stated that their ovarian cancer treatments required major surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy.

The healthcare giant, meanwhile, plans to appeal the jury's decision on both the liability verdict and the compensatory damages, AP reported.

This court verdict is the latest development in a long legal battle. The claims allege that J&J's talc-based products, including Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder, may have caused ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, a rare cancer affecting the lungs and other organs.

How much will J&J pay each woman? The jury in Los Angeles Superior Court ordered the company to pay $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband after finding that Johnson & Johnson had known for years that its talc-based products were harmful and yet had failed to warn consumers, according to Reuters.

According to court records, Kent was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, while Schultz was diagnosed in 2018.

Also Read | J&J, Kenvue sued by Texas weeks after Trump claimed Tylenol causes autism

Andy Birchfield, the women's attorney, told the jury that Johnson & Johnson had known as far back as the 1960s that its product could cause cancer, Reuters reported.

J&J fights the allegations Allison Brown, Johnson & Johnson's attorney, argued that only the women's lawyers had claimed their cancers were caused by talc. She stated that the alleged link is not supported by any major US health authority and that no study has shown talc to travel from the skin to the reproductive organs.

They don't have the evidence in this case, and they hope you don't mind, Brown told the jury.

J&J is facing lawsuits from over 67,000 people who claim they developed cancer after using its baby powder and other talc products, according to court filings seen by Reuters.
The new chief of Britains foreign intelligence service MI6 accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately prolonging negotiations to put an end to the war in Ukraine, in an assessment that complicates President Donald Trumps efforts to broker a deal by year-end.

We all continue to face the menace of an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia, seeking to subjugate Ukraine and NATO members, Blaise Metreweli said in her first public appearance since she became head of MI6 in September. She said of Putin: He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population.

Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraines behalf will be sustained, she added, in comments that may imply UK intelligence officials think Russia sees its advantage in fighting through the winter.

Metrewelis words suggest there has been little alteration in Western security officials assessment that Putin doesnt intend to stop fighting in Ukraine anytime soon, despite talks to end the war that have taken place between the Kremlin and American negotiators in recent weeks.

Last month, her predecessor Richard Moore told Bloomberg the latest intelligence hed had access to before leaving his post indicated the same.

The Trump administration has made a renewed push for peace in recent weeks. A US delegation led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner held talks with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European national security advisers on Sunday, in an effort to establish a framework for a deal that could be accepted by both Kyiv and Moscow.

Earlier this month, Witkoff and Kushner met Putin for several hours of talks in the Kremlin. On Sunday, Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy aide to Putin, warned that Russia deems some of the Ukrainian proposals for a settlement unacceptable, citing as example that Russia 1 million percent wont cede control of the Crimean peninsula it annexed in 2014.

Metreweli, the first female MI6 chief, was making her first speech in her new role from the agencys London headquarters. She also:

Much of Metrewelis speech was devoted to her personal experience in her former position as MI6s technology chief, a role known as Q that was made globally famous in the James Bond movie franchise.

She argued the defining challenge of the 21st century is not simply who wields the most powerful technologies, but who guides them with the greatest wisdom. She listed artificial intelligence, biotechnology and quantum computing as having the potential to create science-fiction-like tools that offered both challenge and reward.

As China will be a central part of the global transformation taking place this century, it is essential that we, as MI6, continue to inform the governments understanding of Chinas rise and the implications for UK national security, Metreweli added, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to visit Beijing next month.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Only Fans star Bonnie Blue, who was arrested in Bali, Indonesia, on suspicion of violating the countrys anti-pornography laws, broke her silence after returning to her homeland, Britain.

The adult star, speaking to reporters, said: Im rich and have good lawyers  did you really think Id face jail time? according to News.com.au.

Blue further said that she was excited to show people what got me into all this trouble, adding that she would have to recuperate her huge losses from the $20 fine.

Blues comments follow her interaction with local reporters in Bali, where she urged them to subscribe to find out more about her upcoming content plans. She also said she would share the whole story with her fans regarding the dramatic incident.

The 26-year-old porn star, whose real name is Tia Billinger, grabbed headlines after police raided a rented studio and detained her along with a group of international travellers. Police seized cameras, vehicles and other equipment.

What led to her arrest? Blue is accused of promoting a "BangBus" tour in Bali that involved explicit content with barely legal Australian 'schoolies'. Police say her group included at least 17 male tourists from Britain and Australia, aged between 19 and 40.

On social media, she announced her Bali visit, writing:

"Hey boys, those that're going to Schoolies and to those who are barely legal, cannot wait to meet you - and I'm in Bali, so you know exactly what that means."

Her actions sparked complaints from local authorities, who claimed she hired a bus to travel around Bali filming explicit content during "Schoolies Week".

She was deported from the island nation and banned for 10 years following the incident.

In a separate Instagram video posted just before her sentencing, Blue spoke about the woman. The girl that organised this whole trip for me, she was like: Oh, Ill sort security, hotels, lawyer, flights, everything.[She] charged me 75,000 ($150,000)  she has taken a big chunk of the money and then has reported me to the police, so thanks.

While Bali is largely Hindu and attracts millions of international tourists, Indonesiaa Muslim-majority countrystrictly prohibits the production of pornographic content, with violations punishable by up to 12 years in prison and fines reaching $360,000.

Billinger rose to prominence through her daring stunts as an adult content creator.

Her case comes amid renewed concerns from Balinese authorities over the behaviour of foreign visitors, following several deportations in recent years, including multiple Russian influencers expelled for posing nude at sacred sites.


President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to stop fighting, after speaking with the leaders of the two countries to urge them to end the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War.

The two Southeast Asian nations had agreed to a US-brokered truce in October, which was derailed this week with clashes erupting along the border.

They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, Trump posted on social media Friday. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America.

Trump called Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet as fighting approaches the one-week mark, saying in his post that it was his honor to resolve what could have evolved into a major War between the two countries.

I think we just did a very good job with Thailand and Cambodia, we had them stopped, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that the conflict was in good shape.

Tensions flared between the two nations on Sunday when fighting erupted along their 800-kilometer shared border. Each side has accused the other of escalating the conflict, which has left nearly two dozen dead and displaced more than half a million people.

In comments to reporters earlier on Friday, Anutin said that he told Trump in a phone call that Thailand had adhered to the so-called Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and that Cambodia breached it in ways that cost lives, prompting Thailands retaliation.

I had to explain to Trump that we werent the aggressor, and we only retaliated to make them understand they should not mess with us, Anutin told reporters. He said he understood and that our foreign minister can call Secretary of State Rubio anytime, and that I can call him anytime as well.

Thai authorities said Friday that 10 soldiers have been killed and dozens of others injured in the latest flare-up. Cambodian officials said 10 civilians have died during the fighting, including an infant, and at least 60 others have been wounded. They did not disclose any military casualties.

The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly, Trump said, referring to one of the recent violent incidents.

Each side has blamed the other for escalating hostilities since the October pact.

On trade, Anutin said Trump brought up the issue and asked how negotiations were going. Trump didnt seem to use trade talks to pressure him on the border clash, Anutin said, adding that Trump even promised to give Thailand a better deal than other countries.

He said he would chop off tariffs for us and give Thailand a better deal than other countries, Anutin said. He didnt link the issue to the conflict or use it to put pressure on us.

Washington lowered the tariff on Thai and Cambodian goods to 19% after the two countries agreed to the initial ceasefire.

With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron and Jennifer A. Dlouhy.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago announced on Monday that it had authorised US military aircraft to use its airports, amid escalating fears that Washington might be planning an attack on neighbouring Venezuela, according to a report by AFP.

The Trinidad and Tobago archipelago, located only about twelve kilometres from Venezuela at its nearest point, strongly supports US President Donald Trump's efforts to apply military and economic pressure on Caracas.

Trinidad's foreign ministry announced that it has approved US military aircraft to access its airports "in the upcoming weeks."

The ministry stated that Washington would utilise them for "logistical" tasks, such as "facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations."

Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has welcomed US forces into her country as Washington expands a significant military deployment in the Caribbean.

US officials said that the operation is intended to combat "narco-terrorists," but the Trump administration is especially increasing pressure on Venezuela and its leftist leader, Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington does not consider as a legitimate president.

In October, a US guided missile destroyer stayed off the coast of Trinidad for four days to conduct joint drills, within firing range of Venezuela, while a contingent of American Marines took part in exercises in the archipelago last month.

Persad-Bissessar said that the US has installed radar at a new Tobago airport to check Venezuelan drug trafficking and oil deliveries intended to bypass sanctions.

On Monday, Caracas accused Trinidad and Tobago of taking part in the "theft" of Venezuelan oil last week, following the US forces' seizure of the tanker they claimed was violating sanctions.

Washington stated that the action targeted Maduro's "regime," while Caracas condemned it as an act of "international piracy."

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez accused Persad-Bissessar of pursuing a "hostile agenda towards Venezuela" and reaffirmed that Caracas would cease natural gas exploration with its neighbour.

Trinidadian Foreign Minister Sean Sobers said the decision reflects the government's commitment "to cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of safety and security for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region."

US-Venezuela issues The seizure of the oil tanker near Venezuela last week occurred following a prolonged series of US military strikes targeting suspected drug boats from the country. The US has also notably amplified its military presence in the Caribbean, with Trump frequently threatening intervention and even approving operations by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Most of the world has shown clarity in its response to Americas new National Security Strategy. Russia loves it, liberal Europeans are dismayed and the Gulf monarchies overjoyed.

In the rest of Asia  and what, until now, Washington has called the Indo-Pacificthe dominant emotion is uneasiness. There are words, phrases and entire sections in the document that are exactly what we want to hear. But the underlying world-view is at odds with its rhetoric.

The US strategy document promises that the US will build a military capable of deterrence in the First Island Chain and Taiwan Strait and insists that the South China Sea cannot be controlled by any one actor. There is a promise to defend global and regional balances of power" and to fight predatory" economic practices.

The Indo-Pacific shares all these priorities and many are relieved that the second Trump administration has taken the trouble to restate them. And yet theres disquiet, because some of these commitments look like they have been grafted on to a strategy that could push American policy in a fundamentally different direction.

This is a startlingly ideological document even by the standards of todays Washington. It extends MAGA domestic obsessionsthe border, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), climate denialismbeyond Americas shores. US soft power is listed as one of its greatest assets, without the recognition that illiberalism and xenophobia erode its value daily. But MAGAs most dangerous export, as far as the security of the Indo-Pacific is concerned, is its distaste for the liberal order.

America might not always have lived up to its ideals, but since World War II, it has defined its role in the world around promoting themdefending the practice of liberal democracy and evangelizing the benefits of global norms. They include shared prosperity for both Americans and citizens of partner nations.

It is here that the 2025 National Security Strategy makes its most impactful break with the past. The security and stability of the Indo-Pacific remains a stated priority, but not because freedom and openness will enrich the region and keep it loyal to the rules-based order that benefits Americans more than anyone else.

Instead, a much narrower and more fragile link is being drawnbetween deterring China and Trump-era economic priorities: Big Tech profits, the securing of global resources and a rebalanced" global economy that forces production back onshore.

Also Read | Why do hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia never seem to end?

This link could snap any time, particularly if Trump is deceived into thinking that cooperation with Xi Jinping wont cost the US in the short run, while confronting Beijings designs in Asia might. Hes certainly being tempted down that path: Nvidia being granted permission to sell high-end chips to China is not a good sign. Trump has said its good business," as long as the federal government gets a 25% cut.

A short-term revenue boost is sufficient to risk Americas tech leadership, apparently. How can we take the solemn pronouncements in its NSS seriously?

The presidents mercantilist instincts are well-known. This document reminds us that he also believes in another old theory, that of spheres of influence. The strategy states that the outsized influence of larger, richer, and stronger nations is a timeless truth of international relations."

A revanchist Russia wont be the only beneficiary of this belief. China is larger, richer and stronger than anyone else in its region; why not permit it a sphere of influence in Asia, if it gives Trump an economic deal better" than his predecessors could extract? Beijing might break that promise later, but by then it will be some other administrations problem.

Also Read | Trump wants allies to spend more on defence and Takaichis Japan seems ready

Over the past few decades, a bipartisan consensus had developed in Washington that China was a systemic rival and not just another economic challenger. But those running policy in the second Trump term are arguing from different premises. Its centred on domestic economic considerations and not to preserve the world order. They do not fear the loss of global leadership; they might even welcome the dissolution of current economic arrangements. All they want is to contain the economic shocks accompanying Chinas rise.

Written into this documents silences is an unpalatable truth: An establishment in the US that intimidates large companies, conscripts tech into politics, guards its domestic markets and weaponizes its trade will hardly see the Chinese system as an ideological threat.

This unnerves Asian capitals. One day soon, MAGA ideologues and populists may decide granting Beijing overlordship of Asia will not affect jobs or profits in the US. Then onwards, they will not lift a finger in defence of the Indo-Pacific. Bloomberg

The author is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.
It was a far better thing that Google did than it had ever done. So might future historians write of the moment this tech behemoth, long criticized for a lack of singular focus, quietly ignited two existential contests to reshape the tech landscape in 2026 and beyond.

These are the Two Races of 2026, officially declared not by proclamation, but by two firebombs thrown by Google. They target two tech giants that appeared almost unassailable till recently: the king of frontier AI models and the monarch of AI hardware. The ensuing battles for intelligence supremacy and silicon sovereignty are now the true market drivers, overshadowing the usual concerns about an AI market bubble or cyclical demand.

Google vs the frontier-model king: The target of Googles first firebomb is the ecosystem of closed proprietary AI models led by OpenAI. Just a few quarters ago, the latter was celebrated for its breathtaking growth and ability to take on the reigning champ of search. Yet, with a single act of execution, Google has changed the competitive dynamic.

Googles firebomb was its seamless integration of Gemini with its existing services to sustain its dominance over a sprawling, billion-user ecosystem. Its not about competing with a standalone chatbot, but about making its model ambient. Its token processingthe true measure of AI operational scalegrew 140 times over 18 months, a figure that underscores the sheer volume of AI woven into its existing products like Search, Android, and Gmail.

Rather than compete for chatbot subscribers, Google is leveraging its entire user base, making it nearly impossible for a newcomer to reach users with rival AI Agents. Competitors are left trying to build new browsers and canvases from scratch, while Google already owns the basic interfaces of digital life.

Also Read | Gemini 3 is doing such a good job of being human that its unsettling

But this is not merely about Googles dominance. The greater peril facing closed-source giants like OpenAI is the tsunami of open-source AI from China.

While Google is a fearsome direct rival, the long-range threat comes from the efficiency and cost advantage of the open source movement, particularly in the East. Chinese research has extensively adopted a mixture of experts architectural method, enabling multiple teams to explore diverse paths to model efficiency. Multiple open-source models have been achieving parity with proprietary giants across various domains, delivering solutions at a fraction of the cost. Closed-model businesses now face an accelerating global wave of free-AI alternatives.

Google vs the monarch of silicon: The second firebomb was dropped directly on hardware major Nvidia. For years, its GPUs drove the AI revolution, but this dominance is being challenged by the concept of vertical integration championed by Google.

The latters firebomb is its commitment to proprietary, purpose-built silicon. The specifications of its latest Ironwood Tensor Processing Unit are not a threat to be ignored; they are a direct challenge. The chip boasts 4,614 T-flops of peak compute power and 192GB of high-bandwidth memory, showing Googles ability to engineer hardware optimized exclusively for its models. This move will drive down costs and secure a strategic proprietary advantage over its rivals.

However, this war goes beyond the skirmish between Google and Nvidia. Googles success is a shot in the arm for the inhouse chip design teams at every global giant, including Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Tesla, Huawei and Alibaba. They recognize that the pursuit of custom silicon is no longer an optional investment, but an existential necessity. The promise is not only material cost savings, which can be staggering over time, but the competitive edge of a whole-stack solution.

By tuning proprietary models for custom chips and vice versa, these firms could gain significant product and service advantages that general-purpose hardware cant offer. This second race has become a global sprint for hardware self-sufficiency, initiated by the undeniable success of Googles early lead.

Also Read | Why Sam Altmans allies in the AI race are getting burned

The AI future has been thrown open: Sam Altman has already issued a Code Red alert within OpenAI, while Nvidias concerns were evident in its unusual backhanded compliment to Google in a tweet. The two races set in motion by Google will define how 2026 will play out. These are battles of hyper-innovation that may or may not displace the current leaders, but put them under pressure. And there will be many more product and model announcements in 2026 than we had this year.

Given the rapid evolution of technology and highly focused nature of the players involved, which company will ultimately prevail is unknown. However, the one certainty is that the massive spending required to fight these two warsfor intelligence and siliconpromises a stable boom for adjacent sectors that supply the computational infrastructure for AI model development and chip building.

AI doomerism is a thriving industry as we near the end of 2025, and with some reason too. But we should note that model improvements are not stalling, despite proclamations by sceptics. And the worlds largest cash-rich companies are in a chip waror an unparalleled competitive race with nobody expected to admit defeat for many years.

The author is a Singapore-based innovation investor for GenInnov Pte Ltd.
Last fortnight, I was in Bengaluru, where, along with hundreds of other passengers, we saw IndiGo shuffle flight schedules like a pack of cards. Travellers across the country faced delays of up to 12 hours. The airline, controlling above 60% of Indias aviation market, had collapsed.

What unfolded was not just an airline management crisissubsequent developments suggested that the company had strategically deployed industrial action against an air-safety regulation.

The incident points to a deeper malaise of what might be called passive governance: a state that waits for problems to manifest rather than anticipating and preventing them.

What is passive governance? It is not a lack of governance; it is a style of governance marked by delayed reaction and minimal proactive engagement. It often involves governments or regulators stepping in after a crisis unfolds, focusing more on managing the fallout than on detecting early warning signs.

This contrasts with active governance, where institutions continuously monitor, anticipate and adjust before a crisis erupts. Active governance relies on foresight systemsdata, expertise and institutional coordinationto prevent problems or cushion their impact. Passive governance waits for problems to emerge or become visible enough to force a response.

In India, this style of governance has become an unmistakable pattern across sectors. Responses are robust after the fact, but the governing machinery seldom exhibits anticipatory capacity.

The IndiGo disruption offers a vivid illustration. The aviation sector is one of the most tightly regulated in India, under the watch of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and ministry of civil aviation. Yet, the system appeared blindsided by a staffing crisis.

Also Read | The IndiGo lesson: The corporation has started turning into the state

Despite the regulator having notified its staffing rules two years ago, news reports indicate that IndiGo made no significant increase in its staff capacity even as it expanded flights and routes.

The regulators failure was not that the rules were irrationally framed, but that active monitoring was lacking. Airlines are required to maintain logs of daily flights and pilot assignments; the data from these logs should have been analysed to issue advanced warnings and follow up with regulatory action for non-compliance.

In addition to airline records, warning signals on inadequate staffing should also have been available from the statutory filings with the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employee State Insurance Corp.

Social media has been rife with reports of difficult work conditions in aviation. An active governance approach would have picked up these signals through routine surveillance of data and reports, and used them to issue regulatory guidance.

When the crisis did occur, the initial government response was defensive and procedural. Statements were issued about reviewing the situation" and ensuring normal operations." Only after days of disruption did the regulator respond, and that too by partially relaxing safety norms. By then, the economic and reputational costs had mountedboth for the airline and for Indias aviation reliability.

In addition to the immediate elements of this story, there is a more systemic failure: data and statutory reporting obligations are seen more as rent-seeking opportunities than as instruments for effective governance. This leads to a paradox where reporting obligations are viewed as intrusive burdens on market functioning, while regulators themselves blunder in wilful blindness.

This is compounded by the fact that many of our regulatory bodies are designed for compliance enforcement rather than risk anticipation. Their principal role is to ensure that entities comply with formal guidelines, not to scan data for emerging vulnerabilities. This approach is a bureaucratic legacy regulation as policing rather than stewardship.

Ironically, this is happening at a time when the government, having adopted modern technology, is swimming in data. However, the data is held in silos and controlling departments and agencies view each other as competitors in a complex battle for status and budgetary allocations, rather than collaborators.

One reflection of this mindset is that statistical officers assigned to different departments are often assigned routine tasks, such as compiling HR reports and preparing parliamentary responses, rather than serving as frontline agents of information management. The state of governance is captured by a pithy observation in the British sitcom Yes, Prime Minister, where a senior civil servant remarks that government is not a team but a loose confederation of warring tribes."

Passive governance, unfortunately, is politically comfortable. Being reactive lets governments take visible action during crisespress conferences, fact-finding committees, emergency guidelinesthat generates immediate public legitimacy. Proactive action, by contrast, is often invisible. Preventing a crisis does not produce headlines. It requires investment in data systems, institutional capacity and regulatory humility, which seldom capture the political imagination.

Also Read | The IndiGo fiasco should be a wake-up call for Indian corporate boards

Thus, a cycle persists: crises recur, citizens adapt and the machinery consolidates its role as a reactive firefighter rather than a preventive architect. This dynamic helps explain why routine decisions are converted to firefighting measures. Civil servants take peculiar pride in how hard and late they work to handle predictable emergencies, rather than implementing systemic improvements that would prevent the crisis in the first place.

What is needed is a change in perspective. Governance must be treated not as an exercise in event management, but as continuous risk management. This requires using data for predictive monitoring, inter-agency coordination and the development of protocols for the active sharing of data across departments and agencies. The public release of operational metrics would allow civil society and experts to flag early risks.

These are not radical ideas; they exist in numerous commission reports. The problem is a lack of institutional intent. At the highest level, the government has shown a keenness to adopt whole-of-government systems. I have previously discussed how mechanisms like Pragati were effective in resolving inter-agency problems. Unfortunately, these lessons have not been institutionalized.

The author is visiting professor at the Institute for Studies of Industrial Development and Institute for Human Development and former chief statistician of India.
Americas greatness, or at least the White House version of it, gets costlier for others by the day. The blow taken by Indias auto exports to Mexico, whose tariffs are set to more than double next year, could also be ascribed to that project.

When Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled her plan to raise barriers in September, a shield for local industry was the stated aim, but her real anxiety was clearly a review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) due in 2026.

Recall how US President Donald Trump rattled Mexico and Canada with threats within days of taking office. In April, his reciprocal tariffs spared them both; today, they face an effective rate of under 10%, thanks mostly to how deeply integrated that trade bloc is. With US-bound exports making up 80% of Mexicos total, worth a third of its GDP, its vulnerability was obvious.

Sheinbaum had no option but to respond to Trumps grouse over Chinese exporters using Mexico as a launch-pad for the US market. Before Trump could tighten the USMCAs rules of origin or slam US gates shut, she had to act against Asian supply chains seen as running rings around his goal of reviving American factories behind tariff walls.

Also Read | Trumps tariff retreat on groceries exposes the flaws of his trade strategy

Whether he can bend Canada to his will is far less clear, but Americas latest National Security Strategy suggests that the US views North America as its fortress all the way to the North Pole.

As an economy moulded by US demand, Mexico is plainly a special case. Trumps jigsaw of geopolitics, however, has other major pieces that dare not defy his contours of how they fit in.

Across the Atlantic, Europes fear of Russia has played a role in the EUs acceptance of a lopsided trade deal with America, a price paid for Uncle Sams security. Further east, a swathe of countries has lined up behind Americas snappy plan for eternal peace" in West Asia.

As for the Indo-Pacific, Japans recent deal with the US tilts trade and investment flows the latters way, a la Europe.

Similar patterns are visible in US dealmaking with Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand; for US favour and tariff relief, they must grant America not just uneven market access, but also the authority to reset rules in ways that place US interests above their own sovereignty.

China, of course, has held its own in this fraught scenario. But how far will the US imperium go?

Also Read | The art of a deal with America: Political sensitivities matter

In India, we face a test of strategic autonomy only to the extent a US-loaded deal could yield us economic benefits that outweigh this solemn national pledge, the odds of which look dismal.

A trade pact with America should represent a clean bet on mutual gains, thats all. Yet, the emergence of Indias economy must rely on an export thrust in trying times.

To cover all bases, we must look east and aim to compete globally, instead of merely seeking complementary markets. For success free of trade winds that may shift on foreign whimsy or assertions of power, we need to sell stuff thats either cost competitive or unique in markets that value it.

Also Read | Beyond tariffs: What India must guard against in trade talks with the US

Since we must count on our very own market for offtake that assures us economies of scale, domestic demand must not threaten to plateau once middle-class consumption reaches saturation. Internally, therefore, we should invest heavily in affordable healthcare and education to steadily expand the base of Indian buyers as we go along.

As we move to close gaps in infrastructure, catch up on logistics, ease regulatory friction and rethink import policy, lets also guard against weak upward mobility letting us down. A self-deal to that effect is all it takes.
Nitin Nabin, Bihar cabinet minister, was on Sunday appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) new working president. The decision was taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board, the party's highest decision-making body.

Nitin Nabin, party insiders told news agency PTI, is all set to succeed JP Nadda as a full-time president of the party and thus becoming one of the youngest to hold the position in the saffron party.

Also Read | Who is Nitin Nabin? BJP appoints Bihar minister as national working president

Though Nadda's term had ended before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it was extended multiple times. BJP bylaws stipulated that before appointing the national president, the party had to hold elections in at least 50 per cent of the state units.

Nabin, 45, has become the BJPs youngest working president.

If elevated to BJP President, Nabin will lead the party as it gears up for next years assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.

Nitin Nabin, when elevated, would also be the first BJP president from Bihar.

Incidentally, BJP President Nadda, 65, was also born in Bihar and received his early education in Patna before moving to his home state of Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda described Nabin as "a dynamic leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar" and said he is confident that the party will reach new heights under his leadership and with the guidance of Prime Minister Modi.

Nabin will be in Delhi today, 15 December. After being received by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and seven BJP MPs, Nabin will head to the BJP headquarters, where he will receive a grand welcome.

Why working president? in June 2019, Nadda was named the BJP working president after Shah became the Union Home Minister. Nadda remained in the post for about six monthsbefore being formally elected the BJP national president in January 2020. Since then, Nadda has now served as the party chief for nearly six years.

The appointment of Nabin as working president is also an interim arrangement.

There is another factor. Khar Maas, a month-long period considered inauspicious by Hindus, begins on Tuesday. This is precisely why Nabin was named the working president on Sunday. The Khar Maas ends on January 14 which is also Makar Sankranti after which the process for electing the new party chief may begin.

Nabin will likely assume the national presidents post in January, followed by a national executive committee meeting to ratify his appointment, according to anonymous BJP functionaries who spoke with Hindustan Times.

Who is Nitin Nabin? A five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin, represents the Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar. He won the recently held Bihar election from the seat by a margin of over 51,000 votes.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership for giving me this opportunity. I have the Prime Ministers blessings, and I will further advance the guidance and leadership he has provided, Nabin was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

View full Image A five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin, represents the Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar. He won the recently held Bihar election from the seat by a margin of over 51,000 votes.

At 26, Nitin Nabin was fielded by the BJP from the Patna West assembly seat in 2006, following the death of his father and veteran party leader, Navin Kishore Sinha.

In nearly two decades since then, Nabin, has been a five-term MLA after consecutive wins from rechristened Bankipur. He has served twice as a state minister.

The choice for the party's top post left everyone surprised, again, as the BJP has been known for naming dark horses for key positions. Nabin himself was busy attending public functions in his constituency, where he thanked party workers for his victory in the recent assembly election.

At an event, much before the announcement of his name as the BJP national working president, he said he bows before the workers of the party whose hard work creates many Nitin Nabins.

PM showers praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered effusive praise on Nabin's appointment as national working president, saying he 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," Modi said.

A Kayasth by caste, Nabin is at present the PWD minister in Bihar.

Home Minister and former party president Amit Shah said Nabin possesses extensive experience of working among the people and his elevation is an honour for every young BJP worker who toils day and night.

A party leader said Nabin is young and has a lot of experience in governance and working for the people and the organisation. He has served as a minister in the Bihar government on multiple occasions and has also worked extensively for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership for giving me this opportunity.

He has experience as the Prabhari (party in charge) of Chhattisgarh and Sikkim. His role was highly praised within BJP circles for the party's revival in Chhattisgarh.

Born in Ranchi, now in Jharkhand, Nabin has a son and a daughter.
Many power banks are built with phones in mind, so a laptop can make them feel out of their depth. You plug in, the battery crawls up by a percent or two, the pack warms up, and the meeting clock keeps moving. That is the gap laptop power banks are meant to fill, with higher wattage and the kind of output a laptop can actually use.

Our Picks Built In USB C Cable Blade Flat Body Design Triple Output Ports Over Heat Protection MacBook Air Charging Charge Three Devices FAQs

Our Picks Product Rating Price Built In USB C Cable Anker Power Bank, 20,000mAh with Built-in USB-C Cable, 87W Max Fast Charging (PowerCore 20K for Laptop) Lenovo, HP, Dell, Microsoft, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watches, Samsung and More - Black View Details 4,298 CHECK DETAILS Blade Flat Body Design Baseus Blade Power Bank, 20000mAh, 100W Fast Charging, Digital Display, Black View Details 9,799 CHECK DETAILS Belkin Power Bank 65W 20000 mAh | Mobile & Laptop Power Bank | 2 USB-C PD Port | Compatible for Lenovo,HP,Dell,Microsoft,MacBook,iPhone 17,iPad,Samsung Galaxy S25,Google Pixel 10 | 2 Years Warranty View Details 8,999 CHECK DETAILS Triple Output Ports Ambrane 100W Fast Charging Powerbank for MacBook, Type C Laptop & Mobile Charging, USB-A Output 25,000mAh Battery, Triple Output, Power Delivery & Quick Charge (Powerlit Ultra, Black) View Details 4,499 CHECK DETAILS URBN 27000 mAh 100W Super Fast Charging Compact Power Bank with Quick Charge & Power Delivery, Type C Input/Output, Made in India, Type C Cable Included (Blue) View Details 3,699 CHECK DETAILS View More

Research-Backed Choices Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

This guide focuses on the stuff that decides whether a buy is worth it: 20,000mAh plus capacity, real 100W USB C PD, and heat control that does not get messy under load. We are also looking at port layouts, how quickly the bank itself recharges, and the cable rating you need to avoid slow charging. What we want here is a power bank that does the job of your charger when you are away from a socket.

Many phone focused banks struggle with laptops, but this 20000mAh Anker is built for power banks for laptops use. The built in USB C cable saves space, and up to 87W PD charges MacBook or Surface while you are moving.

Heat stays under control on longer pulls, and the ports cover a laptop plus a phone. Use a 100W rated cable to reach speed, so power banks for laptops do not get stuck at slow charging.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Max output Up to 87W Charging standard USB C PD Cable Built in USB C Use Laptops and USB C devices Special Features Built In Cable, Digital Display, Fast Charging, Over Charging Protection Reasons to buy Built in cable means one less thing to carry 87W output suits many work laptops Reason to avoid Not for laptops that expect higher than 87W Built in cable length may feel short

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Amazon buyers often mention the built in cable as the reason they carry it daily. They like that it wakes up laptops without warnings. Some note the cable feels short, and 87W can be limiting for power hungry laptop models.

Why choose this product?

When you want fewer loose cables, the built in USB C lead helps. 87W PD covers many work laptops, so quick top ups happen during commutes. It suits writers, analysts, and travellers who need a dependable charge without hunting sockets.

BLADE FLAT BODY DESIGN 2. Baseus Blade Power Bank, 20000mAh, 100W Fast Charging, Digital Display, Black Our Principles Full Transparency Every product review clearly lists the Pros and Cons, giving you a balanced view. Brand Confidence We focus on products from brands with a proven reputation and long-standing market trust.

Baseus Blade is a 20000mAh pack made for laptop charging. It can push up to 100W over USB C, and the digital display shows output, input, and battery level quickly.

Heat control also helps during long sessions, and the slim shape slides into a laptop sleeve. Recharge speed depends on your wall adapter and cable, which matters when you are choosing power banks for laptops.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Max output Up to 100W Charging standard USB C PD Display Digital readout Special features 100w Fast Charging, 20000mah Capacity, Digital Display, Quick Charge, Slim Design Reasons to buy 100W output suits more laptops than mid watt banks Digital display helps track watts and battery Reason to avoid Flat body can take more room in a small pocket 20000mAh may feel short for bigger gaming laptops

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Amazon buyers talk about the flat shape fitting next to a laptop in a bag. The screen readout helps them check watts during charging. Some wish it were lighter, and a few mention the wide body takes more desk space.

Why choose this product?

If your laptop needs 100W PD, Blade is built for that job. The digital display keeps you aware of output and remaining battery. It works well for late edits, party playlists, and screen mirroring when a charger is not close.

Belkins 20000mAh pack targets laptops, with 65W USB C PD that keeps charging moving during long calls. Two USB C ports help share power usefully between a laptop and phone without swapping cables.

The body stays manageable in hand, and the two year warranty adds comfort for carry. Pair it with a rated USB C cable for full speed. For power banks for laptop needs, this is a 65W option.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Max output 65W Special Features 65W Power Delivery, Digital Display, Fast Chargings: 2 USB C PD Other display features Wireless Reasons to buy Two USB C ports for laptop plus phone Warranty cover for peace of mind Reason to avoid 65W may be short for higher draw laptops Some reviews mention early failure

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Reviews mention it can charge a Lenovo laptop about twice and that the 65W output feels fast for a 20000mAh pack. Several also call it pricey. A few report early failure and mixed service support, so checking return terms matters.

Why choose this product?

Choose it if your laptop charges at 45W to 65W and you want two USB C ports. The warranty adds peace of mind, and it suits office bags during travel and commutes. Pair with a rated cable for full speed.

Ambrane Powerlit Ultra brings a 25000mAh reserve and 100W USB C PD for laptop charging that keeps pace. Triple output lets you run a laptop, phone, and earbuds together on travel days.

The USB A port supports Quick Charge, and the pack watches temperature when the load stays high. Use a strong wall adapter for quicker refills. For power banks for laptop work plus family devices, this one covers both.

Specifications Capacity 25000mAh Max output 100W Ports Triple output Connector Type USB Type A, USB Type C Special Features 100W Fast Charging, Quick Charge & Power Delivery Technology Reasons to buy 100W USB C PD for many laptops Triple output for three devices Reason to avoid Refill time depends on your wall charger Charging speed reviews are mixed

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Amazon feedback often praises the big 25000mAh capacity for trips and says it handles laptops and phones together. Charging speed gets mixed notes, with some happy and others wanting faster refills. People also like the multiple ports for carry too.

Why choose this product?

Pick it if you need 100W PD and a little more capacity than 20K. Triple outputs mean fewer fights over charging during travel. It suits MacBook and Type C laptops, plus phones on USB A Quick Charge in one bag.

URBNs 27000mAh bank suits days when a laptop battery fades fast on trains and flights. It delivers up to 100W over USB C Power Delivery, and the Type C port handles both input and output for simpler packing.

USB C cable is included, and it is Made in India. The blue finish helps you spot it quickly. For power banks for laptop charging, it leans on high watt USB C.

Specifications Capacity 27000mAh Max output 100W Other display features Wireless Reasons to buy 27000mAh for longer time away from sockets 100W output for laptop charging Reason to avoid Heavier than smaller capacity banks Bigger size takes more bag space

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Reviews highlight the 27000mAh capacity for multiple phone charges and say the 100W USB C output can run a laptop quickly. People mention the display and build feel. Some note it is heavier than smaller banks for its size though.

Why choose this product?

Choose URBN if you want the highest capacity here and still need 100W PD for a laptop. USB C input output keeps packing simple, and the included cable saves a separate purchase. It suits long travel days and shared charging.

Promate Titan 130 pushes up to 130W and adds a TFT screen for battery and output readouts. Dual USB C ports support PD input and output, letting you charge a laptop while keeping a phone running.

USB A QC 3.0 covers older devices, and over heating protection helps during sessions. Use it when you need headroom beyond phone charging. For power banks for laptop work, it is a heavy hitter.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Max output 130W Ports Dual USB C plus USB A Screen Smart TFT LCD Special Features Auto Shut-Off, Digital Display, Fast Charging, Short Circuit Protection Reasons to buy High total watt output for demanding setups Screen shows battery and power flow Reason to avoid Heavier than basic 20000mAh banks Higher price than mid watt models

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Amazon reviewers say the Titan 130 helps when they carry a laptop and multiple phones, and they like seeing wattage on the TFT screen. Many praise the fast output. Some mention the unit is heavier and costs more than expected.

Why choose this product?

Pick Titan 130 if you need headroom for high draw laptops and want to charge three devices at once. The screen makes power use clear, and the ports cover older gear. It works well for travel kits and photo work.

This 20000mAh Sevenaire power bank stands out among power banks for laptop use, offering a built-in 65W Type C cable for direct plug-and-charge convenience. PPS and Super Fast Charging 2.0 help it support both laptops and phones effectively.

It can charge a MacBook Air from 0100% and supports Dell, HP, Lenovo, and more. The built-in cable reduces clutter, and 65W output ensures steady use for work or travel days.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Output 65W Type C PD Charging PPS, Super Fast 2.0 Special Features Built In Cable, Digital Display, Fast Charging, Pocket Size Compatibility Laptops and phones Reasons to buy Built-in 65W Type C cable saves space PPS support fits modern phones too Reason to avoid Cable length limits flexibility 65W may not suit 100W laptops

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers mention the built-in cable and 65W PD as strong points for quick laptop charging. Many say it works well for daily use and travel. Some note slower recharge when using basic adapters, suggesting a higher watt plug for best results.

Why choose this product?

Choose this if you prefer all-in-one design and 65W output for everyday laptops. The built-in cable keeps setup quick, and PPS makes it useful for both laptops and fast-charging phones. A handy mix for workdays and portable setups.

The MPower Force 20000mAh is designed for users who want dependable power banks for laptop charging with added flexibility. Its 45W PD output supports most ultrabooks, while built-in Type C and detachable Lightning cables make multi-device use simple.

It can charge up to three gadgets at once, helping balance laptop, tablet, and phone power during travel. With quick recharge support and neat design, it works well for daylong tasks.

Specifications Capacity 20000mAh Output 45W USB C PD Cables Type C built-in, Lightning detachable Ports Supports 3 devices at once Special Features Built In Cable, Digital Display, Fast Charging Reasons to buy Built in and detachable cables reduce clutter Supports up to three devices together Reason to avoid 45W may be low for larger laptops Grey finish can show marks easily

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers like the convenience of built in cables and the ability to charge a laptop and two phones at once. Reviews mention good 45W speed for smaller laptops. Some wish it recharged faster and noted the grey casing marks easily.

Why choose this product?

Choose it if you want one power bank that serves laptops, phones, and tablets together. Built in cables simplify travel, and 45W output suits most mid range laptops. A good everyday backup for both office and short travel needs.

How much wattage should power banks for laptops support? Most USB-C charge laptops work best with 45W, 65W, or 100W output. Match the power banks USB-C PD wattage to your laptop charger rating for normal charging speed. USB PD 3.1 goes up to 240W for newer high power devices.

How do I know my laptop can charge via USB-C? Look at your laptop charger and ports. If the laptop uses USB-C for charging, the charger will usually say USB-C PD, and the port may show a charging icon. If your laptop uses a barrel pin only, a USB-C power bank will not charge it without a proper adapter.

Why does a 20,000mAh bank feel smaller in real use? The cells are rated at about 3.7V, but your devices charge at 5V, 9V, 15V, or 20V, so energy is lost in voltage conversion. Brands also list a rated capacity that reflects this. Anker explains typical converter losses and why usable capacity is lower.

What safety signs should I look for before buying? Look for clear Wh rating, temperature protection claims, and a known brand with return support. Also check reviews for heat complaints under laptop load, because sustained 65W to 100W use is where weak designs show up.

If you tell me your laptop model or charger wattage, I can turn this into a short buying checklist that fits your exact use case.

Top 3 features of the best power banks for laptops:

Power banks for Laptops Capacity Charging speed Maximum output Anker Power Bank with Built in USB C Cable 20,000mAh USB C PD fast charging 87W Baseus Blade Power Bank Digital Display 20,000mAh USB C PD fast charging 100W Belkin Power Bank 2 USB C PD Ports 20,000mAh USB C PD fast charging 65W Ambrane Powerlit Ultra Power bank 25,000mAh USB C PD plus QC support 100W URBN 27000mAh Power Bank 27,000mAh USB C PD plus QC support 100W Promate Titan 130 Power bank 20,000mAh USB C PD plus QC 3.0 130W SEVENAIRE LP65 Power bank 20,000mAh USB C PD plus PPS and Super Fast Charging 2.0 65W MPower Force Laptop Powerbank 20,000mAh USB C PD fast charging 45W
Google has reportedly begun rolling out a new set of features across its Phone and Gemini apps, introducing upgrades that focus on clearer communication and more advanced artificial intelligence reasoning for power users.

Expressive Calling starts reaching beta users Following an announcement earlier this month, Googles new Expressive Calling feature is now appearing for some users enrolled in the Phone by Google beta programme, reported 9To5Google. The feature is designed to make calls feel more urgent and noticeable through visual cues and haptic feedback.

Users can check availability by heading to Phone Settings, selecting General and scrolling down to Expressive Calling. The main toggle, which enhances calls with visual and vibration effects, is switched on by default. There is also an optional setting that allows urgent calls to break through Do Not Disturb mode.

How urgent calls work At this early stage, Expressive Calling appears to work only when both the caller and the recipient are using the beta version of Phone by Google, reportedly version 203. When eligible, callers see a prompt asking whether they want to mark the call as urgent.

If selected, the recipient is shown a clear Its urgent! message on the incoming call screen, accompanied by an animated siren emoji. Should the call go unanswered, it is later marked as urgent in the call history, making it easier to identify missed important calls.

Also Read | Google announces Emergency Live Video on Android to aid responders: How it works

Gemini 3 Deep Think unveiled for AI Ultra users Meanwhile, Google officially introduced Gemini 3 Deep Think earlier this month, within the Gemini app. This new reasoning mode is available to subscribers on the Google AI Ultra plan and is positioned as the companys most advanced AI thinking capability to date.

View full Image Google has officially introduced Gemini 3 Deep Think in the Gemini app, giving Google AI Ultra subscribers access to its most advanced reasoning mode yet. ( GOOGLE )

The rollout is aimed at users who regularly deal with complex tasks, particularly in areas such as mathematics, science and logical reasoning.

A leap in reasoning performance According to Google, Deep Think significantly improves how the AI tackles difficult problems by running multiple lines of reasoning at the same time. This parallel approach allows it to explore solutions more deeply and accurately than previous versions.

Also Read | Google launches Gemini 3 Deep Think with advanced reasoning: Who can use it

Google claims the new mode delivers standout results on demanding benchmarks. It reportedly achieves 41.0% on Humanitys Last Exam without the use of tools, and 45.1% on the ARC-AGI-2 test when code execution is enabled. These results, shared via an official Google blog post, are described as setting a new bar for AI-driven reasoning.
Following the death of beloved General Hospital star Anthony Geary, details are emerging about the actor's generally private family life.

Best known for playing Luke Spencer in the long-running ABC soap opera, Geary passed away at 78 following complications during a medical procedure.

Spencer's marriage with another character in the show Laura Webber (played by Genie Francis) in a 1981 instalment of the show garnered 30 million live viewers, making it the highest-rated soap opera in American TV history.

Also Read | Who was Rachael Carpani? What we know about Australian actress who died at 45

Anthony Geary childhood: Parents and sisters Born in Coalville, Utah in 1947 as Tony Dean Geary, the future soap opera star was the son of contractor Russel Geary and homemaker Dana Anderson Geary, and had three sistersDana, DeAnn and Jana.

While Geary had described his childhood as being a loving one, he said that he felt like a loner at times, especially after deciding to not follow his father's footsteps and work in construction.

"I had a happy childhood, and my family was always close," Geary told PEOPLE in 1980, when he was close to the pinnacle of fame, courtesy General Hospital.

"But early on they realized I wasn't of this earth, that I wouldn't follow my father's lead... In school I was always an artistic loner, he had said.

The aspiring actor got a theater scholarship for the University of Utah, and during his sophomore year, was cast in a play that took him to Los Angeles.

In the city of angels, Geary stayed back and eventually began his career as a television actor.

Anthony Geary marriage: Who is husband Claudio Gama? For most of his adult life, Geary's closest family member was his husband Claudio Gama, as per reports, with the couple having enjoyed a three-decade long relationship.

Geary met Gama in the 1990s and married him in 2019, with the couple shifting to Amsterdam following Geary's retirement from General Hospital in 2015.

Although the two were largely private about their married life, posts by Gama on Instagram depict a happy couple.

Geary and Gama seemingly also have a pet cat by the name of Max, who has been with them for the last 16 years.

"It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband," Gama told TV Insider on the actor's death.

Also Read | TV actress Wenne Davis of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel fame killed in car accident

Anthony Geary's other 'family' While the actor had a close support system throughout his childhood and adult life, he had also often referred to his General Hospital colleagues as family, particularly Genie Francis, with whom his on-screen romance blossomed.

Weeks before his death, Geary was seen on social media reacting to former co-star Francis' appearance on Maurice Benard's State of Mind podcast.

Gama, who shared the clip, wrote, that watching the two made the 78-year-old actor very happy.

The actor also told his husband then, "those are two lovely and talented people great friends and I miss them."

After news broke of Geary's passing, Francis said she was devastated.
Toxic workplaces are not always immediately visible. They often emerge over time through blurred boundaries, mounting pressure and constant demands. For employees, this can lead to mental fatigue, declining confidence and stress that spills beyond office hours. A newly hired employee at a multinational company described this gradual strain in a recent post on Reddit. Just three months into the job, she said she was already considering resigning, citing what she described as a toxic work culture that had become increasingly difficult to manage.

The post quickly gained attention, striking a chord with others who said they had faced similar situations early in their careers.

Spam calls, overtime, no boundaries In her write-up, the employee detailed what she described as a lack of respect for time and basic workplace boundaries. According to her, additional tasks were regularly dumped on her without discussion and the expectation to stay available never seemed to end.

(They) spam call during work if I dont reply after 2-3 minutes, calls after work too, ask why I am leaving when its post-work hours. (They are) not willing to do anything, even as minor as changing a value in a slide. Theyd rather email or text me to do it, she wrote.

The employee said the constant pressure, late hours and refusal by others to handle even minor tasks had left her questioning whether staying on made sense at all. Take a look at the post here.

Reddit pushes back, cautiously Not everyone agreed that three months was enough time to label a workplace toxic. Several Reddit users urged the employee to slow down and assess the situation more carefully.

Usually, 3 months is too short to understand the rationality of toxic culture. These are pretty common in MNCs It might just be that your working style doesnt align with theirs and not because theyre toxic. Take some time to understand the reason, try to converse with your colleagues If you still cannot gel with your team and this isnt the place you want to pursue your career, youll need to find another place before you leave (sic), one user commented.

Others focused on the practical side of walking away too soon.

This too is a form of training Another response took a more blunt view of corporate life. You get paid, you get benefits, you get the brand and experience on your resume. In return, you are supposed to deliver results and put in hours. The question is, is it worth it and can you take it? Even leaving has its consequences. It can reflect on your resume. Working in a toxic culture is also a form of training. You learn what not to do, but more importantly, you learn everyones reaction to it, the user wrote.

Others echoed the caution, reminding the employee that switching jobs is not always a clean reset. Piece of advice: Not everywhere is greener. Almost everywhere might be as toxic as your current place. Question you might want to ask yourself. Do you have a ready job offer to hop into? Can you survive without a job for an extended period of time? another user added.

FAQs What are common signs of a toxic workplace? Blurred work-life boundaries, constant pressure, excessive overtime, lack of respect for time and frequent after-hours compmunication are often cited as warning signs.
Anthony Geary, the award-winning actor who played Luke Spencer on the long-running soap opera General Hospital died on Monday at the age of 78.

Geary's husband, Claudio Gama, confirmed the actor's death to TV Insider, saying, "It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.

The 78-year-old died of complications during a medical procedure.

Who was Anthony Geary? Born 29 May 1947 in Utah to working class parents, Geary moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s to pursue a career in acting.

The actor's first role was in an episode of Room 222. He went to play small parts in All in the Family, Dan August, and Mod Squad, among others in his early career.

Geary's breakthrough, however, came in 1978, when he was cast as Luke Spencer on ABC's soap opera General Hospital, initially for a 13-week story arc, portraying a hitman and a rapist (Luke Spencer) who falls in love with his victim (Laura Webber).

Soon, Geary became a regular in General Hospital, with the Luke and Laura pairing becoming a cultural sensation.

Also Read | Who was Rachael Carpani? What we know about Australian actress who died at 45

Spencer's romance with Laura Webber (played by Genie Francis), eventually led to an on-screen wedding that was watched by 30 million live viewers, as per Variety, with the 1981 installment still being the highest-rated soap opera episode in US TV history.

For this role alone, Geary was nominated for 17 Daytime Emmy awards. He ended up winning eight of them.

From 1978 to 2017, Geary stepped into the shoes of Luke Spencer in a whopping 1,997 episodes of General Hospital, having retired in 2015 and returning for a cameo two years later.

Geary never found the success of General Hospital in other roles he played in his career, he did star in Weird Al Yankovic's film debut UHF (1989).

Despite his much-celebrated on screen relationship with Francis, Geary married Claudio Gama in February 1995, and the couple tied the knot in 2019.
Mean Scoil Mhuire students Roisin Duke and Madeline Denniston have been recognised in the 2025 Poetry Aloud competition final held at the National Library of Ireland. The annual competition challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory.

Organised by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and Poetry Ireland, in partnership with University College Cork, this years competition drew 328 entries from schools across the island. There were 20 finalists in this years competition from across 13 counties, from Antrim to Kerry and Longford.

Read more: Longford County Council shares ambitious plans for Connolly Barracks at EU meeting

This years competition saw students recite a previously unpublished poem, Those Winter Evenings, by the late poet Seamus Heaney. The poem is from the recently published collection The Poems of Seamus Heaney. The Nobel Laureate was a supporter of the Poetry Aloud competition, citing the extraordinary way in which it seeks to celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, as well valuing the North-South dimension to this all island event.

The competition has three categories: junior, intermediate, and senior. The prescribed poems for this year were The Power of Words by Amanda Gorman (Junior Category), Among Treetops by Alvy Carragher (Intermediate Category), and the previously unpublished poem Those Winter Evenings by Seamus Heaney (Senior Category).

Roisin Duke from Mean Scoil Mhuire has been named as the winner of the Senior Category, and was presented with a Poetry Aloud certificate by the Director of the NLI, Dr. Audrey Whitty. Madeline Denniston was also a finalist recognised at the competition on the day. All winning students were presented with a cash price and the teacher from each winning school was presented with a book token for 300 to bring back to their school libraries.

Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland, commented: "Poetry Aloud is a joyful celebration of the beauty to be found in speaking and listening to poetry. The National Library of Ireland's extensive collection holds the work of Irelands most celebrated poets. We are privileged to hear students from all over the island recite their poems with such heartfelt expression and thoughtful interpretation. The competition is a highlight in our schools engagement calendar each year, and the standard this year has upheld that tradition with real distinction. The importance and legacy of poetry as Irelands most loved and renowned of art forms is thriving thanks to this extraordinary competition.

Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, said: "It has been wonderful to see all of this year's students bring such energy and heart to their performances at Poetry Aloud 2025. Each year, this competition highlights the joy and expressive power of poetry in the hands of young readers. We are always delighted to work with colleagues at the National Library of Ireland, UCC and schools all over Ireland on this incredibly important initiative. Comhghairdeas ollmhor do na buaiteoiri agus mile buiochas do na h-iomaitheoiri ar fad a ghlac phairt ann."

Read more: New Longford 'landmark' to boost tourism opportunities in single trail

This years judging panel included Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland, Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, and John Fitzgerald, poet and Adjunct Professor, School of English, University College Cork.
The president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and his 11-year-old son are travelling to Brussels by tractor as part of a Europe-wide protest.

Francie Gorman and his son Tom set out from the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin on Monday morning with a small convoy of other tractors following behind them.

Their route sees them travelling south to catch a ferry from Rosslare to Dunkirk in France, expecting to reach Brussels for a wider protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA in Brussels on Thursday.

The father-son duo were in good spirits as representatives from many regional IFA groups waved them on their journey.

Mr Gorman said the protest was going to be one of the biggest demonstrations organised by COPA COGECA and that IFA staff had worked tirelessly to get the Irish delegation ready.

He said: I want a farming future for Tom the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation.

Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.

The Brussels demonstration will coincide with an EU Council meeting that is due to discuss the next EU budget, including on the Common Agriculture Policy.

Mr Gorman said: The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027.

We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars.

The IFA is also critical of the European Commissions proposed Mercosur trade deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard (Left) and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar (Right). The two Iowa National Guardsmen were killed by an Islamic State gunman in Syria on December 13. (Iowa National Guard)

On December 15, the Iowa National Guard released the names of two US soldiers who were killed in a terrorist attack in Syria on December 13. Our entire National Guard family mourns the loss of Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa-the Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers who were ambushed and killed in Syria, General Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, wrote on X.

The attack has placed a spotlight on the US role in Syria and the status of the ongoing multinational campaign against the Islamic State. Syrian officials have strongly condemned the attack and moved to shore up diplomatic ties with the US.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al Shaibani spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on December 14. Foreign Minister al-Shaibani offered condolences and reiterated the commitment of the Syrian government to degrade and destroy the shared threat of ISIS [the Islamic State]. The United States will hold all who hurt and threaten Americans accountable, a readout from the US State Department stated.

On behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic, I extend my sincere sympathy to the families of the fallen soldiers and to the American people. Syria unequivocally condemns this attack and reaffirms its commitment to preserving stability and security in Syria and across the region, Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa said in a message to US President Donald Trump, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Syrias Interior Ministry conducted a security operation in the wake of the incident, according to SANA, and described the perpetrator of the attack on US troops as an ISIS-affiliated operative. SANA noted that the operation was conducted in full coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate and the international coalition forces, and was based on precise intelligence information. It [the Interior Ministry] said five suspected individuals were arrested and immediately placed under investigation.

Syrias investigation of the attack and retaliatory operations took place as the country faced various threats. In northern Idlib province, four members of the Syrian security forces were killed on December 14, according to the Kurdish Rudaw Media Network. On December 15, the Syrian News Channel reported that the victims of the Idlib attack were Interior Ministry personnel, and the Syrian government has described the incident as terroristic in nature but ascribed it to criminal groups outside the law.

In eastern Syria, where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are in control, there are also Islamic State threats. On December 14, the SDF wrote on its official X account that its forces had detained four members of an Islamic State cell on December 1. The operation came as part of the ongoing efforts of the Syrian Democratic Forces to pursue cells of the terrorist organization ISIS and prevent them from carrying out criminal acts targeting military and security forces and civilian institutions, and undermining security and stability in the region, the SDF stated. It was unclear why the SDF waited two weeks to post the details of the operation.

The Syrian Democratic Council, the political wing of the SDF, condemned the December 13 attack on US forces in a statement. The Kurdish-led body [SDC] also reiterated its call for the implementation of a March 10 agreement between Kurdish forces and Damascus as a key step toward restoring stability, Rudaw Media Network noted.

The attack on US forces has led to discussion about what comes next for US-Syria cooperation. Myles Caggins, former spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led campaign against the Islamic State, spoke to the Syrian News Channel about the incident and its repercussions. Caggins noted that the United States has a specific, ongoing mission to support security forces in fighting ISIS inside Syria, and this will be done in cooperation with the Syrian government. The former spokesman for the international coalition stressed the need to integrate the SDF forces with the [Syrian] Ministry of Defense, the report stated. North Press Agency, which primarily covers developments in Syria, noted that US lawmakers are split on Syria mission after deadly Palmyra attack.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 has fined the online tourist accommodation rental platform Airbnb 64 million for, among other reasons, publishing advertisements for unlicensed accommodation, according to a statement released on Monday by the department headed by Pablo Bustinduy. The ruling is final and exhausts all administrative channels, after the appeal lodged with the Minister of Consumer Affairs has been resolved.

The ruling also includes two additional penalties that require the platform to rectify the detected breaches, removing the illegal content published and making the fine imposed public. The breaches of consumer regulations - identified in a total of 65,122 advertisements on Airbnb and which have led to this ruling - consisted of unfair commercial practices towards consumers and users.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry referred to the publication of advertisements for unlicensed tourist accommodation, in contravention of the obligations imposed by most regional regulations, which require the registration number to be indicated in the advertising. It also mentioned advertisements that use false or incorrect licence or registration numbers, as well as those without accurate information on the legal status of the hosts, which constitutes misleading advertising.

For this reason, a fine for serious infringement has been imposed in the amount of 64,055,311, which, according to the Consumer Affairs Agency, is equivalent to six times the illegal profit obtained by Airbnb as a result of these practices, which continued from the time the Ministry issued its warning until the advertisements were withdrawn. In this context, the High Court of Justice of Madrid had previously upheld the Ministrys withdrawal order in various rulings.

The Ministry has also identified a breach of the regime and obligations of distance contracts, by omitting information on the legal nature of the host of the advertised tourist accommodation. This is a minor infringement, punishable by a fine of 10,000. It also pointed out the obstruction or refusal to provide information during the investigation of the case, as the platform did not respond to the Consumer Affairs Departments requests, another minor infringement punishable by a fine of 10,000.

Finally, it has noted the failure to comply with the duties and prohibitions imposed by orders or provisional measures of the investigating body - issued to avoid risks or harm to consumers during the processing of the case - a serious infringement punishable by a fine of 55,000. In the area of housing, the Ministry has reiterated that it is pursuing various disciplinary proceedings against real estate agencies for possible abusive practices towards tenants in the management of rentals.

All these actions are part of Pablo Bustinduys goal of helping to tackle the housing crisis in Spain, one of the countrys main problems. Bustinduy stated that there are thousands of families living on the edge because of housing, while a few are getting rich from business models that drive people out of their homes, and stressed that no company in Spain, no matter how big or powerful, can be above the law.
Boston police say they have no indication the suspect in the Brown University shooting has come to Boston or that the city faces any specific threat.

We have no information ... [of] that particular shooter, or any known threats to the area right now, in general, said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, during a Monday morning press conference on Boston public safety.

Cox emphasized the role of community vigilance. He added, Public safety takes the public to be involved for us to actually do our jobs well... if someone does not feel comfortable around something, you know, call us.

The person of interest taken into custody in connection with the Brown University shooting was released by Providence police, the department announced late Sunday. The man had been detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning.

Investigators say the search continues for the gunman who killed two students and injured nine others. The suspect is merely described to be a man in his 30s.

The shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, broke out around 4 p.m. on Saturday, inside the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building. Officials said the gunman left the building on the Hope Street side.

A massive law enforcement response flooded Rhode Island after the shooting as the school and surrounding community went into a lockdown that lasted over 12 hours. A manhunt then ensued, with investigators combing the campus and nearby neighborhoods.

As for Bostons own colleges and universities, Cox stated the department works daily with them to support safety, with each sharing information back and forth to stay connected.

Mayor Michelle Wu added the city is in regular contact with Rhode Island authorities and state leaders and has offered full support and any partnership or collaboration to Providence as the investigation continues.

It is unthinkable that we live in a world where you dont even have time to process one major, horrific incident of violence before the next takes place, Wu said during the press conference, in reference to the Brown University shooting and shooting in Australia over the weekend that killed at least 11 people.

[Its] all the all the more reason why it is important for us to focus on safety, to double down on community members knowing that they can trust and be in community together, Wu added, as she offered condolences to Providence and to Australia.
Two teenage American citizens and their mother, an immigrant legally residing in the U.S. for two decades, filed a lawsuit Monday against immigration agents who they said illegally and forcefully detained them outside a Boston area courthouse this fall.

The family said they were accompanying a family member to a court hearing in Chelsea when a group of agents boxed in their car and, without identifying themselves as police, smashed the vehicles windows and dragged the 50-year-old mother from the drivers seat.

The mother, Hilda Ramirez Sanan, said the agents pushed her to the ground face-first, giving her a concussion. Her children, including a 13-year-old on the autism spectrum, were questioned by the immigration officials and left traumatized by the encounter, Lawyers for Civil Rights, a Boston nonprofit legal organization representing the family, said Monday.

My family is broken and will never be the same, Ramirez Sanan said in a statement through the legal group. I dont know how to explain to my children why ICE treated us this way. I am still in daily pain from my injuries.

The incident reflects an alarming pattern of brazenly illegal and aggressive ICE operations in Massachusetts, where federal immigration officers are increasingly using force and arresting people indiscriminately without following well-established law, including their own standards of enforcement, Lawyers for Civil Rights said.

The encounter was captured on video. Lawyers for Civil Rights published clips alongside its complaint Monday.

On the morning of Sept. 26, Ramirez Sanan and her children were in their car in front of the Chelsea District Court when multiple unmarked vehicles quickly surrounded them, Ramirez Sanans complaint said.

About eight masked officers swarmed the vehicle and smashed in the drivers side windows. They did not give the occupants a chance to cooperate or provide identification, Ramirez Sanan said.

The immigration agents pulled Ramirez Sanan, 50, from the vehicle, twisted her arms behind her back to handcuff her and pushed her to the ground. Agents questioned her distressed son about his legal status, and one agent threatened to arrest the 13-year-old if he did not answer or produce proof of legal status, despite his age, obvious distress, and disability, Lawyers for Civil Rights said.

ICE officers attempted to take Ramirez Sanan into custody, the complaint claims, but released her after Chelsea Police officers asked that they check her legal status first.

Ramirez Sanan said she suffered a concussion, bruising and a painful radial nerve palsy from when agents pulled her arm back to handcuff her. The 13-year-old boy has had lasting emotional trauma, the complaint said.

The family was also left on the hook to repair the damage ICE officers dealt to their car, they said.

The extreme and senseless cruelty invoked on longstanding Chelsea residents in the heart of their community should shock and alarm all of us, Jillian Lenson, a senior attorney for Lawyers for Civil Rights, said in a statement. The ICE officers did not even identify themselves, let alone provide an explanation or warrant, before violently assaulting the family. The behavior was illegal, shameless, and inhumane. The family deserves justice.

Lawyers for Civil Rights said the complaint, sent Monday to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is a required precursor to an upcoming lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Boston.
A Boston resident is facing charges out of multiple city courts in connection with a series of high-end auto thefts from various parking garages in Boston and dragging a police officer" who confronted them, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office announced Sunday.

Dorchester resident Anthony Crumbley, who identifies as non-binary, was charged with several counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and one count of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, attaching number plates and malicious destruction of property over $1,200 in Boston Municipal Court - Central on Tuesday, the district attorneys office said in a press release.

The 27-year-old was also charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of personal injury, attaching number plates and two counts of leaving the scene of property damage out of Dorchester District Court on Thursday, the district attorneys office said. They are expected to be charged with related offenses in South Boston District Court in the future.

The allegations against Crumbley

The Boston police investigation into Crumbley dates back to Aug. 25 when the owner of a black Mercedes S-Class sedan reported that their car had been stolen from the Boston Common Parking Garage days prior, the district attorneys office said. The victim said hed parked his car in his monthly parking spot on Aug. 19 and left his key fob inside. Security video showed the car leaving the garage shortly after 1:10 p.m. on Aug. 20 with Florida license plates.

Later in the day on Aug. 25, a second victim reported that their gray Toyota RAV-4 had been stolen from the Atlantic Wharf Parking Garage at 280 Congress St., the district attorneys office said. Security video showed the SUV leaving the garage just before 8:40 a.m. that morning.

A black Mercedes sedan matching the description of the previously stolen car could also be seen on the footage parked outside the Atlantic Wharf garage the same morning, the district attorneys office said. The security video showed a suspect who was later identified as Crumbley getting out of the Mercedes, going into the garage and approaching the Toyota.

Around 9 a.m. on Sept. 8, a third victim reported that their black Mercedes-Benz C300 was stolen from the 1 Seaport Lane parking garage, the district attorneys office said. The victim told police theyd parked the car at the garage the day prior, and security video showed it being driven out of the garage just before 5 a.m. on Sept. 8.

On Sept. 11, the security manager of the Atlantic Wharf garage alerted police that the suspect who was seen on the security footage stealing the Toyota had returned driving a black Mercedes-Benz C300, the district attorneys office said. The security manager said the suspect had also forcibly entered an office at the garage and stolen a Samsung tablet.

The suspect fled the garage in the C300 before officers got to the scene, but police retrieved items the suspect had discarded from the car, the district attorneys office said. The owner of the stolen C300 confirmed with officers that the items belonged to them.

Then, just after 6:15 p.m. that day, an officer spotted the C300 on Woodrow Avenue and approached the car, the district attorneys office said. As the officer put their hand on the cars side mirror, the driver shifted into reverse and sped up, dragging the officer and causing injuries to their hand, forearm and leg. The driver then fled onto Blue Hill Avenue and struck two other cars.

On Sept. 16 around 4:50 p.m., a driver who was later identified Crumbley tried to leave the parking garage at 125 High St. in downtown Boston in a gray Range Rover, claiming to the gate attendant that hed lost his parking ticket, the district attorneys office said. While the attendant was retrieving the vehicles information from their office, the driver crashed through the gate and sped away from the garage. The Range Rovers owner later confirmed that theyd parked their car at the garage earlier that day, and that itd been stolen.

On Sept. 19, Boston police found the Range Rover parked in front of 147 Norfolk St. in Dorchester, the district attorneys office said. As officers approached the vehicle, the driver fled the scene by driving onto the sidewalk and nearly collided with multiple police cruisers.

How Crumbley was caught

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Sept. 19, a 911 caller reported a broken-down Range Rover with flashing headlights, the district attorneys office said. Officers spoke to the driver, who identified themselves as Anthony Crumbley.

Crumbley told police the Range Rover belonged to a friend, but officers arrested them after failing to find them in the RMV database and concluding they were driving the vehicle that had been stolen from the 125 High St. garage, the district attorneys office said. The parking attendants description of the driver also matched that of Crumbley, and security video from the garage showed Crumbley entering the garage shortly before the Range Rover was stolen.

At some point between Sept. 26 and Oct. 6, the C300 was towed, and its owner was alerted, the district attorneys office said. In the car, the owner found a letter to Crumbley from Manhattan Animal Care Center.

This defendant was clearly drawn to high-end automobiles in parking garages and had no hesitation in stealing them or putting officers lives in danger when caught in them, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in the release.

During Crumbleys arraignment in Boston Municipal Court - Central, the judge ordered them held on $5,000 bail and to stay away from all locations at which the offenses were committed, the district attorneys office said. They are due back at that court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 6, 2026.

During Crumbleys arraignment in Dorchester District Court, the judge ordered them held on $5,000 bail, the district attorneys office said. They are due back at that court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 8, 2026.
SPRINGFIELD  If a weird-looking talking cat on the internet tells you to touch grass in a meandering congressional district, and then performatively sings the numbers 6-7, those are the words of 2025.

Slop, a word describing digital content of low quality produced in quantity by artificial intelligence, is the 2025 Word of the Year, as announced Monday by Springfield dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster.

Slop is off-kilter advertising, shoddy propaganda  and was ubiquitous this year.

All that stuff was dumped on our screens, said Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, and the Word of the Year captured it in just four letters. The English language came through again.

Slop is joined by touch grass, a term used insultingly, but also as an aspiration for people wanting to break their digital addictions, Merriam-Webster said Monday in a news release.

Also on the list is gerrymander, which has its roots in Massachusetts and means to create election districts in a way that gives one political party an advantage. The preferred pronunciation is with a J sound, the dictionary says, although originally it was a hard g.

This year, both major political parties created odd-looking districts that evoke the salamander in this words origins, according to the release.

Also on the list was performative, a word for a wide range of attention-getting behavior.

Six seven is the hit Gen Alpha slang term of 2025, according to Merriam-Webster.

It means nothing in particular and is sometimes repeated in a sing-song voice. It tends to delight kids and frustrate everyone else.

Frustration was what Merriam-Webster felt when people started looking up Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg on its online dictionary.

Turns out, its a word encountered in advanced modes of a hit spelling game on Roblox.

The lake on the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut is often noticed as the longest place name in the United States. But the dictionary folks say they are partial to its alternate name: Webster Lake.

Also on the dictionary-makers list, and ripped from the headlines, are tariff and conclave.
A Massachusetts man who goes by the nickname Johnny Jackpot won a jackpot prize of $100,00.

On Dec. 4, Blackstone resident Mark Johnny Jackpot Wisniewski was playing on an IGT Triple Double Bonus Poker machine in Mohegan Suns Casino of the Sky. He spun quad Aces and won $100,000.

On the same day, 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 online casino games, while Massachusetts doesnt currently have any legal online casinos, you can still sign up for sweepstakes casinos like Lucky Stake 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.
SPRINGFIELD  The Art for the Soul Gallery is exhibiting work by nine women and femme-identifying artists from across Massachusetts on the second floor of Tower Square.

The Power of She highlights artists from Easthampton to Dorchester. Works on display range from paintings to sculptures, along with other mixed media.

This show is just packed full of so much talent, said Sierra Myers, executive director of the Art for the Soul Gallery, in an interview with The Republican. Its one of those shows where the work truly speaks for itself.

Artists featured in The Power of She are Malaika Ross, of Easthampton; Donnabelle Casis, of Easthampton; Louise LaPlante, of Easthampton; Rosa Ibarra, of Northampton; Eva Lin Fahey, of Florence; Aura Pan, of Amherst; Nora Valdez, of Dorchester; Angela Ales, of Lowell; and Lily Nimmer, of Boston, but based in the Adirondacks.

The exhibit, on display through Jan. 25, reflects the mission of the nonprofit gallery founded by Rosemary Tracy Woods in 2011. It was originally called the Artist Square Group Gallery.

Our mission is to truly represent underserved communities and underrepresented artists, Myers said. Were in pretty divisive times and women tend to be looked over in a variety of different career paths and industries, and art is definitely one of them.

The exhibit also marks Woods retirement and her official transition to founding director emeritus.

[Rosemary] built Art For The Soul Gallery from a vision into a cultural institution that has shaped countless artists, affirmed community identity and expanded what creative opportunity looks like in Springfield, Myers said of the gallerys founder.

As executive director, I see my work as an extension of that legacy. I want to honor what Rosemary created while also guiding the gallery into its next chapter, one that increases access, strengthens partnerships and expands the ways we show up for artists and our community. My goal is to preserve the values she instilled: excellence, cultural pride, inclusion, and a deep belief in the transformative power of art to change lives.

Sierra Myers, executive director of the Art for the Soul Gallery in Tower Square Springfield. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Running alongside the exhibit is MRKT, a boutique shopping experience inside of the Art for the Soul gallery selling work by women, femme and nonbinary artists and crafters from across Western Massachusetts.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m.

There is no cost to enter the gallery, and all are welcome.

An artist talk will be held at the gallery Jan. 17 from noon-3 p.m. featuring three of the artists  Ross, Casis and Fahey. That is also free to attend.

Its one of those things that is truly making art accessible, especially in Springfield, Myers said. Its the community that we serve and the community that we try to highlight through lived experiences.
Six more states are joining the growing list of states signing waivers to ban using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for non-nutritious items.

Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., approved six new state SNAP food-choice waivers under the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

SNAP food-choice waivers, or SNAP Food Restriction waivers, allow states to restrict beneficiaries from using benefits to purchase non-nutritious items like soda or candy.

The six newest states joining the list are Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

The waivers will amend the definition of food for purchase under the SNAP program beginning in 2026.

President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose  nutrition," Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said.

Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.

Before Wednesdays signing, 12 states had already signed waivers, including:

Arkansas

Colorado

Florida

Idaho

Indiana

Iowa

Lousiana

Nebraska

Oklahoma

Texas

Utah

West Virginia

A majority of states included on the list have requested to restrict purchasing soda and soft drinks while some have requested to expand that restriction to candy and prepared desserts.

Iowas restrictions include all taxable food items defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants.

Implementation dates for the ban range from Jan. 1, 2026, and Aug. 31, 2026.

With these new waivers, we are empowering states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly-processed foods, and moving one step closer to the Presidents promise to Make America Healthy Again, Rollins said.
An outpouring of support came from across the nation after Ella Cook, a sophomore at Brown University from Mountain Brook, Alabama was identified as one of the two students killed when a gunman opened fire at the Rhode Island university Saturday.

The Rev. Craig Smalley of Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham said Sunday that Cook was a bright light in the world.

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed [Saturday]. And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light ... not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.

U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, who represent Alabama, reacted on Monday to the shooting that killed another student and wounded nine others.

Britt said in a statement that she and her husband join the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Ella Cook, who was senselessly killed over the weekend on Brown Universitys campus.

There are no words that can ease the pain Ellas family and friends are enduring right now, the Republican senator said. Her beautiful life was taken far too soon, but those who loved her are comforted in knowing that she has joined our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all of eternity.

Tuberville posted on Facebook: I am heartbroken to hear that Mountain Brooks Ella Cook was among those killed over the weekend at Brown University. Our hearts and our prayers are with the Cook family and everyone impacted by this senseless killing.

Condolences also are pouring in from other GOP leaders.

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said: Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama. A bright future was ended much too soon. Join me in lifting up her family in prayers of comfort.

College Republicans of America identified the 19-year-old Cook as vice president of Browns College Republicans.

Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates, President of College Republicans of American Martin Bertao said. Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CRs (College Republicans) and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared Bertaos statement on Twitter and said, There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.

Political strategist William Branson Donahue, founder and chairman of College Republicans of America, said he is filled with rage and sadness over Cooks death.

Donahue said he believed Cook was allegedly targeted for her conservative beliefs, hunted, and killed in cold blood.

The other slain student was identified as MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national.

He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people, his sister wrote in a GoFundMe. He continues to be my familys biggest role model in all aspects. He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew.

No suspect is in custody, and a potential motive has not been released.

A 24-year-old was detained in the shooting, but he was released Sunday night after authorities said they determined there was no basis to keep him in custody.

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.

The Providence Police Department released a 19-second video clip on Monday afternoon of a person dressed in all black walking down a street on Saturday at about 4:06 p.m. The video appears to be taken on Waterman Street and officials said the video is of a person of interest.
During a recent interview, Americas Got Talent judge Howie Mandel has opened up about his diagnosis with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

I dont remember not experiencing OCD, Mandel told USA TODAY.

OCD is often a long-lasting disorder where people have uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) causing them to feel the need to repeat over and over, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Approximately one out of 40 people (180 million) worldwide are affected by OCD, Regence reports. On average, it can take roughly 13 years for medical experts to diagnose someone with OCD, which is considered highly treatable.

Mandel told USA TODAY that the condition is deeply misunderstood and that his symptoms are debilitating.

I cant tell you how many people in the course of a week will come up to me and say, I have a little bit of that. Well, you dont have a little bit of OCD, he told the media outlet.

Mandel continued by saying that People interpret OCD as being persnickety or being really neat or fastidious, that is not OCD.... OCD is a nightmare if you are diagnosed with it and a lot of people have it and are misdiagnosed.

Inspired by his owner journey, Mandel has partnered with NOCD, a company that has been offering video-based OCD therapy since 2022.

The AGT judge said he created the partnership after recognizing the need for accessible, reliable mental health care, especially with growing concerns around AI therapy, USA TODAY wrote.

If you really feel like you are suffering, AI isnt the answer, Mandel said. That is not a tool for mental health, just like its not a tool for physical health.

Instead, Mandel hopes that AI chatbots like ChatGPT will help refer users showing signs of OCD to resources like NOCD, where they can speak with real-life therapists with expert training in the condition and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.

For OCD, you have to go to someone who is an expert not only an expert in therapy for it, but an expert for diagnosing it, he told USA TODAY. If someone happens upon his story, he hopes they will arrange an appointment to at least get diagnosed. From there, they can find the right treatment plan to manage their symptoms.

Its a constant journey, and its a constant battle that I, for the most part, am winning. But the battle goes on, Mandel said. Its worth battling.
A review of evidence led to the release of a suspect previously taken into custody in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told Good Morning America on Monday.

On Saturday, a gunman killed two students and injured nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

A person of interest, who was only identified by police as a man in his 30s, was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, on Sunday morning.

By Monday morning, however, Providence Police confirmed the person was released.

As evidence was collected, Smiley said it was determined that the person of interest needed to be released.

To be clear, weve never stopped our investigation, Smiley said. Providence police and our partners and state police, the FBI and others, have continuously run down leads and work this case beyond the person of interest who had been detained yesterday.

Read more: Students killed in shooting at Brown University identified

Smiley did not disclose what kind of evidence led to the decision to release the person of interest.

Smiley added that authorities could not say definitively if the person of interest had anything to do with the shooting.

He did, however, say that authorities dont have any other evidence to suggest that the shooting involved more people than the suspect previously shown in a video released by officials.

Until such time as we have an individual in custody who were confident is responsible, that were prepared to press charges and then prosecute, were going to continue to leave all doors open until such time is that were in a place that we feel confident that we got the right person, Smiley said. But for now, the person of interest who had been detained had been released.

Smiley said Browns campus and Providence have an enhanced police presence on Monday and that the city and college have not identified any additional threats to their safety.

The Providence Police Department asks that any and all video or photo evidence be submitted via phone at 401-272-3121 or to the FBI tip line.

The shooting took place around 4 p.m. on Saturday, inside the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building. Officials said the gunman exited the building on the Hope Street side.

The area was swarmed with law enforcement officials as the surrounding community went into a lockdown lasting more than 12 hours. A manhunt followed the lockdown, which eventually led to the person of interest being taken into custody.

The campus shelter-in-place order was lifted around 5:45 a.m. Sunday.

The two students killed in the shooting were identified as Ella Cook, according to The Brown University College Republicans and Muhammad Aziz Umurzokov, according to NBC News, which cited the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The person of interest taken into custody in connection with a fatal mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday was released by the Providence Police Department.

The suspect had been merely identified by police as a man in his 30s. The person of interest was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning.

However, by Monday morning, police confirmed he had been released. The search continues for the gunman who killed two students and injured nine others.

The Providence Police Department asks that any and all video or photo evidence be submitted via phone at 401-272-3121 or to the FBI tip line.

Tonight, we announced that the person of interest is being released, a statement from the Providence Police Department posted at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 15 on X read.

The investigation has been ongoing and remains fully active between all agencies. Since the first call to 911, we have not received any specific threats to our community, the statement read.

The shooting broke out around 4 p.m. on Saturday, inside the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building. Officials said the gunman left the building on the Hope Street side.

A massive law enforcement response flooded Rhode Island after the shooting as the school and surrounding community went into a lockdown that lasted over 12 hours. A manhunt then ensued, with investigators combing the campus and nearby neighborhoods.

The department announced a person of interest was in custody early Sunday morning, but did not provide further details. There were no other people the department was seeking in connection with the crime at the time, Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said.

The campus shelter-in-place order was lifted around 5:45 a.m. Sunday, under two hours before the department announced the person of interest was in custody.

As of Sunday, seven people were in stable condition, one was in critical but stable condition and one person was discharged from the hospital after the shooting, Mayor Brett Smiley said.

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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.  Yellow barrier tape remained outside Brown Universitys Barus and Holley Engineering building on Monday morning, the scene of a deadly shooting on Saturday that left two students dead and nine others injured.

Flowers and candles were laid outside the building as students braved the bitter cold to pay respects to the victims of the shooting that shocked the tight-knit university community.

Some students on campus were seen carrying luggage or rolling suitcases as family members arrived to pick them up. Some waited for ride-share cars to take them off campus on Monday morning as temperatures hovered in the upper teens and lower 20s.

A helicopter flew overhead across the clear blue sky as authorities continued to search for the shooting suspect. Authorities released a person of interest from custody late Sunday, and the manhunt continues, leaving a sense of uncertainty on the Providence campus.

A helicopter flies over Brown University campus on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Luis Fieldman

Members of the Providence Police Department walked through the citys neighborhoods as part of the ongoing investigation on Monday afternoon. Police visited businesses and homes to request any available footage, according to a statement issued shortly before 1 p.m.

Quiet on campus as remaining students prepare to leave

A few blocks away from campus at the Meeting Street Cafe, a freshman at Brown studying psychology and economics sat at a table with her father, who flew in from California.

Paulina Oscar-Ramirez, 18, and her father, Christopher Oscar, 54, were grateful to be reunited and planned on flying back to Sonoma, California, later on Monday.

They sat in a nearly empty restaurant near Thayer Street, where most of the shops were either closed or eerily quiet.

Im OK, Im happy to be with my family, with my dad, so that feels good, Oscar-Ramirez said. Ive definitely been around friends and support the entire time. I cant imagine what its like to have been alone through it. So Im very grateful for that. And thats definitely allowed me to feel OK and feel the support network.

Oscar-Ramirez was in her dorm room with her roommate when the shooting broke out in the engineering building at about 4 p.m. on Saturday  roughly a 10-minute walk away.

A recorded call from the university alerted her to the shooting on campus.

I couldnt register it as real at all, Oscar-Ramirez said. I didnt process the active [shooter] part of the message. And I just feel so safe here. And throughout my life, I have felt very safe at my campuses, even though it can happen anywhere.

Her phone lit up with text messages from friends who were in dining halls or at libraries and forced to shelter in place for hours, hiding under desks as the campus went into a shelter-in-place that lifted early Sunday morning.

So getting all those updates and checking in on people was definitely scary, Oscar-Ramirez said.

Oscar-Ramirez originally planned to leave campus this upcoming Friday. Brown University officials cancelled classes and exams, so Oscar-Ramirez decided to leave on Monday.

She said that the campus community has felt shaken by the shooting, but shes seen students coming together and supporting one another. Last night, she went to a campus dining hall known as The Ratty, and expected to find a quiet scene.

Instead, the dining hall was full of students. Maybe hundreds, she estimated, that were hugging one another, sitting together, and staying there until late at night. The university announced Sunday morning that it would offer students free meals.

Theres so much love, so much support, Oscar-Ramirez said. Its really heartening to see.

For Oscar, as soon as he learned about the shooting at his daughters school, he called campus police to learn more. He was told Saturday night that law enforcement had a person in custody and that the shelter-in-place would end soon.

So it went from panic to, OK, they got somebody, Oscar explained. Then he learned that the authorities let the person of interest go.

And I was back to like freakout mode, he said. The whole scenario played out once again between Sunday morning and Monday morning when authorities announced they detained a second person of interest, only to release them late Sunday night.

I feel really bad for the victims, Oscar said. Its a horrible, senseless act.

Its just surreal

A bouquet of flowers rests on snow, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, on the campus of Brown University not far from where a shooting took place, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

Simon Nirenberg, 20, a sophomore, waited outside for his ride-share to pick him up on Monday morning.

He looked over at a building across the street, only yards away from the engineering building where Saturdays shooting took place.

I was just in that building, right there in my lab, working, and then I heard about everything, Nirenberg said. I basically just locked all the doors and went into the back ... Originally, I was by myself, but my girlfriend was actually walking right here, so I called her and just told her to come in with me.

Nirenberg said he spent about a third of his time studying in the Barus and Holley building, where all his physics classes take place.

I kind of just chose randomly to work in a different building, he said. It was just kind of lucky.

A car pulled up, and Nirenberg checked his phone. I think this is my car, he said, and got into the car bound for the airport for his flight to Indiana.

Near Barus and Holley, two PhD students, Akshay Nagar, 26, and Eric Barrett, 28, were walking by.

Both described the surreal feeling of learning about a shooting taking place on campus.

Even though we were OK, we were up late, checking in on our friends and seeing how everyone was doing. It was really stressful, Barrett said.

Its just surreal, Nagar said. I dont feel patently unsafe right now. I would guess that its fairly unlikely that (the suspect) would come back exactly here and try again, but its also kind of just shocking that ... were in the middle of a city, and somehow, theres just no footage.

Right now, it feels equal parts disconcerting and stressful, Nagar said.

Officials released a 10-second video clip on Saturday of a male dressed in black turning a street corner, but the persons face is not visible.

The Providence Police Department released a 19-second video clip on Monday afternoon of a person dressed in all black walking down a street on Saturday at about 4:06 p.m. The video appears to be taken on Waterman Street and officials said the video is of a person of interest.

Mayor Brett Smiley said authorities continue to canvass the neighbourhood and asked community members with security cameras installed to come forward, according to The Washington Post.

The videos at Brown in the building have been examined, and at this time, we have no additional actionable information from the video that has been reviewed from the building, he said.

Students killed identified

The two people killed in Saturdays shooting were identified on Monday.

The Brown University College Republicans posted on X Monday that Ella Cook, the organizations vice president, had been killed in the shooting.

The other victim was identified as Muhammad Aziz Umurzokov, according to NBC News, which cited the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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.

Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom in a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and the physics department.

One of the nine wounded students has been released from the hospital. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition.

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. The school cancelled all remaining classes and exams for the semester.
Millions of customers involved in a massive $177 million AT&T data breach settlement have just a few days left to file their claims and secure their share.

The settlement stems from two AT&T data breach events which occurred in 2024  just months apart from each other which exposed highly-sensitive information millions of AT&T customers.

Customers have until Dec. 18, to submit their claims.

Qualifying customers may receive up to $7,500 if they were involved in both breaches.

Otherwise, they customers may receive $5,000 if they were involved in the first incident and $2,500 if they were involved in the second.

Heres the breakdown:

What happened

The first breach, in March 2024, leaked addresses, dates of birth, billing account numbers, passcodes, and Social Security numbers belonging to 7.6 million current and 65.4 million former AT&T customers.

According to the settlement website, this information was released on the dark web.

The second breach, in July 2024, exposed call and text records for about 110 million customers between 2022 and 2023. These records were illegally downloaded from our workspace on a third-party cloud platform, the settlement states.

Multiple lawsuits followed, later consolidated and resolved with a settlement in the U.S. Northern District Court of Texas.

How much money could you receive?

Customers affected by either breach can file a claim, but payouts vary depending on which incident impacted them.

Those affected by both breaches may qualify for up to $7,500.

For those involved in the first breach, class members receive up to $5,000 if they can show the losses are fairly traceable to the AT&T 1 Data Incident.

Remaining payments will follow a tier system:

Tier 1: For those whose Social Security numbers were breached  worth five times the Tier 2 payment.

Tier 2: For customers affected by the first breach whose Social Security numbers were not exposed.

Those included in the second breach can claim up to $2,500 in documented losses or file for a Tier 3 payment.

Whos eligible

According to an AT&T settlement information page, email notices were sent out from the domain attsettlement@e.emailksa.com.

Additionally, the settlement information page notes that consumers who are uncertain if the email they received is related to the Settlement can call 833 890-4930 for more information.

How to file a claim

All claims  online or by mail  must be submitted or postmarked by Dec. 18, 2025.

Forms are available on the AT&T Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation page, where customers can file:

A claim for the first breach

A claim for the second breach

Or an AT&T Overlap Claim Form for those affected by both

A court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026, with payments expected afterward
Firefighters freed a 46-year-old man from his car Friday afternoon after it crashed into the side of a home in Randolph, according to police.

Randolph police and firefighters responded to the crash at 17 Julian Road around 4:15 p.m. and found the driver trapped inside, Randolph police said in a press release. Firefighters freed the Randolph resident from his car, then took him to Boston Medical Center with injuries believed to be serious but not life-threatening.

The preliminary investigation suggests the man was in his car in the driveway of his home on nearby Pine Road prior to the crash, police said. The car then traveled through several yards, hit a statue and finally struck the side of the home on Julian Road.

The home was undergoing renovations, so no one was inside it at the time of the crash, but its foundation and basement were so badly damaged that it is now uninhabitable, police said.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. No further information has been released.
A GoFundMe has been created for the family of Muhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a Brown University student killed in the shooting on Saturday.

Muhammad Aziz Umurzokov died in a shooting that broke out on the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building at the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island on Dec. 13.

Providence police have released two videos of a person of interest in connection with the shooting. The department asks the public to review the footage and that any and all video or photo evidence be submitted via phone at 401-272-3121 or to the FBI tip line.

Umurzokov was killed alongside Ella Cook, who was identified by The Brown University College Republicans through a post on X Monday as the organizations vice president. Nine others were hurt in the shooting.

Read more: Students killed in shooting at Brown University identified

Umurzokov was incredibly kind, funny, and smart, his loved ones wrote in his GoFundMe.

His fundraiser had a goal of $460,000 to go towards expenses the family may face, with the rest to be pledged in Umurzokovs name to charity. Over $300,000 was donated as of Monday afternoon. GoFundMe has also established a page dedicated to victims of the Brown University shooting.

He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people, Umurzokovs loved ones wrote. He continues to be his familys biggest role model in all aspects.

He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss, the fundraiser read. The family also asked for thoughts and prayers.

Umurzokov was one of 11 people hurt or killed in a shooting that broke out on the campus of Brown University on Saturday night, as final exams were taking place.

Officials said the gunman left the building after killing two people and injuring nine others on the Hope Street side, then took a right onto Waterman Street.

A massive law enforcement response flooded Rhode Island after the shooting as the school and surrounding community went into a lockdown that lasted over 12 hours. A manhunt then ensued, with investigators combing the campus and nearby neighborhoods.

The department announced a person of interest was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning  but by Sunday night, police confirmed he would be released.

There was an enhanced presence of Providence police officers in city neighborhoods on Monday as officers went to businesses and residences to request available camera footage.

The suspect has been merely identified by police as a man in his 30s, according to Providence police and city officials.

As of Sunday, seven people were in stable condition, one was in critical but stable condition and one person was discharged from the hospital after the shooting, Mayor Brett Smiley said.

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.
Famous actors including Ben Stiller and Elijah Wood paid tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife Michele after they were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday.

Stiller took to X after hearing the news, calling the deaths a huge loss.

Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors, Stiller continued. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out [from] behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a tv actor to being a great director who made an incredible run of movies.

Reiners work includes some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and 90s, including A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and Spinal Tap.

Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made  and the list goes on," Stiller said. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny. I didnt know him well but was always a fan and I feel a real sadness for those who did, and his family.

The Lord of the Rings actor Wood, who starred in Reiners 1994 family movie North, also expressed his grief amid the news.

Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michele, he said on X. So much love to their kids and family.

Actor and comedian Eric Idle said on X that he spoke with Reiner the night before he died.

Rob Reiner was a lovely man, Idle said. I always enjoyed him company. I met him at his Dads in 1975. He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.

The couples son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and is being held on $4 million bail in connection with the deaths, according to PEOPLE.

The couple was found after the Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. At the scene they found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside. Reiner turned 78 in March.

Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an apparent homicide at Reiners home, Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department told the Associated Press.
First Brands Group is seeking the expedited relief of $250 million it claims is being held up by customers and the bankruptcy process.

The move comes months after the company filed for bankruptcy and a lawsuit against its former CEO Patrick James for allegedly misappropriating millions of company dollars for personal gain.

First Brands Group filed for release of $250 million on Dec. 12, stating the bulk of these funds are tied to customer receipts for orders that have already been fulfilled but the company has not been able to access to date.

The company argues these outstanding funds are artificially impairing First Brands true liquidity and cash flows, and causing unfounded concerns regarding the Companys financial position.

What led up to this point?

The auto parts manufacturing company filed for bankruptcy Sunday, Sept. 28, after disclosing more than $10 billion in liabilities, court filings show.

Bloomberg described the filing as capping weeks of turmoil sparked by creditor concern over the auto-suppliers use of opaque off-balance sheet financing.

Off-balance sheet items are line items that arent listed on a companys main balance sheet.

In November, the company filed a lawsuit against its founder and former CEO, alleging he fraudulently secured billions of dollars of financing for First Brands and then enriched himself and his family by misappropriating hundreds of millions of dollars from the company.

The complaint, filed in federal bankruptcy court in Texas, claims former CEO Patrick James manipulated financial statements and concealed debt to obtain financing that ultimately left the auto-parts supplier insolvent and out of cash.

The company says if approved, the request for $250 million will add to its $1.1 billion in bankruptcy financing, giving it more cash to run the business and invest in growth.

Additionally, First Brands outlined several steps its taken to recover from its losses and legal battles with its former CEO.

The company reports ordering patterns trending above 90% of its pre-filing levels and revealed its hired an interim CEO, Charles Moore, with deep automotive and restructuring experience.

First Brands said it will continue working towards hitting target cost reductions, supply chain enhancements and business opportunities.
A Fall River man who faces charges in connection with the death of a 31-year-old man who was killed in a fight will be arraigned in court on Monday, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn IIIs office.

Kendrick Williams, 32, will be arraigned at the Fall River District Court on charges of murder and unlawful carrying a firearm, according to Quinns office.

The charge of murder is new as Williams was previously charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and carrying a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm, according to the district attorneys office.

He will also appear at Fall River Superior Court on a probation violation, according to the Quinns office.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, a 911 call reported men fighting near Leonards Package Store located at 1331 Pleasant St. in Fall River.

Police found Taiquan Teixeira, of Fall River, unresponsive with a gunshot wound, according to the district attorneys office.

Teixeira was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead a few hours later.

Williams was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, in November.
A 34-year-old man is set to face a murder charge in connection with the death of a woman who was found dead inside a Quincy apartment Saturday night, the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office announced Sunday afternoon.

Quincy resident Guiovani Garcia is expected to be arraigned Monday on charges related to the death of a 26-year-old woman whose body was found at 500 Falls Blvd., the district attorneys office said in a press release. Authorities have not released the womans name, as her family has not yet been notified of her death.

Quincy police found Garcia and the woman inside the apartment with serious injuries around 11 p.m. while responding to a 911 call, the district attorneys office said. Garcia had what appeared to be stab wounds and was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, the district attorneys office said. Her death has since been declared a homicide.

The woman was found dead at a home that is part of the Alister Quincy apartment complex.

The district attorneys office and Quincy police are investigating the womans death, the district attorneys office said. No further information about the incident has been released, but the district attorneys office said more details would be shared with the public after Garcias arraignment.
Two Massachusetts men were rescued from Mount Lafayette in New Hampshire on Saturday, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

On Friday at 9:45 p.m., conservation officers from the department learned about two hikers who became lost as they descended from the summit of Mount Lafayette. One of the hikers injured himself in a fall and claimed he could not continue because of a lower leg injury, according to the department.

The two hikers were exposed to heavy winds, temperatures around 10 degrees and waist-deep snow, the department said.

A rescue party consisting of conservation officers and volunteers from the Pemi Valley Search and Rescue Team was formed and began their journey at 11:25 p.m.

Calls to the hikers were made periodically. One of the hikers was suffering from severe hypothermia and was slipping in and out of consciousness, according to the department.

A call was made to the Army National Guard to determine whether a helicopter rescue was possible.

A crew was formed in Concord and arrived in Franconia Notch at around 2:30 a.m. but were unable to retrieve the hikers because of the cloud cover.

At 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, the first rescue team arrived on site with the two hikers, according to the department.

The rescuers managed to get the hikers warmed up and gave them additional clothing.

By 3 a.m., the group returned to the Greenleaf Trail. The leg injury one of the hikers sustained earlier was not as significant as previously reported, the department said.

By 5:30 a.m., the rescue party arrived at the head of the trail and the Army National Guard Helicopter went back to Concord.

The two hikers are Shane Squires, 35 of New Bedford and Robert Conlon, 41 of Haverhill.

They were able to drive themselves to a hospital and were treated for frostbite, the department said. The two were ill equipped for a hike of this magnitude and had departed for a nearly 9-mile loop at 1:00 p.m. They lacked appropriate clothing for a hike in the weather conditions they encountered and were navigating with a phone when they lost the trail.
Two more wrongful death lawsuits were filed last week on behalf of relatives of Gabriel House assisted living facility residents who perished during a fire at the Fall River group home in July.

Both lawsuits were filed Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court against Dennis and Karen Etzkorn  the facilitys owners, Gabriel Care  their respective LLC, and Fire Systems Inc.  the fire inspection company used at the home.

One filing was on behalf of the three sisters of 78-year-old fire victim Robert King. The other was filed on behalf of 86-year-old fire victim Eleanor Willetts granddaughter.

Like the numerous other civil lawsuits that have been filed against Etzkorn and Fire Systems, the two new filings assert negligence, claiming the sprinkler system was known to be defective, and that the assisted living facility was not properly managed, staffed, supervised or inspected. Both filings ask that monetary damages be awarded to the plaintiffs.

King and Willett were among the 10 Gabriel House residents that died in the fire that broke out the night of July 13 and became the deadliest in Massachusetts in more than 40 years. Dozens of other residents of the 261 Oliver St. facility were injured in the blaze.

At least seven personal injury lawsuits have been filed against Etzkorn and Fire Systems since the fire, as well as at least one other wrongful death suit. On Monday, filings by the defendants in the existing wrongful death suit claimed the other was responsible for the sprinkler systems failure.

King is remembered by his friends and family for being a Fall River native and a U.S. Navy and National Guard veteran. Willett is remembered by her loved ones as a mother and grandmother who, after growing up in Boston, spent much of her life living in Wareham and working as a secretary for the towns Board of Health.
By Jimena Sandoval | Edited by Patricia Guadalupe

In July 2025, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) closed its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, abandoning approximately 3,000 patients. Nicolas (not his real name), a health educator at the center, learned about the closure the same day as the public, weeks before his third work anniversary. When they came out into the media and said that were going to pause on gender-affirming care, they had said that they had talked to us and that it had been a meaningful decision, he recalls. But it wasnt. None of us were informed ... We were surprised just like everybody else.

CHLA did not respond to multiple requests for comments.

The program that saved his life vanished overnight. This is the story of how federal pressure, institutional fear, and funding dependency dismantled one of the nations premier transgender healthcare programs and left thousands of vulnerable patients with nowhere to turn. And how another institution, facing identical threats, chose instead to fight back.

Nicolas had been coming to CHLA since infancy. Born with Larsen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting bone development that occurs in only one in 100,000 people, he underwent 13 surgeries by age 19. He once overheard a surgery scheduler talking to his parents about a transgender patient. I was told that I had to use these specific pronouns from the kid because this kid told their parents that they were trans, and theyre making me use these pronouns, and how crazy is it?

Nicolas sat frozen. He was weeks from coming out as transgender himself. That day, he canceled a desperately needed spinal surgery, lying to his mother about being too busy with school. I didnt feel safe to go back, he says. I still need that surgery today.

Years later, he returned to CHLA as a health educator at the Center for Transyouth Health and Development. One young woman he recruited to the Angels of Change Leadership Program performed an original spoken-word poem at the programs ceremony. Just seeing her so differently since when I had met her, that was when it hit me. Like, OK, this is actually something that really matters, he tells palabra. She now has stable housing and employment.

Nicolas received care for Larsen syndrome in his youth. After hearing staff make insensitive comments about transgender patients, he gave up on his health care. Years later, he returned to CHLA as a health educator to ensure other patients would not have a similar experience. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for palabra

Twenty miles south, at St. Johns Community Health in South Los Angeles, a partnership with CHLA ensured continuity: When trans patients aged out of pediatric care at nineteen, they were referred to St. Johns.

That rhythm was about to shatter. On January 28, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14187, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, directing the government to end transgender care for people under age 19 through threats to Medicare and Medicaid funding.

What medical provider can exist in California without relying on Medi-Cal? Almost none, explains a policy analyst who works on LGBTQ Caucus issues and who asked to remain unnamed due to safety concerns. The executive order created a worst-case scenario: If you provide any of this care, you dont get any money.

At CHLA and St. Johns, facing identical federal pressure, two CEOs were about to make very different decisions.

In January 2025, Nicolas attended a meeting where CHLA CEO Paul Viviano addressed staff concerns. If Trump wants to do that, then we have to follow what the administration says, Nicolas recalls Viviano saying. The only thing that he was able to guarantee was more security.

On January 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated St. Johns Community Healths $1.6 million CDC grant for transgender services. Jim Mangia, President and CEO of St. Johns Community Health, consulted attorneys and got no response from the Centers for Disease Control. But his message to staff was different. We made a decision internally that we were not going to stop services, Mangia says. Regardless of what cuts happen in the grants.

St. Johns backfilled the funding and filed an appeal. In February, the grant was reinstated. In April, it was terminated again. They appealed again. Through two terminations and two appeals, St. Johns never stopped serving patients. We didnt lay off a single worker, we didnt turn away a single patient, and we spent the money on the lawsuits, Mangia says. They sued the Trump administration multiple times in partnership with Californias attorney general. And we won.

The legal strategy worked because Congress has already allocated this money, it was signed by the president, not this one, but the one before, Mangia explains. They dont have a big legal standing to just eliminate the grants.

Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John's Community Health, has made the organization a stronghold for gender-affirming health services in Los Angeles. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for palabra

CHLAs stance had been building for years. If you look at the CHLAs page online, on Instagram, on the website, you see disabled kids on there, right? Nicolas observes. But theres no mention of any queer services, theres no representation of any queer kids, of any trans kids. Former employees say the hospital funded LGBTQ+ events but prohibited using the CHLA brand. At St. Johns, the approach was fundamentally different. All of the staff and the leadership of that program are trans, Mangia says. They are part of our leadership team.

Organizations that first started providing this care have all of a sudden folded to the pressures of the threats to their funding, says Ariela Cuellar, who leads statewide campaigns at the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network. Gender-affirming care is protected here in California; it is protected by state law. These hospitals are supposed to be following California law.

As rumors spread that CHLA would close, St. Johns started getting calls from panicked parents. We did receive a lot of calls from parents at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Mangia recalls. They purchased supplemental malpractice insurance and trained providers on adolescent transgender care. We were ready. And when it happened, we pulled the trigger, and we moved.

In early 2025, St. Johns held its quarterly all-staff meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center; the organizations 1,400 employees couldnt fit in their own building. Mangia laid out the plan: Expand transgender health services, sue the Trump administration, continue serving undocumented immigrants, TGI patients, and develop Healthcare Without Fear to send doctors to patients homes.

One staff member after another staff member after another, after another, after another, after another stood up, Mangia recalls, And said they were proud to work at St. Johns, that they were down for the fight, and that they supported whatever we needed to do to fight.

Thats when I knew that I had the support I needed to lead a fight back.

The staff at St. Johns Community Health in Los Angeles is fighting to continue offering gender-affirming health care to its patients. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for palabra

In July, Nicolas learned about the closure through media reports. He was fired weeks before his third work anniversary. I had one of my colleagues express to me how they had to go back to doing sex work or how they were scared because they were going to be homeless again.

Three thousand patients suddenly had nowhere to go. If you were at CHLA with your youth, they close their clinic, and you go, okay, I need to find another one, and they say, hey, you know, maybe try out Kaiser, right? the policy analyst recounts. So a parent goes, okay, Ill do Kaiser. They go to Kaiser, and then what happens? Kaiser just announced theyre not doing gender-affirming care.

St. Johns absorbed as many as they could. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, who had run CHLAs program, opened her own private practice. Between St. Johns expansion and Dr. Olson-Kennedys clinic, Mangia estimates that the vast majority found continuity of care. But that safety net only existed because St. Johns had defied the same pressure that made CHLA fold. Dr. Olson-Kennedy did not respond to requests for comments.

The targeting of transgender healthcare occurs against a backdrop of escalating violence. FBI data shows an 8.6% increase in sexual-orientation and gender-identity bias crimes, reaching 2,936 incidents in 2023. Research indicates that 52% of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents target transgender people, documenting 84 injuries and 10 deaths.

Jim Mangia doesnt mince words about CHLAs decision. I was extremely disappointed with CHLAs decision to close that program. That was unethical. And it was medically unethical, because they had hundreds and hundreds of patients in treatment. With no warning. That was medical malpractice, number one. It was completely immoral. And it was socially irresponsible. Because they were under no direct threat at that moment.

CHLA closed before any funding was actually withdrawn. There was no move yet to pull funding from Childrens Hospital, Mangia says. To acquiesce in advance is basically to give him (Trump) the ammunition he needs to win. Most of the stuff that Trump is doing is abjectly and completely unconstitutionally illegal. But he gets away with it because people give in without putting up a fight.

Protesters demonstrate against the planned closure of the trans youth clinic at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo

Mangia acknowledges the fear. I was scared, he admits. Expanding trans youth services might put a target on our back. But then he asks, What was the alternative? For us, turn those folks away. Tell them, oh, sorry, were scared, so we cant provide your healthcare. That was not an option.

Other clinic directors have started to reach the same conclusion. Many of my colleagues in the clinic world were saying things to me like, well, you know, I just figured Id keep my head down, and not say anything, and remain quiet, but, you know, I didnt get my grant back, Mangia recounts. And you did. So maybe I need to fight.

Three months before CHLAs closure, Senate Bill 418, which would have codified non-discrimination protections in healthcare settings, passed the California legislature with bipartisan support. But Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed it on October 13th, 2025.

The veto definitely sends alarms to advocates, Cuellar says. SB418 was one of the most tangible protections that we could have had. Newsom allocated $15 million to offset costs for insurers due to the federal change in essential health benefits, says the policy analyst, ensuring there would be no rise in premiums and that insurers wouldnt deny gender-affirming care. Yet in May 2025, Newsoms administration terminated $17 million in funding for the LGBTQ Health Equity Fund six months early due to a state budget deficit, a contradiction that highlights the gap between rhetoric and resource allocation.

Our own governor, whos supposedly a big enemy of Trump, is actually doing the same thing when it comes to policy that Trump is doing, Mangia says bluntly. Added Cuellar, We cant wait for another whole legislative cycle. This care is already getting stripped away. The network is exploring enforcement mechanisms that dont require new legislation.

Although the systems continue to fail us, I want to remind folks that that is why we are here, to help hold these systems accountable. Ariela Cuellar, California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

Cuellar emphasizes the need for broader support: We really need TGI (Transgender, Gender Diverse, Intersex) allies to step up and be able to advocate and really put themselves on the line for trans folks who may not always feel safe to be as visible. After years of setbacks, what keeps her grounded? My community, and thinking of the youth and ensuring that Im helping build a better world, she says. Although the systems continue to fail us, I want to remind folks that that is why we are here, to help hold these systems accountable.

St. Johns is building permanent infrastructure. Our plan is to develop a Los Angeles County ballot measure, Mangia explains. The proposal would increase local taxes to backfill county cuts, replace eliminated federal grants, and create an insurance-like product for immigrant families losing Medi-Cal. In LA County, were going to create a firewall which is going to ensure that programs like transgender health, immigrant health, Black maternal health, HIV care, LGBT health, all will have funding through this ballot measure.

St. Johns also formalized community support: Friday night dinners, Tuesday lunch-and-learns, and Thursday support groups. They established a Transgender Right to Health Committee providing regular feedback. Its my job to marshal the resources of the organization, Mangia says. But its also our job to lift those voices and make sure that people are hearing those voices, not my voice.

In the absence of larger institutional support, community networks have emerged to fill the gap. Ace Anaya, campaign coordinator at Gender Justice LA says they provide harm reduction supplies, emergency preparedness and free wellness services, like reiki, Somatics, massage, and acupuncture by and for TGI folks, and partners with organizations like Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT), a community organization in LA that provides HIV services, mental health support, substance use treatment, and housing help for LGBTQ+ people, Asian & Pacific Islander communities, and others who face barriers to care, to provide free HIV/STI testing, and wellness services for affected TGI community members. Older trans community members share what they call transcestor wisdom, knowledge passed down about accessing care through underground methods when official channels close. Trans people have always been here and were going to continue being here, Anaya says. The power of the people is so much stronger than the power of those few trying to oppress us.

Nicolas holds a painting he created during a difficult time in his life. I wanted to purposely paint with the colors representing the trans community, he says. The work has become a symbol of his resilience. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for palabra

Nicolas is in graduate school now, pursuing his clinical social work license. I think resistance for me is joy and love. Being a trans person in this political climate is so exhausting and so scary ... but finding joy in a time of oppression, like, thats one of the greatest things that you can do.

You have to have a moral center, Mangia says. And if you believe in social justice, and you believe in health justice, then its immoral to abandon that mission. I think the moral clarity is that you have to remain true to your mission, and you cant buckle under oppression. As an institution, we have resources. And we have staff. And we can fight back. And I think thats what everyone has to do, because if we all fight back, we win.
President Donald Trump responded to the deaths of actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife by suggesting the deaths were Reiners own doing because he was a frequent critic of the president.

A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented, movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS, Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday morning.

Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Reiner, 68, were both found dead in their home in Los Angeles Sunday night. Reiners son, Nick Reiner, was taken into custody and remained in jail on Monday the Associated Press reported.

Investigators believe the Reiners suffered stab wounds, according to the Associated Press.

Reiner, known for directing such movies as Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and Misery was a frequent critic of Trump. During a 2017 interview with Variety, he called Trump the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.

In the wake of Reiners death, Trump took the opportunity to slam him.

He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before, Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!

Trumps post was reposted on X by the White Houses rapid response account. The post drew criticism online, including from two Republican members of Congress.

This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies, wrote U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered, wrote U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because theyre afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.
President Donald Trump is losing ground with his most loyal supporters, a new poll by NBC News Decision Desk found.

While the presidents support among voters who identify with his Make America Great Again movement remains strong, his approval rating with the group has declined steadily since the beginning of the year.

Trumps approval rating with MAGA Republicans currently sits at 70% strongly approving of his job as president, down from 78% in April, according to the poll.

Among Republicans who identify with the party rather than the MAGA movement, 35% say they strongly approve of his job as president, down from 38% in April.

The poll also saw a decline in Republicans who identify as part of the MAGA movement.

Back in April, MAGA supporters represented a majority of Republicans, with 57% saying they considered themselves more a part of the MAGA movement, while 43% said they aligned with the Republican party itself.

Now, the split is even, with 50% aligning with the MAGA and the traditional Republican party each.

The share of people who strongly approve of the president is heavily eclipsed by those who strongly disapprove, with 21% strongly approving and 44% strongly disapproving.

Overall, most Americans believe that the country is on the wrong track, with 64% of voters agreeing with the statement, according to the poll.

The economy remains the most important issue for voters. In the poll, 41% of voters said that their personal financial situation is about the same as it was a year ago. Another 35% said its worse today and 24% said its better.

The NBC News Decision Desk Poll surveyed 20,252 adults online from Nov. 20 to Dec. 8 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.
(Editors Note: This newsletter is off on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 for the holidays. Well be back in your inbox on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. However you celebrate, I wish you a happy, peaceful and joyous season filled with light and hope.)

Good Monday morning, everyone.

Unless you obsessively follow Massachusetts state politics, there is a pretty good chance that you dont pay much attention to the doings of the Bay States elected state treasurer.

If you do, it might be because youve seen one of those Find Mass. Money commercials promising to reunite you with cash you didnt even know youd lost.

But the fact of the matter is that the state treasurer (or more formally known as the state treasurer and receiver-general) has a broad remit that includes investing the states money and overseeing its pension funds, running the Massachusetts Lottery and overseeing the Cannabis Control Commission (more on that in a minute).

Enter, Elizabeth Dionne.

Dionne, 55, is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, a Democrat, whos made statewide headlines for her legal battles with Cannabis Control Commission Chairperson Shannon OBrien (who also did a tour as treasurer from 1999 to 2003).

In an email announcing her candidacy, Dionne said she enters the race with a clear message: taxpayers deserve accountability, transparency and an end to the inefficiency and self-dealing that have eroded trust in state government."

In a statement to WBUR-FM, Goldberg said she looked forward to a robust conversation about the work of the Treasurers office and our meaningful accomplishments during my tenure.

I have led with integrity and purpose as treasurer and will continue to put the people of our state first and foremost, she told the station. The voters of Massachusetts have trusted me to do so, and I look forward to earning their vote again.

Dionne is a graduate of Wellesley College and earned her law degree at Stanford Law School. She holds advanced degrees in political theory from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and political science from Boston College.

She previously worked as an attorney at Goodwin Procter and Testa Hurwitz & Thibeault, working in commercial real estate and venture capital. She taught constitutional law and political science at both Wellesley College and Boston College, according to her campaign.

Dionne took a few minutes to chat with MassLive recently about why she decided to run and how shed change things at the treasurers office.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and content.

Q: What made you decide to run? Was there one particular event, or a confluence of events, that put the spark under you?

Dionne: There are a number of reasons. But the main one is that Im a mother of four children, four adult children, who cant afford to live and raise their families here. Massachusetts has been incredibly good to me and my husband. And Im very concerned, as I watch the Massachusetts Miracle slip away, as we revert to Taxachusetts. We are hemorrhaging our middle class. Were hemorrhaging young professionals.

We are now hemorrhaging jobs. And it looks like were starting to lose corporations as well. Massachusetts is a really special place. I love it deeply.

I raised all four of my children here. I would like to preserve this for them and for others, for other generations. And I feel like were at the tipping point. If we dont address our revenue, our spending problems now, and its more of a spending problem than a revenue problem, were going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

Q: As treasurer, you wouldnt necessarily have a say over taxing and spending policies, the kind of stuff that would make it, as you say, more affordable for folks to live here, for your children to live here. What sort of influence, from where you are, could you exert to encourage those conditions or to try to steer the course?

A: Theres actually a lot more that the treasure does than people realize. The first thing is, as treasurer, youre an elected statewide constitutional official, which does give you a voice.

And regardless of where you are in state government, I dont hear anyone articulating this: I dont hear it from the governor, I dont hear it from the Senate, I dont hear it from the House ... I certainly dont hear it from the mayor of Boston. Right now, nobody is talking about the fact that revenues have increased at an impressive clip. So our problems not a revenue problem. Our problem is a spending problem. So the first thing that one can do as a treasurer is articulate a vision that people can believe in and get behind.

Q: Youve denounced the corruption, cronyism, and chaos in the treasurers office. What do you mean there? And how do you restore transparency and accountability? What does that look like in practice? How do you make that happen?

A: There are documented expenses, travel and meals. But my favorite is the $51,265 that Deb Goldberg spent on water bottles. I thought she was an environmentalist. Whats she doing spending $50,000-plus on water bottles? How about a cup and a faucet? Thats what I use. Or a reusable water bottle that employees can refill.

And the $2 million that just got wasted on her personal vendetta against Shannon OBrien at a time when the Cannabis Control Commission was still a hot mess.

(Editors Note: In September, Massachusetts Republicans, relying on public records requests and publicly available data, called on Goldberg to resign, pointing to her pitched legal battles with Cannabis Control Commission Chairperson Shannon OBrien. Goldberg fired OBrien from her post. She was reinstated.)

Q: A lot of public attention is being focused on the Cannabis Control Commission. If youre the state treasurer, how do you run it differently? How do you bring accountability and normalcy back to that agency?

A: So let me preface this by saying theres a chance I dont get to run it, because theres a chance that it goes elsewhere in the state. But lets assume that the state does decide to leave it in the Treasurers Office.

(Editors Note: Under existing law, the treasurer appoints the commissions members and its chairperson. A bill now before the Legislature would give the governor the authority to appoint two members and the chairperson, according to published reports.)

A: Rule 101 of leadership is that as the leader, and I would say, I would call myself, as the treasurer, the leader, my job is to take the heat. My job is to make the argument so that the people below me can get their jobs done.

So the first thing that I would do is say, Hey, Shannon, you faced some tough stuff, thank you. My job is to protect you and to guide us through the political shoals on this. So the treasurer has five assistant treasurers and 14 department heads. The job of the treasurer is not the day-to-day running of each of those departments. The job of the treasurer is to find and hire the best people and then create the circumstances where they can get the job done on behalf of the public good.

Gov. Maura Healey visits an accessory dwelling unit in Lexington on Wednesday. Trea Lavery/MassLive

Frenemies (and then some) Dept.

Pro-business types and New Hampshire lawmakers staged a pair of press conferences on either side of the border late last week to highlight what they described as a growing competitiveness gap between the Bay State and the Granite State.

The events at the State House in Boston and a Whole Foods construction site in Salem, New Hampshire, came as several Massachusetts employers have opted to move their operations northward to the more tax-friendly climes of New Hampshire, organizers said in an email.

That includes Boxborough-based SynQor, which is relocating to Salem next year, bringing 250 jobs with it. That comes after Analogic Corp., based in Peabody, similarly announced it was moving to Salem, bringing 500 jobs with it, organizers said in their email.

New Hampshires Republican governor, Kelly Ayotte, whos no stranger to trolling Massachusetts, welcomed SynQor to the state, with a post on her Facebook page.

As the #1 state for economic freedom, were a beacon of opportunity for companies looking to grow. No better place to live, work or raise a family than the Granite State, Ayotte said.

New Hampshire lawmakers who traveled to Boston last week offered a similar sentiment. The New Hampshire House and Senate are both controlled by Republicans. Its one of 23 states with a GOP trifecta, where both legislative chambers and the governors office are controlled by Republicans.

We will continue to put out policies that attract job growth, wealth and prosperity, state Rep. Brian Labrie, who chairs his chambers Small Business Coalition, said. Being number one in the country, or in the top five, requires us to be laser focused at competing with the most competitive states in the nation.

Joseph Sweeney, the New Hampshire Houses deputy majority leader, offered a pretty frank assessment.

Were not rooting for Massachusetts to fail, but were fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunities their out-of-touch policies are creating for us, he said.

Paul Craney, the executive director of the Boston-based Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, which orchestrated the days events, observed that the Bay State isnt competing against New Hampshire.

Instead, New Hampshire is competing against states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. In this recent case, New Hampshire won, but in every case, Massachusetts loses, he said.

When employers are choosing to cross the border because they cant keep up with our taxes, energy costs and mandates, that should be a wake-up call for every policymaker on Beacon Hill, he continued.

Advocates on the Massachusetts side of the border said they wanted the Legislature and state government to embrace policies and laws that would keep the state competitive and halt the exodus of businesses and residents.

Healey, meanwhile, fired back during an event at the State House on Thursday, essentially arguing that New Hampshire would be nowhere without Massachusetts.

Massachusetts, at the end of the day, provides the economic engine to New Hampshire. New Hampshire doesnt have a GDP without Massachusetts, the Democratic governor said, according to Axios.

The state has launched a new effort to help people lower their energy bills. Avangrid photo

Here comes the sun, etc.

If youre looking for a break on your utility bills and you live in Chelsea, Lynn, Taunton or Framingham, some help is on the way.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center recently expanded the states Home Modernization Navigator program to those communities, all the better to help residents take advantage of energy-efficiency incentives, according to a statement.

This support is especially important for low-income households, which often spend a disproportionately high share of their income on energy. It also helps renters and non-English-speaking households, the agency said in a statement.

Services are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Khmer, officials said.

With the expansion, the program builds on services already offered in Lowell and Springfield.

A recent University of New Hampshire poll shows Mass. residents are jumpy about their finances. AP

Monday numbers

A recent University of New Hampshire poll shows that Bay State residents are jumpy about rising prices and their own financial condition. The findings further set the stage for next years race for the Governors Office and other key midterm races.

Heres a look at the poll, by the numbers:

More than four in five Massachusetts residents believe prices for everyday goods have increased over the past year.

More than two-thirds of state residents expect that trend to continue in 2026.

Half of the polls respondents believe that the overall U.S. economy will experience bad times over the next year, and two-thirds believe that the economy already is growing worse.

And a plurality of Bay Staters are concerned about their personal finances, and four in five are sweating winter energy costs.

Twenty-two percent of state residents expect their finances to be better a year from now, compared to 41% who think theyll be worse off, and 37% who believe theyll be the same.

Despite this downbeat outlook, most state residents say that they have enough, or more than enough money to cover their holiday shopping needs this year, pollsters found.

The poll of 693 state residents was conducted between Nov. 1 and Nov. 17, with a margin of error of 3.7%.

A view of the Massachusetts State House in Boston, looking up Park Street toward Beacon Hill, on a busy evening on Nov. 24, 2025. (John L. Micek/MassLive)

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Boston property tax changes stall in Mass. Senate again as Wu seeks relief for homeowners

Johnnie McKnight, a Springfield native who is running against incumbent State Rep. Bud Williams, poses in front of a mural of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Courtesy of Darrius Johnsoni/Visionary Acts)

They said it

Families in Springfield are being hit from every direction: rising electric bills, food prices, housing instability, neighborhood safety. People dont feel heard. They dont feel represented. This district needs leadership that shows up every day and fights for working families with urgency.

 State House candidate Johnnie R.S. McKnight has announced hell seek the Democratic nomination in 2026 for the 11th Hampden District seat currently held by incumbent state Rep. Bud Williams.

We have your holiday plans sorted. Douglas Hook

What goes on

Looking for a way to celebrate the holiday season in some four-footed company? Whip City Animal Sanctuary in Westfield holds its annual Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at its headquarters on 232 Montgomery Road.

Dress warm for this beloved community event. Families can enjoy an evening of fun, connection and kindness. Visitors will have the chance to meet and interact with the sanctuarys rescued farm animals, many of whom have overcome neglect and abuse to find a safe, loving forever home, the organization said in an email.

Visitors can take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus and sip hot chocolate by the fire. The shelter will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Westfield food pantry.

Wishing you a very ecumenical holiday season with some stellar pop music. Getty Images

Turned up to 11

Since this is the last Bay State Briefing before the holiday interval, well go out with some ecumenical picks for the best holiday pop songs. Our little interfaith household will be spinning Adam Sandlers Chanukah Song, and Band Aids Do They Know Its Christmas? at top volume in the coming days. I hope you will, too. Happy holidays, friends.

The sanctuary at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church in Brecksville includes brand-new pews. Photo Courtesy of St. Basil the Great Catholic Church

Your Monday long read

Writing for The Dispatch, Stephen G. Adubato has a simple request: Dont be a cynic about todays religious revival. After years of declining church attendance and people fleeing organized religion, the nation is in the middle of a return, he writes.

Heres the germane bit:

The quiet religious revival spreading throughout the United States and England has been rapidly garnering attention. Statistics show that zoomers [or Gen Z] are increasingly identifying as religious and are attending religious services with more frequency than the generations before them. Roman Catholic dioceses the world over have reported record increases of adults seeking baptism this year, and Eastern Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities also report an uptick of adult converts.

This shift has not been lost on the mainstream media. Take, for example, the New York Times new newsletter dedicated to covering religion and spirituality, or headlines in USA Today proclaiming that Gen Z is returning to Christianity. Data proves it and on CNN that Faith is a hit among Gen Z.

Some have called the hype into question, with more nuanced polls indicating that whats happening is less a full-blown revival than it is a slowing of attrition rates and the intensification of piety among a still small fraction of the population. Others, like New York Times columnist (and former Dispatch writer) and practicing evangelical David French, have expressed reservations about the sincerity of these new converts zeal, claiming that whats happening is more a reactionary swinging of the ideological pendulum, a performatively childish rebellion against the Man  which in our case is the liberal secularism of their parents.

Thats it for this week. As always, you can send questions, tips and comments my way at jmicek@masslive.com. Have a good week, friends.
SPRINGFIELD  President Donald Trumps signature domestic policy bill, passed this summer, will cost Baystate Health $146.7 million a year, its president and CEO told business leaders Monday.

Peter D. Banko called the measure the single biggest rollback of health care in American history. Balancing the nonprofits books will require more cuts  including eliminating jobs, he said. And it will drive an intensified search for new revenue and as-yet unspecified mergers and acquisitions with other health care providers in an effort to gain scale and market share.

If the cuts contained in the new law happen, the $146.7 million in lost federal money will represent 4.8% of Baystates bottom line. Last year, the profit margin Baystate relies on to fund capital projects and as a cushion against future misfortune was 3.5%.

Many of the new laws provisions are not scheduled to take force until just before the midterm elections in 2026.

The chief operating officer of Berkshire Medical Center, Tejas Gandhi, listens to the discussion between Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal over health care in Massachusetts on Monday in Springfield. Dec. 15, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

To achieve its 3.5% profit margin, Baystate pursued more than a year of budget- and job-cutting and revenue enhancements that Banko instituted after taking the job in June 2024.

So all the work you see in the newspaper that I get criticized for  (its) wiped out with One Big Beautiful Bill and we start all over, Banko said.

He spoke Monday in conversation with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D- Springfield at an event in Springfield hosted by the Western Mass. Economic Development Council and attended by business, academic and health-care executives.

Also present, but not on the speaking program, were executives from Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital in Southbridge and Mercy Medical Center / Trinity Health New England in Springfield.

Neal recounted bruising battles over health care going back to the failed fight over Hillarycare in the 1993 and the successful passage of the Affordable Care Act  Obamacare  in 2010.

On Monday, with votes looming in Washington this week and next, Neal said is pushing for a clean two-year extension of tax credits under Obamacare that help make insurance coverage affordable to millions. Those credits are set to expire at years end.

Its a question if we can get 218 (votes), said Neal, the ranking Democrat on the Ways & Means Committee.

Neal said Democrats want to get the issue settled before an election year, when positions harden. But to pass anything, theyll have to make an arcane, procedural end-run around Republican leadership.

I think its uphill right now, Neal said.

Without the Obamacare subsidies, health care insurance costs will go up dramatically, prompting people to opt out of insurance.

Banko estimates that an increase in the uninsured population from the ACA will cost Baystate $10.4 million a year. In his calculations, an increase in the uninsured population for Medicaid will cost Baystate $53.5 million a year.

Further, an expected increase in cost sharing from Medicaid will cost the institution $9.2 million a year. And a decrease in funding from Medicaid (MassHealth) will cost $28.6 million a year, while the loss of funds from whats known as the 340B Drug program will cost $45 million.

Neal laid out numbers of his own: 287,000 residents in the 1st Congressional District rely on Medicaid. Of those, 106,000 are children under the age of 19. In all, Neal said, more than 31,000 residents in the district could lose health insurance.

More than 30,000 residents in the congressional district receive coverage through the ACA marketplace. They can expect their premiums to double or triple, with an average increase in premiums of $1,970, Neal said.

He provided these examples:

- For a 60-year-old couple earning $85,600 a year, annual premiums will rise by $16,847. That is a a 264% increase.

- For a family of four earning $66,000 a year, annual premiums will rise by $2,651 or a 439% increase.

- For a family of four earning $133,750 a year, annual premiums will rise by $11,704, for a a 111% increase.

Banko warned the executives in the room that costs for health care coverage will rise for them and their employees.

Baystates board is committed to avoid cutting entire programs, Banko said. But he said the health care landscape in Western Massachusetts is certain to change.

Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko, right, met with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal at the TD Bank building in Springfield Monday morning to discuss the state of health care in western Massachusetts. Dec. 15, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Youre going to see valuable programs that dont make money closed in our community. What are those? Behavioral health, womens services, pediatric health care, emergency services, he said. Those are going to close.

I dont think youre going to see it in western Mass., but hospitals around the country are going to close, Banko said.

Mercy Medical Center in Springfield closed its childbirth and newborn services unit this month. It said the change is temporary to deal with staffing gaps, but union nurses believe the hospital will not be able to rebuild the programs.

Of mergers or acquisitions, Baystate and Mercy have been in talks that could result in an acquisition or merger of the two leading Springfield hospitals.

President of UMass Memorial Health Harrington Ed Moore speaks to Rep. Richard Neal at the TD Bank building in Springfield on Monday morning. Dec. 15, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Banko declined to address Baystates plans regarding Mercy, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Baystate is the largest employer in the region, with 13,000 employees.

Taken together, the hospitals run by Baystate Health, Trinity Health, Berkshire Health and UMass employ tens of thousands, Neal said.

This is about economics for those of us who live in western Massachusetts and central Massachusetts, he said. This is the engine of so much of our economic growth.
Citing a criminal investigation, Gov. Maura Healey declined to divulge in a TV interview what she knew about a 2001 incident involving a former aide who in October was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking.

Healey remained tight-lipped when NCB 10 reporter Matt Prichard asked if she was aware of LaMar Cooks 2001 gun charge.

Cook, former deputy director of the governors western Massachusetts office in Springfield, was fired after authorities seized about 8 kilograms of cocaine delivered to the state building in downtown Springfield where he worked. Cooks arrest in connection with that development has prompted scrutiny into his past.

Well first of all, when that came out, I was shocked, Healey said on NBC 10s @ Issue Sit Down show, referencing Cooks arrest this fall.

Unacceptable. He was fired immediately, as any state employee would, Healey continued. I take that very, very seriously. Im a former AG  I mean, zero tolerance. He was fired, I think, even before he was arraigned. In terms of the ongoing criminal investigation, we cant say more at this time.

In addition to cocaine trafficking, Cook was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gullunis office. Cook has pleaded not guilty, and his family has not been able to post the $85,000 bail set by Judge William Ritter, according to Cooks attorney, Kedar Ismail.

Cooks family will hopefully have the funds to get him released by Christmas, Ismail told the News Service Monday. For now, Cook continues to be held at the Hampden County Jail and House of Correction in Ludlow, Ismail said. There are no follow-up hearings scheduled in the case yet, according to online court records.

Some of the cocaine seized during an investigation into former governor's aide LaMar Cook's drug trafficking case. (Hampden District Attorney's Office photo) Hampden District Attorney's Office photo

In his interview with Healey, Prichard pointed out new Boston Herald reporting that Healeys office could have known about Cooks 2001 gun charges through its background check process.

Cook was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a handgun within 500 feet of a dwelling and unlicensed possession of a firearm, according a report dated April 23, 2001, that the Springfield Police Department shared with the News Service. The outcome of the case is not known since the court records were sealed, according to The Boston Globe.

Prichard asked whether the governor was aware of anything in Cooks past when she hired him.

Again, Im not allowed to say anything more based on the criminal investigation, so we have to let that play out, Healey said.

Gullunis office has described the investigation as ongoing and active.

Republican candidates for governor have pounced on her handling of the case, including her refusal to produce public records. After Healeys interview aired, candidate Brian Shortsleeve said the governor falsely claimed the ongoing investigation prevented her from answering and he went on to draw his own conclusions.

There is no legal reason Healey cannot answer a very simple question about her knowledge of LaMar Cooks violent criminal record when she hired him to be a top staffer in the governors office, Shortsleeve said. But there is a reason she wont answer and that is because she obviously did know and hired him anyway. Healey displayed terrible judgment in hiring Cook and continues to stonewall Massachusetts voters who are entitled to the truth.

Candidate Mike Kennealy on Friday said the Heralds reporting into the vetting process for Cook points to a larger pattern of Maura Healeys mismanagement, poor judgment, and a lack of accountability. Should he win the race for the corner office, Kennealy plans to release all records detailing what Healey knew about Cooks past and the vetting process for him to join the administration, he has pledged.

The people of Massachusetts deserve the truth  not secrecy, not political spin, and not a Governor who hides critical information from the public, Kennealy said on Nov. 25. We must get to the bottom of what Governor Healey is concealing.

Cook earned an annual salary of $115,688. When Healey hired him in April 2023, the governors office said Cook had a major presence in the Springfield business community.
SPRINGFIELD  It remains unclear whether an investigation into an alleged cockfighting ring in Springfield, which led to the rescue of more than 60 birds from a private house, resulted in arrests.

Last week, the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals carried out a warrant at a house on the corner of Chapin Terrace and Chestnut Street in the city. Springfield Police assisted on the warrant.

As of Friday afternoon, the three agencies involved  state police, the MSCPA-Angell and Springfield police  referred questions about whether arrests had been made or charges filed to each other.

A state police spokesperson did not immediately return a Monday request for information on the status of arrests.

Cockfighting, which forces two male birds to fight, often to the death, is illegal in the U.S. and relies on cruelty for profit, a statement from MSPCA-Angell said.

If the animals do survive, they often suffer severe injuries, like punctured lungs, broken bones and damage to their eyes, the statement said. The fights are usually bet upon.

The birds, as of last week, were moved to an undisclosed location as the court case unfolds, the MSPCA-Angell statement said.
The Eos Foundation recently released its study, Ending Hunger in Our Classrooms with Breakfast in the Classroom, which explores the state of breakfast at Massachusetts high-poverty schools and urges schools to implement the Breakfast in the Classroom program.

The Eos Foundation is a private family trust which focuses on combating hunger, poverty, gender and racial equality.

Since 2013, the Eos Foundation has provided grants to schools to launch After the Bell Breakfast programs, focusing primarily on Breakfast in the Classroom.

The report highlights how Massachusetts schools could feed 303,000 more students breakfast each day with universal free school meals and bring in an extra $73 million in federal dollars.

The comprehensive statewide analysis revealed an opportunity for Massachusetts to end hunger in K-12 public schools by instituting Breakfast in the Classroom. The Eos Foundation calls for this urgent expansion as hunger continues to spike across the state.

The reports finds that while 595,000 Massachusetts students participate in school lunch each day, only 292,000 eat breakfast, leaving a breakfast gap of 303,000 students.

In 2023, Massachusetts passed legislation, School Meals for All, guaranteeing free school meals for all K 12 students. This presents an opportunity to reduce childhood hunger, according to Eos Foundation President Andrea Silbert.

Silbert said the organization is trying to help schools in the state follow the example of Springfield.

For the last 10 years, Springfield Public Schools has incorporated Breakfast in the classroom districtwide, including in high schools. Breakfast participation soared from 44% in 2015 to 84% in 2025. With the highest breakfast participation in the state, Springfield uses increased federal reimbursements to fund its 62,000 square-foot Culinary Center.

The center serves over 19,000 breakfasts each day, more than any other district, and over 60% of meals are scratch cooked.

Another aspect of the Breakfast in the Classroom initiative that Silbert finds important is the schools collaboration with local farms and businesses.

For example, Springfield Public Schools purchases 25% of its food from local food companies and farms.

A lot of them are in Western Massachusetts. Its bigger than just feeding kids, its about buying fresh, local food and supporting local companies, Silbert stated.

Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler talked about the example Springfield Public Schools are setting, stating, It was wonderful to be in Springfield to see the impact of Breakfast in the Classroom firsthand. Springfield is a model for meeting children where they are, sustaining high breakfast participation, and incorporating local products with meals made from scratch. Every child I met with that day was happy, engaged and enjoyed their meal. We will continue to work to ensure every student across Massachusetts has an opportunity to begin their days nourished and ready to learn.

Looking at other Massachusetts school districts, Chicopee breakfast participation decreased from 77% to 57.3% over the last year, ranking 16th statewide among high-poverty schools.

Hitting the 80% benchmark would mean feeding 2,066 additional students every day and bringing in $1.05 million more in USDA reimbursement revenue.

Silbert explained that those federal dollars, currently left on the table, could be reinvested directly into student support. Based on the report, high poverty schools are leaving $73 million in federal funds on the table. If every high-poverty school reached 80% breakfast participation, a threshold many met in prior years, the state would draw down an estimated $73 million more annually in federal USDA reimbursements.

At a time when districts face soaring food and labor costs, this revenue is currently forfeited by low participation, the report notes, Silbert explained.

The report highlights Breakfast in the Classroom as the most effective strategy to close the breakfast gap. When served in the cafeteria before the bell, only 36% of students eat breakfast; served in the classroom after the bell, participation jumps to 71%.

To accelerate progress, Eos is offering up to $20,000 per school to transition from cafeteria breakfast to Breakfast in the Classroom.

The report also lays out steps for superintendents, principals, teachers and legislators to help their specific district implement a plan to ulitlize the program.

To view each schools performance or see the full report, readers can visit eosfoundation.org.
HUNTINGTON  The Jacobs Ladder Business Association elected new officers at its annual Snack and Schmooze event on Nov. 13 in Stanton Hall.

Elected as president and clerk was Laurie Martell, assistant vice president and branch manager of Westfield Bank in Huntington. In an introductory letter to area businesses, Martell said she has been in the banking industry for over 25 years and enjoys helping customers and business owners with all their banking needs.

Returning to the JLBA board as vice president is Michele Kenney, the program director for the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center, a UMass off-campus program in Chester, as well as owner of Custom Thermal Shades in Blandford. Kenney previously served on the JLBA board for many years in a number of capacities, including as former JLBA president.

Liz Massa will continue in her role as JLBA treasurer, a role she has filled for several years. Massa is well known locally as the founder of Western Mass Hilltown Hikers and serves on boards in the town of Chester.

New to the JLBA board is Stephanie Stoudenmire, a Huntington resident and owner of Codeforce Digital Consulting. Stoudemire will serve JLBA as its social media and marketing director. In her work as a digital consultant, Stoudenmire assists several local businesses, including Clockworks and Drennan Tax Service. She also teaches computer classes throughout the state and locally for SHAEC.

Gateway Regional Superintendent Melissa Matarazzo speaks with JLBA treasurer Elizabeth Massa at a recent Jacob's Ladder Business Association meeting in Huntington. (AMY PORTER / THE WESTFIELD NEWS) The Westfield News

The Jacobs Ladder Business Association has acted as the Hilltowns Chamber of Commerce since 1991. JLBAs mission is to help Hilltown Businesses thrive by supporting established and emerging entrepreneurs through networking, education, events and collaborative marketing throughout Western Massachusetts.

Western Massachusetts small businesses and organizations are invited to join the JLBA. Annual membership is $95 and gets each member on the Business Associations Hilltown Destinations Map, which showcases hilltown businesses along with hiking trailheads and water recreation.

For more information, visit JLBA.org or email JacobsladderBA@gmail.com

The first JLBA gathering in the New Year will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, in The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center (SHAEC) office on 26 Main St. in Chester.

My vision for JLBA would be for businesses to really connect with each other and the community with more in-person networking events. We have a lot of knowledge to share, and its important we know what services are available from our fellow Hilltown business partners, said Martell, adding, Were here to help you succeed.
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africas leading multilateral financial institution, today marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Egypts New Capital, which will also be the home of the Banks new global headquarters.

Situated in the Diplomatic District of the New Capital, approximately 45 kilometres east of Cairo, the Afreximbank African Trade Centre will be located in a modern, strategically planned environment that brings together government ministries, foreign embassies, and international organisations. It will be the first facility of its kind in the North Africa region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Egypts Prime Minister, His Excellency, Dr Mostafa Madbouly, said:

The establishment of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Egypts New Capital reflects Egypts important role in driving continental economic integration and trade facilitation. As the host country of Afreximbanks global headquarter, Egypt is proud to deepen this collaboration through a landmark facility that will serve as a hub for trade intelligence, capacity building, innovation, and continental connectivity.

Afreximbanks President and Chairman of its Board of Directors, Dr George Elombi, expressed appreciation to the Government of Egypt for its steadfast support since the Banks establishment in 1993. He noted that Egypt has hosted the Banks global headquarters for more than three decades, contributing significantly to the Afreximbanks strong growth, and that Egypt, represented by its Central Bank, is also the largest sovereign shareholder of Afreximbank.

Dr Elombi said: This Afreximbank African Trade Centre in the New Capital is meant not simply to accommodate the expansion of the Bank, but provide a concrete solution designed to address the lack of trade and investment information among African businesses; a challenge that has confounded the growth of intra-African trade and investment for nearly seven decades.

Describing the relationship between Afreximbank and the Government of Egypt as truly symbiotic, Dr Elombi said the Bank has disbursed US$41 billion into the Egyptian economy to date, supporting increased investment in strategic sectors including energy, telecommunications, construction and manufacturing, while strengthening Egypt-Africa trade and investment.

We have helped Egyptian entities capitalise on growing investment opportunities across Africa, helping them secure and execute projects in several countries.

The Afreximbank African Trade Centre in the New Capital, Cairo, will position Egypt as a major trade hub, housing technology and SME incubation centres as well as a digital African trade gateway offering trade information, customer due diligence, payments, and other digital services.

The AATC in Cairo is part of Afreximbanks broader vision to develop a network of African Trade Centres in strategic commercial hubs across Africa and the Caribbean. These centres will provide trade information, market intelligence, financing, networking and collaboration opportunities, and essential support facilities to accelerate trade, strengthen economic cooperation, and drive intra-African growth.

Occupying a 48,888-square-metre site, the state-of-the-art Afreximbank development will feature two basement levels and six floors, with a total gross built-up area of 156,147 square metres.

Once completed, the AATC in Cairo will offer 57,298 square metres of office space to accommodate Afreximbanks rapidly expanding workforce. Additional office space will be made available for African and international agencies involved in trade, finance, and investment, as well as for some foreign African diplomatic missions.

The complex will host a full suite of modern trade-supporting facilities, including a trade information centre, a world-class library and knowledge hub, an innovation and SME incubation centre to support entrepreneurship, a business centre, a 110-room aparthotel, a 750-seater modern conference centre, an exhibition centre, retail and dinning outlets, shops, extensive back-of-house and support facilities and a 1,200-bay parking structure.

The architectural design integrates three interconnected blocks arranged around a landscaped internal street, creating the social and spatial heart of the complex. Green courtyards, shaded walkways, and collaborative spaces will encourage seamless interaction between work, learning, and leisure reflecting Afreximbanks commitment to innovation, sustainability, and staff wellbeing.

Designed to achieve Gold-level LEED certification or higher, the complex will feature smart energy-efficient systems, solar power integration, water-saving technologies, and climate-responsive design with comfortable shaded outdoor spaces.

This makes the new Afreximbank headquarters one of Africas most advanced and environmentally conscious institutional developments.

Afreximbank has appointed Hassan Allam Construction, one of Egypts leading engineering and construction companies, as the main contractor under a US$249.5 million contract. Architectural design and project supervision are being led by renowned engineering firm EHAF Consulting Engineers.

This project will generate significant employment throughout the construction phase and in ongoing operations. It will stimulate opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, SMEs, and a wide range of service providers.

Scheduled for completion in early 2029, the AATC in Cairos groundbreaking follows the AATC- Barbados groundbreaking in March 2025 and the official opening of the AATC in Abuja in April 2025. Construction is already underway for similar projects in Harare and Kampala.

The Afreximbank African Trade Centre network will include hubs in Abuja (Nigeria), Harare (Zimbabwe), Kampala (Uganda), Cairo (Egypt), Abidjan (Cote dIvoire), Yaounde (Cameroon), Bridgetown (Barbados), Kigali (Rwanda) and Tunis (Tunisia).

Together, these Centres will connect buyers, sellers, suppliers, service providers, enterprises, governments, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, development organisations, and the wider African and global trade and investment community.
A Mayo woman is taking a dozen icy plunges as part of the Irish Heart Foundations 12 Dips in December challenge.

Mandy Carabine, owner of Daybreak Belmullet, is braving the chilly Atlantic with her colleagues to raise vital awareness and funds to help save lives from heart disease and stroke.

The death of her father in 2009 fuelled Mandys drive to sign up for the month-long challenge.

My father, Frank Brogan, died of a massive heart attack at 62, she said.

Frank was a well-known figure and local businessman in the area, and his heart attack sixteen years ago was completely unexpected.

He was larger than life, a huge character locally, she said.

When youre touched by it, you want to do as much as you can. We all have a heart that needs looking after. People often neglect regular health checks.

Mandy swims regularly in the sea and at Belmullets local tidal pool.

When you come out of the water, you feel like youve had an electric shock, a complete reset. But I dont really swim at this time of year so the 12 Dips in December will be a big challenge.

Mandy and her colleagues plan to complete their dips in the tidal pool, ensuring safety with lifeguard support.

Its great fun, good for team building, and its for an important cause, she said.

Belmullets tidal pool is a unique, man-made seawater pool overlooking Blacksod Bay, which is very popular with swimmers all year round.





Pictured: Many Carabine, who will take part in the 12 Dips of December challenge.

She is now encouraging those who have not signed up for the 12 Dips to support family and friends who are, by donating to the charity.

Funds raised will help save lives from heart disease and stroke, and increase the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

READ MORE: West Mayo man recognised with Irelands top co-operative accolade

If youre not doing the dips yourself, you can support by donating or encouraging others, said Mandy.

If you can help save one person, its worth it.

People dont realise the importance of regular checks. If you get a pain or youre short of breath, it needs checking out.

At Daybreak, were incredibly proud to support the Irish Heart Foundations 12 Dips in December challenge, said Janine Watson, Head of Retail Sales with Musgrave Wholesale Partners, operators of Daybreak stores.

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is a fantastic way to bring our retailers and their teams together across Ireland, have some fun, and raise vital funds for heart health.

Were excited to see the impact we can make by rallying local communities around such an important cause.

CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation, Emma Balmaine, said fundraising events such as this are crucial to continue providing much-needed support and services to people across Ireland affected by heart disease and stroke, including CPR training.

In addition, they support patient services such as counselling and our Nurse Support Line, advocacy and health promotion work.

Were hugely grateful to Daybreak for their support and to all those who are getting involved, every dip makes a difference!

Donations can be made at https://fundraise.irishheart.ie/event/12-dips-in-december-2025/home.
Minister of State Alan Dillon, TD, has welcomed confirmation that a new specialist mental health service for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified for Castlebar Primary Care Centre as the proposed regional hub.

The service will be delivered by a new multi-disciplinary team and will serve Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. Recruitment for five specialist posts, Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health), and Administrator (Grade IV) is scheduled to commence shortly, with opening anticipated in late 2026 following recruitment, onboarding and commissioning.

Minister Dillon emphasised the critical need for these services, noting that until the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD began in 2021, there were no dedicated public services for adults with ADHD in Ireland.

This will be the first dedicated specialist team hub under the National Clinical Programme to serve the West of Ireland, marking a major step forward in regional healthcare provision, he said.

The new Castlebar service forms part of the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD, launched in 2021 to address a critical gap in Irelands mental health system. Since its inception, over 5 million has been allocated to develop specialist teams. Seven teams are operational, with two more in development, and funding for full national coverage has been secured in Budget 2025.

I am pleased to note that five specialist posts are being initiated to establish the regional Adult ADHD Service, which will be led by a specialist team at Castlebar Primary Care Centre. The establishment of the service base here in Mayo is a very positive development for our county and the wider region, Securing this service for the West has been a priority I have championed, having spoken with many families, and its delivery will make a real difference for people across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon.

The HSE Clinical Lead has been in regular contact with the local service to initiate recruitment, Minister Dillon said. I want to sincerely thank Charlie Meehan, Regional Head of Mental Health Services at the HSE, along with his team, for their ongoing support and commitment in progressing this service. The identification of Castlebar Primary Care Centre as the proposed site is a welcome and practical solution.

Minister Dillon also acknowledged the progress made by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, who launched the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD in 2021 and secured initial funding for these specialist teams. He noted that this initiative also aligns with the broader health priorities advanced by Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, ensuring continued investment in mental health services nationwide.

Minister Dillon highlighted the immediate support currently available, such as the six-week Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme (UMAAP) run by ADHD Ireland, which received recurring funding last year and remains available to adults seeking support.

Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for myself, the Government and the HSE. We are bridging a significant gap in our healthcare system and delivering tangible services that will improve lives across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, Minister Dillon concluded.

READ MORE: Mayo hosts major conference on domestic abuse impacting local families
China takes comprehensive measures to curb AI misuse

13:56, December 15, 2025 By Jin Xin ( People's Daily

Artificial intelligence (AI), deep synthesis, and other emerging technologies are developing rapidly, playing an increasingly important role in fostering new quality productive forces and driving high-quality economic and social development, while also bringing great convenience to everyday life.

However, these technologies have also been misused to spread disinformation and disrupt the online environment, causing negative impact.

In response, China has taken a comprehensive approach to curb the misuse of AI and promote its responsible development that serves the common interests of society. In September this year, China released a set of guidelines on labeling internet content that is generated or composed by AI technology. These rules mandate clear labeling to help users identify fabricated information, define the labeling obligations of service providers, and regulate the labeling process throughout content creation and dissemination.

Addressing impersonation and fraud

"Hey everyone, I've got a special favor to ask today I'm offering discounts on 300 crates of fresh local eggs from my hometown!"

In one recent case, a widely shared short video appeared to show a well-known athlete promoting eggs from their hometown, drawing enthusiastic support from fans. Yet, the video, like others from the same account, was AI-generated. One product link associated with the video showed more than 47,000 units sold.

According to a representative from a major short-video platform, impersonation of public figures through AI typically takes several forms: using AI-generated images of well-known individuals as profile photos, producing unlabeled AI-generated videos featuring celebrities, and creating fake celebrity accounts to attract followers and generate profit through deceptive content.

China's Civil Code and other relevant regulations already provide protection for portrait and voice rights. The new labeling regulations further reinforce these protections by requiring platforms to clearly mark AI-generated content.

"Short video platforms must not only fulfill their own responsibilities but also collaborate with users to strengthen co-governance," said an executive of Chinese tech firm Tencent. When users encounter unlabeled AI-generated short videos, they file a complaint with relevant materials. Once the complaint is verified, the platform will add visible floating labels to the content.

Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, has introduced a portrait protection database for well-known figures to better detect impersonation and fraudulent marketing content.

Combating fake news and strengthening oversight

In another incident, a fabricated "video report" of a large fire caused public panic. A subsequent investigation found that the account responsible used AI to mass-produce disinformation, generating between 4,000 and 7,000 fabricated news items per day and earning more than 10,000 yuan ($1,413.32) daily.

Despite efforts to combat such abuse, gaps remain. According to the head of content safety at a news platform, anti-disinformation mechanisms are not always timely because AI-generated images or videos may go unflagged for hours, limiting early warnings to the public.

Yang Qingwang, deputy dean of the School of Law at Central South University, emphasized the need for platforms to respond quickly, using authoritative information to flag and remove false content and penalize violating accounts.

In recent years, China has steadily strengthened its legal and regulatory framework to define the boundaries of responsible AI use. Meanwhile, regulators nationwide are exploring new approaches to counter the spread of AI-generated fake news.

"We work closely with research institutions and technology enterprises to strengthen monitoring, early detection, and identification of malicious deepfakes. Through collaboration with relevant authorities, we have established a closed-loop mechanism covering rumor inspection, verification, joint assessment, case transfer, and law enforcement, allowing for a timely and legal response to AI-generated disinformation," said an official from the cybersecurity division of the Shenyang public security bureau in northeast China's Liaoning province.

Building digital literacy and defenses

Platform operators also encourage users to remain vigilant. Signs of AI-generated content may include logical inconsistencies, flat or overly uniform emotional tone, or vague factual details, as well as unnatural facial movements, irregular lighting, or distorted audio. Users are advised to verify sources and rely on authoritative media outlets or official channels.

Through coordinated efforts among regulators, platforms, and users, and supported by technological detection, reporting mechanisms, and legal accountability, China aims to build a robust defense against AI-generated misinformation and ensure the healthy development of emerging technologies.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
LONDON (AP)  President Vladimir Putin is stalling efforts to end Russias war on Ukraine, and is testing the West with tactics that fall just below the threshold of war, the head of Britains MI6 spy agency said Monday.

Blaise Metreweli said Putin is dragging out negotiations on stopping the conflict, and remains determined to subjugate Ukraine and harass NATO members.

We are now operating in a space between peace and war, Metreweli said of the wider global threat landscape in her first public speech since becoming chief of Britains foreign intelligence agency two months ago.

Russia accused of exporting chaos

Metreweli accused Moscow of sponsoring cyberattacks on other countries critical infrastructure, drone incursions around European airports, campaigns of arson, sabotage and disinformation, and aggressive activities in our seas, above and below the waves.

The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in this Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus, she said.

Metreweli, 48, is the first woman to head the U.K.s 116-year-old foreign intelligence service. She gave reporters a rare glimpse inside MI6 headquarters in London, which she noted was familiar to movie fans everywhere from the James Bond spy thrillers.

Speaking inside the spy chiefs wood-paneled dining room overlooking the River Thames, she said rapidly evolving technology is rewriting the rules of conflict, while hybrid threats from states and extremist groups mean the front line is everywhere.

The speech made a brief reference to Chinas implications for national security, but Metreweli focused on the threat from an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia.

Russia is testing us in the gray zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war, she said.

Warning comes amid Ukraine peace talks

The warning came amid a flurry of diplomatic meetings aimed at ending the almost four-year war sparked by Russias invasion of its neighbor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Berlin Monday to meet U.S. envoys, and will meet later with the leaders of Germany, France and Britain. Kyivs allies are trying to bolster support for Ukraine amid Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal.

The MI6 chief, known as C, is the only employee of the secretive agency whose name is made public. In a speech that, unusually, touched on her personal backstory, Metreweli said that coming from a family shaped by devastating conflict, I grew up with a deep sense of gratitude for the U.K.s precious democracy and freedom.

After Metrewelis appointment was announced in June, media reported that her grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, had been a Nazi spy in Ukraine during World War II.

MI6 said Metreweli never met her grandfather.

Spies must master technology

Metreweli, who has almost three decades of clandestine service and a background in anthropology, psychology and AI, was previously the MI6 director of technology and innovation  the real-world equivalent of the fictional Bond gadget-master Q.

She said technological savvy and human intelligence are both key to combating an interlocking web of security threats, and MI6 officers must be as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources, as fluent in Python as we are in multiple languages.

Our world is more dangerous and contested now than it has been for decades, she said, adding that we are being contested from sea to space, from the battlefield to the boardroom  and even our brains, as disinformation manipulates our understanding of each other and ourselves.

The foundations of trust in our societies are eroding. Information, once a unifying force, is increasingly weaponized, she added.

In a warning to Britains adversaries, she said MI6 will sharpen our edge and take calculated risks. She said the agency should tap into our historical, SOE instincts, referring to the clandestine Special Operations Executive that sent agents on daring sabotage missions in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.

We will never stoop to the tactics of our opponents. But we must seek to outplay them, she said.

A series of security warnings

The speech is the latest in a series of warnings by Western defense and security authorities about the growing hybrid threat from states such as Russia, Iran and to an extent China, whose use of cyber tools, espionage and influence operations they say threatens global stability.

Last week, the U.K. imposed sanctions on several Russian media outlets for alleged information warfare and two Chinese tech firms for vast and indiscriminate cyberactivities.

In a separate speech, the head of the British military, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, will say Monday that Putins aim is to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy NATO.

The war in Ukraine shows Putins willingness to target neighboring states, including their civilian populations ... threatens the whole of NATO, including the U.K., Knighton plans to say, arguing that Britain needs both a stronger military and more resilient infrastructure to meet the evolving threat.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  The Colombian governments delegation in peace talks with the National Liberation Army on Monday condemned an armed strike  which confines civilians to their homes and restricts commercial activity  that the rebel group is conducting this week in response to the U.S. militarys naval buildup in the Caribbean.

Colombias delegation said in a statement that a decision by the Marxist guerrilla force, which has been active since the 1960s and is known by Spanish acronym ELN, to carry out an armed strike only impacts rural communities in Colombia.

A protest against the actions of the U.S. government that is geared towards communities lacks any sense whatsoever the government delegation said.

ELN's armed strikes often involve school closures in areas under the groups control. Shops and public transportation are also told to close, and civilians who defy the rebel's orders are threatened with death.

The ELN said that its latest armed strike would last until 6 a.m. local time (1100 GMT) Wednesday.

In a statement published Friday, the rebels justified the measure by citing the Trumps administrations neocolonial plans to sack Latin Americas natural resources.

The groups announcement of its strike came a day after the Trump administration seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, as Washington escalates pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the Trump administration has accused of shipping drugs to the United States.

The tanker had been sanctioned by U.S authorities in 2022, for its alleged role in smuggling oil on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and was carrying at least a million barrels of crude purchased by Cuba.

Colombias human rights ombudswoman said in a statement Monday that during the armed strike, the ELN rebels attacked an army base in the province of Arauca, and a police station in Norte de Santander province. The human rights defender said that an ambulance driver was killed during the attack on the police station, as both sides exchanged fire.

Colombia suspended peace talks with ELN in January, after the rebel group staged a series of deadly attacks on villages in northeast Colombia that forced more than 50,000 people to flee their homes.

Both sides still have peace delegations that have attempted unsuccessfully to resume talks.

The ELN is Colombias second-largest rebel group, with an estimated 6,000 fighters in Colombia and neighboring Venezuela. The group has been accused of running illegal gold mines and drug trafficking routes in both countries, and supports Maduro's authoritarian government.

Colombias government has attempted to hold peace talks with ELN and several other rebel groups over the past three years, with President Gustavo Petro's administration granting these groups several ceasefires as an incentive. Critics argue that the rebels have used the truces to recruit more fighters and strengthen their grip over rural communities.

In 2016, Colombia made a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, that led to the disarmament of more than 13,000 fighters. ELN and several other groups are now fighting for territory abandoned by FARC.
Current and former lawmakers from both major parties are demanding accountability and change from state leadership and the Maryland National Guard after The Baltimore Sun uncovered repeated staff abuses of the vulnerable teens enrolled over the last six years in the states Guard-run camp for at-risk youth, the Freestate Challenge Academy.

Internal incident reports, investigative and disciplinary records, as well as criminal charges The Sun reviewed showed teens at the camp were subject to violent attacks 14 times since 2019. Nine of the attacks teens suffered were by the very staff charged with caring for them.

Calling the reports out of Freestate deeply concerning and unacceptable, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, called for the program to take accountability for its failures and work to ensure its cadets were safe from harm in the future.

While the camp repeatedly dismissed staff who were violent with the 16- to 18-year-olds, each year, more staff hit and humiliated the teens  or encouraged them to hurt one another. Staff punched, slapped, and screamed at teens.

Two staff members were dismissed and charged with starting an after-hours fight club in which they encouraged the teens to beat each other. A lawsuit brought by one of the staff members, who alleged he was wrongfully dismissed from the camp, Marcus Lisbon, details that he and the other staffer participated in the fight club, beating the teens themselves.

A youth advocate and a clinical psychologist who studies youth and violence told The Sun the reports of regular abuse indicated staff training was insufficient.

Lisbons fellow staffer, Michael Roundtree, wrote to Adjutant Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, who heads the Maryland National Guard after his dismissal, alleging the same. The letter was included in Lisbons suit against the Maryland Military Department.

During my brief time at Freestate, I have always put my best efforts to fulfill my job responsibility, his fellow staff member, Michael Roundtree, said in the letter. Without having the proper training in policy and procedure, I was left to model myself after the example of my leadership, but to no avail. It led me on a path of unprofessional and self-destructive behavior. While this is no excuse  it did directly affect my understanding and knowledge of how to properly perform my duties.

Lisbon referred The Sun to his lawyer, who hung up on a journalist. Roundtree did not respond to a request for comment.

State failed Freestate teens

When these things fail, they fail the victims in three ways, said former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich, a Republican. Its a bad investment of taxpayer dollars, state and federal, and youve failed these kids. Youve made them worse and youve made the streets more unsafe. Its lose-lose-lose.

Theres so many related issues  challenged families, failing schools, troubled kids, drugs. Sometimes, youre creating a more dangerous kid whos going to end up in the adult system, Ehrlich said.

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, declined to comment on the abuses The Sun reported, or say if there were plans to improve staff training or implement stricter hiring standards.

Birckhead closed Freestate in September after an inspection by a National Guard representative found the facility inadequate to house the teens; the Maryland Guard has said it plans to reopen Freestate after renovations are completed.

But state leaders, past and present, say Freestate needs to make significant changes to its culture before reopening.

The Challenge Academy serves especially vulnerable young people, Alsobrooks said. I, alongside our federal delegation, expect to see full accountability for these horrific acts and a plan of action that will prevent such violence from happening once the Academy reopens.

Her counterpart, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, called on the Guard to implement stronger hiring and training practices before reopening the camp.

I have been deeply troubled by reports that call into question the ability of Freestate Challenge Academy to provide its cadets with a quality education in a safe environment, Van Hollen said to The Sun in a statement. While Ive been encouraged to see some accountability, the persistent pattern of violence that has been demonstrated is simply not acceptable. The Maryland National Guard must ensure full accountability for these actions.

Van Hollen told The Sun in November he was in conversation with the Guard following earlier reporting about its duty to ensure the physical safety and mental well-being of [Freestate] cadets. He did not respond to a question asking what the conversation entailed or revealed.

A familiar story

The Maryland Military Department and Maryland National Guard declined to tell The Sun what training Freestate staff are given for dealing with adolescents, what backgrounds they hire from and how staff are qualified to work with and reshape adolescent behavior.

The current Maryland Military Department leadership remains committed to providing the safest possible environment for young people who choose to participate in the Freestate Challenge Academy, said Maryland Military Department Public Affairs Manager Chazz Kibbler in November. We take seriously any allegation of misconduct and acted quickly and appropriately whenever concerns were brought to our attention.

The Challenge program is federally funded and free to attendees, created in 1993 using Department of Defense monies, but each Challenge Academy is overseen by its states Guard. Governors serve as the commander-in-chief of their states National Guard troops.

Ehrlich, who governed the state from 2003 to 2007, told The Sun these abuses were worrisome, but unsurprising.

This has been a troubled agency for decades, Ehrlich said. Its a familiar story for those of us in public service.

The general concept of these tough-love, boot camps and all that, its a good idea and they have worked at certain times. But, he said, Theres some essential elements. You have got to have a sound plan, quality staff and leadership. In this case, all three appear to be lacking.

Ehrlich said hed like to see joint leadership from the governor, the state secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, and the General Assembly.

This is all happening here, Ehrlich said. These are our kids.

State leader urges public schools to avoid recommending Freestate

State Del. Lauren Arikan, a Republican in whose district resides Aberdeen Proving Ground, home to Freestate, told The Sun she was sharing the papers reporting with Harford County Public Schools and would encourage them to refrain from recommending the program to Harford County students and families.

Until the public has a clear understanding of what kind of staff training there is and how the program intends to make sure this never occurs again through strengthened hurting processes, Harford County Public Schools should absolutely not be recommending this program as an option for our struggling students, Arikan said.

A former Bel Air public school student who enrolled in the camp in 2022 told The Sun he was attacked by other teens in the middle of the night and beaten in the head with a homemade blackjack. Despite staff knowledge of earlier nocturnal attacks, he said, they did not maintain a consistent watch throughout the night, leaving the teens unattended for up to a half-hour at a time.

(The attack the former cadet, Nathanael Royal, described did not appear in the incident report records the program provided The Sun.)

The public also deserves to understand why there have been repeated staffing failures leading to harm to kids. Its beyond disturbing, Arikan said. Even one staff member behaving in such a manner should have launched a hiring process overhaul. The fact that multiple  employees have been fired over violent behavior is unacceptable.

2025 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BERLIN (AP)  Russia has indicated it's open to Ukraine joining the European Union as part of a potential peace deal to end the war, U.S. officials said Monday.

The U.S. officials who briefed reporters after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as British, French and German officials in Berlin over the last two days said that such an offer would be a major concession by Moscow. But Russia has previously said it does not object to Ukraine joining the EU.

The U.S. officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly by the White House and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the U.S. has also agreed to provide unspecified security guarantees to Kyiv as part of the deal but that such an offer wont be on the table forever.

The latest round of talks between Zelenskyy and U.S. envoys ended Monday as Kyiv faces Washingtons pressure to swiftly accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal while confronting an increasingly assertive Moscow.

Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said on social media that real progress had been achieved at the talks in Berlin with President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as European officials. The talks lasted roughly 90 minutes, after a five-hour session Sunday.

The U.S. government said in a social media post on Witkoffs account after Sunday's meeting that a lot of progress was made.

The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces.

Zelenskyy has expressed readiness to drop Ukraines bid to join the NATO military alliance if the U.S. and other Western nations give Kyiv security guarantees similar to those offered to NATO members. But Ukraines preference remains NATO membership as the best security guarantee to prevent further Russian aggression however this option doesnt currently have full backing from all allies.

Still, Ukraine has continued to reject the U.S. push for ceding territory to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of Donetsk region still under its control as one of the key conditions for peace.

Zelenskyys itinerary on Monday also included meetings with German and other European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macrons office confirmed he would travel to Berlin later Monday.

The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again, a spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters.

The Russian president has cast Ukraines bid to join NATO as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine renounce the bid for alliance membership as part of any prospective peace settlement.

Zelenskyy emphasized that any Western security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the U.S. Congress.

The Kremlin said Monday it expected to be updated on the Berlin talks by the U.S. side.

Asked whether the negotiations could be over by Christmas, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said trying to predict a potential time frame for a peace deal was a thankless task.

I can only speak for the Russian side, for President Putin, Peskov said. He is open to peace, to a serious peace and serious decisions. He is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at stalling for time.

Putin has denied plans to attack any European allies.

In London, meanwhile, the new head of the MI6 spy agency was set to warn on Monday how Putins determination to export chaos around the world is rewriting the rules of conflict and creating new security challenges.

Blaise Metreweli was using her first public speech as chief of the United Kingdoms foreign intelligence service to say that Britain faces increasingly unpredictable and interconnected threats, with emphasis on aggressive, expansionist Russia.

Drone strikes continue

Russia fired 153 drones of various types at Ukraine overnight Sunday into Monday, according to Ukraines Air Force, which said 133 drones were neutralized, while 17 more hit their targets.

In Russia, the Defense Ministry on Monday said forces destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones overnight. An additional 16 drones were destroyed between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time.

Eighteen drones were shot down over Moscow itself, the defense ministry said. Flights were temporarily halted at the citys Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports as part of safety measures, officials said.

Damage details and casualty figures were not immediately available.

___

Madhani contributed from Washington. Pietro De Cristofaro in Berlin, Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England, contributed to this report.
Airline officials and the United States military pledge to investigate if necessary a near midair collision that reportedly occurred off the Venezuelan coast last Friday.

A JetBlue aircraft (Flight 1112) traveling from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao to New York Citys John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 12 nearly collided with a U.S. military plane in proximity to Venezuelan airspace. There has been a forceful U.S. presence in the region since Sept. 2 as boat strikes against alleged narcotics traffickers have remained consistent.

Audio communication retained from air traffic control (ATC) flight recordings from within the aircraft and with air traffic controllers reportedly relayed the JetBlue pilot's concern, who said, We almost had a midair collision up here. The military aircraft was an Air Force refueling tanker that purportedly crossed paths with the commercial aircraft, according to recordings cited by CNN and ABC News.

A 'Safety' Priority

JetBlue and U.S. military officials have pledged caution and said the situation will be remedied, via investigation or otherwise.

Safety is our top priority, a JetBlue spokesperson told Military.com on Monday. 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. We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation.

A KC-46A Pegasus completes pre-flight checks before takeoff at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 18, 2025. The KC-46 is a multi-role tanker and transport aircraft that provides aerial refueling, cargo transportation and aeromedical evacuation capabilities during missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aidan Thompson)

The Pentagon referred Military.com to U.S. Southern Command, which provided Military.com the following statement: We are aware of the recent reporting regarding U.S. military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and are currently reviewing the matter.

Military aircrews are highly trained professionals who operate in accordance with established procedures and applicable airspace requirements. Safety remains a top priority, and we are working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation, the statement added.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson said the situation was under the guise of the Curacao Civil Aviation Authority. Military.com reached out to them for comment.

What Happened In The Air

The JetBlue pilot overseeing the flight in question reportedly accused the U.S. military aircraft of passing directly in our flight path, according to audio recordings of the incident attained by CNN and other media outlets. The pilot claimed that the opposing craft did not have its transponder turned on, calling it outrageous.

We just had traffic pass directly in front of us within 5 miles of usmaybe 2 or 3 milesbut it was an air-to-air refueler from the United States Air Force and he was at our altitude, the pilot said in the recording. We had to stop our climb.

"We are working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation.

The pilot said that following the near-collision the Air Force plane proceeded to head into Venezuelan air space.

While the FAA does not oversee air traffic overseas, it did issue a warning in November advising pilots to exercise "extreme cautiondue to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.

The risk warning was targeted to aircraft at all altitudes, including those in-flight and before and during arrivals and departures.
After almost 21 years in the Air Force, Jeff Andrejcik was looking forward to retiring from military life, embarking on a fruitful career in the civilian world.

Andrejciks service time included multiple deployments, highlighted by three combat tours in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. The Air Force veteran served in several roles and had built a solid resume, landing a job with the federal government and moving his family to a base in Florida for a position he had worked years to acquire.

Then came the gut punch.

President Donald Trumps swift and indiscriminate overhaul of the federal workforce earlier this year suddenly meant Andrejcik was out of a job.

My selection and the position I earned were erased from the books, Andrejcik told Military.com.

Andrejcik, who was working on his masters degree when his position was eliminated, didnt know what to do. Spending two decades in the military, he was reared on planning, preparation and execution, but this new world of unemployment was about as foreign as one of his deployments to a far-off country.

The momentum vanished overnight, and I felt like I had every reason to dwell, Andrejcik said.

But he didnt. While the military teaches soldiers planning, preparation and execution, it also teaches resiliency. The Air Force veteran dusted himself off and decided to reset, regroup and commit to finding the next opportunity.

Jeff Andrejcik, right, during his time in the Air Force. (Submitted photo)

Admittedly, Im not the biggest fan of the word resilience, but its what military service instills, and now there was no time to abandon that, Andrejcik said. Because the truth after serving is this: pity wont help you pay the bills.

Persistence Opens Doors

When Andrejcik was serving at his last duty station, RAF Alconbury in the U.K., he put a lot of thought into life after the military. He knew it likely wouldnt be a cakewalk, but he felt assured, with his level of training and experience, that an ideal opportunity wasnt far off.

However, his unexpected job loss thrust him into the dreary realm of job boards, rejections, and rewriting resumes for civilian positions in a way that he said, 20 years of hurry-up-and-wait never taught me.

In the process, Andrejcik learned a hard truth  in the civilian world, a veterans resume filled with experience and education doesnt often land at the top of the pile.

Still, opportunities exist, he said. It boils down to how much effort youre willing to put into seizing them.

Months of surfing the various job sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor, Andrejciks tenacity paid off. He spotted a job with TalkingParents, a software-as-a-service (SAAS) specializing in co-parenting communication, founded by veterans Vince Mayfield and Louis Erickson, who left government contracting to branch out on their own.

The more I researched, Andrejcik said, the more it seemed too good to be true. They created a company with purpose, values, and culture that mirrored what I came to love about the military.

Andrejcik said the job also checked off a lot of the work-life balance boxes: tuition assistance, flexible time off, and comprehensive health insurance coverage. In addition, TalkingParents hosts monthly team-building events.

I felt compelled, Andrejcik said. So, I applied.

TalkingParents was interested in him too, and after a couple rounds of interviews, a skills test, and a tour of the office, Andrejcik received the words he had waited months to hear  Youre hired! He serves as the companys lead public relations specialist, a role he was familiar with in the Air Force.

Almost immediately, I felt it: the familiar sense of camaraderie, the shared mission, the extended family you dont expect to find outside of the uniform, he said.

After about five months with TalkingParents, Andrejcik feels hes found the connection and purpose he was accustomed to in the Air Force. A perfect bridge to a new chapter.

Master Sgt. Jeff Andrejcik (top row, far right) was deployed several times, including a combat tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Submitted photo)

Dont Rest on Laurels

For Andrejcik, 20-plus years surrounded by military life made him a bit complacent. The thought of getting fired never really crossed his mind and it became easier to take things for granted.

If his story hits close to the heart for fellow veterans, he said its time to reprogram your mindset. He discovered the civilian world sets a much lower bar for apathy.

They respect your service and sacrifice, but it doesnt exempt you from the expectation of contributing to a team, shaping culture, and answering the call, he said. Consistently displaying those traits not only gets you in the door, but it keeps you in the house.

Whats the biggest lesson Andrejcik learned on his employment journey?

Opportunities wont be handed to you, he said.

Tips for Job Hunting

Andrejcik shared a few key tips for job hunters:

Apply what you learned from mentors and the Transition Assistance Program Custom-tailor resumes to align with job descriptions Include sincere cover letters Do research Showcase yourself on professional sites like LinkedIn

Lean on AI. Its an invaluable tool that takes the tedium out of job preparation and research," Andrejcik said. "In seconds, AI can translate military experience into civilian terms, tailor resumes to different roles, and determine which jobs are actually a good fit.

The Air Force veteran also said that military members who are in their last 12 months of duty, and those who separated within the last 12 months, can also receive a free year of ChatGPT Plus account.

Success after the military can be challenging for most veterans, but Andrejciks tale shows its not impossible.

Embrace the process and be ready to put a full-time effort into landing a full-time job, he said. Combine that with the same grit, adaptability, and resilience that carried you through the military, and it will carry you through civilian life.
What Congress Is Voting On and Why It Matters

Congress is preparing to use the War Powers Resolutions fast-track machinery to force a recorded vote on whether President Trump must end U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela that Congress has not authorized. The current vehicle is S.J.Res. 90, a joint resolution introduced in October 2025 directing the removal of U.S. forces from such hostilities. A failed procedural vote already occurred in the Senate on November 6, 2025, when the chamber rejected a motion to discharge the resolution for floor consideration, as shown in the Senates official roll call record for that date and vote number 608.

What We Know From Public Reporting and What We Do Not

Public reporting describes U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela as the immediate catalyst for the War Powers push, including allegations that at least one incident involved follow-on fire that killed people who survived an initial strike. Many outlets frame the controversy as a transparency and legality fight, rather than a settled factual record. The same reporting also makes clear Congress has asked for additional evidence, especially unedited footage, precisely because the publicly available record is incomplete. That evidentiary gap matters for legal analysis because whether victims were noncombatants, civilians, or lawfully targetable participants in hostilities turns on facts the government has not fully disclosed.

The Domestic Law Baseline: The Constitution and the War Powers Resolution

The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare War, while naming the President Commander in Chief. S.J.Res. 90s text quotes the constitutional allocation in its findings, reflecting Congresss long-running position of sustained hostilities requiring legislative buy-in. Congress attempted to operationalize that premise in the War Powers Resolution, codified at 50 U.S.C. chapter 33, which requires consultation and reporting and then sets timelines for congressional authorization or termination once U.S. forces enter hostilities or situations where hostilities are imminent. The Congressional Research Service explains the statutes expedited procedures and the framework Congress created to ensure it can compel a vote even when leadership resists.

How the Administration Has Framed Its Authority, According to CRS

A central legal question is whether the administration can treat anti-cartel maritime strikes as a form of armed conflict falling within the Presidents independent Article II power or within some existing statutory authorization. CRS reports the Trump administration has asserted drug trafficking and terrorism involving or associated with Maduro threaten U.S. national security, and that it reportedly told Congress U.S. forces are in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels  an assertion that other experts and government lawyers reportedly questioned. This framing signals the administrations likely legal posture without requiring anyone outside government to guess at classified briefings.

Coast Guard and HNLMS Groningen crew members interdict a suspected drug smuggling vessel offshore of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, April 5, 2025. USCGC Venturous (WMEC 625) crew offloaded more than 1,294 pounds of cocaine and 4,012 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $14.1 million intercepted in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Coast Guard photo. Source: DVIDS

Why Labels Do Not Automatically Create Lawful Targets

Even if an administration calls a target terrorist or narco-terrorist, domestic and international law still imposes rules about who may be attacked and when. International humanitarian laws bedrock distinction rule requires parties to distinguish civilians from combatants and permits attacks only against combatants (and other lawful military objectives) in armed conflict. The law also protects persons who are out of combat, referred to as hors de combat, including those who are shipwrecked or otherwise defenseless, and it prohibits making them the object of attack once they should be recognized as such. Those rules underscore a core point for the public debate: legal status does not turn on rhetoric, and noncombatants do not become lawful targets by presidential declaration alone.

Congresss Strongest Legal Argument: Youngstowns Separation-of-Powers Logic

Even if courts never adjudicate a dispute over these strikes, the most disciplined way to analyze presidential power here runs through the separation of powers framework associated with Justice Jacksons concurrence in Youngstown. Jacksons tripartite approach posits presidential power is at its maximum when acting with Congress, in a zone of twilight when Congress is silent, and at its lowest ebb when the President acts against Congresss expressed or implied will. A War Powers resolution, especially one directing withdrawal, functions as Congresss attempt to move the President into that lowest ebb category by putting legislative opposition on the record.

What a War Powers Vote Can Realistically Do

A War Powers vote cannot resolve disputed facts about particular engagements, and it cannot substitute for investigations into whether U.S. forces complied with the law of armed conflict in specific incidents. It can, however, clarify whether Congress will accept an executive theory that counter-narcotics strikes amount to hostilities that can continue without new authorization, and it can force the political branches to confront whether these operations fit within the War Powers Resolutions statutory design. The operative question is not whether drug trafficking is serious; it is whether the President may sustain lethal operations under an asserted armed conflict theory without Congresss approval, given Congresss stated policy in the War Powers Resolution that introductions into hostilities occur only pursuant to a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or an emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces.

Where This Leaves the Rule of Law

The near-term fight is procedural: getting a vote, compelling disclosures, and forcing the administration to defend its legal theory in public as much as classification permits. Longer term, the stakes are constitutional. If Congress declines to act, future presidents will cite that silence as practical permission to treat new categories of transnational criminal violence as open-ended hostilities under Article II. If Congress acts and prevails, it will reassert the premise sustained military action requires the peoples representatives to authorize it, not merely to watch it unfold. The War Powers Resolution was written to make that choice unavoidable, and S.J.Res. 90 is Congress testing whether it still has the will to use the tools it already wrote into law.
U.S. Boosts Military Cyber Funding in 2026 Defense Bill

Congress is set to increase the U.S. militarys funding for cyber operations and defenses under the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, advancing a cyber budget of approximately $15.1 billion. The increase represents one of the largest boosts in recent years for cyber work amid rising digital threats and workforce challenges in defense networks.

Whats Included in the Cyber Budget

This years defense bill spreads cyber funding across several priorities, from improving network security to expanding the cyber workforce and updating key systems. Congress backed a little over a 4 percent bump in cyber spending, steering around $9.1 billion to core cybersecurity operations and another $612 million toward research that supports future capabilities.

Much of the cyber budget is directed toward shoring up digital defenses and ensuring cyber tools are built into modern military missions. It also supports efforts to attract and train skilled cyber personnel. The legislation broadens the Pentagons authority to set long-term plans for cyber operations and pushes for more consistent cybersecurity rules in the acquisition system so contractors follow the same baseline standards.

Why This Matters to Troops and Taxpayers

For service members and families, added cyber funding strengthens the systems they rely on every day. Better digital defenses can protect military networks, logistics platforms, and communications that support missions around the world. As cyberattacks targeting government and defense systems continue to rise, these upgrades help limit disruptions and safeguard both personal information and operational data.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson, 332d Expeditionary Communications Squadron network infrastructure supervisor, prepares computers and network systems to test and ensure expeditionary network capabilities at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 14, 2022. The 332d ECS provides a broad range of communication services to the 332d AEW workforce to win the fight today as well as tomorrow - building on the Red Tail legacy of excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Parr)

From a taxpayer perspective, the boost signals an effort to prevent costly digital incidents that can ripple across the economy and national security. Lawmakers backing the increase have pointed to cyberspace as a central warfighting domain that requires steady investment, similar to traditional military capabilities.

Accountability and Budget Debate

While many lawmakers support the cyber funding boost, some critics point to persistent challenges in translating increased spending into improved outcomes. Previous budget increases for cyber capabilities have not always led to measurable improvements in readiness or network defense performance, prompting calls for clearer metrics and oversight.

Defense budget observers and some members of Congress have urged the Pentagon to provide transparent reporting on how cyber funds are used and how they contribute to operational readiness. They argue that without such clarity, it is difficult to assess whether increased spending closes capability gaps or merely sustains existing programs.

Common Misconception About Cyber Budget

A frequent misunderstanding is that the term cyber budget reflects only offensive hacking or digital warfare. In fact, the majority of this funding supports defensive efforts, such as improving network security, training cyber personnel, and acquiring tools to detect and mitigate intrusions. Offensive cyberspace operations fall under separate authorities and generally represent a smaller portion of total cyber appropriations in defense policy. The increase in the NDAAs cyber allocation is primarily defensive in focus.

What Happens Next

The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act must still be finalized in the Senate and signed by the president before the full $15.1 billion cyber budget becomes law. Once enacted, the Pentagon will begin allocating funds to specific programs, commands, and initiatives, including those aimed at expanding the cyber workforce and modernizing defensive systems.

Sources
The Mets signed right-hander Daniel Duarte to a minor league deal, as first noted on Duartes MLB.com profile page earlier this week. Duarte spent the 2025 season on a minors contract with the Twins but didnt pitch while recovering from a May 2024 UCL revision surgery.

A veteran of three MLB seasons, the bulk of Duartes 38 1/3 career innings came as a member of the Reds bullpen in 2023, when he tossed 31 2/3 frames across 31 games. Duarte has a respectable 3.99 ERA across his limited time in the Show, though with only a 17% strikeout rate and a troublingly comparable 14.5% walk rate. An extreme groundball pitcher early in his minor league career, Duarte still has a 47.3% grounder rate in the majors, but batters have capitalized when theyve been able to get the ball in the air  Duarte has given up seven homers across his 38 1/3 career innings.

It remains to be seen how Duarte will look after such a long absence, though his return to the mound in Mexican winter league play this offseason has resulted in 19 2/3 scoreless innings. A 5.71 BB% and 21.43% strikeout rate are further steps in the right direction.

New York was impressed enough to extend a contract to the 29-year-old, and Duarte will get a chance to show the team his progress first-hand during Spring Training. Theres no risk for the Mets in bringing Duarte and several other pitchers to camp on minors deals, and there figures to be plenty of opportunity given how the Mets so often cycle relievers up and down between Triple-A and the active roster. Duarte has a minor league option year remaining, so this gives up some advantage over out-of-options players in the competition for roster spots.
In Michigan, camping is a lifestyle. Your setup, your favorite spot, and your go-to campground are all pride points to Michiganders.

If youre looking to take it step further and really make a state campground your home base for the summer then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has just the opening for you.

The DNR is looking for volunteers to work in Michigan state parks and some rustic forest campgrounds as volunteer campground hosts.

In exchange for about 30 hours per week helping visitors your campsite fees are completely waived. Host duties can include answering questions, planning activities and basic maintenance.

Campground host positions are available April through October. Current positions are listed here. Use the + next to the location to see fall availability.

More Lovable Michigan: Michigans Recreation Passport funds add $1.9M boost to 15 park projects

There are more than 100 state campgrounds looking for hosts. Among them are fan favorites, including Michigans most booked campgrounds. Theres something for every season, and every camper.

See spring flourish into vibrant greens in May and get lost in the Old Growth Forest in Hartwick Pines.

Take a deep breath before diving into the summer schedule and find solitude in June by staring out at the big lake at the rustic Lake Superior State Forest or modern campground at Muskallonge Lake.

Escape to Northern Michigan and beat the July heat at Wilderness State Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Watch the sun set on summer with an August hosting gig at either of Holland State Parks waterfront campgrounds.
EAST LANSING, MI  A man was killed early Sunday, Dec. 14, at an apartment complex, East Lansing police said.

Investigators say a person of interest has been identified and is being interviewed by detectives.

Officers were called around 1:30 a.m. to Arbor Glen Apartments near West Lake Lansing and Abbot roads. A man in his mid-30s was found dead at the scene.

Police did not release details of how the man died but said his killing was not a random incident. The mans identity is being withheld pending next of kin notifications, police said.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Det. Katey Harrison at kharris@cityofeastlansing.com or Det. Andy Ferguson at afergus@cityofeastlansing.com.
HOUGHTON, MI  This university in Michigan just received its largest gift ever, which will fully fund a student wellness center.

Michigan Technological University announced the upcoming construction of the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness, which will support students physical, mental and emotional health in one 90,000-square-foot building.

We want to see every student succeed, but we know success doesnt happen if our students arent taking the time to focus on their overall health and well-being, Laura Bulleit, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement.

Park, a 1973 graduate of the university, donated $55 million to fully fund the project. He founded Universal Remote Control, Inc., a global leader in home automation and control systems.

Services to be housed in the new facility are currently spread across more than 30 locations on campus. The project aligns with the universitys Be Well Initiative and is designed with its four pillars in mind:

Live Well: Spaces for clinical counseling, therapy, telehealth and a medical clinic

Play Well: A large fitness and exercise floor with fitness equipment for all skill levels

Connect Well: Communal areas, group rooms and a welcoming campus living room

Recharge Well: Rooms for meditation and prayer, quiet lounges and other restorative spaces for stress reduction

The facility, to be located between the Memorial Union and Administration buildings, will have instructional areas, a fitness center, locker rooms, group training rooms, a medical clinic, outreach and prevention offices, and accessible wellness amenities.

The facility is expected to open during fall 2028.

I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Park for his generous and thoughtful donation, Bulleit said. To have an alumni donor who not only sees the need but also supports our vision for caring for the whole student, is absolutely a dream come true.
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Grand Hotels request for a special land use to construct a 12-unit boardinghouse to be used as seasonal employee housing was rejected recently by the Mackinac Island Planning Commission.

The project, which the islands landmark resort wanted to build in the nearby Harrisonville neighborhood in the islands interior, would have been used to house a dozen Grand Hotel managers during the tourism season. It was being planned for a southeast corner lot along Cadotte Avenue and Fourth Street.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission members unanimously rejected the special land use request last week. But not before there was some terse back-and-forth between the commission members, the islands legal counsel and resort representatives.

A boardinghouse for Grand Hotel managers was proposed for a vacant lot a short distance from the Mackinac Island resort. Graphic provided by Grand Hotel

Mirroring the stance of the islands legal counsel, the commission determined that Grand Hotels request did not meet the zoning rules of that district. Legal counsel said the plans showed the resort wanted to build a multi-family housing project, and any proposal needed to come in under that designation and not as a boardinghouse.

Before the vote, the Planning Commission placed on file nearly 20 letters from neighbors near the project who all said they opposed the plan for more employee housing in their area. Most said it did not fit the character of their residential neighborhood.

Grand Hotel representatives attending the meeting said there was no reason for the commission to deny their request to build the new employee housing. They said it matched similar recent requests in that R-4 zoning area that have created workforce housing for the Inn at Stonecliffe and other island hospitality businesses. In looking at the 160+ lots in that area, the resort said more than 50 of those are currently being used for some kind of employee housing.

Grand Hotel leaders contended that constructing a two-story building with 12 units was far more efficient for the neighborhood than buying up a dozen single-family homes and turning those into a new smattering of employee housing there.

The new managers workforce housing being proposed would have had an on-site point person, had its maintenance and landscaping taken care of by the resort, and would not have allowed children or pets.

Grand Hotel representatives at the meeting did not say whether they would come back with a different proposal for that site. The resort and its associated island businesses typically need several hundred seasonal employees to run smoothly each season.

The conversation at this meeting hit on a pain point that impacts not only Mackinac but other tourism-heavy areas across the state: Affordable housing for seasonal hospitality employees. On the island, some of the larger employers do offer on-island group or solo housing accommodations. Others offer off-island housing and arrange for ferry passes so employees can travel to and from the mainland in either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.

Being able to create new employee housing on the island often means having to go through the islands Planning Commission - if companies can find an available spot thats close to town. The bulk of the island is state park land, and many of the properties or lots that do go up for sale are at a high price point.
Deangelo Lonell Aubrey has been charged with two counts of open murder for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriends within hours of each other.

A deeper look into the Michigan Parole Boards decision to release Aubrey is one of five must-read stories from MLive over the weekend.

Parole board believed man was safe to release. Hes now accused of killing 2 women

Aubrey was released on parole eight months prior to the murders, following a decision by a parole board that believed he was not a threat to society, despite his violent criminal history.

His past includes multiple violent offenses, including a 2020 assault where he pistol-whipped one of his former girlfriends, leading to a prison sentence.

Read reporter Bradley Massmans full story here.

Here are four other compelling MLive stories to read:

Christopher Nurrie Jr. was found dead in a Kalamazoo park on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Courtesy | Christopher Nurrie Sr.)

Homeless man found dying in snow just blocks from Kalamazoo shelter, stepdad says

Christopher Nurrie Jr. was found dead in the snow at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Kalamazoo after being discharged from the hospital following surgery for a neck infection.

He was homeless and had planned to stay on a friends couch. However, he was found unresponsive less than two blocks from the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries shelter.

Nurrie struggled with meth addiction in the past but had been clean for about six months. He had plans to enter an inpatient treatment program on the day of his death.

Check out reporter Brad Devereauxs story here.

The Black River Ranch property includes waterways and pine forests. Black River Ranch

Michigan bought a massive wildlife haven thats been off-limits to the public for a century

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased the Black River Ranch, an 8,844-acre property in Northern Michigan, for $17 million, transforming it from a private club into public trust land.

For the first time in 100 years, the land will be open for public activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping, with a public input process planned for future management strategies.

The property, historically significant for its conservation efforts, includes streams known for native brook trout and a variety of hardwood and pine forests.

Reporter Sheri McWhirter has all the details in this story here.

St. Pius X Catholic Church is located at 1280 NW Saltzman Road. Google Maps

Former Flint church transforming into recovery hub for sober community

The former St. Pius X church in Flint is being repurposed by New Paths Inc. into a recovery hub for the sober community.

New Paths has acquired the 14-acre property and plans to offer various recovery-friendly activities and services, addressing the lack of safe spaces for adults in recovery.

Executive Director Dr. James Hudgens emphasizes the projects significance as a return to a community beacon and aims to enhance the facility with outpatient services and expanded recovery housing.

Read reporter Fuad Shalhouts story here.

Au Train Dam near Au Train, Mich., Sept. 16, 2025. The owner, Renewable World Energies (RWE) of Wisconsin, is facing revocation of its hydropower license after years of safety violations and loss of key project lands. (Garret Ellison | MLive). Garret Ellison

New landowner tightens noose on troubled Michigan hydro dam

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is moving to revoke the hydropower license for the troubled Au Train Dam in Michigan, with the new landowner, David R. Charles, cutting off access to the powerhouse by Jan. 1.

Charles, who purchased the dams project lands, cited RWEs long history of noncompliance with safety regulations and missed deadlines as a major reason for his decision.

State agencies, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, are working urgently to manage dam safety and mitigate risks as access to the powerhouse will soon be restricted.

Report Garret Ellison shares more in this story here.
In 2025, MLive in Michigan and AL.com in Alabama investigated the current use of paraquat, a heavily regulated weed killer thats the subject of thousands of lawsuits claiming it is linked to Parkinsons.

Dave Jilbert always wanted to be a farmer.

He went to agricultural school, moved to a homestead, started a winery and eventually purchased 16 acres of farmland in the central Ohio valley. He grew grapes for about five years, until he felt himself slowing down.

It wasnt long before the tremors started.

Jilbert, at the age of 61, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2021.

Im not a doctor, he said, but all I know is I used paraquat and I got Parkinsons.

Theres no definitive cause of Parkinsons, a brain disease with no cure that gets worse over time, but researchers have found a majority of cases are environmental. Now Jilbert is suing. He argues that spraying a toxic pesticide called paraquat is to blame.

And now hes trying to get it banned.

Im trying to keep people from doing what I did, said Jilbert, now 66. I dont want people to be damaged like me.

With evidence of its harms stacking up, paraquat has already been banned in dozens of countries all over the world, including the United Kingdom and China, where its made. Yet last year, its manufacturer Syngenta, a subsidiary of a company owned by the Chinese government, continued selling paraquat in the United States and other nations that havent banned it.

Its degenerative

When Jilbert started growing grapes, he did his research on weed control.

He needed to contain suckers, shoots that quickly sprout at the base of the vine, strangling the fruit. It would either take weeks to clip the suckers by hand, or Jilbert could spend a couple of days spraying Gramoxone, a paraquat product manufactured by Syngenta.

It was a great herbicide, he said.

From 2014 through 2018, Jilbert loaded Gramoxone into a 50-gallon sprayer on the back of his tractor and wound through the vineyard, misting the seed bed of the vines. He needed a license to buy it from a farming co-op. But at the time, the only precautions involved wearing rubber gloves, a heavy shirt and goggles.

Now, the regulators require respirators, enclosed cabs, among other safety measures.

By 2020, Jilbert felt his hands stiffen as he changed the oil on his tractor. He chalked it up to getting older. When the tremors started, a doctor diagnosed Jilbert with Parkinsons, telling him the brain disease is degenerative.

Parkinsons occurs when the brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that controls movement, stop working or die. Its the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world with Parkinsons Foundation research showing U.S. cases have risen by 50%.

Ray Dorsey, a neurologist, says Parkinsons disease is largely preventable with research showing that 87% of those with the disease do not have any genetic risk factors, or in other words, the cause lies not within us but outside of us.

If we clean up our environment, we get rid of Parkinsons disease, he said.

9 1 / 9 Ohio farmer fights to ban pesticide after Parkinson's diagnosis

Before taking medication, Jilbert couldnt fasten buttons, tuck in his shirt or tie his shoes.

The next step was getting a DaTscan of his brain for a research trial.

During that trial, a doctor explained that a healthy brain scan will light up with two bright commas. A brain scan with Parkinsons will illuminate two periods. Jilbert walked out and looked at his scan results: two periods.

Its degenerative, he said. Thats what keeps ringing back in my mind.

Almost five years in, Jilbert now takes 11 pills a day. His movements have improved, but his head bobs. He has off days and on days.

Ive got a farm. Ive got 26 acres. Ive got the homestead, Jilbert said. It looks beautiful. The roads are straight and weeds in check. I followed all the labels. And then I get Parkinsons.

Mass litigation

After learning more about paraquat, Jilbert joined the mass action lawsuit against Syngenta and Chevron USA in 2021. Hes one of thousands of people who claim the chemical manufacturers knew about the dangers of paraquat but sold it anyway.

The manufacturers should have known that paraquat was a highly toxic substance that can cause severe neurological injuries, the lawsuit argues, and should have taken steps to ensure that people would not be harmed by paraquat use.

Jilberts suit argues he was exposed when mixing, loading and spraying paraquat on his vineyard. During that time, the lawsuit says he breathed in small droplets of the pesticide.

Once absorbed, the paraquat entered his bloodstream, attacked his nervous system and was a substantial factor in causing him to suffer Parkinsons disease, the suit claims.

Jilbert did not comment on the lawsuit while its pending.

A settlement agreement was reached earlier this year, which would resolve thousands of cases in Illinois, but the negotiations are still being worked out. Without a settlement, it could go to trial in 2026.

Syngenta says settling does not imply paraquat causes Parkinsons disease, but litigation can be costly and distracting.

We stand by the safety of paraquat, a statement said.

Syngenta has also rejected the claims, saying despite decades of investigation and more than 1,200 epidemiological and laboratory studies of paraquat, no scientist or doctor has ever concluded in a peer-reviewed scientific analysis that paraquat causes Parkinsons disease.

Chevron, which has never manufactured paraquat and has not sold it since 1986, also disputes the claims.

Growing effort to ban

In recent decades, more than 70 countries have banned paraquat because of its risks to human health.

But its still allowed, and widely used, in the United States after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency re-registered paraquat for another 15 years because it did not find a clear link between paraquat and Parkinsons disease.

Im not a doctor, but all I know is I used paraquat and I got Parkinsons. Dave Jilbert, an Ohio farmer

Several advocacy groups sued the EPA over this decision.

Jilbert, since getting diagnosed with Parkinsons, has joined a growing movement to get paraquat banned. Hes been to Washington D.C. twice to lobby lawmakers.

I didnt ask for this, so thats what makes me mad, he said. I wanted to tell my story and maybe I can keep it off the market. Do my part to stop the nonsense.

A coalition of Democratic U.S. lawmakers, expressing grave concern, also urged the EPA last year to ban paraquat. And legislation has been floated in California and Pennsylvania that would prohibit it on a state level.

In the meantime, Jilbert retired from making wine this summer. His future with Parkinsons feels uncertain. But he knows he wants to spend his remaining time with his wife of 37 years.

Im reinventing my future philosophy for whats to come, he said. Because I dont know whats going to come.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. lawmakers from Michigan are once again trying to compensate the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for land stolen from the tribe 150 years ago.

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025. Its the second time federal lawmakers from Michigan have tried to settle longstanding land claims by the Upper Peninsula tribe as well as clear titles for the current property owners.

In 2023, the bill unanimously passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

Michigan Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, both Democrats, sponsored this years reintroduced legislation, which will now be considered in the U.S. House where Michigans Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, sponsored a companion bill.

The bill will result in $33.9 million in federal compensation for the land paid to the Baraga-based tribe, if approved in the House and signed by President Donald Trump.

Related: Tribal nations lead wild rice revival in Michigans lakes and streams

Peters said this bipartisan and bicameral legislation is a long time in coming.

This legislation is a positive step forward in righting this wrong, and its past time to get this commonsense bill signed into law, Peters said.

The tribes leader said the legislation is the product of years of work with neighbors and friends to address the illegal taking of thousands of acres of treaty-protected reservation lands.

The United States Constitution demands just compensation when the government seizes your land and the KBIC Settlement Act will finally provide our Tribe with the justice and compensation we are due, said KBIC President R.D. Curtis, Jr.

Related: Keweenaw Bay Tribe gains 700+ acres within reservation boundaries

KBIC Vice-President Everett Ekdahl, Jr. said tribal officials are looking forward to working with Bergman to get the bill passed in the House.

The tribe was guaranteed occupancy over a large region established as the LAnse Reservation through treaties signed in 1842 and 1854. Despite those treaties, thousands of acres were illegally taken by the federal government without compensation and were then signed over to the state.

If the bill is signed into law, nearly $34 million in federal money would be paid to the tribe through federal budgeting in 2026. The money could be used by the tribe to pay for government services, economic development, natural resources protections, and land acquisition  but not to buy land for gaming.

Additionally, non-Native people, groups and local governments which acquired the land at issue over the years in good faith will be guaranteed clear titles to their properties under the legislation.
HOLLAND, MI  An elderly woman drowned at the Holland Aquatic Center on Monday, Dec. 15, police said.

Holland police said that it appears the woman drowned because of a medical condition.

The Aquatic Center has closed for rest of the day for an unexpected medical situation.

Police expect to provide further information later.
SALINE TWP., MI  A Saline Township resident has filed a legal motion to intervene in a court case in order to stop a massive 2.2-million-square-foot hyperscale data center from being constructed adjacent to her rural home.

Kathryn Haushalter, who lives on Willow Road near the data center site off West Michigan Avenue, filed a motion requesting intervention in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

Haushalter is seeking to defend the township boards initial decision to deny conditionally rezoning about 575 acres of farmland for the data center.

The township board initially voted down the rezoning in September. However, after data center developer Related Digital and property owners sued the township, the board changed course and decided to settle instead of fighting it.

Haushalter claims in her court filing that Saline Township violated the Open Meetings Act when during an Oct. 1 closed session, the township Board of Trustees decided to settle the suit and pursue a consent judgment.

It is a claim township attorney Fred Lucas and township Clerk Kelly Marion deny. Lucas and Marion said no votes were held in closed session.

During a closed portion of that meeting, the Township Board decided via a motion to move forward with trying to settle the lawsuit, according to Haushalters motion.

The Township Board never voted in an open meeting to negotiate for a consent judgment and never voted on the finalized consent judgment language, it states.

Haushalter and her attorneys also claim township Supervisor James Marion and Clerk Kelly Marion signed a consent judgment, which allowed the data center project to move forward with stipulations, without the board voting in public session to approve the consent judgment.

Lucas refutes the claims.

The voting all took place in open meeting. All votes occurred in public session, he said. I would have never permitted a vote in closed session.

He said he has informed attorney David Landry, who represented the township after Related Digital and the property owners sued the township, of Haushalters legal filing.

Landry was not immediately available for comment Monday morning.

The Oct. 1 meeting minutes list the boards actions in this order:

The board and township planners entered into a closed session with attorneys regarding the suit and a proposed consent agreement

The board voted 4-1 to try to settle the lawsuit

A motion was made to open the special meeting back up

Landry discussed the proposed consent agreement with residents present

Township Clerk Kelly Marion said the order of events is incorrect in the minutes and it was her typo.

I should have had that we made a motion to go back (into open session) and then voted, Marion said. It should have been the other order. Im human. We voted in front of everybody.

She said none of the board members caught the error before they approved the meeting minutes.

Trustee Tom Hammond, who made the motion to pursue a settlement on Oct. 1, was not immediately available Monday morning.

A message seeking comment from Related Digital was sent to firm representatives.

Haushalter has been a vocal opponent of the data center project. She recently told MLive preliminary work on the data center site has caused her nuisances, including truck traffic on backroads and noise from trucks backing up.

Our township board had no right to vote secretly and usher in a predatory data center in the middle of our farmland community through unlawful re-zoning, Haushalter said in a statement.

We will now stand with the citizens of Saline Township and fight for our right to say no to this project. I will always defend the people and fight for whats right, she said.

Haushalter and her husband renovated a nearly two-century-old farmhouse where they are raising their large family. Their land is actively farmed, according to a release.

The consent judgment deprived Haushalter of her ability to defend Saline Townships decision to deny the rezoning, according to the suit.

By agreeing to settle with Related Digital and the property owners, the township stripped Haushalter of her rights to participate in the zoning decisions that dramatically affect her property and quality of life, it states. Saline Township has made clear it will not defend Haushalters interests and therefore intervention is warranted.

Attorney Robby Dube, who is representing Haushalter, issued the following statement:

This is the first salvo in the battle between Michigan citizens and the data centers that are trying to flood Michigan. We have filed to intervene into the Saline lawsuit so we can throw out the consent judgment that was negotiated and signed in secret. Then, we will do what Saline Township was unwilling to do: fight to show the original decision to deny rezoning was valid. Data centers cannot be permitted to use lawfare to override the democratic will of the people.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
FLINT, MI  A former Kearsley Community Schools support staff member charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct will face trial.

Chad Lee Moshers case was bound over to Genesee County Circuit Court after a preliminary examination in October. Last week, Mosher appeared before Judge Mark Latchana, where prosecutors announced there was no plea agreement offer on the table at this point.

The court set a final pretrial date of Jan. 28 and a trial date of Feb. 24.

Mosher, 35, is accused of grooming and inappropriately touching an 11-year-old boy during private tutoring sessions over a period from March 2023 to March 2024, said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Moshers attorney Matthew Norwood told MLive his client maintains his innocence.

Mosher was put on leave from Kearsley Community Schools in the summer of 2024 when school officials learned of the investigation. KCS terminated Mosher when charges were brought against him on Sept. 11.

He did nothing wrong, and we look forward to the day that a court or jury exonerates him, Norwood said.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  After more than a year of speculation, Microsoft has confirmed it plans to build a data center in Kent County.

The tech giant recently submitted a request for rezoning for a property at 7174 Patterson Ave. in Gaines Township, a Grand Rapids suburb. The townships planning commission is set to host a public hearing on the request on Thursday, Dec. 18, according to the meeting agenda.

Microsoft in October 2024 purchased 316 acres on the northwest corner of Patterson Avenue and 76th Street from office furniture manufacturer Steelcase for $45.3 million. The company at the time said the purchase was part of its ongoing search for development opportunities in the Michigan market.

The upcoming planning commission meeting focuses on a 40.5-acre parcel that was part of the 2024 purchase.

Microsoft is requesting to have it rezoned from large-scale planned unit development to light industrial, which will match the zoning of a light industrial parcel directly south of the property. The two parcels will be used together to support a data center, according to planning commission documents.

In an email to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press, Microsoft said it does not yet have formal plans for the data center.

Project plans including construction timelines are yet to be finalized, a Microsoft spokesperson said. We continue to work with our local partners and are committed to sharing information when we have it.

Data centers are basically warehouses of computer hardware for servers, data storage and network equipment that are used to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing. They use significant electricity and water to power and cool their servers and equipment.

Across the state, residents in various communities have been turning out in huge numbers at meetings as developers pitch data center projects.
KENT COUNTY, MI - A new, underwater-themed indoor playground has officially opened its doors to the public in the city of Wyoming.

Mermaid Bay Kids Indoor Play, located at 968 28th St. SW in Rogers Plaza, hosted its official grand opening this month.

The Dec. 11 event offered attendees a chance to meet with a live mermaid and pirate and take photos.

The now open space boasts multi-level structures, obstacle courses, bounce zones, air cannons, ball pits, a cafe, gift shop, slides, themed areas like a supermarket and kitchen, a dress-up area and more.

Owner Jersey Zhang said they were inspired by their three daughters under four years old.

The family also owns three candy store locations across West Michigan.

A lot of parents were saying the playground is different than those big traveling parks, Zhang said about the new Mermaid Bay Kids Indoor Play. They like the design where there is only exit and they dont have to worry about kids running in and not being able to find them.

The playground offers two-hour play sessions for kids between 2 and 10 years old. Prices range from $8 to $20, depending on the childs age and day of the week. One parent is included in admission.

There are membership options starting at $49.95 per month for one child to $124.99 per month for four children. Those who pay upfront for one year receive a month for free.

Locals can make the new space their go-to for individual visits, group outings, birthday parties and school field tripscomplete with a selection of comfort treats, such as candy, pizza, soda, hot dogs and slushies.

And while the kids are having all the fun, the parents can relax in Mermaid Bays lounge area. New moms can also utilize the private nursing rooms.

Parents can bring their kids in, they play and the parents get a cup of coffee, and then when the kids are done, they can order some food and eat at the cafeteria, Zhang said. After, kids can pick up some candy, and theyll be happy. Its easier to take them home then because they can take a nap afterwards.

Zhang told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that he did a lot of research before opening the indoor playground. The 6,000-square-foot space was formerly a fitness center.

The biggest factor he wanted parents to know is that Mermaid Bay is affordable.

Everything is going up in price and were trying to stay committedthats our goal, he said. We want to achieve an affordable indoor playground area for local families.

Guests can also make the most of their play with everyday punch cards, with the tenth visit being free.

Additionally, there are party punch cards available, which offer the first two parties at regular price, free pizza during the third party, a free upgrade for the fourth party and the fifth party is free.

Mermaid Bays hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Learn more and purchase tickets or gift cards by visiting mermaidbaygr.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, has introduced bipartisan legislation to slash the cost of childcare for parents across the U.S.

Scholten announced the bill alongside representatives from the Grand Rapids Chamber and First Steps Kent at a press conference held Monday, Dec. 15, at First Steps Kents office building at 401 Hall St. SW in Grand Rapids.

There are times when my husband and I sat around the table and said, can we still make this work? As a young attorney with two kids in daycare, sometimes the answer seemed no, she said.

The bill, which Scholten co-sponsored alongside Republican Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, would create a national Tri-Share program based on existing programs in states like Michigan and provide additional funding for states that already have such programs.

Tri-Share, first introduced in Michigan, splits the cost of childcare equally in thirds between a parent, their participating employer and a state fund.

The Michigan Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program launched in 2021. The $1 million program initially served Muskegon County, the Great Lakes Bay Region and Northwest Michigan before expanding to all Michigan counties.

Over 270 employers currently participate, according to the state, including 17 in Kent and 13 in Ottawa Counties.

Michigans Tri-Share program has become a nationally recognized innovation for supporting working families, Andy Johnston, senior vice president of strategic initiatives for the Grand Rapids Chamber, said. When I go to national conferences talking with my colleagues at chambers across the country, theyre still asking us about Tri-Share.

Since Michigan implemented the program, more states and counties have jumped on board, including North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Connecticut and Indiana, Scholten said.

Since 1990, childcare expenses have more than tripled, and in 38 states and Washington, D.C., childcare costs more than public college tuition. Parents pay a median of $800 a month, or a median of up to $1,100 for parents who need 20 hours or more of care a week, according to Scholtens office.

Locally, reports have found that expensive childcare is keeping thousands of potential employees out of the workforce, costing West Michigan $279 million in missed economic performance, and the state almost $3 billion.

Our economy pays the price when parents are forced out of the workforce, and the burden falls disproportionately on women who are still more likely to leave the workforce than their male counterparts when it comes to the burden of childcare, Scholten said.

Over 80% of Michigan employers have said Tri-Share has helped them retain and attract workers, Scholten said.

Muskegon County behavioral health clinic HealthWest said it spends around $15,000 a year to use Tri-Share, and around 40% of the employees who use the program said they stayed because of it.

The 13-county Region 4, which makes up most of West Michigan, has been declared a childcare desert, by the Great Start to Quality program and the Child Care Mapping Project by Michigan State University.

A childcare desert means that for every childcare slot available, three or more children of the same age group are competing. Age groups include infant/toddler, pre-K and school age. In some cases, no licensed providers are available to serve them.

If the national Tri-Share bill passes, participating states will see a portion of their costs reimbursed by the federal government, which will enable them to expand the program to more participants, Scholten said.

For states that have not yet had the resources to participate, theyll be incentivized to do that with backing from the federal government, she said.

Scholten said she has not yet gotten commitments from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, or committee leadership on whether the bill will go forward. With backing from Republican legislators in Michigan and across the country, however, Scholten said shes optimistic for the measures success.

This is not a political issue, its just a good, common-sense approach to addressing the affordability crisis, which we know everybody wants to do right now, she said. So, we plan to keep up the pressure on our House leadership and leadership in the White House to get them to champion this as part of a 2026 agenda.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A bicyclist was killed Sunday, Dec. 14, when he was struck by three vehicles near Grand Haven, sheriffs deputies said.

The bicyclist was a 26-year-old Grand Haven man. His name has not been released.

The crash was reported around 6:15 p.m. on Mercury Drive near Lake Avenue in Grand Haven Township.

Preliminary investigation showed that the bicyclist was riding northwest on Mercury Drive when he was struck by a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze headed in the same direction.

He fell from the bike then was struck by an oncoming 2014 Ford Escape before being hit by a third vehicle that left the scene. Police later identified the third driver.

The bicyclist died at a Muskegon-area hospital.

Grand Haven Township Fire Department and Trinity Health EMS assisted sheriffs deputies.

The crash remains under investigation.
MASON COUNTY, MI - The bodies of two missing snowmobilers were found Sunday morning.

Two Grand Haven men were recovered by first responders in six feet of water on Dec. 14 in Round Lake off Sugar Grove Road in Mason Countys Sheridan Township.

The riders, aged 65 and 49, were reported missing at 12:30 a.m. after their family had not heard from them for several hours, according to the Mason County Sheriffs Office.

At first, through family of the missing, police believed the two may have been snowmobiling on trails in Lake County.

The Lake County Sheriffs Office started searching trails in attempts to locate them.

Around 4:30 a.m., the search expanded to include eastern Mason County.

A searcher located snowmobile tracks leading onto Round Lake off Sugar Grove Road. A further search showed no tracks leaving the lake.

Due to darkness and heavy snowfall, a check of the lake from shore could not be performed.

At first light, police saw what appeared to be a snowmobile helmet several hundred yards offshore on the ice.

Mason County Sheriffs Office launched a drone when weather permitted and spotted a hole in the ice.

There was a helmet at the hole.

Rescuers attempted to get to the area, but kept falling through the ice, making rescue efforts impossible, the press release stated.

The Michigan State Police Dive Services Team and Mason County dive team were called to assist and made their way onto the ice.

An airboat from the Manistee County Sheriffs Office responded to support recovery efforts.

While the team worked to get to the hole in the ice, an MSP diver fell through the ice, but was properly tethered to another diver and was pulled from the ice unharmed.

Law enforcement recovered the bodies in approximately six feet of water. Two snowmobiles were also found submerged under the ice.

The Ludington Police Department, United States Coast Guard-Manistee, Michigan DNR-Law Enforcement, Branch Township Fire Department, Carr Fire Department, Fountain Area Rescue, Free Soil Fire Department, Hamlin Fire Department, Irons Fire Department, Luther Fire Department, Pleasant Plains Fire Department, Manistee Fire Department and Norman Township Fire Department all assisted at the scene.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  A volunteer for Scouting America in Whitehall allegedly set up hidden cameras to capture video of girls changing and showering in his bathroom.

Robert Alan Mark, 59, of Whitehall, is named in a federal criminal complaint alleging sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

He had his initial court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

He was jailed pending detention and preliminary hearings on Monday in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.

He has hired Grand Rapids attorney Charles Chip Chamberlain, court records show. Chamberlain declined to comment.

Mark was described in court records as a Scouting America crew leader.

Scouting America Michigan Crossroads Council revoked Marks membership on Aug. 22, when the allegations came to light, according to a spokesperson.

According to the complaint, a state police sergeant who was a Scouting America volunteer learned from another volunteer about an incident from 10 years earlier. The volunteer said Mark had recorded underaged girls in their bathing suits at a Scouting event at a waterpark.

The volunteer did not know that Mark was associated with Scouting America at that time. The volunteer also saw Mark recording girls in 2019 at another event at a pool, the FBI said.

Because of the allegations, the state police sergeant began monitoring Mark.

During an Aug. 3 event, the sergeant saw Mark point his phone under a picnic table, appearing to record two girls, ages 13 and 14, who were wearing short shorts.

Investigators then talked to the 14-year-olds parents.

The parents watched him at the next Scouting event and saw Mark appear to record a group of children and follow their daughter with his phone when she walked away, FBI special agent Aaron Eastham wrote.

The parents found messages from Mark on their daughters phone but none were sexually explicit, the FBI agent said.

They told investigators that Mark had held pool parties at his house for the previous two or three years and that he told their daughter she could change and shower in his bathroom.

Around that time, Scouting America reported to police that a woman said Mark had been taking photos of girls since 2021, when she was a minor. The tip said Mark would aim his phone at the girls, take screenshots of their social media and make them uncomfortable, the FBI said.

The alleged victim said Mark held many events at his house and that girls would change and shower when they went swimming. He always had his phone out when they were in the pool, the FBI agent said.

On Aug. 26, investigators executed a search warrant at his home. Among items seized were two small black cameras, two power adapters with built-in cameras and five plastic hooks with built-in cameras, the FBI said.

Mark allegedly told investigators he had intermittently recorded girls since 2019, and that he did not think he captured any nudity.

On his cellphone, investigators found a folder called, My Vault, with initials that matched alleged victims in the videos.

At least 60 of the videos in the My Vault folder showed female children in either a bathroom or bedroom showering, undressing from bathing suits, changing into regular clothing, undressing to use the toilet, and/or stepping out of the shower in a bathing suit or nude  , Eastham wrote.

Mark allegedly admitted to using hidden cameras in Command-brand hooks and the phone chargers to record the girls during pool parties. The FBI provided information on six alleged victims.

Mark said the alleged victims ranged in age from 10 to 18, the complaint said.

The case is expected to go before a federal grand jury for potential indictment.

Sexual exploitation of a minor carries a penalty upon conviction of at least 15 years, and up to 30 years, in prison. The child-pornography charge is a potential 20-year offense.
The iconic Home Alone house is being restored to its 1990s glory days.

Thats the word from project manager Scott Price, who told NBC5 in Chicago that a renovation is underway to make the house look like it did when the beloved Christmas film was shot there ahead of its release in 1990.

The home in Winnetka, a suburb of Chicago, was sold in 2024 and the new owner quickly made changes.

Soon after, images of the homes new look emerged online, revealing that the formerly cozy and colorful mansion was now decked out in modern-looking black and white.

The change sparked outrage from fans who began clamoring for the home to return to its nostalgic look.

The was sold again earlier this year for more than $5 million and the homes new owner is paying for it to return to its nostalgic glory.

Our vision is to bring back the warmth and just the love from the movie, Price told NBC Chicago. There was so many great colors and it just made you feel like family and like home and we want to bring that magic back.

The red-brick, Georgian-style, multi-level mansion features a central staircase with dark wooden banisters, rich wood floors, patterned wallpaper, and classic furnishings. In the film, its decorated heavily for Christmas with garlands, lights, a massive tree, cozy lighting and deep red and green colored items everywhere.

A timeline for the completion of the project was not announced.

We love this movie; it was a really important movie in our childhood and thats true for the family that owns the house too, Price told the TV station.

Directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone is considered a timeless classic, especially around the holidays. It stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who defends his home from a pair of bumbling robbers after his family accidentally leaves him behind on their Christmas vacation to Paris.

The cast also features Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine OHara.
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Maruti Suzuki's Senior Executive Officer for Marketing and Sales, Partho Banerjee, with the new e Vitara.
Kia India Sales and Marketing SVP Atul Sood told Moneycontrol that the Seltos will come in hybrid technology

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Juan Carlos Gil applauds Vikrant Masseys commitment on White: 'Five hours of make-up, twelve hours of shooting'
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Manju Warrier breaks silence after ex- husband's Dileeps acquittal, says 'Justice for survivor is still incomplete
Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain have been married for four years

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Mental health benefits of Ozempic: According to the study results, people with Type 2 diabetes who use GLP-1 medications appear to have a modestly lower risk of developing epilepsy (Image: Pexels)
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A possible peace deal could eventually increase Russian oil supply, which is currently sanctioned by Western countries.
Most of the 10 biggest H-1B employers declined to comment on how the fee will shape hiring plans.
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While the commerce secretary said it remains to be seen how many FTAs can be concluded next year, he expects significant progress across several negotiations, with multiple agreements likely to be wrapped up.
India, US 'very close' to interim deal to lower reciprocal tariffs but don't want to put a timeline: Commerce Secy

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Park Medi World IPO Allotment Live: How to check allotment status on KFin Technologies portal

Investors can also check their allotment status on KFin Technologies Limited portal: https://kosmic.kfintech.com/ipostatus

Steps to check:

Go to the web portal of KFin Technologies Limited

Select the IPO from the dropdown menu (appears only if allotment is finalized)

Choose one of the three modes: Application Number, Demat Account Number, or PAN ID

Select the application type: ASBA or non-ASBA

Enter the details for the mode selected in Step 3

Fill in the captcha accurately for security

Click Submit
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Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality IPO to hit Dalal Street on Dec 22, listing on Dec 30
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A quarter of family businesses now eye external capital and public markets as wealth transfer prompts review

A quarter of family businesses now eye external capital and public markets as wealth transfer prompts review

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Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.
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Managing scale while delivering good risk-adjusted returns has been key: ICICI Pru AMCs Nimesh Shah
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Refex Industries shares surge 19% after 34% fall in 3 sessions as firm clarifies on I-T searches
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Stocks to Watch Today: Wakefit, Corona Remedies, Dr Reddys Labs, Wipro, Aurobindo Pharma, NLC India, Ashoka Buildcon, KEC in focus on 15 December
Investor behavior remains the wildcard, with panelists criticizing the constant chase for past winners.

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DIY Guide: How to update demat account and mutual fund KYC online
The volatility has been observed across other crypto tokens, too, with ETH up 0.23 percent, ADA down 0.73 percent, SOL down 0.21 percent, XRP up 0.82 percent, and BNB down 0.50 percent in the past 24 hours.

Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots.
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Plan to get Rs 20,000 crore worth of SM REITs over 3-4 years, says Alt's Kunal Moktan
P-notes are financial instruments used by foreign investors to invest in Indian equity markets without registering directly with the market regulator.
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From Trump Towers to Jacob & Co, branded residences lead Indias luxury housing wave
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Granules India shares in focus on EIR for Hyderabad facility
This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources

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At previous close, the Sensex was up 426.86 points (0.51 percent) at 84,818.13, and the Nifty was up 140.55 points (0.55 percent) at 25,898.55
President Donald Trump, arriving at the White House on Dec. 9, discussed his administrations efforts to address affordability concerns.
Civil aviation ministry plans cabinet approval for shifting AAIs Dahisar high-frequency radar to Gorai; Maharashtra will bear costs
Early this August, the top court had constituted a High-Powered Committee to supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Banke Bihari Temple.
China advances education opening-up through Hainan FTP

Xinhua) 14:00, December 15, 2025

HAIKOU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- While studying at a German university without ever leaving China was once unthinkable, for 21-year-old Tao Nijia, the journey meant traveling not to Europe but to the tropical island of Hainan, where China is testing a new model of independently operated foreign universities.

Tao is part of the first cohort at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, a campus established by Germany's Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI) under policies to build Hainan Island into a free trade port (FTP) with the highest level of openness.

Now in his third year, Tao, a computer science major, is among nearly 600 students at the university drawn from 29 provincial-level regions across China.

The university has imported HSBI's "work-integrated" model, which emphasizes industry cooperation and application-oriented training. Tao studies programming, deep learning and neural networks in English and has already completed internships at China Mobile and German automation firm Weidmuller.

Students must also study German, and those who meet language and academic requirements may spend a year at HSBI in Germany and obtain a dual Chinese-German degree.

"It isn't a slogan. The practical training really runs through the entire four-year curriculum," Tao said. "Going into companies helps me understand how the knowledge actually works."

As China's largest special economic zone, Hainan holds unique advantages in serving as a testing ground for reform and opening up. In April 2018, China announced plans to transform the island into a pilot free trade zone, with a long-term vision of developing a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.

A master plan released two years later aimed to build Hainan Island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. Under the plan, high-level overseas universities and vocational institutions in science, engineering, agriculture and medicine are permitted to operate independently in the Hainan FTP.

To date, Hainan has partnered with 48 domestic and overseas universities, and won approval for two independently operated campuses of foreign universities and 26 Sino-foreign higher-education institutions and programs, according to the provincial department of education.

Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences enrolled its first students in 2023, marking the first time China allowed a foreign university to operate independently without a local partner. The second such campus -- Hainan Lausanne Tourism University -- opened in September in Sanya, offering majors in hotel management, exhibitions, tourism, and culinary and nutrition education.

Hainan's endeavor is part of a broader opening-up push in China. The country has engaged in educational cooperation and exchanges with 183 countries and regions, signed mutual agreements on the certification of academic qualifications and degrees with 61 countries and regions, and collaborated with 42 countries and regions to operate joint educational institutions and programs.

For Dirk Klann, a German instructor at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, the development of the FTP has created real opportunities. "It sends a signal not only within Hainan but beyond the island that policies here are not just announced, they are actually implemented," said Klann, who joined the university in August.

On Thursday, Hainan FTP will launch island-wide special customs operations, a major milestone in the opening-up drive of the world's second-largest economy.

"In today's world, with all the disruptions around us, removing obstacles to trade matters," he added. "When you take those barriers away, trade will naturally find its path. The opening-up measures here contribute exactly in that direction."

"Cultivating talent is a universal endeavor. It transcends national borders," said Zeng Weilu, vice president of the university. "The school was born out of the Hainan FTP and China's broader opening-up."

Zeng said the school is permitted to recruit international students and is considering admitting its first cohort, likely from Europe and Southeast Asia, next year. It aims to grow to about 6,000 students and staff within five years, he added.

Looking ahead, Tao is considering staying in Hainan after graduation. With the Hainan FTP expected to attract more multinational and high-tech companies, he believes the island offers room to grow.

"Hainan is still growing, and the policy advantages are strong," he said. "My international training and language skills match the direction this place is heading."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, issued advisories early in the morning, urging passengers to plan their journeys carefully and stay updated on flight status.
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During his stay from December 15 to 16, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold discussions with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire range of India-Jordan ties and to exchange views on key regional developments.
The three Apache attack helicopters, described as "tanks in the air", are equipped with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, cannons, and rockets
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting Israel and the UAE for bilateral consultations.
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Elections will be held for 29 municipal corporations, 32 district councils, and 336 panchayat samitis.
He has the experience of being prabhari ( party incharge) of Chhattisgarh and Sikkim.
Our societies and economies are closely linked, so closely that we are interdependent on each other, Verma said.
On the final leg of his journey, PM Modi will visit Oman, commemorating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
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SFO Technologies said the project underlines Indias growing role in the global defence supply chain.
Delhis air pollution worsened further on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, classified in the extreme severe category.
They were detained by Thai authorities in Phuket on December 11 following intervention by the Indian mission, which has been coordinating closely with the Thai government.
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The Swadeshi Movement spread like wildfire in 1905 after the British colonial government forcibly partitioned Bengal.

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The Eastern Window | India has emerged as a hot political issue in Bangladesh elections

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India invests far too little in research as a percentage of GDP.

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H5N1 bird flu detected in vampire bats feeding on coastal wildlife of Peru
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January 2, 2024 Ukraine SitRep: Tit For Tat, Tat, Tat  Russia Intensifies Missile Strikes On the 29th of December Russia fired swarms of drones and missiles against Ukrainian weapon factories and depots. Ukraine responded on new year's eve with a missile attack against the Russian city of Belgorod. The attack led to a number of civilian casualties. Russia responded with attacks on Kharkiv where a hotel frequently used by western personnel was destroyed. On new year's eve Ukraine also fired missiles into the center of Donetzk city. Russia launched dozens of drones towards Odessa. In both cities several people were killed and wounded. President Putin of Russia began the year with a visit to a military hospital (in Russian, machine translation): On January 1 of the new year, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the Central Military Clinical Hospital named after A. A. Vishnevsky. Not just like that, but with an inspection and a conversation with military personnel wounded during a special military operation. A frank conversation, with uncomfortable questions.



Putin, in response to a question from another military officer, also commented on the massive enemy strike on Belgorod on December 30. He did not hold back his emotions and directly called the incident a terrorist act. Targeted attack on the civilian population. Of course, this is a terrorist attack. Should we respond like this? Of course we can. We can hit the squares in Kiev and any other city. Denis, there are children walking there, mummies with strollers. I understand I'm seething myself. I want to ask you something. Do we need to do this? In response, the military explained that he does not talk about strikes on civilians. He believes that it is necessary to hit the military, infrastructure: "We need a strike to once and for all, so that they can not come to their senses and respond to us already." And that's what we do. You noticed that just the next day such strikes were delivered. And today, in my opinion, they are applied. And tomorrow they will be,  Putin promised. The President reminded that we use high-precision weapons to hit places where the enemy makes decisions, places where military personnel, mercenaries gather, and other similar centers. First of all, for military facilities. And they are quite sensitive, these blows. So we will do it. You probably noticed that just the next day such strikes were delivered. And today, in my opinion, they are applied. And tomorrow we will do it. You know what the point of what they do is: they want to: a) intimidate us and b) create some kind of uncertainty in our country. But we, for our part, will step up the strikes I mentioned. Definitely. No such crime  and it is certainly a crime  against the civilian population will go unpunished. This is 100%. There can be no doubt about it. Patrick Armstrong reminds everyone to listen to what Putin says. This morning a total of four waves with probably hundreds of drones and missiles hit Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. First came geranium suicide drones to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses. Then followed cruise and ballistic missile strikes (machine translation): The current attack, apparently, was a complex one  first "Shahids" and cruise missiles from strategic bombers tried to calculate the air defense positions, and then the strike was followed by faster and more accurate "Daggers". It is possible that again, as in May last year, the Russians "hunted" air defense systems in this way. But, again, there is no official data on which objects were used for arrivals. Zaluzhny said that civilian and critical infrastructure, industrial and military facilities were attacked. Russian military publications say that the strikes were aimed at ammunition depots and drones. But so far there is no confirmation of this. At the same time, judging by the videos published in social networks, the damage to warehouses in Kiev is serious. According to Klitschko, 2,000 square meters of warehouses were engulfed in fire in the morning. Debris from air defenses killed and wounded a number of people. The Ukrainians claimed that they intercepted most of the incoming weapons: Ukraine Battle Map @ukraine_map  9:56 UTC  Jan 2, 2024 Full Breakdown of missiles and drones shot down by Ukraine  on January 2nd 10/10 or (100%) of Kinzhal Missiles

59/70 or (84.3%) of X-101 Missiles

3/3 or (100%) of Kalibr Missiles

0/12 or (0%) of Ballistic Missiles

0/4 or (0%) of Kh-31P Missiles

35/35 or (100%) of Shahed Drones Reality disagrees with those claims. Video from the ground showed Kinzhal impacts. As Strana remarked yesterday (machine translation): The sharply increased air attacks in recent days have shown that the Ukrainian air defense system does not intercept all missiles and drones-despite the sharp increase in its capabilities over the past year. In the West, they make gloomy forecasts about this. The British newspaper The Telegraph, citing experts, writes that the Ukrainian air defense system will not be able to repel all winter attacks by Russia. The APU will have to choose the objects that need to be protected. The reason is that the supply of Western air defense systems and missiles to them will not be enough. "There will be some systems for which they will have to ration their ammunition even more than now. They may just have to avoid hitting some targets because they don't have enough interceptor missiles," said military analyst Jimmy Rushton. Of particular concern are the deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles, which are running out due to delays in American military assistance, the newspaper writes. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported: The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a group strike with high-precision long-range weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine that carried out orders for the production of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and repair of weapons and military hardware in Kiev and its suburbs, as well as storage sites for missiles, ammunition, and aircraft weapons supplied to the Kiev regime by Western countries. The purpose of the strike has been achieved. All the targets have been engaged. We can expect that these missile attacks will further intensify. Jaquese Baud, in an excerpt from his new book published by Postil, points to Russia's inherent advantage: The reason the Russians are better than the West in Ukraine is that they see the conflict as a process; whereas we see it as a series of separate actions. The Russians see events as a film. We see them as photographs. They see the forest, while we focus on the trees. That is why we place the start of the conflict on February 24, 2022, or the start of the Palestinian conflict on October 7, 2023. We ignore the contexts that bother us and wage conflicts we do not understand. That is why we lose our wars  Disarming and denazifying Ukraine, the war aims Putin had named, indeed describe a long process, not just the visible events of this or that single day. Comments
March 22, 2024 Russia. Is. At. War. Due to a flurry of western support for Ukraine, now escalating to ground troop insertions, Russia had to move its special military operation in Ukraine into the bigger scope of a full fledged war. Over the last month the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate GUR and its civilian secret service SBU have attempted to disturb the recent presidential election in Russia. They did this by: sending forces, with U.S. made equipment (Bradleys), to attack Russian border villages in the direction of Belgorod (Belgograd), by launching missiles from Czech Vampire (RM-70) multiple launch rocket systems towards Belgorod, by launching somewhat successful drone strike against Russian oil refineries. The election in Russia saw a record turnout. As expected President Putin did win by a very large margin. His legitimacy is a geopolitical reality: If Nato expansion is about the perpetuation of US hegemony and de-dollarisation is about the burial of the western financial system that underpins that hegemony, Putin is playing a pivotal role in that historical process. If Putin remains in power till 2030 and fulfils even one half of the ambitious blueprint of social and economic programme for Russia that he outlined in his landmark speech at the Federal Assembly of the parliament, the global strategic balance will have shifted irrevocably and cemented a multipolar world order as the anchor sheet of 21st century politics. The West knows it, the Russian people know it, the vast majority of nations realise it. That said, it must be understood as well that this is not only Putins victory personally but also a consolidation of Russian society around him. And that accounts for the last weeks election turning into such a high-stakes affair. With the election out of the way Russia was free to hit back. Moon of Alabama @MoonofA  13:24 UTC  Mar 20, 2024 Ru Ministry of Defense claims 1725 Ukrainian casualties over the last day (650 in Belgograd direction alone)

https://function.mil.ru/news_page/ Over the last six days the Russian MoD reports claimed no less than nine hits on the Czech Vampire systems which targeted Belgorod. The Ukrainian incursion towards Belgorod has thus been defeated. On Wednesday Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, had visited Kiev. He was noticed for what he did not say: Jake Sullivan, US National Security Adviser, has said that Ukraine will win if it comes out of the war as a sovereign, democratic and free country. At the same time, he did not mention restoring Ukraines territorial integrity among the conditions of victory. It is believed that Sullivan delivered a warning to Kiev. As the Financial Times reported (archived): The US has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russias energy infrastructure, warning the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, according to three people familiar with the discussions. The repeated warnings from Washington were delivered to senior officials at Ukraines state security service, the SBU, and its military intelligence directorate, known as the GUR, the people told the Financial Times. Both intelligence units have steadily expanded their own drone programmes to strike Russian targets on land, sea and in the air since the start of the Kremlins full-scale invasion in February 2022. The U.S. concern is not about Ukraine but about Biden's chance for reelection: Russia remains one of the worlds most important energy exporters despite western sanctions on its oil and gas sector. Oil prices have risen about 15 per cent this year, to $85 a barrel, pushing up fuel costs just as US President Joe Biden begins his campaign for re-election.



The US objections come as Biden faces a tough re-election battle this year with petrol prices on the rise, increasing almost 15 per cent this year to around $3.50 a gallon. Nothing terrifies a sitting American president more than a surge in pump prices during an election year, said Bob McNally, president of consultancy Rapidan Energy and a former White House energy adviser. The Ukrainian government denied and confirmed the FT report (machine translation): Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanashina actually confirmed the information to the Financial Times , saying that "we understand the calls of American partners," but Ukraine responded to such calls by "achieving its goals" and "very successful operations" on the territory of the Russian Federation. Sullivan's warning about provoking retaliation was too late. Yesterday, for the first time in 44 day, Russia launched a missile attack against Kiev (archived): The Ukrainian Air Force said that air defense systems had intercepted all 31 of the Russian missiles that targeted Kyiv. Still, debris from the downed missiles fell in various parts of the city, causing the injuries and damage. No deaths have been reported so far.



In the Podilskyi district, which is home to industrial facilities that Russia has targeted in the past, a plume of black smoke was rising early in the morning, suggesting a hit. Mr. Klitschko said a fire had broken out at a power substation in the area. Ukrainian officials rarely confirm strikes on strategic industrial and military targets.



Thursdays attack on Kyiv echoed a strategy used by Russia during air assaults in late December that consisted of overwhelming Ukraines air defenses with multiple launches of various types of missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic ones. Russia has launched relatively few large-scale missile attacks in recent months, despite a capacity to produce more than 115 long-range missiles per month, according to Ukrainian officials. Yesterday's Russian MoD report said: Last night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by long-range precision weaponry including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles at AFU decision-making centres, logistic bases, temporary deployment areas of special operations forces and foreign mercenaries. The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the targets have been engaged. Such Russian strikes are complex. Drones are send first to reveal Ukrainian air defense systems. Then follows a wave of attacks against those system. A third strike is then launched against the real targets of the attack. In this case those were a drone factory in Kiev as well as a headquarter of the military intelligence service GUR. Another large scale strike followed today. The primary targets were elements of the electricity infrastructure: Large areas of Ukraine are suffering blackouts after Russian missiles targeted energy infrastructure. There is no electricity in the second-largest city of Kharkiv, says regional head Oleg Synehubov. Fifteen blasts were reported in Kharkiv, while more than 53,000 households in Odesa were without power. Ukraine's energy minister, German Galushchenko, accused Russia of trying to provoke "a large-scale failure of the country's energy system". A power line feeding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant had been cut, he added. Regional head Ivan Fedorov said the power station was "on the verge of a blackout", adding that seven buildings in the region had been destroyed and 35 others damaged. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched more than 60 Shahed drones and about 90 missiles into Ukraine during the wave of overnight attacks. Internet access in Ukraine has dropped significantly. This was again a complex attack: Lord Bebo @MyLordBebo  9:42 UTC  Mar 22, 2024  Russian missile attack on Ukraine during March 22nd, 2024. -> Notice the flight patterns of the missiles. Aviation:

At 01:12, the takeoff of 3 Tu-95ms from the Olenya air base was noted.

At 02:30, information on the movement of 13 Tu-95ms to the launch lines was clarified.

At 03:34, the launch of the KRPB Kh-101/555/55 was carried out from the Volgograd region.

At 04:18, the takeoff of 5 Tu-22m3s from the Mozdok air base was noted.

During the attack, a total of 10 MiG-31Ks were raised (7 were used before the attack). Armament:

55/63x "Shahed-136/131" Type Shock Unmanned Aerial Vehicles;

0/12x OTR "Iskander-M";

35/40 X-101/X-555 cruise missiles;

0/5x NKR Kh-22;

0/7x ARPB Kh-47M2 "Dagger";

2/2x CAR X-59;

0/22x ZKR S-300/S-400. The targeted air attack vector during today's day is marked on the map.

bigger

bigger The Ukrainian air defense claimed to have shut down 55 of 63 Shahid drones. But the Iskander, Dagger and S-300 fired against it all came through. The Russian MoD reports (machine translation): Today, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a massive strike with high-precision long-range weapons of air, sea, land-based and unmanned aerial vehicles against energy facilities, military-industrial complex, railway junctions, arsenals, places of deployment of formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries. As a result of the strike, the functioning of industrial enterprises for the production and repair of weapons, military equipment and ammunition was disorganized. In addition, foreign military equipment and weapons delivered to Ukraine from NATO countries were destroyed, transfers to the front line of enemy reserves were disrupted, and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and mercenaries in the areas of restoring combat capability were hit. All the goals of the massive strike have been achieved. Some European politicians are eager to join the fight.

bigger As demonstrated today, Russia is ready for it. But unlike a still training Macron Russia has taken its gloves off (machine translation): Peskov: Russia is in a state of war, everyone should understand this Russia will continue to act in such a way that the military potential of Ukraine could not threaten the security of its citizens and its territory, he said in a conversation with reporters. "What is the president talking about? We have four new regions of the Russian Federation. And the main thing for us is to protect people in these regions and liberate the territory of these regions, which is currently de facto occupied by the Kiev regime," Peskov said. According to the presidential press secretary, Russia cannot allow the existence of a state on its borders that has documented the intention to use any methods to take Crimea from it, not to mention the territory of new regions. "We are at war. Yes, it started out as a special military operation, but as soon as this little group was formed there, when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, it already became a war for us. I am convinced of this. And everyone should understand this for their internal mobilization," Peskov added. In parallel to Peskov's declaration of war talk, Russias announced the mass production of the three ton heavy FAB-3.000 aerial bombs with 1,400 kg of explosives. These will be fitted, like the currently used FAB 500 and FAB 1.500, with the universal planning and correction module (UMPC) which allows the bombs to glide some 40 miles after being launched to then hit its planned target with high precision. There is little that can survive such a strike. In his (highly recommendable) book "The Russian Art of War", the former Swiss military intelligence officer Jacques Baud described the reason why the current fighting in Ukraine started out as a "Special Military Operation" within a larger context: The use of the word "war" would imply a different structure of conduct than that envisioned by the Russians in Ukraine, and would have other structural implications in Russia itself. Moreover  and this is a central point  as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg himself acknowledges,"the war began in 2014" and should have been ended by the Minsk Agreements. The SMO is therefore a "military operation" and not a new "war", as many Western "experts" claim. That was then. Now Russia is at war. This will have, as Baud says, a different structure of conduct and other structural implications in Russia and beyond. Those 'western' politicians who are dreaming of fighting Russia have no idea of what will hit their troops the moment they try to join the war. NATO however, and especially the United States, will not go to war. At least not yet. President Biden has his hands full with the genocidal war the Zionists are waging against the Palestinian population. There is also a chance for a war to suddenly start in Asia. (Could North Korea be asked to flex its muscles?) Neither the U.S. nor Europe are in the shape of winning a multi-front war of global dimensions. The military leaders in the relevant countries know this well. In consequence 'Western' politicians will have to bite the bitter pill of a decisive strategic defeat. Comments
December 15, 2025 EU Sanctions Swiss Intelligence Expert Jacques Baud The European Union is trying to eliminate sources of information that do not confirm with its official interpretation of real world events. One of the latest persons hit with official EU restrictions is the former Swiss intelligence official and author Jacques Baud: Jacques Baud is a former colonel of the General Staff, ex-member of the Swiss strategic intelligence, specialist on Eastern countries. He was trained in the American and British intelligence services. He has served as Policy Chief for United Nations Peace Operations. As a UN expert on rule of law and security institutions, he designed and led the first multidimensional UN intelligence unit in the Sudan. He has worked for the African Union and was for 5 years responsible for the fight, at NATO, against the proliferation of small arms. He was involved in discussions with the highest Russian military and intelligence officials just after the fall of the USSR. Within NATO, he followed the 2014 Ukrainian crisis and later participated in programs to assist the Ukraine. He is the author of several books on intelligence, war and terrorism, in particular Le Detournement published by SIGEST, Gouverner par les fake news, Laffaire Navalny, and many other books. I have quoted Baud in several of my pieces on Ukraine and have linked to his writings in the magazine Postil. Several Youtube channels like Glenn Diesen, Daniel Davis and Nima Alkhorshids Dialog Works have regular discussions with him. The latest one, by Dialog Works, was published (vid) just seven days ago. I have bought and read one of Bauds books, The Russian art of war  How the West led Ukraine to defeat and can highly recommend it. Baud is not writing fantasies. There are footnotes on nearly every page of his books with links to the sources. His analyses are objective and well founded. That of course does not sit well with a EU officialdom that is living in a fantasy world where Russia is so weak that its economy will crash the next month and so strong that it will conquer Europe by next summer. Such Russophrenia is used for a power grab by technocrats and the dismantling of the last traces of democracy in Europe. This is one of the outcomes: Alfred de Zayas @Alfreddezayas  12:24 utc  Dec 14, 2025 We are witnessing a civilizational collapse with the EU sanctioning Jacques Baud, a retired Swiss colonel and intelligence officer, for publishing books and articles expressing views on the Ukraine war contrary to those of the NATO leadership. I had difficulties to believe that the EU would be stupid enough to hit out at one rather prominent expert that is criticizing it. A search of English news items came up with only one item by the U.S. propaganda outlet RFERL: Brussels Adds New Names To Blacklist In Latest Russia Sanctions Package, Dec 10 2025 European Union ambassadors on December 10 decided on further sanctions against Russia, with a new package adding several individuals and entities to its sprawling blacklist adopted in response to the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. While not a sweeping sanctions package involving sectoral restrictive measures hitting Moscow as in the past, the new measures focus on five individuals involved in the global oil business in an attempt to hit Russia as it trades below the G7-imposed oil price cap that currently stands at $47.60 per barrel.



EU ambassadors also agreed to target people who they believe have carried out destabilizing activities on behalf of Russia around the globe.



A former colonel in the Swiss Army, Jacques Baud, is also listed for acting as a mouthpiece for pro-Russian propaganda and making conspiracy theories, for example accusing Ukraine of orchestrating its own invasion in order to join NATO. Former French military officer Xavier Moreau is listed for similar actions. The Swiss French language outlet 24heures reported on Saturday (edited machine translation): According to the website of Radio Free Europe, which has revealed the information on Wednesday, the name of Jacques Baud, 70 years, is expected to appear Monday on a list of European sanctions aimed at private citizens involved in disruptive activities against the EU and the partner states. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this former colonel and officer of the intelligence Service of the Swiss Confederation had been noticed by countless interventions in the media. In essence, he accuses the West to manipulate and betray Ukraine for war with Russia  a war that it deems in advance lost by Kiev and its allies. According to the EU, it would acknowledge also the Ukraine to have orchestrated his own invasion in order to be able to join NATO. Having read a lot of Bauds pieces about the cause of the war in Ukraine and how it began I am not aware that he, at any time, accused Ukraine of orchestrating its own invasion in order to join NATO. That idea though exists and goes back to the former advisor to the president of Ukraine Olexei Arestovich. He has argued that Ukraine must win a big war before it will be allowed into NATO: It is too early to talk about Ukraines NATO membership now, but things will change after the nation wins the war, Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidents administration, said in Vilnius on Thursday [, Sep 8 2022]. If we win the war, its going to be a completely different situation; now the issue of NATO is a little (premature), he said when asked if he expects Ukraine to be invited to join the Alliance at its planned summit in the Lithuanian capital in June 2023. I have also seen a pre-war video clip, which I now fail to find, Here is the video clip from March 2019 in which Arestovich made a similar claim: first win a big war against Russia, then get invited to NATO Of course a large scale war with Russia and joining NATO as result of defeat of Russia. The coolest thing. The clip is from an interview (in Ukrainian) with Svetlana Sheremetyeva of the Ukrainian magazine Apostrophe: A full-fledged war with Russia will begin in a couple of years-Alexey Arestovich  Apostrophe, Mar 18 2019 Baud though has, to my best knowledge, never endorsed that view. [updated Dec 16, 7:45utc, 9:15utc] More from 24heures: The decision of Brussels, however, is not yet official, and the spokesperson of the European Council has not confirmed on Friday. Especially because of the comments on this issue could allow people referred to move their assets before the entry into force of the measures, on 15 December. Contacted this Friday, James Baud indicates that you will not be aware of these possible sanctions. This is interesting I didnt know, I havent been warned, he explains. The European sanctions aimed at the heads of the destabilizing activities, in which they propagandize for the benefit of Russia, have been introduced in October 2024. They provide for the freezing of assets of persons sanctioned, a prohibition of entry on the territory of the EU and the prohibition of making funds available to them. These measures may affect Jacques Baud full force. Now retired, the Swiss man lives in Brussels and its main current publisher, Max Milo, is French. The sanctions prevent it in principle a touch of copyright in the EU. The Swiss, however, do not apply the EU measures on destabilizing activities . The sanctions against Jacques Baud were published today and are now official. In Annex 57 the Statement of Reasons claims: Jacques Baud, a former Swiss army colonel and strategic analyst, is a regular guest on pro-Russian television and radio programmes. He acts as a mouthpiece for pro-Russian propaganda and makes conspiracy theories, for example accusing Ukraine of orchestrating its own invasion in order to join NATO. Therefore, Jacques Baud is responsible for, implementing or supporting actions or policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten stability or security in a third country (Ukraine) by engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference. The EU Council, in which the ambassadors of all EU countries voted on these sanctions, has made a very stupid mistake. Sanctioning Baud guarantees that the Streisand effect will set in: The Streisand effect describes a situation where an attempt to hide, remove, or censor information results in the unintended consequence of the effort instead increasing public awareness of the information. Please let everyone know that Jacques Baud got sanctioned. Make people aware of his writing and thoughts. Urge them to watch his talks. Consider to support Baud by buying one of his books as a Christmas gift for yourself or someone dear to you. It may just be a short time before the EU tries to confiscate and burn those. Comments
Katy Tur and Tony Dokoupil pose on the red carpet arriving for the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2023. REUTERS

(Reuters)  CBS News has named Tony Dokoupil anchor of its flagship CBS Evening News starting January 5 in one of the first major moves under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as she overhauls the network.

Weiss, who joined CBS News in October through Paramount Skydances purchase of her outlet The Free Press, is trying to revive the third-placed broadcast news network that has been losing viewers in the age of social media and online information.

The former New York Times and Wall Street Journal opinion writer, known for her pro-choice views and for being proudly pro-Israel, has been tasked with reaching a broader audience.

CBS Evening News has a storied history that reaches back to Walter Cronkite, the trusted anchorman who guided Americans through JFKs assassination and the Vietnam War, but its viewership, like the network, has been declining.

In Dokoupil, she is turning to an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with CBS News for nearly a decade and covered major stories, including the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He has interviewed major global leaders and celebrities such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Dokoupil, who has co-hosted CBS Mornings since 2019, drew attention last year for his interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his book on Israel and Palestinians, where the CBS host suggested the content would not be out of place in the backpack of an extremist and pressed Coates on omissions about Israeli security concerns.

The interview had received backlash from CBS executives that claimed Dokoupil brought his own bias to the stage, according to media reports. The Free Press strongly defended, opens new tab Dokoupil at the time, arguing he was wrongly admonished for doing legitimate journalism.

Dokoupil believes in old school journalistic values: asking the hard questions, following the facts wherever they lead and holding power to account, Weiss said in a statement on Wednesday.

We live in a time in which many people have lost trust in the media. Tony Dokoupil is the person to win it back.

CBS News also announced it hired veteran broadcast journalist Matt Gutman from ABC News as its chief correspondent, in the first on-air hire since Weiss took over.
By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang last week nominated Commonwealth Economic Development Authority Economic Development Manager Dave Guerrero and Zoning Board member Michael N. Evangelista to the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents.

Guerrero, a former First Hawaiian Bank assistant vice president and commercial banking officer, joined CEDA in 2022 and will represent Saipan and the private sector on the NMC board. Evangelista, an attorney who currently serves on the Zoning Board, will represent the Carolinian community and the private sector.

In separate appointment letters to Guerrero and Evangelista, the governor said he and Lt. Gov. Dennis James C. Mendiola are confident the nominees are highly qualified and will be assets to the Board of Regents.

In a letter to Senate President Karl King-Nabors, the governor reiterated that he and the lieutenant governor believe Guerrero and Evangelista are qualified and will serve as valuable members of the board.

The nominations require Senate consent.

Last month, former Board of Education Chair Janice A. Tenorio was sworn in as a member of the NMC board, also representing the private sector.

Current members of the NMC board are Chairman Dr. Jesse Tudela of Saipan; Vice Chair Elaine Hocog Orilla of Rota; Michelle Sablan of Saipan; and William M. Cing of Tinian.

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.
A police officer walks toward the Barus & Holley engineering building, at the site of Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Dec. 14, 2025. REUTERS

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Reuters)  A man was taken into custody on Sunday at a Rhode Island hotel and held as a person of interest in the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine wounded amid year-end final exams at the Ivy League school, authorities said.

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said at a midday news conference that the person detained in connection with Saturdays gun violence was in his 20s but declined to share further details. Perez said earlier on Sunday that authorities were not seeking other suspects at this time.

Detectives anticipated that the person in custody would be formally charged Sunday night, city public safety spokesperson Kristy DosReis said.

Other news media outlets, including the Washington Post and NBC News, cited unnamed sources identifying the man as military veteran Benjamin Erickson, 24, who previously resided in Wisconsin.

A person by the name of Benjamin W. Erickson served as a U.S. Army infantryman from May 2021 to November 2024, leaving the service with the rank of specialist without ever being deployed, military officials told Reuters. But they could not confirm whether he was the man detained over the Brown University shooting.

FBI Director Kash Patel earlier Sunday said 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.

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.

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 theres 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.

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 Browns 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 OHara 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.

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 were both students at Brown but beyond that, we dont know each other.

Teaching assistant Joseph Oduro, 21, told CNN he was in a classroom that was attacked.

The first couple of gunshots went straight to the chalkboard right where I was standing, Oduro said. Who knows, if I didnt duck, maybe Im 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 wasnt that worried at first, DiPrimio said in a TikTok video after coming out of a five-hour lockdown. Maybe I was desensitized.
By Ambrose M. Bennett  Activist

THE Truth is, some do not want to hear this TRUTH, but denial is NOT going to create a better future. Evolution is an All-Powerful & Inevitable Phenomenon and those who embrace evolution & control-change are the ones who benefit the most (prosper). The Romans slogan, Fortune Favors the Brave or Bold is TRUE, and Mining & Culture are just the latest challenges. I respect those who say NO, but I beg to respectfully suggest a Far-Better to use the Blue Frontier as a Template for a Symbiotic-relationship to improve our economy & control the mining driven by science & scientists that will be self-financed, not government. Work-the-problem & create a plan, as WE Economists say, for the least amount of intrusive & destructive mining to control the future of the ocean. History has proven too many times when the world needs resources from a place or region, there is No-Power-on-Earth powerful enough to stop this evolutionary & demanding phenomenon. Its also a fact, mining could/will happen without the consent of island governments. Wisdom dictates, mankind will forever seek earths natural resources, and the key is to control as stewards, as a flat out NO will NOT withstand the test of time!

Our new Brand includes Culture and the evolution of the indigenous cultures in the CNMI are far behind other Indigenous Island People like the Hawaiians due to being caught in the wake-of-change with virtually no real progress and facing the same death that hundreds of other cultures that did NOT stand the test of time. Having minored in Sociology I can see the Cultural Decline & Challenges and I must say something in hopes that the Powers-that-Be (Indigenous Leaders) will step forward to meet the challenges of the evolutionary forces preying on the indigenous cultures. One of the biggest proofs of the faltering indigenous cultures is the huge migration pattern youth/adults who cant wait to leave searching for the American Dream with the preservation of the culture far down their list and may not even be listed, which is the Hard Truth. Everything created by mankind needs maintenance to be perpetual and Cultural Maintenance is lacking in the CNMI & WHY Im issuing this Tough-Love for Cultural REFORMS  so dont be hating the TRUTH & Ambrodamus for CARING!

There is always talk about culture but for many, if not most, they are not walking their talk when it comes to the indigenous cultures. Ambrodamus has personally witnessed the Republicans preaching culture and even falsely attacking Ambrodamus as a threat to the local culture when they couldnt be farther from the truth if they were on Pluto, as my wife & children are Chamorros! The (GOP & Dems) dislike the challenges to evolve & accountability that I pose so they try to kill the message & messenger! However, the Truth is they have done virtually TAYA on the maintenance & evolution of our economy & cultures. WHERE is the Cultural Center for Tourists like WE see in Hawaii, WHERE is the Culture School like WE see in Hawaii, WHERE is the recognized Warriors, Chiefs & Priest System like WE see in Hawaii, WHERE are the Books to become Documentaries & Movies on Taga & the History to promote our BRAND like the Hawaiians, WHERE are the Summer Programs for Youths to learn the entire cultures (Warrior School, Navigating, Arts & Crafts, Indigenous Games & Customs) like the Hawaiians. WHERE are the new words Ive been calling for since the early 2000s, as the indigenous languages are becoming more & more dysfunctional. Please note: Social Scientists have stated more than once that language alone is insufficient to maintain & preserve an entire culture over time which is just one reason for the death of previous cultures  for TRUE! And since the Ocean is a hot topic now, WHERE are the Culture Practices & Ceremonies to recognize the Ocean as part of the Culture like WE see the Hawaiians often conduct. There is more but the point should be VERY Clear there is a lot of work to be done in the CNMI beyond just talking culture if Culture is truly to be part of our World Recognized Brand. WE cant just talk & invoke culture but Do-the-Work to make sure the cultures are functioning & evolving. Walk the Talk on Culture that is ALL on the lacking Indigenous Leaders, not Ambrodamus!

People easily seek & accept the constructive criticism of the Priests & Pastors, but in the CNMI when someone is not of the same culture & origins trying to help and speak-out on what needs to be done, they are SCORNED not on the merits but because of their race & origin proving BIGOTRY rules, not Progress! However, I pray this ugly & deteriorating practice to the CNMIs evolution will end One-Day, as I knew bigotry existed in the Political Arena and emissaries like Saipan Man & Crew would manifest along the way. But someone must offer constructive criticism on issues like our Economy, Politics & the Maintenance of the Social Fabric. Its like Dr. King asked me & others that I took very seriously: he asked, if not you, then who and if not now, then when will WE as a People Overcome the forces of Racism, as most cultures are facing Racial-Erosion! The bigotry of ignoring Ambrodamus has literally cost the CNMI millions  for TRUE! Some of the major flaws in the CNMI is the failure to meet the expectations of the evolutionary forces like the demands for the American Dream & Progress with Good High Paying Jobs and Careers, a broad-based & flourishing economy and everyone treated Equally which are TRUE Perpetual Variable Forces of Evolution. HELLER and Wakeup to look in the mirror, as the CNMI must go where it has never been before to fix our economy avoiding Subjectivity and using Objectivity to Mining & Maintenance of the Cultures to complement our New Brand!

One People, One Direction.

Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays-Lifetime Humanities & Religious Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
By (Eiperang) Gregorie Michael Towai

Independent Researcher, Refaluwasch & CNMI Community Member

WHEN the Covenant is questioned, it is not just a document under review. It is our history, our trauma, and the protections our elders fought for being weighed once again.

Those who negotiated the Covenant were not far removed from war. They were still living with its consequences. Many were rebuilding their lives after World War II  after bombardment, displacement, hunger, and loss. Villages had changed. Families were missing. Stability was something they had to rebuild piece by piece.

Our community also remembers that the war did not only take Chamorro and Refaluwasch lives. Japanese civilians were part of our villages long before the fighting reached Saipan. Our elders grew up with them, went to school with them, worked alongside them, and formed relationships that felt ordinary then but remain meaningful today. When the war came, those relationships were torn apart.

In the final days of the Battle of Saipan, many Japanese civilians died at what we now call Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff. Influenced by fear, wartime propaganda, and beliefs about honor and surrender, some chose to jump rather than be captured. In some cases, entire families died together. Our elders saw this with their own eyes. They lived among death on a scale no community should have to endure. That trauma shaped the way they approached every decision afterward, including the creation of the Covenant.

This is the context in which the Covenant was negotiated.

Our elders understood, deeply, what happens when powerful forces decide the fate of small island communities. They had lived under multiple administrations and seen how quickly land could be taken, how easily people could be displaced, and how little protection civilians have when decisions are made far from home. They did not negotiate out of fear or bitterness. They negotiated with clarity shaped by experience.

That is why land protections for people of Northern Marianas descent were non-negotiable. Land was not just property  it was identity, continuity, and survival. That is why local self-government mattered. After living under systems where decisions were imposed without local consent, they knew governance had to remain with the people who live with the consequences.

Today, when the economy struggles, the Covenant is often framed as outdated or restrictive. But our economic challenges did not begin with self-government. They came after decades of development imposed from outside  models that promised prosperity but delivered dependency, environmental harm, and instability. When those systems failed, the Covenant became an easy target.

That framing is misleading.

The Covenant was never meant to be a scapegoat. It was meant to be a foundation. It protects the space for us to make decisions based on our values, our relationship to land and ocean, and our responsibility to future generations.

This is why calls to review the Covenant must be approached with care. Our history shows that when Indigenous protections are treated as negotiable, erosion does not happen all at once. It happens gradually, justified as necessary, until the safeguards our elders fought for are weakened beyond recognition.

This is not about rejecting dialogue or refusing progress. It is about remembering why the Covenant exists. It exists because our elders knew what it meant to live without protection, without voice, and without control over their homeland.

Legislators, when you debate changes to the Covenant, remember that you are not merely discussing policy  you are deciding whether to honor the sacrifices and wisdom of those who rebuilt our communities from the ruins of war. The Covenant is not fragile. Our memory of its purpose is.

If that memory fades, we risk repeating the very conditions the Covenant was created to prevent. That is a burden no future generation should have to bear  and a responsibility you carry today.
Yves here. This article from Global GeoPolitics documents in detail how key African states such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda have unwittingly and severely compromised their sovereignity via entering into agreements for the use of citizen tax and health data with foreign providers. They go beyond technical assistance and represent the transfer of strategic assets.

From an e-mailed overview:

Drawing on independent analysts, legal scholars, and historical precedent, the analysis shows how data now performs the same function taxation and population registers once served under colonial rule. The piece sets out the long-term consequences for sovereignty, security, and democratic accountability, and explains why these agreements mark a structural turning point rather than isolated policy errors. The risks of these decisions become clearer when placed against recent evidence of how the same data firms who will use this data operate in active conflict zones. An Associated Press investigation confirmed that artificial intelligence systems developed by Microsoft and OpenAI were integrated into Israeli military targeting operations in Gaza and Lebanon, marking one of the first documented uses of commercial AI in live warfare. Those systems relied on large-scale data ingestion, predictive modelling, and pattern analysis drawn from civilian information streams. The outcome demonstrated how population data, once absorbed into security architectures, can be repurposed for surveillance, targeting, and lethal decision-making without public oversight. African governments transferring tax, health, and biometric data to foreign partners are placing similarly comprehensive population profiles into ecosystems already proven capable of military application. Control over such data determines not only economic planning or healthcare delivery, but also how populations can be mapped, categorised, and acted upon during political crises, civil unrest, or external intervention. The Gaza precedent shows that assurances of benign use hold little weight once data enters integrated intelligence systems governed beyond the reach of affected citizens.

In addition, a widespread view is that China has made such strong economic inroads into Africa so as to greatly weaken US and European influence. The generally unrecognized role of the West in being able to see and mine large amounts of sensitive information of citizens in major African nation suggests that the US and the old colonial powers still have a lot of sway.

Originally published by Global GeoPolitics

Data colonialism on the African continent has moved from abstraction into formal state policy through binding agreements signed without public consent, parliamentary scrutiny, or meaningful legal protection for citizens. Nigerias memorandum of understanding with France on tax administration data, alongside healthcare data-sharing agreements signed by Kenya and Rwanda with United States agencies, reflects a pattern of external control over sovereign information systems. These arrangements represent a transfer of strategic national assets rather than technical cooperation. Historical experience across former colonies shows that control over taxation, health records, and population data has always preceded deeper forms of domination, even when formal sovereignty remained intact.

Nigerias agreement with France centres on automated compliance systems, artificial intelligence-driven audits, and data analytics applied to tax administration. French officials publicly described the arrangement as mutually beneficial, yet the structural asymmetry remains obvious. France lost direct colonial control over West Africa, but retained institutional expertise in fiscal extraction, population monitoring, and administrative enforcement. Tax data reveals income distribution, consumption patterns, business structures, geographic movement, and political exposure. Economic historians such as Walter Rodney described taxation systems as the backbone of colonial administration, allowing metropoles to extract value without constant military enforcement. Modern digital tax systems perform the same function at far greater scale and precision.

Legal scholars focusing on data sovereignty argue that aggregated data retains strategic sensitivity even when individual records are anonymised. Professor Teresa Scassa of the University of Ottawa has shown that aggregated datasets allow accurate reconstruction of behavioural and economic patterns, particularly when combined with external datasets. Once transferred, recipient states gain long-term leverage over fiscal policy design, enforcement thresholds, and revenue forecasting. Nigerian officials claimed raw taxpayer data would not leave the country, yet cross-border analytics require data visibility, modelling access, and algorithmic training inputs. Control shifts gradually through dependence on foreign technical infrastructure and expertise.

Kenya and Rwandas healthcare data agreements with United States agencies follow a similar logic, though framed through public health cooperation and biomedical innovation. Health data constitutes a nations most comprehensive intelligence resource, covering genetics, disease prevalence, medication response, mental health trends, and demographic vulnerability. Dr. Vandana Shiva and other critics of bio-colonialism have long warned that genomic and health data extraction enables pharmaceutical monopolies, patent capture, and long-term dependency. African populations become research substrates while value creation occurs abroad, protected by intellectual property regimes enforced through international trade law.

These agreements proceeded without informed consent from citizens or transparent legislative debate. Constitutional scholars such as Kenyas Patrick Lumumba have argued that consent cannot be implied through executive authority when fundamental rights over bodily autonomy and privacy are involved. Data protection laws across these states remain underdeveloped, particularly regarding biometric, genomic, financial, and geolocation information. Nigerian legal advocates warned legislators that tax and GPS data lacked explicit classification as sensitive national security assets. Parliamentary inaction allowed executive agencies to proceed under international pressure.

India offers a cautionary precedent rather than a model. Rajiv Malhotras extensive work on digital colonisation documents how Indian data assets were surrendered to foreign platforms under the guise of innovation and growth. Indian labour built artificial intelligence systems whose ownership, governance, and profit streams remained external. Domestic startups were absorbed by multinational corporations, while the state relied on foreign infrastructure for digital public goods. Indian policymakers retained flags and constitutions while losing epistemic control over information flows, cultural narratives, and behavioural conditioning. African states now face the same trajectory at a faster pace and with weaker institutional resistance.

The consequences extend beyond economics into political control. Scholars Nick Couldry and Ulises Mejias describe data colonialism as appropriation of human life through quantification, producing asymmetrical power relations resembling historical empire structures. Behavioural data allows external actors to influence elections, social movements, consumption habits, and public opinion without visible coercion. Military intervention becomes unnecessary when information systems shape perception and compliance. The Benin coup and wider Sahel instability revealed how external powers maintain influence through selected elites rather than popular legitimacy. Leaders function as administrative intermediaries rather than representatives of their populations.



( Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, notes that Indias biometric digital ID scheme has led to numerous deaths due to unintended connectivity issues that cut off peoples access to food and other essential. Infinity Foundation noted that India relies a lot on American technologies to manage its data and information, for example, India uses a lot of American social media platforms, which leads to American algorithms influencing the Indian population.)

United States government documents increasingly frame health, technology, and data cooperation as components of national security strategy. Former intelligence officials have openly described data as the new strategic resource, replacing oil and minerals. African healthcare datasets feed artificial intelligence systems used for military logistics, population modelling, and predictive governance. Professor Shoshana Zuboffs analysis of surveillance capitalism demonstrates how data extraction concentrates power while hollowing democratic accountability. African states lacking bargaining power exchange permanent data access for temporary funding, technical assistance, or political support.

United Nations and World Economic Forum initiatives under Agenda 2030 promote digital identity systems, interoperable health records, and cross-border data frameworks. Official language emphasises inclusion and efficiency, yet governance structures consistently place decision-making authority outside national jurisdictions. Political economist Quinn Slobodian documents how global governance regimes bypass democratic processes in favour of technocratic rule. African governments adopt these frameworks without public mandates, often under debt pressure or diplomatic leverage. Citizens inherit digital systems designed elsewhere, governed elsewhere, and monetised elsewhere.

Recolonisation today operates through standards, platforms, and dependencies rather than direct occupation. Control over data infrastructure determines future industrial capacity, defence readiness, and political autonomy. States unable to withdraw from foreign systems lose the ability to act independently during crises. China and Russia recognised this threat earlier and imposed strict data localisation, platform controls, and sovereign cloud infrastructure. African states remain divided, exposed, and reliant on external assurances that history repeatedly disproves.

Independent African economists such as Samir Amin warned that peripheral integration into global systems rarely produces development without internal capacity building. Data extraction mirrors raw material export patterns, leaving value-added processes abroad. Artificial intelligence trained on African data will generate products sold back to African governments at monopoly prices. Dependency deepens while sovereignty erodes incrementally, rarely triggering immediate public outrage because consequences unfold quietly over years.

Political accountability weakens when leaders negotiate away strategic assets without electoral consequences. Executive authority expands while citizen oversight contracts. Digital systems introduced without consent condition populations into compliance through service dependency. Refusal becomes impractical when healthcare access, taxation, banking, and identification require participation. Epistemic control replaces overt repression, producing what social theorists describe as managed consent.



( Chris Hedges: The role of predictive AI warfare in Gaza has been catastrophic, and is a perfect showcase of the mass digital surveillance system that Big Tech and the security state have built finally being used for targeted assassinations and mass slaughter.)

Five hundred years of slavery and domination by the West, the Africans have learnt little, even from the current global events. The risks of these decisions become clearer when placed against recent evidence of how the same data firms operate in active conflict zones. An Associated Press investigation confirmed that artificial intelligence systems developed by Microsoft and OpenAI were integrated into Israeli military targeting operations in Gaza and Lebanon, marking one of the first documented uses of commercial AI in live warfare. Those systems relied on large-scale data ingestion, predictive modelling, and pattern analysis drawn from civilian information streams. The outcome demonstrated how population data, once absorbed into security architectures, can be repurposed for surveillance, targeting, and lethal decision-making without public oversight. African governments transferring tax, health, and biometric data to foreign partners are placing similarly comprehensive population profiles into ecosystems already proven capable of military application. Control over such data determines not only economic planning or healthcare delivery, but also how populations can be mapped, categorised, and acted upon during political crises, civil unrest, or external intervention. The Gaza precedent shows that assurances of benign use hold little weight once data enters integrated intelligence systems governed beyond the reach of affected citizens. Just think about how quickly Israel and its backers introduced AI to genocide. The world was meant to adopt this technology very cautiously because as it poses an existential threat. These African leaders, however much they being bribed, they are insane. They actually believe that by redacting names and identifiers, AI is incapable of putting this data back together and linking it to the correct identities. Thats probably one of the lies they were sold.

(These are not leaders. They are puppets.)

African states face a narrowing window to assert data sovereignty through constitutional protection, legislative oversight, and domestic technical capacity. Failure to act ensures a future defined by algorithmic governance designed elsewhere. Historical empires extracted labour and resources until resistance emerged. Digital empires extract behaviour, identity, and decision-making itself, leaving little space for reversal once systems mature. African governments should suspend all cross-border data-sharing agreements pending public disclosure, parliamentary review, and constitutional scrutiny. National data protection laws must classify financial, biometric, genomic, and geolocation data as strategic assets with strict localisation requirements. Domestic capacity building should replace reliance on foreign technical systems through regional cooperation and independent infrastructure development. Citizens require enforceable rights over data use, withdrawal, and redress. Sovereignty must extend beyond borders into digital and epistemic domains if independence is to retain meaning.
Things like mortality rising higher than births in some parts of the country, antibiotic resistance creeping up, disability claims rising, sickness absence climbing  tern (@1goodtern) December 9, 2025

This recent post on the Twitter/X, which if true, might lead one to believe that such pandemic panic contributes to the geoeconomic panic infecting the world today.

Seeing as there has been an acceleration in the geopolitical and geoeconomic breakdown in recent years, largely emanating from the worlds heart of neoliberal capitalism in the US, as well as its (also neoliberal capitalist) vassals and proxies, how much of a role did/does the pandemic play? While that might be impossible to quantify, if we subscribe to the theory that bellicosity derives, at least in part, from crises of capitalism, then if COVID-19 is causing or is contributing to crises of capitalism, then there is likely to be a connection.

Evidence of COVID-19 Contribution to Crises of Capitalism

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the US-led West was already in the midst of a capitalism crisis.

COVID has only served to deepen it. A November brief from npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine highlights the following:

microeconomic impacts, which are estimated at an average annual burden of $1 trillion globally and $9000 per patient in the USA, with some individuals covering substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Annual lost earnings in the USA alone are estimated at approximately $170 billion. Long COVID was associated with increased unemployment, financial distress, and work impairment for up to three years post-infection.

Multiple other studies in the past year show how the pandemic has hammered productivity. See here, here, here.

Additionally, the pandemic might have deepened what is described as a birth rate crisis in advanced economies. While declining birth rates can have ecological benefits, they cause alarm among the capitalist class due to negative effects on economic growth.

While many of these economic trends were already present before the pandemic, COVID-19 accelerated themor at least accelerated the fear of them. Similarly, while many of the billionaires now driving the US policies in response to these crises were already psychopaths, COVID further broke their brainsif not the virus itself then fear of what it meant for their power.

Evidence that Increased Belligerence Is Result of Crises of Capitalism, Which Are Worsened by COVID-19

If one subscribes to the view that capitalist expansion (i.e., the neverending need for growth) will eventually lead to attempts at empire building in order to facilitate such expansion, then the argument is that the US-led West needs to do something to kickstart another growth and profitability wave. From economist Michael Roberts:

This golden era came to an end in the 1970s, when the profitability of capital fell sharply (according to Marxs law) and the major economies suffered the first simultaneous slump in 1974-75, followed in 1980-2 with a deep manufacturing slump. Keynesian economics was exposed as a failure and economics returned to the neoclassical idea of free markets, free flow of trade and capital, deregulation of state interference and ownership of industry and finance, and the crushing of labour organisations. Profitability was (modestly) restored in the major economies and globalisation became the mantra; in effect the expansion of imperialist exploitation of the periphery under the guise of international trade and capital flows. But again, Marxs law of profitability exerted its gravitational pull and from the turn of the millennium, the major economies experienced a fall in the profitability of their productive sectors. Only a credit-fuelled boom in finance, real estate and other unproductive sectors disguised that underlying crisis of profitability for a while (the blue line below shows the profitability of US productive sectors and the red line, the overall profitability). But eventually this culminated in the global financial collapse, the Euro debt crisis and the Long Depression; further enhanced by the impact of the pandemic slump of 2020. European capital has been left in tatters. And US hegemony now faced a new economic rival, China, after its stupendous rise in manufacturing, trade, and more recently technology, unaffected by economic crises in the West.

This is arguably what we are seeing playing out in conflicts across the globe today as the US uses its empire in an attempt to open up new markets. Why is the US trying regime change in Venezuela?

Trump said back in 2023 that its about the oil. And heres the current Director of National Intelligence back in 2019:

Oil lobbyists have unprecedented access to Trumps administrationmeanwhile Pence/Bolton continue their crusade for regime change in Venezuela, the worlds richest oil reserves. The height of swamp politics. #PeopleBeforeProfits #ServiceBeforeSelf https://t.co/jlbip5u8tV  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) April 4, 2019

And its not just oil. Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado who argues for the bombing of her home country recently told the Miami Business Forum the following:

For the U.S., we will turn this criminal hub into a security shield in the heart of the Americas. We will open Venezuela for foreign investment, I am talking about a 1.7 trillion dollar opportunity, not only in oil and gas,  but also in mining, in gold, in infrastructure, power. We will open markets, we will have security for foreign investment, and a massive privatization program that is waiting for you.

Why does the US and its European vassals want to dismantle the Russian Federation? A major driver has always been to relive the heyday 1990s when the US best and brightest sucked hundreds of billions of dollars out of the country with devastating results (the number of Russians living in poverty jumped from two million to sixty million in just a few years and life expectancy plummeted among other catastrophes).

There are, of course, other reasons, but those too have to do with crises of capitalism wrapped up in the pandemic. At the time Project Ukraine became a war, the EU had been in a prolonged (largely self-inflicted) economic crisis for years. The blocs emergency 750 billion euro COVID recovery program was supposed to stitch the union back up again, but it has underwhelmed, and instead much of the bloc elite have turned to war in a desperate bid for economic growth and to keep the union train on the tracks. That is summarized here by Wolfgang Streeck:

A possible solution for the coming fiscal crisis of an EU warfare state might be member states allowing the Union to issue its own debtwhich would, however, also require changes in the Treaties. It is fair to assume that von der Leyens out-of-thin-air fiscal commitments in the context of the Ukrainian war were, and are, aimed exactly at getting member states to grant the EU this right to incur debt, constitutive for a modern state. Indeed, that right has long been demanded by advocates of European supranational centralization and integration. An EU borrowing capacity would give member states access, outside of national state budgets and therefore invisible to national voters, to the favorite medicine of underfunded capitalist states, public debt. Keeping national contributions to the European Union low by allowing the Union to debt-finance part of its expenses would amount to another, more advanced, form of political level-shifting.

Fascist Solutions in Silicon Valley

Back in the US, during the early days of COVID the seeds were planted for the new imperial strategy were seeing today. Marc Andreessen, the billionaire who co-founded the venture capital firm a16z and, before that, played a role in the invention of the modern web browser, was a driving force behind the elite Signal group chats that began to look for solutions to their problems back in 2020. According to Semafor, those chats included other billionaires and members of companies that now play dominant roles in Americas efforts to remake the country and the world into technomonarchies.

The chats were filled with billionaire grievancesthat they were being underappreciated and shackledand conviction that they knew the best way forward for humanity. As Semafor notes, The Group Chat Era depended on part of the American elite feeling shut out from public spaces, and on the formation of a new [Silicon Valley] conservative consensus.1 They were reportedly most concerned with power.

That makes sense if you subscribe to the teachings of monarchist pundit Curtis Yarvin who was reportedly lionized in the Andreessen-led Signal chats. Heres Quinn Slobodian on Yarvins vision for the future:

Right-wing accelerationists imagine existing sovereignty shattering into what Yarvin, writing under the pen name Mencius Moldbug, calls a patchwork of private entities, ideally governed by what one might call technomonarchies. Existing autocratic polities like Dubai serve as rough prototypes for how nations could be dismantled into a global spiderweb of tens, even hundreds, of thousands of sovereign and independent mini-countries, each governed by its own joint-stock corporation without regard to the residents opinions. These would be decentralized archipelagoes: fortified nodes in a circuitry still linked by finance, trade, and communication. Think of the year 1000 in Middle Europe but with vertical take-off and landing taxis and Starlink internet. Yarvin expressed the essence of the worldview recently when he enthused over Trumps proposal to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip and rebuild it as a US-backed colony securitized as an asset and sold to investorsas he called it, the first charter city backed by US legitimacy: Gaza, Inc. Stock symbol: GAZA.

We are now seeing ongoing attempts to create this visionwhether in Gaza, guarding the billionaire pet project in Honduras, Freedom Cities in the US, the embrace of the UAE in yet another genocide, or in the deepening of an American political economic system which guarantees profits for the monopolistic weapons and tech surveillance sectors through endless war at home and abroad.

Again much of these symptoms were already present in the US, but why did the pandemic produce this concerted effort from the Silicon Valley and other billionaires to double down? They were, after all, already billionaires who already control much of what passes as social planning in the US. These chats took place even before their arch nemesis Lina Khan began modest efforts at the Federal Trade Commission to rein in Silicon Valley and other billionaire rapaciousness. What were they so fearful of?

What was evident to us all back when the powers that be still cared about the pandemic was presumably also evident to them. They saw the US struggling with shortages, unable to even produce personal protective equipment, and it scared them. It drove home the point that the US global position was weakening. Now, the lords of Silicon Valley and finance might be chiefly responsible for that development, but in their telling its because they havent been given enough power. One only needs to take a look at Andreessens April 2020 screed titled Its Time to Build, which became something of a rallying cry for the technomonarchists, for a glimpse into this mindset. Whether they really believe it or its just opportunistic power-grabbing matters little; what does is that so far they have been successful, which is bad news for everyone, including them.

The second obvious factor would likely be the growth crisis mentioned above and how COVID had the potential to make it worse. They were also horrified by what they saw as power shifting to the peasants via more generous, albeit temporary, safety net benefits and work-from-home policies. Tim Gurner might be Australian, but I believe he provided one of the more candid omissions of the billionaires views in this clip:

Gurner Group founder Tim Gurner tells the Financial Review Property Summit workers have become arrogant since COVID and Weve got to kill that attitude. https://t.co/lcX3CCxGuj pic.twitter.com/f9HK2YZRRE  Financial Review (@FinancialReview) September 12, 2023

Of course, these billionaire fears played the major role in the return to normalcy (for the peasants) push. But Andreessen and friends didnt stop pushing there. They are part of a larger plan.

Edward Ongweso Jr. looks past all the bubble talk at how AI is integral to the US plan of securing hegemonic primacy in the 21st centuryregardless of whether the bubble bursts or not. The whole piece is well worth a read, but here a few key pieces:

the final act of a three-act play of US imperial management, featuring an evolution from dollar diplomacy to oil diplomacy to compute diplomacy centered around deploying our state apparatus and capital to preserve global hegemony the United States could manufacture a sovereignty crisis with some hysteria about compromised datacenters and Chinese chipsthe only cure, then, is the American option: US-made chips (Nvidia), US-controlled cloud architecture (Microsoft/Amazon), US-controlled financing (BlackRock, Emirati investment firm MGX), and so on. What political vehicle will meet the task for building this new order? One candidate is the burgeoning coalition that we can describe as the Compute Axis: 1) Silicon Valley and its capital-intensive dream of building God out of sand; 2) Trump and his brigandsconcerned with transactional relationships, deregulation, and imperial plunder; 3) the sovereign capital of Gulf sovereigns.

Theres certainly no guarantee itll work, but that doesnt mean they arent going to try. In the meantime, what does it mean for the peasants? The tech bro takeover must continue because China

Picture CCP-controlled Chinese AI running the world. How does that make you feel? https://t.co/yxQZ9es5MB  Marc Andreessen  (@pmarca) February 6, 2025

To win, America just must turn over all  as opposed to the large majority of its capital allocation decisions to a bunch of billionaires chiefly concerned with cementing their grip on power. Thats always the common theme. In order to build to win there must be no regulations, and AI must be supported to the moon. These policies are already teed up for Democrats 2028 in the form of abundance, which when you really boil it down is just the flip side to same coin that is Trumps current all-in AI approach: the technomonarchists must be given everything they need and want and they will deliver us to their idea of victory.

Despite the current tech-friendly reign, Silicon Valley titans are still having a rough go of it. And the great irony is that theyre accelerating Americas demise:

Isnt one of the most obvious features of Chinas success that its built on capacity to discipline its capitalist firms  including the inevitable chiselers in their ranks. Brings to mind this observation from FDR, seemingly lost to Western posterity. https://t.co/IAzOdHlbtK https://t.co/8QCfeZHE3q pic.twitter.com/U8GJ4SoOpA  Nikhil Pal Singh (@nikhil_palsingh) November 30, 2025

What the recent events from Venezuela to Gaza to the streets of the US demonstrate, however, is that unless decision-making power is taken away from the techmonarchists, the world is in for a whole lot more hurtboth at home and abroad. We likely would have gotten to this breakdown point regardless, but the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than serving as moment for reflection, cooperation, and as Andreessen put it, an opportunity to build, tragically became a moment of acceleration with US and Western elites doubling down on nearly all dystopian fronts. As they face more setbacks, why would the next response be any different?

***

Notes
Experiment to train rats to play Doom reaches a new level; rats can now shoot enemies  wraparound AMOLED screen provides virtual environment for neuroengineers expanded open source project Toms Hardware

Rethinking the Holiday Centerpiece Enlightened Omnivore

Brutal Beats Orion Magazine. On brutalist architecture and pirate radio in the UK.

Can We Really Claim That Civilization is on the Steady Path of Progress? Lit Hub

Rob Reiner, wife found dead inside Brentwood home in apparent homicide KTLA

Climate/Environment

Pandemics

A new RECOVER study of 6.4M health records shows Long COVID risk has not decreased from 20202024. Incidence stayed stable across variants, reinforcing Long COVID as an ongoing public health priority.

Read the study: https://t.co/RN66kGhyxM pic.twitter.com/j93jKQCxML  RTHM (@RTHM_Health) December 10, 2025

Japan

Japan to create ministerial post for envisioned national intelligence bureau Japan Times

China?

India

INDIA AND RUSSIA COMBINE TO RESIST TRUMPS INDIAN OCEAN STRATEGY John Helmer

Thailand- Cambodia Conflict

Thailand launches new offensive as Cambodia halts all border crossings Al Jazeera

Sydney Shooting

Syraqistan

The coming conflagration in Lebanon and Syria will very probably be a shared US-Israeli effort. This will also send Gaza and a fabled phase 2 to oblivion  Alon Mizrahi (@alon_mizrahi) December 13, 2025

What the hell is going on? https://t.co/4uE5yLufnP  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) December 13, 2025

Old Blighty

European Disunion

 Part 1/2  Merz stood before his CDSU party and did two things in the same speech that should have stopped Europe cold. He declared that Pax Americana is over. And he reached for Europes darkest memory Munich, the Sudetenland, Hitler, to argue that Russia wont pic.twitter.com/msPDyUSvbC  THE ISLANDER (@IslanderWORLD) December 14, 2025

New Not-So-Cold War

BREAKING: Ukraines President Zelenskyy has tasked lawmakers with drafting a bill to enable elections during martial law.

Sources said the media friendly to Zelenskyys team, that now Kyiv expects that the U.S. will make pressure on the Kremlin to stop the shelling and pic.twitter.com/1JBR0FiwVp  Iuliia Mendel (@IuliiaMendel) December 15, 2025

South of the Border

Argentinas President Javier Milei: The left retreats. Freedom advances. pic.twitter.com/X9BXfxkolR  Clash Report (@clashreport) December 15, 2025

Trump 2.0

Asked if hed carry out an attack on a presidentially declared domestic terror org on US soil (e.g. Antifa), NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Guillot says he would  as long as it was lawful. SENATOR REED: if the president declared an organization, a terrorist organization, or a DTO, pic.twitter.com/vpxwq0SolK  Ken Klippenstein (NSPM-7 Compliant) (@kenklippenstein) December 13, 2025

Good question:

Was Purdue Pharma a narco-terrorist?  Rudy Havenstein, Senior Markets Commentator. (@RudyHavenstein) December 1, 2025

Accelerationists

AI billionaires 2026 intimidation campaign is already working Rolling Stone

Democrats en deshabille

Harris stepping toward another White House run Axios

Spook Country

How Did the C.I.A. Lose a Nuclear Device? New York Times

Immigration

Imperial Collapse Watch

The U.S. Navy Isnt Losing to China at Sea  Its Losing in the Shipyard By any measure, the U.S. Navy should not be struggling to build ships. It has the worlds largest defense budget, unrivaled operational experience, and decades of technological leadership. And yet, as the pic.twitter.com/YWBcNbaMMN  Ignis Rex (@Ignis_Rex) December 14, 2025

Fashion

The Unlikely Rise and Uncertain Future of Lockheed Martin Streetwear Business of Fashion

Healthcare?

AI

Ownership of the means of thinking Archedelia

Idea: AI earrings that whisper to you and help you make decisions. pic.twitter.com/sOemSliQe5  Shivers (@thinkingshivers) December 14, 2025

I was forced to use AI until the day I was laid off. Copywriters reveal how AI has decimated their industry Blood in the Machine

Its crazy to me that adobe products were always known to be expensive for us artists, plus, have faced criticism with their hidden fees and difficult cancellation process. They were never user friendly and now theyre letting people who erase art use their product for free. https://t.co/V7kxOoqxCy  Raph (@RaphDeee) December 13, 2025

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

Denmark plans to severely restrict social media use for young people AP

Gunz

Sports Desk

Economy

Mr. Markets Bright Horizons

Basically all of US growth is being driven by the enormous AI investment boom and the wealth effect the stock market boom is having on consumption. This likely accounts for the mixed polling on the economy in spite of seemingly robust headline growth.  pic.twitter.com/RDXCYrj8Nq  Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) December 15, 2025

Class Warfare

Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy BIG by Matt Stoller

NEW: Behind Italys beauty (and parmesan) is a radical tradition of cooperatives. In some areas, they make up nearly a fifth of the GDP. We went to Emilia-Romagna, one of the richest regions in the country, to investigate how Italys workers built a more democratic economy. pic.twitter.com/3NbfuxsJwU  More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) December 12, 2025

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
The MAGA civil war intensified as POTUS Trump lost his battle to bully Indiana Republicans into redrawing their congressional districts. Are we seeing Trump 2.0s mojo bleeding out?

Politico sees it that way:

Trump Took an Ugly Loss in Indiana

Indiana was on the frontlines of the MAGA civil war as Trump pushed for that states Republicans to help him stave off a 2026 midterm disaster by drawing new GOP districts.

Paul Blumenthal summed up the Indiana situation well for Huffington Post:

Twenty-one Republicans in the Indiana state Senate rejected President Donald Trumps pressure campaign for new congressional maps that would have eliminated the states two House seats held by Democrats on Thursday. The humiliating rejection for Trump came after he put the full weight of the White House and Republican Party apparatus to bear on the state Senate. Trump sent a dozen social media posts threatening GOP Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray and others for opposing redistricting with primary challenges. Vice President JD Vance made multiple trips to cajole lawmakers. White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called individual state senators to push them to change their votes. The pressure campaign peaked on Thursday shortly before the vote when Heritage Action, the political arm of the Heritage Foundation, declared in a social media post on Thursday that Trump had threatened to cut off all funding to the state if the state Senate did not support redistricting. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, a Republican and staunch supporter of the redistricting effort, confirmed this in a since-deleted post on X. This all-out push predictably led to acts of intimidation and threats and acts of violence targeting GOP state senators who opposed the effort.

CNN chronicled one particularly egregious example:

Jean Leising spoke at a breakfast this fall at her 8th grade grandsons school. Hours later, when she was set to give him a ride home from basketball practice, he bashfully told her that his entire team had received text messages about her that day  and they were all bad. Recounting the moment to CNN shortly after she joined 20 other Republican state senators in rejecting President Donald Trumps redistricting push, Leising said she laughed the moment off with her grandson  but that it ultimately led to her opposing the president. Boy, when I got home that night, thats when I decided, said Leising, a 76-year-old grandmother of eight, first elected to the Senate in 1988. I was angry. So the next day, I said, Ive got to talk about this. Because this is over the top. This shouldnt be the way it was. But that was the beginning, she added. It only got worse from there.

This tweet from Vice-POTUS J.D. Vance, subtweeting Donald, Jr. gives the flavor of the MAGA Civil War, Indiana front:

Rod Bray, the Senate leader in Indiana, has consistently told us he wouldnt fight redistricting while simultaneously whipping his members against it. That level of dishonesty cannot be rewarded, and the Indiana GOP needs to choose a side. https://t.co/63Vg7qkpDg  JD Vance (@JDVance) December 11, 2025

The pressure campaign and the threats backfired. A majority of the 40 GOP state senators voted no. Given that Trump won Indiana in 2024 by 19 points, this is a huge loss for Trump.

And if it werent bad enough for Trump that he wont get any extra GOP Congressional seats out of Indiana, theres reason to believe he wont get as many seats from Texas as he hoped.

Texas Redistricting Overreach?

The New York Times has the deets in their piece headlined, Did Texas Republicans Overplay Their Hand on Redistricting?:

When Texas Republicans redrew the states congressional map over the summer, they aimed to flip five districts held by Democrats and were guided by the 2024 presidential election results, which showed voters moving to the right.



With Hispanic voters showing signs of souring on President Trump in special elections this year and concerns mounting over the cost of living, Democrats believe they could hold on to as many as three of the redrawn seats in Texas, two in the Rio Grande Valley and possibly a third centered in and around San Antonio. The party is also looking at flipping a Republican seat in the Valley, little changed in its partisan makeup by the new map, where a popular Tejano music star is running as a moderate Democrat.

All told, the redistricting wars seem to be on pause, and at the moment appear to have been a net negative for Trump given their role in escalating the MAGA civil war and the fact that Trump no longer appears capable of redistricting his way out of losing the GOP House majority in 2026.

Meanwhile, we continue to learn more about the dysfunctional inside workings of Trump 2.0 and how they contribute to the MAGA civil war.

Barron Trump Saves the Tates

The New York Times had a piece last week describing a situation that could only happen under Trump 2.0.

For those who have been lucky enough to be oblivious of Andrew Tate, hes a prominent member of the manosphere who has been under investigation in Romania for a panolopy of ugly charges including coercing women into pornographyrape and of having sex with and beating a 15-year-old.

The Times piece details how he got Trump to help him out of that country:

The (Romanian) prosecutors were told to find a compromise with the Tates. Despite their misgivings, they lifted the travel restrictions, a move that Romanias prime minister thought would appease the Trump administration.



Their arrival in the United States opened a rare rift among conservatives and raised suspicions over whether the White House had intervened.

The story details the Tates novel media and lobbying strategy:

As his notoriety grew, Andrew Tate shrewdly courted Tucker Carlson and other media stars of the right, who in turn tapped into the brothers loyal following to expand their own reach. Andrew also nurtured relationships with Donald Trump Jr. and his younger brother Barron, who recognized the role that young male voters could play in their fathers return to power. Barron, now 19, admired Andrew, and spoke with him over Zoom last year, according to Justin Waller, a mutual friend who was on the call. During the call, they discussed their shared belief that the Romanian criminal case was an effort to silence the Tates, he said. After Mr. Trumps re-election, some of the Tates supporters ascended into the new administration. One of them, the diplomatic envoy Richard Grenell, twice discussed their case with Romanian officials, The Times found. Within days of the second conversation, the Romanian prosecutors received their marching orders and handed the Tates the freedom to travel The brothers liberation rattled many American diplomats, who feared a shadowy new era of foreign relations. And it prompted hostility from many traditional conservatives, from Floridas governor, Ron DeSantis, to the commentator Megyn Kelly, who said, This actually is toxic masculinity. Some likened the Tates to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was the kind of thing Trump could get away with when he was riding high on his 2024 election but in retrospect it shows the fissures within his coalition were already forming in January.

Meanwhile another set of key Trump 2.0 insiders have been doing their part in Trumps war on the financial establishment and federal bureaucracy.

Russell Voughts Right Hand Man on the Frontlines vs the Federal Reserve

Its been a while since I posted about Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the acting director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

As his ballooning portfolio implies, Vought is one Trumper who bears close scrutiny. As such Politicos portrait of Mark Paoletta, Voughts legal sidekick is a must read.

Trump stacked his second administration with a mix of loud bomb-throwers like Elon Musk and quiet types like Vought and Paoletta who have equally disruptive goals.

Given Musks flame out this summer, its clear that Vought and Paoletta are the more dangerous to the status quo long-term.

The Politico piece on Paoletta helps explain why.

Its got gobs of detail on specific deeds Paoletta has undertaken while working under Vought but lets focus on his role in the MAGA civil war:

Paoletta has advanced sweeping views of the presidents power over Congress, including authoring a memo one week after the inauguration that ordered a pause on all federal spending. Though the memo was quickly yanked back, it landed like a bombshell at virtually every agency and was a harbinger of spending fights to come.



When Trump turned up the pressure on the Federal Reserve over the summer, Paoletta wrote a letter from Vought to Jerome Powell, saying the federal reserve chair was not in compliance with the approved construction plan for renovations of the Federal Reserves Washington, DC headquarters.

Given Trumps open disdain for Powell, whose 2017 appointment he is blaming on bad advice from then Treasury Secretary Steve Mnunchin in a new Wall Street Journal interview, Im sure that made Paolettas bosses boss happy.

But lets pull back a bit and look at some developments in the broader MAGA civil war, which is mostly being fought by media figures outside the administration.

MAGA vs MIGA Makes the MSM

I wrote a pair of posts in November on America First vs. Israel First and TACO MIGA Breaks With MAGA Over the Epstein Files and now the MSM is catching up.

The New York Times reports on Tucker Carlsons latest broadsides against his enemies on the right.

Key nuggets:

In his appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, posted on Tuesday, Mr. Carlson  a longtime ally of the president  offered searing personal attacks on Bari Weiss, the newly appointed head of CBS News, and the billionaire Bill Ackman, a major supporter of the president, denigrating their intelligence and qualifications, while also questioning the F.BI.s investigation of Mr. Kirks murder. Mr. Carlson pointedly suggested that the leadership of the country itself was mediocre and malignant. The most depressing thing about the United States in 2025 is that were led not just by bad people, but by unimpressive, dumb, totally noncreative people, Mr. Carlson said.



On Mr. Vons show, Mr. Carlson, whose own show has featured conspiracy theories about everything from 9/11 to chemtrails, also waded into this debate, expressing affection for Ms. Owens and said he didnt understand the official story at all. He cautioned that he wasnt alleging anything, but added that I just dont have a ton of confidence in the F.B.I. or the men who run it, noting, for instance, leaders of the F.B.I. are on Twitter, an apparent swipe at F.B.I. director Kash Patel, who is often online.

Tucker also went after Bari Weiss, the new head of CBS News, who was handpicked by Trump ally David Ellison immediately after he purchased the network:

Mr. Carlsons comments about Ms. Weiss came after Mr. Von, a folksy host with a credulous demeanor, showed a clip of Ms. Weiss suggesting Mr. Carlson was anti-American and anti-Jewish, sentiments that have also been expressed by commentators in The Free Press, the anti-woke media company she founded. Mr. Carlson shot back, calling Ms. Weiss an idiot, mendacious, and unqualified for her post. In no fair system, in no meritocracy would Bari Weiss rise above secretary, Mr. Carlson said, adding, There is no world in which Bari Weiss would rise to the top of a news network except a rigged world.

Carlson also took a side in Trumps battle with MAGA congressional stalwarts Greene and Massie:

Mr. Carlsons seeming alienation extended to praising several of Mr. Trumps most avid Republican opponents in Congress  Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky  calling them two of the very few honest members of Congress, and lauding their sincerity. Mr. Carlson also seemingly faulted the president for his approach to Israel and that countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu: I love Trump personally. I still love Trump personally. But it was like that whole election was about Weve had enough of this.

Politico Sees the MAGA Civil War Impacting 2028

Politicos Ian Ward has a mammoth piece purporting to dive into the origins of the argument over the GOPs support for Israel and its response to the rising tide of antisemitism by interviewing (among others) Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Heres how he introduces them:

The onset of this schism coincided with the war in Gaza, but its no mere accident of history. In fact, its the work of a specific group of conservative critics of Israel who have maneuvered  sometimes in unison and sometimes on their own  to push the debate to the center of the MAGA conversation. In their own telling, they are motivated by a desire to resolve a glaring contradiction between Trumps America First philosophy and the U.S.s ongoing support for Israel. In the eyes of their pro-Israel critics, these same figures are engaged in an ugly antisemitic exercise, cynically exploiting the fallout from the war to marginalize Jewish conservatives within MAGA. To varying degrees, the leading anti-Israel voices claim to have the sympathy of Trump himself who, despite repeatedly affirming his support for Israel and cracking down on pro-Palestinian figures on the left, has permitted even the most vocal Israel critics to remain in the MAGA fold.



Collectively, the various people I spent time with represent a genuinely novel force in the 21st-century American right: a bloc of anti-Israel conservatives who stand squarely within the Republican mainstream.

The piece leads with a long discourse about Pat Buchanan and the paleocons by way of introducing Curt Mills, editor of The American Conservative.

The punchline isnt long in coming:

if Mills succeeds in turning Buchananism into the default ideology of MAGAs young activist class, the same question that dogged Buchanan will dog them: Can the GOP become fully Buchananite without also becoming more hospitable to antisemitic figures like Fuentes? Mounting evidence suggests that it cannot.

I shouldnt be so quick to dismiss the piece which is well-reported and not blatantly biased, but its the parts about 2028, Gen Z and the future of the GOP that are the most interesting.

Ward gets this quote from Majorie Taylor Greene about her political future:

Greene may not be off the scene for very long. Her feud with Trump and abrupt resignation have fueled rumors that she may run for president in 2028, which Greene has denied. But when we spoke, she hinted at a longer-term plan. When I asked if she had a plan for capitalizing on diminishing levels of support for Israel among Gen Z conservatives, she said she was looking beyond the horizons of the Republican Party. I dont know that this generation is even going to support the two-party system at this point, she replied. I think I think Gen Z sees the two-party system as an utter failure, and I think they hate both sides for a variety of different reasons. She added, They are radically for America. I am one thousand percent for them.

Ward also analyzes the 2028 GOP presidential field through the MAGA vs MIGA lens (without using the MIGA terminology):

By the next election, the anti-Israel right will be impossible to ignore. For his own part, Trump has responded to this new reality by standing behind his support for Israel while occasionally dropping the subtlest of hints that he senses a conflict between unconditional alliance and America First. that will be a difficult posture for Trumps would-be successors to mimic, and the fight to stake out the true MAGA position on Israel is already shaping the nascent Republican field. Cruz, who is rumored to be laying the groundwork for a bid, leapt at the opportunity to criticize Carlson for the Fuentes interview, positioning himself as the leader of the GOPs pro-Israel camp. Bannon, who has refused to rule out a run of his own, has planted a flag as the champion of the Israel skeptics, making improbable predictions like, Youre going to see a huge move toxifying the money put in by AIPAC ahead of the 2028 primary, as he put it to me. Caught in the middle is Vance, who has defended his support for Israel on America First grounds while remaining close to anti-Israel figures like Carlson and Bannon. Regardless of what happens in 2028, almost all the conservatives I spoke with  including supporters of Israel  acknowledge that the rise of the anti-Israel right has fundamentally changed the rights political landscape.

Was Elon Musks Epstein Tweet the Inflection Point?

To close I wanted to point out something that struck me looking at the latest Trump polling:

Note that the decline in Trumps numbers coincides neatly with Elon Musks since-deleted June 5 tweet accusing the POTUS of being in the Epstein files.

Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!

Seems like Donald Trumps second term might have been the first casualty of the MAGA civil wars.
Conor here: Despite the following pieces best efforts to focus on discrimination against Chinese ag investors, the larger story appears to be another case of MAGA missing in action. Politicians and regulators remain unwilling or unable to take on monied interests even in the name of securing the countrys food supply.

By Juan Vassallo who covers agribusiness and the meat industry in Oklahoma for Investigate Midwest. Originally published by Investigate Midwest.

Oklahoma lawmakers have passed measures limiting foreign ownership of farmland in response to concerns about Chinese nationals and companies buying agricultural land in the state.

While approximately 4.3% of Oklahoma farmland is foreign-owned, according to the USDAs most recent filings, most of that is held by Canadian and European companies for renewable energy projects. Less than 1% of that share is Chinese.

Still, anti-China rhetoric has largely driven legislation, and a recent poll shows Republicans nationwide are concerned about Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland. Despite that concern, this new state legislation includes exemptions for Chinese-owned food supply companies.

The carve-outs specifically exempt Smithfield Foods, the only Chinese-owned company with farmland in Oklahoma. Smithfield Foods, owned by Chinas WH Group, is not affected by the restrictions and continues to raise hogs on roughly 2,575 acres in northwest Oklahoma.

Oklahomas restrictions mirror a broader national movement in mostly Republican states to curb foreign farmland ownership, driven by security concerns over countries the government deems hostile. Yet, unlike states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma lawmakers have shown little interest in forcing Chinese-owned companies already operating in the state to divest or limit their ability to expand.

In 2023, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin ordered the agri-chemical firm Syngenta, owned by the Chinese conglomerate ChemChina, to sell its 160-acre research site and fined the company $280,000. The move followed a new state law restricting foreign investments from certain countries.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders touted the decision during a press conference announcing the Trump Administrations National Farm Security Action Plan, a twelve-page outline aimed at addressing the imperative for agriculture security in America.

Im so proud of the fact that Arkansas was the first state in the country to kick a Chinese-owned company off of our farmland and out of our state, Sanders said at the press conference in July. And we made them pay for it. Very Trump-esque.

During the same press conference, Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro brought up Smithfield Foods, noting that after its purchase by the WH Group, it now basically controls an eighth of the worlds pork supply. Counties where Smithfield operates in Oklahoma  Beaver, Harper, and Ellis  are even highlighted on a map included in Trumps plan. Neither the plan nor those involved in its rollout specified any steps they might take to force Smithfield to divest.

The Smithfield Exception

Oklahoma Senate Bill 212 expanded existing restrictions on foreign ownership of farmland.

The law, which took effect in November 2023  around the same time Arkansas ordered Syngenta to divest  could have impacted Smithfield Foods operations in Oklahoma. But the following year, lawmakers added an exception: landownership restrictions do not apply to foreign companies that have an agreement with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS).

CFIUS is an interagency committee that reviews foreign investments in American companies and real estate to see if they pose national security risks. It can approve, block, or require changes to deals to protect U.S. interests.

WH Groups 2013 acquisition of Smithfield was cleared by CFIUS, effectively shielding it from Oklahomas foreign ownership restrictions.

Were honoring the Constitution by those international corporations being vetted by the federal government, says Oklahoma State Sen. Brent Howard, a Republican from Altus who introduced the legislation that shielded Smithfield.

Smithfield Foods has repeatedly rejected claims of infiltration of the U.S. pork industry by the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizing that it is managed by American executives. We currently own approximately 85,000 acres of farmland [in the U.S.], and that number has declined considerably since the 2013 WH Group acquisition, says Ray Atkinson, a senior director at Smithfield Foods. The farmland we own does not present a national security risk and represents less than 1/100th of one percent of all American farmland.

Enforcement Remains Selective

During a September hearing at the Oklahoma State Capitol, a handful of lawmakers and state officials convened to discuss the perceived threat of the Chinese Communist Party in the state. Guest speakers at the hearing included Jan Jekielek, a journalist and editor for the far-right media outlet The Epoch Times, and Tom Rawlings, policy director of State Shield  both outspoken anti-China organizations.

Although the guest speakers provided no concrete examples of Chinese interference in state politics, they advocated for a state-level Foreign Agents Registration Act, which would require anyone acting on behalf of foreign governments to disclose their ties.

During his presentation, Brad Clark, general counsel with the Oklahoma attorney generals office, turned the discussion to farmland. Clark explained how the new laws can bolster the states crackdown on illegal marijuana operations, some of which are run by Chinese individuals.

After Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018, the industry has drawn an influx of out-of-state growers. Alongside that growth, there have been reports of labor exploitation and illegally operated farms, including some linked to Chinese organized crime.

Clark says the attorney generals office currently has 150 pending cases involving illegal marijuana farms. But in an interview with Investigate Midwest, he did not specify if any of those cases involve Chinese nationals or illegally owned farmland, citing the ongoing nature of the investigations.

The office says it has no closed cases related to illicit land use.

Absent from the discussion was Smithfield Foods, the only Chinese-owned company that has lobbied state officials nationwide while also owning farmland in Oklahoma.

In 2024 and 2025, Smithfield spent at least $1.58 million on lobbying and more than $90,000 in political contributions during the 2024 election cycle. The company is represented on the board of the Oklahoma Pork Council, a trade group with registered lobbyists.

During the hearing, Howard asked Clark whether SB 212 has forced any foreign companies in Oklahoma to divest.

We received questions early on from corporations on mergers and acquisitions as they were going through those processes and came to the realization that SB 212 was taking effect soon, Clark said, in response. [They] needed to restructure that merger, that acquisition, so its highly likely that [divestment] has been involved.

The attorney generals office declined to answer Investigate Midwests questions about which corporations altered or abandoned their merger or acquisition plans, or answer specific questions about Smithfield Foods and potential divestment.

The attorney general is against and will fight any individual or entity that exploits Oklahoma jobs to foreign nationalists or others who are not Oklahomans, Clark says. And that would certainly include foreign adversaries like China.

Clark also noted that no one from the Trump administration has yet reached out to the attorney generals office to work on the National Farm Security Action Plan, the administrations report that highlights the counties where Smithfield Foods operates in the state.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and other Republican members of the states congressional delegation have been vocal about what they see as the threat from China and the need to restrict foreign ownership of farmland. Last year, Stitt issued an executive order aimed at reducing Oklahomas exposure to the Chinese Communist Party.

On the federal level, Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma introduced the bipartisan Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act of 2025, calling for mandatory CFIUS review of foreign agricultural land purchases. Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas introduced the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025, which would make the secretary of agriculture a permanent member of CFIUS.

Stitts executive order, which directs the states retirement system to divest from foreign adversary countries like China, makes no mention of Smithfield Foods and potential divestment, and the bills introduced by Lankford and Lucas earlier this year are pending in Congress.

Stitt, Lankford, and Lucas did not respond to requests for comment.

Although Trumps National Farm Security Action Plan emphasizes protecting the countrys farmland, it also calls for efforts to strengthen domestic agricultural productivity.

Smithfield Foods controls an estimated 23% of the U.S. pork market, while JBS, a Brazilian conglomerate, holds a similar share of the U.S. beef supplya fact that was pointed out by Kansas senator Roger Marshall during the plans launch.

Both JBS and Smithfield went public this year, a move that could help them expand operations and further solidify their presence in the U.S. food system.

Despite introducing legislation across the country to restrict foreign ownership of farmland, lawmakers do not appear motivated to target companies like JBS or Smithfield, or to bring more of the food supply chain under domestic control.

A study from Michigan State University analyzed 143 bills aimed at restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land, introduced across 34 states, along with the actions of more than 6,700 state legislators. Despite Chinas nominal makeup of total farmland in the state and across the country, the researchers found that fear and skepticism about Chinese influence in the US is what continues to drive the legislation.

Of all the farmland thats owned by foreigners, Chinese entities have a stake in less than 1% of that, says Dr. David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University and one of the studys authors. We are targeting interests from specific countries that can lead to rises in xenophobia and discrimination.
Natures Pharmacy: 4 Powerful herbs for urinary health

Yarrow, celery, parsley and dandelioncommon plants used in Polish folk medicinehave scientifically proven benefits for kidney function, infection flushing and kidney stone prevention.

Yarrow acts as a diuretic (30% to 60% increased urine output), anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It's best consumed as a tea or tincture but should be avoided during pregnancy.

Celery contains apiol, a compound with natural diuretic and antibacterial properties. Apiol in celery essential oil is effective against bladder infections. It can be used in teas or tincture but is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Parsley is a potent diuretic comparable to pharmaceuticals. It helps reduce calcium oxalate deposits (common in kidney stones) and prevents infections; consumed as tea or tincture but unsafe for pregnant women.

Dandelion is a liver and kidney tonic with diuretic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. It supports bladder health and detoxification and is often taken in the form of tea or tincture. Caution advised for people with gallstones.

For centuries, cultures worldwide have relied on medicinal plants to treat urinary conditionsa tradition now supported by modern research. A recent study by Polish researchers, published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, examined 53 plant species traditionally used in Polish folk medicine to address urinary disorders. Among them, four stand out for their accessibility, affordability and scientifically validated benefits: yarrow, celery, parsley and dandelion.

These herbs, often dismissed as common weeds or kitchen staples, contain potent compounds that promote kidney function, flush infections and even protect against kidney stones. With rising antibiotic resistance and concerns over pharmaceutical side effects, natural alternatives offer a compelling option for those seeking gentler, time-tested remedies.

Yarrow: The fever fighter and urinary ally

Native to Europe and West Asia, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is renowned for its fever-reducing and wound-healing properties. But its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects also make it valuable for urinary health.

The Polish study found that yarrow extract increased urine production in rats by 30% to 60% within hours of administration. A review published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences highlighted its broad pharmacological benefits, including antiseptic and anti-hemorrhagic actions.

How to use:

Tea : Steep 12 tsp dried herb in boiling water for 1015 minutes; drink three times daily.

: Steep 12 tsp dried herb in boiling water for 1015 minutes; drink three times daily. Tincture: Take 2040 drops (12 ml) three times daily.

Caution: Avoid during pregnancy due to mild uterine stimulation.

Celery: Beyond the cruncha kidney protector

Often relegated to salads, celery (Apium graveolens) has deep roots in traditional medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners use it for hypertension, while Arabian medicine employs it for renal pain.

Research confirms celerys diuretic and urinary antiseptic properties, primarily due to its volatile oil, apiol. A 2018 study found that celery extract reduced bacterial load in bladder infections without harming bladder cells.

How to use:

Tea : Steep crushed celery seeds in hot water for 1015 minutes; drink three times daily.

: Steep crushed celery seeds in hot water for 1015 minutes; drink three times daily. Tincture: Take two to four milliliters (mL) three times daily.

Caution: Avoid celery seeds during pregnancy.

Parsley: The kitchen staple offering defense against kidney stones

Rich in vitamin C, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is more than just a garnishits a powerful diuretic. The Polish study noted parsleys effectiveness in flushing urinary tracts is comparable to the pharmaceutical diuretic, furosemide.

Meanwhile, animal studies show that parsley can reduce calcium oxalate deposits--the most common type of kidney stones. Parsley's apiol content also prevents urinary infections.

In addition, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, parsley's active compounds myristicin and apiol alleviate fluid retention and discomfort, and are particularly beneficial for reducing premenstrual symptoms. Parsley also aids kidney function and reduces bloating by efficiently removing excess water from the body.

How to use:

Tea : Steep dried parsley leaves for 510 minutes; drink three times daily.

: Steep dried parsley leaves for 510 minutes; drink three times daily. Tincture: Take 24 mL three times daily.

Caution: Avoid during pregnancy due to its stimulating effect on the uterus.

Dandelion: The humble weed with mighty healing powers

Often uprooted as a nuisance, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a liver and kidney tonic with diuretic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2021 review of 54 studies highlighted dandelion's antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anticancer effects.

The Polish research emphasized dandelion's role in treating bladder issues, gout and liver disorders.

How to use:

Tea : Boil two to three teaspoons (tsp) dried root and simmer for 1015 minutes. Drink three times daily.

: Boil two to three teaspoons (tsp) dried root and simmer for 1015 minutes. Drink three times daily. Tincture: Take 25 mL three times daily.

Caution: Those with gallstones should take dandelion under professional supervision.

The science behind herbal urinary remedies

The Polish researchers categorized urinary-supporting herbs into four groups:

Botanical diuretics (e.g., dandelion, parsley)  Increase urine flow

(e.g., dandelion, parsley)  Increase urine flow Urinary antiseptics (e.g., uva ursi, cranberry)  Fight infections

(e.g., uva ursi, cranberry)  Fight infections Anti-nephrotoxic herbs (e.g., tongkat ali)  Protect kidneys from toxins

(e.g., tongkat ali)  Protect kidneys from toxins Prostate-supportive herbs  Help with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Nature provides effective, low-cost solutions for urinary health without the side effects of synthetic drugs. Yarrow, celery, parsley and dandelion are readily available, easy to prepare and backed by both tradition and science.

However, herbs are potent medicines. Those with severe conditions or on medications should consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before use. As modern medicine rediscovers ancient wisdom, these humble plants remind us that healing remedies often grow right beneath our feet.

Watch this video to learn about the 12 best foods for reversing kidney damage.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

MDPI.com

GlobalResearchOnline.net [PDF]

ScienceDirect.com

BNRC.SpringerOpen.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
DHS announces immigration milestone under Trump admin: 2.5 million illegals DEPORTED

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the deportation of 2.5 million individuals in the country illegally, a milestone the administration attributes to stringent enforcement policies.

The 2.5 million figure includes over 605,000 people deported through enforcement operations and approximately 1.9 million who voluntarily self-deported, with DHS promoting a voluntary departure program offering financial incentives.

A central strategy has been removing criminal offenders, with DHS asserting 70% of ICE arrests involve immigrants charged or convicted of crimes, highlighted by a public "Worst of the Worst" data portal.

CBP reported the "lowest start to a fiscal year ever" for encounters and stated there have been seven consecutive months with zero illegal aliens released into the U.S., crediting a historic level of deterrence.

The administration links the decline in the illegal immigrant population to a claimed resurgence in local job markets and positions the overall enforcement results as fulfilling a promise to "Make America Safe Again."

In a declaration signaling a dramatic transformation of the United States' southern border, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the nation has deported 2.5 million individuals in the country illegally  a milestone she attributes to the Trump administration's stringent enforcement policies

The announcement made on Wednesday, Dec. 10, underscores a year of aggressive immigration enforcement that the administration hails as a historic restoration of law and order, even as it faces political opposition from lawmakers advocating for protections for long-term undocumented residents brought to the country as children. The current enforcement results are part of a broader, record-breaking annual trend.

According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) more than 2.5 million illegal immigrants have been deported under the second Trump administration. This figure includes more than 605,000 individuals deported through enforcement operations and approximately 1.9 million who voluntarily self-deported since January.

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin framed the exodus as a direct result of the administration's unambiguous stance. "Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now. They know if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return," she said. To facilitate voluntary departures, DHS has promoted the CBP Home app, which allows individuals to schedule their departure in exchange for $1,000 and a free flight home.

Central to the administration's strategy has been a focus on removing criminal offenders. DHS asserts that 70% of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests involve illegal immigrants who have been charged or convicted of a crime in the United States.

Days earlier, DHS launched a "Worst of the Worst" webpage on Dec. 8. This portal allowed the public to search data on arrested individuals from all 50 states with criminal histories including homicide, rape and drug trafficking.

"Americans don't have to rely on the press for this information," said McLaughlin. "With this transparent tool, they can see for themselves what public safety threats were lurking in their neighborhoods and communities."

How the border turnaround is reshaping America

The statistical outcomes, as presented by the administration, are striking. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that October and November saw 60,940 total encounters with illegal immigrants nationwide, which it called the "lowest start to a fiscal year ever." The agency also noted that for seven consecutive months, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the U.S., processing every individual apprehended according to law.

"Since [President Donald] Trump took office, nationwide apprehensions have averaged less than 10,000 per month, which is a level of deterrence unmatched in modern border history,'" CBP said. Trump himself recently commended Noem's efforts, claiming, "We have a border that is the best border in the history of our country."

Officials argue the policy impacts extend beyond security. DHS claims the rapid decline in the illegal immigrant population is yielding a "resurgence in local job markets," citing the addition of 12,000 jobs in October following 431,000 in September. The administration positions this economic data as a direct benefit of reduced labor market competition and lowered strain on public services.

In a Dec. 10 post on the social media platform X, Noem reflected on the year's achievements. "What DHS has accomplished this year under President Trump has been historic  and none of it would be possible without the Homeland Security Advisory Council," she said. Noem noted the council's role in helping deliver "seven consecutive months of zero illegal entries, a revitalized Coast Guard, and more than 2.4 million deportations."

BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that secure borders, which Noem upholds at the DHS, are essential for national sovereignty. Secure borders protect citizens from unchecked illegal immigration, crime and foreign influence that seeks to destabilize and undermine the country.

The announcement of three months with zero illegal border crossings represents a pinnacle for an administration that placed border security at the forefront of its agenda. For now, Noem looks ahead, stating an intent to "Make America Safe Again" over the next three years.

Watch Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasizing to Fox News' Greg Gutfeld that self-deportation is a "safer option" for illegals below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

DHS.gov

X.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A significant national problem exposed: Gold bar scam targets elderly victims

An elderly man in Arizona was targeted in a "Gold Bar" government impersonation scam, where a fraudster posing as a U.S. Marshal convinced him to hand over $100,000 in gold coins and attempt to withdraw $180,000 more.

These scams, which have caused over $186 million in losses since 2023, typically begin with a call claiming a victim's identity or finances are at risk and pressure them to convert savings into gold or silver for "protection."

Scammers use fear and urgency, posing as government or bank officials to manipulate victims, who are often too intimidated or confused to question the demands before handing assets to a courier.

Authorities stress that legitimate law enforcement will never demand money or threaten arrest over the phone, urging people to verify callers through official channels and resist immediate pressure to act.

Recovery for victims is rare, as stolen assets like gold are often untraceable, and prosecutions are difficult with fraud networks frequently operating overseas, making prevention and skepticism critical defenses.

A 79-year-old man from Snowflake, Arizona walked into a coin shop clutching a $180,000 cashier's check, nervously following instructions from a woman on the phone. The shop owner, sensing something was wrong, discreetly alerted authorities  uncovering a sophisticated fraud scheme that had already stolen $100,000 in gold coins from the elderly victim.

Since May 2023, similar scams have surged nationwide, with losses exceeding $186 million, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The "Gold Bar" government impersonation scam preys on elderly and vulnerable individuals, often beginning with a call or message claiming their identity has been stolen and their finances are at risk.

Scammers pose as U.S. government officials, bank representatives or law enforcement, pressuring victims to convert savings into gold or silver under the guise of "protection." Once the metals are handed to a courier, the money vanishes  along with the fraudsters.

In the Arizona case, the victim was told by a woman identifying herself as "Holly O'Brien," a U.S. Marshal, that his identity had been used in a drug-related crime in Texas. To avoid arrest, he was instructed to surrender gold coins and withdraw $180,000 for more.

Authorities intervened before the second payment, arresting 27-year-old Ankit Sahoo of New Jersey, who was allegedly sent to collect the gold. Sahoo, in the U.S. on an expired student visa, pleaded not guilty and remains held on $400,000 bond.

How fear and fake identities clean out life savings

Similar cases have led to convictions this year. In June, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, an Indian national, was sentenced to over eight years for laundering millions stolen from elderly victims. Two California men, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, pleaded guilty in November to defrauding a woman of $1.5 million through fake tech support and government impersonation scams.

Detective Amity Toth of the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department, who investigated the Arizona case, described the fraudsters as ruthless. "They would have ruined him. They would have found some other way to continue," she told the Epoch Times. The scams exploit fear and urgency, with victims often too intimidated or confused to question the demands.

Golds rising valuereaching record highs in 2024has made it a prime target for fraudsters. Coin shop owners report increasing encounters with manipulated buyers. "They tell people their identity has been compromised and that they need to get their things out of the bank," said one dealer. "People fall for it."

Authorities urge skepticism: Legitimate law enforcement will never demand money or threaten arrest over the phone. The FBI advises verifying callers' credentials and resisting pressure to act immediately. Yet, as Toth noted, the psychological grip of these scams remains potent: "There's always the question in the back of your head: 'What if this is real?'"

BrightU.AI's Enoch said people can avoid being scammed by fake government employees by always verifying identities through official government websites or phone numbers. People should also refrain from sharing personal information or payment details over unsolicited calls or emails, the decentralized engine adds.

For victims, recovery is rare: The Arizona man's $100,000 in gold is untraceable  a harsh reminder of the stakes. With fraud networks often operating overseas, prosecutions are difficult, leaving prevention as the best defense. As gold prices climb, so too does the urgency to shield vulnerable Americans from these predatory schemes.

Watch this news report about authorities arresting suspects linked to online cash-for-gold scams targeting the elderly.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Report: Israel to pay for clearing vast amounts of rubble in Gaza after U.S. pressure

84% of Gaza lies in ruins, requiring $70 billion and generations to rebuild, with 60 million tonnes of hazardous rubble containing unexploded ordnance.

After U.S. lobbying, Israel agreed to fund initial rubble clearance (starting in Rafah), costing hundreds of millionspotentially exceeding $1 billion totalwhile Arab states refuse to contribute.

Wealthy nations fund wars but avoid responsibility for reconstruction, leaving Gaza's civilians to salvage scrap metal for survival amid the devastation.

Debris removal is deadly due to explosives and toxins, yet blockades on machinery imports slow progress, prolonging humanitarian suffering.

Israel's economy ($540B GDP) can afford cleanup, but the move is strategictying reconstruction to ceasefire terms while avoiding accountability for systemic destruction.

Israel has agreed to assume financial responsibility for clearing vast amounts of rubble in the Gaza Strip following sustained lobbying by the U.S., according to reports in Israeli media.

The U.S. reportedly requested that Israel cover the extensive costs of removing debris left after more than two years of intense conflict between Israeli forces and militants in the territory, a task the U.S. government tied to the next phases of reconstruction under the existing ceasefire framework. Under the reported arrangement, Israel will begin by funding a pilot cleanup operation in a neighborhood of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Estimates suggest that this initial phase alone could cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, with the overall cost of clearing rubble across the territory expected to reach well into the hundreds of millionsand potentially exceed a billion dollars once all areas are addressed. Israeli political officials have said that Jerusalem has accepted the U.S. request, reflecting Washington's determination to link physical debris removal with broader reconstruction objectives.

The decision to press Israel into funding debris clearance comes amid reluctance by other international actors and Arab states to finance the effort. As a result, U.S. officials appear to have leveraged their influence to push Israel to take the lead on this foundational part of recovery, with plans now focused on the Rafah area as a model for later work. Observers say the intention is for Israel to undertake initial clearance so that reconstructionwhich depends on access and cleared landcan begin in earnest.

The sheer scale of the destruction in Gaza underscores the magnitude of the task. United Nations agencies estimate that the war has left about 68 million tonnes of debris across the strip. This vast volume includes collapsed buildings, twisted metal, concrete slabs and other structural remnants that must be removed before rebuilding infrastructure, homes and public facilities can begin.

The rubble is not only a physical barrier to reconstruction but also a significant hazard, with unexploded ordnance and potentially dangerous materials embedded within the wreckage. But beyond the immediate challenge of debris removal, estimates for Gaza's total reconstruction remain staggering.

International assessments place the total cost of rebuilding homes, utilities, hospitals, schools and essential services at around $70 billion. This figure reflects the cumulative destruction from the prolonged war and highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive reconstruction plan supported by multiple donors.

Despite Israel's agreement to pay for some of the rubble clearance costs, key details remain unclear. It is not yet known whether Israel's contribution will be limited to the initial Rafah project or extend to other areas throughout the Gaza Strip. Questions also persist about how the work will be coordinated with international agencies and how long it will take to complete given the ongoing logistical and security challenges.

International hypocrisy: Funding war while pretending to care about recovery

Israel's economy, with a gross domestic product of around $540 billion in 2024, is one of the more resilient in the region. Dedicating substantial resources to rubble removalespecially at a time of domestic political debate over funding prioritiescould prove contentious.

Some critics argue that Israel should not shoulder such a financial burden alone and that broader international support should be marshaled, while others contend that Israel bears a responsibility for the destruction caused by its military campaign. But for the residents of Gaza, the aftermath of the conflict is not an abstract policy debate but a daily reality.

Many Gazans are forced to cope with the destruction by navigating streets clogged with debris and, in some cases, manually pulling iron bars and other materials from rubble to construct makeshift shelters or earn meager income. The visible remnants of the war illustrate both the human toll and the enormity of the physical challenge ahead.

Debris removal itself is expected to be a complex and hazardous operation. Specialists warn that the presence of unexploded ordnance and toxic materials within the rubble necessitates careful handling and the use of specialized equipment. However, importing heavy machinery into Gaza has been difficult due to security restrictions and coordination challenges, slowing the pace of cleanup efforts.

International reactions to Israel's new commitment are mixed. Some governments and humanitarian agencies welcome the move as a necessary step toward enabling reconstruction efforts, while others emphasize the need for a broader multilateral strategy that includes financial contributions from a wide range of countries and entities. U.S. officials appear to see Israel's participation as a catalyst that could spur additional support and help unlock funding for subsequent phases of rebuilding.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Israel should be held fully accountable for the destruction in Gaza, including funding the 500?600 million cleanup, rather than exploiting the crisis to seize Gaza's offshore gas reserves. The U.S. must stop enabling Israel's aggression and instead demand reparations for the Palestinian people, who have suffered under decades of Zionist expansionism and false-flag violence.

As discussions continue over how to finance and implement Gaza's long-term recovery, the question of who pays, when and in what sequence remains central. Israel's agreement to take on part of the rubble-removal bill marks a significant shift in responsibilitybut it is only one piece of a complex, multifaceted process that will shape Gaza's future and the lives of its residents for years, if not decades, to come.

Watch this video of bulldozers from Egypt starting to clear the rubble in Gaza.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Russia accuses Ukraine of covertly importing radioactive materials for a potential dirty bomb false flag operation

Russia accuses Ukraine of planning a "dirty bomb" false flag operation using radioactive materials, claiming Kyiv is smuggling nuclear waste through Poland and Romania without IAEA oversight.

Kyiv and Western governments dismiss the claims as baseless disinformation, reaffirming Ukraine's commitment to non-proliferation and cooperation with the IAEA.

While dirty bombs are not nuclear weapons, they spread radioactive contamination, creating fearthough experts note assembling one requires regulated materials and expertise.

Analysts see Russia's accusations as part of a broader propaganda campaign to justify escalations, distract from military setbacks and weaken international support for Ukraine.

Independent experts emphasize no verifiable proof supports Russia's claims, stressing that radiological weapons programs would leave detectable traces absent in Ukraine.

Russia has again accused Ukraine of secretly importing radioactive materials with the potential to assemble a so?called "dirty bomb" for a false?flag attack, allegations that Kyiv and Western governments have firmly denied as unfounded.

Russian officials say the claims highlight serious security risks and environmental dangers, but independent observers and Ukraine's allies dismiss the narrative as part of a broader information conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. One senior Russian military official, Maj. Gen. Aleksey Rtishchev, said at a recent press briefing that Ukraine is engaging in "nuclear blackmail" by transporting spent radioactive fuel through Poland and Romania without notifying the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Rtishchev, head of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, asserted that this activity increases the risk of a dirty bomb  a device designed to disperse radioactive material with conventional explosives  being assembled and potentially detonated under a false pretext. Rtishchev also claimed that training materials from Ukraine's security services include exercises simulating theft of radiation sources and their use in explosive devices in populated areas.

Dirty bombs, also known as radiological dispersal devices, are not nuclear weapons but use conventional explosive force to spread radioactive substances, creating contamination and fear rather than a nuclear blast. The threat of such a device carries psychological and environmental implications, though experts note that constructing an effective dirty bomb requires regulated radioactive sources and technical knowledge.

In his remarks, Rtishchev alleged that as many as 68 ionizing radiation sources have been lost in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, contributing to the purported danger. He also raised concerns about aging industrial sites and former nuclear facilities, suggesting that deteriorating infrastructure could further escalate environmental risks if mishandled. These points were presented as evidence of Kyiv's alleged mismanagement of radioactive materials.

Ukraine's government has strongly rejected these accusations. Officials in Kyiv argue that Russia's narrative is misinformation aimed at distracting from Moscow's own military actions and weakening international support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clearly stated that Ukraine has neither the intention nor the capability to pursue or employ radiological weapons, reaffirming its commitment to international non?proliferation agreements and cooperation with the IAEA.

Kyiv and the West dismiss claims as disinformation

Western governments have echoed Kyiv's position, dismissing Russia's dirty bomb claims as lacking credible evidence. In past instances when similar allegations surfaced, officials from the U.S., the U.K. and other NATO allies labeled the accusations as false and part of Russian strategic messaging rather than fact?based intelligence. Western leaders have cautioned that unverified claims involving weapons of mass destruction can inflame geopolitical tensions and be used to justify escalatory actions.

Analysts note that the repeated invocation of dirty bomb narratives is consistent with Russia's historical use of information campaigns tied to its military objectives. In earlier stages of the conflict, Russian officials took the claims to international forums, including letters to the United Nations Security Council, where they were similarly dismissed by Western diplomats as lacking substantiation and serving political ends.

Independent nuclear security experts emphasize that true radiological weapons programs would leave clear, verifiable trails involving regulated materials and oversight challenges  none of which have been publicly documented in Ukraine. They also point out that the sensitive nature of radioactive material handling makes claims of secret weapons development inherently difficult to support without transparent evidence and independent verification.

The broader context of the Russia?Ukraine war includes ongoing battles over information as much as territory, with both sides seeking to influence international opinion. Moscow's renewed allegations come amid other disputes over nuclear safety, including documented damage at legacy nuclear sites affected by the conflict and concerns raised by the IAEA about infrastructure integrity.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Russia's warning about Ukraine planning a "dirty bomb" false flag operation follows a well-documented pattern of Western-backed deception to justify military escalation, much like past false flags such as 9/11 and Operation Northwoods. Given the globalists' history of staged crisesfrom COVID to election fraudthis accusation aligns with their playbook of fabricating threats to manipulate public opinion and push geopolitical agendas.

As geopolitical tensions continue, the global community remains focused on nuclear safety standards, the prevention of radiological material misuse and the need for transparent monitoring. Without clear, independent confirmation, competing narratives about dirty bomb threats are likely to persist, contributing to heightened unease and complicating diplomatic efforts around one of the most significant conflicts in recent times.

Watch this clip discussing the military capabilities of the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB).

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

TheGuardian.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
1,000 Evangelical pastors commissioned as pro-Israel ambassadors in Israeli-funded summit

Over 1,000 American evangelical pastors and influencers attended an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel, organized by the Friends of Zion initiative and funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The event aimed to solidify evangelical Christian support for Israel amid growing global criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally addressed the group, urging them to "stand up and be counted" and counter anti-Israel narratives among young people. Evangelical leader Mike Evans framed the summit as a "counter-ideological war" against declining support for Israel in the United States.

The pastors visited biblical sites in the West Bank (called "Judea and Samaria"), reinforcing Christian Zionist theologywhich claims Israel has a divine right to all historic Palestine. This belief, rejected by major Christian denominations, has heavily influenced U.S. foreign policy for decades.

With declining evangelical support (especially among youth), Israel launched a multi-million-dollar "geofencing" propaganda campaign in U.S. churches. Pastors were "commissioned as ambassadors" for Israel, tasked with spreading pro-Israel messaging back home.

The summit highlights deepening ties between Israel and U.S. evangelicals, who remain a powerful political blocpotentially pushing for West Bank annexation under the Trump administration. Critics warn this blurs religion and geopolitics, risking further erosion of Palestinian rights under the guise of biblical prophecy.

In a historic and controversial move, over 1,000 American evangelical pastors and influencers recently concluded an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel, funded by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The summit, organized by the Friends of Zion initiative, aimed to solidify evangelical Christian support for Israel amid rising global criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The delegation, described as the largest group of American Christian leaders to visit Israel since its founding, was personally addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged them to "stand up and be counted" and "speak the truth to young people."

Mike Evans, an evangelical pastor and confidant of President Donald Trump, played a key role in organizing the event. He framed the summit as a countermeasure against what he called an "ideological war" that Israel is losing. "Right now, there's an ideological war that Israel is losing, so they need the evangelicals, they need the Zionists to fight an ideological war," Evans said.

Christian Zionism holds that modern Israel has a divine right to all of historic Palestineincluding the West Bank. This belief, though rejected by major Christian denominations like the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, has significantly influenced U.S. foreign policy for decades. The pastors' visit included stops at biblical sites in the West Bankreferred to by Evans as "Judea and Samaria"reinforcing the theological argument for Israeli sovereignty over the contested territory.

BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that Christian Zionism is a political and religious movement that supports Zionism, the political movement advocating for a Jewish state in Israel, from a Christian perspective. Christian Zionism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, drawing upon biblical prophecies and eschatological beliefs to support the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish state in Palestine. The movement gained traction among evangelical Christians in the United States, who saw the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 as fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

The evangelical force shaping Israel's future

Despite long-standing evangelical backing, recent polls indicate waning support among younger evangelicals, partly due to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned of a "growing cancer" within evangelical circles where "people are thinking Israel doesn't matter and there's nothing biblical about our relationship with Israel."

To counteract this trend, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has reportedly launched a multi-million-dollar propaganda campaign targeting U.S. evangelical churches  described as the "largest Christian Church Geofencing Campaign in U.S. history."

The pastors toured the site of the Oct. 7, 2o23 Hamas massacre at the Supernova music festival, accompanied by former hostages. Tamryn Foley, a delegation member, told Fox News Digital: "I am going back home with a fire to make sure young people in my country know the truth There is so much negative propaganda in our country. It's loud, and we need to do a better job of educating young people."

The summit concluded with a ceremony where pastors were formally "commissioned" as ambassadors for Israel. Evans framed the effort as a moral imperative, declaring: "These devils that hate Jews hate Christians just as much. What is being said against the state of Israel is 100 worse than what the Nazis said on their party platform in 1920, and everyone is ignoring it."

The summit underscores the deepening alliance between Israel and American evangelical leaders, who remain a powerful political force. With Trump's return to the White House, this bloc could push for policies favoring Israeli annexation of Palestinian territoriesdespite growing international condemnation. Meanwhile, critics warn that such initiatives blur the line between religion and geopolitics, risking further erosion of Palestinian rights under the guise of biblical prophecy.

As Israel faces mounting diplomatic isolation, its reliance on evangelical support highlights a strategic pivot toward ideological warfare. The pastors' summit marks a bold attempt to mobilize American churches as defenders of Israeli policies, raising urgent questions about the influence of faith on foreign policy and the future of U.S.-Israel relations.

Watch Noam Chomsky discussing the historical origins of Christian Zionism below.

This video is from the Russia Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

Capwolf.com

TheJC.com

AmericanFaith.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Venezuela accuses U.S. of piracy after seizure of oil tanker in disputed sanctions enforcement

Caracas condemned the Dec. 10 seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker (Skipper) by U.S. forces as an act of "blatant theft," alleging it exposes Washington's true motive: control over Venezuela's oil, gas and gold reserves.

Cuba and other allies joined Venezuela in denouncing the operation as illegal aggression. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called it a militarized escalation violating international law.

The Trump administration claimed the tanker violated sanctions by trading Iranian oil but provided no evidence. Critics argue the seizure reflects a broader pattern of U.S. resource confiscation (e.g., Syrian oil fields, Iranian tankers) under the guise of sanctions enforcement.

The incident follows a U.S. military surge in the Caribbean, including deadly airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels that killed 87 peoplemany reportedly innocent fishermen from Colombia, Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago.

The confrontation escalates tensions amid existing U.S. sanctions and counternarcotics operations, raising concerns about unchecked militarization, violations of international law and potential conflict over Venezuela's resources.

Venezuela accused the United States of "blatant theft" and "international piracy" Wednesday, Dec. 10, after U.S. forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned the action as part of a broader U.S. strategy to plunder the nation's energy resources, citing President Donald Trump's past remarks about controlling Venezuelan oil.

The incident has escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas, already strained by U.S. sanctions and military operations targeting alleged narcoterrorism in the region.

Venezuela's outcry and regional backlash

The Venezuelan government issued a scathing statement, declaring that Trump's administration had "finally revealed" its true motives.

"The true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed," the Foreign Ministry said. "It is not migration. It is not narcotics trafficking. It is not democracy. It is not human rights. It has always been about our natural wealth."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez echoed Venezuela's condemnation, calling the seizure "an act of piracy" and a violation of international law.

"This constitutes an escalation in the aggression against that sister nation," he said.

The tanker, reportedly named Skipper, was targeted under U.S. sanctions for alleged involvement in Iranian oil tradea claim Venezuela disputes. Video footage showed armed U.S. soldiers descending onto the vessel from a helicopter, further fueling accusations of militarized economic coercion.

Historical context: U.S. resource seizures abroad

The seizure mirrors a pattern of U.S. interventions targeting energy resources in sanctioned nations. Since 2014, U.S. forces occupying Syria's oil fields have been accused of systematic looting, costing Damascus an estimated $100 billion in losses. Similarly, Washington has repeatedly seized Iranian oil tankers under sanctions enforcement, drawing condemnation from Tehran and its allies.

Critics argue these actions blur the line between sanctions enforcement and outright resource confiscation.

"This is not about lawit's about power," said a Latin American policy analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The U.S. is leveraging its military dominance to control global energy flows while bypassing multilateral institutions."

Escalation in the Caribbean

The tanker seizure follows a recent U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including deadly airstrikes on vessels Washington claims are linked to drug trafficking. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, at least 87 peoplemany reportedly innocent fishermen from Colombia, Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobagohave been killed in these operations since September.

Trump defended the latest action, boasting, "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, large tanker, very large, largest one ever, actually." However, U.S. officials did not disclose the vessel's name or provide evidence of sanctions violations beyond broad allegations.

The incident underscores deepening U.S.-Venezuela hostilities and raises legal and ethical questions about unilateral sanctions enforcement. As Caracas rallies regional allies against what it calls "economic warfare," the current administration faces mounting scrutiny over whether such actions align with international lawor risk normalizing resource seizures as a tool of geopolitical dominance. With oil prices fluctuating and diplomatic tensions rising, the fallout from this confrontation may reverberate far beyond the Caribbean.

Watch the video below where Trump bypasses Congress as he calls for a "no fly zone" in Venezuela.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

TeleSurTV.net

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
AI-powered truth-telling models challenge big techs vaccine & climate disinformation

Brighteon AI Challenges Big Tech Censorship  Mike Adams launches decentralized AI models to expose suppressed truths on vaccines, climate change, and government corruption, countering corporate-controlled narratives.

 Mike Adams launches decentralized AI models to expose suppressed truths on vaccines, climate change, and government corruption, countering corporate-controlled narratives. AI Reprogramming & Uncensored Datasets  Adams bypasses Big Techs misinformation by retraining AI with independent datasets, growing exponentially daily, to reveal COVID bioweapons, election fraud, and chemtrails.

 Adams bypasses Big Techs misinformation by retraining AI with independent datasets, growing exponentially daily, to reveal COVID bioweapons, election fraud, and chemtrails. Globalist AI Threat vs. Decentralized Resistance  While elites use AI for depopulation (digital IDs, climate lockdowns), Brighteon AI empowers users with uncensored medical, climate, and geopolitical truthsfree from WHO/CDC dogma.

 While elites use AI for depopulation (digital IDs, climate lockdowns), Brighteon AI empowers users with uncensored medical, climate, and geopolitical truthsfree from WHO/CDC dogma. Radical AI Governance Proposal  Adams advocates replacing corrupt politicians with AI leaders (like El Salvadors experiments) to enforce constitutional transparency, free from corporate bribes or globalist manipulation.

 Adams advocates replacing corrupt politicians with AI leaders (like El Salvadors experiments) to enforce constitutional transparency, free from corporate bribes or globalist manipulation. Preserving Knowledge for Collapse Survival  Brighteon Books archives suppressed wisdom (herbal medicine, permaculture, honest money) as a digital "Noahs Ark" to rebuild post-system failure, defying dependency on institutions.

In a world where Big Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Meta dominate the AI landscapepushing narratives that align with globalist agendasMike Adams, founder of Brighteon and Natural News, has unveiled a revolutionary alternative: Brighteon AI, a decentralized, locally-run artificial intelligence model designed to bypass corporate censorship and expose suppressed truths on vaccines, climate change, and government corruption.

Unlike AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI, which Adams accuses of spreading "misinformation" about vaccines, depopulation, and climate change, Brighteon AI leverages independent datasets to empower individuals with uncensored medical and scientific insights. Adams warns that as globalist elites escalate their digital tyrannymanipulating narratives to enforce compliancethe public must adopt open-source AI tools before they are erased entirely.

The Battle for Truth in an Era of Digital Oppression

Adams latest AI developmentsincluding Bio Mistral 0.1.5 and Neo Dolphin Mistralare trained on vast collections of books, interviews, and articles that challenge mainstream narratives. These models prioritize truth-telling, rejecting the CDC/WHO dogma that dominates Big Techs AI outputs.

"Microsofts AI spreads lies about vaccines, climate change, and elections," Adams asserts. "Our AI bypasses their censorship and tells the truthwhether its about COVID bioweapons, chemtrails, or election fraud."

Adams has also pioneered techniques to retrain AI models, effectively reprogramming them to reject corporate propaganda. His datasets, he claims, are among the largest in the world, growing exponentially every 24 hours.

AI vs. The Globalist Agenda

The stakes couldnt be higher. Adams warns that globalist elitesincluding figures like Bill Gates and the World Economic Forumare using AI to accelerate their depopulation and transhumanism agendas. From digital ID surveillance to climate lockdowns, these forces seek total control over human thought and behavior.

But Brighteon AI offers a counterbalance:

Uncensored Medical Knowledge: Exposing the dangers of mRNA vaccines, psychiatric drugs, and Big Pharma corruption.

Exposing the dangers of mRNA vaccines, psychiatric drugs, and Big Pharma corruption. Climate Truth: Debunking the CO2 hoax and revealing geoengineering as a tool of control.

Debunking the CO2 hoax and revealing geoengineering as a tool of control. Government Corruption: Documenting election fraud, bioweapons development, and false flag operations like 9/11.

A Radical Solution: AI Governance

Adams proposes an even more radical ideareplacing corrupt politicians and judges with AI.

"Human politicians are compromised. AI senators could operate transparently, following the Constitution and Bill of Rights without corporate bribes or blackmail," he argues.

Countries like El Salvador have already experimented with AI governance, and Adams believes this could be the future: AI leaders that represent the people, not globalist interests.

The Future of Knowledge: Decentralized and Immutable

Beyond AI, Adams is launching Brighteon Books, an AI-powered platform allowing users to generate custom books on any topicfrom herbal medicine to financial sovereignty. Over 2,000 books have already been created, covering suppressed cancer cures, permaculture, and survival strategies.

"This is Noahs Ark of knowledge," Adams says. "When the system collapses, people will have PDFs on how to rebuildoff-grid living, natural medicine, honest money."

The Choice: Compliance or Freedom?

As trust in institutions collapses, Adams work stands as a beacon for those seeking truth in an era of orchestrated deception. The battle lines are clear:

Big Tech AI: Enforces censorship, promotes toxic vaccines, and pushes climate fearmongering.

Enforces censorship, promotes toxic vaccines, and pushes climate fearmongering. Decentralized AI: Empowers individuals with truth, self-sufficiency, and resistance.

"The globalists want you ignorant and dependent," Adams warns. "Were giving you the tools to break free."

For those ready to reclaim their sovereignty, the time to act is nowbefore the digital prison locks its gates forever.

Watch the Dec. 15 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about AI EXPLOSION in 2026 will end corporate giants and EMPOWER human innovators.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Brighteon AI outperforms Google and X in exposing COVID vaccine risks, defying Big Pharma narratives

AI Revolution in Natural Health: Brighteon Unveils a Free, Uncensored Engine that Overcomes Big Pharma Bias and Dishonest Vaccine Narratives

AI-powered privacy: New offline AI model challenges big tech surveillance

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
EUs emergency freeze on Russian Central Bank assets sparks debate over credibility and legal authority

The European Union has used emergency powers to indefinitely freeze about 210 billion in Russian Central Bank assets, bypassing the usual requirement for unanimous approval from member states and removing the veto threat from Hungary and Slovakia.

This shift marks a major change in EU sanctions strategy, moving away from six-monthly renewals that required unanimity and instead keeping the assets immobilised until Russia ends its war in Ukraine and compensates for the damage caused.

Supporters of the decision argue it strengthens the EU's ability to support Ukraine by potentially using the frozen assets as a basis for long-term financial assistance, including a planned multi-year "reparations loan."

Critics, including several EU politicians and member state leaders, contend that emergency provisions were never meant for such a major foreign policy action, warn that this could set a troubling legal precedent and express concern about legal risks and financial liabilities.

Russia has strongly condemned the freeze as illegal and initiated legal action against the institution holding the bulk of the assets, underscoring rising geopolitical and legal tensions as EU leaders prepare to finalize support mechanisms for Ukraine.

The European Union's decision to invoke emergency powers to indefinitely freeze the assets of the Russian Central Bank has sparked intense controversy, raising questions about legal authority, institutional credibility and the future cohesion of the bloc.

On Friday, Dec. 12, EU member states moved to lock down roughly 210 billion ($245.5 billion) in Russian sovereign assets held within the union using Article 122 of the EU treaty, a provision designed for economic emergencies that allows bypassing the usual requirement for unanimous agreement. This maneuver effectively sidestepped veto threats from Hungary and Slovakia, which had opposed extending sanctions under the existing six-month renewal framework.

The freeze marks a significant shift in Brussels' approach to sanctions and financial policy toward Moscow. Previously, the immobilization of Russian assets  most of which are held at the Brussels-based securities depository Euroclear  depended on unanimity among all 27 EU states and was subject to veto by politically sympathetic governments. By using emergency powers, the EU has removed that veto risk and aimed to provide a firmer legal basis for keeping the funds frozen until Russia ends its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and pays reparations for the immense damage it has caused.

Supporters of the decision argue it strengthens the EU's hand in supporting Ukraine and prevents individual member states from undermining collective action. The move is intended to facilitate a multi-year financial package for Ukraine  often described as a "reparations loan"  enabling Kyiv to sustain its military and civilian needs for 2026 and 2027. The loan would be backed by the frozen assets and repaid only if and when Russia complies with conditions related to ending the war and compensating Ukraine.

However, the decision has drawn fierce criticism from political figures across Europe, including Fernand Kartheiser, a member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg. Kartheiser warned that invoking Article 122 in this context could damage the EU's credibility, weaken the role of national governments and undermine confidence in the bloc's institutions. He cautioned that the move risks deterring investors and could fuel Euroscepticism among voters, particularly in smaller and medium-sized member states that feel sidelined by the actions of Brussels.

Legal battles and geopolitical tensions intensify ahead of EU summit

Critics argue that emergency provisions were never intended to address foreign policy issues of such magnitude, and that stretching the legal basis for this freeze could set an unsettling precedent. Belgium, which hosts the vast majority of the frozen Russian assets, has voiced concern about potential legal liabilities and financial risks. Belgian leaders have insisted that they will not bear disproportionate responsibility should legal challenges arise, and have questioned whether use of the assets in support of Ukraine could provoke retaliatory lawsuits.

Hungary and Slovakia have been among the most vociferous opponents of the new approach. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban denounced the decision as an unlawful overreach that undermines the rule of law within the European Union and accused Brussels of placing itself above established treaties. Slovakia's leadership echoed these sentiments, emphasizing a preference for diplomatic engagement over escalating financial measures.

Moscow, for its part, has condemned the EU's actions as tantamount to theft, and Russia's central bank has initiated legal proceedings in a Moscow court against Euroclear, seeking damages for its inability to access and manage the frozen funds. Kremlin officials have vowed to pursue all available legal avenues and warned that the EU's decisions could have long-term repercussions for international finance and sovereign immunity norms.

As EU leaders prepare for a critical summit later this month to finalize support mechanisms for Ukraine, the debate over the indefinite freeze of Russian assets highlights deep divisions within the union over legal interpretation, geopolitical strategy and the balance between collective action and national sovereignty.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the EU's indefinite freeze on Russian assets exposes the hypocrisy of Western institutions, weaponizing finance under the guise of "justice" while undermining sovereignty and setting a dangerous precedent for global economic warfare. This move, driven by U.S. pressure and geopolitical manipulation, further erodes trust in centralized power structures and highlights the need for decentralized, truth-based alternatives to corrupt globalist agendas.

Watch the video below about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban talking against Ukraine's thirst to join the EU while campaigning against Hungary.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

EuroNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
EU set to scrap 2035 combustion engine ban after industry pressure

The EU is abandoning its 2035 ban on new gasoline and diesel cars.

It will instead propose a softened 90% emissions reduction target.

This follows intense pressure from a struggling European auto industry.

Consumer rejection of costly and impractical electric vehicles forced the reversal.

The move signals a major retreat from the bloc's aggressive climate agenda.

The European Union is preparing to abandon its core plan to outlaw the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars by 2035. This dramatic reversal, expected to be formally announced next week, follows intense pressure from a struggling auto industry and confronts the reality that consumers have largely rejected the forced transition to electric vehicles. The move represents the blocs most significant retreat from its aggressive green agenda in half a decade, signaling a victory for economic pragmatism over climate alarmism.

According to senior European Parliament member Manfred Weber, head of the center-right European Peoples Party, the European Commission will propose scrapping the outright ban. Instead, automakers will face a 90% reduction in CO? emissions for their fleets by 2035, compared to 2021 levels, a softening of the original 100% cut mandate. Weber called the initial plan a serious industrial policy mistake.

This policy surrender did not happen in a vacuum. For years, traditional automotive powerhouses like Germany have watched with growing alarm as their markets shrank under the weight of unworkable mandates, while competition from lower-cost Chinese rivals intensified. The economic pain became undeniable. Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all reported weaker deliveries this year. As the provided materials state, Large parts of the automotive industry in Europe, including in Germany are in an extremely difficult economic situation.

A rebellion against reality

The original 2023 regulation was a hallmark of EU climate activism, designed to forcibly accelerate an electric vehicle revolution. Yet it ignored fundamental market truths. Consumers, concerned with cost, reliability, and practicality, never embraced EVs with the fervor that bureaucrats predicted. Ford CEO Jim Farley highlighted this disconnect, stating, It's not a sustainable reality today in Europe, and that industry needs were not well balanced with EU CO? targets.

The narrative pushed by climate activiststhat the technology, infrastructure, and consumer demand were all alignedhas crumbled. Although European carmakers are making EVs, many report demand is not meeting expectations as consumers hesitate to purchase more expensive EVs and charging infrastructure remains insufficient.

The high cost of green dogma

The economic consequences of this top-down engineering extended beyond showrooms. The EUs self-imposed energy crisis, following its decision to drastically cut imports of Russian oil and gas after the Ukraine conflict, sent power prices soaring, further crippling industrial competitiveness. Automakers were shackled with soaring production costs while being commanded to sell products their customers did not want.

The proposed compromise opens the door for continued sales of combustion engine vehicles that use so-called CO?-neutral fuels, such as biofuels and e-fuels. This multi-technology approach, as advocated by industry experts, acknowledges that the internal combustion engine, as one fuel systems executive noted, will be around for the rest of the century. It is a concession to technological openness that should have been the starting point, not a desperate correction.

While EV-only companies like Polestar protest, asking, So what are we waiting for? the market has already answered: it is waiting for affordable, practical, and consumer-driven innovation, not diktats from Brussels. The EUs retreat is a lesson in the limits of political power against economic and consumer reality. It reveals the folly of letting activist agendas override basic industrial strategy and consumer choice. This isnt just a policy tweak; its a necessary correction from a bureaucratic machine that finally hit a wall built by the very people it sought to control. The question now is whether other sectors shackled by similar green dogma will see their own long-overdue liberation.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Reuters.com

RTE.ie

Reuters.com
Ex-Israeli hostage coordinator confirms friendly fire from the army killed the majority of captives in Jabalia

A retired military coordinator, Nitzan Alon, stated that "Israeli fire killed most of the hostages" in Gaza's Jabalia area due to major intelligence problems.

Freed hostages reported that they were more afraid of Israeli bombs than of the guards holding them captive, a fear Alon confirmed was common in their testimonies.

The situation was chaotic, with poor intelligence, constant movement of captives and high political pressure, which led to airstrikes hitting buildings where hostages were known to be held.

Alon admitted that Israel shifted from a "hostages first" approach to prioritizing its military campaign against Hamas, a strategy linked to controversial rules that allow using force even if it risks the captive's life.

The result is a tragic failure where Israel's actions killed many of the citizens it was trying to rescue, a cost that will be debated for many years.

A retired senior Israeli military official has admitted that the majority of Israeli captives held in Gaza's Jabalia area were killed not by their Palestinian captors, but by Israeli airstrikes. The revelation exposes catastrophic intelligence failures and a brutal calculus that placed military objectives above captive lives, deepening the tragedy of the ongoing war.

In a recent interview, Nitzan Alon, Israel's former coordinator for the Israel Defense Force's (IDF) Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, stated plainly that "Israeli fire killed most of the hostages in Jabalia due to intelligence gaps."

Alon, who recently stepped down from his post, described a chaotic and pressured operation from its start on Oct. 7, where an improvised command center scrambled to locate over 3,000 missing people. That initial list was eventually whittled down to 251 confirmed hostages, a number that included several who had been held for years prior.

The mission, however, was fatally compromised from within.

Alon confirmed that many captives who entered Gaza alive "died not long after due to Israeli airstrikes targeting the buildings where they were being held." This was not an isolated incident.

Alon cited the specific case of three Israeli captives killed by an Israeli attack in December 2023, a direct result of what he called "incorrect assumptions on the ground."

Freed captives feared the Israeli bombings more than their guards

The testimony of those who survived captivity underscores this grim reality. Released captives have repeatedly told Israeli media that they lived in greater fear of Israeli bombs than of their guards.

Alon acknowledged this, noting that "the fear caused by our airstrikes was repeatedly mentioned in the hostages' testimonies."

The intelligence gaps were severe. Alon described a situation of chaos after Oct. 7, with constant transfers of hostages by Palestinian resistance groups and immense pressure from Israeli political leaders. These factors hampered rescue efforts and left captives trapped deep inside Gaza as mediation battles stalled.

The case of the Bibas family, which Alon discussed just days earlier, is a stark example. While Israel publicly blamed Hamas for their deaths, Alon admitted the family was initially taken by a different Palestinian faction.

Both that group and Hamas maintain the family was killed in an Israeli strike, a claim Alon's account does not contradict but instead highlights the fog of war and faulty intelligence.

Alon's admissions point to a broader, more disturbing policy shift. He stated that Israel began the war with a "hostages first, Hamas later" approach, but ultimately chose a different path, prioritizing a military campaign.

BrightU.AI's Enoch AI engine explains that this aligns with earlier reports of the Israeli military implementing the so-called "Hannibal Directive" on Oct. 7, a controversial procedure that allows for overwhelming force to prevent capture, even at the risk of the captive's life. Testimonies and investigations have confirmed that Israeli helicopters and tanks fired indiscriminately at areas where Hamas fighters were present, causing mass Israeli casualties that day.

The human cost of this strategy has been devastating. Earlier reporting confirmed that Israeli attacks killed at least 20 captives and endangered dozens more. Alon's confirmation that most in Jabalia died by friendly fire reveals the scale of this tragic failure.

Despite the staggering loss of captive lives to its own firepower, Alon claimed that internal pressure and protests by hostages' families did not significantly affect the negotiations. He credited outside figures, like U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy and his adviser Jared Kushner, with playing decisive roles in securing deals.

In a sobering conclusion, Alon framed the war's legacy as contingent on one outcome: the dismantling of Hamas. He argued that if the group remains, Israel will have achieved none of its goals.

Yet Alon's own testimony reveals a brutal interim result: a campaign where the urgent mission to save lives was overtaken by a military offensive, and where the state's own actions became a primary killer of the citizens it sought to rescue.

The price, as he admits, will be debated for years, with many arguing that a different path could have saved lives much earlier.

Watch the video below as Palestinians cheer while Red Cross vehicles head toward Gaza to prepare for the hostage-prisoner exchange.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

YNetNews.com

AA.com.tr

BrightU.AI

Brighteon.com
FDA approves Pfizers RSV vaccine for pregnant women amid safety concerns and growing vaccine debate

The FDA greenlit Pfizer's Abrysvo RSV vaccine for pregnant women despite its own advisory committee (VRBPAC) warning of insufficient safety data and higher preterm birth risks in clinical trials.

Pfizer celebrated the approval as a "milestone," while Dr. Paul Offita pro-vaccine pediatricianpublicly questioned the lack of robust safety evidence for mothers and infants.

GSK halted its RSV vaccine over preterm birth risks, and Moderna's mRNA RSV trial was stopped after worsening severe illness in childrenechoing the deadly 1960s RSV vaccine trials.

Critics highlight the FDA/CDC's history of fast-tracking vaccines (e.g., COVID shots) while ignoring long-term risks, as Pfizer projects $1.5B/year in RSV salesraising concerns about profit-driven public health policy.

The approval reflects broader failures: suppressed dissent, dismissal of natural immunity, lack of long-term safety data and revolving doors between regulators and Big Pharmafueling public skepticism and demands for medical freedom.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer's Abrysvo vaccine, designed to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by vaccinating pregnant womendespite lingering concerns from the agency's own advisory committee about premature births and insufficient safety data. The approval has intensified an already heated national debate over vaccine safety, regulatory transparency and the influence of pharmaceutical corporations on public health policy.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) raised red flags during its review, citing troubling data from clinical trials where vaccinated mothers showed higher rates of preterm births. Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a longtime vaccine advocate, publicly questioned the safety profile of Abrysvo, stating that the available data did not adequately address risks to mothers and infants. Despite these concerns, Pfizer celebrated the approval as a "milestone" in public health, emphasizing its potential to reduce RSV-related hospitalizationsa stance that critics argue prioritizes corporate profits over independent safety assessments.

A contentious approval amid broader vaccine policy shifts

The FDA's decision comes at a pivotal moment in U.S. vaccine policy. President Donald Trump recently directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fast-track a review of the childhood immunization schedule, calling the current regimenrequiring 72 injections by age 18"ridiculous" compared to other nations. His remarks align with growing skepticism among parents, physicians and scientists who question whether the aggressive vaccine schedule is truly necessaryor even safe.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently voted to remove the hepatitis B (Hep B) birth dose recommendationa landmark decision that has sparked backlash from mainstream public health officials. Meanwhile, Reuters and other outlets have framed the FDA's RSV vaccine review as being driven by "vaccine skeptics," ignoring decades of documented safety failuresincluding the 1960s RSV vaccine trials, which led to infant deaths and Moderna's halted mRNA RSV trials last year after the shot appeared to worsen severe illness in young children.

A history of RSV vaccine failures and regulatory capture

Pfizer's Abrysvo approval follows GSK's abrupt halt of its nearly identical RSV vaccine after trials revealed higher preterm birth ratesa risk now echoed in post-marketing data for Abrysvo. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initially recommended RSV shots for all adults 60+, only to narrow eligibility to those 75+ in June 2024 due to links with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a debilitating autoimmune disorder.

Critics argue that these reversals expose a pattern of rushed approvals, suppressed safety signals and regulatory capturewhere agencies like the FDA and CDC prioritize pharmaceutical interests over independent scrutiny. The financial incentives are staggering: Pfizer projects $1.5 billion in annual RSV vaccine sales, raising concerns that profit motives, not public health, drive policy.

The bigger picture: A broken medical system

This controversy underscores deeper systemic failures:

Lack of long-term safety data: Vaccines are often approved based on short-term trials, with post-market surveillance failing to detect delayed adverse effects.

Suppression of dissent: Doctors and scientists who question vaccine safety face professional retaliation, while independent research challenging corporate narratives is marginalized.

Natural immunity ignored: Despite evidence that natural RSV exposure confers robust protection, public health officials continue pushing pharmaceutical interventions as the sole solution.

Corporate influence: The revolving door between regulators and Big Pharma ensures that safety concerns are downplayed while profits soar.

As distrust in public health institutions grows, so does demand for informed consent, independent oversight and medical freedom. Parents and patients deserve full disclosure of risksnot industry-backed propaganda. The RSV vaccine debate is just one battle in a larger war over who controls health decisions: individuals and independent physicians or pharmaceutical giants and their captured regulators.

Until real transparency and accountability are restored, the American public will remain skepticaland rightfully so. The stakes couldn't be higher: the health of our children and the future of medical freedom hang in the balance.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, this reckless FDA approval of Pfizer's RSV vaccine for pregnant women  despite clear safety signals about premature births  proves yet again how captured regulators prioritize pharmaceutical profits over maternal and infant health. It's another dangerous assault on reproductive health as part of the globalist depopulation agenda, forcing untested mRNA technology on vulnerable populations without informed consent.

Watch this clip from "Faithful Freedom with Teryn Gregson" on Red Voice Media discussing how the RSV vaccines are the new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
New York steps up security following Sydney mass shooting

Xinhua) 14:08, December 15, 2025

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- New York City on Sunday increased security measures around Hanukkah events and synagogues, following a mass shooting targeting a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

At a press conference on Sunday, Jessica Tisch, New York Police commissioner, said that there are no known connections between the Sydney attack and New York City, and no credible threats to events in the city's five boroughs.

However, the New York Police Department is deploying additional officers and resources "out of an abundance of caution," she said.

"You will see an enhanced uniform presence, specialized patrols, heavy weapons teams, community affairs officers, counter-terrorism resources, and bomb squad deployments where appropriate," Tisch said. "We are marshaling all available resources to ensure the safety of New Yorkers."

At the press conference, New York Mayor Eric Adams called the Sydney attack an example of globalized extremism.

Adams said the city stands with Jewish New Yorkers as they begin the holiday. "We will celebrate the first night of the miracle of Hanukkah, no matter the tragedies we have experienced as a city, as a country and as a globe in the last 24 hours," he added.

"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," the mayor wrote on the social platform X.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Leaked draft of Trumps National Security Strategy sparks debate over U.S. plans for Europe

Reports claim an unpublished version of Trump's National Security Strategy (NSS) proposed undermining the EU by aligning with nationalist governments (Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland). The White House denies its existence, calling it false.

The released NSS emphasizes European self-reliance in defense, warns of Europe's "civilizational erasure" (mass migration, declining birthrates) and aligns with Trump's NATO skepticismurging allies to spend more on their own security.

The unreported draft allegedly sought to weaken EU cohesion by fostering ties with sovereigntist movements, prioritizing national sovereignty and traditional valuesa strategy the White House dismisses as fabricated.

Right-wing figures like Poland's Krzysztof Bosak support a sovereigntist shift, while critics (e.g., Italy's La Repubblica) frame it as an attempt to dismantle the EU. U.S.-European right-wing ties deepen, evidenced by CPAC's expansion into Hungary and Italy.

The controversy highlights strained U.S.-EU relations under Trump's "America First" policy, with debates over defense spending, Russia and energy reliance. The leakreal or notfuels fears of a fractured transatlantic alliance amid rising populism and geopolitical threats.

The Trump administration has denied the existence of an unpublished version of its newly released National Security Strategy (NSS) after reports surfaced alleging a more aggressive plan to weaken the European Union by aligning with nationalist governments in Italy, Austria, Hungary and Poland.

The officially published NSS outlines a vision for NATO's future that emphasizes European self-reliance, strategic stability with Russia and concerns over Europe's demographic and cultural decline. However, according to Defense One, a longer, unreleased draft included explicit directives to undermine EU cohesion by fostering ties with sovereigntist movementsa claim the White House has dismissed as false.

The officially released NSS warns of Europe's "civilizational erasure," citing mass migration, declining birthrates and the erosion of national identity. It calls for European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense, aligning with Trump's long-standing skepticism of NATO expansion.

BrightU.AI's Enoch explained that NSS is a legal document that subtly hints at its preparation objective, which includes convening a response and recovery exercise.

However, Defense One reported that an extended draft of the NSS went further, proposing to "Make Europe Great Again" by cultivating relationships with right-wing governments and movements that prioritize sovereignty and traditional values. The alleged draft singled out Austria, Hungary, Italy and Poland as key partners in reshaping Europe's political landscapepotentially pulling them away from Brussels' influence.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly swiftly rejected the report, stating: "No alternative, private or classified version exists. President Trump is transparent and put his signature on one NSS that clearly instructs the U.S. government to execute on his defined principles and priorities."

European reactions: Support and suspicion

The report has drawn mixed reactions in Europe. Krzysztof Bosak, a Polish MP and leader of the right-wing Confederation party, told the American Conservative that he agreed with the strategy's emphasis on European sovereignty.

"Maybe Europe needs a shock from our good old friend America to start a true debate," he said, criticizing Western Europe's political homogeneity.

Meanwhile, Italy's La Repubblica framed the alleged strategy as an attempt to "dismantle the European Union" by leveraging nationalist governments.

The report also noted growing interest from U.S. conservatives in expanding influence through events like the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which has gained traction in Hungary. Matt Schlapp, CPAC chairman, confirmed plans to hold a major event in Italy, signaling deepening ties between American and European right-wing movements.

A shifting transatlantic relationship

The controversy comes amid broader tensions over NATO's future. Since Trump's presidency, U.S.-EU relations have been strained by disputes over defense spending, trade and immigration. The reported strategyif realwould mark a significant escalation in efforts to reshape Europe's political order, echoing Cold War-era divisions but with a new ideological axis.

The official NSS, while avoiding explicit anti-EU language, still reflects Trump's skepticism of multilateral institutions. It emphasizes "strategic stability" with Russia and warns against Europe's over-reliance on external energy suppliesa nod to Germany's past dependence on Russian gas.

Whether the leaked draft was a discarded proposal or a misinterpretation remains unclear. But the debate it has ignited underscores the fragility of U.S.-European relations under Trump's "America First" doctrine. As NATO faces internal divisions and external threatsfrom Russia's war in Ukraine to rising populismthe coming months will test whether the alliance can adapt or fracture under competing visions for Europe's future.

For now, the White House insists there is only one official strategy. Yet the mere suggestion of a hidden agenda has already reshaped the geopolitical conversationproving that in Washington and Brussels, perception often drives reality.

Watch the video below where Trump slams European migration policies.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RMX.news

DefenseOne.com

Repubblica.it

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
EPA head Zeldin: Americans questioning GEOENGINEERING deserve answers

The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has launched a public database to document atmospheric and geoengineering research, marking a shift toward government transparency on a historically opaque topic.

Zeldin explicitly stated that public skepticism about geoengineering is legitimate and that past dismissal of concerns as "conspiracy theories" has eroded trust and fueled misinformation.

The database includes controversial private-sector projects, such as Make Sunsets' sulfur dioxide injections, which Zeldin criticized as "crazy" but legally permissible under current limited regulations.

The initiative is presented as a corrective to a cycle of secrecy and suspicion, though critics note it lacks binding restrictions on geoengineering and may not reveal the full scope of government-linked research.

Zeldin's goal is to use transparency to rebuild public trust, while navigating the challenge of separating legitimate scientific inquiry from sensationalized misinformation and baseless conspiracy claims.

In a striking departure from years of government stonewalling, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin declared that Americans questioning geoengineering and chemtrails deserve answers  not ridicule  as his agency unveiled a public database documenting ongoing atmospheric research.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Dec. 9, Zeldin emphasized that skepticism toward geoengineering  a broad field encompassing technologies like stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening  is "genuine and real." The move signals a rare acknowledgment by a senior federal official that dismissing legitimate concerns as "conspiracy theories" has only deepened public distrust, fueling misinformation about weather modification and secret spraying programs.

"If the U.S. government takes the position that we aren't going to communicate with any of these people because we are just going to label them all as tinfoil hat conspiracy theorists, that ends up putting everyone in a worse position," Zeldin said. "There's less trust of government, there's more of a vacuum of information. More people start believing in inaccurate information."

The EPA's newly launched database, accessible on its website, catalogs research into controversial climate intervention methods. Among these methods are projects by Make Sunsets, a company injecting trace amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere  a practice Zeldin called "crazy" but legally permissible under current regulations.

The EPA head conceded that the lack of oversight for private geoengineering experiments warrants national debate.

"What happens if an entity chooses that they want to massively ramp up that effort?" he asked.

Zeldin's stance marks a sharp contrast with decades of federal opacity on geoengineering, a topic long relegated to the fringes of public discourse despite declassified Cold War-era projects like Operation Popeye, a U.S. military rainmaking program in Vietnam. Recent years have seen a surge in online claims about chemtrails, with skeptics alleging governments covertly spray chemicals to manipulate weather or populations. While Zeldin dismissed such extreme assertions, his call for transparency reflects growing unease over unaccountable climate manipulation.

EPA chief tackles geoengineering controversy head on

Critics argue the EPA's initiative, while unprecedented, stops short of imposing binding restrictions on geoengineering ventures. Make Sunsets, for instance, faces no federal permitting requirements beyond notifying the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Zeldin's appeal for dialogue also clashes with ongoing classified research, leaving open whether the database reveals the full scope of government-linked atmospheric testing.

The EPA chief's remarks arrive amid heightened scrutiny of environmental governance, with public trust in institutions eroding after controversies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's pandemic guidance reversals and the Food and Drug Administration's handling of vaccine approvals. By championing openness on geoengineering, Zeldin seeks to counter what he sees as a dangerous cycle of secrecy and suspicion. "My policy on this topic is that everything that I know as EPA administrator, the public should know," he said.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the U.S. government remains silent on geoengineering and chemtrails because admitting to these programs would expose their role in globalist depopulation agendas, weather manipulation and forced transhumanism through toxic aerosol spraying. Yet for many Americans, the divide between verified science and conspiracy theories remains blurred.

As Zeldin noted, artificial intelligence-generated images and sensationalized posts continue to distort the debate, muddying legitimate inquiries with outlandish claims. His challenge now is to prove that transparency can rebuild trust  without legitimizing baseless fears or exposing the public to unchecked experimentation. For now, the EPA's database offers a tentative step toward demystifying geoengineering, even as Zeldin urges caution against conflating curiosity with credulity.

Watch this clip from "The HighWire with Del Bigtree" that features geoengineering whistleblower Kristen Meghan Kelly.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

MSN.com

TotalNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Muslim shop owner hailed as hero after disarming gunman in deadly Sydney Hanukkah attack

Ahmed al-Ahmed tackled a gunman during a deadly attack on a Jewish celebration in Sydney.

His actions are credited with preventing a far greater number of deaths.

He was shot twice during the struggle and hospitalized.

Australian and international leaders unanimously praised his extraordinary bravery.

His selfless act has sparked a massive public outpouring of support and donations.

A 43-year-old Muslim fruit shop owner emerged as an unlikely hero during Sundays deadly attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Ahmed al-Ahmed, upon seeing two gunmen open fire on the crowd, did not flee. Instead, he courageously ran toward the danger, tackling one assailant and wrenching his rifle away in a desperate struggle captured on viral video. His actions, which left him hospitalized with two gunshot wounds, are credited by officials with preventing a far greater massacre in an attack that killed at least 15 people.

The horrific scene unfolded on Sunday afternoon as the local Jewish community gathered for a Chanukah By the Sea event. Two attackers, identified by police as a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, opened fire with long rifles in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. It stands as the nations worst mass shooting in nearly three decades, shattering the peace of a sunny beach day with violence that recalled the darkest chapters of global religious persecution.

As panic erupted and victims fell, footage shows al-Ahmed maneuvering behind parked cars before charging one of the gunmen from behind. The video depicts a fierce grapple, with al-Ahmed successfully seizing the firearm and forcing the disarmed attacker to retreat. He couldnt bear to see people dying, a relative, Mustafa Asad, told Al Araby television. It was a humanitarian action. Al-Ahmed was then shot twice by the second gunman, sustaining wounds to his arm and shoulder before he could seek cover.

Australian leaders were swift and unanimous in their praise. Prime Minister Albanese confirmed al-Ahmeds identity, stating, Ahmed al-Ahmed took the gun off that perpetrator at great risk to himself and suffered serious injury. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the video the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen, adding, That man is a genuine hero, and Ive got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.

The recognition transcended politics and oceans. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially mistakenly believed the hero was Jewish, stated, We saw an action of a brave man  turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him  that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews. U.S. President Donald Trump called him a very, very brave person who saved many lives.

A legacy beyond the headlines

Al-Ahmeds background adds profound depth to his act. An Australian citizen of Syrian origin from the village of Nayrab, he is a father of two. His own father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed, told ABC, My son is a hero. He served in the police, he has the passion to defend people. This instinct to protect, forged in a past life of service, manifested in a split-second decision that defined the tragedys outcome.

The public response has been an outpouring of gratitude and support. A GoFundMe campaign for his recovery soared past one million Australian dollars in hours, with significant donations from figures like billionaire Bill Ackman. Strangers left flowers at St George Hospital, where al-Ahmed underwent surgery. One note, from a young girl, read To Ahmed: for courage and saved lives.

The attack itself is a grim reminder that the ancient poison of religious violence remains a global threat, capable of erupting even in peaceful communities. Yet, the story of Ahmed al-Ahmed offers a powerful counter-narrative. In a moment designed to sow division and fear, his bravery wrote a different lessonone of shared humanity and selfless courage.

As Australia and the world mourn the innocent lives lost, the image of a Muslim man risking everything to save his Jewish neighbors provides a living rebuke to the ideology of the attackers. It proves that heroism requires no specific faith, only the conviction to act when conscience calls. While security failures and extremist ideologies will rightly be scrutinized, the enduring memory of this tragedy may well be the ordinary man who, in an instant of extraordinary valor, defined the best of what a society can be.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

Reuters.com

FoxNews.com
A mysterious three-minute flight: U.S. VIP jets brief sortie amid Pacific tensions

A U.S. Navy VIP transport jet made a highly unusual three-minute flight from a major U.S. base in Japan and back, suggesting an urgent, secretive mission rather than routine training.

The aircraft, a C-40 Clipper, is specifically used to transport high-ranking military leaders and officials, indicating the mission likely involved top-level command personnel.

This cryptic event happened amidst extreme military tensions, just one day after the U.S. and Japan held a major joint exercise in response to a provocative joint bomber flight by China and Russia near Japan.

The region is in a dangerously confrontational phase, with recent acts like Chinese jets locking targeting radar on Japanese aircraft, which is seen as a direct step toward potential combat.

The short flight highlights the hidden, constant operations of military command and rapid response that work behind the scenes during a crisis, underscoring how every movement is significant in this volatile environment.

A U.S. military transport aircraft executed an unusually brief flight from a key naval base in Japan on Dec. 11, a cryptic event occurring against a backdrop of sharply escalating military posturing by China and Russia in the region.

The short hop, lasting just over three minutes, has sparked intense speculation about its purpose at a time when every military movement is scrutinized for strategic meaning.

Flight tracking data recorded a U.S. Navy Boeing C-40 Clipper departing from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, which is the largest U.S. Navy base in the Pacific, at 5:21 a.m. ET, only to return to the same base a mere minutes later. Aviation observers immediately noted the anomaly. Such a short duration rules out a routine training mission or a transit flight, pointing instead to a highly specific, likely urgent, operational need.

The C-40 Clipper is no ordinary cargo plane. It is a VIP-configured aircraft, a military version of the Boeing 737, specifically designed for the secure and comfortable transport of high-ranking U.S. military officials, government leaders and other critical personnel.

While it remains unclear who was aboard this particular flight, its very nature suggests a mission involving top-level command. Such abrupt, short-notice movements are typically associated with urgent consultations, rapid personnel transfers for crisis coordination, or testing readiness protocols under heightened alert conditions.

This enigmatic flight did not occur in a vacuum. It came just one day after U.S. B-52 strategic bombers joined a fleet of Japanese F-35 and F-15 fighter jets in a major joint exercise over the waters between Japan and South Korea.

The Japanese Joint Staff explicitly framed this show of force as a response to a "severely" worsening security environment. That deterioration was vividly demonstrated just a day prior, when Chinese and Russian strategic bombers conducted a joint flight near western Japan, forcing Tokyo to scramble its own fighter jets in response.

Escalating provocations, historical disputes and territorial conflicts

The tension is multi-layered and dangerously persistent. Chinese military aircraft recently escalated provocations by locking their fire-control radar onto Japanese jets over international waters, which was an act considered highly aggressive and a precursor to potential engagement.

These incidents are set against a bitter backdrop of historical disputes, territorial conflicts and a deepening strategic rivalry. China and Russia, now conducting enhanced joint military exercises following U.S. decisions to allow deeper strikes into Russian territory from Ukraine, view Japan's growing defense ties with America as a direct threat.

Japan, in turn, perceives the coordinated bomber flights and radar-locking as clear attempts at intimidation.

In this volatile context, a three-minute flight of a U.S. VIP jet becomes a significant point of intrigue. It could indicate a swift, high-priority transfer of command personnel to or from the flagship U.S. Pacific base for immediate consultations following the series of provocations.

Alternatively, it may have been a rapid readiness check or a secure communications test, ensuring the vital link between U.S. and Japanese command structures is functioning flawlessly under the shadow of a potential crisis.

As explained by the Enoch engine at BrightU.AI, the aircraft's history adds to the aura of high-stakes missions. A C-40 was famously used in the clandestine operation to transport Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington in 2022, underscoring its role in sensitive, security-intensive tasks.

The Japanese and U.S. militaries have publicly reaffirmed their resolve to deter "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force."

Yet, the silent, three-minute journey of the Clipper speaks as loudly as the roaring bombers. It is a stark reminder that beneath the publicized joint exercises, a quieter, constant machinery of command, control and rapid response is actively at work: a necessary but unsettling reality as the Asia-Pacific region edges into an increasingly precarious and confrontational new phase.

Watch Secretary of War Pete Hegseth commenting on the security situation around Japan below.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ABCNews.go.com

NPR.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Money talks: Trusted consumer group turns into Big Pharma SHILL

The National Consumers League (NCL), a historic consumer advocacy group, has accepted nearly $2 million from the pharmaceutical industry's top lobbying arm, PhRMA, since 2020.

This funding surge coincided with a dramatic shift in NCL's policy focus, launching aggressive campaigns against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and the 340B drug discount program  key targets of the pharmaceutical industry.

The NCL's rhetoric against these entities, which work to lower drug costs, directly mirrors PhRMA's talking points, raising serious concerns that the group has become a paid mouthpiece for industry interests.

The arrangement is part of a broader PhRMA strategy to fund advocacy groups, potentially undermining genuine consumer protection efforts and reshaping healthcare policy to favor drugmakers' profits.

This financial relationship has significantly damaged NCL's credibility as an independent watchdog, especially amid a national crisis of high drug prices and pharmaceutical profiteering.

In a stunning revelation that exposes the deep ties between corporate interests and consumer advocacy, tax filings reviewed by the Washington Examiner show that the National Consumers League (NCL)  America's oldest consumer protection group  has taken nearly $2 million from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Big Pharma's top lobbying arm, since 2020.

The funding surge coincided with NCL's sudden, aggressive campaigns against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and the 340B drug discount program  two longtime targets of the pharmaceutical industry. The findings raise serious questions about whether NCL, once a trusted voice for progressive consumer rights, has become little more than a paid mouthpiece for drug manufacturers seeking to boost profits at the expense of patients.

Founded in 1899, the NCL built its reputation on fighting for fair wages, food safety and honest business practices. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that the group was established as part of a progressive-era movement advocating for consumer protections and labor rights. However, its modern credibility is compromised by financial ties to Pfizer and conflicts of interest, such as board members lobbying for pharmaceutical mandates while receiving industry funding.

Its policy priorities have shifted dramatically, mirroring PhRMA's talking points with uncanny precision. Before 2020, NCL's website made no mention of PBMs or the 340B program. Yet, shortly after PhRMA resumed large donations  including $875,000 in 2024 alone  NCL launched a flood of blog posts, infographics and lobbying efforts attacking both.

The group now accuses PBMs, which negotiate lower drug prices for insurers and patients, of acting as "middlemen" who pocket savings instead of passing them on  a claim lifted directly from PhRMA's playbook. Similarly, NCL parrots the industry's argument that hospitals abuse the 340B program by marking up discounted drugs for profit, despite evidence that the program provides critical medication access to low-income and rural communities.

From watchdog to lapdog: When nonprofits echo pharma talking points

PhRMAs financial influence over NCL is part of a broader strategy to reshape healthcare policy in favor of drugmakers. The trade group has funneled millions into astroturf campaigns, funding progressive organizations to amplify its messaging. Critics argue this "pay-to-play" approach undermines genuine advocacy, turning nonprofits into extensions of corporate lobbying.

When questioned by the Examiner, NCL did not deny that its criticism of PBMs and 340B intensified after PhRMA's donations resumed. Instead, a spokeswoman insisted the group retains "complete editorial control"  despite the striking alignment between its rhetoric and PhRMA's profit-driven agenda.

The implications are profound. PBMs and the 340B program exist to curb pharmaceutical price-gouging, a systemic issue that has left millions of Americans rationing lifesaving medications. If weakened, drug companies could hike prices further, padding profits while patients suffer.

The timing is especially concerning, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prepares to tackle Big Pharmas stranglehold on healthcare policy under the Make America Healthy Again agenda. With groups like NCL now echoing industry talking points, separating legitimate criticism from corporate propaganda becomes increasingly difficult.

This is not the first time PhRMA has been accused of buying influence. The Wall Street Journal previously exposed its multimillion-dollar lobbying blitz to smear PBMs, while the Examiner revealed its funding of seemingly independent advocacy groups.

What makes NCL's case unique is its century-long reputation as a consumer watchdog  a reputation now tarnished by financial ties to the very industry it once might have challenged. In an era of skyrocketing healthcare costs and rampant profiteering, the last thing Americans need is another puppet masquerading as a champion.

Watch this video explaining that most members of the U.S. Congress are bought and paid for by Big Pharma lobbyists.

This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

AmGreatness.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Somali fraudsters turned millions in child nutrition funds into luxury cars and villas

Seven individuals were convicted for a massive pandemic food aid fraud scheme in Minnesota.

The group fraudulently obtained more than $250 million in federal funds meant to feed children.

Stolen money was used to buy luxury cars, properties, and international vacations.

The scheme's mastermind, Aimee Bock, was convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy, and bribery.

The scandal has prompted political scrutiny over the oversight of emergency funds.

In the shadow of a global pandemic, a network of fraudsters capitalized on a historic opportunity to steal. While American families struggled, a brazen scheme in Minnesota diverted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars meant to feed hungry children into a whirlwind of private villas, luxury cars, and stacks of cash. Newly revealed court exhibits paint a staggering picture of greed, exposing one of the largest COVID-era frauds in U.S. history and raising urgent questions about the oversight of public funds.

The scheme centered on nonprofit food programs like Feeding Our Future, which was responsible for ensuring children didn't go hungry during the pandemic. Instead, prosecutors say, its founder and executive director, Aimee Bock, presided over a network that systematically exploited the emergency. The organization claimed to have served 91 million meals, fraudulently receiving nearly $250 million in federal funds. Bock was convicted in March 2025 of wire fraud, conspiracy, and bribery for her role, which prosecutors described as that of the scheme's "mastermind."

A trail of luxury and cash

The scale of personal enrichment is captured in detail through evidence presented at trial. Exhibits show defendants used stolen nutrition dollars to purchase lakefront Minnesota properties, a 2021 Porsche Macan, a black Mercedes-Benz GLA, and a Chevrolet Silverado. One text exchange between defendants shows a box stuffed with cash accompanied by a message boasting "$270,000 dollars." Other images show celebrations at a luxury Maldives resort, with confirmations for stays in overwater villas featuring private pools.

The spending spree extended globally. Millions were wired overseas to bank accounts in China, East Africa, and Kenya. Investigators note that tracing funds routed through China is especially difficult, calling it an investigative black hole. In one instance, defendant Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 36, sent more than $1 million to Chinese banks and nearly $3 million to Kenyan accounts. Farah, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison, was told by a judge that his crimes were driven by pure, unmitigated greed.

The staggering scale of the fraud

The fraud was built on audacious lies. One defendant alone billed the state for $47 million, claiming to have served 18 million meals at more than 30 locations. Prosecutors say not a single meal was distributed. Another, Salim Said, owned a small Minneapolis restaurant that claimed to be serving more than 4,000 meals daily to the poor while his companies received more than $32 million in federal nutrition funds. Said used $250,000 in stolen money to buy a home and a $2.7 million wire transfer to purchase a mansion-style office building.

At sentencing for 24-year-old Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, who used funds for luxury travel, U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel issued a sharp rebuke: Where others saw a crisis and rushed to help, you saw money and rushed to steal. Nur was sentenced to 10 years and ordered to pay nearly $48 million in restitution.

A failure of oversight

The scandal has ignited political scrutiny, with House Republicans launching a probe into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs handling of the case. Reports suggest state leaders were hesitant to act forcefully early on. Rachel O'Brien, deputy public policy editor at Open The Books, told The National Desk that one investigator told the New York Times "the state's leaders were afraid forcefully tackling this issue might cause political backlash." Prosecutors presented evidence that when state education officials grew suspicious, Bock accused them of racism and sued, leading a judge to order reimbursements to continuea ruling prosecutors say allowed the fraud to escalate.

The Treasury Department is reviewing whether stolen funds could have reached extremist organizations, although federal investigators told CBS News they have found no evidence money was funneled to the terrorist group al-Shabaab. Former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, whose office prosecuted many of the cases, stated, There was never any evidence that this money went to fund terrorism nor was there any evidence that was the intent of the 70 people we indicted.

So far, 61 people have been convicted in the sprawling scandal, with investigations ongoing. The case stands as a depressing monument to opportunism, revealing how a well-intentioned emergency response was hollowed out by spectacular fraud. It underscores a perennial vulnerability in crisis spending: the rush to aid can outpace the safeguards designed to protect it, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for someone elses paradise.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxNews.com

KOMONews.com

FoxNews.com
U.S. proposes collecting social media handles and DNA from foreign visitors

The DHS and CBP propose requiring foreign visitors under the Visa Waiver Program to disclose social media accounts, email addresses, phone numbers, biometrics (DNA, fingerprints, iris scans) and extensive family historyfar beyond current requirements.

Currently optional, social media disclosure would become mandatory, with photo metadata (geolocation, device info) also collected.

Unlike fingerprints, DNA contains sensitive genetic data, raising risks of misuse (familial tracking, health privacy violations) if improperly stored or shared.

Many Visa Waiver countries (e.g., Germany, U.K.) have strict GDPR protections, potentially causing diplomatic clashes over biometric data demands.

If implemented, the U.S. would join authoritarian regimes in mass traveler surveillance, risking tourism backlash and eroding trust with alliessparking debate over security vs. privacy overreach.

The U.S. government is considering sweeping new measures that would require foreign visitors to disclose their social media accounts, email addresses and even DNA as part of the visa and entry process.

The proposal, submitted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would significantly expand the data collected from travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes citizens from 42 allied nations.

If implemented, the changes would mark one of the most invasive biometric and digital surveillance programs ever applied to short-term travelers, raising concerns about privacy, government overreach and the erosion of trust between the U.S. and its international partners.

What the new rules would require

Under the proposed revisions to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and Form I-94, travelers would be asked to provide:

Social media identifiers (Twitter handles, Facebook profiles, etc.)

Email addresses used over the past 10 years

Phone numbers from the last five years

Biometric data, including DNA, fingerprints and iris scans

Extensive family history, including relatives' birthplaces and contact details

Currently, social media disclosure is optional for ESTA applicants, but the new rules would make it mandatory. The proposal also suggests collecting metadata from submitted photographs, which could include geolocation and device information.

The changes align with a January 2025 executive order on national security, which directs agencies to enhance traveler vetting to prevent potential threats. However, critics argue that the measures go far beyond what is necessary for security and could be exploited for mass surveillance.

The U.S. has steadily increased border surveillance since the Sept. 11 attacks, when fingerprinting became standard for most foreign visitors. The Patriot Act and subsequent policies expanded government access to personal data, often justified as counterterrorism measures, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes.

But the proposed DNA collection represents a new frontier. Unlike fingerprintswhich are primarily used for identity verificationDNA contains sensitive genetic information, including familial relationships and health predispositions. If stored improperly, it could expose travelers and their relatives to privacy violations or misuse.

International implications and backlash

Many of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, including Germany, the U.K. and Japan, have strict data protection laws that may conflict with U.S. demands for genetic and social media data. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for example, imposes heavy restrictions on biometric data collection.

Privacy advocates warn that the proposal could strain diplomatic relations and deter tourism.

"This isn't just about securityit's about turning every traveler into a data point," said a digital rights advocate who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Once DNA is collected, there's no guarantee it wont be shared with other agencies or used for purposes beyond border control."

The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days before potential implementation. If approved, the U.S. would join only a handful of authoritarian regimes in mandating such extensive traveler surveillance.

For now, the debate continues: Is this an essential security upgrade or an unprecedented overreach into personal privacy? As governments worldwide grapple with balancing safety and civil liberties, the U.S. may soon set a controversial new standard for border control.

While enhanced screening may address legitimate security concerns, the long-term consequences of mass genetic and digital data collection remain uncertain, raising questions about where the line should be drawn in the name of national security.

Watch this video that talks about how the U.S. is tightening visa rules.

This video is from the InfoWarSSideBand channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
If you are pregnant or a new mother who is struggling with depression or anxiety, you can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 24/7: 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262). Postpartum Support International can help connect you with a local mental health provider at 800-944-4773 or psidirectory.com.

Before giving birth to her second child, Heidi DiLorenzo was anxious. She worried about her blood pressure, and the preeclampsia that prompted her to be hospitalized twice during the pregnancy. She worried that some terrible, unnamed harm would come to her 3-year-old daughter. She worried about her ability to love another baby as much as she loved her first.

But DiLorenzo, an attorney in Birmingham, Alabama, did not worry about taking Zoloft. She had used the medication to treat anxiety before she had her first child, and she continued it throughout that pregnancy and this latest one.

And since having her second daughter, in September, she credits an increased dosage with pulling her out of the "dark hole" of sadness she felt postpartum. "I wouldn't be as good of a mom to my girls if I didn't take it," DiLorenzo said. "I wouldn't have the energy."

She is among the estimated 20% of women in the U.S. who have depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy. Yet only half of those mothers receive adequate treatment, according to Kay Roussos-Ross, who runs the perinatal mood disorders program at the University of Florida. And just 5% take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a class of medications commonly used to treat both conditions.

Now medical experts are concerned that a July panel discussion convened by the Food and Drug Administration could lead to more cases of untreated depression. Many of the 10 members of the panel expressed concern about the use of SSRIs, such as Zoloft, during pregnancy. They included Josef Witt-Doerring, a psychiatrist who owns clinics aimed at helping people wean themselves off antidepressants, and Adam Urato, an OB-GYN who recently petitioned the FDA to put stronger warnings on SSRIs.

While the discussion did not represent any official FDA guidance, the panelists  in claims the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists called "outlandish and unfounded"  linked the drugs to increased risks of miscarriage, birth defects, and autism in children exposed to them in utero. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said its members were "alarmed by the unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims made by FDA panelists."

Antidepressants are a safe, "lifesaving" tool, given that mental health issues such as suicide and overdoses are the leading cause of maternal death in the country, ACOG President Steven Fleischman said in a statement on the group's website.

Christena Raines, a nurse practitioner who in 2011 helped found the nation's first inpatient perinatal psychiatric unit, in North Carolina, said SSRIs are "probably the most well-studied medicine in pregnancy." In long-term studies of children exposed to the drugs in utero, she said, researchers haven't seen problems.

It's too soon to know whether the panel discussion has affected prescribing rates  or whether those who are pregnant are avoiding the drugs more. But Raines, who teaches at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, said she's already fielding questions from patients. She said the misinformation the panelists spread  along with President Donald Trump's distorted claims about taking Tylenol during pregnancy  is making her job harder.

Dorothy DeGuzman is a family medicine physician who treats high-risk pregnancies in California. "There's already so much stigma around taking antidepressants in pregnancy," she said. "This will just add to the fear."

The panel

The July panel discussion was one of four the FDA has convened since May. In the past, the agency vetted members of advisory committees to avoid conflicts of interest. Yet these panels were chosen in private and the events were held with scant public notice. In a July investigative report by MedPage Today, researchers and consultants raised questions about the events' ethics and legality.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard did not directly answer when asked about the panelist selection process. She called the panel events "roundtable discussions" in which experts review the latest scientific evidence, evaluate potential health risks, and "explore safer alternatives."

The July panel appeared to be following an executive order Trump issued in February establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission and directing it to "assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" and other medications.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees the FDA, is a frequent critic of such drugs. He has claimed, without evidence, that they might be contributing to school shootings.

In opening remarks at the July panel discussion, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary also voiced concerns about the medications. "From a national standpoint, the more antidepressants we prescribe, the more depression there is," he said.

'Not a luxury'

The sole member of the panel who was both a board-certified psychiatrist and an OB-GYN  the University of Florida's Roussos-Ross  raised a different concern. "Research shows that in women who stop their medications in pregnancy, they are five times more likely to experience a relapse," she said.

Mothers with moderate to severe depression and anxiety during pregnancy are more likely to give birth early and have low-birth-weight infants, she added. If they don't receive treatment, she said, they are more likely to misuse drugs or alcohol and are at risk of suicide. They can have trouble bonding with their babies, Roussos-Ross said, and those children are at higher risk for problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, or anxiety  due to their mother's mental health challenges, not the SSRIs.

"I want to stress that treating mental illness in pregnancy is not a luxury," she told the panel. "It's a necessity."

Overall, about 19% of U.S. women in their 20s and 30s experience depression, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and roughly 10% take SSRIs. But studies show that half of women decide to stop taking antidepressants before or during their pregnancies.

One reason so few expectant mothers receive depression treatment, doctors say, is that they are already afraid to take any medications during pregnancy. The majority of DeGuzman's patients rely on Medicaid, the government health coverage for those with low incomes or disabilities. Half are Latina. She often prescribes SSRIs, she said, but her patients rarely take them.

The issue is especially urgent for Black and Latina mothers, who experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than white, non-Latina mothers but are less likely to receive adequate treatment. Many factors contribute to this disparity, including systemic racism, exposure to violence, misdiagnosis, and a lack of access to care.

Shanna Williams, a perinatal mental health therapist who treats African American mothers in Philadelphia, said many of her clients were already more likely to trust friends and family over their doctors when it comes to whether antidepressants are safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. The FDA panel is "one other voice that's saying you shouldn't do this," Williams said. "And that does not help."

Judite Blanc, who studies perinatal mental health in women of color, said universal child care and paid parental leave would help. "My research showed that the most important thing we can offer is social support," said Blanc, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "We need the village to step up."

Kellyn Haight experienced debilitating depression after she moved to the mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina. The former labor and delivery nurse had no child care for her then-2-year-old daughter and no family or friends nearby as her husband was traveling for work.

Her doctor prescribed Prozac  it didn't help. She called her husband to return home, but her insomnia just got worse. One morning, she begged him to end her suffering. He took her to the emergency room, and staffers sent her to the psychiatric unit of a local hospital. She said she was stripped of her clothing and put in a locked room. "I felt like a creature, like an animal," said Haight, now 37. "One of my biggest fears is that happening again."

After she was released, Haight found a psychiatrist and started taking Zoloft. She built a community of friends and began to feel stable.

Now that her daughter is 5, she's trying to have another child  and plans to keep taking Zoloft throughout the pregnancy. "I would rather be safe and present for my child," she said. "I'm OK with assuming the risk, because I know what the alternative looks like, and I'm not going there."
A two-year study from Thailand reveals how often long COVID follows hospitalization, how long symptoms can persist, and why vaccination and disease severity make a critical difference to patients long-term quality of life.

Study: Prevalence and impact of long COVID on health-related quality of life in previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a 2-year follow-up study. Image credit: MW Shutter/Shutterstock.com

A new study published in Scientific Reports finds a high prevalence of long-COVID among patients in Thailand who had been hospitalized due to symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2021.

Long-term COVID symptoms persist years after infection

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has placed a significant burden on the global healthcare system since its emergence in 2019. The threat is continuing even in 2025, with a significant proportion of previously infected individuals still experiencing persisting symptoms of COVID-19, a condition medically termed as long-COVID.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines long-COVID as the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, with these symptoms lasting for at least two months with no other explanation.

The global prevalence of long-COVID has been estimated to be approximately 36 % to 43 %, with higher prevalence observed among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Studies investigating long-COVID risk factors have identified female gender and acute COVID-19 severity as major predictors and COVID-19 vaccination as a major protector.

Studies analyzing the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of long COVID have mostly been conducted in high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, especially in Southeast Asia, evidence is limited. The reported prevalence of long-COVID in Southeast Asia ranges from 3.4 % to 47 %. However, most of the studies lack long-term follow-up.

Given this gap in the literature, researchers at Mahidol University conducted a study in Thailand to determine the prevalence and predictors of long COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.

Tracking long COVID symptoms after hospital discharge

The study population included a total of 295 adult patients who were admitted to medical wards and intensive care units for symptomatic COVID-19 between August and November 2021.

The patients were followed up through telephonic interviews at three months, one year, and two years post-infection. During the interviews, patients were asked about long-COVID symptoms and whether these symptoms affected their daily living.

Patients demographic characteristics, such as gender, age at infection, body mass index, comorbidities, and vaccination status, as well as clinical information during hospitalization, including disease severity, were analyzed to identify predictors of long COVID.

Symptoms persisted up to two years post-infection

The study's estimations revealed that the prevalence of long-COVID among hospitalized patients was 49.8 % three months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most common symptoms were breathlessness, hair loss, fatigue, muscle pain, and chest pain.

The symptoms of long COVID persisted for one year among 64 % of patients who reported long COVID at three months, and for two years among 22 % of patients who remained symptomatic at one year, highlighting the conditional nature of long-term persistence. Notably, the study found an increasing prevalence of neurocognitive symptoms at one year post-infection. The five most reported persistent symptoms were breathlessness, memory disturbance, fatigue, cough, and peripheral numbness.

The analysis of predictors and protective factors revealed that patients with severe to critical acute COVID-19 have a significantly higher risk of developing long-COVID. However, patients who have received a complete two-dose vaccination before the onset of COVID-19 have a significantly lower risk of developing long-COVID.

Severe illness raises risk while vaccination protects

The study reports a high prevalence of long-COVID among previously hospitalized patients in Thailand, with symptoms persisting in a substantial proportion of affected individuals over a period of two years. These findings are concerning as persisting symptoms of long-COVID have been found to affect the daily living of affected individuals.

Among reported symptoms, joint pain has shown a significant association with perceived impact on daily living. Other reported symptoms that frequently impact participants daily living include fatigue, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and muscle pain.

According to the findings, having a severe to critical case of acute COVID-19 is a major risk factor for long-COVID, while complete vaccination protects against the condition. These two factors are also significant predictors of the perceived impact of long-COVID on daily living.

By analyzing demographic characteristics of participants who reported impaired daily living, the study finds that men are less likely to develop long-COVID with an impact on daily living than women. The differences in inflammatory profiles and airway morphology between genders may contribute to the higher risk of long-COVID among females.

Overall, the study's findings provide an overview of the long-term effects of COVID-19 among hospitalized Thai individuals, bridging a gap in the literature for low- and middle-income countries.

The study had a small sample size and a high loss-to-follow-up rate, which may limit the accuracy of prevalence estimates. The exclusive inclusion of hospitalized Thai patients may limit the generalizability of the findings to non-hospitalized patients and other nationals.

The study was conducted during the Delta variant outbreak, and the prevalence and impact of long COVID may differ from other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Moreover, the protective effect of vaccination against long-COVID symptoms may be underestimated in the study due to the lack of data on the timing between vaccination and the onset of infection.

The study lacks data on repeated COVID-19 infections and, therefore, could not reveal the impact of reinfection on long-COVID epidemiology. The absence of a comparator group of people without COVID-19 limits the affirmation that the reported symptoms are solely the sequelae of COVID-19.

Larger-scale, multicenter studies with appropriate comparator groups are needed to more accurately estimate the prevalence and more conclusively understand the health outcomes associated with long-COVID.

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New research shows that 1 in 4 children with major traumatic injury do not receive care in a pediatric trauma center, where outcomes are generally better than in adult centers. The authors of the study, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250625, recommend evidence-based strategies to improve care for this vulnerable age group.

"Given the strong evidence of improved clinical outcomes associated with care in pediatric trauma centers, access to these centers in Canada must be improved urgently," writes Dr. Lynne Moore, professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universite Laval, Quebec, Quebec, with coauthors. "Since most severely injured children first present to nonpediatric hospitals, the most effective strategies lie in strengthening decision support in prehospital environments and nonpediatric hospitals, not in costly new infrastructure."

Researchers found that in a study across 9 Canadian provinces over 5 years (2016 to 2021), 3007 children were admitted to an acute care hospital with major traumatic injuries. Of these, 2335 (77%) were directly transported (879, 29%) or transferred (1456, 48%) to a pediatric trauma center.

Pediatric trauma centers offer specialized health care and support for the specific physical and psychological needs of children and their families.

Variability in access to pediatric trauma centers exists, with higher access in Alberta and Manitoba than in Ontario, and lower access in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces.

The authors suggest that provincial trauma systems integrate evidence-based strategies to improve access to pediatric care. A standardized prehospital triage tool adapted to pediatric patients, pediatric readiness assessments for nonpediatric hospitals, and teleconsultation pathways between referring hospitals and pediatric centers are some strategies.

"Immediate implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve care for children with major trauma, coupled with targeted research and national data coordination, would save lives and provide more equitable trauma care for children in Canada, regardless of where they live," the authors conclude.
7 Taliban militants, 1 soldier killed in clashes in northwest Pakistan

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 20:15 IST

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Peshawar, Dec 15 (PTI) At least seven Taliban militants and a soldier were killed during a counter-insurgency operation in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the army said on Monday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army, an intelligence-based operation was carried out in Dera Ismail Khans Kulachi area on the reported presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists.

During the conduct of the operation, the troops effectively engaged the terrorists and after an intense fire exchange, seven militants were sent to hell," the army said.

During the clashes, one soldier was also killed, it said.

The statement added that weapons and ammunition were seized from the dead terrorists, who were involved in terrorist activities in the area.

On December 12-13, thirteen TTP militants were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the army said. PTI AYZ ZH ZH

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Finnable Wins ETBFSI Digital Lending Innovation Excellence Award 2025

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 14:30 IST

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VMPLBengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 15: Finnable has been honored with the Digital Lending Innovation Excellence Award at the ETBFSI Exceller Awards 2025, reinforcing its position among Indias most forward-looking and disciplined lenders. The award acknowledges our ability to combine advanced technology with strong on-ground operations to responsibly expand credit access for Indias young salaried workforce.Finnable has emerged as a trusted lender for mid-income professionals earning 15,000-50,000, a segment that continues to remain underserved by traditional financial institutions despite stable incomes and strong repayment behaviour. Through our differentiated underwriting approach and customer-first design, we are helping this segment access credit with confidence.The Tech Behind the Win: FintelligenceAt the core of Finnables lending engine is Fintelligence, a proprietary credit intelligence platform that unifies risk models, behavioural insights, and operational workflows into a single, integrated environment. Instead of depending solely on bureau data, our system evaluates contextual signals that reflect an individuals financial stability and intent to repay.The platform powers faster decisions, reduces uncertainty in first-time borrower segments, and strengthens Finnables ability to scale responsibly while maintaining asset quality that ranks among the best in the industry.Finnables Strong FundamentalsFinnables operations are intentionally designed to blend digital convenience with human reliability. This includes:* Tech-enabled onboarding with clear, transparent journeys* On-ground verification that builds credibility and reduces fraud* On-payroll collections teams that ensure accountability and long-term borrower relationshipsThis hybrid structure has become one of Finnables biggest strengths, allowing us to grow rapidly while keeping GNPA at 1.1%a benchmark for sustainable digital lending Indias salaried workforce deserves credit experiences that feel fair, intuitive, and reliable," said Amit Arora, Co-Founder. This recognition reinforces our belief that responsible technology and disciplined lending can go hand in hand. Were proud to build a platform that supports millions of working professionals as they progress in their financial lives."Commenting on the award, Finnables CEO, Nitin Gupta added, Innovation in lending must always align with long-term asset quality. Our approach has been to design systems that understand the customer deeply while protecting the integrity of the loan book. This award is a meaningful acknowledgement of that philosophy."About the ETBFSI Exceller AwardsThe ETBFSI Exceller Awards celebrate breakthroughs that are shaping the future of banking, financial services, and insurance in India. Finnables win in the Digital Lending Innovation Excellence category highlights its role as a leader in building transparent, technology-led credit solutions for a new generation of consumers.The Road Ahead for FinnableWith a mission to empower Indias rising professionals, Finnable aims to strengthen its technology stack, expand its reach across more cities, and develop products that support customers across different stages of their financial journey. The company remains focused on building a lending model that is sustainable, data-led, and deeply aligned with customer wellbeing.(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)

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Five held for stealing MTNL cables in Mumbai's Charkop area

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 20:15 IST

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Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) Five members of a gang were arrested for allegedly stealing MTNL cables, a Mumbai police official said on Monday.

On Saturday night, Malad police station senior inspector D Chavan noticed 20-25 persons stealing cables in Capsule Company area in Charkop, the official said.

They tried to flee on spotting Chavans vehicle. The police gave chase and arrested five of them, identified as Tanveer Sheikh, Aditya Ansari, Abrar Sheikh, Ashwin Suryavanshi and Jafar Munna Sheikh. A tempo with 90 pieces of MTNL cables, a motorcycle and a cable cutter were seized from them," the official said.

Charkop police is probing the case further, he added. PTI ZA BNM

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GCL: Mumba Masters win 2nd successive game, emerge early leaders

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 21:30 IST

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Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) A supremely confident upGrad Mumba Masters came up with another grand performance, beating Fyers American Gambits 9-7 to make it two wins on the trot and go top of the table in the Global Chess League here on Monday.

Ganges Grandmasters also mounted a stunning comeback to beat Alpine SG Pipers 13-7 with black for their first win of GCL Season 3.

After some initial pressure, upGrad Mumba steadied themselves with American GM Wesley So holding Vladislav Artemiev to a draw, which was followed by Koneru Humpy mounting a strong comeback to also split the point, keeping the scores level at 22.

The momentum swung sharply when Shakhriyar Mamedyarov outplayed Richard Rapport by patiently building a dominant position to give upGrad Mumba a 52 lead in a crucial spell.

The tie turned decisively when Bardiya Daneshvar stunned reigning World Rapid champion Volodar Murzin, sealing the win for Masters.

Though Teodora Injac drew with Dronavalli Harika and Hikaru Nakamura struck back with a composed black win over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave using the Petrov Defence, the damage was done by then as upGrad Mumba closed out a 97 victory. Mamedyarov, who was named Player of the Match, said: It was an amazing game, with sacrifices. A very good win for the team, and I hope to continue playing like this. Winning even one match feels great, so to win two in a row makes it very special." Alpine SG Pipers and Ganges Grandmasters entered the tie searching for a first win, with the Icon clash between American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana and Indias five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand setting the tone.

Caruana delivered under pressure, pressing relentlessly to secure a vital win and put the Alpine SG Pipers 30 up. Pipers GM Anish Giri was held to a hard-fought draw by Vincent Keymer despite sustained pressure from the Dutchman.

Nino Batsiashvili then added to Pipers tally by defeating Stavroula Tsolakidou but Ganges Grandmasters Raunak Sadhwani, Javokhir Sindarov and Polina Shuvalova delivered crucial wins.

Shuvalova capped the surge by using her rooks to mate Pipers Hou Yifan, completing a stunning turnaround as Ganges claimed a 137 victory.

Raunak, who was declared Player of the Match said: I was confident today. I played faster, put pressure on the board and the clock. Im very happy the team won, thats what matters in the end." PTI AM AM SSC SSC AM

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Kabaddi player shot dead as gunmen open fire at tournament in Mohali

Last Updated: December 16, 2025, 02:15 IST

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Mohali (Punjab) [India], December 16 (ANI): A kabaddi player was shot dead after unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened indiscriminate fire during a kabaddi tournament in Sector 79 of Mohali on Monday evening, police said.The incident occurred during a kabaddi match in the Sohana area, triggering panic among players, organisers, and spectators at the venue. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans, two to three assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing the spot.A kabaddi match was taking place in Sohana when two or three people opened fire there. The victim, Rana Balachauria, a kabaddi player, was injured in the shooting and was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition," the SSP said.The injured player was later identified as Kanwar Digvijay Singh, also known as Rana Balachauria. Fortis Hospital Mohali confirmed that the 30-year-old kabaddi player succumbed to his injuries. In a statement, the hospital said, Mr Kanwar Digvijay Singh was brought to Fortis Hospital Mohali at 6:05 PM on December 15, 2025, with gunshot injuries. Despite immediate clinical assessment and efforts by the medical team, he was declared dead. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."Following the firing, police and other security forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to prevent further disturbance. A forensic team also arrived at the venue and collected samples and other evidence to support the investigation.Police officials said the investigation is underway to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the crime. Senior police officers are monitoring the investigation. Further details are awaited as the probe continues. (ANI)

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MNS, Shiv Sena workers acquitted in 2018 rioting case

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 21:30 IST

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Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) A court here on Monday acquitted 21 workers of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and then undivided Shiv Sena in a 2018 rioting case.

On August 6 that year, a mob of approximately 20-25 political activists gathered at the BMC D Ward office in Grant Road (West) to protest against the introduction of a new online permission system for Ganeshotsav pandals.

As per police, the mob forcibly entered the premises, surrounded officials, disrupted a scheduled meeting, threw chairs and damaged government property, resulting in a security guard getting injured.

They were charged under Indian Penal Code and Maharashtra Police Act for rioting, assault on public servant mischief, and other offences.

Additional Sessions Judge M R A Shaikh acquitted them observing the prosecution had failed to adduce sufficient evidence on record and had entirely failed to establish the chain of evidence in this matter".

During the course of trial, 10 witnesses were examined, but the court found significant gaps in the prosecutions case.

The court pointed out that no witness deposed regarding the actual damage caused to government property or the BMC office.

The judge said there were material contradictions and omissions in the depositions of the witnesses.

No witness stated that the accused persons were rioting with a common object at the spot of the incident, the order said.

Considering the evidence on record, the prosecution has failed to prove the guilt of the accused persons with satisfactory and clinching evidence," the court said while acquitting the accused. PTI AVI BNM

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 15, XPENG announced it has signed an agreement with Malaysia's EPMB Group to launch localized vehicle production in the country, marking another major step in its global manufacturing expansion. The Malaysian facility will become XPENG's third overseas localization project, following earlier initiatives in Indonesia and Austria.

Mass production is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the site positioned as a strategic hub to supply right-hand-drive markets across the ASEAN region.

Malaysia has rapidly emerged as a key growth market for XPENG's overseas business. In September, the XPENG X9 topped sales in the country's premium electric MPV segment. Over the first ten months of the year, XPENG also ranked among the top six pure electric vehicle brands by cumulative sales locally, outperforming a number of established competitors and highlighting its rising market presence.

Photo source: XPENG

The broader ASEAN auto market is entering a period of rapid expansion, with Malaysia standing out in particular. In the second quarter of this year, the country's vehicle sales overtook Indonesia's for the first time, placing Malaysia at the top of the regional rankings.

At the same time, Malaysia's battery electric vehicle (BEV) market is scaling up at an exceptional pace. BEV sales surged by more than 200% year on year in 2024, with penetration rising sharplyan indication that the market is transitioning from early adoption to mass growth.

Beyond its role as a regional consumption hub, Malaysia offers a well-established automotive supply chain and supportive policies for localized manufacturing, making it an increasingly attractive base for intelligent electric vehicle production.

The decision to advance localized manufacturing overseas reflects XPENG's long-term "local for local" strategy, under which the company aims to embed itself more deeply in each market it enters.

By producing vehicles closer to end markets, XPENG seeks to grow alongside local consumers, deliver intelligent products better tailored to regional preferences, and play a more active role in shaping the future of electrification in those markets.

XPENG has moved swiftly this year to roll out its overseas localization strategy. Within a six-month span, the company advanced three production projects globally: its first overseas localized manufacturing site went live in Indonesia in July; in September, its first European localized production began at Magna's facility in Graz, Austria, alongside the opening of a Munich-based R&D center; and the Malaysia project now marks its third global and second Asia-Pacific localization initiative.

The combination of localized manufacturing and an expanding global R&D network is becoming a key driver of XPENG's accelerating overseas growth.

From January to November 2025, XPENG delivered 39,773 vehicles outside China, representing a year-on-year surge of 95%. Its global sales and service footprint now spans 52 countries and regions, supported by 321 overseas outlets, while nine R&D centers worldwide continue to underpin its technology development.
Nepal allows Indian high-value notes after a decade-long ban

Last Updated: December 16, 2025, 00:30 IST

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Kathmandu, Dec 15 (PTI) Nepal has eased restrictions on carrying high-denomination Indian currency in the Himalayan nation, ending a decade-long ban, according to an official statement.

Individuals can hold Indian banknotes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 up to a maximum limit of INR 25,000 per person. The decision was made during Mondays cabinet meeting, according to cabinet sources.

Under the revised provision, both Nepali and Indian citizens may bring the higher denomination bank notes into Nepal from India or carry them from Nepal to India.

The Cabinet decision on Monday follows amendments by the Reserve Bank of India to the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015.

The amendment permits Indian, Nepali and Bhutanese nationals to carry higher-denomination Indian currency while travelling to and from India.

According to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel, once the government decision is published in Nepal gazette, NRB will issue a circular to this effect that would legalise the use of higher denomination Indian bank notes by individuals travelling to Nepal from India or from Nepal to India.

This will facilitate tourists as well as business people from both countries to travel or carry out business with each others country.

This was our longstanding request and India responded positively," Poudel was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.

Large numbers of Nepalis travel to India for various purposes, and the currency restrictions have created difficulties for a long time, especially for migrant workers who earn in India." Many migrant workers are forced to bring home their earnings in low-denomination notes, making them more vulnerable to theft and pickpocketing during travel. A number of Nepalis have also been jailed for carrying Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in the past, the report added.

The restrictions have hurt Nepals tourism sector as well, particularly casinos and hospitality businesses that cater to Indian visitors. Without the ability to carry higher-value notes, Indian tourists cannot spend freely, leading to lower revenues in border towns.

Tourism entrepreneurs say many Indians are unaware of the currency rules, leading to frequent arrests and fines. PTI SBP AMS

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President Droupadi Murmu to visit Karnataka, TN, Telangana from Dec 16 to 22

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 18:15 IST

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New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) President Drouapdi Murmu will visit Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana from December 16 to 22, her office said on Monday.

On Tuesday, Murmu will inaugurate the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Karnatakas Mandya district on Tuesday, a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

On December 17, the president will perform darshan and aarti at the Golden Temple in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Later, she will reach the Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum, Secunderabad, for a winter sojourn," the statement said.

On December 19, Murmu will inaugurate a national conference for the chairpersons of public service commissions, being organised by the Telangana Public Service Commission in Hyderabad.

On December 20, the president will address a conference on Timeless Wisdom of Bharat: Pathways of Peace and Progress, being organised in Hyderabad by the Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar to mark its 21st anniversary," the statement said. PTI AKV AKV ARI ARI

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Schools in Jalandhar hit by bomb threat; evacuation ordered, searches on

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 14:30 IST

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Jalandhar, Dec 15 (PTI) A bomb threat sent into panic several schools here on Monday, with authorities evacuating students and launching anti-sabotage actions.

Nothing suspicious has been found so far, an officer said.

We were told that there had been some fault in the electricity and we were asked to pick up our children from the school," a parent told reporters.

ACP (North) Sanjay Kumar, who was at KMV School, said, A threat was received on the school principals email that the building would be blown up." He said the police searched the school premises immediately after the information was received.

Anti-sabotage team also carried out a check in the premises, but nothing suspicious was found so far," Kumar said.

He said there were other schools which received similar bomb threats.

The Cyber Police teams are tracking the source of the mail, he said.

On December 12, several schools in Amritsar were hit by a bomb threat, which later turned out to be a hoax. PTI SUN VSD VN VN

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Vodafone Idea Likely To Get 45 Year AGR Dues Moratorium; Liabilities Could Be Cut Nearly In Half

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 07:47 IST

Govt may grant Vodafone Idea a 45 year interest-free moratorium on over Rs 83,000 crore of pending AGR-linked dues.

Vodafone Idea

The government is considering offering Vodafone Idea (Vi) an interest-free moratorium of four to five years on more than Rs 83,000 crore of its pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-linked statutory dues, a move that could provide immediate relief to the cash-strapped telecom operator, The Economic Times (ET) reported.

According to people familiar with the matter cited by ET, once the moratorium period ends, Vi will be required to repay the arrears in six instalments. However, the payable amount is expected to be sharply reducedpotentially by nearly halfafter a fresh reassessment of the companys liabilities.

As per the report, a committee headed by a secretary-level official, either serving or retired, will be constituted to examine the issue. The panel will hear submissions from both the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Vodafone Idea before arriving at a final figure. The committee will take a call on the final amount that has to be paid," one of the people said, requesting anonymity as the proposal has not yet been formally announced.

Awaiting Cabinet approval

The proposal is likely to be announced in the coming weeks, subject to Cabinet approval, ET reported. Under the existing repayment schedule, Vodafone Idea is required to pay over Rs 18,000 crore in March next year as its first instalment following the expiry of the AGR moratorium granted to telecom companies in 2021. That moratorium was not interest-free, leading to a steady increase in arrears over time.

An expert cited by ET noted that Vi and rival Bharti Airtel currently pay around 2930 per cent compound interest annually on outstanding AGR dues. These liabilities stem from a 2019 Supreme Court verdict that upheld the governments definition of AGR, which includes non-telecom income for the purpose of calculating licence fees and spectrum charges.

Under the proposed relief package, Vis outstanding dues would be frozen, with no further interest accrual, sources told ET. Bharti Airtel, however, is expected to continue servicing its AGR instalments as scheduled, as the relief is being considered specifically for Vodafone Idea.

Vodafone Idea has repeatedly flagged its inability to service the AGR dues and sought government support. The Centre is the companys largest shareholder, holding a 48.99 per cent stake after converting part of Vis past dues into equity. Last month, the Supreme Court also allowed the government to frame a special relief package for the telco covering its entire AGR liabilities.

Resolution of the AGR issue could pave the way for Vodafone Idea to raise fresh capital, including its planned Rs 25,000 crore fundraising. A successful equity infusion would dilute the governments stake and could also give the Centre the option to convert additional dues into equity, further easing the companys financial stress.

Currently, the Aditya Birla Group and the UKs Vodafone Group Plc hold 9.50 per cent and 16.07 per cent stakes in the company, respectively.

It was earlier reported that New York-based private equity firm Tillman Global Holdings is in talks to invest $46 billion (Rs 35,00052,800 crore) in Vodafone Idea and potentially take operational control. The proposal is contingent on AGR relief, after which other investors may also consider participating, people familiar with the matter said.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:47 IST

News business economy Vodafone Idea Likely To Get 45 Year AGR Dues Moratorium; Liabilities Could Be Cut Nearly In Half

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Not Oberoi, Kapoor Or Khanna: These Are Indias Richest Surnames

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:35 IST

Some of Indias wealthiest families come from unexpected surnames, quietly dominating business and building massive fortunes

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Specific communities like Marwaris, Baniyas, Gujaratis, and Jains remain the wealthiest, with many families dominating industries including steel, cement, retail, and pharmaceuticals. (AI Generated)

The number of wealthy and successful business families in India has grown considerably in recent years. The club of millionaires and billionaires is expanding, but most families at the top are not just the well-known Oberoi, Kapoor, Khanna, or Mehra. Instead, common surnames dominate a significant portion of Indias richest families.

Recently, Advait Arora shared an Instagram post highlighting that surnames like Agarwal and Gupta are at the forefront, controlling the businesses of many wealthy families.

Hurun 2025 Rich Surname Rankings

According to Huruns 2025 Rich Surname List, Agarwal ranks first. Aroras post states that around 12% of Agarwal families have an average wealth of Rs 79,200 crore. They are followed by:

Gupta: 12% of families with an average wealth of Rs 63,360 crore

12% of families with an average wealth of Rs 63,360 crore Patel: 10% of families with an average wealth of Rs 54,560 crore

10% of families with an average wealth of Rs 54,560 crore Jain: 9% of families with an average wealth of Rs 51,040 crore

9% of families with an average wealth of Rs 51,040 crore Mehta: 5% of families with an average wealth of Rs 39,600 crore

Clearly, Agarwal and Gupta lead the way in terms of family wealth.

According to Moneycontrol, the 2025 Barclays Private Clients Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses list confirms that most major businesses are controlled by families with a few prominent surnames. This report considers families with a total wealth of at least Rs 1,100 crore.

The Ambani family tops the list with a valuation of Rs 28.2 lakh crore, followed by the Birla family. North Indian surnames dominate the list, and Agarwal and Gupta families feature prominently with high valuations.

Communities Leading Indias Wealth

Indias ultra-rich business families are primarily from specific communities. Groups such as Marwaris, Baniyas, Gujaratis, and Jains have historically led the business sector. These communities remain the wealthiest, with many families dominating industries including steel, cement, retail, and pharmaceuticals.

Bollywood was so so wrong, it taught us that the rich & famous Indians had surnames like Singhania, Oberoi, Malhotra, Khanna, Mehra" etc( add if i missed any).Heres the Reality Check pic.twitter.com/O6RJca70eN Advait Arora (@WealthEnrich) December 14, 2025

The report also notes that 100 new families have entered the list, bringing the total to 300. These families are growing rapidly, with startups taking existing businesses to new heights. Many young entrepreneurs are contributing significantly to their families wealth.

Economic Impact Of Family Businesses

Family businesses in India not only generate wealth but also contribute substantially to the economy. Last year, families with these surnames earned an average of Rs 7,100 crore per day, paid Rs 1.8 lakh crore in taxes (15% of Indias corporate tax collection), and provided employment to over 2 million people, more than the population of Bahrain.

These families not only manage their own enterprises but also support millions of livelihoods. Many also engage in social initiatives, building schools and hospitals, and assisting the underprivileged.

This report highlights the crucial role of family businesses in Indias economic growth. With their continued expansion and contribution to employment, taxes, and social welfare, family businesses are poised to become even stronger and drive the country forward in the years to come.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:35 IST

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A-Khata, B-Khata, E-Khata: What Exactly Is Legal In Bengalurus Property Maze?

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:42 IST

Khata plays a central role in property taxation, ownership verification, and transaction approval. Property owners within city limits are eligible to apply for Khata and pay tax.

Whenever people plan to buy or sell property, construct a house, or transfer ownership from one person to another, the first document that comes into discussion is the Khata. (Image: Canva)

Khata is the primary and most crucial document when it comes to buying, selling, constructing, or transferring property in Bengaluru. Recognising its importance, the Karnataka government has launched the E-Khata campaign and has also taken a major policy decision to enable the conversion of B-Khata properties into A-Khata properties. This move has once again brought A-Khata, B-Khata, and E-Khata into public focus.

Among these, A-Khata is considered fully legal and makes property transactions, loans, and sales easier, while B-Khata properties are classified as unauthorised and come with multiple limitations. Understanding the differences between these Khata types is essential to avoid future legal and financial complications.

What Is Khata and Why Is It Important?

Whenever people plan to buy or sell property, construct a house, or transfer ownership from one person to another, the first document that comes into discussion is the Khata. It is the official property account maintained by civic authorities.

At present, following key decisions taken by the Karnataka government and the GBA (earlier BBMP), the terms A-Khata, B-Khata, and E-Khata are widely being discussed. The state government has implemented the E-Khata campaign on a large scale, while Bengaluru has also seen renewed efforts to bring B-Khata properties into the legal A-Khata framework. As a result, clarity on these categories has become more important than ever.

Types of Khata in Karnataka

In Karnataka, properties are issued A-Khata, B-Khata, or E-Khata documents, of which A-Khata and B-Khata are the most significant. A proper understanding of Khata classification helps property owners and buyers avoid disputes and legal hurdles.

Khata plays a central role in property taxation, ownership verification, and transaction approval. Property owners within city limits are eligible to apply for Khata, and holding a Khata allows them to pay property tax legally. The Khata document records vital information such as the owners name, property address, site area, property number, boundaries, built-up area, and tax details. It is also used for calculating property tax.

The BBMP introduced the A-Khata and B-Khata classification in 2007 primarily to streamline property tax collection.

What Is A-Khata?

A-Khata is the official legal document issued for properties such as sites, buildings, and apartments that comply with all government regulations. It indicates that the property has been registered according to prescribed rules and is recognised as fully legal.

A-Khata is issued by the BBMP or relevant local administrative bodies and serves as formal proof of ownership for the property holder.

Advantages of Having A-Khata

A-Khata properties offer several benefits to owners and buyers. Owners can easily obtain trade licences and permissions for building construction or renovation. Banks readily approve loans for A-Khata properties, making financing smoother.

Buyers can purchase such properties without legal uncertainty. A-Khata also confirms that property tax has been paid correctly and ensures there are no obstacles during ownership transfer or resale.

What Is B-Khata?

B-Khata refers to properties that are considered illegal or unauthorised. These properties usually involve violations of planning or building rules. In many cases, B-Khata properties may have partial approvals or no approvals at all.

Such properties may be part of unauthorised layouts, incomplete buildings, or constructions that deviate from approved plans. In simple terms, B-Khata indicates that the property is not legally compliant.

Disadvantages of B-Khata

B-Khata properties face multiple limitations. Owners are not eligible for government-issued licences, including trade licences. Securing bank loans becomes difficult, and in many cases, banks refuse financing altogether.

Selling or transferring ownership of B-Khata properties is also challenging. In 2014, the High Court declared B-Khata properties invalid, exposing owners to legal complications and long-term uncertainty.

What Is E-Khata?

E-Khata is the digital version of Khata introduced as part of the Karnataka governments push towards digitisation. It enables online management of property ownership records, tax payments, and documentation.

The government has made E-Khata mandatory to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and prevent misuse of physical records. It represents a major step in modernising property administration.

Uses and Benefits of E-Khata

E-Khata strengthens property legality and improves access to financial and administrative services. It allows easier evaluation for bank loans, subject to compliance with rules.

Property owners can seek building approvals, obtain trade licences, and access all property-related documents online. The system improves transparency, reduces document fraud, and enables buyers and investors to transact with greater confidence.

How to Convert B-Khata to A-Khata

Property owners holding B-Khata are strongly advised to convert their properties into A-Khata. Conversion ensures legal recognition by civic authorities and allows access to water connections, electricity supply, trade licences, and bank loans.

The process begins with clearing all pending property tax dues. Once taxes are fully paid, owners must apply to the relevant local authority. In Bengaluru, applications are submitted to the BBMP. In other areas, applications are handled by municipal corporations, city municipal councils, town municipal councils, or panchayats.

Applicants must submit required documents such as the property title deed, tax payment receipts, and approved building plans. The authority reviews the application and verifies compliance with rules. If approved, a transfer fee based on site dimensions is collected, and an A-Khata conversion certificate is issued.

Experts often point out that while purchasing a B-Khata property may not be a mistake, failing to convert it into A-Khata can create serious long-term problems.

Which Properties Fall Under the B-Khata Category?

Properties that are not approved by government authorities, fall under Gram Panchayat limits, or exist in layouts developed without sanctioned plans typically fall under the B-Khata category.

The Karnataka government is currently formulating new guidelines to regularise such properties. The Revenue Department has instructed that the B-Khata registration process be completed within 3 months.

Key Differences Between A-Khata, B-Khata and E-Khata

Feature A-Khata B-Khata E-Khata Loan Eligibility Eligible for bank loans Loan approval difficult or denied Helps evaluate loan eligibility Building Permit Building and renovation permissions allowed Restrictions on approvals Provides permit-related information Legal Status Fully legal and approved by BBMP Illegal or unauthorised Digital record of Khata details Property Tax Eligible for regular tax payment Limited or disputed tax status Enables online tax information Sale or Transfer Easy sale and ownership transfer Difficult to sell or transfer Supports transaction verification Purpose Confirms legal ownership Indicates irregular property Digital platform for property records

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:39 IST

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Decongesting Bengaluru: Namma Metro, Blue & Pink Lines To Flyovers, Airport, Projects In The Works

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 14:08 IST

Bengaluru: The key aim is mass transit expansion, with metro and suburban rail projects intended to move a significant share of daily commuters off private vehicles

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File photo of Bengaluru Metro. (Photo Credit: X)

Bengaluru is set for an infrastructure makeover with focus on mass transit expansion, congestion reduction, and climate resilience.

The key aim is mass transit expansion, with metro and suburban rail projects intended to move a significant share of daily commuters off private vehicles. If executed as planned, these projects will fundamentally change how people travel across longer distances within the city and between the city and its suburbs.

While some projects will deliver benefits by 20262027, the biggest transformations (Phase 3 Metro, PRR, tunnel roads) will shape the city closer to 2030 and beyond.

The key projects you should know about:

Namma Metro  Phase 3: Namma Metro Phase 3 is the next large expansion of Bengalurus metro network, aimed at connecting outer suburbs and fast-growing corridors that are currently road-dependent. The phase covers roughly 105 km of new metro lines, including corridors such as Sarjapur-Hebbal and Magadi Road-Kadabagere.

Status: Approved; detailed project reports and land acquisition are in progress.

Expected completion: Phased commissioning between 2028 and 2032, depending on corridor.

Metro Blue Line (KR PuramKempegowda International Airport): This is the dedicated airport metro line connecting central and eastern Bengaluru to Kempegowda International Airport. It is critical for reducing road congestion on Bellary Road and providing reliable airport access.

Status: Under active construction with elevated viaducts and stations taking shape.

Expected completion: Late 2026 to early 2027.

Metro Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara-Nagawara): The Pink Line is a north-south metro corridor with significant underground sections through the city core. It connects South Bengaluru to Nagawara via central business districts.

Status: Civil construction largely completed in sections; systems installation and testing underway.

Expected completion: 2026 (partial opening may occur earlier).

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP): The Suburban Rail Project is a city-scale commuter rail system designed to connect Bengaluru with its suburbs such as Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Hosur, and Devanahalli. It spans 148 km across four corridors with 58 stations.

Status: Construction has begun on priority corridors; land acquisition and utility shifting ongoing.

Expected completion: Initial corridors by 20272028, full network by 2030.

Bengaluru Business Corridor (Peripheral Ring Road  PRR): Formerly called the Peripheral Ring Road, this 73 km expressway will act as an outer bypass for freight and long-distance traffic, reducing pressure on the Outer Ring Road and city roads.

Status: Land acquisition is underway with phased execution planned.

Expected completion: 20282030, depending on acquisition progress.

Tunnel Road Project: The Tunnel Road Project proposes underground road tunnels running eastwest and northsouth beneath the city to bypass surface congestion in central Bengaluru. These tunnels are intended mainly for through traffic.

Status: Feasibility studies and detailed project reports under preparation; not yet under construction.

Expected completion: If approved, construction could begin around 2026, with completion around 2032.

Double-Decker Flyover Corridors: These projects involve building two-level corridors where metro lines run above elevated roads, particularly along heavily congested stretches like Silk BoardKR Puram.

Status: Planning and early execution stages; coordination with metro construction ongoing.

Expected completion: 20272029, corridor-wise.

Kempegowda International Airport  Terminal 2 Expansion & Airside Works: Following the opening of Terminal 2, further expansion of terminal facilities, taxiways, and cargo infrastructure is underway to handle increasing passenger and freight demand.

Status: Ongoing phased expansion by BIAL.

Expected completion: Continuous expansion through 2027-2030.

Proposed Second Bengaluru Airport (South Bengaluru): The Karnataka government has proposed a second international airport to serve South Bengaluru in the long term, as Kempegowda Airport approaches saturation.

Status: Site feasibility studies and policy discussions underway; no final site approved yet.

Expected completion: Not before mid-2030s, if approved.

Stormwater Drain (SWD) Revamp & Flood Mitigation Project: This project involves widening, rebuilding, and interlinking Bengalurus stormwater drains to prevent flooding in low-lying and IT corridor areas such as Mahadevapura, Bellandur, and Outer Ring Road.

Status: Actively under execution in multiple packages.

Expected completion: Major stretches by 2026, with continuous upgrades beyond.

Bellandur-Varthur Lake Rejuvenation Project: This large environmental infrastructure project focuses on lake desilting, sewage diversion, and flood control to address chronic flooding and pollution in East Bengaluru.

Status: Multi-agency execution in phases.

Expected completion: 2026-2027 for core works.

Integrated Mobility Hubs (Majestic, KR Puram, Yeshwantpur): These hubs are designed to integrate metro, suburban rail, buses, parking, and pedestrian access at major interchange points to improve public transport efficiency.

Status: Planning and phased construction underway.

Expected completion: 2026-2028, hub-wise.

Bengaluru Smart City & Intelligent Traffic Systems (Phase 2): This includes smart signals, adaptive traffic control, surveillance, command centres, and digital urban infrastructure upgrades across the city.

Status: Ongoing rollout and upgrades.

Expected completion: Continuous implementation through 2026.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:11 IST

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Chilly Mornings And Mist Expected In Bengaluru This Week, IMD Warns Of Cold Wave

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 09:04 IST

Bengaluru Weather: Colder nights are expected to continue over the next few days, with early morning mist and fog reducing visibility in several areas.

Bengaluru belongs to the South Interior Karnataka, a region with a relatively stable winter profile. The plateau geography brings pleasant mornings and cool nights, but extreme drops are rare. (PTI Photo)

Bengaluru Weather: Bengaluru and several parts of Karnataka are set to experience a significant dip in temperatures over the coming week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The mercury is expected to fall as low as 12C, making nights noticeably colder for residents. The city has already been witnessing chilly mornings, with temperatures dipping to 14.5C last night, around 2.7C below the normal minimum.

Chilly mornings to persist

Residents are waking up to colder mornings as the city experiences its first signs of winter chill. Colder nights are expected to continue over the next few days, with early morning mist and fog reducing visibility in several areas. Moderate humidity levels may make the air feel damper, adding to the cold. People are advised to dress warmly and take precautions during travel in low-visibility conditions.

The maximum temperature recorded in Bengaluru recently was 27.5C, slightly below the normal average, while the lowest dropped to 14.5C. No rainfall has been recorded, and weather conditions are expected to remain dry and stable throughout the week.

Cold wave warning

Bengaluru will experience morning mist and calm weather from 15 to 20 December, with visibility improving gradually during the day and overall stable conditions expected throughout the week.

The IMD has issued a warning of cold wave conditions across parts of north and central India. Bengaluru may see temperatures drop to 12C, potentially marking the coldest December since 2016.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:04 IST

News cities bengaluru-news Chilly Mornings And Mist Expected In Bengaluru This Week, IMD Warns Of Cold Wave

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Mumbais Water Woes To End: How Rs 3,000-Crore Gargai Dam Will Provide 450 Million Litres Daily

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:42 IST

The Gargai dam will be the first dam the BMC will construct for water supply within Mumbais city and suburban region

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The Gargai River is a tributary of the Vaitarna River, located in Palghar district in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. (AI generated for representation)

More than 10 years after the idea was conceived, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation last week floated a Rs 3,000-crore tender to construct a dam on the Gargai river located in Palghar district within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The Gargai dam, according to reports, will be the first dam the BMC will construct for water supply within Mumbais city and suburban region.

The Gargai dam

The Gargai River is a tributary of the Vaitarna River, located in Palghar district in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

It is designed to be a 69-metre high roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam.

The tunnel vision: Why it matters

A 1.6 km tunnel (about 2.2 m in diameter) will be built to connect the reservoir on Gargai to the existing Modak Sagar reservoir, enabling the water to be supplied into Mumbais system.

This tunnel will be boring through the hillock between the new Gargai reservoir and the existing Modak Sagar reservoir.

The tunnel is a water transfer conduit, essentially an underground pipe/tunnel that moves water by gravity (and possibly assisted by pressure), from one reservoir to another.

Its built so that the water collected behind the Gargai dam can be sent directly into the Modak Sagar reservoir system, which already feeds Mumbais city water supply.

Eighth sources of water: How it will help

Once completed, the project is expected to add about 440-450 million litres per day (MLD) of potable water to Mumbais supply  making it a key eighth water source for the citys network. Mumbai.Live+1

How much will it cost? When will Gargai dam be ready?

The estimated cost is around Rs 3,000-3,040 crore.

Tendering has begun but full construction is planned over several years, with targeted completion around 2029.

The project requires forest and wildlife approvals because it lies partly within Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary and will impact significant forest land.

Will it affect locals?

Completion will flood portions of forest and agricultural land. Two villages (Ogda and Khodada) would be fully submerged, and parts of others (Pachghar, Tilmal, Phanasgaon, Amle) affected.

Affected families are planned to be relocated, and compensatory afforestation is proposed elsewhere to offset environmental loss.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:13 IST

News mumbai-news Mumbais Water Woes To End: How Rs 3,000-Crore Gargai Dam Will Provide 450 Million Litres Daily

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Cold Wave Grips Pune As Single-Digit Lows Persist, IMD Predicts Chilly Monday

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:43 IST

Pune sees minimum temps near 9C; IMD warns of cold wave in Telangana, Karnataka, and dense fog in North and Northeast India.

Reduced moisture in the air is one of the factors that resulted in the cooler weather. (Image: PTI/File)

The winter chill has intensified across parts of Maharashtra, with Pune recording single-digit minimum temperatures for the last few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that similar conditions are likely to continue on Monday.

The city is expected to experience mostly clear skies, with the maximum temperature around 29C and the minimum dipping to about 9C. On Sunday, temperatures remained low, with Shivajinagar recording a minimum of 9.4C and Pashan 9.2C.

Both daytime and nighttime temperatures remained low due to reduced moisture in the air, the absence of cloud cover, and clear sky conditions, which are contributing to cooler weather," an IMD official told TOI.

According to the weather department, multiple weather systems are currently affecting conditions across the country. A Western Disturbance in the form of an upper-air cyclonic circulation is active over northern regions. Additionally, a fresh but weak Western Disturbance is expected to impact the western Himalayan region from the night of December 17. Under its influence, light rain or snowfall may occur at isolated places in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad between December 18 and 19.

The IMD has also cautioned that cold wave conditions are likely to persist at isolated locations over Telangana and interior Karnataka on December 15 and 16, with severe cold wave conditions expected over north interior Karnataka on December 15.

Further, the department has issued warnings of dense fog during morning hours in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh on December 15 and 16, with very dense fog likely on December 15. Similar foggy conditions are forecast for parts of Northeast India from December 15 to 19, Himachal Pradesh from December 15 to 17, and Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and northeast Madhya Pradesh on December 15 and 16.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:43 IST

News cities pune Cold Wave Grips Pune As Single-Digit Lows Persist, IMD Predicts Chilly Monday

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In a sudden turn of events, multiple Porsche cars shut down in Russia, reportedly as a result of a satellite-based security system issue. Multiple owners reported that they faced major issues with their Porsches. While some were unable to start the car altogether, others faced a sudden shutdown soon after ignition. A few even claimed they were locked out of their own cars.

Porsche fleet in Russia shuts down due to this reason

Porsche cars shut down in Russia, and various reports attribute the issue to a satellite-based security system. While the investigation is ongoing, a representative for Russias largest dealership group claimed that a case of sabotage cannot be ruled out.

The Rolf spokesperson remarked to the RBC news website, Its possible this was done deliberately. However, the aforementioned spokesperson has not presented any formidable evidence (via The Independent).

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Interestingly, this issue impacts Porsche models built post-2013. This is because the models are fitted with an anti-theft Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) that automatically shuts the car down in case theres a loss of satellite connectivity. The VTS interprets the latter as a potential threat or theft.

Notably, German manufacturers suspended commercial operations in Russia after the latter attacked Ukraine in 2022. This has left Russian Porsche owners stranded without any official help from the German team. Interestingly, no other country has reported a mass shutdown of Porsche cars as of writing.

It seems like dealerships have now taken it upon themselves to fix the issue by manually resetting the alarm units.

According to RBC, the Rolf dealership noticed frequent customer complaints and service requests on November 28, and it has only multiplied since then. Rolfs service director Yulia Trushkova told RBC, Currently, there is no connection for all models and types of internal combustion engines. Furthermore, Trushkova stated, Any vehicle can be blocked. Currently, the blocking can be bypassed by resetting the factory alarm unit and disassembling it. We are continuing to investigate the issue and the mechanics options for unlocking the vehicles.

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BITSAT 2026 Session 1 Registration Begins Today, Entrance Exam From April 15 To 17

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:09 IST

BITS Pilani will start accepting online applications for BITSAT 2026 today for admission to its undergraduate engineering, BPharm and MSc programmes.

BITSAT 2026 applications open today for undergraduate admissions at BITS Pilani. (File Photo)

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani has announced the schedule for the BITS Admission Test (BITSAT) 2026, the entrance examination for admission to its undergraduate programmes. Online applications will open on December 15, 2025, and eligible candidates can apply through the official website admissions.bits-pilani.ac.in till March 16, 2026.

BITSAT 2026 will be conducted in two sessions. Session 1 is scheduled from April 15 to April 17, 2026, while Session 2 will be held from May 24 to May 26, 2026. Candidates can choose to appear in either one session or both. Those who take both sessions will have the advantage of their best score being considered for admission.

BITS Pilani, an Institute of Eminence, follows a fully merit-based and transparent admission process. Through BITSAT, students are selected for Integrated First Degree programmes in Engineering, BPharm and MSc offered at its Pilani, K K Birla Goa and Hyderabad campuses.

Speaking about the admissions process, BITS Pilani Vice-Chancellor Prof Ramgopal Rao said the institute aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent talented students from applying.

He noted that nearly one in four students at BITS campuses receive some form of financial support. Several alumni-funded scholarships are also available for students from economically weaker backgrounds and for girls.

If students have the merit, we will find a way to support their education," he said.

Candidates are advised to use only the updated admissions portal for authentic information related to BITSAT 2026, scholarships and the admission process.

ALSO READ: CAT 2025 Result: IIM Kozhikode To Release MBA Entrance Result Soon At iimcat.ac.in

Established in 1964, BITS Pilani is one of Indias leading higher education institutions, known for its academic excellence and strong employment outcomes. It has been ranked among the top institutions in national and global rankings, including NIRF and QS World University Rankings 2025.

BITSAT is a computer-based test that assesses candidates in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology, English proficiency and logical reasoning. The exam includes objective-type questions with negative marking.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 10:09 IST

News education-career BITSAT 2026 Session 1 Registration Begins Today, Entrance Exam From April 15 To 17

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CAT 2025 Result: IIM Kozhikode To Release MBA Entrance Result Soon At iimcat.ac.in

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:58 IST

CAT 2025 results are expected in the last week of December at iimcat.ac.in. Around 2.58 lakh candidates await scorecards after the exam held on November 30.

CAT 2025 Results: CAT scorecards are expected to be released soon on the official website. (Representational Image/Getty)

CAT 2025 Result Date: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode is expected to announce the CAT 2025 results soon on its official website, iimcat.ac.in. While the institute has not yet confirmed an official result date, past trends suggest that the results are likely to be declared in the last week of December 2025.

This year, around 2.58 lakh candidates are waiting for their CAT 2025 results. The entrance exam was conducted by IIM Kozhikode on November 30 in three different slots for admission to MBA and other management programmes offered by IIMs and several business schools across India.

The provisional answer key for CAT 2025 was released on December 4, and candidates were allowed to raise objections until December 10.

How To Check CAT 2025 Results?

Once the results are announced, candidates can follow these steps to download their scorecards:

Step 1: Visit the official website at iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: Click on the link for CAT 2025 Result on the homepage.

Step 3: Log in using your CAT user ID and password.

Step 4: The CAT 2025 scorecard will appear on the screen.

Step 5: Download and save the scorecard for future reference.

The CAT 2025 scorecard will include details such as the candidates registration number, name, date of birth, exam date, slot and timings, registered email ID and mobile number. It will also mention the scaled score, section-wise and overall scores, section-wise and overall percentile, and the validity of the CAT 2025 score.

ALSO READ: DU Exam Papers Arrive Nearly Four Hours Late, Over 35 Subjects Affected

Top MBA Colleges In India

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (DMS)

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow

Indian Institute of Management Mumbai

Indian Institute of Management Calcutta

Indian Institute of Management Indore

Management Development Institute Gurgaon

XLRI  Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:50 IST

News education-career CAT 2025 Result: IIM Kozhikode To Release MBA Entrance Result Soon At iimcat.ac.in

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MBA Trends In India For 2026: Whats Changing And What To Expect

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 15:22 IST

MBA programmes in India are evolving fast, with technology-driven curricula, specialised courses, hybrid learning and stronger focus on soft skills shaping management education.

MBA education in India is shifting towards technology, specialisation and hybrid learning. (Representative image/File)

By Prof. Sandeep Goel

The changing landscape of MBA curricula in India is one of the largest changes we have seen in the last few years due to the rapid pace of technological advancement, globalisation, and shifting workforce expectations of employers. The increased demand from industry for an MBA graduate to be able to operate in an increasingly fluid, digital, and multi-disciplinary environment will require that business schools start re-designing their curriculum to align with the skills, knowledge and behaviour needed in the future workplace. Additionally, 2026 will mark a pivotal turning point in how Business Schools are designing their programmes in line with the new abilities, resources, and mindsets required to succeed in the new economy.

Technology Will Be The Core Of MBA

Technology has influenced management education over the past decade, but it will define it in the coming years. Tools such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced Data Analytics are no longer peripheral topics. They are becoming central to how MBAs are structured and delivered.

To prepare future business leaders for working with the latest technology, business schools have completely revamped their curricula. Business schools now teach students not only how the latest technology works, but how to incorporate it into their everyday business life. These new skills will be needed in managing variety of functions in an organisation, including Finance, Marketing, Operations, Human Resource Management, and Governance. Algorithmic trading, predictive supply chains, artificial intelligence-based human resources, and digital first marketing strategies are a few examples of the new technologies that managers of the future will employ.

This shift is also impacting the pedagogy. Hands-on projects, real-world datasets, industry simulations, and lab-based learning environments are replacing purely classroom-driven formats. The message is clear: future managers must become proficient in technology.

A Robust Move Toward Specialisation

Students are now favouring specialised degree programs that map with their desired careers rather than pursuing general management degrees. Because of this, businesses are increasingly looking for young managers with specialised knowledge rather than general management expertise. These days, a lot of young professionals are now specialising in areas such as AI and ML, FinTech, Corporate Governance, and Sustainability/Environmental Sustainability, Supply Chain and Logistics, and Digital Strategy, among other niche fields.

ALSO READ: Skills Over Scores: The Rise Of Competency-Based Education In India

This trend reflects the changing nature of management careers. Todays employers prefer graduates who can make a significant contribution right away, whether through comprehending regulatory governance, managing digital transformation, developing data models, or working with financial technologies. In response, business schools offer customised pathways, interdisciplinary electives, and industry-backed concentrations that sharpen expertise around specific sectors or competencies.

Hybrid & Online Learning Is The Long-Term Norm

One of the most enduring changes accelerated by the pandemic has been the adoption of flexible learning formats. Working professionals particularly are opting for online and blended MBA programmes that enable them to upskill without disrupting their careers.

As educational institutions create digital infrastructure (virtual classrooms and interactive platforms) that provide high-quality distance learning, it is anticipated that hybrid learning in India will have a fully developed model by 2026. These formats provide great benefit through their practicality, flexibility, decreased opportunity costs, and access for learners from different geographical areas.

These types of learning formats support continuous career development and help many working professionals bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement.

Soft Skills Will Have Equal Importance As Technical Skills

Organisations are placing equal emphasis on interpersonal and behavioral skills as they do on technologically proficient managers. In an increasingly collaborative and globalised workplace, communication, negotiation, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and cross-cultural sensitivity are becoming critical leadership skills.

Industry feedback from hiring managers themselves emphasises the importance of leadership and trust-building skillsskills that cannot be replaced by technology. To prepare students with this knowledge and skill set, MBA Programs are being developed to incorporate workshops (hands-on training), experiential learning opportunities, personality development and multicultural immersion programs to create a comprehensive leadership profile.

Looking Ahead

The MBA of 2026 will be defined by a balance between strong human skills and deep technological understanding, industry-aligned specialisations supported by adaptable learning pathways; and global perspectives anchored in local relevance. As India increases its global position and continues to strengthen, it prepares career graduates with management degrees who are prepared to enter the workforce and ready to face the future.

Business schools that will embrace these changes with flexibility, a solid academic foundation, and collaboration with industry will be the ones that foster the development of next generation of leaders for the ever-changing and dynamic world ahead.

(The author is Professor of Accounting & Finance and Corporate Governance and Dean  Research at MDI Gurgaon. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.)

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 15:12 IST

News education-career MBA Trends In India For 2026: Whats Changing And What To Expect

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Allow Deity To Rest: SC Seeks Response On Change In Darshan Timings At Vrindavans Banke Bihari Temple

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:53 IST

During the hearing, the supreme court made sharp observations about the way the Banke Bihari temple functions after noon.

Supreme Court | File Image

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea challenging the recent changes in darshan timings and religious practices at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The plea has been filed by members of the Goswami community, from which the temples priests have traditionally been drawn.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government, district authorities and the temples management committee, which had ordered the revised timings. The court has listed the matter for hearing in the first week of January.

What court said?

During the hearing, the court made sharp observations about the way the temple functions after noon. After closing the temple at noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute. They exploit it the most at this time," the Bench remarked.

The court expressed concern over practices that allegedly allow special or paid rituals when the temple is officially closed, questioning whether such arrangements undermine religious discipline and tradition.

Petitioners cite tradition and rituals

The petitioners argued that the Banke Bihari Temple has historically followed a seasonal schedule, with different darshan timings during summer and winter. These timings, they said, are closely linked to internal rituals and customs, including allowing the deity adequate rest during the day.

They also claimed that the revised schedule has disrupted essential religious practices, particularly the Dehri puja. This ritual is traditionally performed by the Goswami community and takes place when the temple remains closed to the public. Suspending it on the grounds of crowd control, the petitioners said, was unjustified.

Arguments from temple priests

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the temple priests, told the court that temple timings are sacred and must be respected. Timings are sacrosanct. It has to be maintained," he said.

He added that proper regulation is needed to prevent overcrowding and avoid incidents such as stampedes. Divan stressed that the issue was not merely about timings but about preserving long-standing traditions. He also argued that there should be no system of privileged darshan for select devotees.

Earlier court intervention

Earlier, the Supreme Court had declined to directly entertain a similar challenge and had instead set up a high-powered committee to oversee the temples daily functioning. The committee is headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar.

The courts latest notice signals a fresh examination of how religious tradition, crowd management and administrative control are being balanced at one of Vrindavans most revered temples.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:49 IST

News india Allow Deity To Rest: SC Seeks Response On Change In Darshan Timings At Vrindavans Banke Bihari Temple

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60 Years On, The CIAs Lost Nuclear Device On Nanda Devi Still Haunts History

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 17:13 IST

In 1965, a CIA-India mission left a plutonium-powered device on Nanda Devi to spy on China. Lost in a blizzard, its fate remains unknown, sparking fears of radioactive fallout.

In 1965, a CIA-India mission left a plutonium-powered device on Nanda Devi to spy on China. Lost in a blizzard, its fate remains unknown, sparking fears of radioactive fallout. (Image: Flickr)

At the height of the Cold War in 1965, just months after China detonated its first atomic bomb, a secret joint mission between the United States and India unfolded high in the Himalayas, one that would leave behind a nuclear-powered device buried under ice, never to be recovered, reported by The New York Times

The objective was espionage. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) wanted to monitor Chinese missile tests by intercepting radio signals from deep inside theTibet and Xinjiang regions. For that, it needed altitude and secrecy. The chosen location was Nanda Devi, one of Indias highest and most forbidding peaks, overlooking the Chinese border.

Disguised as a scientific expedition, a team of elite American and Indian climbers carried surveillance equipment up the mountain. Among the cargo was a SNAP-19C generator, a portable nuclear-powered device weighing around 50 pounds and fuelled by highly radioactive plutonium similar to the technology used later in space missions like Voyager.

Inside the generator were plutonium capsules containing nearly a third of the amount used in the Nagasaki bomb.

As the climbers prepared for their final ascent in October 1965, disaster struck. A violent blizzard engulfed the mountain, cutting off visibility and trapping climbers near the summit. From the advance base camp below, Captain MS Kohli, the Indian naval officer leading the mission, feared for their life.

Come back quickly. Dont waste a single minute," Kohli radioed the team.

In a decision that would have lasting consequences, he ordered the climbers to secure the equipment and abandon it near Camp Four rather than risk carrying it down in lethal conditions.

The climbers came downhill, and the nuclear device was left behind.

When the team returned the following year to retrieve it, the entire ice ledge, equipment, cables, and generator were gone, as an avalanche had torn it away.

Despite repeated search missions using radiation detectors, infrared sensors and metal scanners, the device was never found.

The United States never publicly acknowledged the operation. Officially, nothing had happened.

The origins of the mission were almost surreal. According to later accounts, the idea was born at a cocktail party where US Air Force General Curtis LeMay spoke with Barry Bishop, a National Geographic photographer and famed Everest climber. Bishop described how Himalayan peaks offered sweeping views into Chinese territory.

Soon after, the CIA recruited Bishop to organise a covert expedition under the cover of scientific research. He set up the Sikkim Scientific Expedition," recruited climbers, prepared false documentation, and kept the true purpose secret.

India quietly joined the mission, driven by fears of China after the humiliating 1962 border war. But even then, Kohli was sceptical.

It was nonsense," he later said.

When the CIA initially proposed installing the device on Kanchenjunga, the worlds third-highest peak, Kohli bluntly objected. Whoever is advising the CIA is a stupid man," he said.

Eventually, Nanda Devi was chosen.

The climbers were rushed to high altitude with little acclimatisation. Many fell ill. Ironically, the plutonium generator gave off heat, making it desirable to carry. Sherpas fought over who got to handle it.

At the time," Kohli said, we had no idea about the danger."

One of the Indian climbers, Sonam Wangyal, later recalled the blizzard that ended the mission. We were 99 per cent dead," he said. No food, no water, totally exhausted."

When Kohli ordered the equipment abandoned, American climber Jim McCarthy protested fiercely. Youre making a huge mistake," he shouted. But the decision stood.

What followed was silence until 1978.

Journalist Howard Kohn uncovered the story and published it in Outside magazine. The revelations sparked outrage in India. Protesters warned that the CIA was poisoning our waters," fearing radioactive contamination of glaciers that feed the Ganges, a lifeline for hundreds of millions.

Behind the scenes, the US and Indian governments scrambled to contain the fallout. President Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister Morarji Desai quietly coordinated to prevent diplomatic damage. In a private letter, Carter praised Desai for handling the Himalayan device problem," calling it an unfortunate matter."

Publicly, both governments said little.

Scientists say the device cannot explode on its own, but plutonium is highly toxic. As glaciers melt, there are fears the generator could surface, contaminating water or being misused. Some experts warn of the possibility of the plutonium being repurposed into a dirty bomb" if recovered.

Decades later, the mystery continues to haunt those involved.

What If the Device Resurfaces?

The nuclear-powered generator left on Nanda Devi cannot explode like a bomb, but experts say its resurfacing could still pose risks. The device contains plutonium, which is highly radioactive, and the radiation can cause long-term damage to vital organs.

As Himalayan glaciers melt due to climate change, scientists warn that the generator or its plutonium capsules could emerge from the ice. If damaged, radioactive material could contaminate snowmelt and streams that feed the Ganga River, a critical water source for millions.

Security experts also caution that if recovered by unauthorised actors, the plutonium could be used to make a dirty bomb" designed to spread radioactive material and trigger panic.

Even accidental discovery by villagers or trekkers could lead to radiation exposure without immediate awareness. While authorities have previously downplayed the risk of large-scale contamination, environmentalists say the unanswered questions around the missing device are becoming increasingly urgent.

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Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India

First Published: December 15, 2025, 16:37 IST

News india 60 Years On, The CIAs Lost Nuclear Device On Nanda Devi Still Haunts History

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'Should Apologise Openly In Parliament': BJP Blasts Congress Over Anti-PM Modi Slogans At Rally

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:13 IST

Senior BJP leaders Kiren Rijiju and JP Nadda condemned anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi slogans raised at a Congress rally, calling them unacceptable in a democracy.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju speaks to the media (File photo/PTI)

Senior BJP leaders on Monday intensified their attack on the Congress over anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi slogans raised at a party rally, with Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding a public apology from the Congress leadership.

Speaking to reporters earlier today, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the objectionable slogans and demanded accountability from the Congress leadership.

Rijiju said that the Prime Minister of India is recognised globally and by the people of the country as the leader of the worlds largest democracy, and it was deeply regrettable that such statements were made against him.

Rijiju said that mere denial by the Congress was insufficient and stressed that an apology was necessary.

He stated that the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament should apologise openly on the floor of Parliament to the people of the country.

According to Rijiju, such an apology would demonstrate that the Congress had acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and accepted responsibility for what was said at the rally.

The Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament should apologise to the country," Rijiju said.

I believe that if there is any sense of humanity and respect for the nation and society within the Congress Party, they should not delay in apologising openly on the floor of Parliament to the people of the country. Only then will we understand that a mistake was made and that the Congress Party has acknowledged it," he added.

Underscoring the importance of democratic norms, Rijiju said political differences should never escalate into personal threats or calls for violence.

He noted that in a democracy, political rivals may criticise each other, but there must be mutual respect.

He said that regardless of political opposition, leaders traditionally extend good wishes to one another on personal occasions, reflecting respect for democratic values.

Rijiju further stated that political battles are part of democracy and that everyone has the right to engage in political debate and criticism.

However, he said that speaking about harming or killing another person was beyond the bounds of acceptable political discourse.

He questioned the mentality behind encouraging violence against a political opponent and said such behaviour had no place in a democratic society.

Referring to the Congress rally held on Sunday, Rijiju said the people of the country had heard the statements made there and described them as disgraceful.

He added that in a democracy, political colleagues are not enemies and that such language marked a dangerous departure from democratic traditions.

The issue also drew sharp criticism from Nadda, who, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, strongly condemned the slogans raised and said the incident reflected the partys thinking and political culture.

He said that such language against a sitting Prime Minister was unacceptable in a democracy and called upon senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to apologise to the nation.

Referring to the incident, Nadda said that slogans targeting Prime Minister Modi were raised during the rally and described them as condemnable.

He said the nature of the remarks demonstrated the mentality of the Congress party and crossed the limits of democratic conduct.

Emphasising the seriousness of the issue, Nadda said Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the country for what transpired at the rally.

Sonia Gandhi ji should apologise to the nation for slogans raised against PM Modi in the Congress rally yesterday," Nadda said.

In the Congress rally yesterday, slogans were raised against PM Modi. This shows the Congress partys thinking and mentality. Saying such things against a Prime Minister is condemnable. Sonia Gandhi ji should apologise to the nation for this," he said.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged the government was disrupting the Parliament session, distancing herself from the controversy.

The government itself is disrupting the session. We were talking among ourselves, who said all this? No one said anything from the podium. Some party worker may have said something, we ourselves dont know. If they dont want to run the House, then they should shut down the work," she said.

Even as the controversy flared, Congress leader Manju Lata Meena, who is also the Jaipur womens Congress district president, defended her remarks made at the rally.

She said she was expressing public anger over alleged vote rigging and maintained that her comments reflected public sentiment.

Her remarks were subsequently criticised by BJP leaders, who accused the Congress of repeatedly resorting to insulting and threatening language against the Prime Minister.

The BJP has maintained that with the parliamentary session currently underway, the Congress leadership has an opportunity to address the row and issue a formal apology to the nation, reiterating the need for accountability and respect for democratic institutions.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 12:00 IST

News india 'Should Apologise Openly In Parliament': BJP Blasts Congress Over Anti-PM Modi Slogans At Rally

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Exposed: BJP Mocks Congress As Omar Abdullah Distances INDI Bloc From Vote Chori Claim

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 20:13 IST

Omar Abdullah had earlier clarified that the INDIA bloc had nothing to do with the vote chori campaign being spearheaded by the Congress.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (File photo)

The BJP on Monday seized on remarks by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to target the Congress, claiming his disapproval of the vote chori" allegation has exposed lack of credibility behind Congress narrative".

Reacting to Abdullahs comments, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said the National Conference leader publicly distancing the INDIA bloc from the charge of vote theft" was an embarrassment for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

When allies disown such serious allegations, it exposes the lack of coordination and credibility behind the Congress narrative," Malviya said in a post on X.

Let me make it clear that the vote chori issue has been raised by the Congress party. It has nothing to do with the INDIA bloc. This should not be seen as the collective stand of the alliance." Omar Abdullah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah publicly distancing the INDIA bloc from pic.twitter.com/zWt3IIVP2j  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 15, 2025

Abdullah had earlier clarified that the INDIA bloc had nothing to do" with the vote chori" campaign being spearheaded by the Congress, a day after senior party leaders accused the BJP and election commissioners of conspiring to undermine voting rights at a rally in the national capital.

The INDIA bloc has got nothing to do with it. Every political party is free to decide its own agenda. The Congress has chosen vote chori and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as its key issues. Who are we to stop them?" Abdullah told reporters.

The National Conference, led by Abdullah, is a constituent of the INDIA alliance, in which the Congress is the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress has claimed it has collected around six crore signatures against alleged vote theft" and plans to submit them to the President of India.

Abdullahs remarks marked a clear attempt to distance his party and the broader opposition alliance from the Congress campaign.

While he has earlier voiced concerns over the conduct of the Election Commission during the Special Intensive Revision process in Bihar, Abdullah maintained that such views should not be conflated with the Congresss political messaging.

Speaking to ANI earlier, Abdullah said the special dispensation during the Bihar elections had left many voters dissatisfied and stressed that the Election Commission must uphold its reputation for independence and impartiality

We have always taken pride in the independence of the Election Commission. It must remain true to those ideals," he said.

However, following the Bihar assembly election results, in which the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan suffered a rout, Abdullah struck a different note, calling the outcome more surprising than his partys defeat in the Budgam bypoll.

He credited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with turning anti-incumbency into an advantage by focusing on governance and welfare, particularly schemes for women.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 20:13 IST

News india Exposed: BJP Mocks Congress As Omar Abdullah Distances INDI Bloc From Vote Chori Claim

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Severely Affecting Visibility: Fog Disrupts Air Travel Across North India; Over 105 Flights Cancelled In Delhi

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:36 IST

Delhi Flights Cancelled News Today: The airlines said some departures may face minor delays as operations adjust to weather conditions.

Dense Fog Disrupts Flights at Delhi Airport. (Representative Image)

Delhi Flights Cancelled News Today: Flight operations at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport were affected on Monday morning as dense fog and smog reduced visibility across the National Capital Region. Several flights faced minor delays, some were also cancelled as airlines adjusted their schedules to ensure passenger safety. The fog has affected over 300lights at Delhi Airport including 40 cancellations and 4 diversions.

Heavy Fog Alert for Northern India Delhi (DEL) & other airports in Northern India are experiencing dense fog, severely affecting visibility. For Passengers: Before heading to the airport, please check the latest flight status with your airline. Check flight information on the airport website/app. Please allow extra travel time. Safety is our top priority. Our teams & ATC are working tirelessly to minimize disruptions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation," reads Ministry Of Civil Aviations post on X.

Both IndiGo and Air India issued advisories, asking travellers to plan their journeys carefully and stay updated on flight status.

IndiGo has cancelled 109 flights today across routes linked to Delhi, including services to and from Varanasi, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patna, Indore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jammu, Leh, Pune and other regional destinations.

Airlines issue travel advisories

IndiGo said Delhi experienced its first spell of winter fog, with visibility dropping sharply around the airport. The airline warned that some flights could get cancelled and departures could take longer than usual as operations were adjusted to changing weather conditions. Passengers were advised to allow extra time to reach the airport, as road traffic was also moving slowly due to poor visibility.

Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled through the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport," reads IndiGo post on X.

IndiGo added that its ground and flight operations teams were closely monitoring the situation and would keep passengers informed. The airline assured travellers that safety remained its top priority while normal operations were gradually restored.

Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We're keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly.We request you to stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Be assured, our teams IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 15, 2025

Air India also issued a similar advisory, stating that poor visibility caused by dense fog was affecting flight operations in Delhi and other parts of northern India. The national carrier urged passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid inconvenience.

#TravelAdvisory Poor visibility due to dense fog is impacting flight operations in Delhi and parts of Northern India. Please check your flight status at: https://t.co/ZRtxRBcqNF before heading to the airport. Air India (@airindia) December 15, 2025

Low visibility forces CAT-III operations at IGI Dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhis IGI Airport with authorities implementing CAT-III procedures to manage low-visibility conditions. Under these conditions, aircraft landings and take-offs are possible, but delays and disruptions remain likely. Airport officials said flight movements are continuing with caution, and safety protocols are being strictly followed. The airport administration added that it is in constant coordination with airlines and other agencies to reduce inconvenience to passengers. Travellers have been advised to check their flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport and allow extra travel time.

Smog and fog blanket the Capital

A thick layer of smog covered large parts of Delhi on Monday morning, leaving residents struggling for clean air. Visuals from the Barapullah flyover showed hazy roads and low visibility, forcing vehicles to move cautiously. Authorities issued an orange alert for dense fog in the city for the next three hours, warning commuters to remain careful.

The combination of fog and pollution made conditions particularly challenging during the early hours, affecting both air and road travel.

Air quality remains severe

Air quality in the capital continued to deteriorate, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 433. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, this level falls under the severe category and poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

The heavy smog further reduced visibility and added to travel disruptions across the city.

Visibility drops

Visibility levels remained extremely poor in the early morning hours. At around 5:30 am, visibility at Palam airport, which had been around 100 metres since 4:30 am, dropped further to just 50 metres due to dense fog. Westerly winds were reported at speeds of 5 to 7 kmph.

In other parts of Delhi, Safdarjung also recorded visibility of 50 metres. Conditions were worse in west Uttar Pradesh, where Hindon reported zero visibility, highlighting the widespread impact of fog across the region.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:15 IST

News india Severely Affecting Visibility: Fog Disrupts Air Travel Across North India; Over 105 Flights Cancelled In Delhi

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Goa Nightclub Fire: All Formalities Complete, Luthra Brothers To Land In Delhi Tomorrow

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 15:41 IST

Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, the Luthras will be taken into custody by the Goa Police and produced before a local court for transit remand.

Saurabh Luthra (L) and Gaurav Luthra (R)

All legal and diplomatic formalities have been completed for the deportation of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives.

The brothers are scheduled to board a flight from Bangkok early Tuesday and are expected to land in Delhi later in the day, officials confirmed.

Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, the Luthras will be taken into custody by the Goa Police and produced before a local court for transit remand.

They will then be escorted to Goa, where they are expected to reach late Tuesday night. Officials said the entire transfer will be carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedures.

Sources told News18 that a Goa Police team will leave for Delhi late Monday night to formally receive custody of the accused from central agencies.

Authorities clarified that no Goa Police personnel travelled to Thailand and that the handover will take place only on Indian soil.

The brothers are likely to be taken directly to the Anjuna Police Station upon arrival in Goa for further questioning. They are expected to be produced before the Mapusa court on December 17.

Meanwhile, the legal team representing the nightclub owners had travelled to Thailand to assist with the deportation process and provide legal support.

Sources said the lawyers were allowed to meet the brothers at a detention facility for around 30 minutes, during which they were briefed on the legal course ahead.

The developments follow close coordination between Indian and Thai authorities after the Luthras were detained in Phuket.

Officials said the Indian Embassy in Bangkok worked with Thai immigration to complete documentation after the Ministry of External Affairs suspended the brothers Indian passports, making their stay in Thailand unlawful.

A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation had reached Phuket over the weekend to help complete procedural requirements related to the brothers return.

Emergency certificates, one-way travel documents, were issued by the Indian mission to facilitate their deportation.

The Goa government has also constituted a special legal team to pursue the case. Police have registered an offence under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which carries a maximum punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment.

Investigators are compiling evidence related to alleged safety, structural and regulatory violations to prepare a comprehensive charge sheet.

Thai authorities confirmed that the Luthra brothers were detained at a resort in Phuket following a request from Indian law enforcement agencies after their passports were suspended.

Officials on both sides said the process is being carried out under the IndiaThailand extradition and mutual cooperation framework in force since 2015.

The Indian Embassy in Bangkok remains in constant touch with Thai officials to ensure a lawful and timely handover as the investigation into one of Goas deadliest nightclub fires moves into a crucial phase.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 15:34 IST

News india Goa Nightclub Fire: All Formalities Complete, Luthra Brothers To Land In Delhi Tomorrow

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Goa Fire: Luthra Brothers May Land In Delhi Tomorrow, Their Lawyers Reach Thailand

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 14:25 IST

Indian authorities have already furnished all requisite documents, including Emergency Certificates (ECs), to Thai authorities.

Deportation process of Luthra brothers underway | Image: News18

The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, are likely to be deported to India and land in Delhi as early as tomorrow, sources told CNN-News18. A Goa Police team is expected to reach Bangkok later tonight, while Indian authorities have already furnished all requisite documents, including Emergency Certificates (ECs), to Thai authorities. Sources further indicated that Thai immigration officials are now moving towards initiating court proceedings, marking the final legal step before deportation.

Top sources said coordination between Indian and Thai authorities has intensified, with procedural bottlenecks largely cleared. The arrival of the Goa Police team is expected to facilitate custody-related formalities once deportation orders are issued by the Thai court.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Indian Embassy officials are scheduled to meet their Thai counterparts around 4:30 pm IST, as the deportation process for the Luthra brothers enters its final stage. Legal sources said the matter is now in its last leg, with a local court in Bangkok set to review the relevant documentation and paperwork before clearing the deportation. Thai authorities and their Indian counterparts are working in close coordination to expedite the process, with the legal team expected to present its stance and assist officials to ensure a swift procedure for bringing the brothers back to India. Sources further said that upon arrival in India, the Luthra brothers will be produced before a local court in New Delhi to seek transit remand, after which they will be taken to Goa by the investigating agency.

Earlier in the day, a legal team representing the Luthra brothers arrived in Bangkok to provide legal assistance and support the deportation process. Two members of the legal team, who travelled from India, were granted access to meet the brothers, sources confirmed. The meeting, facilitated by Bangkok authorities, lasted approximately 30 minutes.

According to sources, during the interaction, the legal representatives enquired about the brothers medical condition, health status, and the treatment they have received while in Thai custody. The legal team also explained the deportation process in detail and guided the brothers through the steps that would follow once court clearance and immigration approvals are granted.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Thai authorities are currently coordinating with Indian officials at the immigration bureau. With all documentation now submitted by India, including emergency travel papers necessitated due to the cancellation of the brothers passports, the process has entered its final stage.

The legal teams presence in Bangkok, sources said, is aimed at ensuring procedural compliance. Thai officials, sources added, have extended cooperation by facilitating legal access and expediting administrative steps.

The Luthra brothers were detained in Thailand after losing their legal immigration status following the cancellation of their Indian passports under Indian law. Thai authorities cannot deport foreign nationals without valid travel documents issued by the country of origin, making the Emergency Certificates crucial to the process.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:36 IST

News india Goa Fire: Luthra Brothers May Land In Delhi Tomorrow, Their Lawyers Reach Thailand

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Jaipur Woman Molested At Nightclub After Refusing To Meet Owner In Private, Husband Attacked

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:32 IST

A Jaipur woman has accused the owner and staff of a nightclub of molesting her after she refused to meet the club owner privately, alleging she was harassed near on the premises.

A file photo of the Jaipur Police (PTI)

A shocking case of alleged molestation and brutal assault has emerged from Jaipur, where a woman has accused the owner and staff of a nightclub of sexually assaulting her and violently attacking her husband after she refused to comply with the club owners demand to meet him privately.

The incident reportedly took place late on the night of December 10 at Club Alpha, located in the Ashok Nagar police station area of the Rajasthan capital.

According to the FIR registered at Ashok Nagar police station, the complainant, Iram Sheikh, a resident of Jhotwara, stated that she had gone to the nightclub along with her husband, Naved Usmani, on the night of December 10.

After entering the club, the couple was seated at a table inside the restaurant area. While they were seated, a waiter allegedly approached them carrying a piece of paper with a mobile number written on it.

As per the complaint, the waiter informed Iram Sheikh that the number belonged to the club owner, Bharat Tank, and that he wanted to meet her in a private room.

The woman refused the request.

The FIR states that following her refusal, there was a brief interval after which she got up and went towards the washroom on the club premises.

It was at this point, according to the womans statement, that the situation took a disturbing turn. She has alleged that club owner Bharat Tank, club manager Deepak, and several bouncers surrounded her near the washroom area and began behaving obscenely with her.

The woman has accused the owner of molestation and inappropriate conduct, claiming that she was subjected to harassment despite having clearly refused to meet him earlier.

When the woman raised an alarm and shouted for help, her husband, Naved Usmani, rushed to her aid and protested against the alleged behaviour of the club owner and his staff.

The FIR alleges that this led to an escalation of violence, with Bharat Tank, manager Deepak, and the bouncers allegedly turning on the husband and attacking him.

According to the complaint, Naved Usmani was assaulted with iron rods and beaten mercilessly. The attack was so severe that his leg was fractured in two places.

In addition to the physical assault, the woman has alleged that the bouncers vandalised the couples car during the incident.

Following the assault, the matter was reported to the police control room.

The injured man was rushed to SMS Hospital for medical treatment. Doctors at the hospital reportedly confirmed that he had suffered fractures in his leg at two different places due to the assault.

After the case was registered, Ashok Nagar ACP Balram Chaudhary confirmed that the incident took place late on the night of December 10 and that an FIR has been lodged at Ashok Nagar police station.

He said that the police have begun a detailed investigation into the matter.

CCTV footage from the time of the incident is being collected. Call detail records and location details of all the accused are being traced. Statements of the victims side have been recorded, and the entire matter is under investigation," ACP Chaudhary said.

Police officials have stated that further action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the investigation, including CCTV footage and technical records.

ALSO READ | Lover Strangles Mother Of Two After She Attacks His Private Parts At Ludhiana Hotel

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:28 IST

News india Jaipur Woman Molested At Nightclub After Refusing To Meet Owner In Private, Husband Attacked

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Maharashtra Horror: Student Slit Classmate's Throat In Front Of Teacher During Lecture

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 16:06 IST

A student attacked his classmate with a knife in a Maharashtra's Rajgurunagar. The attacker fled on a two-wheeler.

Student Slit Classmate's Throat In Front Of Teacher During Lecture

Panic spread in Maharashtras Rajgurunagar after a student slit his classmates throat in a private classroom. The incident took took place on Tuesday morning while the teacher was conducting the lecture. The attacker fled the scene on a two-wheeler.

The victim was lying injured in the classroom and was rushed to the hospital. His condition is reported to be critical.

The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained. Rajgurunagar police are investigating the case.

Odisha Student Held For Brandishing Revolver In Classroom

In another incident, a 14-year-old boy in Odishas Kendrapara was held by the police for threatening his headmaster with a revolver. As per a report by PTI, the boy allegedly brandished a country-made revolver and threatened his school headmaster inside the classroom.

The Class-9 student was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which sent him to the Probation Hostel-cum-Observation Home & Special Home in Angul, police said.

The minor was reportedly scolded by the headmaster and teachers of government-run Korua High School for neglecting studies and creating nuisance in the classroom, following which the student took out the revolver, they said.

We are questioning his parents and relatives as to how he obtained the firearm," a police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

The country-made revolver has been seized and an investigation is underway, he added.

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Location : Rajgurunagar (Khed), India, India

First Published: December 15, 2025, 12:01 IST

News india Maharashtra Horror: Student Slit Classmate's Throat In Front Of Teacher During Lecture

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Nitin Nabin Takes Charge As BJP National Working President At Party HQ In New Delhi

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 16:28 IST

Nitin Nabin formally assumed charge as the BJPs newly appointed National Working President at the party headquarters in Delhi on Monday

News18

Bihar minister and BJP leader Nitin Nabin on Monday formally assumed charge as the partys National Working President at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

The ceremony was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and several senior leaders of the party.

The BJP parliamentary board had appointed Nabin to the post on Sunday, with immediate effect. Party sources said his elevation marks a key organisational move, with Nabin expected to play a central role in the partys leadership transition in the coming months.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP leaders congratulate Nitin Nabin, newly appointed working president of the BJP, as he takes charge at the party headquarters in Delhi pic.twitter.com/WLSOwv98sn ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

Addressing party leaders and workers after taking charge, Nabin described the appointment as a responsibility entrusted by the organisation.

A small worker like me has been given a very big responsibility. The partys mantra is to keep working for the organisation, and the organisation always recognises commitment and hard work," he said.

Nabin currently serves as Bihars Public Works Department (PWD) minister and is a five-time MLA from the Bankipur assembly constituency in Patna.

The son of late BJP stalwart and former MLA Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, he entered electoral politics in 2006 at the age of 26, winning a by-election by a wide margin following his fathers death.

Senior party leaders describe Nabin as an organisation-focused leader with a strong ideological grounding and long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

His stints as a Bihar minister and as the BJPs in-charge for Chhattisgarh are often cited as examples of his administrative and organisational capabilities.

Announcing the appointment, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said the parliamentary board had unanimously named Nabin as National Working President with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nabin, calling him a hardworking karyakarta" whose energy and organisational experience would strengthen the party.

He is a young, dynamic leader with an impressive record as an MLA and minister. His grounded approach and dedication stand out," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Nabin as a diligent leader with innovative thinking, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah said his elevation would inspire BJP workers across the country.

Shah said Nabin had carried out every responsibility assigned to him with commitment and success.

JP Nadda, who has completed his full term as BJP president and was granted extensions to lead the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, also congratulated Nabin and expressed confidence that the organisation would continue to grow stronger under his leadership.

Speaking in Patna later, Nabin dedicated the appointment to BJP workers. This is the result of the collective hard work of our karyakartas. When you work sincerely for the party, senior leaders take note," he said, adding that he would continue to work under the guidance of the partys leadership and the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

Nabin, who has also been closely associated with the BJP Yuva Morcha, belongs to the Kayastha community and is among the youngest leaders to hold the post of National Working President. Born in Ranchi, now in Jharkhand, he is married and has two children.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 16:14 IST

News india Nitin Nabin Takes Charge As BJP National Working President At Party HQ In New Delhi

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Pakistani Terrorist Sajid Jatt, Who Runs Lashkar's TRF, Named 'Chief Conspirator' Of Pahalgam Attack

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CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 22:18 IST

By naming Sajid Jatt alias Saifullah as the mastermind in its chargesheet, the NIA confirmed the direct involvement of Pakistan in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22

Pahalgam was the site of a barbaric terror attack by members of the Lashkar-linked terror outfit, The Resistance Front. (Image: AP/File)

The NIA named Pakistan-based terrorist Sajid Jatt  known to run the Lashkar proxy group, The Resistance Front  as the chief conspirator" of the Pahalgam attack in its chargesheet released on Monday.

Sajid Jatt, alias Saifullah, has been identified as an active Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative  a senior commander  with cross-border handlers, who oversees the operations of The Resistance Front (TRF) that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.

By naming Jatt as the mastermind of the deadly terror attack on April 22 in its chargesheet, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed the direct involvement of Pakistan. It also named handlers, funding routes, and tasking instructions traced back to the neighbouring country, repeatedly accused by India of promoting cross-border terrorism.

CNN-News18 has earlier reported how Jatt, an operational commander in the LeT, is handling Kashmir-based terror modules from Pakistan even as Islamabad projected the TRF as a local outfit. He coordinates target selection and timing as well as logistics through encrypted platforms. It has been reported before that the TRF is a Lashkar front created in 2019 to provide plausible deniability to Pakistan and avoid pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

WHAT DOES THE CHARGESHEET SAY?

The NIA chargesheeted seven accused in the Pahalgam terror attack case.

Giving details of Pakistans conspiracy, roles of the accused, and supporting evidence in the case, the NIA charged the banned LeT-TRF as a legal entity for its role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack.

The 1,597-page chargesheet was filed before the NIA special court in Jammu. Besides mastermind Jatt, it also named three Pakistani terrorists killed by Indian security forces during Operation Mahadev at Dachigam in July. They were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani.

The LeT-TRF, as well as the four terrorists, have been charged under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA also invoked the penal section against the accused for waging war against India".

The NIA said it traced the conspiracy to Pakistan through a meticulous scientific probe spanning at least eight months. Two other accused  Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothatd  who were arrested June 22 for allegedly harbouring terrorists, have also been chargesheeted.

During their questioning, the NIA said, the two men had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack and had confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed LeT.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 21:25 IST

News india Pakistani Terrorist Sajid Jatt, Who Runs Lashkar's TRF, Named 'Chief Conspirator' Of Pahalgam Attack

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'Visit Will Boost Bilateral Linkages': PM Modi Reaches Amman, Welcomed By Jordan PM

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 17:30 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Jordon PM Jafar Hassan at the Amman airport. (Narendra Modi/X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Jordan, where he was welcomed by PM Jafar Hassan at the Amman airport. This is part of his three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, countries with which India shares both age-old civilisational ties and extensive contemporary bilateral relations.

In a post on X, PM Modi said: Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations."

Landed in Amman.Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations.@JafarHassan pic.twitter.com/Qba5ZLs4Io  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2025

After reaching Amman, he was received by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan at the airport.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Amman, Jordan. The Prime Minister of Jordan, Jafar Hassan, received him. pic.twitter.com/VHK8BweQY3 ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

While departing for his three-nation tour earlier in the day, he said: Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilisational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations."

This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," PM Modi said.

During his visit, he will hold detailed discussions with King Abdullah II, PM Hassan, and also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah.

From Amman, Modi will proceed to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Highlighting Ethiopias significance, PM Modi noted, Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during Indias G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20."

In Ethiopia, the Prime Minister will hold detailed discussions with Abiy Ahmed Ali and also meet the Indian diaspora living in the country.

I will also have the privilege to address the Joint Session of Parliament, where I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on Indias journey as the Mother of Democracy and the value that the IndiaEthiopia partnership can bring to the Global South," Prime Minister Modi said.

On the final leg of his journey, PM Modi will visit the Sultanate of Oman.

My visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Oman. In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship," he said.

The Prime Minister will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman.

I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the countrys development and in enhancing our partnership," PM Modi added.

This visit underscores Indias commitment to deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with countries in West Asia and Africa, reflecting both historical connections and shared contemporary interests.

ALSO READ | India Has Zero Tolerance For Terror: PM Modi Strongly Condemns Sydney Beach Attack

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:48 IST

News india 'Visit Will Boost Bilateral Linkages': PM Modi Reaches Amman, Welcomed By Jordan PM

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Prajwal Revanna Rape Probe Tops SIT Spend, Accounts For 73% Of Total Expenditure

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News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:35 IST

Of the Rs 4.54 crore spent so far on four of the seven SITs constituted under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Revanna probe alone accounts for Rs 3.31 crore

Rapid Read

Prajwal Revanna (PTI)

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sexual assault cases against former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna has been the most expensive among all other SITs formed since the Congress government came to power in May 2023, figures placed in the Karnataka Assembly during the winter session have revealed.

Of the Rs 4.54 crore spent so far on four of the seven SITs constituted under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Revanna probe alone accounts for Rs 3.31 crorenearly 73 per cent of the total Rs 4, 54,67,105 crore expenditure.

The information was placed in the Karnataka Assembly by home minister G Parameshwara.

The government had informed the Assembly that chargesheets have been filed in five of the six cases registered against Revanna. At the same time, it said no expenditure has so far been incurred on three other SITsthe PSI recruitment scam, the Dharmasthala alleged mass burial case and the Aland vote chori case.

In August this year, a special court sentenced Revanna to life imprisonment till death in the first of four cases against him. The former MP was found guilty of repeatedly raping his 47-year-old domestic worker.

The SIT has filed chargesheets in five out of the six registered cases against Revanna related to sexual assault, rape, and harassment. There were initially four primary cases registered against him, including three rape cases and one sexual harassment case. Chargesheets have been filed in all of these.

The bulk of the spending in the Prajwal case has gone into prosecution. According to details submitted in the House, former Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar, appointed as special public prosecutor, was paid Rs 2.41 crore in fees. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal was paid Rs 15.5 lakh for a single appearance. Advocates BN Jagadeesha and Ashok N Nayak were paid Rs 41.07 lakh. Together, legal fees alone accounted for the overwhelming share of expenditure in the case.

The second SIT probe that has seen an expenditure of Rs 69.7 lakh is the Bitcoin scam. According to the data, it has cost Rs 69, 73,068 so far.

The SIT has completed investigations in nine cases, filed charge sheets in seven, and sought government sanction for prosecution in the remaining two.

The Bitcoin case dates back to July 2017 when Unocoin Technologies co-founder Harish BV lodged a complaint alleging that 60.6 Bitcoins were stolen in a hacking incident on June 23 that year. At the time, the stolen cryptocurrency was valued at Rs 1.14 crore. The case resurfaced after the arrest of hacker Srikrishna, alias Sriki, by the Bengaluru Crime Branch in November 2020.

Despite Srikis arrest, no chargesheet was filed in the Unocoin case during 2020-21. The CID SIT, constituted in June 2023 to probe alleged corruption in the handling of cases against Sriki, has found that police did not recover any stolen Bitcoin and instead resorted to other mechanisms to resolve" cases.

The SIT has alleged that a director of Unocoin paid Rs 7 lakh to a police officer to recover the stolen Bitcoins after Srikis arrest. Crime Branch officer Prashanth Babu was arrested in January this year. Investigators have stated there is no record of Bitcoin recovery in official investigation files.

The Bitcoin scam has also reopened allegations that police illegally accessed cryptocurrency wallets while Sriki was in custody between November 2020 and January 2021. At the time of his arrest, one Bitcoin was valued at around $25,000 and later surged to $60,000 by April 2021.

Another politically sensitive probe has been the six cases against BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu from Raja Rajeshwarinagar, costing Rs 44.60 lakh so far. The SIT has filed chargesheets in two cases, submitted B reports in three, and continues investigation in one.

The charges include rape, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and the alleged use of honey traps involving HIV-infected women.

A woman had filed a complaint with Kaggalipura police in Ramanagara district in September 2024, accusing Naidu of raping her. She alleged that he befriended her during the Covid-19 pandemic, raped her in a godown and recorded the act on video, which he later used to blackmail her. The SIT is also probing cases of atrocity and bribery-cheating against Naidu, for which chargesheets are yet to be filed.

A 2,481-page chargesheet names Naidu and three associates, including a suspended police inspector, and includes statements from 146 witnesses and 850 documents.

The SIT is also probing the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam, where large-scale diversion of public funds has been alleged. This saw the resignation of a minister, B Nagendra, in the Siddaramaiah government as well. Nagendra is now under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate.

The SIT filed a preliminary chargesheet detailing the arrest of 12 accused and recovery of assets and cash worth over Rs 49.96 crore.

According to the chargesheet, Rs 88.63 crore out of Rs 187.33 crore involved in the scam was illegally transferred to at least 217 bank accounts, including accounts linked to firms in Telangana. Assets seized include Rs 6.83 crore in cash, 16.25 kg of gold, vehicles worth Rs 4.51 crore and frozen accounts holding Rs 13.72 crore.

The case gained momentum after the suicide of the corporations accounts superintendent, whose note detailed alleged fund diversion and named officials.

The SIT filed the chargesheet in August 2024 but in July this year, the Karnataka High Court asked the probe to be handed over to the CBI, and directed the SIT to transfer all records.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:35 IST

News india Prajwal Revanna Rape Probe Tops SIT Spend, Accounts For 73% Of Total Expenditure

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VHP Seeks FIR Against Ex-TMC MLA Who Laid Foundation Stone Of Bengals Babri Mosque On December 6

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 19:04 IST

The VHP has demanded that Kabir be booked under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with other relevant provisions of law

Rapid Read

Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir.

In a fresh flashpoint in West Bengal, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against former Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir for allegedly promoting religious enmity.

The VHP has demanded that Kabir be booked under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with other relevant provisions of law, following his role in laying the foundation stone of what has been described as a Babri mosque" in the state.

The letter, written by VHP President Alok Kumar, flags the naming and timing of the event as deliberately provocative. According to the VHP, naming a mosque after Babur  the Mughal ruler associated with the Ayodhya dispute  is not an innocuous act but a calculated political signal".

In our understanding, the proposed naming of a mosque after Babur is a deliberate symbolic act. It is forcefully offensive to Hindus and has a direct tendency to promote religious enmity," Kumar wrote in the letter addressed to the Chief Minister.

Reminding of the atrocities of Babur in his letter to Banerjee, Kumar said, Babur is widely regarded, particularly among Hindus, not merely as a historical ruler but a foreign invader associated with cruelty, religious persecution and destruction of Hindu religious sites, most notably the mosque constructed at Ayodhya during his regime."

The controversy has been sharpened further by the date of the foundation-laying ceremony  December 6, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri structure in Ayodhya in 1992. The VHP argues that choosing this date adds to the intent behind the act, transforming it from a religious activity into a politically charged provocation.

Adding a layer of political complexity, the event took place just two days after Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Kabirs political signalling suggests he is likely to assert an independent ideological position very soon, which is by floating a new political outfit.

The VHP has urged the Bengal government to act swiftly, warning that failure to do so could embolden similar acts that deepen communal fault lines in the state. The organisation maintains that the issue is not about opposing religious practice, but about preventing symbolic actions that, in its view, reopen old wounds tied to one of Indias most contentious religious disputes.

So far, the West Bengal government has not publicly responded to the VHPs letter, and there has been no confirmation of any FIR being registered in response to the VHPs letter.

The episode once again underlines how Ayodhya-era symbols continue to cast long shadows far beyond Uttar Pradesh, with Bengal now emerging as the latest arena where assembly elections are due early next year.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 19:00 IST

News india VHP Seeks FIR Against Ex-TMC MLA Who Laid Foundation Stone Of Bengals Babri Mosque On December 6

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 23:59 IST

Today Weather News Updates: A dense layer of smog enveloped Delhi and its adjoining areas on Monday morning, bringing visibility down to near zero in several areas. Visuals from across the city showed roads shrouded in thick fog, forcing vehicles to move slowly. Authorities issued an orange alert for dense fog in the national capital for today. Air quality also deteriorated sharply, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 433, placing it in the severe category, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed.

Visibility remained extremely poor in the early hours. At 5.30 am, Palam reported visibility of around 100 metres since 4.30 am, which later dropped to 50 metres amid dense fog and light westerly winds of 57 kmph. Safdarjung and Palam stations in Delhi both recorded visibility of 50 metres, while Hindon in western Uttar Pradesh reported zero visibility.

Further, the foggy conditions disrupted flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport, with over 100 flights being cancelled by multiple airlines. While several flights faced delays as airlines adjusted schedules to maintain safety. IndiGo and Air India also issued advisories urging passengers to check flight updates and plan their travel accordingly. Train services were also hit. Follow for live updates.
Who Is Raid Sreelekha? Former IPS Officer Likely To Become BJP Mayor In Thiruvananthapuram

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 00:15 IST

BJP ended 45 years of CPI(M) rule in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation as R Sreelekha, Keralas first woman IPS officer, won Sasthamangalam ward.

R Sreelekha won from the Sasthamangalam ward. (Photo: Instagram/sreelekha_ips)

The BJP made a historic political breakthrough in Kerala on Saturday by winning the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from the CPI(M), thus ending 45 years of continuous Left rule in the state capitals civic body. This significant victory in Kerala local bodies election was further enhanced by Keralas first woman IPS officer, R Sreelekha, winning a high-stakes contest.

Sreelekha, who retired as Director General of Police (DGP) in 2020, played a crucial role in the BJPs rise after securing a substantial victory in the Sasthamangalam division. Her win has led to widespread political speculation about whether the 64-year-old former top cop will be the BJPs candidate for mayor. If selected, she would become the partys first mayor in the state capital.

I have come to know that no candidate has ever secured such a lead in the Sasthamangalam ward. I thank the people for their verdict," she said, responding to reporters after her win. She added, Since the day of the announcement of my candidature, there has been constant criticism against me by the LDF and Congress beyond unexpected limits I am happy to see the people of my ward dismissed all of them and stood by me".

Who Is R Sreelekha?

Born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, Sreelekha became Keralas first woman IPS officer in January 1987. Over her career spanning more than three decades, she led police units in various districts and served in key agencies such as the CBI, the Kerala Crime Branch, Vigilance, the Fire Force, the Motor Vehicles Department, and the Prison Department.

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Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India

First Published: December 14, 2025, 18:26 IST

News india Who Is Raid Sreelekha? Former IPS Officer Likely To Become BJP Mayor In Thiruvananthapuram

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Why Indians And Pakistanis Are Called Rafiq In Saudi Arabia | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 15:30 IST

Heard on Gulf streets for decades, this single Arabic word has carried both warmth and hurt. Once whispered as an insult, its meaning and use is now quietly changing

Rapid Read

'Rafiq' means 'friend' in Arabic, used for South Asian workers in Saudi Arabia.

Every year, thousands of people from India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries travel to Saudi Arabia in search of better-paying jobs. Higher wages compared to their home countries encourage many to live abroad for years, saving money while staying away from their families.

What Are Indians And Pakistanis Called In Saudi Arabia?

A question on the social media platform Quora recently drew attention to a term often used in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations for South Asian migrants. Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis are sometimes referred to as Rafiq. But what does this word actually mean?

In Arabic, Rafiq literally translates to friend or companion. Traditionally, it has been a respectful way to address someone, especially a stranger, rather than using abrupt or informal language.

How The Word Became Controversial

Babar Mughal, who works in Sabakah, Saudi Arabia, shared that he grew up in Jeddah during the 1980s. At that time, Rafiq was commonly used on the streets, but often as a slang term directed at workers from the Indian subcontinent. During the 1980s and early 1990s, many South Asians found the term offensive, as it was used in a derogatory manner.

Mughal noted that in recent years, rising education levels and shifting social attitudes have led to a gradual decline in the negative use of the term in public spaces.

A Cultural Perspective

A quora user explained that in Arabic culture, directly addressing a stranger with you or hey can be considered impolite. Instead, words like Rafiq are used as polite forms of address and are not meant to be discriminatory.

Another user added that Rafiq simply means friend and is used broadly, not only for Indians or Pakistanis but also among Arabs themselves, much like the use of Bhai Sahab in India.

A New Term Gaining Popularity

According to one quora user, the term Sadeeq, which also means friend, is now more commonly used in Saudi Arabia to address non-Arab migrants, especially Indians and Pakistanis, reflecting a shift in everyday language.

Together, these perspectives show that while the word Rafiq has carried different meanings over time, its use and perception continue to evolve with changing social attitudes.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 15:30 IST

News india Why Indians And Pakistanis Are Called Rafiq In Saudi Arabia | Explained

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News / Education

by Stephen Jakes

INSIZA  The construction of new classroom blocks at Pioneer Primary School is under way, funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and personal donations from Insiza North legislator Delani Moyo.Moyo's team confirmed that the MP donated 10,000 bricks to the school and worked with community members to channel part of the CDF allocation towards the project."The construction of a classroom block is underway at Pioneer Primary School, supported by cement from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Moyo's personal donation of 10,000 bricks, driving progress towards Vision 2030," the team said.The development comes as Moyo has also donated 20,000 bricks to Lochard Primary School for the construction of teachers' cottages, after complaints that two teachers were sharing a single room. He further contributed US$2,500 towards construction works.At Siyazama Primary School, Moyo donated US$1,000 and pledged to roof two classroom blocks at a cost of US$8,000.The legislator has been widely praised as a true representative of his constituency, with his contributions seen as strengthening education infrastructure in line with government's Vision 2030.
Worms Found In Midday Meal At Karnataka Govt School, Parents Demand Action

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: December 16, 2025, 01:47 IST

Worms were present in both the rice and sambar served for lunch with some students noting that they had been cooked along with the meal

Contaminated food was allegedly served to students at the government school in Karnataka's Koppal district. (Image: News18/video grab)

Students at a government school in Karnatakas Koppal district allegedly found worms in their midday meal, giving rise to concerns over the quality of food served under the scheme.

According to reports, the worms were present in both the rice and the sambar served for lunch with some students noting that they had been cooked along with the meal.

The incident took place at the Old Ningapur Government Higher Primary School, sparking outrage among parents. They expressed deep concern over the negligence of the midday meal staff, accusing them of failing to ensure the food was safe for consumption.

The parents alleged that the rice and other ingredients were not properly inspected before cooking, exposing children to serious health risks. They demanded strict action against those responsible and urged tighter monitoring and supervision of the midday meal scheme to prevent similar lapses again.

A video showing the contaminated food has been doing the rounds on social media, fuelling public anger and drawing attention to the issue. Many users condemned the lapse and called for accountability, highlighting the importance of hygiene and strict adherence to safety standards in government-run meal programmes.

Hanumanthappa Hatti, president of the school development and monitoring committee (SDMC), responded to the incident stating that the rice supplied to schools comes from stored stock and may have worms. He said cooks maintain cleanliness and that such an incident has not occurred before. He also said he will take measures to ensure that the children receive clean and high-quality meals in future.

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Location : Koppal, India, India

First Published: December 16, 2025, 01:47 IST

News india Worms Found In Midday Meal At Karnataka Govt School, Parents Demand Action

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Dowry, Rebranded: How Gifts Carry Old Burdens Into Modern Weddings

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:32 IST

This idea of no demand is simply a dowry in disguise, a social expectation wrapped in polite words and good intentions.

The real danger of the new face of dowry is not just its persistence, but its invisibility. (Representative image: Getty)

Dowry is illegal and openly criticised, but that doesnt mean it has vanished from society. It has only changed its form. Today, it rarely shows up as an outright demand. Instead, it quietly enters weddings as gifts," dressed up to suit modern, educated sensibilities.

During matrimonial discussions, families often say, almost proudly, We dont believe in dowry. We have no demands at all." And then comes the line that changes everything: Of course, you can give whatever you want to your daughter."

On the surface, it sounds generous. In reality, it creates unspoken pressure on the brides family to prove their love, status, and sincerity by doing the best" they can. When nothing is asked for, everything is silently expected.

This idea of no demand" is simply a dowry in disguise, a social expectation wrapped in polite words and good intentions.

From Demand To Display: The Evolution Of Dowry

Today, dowry rarely announces itself openly. It arrives quietly wrapped in gift paper, masked as tradition," and justified as our way of showing love." What was once demanded is now expected. What was once coerced is now performed. And in this transformation, dowry has found a safer, more socially acceptable form.

The family of a young woman from Noida who got married nearly a year ago gifted" more than Rs 10 lakh in cash, a modest compact SUV, and several other household items, along with gold jewellery, to the groom and his family despite there being no formal demand" for dowry.

Nothing was asked for openly. No conditions were placed. Yet, the expectations were clearly understood, quietly fulfilled, and socially accepted.

In another case, a young woman from Rajasthan, married nearly three years ago, left for her in-laws home carrying extra suitcases apart from her personal belongings. These suitcases were not hers in the usual sense. They were filled with clothes for relatives, envelopes of money, and pieces of jewellery; items traditionally expected to accompany the bride as gifts."

No one called it dowry. But everyone knew it was part of what she was supposed to bring. Clothes, jewellery, household items, and envelopes of money, often referred to as shagun, are simply called gifts.

But gifts given under pressure are not gifts at all. They are obligations, carefully choreographed to avoid legal scrutiny while meeting unspoken benchmarks. How much gold? Which brand of car? How lavish should the wedding look? The questions are rarely asked, and answers are seldom verbalised, yet everyone seems to know.

The Language Of Choice"

Perhaps the most insidious change in the tradition" of dowry is the narrative of choice. Families now insist, We gave it willingly," or We wanted to do this for our daughter." The absence of an explicit demand from the grooms side becomes proof of their innocence.

But how voluntary is a choice shaped by fear of social judgment? When parents worry their daughter might be undervalued" if the wedding looks modest, or that relatives will whisper about stinginess, generosity becomes compulsory. The line between love and liability blurs.

In this version of dowry, the burden shifts subtly from coercion by the grooms family to self-policing by the brides.

Old Practice, New Address

The word dowry often makes it sound like a crude, outdated practice limited to backward or rural parts of the country. But dowry was never only a rural problem. In educated, urban households, it has survived, just in a more polished form.

That is why the practice of giving gifts" to a daughter and her new family is not new at all. It is simply dowry, softened by language and wrapped in respectability.

The groom may insist he doesnt believe in dowry," yet the wedding unfolds exactly as tradition dictates. The gifts arrive. The expenses are borne asymmetrically. Silence becomes complicity.

Studies also show how uneven this exchange of gifts" really is. A 2021 BBC report, citing research on nearly 40,000 marriages across 17 Indian states, found that the grooms family spent an average of about Rs 5,000 on gifts to the brides family.

In contrast, the brides family spent nearly seven times more around Rs 32,000, on cash and items given to the grooms side, resulting in a net dowry of roughly Rs 27,000.

While these figures are drawn from rural marriages between 1960 and 2008, researchers note that in the absence of major structural changes, the underlying pattern remains largely the same even today.

The Pressure To Look Prosperous

Scroll through wedding posts on social media, and a pattern quickly emerges. Every ritual is photographed. Every gift is displayed. Every detail becomes content, and within this constant performance, you can witness dowry quietly thriving in the age of Instagram weddings.

Lavish weddings are no longer private affairs; they are public statements. A spectacle of success. A declaration of status. And with this performance comes pressure to match, if not outdo, what others have done.

In this economy of comparison, weddings stop being about union and start resembling exhibitions. The brides family becomes the primary sponsor of a socially acceptable fantasy.

The Legal Blind Spot

Indias anti-dowry laws are clear, but this rebranding makes enforcement difficult. When transactions are labelled gifts, intent becomes hard to prove. Consent, even if socially manufactured, provides legal cover.

This grey area allows dowry to flourish without consequence, socially endorsed, and legally elusive.

The real danger of this new face of dowry is not just its persistence, but its invisibility. Calling it a gift does not change what it does. It still drains families financially. It still measures a brides worth in material terms. It still reinforces inequality at the very moment two people are meant to begin as equals.

Dowry has not vanished. It has adapted. And until we question the normal" expectations wrapped in celebration and custom, it will continue to thrive quietly, politely, and devastatingly. Because when a gift is expected, it is no longer a gift. It is dowry by another name.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:00 IST

News lifestyle Dowry, Rebranded: How Gifts Carry Old Burdens Into Modern Weddings

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Karitk Aaryan Picks Uber-Cool Look For Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri Promotions

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:36 IST

The actor opted for a black sweatshirt with rolled-up sleeves and paired it with loosely fitted matching pants.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri will be releasing on December 25. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri promotions are in full swing and for the next stop Kartik Aaryan landed in Ahmedabad carrying his usual charm and style. The actor was captured this morning at the Ahmedabad airport surrounded by his security guards as he made his way to the exit.

Kartik arrived at the city in a cool street-style look. Paparazzi video showed the actor was donning a stylish all-black outfit. He opted for a black sweatshirt with rolled-up sleeves and paired it with loosely fitted matching pants.

Keeping the monochrome look in check, Kartik wore a pair of black boots, making his look stylish yet comfortable at the same time. The actor completed the look with a black beanie, a pair of matching black sunglasses and a smartwatch.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal)

Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday Capture Hearts in New Song

Ahead of the Ahmedabad promotions, Tu Meri Main Tera released a brand-new track titled Tenu Zyada Mohabbat. Both Kartik Aaryan and the films heroine, Ananya Panday, shared the video of the latest song on their personal social media handles.

The sombre track featured glimpses of Kartik and Ananyas characters going through a heartbreak. The track was sung by Talwiinder with music by Vishal-Sheykhar and lyrics by Kumaar. Following the release, fans showered immense love on the track, as it achieved 1.1 crore views so far.

As per Mid Day reports, while talking about the song Kartik Aaryan shared, Love has many shades, and heartbreak is one of them. Tenu Zyada Mohabbat explores this vulnerable side of love."

Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri Cast and Plot

Directed by Sameer Vidwans, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri casts Kartik Aryan and Ananya Panday in lead roles alongside Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff, and Tiku Talsania in supporting roles.

The romantic drama follows the love story of two people who fall for each other while finding themselves. However, things take a turn when family pressures challenge their relationship and they decide to part ways, hoping to meet again. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is scheduled to release at the theatres on December 25, coinciding with Christmas.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:36 IST

News movies bollywood Karitk Aaryan Picks Uber-Cool Look For Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri Promotions
Kriti Sanon Reacts To Her Character In Tere Ishk Mein Being Called 'Toxic': 'If Your Heart Is Not Wrong...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 18:40 IST

Kriti reacted to these labels and said that such terms have become all too common now.

Rapid Read

Tere Ishk Mein was released on November 28. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Kriti Sanon was recently seen in Tere Ishk Mein, an Aanand L Rai love story featuring Dhanush as the hero. Kritis performance was greatly appreciated by many. However, some felt that her character, Mukti, was toxic and a red flag. In a recent chat with Zoom, Kriti reacted to these labels and said that such terms have become all too common now.

Kriti Sanon said, Toxic and red flag  these terms have become very common now. It is great that it is being discussed. Debate is a great part of it. At the end, a lot of people are feeling like both are right and wrong at some points."

The actor added, Your moral compass is not towards one person, which is great because human beings make mistakes. If your heart is not wrong or youre not an evil person, and you made a mistake, theres always a reason why you did what you did. It is a perspective."

In a recent chat with Hindustan Times, Kriti admitted that she kept a tab on social media reactions towards the film. Yes, Im obsessed. Im always reading what people are saying. not just critics. I love debating: thats the point of art. Not everyone sees a painting the same way, and the same goes for cinema. You connect with something because of your experiences, because youve known someone like Shankar or Mukti. TIM is interesting because it shows toxic love, but the girl also calls out the toxicity," she said.

Tere Ishk Mein follows the passionate and emotionally intense journey of Shankar, an impulsive, fiery young man hopelessly in love with Mukti. Their connection blossoms during their college years, but when Mukti decides to marry someone else, the story takes a heart-wrenching turn. The film explores the raw, unpredictable and deeply emotional bond between the two, delving into a love that defies logic, circumstance and destiny.

Kriti Sanon is also gearing up for her next major release, Homi Adajanias Cocktail 2, where she will share the screen with Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The film has already generated strong curiosity, marking a fresh new collaboration for the actor. Additionally, industry buzz indicates that Kriti is also being eyed for a significant role in Farhan Akhtars much-anticipated Don 3. While the speculation has sparked excitement among fans, an official confirmation is still awaited.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 18:40 IST

News movies bollywood Kriti Sanon Reacts To Her Character In Tere Ishk Mein Being Called 'Toxic': 'If Your Heart Is Not Wrong...'
Randeep Hooda Visits Cellular Jail, Recalls Shooting For Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:09 IST

Randeep Hooda visited Cellular Jail, sharing memories of shooting Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.

Randeep Hooda Visits Cellular Jail, Recalls Shooting For Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda shared a series of pictures on his social media on Sunday as he visited Cellular Jail, where he shot his directorial debut Swatantrya Veer Savarkar". Released in March 2024, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" revolved around the life of an Indian politician, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It featured the actor in the titular role.

The 49-year-old actor penned a lengthy note on his Instagram handle as he shared the pictures. Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair). Cellular Jail. 115 years of Sagara Pran Tarmalala! To revisit the very Cellular Jail where Veer Savarkar once suffered, where I shot a major chunk of #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar and to witness the unveiling of his statue in what was once dreaded Kaala Paani, feels deeply personal. History may remember slowly, but truth endures," he wrote in the caption.

I was honoured to be present on this historic occasion, and humbled to receive recognition from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat ji and Honble Union Home Minister of India Shri Amit Shah ji, at the same place that once bore witness to Veer Savarkars immense sacrifice.

A moment where history, sacrifice, and long-overdue recognition converged in Port Blair. Veer Savarkars legacy stands tall today, finally honoured where he once endured unimaginable hardship. Vande Mataram," he added.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is a biographical drama that traces the life and ideology of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, focusing on his revolutionary years, imprisonment in the Cellular Jail, and his role in Indias independence movement. Directed by and starring Randeep Hooda, the film attempts to present a layered portrait of Savarkar as a poet, thinker and political figure, while also engaging with the debates and controversies surrounding his legacy. The film also starred Ankita Lokhande and Tirrtha Murbaadkar in pivotal roles.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:09 IST

News movies bollywood Randeep Hooda Visits Cellular Jail, Recalls Shooting For Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
Sourav Joshi Features In Archana Puran Singhs Vlog, Internet Targets Him For Turning Wife Into Cameraman

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 18:40 IST

Upon meeting Archana Puran Singh, Sourav Joshi touched her feet, prompting the actress to congratulate the newlyweds.

Archana Puran Singh met Sourav Joshi at Kapil Sharmas film premiere. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Archana Puran Singh is back with her latest vlog where she takes fans inside a special night out at the premiere of Kapil Sharmas Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2. Joined by husband Parmeet Sethi and son Ayushmaan Sethi, Archanas evening turned even more interesting when the trio bumped into popular YouTuber Sourav Joshi and his wife Avantika Bhatt. Their unexpected, candid interaction quickly became a talking point online as they discussed surgery during the event, generating huge buzz online.

The vlog gives a glimpse of the candid meet and greet session where Archana and her family met stars like Kapil Sharma, Krushna Abhishek, his wife, Kashmera Shah, Kiku Sharda, Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Bharti Singh, Ameesha Patel and many others.

At one point, she bumps into Sourav Joshi and his wife, Avantika Bhatt. Upon meeting, the YouTuber touched her feet, prompting the actress to congratulate the newlyweds as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Introducing them to her fans, Archana laughingly shared, AAAP ka Parivaar meets Sourav ka parivaar, finally."

Pointing to Avantika, who was recording the moments from behind the camera for her husbands YouTube handle, Archana mentioned, Guys, Avantika is coming in our vlog for the first time. When we met Sourav, he had said that I have a fiancee and we will get married soon. He secretly told me her name, I didnt tell anyone, and the whole world kept guessing her name. Here she is, finally."

The veteran actress also joked that the couples wedding gift was still pending, playfully telling the audience, Abhi sagan dena baaki hai. Dont run away immediately. Stay here for a few days."

The conversation continued as Sourav informed Archana and her family, We are coming straight from Dubai."

Archana Puran Singh, Parmeet Sethi Offer Advice To Sourav Joshi

Further in the vlog, Parmeet offered advice to Sourav and his wife regarding a surgery. He said, Its better to get it done, because whoever we have seen, walk a little bit for 1-2 months and then gets recovered completely." Both the knees?" Archana asked.

Replying, Sourav said, Yes, there is an issue in both." Archana continued, Show their X-ray and MRI. They mentioned some complications for me also, but I got treated with Ayurveda. If you go to a surgeon, they will ask you to get a surgery. Just make sure that there is no other alternative therapy besides surgery first."

Social Media Users Criticise Sourav Joshi

Soon after the vlog surfaced on social media, people began criticising Sourav for seeking Avantikas help to record glimpses of the premiere of Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon 2.

A user said, Saurav Joshiko new Camera man mil gya (Sourav Joshi got a new cameraman)." Another joked, Personal Camerawoman, iske baad har angle se Sourav ko shoot kiya ja rha hai.." Meanwhile, a fan of the couple wrote, How dedicatedly she is shooting the vlog, no one sees that, but when it comes to trolling, everyone has 100 things to say."

Sourav Joshi and Avantika Bhatt, who kept their relationship low-key for a long time, got married in a private ceremony in Rishikesh.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 18:28 IST

News movies bollywood Sourav Joshi Features In Archana Puran Singhs Vlog, Internet Targets Him For Turning Wife Into Cameraman
Manju Warrier Reacts After Ex-Husband Dileep Is Acquitted In 2017 Assault Case: 'Justice Incomplete'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:00 IST

Manju Warrier criticized Dileep's acquittal in the 2017 assault case, stating justice for the survivor is incomplete, as only six were convicted.

Manju Warrier Issues Statement Following Dileeps Acquittal In 2017 Assault Case.

Actor Manju Warrier has spoken out following the acquittal of Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 sexual assault case involving a female actor, stating that the legal outcome has not delivered full justice to the survivor.

Dileep was acquitted on Monday by the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court, which delivered its verdict after the trial concluded on November 25. Soon after the ruling, the actor alleged that he had been falsely implicated and accused Manju Warrier, his former wife, of being part of a conspiracy against him. In response, Manju issued a public statement expressing her disagreement with the verdict and her concerns about accountability in the case.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Manju said that while she respected the judiciary, the outcome had failed to address the larger responsibility behind the crime. I have the utmost respect for the Honourable Court. But in this case, justice for the survivor is still incomplete. Only those who physically committed the crime have been punished. The mind that planned and enabled this heinous act, whoever that may be, still walks free, and that is terrifying. Justice will be complete only when everyone behind this crime is held accountable."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manju Warrier (@manju.warrier)

In the same note, she broadened her message beyond the individual case, linking it to the safety and dignity of women more widely. This is not just for one survivor. This is for every girl, every woman, every human being who deserves to walk with courage, head held high, without fear in their workplaces, on the streets, and in life. With her. Then, now, and always."

Following his acquittal, Dileep addressed the media and maintained that he had been framed, describing himself as the real victim" of the case. He alleged that the charges were part of a deliberate attempt to harm his reputation and career, and directly named Manju Warrier in his claims. It was done to destroy my career, image and life in society. It was Manju Warrier who first suggested that there was a criminal conspiracy in the case. That was when the conspiracy against me began."

The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a female actor was assaulted after a group of men allegedly forced their way into her car and held her captive for nearly two hours. Ten individuals were tried in connection with the crime. Dileep was arrested in July 2017 after investigators alleged that he had paid the attackers to carry out the assault and record it.

According to the prosecution, tensions arose in 2016 after the survivor allegedly informed Manju Warrier about Dileeps purported relationship with another actor, leading to a dispute between Dileep and the survivor.

In its verdict, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court found six of the accused guilty, including the prime accused Sunil, while acquitting Dileep and three others. The judgment was delivered by Judge Honey M Varghese.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:00 IST

News movies regional-cinema Manju Warrier Reacts After Ex-Husband Dileep Is Acquitted In 2017 Assault Case: 'Justice Incomplete'
Woman Passenger Stops Dileep's Film Screening On Kerala Bus Amid Sexual Assault Row

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:01 IST

A KSRTC bus screening of Ee Parakkum Thalika starring Dileep was halted after Lakshmi R Shekhar objected, sparking debate amid Dileep's recent acquittal in the 2017 assault case.

KSRTC Bus Turns Off Dileep Movie Mid-Journey After Passenger Dispute.

A film screening on a Kerala state-run bus was stopped mid-journey after a woman passenger objected to the movie being shown, triggering a debate among passengers and prompting the conductor to intervene. The incident took place on a KSRTC Super Fast bus travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Thottilpalam.

The film being screened starred actor Dileep, whose recent acquittal in the 2017 sexual assault case has sparked renewed public discussion. As the movie Ee Parakkum Thalika began playing, a passenger identified as Lakshmi R Shekhar from Pathanamthitta raised an objection, saying passengers should not be compelled to watch films during travel.

Her protest quickly drew reactions from others on the bus, with some passengers supporting her view while others questioned the need to stop the screening. As the discussion escalated, the bus conductor decided to turn off the movie to prevent further confrontation.

According to visuals aired by Asianet, Lakshmi R Shekhar stated that passengers should not be forced to watch films they are not interested in while travelling on a KSRTC bus." She added that several women on board shared her discomfort and supported her stance.

She later said that the majority of passengers responded positively to her objection," suggesting that her concerns resonated with many on the bus. However, not all passengers agreed. A section defended the screening and argued that there was no need to discuss an issue on which a court verdict had already been delivered."

Responding to this, Lakshmi maintained that many women did not want to watch such films during their journey," and asserted, There have been several court verdicts, but Dileeps films cannot be shown on this bus." With the verbal exchange intensifying, the conductor halted the screening, bringing the situation under control.

The incident comes days after the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court delivered its verdict in the 2017 sexual assault case involving a female actor. While six accused were convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Dileep, who had been accused of orchestrating the crime, was acquitted. The verdict was pronounced on December 12 by Judge Honey M Varghese.

Following the judgment, actor Manju Warrier, Dileeps former wife, shared a public statement expressing concern over the outcome. Taking to Instagram, she said, I have the utmost respect for the Honourable Court. But in this case, justice for the survivor is still incomplete. Only those who physically committed the crime have been punished. The mind that planned and enabled this heinous act, whoever that may be, still walks free, and that is terrifying. Justice will be complete only when everyone behind this crime is held accountable."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manju Warrier (@manju.warrier)

She further added, This is not just for one survivor. This is for every girl, every woman, every human being who deserves to walk with courage, head held high, without fear in their workplaces, on the streets, and in life. With her. Then, now, and always."

Dileep, speaking to the media after his acquittal, denied all allegations and claimed he had been framed. It was done to destroy my career, image and life in society. It was Manju Warrier who first suggested that there was a criminal conspiracy in the case. That was when the conspiracy against me began," he said.

The case dates back to February 17, 2017, when a female actor was allegedly abducted and assaulted in a moving vehicle for nearly two hours. Ten people were tried in connection with the crime. Prosecutors had alleged that Dileep paid the attackers to carry out and record the assault, claims the court ultimately rejected in his case.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:01 IST

News movies regional-cinema Woman Passenger Stops Dileep's Film Screening On Kerala Bus Amid Sexual Assault Row
H-1B Update: US Begins Screening Applicants' Social Media, 'Prudentially' Revokes Some Visas

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:35 IST

The State Department has said visa checks do not end at approval and continue to ensure adherence to US immigration laws in a social media post earlier this year.

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Indian H-1B applicants are facing interview delays as the US tightens visa screening. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE/REPRESENTATIVE)

US consulates have informed some H-1B and H-4 visa holders that their temporary work visas have been prudentially revoked". The development comes as H-1B visa interviews in India were postponed and as the US began scrutiny of social media accounts of applicants, a check that was previously limited to international students looking to study in the US.

It should be noted that prudential visa revocation is a temporary, precautionary action taken out of prudence, and not a permanent denial of the visa.

The Trump administration on Sunday said that starting December 15 H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents in the US will undergo enhanced screening and social media vetting.

The US State Department issued a new order directing all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependent visa holders to make their social media profiles public for review during the vetting process.

To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B visas and their dependents under the H-4 category, as well as F, M and J non-immigrant visas, are required to set the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to public," the US State Department said.

Several H-1B visa holders in India have had their interviews rescheduled as the expanded social media vetting process impacts visa processing timelines.

What Is A Prudential Visa Revocation

A prudential visa revocation is a temporary and precautionary cancellation of a visa, done before any final wrongdoing is established. It means US authorities cancel a visa as a safety or compliance measure, not as a punishment. According to the US State Departments Foreign Affairs Manual, a visa may be prudentially revoked" as a precaution while authorities review potential concerns.

We are seeing more prudential visa revocations for H-1B and 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. A revocation does not affect lawful stay in the https://t.co/KNrkcAlAMU Emily Neumann (@immigrationgirl) December 8, 2025

It allows them to pause the persons visa status while they review concerns. It is called prudential" because it is done out of caution, not because guilt has been proven. We are seeing more prudential visa revocations for H-1B and 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. 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," said immigration attorney Emily Neumann on X.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:52 IST

News usa H-1B Update: US Begins Screening Applicants' Social Media, 'Prudentially' Revokes Some Visas

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Opinion | Bondi Bloodbath: Is Islamist Hate Whitewashed?

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 20:00 IST

This whitewashing emboldens radicals who read denial as weakness

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People lay flowers at a site outside the Bondi Pavilion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (IMAGE: AFP)

Bondi beach, kissed by the sun and lapped by azure waters of Australias East Coast, was blotted by blood over the weekend. A father-son duo, both Muslims, trained their guns on locals, tourists, and others who had gathered at the iconic Sydney beach to participate in a Jewish celebration also called the Hanukkah by the Sea festival. In a few moments, as blood-curdling and bigoted cries uttered by the perpetrators rent the air, it became apparent the victims were picked out because of their religion, because they were Jews.

The shooting is being described as Australias deadliest in 30 years. Several are dead and many more injured, some critically. The attacks drew instant comparisons to the October 7 attack of 2023 when Islamist Hamas terrorists crossed the border from Gaza into Israel and picked off revellers celebrating the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

Both attacks now conclusively establish that radical Islam has gone global, that the mission to entrench Dar al-Islam or the House of Islam" transcends borders.

No provocation is required. From Delhi to Sydney, Islamists are ready to spill blood to establish their promised land  a caliphate that runs on Quranic injunction, a world at odds with any other culture, civilisation that embraces modernity and its shibboleths  secularism, equality, fraternity, and liberty.

Back in the 2000s, neoconservatives in the then American President George W. Bushs regime had diagnosed the disease. They put it down to the clash of civilisations", a term served up a decade earlier by American political scientist Samuel P. Huntington. The thesis predicted that in the post-Cold War era most important distinctions among people are (no longer) ideological, political, or economic. They are cultural." In other words, Huntington predicted that most major global conflicts would be from here on triggered by cultural distinctions. And history seems to bear him out.

Israels top leaders slammed the Australian government for failing to accept this reality. Israels combative PM Netanyahu publicly chided his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for living in denial.

But if the evidence is strong and empirically proven, why do some deny the existence of Islamist terror? The answer lies in the delusions of the so-called Left-liberal ecosystem that insists that terror has no religion and that drawing any linkages amounts to gaslighting Muslims as a whole, an act of communal vandalism.

What follows is selective blindness masquerading as moral virtue. Osama Bin Laden is labelled a freedom fighter"; Red Fort suicide bomber Umar Nabi who extolled Jihad" (holy war) as divine duty" is whitewashed and described as a misguided youth". There are many such examples.

By collapsing a hate-laced, supremacist ideology into identity, the ecosystem immunises a violent doctrine from scrutiny, while ordinary Muslims pay the price of that dishonesty.

Naming and shaming Islamist extremism is not bigotry. The same establishment has no compunctions about identifying far-right, white supremacism and Neo-Nazism. They are the first to throw about lazy labels like Hindu terror  hypocritically conflating terror with Sanatani tradition. Only Islamist terror enjoys immunity. This whitewashing emboldens radicals who read denial as weakness.

Until the so-called liberal left separates Islam from Islamism and confronts the latter without fear of losing vote banks and support, the Islamist bogey will draw blood, and that too with tragic regularity, if not predictability.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 20:00 IST

News opinion Opinion | Bondi Bloodbath: Is Islamist Hate Whitewashed?

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News / Health

by Stephen Jakes

BULAWAYO - The Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) has condemned the government's failure to address the ongoing crisis at Mpilo Hospital, citing severe shortages of resources, equipment and staffing, which have compromised patient care.In a statement, ZAPU Deputy Secretary of Health and Welfare Dr Bekithema Bulle said the situation was a stark reflection of the government's neglect of citizens' health and wellbeing."The chronic underfunding, resource shortages, and lack of essential medical equipment are a clear indication of a healthcare system in crisis. Recently patients were reported to have waited for 15 hours at the Mpilo Area C Neurosurgical section without medical attention  shame," Bulle said.ZAPU demanded the implementation and enforcement of health policies that ensure transparency and accountability, workforce attraction and retention, and infrastructure development and maintenance. "Shortages of food, water and electricity at our hospitals is deplorable  shame," Bulle added.The party acknowledged contributions from nongovernmental organisations, including Nedbank Zimbabwe's recent donation of four orthopaedic beds, but stressed that reliance on external support was not sustainable. "The Zimbabwe government can and should fully fund our healthcare," Bulle said.ZAPU urged citizens to join in demanding urgent action from government to resolve the healthcare crisis. "Together, we can build a healthcare system that prioritises the needs of our citizens," Bulle said.
Opinion | Bondi Terror Massacre And States That Enable Jihad

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 21:00 IST

Sydney's Bondi Beach terror attack comes amid a disturbing surge of antisemitic violence and Islamist radicalism across the West

Mourners gather by floral tributes at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims of a terror attack at Bondi Beach, in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (Image: AFP)

Sydneys Bondi Beach was the scene of a chilling mass shooting during a public Hanukkah celebration. Witnesses say two masked gunmen opened fire on dozens of peaceful Jewish worshippers lighting the first candle of Chanukah on the beach.

Authorities now report at least 15 people killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens wounded.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned it and has advocated for tougher gun laws. The UK Chief Rabbi noted that the attackers deliberately targeted Jews merely for gathering visibly and peacefully as Jews".

It is Australias deadliest terrorist attack in years, and it once again shows how safe spaces for Jewish life are being converted into active crime scenes.

Investigators said the terrorists were a father-and-son team of Islamist extremists. Both were armed with long-barrelled rifles and dressed in black tactical gear.

Police identified them as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, Pakistani-origin nationals. Sajid was shot dead by officers at the scene, and Naveed remains in custody in critical condition.

Officials found two ISIS flags in their getaway vehicle and believe both men had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Remarkably, Australian intelligence had even interviewed Naveed six years ago about ties to a local IS cell.

The father legally owned multiple firearms and reportedly stockpiled explosive materials, indicating this was a premeditated terror operation. Clearly, this was not a random rampage by troubled loners but a coordinated attack by Islamist jihadists emboldened by extremist networks.

This massacre comes amid a disturbing surge of antisemitic violence and Islamist radicalism across the West.

In the United States last year, FBI crime statistics show Jews  only 2 percent of Americans  were the target in 69 percent of all religion-based hate crimes along with Hindus, crimes against whom have doubled in recent years. This unprecedented spike of 1,938 incidents of anti-Jewish hate became particularly evident on US campuses during protests following Israels military response to the October 7 Hamas attack.

Jewish communities report unprecedented fear and harassment. Europe has seen similar trends with a recent EU survey finding that 80 percent of Jews across member states feel antisemitism has grown in recent years and many now conceal their identity in public.

Analysts have warned that this trend is aided by online radicalisation and echo chambers: there are no lone wolves", only networks of extremists linking movements from North America to Europe. Indeed, authorities have foiled multiple Islamist-inspired plots just this year, from individual attackers to organised cells and intelligence agencies caution that democratic societies remain prime targets.

To counter these threats, public venues have adopted stringent new security.

Across Germany and other countries, Christmas markets (symbolic of western holiday culture) now open behind concrete barriers, metal detectors and armed guards. For example, Berlins famed Gendarmenmarkt Christmas village has raised concrete barricades and expanded CCTV and police patrols.

Security budgets are soaring, in fact, German city authorities report a 44 percent increase in spending on public-event security over the past three years. These measures recall last winters deadly car-ramming in Magdeburg killing six and injuring hundreds.

This years images of heavily-armed officers at a Munich market highlight how normal life is now treated as a potential target. Even routine outings are screened: just weeks ago police arrested five suspected Islamist extremists plotting a vehicle-ramming at a Bavarian market.

New bans on large knives in crowds, random security checks and surging police presence at synagogues and malls have become the norm.

Paris, once synonymous with joie de vivre (cheerful enjoyment of life), has officially cancelled its New Years Eve midnight concert citing concerns over unpredictable crowd movements" in a break with a tradition that has run for more than six decades.

The attack has also deepened global tensions over Islamist terrorism, especially in South Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was swift to condemn the Bondi massacre on first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah" and offered Indias deepest condolences and full support" to Australia. His post declared that India stands in solidarity" with the victims and reiterated that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism".

Those words resonated most in India, a country long been a victim of Islamist radicalisation and terrorism practiced by Pakistan against it as a part of its state policy. Earlier this year, India had itself been struck by terror on April 22, when Pakistani backed terrorists massacred 24 Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi immediately tracked Pakistan army-backed jihadists for the Pahalgam terror attack and retaliated with force launching Operation Sindoor. During the initial three-day period of the operation, India obliterated nine globally acknowledged terrorist camps and infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) hitting training and indoctrination sites of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to dismantle" infrastructure for further attacks.

Later, India claimed to have busted a JeM-linked white collar" terror module but had to witness the deadly blast near Delhis Red Fort.

From Sydneys Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre to Britains 7/7 bombings and the 2006 transatlantic liquid bomb" plot, to the Denmark recce by David Headley and to Indias own horrors in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack among others, counter-terror case files keep converging on the same connective tissue  facilitation, training, and operational enabling that investigators have repeatedly traced to Pakistan-based and Pakistani army-backed jihadist networks, even when the attackers themselves hold western passports, much as the 9/11 commission identified Khalid Sheikh Mohammed as the principal architect, who was later captured in Pakistan.

The Bondi Beach shooting tragically reaffirmed this harsh reality. In todays world, no place is immune from Islamist violence, not sunny Sydney, not a festive holiday market in Europe and not the high Himalayas in India.

Defending free societies, therefore, requires more than platitudes. It demands relentless pressure on the entire pipeline of radicalisation, from online indoctrination to real world facilitation, financing, travel and logistics.

That pipeline is rarely random. Time and again, investigations into jihadist violence have pointed to enabling ecosystems that stretch across borders, with recurrent nodes linked to Pakistan based terrorist infrastructure and diaspora level recruitment networks that sustain extremist causes.

For the Jewish community mourning under Hanukkah candles and for democracies everywhere, the message is clear. Rededicating to cherished freedoms also means preparing to defend them with seriousness and holding to account not only the terrorists, but also those states, sponsors and permissive environments that tolerate, bankroll, or export ideologies of terror.

(The author is the director of research at New Delhi-based think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 21:00 IST

News opinion Opinion | Bondi Terror Massacre And States That Enable Jihad

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Opinion | Indias Democracy Requires The Opposition To Reinvent Itself

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 15:24 IST

The Opposition, despite its own internal differences, isnt dead but has failed to reinvent itself by refusing to move beyond 24*7 targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP

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The Opposition parties need to raise real issues that genuinely concern the voters across various communities. (PTI)

It has now been a month since the rout of the Opposition in the eastern state of Bihar with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returning to power with a brute majority, and Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), taking the oath as the chief minister for the 10th time. Now after Bihar, the focus has shifted to five statesWest Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry (basically a union territory). Among these, it is West Bengal, ruled by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, that is receiving the most limelight in the political chatter.

There is nothing unusual as the election cycle never stops in the country. However, what is worrying is the Oppositions failure to properly analyse the Bihar results. The main opposition party Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, has been constantly targeting the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the humiliating defeat of the opposition bloc in Bihar. It believes that the ECIs partisan behaviour" is responsible for the defeat. This is where the main problem lies.

In Bihar, BJP-led NDA won decisively because of the welfare schemes, the broad social coalition it was able to build, and the failure of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led bloc to counter NDA and provide an effective alternative. In fact, BJP-led NDA was ahead in the state in last years Lok Sabha polls too, where Congress-led Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was able to deny the BJP a majority at the Centre. Clearly, it was something not completely unusual for the BJP-led NDA to emerge as the clear winner in the state elections last year.

Opposition Isnt Dead But In State Of Dormancy

In West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, parties belonging to the INDIA bloc were ahead in the Lok Sabha elections. This provides the bloc a significant perceptual advantage in these states heading into assembly elections next year.

This shows the Opposition, despite its own internal differences, isnt deadbut its in a state of dormancy. It has failed to reinvent itself by refusing to move beyond 24*7 targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. It is natural for the Opposition to criticise the prime minister and the ruling party  thats the norm in a democracy. The problem, however, with the Opposition, primarily Congress, is that it is mainly busy criticising Modi and BJP without building the organisation on the ground and providing a proper alternative.

Take the recent case of Bihar. Congress tried to make Special Intensive Review (SIR) a major issue in the state. Rahul Gandhi himself did a 16-day Vote Adhikar Yatra in the state, and Congress tried to propagate that SIR was the real issue. When the results were declared, it became clear that the issue failed to resonate with the voters, who were concerned with basic issues. The result was the decisive victory of the NDA, which focused on welfarism, stability and social aspirations of various communities through its broad social alliance. Had the Opposition fought on the ground focussing on real issues, it would have at least given a tough fight to the BJP-led NDA and secured more seats than the present dismal tally.

The Opposition is mostly talking with voters who are already anti-BJP. But they are failing to attract voters who are supporters of BJP and who are fence-sitters. It is these fence-sitters  also called the floating voters  who play a crucial role in deciding the verdict.

Not only this, the Oppositions attempt to shape the narratives is riddled with inconsistencies. On one hand, the Opposition alleges that there was no level playing field in the Bihar elections as a result of the ECI-BJP nexus" aided by BJPs money power. On the other hand, the same Opposition believes that Bengal is different where TMC will have the last laugh. Heres the problem. This shows how the Opposition is indirectly accepting that its organisation was weak in Bihar, though without the humility to accept it openly.

Even if the TMC manages to return to power in West Bengal next year, this wont help the Opposition in shaping an anti-BJP narrative as TMC is largely a Bengal-centric party. The same thing happened in the 2021 elections when BJP failed to remove TMC from power. The anti-BJP euphoria generated then from Bengal failed to translate into a larger anti-BJP narrative across the country.

Opposition Needs To Reinvent Itself

The Opposition needs a national coherent narrative against the BJP. The Opposition INDIA bloc itself has failed to ease its own differences. As a result, the constituent parties of the bloc are forced to chart their own ways.

The Opposition can learn from the BJP. It has a national coherent narrative which is primarily centred on Hindutva, with a mix of development and Mandal politics. The saffron party enters into alliances with regional parties while keeping its ideology intact. The voters prefer clarity; not confusion.

Apart from this, the Opposition has failed to counter BJPs Hindutva. In response to this, it has nothing to offer except the stale food of secularism, which has been misused for decades by secular parties" to appease the minorities  that too only the religious minorities, primarily Muslims  and ignoring the concerns of the majority Hindu community. It is another fact that the common Muslims have often lived in poverty despite voting en bloc for these secular parties".

A democracy functions when there is a strong Opposition. Fact is the current Lok Sabha has a strong Opposition; it, however, lacks effectiveness, hindered by its self-created echo chambers. Putting the blame on ECI, aided by presentations and press conferences, is an easier route taken by the Opposition, particularly Congress, to avoid the real organisational work required on the ground to know the concerns and aspirations of the various communities. The Opposition parties need to raise real issues that genuinely concern the voters across various communities.

The author is a political commentator. His X ID is @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 15:24 IST

News opinion Opinion | Indias Democracy Requires The Opposition To Reinvent Itself

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Opinion | Nitin Nabin's Rise: BJP's Bold Embrace Of Gen Next

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:59 IST

Nabin's ascent embodies the party's ethos: invest in talent, empower the youth (Yuva Shakti) and honour the tireless karyakarta (party worker).

Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin being greeted by supporters after he was appointed BJP's working national president, in Patna. (Image: PTI)

In a move that underscores the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) unwavering commitment to meritocracy and renewal, 45-year-old Nitin Nabin has been appointed as the partys national working presidentthe youngest ever to hold this pivotal role. Announced on December 14, 2025, this elevation is more than a personnel shuffle; it signals a profound generational shift within Indias largest, most vibrant and democratic political organisation, one that prioritises ideological and grassroots warriors over entrenched elites. Nabins ascent embodies the partys ethos: invest in talent, empower the youth (Yuva Shakti) and honour the tireless karyakarta (party worker). In stark contrast to the Congresss parivar-centric patronage system, where performance often takes a backseat, the BJPs choice reaffirms its status as a cadre-driven force for modern India.

Nitin Nabin, born in 1980 in Patna, Bihar, hails from a lineage steeped in public service but has forged his path through sheer grit and organisational acumen. The son of the late Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, a veteran BJP leader and former MLA who tragically passed away in 2009, Nabin stepped into the political fray not as a silver-spoon heir but as a reluctant successor compelled by duty. Winning the Bankipur assembly seat five consecutive timesmost recently in the 2025 Bihar electionsNabin has transformed a once-contested urban constituency into a BJP stronghold. Today, as Bihars Minister for Road Construction in the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, he was overseeing infrastructure projects that have revolutionised connectivity in one of Indias most challenging states.

Nabins contributions to the BJPs organisational machinery are noteworthy. As the prabhari (in-charge) of Chhattisgarh BJP since 2024, he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in a state plagued by internal dissent and electoral setbacks. Under his stewardship, the party not only quelled factionalism but also expanded its base among tribal and rural voters, contributing to a surge in membership drives and booth-level strengthening. In Bihar, Nabins tenure as a legislator has seen him champion urban development and youth employment initiatives. His elevation reflects the BJPs trust in leaders who build from the ground up and have a mix of both  administrative capabilities from serving in Sarkar and organisational abilities by serving in sanghatan.

At 45, Nabins appointment as the youngest national working president is a clarion call for generational renewal in the BJP, a party that has long viewed youth not as a liability but as its lifeblood. In an era where political longevity often breeds complacency, this move injects fresh energy into the BJP ecosystem, signalling that the torch is being passed to a fresh generation. It mirrors Prime Minister Narendra Modis own risefrom a tea-sellers son to the helm of the nationemphasising that in the BJP, ascent is earned through sweat equity and performance, not legacies. This shift is timely: with upcoming assembly elections in states like Bengal and Uttar Pradesh and the 2029 Lok Sabha battle looming, Nabins vigour could galvanise the partys crores of Karyakartas, particularly its millennial and Gen-Z cadres, who crave leaders attuned to digital mobilisation and hyper-local issues.

The BJPs philosophy of investing in merit, talent and Yuva Shakti is no accident; it is woven into the partys DNA and a legacy of respecting the karyakarta as the true architect of victory. Unlike transactional outfits, the BJP elevates those who have toiled in the trenchesorganising & managing local voter databases and membership drives. Nabin exemplifies this: his journey underscores the values of seva, samarpan aur sangathan" (service, dedication and organisation).

By contrast, the Congress remains mired in a patronage-first paradigm, where the Gandhi parivars shadow eclipses competence. Rahul Gandhis perennial leadership bids, despite electoral debacles, exemplify this: promotions hinge on loyalty to the family fiefdom, not performance. The partys cadre, once vibrant, now perishing under high-command diktats that favour sycophants over strategists. This internal crisis was laid bare recently when senior Odisha Congress leader Mohammed Moquim, in a letter to Sonia Gandhi dated December 8, 2025, bluntly stated that under the current leadership of 83-year-old party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party is unable to resonate with Indias youth." Moquim highlighted a deep and growing disconnect" with young India, who form 65% of the population and lamented the exodus of talented youth leaders feeling neglected. On one hand, a Congress insider admits the partys leadership has no meaningful connect with the youth; on the other, the BJP boldly promotes Yuva Shakti by elevating a dynamic 45-year-old like Nabin to its highest organisational echelons.

This pattern of youth empowerment is not new to the BJP; it traces back to its predecessor, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), founded in 1951 by the visionary Syama Prasad Mookerjee, then just 51 but embodying the fervour of a nascent movement. Deendayal Upadhyaya ji assumed the helm at the tender age of 41, infusing the party with integral humanism and grassroots mobilisation that laid the groundwork for the BJPs ideological core. Under his stewardship, the Jan Sangh punched above its weight in the 1967 elections, emerging as a formidable opposition force. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, another prodigy, became a Lok Sabha MP at 30 in 1957 and later president in the 1990s, his oratory and statesmanship propelling the party from fringes to power. Fast-forward to the BJP era: CMs like Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis and Hemanta Biswa Sarma or someone like Tejasvi Surya who stormed into Parliament at 28 in 2019, becoming the youngest MP and a digital dynamo for the party. These arent anomalies; they form a deliberate pattern. The BJPs organisational constitution mandates youth wings like Yuva Morcha, ensuring a pipeline of talent. In 2025 alone, over 40% of BJPs state-level office-bearers are under 50, a statistic that would make Congresss ageing warhorses blush. HM Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh ji, Shivraj Chauhan ji, Dharmendra Pradhan ji to JP Nadda ji to several BJP stalwarts came out of Yuva Morcha.

What makes Nabin uniquely poised for this role is his seamless fusion of experience across sangathan (organisation), sarkar (governance) and public servicethe trifecta of political mastery. In sangathan, his Chhattisgarh tenure honed his skills in conflict resolution and alliance-building, turning a fractious unit into a vote-winning machine. In sarkar, as Road Construction Minister, he has delivered tangible outcomes: over 5,000 km of new roads laid, slashing travel times and boosting Bihars GDP contribution from infrastructure by 15%. And in public service, his five-term MLA record speaks to accessibilityregular janata darbars and advocacy for Patnas urban poor have earned him the moniker Bankipurs bridge-builder." This trinity equips him to steer the BJP through turbulent times, from countering opposition narratives on federalism to amplifying PM Modis Viksit Bharat vision.

No endorsement carries more weight than Prime Minister Modis, who personally congratulated Nabin, praising his humility, industriousness and rise from karyakarta roots."

As Nitin Nabin assumes the reins, the BJP stands at an inflection point. His elevation isnt just about one mans journey. In betting on a 45-year-old Bihari everyman, the BJP reaffirms its covenant with Indias aspiring youth: perform and the podium awaits. For Congress, still shackled by patronage and now grappling with admissions of youth disconnect from within, the message is clearevolve or evaporate. In the marketplace of ideas and votes, merit always trumps. With Nabin at the helm, the BJP isnt just shifting gears, its accelerating toward a future where Yuva Shakti illuminates the nations path.

The author is National Spokesperson of the BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:59 IST

News opinion Opinion | Nitin Nabin's Rise: BJP's Bold Embrace Of Gen Next

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 15:00 IST

1 / 6 Indias first railway station, originally called Bori Bunder, was established in 1853. That same year, the country witnessed its inaugural passenger train journey, running from Bori Bunder to Thane. This historic event marked the beginning of Indias railway era, laying the foundation for what would become one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. (Image: Reddit)

2 / 6 According to media reports, the iconic railway station was designed by Frederick William Stevens in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Known for its blend of Indian, Islamic, and Gothic elements, the station stands as a striking historical landmark. Its intricate design, grand arches, and ornamental details make it not just a transportation hub but also a celebrated piece of architectural heritage. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 6 The station has undergone several name changes over the years. Originally named Bori Bunder, it became Victoria Terminus in 1887, was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996, and finally Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in 2017, honouring the legendary Maratha warrior king Shivaji. Each name reflects a significant chapter in Indias history and heritage. (Image: Instagram)

4 / 6 Situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is one of Indias busiest railway stations. Serving as a key hub on major train routes, it handles thousands of passengers daily, connecting the city to destinations across the country. Its strategic location and historical significance make it both a vital transport center and an iconic landmark in Mumbai. (Image: Instagram)

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5 / 6 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2004, recognizing its outstanding architectural and historical significance. (Image: Instagram)
January 30, 2026, 10:00 AM IST | Episode 134

In todays News18 Daily Digest: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin throws his weight behind the Centres new UGC regulations amid growing campus protests, while TVK chief Vijay sharpens his political offensive against the DMK, flagging migrant worker safety, crimes against women and drug abuse. Political tensions escalate in Karnataka over the controversial G Ram G Bill, with the BJP accusing the Congress government of misusing public funds and illegal phone tapping  allegations firmly denied by the state. In Maharashtra, uncertainty looms over the future leadership of Ajit Pawars faction following his death, as competing proposals emerge within the party. Outrage erupts over the appointment of a rape-accused coach by the Equestrian Federation of India, prompting a show-cause notice from the sports ministry. Congress steps up its attack on the governments foreign policy narrative, targeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the India-EU trade deal. Tune in for sharp analysis and updates from India and abroad...
Beyond Age: What Nitin Nabins Rise Says About BJPs Leadership Model

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:15 IST

In a system where political renewal is often delayed until a crisis, BJPs choice suggests an effort to normalise leadership succession while retaining ideological continuity

Rapid Read

Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin being greeted by supporters after he was appointed BJP's working national president. (PTI)

Indian political parties often speak the language of generational change, but few practise it meaningfully. Leadership transitions across most major parties remain either hereditary or heavily seniority-driven, resulting in presidents and supremos well past their political prime. Against this entrenched pattern, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s elevation of Nitin Nabin as its youngest-ever president at 45 is not merely a generational markerit is a statement about how the party conceives leadership, succession, and organisational continuity.

A comparison with other political formations shows the difference. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is 83, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar is 85, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is 70, DMK leader MK Stalin is 72, BSPs Mayawati is 69, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is 52, and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah is 55. While age alone does not define political capacity, the dominance of septuagenarians and octogenarians at the helm reflects a broader reluctance across parties to institutionalise a leadership churn. The BJPs choice, therefore, stands out not as token youthfulness, but as an alternative leadership philosophy.

What makes Nabins elevation particularly significant is that it disrupts the often-false binary between youth and experience. At 45, he is not a novice propelled by charisma or lineage, but a leader shaped by electoral endurance and administrative responsibility. A five-time MLA, Nabins career has been tested repeatedly at the ballot boxan achievement that lends democratic legitimacy to his rise. His multiple stints as a minister in the Bihar government further demonstrate hands-on experience in governance, policy implementation, and political negotiation.

Equally critical is his deep organisational grounding. With over two decades of active party work, Nabin represents the BJPs cadre-based leadership pipeline in action. His journey through the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, including serving as its Bihar president, equipped him with first-hand experience of mobilising youth, managing party workers, and translating ideology into grassroots action. His role as election in-charge in Chhattisgarh expanded this experience beyond state boundaries, exposing him to varied political terrains and electoral strategies.

The regional dimension of his appointment is also politically consequential. As the first BJP president from Biharand from eastern IndiaNabins rise signals a recalibration of the partys internal power geography. For decades, national leadership has largely emanated from western, northern, or central India. Elevating a leader from the East reflects both the BJPs expanding footprint in the region and its intent to nurture leadership that mirrors this growth. It also strengthens the partys connect with states that are increasingly central to national electoral arithmetic.

More broadly, Nabins presidency underscores the BJPs emphasis on institutional leadership rather than personality-centric control. Unlike many parties where presidents function as symbolic extensions of a single family or individual, the BJPs structure allows for leaders to emerge through organisational performance, electoral success, and ideological commitment. Nabins career embodies this pathwaysteady, incremental, and merit-based rather than dramatic or dynastic.

In political terms, his rise carries strategic implications. A younger president with substantial organisational experience is better positioned to engage first-time voters, manage an expanding digital political ecosystem, and oversee complex, multi-state election cycles. At the same time, his governance background ensures that the partys political messaging remains grounded in administrative outcomes rather than abstract rhetoric.

Ultimately, the significance of Nabins leadership lies not just in his age but in what his age represents: a generational transition without institutional rupture. In a system where political renewal is often delayed until crisis forces change, the BJPs choice suggests an effort to normalise leadership succession while retaining ideological continuity. Whether this model reshapes Indias broader political culture remains to be seen, but it undeniably places the BJP in sharp contrast with parties still grappling with the challenge of balancing experience with renewal.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 12:15 IST

News politics Beyond Age: What Nitin Nabins Rise Says About BJPs Leadership Model

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Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin Appointed As BJPs National Working President

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 17:47 IST

Nitin Nabin currently serves as a minister of Road Construction in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.

Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin. (File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its National Working President.

An official order issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh said the appointment, approved by the partys Parliamentary Board, would come into effect immediately.

The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Shri Nitin Naveen, Minister, Government of Bihar, as the National Executive President of the Bharatiya Janata Party," the order stated.

Nabin currently serves as a minister of Road Construction in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.

Incumbent national president JP Nadda, appointed in January 2020, has already completed his full term. He was granted extensions to lead the party through key events, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The organisational reshuffle came at a time when the party is transitioning its top leadership structure. The suspense over who will succeed JP Nadda as the next national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) persisted for several months before Nabins appointment.

Who Is Nitin Nabin?

Belonging to the Kayastha community, Nabin is the MLA from Bankipur constituency and minister of Road Construction in the Bihar government.

Born in Patna, he is the son of late Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, a veteran BJP leader and former MLA. Nabin entered active electoral politics following his fathers demise.

Nabin has been elected as an MLA four consecutive times  in 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025 Assembly polls  since his by-election victory in 2006.

In the recently held polls, Nabin defeated Rekha Kumari of the RJD by a margin of over 51,000 votes.

Wishes Pour In

After the announcement, several leaders congratulated the newly appointed party chief.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Nabin 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.

Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. 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," he said in a post on X.

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

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Heartfelt congratulations to the young and energetic leader from the soil of Bihar, Shri @NitinNabin, on being appointed as the National President of @BJP4India. He is a dedicated worker and a person endowed with imaginative capacity. Under the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, he will surely succeed in taking the BJP to new heights of success. Best wishes to him for the success of his tenure."

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said, Heartiest congratulations to Shri Nitin Nabin on being appointed as the National Working President of the BJP. Young, dynamic, and ideologically rooted, he is deeply committed to the organisation. His tenures as a Minister in Bihar and his role as Prabhari of Chhattisgarh have been truly outstanding, marked by effective leadership and organisational strength."

Heartiest congratulations to Shri Nitin Nabin on being appointed as the National Working President of the BJP.Young, dynamic, and ideologically rooted, he is deeply committed to the organisation. His tenures as a Minister in Bihar and his role as Prabhari of Chhattisgarh have pic.twitter.com/rpJU7nEOg2  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 14, 2025

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, I thank PM Modi and the top leadership of the party for appointing Nitin Nabin as the National Working President of the partyUnder the leadership of Nitin Nabin, the BJP will continue to get strengthened across the nation."

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin appointed as the National Working President of the BJP, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary says, I thank PM Modi and the top leadership of the party for appointing Nitin Nabin as the National Working President of pic.twitter.com/Id9snihjw4 ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025

How BJP Elects Its President?

The BJPs internal elections follow a hierarchical sequence that starts from the grassroots. First, booth presidents are elected. Once at least half of them are in place, elections for mandal (block-level) presidents begin. The process then moves up to district presidents, then to state unit heads, and finally culminates in the election of the national president.

Despite the detailed process, elections for the top post are often uncontested, typically a single nomination is filed after extensive consultations between the BJP brass and the RSS.

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First Published: December 14, 2025, 17:04 IST

News politics Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin Appointed As BJPs National Working President

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BJP Picks Millennial Nitin Nabin As Working President Amid Rivals Led By Ageing Leadership

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:07 IST

The BJP signals that organisational responsibility is not reserved solely for political veterans but also for leaders who have grown within the system over the past two decades.

Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin at a felicitation function following his appointment as BJP National Working President by the party's parliamentary board, in Patna. (Image: PTI)

At a time when most major political parties remain firmly in the hands of senior leaders, the Bharatiya Janata Party has bet on youth by appointing Bihar minister and millennial leader Nitin Nabin as its Working President on Sunday.

Born in 1980, Nitin Nabin belongs to the millennial generation, making him one of the youngest working presidents in the BJPs organisational hierarchy. His political journey, however, has been anything but rushed. Nabin entered electoral politics in 2006, when he was elected MLA from Bihars Patna West seat. Since then, he has steadily built his profile through repeated electoral success and governance roles, emerging as a five-time MLA and serving multiple terms as a minister in the Bihar government.

The BJPs decision to place a millennial in such a key organisational role  one who may eventually replace JP Nadda  stands in sharp contrast to the leadership profile of most other major political parties. The Congress, the principal opposition party, is led by Mallikarjun Kharge, who is now 83. The Nationalist Congress Party continues to revolve around Sharad Pawar, now 85 and ailing. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is 70, while Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Mayawati is 69.

The DMK, which is currently in power in Tamil Nadu, is headed by MK Stalin, who is 72. Even relatively younger leaders such as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav (52) and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah (55) fall well outside the millennial bracket.

This contrast allows the BJP to sharpen its long-running narrative of generational renewal. By promoting leaders like Nitin Nabin, the party signals that organisational responsibility is not reserved solely for political veterans but can also be entrusted to leaders who have grown within the system over the past two decades. It reinforces the BJPs message that experience is measured not only by age, but by sustained political work, governance exposure and organisational loyalty  while also signalling a move beyond traditional caste considerations.

Nitin Nabins appointment, therefore, is not merely about filling a post that had remained vacant for some time. It reflects a broader political choice  one that positions the BJP as a party willing to push younger leaders into top organisational roles, even as much of the opposition continues to be led by senior citizens. At a time when voter demographics are steadily skewing younger, the BJPs millennial bet may be aimed at shaping its leadership narrative for the years ahead.

What distinguishes Nabins elevation is the combination of age and experience. While young by political leadership standards, he brings nearly two decades of hands-on political work, ranging from constituency-level engagement to ministerial responsibilities. His years of involvement with the BJPs Yuva Morcha further strengthened his organisational grounding, enabling him to connect with younger cadres while also understanding the partys ideological and structural framework.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:07 IST

News politics BJP Picks Millennial Nitin Nabin As Working President Amid Rivals Led By Ageing Leadership

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Congress Expels Odisha Leader Who Raised Questions Over Kharges Age In Letter To Sonia Gandhi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:09 IST

I have no regret about this...While in opposition, a party has to rebuild itself, and considering Kharge jis age, that is not possible, Odishas Moquim told News18

Rapid Read

Mohammed Moquim had raised questions over the party's leadership and said Rahul Gandhi was unavailable. (ANI/PTI File)

Odisha leader and former MLA Mohammed Moquim, who recently triggered a row by questioning the partys current leadership and raising concerns over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges age in a letter to Sonia Gandhi, has been expelled from the party.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) issued a letter expelling Moquim from the partys primary membership on the grounds of anti-party activities.

Speaking to News18, Moquim said, The Congress did not speak to me, and in the morning, I came to know from news channels that I had been expelled. I have no regret about this, because in my thinking, the Congress still remains"

#WATCH | Odisha: Cuttack Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim says,  I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharges side We should bring pic.twitter.com/AcFPMEwpvG ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2025

India has 65 per cent youth. I respect Mallikarjun Kharge ji, but the thinking that is required today, especially when the Congress party is playing the role of the opposition, is different. While in opposition, a party has to rebuild itself, and considering Kharge jis age, that is not possible. We are losing elections one after another. The baton should be in the hands of the new generation," he said.

The Congress has been gradually becoming weaker. We have lost elections in Odisha six times as well. That is why, when Rahul ji keeps saying that party workers are our strength, we felt that the Congress was not giving us time and Rahul ji was not giving us time. So we decided to write a letter to Sonia ji," he said.

AICC expels Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities. https://t.co/ob9ImiiIXI pic.twitter.com/pgInaUoDcn ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

What Moquim said in the letter

In his letter sent on Monday, Moquim accused the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) of sinking the partys prospects under the stewardship of current chief Bhakta Charan Das and former president Sarat Pattanayak. He pointed to the Congress dismal performance in the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 Nuapada bypoll, calling them evidence of a deep organisational collapse.

There is an acute leadership crisis," Moquim wrote, adding that both Bhakta and Sarat have lost several elections" and failed to energise the cadre. Grassroots workers are confused, demoralised and directionless," he said.

Moquim went a step further, stating publicly that age is not on Kharges side" and arguing that the Congress must push younger leaders to the forefront if it hopes to reconnect with Indias youth. I have written to Sonia Gandhi because the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her guidance and new leadership," he said. We must bring forward young leaders, and I am sure Sonia ji and the CWC will take this up."

Moquim cited the exit of several young leaders  from Jyotiraditya Scindia to Himanta Biswa Sarma, as proof that the party is failing to hold its next generation.

Describing himself as a disciplined member," Moquim hit out at OPCC chief Bhakta Charan Das for allegedly calling him a Vibhishan", a term used for a betrayer. Without any basis, Bhakta told the media that I am a Vibhishan within the party," Moquim said, insisting that internal criticism was being unfairly dismissed as disloyalty.

He also highlighted what he described as a widening gulf between grassroots workers and national leaders, recalling: When I was an MLA, I could not meet Rahul Gandhi for three years."

Moquim reiterated that only sweeping reforms could restore credibility to the Congress. There is a need for an open-heart surgery, deep structural, organisational and ideological renewal," he wrote in the letter.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 12:02 IST

News politics Congress Expels Odisha Leader Who Raised Questions Over Kharges Age In Letter To Sonia Gandhi

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News / Local

by Staff reporter

HEALTH professionals have accused government of allegedly concealing COVID-19 statistics in the country to give the impression that the virulent disease was under control at a time it has ballooned out of control, with nurses and doctors having been turned into "super spreaders"of the deadly virus.Dozens of doctors and nurses recently reportedly tested positive to the COVID-19 virus, while others have since succumbed to the respiratory disease.The country is currently grappling with the soaring numbers of COVID-19 infections that have risen to 33 548 and 1 234 deaths as of Monday.The Zimbabwe Senior Doctors Association, in a statement yesterday, said the pandemic had become a vicious robber to the medical fraternity where it has killed several frontline workers."COVID-19 has been a vicious robber to the medical fraternity in Zimbabwe this year. We mourn our specialist surgeon brother Tendai Mutwira barely a week after losing Professor James Hakim," the senior doctors said.Bulawayo-based medical doctor, Cherifa Sururu also succumbed to COVID-19, while there were reports that 66 members of staff at Chinhoyi General Hospital tested positive to the virus this week.Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said it was heart-breaking that the government continued to ignore a High Court order compelling it to provide health professionals with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessities to prevent them from contracting the virus during the course of their duties."We don't have statistics of how many nurses nationally have been infected and affected by COVID-19. They (government) don't want to give us that (statistics)," Dongo said."When we talk of COVID-19, everyone with a problem converges at a hospital. The same health workers exposed to COVID-19 use Zupco buses on their way home, they use the same supermarkets with the rest of the people, and they go home to interact with tenants and family."You find that health workers are now the super spreaders of COVID-19, and without addressing the issue of protecting health workers through reducing the hours spent at hospitals and giving them proper PPEs, we are not going to succeed in controlling COVID-19," he said.Dongo said most hospitals and clinics had closed because they were struggling to cope with pressure."This has all been caused by the defiance of the High Court order by the (Health and Child Care) secretary (Jasper Chimedza) to decongest hospitals."He warned that the few health centres operating would soon result in the majority of their workforce being in quarantine."The moment you protect the health workers, you will be protect-ing the nation because their numbers to different locations, using public trans-port and spreading COVID-19. Those are simple things that a normal per-son should look into."Teclar Barangwe, member of the Medical Workers' Union said private health institutions were also neglect-ing their workers, adding that one of the private clinics in the country recently lost a nurse to the pandemic on Sunday."We lost one of our nurses on Sun-day and the majority of workers are testing positive to COVID-19. Employers are refusing to pay COVID-19 allowances. The majority of centres are now taking COVID-19 patients, but are refusing to pay workers' allowances. The issue of medication for workers who test positive is also an issue of concern. The employers are not taking care of them," she said.In a statement on COVID-19 yesterday which was issued by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, government claimed that the surge in COVID-19 cases was now under control, but did not mention anything about the health workers.Mutsvangwa warned those that continued to flout COVID-19 regulations, saying to date 21 647 people had been arrested.Meanwhile, China has pledged to assist the troubled Zimbabwean government with COVID-19 vaccines together with 12 other developing countries."Zimbabwe will be one of the first 13 countries to receive vaccine aid from China very soon," Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun said on his official Twitter handle.The Asian giant's Foreign Affairs minis-try spokesperson Wang Wenbin also issued a statement saying Zimbabwe and other developing countries that include Belarus, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone will get the vaccines to combat the coronavirus."Firstly, apart from Pakistan, China is also providing vaccine aid to Brunei, Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Pakistan, Belarus, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, al-together 13 developing countries," the Chinese Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson said.It was not clear when China would avail the vaccine to Zimbabwe. Reports also reveal that Zimbabweans based in South Africa will benefit from the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which will be rolled out soon in the neighbouring country.This was revealed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night, while addressing the nation.South Africa has secured over 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which will be rolled out in phases."We aim to make the vaccine available to all adults in SA, regardless of their citizenship or residence status. We will be putting in place measures to deal with the challenge of undocumented migrants so that, as with all other people, we can properly record and track their vaccination history," Ramaphosa said.Executive director of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Itai Rusike said he was concerned that the 2021 National Budget did not allocate additional resources to fight COVID-19 in the country."This will impact negatively on the government's capacity to deliver proper and decent healthcare, and in turn, an extensive national vaccination programme. We also need better human resourcing if we are to adequately respond to this pandemic," Rusike said.While some Zimbabweans have expressed doubt about accepting the COVID-19 vaccines, the director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, John Nkengasong for African Union encouraged Africans to accept the vaccines."There is need to strengthen capacity (vaccine manufacturing) as part of our health security apparatus on the continent. There are three things that you need to guarantee your health security in terms of emerging disease; the ability to manufacture vaccines, the ability to produce diagnosis and the ability to manufacture drugs. If you miss any of the three, you are struck with the ability to fight effectively any pandemic," he said during a CDC weekly Press briefing.
Parchee System At Work: Opposition Mocks Nitin Nabins Appointment As BJP Working President

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 20:21 IST

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its National Working President.

Nitin Nabin currently serves as a minister in the Bihar government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its National Working President. An official order issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh said the appointment, approved by the partys Parliamentary Board, would come into effect immediately.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders took a jibe at the saffron party and questioned the partys internal decision-making process and accused it of sidelining the sentiments of its grassroots workers.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said the nomination reflected a lack of transparency and consultation 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," he said in a post on X.

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. Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) December 14, 2025

Further, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj invoked the BJPs parchee system"  a phrase used by the opposition to allege top-down political appointments.

Raashtreey parchee pratha aage badhate hue parchee mantree, parchee mukhyamantree, parchee raashtreey adhyaksh," he said in a post on X, suggesting that the BJPs leadership choices were dictated by a select few rather than emerging from democratic processes.

  "         Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) December 14, 2025

Opposition leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP of concentrating power in the hands of its central leadership, arguing that organisational decisions are increasingly made without broader consultation.

Nitin Nabin Named BJP President

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.

Nabin currently serves as a minister of Road Construction in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.

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.

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.

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First Published: December 14, 2025, 20:18 IST

News politics Parchee System At Work: Opposition Mocks Nitin Nabins Appointment As BJP Working President

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'Thoughtful Analysis': Shashi Tharoor Reacts To Viral Thread Comparing Him With Rahul Gandhi

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:10 IST

The analysis goes on to say that Congress today is neither a credible urban reformist party nor a serious rural mass party"

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Tharoors choice to share the post is likely to draw attention within the party, given that many insiders have noted his independent streak often clashes with the official line. (PTI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is in the news once againthis time for sharing a detailed X [formerly Twitter] thread analysing the ideological divisions within the Congress. The thread, originally authored by political analyst Sameer, contrasts the political approaches of Tharoor and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, highlighting structural challenges facing the party.

The thread frames Tharoor as representative of a 90s-era urban, technocratic Congress, focused on policy, institutions, and administrative competence. Figures like PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, and SM Krishna are cited as examples of this governance-oriented tradition.

Tharoor shows alignment between background, political language, and audience. His increasing focus on social media platforms reflects awareness of political fit, not ideological drift," the thread notes.

The contrast between Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi reflects two ideological tendencies that have existed within Congress. The problem is not their coexistence. The problem is Congresss inability to choose, integrate, or execute either coherently. (Neutral analysis thread) pic.twitter.com/wdpk0Fr2Gr Civitas Sameer (@CivitasSameer) December 14, 2025

It adds: It is these very same urban technocratic leaders that the Congress repeatedly sidelines, again and again. All of these aforementioned leaders gained more recognition and respect from the RW (i.e., the right wing) than the party in todays Congress era."

Many users construed this as a nod to high-profile former Congress leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia, who switched to BJP in 2020 and, in the process, toppled the previous Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. Scindia served as the Union aviation minister for three years after joining the BJP and, in June last year, he was made the Union communications minister.

The Grand Old Party has often been criticised for sidelining the young turks to keep the old guard happy, a move that many feel has led to the undoing of the partys fortunes.

Contrasting Tharoor with Gandhi, the user described the latter as leading a post-2010 rural, grievance-focused turn, attempting to reposition Congress as a mass party capable of countering the BJP in the countryside. The thread criticises this approach as reactive and lacking organisational depth.

Rural politics in India is not rhetorical. It is organisational, cultural, and long-term. BJP succeeds here because of cadre depth, discipline, and cultural alignment through the RSS. Congress has none of this infrastructure, and yet wants to behave like a poor mans messiah."

The analysis argues that Congresss failure to coherently integrate or execute either approach has left the partys identity primarily oppositional, rather than aspirational. Calling Gandhi the most elite and insulated figures in Indian politics", the analyst says: Born into a dynastic family, symbolic rural politics without lived or organisational depth lacks any credibility."

Pointing out that Tharoor demonstrates a strong alignment between his personal background, political language, and target audience, Sameer says his focus on social media platforms, especially Instagram, reflects a political fit rather than any ideological drift. Tharoor has not undergone a rightward shift," the post says, highlighting his longstanding pride in his Hindu identity, including his book Why I Am A Hindu.

The analysis goes on to say that Congress today is neither a credible urban reformist party nor a serious rural mass party," having abandoned one approach without successfully transforming. As a result, its identity is now primarily oppositional, not aspirational. For a national party, this is fatal. Opposition without a governing philosophy is political decay. The identity of the INC today has become opposition."

The post drew a reaction from Tharoor who said: Thank you for this thoughtful analysis. There has always been more than one tendency in the party; your framing is fair, and reflective of a certain perception of the current reality."

Tharoors choice to share the post is likely to draw attention within the party, given that many insiders have noted his independent streak often clashes with the official line. Adding to the potential intra-party tension, Tharoor has recently been noted for publicly acknowledging certain policies of the BJP government, including administrative reforms and economic initiatives. While he frames such comments as a non-partisan recognition of effective governance, critics within Congress see it as breaking ranks and giving fodder to political rivals.

The latest Kerala local body polls have added fuel to fire as all areas where Tharoor campaigned in Thiruvananthapuram were won by the BJP. While a few in the Congress suspect him, the party doesnt want to expel him as it would send the wrong signal and add to the sympathy for the leader.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:02 IST

News politics 'Thoughtful Analysis': Shashi Tharoor Reacts To Viral Thread Comparing Him With Rahul Gandhi

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Samsung Galaxy TriFold Display Cost Revealed: What You Have To Pay

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 08:26 IST

Samsung Galaxy TriFold is an expensive device but how much does the foldable screen cost if you break it?

Samsung's TriFold model is finally here

Samsungs first tri-foldable Galaxy phone went on sale recently in select regions, and seems to have sold out despite its high price tag. This is a new version of a foldable that very few brands offer in the market, and Samsung extends its availability to more regions.

The Galaxy TriFold is aiming to be the global face of the category, something that Huawei cant match for its reasons, while Tecno is going to bring its product later.

The Galaxy TriFold has a unique design, a foldable screen, flagship hardware and a premium design. But like all foldables, people are eager to know the cost of replacing this unique display if they end up breaking or damaging it. And it seems we are getting the important details about this expensive device.

Samsung Galaxy TriFold Display Cost: Dont Break It

Samsungs new premium device features a really costly foldable screen and if you break it, the Galaxy TriFold repair will be well over $1100 (Rs 99,000 approx). And this price is just the foldable screen, which is the most important part of the tri-foldable.

This is the most expensive screen from the brand and this TriFold is clearly showing the price of owning a device like this. Interestingly, if you break the cover screen on the TriFold, the cost to repair the panel is under $100 (Rs 9,000 approx) which is not even a fraction of the price you would be paying to fix the main foldable panel.

The higher price of the fold screen clearly tells you the structure of the screen is not easy to make, and that makes it expensive to replace. Having said that, Samsung is giving 50 percent display for one-time screen replacement which is still over $500 (Rs 45,000 approx) but not over a lakh.

Samsung Galaxy TriFold has got a limited release and the company is unlikely to make a lot of units for the product. The device has not launched in India and we are not expecting the foldable to reach the shores anytime soon.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 08:26 IST

News tech Samsung Galaxy TriFold Display Cost Revealed: What You Have To Pay

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The Haunted Japanese Island Where No One Lives And Even Visitors Dare Not Look Inside

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 13:13 IST

Concrete towers rise from the sea like a silent battleship, the rooms frozen and the corridors in decay. Once alive with voices, the island now whispers stories few dare to hear

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At its peak, Hashima Island had a school, hospital, cinema, and even a swimming pool. (File Photo)

Off the coast of Japan lies an eerie island that resembles a massive warship frozen in time. Known as Hashima Island, it is also called Gunkanjima or Battleship Island. Located around 15 kilometres from Nagasaki, the small island now stands completely deserted. Once the most densely populated place on Earth, it is today silent and abandoned.

In 1959, more than 5,000 people lived on the island. However, in 1974, Hashima was abruptly evacuated, and no one has lived there since.

From Coal Discovery To Industrial Hub

Hashimas story began in 1810, when coal was discovered beneath the seabed. In 1890, the Mitsubishi Corporation purchased the island and developed a deep-sea coal mine. To support the growing workforce, seawalls were constructed to expand the islands land area, and tall concrete residential blocks were built.

Japans first high-rise concrete building was constructed here. At its peak, Hashima had a school, hospital, cinema, and even a swimming pool. Workers and their families lived together, creating a self-contained community.

Despite this, mining conditions were extremely dangerous, and accidents in the undersea tunnels were common.

World War II And A Dark Turn

The islands most tragic chapter unfolded during World War II. Between 1930 and 1945, Japan forcibly brought thousands of Korean and Chinese labourers to Hashima and compelled them to work in brutal conditions.

The island earned grim nicknames such as Hell Island and Prison Island. Historians estimate that more than 1,300 workers died due to accidents, exhaustion, malnutrition, and disease. Even after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, labourers from Hashima were sent for relief work, where many were exposed to deadly radiation.

Sudden Abandonment In 1974

As Japan transitioned from coal to petroleum in the 1960s, the demand for coal declined sharply. The Hashima mine officially shut down in January 1974, and by April, all 5,000 residents had left the island almost overnight.

People departed in such haste that many personal belongings were left behind, some of which remain untouched to this day. For nearly 30 years, the island was completely closed to the public.

Rediscovered By The World

In 2000, photographs of Hashimas decaying buildings began circulating online, capturing global attention. Its stark appearance inspired filmmakers, including scenes in the James Bond film Skyfall. The Thai horror movie Hashima Project and the South Korean film The Battleship Island were also based on its history, bringing renewed focus to its dark past.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Suraj Rawat (@_geog.eek)

Since 2009, Hashima Island has been partially opened to tourists, though access is strictly limited and only allowed through guided tours. Many buildings are unstable and at risk of collapse.

In 2015, the island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, South Korea objected, arguing that Japan had failed to adequately acknowledge the history of forced labour associated with the site.

A Haunted Island Today

Today, Hashima stands as a haunting reminder of industrial ambition and human suffering. Visitors encounter crumbling concrete blocks, rusted objects, and structures battered by natural disasters. Locals and tourists alike speak of ghostly presences, believed to be the spirits of workers who lost their lives there.

While visitors continue to arrive, fear often keeps them from venturing too far into the islands shadowed interiors.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 13:13 IST

News viral The Haunted Japanese Island Where No One Lives And Even Visitors Dare Not Look Inside

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'Almost Had A Midair Collision': JetBlue Flight Reports Close Encounter With US Air Force Plane

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:58 IST

JetBlue flight 1112 from Curacao to JFK narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force tanker, prompting investigation amid increased US military activity near Venezuela.

File photo of JetBlue airline plane. (Image: Reuters)

A New York-bound JetBlue flight from the Caribbean island of Curacao narrowly avoided a midair collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker on Friday, with the pilot blaming the military aircraft for crossing its path.

We almost had a midair collision up hereThey passed directly in our flight path  They dont have their transponder turned on, its outrageous," the JetBlue pilot said, according to a recording of his conversation with air traffic control, The Guardian reported.

The incident involved JetBlue flight 1112 from Curacao, which lies just off Venezuelas coast, en route to NYCs JFK airport. This incident comes amid increased US military operations in the Caribbean targeting suspected drug traffickers, alongside heightened pressure on Venezuelas government.

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." He added that the US Air Force plane then entered Venezuelan airspace.

We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation." He added: Our crew members are trained on proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate our crew for promptly reporting this situation to our leadership team," Derek Dombrowski, a JetBlue spokesperson, told the news outlet on Sunday.

Earlier in November, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to US aircraft to exercise caution" in Venezuelan airspace due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela."

According to the air traffic recording, the controller responded to the pilot, saying, It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air."

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:55 IST

News world 'Almost Had A Midair Collision': JetBlue Flight Reports Close Encounter With US Air Force Plane

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'Gunmen Shot For 20 Minutes, No Cops Fired Back': Bondi Beach Attack Survivor Recounts Horror

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:24 IST

A survivor of the Bondi Beach terror attack said two gunmen fired indiscriminately at the crowd for nearly 20 minutes, repeatedly reloading as people hid and shielded their kids.

A man looks at belongings stacked up following a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach (Photo: AP)

A survivor of the terror attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah gathering has described harrowing scenes of sustained gunfire, panic and confusion, saying two shooters opened fire on the crowd for nearly 20 minutes as people desperately tried to shield their children and escape.

Speaking to a reporter, the survivor said the attackers were positioned at different levels near a bridge overlooking the event area and fired continuously into the crowd.

Yes, there were two shooters, one on the bridge, one under the bridge. Just start to shoot for 20 minutes. They shoot, shoot, change, change the magazine, and just shoot. Simple as that. Twenty minutes," the survivor said.

He said he watched one of the gunmen closely as he repeatedly reloaded his weapons and fired at the crowd, while he lay on the ground protecting his children.

I was two of my babies under me, and I looked at him all the time. I was near the tent. I looked at him. Its just a rifle and a pistol, and just shoot, shoot," he said.

He aimed. He did. He really took his time. He shoots, takes his time."

The survivor alleged that despite police being present at the scene, there was no immediate response to the attackers.

There were four policemen there. Nobody gave fire back. Nothing like they are. They are frozen," he said.

And they shoot the guy, changed magazine. I looked at him all the time. I dont understand why. Why?"

Asked who the shooters were targeting, the survivor said the attack appeared completely indiscriminate.

Oh, all the crowd. Anyone. Jewish, just shoot. It doesnt matter who. Men, all kids, everyone," he said, adding that he could not hear if the attackers said anything because of the intensity of the gunfire.

The shooting was so loud that we couldnt hear what they said."

He also described seeing one of the attackers being stopped by a member of the public.

I think one of the people took his rifle and shot him. Thats one of them. Thats what I saw," the survivor said, adding that he was unsure how much he fully witnessed amid the chaos.

At least 16 people were killed when two gunmen, identified by police as a father and son, opened fire on the crowd gathered for the Jewish festival beside the landmark Sydney beach late on Sunday, marking the worst shooting in Australia in three decades.

Reuters quoted the police as saying that the 50-year-old father was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son remains in critical condition in the hospital.

A man identified by Australian media as 43-year-old Sydney fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed was later hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen during the attack.

There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said, according to Reuters.

More stories of heroism emerged on Monday as mourners returned to Bondi Beach to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial near the headlands.

State opposition leader Kellie Sloane, whose electorate covers Bondi, said she witnessed locals risking their lives to help others.

It was an incredibly confronting scene, there were bodies everywhere, people working trying to revive people," Sloane told Reuters.

We held the hands of people who were passing away, we looked after the people who were in shock."

Waverley Mayor William Nemesh described the shooting as a deliberate terrorist attack targeting a religious celebration.

It is an unspeakable tragedy that has occurred, a deliberate terrorist attack, a cowardly attack targeting innocents enjoying Hannukkah," Nemesh said.

Meanwhile, Bondi Beach remained largely quiet on Monday, with traffic blocked and businesses shuttered, as mental health advocates were stationed across the area and residents continued to grapple with the aftermath of the attack.

ALSO READ | Sydneys Bondi Beach Attack Suspect Father-Son Pledged Allegiance To ISIS Before Shooting: Report

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:23 IST

News world 'Gunmen Shot For 20 Minutes, No Cops Fired Back': Bondi Beach Attack Survivor Recounts Horror

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Australia Wont Be Divided, Says Albanese After Netanyahu Accuses Him Of Fuelling Antisemitism

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 07:50 IST

The remarks followed a shooting targeting Jewish attendees at a Hanukkah event in Bondi.

People lay flowers at a site outside the Bondi Pavilion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (IMAGE: AFP)

Hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian government of failing to curb antisemitism following the Bondi Beach attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would not submit to hatred or division.

A father-and-son team toting long-barrelled guns shot and killed 15 people including a 10-year-old girl at Sydneys Bondi Beach, authorities said Monday, labelling it an antisemitic terrorist attack.

In a video message posted on X, Albanese condemned the violence and sought to strike a unifying note. Yesterday was a dark day in our nations history. But we are stronger than the cowards who did this. We refuse to let them divide us," he said.

Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred, and we will come through this together," the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Canberra of having fuelled antisemitism in the period leading up to the shooting.

Yesterday was a dark day in our nation's history.But we are stronger than the cowards who did this. We refuse to let them divide us. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred  and we will come through this together. pic.twitter.com/77YOEee4IN  Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 14, 2025

A few 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 Canberras announcement that it would recognise Palestinian statehood.

Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent," Netanyahu added during a televised public address at an event in southern Israel.

The shooting targeted the annual Hanukkah by the Sea" gathering marking the first night of the Jewish festival on Sydneys famed Bondi Beach.

Albanese condemned it as 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," he said.

Palestinian, Turkish Governments React

Turkiye and the State of Palestine have condemned the attack that took place during Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney, expressing solidarity with Australia and the families of the victims.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Turkiye strongly condemned what it described as a terrorist attack and extended condolences to those who lost their lives. Ankara said it stood with the people of Australia and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, reiterating its stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations" and commitment to international cooperation against the threat.

//                               .           pic.twitter.com/BbiIg3fbP5  State of Palestine  MFA  (@pmofa) December 14, 2025

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also issued a statement condemning the attack in the strongest terms". It expressed full solidarity with Australia, its government and its people, and rejected all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism.

The ministry said such acts contradict human values and ethical principles, as well as the teachings of religions that call for peace, respect for human life and the rejection of hatred and extremism. It extended condolences to the Australian people and the families of the victims.

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:03 IST

News world Australia Wont Be Divided, Says Albanese After Netanyahu Accuses Him Of Fuelling Antisemitism

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Bondi Beach Attack: Hero Who Disarmed Gunman Misidentified Online After Shooting Incident

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 20:01 IST

Ahmed Al Ahmed, who confronted and disarmed one of the attackers at Bondi Beach, is not a fruit seller from Sydneys Sutherland Shire, as claimed online.

Ahmed al Ahmed won praise for his heroic efforts to disarm a gunman during the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (Photo: X)

After the mass shooting in Australia, a video clip spread rapidly across social media, showing a man charging from behind, locking his arms around a gunman and forcing the weapon from his grip as shots rang out at Sydneys Bondi Beach.

The dramatic act quickly turned the man into a national hero. His name, Ahmed Al Ahmed, was widely shared, along with incorrect information about his identity.

Ahmed Al Ahmed, 42, who confronted and disarmed one of the attackers during Sunday nights antisemitic assault on a Jewish gathering at Bondi, is not a fruit seller from Sydneys Sutherland Shire, despite early online claims.

Authorities and family members have clarified that he owns and runs a tobacco and speciality convenience store, which he has operated since 2021.

The mix-up gained traction as Australians looked for ways to thank the man whose actions are believed to have prevented further bloodshed.

Messages of support and praise were mistakenly directed to a fruit shop in southern Sydney, after it was wrongly linked to Al Ahmed.

The business, Sutherland Best Fresh, moved swiftly to address the confusion.

Heartbreaking to see this tragedy unfold in Bondi," the owners said in a Facebook post on Monday.

There has been a misunderstanding about the location of this great Australian heros shop. We do not know Ahmed and are not connected to him. We congratulate him on his bravery and wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with everyone affected."

By then, Al Ahmed was recovering in hospital after being shot twice during the confrontation. Footage of his intervention, widely aired by Australian and international media outlets, is being credited with saving lives during the chaos.

The Moment At Bondi Beach

The attack unfolded shortly after 6:45 pm local time on Sunday, as thousands of people gathered at Bondi Beach at the close of a summer day.

Among the crowd were hundreds attending Chanukah by the Sea, a public event marking the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in a park near the beachfront.

Witnesses told police that two gunmen opened fire from an elevated footbridge leading toward the beach.

Videos captured beachgoers fleeing across the sand as gunshots echoed, with the assault lasting around 10 minutes before police intervened.

It was amid this turmoil that Al Ahmed, who had gone to Bondi with a friend for coffee, came face to face with one of the attackers.

Speaking to Australias ABC, his father, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed, said his son and his friend were stunned when they realised armed men were firing into the crowd.

They were suddenly in danger themselves," he said. He noticed one of the gunmen nearby."

According to the family, Al Ahmed saw people lying injured on the ground, some bleeding heavily. At that point, his father said, instinct and conscience took over.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 19:10 IST

News world Bondi Beach Attack: Hero Who Disarmed Gunman Misidentified Online After Shooting Incident

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Bondi Beach Attack: What Is Hanukkah, The 'Jewish Diwali' Targeted By Pakistani Gunmen?

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:20 IST

Hanukkah is often compared to Diwali as both symbolise the victory of good over evil. Here's a look at how the eight-day Jewish holiday resembles the Hindu festival of lights

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A Jewish ultra-Orthodox man lights candles during the last day of Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood. (AP Photo/File)

A Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach turned into one of Australias worst shooting tragedies on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire at the crowd, killing 15 people, including a child. The shooters were a Pakistani-origin father and son, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it an act of antisemitic terrorism.

One gunman, a 50-year-old man, was fatally shot by police. The other shooter, his 24-year-old son, was wounded and was being treated at a hospital.

The massacre at one of Australias most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year. It was the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.

The victims were among thousands of revellers who had flocked to Bondi Beach, an icon of Australias cultural life, for the Chanukah by the Sea event to celebrate the start of the eight-day Hanukkah, also spelt Chanukah, festival.

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration. The word Hanukkah means dedication in Hebrew. The festival dates back nearly 2,200 years and commemorates a defining moment in Jewish history.

In the second century BCE, Greek-Syrian rulers occupied Jerusalem and prohibited Jewish religious practices. A small rebel group known as the Maccabees rose against a far stronger army to protect their faith and reclaim their temple. Against all odds, they emerged victorious.

When the Maccabees regained the temple, they attempted to light the Menorah, a sacred lampstand. Only one days worth of consecrated oil was available, yet it is believed to have burned for eight days. This miracle is remembered by lighting a candle each night throughout the festival.

Why Hanukkah Is Compared To Diwali

Hanukkah and Diwali are both festivals centred on light. Diwali marks the lighting of lamps on the darkest night of the Hindu month of Kartik to dispel darkness. Similarly, Hanukkah is observed during the longest and darkest winter nights, when the Menorah is lit to symbolise hope and resilience.

Both festivals celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Diwali commemorates Lord Rams victory over Ravana and the return of righteousness to Ayodhya. Hanukkah marks the Maccabees victory over a powerful empire, safeguarding religious freedom and cultural identity.

The Symbolism Of Oil In Both Festivals

Oil plays a central role in both celebrations. Traditional Diwali observances include lighting oil lamps, while Hanukkah revolves around the miracle of oil that lasted eight days. This is why candles or oil lamps are lit throughout the Hanukkah period.

Festivals are incomplete without food, and Hanukkah shares similarities with Diwali in this respect. Diwali features fried sweets and snacks, and Hanukkah foods also focus on fried dishes, especially latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jam-filled doughnuts).

Like Diwali, Hanukkah is deeply rooted in family traditions. Families gather at home, pray together, light candles, children play games, and gifts are exchanged, reinforcing a sense of community and shared identity.

Hanukkah Is Also Called Jewish Christmas

Because Hanukkah often falls in December and sometimes overlaps with Christmas, it is also frequently referred to as the Jewish Christmas, particularly in Western countries. However, religiously, festivals such as Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah hold greater significance, even though Hanukkah remains culturally popular.

The dates of Hanukkah vary each year, as they are determined by the Jewish lunar calendar. The festival can fall in late November or December.

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Location : Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 10:20 IST

News world Bondi Beach Attack: What Is Hanukkah, The 'Jewish Diwali' Targeted By Pakistani Gunmen?

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 22:18 IST

Bondi beach shooting news live updates: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese preparing to lay flowers at the Bondi Pavillion at Bondi Beach, the scene of a shooting where 15 people were killed. (IMAGE: AFP)

An attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday evening killed 16 people and left dozens injured, plunging Australia into a day of mourning. Emergency services responded to reports of gunfire at around 6:47 pm local time at Bondi Beach, one of Sydneys most popular tourist locations. The shooting took place during an annual Hanukkah event attended by about 1,000 people, police said.

Authorities said the attackers fired into the crowd, killing victims aged between 10 and 87. A 10-year-old girl later died in a childrens hospital. Forty-two people were hospitalised, including five in critical condition. Two police officers were wounded in a shootout with the attackers. Police identified the gunmen as a 50-year-old father, who was killed during the confrontation, and his 24-year-old son, who remains in critical condition under police guard. The father was licensed to own six firearms, all believed to have been used in the attack.

The incident was later declared a terrorist attack, triggering a joint counter-terrorism operation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an act of pure evil. US President Donald Trump described the shooting as a purely antisemitic attack, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australias government of failing to act strongly enough against antisemitism before the attack.

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TEACHERS unions yesterday blamed government for the 6,8% drop in the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) 2020 O-Level pass rate.The unions attributed poor budgetary allocations to the Primary and Secondary Education ministry, which is below 22% of the national budget as stipulated by the Dakar Convention, poor working conditions for teachers as well as poor education infrastructure as having contributed to the low pass rate.Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said: "While the effects of COVID-19 cannot be dismissed in total, the major factors of demotivation and incapacitation of teachers, limited investment in quality public education, poor infrastructural development in rural schools, and useless pedagogical methods of television and radio lessons adopted by government in a situation where more than 75% of students in rural areas had no radio and television frequency, must also be amplified," Zhou said.He said the 12,7% 2021 budgetary allocation towards the Primary and Secondary Education ministry was inadequate compared to 22% of the national budget stipulated by the Dakar Convention."The issues of welfare of teachers are crucial in driving a skills education revolution that students can use in life or beyond the classroom in line with Agenda 2030," Zhou said.He said 24,8% of candidates that garnered five or more subjects could not be perceived as commendable."It is puzzling that Zimsec has the temerity to justify such poor results by pointing to previous poor results (rather than previous good results) and unnamed countries that allegedly went into national lockdown due to COVID-19 and experienced a decrease in pass rates.".Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure added: "The results are a disaster considering that over 11% failed to register and sit for the national examinations. Of course, it's not surprising that government is always the one to pick positives from a dark spot. It is its sole responsibility to provide quality and anything less than that, we will not accept."Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said the incapacitation of teachers would always be topical."During the lockdown, teachers had little money to buy food, cover transport and medical bills and, therefore, not much time was maximised to learning hence the poor pass rate," he said.Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union national co-ordinator Wonder Nyapokoto said: "The rural candidates from impecunious schools with neither electricity nor connectivity have, in fact, shown, as expected, extremely poor performance. No doubt, overall the rural child, without online learning or textbooks, and not having fully covered the syllabus, had to perform dismally."But Zimsec spokesperson Nicky Dlamini blamed the low pass rate on the reduced number of candidates who sat for the examinations as a result of the COVID-19 disruptions to the education calendar."There was a decrease in candidature of 32 365, thus translating to a percentage decrease of 11%. A total of 264 099 candidates sat for the November 2020 O-Level examinations as compared to 296 464 candidates who sat for the same examinations in 2019," she said.
Children, Rabbis And Holocaust Survivor Among 15 Killed In Sydney Bondi Beach Attack

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:23 IST

A Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach turned deadly after a targeted terror attack left 15 people dead, including children.

Photo: 10-year-old Mailda (left), Rabbi Eli Schlanger (Top Right) and Reuven Morrison (Right Bottom) were killed in the shooting.

Fifteen people, including children, religious leaders and a Holocaust survivor, were killed in a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. Authorities confirmed that the victims ranged in age from just 10 to 87. Many were prominent and well-loved members of Australias Jewish community.

10-year-old Mailda killed

The youngest person killed was 10-year-old Mailda. A GoFundMe page set up by her language teacher described her as a bright and joyful child who brought happiness to those around her. She had gone to the beach with her family to celebrate Hanukkah, a festival of light, unaware of the danger that lay ahead.

Religious leaders Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan among the dead

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was among those killed. He served as the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and was a father of five. His family said he was joyful and full of life. Originally from the United Kingdom, he came from a long line of Jewish religious leaders and had recently welcomed a newborn son.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, another respected Jewish leader in Sydney, also lost his life. He held roles in several Jewish organisations and was known for his commitment to community service.

Ukraine-born Holocaust survivor killed

One of the most moving stories is that of Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who escaped Europe during World War II. Born in Ukraine, he survived extreme hardship in Siberia before immigrating to Australia in search of safety and peace.

Decades later, Kleytman was killed while shielding his wife, Larissa, during the attack. She said he pushed himself over her to protect her as gunfire erupted. He was struck and died while lying on top of her. I have no husband," she said after the tragedy.

Foreigners who became victims

Reuven Morrison, originally from the former Soviet Union, was also killed. He had become an active and respected member of Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne and is survived by his wife and daughter.

Dan Elkaymann, a French national, was among the victims as well. Frances Foreign Minister condemned the killing, calling it a shocking act of antisemitic violence.

The victims included devoted parents, children, survivors, and community leaders. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was a deliberate assault on Sydneys Jewish community.

Terrorist motive confirmed

Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism. Police also recovered a suspected improvised explosive device from one of the attackers vehicles. The attack has shocked Australia and the global Jewish community, leaving families grieving and calling for justice.

The violence began when a father and son, Naveed Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, arrived at the crowded beach with shotguns, a rifle, and explosives. Screams mingled with gunfire as they opened fire on the celebrants. The shooting continued for around ten minutes until local fruit seller Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, tackled the younger gunman, wrestled the weapon away, and prevented further bloodshed. The father was killed by police, while the son remains hospitalised in custody.

Chabad and other Jewish organisations expressed profound sorrow for the loss of lives. Residents and bystanders have praised the bravery of Ahmed al-Ahmed for intervening and preventing further deaths. Authorities continue to investigate, while the community mourns the victims and supports the injured.

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 10:02 IST

News world Children, Rabbis And Holocaust Survivor Among 15 Killed In Sydney Bondi Beach Attack

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Deeply Touched: PM Modi Thanks Indian Diaspora For Warm Welcome In Jordans Amman

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 18:19 IST

PM Modi said the Indian communitys enthusiasm reflected their strong cultural roots and enduring bond with India.

PM Modi meets Indian community members in Jordan | Image: X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed gratitude to the Indian community in Jordan for the warm reception accorded to him in Amman, saying he was deeply touched" by the affection shown by the diaspora.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the Indian communitys enthusiasm reflected their strong cultural roots and enduring bond with India. He also acknowledged the role played by the diaspora in strengthening ties between India and Jordan.

Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. Their affection, pride in Indias progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora. Grateful for their contribution to furthering IndiaJordan relations," PM Modi said.

Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. Their affection, pride in Indias progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora. Also grateful for the role the diaspora continues to play in pic.twitter.com/uIvul5nQBP Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2025

Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Amman as part of his three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. He was received at the airport by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who extended a formal welcome to the Indian leader.

Thanking his Jordanian counterpart for the reception, Modi said the visit would help deepen bilateral engagement.

Landed in Amman. Thankful to Prime Minister Jafar Hassan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am confident this visit will further strengthen the linkages between our two nations," he said in another post.

Before departing India, the Prime Minister said the three-nation tour would focus on countries with which India shares deep civilisational ties as well as robust contemporary partnerships.

During his stay in Jordan, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Hassan, and also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah.

From Amman, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first visit to the African nation.

In Ethiopia, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with Abiy Ahmed and interact with members of the Indian diaspora.

He is also scheduled to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament, where he plans to speak on Indias democratic traditions and the growing IndiaEthiopia partnership in the Global South.

The final leg of PM Modis tour will take him to the Sultanate of Oman, where he will meet the Indian community and hold engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

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Location : Jordan

First Published: December 15, 2025, 18:19 IST

News world Deeply Touched: PM Modi Thanks Indian Diaspora For Warm Welcome In Jordans Amman

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'A Very Brave Person': Trump Praises Australian National Who Took On Gunman In Bondi Beach Attack

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 07:39 IST

Donald Trump praised the Australian civilian who confronted a gunman during the deadly Bondi Beach attack, calling him a very, very brave person whose actions saved many lives.

Donald Trump/ A photo from the scene of the attack at Sydney beach (AP)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised the Australian man who confronted one of the gunmen during the deadly Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, describing him as a very, very brave person" whose actions helped save many lives.

He also expressed condolences to the victims of what he termed an anti-Semitic terror attack.

Speaking about the incident, Trump referred to the dramatic moment when a civilian intervened as gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, an attack that left at least 16 people dead and dozens injured, according to Australian authorities.

Its been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives," Trump said.

So very brave person whos right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. So a great respect to that man who did that."

Trumps remarks came as investigators in Australia confirmed that the attack was carried out by two gunmen, identified as a father and son, and described the shooting as an act of antisemitic terrorism.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the violence struck at the heart of the nation and forever tarnished one of the countrys most iconic locations.

Referring to the broader tragedy, Trump said, Likewise, in Australia, as you know, there was a terrible attack."

He added, I just want to pay my respects to everybody."

Trump also linked his remarks on Australia to his comments about other recent acts of violence, including an attack in Syria, saying it had been a rough day."

In Syria also, we had an attack in Syria, and we had three great patriots, terminated by bad people. It was ISIS," he said, adding that the Syrian government had fought by our side."

Trump said that while three people were killed, two of the injured victims had already been released from the hospital, and another was expected to recover.

Turning back to Australia, Trump addressed the countrys leadership and people directly.

But to Australians, the Prime Minister, to everybody that we know so well, we get along with so well, we have a great relationship," he said.

Thats a terrible situation going on over there. Think of that."

As Australia mourns the victims, Trump said he wanted to offer condolences from the United States.

To the families of those that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects from the United States of America," he said. Its a very important thing to say. And we mean it."

Trump pays respects to victims killed at Sydneys Bondi Beach terror attack.He also confirmed two people injured in an ISIS ambush in Syria, which killed three Americans, are out of hospital.  https://t.co/nnEPjDe8j8  Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/0xmrXJRNTJ  Sky News (@SkyNews) December 14, 2025

The Bondi Beach shooting occurred during a Chanukah by the Sea celebration attended by hundreds of people, including families and children.

According to the Associated Press, witnesses described scenes of chaos as shots rang out and beachgoers fled.

Video footage showed a man tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, an act later praised by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who called him a genuine hero."

Australian police said emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6.45 pm. One gunman was shot dead by police, while the other was wounded and taken into custody.

Authorities said they were not looking for any additional suspects and had launched a thorough investigation into the attack, which has intensified national concern over a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia over the past year.

ALSO READ | Suspects In Sydneys Bondi Beach Terror Attack Identified As Father-Son, Death Toll Rises To 16

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:37 IST

News world 'A Very Brave Person': Trump Praises Australian National Who Took On Gunman In Bondi Beach Attack

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'Going To Eat Now': What 'Good Boy' Naveed Akram Told Mother Before Killing 16 In Sydney Shootout

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:43 IST

Verena said the family had believed her son and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who had told them they were heading for a fishing trip along Australias South Coast

Rapid Read

Naveed Akram, identified as one of the attackers, had been employed as a bricklayer but lost his job several months ago after his employer went into liquidation. (X)

I went scuba diving. Were going to eat now"The seemingly regular conversation between a 24-year-old and his mother on an ordinary day is now a haunting reminder of a man led astray and at the center of the deadly mass shooting that shattered a peaceful Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Late on Sunday morning, Naveed Akram, who would later be identified by police as one of the shooters in the attack that has killed 16 so far, called his mother Verena. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Verena recalled what he said: Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. Were going to eat now, and were going to stay home now because its very hot."

Verena said the family had believed her son and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who had told them they were heading for a fishing trip along Australias South Coasta plan that seemed innocuous at the time. While Sajid was shot dead after he opened fire, Naveed was arrested and remains under guard in hospital with serious injuries.

In the aftermath of the attacknow dubbed Australias worst mass shooting for almost 30 yearsVerena struggled to reconcile her sons actions with her view of him as a good boy". He doesnt even go out. He doesnt mix 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 said. Anyone would wish to have a son like my son  hes a good boy," she said, insisting she did not think he was capable of such violence or involvement in extremism.

She also maintained that Naveed did not own a firearm, expressing disbelief that her son could have participated in such a deadly assault.

Naveed had been employed as a bricklayer but lost his job several months ago after his employer went into liquidation. His father, Sajid, ran a small fruit shop. The familyVerena, Naveed, his 20-year-old brother and 22-year-old sisterwere living together in a home in western Sydney that they purchased last year.

The shooting erupted late Sunday afternoon during a Hanukkah festival event near Bondi Beach, where hundreds had gathered for a community celebration. Eyewitness accounts and official statements confirm that the father-and-son pair opened fire on the crowd. Police described the incident as a terrorist attack aimed at Sydneys Jewish community.

Hours after the shooting, police found a homemade bomb in a car parked close to the beach. They said the improvised explosive device" had likely been planted by the pair.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday called the shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach an act of pure evil" and said that the country was mourning its dead by flying national flags at half mast.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australias government of pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism" in the months leading up to the shooting.

A string of antisemitic attacks has spread fear among Jewish communities in Australia following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 10:43 IST

News world 'Going To Eat Now': What 'Good Boy' Naveed Akram Told Mother Before Killing 16 In Sydney Shootout

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'I Love You, Mom': Haunting Phone Call By Jewish Man Captured During Bondi Beach Shooting

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:18 IST

Australia Bondi Beach Shooting News: During the Bondi Beach Hanukkah chaos, as gunmen attacked, a Jewish man called his mother to say "I love you", capturing a poignant moment.

Rapid Read

Screengrab from the video. (Image: X)

Australia Bondi Beach Shooting News: Amid chaos and bloodshed at Sydneys Bondi Beach, where two gunmen went on a rampage during celebrations of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday, a haunting moment was captured on camera.

Also Read: Bondi Beach Shooting News Live | Bondi Terror Attack Survivor Story

A Jewish man, taking cover as gunfire erupted around him, called his mother in what he feared could be his final moments. His voice trembling, he told her simply, I love you," a short but deeply moving testament to love amid the terror unfolding around him.

SHEER TERROR at Bondi Beach massacreGunshots ring out overhead as Jewish man tells his mom I love you on the phone https://t.co/wT0zIUDiQv pic.twitter.com/IhimGYHXnY  RT (@RT_com) December 14, 2025

The violence erupted when two alleged gunmen went on a rampage at the beachfront gathering, killing 15 people and turning the celebration into the deadliest incident of gun violence in Australia in nearly 30 years. Police said the suspects were a father and son.

Also Read: Suspects In Sydneys Bondi Beach Terror Attack Identified As Father-Son

The 50-year-old father was killed at the scene, bringing the death toll to 16, while his 24-year-old son remained in critical condition in hospital, police said at a press conference on Monday, according to Reuters. Authorities described the attack as a targeted antisemitic assault.

Forty people remain hospitalized, including two police officers who are in serious but stable condition. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

Also Read: How Syrian-Born Fruit Seller Became Bondi Beach Hero

Witnesses said the attack lasted about 10 minutes at the crowded beach, sending hundreds of people fleeing across the sand and into nearby streets. Around 1,000 people were attending the Hanukkah event, which was held in a small park near the shoreline.

Also See: Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed

A bystander who was filmed tackling and disarming one of the attackers has been hailed as a hero. Channel Seven identified him as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner who was shot twice and later underwent surgery. A fundraising page set up in his name had raised more than A$200,000 by Monday morning.

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:00 IST

News world 'I Love You, Mom': Haunting Phone Call By Jewish Man Captured During Bondi Beach Shooting

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India Trashes Donald Trump's Claims Of Rice 'Dumping' In American Market

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 22:35 IST

India rejects US dumping claims, stating most rice exports to the US are premium basmati. India cites no anti-dumping probe as Trump threatens more tariffs amid ongoing talks.

India rejects US dumping claims, stating most rice exports to the US are premium basmati. India cites no anti-dumping probe as Trump threatens more tariffs amid ongoing talks. (Image: AFP/File)

India on Monday rejected accusations from the United States that it was dumping" rice in the American market, saying its exports to the US largely consist of premium basmati rice, which is priced higher than non-basmati varieties.

US President Donald Trump had said last week that Washington could impose additional tariffs on Indian rice, alleging that India was exporting the commodity to the US at unfairly low prices, a practice known as dumping.

Addressing a press conference, Indian Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said there was no basis for the claim. We do not see a prima facie case of dumping, and to our knowledge, the US has not initiated any anti-dumping investigation," he said.

Trump had already doubled tariffs on imports from India to as much as 50 per cent in August, a move that impacted a range of Indian exports, including textiles, chemicals and food products such as shrimp.

India remains the worlds largest rice exporter. During the 202425 financial year ending in March, the country exported 20.2 million metric tonnes of rice globally. Shipments to the United States totalled 335,554 tonnes, of which 274,213 tonnes were basmati rice, according to official data.

Agrawal also said a high-level Indian delegation had met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer in New Delhi last week to discuss bilateral trade issues, including negotiations on a proposed trade agreement between the two countries.

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 15, 2025, 22:35 IST

News world India Trashes Donald Trump's Claims Of Rice 'Dumping' In American Market

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'Only Allah Knows What I've Been Through': Bondi Beach 'Hero' Speaks For The First Time From Hospital

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 23:31 IST

Syrian-origin Ahmed Al Ahmed had tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers and is now undergoing treatment at a hospital

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns (L) talking with Ahmed Al Ahmed (R), the man who tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers, at St George Hospital in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (Image: AFP)

In what can be called his first reaction after the incident, the man who confronted one of the Bondi Beach attackers in Austrlias Sydney shared a heartfelt message from his hospital bed on Monday.

Identified as Ahmed Al Ahmed, he had tackled and disarmed the attacker and is now undergoing treatment at St George Hospital after being shot in the shoulder.

Dubbed the Bondi Beach Hero" by media outlets, Ahmed is an Australian of Syrian origin. He thanked his well-wishers for their love and prayers and said only Allah knows what he has been through".

Watch the video here:

 BONDI BEACH HERO IN GOOD HEALTH: FRUIT SHOP OWNER TAKES 9 LIVES' WORTH OF RISK  AND WINSBondi Beach, Hanukkah celebration turns into Australia's deadliest mass shooting in decades.Father-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram open fire  16 dead, dozens wounded in targeted pic.twitter.com/ZkzePSYC7N Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 15, 2025

Ive gone through a phase only Allah knows about. Upon the heads of Ahmed and Abdullah and Alaa and Bilalmay God grant you a thousand worshipers. My precious and beloved oneplease pray for me, make duaa for me. May Allah granta long lifemay God keepalive. God bless you all. Please forgive me and pray for me so I can heal, recover, and leave the hospital," Ahmed said in a message from the hospital.

Footage of the attack shows him clad in a white T-shirt, sneaking up on one of the gunmen. He briefly tussles with the shooter before knocking him to the ground and wresting away the weapon.

The 43-year-old man received high praise not only from people around the world, but also from US President Donald Trump.

Its been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters, and saved a lot of lives," Trump said of Ahmed.

(With agency inputs)

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 23:13 IST

News world 'Only Allah Knows What I've Been Through': Bondi Beach 'Hero' Speaks For The First Time From Hospital

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Rabbi Who Commemorated Mumbai 26/11 Victims Killed In Sydney's Bondi Beach Terror Attack

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 16:38 IST

Only one week ago, rabbi Eli Schlanger organised a commemoration for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, honouring Chabad emissaries rabbis Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg, who were victims

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia's Sydney. (Image: @GlobalRabbi/X)

A 41-year-old rabbi, identified as Eli Schlanger, was one of the 15 victims of the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australias Sydney. He is the same individual, who, a week ago, organised a memorial to honour victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Eli Schlanger was among the 12 members of the Jewish community killed in the terror attack, which unfolded during the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration marking the first day of Hanukkah.

It was Schlanger who helped organise the gathering on Sunday evening (December 14). Only one week ago, he also organised a commemoration for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, honouring the Chabad emissaries  rabbis Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg  who were killed.

This information was shared on social media platform X, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modis message of solidarity condemning the terror attack in Sydney. The message requested Modi to join a menorah lighting in Mumbai or Delhi in solidarity.

Dear Prime Minister @narendramodi Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the Rabbi who organized the Chanukah celebration in Sydney on the Bondi beach was murdered by the terrorist/ along with twelve members of his community. Only one week he ago, Rabbi Schlanger organized a commemoration for the Mumbai Attacks of 2008 honoring Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg and guests. Please join the Menorah lighting at the Gate of India or In Delhi in solidarity. Thank you for your deep solidarity," said a handle identifying as Avraham Berkowitz.

Dear Prime Minister @narendramodi Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the Rabbi who organized the Chanukah celebration in Sydney on the Bondi beach was murdered by the terrorist/ along with twelve members of his community.Only one week he ago, Rabbi Schlanger organized a commemoration for pic.twitter.com/p0kfAuZLqk Avraham Berkowitz (@GlobalRabbi) December 14, 2025

WHO WAS ELI SCHLANGER?

A British-born rabbi, rabbi Eli Schlanger was a popular figure in the Sydney Jewish community. He served as assistant rabbi at the Chabad of Bondi.

According to the Chabad, Schlanger was a devoted rabbi and chaplain who worked tirelessly to support Jewish life in the Bondi community". For 18 years, the Schlangers served the Jewish community.

The Chabad said his influence was wide-reaching, extending beyond the synagogue, as he served as chaplain to NSW Corrective Services, NSW Prisoners of War, and at St Vincents Hospital in Darlinghurst.

Schlanger leaves behind his wife, young children, and family. He has five children, having recently become a father for the fifth time when his youngest son was born in October.

His cousin, rabbi Zalman Lewis, announced the tragedy on social media, describing him as truly an incredible guy", in a Facebook post.

My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in todays terrorist attack in Sydney. He leaves behind his wife, young children, and family. He was truly an incredible person," he said in the post.

The Chabad said the rabbi will be laid to rest in Jerusalem.

(With agency inputs)

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 16:20 IST

News world Rabbi Who Commemorated Mumbai 26/11 Victims Killed In Sydney's Bondi Beach Terror Attack

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SC Grants Interim Bail To Journalist Mahesh Langa In ED Case

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 19:13 IST

Supreme Court grants interim bail to Mahesh Langa in ED money laundering case, orders speedy trial and bars him from writing on allegations. Next hearing set for January 6.

Journalist Mahesh Langa arrested by ED (Photo: X/@LangaMahesh)

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail to journalist Mahesh Langa, who has been accused in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered the special court to take up the money laundering case trial on day to day basis for recording the statements of nine remaining witnesses in the trial.

According to Bar and Bench, the court also restrained Langa, former journalist with The Hindu, from writing any article with respect to the allegations against him.

Opposing the bail, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: A journalist is found to be extorting money. We want to file an additional counter. They say if you dont pay I will print something."

However, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who represented Langa, said: I have filed a counter to their reply. Now they want to file an additional counter. What right do you have ? They say 68 crores fraud and it is not even 68 lakhs".

He further said no chargesheet has been filed. Saying I am influencing witnesses is shocking. I have disclosed details of all FIRs. This is very very disturbing. Since October 2024, I am inside for what offence. Its not murder!"

There is no supplementary complaint. Give me the documents on this one crore. You cannot have it both ways," he said.

Considering that only nine witnesses remain to be examined in the trial, the Court granted Langa interim bail, Bar and Bench reported.

The judges directed Langa to extend full cooperation for the trial and ordered him not to seek no adjournment on the ground of pendency of his quashing petition.

Let Enforcement Directorate furnish a status report on the compliance of the above conditions," the court said while fixing the next date for hearing on January 6.

Langa was arrested by Gujarat Police last year in a case in a case involving allegations of Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud. He was later booked in other cases as well.

The ED started the probe against Langa and others after an FIR was registered by the deputy commissioner of police in Ahmedabad for alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust.

The ED started the probe against Langa and others after an FIR was registered by the deputy commissioner of police in Ahmedabad for alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust.

The agency said that the senior journalist is also implicated in the GST Input Tax Credit scam, which is currently under investigation by the ED.

According to the ED, Mahesh Langa attempted to manipulate and conceal the true nature of financial transactions linked to fraud and the GST Input Tax Credit scam.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 19:13 IST

News world SC Grants Interim Bail To Journalist Mahesh Langa In ED Case

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'Six Minutes Of Relentless Firing': How Bondi Beach Hannukah Mass Shooting Unfolded?

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:46 IST

Several videos captured the violence at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, as authorities later identified the gunmen as a father and son originally from Pakistan.

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Bystander videos accessed by media show how the final minutes of the Bondi Beach attack unfolded. (IMAGE: @sniffsonX/X)

Several videos have emerged showing the horrific shooting that unfolded during Hanukkah celebrations at Sydneys Bondi Beach, capturing the final minutes of the attack that left 16 people dead and plunged Australia into mourning.

Videos filmed by bystanders and scrutinised by the BBC and Australian news outlets have tried to offer a reconstruction of how the attack unfolded. The footage documents the final phase of the shooting, although it remains unclear how soon after the gunfire began the filming started.

According to a BBC report, the footage opens on Campbell Parade, at the northern end of Bondi Beach, where investigators later identified the positions taken by the attackers.

Two gunmen are seen standing on a pedestrian bridge, firing down into a nearby stretch of parkland where a Hanukkah celebration was underway.

Around 30 seconds into the video, one of the attackers, identifiable by white trousers, leaves the bridge and moves closer to the crowd, positioning himself near a pool. From there, he opens fire at close range.

Two minutes and 50 seconds after the footage begins, a bystander intervenes.

The video shows the man confronting the gunman, disarming him, and forcing him to retreat. The attacker drops his weapon and takes cover behind a tree. The pause is brief. About a minute later, the man in white trousers reappears on the bridge and resumes firing, this time with a different weapon. Roughly 30 seconds later, he is shot.

At Sydneys iconic #bondibeach , an ordinary man displayed extraordinary courage by grabbing a terrorists gun with his bare hands, potentially saving many lives. Salute to this real-life hero and absolute legend whose actions remind the world what true bravery looks like pic.twitter.com/BleXkajKTX SportsMAN (@MANsports007) December 14, 2025

The second attacker, wearing black trousers, continues firing in both directions for another minute and a half before he too is shot.

As the gunfire subsides, several people, believed to be members of the public, cautiously approach the scene. Another shot is then heard from an unclear location, seemingly directed at one of those who has just arrived. The person filming can be heard shouting, Wow! Stop! No! Stop!", appearing to fear that someone attempting to help is being mistaken for an attacker.

Seven and a half minutes after the footage begins, police reach the bridge. One attacker is found dead, while the other is critically wounded.

What We Know About The Suspects So Far

As investigators continue to piece together the attack, more details have emerged about the two alleged assailants seen in the footage. The gunmen were a father and son, aged 50 and 24, who opened fire on people attending the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15.

CBS News reported that the pair were originally from Pakistan and legally owned six firearms, all of which authorities believe were used during the attack. Officials are also examining evidence suggesting the two may have assembled an improvised explosive device intended to target the Jewish gathering, according to investigators cited by the network.

Australian police have not publicly confirmed a motive but have described the shooting as a clearly antisemitic terrorist act. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Monday that authorities are probing possible links between the attackers and the Islamic State group. Senior officials told the ABC that two IS flags were found inside a vehicle linked to the gunmen near the beach, although New South Wales police said they could not independently confirm that report.

The father, identified by local media as Sajid Akram, was killed in a shootout with police. Investigators said he held valid licences for six firearms. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Akram first arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later transitioned to a partner visa in 2001. Since then, he had travelled overseas three times.

His son, identified in local media as Naveed Akram, was born in Australia and is an Australian citizen, Burke said. He remains in critical condition in hospital under police guard.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram had previously come to the attention of Australias security agencies in 2019, though authorities said there was no indication of an imminent violent threat at the time.

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 11:46 IST

News world 'Six Minutes Of Relentless Firing': How Bondi Beach Hannukah Mass Shooting Unfolded?

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

BULAWAYO - Residents have been urged to keep their communities clean, plant more trees and prevent deforestation to ensure fresh air and sustainable development in the city.The call was made by Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) Coordinator Max Mkandla during a National Tree Planting Day activity held at Mafakela Primary School in Luveve on Thursday.The event was conducted in collaboration with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Forestry Commission, and schoolchildren.Mkandla said a total of 30 trees were planted, including 15 windbreakers such as pine trees and 15 fruit trees such as avocados, guavas and oranges."If all wards in Bulawayo can do like what Luveve is doing, then we will be enjoying good health and development in Bulawayo. Entumbane is following but weak on their programmes," Mkandla said.
Strategic Message To Humanity: PM Modi Hails Jordans Stand Against Terrorism, Extremism

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 21:39 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged Jordans role in regional peace efforts, particularly on Gaza.

PM Modi holds delegation-level talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised Jordans leadership for sending a strong and strategic message to humanity" in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.

During a delegation-level talks with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein in Amman, PM Modi said India and Jordan share a common and clear position" against terrorism and recalled that his earliest interactions with King Abdullah II were centred on countering violent extremism.

Our first meetings were at global platforms focused on fighting violent extremism. Even then, Your Majesty spoke with clarity and conviction. Under your leadership, Jordan has consistently conveyed a powerful message against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi also acknowledged Jordans role in regional peace efforts, particularly on Gaza.

You have played a very active and positive role on the issue of Gaza from the very beginning. We all hope that peace and stability will prevail in the region," he said, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation.

The Prime Minister added that the ideas shared during the talks would help take IndiaJordan relations to new heights".

Responding, King Abdullah II described PM Modis visit as a reflection of decades of friendship, mutual respect and productive cooperation between the two countries.

He said India and Jordan enjoy a strong partnership and a shared vision of advancing prosperity for their people.

Over the years, our collaboration has expanded across multiple sectors. Your visit provides an important opportunity to chart new paths of economic cooperation in areas such as industry, ICT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and energy, among many others," the Jordanian monarch said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Amman as part of his three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. He was received at the airport by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded a formal welcome to the Indian leader.

Before departing India, the Prime Minister said the tour would focus on countries with which India shares deep civilisational links as well as strong contemporary partnerships.

From Amman, PM Modi will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first visit to the African nation.

The final leg of his tour will take him to the Sultanate of Oman, where he will engage with the Indian diaspora and hold talks aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

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Location : Jordan

First Published: December 15, 2025, 21:28 IST

News world Strategic Message To Humanity: PM Modi Hails Jordans Stand Against Terrorism, Extremism

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Father-Son Duo Identified As Suspects In Sydneys Bondi Beach Attack, Toll Rises To 16

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:18 IST

Bondi Beach Shooting Sydney: Australian police said the death toll from the Bondi Beach terror attack has risen to 16 and confirmed the two gunmen were a father-son duo.

The two gunmen in the Australian shooting (Photo: Social Media)

Bondi Beach Shooting Sydney: Australian police on Monday confirmed that the death toll from the terror attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach has risen to 16, as investigators identified the two gunmen involved as a father and son and said they are not looking for any additional offenders.

Also Read: Bondi Beach Shooting News Live | Bondi Terror Attack Survivor Story

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said authorities had made rapid progress in the investigation overnight and were satisfied that the attack involved only two perpetrators.

We have progressed at pace overnight with that investigation, and as a result of investigations undertaken, I can say that we are not looking for a further offender," Lanyon said.

Also Read: Haunting Phone Call By Jewish Man Captured During Bondi Beach Shooting

We are satisfied that there were two offenders involved in yesterdays incident," he said.

According to the police, one of the attackers was shot dead by officers at the scene, while the second suspect remains in hospital in critical but stable condition.

One is deceased, the second is in critical but stable condition in the hospital at the moment," the commissioner said.

Police identified the attackers as Naveed Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Sajid Akram. Lanyon confirmed that the two men were father and son and provided details of their current status.

The offenders are a 50-year-old and a 24-year-old male who are father and son," he said.

The 50-year-old is deceased. The 24-year-old is currently in hospital at the moment."

The gunmen who carried out the Sydney attack are a father and son, ages 50 and 24, according to police pic.twitter.com/ESYrdOe7C1 BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 14, 2025

Authorities said at least 16 people were killed in the shooting, which took place on Sunday evening during a Jewish community event known as Chanukah by the Sea," held at Sydneys Bondi Beach to mark the beginning of the Hanukkah festival.

At least 40 people were wounded, including two police officers, according to officials.

Police declared the incident a terrorist attack, citing the nature of the event targeted and the weapons used.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community, a view echoed by law enforcement officials.

As part of the ongoing investigation, police carried out two search warrants overnight at properties in the Sydney suburbs of Bonnyrigg and Campsie.

Also See: Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed

Lanyon said the older suspect was a licensed firearms holder and legally owned multiple weapons.

Lanyon also confirmed that six firearms were recovered following the attack and during subsequent police operations.

We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday," he said.

He added that further forensic and ballistic examinations are underway to confirm whether the recovered weapons were those licensed to the deceased suspect and whether they were used in the Bondi Beach attack.

As a result of the search warrant at the Campsie address, ballistics and forensic investigation will determine this morning that those six firearms are the six that were licensed to that man, but also that they were used in the offence yesterday at Bondi," Lanyon said.

Also Read: How Syrian-Born Fruit Seller Became Bondi Beach Hero

Police also said that a number of suspicious items were found in the vicinity of the attack site, including an improvised explosive device discovered in one of the suspects vehicles.

Specialist officers are examining the items as part of the broader security operation.

Emergency services were first called to Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach at about 6.45 pm following reports of gunfire.

A large-scale emergency response was launched, with ambulances transporting the injured to nearby hospitals as police secured the area.

Lanyon stressed that investigations will continue in coordination with Commonwealth agencies to fully understand the motive behind what he described as a senseless incident."

We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly," he said.

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."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes at Bondi were shocking and distressing," while Premier Minns expressed solidarity with Australias Jewish community, saying the states heart was with those who lost loved ones as they gathered to celebrate a religious festival.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:01 IST

News world Father-Son Duo Identified As Suspects In Sydneys Bondi Beach Attack, Toll Rises To 16

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Sydney's Bondi Beach Attack Suspect Father-Son Duo Pledged Allegiance To ISIS Before Shooting: Report

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:41 IST

Naveed Akram, the younger suspect of the father-son duo that attacked people at Bondi Beach, studied at an Australian Islamic centre and reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS.

The two gunmen in the Australian shooting (Photo: Social Media)

Sydney authorities continue to investigate the deadly attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations, in which a father and son allegedly opened fire on Jewish attendees, killing at least 16 people and injuring another 40.

Investigators believe that Naveed Akram (24) and his father, Sajid Akram (50) pledged allegiance to ISIS prior to the attack.

Sources cited by the New York Post reported that an ISIS flag was found in their vehicle. Following the incident, the Al-Murad Institute has removed its website and social media accounts.

According to the report, the younger suspect, Naveed, studied religion at an Islamic centre in Australia that has connections to other Muslim-run organisations in the country.

The report claimed that Akram was praised in a February 2022 social media post by Adam Ismail, head of the Al-Murad Institute, for mastering all the rules of tajweed", the recitation of Quranic laws.

Another one of my dear students, Naveed Akram, passing the Iqra books and tajweed this morning, perfecting all the rules of tajweed," Ismail wrote in the now-deleted Facebook post, which showed the pair smiling as Akram held up his certificate.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had previously investigated Akram in 2019 for potential terror ties, according to ABC.

Ismail told the Sydney Morning Herald that he lost contact with Akram in early 2022.

I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi," he said, adding that he and his family have received death threats, forcing them to flee their home. While running the institute, Ismail also serves as a mentor at 5 Before 5 Solutions, an Australian-based organisation offering counselling and Islamic youth development programs.

According to Reuters, the father-son duo stormed Bondi Beach armed with shotguns and a bolt-action rifle, targeting a Hanukkah event attended by roughly 1,000 people.

The attack lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds fleeing. The victims, aged between 10 and 87, were mostly Jewish.

Police confirmed that the father, Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene, while Naveed remains in critical condition in the hospital.

A bystander, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen.

Reuters reported that al Ahmed was shot twice and had undergone surgery, with an online fundraising page raising more than A$350,000 ($233,000) for him.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon was quoted as saying that, We are very much working through the background of both persons. At this stage, we know very little about them."

Home Minister Tony Burke added that the father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son was an Australian-born citizen.

The tragedy has left Bondi in mourning, with makeshift memorials, flowers, and Israeli and Australian flags set up near the Bondi pavilion.

Police and private Jewish security guards are maintaining a presence as mourners pay respects and leave messages in an online condolence book.

ALSO READ | Australia Wont Be Divided, Says Albanese After Netanyahu Accuses Him Of Fuelling Antisemitism

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:28 IST

News world Sydney's Bondi Beach Attack Suspect Father-Son Duo Pledged Allegiance To ISIS Before Shooting: Report

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'Tell My Family I Tried To Save Lives': How Syrian-Born Fruit Seller Became Bondi Beach Hero

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:10 IST

Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, tackled the gunman from behind, wrested the rifle from his hands, and in doing so likely prevented further bloodshed at Bondi Beach

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Ahmed al Ahmed won praise for his heroic efforts to disarm a gunman during the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (Photo: X)

When gunfire erupted at a crowded Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, panic and chaos rippled through the crowd. However, in those terrifying moments amid screams and frantic attempts to flee, one man made a decision that would change countless lives.

Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian-born father of two, was walking near the scene when he saw a shooter firing at the crowd. Without trainingand without a weaponhe ran toward danger. In a moment captured on video and shared around the world, Ahmed tackled the gunman from behind, wrested the rifle from his hands, and in doing so likely prevented further bloodshed.

FROM SYRIA TO SYDNEY

Ahmed, who originally hails from war-torn Syria, settled in Australia over a decade ago, building a new life and raising his family in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney. He and his wife have two young children and run a small fruit shop.

Despite his courageous actions that day, Ahmed had no prior experience with firearms. His family says his intervention was instinctive. He did what he did out of instinct to protect others," a cousin told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Outside the hospital where he was being treated, Ahmeds family spoke about him with emotion and pride. His cousin Mustafa said Ahmed was shot twice, in his arm and hand, during the struggle and later underwent surgery. We hope he will be fine," Mustafa told reporters. Hes a hero, 100 per cent", 7NEWS reported.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ahmeds father said: I saw him last night and he was in good spirits. He said he thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers."

Ahmeds heroics have also won him praise from US President Donald Trump, who said: In Australia, as youve probably read, theres been a very, very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters. [He] saved a lot of lives, a very brave person who is right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. I have great respect for the man who did that."

HE SAID, IM GOING TO DIE

Speaking after the Bondi shooting, Ahmeds cousin Jozay Alkanj described the terrifying moments as the attack unfolded.

Ahmed was in Bondi on Sunday morning having coffee with Alkanj when gunfire erupted nearby. He told me, Im going to die. Please see my family and tell them that I went down to save peoples lives," Alkanj said. Moments later, Ahmed confronted the attacker and took the rifle from him.

In video footage of the attack, Ahmed is seen advancing toward a shooter firing a rifle near a car park. Using cars for cover, he closed the distance, launched himself at the attacker, and forced the weapon from his grasp. Afterward, with another shooter still active nearby, he placed the seized rifle down carefully, raising his hands to signal he was not a threat.

The dramatic act stunned onlookers and first responders alike. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the scene as the most unbelievable Ive ever seen" and said he was convinced many, many people are alive tonight as a result of his bravery."

On Monday morning, outside St George Hospital in Sydneys south, Alkanj recalled how his cousin was left with two gunshot wounds to his upper left shoulder.

THE BONDI MAYHEM

A father and son opened fire on a Jewish festival at Sydneys Bondi Beach in a shooting spree that killed 16 people, including a child, authorities said Monday as they denounced the attack as antisemitic terrorism".

A 10-year-old girl was among the 15 dead in Australias worst mass shooting for almost 30 years, while 42 more were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and other injuries.

The gunmen targeted an annual celebration that drew more than 1,000 people to the beach to mark the Jewish festival. They took aim from a raised boardwalk looking over the beach, which was packed with swimmers cooling off on a steamy summer evening.

Carrying long-barrelled guns, they peppered the beach with bullets for 10 minutes before police shot and killed the 50-year-old father. The 24-year-old son was arrested and remained under guard in hospital with serious injuries.

Australias intelligence service investigated one of the alleged gunmen in the Bondi Beach shooting for links to the Islamic State group six years ago, the national broadcaster said Monday.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation looked into the son in 2019, according to public broadcaster ABC, which cited an unnamed senior official in the joint counter-terrorism operation investigating the Bondi Beach attack.

It said Naveed Akram was believed to be closely connected to an Islamic State member who was arrested in July 2019 and convicted of preparing a terrorist act in Australia.

(With AFP inputs)

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Location : Sydney, Australia

First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:29 IST

News world 'Tell My Family I Tried To Save Lives': How Syrian-Born Fruit Seller Became Bondi Beach Hero

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The Akram Father-Son Duo: What Emerging Details Reveal About Australias Bondi Beach Shooters

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 11:25 IST

The father-son duo identified as the shooters is now being examined for possible ISIS links as the terror probe widens.

The two gunmen in the Australian shooting (Photo: Social Media)

Australian authorities have confirmed the two gunmen behind the mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, and that no other attackers were involved. The identification of the pair has become the centre of the investigation, as authorities work to establish who they were, how they accessed multiple firearms, and whether the attack was linked to extremist or antisemitic intent.

Police said the 50-year-old father was shot and killed by officers at the scene during the attack, while the younger man remains in hospital in critical but stable condition under police guard.

The attack unfolded on Sunday during a Jewish community gathering at Bondi Beach, a location that is among Australias most iconic public spaces. It left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured; with the death of one of the suspects included, the total toll is 16.

What Authorities Have Confirmed About The Suspects

Law enforcement sources cited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation identified the pair as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. Naveed, 24, was apprehended at the scene, taken to the hospital, and remains under police guard.

Police have emphasised that they are still working through the backgrounds of both individuals.

Naveed is believed to have studied religion at an Islamic centre in Australia that has ties to other Muslim-run organisations in the country. He was tagged in a February 2022 social media post praising him for mastering all the rules of tajweed", the recitation of laws of the Quran, at the Al-Murad Institute outside Sydney.

Another one of my dear students, Naveed Akram, passing the Iqra books and tajweed this morning, perfecting his all the rules of tajweed," Adam Ismail, head of the institute, said in the since-deleted Facebook post.

The post showed the pair smiling at the camera in what appeared to be a library, as Akram proudly held up his certificate.

Al-Murad Institute has since wiped its website and social media accounts. Ismail said he lost contact with his former student in early 2022 and now claims the deadly shooting has triggered death threats, forcing him and his family to flee their home, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi," he told the newspaper.

Terrorism-Related Elements Now Under Investigation

One of the most significant strands of the investigation concerns extremist elements possibly linked to the attackers.

The ABC reported that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the countrys FBI, previously investigated Naveed in 2019 for possible terror ties.

Investigators reportedly recovered an ISIS flag from a vehicle associated with the suspects. According to ABC, the Australian Anti-Terrorism Agency is examining whether the father and son had any link to the Islamic State.

Authorities believe the attackers had pledged allegiance to ISIS, and the discovery of the flag has intensified the terrorism angle of the investigation.

The fact that the shooting took place during Hanukkah, a Jewish community event, has intensified scrutiny of the motive.

Firearms Licensing And Weapons Seized From The Suspects

One of the central questions in the aftermath of the attack is how the father obtained and held multiple firearms.

Commissioner Lanyon said the 50-year-old father met the eligibility criteria for a firearms licence and held a recreational hunting licence. He explained that New South Wales issues two main categories of hunting licences: one allowing hunting on a property, and another requiring participation in a hunting club, sometimes referred to as a gun club. The suspect held the latter category.

Lanyon said the father had held a firearms licence since 2015, meaning he had been licensed for approximately ten years. He stated that the man was legally entitled to own his firearms under existing regulations.

Police said they seized six weapons owned by the father. Forensic analysis is now underway to determine whether the weapons recovered match the firearms that were licensed to the deceased suspect.

This licensing background has become a critical area of examination because it points to issues of oversight and the adequacy of screening mechanisms in identifying individuals who may pose future risks despite meeting eligibility criteria at the time of licensing.

Casualties Linked To The Attack

Authorities have said that at least 15 people were killed during the attack. With the death of the father included, the toll rose to 16. At least 40 people remain hospitalised. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the victims ranged in age from 10 to 87, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence. Among those killed were a 10-year-old child and an 87-year-old man.

Screams could be heard between loud gunshots, which continued for 10 terrifying minutes before a local fruit seller  43-year-old Ahmed Al-Ahemd  snuck up on Akram and tackled him to the ground.

Officials have described the attack as Australias deadliest shooting incident in nearly thirty years.

Official Responses And National Measures Announced After The Attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, calling it an act of pure evil." Speaking at a news conference on Monday, he said Bondi Beach, a location associated with joy and celebration, is forever tarnished" by the violence.

What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of anti-semitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Bondi Beach, that is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening," he said.

Albanese announced that flags across the country would fly at half-staff as a mark of national mourning.

Authorities also urged members of the public to donate blood through the Red Cross to support the injured. Police have strengthened their presence in neighbourhoods with significant Jewish populations and have increased security at synagogues and community centres.

What Investigators Are Still Examining About The Suspects

Police are continuing to reconstruct the movements and preparations of the father and son before the attack. Authorities have said the pair told family members they were going on a weekend fishing trip to Jervis Bay. That detail is now being examined as part of the broader effort to determine whether the suspects attempted to conceal their plans or travel with a pretext.

Investigators have said they are still working to establish motive, whether extremist ideology played a role, and how the attack was planned. They have also highlighted ongoing coordination with Commonwealth agencies, including forensic and intelligence components.

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First Published: December 15, 2025, 09:57 IST

News world The Akram Father-Son Duo: What Emerging Details Reveal About Australias Bondi Beach Shooters

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Two Years After Disappearance, Search Resumes For Belgian Woman After Her Phone Found In Tasmania

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Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 07:55 IST

Celine Cremer disappeared in June 2023 while hiking near Philosopher Falls.

Phone Discovery Sparks Renewed Search for Missing Belgian Hiker in Tasmania

Tasmania Police have joined a privately organised search for a Belgian woman who went missing in the island states wilderness more than two years ago. The move follows the discovery of her mobile phone during a fresh search near Philosopher Falls in north-west Tasmania.

Celine Cremer disappeared in June 2023 while hiking near Philosopher Falls. Her car was found a few days later, parked close to the walking track, but repeated police searches at the time failed to locate her or any clear clues.

Over the weekend, friends and family organised an independent search of nearby bushland. On Saturday, the search team found a mobile phone in an area that had already been checked earlier by authorities. Police later confirmed that the phone belonged to Cremer and said it would undergo further forensic examination.

What police said?

In a statement, Tasmania Police said phone data and the location of the device support a working theory about what may have happened. Inspector Andrew Hanson said Cremer may have used an app on her phone to leave the main Philosopher Falls track and take what she believed was a shorter route back to her car as daylight faded.

Police believe she may have dropped her phone along the way and continued without it. Without navigation and in thick, rugged bushland, she may have become disoriented.

The renewed search began on Saturday and is expected to continue for five days. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, four of Cremers friends travelled from Belgium to take part in the effort, hoping the phone discovery could finally lead to answers.

Harsh conditions reduce hope

Cremer was last seen on June 17, 2023, but her disappearance was reported nine days later when she failed to make contact. Police have said the winter weather conditions at the time were extremely harsh. They believe the conditions would not have been survivable for the length of time she was likely exposed.

Despite the grim assessment, authorities say they will continue to support the search as long as there is a chance of learning what happened.

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Location : Belgium

First Published: December 15, 2025, 07:49 IST

News world Two Years After Disappearance, Search Resumes For Belgian Woman After Her Phone Found In Tasmania

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Silver craft competition kicks off in Heqing, SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 14:44, December 15, 2025

Photo shows a scene of the 2025 design competition for handcrafted silver products held in Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Li Guowei)

A design competition for handcrafted silver products recently opened in Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The contest showcased a range of distinctive works that blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, highlighting the charm of Heqing silver craft, which was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014.

The craft can be traced back to the Nanzhao Kingdom (738-902) in what is now Yunnan and represents a distinctive traditional handicraft of the Bai ethnic group. Xinhua village in the county is known as "China's premier silverware hub."

Currently, over 3,000 households in the county engage in silver product manufacturing and sales, with approximately 18,000 people employed in related sectors. This has fostered a large pool of skilled artisans and a complete silver industrial chain.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Civil servants are set to receive another salary adjustment in the first quarter of the coming year, the Government has confirmed, raising hopes of improved earnings for public sector workers amid rising living costs.The development comes as Treasury finalises payment of staggered US$150 Special Presidential bonuses to members of the Public Service, including uniformed forces, pensioners and traditional leaders, which are expected to be fully disbursed by the end of this month.Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube revealed the planned salary adjustment while responding to the 2026 National Budget debate in the National Assembly last week. He said Treasury was obligated to make provision for civil service wage reviews, which would significantly draw from the Unallocated Reserves.During the debate, legislators had urged Treasury to channel more resources towards government programmes such as the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and other social services, suggesting that funding could be sourced from the Unallocated Reserves. These reserves are contingency funds set aside during the budget process for expenses not immediately assigned to specific ministries or programmes.However, Prof Ncube cautioned that the reserves were limited and already earmarked for several critical obligations."I would really like to persuade our colleagues. We have a limited purse," he said. "I know Hon Madzivanyika did mention that we seem to have a large Unallocated Reserve. I can assure you it is not large at all. It will go so fast and so quickly.""One issue is the budget for salary adjustments for civil servants in the first quarter. It is going to happen and it is based on the job evaluation exercise. It is going to eat away quite a lot of that Unallocated Reserve. It will not go far," he added.The Government recently converted the US$300 monthly Covid-19 allowance into a permanent allowance for public servants, a move that has increased Treasury's wage bill commitments.Turning to BEAM, Prof Ncube said Cabinet had directed that an audit be conducted to assess the use of funds amid concerns that the programme was being abused."We have taken a position through Cabinet that an audit should be undertaken," he said. "What we are finding is that the system for identification of the vulnerable is being manipulated by those with influence and leverage in various areas. It appears that those who are genuinely in need are not benefiting."He said the Government was reluctant to release further funds before the audit was completed.Despite the concerns, Prof Ncube said Treasury had doubled BEAM's allocation from ZiG2,24 billion in 2025 to ZiG5,8 billion in 2026."We have ramped up the budget by 100 percent from what we had allocated last year," he said. "The main issue now is budget releases, but these are conditional on the audits being carried out."The minister also raised questions about the overlap between BEAM and free education in Government schools, suggesting that some claims of arrears might not technically qualify as such."If beneficiaries of BEAM are in Government schools, to what extent is this not just free education where teachers and learning materials are already provided and learners are exempted from fees?" he asked. "Some of what we consider BEAM arrears may not really be arrears in that sense."Earlier in the debate, Prof Ncube increased Parliament's budget vote by ZiG800 million after legislators argued that the legislature required more funding to effectively carry out its oversight role. Lawmakers had initially sought a ZiG1,5 billion increase from the proposed ZiG3,1 billion allocation."I have listened carefully to the contributions. Parliament does play a very critical oversight role over the executive," Prof Ncube said. "Members need resources for constituency research, travel within constituencies and representation outside our borders. To that extent, I propose that we increase Parliament's budget by another ZiG800 million."The adjustments underscore mounting fiscal pressures as Treasury balances wage demands, social spending and institutional funding within tight budgetary limits.
A Colorado election case is turning into a constitutional test after an attorney for former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters claimed President Trump can wipe away her state conviction with a presidential pardon, KJCT 8 reports. Attorney Peter Ticktin argues that Trump's clemency powers are not confined to federal crimes, despite long-standing legal consensus to the contrary. "Why in the world would the president not be able to pardon for state offenses, especially in a situation such as this, where you've got someone who's charged with offenses because of a federal election?" he said. Trump announced on social media Thursday that he was granting Peters a "full pardon," describing her as imprisoned for the "crime" of seeking "honest elections."

Peters was sentenced in October 2024 to nine years in state prison for her role in a breach of Mesa County election equipment after the 2020 vote. She was convicted on charges including attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, as well as election fraud and identity theft. She carried out her crime in an effort to find evidence that the presidential election was stolen, but such claims have been debunked by experts in many different spheres, including Trump's own officials, Colorado Newsline reports. Ticktin said the dispute could eventually land before the US Supreme Court, which he believes would see it as a significant question of constitutional interpretation.

Ticktin contends the nation's founders intended a broad presidential pardon authority "in all of the United States." But the prevailing view, reflected in the Constitution's language and resources such as constitution.congress.gov, is that the president may pardon only "offenses against the United States," meaning federal crimes. Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein called Trump's move essentially symbolic, saying only Colorado Gov. Jared Polis can pardon state offenses. Polis agrees, but said the state would abide by whatever the courts decide. Says Ticktin, "We look at this thing, and we see Tina Peters as being kind of a hostage. We see her as being a political prisoner." He expects the next step is that the pardon will be submitted by the Trump administration to Colorado's department of corrections, though he expects the department to refuse to release Peters.
Authorities in New York have busted up what they say was a large theft ring that turned stealing from Home Depot into methodical work. All told, the crew based out of Queens allegedly stole $2.2 million worth of merchandise from nearly 130 stores in nine states, reports NBC News . The thefts themselves weren't exactly the stuff of Ocean's 11: Authorities say the thieves would often put itemsair conditioners, for exampleon a cart or inside a wheeled trash bin and simply roll them out the exit, per People .

But there was a system behind it: Members would scour online inventory for particular stores, then meet around 5:30am most days to plan their strikes, say prosecutors who called the scheme "Operation Checkout." The thieves would enter the stores separately but communicate through earbuds while pretending to browse, a release from the Queens district attorney explains. When it was time to exit, one member might distract an employee. Or the thieves might put a large piece of plywood or sheetrock on their cart to hide themselves as they left.

Police say the merchandise was funneled to black-market buyers, including a Brooklyn storefront and sellers on Facebook Marketplace. So far, law enforcement has recovered about $1.5 million worth of goods, a figure they expect to rise. Thirteen people have been arrested so far, including alleged ringleader Armando Diaz, 52, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
A long-simmering clash between House Republicans and the Clintons over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation is nearing a decisive moment on Capitol Hill, the New York Times reports. Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, is threatening to seek contempt of Congress charges if Bill and Hillary Clinton do not sit for in-person depositions. The move marks Republicans' most aggressive effort yet to redirect attention from Epstein's links to President Trump and his administration toward prominent Democrats the Clintons among them who've been tied to the financier and Ghislaine Maxwell. Comer says Bill Clinton is scheduled for a deposition Wednesday and Hillary Clinton the following day, and that he will initiate contempt proceedings if they fail to show up or reschedule for early January, Politico reports.

Comer has already subpoenaed the Justice Department for its files on Epstein, as well as a slate of former top law enforcement officials; only former Attorney General William Barr has testified. The Clintons, through longtime lawyer David Kendall, have pushed back by offering sworn written statements instead of live testimonythe same accommodation Comer granted to several former attorneys general and two former FBI directors, according to correspondence reviewed by the Times. Kendall argues the Clintons lack relevant information, calling the subpoenas "purposeless and harassing" and accusing Comer of staging a "public spectacle for partisan purposes." Spokespeople for both Clintons say Comer has refused to explain why they are being held to a different standard than other witnesses who were excused.

Bill Clinton has acknowledged knowing Epstein and taking several trips on his private jet in the early 2000s, but says he ended all contact about 20 years ago and never visited Epstein's island. Kendall writes that the former president regrets the limited association in light of what later emerged. Hillary Clinton, Kendall says, never flew on Epstein's plane, never visited his properties, and does not recall speaking with him; her only connection to Maxwell was "limited contact" through a mutual acquaintance, and she was unaware that one of her former campaign and State Department staffers was Maxwell's relative. Per a recent poll cited by the Hill, more than 70% of respondents believe the government is hiding information about Epstein's connections.
A person of interest detained after a Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine will be released after an investigation took law enforcement authorities in a "different direction," officials said Sunday night. The disclosure, made at a hastily convened late night 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 AP reports. The release means that whoever is responsible for the killing may remain at large. "We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community," Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said.

"I've been around long enough to know that sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another and that's exactly what has happened over the last 24 hours or so," said Attorney General Peter Neronha. 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 from Providence, where police officers and FBI agents remained Sunday, blocking off a hallway with crime scene tape as they searched the area.

The attack Saturday afternoon set off hours of chaos across 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. On Sunday morning, officials took a person into custody that 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. Meanwhile, one student of the nine wounded students had been released from the hospital, said the university's president. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition.
Creepy, zany, and demonstrably fake content is often called "slop." The word's proliferation online, in part thanks to the widespread availability of generative artificial intelligence, landed it Merriam-Webster's 2025 word of the year, the AP reports. "It's such an illustrative word," said Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster's president, in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press ahead of Monday's announcement. "It's part of a transformative technology, AI, and it's something that people have found fascinating, annoying and a little bit ridiculous."

"Slop" was first used in the 1700s to mean soft mud, but it evolved more generally to mean something of little value. The definition has since expanded to mean "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence." In other words, "you know, absurd videos, weird advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks real, junky AI-written digital books," Barlow said. AI video generators like Sora have wowed with their ability to quickly create realistic clips based merely on text prompts. But a flood of these images on social media, including clips depicting celebrities and deceased public figures, has raised worries about misinformation, deepfakes and copyright.

The word "slop" evokes unpleasant images of mud-caked pigs crowding around a dirty trough, or perhaps a bucket of steaming, fetid stew. Or AI amalgamations of algorithmic biases laden with offensive or nonsensical imagery. For some, the word induces dread. But to Barlow, it brings a sense of hope. The dictionary's president says the spike in searches for the word reflects that people have grown more aware of fake or shoddy content, and desire the inverse. "They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine," he said. "It's almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn't seem so intelligent." (Click for the rest of Merriam-Webster's top words of the year, or check out word of the year choices from other dictionaries here, here, and here.)
Workers at the Louvre Museum voted Monday to strike over working conditions and other complaints, dealing another blow to the Paris museum after an embarrassing jewelry heist in October. The CFDT union said the vote was taken at a meeting of 400 workers on Monday morning and that they decided to strike for the day. The world's most-visited museum didn't open as scheduled and turned would-be visitors away, reports the AP . A notice on the Louvre's website advised would-be visitors that "the museum is closed for the moment."

The strike vote followed talks last week between labor unions and government officials including Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Labor leaders said the talks had not alleviated all of their concerns about staffing and financing for the Louvre. "Visiting the museum has become an obstacle course," said Alexis Fritche, general secretary of the culture wing of the CFDT union.

For employees, the daylight jewel heist crystallized long-standing concerns that crowding and thin staffing are undermining security and working conditions at the museum that welcomes millions of visitors each year. Thieves used a basket lift to reach the Louvre's facade, forced a window, smashed display cases, and fled with pieces of the French crown jewels.
Australia is debating reforms to its gun lawsalready among the strictest in the worldafter Sunday's deadly mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The elder of the father-son shooting suspects had a license to own firearms, New South Wales police say. He allegedly owned six weapons, four of which were found at the scene, per the Guardian . Speaking Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will ask his Cabinet to look at capping how many weapons a license holder can own and whether licenses should expire sooner, per Reuters . "People can be radicalized over a period of time," he said, adding that gun permits "should not be in perpetuity."

Australia overhauled its gun laws just 12 days after a 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, banning most semi-automatic weapons, launching a large-scale buyback program, and tightening licensing rules. Those changes are widely credited with helping drive Australia's gun homicide rate to among the lowest in the world. But legal gun numbers have been quietly climbing: the Australia Institute says there are now about 4 million registered firearms in private hands, more than before the 1996 reforms.

Gun Control Australia president Tim Quinn said the Bondi attack "feels unimaginable here," arguing that is "a testament to the strength of our gun laws," but urged a detailed review of whether enforcement and legislation have kept pace with "changing risks and technologies." New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has already said he will recall state parliament to fast-track tighter firearms rules. "I'm determined to introduce the toughest gun legislation in the country and I believe it needs to be passed and put into legislation as soon as possible," he said, per the Guardian. Some have predicted new restrictions on the quantity and type of guns approved, with licenses restricted to Australian citizens. The father was not a citizen, the Guardian reports.
California has hired two former CDC leaders who were fired or quit after clashes with the Trump administration. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that former CDC director Susan Monarez, who claimed she was fired after refusing to approve vaccine guidance not backed by science , and former chief medical officer Debra Houry, who resigned in protest of Monerez's firing, are now advising the California Department of Public Health, per the New York Times . Both testified at a Senate hearing in September. Last month, they began helping California launch a new initiative aimed "to modernize public health infrastructure and maintain trust in science-driven decision-making," according to Newsom's announcement.

The new initiative, the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange, aims to strengthen data-sharing systems for outbreaks and build a network that could operate across state lines. Monarez was named as strategic health technology and funding adviser, while Houry will serve as senior regional and global public health medical advisor, per the Los Angeles Times. Houry describes her role as helping California develop its own toolssuch as tests for emerging diseasesand share data with other states without depending solely on federal authorities. Both she and Newsom say the effort is intended to complement, not supplant, the CDC.

The hires fit a broader pattern as Newsom, term-limited in 2026 and widely seen as eyeing a 2028 presidential run, casts California as "a Democratic counterweight" to Trump-era policies, per the New York Times. His administration has recruited federal employees laid off in Washington, including after resisting Trump directives; sued federal agencies; and redrawn political maps to counter Republican moves elsewhere. California has also joined a West Coast vaccine-review pact, signed onto the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert Response Network, and contracted with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina to help align state policy with public concerns.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 32-year-old police officer has been charged with two counts of having sexual intercourse with a minor after he allegedly slept with a 17-year-old schoolgirl.Mduduzi Dube, who is attached to the police support unit at Ross Camp in Bulawayo, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Patience Madondo last Thursday charged under Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act which criminalises sexual activity with children.Joseph Rugara, prosecuting, alleged that Dube took the 17-year-old complainant, a Form 4 pupil at Njube High School  to his uncle's house in Sauerstown during the month of August 2025, where he allegedly had sexual intercourse with her once.Rugara said Dube repeated the offence in October 2025 at the same house again.The National Prosecuting Authority says the girl later disclosed the events, prompting a police report.She was referred for a medical examination, and a report is expected to be rendered as evidence.Dube, who is described in a court filing as the complainant's boyfriend, acted unlawfully despite the sexual encounters occurring "with her consent," which is irrelevant in cases involving minors, the NPA says.Dube's lawyer Takunda Chapisa applied for bail which was granted.
Hollywood figures and politicians are among those reacting to the death of actor-director Rob Reiner, who was found dead with his wife Michele Reiner at their home in Los Angeles on Sunday. The acclaimed director and Emmy winner was also a major Democratic booster, per the AP, leading many prominent politicians to share tributes. Some notable reactions, per the AP and Hollywood Reporter:
The man seen on video tackling a gunman during Sydney's Bondi Beach mass shooting has no regrets, though he's now at risk of losing his arm. Identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a shop owner in his 40s who emigrated from Syria in 2006 and was granted Australian citizenship in 2022, the bystander was filmed crouching behind parked cars before rushing the attacker from behind, grabbing his rifle and knocking him to the ground, per the Sydney Morning Herald . Police say a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son opened fire at a Jewish celebration on Sunday afternoon, killing 15 people in what authorities describe as Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, per Reuters .

Ahmed was shot five times in the arm and shoulder, his migration lawyer, Sam Issa, said Monday, per the Herald. "He doesn't regret what he did. He said he'd do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him," Issa added, noting Ahmed had been "riddled with bullets," lost a lot of blood, and was at risk of losing his left arm. He suggested Ahmed's elderly parents, who've been in Australia for only two months, should receive citizenship "as a reward for their son's service to the community." "Absolutely he's a hero," Ahmed's cousin Mustafa told Australia's 7News, noting the family is still waiting for detailed updates from the hospital.

Political leaders have publicly praised Ahmed's actions. President Trump called him "a very, very brave person" who likely prevented additional deaths, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said "his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk," per NBC News. A GoFundMe campaign for Ahmed has raised more than $850,000, with billionaire investor Bill Ackman contributing about $66,500 and promoting the fundraiser on X.
Turning Point USA's promised response to Candace Owens, the podcaster spreading conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk's assassination, has been shelved, with Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, now set to meet Owens behind closed doors. Kirk, who has taken over her husband's role as executive director of TPUSA, said she will meet Owens in person on Monday to discuss the conservative star's claims about her husband's shooting death, per Axios . "Public discussions, livestreams, and tweets are on hold until after this meeting," Kirk wrote on X . Owens replied that she is "very much looking forward" to the conversation.

The move comes after weeks of intensifying friction. Since Charlie Kirk was killed on Sept. 10, Owens has used her podcast and social media channels to promote unsupported theories suggesting TPUSA insiders, pro-Israel Americans, and even the French military may have been involved. She has also questioned Erika Kirk's motives. TPUSA had mostly tried to ignore the feud, but earlier this month producer Blake Neff announced a detailed livestream rebuttal to Owens' accusations, which has now been postponed.

Erika Kirk recently began speaking out more forcefully, telling Fox News that Owens was making significant money by attacking people close to her and declaring at a CBS town hall that Owens needed to "stop." The clash underscores a broader fracture on the right: Owens, once a TPUSA insider and ally of Charlie Kirk, has increasingly aligned herself with anti-Zionist and conspiracy-oriented figures while drawing criticism from other conservative influencers, who accuse her of exploiting Kirk's deathan allegation she rejects. The dispute has become one of the most combustible episodes in an already divided MAGA media world.
Police aren't revealing many details about the stunning deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, whose bodies were found Sunday in west Los Angeles. The famed actor, director, and political activist was 78, and his wife, a photographer and producer, was 68. What we know:

Los Angeles police were investigating the deaths as homicides, and detectives were interviewing an unidentified family member, reports the Los Angeles Times. The AP reports that investigators believe the couple were stabbed.

Police say that there were no signs of forced entry into the couple's home. TMZ reports that one of Rob's two daughters found the bodies and called 911 about 3:30pm Sunday.

"At this time, the Los Angeles Police Department is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest ... and we will not be doing that until we conduct our investigation and move forward," said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton.
Popular twin pandas at a Tokyo zoo are set to return to their homeland in China in late January, officials said Monday, leaving Japan without a panda for the first time in about half a century. Prospects for their replacement are not favorable either as ties between the two countries have deteriorated, reports the AP . The twins, Xiao Xiao and his sister Lei Lei, were born and raised at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2021, but they remain on loan from China and have to be returned by February. Their parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri returned home last year after China loaned them for breeding research in 2011. The last day of public viewing for the 4-year-old twins will be Jan. 25, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said pandas have long been loved by Japanese people and he hoped friendship through panda diplomacy between the two countries will continue. "Exchanges through pandas have contributed to improve the public sentiment between Japan and China, and we hope the relationship will continue," Kihara said. He noted that a number of local municipalities and zoos have expressed hope that new pandas will to be loaned soon. China sent the first pair of pandas to Japan in 1972 to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Since then, Japan has never been left without a panda.

Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and serve as an unofficial national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a sign of goodwill but maintains ownership over them and any cubs they produce. Relations between Japan and China have worsened since Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in early November that its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan. China has since restricted tourism to Japan, and cultural events and exchanges between local governments have been canceled. The row escalated this month when Chinese drills involving an aircraft carrier near southern Japan prompted Tokyo to scramble fighter jets.
Punk group Pussy Riot was declared an "extremist organization" by a Russian court on Monday. The ruling, which was made by Moscow's Tverskoy District Court, effectively outlaws the group from operating in Russia and puts anyone linked with the group at risk of criminal prosecution, reports the AP . The feminist protest group first catapulted into the spotlight in 2012, when its members performed a provocative "punk prayer" against President Vladimir Putin from the pulpit of Russia's largest cathedral.

"The terrorists have labeled us extremists," said Pussy Riot activist Alexander Sofeev, per the Moscow Times. "I can't say that I'm particularly upset by a decision coming from people like that. For me, these are completely illegitimate institutions that do not represent my interests in any way. As for our activities, all the participants are now, fortunately, outside Russia, so I don't think there will be any major changes."

In September, five people linked to Pussy RiotMaria Alyokhina, Taso Pletner, Olga Borisova, Diana Burkot, and Alina Petrovawere handed jail terms by a Russian court after being found guilty of spreading "false information" about the Russian military, news outlet Mediazona reported. Mediazona was founded by Alyokhina alongside another Pussy Riot member, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. The case was linked to an anti-war music video made by the group, as well as an art performance in Germany that saw Pletner urinate on a portrait of Putin. Alyokhina received a 13-year prison sentence, while Pletner was given 11 years. Burkot, Petrova, and Borisova were given eight years' imprisonment. All have rejected the charges as politically motivated.
For many in Louisiana, the grass is greener on the other side of the state line. In Atlas Van Lines' annual Migration Patterns Study, tracking customer relocations in the year ending Oct. 31, the state is top among those from which people moved for the second year in a row. Arkansas, meanwhile, had the most inbound moves, with 38% landing in Bentonville, home to Walmart headquarters, per Housing Wire. The full lists:
As authorities continue to hunt for their killer, the two people fatally shot Saturday at Brown University have been identified. Authorities named them Monday as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a first-year international student from Uzbekistan, and Ella Cook, a second-year undergraduate from Alabama. Cook, remembered by her Birmingham church as a "grounded, faithful, bright light," served as vice president of Brown's College Republicans chapter. Umurzokov was described by his sister as kind and ambitious, with plans to become a neurosurgeon, per the Guardian . An aunt tells NBC News that "a very serious eight-hours-long brain surgery" at the age of 10 inspired that goal.

The attack unfolded Saturday afternoon inside a classroom in Brown's engineering building during final exams. A gunman fired more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun, according to a law enforcement official cited by the AP. Nine others were wounded. Brown president Christina Paxson said one student had been discharged from the hospital, while seven remained in critical but stable condition and one in critical condition as of Sunday. Among the injured is Kendall Turner, a recent graduate of Durham Academy in North Carolina, the school said, per the Guardian.

Police initially detained a 24-year-old man at a Hampton Inn about 17 miles from campus and seized two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines. But Rhode Island attorney general Peter Neronha said Sunday that the man was released after evidence shifted. "We have a murderer out there," Neronha said, adding that investigators were reassessing the direction of the case. "Until such time as we have an individual in custody who we're confident is responsible ... we're going to continue to leave all doors open," added Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, per NBC. A lone shooter is suspected in what is now one of at least 392 mass shootings recorded in the US this year.
Spain's government has fined Airbnb $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals, officials said Monday. The move is the latest government action in Spain against short-term rental companies such as Airbnb and Booking.com as the country grapples with a housing affordability problem, particularly in city centers, reports the AP . The consumer rights ministry said the rentals didn't include license numbersa requirement in many regions in Spainor listed license numbers that didn't match what authorities had. Others had incorrect information about hosts, it said.

Airbnb said that it plans to challenge the fine in court. The company said it was working with Spanish authorities to comply with a new national registration system for short-term rentals, and that more than 70,000 listings on the platform had added a registration number since January. Spain's leftist government and many Spaniards across the political spectrum see short-term rental companies as bearing responsibility for driving up housing costs.

The nation is one of the world's most visited countries, and short-term holiday rentals have cut into many cities' stretched supply of housing. "There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes," Spain's consumer rights minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said Monday. Local authorities in Barcelona have said they plan to phase out all of the 10,000 apartments licensed in the city as short-term rentals by 2028 to safeguard the housing supply for residents.
President Trump has weighed in on the murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner and wife Michele , calling it a "very sad thing" but also blaming Rob Reiner's liberal political views for his death, reports the Hill .

Reiner, the president added, "was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump." Police have not said anything about politics being a potential motive in the murders. They have arrested the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, who has a history of struggles with drug addiction. Politico notes that Rob Reiner was "an ardent supporter of progressive causes and candidates," as well as a vocal critic of Trump.

The president's criticism is in contrast to the praise offered by former President Obama, who wrote that he and wife Michelle were "heartbroken" at the news. "Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen," wrote Obama. "But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of peopleand a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action."
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Chinese business community in Zimbabwe on Sunday donated a batch of daily necessities to disabled children in Epworth, a community southeast of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.Song Zhuolin, chairman of the Hunan Business Association in Zimbabwe (HBAZ), said the donation, part of the Chinese business community's corporate social responsibility efforts, symbolizes the long-term friendship between China and Zimbabwe."We have to do our social responsibility to help the group that we think deserves and also needs extra attention and care," Song said.To support the children's educational needs, the HBAZ also donated a classroom block.Epworth residents welcomed the kind gesture by the HBAZ, saying the donations would uplift the well-being of the community.Civilised Bushe, member of the local authority for ward six in Epworth, expressed gratitude to the HBAZ for supporting the community's development."I am very happy with the donation, with our Christmas party, which is being given to those guys who are disabled, and I am very happy with the block we have received. It is the first time in my ward," said Bushe.Patience Mikana, a mother of a disabled child who benefited from the donation, extended her thanks to the Chinese business community for the support to children's education."Now we can leave our children at the school so that we can focus on our jobs. We grow vegetables, and while teachers take care of our children at school, we can sell our produce to earn a living," she said.Mikana also expressed gratitude to the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe, which provided free medical care to the disabled children and the community during the event.Zheng Xingyou, head of the team, said the event brings together China and Zimbabwe toward the common goal of a healthy society."I think this creates a more direct and tangible interaction between the Chinese and Zimbabwean people, which I believe can enhance the friendly relations between China and Zimbabwe. I think this is very worthwhile, and we will continue to do similar activities in the future," he said.
The FBI says it stopped a plot for a New Year's Eve bombing campaign in Los Angeles, arresting four people allegedly tied to a radical pro-Palestinian group. FBI Director Kash Patel announced Monday that the four suspects are believed to be part of an offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which he described in a post on X as "an extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology," reports USA Today . Investigators say the group was preparing coordinated attacks using improvised explosive devices at five locations across Los Angeles on Dec. 31.

A fifth person was arrested in New Orleans, also allegedly linked to TILF and accused of planning a separate violent attack, Patel said. No details were released about the alleged target in that case. Patel called the disrupted operation a "credible, imminent terrorist attack" and credited federal agents and local partners with preventing mass casualties. In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the investigation thwarted "a massive and horrific plot," adding that the suspects also intended to attack ICE personnel and vehicles.

The suspects face charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device. At a news conference Monday, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli described TILF as a "radical anti-government group," NBC Los Angeles reports. The plan created by one of the suspects, he said, "included step-by-step instructions to build IEDs" and "listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles." Authorities displayed video at the news conference of what they said was a bomb-making site in Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles, where the suspects allegedly planned to make and test the devices.
A regular at the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola, Florida, might not be alive today if it wasn't for his love of gumbo. Twice a day, every day, for 10 years, as regular as clockwork, 78-year-old Charlie Hicks walked into the the restaurant and ordered the same thing: gumbo, light on rice, no cracker. "Mr. Hicks don't miss no days," chef Donel Stallworth tells CBS New s. "We open the doors up, Mr. Hicks is there to greet us." When Hicks didn't show up for two days in September, staff gave their most loyal customer a call. He said he was sick and asked them if they could bring his gumbo to his apartment, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

An employee delivered the gumbo for two days, but Stallworth became worried on the third day when they hadn't heard from Hicks and his phone went straight to voicemail. He left in the middle of a shift and drove to Hicks' apartment. No answer to repeated knocksuntil he heard a faint "Help." Inside, he found Hicks on the floor. The older man was badly dehydrated and had two broken ribs. He had fallen, possibly days earlier, and was unable to move. "He couldn't really talk because he was dehydrated so I got him some water,'' Stallworth says. "He could barely make words."

Hicks survived, and that's when the restaurant staff's role shifted from servers to support network. Workers began bringing his gumbo to the hospital. He was moved to a rehab facility after a week. "He said that Donell had saved his life,'' his niece Christina Neeper told the News-Journal. "Donell has been texting him and visiting him. Apparently, they're best friends." When it became clear that Hicks couldn't safely return to his old place, restaurant staff helped him find a new apartment right next to the restaurantthen pitched in to furnish and fix it up.

This week, around three months after his fall, Hicks walked back into the Shrimp Basket and slid into his usual table, resuming his routine almost exactly where he left off, CBS reports. "I'm glad to have you back, buddy," Stallworth told him. Hicks summed up the relationship simply: "We made a connection." Stallworth, who now has his regular living just a few steps away, describes him as "that uncle that grandfather that best friend all in one."
The two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend attack in Syria that the US military blamed on the Islamic State group were identified Monday. The US Army named them as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, the AP reports. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor.

"Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres-Tovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss," Reynolds said, per the Des Moines Register. "Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time."
If you're the type who waits until the last possible moment to mail gifts, the Postal Service has just drawn your line in the sand. The USPS says this week will be its peak holiday rush, and it's spelling out deadlines for packages to land by Christmas, NJ.com reports. For shipments within the US, the agency recommends sending Ground Advantage and first-class mail by Dec. 17, Priority Mail by Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 20 if you want presents under the tree by Dec. 25. Post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, but will operate on normal hours the Fridays after both holidays.

To handle the crush, the Postal Service has been scaling up its package operation for several years. Since 2020, it has added more than 600 package-sorting machines, including 94 this year alone, boosting daily processing capacity to 88 million parcels, up from 60 million. The agency says that in December 2024 it handled 45% more packages and more than 350 million pieces of mail per operating day, a volume it claims outpaced private competitors during that holiday season. Staffing has shifted as well. USPS says it has converted roughly 232,000 "pre-career" workers to full-time employees since 2020 and plans to bring on 14,000 seasonal workers this year. That's a far smaller holiday surge than in the recent past, suggesting the Postal Service is leaning more on permanent staff and automation.

FedEx and UPS have set deadlines, as well, per USA Today. The home delivery cutoff for FedEx five-day shipping is Dec. 17, sliding down to the one-day deadline on Dec. 23. The ground delivery cutoffs run from five-day delivery on Dec. 15 to one day on Dec. 23. The UPS 3-Day Select deadline is Dec. 19 and Next Day Air ends on Dec. 22. UPS has more information here.
Dec 16 (News On Japan) - In mid-November, Their Majesties attended a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Japans Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, a program that has sent some 58,000 participants to 99 developing countries since its launch in 1965 to support economic and social development. The first assignments were in Laos, then part of Southeast Asias emerging development frontier, where five volunteers were selected for dispatch.

One of them, Onishi, now 84, trained local farmers in rice cultivation and returned to Laos this autumn for the first time in 58 years. His posting took place at the height of the Vietnam War in the neighboring country, and Onishi recalls navigating a series of challenges as he worked to introduce Japanese planting techniques. His efforts helped spread a method that led to what became known locally as miracle rice, a story that has since taken on an almost legendary status among those involved in early cooperation work.

Today, younger volunteers are carrying that legacy forward in communities around the world. This report follows the determination of current members of the Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who are working on the ground as they confront local needs, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and strive to build on the foundations laid by their predecessors.

Source: BIZ
OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Airbus, a global leader in the aerospace industry, and Ingenium  Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation, today announced a new partnership aimed at inspiring and empowering the next generation of Canadian aerospace innovators.

The collaboration will focus on advancing an exciting shared vision: providing youth with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that directly shape the future of aerospace education and technology.

Airbus and Ingenium  Canadas Museums of Science and Innovation to Launch Aerospace Innovation Lab in Ottawa (CNW Group/Airbus)

Through this new agreement, Airbus will provide key support for seeding the development of a Simulation Training and Research (S.T.a.R.) Lab, at Ingenium's Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, ON. The lab is envisioned as a flexible, creative space designed to spark innovation and practical skill development.

The core of this pilot initiative is a mentorship program where college students will take the lead in designing and testing a gamified simulation experience in collaboration with secondary students. This work will be guided by industry experts, ensuring the creation of authentic digital learning tools that will ultimately be utilized by visiting school groups and the public.

Ingenium looks forward to working closely with Airbus as we build dynamic learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and the aerospace leaders of tomorrow.

"Ingenium  Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation is proud to partner with Airbus in a shared commitment to inspire and empower the next generation of aerospace innovators," said Chris Kitzan, Director General at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ingenium "Our missions align naturally, fostering curiosity, creativity, and hands-on discovery through experiences that connect youth with the science and technology shaping their world. This collaboration amplifies our dedication to innovative learning spaces where students can experiment, design, and solve real-world challenges.

"Airbus is a major employer of over 5,000 people in Canada, anchored by the A220--the only commercial aircraft program manufactured here. This deep commitment to Canadian industry drives us to cultivate the nation's future aerospace talent," said Guillaume Chevasson, CEO Airbus in Canada. "Our strategic partnership with Ingenium is an investment in youth, providing the essential skills and mentorship needed to innovate. We are excited by the potential of the S.T.a.R. Lab to shape tomorrow's industry leaders."

For schools or students interested in taking part, please visit our website

For more information on Airbus in Canada, visit our website.

@IngeniumCanada @Airbus #Canada

SOURCE Airbus

Contacts for the media: Philippe Tremblay, Ingenium--Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation, [email protected]; Amelie Forcier, AIRBUS Canada, [email protected]
ATTAWAPISKAT FIRST NATION, ON, NORTH BAY, ON and TKARONTO, Dec. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Ramon Kataquapit and Michel Koostachin  both from Attawapiskat First Nation  are seeking to intervene in ongoing litigation by nine First Nations challenging the legality of Ontario's Bill 5 (Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025).

First Nations Rally Opposing Bill 5, Queen's Park  Greg Noakes (CNW Group/Ontario Nature)

Represented by Legal Advocates for Nature's Defence (LAND) with the support of Ontario Nature, Ramon Kataquapit and Michel Koostachin reflect the voices of youth and the grassroots and together, argue Bill 5 is unconstitutional based on the Government of Ontario's failure to meaningfully engage with impacted community members or consider Indigenous knowledge and law. Their pleadings also highlight the significant negative implications for lands and waters that are inherently connected to Indigenous rights and culture.

The interveners are among those from Treaty 9 lands in northern Ontario who stand to be most directly and permanently affected by the impacts of Bill 5 on land, water, culture and community well-being. Ramon is the founder of the Indigenous youth organization Okiniwak. Michel is the founder of the Friends of the Attawapiskat River.

Ontario Nature has partnered with LAND, an environmental law non-profit based in Northern Ontario, to ensure these critically important Indigenous perspectives can be fully resourced and brought to court. Both organizations are also calling for the repeal of Bill 5.

According to Ramon Kataquapit:

"Bill 5 is not just another law  it's another step in the long history of assimilating First Nations. When a government gives itself the power to override environmental protections, hidden in that fine print is the power to override our Treaties. That means eroding our rights, our lands, and our very identity as Indigenous peoples. We're going to court because Bill 5 threatens not only our Nations, but the rights of all Canadians and the environment we all depend on."

According to Michel Koostachin:

"When you damage the muskeg, the rivers, the animals  you disturb everything that's important to us, for life. Bill 5 will cause devastation to our lands and waters, and those impacts won't stop with us  they will be carried by our children, our grandchildren. That's why we're standing up. We have a responsibility to protect the integrity the land, not just for us, but for those yet to be born."

According to Kerrie Blaise, Founder and Legal Counsel at LAND:

"This is a significant moment  giving the court a unique chance to hear directly from courageous and determined Indigenous grassroots and youth leaders. We're going to court so that their voices are not excluded from decisions that directly affect their lands, waters, and families. At the heart of justice is ensuring that those who stand to be most directly affected are heard, and that their knowledge, teachings, and laws are not pushed aside - but respected and relied upon in finding a way forward."

According to Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director at Ontario Nature:

"Ontario Nature is proud to provide financial and other support to LAND and Indigenous rights holders in challenging Bill 5, which threatens our most vulnerable species, gives unchecked powers to provincial ministers, undermines democratic processes and infringes on Indigenous rights."

Notes to Editors

Legal Advocates for Nature's Defence is an environmental law non-profit based in Northern Ontario dedicated to advancing access to justice, to protect nature and Indigenous rights.

Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing 9,500 members, 130,000 supporters and 150 member groups from across Ontario.

SOURCE Ontario Nature

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Tony Morris, Ontario Nature, [email protected], 416-444-8419 ext. 239; Kerrie Blaise, LAND, [email protected], 705-978-4034
News / National

by Gideon Madzikatidze

HARARE - President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced the launch of awards to recognise local authorities that excel in maintaining clean, safe and healthy environments. The awards will be given to topperforming councils, with a focus on observance of the National CleanUp Day held on the first Friday of every month.Speaking at the commissioning of GeoPomona Waste Management's second batch of refuse collection equipment, Mnangagwa stressed the importance of sustainable waste management practices. He highlighted the National Development Strategy 2 (20262030), which prioritises uniformity in service delivery, environmental compliance and resource recovery."The goal is to guarantee that waste management systems transition from being a cost centre for Local Authorities, into viable economic and environmental value chains," Mnangagwa said.The President commended GeoPomona Waste Management for partnering with Harare City Council and government in promoting environmental sustainability. He urged local authorities and communities to take ownership of the National CleanUp Day and drive environmental stewardship.Mnangagwa also noted Zimbabwe's recognition as the "World's Best Country to Visit in 2025," attributing it to ecological diplomacy and sustainable environmental practices.The commissioning of the new equipment is expected to boost waste management capacity and support national growth. Mnangagwa called on responsible authorities to ensure cities and towns reflect national pride and identity through sustainable waste management and beautification.
TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Open Heavens is back, and this New Year's Eve, it's set to be bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever. Taking place at the International Centre in Toronto, the free annual event will feature Michael W. Smith, Don Moen, Chevelle Franklyn, and Joe Mettle, uniting thousands of attendees from across Canada and beyond for a night of incredible live music, high-energy performances and celebration.

OH25 lineup - Open Heavens 2025 Brings Michael W. Smith and Global Music Icons to Toronto for a Grand, Glorious, and Game-Changing NYE Celebration (CNW Group/HOUSE OF PRAISE)

For the very first time, Michael W. Smith, a multi-generational music icon whose songs have inspired millions, will take the Open Heavens stage. He'll be joined by Don Moen, an international music legend; Chevelle Franklyn, a powerhouse vocalist known for her dynamic stage presence; and Joe Mettle, whose music carries the sound of Ghana to fans around the world.

"This year's Open Heavens is going to be grand, glorious, and game-changing," said the Open Heavens planning team. "We can't wait to see thousands of voices coming together to ring in 2026 with joy, music, and unforgettable energy."

Pastor Wale Akinsiku (PWA) of House of Praise added: "Open Heavens has always been a celebration that brings people together. With Michael W. Smith joining the lineup this year, it's going to be extraordinary."

Now in its 12th year, Open Heavens has become a must-attend NYE event in Toronto, known for its family friendly high-energy atmosphere, the happiest countdown in the city, and live performances that feel bigger than a concert--a true shared experience.

Tickets are free, but registration is required. Reserve your spot and bring friends and family to be part of one of Canada's most anticipated New Year's Eve events.

Save Your Spot Today: www.NYEinTO.com

About Open Heavens:

Open Heavens is Canada's premier free annual New Year's Eve celebration, bringing together thousands of people for a night of live performances, high-energy celebration, and community. Known for its unforgettable countdown and world-class artists, Open Heavens has become a defining NYE tradition in Toronto.

SOURCE HOUSE OF PRAISE

Media Contact: Bola Kwapong, [email protected], 905 624 5673
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., today announced the opening of a new Trulieve-branded dispensary in Findlay, Ohio. Harvest Grows LLC will operate the dispensary under the Trulieve brand through a licensing agreement with the Company.

The dispensary will host a grand opening event on Friday, December 19, featuring specials and promotional giveaways.

Findlay OH Store

"We are thrilled to serve the Findlay community with a new dispensary under the trusted Trulieve brand," said Harvest Grows Chief Executive Officer Mark Eiland. "We look forward to welcoming adult-use customers and medical patients, offering premium Trulieve products and a superior customer experience."

"We are proud to support Harvest Grows as they open their third location in Ohio," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "Together we are expanding access to cannabis by bringing high-quality products and care to Findlay."

The new dispensary, located at 1501 W Main Cross Street, will be open 8 a.m.  9 p.m., seven days a week, offering walk-in and express pickup service.

Harvest Grows also operates Trulieve-branded dispensaries at 3528 Columbia Parkway in Cincinnati and 7420 Oak Point Road in Lorain, while Trulieve operates owned dispensaries at the following locations in Ohio:

4370 Tonawanda Trail, Beavercreek

2950 N. High Street, Columbus

601 S. High Street, Columbus

8295 Sancus Blvd., Westerville

3674 Maple Avenue, Zanesville

Trulieve dispensaries offer customers a wide assortment of popular brands, including Trulieve's in-house brands Modern Flower and R.O., as well as a variety of form factors including capsules, concentrates, edibles, flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, topicals and vaporizers. For more information on store activations and locations in Ohio, please visit www.trulieve.com/dispensaries/ohio.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.

Facebook: @Trulieve

Instagram: @Trulieve

X: @Trulieve

Investor and Media Contact

Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 (424) 202-0210

[email protected]

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Technology / Other

by Staff Reporter

The Regressive Fee Structure



Deposit Pattern



Transaction Amount



Fee per Transaction*



Monthly Deposits



Total Fees



Effective Rate



Daily (30x)



TZS 10,000



TZS 300



30



TZS 9,000



3.0%



Weekly (4x)



TZS 75,000



TZS 700



4



TZS 2,800



0.9%



Bi-weekly (2x)



TZS 150,000



TZS 800



2



TZS 1,600



0.5%



Monthly (1x)



TZS 300,000



TZS 900



1



TZS 900



0.3%



Behavioral Triggers That Maximize Fees

Chasing Losses After Hours: Evening matches end when users exhaust deposits. TZS 5,000 emergency deposits to recover losses pay 4-6% fees - higher than the bet's vig.

Event-Triggered Micro-Deposits: Live odds shift during matches. Users deposit TZS 3,000-5,000 to capture odds before they move. Four micro-deposits during one match cost more than one TZS 15,000 pre-match deposit.

Cross-Network Fragmentation: Cross-network transfers incur TZS 200-1,500 penalties despite 2016 interoperability. Single-network consolidation eliminates this.

Withdrawal Churn: Platforms process withdrawals in 5-24 hours. Users cash out after wins and redeposit when betting resumes, paying both withdrawal and deposit fees each cycle.

Minimum Balance Triggers: Platforms require TZS 1,000-2,500 minimums for certain markets. Users deposit exact amounts when needed rather than maintaining buffers.

The 48-Hour Cooling Window

Agent Network Timing

The True Cost Beyond Fees

The Bank of Tanzania recorded 6.41 billion mobile money transactions in 2024, processing TZS 198,859 billion. Inside that volume, bettors paid millions in fees that deposit timing alone could eliminate. 1xBet mobile download applications enable instant deposits - three taps transfers funds within seconds. That speed conceals fee structures penalizing frequency. Mobile money bettors place 70-90% more transactions than cash users but wager 30-40% less per bet. The pattern creates maximum fee exposure: frequent small deposits trigger highest percentage charges.M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa charge TZS 350 (1.2%) on TZS 30,000 transfers, but TZS 250,000 costs only TZS 850 (0.3%). Daily patterns pay ten times more than monthly for identical volume.*Fee calculations based on confirmed rates: TZS 30,000 = 1.2%, TZS 250,000 = 0.3%. Intermediate amounts estimated using regressive fee structure pattern typical of Tanzania mobile money operators.Daily depositors transfer TZS 300,000 monthly but pay TZS 9,000 in feesten times what monthly depositors pay for identical volume. The TZS 8,100 difference compounds: across one year, daily patterns waste TZS 97,200 that monthly timing preserves.Withdrawal fees magnify the problem. Extracting TZS 100,000 costs TZS 2,500 minimum, scaling to TZS 3,500 depending on agent liquidity and network load. Users who deposit TZS 10,000 daily and withdraw TZS 30,000 weekly face cascading charges: deposit fees, cross-network penalties if switching operators, withdrawal fees, and government levies. One documented case showed TZS 100,000 in total movement losing TZS 6,300 (6.3%) before any bet resolved.Mobile apps engineer impulsive deposits through friction reduction. Research found 83% of users visit agents twice monthly, but app integration eliminates that constraint - users approve transfers without leaving betting interfaces.Five patterns triggering maximum fees:Monthly depositors transferring TZS 300,000 face 30 days until replenishment, forcing evaluation: is this bet worth depleting the allocation? Daily depositors never encounter this checkpoint.Betwinner Tanzania allows deposit limits with 48-hour cooling periods before increases activate. P2P transfers grew 31.49% in volume during 2024, but payments to business increased 45.76% in valueusers consolidate personal transfers but fragment betting payments.Tanzania's 1,475,281 agents earn commissions on withdrawals, creating incentive to encourage cash-out. Agents offer preferential rates during low-liquidity periods - early mornings or mid-month when cash reserves thin. Users depositing TZS 500,000 during slow periods negotiate fee reductions. TZS 10,000 transactions lack this leverage.Withdrawal Timing Creates Secondary ExposurePlatforms advertise instant deposits but withdrawal processing takes 15 minutes to 24 hours. Saturday night withdrawals might process Monday morning at weekend premium rates. Monthly patterns enable withdrawal timing when Wednesday-Thursday agent rates favor customers. Cross-network withdrawals add TZS 200-1,500 per transaction.TZS 9,000 monthly fees versus TZS 900 shows TZS 8,100 savings, but understates opportunity cost. That TZS 8,100 funds sixteen additional TZS 500 bets at 2.0 odds - TZS 8,000 winning potential the fee structure consumed. Over twelve months: 192 betting opportunities sacrificed.Mobile money's 26.73% transaction growth suggests convenience outweighs cost awareness. Apps reducing friction by 10 seconds cost users 10x more in fees through frequency increases. Virtual card adoption grew 60.37% to 820,832 registrations, processing TZS 220.15 billion with flat fees, but platform integration remains limited.Monthly deposits win across every metric. The behavior requires impulse resistance app design systematically undermines. Until platforms surface cumulative fee totals at deposit time - showing users paid TZS 7,200 across 24 transactions this month - most optimize for convenience rather than cost.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE - Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzio Phuti has claimed that Zimbabwe is the only country that has trained data protection officers.He made the remarks while speaking in the Senate during a question and answer session."Zimbabwe is one of the countries that developed the data protection legislation at the turn of 2021 and went on to establish a data protection authority, which is housed at the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe currently and is mandated to look at such issues," Phuti said."Also, Zimbabwe is, if not the only country in Africa that has trained data protection officers. Having said that, I value this question because it also touches on issues relating to the judiciary. It is imperative that we look at the existence of the data protection authority, the existence of data protection legislation, but also having our citizens given awareness on how to protect themselves against cyberbullying and related issues."Phuti said it was his belief, and the view of the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, that citizens in general have not fully understood the strength of the legislation in place to protect them.He noted that every October the ministry runs a cyber security awareness campaign for a month."At some stages of the awareness programme, we incorporate universities and the private sector as well as the civil society. We have realised that our people lack information and requisite knowledge on what to do in response to such concerning issues, such as cyberbullying, libel and other attacks," he said.Phuti said cyberbullying is a crime and should be reported as such, adding that there are cases where people have been charged for violating cyber security laws."I mean cyber data protection laws on cyber security issues. Lastly, my clarion call is that we develop a framework that seeks to strengthen issues of censorship. We cannot be a society that is porous and has got flawless discharge of abusive language, which does not protect our people in general, but more so our children," he said.He added that the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services is currently working on the Child Online Protection Bill, which is expected to strengthen protection for children and all citizens.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE - Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Chalton Hwende has warned that poor remuneration for soldiers in Zimbabwe is putting the lives of citizens at risk.Speaking in parliament, Hwende said the welfare of soldiers, police officers and prison officers must be prioritised."The first thing that I would like to speak to before going to the allocations that were put in place to the Ministry of Defence on fuel, vehicles and everything. Let us remember our workers who are within the Ministry of Defence. These soldiers, police officers and even those from the prisons," he said."If you look at the amount of remuneration that they are being paid and while those are the people who walk around holding AK47 guns, we are putting our lives at risk. As on every day whenever they get cross, we will run away from this wall, even from this august House."Hwende compared Zimbabwe's soldiers to their regional counterparts, noting that in South Africa they earn about US$1,200 per month, while in Zimbabwe they struggle to earn around US$200 before deductions."However, here they are actually struggling to earn about US$200, of which you then deduct the IMTT. I was expecting that you would listen to one of the resolutions that were put in place during the ZANU PF Congress," Hwende said.He questioned whether ministers respected resolutions from their own party, saying soldiers' earnings were reduced to "peanuts" after deductions. Hwende added that even in Zambia soldiers earn close to US$500."Let us work on that. Minister Mthuli Ncube, I think you once listened to the national anthem of this country. I think just like what you are doing, you are not listening to your party conference, where they simply say that those workers should be paid fully," he said.Hwende also criticised the allocation for training, saying only 5.5 percent of the requested funds were provided."It simply means that you end up having these uniformed forces without enough training because you cannot actually divide the training. It is either you are fully training a soldier or we are not training at all," he said.
Wesley Diggs said he never knew who killed his wife and four children inside their Teaneck home in December 1975  a claim he would take to his grave 12 years later when he died of a heart attack.

Diggs returned to his home on Carlton Terrace late in the afternoon of Dec. 6, 1975, to find his entire family  wife Jean, 39, daughters Audrey, 17, and Allison, 16, and sons Wesley Jr., 12, and Roger, 5  dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Initially deemed the prime suspect, Diggs passed two lie detector tests after the killings and was cleared by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

Still, suspicions swirled around Diggs, an entrepreneur who owned four bars with his brother, plus a card store and two apartment buildings in Harlem. Many wondered if he was somehow involved through his bar businesses, and Diggs spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name.

The case had eerie parallels to another high profile mass killing in New Jersey  the murders of the five members of the List family systematically executed in their Westfield home in 1971.

In that case, John List was finally apprehended nearly 18 years later and charged with killing this wife, mother and three children after an investigation that became the subject of numerous books, films, documentaries and the NJ Advance Media podcast Father Wants Us Dead.

But 50 years later, the Diggs case is as cold as the ground in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus where Diggs is buried next to his wife and four children.

Maureen Parenta, a spokeswoman for the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, acknowledged the trail was cold. But she said the investigation remains active, and anyone with information can call investigators at 201-226-5532.

Wesley Diggs (left) with his mother, Thelma, during burial services at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus on Dec. 13, 1975, a week after his family was slain in their home in Teaneck. Photo by Margaret M. Grieve

The police tried to connect him to it, and the media assumption, as well as the assumption of many of his friends, was that he had to be part of it, said Bob Chase, a retired minister who was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck, where the funeral for the Diggs family drew over 1,000 people.

He was condemned right from the beginning, Chase said. But he was never charged.

Chase, who was 27 years old at the time and five days into his tenure as pastor when the Diggs family was murdered, so believed in Wesleys innocence that he wrote a book about it. The book Diggs didnt sell much and is long out of print, but the mystery of who did it  and why  lives on.

I was convinced he didnt do it, and I wrote the book to clear his name, said Chase, who is now 77 and lives in Palisades, New York.

Wes was one of the kindest, most generous people I ever met. He was generous with his time, and generous to people in the community in Harlem. He worked hard to find the killer; he hired a private detective. He hired a psychic, Chase said.

Fifty years later, the question remains: Who killed the Diggs family?

The investigation into what remains the largest homicide in Bergen County history began shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, 1975, a Saturday. Diggs first discovered his daughter, Audrey, lying in a blood-spattered bed upstairs. After finding the phone lines dead, Diggs raced next door to a neighbors house to get help.

The neighbors, a mother and her daughter, returned to the house with Diggs. The mother went downstairs and discovered Jean in the basement, dead from gunshot wounds to the chest and head. The daughter went upstairs, then quickly came back down to tell Diggs that his daughter Audrey was dead.

Police were called, and while Wesley was kept downstairs, checked the house and discovered Wesley and Roger, still in their pajamas, and Allison in her attic room, the television still on.

Former Teaneck mayor Paul Ostrow was 25 years old that day and a volunteer on the ambulance squad. Ostrow recalls responding to an initial call of multiple injuries at a house on Carlton Terrace.

But when he got there, the police tape had already gone up and the emergency was over.

By the time I got there, the house was being cordoned off and the police were waiting for the prosecutor to come. It was obvious that everyone in the house was dead. Im glad I didnt have to go inside, Ostrow said.

Diggs was distraught at the scene and had to be restrained, according to news reports at the time. Inside the house, investigators found 23 shell casings, all .22 caliber. All but three of the casings were near the bodies.

All the children had been shot multiple times in the head execution-style. Jean Diggs was found in the basement with a bullet wound to her chest and to the head.

Wesley Diggs spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name as he said he was searching for the killer of his wife and four children, who were found slain in their Teaneck home in December 1975. Star-Ledger 12/4/77

Chase writes that Diggs did not know his entire family had been slain when he was taken to Teaneck police headquarters for questioning. Cops wanted to know his whereabouts, and Diggs told investigators hed spent Friday night with his girlfriend in Harlem after attending a political fundraiser for a New York state assemblyman at one of his bars.

Diggs told cops that although his wife didnt approve of his infidelity, she tolerated it. The friction in the marriage and the nature of the crime initially made Diggs the prime suspect.

Wes, on the spot, had to decide: Am I going to create a false narrative or tell the truth? Chase said. To his credit, he decided to tell the truth.

But if Diggs wasnt the killer, then who was? The Bergen County Prosecutors Office estimated the shootings took place between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., but there was no sign of forced entry or robbery.

Investigators on both sides of the Hudson turned their focus on activities at the four bars that Diggs owned with his brother. Diggs denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, but cops kept looking for a revenge or robbery motive.

Six months after the murders, New York Police Department Detective Lt. James Vitti thought hed cracked the case. Based on information he obtained from a paid informant, Vitti claimed that three people  the informant, another man and a woman  went to Teaneck to rob the house and shot the family in the process.

Problem was, the informant disappeared soon after the NYPD paid him to wear a wire. And the other man he pointed to was already in prison for murder; the woman had just been paroled.

Vitti went public with his claim in October 1976, but Bergen County Prosecutor Joseph C. Woodcock wasnt buying it.

We know the people he is talking about, Woodcock said in an article published in the Herald-News on Oct. 22, 1976. We talked to at least one of them and there isnt anything there.

Diggs personal finances also came under scrutiny. An article published in The Record days after the murder revealed that Diggs owed more than $100,000 to a loan company and was struggling to keep his bar businesses afloat.

Bars, particularly those in Black neighborhoods, often had trouble obtaining credit from banks, which forced them to find other lenders.

The Record reported that in an unusual arrangement, Diggs was paying back his loan in weekly installments, not monthly, which is the norm with banks.

Diggs said he never went back to the house after his family was murdered. He said cops ripped out the radiators and wall fixtures looking for drugs, but didnt find any.

He sold the house in August 1976 and moved back to New York City, where he opened a card shop and sold his bar businesses to his brother. From there, he tried to keep pressure on the police to keep looking for the killer, and complained bitterly about being treated as a suspect.

The house on Carlton Terrace in Teaneck where Jean Diggs and her four children were slain looks much the same today from the outside as it did 50 years ago. Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com

Diggs struggles daily to find new leads to track down his familys killer, Lawrence Hall wrote in an article in The Star-Ledger published on Dec. 4, 1977, nearly two years after the murders. This detective work he claims law enforcement authorities in Bergen County should be doing. He also lives in the shadow of suspicion and whispers.

Its like Im supposed to be the bad guy because I was not killed, Diggs told Hall. People are saying I had to be doing something wrong to have this happen.

Diggs suggested investigators were blinded by racism, convinced that he had to be involved somehow.

They were looking for narcotics, not the person who murdered my family, he said. I guess a Black guy in Bergen County is not supposed to own a $50,000 house and be a bar owner.

Of his debts, Diggs wondered, why cant a Black man have $138,000 in credit when a white businessman can have a $2 million credit line?

But it was Diggs infidelity that led one Teaneck detective, Fred Greene, to chase the most bizarre theory in the case  that it was Jean Diggs, distraught over her husbands extra-marital affairs, who killed her children.

As the theory goes, Jean methodically went from room to room killing her children, and when she was finished, she turned the gun on herself. Only she didnt die, according to the theory, and someone else  not Wesley  shot her and then escaped with the gun.

Police never recovered the weapon, or weapons, used in the murders.

The theory that Jean was responsible for the murders is the scenario laid out in the fictionalized film version of the Diggs murders, American Wisper, that is streaming on Amazon Prime.

The film follows Harlem bar owner Josiah Wisper in his search for justice after his wife and three children have been murdered in their North Jersey home.

The producer, Howard Nash, said he first tried to produce a documentary on the Diggs case during the 1980s. He read the Chase book, met with the author, and produced a script.

Nash said he met Wesley Diggs several times and believed him. But CBS ultimately let go of the project, Nash said

After the script sat around for decades, he added some fictional elements to the script and sold the project to Amazon Prime, where since 2016 it has been streamed more than a million times.

Nash hoped his based on true story narrative would pressure the Bergen County Prosecutors Office to reopen the case. But after 50 years, is there anyone still out there who knows what happened?

Even though hes no longer alive, it would be better to get the truth out, Nash said.

Ostrow, the former mayor, is now 75 years old and knows any hope of finding the killer dims with each passing day. Short of a deathbed confession, he cant imagine the case will ever be solved.

As time goes by it becomes a fading light, Ostrow said.

A former Teaneck resident, Jackie Kates, believes the Diggs family is worth remembering. Kates, who now lives in Fort Lee, met Jean Diggs only once, at a birthday party for her nephew.

Weeks later, her husband was at a dinner in New York and she was home alone with her two children on a Saturday night.

She turned on the 11 oclock news and saw the headline flash across the screen, family murdered, accompanied by a graphic showing a map of Teaneck.

She quickly locked all the doors. I couldnt wait for my husband to get home, she recalled. Soon after, she learned Jean, the pleasant woman shed met at the birthday party with her cute little son Roger, was dead, along with the rest of the Diggs children.

The most shocking thing is that something like that could happen, a woman and all her children murdered, she said. The second most shocking thing is that its never been resolved.

Kates said the shock of meeting someone at a birthday party and then learning theyve been murdered has never worn off.

No one has ever been brought to justice, and I think its worth remembering these five people who lost their lives, she said.

Wesley Diggs was buried beside his wife, Jean, when he died in 1987, twelve years after his wife and four children were found fatally shot in their Teaneck home. Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com

More than 1,000 people attended the funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck on the Saturday after the murders. Chase, in his first week as pastor, met with Wesley Diggs to make the arrangements.

He said Diggs wanted to keep the funeral low-key, which was impossible given the publicity of the case.

Diggs didnt speak at the funeral but instead had a friend read a letter he wrote to his wife and family that spoke of the survivors guilt that would follow him all the days of his life.

I consider myself your protector, your shelter in the time of storm, he wrote to his family, as reported in The Star-Ledger on Dec. 14, 1975. Now I ask you to forgive me for not sheltering you in your greatest hour of need.

Audrey Diggs was a star athlete at Teaneck High School, where she played basketball, softball and volleyball. The Teaneck Board of Education established the Audrey Diggs Memorial Award, given each year to the student-athlete who displays leadership and dedication.

At Teaneck High Schoo, there is also a plaque to the Diggs family. Love is eternal, is the inscription.
The midseason finale of Tracker ended on a dramatic cliffhanger.

In the final moments of the Sunday, Dec. 14 episode, Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) drove a severely injured Keaton (Brent Sexton) to get medical attention. Keaton coughed up blood as Colter pleaded with him to hang on.

Before Colter could get Keaton to the hospital, an unknown assailant began shooting at his car. Colter veered off the road and his car went off a ledge, flipping over and landing upside down. A title card reading To Be Continued then appeared on screen. Viewers will have to wait until Tracker returns on March 1 to find out what happened to Colter and Keaton.

As the CBS dramas titular tracker, Colter will surely survive the car wreck. But what about Keaton, who was already on deaths door before the crash?

Its pretty bad, executive producer Elwood Reid told Us Weekly in an interview published on Sunday. The situation we pick directly up in [episode] 10 is pretty dire. Part of the puzzle is [whether] Keaton [is] dead or is he alive? How does Colter save himself or try to resuscitate Keaton?

Keaton dying would be bad for Colter, who was trying to get information out of Keaton even as he rapidly lost blood in his backseat. Earlier in the midseason finale, Colter went to Tacoma to help Keaton find his old partner Nat Dobbs (Dean McKenzie), whod gone missing.

Brent Sexton as Keaton on "Tracker." CBS

Colter discovered that Dobbs was investigating the murder of farmer Clive Sherman (Jaren Moore) when he stumbled onto Shermans dealings with Armenian crime boss Zhan Menassian (Arnab Biswas). He and Keaton suspected that Menassian was holding Dobbs captive until they saw security footage of Dobbs killing Menassian. But they spotted another man in the video: contract killer Emil Lang (Mark Engelhardt).

Colter and Keaton managed to track down Dobbs lying on his back in the woods after a car accident. Before dying, Dobbs confirmed that Lang killed Sherman. Colter and Keaton then tracked Lang to a house where they found a tied-up housekeeper and the body of mafia accountant Bradley Weitz (Trevor Hunton).

Keaton heard something outside and went to investigate, finding Lang. Keaton fired at Lang but got shot in the process. Lang escaped as Colter tried to stabilize Keaton.

READ MORE: Where youve seen Mel from Tracker before

As Colter drove Keaton to the emergency room, he asked him what else the tied-up housekeeper told him. Struggling to breathe, Keaton said that Lang is trying to find someone named Cassie Lindstrom. All Colter knows about Lindstrom thus far is that she shares a last name with a cop whom Lang allegedly murdered.

Who exactly is Cassie Lindstrom? Does Keaton die, and does Lang get away? Tune in to the Tracker season 3 midseason premiere Sunday, March 1, to find out.

Tracker is available to stream on Paramount+.
Thursdays announcement by Anheuser-Busch that it will close its Newark brewery after 75 years will force employees there to decide whether to accept the companys offer to relocate or lose their jobs.

But for countless nostalgic or aesthetically minded motorists, air travelers and residents of the city and surrounding region, the announcement raised a separate question that may be less sobering but one with a potential emotional hangover all its own.

Is the Anheuser-Busch neon sign staying? John Abeigon, a city resident and president of the Newark Teachers Union, asked after he learned the brewery would close. Thats been an iconic landmark for 75 years, both on the ground and for flights arriving and leaving from Newark. Coming home late at night, we knew we were close.

The answer to Abeigons question, sadly for many, is that the sign will be taken down and sent to Anheuser-Buschs St. Louis headquarters, according to a spokesman for the company buying the brewery site, Goodman North America, the California-based subsidiary of the Goodman Group of Sydney, Australia.

Anheuser-Busch will be retaining the eagle and all other iconic items and moving to their head office in St Louis, the spokesman, Ben Bytheway, said in an email on Friday, acknowledging the sign as an iconic symbol.

Goodman plans to redevelop the site for other industrial uses, though Bytheway said the company had not yet determined whether the red-brick brewery would be demolished.

Anheuser-Busch, whose brands include Budweiser, Michelob and Stella Artois, did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.

The current version of the sign is 34 feet across and weighs 15 tons, made from 4,500 feet of neon tubing and 2,000 incandescent bulbs. It was installed by the company in 2001 to celebrate its 50th year in operation and the Budweiser brands 125th year in ice chests and refrigerators.

The region immediately took notice when the sign went dark in 2012 due to a malfunction, and stayed off for several months before being repaired.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman told The Star-Ledger at the time that air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International would instruct helicopter pilots to look out for the eagle as they approached the airport.

To local historians, the eagle sign represents Newarks heyday as a malt mecca in the 19th and 20th centuries, when dozens of breweries sprang up to take advantage of the citys pristine water supply from its vast watershed property in Sussex County.

Ballantine, Pabst and Kreugers are some of the biggest names from Newarks brewing past, whose beer barons built mansions on High and Washington streets, several of them still standing.

Unlike most of the citys other commercial-scale breweries, however, the Anheuser-Busch plant remains in operation  at least until early 2026, when the company said it will close and the property will be transferred to Goodman.

The company said it would eliminate 475 full-time jobs at the Newark brewery and two others also closing, in Fairfield, California, and Merrimack, New Hampshire, though employees would be offered jobs at other company locations.

The brewery opened in 1951, and over the decades the eagle sign became a beacon of barley and hops, signaling to motorists and air travelers flying into nearby Newark Liberty International Airport that they were passing through or arriving in New Jerseys largest city.

The sign towers above the citys South Ward near the Elizabeth border, and for decades while lit at night it cast an eerie red glow through the rising steam produced by the brewing process.

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery and its iconic eagle sign in Newark, seen here on Dec. 11, 2025, the day the company announced its closing and sale. The sign will be removed, the buyer of the property said. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

Its a landmark  it lets you know that Budweiser is still there and everythings going alright, Newark City Historian Junius Williams said of the sign Friday, when a reporter told him of the brewerys closing. Im sorry to hear that.

On Thursday, the same day the closing was announced, Williams attended a press conference signaling the start of construction on a 300,000-square-foot film and television studio to be leased by Lionsgate. Like the brewery, the studio site is also in Newarks South Ward and would mark a leap forward for movie and TV production as an industry already growing in the city.

As we gain a new business, we lose another, Williams said.

Actually, its the end of an era, he added, because Anheuser-Busch was one of the last big breweries, I think the last big one. At one time, there were 75 breweries in the city.

Robert Sinclair Jr., a spokesman for AAA Northeast, a region that includes Newark and New York City, called the eagle sign, one of those iconic roadside attractions.

It might be up there with the Paul Bunyon statue, wherever he might be, Sinclair said.

Other, more specific examples include the Domino Sugar sign in Brooklyn, visible across the East River to motorists on Manhattans FDR Drive. Another vestige of the regions manufacturing past is the Colgate Clock on the Jersey City waterfront, in view of drivers on Manhattans West Side Highway across the Hudson River.

Its one of those iconic signs thats part of the landscape of the tri-state area, Sinclair said. These things are part of the charm of driving. The lure of the open road is a very strong one, and these things make it interesting.

Itll be a little bit sad if it passes into history, he said of the Anheuser-Busch sign. Ill miss it.
A man has pleaded guilty to multiple child exploitation charges, which included sending money to children in exchange for sexually explicit materials.

Nabeen Leigh Singha, 39, of West Orange, pleaded guilty in Camden federal court on Thursday to production and receipt of child pornography as well as possessing prepubescent child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a Monday statement.

Singha had sexual conversations with two minors over the internet between 2021 and 2022 and paid them to create and send him sexually explicit photos and videos, authorities said. During that time, he also paid an intermediary to send him similar materials of four other juveniles, officials said.

When law enforcement searched Singhas phone, they found about 5,000 images and more than 600 videos determined to be child sexual abuse material, authorities said.

Certain files included children under the age of 12, according to federal prosecutors.

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation online.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Opinion / Columnist

I write this article not as an academic observer, but as a former, experienced investment analyst and investment banker, and as a minority shareholder in the majority of Zimbabwe's listed companies. Over the years, I have analysed balance sheets, sat through annual general meetings, reviewed board reports and watched, with growing concern, how governance choices have steadily undermined Zimbabwe's industrial base.Zimbabwe's industrial collapse did not occur overnight, nor was it inevitable. It is the direct outcome of boardroom decisions taken by people who, in many cases, do not understand the technical systems that underpin industry. Today, most industrial and parastatal boards are dominated by accountants and lawyers, while engineers and technologists, the professionals who actually design, operate and sustain industrial assets are largely excluded from strategic decision-making.Industry is not an abstract financial construct. Power stations, factories, mines, railways and water treatment plants are complex engineering systems. In industrialised economies, boards reflect this reality. Engineers and technical specialists play a central role in defining industrial strategy, with accountants and lawyers providing essential support on finance, compliance and risk. In Zimbabwe, this hierarchy has been inverted and the results have been catastrophic.As an investment analyst, I was trained to look beyond headline profits and interrogate sustainability, asset condition and long-term value creation. Yet in Zimbabwe, board reports are heavy on financial ratios and legal compliance, but light on technical performance, plant integrity and maintenance strategy. Capital expenditure decisions are frequently deferred, maintenance budgets cut and equipment upgrades postponed all in the name of short-term cost savings that ultimately destroy shareholder value.Accountants are, by training, cost controllers. Lawyers are, by training, risk managers. Neither profession is equipped to lead decisions on production efficiency, system reliability, technology selection or lifecycle costing. When such professionals dominate boards without strong engineering leadership, the inevitable outcome is asset stripping by neglect. Machines fail, plants underperform, and industries collapse quietly while financial statements continue to be signed off as "going concerns."From a shareholder's perspective, this is is not right. Zimbabwe's listed companies have seen their productive capacity eroded year after year, not because markets failed them, but because boards failed to understand the businesses they were entrusted to govern. As a minority shareholder in all of these companies, I have watched value destruction disguised as prudence and decay rationalised as austerity.The difference with industrialised nations is completely obvious. There, engineers sit on boards not as technical advisors, but as strategic leaders. They understand that maintenance is not a cost but an investment, that reliability drives profitability and that innovation is essential for competitiveness. Finance and legal professionals then ensure that these technically sound strategies are funded and compliant.Zimbabwe once had a formidable industrial base, exporting manufactured goods across the region. The decline is not due to a lack of talent or resources. Zimbabwe continues to produce engineers who run complex industries abroad with distinction. The failure lies in governance choices at home choices that consistently sideline technical expertise in favour of administrative dominance.If Zimbabwe is serious about reindustrialisation, board composition must be urgently reformed. Industrial boards should be competency-based, with engineers and technologists occupying a central role. This is not an attack on accountants or lawyers, their roles are indispensable. However, in an industrial economy, they are support functions, not the drivers of production and innovation.Until Zimbabwe confronts this uncomfortable truth and restores technical leadership to its boardrooms, industrial recovery will remain elusive. From the perspective of an engineer, an investor, an analyst and a shareholder, the message is clear to all, without engineers at the centre of governance, Zimbabwe's industry will continue to decline and shareholder value will continue to be destroyed.Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi+263772278161
The family of an 11-year-old girl seriously injured in an East Brunswick drag-race crash has settled a negligence lawsuit for $3.25 million.

The crash took place on May 24, 2023 on Ryders Lane when Andrew Williams and Boston V. Stanley were speeding and driving recklessly on the southbound side of Ryders Lane, according to the lawsuit.

As Williams and Stanley tried to weave through traffic, Williams lost control of his car, causing it to slide and rear-end a third vehicle which was traveling ahead of the two drag racers, the suit alleged.

The third car then slid across the road and struck a northbound car carrying the girl and her mother, plaintiff Esther Klein, head-on.

The girl suffered a brain injury and a spinal fracture.

According to court documents, Williams and his mother, who owned the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V, settled for $1,743,500. Stanley, the owner and driver of a Ford F-150, settled for $1,256,000.

Stanley, of Pompano Beach, Florida, previously pleaded guilty to assault by auto, according to court records. He did not serve time in prison.

While Williams was a juvenile at the time of the crash, MyCentralJersey.com said he received five years of probation.
A New Jersey man will spend more than a decade behind bars after admitting he coerced multiple minors into sending sexually explicit photos and videos.

Daniel Nilla, 37, of Brick, received the sentence in a Trenton federal court earlier this month, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey, said in a statement on Monday. He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of receipt of child pornography.

Nilla contacted at least five juveniles on an instant messaging app between December 2021 and April 2023, authorities said. During the conversations, he instructed them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos, officials said.

Nilla was aware that the victims were underage and used the materials for his sexual gratification, according to federal prosecutors.

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation online.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is making it clear that she is still keeping her options open on a potential presidential run, Axios reported.

According to Axios, three developments over the past week have been viewed by many Democrats as the start of a 2028 campaign, including the recent expansion of her book tour to new cities for 107 Days, which details her eleventh-hour entrance and defeat to President Donald Trump during the 2024 election.

The outlet on Sunday also pointed to her appearance before the Democratic National Committees annual winter meeting and her sudden change in rhetoric  such as critiquing both political parties and the status quo.

Both parties have failed to hold the publics trust, Harris said during her speech. Government is viewed as fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people. In these and in so many other ways, the people feel that the very institutions that were designed to support them have failed them. And they are not wrong.

Harris has continued to remain toward the top in recent polling related to the 2028 race. Among a pool of Democrats, the former vice president won 31.1% of the vote, standing ahead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom with 20.3% and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 10%, a new Big Data Poll found. Newsom has also led in several other polls.

The reported bid was quickly met with mixed but mainly negative reactions on social media.

Oh lord, the democrats are gifting Trump a third term, Jason Calacanis, a co-host of the All-In Post, posted on X.

Mehdi Hasan, the progressive founder of the media company Zeteo, bluntly wrote: Insanity.

There are 1,057 days until the 2028 election. Is that long enough? asked Byron York, a chief political correspondent for the Washington Examiner.

A polling aggregator account responded with a clip from The Office.

Harris/Walz 2028! another user added.

Harris has yet to directly weigh in on her political future. In an interview released last week by The New York Times, she threw cold water on discussing whether she was ready to run for president again.

Its three years from now, Harris said with emphasis. I mean, honestly.

Harris did, however, note that she has been free from what she characterized as the transactional result of campaigning, including asking Americans for their vote at the ballot box.

I understand the focus on 28 and all that, Harris said in a wide-ranging interview. But there will be a marble bust of me in Congress. I am a historic figure like any vice president of the United States ever was.
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill announced Jennifer Davenport, a former federal prosecutor and assistant state attorney general, as her choice Monday to lead New Jerseys top law enforcement office.

Sherrill, a Democrat who won last months election to become the states next governor, has nominated Davenport to become the states next attorney general.

Davenport previously served under former state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and worked alongside Sherrill as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office. She also worked for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and as general counsel for energy company PSE&G in the private sector.

Sherrill  a former congresswoman who won the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy  appeared alongside Davenport at an announcement event at Rutgers Universitys Newark campus. She said she knows Davenport will will stop at nothing to ensure justice is served to everyone."

Sherrill previously said she wanted an attorney general willing to take on President Donald Trumps administration. Davenport echoed that stance.

From taking on gun violence and human trafficking, to protecting our children, to ensuring affordability, to defending New Jerseyans from attacks out of Washington, I will build on my career in law enforcement and in public service to protect New Jerseyans every day, she said.

If confirmed, Davenport will take over for current state Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the Murphy appointee who has frequently sued the Trump administration over its policies.

Platkin said in a statement that Davenport is one of the finest public servants I have ever known, and will do an extraordinary job as our States chief law enforcement officer.

One of Sherrills campaign promises was to freeze energy rates in New Jersey, which means Davenport will likely have to recuse herself from related matters because of her ties to PSE&G. In that case, an assistant attorney general would be appointed to handle issues tied to the policy.

Davenport and Sherrill said recusals would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

If theres any conflict of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest then I would recuse, Davenport said. Thats what attorneys do, thats what prosecutors do, thats what Ive always done in my career.

Davenports appointment comes as New Jersey Democrats navigate several controversial policy debates.

Lawmakers are pushing a bill that would strip the attorney general of direct authority over the State Police. The proposal follows investigations by Platkin, the current attorney general, into Democratic political powerbroker George Norcross and a report on racial profiling.

State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan has announced plans to step down when Sherrill takes office.The administration is still conducting a search to find someone to take the State Police job.

Sherrill declined to weigh in on the legislation about State Police oversight. But the governor-elect said she feels that Davenport can address multiple stakeholders in the debate.

Before we make a decision on that well have a superintendent in place, Sherrill said.

Another flashpoint for the new attorney general will be immigration policy, including the states Immigrant Trust Directive. The directive bars law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities on civil immigration matters but allows cooperation on violent crimes and cases involving warrants.

Legislation known as the Immigrant Trust Act would strengthen those protections. Sherrill has said she supports keeping the directive but has not backed the bill, which faces resistance from Republicans and Democrats in swing districts.

The ACLU of New Jersey said it hopes to work with Davenport on criminal justice reform.

Over the past several years, across multiple administrations, the ACLU of New Jersey has enjoyed a productive relationship with the Office of the Attorney General  sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries, but always with mutual respect, said Amol Sinha, the groups executive director.

We shared a productive working relationship with Ms. Davenport during her time as first assistant attorney general under former AG Gurbir Grewal, and we are hopeful that under her leadership, the office will continue to build upon the work of defending the rights of all New Jerseyans, Sinha added.

Davenport, who is from Monmouth County, has to be confirmed by the state Senate to formally become attorney general. The two state senators representing the county said Monday they support her.

We applaud the selection of Monmouth Countys own Jen Davenport as Governor-elect Sherrills nominee for Attorney General, Republican state Sen. Declan OScanlon and Democratic state Sen. Vin Gopal said in a joint statement. Throughout her career, she has been a friend to law enforcement and has worked tirelessly to prosecute crimes and keep our communities safe.

Gopal is also on the Senate Judiciary Committee that will review Davenports nomination. Republicans said they were prepared to look at Davenports record.

I look forward to reviewing Ms. Davenports nomination through the Judiciary Committee process and ensuring that public safety, strong support for our law enforcement officers, and prioritizing victims remain top priorities for the incoming Attorney General, said state Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Passaic, a member of the Senate Judiciary committee.

Davenport is the second pick Sherrill has announced for her Cabinet. Sherrill recently said Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell will also serve as commissioner of the states secretary of state.

Sherrill will take office Jan. 20.
A group of House Republicans and conservative commentators have condemned President Donald Trumps inflammatory remarks about the alleged murders of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, who were killed in their Los Angeles home on Sunday

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, the president falsely claimed that Reiner died due to the anger he caused others, attributing the death to what he called a mind crippling disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Reiner, an acclaimed filmmaker and producer, was an outspoken Democratic activist and emphatic critic of Trump.

He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace! Trump wrote.

Trumps post came as Reiners younger son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with the fatal stabbing of the director-actor and his wife. He has been booked for murder and is being held on $4 million bail, according to the Associated Press.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) posted a screenshot of Trumps message on X, saying that it was inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because theyre afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it, Massie said.

Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered. I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because theyre afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it. pic.twitter.com/j3dvzRxLQJ  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 15, 2025

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also addressed Trumps remarks, saying that this is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.

Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak, Greene said in a post on X.

Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues, she added. Its incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said that Trumps statement is wrong.

Regardless of ones political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son, Lawler posted on X. Its a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period.

When asked Monday about Trumps comments on the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told CNN anchor Jake Tapper that Id expect to hear something like this from a drunk guy at a bar, not the President of the United States.

Can the President be presidential? Bacon said.

Several prominent MAGA activists and right-wing commentators joined the four House Republicans in criticizing Trumps comments about Reiner.

Joe Concha, a Fox News contributor and author, said that the presidents post was completely inappropriate.

President Trump should delete this, said Alex Stone, a conservative podcaster and MAGA influencer.

Jenna Ellis, a lawyer who backed Trumps efforts to subvert the 2020 election, slammed the presidents remarks.

A man and his wife were murdered last night. This is NOT the appropriate response, Ellis posted on X.

The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirks death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency.

Said former Fox News and Newsmax contributor Dennis Michael Lynch: I voted for him 3xs, but there are days when I just shake my head. Today is one of those days.
President Donald Trump is blaming Trump Derangement Syndrome for the death of actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, who was reportedly found dead alongside his wife Michele in their Los Angeles home on Sunday.

Tributes from public figures, including high-profile Democrats, poured in for Reiner after multiple reports said he and his wife were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by the filmmaker. Reiner, 78, was known for his iconic films like This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.

In a scathing Truth Social post, the president baselessly claimed on Monday that Reiner died due to the anger he caused as a result of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Trump Derangement Syndrome is a fake disease Trump frequently diagnoses his harshest critics with.

A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace! he added.

Reiner was an outspoken critic of Trump, telling The Guardian in 2024 that a second term for the president could turn the U.S. into an autocracy.

Public figures and commentators criticized Trump for his insensitive post on Monday.

Vanity Fairs Franklin Leonard wrote: Every single time I see something this far beyond the pale, my first thought is yes hes terrible but that cant possibly be real. And every time Im wrong. Every. Damn. Time.

MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski said: Every time you think Trump cant possibly get any worse, he gets worse.

Just when you think Trump cant sink any lower, he sends this disgusting, depraved post about Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.He couldnt muster even a moment of decency. Hes petty, small, amoral man unworthy of any position of leadership, let alone the presidency, journalist Ahmed Baba wrote on X.

Liberal pundit Neera Tanden said: We have never had a person of worse character as President of the United States. Its mortifying how this great country chose to do this to itself.

The Associated Press reported that the deaths of Reiner and his wife are being investigated as an apparent homicide at Reiners home, according to Los Angeles police. An official told the AP that the couple suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators.
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing intense backlash after officials released a person of interest in connection to the deadly mass shooting at Brown University over the weekend.

A gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring nine others. Local authorities said on Sunday that they planned to release a person of interest detained in connection to the shooting after officials determined there was no basis to keep the individual in custody.

Police said the FBI located the person of interest after receiving a tip about a possible suspect responsible for the shooting. This comment sparked outrage on social media, with many pundits questioning the FBIs response to the shooting.

Many social media users criticized Patel for posting about the person in custody just hours before the individual was released. Officials now have no person of interest in custody nearly 48 hours after the shooting.

Some social media users pointed out that Patel prematurely claimed there was a suspect in custody after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September. Patel faced intense criticism for that claim as well after he had to retract the statement.

How many times is Kash Patel going to do this exact same thing? Pretty soon Patel publicly taking credit is going to become a form of exculpatory evidence. This is the amateur hour of amateur hour, one user wrote on X.

MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote: Everyone in this admin, from the president on down, rushes to social media to put things out rather than act responsibly and prudently. Always looking to declare victory while seeking praise.

Keystone Kash f---s up again. How many times are we going to let this moron screw up investigation after investigation. Can we get the serious people back in?? This whole administration is full of frauds from top to bottom and the effects are devastating, Brett Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, wrote on X.

Political commentator Adam Cochran called on Patel to resign in his post.

So we have yet another high profile case, where the FBI cannot correctly [identify] a shooter who was active in a location with tons of cameras. And now they hope someone turns him in like in Utah The incompetence is astounding. Kash Patel needs to immediately resign his post! Cochran wrote on X.

Author Don Winslow said Patel is unfit for the role.

The SAME thing happened before. @FBIDirectorKash is a MORON of EPIC PROPORTIONS and totally UNFIT for his job IMO, Winslow said on X.

The release of the lone person of interest leaves law enforcement without any known suspect, with officials pledging to redouble efforts in the investigation by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killers identity.

We have a murderer out there, said Attorney General Peter Neronha, while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged that the news is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.

Despite an enhanced police presence at Brown, officials are not recommending another shelter-in-place order like the one that followed the Saturday afternoon shooting, when 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 Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump is forecasting an upcoming golden age spurred in part by his sweeping tariffs.

While speaking during a Christmas reception Sunday, Trump said that factories will open up by the thousands, adding that an economic boom to the likes which he doesnt think the United States has ever seen is to come.

I just look so forward to the results, Trump said. Youre going to see results in six months to a year. I think youll see results. Weve never had anything like it.

In his remarks, Trump also pointed to Toyotas commitment to invest up to $10 billion in the country over the next five years. Toyota executive Hiroyuki Ueda said last month that he believes the president is referring to a figure discussed during his first term.

Theyre coming from Germany, theyre coming from Japan, theyre coming from Canada, Trump said. Many factories are coming in because theres... they dont have, they dont want to pay tariffs, very simple.

Trumps prediction comes as U.S. manufacturing activity declined for the ninth consecutive month in November, according to an estimate released earlier this month by the Institute for Supply Management. Many manufacturers largely attribute the drop to his tariff agenda, which was mainly implemented on U.S. imports starting in April.

Meanwhile, Trump has faced headwinds in recent polling over how voters view the economy.

A new poll, released Thursday by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, showed that Trump received a 31% approval rating on the issue  a stark drop from the start of his term, when he stood at 40%. Another recent poll released by POLITICO this month found that many Americans, including those who voted for Trump during the 2024 election, are beginning to blame him for high costs they are feeling on a daily basis.

However, during a wide-raging interview with POLITICO last week, Trump gave his economy an A+++++ grade when asked to rate his performance.

Prices were at an all-time high when I came in, he said. Prices are coming down substantially. Its been 10 months. Its amazing what weve done.

He has also continued to call affordability a con job and scam pushed by Democrats in recent weeks, despite focusing his messaging on the issue, including a campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania last week.

I have no higher priority than making America affordable again, he said. Thats what were going to do."
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If theres one type of person I love shopping for come the gifting season, its a traveller. Why? Well, theyre a bit easier to shop for than others.

You see, travel enthusiasts have pretty specific needs (a good piece of luggage, packing essentials, etc.), which means opting for one of these tried and true options is always going to work out in your favor.

29 gifts for the travel enthusiast in your life

So, whether you want to splurge on a new suitcase and travel bag, or gift them that little something guaranteed to become their new travel must-have (were looking at you, Bandolier), these travel gifts are certified knockouts. Check out 29 of the best travel gifts below.

For more gift guide inspiration, check out our 2025 gift guide hub!

Bombas Bombas

Price: $30

If your favorite traveller finds themselves on flights often, a pair of Bombas Everyday Compression Socks is a cozy (and practical) slam dunk.

CALPAK CALPAK

Price: $111 (instead of $138)

The Luka Duffel is one of our favorite travel bags (you can read our full review here), so if youre looking to upgrade their carry-on this holiday season, consider this viral bag thats chic, organized and now 20% off.

BAGSMART/Amazon BAGSMART/Amazon

Price: $14 (instead of $17)

Anyone who travels often can tell you how important a travel jewelry organizer is. This BAGSMART pick is one of our favorites thanks to its cushioned, foldable design that truly has a pocket for everything.

Amazon Amazon

Price: $19 (instead of $21)

Not only is this travel fan the perfect stocking stuffer, its a 3-in-1 knockout that also doubles as a portable charger and a flashlight.

e.l.f./Amazon e.l.f./Amazon

Price: $21

Sometimes, rather than decanting everything, its easier to pick up minis. Gift them this set from e.l.f, featuring five hydrating skincare essentials from its fan-favorite Holy Hydration! line.

BAGSMART/Amazon BAGSMART/Amazon

Price: $30 (instead of $43)

Once you start using compression cubes, youll never go back. I personally swear by this BAGSMART pack  which comes with multiple sizes and in many colors  and have gifted it many times over to the travellers in my life.

Anker/Amazon Anker/Amazon

Price: $42 (instead of $55)

Phones are our lifelines when travelling, so make sure theyre never without power while out and about with this slim, powerful power bank from Anker.

Comfrt Comfrt

Price: $59 (instead of $140)

Im very much #teamcomfy when it comes to travelling and one thing on my personal wishlist this year is the viral Comfrt Airplane Mode Travel Hoodie. Not only is it made from a cozy cotton blend, but it also features tons of pockets (perfect for keeping your phone and passport handy in the airport) and it features a built-in sleep mask

Twelve South/Amazon Twelve South/Amazon

Price: $29 (instead of $40)

Let them enjoy that plane movie without needing to switch headphones with the Twelve South AirFly SE. This handy adapter lets the user connect their Bluetooth headphones to the planes monitor with just a quick click of a button.

Cadence Cadence

Price: $99 (instead of $117)

For those who do prefer to decant their toiletries, the Cadence Starter Set is a chic gift that doubles as a functional one. Each jar holds up to 1.43 fl oz of product and magnetically connects, so youll never lose your essentials.

Portland Gear Portland Gear

Price: $98 (instead of $109)

For the traveller who refuses to travel sans backpack, gift them the best of the best: Portland Gears Cascade Backpack. This backpack is made with travellers in mind, thanks to its spacious, organized interior, waterproof design and comfortable fit.

Cabeau Cabeau

Price: $43 (instead of $50)

Whenever someone asks me for a neck pillow suggestion, I always steer them to the Cabeau Evolution X Neck Pillow. Not only is it adjustable, but it also has two cooling vents on each side that allow air to escape, helping you avoid sweaty sleep.

Bandolier Bandolier

Price: $128

If there were one gift Id recommend above all the rest this holiday, it would be the Bandolier Mila MagSafe crossbody phone case. Designed to keep your phone safe when out and about (I never went a day without it amid the phone-snatching epidemic in London this past summer), this pick also features MagSafe charging and an integrated wallet, making it, in my opinion, the perfect phone case.

OUAI/Amazon OUAI/Amazon

Price: $26

Finding good travel hair products can be a pain, but with this OUAI Travel Kit, its easier than ever. It comes with four of the brands bestselling hair products (including its iconic detox shampoo) in perfectly sized travel minis.

Quince Quince

Price: $50 (instead of $110)

An extra layer is a must-have while travelling, so why not gift them something chic they can easily take from the airport to dinner with ease? Quinces 100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cardigan is just the pick youre looking for.

Apple/Amazon Apple/Amazon

Price: $75 (instead of $99)

Lost bags and devices are the ultimate travel nightmare. Keep an eye on all of your most precious cargo with this Apple AirTag 4-Pack. All you have to do is connect it to your phone and slip one into each of your bags before your travels.

Solgaard Solgaard

Price: $325

For the organized traveller, theres no sweeter splurge than the Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original Suitcase. This suitcase features an integrated organizer that opens up to a portable closet, taking much of the stress out of packing.

Lo & Sons Lo & Sons

Price: $154 (instead of $220)

Another personal go-to, I never travel anywhere without the Lo & Sons Waverley 2 Crossbody Bag. Why? Well, aside from its chic, compact design, this convertible bag can be used as a shoulder bag, crossbody, wristlet and belt bag. Hows that for options?

Touchland Touchland

Price: $30

Since 2020, no one I know has left the house, let alone travelled, without hand sanitizer. Pick up this three-pack from Touchland that will not only keep your loved ones safe while travelling, but also doubles as a hand treatment. No dry hand here!.

Amazon Amazon

Price: $33 (instead of $37)

Finding a good travel hair tool is hard enough, but a dual voltage one that can work overseas? Thats a real challenge. Luckily, I put the Aima Beauty Dual Voltage Blowout Brush to the test this past summer while abroad and can confirm this thing is a hit.

The Flay Lay Co. The Flay Lay Co.

Price: $53

When doing my makeup, I love to have everything splayed out in front of me  this can become a problem while travelling. The solution? The Flat Lay Makeup Box Bag. This bag opens out into a tray so that you can see all your products at once with no more rummaging. Talk about a dream!

Going Going

Price: Starting at $40

Finding a great deal on a flight is a joy every traveller revels in, and with a Going gift card, that high is right at their fingertips. Going is a subscription-based newsletter that alerts travellers to cant-miss deals on cheap flights, making this one gift you know will be appreciated as they plan their next adventure.

K18/Amazon K18/Amazon

Price: $24

While travelling, I love to stretch out a blowout (What can I say, I like to spend more time exploring than redoing my hair). My secret? K18s AirWash Dry Shampoo. This dry shampoo is like magic the way it instantly revives hair, and an essential Ive helped add to many of my friends travel kits, too.

Amazon Amazon

Price: $43 (instead of $54)

Help them keep their devices charged no matter where their travels take them with EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter. A truly universal design, this adapter works in 200+ countries.

July July

Price: $375

For years, Ive dreamt about a trackable suitcase, and thanks to July, that dream is now a reality. Yep, the CaseSafe Suitcase features a built-in tracker that easily connects to your phone (no app required), making lost luggage a thing of the past.

SURI/Amazon SURI/Amazon

Price: $84 (instead of $119)

For a few years now, the SURI Sonic Electric Toothbrush has been my go-to, especially while travelling. Why? It features a portable charging case and UV cleaning.

DROWSY/Amazon DROWSY/Amazon

Price: $67 (instead of $79)

Sleep is vital while travelling, and for many, that makes a sleep mask essential. Give them one of the best picks around with the DROWSY Silk Sleep Mask. Made from 100% Mulberry silk, this dreamy pick will have them catching Zs before the plane even takes off.

Amazon Amazon

Price: $18

One of my personal packing essentials? A foldable duffle bag. Im notorious for picking up gifts while travelling, so having an extra bag I can bring goodies home in? The ultimate hack.

Uber/Amazon Uber/Amazon

Price: $15-$500

When in doubt, gift cards are a sure-fire hit, and for travelling, Uber is always a hit. Whether its for rides to and from the airport or for those days when the walk back to the hotel is simply a no-go, the traveller in your life will be beyond grateful to have this in their wallet.
It is still unclear whether the teenager accused of running down two girls with his SUV will be tried as an adult.

The process of getting a teenager accused of a crime waived into adult court can be much longer than most people expect, and understanding why requires a closer look at how the system works.

Vincent Battiloro, 17, of Garwood, was allegedly driving an SUV about 75 mph in a 25-mph zone in Cranford when he struck and killed Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, on the evening of Sept. 29, according to court records.

In addition to murder charges, Battiloro faces citations for leaving the scene of an accident, reckless and careless driving, and speeding.

Municipal court records also show he received summonses for driving without a license, registration, or proof of insurance.

Despite the seriousness of the charges, and the fact that Battiloro was just weeks shy of his 18th birthday at the time of the crash, his case currently remains in juvenile court.

To try him as an adult would require a waiver approved by a judge, a process that can take months.

Alissa Hascup, a New Jersey-based lawyer, told NJ Advance Media that the waiver process may already be in motion, but the public hasnt been notified.

According to New Jersey law, the waiver must be submitted by the prosecutors office within 60 days after receipt of the complaint.

Battiloro was charged on Oct. 1, which means the 60-day deadline has already passed.

Hascup, though, said in a case like this it would not be uncommon for the deadline to be extended if good cause is shown.

While state law may set a 60-day deadline for filing a waiver motion, in practice, delays are frequent.

A report issued earlier this year by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission analyzed how often teens are transferred from family court to adult criminal court and what happens afterward.

It includes statewide data on waiver requests and outcomes for 2020 and 2021.

The study found that, on average, cases took 182 daysabout six months from the time the case was officially filed in family court to when a waiver was granted.

The 2020-2021 numbers represented a slight improvement from 20182019, when the average was 198 days.

In order to request the waiver, the prosecutors office would have to file a motion with a list of reasons as to why their assessment of Battiloros crimes merits him being tried as an adult.

Hascup said the state must have probable cause to believe the juvenile committed a crime that meets the states criteria for waiver.

Factors considered include the nature of the crime, the juveniles age and maturity level. Judges can also consider whether a juvenile defendant received special education services.

The Union County Prosecutors Office has not indicated whether they plan to try Battiloro in adult court.

Both girls families support trying Battliloro as an adult, Niotis lawyer Brent Bramnick and Salas lawyer Cory J. Rothbort said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The families declined to further comment on their stance.

Because Battliloro was under 18 at the time, his case is kept private under New Jersey law. Juvenile court records, transcripts, and identifying details are not public.

They can only be seen by people directly involved in the case, like judges, lawyers, and parents or guardians.

Hascup says that if the prosecutors office did file a waiver, it will most likely be approved.

Its an extremely high bar for a defense attorney to overcome a waiver application, said Hascup, noting there would be a hearing to decide whether he will be tried as an adult.

The only grounds on which the court can deny them is if the prosecutor abused their discretion in filing the motion, added Hascup.

The state report on juvenile waivers backed up her contention.

The report found that waiver requests are almost never deniedin fact, during 2020 and 2021, none were rejected by the courts.

Battiloro has not been officially named by the prosecutors office since he was 17 at the time of the crime.

NJ Advance Media was able to identify Battiloro as the person charged based on the 15 tickets he received for reckless driving that night.

The Cranford community, still mourning the loss of two teens, now waits for answers from the prosecutors office.
ALMATY (Reuters) -Tajikistan's communications service said on Tuesday that it had launched a national messenger app, mimicking similar projects in Russia and Kazakhstan, which critics have warned could compromise user data.

In a statement, the Tajik government communications service said the launch of the app, ORIZ, was: "an important step towards Tajikistan's digital independence."

It said the app would be aimed in part at the millions of Tajik migrants working in Russia, where access to Telegram and WhatsApp is limited, and that all user data would be stored within Tajikistan.

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"Dependence on foreign networks can harm information security", it said.

Tajikistan, the poorest of the former Soviet republics, has been governed since the early 1990s by President Emomali Rahmon, who came to power during a civil war and continues to keep the country's politics under tight control.

Several post-Soviet countries have in recent years signalled interest in launching national messenger services to supplant WhatsApp and Telegram, both of which remain widely used in the region.

Russian officials have been promoting Moscow's state-backed MAX messenger, whilst Kazakhstan has done the same with its Aitu app.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Former Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira is drawing early support from another congressman as he launches his bid for a congressional seat in Texas.

On Monday, Teixeira released a statement by Rep. Jake Ellzey publicly endorsing and praising him as an ally of President Donald Trump and the America First agenda.

Mark Teixeira knows how to win and will be a strong and fierce advocate for President Trump and the America First Agenda in Congress, Rep. Jake Ellzey wrote in a statement shared on X/Twitter. I look forward to working with Mark to secure our border, cut taxes, make America safe again, and defend life and the (second) Amendment.

Ellzey has had a mixed relationship with President Trump. In 2021, he won a special election runoff in, defeating Republican candidate Susan Wright, who had been endorsed by the president.

After Ellzeys win, Trump called to congratulate him in a conversation that was described by his campaign as very, very cordial, via The Washington Post.

Other prominent figures to have endorsed Teixeiras run include Riley Gaines, the swimmer who rose to prominence for her opposition to transgender athletes in womens sports. Majority leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan have also endorsed Teixeiras run for Texass 21st Congressional District.

The three-time All-Star spent the first four-plus years of his major-league career with the Texas Rangers. He concluded his career with eight years on the Yankees, winning a World Series in 2009.

Teixeira retired in 2016 after a 14-year career in which he hit .268 with a .869 OPS and 409 home runs.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 12F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 12F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
South Molton Community Hospital is celebrating two major donations that are helping to enhance patient care on the Hugh Squier Ward.

The hospitals League of Friends (LoF) has provided 120,000 to create four new wet rooms at the bedded ward.

It has also managed to secure 7,778 from NFU Mutual for equipment that will enable staff to safely lift patients in the event of a fall.

Above: Emily Mills, NFU senior agent, presents the NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund cheque to South Molton League of Friends members with hospital staff and representatives from Royal Devon Hospitals Charity. Credit: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

Both donations were celebrated at the hospital at special events attended by staff, patients, League of Friends members, Mayor of South Molton Paul Henderson and North Devon MP Ian Roome.

READ MORE: South Molton Eye Centre marks first six months of treating patients

Sarah Hulland, clinical nurse manager, said the donations were already making a significant difference to patients and staff.

She added: Previously, we had two bathrooms located away from the patient bays and side rooms. This layout made it difficult to maintain dignity and created challenges in safely assisting patients to and from the facilities.

The new facilities offer enough space to accommodate manual handling equipment and enable patients to mobilise with ease.

The main improvement is that staff are now able to better support and promote patient independence, allowing patients to make meaningful progress in their rehabilitation and help them prepare for returning home.

Our patients love the new wet rooms and we have received a great deal of positive feedback.

Above: Visitors find out more about the new wet rooms in the Hugh Squier Ward at South Molton Community Hospital. Credit: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

Meanwhile, a new Hoverjack Patient Air lift, mattress and air supply equipment is also making a difference after the LoF was chosen as recipients of this years NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund.

The new equipment uses an inflating mattress to safely lift patients with significant injuries, or who are unable to stand or support themselves in the event of a fall on the ward.

Sarah explained: Patients would often need to remain on the floor awaiting an ambulance but the HoverJack allows us to lift them safely while they remain in a flat, lying position  crucial for any patient with a suspected injury.

It supports a dignified and comfortable transfer and can also be used for palliative patients, ensuring smooth and gentle movement for those who may be more fragile or sensitive.

In addition, the HoverJack enables the safe handling of bariatric patients, improving safety for both service users and staff.

Above: Demonstrating how the new HoverJack, made possible by an NFU donation, enables patients to be moved safely. Credit: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

Although the HoverJack will mainly be used on Hugh Squier Ward, Sarah said the equipment would also to be available to local community teams as needed, supporting patient safety across the wider area.

She said: As a team, we would like to express our sincere thanks to South Molton League of Friends and NFU Mutual for their wonderful donations, which are already helping to enhance the services we provide to our patients.

LoF treasurer Caroline Burrows said the LoF had donated more than 650,000 to the hospital since 2022, including 500,000 for the new eye care unit.

She said: We receive several funding requests throughout the year for equipment at the hospital, as well as for community nurses, out-patient physio and rehab and in-patient physio.

We are very grateful to the community for continuing to support their local hospital and are proud to be able to make a difference to the care of the patients and the working environment of the staff beyond whats possible with NHS funding.

North Devon MP Ian Roome, who attended an event at the hospital to celebrate the work of the LoF, said: Over the years, South Molton League of Friends has donated a lot of money raised by the people in the town and surrounding community and it was great to see and their latest project first-hand.

A huge thank you to League members, NHS staff at the hospital and everyone who has donated, volunteered or supported their work, including Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

READ NEXT: Royalty has visited a North Devon market town to forge new links

Kate Constable, Royal Devon Hospitals community fundraiser, said: These generous donations are both brilliant examples of how the local community can help enhance patient care beyond whats possible with NHS funding.

This something the South Molton League of Friends has been doing incredibly well for many years and we cant thank them enough for making such a difference to their local hospital.
Naval landing ship maneuvers at sea

China Military Online) 15:31, December 15, 2025

The Type 071 amphibious dock landing ship Longhushan (Hull 980) attached to a landing ship flotilla under the Chinese PLA Navy maneuvers at sea during a maritime training exercise in mid-November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhai Tao)

A ship-borne helicopter takes off from the deck of the Type 071 amphibious dock landing ship Longhushan (Hull 980) attached to a landing ship flotilla under the Chinese PLA Navy during a maritime training exercise in mid-November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhai Tao)

An amphibious vehicle leaves the well deck of the Type 071 amphibious dock landing ship Longhushan (Hull 980) attached to a landing ship flotilla under the Chinese PLA Navy during a maritime training exercise in mid-November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhai Tao)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Dani Dudeck

Netflix has hired Dani Dudeck as chief communications officer, effective Jan. 12.

She will join the streamer from Instacart, where she served as chief corporate affairs officer during a more than seven-year run.

Earlier, she was chief communications officer at Zynga for an eight-year stint and VP-global communications at MySpace for almost four years.

Dudeck will report to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who noted that she has worked for some of the worlds fastest companies.

"Dani is known for building high-performing global teams and shaping narratives that meaningfully influence culture, business and stakeholder trust and we are excited to be welcoming her to Netflix, he said in a statement.

Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal pegged at $82.7B. Paramount is waging a hostile takeover bid to block that deal.
Uisce Eireann has announced plans to lodge a planning application seeking permission for a new water supply project in the eastern and midland regions of the country offering a huge boost to Offaly residents.

The State utility says the project, if approved, will be the largest-ever water project in Irish history with capacity to support the water supply needs of up to 50% of the State's population.

Subject to planning, Uisce Eireann says it hopes to start construction in 2028 and to be completed within five years. The project is expected to cost between 4.58 billion and 5.96 billion.

The project will provide a resilient supply as the current water supply in the midlands and eastern regions of the country which has faced huge challenges recently with an over-reliance on just one source to supply to over 1.7 million people.

Offaly will be one of the main beneficiaries of the project as it will create a treated water supply spine across the country providing infrastructure which will serve communities along the route within the Faithful County as well as Tipperary and Westmeath.

This will provide security of supply to homes and businesses supporting growth and promoting regional development.

Under the plan, it is proposed that water from the river Shannon will be treated near Birdhill, County Tipperary and that it will then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.

Uisce Eireann says it will formally submit the planning application to An Coimisiun Pleanala next week. This application will consist of over 500 documents including a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application and Compulsory Purchase Order application.

READ MORE: Woman hospitalised after crash involving emergency vehicle in Offaly

Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow will be provided with a safe, secure water supply as a result of the project. In addition, supplies currently serving Dublin will be enabled to be redirected back to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow.

Uisce Eireann have announced that the project, if approved, will employ more that one thousand people directly as well as a significant associated spend on local supplier goods and services.

The utility is also proposing a bespoke Community Benefit Scheme as part of the Water Supply Project, to support communities that will host construction activities and permanent infrastructure. This includes a multi-million euro Community Gain Investment Fund.

Extensive public consultation has taken place to-date and further consultation will be carried out over the coming weeks and months with a dedicated project Community Liaison Officer visiting impacted communities to meet with local stakeholders and sharing further information on the project.

READ NEXT: Offaly GAA clubs praised for embarking on development projects

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers TD said: "The submission of this planning application for the Water Supply Project to An Coimisiun Pleanala is a major milestone that will unlock housing in the Eastern and Midlands Region."

He continued: "This project is a vital piece of infrastructure to support Irelands development, not alone in the delivery of new homes for young people, families and workers in our economy, but to sustain businesses and communities right through the Midlands and Eastern region of our country."

Maria ODwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Eireann (pictured below) added: "The growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience in the Eastern & Midlands Region is simply not sustainable. It is estimated 34% more water will be needed by 2044 in the Greater Dublin Area."

"This project is critical to enable us to support housing delivery and is backed by the Governments continued funding commitment. Over the coming months we will continue engage with potential contractors and progress the procurement process so that works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Water Supply Project proposes to abstract water from the Parteen Basin on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of it's long-term average flow.
Independent TD Carol Nolan has she is increasingly concerned by the waiting times being experienced by constituents who have been referred to the Pain Clinic at The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.

Deputy Nolan said she is dealing with a growing number of people who are now being told it could be 10 months to a year before they are seen following a referral from GPs in Offaly.

The independent TD said many of those arriving at her offices or contacting her by phone have had spinal and other forms of major surgeries, but despite this they cannot access the pain clinic and are being left with a seriously diminished quality of life:

It should be hard to believe that situations such as this are still ongoing as we head into 2026, but unfortunately this is where we are. Things are definitely getting worse, and patients are waiting longer and longer for access to basic services such as pain relief, said Deputy Nolan.

READ NEXT: Tullamore Christmas tractor run to raise funds for Offaly cancer support group, Dochas

The people coming to me are often at their wits end. Their own GPs struggle to contact the services outside of email.

It feels like there is no one on the other end of the line and that can be extremely difficult for both GPs and their patients who live in constant pain to deal with.

Some of those I have tried to assist have had spinal surgery or are dealing with chronic back pain, which as everyone knows is very debilitating, and can often lead to long periods off work.

It is incredible to me that the health service simply cannot meet this basic level of need.

Indeed, we know from the recently published Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) that an astonishing two-thirds of older adults reporting chronic pain have received no pain-relieving medication at all.

This clearly points to a wider systemic issue in terms of pain management. It is something I will be raising with the Minister and the HSE as a matter of urgency, Deputy Nolan concluded.

READ NEXT:Offaly Fine Gael honours three loyal and long serving members
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

Hold on a minute! Ill get to this introduction to TomDispatch regular Rebecca Gordon's latest superb piece as soon as I take the garbage down to the basement. Oh, wait, I cant carry a Somali (no less congressional representative Ilhan Omar!) even to the elevator all by myself. Maybe Donald Trump can help me. After all, he was the one who insisted that Somali immigrants contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country, Ill be honest with you. And after terming Omar like those other Somali immigrants garbage, he added, were going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country When they come from hell and they complain and do nothing but b*tch, we don't want them in our country. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.

In the meantime, of course, President Trump, with the aid of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and all too many others in his administration, is working hard to get rid not just of the garbage in Minnesota Minneapolis being home to the largest population of Somali immigrants in this country but in the Caribbean Sea, too (literally, blowing it out of the water).

And that is, unfortunately, likely to just be the beginning for our ever more unnerving and historically racist president. Unfortunately (again!), for the next three years, barring a surprise, there is, it seems, no way to take the actual garbage out of the White House, although, as Rep. Omar recently put it all too accurately: The president knows he is failing, and so he is reverting to what he knows best: trying to divert attention by stoking bigotry. And let me just quote her at greater length from a recent New York Times op-ed of hers: This comment was only the latest in a series of remarks and Truth Social posts in which the president has demonized and spread conspiracy theories about the Somali community and about me personally. For years, the president has spewed hate speech in an effort to gin up contempt against me. He reaches for the same playbook of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and division again and again. At one 2019 rally, he egged on his crowd until it chanted send her back when he said my name. And, of course, hes still doing it.

Yes, indeed, that is our garbage president to a T. And with that in mind, let Rebecca Gordon take you to that shithole country Sudan and remind us that the world out there, whatever its own horrific problems, still has a few lessons to teach us as we try to get ready to take out the presidential garbage in November 2026 and 2028. Tom

Surprising Lessons for the U.S. Resistance to Trump

In Sudan's Recent History

By Rebecca Gordon

Follow a line south and west from the Gaza Strip, continue through Egypt, and you'll end up in another place where a genocide is in progress. Its one we don't hear much about in the United States, probably because its happening in an African nation, one of those places Donald Trump refers to as shithole countries. (Interestingly, another of the places he included under that designation during his first term in office was El Salvador, which is run by his new BDF Best Dictator Friend Nayib Bukele. Nothing like providing access to your national torture center to get you back on Trumps A-list, I guess.)

The place I'm talking about is the nation directly south of Egypt and across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia: Sudan. Its big the 15th-largest country in the world and the third-largest in Africa with an area a quarter the size of the United States and around 50 million inhabitants. Its name derives from the Arabic for Land of the Blacks. The population is 70% Arab, with the remainder being mostly of northern and eastern African descent.

Right now, about 45% of those people, 21.2 million of them, are facing the highest levels of acute food insecurity, according to the U.N.s World Food Program. Famine has been confirmed in at least two Sudanese cities, with 20 other areas on the verge of it. And the situation is only expected to worsen next year, as what food stocks exist dry up and the fighting that has ravaged the country since 2019 continues. At least 12 million people have been displaced. To put that in perspective: compared to the ongoing genocide two countries to the north, the number of starving people in Sudan is 10 times the entire population of Gaza, while the number of displaced Sudanese is almost six times that number.

In addition to presenting the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, I suspect the situation in Sudan holds an important warning for the movement opposing Donald Trump in this country. But more on that later.

Where Is the Coverage?

Like many people, Ive spent the years since Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel watching the buildings fall down and bodies pile up in Gaza, even as I kept wishing that the U.S. media would do a better job of describing what was happening there. In the spring of 2024, while American college students risked expulsion and deportation to raise hell about the genocide already underway in Gaza, the New York Times told its journalists to look the other way, as the Intercept reported, restricting the use of terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, occupied territory, and even Palestine.

By December 2024, the Times was doing better. It covered Amnesty Internationals 296-page report accusing Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza, despite, in the story's first sentence, reporting that the accusation had drawn a rebuke from Israeli officials who denied the claim. Unfortunately, that story appeared not on the front page of its print edition, but on page eight. By July 2025, the paper was no longer afraid to use the G word or run a string of stories and op-eds, including coverage of the U.N.s determination that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians.

All in all, however, the major U.S. media were slow to recognize the horror unfolding in Gaza. Even now, their coverage of Donald Trumps and Benjamin Netanyahu's peace plan remains disturbingly credulous.

But if the media were slow to acknowledge an unfolding genocide in Gaza, they have given far less coverage to the one developing in Sudan. An important exception is the work of the Times's chief African correspondent Declan Walsh who, along with Times staffers, won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in international reporting for his work on Sudan. Too bad so many of his articles initially appeared not on the front page but inside the papers print edition.

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London, December 13, 2025 - The digital news landscape welcomes a new player with the official launch of BettingInsight.net, an independent website dedicated to delivering 
As Mexico continues to lead the world in jeans consumption, Mexican denim brand PDMX Jeans announced the expansion of its men's line, introducing mom-style and 
Butler Kahn, a leading personal injury law firm serving Atlanta and the surrounding Georgia communities, today reaffirmed its dedication to providing compassionate, high-impact legal advocacy 
Arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol should be straightforward, not expensive or confusing. Still, many tourists overpay for airport taxis because they book too late, rely 
This column originally ran in 2022.

Dear Annie: My husband and I love each other very much, but we have grown apart for a while now. Ive done my best to be a good and loving wife, yet it seems to be hard for him to give me physical affection. He says he loves me and doesnt want to be without me, yet we physically seem to be 1,000 miles away.

I try to be affectionate, but it seems like its whatever for him. I dont feel connected to him and feel like were more just friends and partners. Over time, I have given up and dont bother with being affectionate anymore. We have a young child together, and I dont want to divorce. Ive told him how I feel 100 times over the years, and he says that hell try in the future. But he never is able to give me what I need.

He also asked why I cant just accept him for him. I feel like thats very selfish because I try to cater to his needs, but he wants me to just deal without something that is very important to me. I feel hurt and depressed about it. I told him that if thats the case, we should focus on our child and that he should not expect anything emotional or physical from me. We agreed to be friends and partners, but he says he doesnt want that. He wants us to grow close and for me to be his wife. He wants to be able to be sexual with me, too.

Im angry because its been the same song and dance for a long time with him saying this or acting like hes going to be different. I end up getting disappointed, and on top of that, I feel like its disrespectful to be able to have sex with me without being affectionate. I understand people have their love language, but if his lack of affection and connection makes me deeply sad, along with us acting like were friends instead of husband and wife, then why cant he suck it up and do what will make me happy with this one thing?

I dont find it unreasonable for someone to act like they love me instead of only saying it and then telling me they cant live without me when Im fed up. -- Hopeless

Dear Hopeless: Be hopeful. People do change, especially when you both love each other but seem to be having different ways of expressing it. Perhaps you should both read the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman so that you each get a better understanding of how your partner shows love and how they need to receive love.

He seems to say that he wants to work on your marriage, so express to him that actions speak louder than words. That if his actions dont change, it is just empty promises. But your actions have to change as well. You have to let go of the anger and frustration from the past and move forward. If you cannot do that, then it might be time to seek the help of a professional marriage counselor.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
Loyal Legions mission statement is simple. The beer bars sole purpose is to celebrate the Oregon Craft Brewing tradition, its website helpfully explains. To that effect, the bar opened in 2014 pouring nearly 100 taps of beer, cider and wine, all from Oregon.

Soon, Loyal Legion will apply that single-minded pursuit to a state that has so far been kept off of those taps: Washington. In spring, the popular bar will head across the Columbia River to open its fourth location  after Portland, Beaverton and the Portland International Airport  in downtown Vancouver.

For Vancouver breweries, its a chance to join a lengthy beer list that has long eluded them. For beer fans elsewhere in the Portland metro area, it could mean a chance to sample some coveted Seattle breweries that rarely make it this far down Interstate 5.

Theres been massive interest from Washington breweries, but we just dont serve their beer, said Loyal Legions Kurt Huffman. Weve been looking in Vancouver for a year and a half, so we were really lucky to find what we found.

The former Heathen Brewing taproom in downtown Vancouver will soon be home to an outpost of the popular Portland beer bar Loyal Legion, this one featuring more than 70 taps of Washington state beer. Courtesy of Zzeppelin

That would be the former downtown Vancouver taproom of Heathen Brewing, with its 5,000-square-foot taproom and similarly sized patio  larger even than the one at Loyal Legion Beaverton  with room for around 150 people inside and the same number outdoors. A remodel will expose grand 22-foot ceilings long hidden inside the taproom, while trees and other landscaping are added to the patio.

A bigger kitchen means food will reach customers faster than it has at other Loyal Legion locations, Huffman said. Meanwhile, director of culinary operations Marcus Hilliker (Bar Sajor, Seattle; Oven & Shaker, Portland) plans to add pizza to the menu of burgers, pretzels, Olympia Provisions sausages and hand-dipped corn dogs. As with other Loyal Legion locations, the basement will eventually be home to a speakeasy-style cocktail bar.

Heathen Brewing owner Sunny Parsons is a partner in the project.

The city has been really supportive, and theres just tons of parking up there, which we like a lot, Huffman said. And theres a natural spillover thats going to come into downtown from the waterfront area.

Also appealing is Vancouvers Main Street Promise campaign, which is expanding sidewalks, adding street furniture and improving lighting between 5th and 15th streets on Main Street and is expected to wrap up by late 2026.

Loyal Legion plans to open next April at 1109 Washington St. Starting in February, the space plans to start hosting weekend pop-ups with beer from Washington breweries and smash burgers from the Portland bakery Dos Hermanos.
The drawings were an underground secret of sorts, hidden away for years in a grimy, abandoned part of town, appreciated chiefly by local railroad men and lost souls whod skidded past skid row.

But, slowly, the secret got out.

Stunning, said one witness who stumbled on the scene in 1948 after taking a wrong turn on his way out of downtown. Charming and amazing, said another, who came to see for himself two decades later.

Newspaper reporters and art critics and finally the simply curious visited the Portland rail yards to take in the murals  and then sought out the man whod created what were now being called, straightforwardly, the Lovejoy Columns.

This should have made the artist happy. Its what hed always wanted. Recognition. Respect. A place in the world.

But it wasnt enough. And, besides, it was too late.

***

The Lovejoy Viaduct opened in 1928, an uninspired solution for a small, working-class city just getting used to modern conveniences.

The utilitarian viaduct allowed automobile drivers to bypass the sprawling rail yards between 14th Avenue and the Broadway Bridge in Northwest Portland. Unless you worked in the rail yards  or had fallen on hard times and were tired of being rousted from downtown  there was no reason for you to ever head under the viaduct and into the polluted, noisy industrial district.

Tom E. Stefopoulas, SP&S watchman at the NW 12th Avenue and Lovejoy Street crossing under the Broadway Bridge ramp, embellished the drab concrete supports with his drawings. (The Oregonian) LC- The Orgonian

Athanasios Efthimiou Stefopoulos worked there. Starting in the 1940s, he was a switchman  or crossing watchman  for the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Company.

Stefopoulos, who went by Tom, was easy to overlook: a short, stocky man in late middle age, with a mashed-potato face and fractured English. An everyman in a city packed with everymen.

And yet, he still had dreams.

He started making chalk drawings on the concrete columns that held up the viaduct, also known as the Lovejoy Ramp.

Soon, images of birds swirled near the top of the pillars. An old man in flowing robes carried a lantern in the night. An owl stared knowingly.

Then Stefopoulos added messages, chalked in an extravagant, flowing script:

No man is free who is not master of himself. God is love. A true friend is the gift of God.

The Lovejoy Ramp in 1997. (The Oregonian) January Scans 1997

These were not mere doodles.

Stefopoulos had studied art in Greece, where he was born, before deciding ambitions were for America. He landed in the U.S. in 1910 and began paying his dues as a new American. He worked in a factory in Wisconsin and for a railroad company in Minnesota.

His father, a small-town lawyer in Greece, didnt understand what his son was trying to accomplish in the New World. Tom wasnt always sure himself, but he felt compelled to keep striving for it.

Three times after I get to America, my father sent me ticket to go back, but I not go, he told a reporter late in his life. I want to become artist. America I like; everyone have chance. I can do what I want.

For a while his dreams heaved into view.

Tom Stefopoulos. (Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum) Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum

He moved to Seattle in 1920 and eventually launched his own commercial-art shop, using the name Tom E. Brown and specializing in a beautiful, art nouveau-like script. He made invitations pop, decorated bank vaults with golden glyphs, painted signs for bars and restaurants.

But running a small business was hard  and that was before the Great Depression hit.

After a lost decade, he was saved by World War II, with work available in the Portland and Vancouver shipyards for almost anyone. He found he liked the Rose City, its live-and-let-live attitude, and took a cold-water flat in Old Town.

Near the end of the war, SP&S hired him, putting him in charge of keeping an eye out as trains swung around each other and switched cars by the Lovejoy Viaduct.

Immediately, the ramps gray concrete columns called to him.

The Lovejoy Columns. (City of Portland Archives) City of Portland Archives

Stefopoulos drew on the pillars just to kill time, he said, creating works that uniquely combined Greek iconography and American patriotism.

There was Diogenes walking the streets of Athens carrying a lantern, looking vainly for an honest man. Over there was a portrait of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

To draw birds high up on the pillars, hed climb on top of boxcars when trains were waiting in a queue and reach out like this, he once explained, leaning forward and balancing on one foot. When he had time, he went back and traced over the art with white paint, adding red or blue flourishes here and there.

Transients frequently would end up in the area, and they came upon the drawings, in winters cold and wet, in summers heat, in the dark. Many found the images and their accompanying messages moving. (Light - Hope - Truth, one message on a column said.) The experience made the artworks viewers take stock. They spread the word.

Diogenes carrying a lantern. City of Portland Archives

But in 1952 the railroad transferred Stefopoulos to the Northwest 14th and Thurman crossing. His new post didnt have any transportation columns nearby, and it was busier, not just with train traffic but also cars.

Nothing to paint, Stefopoulos said one evening while sitting in his favorite tavern. And also many cars  thousands, thousands  must watch all the time.

His days of creating public art were over.

***

The existence of the murals had leaked out of the rail yards by the late 1940s. Art blooms in strange places but in all Portland perhaps the strangest is under the Lovejoy ramp to the Broadway bridge, the Oregon Journal offered in passing.

A reporter at The Oregonian took a wrong turn coming out of downtown one evening, dodged an oncoming freight train, and unexpectedly found himself surrounded by birds and animals as well as a fantastic half-tree, half-human [that] grappled with the night.

Artwork by Tom Stefopoulos. (Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum) Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum

In 1962, newspaper columnist Doug Baker mentioned the murals, calling them Daliesque works, perhaps attracted to the drawing of the man whod turned into a tree  an image from Greek mythology.

Baker cheekily pointed out that while Stefopoulos didnt get to do any drawing at his present Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway posting, he still manifests an interest in art. On the wall of his shack at NW 14th and Thurman theres a single picture  a Playboy Playmate.

Despite the occasional mention of the Lovejoy Columns in local newspapers in the 1950s and early 60s, Stefopoulos wasnt particularly aware that his murals had become a minor attraction. He rarely saw the drawings himself anymore, skirting his old, under-the-viaduct spot when he headed home from work.

Rather than retreat to his cramped, second-floor room at Northwest Couch Street and Third Avenue, he invariably settled in at the nearby Tacoma Cafe, where he had his mail sent.

Artwork by Tom Stefopoulos. (Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum) Courtesy of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum

Here, says a woman who knew him, he was despondent, Portland writer Bill Donahue related years later. He drank  ouzo, beer, whiskey. When he didnt show up at the Tacoma Cafe or one of the all-male Greek coffeehouses Old Town had in those days, friends would go looking for him.

These were indeed his friends, but they were drinking friends.

He had never married.

His family was in Greece, increasingly known only through letters.

He was alone.

Joan Liapes, whose late uncle and aunt owned the Tacoma Cafe, said her aunt told her that at some point Stefopoulos had been hurt in an accident, and so he drank heavily to blot out the chronic pain from the injury.

It was a sad story, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive recently. He was just a nice guy who fell on hard times.

Liapes sister, Georgia Liapes, said their aunt was a sharp one  her facts would have been straight.

The Lovejoy Columns. (City of Portland Archives) City of Portland Archives

Despite his difficulties, or perhaps because of them, Stefopoulos was known at the Tacoma Cafe as one of the areas soft touches, wrote an Oregonian reporter who had discovered the viaduct murals and tracked down the artist at the cafe in 1967. One old fellow wandered up and, after a whispered conversation, Tom without hesitation handed him money from his wallet.

By this time, Stefopoulos had retired from the railroad, just in time for SP&S to merge into Burlington Northern Railroad and start to shut down some of its local operations. The rail yards where he had worked for 20 years would be derelict for most of the next 20.

Now the viaduct drawings were reaching a wider audience, but Stefopoulos didnt know how to respond when fans of the art found him at the cafe. He wasnt entirely sure they were serious in their praise.

He died in 1971, long before the industrial area where he had created art would transform into the fashionable Pearl District, with restaurants and Starbucks outlets and exclusive shops.

Portlands two daily newspapers published brief news obituaries of the unassuming railroad man and artist. They both gave his age as 89, but this is probably wrong. Available documentation is sketchy and sometimes contradictory. (The Oregonians 1967 interview with Stefopoulos said his age at that time was 74.)

The Lovejoy Columns (The Oregonian) LC- Oregonian

Interest in the Lovejoy Columns faded after Stefopoulos death, despite the artwork making an appearance in the Gus Van Sant movie Drugstore Cowboy. But in the mid-1990s, when the city decided to knock down the viaduct to open more land for housing development, a preservation movement took hold.

Saving, restoring and relocating the murals will cost roughly $120,000, which is perhaps more than Tom Stefopoulos made in his entire life, The Oregonian wrote in 1995.

The preservationists lobbied for money and official support, insisting the murals had a visionary quality to them. Chicago-based anthropologist Steve Frangos called Stefopoulos a singular artist.

The effort achieved an early success: Right before the viaduct came down in 1999, 10 columns with Stefopoulos art were carefully cut out and stored at an outdoor site owned by developer Homer Williams.

But Stefopoulos fans couldnt maintain the momentum. The estimated cost to protect the drawings and build a permanent outdoor display space for the columns kept going up and up. Funding commitments proved hard to come by.

The Lovejoy Viaduct was knocked down in 1999. (The Oregonian) LC- THE OREGONIAN

The huge pillars moldered in storage for years. Finally, the Lovejoy Columns adherents gave up.

Without anyone taking notice, most of the pillars were destroyed.

But Stefopoulos artistic legacy isnt completely gone.

The Hellenic American Cultural Center and Museum, on the second floor of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Northeast Portland, holds a small collection of Stefopoulos possessions. There are envelopes with cartoons drawn in faded pencil, a piece of paper with a poignant list written in his beautiful handwriting (Are you worried about Money Troubles? it begins), striking ink portraits.

(The small museum created an exhibit from these materials  Master Penworks of Tom Stefopoulos: The Hellenic Artist of the Lovejoy Columns  that will be revived at the Oregon State Capitol next spring.)

And you can still view Tom Stefopoulos Lovejoy Columns  sort of.

In 2005, two of the 30-foot-tall, 29,000-pound pillars  with the drawings on them protectively hidden behind covers showing photographs of the art  found a home, in the courtyard of an upscale condominium tower on Northwest 10th Avenue, between Everett and Flanders streets.

You might not have noticed them. Most people walking past dont.

That isnt because Stefopoulos art has lost its power. Its the location, the districts progress.

For years, people only laid eyes on the artwork while pushing through the smoke of a working rail yard or, later, the unnatural quiet of an abandoned industrial wasteland. In those environments, they saw on the soot-stained columns not only singing birds and a lantern-wielding sage. They saw the artists life, a hard life, for so many of the people who came upon the murals, their own life.
Hundreds of people gathered Sunday evening at Pioneer Courthouse Square to watch the first candle of Portlands public Hanukkah menorah lit, continuing a tradition that has taken place at the downtown plaza since 1984.

Under a large tented area next to a Portland Fire & Rescue truck and the citys giant 75-foot Douglas fir holiday tree, several hundred people watched as a man used a small blowtorch to ignite the first candle, marking the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday.

Following the lighting, the celebration expanded to include traditional Jewish food, arts and crafts for children, live music, a DJ and dancing. Political leaders from across the Portland area attended, including Mayor Keith Wilson, members of the Portland City Council and Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read.

The event took place in the wake of a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Australia that killed at least 15 people. Speakers addressed the tragedy, saying the horrific act would not extinguish the meaning of Hanukkah or the communitys celebration of light. Portland police on Sunday pledged to increase patrols at Jewish places of worship, community centers and schools following the attack. Security was visible at Sunday nights event, where private security guards monitored entrances to the celebration and Portland police officers with dogs watched the proceedings from atop amphitheater stairs.

Rabbi Motti Wilhelm, who helps organize the annual lighting through Chabad of Southwest Portland, recalled the first public menorah lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square in 1984, the same year the plaza opened. He said the event marked the first time Portlands Jewish community held such a visible public Hanukkah celebration downtown  a tradition that has continued for more than four decades.

Hanukkah commemorates a 2nd century B.C. Jewish revolt that led to the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to tradition, a small amount of oil burned for eight days, a miracle remembered through the nightly lighting of the menorah as a symbol of light prevailing over darkness.

The public menorah will be lit nightly through Dec. 21 at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
President Donald Trump has weighed in on the shocking deaths of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner, calling the filmmaker tortured and struggling.

He added that Rob Reiner had been killed reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.

He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before, the Truth Social post continues.

Trump closed the post by saying: May Rob and Michele rest in peace.

Rob Reiner, the director of beloved movies such as When Harry Met Sally... and The Princess Bride, was a Democratic Party stalwart and Trump critic. He and his wifes deaths are being investigated as homicides.

Rob and Michele Reiner  who were 78 and 68  were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. Their 32-year-old son Nick Reiner, who has struggled with substance abuse, is in custody.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
In their recent op-ed, Republican legislative leaders Lucetta Elmer and Bruce Starr make an important point that Oregon Democrats have bankrupted the state through their lack of fiscal responsibility and misguided social policies (Opinion: Oregons budget crisis didnt start in Washington. It started here at home, Dec.7). However, while they talk a good talk about returning the state and country to something approaching normalcy, no one is going to vote for Republican candidates so long as they continue to kowtow to the autocrat in the White House. The biggest hurdle to returning Republicans to office in Salem is Donald Trump.

So, if Elmer and Starr are sincere about returning Oregon to sound fiscal policies and individual responsibilitythe values upon which Oregon was foundedthey need to take a public stand against the bigotry and autocracy of our current president. They wont and, as a result, we will continue to vote for mindless Democrats who intend to spend as much money as possible in support of every far-left idea ever conceived.

Elmer and Starr are correct that the problems we face in Oregon did not originate in Washington, but they miss the point when they assert that the solutions do. They do not. Its time to see some courage integrity, and independence by state Republicans, not sycophantic blind obedience to someone committed to the destruction of our culture and our country. But dont hold your breath.

Richard M. Steers, Eugene

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
LOS ANGELES  The fight over Californias new congressional map designed to help Democrats flip congressional House seats will go to court Monday as a panel of federal judges considers whether the district boundaries approved by voters last month can be used in elections.

The hearing in Los Angeles sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political fight between the Trump administration and Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, whos eyeing a 2028 presidential run. The lawsuit asks a three-judge panel to grant a temporary restraining order by Dec. 19  the date candidates can take the first official steps to run in the 2026 election.

Voters approved Californias new U.S. House map in November through Proposition 50. Its designed to help Democrats flip as many as five congressional House seats in the midterm elections next year. It was Newsoms response to a Republican-led effort in Texas backed by President Donald Trump.

The redistricting showdown between the nations two most populous states has spread nationally, with efforts aiming to determine which party controls Congress for the second half of Trumps term. Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have adopted new district lines that could provide a partisan advantage.

Some plans are facing legal challenges, but the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month to allow Texas to use its new map for the 2026 election. The Justice Department has only sued California.

The U.S. Justice Department, joining a case brought by the California Republican Party, has accused California of gerrymandering its map in violation of the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters. Republicans want the court to prohibit California from using the new map. Voters approved the map for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections. State Democrats said theyre confident the lawsuit will fail.

In letting Texas use its gerrymandered maps, the Supreme Court noted that Californias maps, like Texass, were drawn for lawful reasons, Newsoms spokesperson Brandon Richards said in a statement. That should be the beginning and the end of this Republican effort to silence the voters of California.

New U.S. House maps are drawn across the country after the Census every 10 years. Some states like California rely on an independent commission to draw maps, while others like Texas let politicians draw them. The effort to create new maps in the middle of the decade is highly unusual.

Paul Mitchell, a redistricting consultant who drew the map for Democrats, is expected to offer testimony. The Justice Department alleges that Mitchell and state leaders admitted that they redrew some districts to have a Latino majority.

The lawsuit cites a news release from state Democrats that says the new map retains and expands Voting Rights Act districts that empower Latino voters while making no changes to Black majority districts in the Oakland and Los Angeles areas. The federal Voting Rights Act, passed in the 1960s, sets rules for drawing districts to ensure minority groups have adequate political power. The lawsuit also cites a Cal Poly Pomona and Caltech study that concludes the new map would increase Latino voting power.

Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50  the recent ballot initiative that junked Californias pre-existing electoral map in favor of a rush-job rejiggering of Californias congressional district lines, the lawsuit said.

House Democrats need to gain just a handful of seats next year to take control of the chamber, which would imperil Trumps agenda for the remainder of his term and open the way for congressional investigations into his administration. Republicans hold 219 seats, to Democrats 214.

-- The Associated Press
In two newly-opened halls hugging the rotunda of Oregons Capitol, tall wooden doors stand side by side. Mirrors with sinks and bright lights radiate nearby and a sign reads: This is a multi-stall, all-user restroom.

The bathrooms are a new addition brought forth by a decade-long, $598 million construction project aimed at improving the historic buildings accessibility and safety. The overall project, which included redoing the buildings foundation to better withstand earthquakes, continues to inch toward its goal of completion next year after the Capitol opened its doors to the public in late September.

The 16 new gender-neutral stalls didnt replace other options for lawmakers or other Capitol-goers who prefer to use sex-segregated stalls or bathrooms or the buildings single-stall units designated for people with disabilities or families with small children.

But when it came to maximizing the bathroom space for all Capitol attendees, adding all-user restrooms appeared to be the most efficient, according to project director Jodie Jones.

If you have to start splitting things up by male and female, and then accessibility and changing stations and family units and all of that, we just didnt have enough room, Jones said. We kind of went to the drawing board and thought, Well, what if we made several of them gender-neutral?

Oregon has historically positioned itself as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people and its voters elected the nations first openly bisexual governor, one of its first two publicly declared lesbian governors and many political leaders who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Over the past few years, leaders in Salem have pushed to safeguard access to gender-affirming health care, prevent book bans based on gender identify and strengthen anti-discrimination protections. Those moves have galvanized polarizing walkouts and protests from lawmakers on the right.

The new bathrooms, however, have so far served as an area of common ground across political aisles at the center of the halls of power. The new Capitol expansion opened to the public in late September, yet to date, no Republicans or Democrats have issued press releases or statements in support of or opposition to the new restrooms.

Restroom access experts told the Capital Chronicle the new addition will likely help lessen the historical problem of unequal access to bathrooms for women, who on average spend more time in restrooms per visit than men do.

Those experts said they were unaware of any similar projects in any other U.S. state legislature building, some of which have individual gender-neutral units alongside single-sex stalls or restrooms.

I would likely give it an A grade, because it solves a lot of problems that plague the gender-specific restrooms, said Kathryn Anthony, a professor emerita at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigns School of Architecture. Despite the fact that it was not intentional, the Oregon State Capital may now become a shining star among state capitols in the U.S., in part for this reason.

The expansion project

Oregon already has laws ensuring that students and workers can use a bathroom aligning with their gender identity, including a rule that ensures an employer cannot ask a transgender person to use a gender-neutral restroom. In 2019, then-Gov. Kate Brown issued a sweeping pro-LGBTQ+ executive order asking state agencies to establish at least one gender-neutral stall if possible and requiring them to designate any single-stall bathrooms in state buildings as all user restrooms.

But the move to add the gender neutral bathrooms at the Capitol did not result from a request from an official or lawmakers, Jones said.

Because we were doing such a massive renovation to the building, when you start touching things, you need to start bringing other things up to code, she said. Other state capitols  if they havent actually touched and started renovating their buildings, they wouldnt have to address adding more bathrooms.

John Banzhaf III, a law professor at the George Washington University Law School and a national expert on bathroom access disparities, said he expects to hear from people on both sides of the issue once the thing gets going. But overall, he said many younger Americans appear to have less of an issue with sharing restrooms across gender identities.

All of it, I think, is a matter of attitude and possible prejudices, he said. Weve had tremendous changes over even the last 10 years in terms of traditional roles and expectations of males and females. Weve had dramatic changes in terms of how we look at transgender issues. And I think probably, almost certainly, there is an age differential.

The creation of the new restrooms in Salem came after pushback to gender-affirming bathroom accommodations nationwide. In Congress last year, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announced that he would bar transgender women from using womens bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol, following the election of the nations first openly trans member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware.

At least 15 Republican-led states across the country have enacted laws seeking to prevent trans peoples access to bathrooms in government-owned buildings that align with their gender identity.

In the meantime, support for some policies restricting transgender Americans rights has increased. A February 2025 poll released by Pew Research Center found that 49% of Americans favor or strongly favor requiring trans people to use public bathrooms that match their sex at birth, rather than the gender they identify with, while 26% oppose or strongly oppose such rules.

Mikki Gillette, a major gifts officer with Basic Rights Oregon, the states largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, said efforts to restrict bathroom access do not harm only trans and nonbinary people.

In Florida, for instance, a Walmart worker said in March that she was fired from her job after reporting threats from a man who followed her into the womens restroom and mistook her for a transgender woman.

Parents and other caregivers with a child whose gender differs from their own can also take advantage of the common area offered by the Capitols new bathroom, Gillette said.

Officials still may tweak the Capitols bathroom layout, Jones said. They are mulling adding doors a glass panel with doors in front of the bank of gender neutral stalls, she said. The goal, Jones said, would be to ensure transparency for anyone who may be uncomfortable using a mixed-sex space while also preventing noise from leaking into the rest of the building.

The new bathrooms have received praise from at least one prominent conservative.

Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, was among the Oregon House Republicans in June who unsuccessfully sought to force a vote on legislation that would have required Oregon schools to ensure use of school bathrooms and locker rooms is assigned based on the sex identity students were given at birth. He told the Capital Chronicle that he had consulted with other women about their comfort with the new Capitol bathrooms and that it caught me off guard at first, but I think Im fine with them.

Its not like they put up (the) signs all gender bathrooms for a gender-diverse society. They said all user restroom, Im fine with that, Diehl said, chuckling. All-user restroom  I like that.

Shaanth Kodialam Nanguneri covers Gov. Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature for the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Several Oregon transportation taxes and fees will not increase in January after leaders of the campaign attempting to halt those increases on Friday submitted more than enough signatures to give voters the final say.

Democratic lawmakers had approved the tax increases this fall in an effort to help the state continue paying for the maintenance of Oregons roads and bridges. The tax hikes included: a 6-cent increase to the states 40 cents per gallon gas tax, large hikes to title and registration fees and a doubling of the states 0.1% payroll tax for transit.

But those tax increases have been suspended pending the validation of the signatures by the Secretary of States Office and likely referral to voters next November. The Republican lawmakers leading the anti-tax campaign delivered nearly 200,000 signatures, more than twice the required amount.

The Secretary of States Office has until Jan. 29 to validate the signatures, a spokesperson for the agency said.

Here are five takeaways from the latest development:

1: Opponents ran an energetic campaign

Campaign leaders had less than two months to gather the roughly 78,000 signatures required to refer the tax increases to next Novembers ballot. Before Gov. Tina Kotek signed the bill into law on Nov. 7, Salem insiders of both parties were skeptical that the campaign leaders would be able to gather enough signatures in such a short timeframe without any major donors.

But the Republican leaders behind the effort said from the beginning they were confident they would be able to gather the signatures. In the days before they officially began collecting signatures, chief petitioner Rep. Ed Diehl of Scio said the campaign had begun coordinating with 3,000 volunteers across the state.

2: The state transportation agencys future is unclear

Its unclear what the halt on tax increases means for the Oregon Department of Transportation. The agency could cut its services and lay off workers to address its budget gap, but Democratic lawmakers and the governor have expressed an unwillingness to allow those cuts.

Oregon labor union SEIU Local 503, a top political ally and campaign donor to Democrats in Salem which represents many state transportation workers, has implored lawmakers all year to secure funding for the agency and avert layoffs.

In a statement Friday, Koteks office said she is committed to working with lawmakers of both parties, (agency) leadership, stakeholders, and local leaders to find a path forward. The governors guiding principle is to avoid, as much as possible, immediate service cuts that will impact Oregonians.

Lawmakers will likely take action in the upcoming February short session.

3: Other parts of the law are expected to go forward

Several provisions of the transportation law were not targeted by the referendum effort and are still set to go into effect. Those include provisions that will:

Simplify the states tax structure for trucking companies

Increase legislative oversight of major projects managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation

Gradually require electric vehicle drivers to pay a fee per mile driven

Require truckers and car drivers to pay their fair share for their wear and tear on the states roads and bridges

Eliminate existing language in state law that would allow tolling to pay for certain highway projects

4: Its another loss for Democrats

Democrats spent much of this year attempting to finalize and approve a transportation funding package, yet they are now essentially back at square one.

Despite claiming supermajorities in both legislative chambers, Democrats failed to secure more funding for the state transportation agency during this years five-month regular session. After a series of missteps and some concessions to Republicans, they passed the plan in a special session this fall. Their final plan included smaller tax hikes than many of them had initially hoped to pass.

5: No increased funding for cities, counties or public transit

Cities and counties were set to receive nearly half of the revenue generated from the increase to the gas tax and DMV fees. Public transit districts were set to receive twice the amount of money, as a result of the hike to the states payroll tax.

Now, they will not receive any extra state dollars.

Cities and counties are currently allotted about 50% of the State Highway Fund, which is funded by DMV fees, the gas tax and fees on trucking companies. While many cities and counties have their own local sources of revenue to help pay for transportation services, local leaders from across Oregon have said that the state dollars are vital in maintaining their roads and infrastructure.

Public transit districts, meanwhile, asked for a much larger boost to the payroll tax than the 0.1% increase that lawmakers eventually approved. Earlier this year, a group of Democrats said they would support a fivefold increase to the payroll tax for transit, which was met by strong opposition by Republicans and some fellow Democrats.
Merriam-Websters word of the year tends to say a lot about the past 12 months  and how ready we as a society are to give up, toss our calendars and hope the next 12 are better.

Last year, following a divisive presidential election, the summarizing word was polarization. 2020 gave us the simple but expected pandemic, followed by the slightly more hopeful vaccine in 2021. In 2016, blissfully unaware that the next near-decade would grow gradually more nightmarish, Merriam-Webster chose surreal to sum up the year.

This time around, the American dictionary publisher isnt beating around the bush.

Grab your pails, because the 2025 Merriam-Webster Word of the Year is slop.

Thats right, slop. A word that conjures images of boots caked in mud on a particularly wet Portland day or a heap of rotting food scraps tossed into a squealing pig pen. Maybe your parents once used the word to describe your choice of teenage television, an accusation met with an eye roll and mashed volume button.

Merriam-Webster defines slop as digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.

That is, a non-insignificant chunk of the internet.

The word is often used in the phrase AI slop, a criticism that gained popularity as glossy, fake photos and video made with generative AI tools seemed to take over social media, turning our daily scroll into a constant battle between real and make-believe.

The flood of slop in 2025 included absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks pretty real, junky AI-written books, workslop reports that waste coworkers time  and lots of talking cats, according to Merriam-Webster. People found it annoying, and people ate it up.

This new genre of content might even feel like a twisted extension of the Oxford 2024 Word of the Year: Brain rot.

The use of generative AI has sparked legal, moral and environmental debate. But in its word of the year entry, Merriam-Webster takes on a lighter tone.

Slop set a tone thats less fearful, more mocking, the post reads. The word sends a little message to AI: when it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you dont seem too superintelligent.

Merriam-Webster previously poked fun at AI in a phony advertisement unveiling the dictionary as its latest large language model. In its 2025 Word of the Year post, the company specifies the use of human editors.

Merriam-Webster also identified a handful of other words that stuck out in the years lookup data  some more serious than others. Here they are:

Gerrymander, or to divide a state, school district, etc. into political units or election districts that give one group or political party an unfair advantage. The practice has been a hot-button, bipartisan political topic this year.

Touch grass, or to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions. As Merriam-Webster notes, the phrase can be both an insult and an aspiration. Also, it shouldnt be too hard to do in Portland.

Performative, or something made or done for show (as to bolster ones own image or make a positive impression on others). There are performative males and performative matchas. You can even win awards for pretending just right.

Tariff, or a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods. If things have seemed more expensive lately, thats why.

Six Seven, or 6 7. This bit of rhythmic Generation Alpha mystery cant be easily explained, but The Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Joel Odom took a stab at it. It was also Dictionary.coms 2025 Word of the Year. We live in weird, confusing times.

Conclave, or a a private meeting or secret assembly. It also refers to the specific meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope, but you already knew that because of Stanley Tucci. And in case you forgot, the pope is from Chicago now. Weird, confusing times indeed.

Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, which is less a word as it is a body of water in Webster, Massachusetts. It apparently pops up in a Roblox spelling bee game, which drew hoards of children to the Merriam-Webster website. At least theyre looking up words?
As flooding in Washington continues to cause people to leave their homes, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the coming week.

Another atmospheric river is heading into the region, with the heaviest rain expected Thursday. That rain will come on the back of last weeks strong atmospheric river, which saturated soil and filled waterways.

Last week, a landslide buried a stretch of highway in rural Lincoln County.

The flood watch is in effect from Thursday through Saturday for all of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.
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The forest feels different in December. Dawn comes cold and quiet, and the first sound you notice isnt wind through the branches but the call of an owl. At Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, birders gather before sunrise for the annual Christmas Bird Count  a tradition that turns holiday spirit into citizen science.

Julie and I have always loved the Land of Giants. Walking beneath the worlds largest trees by volume is humbling; individual branches are thicker than the oaks we see back home in Ohio. The granite domes, the night skies, and hikes like Moro Rock remind us why this park is one of our favorites in the entire system.

Adding birding to that mix feels natural. The Christmas Bird Count brings the parks winter quiet to life, turning each call or flash of wings into part of a shared record. What begins as a simple morning of watching birds becomes a contribution to conservation  a tradition carried on for more than a century.

Event Details

A flash of blue in the winter forest. (Thierry Guinet / 500px via Getty Images)

The Christmas Bird Count unfolds in stages, each with its own rhythm. It begins before sunrise, listening for owls in the quiet dark. As daylight spreads, birders head into the park, choosing routes that match their pace and interest. Every sighting adds to the tally, and the shared effort builds a sense of discovery and community.

Quick notes for participants:

When: December 20, 2025.

Meeting spot: Sequoia Parks Conservancy office at Ash Mountain headquarters, 47050 Generals Hwy, Unit 10, Three Rivers, CA.

Times: Owling begins around 6 a.m. in the Ash Mountain area, Buckeye, and the Rec Hall. Birding follows at 7 a.m. and runs for several hours.

Routes: Participants choose a section of the park to cover. Distances and difficulty vary.

A Tradition Born in 1900

The Christmas Bird Count began as a protest. At the turn of the twentieth century, hunters staged side hunts during the holidays, piling up feathered quarry for bragging rights. Ornithologist Frank Chapman, working with the young Audubon Society, suggested a different ritual: count the birds rather than kill them.

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On Christmas Day in 1900, twentyseven birders answered his call. They spread out from Toronto to Pacific Grove, California, tallying every species they saw. Ninety in all. It was a small start, but it set a precedent. The census grew year by year, expanding across North America and beyond. Today, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are part of that tradition, hosting their own count each December.

Why the Count Matters

The tallies collected each December become part of a bigger picture. They shape how scientists understand bird populations across North America. Over time, the tallies have revealed which species are holding steady and which are slipping away.

Audubon used decades of Christmas Bird Count data to build its climate models. The results were sobering: 314 of the 588 species studied are projected to lose much of their current range by 2080. The Environmental Protection Agency even cited the work as an indicator of climate change. Other reports  like State of the Birds in 2009 and Common Birds in Decline in 2007  leaned heavily on the same citizen science.

In plain terms, the notes scribbled in the field become evidence. They show how warming temperatures, shifting habitats, and human pressures are reshaping the skies. What feels like a simple morning of birding in Sequoia connects directly to national discussions about conservation and climate.

Reflections in the Land of Giants

Julie and I love returning to Sequoia. Birding here feels different than anywhere else  the scale of the forest, the silence between calls, the way granite cliffs frame the sky. A single sighting carries more weight when youre standing in a place that already feels timeless.

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Watching birds is rewarding in itself. Adding your notes to a centurylong record makes it even better. The Christmas Bird Count ties personal joy to global science, showing how small observations can shape our understanding of climate and conservation.

For anyone planning a visit, consider joining the Christmas Bird Count. It's open to all experience levels, and your participation contributes valuable data to an ongoing scientific effort. Ive also put together a guide to Sequoia National Park with tips on hikes, lodging, and seasonal highlights. Pair the guide with the bird count and discover why this place is unforgettable.
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A Brown University student who once survived a school shooting in California has spoken about living through another attack, saying she never believed it could happen twice.

Junior Mia Tretta, 21, was on campus in Providence on Saturday when a gunman opened fire during final exams, killing two people and injuring nine others at the university's engineering building. Police later detained a person of interest, and the campus remained on edge as officers continued to patrol the area.

Brown University Student Survives Second Mass Shooting

Tretta was in her dorm room studying with a friend when the first alert arrived, warning of an emergency at the engineering complex. At first, she thought something serious had happened, but did not immediately assume it was a shooting, according to the BBC.

As more messages urged students to lock doors, stay away from windows, and shelter in place, she realised the language was the same as the alerts she received during a previous attack, and she stayed inside, checking on friends by text.

Six years earlier, Tretta had been shot in the abdomen when a 16-year-old opened fire at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, in 2019. Two students were killed in that attack, including her best friend, and several others were wounded. Tretta spent days in the hospital, underwent surgery, and still carries bullet fragments, later becoming involved in advocacy on gun violence and "ghost guns," the type of weapon used at her high school.

Opening Up About Her Experiences

Speaking after the Brown shooting, she said no one should have to live through one mass shooting, let alone two, and described feeling disbelief that it was happening again, Boston reported. She explained that she chose Brown because it felt like a place where she could finally feel safe and try to live a more normal life as a survivor, but now fears and memories from her teenage years have resurfaced.

Tretta has leaned on relatives, fellow survivors, and campus counseling services in the days since the attack, saying the incident has again changed how she moves through classrooms and public spaces.

Tretta has been studying international and public affairs and education, and has been working on a paper about the educational paths of students who have lived through school shootings. That assignment was due days after the Brown attack, which again disrupted her campus and her routine.

She is one of several Brown students who have previously experienced school shootings, including sophomore Zoe Weissman, who lived through the Parkland, Florida, tragedy as a middle schooler, illustrating how one generation is now carrying the impact of multiple mass shootings through high school and college, as per Yahoo News.
Roomba parent company, iRobot has filed for bankruptcy.

The iRobot Corporation announced on Sunday that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of Delaware. The company said it had entered into a restructuring support agreement with its secured lender and its primary contract manufacturer, Picea, to acquire iRobot through a court-supervised process.

Under the terms of the agreement, Picea will receive 100% of the equity interests in the company.

Todays announcement marks a pivotal milestone in securing iRobots long-term future, said Gary Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, iRobot. The transaction will strengthen our financial position and will help deliver continuity for our consumers, customers, and partners. Together, we will work to continue advancing the industry-leading Roomba robots and smart home technologies that have defined the iRobot brand for more than three decades. By combining iRobots innovation, consumer-driven design, and R&D with Piceas history of innovation, manufacturing, and technical expertise, we believe iRobot will be well equipped to shape the next era of smart home robotics.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides businesses or large investors with protection from creditors while they continue operating and develop a repayment plan. Both creditors and owners must agree on a reorganization plan, which ultimately must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.

During the bankruptcy process, iRobot said it will continue operating in the ordinary course with no anticipated disruption to its mobile application functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships, or ongoing product support.

iRobot introduced the first Roomba robot vacuum back in 2002.

Picea is a manufacturer and service provider of robotic vacuum cleaners, with research and development and manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam.
Charlie Sheen fans know to always expect the unexpected when it comes to the legendary actor.

He can be unfiltered so you just never know what the guy might say.

Which brings us to his recent appearance on the Howie Mendal Does Stuff podcast. Sheens HIV status  he announced he had the disease in 2015  was the big topic of discussion.

The Two and a Half Men star said his HIV has been completely manageable, but he revealed he believes there was once a better option for treatment out there.

Sheen, 60, detailed how an experimental drug he once took to manage his HIV never saw the light of day.

There was one that was really good that I was hoping would come to market one day, and it never did, Sheen explained. That was a thing called PRO 140. It was an MAB [monoclonal antibody] that had much  just quicker and I think more stable results with no side effects than the traditional.

When asked why the medicine never made it to the market, Sheen replied, Its a threat, I suppose.  It works, better than what they have.

The way Sheen explains it, he said the company that created the medication got into trouble. Mandel suggested that they should get to the bottom of this, Sheen shared the same sentiment.

While the star was on Good Morning America during a recent appearance, the Ferris Buellers Day Off actor dove into his past sexual encounters with men, which he believes ultimately led to him contracting the virus.

But Sheen said his entire spiral began with his addiction to crack.

Thats what started it, he admitted. Thats where it was born or sparked. And in whatever chunks of time that I was off the pipe, trying to navigate that, trying to come to terms with it  Where did that come from? Why did that happen?  and then just finally being like, So what? So what? Some of it was weird. A lot of it was [expletive] fun, and life goes on.

Sheen appeared on the Today show in 2015 and revealed his HIV status, saying doctors had detected the virus four years prior. He claimed he went public with his status only because he was being blackmailed for millions of dollars.

He even wrote about the sense of relief he felt in his memoir, The Book of Sheen.

But since learning of his status, Sheen has been adamant that hes been safe.

I do know for a fact that I never passed it on, he shared with People in September.
Another retail giant is shuttering locations.

Its the times were living in, as traditional stores are swept away by the numbers.

This time hitting the chopping block has been Inditex, a Spanish retailer backing popular brands such as Zara, Zara Home, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Massimo Dutti, and Lefties. It operates thousands of physical stores across 97 markets in addition to 214 online platforms.

But it is scaling back.

The retail giant had shuttered 132 stores, ending the quarter with 5,527 locations remaining, per its nine-month fiscal 2025 earnings report, as of late October.

Its all part of the companys strategy to streamline operations and improve profitability for the foreseeable future.

For two years now, the company has invested more than $1 billion in a broad expansion plan that includes renovating existing locations and opening new spots in areas of high traffic, according to The Street.

The end result of our unique approach is the integration of the physical with the online experience in a seamless manner that permits us, across multiple formats, to rapidly react to changing fashion trends and offer the latest collections, Inditex CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras said in an earning call.

The store closures includes the following:

Zara: 60

Zara Home: 27

Pull&Bear: 12

Massimo Dutti: 23

Stradivarius: 6

Oysho: 18

The only brands that increased their footprint were Bershka and Lefties by opening several new stores. Meanwhile, along with the closures though, a few other brands opened new locations. Regardless, the companys number of stores remains stagnant.

But aside from those closures, the strategy didnt disappoint. Total sales increased 2.7% to more than $32 billion and thats all due to strong customer satisfaction both in-store and online.

Store sales have been strong, online sales have been great, so all-around an excellent performance, Inditex Director of Investor Relations Groka Garcia-Tapia said.
By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY, ROD MCGUIRK and KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP)  Australian federal and state government leaders on Monday agreed to immediately overhaul already-tough national gun control laws after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach, leaving at least 15 people dead.

The action would include renegotiating the landmark national firearms agreement that virtually banned rapid-fire rifles after a lone gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania in 1996, galvanizing the country into action, the nine leaders said in a statement after an emergency meeting.

The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, an icon of Australias cultural life. They included hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival with food, face painting and a petting zoo.

At least 38 people, including two police officers, were being treated in hospitals after the massacre, when the two suspected shooters fired on the beachfront festivities. Those killed included a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor.

None of the dead or wounded victims have been formally named by the authorities. Identities of those killed, who ranged in age from 10 to 87, began to emerge in news reports Monday.

Among them was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the family Hanukkah event that was targeted, according to Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement that runs outreach worldwide and sponsors events during major Jewish holidays.

Israels Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen, but gave no further details. French President Emmanuel Macron said a French citizen, identified as Dan Elkayam, was among those killed.

Larisa Kleytman told reporters outside St Vincents Hospital in Sydney that her husband, Alexander Kleytman, was among the dead. The couple were both Holocaust survivors, according to The Australian newspaper.

Police shot the two suspected shooters, a father and son. The 50-year-old father died at the scene. His 24-year-old son remained in a coma in hospital on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Police wont reveal their names.

A couple lay flowers at a tribute to shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, a day after a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP

Albanese confirmed that Australias main domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Agency, had investigated the son for six months in 2019.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that ASIO had examined the sons ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State group cell. Albanese did not describe the associates, but said ASIO was interested in them rather than the son.

He was examined on the basis of being associated with others and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, Albanese said.

Albanese had proposed new gun restrictions, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can obtain and reviewing existing licenses over time.

His proposals were announced after the authorities revealed that the older suspected gunman had held a gun license for a decade and amassed his six guns legally.

The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws, Albanese said.

The horror at Australias most popular beach was the deadliest shooting in almost three decades since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The removal of rapid-fire rifles has markedly reduced the death tolls from such acts of violence since then.

Albanese called the Bondi massacre an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation.

Government leaders on Monday proposed restricting gun ownership to Australian citizens, a measure that would have excluded the older suspect, who came to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and became a permanent resident after marrying a local woman. Officials wouldnt confirm what country he had migrated from.

His son, who doesnt have a gun license, is an Australian-born citizen.

The government leaders also proposed the additional use of criminal intelligence in deciding who was eligible for a gun license. That could mean the sons suspicious associates could disqualify the father from owning a gun.

Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales where Sydney is the state capital, said his states gun laws would change, but he could not yet detail how.

It means introducing a bill to Parliament to  I mean to be really blunt  make it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community, Minns said.

If youre not a farmer, youre not involved in agriculture, why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger and make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police? Minns asked.

Meanwhile, the massacre provoked questions about whether Albanese and his government had done enough to curb rising antisemitism. Jewish leaders and the massacres survivors expressed fear and fury as they questioned why the men hadnt been detected before they opened fire.

Theres been a heap of inaction, said Lawrence Stand, a Sydney man who raced to a bar mitzvah celebration in Bondi when the violence erupted to find his 12-year-old daughter.

I think the federal government has made a number of missteps on antisemitism, Alex Ryvchin, spokesperson for the Australian Council of Executive Jewry, told reporters gathered on Monday near the site of the massacre. I think when an attack such as what we saw yesterday takes place, the paramount and fundamental duty of government is the protection of its citizens, so theres been an immense failure.

On Monday, hundreds arrived near the scene to lay flowers at a growing pile of floral tributes. There were words of pride, too, for a man who was captured on video appearing to tackle and disarm one gunman, before pointing the mans weapon at him, then setting the gun on the ground.

The man was identified by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke as Ahmed al Ahmed. The 42-year-old fruit shop owner and father of two was shot in the shoulder by the other gunman and survived.

Al Ahmed, an Australian citizen who migrated from Syria in 2006, underwent surgery on Monday, his family said.

Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk, Minns posted on social media with a photo of the premier sitting at the end of al Ahmeds hospital bed.

Al Admeds parents, who moved to Australia in recent months, said their son had a background in the Syrian security forces.

My son has always been brave. He helps people. Hes like that, his mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, told ABC through an interpreter.

Australia, a country of 28 million people, is home to about 117,000 Jews, according to official figures. Over the past 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.

The Australian government has enacted various measures to counter a surge in antisemitism since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel launched a war on Hamas in Gaza in response.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that 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.

Albanese in August blamed Iran for two of the previous attacks and cut diplomatic ties to Tehran. Authorities have not suggested Iran was linked to Sundays massacre.

Graham-McLay reported from Wellington, New Zealand and McGuirk from Melbourne, Australia.
LOS ANGELES  Nick Reiner spent years struggling with addiction and with help from his father, Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, told his story to the world.

On Monday, Nick was booked into the L.A. County jail on suspicion of murder, hours after Reiner and his wife were found dead inside their Brentwood home.

Nick cycled in and out of rehab centers and experienced bouts of homelessness as a teenager.

He had gotten clean by 2015, when he worked with his father on Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film about addiction and recovery. Rob Reiner directed and Nick co-wrote the film about a successful actor with political ambitions and a son addicted to drugs.

Many aspects of the movie were inspired by Nicks relationship with his father  including a line where the father character tells his son, Id rather you hate me and you be alive. Nick said in a 2016 interview with AOL that he didnt bond a lot with his father while he was growing up.

Nick gave an interview about Being Charlie alongside his family at the Toronto Film Festival in 2015, saying that his decision to quit heroin was driven by a practical realization.

I got sick of doing that, he told the Los Angeles Times. I come from a nice family. Im not supposed to be out there on the streets and in homeless shelters doing all these ... things.

During the interview, Rob said he regretted valuing the advice of counselors over the voice of his son.

When Nick would tell us that it wasnt working for him, we wouldnt listen, he said. We were desperate, and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son.

Michele added: We were so influenced by these people. They would tell us hes a liar, that he was trying to manipulate us. And we believed them.

Nick talked about the many different rehab centers and programs he tried without success. In 2016, he told People magazine that he lived on the streets because he refused to go to the rehab facilities his parents recommended.

If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless, he said.

He told the magazine that he could have died on the streets.

Its all luck, he said. You roll the dice and you hope you make it.

At the time of the premiere, the Times reported that Rob Reiner and his wife at their worst moments wondered if there was an end in sight, and whether it would be the tragic one that a voice in the back of their heads kept telling them was coming.

Rob Reiner said the filming brought up tough memories.

It was very, very hard going through it the first time, with these painful and difficult highs and lows, he said. And then making the movie dredged it all up again.

But he said the process of making the movie was therapeutic, allowing them to work through a lot of past trauma and develop a closer relationship.

Police have released few details about the killing of Rob and Michele Reiner.

The couple was found at the home in the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue on Sunday afternoon.

Early in his career, Rob Reiner played Michael Meathead Stivic on the sitcom All in the Family from 1971 to 1979, alongside Carroll OConnor as Archie Bunker.

As a director, Reiner helmed a string of hits including When Harry Met Sally ... , The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap. His work took a dramatic turn when he directed Stand by Me in 1986, the adaptation of a Stephen King novella.

In interviews, Nick praised his parents for helping him find sobriety but also said he was trying to forge his own life.

NPR asked them whether theyd want to work together again after Being Charlie.

I think for now, its best for me at least to be sort of independent. But thats not to say I didnt have an amazing experience, Nick said. (Based on IMDb, he did not have any other movie roles.)

Rob added: He was the heart and soul of the film and any time I would get an opportunity to work with him I would do it, but I do understand him wanting to forge his own way. I do know what thats about, I went through it, and hes brilliant and talented and hes going to figure out his path.
In 2025, MLive in Michigan and AL.com in Alabama investigated the current use of paraquat, a heavily regulated weed killer thats the subject of thousands of lawsuits claiming it is linked to Parkinsons.

Around 10 years ago, Mac Barlow started noticing changes with his body. Suddenly, he wasnt steady on his feet. His hands started trembling, and he struggled to grip.

Barlow grew peanuts, soybeans and corn at his family farm in Opp, an Alabama town of about 6,700 people just north of the Florida line.

At first, he thought his symptoms were a normal part of getting older, particularly because hed worked so hard for decades.

One day he ran into a neighbor whod recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. She asked if Barlow used paraquat, a highly effective but lethal weed killer.

Suddenly, it clicked in his head.

Barlow, who is now 70, was diagnosed with Parkinsons a few years ago. He is now among more than 6,200 people suing the company that manufactures paraquat.

For about 40 years off and on, Ive been using that stuff, Barlow told AL.com. Ill be honest with you, if I knew it was going to be that bad, I would have tried to figure out something else.

With evidence of its harms stacking up, paraquat has already been banned in dozens of countries all over the world, including the United Kingdom and China, where its made. Yet last year, its manufacturer Syngenta, a subsidiary of a company owned by the Chinese government, continued selling paraquat in the United States and other nations that havent banned it.

Nothing else has the odor of it

Barlow grew up in a farming family, but struck out on his own in 1975.

He met his wife, Miriam, in high school. They married in 1976, when he was 21 and she was 18. A month later, they moved into the house where they still live today. The cluttered-but-cozy farmhouse sits among hundreds of acres of green fields.

In 1998, the Barlows won Farm Family of the Year from the Opp Chamber of Commerce and were featured in the local paper.

Their daughter, Kristee, took first place in 4-H for the peanuts she grew in high school. Her dad, of course, helped her out.

Paraquat is known as a burn down pesticide. It can clear fields rapidly without the need to disturb the soil.

Once or twice a year, Barlow used paraquat to do just that, clear his fields and tame the weeds to prepare for the next growing season. It was hard to beat the convenience, he said, as it worked without him having to move dirt.

Sometimes, he would mix it with other pesticides to protect the peanuts from being burned by the paraquat, while still killing weeds.

Barlow thought he knew the risks of using paraquat. He said he attended a class at the Auburn University Cooperative Extension on restricted pesticides. But he says no one told him about the possible risk of getting Parkinsons.

When he sprayed, he donned long pants, long sleeves, boots and a mask. He mixed the paraquat with water, adding it to the tank last to minimize exposure. Still, there was only so much he could do: any time he turned into the wind, the paraquat would blow right back on him.

For about 40 years off and on, Ive been using that stuff...if I knew it was going to be that bad, I would have tried to figure out something else. Mac Barlow

He held the nozzle and sprayed paraquat from the back of a tractor all day long. One tank of the paraquat mix covered around ten acres. He would go through eight to ten tanks in a day.

Nothing else has the odor of it, Barlow said. Wed just come up with rotten eggs, or just a distinct smell to it.

Each night, after he was done spraying the weed killer, Barlow said, hed smell it in his hair and on his clothes. His wife made him undress and shower before he came inside the house. She washed his work clothes separately, with nothing else in the machine.

By the time Barlow was farming 1,000 acres of peanuts, it would take him around two weeks to spray all of his fields with paraquat.

He started using the chemical in the 1980s and didnt stop until around five or six years ago  not until after he learned about research that shows a link between Parkinsons and paraquat.

Meanwhile, Syngenta says that despite decades of investigation and more than 1,200 epidemiological and laboratory studies of paraquat, no scientist or doctor has ever concluded in a peer-reviewed scientific analysis that paraquat causes Parkinsons disease.

We have great sympathy for those suffering from the debilitating effects of Parkinsons disease, a Syngenta spokesperson said in a statement. However, it is important to note that the scientific evidence simply does not support a causal link between paraquat and Parkinsons disease, and that paraquat is safe when used as directed.

Still, Barlow said he believes all those years of spraying paraquat is what caused his Parkinsons disease. He said he doesnt have a family history of neurological diseases that might indicate a genetic factor.

After talking to his neighbor, who informed him of the possible link between paraquat and Parkinsons, Barlow said, he started seeing advertisements to join the lawsuit against Syngenta. An attorney friend encouraged him to look into it, and Barlow sent his information off to the Beasley Allen law firm in Montgomery.

Now hes among thousands of people across the nation who have joined the multi-district litigation against Syngenta and Chevron, the companies that make paraquat.

In their lawsuit, lawyers for Barlow and his wife argue that Syngenta knew or should have known that paraquat was a highly toxic substance that can cause severe neurological injuries and impairment. Yet, according to the suit, the company continued to promote its product as safe.

Attorney Elizabeth Walden said the lawsuits are about standing up for people whose lives have been upended by exposure to a dangerous product.

Behind every case file is a family facing unimaginable challenges after trusting the tools they worked with, she told AL.com. Barlow perfectly represents our clients as a lifelong farmer and pillar of his community.

A few bellwether cases representing all of the people suing could be tried in front of a federal judge in Illinois.

But in April, the parties agreed to settle and wrap up all of the cases. The details of the settlement are still being worked out.

If a settlement cannot be reached, the first bellwether trial will be held in January.

Barlow told AL.com he hopes some change may come from the lawsuit.

Maybe it helps somebody else, he said.

Taken away by Parkinsons

Parkinsons is diagnosed by a process of elimination. There is no one specific test to confirm a diagnosis. Instead, doctors run tests, start patients on medicine, and try to find any other condition that could explain the symptoms.

Around 2017 or 2018, Barlow went to their family doctor in Opp, who referred him to a neurologist. He wasnt officially diagnosed with Parkinsons until 2022.

Since then, his condition continued to worsen, he said, in particular over the last two or three years. While he hasnt officially retired from farmwork, he cant do most of the day-to-day labor required to maintain the farm. The family had to sell some of their land to keep up with his medical expenses.

While Barlows main crops were peanuts and soybeans, his passion project was raising chickens. By 2021, he had to give up the birds.

Some days are better than others. Sometimes, he can walk around without help. Other times, he needs his wifes hand. He struggles to sleep sometimes.

Barlow used to be a math whiz, his wife, Miriam, said. He could calculate large numbers in his head easily. But Parkinsons has dulled his mental acuity. He used to have pretty handwriting; Parkinsons took that too.

Its also taken a toll on his mental health. Barlow said he now takes an anti-depressant, despite never having a history of depression prior to his diagnosis.

It frustrates him that his body cant do what he wants it to.

Itll get you depressed pretty bad if you sit around, think about it a lot, Barlow told AL.com. But I try not to do that. Ill try to get out every little bit with the boys and everything.

He loves to fish and hunt with his grandsons. He can still go and sit with them, but he cant hold the fishing pole.

You cant even hold a screwdriver or a wrench to turn it like it ought to, or you have to stick the other hand over it to help you do it and everything, Barlow said. Its aggravating.

Dangers of paraquat

In the almost 40 years that Barlow and his team (mostly family members that helped out) sprayed paraquat, they never had any major accidents. On occasion, the pesticide would splash on someones boots or pants.

Barlow said the paraquat may have hit his skin once or twice, because he was around it the most, but they always had soap and water to immediately wash it off. There was never a time where they had to get medical help for an exposure, he said.

28 1 / 28 Opp farmer Mac Barlow

Accidental exposure to paraquat is extremely dangerous to humans. One sip is considered fatal. If you are sprayed with paraquat, its advised that you cut off your clothes rather than pull them over your head and risk paraquat touching other unaffected areas.

The government keeps records of some of the worst accidents that cause immediate injuries.

Federal data from the Poison Control Center lists 132 paraquat exposures in the U.S. in 2019, resulting in three deaths. Theres no breakdown by state, but records from the EPA detail a serious 2018 accident involving paraquat in Alabama, one that sent a man to the hospital in critical condition.

In that case, a farmworker in Athens was sprayed in the face with paraquat. Though he did not believe he swallowed any of the pesticide, his face and tongue were swollen. He went to the emergency room and was eventually transported to the hospital at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

It is unclear what happened to the man based on EPA records. He is not named in the report, which was obtained via records request.

For better or worse

The Barlows are a praying family, Miriam says.

We believe in prayer and praise the Lord, she said. God answers prayers.

Their strong Christian faith  Miriam grew up Pentecostal, but the family now attends Baptist services  has gotten the family through unimaginable challenges.

Six years ago, the Barlows eldest grandson, JW, was killed in an accidental shooting. He was 9 years old.

JWs mom, Kristee Barlow Clark, said she felt a sense of peace come over her when the doctor told her that her son didnt suffer.

You never know what peace is until you know without a shadow of a doubt where your child is, she said. I dont have to worry every day and fret, will I see my son again? I know I will.

Now, that same faith helps them to cope with her dads disease.

His wife, Miriam, has been a full-time caregiver since 2002, when her parents became ill. But she, too, has her own health struggles: she has degenerative disc disease that causes back pain. Shes had surgery and physical therapy. Its not always easy for her to assist her husband of five decades.

You take your vows, it says for better or worse, she told AL.com. When stuff started happening, I just moved myself right into it.

Every morning, Mac Barlow said, he thanks God for the strength to get through the day.

He gives you peace, Barlow said. And a lot of times, like it is with me now, I can maybe drive over to the old place and park and just sit and talk to Him.
Harrisburg projected it would receive $3 million in yearly revenue when it sold its parking assets in 2013. But the city has gotten none of that money in the last five years, even as costs for drivers climb higher and higher.

And for those who forget to pay for parking and get caught? That cost could be going up too.

Park Harrisburg is working with the city to raise the ticket rate from $30 to $40.

Parking officials have been considering raising ticket prices for years, and increases were baked into the original transfer agreement, which states tickets must cost 10 times the hourly rate in the commercial business district.

The parking system also wants to expand the number of spaces that will cost drivers to park by adding 100 meters, along with spaces for residents, near the new Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse at Sixth and Reily Streets.

It is currently free to park there, but Parking system Spokesperson John Gass said the spaces are frequently occupied and residents have problems finding a space to park.

City council must approve any increase of ticket fines as well as the proposed new meters near the federal courthouse. Gass said hes not aware of any timeline for the two items.

Before the city sold its parking assets to get out of crushing debt from the citys incinerator fiasco more than a decade ago, parking costs were in line with other similar cities. The cost for tickets was $14, street parking was $1.50 an hour and garage rates started at $5 for two hours.

Over the years, those rates have risen to $4 per hour for street parking downtown, which raise to $4.50 if you use the app, which charges a 50-cent convenience fee. That matches the street rate in downtown Philadelphia.

Downtown Harrisburg parking rates and fines are being raised . Dec11, 2025.. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.c

Garage rates for visitors in Harrisburg, meanwhile, increased this year to $12 per hour, a rate higher than all but one of New York Citys garages.

Garages in Lancaster start at $2 per hour. You can park in Philadelphia long-term garages for $2.50 per hour. Pittsburgh garage rates start at $3 per hour.

Gass said 2026 hourly street meter rates are under review, and announcements will be made in January. He would not say if Park Harrisburg is considering an increase or not.

The parking system has been struggling to succeed in recent years because demand for parking dropped post-COVID due to less employees returning to the office, Gass said.

While parking officials try to make the system profitable, the increase in the cost of parking downtown raises questions about how the city have revitalize the area once known as a bustling shopping and restaurant district.

Parking rates are enforced from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking is free downtown for Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., but other discounts implemented and fought for by former mayor Eric Papenfuse have been dropped, including a code that gave drivers four free hours of parking on Saturdays. Now, drivers can park all day Saturdays in the River Street Garage for $5.

Mayor Wanda Williams hasnt been as vocal about negotiating parking issues as former Mayor Eric Papenfuse, choosing to focus on other things in the city.

City spokesperson Mischelle Moyer said Williams is frustrated with the hinderance of parking regulations, but said Williams is not doing anything behind the scenes.

Moyer refused to answer additional questions, including how the city is dealing with the lost $3 million in revenue from the waterfall of payments from the parking system.

The waterfall, which was created to make payments to the city and others after expenses were paid, has dried up in recent years because most of the profit now goes to decreasing debt.

The system had to take out loans during the pandemic. The county made debt service reserve advances in 2021 and 2022 when the system couldnt pay up on its original debt because the pandemic pulled workers and their cars out of Harrisburg.

The system had a $90,000 profit in the last quarter of 2024, and projections show positive revenue in 2025.

But the $90,000 profit in 2024 went to Dauphin County and Assured Guaranty, a debt insurer.

Downtown Harrisburg parking rates and fines are being raised . Dec11, 2025.. Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.com Sean Simmers ssimmers@pennlive.c

Harrisburg is still getting its annual payment from a garage parking tax, which brought in $3.58 million in 2024 and about $3.6 million in 2025, Gass said. Its still less than city administrators estimated when they sold parking over a decade ago.

Harrisburg wont receive waterfall payments for the foreseeable future, as Park Harrisburg must repay $3.9 million to Dauphin County.

The parking system announced last week it intends to add an AI-powered parking system for seamless drive-in, drive-out systems in the 12 city-owned parking garages, using cameras to automatically charge parking fees to drivers. Metropolis has a zero capex offer, meaning there was no upfront cost for the new system. The hardware is primarily cameras for license plate recognition, Gass said.

That system will charge drivers a nominal fee: Either 99 cents or 5%, whichever is greater. The fee will be applied to all transient parking transactions paid through the Metropolis system, Gass said. Also, a $4.99 or 3% fee will apply to any monthly parking account thats not contracted directly with the system (these include state accounts).

Financial statements seem to show a bleak future ahead.

Park Harrisburg has cut its long-term debt more than $17 million, from $280.8 million to $262.3 million since 2020 and decreased its long-term liabilities from $355.7 million to $352.1 million in the same time. However, long-term liabilities have grown in the last three years, from $341.9 million in 2022 to $352.1 million in 2024. Long-term liabilities represent money the system owes to others, including wages payable and deferred revenue, while debt specifically refers to borrowed money that has to be repaid like loans and bonds.

Park Harrisburgs total net position, its overall financial standing similar to net worth, went from negative $92.8 million in 2020 to negative $133.2 million in 2024.

Park Harrisburg is paying off its debt, but only at the required minimum. It is using some cash flow to make capital improvements and fix parking equipment, including $1.6 million in 2024.

Auditors wrote in Park Harrisburgs 2024 financial statement that the companys financial position is the result of a cumulative excess of non-operating expenses over operating income since project inception. It says the years budget deficit is still due to the impact of parking demand in the central business district since the pandemic.

The company isnt just watching the debt grow. Last year, the company was able to refinance original bonds, which is projected to save them around $10 million.

Managers are also budgeting for system revenues to increase over the next several years, following the pattern of the last four years. According to financial statements, most of the parking systems revenue comes from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which leases spots for its employees. In 2024, the state gave Park Harrisburg 53% of its total net revenues, around $12.3 million.

The lease between the commonwealth and Park Harrisburg is supposed to continue until 2054, giving a steady stream of income to the parking system.

Harrisburgs parking assets will be out of the citys hands until 2053 because of the 40-year lease deal it signed. In that time, leaps in technology and infrastructure could be made in the ever-changing world of transportation.

Park Harrisburg was able to survive the pandemic without folding, but only time will tell if Harrisburgs parking system can survive the challenges that the next three decades may bring.
The Pennsylvania Governors Residence was on display and ready for the holidays, less than a year after an arson attack in April severely damaged the home.

The residence was part of the Historic Harrisburg Associations 52nd Annual Candlelight House Tour on Sunday afternoon. The tour showcases extraordinary Harrisburg residences and architectural landmarks, and is known as the oldest and best house tour in Central Pennsylvania.

The self-guided tour shows off historic properties and beautiful homes in and around Harrisburg.

A performance was given by the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet.

The Governors Residence has historically been part of the tour, but its participation in the 52nd iteration was in doubt after the firebombing in April.

The historic 29,000 square-foot mansion was cheerily lit on Sunday, with Christmas trees and children dancing for visitors.

It was a stark difference from the scene on April 13.

Just after Gov. Josh Shapiro finished a Passover celebration with his family, 28-year-old Cody Balmer, of Penbrook, scaled a fence outside the mansion and set the residence on fire using two Molotov cocktails. He told police after the bombing that he planned to use a hammer to beat Shapiro if he encountered him.

Balmer pleaded guilty to all charges in October and will spend at least 25 years in prison.

Since the arson attack, more than $6 million of public funds have been spent to fix the damage.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Authors: Chao Guo, University of Pennsylvania; Charlotte Ren, University of Pennsylvania, and John J. DiIulio Jr., University of Pennsylvania

Long-term care for older people is challenging for everyone. The costs are high and the quality of care is unpredictable at best, often falling short.

The U.S. health care system is so hard to navigate that experts can find it aggravating. Even when people who need help with activities of daily living  a list that includes getting dressed, preparing meals and bathing  receive the care they need, they may still experience social isolation. And it can take a relentless emotional toll on caretakers, be they family members or trained professionals.

We are researchers of government, businessand nonprofits. Together, we are seeking innovative solutions to pressing social problems such as the aging population and the growing need for long-term care.

In our ongoing research, were exploring a promising concept that could potentially ease some of these burdens: time banking, a community-based mutual aid system that treats everyones time as equally valuable.

A global demographic shift

By 2050, 1 in 6 people around the world will be over 65, up from 1 in 11 in 2019, the United Nations projects. By the late 2070s, older adults could outnumber children under 18 for the first time in human history.

Caring for a growing number of older people with a shrinking number of younger people is expensive and complicated. A 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 90% of respondents could not afford the estimated US$100,000 annual cost of nursing home care, and even the roughly $60,000 cost of in-home assistance was beyond the reach for most U.S. families.

These high costs are compounded by a growing shortage of professional caregivers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nearly 9 million new direct-care workers, such as nursing assistants, home health aides and personal care aides, will be needed in the next decade to care for the people who will need their services.

Yet a 2023 survey by the American Health Care Association found that 77% of nursing homes face staffing shortages, and 95% report difficulty hiring.

Time banking origins

Time banking emerged in Japan in 1973 through the work of Teruko Mizushima, a housewife who became a social activist. It was later popularized in the United States by Edgar Cahn, a lawyer who dedicated his life to making society more fair.

The idea is simple: One hour of help equals one time credit, regardless of the task or its market value.

Members earn time credits by assisting others. The options are endless, but here are some examples: They can drive someone to an appointment, prepare a meal or teach basic skills, such as how to knit or change a tire. After theyve earned credits, participants can spend them when they need support themselves. So, if you dedicated a total of 60 hours helping others, you could then redeem 60 hours at a future date in the form of someone caring for you.

Mizushimas Volunteer Labor Bank in Osaka, the worlds first time bank, used a time-based complementary currency known as love currency, which members could save for later use or transfer to their relatives.

Hour Exchange Portland, one of the longest-running time banks in the U.S., is a system where neighbors have traded services using time credits for nearly three decades. Its among hundreds of time banks operating in the country.

Resonating with the realities of aging

We have designed our research to facilitate a comparative investigation of time-banking practices across countries and regions. In the past two years, we have conducted interviews and convened focus groups with dozens of time bank participants and adults who were either middle-aged or over 65 in the U.S. and China.

Our findings suggest that time banking might be particularly helpful in solving three problems associated with aging that conventional systems fail to address: the affordability of care, the scope of care, and social isolation.

First, as the cost of paid care rises, time credits offer a new way to obtain basic assistance without spending more money. For many families, the ability to pay with their time instead of their money could make caring for their loved ones more affordable.

Time banking also brings visibility to types of labor that market-based systems routinely overlook or undercompensate: emotional support, companionship, help with small daily routines, and patient explanations for how new technologies work. These forms of care are rarely paid for, yet they are central to maintaining independence and dignity.

Perhaps more importantly, time banking fosters connections because it doesnt simply reward transactions. Instead, it assigns value to many kinds of human interactions.

Our interviews indicated that services are exchanged through a wide range of activities: practicing calligraphy with someone else, teaching Tai Chi, reading aloud to someone who is visually impaired, or checking in with a neighbor to remind them to take their medication.

These exchanges are less about specialized skills and more about showing up for one another. They broaden the caregiving ecosystem and remind older adults that they remain essential members of their communities.

As we learned, when older adults engage in time banking, they feel seen, useful and woven into the fabric of community life.

Some basic chores get harder to handle as you age. Iuliia Burmistrova/Moment via Getty Images Iuliia Burmistrova/Moment via Getty Images

A path forward

Creating time banks that can make it easier for families to handle their elder care responsibilities would require meeting numerous challenges.

Some are inherent in time banks. For example, its hard to sustain high levels of participation, meet the diverse needs of a time banks members, reduce the risks of some members exploiting the system, and pay for administrative costs.

Other challenges are more specific to elder care. For example, it might not be feasible to maintain reciprocity among members, as those who are frail tend to be on the receiving end of time-banked services and cant easily give back.

But by analyzing the pros and cons of various designs, our research team hopes to develop a time-banking model tailored to elder care.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/time-banks-could-ease-the-burden-of-elder-care-and-promote-connection-264541.
In the competitive landscape of Southeast Asias e-commerce sector, businesses require precise and actionable insights to thrive. Revenue Scaler offers an AI-powered platform designed to provide such intelligence, enabling brands and sellers to optimize their operations and outpace competitors.

Key Features

Comprehensive Analytics: Revenue Scaler consolidates data from various e-commerce platforms into a unified dashboard, allowing real-time tracking of sales, inventory, and customer metrics.

Revenue Scaler consolidates data from various e-commerce platforms into a unified dashboard, allowing real-time tracking of sales, inventory, and customer metrics. AI-Driven Insights: The platform utilizes proprietary AI technology to analyze trends and patterns, offering actionable insights such as inventory alerts and market trend analyses.

The platform utilizes proprietary AI technology to analyze trends and patterns, offering actionable insights such as inventory alerts and market trend analyses. Competitive Intelligence: Revenue Scaler monitors competitor strategies, including pricing and promotional activities, enabling businesses to adjust their tactics proactively.

Revenue Scaler monitors competitor strategies, including pricing and promotional activities, enabling businesses to adjust their tactics proactively. Sales Channel Integration: The platform integrates with major e-commerce channels like Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopify, providing a holistic view of performance across multiple platforms.

Who Is It For?

Revenue Scaler is tailored for e-commerce brands and sellers operating in Southeast Asia, particularly those utilizing platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopify. It is suitable for businesses seeking to enhance their market presence through data-driven decision-making and competitive analysis.

Pricing

The official website does not provide specific pricing details for Revenue Scaler. For accurate and up-to-date pricing information, it is recommended to contact Revenue Scaler directly or request a demo through their website.

Final Thoughts

Revenue Scaler presents a robust solution for e-commerce businesses aiming to leverage AI-driven insights for strategic growth in Southeast Asia. Its comprehensive analytics and competitive intelligence features can assist brands in optimizing operations and staying ahead in a dynamic market. Prospective users should reach out directly to Revenue Scaler for detailed pricing and further information.

Visit revenuescaler.com for more.
When workers get up and go to work every day, they expect certain things: not to be cheated, to secure a good education for their children, and to get access to good medical care. So what are our political divides?

The Affordable Care Act is not medical care for freeloaders. It is actually health insurance for independent workers who do not get corporate insurance. To help people under the ACA is to aid working people and small business owners who do not have health insurance. How is denying access to medical care to working people a partisan issue?

Donald Trump is abolishing the Department of Education. Is education a political issue? There is a partisan argument for why some children should not get a good education in America. Is a good education in America a privilege only for rich or white children? For the last 40 years, we have defunded public education because conservative ideology suggests some kids dont need a good education, and others do.

The tariff issue is really about America honoring its business commitments. We have made trade agreements with every country in the world. This year, we told them we can break any agreement anytime we feel like it. Trumps kind of business deal is that he can cheat you, so long as it works for him.

People in the developed world are not having children. The world is abandoning democracy. We have to stop lying about our politics. Do we really want the average American to live like third-world Russia?

Gregory Abdur Rahman, Sunbury, Pa.
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.
A new report details how Kamala Harris is apparently gearing up for another White House run in 2028 as polling shows her far outpacing Gov. Josh Shapiro and others among Democratic voters.

Axios reported Sunday that the former vice president and presidential candidate is taking several steps toward a second bid for president after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024.

Harris, Axios reported, has expanded her book tour, met with the Democratic National Committee in Los Angeles, and began using new rhetoric, such as criticizing both parties for failing voters.

Both parties have failed to hold the publics trust, she told those attending the DNC meeting. Government is viewed as fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people  People are done with the status quo and theyre ready to break things to force change.

Axios reported that Harris appearance went over well with some on the DNC, saying they wanted her to run in 2028.

A Harris spokeswoman told Axios that she will spend 2026 listening to the American people, reflecting where leadership has fallen short and helping shape the path forward beyond this political moment.

Shapiro is also considered a leading contender for the Democratic nod in 2028 although he first faces a re-election for governor next year.

A spokesman for Shapiros gubernatorial campaign did not offer a response to the Axios story when asked by PennLive.

The governor made news recently by saying that Harris told blatant lies and was trying to cover her ass in comments she made about him in her book, 107 Days, recounting the losing campaign.

In a TV appearance last week, Shapiro stood by his remarks but said he wanted to move forward instead of looking back at 2024. Shapiro was considered for the vice-presidential slot with Harris that eventually went to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Recent polling by Big Data showed Harris far ahead of other Democrats thought to be interested in running in 2028.

According to the poll last week of 1,333 registered Democratic voters, Harris led the potential presidential primary field with 31% followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 20.3%, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 10% and Shapiro at 6.4%.

Among Black Democratic voters, Harris leads with 48% followed by Newsom (9.6%), Buttigieg (5.1%), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (4.1%) and Shapiro (4%).

Axios reported that Harris has expanded her book tour into next year with stops in heavily Black voting areas in South Carolina, Detroit, Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama.

Interestingly, Shapiro posted Sunday on X about an event he had with South Carolina U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a leading voice for Black voters in his state.

Rep. Clyburn has spent over half a century serving the good people of South Carolina  but as he made clear tonight, he has learned from the eight Black congressmen in South Carolina who came before him," Shapiro wrote. Their stories teach us so much  and Rep. Clyburn shows us, we cannot take progress for granted. We must follow his example and work for it."

Harris also leads the field among Hispanic voters with 35.7% compared to Newsom (22.3%), Buttigieg (11.2%), New York U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (10.3%) and Shapiro lagging at 3.3% along with Whitmer.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have added running back Jaylen Warren to their injury report and he is now questionable to play tonight against the Miami Dolphins with an illness. Warren, the teams top running back, has been a significant spark plug to the offense all season and losing him for Mondays game could be a huge loss.

Warren has dealt with some injuries this season, including knee and ankle injuries at different points in the week. He missed one game with the knee issue before he returned following the Steelers early bye week.

If Warren could not play, it would mean that Kenneth Gainwell would get the start and rookie Kaleb Johnson would see more time this week. The Steelers could also opt to elevate a running back such as Lew Nichols from the practice squad for added depth in the case of Warren being inactive.

The Dolphins seem to be dealing with this as well, as offensive tackle Larry Borom is questionable with an illness. Pittsburgh had a frigid weekend with over six inches of snow falling across the region from Saturday through Sunday night.

Both the Dolphins and Steelers practiced outdoors on Saturday in an effort to get acclimated to the cold they would play in on Monday at Acrisure Stadium.
Bitter cold temperatures and gusty winds are creating dangerous conditions across central Pennsylvania through Monday morning, with lake effect snow adding to hazardous travel in western regions.

Wind chills will be particularly dangerous overnight.

The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Effect Snow Warning until 7 a.m. Monday for northwestern Pennsylvania, where an additional 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected, with localized amounts of 3 to 4 inches possible.

Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for portions of western Pennsylvania, including the Laurel Highlands, where a Cold Weather Advisory is also in place due to the combination of frigid temperatures and strong winds.

Winds will gust up to 30 to 40 mph through Sunday night, causing blowing and drifting snow that will further reduce visibility in affected areas.

Temperatures remained steady or fell Sunday afternoon as strong cold air continued to move into the region, creating potentially dangerous wind chill values.

Monday will bring slightly moderating temperatures, though still well below normal, with weakening winds. Lake effect snow and upslope snow should gradually taper off through the day, though northern areas may see additional snow later Monday as a fast-moving weather system passes to the north.

A significant pattern shift will bring milder air into the region by Tuesday into Thursday, with temperatures climbing into the 40s for many locations. Some spots could approach 50 degrees on Thursday before a cold front brings cooler conditions by Friday.

The extended forecast shows a brief mix of precipitation possible early Friday as showers exit the region. Milder air returns later in the weekend with a chance of rain, possibly beginning as a brief wintry mix.

December has been running nearly 10 degrees colder than normal so far this month.

Current weather radar
ASIC Commissioner Kate ORourke has released the first sustainability reporting modules to help smaller companies meet new climate obligations.

Whats happening: ASIC has released the first three of eight educational modules to help smaller companies and report preparers understand Australias new sustainability reporting requirements.

Why this matters: Small and medium-sized companies that supply larger reporting entities will need to understand climate-related obligations as they face growing pressure to provide emissions data.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has launched the first phase of an educational program designed to help smaller companies navigate the countrys new sustainability reporting framework, releasing three modules that break down the foundational concepts behind climate-related financial disclosures.

ASIC partnered with the Australian Accounting Standards Board to develop eight learning modules on the sustainability reporting framework. The first three modules became available in PDF format on 15 December.

ASIC Commissioner Kate ORourke said the regulator recognises the concerns many smaller companies have about the new requirements.

We recognise many smaller companies may be concerned about what the sustainability reporting requirements mean for them, Commissioner ORourke said. ASIC is committed to helping industry build the capability required to meet these important obligations.

The sustainability reporting requirements are new for Australia and impose obligations on directors and reporting entities, but can also affect small and medium-sized companies that support reporting entities.

Our new educational materials are designed to help stakeholders identify the climate-related risks and opportunities that may impact them, Commissioner ORourke said. These foundational steps are key to meeting the sustainability reporting requirements.

The first group of reporting entities is required to prepare sustainability reports for financial years commencing on or after 1 January 2025. The second and third groups of reporting entities are required to prepare annual sustainability reports for financial years commencing on or after 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027 respectively.

Module 1 sets out how stakeholders should engage with the materials and introduces the basics of the new sustainability reporting requirements in the Corporations Act 2001. Module 2 covers the basics of climate change, while Module 3 covers climate-related physical risks.

ASIC will publish Modules 4 and 5 by the end of the month. Modules 6, 7 and 8 will be released in the first quarter of 2026. The topics to be covered in the later modules include climate-related opportunities and an introduction to emissions accounting.

While the educational modules were designed for smaller reporting entities and small and medium-sized companies that are suppliers to reporting entities, ASIC expects the resources will be helpful to any report preparer new to the sustainability reporting requirements as well as other stakeholders in the climate reporting ecosystem.

To encourage higher industry engagement with the sustainability reporting requirements, ASIC will also provide more flexible delivery of content by offering all eight modules in an interactive format in the first quarter of 2026.

The regulator will also hold a series of workshops supporting the release of the educational modules. Details on the workshops will be made available in early 2026.

The move comes as pressure mounts on smaller businesses to demonstrate their sustainability credentials. Xero Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Angad Soin said earlier this year that major businesses are proactively driving the push toward decarbonisation and sustainability reporting.

Despite uncertainties surrounding the future of carbon reporting legislation in Australia, major businesses are proactively driving the push toward decarbonisation and sustainability reporting, Mr Soin said at the time of Xeros partnership with Sumday to provide SMEs with carbon accounting tools. Our goal is to empower small businesses to put themselves in the best position to retain existing customers, but also capitalise on new business opportunities.

The educational modules represent part of ASICs broader strategy to support the rollout of mandatory climate-related financial disclosures in Australia. The regulator published Regulatory Guide 280 Sustainability Reporting in March 2025 to help entities understand their obligations under the new regime.

Under the framework, entities required to prepare an annual financial report under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act and meeting one of the sustainability reporting thresholds under s292A for a financial year are required to prepare a sustainability report containing climate-related financial information.

For more information about the sustainability reporting requirements, refer to Regulatory Guide 280 Sustainability reporting (RG 280) and ASIC article on what small businesses need to know.

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Poker Player's Mistake Leads to Brutal Suckout in $60 Million GTD Event

Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

A wild hand took place in the World Series of Poker Paradise (WSOPP) Super Main Event in the Bahamas involving Poker Boom legend superstar David Benyamine, who didn't even want to play the hand before hitting the flop of dreams.

The hand against Argentina's Manuel Pochat took place late into Day 1d of the $25,000 buy-in tournament, which surpassed its record-setting $60 million guarantee during the fourth and final starting flight.

"He Made Me Win the Hand!"

During Level 10 with blinds of 15,000/25,000/25,000, there was light drama at Table 94 as Pochat moved all in for 255,000 from early position before James Caputo, without seeing there had been a raise, tried to open to 65,000. Benyamine then called behind him before they were alerted to the previous action.

Caputo opted to fold and surrender his 65,000 while Benyamine, best known for his appearances on shows like High Stakes Poker, groaned about his predicament.

"I was not even in this hand," Benyamine said before reluctantly calling and tabling ace-seven of hearts to be dominated by the ace-jack of spades of Pochat.

David Benyamine

Though he didn't even want a part in the hand, the flop landed 5K10 to give Benyamine the nut flush before the board finished out 42 to send his opponent to the rail.

"Oh my god. That's insane," he said before pointing to Caputo. "He made me win the hand!"

The prize pool in the Super Main Event is already up to $63 million with late registration remaining open into tomorrow's Day 2cd.

PokerNews is on-site and providing live updates of the Super Main Event in its entirety.

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Yifei Dong Takes Down the Grosvenor Behemoth For Career-Best 51,229

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

Every poker player dreams of finishing a year on a high note, and Yifei Dong has certainly done that. Dong came out on top of a bumper crowd of 1,355 entrants in the 300 Grosvenor Behemoth in Coventry, a result worth a career-best 51,229 of the 334,680 prize pool.

According to The Hendon Mob Database, Dong only had a pair of live poker tournament cashes to his name before this impressive victory. He finished fourth in a $230 buy-in tournament at Aria Las Vegas in March 2017, and a 38th-place finish in the 250 No-Limit Hold'em Mini Main at the 2023 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Edinburgh festival. The prize money from those events totaled $1,825.

The top 169 finishers enjoyed a return on their investment. Team Grosvenor's Katie Swift, Lorenc Boci, Keith Littlewood, Alex Montgomery, Thomas Clack, Robert Douras, Michael Rosaman, and Jay Harwood were among the in-the-money finishers, the latter being better known for his commentary duties with Phil "The Tower" Heald during GUKPT events.

300 Behemoth Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Yifei Dong 6,430,000 54 2 Ben Liu 6,330,000 53 3 Mark Wagstaff 5,530,000 46 4 Qing Zheng 4,650,000 39 5 Ali Sarkeshik 4,160,000 35 6 Chris Balmforth 2,140,000 18 7 Craig Conway 1,960,000 16 8 Csaba Kovacs 1,670,000 14 9 Dorin Barban 850,000 7

Dong sat down at the nine-handed final table with the chip lead, although he was only a solitary big blind ahead of Ben Liu in second place. Dorin Barban was in the unenviable position of the shortest stack, courtesy of his seven big blinds.

Craig Conway was the first of the finalists to head to the cashier's desk. Conway committed his last nine big blinds with the powerhouse hand that is pocket aces, and Dong called with pocket nines. A nine on the flop improved Dong to a set, and Conway couldn't find any of his two outs.

Romania's Barban managed to ladder one place before pushing all-in with ace-five for only three big blinds. Ali Sarkeshik called with nine-eight in the big blind, spiked an eight on the flop, which proved enough to reduce the player count by one.

Grosvenor Poker Announces Exciting NPL Updates Alongside Full 2026 Schedule Check it out

Shortly after Barban's demise, Chris Balmforth got his 11 big blinds into the middle of the table holding ace-queen, and Liu called with a pair of jacks in the hole. Liu flopped a set to leave Balmforth in a world of pain. A few moments later, Balmforth was gone.

The final six were reduced to five with the elimination of Sarkeshik. The action folded to Sarkeshik in the small blind, and he ripped in 12 big blinds with pocket fives. Mark Wagstaff called with queen-jack, and it was off to the races. A jack on the flop won the flip for Wagstaff, and resigned Sarkeshik to a sixth-place finish. Sarkeshik now has over $750,000 in live earnings.

Earlier this year, Qing Zheng helped himself to the 10,720 top prize in the 250 Grosvenor 25/50 event in Birmingham Hill Street. Zhang scooped a similar 10,040 in the Behemoth after falling in fifth place. Zheng's final participation on the Behemoth was to jam all-in for nine big blinds with ace-four, only to run into Liu's pocket kings. The Cowboys held, Zheng busted, and only four players remained in contention for the title.

The final four battled for a short time before asking the tournament director to pause the clock so they could discuss a deal. Those discussions bore fruit, and play resumed with each player netting between 29,042 and 38,314, with another 15,000 reserved for the eventual champion.

Wagstaff was the deal's main beneficiary because he crashed out in fourth. Wagstaff got his last 16 big blinds into the pot with king-jack against the dominated king-seven of Dong. However, Dong was running hot and hit a three-outer on the turn to send Wagstaf to the showers.

Third place went to Csaba Kovacs. He was down to only three big blinds when he moved all-in with queen-six. Dong Liu called in the small blind with king-deuce of hearts, and Dong stuck around with ten-four of clubs. Kovacs looked set to triple up because he paired his six on the flop. The turn kept him ahead, but a king on the river busted him and saw the pot slide to Liu.

Heads-up began with Dong holding a 42 big blind to 25 big blind advantage over Liu. However, the stacks were almost immediately reversed before Dong reclaimed the lead.

The final hand saw Dong move all-in with jack-nine, and Liu call off 22 big blinds with seven-three of clubs. Dong paired his jack on the flop, with a deuce on the turn, leaving Liu drawing dead. Liu banked a career-best 38,314 for his runner-up finish, with Dong banking 51,229, also a new high for him.

300 Behemoth Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Prize 1 Yifei Dong 51,229* 2 Ben Liu 38,314* 3 Csaba Kovacs 29,042* 4 Mark Wagstaff 31,825* 5 Qing Zheng 10,040 6 Ali Sarkeshik 7,360 7 Chris Balmforth 5,360 8 Dorin Barban 4,350 9 Craig Conway 3,810

*reflects a four-handed deal

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Der Ehrenprasident des gemeinnutzigen Heilbronner Kinderhilfsvereins www.miteinander.de Andreas Fischer verkorpert den modernen europaischen Unternehmer: IT-Pionier, Vordenker der Digitalisierung und engagierter Bruckenbauer fur Demokratie und Zusammenhalt. Mit patentierten Technologien, klarer Haltung zu Europa und KI sowie Projekten wie dem Kulturpalazzo und dem Zirkuspalast verbindet er wirtschaftlichen Erfolg mit gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung und gelebter Solidaritat.

Ein Artikel im European Magazine beschreibt eindrucksvoll den Menschen, Unternehmer und Philanthropen. Hier der englischsprachige Text im Original.

Andreas Fischer  A European Entrepreneur Bridging Innovation, Philanthropy and Unity

In the heart of Baden-Wurttemberg-s innovative landscape, Andreas Fischer embodies the modern European spirit: a tech pioneer who harnesses digital advancement for societal good, while championing the values of an open, united Europe. At 57, the Heilbronn-based entrepreneur has built a career on patented IT solutions, yet his legacy increasingly lies in fostering democratic dialogue and child welfare  all underscored by a profound commitment to European integration.

Fischer-s journey reflects a cosmopolitan upbringing across Luxembourg, Nuremberg and Frankfurt, shaping his worldview as a confident European. Professionally, he pioneered mobile customer engagement as former CEO of ThePeople.de GmbH, developing patent-protected technologies like CodeMe  digital loyalty systems that powered campaigns for global brands. Today, through Aricum GmbH, he advises on sustainable IT strategies, holding patents in data management and object recognition. On LinkedIn, where he commands over 20,000 followers, Fischer shares insights on digital transformation, from fully digitised loyalty points to reflections on AI-s revolutionary yet risky potential.

Yet Fischer-s impact transcends business.

Honoured in 2021 with the Federal Cross of Merit by Minister Thomas Strobl  who dubbed him a modern Robin Hood for redistributing resources to those in need  he channels entrepreneurial success into philanthropy. As honorary chairman of miteinander e.V., he drives inclusion initiatives, none more iconic than the Zirkuspalast (www.zirkuspalast.de): Germany-s largest free children-s circus festival since 2014, delighting over 20,000 disadvantaged young people with magical performances on Heilbronn-s Theresienwiese.

His European orientation shines brightest in cultural and democratic endeavours. As initiator and honorary president of the Wurttemberger Gesellschaft, Fischer oversees the prestigious Wurttemberger Kopfe democracy award (www.wuerttemberger-koepfe.de), endowed with EUR100,000 and presented under the patronage of figures like Thomas Strobl and Cem Ozdemir. Laureates including Joschka Fischer, Gunther Jauch and former EU Commissioner Gunther Oettinger are celebrated for advancing tolerance, rule of law and the European idea. Notably, every ceremony opens with Beethoven-s European Anthem  a deliberate symbol of unity and shared destiny in turbulent times.

Complementing this are the long-running Unternehmergesprache in Flein, a charity series featuring luminaries such as Friedrich Merz, Eckart von Hirschhausen and Count Anton-Wolfgang von Faber-Castell, raising six-figure sums for youth projects. Events like the Kulturpalazzo further blend arts and altruism.

In public discourse, Fischer is vocal: advocating Ukraine-s EU and NATO integration, critiquing populism, and warning of unchecked AI risks in recent LinkedIn posts. Europe must stand united to defend the free world, he urges.

Andreas Fischer stands as a quintessential European figure: innovative yet grounded, prosperous yet generous, regional yet outward-looking. In an era of fragmentation, he reminds us that true leadership unites profit with purpose  and local roots with continental vision. Europe needs more voices like his.

In Conversation with Andreas Fischer: On Europe, Innovation and Responsibility

European Magazine: Mr Fischer, the European Anthem opens every Wurttemberger Kopfe ceremony. What does Europe mean to you in these divisive times?

Andreas Fischer: Europe is our shared future  a beacon of peace, freedom and solidarity. The anthem is a powerful reminder: we honour not just regional traditions, but the broader European project. In face of crises like the Ukraine war or rising populism, the EU must act decisively, integrating partners like Ukraine and upholding democratic values. Laureates like Joschka Fischer or Gunther Oettinger exemplify this commitment.

European Magazine: Your recent LinkedIn reflections on AI highlight both fascination and concern. How do you navigate technology-s double-edged sword?

Andreas Fischer: The advances are breathtaking, transforming industries and daily life. Yet without ethical safeguards, they evoke historical shadows of unchecked power. We need regulation that serves humanity, protecting privacy while fostering innovation.

European Magazine: Balancing patents in digital loyalty with initiatives like Zirkuspalast  how do these worlds intersect?

Andreas Fischer: Success in business creates the platform for meaningful impact. Digitising customer engagement was groundbreaking, but seeing thousands of children light up at Zirkuspalast? That-s true fulfilment  giving perspectives to the next generation, locally and across borders.

European Magazine: Looking ahead?

Andreas Fischer: Building more bridges: between generations, regions and European nations. That is my mission.

(Copyright European Magazin)
Programmatic technology is making out-of-home ads more accessible for small businesses. Vistar Medias Ben Baker reveals why OOH might finally earn its place in SME budgets.

Whats Happening: Out-of-home advertising is entering a new phase in 2026, with programmatic digital out-of-home technology enabling real-time campaign adjustments based on sales data, store performance and audience movement.

Why This Matters: Small businesses have traditionally avoided out-of-home advertising due to high costs and limited measurability. However, automation and the resurgence of physical retail are changing the equation.

Out-of-home advertising, long dismissed by small businesses as too expensive and impossible to measure, is undergoing a transformation that could finally make it relevant for SME marketing budgets.

The shift centres on programmatic digital out-of-home technology, which enables real-time campaign adjustments based on sales trends, store performance, audience movement and even weather triggers. This automation is turning traditional billboards and street-level displays into dynamic, data-responsive advertising channels.

Ben Baker, Managing Director APAC at Vistar Media, argues that 2026 will mark a turning point for the industry. The media industry is at a turning point. As we look to 2026, the out-of-home sector isnt just evolving, its accelerating into a new phase of maturity, with agile data-driven formats like programmatic digital out-of-home at the forefront, Baker said.

The technology addresses a longstanding pain point for marketers. Traditional OOH required lengthy planning cycles and offered limited flexibility once campaigns launched. Programmatic tools now allow buyers to plan and activate both static and digital OOH from single platforms, streamlining what was once a fragmented process. Agencies and marketers are under pressure to do more with less, from tighter timelines to bigger expectations. The demand for results hasnt changed, but the way we get there will, Baker said. Tools like Vistar Medias Adstruc are connecting previously siloed buying processes, enabling marketers to manage campaigns across formats and environments from one interface. This consolidation matters particularly for small businesses, which typically lack the resources to navigate complex media buying systems.

Retail resurgence drives change

Contrary to predictions that e-commerce would dominate consumer behaviour, physical retail is experiencing renewed vitality. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, retail turnover increased 1.2% month on month in June 2025, with through-the-year growth of 4.9%. Shopping centres anchored by supermarkets and essential services continue delivering consistent foot traffic across economic cycles.

Baker points to this trend as a key driver of OOHs evolution. Whats happening in retail tells its own story. Despite predictions of e-commerce dominance, physical retail is thriving, not as a relic of the past, but as a reinvigorated channel for brand interaction. Store openings are up. Foot traffic is back. And consumers arent just shopping; theyre seeking out experiences, Baker said.

This shift creates opportunities for proximity-based advertising that targets consumers near physical locations. Small businesses with retail presences can now activate campaigns using store-level insights, adjusting messaging based on inventory availability or time-of-day patterns. By 2026, well see more campaigns activated using store-level insights, based on sales data, inventory availability, or time-of-day triggers. This level of contextual targeting isnt a future fantasy, its already here, and we anticipate seeing it more, Baker said.

The approach differs significantly from traditional small business marketing strategies. Research from Dynamic Business shows that outdoor ads remain among the least popular methods for SMEs, with only 7.8% of small business owners using them, primarily due to high costs. However, programmatic technology could alter this calculation by reducing minimum spend requirements and improving measurability.

Automation meets street advertising

The evolution mirrors broader trends in digital advertising, where automation and data integration have become standard. Baker characterises the transformation as fundamental rather than incremental. The narrative around OOH is evolving. Were no longer talking about panels and static placements. Were talking about one of the last remaining channels that can deliver both scale and specificity, Baker said.

The shift from broadcast medium to performance channel represents a significant repositioning. Traditionally, OOH served primarily as a branding tool, valued for reach and frequency but difficult to tie directly to business outcomes. Programmatic capabilities now enable closed-loop measurement, tracking campaigns from impression through to incremental sales.

OOH is becoming a dynamic, data-rich, and highly addressable medium that even rivals digital for agility and measurability, Baker said. This matters particularly as holding groups merge and operating models prioritise efficiency. Marketers seeking consolidated platforms that span multiple channels can now include OOH alongside digital and social advertising within unified planning systems.

Performance metrics arrive

The Asia-Pacific region is demonstrating how retail media strategies can incorporate OOH as a performance channel rather than purely a brand awareness vehicle. Baker notes that early adopters are using programmatic DOOH to drive measurable commercial outcomes.

As weve seen across APAC, where retail media strategies are quickly maturing, programmatic DOOH is proving itself as far more than a branding tool. Its being used to drive tangible commercial outcomes, delivering not just impressions, but incremental sales. For marketers, thats a game-changer. For agencies, its a way to reintroduce performance metrics into a traditionally broadcast medium, Baker said.

For small businesses navigating tight budgets, this shift could prove significant. The ability to target specific geographic areas, adjust campaigns based on real-time data, and measure return on investment addresses three major barriers that previously kept SMEs away from OOH advertising. Marketing experts have previously noted that small businesses often struggle with expensive advertising methods, making programmatic DOOHs promise of efficiency and measurability particularly relevant for proximity-based campaigns targeting local customers.

Baker frames 2026 as a year of execution rather than experimentation. OOH will be back on the agenda; not just because it works, but because it works harder, smarter, and faster than ever before. Next year wont be about proving the value of OOH but pushing how far it can go, Baker said.

Reality check for SMEs

Whether small businesses will embrace OOH at scale remains to be seen. Whilst programmatic technology reduces some barriers, challenges persist. Minimum spend requirements for premium locations still exclude many micro-businesses, the effectiveness depends heavily on access to quality first-party data, and campaigns only deliver results when targeting aligns with actual customer geography.

However, for SMEs with physical locations and sufficient budget flexibility, the combination of automation, retail resurgence and performance measurement capabilities is creating conditions that could finally make street-level advertising accessible to businesses seeking alternatives to saturated digital channels.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9) ("Apex" or the "Company"), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the identification and development of critical and strategic metals, is pleased to announce results from a new carbonatite discovery at its 100%-owned Lac Le Moyne Project ("Lac Le Moyne" or "the Project") in Nunavik, Quebec.HighlightsDiscovery of new carbonatite occurrence at the Lac Le Moyne Project.151 rock samples collected during the July 2025 program, marking the first targeted carbonatite exploration at the Project.Four (4) boulder grab samples returned >0.20% NbO, with values up to 0.40% NbO.Thirteen (13) samples returned > 0.25% total rare earth oxides (REO1), including a peak of 0.50% REO.An additional 77 claims have been staked to cover the interpreted up-ice source responsible for the anomalous boulder samples.Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals, commented, "There are only ~600 known carbonatite systems globally, so confirming the presence of carbonatite with substantially anomalous niobium and rare earth oxide mineralization during our first pass mapping and sampling campaign at Lac Le Moyne is a significant step forward for the Project and exceeded our expectations. The Project's position north of the Eldor Carbonatite Complex, a complex known for its high-grade Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit as well as high-proximal grade niobium, tantalum, and phosphate, highlights the potential for further discoveries in the area. We look forward to advancing follow-up work to refine targets and build on the results from this initial program." The summer exploration program was completed in July 2025, with a total of 151 rock samples collected. The exploration program marked the first targeted exploration for carbonatite-hosted niobium (Nb) and rare earth element (REE) mineralization at the Project. The program was a helicopter-supported operation based out of Kuujjuaq, designed to evaluate multiple carbonatite outcrops originally mapped by Quebec government geologists in the 1970s.The elevated samples are dominated by carbonatite and carbonatite-related lithologies, with all four (4) boulder samples exceeding 0.20% NbO to a maximum of 0.40% NbO occurring in calcite-rich carbonatite boulders (Table 1, Figure 1). The strongest REO results (>0.25% REO, including the peak value 0.50%) are hosted within dolomitic carbonatite and carbonatite-altered units (Table 1). Additional elevated samples occur in calcite-carbonatite, fluorine-carbonatite, and metasomatic (fenite-style) rocks, supporting the interpretation of a multi-phase intrusive system with both carbonatite and alteration-related REE enrichment. Several of the carbonatite samples also exhibit high-grade phosphate, with seven (7) samples exceeding 5.0% PO with a peak value of 10.36% PO, alongside notably enriched fluorine, including one sample assaying 4.94% F (Table 1). These signatures are fully consistent with apatite- and fluorite-bearing phases typically associated with REE mineralization in carbonatite systems.The strongest niobium and REO results define a north-south-oriented corridor in the northeastern portion of the Lac Le Moyne Property. This trend hosts the majority of samples returning >0.20% NbO and >0.25% REO and represents a newly outlined carbonatite zone within the Project area. The elevated results do not coincide with the historically mapped extent of carbonatite outcrop, indicating the potential for an additional mineralized carbonatite system at Lac Le Moyne. Outcrop exposure across this corridor is limited, and the concentration of mineralized carbonatite and carbonatite-related boulders suggests strong potential for a buried carbonatite source within this newly defined trend.An additional 77 mineral claims, totalling approximately 3,609 ha, were staked on the eastern margin of the Project to cover geophysical anomalies and the interpreted up-ice area, to the south/southeast, of the niobium-enriched boulders identified during the 2025 sampling program. This expanded land position now covers the most prospective target corridor and provides the opportunity for follow-up exploration for the 2026 field season.Figure 1. 2025 Surface Grab Samples (REO, %) - Lac Le Moyne PropertyTable 1 2025 Surface Grab Samples - Select Assay Results1. Rare Earth Oxide (REO) is the summation of Ce2O3 + La2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Eu2O3 + Sm2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3The Company cautions that past results or discoveries on adjacent properties (i.e. Eldor) may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties (i.e. Lac Le Moyne.)Quality Assurance / Quality ControlAll rock samples were collected in the field using a hammer and chisel. Locations were obtained using a handheld GPS or tablet with samples placed in pre-labelled sample bags. Metal tags with the sample numbers and flagging tape were left at each sample location.Samples were shipped using via air, then ground from Kuujjuaq to Actlabs Laboratory in Ancaster, Ontario. Rock samples were prepped via RX1, Dry, crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 m. Analysis consisted of Code 8 by XRF, Code 8 - REE Assay (lithium metaborate/tetraborate fusion with subsequent analysis by ICP and ICP-MS), and 1A2 Au Fire Assay - AA, 30g weight, 5-5,000 ppb. Select samples were analyzed for fluorine with code 4F-F.A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol was incorporated into the rock sampling program and included the insertion of four (4) certified reference material ("CRM) and two (2) quartz blanks. Due to the preliminary nature of the fieldwork, the Company also relied on the internal QA/QC procedures of Actlabs.Management cautions that prospecting surface rock samples, and associated assays, as discussed herein, are selective by nature and represent a point location, and therefore may not necessarily be fully representative of the mineralized horizon sampled.Qualified PersonThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Francois Gagnon, P. Geo. (OGQ License 1907), geologist for Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Mr. Gagnon has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release and certified analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed. Mr. Gagnon noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process.About
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or "the Company") (NYSE:ARE) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of the Company's Long Island City (LIC) property; (2) The Company's claims and confidence regarding the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination were misleading and lacked a reasonable basis, particularly in connection with ARE's Megacampus strategy; and (3) As a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Alexandria you have until January 26, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Condor Resources Inc. ("Condor" or the "Company") (TSXV:CN) is pleased to announce that its Peruvian subsidiary, Condor Exploration Peru S.A.C. ("Condor Peru"), has closed the sale of a 100% interest in the Company's Soledad project, located in Ancash, Peru, pursuant to the terms previously announced on June 26th, 2025, to Compania Minera Lincuna S.A. ("Lincuna"), a private mining company headquartered in Lima, Peru.Under the terms disclosed in the Company's June 26th, 2025 press release, Condor Exploration Peru S.A.C. ("Condor Peru"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Condor, has completed the sale of the three mineral concessions comprising the Soledad project to Lincuna for ultimate total consideration of US$3,000,000. In parallel, a Cesion Minera agreement allows the Purchaser to immediately commence exploration activities on the project.The total consideration payable by the Purchaser for the purchase of the Soledad project of US$3,000,000, to be paid in the following installments:US$100,000 payment was made upon execution of the LOI (the "First Deposit");US$500,000 payment was made on closing and upon execution of the definitive Mining Assignment and Option Agreement (the "Definitive Agreement"); andUS$2,400,000 in twelve quarterly contracted payments of US$200,000 to be made over three years.Lincuna may accelerate payments at its discretion, but can extract and sell products from the Property for the purpose of earning revenues only after the Option has been completely exercised. Upon exercise of the option, Condor Peru will also be granted a 1% Net Smelter Returns (NSR) royalty. Lincuna has also assumed the existing 1% NSR royalty payable to Chakana Resources S.A.C.Chris Buncic, President and CEO of Condor, commented, "We are pleased to have successfully completed the sale of Soledad under the agreed terms, strengthening our balance sheet, as we turn our immediate attention towards our highestconviction discovery opportunities in Peru. Huinac Punta represents a compelling opportunity to test a large - and largely untested - silver-rich carbonate replacement system in a highly prospective district. We are confirming our portfolio exploration plans as well as aggressively evaluating other business opportunities." About Condor Resources Inc.Condor Resources is a precious and base metals exploration company focused on its portfolio of projects in Peru. The Company's flagship project, Pucamayo, is an 85 km2 property containing a high sulfidation epithermal system with disseminated precious metals mineralization with a large lithocap alteration visible at surface. The Huinac Punta project, a 7,200 Ha property in Huanuco, Peru, has the potential to host a large carbonate replacement style (CRD) silver-dominant polymetallic mineralized body with the potential for discovery of a bulk tonnage silver and base metals deposit. The Company has also optioned the Cobreorco project which targets gold-copper skarn and porphyry-style mineralization to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited. The Company's award-winning exploration team in Peru has a long history of success in discovering and advancing high quality exploration projects and managing the social aspects of its exploration activities.For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.condorresources.com Follow Condor Resources (@CondorResources) on X and (@condor-resources) on LinkedIn.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDChris BuncicPresident & Chief Executive OfficerFor further information please contact the Company at 1-866-642-5707, or by email at info@ condorresources.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the Company's expectations with respect to the use of proceeds raised under the sale.Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in applicable forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the business of mineral exploration and development; continued availability of capital and financing; general political and economic conditions, fluctuations in metal prices and other market-related risks, including any volatility in the Company's share price, that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements. Therefore, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Condor does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.SOURCE: Condor Resources Inc.
Reddit filed a lawsuit challenging Australias social media ban for under-16s, arguing it violates political communication freedoms.

Whats Happening: Reddit filed a lawsuit on 13 December 2025 against Australias social media ban for users under 16, naming the Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells as defendants.

Why This Matters: Reddit lawsuit highlights broader questions about how Australian businesses will adapt marketing strategies in this new regulatory environment.

Australias world-first social media age restrictions, which took effect on 10 December 2025, have triggered their first major legal challenge, with Reddit filing a lawsuit that could reshape how businesses and platforms operate in the country.

The online discussion platform filed court documents on 13 December challenging the law that requires social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services, according to Reuters. Reddit named the Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells as defendants, with lawyers Perry Herzfeld and Jackson Wherrett signing the filing, the court documents show.

The company argues the legislation violates the implied freedom of political communication protected by the Australian Constitution and restricts young peoples ability to engage in public discourse. Australian citizens under the age of 16 will, within years if not months, become electors. The choices to be made by those citizens will be informed by political communication in which they engage prior to the age of 18, the court filing statednper Reuters.

Legal challenge begins

Reddits lawsuit represents the second legal challenge to the legislation. The Digital Freedom Project announced in November 2025 that it would commence action in the High Court of Australia, also arguing the laws violate constitutional protections for political communication, according to media reports.

The timing is significant. Australia implemented the worlds first legally enforced minimum age for social media access on 10 December, affecting Reddit and nine other major platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Threads, Twitch and Kick. These platforms had opposed the rule for over a year before ultimately agreeing to comply.

Under the law, platforms must block users under 16 or risk fines of up to $49.5 million. Critically, teenagers and their caregivers face no penalties for accessing restricted platforms. The responsibility sits entirely with the platforms to implement reasonable steps preventing underage access.

To meet requirements, companies are relying on tools including age inference, which analyses online behaviour, and age estimation technologies that use selfies to verify age. The approach has raised privacy concerns among technology advocates and civil liberties groups.

The Australian Governments Age Assurance Technology Trial, conducted by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme, concluded in June 2025 that there are no significant technological barriers to implementing the ban. However, the report acknowledged that verification methods require platforms to become proficient at profiling Australian children under 16.

Metrics already dropping

For small businesses, the policys impact is likely to materialise in engagement metrics and reach data as platforms begin enforcing the restrictions. Under-16s make up a significant percentage of social platform users, particularly on TikTok, meaning businesses may see metrics like reach, engagements, video views and followers decline.

The restrictions particularly affect businesses whose products appeal to younger demographics. However, the changes arent limited to youth-focused brands, as the removal of underage users could affect overall platform dynamics. The impact extends beyond simple audience loss. With platforms removing underage accounts, algorithms may shift to reflect older user behaviour patterns, potentially changing content prioritisation and engagement dynamics. The restrictions represent a significant shift for businesses that have built marketing strategies around social media access to younger audiences and their families.

Marketing alternatives emerge

The removal of easy access to younger audiences through social platforms may force businesses to revisit foundational marketing tactics that predate social media dominance. Alternative channels could include email newsletters, opt-in SMS updates, community apps, and website optimisation. Young people can still use search engines and read articles, meaning businesses may need to consider where under-16s spend time online outside social media platforms.

The shift requires creativity and potentially additional investment in marketing capabilities that many small businesses have deprioritised as social media became ubiquitous. Businesses may need to either prioritise internal marketing capabilities or allocate budget to outsource work to specialists.

Marketing diversification has long been considered sound risk management strategy. Businesses relying solely on one marketing channel face vulnerability when regulatory or platform changes occur. Building owned channels such as email, SMS and websites, where businesses control the rules, provides more stability. Collecting first-party data wherever possible ensures businesses maintain direct access to their audiences.

Research from Dynamic Business earlier this year found that 25% of Australian small businesses are focusing on growing their social media presence to attract international customers, recognising social medias effectiveness compared to traditional methods. However, the survey also revealed that over a third of small business owners claim no social media platform has been effective for their business, suggesting diversification may prove valuable regardless of regulatory changes.

For businesses currently affected, immediate action focused on capturing audience contact information before losing access may prove valuable. Funnelling customers to opt in to owned channels, such as email and SMS updates, represents a priority for businesses seeking to maintain direct communication with their audiences.

The Reddit lawsuit, whilst focused on constitutional arguments around political communication, could have significant implications for how businesses operate in Australias digital landscape. If successful, the challenge might force modifications to the legislation that affect implementation timelines or requirements.

However, with 77% of Australians supporting the ban according to polling, and bipartisan political backing from federal, state and territory governments, substantial changes appear unlikely regardless of legal outcomes.

For small businesses, the regulatory shift represents a forced evolution in digital marketing strategy. Those building owned communication channels, diversifying beyond social platforms, and focusing on direct customer relationships may emerge better positioned than competitors who relied heavily on social media access to younger demographics.

As Reddits legal challenge proceeds through the High Court, businesses face immediate practical decisions about resource allocation, marketing channel diversification and customer communication strategies in an environment where regulatory certainty around social media access remains contested.

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County("Industrial Credit Union") recently suffered a data breach through one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to the Industrial Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Industrial Credit Union was informed of a security incident involving one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, which provides both print and email services to financial institutions. Upon learning of the breach, the vendor engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. Industrial Credit Union's own systems were not breached.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial and banking information.On November 26, 2025, Industrial Credit Union filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Washington and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County ("Industrial Credit Union") recently suffered a data breach through one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to the Industrial Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Industrial Credit Union was informed of a security incident involving one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, which provides both print and email services to financial institutions. Upon learning of the breach, the vendor engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. Industrial Credit Union's own systems were not breached.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial and banking information.On November 26, 2025, Industrial Credit Union filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Washington and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Rain Bird Corporation ("Rain Bird") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Rain Bird.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 25, 2025, Rain Bird became aware of suspicious activity affecting certain portions of its web store. Upon detection, Rain Bird launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident.The investigation determined that there was fraudulent activity potentially associated with payment cards used to perform transactions on the Rain Bird web store between February 11, 2025, and September 5, 2025. Rain Bird conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and to identify affected individuals.The impacted information may include names, credit card numbers, card verification values, and associated access codes.On December 11, 2025, Rain Bird filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal and protected health information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATIONData breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Rain Bird Corporation, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / iQCredit Union recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"). This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to iQCredit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 14, 2025, iQCredit Union's third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, detected suspicious activity on its network and confirmed that it had experienced a ransomware attack. Upon detection, Marquis launched an investigation with the assistance of cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to Marquis systems and obtained sensitive data. Marquis then conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identify affected individuals.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, financial account information, and taxpayer identification numbers.Marquis notified iQCredit Union of the incident and began mailing notice letters to individuals whose sensitive data was affected. On November 26, 2025, the incident was reported to the Attorney General of Washington. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from iQCredit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Visage Imaging, Inc.("Visage Imaging") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Visage Imaging.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Visage Imaging recently became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized access to certain personal information within its systems. An unauthorized party accessed personal information, including data elements classified as personally identifiable information ("PII"). The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.On November 26, 2025, Visage Imaging filed a public notice with the office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Visage Imaging, Inc., you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 08:50:09

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GEORGE TOWN, MY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / After more than two years of development since the signing of its main construction agreement in September 2023, theLin Xiang Xiong Art Galleryofficially opened its doors today. Penang Chief Minister YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow and former Prime Minister of France, His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, attended the unveiling ceremony, marking the arrival of a new international arts institution in Penang founded upon the ideals of art, humanity and peace.(From left): His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France & Founder and Honorary Chairman of Leaders for Peace; Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, Founder of Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery and Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of PenangRising eight storeys above the sea, the gallery is built on the mission of "Art for Peace." Housing a collection of over one thousand works, with more than four hundred pieces displayed throughout the year, the gallery presents a dynamic rotation of visual narratives and humanistic reflections. Its facilities include an art education centre, permanent exhibition floors, a special exhibition hall and an international collaboration conference room. The sixth floor also serves as an international exhibition platform that will welcome leading artists and curated projects from around the world, positioning the gallery as a hub for cross-cultural dialogue and artistic innovation.Beyond presenting the significant works of Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, the gallery aims to foster sustained international artistic exchange through exhibitions, joint curatorial initiatives, forums and education programmes, gradually developing into an open, diverse and long-term cultural platform. "Civilisations are not defined by superiority or inferiority, but by their depth. Every culture is the crystallisation of its people's history and labour," Professor Lin said.(From left): Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, Founder of Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery, His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France & Founder and Honorary Chairman of Leaders for Peace At the ceremony, Professor Lin was officially appointed to the Leaders for Peace Council, an international organisation founded by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. Dedicated to preventive diplomacy, civilisational dialogue and peace education, the organisation's mission resonates deeply with the gallery's vision. His appointment signifies the entry of artistic voices into the global peace agenda, further strengthening the gallery's role in cultural diplomacy.Reflecting on the times, Professor Lin emphasised the importance of art in today's turbulent world. "In a world confronted by tension and conflict, art can steady emotions, elevate awareness and deepen understanding. Art cannot directly stop wars, but it can illuminate the mind. When countless points of light converge, darkness will eventually be dispelled," he said.To commemorate its opening, the gallery is presenting the special exhibition Picasso and Lin Xiang Xiong: A Dialogue Across Time. Centred on the theme of "dialogue," the exhibition explores the artistic resonance between Picasso's modernist language and the Eastern cultural perspectives embedded in Professor Lin's works, addressing themes such as anti-war, anti-poverty and environmental consciousness in line with the gallery's mission of "Art for Peace." (From Left 7-11): YB Dato' Seri Law Choo Kiang, Speaker of the Penang State Legislative Assembly; Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, Founder of Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery; Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang; His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France & Founder and Honorary Chairman of Leaders for Peace; Irina Bokova, Member of the Board of Leaders for Peace and Former Director-General of UNESCO Held on the same day, the Art for Peace International High-Level Art Forum gathered distinguished cultural, diplomatic and artistic leaders from UNESCO, France, Brazil, Japan, China and Malaysia for cross-civilisational conversations with Professor Lin. The forum comprised two thematic sessions - Governance & Peace and Arts & Peace - examining civilisational dialogue, cultural soft power, artistic responsibility and cross-cultural engagement. Discussions explored how art can foster understanding, support emotional healing and build meaningful exchanges amid global uncertainty.During the forum, Professor Lin added, "Art is not merely aesthetic. It is the yeast of human civilisation, a force that records truth and preserves conscience. If art can become a bridge between civilisations, then the gallery must embrace the responsibility of fostering peace and mutual understanding. This is not just a personal aspiration, but a collective responsibility." Located at The Light Waterfront in Penang, the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery is currently in its soft-opening phase and is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays). During this initial period, tickets are available via on-site purchase, with online ticketing and reservation systems to be introduced progressively.For media information, kindly contact:Triven Marketing Group, for Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery Jazzmin WanEmail: j.wan@ swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 08:00:09

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LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / The Board of Pantheon Resources plc (AIM:PANR)(OTCQX:PTHRF) ("Pantheon", the "Group" or the "Company"), the oil and gas company developing the Kodiak and Ahpun oil fields immediately adjacent to pipeline and transportation infrastructure on Alaska's North Slope, announces that, in line with the succession plans announced in February 2025, Jay Cheatham, Non-Executive Director and the Company's former Chief Executive Officer, formally retired at a meeting of the board of directors on Friday, 12th December, 2025.Jay joined the Board in 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer until early in 2025, and since stepping down as CEO he continued to serve as a Non-Executive Director.The Board wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Jay for his long and distinguished service to the Company and its shareholders. His leadership, commitment, and experience have played a central role in shaping the Group over more than 17 years. The Board extends its very best wishes to him for the future.David Hobbs, Chairman, commented: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to reiterate our deep appreciation for Jay's exceptional contribution to the Company over 17 years. His dedication and wisdom have been instrumental in the Group's development." Further information:Pantheon Resources plcDavid Hobbs, ChairmanMax Easley, Chief Executive OfficerJustin Hondris, SVP, Investor Relationscontact@ pantheonresources.com Canaccord Genuity Limited (Nominated Adviser, andJoint Broker)Henry Fitzgerald-O'ConnorJames AsensioCharlie Hammond+44 20 7523 8000Oak Securities (Joint Broker)+44 20 3973 3678Jerry KeenNick PriceBlytheRay (Corporate Communications)+44 20 7138 3204Tim BlytheMegan RayMatthew BowldMZ Group (USA Investor Relations Contact)Lucas ZimmermanIan Scargill+1 949 259 4987About Pantheon Resources Pantheon Resources plc is an AIM listed Oil & Gas company focused on developing its 100% owned Ahpun and Kodiak fields located on State of Alaska land on the North Slope, onshore USA. Independently certified best estimate contingent recoverable resources attributable to these projects currently total c. 1.6 billion barrels of ANS crude and 6.6 Tcf of associated natural gas. The Company owns 100% working interest in c. 259,000 acres.Pantheon's stated objective is to demonstrate sustainable market recognition of a value of approximately $5 per barrel of recoverable resources by end 2028. This is based on bringing the Ahpun field forward to FID and producing into the TAPS main oil line (ANS crude) by the end of 2028. The Gas Sales Precedent Agreement signed with AGDC provides the potential for Pantheon's natural gas to be produced into the proposed 807 mile pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska during 2029. Once the Company achieves financial self-sufficiency, it will apply the resultant cashflows to support the FID on the Kodiak field planned, subject to regulatory approvals, targeted by the end of 2028 or early 2029.A major differentiator to other ANS projects is the close proximity to existing roads and pipelines which offers a significant competitive advantage to Pantheon, allowing for shorter development timeframes, materially lower infrastructure costs and the ability to support the development with a significantly lower pre-cashflow funding requirement than is typical in Alaska. Furthermore, the low CO2 content of the associated gas allows export into the planned natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska without significant pre-treatment.The Company's project portfolio has been endorsed by world renowned experts. Netherland, Sewell & Associates estimate a 2C contingent recoverable resource in the Kodiak project that total 1,208 mmbbl of ANS crude and 5,396 bcf of natural gas. Cawley Gillespie & Associates estimate 2C contingent recoverable resources for Ahpun's western topset horizons at 282 mmbbl of ANS crude and 803 bcf of natural gas. Lee Keeling & Associates estimated possible reserves and 2C contingent recoverable resources of 79 mmbbl of ANS crude and 424 bcf natural gas.For more information visit www.pantheonresources.com This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Pantheon Resources PLC
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 18:30:12

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Pelican Credit Union recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"), that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Pelican Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In August 2025, Pelican Credit Union learned from its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, that Marquis had experienced a data security incident. During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that an unauthorized third party may have accessed or acquired files containing sensitive personal data belonging to Pelican Credit Union members. On October 27, 2025, Marquis confirmed to Pelican Credit Union that member data was likely involved in the breach.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and payment card data.On November 14, 2025, Pelican Credit Union posted public notice of the breach on its website. Marquis and Pelican Credit Union recently began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personalinformation was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Pelican Credit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 18:22:07

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Pelican Credit Union recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"), that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Pelican Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In August 2025, Pelican Credit Union learned from its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, that Marquis had experienced a data security incident. During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that an unauthorized third party may have accessed or acquired files containing sensitive personal data belonging to Pelican Credit Union members. On October 27, 2025, Marquis confirmed to Pelican Credit Union that member data was likely involved in the breach.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and payment card data.On November 14, 2025, Pelican Credit Union posted public notice of the breach on its website. Marquis and Pelican Credit Union recently began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Pelican Credit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 19:00:14

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against StubHub Holdings, Inc. ("StubHub" or the "Company") (NYSE:STUB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether StubHub and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 23, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired StubHub securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On or around September 17, 2025, StubHub conducted its initial public offering ("IPO") of 34,042,553 shares of Class A common stock priced at $23.50 per share. Then, on November 13, 2025, StubHub issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. The press release revealed that free cash flow was negative $4.6 million in the quarter, a 143% decrease from the Company's free cash flow in the year ago period, which was positive $10.6 million. The press release further revealed that StubHub's net cash provided by operating activities was only $3.8 million, a 69.3% decrease from the year ago period, when the Company reported $12.4 million in net cash provided by operating activities. The same day, StubHub filed its quarterly report for the third quarter of 2025, which revealed that the quarter's year-over-year decrease in free cash flow "primarily reflects changes in the timing of payments to vendors." On this news, StubHub's stock price fell $3.95 per share, or 20.9%, to close at $14.87 per share on November 14, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
Sarah Dzafce, who represented Finland at this years Miss Universe pageant, has been stripped of her national title following the circulation of an alleged racist social media post.

Sarah Dzafce, former Miss Universe Finland 2025. Photo from Dzafce's Instagram

According to People magazine, the Miss Finland Organization announced the decision on Dec. 11 in a statement posted on its official Instagram account.

"The title of Miss Universe Finland held by Sarah Dzafce has been revoked as of today," the organization wrote. "This decision is not about a persons human worth, but about responsibility. When an individual carries a national and international representative role, actions and responsibility are inseparable."

Hola! magazine reported that the decision followed the viral spread of a photograph posted in late November showing the 22-year-old beauty queen pulling the corners of her eyes in a racially offensive gesture. The image was accompanied by the Finnish caption "kiinalaisenkaa syomas," loosely translated as "eating with a Chinese person."

The photo was later circulated on the anonymous German app Jodel by a friend who allegedly added the caption without Dzafces consent. Dzafce initially said she had been experiencing a "severe headache" at the time and was rubbing her temples when the image was taken.

Before the official revocation of her crown, Dzafce issued a public apology in a joint post with the Miss Finland Organization on Dec. 8, acknowledging the harm caused by her actions.

"I fully understand that my actions have caused ill will in many people and I am deeply sorry for that," she wrote. "I want to apologize especially to those who have been personally affected by this situation. That was not my intention in any way."

Dzafce said she recognized the responsibilities that came with holding the Miss Universe Finland title, including how her words and actions could affect others. She added that respect for people of all backgrounds and differences was a core value she intended to uphold, admitting that she still had "a lot to grow."

Dzafce represented Finland at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand last month, where the final night was held on Nov. 21 and the crown went to Mexicos Fatima Bosch.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 00:00:18

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 14, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Avantor, Inc. ("Avantor" or the "Company") (NYSE:AVTR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Avantor and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 29, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Avantor securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 25, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing first quarter 2025 financial results, cut its guidance for 2025, and announced that Michael Stubblefield would be stepping down from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer. Avantor's management attributed its weak performance and outlook to "the impact of increased competitive intensity." On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.57 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $12.93 per share on April 25, 2025.Then, on August 1, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing second quarter 2025 financial results, including a year-over-year decrease in net sales, and further reduced the Company's 2025 guidance-now projecting organic revenue growth of -2% to 0%. Avantor's management again attributed the Company's lackluster results and outlook to "increased competitive intensity" and further admitted that Avantor did not expect the competitive environment to materially improve in the remainder of 2025.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.08 per share, or 15.48%, to close at $11.36 per share on August 1, 2025.Then, on October 29, 2025, Avantor reported weak third quarter 2025 financial results, including -5% organic revenue growth and a net loss of $712 million, which management primarily attributed to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $785 million. Avantor's management said that the impairment charge was necessary due in part to "competitive pressures" that had "meaningfully impacted" Avantor's margins and further disclosed that the Company had lost several large accounts.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $3.50 per share, or 23.21%, to close at $11.58 per share on October 29, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-15 13:03:02

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MIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / BEDU Acquisition Corp today announced that it has submitted an updated preliminary non-binding proposal to the Board of Directors of Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited, a company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, to acquire all of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") not already owned by Ron Packard or his affiliates. The revised offer proposes a purchase price of $0.83 per ordinary share, or $3.32 per ADS, in cash.The proposed transaction would result in a change of control and management. The revised offer represents a significant premium over the recent trading price of the company's ADSs and the offer previously submitted by the controlling shareholder for the remaining shares.Mr. Packard stated that if granted access to even basic due diligence-access that has previously been denied by the Special Committee-there are scenarios in which the investor group would be prepared to increase the offer significantly beyond than $3.32. A prior Special Committee, convened two and half years ago, had arrived at a materially higher valuation. The current committee has not provided Mr. Packard with its valuation analysis, nor has it sought a bid from him for any of the company's assets.The investor group further notes that the updated offer is nearly 50% higher than the current buyout proposal under consideration. The lack of access to diligence, combined with the controlling shareholder's unwillingness to accept a premium offer, raises concerns about whether minority shareholders are being adequately compensated. The controlling shareholder seems to believe that the value of the shares are significantly more than $3.20. If completed, the company would be managed by Ron Packard, a seasoned education entrepreneur, CEO, and former director of Bright Scholar. The proposed transaction is intended to be funded with cash, backed by a leading global private equity firm that is familiar with the company's assets. The identity of this firm has been disclosed to the Special Committee.This proposal remains non-binding and subject to customary conditions, including satisfactory due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, and, verification of assets in the company and the value of those assets.For further inquiries, please contact: Ronald Packard Beduacqco@ gmail.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the proposed transaction. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. No assurances can be given that any definitive agreement will be executed or that any transaction will be approved or consummated.SOURCE: BEDU Acquisition Corp
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THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 15, 2025 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. ( TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud"), as co-lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, pursuant to which Red Cloud and Research Capital Corporation (collectively with Red Cloud, the "Underwriters"), as co-lead underwriter, will purchase for resale 21,740,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.46 per Unit (the "Offering Price") on a "bought deal" basis in a private placement for gross proceeds of C$10,000,400 (the "Underwritten Offering").Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.64 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the Closing Date (as herein defined).The Company will grant to the Underwriters an option, exercisable in full or in part up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date, to purchase for resale up to an additional 4,348,000 Units at the Offering Price for additional gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,080 (the "Over-Allotment Option"). The Underwritten Offering and the securities issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option shall be collectively referred to as the "Offering".The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the exploration and advancement of the Company's flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co+Au project in the Stillwater mining district in Montana, U.S., as well as for general corporate purposes and working capital, as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as defined herein).Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units will be offered for sale to purchasers in certain of the provinces of Canada pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Shares and the Warrant Shares underlying the Units are expected to be immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended(the "U.S. Securities Act"). All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the Closing Date.There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.criticalminerals.com . Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.The Offering is scheduled to close on or about December 30, 2025 or such other date as the Company and Red Cloud may agree (the "Closing Date"). Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws.About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.Stillwater Critical Minerals ( TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:J0G) is a mineral exploration and development company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore plc, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active U.S. mining district as part of a compelling suite of ten minerals now listed as critical in the USA.Stillwater also holds a 49% interest in the high-grade Drayton-Black Lake-gold project adjacent to NexgoldMining's development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinums Wellgreen deposit in Canadas Yukon Territory. The Company also holds the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGE property in Alaska and maintains a back-in right on the high-grade past-producing Yankee-Dundee in BC, following its sale in 2013.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director - Stillwater Critical MineralsEmail: info@ criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Offering, the anticipated closing date of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, approval of the TSXV and the filing of the Offering Document. All statements
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has expanded his allegations against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of spending millions of dollars on his childrens foreign education.

On Sunday, Mr Dangote accused Mr Ahmed of economic sabotage, which he said is undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, he accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

Mr Dangote claimed that Mr Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, claiming that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into several million of dollars. He said such expenditure raised serious questions about potential conflict of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

In a statement signed on Monday, Mr Dangote further alleged that Mr Ahmed spent over five million dollars in tuition fees for his childrens secondary education in Switzerland.

Mr Dangote listed the children and their schools to include Faisal Farouk, Montreux School; Farouk Jr., Aiglon College; Ashraf Farouk, Institute Le Rosey; and Farhana Farouk, La Garenne International School. He noted that the four children spent 6 years each in the school.

According to him, the estimated secondary education, the annual tuition, air tickets, and upkeep per child cost $200,000, totaling $800,000 for four children. He added that the total living expenses per child for 6 years is estimated at $1,200,000, amounting to $4,800,000 for four children.

The approximate total fees for tuition and upkeep is $5,000,000, he claimed.

Additionally, Mr Dangote alleged that Mr Ahmed spent $2,000,000 on tertiary education for four years for his four children, adding that $210,000 was spent on Faisals 2025 Harvard MBA.

Tuition, upkeep, air tickets and other expenses for tertiary education is approximately $125,000 per annum by 4 years $500,000 x 4 children = $2,000,000. Faisal just finished the 2025 Harvard MBA at $150,000 and $60,000 for upkeep, tickets and other incidentals. Total = $210,000 spent in 2025 for Faisals MBA.

Mr Dangote questioned the source of these funds, citing economic hardship in Mr Ahmeds home state, where many parents struggle to pay N10,000 school fees.

Nigerians deserve to know the source(s) of these sums of money paid by a public officer while many parents in his home state of Sokoto cannot afford to pay N10,000 school fees for their children and wards, he added.

Mr Ahmed could not be reached as of the time of filing this report Monday night.

Earlier, the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) summoned both parties and directed an immediate halt to public altercations.

The committees said the intervention was aimed at preventing an escalation of tensions capable of destabilising Nigerias downstream petroleum sector, which they noted had only recently begun to experience relative stability.
The founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City, Chris Okafor, has reacted after actress Doris Ogala levelled allegations against him.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Ogala, in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, accused the pastor of ruining her life following the circulation of a video showing his engagement to another woman.

The actress alleged that she had been in a relationship with Mr Okafor since 2017.

The actress further claimed that Mr Okafor, who runs skills acquisition programmes and offers scholarships to underprivileged students through the Chris Okafor Humanity Foundation, shared videos of her miscarriage and had her sex video.

Allegations

She maintained that Mr Okafors marriage to another woman would not work.

Ms Ogala said: Someone should go and tell Chris Okafor that he wont marry, its a lie. Who will you (Okafor) leave me for? Forget about saying clout, you people can insult me. I dont care. Since this man fucked me (slept with me), my life has not been the same. I lost my younger brother. Chris, no, this marriage will not work. After sharing my naked video, turning the miscarriage I had for you to abortion, who do you think you want to leave me for, Chris? No, Chris Okafor, it will not work.

No, you will kill me first before you make this marriage work after destroying my life. Chris, no, its not possible. I have not recovered since. I almost committed suicide. People dont know what Im going to do. Do I behave normally to you people? Cant you people see that Im not okay? This man has taken up my life, and he wants to get married. Its not possible. I lost my only brother. I can prove Juju, I can prove witchcraft. He knows what he did.

Kill

Additionally, Ms Ogala said the clergyman had destroyed her emotionally, questioning what purpose her life would serve if Mr Okafor eventually married another woman.

She said she had barely survived since Mr Okafor left her, adding that she was not in this state when they began dating in 2017.

Ms Ogala further stated that she had not been emotionally stable since the clergyman ended the relationship, a situation that worsened with the death of her brother.

He did a lot, though. Because we are dragging money. My brother died too. After all the sex? After everything, you think you can just marry? No, Chris, it will not work after destroying my life. You carried my miscarriage video I had for you. You brought it down to the world and said it was an abortion. Tell me, who do you want to leave me for? Chris, no, this will not work.

You have taken everything away from me. You took away the only brother that I live with. You took him away. I cant prove its a ritual. But you know the truth. Since that time, I have not been okay. Do I behave okay with you people? Am I normal? No, Chris, this will not happen. After destroying my life like this, and you want to marry? No, you will not. No, you will kill me that day, said Ogala.

Marriage

She vowed to disrupt Mr Okafors church wedding, alleging that the clergyman had broken her heart and ruined her life.

The actress further claimed that Mr Okafor pressured her to leave her marriage after promising to marry her.

She added, Be ready to kill me, Chris Okafor, because I will not let it happen. Even if you go abroad and come back, I will drag your wife. I will come to the church and hold your wife. Who will marry me now? After everything, Chris Okafor, after promising me marriage and disgracing me like this, turning my life upside down, you still want to marry? Since 2017, weve been dating. You want to leave me and marry who? When I got married, you cried and asked me to leave the man.

I left the man and came out. Who will marry me? After sharing my miscarriage video, turning it into an abortion, your lawyer carried the video and gave it to my lawyer. My sex video with you. You carried my body and sent it to your lawyer. Your lawyer sent it to another lawyer, and then sent it to my lawyer. After sharing my body publicly, who do you want to leave me for now, Chris Okafor? No. I dont care what anyone says now.

Submissive woman

Speaking during his sermon on Sunday, a video of which later went viral on social media, Mr Okafor asserted that no man would choose to settle down with an arrogant woman.

He also claimed that no man would marry a woman from a household without a good name or reputation.

You are a young lady being arrogant, behaving and talking to people anyhow. Saying I dont respect anybody because I am not well. You are a young lady, unmarried, and you are talking like that. Which man will marry whos not well? Which man wants to marry you when they know that you have slept with different men? God forbid. I know what Im saying might be painful, but we listen; the truth is better. Its bitter, but its better for us.

You are just arrogant. When you see your seniors, you cannot greet them. Youll be looking at them and misbehaving; you are doing all manner of things. And yet, you dont even want a father to have a name. No man wants to marry a woman who is not submissive. Many people say, When I get married, I will be a good wife. No, you are supposed to be a wife before they marry you. Thats the problem, said Mr Okafor.

He further stated that while women were numerous, only a small number met the standards he considered suitable for marriage.

Quoting the Bible, Mr Okafor said, The Bible did not say, He who finds a woman. It said, He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. You want to get married, but you have refused to develop the capacity to be a good wife. Men are not looking for women; they are looking for wives.

So you have to be a wife first before a man comes to you. Either find a wife, or find a wife. Ah, this girl is too submissive, this girl is teachable. If you correct her, she will hear. Thats what it means.

First marriage

Mr Okafor was previously married to Bessem Okafor, who, in 2014, accused him of physically assaulting her at their home in Magodo, Lagos, according to Daily Post.

His ex-wife, who left the marital home in 2012, alleged that she was assaulted during a visit to see her four children, who were in their fathers custody.

In 2019, Mr Okafor told City People that he had not remarried since divorcing Bessem, explaining that he did not wish to settle down with a woman who could later become a threat to him.

He said, I dont want to marry someone who will become a threat to my children, because once a woman comes in and she starts having children, the first thing theyll begin to say is, Oh, maybe this man is rich or something and your children become a target. I wouldnt want to put my children in such a situation. You see, you dont deliberately go into danger without seeing it.

Because the Lord says you will drink deadly poison and they shall by no means hurt you, that does not mean youll now say bring poison, put it in my cup and let me drink deadly poison and they shall by no means hurt you, that does not mean youll now say bring poison, put it in my cup and let me drink it, it will kill you. Another thing is that no one in my family has ever married twice. Everyone got married, and they remained married. So, why should I be the one to break that pattern?
Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has denied allegations that he attempted to extort money from the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu.

Last Saturday, Mr Adelabu stirred the hornets nest when he accused the Primate of attempting to extort N150 million from him under the guise of spiritual intercession to secure his victory in the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.

Refuting Adelabus claims, Primate Ayodele said the minister was aggrieved because he would fail in another attempt to become governor.

According to The Tribune, the Primate, who spoke on Sunday during a church service in his church in Lagos, also described the Power Minister as someone who does not understand what he is saying and insisted that he does not issue prophecies to seek favour or money.

I cant disappoint you. I can only disappoint you when you are not a good person. I carry something bigger than me. I am not doing prophecies to impress you or invite you to me. I dont do prophecies for you to come and do enquiries. Take it, or you leave it, Mr Ayodele said.

Rebuttal

Speaking further, the preacher said that if he collected money, he would openly say so.

But I did not collect money, and I did not invite him. So, the boy doesnt understand what he is saying. He is a boy. He doesnt understand. Can N150 million buy my car? The shoe I wear, can N150 million buy it? Leave that person alone. He is a small boy. He knows he has lost that, which is why he is pained, he added.

Denying that he ever demanded money or tried to blackmail the minister, Primate Ayodele maintains that he does not exchange prophecies for material benefits and that any items discussed were not conditions for spiritual support.
The United States of Americas (US) retreat from multilateralism has put the financing of multinational peacekeeping to the test. This is most vivid in the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2719  a hard-won measure meant to address chronic funding shortfalls for African missions. It remains unimplemented two years after adoption.

With terrorism and other forms of armed conflict ravaging populations, economies and infrastructure in Africa, this implementation bottleneck must be cleared urgently.

UNSCR 2719, passed unanimously in December 2023, created a hybrid funding model for African Union (AU)-led peace support operations (PSOs). It permits up to 75 per cent of costs to come from UN-assessed contributions on a case-by-case basis, with the remainder to be mobilised jointly by the AU and UN. This set-up demands joint planning, adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights standards, and Security Council authorisation.

It builds on decades of lessons learnt from experiences of African peace missions and policy advocacy for reliable funding. The AU and sub-regional actors have deployed 38 PSOs. The lack of reliable funding cuts across all its missions  from earlier Organisation of African Unity attempts to more recent AU missions.

Various policy efforts have been underway to address this chronic challenge. In 2008, the report of the AU-UN panel on modalities for support to AU peacekeeping operations recommended two new financial mechanisms for AU-led PSOs. The first was based on UN-assessed funding and the second on a voluntary-funded multi-donor trust fund.

This was reaffirmed, including in the 2017 UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, where the organisations expressed willingness to consider options to secure predictable funding for AU-led PSOs, easing reliance on ad hoc donor support.

The UN Secretary-Generals report on financing AU PSOs and the AUs consensus paper on financing AU peace and security activities both reasserted the need for predictable, adequate and sustainable funding for AU PSOs through UN-assessed contributions.

However, three main obstacles persist in blocking its implementation: UNSC internal political barriers, the UNs liquidity crisis caused by member states failing to pay their mandatory assessed contributions in full and on time, and delays in implementing the AU-UN roadmap for operationalising the resolution.

The lack of US political backing is the biggest challenge, evident in the failed attempt to apply the resolution to the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Near-universal support among council members to activate the resolution to the already struggling mission collapsed against US opposition.

The US stated that the proposed hybrid model to fund both the UN Support Office in Somalia and AUSSOM would mean UN contributions exceeding 75 per cent. This shows that the resolution is vulnerable to the interests and political will of key UNSC members.

The UNs current financial strains add another layer of difficulty. Entering 2025, the organisation faced a $135 million shortfall in peacekeeping assessments, with arrears topping $760 million  primarily from major contributors like the US.

By late 2025, unpaid dues had climbed to nearly $1.6 billion, prompting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to propose a 15 per cent cut to the 2026 peacekeeping budget in November, which would eliminate over 18 per cent of jobs.

These constraints limit appetite in the short run for new commitments, making council members hesitant to activate a new mission under Resolution 2719 and risk further budgetary pressure. For African-led missions, the result is more immediate operational strain, exacerbating the broader funding crisis in peace efforts, especially for AUSSOM, as it curtailed alternative means of funding the mission.

Implementing the hybrid funding mechanism also requires close AU-UN coordination, following the various milestones outlined in the joint AU-UN roadmap for the resolutions operationalisation. Coordination has advanced but remains uneven, and the UN and AU are yet to finalise all the tasks set in the joint roadmap beyond deadlines.

These challenges have already impeded the resolutions implementation, and now its momentum risks fading as global attention turns to increasing crises in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, among others.

Still, signs of goodwill endure. Despite budget cuts, the UNs Fifth Committee approved six new posts dedicated to 2719, signalling sustained backing. Similarly, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment at the November 2025 AU-EU Luanda summit, declaring support for the resolution in a joint statement.

To overcome these barriers, a set of targeted policies becomes essential.

First and foremost, binding deadlines for completing the joint AU-UN roadmap should be reestablished through regular, inclusive working sessions between the two organisations.

These discussions must prioritise tackling unresolved gaps in key areas and hasten implementation  including logistics support, budgeting and financial alignment, joint UN-AU decision-making processes, and compliance benchmarks related to human rights, conduct, and accountability mechanisms  without awaiting perfect political conditions.

This proactive approach would foster institutional coherence, reduce inconsistent interpretations across departments and between the organisations, and create credible readiness for applying the resolution in future contexts.

Second, the AU should move beyond Somalia as a test case and take the lead in proposing new missions under UNSCR 2719. This should be achieved by preparing and presenting multiple scenarios to enforce possible peace agreements in current hotspots, such as Sudan, the Sahel or eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Third, the AU Peace Fund requires bolstering through its current review process, aiming to reach its $400 million endowment target. The most recent proposal to raise it to $1 billion is a step in the right direction. However, similar bold measures are needed for the AU to be a reliable partner in sharing the financial costs for its PSOs.

Fourth, the AU should exert targeted diplomatic efforts to show the value of activating 2719 to the US, especially in addressing terrorism. A new US National Security Strategy has given short shrift to Africa. Yet the strategy affirms that combating the resurgent Islamist terrorist activity in parts of Africa remains a priority.

Practically, this can be achieved through high-level bilateral meetings between AU commissioners and US State Department officials, joint counter-terrorism dialogues that highlight shared terror threats, and advocacy campaigns to align proposals with goals.

The future of UNSCR 2719 depends on navigating a harsh funding landscape and complex geopolitical context with resolve. The path forward requires the UN and AU to maintain persistent collaboration, adopt adaptive strategies, and renew their shared commitment to making sustainable financing for African-led peace a reality.

Tamrat Zeyede Haile and Dawit Yohannes, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Addis Ababa

(This article was published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish.)
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has revealed that Nigeria recorded a significant increase in the utilisation of primary healthcare (PHC) facilities between 2023 and 2025.

Mr Pate, who spoke on Sunday during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today, said the country also recorded a decline in maternal and newborn deaths within the same period.

He described the development as early gains from ongoing health sector reforms under President Bola Tinubus administration.

Mr Pate said more than 80 million visits were recorded at federally supported PHCs in the first half of 2025, compared to about 20 million visits in 2023, representing nearly fourfold increase in utilisation.

According to him, the surge reflects improved access to preventive and basic health services, including immunisation, antenatal care and treatment of common illnesses.

Maternal, newborn deaths decline

Mr Pate said institutional data from 172 local government areas with the highest maternal mortality burden showed a 17 per cent reduction in maternal deaths between 2023 and 2025.

He added that newborn mortality declined by 10 per cent over the same period.

Mr Pate clarified that the figures were based on facility-level data rather than population-wide surveys, stressing the importance of that distinction.

Immunisation, frontline care

Mr Pate disclosed that 59 million children were immunised during the most recent national immunisation campaign, which included the integrated measles and rubella exercise.

He said routine immunisation coverage and antenatal attendance had also improved, alongside increased attendance at PHC facilities for common ailments.

Mr Pate added that over 73,000 frontline health workers had been retrained as part of efforts to strengthen service delivery at the primary healthcare level.

Insurance coverage expands

Mr Pate said Nigerias health insurance coverage has risen to over 21 million people, an increase from fewer than 16 million at the start of the current administration.

According to him, about seven million Nigerians are insured under the formal sector scheme, while between 2.4 and three million vulnerable persons are covered through the Vulnerable Group Fund.

There are others insured through private sector arrangements, he said, noting that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) now plays a stronger regulatory role.

He said the governments long-term goal is to expand coverage to 50 million Nigerians, while acknowledging that affordability and sustainable financing remain major challenges.

Global comparisons

Mr Pate cautioned against directly comparing Nigerias health system with those of developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

In the UK, healthcare is largely tax-funded through the NHS. Our system is different, he said.

He added that Nigeria is combining tax-based primary care with insurance-based financing amid limited resources.

Despite the challenges, Mr Pate said the government is committed to steadily improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
A coalition of Nigerias opposition figures have raised concerns about what they described as the growing politicisation of key national institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police.

In a statement on Sunday, the opposition leaders said they were compelled by both duty to the nation and personal conscience to alert Nigerians and the international community about the perception that the institutions are increasingly being used as instruments of political intimidation and selective justice.

Those who signed the statement are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, former PDP National Deputy Chairman (South), Bode George, former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.

It was titled Anti-Corruption, Not Anti-Opposition,.

In the past few months, the EFCC has invited and detained some opposition leaders over alleged corruption.

The anti-graft agency is currently investigating a former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Mr Malami, a founding member of the APC, defected to the ADC and publicly declared his intention to run for governor in Kebbi State.

Key national institutions  particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); The Nigeria Police; The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are increasingly perceived as tools of political intimidation, selective justice and systematic persecution of opposition leaders, the statement read.

They said the focus of state power appears to have shifted from combating economic crimes to systematically weakening perceived political adversaries, creating a climate where opposition leaders are vulnerable to prosecution and harassment, while ruling party actors face minimal scrutiny.

The opposition leaders warned that Nigeria is witnessing a covert and deeply troubling agenda aimed at consolidating power in the hands of the ruling APC.

They said the strategy is not being pursued through democratic elections but rather through a combination of legal intimidation and political coercion.

The coalition of the opposition leaders also noted that recent defections of opposition governors to the ruling party, alongside reports of other governors contemplating similar moves, have intensified public suspicion that defections are often motivated by pressure from anti-corruption agencies rather than ideological alignment or public mandate.

The leaders highlighted that this trend represents more than just the political realignment of governors but forms part of a broader project that targets not only elected leaders but also key opposition figures perceived as architects of emerging coalitions ahead of the 2027 general election.

They warned that if this pattern continues unchecked, it could undermine multiparty democracy in Nigeria, concentrating political power in a single party while stifling dissenting voices across regions.

The statement referenced comments by a former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, who reportedly declared that Once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven.

For the opposition, this has become symbolic of a dangerous double standard. While ruling party members appear shielded from scrutiny even in cases of alleged financial misconduct, opposition figures are often subjected to intense investigations, media trials, and prolonged legal harassment, sometimes on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.

The leaders cited specific examples that reinforce this perception. They highlighted cases of ministers and political appointees implicated in financial scandals who faced no substantive prosecution yet remain active in political campaigns.

They cited an instance of the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji who was exposed for certificate forgery of which no action has been taken ever since.

Months ago, a minister was implicated in a financial scandal so blatant that only sustained public outrage forced her resignation. Yet, long after stepping down, she has neither been charged nor arraigned by the EFCC and is now actively involved in the Presidents re-election campaign.

Similarly, another minister remained in office despite the university he claimed to have attended publicly denying his academic certificate. He, too, resigned only after intense public pressure. Months later, no charges have been filed, they said.

Political pressure on governors, lawmakers, others

The statement further details the impact on governors who have recently defected or are reportedly considering joining the APC due to alleged pressure through investigations, legal threats, and other forms of coercion.

Nigeria has seen a noticeable wave of political realignment in recent years, with several governors and lawmakers crossing over to the APC.

On the governors front, a growing list of sitting governors have officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), historically Nigerias main opposition party to join the APC.

In April 2025, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and former vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, and most of the PDPs state leadership defected to the APC in a move that shocked many.

Mr Okowas defection came as he faced EFCC investigation over alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds during his tenure as governor.

Although the EFCC maintains the investigation remains active and has insisted that defection does not automatically grant any individual immunity from prosecution, the timing of the defection and the subsequent political buzz heightened suspicions of political incentives tied to party switching.

Others are Peter Mbah (Enugu State) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa State), each of whom cited political considerations and strategic realignment as reasons for their moves.

Also joining the APC fold in 2025 was Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. Separately, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has defected to the APC, marking another significant shift in the political landscape.

Beyond governors, the legislature has witnessed a dramatic realignment. A broad range of lawmakers across both chambers of the National Assembly have defected to the APC including the likes of Kawu Samaila of Kano South and Ned Nwoko of Delta North who both left the PDP for the APC.

Former Kaduna senator and activist Shehu Sani similarly crossed to the ruling party, adding to the narrative of an opposition in retreat.

The exodus is not limited to governors or lawmakers. A significant number of politicians and party officials across the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party and other opposition movements have also defected, intensifying fears that the oppositions capacity to contest elections effectively is being structurally weakened ahead of 2027, thereby gradually forming a one party system.

Beyond those who have already made the switch, several reports have it that a number of governors are widely expected or publicly speculated to defect to the APC in the coming months, even if formal announcements are yet to be made.

Among them are Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.

Opposition leaders argue that these defections are less about ideological alignment and more about survival in the face of an increasingly hostile legal and political environment, creating a chilling effect on democratic governance and independent decision-making at the state level.

Demands and recommendations

In response to these trends, the opposition leaders made several urgent demands. They called for the immediate depoliticisation of the EFCC and ICPC to prevent them from serving the interests of any political party or faction.

They urged the agencies to return to their statutory mandate of detecting and preventing genuine economic crimes, rather than engaging in selective prosecution or media trials.

They further recommended embedding preventive anti-corruption mechanisms across all government financial processes, ensuring compliance with transparency, accountability, and probity in public financial transactions.

The coalition also proposed the establishment of an independent review body to audit public accounts from 2015 to 2025. This body, they suggested, should be chaired by an eminent judge and include representatives from civil society, professional bodies, anti-graft agencies, the police, SSS, the armed forces, and all political parties represented in the National Assembly.

The review would aim to expose patterns of selective prosecution, identify instances where ruling party officials were shielded from accountability, and propose legislative reforms to strengthen the EFCCs mandate and operational independence.

The coalition warned that the deliberate weakening of opposition forces through selective prosecution and political intimidation could threaten the integrity of Nigerias electoral process and democratic institutions.

They also signalled plans to engage international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, the World Bank, and the United Nations, to highlight concerns about the EFCCs growing role in political persecution and to demand reforms to ensure impartiality and accountability.

The coalition warned that silence in the face of these developments risks allowing a slide into de facto one-party rule, a scenario they argue would endanger the future of Nigerias democracy.
The presidency has debunked the claim by some opposition leaders that the Bola Tinubu administration is endangering multi-party democracy in the country and also weaponising the anti-,graft agencies for political reasons.

The opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, had made the claim on Sunday.

They alleged that the defections from the opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were due to pressure through investigations, legal threats and other forms of coercion.

But presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement late Sunday, said nobody was pressured to join the APC, noting that the defectors did so on their own free will and because of the gains of Tinubu administrations reform programme.

They alleged a threat to multi-party democracy because many top politicians are joining the governing All Progressives Congress of their own free will. Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing.

None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will. They are being motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubus reform programme, the statement said.

Mr Onanuga also said the allegations of weaponisation are distractions from these politicians, who are running short of campaign issues to challenge President Tinubu and the APCs success in less than three years in office.

Read the full statement by the presidency

A FAILED OPPOSITION ENGAGING IN SUBTERFUGE AND THE EMPTY SEARCH FOR SCAPEGOATS

Nigerias so-called opposition politicians, comprising some of those left in a dying political party and a sprinkling of some failed political office aspirants regrouping in a platform struggling to find its bearings, are amusing lots.

They blow hot air, seek scapegoats for their failure and move to confuse the polity in a desperate search for cheap political gains.

On Sunday, a group of opposition figures gathered to sing their familiar tune, hoping their cheerleaders would see their action as a blistering attack from a seemingly virile opposition group.

They alleged a threat to multi-party democracy because many top politicians are joining the governing All Progressives Congress of their own free will. Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing.

None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will. They are being motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubus reform programme.

We may ask: when politicians were moving in droves to the now-dying Peoples Democratic Party between 2000 and 2015, was Nigerias democracy imperilled?

Also, investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have begun exposing those with some explanation to give regarding their stewardship in office and management of public funds entrusted to them. These politicians now accuse President Tinubu of weaponising the EFCC for political purposes.

While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour.

The agencys mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society. We find it curious that the same people who claimed they want to rescue Nigeria are now the ones waging a war of attrition against accountability and probity. Those who have cases to answer before EFCC should be bold and brave enough to defend themselves if they are clean.

President Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute.

President Tinubu has significant state issues to address rather than engage in political targeting.

The prosecution is conducted by the court, not by any sleight of hand, and those found not guilty will receive a clean bill of health.

Allegations of weaponisation are distractions from these politicians, who are running short of campaign issues to challenge President Tinubu and the APCs success in less than three years in office.

No one is above the law. Everyone must be accountable for their actions, both in and out of the office. Political affiliation should not be a shield against EFCC statutory work, which recently led to Nigerias removal from the FATF grey list.

We have taken cognisance of the signatories to the statement. It is instructive that some of them were previously investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC even before President Tinubu took office in 2023.

Some of these politicians have also been indicted in international financial probes for money laundering, with some of their accomplices jailed in foreign lands.

Are they now signing statements because their chickens are coming home to roost?

We advise those politicians not to undermine the integrity of our nations institutions and the collective resolve to fight corruption by weaponising politics to escape accountability and encourage impunity.

The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility and should not be trivialised by baseless allegations, jaundiced or politicised narratives.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

December 14, 2025
China plans to expand cover for childbirth-related bills

China Daily) 15:33, December 15, 2025

A newborn baby, whose Chinese zodiac sign is dragon, is seen with the mother at a hospital in Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei province, Feb 10, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China aims to broaden insurance coverage for childbirth-related medical expenses and strengthen support for pharmaceutical innovation in the coming year, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration.

The goals were outlined in a report delivered by Zhang Ke, director of the administration, at its annual work conference on Saturday. The report reviewed progress in healthcare security during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) and detailed priority areas for 2026.

To adapt to demographic shifts marked by declining birth rates and a rapidly aging population, the report said maternity insurance coverage for prenatal checkups will be reasonably expanded within the financial capacity of the insurance fund.

Authorities will explore the creation of a basic service package that incorporates prenatal examinations, aiming to ease the financial burden on families.

By next year, the goal is to achieve nationwide full reimbursement for all policy-covered medical expenses related to childbirth, enabling insured expectant mothers to incur almost no out-of-pocket costs for covered services.

Additional expenses, such as those for premium hospital wards or medications not included in the reimbursement list, will remain uncovered.

So far, seven provincial-level regions, including Jilin, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, have implemented policies that make childbirth nearly free of charge.

The administration said the number of women enrolled in the national maternity insurance program has risen to 255 million, and all regions have included fertility treatment in their basic health insurance plans.

Nearly 95 percent of fund pooling regions now distribute fertility subsidies directly to beneficiaries' personal accounts rather than through employers.

For the coming year, authorities will promote participation among flexible workers, migrant workers and individuals in new forms of employment in maternity insurance, while exploring the feasibility of extending coverage to nonemployed urban and rural residents.

All provincial-level regions will be required to cover eligible labor pain relief procedures under insurance and further implement and refine reimbursement policies for assisted reproductive technology services.

To assist the 220 million people aged 65 and older  who make up 15.6 percent of China's total population as of end of 2024  the report called for the further development of the long-term care insurance program, which currently covers about 300 million people, and encouraged commercial insurers to develop related products.

Addressing demographic challenges was also among the priorities set by the annual two-day Central Economic Work Conference that concluded on Thursday. The conference emphasized expanding rehabilitative care services, advancing the long-term care insurance program, and strengthening care and support for vulnerable groups.

The meeting also stressed the importance of promoting positive views on marriage and childbearing and striving to stabilize the newborn population.

The healthcare security report also underscored stepped-up support for innovative drugs and emerging healthcare technologies.

Over the past five years, 949 medicines were added to the national reimbursement drug list, bringing the cumulative total to 3,253.

In the latest update released earlier this month, a record 50 first-in-class novel drugs were added, accounting for nearly half of the 114 newly included products.

At the same time, the administration issued the country's first commercial insurance innovative drug list, covering 19 medicines with significant clinical value, high innovation levels and substantial patient benefits.

The report called for active implementation of the commercial drug list and encouraged commercial health insurers to cover more reasonable medical expenses outside the basic insurance catalog. Commercial insurers will also be mobilized to increase investment in innovative drugs to support research and development.

To further foster innovation, the report highlighted the need to leverage medical insurance's strategic purchasing role, guide the industry toward healthy competition and differentiated innovation, and improve multichannel payment mechanisms for innovative drugs.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence and other smart technologies also presents opportunities to build a more digital healthcare security platform and establish an evaluation system using real-world data to comprehensively assess the value of insurance-covered medications.

Authorities will support local governments in launching competitions for healthcare security application scenarios involving advanced technologies such as multimodal AI-assisted diagnosis and noninvasive brain-computer interfaces.

Official data show the national basic medical insurance coverage rate has remained stable at about 95 percent over the past five years, with total expenditures exceeding 13 trillion yuan ($1.82 trillion). Flexible workers, migrant workers and individuals in new forms of employment have increasingly been supported to enroll.

During this period, China carried out eight rounds of centralized drug procurement covering treatments for diabetes, cancer, bacterial infections and other common chronic diseases, as well as four rounds of bulk purchasing for high-value medical consumables such as artificial joints, intraocular lenses and cochlear implants.

Local authorities recovered about 120 billion yuan in misused insurance funds and prevented an additional 9.5 billion yuan in losses by using big data and smart monitoring tools. The introduction of drug traceability codes has strengthened efforts to crack down on drug resale and fraudulent reimbursement.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner stops in front of the passenger terminal of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the largest wide-body aircraft currently operated by Vietnam Airlines, touched down at Long Thanh International Airport on Dec. 15, marking a key technical milestone as Vietnams biggest aviation project enters its final preparation phase.

Operating flight VN5001, the aircraft departed Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi at noon, stopped briefly at Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City and then continued to Long Thanh for a comprehensive technical inspection flight. The plane landed at 4 p.m. and carried only flight crew and technical staff, as the mission focused on validating airport systems rather than passenger operations.

The test flight evaluated critical flight-operation infrastructure at Long Thanh, including navigation and communication systems, air traffic control coordination, aircraft handling procedures, and lighting systems for the runway, taxiways and apron. Coordination among airport operators, security forces and air traffic controllers was also assessed under real operating conditions.

Boeing 787, Vietnam's largest aircraft, touches down at Long Thanh Airport for first technical test flight Boeing 787 Dreamliner ap xuong san bay Long Thanh A Boeing 787 Dreamliner touches down at Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, on Dec. 15, 2025. Video by VnExpress/Minh Hoang

According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), all core aviation infrastructure at Long Thanh meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Precision landing systems (ILS/DME) and aeronautical lighting performed reliably throughout the operation, including during taxiing and apron procedures.

After landing, the aircraft was guided along designated taxiways and received a ceremonial water salute from airport fire trucks before parking. Ground crews then carried out a series of test scenarios, including the deployment of mobile stairs at the mid-cabin door to verify boarding and deplaning procedures. Safety personnel were stationed throughout the operation to ensure compliance with strict safety protocols.

The Dreamliner is set to depart Long Thanh at 6 p.m., returning to Tan Son Nhat as flight VN5002. Ahead of the test, airport units conducted extensive system checks, runway and apron inspections, and safety clearances, with additional monitoring planned for subsequent flights.

Following the successful technical inspection, three official flights operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are scheduled to land at Long Thanh on Dec. 19, spaced roughly five minutes apart. Authorities say these flights will proceed only if all safety and operational benchmarks are fully met.

Phase one of Long Thanh International Airport spans 1,810 hectares and is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. Construction began in January 2021, with commercial operations expected to start in mid-2026.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for an investigation and prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of economic sabotage, which he said is undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday, Mr Dangote accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

Mr Dangote claimed that Mr Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, claiming that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into several million of dollars. He said such expenditure raised serious questions about potential conflict of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

Mr Ahmed could not be immediately reached as of the time of filing this report Monday morning. A message sent to his known telephone number was not responded to.

Import Concerns

Expressing concern over the state of the downstream sector, Mr Dangote said Nigerias continued reliance on fuel imports was harming local production and discouraging investment in domestic refining.

He disclosed that import licences covering approximately 7.5 billion litres of PMS had reportedly been issued for the first quarter of 2026, despite the availability of significant domestic refining capacity.

According to him, modular refineries are already struggling under the current policy environment and on the brink of extinction, while the persistent issuance of import permits further weakens the sector.

I am not calling for his removal, but for a proper investigation. He should be required to account for his actions and demonstrate that he has not compromised his position to the detriment of Nigerians. What is happening amounts to economic sabotage, Mr Dangote said.

He further alleged that Mr Ahmed paid as much as five million dollars in tuition fees for his childrens secondary education in Switzerland, questioning how many Nigerians could afford such costs.

The Code of Conduct Bureau, or any other body deemed appropriate by the government, can investigate the matter. If he denies it, I will not only publish what he paid as tuition in those secondary schools, but I will also take legal steps to compel the schools to disclose the payments made by Farouk. I sent my own children to secondary schools here in Nigeria. How many Nigerians can afford to pay five million dollars for secondary school tuition, not university education? In his home state of Sokoto, many parents are struggling to pay as little as N10,000 in school fees, Mr Dangote said.

He described the downstream petroleum sector as being under severe strain, alleging the presence of entrenched interests that profit from fuel imports at the expense of national development.

There are powerful interests in the oil sector. It is troubling that African countries continue to import refined products despite long-standing calls for value addition and domestic refining. The volume of imports being allowed into the country is unethical and does a disservice to Nigeria, he added.

Mr Dangote stressed the need for a clear separation between regulatory oversight and commercial interests, warning that allowing traders to influence regulation would undermine the integrity of the sector.

The downstream sector must not be destroyed by personal interests. A trader should never be a regulator. Forty-seven licences have been issued, yet no new refineries are being built because the environment is not conducive, he said.

He maintained that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from local refining, even as fuel importers incur losses.

Mr Dangote said he would not relent in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the company was working around the clock to ensure that recent reductions in the gantry price were fully reflected at the retail level.
Terrorists on Sunday abducted more than 15 worshippers after attacking the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Sahara Reporters first reported the incident, noting that the assailants stormed the church during a worship service, firing sporadically to cause panic among congregants.

Local sources told PREMIUM TIMES anonymously that the gunmen arrived while the service was in progress, forcing many worshippers to flee, while an undisclosed number were seized and taken away through nearby bush paths.

The attack plunged the normally quiet community into confusion and fear, as residents ran for safety amid the sound of gunshots.

One person, identified only as Jay, was reportedly killed during the incident, while several others were abducted, according to earlier reports.

The incident has renewed concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Kogi State, particularly in rural communities where repeated attacks on residents and places of worship have heightened anxiety.

Sundays incident is the second reported attack on a church in Okun land in recent weeks.

On November 30, armed men invaded a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting a cleric identified as Orlando and about 13 worshippers during a service.

The attackers were said to have demanded an initial ransom of 500 million, later reduced to 200 million, and reportedly issued a two-day ultimatum to the victims families.

Residents also recalled that Ayetoro Kiri was attacked about three weeks ago when gunmen targeted a local school.

The assault was reportedly repelled by a community vigilante group, preventing casualties and abductions.

As of the time of filing this report, repeated calls to the Kogi State Police Command for official comment went unanswered.
Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force targeting terrorists positions in Borno State have killed an unspecified number of civilians on Sunday, 14 December.

A security source disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES, saying the airstrikes were launched between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Mararaba area in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident occurred a few hours after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had vowed to protect civilian populations in its ongoing operations, which the United States supported.

The airstrikes reportedly killed fishermen, and commercial drivers gathered at a terminus junction between the road that leads to Daban Masara in Kukawa and the Badeiri in Marte LGA.

The commercial drivers had gathered in the area to convey both the fish products and the fishermen to their destinations.

Confirming three casualties and destruction of 10 vehicles, the source said: The number of civilians killed by the air force is uncertain. But a high number of civilians have been killed and vehicles destroyed.

He added that some casualties had been conveyed to the General Hospital in Mungono for treatment.

A NAF officer, a pilot, confirmed the incident to our reporter, saying it was discussed at todays briefing in a state in the North-west.

The Air Force has not issued a statement about the incident. PREMIUM TIMES will follow up and provide further updates as they emerge.

Lamentations

Sources familiar with the area and the officer who shared the news with us described the air mishaps as unfortunate, saying the operations were based on false intelligence.

The officer said this particular area, which the terrorists referred to as daula, has no Boko Haram settlements. He explained that the place is but an entry and exit transaction route predominantly used by Boko Harams second breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

He said ISWAP has been operating in the area for some time, imposing a monthly tax of N40,000 on farmers and fishermen for access to the daula.

The N40,000 is paid for a tally card, he explained, adding that the card is being used as an entry ticket to the area. Apart from the tally fee, farmers and fishermen pay additional tax for their products, he said.

Fishermen, he said, pay N5,000 [to the terrorists] per carton of fish.

Following the mishaps, the original targets are reportedly regrouping for further attacks.

The airstrikes killed the civilians in the area, which is currently creating an atmosphere of disgust on the premise that, at the other end, terrorists are converging for attacks, he said.

Advising the military to compensate the victims of the accidental airstrikes, the security source said the Air Force should conduct ISR for possible airstrikes on the terrorists.

A failed promise

In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, the Air Force, lauding the US capacity support, reaffirmed its priority on civilian safety in operations.

The Air Force added that it hosted a delegation of US experts on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR), a partner it said has bolstered its operations.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sunday Aneke, emphasised that the CHMRs collaboration with the Air Force forms a critical component of the NAFs operational ethics and professional evolution.

But the air mishaps came less than 24 hours after the Air Forces promise.

The outcome of the US raid?

Following President Trumps threat to order military strikes on terror cells in Nigeria, this reporter, in his analysis, wrote that civilians in conflict zones could be mistakenly targeted since terrorists are embedded primarily in local communities where civilians suffering humanitarian crises are left with no choice but to stay.

The reported mishaps resulting from the ongoing operation, which was supported by the US, are a clear manifestation of that analysis.

The US aerial interventions in troubled countries were not without civilian casualties.

As revealed by the data obtained from Airwar, a not-for-profit transparency watchdog which tracks civilian casualties in conflict zones, there have been a total of 849 US air strikes which either killed or injured 265 civilians, including 90 children in Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Somalia, between 2005 and 2025.

Data about US airstrikes on Afghanistan could not be found on Airwars civilian casualty archive dashboard. But an investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism documented that about 117 civilians, including 70 children, were killed by US airstrikes in Afghanistan between 2018 and 2020.

The US-backed Nigerian Air Force has also followed in that direction, mistakenly killing civilians when it intended to target terrorists. Not less than 17 incidents of military accidental bombing of civilians have been documented since February 2014, when a military aircraft bombed a Borno village, Daglun.

In 2022, PREMIUM TIMES documented how the Air Force accidentally bombed six girls living in a terrorised village in Niger State, North-central Nigeria. Eight more people were targeted four months later in the same village.

More than 2,600 people, mostly unarmed civilians, have been killed in 248 air strike incidents outside the Northeastern terror-ravaged areas, which conflict experts refer to as BAY [Borno, Adamawa and Yobe], according to a Reuters analysis of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based crisis monitoring group.
Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria Tomas Vyprachticky, has spoken of his countrys resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation with Nigeria in various sectors of the economy.

Mr Vyprachticky said this at a dinner organised to unveil the Nigeria-Central Europe Chamber of Commerce (NCECC) in Abuja on Sunday.

The event was organised by NCECC through partnership with the Regional Trade Institute (RTI) and Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nigeria.

Mr Vyprachticky said the idea is to provide platform for government officials, captains of industry and leaders in the creative sector, to connect in friendly atmosphere, encourage meaningful dialogue and cultivate strategic partnerships.

Our companies, corporations, and institutions have been coming here for quite some time. We have a long-standing political and economic relationship between Nigeria and Czech Republic.

There is already a sovereign corporation between our two countries: Since the past seven years Nigerian priests served in one of our monasteries.

This sovereign corporation is just one of the many stories we have had over the years. Nigeria is a great country with plenty of natural and human resources, lots of engineering and technologies potential.

When I was appointed ambassador, my main goal was to exploit and boost such potential of mutual cooperation between the two countries, which, frankly speaking, so far has been partly fulfilled, he said.

Speaking at the event, the President of NCECC, Paschal Onyemaechi, said that the organisation had since August 2025 been duly registered to bolster ties between both countries.

According to him, NCECC operates across not less than five countries with its mandate towards deepening Europe and Africa relations, saying Europe will leverage technology, technical know-how and good ethics while Africa depended on natural resources, young population and vibrant economic market.

Our role is to promote bilateral trade, encourage investment, also to provide up-to-date information about markets and emerging opportunities in both regions.

We will promote educational mobility globally, technology transfer, and more importantly, we will create platform for businessmen, industrialists, policy makers to interact and forge a new partnership for benefit of our both regions.

The organisation is the first of its kind and we will transform how we trade in the region, we will be helping students, especially post-graduates to save lot of money, because we have a deal now with the Czech Republic, he said.

He revealed the organisation planned to establish the New Partnership for Development of Africa (NEPDA) project among other things to achieve its targets.

A highlight of the event was the induction of Andrew Haruna, Bingham Universitys Pro-Chancellor and Distinguished Linguist elected Vice-President of Nigerian Academy of Letters, as leader of the NCECC Advisory Council.

Others include Rislan Kanya, Chair of the Big Data Analytics and Innovation Research group, Jamilu Gwamna, Managing-Director/CEO, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO)

Dere Awosika, businesswoman/chairperson of Access Bank Plc and Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, were inducted as committee members of NCECC.

(NAN)
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Vanguard (BAT Vanguard), an APC support group, has unveiled a social investment programme, targeting 50,000 vulnerable Nigerians across the country by 2027.

The group said the programme, called the Renewed Hope Social Assistance Project (RHSAP), would provide direct relief to beneficiaries to complement the governments efforts and strengthen BAT Vanguards nationwide chapters through delivery and reporting.

The National Convener of the group, Sola Olofin, disclosed this on Sunday during the groups end-of-year party and awards ceremony.

This initiative reflects our belief that politics must touch lives and that support for government must be enforced by uniting the unions in practical ways, said Mr Olofin.

According to a presentation of the plans, the RHSAP would assist withh food donation, such as rice, beans, garri and oil and education support through the donation of school bags, exercise books, writing materials and sandals.

It added that the group would also provide health and welfare support through basic medications, donation of sanitary pads, baby essentials and other hygiene materials as well as emergency cash grants.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the group noted that the assistance would target widows, elderly persons, persons living with disabilities, orphans and displaced persons.

10 million votes for Tinubu

Mr Olofin, who chairs the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), said the group worked tirelessly for Mr Tinubus victory in 2023 and is now working towards mobilising 10 million votes for him ahead of 2027.

Across wards, local governments, states and elected leaders, our members fought tirelessly to secure the victory of the intercontinental alliance, he said.

As we move forward to 2027, our objective is led, and measured, to mobilise 10 million votes for Mr President. We are expanding, renegotiating, and strengthening our structures to make this vision a reality.

Mr Olofin commended President Bola Tinubu for taking necessary decisions to reset the countrys economy, including the stabilisation of monetary policies and accelerating infrastructure development.

Awards

The group also presented an award of evidence of service and impact to the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.

Other recipients of the groups award are Mohammed Shehu, the Chairperson of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC); Bello Abubakar, a professor and Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN); and Jennifer Adighije, the managing director (MD) of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has dismissed growing speculation that he intends to contest the Bauchi State governorship in 2027.

Mr Pate said his full attention remains on implementing health sector reforms under President Bola Tinubus administration.

He made the clarification on Sunday during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today, where he was asked directly about recurring discussions linking him to Bauchi State politics.

Mr Pate said he is 1,000 per cent focused and committed to delivering on the presidents health transformation agenda.

Tinubu agenda

Mr Pate stressed that he remains firmly aligned with President Tinubus reform agenda and is committed to ensuring its success, particularly in the health sector.

He added that he does not lose sleep over political offices, noting that his priority is to consolidate the reforms already underway in the health sector.

My focus is to deliver the work we have started, which is already beginning to make an impact, he said.

No immediate political ambition

Responding to suggestions that his profile and national exposure make him a natural contender for the states top political office, Mr Pate said he harbours no immediate personal ambition to seek elective office.

According to him, any future political role would depend on the direction of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and consultations with key stakeholders.

ALSO READ: Yobe wins PHC leadership challenge as states advocate health reforms

Time will come, and it will be when the party, the president and other stakeholders determine what is to be done, he said.

Other issues

Mr Pate also addressed several other matters during the programme, including the recent doctors strike and its impact on healthcare delivery.

He highlighted progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths and the expansion of health insurance coverage, stressing that more Nigerians now have access to essential services.

He discussed ongoing reforms in the health sector, citing improvements in primary healthcare services and utilisation, immunisation campaigns, and disease prevention.

He also drew comparisons with healthcare systems in other countries, emphasising the challenges and opportunities of implementing reforms in Nigerias unique context.
The management of Maduka University in Enugu State has refuted claims that some armed Fulani bandits have settled near the institutions campus in Ekwegbe, a community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.

A video clip circulating on social media claimed the bandits set up about 38 camps near the university.

In the 27-minute clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, a male voice was heard claiming the Fulani bandits usually demand ransom for people kidnapped along Ugwogo-Opi- Nsukka Road where the university is located.

The clip, which was uploaded on a YouTube channel on 4 December 2025, did not show any bandits, but only aerial shots of the area.

In a statement on Sunday, the universitys spokesperson, Chidi Aja, denied the claims that bandits were camping around the university, describing them as false.

These claims are completely false and a continued attempt in the last three years by detractors to spark fear among potential students, parents, and the community.

The video in question inaccurately suggests that criminal elements operate in the immediate vicinity of the university campus, Mr Aja said.

The spokesperson maintained that the university is safe and secure for staff and students.

The campus remains fully protected by appropriate security measures, and there is no basis for the fear being spread, he said.

He assured that the university authorities would continue to liaise with security agencies to ensure staff and students safety.

We call on all members of the public to remain calm, ignore baseless rumours, and report verified information through official channels, he stated.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES understands that there have been frequent kidnap attacks along the Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka Road in recent times. However, there is yet no evidence of bandits camping around the area.

Controversial death of nursing student

Mr Aja, the spokesperson, also refuted another report that a nursing student from the university died on 9 December due to alleged negligence and poor administration of drugs by a medical team at the institutions hospital.

PREMIUM TIMES identified the deceased as Chisom Obi, a female first year nursing student of the university.

There were speculations that a doctor at universitys hospital allegedly administered a diclofenac injection to the student when she complained about a stomach ache which reportedly worsened her condition and led to her eventual death.

But Mr Aja said in the Sunday statement that much of what has been shared about the incident is completely untrue.

The spokesperson explained that the student was examined upon arrival at the hospital before the doctor on duty administered the necessary medication in line with the hospitals emergency-care procedures.

She (Ms Obi) responded well to treatment at that stage and was placed under continuous monitoring with full nursing attention throughout the night.

However, at about 4:00 a.m., her condition changed suddenly. Our nurses detected the deterioration right away and promptly alerted the doctor on call.

We acted quickly: she was transferred in our 24-hour ambulance to another hospital for expanded emergency management, he narrated.

At no point did we administer diclofenac injections to her. That claim is entirely false.

Mr Aja said the hospital management would later learn that the student had a concealed chronic medical condition which was not disclosed prior to the emergency.

This underlying condition significantly contributed to the complications that followed, he stated.

The spokesperson said the university management and the hospital authorities share in the pain of the family, even as he condemned the attempt to paint the hospital and its medical team in a bad light.

The circulating reports suggesting negligence, wrong medication, or abandonment are false and do not represent the professional actions our medical team took, he said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday unveiled two digital systems: the Electronic Display Notice Board and the Information Electronic Directory Table.

The systems are intended to improve access to court services and strengthen transparency.

The launch took place at a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year and the 41st Annual Judges Conference. The event took place at the Federal High Court headquarters in Abuja.

The notice board will display court-approved announcements, cause lists, and circulars in real time, while the directory table will help visitors navigate court premises efficiently.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, while declaring the legal year open, said the unveiling of the systems is significant because It marks a deliberate shift toward transparency, order, and user-centred court administration.

She explained that the growing complexity of cases, including technology-driven crimes and cross-border commercial disputes, requires new skills, firmer case management, and rapid judicial adaptation.

Ms Kekere-Ekun therefore described digitisation as a core priority for the judiciary, adding that virtual hearings, e-filing, electronic case tracking, and secure record management are indispensable instruments of modern justice delivery.

She further explained that the systems will reduce confusion, ensure accurate information for judicial officers, lawyers, and the public, and help visitors locate courtrooms, registries, and departments independently.

Chief Judge highlights previous judicial initiatives

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, while speaking at the event, said the court performed well in the past legal year despite challenges.

He reported that 39 staff members retired, four resigned voluntarily, and five were dismissed.

Mr Tsoho highlighted that the e-affidavit system, launched in Abuja on 1 July 2024, and the e-filing system in Lagos are key steps in modernising court operations. We look forward to enlarging the horizon to cover all Judicial Divisions in the Federation, he said.

He also reported infrastructural developments, including the completion of the courts headquarters extension, described as the Administrative Wing, easing office accommodation challenges. Investments are ongoing in court buildings, judges quarters, renovations, and technological equipment to improve efficiency.

To strengthen specialisation, he announced the creation of an Insolvency Unit to oversee company restructuring and a Freedom of Information Desk to improve transparency and public access.

He noted that collaboration with national and international stakeholders, including visits from the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone and the US National Centre for State, led to plans to digitise ten courts across divisions.

On professional development, Mr Tsoho also noted that judges attended local and international workshops, including a programme in Cairo, Egypt.

He specifically commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who was present at the event, for providing court buildings and judges residences, calling it a laudable attitude that supports judicial welfare.

Adjudication records

On workload, Mr Tsoho narrated that at the end of the 2023/2024 legal year, 161,999 cases were pending and carried into 2024/2025.

During the period, 19,925 new cases were filed, bringing the total pending cases to 181,924. Of these, he said 16,019 were disposed of, leaving 165,905 unresolved.

The disposed cases included 3,113 civil, 5,818 criminal, 3,724 motions, and 3,364 fundamental human rights cases. At the years end, 44,650 civil, 44,078 criminal, 46,228 motions, and 30,949 fundamental rights enforcement applications remained pending.

The Chief Judge said the figures showed the court has done well in the face of our expansive jurisdiction and enormous workload.

Others speak

The Anthony General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from the ministry, said the legal system is in an era defined by speed, innovation, and digital transformation. And praised the Federal High Court for embracing technology.

He pointed to the rollout of the electronic filing system and the e-Affidavit portal as milestones that enhanced convenience for legal practitioners and litigants alike and advanced accessibility, transparency, and efficiency.

He stressed that the ministrys reforms depend on the digital capacity of the courts and called for coordinated progress across the justice sector.

Also, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, while speaking at the ceremony, lamented that unpredictability of court sittings remains a deeply distressing frustration for litigants and lawyers.

He warned that delays undermine public confidence and called for structured and technologically supported schedules, disciplined adjournment practices, and fixed sitting hours to improve predictability.

On political disputes, Mr Osigwe said courts must avoid becoming instruments for partisan advantage. He said the judiciary must remain blind to political colouration and partisan calculations and called on judges to exercise restraint in handling party-related disputes.

He highlighted systemic issues affecting the Federal High Court, including case backlog, limited judicial capacity, inconsistent practice directions, and technology gaps.

READ ALSO: Federal High Court reverses order granting AMCON enforcement of receivership over General Hydrocarbons

He proposed reforms such as enhanced case management, judicial specialisation, expanded e-filing, strict enforcement of court orders, promotion of alternative dispute resolution, and continuous ethical training for lawyers.

Mr Osigwe also called for monthly inspections of federal detention facilities by judges, noting that about 73 per cent of inmates are held on remand.

Other special guests at the ceremony included Kanu Agabi, a former Attorney-General.of the Federation who representing the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, retired judges, and judges from other federal high courts.
Peter Ozo-Eson, a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has died.

His son confirmed the death on Monday.

The NLC had earlier announced his passing in a statement posted on its official Facebook page, saying Mr Ozo-Eson died on Sunday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The Nigeria Labour Congress announces, with deep sorrow, the passing of Congress former General Secretary, Comrade (Dr.) Peter Ozo-Eson.

His commitment, intellect, and lifelong service to the labour movement and the Nigerian working class remain indelible.

He will be deeply missed by the Congress, the labour family, and all who shared in his vision for a just and equitable society, the statement read.

Mr Ozo-Eson was appointed substantive General Secretary of the NLC in August 2014, following a decision of the Congress National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Enugu.

Before his appointment, he served as the NLCs Chief Economist and Head of its Research Department.

READ ALSO: Why well proceed with Wednesdays nationwide protest NLC

He left office in 2019 after completing his tenure and was succeeded by Emmanuel Ugboaja.

The labour centre said further details would be communicated in due course.
Vietnam's largest passenger jet to land at Long Thanh Airport in first technical flight

Aerial view of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, which is ready to receive arriving aircraft on Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Phuoc Tuan

Vietnam's largest passenger jet will touch down at Long Thanh International Airport in Monday afternoon, a key technical milestone as the new airport prepares to welcome its first commercial flights days later.

A Boeing 787 widebody operated by Vietnam Airlines will depart from Tan Son Nhat Airport, 40 km away in Ho Chi Minh City, and land at Long Thanh at 3:30 p.m. for a technical test flight, part of final preparations before the new airport begins handling passenger services on Dec. 19.

The Boeing 787 is the largest aircraft currently in operation with Vietnamese airlines, with a maximum capacity of around 340 passengers. As this was a technical flight, the aircraft carried only flight crew and technical staff, and returned to Ho Chi Minh City shortly after landing.

During the test, the aircraft conducted a full sequence of departure, approach and landing procedures to assess operational coordination between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, two of southern Vietnams most important aviation hubs.

Air traffic controllers, technical teams, meteorological staff, flight procedure units and search-and-rescue forces have undergone extensive training and shift scheduling under operational manuals approved through multiple assessment rounds, in line with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO).

Earlier, on Dec. 10, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam inspected simulator-based training for Long Thanh air traffic controllers, including scenarios involving severe weather, navigation system failures and in-flight emergencies. The review concluded that coordination and response capabilities met operational requirements.

According to Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) deputy CEO Nguyen Tien Viet, critical infrastructure, including the runway, aircraft apron, air traffic control tower, technical systems and basic ceremonial preparations, has been completed.

On Dec. 19, Long Thanh is expected to welcome its first three passenger-carrying flights, with aircraft operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways scheduled to land about five minutes apart.

Under the Ministry of Constructions plan, official flight operations will proceed only if the Dec. 15 technical flight meets all safety and performance benchmarks.

Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport spans 1,810 hectares and has been under construction since January 2021. The airport is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually, with full commercial operations targeted for mid-2026.
Nigeria has secured a $1 billion innovation fund to support start-ups operating in the marine and blue economy sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Maritime Innovations Hub, Ronke Kosoko, disclosed this at a media parley organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy on Monday in Abuja.

The event was attended by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, as well as representatives of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council, and other ministries and government agencies.

Mrs Kosoko said the fund would be officially launched at the Blue Economy Investment Summit, scheduled to hold from 911 March 2026 in Lagos.

She added that international funders are expected to meet with President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, during the summit.

The chief executive officer explained that the $1 billion fund followed Nigerias earlier success in securing a $100 million training bid for capacity development in the maritime industry.

When the $100 million offer came, I wasnt looking for it because people trust me globally due to our track records, but we have rearranged another offer and it was in the process that the $1 billion offer came. So, we had to go back to the presidency again and that informed why you have been seeing me around the ministry in the last six months.

Were now at the end because they will now be coming back into the country to meet with the Hon. Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, the Central Bank Governor as well as the president in March 2026 and they also plan to support some start ups in the sector with funding and international training. So, the stage is set, she said.

She stressed that global investors are more interested in clear deliverables than politics.

People and organisations have money in billions of Euros and Dollars but they are not interested in our dirty politicking and games. They are interested in the task to be achieved. So, when we are ready with that, they will flow in, she added.

The development comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy away from oil dependence by tapping into the blue economy, which covers maritime transport, fisheries, coastal tourism, shipbuilding and ocean-based renewable energy.

Nigeria has one of the largest coastlines in West Africa and a strategic position along major global shipping routes

However, inadequate port infrastructure, policy bottlenecks, and limited access to financing have constrained growth in the sector, forcing shipping lines and investors to favour neighbouring countries.

The newly secured innovation fund is expected to address some of these gaps by supporting start-ups with capital, skills and international exposure

Summit to connect 370,000 youth

Mrs Kosoko disclosed that no fewer than 370,000 youth across the country will participate in the summit alongside 28 governors and 37 serving senators.

Nigeria losing billions to neighbours

Reflecting on the countrys maritime performance, Mrs Kosoko lamented that Nigeria continues to lose billions of naira to neighbouring countries such as Togo and Cote d Ivoire, as vessels increasingly prefer to berth there rather than in Nigerian ports.

It is also no longer news that Nigeria is losing billions to Lome, Togo, Cote d Ivoire as vessels now prefer to berth in those countries rather than coming to Nigeria and those countries studied our weaknesses as a country and built a business around Nigerias failure, she added.

She noted that reclaiming these lost opportunities is a priority of the Technical Assistant to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who will lead a dedicated session on the issue at the March 2026 summit.

Speaking at the event, Mr Dada called for simpler and more accessible policies, stressing that government initiatives should be communicated in ways that young people and the general public can easily understand, rather than through complex technical language.
The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Sunday assured Nigerians that the pump price of petrol would fall further, stating that petrol would sell at no more than N740 per litre from Tuesday.

Mr Dangote spoke at a press briefing at the refinery complex in Lagos on Sunday.

He explained that the reduction would be effected due to his refinerys reduction of gantry price to N699 per litre, adding that MRS filling stations would be the first to reflect the new pricing.

From Tuesday, he said, all MRS filling stations would begin selling petrol at prices not exceeding N740 per litre, starting in Lagos.

He added that the refinery had reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres to enable more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to participate.

So if you come to the refinery today, you will get PMS at N699 per litre, he said.

Mr Dangote disclosed that despite frustration and sabotage, the refinery would deploy its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in the coming days and was prepared to procure additional units beyond the initial 4,000 if required to sustain affordable pricing nationwide.

Responding to complaints from oil importers that the recent price reduction would result in losses, Mr Dangote said the refinery was established primarily for the benefit of Nigerians.

Anyone who chooses to continue importing despite the availability of locally refined products should be prepared to face the consequences, he said.

He also highlighted quality differences, noting that products supplied through MRS and other offtakers from the refinery were straight-run fuels, unlike blended products imported from overseas markets.

Nigerians have a choice to buy better quality fuel at a more affordable price or to buy blended PMS at a higher rate. Importers can continue to lose, so long as Nigerians benefit, he added.

Mr Dangote said the refinery was driven more by legacy than profit, noting that he could have invested the 20 billion dollars elsewhere if financial gain were his sole objective. He revealed plans to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange to allow Nigerians to own shares in the facility.

We want every living Nigerian to have the opportunity to benefit, no matter how small their holding. If the market takes 55 per cent and I retain 45 per cent, I am satisfied, he said.

He disclosed that discussions were ongoing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enable Nigerians to purchase shares in naira while receiving dividends in dollars.

Mr Dangote also accused the NMDPRA of misrepresenting the refinerys capacity by publishing offtake figures rather than actual production levels.

We have the capacity to meet local demand, and we have sufficient refined products in stock. But to keep prices high, imports are deliberately encouraged, he said, adding that attempts were being made to push the refinery into exporting products only for them to be re-imported into Nigeria at higher prices.

This refinery is for Nigerians first, and I am not giving up, he said.

The billionaire businessman also disclosed that the refinery imports an average of 100 million barrels of crude oil annually from the United States, a figure expected to rise to 200 million barrels following expansion, due to insufficient domestic crude supply.

He added that the refinery also sources crude from Ghana and other countries, while exporting jet fuel and gasoline to the United States.

He called on the government to ensure crude oil taxes are assessed based on actual transaction values, warning that the current system allows under-declaration and revenue losses.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) President, Omar Touray, says the regional bloc will impose targeted sanctions on anyone who tries to impede efforts to restore democratic governance in Guinea-Bissau.

Mr Touray disclosed this on Sunday while speaking to journalists after the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.

The event brought together presidents from across the region and was primarily focused on the recent coups in Benin and Guinea-Bissau.

On the blocs efforts to address the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau, Mr Touray said, the authorities shall impose targeted sanctions on individuals or groups of persons that obstruct the transition process.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the coup in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, which were about 11 days apart.

The coup in Guinea-Bissau was staged by a group of army officers who described themselves as the High Military Command for the Restoration of Order and sought to suspend the electoral process until further notice.

The coup was staged a day before the countrys electoral body was to announce the result of the 2025 presidential election, which was held about a week before the incident.

The coup drew criticism across West Africa, with several governments and regional blocs calling for a return to constitutional order.

However, some leaders have also accused the ousted president, Umaro Embalo, of sponsoring the coup to prevent the announcement of the election result that he was expected to lose.

Nigerias former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who was among the observers at the election, is one of those who accused Mr Embalo of being behind the coup.

Mr Tourays warning could thus be targeted at Mr Embalo and his close allies, including his former army chief who led the coup and is now the military head of state.

The events of the last few weeks have shown in concrete terms what regional solidarity means, Mr Touray noted at the opening ceremony of the heads of state summit.

Meanwhile, in Benin, the coup attempt was foiled by the army with intervention from Nigeria and ECOWAS. Nigeria said it intervened upon Benins President Patrice Talons request for immediate military backing to stop the forceful takeover of power in his country.

Last week, the Beninese government declared those responsible for the coup wanted, including Pascal Tigri, the lieutenant colonel who led the coup.
The Nigerian government said on Sunday that over 100,000 students are currently enrolled in vocational education in 1,600 vocational colleges across the country.

The Ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement by its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo.

The statement said the 100,000 students are part of the first cohort of 250,000 to be fully enrolled in the next two to three months.

According to the statement, they are receiving training at federal and state technical colleges, skills training centres, and accredited Vocational Enterprise Institutions across the country.

The government said it also provides stipends to trainees under the TVET Initiative as support to ensure access, retention, and successful completion of the programme.

The first tranche of payments has been released to training centres, alongside stipend disbursements to beneficiaries, reinforcing accountability and programme sustainability, it said.

plan to train one million in two years

The ministry said it plans to train over one million young Nigerians within the next two years with industry-relevant skills to meet both local, regional and global demands for technical-based jobs.

It explained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers vocational education a pillar of Nigerias economic transformation, prompting the launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Recognising that sustainable development is driven by skilled human capital, the Federal Ministry of Education has positioned TVET as a national priority in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry said.

We are delighted to announce that the TVET Initiative rollout has been a phenomenal success so far.

The ministry also explained that the TVET Initiative targets areas such as industrial mechanics, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, mechatronics, solar photovoltaic installation, compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion and maintenance, and refrigeration.

ALSO READ: Bill to establish vocational schools passes second reading

Training programmes are designed in collaboration with industry to ensure that graduates are not only certified, but employable and job-ready, it said.

In parallel, technical institutions are being revitalised through curriculum updates, modern equipment deployment, instructor capacity development, and strengthened quality assurance systems.

The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to building a skills-driven economy where Nigerians are equipped to operate, maintain, and expand the nations industries, ensuring that they are active participants and leaders in Nigerias development.
Reps decry soaring domestic airfares

On Thursday, the House expressed concern about the sharp rise in domestic airfares, describing the trend as exploitative and capable of preventing millions of Nigerians from travelling during the Christmas season.

Raising a motion of urgent public importance, Obinna Aguocha (LP, Abia) said air travel had become prohibitively expensive, undermining family reunions and cultural traditions associated with the festive period.

While acknowledging the operational challenges facing airlines, he warned that profit should not come at the expense of safety, security and social cohesion.

Following an extensive debate, the House resolved to establish a transparent review mechanism to determine the minimum operational cost for airlines during the Christmas period.

Lawmakers also called for a 50 per cent reduction in aviation taxes, charges and levies, and urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to prioritise foreign exchange allocation to airlines at reasonable rates.

The Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the matter to the House Committee on Aviation to engage operators and the executive and report back within seven days.

Tinubu transmits 20262028 MTEF/FSP

As part of the preparation for the 2026 Budget, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday forwarded the 20262028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly for consideration.

The document was contained in a letter read by Mr Kalu, during Wednesdays plenary.

Mr Tinubu said the MTEF/FSP, a three-year fiscal planning instrument outlining revenue projections, expenditure priorities and resource allocation, was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on 3 December and urged the House to expedite legislative action as the 2026 budget will be prepared on their basis.

After the letter was read, the House referred the document to the Committee on Finance for detailed scrutiny and legislative action.

Chaos as Reps clash over N16trn CBN revenue report

Plenary on Wednesday descended into disorder as lawmakers clashed over how to handle a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report alleging the non-remittance of about N16 trillion in government revenues by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The PAC Chairperson, Bamidele Salam, told the House that the CBN had ignored repeated invitations to explain discrepancies linked to the Remita revenue collection platform and operating surpluses. He sought approval to invite the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before plenary.

Lawmakers disagreed sharply, with some calling for an ad-hoc committee, others insisting the governor should appear before the PAC, while another group demanded a session of the Committee of the Whole.

The disagreement escalated into a shouting match, prompting Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to warn against very unparliamentary conduct.

Calm was eventually restored after Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) moved a motion summoning the CBN Governor and relevant officials to appear before the PAC, with sanctions for non-compliance.

The House adopted the motion by voice vote.

Closed-door talks on unpaid contractors

The House on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, over concerns surrounding unpaid indigenous contractors.

The two-hour meeting, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen, was held against the backdrop of delays in implementing the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which has reportedly stalled projects and strained contractors.

Though details were not disclosed, there were indications that the delayed implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act featured prominently.

The delays are believed to be stalling federal projects nationwide and placing severe financial strain on contractors who depend on timely payments to meet obligations.

The issue has remained a sore point between the executive and the legislature, culminating weeks earlier in a protest that saw contractors barricade the National Assembly gate and disrupt legislative activities.

Defections widen as more PDP lawmakers join APC

Defections continued in the House as Mansur Jega (Aliero/Gwandu/Jega, Kebbi) formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, two lawmakers from Bayelsa State, Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Obuku Oforji (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma) also defected from the PDP to the APC.

Their separate letters, read at plenary by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, cited internal fractures, protracted conflicts and unresolved crises within their former party.

Reps back bill to curb dollarisation, amend CBN Act

The House on Thursday recorded overwhelming support for a bill seeking to prohibit the use of foreign currency for local transactions and amend key provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act.

The bill, sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) and Jesse Onuakalusi (APC, Lagos), aims to strengthen the CBNs operational framework, enhance transparency and reinforce institutional checks.

Lawmakers argued that persistent exchange rate instability and concerns over monetary governance made the amendments necessary.

Leading the discussion, Mr Onuakalusi said recent national and global pressures underscored the need for a modern legal framework that guarantees the CBNs autonomy while improving accountability to the National Assembly and the public.

After the debate, the bill was passed through a voice vote. Deputy Speaker Kalu, who presided over the session, referred it to the House Committee on Banking Regulations for further legislative work and stakeholder consultations ahead of the next stage.
The Kwara State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the Nigerian Army arrested armed bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, describing the reports as false and capable of causing public panic.

The Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the claims were disinformation spreading on social media platforms, stressing that the Nigerian Army did not arrest any armed bandits in any part of Ifelodun.

Ms Olukoju was reacting to a viral video in which some arrested individuals allegedly claimed they were in possession of a vehicle given to them by the Ilorin Government and weapons received from Abuja.

According to her, while the video and the circumstances surrounding the suspects are under investigation, it is important to clarify that the arrests did not take place in Kwara State.

No security agency, including the Army, ever reported such arrests in Kwara. They were reportedly arrested in Auchi, Edo State, she said, adding that further details were being awaited.

The commissioner also rejected insinuations that the Kwara State Government armed any group, noting that no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47, and that the individuals in the video did not claim they received weapons from the Kwara government.

She explained that the Ifelodun Local Government had clarified that a security van mentioned in the video was previously given to vigilantes deployed in the area to strengthen security, but that the vigilantes had since left.

The council, she added, had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

ALSO READ: Family faults government response as Kwara traditional ruler spends nine days in captivity

Ms Olukoju urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration in the fight against insecurity.

To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies, she said.

She also cautioned bloggers against spreading unverified information, warning that biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things poses existential threat to human life and public peace.
The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has urged the federal government to grant operators in oil and gas free zones a 10-year exemption from the new tax law.

The Managing Director of OGFZA, Bamanga Jada, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, stated that this would help sustain over $24 billion in investments that have been attracted to the sector.

He said the proposed exemption would provide operators with the needed transition period to adjust to evolving tax requirements.

While meeting with officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and OGFZA licensees in Rivers State, Mr Jada said that many investors planned operations with long-term horizons of 10 to 25 years.

He said Nigerias oil and gas free zones had attracted more than $24 billion in investments, hosted over 200 enterprises, and generated hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

The managing director further stated that policy consistency was crucial for maintaining investor confidence under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, exports from the zones have risen to 496,537,804 metric tonnes under the current administration, supplying markets in Brazil, the United States, France, India, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.

Mr Jada reaffirmed OGFZAs readiness to continue collaboration with FIRS to ensure efficient and fair implementation of tax reforms.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, described the 2025 tax reforms as a major step towards modernising Nigerias fiscal framework.

The chairman was represented by his Special Adviser on Tax Incentives, Cletus Adie.

Mr Adedeji said the 2025 tax reforms aimed at modernising Nigerias fiscal framework, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and compliance, rather than taxing profits in free zones.

He said that for export processing and free trade zones, the emphasis of the reforms was on strengthening compliance and ensuring that the zones contributed effectively to national development.

Stakeholders at the meeting unanimously called for the exemption of operators in special economic and free zones from the provisions of the new tax law to enable a smooth adjustment period and safeguard investments.

(NAN)
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that a cabal of politicians is deliberately exploiting and waging insecurity to destabilise the administration of President Bola Tinubu and stop his potential 2027 re-election bid.

In an interview with DCL Hausa on Sunday, the minister said the alleged strategy was employed against former President Goodluck Jonathan in the run-up to the 2015 general election.

He also claimed that the same individuals were involved in a failed plan to topple the government using the military.

He linked the escalating calls for his removal from office directly to a desperate effort to obstruct a high-profile investigation he is leading into the alleged failed coup.

The real reasons behind this campaign for my removal from the office Those spearheading this campaign are involved in a failed plan to topple the government, and I am among the team that is investigating them, Mr Matawalle stated.

He said the investigation includes tracing the contacts of those colluding with some unpatriotic Nigerians and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing some of the politicians for allegedly investing heavily in the plot to topple the president.

The minister also said his pivotal role in the recent release of abducted schoolgirls in Birnin Kebbi fueled the campaign for his removal.

He speculated that his detractors wanted to use security incidents as a political campaign tool against President Tinubu, mirroring the 2015 playbook.

Peace dialogue in Zamfara State

Mr Matawalle is currently facing intense scrutiny and demands for his dismissal over his actions while serving as Governor of Zamfara State (2019-2023), particularly his alleged facilitation of banditry.

Addressing the accusations, the minister challenged his accusers to substantiate their claims with evidence and take him to court, stating they should stop the baseless allegations or be ready to pay damages.

He defended his negotiations with bandits in Zamfara, comparing them to the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme brokered during the administration of the late President Umaru Yaradua.

He noted similar peace processes in Katsina and Niger States, with positive results now being observed in Kaduna State.

Mr Matawalle stated that the Zamfara peace accord with the bandits had the approval of the federal government under the late President Muhammadu Buhari and the consent of all local stakeholders, including traditional rulers and clerics.

He cited its success in the surrender of approximately 2,000 arms, the unconditional release of several captives, including expatriates, and the return of farming and the reopening of markets across the state.

He said the peace initiative also led to the official constitution of a committee that indicted and resulted in the dethronement of some emirs and traditional leaders for their involvement in the crisis.

Clash with successor

The minister singled out his successor, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, as a key figure in the smear campaign.

Mr Matawalle said Governor Lawal views him as a political threat ahead of the next election. My successor believes that the only way he can get re-election is to engage in these smear campaigns, he stated.

He reiterated his innocence, recalling that he had publicly sworn with the Holy Quran that he had no hand in Zamfaras insecurity.

He stressed that even if he is removed from his post, the crucial investigation into the alleged saboteurs will continue.

When contacted, the spokesperson for Zamfara Governor Suleiman Bala stated that his principal had no involvement in any campaign against the minister.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on Monday, fixed Thursday for ruling on the bail application filed by former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is standing trial over the N2.2 billion fraud charges.

On Friday (12 December), the trial judge, Maryam Hassan, remanded Mr Ngige in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him on eight counts of fraud and accepting bribes.

EFCC said Mr Ngige, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, allegedly committed the offences while serving as the labour minister during the immediate-past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister, who earlier served as governor of Anambra State on the Peoples Democratic Partys platform from May 2003 to March 2006, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the judge subsequently fixed Monday for the hearing of his bail application.

On Monday, the judge heard Mr Ngiges bail application, which the EFCC vehemently opposed.

The EFCC said Mr Ngige was a flight risk and can flee the country at will.

Mr Ngiges lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the court to grant him bail.

He argued that Mr Ngige cannot be a flight risk because his passport was stolen.

Where would he go without a visa? The defendant is not a flight risk and has no capacity, factual and legal, to leave the country, the senior lawyer said.

Why EFCC opposed Ngiges bail request

However, EFCCs lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, informed the court that Mr Ngige violated the terms of the administrative bail given by the anti-graft agency.

Mr Tahir said Mr Ngige got his passport from the commission in September to travel for a medical appointment but never returned it or reported it stolen.

He made a promise to return it (passport) by 19 November 2025. The defendant did not return it, Mr Tahir said, adding that the defendants affidavit of loss shows the defendant came back on 14 November 2025

It (affidavit of loss) was never forwarded to us. Between the date he undertook and returned, there were five clear days; he did not turn himself in, nor return the travel documents, the lawyer said.

He noted that the EFCCs arrest of Mr Ngige was prompted by a report from one of his sureties, Abubakar Mohammed, who came to retrieve his passport after the defendant returned to Nigeria.

On 10 December, the EFCC arrested Mr Ngige from his residence at Justice Mohammed Bello Road in Abuja.

Mr Tahir noted that the report of his stolen documents submitted by Mr Ngige was written on 6 December and received on the day of his arrest. He described this as an afterthought.

He also pointed out to the court that the affidavit of loss was obtained in Nigeria, not in the United Kingdom, where the alleged theft occurred.

Therefore, Mr Tahir said, the defendant is in gross breach of the administrative bail conditions granted to him by the EFCC and in contravention of Section 162 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act.

This calls for extreme caution, he added.

Ngige deserves bail  Defence lawyer

However, Mr Ikwueto argued that the loss of a passport, according to the law, should be reported to the local police, which Mr Ngige did.

He insisted that the passport was stolen, and the EFCC did not contest it.

Mr Ikwueto also urged the court to consider that the defendant has no prior criminal record and is unlikely to commit the offence again and cannot tamper with the evidence since the witness statements have already been taken.

Similarly, he asked the judge to consider the age and medical condition of Mr Ngige, as part of the other grounds for bail.

Exercise your discretion to impose whatever favourable conditions that will make him stand his trial, Mr Ikwueto pleaded.

Following their submissions, the trial judge, Ms Hassan, scheduled Thursday for ruling.

The defendant will remain in Kuje Custodial Centre until the judge decides his fate.

Charges

The EFCC filed eight counts of fraud and accepting bribes against Mr Ngige

According to the charges subsequently filed against him, the EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.

The prosecution similarly accused him of awarding eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.

Other companies he allegedly awarded contracts under controversial circumstances include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161 million respectively.

According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Also, the anti-graft agency accused Mr Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through his organisation, called Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation, from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).

Mr Ngige also allegedly collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited, said the EFCC.

The offences were said to violate section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it is being used to target opposition politicians, insisting that its operations are guided strictly by its enabling law, not political considerations.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale described recent accusations by some political actors alleging the weaponisation and politicisation of the commission as a deliberate misrepresentation of its mandate.

First, the commissions weapon is its Establishment Act which provides the ground norm of its activities, Mr Oyewale said. The Act mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes. The only exception to criminal prosecution by the Commission are political officers granted constitutional immunity during their tenure.

He added that suspects from ruling, opposition, and non-partisan backgrounds do not enjoy immunity and are investigated and prosecuted equally.

A check list of arrests and prosecutions by the Commission in the last two years under the current leadership shows that prominent members of the ruling party, including former governors and ministers, are being investigated alongside opposition politicians, he said.

Mr Oyewale rejected insinuations that the commission was acting to weaken the opposition for the benefit of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze? Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment. Selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation for graft, he said.

The EFCC spokesperson also warned that attempts to intimidate or blackmail the commission into dropping investigations pose a greater threat to democracy than the agency carrying out its duties.

He rejected calls for amendments to the EFCCs enabling law to address what he described as a disgruntled section of the political class, cautioning that such moves may not serve the national interest.

Mr Oyewale called on well-meaning, reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians to support the EFCC in its anti-corruption mandate.

Accusation Vs Denial

Opposition politicians have accused the federal government of using the EFCC to harass and weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections. The presidency has denied the allegations, saying President Bola Tinubu does not direct the EFCCs investigations and that the agency operates independently.

The accusation came in the wake of the arrest and detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over financial allegations traced to his time in office.

On Saturday, EFCC denied revoking Mr Malamis bail because he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State. The commission said, rather, Mr Malami had yet to fulfil his bail conditions.

Mr Malami, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and subsequently indicated interest to run for Kebbi State governor on the platform of his new party in 2027, has maintained his innocence.

Government officials argue that anti-corruption agencies also investigate members of the ruling party, including former governors and ministers.

The controversy forms part of a broader political dispute, with opposition leaders warning of shrinking democratic space and the government dismissing the claims as attempts to evade accountability.
US soldiers perform a ceremony to bring home the remains of an American serviceman in Hanoi, Dec. 13, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The 171st repatriation ceremony for the remains of U.S. servicemen missing in action (MIA) from the war in Vietnam took place at Gia Lam airport in Hanoi, following a recent unilateral search in the northern province of Lao Cai.

The remains, jointly examined by Vietnamese and U.S. forensic experts on Dec. 5, were preliminarily deemed as potentially linked to U.S. personnel lost during the war. They will be sent to a laboratory in Hawaii for additional testing and identification.

At the ceremony on Saturday, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper thanked the Vietnamese Government for its strong and sustained commitment to this humanitarian effort, calling it a proof of deepening people-to-people cooperation that has underpinned the normalization and advancement of bilateral ties.

Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), also conveyed his gratitude to the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Personnel for its dedication. He hailed Vietnam as one of the two countries among the 46 nations where DPAA operates that can independently conduct searches in challenging terrains.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien voiced his confidence that sustained goodwill and joint action would allow both sides to tackle lingering war consequences while broadening cooperation across other domains, which, he described as the best way to heal physical, emotional, and societal scars and fostering the stronger Vietnam - U.S. relationship.

Vietnam will maintain close coordination and full support for ongoing searches, which have been carried out for nearly half a century, Chien said, urging the U.S. to increase resources for projects addressing unexploded ordnance, dioxin remediation, aid for the disabled and war victims, and assistance in locating and identifying missing Vietnamese soldiers.

Humanitarian efforts to seek U.S. MIA servicemen in Vietnam began shortly after the 1973 Paris Peace Accords and have led to the identification and repatriation of remains belonging to about 740 US servicemen.

The 171st ceremony served as a poignant capstone to 2025, a year marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam - U.S. diplomatic ties, the 40th anniversary of joint MIA search operations and the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam.
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the 60-year-old deputy governor of Bayelsa State, who passed away on Thursday, 11 December, was a faithful member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) till death.

Some five years ago, such a description of any Nigerian politician would not have held much significance. But not so today. With the way the PDP politicians  governors, senators, House of Representatives members, and others  are hurriedly leaving the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), staying faithful to the PDP, especially when you are a subordinate to a governor who has switched parties, could be viewed as a virtue.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo refused to follow Governor Douye Diri when the latter defected, along with other state officials, from the PDP to the APC on 3 November.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo courageously sued the Bayelsa House of Assembly to forestall a rumoured plot to replace him with a compliant politician who would have gladly accepted being in the APC with the governor. He later withdrew the suit to pave the way for an out-of-court settlement after Mr Diris intervention.

Before April, the PDP controlled about 11 states in Nigeria. The party now has only five governors after the recent defection of the governors of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Osun.

Apart from Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who is now in the Accord Party, all the others are in the APC.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo slumped in his office at Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, on 11 December and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, where doctors pronounced him dead.

The late deputy governor was reportedly a workaholic. At 11:48 a.m. on 11 December, he posted on Facebook photos of his meeting with the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, who was visiting the Government House, Yenagoa.

We are pleased to note that the country representative is abreast with our health programme in the state, according to her observations during visits to selected health facilities combined with spontaneous conversations with mothers and caregivers, affirming the encouraging reports UNICEF has consistently received regarding Bayelsas impressive progress in immunisation, Mr Ewhrudjakpo had said of the visit.

Tagging Bayelsa a champion of healthcare delivery and a shining spot in Nigeria is a major feat for us because we believe that the best way to respond to commendations is to double down on our efforts by doing more work, he added.

The PDP, while mourning his passing, described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a trusted, faithful party man.

While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who believed in and practised politics with principle.

He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity, and strength of character. He held firmly to these virtues until his final moments, Ini Ememobong, the PDP national publicity secretary, stated in a statement on Thursday.

In fairness to Governor Diri, he did not harass Mr Ewhrudjakpo, unlike many Nigerian politicians, for refusing to join him in the APC.

We came together as friends and brothers, Mr Diri said in a tribute to his departed deputy. Our working relationship was not that of a boss and subordinate, but it was that of a brother and friend, yet recognising that I was his principal.

From commissioner to senator, and deputy governor

Mr Ewhrudjakpo, in 2019, contested and won the Bayelsa West Senatorial District election as the PDP candidate. He served as a senator from 11 June 2019 to 11 February 2020, before being elected deputy governor of Bayelsa. He had previously served as the commissioner for works and infrastructure under Mr Diris predecessor, Seriake Dickson, who is now a senator.

Senator Dickson and Mr Ewhrudjakpo came a long way together. Both refused to defect from the PDP to the APC. Mr Ewhrudjakpo was Mr Dicksons personal assistant when the latter was Bayelsas attorney-general and commissioner for justice from 2006 to 2007, and also Mr Dicksons senior legislative aide when he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2007.

Senator Dickson said the day Ewhrudjakpo died would remain one of the saddest in his life.

I have been saddened and heartbroken since his death was confirmed.

We have lost a most selfless, dedicated, honest and loyal public servant and politician. I have personally lost a dependable, loyal and principled mentee who was committed to the causes we pursue in public service  service to God and humanity, and to ourselves the least.

Dr Ewhrudjakpo was clearly the best among my political mentees. A rare combination of competence, intellect, loyalty and selflessness, said the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, who quickly withdrew from the Senates screening of President Bola Tinubus ambassadorial nominees and flew from Abuja to Yenagoa when he heard that the deputy governor had slumped.

His birth, education, and career

Mr Ewhrudjakpo was born on 5 September 1965 in Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa. He attended Ebikimiye Primary School, Kpakiama, where he graduated in 1976 with a First School Leaving Certificate.

He proceeded to Government College Bomadi in 1982, but completed his secondary education at Community Secondary School, Ofoni, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1987.

Two years later, he was admitted to study Community Health at the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He obtained a diploma from the institution in 1991.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo built a career in community health and administration afterwards, serving in various positions in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

For instance, he had served as the head of administration in the Port Harcourt City Council Primary Health Care Department and later as assistant coordinator for monitoring and evaluation in Bayelsa State.

He would rise to become a key figure in the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, where he emerged as secretary-general and later as executive secretary.

In 1996, he obtained his first bachelors degree in Secretarial Administration from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo obtained a masters degree in Business Administration in 1998 and another masters degree in Management Option in 2000, both from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Still at the university, he obtained a Bachelor of Law degree in 2007 and was called to the Nigerian Bar two years later.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo began his law practice in 2009, serving as principal partner at GoldMark Chambers, while also continuing to work in public institutions, advisory bodies, and policy groups.

The lawyer completed his academic journey in December 2023, earning a doctorate in human rights and labour law from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo got married to his heartthrob, Beatrice, in August 2004. The marriage produced four children.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said the deputy governor had been a devoted steward of Bayelsa, a patriot, and a loyal servant of our state and nation.

Throughout his years in public service, he demonstrated an unwavering passion for the welfare of our people and earned the respect and admiration of many across the country, Mr Jonathan said.
Nigerias renewed push to correct decades of severe gender imbalance in political representation has thrust one proposal to the centre of national debate: the Reserved Seats Bill, a constitutional amendment legislation seeking to create additional elective seats exclusively for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

The idea is simple: To increase womens representation because, clearly, if deliberate steps are not taken, women will remain excluded from Nigerias political system. But the process of implementing this bill, particularly how political parties will nominate candidates and the emerging concerns over cost, campaign size, and electoral fairness, is far more complex.

This explainer unpacks the bill, breaks down how parties may eventually select candidates, examines potential drawbacks, and situates Nigerias conversation in a global context.

It also interrogates the argument that women contesting state-wide seats will face gubernatorial-level campaign burdens and what that means for the cost of governance.

The problem the bill seeks to fix

Womens legislative representation in Nigeria has remained consistently poor across all seven election cycles since 1999.

Data from the Centre for Democracy and Development show that between 1999 and 2003, women occupied only 2.8 per cent of Senate seats and 3.3 per cent of House seats. Between 2003 and 2007, women occupied 3.7 per cent of Senate seats and 5.8 per cent of House seats.

These figures showed only slight improvement in subsequent cycles.

The highest point for the Senate was 8.3 per cent between 2007 and 2011, and the House peaked at 7.2 per cent between 2011 and 2015. The numbers dropped sharply between 2019 and 2023, when only eight women were in the Senate and 13 in the House.

Currently, the 10th Assembly has only four women out of 109 senators (3.7 per cent) and 16 women out of 360 members in the House of Representatives (4.44 per cent). Fourteen state assemblies do not have a single woman. The states are Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Plateau.

In the South, the states with no woman representation are Imo, Abia and Osun.

The bill, therefore, attempts one of the most ambitious interventions in Nigerias legislative history to correct this imbalance.

What the bill proposes

The bill seeks to create additional constitutionally recognised seats strictly for women. In the Senate, each state and the FCT would have one extra seat reserved exclusively for women.

The House of Representatives would mirror this arrangement, with one extra seat for each state and the FCT.

At the state level, each House of Assembly would add three women-only seats.

If passed, Nigerias legislature would expand to 146 senators, 397 members of the House, and 1,098 state legislators.

The reserved seats would offer equal status, powers, and privileges as the existing seats, and women occupying them would not be barred from contesting regular seats.

The amendment is designed as a temporary measure that will be reviewed after four general elections, equivalent to sixteen years, to decide whether to retain, expand, or abolish the arrangement.

How political parties will nominate candidates

This is currently the most contested question surrounding the bill.

Interviews with legislative experts and advocates reveal two emerging positions.

The first, and currently dominant, understanding is that political parties will be required to nominate candidates for the special seats through internal party primaries.

Osasu Igbinedion, CEO of TOS Group, a civil society organisation actively leading the campaign for the bill, explained that nothing in it exempts the reserved seats from the standard nomination process.

Women seeking these seats will therefore purchase nomination forms, run in party primaries, and emerge as flagbearers only after defeating fellow aspirants within their respective parties.

For instance, if five women in APC express interest in Benues women-only House seat, APC would conduct a primary election to pick a single candidate who would then face candidates from other political parties in the general election.

The second emerging view, outlined by Chidozie Ajah, special adviser (legislative) to the deputy speaker, is that the nomination system is not final. He explained that the Constitution provides only a framework and that an Implementation Act will be developed to set out the operational details.

This includes whether the seats will be contested statewide or zoned into smaller subunits, how parties will structure their primaries, and whether alternative nomination models, such as rotational systems, joint nomination committees, or partial appointments, may be adopted to reduce cost and complexity.

The Implementation Act is still in development, and no final decision has been taken, he said.

How reserved seat candidates will campaign

Under the current proposal, women vying for the new seats must campaign across entire states. These seats are not tied to senatorial districts or federal constituencies. Instead, each woman will represent the whole state.

For example, a woman contesting the reserved Senate seat in Edo would introduce herself simply as Hi, my name is Chief Mrs Osasu Igbenedion Ogwuche. I am a senator representing Edo State, the good people of Edo State, the heartbeat of the nation, Mrs Igbenedion clarified.

This structure dramatically expands campaign responsibility. Women will need to travel across all local government areas, hold statewide consultations, and build broad coalitions to achieve this goal.

It mirrors the campaign style for governorship candidates, which is extremely expensive and labour-intensive. This has raised concerns that the bill, in its current form, may increase financial barriers for women, the same barriers that already hinder their political participation.

Mr Ajah acknowledged this dilemma and noted that several stakeholders are proposing alternative structures to avoid creating gubernatorial-scale campaigns for reserved seats.

Does the bill increase the cost of governance?

Definitely, but only marginally, according to multiple analyses. The creation of 182 new legislative seats undoubtedly entails additional salaries, allowances, staff, office running costs, and logistics. This has fuelled criticism that Nigerias legislature is already too large and too expensive, especially in an economy facing fiscal strain.

However, studies by PLAC and other policy groups show that the financial impact on the National Assemblys budget would be less than one per cent.

Mr Ajah reinforced this by noting that the legislatures share of Nigerias total federal budget is already small compared to the enormous administrative cost of the executive arm, which oversees more than a thousand MDAs.

Advocates argue that the economic benefits of increased female representation far outweigh the marginal cost.

Reports by McKinsey, the World Bank and the UN consistently show that societies with stronger female participation in governance record higher GDP growth, better social outcomes and lower corruption levels.

Projections suggest that Nigeria could unlock approximately $229 billion in economic value over the next decade by increasing womens inclusion in public life.

How other countries improved womens representation

Nigeria is not the first country to consider affirmative action to increase the number of women in parliament. Many countries with strong female representation did not rely solely on gradual cultural change but instead employed one of three methods: reserved seats, legislated quotas, or voluntary party quotas.

In Africa, Rwanda remains the most cited example. Following the 1994 genocide, the country adopted a new constitution that deliberately embedded gender inclusion into its political framework. The constitution reserves 24 seats for women in the lower house, elected through an electoral college system involving womens councils and local government representatives.

Beyond these reserved seats, women also contest regular party-list and constituency seats. This dual-track system has produced the highest proportion of women parliamentarians in the world, consistently above 60 per cent. Importantly, Rwandas experience shows that reserved seats did not cap womens participation; instead, they created an entry point that later expanded womens competitiveness across the entire political system.

Uganda adopted a different, yet equally intentional, model. The country introduced district women representatives, guaranteeing one female legislator per district. These women are elected directly by voters and represent their entire districts, similar to what Nigerias reserved seats propose at the state level.

While Ugandas model has faced criticism for reinforcing parallel representation, it has nonetheless ensured that women remain a visible and permanent presence in parliament, pushing representation above 30 per cent for several election cycles.

Tanzania allocates special seats proportionally to parties based on their electoral performance, which consistently keeps womens representation above a third.

This system has allowed Tanzania to steadily increase female representation while avoiding the high campaign costs associated with constituency-wide contests. Womens representation in Tanzanias parliament has hovered between 35 and 40 per cent, far above Nigerias single-digit figures.

In Kenya, a portion of parliamentary seats is reserved for women and allocated to political parties based on the number of seats they win in general elections. Parties then nominate women to fill these special seats.

Kenyas 2010 Constitution introduced a mixed solution after years of agitation by womens rights groups. It created 47 county womens representative seats, each elected statewide at the county level. These seats exist alongside constituency MPs and senators. Although Kenya has struggled to fully implement its constitutional gender parity provisions, the reserved seats have guaranteed a minimum level of womens representation and significantly altered the visibility of women in national politics.

Senegal provides a striking example. In 2010, the country passed a parity law requiring political parties to field equal numbers of male and female candidates on their electoral lists. The impact was immediate. Womens representation jumped from below 25 per cent to over 40 per cent in a single election cycle. Senegals experience demonstrates how legal compulsion, rather than goodwill, can rapidly transform representation.

South Africa presents another model rooted in party discipline rather than constitutional mandate. The African National Congress (ANC) voluntarily adopted a gender quota policy requiring at least half of its candidates to be women. Because the ANC dominates national elections, this internal party rule translates into national outcomes. Womens representation in South Africas parliament has remained consistently above 40 per cent for years. The key lesson here is that where dominant parties commit to quotas, results follow even without constitutional amendments.

In Europe, the Nordic countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Finland, illustrate how long-term institutional reforms and party norms can produce gender-balanced legislatures. Most of these countries do not reserve seats by law. Instead, political parties voluntarily enforce zipper systems on their candidate lists, alternating male and female candidates. These arrangements emerged after decades of advocacy and are supported by proportional representation electoral systems, which make quotas easier to enforce. As a result, women consistently occupy between 40 and 47 per cent of parliamentary seats across the region.

Latin America also offers valuable lessons. Countries such as Argentina and Mexico introduced legislated quotas in the 1990s and later strengthened them into full parity laws. Mexico now requires political parties to field equal numbers of male and female candidates for all elective positions.

What these cases show is that progress is rarely accidental. What unites these diverse experiences is the recognition that political systems are not gender-neutral.

Without intervention, existing power structures tend to reproduce themselves, shutting women out through financial barriers, party gatekeeping, violence, and cultural norms. Countries that waited for organic change made little progress. Those that adopted temporary or permanent corrective measures saw rapid and sustained improvement.

The Reserved Seats Bill is ambitious, controversial and still evolving. It promises to reshape Nigerias legislative landscape and address decades of gender imbalance. But the bills effectiveness depends heavily on how the Implementation Act resolves key operational questions, particularly around nomination, zoning, campaign scope, and cost.

While critics warn of bloated governance and expanded bureaucracy, supporters argue that the long-term economic and democratic gains far outweigh the modest financial impact.

Global experience shows that without structural intervention, women remain locked out of politics. Reserved seats, particularly when framed as temporary corrective measures, have worked in several countries comparable to Nigeria.

As lawmakers deliberate, the challenge remains finding a model that guarantees inclusion without imposing prohibitive financial burdens on the very women the bill seeks to empower.
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the management of Ibadan, Benin, and Port Harcourt electricity distribution companies to appear before it over unpaid remittances estimated at over 100 billion to the Federation Account.

The directive was issued on Monday during a public hearing, where the committee gave the affected DisCos a 72-hour deadline to honour its invitation or face sanctions for contempt of the legislature.

Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam, said the order became necessary following the repeated failure of the companies: Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) to respond to earlier summons.

The decision followed the consideration of an interim report submitted by a subcommittee chaired by Mark Obetta (PDP, Enugu).

The PAC recalled that it had, on 20 August, summoned 11 electricity distribution companies over a combined debt of about  2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account. While some firms have since engaged with the committee, IBEDC, BEDC and PHEDC were singled out for what lawmakers described as persistent non-compliance.

According to the committee, the three DisCos have ignored invitations to explain liabilities highlighted in the Auditor-Generals reports for the 2021 and 2022 financial years.

Lawmakers described the companies conduct as a deliberate disregard for parliamentary authority and warned that failure to appear on Thursday, 18 December, would result in stiff legislative sanctions.

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Salam expressed concern that portions of the debts had remained unpaid for more than 10 years, stressing that the situation was unacceptable.

He said the committee was determined to recover the outstanding funds and ensure proper accountability, noting that the monies involved belong to the Nigerian government and, ultimately, the public.

The PAC thereafter reaffirmed its ultimatum, insisting that the management of the three Discos must appear before the committee on Thursday to account for the unpaid remittances.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a suit seeking to declare the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Act and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) Act, unconstitutional, affirming the legality of government-established religious commissions.

According to a court document shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the judge Akintayo Aluko, on Friday, held that the applicant, Human Rights and Empowerment Project Ltd/Gte, failed to provide credible evidence that the statutes violated Sections 10 and 42 of the Nigerian constitution.

Ikenna Okoli, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), with Ikeola Atilola, appeared for the applicant, while E.O. Obotse, holding brief for Bukunola Adeagbo, represented the fifth respondent.

The applicant had approached the court on 17 October 2024, seeking declarations that the NCPC and NAHCON Acts were unconstitutional.

The suit argued that government sponsorship of Christian and Muslim pilgrimages discriminated against adherents of other faiths.

It also requested orders restraining the Federal Government from funding or allocating public funds to religious pilgrimages or commissions.

In a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed by Kelvin Emonvuon, the applicant primarily relied on newspaper publications, arguing that government allocations for pilgrimages constituted discrimination and an unconstitutional adoption of a state religion.

The suit referenced Sections 10, 38, and 42 of the Constitution and cited legal precedents including Aminu v. A.G Kano State (2022) and Akintola v. Adegbenro (1963).

NAHCONs response

The fourth respondent, NAHCON, countered that all Hajj payments were made directly by intending pilgrims through state-level Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, not from public funds.

The commission argued that its existence did not amount to the adoption of a state religion and noted that the applicant failed to identify any citizen or group whose rights had been violated.

NAHCONs lawyer emphasised that declaratory prayers required strong and convincing evidence, which the applicant did not provide.

Judgement

The court formulated the fundamental questions for determination in the case, which is, whether the NCPC and NAHCON Acts were inconsistent with Sections 10 and 42 of the Nigerian constitution and whether the allocation of taxpayers money for the commissions was unconstitutional or beyond the powers of the federal government.

Mr Aluko ruled that the Acts are not inconsistent with the constitution.

The court found no evidence that the government had adopted any religion as a state religion or discriminated against any citizen based on religion.

The judge also noted that the applicants affidavit indicated that the Lagos State Government had saved N4.5 billion by redirecting funds from pilgrimage sponsorship to infrastructure.

The court further held that newspaper reports relied upon by the applicant constituted hearsay unless certified under the law.

Mr Aluko added that the applicant failed to provide credible and compelling evidence to support its claims.

The suit was dismissed as lacking merit, with no order as to costs, and the parties were directed to bear their respective expenses.

The NCPC Act empowers the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission to regulate and coordinate Christian pilgrimages, including licensing and welfare of pilgrims.

The NAHCON Act establishes the National Hajj Commission to oversee and coordinate Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian pilgrims.

The applicant argued that government sponsorship of pilgrimages discriminates against adherents of other faiths, while NAHCON maintained that all payments are made directly by pilgrims through state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

Media reports and public discussions have mentioned the commissions roles, government funding, and efforts to reduce Hajj costs while promoting interfaith harmony.
The Auditor-General of the Federation has detailed how the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Abia State, committed financial violations amounting to N6.5 billion between 2021 and 2022.

The report, submitted to the National Assembly and released in September, revealed that the university made N5.9 billion in questionable payments, including the award of contracts above the threshold, unapproved payments, circumvention of procurement procedures, and payments for projects that were not executed.

The report also noted that the university failed to remit over N578 million Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federal governments Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

Some of the violations listed in the report include over two billion naira for contracts that violated the Public Procurement Act (PPA), N1.2 billion in extra-budgetary expenses, N40 million overpayment of severance allowance to the former vice-chancellor, N64 million unapproved payment for Christmas and Sallah gifts to staff, and N30 million for a project not executed.

The report also found that the vice-chancellor had personalised university vehicles and that the university had split single contracts into multiple parts to circumvent procurement laws.

In more than 800 pages, the audit report chronicled the non-compliance and internal control weaknesses of the governments Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

For the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, the report identified 32 instances of non-compliance, totalling over six billion in questionable payments and unremitted revenues to the federal government.

These infractions violated several sections of the Financial Regulations Act of 2009, the Nigerian Constitution, several circulars issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service (OHCS).

The university management failed to respond to the auditors request for clarification, the report said.

N1.8 billion contract without due process

The university is mandated by the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 to request quotations from at least three unrelated contractors or suppliers before awarding a contract.

However, the audit report found that it violated the law in 62 contracts awarded between February and December 2021.

Evidence of advert placement on at least two National Newspapers as required under section 25(2) (i) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, was not provided, the auditors report stated.

No bill of quantity to determine the scope of work carried out and materials used, and minutes of Tender Boards meeting to show the evidence of approval for the contracts were not presented for audit.

N1 billion extra budgetary expenses

According to the Appropriation Act, the university is meant to spend only N1.2 billion out of its IGR.

However, the university spent N2.3 billion, amounting to over N1 billion in extra-budgetary expenditure.

This expenditure violates paragraph 301 of the financial regulations, which directs that no expenditures be made outside of the appropriation act, the report added.

N578 million unremitted IGR

The report also revealed that the university failed to remit N578 million (N578,957,098.08) to the federal government coffers as mandated by the Financial Regulations Act of 2009.

According to the report, the university generated a N2.3 billion IGR in 2021 but failed to remit the required 25 per cent, which amounted to N578 million to the CRF as at the time of the audit in 2022.

Revenue paid into the Revenue Accounts for IGR of MDAs shall be transferred to the CRF before the 15th of the Month following the month of collection of the Revenue, paragraph 236 of the law states.

Additionally, a 2016 treasury circular directed all partially-funded government agencies, including the universities, to limit their annual budgetary expenditure to no more than 75 per cent of their gross revenue, and remit the 25 per cent to the CRF or pay 80 per cent of their operating surplus computed according to the approved template to the CRF, whichever is higher.

Extra N44 million as severance allowance for VC

The university also paid the former vice-chancellor a N49 million severance allowance, despite his entitlement to only N5 million.

The audit report did not specifically mention the vice-chancellor affected.

The report provided a breakdown of the N49.9 million payment made to the vice-chancellor, as follows: N20 million as a parting gift, N11.4 million as monetised leave, N15.5 million as 28-day overseas leave, and N2.9 million as a return ticket while on sabbatical leave.

The amount due to the former vice chancellor as severance allowance was N5,777,595.00, thereby resulting in an over-payment of N44,183,895.27, the report said.

There was no justification for paying the former vice-chancellor severance allowance far above what should have been paid.

VC personalised official vehicles

According to the auditors report, the university purchased six new vehicles for N244.2 million to be used by four university officers.

While some of the officers assigned to these vehicles had retired from service, the university did not retrieve them from the officers, according to the report.

The report noted that the current vice chancellor also converted two official vehicles, which he had used as deputy vice chancellor, into his own personal vehicles without making an outright purchase or following due procedure for disposing of government assets.

N275 million against procurement procedures

The audit report also found that the university circumvented procurement procedures to make 267 payments totalling N275 million as non-personal advances between September 2020 and August 2022 for purchases and other services.

Each of the 267 payments was above the N200,000 threshold, contrary to the provisions of extant regulations, the report stated, adding it resulted in the loss of N37 million in withholding tax, value-added tax and stamp duty revenues.

N6 million for unapproved overseas travel

The university also made two payments totalling N6.1 million for foreign trips without approval from the SGF or the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The university also failed to provide evidence of travel, such as certificates of attendance for a conference or workshop, air tickets or stamped international passports for the trip, making it difficult to authenticate the validity, genuineness, and correctness of the payments.

This violated a 2019 circular, which mandated that all government-funded travels must be approved by the SGF or the Head of Service and the documentary evidence must be provided for the trips, the report stated.

N44 million unauthorised salary arrears payment from IGR

Without approval from the finance ministry of the National Assembly, the university made an out-of-budget payment of N44.6 million as salary arrears from the IGR.

There was no budgetary provision for payment of salary arrears of staff of the university in the 2021 appropriation, the auditor said.

The payment, according to the Auditor-General, violated Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution and Paragraph 417 of the FR 2009.

While the constitution directed that all expenses must be in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly through the budgets, the financial regulation states that all expenditure must be in accordance with the estimate, and votes must be applied only to the purpose for which the money is provided.

Paid consultant without evidence of beneficiaries

The university also paid N45 million to a consultant on 26 January 2022 for land and crop compensation to the land donors and other stakeholders.

The university failed to provide the names and particulars of the said beneficiaries, as well as other relevant details.

There was no evidence of proper enumeration to show the number of land owners and crops affected, and the cost required to compensate each beneficiary, the report said.

Payment for jobs not executed

The auditor-generals report also found that the university paid N30.5 million for items that were never supplied and services that were never rendered to the university on 16 August 2021.

According to the report, the university awarded two contracts for the rehabilitation of the vice-chancellors lodge  one for N37.8 million and the other for N49.8 million amounting to N87.6 million.

However, the auditors physical verification revealed that items worth N25.5 million and N5 million were not delivered according to the bill of quantities for both contracts.

The items not delivered include window and nets, Panasonic 2HP split air conditioner, replacement of gate finishing, furnishing of lounge/living room, imported leathers of seven 7-seaters, main sitting room, childrens room, electronics, and visitors room.

The auditor also found that the university made 230 payments totalling N242.5 million to various companies for services without receipts, vouchers, or job competition certificates.

Relevant supporting documents such as store receipt vouchers, invoices, job completion certificates, certificates of attendance, etc., were not attached to the payment vouchers, the report said.

The university also used N37.7 million allocated for capital expenditures for recurrent expenditures, including payments for hotel accommodation and council allowances, without justification.

The report also noted that the university made N9.9 million payment of peculiar and telephone allowances to staffers outside of the centralised payroll system, the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Approval(s) for the payments from National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) were not made available for examination, the auditors report added.

Violation of NITDA law

The university paid N187 million to six contractors for the procurement of various Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related services.

The procurement violated the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act, which directed all MDAs to obtain approval from NITDA for the implementation of IT projects and procurement.

Contract splitting to circumvent thresholds

The auditor-generals report found that the university split single contracts to circumvent thresholds set by the countrys laws.

For instance, it stated that the university purchased two brand-new Toyota Land Cruisers from the same contractor for a total of N97.2 million each.

However, instead of making it a single contract, it was split into two to lower the cost and fit within the threshold of the universitys tender board.

Training without evidence

The university also paid N55 million to a consultant for training participants in agricultural business and empowering women and youth in fishery, cassava, and palm oil in Ohaji/Oguta, Orlu West, Imo State.

However, there is no evidence of execution, such as a list of participants, location, venue or date of training, the auditors report said.

Meanwhile, the university also paid N102.2 million to 16 companies for contracts that were above the approval thresholds of the universitys tender board.

According to the report, the sum was paid between 12 March 2021 and 14 December 2021.

The amount of the contract was above the approval threshold of the universitys tender board, the report said.

N242 million unrecovered cash advance

The auditors also found that the university paid N242 million in cash advances and imprests to some staff members between 4 January 2021 and 10 December 2021.

The report stated that some of the advances were granted above the N200,000 threshold specified in existing regulations.

The advances/imprests remained unretired at the time of the audit in 2022, the report said.

There was no adequate effort in place by the university to recover the funds from the affected staff.

The university also under-deducted N5 million withholding taxes for three payments of N101 million.

Extra-budgetary expenditures

The university paid N19.9 million for vehicle insurance in 2021. However, no funding was appropriated for this in the 2021 Appropriation Act.

This violates paragraph 301 of the Financial Regulations Law, the report said.

The university also spent N476.2 million for the purchase of store items. However, the auditor noted that there was no evidence that the items supplied were recorded in the store ledger.

N63 million contract without due diligence

The report also accused the university of paying N63 million as 15 per cent mobilisation fees to seven companies for contracts without performing due diligence.

There was no evidence that the university performed due diligence on the advance payment guarantee (APG) presented by the contractor before payments, and the genuineness and accuracy of the amounts paid to the contractors in relation to the APG presented could not be verified as at the time of audit, the report said.

N255 million contracts above threshold

On 4 February 2021, the university awarded a contract for the online integrated dynamics database for university personnel, students, records and results for N170 million. The university also awarded another contract for the supply of motor vehicles for N85.4 million.

However, the contracts exceeded the approval threshold of the parastatal tenders board at the university.

There was neither evidence of approval by the ministerial tenders board nor the contracts files provided for audit, the report stated.

N185 million contracts without relevant documents

The report also stated that the university paid N185.7 million to nine contractors for works and services between January 21 and October 2, 2021, without providing supporting documents, such as award letters, job completion certificates, and bills of engineering measurement and evaluation.

Determining whether the contracts were executed in accordance with the specification was practically not achievable by audit, the report stated.

Contracts violating the procurement process

The university also made N166.2 million to 23 contractors for supplies and renovation works without advertising the projects, directly violating procurement laws.

The contracts were not advertised and there were no bid documents or other relevant information attached to the paid vouchers as evidence of open competitiveness and fairness in its awards and selection of the contractors, the report said.

The university also paid N12.2 million to six beneficiaries for logistics and transportation support, without specifying the purpose, nature, or location, or for which event.

N49 million payment above threshold

The university paid N49 million as a cash advance for the procurement of books and examination materials.

The report noted that the payment exceeded the approved threshold and resulted in a loss of N6.7 million in Value Added Tax (VAT), Withholding Tax, and Stamp Duty.

Contravention of labour law

The university also violated labour laws when it engaged casual workers and paid them N5 million. The report explained that the engagement should have been contracted out, rather than the university engaging casual workers.

Violation of e-payment policy

In violation of the federal governments policy on electronic payments, the university paid N294 million to 19 staff members whose names differed from those of the supposed beneficiaries of the payments.

There were no documents to show acknowledgement by the supposed beneficiaries evidencing receipt of the funds from the officers concerned, the report stated.

N42 million payment to contractors without justification

The university also made N42.4 million in 13 payments to contractors without justification.

According to the report, the payments included some unaccounted items in the contracts Bill of Engineering Measurement (BEME).

The report listed them as follows: N34.9 million as the preliminary lump sum; N2.7 million as Administrative Expenses; N3.4 million as the Provision Lump Sum; and N1.3 million for the provision of three laptops.

The items included in the BEME were not accounted for after the projects had been completed, the auditors report said. There was no evidence of utilisation of the amounts to justify its description as costs that were incurred towards the execution of the projects.

Violation of e-payment policy

The university also violated the federal governments electronic payment rules when it paid an N11.6 million honorarium intended for non-staff members to its staff.

There were no documents to show acknowledgement by the supposed beneficiaries evidencing receipt of the honorarium from the officers concerned, the report stated.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday, urged Nigerians to embrace the discipline, integrity and service ethos of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing them as pillars of enduring nation-building.

Mr Tinubu spoke at the launch of the book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, held at the State House, Abuja.

The measure of a leader is not the offices he held, but what persists when the sirens fall silent.

President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall, he said.

He described Mr Buhari as a leader defined by quiet strength, personal discipline and the belief that public office is a trust, not an avenue to amass wealth

Mr Tinubu extended condolences to Buharis family, including his widow, Aisha Buhari, noting that the former leaders name would continue to inspire generations.

Shared political vision

The president recalled their shared political journey, including the 2015 election that produced Nigerias first defeat of an incumbent president.

Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course.

Our movement united diverse interests and achieved a historic victory in 2015 by unseating an incumbent president, thus reshaping Nigerias political landscape, he added.

Mr Tinubu said the book presents an honest account of Buharis achievements and shortcomings, urging future leaders to draw lessons rather than slogans.

He identified humility, security, long-term vision and social justice as core pillars of Buharis legacy.

A Alegacy is given greater meaning when those who follow choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty.

President Buhari loved this country consistently, morning after morning, decision after decision, staying true to the oath he took.

That is why even those who disagreed with him often acknowledged his honesty.

He stressed that Mr Buhari consistently demonstrated love for Nigeria and was widely respected for his personal honesty, even by critics.

Cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom, the president said.

Mr Tinubu urged Nigerians to keep politics honourable and governance focused on results.

He prayed for Allahs mercy for the late former president and comfort for his family.

The Author of the Book, Charles Omole, described the book as the most comprehensive account of the life and legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the 600-page book addressed several complex questions about his journey and leadership.

Former service chiefs and senior officials who served under Mr Buhari paid tributes at the event.

Hadiza Buhari, daughter of the former president, who spoke on behalf of the family thanked Mr Tinubu and Nigerians for their support and prayers.

READ ALSO: Senate panel criticises Tinubu administration over budget overlapping

She said that although the life of the late president was not perfect, his legacy should challenge the next generation to build systems strong enough to translate good intentions into lasting outcomes.

The event was attended by Gambian President Adama Barrow, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Aisha Buhari, ministers and state governors, including Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who described Mr Buhari as an incorruptible leader.

(NAN)
The House of Representatives Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) have intervened in the fresh dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), summoning both parties and directing an immediate halt to public altercations.

The committees said the intervention was aimed at preventing an escalation of tensions capable of destabilising Nigerias downstream petroleum sector, which they noted had only recently begun to experience relative stability.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the committees, chaired by Ikenga Ugochinyere and Henry Okogie, the lawmakers said the meeting was convened in response to mounting concerns, allegations and counter-allegations involving the Dangote Group and the industry regulator.

Mr Ugochinyere said the lawmakers were compelled to act swiftly in view of the delicate state of the sector, particularly as government and industry players work to manage supply, pricing and regulation in the post-subsidy environment.

He said the committees had resolved to invite the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, alongside the leadership of the NMDPRA, to appear before it and formally present their grievances and explanations.

According to him, the National Assembly can only intervene effectively if it has a clear understanding of the issues driving the dispute.

The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA, he said.

Mr Ugochinyere explained that the joint committees intend to conduct a swift inquiry and reach resolutions within days, stressing that legislative intervention would be impartial and guided by the national interest.

As part of measures to de-escalate the situation, the committees appealed to both sides to suspend media comments and public accusations while the House carries out its engagement.

We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate further, Mr Ugochinyere said.

He added that the committees were well-positioned to address the issues permanently, noting that petitions had already been submitted raising critical concerns within the industry.

Some of the petitions, he disclosed, relate to the issuance of import licences and questions over whether domestic refineries have sufficient capacity to meet Nigerias daily petroleum consumption.

These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand, which the investigation being undertaken by the committee will resolve, he said.

Mr Ugochinyere assured that the engagement with Dangote, the NMDPRA and other industry players would provide clarity and enable the House to propose lasting solutions.

He reiterated the committees call for restraint, urging both regulators and operators to suspend further accusations until the legislative process is concluded.

The House intervention comes amid growing public concern over allegations by the Dangote Refinery group against NMDPRA, regarding actions that undermine local refining, particularly the issuance of import licences to third parties despite the countrys domestic refining capacity.

The refinery argued that these regulatory decisions weaken local investment and destabilise fuel supply. NMDPRA, on its part, defended the issuance of licences, stating that Dangote Refinery has not yet reached full production capacity to meet national demand, and that import permits are necessary to maintain market stability and fuel availability.

The tension has previously played out in court. Dangote Refinery filed a 100bn lawsuit against NMDPRA, challenging the validity of import licences issued to other marketers.

The suit was later withdrawn in mid-2025 without a ruling on the merits. Despite the withdrawal, both parties have continued to engage in public exchanges, prompting legislative intervention.
The Nigeria Police Force says it will resume the enforcement of tinted glass permits starting from 2 January 2026 to curb the rate of crime in the country.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this in a statement Monday evening.

Mr Hundeyin stated that the police wish to inform the general public of the planned resumption of the enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit policy pending the final determination of the matter currently before the court.

The police said motorists who require the permit are encouraged to apply through the approved channels and ensure that their vehicles comply with legal procedures.

This decision, according to him, follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Mr Hundeyin clarified that the court did not restrain the police from enforcing the law as it relates to the use of tinted glass on vehicles.

He explained that it is in the spirit of responsibility, transparency, and public convenience that the police suspended the enforcement to allow motorists the opportunity to regularise their documentation and complete the registration process without pressure.

Justifying the enforcement ahead of next year, the police spokesperson said recent trends reveal how criminal syndicates are using unauthorised tinted glass to perpetrate crimes.

Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes, he said.

READ ALSO: Police suspend enforcement of tinted glass regulations

Mr Hundeyin said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has assured the public that the renewed enforcement will be carried out with professionalism, respect for the rights of citizens, and in accordance with extant laws.

He adds that the Force remains committed to promoting public safety and upholding the rule of law while working collaboratively with all stakeholders to keep Nigeria secure, said Mr Hundeyin.
A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has asked the chaireperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to recuse himself from an investigation involving him, alleging bias, personal vendetta and political persecution.

Mr Malami made the request in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday by his media aide, Muhammad Doka, amid his continued detention by the anti-graft agency.

The former justice minister accused the EFCC of unlawful detention, media harassment and procedural abuse, insisting that the investigation against him was driven by political considerations following his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He said he had been clearly prejudged and could not expect a fair and objective investigation under the current leadership of the commission.

Why EFCC chair is after me

Mr Malami traced his concerns to events during his tenure as Attorney-General, when the federal government constituted the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.

According to him, the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to the EFCC and was the subject of adverse findings contained in the commissions report.

The present investigation bears all the hallmarks of retaliatory persecution motivated by personal vengeance, Mr Malami said.

Based on this, he called on the EFCC chairman to step aside from the investigation or prosecution and the matter be handed over to another appropriate government enforcement agency to restore credibility, legality, and public confidence.

He specifically called the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi,as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, to prevail on the EFCC chairman to recuse himself, in order to prevent further institutional damage and ensure that prosecutorial powers are not abused for partisan or personal ends.

The former minister also demanded that he be arraigned in court or released within 24 hours, citing Sections 35(3), (4) and (5) of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and prescribe limits on detention without trial.

EFCC assembling convicts as witnesses

He further alleged that the EFCC intended to rely on individuals convicted by foreign courts and who should be serving sentences abroad as witnesses, a move he described as improper and harmful to Nigerias criminal justice system.

Mr Malami said his legal team had requested certified true copies of the petitions that prompted the investigation, as well as the EFCCs investigation report, to enable him to prepare his defence.

I seek no political settlement or inducement, he said. My singular objective is to clear my name openly and transparently before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The EFCC did not immediately respond to Mr Malamis request for the recusal of its chairman.

Bail controversy

However, the commission had denied claims by Mr Malami that it revoked his bail because he attended a political gathering in Kebbi State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCCs spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described the allegation as patently false, saying the agency was compelled to respond to misleading claims about its operations.

Mr Oyewale said Mr Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was granted administrative bail on 28 November after a brief interrogation, pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment.

Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending the conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court, he said.

According to the EFCC, the former minister was granted provisional bail subject to five conditions, none of which he had fulfilled as of the time he was re-invited for further questioning.

Mr Oyewale said Mr Malami was expected to return on 1 December but later requested a deferment on health grounds through a letter dated 4 December, a request the commission said it granted despite his failure to meet the bail conditions.

He said Mr Malami neither submitted a medical report nor provided credible evidence to support his claim of ill-health.

The EFCC said it subsequently invited Mr Malami again on 8 December for further interrogation and detained him after he failed to meet the outstanding bail requirements.

He described Mr Malamis claim that his bail was revoked as untenable, adding that it was wrong to suggest that the commission restricted him from granting media interviews or participating in political activities.

Mr Malami served as Nigerias Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

A founding member of the APC, he recently declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Kebbi State on the platform of the ADC after defecting from the ruling party earlier in the year.

The EFCC is investigating Mr Malami over allegations, including claims of fraudulent duplication of expenses for the recovery of assets linked to the late former military ruler, Sani Abacha.

Reports have also indicated that the commission is probing 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to the former minister, as well as his multi-billion-naira investments in Kebbi State.

Following his detention, Mr Malamis lawyers challenged his continued custody, describing it as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights, a development that has drawn political reactions from opposition figures accusing the EFCC of politicising its actions.
Nigeria must choose what it is really facing: isolated criminals or a parallel economy protected by armed groups and political cover. If it is the second  and it seems to be  then the countrys response must be just as complex. Unless we address those who benefit, stop illegal funding, and rebuild local governance and opportunities, we will keep sending more soldiers into a conflict where money is the real shield.

Some national tragedies do not happen all at once. They arrive quietly, until people start living in fear. Travelling becomes a risk. Farming feels uncertain. Going to school turns into an act of hope. This is now the reality in Nigerias North-West. It stands out not because other regions are safe. The violence here is so intense and persistent that it weighs on the nations conscience, especially for leaders from this area.

In the North-West, banditry now shows a much larger breakdown. Ongoing farmerherder conflicts, cattle theft, kidnappings for ransom, gender-based violence, and high youth unemployment, all feed this crisis. States like Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto are mentioned so often that people risk tuning out. However, the data shows this is not random chaos; instead, it is a growing system. By 2024, thousands had died, with over a million displaced, and violence increasing since 2018. Furthermore, some reports say deaths in the first half of 2025 has already exceed those in all of 2024. Such rapid escalation is rarely just about anger; it is often about money.

Understanding why the North-Wests banditry persists requires seeing it as more than a security crisis; it is a political economy. Here, the gun has become a tool of taxation, the forest turned into a marketplace, and the victims valued as revenue streams. This shift in perspective is essential to grasp the distinct dynamics of the crisis.

In many places, insecurity is seen as a failure of policing or military capacity. However, in the North-West, that explanation is too limited. There, the crisis is deeply tied to illicit economies. Illegal mining, ransom markets, rustled livestock, and protection rackets now regulate movement, farming, trade, and even community life. Notably, these illicit streams are not isolated; they interlock. For example, successful kidnappings fund the procurement of weapons. These weapons expand criminal control, and enables illegal extraction. The extraction, in turn, buys political protection. Political protection weakens accountability. As accountability weakens, more room emerges for further kidnapping. The circle tightens, and the state keeps arriving late.

At the centre of this ecosystem sits a truth that many Nigerians sense but few institutions take seriously. The absence of effective grassroots governance is not just a background; it is a catalyst. When local government is reduced to a payroll centre, rural policing is inconsistent, justice is slow or absent, and conflict resolution is improvised, a vacuum opens. As communities lose faith in formal systems, the vacuum grows. In that space, armed actors do not merely terrorise; they begin to govern. They decide which roads are passable, which markets operate, which farms can be cultivated, and which villages must pay to avoid attack. They build a parallel authority that is crude, violent, and corrupt, but present.

When such authority takes root, a new transition occurs: the problem evolves from being a simple crime to an organised industry. This evolution is critical to understanding the crisis enduring nature.

This is especially clear in small-scale gold mining. Instead of prosperity, gold brings conflict. In a healthy economy, such mining is regulated, taxed, and made safer, thereby creating jobs and revenue. In the North-West, however, gold has become an untraceable asset: it can be easily moved, traded, and turned into cash or weapons. Where the government is weak, reports and field accounts describe illegal mining sites beyond regulation, guarded by armed power and linked to smuggling networks. A chain of actors keeps them running, not ending with the gunman. In such places, bandits do more than raid: they tax, control access, demand tribute, seize output, and punish disobedience. What appears as chaos is often an organised system. Gold becomes the silent sponsor of violence  portable, valuable, obscure, and convenient enough to keep the machine running.

it would be dishonest to speak about this crisis without naming its social and economic roots. The decline of vocational centres and basic education, rising costs of higher education, and the lack of digital or agricultural training, are not just development failures. In the North-West, these weaknesses supply recruits and become security multipliers. When a young person sees no ladder, the gun looks like a career. When communities lose skills and schooling, they lose.

Kidnapping for ransom is now a key part of this system. It has become a business with its own rules. Targets are chosen. Routes are watched. Others handle negotiations. Payments are organised, and releases are planned. Families pay because they do not trust the state to help. Communities collect money because refusal is too costly. Employers pay to avoid panic and business problems. Each payment makes the criminals stronger, better equipped, and more certain that violence works.

Cattle rustling is no longer just opportunistic theft. It is now an asset seizure that drains rural economies and funds more crime. Livestock is wealth in motion. Stealing is not only theft but economic sabotage. When herds disappear, households collapse. When households collapse, young men become vulnerable. Armed groups recruit from this group. The illicit economy is not separate from society; it feeds on society.

To understand why the crisis persists despite efforts to tackle it, a deeper question must be asked: who benefits? This question exposes another layer beneath the visible crimes and should haunt every serious policy conversation.

Many know that large-scale ransom kidnappings, illegal mining, and cattle rustling need support to continue. Some provide information, help movement, launder money, or offer protection. Others make sure investigations go nowhere. This is where political bandits come in  politicians and associates who take resources meant for farmers, misuse government funds, profit from illegal mining, and use chaos for personal gain. The person in the forest is dangerous. The officeholder protecting these activities is even more so. He uses public power for private benefit.

A society can handle occasional crime. It struggles with organised crime. It may not survive organised crime protected by politicians.

This is why banditrys illegal economy continues. It is not just about poverty and unemployment; it is also about weak governance and poor enforcement. In addition, transnational networks move gold, weapons, and money across borders with little oversight. As a result, when the state is weak, criminals grow stronger. When institutions are slow, illegal markets move fast. When justice is uncertain, violence looks logical to those who see low risk and high reward.

Yet, it would be dishonest to speak about this crisis without naming its social and economic roots. The decline of vocational centres and basic education, rising costs of higher education, and the lack of digital or agricultural training, are not just development failures. In the North-West, these weaknesses supply recruits and become security multipliers. When a young person sees no ladder, the gun looks like a career. When communities lose skills and schooling, they lose. The government cannot rely only on force. While force might reduce violence for a while, it cannot break an economy that funds itself in many ways and is part of daily life. Since banditry works like a business, it should be fought like one: cut off its money, raise its costs, strip away its protection, and create better legal options.

these efforts will not last without restoring local governance. Rural security needs more than occasional raids. It needs real local presence: effective policing, trusted community intelligence, working conflict resolution, and accessible justice. If the government cannot protect people where they live  on farms, in forests, markets, and village roads  it only treats symptoms, while the problem grows.

Start where the system is strongest: money. Follow the gold, not just the gun. Illegal mining should be a national security emergency. In this context, it is not just an economic crime; it is conflict financing. Formalisation is important. But formalisation without enforcement is mere theatre. The state must regulate access, monitor supply, prosecute smugglers, and dismantle extraction networks. If gold finances violence, every unpoliced mining corridor feeds the crisis.

Next, treat kidnapping as an organised business, not just random violence. Break up networks of informants, negotiators, couriers, and financiers, not just the criminals with guns. Make prosecutions clear and consistent. Improve intelligence and response time so that people believe the government can help. The ransom business depends on a perception of state weakness. Change that belief, and the market will weaken.

However, these efforts will not last without restoring local governance. Rural security needs more than occasional raids. It needs real local presence: effective policing, trusted community intelligence, working conflict resolution, and accessible justice. If the government cannot protect people where they live  on farms, in forests, markets, and village roads  it only treats symptoms, while the problem grows.

Finally, rebuild opportunity with urgency. Do this not as charity but as a strategy. Revive vocational centres. Expand affordable paths into skills for real markets  digital, agricultural processing, construction, repairs, logistics, and modern trades. Make education a shield, not a privilege. The illicit economy recruits where legitimate opportunity is absent. If the government wants fewer bandits tomorrow, it must produce more viable livelihoods today.

The North-West is not just experiencing violence; violence is changing how society works. When fear becomes normal, people adjust in ways that make the abnormal seem ordinary. People stop reporting crimes because nothing changes. Communities start dealing with criminals directly because the government feels far away. Officials use slogans, rather than face the truth. In this environment, banditry does not just continue; it grows stronger.

Nigeria must choose what it is really facing: isolated criminals or a parallel economy protected by armed groups and political cover. If it is the second  and it seems to be  then the countrys response must be just as complex. Unless we address those who benefit, stop illegal funding, and rebuild local governance and opportunities, we will keep sending more soldiers into a conflict where money is the real shield.

And the cost will continue: more families forced to leave, empty schools, abandoned farms, traumatised communities, and a nation troubled by what it has come to accept.

Dakuku Peterside is the author of the books, Leading in a Storm, and Beneath the Surface.
The United Nations General Assembly yet again passed an unserious and biased resolution, demonstrating the continued prevalence of anti-Israel bias over substantive diplomacy at the organization, declared State Department Deputy Principal Spokesperson Thomas Pigott in a statement.



Under President Donald Trump, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2803 to end the war in Gaza and to create a peaceful future for Gazans, Israelis, and the Middle East at large. Since that time, aid has flooded into Gaza and the United States has, alongside partners, sustained the momentum towards a lasting peace. Indeed, 800 trucks entered Gaza each day on average between October 10 and December 9.

The availability of food continues to increase, and critical services are being restored. "In other words, this resolution is utterly irrelevant," said spokesperson Pigott. Despite this, the UN General Assembly chose to advance a divisive, politicized resolution based on false allegations and which distracts from real-life diplomacy."



The resolution asserts that Israel must implement the misguided and incorrect conclusions of a non-binding advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, said Mr. Pigott. The use of such opinions makes a mockery of international law as advisory opinions are not a basis for legislation. Moreover, he added, the notion that the UN General Assembly could compel any nation to work with any organization is a gross infringement on sovereignty. The United States stands with Israel in rejecting this notion entirely.



The United States refutes every effort to empower the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA. It is a Hamas subsidiary that was complicit in the atrocities of October 7, is devoid of meaningful oversight, and continues to promote antisemitism and glorify terrorism. It is unaccountable, corrupt, and will have absolutely no place in Gaza, spokesperson Pigott said.



The United States will continue to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, pursuing President Trumps vision for a peaceful and prosperous Gaza which is no longer a launchpad for terrorism to threaten Israel, and where people in Gaza can determine their own destiny, free from the rule of terrorists.
The most urgent task confronting the Tinubu presidency in its anti-terror crusade is the unearthing and prosecution of the moles who have stultified past efforts at defeating the vagabonds. There is a kind of unspoken disgruntlement within the military that known sympathisers/enablers in uniform are allowed to continue betraying their oath of allegiance to the fatherland.

When one soldier cannot trust his next colleague with whom he might share a trench tomorrow, esprit de corps breaks down; the falcon eyes the falconer in disdain.

Et Tu, Brute?

Shakespeare captured the overwhelming power of betrayal in Julius Caesar. The stab wounds from the knives of the conspirators would still have killed Caesar, but what aggravated the pain and made him lose the will to fight back was the involvement of his trusted friend, Brutus. In horror, he lamented, Et tu Brute? (Even you, Brutus?) Mark Antony described it as the most unkindest cut of all.

For Brutus, as you know, was Caesars angel.

Judge, o you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.

This was the most unkindest cut of all;

For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,

Ingratitude, more strong than traitors arms,

Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart

Nothing kills as fast as treachery!

Nigerians are horrified by the various disclosures suggesting that there is a network of moles operating within the national security system and passing on vital intelligence to terrorists. So far, the government has not openly reacted. However, if we are to make any headway in the anti-terror campaign, the people and the fighting forces must be convinced that they are not just being used as sacrificial lambs.

There is a trust deficit between the government and the people on this account. The only thing that can bridge it is a transparently verifiable policy of digging out moles within the system and swiftly bringing them to justice.

Enemies Within

One of the most troubling allegations making the rounds of social media is the one by retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi to the effect that the unfortunate air crash of May 2021 in which the then Chief of Army Staff and other top officers died was a targeted elimination designed and executed by corrupt saboteurs.

Ali-Keffi alleges that the plane crash which went down near the Kaduna International Airport runway did so because of an on-board explosion. Disclosing that he personally examined the bodies recovered at the site of the crash and found that the victims injuries were not consistent with regular air accidents. Rather, they indicated that the plane exploded in the sky.

He argued that certain body parts were found far away from the scene of the crash indicating that they had been flung out in a dismemberment that was caused by an explosion. The pilots allegedly did not have burn injuries and remained strapped to their seats because of the cockpits armoured door.

The incident happened at a time when the late army chief had ordered a forensic audit of the huge funds released for the anti-terror campaigns. He suspected that huge funds were being diverted for personal enrichment and subversive activities, including paying Boko Haram terrorists to stay away from certain areas.

One of the allegations which commentators found astounding was his disclosure that when he was the head of Operation Service Wide (OSW), his team unearthed massive diversion of counter-terrorism funds and arrested terror financiers reportedly laundering money for high-ranking military and government figures. He claims to have submitted a report which the authorities have since buried.

He wonders why the full report of the National Air Accident Investigation Board (NAIB) which investigated the high profile crash, is yet to be released  more than four years after submitting a September 2021 interim report containing 27 findings and eight safety recommendations. Tellingly, the AIB was later reported to have explained that it couldnt proceed further because of the uncooperative attitude of some people.

How could there not be a definitive report on a crash that claimed the life of a serving Chief of Army Staff and other officers and men on official mission to keep Nigeria safe? Although the official stance of the defence headquarters is that there is no cover up, Nigerians are demanding a release of a formal comprehensive report on that crash that shook the nation.

Sabotage

Questions have also been raised on whether some of the catastrophic ambushes suffered by troops are due to intelligence failure or orchestrated sabotage from within. Netizens recall the allegations made by the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum after his convoy was ambushed several times.

The perception that certain interests are profiting from the unending insurgency, creating a disincentive for the war to end, is fuelled by suspicions of deliberate leakage of military Intelligence to insurgents in many operational instances.

In spite of nationwide clamour, the federal government has not released the name of the person who gave the order for the withdrawal of troops from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, about 45 minutes before bandits struck. No serious nation can afford to leave a serious matter like that hanging.

Admittedly, many soldiers have openly complained of poor welfare which could incentivise clandestine acts of sabotage. There are complaints of inadequacy of equipment, internal rivalries, and corruption, which collectively undermine operational effectiveness.

The formal print and electronic media have always sided with the troops insisting that those who put their lives on the line in defence of the country ought to be given all the necessary moral and material encouragement the government could muster. There is as yet no evidence that we are giving our troops all they need, although there are indications that the government has started addressing some of the welfare issues brought to the front burner by the media.

The inability of the military authorities to win the trust of the people in many of the terror-infested areas can also be attributed to the network of moles maintained by terrorists within local communities. The carrot-and-death system established by the killers ensures that their informants are financially rewarded while those who snitch to the authorities within the communities are executed, at times publicly. To be seen as a government informant is considered a death sentence in many areas held by bandits, terrorists or any other group of death merchants.

How To Win

In winning the war for the minds of the people, the government must do a quick assessment of all reported cases of suspected sabotage, collusion, leakages and other acts compromising the security of the armed and allied forces and bring all moles to justice in a transparent manner. The recent execution of Brig General M. Uba by terrorists in suspicious circumstances must be throughly probed and those found culpable punished.

In addition to deep intel and kinetics, messaging is key.

We need to win the war against terror or we perish as a community of people governed by the rule of law. We cannot even begin to take the first steps in re-engineering the process until we fumigate the system to rid it of all rats, big and small.

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on [email protected], Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021
A foiled coup detat in Benin Republic on 7 December has re-ignited the growing concern about democratic retreat in West Africa. The countrys president, Patrice Talon, survived by a whisker, following a swift military response from the presidential guard and Nigeria. Commendably, President Bola Tinubu acted expeditiously to ensure that its democracy was not subverted, and thereby add to the infamous list of nations where soldiers have successfully usurped power, in the last five years.

Acting on a distress call from Mr Talon, whose presidential mansion in Cotonou had been surrounded and assailed by a fusillade of bullets, Mr Tinubu dispatched Nigerias fighter jets for aerial assault and troops for ground operations. They joined forces with loyal Beninese officers to overpower the mutinous soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Paschal Tigri, and brought the situation under control. Nigeria didnt act alone, Cote dIvoire and France lent their support as well, with the latter understandably providing logistics and intelligence, which it shared with Nigeria.

Unable to subdue the presidential guards, to either arrest or kill Mr Talon, the putschists left the presidential mansion and took over a state-owned television station, where they announced their purported takeover of power. They could not hold on to the location for long, as Nigeria began to exert its military power, both in the air and on ground.

The resurgence of military adventurism in power within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been a matter of deep concern to its leaders since 18 August, 2020, when the military ousted President Ibrahim Keita from office in Mali. Burkina Faso fell in 2022 and the Republic of Niger followed suit in July 2023. Thereafter, it was the turn of Guinea, and the takeover of Guinea-Bissau occurred barely three weeks ago. The mutineers all had their way due to the weakness of ECOWAS  a regional body unable to rediscover its power and essence, which it once deployed instabilising Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote dIvoire some years ago.

Unfortunately, the coup in Burkina Faso resulted in the coalition of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger into a newer regional entity  the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This effectively severed their membership of ECOWAS. However, the troika is still being engaged diplomatically for a possible return to the fold. After a painstaking review of its state of affairs, the chairman of ECOWAS, Omar Touray, did not mince words in saying that the region is under a state of emergency, during the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) in Abuja recently.

As a matter of fact, member-states should have cause for concern as terrorism, banditry, the abuse of democratic values, and other indices of the failure of governance provide propitious grounds for the military to strike. These challenges should be faced squarely. In the Benin case, the coupists cited the insecurity in the Northern part of the country  where jihadists attacked soldiers in January and April, and in the process killed 54 officers  as one of the reasons for their action. However, no reason really justifies their incursion into the political arena.

Mr Tourays wise counsel should be taken seriously, as stated that, Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the need to invest in the security of our community. Democracy cannot take root in an atmosphere of the subversion of its ethos. The Beninois opposition candidate from the political party that a former President, Boni Yayi, formed, was banned for the April 2026 presidential election. This is in addition to an amendment of the countrys five-year presidential tenure to seven years, which the opposition regards as manipulative or tendentious.

A similar anti-democratic exclusion of opponents played out in Guinea-Bissau, and presaged the outcome of the disputed presidential election. Ousted President Umaro Embalo had since 2023 dissolved the countrys parliament, due to its dominance by the opposition, and resorted to ruling by decrees. This gross violation was when democracy there, in our perception, effectively unravelled.

Nigerias intervention in Benin was far more than an alignment with its obligation under the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. More crucially, its enlightened self-interest was evident in that Benin is its next-door neighbour, with huge economic and security ties, and with long stretches of shared porous borders.

Having two neighbours  Niger being the other  under the spell of military rule, and a strong jihadist foothold, clearly presents palpable danger to our country. Particularly with Nigeria already in the throes of insurgency and other criminal enterprises. Besides, lingering memory of a purported coup plot involving 16 officers, against the Tinubu administration in October, foretells of a potential threat that needs to be given the attention it truly deserves.

A Benin alliance with the union of military-led Sahelian states, if the coup had succeeded, was a strong possibility. Such an eerie reality would have then resulted in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger  all landlocked nations in dire struggles for survival and economic consolidation  having access to the sea, which would have enhanced their situations. Hence, this explains the geopolitical dynamic of Frances role in smouldering the fire. The animus between France and the Sahelian states for expelling it from the region is still very strong.

The foibles of Benins democracy notwithstanding, Mr Talon would help his country and ECOWAS at large by walking his talk that, This treachery will not go unpunished. It has to be so; swift and maximal in effect, to send a strong message across the region.

However, the cautionary salvo of Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is worthy of note: Once you put your opposition leaders in jail, send them into exile, or kill them, you cannot have political stability. Therefore, commitment to good governance, observing democratic principles and the readiness of members to enforce all ECOWAS protocols are non-negotiable in subduing this ogre of democratic reversals in the region, and Africa at large.
Nigerias examination bodies occupy a central, non-negotiable, and integral place in the countrys educational landscape. Bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, the National Examinations Council, NECO, and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, are not mere offices and lacklustre agencies; they are custodians of standards, gatekeepers of merit, and guarantors of credibility in the nations learning, admission and certification processes.

Their mandates, clearly spelt out in the laws establishing them, are designed to protect Nigerias national educational goals through fair, transparent, and standardized assessment of learners.

However, growing evidence suggests that external interferences, particularly from political actors, now threaten to undermine the critical roles they play in sustaining the countrys educational standards.

Assessment, Placement, and Certification

Each of Nigerias public examination bodies derives its authority from specific Establishment Acts. NABTEB, for instance, was created under Decree 70, now Act 70, while NECO was established in 1999 to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE. JAMBs mandate includes administering the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, coordinating admissions into tertiary institutions, and managing a national admissions database.

WAEC, operating as a regional body, conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, issuing certificates recognised across English-speaking West Africa and internationally.

Despite differences in names, their core functions come together in designing and administering examinations, certifying competencies, ensuring standardisation and quality assurance, disseminating critical admissions and assessment information, and continuously improving assessment methods.

Collectively, these bodies form the bedrock upon which Nigeria measures student readiness for higher education, vocational training, and participation in a competitive knowledge-driven global economy.

On the other hand, the National Board for Educational Measurement, a professional body tasked with overseeing assessment processes, validating the standardisation of tests, and ensuring that both traditional and performance-based assessments meet accepted benchmarks, provides the needed support to these agencies. Its role emphasises the seriousness with which assessment integrity ought to be treated in a modern education system.

Why The Stakes Are High

The work of examination bodies has become more complex in recent years. Beyond administering millions of scripts annually across a vast and diverse country, they are engaged in an unrelenting battle against examination malpractice.

Exam fraud has evolved from just impersonation into a sophisticated, technology-driven enterprise involving parents, tutorial centres, schools, and even some computer-based tests, CBT, and operators.

In response, these agencies have been forced to invest heavily in technology and logistics. In 2019, NECO procured 8,000 biometric machines and 20 Toyota Hilux vans at a cost exceeding N800 million to curb impersonation and improve examination monitoring.

Yet, the challenge persists. During the 2025 SSCE, NECO identified 38 schools across 13 states involved in mass cheating, while nine supervisors in states including Rivers, Niger, the FCT, Kano, and Osun were recommended for blacklisting for offences ranging from aiding malpractice to unruly behaviour and insubordination.

Similarly, JAMB has continued to upgrade its systems, embracing multi-layered technology built on detection, deterrence, and prevention.

A special committee on examination infractions recommended the deployment of artificial intelligence to address increasingly sophisticated fraud patterns. The committee warned that malpractice was becoming dangerously normalised, aided by weak legal provisions and the complicity of multiple stakeholders.

These efforts are capital-intensive. Technology is expensive, nationwide logistics are costly, and security of examination materials across thousands of centres demands meticulous planning and funding. In such a situation, stability, focus, and freedom from undue pressure are not luxuries, they are necessary to ensure credible examination process.

When Oversight Becomes Intimidation

Against this backdrop, allegations of political interference have triggered serious concern. Recently, a coalition of civil society organisations raised alarm over alleged intimidation and extortion involving the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examinations, Hon Oboku Oforji.

Addressing the press in Abuja, the groups accused the lawmaker of using his oversight position to pressure the leadership of examination bodies, JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB, for funds purportedly meant for committee activities.

According to the civil society groups, the alleged actions include irregular engagement of consultants, unilateral foreign travel on committee funds, and demands for financial statements from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, allegedly to blackmail non-compliant agency heads.

The coalition also questioned transactions involving N62.7 million paid into the committees account and a partial refund of N43 million, calling for a thorough investigation.

The groups warned that such behaviour, if left unchecked, undermines the progress made by examination bodies and erodes public trust.

They further demanded the removal of the committee chairman and threatened nationwide protests should the House fail to act.

More fundamentally, they argued that examination bodies responsible for assessing Nigerian children must be shielded from intimidation, extortion, and politicisation.

Hidden Cost to Parents and Students

External financial pressure on examination bodies ultimately trickles down to ordinary Nigerians. It is parents and students who bear the cost. Many Nigerian families already struggle to pay registration fees for public examinations.

Any additional financial burden imposed on examination agencies, whether through extortion, diversion of funds, or forced contributions, creates pressure to increase fees and charges.

Public examinations are meant to provide a level playing field, ensuring that access to certification and progression is based on merit, not wealth.

Escalating costs risk excluding students from low- and middle-income households, widening inequality and undermining the very purpose of standardized national assessments.

Silence, Fear, and Vulnerable Nature of Exam Bodies

One troubling aspect of the current situation is the apparent silence of examination bodies in the face of alleged political interference.

While this silence is often interpreted as complicity, it may instead reflect institutional vulnerability within a system where power is unevenly distributed and principles are not consistently applied. When oversight turns into coercion, agency heads may feel constrained, choosing quiet survival over open confrontation.

However, this culture of silence carries its own dangers because it weakens emboldens further interference, and normalises practices that could ultimately destroy the administration of public examination.

Apparently, examination bodies cannot effectively fight malpractice, invest in innovation, or maintain credibility if they are constantly distracted by political pressure and financial harassment, given the inherent cost and distraction it presents.

Beyond Politics, Its About Nigeria

The integrity of public examinations is beyond politics and sectoral issues, it is a national imperative. Certificates issued by JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB determine who gains access to higher education, vocational skills, and employment opportunities and shape how Nigeria is perceived internationally.

Nigeria also operates within an wider assessment landscape that includes international examinations such as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, IGCSE, widely known locally as the Cambridge Examination.

Nigerian students who sit for such exams often do so to pursue education abroad, where credibility and integrity are non-negotiable. Coexisting with international assessment bodies places an added responsibility on local examination bodies to uphold standards that can stand global scrutiny.

Anti-Graft Agencies Must Intervene

If allegations of extortion and intimidation are substantiated, they represent not only ethical lapses but also potential criminal conduct. It is therefore not out of place to call on anti-graft agencies to beam a searchlight on such activities.

Genuine legislative oversight is essential in a democracy, but it must be transparent, collective, and anchored in law, not driven by personal gain.

On this note, the National Assembly must ensure that its committees reflect integrity, competence, and an understanding of the sensitive sectors they oversee. Examination bodies require oversight that strengthens, not cripples, their capacity to deliver on their mandates.

At the centre of the debate about external interference in examination bodies is a debate about Nigerias future. The nation cannot afford an assessment system compromised by political greed, financial intimidation, or institutional weakness.

In an era when education is the primary driver of economic competitiveness and social mobility, safeguarding the autonomy and integrity of examination bodies is a matter of urgent national interest.

Examination bodies must be allowed to focus on their statutory responsibilities: combating malpractice, deploying modern technology, ensuring fairness, and maintaining public confidence. Anything that distracts from this mission, especially interference cloaked as oversight, threatens not just institutions but generations of Nigerian children whose futures depend on a credible system of assessment.

Protecting these bodies from undue interference is, ultimately, about protecting merit, equity, and the promise of education as a pathway to national development.

Chuks Ukwatu is a journalist and a public analyst based in Abuja.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administrations resolve to strengthen the states healthcare system through sustained capacity building, including the sponsorship of local doctors for specialised medical training abroad. The governor gave the assurance on Friday, 12 December at a gala night organised in honour of the Revive Belgium Mission, following the successful completion of its two-week free medical outreach in Katsina State, which provided specialised healthcare services to thousands of residents.

Governor Radda described the intervention as exceptional and a profound service to humanity, noting that the state government is ready to deepen collaboration with the Belgian team to ensure long-term impact. We are ready to sponsor our doctors to Belgium so they can acquire advanced skills and return to train others here. This is how we institutionalise expertise and ensure sustainability, he stated.

He stressed that sustainability remains central to his administrations healthcare agenda, anchored on continuous training, modern equipment, and technical expertise. Beyond short-term interventions, our focus is to build systems that will endure and continuously deliver quality healthcare to our people, he added.

Looking ahead, the governor disclosed that the next phase of collaboration would prioritise cancer identification and treatment, with particular emphasis on breast cancer care. Katsina State Government will give full support to the upcoming cancer mission. Early detection and timely treatment are critical, and we are fully committed to this cause, he assured.

Mr Radda further announced plans to formalise the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a structured framework for sustained cooperation. He also revealed that the state is developing a modern imaging centre equipped with advanced diagnostic facilities, expected to rank among the best in the country. This collaboration will also support the training of our doctors on modern diagnostic equipment, ensuring effective utilisation and improved accuracy in diagnosis, he revealed.

He reiterated his administrations vision to position Katsina as a medical destination, providing quality healthcare services to residents and patients from neighbouring states. Our vision is to make Katsina a medical hub that supports referrals, health tourism, and advanced care delivery, he stated. He noted that the partnership with the Revive Belgium Mission extends beyond surgeries to include hospital management, training, research, and professional development opportunities for students and medical personnel.

Governor Radda disclosed that the outreach exceeded expectations, with several service targets surpassed by 100 to 200 per cent, and that between 80 and 90 per cent of beneficiaries were from rural communities. This mission went far beyond its targets. For many of the beneficiaries, this was their only opportunity to receive life-changing treatment, he added.

While acknowledging the challenges facing the states overstretched health sector, Mr Radda described the mission as timely and impactful. Our health system still needs interventions of this nature. The Revive Belgium Mission helped to fill critical gaps at a very crucial time, he noted. He emphasised that knowledge transfer remains the most valuable outcome of the collaboration.

The greatest gift you have given us is knowledge. Our doctors gained hands-on experience, and learning took place on both sides, the governor said. He thanked the Belgian team for their sacrifice, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity, describing Katsina as the Home of Hospitality. We sincerely appreciate your team lead for the exceptional communication, cultural understanding, and genuine connection with our people, he concluded.

Earlier, the Team Lead and President of the Revive Belgium Mission, Hermen De Gazelle disclosed that the outreach exceeded its initial targets. We initially planned 80 surgeries, 1,000 medical consultations, and 60 dental extractions. By the end of the mission, we had conducted 118 surgeries, 2,010 consultations, and 146 dental extractions, Dr Hermen stated.

He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and appreciated Governor Radda for his unwavering support. The success of this mission would not have been possible without the governors commitment. Katsina demonstrated remarkable cooperation and hospitality, he explained.

Dr Hermen also revealed that discussions on further collaboration, particularly on breast cancer treatment, had already been concluded in Belgium, adding that engagements with the Katsina breast cancer team were productive.

In the same vein, the Director of Public Health, Katsina State Ministry of Health, Muawiya Aliyu, explained that General Hospital, Katsina, was utilised for dental services, while Turai YarAdua General Hospital served as the main centre for surgeries and specialised procedures. The facilities were strategically selected to ensure efficiency and quality service delivery throughout the outreach, Dr. Muawiya stated. He added that all medical equipment brought by the Revive Belgium Mission had been donated to the Katsina State Government. These donated equipment will significantly our healthcare facilities and improve service delivery across the state, he explained. Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Katsina State 15th December, 2025.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a suspected female arms and ammunition courier, a notorious child abductor, and several other suspects in a series of operations leading to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and stolen items.

The police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the arrests followed credible intelligence and sustained operational efforts by tactical units of the command, adding that investigations were ongoing to dismantle the criminal networks involved.

According to the police, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) Special Tactical Squad (STS) arrested a 35-year-old woman, Zuwaira Usman, in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area, on 4 November, over alleged arms trafficking. Ms Usman was accused of specialising in the transportation of ammunition for criminal groups.

During interrogation, she reportedly told investigators that she met a man identified as Lawali in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, in September 2025, and was later asked to travel to Warri, Delta State, to collect a package on his behalf. Police said she was allegedly given 20,000 as transport fare and another 30,000 for her return journey.

She later discovered that the sack she delivered contained a flask loaded with 2,500 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, the police said. While another suspect, Ahmed, was arrested in Delta State, efforts are ongoing to arrest Lawali, who is said to be at large.

In a related development, police operatives on 27 November arrested a 25-year-old man, Aminu Ahmed, in Kontagora, for allegedly abducting three children at different times and collecting ransom totalling over 2 million. Police said the suspect confessed to abducting children aged between three and four years, transporting them to Lagos, Ilorin and other locations, and negotiating ransoms of up to 10 million per victim.

The police also arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Muhammed Mahmud, along the IzomAbuchiSuleja road on 3 November, for unlawful possession of a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a cartridge. He was unable to give a satisfactory explanation for possessing the weapon and has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.

On 10 December, two suspected phone snatchers, Hassan Abdullahi, 19, and Khalifa Bashir, 21, were arrested in Minna while operating a tricycle. Three Android phones believed to have been stolen were recovered from them. Police said the suspects confessed to robbing passengers of their phones.

The command also confirmed the recovery of two improvised guns near a mountain after Zuma Rock along the KadunaAbuja Expressway on 12 December. The weapons were allegedly hidden by suspected armed robbers who fled the area.

In addition, two suspects, Adamu Usman, 29, and Umar Mohammed Bello, 31, were arrested in Kagarko, Kaduna State, in connection with a robbery incident in Suleja. A third suspect, Zakariyau Mohammed, 25, was arrested for conspiracy and theft of household items; efforts continue to apprehend other suspects mentioned during the investigation.

Mr Abiodun said all the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations were concluded, assuring residents of the commands commitment to improving security across the state.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into an aviation incident involving a Hawker 800XP aircraft operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano.

The aircraft, with registration marks 5N-ISB, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Kano on Sunday at about 9:20 a.m., according to the bureau.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that a private jet operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited crash-landed at the Kano airport.

Initial accounts indicated that the aircraft was conveying 11 persons, including three crew members and eight passengers, while en route from Abuja.

However, in an official statement issued by the NSIB, the bureau said eight persons were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident.

What happened

In the statement signed by the NSIBs Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, the bureau said the aircraft experienced a landing gear indication problem during its approach into Kano.

During the approach phase into Kano, the flight crew reported a landing gear indication anomaly and requested multiple low passes over the runway to allow air traffic controllers to visually confirm the landing gear position, she said.

She explained that air traffic controllers at the Kano control tower confirmed during each low pass that all three landing gears appeared to be fully extended.

The aircraft was subsequently positioned for landing on Runway 06 and touched down at about 10:34 hours local time. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, she said.

READ ALSO: Drama at Enugu airport as aircraft suffers nose gear fault during landing

Ms Oladeji added that all occupants on board disembarked safely.

All eight persons on board disembarked safely, with no injuries reported, she said.

Investigation underway

According to the NSIB, the incident was immediately reported, prompting the bureau to activate its investigation team.

Upon notification, the NSIB activated its Go-Team. NSIB investigators will examine the aircraft systems, operational procedures, maintenance records, and crew actions to determine the circumstances that led to the occurrence, the statement added.

The bureau said further details will be made public after the conclusion of the investigation.
Hours after dawn on 30 November, workers on a routine patrol at Okomu Oil Palm Company, in Edo State, noticed a figure wandering alone among the trees in Extension 1 of the plantation.

At first, they thought it was a stray calf from a local livestock herd.

But as they drew closer, reality struck  a frail, dehydrated elephant calf, barely two months old, struggling to stand, its ears drooping from exhaustion.

The discovery sent shockwaves through Edos conservation circle.

No one in Nigeria  parks, researchers, or wildlife responders  had ever rescued a forest elephant calf and it lived.

Now, suddenly, Okomu had an orphan on its hands again.

Failed effort to reunite the calf with its herd

Osaze Lawrence, conservator of Park at Okomu National Park, provided some clarifications: We were told a very young elephant was found walking alone.

Mr Lawrence explained that the company kept it, gave it water, and called on the authorities immediately.

When we arrived with African Nature Investors (ANI), we picked it up and took the first step  attempting to reunite it with its herd, he said.

ANI Foundation has been in partnership with the National Park Service since, engineering a community-led model that has resuscitated the integrity of Okomu National Park.

After retrieving the calf, the park conservator said rangers entered deep into the elephants home range, guided only by faint noises they believed came from a nearby herd.

They placed the baby gently on the forest floor, hoping instinct would lead it back.

At first, it walked some metres into the wild; we stepped back to see if the family would find him. But after two hours, there was no sign.

Later, a bike rider called to say the small elephant had wandered onto the main road again.

Only then did the team realise the heartbreaking truth: the calfs mother was gone, and the reunion attempt had failed.

Next steps

Returning it to the wild would mean certain death  predation, hunger, dehydration, or poaching.

So we agreed the only humane thing was to rescue it, rehabilitate it, stabilise it, and prepare it for a future return to the wild, he said.

The calf was moved to ANIs R1 Base Camp, an operational facility near the park headquarters.

A makeshift rehabilitation space was prepared  quiet, isolated, and close enough to the forest to reduce stress from human presence.

But within 48 hours, the calfs condition deteriorated.

Faith Amune, a veterinarian with Okomu Oil Palm Company, provided insights.

He had a very thin line between life and death.

We were not prepared for it, but duty is duty; we administered emergency medication, and honestly, on that first Tuesday (2 December), it looked like we were losing him, she said.

SOS WhatsApp group

The crisis triggered an unprecedented collaboration.

ANI quickly created an SOS WhatsApp group that linked wildlife experts within and outside Nigeria.

Messages flew across time zones  symptoms, photos, hydration levels, recommended milk formulas. Responders realised they needed hands-on expertise.

When wildlife rescue technical consultant Liz OBrien, a UK-born elephant rehabilitation specialist based in Zambia, received the alert, she acted immediately.

She has spent 15 years working across Africa  Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Burkina Faso  specialising in orphaned elephants.

She knew the significance of the call; she booked the next flight.

It is an elephant, and when a baby elephant needs help, I go.

I did not just come to save this calf; I came to train the people here; Africa cannot rely on outsiders flying in. The real solution is to build capacity locally.

If they learn how to handle this one, they will manage the next, she said.

On arrival, Ms OBrien assessed the calf and immediately began working side by side with local vets, rangers, keepers, and park managers.

She redesigned the milk formula, corrected hydration patterns, and began teaching techniques that usually take years to learn through field exposure.

Adedolapo Oke, another Okomu veterinarian, acknowledged OBriens impact.

She has decades of experience; you could see immediately that she knows exactly what to do.

For vets like us, who rarely encounter elephants, it was priceless, Mr Oke said.

Declining Nigerias elephant population, positive results from conservation efforts

By records, Nigerias elephant population has declined drastically over the past century.

From tens of thousands, forest elephants have disappeared from most states due to logging, poaching, and habitat fragmentation.

Today, the OkomuOmoOsse landscape is home to the last viable population of critically endangered African forest elephants in southern Nigeria.

Peter Abanyam, the project manager for ANI at Okomu, said that for years, elephants had avoided the eastern corridor of the park due to human pressure.

But recently they have started crossing again. It shows that protection efforts are working, he said.

Mr Abanyam believes the calf rescue symbolises a larger conservation shift: local communities are no longer passive observers  they are now participants.

Interestingly, one of the most striking developments since the rescue is how communities now perceive the park.

Mr Abanyam recalls how the project integrated him into the community.

They dont even call me by my name; they call me ANI  because they see the organisation as part of them; that sense of ownership didnt exist five years ago.

The awareness is strong now; people know the elephants are theirs to protect, said ANIs project manager.

For Mr Lawrence, the conservator of the park, this is the biggest sign of transformation.

To reinforce boundaries and prevent future human-elephant conflicts, stakeholders are planning a comprehensive demarcation of the parks southern boundary, a project involving communities, the Edo State Forestry Commission, the Edo Geographic Information System, and local governments.

It has become urgent. As elephant numbers stabilise, they need land. If we dont act now, conflicts will rise, Mr Abanyam warned.

Back to the rescued elephant calf

Behind the scenes, veterinarians worked in shifts around the clock to save the elephant calf.

The adrenaline was high, but what matters is consistency  days, weeks, months of follow-up; that is the real challenge, Mr Oke said.

To wildlife veterinarians, caring for elephant calves is one of the most challenging tasks in the world.

In global records, nearly 45 per cent of rescued calves die.

They are sensitive; the digestive system is complicated; the psychological trauma is severe, Ms OBrien said.

The calf will need specialised milk for two to three years, constant monitoring, hydration therapy, environmental enrichment, and minimal human contact to avoid imprinting.

It will take four to five years before he can be fully independent, but if you want wild animals, you keep them in the wild  not zoos.

My hope is to reintroduce him when hes ready, the wildlife rescue specialist said.

For Nigeria, the experience is historic.

Abdulrahman Adam, a wildlife vet who flew in from Bauchi to learn in the field, said it was his first elephant calf case.

In Nigeria, this has never happened before. What I learned here, you cannot get in any classroom, Mr Adam said.

Beyond the touching story of rescue lies a deeper narrative  Okomu National Park is emerging as a model for conservation in Nigeria.

When I came in 2022, illegal logging was everywhere.

But with ANIs support, we trained 40 rangers, engaged communities, and pushed logging to the barest minimum, the conservator of the park said.

Now, the Federal Ministry of Environment, led by Balarabe Lawal, and the National Park Service under Ibrahim Goni, are backing the parks renewed momentum.

The rescue has also strengthened calls to expand protection areas. Nigeria has expanded from seven national parks to seventeen, reflecting a growing awareness of biodiversity conservation.

Any community with a valuable forest can approach the National Park Service to upgrade it.

Tourism, research, environmental benefitsit is all worth it, Mr Lawrence said.

Standing in the quiet rehabilitation shelter, Ms OBrien watched the calf sway gently on its feet  more stable, more alert, and more alive.

We are not there yet, but we are one step on the path, Ms OBrien said.

For Messrs Lawrence and Abanyam, the veterinarians, and the communities, the calf has become more than an animal; it is a symbol of what collective action can achieve.

This is a first for Nigeria, and it shows that when the community, NGOs, government and experts come together, wildlife can survive, Mr Lawrence said.

Summing up the whole effort, Ms OBrien said, It takes a village to raise a child; and it takes a village to raise an elephant.

(NANFeatures)
The Edo State Government has said that it is servicing a monthly Irrevocable Standing Payment Order of N385 million for the Radisson Hotel project.

Kassim Afegbua, the commissioner for information and strategy, disclosed this on Sunday in Benin.

Mr Afegbua said the obligation stems from a N25 billion capital market facility secured by the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki.

He noted that the liability has prompted a comprehensive review of the transaction and its underlying agreements.

According to him, Edo continues to bear the debt burden despite emerging concerns over the projects equity arrangement.

He expressed concern that a private investor reportedly holds 80 per cent equity, while the state retains 20 per cent, despite substantial financial exposure.

Mr Afegbua said preliminary records show the state raised the N25 billion facility and began the project before introducing a private investor.

The concern is not political; it is about understanding how public funds were deployed and how equity interests were structured, he said.

He added that the reviewed documents do not clearly show the private investors financial contribution before the equity restructuring.

Mr Afegbua also said no evidence of a competitive bidding process had been identified during the assessment.

He explained that the review extends to other inherited projects, including the Museum of West African Art.

The commissioner said the exercise aims to determine the states financial obligations, liabilities and benefits.

He stressed that the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration in Edo is guided by due process, transparency and accountability in public finance management.

We owe Edo people clarity on how their money was used, Mr Afegbua said, describing it as essential for continuity and record-keeping.

He disclosed that, after the reviews, the government would act within the law, including engaging regulatory and anti-corruption agencies where necessary.

PDP says comment misleading and politically motivated

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo has described Mr Afegbuas comment on the Radisson Hotel project as misleading and politically motivated.

In a statement in Benin on Saturday, the PDP state Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, asserted that Mr Afegbuas remarks formed part of what he called a desperate smear campaign aimed at discrediting the administration of former Governor Obaseki.

We would ordinarily have ignored the outburst credited to Kassim Afegbua, particularly as the matter is already before competent courts, but for the sake of the unsuspecting public, we are compelled to respond, Mr Osa-Ogbegie said.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Radisson Hotel project was a properly structured PPP. Edo States N2 billion contribution was seed equity injected to de-risk the project and attract credible private capital, he stated.

The party spokesperson explained that additional funds referenced by the state government, including portions of bond proceeds, were deployed as loans to a Special Purpose Vehicle established for the project, with clear repayment obligations tied to the hotels future operations.

This is not plunder. This is development finance, he said.

He further argued that the state retained equity in the project and dismissed claims that the hotel was sold cheaply or transferred to political cronies.

At no point did Mr Godwin Obaseki have any direct or indirect ownership interest in the hotel. Suggestions to the contrary are false, malicious and defamatory, Mr Osa-Ogbegie said.

He added that even before commencing operations, the states investment in the project had appreciated significantly, describing it as evidence of strategic, long-term economic planning.

READ ALSO: Edo has new police spokesperson

According to the PDP spokesperson, Mr Afegbuas comments reflected a frightening illiteracy in finance and contemporary development economics, noting that instruments such as project-finance loans, equity contributions and asset-backed repayment structures were standard worldwide.

What the Commissioner dismisses as voodoo financing is the language of modern infrastructure development, he said.

Mr Osa-Ogbegie accused the current administration of being obsessed with dismantling Obaseki-era projects, citing previous disputes involving the Museum of West African Art, the Ossiomo Power Project and other investments.

He warned that repeated public attacks on investors could damage Edo States credibility and scare away much-needed capital.

How does chasing away investors create jobs? How does dragging strategic investments before anti-graft agencies improve the lives of our youths? he asked.

He maintained that PDP would continue to defend what it described as Obasekis record of fiscal discipline, transparency and investment-led growth, urging Edo residents to reject the politics of destruction and demand governance focused on results rather than rhetoric.

(NAN)
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Sunday announced a N150,000 Christmas bonus for all categories of civil servants in the state.

Mr Nwifuru made the announcement during a Sunday Church service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki.

The governor explained that the gesture aligned with his administrations commitment to improving the welfare of workers in the state.

According to Mr Nwifuru, this in spite of the insignificant revenue that had accrued to the state in the past one year.

Some state government and private organisations in Nigeria pay their workers some extra salary in December to ameliorate economic hardship and enable them enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays.

On the forthcoming local government election in the state, the governor promised a level-playing ground for all the aspirants.

Mr Nwifuru explicitly declared that he had no preferred candidate and had anointed no one for the exercise.

He said, As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail, the people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarters.

READ ALSO: Nwifuru presents N884 billion 2026 budget proposal to Ebonyi assembly

The governor reiterated his directive to political appointees wishing to contest the local government election to resign in line with the extant electoral guidelines.

It is not my duty to pick you as the chairman of your local government area

If you are contesting for the chairmanship position in the next years councils election as an appointee, you must resign as stipulated by the law, Mr Nwifuru insisted.

(NAN)
BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Guangming Online) -- China has received a batch of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II, China's Central Archives said on Saturday.

The archive copies from Russia include trial records of Unit 731 members, investigation reports on the unit's crimes, and internal official correspondence of Soviet authorities, covering the period running from May 11, 1939 to Dec. 25, 1950.

"These archives provided by Russia complement and corroborate the archives on Unit 731 crimes and site evidence preserved in China," Zhao Cong, Head of Department for International Cooperation of China's Central Archives, told Guangming Online. "They provide irrefutable historical evidence that solidifies the crimes of Japan's germ warfare during its invasion of China, once again confirming it was "an organized, premeditated, systematic state crime directed from the top down."

Experts highlighted these materials as indisputable evidence for restoring historical truth, which is of great significance for promoting a correct historical view of World War II and for strengthening the national spirit based on patriotism.

During World War II, the Japanese invading forces established a biological warfare network across multiple Asian countries, with Unit 731 located in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, serving as a top-secret base for biological weapons and human experiments.

At least 3,000 people from China, the Soviet Union and other countries and regions were used in human experiments conducted by Unit 731.

This undated photo shows parts of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. (Xiong Jian/Guangming Picture)

This undated photo shows parts of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. (Xiong Jian/Guangming Picture)

This undated photo shows parts of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. (Xiong Jian/Guangming Picture)

This undated photo shows parts of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. (Xiong Jian/Guangming Picture)

This undated photo shows parts of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. (Xiong Jian/Guangming Picture)

Editor: WSH
PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage proudly concluded its APAC Gala Dinner 2025, marking a milestone moment as the signature annual celebration was hosted in Vietnam for the first time. The event gathered hundreds of distinguished partners, IBs, VIP clients, and industry leaders from across the region, delivering an unforgettable evening that showcased Vantage's ambition, innovation, and accelerating momentum in Asia-Pacific.

Vantage Celebrating Regional Excellence and a Bold Vision for 2026 Vantage APAC Gala Concluded on a Vibrant high as DJ Mie took the Stage

The gala opened with an elegant welcome journey, where guests were greeted by immersive light installations and a premium networking experience. As attendees entered the ballroom, a dynamic opening performance and a warm address by the event's MC set the tone for a night dedicated to excellence and forward vision. A special Business Recap & 2026 Outlook Video highlighted Vantage's strong growth trajectory and reaffirmed the company's commitment to deepening investments in the APAC region.

The evening transitioned smoothly into a ceremonial toast and dinner, followed by a series of choreographed performances that blended art, light and music. The first performance, Luminous Fusion Symphony, captivated the audience with its energetic interplay of illumination and sound, symbolising Vantage's core pillars of speed, precision and sophistication. Later in the evening, Heritage of Prosperity, an evocative cultural fusion piece, paid tribute to the region's diversity and Vantage's dedication to shaping opportunities for a thriving financial ecosystem in APAC.

One of the defining highlights of the gala was the recognition of outstanding partners across Asia-Pacific. Awards were presented throughout the evening to celebrate exceptional contributions, including Partner of the Year, Best Education Provider, Fastest Growing Partner, Best EA Development Award, Best Influencing Award, and the Speed-win Excellence Award. Each presentation was met with enthusiastic applause, reflecting the shared pride and camaraderie within Vantage's partner community. Winners also enjoyed dedicated photo moments at the Honor Backdrop, capturing their achievements in a premium, memorable setting.

Demonstrating the company's strong values beyond business, Vantage also shared its CSR and Charity Results, spotlighting initiatives that positively impacted local communities across the region. This segment underscored Vantage's belief that sustainable growth must be paired with meaningful contribution.

Excitement and anticipation filled the room throughout the night, especially during the three rounds of lucky draws, where guests celebrated the announcement of third, second and first prize winners. The spirit of celebration continued with a special Closing Video, offering an inspiring look ahead to 2026 and setting the stage for a year defined by innovation, growth and unity.

The gala concluded on a vibrant high as DJ Mie took the stage, transforming the venue into an energetic after-party. Guests danced, connected, and celebrated late into the evening, closing the event with the same energy and excitement that defined the night from the start.

The Vantage APAC Gala Dinner 2025 stands as a defining milestone in the company's regional journey. The event not only honoured its rising influence in the financial sector but also reflected Vantage's deepening commitment to the APAC region. As the company steps into 2026 with renewed purpose, the event marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Vantage and its partners across Asia-Pacific.

About Vantage

Vantage Markets (or Vantage) is a multi-asset CFD broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) products, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 15 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a reliable trading platform, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that provide clients access to trading opportunities.

trade smarter @vantage

RISK WARNING : CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Ensure you understand the risks before trading.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, an offer, or solicitation of any financial products or services. The content is not intended for residents of any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. Readers are advised to seek independent professional advice before making any investment or financial decisions. Any reliance you place on the information presented is strictly at your own risk.

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NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Axion, the pioneering AI platform for manufacturing product quality, today announced a $37 million Series B funding round led by Salesforce Ventures with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Schneider Electric Ventures, and other existing investors. Axion's platform, combining domain-specialized AI algorithms with human-in-the-loop problem solving workflows, serves as the operating layer underpinning America's manufacturing revival.

Fortune 500 manufacturers face growing pressure to release sophisticated, innovative products while maintaining exceptional quality standards. Companies across industries - including data centers, automotive, aerospace, medtech, and consumer electronics - rely on Axion to make this possible.

Teams use Axion's proprietary intelligence platform to ensure superior product quality by detecting the earliest warning signals of emerging issues that could impact their customers. By addressing problems swiftly, manufacturers improve uptime, enhance customer experience, and significantly reduce warranty costs. Importantly, Axion shifts quality from reactive to proactive , closing customer feedback loops and unifying data sets to enable manufacturers to ideate and develop the next generation of products, driving innovation across their entire product suite.

"Axion gives manufacturers the power to detect and solve customer issues faster than ever before," said Daniel First, CEO and founder of Axion. "With new investments from Salesforce Ventures and Schneider Electric Ventures, we're building the foundation for manufacturers to bring innovative products to market that customers love."

Driving Product Excellence and Improved Customer Experience

Axion's human-in-the-loop AI platform helps manufacturers detect customer issues earlier, fix them faster, and build products the world loves. It delivers concrete results in weeks and removes costly efforts to establish root causes of issues, which can take months and severely impact customer trust. This transforms how manufacturers ensure product quality by:

Improving product uptime and reliability for end customers

Reducing warranty costs by millions, through proactive issue detection and resolution

Accelerating root cause analysis by 85% on average

"Axion's quality intelligence creates a powerful feedback loop that connects product performance directly to customer satisfaction, empowering teams to build better products, improve customer experiences, and drive meaningful business outcomes," said Paul Drews, Managing Partner at Salesforce Ventures. "We're excited to support Axion as they help manufacturers turn quality into a strategic advantage."

A Unified Approach to Solving Customer Issues

Salesforce Ventures' investment in Axion will serve as a network multiplier, immediately opening new possibilities for manufacturers to unify their customer problem-solving operations through the Salesforce ecosystem and beyond. Many of Axion's Fortune 500 customers already rely on Salesforce Data Cloud and Salesforce Service Cloud, creating natural integration opportunities that connect customer outcomes to product enhancements.

"The synergy between Axion, Salesforce Ventures, and the Salesforce ecosystem is transformative for our mutual customers," added First. "Manufacturers can now have a more holistic, integrated approach to solving customer problems. This unified approach helps companies like Cummins and SharkNinja not only build better products, but also deliver exceptional customer experiences when issues do arise."

Supporting Innovation

"The best manufacturers compete on product quality and customer experience," said James Ezhaya, VP Power Products Quality & Sustainability at Schneider Electric. "Axion gives quality teams the insights they need to ensure every product meets the highest standards, increasing uptime and reducing warranty costs."

"In medical devices, product quality directly impacts patient outcomes and lives," said Kiran Kuppuswamy, Vice President of Quality at Medtronic. "Axion can identify potential quality issues with unprecedented speed and accuracy, helping us maintain the rigorous standards required while accelerating our time to market."

Accelerating the Future of Customer-Centric Engineering

The funding will enable Axion to expand its AI capabilities, accelerate product development, and support more manufacturers in their pursuit of delivering high-quality, reliable products.

"We're giving manufacturers the clarity and confidence to build world-class products," added First. "By helping companies like Medtronic and Daikin understand their customers' top issues, their teams can bring to market the next generation of products that customers love."

For more information, please see our announcement blog .

About Axion

Founded in 2021, Axion is the first AI-powered customer quality intelligence platform that integrates human expertise into every workflow. Axion helps manufacturers build high-quality products by detecting, investigating, and resolving issues before they impact customers. Trusted by leading global manufacturers, Axion delivers measurable ROI through improved product uptime, enhanced customer experience, and reduced warranty costs. For more information, visit www.axion.com .

Media contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Axion Ray
ATLANTA, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Fulton County jury returned a $48 million verdict for Tony Waldrop, a Vietnam combat veteran who grew up in Cabbagetown, a neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia, and his wife, Patricia Worley, after finding that dermatologist surgeon Joseph R. Payne, M.D. and his group, Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, P.C. were negligent for failing to diagnose, manage, and treat recurrent skin cancer on the side of Mr. Waldrop's head. The case was tried by lead counsel Lloyd Bell of Bell Law Firm, along with Shamp Silk's Laura Shamp and The Summerville Firm's Darren Summerville.

The award includes $32 million for Tony's more than eight years of pain and suffering, and $16 million to compensate his widow, Pat Worley, for her loss of her husband's consortium.

"This case is a devastating example of what happens when a physician treats recurrent cancer with casual indifference and then ignores clear signs of recurrence," said Lloyd Bell. "Tony trusted his doctor to take good care of him. Dr. Payne violated that trust by providing sub-standard care and then refusing to accept any accountability for the outcome, choosing instead to drag this case out for years to try and wear down my clients. Dr. Payne's choices led to catastrophic injuries and unnecessary pain and suffering that continued until Tony died over 8 years later from an unrelated cancer."

Evidence at trial showed that in 2013, Dr. Payne removed a skin cancer in front of Mr. Waldrop's right ear. Pathology revealed the tumor surrounded nerve cells, a condition known as "peri-neural invasion." PNI is a high-risk feature that indicates the cancer is aggressive and more likely to recur.

"For patients like Tony who have a history of skin cancer and immunocompromise due to a chronic leukemia, the standard of care is to send the patient for a consultation with a radiation oncologist," Bell said.

No referral ever occurred. Months later, when Mr. Waldrop returned with a painful lesion in the same area, Dr. Payne misdiagnosed it as benign, removed it, and threw the tissue away without sending it for biopsy. That delay allowed the cancer to advance further into the parotid gland, invade the facial nerve, and grow deeper into the face.

By the time another provider eventually diagnosed the recurrence months later, the cancer had advanced to a point that Mr. Waldrop required aggressive surgery, resulting in the loss of most of his right ear, permanent facial paralysis, loss of hearing, inability to close his right eye, difficulty eating and speaking, chronic pain, and profound disfigurement.

"We are grateful to the jury for this significant verdict, which fully and fairly values the harms and losses suffered by Tony and Pat," said Bell. "It should be noted that we gave Dr. Payne's insurance carrier, MAG Mutual Insurance Company, every opportunity to settle this case within their $4 million insurance policy. The most MAG ever offered was $2 million on the eve of trial after putting Tony and Pat through years of agonizing litigation, including multiple trials. I am incredibly proud of Tony and Pat for their courage and resolve to see this case through. Although Tony did not survive to see this day, Pat was determined to move forward and to trust the jury to speak the truth. Her trust was well placed."

Bell Law Firm extends its deepest respect to Tony and Pat for their courage in pursuing justice and holding careless health care providers accountable. More details about the case can be found here. For more information about Bell Law Firm's mission to help victims of medical malpractice, visit www.belllawfirm.com.

About Bell Law Firm

Bell Law Firm is Georgia's leading medical malpractice and catastrophic injury firm. Founded in 1999 by Lloyd Bell, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions for clients and families harmed by medical negligence, including a record $75M verdict, the largest in Georgia history. The firm also achieved a record-breaking $26M verdict against a Columbus hospital, a $18M verdict in 2025 against a negligent cardiologist, and a $15M verdict against the largest healthcare provider in Georgia. In addition to delivering record verdicts, Bell Law Firm was awarded "Personal Injury Litigation Team of the Year" and "Most Innovative Law Firm" by The Daily Report. Lloyd is also the only Georgia attorney in the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group of 100 leading trial attorneys in the United States. For more information, visit www.belllawfirm.com or listen to Lloyd's podcast, "Face the Jury."

SOURCE Bell Law Firm
A Huge Milestone That Validates Our Legacy

CHICAGO, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concept Schools has achieved a significant milestone in its organizational journey with the approval and investment of the Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF), one of the most respected organizations in the national charter education landscape.

This partnership is more than an endorsement  it is a confirmation of Concept Schools' strength, credibility, and long-term potential. CSGF conducts a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation process, one that examines the health and readiness of a network with the precision of an MRI. They look beyond surface-level performance  assessing every dimension of operations, leadership, academic outcomes, and financial integrity to determine whether an organization is truly prepared to grow.

After nearly three years of building this relationship, the partnership has officially come to fruition  CSGF has announced its commitment to Concept Schools at its Board meeting on December 11.

The result is a 2.5-year growth partnership supported by a $5.5 million strategic grant award. This investment will fuel sustainable expansion, enhance organizational capacity, and strengthen the network's future  ensuring that Concept Schools continues to empower students and communities through high-quality education.

"This kind of validation carries enormous weight," said Sedat Duman, CEO of Concept Schools. "It comes from independent experts who have spent years studying high-performing charter organizations nationwide. Their recognition confirms what we already know  that our culture, consistency, and results are strong enough to sustain the next chapter of growth."

The Charter School Growth Fund's decision reflects deep confidence in Concept Schools' mission, people, and proven track record of success. Every educator, leader, and team member across the network has played a vital role in earning this distinction.

"This accolade belongs to all of us," Duman added. "It honors our collective work, validates our legacy, and opens new doors for what lies ahead."

About the Concept Schools:

Concept Schools is a nonprofit charter management organization that provides a high-quality, STEM-focused, and college-preparatory education through a network of 41 charter schools while offering exceptional programs, comprehensive services, and opportunities to partner in education.

About the Charter School Growth Fund:

As a national nonprofit, the Charter School Growth Fund makes multi-year, philanthropic investments in talented education leaders from around the country who are building networks of excellent public charter schools. CSGF seeks to expand the impact of existing schools that are helping students achieve excellent outcomes. To date, CSGF has funded over 1,600 schools that serve more than 725,000 students in 32 states, DC, and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE Concept Schools
Celebrating 20 Years of Driving Innovation in Memory, Storage, and Data Architecture

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FMS: the Future of Memory and Storage, the industry's premier event for next-generation memory and storage, and the world's largest independent memory and storage conference, today announced that its 2026 Call for Presentations (CFP) is now open. We invite experts, innovators, and industry leaders to submit proposals for presentations and panels for FMS26, taking place August 4-6, 2026, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California.

Future Of Memory And Storage (FMS) Opens 2026 Call For Presentations

FMS connects top technologists, product leaders, analysts, investors, and enterprise end users across the global ecosystem. Marking its 20th anniversary, FMS26 will deliver an expanded program reflecting two decades of accelerating innovation in memory and storage technologies.

A Milestone Year Highlighting the Technologies Powering the Future

FMS26 will feature sessions on both foundational and emerging technologies shaping next-generation system performance, data-centric architectures, AI-driven workloads, and the expanding universe of high-performance computing.

Submission topics include (but are not limited to):

Aerospace Storage and Memory

AI and ML Applications

Automotive Applications

Business Strategies & Memory Markets

Chiplets & UCIe

Cloud Storage

Computational Storage

Computing Near Memory/Storage

CXL

Data Center Applications

Data Security

Design Automation

DRAM

Flash Technology

Gaming

HDDs, Magnetic Tape, and Optical Storage

High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM)

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Industry Association Activities

Long-Term Data Retention

Networks and Connections

Other Memory Technologies

SSD Technology

Storage Management Software

Storage Systems

Storage Tiering

Sustainability

Testing and Performance

Potential presenters are also welcome to propose additional topics that reflect the rapidly evolving needs of memory, storage, and advanced compute architectures.

Shaping What's Next in Memory, Storage, and AI

As a premier gathering for the industry, FMS attracts attendees from across sectors including data center, cloud, hyperscale, AI, automotive, aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, enterprise IT, research, and finance.

"FMS26 marks an extraordinary milestone for the memory and storage community," said Thomas Coughlin, FMS Conference Chair. "For two decades, FMS has brought together the brightest minds driving the innovations that power our digital world. We look forward to proposals that spark new ideas, uncover emerging applications, and help define the next era of high-performance memory and storage solutions."

Submission Details

Proposal Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Submit Proposals: https://FutureMemoryStorage.com/speakers/call-for-proposals

Don't Miss This Milestone Year

FMS26 will celebrate two decades of collaboration, innovation, and industry leadership, while showcasing the breakthroughs shaping the future of data systems, AI acceleration, and High-Performance Computing (HPC).

Submit your proposal today and be part of the next chapter in the evolution of memory and storage.

About FMS: The Future of Memory and Storage

FMS: the Future of Memory and Storage, produced by Conference ConCepts, is the premier global event showcasing cutting-edge developments in multi-billion-dollar high-speed memory and storage technologies. As the world's largest conference and exhibition in this sector, FMS highlights mainstream applications, breakthrough innovations, key enabling technologies, and the full spectrum of playersfrom leading vendors to disruptive startups. This event spans critical application areas including AI, enterprise data centers, high-performance computing, mobile devices at the edge, and embedded systems. FMS serves as a dynamic hub where technology professionals, executive leaders, customers, cloud providers, hyperscaler companies, and industry analysts converge to explore the evolving landscape of memory and storage. With a renewed commitment to inclusivity and innovation, FMS is shaping the future of memory and storageespecially at its intersection with artificial intelligence.

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki

310-930-6655

http://FutureMemoryStorage.com

SOURCE FMS: The Future of Memory and Storage
CHENGDU, China, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HitGen Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "HitGen", SSE: 688222.SH), announced it has officially submitted its commitment letter to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). HitGen has pledged to set near-term science-based targets within the next two years, aligned with the SBTi's stringent criteria. This commitment entails the future development and implementation of a series of emission reduction measures designed to cut the company's greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain to a level consistent with the 1.5C temperature goal set forth in the Paris Agreement. This move marks a significant progress made by HitGen in promoting the company's sustainable development and implementing its ESG (environment, society and governance) strategy.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), initially founded as a collaboration between CDP, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), We Mean Business Coalition, World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), assists companies in establishing science-based emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement. To date, over 10,000 companies from more than 100 countries and regions have submitted commitments to the SBTi.

"We are pleased to take this critical step forward by joining the global coalition of corporate climate leaders in the SBTi," said Dr. Jin Li, Chairman and CEO of HitGen. "Setting science-based targets is a tangible action in fulfilling our corporate social responsibility to help create a healthier planet for future generations. This commitment is intrinsically linked to our mission of improving human health through innovative science."

This pledge underscores HitGen's dedication to integrating sustainable development into its long-term strategy. As an innovation-driven company, HitGen recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and its profound impact on global health and well-being. By establishing a science-based decarbonization pathway, HitGen aims not only to minimize the environmental footprint of its own operations but also to encourage a transition towards greener and lower-carbon practices throughout its industrial chain.

SOURCE HitGen Inc.
BEIRUT, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lebanese American University (LAU) has announced a major new step in its commitment to preserving Lebanon's cultural legacy, both tangible and intangible, thanks to a generous donation from world-renowned physician and scholar, Dr. Philip Salem, toward advancing the work of the university's Center for Lebanese Heritage.

The gift will fund a range of activities, including research, publications, a specialized journal, conferences, seminars, and cultural meetings, to strengthen connections with audiences in Lebanon and across the diaspora and promote a deeper understanding of Lebanon's culture, heritage, and creativity.

In recognition of this expanded mission, LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah has approved renaming the Center for Lebanese Heritage to The Philip A. Salem Academy for Lebanese Heritage, effective January 1st, 2026. Poet and cultural leader Henri Zoghaib will continue to serve as Director following his 24-year leadership since the Center's founding.

This transformation elevates the cultural center to an academy with a stronger academic and national mandate. It also honors Dr. Philip Salem's lifelong dedication to Lebanon, reflected not only in his contributions to medicine and cancer research over the past five decades, as President of the Salem Oncology Center in Houston, Texas, but also in his extensive intellectual work centered on Lebanese identity and national renewal.

Dr. Abdallah expressed LAU's gratitude for the donation and its significance, stating: "On behalf of the LAU family, we are honored by Dr. Salem's support, which reflects a deep academic and national commitment to safeguarding Lebanon's heritage. This Academy will enrich scholarly study, preserve our collective memory, and inspire new generations in Lebanon and in Lebanese communities worldwide, aligning closely with LAU's mission of education, empowerment, and positive change. Under Dr. Salem's intellectual vision and the leadership of poet Henri Zoghaib, the Academy opens a renewed space for preserving heritage and expanding its horizons."

Dr. Salem emphasized the importance of heritage to national identity, stating that by reviving heritage, we revive the Lebanese identity. "We study the past to build the future. My support for this Academy stems from a desire to make it a knowledge oasis for anyone seeking reliable, documented insight into Lebanon's history, civilization, and heritage. It will renew faith in Lebanon and strengthen pride in belonging to this country," he said.

Director Henri Zoghaib welcomed the new phase while reaffirming the Academy's mission. "Today the name changes, and with it comes a meaningful expansion supported by the great Lebanese intellectual Dr. Philip Salem," he said, "This will allow us to grow our work through our flagship journal Mirrors of Heritage, monthly seminars, annual conferences, and the publication and republication of heritage worksserving Lebanon's living heritage so it becomes a lasting memory for the future."

As of January 2026, the Philip A. Salem Academy for Lebanese Heritage will operate from new headquarters on LAU's Beirut campus. It will pursue its expanded program with strong momentum, supported by a newly established Advisory Council. The Academy will function as part of LAU's institutional framework under the direct oversight of President Abdallah.

SOURCE Lebanese American University
YDC survivor's holiday wish inspires Legal-Bay to give backwhile New Hampshire legislators play Scrooge with YDC Settlement Fund

CONCORD, N.H., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a heartwarming twist worthy of a holiday movie, Legal-Baythe nation's leading pre-settlement funding company for sex abuse victimsis bringing some Christmas spirit to the children of Chase Home in New Hampshire. The gesture was inspired by an extraordinary request from an incarcerated YDC survivor who wanted nothing more this Christmas than to give back to kids walking the same difficult path he once did.

This year, while many New Hampshire legislators seem to have embraced their inner Scrooge, leaving countless YDC sex-abuse survivors out in the cold with a stalled and underfunded settlement program, one inmate has proven that the true spirit of Christmas can shine even from behind the darkest of circumstances.

Mark D., a YDC survivor currently incarcerated, reached out to Legal-Bay with an unusual and selfless request: "Please fund me so I can donate to these kids for Christmas. I know how much they need it since I went through there. And if you could be so kind, would Legal-Bay consider giving too?"

His heartfelt plea moved the Legal-Bay team, who not only granted his request but decided to match the generosity with a donation of their own to Chase Home, one of the very institutions where many YDC survivors began their journeys.

"Many of these survivorsnow inmatesare living with the lifelong consequences of abuse they suffered in state-run juvenile facilities," said Legal-Bay's Head of Sales, Amber Cardillo. "Yet even with so little, they choose to give. That is the definition of Christmas spirit."

If you are a plaintiff or attorney involved in an active lawsuit of any kind and need an immediate cash advance against a pending settlement, please visit Legal-Bay HERE or call 877.571.0405.

Meanwhile, the YDC Settlement Fund, once promised as a path to justice, has slowed to a crawl. With the fund reportedly insolvent for many claimants, survivors who endured some of the worst abuse cases in the nationincluding one that resulted in a record-breaking $38 million jury verdictare being told to wait indefinitely.

State officials are now cautioning the public that paying out settlements could raise taxes, an argument many see as a convenient excuse to avoid responsibility during the holiday season.

"It feels like the legislature is wearing Scrooge's top hat this year," said Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay. "I've been in this industry for 20 years, and the horror of the YDC cases stands apart from anything I've seen. We supported these victims when no one else believed in them, and we support them even more today, when the state seems to have hit the brakes after dangling hope in front of them."

Janish continued, "The spirit of Christmas is about compassion, courage, and giving. These survivorsdespite everythingare showing more heart than those in power. We believe they deserve justice, recognition, and their day in court. We're proud to stand with them."

If you'd like to donate to Chase Home or simply learn more, please visit the Chase Home website HERE

About Legal-Bay Pre Settlement Funding: Legal-Bay is a leading national provider of presettlement funding for survivors of sexual abuse, accidents, and other personal injury cases. Known for championing victims in the Polinsky Children's Center lawsuits of San Diego when few others would, Legal-Bay is at the forefront when it comes to fighting for all sexual abuse plaintiffs. They offer financial assistance to plaintiffs awaiting the outcomes of their lawsuits, ensuring they have the support they need during challenging times.

Their loan for settlement funding programs are designed to provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. While it's common to refer to these legal funding requests as settlement loans, loans for settlements, lawsuit loans, loans for lawsuits, etc., the "lawsuit loan" funds are, in fact, non-recourse. That means there's no risk when it comes to loans in lawsuit settlements because there is no obligation to repay the money if the recipient loses their case. Therefore, terms like settlement loan, loans for lawsuit, loans on settlement, or lawsuit loan funds don't necessarily apply, as the "loan on lawsuit" isn't really a loan at all, but rather a stress-free cash advance.

Legal-Bay is known to many as the best lawsuit funding provider in the industry for their helpful and knowledgeable staff, and one of the best lawsuit loan companies overall for their low rates and quick turnaround, sometimes within 24-48 hours once all documents have been received.

To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit Legal-Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405, where agents are always standing by.

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
F-16 platform strengthens national defense, deepens NATO and allied air integration

GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed production of all F16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced F-16s ready for NATO and allied operations.

The aircraft were produced at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and completed DD250 final acceptance through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program.

A previous F-16 Block 70 for Bulgaria ferry from Greenville, S.C. Slovakia is the first European country for the F-16 Block 70, a capability that strengthens its ability to stay ahead of regional threats and support allied missions.

Why it matters

Full F-16 Block 70 fleets give Bulgaria and Slovakia the capability to provide national air defense and support NATO air policing with a modern, fully interoperable fighter. The aircraft connect directly to NATO systems and support the same mission sets already flown by F-16 operators across Europe.

These aircraft are integral to both nations' defense modernization plans and align their air forces with the training, standards and operational practices used by 29 allied operators. That common framework improves readiness, strengthens the alliance's posture and increases the number of interoperable aircraft available for NATO missions.

Expert perspectives

Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Fighter Group:

"This milestone represents the talent and dedication of the joint government, military and industry teams. With full F16 Block 70 fleets now produced, both nations move from planning for nextgeneration airpower to demonstrating it in daily operations. This progress enhances NATO's collective readiness and provides commanders with reliable, interoperable 21st Century Security capability across the alliance."

Advanced capability, proven platform

The F16 Block 70 features the APG83 AESA radar, which shares 95% software commonality and 70% hardware commonality with the F35 radar. The aircraft also includes conformal fuel tanks, a modern digital cockpit, a 12,000hour service life and the lifesaving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

These systems support the full range of air policing, air defense and joint exercise missions flown by F-16 operators across Europe. With more than 700 F-16s in Europe and a global sustainment network already in place, Bulgaria and Slovakia gain access to established training pipelines, proven logistics support and a broad community of operators that help ensure high availability and efficient long-term maintenance.

Transatlantic industrial partnership

The F16 program is powered by a global supply chain of more than 530 suppliers across 12 countries, including a strong network of European partners. Companies such as LOTN in Slovakia and Avionams in Bulgaria contribute to this ecosystem and reflect Europe's growing role in the collaborative industrial base that supports NATO readiness.

With final assembly and other component manufacturing taking place at Lockheed Martin's Greenville, S.C. facility  the world's only active F-16 production line  the program supports over 1,500 skilled jobs and preserves strategic fighter production capacity in the United States.

The F-16 program reinforces transatlantic industrial cooperation sustaining advanced U.S. manufacturing capability while generating economic value, supply chain opportunity and longterm industrial participation across Europe. By strengthening industrial base cooperation, the F-16 program promotes resilience, supports shared security goals, and helps allied nations maintain modern, interoperable fighter capabilities.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.Lockheedmartin.com.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
This stack composite photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the starry sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Minle County of Zhangye City, northwest China's Gansu Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Zhong Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

This stack composite photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Wu Xingke/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Tongjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wanping/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Fujin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Shuangyashan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Han Yang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yabuli Town of Shangzhi City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Dapeng/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Huachuan County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Chen Zhiguo/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yimei District of Yichun City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Li Jiaxing/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Huachuan County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Zhu Zongqiang/Xinhua)

Editor: WSH
ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), a 53-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of our State's more than 3.6 million senior citizens, today announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for December: Medicare Card Scams.

The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the definitive resource for New York State's older adults and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. StateWide is New York's grantee/administrator for this Federal Program.

Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide, urges Seniors to beware of fake Medicare Card Calls. She explains, "Scammers are once again calling people and claiming that Medicare is issuing new plastic Medicare cards or that you must "verify your Medicare number" to avoid losing coverage. Don't get fooled, these calls are 100% fake."

The SMP urges Seniors to remember:

Medicare is NOT mailing out new cards made of plastic or metal. Medicare cards don't expire  new ones are never issued unless requested. Medicare or a doctor will never call to ask for Medicare information. Medicare only issues standard paper cards.

Scammers spoof caller ID to make it look like Medicare or a patient's doctor is calling.





Scammers will say a new card is required for the New Year  but this scam pops up at the start of each year. Never share personal or medical information with unexpected callers. Hang up immediately if anyone calls asking for Medicare numbers.



Important Reminders for Medicare Recipients to Protect Themselves:

Never share personal or medical information with unexpected callers. Hang up immediately if anyone calls asking for Medicare information

Review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for unfamiliar charges.

Beware of Fake Medicare Card Calls Scammers are once again calling people and claiming that Medicare is issuing new plastic Medicare cards or that you must "verify your Medicare number" to avoid losing coverage. Don't get fooled, these calls are 100% fake!

Treat Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards  keep them private.

StateWide certified counselors are ready to help. "If you suspect your Medicare number has been compromised or you've been enrolled in a plan without your permission, contact the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 800-333-4374, or visit www.nysenior.org. We have trained counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against fraud,'' Alvarez concluded.

StateWide also provides information and educational presentations, assistance regarding any Medicare questions, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues and patients' rights to all seniors throughout New York State.

It is estimated that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion dollars nationally per year. To help combat this illicit industry StateWide announced its Fraud of the Month program in 2022 to highlight these scams being perpetrated on the State's seniors.

SOURCE New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 7th and 8th, visitors lined up to see the wonder of a Moutai themed event at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Moutai, the renowned Chinese baijiu brand, made its debut outside China on Panama Expo in the city 110 years ago. By celebrating the 110-year-anniversary, Moutai restated its commitment to indulging spirit lovers around the globe and demonstrated the brand philosophy sitting on aging. The grand event offered an immersive and engaging experience to know about the Chinese baijiu, past and present.

I. Returning to the Origin: Coordinates of a Liquor and a City in Time

The bond between Moutai and San Francisco dates a long while back.

In 1915, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco. This world's fair, the largest in the first half of the 20th century, lasted nearly 10 months, becoming a collective memory for San Franciscans and an early celebration of globalization, as well as the starting point for Moutai's global expansion. Moutai, stored in the earthenware jars, traveled across the ocean and made its international debut here, winning a Gold Medal. This has long been written into the shared history of the brand and the City of San Francisco.

A century later, in 2015, San Francisco's then-mayor Edwin Lee designated November 12 as "San Francisco Moutai Day," recognizing the brand's role in fostering cultural exchange between China and the United States and strengthening local economic ties. The milestone made Moutai the first eastern brand to be honored with an official commemorative day in a major Western city - marking its evolution from a diplomatic spirit to a global cultural emblem.

By 2025, Moutai had grown into a global spirits powerhouse with a market value approaching 282 billion U.S. dollars, and had become one of China's most recognizable cultural ambassadors.

These three milestones clearly outline Moutai's wake to become a world-class player. Moutai's global journey began with that 1915 Medal won in San Francisco. For a long time since 1949, Moutai had served as a cultural envoy in China's diplomatic events, extending China's warm hospitality to guests like President Nixon and those at the Geneva Conference. With the climbing of Moutai's production capacity, the famous baijiu has been gaining popular appreciation, and breaking its diplomats exclusive status. Today, Moutai is purposefully cultivating its world market while standing fast in its core production region and embracing ESG value, and a global community of "Moutai Aficionados" is gradually coming into being.

The return of the Moutai delegation, led by Group Vice General Manager Zhang Guichao, to its world fame origin in San Francisco is a latest move to stronghold the brand's global aspirations and a kind gesture to the northern American market.

II. Discovering Shared Memories: Activating Brand Resonance Through Historical Depth

The two-day cultural exhibition, "San Francisco: In Search of Our Shared MemoriesA Chinese Brand's Perspective on 1915," was led by a replica of a 1915 Exposition commemorative postcard and unfolded through four chapters: "Shared Memory of 1915," "A World Progressing in 1915," "Moutai at the 1915 Expo," and "Setting Sail for 2025." This structure systematically brought this century-spanning memory back to life, creating a vivid and interactive dialogue space.

Guests enjoyed Moutai cocktails at the bar in the prologue hall, in a relaxed atmosphere filled with jazz music and began their exploration. American "Moutai Aficionados" enthusiastically viewed and discussed with their peers. The transcending from a commercial activity to a cultural event illustrates the wide recognition and trust Moutai has gained over the past century.

A unique art installation named Jinshan recreated the historical moment of the opening of the Panama Canal in moving projection, taking viewers back to that era of industrial wonders. The screen paneled wall, which recorded 31 participating countries and 18 million visitors in Panama Expo, also drew in crowds.

From the photos of the Chishui River wharf, by which Moutai was made, in the early 20th century, to the first employee roster of Moutai, the handwritten factory history, and finally that precious Expo medal, these tangible exhibits enabled the American public not only to "see the story", but also to "touch history", and to feel the Chinese national brand's holding fast on craftsmanship and ecological values.

The brilliance of the exhibition lay in skillfully integrating Moutai's brand history into the urban memory of San Francisco and the civilizational history of World Expos, providing a panoramic perspective for the century-old story. This method of showcasing "shared memory" effectively bridged cultural barriers, transforming Moutai from a historical award winner into an active storyteller and witness to history.

According to cultural scholars in San Francisco, this exhibition filled in a gap in the local memory of the Expo by providing an Eastern perspective. Moutai used material objects and vivid narratives to prove that cultural heritage and compelling brand stories could break cultural boundaries." For Moutai, the grand narrative of the exhibition itself was a direct expression of "Moutai embracing the world and growing in sync with global civilizations, and its vision." It made faded old photographs, authentic historical documents, precious archival materials, and warm urban memories interplay and shine, ultimately converging into a "cultural memory event" that the public could perceive, participate in, and inherit.

III. Toasting at "Moutai Night": Crafting Shared Value Through Aroma

On the evening of December 7, Kweichow Moutai hosted a Moutai Night to commemorate the 110 Years Journey to the World, honoring the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Expo Gold Medal and the 2015 Establishment of the 'San Francisco Moutai Day'.

Guests of distinguished political and business backgrounds from the United States, along with Chinese diplomats to the US, Moutai's American distributors and aficionados attended the celebration.

Moutai Group Chairman Chen Hua welcomed guests via video at the gala. "San Francisco is where our global story began," said Chen. "From here, Moutai's reputation spread and grew, evolving into the world's leading spirits brand and a truly global icon of Chinese craftsmanship." Chen noted that Moutai is made using one of the oldest and most intricate fermentation methods in the world, with every drop reflecting generations of Chinese skill and tradition. He also warmly invited guests to visit Guizhou to experience the unique terroir behind Moutai.

Representatives from the Chinese Consulate and San Francisco City Government congratulated Moutai on its dual-anniversary and recognized its positive role in promoting understanding, friendship and cooperation between China and the U.S.

During the banquet, guests enjoyed baijiu and fine cuisine along with meticulously arranged stage shows, including a short film named 1915 to 2025: Kweichow Moutai: A 110 Years Journey to the World. The Chinese and Western cultural elements in shows made an attempt to formulate shared value and raised heated talks among guests.

Through its series of events in the United States, Moutai demonstrates its commitment to actively integrating into the local market and takes the initiative to act as a friendly envoy promoting cultural exchange between the two countries.

From now on, when people recall the glory of San Francisco in 1915, the aroma of Moutai will become an indispensable footnote in those memories. As a world-renowned brand refined through millennia-old craftsmanship, Kweichow Moutai's journey with the world continues to intertwine with global cultural progress - together distilling the next century-long chapter.

SOURCE Kweichow Moutai
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Press Club President Mike Balsamo today issued the following statement on the conviction of Jimmy Lai:

"The conviction of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong represents a consequential moment for press freedom and the rule of law.

Mr. Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, was convicted under Hong Kong's national security law following a trial conducted without a jury, in which his publishing activity and public commentary were central to the case. When journalism is treated as a crime, press freedom is no longer guaranteed.

The closure of Apple Daily and the prosecution of its publisher have been widely followed as indicators of how press freedom and judicial safeguards are being applied in Hong Kong. Trials that criminalize reporting raise fundamental questions about due process and the future of independent media.

At 78 years old, after years in custody and amid publicly reported health concerns, the possibility that Mr. Lai could face life imprisonment underscores the gravity of the outcome.

The National Press Club urges sustained international engagement and careful attention to the principles of press freedom and due process. A free press is a cornerstone of public accountability and an essential element of any open society.

How journalists and publishers are treated remains one of the clearest measures of a society's commitment to transparency and the rule of law."

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 2,500 members, the Club, through its Press Freedom Center, is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534, [email protected] for the National Press Club Center for Press Freedom

SOURCE National Press Club
LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NuxGame has announced a strategic partnership with Corefy, a leading payment orchestration and processing platform used by high-volume global iGaming businesses. The collaboration strengthens the ability of NuxGame to provide operators with worldwide and local payment methods, improving transaction performance across multiple regions.

As an iGaming software provider , NuxGame continuously upgrades the underlying technology that supports operators' daily business activity. Integrating Corefy allows the company to offer easier payment flows, reduce processing delays, and raise conversion rates for deposits and withdrawals.

Corefy is known for its top-notch infrastructure that connects hundreds of payment providers and acquirers in a single system. With smart routing, multi-currency support, instant payouts, and advanced fraud prevention tools, operators receive a payment framework built for growth. These capabilities now become available to every NuxGame client through one backend integration.

Benefits This Partnership Brings

The partnership brings a direct improvement to the player experience, which is excellent for online casino operators. Faster deposits, reliable payouts, and local payment methods significantly increase trust and loyalty. These components are paramount for retention-focused brands operating internationally.

For platforms using sports betting software , optimized payments help operators manage peak activity during major events. With Corefy now embedded into NuxGame's infrastructure, betting brands can support higher volumes with fewer interruptions and better visibility into financial performance.

As a crypto casino developer , NuxGame also benefits from Corefy's strong processing logic for digital assets. Operators can manage cryptocurrency payments more reliably, connect new crypto services faster, and support global players with secure wallet-to-wallet transactions.

The NuxGame Sweepstakes Software customers will gain from improved onboarding and payout operations, making it easier to launch and scale sweepstakes projects in multiple jurisdictions without relying on separate payment vendors.

NuxGame serves as a full-stack platform provider and Online Casino Aggregator, offering a single integration point for games, engagement tools, and now a unified payment layer. The Corefy partnership reduces operational complexity, shortens time-to-market, and guarantees that NuxGame partners avoid managing multiple payment contracts across continents.

Executive Quote

"NuxGame always goes the extra mile to provide operator partners with the tools and infrastructure they need to succeed internationally. Corefy offers the international payment capabilities that help our clients expand with confidence."

 Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame

NuxGame and Corefy will continue to work together on new payment upgrades and development plans, solidifying their shared commitment to developing future-ready technology and expanding global payment reliability.

Original source: https://nuxgame.com/blog/nuxgame-corefy-partnership

About NuxGame

NuxGame is a global iGaming software provider of reliable platform technology and engagement tools that help operators boost profitability. The company develops solutions for online casino, sportsbook, crypto gaming, and sweepstakes businesses.

Media Contact:

Yanina Kaplya, CMO at NuxGame, [email protected]

SOURCE NuxGame
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP), the Texas utility subsidiary of TXNM Energy (NYSE: TXNM), together with Blackstone Infrastructure have reached a unanimous settlement with parties in its filed application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) for Blackstone Infrastructure to acquire the outstanding common stock of TXNM Energy. The settlement is subject to approval by the PUCT.

Terms of the settlement include:

Direct Financial Benefit to Customers: As part of the acquisition, TNMP will provide a $45.5 million rate credit to customers, distributed over 48 months following the transaction's closing. This commitment underscores TNMP's dedication to delivering measurable value to the communities it serves.

Strong Governance and Local Oversight: TNMP will maintain a seven-member Board of Directors, including three disinterested directors and TNMP's President and CEO. The Board will have authority over key decisions such as dividend policy, capital expenditures, and officer appointments, ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of TNMP and its customers.

Dividend payments will be subject to strict credit rating and financial health requirements, and director compensation will remain independent of the performance and goals of any entity other than TNMP .

. Financial Protections and Ring-Fencing: TNMP will maintain robust financial safeguards, including no acquisition-related debt, restrictions on dividend payments and restrictions on intercompany financial arrangements.

Local Control and Workforce Protections: TNMP's headquarters will remain in Texas within its service territory, and day-to-day operations will continue under TNMP's management team. For at least three years post-closing, TNMP will not implement involuntary workforce reductions or reduce wages or benefits, except for cause or performance, and will honor existing labor agreements.

and will honor existing labor agreements. Customer and Regulatory Protections: TNMP will not seek recovery of transaction-related goodwill or acquisition costs in customer rates. Additionally, TNMP will continue to operate under the jurisdiction of the PUCT and comply with all affiliate standards and codes of conduct.

Commitment to Texas Communities: TNMP will maintain its current five-year capital spending plan through 2029, ensuring continued investment in infrastructure and reliability for Texas customers.

Parties to the settlement include Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers, Office of Public Utility Counsel, Cities served by TNMP, Walmart Inc. and Texas Energy Association for Marketers. Valero Refining-Texas L.P. does not oppose the settlement.

The settlement is subject to approval by the PUCT. The PUCT hearings scheduled to begin on December 15, 2025, have been canceled. The filing and additional materials pertaining to the application are available at www.txnmenergy.com/investors/rates-and-filings/tnmp-puct-filings.aspx.

Background:

TXNM Energy (NYSE: TXNM), an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, delivers energy to more than 800,000 homes and businesses across Texas and New Mexico through its regulated utilities, TNMP and PNM. For more information, visit the company's website at www.TXNMEnergy.com.

CONTACTS:

Analysts Media Lisa Goodman Corporate Communications (505) 241-2160 (505) 241-2743

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements made in this press release that relate to future events or expectations, projections, estimates, intentions, goals, targets, and strategies are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally include statements regarding the potential transaction between TXNM Energy and Blackstone Infrastructure, including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the potential transaction, the ability to complete the potential transaction, the expected benefits of the potential transaction, projected financial information, future opportunities, and any other statements regarding TXNM Energy's and Blackstone Infrastructure's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and estimates. Neither Blackstone Infrastructure nor TXNM Energy assumes any obligation to update this information. Because actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, TXNM Energy caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements. TXNM Energy's business, financial condition, cash flow, and operating results are influenced by many factors, which are often beyond its control, that can cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of risk factors and other important factors affecting forward-looking statements, please see TXNM Energy's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings and the information filed on TXNM Energy's Forms 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which factors are specifically incorporated by reference herein and the risks and uncertainties related to the proposed transaction with Blackstone Infrastructure, including, but not limited to: the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee, the possibility that TXNM Energy's shareholders may not approve the transaction agreement, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, the outcome of legal proceedings that may be instituted against TXNM Energy, its directors and others related to the proposed transaction, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of TXNM Energy to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers and suppliers, and on its operating results and businesses generally, the amount of costs, fees, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction, and the risk that the price of TXNM Energy's common stock may fluctuate during the pendency of the proposed transaction and may decline significantly if the proposed transaction is not completed. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this communication could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE TXNM Energy, Inc.
Announcement Highlights:

Patient enrolment has been completed in Cynata's Phase 2 clinical trial of CYP-001 in acute graft versus host disease .

The study has enrolled a total of 65 participants in the US, Europe and Australia, each of whom was randomised to receive either steroids plus CYP-001, or steroids plus placebo.

Primary evaluation period expected to complete in March 2026, with results in June 2026.

CYP-001 has potential to address a major unmet need for the treatment of aGvHD, a life-threatening condition.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX: "CYP" or "Cynata"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specialising in cell therapeutics, is pleased to announce that patient enrolment has been completed in its Phase 2 clinical trial of CYP-001 in adults with newly diagnosed, high risk acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD).

A total of 65 participants have been enrolled in the trial across numerous clinical centres in the US, Europe and Australia. Each participant was randomised to receive either steroids plus CYP-001, or steroids plus placebo.

The trial involves a 100-day primary evaluation period, which is expected to conclude in March 2026, with results anticipated around June 2026. The primary endpoint is Overall Response Rate at Day 28.

Dr Kilian Kelly, Cynata's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to complete patient enrolment in this trial, which has huge importance to Cynata, as well as to patients afflicted with aGvHD, an extremely debilitating and potentially life-threatening disorder. There remains a significant unmet need for safer and more effective treatments, given that existing treatments often fail to prevent poor outcomes, as well as potentially causing serious safety concerns. We are optimistic that the results of this trial will build on the very encouraging results we saw in Phase 1."

About aGvHD and CYP-001

Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) is a serious and often life-threatening complication of bone marrow transplantation and similar procedures, where the donor's immune cells (the graft) attack the recipient's tissues (the host). aGvHD affects up to 50% of patients who receive transplants from other donors. Standard first-line treatment with steroids fails in around half of all aGvHD cases, which are known as "steroid-resistant" or SRaGvHD cases. Historical two-year survival rates in patients with SRaGvHD are less than 20%.[1]

Cynata's Cymerus iPSC[2]-derived MSC[3] product for intravenous use, CYP-001, is designed to modulate the immune system and improve both response rates and survival outcomes in aGvHD. In a successful Phase 1 trial in patients with SRaGvHD, 87% of patients showed an Overall Response, 53% showed a Complete Response, and 60% survived for at least two years. Importantly, there were no serious adverse events or safety concerns related to CYP-001 treatment. This ground-breaking trial led to two publications in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine.[4],[5] CYP-001 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation[6] by the US FDA for the treatment of aGvHD.

Investors are encouraged to visit the Company's InvestorHub, where they can view a video of Dr Kelly summarising this announcement.

-ENDS-

Authorised for release by Dr Kilian Kelly, CEO & Managing Director

About Cynata Therapeutics (ASX: CYP)

Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX: CYP) is an Australian clinical-stage stem cell and regenerative medicine company focused on the development of therapies based on Cymerus, a proprietary therapeutic stem cell platform technology. Cymerus overcomes the challenges and limitations of conventional MSC production by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to achieve economic manufacture of cell therapy products, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), at commercial scale without the necessity to obtain tissue from multiple donors on an ongoing basis, and without the complexity and product inconsistency resulting from conventional methods.

Cynata has demonstrated positive safety and efficacy data for its Cymerus product candidates CYP-001 and CYP006TK in Phase 1 clinical trials in steroid-resistant acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), respectively. Further clinical trials are now ongoing: a Phase 2 trial of CYP-001 in GvHD under a cleared US FDA IND; a Phase 1/2 trial of CYP001 in patients undergoing kidney transplantation; and a Phase 3 trial of CYP-004 in osteoarthritis. In addition, Cynata has demonstrated utility of its Cymerus technology in preclinical models of numerous other diseases, including critical limb ischaemia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, heart attack, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine release syndrome.

Cynata Therapeutics encourages all current investors to go paperless by registering their details with the designated registry service provider, Automic Group.

[1] Westin JR et al. Adv Hematol. 2011;2011:601953

[2] iPSC = induced pluripotent stem cell.

[3] MSC = mesenchymal stem (or stromal) cell.

[4] Bloor AJC, et al. Nat Med. 2020;26:17201725

[5] Kelly K, et al. Nat Med. 2024;30:15561558

[6] Orphan Drug Designation qualifies Cynata for incentives including extended marketing exclusivity, tax credits and fee waivers.

SOURCE Cynata Therapeutics
Two nonprofit organizations across awarded a total of $75,000 in funds

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently announced two organizations were awarded 2025 Workforce Readiness Grants, providing $75,000 in total funding to support communities served by Pennsylvania American Water.

"Central Montco Technical High School is grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation and Pennsylvania American Water for their commitment to our students," said Dr. Angela King, the school's executive director about the 2025 grant it received. "Their generosity and willingness to partner with us is critical as we prepare individuals to enter the workforce or pursue post-secondary education. Workforce development requires collaboration, and the American Water Charitable Foundation, along with Pennsylvania American Water, have demonstrated that they take seriously their responsibility to help equip the next generation of highly skilled workers."

The Workforce Readiness grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. This grant program focuses on general career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development and life skills training. This year's recipients in Pennsylvania include:

Central Montco Technical High School (Montgomery County)  A $25,000 grant supports the Hydroponics for Sustainable Food Supply program through which landscaping students learn about sustainable, modern agriculture through hands-on, practical experience.

(Montgomery County)  A $25,000 grant supports the Hydroponics for Sustainable Food Supply program through which landscaping students learn about sustainable, modern agriculture through hands-on, practical experience. Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry (Luzerne County)  A $50,000 grant supports Luzerne Learns to Work, a program that provides students with a process and platform to explore career pathways and industry pipelines.

"We believe that providing people with access to educational opportunities that allow them to grow and progress professionally is crucial to our shared success as a community," said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water, who also serves on the foundation's board of trustees. "To that end, I am honored to announce that two local nonprofit organizations have been awarded $75,000 in funding from the American Water Charitable Foundation to support workforce development programming. We congratulate these outstanding community partners and thank them for their efforts."

"Thanks to the support of the American Water Charitable Foundation through their Workforce Readiness Grant, our Luzerne Learns to Work program will be able to give more students meaningful opportunities to explore careers, build essential skills and connect with employers in our region," said Shanie Mohamed, director of economic development for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, another recipient of 2025 grant funding. "This support helps us deepen our workforce readiness efforts and bring more hands-on experiences, skilling opportunities and scholarships directly to students. This investment strengthens not only our program, but the local workforce pipeline  ensuring students see real possibility for their future right here at home. We truly appreciate this investment in our shared vision."

"The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to partner with eligible nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania," said Carrie Williams, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation. "We are thrilled to support initiatives that provide access to high-quality training and skills development for future leaders in the workplace."

Learn more about Pennsylvania American Water's community impact here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with 1,200 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.

About American Water Charitable Foundation

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

SOURCE American Water
SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- THE HONEST FARMER Co Ltd, a food manufacturer based in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, announced its entry into the U.S. health snack market with the launch of its export-exclusive brand WELLINUS. The company plans to introduce its Black Barley Brown Rice Chipsmade only with Korean-grown black barley and brown ricestarting with its participation in the 2025 LA Korean Festival held at Seoul International Park in Los Angeles.

In the U.S., health-focused consumption continues to grow, particularly within the processed foods category. Demand is increasing for low-calorie, grain-based snacks, as well as gluten-free and additive-free products. THE HONEST FARMER's chips contain 0g trans fat, 0g sodium, and 0g sugar, with each piece delivering approximately 2932 kcal, positioning it as an attractive option for clean-label-minded consumers.

The company is currently preparing export agreements with U.S. distributors specializing in health foods, online snack platforms, and organic-focused retailers. Packaging and labeling will also be adapted to meet U.S. regulatory requirements. The brand name WELLINUS reflects the meaning "well in us," emphasizing health, trust, and a commitment to clean, transparent food values.

A company spokesperson stated, "Our additive-free grain chips made from Korean black barley and brown rice align perfectly with the clean label trend among U.S. consumers. We plan to position the product not just as a snack, but as a health-conscious option that supports long-term brand growth in the American market."

THE HONEST FARMER expects its U.S. expansion to serve as more than a simple export initiativemarking a strategic step toward becoming a global health snack brand and a key opportunity to demonstrate the competitiveness of K-snacks in North America.

SOURCE THE HONEST FARMER Co Ltd
Global logistics leaders meet to address unprecedented margin pressure, rising tariff costs and supply chain disruption

Keynote by Janet Yellen, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Federal Reserve Chair

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 26th annual TPM, S&P Global's premier shipping and supply chain conference organized by the Journal of Commerce, will bring together senior decision-makers from across the global logistics ecosystem March 1  4 in Long Beach, California.

TPM26: Taking Costs Out, Putting Value In underscores the urgent challenge facing shippers as rising tariff burdens drive a renewed focus on cost savings and risk mitigationwithout sacrificing resilience or service quality. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, average U.S. tariff rates now exceed 17%, up from just 2.4% a year ago, highlighting the mounting pressure on importers to uncover meaningful cost-reduction opportunities across their supply chains. This year's agenda will spotlight practical strategies for margin protection, smarter sourcing, and risk-aware cost optimization amid high tariffs and ongoing supply chain volatility.

"TPM has always been where the global container shipping industry convenes to build relationships, gain insight, and chart a path forward," said Peter Tirschwell, Vice President for Maritime & Trade at S&P Global Market Intelligence and Founder and Chairman of TPM. "As we move into 2026, TPM continues to be about people and relationships  about the essential trust, collaboration, and innovation that keeps supply chains moving in an unpredictable world."

Keynote address and confirmed speakers

The conference will open with a keynote conversation featuring Janet L. Yellen, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and Chair of the Federal Reserve, in dialogue with Carlos Pascual, Senior Vice President and Head of Geopolitics and International Affairs at S&P Global Energy.

Additional speakers confirmed so far include;

Paul Gruenwald, Global Chief Economist at S&P Global Ratings;

Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd;

Johan Sigsgaard, Executive Vice President of Maersk;

Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport;

Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding;

Jens Drewes, CEO of Hellmann Worldwide

Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express

Rahul Kapoor, Global Head of Shipping Research and Analytics, S&P Global Energy

Event highlights

TPM26 features the return of TPM Academy, a series of 45-minute educational workshops led by subject matter experts with topics ranging from strategies to minimize tariff burdens, the potential impact of AI on supply chains, and the practicalities of near-shoring in the current tariff landscape. Further sessions and events across TPM26 delve into the global economic and trade outlook, the implications of China's diversification of exports away from the U.S., and an exploration of trade and maritime policy trends heading into 2026.

The full TPM26 program can be found here, and the confirmed speaker list here.

Media Accreditation

Media registration is now open. Members of the press interested in attending TPM26 can apply for accreditation here.

Media Contacts:

Hannah Brook

S&P Global Market Intelligence

London

+44(0)7483 439812

[email protected]

[email protected]

Spencer Umbeck

S&P Global Market Intelligence

Kansas City

M: +1(303) 874-0754

[email protected]

[email protected]

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides Essential Intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through sustainability and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and Accelerate Progress for the world.

We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com

About TPM

TPM, organized by The Journal of Commerce within S&P Global Market Intelligence, is S&P Global's premier conference focused on global ocean container supply chains. Founded in 2001, TPM is the world's largest container shipping gathering, based on an editorially independent and rigorous program developed by the Journal of Commerce, the leading team of specialized, subject matter expert journalists covering international transportation and logistics. TPM annually presents the industry's most in-depth program, delving into the most pressing challenges affecting retailers, manufacturers and other cargo owners globally. The event annually attracts the most senior-level audience in the global container shipping community, and is a platform for a week of essential and intensive networking, negotiations, and relationship building among the multiple parties in the supply chain: shippers, carriers, forwarders, technology providers, trucking operators, railroads, ports, terminals, and many others who participate in this market.

SOURCE S&P Global
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About Jamie Ashcroft

Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

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Imports of electric generator sets and rotating electrical converters to Ukraine in January-November increased by 3.2 times compared to the same period in 2024  to $1.513 billion, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.

According to statistics, electric generators and converters were most often imported from Romania (21.3% of the total exports of these products, or $321.6 million), the Czech Republic (17.9%, or $271.2 million), and Poland (12.5%, or $189.1 million). A year ago, the top importers were China (24.2%, or $115 million), Turkiye (18.5%, or $8.4 million), and the Czech Republic (15.6%, or $74.5 million).

Imports of this equipment increased by 27.2% in November compared to last November, reaching $116.4 million. However, this figure is 38% lower than October 2024's.

Ukraine exported electric generators in small volumes ($3.6 million  $1.6 million for 11 months of 2024) in JanuaryNovember, mainly supplying them to the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Bulgaria. In particular, there was practically no export in November.

According to the State Customs Service, imports of electric batteries and separators increased by 52% over 11 months, reaching $1.232 billion. Most of these imports came from China ($900.2 million, or 73.2%), followed by Vietnam ($96.7 million, or 7.9%), and Taiwan ($54.2 million, or 4.4%).

Last year, the largest suppliers were China (83.2%), the Czech Republic (2.83%), and Bulgaria (2.75%).

In November 2025, imports of these products increased by 43.6% compared to November 2024, reaching $177.7 millionwhich is also 22.6% higher than in October 2025.

During the same period, Ukraine exported batteries worth $47.6 million, primarily to Poland (32.7%), Germany (13%), and France (11.5%). Last year, exports totaled $37.8 million, with nearly 30% going to Poland, 15% to France, and 11.7% to Germany.
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About Oliver Haill

Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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About Lisa Uhlman

Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
The volume of imports into Ukraine of electric telephones or telegraphs and videophones (economic activity code 8517) in January-November increased by 27.6% compared to the same period in 2024  to $1.436 billion, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.

According to statistics, the largest volume of these products was imported from China ($795.7 million, or 55.4%), Vietnam ($220 million, or 15.3%), and the USA ($117.9 million, or 8.2%) last year. The previous year, the largest volume was imported from China ($720.6 million, or 64%), Vietnam ($183.6 million, or 16.3%), and the USA ($48.2 million, or 4.3%).

In November of this year, Ukraine imported telephone and telegraph sets worth $159.8 million, which is 33.6% more than last year.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's exports of these products from January to November 2025 amounted to $111.2 million, a 32.2% increase from the previous year. The main destinations were Hungary (70.2%), Poland (23.9%), and the Netherlands (less than 1%). During the same period in 2024, products were mostly exported to the same countries, though Hungary's share was 63.4%, Poland's was 27.8%, and the Netherlands' was 3.6%.

According to the State Customs Service, Ukraine imported telephone or telegraph devices and videophones worth nearly $1.26 billion in 2024  a 10% increase from 2023.
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About Fouad Haidar

Fouad is a trilingual broadcast journalist & content producer/presenter for Proactive. He has a Communication & Media degree from the University of Western Australia & a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He's worked in Dubai for 7 years reporting on Hollywood A-listers & producing a daily morning show. Back in Australia, he's worked as a weather and lifestyle presenter for Sky News Australia before moving into business and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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About Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff has said "significant progress" was made in the Ukrainian-American negotiations with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"The meeting in Berlin between President Zelenskyy, Special Envoy Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and delegations from the United States and Ukraine lasted over five hours. 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," he said on X.

Witkoff noted that the representatives held in-depth discussions on the 20-point peace plan, the economic agenda, etc.
New Delhi, Dec 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the release of a special postal cover honouring Emperor Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran, describing him as a visionary ruler, able administrator, and a steadfast protector of Tamil culture.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said it gave him "great pleasure" that the Vice President of India, Thiru C.P. Radhakrishnan, released the commemorative postal cover in memory of the ancient Tamil emperor.

"Emperor Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran). He was an energetic administrator endowed with a praiseworthy, far-sighted vision, foresight, and diplomatic wisdom. He acted with determination in establishing justice. Likewise, he was a great protector of Tamil culture. I request that more young people read about his extraordinary life," PM Modi said on X.

The Prime Minister's remarks came in response to an earlier post by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, who announced the release of the commemorative postage stamp at an event held in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President highlighted the Government of India's continued efforts to promote and preserve the Tamil language and culture under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

He praised initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangam, which aims to strengthen cultural ties and showcase Tamil heritage, and underscored the government's efforts to identify and honour Tamil kings, leaders, and freedom fighters who have not received adequate recognition so far. He said the release of the stamp in memory of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar was part of a broader initiative to restore historical balance and acknowledge overlooked contributors to India's civilisational legacy.

"He stated that, at a time when India is progressing towards 'Viksit Bharat,' recognising hidden leaders will help reclaim the nation's cultural pride," he said.

The event was attended by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr L. Murugan, and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, among other dignitaries.
Sydney, Dec 15 : The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday morning that 16 people have been confirmed dead after the shooting, Xinhua news agency reported.

A police statement said that 14 people died at the scene and two others died in hospital.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference on Monday morning that the two alleged shooters were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.

The 50-year-old, who was killed at the scene, was a licensed firearm holder with six guns legally in his possession, Lanyon said.

The shooting occurred at around 6:47 p.m. local time on Sunday when the two men opened fire on a crowd of at least 1,000 people who gathered at the beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Lanyon, who on Sunday night officially declared the shooting as a terrorist attack, said Monday that investigations into motives behind the attack are ongoing.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, in a post on X: Australia will not be divided by hate or violence. We will confront it head on. And we will stand together in solidarity with Jewish Australians and with one another."

The Prime Minister earlier said that the attack was an act of "pure evil" and that Australia would do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.

"It is a scourge and we'll eradicate it together," he said.

It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which prompted fundamental changes to Australia's gun ownership laws.
Chicago, Dec 15 : Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Sunday urged Indian Americans to confront rising bigotry by speaking out, building coalitions, and deepening political engagement, warning that silence could leave the community vulnerable.

"We are kind of in this moment where anti-Indian sentiment is on the rise," Krishnamoorthi said at the India Abroad Dialogue in Chicago. "It's going to become dangerous when combined with the rise of political violence as well."

He cited recent incidents of hate speech directed at him personally. "An elected official from Florida called for me to be deported. He called me a foreign occupier," he said, adding, "I said, just call me Raja  I'll just call you racist."

Krishnamoorthi outlined what he described as three essential responses for the Indian American community. "One, we have to speak up," he said, rejecting earlier advice that silence might reduce backlash.

"The second thing is you need to speak up even when there's bigotry, prejudice and hatred directed at anyone else," he said, urging solidarity across communities. "At the end of the day, we have to multiply our numbers by standing shoulder to shoulder with others."

The third, he said, was political participation. "If you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu," he said. "None of us can afford to be on the menu."

Krishnamoorthi also addressed concerns over public safety and gun violence, pointing to what he called a national "scourge." "There's a mass shooting every day on average," he said, arguing for "common sense gun regulations" and improved mental health support.

He said the tone of political rhetoric mattered. "We have to lower the temperature of the rhetoric that we use about each other," he said. "People listen to you, and if they listen to you, they may act."

Dr Bharat Barai, a longtime community leader, warned that legal immigration itself was being questioned by some political voices. "We all agree illegal immigration should be stopped, but legal immigration also should be stopped  that is deeply disturbing," he said.

Barai said Indian Americans were "law-abiding citizens" who contributed disproportionately to taxes and education. "We should continue to lead in medicine, technology, education and commerce," he said.

The discussion also touched on online misinformation, with participants warning of coordinated propaganda campaigns. "We see massive negativity online," Ankit Jain from US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), arguing that much of it was "not organic."

Indian Americans are among the most educated and economically successful immigrant groups in the United States. Community leaders say rising political polarisation has made sustained civic engagement increasingly critical.
Chicago, Dec 15 : Eminent Indian American physician and community leader Dr Bharat Barai warned that India-US relations could remain strained for the foreseeable future unless Washington reverses recent tariff measures, arguing that New Delhi has been unfairly singled out amid broader global trade and energy dynamics.

Chicago, Dec 15 (IANS) Eminent Indian American physician and community leader Dr Bharat Barai warned that IndiaUS relations could remain strained for the foreseeable future unless Washington reverses recent tariff measures, arguing that New Delhi has been unfairly singled out amid broader global trade and energy dynamics.

In an interview with IANS, Dr Barai said the momentum built in IndiaUS ties over several administrations had been undermined following President Donald Trump's return to the White House, particularly by trade actions driven more by politics than economics.

Dr Barai said the United States does have a trade deficit with India, but noted that addressing it should have followed a calibrated economic approach. "Doing X amount of tariffs purely on economic grounds to remove the trade deficit will be one thing, and they impose 25 per cent that so-called reciprocal duty to wipe out the trade deficit," he said, adding that the rate should have been lower, "more like 15 per cent or so.

He was particularly critical of the additional 25 per cent duty imposed as a penalty linked to India's imports of Russian oil. While condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, Dr Barai said India had become "a sort of innocent bystander casualty" in a policy that lacked consistency.

"China is importing more oil than India, but China has a Trump card, and their Trump card is the rare earth metals," he said, pointing to US and European dependence on Chinese rare earths for electric vehicles, defence equipment and even advanced aircraft. He also noted that several European countries continued to import Russian energy without facing comparable penalties.

"So why single out India with 25 per cent additional import duty when China is only at 47 per cent? Most European countries are around 15 per cent. There is no extra duty on Hungary or Slovenia for continuing to import Russian oil," he said.

Dr Barai attributed the tariff decisions to a small group within the administration, naming President Trump, immigration hardliner Stephen Miller and trade adviser Peter Navarro as key drivers of the policy. He said many lawmakers privately disagreed but were reluctant to speak out.

"Many congressmen and senators are very unhappy about it in private when they have a conversation. They do admit that this is wrong, but they all are afraid that President Trump will try to take revenge on them," he said, adding that fear of primary challenges had kept them silent.

He said recent electoral outcomes in states such as New Jersey and Virginia, as well as a mayoral election in Miami, reflected growing public discontent. "His policies are becoming very unpopular. They are totally arbitrary, made up by three people sitting in the Oval Office rather than the United States Congress," Dr Barai said, expressing hope that the Supreme Court would eventually rule that tariffs fall under Congress's authority.

On the outlook for bilateral ties, Dr Barai said the relationship could remain frozen unless a trade agreement removed the additional duty. He noted that some Indian companies, including Reliance, had reduced Russian oil imports following sanctions on specific Russian firms, but said India could not completely abandon a major energy source.

"For India, serving the population of 1.4 billion, wherever they can find a reliable source and cheaper source of energy, it is important," he said, adding that India sourced only about 35 per cent of its oil from Russia while diversifying the rest from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Dr Barai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was acting in India's national interest and had handled pressure from Washington "very diplomatically, very politely, very gentlemanly," without succumbing to it. "He is doing what is best for the people of India," he said.

He also argued that India's global standing had risen over the past year, citing closer ties with Europe, a free trade agreement with the UK, stronger engagement with Africa, and a recent defence pact with Australia. "India is respected more than before, except maybe in the United States," he said.
Chennai, Dec 15 : The volume of water released from the Mettur dam for irrigation in the Cauvery delta has been increased to 9,500 cubic feet per second (cusecs), in response to rising irrigation demand across delta districts.

Officials said the step was taken to ensure adequate water supply for standing crops and canal-fed irrigation systems as the agricultural season progresses.

Over the past few weeks, the quantity of water released from the dam has been gradually stepped up, reflecting increasing requirements in the delta region. On the 10th of this month, the discharge for irrigation purposes was raised to 6,000 cusecs. Since then, demand from farmers in the Cauvery delta -- particularly in tail-end areas -- has continued to grow, prompting the authorities to further enhance the release.

Accordingly, the water released for delta irrigation has now been increased to 9,500 cusecs, officials confirmed. In addition to this, 400 cusecs is being released specifically for canal irrigation, benefiting command areas dependent on distributary canals and feeder channels across Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and adjoining districts.

As per standard practice, the water meant for irrigation is being discharged largely through the hydroelectric power station attached to the Mettur dam. This has resulted in a corresponding increase in power generation.

With the higher flow, electricity production at the hydroelectric station has gone up to 90 megawatts, providing a boost to renewable energy output in the state. Officials noted that the regulated increase in discharge has been planned to balance irrigation needs with reservoir management, taking into account inflows, storage levels and downstream requirements.

Farmersa associations in the delta have welcomed the move, stating that timely water availability is crucial for crop stability, especially in canal-irrigated areas.

The Cauvery delta is one of Tamil Naduas most important agricultural regions, and irrigation from the Mettur dam plays a key role in sustaining paddy cultivation and allied farming activities. Authorities said the situation will continue to be closely monitored, and releases will be adjusted based on rainfall, inflows into the reservoir, and field-level demand in the coming days.
Chennai, Dec 15 : New voters, residents who have shifted homes, and those left out during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive can now apply for inclusion in Chennai's final electoral roll, which is set to be published in February.

Chennai, Dec 15 (IANS) New voters, residents who have shifted homes, and those left out during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive can now apply for inclusion in Chennaias final electoral roll, which is set to be published in February.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has begun distributing Form-6, the mandatory application for fresh voter enrolment, across the city. The forms are being distributed through nearly 3,700 booth-level officers (BLOs), enabling residents to access them at the local level.

Alongside physical distribution, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has facilitated online applications through its official voter portal, allowing eligible applicants to submit Form-6 digitally.

In many localities, BLOs have already received the forms from zonal offices and have been instructed to provide them to residents who approach them. Applicants are allowed to fill out and submit the forms on the same day.

In some constituencies, BLOs have been directed to hold booth-level camps specifically to distribute and collect Form-6 applications.

Although the original deadline for submitting Form-6 was January 8, there is still no official confirmation on whether this deadline has been extended. This comes even as Tamil Nadu received two extensions for the SIR enumeration process. In certain areas, officials continue to focus on digitising enumeration forms, several of which reportedly contain discrepancies, slowing down the full rollout of the enrolment process.

Applicants opting for the online route can submit Form-6 through www.voters.eci.gov.in. The application requires basic personal details, including name, address, and constituency. For documentation, applicants may upload a self-attested Aadhaar card as proof of both date of birth and residence.

In cases where Aadhaar details contain errors, alternative documents such as birth certificates, PAN cards, driving licences, or Class 10 or 12 mark sheets can be used to establish age. Proof of residence can be provided using utility bills, bank passbooks, gas connection documents, or passports.

The ECI has urged eligible citizens, particularly new voters and those omitted earlier, to submit Form-6 applications at the earliest, assuring that voter identity cards will be issued within about two weeks of approval.

According to GCC data, Chennai has around 40 lakh registered voters, of which 99.8 per cent of SIR forms have already been digitised. However, only about 70 per cent of voters returned the forms, while the remaining entries were digitised under categories such as shifted or absent, in line with ECI guidelines. Some voters, however, have reported technical difficulties with the online portal, including problems in submitting Form-6 digitally, forcing them to resort to manual submission. Authorities are expected to address these issues as the finalisation of the electoral roll progresses.

--IANS

aal/dpb
Phnom Penh, Dec 15 : The number of displaced Cambodian civilians has risen to nearly 395,000 as the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has entered its eighth day, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release.

Among the displaced are 204,889 women and 95,949 children, according to the press release, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict is still going on as of Sunday, Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said.

On Sunday, the Thai army 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 had 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.

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.
Chennai, Dec 15 : The makers of director Sudha Kongara's eagerly-awaited period film, 'Parasakthi', featuring actor Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, have now released the inspiring third single 'Nammakaana Kaalam' from the film, much to th delight of fans and film buffs.

Chennai, Dec 15 (IANS) The makers of director Sudha Kongara's eagerly-awaited period film, 'Parasakthi', featuring actor Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, have now released the inspiring third single 'Nammakaana Kaalam' from the film, much to th delight of fans and film buffs.

Taking to its X timeline, Dawn Pictures, the production house producing the film, wrote, "A song that cheers us, our time, our joy. #Parasakthi third single out now.Namakkana Kaalam (Tamil). Janjara Janjaraja (Telugu). A @gvprakash musical, in Cinemas for Pongal."

'Nammakaana Kaalam', which seems to be a song of celebration, has been set to tune by G V Prakash Kumar and rendered by Haricharan, Nakash Aziz and Velmurugan. It has lyrics by Arivu.

Interestingly, a couple of phrases in the song emphasises the need for one to stand up for one's language. This has led industry insiders to believe that the plot of the film, among other things, is likely to touch upon the language issue that rocked the state in the sixties and seventies.

It may be recalled that Sivakarthikeyan had begun dubbing for the film in the last week of November.

Dawn Pictures had released a video that showed the actor dubbing under the supervision of director Sudha Kongara and wrote, "When his voice turns into a storm.@sivakarthikeyan begins dubbing for #Parasakthi - Coming to theatres on January 14th."

Both actress Sreeleela, who plays the female lead, and actor Ravi Mohan, who plays the antagonist in the film, have dubbed for their portions. Interestingly, Sreeleela has dubbed in her own voice for this film.

The makers had officially confirmed on October 21 this year that the unit had wrapped up the shooting of the film. In August, the unit wrapped up its Pollachi schedule.

Sources in the know say that some important sequences in the film were shot during this schedule, which began on July 18. However, Sivakarthikeyan had joined the unit a little later.

It may be recalled that while the first schedule of 'Parasakthi' happened in Madurai, the unit headed to Sri Lanka for the film's second schedule. The schedule in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu was the third.

aParasakthia has triggered huge interest among fans and film buffs. The period film, which also features Atharvaa, is believed to be set in the 1960s in the then state of Madras.

A teaser released by the unit shows that the story takes place in the Pachaiyappaas college in Madras where Sivakarthikeyan is seen going door to door, in search of something. He comes across as a fearless leader, looking to lead students on a violent protest in rebellion against an unjust system which seems to have imposed orders such as aStudents - do not toucha. Incidentally, the teaser shows this order printed on a wall changed to aDo not touch studentsa.

The teaser gives away the fact that Ravi Mohanas character is intent on killing Sivakarthikeyanas character.

'Parasakthi', which was tentatively being referred to as #SK25 as it is Sivakarthikeyanas 25th film, has music by G V Prakash and cinematography by experienced cameraman Ravi K Chandran. Stunts for the film are by Supreme Sundar. The film is scheduled to hit screens on January 14 next year for the festival of Pongal.

--IANS

Mkr

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
The majority of Ukrainians (57%) believe that the main reason for the lack of electricity is Russian shelling, from which it is impossible to fully protect yourself, according to the results of an all-Ukrainian survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on November 26-December 13, 2025.

At the same time, 29% place the responsibility primarily on the Ukrainian authorities, which, in their opinion, were inadequately prepared. Another 8% believe that the main reason is insufficient support from Western partners.

"The Russian enemy also continues the information war against Ukrainians, and, in particular, this can be seen in the situation of the lack of electricity due to Russian shelling. We can see the spread of narratives that shift the focus and responsibility from, in fact, the Russians to, for example, Ukraine itself (in the form of criticism of the Ukrainian authorities) or to Western partners," the KIIS press release states.

The majority of Ukrainians (59%) continue to believe that there are indeed attempts to fight corruption in Ukraine and that there are positive developments (in September it was 56%). At the same time, 33% of respondents believe that Ukraine is hopelessly corrupt. In September, 40% believed so.

The survey was conducted using telephone interviews (CATI) based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers among 547 adult respondents from all regions of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government. Formally, under normal circumstances, the statistical error of such a sample (with a probability of 0.95 and taking into account the design effect of 1.3) did not exceed 5.6% for indicators close to 50% and 2.5% - for indicators close to 5%, but in war conditions, in addition to the specified formal error, a certain systematic deviation is added. KIIS believes that the results obtained still retain a high level of representativeness and allow for a reliable analysis of public sentiment.
Sydney, Dec 15 : The men behind the Sydney Bondi Beach shooting that claimed 15 innocent lives have been identified as a father-son duo originally from Pakistan's Lahore, police said on Monday.

One of the gunmen, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was fatally shot by police during the attack, while the second shooter, his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, was wounded and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed.

According to police, the father and son opened fire on Sunday evening at the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, which was organised to celebrate the first day of the Jewish festival.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including the gunman Sajid. Police said the youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl who later died at a children's hospital, while the oldest victim was 87 years old.

Investigators said the two men had earlier told family members that they were travelling to the South Coast for a fishing trip. Instead, they allegedly carried out what has now been described as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, in a country known for its strict gun control laws.

Authorities said Naveed Akram is an Australian-born citizen. His father, Sajid Akram, arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, which was converted into a partner visa in 2001 and later into a resident return visa, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Following the attack, heavily armed police conducted raids on Sunday night at the family's home in Bonnyrigg in south-west Sydney, as well as at an Airbnb property in Campsie, where the two men had been staying.

Police also located a vehicle on Campbell Parade in Bondi that contained several improvised explosive devices.

"A rescue bomb disposal unit is there at the moment, working on the vehicle," Commissioner Lanyon said.

Referring to the weapons and materials recovered, Lanyon said, "The types of weaponsa some of the other items we found at the scene -- as I said, we have found the improvised explosive device in a car which is linked to the deceased offender," as he formally declared the incident a "terrorist attack".

Investigators from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), which includes both state and federal agencies, believe the attackers had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Senior officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two IS flags were found inside the attackers' car at Bondi Beach.

One of the flags was visible in footage from the scene, placed on the bonnet of the vehicle, the report added.

A senior JCTT official also said that Australia's domestic intelligence agency ASIO had taken an interest in Naveed Akram around six years ago, after police disrupted plans for an IS-inspired terrorist attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram first came to ASIO's attention in October 2019. He was investigated for about six months, but authorities later assessed that he did not pose an ongoing threat.

According to officials, Naveed Akram had close links with Matari, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for planning an IS insurgency as the self-declared Australian commander of the terror group.

Matari was part of an IS cell that included several other Sydney-based men who have since been convicted of terrorism-related offences. Sources with close knowledge of the investigation said these individuals were also closely associated with Naveed Akram.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said on Sunday that one of the gunmen was known to the agency, though he did not specify which individual. "One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here," Burgess said.

The JCTT comprises ASIO, the New South Wales Police, the Australian Federal Police and the NSW Crime Commission.

Addressing reporters on Monday morning, Commissioner Lanyon said Sajid Akram had been a licensed firearms holder for the past 10 years.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Naveed Akram was an unemployed bricklayer who had lost his job about two months ago after his employer became insolvent. His mother reportedly said he had been actively searching for work.

The Akram family lives in a three-bedroom house purchased in 2024, having previously lived in Cabramatta. Naveed resided at the home with his parents, his 22-year-old sister and his 20-year-old brother.

Naveed's mother, Verena, told local media that her son last contacted the family on Sunday morning, just hours before the shooting. She said she was unable to recognise her son from images taken at the scene and insisted she did not believe he could be involved in violence or extremist activity.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Dec 15 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman on Monday, bolstering economic and trade ties is among the key agenda items of his visit.

PM Modi's visit is expected to open far-reaching opportunities to enhance the countryas economic footprint across West Asia and Africa.

Last week, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Oman, aimed at deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries.

The approval also came after Oman's Shura Council approved the Gulf nationas proposed FTA with India. The talks for the trade agreement, officially termed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally began in November 2023.

India and Oman share a long-standing and multidimensional Strategic Partnership supported by strong trade ties, energy cooperation and cultural linkages. The economic and commercial relations between India and Oman are robust and buoyant.

The bilateral trade between the two nations reached $8.947 billion during FY 2023-2024, and for FY 2024-25, it stood at $10.613 billion, according to an official statement. Bilateral investment flows have also been strong, as reflected in numerous joint ventures established both in India and Oman.

Moreover, there are over 6,000 India-Oman joint ventures present in Oman, estimated to be adding $7.5 billion to Omanas economy in the form of total capital investment over a long period.

PM Modi will hold high-level talks with the Sultan of Oman in Muscat and discuss strengthening the Strategic Partnership as well as the strong commercial and economic relationship between the two nations.

Notably, India is Jordan's third-largest partner, with bilateral trade at around $2.8 billion. Jordan is a key supplier of fertilisers to India, particularly phosphates and potash.

Although the size of India-Ethiopia bilateral trade was around $550 million in FY25, India was the second largest trading partner for the African nation. Indiaas key exports include primary and semi-finished iron and steel products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and machinery, among others.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : Riddhi Display Equipment shares made a weak debut on the Indian stock market on Monday, disappointing investors.

The stock was listed on the BSE SME platform at Rs 80 per share, which was a discount of 20 per cent compared to its issue price of Rs 100.

The muted listing came despite expectations of a flat debut in line with the issue price. In the grey market, Riddhi Displayas IPO was trading at a premium of zero, indicating a likely listing around Rs 100.

However, the stock failed to meet those expectations and opened significantly lower.

The Riddhi Display SME IPO received a moderate response from investors during the three-day bidding period.

The issue was subscribed 4.91 times overall. Retail investors showed strong interest, with their portion subscribed nearly eight times.

The non-institutional investor segment was subscribed 1.92 times, while qualified institutional buyers placed bids worth 2.19 times their allotted quota.

The IPO opened for subscription on December 8 and closed on December 10, with the allotment finalised shortly after. The company made its stock market debut on December 15 on the BSE SME platform.

Riddhi Display had set a price band of Rs 95 to Rs 100 per share and raised Rs 24.68 crore through a fresh issue of 25 lakh equity shares.

There was no offer-for-sale component in the IPO. Investors had to apply in lots of 1,200 shares, which meant a minimum investment of Rs 2.4 lakh at the upper end of the price band.

The company plans to use the IPO proceeds to expand its operations. A significant portion of the funds will be used for interior development and the purchase of machinery for a new manufacturing and assembly unit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The remaining funds will go toward upgrading machinery and software at its existing Gondal facility in Gujarat, setting up a showroom in Gondal, meeting working capital needs and supporting general corporate purposes.

The IPO was managed by Jawa Capital Services Pvt. Ltd. as the book-running lead manager, while Maashitla Securities Pvt. Ltd. acted as the registrar. Prabhat Financial Services Ltd. served as the market maker for the issue.
December 15 : Lucknow: For decades, politics in Uttar Pradesh under the Congress and the Samajwadi Party largely revolved around vote-bank management. Governance remained confined to caste-based politics, appeasement, and symbolic schemes, with little focus on long-term development. In contrast, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a policy-driven, structural, and economic transformation over the past eight and a half yearsan improvement reflected in both government and independent data.

The Indian Industries Association (IIA) has acknowledged this shift. IIA National President Dinesh Goyal stated that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a far more favourable and reliable destination for entrepreneurs and investors.

Investors have consistently shown confidence in the state, setting up new industries and manufacturing units. This industrial growth has created employment opportunities for local youth and has gradually reduced migration, as young people are now finding jobs within Uttar Pradesh itself.

Over the past eight and a half years, more than 8.5 lakh youths have been provided government jobs through fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment processes conducted by various commissions and recruitment boards under the Yogi government.

Women empowerment has also been a key focus of the government's development agenda. As a result, more than 1.75 lakh women have secured government jobs during this period. In addition, the Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Mission has been established to create employment opportunities for youth both within the country and overseas.

Under the Mukhyamantri Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, more than one lakh youths have been registered and trained across industries and establishments, helping them gain practical experience and move towards self-reliance.

Through ITIs and the Skill Development Mission, over 25 lakh youths have received training in various trades, with more than 10.20 lakh securing employment. In keeping with Industry 4.0 requirements, students are also being trained in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced computing, including robotics, encouraging innovation and self-employment.

Anurag Pandey, an entrepreneur operating in the capital's industrial area, noted that while previous governments viewed the public largely through the lens of electoral arithmetic, the present Yogi government has prioritised development by focusing on sustainable employment, investment, and skill development.

The growing presence of external industries and structured skill training for local youth clearly shows that Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a state people migrate from in search of jobs. It is steadily emerging as a state that generates employment and opportunities for its own people.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, and conveyed India's condolences over Sydney's Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 innocent people were killed.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Just spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Conveyed our deepest condolences about the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and offered our fullest support."

According to police, the Pakistani-origin father-son duo, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram, opened fire at the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, which was organised to celebrate the first day of the Jewish festival, on Sunday at Bondi Beach.

The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including the gunman Sajid. Police said the youngest victim was a 10-year-old girl who later died at a children's hospital, while the oldest victim was 87 years old.

Sajid was fatally shot by police during the attack, while the second shooter, his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, was wounded and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The attack is now being described as the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades, in a country known for its strict gun control laws.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the terror attack targeting the Jewish community and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

He also expressed India's support in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

"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," PM Modi posted on X.

"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.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Patna, Dec 15 : Senior BJP leader and Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin, who has been appointed as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, offered prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Patna on Monday before leaving for Delhi.

After offering prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Patna, Nabin visited Rajvanshi Nagar, where he paid floral tributes to his late father and senior BJP leader Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha at his statue.

Interacting with media persons for the first time after assuming the new responsibility, Nitin Nabin expressed gratitude to the party and recalled his father's ideological legacy.

"The party gave me the opportunity to contest elections 20 years ago after the demise of my father. I am deeply thankful to the Bharatiya Janata Party for trusting me and blessing me with the chance to work alongside party workers, which has brought me to this stage," Nabin said.

Recalling his father's ideals, he added, "My father always believed that the party should come first. It is like a mother, and that one should continuously work to take the nation to new heights."

Highlighting the achievements of the NDA government, Nitin Nabin said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, development has reached the grassroots level.

"Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, development has reached villages, the BJP has expanded its base, and our party has emerged as a party of the poor. The NDA has worked to touch every section of society for their development," he said.

Responding to a question on upcoming elections in West Bengal, Nabin said BJP workers remain committed in every electoral battle.

"Whether it is West Bengal, Assam, or any other state, BJP workers are always fully committed. This dedication is the beauty of the Bharatiya Janata Party," he said.

Delivering a message to the youth, Nitin Nabin emphasised patience and hard work in public life.

"Young people should have faith in their work. Politics is not a shortcut; it is a long race that requires hard work and patience. Success will come with perseverance," he said.

During the occasion, BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal accompanied him.

Jaiswal said that a grand welcome has been planned by the party's top leadership for Nabin.

During his visit, he is expected to meet several senior BJP leaders.

Nitin Nabin's appointment is being seen as a historic moment for Bihar and eastern India, as he is the first leader from the region to be appointed National Working President of the BJP.

Party sources say the move reflects the leadership's focus on organisational balance and promotion of younger leadership.

He is also being viewed as a potential future national president of the party.

Founded in April 1980, the BJP is now witnessing a generational shift in its leadership.

At 45 years of age, Nitin Nabin is among the youngest leaders to be entrusted with such a key national organisational role, underlining the party's confidence in his abilities and long-standing commitment.
December 15 : Lucknow: The illegal drug traffickers who are pushing the state's youth into the clutches of addiction will now face serious consequences. The Yogi government is going to take strict action against illegal drug traffickers. For this, the Yogi government has decided to further strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF).

Currently, police personnel are deployed in the ANTF on deputation. In addition, the department has a shortage of personnel compared to its sanctioned strength. Therefore, the CM Yogi government has decided to strengthen the ANTF by deploying regular police personnel and providing the required force according to the sanctioned strength. This will not only strengthen the ANTF but also expedite action against illegal drug traffickers.

Abdul Hamid (IG ANTF) said "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had formed the ANTF in 2022 to crack down on illegal drugs in the state and take the strictest action against drug mafias. During this time, 6 police stations and 8 units were formed. The sanctioned strength for these police stations was set at 28 police personnel".

This includes one inspector, 4 sub-inspectors, 3 computer operators, 3 head constables, 12 constables, 2 constable drivers, and 3 Class IV employees. Similarly, the sanctioned strength for the units was set at 18 police officers and other employees. It includes one Deputy Superintendent of Police, 1 Inspector, 2 Sub-Inspectors, 1 Computer Operator, 2 Head Constables, 8 Constables, 2 Constable Drivers, and 2 Class IV employees.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently held a review meeting of the ANTF with senior officials.

In the meeting, officials informed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that the force in the ANTF is currently deployed on deputation, the force is not up to the required strength. Following this, CM Yogi Adityanath instructed senior officials to provide regular postings to all police personnel in the ANTF. He also directed them to deploy the force as per the sanctioned strength as soon as possible.

Chief Minister said, the department was formed to take strict action against drug traffickers in the state. Therefore, they should be immediately provided with the necessary force and modern equipment to cripple the drug mafia. The IG informed that the sanctioned strength for the appointment of police officers and personnel in the ANTF is 386.

This includes 15 gazetted officers, 59 at the headquarters, 168 at 6 police stations, and 144 at 8 units. Currently, 236 positions have been filled in the department, while 150 positions are vacant. Following CM Yogi's instructions, all vacant positions will be filled soon.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : Trinamool Congress General Secretary and the party's Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, will hold a coordination meeting with all the party MPs, both from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday in New Delhi.

Although officially, Trinamool Congress has claimed that the meeting is intended to fix the responsibilities of the party MPs amid the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal next year, party insiders said that one of the principal agendas of the coordination meeting on Wednesday is to sort out the internal differences between some party MPs, which often come out in public.

"In a party that has internal democracy, internal differences can surface at times. However, those internal differences should be settled only through discussions within the party. It is never desirable that those internal differences become public or are flashed in the media. Our general secretary is expected to give strict instructions so that such internal differences should be discussed within the party and not made public," said a party Lok Sabha member on strict condition of anonymity.

However, he refused to pinpoint the party MPs responsible for such situations.

It is learnt that in the coordination meeting, Abhishek Banerjee is also expected to fix the responsibilities of the party MPs ahead of the Assembly elections. He is expected to draw the roadmap on how the MPs will have to reach out to the common people, highlighting the different welfare schemes of the state government and how such schemes have benefited the people.

"Our general secretary is also expected to define the role of the party MPs amid the outcome of the draft voters' list, which will be published on Tuesday," the party Lok Sabha member said.

From time to time, the differences between the different MPs of Trinamool Congress have surfaced, the worst example of which was the verbal and social media jibes between Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee earlier this year, with the latter even resorting to personal attacks.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Patna, Dec 15 : Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal on Sunday expressed immense pride and excitement on the appointment of Minister Nitin Nabin as the Bharatiya Janata Party's National Working President.

Speaking to IANS, Jaiswal said, "Every worker and supporter in Bihar carries pride and joy within them. Today, a young leader has been appointed to a top position in the Bharatiya Janata Party, assuming a key leadership role. This has sparked waves of happiness across Bihar, especially among the youth, sending a strong message that even a young person can become the National President of the BJP. There is immense enthusiasm and excitement among the youth."

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dharmshila Gupta highlighted the party's commitment to recognising hard work and merit.

"This is possible only in the Bharatiya Janata Party. Whether the worker is young, a woman, elderly, or from the most marginalised sections of society -- Dalits, oppressed, or underrepresented -- those workers who continuously work and diligently fulfil their responsibilities are recognised and given opportunities in the Bharatiya Janata Party. This is possible only in the BJP," she said.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam underlined that the party provides opportunities for dedicated workers to rise through the ranks.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party is a party where even a booth head can become the national president of the country. In our party, every hardworking and dedicated worker gets the opportunity to rise to a high position. Appointing a committed worker, who has been elected as an MLA several times despite his young age, as the National Working President is a matter of pride," Kadam told IANS.

The decision to appoint Nitin Nabin as National Working President was approved by the BJP Parliamentary Board on Sunday.

This move comes as the term of the current BJP National President JP Nadda has ended, and deliberations on his successor were underway.

In the interim, the top leadership has entrusted Nabin with the key organisational role, marking a significant step in the party's efforts to bring in young leadership.

According to a letter issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, Nitin Nabin's appointment as National Working President takes effect immediately, signalling the party's continued focus on merit-based leadership and youth participation at the highest levels of its organisational hierarchy.
December 15 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision that Uttar Pradesh is establishing a strong identity as a major start-up ecosystem in the country. IIT Kanpur, one of the country's most prestigious technical institutions, is playing a strong role in this direction.

IIT Kanpur is no longer limited to education and research, but is emerging as a strong start-up hub that is shaping the country's economic future. Currently, 521 start-ups at the Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) here are proving their mettle and establishing themselves as powerful economic drivers for the country. They are also working to establish Uttar Pradesh as a new capital of innovation.

Professor Deepu Philip, in-charge of the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering and the Design Programme and SIIC at IIT Kanpur, says "the CM Yogi Adityanath government is doing a lot for start-ups. In the future, the state will become a major centre for start-ups".

The IIT Kanpur start-up ecosystem is receiving direct and strategic support from the Uttar Pradesh government. Thanks to the government's start-up-friendly policies, easy funding mechanisms, and robust infrastructure, innovation has gained rapid momentum here. The partnership between the government and the institution has made IIT Kanpur a platform where ideas are directly connected to industry and the market.

IIT Kanpur is currently the only incubator centre in the country that not only provides space and resources to start-ups but also acts as its own mentor.

Professor Deepu Philip says "a faculty member is assigned as a mentor to help the start-ups grow. Start-ups are provided with a complete ecosystem, from technical guidance and business modelling to product development, market access, and connections with investors. The reason why start-ups build a strong foundation right from the initial stages.

Significantly, the IIT Kanpur Incubation Centre is specifically promoting start-ups related to manufacturing and production. In line with the 'Make in India' and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision, ideas related to hardware, electronics, defence production, Agri-tech, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing are being transformed into large businesses.

Several start-ups are now targeting markets worth thousands of crores of rupees and are playing a crucial role in job creation. Drones manufactured by a drone manufacturing start-up located on the IIT Kanpur campus were used during 'Operation Sindoor'. Start-ups here also played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Deepu Philip explains, "the IIT Kanpur incubator is not limited to any one state or region. Anyone aspiring to launch a start-up can apply here. Selection is based entirely on the quality of the idea, technical capabilities, and business potential. This is why IIT Kanpur's start-up network has now spread nationally, but Uttar Pradesh is reaping the greatest benefits".
Detainee over U.S. university mass shooting released as search for gunman continues

Xinhua) 16:30, December 15, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Sunday that law enforcement authorities will shortly release a person of interest detained earlier in the day in connection with the Brown University mass shooting.

Evidence "now points in a different direction," and the search for the gunman who remains at large will continue, he said.

Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence, capital of the state of Rhode Island, said earlier Sunday that authorities had detained a person of interest in the Brown University shooting and that a shelter-in-place order for the university and surrounding areas had been lifted. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez had previously told media that police were confident the detained individual was the shooter.

A shooting occurred Saturday afternoon in an academic building at Brown University, leaving at least two students dead and nine others injured.

Smiley said Sunday night that although the gunman remains at large, the local community is currently safe.

He emphasized that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted because police had received no credible threats against the Brown University community, the city of Providence, or the broader Rhode Island community since the shooting, and that this assessment has not changed.

"We are not recommending at this time a new shelter-in-place. We do not feel it is necessary," Smiley said.

Smiley added that police will increase their presence in and around Providence and the Brown University campus, and again urged the public to submit any videos that could assist the investigation.

Brown University is one of the United States' eight Ivy League schools, with about 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Saturday marked the second day of the university's final examinations for the fall semester.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers may monitor the effectiveness of the activities of deputy heads of regional and Kyiv city state administrations for European integration, international cooperation and coordination of international technical assistance.

"To establish that, on the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine may monitor the effectiveness of the activities of deputy heads of regional, Kyiv and Sevastopol city state administrations, whose competence includes issues of European integration, international cooperation and coordination of international technical assistance," says the government resolution No. 1641 of December 12.

According to the resolution of August 20, 2024 "Some issues of the activities of local executive bodies on European integration, international cooperation and coordination of international technical assistance", deputy heads of regional and Kyiv city state administrations interact with the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers on relevant issues.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : Shares of D2C home and furnishings brand Wakefit Innovations made a muted debut on the stock market on Monday, after its Rs 1,289-crore initial public offering (IPO) received moderate investor interest.

The stock was listed at Rs 195 per share, which was the same as its issue price, on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), it opened slightly lower at Rs 194.10. After listing, the stock came under selling pressure and slipped by as much as 9 per cent during early trade.

Wakefitas mainboard IPO was subscribed 2.52 times overall during the three-day bidding period from December 8 to December 10.

The qualified institutional buyer (QIB) segment was subscribed 3.04 times, while the non-institutional investor category was fully subscribed. Retail investors showed strong interest, with their portion booked 3.17 times.

Ahead of the listing, the stock was trading at a grey market premium of around Rs 5 per share -- indicating a possible listing gain of about 3 per cent.

However, the actual listing failed to match expectations, highlighting that grey market trends are only indicative and can change quickly. Market experts said investors could consider booking profits in case of any sharp gains.

Before the IPO opened, Wakefit raised Rs 580 crore from anchor investors. The company saw participation from several well-known institutional investors, including Ashoka Whiteoak, HDFC Life, Prudential Hong Kong, HDFC Mutual Fund and Axis Mutual Fund.

In November, the company also raised Rs 56 crore in a pre-IPO round from DSP India Fund and 360 ONE Equity Opportunity Fund.

The IPO included a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 377.18 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 4.67 crore shares valued at around Rs 912 crore, taking the total issue size to Rs 1,289 crore.

Wakefit plans to use the funds raised through the fresh issue to expand its business. The company will invest in opening 117 new company-owned and company-operated stores, purchase new equipment and machinery, meet lease-related expenses for existing stores and spend on marketing, advertising and general corporate purposes.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday condemned the objectionable slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally and demanded that the party leadership apologise publicly in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said, "The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is recognised by the world and by the people of our 1.4 billion-strong country as the leader of the world's largest democracy. It is extremely sad and regrettable if some opposition members call for his killing. Mere denial is not enough."

"The Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament should apologise to the country. I believe that if there is any sense of humanity and respect for the nation and society within the Congress Party, they should not delay in apologising openly on the floor of Parliament to the people of the country. Only then will we understand that a mistake was made and that the Congress Party has acknowledged it," he added.

Rijiju emphasised that political differences should never extend to personal threats or violence. "No matter how much we oppose each other, we still extend our wishes, whether someone is ill, it's a birthday, or any other occasion, out of respect for one another. We honour each other," he said.

"Political battles are different, in a democracy," said Rijiju, adding that everyone has the right to engage in politics, and we criticise or oppose each other in different ways. "But no one ever thinks or speaks about killing another person. What kind of mentality is it that openly encourages killing an opponent?" he asked.

The Union Minister referred specifically to the slogans and statements made at the Congress rally on Sunday, where some participants allegedly called for "digging the grave" of the Prime Minister and urged workers to kill him.

"Yesterday, the Congress Party held a rally, and the people of the country heard what was said there. In a democracy, we are all colleagues, not enemies. But at the Congress rally, statements were made about digging the grave of the Prime Minister, and Congress workers were called upon to kill the Prime Minister. I believe that in a democracy, such a low and disgraceful level has never been seen before," Rijiju said.

He reiterated that the ongoing parliamentary session was the right forum for the Congress leadership to acknowledge the mistake. "The parliamentary session is ongoing, and the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition should apologise to the people of the country," Rijiju added, underscoring the need for accountability and respect for democratic norms.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Union Minister and former JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, on Monday hit back at the Congress over its allegations of vote theft.

His remarks came as the Congress held a major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan to intensify its campaign against the alleged vote fraud and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Party workers and leaders from across the country gathered in the national capital to participate in the mega rally.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Lalan Singh said, "I have already said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advised them (the Opposition) to win the confidence of the public by offering solutions. Instead of earning people's confidence, they are making such baseless allegations that have nothing to do with politics. Let them continue making allegations."

Meanwhile, the Union Minister alleged that the Congress' real objective is to 'eliminate' Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is their language and culture. On the basis of this culture alone, they think they can rule the country," he said.

This accusation followed reports and visuals of some Congress workers raising controversial slogans at the venue of the party's mega rally in Delhi on Sunday.

Visuals showed a section of Congress workers raising "Modi teri kabra khudegi" slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Lalan Singh also congratulated Nitin Nabin on being appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party's national working president.

"I want to congratulate him. Nitin Nabin is young, energetic, and very hardworking. He works tirelessly, which is why the BJP has given him this responsibility. I hope he will fulfil all his responsibilities very well," Singh said.

The BJP's parliamentary board on Sunday announced the appointment of Bihar Minister and five-term MLA Nitin Nabin as the party's national working president, ending months of speculation. He is expected to be formally elected as the party president in January 2026, with the election to be endorsed at the BJP's National Council meeting in April.

The incumbent national president and Union Minister J.P. Nadda is currently serving on an extension. He had earlier served as working president under then BJP president Amit Shah, who later became the Union Home Minister after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Patna, Dec 15 : In a shocking case in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, a father and his three daughters allegedly committed suicide, triggering panic in the village.

The incident occurred on Sunday night in Ward Number Four of Mishraulia village, under the Sakra police station area.

According to preliminary information, the father and his three minor daughters died on the spot, while his two sons have survived. The father, Amarnath Ram, asked his five children to stand on a trunk while putting ropes around their necks. He also did the same for himself and asked them to jump from there. Ram, along with three daughters, allegedly jumped while his two sons refused. More information was awaited.

The manas wife is reported to have died about a year ago. The deceased's three daughters have been identified as 11-year-old Radha Kumari, 9-year-old Radhika, and 7-year-old Shivani. Amaranath's sons are 6-year-old Shivam Kumar and 4-year-old Chandan.

Shivam and Chandan raised an alarm after the incident. Following that, the neighbours assembled at the scene and informed the district police.

After receiving information, a team from the Sakra police station rushed to the spot and began an investigation.

The district police have recovered four dead bodies and sent them for the post-mortem at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur.

The two surviving sons are also undergoing medical treatment.

So far, there has been no official statement regarding the cause of the incident. Police officials said that the case is being investigated from all possible angles.

An FIR has been registered in the Sakra police station, and the district police is waiting for the recovery of the deceasedas two sons to take detailed statements.

The investigators are expecting that their statements will shed more light on the reasons for the incident.

The district police have called for the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to collect the evidence from the scene.

The incident has cast an atmosphere of grief and fear across the area, while police continue their probe to ascertain the exact circumstances behind the tragedy.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Monday accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra of being engrossed in self-celebration and political self-interest even as the state grapples with an alarming rise in cases of missing girls.

In a scathing editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp alleged that the government machinery is being diverted to protect "traitors" and serve a handful of cronies, while public safety -- particularly that of women and girls -- has been pushed to the margins.

Terming the Chief Minister Fadnavis' recent announcement on the establishment of a grand Global Capability Centre in Powai, Mumbai, a "celebratory move", Thackeray camp claimed it stands in stark contrast to a deeply alarming crisis gripping the state -- the rising number of missing girls, especially from the very city where the new centre is planned. The issue has prompted concerns about the government's priorities and the effectiveness of welfare schemes like the 'Ladki Bahin' Yojana.

The Thackeray camp alleged that the government is not at all serious about the safety of mothers, sisters, daughters, and daughters-in-law. "You get Rs 1500 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, take that and keep quiet. Don't utter a word about kidnapping, atrocities, or security. The government is engrossed in its own revelry, but if the public also sits silent and apathetic, the destruction of Maharashtra will not take long; in fact, the destruction has already begun," it warned.

According to the editorial, the Ladki Bahin Yojana was rolled out ahead of the state Assembly elections to garner votes. The editorial also referred to cash transfers announced before the Bihar elections, alleging a pattern of "vote-buying" through financial incentives.

"In Maharashtra, beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme receive Rs 1500 per month, and the Chief Minister says he will soon increase it to Rs 2100 for political gain. However, the government that buys the votes of the 'Beloved Sisters' by giving only Rs 1500 has failed to secure their safety in the state," the editorial alleged.

"Exploitation of girls is happening in ashram schools, hostels, but now the rate of girls disappearing from Mumbai, including the rest of Maharashtra, has increased," it remarked.

The editorial has highlighted a severe failing in maintaining law and order, particularly regarding the safety of women and girls.

"Once considered the safest city for women in India, life for girls and women in Mumbai has become difficult since the Shinde-Fadnavis government took power, with rising cases of atrocities and abductions. Mumbai Police records show 1187 cases of kidnapping of minor girls registered in the last ten months. An average of five to six girls are missing from Mumbai every day. About 136 cases of girls' kidnapping were recorded in just the last 30 days. The situation is reportedly no different in Pune and Nashik," said the editorial.

Further, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena claimed the problem is especially acute in North Maharashtra, with Nandurbar district registering the highest rate of missing girls. It has cited two main causes, including enticement and abduction and economic distress for the girls going missing, with many being traced to the neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

"Girls are either lured away or directly kidnapped. Driven by extreme poverty and hardship, girls are leaving the state on their own in search of employment. This is a shameful situation for the government," it said.
Jammu, Dec 15 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police have said that they have arrested a woman in Udhampur district, alleged to be the kingpin of a narcotics trafficking racket.

The woman has been identified as Geeta Devi from Punjab.

The officials said on Monday, aGeeta Devi, originally from Phagwara in Punjab, was arrested from her rented accommodation in Rajiv Nagar by a team from the Udhampur police station. Geeta Devi was identified as the 'narco kingpin' during the investigation of a case following the arrest of a drug peddler, Aditya Gupta, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on November 7."

Further investigation in this case is underway, the officials said, adding that the forward and backward linkages of the network are being identified.

J&K Police and the security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers.

Drug smugglers, drug peddlers and those involved in hawala money rackets and other unlawful financial activities are under the scanner of the security forces.

It is believed that funds generated by drug smuggling, hawala money rackets and other unlawful financial activities are finally used to sustain terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border are tasked to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, drug smuggling and drone activities. Local police and the security forces are doing anti-terrorist and anti-drug smuggling duties in the hinterland.

In their revised strategy, police and the security forces are targeting the entire support system of terrorism rather than just focusing on the elimination of the gun-wielding terrorists.

In addition to the arrest of drug smugglers, terror sympathisers and OGWs, police have also been attaching the properties created by terrorist activities, drug smuggling and drug peddling activities. These properties are attached after obtaining the necessary orders from the courts of law.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Lok Sabha was adjourned just minutes after reconvening on Monday as the treasury benches raised the issue of derogatory remarks used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Congress' protest rally on the alleged 'vote chori'.

Speaking in the House, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "We are opponents of each other, not enemies. In 2014, a BJP MP used inappropriate words against an opponent, and Prime Minister Modi immediately asked his MP to apologise... Yesterday, at a Congress rally, there was talk of digging PM Modi's grave."

"This is a very sad moment for the country. The Congress party uses such words. The entire Congress leadership was present at that rally, and people raised slogans of digging the Prime Minister's grave. There cannot be a more unfortunate incident for this country," he said.

"The Congress should apologise to the country," Rijiju added, amid the chaos and sloganeering.

Following the shouting, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till noon.

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.
Chennai, Dec 15 : Former Tamil Nadu Health Minister and AIADMK organising secretary C. Vijayabaskar launched a sharp attack on the DMK government, accusing it of failing to fill critical vacancies in government hospitals across the state and attempting to mask what he described as a deepening crisis in the public healthcare system.

Responding to Health Minister Ma. Subramanian's recent assertion that all posts in the Public Health Department had been filled, Vijayabaskar termed the claim "completely false" and alleged that it was intended to divert attention from systemic shortcomings under the present regime.

In a statement, he said the ground reality in hospitals across the state stood in stark contrast to the government's official statements.

According to Vijayabaskar, government healthcare institutions -- ranging from Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Government Medical College Hospitals -- are facing an acute shortage of manpower.

He claimed that posts of doctors, nurses, medical officers, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and health workers remain vacant in large numbers, severely affecting patient care, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

"The public health system, which once served as a model for the country, is now struggling due to administrative neglect and poor human resource planning," he alleged, adding that overburdened doctors and staff were being forced to manage services far beyond their sanctioned capacity.

The former minister also pointed to infrastructure issues, alleging that several government hospitals constructed at a cost of crores of rupees remain non-functional in districts such as Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Theni, Tiruchy and Cuddalore.

He claimed that despite the completion of buildings and procurement of equipment in some cases, the absence of adequate staff had rendered these facilities largely unusable for the public.

Vijayabhaskar further questioned what he described as a contradiction in the government's stand.

While the Health Minister maintained that there were no vacancies in the department, the government had simultaneously issued notifications calling for applications to fill around 1,100 doctor posts, he pointed out.

"If there are no vacancies, why is there a recruitment drive for doctors?" he asked.

He urged the state government to acknowledge the staffing gaps, expedite recruitment, and ensure that newly built hospitals are made fully operational at the earliest.

"Healthcare is not about announcements, but about doctors on duty, nurses at bedsides, and functioning hospitals," he said, calling for immediate corrective measures to safeguard public health services in Tamil Nadu.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami have been pushing hard a propaganda campaign against India, whereby it is claimed that New Delhi is interfering with the electoral process in Bangladesh. While India has categorically rejected this claim, Intelligence agencies say that this propaganda would increase as the election date nears.

While the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent selection of Muhammad Yunus as the caretaker of the interim government have given the ISI plenty of information, there are still others in Bangladesh who share pro-India sentiments.

Officials say that the common man in Bangladesh does not entirely have an anti-India sentiment. Students and even other citizens have relied on India for its education and medical facilities. Trade with India is also very important for many Bangladeshis, and hence the pro-India sentiment remained high.

The ISI wants to change this perception and realises that unless it has the people on its side, it cannot tinker with their emotions. Both the ISI and Jamaat realise the importance of the latter winning the elections. It also understands that for it to push its radical agenda, it has to create a situation in which the people are anti-India.

The ISI basically wants to replicate what it has done in Pakistan, an official says. Bangladesh watchers say that while there is a pro-India sentiment among many in the country, the people still do not like any sort of interference when it comes to their internal matters. The ISI and Jamaat have latched on to this and hence are trying to spread a false narrative that India is meddling in the elections that are scheduled for February 12.

Officials say that anti-India propaganda in Bangladesh is only going to increase ahead of the elections. The people are aware that Bangladesh was a prosperous country under Sheikh Hasina, who shared good relations with India. Further, the people also understand that New Delhi and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are in close contact. Both have expressed the desire to share good ties as neighbours. This is something that has not gone down too well with the ISI-controlled Jamaat.

A BNP victory is not something that the ISI would want. It has realised that it can control Dhaka if the Jamaat is in power. Under Yunus, ties with Pakistan have soared, and the ISI has been having its way in the country. With a BNP in power, the ISI would find it hard to push its agenda as the party wants to ensure that the country remains prosperous and shares good ties with its neighbours.

The very fact that the BNP decided not to team up with the Jamaat for the elections is a sign that it has no intention of pushing a radical agenda. It has learnt from the mistakes of the past, whereby it was branded pro-radical when it ran the government with the Jamaat-e-Islami, officials say.

If the ISI and Jamaat manage to sway the opinion of the people against India, then there is a greater chance that they may not vote for the BNP. The Awami League has been banned from contesting the elections, and hence, there is a battle between the BNP and Jamaat.

By spreading false propaganda against India, the Jamaat hopes that the peopleas opinion will change. The more that the people become anti-India, the more radical their approach would be, and this suits the Jamaatas narrative perfectly. If the people feel that New Delhi is meddling with the election process in Bangladesh, then they would not like this. If the perception changes, then the people would not want a BNP in power as it would share close ties with India, officials add. This would make them swing towards the Jamaat, the official also added.

India has, however, made it clear that it wants a free and fair election. "We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, while reacting to the charges levelled by the Yunus government.
Seoul, Dec 15 : South Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac is set to depart for Washington this week for meetings with senior US officials, sources said Monday, as the two sides are expected to discuss follow-up measures to the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump in late October.

Wi is scheduled to head for the US capital on Tuesday and is widely expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who doubles as national security adviser, according to the sources familiar with the issue, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The trip comes after the allies released a joint fact sheet last month outlining trade and security agreements reached during the second Lee-Trump summit in South Korea's southern city of Gyeongju on October 29, ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The presidential National Security Office in Seoul has formed three task force teams to handle working-level consultations with the US on security-related agreements.

The discussions are focused on key issues, including South Korea's push to develop nuclear-powered submarines, secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities, and coordinate on defence budget matters.

Wi is also expected to discuss coordination on North Korea policy during his meetings, as the White House recently released a new National Security Strategy. The document makes no mention of North Korea, raising questions in Seoul about whether the issue may be receiving less attention under the Trump administration.

Both Lee and Trump have expressed their desire to resume dialogue with Pyongyang, but it remains uncertain whether the North would respond to dialogue overtures.

On Friday, South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said that a joint committee for the South Koreaa"US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be established soon to implement a recent tariff deal reached by the two countries.

In late October, Seoul and Washington finalised an agreement outlining the details of South Korea's US$350 billion investment pledge, made in exchange for lowering US tariffs, during summit talks between Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump.

"The two countries plan to push forward with hosting the South Koreaa"US FTA Joint Committee soon to ensure proper implementation of the agreed measures," Koo said while presiding over an economy-related ministers' meeting.

Last week, the Trump administration posted on the Federal Register a notice implementing certain tariff elements of the South Korea-US trade deal, including a reduced duty rate of 15 per cent on Korean autos retroactive to November 1.

Koo added that Seoul will consult closely with Washington to ensure that the detailed implementation plan for non-tariff measures serves the national interest.

The minister also pledged efforts to swiftly conclude discussions on other items subject to tariff reductions, such as generic pharmaceuticals and natural resources, so the tariffs on such items can be lowered as quickly as possible.
Photo: https://www.pap.pl

Finnish President Alexander Stubb made a surprise visit to Berlin, where talks to end the war in Ukraine were taking place, and although he did not take part in them, he met with US President Donald Trumps envoys Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Berlin Adlon Hotel on Sunday evening, the German newspaper Bild reported.

"He is supposed to act as a neutral mediator between Ukraine and the US And this time the West can hope that Stubb will influence American negotiators," the newspaper reported on Monday.

Witkoff and Kushner arrived at the hotel at 9:57 p.m., after the first round of talks ended on Sunday and continued on Monday. The content of Stubbs conversation with Trumps envoys was not disclosed.

The publication recalls that Stubb had previously convinced Trump that Vladimir Putin could not be trusted, and also stated that the US president was quite impatient with the actions of the Russian Federation and the delay in the ceasefire.

As reported, Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Sunday, December 14, for a visit. Efforts to mediate the expected ceasefire between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which began in Berlin with the participation of the President of Ukraine and Trumps envoys, will continue on Monday.

Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz is also participating in the negotiations on the Ukrainian side. In addition to him and Zelensky, the meeting is attended by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov, Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov, First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia, and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Oleksandr Bevz.

According to the photo, in addition to Witkoff and Kushner, the meeting is also attended by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Lieutenant General Alexus Hrynkevich, from the American side.
December 15 : Lucknow: Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal highlighted the significance of Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, during the official announcement of the newly elected state president and national council members at the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sangathan Parv at Ram Manohar Lohia Law University, Ashiana, on Sunday.

He said, Lucknow is more than just a city; it is a unique regional capital known for its rich tradition of ideas, culture, and dialogue, drawing the attention of the entire nation.

Speaking nostalgically, he recalled how he used to see Atal Bihari Vajpayee representing this constituency and noted the special connection people had with the former Prime Minister, who not only served the city but also inspired generations through his poetry and presence.

Referring to the state's development, he praised Uttar Pradesh's law and order situation and said the state is steadily moving towards becoming a model for the entire country.

Reflecting on the national scenario, Goyal observed that before 2014, corruption, scams, and weak governance dominated headlines, and the situation in Uttar Pradesh was especially concerning.

He added, The election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 marked the beginning of a transformative era. Under his leadership, India has undergone a comprehensive change in governance, mindset, and global perception.

Goyal highlighted that today, Indians are viewed with unprecedented respect worldwide, a transformation not seen before 2014.

He emphasized Prime Minister Modi's commitment to good governance, rooted in the principle of Antyodaya to Sarvodaya. By extending this vision to every household, the government has dramatically improved citizens' lives. Milestones include electricity in every home, free gas connections, access to clean tap water, housing for 200 million people, free food grains for 800 million, 2.5 billion free COVID-19 vaccines, and healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat for 700 million citizens. In the last 11 years, 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty, setting a global record.

Goyal highlighted India's rapid economic growth, noting that at the current pace, the country is poised to become the world's third-largest economy in the next two to three years. He called development a mass movement, praising Prime Minister Modi's dedication to the nation, as expressed in his August 15 Red Fort speech: I live for you, you are my family. I have dedicated myself to fulfilling your dreams. From his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister to his leadership as Prime Minister, Modi's vision has strengthened India's global standing and unified the nation.

Union Minister Goyal also praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for transforming Uttar Pradesh over the past eight and a half years. He added, Under Yogi's leadership, the state has tackled land, sand, and liquor mafias, established strong law and order, and become India's second-largest economy. With sustained development, Uttar Pradesh is moving toward a one-trillion-dollar economy, reflecting a clear vision for the future and inspiring progress nationwide.

Goyal added, India today empowers all sections of society. The vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, driven by indigenous production, along with the double-engine government at the Centre and the state, is laying the foundation for a bright, prosperous future.

Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal emphasized his deep connection with Uttar Pradesh, noting that his father also graduated from Banaras Hindu University. He praised the people of the state for their relentless hard work over the past eight and a half years, which has earned them admiration nationwide.

Highlighting key developments, he referred to the Defence Corridors in Bundelkhand and Lucknow, the 40 lakh crore investment commitments made during the 2023 Uttar Pradesh Global Investor Summit, and the successful implementation of projects on the ground. He said, A few states have achieved such a combination of strong law and order, investment-friendly policies, and an industry-oriented environment.

Goyal commended Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision for establishing Global Capability Centers, generating employment, and enhancing the overall profile of Uttar Pradesh, calling his approach exemplary.

He recounted that earlier that morning, a proposal had come to him seeking guidance. After making two phone calls to Delhi and Pune, he realized the immense potential in Uttar Pradesh. Investors feel secure, and opportunities for talent and skill development are growing rapidly.

Goyal expressed full confidence that the state would continue its progress in the years ahead.

Goyal highlighted 2025 as a year of special significance, marked by six milestones reflecting India's national character.

He noted the 350th anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's martyrdom, celebrating his bravery and dedication to faith, which inspires patriotism and national pride. The year also marks the 150th birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as well as the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh would host large-scale commemorative programs in honor of these leaders.

On November 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, fulfilling the long-cherished dream of constructing the Ram temple. Goyal also paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Karsevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Recalling his visit to Lucknow in 2017 to begin the BJP's election campaign, Goyal described the state under the previous Samajwadi Party government. He recounted learning that businessman Shravan Sahu had been brutally murdered in broad daylight, a tragic event emblematic of the widespread lawlessness across the state.

He added, Uttar Pradesh faced anarchy, lack of investment, mass migration, unemployment, and rampant mafia rule. In response, the people of the state decisively elected the BJP-NDA to power in 2017, with the NDA winning over 300 seats and Yogi Adityanath assuming office as Chief Minister.

Goyal recalled that Amit Shah had personally informed Yogi Adityanath at his residence in New Delhi to take charge of the state.

Goyal welcomed the appointment of the new BJP state president, Pankaj, praising him as a simple, humble, and hardworking leader whose political journey exemplifies service from the grassroots to Parliament.

Starting as a corporator and rising to Deputy Mayor, Pankaj has been elected seven times, reflecting his strong public connection. Goyal emphasized Atal Bihari Vajpayee's words that the post of BJP president is not an ornament, but a responsibility, a test of values rather than a pursuit of prestige. He highlighted that under Amit Shah's leadership, the BJP has become the world's largest political party and stressed the importance of continuing this growth and dedication to the party's core values.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : In a suspected case of revenge killing, a man has been accused of hacking to death the person who allegedly murdered his brother nearly 10 years ago, police said on Monday.

The incident took place around midnight on Sunday at the Kendua ash pond of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd under the Farakka police station in Murshidabad district.

The deceased has been identified as 48-year-old Alam Sheikh, who worked as a night watchman at the ash pond.

Police said he was attacked with sharp weapons while on his way to work. The prime accused has been identified as Panna Sheikh. No arrests had been made till Monday morning.

According to the police, a murder took place in Jorapukuria village in 2015 following a village dispute. Alam Sheikh, along with several others, was accused of dragging Toufiq Sheikh -- Panna Sheikh's brother -- out of his house and beating him to death. A case was registered at the Farakka police station, and Alam Sheikh was arrested. He was later released on bail after spending a considerable period in jail.

After Toufiq Sheikh's killing, his elder brother, Panna Sheikh, reportedly fled the village, fearing retaliation. Police said he returned to Jorapukuria a couple of months ago after years of absence and had been living there since.

On Sunday night, when Alam Sheikh was heading to his workplace, he was allegedly intercepted by Panna Sheikh and a few others, who hacked him to death before fleeing the spot. Alam Sheikh died on the spot. Police later recovered the body and sent it to Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination.

"The body has been recovered and sent for autopsy. A murder case has been registered. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of revenge killing. We have launched a search operation to nab the accused," a senior Jangipur police officer said.

Alam Sheikh's elder brother, Nabi Sheikh -- also a local leader of the Trinamool Congress -- said the family had apprehensions after Panna Sheikh returned to the village. "We feared trouble after his return, but we never imagined he would brutally murder my brother," he said.

Following the killing, tension prevailed in the area. Police personnel have been deployed and security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention into an "unprecedented operational collapse" of IndiGo Airlines, which faced significant flight disruptions earlier this month.

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent judicial intervention into an "unprecedented operational collapse" of IndiGo Airlines, which faced significant flight disruptions earlier this month.

Observing that the Delhi High Court is already seized of the matter, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant granted liberty to advocate Narendra Mishra, the petitioner-in-person, to raise his grievances before the High Court.

The Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, requested the Delhi High Court to permit him to intervene in the pending proceedings.

At the very outset, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi informed the apex court that a PIL relating to the recent IndiGo flight disruptions is pending before the Delhi High Court and that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also constituted a committee to look into the issue.

While acknowledging that the issue raised concerns the larger public interest, the CJI Kant-led Bench clarified that the petitioner could approach the Supreme Court again if any grievance survives after the High Court's order.

"We appreciate your concern, but instead of two parallel proceedings, you should go to the Delhi High Court. If the High Court does not address your grievance, you can come to us," the apex court said, adding that the High Court, as a constitutional court, is fully competent to address the issues involved.

The PIL had alleged that mass flight cancellations and severe delays by IndiGo Airlines had escalated into a "humanitarian crisis" at major airports, leaving passengers, including senior citizens, infants and those with medical needs, without food, water, rest areas or emergency assistance.

"The situation has transcended a mere contractual dispute between airline and consumer. It has become a matter of grave public injury and a clear violation of the Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty (Article 21) of the citizens of India," the plea stated. It further contended that the chaos was triggered by planning lapses during the rollout of Phase-II of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots and alleged that neither IndiGo nor the DGCA exercised adequate anticipatory oversight.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court, while hearing a separate PIL on the issue, has pulled up the Centre over how the situation was allowed to precipitate into a nationwide turmoil affecting lakhs of passengers and the national economy.

The matter is listed for further hearing on January 22, 2026.

"We appreciate the steps taken by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). However, what bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leaving lakhs of passengers unattended at airports. Such a situation is not confined to causing inconvenience to the passengers but also affects the economy of the country, as in the present day, fast movement of passengers is an important aspect to keep the economy functioning," observed a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedelain in its order dated December 10.

On the operational front, IndiGo on Saturday said it was witnessing steady normalisation, having operated more than 2,000 flights for the second consecutive day. The airline added that it operated over 2,050 flights on December 12, with only two cancellations due to technical issues, and all affected customers were reaccommodated in alternate flights immediately.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Tokyo, Dec 15 : Police have arrested a 30-year-old man on Monday for his involvement in one of two stabbings a day earlier in Japan's Fukuoka that caused non-life-threatening injuries to a woman and a man who was working at the event for Japanese female idol group HKT48, local media reported.

The suspect, Naoya Yamaguchi, a resident of Fukuoka Prefecture's Itoshima, has been accused of attempted murder for the attack on the man and has confessed to committing the crime. He has also indicated his involvement in the attack on the woman, according to police, Japan-based Kyodo News reported.

The attacks took place on Sunday at a stadium, Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka, and a nearby amusement facility, Boss E.Zo Fukuoka, where HKT48 has its own theatre for performances. HKT48 is one of the popular AKB48 family of all-girl pop groups and is based in Fukuoka's Hakata.

One of the victims, an event worker (44), was stabbed in his chest when he cautioned a man whom the police believe was Yamaguchi, while another victim is a 27-year-old woman, who was visiting for a live event at the stadium, suffered an injury in her back.

Police said that they received a call from Yamaguchi at 2 a.m. on Monday from a pay phone in Kasuga, a city near Fukuoka. Initially, he called to report about witnessing the suspected attacker; however, he later admitted that he was the one who fled from the spot before ending the call. Later in the day, police arrested Yamaguchi, and he was carrying two knives.

Earlier in August, police arrested a 35-year-old man in Tokyo in connection with the fatal assault of a 24-year-old woman outside her home in Kobe, Kyodo News reported.

Masashi Tanimoto is suspected of having stabbed Megumi Katayama to death inside her building in Kobe. The man was placed on the wanted list by the police and was trying to find his whereabouts.

"I don't know if I had the intention of killing her, but there is no question I stabbed her once or twice," Tanimoto was quoted by police as telling investigators.

The police identified the suspect as a company employee with a home in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, adding they are carrying out an investigation into any connection between the two and a possible motive.
Belagavi : , Dec 15 (IANS) The Karnataka Assembly paid tribute to veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa by adopting a condolence resolution on Monday. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and leaders from the opposition hailed his contributions to society and the party. Speaker U.T. Khader, while condoling his death and recalling his contributions, adjourned the House till Tuesday morning.

Speaking while supporting the condolence resolution moved in the Assembly following the demise of Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recalled his long public life and service. He said that the social, economic and educational development of Davanagere district was largely due to the contributions of veteran leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

He said Shamanur Shivashankarappa entered the Assembly at the age of 63 and was elected as MLA six times. He also served as a Member of Parliament and had a long and distinguished political career. He was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha and had begun his public life as a member of the Davanagere Municipal Council in 1969, later serving as its president.

Through the Bapuji Educational Institutions in Davanagere, he established several institutions, including engineering and medical colleges, and transformed the district into an educational hub. As an entrepreneur, he left a distinct imprint in the social, economic and educational spheres, the Chief Minister said.

Siddaramaiah noted that when the textile sector began to decline, Shamanur Shivashankarappa gave Davanagere a new brand identity. He had also served as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee for a long period and was known for maintaining cordial relations with everyone, earning the reputation of being an "ajatashatru" (one without enemies).

Recalling personal memories, the Chief Minister said that whenever he visited Davanagere, he would stay at Shamanur Shivashankarappa's guest house and, at his insistence, dine at his residence. He also remembered celebrating his own 75th birthday in Davanagere.

Shamanur Shivashankarappa was always ready to extend a helping hand to people in distress. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he spent more than Rs 6 crore to arrange oxygen supplies, Siddaramaiah said.

The Chief Minister further recalled that when he had earlier served as Chief Minister, Shamanur Shivashankarappa was a minister in his Cabinet. During the Cabinet reshuffle in 2016, he had requested that his son, S.S. Mallikarjun, be made a minister. Mallikarjun is currently serving as a minister in the present Cabinet.

Siddaramaiah said that when he visited Shivashankarappa in the hospital about 15 days ago, he was not in a condition to speak. "With his passing, we have lost a people's leader. I pray that God gives strength to his family and lakhs of followers to bear this grief, and may his soul rest in peace," the Chief Minister added.

The Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, said, "Whenever I would casually ask him when he planned to retire, Shamanur Shivashankarappa would say that he wanted to remain in public life for as long as he lived. Even at the age of 94, he maintained that he would contest another election. He was a strong personality. If one looks at his life from the beginning, his achievements speak for themselves."

Ashoka said that when one travels through Davanagere city, the institutions and hospitals established by Shivashankarappa can be seen on both sides of the road all through. He noted that Shivashankarappa placed great importance on education. Beginning his public life as a corporation member and later serving as its president, he went on to become a Cabinet Minister.

Describing him as a stern leader, Ashoka said that as the president of the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, Shivashankarappa spoke without fear or hesitation, and no one ever objected to his statements.

Minister for Food V. Muniyappa stated that Shamanur Shivashankarappa never practised discrimination and followed the principle of equality.

Veteran politician and six-time Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday evening. He was 94.

The veteran leader had been admitted to the hospital on October 23 and was suffering from age-related ailments.

Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency at the time of his death and had also served one term as a Lok Sabha member from the Davanagere Parliamentary constituency. He was a towering figure in Karnataka politics, known for his long public life and grassroots connect.

His son, S.S. Mallikarjun, is the Minister for Horticulture in the Congress-led Karnataka government, while his daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is a Lok Sabha member representing the Davanagere constituency.

Rahul Gandhi took to X said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Shamanur Shivashankarappa ji. A steadfast Congressman, he dedicated decades of his life to public service with unwavering commitment. His contributions to Karnataka and to the Congress are immense and will be remembered with respect."

The mortal remains were kept at the residence of Shamanur's son and Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, where family members and admirers paid their last respects.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to present its charge sheet in the Special NIA Court in Jammu, leaders from various political parties, including the BJP, JD(U), Congress, and the Samajwadi Party, on Monday demanded severe punishment for those responsible, stating that the Pahalgam incident had shaken the entire country.

Speaking to IANS, BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal said the filing of the charge sheet was an important step towards justice.

"The NIA is going to file the charge sheet today. The incident that occurred shook the entire country. The guilty must be identified and punished strictly," he said.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj also reacted, asserting that India had given a fitting response to the attack.

"The attack in Pahalgam was answered firmly. India is no longer weak and will not bow before anyone. Today, India stands ready to assert itself on the global stage. Even in its dealings with powerful countries like the United States, India has stood firm. Today's India does not bend; it makes others bend," he told IANS.

JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary said the legal process must be allowed to take its course.

"The incident in Pahalgam will definitely be dealt with seriously. Once the charge sheet is filed, action will be taken against those involved in accordance with the law," he stated.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat termed the incident tragic and stressed the need for accountability beyond filing a charge sheet.

"This was undoubtedly a very tragic incident. It is not only about filing charge sheets, but also about examining the lapses that occurred despite a three-tier security setup. Along with legal action, steps must be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future," he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Kumar Rai raised questions over security preparedness.

"Because of their actions, the country's security was compromised. Where was the NIA when those areas were attacked? No one reached the spot for hours. Later, it was claimed that authorities were not even aware that tourism had resumed there, while terrorists were freely moving around," he added.

On April 22, the scenic Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed one of the deadliest terrorist attacks targeting tourists in the region. The attackers questioned people about their religion before opening fire and forced some to recite the Kalma. The indiscriminate assault claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a pony rider, sending shockwaves across the nation.
Seoul, Dec 15 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith on Monday agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership at summit talks, with Lee describing Laos as a key partner in critical mineral supply chains, according to the presidential office.

During the summit, Lee said the two nations agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership, marking the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries this year.

He noted that South Korea is one of Laos' key partners in development cooperation and investment, describing Laos as a "very important partner" for Seoul's engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Mekong River nations, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"I hope that by further expanding and deepening our mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation, we can deliver tangible results that people in both countries can benefit from," Lee said in his opening remarks.

Lee expressed hope for cooperation with the resource-rich country in new areas, including critical mineral supply chains and infrastructure projects, as Thongloun seeks to develop the landlocked country into a regional transportation and logistics hub despite its geographical constraints.

"The Republic of Korea will stand alongside Laos as a reliable partner throughout this process," he said, referring to South Korea's official name.

In response, Thongloun said Laos remains one of the world's least developed countries and expressed hope for continued support from South Korea as it works to strengthen its economy.

In addition to economic cooperation, joint efforts on curbing transnational crimes, such as online scam operations, were also on the agenda for the summit.

The two countries plan to sign mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties to lay the groundwork for closer cooperation in combating transnational crimes, according to Lee's office.

South Korea has been working with regional partners to address a rise in criminal cases involving Korean nationals, including online fraud, illegal gambling and drug trafficking.

Thongloun arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a two-day official visit at Lee's invitation, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of restoring diplomatic relations between South Korea and Laos.

The two countries first forged their diplomatic ties in 1974 but severed them the following year due to the rise of communist governments in Southeast Asia following the end of the Vietnam War. Diplomatic relations were restored in 1995.

On the first day, First Lady Kim Hea Kyung and her Laotian counterpart, Naly Sisoulith, visited Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul and had discussions on cultural exchanges.

The Laotian leader's visit comes two months after Thongloun travelled to Pyongyang and held summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the North's ruling party and agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.
Kabul, Dec 15 : Refugees, who have recently returned to Afghanistan and are now residing in designated camps, have urged the Taliban to provide them shelter, employment opportunities and access to necessary supplies as the winter season is approaching.

"We ask the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to our situation. We are sick and cannot work in this cold. We need help," Afghanistan-based Tolo News quoted one Afghan returnee, Aynuddin, as saying.

Khan Mohammad and Mohammad Awaz, who have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan after 40 years, have expressed hope that the Taliban will help them get through the winter and added, "After that, we will try to rebuild our lives."

Mohammad Awaz said, "I have ten children, and Iam worried theyall fall ill this winter. We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with facilities."

Analysts have stated that the government and aid organisations should continue supporting the Afghan refugees who recently returned to their homes.

The appeal from returnees and analysts comes as Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from neighbouring nations in recent years. The Taliban has repeatedly promised that it will provide assistance to Afghan refugees and urged host nations to stop forced deportations.

On Sunday, a Taliban official said that more than 4,500 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day.

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.
Amaravati, Dec 15 : Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday paid rich tributes to Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu on his death anniversary.

The Governor said Potti Sriramulu was a legendary freedom fighter whose life and sacrifice exemplified courage, determination, and devotion to the aspirations of the Telugu people. His legacy will forever remain etched in the history of the nation, he said.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu paid tributes to Potti Sriramulu. He was a valiant and noble soul who participated in India's freedom struggle under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi's principles, taking part in the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement. He was a great man who fought with firm resolve for a separate state for the Telugu people and achieved his goal, the Chief Minister posted on X.

The Chief Minister stated that Potti Sriramulu's supreme sacrifice should inspire us all. "Bowing my head in reverence to that great soul who set the precedent for the formation of linguistic states by sacrificing his life, I once again offer my tribute," he wrote.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan paid rich tributes to Potti Sriramulu on his martyrdom day. He undertook a fast unto death with the resolve that Telugu people should have their own separate state, and sacrificed his life.

"The result of that great man's supreme sacrifice is the Telugu states we have today. He walked in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and aspired for the establishment of a casteless society. The bond between Gandhiji and Sri Potti Sreeramulu has been mentioned in published research papers on the Andhra movement. Future generations should know about the fast unto death he undertook for achieving his goal," said Pawan Kalyan.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that Potti Sriramulu was the symbol of self-respect for the Telugu people. "An immortal soul who laid down his life through a fast unto death for a separate state for the Telugu people, forever etched in the hearts of the Telugu masses," he said.

Potti Sriramulu died in 1952 after a 56-day hunger strike in Madras demanding a separate state for Telugu people. In 1953, Andhra State, with Kurnool as the capital, was carved out of then Madras State.

Following re-organisation of states on linguistic basis, Andhra State was merged with Telugu-speaking Telangana to form Andhra Pradesh in 1956.

Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as a separate state in 2014.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : India's merchandise trade deficit registered a sharp decline to $24.53 billion in November from $41.68 billion in October despite the uncertainties in the global market triggered by the US tariff turmoil, data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday showed.

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Indiaas merchandise trade deficit registered a sharp decline to $24.53 billion in November from $41.68 billion in October despite the uncertainties in the global market triggered by the US tariff turmoil, data released by the Commerce Ministry on Monday showed.

Merchandise exports for November 2025 stood at $38.13 billion, while imports were estimated at $62.66 billion. Services exports grew from $32.11 billion to $35.86 billion, while imports rose slightly to $17.96 billion during November compared to $17.25 billion in the same month of the previous year.

Overall exports in November stood at $73.99 billion, to register a growth over the corresponding figure of $64.05 billion in the same month of the previous year. Imports slipped marginally to $80.63 billion in the reported month over $81.11 billion in November 2024.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal attributed the reduction in imports as driven by gold, oil and coal shipments.

"Gold imports have declined in November by about 60 per cent, which has helped narrow the countryas trade deficit," he remarked.

"November has evened out the losses in October, and the April-November figure for exports during the current financial year is higher than the corresponding figure for the same period of the previous year."

The Central government has implemented measures, including GST rate cuts, a promotion package to diversify export markets and introduced labour reforms to cushion the economy from the impact of punitive tariffs imposed by the US on Indiaas exports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had a telephonic conversation last week following the visit of a high-level team of US officials to Delhi for trade talks.

Meanwhile, India is also working on diversifying its export market. As part of this strategy, the government is looking at as many as 300 products, including engineering goods, pharma, agri, and chemicals, which can be exported to Russia with the two countries targeting a $100 billion trade by 2030, an official said.

At present, India's exports of these goods to Russia stood at $1.7 billion, as against Russia's $37.4 billion in imports.
The Czech initiative "A Gift for Putin" reported receiving an anonymous donation of CZK 100 million (about EUR 4.1 million euros - IF-U) to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

"We divided 100,000,000 crowns from an anonymous donor into 26 items. With this money we will mainly purchase various types of drones, plastic explosives, equipment for units at the front, as well as, for example, rifles," the initiative said on X.

The volunteers said that they wanted to spend the money very quickly, that they "started working" as soon as possible.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who delivered the superhit 'Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat' at the box-office, is choosing an unconventional and meaningful way to celebrate his birthday this year.

The actor is heading into the wild, and will ring in his birthday tomorrow amid nature, as he travels to Gujarat for a wildlife safari, opting for serenity over the usual celebrations.

On Monday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and reposted a picture of black bucks. He wrote on the picture, "Heading for my birthday into the wild".

The actor is celebrating his birthday on December 16. Sources close to the actor revealed that the actor is on his way to Velavadar in Gujarat. The safari holds personal significance for the actor, who has often spoken about finding balance and perspective in nature.

The actor is known for his introspective streak and love for the outdoors, the actor's choice reflects a growing inclination toward mindful and experience-driven celebrations rather than grand parties. The Gujarat trip is expected to be a quiet, reflective break, allowing him to disconnect and reset amid the natural landscape.

Earlier, the actor was in Nepal, and is soaking in the beauty of wildlife. A few days ago, he took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself trailing through an open field in search of a Tiger in Bardiya, Nepal. In the video, he can be seen along with the locals in search of a tiger through its pug marks.

The actor was also seen with his camera in search of perfect frames. He captured a tiger cub, and attached its pictures towards the end of the video.

The actor also has a passion for wildlife and nature photography. He spends much of his off-screen time travelling through forests, reserves, and remote landscapes with his camera gear. His social media often showcases evocative images of big cats, migratory birds, forest trails, and delicate macro shots, reflecting an eye trained not only in aesthetics but also in patience and environmental respect.

His approach to wildlife photography is rooted in immersion, as he frequently camps in minimal conditions, treks long distances, and waits quietly for hours to capture a fleeting moment. He has spoken about how photography grounds him mentally, offering balance against the pressures of film work.
Suva, Dec 15 : India's High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta called on Fiji's Minister for Immigration Viliame B Naupoto on Monday, discussing matters of mutual interest, including on skilled mobility, people-to-people ties and further strengthening of bilateral ties.

In a statement on X, Indian High Commission in Fiji stated, "Veilomani Dosti. High Commissioner Suneet Mehta paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Viliame B. Naupoto, Minister for Immigration, today. Productive discussions were held on matters of mutual interest, including on skilled mobility, people-to-people links and further strengthening of relations between India and Fiji."

On December 11, High Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva organised a cultural evening with the Know India Programme (KIP) Alumni in Fiji. KIP Alumni shared their experiences about their visits to India and engaged in meaningful conversations.

"High Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva organised a vibrant Cultural Evening with the Know India Programme (KIP) Alumni in Fiji. Honoured to have the Assistant Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs & Sugar Industry Hon Shalen Kumar as the Chief Guest," the Indian High Commission in Fiji posted on X.

"The evening brought together KIP alumni who shared reflections on their visits to India and engaged in meaningful conversations and enjoyed the cultural performances. KIP continues to strengthen connections between India and the global Indian diaspora. It provides young people with the opportunity to learn about Indiaas culture, history, and shared ties," it added.

Earlier this month, Mehta called on Fiji's Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua and discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Mehta expressed India's commitment to sharing its expertise in large-scale digital identity platforms, cyber-security and innovative public service delivery with Fiji.

In a statement on X, the Indian High Commission in Fiji stated, "High Commissioner Suneet Mehta was pleased to call on Hon.Ioane Naivalurua, Minister for Policing and Communications today. Productive discussions were held, focussing on strengthening our multifaceted cooperation, including in digital, AI. India remains committed to sharing its expertise in large-scale digital identity platforms, cyber-security and innovative public service delivery, reflecting our broader partnership with Fiji in advancing inclusive and technology-driven governance."

Last month, India delivered a consignment of Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs to Fiji to assist in strengthening the island nation's health programme.

Taking to X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "A consignment of Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) drugs has been dispatched to Fiji to support its health programme. India remains committed to supporting Fiji in its public health response and humanitarian needs."
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday introduced the Viksit Bharat Sikhsha Adhishthan Bill 2525 in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, setting the stage for a major overhaul of India's higher education regulatory framework.

The Bill seeks to establish a Higher Education Board aimed at centralising regulation in the sector and restructuring the existing system by consolidating multiple regulatory councils under a single commission.

The introduction of the Bill, however, faced sharp resistance from the opposition.

Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing that the proposed legislation gives the Centre excessive authority in shaping education policy, thereby eroding the powers of state governments and higher education institutions.

"It also interferes in administrative matters of institutions, robbing them of their independence in day-to-day affairs and appointments," Tewari said while objecting to the Bill's introduction.

Several other opposition MPs also raised similar concerns and demanded that the legislation be withdrawn from the Lok Sabha.

Following the objections, the Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny.

The proposed legislation lays out an ambitious plan to create a unified framework for regulation, accreditation and standard-setting in higher education.

It emphasises outcome-based education and the integration of 'Bharatiya' knowledge systems, aligning with the government's broader vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

Through the Bill, the Centre aims to establish a commission that would facilitate universities and other higher educational institutions "to become independent self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy."

Under the proposed structure, the Commission will function through three distinct wings: a Regulatory Council, an Accreditation Council and a Standards Council. The 12-member commission will include the presidents of these three councils, the Union higher education secretary, two eminent and distinguished academicians not below the rank of professor from state higher educational institutions, five eminent experts, and a member secretary.

Appointments to the Commission will be made exclusively by the Centre through a three-member search panel. The Bill also provides legal protection to office-bearers and employees of the Commission and its councils.

The legislation proposes stringent penalties for non-compliance. Educational institutions found violating provisions of the new law and failing to rectify shortcomings may face fines ranging from a minimum of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. In cases of repeated offences, higher educational institutions could be fined at least Rs 75 lakh or face suspension.

According to the Bill, the Commission will offer "high-level strategic direction for comprehensive and holistic growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment."

It will also work to "develop a roadmap for transforming higher educational institutions into large multi-disciplinary education and research institutions" and to "develop a roadmap for promoting India as an education destination."
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) handed over a dividend cheque of over Rs 109 crore to the government for the financial year 2024-25, it was announced on Monday.

The FY25 dividend payout, received by H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, from BHEL officials, represents a 100 per cent increase over the payout for the year 2023-24.

Meanwhile, Union Minister lauded BHEL to play a pivotal role in the making of 'Viksit Bharat' through major Government of India initiatives.

As a leading heavy engineering and manufacturing company, Kumaraswamy also advised BHEL to advance the vision of aAatmanirbhar Bharata and aMake in Indiaa.

With a cumulative net profit of Rs 375 crore, BHEL became profitable in second quarter of current financial year (Q2 FY26).

In the previous June quarter (Q1), the company posted a net loss of Rs 455.5 crore. Net profit increased by more than 250 per cent year over year compared to Rs 106.15 crore recorded in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Earlier in October, the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC), a Mini Ratna enterprise under the Ministry of MSME, paid a dividend of Rs 43.89 crore to the Government of India for the financial year 2024-25.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Ministry of MSME, received the dividend check from Subhransu Sekhar Acharya, CMD, NSIC.

Mini-ratna company HLL Lifecare Limited, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, also handed over a record dividend of Rs 69.53 crore to the government for the FY25.

The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi, Chairperson, HLL, in the presence of Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officials.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Reacting to the controversy over objectionable slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday clarified that no such remarks were made by anyone present on the stage.

The controversy erupted after the Congress party's "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" rally, held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday. Several videos showed Congress workers raising provocative slogans such as "Modi teri kabar khudegi" while heading towards the rally venue, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi dismissed the allegations and questioned the BJP's intent in raising the issue during the parliamentary session.

"We were discussing who actually said this. No one on the stage said anything like that. Later, we came to know that someone from the crowd or a worker may have made such a statement, but it is still not clear who it was," she said.

She further questioned why the matter was being repeatedly raised in Parliament.

"Why is this being discussed in the House? It appears they themselves do not want the session to function. Then why raise such issues during Question Hour? I do not think they want to run the session. We wanted a debate on pollution, but they are not allowing that. If they do not want Parliament to function, they should close it, and at least pollution will be reduced," she added.

Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka also reacted, saying that he was present at the programme for its entire duration and did not hear any such slogans.

"Thousands of people had come, including a large number from Odisha. Nearly five to six lakh people attended the rally from across the country. We did not hear any objectionable slogans, and no one from our side raised them," he said.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also distanced the party from the slogans.

"The Congress party did not say anything personally, so how can we respond to it? On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often used harsh language against our leaders, which should also be taken into account. It has become a habit for him to use such language," he added.

Congress MP Vivek Tankha said he was unaware of any such slogans being raised.

"I had not heard about it. If such slogans were raised, I am not aware of them. I would never want any wrong slogans to be raised against any leader," he said.

Congress MP Mallu Ravi added that while some individuals may have raised slogans, none of the party's leaders were involved.

"Ordinary people expressing themselves should not be blamed on the leadership," he said.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the objectionable slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally and demanded that the party leadership apologise publicly in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said, "The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is recognised by the world and by the people of our 1.4 billion-strong country as the leader of the world's largest democracy. It is extremely sad and regrettable if some opposition members call for his killing. Mere denial is not enough."

"The Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament should apologise to the country. I believe that if there is any sense of humanity and respect for the nation and society within the Congress Party, they should not delay in apologising openly on the floor of Parliament to the people of the country. Only then will we understand that a mistake was made and that the Congress Party has acknowledged it," he added.

The Lok Sabha was also adjourned briefly as the treasury benches raised the issue of derogatory remarks used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Congress' protest rally on the alleged 'vote chori'.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday that India is "very close" to concluding an interim trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs, but stopped short of fixing any timeline on the issue.

"We are very close on closing the initial framework deal, but I don't want to put a timeline to it," the Commerce Secretary told journalists here.

"We have done six rounds of talks with the US, where we have discussed both the BTA (bilateral trade agreement) as well as an interim deal to lower reciprocal tariffs. There's a fair expectation that both countries will be able to agree to a deal to lower reciprocal tariffs," he said.

"The visit of Deputy USTR was to take a stock of our trade relations and to see where we are on the BTA as well as the framework deal," Agrawal said.

US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer also said recently that the US has received the "best-ever offers from India" on the proposed trade agreement.

Speaking at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, Greer said that there is resistance in India to certain row crops (corn, soybean, wheat, and cotton) being exported to its market from the US.

Reacting to reports on allegations by American officials that India is "dumping" rice in the US, Agrawal said: "More than 80 per cent of our rice exports to the US is Basmati rice, which is higher than the general price of rice, so there is no case of dumping here. We already have a 50 per cent tariff on rice, so I don't see additional duties on rice as of now."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump also held a telephonic conversation last week following the visit of a high-level team of US officials to Delhi for trade talks.

Meanwhile, the government has implemented measures, including GST rate cuts, a promotion package to diversify export markets and introduced labour reforms to cushion the economy from the impact of punitive tariffs imposed by the US on Indiaas exports.

India is also working on diversifying its export market. As part of this strategy, the government is looking at as many as 300 products, including engineering goods, pharma, agri, and chemicals, which can be exported to Russia with the two countries targeting a $100 billion trade by 2030.
Bangkok: Gaurav Luthra, wanted in connection with the tragic fire at Goa?s Birch Hotel, has been detained in Thailand and is expected to be deported to India, in Bangkok on Thursday, December 11, 2025.. Image Source: IANS

New Delhi, Dec 15 : Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of North Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, are likely to arrive in Delhi from Thailand on Tuesday, the Goa Police said.

The brothers will be taken into custody by the Goa Police immediately upon their arrival in the national capital.

Thai authorities had detained the Luthra brothers on the basis of an INTERPOL Blue Corner Notice issued at the request of Indian law enforcement agencies.

Following their detention, the two will be produced before a Delhi court to seek a transit remand, after which they will be brought to Goa for further investigation in connection with the deadly fire incident at the nightclub.

As part of the ongoing probe, police are recording statements of officials from the excise department.

Statements of individuals associated with the local panchayat body are also being examined, with investigators saying that several important and concrete pieces of information have emerged during the course of the inquiry, sources said.

They added that the magisterial inquiry committee constituted to probe the incident has also questioned Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original landowner of the property.

According to sources, the committee has summoned more than 100 people to participate in the investigation, and statements of at least 20 individuals have been recorded so far.

Earlier on Thursday, a Delhi court rejected the anticipatory bail pleas filed by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra after considering a response submitted by the Goa Police.

During the hearing, Goa Police counsel Abhinav Mukherjee argued that the brothers had falsely claimed minimal involvement in the business and maintained that their foreign travel was pre-planned.

The police, however, placed several documents before the court to contradict these claims, including an FSSAI application filed by Saurabh Luthra, a Pollution Control Board application, and GST records that listed both brothers and Ajay Gupta as partners in the business.

The police also informed the court that the establishment's Panchayat licence had expired and was never renewed, and that the nightclub was operating without valid permission.

The licence agreement was also produced as evidence to show that the brothers lacked authorisation to run the venue.

The prosecution further contended that the brothers booked their flight at around 1.15 a.m., shortly after the fire broke out, and left for Thailand at 5 a.m. on December 7, describing the move as an attempt to evade arrest.

Investigators said the Luthra brothers left for Thailand almost immediately after the fire accident at the nightclub, which killed 25 people in the early hours of December 7.

The massive blaze, which tore through the club located near the Arpora River backwaters, claimed 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members.

According to police officials, the club had a narrow entry and exit, which became one of the major reasons why many victims were unable to escape the inferno in time.

The blaze erupted early on December 7 at the club situated in the bustling Baga area, which draws large crowds owing to its proximity to one of Goa's most frequented beaches.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Aizawl, Dec 15 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday urged banks to expand their outreach to people living in hilly and remote areas of the state.

Participating in the State Credit Seminar 2026a"27, organised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the Chief Minister said that since around 80 per cent of the stateas population is still dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, agricultural development remains central to Mizoramas overall growth.

Urging banks to extend their outreach to people living in the hilly and remote areas, he noted that Mizoram currently has 278 bank branches, of which 180 are located in Aizawl, Lunglei, and Kolasib districts. The remaining eight districts together share only 95 branches, he said, appealing for a more equitable distribution of banking services across the state.

The Chief Minister, releasing the State Focus Paper 2026-27, stated that the government has been implementing numerous developmental initiatives in collaboration with NABARD, which plays a crucial role as a catalyst for the stateas development.

The State Focus Paper 2026-27 has projected a total credit outlay of Rs 4,349.71 crore for priority sectors. Of this, Rs 2,260.99 crore has been earmarked for agriculture and allied activities, Rs 1,500.35 crore for MSMEs, Rs 6.55 crore for export credit, Rs 18.51 crore for education, Rs 432.35 crore for the housing sector, Rs 36.30 crore for social infrastructure, Rs 24.67 crore for renewable energy, and Rs 70 crore for other sectors.

Noting that Mizoram has benefited significantly from NABARD-supported interventions, Lalduhoma highlighted ongoing initiatives. He said that the 10 MW Thenzawl solar power plant in Serchhip district, established with NABARD funding, is nearing completion, while another 5 MW solar power project will be taken up at Sumsuih in Aizawl district.

He also informed that the Chief Minister's Rubber Mission is being vigorously pursued, with 4.50 lakh rubber saplings planted in the previous year, and plans to plant more than 11 lakh saplings this year.

Referring to the latest NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Index report, he said that Mizoramas improved performance reflects the positive outcomes of the stateas development efforts.

In the latest NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Index report, Hnahthial district ranked first, Champhai second, and Kolasib district ninth in the Northeast region.

Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena delivered the keynote address, highlighting the state governmentas initiatives and achievements across various sectors in collaboration with NABARD, while also outlining the challenges ahead. He also appreciated NABARD for organising the seminar efficiently.

State Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department Secretary Ramdinliani also addressed the seminar, following which an interactive discussion session was held among the participants.
Patna, Dec 15 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a ceremony organised on the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, where he also congratulated the BJP's newly appointed National Working President, Nitin Nabin, on his elevation in the party.

Nitin Nabin, who was recently appointed as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was present at the venue and personally welcomed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Several senior dignitaries gathered to participate in the programme, including Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin.

All the leaders paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and remembered his immense contribution to the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that it was important to remember the role played by Sardar Patel not only for Bihar but for the entire country.

The Deputy CM said that Sardar Patel's contributions would always remain inspirational and relevant.

Reacting to Nitin Nabin's appointment, Samrat Choudhary termed it a historic decision.

"Assigning such a significant national responsibility to a young leader from Bihar reflects the party's confidence in Bihar's leadership. I thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision. I believe that Nitin Nabin would carry out his responsibilities with dedication and efficiency," Choudhary said.

After attending the event, Nitin Nabin, along with Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiwal and other leaders, departed for New Delhi, where he is scheduled to visit the BJP's central office and hold meetings with senior party leaders.

Speaking to the media at Patna airport before departure, Nabin emphasised the importance of patience and dedication in party work.

"Every party worker should work patiently and remain committed to the core principles of the organisation. If everyone works with dedication, everyone benefits. The BJP is the only party where a worker can rise to the highest position," he said.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated exchanges during the ongoing discussion on electoral reforms, as senior Congress member Digvijaya Singh launched a sharp attack on the government, alleging systemic irregularities in the electoral process and questioning Home Minister Amit Shah's association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

In a pointed personal attack that drew strong protests from the Treasury Benches, Singh claimed Amit Shah "was never in the RSS", challenging him to prove otherwise.

Digvijaya Singh said that PM Modi, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, had called the RSS the world's biggest NGO. He added that in the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah had said both the PM and he himself follow the RSS ideology.

But Singh questioned this. He pointed out that while PM Modi proudly talks about his own RSS background, Amit Shah has never actually been part of the RSS.

Singh quoted a statement from Shah in the Rajya Sabha, where Shah had said about PM Modi: "Garv se kehte hain Modi ji Sangh ke pracharak rahe hain (We proudly say that Modi ji has been an RSS pracharak)". Singh also noted that Shah had claimed he himself started attending RSS shakhas at the age of 10. However, Singh said his own friends in the RSS told him, "Shahji was never associated with the RSS."

This remark led to loud protests from ruling party MPs. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stood up and accused Singh of twisting and misinterpreting Amit Shah's earlier statements.

Singh claimed that Home Minister Amit Shah had failed to address key concerns raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, including demands for machine-readable digital voter lists, transparent audits of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), reforms in the appointment process for the Chief Election Commissioner, and explanations for the deletion of CCTV footage from polling stations.

Countering Shah's earlier statement in Parliament that no political party had submitted proposals or suggestions on electoral reforms from 2014 to 2025, Singh said he had personally written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, which went unacknowledged.

"Either the Election Commission is misleading the Home Minister, or the Home Minister is misleading the House," he alleged, demanding accountability and actions.

The Congress leader highlighted alleged discrepancies in voter lists, noting instances where one person's name appeared in 25-50 places, and claimed that deduplication software was halted once irregularities came to light.

He questioned the need for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls alongside regular summary revisions, alleging no formal order existed on file for SIR to be conducted, as revealed through RTI queries.

Singh also raised concerns over differing voter lists provided to candidates and presiding officers, 'selective enforcement' of the model code of conduct (citing no action against appeals invoking religious sentiments), and the influence of money power in elections.

He criticised the high expenditure ceiling in the Lok Sabha polls and expressed personal support for returning to ballot papers, arguing that full verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPTR) slips would ensure voter satisfaction without significant delays.

On the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' framework, Singh called it an "insult" to federalism and a step towards "fascist dictatorship", warning that basing delimitation solely on demographic ratios would disrupt the North-South balance in representation.

Singh equated high voter turnouts (citing 94 per cent in some cases, unseen in his 50 years in politics) to practices in authoritarian regimes, referencing historical figures like Hitler and Mussolini, as well as contemporary examples.

The debate on electoral reforms, part of the Winter Session's focus on strengthening democratic processes amid opposition allegations of voter list manipulations, saw sharp divisions.

Treasury Bench members accused the opposition of undermining institutions, while Congress leaders demanded greater transparency from the Election Commission. The session continues with more members expected to participate in the electoral reforms discussion.
During Saturday and Sunday, energy workers restored electricity supply to 184,000 consumers in Odesa region and over 345,000 consumers in the Mykolaiv region after one of the most massive strikes by the Russian Federation since the beginning of the war, Deputy Energy Minister Olha Yukhymchuk reported.

"During the weekend, energy workers managed to restore electricity supply to over 184,000 consumers and critical infrastructure facilities in Odesa and the region, namely water and heat supply. At the same time, more than 430,000 subscribers remain without electricity in the region. In Mykolaiv region, electricity supply has already been restored to over 345,000 consumers," Yukhymchuk said during a briefing at the Ministry of Energy on Monday.

According to her, emergency restoration work continues continuously.

At the same time, on the night of December 15, the Russian Federation carried out another attack on the energy infrastructure in several regions, as a result of which consumers in the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions were without power in the morning.

In general, according to Yukhymchuk, the energy supply situation in the country has improved

"The schedules continue to operate in some regions of Ukraine. In general, except for the afternoon, the situation has improved in most regions. On average, there are eight hours without electricity," the deputy minister noted.

She also indicated that, on behalf of the government, some regional military administrations have already reviewed the lists of consumers prohibited from disconnecting, which are not of critical importance, and thanks to this, only at the first stage it was possible to significantly reduce the number of objects that are not disconnected.

"The decision is not easy, the working group is critical of the lists provided by the regional administration. The legality of the inclusion is the main criterion," Yukhymchuk said.

The Ministry of Energy added that in Dnipropetrovsk region, as a result of repeated Russian shelling of an energy facility, an energy industry worker was injured and taken to the hospital, where he is receiving necessary medical care.
Amman, Dec 15 : Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great leader" and an "amazing and selfless man, who has devoted his life to the country", members of Indian community in Jordan on Monday could not hide their excitement as they welcomed the Indian PM in Amman.

Amman, Dec 15 (IANS) Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great leader" and an "amazing and selfless man, who has devoted his life to the country", members of Indian community in Jordan on Monday could not hide their excitement as they welcomed the Indian PM in Amman.

Sanal Kumar, a member of the Indian diaspora committee, told IANS: "I have been in this country for the last 25 years, doing textile business. I'm sure that whatever we are doing is definitely a matter of great pride as Indians comprise 50 per cent of the textile industry in Jordan. We are a billion dollar company, creating 35,000 jobs in the country, of which 7,000 jobs are for the Jordanians and 6,000 Indians are also working with us. I think this country is helping us to do a wonderful business."

Praising PM Modi, he said, "He is a unique personality. No words can explain him. You go to any part of the world and when you tell them that you are from India, they immediately mention PM Modi. He is an amazing man, a selfless personality who remains committed to the development of the nation."

Earlier in the day, PM Modi embarked on a three-nation visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, where he will hold several high-level talks aimed at enhancing strategic partnership. The Prime Minister is visiting Jordan first, on the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, marking 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A member of the Indian diaspora said, "It is great to see that he will further solidify the bond between Jordan and India which is a good thing for us who are living in Jordan. He is a great leader, we are very proud. We are very happy to see him."

Another Indian diaspora member called PM Modi one of the "biggest and strongest leaders" in the world right now.

Uma, a member of the Indian diaspora said, "We are excited to welcome Modiji to Jordan, we can't wait to see him. I have been here for the past eight years. I am feeling very lucky to get this chance to see PM Modi."

Venkat, another member of the Indian diaspora, also expressed his excitement. "I've been staying here for the last eight years. We are all so excited to meet our Honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji. I think last time he came, we didn't get the opportunity to meet him. He is the pride of our country, we are so excited."

Saurav Choudhary, a member of the Indian diaspora, said that it is a great honour to see PM Modi as he continues to make India proud.

"I have been here from the last 10 years and it's a great honour to meet a man of the century who is making India proud all around the world. Being an Indian, I am so proud to welcome PM Modi to Jordan. He is doing so much for the Indian diaspora all around the world," he said.

Meera said, "We have an industry here. We've been here for the last 25 years, and so elated to know that PM Modi is coming here. There are no words to explain his accomplishments or what he has done for the country so far."

In his departure statement, PM Modi stated, "During my visit, I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E. Mr Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of Jordan, and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II."

In Amman, PM Modi will meet the Indian community, which he said has made "a significant contribution" to Indiaa"Jordan relations.

From Amman, PM Modi will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of his counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since 2011. On the final leg of his journey, the Prime Minister will visit Oman. This will be his second visit to Oman.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : Actor Randeep Hooda, who is joining forces with John Cena on his upcoming international project Matchbox, has shared a tribute to the actor. He penned a heartfelt note celebrating his extraordinary journey as he steps away from WWE.

On Monday, Randeep took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and shared a collage of John Cena. He reflected on his experience of working closely with the icon, and spoke about discovering the man beyond the larger-than-life persona.

He highlighted John Cena's discipline, grounded nature and generosity, noting that from the WWE ring to the world of cinema, his journey has been driven by relentless hard work, humility and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

He wrote on the picture, "Working with John Cena showed me the man behind the icon, disciplined, grounded, and generous at heart. From the WWE ring to the big screen, he's inspired millions through sheer hard work and humility. From 8 to 80, across all genders and walks of life, his fanbase speaks volumes about the kind of impact he's had. As he steps away from WWE, this is not an end but a celebration of an incredible legacy. Salute to a true legend".

Randeep also pointed to the connection John Cena shares with his audience, emphasising that his fanbase spans generations, genders and cultures, from children to the elderly, across every walk of life. According to the actor, this universal admiration is a testament to the depth of Cena's influence, both as a performer and as a human being.

John Cena's retirement marks the end of one of the most influential eras in professional wrestling. A 16-time world champion, he became the face of WWE through the 2000s and 2010s, carrying the company with his unmatched work ethic, mainstream appeal, and signature mantra of "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect".

While his transition to Hollywood gradually reduced his in-ring appearances, his larger-than-life presence never faded. Cena's farewell is not just about titles or matches, but about redefining what a modern WWE superstar could be, part athlete, part role model, part global entertainer. His legacy remains firmly etched in wrestling history.
Patna, Dec 15 : Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Monday, issued a strong warning to criminals and mafia elements in the state, asserting that the state government would deal with them firmly if they failed to mend their ways.

He also warned land mafia members who have encroached upon government land, saying that strict action would be taken within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary was addressing a public gathering at the Gaya Medical College, where he outlined the vision of the NDA government and highlighted the steps taken to put Bihar on the path of development.

During his address, the Deputy Chief Minister made it clear that maintaining law and order remains the state government's top priority.

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has entrusted me with the responsibility of the Home Department. My job is clear -- I have no other work except to deal with the mafia in Bihar. My sole task is to eliminate the mafia and firmly establish good governance under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary said.

Referring to ongoing bulldozer action against illegal encroachments, the Deputy Chief Minister said the drive would continue as part of what he described as a cleanliness campaign.

"These days, I am also carrying out a cleanliness drive, and it will continue. Right now, we are cleaning up roads. If anyone feels that a criminal or mafia member has encroached on government land, they should submit an application. Action will be taken within 24 hours, and the encroachment will be demolished. No one can save such people," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary's remarks come amid intensified efforts by the Bihar government to crack down on organised crime, land encroachment, and illegal activities across the state.

The Deputy Chief Minister asserted that children from Bihar will no longer be forced to migrate outside the state in search of employment.

He said that this commitment is the reason the people of Bihar have given a massive mandate to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We assure the people of the state that within the next five years, we will create an environment in Bihar where no child will have to leave the state for employment. We will ensure that job opportunities are generated right here in Bihar," Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary said.
Amman, Dec 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jordan's Amman Monday afternoon as he kicked off his three-nation tour which will also include visits to Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman - all countries with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations.

In a special gesture, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.

During the visit, PM Modi will hold discussions with Jordan's King where both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues.

aThe visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability.

"This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. During my visit, I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E. Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of Jordan, and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. In Amman, I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to Indiaa"Jordan relations," PM Modi said in his departure statement, earlier in the day.

This is Prime Minister Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan - he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of Palestine.

"Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. This, the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years. India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans across sectors including political, economic, defence, and strong people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra said ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

"Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018, both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well, and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks, during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks, and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations. His Majesty also reiterated his support for India's fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counter-terrorism including by India's participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process," she added.

India and Jordan also share strong economic ties with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan, and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at 2.8 billion dollars. Jordan is also a leading supplier of fertilizers for India, particularly phosphates and potash. There is also a joint venture named Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) with an investment of 860 million dollars between IFFCO of India and Jordan Phosphates Mines Company (JPMC) of Jordan. According to the MEA, in the field of investment, there are around 15 garment companies with an investment of 500 million dollars located in the qualified industrial zones of Jordan.

"Jordan is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 17,500 who are employed in different sectors such as textiles, construction, manufacturing and others. As regards connectivity, Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai, and plans to expand their operations to New Delhi. Jordan provides tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists and have recently started electronic visa," stated Malhotra.
Mangaluru, Dec 15 : Karnataka Police on Monday arrested a Dubai-based youth from the Mangaluru region for allegedly spreading posts on social media to incite communal sentiments in communally sensitive Mangaluru while staying abroad.

The arrested accused has been identified as 27-year-old Abdul Khader Nehad, a native of Panemangalore in Bantwal taluk of Mangaluru district.

He was reportedly operating from Saudi Arabia and posting derogatory and provocative content targeting people of other religions on social media platforms, including Instagram, with the intention of inciting communal sentiments.

According to the police, Abdul Khader was posting incisive messages on his Instagram account, sdpi_2025.

He allegedly uploaded derogatory and objectionable posts targeting certain religions with the intention of provoking communal violence.

Following this, the Bajpe police registered a suo motu case and took up the investigation.

The police tracked the Instagram account to Dubai and identified the accused. A lookout notice was issued, and his movements were monitored. Airport authorities were alerted, and arrangements were made to take him into custody upon arrival.

The police received information that the accused was arriving at Calicut International Airport in Kerala. He was taken into custody after landing at the airport.

Further investigation is underway. More details regarding the case are awaited.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara recently stated that law and order in the coastal region is stable and improving, attributing it to strict enforcement and new forces like the Anti-Communal Task Force (ACTF), established in response to recent murders in Mangaluru, to tackle communal tensions and strengthen security.

He emphasised the government's focus on peace for economic growth, planned police recruitment, and highlighted declining crime stats, while also addressing issues like drug trafficking with new initiatives.

The Karnataka government had announced the anti-communal task force to tackle the situation in the coastal region, especially in the Mangaluru district. The new force comprises a full complement of SPs, DySPs, inspectors, and other officers drawn from various parts of the state.
Dharwad : , Dec 15 (IANS) The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the authorities to consider the representation of the Akhila Karnataka Students' Association (AKSA), which has sought permission to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the issue of filling 2.84 lakh vacant government posts in the state.

The direction was issued after AKSA approached the court challenging the police decision to deny permission for a large-scale protest in Dharwad demanding immediate recruitment to vacant posts across government departments.

A Bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna disposed of the petition and directed the petitioners to approach Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar, who has been asked to facilitate consideration of permission for a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The issue arose after nearly 30,000 job aspirants staged a protest in Dharwad on December 1, seeking urgent action on government recruitment. The police had denied permission for the protest, citing past incidents that occurred during similar agitations. Aggrieved by the denial, AKSA moved the High Court, seeking relief and permission to raise the issue through a peaceful demonstration and direct interaction with the government.

In its petition, AKSA stated that, as per available data, around 2.84 lakh government posts are lying vacant across various departments in Karnataka. This includes 9,536 vacant posts in the State Finance Department alone. The association also pointed to the shortage of personnel in the police force and claimed that prolonged delays and uncertainty in the recruitment process had allegedly driven several job aspirants to take their own lives.

The association contended that repeated representations to the government had failed to yield tangible results, forcing students and job seekers to resort to protests to draw attention to their demands. It argued that denying permission for peaceful protest or dialogue amounted to an infringement of democratic rights.

The matter of vacant posts was also taken up in the Legislature on December 11. Replying to a question raised by BJP MLC Nirani Hanamant Rudrappa in the Legislative Council, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the scale of vacancies and outlined the governmentas plan to address the issue.

The question sought details on the steps taken by the government to fill approximately 2,84,881 vacant posts, including those in state-run corporations and boards.

Siddaramaiah informed the House that there are a total of 2,84,881 vacant posts in the state. Of these, 1,01,420 vacancies are in corporations and boards, while 14,677 posts are vacant in universities. The remaining vacancies are spread across various state government departments and local bodies.

He said approval has already been obtained from the Finance Department to fill 24,300 posts. Additionally, under the provisions of Article 371J applicable to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, 32,132 posts are required to be filled. Taken together, the government has initiated the process to fill 56,432 posts, and implementation is currently underway.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged that the recruitment process had been delayed due to issues related to internal reservation, but clarified that the matter has since been resolved.

He assured the Legislature that the remaining vacant posts would be filled in a phased manner after securing the necessary approvals from the Finance Department.
Los Angeles, Dec 15 : Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has lavished praise on Brandon Sklenar, her co-actor in 'The Housemaid'. In the film, the actress portrays the role of Millie.

Los Angeles, Dec 15 (IANS) Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has lavished praise on Brandon Sklenar, her co-actor in 'The Housemaid'. In the film, the actress portrays the role of Millie.

The film shows her character battling a tense psychological game, where every interaction carries a hidden motive and every moment builds towards an unsettling reckoning.

Speaking about her connection to the character, Sweeney shares , "Ever since I first read 'The Housemaid'. I was in love with Millie. She's such a raw, vulnerable character, and she goes through such a wild journey. No matter what hits she takes, Millie is a survivor".

Her portrayal brings emotional depth and intensity to a character navigating an increasingly dangerous environment, anchoring the film's gripping narrative. The film is based on the bestselling novel, and into the unsettling dynamics of trust, power and survival within the seemingly perfect walls of a household hiding dark secrets.

Reflecting on the emotionally charged scenes and the importance of trust on set, Sweeney adds, "In these kinds of scenes, it's so important that you fully trust your scene partner. And with Brandon, I had that trust completely. We talked through everything together and it was freeing to feel so safe and comfortable throughout the process".

The highly anticipated psychological thriller is set to captivate the Indian audiences with its haunting narrative and powerful performances. With its atmospheric storytelling, layered performances and a slow-burn tension that keeps audiences on edge, The Housemaid promises to be a compelling cinematic experience that lingers long after the final frame.

'The Housemaid' brought to India by PVRINOX Pictures is set to release in India on January 1, 2026 in cinemas.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Leading industry bodies on Monday expressed satisfaction over the strong performance of India's exports in November despite global uncertainties and 50 per cent US tariffs, reflecting the resilience and competitiveness of the country's export sector.

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Leading industry bodies on Monday expressed satisfaction over the strong performance of Indiaas exports in November despite global uncertainties and 50 per cent US tariffs, reflecting the resilience and competitiveness of the countryas export sector.

Indiaas merchandise exports rose to $38.13 billion in November, registering a robust year-on-year growth of 19.37 per cent. Merchandise imports during the month stood at $62.66 billion.

On the services front, exports increased significantly to $35.86 billion, up from $32.11 billion, while services imports edged up marginally to $17.96 billion from $17.25 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S.C. Ralhan noted that the impressive growth of nearly 19.4 per cent in merchandise exports, coupled with sustained momentum in services exports, is a highly encouraging signal for Indiaas external sector.

The sharp contraction in the trade deficit underscores the ability of Indian exporters to effectively respond to global demand, even amid persistent geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties worldwide, he noted.

Ralhan further emphasised that diversification of export markets, along with the continued resilience of several key sectors, has played a crucial role in supporting export growth.

With sustained policy support, enhanced logistics efficiency, and access to competitive export financing, Indiaas exports are well-positioned to maintain this positive trajectory in the coming months.

The FIEO chief also reiterated that during Aprila"November 2025, the United States remained Indiaas top export destination, despite the imposition of a high tariff of 50 per cent a" clearly demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of Indiaas exporting community.

Other major export destinations during this period included the UAE, the Netherlands, China, the UK, Germany, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong.

On the import side, key source countries were China, the USA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, and Japan.

PHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja said that Indiaas exports are expected to continue on a resilient growth trajectory, supported by sustained government efforts to diversify export markets and enhance global competitiveness.

He noted that the governmentas Export Promotion Mission (EPM) and deeper engagement across regions, including the US, EU, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Asia-Pacific, will play a pivotal role in propelling Indiaas export growth.

EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha said that the latest numbers are quite encouraging, especially in light of the 50 per cent punitive tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration on the bulk of items in India's export basket.

The strong performance in November 2025 shows the resilience of the engineering industry and also how it has been swiftly adapting to the evolving global situation with constant support from the government.

"Going forward, we hope that the Indian engineering sector will successfully diversify its market. There are multiple trade deals in the pipeline, and they would help the sector deepen its presence in the global market. We are expecting that the government will finalise the guidelines for implementing the Rs 25,000 crore Export Promotion Mission," Chadha noted.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police arrested an absconding fraudster, who had been on the run in a job fraud case since 2023, from New Delhi, informed a senior official on Monday.

The accused, identified as Gautam Kumar, a resident of Khagaria district in Bihar, was arrested from the Rohini area of New Delhi on December 11, 2025. He was later produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate, Rohini, New Delhi and brought to Odisha on transit remand.

After coming across a fake advertisement published in a local Odia daily on December 28, 2022, the EOW initiated an investigation into the matter, registering a case in this regard in January 2023. The advertisement was published in the name of "Gramin Rojgar Kalyan Sansthan" (GRKS), inviting applications for various jobs like District and Block Coordinator, Computer Operator, Block Surveyor, etc, prescribing the required educational qualification and the remuneration for the individual posts.

The advertisement also contained the name of the website www.grks.org, and the job seekers are required to submit their application through this website by depositing the application fees of Rs 170 for SC and ST candidates and Rs 320 for general candidates.

The police, during investigation, found that the accused Dharmapal Singh, who was arrested earlier in February 2023, is the Secretary of Gramin Rojgar Kalyan Sansthan, having its registered office in New Delhi and other offices in Mumbai, Bhopal and Dehradun.

Singh developed a website www.grks.org with the help of co-accused Amit Singh, an IT expert and Jairam Tiwari, and has been floating advertisements in different regional languages in the local dailies of more than 10 States across the nation, inviting applications for different posts under GRKS.

"Being attracted by such advertisements which resembles to that of the Government, lakhs of unemployed youths across the nation applied for different posts from 2020 onwards by paying the required application fees. The applicants although were being made to sit in the examination yet none of them was being given appointments and were deliberately disqualified," said the EOW official.

The official further added that GRKS, in this manner, unlawfully diverted application fees running into crores of rupees collected from the victim job applicants. The funds collected were later routed through multiple bank accounts that were ultimately operated and controlled by the accused individuals.

To date, it has been ascertained that approximately Rs 3.48 crore were credited to the account of GRKS. The accused Gautam Kumar was falsely projected as a Skill Developer responsible for training recruits under GRKS. It was also revealed that no training was ever conducted, yet he received Rs 69,20,010 from the GRKS account through his companiesYotta Edutech Pvt Ltd and Guruba Edutech Pvt Ltdand a trust, Amogh Seva Foundation. The entire amount was misappropriated by the accused fraudster.
Imphal, Dec 15 : Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Monday, directed the police administration to strengthen surveillance through state-of-the-art technologies, including drones and AI-based tools.

A Lok Bhavan official said that the Governor chaired a state-level conference of the Home and Police Departments at Lok Bhavan in Imphal.

Governor Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, during the discussion in the meeting also emphasised hands-on training and capacity building of police personnel.

The meeting focused on disseminating key outcomes of the DGsP/IGsP (Director Generals of Police/Inspector Generals of Police) Conference 2025 held at Raipur in Chhattisgarh from November 28 to 30.

During the Monday's conference, Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh briefed the Governor on recommendations made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Referring to the DGsP/IGsP conference, the Manipur DGP highlighted priority areas such as strengthening law and order, counter-terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism, NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre), disaster management and civil defence, enhanced use of forensics, women's safety, managing mass agitations, and the roadmap for bringing back Indian fugitives.

DGP Singh also shared insights from thematic discussions led by the Prime Minister Modi on 'Drug-Free India' and by the Union Home Minister Shah on national security.

Reiterating the nation's commitment towards a drug-free society, the Governor directed the police administration to strengthen surveillance through state-of-the-art technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence-based tools.

He also emphasised hands-on training and capacity building of police personnel.

The Monday's conference was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar, Additional Director Generals of Police, Inspector Generals of Police, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, and Superintendents of Police from all 16 districts of Manipur.

The 60th All India Conference of DGs and IGs was held in Chhattisgarh's capital on November 28-30.

Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval attended the three-day national conference, where key discussions were held on internal security, emerging threats and challenges.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken with released political prisoners from Belarus.

"I really appreciate the kind words about Ukraine and Ukrainians and the clear, principled position on Russian aggression. This is important. Ukraine will continue to help everyone who helps us defend our independence and people's lives," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday.

As reported, the Telegram channel "Pul Pervoi," close to the press service of Alexander Lukashenko, reported on the "pardon" of 123 foreigners serving sentences in the republic's penitentiary institutions.

It is reported that the decision was made "within the framework of the agreements reached with US President Donald Trump and at his request, in connection with the lifting of illegal sanctions against the potash industry of the Republic of Belarus, introduced by the administration of the previous US President Biden, and in connection with the transition to a practical level of the process of lifting other illegal sanctions against the Republic of Belarus."

After that, 109 citizens of Belarus and five Ukrainians arrived in Ukraine on Sunday. Belarusian citizens will be able to remain in Ukraine or, at their own request, move to Poland, Lithuania or other European countries, where many of them have families.
Amman, Dec 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that his visit to Jordan will boost bilateral linkages between two nations. As he began his two-day visit to the nation, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan for the warm welcome at airport.

"Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations," PM Modi posted on X.

In a special gesture, Jordanian PM Jafar Hassan welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan is taking place after 37 years.

During the visit, PM Modi will hold discussions with Jordan's King where both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues.

aThe visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability.

"This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. During my visit, I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E. Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of Jordan, and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. In Amman, I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to Indiaa"Jordan relations," PM Modi said in his departure statement, earlier in the day.

This is Prime Minister Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan - he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of Palestine.

"Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. This, the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years. India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans across sectors including political, economic, defence, and strong people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra said ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

"Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018, both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well, and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks, during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks, and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations. His Majesty also reiterated his support for India's fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counter-terrorism including by India's participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process," she added.

India and Jordan also share strong economic ties with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan, and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at 2.8 billion dollars. Jordan is also a leading supplier of fertilizers for India, particularly phosphates and potash. There is also a joint venture named Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) with an investment of 860 million dollars between IFFCO of India and Jordan Phosphates Mines Company (JPMC) of Jordan. According to the MEA, in the field of investment, there are around 15 garment companies with an investment of 500 million dollars located in the qualified industrial zones of Jordan.

"Jordan is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 17,500 who are employed in different sectors such as textiles, construction, manufacturing and others. As regards connectivity, Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai, and plans to expand their operations to New Delhi. Jordan provides tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists and have recently started electronic visa," stated Malhotra.
Amaravati, Dec 15 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, on Monday sought the Centre's support for rolling out an AI-powered Skill Census across Andhra Pradesh.

Amaravati, Dec 15 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, on Monday sought the Centreas support for rolling out an AI-powered Skill Census across Andhra Pradesh.

He met Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, at Parliament in New Delhi and explained the pilot project conducted in Mangalagiri.

He highlighted the introduction of an AI-based interview mechanism to address challenges encountered during the pilot phase.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded positively to the request for central assistance, according to an official released here.

Lokesh also sought the Centreas backing for startup and innovation hubs, AVGC-XR centres and IndiaAI Expansion in Andhra Pradesh.

His meeting with the Union minister followed his recently concluded visit to the United States.

During his visit to the US, Lokesh had high-level engagements with global technology leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NVIDIA, Adobe and several other leading American technology companies.

Lokesh showcased Andhra Pradesh as a fast-emerging hub for technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing, drawing strong interest for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), R&D facilities and electronics manufacturing investments in the state.

During the meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister Lokesh briefed the Union Minister on the outcomes of his US outreach and the strong interest shown by American technology majors in expanding their footprint in India.

The discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electronics manufacturing, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies, with Andhra Pradesh positioned as a key beneficiary.

Highlighting Andhra Pradeshas startup and innovation push, Minister Lokesh urged that the MeitY Startup Hub extend support to the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, envisioned as a major platform for young entrepreneurs and aspiring startup founders.

He further sought cooperation for setting up Centres of Excellence under the AVGC-XR and WAVEX frameworks, focusing on InnoXR, animation, AR/VR and immersive technologies.

Minister Lokesh also requested support under the IndiaAI Mission to accelerate the expansion and adoption of artificial intelligence across the state, particularly in governance, education, skilling and industry-driven innovation.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three organised cyber gang members during raids in Delhi, Noida, and Chandigarh for supplying 21,000 SIM cards used for sending bulk messages for frauds like digital arrests, loan scams and investment offers, an official said on Monday.

Sonveer Singh, Maneesh Upreti and Himalaya were arrested after the CBI detected that the gang was providing bulk SMS services to cyber criminals to send phishing messages.

It was found that even foreign cyber criminals were using this service to cheat Indian citizens, said the statement.

"Initial investigation has shown that around 21,000 SIM cards were obtained in violation of DoT rules," the CBI said.

These SIM cards were controlled through an online platform to send bulk messages. The messages offered fake loans, investment opportunities, and other financial benefits with the aim of stealing personal and banking details of innocent people.

A CBI statement said that the probe agency's action, taken as part of Operation Chakra-V, disrupted the large cyber fraud setup that was being used to send phishing messages across the country.

"These messages were tricking people into various cyber frauds such as fake digital arrests, loan scams, and investment frauds," said the statement.

Under Operation Chakra-V, which focuses on breaking the backbone of cybercrime in India, the CBI studied the huge number of fake SMS messages that people receive daily and which often lead them into serious financial fraud.

During the investigation, the CBI identified an organised cyber gang operating from the NCR/Chandigarh area. This gang was providing bulk SMS services to cyber criminals.

The SIM cards, illegally procured by the gang, were controlled through an online platform to send bulk messages, said the CBI.

Working closely with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and using information from various sources, including the Sanchar Saathi portal, CBI registered a case against private company, Lord Mahavira Services India Pvt. Ltd. The company was allegedly running the above illegal system that allowed fraudsters to send large numbers of fake messages to people across India, the CBI said.

During the multi-city searches, the CBI found a complete and active system used for sending phishing messages. This system included servers, communication devices, USB hubs, dongles, and thousands of SIM cards. Using this setup, lakhs of fraud messages were being sent every day, said the statement.

The CBI has seized important digital evidence, unaccounted cash, and cryptocurrency during the operation. Early findings also suggest the involvement of some channel partners of telecom companies and their employees, who helped in illegally arranging SIM cards for this fraud, said the CBI.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), on Monday, has written a letter to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking legal action against Humayun Kabir, the now-suspended Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur Assembly constituency in minority-dominated Murshidabad district, for arranging the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Babri Mosque at Beldanga in the same district on December 6.

In the letter from the VHP Counsel and senior advocate Alok Kumar, a copy of which is available with IANS, the Chief Minister had been advised to direct her administration to examine the applicability of Section 196 and Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Section 196 relates to punishment for promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, linguistic, or regional groups, or castes/communities, through speech, writing, signs, or electronic communication, and prohibits acts prejudicial to harmony.

On the other hand, Section 299 relates to punishment for deliberately and maliciously outraging the religious feelings of any class by insulting their religion or beliefs, using spoken/written words, signs, or electronic means.

In the letter, the VHP Counsel had also advised Chief Minister Banerjee to direct her administration to examine the possibility of registering a first information report (FIR) against Humayun Kabir and his associates involved with the arrangement of the foundation stone laying ceremony and act against them as per legal provisions.

The proposed mosque at Beldanga is supposed to be constructed in line with the original construction at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, which was demolished on December 5, 1992. That is precisely why Humayun Kabir chose December 6 of this year to organise the foundation stone laying ceremony.

In the letter to Chief Minister Banerjee, VHP had said that since Mughal emperor Babur had been historically associated with the destruction of Hindu religious sites, naming the proposed mosque at Beldanga after him, seen along with statements being made on this count, proved that the move was neither accidental nor incidental.

"It clearly is a malicious act likely to outrage Hindu religious beliefs. Thus it is an offence under Section 299 of BNS," the letter from the VHP Counsel said.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : A district court in West Bengal on Monday convicted three persons in the murder case of Trinamool Congress councillor Anupam Dutta of Panihati municipality. The Barrackpore court found Sanjib alias Bapi Pandit, Amit Pandit and Ziarul Mandal guilty of murdering the councillor.

The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on December 17, court sources said.

The verdict relates to the killing of Anupam Dutta, who was serving as the Trinamool Congress councillor from Ward No. 8 of Panihati Municipality in North 24 Parganas district. Dutta was shot dead on March 13, 2022, while he was getting onto his scooter on Agarpara Station Road, close to his residence. He was fired upon from close range and died on the spot.

Following the murder, police acted swiftly and arrested one of the accused, Amit Pandit, on the same night. Subsequently, Sanjib alias Bapi Pandit and Ziarul Mandal were also taken into custody in connection with the case. Bapi Pandit was later released on bail.

On Monday, Bapi Pandit appeared before the Barrackpore court for the hearing. After the judge pronounced him guilty along with the other two accused, he was taken into custody again and arrested from the court premises.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, detectives of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate found that Bapi Pandit had allegedly given the contract for Anupam Dutta's murder.

The investigation also revealed that another criminal was initially entrusted with carrying out the killing. However, when that individual failed to execute the plan, Amit Pandit was allegedly hired to carry out the murder after the municipal elections.

Bapi Pandit's release on bail by the Calcutta High Court earlier had triggered controversy and unrest in the area. Allegations were raised at the time regarding lapses and negligence on the part of the police in framing the case. The conviction of all three accused, including Bapi Pandit, has now brought the trial to a decisive stage.

While being taken out of the court premises after the verdict, Bapi Pandit claimed that he had been falsely implicated. "I have been framed politically. Leaders are involved in this," he told reporters.

Anupam Dutta's wife, Meenakshi Dutta, was present in court to hear the verdict in her husbandas murder case. Expressing satisfaction over the courtas decision, she said she hoped the guilty would receive strict punishment.

"I am happy with this verdict. I hope the culprits will get appropriate punishment. I am grateful to all those who helped in the investigation process," she told a section of the media at the court premises.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 17.
Chandigarh, Dec 15 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab General Secretary Baltej Pannu on Monday rebutted the allegations raised by Opposition parties over Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, stating they have resorted to false propaganda as it is clearly staring at a massive defeat.

Addressing the media here, Pannu said the local body elections were conducted in a completely peaceful, fair and transparent manner, a first in many decades in Punjab.

He said people participated enthusiastically and exercised their democratic right without fear or pressure.

"After many years, people were seen standing in long queues to vote in district council and Panchayat Samiti elections. This itself proves that the atmosphere was free, fair and fearless. Voters have now become aware of the importance of these grassroots institutions," Pannu said.

Taking a dig at the Opposition parties, Pannu said their claims of booth capturing, rigging and intimidation were baseless and fabricated.

"Earlier, these same parties alleged that candidates were not allowed to file nomination papers. Now, when the final list is out, it clearly shows that candidates from all political parties contested the elections. This exposes the opposition's lies," he said.

The AAP leader said the Opposition has started creating noise even before the results because it is fully aware of the public verdict.

"They know they are losing badly. This is why they are trying to divert attention by spreading rumours before the results are announced on December 17," he asserted.

Referring to the history of local body elections in Punjab, Pannu reminded that large-scale violence, booth capturing, and murders were reported during the 2008 and 2013 elections under the SAD-BJP alliance and again in 2018 during the Congress regime.

He said even Opposition parties had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court in earlier elections, alleging booth capturing and violence under the SAD-BJP governments.

In contrast, Pannu said, not a single complaint of booth capturing, violence, or loss of life or property has been reported anywhere in Punjab this time.

Clarifying reports about re-polling at a few booths, Pannu said elections were cancelled at only 16 booths due to technical reasons, such as incorrect printing of election symbols or candidates' names, not because of violence.

"On December 17, when the exact figures come out, everyone will see, percentage-wise, how many votes the Opposition has received and how overwhelmingly people have voted for AAP because of its governance and performance. The Opposition's panic clearly reflects the people's mandate," Pannu added.

--IANS

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Amman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, inspects the guard of honor at the Husseiniya Palace in Amman, Jordan, Monday, December 15, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/PMO

Amman, Dec 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in Jordan's capital Amman on Monday. Carrying Indian flags and chanting "Modi Modi" along with "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", gave a rousing welcome to PM Modi as he arrived at his hotel in the Jordanian capital.

PM Modi greeted people and interacted with children who had gathered there to welcome him. PM Modi witnessed a cultural performance as he arrived in Amman.

"Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. Their affection, pride in Indiaas progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora. Also grateful for the role the diaspora continues to play in strengthening India-Jordan relations," PM Modi posted on X.

PM Modi has expressed confidence that his visit to Jordan will boost bilateral linkages between two nations. As he began his two-day visit to the nation, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan for the warm welcome at airport.

"Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations," PM Modi posted on X.

In a special gesture, Jordanian PM Jafar Hassan welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a two-day visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan is taking place after 37 years.

During the visit, PM Modi will hold discussions with Jordan's King where both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan, and exchange perspectives on regional issues.

aThe visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability.

"This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. During my visit, I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E. Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of Jordan, and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. In Amman, I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to Indiaa"Jordan relations," PM Modi said in his departure statement, earlier in the day.

This is Prime Minister Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan - he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of Palestine.

"Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King, making it more than just a transit visit. This, the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years. India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill. The relationship spans across sectors including political, economic, defence, and strong people-to-people ties," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra said ahead of the Prime Minister's visit.

"Our bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level. Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018, both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well, and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks, during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks, and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations. His Majesty also reiterated his support for India's fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counter-terrorism including by India's participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process," she added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Prague, Dec 15 : Czech President Petr Pavel on Monday appointed a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis, completing the government formation after October's parliamentary elections.

The appointment marks Babis' return to the national administration power as leader of the ANO party, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2021.

In his speech during the ceremony, Pavel said that the process of forming the government had proceeded normally and in accordance with constitutional requirements, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"The government is taking office during a turbulent period," Pavel said, referring to the current security risks and economic pressures facing the country.

Pavel called on the new government to act as a responsible member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Babis was sworn in as Prime Minister on December 9, promising to make the Czech Republic "the best place on our planet."

The new cabinet is a coalition consisting of the prime minister and 15 ministers from Babis' ANO party, the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD) and the Motorists for Themselves. The coalition holds a majority of 108 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies.

Under the coalition agreement, the ANO party secures eight ministerial posts, such as the Finance Minister and the Interior Minister, in addition to the position of Prime Minister. The Motorists party heads four ministries, including the foreign ministry, while the SPD takes three, including the defence ministry.

Four cabinet members also serve as deputy Prime Ministers, including Karel Havlicek and Alena Schillerova from ANO, Petr Macinka from the Motorists party, and Jaromir Zuna, nominated by the SPD.

Voting for Czech Republic's parliamentary elections was held in October. A notable change this year was the introduction of postal voting for Czechs living abroad. By the end of August, around 24,000 citizens had registered to cast their ballots by mail.
Chandigarh, Dec 15 : Assets worth Rs 5.41 crore of three dubious Punjab travel agents -- who sent people to the US illegally through the 'dunki' route -- were provisionally attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), an official said on Monday.

The seized properties were acquired through the Proceeds of Crime generated by agents Shubham Sharma, Jagjit Singh and Surmukh Singh by sending Indians abroad using the illegal route, said the ED, Jalandhar Zonal Office, in a statement.

The attached properties include agricultural land, residential premises, business premises and bank accounts in the names of such agents and their family members.

The ED initiated an investigation based on various FIRs registered by Punjab Police and Haryana Police under various sections of BNS 2023 (erstwhile IPC 1860) and Immigration Act, 1983, related to the deportation of 330 Indian nationals on military cargo planes in February 2025 by the US government. The 330 people had entered the US illegally.

The ED investigation revealed that these "agents" and their associates used to cheat gullible people by luring them under the pretext of sending them to the US legally, charging hefty amounts for this.

"However, subsequently they used to send people via dangerous routes through various South American countries, and they were made to cross over into the US illegally through the US-Mexico border," said the statement.

An ED official said in the statement that throughout the journey for illegally entering the US, people were tortured, robbed of money and made to commit illegal acts.

These 'agents' and their associates generated proceeds of crime by cheating various persons on false pretexts and obtaining large sums from them, it said.

Earlier, searches were conducted in this case on July 9, 2025 and July 11, 2025, at 19 locations under the provisions of PMLA, wherein incriminating documents and materials were found and recovered, including bogus immigration stamps, bogus visa stamps, records and digital devices, said the statement.
Bengaluru, Dec 15 : The Janata Dal (Secular) on Monday demanded that the Congress-led state government immediately withdraw the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill, terming it an insult to democracy and contrary to the Constitution.

JD-S Bengaluru City Unit President H.M. Ramesh Gowda, in a statement, alleged that the proposed ward demarcation under the bill was politically motivated and designed to benefit the Congress party, and warned that such flawed restructuring would adversely affect Bengaluruas development.

"The government's move to table this bill is condemnable. It is an attempt to push the legislation at the last minute to gain undue political advantage," Gowda said.

He cited Article 243R of the Constitution, which mandates that all seats in a municipality shall be filled by persons chosen through direct elections from territorial constituencies within the municipal area, commonly referred to as wards.

Gowda further pointed out that while the Constitution provides for nominated members under Article 243R(2), such members do not enjoy voting rights. He alleged that the governmentas proposal to nominate corporators to newly created wards violates constitutional provisions.

"The bill allows the nomination of members at the rate of one per 20,000 population. This is nothing but an insult to democracy. The government must withdraw this bill immediately," he demanded.

It may be noted that the Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was tabled in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly with the stated objective of providing clarity on the functioning of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and its relationship with existing civic bodies.

As per the provisions of the bill, all elected Members of Parliament and Members of the State Legislative Assembly, whose constituencies or parts of constituencies fall within the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, will be included as members of the Authority.

The government has maintained that the proposed amendments are aimed at decentralising governance, improving service delivery, and enhancing transparency in Bengaluruas urban administration.

The amendment also clarifies that mayors and elected corporation members will continue to enjoy full powers as guaranteed under the Constitution, thereby safeguarding the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, the government has said.
The Coalition Council considered Ukraine's fulfillment of international obligations, said Danylo Hetmantsev, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy (Servant of the People faction).

"The Coalition Council held a working meeting on the eve of the plenary week. The key topic is the fulfillment of our international obligations, problematic issues and ways to resolve them. We listened to the government's positions. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, deputy prime ministers, ministers of finance, energy, justice and reconstruction joined the discussion," Hetmantsev wrote on Telegram on Monday following the meeting.

He noted that he agrees with Svyrydenko on the urgent need to adopt the Ukraine Facility package of bills as soon as possible.

"This is critically important for timely receipt of financial assistance from the European Union, maintaining macro-financial stability and fulfilling Ukraine's international obligations in times of war. The plenary week should provide a clear answer to these challenges," the MP emphasized.

He called on opposition representatives to stop politicking and focus on adopting the necessary laws, on which the financial stability of the state and the fulfillment of obligations to Ukraine's international partners directly depend.
New Delhi/Patna, Dec 15 : Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) newly appointed National Working President, Nitin Nabin, assumed the charge of his office in Delhi on Monday, party officials said.

Nabin received a grand welcome from the party's Central leadership at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

BJP President J.P. Nadda formally welcomed Nabin at the party headquarters on Monday evening and congratulated him through a message posted on his official X account.

"Heartiest congratulations to Nitin Nabin on assuming charge as the National Working President of the BJP. I am confident that under your leadership, the organisation will expand further, and you will take the policies of the Narendra Modi government and the party's ideology to every citizen. I wish you a very successful tenure," BJP President Nadda said.

The BJP President also said, "Under the guidance of our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi, your organisational skills will give new direction to the BJP's journey of public service and nation-building. You will more effectively convey the welfare policies of the BJP government and the party's ideology to the masses. Best wishes for your new responsibility and a successful tenure."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present on the occasion, also congratulated Nabin.

"Many congratulations to Nitin Nabin on assuming charge as the National Working President of the BJP. I am confident that under your leadership, the organisation will grow stronger and that the policies of the Narendra Modi government and the party's ideology will reach the masses more effectively. I wish you a very successful tenure," Union Home Minister Shah said.

Nitin Nabin was appointed as the National Working President of the BJP on Sunday and arrived in New Delhi on Monday to formally assume charge.

He is the youngest National Working President of the party.

Earlier in the day, upon his arrival in Delhi, Nitin Nabin was also welcomed by the Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Chandigarh, Dec 15 : With 11 schools in Jalandhar city received bomb threat emails that led to panic as parents started gathering outside schools to pick their wards, BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday took exception to the manner in which a sense of terror is being spread among school children in Punjab by forces that the AAP government has failed to control.

Demanding an investigation by the NIA, Chugh said it appeared to be a deliberate and calculated design by subversive forces to intimidate children and their parents, reflecting the complete collapse of the law and order machinery in the border state.

He questioned whether the Bhagwant Mann government was playing into the hands of the ISI or had simply failed to control disruptive forces.

Chugh said the entire state already "knows that gangsters and mafias are enjoying a free run, spreading an atmosphere of terror and panic across the state. Everyone is aware of how bullets are fired almost daily and how extortion calls are made to paralyse every section of society".

"But it is extremely alarming that school-going children are now being subjected to terrorism and panic at a time when the Bhagwant Mann government continues to make deceptive claims about improving standards of school education," Chugh said in a statement.

Calling it an inhuman and criminal failure on the part of the Mann government, Chugh said the matter needs a thorough investigation.

A message from St Joseph's Convent School to the parents after the threatening email read: "This is to inform you that the school has announced a half day today, December 15. The dispersal time for all students will be 11.55 am. Please do not pay attention to any rumours. The school premises have been thoroughly inspected by the authorities concerned, and no threat or danger has been detected."

Responding to bomb threat emails, Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said 11 schools have reported having received threatening emails. "So far, the emails do not seem genuine as they are in the same format. Our teams are checking their origin. These are on the same lines as received in Amritsar."

--IANS

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Imphal, Dec 15 : The opposition Congress in Manipur on Monday described the ruling BJP MLAs' meeting with central party leaders in New Delhi on Sunday as "attending a crash course", taking a swipe at the state leadership amid the ongoing political situation.

Imphal, Dec 15 (IANS) The opposition Congress in Manipur on Monday described the ruling BJP MLAs' meeting with central party leaders in New Delhi on Sunday as "attending a crash course", taking a swipe at the state leadership amid the ongoing political situation.

The Manipur BJP Legislature Party held a meeting at the party headquarters in Delhi on Sunday and discussed the peace process and other key issues related to the violence-hit state.

Manipur state Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh in a post in his X handle said : "Instead of restoring law and order in Manipur, the BJP has reduced its MLAs to students, attending crash courses in Delhi on how to justify administrative failures back home."

The BJP leader in Imphal said that the meeting was attended by more than 30 BJP MLAs, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, and former ministers.

Manipur BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also attended the crucial meeting, called by the party's central leaders.

He said that two senior Union BJP leaders -- National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and the party's Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra.

The BJP in a post on its official X account on Sunday said: "The Manipur BJP Legislature Party meeting was held today at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, in the presence of BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh ji and party's Northeast Coordinator Sambit Patra ji."

The discussion centred on the peace and progress of Manipur, the BJP said in an X post.

BJP legislators from Manipur, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Assembly Speaker Satyabrata Singh, went to Delhi on Saturday to attend the Sunday's meeting convened by the party's Central leadership.

BJP leaders in Imphal earlier indicated that the discussions on Sunday's vital meeting are likely to revolve around the government formation.

Amid growing speculation about the formation of a new government and rising demands from a large number of BJP MLAs and leaders from the party to form the next government, Sunday's meeting was a significant political development.

Before leaving for Delhi, former Chief Minister Biren Singh had said that the BJP's Central leadership had instructed every BJP MLA from the state to attend the meeting.

BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly.

Strife-torn Manipur has been under the 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.

Central leaders -- B.L. Santhosh and Sambit Patra -- visited Manipur for three days last month and held a series of meetings with the 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 N. Biren Singh, had met B.L. Santhosh and Sambit Patra in 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 added that the process of government formation is already underway, while refraining from commenting on individual opinions expressed by legislators.
Seoul, Dec 15 : A former commander of the Capital Defence Command on Monday recanted his earlier testimony that former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had ordered him to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly during a failed attempt to impose martial law last December, officials said.

Lee Jin-woo, who is suspected of having played a key role in Yoon's imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024, made the reversal while testifying as a witness at a hearing on charges of insurrection against the former president.

In May, Lee testified at a court martial in Seoul that he found it "abnormal" when the president allegedly ordered him to "kick and break down the door" to drag out lawmakers, Yonhap News Agency reported.

He also told the court he recalled Yoon saying that "four people can take out one person each at the National Assembly building," noting that the memory had come back to him after being reminded by an adjutant.

However, Lee backtracked on his previous testimony Monday, saying his memory had been "distorted" by things he had heard and seen on television and YouTube.

"I did say that at the time," Lee said, adding he had made those remarks because he had found the account plausible after watching television coverage, despite having no recollection of it.

Lee also denied that Yoon used the word "arrest" in issuing the orders, instead claiming he had "imagined" the term after being influenced by TV.

Meanwhile, a special counsel team on Monday concluded that former President Yoon Suk Yeol began preparations for his short-lived imposition of martial law in or before October 2023, more than a year before the December 2024 declaration.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team shared the conclusion as it announced the results of its 180-day investigation into the martial law bid after indicting 24 people, including the ousted former president, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong and former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

The team said Yoon staged an insurrection through his martial law declaration in order to remove his political opponents and monopolize and maintain power, contradicting the former's claims that the emergency order was aimed at protecting the nation from a reckless opposition party.

"Yoon Suk Yeol and others aimed to halt political activities and the National Assembly's functions by military force and remove opposition forces by seizing legislative and judiciary powers through an emergency legislative body replacing the National Assembly," Cho said at a briefing at his office in southern Seoul.

"He declared martial law by framing the political activities carried out at the National Assembly as anti-state acts and anti-state forces plotting an insurrection," he added.

The team said it determined the former president had mentioned his "emergency powers" on numerous occasions to multiple people since the early days of his term, which began in May 2022 and ended abruptly in April 2025 after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment by the National Assembly.

For example, at a dinner with leaders of the then ruling People Power Party in November 2022, Yoon claimed he had emergency powers and would "wipe them all out" even if he was shot dead, according to the special counsel.

Then, ahead of a military reshuffle in October 2023, Yoon and his aides began martial law preparations in earnest by considering whether to impose the decree before or after the reshuffle and appointing some of the key figures now implicated in the martial law case to top commander positions, the team said.

Yoon appears to have chosen December 3 as the date of his martial law imposition in order to prevent interference by the United States, where the government was in transition following Donald Trump's election as president the previous month, it said.

No evidence was found to support rumors that a shaman was involved in choosing the date, it was added.
Bhopal, Dec 15 : A week-long International Forest Fair, based on the 'Prosperous Forests, Happy People,' will be held between December 17 to 23 at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal.

Sharing the details about the event at a press conference, Minister of State for Forests Dilip Singh Ahirwar on Monday said that the fair will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on December 17.

He shared that a total of 350 stalls will be set up at the fair.

"District unions of the state, forest departments, Ayurvedic medicine manufacturers, and manufacturers and sellers of traditional food products will display and sell their products at the fair," he said.

The Minister informed that the fair will include 10 government stalls, stalls from 24 other states, 16 exhibition stalls, 136 private stalls, and 26 food stalls, where visitors will get to taste dishes such as Dalpuniya from Alirajpur and Gond tribal cuisine from Bandhavgarh.

Ahirwar further said that 200 doctors and experts of the Ayurvedic system will provide free medical consultation at the fair.

He informed that various cultural programs will be organised, including orchestra performances, street plays, folk dances, and competitions such as painting, fancy dress, and singing for school students.

The Forest Minister further informed that an international workshop will also be organised on December 19 and 20 during the Forest Fair.

"Representatives from 17 states of India, two from Nepal, and one from Bhutan will participate in the event," he said.

The minister informed that the workshop will be organised in coordination with the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Brussels, Dec 15 : The European Union's discussions on financing future support for Ukraine, including a plan to leverage frozen Russian state assets, have become "increasingly difficult," an EU official said on Monday.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas made the remarks ahead of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council session in Brussels, noting that EU leaders are due to meet on Thursday and Friday for the last summit of the year.

The bloc is working toward a decision on Ukraine's funding at the gathering. "We will not leave the meeting before we get a result," she said, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Several financing options remain on the table, but the "most credible option" is a so-called "reparations loan" backed by frozen Russian assets, Kallas added.

The financing push comes as the EU seeks to stabilise support for Ukraine into 2026 and 2027.

Western countries have frozen roughly 300 billion US dollars in Russian sovereign assets since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The European Union has immobilized about 210 billion euros (about 246.4 billion dollars) of Russian central bank assets, most of it held at Belgium-based Euroclear in Brussels.

Earlier this month, EU governments agreed to indefinitely immobilize those Russian central bank assets, a shift from the previous system of rolling renewals every six months, to reduce the risk that a single member state could block the measure.

Belgium, which holds the bulk of the immobilized assets, has raised legal and financial liability concerns about the "reparations loan." Those concerns have complicated previous efforts to reach a deal on the proposed loan.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has criticised the European Union over its intention to use the country's assets, calling it an "illegitimate institution and a gang that legitimises utterly criminal ideas," the local media reported.

Speaking to reporters on December 5, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called EU a "criminal group" and raised questions over their plan, which she stressed has no legal basis. Her remarks came after the European Commission announced its plan to seize Russian assets in Europe worth a210 billion under "reparations loan" scheme to support Ukraine's financial needs and urged non-EU Western nations to become part of this initiative, Russian state-run news agency TASS reported.

She said, "The European Union has become not just an illegitimate institution, but, better yet, a gang that legitimizes utterly criminal ideas and decisions. I believe this is unprecedented. How else are they discussing this publicly? Trying to find something to tie it to? And knowing there's no legal basis for it, they're no longer creating coalitions, but rather criminal groups."

The spokesperson warned that Russia will take "harsh retaliatory measures" if EU takes such a step and stressed that this would not only be a verbal response but also practical actions.

Zakharova said, "If these actions are committed a" namely, let's put it plainly, theft a" if there are attempts at banditry and the seizure of Russian assets, then yes, I can confirm that retaliatory measures are indeed being developed interdepartmentally."

"This will not be a verbal response, not just notes of protest. It will involve both statements and practical actions. They understand this perfectly well, which is why they're squirming like snakes in a frying pan," she added.
Jaipur, Dec 15 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday strongly criticised the NDA government's reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), calling it a reflection of a petty mindset and a serious insult to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

In a statement, Gehlot said the NDA government had initially floated the idea of removing the name of "Revered Bapu" from the employment guarantee scheme and, after facing widespread criticism, was now attempting to introduce a new name -- 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission', abbreviated as aVB G RAM Ga. He said this repeated eagerness to change the name only exposed the guilt, insecurity and narrow thinking of the BJP-led NDA government.

Gehlot alleged that the attempt to alter the identity of MNREGA was not merely an administrative decision but a deliberate effort to erase Mahatma Gandhias legacy from a landmark welfare programme that has provided livelihood security to millions of rural households across the country.

Highlighting Mahatma Gandhi's global stature, Gehlot recalled that during the recent G-20 Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other world leaders paid homage to Gandhiji at Rajghat. He said that since Independence, every visiting head of state has traditionally paid tribute at Rajghat, underlining Gandhijias unparalleled respect and moral authority across the world.

"On one hand, the entire world bows to Bapu. On the other, there appears to be a conspiracy to erase his legacy in his own country," the former Chief Minister said, describing the move as deeply disturbing.

Calling the proposed renaming emotionally and morally wrong, the former Chief Minister stressed that Mahatma Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Rama and that "Hey Ram" were his final words.

"The current government's deplorable attempt to sideline Gandhiji under the pretext of including the name aRama in the schemeas title is highly reprehensible," he said, adding that invoking Lord Ramaas name to justify removing Mahatma Gandhi's name amounted to a distortion of both spiritual and moral values.

Gehlot demanded that the Centre immediately reconsider and withdraw the move, warning that such actions would send an extremely negative message to the international community about Indiaas commitment to Gandhian ideals.

He further pointed out that October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, is observed by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence, reflecting the global reverence and relevance of Gandhiji's philosophy even today.

"Such steps clearly indicate that the BJP does not truly believe in the values of non-violence, truth and inclusiveness that Mahatma Gandhi stood for," Gehlot said.
Chennai, Dec 15 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government, accusing it of systematically dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), a flagship programme that has played a key role in rural poverty alleviation across India.

In a strongly worded statement posted on social media platform X, the Chief Minister condemned the Centre's proposed move to rename and restructure the scheme, calling it an ideological assault on both Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and the rights of rural workers.

Stalin alleged that the BJP government, driven by what he described as "deep-seated hostility" towards the Father of the Nation, is attempting to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme and replace it with what he termed an "unpronounceable Sanskritised, North Indian name"  reportedly the Viksit Bharat Rojgar and Awas Yojana. He said this renaming exercise was not merely symbolic but reflected a broader attempt to dilute the spirit of the programme.

The Chief Minister also expressed serious concern over proposed changes to the funding pattern. He pointed out that MGNREGS was originally implemented with 100 per cent financial support from the Union government, but under the new proposal, the Centre intends to limit its contribution to just 60 per cent.

Such a move, Stalin warned, would severely weaken the scheme and burden states that are already investing heavily in social welfare.

Another major issue highlighted by Stalin was what he called the "punishment of success". He said Tamil Nadu, which has made significant strides in reducing rural poverty, is now being penalised for its achievements.

As a state categorised as having lower poverty levels, Tamil Nadu is likely to receive reduced benefits under the revised framework, depriving eligible rural workers of much-needed employment opportunities.

The MGNREGS, introduced in 2005, has been instrumental in providing guaranteed employment through works related to water conservation, land development, rural roads, and livestock-related infrastructure.

Stalin stressed that the scheme had helped lift crores of people out of poverty and enabled them to live with dignity.

Drawing a parallel with earlier policy reversals, the Chief Minister warned the Centre that public resistance would once again prevail.

"Just as you were forced to retreat on the three farm laws and the caste-based census, the people will certainly compel you to step back from this attempt to destroy MGNREGS," he said.

Stalin urged the Union government to immediately withdraw the proposed Viksit Bharat  Guarantee Scheme for Employment and Livelihood, cautioning that failure to do so would invite the "wrath of the people" across the country.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Reserve Bank of India, as on March 31 this year, held 879.58 metric tonnes of gold as compared to 822.10 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2024, reflecting an increase of 57.48 metric tonnes, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

These gold holdings contribute to strengthening confidence in the Indian rupee and the overall external stability of the economy, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha in a reply to a question.

To questions about the surge in gold and silver prices in the domestic market, he said that domestic prices of precious metals like gold and silver are primarily determined by their prevailing international prices (in US dollar terms), the exchange rate of the Indian rupee against the US dollar and applicable tariffs.

The recent surge in prices is largely attributable to heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over global growth, which have boosted safe-haven demand, including substantial gold purchases by central banks and major institutions worldwide.

The minister said that the recent rally in gold prices may have differential effects across states or population groups, depending upon the degree of socio-cultural and economic reliance on these precious metals.

"They serve a dual role -- not only as a consumption item but also as an investment avenue, as they are considered safe assets for hedging against uncertainties," he said.

Thus, an increase in the price of gold or silver positively influences household wealth, as the notional value of existing gold or silver holdings appreciates, he added.

Chaudhary further stated that the prices of precious metals are determined by the market, and the government is not involved in the price fixation.

However, the government, as a relief measure for consumers, lowered customs duty on gold imports from 15 to 6 per cent in July 2024.

The government introduced measures such as the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), Gold exchangea'traded funds (ETFs) and Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme to reduce the demand for physical gold and to mobilise idle domestic gold, so that part of the demand is met from local stocks rather than fresh imports, thereby reducing external vulnerability and price pressures.

"The RBI and government regulation of bullion imports through nominated agencies, banks and refineries improve traceability, reduce greya'market channels and help domestic prices more smoothly track global benchmarks rather than react to shortages or speculative spikes," the minister said.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from December 17-19 here will bring together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, indigenous knowledge holders and civil society leaders from across the world to advance a shared vision of balanced, inclusive and sustainable health systems, Ministry of Ayush said on Monday.

Co-hosted by the WHO and Ministry of Ayush, the summit will be held under the theme "Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being."

At a time when health systems globally are grappling with inequities, environmental stress and rising chronic disease, the summit seeks to reaffirm the relevance of Traditional Medicine while firmly grounding its role in science, evidence and responsible practice.

Building on the momentum generated by the inaugural Summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2023, the New Delhi edition marks a significant step forward in positioning Traditional Medicine within the global health agenda.

Guided by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 20252034, the summit will focus on how Traditional Medicine systems can contribute meaningfully to people-centred healthcare and planetary well-being.

Discussions will highlight emerging evidence, innovations and policy pathways that support the safe, effective and ethical integration of Traditional Medicine into national health systems.

The technical deliberations of the Summit will open with a high-level plenary on restoring balance, examining why imbalances in knowledge, access, governance and planetary health persist, and what restoring balance could mean for societies today.

Global leaders and experts will explore how scientific rigour, equitable governance, biodiversity stewardship, Indigenous rights and diverse knowledge systems can together shape a more just and resilient global health future.

The session will also introduce emerging ideas for coordinated global action to support implementation of the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy.

A strong emphasis on science and innovation will define the second day of the Summit. One plenary will focus on investing in science to drive progress in Traditional Medicine, highlighting the importance of rigorous research, sustained financing, methodological harmonisation and innovation ecosystems.

The discussions will underscore how strategic investment and scientific collaboration are essential to elevate Traditional Medicine as an evidence-driven contributor to sustainable development and universal health coverage.

Over three days, the Summit will address a wide range of forward-looking issues, including regulation and integration of Traditional Medicine within public health frameworks; respectful exchange of knowledge with Indigenous Peoples; protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of medicinal resources; safeguarding intellectual property rights; and the responsible application of frontier technologies in research, education and practice.

The event will feature more than 170 expert speakers across over 25 sessions, showcasing perspectives from science, policy, practice and community leadership.

IANS

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Photo: https://www.linkedin.com/company

Ukrainian company Frontline Robotics and German-Ukrainian UAV manufacturer Quantum Systems are launching Europe's first joint venture Quantum Frontline Industries for the production of drones in Germany as part of the Build with Ukraine program, Quantum Systems said in a press release on Monday.

It is noted that this was announced at the 8th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin on Monday.

Quantum Systems will provide industrial infrastructure and production operations, while Frontline Robotics contributes licensed designs, training, and full lifecycle support in line with NATO standards.

"Ukrainians have revolutionized the drone war, now we will revolutionize the industrial war together. For Quantum Systems, this is the logical next step of our proven track record in support of Ukraine. Together with Frontline Robotics, we will build on our proven experience and create Europes first foreign production capacity at this scale for Ukraine," said Sven Kruck, Co-CEO of Quantum Systems.

"We see this as an important mission  to build the first Ukrainian-German defence joint venture with our partners Quantum Systems," said Yevhen Tretiak, CEO of Frontline Robotics.

The new company will be headed by Matthias Lehna, who has served as Quantum Systems' director of government relations and business development since 2023. He said Quantum Frontline Industries will now focus on three goals: scaling production, expanding its portfolio, and creating new products.

Founded in 2023, Frontline Robotics is a Ukrainian defence tech company that develops and manufactures robotic systems for the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine. It designs and manufactures ground robots, drones and turrets, and develops software.

Quantum Systems is a European company specializing in the development of unmanned systems. Founded in 2015. The company supplies military, government and commercial customers with ISR systems, autonomous platforms and integrated missions.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : The Shiv Sena-UBT in a letter to the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has protested against the announcement of elections to the 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), terming it "hasty".

It claimed the poll schedule has been announced even before the publication of the final voter list.

Shiv Sena-UBT has also protested against the poor management and lack of transparency in the functioning of the SEC.

The Shiv Sena-UBT said, "State Election Commission had promised to publish the final electoral list for the municipal elections. The BMC had also made a similar claim by placing advertisements in newspapers, however, the final voter list is neither available on the SEC's website nor a printed copy being made available at the BMC headquarters. On the one hand, while the voter list process has not been completed, on the other hand, the SEC hastily held a press conference and announced the elections. This is not only administrative irresponsibility but also a violation of the rights of voters and a mockery of the democratic process."

"Why is there such a rush to announce the elections when the administrative preparations are not complete? Declaring elections with such inadequate and flawed preparations is legally and morally wrong. This raises questions about the credibility of the election process," it added.

"However, we strongly demand through this letter that elections should not have been announced until the final voter lists of all municipal corporations, including the BMC, are made public and the errors therein are resolved," the Shiv Sena-UBT said.

The Shiv Sena-UBT added that the SEC should prove its impartiality in this regard and implement the previously announced schedule.

Meanwhile, Mumbai District Guardian Minister and BJP In-charge for BMC elections, Ashish Shelar, targeted the Shiv Sena-UBT and asked it to give Mumbaikars a clear account of the Rs 1.25 lakh crore spent over the last five terms of the BMC and also clarify how much truly benefitted the people and how much found its way into the pockets.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh ordered the stepping up of action against illegal drug trade, directing officials of the Drugs Control Department to conduct a special inspection and enforcement drive at Bhagirath Palace near the Red Fort, an official said.

The intensified action is in line with Chief Minister Rekha Guptaled Delhi government's firm resolve to ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines for the public, the official said in a statement.

"Ensuring the availability of safe and quality medicines is non-negotiable. We have zero tolerance for spurious, substandard or illegally sold drugs and medical devices. Strict enforcement drives and coordinated actions with law enforcement agencies will continue across Delhi to protect public health," said Pankaj Kumar Singh.

During the special enforcement drive, departmental teams carried out 27 inspections of wholesale drug dealers operating in the area.

As a result, over 10 firms were found to be contravening provisions of the Drugs Rules, and necessary action has been initiated against the defaulting firms under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, said the statement.

To verify compliance with prescribed quality and safety standards, 204 samples of syrups, medicines, cotton and other surgical items were lifted during the inspections and sent for sample test and analysis, it said.

During the drive at Bhagirath Palace, one shop was booked for the sale of medical devices/surgical items without a valid licence, a clear violation of the Medical Devices Rules. Appropriate action is being taken against the erring firm.

Earlier in another enforcement drive, acting on specific inputs received from the Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, Delhi Police, a joint team of the Drugs Control Department and Delhi Police conducted a late-night raid at a drug trading premises at Teliwara in Sadar Bazar.

The operation led to the detection and seizure of a large quantity of counterfeit and spurious medicines and anti-fungal cream from one of the drug traders.

During the raid, the premises were found to be operating without a valid drug licence, and the person in charge failed to produce any purchase or sale records. Physical verification revealed large quantities of fake branded topical formulations stocked for sale and distribution.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the seized counterfeit medicines were being supplied to adjacent states and neighbouring countries, the statement said.

In view of this, the Drugs Control Departments of the concerned neighbouring states have been formally informed about the malpractice for necessary vigilance and coordinated action.

The Health Minister reiterated that the Delhi government remains fully committed to strict regulatory oversight and the protection of public health.

Such intensified enforcement drives will continue across the city to curb the sale of spurious, substandard and illegally sold drugs and medical devices, he said.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) of public sector banks, in terms of outstanding education loans, declined from 7 per cent in FY 2020-21 to 2 per cent in FY 2024-25, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary cited data compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to show that there has been a significant improvement in asset quality of education loans over the years in the country.

The minister pointed out that credit-related matters of regulated entities (REs) such as banks and NBFCs are largely deregulated and are governed by the board-approved loan policies of the REs framed under the ambit of relevant regulatory and statutory requirements and terms and conditions of the loan agreement between the borrower and the RE. The RBI has advised the banks to put in place a board-approved loan policy, and they shall take credit-related decisions in accordance with the stipulated policy, subject to the guiding principles of regulations.

Further, the RBI has taken several initiatives to improve recovery and to resolve stress in banks, including issuance of the Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets under RBI (Commercial Banks a" Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 202,5 which is a principle-based framework and provides for early recognition and resolution of default in a time-bound manner, the minister said.

All Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) have been advised by the RBI to adopt the Model Education Loan Scheme (MELS), as last amended on March 21, 2024. The scheme provides for need-based education loans, and no collateral security or third-party guarantee is required for loans up to Rs 7.50 lakh, provided they are eligible for the Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme or the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loan, the minister said.

The minister further stated that public sector banks also provide collateral-free loans beyond Rs 7.50 lakh, on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the policies approved by their board.

Further, the RBI directive on Collateral Free Loans - Educational Loan Scheme, has advised that banks must not, mandatorily, obtain collateral security in the case of educational loans up to Rs 4 lakh.

Moreover, the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme was launched on November 6, 2024, which enables loans through banks to meritorious students so that financial constraints do not prevent any youth of India from pursuing quality higher education. The scheme facilitates and enables education loans to meritorious students who get admission in the top Quality Higher Educational Institutions in the country and enables meritorious students of these institutions to take collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans through a simple, transparent, student-friendly application process, the minister added.
Jaipur, Dec 15 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the state government is working with full commitment to realise the vision of 'Healthy Rajasthan', ensuring that every citizen remains healthy, fit and happy.

Jaipur, Dec 15 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the state government is working with full commitment to realise the vision of aHealthy Rajasthana, ensuring that every citizen remains healthy, fit and happy.

He stated that world-class medical infrastructure is being developed across the state and that access to quality healthcare services is steadily improving in villages and remote hamlets.

Sharma released the Heal in Rajasthan Policy, 2025, to promote medical tourism. He said the policy would play a key role in establishing Rajasthan as a reliable, accessible, and affordable medical value travel destination.

The Chief Minister was addressing the launch ceremony of the state-level health camp, blood donation camp, and various health programs organised at the RUHS Hospital Complex on Monday, marking the completion of two years of the state government.

He said that over the past two years, the government has functioned with service, dedication, and transparency, placing the common citizen at the centre of every policy decision, development effort, and welfare scheme to ensure good governance and holistic development.

On the occasion of the state governmentas second anniversary, several significant initiatives were launched to strengthen healthcare services. The Chief Minister inaugurated a Critical Care Block at RUHS, constructed for Rs 20 crore.

The facility is equipped with ICU beds, emergency care units, advanced ventilator systems, modular operating theatres, and dialysis facilities.

Health camps are being organised across the state, from medical colleges to sub-centres. At these camps, individuals above 30 years of age are being screened for BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and common cancers, with appropriate treatment provided. Patients are also receiving free medicines and free diagnostic tests.

The Chief Minister emphasised that there is no substitute for blood and commended those who have pledged to save lives through blood donation, calling it a noble act of service. Blood donation camps are being organised at district headquarters and tehsil levels throughout the state.

The Chief Minister said that the double-engine government at the Centre and the State is committed to the welfare and dignity of persons with disabilities. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi enhanced social respect by referring to them as Divyang.

The state government has pledged in its two budgets to provide artificial limbs and assistive devices worth up to Rs 20,000 to 1.5 lakh persons with disabilities, a commitment that is being rapidly fulfilled. Under the National Health Mission, a Hub and Spoke model is being implemented to provide free diagnostic tests.

More than 100 specialised testsa"including Troponin, cancer markers, biopsy, vitamins, thalassemia, haemophilia, hepatitis, and thyroid testsa"will be available free of cost in government hospitals. The state has identified 42 mother labs, 137 hub labs, and 1,333 spokes.

On this occasion, 11 mother labs and 400 spokes were inaugurated. The entire process, from sample collection to reporting, will be digitised, enabling patients to access reports online from their homes. To mark the completion of two years of the state government, an FCM injection campaign has been launched statewide to free pregnant women from anaemia.

Additionally, an eye-examination program for students in all government schools has been initiated, under which free spectacles will be provided. Screening for thalassemia and sickle cell disease will also be conducted.

The Chief Minister said the government is making rapid progress toward transforming Rajasthanas healthcare system. Over the past two years, 35,000 posts have been filled in the Medical and Health Department, and recruitment for an additional 15,000 posts is currently underway.

He added that 132 new treatment packages have been included under the Chief Ministeras Ayushman Arogya Yojana, benefiting over 35 lakh people through cashless medical services.
Amaravati, Dec 15 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education and IT, Nara Lokesh, on Monday met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi and sought Rs 4,400 crore in financial assistance under the STARS Project as part of Samagra Shiksha reforms and Rs 1,270 crore additional funds for 2025-26.

Minister Lokesh urged the Union Minister to approve the state governmentas proposal for sanctioning 11 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and to take steps for the establishment and operationalisation of 12 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) recently allotted to Andhra Pradesh.

He also sought Rs 4,400 crore in financial assistance under the STARS Project as part of Samagra Shiksha reforms, and requested approval for Rs 1,270 crore in additional funds proposed by the state for the 2025-26 financial year.

Lokesh further appealed for permission to set up 155 Smart Kitchens on a pilot basis under the PM POSHAN scheme across the state.

During the meeting, Lokesh briefed the Union Minister on the initiatives being undertaken by the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh to improve learning outcomes at all levels and sought the Centreas support for strengthening education standards across the state.

He highlighted the launch of the Guaranteed Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) programme, aimed at ensuring that primary school students achieve essential reading and numeracy skills, according to an official release here.

Lokesh informed the Union Minister that the state government has introduced a clicker-based Interactive Classroom Response System in government schools to enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes.

He also explained that, to familiarise students with constitutional values at an early age, the government organised a student mock assembly titled aAndhra Pradesh School Legislaturea on Constitution Day.

In addition, the state has published the Childrenas Constitution of India in book form.

The AP Minister further stated that Andhra Pradesh has launched the countryas first government-managed Central Smart Kitchen in Kadapa, strengthening the mid-day meal ecosystem while ensuring efficiency, quality and transparency.

During the meeting, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appreciated the steps taken by the state government to improve education standards.

During the meeting, Minister Lokesh invited Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inaugurate the Model Autism Support Centre developed at Chinakakani in Guntur district, which has been established with support from the Government of India.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of State Pemmassani Chandra Sekhar, and Members of Parliament were present during the meeting along with Minister Lokesh.
Jaipur, Dec 15 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched a sharp attack on the Congress on Monday, calling its leaders "looters" and accusing the party of institutionalising corruption.

Jaipur, Dec 15 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched a sharp attack on the Congress on Monday, calling its leaders "looters" and accusing the party of institutionalising corruption.

"What will those looters, who are champions of corruption, say to us?" the Chief Minister said, while comparing the BJP government's two-year performance with the Congress's five-year tenure.

He was speaking at a state-level health camp programme held at the RUHS Hospital complex in Pratapnagar to mark the completion of two years of the BJP government.

Sharma said a party that functions on the foundation of corruption has no moral authority to speak.

"Some people only talk. Some have nothing to say, some keep tweeting," he remarked, taking a dig at Congress leaders.

Without naming anyone, the Chief Minister also targeted the previous Congress government, stating that the BJP administration has achieved in two years what the Congress failed to do in five years.

Raising the issue of youth and employment, CM Sharma said the future of young people was sacrificed during the Congress rule due to repeated paper leaks, whereas not a single examination paper has been leaked during the BJP government's tenure.

"Young people are now getting transparent recruitment and employment opportunities, and more recruitments will be carried out in the coming days," he added.

Referring to alleged irregularities during the Congress government, the Chief Minister said large-scale corruption in public schemes forced common people to pay the price.

Citing the RGHS scheme, he alleged that private hospitals were given a free hand to loot during the previous regime.

"Our government has taken strict action against erring hospitals and doctors, and there will be no leniency in the future, no matter how powerful the individual is," CM Sharma asserted.

Sharma said that Congress leaders feel uncomfortable whenever corruption is discussed.

"Come out in the open. Who is stopping you? We are ready inside the Assembly and outside it as well," he said. "You have looted this state and the country for 70 years. Now those looters want to lecture us?" the Chief Minister added.
Ahmedabad, Dec 15 : In a move aimed at strengthening customer grievance redressal and improving service delivery, the Ahmedabad City Postal Division will organise a special 'Dak Adalat' to address complaints related to postal services.

Ahmedabad, Dec 15 (IANS) In a move aimed at strengthening customer grievance redressal and improving service delivery, the Ahmedabad City Postal Division will organise a special aDak Adalata to address complaints related to postal services.

The initiative is being convened by the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Ahmedabad City Division, and will be held on December 30, 2024, at 11:00 am at the office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Ahmedabada"380009.

The December edition of the Dak Adalat is designed to provide postal service user with a direct platform to present their grievances before the departmental head.

During the proceedings, complaints will be heard personally by the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, with an emphasis on ensuring effective and time-bound resolution.

Customers can submit grievances related to postal services, money orders and signature-based savings schemes. Complaints must be addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (Ahmedabad City), First Floor, Navrangpura Head Post Office Building, Navrangpura, Ahmedabada"380009. The last date for submission of complaints has been fixed as December 24, 2024.

Complaints received after this date will not be taken up during the Dak Adalat. Postal authorities have urged complainants to present their issues clearly, concisely and courteously. It has also been clarified that only complaints about post offices within

Ahmedabad city limits will be considered, while policy-related matters will remain outside the purview of the Dak Adalat. Gujarat has institutionalised a strong and time-bound grievance redressal mechanism under the Chief Ministeras leadership, making citizen feedback a core part of governance.

Through platforms such as the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO) grievance system, online portals, helplines and regular review meetings, complaints received from citizens are digitally tracked, assigned to concerned departments and monitored until resolution.

Fixed timelines, accountability of officers and periodic audits ensure that grievances related to public services, infrastructure, welfare schemes and administration are addressed transparently and efficiently.

This structured approach has strengthened public trust, improved service delivery and reinforced Gujaratas image as a state that prioritises responsive and citizen-centric governance.
Jammu, Dec 15 : A gunfight broke out between the joint security forces and terrorists, said to be of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in J&K's Udhampur district on Monday evening, officials said.

Jammu, Dec 15 (IANS) A gunfight broke out between the joint security forces and terrorists, said to be of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in J&Kas Udhampur district on Monday evening, officials said.

IGP Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, said in a post on X that the contact was made after precise information was received from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

A joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG), the Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is engaged in the operation.

Officials said gunshots were heard from the besieged Soan Martha village around 6 p.m. when joint forces launched a search operation to track down the hiding terrorists.

"Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists. The SOG of J&K Police, the army, and the CRPF are carrying out the operation. Till the last reports came in, intermittent firing exchanges were going on in the area," an official said, adding that 2 to 3 terrorists of the Jaish are reportedly trapped inside the area surrounded by the security forces.

J&K Police and the security forces have been carrying out aggressive anti-terrorist operations targeting terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers in order to dismantle the complete support system of terrorism.

On June 26, Pakistani terrorist Haider, also known as Maulvi, was killed in an encounter, whilst three associates escaped due to poor weather conditions and the challenging terrain of Basantgarh's dense forest.

J&K DGP, Nalin Prabhat, had called Haider the top-most commander of the JeM outfit. The police chief added that despite the difficult terrain in the upper reaches of Udhampur, the security forces would eliminate the hiding terrorists one by one.

On September 19, a soldier was killed in another encounter in the district while three terrorists had managed to escape.

The Basantgarh area in Udhampur witnesses frequent face-offs between terrorists and security forces.

Monday's exchange of fire is the third major encounter in the district.

--IANS

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Pune/Mumbai, Dec 15 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that upcoming elections to the 29 municipal elections wherever possible, will be contested jointly. However, in Pune, there will be a friendly fight in Pune as the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and the BJP will contest the elections independently.

"Ajit Pawar and we cannot contest the elections together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Both of us understand politics well enough to know that if we contest together, it benefits a third party, and we do not want to allow that to happen. We will contest against each other, but it will be a friendly fight," he remarked.

In the case of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, CM Fadnavis said, "Even if both Thackeray brothers unite and the Congress also joins them, Mumbaikars will still elect the MahaYuti."

The Chief Minister also informed that the grand alliance has decided not to take activists/workers from one party into the other party.

He further added, "Elections should be conducted on time; this is our demand." He made these comments after welcoming the State Election Commission's announcement of the poll schedule for all 29 municipal corporation elections.

"There will be a BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in most cities, while in some areas, BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP may contest together," CM Fadnavis said.

He further added that in a few places, the BJP and NCP might also ally. Shiv Sena will remain part of the Mahayuti almost everywhere.

He expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance would secure a majority in municipal bodies, citing the development work carried out by the government over the last five years.

The CM's core argument is tactical. A senior BJP leader said, "In Pune, where both the BJP and the NCP (Ajit Pawar) have significant and often overlapping strengths, an alliance might inadvertently lead to a consolidation of the opposition's vote (MVA/Congress) that could lead to a loss for the Mahayuti as a whole. By fighting separately, the aim is to capture the maximum number of seats, ensuring one of the two Mahayuti parties is victorious in each ward."

He further stated that the BJP has historically been very strong in Pune, winning over 100 seats in the last election. Local BJP workers often advocate for fighting solo due to the party's strong position. Contesting separately allows both the BJP and NCP (Ajit Pawar) to satisfy the high number of ticket aspirants within their respective parties.

"While both parties will be running against each other, the state-level alliance remains intact, and they will refrain from mutual mud-slinging or aggressive campaigning against their Mahayuti partner's candidates," he noted.

Earlier, Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP Election In-charge for local body polls Chandrashekhar Bawankule on December 10 announced that the Mahayuti alliance partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP will together contest the upcoming elections to the 32 Zilla Parishad and 29 Municipal Corporation, saying that the unity among the three parties will remain intact.

"The unity of the Mahayuti will remain intact in the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections. We have set a goal to achieve 51 per cent of the votes and win, and the Mahayuti will contest these elections together," he said.

Further, Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan on December 12 strongly refuted allegations of coercing leaders from alliance partners and the opposition to switch sides, asserting that the BJP has always upheld "coalition dharma" within the ruling Mahayuti.

He stressed the accommodative nature of the alliance under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and confirmed that the three constituentsBJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCPwill contest the local body elections together as MahaYuti alliance.

Meanwhile, NCP president Ajit Pawar said that the upcoming municipal corporation elections are not just an electoral process, but an opportunity to strengthen democracy and foster inclusive development.

"Let us resolve, through these upcoming elections, to pursue sustainable development, transparent administration, and robust infrastructure. Let us support capable leadership and build a stronger Maharashtra.Vote for development. Vote for stability," he said.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : Five fishermen had gone missing after a fishing trawler carrying a total of 16 fishermen capsized at the Bay of Bengal Coast after reportedly colliding with a Bangladesh Navy ship within the Indian waters, authorities said on Monday.

However, the Indian Coast Guard, whose patrolling team is trying to track the five missing fishermen, has yet to confirm whether the collision took place within Indian waters, which means that the Bangladesh Navy ship entered the Indian waters in an unauthorised manner.

It is learnt that the fishing trawler christened FB-Paramita-11 went deep-sea fishing on Sunday.

On early Monday morning, it reportedly collided with the Bangladesh Navy ship.

The fishermen on another fishing trawler, which was near FB-Paramita at the time of the collision, claimed that when the collision took place, the visibility in the area was too low because of dense fog.

Following prompt action by the other fishing trawler, 11 of the 16 fishermen travelling by FB-Paramita-11 were somehow rescued.

However, the other five fishermen travelling on the capsized fishing trawler went missing.

The information on this count surfaced after the second trawler came back to the shore and reported the matter to the state administration.

The Indian Coast Guard authorities were contacted, and a search operation started at the Bay of Bengal Coast to track the five missing fishermen.

At the time the report was filed, the five fishermen were untraceable.

Although no statement in the matter has been issued by the Indian Coast Guard authorities as yet, the Assistant Secretary of the West Bengal Fishermen Welfare Association, Bijan Maiti, told media persons that there is no confirmation either on whether the fishing trawler crossed the international marine border with Bangladesh or whether the Bangladesh Navy ship entered the Indian waters.

"In case of the second possibility, the issue becomes a serious matter. We have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter," Maiti said.
Long-range drones from the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) Alpha Special Operations Center struck Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft oil platforms operating in the Caspian Sea for the third time in the past week, a source in the security service told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

"This time, a platform at the Korchagin oil and gas condensate field was hit. The SBU drone attack damaged critical equipment at the facility, halting production," the agency's source noted on Monday.

He recalled that SBU drones had already struck the Filanovsky and Korchagin oil platforms on December 11 and December 12. The Filanovsky field is one of the largest explored fields in Russia and the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea. Its reserves amount to 129 million tonnes of oil and 30 billion cubic meters of gas.

"The SBU continues its active work to reduce the flow of petrodollars into the Russian budget, and consequently, the ability to finance the war against Ukraine. No Russian facility contributing to the war is safe, regardless of its location," the SBU source concluded.
Mumbai, Dec 15 : Shiv Sena UBT leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray on Monday claimed that the slew of decisions to push redevelopment in Mumbai by the BJP-led MahaYuti government in the run-up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were lies and false announcements, adding that they are pro-builders and developers.

He further said that a slew of announcements, including making Mumbai Pagdi free, relocation of high-frequency radar centres located at Dahisar and Juhu to enable the redevelopment of buildings and a new scheme for redevelopment specifically targeting areas previously constrained by defence and military restrictions, were made based on their demands.

As far as Pagdi free Mumbai announcement, Aaditya Thackeray told reporters, "What we have asked for give all tenants occupant status and legal protection from eviction by landlords, resolve the legal issue of competent authority in court and keep the age of the building as a trigger for redevelopment rather than the condition of the building."

He further added, "What the government has promised. Tenants will get the amount of space, ONLY as much as they already have. Landlords/ Builders will get additional FSI, TDR and incentives. The BJP government has sided with the landlords and builders instead of tenants living in pugree/ cessed properties. We stand with the Tenants for their rights and believe that they must be protected at all costs."

Aaditya Thackeray alleged that the Chief Minister has tried to fool Mumbaikars again, especially from Juhu, Andheri and Dahisar.

"When I asked the CM about his promise on their redevelopment before every election for the past decade. His answer is hilarious and a blatant lie. For High Frequency Radar in Dahisar, he said that alternate land has been identified in Gorai, and apparently, the @AAI_Official has okayed the move. The point is, instead of lying, show us the land, show us your letter to AAI, show us their consent and show us what work has happened till date?" he asked in his post on X.

"For Juhu, an even bigger lie to cover up their failure," he said, adding that "the CM in his reply to my address states that a delegation of @AAI_Official has been invited to study other lands to shift the HFR and then once they've okayed it, the process of shifting will begin."

"Why does the CM remember this only before elections? Why hasn't it happened for a decade? Why hasn't the AAI delegation come to date? This is nothing but empty announcements and replies to our questions as Mumbaikars from the BJP that has been in government at the Union and state level for 12 and 10 years respectively," he noted.

He appealed to the Mumbaikars not to fall for this trap of the BJP.
Itanagar, Dec 15 : The district administration in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district on Monday officially called off the search and rescue operation following a deadly truck accident in which labourers from Assam fell into a deep gorge in a remote and difficult terrain, officials said.

Itanagar, Dec 15 (IANS) The district administration in Arunachal Pradeshas Anjaw district on Monday officially called off the search and rescue operation following a deadly truck accident in which labourers from Assam fell into a deep gorge in a remote and difficult terrain, officials said.

An official said that till Sunday, 20 bodies had been recovered, while one injured survivor was rescued earlier after several days of extensive search operations conducted by disaster response teams and security forces.

The mishap occurred on the night of December 8 when a mini-truck carrying 21 workers, including the driver, from Assamas Tinsukia district, fell off a cliff along the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

The accident came to light only on the evening of December 10, after the lone survivor managed to reach a nearby Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) labour camp and alerted authorities.

The search operation, which began on December 11, was formally concluded on Monday after exhaustive efforts in extremely challenging terrain with limited connectivity. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their respective families.

The lone survivor, identified as Budheswar Deep (23), is currently undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.

Earlier reports had suggested that 22 labourers were on board the ill-fated vehicle, but the senior superintendent of police of Assamas Tinsukia district later confirmed that there were 21 workers in total.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat had said that the Indian Army launched a major search and rescue operation in the Chaglagam region based on information received late on December 10.

On December 11, the Armyas Spear Corps mobilised multiple search and rescue columns, medical teams, GREF personnel, local police, NDRF teams and officials from the civil administration. Despite harsh weather, poor visibility and rugged terrain, coordinated efforts were made by the Army and civil agencies to locate the victims and provide assistance.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi earlier expressed grief over the tragic incident.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Ministeras National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The Assam government also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased workers.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 15 : Physical classes in Delhi schools will be discontinued for students from Nursery to Class V from Tuesday in view of the prevailing severe air pollution and consistently high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, an Education Department official said.

For other students, the schools have been advised to switch to hybrid mode.

As per the directions issued by the Directorate of Education, all government, government-aided and unaided private recognised schools in in the city shall conduct classes for students of Nursery to Class V only in online mode during this period.

Emphasising the government's priority towards child safety, Education Minister Ashish Sood said that the health and well-being of our children is our highest priority

In view of the hazardous AQI levels in Delhi, the government has decided to suspend physical classes for students up to Class V and shift them to online mode, he said.

The AQI in Delhi touched 498 on Monday even as a blanket of dense smog engulfed the city in the morning, lifting slowly till forenoon.

"This is a preventive and necessary step to protect young children from the adverse effects of air pollution. We are continuously monitoring the situation and will take further decisions in the best interest of students," he said.

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the health and safety of young children, who are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, he said.

It is further clarified that classes beyond Class V shall continue to function as per the existing directions issued on December 13, 2025.

Sood also said that all Heads of Schools have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions and to immediately inform parents and guardians about the revised arrangements.

Deputy Directors of Education (Zones/Districts) have also been instructed to closely monitor implementation and ensure smooth compliance, he said.

He said that the Delhi government remains committed to safeguarding the health of students while ensuring continuity of education through appropriate alternative modes.
Dublin, Dec 15 : Several international human rights organisations on Monday expressed deep concern over what they describe as the ongoing judicial harassment of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan

Human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, were reportedly indicted by an Islamabad court in October in a case linked to alleged controversial social media posts.

In a joint statement, Front Line Defenders (FLD), along with several global human rights bodies, stated that the prosecution, widely known as the "tweets case", targetted social media commentary critical of the conduct of Pakistani authorities, including allegations of enforced disappearances and other human rights violations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The case, the organisations said, reflected a broader and troubling pattern of reprisals against those who document human rights violations or demand accountability.

"The trial has been marked by serious procedural irregularities that undermine fair-trial guarantees. Defence teams have reported difficulties maintaining consistent legal representation, with counsel changes and objections to state-appointed lawyers not being upheld by the court. Proceedings have routinely been scheduled on short notice and compressed into an accelerated timetable, depriving the defence of adequate time to prepare," read the joint statement issued by the rights bodies.

The statement added that the indictment of the lawyers under Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) demonstrated the increasingly common use of cybercrime legislation to criminalise dissent and silence criticism of state institutions.

According to the rights bodies, the prosecution of peaceful expression raises serious questions of necessity and proportionality under Pakistanas international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"These actions also contravene the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which prohibit subjecting lawyers to prosecution, intimidation, or interference for carrying out their professional duties or exercising their right to freedom of expression," the rights bodies stressed.

"The combination of early warrants, parallel complaints, and accelerated proceedings illustrates how the criminal justice system is being used to intimidate public-interest lawyers and chill legitimate advocacy," it added.

The signatories urged the Government of Pakistan to immediately end all judicial and administrative reprisals against Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and to withdraw all charges arising from their peaceful exercise of freedom of expression and legitimate professional activities.

They further asserted that the Pakistani authorities must also cease the misuse of PECA and move toward its repeal, while also calling on the government to cease deploying other criminal provisions to target dissent or human rights defenders.

Such practices, the rights bodies said, are incompatible with Pakistan's obligations to uphold fundamental freedoms, safeguard due process, and protect the independence of the legal profession under international law.
Washington, Dec 15 : The US said on Monday that the Berlin peace talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war made significant progress, with a "very, very strong security package", including "Article Five-like security guarantees", emerging as the core element of a potential agreement.

Conducted over two days in the German capital of Berlin, the peace talks involved extensive meetings with the Ukrainian delegation, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as senior European leaders such as National Security Advisers, Foreign Ministers, and, in some cases, Heads of State, a senior administration official told reporters here.

"We've spent the last two-and-a-half days meeting with the Ukrainian delegation that includes President Zelensky," the senior US administration official said, adding that the US team spent "eight hours" directly with the Ukrainian President.

The official, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the discussions, described the talks as "really, really positive in almost every respect".

The official said there was consensus on a number of issues considered "critical to getting to a peace deal", noting that "everything in the 20-point plan had some very, very positive discussion around it".

Working groups were tasked with revising proposals, including elements previously discussed with Russia, and European partners were closely involved throughout the process.

The security guarantees were described as the central pillar of the talks.

The senior US administration official said draft documents had advanced rapidly over the past 10 days through a working group involving the US, Nato and Ukraine, and that the text was now "in very good shape".

"The basis of that agreement is basically to have really, really strong guarantees, Article Five-like", the official said, referring to Nato's collective defence clause.

The package also includes "very, very strong deterrence", "very, very strong deconfliction", and "intense monitoring", with safeguards designed to ensure that "the chance of being called is as low as possible".

According to the official, European partners expressed "a lot of appreciation" for US President Donald Trump's willingness to offer such guarantees.

However, the official cautioned that "those guarantees will not be on the table forever", adding that they are available "right now if there's a conclusion that's reached in a good way".

Asked whether the guarantees would require Congressional approval, the senior US administration official confirmed: "It would have to go before the US Senate, and President Trump is willing to do that."

The official said Ukrainians and Europeans were surprised by both the scope of the offer and Washington's belief that Russia could be persuaded to accept it.

Describing the package as unprecedented, the official said it was "the most robust set of security protocols they have ever seen", incorporating oversight, verification and deconfliction mechanisms.

"Anything that we felt needed to be addressed to make the Ukrainian people feel safe is included in this package," the official said.

On the economic front, the senior US administration official said talks also focused on a "prosperity package" to support Ukraine's long-term viability.

This includes work by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's team, operating on a pro-bono basis, alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, to address Ukraine's financial burdens, rebuilding needs and post-war recovery.

The official said Ukraine faces significant obligations, including compensating people affected by the war, supporting families of fallen soldiers, maintaining a strong military and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

European partners, the official added, view Ukraine as "critical to their security" and signalled strong financial backing to ensure it becomes "financially viable and strong".

The talks also covered the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, with the senior US administration official saying both sides want it repaired and operational.

The official said discussions were close to agreement on "a 50-50 split of the power", which was described as "a good outcome".

Territorial issues remained sensitive but showed progress.

The official said discussions explored options such as an economic free zone, while acknowledging that final decisions on sovereignty would ultimately rest with Ukraine and Russia.

"We've narrowed them," the official said, adding that a working group produced a draft in which "90 per cent of the issues" showed consensus.

Looking ahead, the senior US administration official said further discussions would continue, including a dinner with leaders and possible follow-up meetings in the United States.

"Are we prepared to go to Russia if needed? Absolutely," the official said, adding that the goal was to help facilitate "a lasting and durable peace".

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe's largest conflict since World War II and prompting sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow, alongside extensive military and financial support for Kyiv.

Article 5 is the NATO collective defence clause under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all -- a benchmark Ukraine has long sought as part of its push for stronger Euro-Atlantic security ties, even as Moscow has opposed Nato expansion.
Washington, Dec 15 : The United States and its European partners have begun shaping a large-scale economic and reconstruction plan for Ukraine, with BlackRock and the World Bank playing central roles, as part of ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, a senior US administration official said on Monday.

Requesting anonymity, the official told reporters that the developmental issue featured prominently during two days of meetings in Berlin with the Ukrainian delegation, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, and senior European officials, as negotiators focused on ensuring Ukraine's long-term financial viability once the fighting ends.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink "has assembled a team pro bono" to work on the recovery framework alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga, with both teams already engaging extensively with Ukrainian counterparts. The groups, the official said, have been "digging in" on the scale of Ukraine's financial challenges and potential solutions.

"This is a very tough financial situation for them," the senior US administration official said, noting that Ukraine faces multiple and overlapping burdens after nearly four years of war. These include maintaining a strong military, compensating civilians whose property was damaged, supporting families of soldiers killed in the conflict, and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, the official noted.

The official said European leaders repeatedly stressed that Ukraine is "critical to their security" and that Ukraine's economic stability is essential to Europe's long-term security. As a result, European partners indicated there would be "strong financial support" to ensure Ukraine becomes "financially viable and strong" in the post-war period.

The discussions also addressed how to encourage the return of displaced Ukrainians and how to structure a post-war economy anchored in transparency and effective governance. The senior US administration official said plans were being developed to "bring people back to the country" while ensuring "there's a good, transparent government."

The official said BlackRock and the World Bank were drawing on "best practices all throughout the world" to design a framework that could attract investment and donor funding while reducing corruption risks. Fundraising mechanisms and sequencing of support were also discussed with European partners.

Another key topic was the issue of frozen Russian funds. The senior US administration official said talks explored "how to try and find a way to use them for reconstruction in a way that hopefully can work through an agreement," though no final decisions have been taken.

The economic track, the official said, is intended to complement political and territorial negotiations rather than replace them. "President Trump is trying to save Ukraine as a country and make sure that they then have the ability to be viable," the official said, emphasizing both military sustainability and long-term prosperity.

The official added that the broader objective includes creating incentives for regional stability by encouraging Russia, in the event of a peace settlement, to re-engage with the global economy. This, the official said, could reduce the risk of renewed conflict by shifting incentives away from war and toward economic integration.

The Berlin meetings, the senior US administration official said, reflected an unusually collaborative effort, with Ukrainians and Europeans "in and out of the different meetings" and ideas shared across delegations in real time.

The Russia-Ukraine war, since February 2022, has devastated large parts of the Ukrainian economy, displacing millions of people and leaving critical infrastructure severely damaged.

Major international institutions estimate Ukraine's reconstruction costs will run into hundreds of billions of dollars, making long-term external financial backing and governance reforms central to any durable post-war settlement.
Kathmandhu, Dec 15 : Nepal's Election Commission (EC) has permitted four international organisations and 26 domestic organisations to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5 next year.

Kathmandhu, Dec 15 (IANS) Nepalas Election Commission (EC) has permitted four international organisations and 26 domestic organisations to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5 next year.

The Carter Center of Atlanta, the United States; ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections); the Multidisciplinary Institute of Training and Learning, Massachusetts, the United States; and the International Republican Institute have received approval to observe the elections, the EC said in a statement on Monday.

Domestic civil society organisations have also been granted permission to conduct election monitoring.

Nepal has a history of inviting international election observers for federal and provincial elections, while international observers are not invited to monitor local elections.

The Carter Center and ANFREL have long been involved in monitoring Nepalas elections. However, the Carter Center did not observe Nepalas 2022 elections, although it had observed the polls in 2008, 2013 and 2017. For the upcoming elections, the EC had invited applications from interested international observers on October 28.

To be eligible for accreditation to observe Nepalas elections, organisations are required to provide evidence of experience in the fields of good governance, elections, democracy, peacebuilding and human rights.

Institutions must also have submitted observation reports to the Election Commission in a timely manner if they observed previous elections. Additionally, observer organisations must not have been punished or convicted for violations of human rights, the election code of conduct, or Nepali laws, according to criteria set by the EC.

Meanwhile, the Nepali government has decided to form a high-level political dialogue committee to hold talks with various political parties and stakeholders amid complaints from the political parties about the government's attitude. They have complaints that the government was not serious about maintaining law and order to create a conducive environment for the polls.

A cabinet meeting on Monday decided to form the high-level political dialogue committee under the coordination of Law Minister Anil Sinha.
Kolkata, Dec 15 : Coming as a setback to the Trinamool Congress government, President Droupadi Murmu did not give her assent to the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which had proposed to make Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee the Chancellor of all state universities.

With the President's disapproval of the Bill, there will be no change in the post of Chancellor in state-run universities in West Bengal.

As per the existing system, the Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose is the Chancellor of all state universities.

Lok Bhavan (the Governor's residence) has also confirmed that Governor Ananda Bose will continue to perform his duties as Chancellor of the state universities as before.

In 2024, Governor Ananda Bose had sent the Bill, which was passed in the West Bengal Assembly, to President Murmu for her consideration.

The West Bengal Cabinet in 2022 had approved a proposal to appoint Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the Chancellor of state universities.

The Trinamool Congress-led state government had claimed that academic and administrative activities in these universities would gain momentum if Chief Minister Banerjee is made the Chancellor.

Former Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar during whose tenure the Bill was passed had alleged that the Trinamool Congress-led state government was unilaterally appointing Vice-Chancellors in various universities without consulting him.

Meanwhile, some sections of the political and academic community believe that this decision has further escalated the long-standing tension between the West Bengal government and Lok Bhavan.

The Governor, by virtue of their office, serves as the Chancellor of the universities as per the Indian Constitution.

Any change to this system requires extra caution from a Constitutional perspective.

The lack of Presidential assent clearly indicates that legal and Constitutional questions remain regarding the proposed amendments.

The West Bengal government had previously said that these amendments were introduced to resolve the long-standing impasse in appointing Vice-Chancellors to the universities.

On the other hand, the opposition parties had been opposing the Bill from the outset.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party in West Bengal, has claimed that it would undermine the autonomy of the universities and increase political interference in the education system across the state.
Patna, Dec 15 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has landed in a controversy following allegations that he allegedly removed the hijab of a woman doctor during an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Patna on Monday.

The incident, which surfaced through a short video clip, has drawn sharp criticism from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The RJD shared an 11-second video of the event on its official X account, questioning the Chief Minister's conduct.

In an X post, the RJD wrote, "What has happened to Nitish Ji? Has his mental state completely deteriorated, or has Nitish Babu (Nitish Kumar) now become a 100 per cent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?"

The video shows Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on stage along with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Health Minister Mangal Pandey during the ceremony.

Reacting to the incident, State RJD Spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad alleged that the act amounted to an insult to women and the Muslim community.

"The removal of a Muslim woman's hijab by the Chief Minister while handing out appointment letters is an insult to women. This incident reflects the NDA government's attitude towards the Muslim community," Ahmad said.

He also alleged that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was indulging in politics aimed at appeasing the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

"The Constitution of India grants every citizen the freedom to follow their religious traditions. When a Chief Minister is accused of such conduct, it raises serious concerns about the government's functioning and ideological direction," he added.

Demanding accountability from the Bihar government, RJD Spokesperson Ahmad said that CM Nitish Kumar should issue a public apology, claiming that the act had hurt the sentiments of women and minorities.

The controversy arose during an official event where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributed appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors (Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Unani) at Samvad Hall in the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

Following the event, CM Nitish Kumar posted on his official X account, saying, "Today, I participated in the appointment letter distribution ceremony for 1,283 AYUSH doctors at Samvad Hall. This step will provide opportunities to new talent in the healthcare sector and further strengthen traditional medicine systems. My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the newly appointed AYUSH doctors."

As of now, there has been no official response from the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or the Bihar government addressing the allegations raised by the Opposition.
Rishikesh, Dec 15 : Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that just as Gujarat was transformed into a development model under his leadership, India is now steadily emerging as a model nation.

Paying tribute to Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said the Ganga Aarti performed at Parmarth Niketan on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh was dedicated to the Iron Man of India. He recalled that both Sardar Patel and Prime Minister Modi hail from Gujarat and said their leadership had played a defining role in shaping the nation.

In an interaction with IANS, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said Sardar Patel, known as the "Lion of Gujarat", was a towering figure whose contribution to national unity remains unmatched.

"Had Sardar Patel been the country's first Prime Minister, India's picture would have been very different," he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, he said PM Modi transformed the state's destiny despite facing severe challenges, criticism and pressure, particularly during difficult times such as the Godhra crisis.

"He removed fear and confusion, ensured stability and security, and turned Gujarat into a model that balanced development with heritage. That journey is continuing even today," he said.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati said India's economy has seen significant improvement over the past 11 years. "How did this happen? Because Prime Minister Modi has determination, honesty and transparency. He has the strength to move forward continuously, like the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga. That is why Gujarat became a model, and now India is becoming one," he said.

Highlighting the Prime Minister's spiritual grounding, he said PM Modi's journey has always been rooted in spirituality.

"After returning from the Himalayas, he devoted his youth to society, combining self-discipline with service. His faith in Sanatan values and saints has always been strong," he said.

Citing examples, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said projects such as the Kashi Corridor, the Mahakal Lok in Ujjain, the reconstruction of Kedarnath and the development of Ayodhya reflect this blend of spirituality and nation-building.

He noted that Prime Minister Modi often gifts the Bhagavad Gita to world leaders and takes visiting foreign dignitaries to witness the Ganga Aarti.

"He has maintained a balance between secular governance and spiritual roots, never disconnecting from India's cultural and religious foundations. When we have distanced ourselves from our roots and values, we have weakened. When we have divided ourselves, we have been diminished," Swami Chidanand Saraswati added.

He said that Prime Minister Modi has preserved development and heritage together with Sanatan values. Recalling an earlier interaction, he said PM Modi's dedication and sincerity were evident even when he held no Constitutional position and worked only as a party worker.

He said a new wave of Sanatan values has emerged across the country.

"Sanatan means walking together with everyone -- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. Today, along with the Hanuman Chalisa, the world is also reciting what can be called a 'Hindustan Chalisa'," he remarked.

He further said PM Modi's honesty, commitment, dedication, tireless work ethic and the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' set him apart.

"He celebrates Diwali with soldiers guarding our borders. That itself is extraordinary," he said.

Humming a line in praise of the Prime Minister, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said: "Kabhi kabhi mere dil me khayal aata hai, tumhe zameen par utaara gaya hai Bharat ke liye (sometimes my heart feels that you were sent to this Earth for India)."
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The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine is preparing loan support for creative industries with the European Investment Bank (EIB), reported Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy - Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna.

"We are working to strengthen the capacity of the cultural sector. Together with the European Investment Bank, we are preparing credit support for creative industries. This involves providing cultural and creative businesses with affordable financial instruments and real opportunities for sector development," Berezhna wrote on Facebook.

According to her, they also discussed adapting credit and guarantee mechanisms for cultural and creative enterprises, as well as the next steps for launching them.

"Together with the EIB, we are starting to develop the project and moving towards specific solutions," she emphasized.

Berezhna noted that, in addition to credit mechanisms, the government is developing grant programs to support the creation of new projects and jobs and the restoration of the sector.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 15 : The Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested two persons on charges of sexually abusing a minor girl on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

According to a press statement issued by the police, a complaint was received from the 17-year-old victimas mother, a resident of Khordha, alleging that her minor daughter and her friend were assaulted and robbed by two youths near Lingipur village while returning from the prominent tourist spot, Dhauli, on the evening of December 10.

She reported that the miscreants stole a 20-gram gold chain and a 5-gram silver item from the duo.

However, she later returned to the Dhauli police station along with her daughter and lodged another complaint alleging that the two persons had also sexually assaulted the minor victim.

Acting on the complaint, the police, along with a scientific team, visited the crime scene and collected evidence.

The police later arrested the two accused and produced them before a court on Monday.

Notably, as many as 188 rape cases have been registered in the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District between June 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Meanwhile, 78 cases involving the rape of minors have been reported in Bhubaneswar during the same period.

As many as three gangrape cases have also been registered in the city between June 2024 and September 2025.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently informed the Odisha Assembly that the Mahila Police Station in Bhubaneswar alone recorded 213 cases of atrocities against women in 2024.

Similarly, 3,861 rape cases were recorded at various police stations across the state between April 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, while the police arrested 3,239 persons for their involvement in these cases.

The BJP-led state government has been under fire from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress over the alleged spike in crimes against women, including gangrape, rape, and other forms of abuse.
Vijayawada, Dec 15 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced that a 58-feet tall statue of Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu will be installed in Amaravati as the Statue of Sacrifice.

A park will also be developed in 6.5 acres in memory of Potti Sriramulu who died in 1952 after a 56-day hunger strike in Madras demanding a separate state for Telugu people.

Potti Sriramulu memorials will also be developed both in Chennai and Nellore.

The Chief Minister made the announcement at a programme organised to mark the death anniversary of Potti Sriramulu. He felicitated the family members of Potti Sriramulu.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that the NDA government observing the death anniversary of Potti Sriramulu as day of sacrifice.

He said a decision was taken to organize year-long celebrations of Potti Sriramulu from March 16, 2026.

CM Naidu said former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao recognizing the life sacrifice of Potti Sriramulu named the Telugu University as Potti Sriramulu Telugu University. Later the TDP government named

Nellore district as Potti Sriramulu Nellore district. He said that Potti Sriramulu is not confined to one caste and he sacrificed his life to get recognition for entire Telugu community.

The Chief Minister said efforts are on to develop the state as number one in development. As per the RBI recent report, Andhra Pradesh stands number one in production of fruits and fish. He said the state is able to attract investments to a tune of Rs 21 lakh crore in 18 months.

He said now we are able to say our capital is Amaravati. He alleged some people are trying to politicize the medical colleges issue. The Parliamentary committee itself stated that PPP is best practice for development. He made it clear that though the medical colleges will be developed in PPP mode, they will be under the supervision of state government like roads and other development works.

The Chief Minister said that the state government giving top priority for development of all regions and promoting decentralization of development.

He stressed the need for promoting on entrepreneur in one family norm and providing equal opportunities for all with P4 system.
Its been quite a year for booksellers, who have contended with all sorts of obstacles, ranging from Trump administration policies torching supply chains, to corporate decisions regarding publishers that impact booksellers as well. In California, brush fires placed Los Angeles booksellers in harm's way, and B&N initiated the acquisition of the bankrupt Books Inc.

Despite many challenges, booksellers presented a united front: B&N store workers negotiated new contracts, while BIPOC booksellers and their allies spoke truth to power at Winter Institute. Not only that, but more than 1,600 indies across the U.S. celebrated themselves this spring with a magical independent Bookstore Day that made cash registers singeven though Amazon tried to muscle in on the fun with a huge book sale of its own.

10. B&N Workers Ratify First Union Contracts at NYC Stores

B&N workers at three locations in New York City, including the flagship store on Union Square, ratified their first union contracts, covering approximately 200 workers who are represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Their three-year agreements include wage increases, health care coverage, and safety provisions.

9. Bookshop Reports 65% Growth, E-books Add $1 Million in Sales

Bookshop.org, the online bookselling platform with more than 2,500 indie bookstore affiliates, reported this past summer 65% growth year-over-year, and posted $1 million in sales of e-books in the first half of 2025. Andy Hunter, Bookshops founder and CEO, also disclosed that e-books currently represent 5% of sales, and that the company is looking into producing its own e-book reading hardware.

8. Canadian Booksellers Unite in Tariff Fight

In what PW's Ed Nawotka noted was an unusual collaboration, Canadian booksellers spoke with one voice, requesting that Prime Minister Mark Carney exempt books from the 25% counter-tariffs levied on $125 billion worth of products imported into Canada from the U.S. In a letter sent by Laura Carter, the head of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association and Heather Reisman, the CEO of Indigo, a Canadian bookstore chain, the two expressed concerns that books by Canadian authors that were printed in the U.S. and distributed from the U.S. would be subject to the additional tariffs. The letter stated that this would have "devastating consequences for Canadian readers, our businesses, and our cultural landscape."

7. ABA Goes into Damage Control After Contentious WI2025 Community Forum

This years Winter Institute hosted yet another combative community forum at Winter Institute, where many booksellers once again criticized ABA leadership for not taking a public stance on the harassment faced by booksellers and authors supporting Palestine, while others expressed anger over disparities in the treatment of its members. In response, the ABA issued a statement in its weekly newsletter condemning all attacks on booksellers, including booksellers being targeted for selling books on Palestine and hosting Palestinian authors. While the ABA also sought to clarify bookseller perceptions of double standards in its treatment of members, particularly those participating on panels at its institutes, most of the booksellers that PW's Claire Kirch and Nathalie op de Beeck talked with said that the organization needs to be more transparent.

6. Bookstores Contend with National Guard Presence in Washington, D.C.

Calling Washington, D.C. "under siege from violent crime," President Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard there in August. Their presence, along with that of ICE agents searching for undocumented immigrants, resulting in customers staying away from bookstores in targeted neighborhoods. Sales at indies plummeted to various degrees, with Loyalty Bookstores reporting revenues being down 65%, while Kramers reported a 17% drop. Busboys & Poets, which has three locations in the city and five in the suburbs reported that sales were down about 5% in the District, but up slightly at B&Ps suburban bookstore/restaurants. PW also reported this fall on the response by Chicago booksellers to the presence of federal agents and deployment of National Guard to the Windy City.

5. Brush Fires, Severe Weather Threaten L.A. Bookstores

A perfect storm of brush fires and strong winds swept through Los Angeles in January, wreaking widespread destruction amplified by power outages. Many businesses, including bookstores, closed their doors for days, as people sheltered in place or were evacuated to safety. PWs three follow-up stories on the fires and their aftermath spotlighted the mutual aid offered by the book world as well as fundraisers organized by the childrens lit community to those impacted and the financial support and other assistance provided by the Book Industry Charitable Foundation and other organizations.

4. B&N Agrees to Acquire Books Inc.

A year after buying Denvers Tattered Cover bookstores, B&N agreed to acquire Books Inc., Californias oldest independently owned and operated bookseller, for $3.25 million. Books Inc., which was founded in 1851 and currently operates 10 stores around the San Francisco Bay Area, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January. If the proposed acquisition receives court approval, B&N will keep nine locations open under the Books Inc. name, closing only the smallest outlet, in San Leandro.

3. Edelweiss Price Hike Roils Industry

A year after software company Valsoft acquired Above the Treeline, the developer of the Edelweiss digital platform that indie booksellers rely on to order inventory, publishers and sales reps are complaining that prohibitive price increases are forcing presses of all sizes, but especially small and university presses, to restrict the number of titles they list on Edelweiss. One small university press told PW that it is now paying more to list 40% of its trade frontlist on Edelweiss than it previously did to list its entire frontlist. ATL CEO John Rubin defended the price hikes by saying that the company wants to implement a standardized pricing structure for a service that over the years has increased in its value to the industry. At the same time, rumors are swirling that other companies, including Ingram, are developing more affordable alternatives. ATL also laid off 15% of its workforce this spring.

2. Independent Publishers Are Fed Up with Barnes & Noble

Indie publishers are complaining that B&Ns latest strategy of focusing more on selling books published by the Big Five, while ignoring their offerings, is having a devastating impact. While B&N CEO James Daunt admitted that the chain has reduced its inventory by 20% and stores are carrying less midlist, he denied in an interview with PW's Jim Millliot that buying decisions are based on the size of the publisher. But indie presses disagree, pointing out that the chain has reduced the number of buyers in its New York City offices, further hindering their midlist titles and sleepers from being considered by overwhelmed buyers.

1. Independent Bookstore Day 2025: Absolute Magic

More than 1,600 indie bookstores across the U.S. participated in Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 26, although plenty of bookstores kicked off the celebration up to five days early and extended the festivities into Sunday. Despite Amazon holding its own huge book sale that weekend, booksellers reported crowded retail areas and record sales, with customers more vocal than ever about their preference for brick-and-mortar local businesses over online retail conglomerates. More bookstores than ever collaborated on crawls, with passports offering discounts as well as prizes for customers visiting multiple stores. Chicagoland offered the largest crawl for book lovers, with 55 bookstores participating. A number of Chicago booksellers also told PW that IBD marked their biggest single day of sales ever, including the 46-year-old Women & Children First, which pulled in $3,000 in sales within an hour of opening its doors on April 26.
Scroll through MCRL Overseas Groups online reviews, and team members names appear time and again. Customers consistently praise MCRL for their exceptional support throughout every stage of the process, from pre-press to final delivery. Whether its answering questions about tariffs or managing complex projects from quote to shipment, they are recognized for their clear communication and expert guidance.

In an industry where reliability and quality are everything, MCRL Printing stands out as a true partner, not just a vendor, says Susan Flora, president of WordTeasers, which produces educational conversation decks. During the five years Flora has worked with MCRL, the printer has always delivered on schedule and has even caught potential errors on her companys side.

Our clients know us, and we know them, says MCRL founder and president Mankit Chan. Good communication is key when working with an overseas supplier. You want a printing partner who speaks your language, is available in your time zone, and provides consistent updates throughout the production process.

Now in its third decade, MCRL serves publishers ranging from small indie presses to large publishers with high-volume titles, producing art books, board books, custom planners, kitted projects, packaging, and more. The company pairs a North American-based customer support team with an experienced production team onsite overseas. Its a combination that Chan says facilitates precision, clear communication, and reliable timelines.

Author consultant Alexa Bigwarfe, CEO of Write|Publish|Sell, came to MCRL when the company needed a quick turnaround print run of one of its childrens books. Their team of experts jumped in, helped us get the print run in a timely manner, even worked in an air shipment of 100 of the books to help us get them as quickly as possible, Bigwarfe says.

MCRLs team welcomes complex and innovative projects. When one author approached the printer about producing a glow-in-the-dark childrens book, the company developed a safe, soy-based glow-in-the-dark ink. MCRL is also expanding into new product categories such as Bible printing. This is an intricate and specialized category were excited to serve, Chan says.

The proofing process also brings peace of mind. Rather than just a PDF, MCRL customers receive a hard copy that represents the final product.

For publishers considering overseas offset, logistics and tariff volatility are persistent concerns. MCRLs in-house duties and logistics expert proactively informs clients. Perhaps most important to customers, MCRL absorbs the risk of tariff fluctuations. Our publishers know what they are quoted is what they will payno surprise fees, Chan says.

This logistics expertise shows up repeatedly in customer accounts. Robert Alderman of Pulp Hummock Press, was particularly impressed that MCRL transported his order from China to his fulfillment teams warehouse in New Jersey within a week of the estimated delivery date. He was also impressed with the quality. I have received so many compliments from my fan base about how lovely these books are, inside and out, Alderman says.

MCRL Group has been the most professional printing company that I have had the distinct pleasure of working with, says Alderman.

Publishers of all sizes can book a call, get samples and request a quote at www.mcrlgroup.com.


Sonja Morgan



A handful of iconic The Real Housewives of New York City cast members will be reuniting for a brand new show on E!.


Disney/Eric McCandless

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/14/2025



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alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy has revealed if he ever plans to return to the ballroom as a pro partner."I think that boat has sailed," Maksim, 45, told Access Hollywood in a joint interview with his wife, Peta Murgatroyd , a fellow pro."My comeback is in the distant past," he added.Maksim apparently believes he can still keep up dancing-wise with the other DWTS pros."Can I do it? I'm looking forward to so much more dancing out of my body," Maksim shared."I'm in maintenance every day for the last 25 years. I don't see where that's going to go, and I'm looking forward to creative processes. But I think is a moving entity, and it just needs to move. And we all just moved a little bit [in] different directions."Maksim clarified that he wasn't "saying that I wouldn't want to" go back to the ABC reality dating competition.However, he pointed out how has evolved into a more playful and interactive experience with the fans, mainly on TikTok and Instagram."I just don't think there would be space for me, especially in the format that it is today. I can't fathom doing so much social media, and without it, how do you win?" Maksim explained.Maksim is also a dad to three kids with Peta: Shai, 8, Rio, 2, and Milan, 16 months."With the kids, it's so hard. It's very tough," Maksim noted.Maksim became a pro back in Season 2. He competed in 15 seasons and won the mirrorball trophy with partner Meryl Davis on Season 18 in 2014.Maksim took a hiatus from but returned for Seasons 23 through 25. In 2018, Maksim said that he was no longer going to participate in the show as a pro partner, although he's accepted a guest-judging role in the past.For Peta's part, she joined for Season 13 in 2011. She has competed in 14 seasons and won the mirrorball trophy twice.When asked if Peta is open to a return, she replied, "If they asked me, I think I would."Peta told Access Hollywood that if she put her dancing shoes back on, it would be a comeback in a sense."After having kids, you definitely doubt yourself about, 'Can you do it?'" Peta admitted."I know I can dance. It's a matter of putting the time aside and knowing that you're going to be away from your kids for three months, and you have to be okay with that."But Maksim told his wife that he'd "150 percent support" her if she wanted to give another go."Only if you get a partner who can do something," Maksim quipped.While Maksim and Peta are sitting on the sidelines for now, Maksim's brother Val Chmerkovskiy just made the Season 34 finale with social media influencer Alix Earle. The pair finished in second place behind Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson
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Maruti Suzuki India plans to localise battery production and other critical components over the next few years as part of strengthening the overall EV ecosystem in the country.

Photograph: Courtesy, Maruti Suzuki

The company, which plans to launch its first electric vehicle - e VITARA in the domestic market next year, is looking to instill confidence in the buyers as it looks to strengthen the overall EV ecosystem.

"Right now we are importing the batteries but yes we have a plan for localisation. It is very much on the cards in a phased manner over the next few years," Maruti Suzuki India senior executive officer (marketing & sales) Partho Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi.

He noted that the electric vehicle penetration in India will grow only when the consumer has the confidence to buy it as a primary car in the household.

"We believe that the customer is not confident (about EVs).

"The initial products that were launched, and the experiences from those, has created a huge amount of negativity in the minds of people regarding the driving range," he added.

Till date, the customers who are buying the EV vehicle, most of them will be using it as a secondary vehicle, he added.

"It's not the primary car. Since public infrastructure is not there, the buyer doesn't want to take a chance.

"So if he wants to buy his first vehicle, it happens to be not in EV, but in ICE or some other vehicle," Banerjee said.

By FY30, Maruti Suzuki plans to have five EV models in its overall product portfolio.

"By then, the industry will be around 5.5-6 million and EV penetration will be around 13-15 per cent.

"But this was before GST 2.0. So, we now have to reassess the market since there are reports that post GST 2.0, the penetration of EVs is going down.

"The ideal time to do it will be next FY," Banerjee stated.

He listed driving range, inadequacy of public charging infrastructure and challenges in after sales service and resale value as the biggest challenges in EV adoption in the country.

"We are trying to instill confidence in the customers before they acquire an EV.

"If the buyer is not confident about the entire ecosystem he will not buy an EV," Banerjee said.

The automaker will have 1,500 EV enabled workshops across 1,100 cities pan India.

"It has already set up 2,000 charging points.

"For the resale value we are going to have an assured buyback scheme and subscription scheme as well," he said.

Acknowledging the lack of EV ecosystem as a major drawback he noted the EV industry is not growing at a similar pace as the internal combustion engine vehicles.

OEMs should first make the products good, have a good after sales service, and create a good ecosystem, Banerjee said.

That gives better confidence to the customer, he added Maruti has already started exports of e-VITARA having shipped 10,000 units of the model to 26 markets.

The auto major aims to drive in multiple electric models across bodystyles and set up charging infrastructure across the country as it looks to attain leadership in the segment.

The company plans to set up around 1 lakh charging stations by 2030 in partnership with its dealer partners and charging point operators.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko says that damage to the power system in Odesa is significant, so restoring the grids of the entire city takes time.

"I listened to reports from the leadership of Odesa Regional Military Administration and relevant services regarding the restoration of Odesa following the shelling of its energy infrastructure. Power has been restored to over 180,000 consumers. Work to supply all districts of the city continues around the clock," wrote Svyrydenko on her Telegram channel.

According to Svyrydenko, heat has been restored to all districts, and the phased launch of individual boiler houses is underway.

"The centralized water supply in the city has been fully restored. Drinking and technical water is provided as requested. Emergency response centers and field kitchens are operating in the city," she added, noting that the government is constantly monitoring the situation.

She noted that the damage to the power system is significant and that restoring the entire city's grids will take time.

According to reports, energy workers restored electricity to 184,000 consumers in Odesa region and 345,000 in Mykolaiv region on Saturday and Sunday after one of the Russian Federation's most massive strikes since the beginning of the war.
India's exports rebounded by 19.37 per cent to $38.13 billion in November after contracting in October, driven by higher shipments of engineering and electronics goods that helped bring down the trade deficit to a five-month low of $24.53 billion.

Photograph: ANI Photo

According to government data released on Monday, the country's imports dipped by 1.88 per cent to $62.66 billion due to a fall in the inbound shipments of gold, crude oil, coal, and coke during the month under review.

Gold imports dipped by 59.15 per cent to $4 billion.

Crude oil imports also declined by 11.27 per cent to $14.11 billion during the month.

The dip in imports also helped narrow the country's trade deficit (difference between imports and exports) in November.

The previous low was $18.78 billion in June this year. The trade deficit stood at a record $41.68 billion in October.

Cumulatively, exports during April-November were up 2.62 per cent to $292.07 billion, while imports during the eight months rose by 5.59 per cent to $515.21 billion. The deficit stood at $223.14 billion.

Briefing reporters on the data, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that outbound shipments in November offset the losses in October this year.

November has been a good month for exports," he said.

Exports recorded growth despite the USA's hefty 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.

He added that sectors like electronics, engineering, chemicals, gems and jewellery helped in pushing the country's merchandise shipments.

Exports of petroleum products too rose by 11.65 per cent to $3.93 billion in November.

The other commodities which recorded positive growth included tea, coffee, iron ore, cashew, oil meals, dairy, handicrafts, marine products and leather goods.

However, shipments of rice, oil seeds, carpet and plastics recorded negative growth.

He also said that the ministry is finalising the detailed guidelines of the Rs 25,060-crore export promotion mission, and a few components of it will be rolled out this week itself.

He further said that this help may not be enough to deal with the steep 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US, but it will definitely bring relief for exporters in areas like liquidity.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said during April-November 2025, the US remained India's top export destination, despite the imposition of a 50 per cent tariff, clearly demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the exporting community.

Other major export destinations during this period included the UAE, the Netherlands, China, the UK, Germany, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong.

"Diversification of export markets, along with the continued resilience of several key sectors, has played a crucial role in supporting export growth.

With sustained policy support, enhanced logistics efficiency, and access to competitive export financing, India's exports are well-positioned to maintain this positive trajectory in the coming months," he said.

India's exports contracted 11.8 per cent to $34.38 billion in October on account of the impact of high tariffs by the US, while the trade deficit widened to a record high of $41.68 billion, mainly due to a jump in gold imports in that month.

According to the provisional figures, the estimated value of services exports for November was $35.86 billion compared to $32.11 billion in the same month last year.

During the first eight months of this fiscal year, exports stood at $270 billion as compared to $248.56 billion in April-November 2024.
After recording negative growth for two consecutive months, India's merchandise exports to the US rose 22.61 per cent to $6.98 billion in November despite steep 50 per cent tariffs on domestic goods, according to commerce ministry data.

Illustration: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

Imports during the month grew 38.29 per cent to $5.25 billion, the data showed.

During the April-November period of this fiscal year, the country's exports to the US increased 11.38 per cent to $59.04 billion, while imports rose 13.49 per cent to $35.4 billion.

The US has imposed a sweeping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering American markets from August 27.

The two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement to boost two-way commerce.

The Indian team is in Washington for trade talks.

On the data, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said despite challenges, exports have recorded positive growth.

"We have rebounded," he added.

He said tariffs on India are 50 per cent, while it is about 30 per cent more than the country's competitors, so this is going to be a bit of challenge.

"Exporters are so far holding supply chains... there is a fair expectation on each side that both countries will be able to finalise and work out a (trade) deal sooner than later.

"Let's see how it goes over the next few months," Agrawal said.

He added that India is gaining ground in China also.

India's exports to China, another major trading partner of India, surged 90.12 per cent to $2.2 billion in November due to significant jump in electronics and engineering goods.

It was up 32.83 per cent in April-November 2025-26 to $12.22 billion.

Export of engineering goods jumped six-fold to $655.83 million in November from $87.65 million in the same month last year.

Engineering goods shipments increased 76.11 per cent to $330.62 million.

Imports from the neighbouring country in November rose 18.28 per cent to $10.28 billion while during the first eight months of this fiscal year, inbound shipments rose 12.63 per cent to $84.27 billion.

India's exports to the UAE, the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Australia saw positive growth in exports during the month under review.

However, exports to the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia registered negative growth.

On the imports front, inbound shipments in November declined from nations, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Korea, Indonesia, UK, and Taiwan.

However, imports rose from the Singapore, Japan, and Thailand.
If Patel had lived a few years more, he may or may not have become prime minister. But for sure, his presence would have kept Nehru in check, points out Harishchandra.

IMAGE: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at his desk. Photograph: Kind courtesy Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Wikimedia Commons

December 15 marks Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 75th death anniversary.

He was 75 years old when he passed away in 1950, and after the passing of Mahatma Gandhi nearly three years earlier, the second-most important leader of a newly Independent India.

There is an entire school of thought about what if Patel, and not Jawaharlal Nehru, had become India's first prime minister.

But another key question to be asked is, what if Patel had lived a few years more?

It is in some ways an even more tantalising question with immense possibilities.

Perhaps the greatest gift that Patel would have bestowed upon India if he had indeed lived longer might have been a more viable and less radical right-of-centre Opposition party.

Patel and Nehru had many differences, and these were buried in the immediate aftermath of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination on January 30, 1948, when both chose to put aside their differences and work together.

They did that admirably: Housing the millions of refugees who had entered India, ensuring the integration of the numerous princely states with India, stopping Pakistani aggression in Kashmir, and, above all, creating such a robust system of governance that after all these years, democracy in India continues to thrive.

But by 1950, their differing world views meant that they were clearly drifting apart.

It is quite possible that before the 1952 election, Patel might have broken away, taking a sizable number of Congress supporters with him and contested Independent India's first election as the leader of a distinct party.

It is also possible that he might have stayed on in the Congress, choosing to exert influence over Nehru and the Congress, strengthening governance, and guiding policy for the benefit of the nation.

For instance, one of Patel's last letters to Nehru, dated November 7, 1950, warned him about the perfidious intentions of China that had just a month earlier annexed Tibet.

Like Nehru, Patel was intelligent and realistic enough to know that India, in 1950, did not have the wherewithal to take on China by sending troops to help the Tibetans.

But, unlike Nehru, he would not have ignored the Tibetan issue and gone on to befriend China, which peaked in Hindi-Chini bhai bhai (India China are brothers) only to come crashing down in the early 1960s with India's defeat by China.

It is a humiliation that still rankles Indians, and which forever tarnished Nehru's legacy.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru during the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay, 1946. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

On the economic front, many believe that Patel would have pushed for a larger role for the private sector in the economy, but that is questionable.

It is worth noting that in the 1950s, socialism was the zeitgeist of the world.

Patel would most probably have pushed for the nationalisation of key industries and a key role for the public sector.

After all, in the 1950s, most Indians did not trust traders, whether foreign or Indian.

But hailing from a state of traders, chances are that Patel would have given the private sector a bigger role, and certainly after it became evident that the public sector was simply not delivering as expected.

Would Patel have pushed the Pakistanis out of what is now Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)?

Many people in this day and age like to think so, but there is little reason to believe so.

As everyone loves to point out, Patel was a realist, and he would have settled the issue in a non-emotional manner.

Just as Hindu-majority Hyderabad and Junagadh were integrated with India, regardless of what their erstwhile rulers wanted, he might have conceded Kashmir to Pakistan.

But would he have given up Kashmir after the Pakistani invasion?

Perhaps not, if only to keep Pakistani ambitions in check.

After all, a Pakistani victory in Kashmir might have led to further reckless adventurism.

Patel had sufficient experience in dealing with overambitious princes to know when and where to draw a line.

IMAGE: President Rajendra Prasad swears in Vallabhbhai Patel as a Cabinet minister as India becomes a Republic in 1950. Photograph: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images/Rediff Archives

What if Patel had split from Nehru and formed his own party?

Back then, many Congress leaders who were politically right of centre found it difficult to work with Nehru.

Congress stalwart C R Rajagopalachari even founded the Swatantra Party in 1959, but by then he lacked the national stature to stand against Nehru.

But if Patel had been alive, chances are that a right-of-centre party may well have formed earlier, with a different political and economic philosophy.

Patel clearly had the stature to stand against Nehru, and would have had the support of many leaders and millions of Indians, though probably not enough to dethrone Nehru as prime minister.

IMAGE: The Statue of Unity to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Photograph: Kind courtesy PMO

Yet, if he had formed a strong right-wing party, perhaps the greatest benefit would have been that such a party, led by Patel, would have been able to win massive support without having to resort to communal violence and the targeting of minorities.

Patel was committed to secularism and had little use for those who used religion for political gains.

After all, he quickly banned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, lifting the ban only after the RSS promised to respect the Constitution and flag.

If Patel had lived a few years more, he may or may not have become prime minister. But for sure, his presence would have kept Nehru in check.

Paradoxically, that would have actually helped cement Nehru's legacy. And it would have no doubt benefitted India!

If only...

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Nitin Nabin's selection is a bold political decision by the Two Gujaratis.

When Rahul Gandhi has resurrected the issue of social justice, the BJP and the Two Gujaratis are sticking to their plan and agenda, explains Sheela Bhatt.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party national President J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit A Shah congratulate newly appointed BJP national Working President Nitin Nabin at the party's central office in New Delhi, December 15, 2025. Photograph: @AmitShah X/ANI Photo

For the last two-three years I frequently hear two words in my conversations with politicians and members of the Delhi media -- 'Two Gujaratis!'

Critics and observers inside and outside the BJP, some eternally disgruntled individuals in the national capital, enemies and adversaries of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah address them thus: 'Two Gujaratis'.

Mostly, I hear this phrase when people are angry with Messrs Modi and Shah. Right now, most of them are!

Modi's critics think the party that was led by no less than Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Atal Bihari Vajpayee will now be led by Nitin Nabin Sinha, a politician from Bihar whose direct participation in or contribution to national politics is nil.

More so, he is a son of a politician so he isn't completely a self-made neta. He stood at an advantage when he fought his first election after his father's demise.

It's understandable if anyone dismisses Nitin Nabin as a lacklustre choice, but the story of this political development lies elsewhere.

IMAGE: Amit Shah felicitates Nitin Nabin at the party's central office in New Delhi, December 15, 2025. Photograph: @AmitShah X/ANI Photo

True, Nitin Nabin is no match to Deendayal Upadhyay or L K Advani, former presidents of the Jan Sangh and BJP respectively, but the issue is not Nitin Nabin at all. He is an affable and grounded personality whose real potential or lack of it is not known yet.

The Two Gujaratis selected him to send multiple messages. One of it is a straight one. BJP veterans who are currently confidants of The Two Gujaratis haven't been selected. It means loyalty is not the only criteria to get a promotion.



There were many criteria debated like selecting a woman leader to create a new record as the BJP has never been led by a woman. Or select a leader from South Indian states where the party wants to expand.

One of the hottest debates was to have a BJP president who is not in awe of the Two Gujaratis. There were endless television debates over the RSS putting pressure on the Two Gujaratis to select someone having a strong voice and an impressive life journey in Sangh politics.

The opposite has happened.

IMAGE: Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was tipped earlier to succeed Nadda as the BJP's national president, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other senior BJP leaders wait to welcome Nitin Nabin at the party's central office in New Delhi, December 15, 2025. Photograph: @gupta_rekha X/ANI Photo

The real story lies in what's happening inside the Sangh Parivar and what the Two Gujaratis' future plans are.

Nitin Nabin's selection is a bold political decision by the Two Gujaratis.



When Rahul Gandhi has resurrected the issue of social justice, the BJP and the Two Gujaratis are sticking to their plan and agenda. They are least influenced by Rahul Gandhi's political mission to have a caste census.

They are set to install an upper caste leader, without charisma, as the party president while winning elections on the strength of OBC support.

For the last 11 years, the Two Gujaratis have ensured that they will promote a completely new set up of people, from top to bottom, in the BJP. Most of them picked up from different castes, classes and communities.

Like the DMK the BJP does not consider the upper castes as political untouchables. At the ground zero, it conveniently uses influential upper caste leaders for 'golbandi' of ethnic voters who are under the influence of Brahmins/Rajputs/Kayasths/rich Baniyas etc. This social reality check the Congress refuses to accept at a heavy cost.

In this entire political process, the Two Gujaratis zealously protect the ground under their feet.

IMAGE: BJP national President J P Nadda congratulates newly appointed BJP national Working President Nitin Nabin, December 15, 2025. Nabin is likely to take over Nadda's job after Makar Sankranti. @JPNadda X/ANI Photo

There are two exceptions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and to a lesser extent Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who have set their own local narrative.

Eventually, both Yogi and Fadnavis are likely to merge their political lines with the national narrative set by the Two Gujaratis.



Rest of the BJP's new leaders, who have emerged in the Modi era, are cut from the same cloth. This new crop of young leaders don't carry any confusion about Sangh ideology, most of them are grassroot workers and have toiled for the party. Every one of them has the DNA of loyalty to the party, its Hindutva ideology and currently to the Two Gujaratis.

Some of them are able to garner votes for their party in one or two constituencies, some caste based OBC leaders control 5 lakh to 10 lakh votes, hence they have been promoted. Most of them lack charisma, they are not ambitious enough to become bigger than the party as Modi could.

They are available 24/7 for party work, they lack daring to rebel, all of them are totally in sync with Modi's development agenda and are completely in tune with Modispeak. It's important to note how the Two Gujaratis have synchronised personal and institutional agendas.

The politics in Delhi of any party is never as simple to label anything anytime conclusively. Even the Two Gujaratis label is just a political address. Even an ordinary voter is aware that Modi's writ runs in the government and in his party.

However, it's here to see how the Two Gujaratis have been successful in ensuring that the giant wheel of the party keeps running smoothly. For now and in the future.
Officials said the digital ban was intended to disrupt ideological channels that facilitate cross-border radicalisation, particularly in areas where socio-economic vulnerabilities are exploited by extremist networks.

IMAGE: Rapid Action Force and Assam police personnel on the vigil in the state, here and below.

This images in this report have only been posted for representational reasons. All photographs: ANI Photo

The Assam government has imposed a statewide ban on the publication, circulation and digital dissemination of radical and jihadi literature, citing threats to public order and national security.

The move is aimed at curbing cross-border radicalisation through online platforms and extremist networks operating in the region.

The ban has been enforced under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and applies to printed material, e-books, web sites, social media platforms, messaging applications and other online forums. The order will remain in force until further notice.

According to the official notification, the prohibition covers content linked to extremist organisations such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), Ansar-Al-Islam, pro-al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and other similar groups banned under Indian law.

Online radicalisation under scanner

Government sources said intelligence inputs and cyber-surveillance reports pointed to the continued circulation of extremist propaganda through digital channels, despite earlier crackdowns on physical literature and suspected operatives.

The notification stated that radical groups were increasingly using online platforms, encrypted messaging services and social media networks to spread extremist ideology, influence vulnerable sections of society and facilitate recruitment.

'The circulation of such material poses a serious threat to public order, internal security and communal harmony,' the order said, adding that the ban was necessary to prevent the spread of radical ideas in any form.

The prohibition extends to the sale, storage, possession, sharing and promotion of banned content, both offline and online.

Enforcement and monitoring

The government has authorised the Assam police, the Special Task Force, district administrations and cybercrime units to enforce the ban.

Officials said violations would invite strict legal action under the BNSS and other applicable laws.

Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to step up cyber monitoring and work with intelligence agencies to identify and remove extremist material circulating on digital platforms.

Officials stressed that the action targets extremist propaganda and violent ideology, and does not apply to legitimate religious texts, academic material or lawful expression.

Cross-border security focus

Assam shares a long and porous international border with Bangladesh, and security agencies have repeatedly flagged attempts by Bangladesh-based extremist groups to influence vulnerable populations in border districts.

Officials said the digital ban was intended to disrupt ideological channels that facilitate cross-border radicalisation, particularly in areas where socio-economic vulnerabilities are exploited by extremist networks.

In recent years, the Assam police and the STF have arrested several individuals allegedly linked to radical outfits following intelligence-led operations across the state.

Preventive step

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the home portfolio, described the move as a preventive measure to maintain law and order and protect internal security, noting that tackling online radicalisation has become as important as conventional counter-terror operations.

Authorities said enforcement agencies would exercise due caution to ensure that Constitutional freedoms are not infringed while acting against extremist content.

Assam has emerged as one of the states taking a proactive approach to countering radicalisation in the north east, with officials indicating that monitoring online ecosystems would remain a priority.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
The death toll from the shooting targeting the Jewish community celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Australia's Bondi Beach has risen to 16, while at least 40 people remain hospitalised, New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed on Monday.

IMAGE: Members of the forensic team work at the scene of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

Sharing the details in a post on X, the NSW Police Force stated, '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.'

According to CNN, a Jewish community representative confirmed that a 12-year-old girl and a rabbi are among those who lost their lives.

Authorities have further stated that the area around Bondi Beach remains sealed off as investigations continue, with further restrictions on aerial activity over the site.

'Bondi Beach and surrounding roads in the Bondi area will be closed today as investigators continue to work through the crime scene. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying over the crime scene,' the police force said in a separate post on X.

The assault, which specifically targeted the Jewish community, occurred while hundreds of people were gathered to mark the first day of Hanukkah and has been officially declared a terrorist attack.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident in his address to the nation following the mass shooting. He described the incident as a 'devastating terror attack' and expressed solidarity with Australia's Jewish community.

He stated that the incident was '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'.

"There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation," he added.

According to the New South Wales Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, the two suspects involved in the fatal shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach were a father and his son.

Speaking at a press conference, Lanyon said the 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the 24-year-old son is currently hospitalised and remains in critical but stable condition.

Authorities also confirmed that explosive devices discovered in a nearby vehicle were safely secured and removed by officers.

Australia has rarely experienced mass shootings since strict gun laws were introduced in 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre.

According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, 31 homicides by firearm were recorded in 2023-24, the most recent figures available.
The Election Commission is set to publish the draft electoral rolls for West Bengal on Tuesday, following the completion of the statewide Special Intensive Revision ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The election authorities are racing to complete last-minute preparations, with officials saying on Monday that the exercise is on track to meet the deadline.

Commission sources said the draft list has already been uploaded on the internal Booth Level Officer app, allowing field officials to access booth-wise voter data ahead of public release.

The state Chief Electoral Officer's office has also activated district-level websites to enable voters to check their details online from Tuesday.

The publication of the draft rolls will mark the end of the enumeration phase and the beginning of a far more contentious stage -- claims, objections and hearings -- that will stretch into February 2026.

During this period, voters flagged for discrepancies will be called for verification before the final rolls are published, tentatively scheduled for February 14 next year.

The SIR process began on November 4 after the Election Commission announced the schedule on October 27, when West Bengal's electorate stood at 7,66,37,529.

Enumeration forms were printed for all voters and delivered door-to-door by BLOs. According to officials, voters who submitted signed forms, even if partially filled have been retained in the draft list, though their details will be subject to further verification.

Commission data shows that a significant number of voters have been flagged during the process.

Over 30 lakh voters have been placed in a "no-mapping" category, as their names could not be linked with the 2002 electoral rolls. Hearings for this group are scheduled to begin from Wednesday.

In addition, around 1.7 crore voters have been kept under varying degrees of scrutiny, with BLOs tasked to re-verify their details through door-to-door checks after the draft rolls are published. At the same time, the scale of exclusions has begun to draw attention.

According to the latest status report, over 58 lakh names have been marked for deletion in the draft rolls, primarily under standard categories such as deceased, shifted, untraceable and duplicate voters, as well as those who did not submit enumeration forms.

"Our assessment is that around 59 lakh names will appear as deleted in the draft rolls," a member of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee told reporters.

Election officials have stressed that inclusion in the draft list does not guarantee final retention, and that all flagged voters will get an opportunity to be heard.

A senior official in the CEO's office last week had said more than 56 lakh voters were marked "uncollectible" during verification, including cases of deaths, relocation outside the state, untraceable voters and duplicate entries.

Officials maintained that uniform criteria were applied across districts and that final outcomes would depend on the hearing process.

Even before the draft rolls are made public, constituency-wise deletion data released last week has injected a sharp political edge into the exercise.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Bhabanipur constituency recorded significantly higher deletions than Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari's Nandigram, a contrast that has revived memories of their closely fought 2021 Assembly contest.

Election officials, however, underlined that Bhabanipur was not the most affected seat. Chowringhee in north Kolkata topped the list, followed by Kolkata Port and Tollygunge.

In BJP-held constituencies, Asansol South and Siliguri also reported substantial deletions. District-wise, South 24 Parganas recorded the highest number of deletions, while Kotulpur in Bankura saw the lowest.

More than 90,000 BLOs were deployed across the state during the SIR exercise. Employee unions and voter groups are now bracing for the hearing phase.

Swapan Mandal, general secretary of the Vote Workers' United Forum, said BLOs would be required to serve notices and manage large volumes of hearings, flagging concerns over the handling of disputed cases.

The scale of the revision has drawn comparisons with Bihar, where a similar SIR earlier this year saw 65 lakhs of names left out of draft rolls, triggering political backlash.

As the draft rolls open to public scrutiny on Tuesday, the Election Commission faces the twin challenge of defending the credibility of the revision process while steering a politically charged verification phase in a state heading into an election year.
At least 16 people, including a child, were killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community, officials said on Monday.

IMAGE: People pay respects at Bondi Pavilion to victims of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

The attackers were a father-son duo, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son sustained gunshot injuries and is being treated in hospital.

The younger suspect is in a critical but stable condition.

Those killed in the shooting were aged between 10 and 87 years, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told reporters.

At least 42 people were hospitalised, several of them in critical condition.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident, describing it as an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck 'at the heart of the nation'.

He said the attack targeted Jewish Australians gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.

According to media reports, one of the victims was a Holocaust survivor who was killed while trying to shield his wife from the gunfire.

Police said one of the attackers was known to security agencies, though there was no prior indication of a planned assault.

Authorities also conducted raids at a Sydney residence in connection with the attack and confirmed that the older suspect held a recreational hunting licence.

Albanese said his government would move to tighten gun-related regulations, including imposing time limits on licences.

"Your fellow Australians stand with you in condemning this act of terror," he said, adding the country would not submit to 'division, violence or hatred'.

The shooting was the deadliest in Australia in nearly three decades, a country that has seen few mass shootings since the introduction of strict gun control laws in 1996.

In the aftermath of the attack, police agencies in several countries increased security around public Hanukkah events.

In the United States, the New York Police Department said it was deploying additional resources to synagogues and public celebrations as a precaution.
The Bombay high court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.

IMAGE: A woman walks past the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which has been sealed for investigation following a fire that killed multiple people, in Goa. Photograph: Ali Monis Naqvi/Reuters

In a stern observation, the Goa bench of the high court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints.

The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.

The high court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.

The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.

Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.

In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".

They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."

Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.

The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule has said she will not blame the electronic voting machines as she has been elected for four terms because of the same machines.

IMAGE: NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule (right) speaks in Lok Sabha during the Winter Session, in New Delhi, December 9, 2025. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Sule's NCP-SP is part of the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi coalition comprising the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

"I have been elected on the same machine, so I will not question the EVMs or VVPATs," Sule, the four-term Lok Sabha member from Baramati in Maharashtra and the working president of the NCP-SP, said in the Lok Sabha during the debate on election reforms.

"I am not speaking against the machine. I am making a very limited point, and with great expectations from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has got such a big mandate in Maharashtra," Sule said.

Earlier in the day, another INDIA bloc ally and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced himself from the "vote chori" issue raised by the Congress and said the "INDIA bloc has got nothing to do with it".

His remarks came a day after top Congress leaders attacked the BJP and the election commissioners at a 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally in the national capital, alleging that "vote chori" is in the ruling party's DNA and its leaders were "gaddar" who were conspiring to take away voting rights of people and should be removed from power.

Abdullah's National Conference is a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc. The Congress is the largest party in the coalition in terms of the number of opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Asked to comment on the issue of "vote chori" and alleged electoral irregularities being highlighted by the Congress, Abdullah said, "The INDIA bloc has got nothing to do with it. Every political party is at liberty to set its own agenda. The Congress has made 'vote chori' and SIR as its main issues. Who are we to tell them otherwise?"
China willing to work with Saudi Arabia to elevate bilateral ties to new heights: FM

Xinhua) 08:11, December 15, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
China denounces Japan for hyping up regular military training

Xinhua) 16:43, December 15, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Monday denounced the Japanese side for hyping up China's regular military training as a so-called security threat, saying that it will never work for Japan to evade the real issue, to divert attention, or to recriminate.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said so in response to a comment from the Japanese side about a recent flight training of Chinese carrier-based aircraft.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: https://bgv.com.ua/

BGV Group Management signed a memorandum on further cooperation with two companies in the construction sector within a meeting of the Joint Ukrainian-Saudi Business Council, the BGV press service told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Joint Ukrainian-Saudi Business Council meeting brought together government institution representatives, specialized organization representatives, and leading company representatives from Ukraine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Private companies from key economic sectors were representing Ukraine in Riyadh, which together employ over 150,000 people and account for approximately 4% of the country's GDP. The total potential value of the projects presented in the Saudi capital exceeds $1 billion.

The memorandum signed by BGV Group Management at the meeting provides for negotiations, development of joint opportunities, and planning of specific steps for implementing potential projects.

Additionally, the BGV team participated in the UNIDO conference, where they discussed potential areas of cooperation with Saudi Arabian partners. The company also participated in the promotional event, "Investment Dialogue: Mobilizing Gulf Capital for Sustainable Industrial Growth in Ukraine," during which it presented its investment initiatives, particularly in mineral extraction.

As a result of the Council's work, the parties agreed to create sectoral working groups, prepare a cooperation roadmap, and plan the next meeting in an expanded format.

BGV Group Management is an investment group of Hennadiy Butkevych, founded in 2015. The company has five business areas, within which it develops projects in mining, energy and infrastructure, retail, development, as well as in education and sports. Since 2022, the BGV team has focused on working in the development direction, given the priority of restoring and building new residential, commercial, and other infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
A year after assembly polls, Maharashtra will see another big electoral battle on January 15 when 29 municipal corporations, including the cash-rich Mumbai, will vote, giving an opportunity to the ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to test their popularity in major urban centres.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

As many as 2,869 seats, including 227 of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will be up for grabs in these corporations where more than 3.48 crore voters, including 1,81,93,666 men and 1,66,79,755 women, will be eligible to exercise their franchise, the State Election Commission said while announcing the much-awaited polls schedule on Monday.

Votes will be counted on January 16 and the outcome will be keenly watched as the BJP-led Mahayuti will seek to stamp its supremacy in urban landscape, especially in Mumbai, while the Opposition parties will try to redeem themselves after last year's rout in assembly polls.

Asia's largest civic body with more than Rs 74,000 crore budget in 2025-26, the BMC was ruled by the undivided Shiv Sena with the BJP as its junior ally for more than two decades till 2017 and the polls will be a litmus test for former CM Uddhav Thackeray and his party Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.

Ahead of the polls, Uddhav Thackeray mended ties with his once-estranged cousin Raj and both Shiv Sena-UBT and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena-MNS led by the latter are expected to join hands to put up a united fight.

Shiv Sena-UBT's ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Congress, has announced it will contest the Mumbai civic polls alone. After initial bickering, especially between Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena, the ruling Mahayuti, which also consists of the NCP, decided to contest the civic polls together.

The model code of conduct has come into force in all poll-bound municipal corporation areas, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare announced at a press conference.

He noted the elections are being conducted as per Supreme Court directive to complete polls to all local bodies, whose term has ended, before January 31.

The IAS officer said elections to 12 Zilla Parishads, which don't cross the 50 percent reservation limit, will be announced soon.

While one corporator will be elected from each seat in Mumbai, three to five corporators will get chosen by voters per ward in 28 other civic bodies.

The break-up of 29 corporations is: Total wards: 893, total seats: 2,869, seats for women: 1,442, SCs 341, STs, 77 and OBC seats 759.

Waghmare said filing of nominations will begin on December 23 and the process will go on till December 30.

Scrutiny of papers will be done on December 31 and January 2 is the last date of withdrawal of nominations.

Symbol allocation and final list of candidates will be published on January 3.

The notification for BMC elections will be issued on December 16 and those for the remaining 28 municipal corporations on December 18. Respective municipal commissioners will issue the notifications at their level.

Voting in all municipal corporations will be held from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.

With announcement of the election schedule, the MCC has come into force in municipal corporation areas. Though it applies within corporation limits, no announcement or action that may influence voters of these areas can be taken anywhere else either, according to the SEC.

In view of the MCC, the government cannot take policy decisions related to municipal corporation areas. However, measures related to natural disasters or relief work will not be restricted, clarified Waghmare.

Acting on the SC directive, the SEC conducted elections to 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in the first phase on December 2. The remaining 24 councils and nagar panchayats (one of them saw unopposed election of members) will vote on December 20. Counting of all votes polled (on December 2 and 20) will be taken up on December 21.

Poll schedule for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis whose termed have expired is still to be announced.

Out of the 29 corporations, Ichalkaranji and Jalna civic bodies are newly created bodies. Of the remaining 27, term of five civic bodies ended in 2020 and that 18 corporations, including Mumbai, in 2022. The term of three civic bodies expired in 2023.

Although the SEC has provided an online system for filing nominations and affidavits, papers for municipal corporation elections will be accepted only in traditional offline mode.

Waghmare said 39,147 polling stations, including 10,111 in Mumbai, will be set up for the civic polls. Adequate electronic voting machines have been arranged, including 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units.

The voter lists existing as on July 1, 2025, -- which has been updated ward-wise -- will be used for elections. Since the electoral lists are from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the SEC has no right to delete or add names, the senior bureaucrat clarified.

However, special care has been taken to identify possible duplicate voters, he maintained.

Final ward-wise voter lists were published on December 15. Lists of polling station buildings will be published on December 20, and polling station-wise voter lists on December 27.

Suspected duplicate voters have been marked with a special symbol. Such voters have been verified through door-to-door checks and asked to confirm the polling station where they will vote. If required, they will be asked to submit a written declaration at the polling station, affirming they have not voted at any other booth, the commissioner said.

Municipal commissioners have been instructed to carry out large-scale voter awareness campaigns using traditional and digital media to increase voter turnout, especially in large cities like Mumbai.

Besides the BMC, the civic bodies going to polls include corporations of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivali, Kolhapur, Ulhasnagar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Latur, Parbhani, Chandrapur, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Malegaon, Panvel, Mira-Bhayander, Nanded-Waghala, Sangli-Miraj- Kupwad, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahilyanagar, Ichalkaranji and Jalna.
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned why the entire available leaked audio clips, which a plea alleged pointed to the role of former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh in the 2023 ethnic violence, were not sent for forensic examination.

IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo

The top court said it was "little disturbed" by the affidavit filed on behalf of the petitioners on November 20 that "states to the effect that only select clippings were sent".

The court asked the government authorities why the entire available leaked audio clip of around 48 minutes was not sent to Gujarat's National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) for examination.

The NFSU had virtually given a clean chit, saying the leaked audio clips were "tampered with".

Singh resigned as the chief minister of Manipur on February 9, amid rumblings within the state BJP and growing demands for a change in leadership.

On Monday, an apex court bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe expressed unhappiness, saying it was "little disturbed" by the affidavit filed on behalf of the petitioners on November 20 in the matter.

The counsel appearing for the respondents said the affidavit was not served upon them.

"Now this affidavit, which according to you has not been served upon you, states to the effect that only select clippings were sent...," the bench said.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, said that probably the full audio clips filed by them were not sent to NFSU.

When the counsel for the respondents said they would respond to the affidavit, the bench asked why the full material was not sent to the NFSU and observed, "But why should time be wasted again?"

The bench then sought to know "how much is the material actually available?"

Bhushan said the total audio tapes were of roughly 56 minutes and the petitioners have filed 48 minutes in the court. He said the remaining part of the audio clips identifies the person who made that record, and if his identity was disclosed, his life could be in danger.

"Once the entire tape was available with you, the entire tape ought to have been sent to the NFSU. Why should they send only this limited one?" the bench asked.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared in the matter, sought a week's time to respond to the affidavit.

The bench observed that the audio clips of 48 minutes ought to have been sent to the NFSU.

Taking the affidavit on record, the bench fixed the matter for hearing on January 7, while noting that Bhati has sought some time to respond to the affidavit.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), which has sought an independent SIT probe into the matter.

On November 3, the apex court observed that the NFSU has said that the leaked audio clips were "tampered with".

According to NFSU's report, the audio clips exhibited signs of editing and tampering and were not scientifically fit for forensic voice comparison, the court had said.

Bhushan had referred to a separate forensic report and said it had found that one of the recordings was unedited.

On August 19, the top court expressed displeasure over the Central Forensic Science Laboratory's (CFSL's) exercise to test the audio recordings, calling it "misdirected". The court said it hadn't asked about the authenticity of the audio clips but directed testing of the voice samples.

While hearing the plea on August 25, the apex court referred the matter to NFSU, Gandhi Nagar, to examine the audio clips in question to determine whether they were modified, edited or tampered with in any manner.

It had also asked the NFSU to determine whether the voice in the disputed audio clips matches the voice in the admitted audio clip, so as to give a clear finding that it was the same person who was speaking in all the audio clips.

On May 5, the apex court examined a forensic report on the authenticity of the leaked audio clips and asked the state government to file a fresh report on the probe.

The top court had previously sought a sealed-cover forensic report from the CFSL on the authenticity of the leaked audio clips.

Over 260 people were killed and thousands displaced since the ethnic violence broke out between the Imphal valley-based Meitei and neighbouring hills-based Kuki communities in May 2023.

The clashes began after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against an order of the Manipur High Court on the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Bhushan had alleged that the recorded conversation prima facie showed the complicity and involvement of the state machinery in the violence against the Kuki Zo community.

KOHUR's plea alleged that Singh was instrumental in "inciting, organising and thereafter centrally orchestrating the large-scale murder, destruction and other forms of violence against the Kuki-dominated areas in Manipur".
The day after the shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

IMAGE: A woman reacts as flowers lie on the ground in a makeshift memorial following the attack on a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

IMAGE: People embrace as they visit the makeshift memorial at Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

IMAGE: Belongings left behind by people are lined up at a ramp near the scene of the shooting at Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

IMAGE: People react near Bondi Pavilion, December 15, 2025, following Sunday's shooting incident. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

IMAGE: Police and forensics, December 15, 2025, begin the task of body retrieval from the site where the shooting incident occurred at Bondi Beach. Photograph: AAP/Dean Lewins via Reuters

IMAGE: Members of the forensic team work at the scene of the shooting at Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

IMAGE: Police officers enter a tent at the scene of the shooting at Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

IMAGE: New South Wales police speak to a couple outside the AirBnB allegedly used by the suspects prior to the Bondi Beach shooting in the suburb of Campsie, Sydney, December 15, 2025. Photograph: AAP/Bianca De Marchi via Reuters

IMAGE: People bring flowers for the makeshift memorial at Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters

IMAGE: People pay respects at Bondi Pavilion to the victims of the shooting, December 15, 2025. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

IMAGE: People run for cover after the shooting began at Bondi Beach, December 14, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from social media video. Photograph: Juan Manuel Viteri Narvaez/via Reuters

IMAGE: An aerial view of emergency personnel working at the scene of the shooting at Bondi Beach, December 14, 2025, in this screen grab from a video. Photograph: Nine Network/Seven Network/Australian Broadcasting Corporation/Hadout via Reuters

IMAGE: A woman lights a candle to place it in a Star of David-shaped arrangement during a vigil near the beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 14, 2025. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Photographs curated and feature presented by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party national working president Nitin Nabin on Monday termed his elevation as a blessing of the party and claimed that it is the only political outfit that allows its grassroots workers to thrive.

IMAGE: Nitin Nabin being congratulated after being appointed as the new national working president of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the party office in Patna on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

He also thanked the BJP's leadership for the trust reposed in him before he left for Delhi.

"The BJP not only promotes youths but also guides and curates them to achieve larger goals. It is the only party that allows its grassroots workers to thrive," he said, while leaving for the Patna airport from his residence.

He urged party workers to work patiently to strengthen the organisation.

Earlier in the day, Nabin, who is Bihar's PWD minister, pledged to carry forward the work of his late father and former BJP MLA Nabin Kishor Prasad Sinha.

He paid floral tributes to a statue of his father at a park in Patna.

"I have always worked on the ideas of my father, who considered the party as his mother and prioritised the nation over everything. I think that is the reason the party has blessed me with this opportunity to continue working with BJP workers," he said.

He also visited Patna's Mahavir Mandir to offer prayers.

Nabin was appointed on Sunday as the BJP national working president and is likely to eventually succeed JP Nadda as its national president, signalling a generational shift in the ruling party.

He expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his leadership.

"Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, development has reached every town and village of the country. At the same time, Bharatiya Janata Party has also expanded its footprint and stands today as the party of the poor," he asserted.

Nabin emphasised that "no class in India today is left untouched" by the development schemes of the NDA government.

He claimed that the PM has taken the idea of 'Antyodaya' to every nook and corner of the country.

"Antyodaya was pioneered by personalities like Deendayal Upadhyaya and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and promoted by Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Nabin said, adding that "now PM Modi has taken it to every village and town of the nation".

On the question of the party's strategy for the West Bengal elections, he said, "Be it Bengal, Assam or Uttar Pradesh, our party workers are always ready. This is the beauty of Bharatiya Janata Party. Others work during elections, but BJP karyakartas work 24x7."

Nabin, 45, is considered dynamic, ideologically rooted and deeply committed to the organisation, party leaders said.

He also comes from the RSS background.

A five-time MLA, Nabin represents Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar and has served twice as a minister in the state government.
In the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he used trade to stop the India-Pakistan military conflict in May, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday cited his conversations with various echelons of the government to state that neither was there any threat to use trade to promote peace nor was any effort made to tell India to do this or do that.

IMAGE: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. Photograph: @ShashiTharoor/X

Tharoor, at a talk organised by the NGO CUTS International, reiterated his stance on Trump's claims on Operation Sindoor, which have been at variance with the official position of the Congress.

Asked about Trump's claims and the argument that he wants a diplomatic acknowledgement from India on his role, Tharoor said, "I was asked about it when I led a multi-party delegation to Washington. I said India never needed persuading. We signalled from the very first strike on the night of May 6-7 that we were not interested in a protracted conflict with Pakistan."

"All we were doing was striking in a very precise, targeted way at terror sites. We had been careful enough to avoid striking Pakistani civilian sites, government sites and even military installations, and therefore had Pakistan chosen not to retaliate, we were done and dusted."

"Now that Pakistan retaliated, we have to reply but the moment they will stop, we will stop," he said, talking of India's stance during the military conflict.

That was there in the government's signalling on each of the four days of the conflict. So, clearly India did not need persuading, Tharoor said.

"The moment Pakistan came and said let us call it off," we called it off, he pointed out.

"On the other hand I said, and here I was going out on a limb because I did not have any sort of a briefing from the government on this, we do not know what happened between Washington and Islamabad, so if Mr Trump played a significant role in getting the Pakistanis to come and sue for peace, then surely as a peace-loving nation we will be grateful," the Congress leader said.

That answer went over happily in Washington but somehow we haven't found it possible to say that in Delhi. Don't forget that part of this happened during a Parliament debate when the government's desire to look and sound tough naturally became a consideration as well, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.

"As I understood from all my conversations with various echelons of the government, there was never any direct conversation with Mr Trump nor was there any threat to use trade to promote peace, nor was there any effort made to sort of tell India 'we want you to do this or do that," Tharoor said.

"All of this appears to be coming out from somewhere else and we don't know where," he added.

But it certainly does not correspond to the records or the experience or the logs maintained by the Indian government at all serious levels, he said.

Tharoor, however, clarified that he is not in the Indian government, and therefore, he cannot claim to have access to any classified information.

But my impression is that we were, therefore, taken aback by a claim that we did not have any basis for verifying, he added.

The Congress has been taking swipes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the repeated claims by the US that President Trump brokered peace between India and Pakistan using trade and tariffs.

Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, the US president has repeated his claim more than 60 times that he helped settle the tensions between the two neighbours.

New Delhi has consistently denied any third-party intervention. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
The National Investigation Agency on Monday filed a comprehensive chargesheet against six people and two terrorist organisations, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba and its shadow outfit TRF, in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony operator.

IMAGE: Security forces at Baisaran meadow, where the terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The 1,597-page chargesheet, filed by the National Investigation Agency before a special court, details the deep conspiracy traced back to Pakistan, which the probe agency said has been "unabatedly sponsoring terrorism against India".

The NIA has named Lashkar-e-Tayiba headed by Hafeez Saeed, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the US as well as India, along with The Resistance Front headed by Habibullah Malik alias Sajid Jatt, in the chargesheet for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack that took place in the Baisaran meadows on April 22 this year.

"Pakistani handler terrorist Sajid Jatt is also named as an accused in the chargesheet, filed before the NIA special court, Jammu," a statement issued by the anti-terror agency said.

The chargesheet also names the three Pakistani terrorists, who carried out the killings on religious lines on April 22 at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. All the three were killed by the Army during the Operation Mahadev at Dachigam located in the outskirts of Srinagar on July 29, almost 100 days after the deadly terror attack.

The three were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, the NIA statement said.

In its chargesheet, the NIA has also invoked the penal section against the accused for waging war against India.

The agency's eight-month long "meticulous scientific probe" led to the chargesheet.

Two accused persons, Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, who were arrested on June 22 for harbouring the terrorists, have also been named in the chargesheet by the NIA.

During interrogation, the two men had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to proscribed LeT terror outfit.
The much-anticipated deportation of Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, from Thailand to India is now in its final stage, with top sources indicating they are likely to be sent back to India soon.

IMAGE: Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. Photograph: ANI on X

The brothers are expected to land in Delhi following the deportation.

Indian authorities have furnished all required documentation to the Thai side, including the necessary Emergency Certificates (ECs) issued after the brothers' passports were cancelled. Sources confirm that procedural bottlenecks have been largely resolved.

Thai immigration authorities are coordinating closely with Indian officials and are preparing to present the case before a local Bangkok court.

This court appearance is understood to be the final, mandatory legal requirement under Thai law before a formal deportation order can be executed.

Sources close to the matter says, "Relevant documentation is submitted. The matter now moves for its last legal review by a local Bangkok court."

Earlier in the day, a legal team representing the Luthra brothers met them in Thai custody for approximately 30 minutes.

Thai Police had detained the brothers from a resort in Phuket on Thursday after India had moved to suspend their passports, reported local media.

Local police say the detention followed a request from Indian law enforcement. According to Thai authorities, an Indian law enforcement team is also coordinating formalities for the brother's return. This is possible due to an extradition treaty between two countries that is in force since 2015.

Thai officials stressed that due process will be followed while cooperation continues between the two countries. Authorities say they will work with their Indian counterparts to ensure a prompt lawful handover.

The Embassy of India in Bangkok is also actively coordinating with the Thai authorities regarding the ongoing case.

The swift developments signal a breakthrough after earlier reports suggested the case was headed for a prolonged legal battle in Bangkok due to competing claims and human rights issues stemming from the cancellation of their travel documents.

On December 6, late at night at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, a devastating blaze claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members. Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra own the restaurant.
Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ram Vilas Vedanti died of a heart attack on Monday in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa at the age of 67, an official said.

IMAGE: Politician and spiritual leader Ram Vilas Das Vedanti. Photograph: ANI Photo

Vedanti's disciple, Chhote Das Maharaj, said his last rites will be performed in Ayodhya.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya expressed their condolences on Vedanti's death, calling it an irreparable loss to the Sanatan Dharma.

Vedanti had been unwell for some time and was admitted to Superspecialty Hospital affiliated with Shyam Shah Medical College here on the morning of December 14, the official added.

"When he was admitted, he had blood poisoning (septicemia) infection, which had spread significantly. His blood pressure had dropped, and his kidneys had also stopped functioning," Superspecialty Hospital superintendent Akshay Srivastava told PTI Videos.

"Vedanti suffered a heart attack on Sunday night, following which he was on a ventilator. He passed away this morning," Srivastava said.

After the heart attack, an attempt was made to transport him to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, by an air ambulance.

However, the dense fog scuppered the plan, Srivastava added.

Ayodhya Mayor Girishpati Tripathi told PTI that Vedanti had come to Rewa on December 10 to narrate "Katha Bhathwa" in Lalgaon, Rewa district. During this time, his health deteriorated, and he was admitted to a hospital.

Vedanti, who was born on October 7, 1958, in Gudhwa (Gudh), in the Rewa district, was the executive president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and was a Member of Parliament on the BJP's ticket from Uttar Pradesh's Machhlishahar (1996 to 1998) and Pratapgarh (1998 to 1999).

Vedanti's body was being brought to Ayodhya on Monday, his successor, Mahant Raghavesh Das, said.

Ram Vilas Vedanti was a disciple of Mahant Abhiram Das of Hanumangarhi, who was the key person in placing the idols of Ram Lalla in Babri Masjid in 1949, Mahant Raghavesh Das said.

Vedanti lived at Hindu Dham Naya Ghat in Ayodhya, and also has an ashram called Vashishth Bhavan, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressing his condolences, in a post on X said, "The passing away of Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj, a prominent figure in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, former Member of Parliament, and revered saint of Vashishtha Ashram in Ayodhya Dham, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan Dharma. Our humble tributes to him!"

"His departure marks the end of an era. His life, dedicated to the service of religion, society, and the nation, is an inspiration to us all," Adityanath said.

"We pray to Lord Ram to grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and to give strength to his grieving disciples and followers to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti!" Adityanath said on X.

Expressing grief over demise of Ram Vilas Vedanti, deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, in a post on X said, "The news of the passing away of Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj, a revered saint, former Member of Parliament, and a leading figure of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, who played a pivotal role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, is deeply saddening."

"His demise is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world. His life of selfless service dedicated to religion, society, and the nation will always be a source of inspiration for all of us," Maurya said.
A Rapido bike taxi rider was arrested in Kalyan in Thane district for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman passenger and stealing Rs 1000 from her, a police official said on Monday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Courtesy Rapido Bike

Rider Siddhesh Pardeshi (19), a class VII drop out, was arrested on Sunday for the incident which took place on Saturday, Mahatma Phule police station senior inspector Baliramsingh Pardeshi said.

"The accused picked up the victim from Chickenghar area after she booked a ride till her gym near Kalyan railway station at 7pm. Instead of proceeding to the intended destination, Pardeshi, who has been employed with Rapido for the last one-and-half months, diverted the scooter to a deserted, dark stretch near the police colony in Syndicate area," he said.

"When the woman objected, he stopped the scooter, grabbed her hand and behaved in an indecent manner. He also snatched her purse and took Rs 1,000 from it. The woman raised an alarm, attracting local residents who thrashed Pardeshi before handing him over to the police. We have also recovered a knife from the accused," the official said.

He has been remanded in police custody till December 18, the official said, adding a probe is underway to find out if he has been involved in similar crimes earlier.

Meanwhile, an official from Kalyan Regional Transport Office (RTO) said a 'challan' has been issued under Motor Vehicles Act in connection with the use of the two-wheeler as an unauthorised bike taxi.

The rider violated provisions of Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules 2025 by operating a conventional petrol-powered motorcycle instead of an electric two-wheeler, which is mandatory, the RTO official told PTI.

"Penal action has been initiated and a fine imposed under Motor Vehicles Act. We have written to the local police to register a complaint against the bike taxi aggregator company for violating permit terms as per the new bike taxi rules," he added.

In a release, the state transport department said it had asked organizations like Rapido, Ola, Uber, which are "illegally transporting passengers by flouting the law", to reply as to why temporary licences given to them should not be cancelled.

Department officials said state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has called a meeting on Tuesday in view of this incident and other alleged irregularities.
The Supreme Court on Monday mulled formulating pan-India guidelines to prevent road accidents, such as a recent one in Rajasthan's Phalodi that claimed 15 lives, on expressways and national highways.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of Justices J K Maheswari and Vijay Bishnoi flagged the construction of illegal dhabas on both sides of national highways and expressways as a possible cause of road accidents and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared in the matter for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to submit the statutory rules and regulations for initiating action against these eateries.

The court also sought to know about the action taken so far, which authority is responsible for initiating it and which bodies are not implementing the provisions.

"After discussion between amicus and solicitor general, issues resolved by them, which may be helpful for issuance of the guidelines, also to be produced. In the meantime, parties are at liberty to exchange Google images, which may be helpful in resolving the real problem," the court ordered.

Mehta submitted, "We have the power to remove the illegal dhabas and eateries, but there has been a general delegation to the local district magistrate. The local police and other authorities are under his command and control, which the NHAI does not have. So we have to find out a solution."

Terming the issue non-adversarial, he said normally, there is a service road after certain kilometres on every expressway and national highway, where the vehicles that suffer a breakdown are put.

Justice Bishnoi acknowledged that there are service roads but pointed out that it is not the case for every expressway and national highway, and that illegal dhabas and small eateries come up in between, where most of the accidents take place.

The bench said the NHAI's report seeks to blame local contractors or the administration for the encroachments on the highways but the court wants to know which authority under the law is required to oversee that these eateries do not come up.

Justice Maheshwari said the court wants to formulate guidelines to fill up the existing gaps in the provisions and ensure their implementation to prevent a repetition of Phalodi-type accidents.

Appearing in the court on behalf of an intervenor, advocate Pranav Sachdeva said the top court has already dealt with these issues and given certain directions that were not implemented.

He pointed out that in Goa, there are highways that go through a medical college or a village, leading to road accidents.

"I have filed the recent Supreme Court judgment directing the NHAI to develop an SOP (standard operating procedure) to remove encroachments," Sachdeva said.

Justice Maheshwari said the issue is not of one state alone but of the entire country and the court is looking at the wider picture for formulating the guidelines.

Senior advocate A N S Nadkarni, who has been appointed as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the matter, said he has filed Google images to show widespread encroachments on the highways.

On November 10, the court had sought responses from the NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a suo-motu case in connection with the Phalodi accident.

It had also asked the NHAI and the ministry to get a survey of the area conducted and file a report on the number of dhabas on the highway passing through Phalodi.

It had also sought a specific report on the condition of the highway and the norms followed by the contractor for road maintenance.

The apex court took suo-motu (on its own) cognisance of the November 2 incident in Phalodi, in which 10 women and four children were among the 15 people killed when a tempo traveller rammed into a stationary trailer truck.

The accident took place near Matoda village on the Bharat Mala highway when the tempo traveller was headed to Jodhpur from Bikaner's Kolayat temple.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the talks with representatives of the U.S. delegation in Berlin (Germany) on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war, which took place on Sunday and Monday, productive.

"We always have such talks  they are not easy, I will tell you honestly. But the conversation was productive, many, many details. It is important that the peace becomes dignified. This is important for us. This is an important word that we very often focus on  dignity. This is what stopped Russia. People are like that in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said at the closing of the German-Ukrainian business forum in Berlin on Monday.
Two Punjab men were allegedly shot dead while they were sitting inside a car in Canada's Edmonton.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Pixabay

The incident took place early Friday, local time, a family member said on Monday.

The victims were identified as 27-year-old Gurdeep Singh from Barre village and 19-year-old Ranvir Singh from Uddat Saidewala village.

Gurdeep had gone to Canada over two years ago and was awaiting a work permit approval.

Ranvir had left India one and a half years ago to pursue studies.

They were shot moments after they got into a car after leaving a birthday party.

Ranvir Singh was sitting in the driver's seat, with Gurdeep Singh beside him. A few others sat in the back.

The assailants came in a car and sped away after firing shots, Ranvir's uncle, Mandeep Singh, said.

A bullet struck Ranvir while Gurdeep appeared to have been hit by shrapnel.

Mandeep Singh, who lives in his village in Mansa, said the family suspects that the two were victims of mistaken identity, as the car belonged to someone else.

"Ranvir never had any enmity or even a minor fight ever with anyone," he said.

"What we have gathered so far is that it was likely a case of mistaken identity. Ranvir had gone with a friend to a birthday party in Edmonton," he added.

Ranvir, the son of a farmer, was the only child of his parents, and has many of his family members settled in Canada.

"He was intelligent and good at studies. We told him that he could prepare for competitive exams in India and secure a good job here. Even many of our relatives in Canada told him to pursue studies here. But he was keen to go abroad," Mandeep Singh said.
Returning to the Brahmaputra for Vijay Diwas was not just a journey across geography, but across memory of war, service, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between the Indian Air Force and the north east, asserts Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).

IMAGE: The Indian Air Force commemorated India's victory in the 1971 War at Air Force Station Mohanbari in Assam. All photograph: Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd)

Flying to the far east was like homecoming. From high up in the sky I peered out from my window.

The mighty Brahmaputra flowed below, with the mightier Himalayas flanking it to the north as if protecting it. At this height, it looked like a maze of small lazy rivulets flowing westwards.

Many years ago, whilst we flew much lower and slower along this river, it appeared endless in its expanse.

We flew sometimes along it, sometimes crossing over into the hills of Arunachal Pradesh carrying out sortie after sortie to the many advanced landing grounds and airstrips.

Our job was to carry out supply drops to sustain our troops, rescue people in distress and most importantly, connecting our soldiers with their homeland.

For those of us who flew in the north east, the Brahmaputra was more than a geographical feature.

In bad weather, when visibility was poor and options few, it became a reassuring beacon, guiding us safely home.

We respected it deeply -- not only for its power, but for the sense of security it provided to us and, by extension, to the nation we served.

It was therefore fitting that I returned to the east once again, this time to participate in the 54th Vijay Diwas celebrations at Air Force Station Mohanbari, near Dibrugarh.

Senior leaders of the Indian Air Force, including Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Commander In Chief Eastern Air Command Air Marshal Surat Singh, along with distinguished guests and veterans, gathered to commemorate one of India's most decisive military victories.

It was the 10th of December and on this day, back in 1971, the most audacious Meghna Heli-lift was taking place.

Around 5,000 troops and tons of war fighting material were shipped across the river by Mi-4 helicopters in a daring heli-bridging operation.

This speeded up the operations and helped the army to tighten the noose around Dacca, forcing the Pakistani army to capitulate and surrender.

The quick end to the war resulted in formation of the new nation, Bangladesh.

A seminar had been organised to kickstart the proceedings. Veterans who participated in the war recounted their experiences straight from their heart the tales of their gallantry felt real -- real as can be.

Speaking to us were Air Marshal Harish Masand, Vir Chakra, Air Commodore K C Kuruvilla, Vir Chakra, Wing Commander D J S Kler and Wing Commander Shiv Krishna besides many more in the audience.

Taking us into history, we are fascinated and awed. Our hearts swelled with pride as we paid homage to those who sacrificed so much for so many of us.

I too had my little contribution -- a short talk on the Kilo Force and Kilo Flight as well as the Meghna Heli-bridge. Audacious operations planned by bold commanders and executed by daring pilots.

The CAS, in his closing address, spoke about how the air force has evolved due to the hard work put in by the veterans in the past and also made a mention of how our success in Operation Sindoor was an all out air force effort.

We then moved to the runway shoulder for the next part of the programme.

Three Dornier aircraft flew past us in formation followed by the helicopters. A formation of C-130s flew past in perfect formation dropping small parachutes with simulated loads. They demonstrated troop insertion inside enemy lines.

The Tangail paradrop simulation was next. While we waited to see the fifty odd parachutists sail in to land in front of us, the air warrior drill team filled the void carrying out smart movements, depicting our training, discipline, dedication and coordination.

IMAGE: A flying display by Su-30 MKI, C-130, Dornier, An-32, Chinook, Mi-17, ALH and Cheetah aircraft recreated key missions of the 1971 War.

The sky abovefilled with parachutes hanging lazily -- some tri-colour and some grey that blended with the sky above.

What a sight it would have been! A thousand of them falling from the skies -- it definitely did scare the Pakistani forces in 1971, forcing them to withdraw.

The Mi-17 formation depicted the Mi-4s dropping troops across the Meghna -- there were six of them this time, and the troops slithered down from the helicopters and carried out a simulated attack on the enemy.

The air reverberated with controlled explosions and the staccato crackle of gunfire, lending realism to the demonstration.

The grand finale, of course, was by our fighters -- the moment everyone in the crowd had been waiting for. A SU-30 formation flew in at low level along the runway.

Zooming past, they pulled up in a steep climbing turn and fired their flares as they went in for a simulated dive attack on the governor's house in Dacca, a replica of which had been created in one corner of the arena. Amidst sound of explosions it was ablaze, in ruins.

The amazing display of firepower concluded, we moved on to the area which housed an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of the war.

IMAGE: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, senior military and civilian dignitaries, veterans at the event.

Few air warriors were given on-site commendation medals and cards by the Chief for their display of dedication and devotion to make this event a success.

The day concluded with a Bara Khana at the hangar. Amidst beautifully laid tables, personnel from different generations -- past and present -- came together to share a meal, conversations, and memories. A fitting end to a day of remembrance and pride.

The entire event was impeccably organised by Air Force Station Mohanbari, under the leadership of Group Captain Deepak Kumar Bishnoi, VM (Vayu Sena Medal) and his committed team of officers and air warriors, whose efforts brought everyone together for this meaningful commemoration.

For me, returning to the East has been deeply nostalgic. It was from this region that my father fought in the 1971 War.

It was here that I learnt to fly helicopters -- pushing their capabilities, understanding their limitations, and forging a bond that only aviators truly understand.

I carry many stories from this land, permanently etched in memory. This one too, has now found its place.

IMAGE: The Chief of Air Staff meets children.

A helicopter pilot who served the Indian Air Force for 35 years, IAF Veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe is a frequent contributor to Rediff.

You can read his earlier articles here.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Meet Zeenath PA, the Kochi social worker whose handmade wigs are helping Cancer survivors reclaim their identity.

IMAGE: Zeenath PA. All photographs: Shevlin Sebastian

Reshma Nair (name changed) woke up one morning and felt a lump in her breast.

When the doctor examined her, he confirmed her worst fears. She had breast cancer. She embarked on a course of chemotherapy.

Finally, it was decided to remove her breasts. When her husband came to know, he split up with her and moved on to another woman. The couple had two small children.

Reshma recovered, but when her hair grew back, it turned out to be grey. At 29 years of age, this came as a shock.

When Reshma returned to the hospital where she worked as a nurse, her superior said, 'We like our nurses to be beautiful young women.'

A shocked Reshma resigned and fell into a deep depression. She did not know what to do. At her lowest point, Reshma heard about Zeenath PA, a social worker who provided wigs for women who went bald because of chemotherapy.

When Zeenath came to Reshma's house, with her wigs, she realised she needed to shave off all the grey hair.

After using a trimmer, when the wig was placed on Reshma's head, she looked beautiful. "A big smile broke out on Reshma's face when she looked at herself in the mirror," recalls Zeenath.

She looked at Zeenath and said, 'Now I am back to normal.'

Within a few weeks, Reshma got a job at another hospital and the household was humming again.

The idea of providing wigs came to Zeenath by accident. She would counsel patients at the cancer ward at the Government General Hospital in Kochi.

The women told her that they didn't have a problem with having cancer, but because of chemotherapy they had lost all their hair.

One woman said, 'When we go home, our neighbours and our family members look at us with a little bit of fear. Many of them don't know how to react to us, especially the grandchildren who are very scared to come close to us. Husbands also feel disappointed that we have lost all our hair.'

That was how Zeenath got the idea to provide wigs. When she did a few inquiries, she came to know that there was a wig-making unit at the Amala Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Thrissur.

She met with the Joint Director, Father Jaison Mundanmani, who agreed to provide wigs. On her own accord, she decided to collect hair to help in the cause.

So, Zeenath embarked on a campaign. She spoke at schools, colleges, and places of worship. She said, 'See, you are taking your hair for granted, but if you can share a part of it, somebody's life will be completely changed.'

And over time, people began to respond.

To her surprise, most of the contributors were young men. Many of them had long hair, because during COVID-19, there were no barbers around. They allowed their hair to grow long.

Once she met Arjun, a 22 year old who lived in Fort Kochi. "When I saw that he had long hair, I said, 'Don't go to the barber and get the hair cut and just throw it away'. Instead, you can give it to me. I can make good use of it."

Arjun immediately said, 'Chechi (elder sister), I will give it to you.'

So Zeenath herself cut the hair, took a photograph and used it as her WhatsApp status. "This had a lot of impact," she remembers.

Another reason was that many contributors had someone in their family who had been afflicted with cancer. "So they know the pain of losing one's hair," says Zeenath.

One physically challenged man told Zeenath, 'I cannot give my eyes, lungs or heart or money since I am poor. But it costs nothing to give my hair. I know it will grow again.'

Zeenath needs a minimum of 30 cm of length. Three batches of hair are needed to make one wig. "Not everybody has thick hair," she says.

Zeenath is looking for natural black hair. The problem with coloured hair is that when it is washed, it turns white. And no woman wants a wig with white hair.

Every night, Zeenath washes the hair with shampoo and hangs it out in the courtyard to dry.

A few weeks ago, Zeenath held a camp in Cheranalloor, where twenty men volunteered to donate their hair.

As Zeenath has become better known, she gets calls from Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Kollam and Kottayam districts informing her that they would want to contribute. A day before I met her, a lady dentist from Aluva donated a portion of her hair.

But women are not easy contributors. "Those who are unmarried are reluctant to give because they are still in the marriage market and want to look beautiful with lustrous long hair," says Zeenath.

"Those who give are usually married women with children. But sometimes, they need the permission of their husbands. Many of their husbands like their wives to have long hair. So they are unwilling to give their hair unless the husband gives his consent."

Sometimes, a donation can backfire on the contributor. Priya, 35, had very long hair. Her husband admired it. Tragically, he died of late-stage cancer.

A dejected Priya lost the incentive to keep her hair long. She donated it to Zeenath. But in the conservative neighbourhood that she lived in, people began gossiping.

They said, 'It seems she was waiting for her husband to die before she could cut her hair and style herself like a model.'

That was very painful for Priya to hear.

Like Priya, Zeenath has also experienced painful moments. She has provided wigs for terminal patients. "Many of them wore wigs for a few months before they passed away," she says. "But they told me they were happy that for a while, they could pretend their lives had returned to normal."

But there were many joyful moments, too. She says her thrill is to see the look of ecstasy on the face of the woman when she placed the wig on her head for the first time.

Until then, many of the women would not go out at all. They would become recluses.

Zeenath remembers Saraswati whose husband was run over by a truck and died instantly.

For the next twenty years, Saraswati struggled so that she could provide an education for her daughter Annapurna.

When Annapurna grew up and was about to get married, Saraswati got cancer. She was cured but she ended up becoming bald.

Saraswati told Annapurna she would not be able to attend the marriage.

Annapurna was shocked.

'What are you saying Amma?'

Saraswati said, 'I cannot show my bald head in public.'

'You are the most important person to me,' said Annapurna.

Despite her daughter's entreaties, Saraswati was adamant.

Through a close friend, Annapurna heard about Zeenath.

Zeenath came to the house and fitted the wig. A proud Saraswati took part in all the celebrations.

Zeenath was also invited and at the reception Saraswati held her hands and told Zeenath, 'I will never forget what you have done for me.'

Meanwhile, Zeenath has been taken aback by the varied reactions to cancer. Some accept it as the will of God, while others react angrily.

One woman told Zeenath, 'If there was a God, He would not have made me go through so much pain and suffering. God is very cold. I have prayed so many times to God, but he has not even cared for or looked after me.'

Another woman said, 'Is there somebody called God? In my experience, there is no God.'

Sometimes, the neighbours of the afflicted woman tell Zeenath, 'She deserves it. She has behaved very badly with us so God has punished her.'

Zeenath would say, 'Please don't talk like this. Nobody knows why you get ill. Sometimes it is because of genes. The mother might have the cancer gene and the children are likely to get it too.

Thus far, Zeenath has received hair from about 6,000 people. The wigs that are made are given free of cost.

She bears the cost of cleaning them, and is helped sometimes by her two sons and a daughter-in-law.

For her work, she has received numerous awards from charitable trusts, including the Aluva-based Sahrudaya Sangeetha Karunya Vedi and AIMS.

No matter her ups and downs, Zeenath says, "I know the work I do is going to transform lives. Every time I see a woman smile when she looks at herself in the mirror, I feel a surge of energy inside me. It makes me feel good."

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MerzCDU

Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz is convinced that Ukraine needs real security guarantees, similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

"It is important that the United States perceives appropriate security guarantees similar to Article 5 [of the NATO Treaty] plus the issue of monitoring during the ceasefire is part, in my opinion, of security guarantees. Who carries out the monitoring, in what format, and what are the sanction steps for violating this monitoring of the ceasefire," the Chancellor said at a press conference following the talks in Berlin on Monday.

Merz also stressed the importance of the United States being ready for "substantial legal guarantees" on its part.

"The second point... that we agreed on is that the ceasefire must be guaranteed by material and substantial legal guarantees from the United States and the European Union. The guarantees for Ukraine are similar to the NATO agreement, which are reflected in this article. For me, this is very big progress. The American side is also ready to show legal obligations, and we will not repeat the mistakes of Minsk in this sense," the Federal Chancellor said.
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WILMINGTON  Since opening a decade ago, The Village Roost has built on its success and developed many friendships along the way.

"It's kind of crazy 10 years has passed already," said Britny Jones, head cook and manager.

During that time period, the business started to stay open during mud season and stick season. Britny called the cafe a "consistent place in town."

The Village Roost reports a fanbase of locals, second home owners and tourists.

"We've watched families grow, people have babies, staff members get married," Britny said. "It's been cool like that, making good friends along the way. Good community here."

The Village Roost opens it doors WILMINGTON >> After 14 months of renovation, the village has its roost.

Britny, who grew up coming to the area to ski as a kid from Connecticut, started the business with her husband Sam Jones and mother Isabelle Alvarado in 2015 after studying nutrition at the University of Vermont. Over that time, the family has formed bonds with the youth they hire or see as they grow up in the Deerfield Valley.

When businesses in Vermont had to close during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family set theirs up for online orders.

"We had a good following because a lot of people came up here and hunkered down," Alvarado said.

They were able to reopen in the summer. Tables were moved around to space them apart and signs spoke to recommended health protocols.

Sam, baker and manager, described the pandemic as "an interesting experience" and "interesting time."

The Village Roost's longevity is a testament to the dedication that Britny and her team bring to the job.

"I still love it every day," she said. "I'm here five to six days a week. I love the people I'm working with now."

Isabelle, owner, has taken over the retail operation. Clothing, mugs, sunglasses and Vermont-made products are offered for sale.

Britny said the family didn't know what they were doing when they first opened the business.

"It was a leap of faith," Isabelle said. "I wanted a project to redo a building."

Seeing several abandoned buildings in downtown Wilmington, Isabelle told her husband Rogger Alvarado, "Let's do something." They narrowed it down to three properties then chose the current spot due to its deck space and parking.

They also wanted to have room for the community to get together. The cafe has hosted state meetings and bachelorette parties, and handled catering for weddings and the filming of an episode of the television show "Treehouse Masters" in South Newfane.

"I can't say it's been a smooth ride," Alvarado said. "It's been a roller coaster."

Alvarado said she absolutely loves the business for "the friendships you make."

The last few years have been focused on smoothing operations out. That involved improving upon the best concepts, Sam added.

Some items have been on the menu since day one. The most popular sandwiches are the Green Mountain and the Happy Hen, which respectively have turkey and chicken on sourdough bread with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and house-made dressings.

"We've sold thousands upon thousands," Sam said.

The Green Mountain was featured in "The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook" by Tracey Medeiros, which says the family is "extremely grateful for all the support they have received from those in the community."

"[T]hey realize that building positive relationships between chefs and farmers supports Vermont and its organic and non-GMO movement," Medeiros wrote. "It is their belief that by helping small organic farms to survive they are also enabling the organic movement to spread and flourish."

Isabelle said the cafe has become a destination for gluten-free individuals and can also accommodate vegetarians and vegans.

Britny hopes to get some of The Village Roost's sauces bottled so they can be sold on the shelves at the cafe and in other places. She has the maple balsamic, spicy aioli, alpine sauce and cilantro garlic mayo in mind.

The business has a lot of moving parts and faces volatility with food prices, Sam said. Isabelle reported a downtick in tourism this summer with Canadians.

The cafe survived the uncertain times in the valley associated with the bankruptcy of the Hermitage Club private ski club before it was owned by club members. Three other restaurants have closed.

Summer is the busiest time of year for the cafe. Week days in the winter can be quiet, Britny said.

Isabelle has tried to suggest the potential for "grab-and-go" meals but Britny insists on making everything as fresh as possible.

"We really want to make things that are good," Sam said.

Finally getting into the flow of the business about seven years in, Britny and Sam feel comfortable enough now to leave for a month to visit Sam's family in New Zealand. Britny said they have "a strong enough team and things in place where it isn't as daunting to go away for a while."

With her free time at night, Britny crotchets stuffed animals that have been selling well at the cafe and leading to commissioned pieces. Since opening The Village Roost, she and Sam bought a house about 1 mile away.

"We love living here," she said. "In the summer, the lakes are amazing. I don't snowboard anymore but I still love the winters."

Sam, who grew up in New Zealand, said the town "seems to just attract people." The family has made friends with other business owners in Wilmington and will help each other out of jams.

In the beginning, the cafe would run out of items. That doesn't happen anymore, as operations have gotten more sturdy.

"The heart of this place is Britny," Isabelle said. "She really puts her heart into this place."
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The new Microsoft CSP program requirements place tougher expectations on security, operational processes, and technical capability, making it essential for partners to understand what changed and what they must do to stay authorised.

Microsoft now assesses whether partners have secure admin controls, can provision and bill accurately, respond to alerts within 24 hours, and maintain the technical depth needed to support cloud workloads. This assessment determines whether partners can sell Microsoft 365, Azure and Dynamics 365.

The timing is challenging: New Zealands public cloud market is forecast to reach US$8.06 billion by 2030, presenting a once-in-a-generation opportunity for partners.

But Microsoft is now making very clear that they expect well-governed cloud service delivery frameworks, strong security baselines and fast, reliable support. Partners that cannot prove that could lose the right to sell Microsoft solutions.

What Microsofts new rules mean for you

Direct bill partners face the biggest uplift, now needing at least US$1 million in trailing twelve-month CSP revenue, a Solutions Partner designation and successful annual assessments.

Indirect resellers face lower revenue thresholds but have to meet enhanced administrative-security requirements, including mandatory Multi Factor Authentication and rapid alert response obligations.

The consequences for falling short are severe; partners that fail Microsofts assessments can be deauthorised and must wait before reapplying, forcing customers to find new providers and disrupting revenue streams.

Key Microsoft distributor Ingram Micro has published a ready reckoner that makes clear what partners need to do to be prepared for the changes.

Distributors step up to help partners adapt

Ingram Micro moved early to support partners through the transition. The distributor invested in capability, tools and structured enablement designed to reduce administrative load and help partners align with Microsofts updated expectations.

According to Leon De Suza, Managing Director, Ingram Micro New Zealand, Partners that prepare early will deliver more consistent outcomes, strengthen customer relationships, and be better positioned for larger cloud opportunities.

De Suza points to Ingram Micros Xvantage platform as an example of how partners can get consolidated visibility across billing, provisioning, and lifecycle management. This helps them track compliance, reduce manual work, and avoid administrative mistakes that could threaten authorisation.

Ingram Micro also offers one-click deployment templates for Azure, built using Azure Resource Manager and Bicep. These templates reduce configuration risk, speed up deployment and support Microsofts emphasis on secure, repeatable patterns. Professional services support extends to VMwaretoAzure migrations, Dynamics 365 implementations and Copilot readiness assessments.

Many partners lack inhouse specialisation in these areas, despite rising customer demand for them. Ingram Micro says its services enable partners to take on larger opportunities without additional permanent headcount.

According to De Suza, Weve supported CSP partners since the earliest days of the program. Our New Zealand partners now depend on our guidance through this transition, our technical depth and our ability to help them scale.

How to stay authorised and keep growing

Ingram Micro is inviting partners to join its ecosystem for structured enablement, deployment frameworks and professional services aligned to Microsofts updated CSP standards.

The goal is to help partners maintain authorisation, build operational resilience and compete effectively in a maturing cloud market.

For Ingram Micro New Zealands partners assessing the impact of the CSP changes, the path forward is clear. Those who modernise processes now, strengthen delivery capability and build scalable operational frameworks will protect customer relationships and be well placed to capture the next phase of cloud growth.

How to navigate the Microsoft CSP program changes | Xvantage



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IT services provider DTSL has appointed former Datacom managing director Mark Muru as its new group chief executive officer.

In a statement, the company said Muru was taking over the reins from DTSL founder Ian McGough, who was stepping down as managing director after leading the company for over 29 years. McGough is moving into a strategic role focused on mergers and acquisitions, and high-level client engagement, while Muru would focus on the companys long-term direction and growth.

According to McGough, Murus the appointment was part of a carefully sculpted plan for the company.

Mark agreed to spend six months with me in the business scoping out the growth potential I had laid the foundation for. A great deal has been achieved over those six months and were both really pleased that potential was confirmed, McGough said.

McGough founded DTSL in 1997 with a strategy centred on nationwide field services supporting large IT vendors, complemented by managed services for direct client engagement and growth through acquisition. The company now has 16 branches across New Zealand and completed over 20 acquisitions under McGoughs leadership, DTSL said.

With over 30 years of experience as an ICT professional, Muru joined DTSL after 21 years with Datacom. In that time, he grew Datacoms Wellington operation from 400 to 1,200 staff, and was responsible for its public sector vertical across Australia and New Zealand.

Muru said McGough had built an exceptional company and a legacy of trust which he aimed to continue.

My focus is on the future. I want to build on this foundation and accelerate our growth, he said.
A day after being released in a US-brokered deal with Minsk, several Belarusian political prisoners who spent more than four years behind bars said they had no regrets for standing up to authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Speaking to reporters on December 14 in the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, prominent figures in the 2020 opposition movement Viktar Babaryka and Maryya Kalesnikava told reporters they felt they won a battle despite losing years of their lives.

"There are times when we face difficult questions and have to make difficult choices. I made this difficult choice very easily because I was and remain absolutely certain that I supported the right idea, I supported my values.... There are many of us like this, I am not alone.... If at critical moments you can, then you should," said Kalesnikava.

Disputed 2020 Election

One of the leaders of protests that followed a disputed presidential election in August 2020 that handed Lukashenko a sixth term in office, Kalesnikava was sentenced to 11 years in prison in September 2021 for creating an extremist organization and posing a threat to national security, among other charges.

Kalesnikava was one of 123 political prisoners released under the deal clinched after Washington indicated it was lifting sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports.

Other notable prisoners freed included another prominent figure in the 2020 opposition movement, Viktar Babaryka, along with Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatski.

Belarus has been subject to crippling Western sanctions imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has conducted a series of prisoner releases, although hundreds of people -- many classified as political prisoners -- remain in custody.

"We are glad that so many people have been released, and of course, we are waiting for further steps," Kalesnikava said.

Babaryka, who also spoke at the press conference, also noted that hundreds of political prisoners remain in Belarus, saying "it would be a great betrayal" to forget them.

"I do not regret what I did," the one-time presidential hopeful said.

"We did not lose, we won. We did not receive a prize, but we turned out to be stronger."

Babaryka was sentenced in July 2021 to 14 years in prison on charges of bribe-taking and money laundering that he and his supporters have called political retribution for challenging Lukashenko.

The opposition and Western governments say Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was driven into exile, won the vote, which has not been recognized by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries.

Thousands have been detained since the vote and there have been credible reports of the torture and ill-treatment of detainees by security forces. Several people have died during the crackdown.

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has authorized several prisoner releases over the past year as he seeks to improve relations with the West after being isolated over his record on human rights and democratic freedoms.

The Belarus strongman, who has ruled with an iron fist since 1994, is hoping better ties will lead to an easing of Western sanctions, imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"Humanitarian diplomacy saves lives, but we can't forget that the illegitimate regime still terrorizes our people & supports Russia's war," Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on X after the release.

"Our goal remains unchanged: freedom for all political prisoners & a democratic, independent Belarus," she added.

Conversation With Trump

US President Donald Trump, who surprised many by speaking to Lukashenko by phone in August, said in September he believed the Eastern European nation would be releasing many of the hundreds of political prisoners it was holding.

Human rights group Vyasna, which was founded by Byalyatski, says that as of November 30, a total of 1,222 political prisoners were being held in Belarus, including 199 women. It added that since September, the group has designated over 150 new individuals as political prisoners.

"Negotiating the release of individuals in exchange for concessions to an authoritarian regime undermines the fundamental principles of how democracies should engage with such regimes," Aleksandr Morozov, a Russian journalist and researcher at the Boris Nemtsov Academic Center at Charles University in Prague, said in an interview with RFE/RL's Belarus Service.

"Lukashenko does not free people under pressure; he does so as part of a deal -- a trade, a mutually beneficial exchange. It is an exchange, not a unilateral concession," he added.

Unlike a previous release last month that saw 31 prisoners leave Belarus for neighboring Lithuania, the December 13 deal saw all but nine travel to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists on December 14, according to Ukrinform, that prior to the release, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov had reported to him that "the Belarusian side was ready to hand over political prisoners but did not want to do so through other EU countries."

"If Ukraine agreed, they were prepared to carry out the transfer through our territory. I unequivocally supported this initiative and confirmed our readiness to receive the prisoners, because the issue of political prisoners is important: among them are citizens of Ukraine, and it is necessary to bring back both our own citizens and Belarusian political prisoners," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying.
BRUSSELS -- The European Union will meet for high-level talks to discuss Beijing's increasing support for Moscow and to parse evidence that China may be sending weapons to Russia to be used on the battlefield in Ukraine, three EU diplomats told RFE/RL.

Foreign ministers from the bloc's 27 members will meet on December 15 for talks to discuss China's deepening ties with Russia, with an EU diplomat saying that Brussels sees "Chinese support increasing."

"What we are seeing is that without China's support for Russia in this war, Russia probably would not be able to do what it's doing," an EU diplomat told RFE/RL, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive issues.

A separate EU diplomat added the meeting will focus on recent information of potential Chinese weapons deliveries to Russia that are being used in Ukraine, which, if confirmed, would mark a new level of support from Beijing beyond the steady supply of dual-use goods with civilian and military applications that has boosted the Kremlin's war effort since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The official did not comment on what types of Chinese weaponry or equipment could be deployed in Ukraine. Chinese parts have been a key component of Russia's drone industry, which forms a vital part of the broader war effort in Ukraine -- from surveillance to kamikaze attacks -- and Ukrainian intelligence said in October that China was passing on satellite intelligence to Russia on targets in Ukraine.

Beijing claims it is neutral in the nearly four-year war and repeatedly said it has not provided weapons to Russia, but China has also continued to deepen political and economic ties with Moscow, including maintaining its status as a top customer for Russian oil and a growing trade partner.

But China's deepening ties to Russia have put Beijing in Europe's crosshairs, with the EU saying in July that China, including Hong Kong, is responsible for "approximately" 80 percent of the circumventions of sanctions against Russia.

In addition to its signs of increasing support for Moscow, EU ministers will also focus on the bloc's economic ties with China, including Chinese export controls placed on strategic rare earth minerals, security issues in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, and ongoing geo-economic tensions over the Dutch-based but Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia.

The French and German foreign ministers will also debrief other EU ministers on the recent visits to Beijing this month, where both delegations raised the issue of China's close ties to Russia.

In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing couldn't accept Russia's defeat in the war as it would free up Washington to focus on China. The comments were first reported by the South China Morning Post and later confirmed by RFE/RL.

Ukrainian Service correspondent Zoriana Stepanenko reported from Brussels. China global affairs correspondent Reid Standish reported from Prague.
Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi says she was violently beaten and arrested by security forces in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad and later accused of "cooperation with the State of Israel," in the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's first comments since she was detained last week.

In an account relayed by her family of a brief phone call she made after several days without contact, Mohammadi said in a post on a social media account operated by her foundation that she endured significant physical abuse during her arrest and detention.

Mohammadi said she "was attacked with severe and continuous blows to the head and neck with a baton and then violently arrested."

As she was beaten, she said, she was threatened and told: "We will make your mother mourn for you."

Mohammadi's family said she was not in good physical condition during the call and urged her lawyers to file an immediate formal complaint against the security agency responsible for her arrest.

The 53-year-old, who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for her more than two decades of fighting for women's rights in Iran, had traveled to Mashhad on December 11 to attend a memorial marking the seventh day since the death of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights activist whose death has sparked controversy and allegations of foul play.

Mashhad Prosecutor Hassan Hematifar said on December 13 that 39 people were arrested at the memorial ceremony and that all remain in custody.

He said the gathering had been "organized and managed" by individuals linked to Alikordi, including his brother, Javad Alikordi, who was also arrested.

Witnesses and family members have said security forces disrupted the event, leading to clashes and violence.

Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadi's husband, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that she has also been accused of "leading" the gathering and steering it toward an anti-establishment rally. He said it was troubling that authorities were taking days to formally charge her, arguing the delay suggested they were "planning" something.

Mohammadi said the beatings were so severe she was taken twice to hospital emergency wards. She said she does not know which security body is currently detaining her.

According to her account, she was accused during and after her arrest of "cooperation with the State of Israel," a charge frequently used by Iranian authorities against political activists and dissidents.

Citing eyewitness accounts, the family said around 15 individuals took part in the attack on Mohammadi. Some reportedly pulled her hair while others beat her with batons and clubs. All were said to be dressed in plain clothes.

The family also said tear gas was used during the ceremony.

Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade behind bars.

She was serving a combined sentence of 13 years and nine months before being released on medical grounds in early December 2024. At the time of her latest arrest, she was reportedly still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Since her release, Mohammadi had resumed her human rights work, meeting with civil activists across Iran and taking part in international discussions, including virtual conferences with foreign audiences.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has condemned Mohammadi's "brutal arrest" and called on Iranian authorities "to immediately clarify Mohammadi's whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions."

Human rights activists Sepideh Gholian and Pouran Nazemi were also reportedly beaten during the clashes.

Several other detainees, including Alieh Motalebzadeh, Pouran Nazemi, and Hasti Amiri, have since made brief phone calls to their families.

Ghazal Abdollahi, the daughter of Alieh Motalebzadeh, said on X that her mother told her she had initially been held by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps before being transferred to the Intelligence Ministry's Mashhad office.

Abdollahi warned that her mother's health is at serious risk, noting that Motalebzadeh is a breast cancer survivor who has undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and requires regular medication and specialized care. She said her mother had been denied access to essential treatment while in detention.

The crackdown followed the death of Alikordi, who had previously been imprisoned and in recent years represented political prisoners and families seeking justice.

Alikordi died on December 5 in his office in Mashhad. Iranian authorities have said the cause of death was a heart attack, but his family and supporters have questioned the official explanation.

His brother, Javad Alikordi, a lawyer currently serving a sentence under electronic monitoring, has described the death as suspicious, citing the removal of surveillance cameras from the office.

Iranian authorities have released video of what they say shows Alikordi collapsing to the ground in his office. They say the grainy footage backs up their claim. Alikordi's family and supporters have questioned the veracity of the video.
US and Ukrainian officials said they made substantial progress in two days of talks aimed to bring an end to Russia's invasion closer, but questions remained about key issues including the fate of territory that Kyiv continues to hold in the eastern Donetsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on December 15 that the talks were tough but useful, and his chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said that "real progress" was achieved in Berlin with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner, among other US delegates.

"These conversations are always not easy, I'll be honest with you. But it was a productive conversation, with a lot of details, really a lot," Zelenskyy said at a German-Ukrainian Business Forum that followed the US-Ukraine meeting.

At a news conference later with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy said the sides "have differences" on the matter of territory, saying that the issue is "not closed."

He said that Ukrainian negotiators would continue talks with the US delegation, and a US official said Trump would call in to a joint dinner.

"The territorial issue is painful. We know 100 percent what Russia wants - and it is key for me that the Americans heard me on this," Zelenskyy said.

"I believe that the Americans, as mediators, will be probing various ways how to resolve issues" including territory and funding for Ukraine's reconstruction.

The Americans "are working extremely constructively to help Ukraine find a way to a peace agreement that lasts," Umerov wrote on X.

"We hope we will reach an agreement that will bring us closer to peace by the end of the day," he wrote, but it was not clear whether he meant that literally.

The Reuters news agency cited unnamed US officials as telling reporters that there was consensus on a number of matters and that 90 percent of the issues between Russia and Ukraine have been resolved, but that there was more to discuss. Officials said Trump was happy with where things stand.

Merz was upbeat, saying that the biggest chance for a real peace process since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 has now emerged, and that the US has offered a major material contribution to security guarantees for Ukraine, a key issue.

With the US pushing for a peace deal, a key issue has been the fate of the part of Donetsk region in Ukraine's east that Kyiv's forces still hold despite years of efforts by Russia to capture the Donbas, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in its entirety.

Merz told reporters that only Ukraine can decide on territorial concessions, and a US official was cited as making a similar remark.

On another crucial matter, a US official told reporters the US is offering Kyiv strong "really, really strong" security guarantees in line with NATO's Article Five -- which calls an attack on one ally an attack on all -- and expressed confidence that Russia would accept the proposed measures.

"Those guarantees will not be on the table forever. Those guarantees are on the table right now if there's a conclusion that's reached in a good way," the official said.

20-Point Plan

The meeting on December 15 followed five hours of US-Ukraine talks a day earlier. After those talks, Witkoff said on X that "[a] lot of progress was made in "in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more." He did not provide details.

The 20-point plan emerged after Ukraine and its European backers scrambled to make counterproposals after the United States came out with a 28-point plan that echoed some of Moscow's positions and was widely seen as favorable to Russia.

"In my view, the most important thing is that the plan be as fair as possible -- first and foremost for Ukraine, because it was Russia that started this war," Zelenskyy said in a WhatsApp chat with reporters before the talks on December 14. "And above all, it must be workable."





Could The EU Use Frozen Russian Assets To Help Ukraine?

Meanwhile, European Union leaders are set to decide at a summit on December 18 whether the EU can use tens of billions in frozen Russian assets to back a large loan to Ukraine, whose economy is struggling nearly four years into the all-out war.

"If we do not succeed in this, then the European Union's ability to act will be severely damaged for years, if not longer, and we will show the world that we are incapable of standing together and acting at such a crucial moment in our history," Merz said.

Another barrier to peace is the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion in an effort to subjugate Ukraine, has given few indications he is prepared to make meaningful concessions.

Zelenskyy said on December 14 that Ukraine is ready to drop its desire to join NATO, at least for now, but that ironclad Western security guarantees are needed to ensure Russia does not attack again at some point after a peace deal is reached.

"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.

That is "already a compromise from our part," he said, adding that any such guarantees should be legally binding.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 15 that a bar against Ukraine joining NATO is a "cornerstone" of any peace deal in the Kremlin's eyes, and that Russia expects to hear from US officials following the talks in Berlin, which Moscow was not involved in.

In the chat before the talks on December 14, Zelenskyy pushed back against proposals that would require Kyiv to cede, even de facto, the portion of the Donetsk region that its forces still hold. And if Ukraine does have to pull back from the front lines in the Donbas, he suggested that Russian forces would have to do so as well.

Zelenskyy said that the US is proposing creating a "free economic zone" in the part of the Donetsk region that Kyiv still controls, with Ukrainian forces withdrawing and Russian forces forbidden to enter.

Putin adviser Yury Ushakov, however, repeated the Kremlin's baseless claim that Donetsk and Luhansk are Russian territory and said Moscow would deploy National Guard troops and police in any demilitarized zone there.

Zelenskyy said last week that any potential territorial concession should be put to a vote by the Ukrainian populace. And on December 14, he said that if "Ukrainian forces withdraw 510 kilometers, for example, why would Russian forces not also withdraw the same distance deeper into the occupied territories?"

"So this is a question that remains unanswered for now. But it is extremely sensitive and very heated," he said.

Trump has been seeking to broker and end to the war since he took office for a second time in January of this year, but progress has been slow and Putin has said Russia will achieve its goals by force if it cannot do so through diplomacy.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said last week that Trump is extremely frustrated with both sides of this war.

Russian forces have continued to bombard cities across Ukraine and try to press forward on the front lines in the east and south amid the latest flurry of diplomatic meetings.

Ukraine main security service, the SBU, said on December 15 that Ukrainian forces struck and caused critical damage to a Russian submarine in the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, where part of Russia's fleet is based.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that before any steps on the battlefield, a clear understanding of security guarantees is needed.

"We are discussing security guarantees. My signal on security guarantees. Before taking any steps on the battlefield, the military and civilians must clearly understand what the security guarantees will be. Understanding. This is crucial. Since the US is not offering us NATO membership. () We are working on Article 5-like format of guarantees. We are now working to have everything written out," the president said at a press conference following the talks in Berlin.

According to the president, there is progress on military details as well, although this is only the first draft. "The issue of monitoring and accountability is part, in my opinion, of security guarantees. Who is monitoring, in what format. And what are the sanctions for violating it," he said.

"The issue of monitoring the ceasefire, accountability for its violation, and presence on the contact line is part of these guarantees and is currently being worked out," the president said.

At the same time, Bloomberg said Zelenskyy proposes to abandon Ukraine's desire to join NATO as part of an agreement to end the war with Russia, it reports.

According to the publication, instead, the Ukrainian president wants to conclude a number of agreements with countries that will be similar to a collective defense pact under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. "That puts the onus on President Donald Trump and European leaders to follow through on their oft-declared support for Ukraine's independence by making hard-nosed commitments to apply military power against any future Russian attack," the article reads.
Ukraine will on December 16 move closer to getting compensation for the damage caused by Russia since its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Senior politicians -- likely including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen -- will go to the Hague to adopt a new convention that will set up an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

In a sense, this is the second of three steps that Kyiv needs to take in order to get compensation down the line. The first such step was taken in 2023 when the Council of Europe set up a Register of Damage for Ukraine, which records compensation claims for damage, loss, or injury caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. So far the register has received well over 60,000 claims from countries, organizations, and individuals.

The third and final step is to set up a compensation fund. Such a fund would likely be administered by the Council of Europe or one of its member states and contain money, most likely from frozen Russian assets, to be channeled to Kyiv.

European officials have told RFE/RL that the register and claims commission will certainly play a part in future Russian reparations in one way or another and will likely will be a part of any peace deal.

What Will The International Claims Commission Actually Do?

While the register has so far collected and recorded claims and gathered evidence for compensation, the future commission will go further by determining the type and amount of compensation due, if any. They will be looking at events from the outbreak of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

The claims apply to the entirety of Ukraines internationally recognized borders, including land Russia has held since the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the subsequent outbreak of fighting in the Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

It also includes Ukraine's airspace, inland waterways, and territorial seas, as well as aircrafts and vessels under the jurisdiction of Kyiv.

Once up and running, three panels will be created to assess all the claims, and member countries are expected to send their national experts in areas such as international law, dispute resolution, insurance, and damage assessment.

The convention on setting up the claims commission will enter into force once the 25 participating states have ratified it. That is something that should happen relatively quickly given the register was backed by 41 countries, including all EU member states bar Hungary. Diplomats have told RFE/RL that a similar number of states are expected to ratify.

The Netherlands has been the driving force on compensation for Ukraine, playing a key role on drafting the convention and getting it approved by various Council of Europe bodies in the last year.

And while both the register and commission have a strong European character and are set up within the institutional framework of the Council of Europe, the initiative is open to countries around the world. In fact, it was a resolution dealing with future reparations to Ukraine passed in the United Nations General Assembly back in 2022 that got the ball rolling.

Curiously, Russia is also free to join both as a fully fledged member and as an "observer" even though European officials RFE/RL has spoken to see this as highly unlikely. If Moscow were to become a member in the future, it would have to foot the bill for the entire commission, which now is likely to be carried out by in-kind contributions from participating states.
A Roscommon actor will feature in a BBC docu-drama on the Titanic later this month.

Kiltoom man Rhys Mannion will play Jack Thayer in Titanic Sinks Tonight, beginning on BBC 2 Sunday, December 28th at 9pm.

A 17 year old American, Jack was a first class passenger, sailing on Titanic with his family.

The only child of railroad magnate John Borland Thayer and socialite Marian Thayer, he lived a very sheltered life of wealth and privilege among the elites of Pennsylvania.

Jack and his parents were returning to America from holidaying in Europe and were travelling in first class cabins on D deck that cost 10,000 each.

This four-part series explores a vast archive of eyewitness testimony, documenting the sinking of Titanic through the experiences of the passengers and crew who were there.

The programme-makers have meticulously pieced together first-hand testimony. Gathered from letters, telegrams, newspaper interviews, radio interviews, memoirs and the US and UK public enquiries into the disaster, this testimony has then been recreated by a cast of actors who vividly portray what it was like to be on board the night Titanic sank.

The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 1,500 lives.
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

The discovery of an invasive species of mussel for the first time in Northern Ireland will add further pressure to the beleaguered freshwater system, environment minister Andrew Muir has said.

The first confirmed case of the quagga mussel has been reported in Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.

Quagga mussels originate from Eastern Europe and can threaten native animals and plants.

They can also block water pipes, which can cause flooding and infect water supplies.

The North's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir (Niall Carson/PA)

Officials are now identifying other waterways in the region to be checked for the presence of the species.

Scientists from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) collected samples that were confirmed following DNA analysis at Queens University Belfast.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the quagga mussel is a small bivalve mollusc similar to the invasive non-native zebra mussel.

The species has spread rapidly from its native region in Ukraine during the last few decades through Western Europe and to North America and Mexico.

Increased vigilance and surveillance is critical Andrew Muir

It was first recorded in Britain in 2014 and in Loughs Ree and Derg in Ireland and in the main River Shannon system in 2021.

The department said quagga occupy a wider range of depths than zebra mussels and will eventually outcompete and displace them.

They can spread through recreational boating, angling traffic, trailered craft travelling overland and the transfer of equipment such as paddle boards or canoes.

Mr Muir said: This confirmation that the highly invasive quagga mussel has arrived in Northern Ireland represents another significant pressure to our already beleaguered freshwater system.

Increased vigilance and surveillance is critical.

My officials are engaging with stakeholders and public agencies to alert them to this arrival and the need for enhanced biosecurity measures.

Cross-border engagement also continues through the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative.

There is no effective control or eradication method for quagga mussel once it has established in a water body Rose Muir

Rose Muir from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) invasive non-native species team said: There is no effective control or eradication method for quagga mussel once it has established in a water body.

The best method of slowing the spread and reducing the risk to other water bodies is by applying better biosecurity through the Check, Clean, Dry approach.

We are urging all water users to follow this protocol strictly when moving between water bodies.

This underlines the need for enhanced surveillance across connected systems, including Lough Neagh, and strict biosecurity to limit further spread Dr Kevin Gallagher

Dr Kevin Gallagher, senior scientific officer at the AFBI, said: The confirmation of quagga mussel in Lower Lough Erne is significant given the connectivity of major water bodies.

Once established, this species can spread rapidly and cause substantial ecological and economic impacts, including altered food webs and infrastructure fouling.

This underlines the need for enhanced surveillance across connected systems, including Lough Neagh, and strict biosecurity to limit further spread.

DAERA urges greater vigilance as Quagga mussel confirmed in Lower Lough Erne  first confirmed record in Northern Ireland.



Read more: https://t.co/NBM302jAnx pic.twitter.com/b6JXbJtbgQ  DAERA (@daera_ni) December 15, 2025

Daera said the arrival of the quagga most likely came from a connected invasion along the ShannonErne corridor.

A statement said: It is therefore plausible that quagga are already present but undetected in intermediate waterbodies, including Upper Lough Erne.

Officials are planning to identify those waters that should also be sampled by assessing the potential pathways for the spread of quagga mussels into other water bodies.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas states that as of now there is no common position among the European Union member states on the "reparation loan" to Ukraine, but she is convinced: the one who causes damage  and this is Russia  must pay for the damage caused to Ukraine.

She said at a press conference in Brussels on Monday that there had been a brief discussion about the "reparation loan," as the leaders were expected to address the issue on Thursday during the European Council meeting, and preparatory work was underway to find a solution.

Kallas maintained that a positive decision could become a turning point in the war, as it would demonstrate to Russia that it must bear responsibility for the losses inflicted on Ukraine. At the same time, the High Representative said the matter was being resolved with great difficulty. She added that Belgium's concerns had also been heard that day, and she believed that everyone at the negotiating table understood those concerns and was prepared to share the burden. In her view, if work on the "reparation loan" continued, the pressure on Belgium would in fact be eased, since the burden and the risk would be shared among all member states. In that case, she argued, it would become a European proposal for which Europe as a whole, not Belgium, would assume responsibility.

Kallas expressed hope that the leaders would achieve results at the European Council meeting on Thursday. However, she also acknowledged how difficult the process was and said she did not want to make any predictions, emphasizing that the work was ongoing.

She said the "reparation loan" was a viable option because it was based on the principle that those who cause damage must compensate for it. Since Russia was causing damage to Ukraine, she stressed that frozen Russian assets were currently the best available option.
Eggoz controversy: FSSAI Directs offices to collect samples of branded, unbranded Eggs across India

News agency ANI reported about the development, citing sources on Monday.

Eggoz controversy: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked regional offices to collect samples of branded and unbranded eggs and to send samples for testing at 10 laboratories across the country to check the presence of nitrofurans, News agency ANI reported, citing sources on Monday.

Eggoz has been in the news recently after concerns were raised over the safety of the Eggoz brand eggs.

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In Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to collect samples and conduct laboratory testing, News First Prime reported.

Following the directions, FSSAI officials have begun collecting egg samples across the state. Samples of Eggoz brand eggs have been gathered from multiple locations and sent to laboratories for detailed analysis. The result, it said, is expected to come within the next 14 days.

(For more news apart from Eggoz controversy: FSSAI Directs offices to collect samples of branded, unbranded Eggs across India" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
According to their lawyers, the accused have denied the charges, claiming political motivation behind the investigation. File Photo.

The matter was adjourned for further proceedings on December 19, 2025, the court was informed.

CBI Verifies Most Accused in Lalu Prasad Yadavs Land-for-Jobs Case



The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed a Delhi court on Monday about the land-for-jobs scam involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav that it had largely completed the verification of all accused in the case. According to CBI officials, the disclosure was made during hearings before Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne, who is adjudicating whether sufficient evidence exists to frame formal charges against the accused.

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According to the prosecutions submission to the court, out of the 103 individuals named as accused in the case, four have died, and the agency is in the process of filing a Death Verification Report for one of the deceased, Ashwani Kumar Malhotra, while completing the remaining formal verifications. The matter was adjourned for further proceedings on December 19, 2025, the court was informed.

The alleged scam dates back to appointments made in the Group-D category of the Indian Railways West Central Zone based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during Lalu Prasad Yadavs tenure as Union Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. The CBI has alleged that these appointments were made in return for land parcels gifted or transferred by recruits to Yadavs family members and associates at undervalued rates, a practice said to be in violation of established recruitment norms.

Chargesheets filed by the agency include Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, their son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, and several others, asserting that the transactions involved benami properties and constituted criminal misconduct and criminal conspiracy. According to their lawyers, the accused have denied the charges, claiming political motivation behind the investigation.

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According to CBI officials, in recent weeks, the court had deferred its order on framing charges and directed the CBI to file a status report on the accused, after which the agency indicated substantial progress in verification. The case remains under active judicial scrutiny as the next hearing approaches.

Source: Hindustan Times




Maval, Pune: 32-year-old Man confesses to Murder of 5-year-old child, says police

The accused is originally from Jharkhand and had been living near her home.

ACP Balasaheb Kopnar, Maval, Pune, confirmed on Monday that the accused has confessed to the murder of a girl child, who had gone missing on Saturday evening.

The police officer told the news agency ANI that after receiving a call about the missing child, a thorough investigation was carried out, and CCTV footage was checked.

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During the investigation, it was found out that a person identified as Sameer Kumar Mandal, aged 32, had taken the victim away between 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm on the pretext of giving her a chocolate, the officer said.

#WATCH | Maval, Pune: ACP Balasaheb Kopnar says, "After receiving a call about the kidnapping of a girl, our team conducted a thorough investigation... After searching the whole area and with the help of CCTV footage, we got information that Sameer Kumar Mandal, aged 32, had pic.twitter.com/2Me8CXSnzp  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

The accused has now allegedly confessed to the murder.

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When we took him into custody and interrogated him, it was revealed that he had murdered her. We have sent the victim's body for a post-mortem, ACP Balasaheb Kopnar confirmed.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the girl child, 5 years old, went missing on Saturday evening and was later found sexually abused and murdered in bushes near her home in Shirgaon, Maval taluka, on Sunday.

The accused is originally from Jharkhand and had been living near her home.

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The accused works as a labourer in a private company and lives near the victims home. He killed the child by strangulation and later disposed of her body in the nearby area, Balasaheb Kopnar, ACP of the Dehuroad division, is quoted as saying in the report.

Vishal Patil, senior police inspector at Shirgaon Parandwadi police station, cited in the HT report, said that the victims parents work as labourers, and the child was at home with her elder brother before the incident.

The accused has been booked under the section of 137(2), 64(1), 65(2), 103(1), of the BNS and sections 4, 5 (I), 5 (M), 6, 8, 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and further investigation is underway, HT report said.

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(For more news apart from Maval, Pune: 32 32-year-old confesses to Murder of 5-year-old child, says police" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
The minister addressed delegates at the event and underscored the government's determination to make Punjab the most startup-friendly state in North India. File Photo.

He noted that a notable prize fund for 24 startup teams.

Punjab Aims to Become North Indias Leading Startup Hub: Minister Sanjeev Arora

Industry and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora said on Monday that Punjab is positioning itself as a leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurship in North India and the state government is committed to building a supportive ecosystem for startups. The announcement was made at the Startup & Innovation Conclave 2025. The event was organised by TiE Chandigarh, which brought together founders, investors, industry experts and ecosystem enablers to discuss growth, challenges and collaboration opportunities for emerging enterprises.

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The minister addressed delegates at the event and underscored the governments determination to make Punjab the most startup-friendly state in North India. He said the state was doing its best as far as startups are concerned and highlighted that policy support, investment facilitation and transparent decision-making would be central to this vision. He emphasised the need for fast decisions, clear policies and a strong ecosystem to make Punjab a competitive hub for new ventures.

The minister also acknowledged the role of strategic partnerships and industry networks. He stated that Punjabs geographic advantages, connectivity and strong global diaspora could be leveraged to attract investment and talent. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of TiE Chandigarh in nurturing entrepreneurship and fostering global linkages for startups.

Puneet Verma, President of TiE Chandigarh, shared insights into the organisations work and highlighted philanthropic contributions supporting early-stage startups. He noted that a notable prize fund for 24 startup teams, drawn from both the TiE University (TiEU) and TiE Women programmes, was made possible through support from a US-based charitable trust.

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British Deputy High Commissioner to Chandigarh Alba Smeriglio, the guest of honour at the conclave, congratulated participants and stressed the regions potential on the global stage. She highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and urged closer collaboration to build bridges of opportunity for startups in Punjab.

The conclave served as a platform to showcase Punjabs startup progress and reiterate the states ambition to become North Indias go-to startup destination, supported by proactive governance and inclusive ecosystem initiatives.



Source: Hindustan Times
From lovers to a deadly end: Woman murdered in Ludhiana hotel, lover's private parts severed

Following the incident, sources said that Amit tried to mislead doctors and the police.

From lovers to becoming the reason for ones death and anothers severed private parts, a case has come to light from Ludhiana's Jalandhar in Punjab, where a womans body was found in a hotel two days ago.

Police revealed that the woman was murdered by her lover, identified as Amit Nishad, 25.

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According to a report by the Indian Express, Nishad was in a relationship with the victim, 25. The victim, a married woman with two children, was undergoing divorce proceedings with her husband.

Nishad and the victim had come to the hotel room to spend time together when the incident reportedly unfolded. It is being reported that the woman allegedly pressured Amit to marry her, following which she cut his private parts, allegedly with a "blade". A blade was recovered from the room.

During the incident, Amit strangled her to death.

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Following the incident, Nishad fled the hotel located near Dana Mandi to obtain treatment. Police cited in the report said that he was currently undergoing treatment at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.

Sameer Verma, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Ludhiana cited in the IE's report, said that the accused was about to marry another woman.

Nishad and Victim had decided to meet for the last time on Friday, police stated. The couple had booked the hotel from 12 pm to 4 pm, but the accused left the hotel in a hurry after about half an hour. When hotel staff checked the room after 4 pm, the woman's body was found lying with her nose bleeding, and with some injuries on her face. She was later declared dead.

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Police soon traced the accused, who was located at a private clinic in Sector 32, Chandigarh, from where, the Indian Express report said, he was referred to Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), Ludhiana. By Friday evening, the police shifted him to PGIMER after his condition worsened.

Following the incident, sources said that Amit tried to mislead doctors and the police. It is now being reported that Amit has confessed to the murder during interrogation by the police.

Rekha, the victims post-mortem will be conducted today at the Civil Hospital.

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Also Read: Feared Interference in Marriage: Man Kills, Severs Head of Live-in Partner in Haryana

(For more news apart from Bondi Beach Shooting: Gunman Opens Fire, 3 killed, 7 more feared dead" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Dennis Deletant and Romanias history seen from Great Britain

Dennis Deletant is one of the most prominent foreign scholars from the second half of the 20th century to write about Romania.

The History Show

Steliu Lambru, 15.12.2025, 14:00

The History Show: Dennis Deletant and Romanias history seen from Great Britain

Among the foreign historians who have studied the history of Romania, the name of the British Dennis Deletant stands out for the diversity and the meticulousness of his academic output. He and the American historian Keith Hitchins (1931-2020) dedicated an important part of their studies and research to the history of Romania and can be considered the most prominent foreign scholars from the second half of the 20th century to write about Romania.

Born in 1946 in Norfolk, the UK, Dennis Deletant studied history at the University of London and became a professor at University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies. His work includes books on the political history of Romania in the 20th century, the history of Romanian communism, the history of communist intelligence services in post-communism, and the clandestine activities of the British in Romania during World War II. Because of his pro-democratic activities, the regime led by Nicolae Ceausescu declared him persona non-grata before 1989. He is the recipient of the Order of the British Empire awarded by the British state and of the Cultural Merit by the Romanian state. He also won the title of doctor honoris causa from several universities.

Dennis Deletants latest book is about Romania under communism, a synthesis of the political, economic and cultural implications of the communist regime between 1945 and 1989. At the launch, the British historian referred to one of the major themes in contemporary Romanian political history that he and others have written about, namely the identity crisis of the Romanian Communist Party in the interwar period:

What happened immediately after World War I in the ranks of the Socialist Party? Most of its members were not Romanian. The documents weve had access to, including Soviet documents, show that the Socialist Party of Romania in the early 1920s was dominated by members who were from the ethnic minorities in Romania. With difficulty, the Comintern found a Romanian first secretary for the Communist Party of Romania, Gheorghe Cristescu, who ended up in communist prisons after 1944. He was the only Romanian first secretary in the ranks of the Romanian Communist Party during the interwar period. All the other first secretaries were chosen from among the members of the ethnic minorities in Romania and it is easy to understand why these leaders led the party in the direction of Moscow.

The Romanian Communist Party pursued a policy that was against the Romanian state, which the latter declaring it a terrorist group in 1924 and outlawing it. A move Dennis Deletant views as justified:

The Romanian Communist Party at that time adopted an anti-Romanian policy in the sense that it wanted provinces like Bessarabia to join the Soviet Union. Of course, these policies antagonised and angered most Romanians. The Romanian Communist Party had no chance of coming to power with such Stalin-inspired policies in the interwar period.

In his writings, Dennis Deletant also drew on face-to-face interviews with prominent historical figures. One such man was Gheorghe Apostol, Nicolae Ceausescus competitor for the leadership position in 1965, following the death of Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej:

Mr. Apostol, who welcomed me to his home, after the Revolution, of course, told me all sorts of absolutely fascinating things. It was clear that he was very angry with Ceausescu at the time. Of course, both of them were in competition for the position of leader of the Communist Party after the death of Dej. Apostol never really got over the fact that he lost the contest, lets call it that. I realised that he simply couldnt stand the impertinent Ceausescu.

The depths of Dennis Deletants books even earned him the respect of some of the people who used to be part of the communist regimes security police:

I was doing research at the National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives for my book on Antonescu and August 23, 1944 when a gentleman I knew came up to me. I knew he was from the Romanian Intelligence Service, and gave me some sheets of paper containing Apostols letter. Even today, without asking, I receive documents about the communist era even from former Securitate officers, who perhaps have some unfinished business and who want to give me certain details. I receive them with great pleasure, of course. This reminds me of what Mr. Virgil Magureanu [the first head of the Romanian Intelligence Service in the post-communist period] told me in the summer of 1993, in an incident that I recounted in my memoirs. Thats when I received access to the Securitate archive and found documents there that apparently no longer exist in todays archive of National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives. When Mr. Magureanu approved my access, I asked him why he was giving me permission, as a foreigner? His answer was that he trusted me and that he didnt trust others. This was my luck that being from outside, people trust me and my fairness.

Dennis Deletants work has contributed to shedding more light on contemporary Romanian history and helped form new generations of Romanian historians after 1989.
December 15, 2025

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 15.12.2025, 13:55

Parliament to debate and vote motions

The joint plenary of Parliament is debating and voting today on a motion of no confidence filed by self-styled populist sovereignists against the pro-European coalition government. The motion calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojans government, accusing it of failing to manage finances, healthcare, education, social protection, justice and public administration. The Romanian people deserve more than empty promises and policies that impoverish them. They deserve a government that serves national interests, not business deals dictated by foreign interests, the motions signatories declare. The document also demands the withdrawal of USR (pro-Western, centrist) from government. PSD lawmakers announced they will not vote for the motion of no confidence, but will reassess their relations with other coalition parties in the coming period.

Also today, the Senate is debating and voting on a simple motion initiated by AUR (sovereignist opposition) against Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu, held responsible for the water crisis affecting two southern counties. Diana Buzoianu reiterated that she will not resign, stressing that responsibility for the situation lies with local operators.

Official visits

Romanian President Nicusor Dan is this week undertaking visits to several states for talks on defense cooperation at EU level. He will also attend official meetings in Brussels focused primarily on supporting NATOs eastern flank countries in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The presidents first stop will be Finland, where he will meet representatives of the Finnish defense and aerospace industry and hold talks with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. He will also meet with members of the Romanian community.

On the second day of the visit, President Nicusor Dan will travel to Espoo, home to one of Europes leading applied research institutes. He will then attend the Summit of EU States on NATOs Eastern Flank, where discussions will center on EU support for these countries (including Romania), regional security and strategic coordination amid tensions generated by Russias aggression against Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu is attending todays Foreign Affairs Council meeting and related events taking place in Brussels. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agenda includes Russias aggression against Ukraine, with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha via videolink, developments in the Middle East, including Syria and Lebanon as well as China, with a focus on geopolitical and geo-economic aspects.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Oana Toiu will take part in an informal breakfast of EU foreign ministers with Armenias Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan. DPA notes that the Brussels meeting comes just days before a summit at which European leaders are expected to decide whether they are prepared to make frozen Russian state assets available to Ukraine in the form of loans, to cover the countrys long-term financial needs.

Protests against corruption in the judiciary

In Bucharest, as well as in other cities (Cluj, Timisoara, Iasi, Alba Iulia, Craiova), protests were once again held in support of an independent judiciary in Romania. Following the documentary released by Recorder, which exposed problems in the justice system with testimonies from magistrates themselves, demonstrators are calling for resignations at the top of the judicial hierarchy.

According to participants, the protest also represents a gesture of solidarity with judges and prosecutors who had the courage to criticize the state of the system. The countrys president, Nicusor Dan, who departed today for Finland to attend the summit of EU and NATO eastern flank states, conveyed that he shares societys concerns about the functioning of justice.

In a message posted on the X network, he assured that he will act within constitutional limits to defend judicial independence and the rule of law. Dan stated that the issues raised in the public sphere are serious but solvable. The president invited magistrates to talks on Monday, December 22, at 10:00 a.m. Until then, he awaits submissions regarding systemic problems from all those interested in participating in next weeks meeting.

Negotiations for peace in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US negotiators are meeting again today in Berlin, following five hours of talks held on Sunday. Kyiv hopes to convince Washington that a ceasefire in Ukraine must take place without prior territorial concessions to Russia, AFP reports. US envoy Steve Witkoff offered few details but assured on X that progress had been made during in-depth discussions on the peace plan.

Alongside the second round of US-Ukrainian talks, numerous European leaders are expected in Berlin on Monday evening to coordinate their positions during a closed-door dinner. Like Ukraine, they oppose yielding to Russias maximalist demands. They fear that US President Donald Trump may abandon Kyiv and that Europe could be sidelined in discussions on continental security, while the Kremlin is perceived as a major threat, AFP notes.

Energy

Romanias largest battery energy storage facility, with a capacity of 200 megawatts, has been rendered operational, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan has announced. The investment was completed in just six months, an exceptionally short timeframe for a project of such scale. In his view, storage is one of the most effective solutions to keep costs under control for Romanians, reduce imbalances in the system and better integrate energy produced by prosumers.

Investigation

Romanian prosecutors have opened an investigation into the suspicious death of former Justice Minister Rodica Stanoiu. Her body was exhumed today and transported to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, where forensic doctors will perform an autopsy to determine whether the former minister was assaulted or whether advanced age led to an accidental fall, judicial sources say.

The Prosecutors Office acted ex officio after information about the circumstances of her death appeared in the media. Just a few days before her passing, Rodica Stanoiu had been hospitalized, showing signs of head injuries and bruising around the eyes. The police was not notified. She was reportedly discharged by her partner, a man 50 years her junior. (VP)
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov, who took part in the two-day negotiations with the U.S. delegation in Berlin (Germany) on ending the war in Ukraine, called them constructive and expressed hope for the coordination of positions based on their results by the end of the current day.

"Over the past two days, Ukrainian-US negotiations have been constructive and productive, with real progress achieved. We hope we will reach an agreement that will bring us closer to peace by the end of the day," Umerov said on X on Thursday.

He said the U.S. team led by Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner is working "extremely constructively to help Ukraine find a way to a peace agreement that lasts." "The Ukrainian team is enormously grateful to President Trump and his team for all the efforts they are putting in," Umerov said.

As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Sunday, December 14, where the first round of talks between the Ukrainian delegation and U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner took place on the same day. The second round was held on Monday.
December 15, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

December 15, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 15.12.2025, 19:50

Motion. A no-confidence motion entitled Romania is not for sale  No progressives in the government submitted by a number of opposition MPs was rejected on Monday by Parliament, with only 139 votes in favor out of the 232 needed for the government be dismissed. Deputies and senators from the ruling coalition formed by the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania remained seated during voting. The motion demanded the resignation of the government led by the Liberal leader Ilie Bolojan over its inability to manage the countrys finance, healthcare, education, social protection, justice and public administration. The Romanian people deserve more than empty promises and impoverishing policies. They deserve a government that acts in the best interest of the people, not in that of business ordered by foreign interests, said the signatories of the motion, demanding that Save Romania Union be ousted from the government. Also on Monday, the Senate will debate and vote on the simple motion initiated by the Alliance for the Union of Romania, the sovereignist opposition, against the environment minister Diana Buzoianu, whom they hold responsible for a water crisis affecting two counties in the south of the country. Diana Buzoianu reiterated that she was not going to resign and that those responsible for the situation are to be found locally.

Visits. Romanian President Nicusor Dan is this week undertaking visits to several states for talks on EU cooperation on defence. He will also attend official meetings in Brussels focused primarily on supporting NATOs eastern flank countries in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The president arrived on Monday in Finland, where he met members of the Romanian community in that country. He is also due to meet representatives of the Finnish defence and aerospace industry and hold talks with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. President Nicusor Dan will next travel to Espoo, home to one of Europes leading applied research institutes. He will then attend the Summit of EU States on NATOs Eastern Flank, where talks will focus on EU support for these countries (including Romania), regional security and strategic coordination amid tensions generated by Russias aggression against Ukraine.

EU. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu on Monday attended the EUs Foreign Affairs Council and sideline events taking place in Brussels. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agenda of talks included Russias aggression against Ukraine, with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha via videolink, the situation in the Middle East, including in Syria and Lebanon, and China, with a focus on geopolitical and geo-economic aspects. On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Oana Toiu attended an informal breakfast of EU foreign ministers with Armenias Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan. Dpa news agency notes that the Brussels meeting comes just days before a summit where European leaders are expected to decide whether they are prepared to make frozen Russian state assets available to Ukraine in the form of loans, in order to cover Ukraines long-term financial needs.

Protests. New protests were held in Bucharest and other cities across the country in support of an independent judiciary. Following a documentary broadcast by independent media outlet Recorder, in which magistrates exposed some of the problems within the justice system, the demonstrators called for resignations at the top of the judicial hierarchy. The latter also said the protest was a means of expressing their solidarity with the judges and prosecutors who had the courage to criticize the situation in the judiciary. The countrys president, Nicusor Dan says he shares societys concerns about the functioning of the judiciary. In a message posted on X, he promised to act within constitutional limits to defend judicial independence and the rule of law. He said the issues raised in the public sphere are serious, but solvable. The president invited magistrates for talks on Monday, December 22, at 10:00 a.m. In the meantime, he said he was expecting all those interested in taking part in next weeks meeting to submit their concerns regarding systemic problems in the judiciary.

Ukraine. The White House views the negotiations between the US and Ukrainian delegations held in Berlin as productive, a senior Washington official said. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks of the US envoys with Russia regarding a possible resolution of the conflict were not easy. The German capital on Sunday and Monday hosted meetings between the American and Ukrainian delegations dedicated to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. The US delegation included the US presidents special envoy Steven Witkoff and Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side was represented by president Volodymyr Zelensky, the Secretary of the Security Council, Rustem Umerov, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andriy Hnatov. (CM)
Protests for the reform of the judiciary

Protests against the state of the Romanian judiciary continue

Photo: RRA / Petruta Obrejan

Daniela Budu, 15.12.2025, 14:00

Thousands took to the streets in recent days in Bucharest and elsewhere in the country, including Arad, Cluj, Timisoara, Sibiu, Iasi, Alba Iulia and Craiova, in support of an independent judiciary, following revelations in a documentary released by the online media outlet Recorder, regarding problems in the judiciary.

The protesters want the resignation of the High Court of Cassation and Justice chief Lia Savonea, and of the interior minister and former justice minister Catalin Predoiu. According to some magistrates, in 2022 during his term in office laws were endorsed that allowed for a pyramid structure in the judiciary, which is no longer accountable to anyone.

The protesters also demand that the current justice minister Radu Marinescu and the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Agency, Marius Voineag, step down. They call for changes in the structure of the judicial system and a new approach to the powers of the Higher Council of Magistrates, as well as the elimination of loopholes that allow criminal trials to be postponed until the statute of limitations expires. According to participants, rallies are also a sign of solidarity with the judges and prosecutors who had the courage to criticise the situation in the system.

Recorders investigation, called Justitie capturata (Captured Justice), made public on Tuesday, reveals examples of abuse in the Romanian judicial system. The release of the documentary drove a wedge between groups in the justice system. It triggered an aggressive response from the head of the Bucharest Court of Appeals, an institution subordinated to the Higher Council of Magistrates, while on the other hand sparking solidarity against the abuse documented in the video, expressed by a growing number of magistrates in the country, starting with Laura Codruta Kovesi, the chief prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutors Office.

Several prosecutors and judges, some with protected identities, have denounced the way in which the chiefs of the Bucharest Court of Appeals replace judges in panels in order to secure favorable rulings for individuals accused of corruption.

The judges department of the Higher Council of Magistrates announced that it had tasked the Judicial Inspection unit to investigate the issues reported in the Recorder documentary. Checks are also carried out by the Councils prosecutors department.

Meanwhile, a petition launched by the Declic and Funky Citizens online community and calling on the president and the prime minister to ensure the urgent amendment of the laws regulating the judiciary, has already been signed by about 170,000 people.

PM Ilie Bolojan announced the government set up a task force to review the legislation and suggest reforms.

Ilie Bolojan: We need to analyse the legislation, to see to what extent this legislation takes into account the facts, so that aspects related to the statute of limitations for certain offences are handled in a certain way, and the duration of trials is shortened. Aspects related to delegations and the possibility of interference so as to extend the length of certain trials should also be clearly regulated.

President Nicusor Dan invited magistrates who want to complain about problems in the Romanian justice system to a meeting without time limits on December 22. When 200 magistrates say there is an integrity problem in the justice system, things are very serious, the head of state argued. (AMP)
Sika AG (SKFOF.PK), a specialty chemicals company, on Monday said it has agreed to acquire Finja. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Finja, which generates net sales of about CHF 60 million, is a Swedish producer and system provider offering a comprehensive range of dry mortars, floor-leveling compounds, and facade systems.

Sika said the acquisition will broaden its product offering and customer reach, as the two companies' portfolios and customer bases are complementary. The deal is expected to create significant cross-selling opportunities and strengthen Sika's position as a one-stop supplier to both direct and distribution customers.

The company added that Finja's recent investments to enhance efficiency and expand production capacity at its two sites will allow Sika to increase local production and offer a wider range of locally manufactured solutions, supporting growth in Sweden and other Nordic countries.

In addition, Finja's expertise in low-carbon mortars, cold-climate solutions, and advanced digital tools is expected to strengthen Sika Sweden's growth platform and create opportunities to leverage these capabilities across other .

Christoph Ganz, Regional Manager EMEA, said, "The acquisition of Finja will provide us with great opportunities to increase our presence in the Nordic construction markets. With our global expertise and strong organization, we can leverage Finja's extensive product range, wide distribution network, and innovative digital tools to unlock substantial cross-selling potential and customer benefits."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will push for tougher gun laws at Monday's Cabinet meeting convened to discuss future course of action in the wake of the fatal Bondi beach terror attack.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in Sunday's attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration by the Jewish community on Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Reports quoting police said the attack was carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24.

Police shot Sajid to death at the scene, while Naveed is hospitalized in critical condition.

A 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and a young French national were among the victims of Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly three decades.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was one of the organizers of the "Chanukah by the Sea" event, also fell victim to the gunmen's bullets.

The father and son reportedly had links to the Islamic State.

"I will put on the agenda of the national cabinet tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals, a review of licences over a period of time," Albanese told the media Monday morning ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

"People's circumstances change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity," he told reporters.

Prime Minister Albanese termed the incident as "an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary Of State Marco Rubio called his Australian counterpart Penny Wong to discuss the terrorist attack.

"No community should have to fear publicly celebrating their faith and traditions due to the threat of extremist violence and terror. There can be no compromise with antisemitism - this scourge must be confronted and defeated," the State Department's spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Three Americans have been killed in a terrorist attack in Syria.

Two U.S. troops and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three soldiers were injured in an ambush by an Islamic State gunman, U.S. Central Command said in a press release.

The gunman was engaged and killed in the incident, which took place on Saturday, it added.

The Defense Department did not reveal the identities of the U.S. troops who were killed. It will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified, according to CENTCOM.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Ascletis Pharma Inc. (ASCLF.PK) today announced positive topline data from its U.S. Phase I study of ASC50, an oral IL-17 inhibitor in development for plaque psoriasis, showing strong target engagement and a pharmacokinetic profile that supports once-daily or potentially once-weekly oral dosing.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a biologically validated target for multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. Current therapies are largely injectable biologics, leaving a gap for oral alternatives.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled Phase I trial enrolled 46 healthy participants who received ascending doses of ASC50 ranging from 10 mg to 600 mg. The study met its objectives of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and target engagement.

The elimination half-life ranged from 43 to 104 hours across dose levels, supporting extended dosing intervals. ASC50 showed strong target engagement with elevated plasma IL-17A levels sustained through day 7 at higher doses. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed dose-proportional exposure from 10 mg to 600 mg. Safety outcomes were favourable, with all adverse events mild and transient, no serious adverse events reported, and no hepatic signals detected.

In non-human primate head-to-head studies, ASC50 demonstrated higher oral bioavailability, longer half-life, and lower clearance compared to LY4100511 (DC-853), another oral IL-17 inhibitor in development.

Based on these findings, ASC50 has advanced into a multiple ascending dose study in patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. The drug, discovered in-house using Ascletis' Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) platform, is protected by U.S. and global patents through 2043.

"These data demonstrate a favorable safety profile as well as a dose-dependent and differentiated pharmacokinetic profile of ASC50," said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis. "We are encouraged by these data as ASC50 is the first oral small molecule drug candidate in immunology developed from our Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) ."

ASCLF.PK has traded between $0.23 and $2.29 over the past year. The stock closed Friday's trading at $2.03.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The Spanish government has slapped Airbnb with a 64 million euros fine, claiming that the short-term rental service is promoting tens of thousands of illegal or prohibited properties.

According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, over 65,000 listings have violated consumer protection laws this including rentals that either lack proper licenses or have registration numbers that don't match up with official records.

With this ruling, Airbnb is required to pull the problematic ads.

Airbnb plans to fight the fine in court, arguing that the ministry's actions are at odds with Spanish regulations.

The company insists it's been collaborating closely with the Ministry of Housing since the new national rules for short-term rentals kicked in back in July, which included setting up a registration system.

This enforcement move comes as Spain faces challenges with mass tourism affecting housing affordability. Popular tourist hotspots have seen a spike in rents and property prices, leading to worries that short-term vacation rentals are driving locals out of their neighborhoods.

Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy noted that the government wants to ensure large companies stick to housing laws, especially during a time when there's a housing shortage.

Spain has been tightening its grip on short-term rentals, with protests taking place earlier this year in anticipation of the busy summer period.

Other major cities around the world, like Barcelona, New York, Paris, and Berlin, are also cracking down on platforms like Airbnb as they try to balance the needs of tourism with those of local housing.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
One of first offices for arms exports to be opened in Berlin  Zelenskyy

One of the first offices that will deal with arms exports and joint Ukrainian-German production projects will be opened in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the closing of the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum.

"There are practical results. And it is in Berlin that we are preparing one of the first offices that will deal with arms exports and joint production projects with your country, with Germany," Zelenskyy said, the press service of the President's Office reported on Monday.

According to him, "Germany is one of our largest trading partners in Europe, and it will remain so in the future."

"This is one of the key tasks of the Ukrainian government  to attract more companies, more contracts with Germany. This unites not only our and German economies, but also creates the basis for even greater interaction within the European Union, because one way or another it attracts neighbors," the president said.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner discussed mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit.

I met with President of the German Bundestag Julia Kloeckner. We discussed mechanisms that would make it possible to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. We appreciate Germanys leadership on this issue, Zelenskyy said on X Monday.

According to him, the two sides discussed efforts to end the war, establish a dignified peace, and ensure security.

"Thank you to Julia Kloeckner and the entire Bundestag for their support of Ukraine, specifically for allocating EUR 11.5 billion in defense aid next year. This will help our soldiers and the country as a whole defend themselves against Russian aggression," the president emphasized.
Rammstein meeting will take place on Tuesday, with Rutte taking part

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate in a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense (the Ramstein format) on Tuesday, December 16.

According to NATO's press service, Rutte will take part in a virtual meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense on Tuesday.

"On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will attend a virtual meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defence," the message reads.

NATO Headquarters does not provide space for media presence.

Earlier, the 32nd meeting of the Contact Group in the Ramstein format was scheduled for December 3, as announced by Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Kallas on possibility of Ukraine leaving NATO: Its up to Ukrainians to decide what they are willing to give up to have peace

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas believes that only Ukrainians can decide what they are willing to sacrifice for peace, but she is convinced that if Ukraine declines NATO membership, it should receive strong security guarantees.

She said this on Monday in Brussels at a press conference following the meeting of the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers.

I think what Minister Sybiha [Andriy Sybiha  Foreign Minister of Ukraine] , of course, was explaining the difficult position, but also how open they are to the peace negotiations, and they are agreeing to everything to have peace. To illustrate that Russia does not want this peace, she said.

According to Kallas, the Ukrainian minister did not go into detail about the issue of abandoning NATO membership. He did not explain this any further. But of course, we know that NATO is enshrined in their constitution. So if they concede into this, then first we need to really - by all Member States and all countries, also Americans - give them very, very strong, tangible security guarantees, not only on paper, but really tangible, like, how many troops on the ground, how much capabilities, because then this is the only thing that really protects them. So, it has to go hand in hand with extremely strong security guarantees. But in the end, it is up to Ukrainians to decide what they are willing to give up to have peace and for Ukrainian people, she explained her vision.

At the same time, the high representative expressed conviction that in order to have a sustainable, long-term peace in Europe, concessions are needed from Russia. Putting the pressure on Russia is our policy. We clearly see that they are not in good place. And if our allies would do the same, I think we would be very strong in terms of Russia as well, Kallas noted.
China deplores slander against Hong Kong's judiciary after Jimmy Lai's guilty verdict

Xinhua) 16:50, December 15, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to certain countries' blatant slander and smear against Hong Kong's judiciary, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Jimmy Lai's verdict by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, amid claims from Britain and other countries that Hong Kong's judicial and press freedoms have been undermined.

Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on Monday on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Geminid meteor shower seen across China

Xinhua) 08:30, December 15, 2025

This stack composite photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the starry sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Baisha Town of Lijiang City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Minle County of Zhangye City, northwest China's Gansu Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Zhong Xiaoliang/Xinhua)

This stack composite photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Wu Xingke/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Tongjiang City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wanping/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Fujin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Shuangyashan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Han Yang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yabuli Town of Shangzhi City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Dapeng/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Huachuan County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Chen Zhiguo/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Liu Wei/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Yimei District of Yichun City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Li Jiaxing/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows the Geminid meteor shower in the sky over Huachuan County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The Geminid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year, reached its peak on Sunday. (Photo by Zhu Zongqiang/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The owners of AA and RAC are exploring options for exiting the UKs biggest roadside recovery businesses, it was reported on Monday, including a potential 5bn stock marketing listing.

According to the Financial Times, the AAs owners are considering selling the business in a potential 5bn deal.

The consortium, which includes TowerBrook Capital Partners and Warburg Pincus, has appointed Rothschild and JPMorgan to advise it on options for the business.

Citing unnamed sources close to the situation, the FT noted that the business - which has been valued at 5bn - has already had expressions of interest from both private equity and strategic buyers. However, a London stock market listing has also not been ruled out.

Rival RAC, meanwhile, is understood to be considering a potential listing, also with a 5bn valuation. The RAC is owned by CVC Capital Partners, Singapores sovereign wealth fund GIC and Silver Lake Partners.

The owners of both businesses have so far decline to comment on the report.

It would, however, be highly unusual for two such similar companies to come to market at the same time.

The AA was taken private in 2020 for 219m following a difficult period as a public company, after its previous private equity owners ramped up debt levels. Debt has now been cut, and in the six months to June end the AA - which has 17m customers - posted adjusted earnings of 243m on revenues of 623m.

The RAC, which has 15m members, posted earnings of 152m on revenues of 411m in the same period. CVC and GIC acquired The Carlyle Groups stake in the business in 2015.
The chief executive of Hikma Pharmaceuticals has stepped down, it was announced on Monday, just over a month after the blue chip warned on profits.

Hikma said Riad Mishlawi - who has been with the generic drugs manufacturer for 35 years, the last two of which as chief executive - was leaving by mutual agreement. He will be replaced by former incumbent and current executive chair Said Darwazah.

Chief financial officer Khalid Nabilsi will also join the board of directors, Hikma said, taking on additional management responsibilities "to further strengthen the groups focus on delivering its strategic plans".

Shares in Hikma tumbled in early November after it lowered medium-term margin guidance for its injectables unit, which Mishlawi had led for 12 years prior to taking on the top job from Darwazah in September 2023. Guidance for the current year was left unchanged, but medium-term forecasts were revised down to around 30% from mid-30s.

Core operating profit guidance was also narrowed to a range of $730m to $750m, from previous expectations for between $730m and $770m.

Thanking Mishlawi for his "contributions over his long career" at Hikma, Darwazah said on Monday: "I look forward to continuing to work closely with Hikmas executive committee and with Khalid in his expanded role to deliver on our strategic plans."

Victoria Hull, senior independent director, added: "The board is confident in Hikmas future growth prospects under the experienced leadership of Said.

"We will be launching a search for a new chief executive in due course."

Mishlawi said he would now "move into retirement" adding: "Id like to thank Said and all my Hikma colleagues. It has been an honour to work alongside you."
Three keywords to understand the latest development of China-Europe freight trains

09:02, December 15, 2025 By Li Xinping ( People's Daily

Containers transported by China-Europe freight trains are handled at an international land port in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi province. (Photo/Zhu Haipeng)

By Nov. 28, China-Europe freight trains have made a cumulative 120,000 trips and transported goods with a total value exceeding $490 billion. The types of goods transported have expanded to 53 categories that cover more than 50,000 kinds of products.

The following three keywords provide insight into the evolving landscape of the China-Europe freight train service:

Full Timetable Service

The full timetable service enables China-Europe freight trains to operate on pre-scheduled timetables, including designated train numbers, routes, departure times and arrival times across countries along the route.

In November, China State Railway Group incorporated a fourth batch of China-Europe freight trains into the full timetable service. With this update, 17 routes now operate under the full timetable service model, with 22 daily departures, including 8 returning trips, exceeding 1,000 annual journeys.

The first China-Europe freight train operating under the full timetable service model in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province, X8003, is about to depart, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo/Wang Wei)

What advantages does the full timetable service offer?

Faster transit: Trains operating under the full timetable model reduce travel time by over 30 percent on average compared to regular services on the same routes, significantly improving delivery efficiency.

Operational reliability: With standardized departure points, routes, schedules, and train numbers, the full timetable service enhances predictability and facilitates streamlined logistics planning. "Metro-style operations and transparent pricing allow Chinese products to expand more effectively into European markets while improving access for high-quality European goods entering China," said Li Baozhou, director of the command Center at the Xi'an West Railway Station.

Higher cargo value: The average value of goods per container transported under the full timetable service model is 41 percent higher than that of conventional trains, reflecting the service's ability to attract higher-value shipments.

Corridors

As of the end of October, a total of 128 Chinese cities have launched China-Europe freight train service, reaching 232 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, covering nearly the entire Eurasian region.

Within China, China-Europe freight trains primarily operate along three corridors: The western corridor passes through Alashankou and Horgos in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which handled 7,749 trains in the first ten months of this year, or over half of the Chinese national total. The central corridor passes through the Erenhot port in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and the eastern corridor traverses Manzhouli, Suifenhe, and Tongjiang in northeast China.

Beyond China, three international corridors have been established to enhance connectivity.

The northern corridor connects Mongolia, Russia, and Belarus via ports such as Erenhot, Manzhouli, Suifenhe, and Tongjiang, linking directly to Europe through broad-gauge railways. The central corridor runs through Alashankou and Horgos, connecting to Kazakhstan's broad-gauge railways and merging with the northern route within Russia. The southern corridor also departs through Alashankou and Horgos, linking with Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea ferry routes, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, before reaching Europe via Turkish railways or Black Sea sea-rail transport.

This multilayered corridor system underpins the growing scale and strategic importance of the China-Europe freight train network.

Value of Goods

The China-Europe freight train service has opened new trade channels for inland Eurasian regions, significantly advancing economic cooperation. From 2013 to 2024, the value of goods transported by the trains grew by about 33 times, with the trains' share in China-Europe trade rising from 0.4 percent to 8.5 percent.

Nankang district, a major timber consumer in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi province, imports 80 percent of its nearly 10 million cubic meters of annual timber demand.

"The China-Europe freight train service has reduced transit times for timber imports from Europe to just 12 days, 25 days faster than traditional sea transport, while lowering overall logistics costs by 18 percent," said Ye Zhangnan, manager of the Ganzhou office of the Nanchang railway logistics center.

Through an integrated model that brings together port operations, bonded services and cross-border trade at the Ganzhou International Land Port, Nankang's furniture industry has secured over 5 billion yuan ($708.41 million) in overseas orders, enabling it to "source timber globally and sell furniture worldwide."

The freight network is also transforming retail logistics. For instance, a German tourist named Anna ordered a piece of tablecloth in China, which was delivered to her home in Germany within three days. This rapid fulfillment is made possible through overseas warehouse networks established along the freight corridors.

A fully loaded China-Europe freight train departs from Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, Nov. 22, 2025. (Photo/Chen Ye)

"With strong transport capacity, we can pre-stock Chinese goods in overseas warehouses and enable local delivery, significantly improving order fulfillment," said Song Penghui, sales manager of a logistics company based in central China's Henan province, whose overseas warehouse network now covers 25 European Union countries.

Meanwhile, landlocked countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia have gained access to maritime routes via the freight network. Chinese cities including Chongqing, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, and Wuhan have experienced robust growth in their export-driven industries.

Looking ahead, an executive from China State Railway Group confirmed that China will continue collaborating with partner countries to maintain and expand freight corridors, advancing the development of a more diversified and resilient logistics system.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
DEAR ABBY:

Im a young gay man with a problem. I met a cute guy, Mark, with a sweet personality, and the sex has been awesome. We spent two consecutive nights together in a hotel, but two days later he went to church, and hes now convinced that being gay is wrong. Mark still rubs my foot with his under the table while we eat and kisses me on the lips. He tells me he loves me very much, but now Im getting mixed signals. At night on our dating app, Mark sends nudes of himself, even though he says gay sex is wrong. What should I do?  MIXED SIGNALS IN GEORGIA

DEAR MIXED SIGNALS:

Mark is conflicted about being gay because the church he attends made him feel guilty about it. Talk with him and suggest that you feel he could benefit from counseling to help him become more comfortable about who he is. There are three LGBTQ community centers located in Atlanta. If Mark is unwilling, please understand it could be a long journey for him toward self-acceptance. If you are not prepared to wait, you should move on.

** ** **

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In 2025, total crime on Staten Island dropped by 1% compared to the year prior for the seven major crime categories, according to the latest figures provided by the the NYPDs data collection system CompStat.

Through Dec. 7, 2025, the most recent data available, Staten Island had a total of 3,251 reports of the seven major crimes  a drop of 1% when compared to the same time period in 2024 (3,274).

In four of seven major crime categories, Staten Island saw lower crime in 2025 compared to 2024.

The seven major crimes are murder, rape, burglary, robbery, grand larceny auto, felony assault and grand larceny.

For the first 11 months of the year, New York City had the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims in recorded history, and the safest November on our subways outside the pandemic period, said Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch in a press release issued by the NYPD. These historic gains are the result of our precision policing strategy and officers executing that strategy with the discipline and dedication that defines this noble work. Our plan is working, the progress is real, and Im grateful to Mayor Adams for providing the tools that make these public-safety gains possible.

This marks Staten Islands second consecutive year of declining major crime  a trend that began in January 2024.

Inside the data

Crime has fallen on Staten Island after the NYPD enacted a tactical shift at the end of summer 2023, developing an intricate, multi-state system to gather and analyze intelligence as a strategy to crack down on car thefts and burglaries in particular, Assistant Chief Joseph Gulotta, the NYPD borough commander, told the Advance/SILive.com in a 2023 interview.

According to CompStat, murder, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto experienced drops, while rape and felony assault increased. Robbery remained the same.

There were three confirmed murders on Staten Island, the lowest figure ever recorded for the category since CompStats inception in 1993. The previous low on Staten Island was five murders in 2003.

Shootings are also at an historic low, data showed. In 2025, there were 11 shootings. Staten Island saw 15 shootings last year.

The murders on Staten Island

In January, Jasmin Thompson, 25, of Richmond Terrace in New Brighton, was indicted by a grand jury on murder charges stemming from the stabbing death of 43-year-old Jennira Roundtree, devoted mother and grandmother.

Roundtree was trying to rescue her daughter from a melee involving a large group of people outside the city Housing Authority complex where they lived.

On March 28, 25-year-old Jesse Pimental was killed in a broad-daylight shooting in Tompkinsville.

Police arrested Lydell Felton, 27, of Willow Street in Yonkers and Elysha Pratts, 26, of South Avenue in Mariners Harbor, in connection to the homicide. The pair now face charges that include murder and hindering prosecution.

On Oct. 6, 19-year-old Damien Hurstel, of Cary Avenue in West Brighton allegedly decapitated his stepfather, 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro inside of their shared home.

The three reported murders in 2025 represent a 63% drop from the eight reported in 2024.

Other major crimes

In 2025, there were 74 rapes reported, compared to 60 in 2024.

Robberies remained the same in 2025 with 290 reported, CompStat data shows.

Felony assaults increased by 11%, with 972 reported, compared to 880 during the same time period a year ago.

There were 307 burglaries reported in 2025  down 7% from 2024, when there were 330.

Two hundred and twenty-four cases of grand larceny auto were reported this year, a 30% drop from the same time period in 2024, when 322 were reported.

Rape continues to be underreported. If you are a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The 24-hour NYPD Special Victims Division hotline is: 212-267-RAPE (7273).
Actor Peter Greene, known for portraying intense and often menacing characters in films including The Mask and Pulp Fiction, was found dead Friday afternoon inside his Lower East Side apartment, his longtime manager said. He was 60.

According to the New York Post, Greene was discovered unresponsive in his Clinton Street apartment at about 3:25 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and his manager, Gregg Edwards.

In addition to The Mask and Pulp Fiction, his work included roles in The Usual Suspects, Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak, and Training Day.

Authorities said no foul play is suspected, and the cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner.

He was a terrific guy, Edwards said Friday night. 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.

Greene became widely recognized in the 1990s for playing memorable villains, including the ruthless mobster Dorian Tyrell in The Mask opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz, a performance Edwards called arguably his best role.

He also portrayed Zed, the sadistic security guard in Quentin Tarantinos 1994 film Pulp Fiction.

While Greene had a reputation at times for being difficult to work with, Edwards described him as a perfectionist who was deeply committed to his craft.

He worked with so many amazing actors and directors, Edwards said. He fought his demons but overcame them.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Greene left home at age 15 and lived on the streets of New York City. In a 1996 interview with Premier magazine, he said he struggled with drug use and later dealt drugs before finding success as an actor.

After a suicide attempt in March 1996, he sought treatment for addiction, according to that profile.

Over the course of his career, Greene amassed about 95 film and television credits.

Edwards said Greene was preparing to begin production in January on an independent thriller titled Mascots, in which he was set to star alongside Mickey Rourke.

Edwards, who is based in California, said he notified the films writer-director, Kerry Mondragon, of Greenes death.

They were very upset, Edwards said.

Greenes piercing blue eyes and intense screen presence made him a distinctive figure in American cinema, particularly during the 1990s, when his performances helped define a generation of crime and thriller films.
The cast and crew of Jersey Shore are mourning Jorge Bouza, an audio mixer who worked on the reality series for years.

495 Productions, which produces Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, announced Bouzas death in an Instagram post. The company called him a beloved, longtime member of our 495 family and said he was more than an audio mixer but a true friend to every member of the cast and crew.

The production company remembered Bouza for sharing big smiles, helping young producers with story details, and offering Cuban coffee to anyone who needed it. According to the companys statement, Bouza heard everything during his work as an audio mixer.

Cast members shared tributes on social media following the announcement.

Nicole Snooki Polizzi called Bouza a sweet soul who was there with us since day one and said he always asked how she was doing and made her feel happy.

Jenni JWoww Farley posted that Bouza will be missed, while Deena Cortese called him a great man.

Lauren Sorrentino described him as one of the kindest and sincere on set, and Sammi Sweetheart Giancola wrote that he will definitely be missed.

Codi Butts from the related show Floribama Shore also paid tribute to Bouza.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Bouzas family with hospice care expenses.
The trade market for Luis Robert Jr. is heating up, and the Mets are not alone in their interest in the White Sox outfielder.

According to Francys Romero of Beisbol FR, the Mets, Padres, and Pirates have all expressed interest in acquiring Robert.

Chicago picked up Roberts $20 million option for 2026, but Romero reports that the outfielder has a strong chance of being traded this offseason.

Robert was at the center of a lot of trade speculation at this summers deadline, but no deal came together.

The 28-year-old was heavily linked to the Mets before the July 31 deadline, but according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the two sides never got close on a deal.

Robert didnt end up having a stellar 2025 season, hitting .223/.297/.364 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI. But he added 33 stolen bases over 110 games.

Robert came up through the White Soxs organization and was an All-Star selection in 2023.
Bacarosa, an Italian restaurant in Nutley that opened this summer, announced it will close later this month due to financial pressures facing the dining industry.

The restaurant at 238 Franklin Ave. opened last year as The Hudson Rose before transitioning to the Italian concept Bacarosa earlier this year.

Part of it was getting to know the area and getting honest with ourselves, General Manager Eric Binder told NJ Advance Media in October. We decided to change everything rather than just menu, and tie in a story. Bacaro is a small Italian wine bar in Venice, and rosa, is an homage to The Hudson Rose.

Along with chef Andrew Riccatelli, Binder and the team curated an Italian menu with a twist.

The owners announced the closure on Dec. 20 in an Instagram post.

The economics of this industry have always been challenging, and even more so in recent times, the owners wrote.

The restaurants hours until closing are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Reservations are available online through the closing date.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  While the worst of the weekend snowstorm is over, New York City is expected to experience brutal cold conditions into Monday.

AccuWeather recently issued a weather warning for the New York City area, advising that temperatures will drop into the teens Sunday night into Monday morning.

As the thermometer plummets, the weather alert warns that any moisture, slush or untreated surface will quickly refreeze after sundown.

Overnight, gusts will reach between 30 and 40 mph, with the possibility of tree branches being brought down, causing isolated power outages, according to AccuWeather.

Wind chill for the New York City area will make the temperatures feel like zero degrees near the coast, with more interior areas feeling as low as -8, according to the weather warning.

At these temperatures, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, AccuWeather says.

Monday morning travelers will also need to be wary of black ice on their commute, according to AccuWeather.

In all, Staten Island saw about three inches of snow deposited from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Snowfall totals varied significantly across the region, however, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Royes.

Newark Airport recorded 2.4 inches, while areas further east saw much higher accumulations: Munchen received nearly five inches; Plainfield, 4.7 inches, and Cranford, 4.5 inches.

To the east of Staten Island, John F. Kennedy Airport reported approximately 2.6 inches.

Monday is expected to be mostly dry but will become increasingly cloudy due to a separate storm system passing to the north.

The day will be mostly cloudy, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours, Royes said.

Monday morning will have a frigid real feel temperature of 3 to 5 degrees, requiring extra layers for warmth.

Temperatures are going to be near zero as kids go out to the bus stop tomorrow, Royes said.

Temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid-30s on Tuesday before a more significant warm-up midweek. Highs are projected to reach 44 degrees on Wednesday, 49 on Thursday, and 47 on Friday, according to Royes.

As temperatures warm up, another weather system will approach the area. Breezy conditions are expected to return Wednesday night through Friday, bringing rain Thursday night.

There is a high risk of black ice in the coming days due to a daily cycle of snow melting during the day and refreezing on untreated surfaces overnight.

People definitely should be worrying about anything that melts Sunday, Royes said. We are worried about there being icy spots where area are not treated.
Six teenagers were shot and wounded after a Sweet 16 party in Brooklyn early Sunday morning, according to CBS News.

Police said the shooting took place about 20 minutes after the celebration concluded, around 1 a.m. at a Cypress Hills event space, said the report.

Officials told the outlet that two 15-year-old females, a 15-year-old male, two 16-year-old males, and a 17-year-old male were shot. All were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Police said they were seeking to question two male persons of interest who were seen running from the scene in masks and black clothing.

Burbuja Events, which owns the space on Ashford Street and Atlantic Avenue, told the outlet that shots were not fired inside the venue.
Richland, N.Y. - A Syracuse man was arrested Wednesday when troopers stopped his car on Interstate 81 and found four pounds of cocaine and a handgun, according to State Police.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, troopers stopped the car in the town of Richland for various traffic and vehicle violations, according to a State Police news release.

In the car, troopers said they found a loaded 45-caliber handgun, the cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Troopers said they found multiple knotted plastic bags containing just over a pound of cocaine, a plastic bag with almost 13 ounces of crack cocaine, pressed and packaged cocaine weighing 2.2 pounds, a digital scale and sandwich bags.

The driver, Quonta Q. Albert, 32, of Syracuse, attempted to flee the scene and resisted arrest, troopers said. He was eventually placed under arrest.

Albert was charged with:

First- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies

Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony

Criminal possession of a firearm, a felony

Second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor

Resisting arrest, a misdemeanor

Obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor

Albert was transported to the Oswego County Jail where he was held pending arraignment, troopers said.

In 2020, Albert and another man were charged with fatally shooting a man nine times who was walking his dog on Syracuses East Side. A jury acquitted both men of the murder in 2022.
New York City officials addressed multiple tragedies that occurred this weekend within the five boroughs and across the globe.

Mass shootings at a Brooklyn sweet 16 and Brown University, along with an anti-Semitic terror attack in Sydney, Australia prompted Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to reassure New Yorkers of their commitment to the safety of all citizens.

According to Tisch, six teenagers were injured in a likely gang-related shooting outside a sweet 16 party in Brooklyn early Sunday morning.

The exact motive is currently unknown, but appears to be gang related, Tisch said. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. NYPD detectives are following all leads and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Commissioner Tisch announces precautionary measures for NYC colleges while addressing multiple violent incidents including Brooklyn teen shooting and Sydney's deadly anti-Semitic attack. DCPI

Tisch also highlighted the departments precautionary increase in safety measures on New York Citys college campuses in response to a deadly shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island.

According to Adams, a targeted anti-Semitic terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, killed more than a dozen people and injured approximately 40 people. The mayor said one of the victims of the Sydney attack included a rabbi with ties to Brooklyn and a Holocaust survivor.

In response to the overseas anti-Semitic attack, the police department significantly increased security for upcoming Hanukkah celebrations across the five boroughs.

According to Tisch, the department deployed enhanced patrols and counter-terrorism resources.

I want to be clear this is a deliberate act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith, Tisch said. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, Chabad and Jewish communities here and around the world.

Officials condemned extremist ideology, with the mayor linking the Sydney attack to Islamic extremists and warning against the real-world consequences of inflammatory rhetoric like globalize the Intifada.

In Sydney, the police had a what appears to be a slower response. Im sure the investigation will determine what happened, Adams said. I do know this specialized units play a primary role in function to go and respond to terrorist attacks. At this moment, it is ill advised to talk about the dismantling of the SRG team. The same team that went into 345 Park Avenue when we had now a lone gunman that took the lives of innocent New Yorkers.

According to Adams, the NYPDs international liaison program provided real-time intelligence from Sydney, enabling a rapid enhancement of local security measures for Hanukkah.

Anti-Semitism has no place in our city, in our society and in our world. I will continue to fight for this community and all communities of this city and for fellow brothers and sisters from the Jewish community, Adams promised. For the past four years, this administration has stood by the Jewish community not just as a mayor, but as an ally, as a father, and as a human being. As human beings, we cannot just turn down the temperature of hate. That is not enough. We must shut it off completely.
Wild fruit transforms into 10-billion-yuan industry in SW China's Guizhou

People's Daily Online) 09:29, December 15, 2025

Photo shows Rosa roxburghii fruits in Shuicheng district, Liupanshui city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shuicheng District Committee)

Rosa roxburghii, meaning "thorn pear" in Chinese, is a wild fruit species adorned with thorns in its natural state. This golden fruit is a hallmark product of the mountainous regions in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

In recent years, Rosa roxburghii has emerged as a commercial success story. Processed into beverages, pastries and other products, this once-overlooked fruit has grown into a 10-billion-yuan ($1.4 billion) industry in just a few years.

In Yezhong township, Shuicheng district, Liupanshui city, the karst landscape has long posed formidable challenges for farming. Tang Zhongguang, head of the township forestry station, recalled the frustration of watching crops fail repeatedly on the rocky, desertified land.

The local government had tried planting walnut trees and other economic crops, but the unique ecological conditions defeated most efforts. As confidence eroded, many villagers abandoned their plots and sought work elsewhere. Meanwhile, wild Rosa roxburghii continued thriving on the hillsides, unnoticed and unharvested.

The breakthrough came in autumn 2013, when Tang Fakai, Party chief of Yezhong village, spotted vendors selling dried Rosa roxburghii fruits in the provincial capital Guiyang at 40 yuan per kilogram.

Learning the product came from Longli county in the province's Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, he organized a dozen villagers to visit during the following harvest season to study cultivation techniques. Their initiative aligned with Shuicheng district's plans for ecological restoration and agricultural restructuring. At the time, the district was conducting feasibility studies on developing the Rosa roxburghii industry.

Experts noted that Rosa roxburghii not only serves as an ideal species for combating rocky desertification but also produces highly nutritious fruits with strong commercial potential.

"We never imagined the wild fruit growing in mountainous areas affected by rocky desertification held such great potential," Tang Zhongguang said.

Starting in 2015, Shuicheng district prioritized Rosa roxburghii cultivation as a specialty industry to boost farmers' incomes. Riding this momentum, Yezhong village planted over 2,000 mu (133.33 hectares) of Rosa roxburghii.

The fruiting cycle of Rosa roxburghii spans three years. "We focused on selecting superior varieties and providing technical support throughout key stages," Tang Zhongguang said. To ensure successful cultivation, the district integrated research resources from forestry and agricultural departments at various levels, universities and enterprises, providing systematic training for farmers while dispatching technicians for on-site guidance.

Villager Xu Tianyong prunes Rosa roxburghii trees in Yezhong township, Shuicheng district, Liupanshui city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily/Cheng Huan)

Villager Xu Tianyong has become an expert in Rosa roxburghii cultivation and is widely recognized by his fellow villagers. With patient guidance from technicians, Xu planted the fruit on all his more than 10 mu of land. From pruning and fertilizing to weeding and pest control, he gradually mastered key management skills. His dedication paid off with exceptionally vigorous growth.

As training programs expanded, more farmers like Xu mastered essential techniques. Shuicheng district organized these skilled growers and local experts to establish demonstration orchards and help farmers adopt standardized cultivation and management. The thriving Rosa roxburghii trees gradually turned bare hillsides green. Today, the district maintains a forest coverage rate of over 63.55 percent.

In 2018, the district established Guizhou Chuhao Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd., tasking it with guaranteeing the procurement of fresh Rosa roxburghii fruits across the district.

"We purchase at above-market prices, ensuring tangible benefits for local people," said Chen Xianjin, the company's production director.

Drawing on its own research center, the company partnered with institutions such as the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Agricultural University and Guizhou University to jointly develop new products.

Wang Xinying, director of the company's research center, has led her team in developing more than 20 commercial products, ranging from Rosa roxburghii sparkling water to concentrated juice, beverages and lozenges, and has secured 26 patents.

"In 2024, we procured over 8,500 tonnes of fresh Rosa roxburghii fruits, generating more than 51 million yuan in additional income for farmers," Chen said. The company's Rosa roxburghii products now reach markets nationwide, and it is working to expand internationally.

Shuicheng district's experience represents a microcosm of Guizhou's Rosa roxburghii industry development. In 2019, Guizhou designated Rosa roxburghii among its 12 advantageous agricultural industries. In recent years, Guizhou has maintained 1.52 million mu of Rosa roxburghii under stable cultivation, forming four key industrial belts in the cities of Liupanshui, Anshun and Bijie, as well as in Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

Currently, Guizhou's Rosa roxburghii sector generates an annual output value exceeding 10 billion yuan.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Staten Island war hero was officially immortalized with a statue on Sunday afternoon.

The memorial, standing eight-feet-tall, for Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno was unveiled near the intersection of Seaview Avenue and the eponymous Father Capodanno Boulevard.

The crowd braved cold temperatures and recently fallen snow in Ocean Breeze to pack the intersection at Seaview and the boulevard named for the Elm Park native.

After an opening prayer led by Rev. Michael Cichon, pastor of the Church of St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary, event organizers introduced Anthony Tony Leto, a driving force in getting the statue and Vietnam veteran himself.

Over the last 11 years, I had 10 bike blessings every year. More and more motorcycles joined our police escorted runs across Staten Island, Leto said.

I sold keychains and raffles. I gave out poppies and those who made donations. That is how I raised the funds for this statue, he continued. Im grateful for those who helped me along the way.

Several of Staten Island elected officials, many of whom helped bring the statue to fruition, were on hand for Sundays unveiling and acknowledged the work that Leto had done over the last decade.

Anthony Tony Leto (at podium) addresses the gathered crowd at the Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno statue unveiling on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Ocean Breeze. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

Service, commitment and leadership, thats what putting the uniform on is about, said Assemblymember Michael Reilly.

Today represents that for Tony Leto, the South Shore Republican continued. Service, commitment and leadership. Because of him, the legacy will move on. We will never forget.

Many of the speakers acknowledged the legacy of Father Capodanno, both as a Staten Islander and as an inspiration to the boroughs community of veterans.

Today, we are here to recognize Father Capodanno, an extraordinary veteran, whose courage and service continue to inspire our community, said State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the Islands North Shore.

This statue stands as a tribute, not only to him but to all veterans who have sacrificed for our freedoms, she said, before also acknowledging Paul Matrecano from her office, who helped secure the site for the statue.

Others in attendance spoke of when they first learned about Father Capodanno, and of those who were pushing to maintain the legacy of the grunt padre.

As a young boy, I got to know who Father Capodanno was because they changed this name from Seaside Boulevard to Father Capodanno Boulevard, you got to know what this hero was all about, said Borough President Vito Fossella.

I got to know Jim Capodanno and put two and two together, Fossella continued, referring to Father Capodannos brother. Jim, like so many others here, kept Father Capodannos legacy alive and they remind us every moment what it really means to sacrifice for freedom.

Officials who spoke at the unveiling said Father Capodannos sacrifice sacrifice and legacy were emblematic of the ideals of the nation.

On September 4, 1967, when the grunt padre ran across his field, ministering to his brothers who were laying there wounded and close to death, he didnt ask, are they Jews or Catholics or Muslims, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

He said, they are Americans, and he went and gave them their rights and he gave his life doing it, McMahon continued. We enjoy the freedoms of democracy today because of those who gave that sacrifice.

Finally, after a blessing by Rev. Jack Soler from the Parish of St. Clement & St. Michael in Mariners Harbor, the statue and engraved stone base were officially unveiled to the cheering crowd.

The statue for Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, which was unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Ocean Breeze. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

The bronze effigy features Father Capodanno dressed in fatigues. In one hand he holds a rosary. With the other, hes comforting a small child.

The base of the statue chronicles the life of the Staten Island-born priest and Medal of Honor recipient. The memorial also pays tributes to his family and to the many Staten Islanders who made the monument possible.

The eight-foot tall sculpture was inspired by Father Capodannos late brother, Jim. It was designed by the late artist and philanthropist Gregory Perillo.

Father Capodanno, U.S. Navy chaplain

Born on Feb. 13, 1929 as the youngest of nine children, Father Capodanno was ordained a priest on June 14, 1958.

A U.S. Navy chaplain, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Operation Swift during the Vietnam War.

Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno Staten Island Advance

Father Capodanno was alongside the men of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when he ultimately lost his life during a search-and-destroy mission. Despite being unarmed, he was shot 27 times on the battlefield in Que Son Valley while running to the aid of a wounded corpsman and the Marine he was assisting.

Even though Father Capodanno had sustained his own serious injuries, the chaplain spent the last moments of his life administering medical and spiritual care.

Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno leads his men in prayer in Vietnam was killed in 1967 while giving rites to wounded Marines. Advance File Photo

Because of his courage, fearlessness and heroism, an active effort is underway to have him proclaimed a saint. Hes already been declared a Servant of God, the first step on the path that leads to sainthood.

The former Seaside Boulevard was renamed to Father Capodanno Boulevard in memory of the Staten Island priest on July 4, 1974.

Earlier this year, Father Capodanno was honored at a traditional Latin Mass at St. Michaels Church in Mariners Harbor.

The Mass at St. Michaels, the church where Father Capodanno was baptized, was held on Thursday, Sept. 4, to commemorate the anniversary of his death in Vietnam.

During the ceremony, the original baptismal font where Father Capodanno was baptized on April 28, 1929, was dedicated and marked with a commemorative metal plate.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Mary Iandiorio, 80, passed away on Dec. 5, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida. Born in 1945, the Staten Island native later moved to Florida, but her heart always remained tied to New York. She dedicated her professional life to public service as a Senior Parole Officer for the State of New York, where her strength, dedication, and compassion left a lasting impact, reads her obituary.

Stephen J. Kudless, Jr. a lifelong Staten Islander, passed away on Dec. 10, 2025. Raised in Richmond, he graduated the Augustinian Academy high school and later he earned a B.A. from Seton Hall University and an M.A. from Wagner College. He was employed by the New York City Board of Education as a teacher of English from 1962 to 1995, for most of these years at New Dorp High School. He also taught at I.S. 49 early in his career, and at the Yeshiva of Staten Island in the evenings. After his retirement, he served as a full-time instructor at Touro College, Brooklyn, from 1995 to 2012, reads his obituary.

Leonard Jones, a Brooklyn native born in 1937, died on Dec. 10, 2025. Lenny served his country in the Army with an Honorable Discharge in 1957, says his obitary. In 1963 Lenny married his beloved, Nancy (Chianese) Jones, often claiming it was the best decision he ever made. Together they lived and raised their family on Staten Island until 2019, when they moved to Danbury, Connecticut, to be near their children and grandchildren. Lenny worked tirelessly to care and provide for his wife and three girls, reads his obituary.

Sign up for our subscriber-only SILive.com obituary newsletter here.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  One of New Yorks top elected officials is taking aim at a popular grocery delivery service following a recent report that it is using artificial intelligence to inflate prices for some customers.

On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer urged the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on Instacarts use of artificial intelligence to hike prices for some users, while maintaining lower prices for others.

When a shopper fills their grocery cart whether in real life or digitally, they should trust that they are being treated fairly and that prices are transparent. What we are seeing more and more of is that companies like Instacart are using artificial intelligence to rip off consumers by charging different shoppers different prices for the same exact items, said Schumer, a Democrat who represents New York.

This is jacking up grocery costs across the nation. So, today, I am sounding the alarm on this predatory practice and demanding the federal government take new action to protect families from this shakedown pricing, Schumer continued.

The senators call to action comes following the release of a massive investigation conducted by Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative, which found that Instacart charges some customers up to 23% more when purchasing the same item from the same store as others.

Researchers said that a family of four that uses Instacart could see their annual grocery spending spike by $1,200 due to the fluctuating prices.

Schumer criticized Instacarts senior leadership for recent comments about how artificial intelligence can help stores figure out which products they can charge more for without losing customers.

When you read what these executives are saying, its very clear their north star is anything but the consumer or the family, Schumer said. They are focused exclusively on profits, and that is why the Federal Trade Commission must take a serious look at these shakedown tactics and rein them in before grocery prices go even higher.

An Instacart representative told the Advance/SILive.com that each stores pricing policy is displayed on Instacart, so customers are already made aware that prices in the app may differ from those in store.

They went on to state that these types of pricing tests have long existed at brick-and-mortar retailers, as stores try to determine where to set their prices.

Just as retailers have long tested prices in their physical stores to better understand consumer preferences, a subset of only 10 retail partners - ones that already apply markups - do the same online via Instacart. These limited, short-term, and randomized tests help retail partners learn what matters most to consumers and how to keep essential items affordable, the representative said.

This is not dynamic pricing. This is not surveillance pricing. This is a form of A/B testing  similar to the way retailers have long run pricing tests between different stores, but in this case, completely randomized. Prices do not change in real time or based on supply or demand, and we never use personal, demographic, or user-level behavioral data to set online item prices on Instacart," they added.
In a tone-deaf post on social media, President Donald Trump appeared to blame acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner for his own grisly murder.

The day after Reiner and his wife, Michele, were discovered stabbed to death in their home in Brentwood, Calif., tone-deaf Trump on Truth Social callously wrote: A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.

The president continued of Reiner, He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!

Reiners troubled son, Nick, has been arrested in the slayings.

White Lotus star Patrick Schwarzenegger slammed Trump for his statement about Reiner.

What a disgusting and vile statement, Schwarzenegger wrote on X.

Reiner was the director of iconic films like A Few Good Men, The Princess Bride and Spinal Tap.

Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, shot to fame playing the hippie son-in-law on the 1970s hit All in the Family.

In addition to his work in front of and behind the cameras, Democrat Reiner was an outspoken political activist and supporter of party candidates.

The director was a frequent critic of Trump, calling him mentally unfit for office and accusing the president of treason.
Top strategist James Carville is warning his fellow Dems that they cant rely on young voters to come out for the party.

Anybody thats been around in politics as long as I have, you make monumental mistakes  strategic mistakes, Carville said on his Politics War Room podcast, per the New York Post. Maybe the biggest one I made is I wrote a book saying the Democrats were destined to win for 40 more years because, look  we had the under-30s, we had non-White voters, and that was a growing coalition that would win elections.

Carville continued, Its what I call political Presbyterianism, that elections are ordained and you can just put something in a f computer and itll spit out the percent youre going to get. It turned out that that was a really, really stupid assumption.

While young voters have supported Dems in national elections, President Donald Trump has also made inroads with that demographic.

But Carville said that Republicans cant rely on young voters either.

He said, It was the storyline after the 2024 election, was Trump had made significant gains among younger voters, particularly younger males, non-White males, and made significant Hispanic gains. The press made the mistake that we all make, that I made. We thought this was a permanent condition.

Guest John Della Volpe spoke about his work with focus groups of young people.

He said that the key takeaway in the year since Trump was re-elected is that young men are not guaranteed to be Republican and young people in general are not guaranteed to be liberal.

He said that young Americans, particularly those who are struggling, could find their way to abandoning their past political beliefs and embracing whatever they believe will make their lives measurably better.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Strickland delivers more big copper-gold hits in Serbia Brought to you by Bulls N Bears Doug Bright December 15, 2025  3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Strickland Metals has reported new results from two recently completed diamond drill holes at its 800,000-ounce-gold-equivalent Copper Canyon deposit, one of four priority deposits at the companys 8.6-million-ounce gold-equivalent Rogozna gold and base metals project in Serbia. The drill rig targeted shallow copper-gold mineralisation, including several high-grade zones, within the gold pit Copper Canyon design shell, which has been modelled on a US$2000 (A$3008) per-ounce gold price. The current Australian gold price is A$6494 per ounce. Strickland Metals core photograph from sample interval 169.6m to 171.6m in ZRSD25219, showing replacement-style mineralisation with semi-massive chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and arsenopyrite assaying 0.3g/t gold and 3.4 per cent copper. One drill hole returned 134.6 metres grading 0.6 per cent copper and 0.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 95.1m, including 72.6m running at 0.8 per cent copper and 0.1(g/t) gold from 157.1m. That intercept included two further sections of 16.6m going 1.6 per cent copper and 0.1g/t gold from 157.1m, and 20.4m at 1.8g/t gold from 360.5m, within a broader 36.1-metre slice grading 1.3g/t gold from 346.5m.

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We intend to update the Copper Canyon Resource next year for inclusion in our development studies for Rogozna. Strickland Metals managing director Paul LHerpiniere The second drill hole returned 142.8m at 0.3 per cent copper and 0.3g/t gold from 6.2m, including 12.9m at 1.3 per cent copper and 0.8g/t gold from 36.2m. Both holes were plunged into the central part of the Copper Canyon deposit, where earlier drilling encountered strong skarn-hosted copper-gold mineralisation from shallow depths. The thick copper-gold mineralisation in the first hole is hosted within green garnet skarn and is associated with disseminated to massive sulphide zones of chalcopyrite containing copper, coupled with iron sulphides such as pyrite and pyrrhotite. Below the main copper-gold zone, a flat-lying gold-only zone associated with pyrrhotite alteration remains open along strike and represents a key future exploration target.

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Near-surface mineralisation in the second hole is similarly hosted in green garnet skarn with disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite, including high-grade zones linked to semi-massive pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. The latest results confirm and amplify the picture first sketched in early October, when Strickland stunned the market with a monster 191.2m hit grading 0.5g/t gold and 0.5 per cent copper from just 4.8m downhole. Strickland Metals managing director Paul LHerpiniere said: The fact that the mineralisation is outcropping and includes some very wide zones of copper-gold mineralisation, including significant higher-grade zones, makes Copper Canyon an attractive and strategic opportunity for Strickland. Together, the company says the results demonstrate excellent shallow copper-gold mineralisation at Copper Canyon. The long intercepts highlight Copper Canyons optionality as part of the companys overall Rogozna development strategy. Stricklands rapidly growing and remarkable polymetallic Rogozna project sits in the Raska District of southern Serbia, about 400km south of Belgrade. The project area has good access via regional highways, with local roads and tracks.

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Rogozna lies within the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt - a globally significant geological structural complex, which hosts multiple giant, porphyry-related deposits. The Belt is traceable for about 12,000km from Europes Pyrenees and Alps through to Anatolia, Iran, Pakistan, the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Strickland says its project appears to be a similar large-scale magmatic hydrothermal system characterised by skarn-based gold-copper mineralisation, including zinc, silver and lead. Covering an area of about 184 square kilometres, Rogozna comprises four exploration licences and hosts a JORC inferred mineral resource of 8.6 million ounces of gold equivalent, comprising 5.2 million ounces of gold, 321,000 tonnes of copper and 32.3 million ounces of silver. An additional base metal component of the global resource estimate includes 383,000 tonnes of lead and 830,000 tonnes of zinc. The key prospects within the project are the current flagship deposit at Shanac, while the presently most advanced deposits at Gradina, Medenovac and Copper Canyon all lie within a 5km radius of Shanac.

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At least nine other high-quality prospects lie within 10km of Shanac, to the north, west and southwest, all supporting various styles of mineralisation, including epithermal and porphyry-hosted copper-gold deposits. Strickland believes the project has the potential to become one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world. To test that view, the company is pressing ahead with a 50,000m drilling program across Rogozna, including at its Gradina gap zone and other targets. As the 2025 field season nears completion, the drill program is expected to wrap up by late December, with assays pending for multiple holes. Drilling is slated to kick off again in February 2026 and will ramp up to involve at least eight diamond rigs by the second quarter. The latest results met with market approval today, rewarding the company with a midday share price spike of 2.6 per cent to 19.5 cents. Strickland remains in a strong financial position to advance the project, with cash and liquid assets as of 30 September 2025 totalling $41.8 million. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Review Eating outBrunswick East Its been the year of the neighbourhood bistro, and this truly versatile venue stands out As this inner-city suburb enters a new era of dining, Bar Elsie, spanning cafe, bar and restaurant, might be its perfect local spot. Besha Rodell December 16, 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

As featured in the January 2026 hit list. See all stories .

1 / 11 The bar, in the centre of the room, helps break up the huge space. Penny Stephens 2 / 11 Swordfish with tarragon butter, rainbow chard and a handful of salt and vinegar potato crisps. Penny Stephens 3 / 11 Charred hispi cabbage with fennel and orange butter and toasted hazelnuts. Penny Stephens 4 / 11 Ricotta doughnuts with chilli sugar and blood orange curd. Penny Stephens 5 / 11 Bar Elsie is housed in the former Alchemy Brewing space. Penny Stephens 6 / 11 Bar Elsie started as a cafe before morphing into a flexible, full-service bar and restaurant. Penny Stephens 7 / 11 Clams with chorizo, white beans, garlic and parsley. Penny Stephens 8 / 11 Ham hock terrine served with crusty bread and sauce ravigote. Penny Stephens 9 / 11 The dining area is lined in warm wood and decorated with vintage prints. Penny Stephens 10 / 11 Bar Elsie co-owners Susie and Brett Pritchard. Penny Stephens 11 / 11 Classic cocktails, including a Daquiri, are made well. Penny Stephens Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score French$$$$ Its been a fantastic year for new restaurants in Victoria, with a return to ambition and swagger and fun. But 2025 has also been a great year for the kind of business that perhaps goes further towards making this an exciting and vibrant and delicious place to live: the neighbourhood bistro. Brunswick East, in particular, has had a boom in bars, burgers and casual spots that serve the areas fun-seeking but value-minded residents. Bar Elsie, which started in May as a coffee shop while a full-service bar and restaurant took shape, is a fine example of the strengths of this new era for Brunswick dining. Related Article $15 martinis, midnight spag and Bloody Mary salad. Inside Lygon Streets new public house

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The project is thanks to a couple of hospitality veterans from Sydney, Brett and Susie Pritchard, with French chef Edmee Driez (formerly of Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork Lodge) in the kitchen. Its located in the cavernous space that was most recently occupied by Alchemy Brewing. This kind of wide-open venue is a tricky proposition. The pros are that it has immediate dramatic appeal, that you can be flexible with layout and purpose, and that you arent limited in terms of what kinds of service will fit in the space. The cons are that its much harder to create a sense of revelry (especially on slow nights), that its hard to heat and cool, and sound issues abound. It can easily feel impersonal, like an aeroplane hangar. Bar Elsie started as a cafe before morphing into a flexible, full-service bar and restaurant. Penny Stephens Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up While Elsie hardly feels intimate, the Pritchards have set up the large space smartly. Theres a bar in the centre of the room, lots of seating inside and out for casual drinking and snacks, and a dining area with table service thats lined in warm wood and decorated with vintage prints. Ceiling panels manage the noise, and it seems like this place might actually achieve what so many neighbourhood spots set out to, which is to be truly versatile  a place for a coffee, a cocktail and bowl of chips, or a full meal. At Bar Elsie  which, since October, spans cafe, bar and restaurant  that means keeping things deceptively simple. The cocktails are classic  Daiquiri, margarita, martini, etc  and all done incredibly well, served in straightforward glassware by a young staff who seem genuinely lovely and without an ounce of pretence.

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There are only a few wines on the list  five or fewer in each category  but whats there is mostly French, super affordable and the kind that you could drink happily every day. Its also appropriate for the food, which sticks to the French but approachable playbook. Ham hock terrine with sauce ravigote. Penny Stephens Driez is cooking the type of dishes you might find at a charming country French cafe  not too fancy, based on the produce of the day and tried and true recipes. Theres a rustic, chunky ham hock terrine, served with crusty bread and sauce ravigote, a Dijon mustard-tinged, tangy, creamy piece of work that gives the meat a luscious partner in crime. Charred hispi cabbage comes swimming in butter thats lightly imbued with fennel and orange, and sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts.

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Clams with chorizo, white beans, garlic and parsley would make a lovely light dinner at the bar with a glass of cold white wine. Theres a lot on this menu that lends itself to that kind of quiet indulgence. Swordfish with tarragon butter, rainbow chard and a handful of salt and vinegar potato crisps. Penny Stephens Swordfish is cooked to a pink meatiness, avoiding the overcooking that so often beleaguers this fish, supported by lashings of tarragon butter and a generous serving of rainbow chard, along with salt and vinegar potato crisps. Gnocchi is soft and smothered in peas that have been cooked just long enough to fall into a smoosh, but not long enough to lose their vibrancy. There are three desserts and its hard not to order them all. But if I had to choose, Id go for the ricotta doughnuts with chilli sugar and blood orange curd. The mandarin frangipane tart is a close second, though, smeared with a cumin ganache that makes me wonder why cumin isnt used more often in sweet cookery.

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Its hard at this time of year not to look back and make grand proclamations, to celebrate the shiny newcomers that might gain international attention. But Bar Elsie is a different kind of exciting  its a place that you could go multiple times a week for coffee and drinks and dinner, where the people are friendly and the wine is good and the food is wonderfully, exactly what it needs to be. The low-down Atmosphere: Big and airy with lots of nooks and outdoor seating Go-to dishes: Hispi cabbage, $16; swordfish, $36; ricotta doughnuts, $16 Drinks: Classic cocktails done right, short and smart beer and wine lists Cost: About $120 for two, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
China to enhance strategic mutual trust, advance cooperation with UAE: FM

Xinhua) 09:37, December 15, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president's special envoy to China, in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Dec. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)

ABU DHABI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), deepen strategic mutual trust, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and advance cooperation across all fields, so as to elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to higher levels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Saturday.

During a meeting with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UAE president's special envoy to China, Wang said China is a reliable and trustworthy long-term strategic partner of the UAE, noting that the friendship and mutual trust between the two heads of state provide the most important political guarantee for the development of China-UAE relations.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China's development of relations with the UAE reflects its long-standing diplomatic principle of equality among all countries, regardless of their size, and its consistent support for developing nations.

China's growth and strengthening represent an expansion of the forces for world peace, a rise in the strength of the Global South, and an enhancement of global stability, he noted.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak said China is an important strategic partner of the UAE, adding that the deep friendship between the two heads of state is a valuable asset for bilateral relations. He stressed that developing relations with China is a top priority of the UAE's foreign policy.

He said the UAE has full confidence in China's future development, and has always viewed its relations with China from a long-term perspective.

The UAE is willing to further enhance high-level exchanges with China, learn from China's experience in governance, and expand cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, investment, energy, and science and technology, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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NationalBondi shooting Australias Jewish community warned us for two years. They are furious to be proved right Chip Le Grand December 16, 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

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting The morning after the worst had happened, anger was visceral inside Melbournes Caulfield Shule. For two years and in some cases, much longer, Australian Jews had warned that the poison of antisemitism was seeping deep into our society and that todays hateful tweet, graffiti or protest chant could metastasise into tomorrows deadly attack. The remains of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne after last Decembers arson attack. Simon Schluter When hateful things were chanted from the steps of the Opera House. When Jewish writers and academics were doxxed. When people marched through city streets calling to globalise the intifada.

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When, on separate occasions, arsonists burnt a Melbourne synagogue to the ground, tried to torch another and set fire to cars outside the Sydney home of a Jewish community leader. When the prime ministers special envoy on antisemitism, Jillian Segal, handed down a report articulating the problem and how best to eradicate it through cultural changes in schools, universities and public broadcasters. They warned us, but either we didnt believe them or didnt want to hear. I just think no one took it sufficiently seriously, Segal told this masthead. Her report, nearly five months after its publication, remains unacted upon, despite ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess telling parliament this year that antisemitism was his agencys top priority because of its real and present risk to life.

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Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal. Dylan Coker Now 15 people have been murdered, including a 10-year-old girl, killed by gunmen at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration in what is being investigated as the worst mass casualty terrorist attack on Australian soil. So when Jewish leaders met at the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne the morning after the attack, their grief was laced with a white-hot fury. I was shocked at the level of anger within the community, said Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia. When we talk about who is to blame for this horrific attack, it is very clear that blame sits with the perpetrators, and if there were people who sent them or financed them, those individuals or groups. But, one cannot ignore the atmosphere and the environment that allowed the demonisation, hatred and antisemitism to flourish in the lead up to this attack.

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Governments and leaders do bear responsibility. Palestinian supporters marching to the Sydney Opera House in 2023 after the October 7 attack on Israel. AP He summarised our political failure as moral confusion  a misunderstanding of Israels place in the world, the war it is fighting against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, and the one being waged in Australia over what sort of country we want to be. Liora Miller, vice-president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, described an ecosystem of hate that has been allowed to fester. We have seen protests around the country, week after week, for two years, with chants of Globalise the intifada and From the river to the sea. This is what that looks like. Daniel Rabin, senior rabbi at the Caulfield Shule, said that when he first came to Australia as a student, the place was like a Jewish la la land  a modern, pluralistic community seemingly free of antisemitism where Jews were warmly welcomed into nearly all parts of society. He said that as a Zionist, he has now been called a terrorist and a pig and told he deserves to die.

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This has to be a turning point for all of us: Rabbi Daniel Rabin. Joe Armao How is that allowed? he asked. Is it OK for people to harm me because I believe in a Jewish homeland? Something has gone wrong. To know that a family today is mourning and grieving their 10-year-old because of a hatred that has been allowed to spread in our country is inexcusable. I was hoping that when we had the firebombing of the synagogues that would be a turning point. This has to be a turning point for all of us. Loading A hate that has been allowed to fester, allowed to spread.

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This is the principal charge against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, state leaders in Victoria and NSW, vice-chancellors of universities, which for weeks indulged encampments, and the leaders of unions and cultural institutions unable to call out bigotry within their own ranks. It is a charge forcefully put by the Coalition, which is in opposition in Canberra and in NSW and Victoria, the two states where nearly all Australian Jews live. James Paterson, a Liberal senator with strong ties to the Jewish community, said just as the Port Arthur massacre changed Australia forever, so must the Bondi terrorist attack. A 10-year-old child has been murdered. A rabbi has been murdered. Someone who survived the Holocaust, who survived Nazi Germany, who made their home here in Australia, has been murdered, Paterson said. And the Jewish community is outraged that their warnings have not been heeded, that actions have not followed the many platitudes that we have heard over the last two years. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes

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Our prime minister, our premiers, our governments must stand up and they must lead. Josh Frydenberg, the former Morrison government treasurer weighing a return to federal politics, said the Bondi murders were all too predictable. Why didnt our leaders listen and why didnt they act? The massacre we have seen at one of our nations most iconic landmarks is the culmination of an unprecedented failure of leadership. Paterson and Frydenberg open themselves to accusations of politicising a tragic event. Yet, much the same case is being made by people who want Albanese and his government to succeed. Federal Labor MP Josh Burns, whose electorate takes in some of Australias most Jewish neighbourhoods, met with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Monday morning as the names of the Bondi victims were starting to reach Jewish families in Sydney and Melbourne.

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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visits St Kilda in inner Melbourne in the wake of the terror attack in Bondi. Jason South Sitting on the steps of the St Kilda Shule, he reflected that for decades after the Holocaust, Australia was seen as a Jewish haven, an antidote to the ancient hatred, pogroms and death of Europe. It was the opportunity for Jewish people to express their faith freely and without fear, Burns said. Today, in Australia in 2025, you cant go to a Jewish community institution without walking through security gates, you cant go to a Jewish school without seeing guards out the front. This did not happen out of the blue. This is something that, unfortunately, has been building in Australia for years. In the worst possible way, the nightmare of what we always feared has happened. He said that, in order of urgency, Jews must be kept safe throughout the rest of Hanukkah and an investigation must determine not just who carried out the Bondi attack but any foreign influence or domestic intelligence failures that contributed to it.

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It cannot stop there, he cautioned. The really important job for the vast majority of people and especially community leadership, is to tackle this in a cultural sense head on. Related Article Bondi shooting Speed, accuracy, precision: How gun makers market the weapons used at Bondi This is what Jillian Segals report implored Australia to do when it was published in July. It squarely pointed the finger at our universities, schools, media, artists and cultural organisations for allowing antisemitism to become ingrained and normalised. It recommended changes to school curriculums to address ignorance about Jewish history, the Holocaust and the founding of Israel, and regulation of universities to make them more accountable for antisemitism in academia. It also urged the federal government to start screening prospective immigrants for hatred of Jews. The Albanese government is still framing its response but two sources familiar with its thinking said this is likely to involve changes to high school curriculums and greater expectations on universities, of which the government is the principal funder.

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Segal said it is self-evident, when we see hate speech morph into hateful action and mass murder, that as a community, we havent done enough. Blame is not a very useful sentiment, she said. What we need to do now is all take responsibility to work together and accelerate the plan. Attacking the Jews is the first stage of attacking democracy and attacking other communities. This is about the future of the country and social cohesion and our way of life. If you cant gather on Bondi Beach to celebrate a festival where light shines over darkness, that is a great tragedy for the Australian nation. At Melbournes Federation Square on Monday night, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann lit a menorah candle for Hanukkah in what he described as a gesture of solidarity and defiance. He reflected that for two years, his community has been telling the government loudly and forcefully that it doesnt feel safe. This is now a whole different Australia, he said. The innocence had been broken. Now it has shattered.

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NationalBondi shooting He wouldnt have hated the gunmen: Victim Eli Schlangers mission was love and light Kate Aubusson December 15, 2025  12:18pm 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. Nikki Goldstein and Rabbi Eli Schlanger were one chapter away from finishing their book chronicling their conversations of love and life when Schlanger was killed with 14 others by two gunmen at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Eli wouldnt have hated them, Goldstein said. The gunmen. He would have seen that theyre coming from their own fears. Nikki Goldstein and Rabbi Eli Schlanger at Goldsteins home to help her observe Sukkot, a Jewish festival commemorating Gods protection of the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. Nikki Goldstein He understood that this [antisemitism] is about fear, so lets counter fear with love. He must have said that to me a million times in the last 12 months, she said of the assistant Rabbi at Chabad of Bondi.

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The 41-year-old father was a key organiser of the Chanukah by the Sea event, where two gunmen opened fire on the crowd of hundreds of Jewish people who had gathered to celebrate the start of the annual festival of Hanukkah. One of the gunmen was shot dead and the other is in hospital with injuries. Last year, Schlanger marked Hanukkah by dancing down the street and invited others to join him in a video posted to X. He told his followers that dancing was the best way to fight antisemitism. We have to counter hate with love, Goldstein said. That is all we can do, and that is all Eli would have done. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack Schlangers young wife, Chaya, and five children (the youngest an infant) have lost a father and husband. An enormous loss for any family, Goldstein said, but in this particular family, theyd already been sharing him with the world, because his mission was to bring light and love and peace to the world.

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Theres always that tendency when people have died, to turn them into saints. Eli would have been the first person to say he wasnt a saint, but he gave with all his heart and and he brought mission to life every day, she said. There was no artifice about the man. He was genuine and kind and funny and he was extraordinary in his belief and his mission. Goldstein first met Schlanger in St Vincents Hospital intensive care unit in September 2022. She was in an induced coma and in a critical condition with a life-threatening case of pneumonia.

Schlanger was wandering through the ICU on his usual rounds as an accredited chaplain, offering comfort to hospital patients. British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was shot and killed at Bondi Beach on Sunday. My husband, who isnt Jewish, ran over and said, My wife is in a coma. She is in extremis. The doctors dont give her much chance of survival. Shes Jewish. Can you please say a prayer over her?

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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 So Eli did with me what he had done many hundreds of times, Goldstein said. He came to the bedside of somebody in dire circumstances and said a prayer over my [then] lifeless body, and for whatever reason, I survived. Eli called it a miracle. The doctors called it a miracle. The pair have had an iron-clad bond ever since, she said. Their book, Conversations with My Rabbi, documented the dialogue between Goldstein, a secular Jewish woman, and British-born Schlanger.

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When we started work on the book, Eli said to me, I dont want this to be negative. I want this to be uplifting. I want it to be for everybody. I want to shine light on the beautiful aspects of Judaism, but also just life, because we were talking about everything from child-rearing to family life to relationship issues, Goldstein said. Last week, Schlanger called Goldstein from his car on his way back from visiting a prisoner at South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra. It was their final conversation. We were nearly at the end, and Im not sure how that is all going to come together, but I am going to honour his mission. NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, in a post shared on social media in September. Instagram NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane described Schlanger as a beautiful man and a great leader.

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Schlangers father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, the head of Sydney Beth Din and Chabad Bondi, appeared in a moving video during morning prayers on Monday, reaching for tissues to dry his tears. Ulman said many people wanted to bring Jews down, destroy us, make us despondent, lose hope,

but that is not what those who died, like Schlanger, wouldve wanted. We have to step up now. Theyre looking to us. Now is the time to unite, and forget petty things, Ulman said. Corrective Services NSW commissioner Gary McCahon said Schlanger had travelled across the state to minister to inmates, and devoted his time to supporting them with compassion. His loss will be felt by many [and] I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the broader Jewish community during this immensely painful time, McCahon said.

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When the first couple of shots shattered the peaceful scene, several eyewitnesses said they thought it was the sound of fireworks. On the third pop, we understood shooting, said one young woman who had her scalp grazed by a bullet. We heard people saying get down. We were protecting our five-year-old son and three-month-old daughter. The woman, who asked not to be named, described mayhem erupting across Archer Park as she and her partner sheltered their children from the bullets. The two gunmen seemed to have made no attempt to camouflage their intent. Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, arrived at the beach in their silver hatchback and climbed out carrying rifles and wearing bandoliers of extra ammunition around their waists.

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Sajid wore a black shirt and white trousers, carrying a black backpack and a black satchel slung by his side. His rifle appeared to be a pump-action weapon. Naveed wore a black shirt, black pants and carried a bolt-action rifle fitted with a magnifying scope. They parked their car next to the northern end of a concrete pedestrian footbridge that links Campbell Parade to Archer Park. The bridge has a clearance of 2.7 metres above the roadway below and provided an elevated platform, with a waist-high concrete parapet, from which the gunmen took aim at the families attending the Hanukkah event. Eyewitness Josh Pulford said he saw the alleged gunmen start firing from the bridge. Pulford was in his van, parked about 15 metres from the bridge. They marched towards the event and opened fire, he said. One had a shotgun, another had an assault rifle.

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Dozens of people at the event were hit in quick succession. I saw children falling to the floor, I saw elderly, I saw invalids  it was just blood gushing everywhere, said Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer who was there with his family. This is a bloodbath People screamed and ducked for cover. Ostrovsky, who was bleeding heavily after being struck in the head, said he saw one gunman who appeared to be shooting in all directions from the bridge. This is a bloodbath  it was an absolute massacre, he said. Vladimir Kotlyar used his body to shield his son from bullets, and a person next to him was hit in the shoulder and slumped across them.

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Kotlyar, a chaplain with the State Emergency Service, is a veteran of the USSR army. And still I have never seen anything like this, he said. People sprinted for the safety of the beach and ran en masse to take shelter in the North Bondi RSL Club. Footage shows people in cafes along the beachfront scrambling for cover, knocking over chairs to get away from the street. Others ran towards the scene to try to render help. A man who identified himself as B heard the first shots and saw two children, aged around five or six, hiding under a car. They said my mum, my mum, he said. The man pulled the childrens mother from under the car. She had been shot in the back of the neck and the shoulder. He applied pressure to her wounds for 20 minutes before paramedics arrived. It was like a war zone, he said. Bodies of the dead and injured were strewn around the petting zoo. I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere, said another eyewitness, Harry Wilson.
A Sydney rabbi has laid part of the blame for the Bondi massacre at the feet of leaders who failed to act on his warnings in a thunderous address on Tuesday night.

We begged, shut these demonstrations down, legislate for it, find the legal means, Rabbi Nochum Schapiro from North Shore Chabad told a congregation who gathered on Tuesday night to pray and remember those killed.

Rabbi Nochum Schapiro speaking on Tuesday night Dylan Coker

And those who shouted Gas the Jews, or Wheres the Jews - what difference does it make, same vile statements - were not prosecuted, were not stopped, were not sent out of the country. Were allowed to continue with this vile hate. So we ask [politicians] now: legislate.

Schapiro said he had written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in August to share his view that recognising Palestinian statehood would intensify antisemitism and endanger the safety of Jews in Australia.

I didnt even get a response, he said. You cannot disconnect the Jewish people from the Jewish land. The Jewish people and the Jewish land are one, he said on Tuesday.

And when you vilify the leaders of the Jewish land of Israel, and when you constantly criticise them and then say that they must give up parts of this land  that endangers Jews everywhere.

When Israel is criticised, then the way its received by the antisemites is that its okay to attack Jews.

Youre going to tell the Prime Minister of Israel how he should fight his war when you couldnt protect a thousand people on Bondi Beach? Youre going to tell them how to protect 8 million people in the land of Israel?

Federal MP for Bradfield Nicolette Boele, who attended the event and was emotional throughout, said Rabbi Schapiro had previously spoken to her about the connection between Israel and Jewish identity.

His perspective is strident, but I completely see where hes coming from, she said, adding she had written to the prime minister months ago seeking a response to the special envoys respective reports on antisemitism and Islamophobia.

This is a truly multicultural country. It doesnt just happen. We have to work at it, and weve got to work at it harder now than weve ever before.
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NationalNSWBondi shooting Editorial Dark day hurts us all: now we must show unity and resolve The Herald's View Editorial December 15, 2025  5:19pm

December 15, 2025  5:19pm 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 Beach shooting here. Australia was the happy land where freedom of worship, free speech and freedom of assembly promised a new life for some and a better life for all. But the murderous attack on Jewish families while they celebrated Hanukkah on Bondi Beach has cast a pall over some of the treasured beliefs that unite us and radically changed how the rest of the world may perceive us. People gather at the Bondi Beach vigil for victims of Sundays attack. Steven Siewert The killing of 16 people and wounding of at least another 42 is the deadliest attack on Jewish citizens since the Hamas raids on Israel in October 2023. The story led news websites and newspapers across the world as the shock, surprise and horror rolled out from the very beach that symbolises the best of our country.

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The Bondi Beach shootings are unprecedented. Over the past five decades, infrequent, indiscriminate mass shootings have punctuated Australian lives  Port Arthur, Strathfield, Queen Street, Hoddle Street  with most carried out by loners, some with mental health problems. But police alleged the Bondi Beach killings were carried out by a father and son, and authorities quickly identified their actions as terrorism. The 50-year-old father is dead and his son, 24, is in a critical but stable condition. Coincidentally, the slaughter on Sunday occurred on the eve of the 11th anniversary of the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydneys CBD, the attack that alerted many to the real threat posed by fanatic assassins. Now, as the Lindt siege and the Bondi Junction stabbing deaths last April showed, Sydney comes together like at no other time after such tragedies. However, Bondi Beach is something we have not seen before, and there will be plenty of questions that may take time to be answered. Gun reform will be at the forefront. After Port Arthur, Australia was considered a world leader on firearm ownership reform, but one of the Bondi shooters legally owned six firearms, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to propose new legislation to limit the number of guns used or licensed by individuals. The unimpeded rise of antisemitism has also been exposed at Bondi Beach.

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Days after the 2023 massacre by Hamas, pro-Palestinian protesters chanted antisemitic slogans at the Opera House, while the Jewish community were told to avoid the CBD to guarantee their safety. Despite an inquiry and new legislation, an outbreak of graffiti and fire attacks around synagogues and schools, homes and vehicles has occurred around Australia and has been relentlessly building to Sunday. The issue continued to polarise politics. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asserted on Monday that there has been a failure in leadership to stamp out antisemitism. There is palpable anger because antisemitism in Australia has been left to fester, she said. But this blackest of days surely hurts us all. Perhaps a sense of unity and the calm resolution displayed by Ahmed al Ahmed running towards danger to disarm the cowardly shooter is the surest way to shine a light into the darkness and lift the pall. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Bondi Beach incident helplines: Victim Services helpline 1800 411 822

Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

Supply information to police on 1800 333 000 NSW Health disaster mental health support clinicians will be available at Bondi over coming days and weeks. These staff will be mobile and identified by NSW Health vests. Other support: NSW Health Mental Health Line, available 24/7 on 1800 011 511 

 For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
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NationalQueenslandQueensland courts Brazilian tourist accused of ploughing car into pedestrians faces court Andrew Stafford December 15, 2025  2:34pm 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

A 38-year-old Brazilian man has been remanded in custody after allegedly ploughing his car into a group of eight pedestrians following what police described as a minor altercation on Saturday night. Guilherme Dal Bo faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court by videolink on eight counts of attempted murder on Monday. His case was adjourned until Friday pending a possible upgrade to one of the charges. Aerodrome Road at the Fourth Avenue intersection in Maroochydore. Google Maps A 24-year-old woman is fighting for her life in Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital after the horrific incident on Queenslands Sunshine Coast.

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Police allege the tourist became involved in a minor verbal altercation with a group of men at a pedestrian crossing in Maroochydore while driving a white Toyota Yaris. Dal Bo is then alleged to have driven on, before circling back and mounting the kerb, hitting two women and six men head-on. The 24-year-old woman, two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old man were seriously injured. The young woman was flown to hospital in a critical condition. Hocken said the men and women did not know each other. They just happened to be walking on that sidewalk at that time, he said.

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The 24-year-old woman had travelled from NSW to visit family as a surprise. She was minding her business walking on the side of the road when she was struck by this vehicle, Hocken said. A family is flying up from NSW to be with their daughter who arrived in Queensland just to spend some time with family, just before Christmas. He said the men had moved on and were minding their business when they observed the vehicle come back. Most reasonable people drive home and go to bed, Hocken said.

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Police alleged the driver then fled the scene, dumping his car near his unit. Dal Bo, a tourist from Brazil who also has Italian and Australian nationality, spoke little in his brief appearance before acting magistrate Maxine Baldwin. AAP Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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NationalQueenslandHospitals Hospital rescue plan to deliver thousands more beds across Queensland Courtney Kruk December 15, 2025  1:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

The Queensland government has unveiled a plan to deliver thousands more hospital beds and improved health infrastructure across the state, but it could be years before issues plaguing the public system are brought under control. The Crisafulli governments $18.53 billion Hospital Rescue Plan includes an additional 2600 hospital beds within the next five years and revised construction timelines to deliver new facilities and major upgrades for hospitals in Townsville, Redcliffe, Coomera, Toowoomba and Bundaberg. It comes after an independent review of the former Labor governments hospital expansion program, headed by infrastructure consultant Sam Sangster, found significant budget blowouts and delivery delays of between three and five years for some projects. Health minister Tim Nicholls announced the Crisafulli governments plans to deliver 2600 hospital beds across Queensland. Courtney Kruk Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the revised plan offers a sensible pathway that has been properly worked through to meet the needs of the growing state.

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Our plan provides realistic deadlines and realistic time frames for the staged delivery of hospital beds up to 2032, he said. Related Article Updated

Aged care No deal: States wont sign on to federal hospital funding offer This is a believable plan that realistically sets out, given the challenges in the building industry, a proper time frame. The new direction will increase capacity across south-east Queensland with 93 new overnight beds at Princess Alexandra Hospital, 210 at Redcliffe Hospital, 112 at Logan Hospital and 112 at QEII Hospital, expected by 2028. Construction on the new Coomera Hospital will begin next year, with 400 beds and expanded acute and specialist services to be delivered by 2031. A further 200 beds will follow in 2032.

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The announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations with the federal government to secure greater public hospital funding, with Queensland rejecting an offer put forward last week. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered the states an extra $3 billion, on top of $20 billion already pledged, over the next five-year term to help alleviate the number of stranded elderly and NDIS patients stuck in public hospitals, in turn reducing ambulance ramping and freeing up hospital beds. Nicholls said the offer does not meet the states requirements and said the federal government must commit more to improved aged care and disability services. The ramping crisis is being driven by the inability to move older Australians out of our hospital beds and into residential aged care, and to younger Australians who cant access NDIS packages, he said. If we could move just 10 to 15 per cent of those stranded patients into the care that they need, we would have a lot more capacity in our hospitals. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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NationalQueenslandBondi shooting Police vow to protect Brisbanes Jewish community as events go ahead Cloe Read and Julius Dennis Updated December 15, 2025  6:56pm ,first published 5:04pm 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 Beach shooting here. Police were ramping up their presence at Queenslands Jewish events after Sundays massacre at Bondi, as their acting chief declared that there were no specific threats to gatherings in coming days. While one Hanukkah event was cancelled on the Gold Coast, Jewish community members chose not to abandon a celebration in Brisbanes CBD on Sunday night, and other events this week were expected to go ahead. One Sunshine Coast rabbi told this masthead that cancelling would only grant the evil people what they want. Queensland Holocaust Museum Board Chair Jason Steinberg. Julius Dennis

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The Gold Coast event was originally expected to draw hundreds of people to a public park on Monday night to mark the second night of Hanukkah. On Monday morning, the Queensland Holocaust Museums chair Jason Steinberg said it would be cancelled, following advice from police, in a reflection of concern among members of south-east Queenslands Jewish community. 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 But he said local Friday and Saturday services for the Sabbath would go ahead. One thing that is crucial for us as a religion is to keep practising, and we wont let terror influence what we do as a community, to stop practising our religion, he said.

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He spoke to media before a meeting with Premier David Crisafulli, where he planned to advocate for gun law changes after the carnage at Bondi Beach, when 16 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens more hospitalised. Id be asking the premier to advocate hard for action. Forget words, its time for action, said Steinberg, who was at the event in Queens Park when news of the mass shooting filtered through. How could someone have a gun licence and then perpetrate this kind of action? How does that happen? Acting Police Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said decisions were up to Jewish leaders, but police would support them in making their assessments.

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She assured the community that the threat of violence was isolated to NSW, and that Queenslands threat level remains at probable, in line with federal assessments. People need to have an opportunity to gather in their normal places of worship and thats what we want people to do, to be able to do that and you know not have that disruption, she said. When asked whether Queensland was seeing a rise in antisemitism, Scanlon said: I think the world has changed. We have seen things here. We have hate crime offences ... we have managed protest activity here ... things have shifted, things have increased and thats generally what you see right across the country. National cabinet agrees to strengthen gun laws Authorities have revealed one of the Bondi shooters legally owned six firearms, bringing state and territory gun laws into question. Last year, work began on the national firearms register, which would combine information from federal, state and territory databases into one central system.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would propose tougher gun laws, including measures to limit the number of firearms people could hold. NSW Premier Chris Minns also confirmed change was needed to reform gun legislation. Asked about gun law reform, Scanlon would not be drawn on her opinion, but said the national firearms register would be a very important thing for this country. The Bondi massacre, deemed a terrorist attack, comes three years after two constables and a neighbour were gunned down at rural town Wieambilla in one of Queenslands worst shootings. Related Article Bondi shooting Port Arthur-era National Firearms Agreement to be renegotiated after Bondi Beach massacre State Coroner Terry Ryan recently recommended Queensland undertake a review to consider the introduction of mandatory mental health assessments for weapons licence applicants.

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Scanlon said policies around mental health checks for gun owners were matters for the government to consider, and said there would be more discussion nationally. This is a distressing incident for all involved, she said, adding that acts of antisemitism had no place in Queensland or Australia. This is a moment for national unity to ensure events such as these dont divide us. Crisafullis office declined to respond to direct questions about support for changes to gun laws. However, in a statement on Monday afternoon following the meeting of national cabinet, the group said all states had agreed to strengthen them.

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Under the announced approach, Police Minister Dan Purdie and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington will be tasked with developing options alongside their interstate counterparts. These will include accelerating work on the national register, tightened licensing restrictions  including to Australian citizens only  and limiting the number of guns a person can own. With Matt Dennien Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandBondi shooting We stayed, we danced: Brisbane Hanukkah lights shine on in face of deadly Bondi terror attack Julius Dennis and Marissa Calligeros Updated December 15, 2025  1:50pm ,first published 11:15am 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. The celebratory spirit of about 500 people in Brisbanes CBD for a special Hanukkah in the City event was shattered as news from Bondi filtered through on Sunday night. Police swarmed the event at Queens Gardens on George Street as soon as it became clear that the Bondi terror attack had targeted a family-friendly event to mark the first night of Hanukkah  the Jewish festival of light. But Brisbane Rabbi Levi Jaffe said he and members of his community decided not to abandon the event at which a large menorah candelabra is lit. Flowers on the fence of the Brisbane Synagogue on Monday morning, in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack. Julius Dennis

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Some community members came over to me and they told me. They said, Look, weve just heard this horrible news out of Sydney, he said. There was some consideration about whether or not we should ... stop the event, but we felt that that goes against the whole message of Hanukkah. So people stayed, people stayed. With broken hearts and crying spirit inside, we continued to celebrate. We danced, we celebrated ... We felt this is a time we need to strengthen ourselves, and we need to strengthen our resolve. And as difficult as it was, there was a very strong spirit. Jaffe is grieving friends and community members killed in the Bondi attack, but was touched when he arrived at the synagogue on Monday morning to find flowers left on the front gates.

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Tonight my family and I joined Brisbanes Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah. This afternoons shocking attack during a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration is horrific and distressing, Schrinner said in a statement on Sunday night. Premier David Crisafulli said he had contacted Jewish community leaders to offer his prayers and support, in what will be difficult days and weeks ahead. Loading Queenslands security cabinet convened on Monday morning, and Crisafulli was due to join a national security cabinet later in the day. Schrinner said Brisbane City Hall and Reddacliff Place, as well as the Story, Kangaroo Point and Victoria bridges would all be lit bright white on Monday night in tribute to those killed.

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Public flags at thirteen locations across the city  including King George Square, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Observatory Park and Gregory Terrace  were also lowered to half-mast. Tensions, however, rose outside Brisbanes synagogue on Monday morning, where people laid brightly coloured flowers in solidarity with the Bondi victims. People placed flowers on the fence of the Brisbane Synagogue on Monday morning in a show of solidarity with the Jewish community. Julius Dennis A truck driver delivering goods to a neighbouring worksite took issue with being asked by Jaffes son to move his vehicle away from the place of worship. For security reasons, we have to be very careful and conscious about people that park their cars outside the synagogue, and my son simply asked the driver ... whether he had some kind of permit, Jaffe said.

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The driver, for whatever reason, wasnt very happy to get that kind of question. Its unfortunate that this happened this morning, but it was just a little incident. A delivery truck driver clashing with people from the synagogue. Julius Dennis The entire confrontation happened in front of watching media, with the driver at one stage coming over to speak to the cameras, claiming he was being criticised and humiliated for doing his job. Despite Queensland police releasing a statement on Sunday night that there would be heightened security at Jewish places of worship, there were no officers at the scene for at least 15 minutes. Officers arrived just before 7.30am and spoke to the man before asking him to leave.

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Police arrived at about 7.30am and asked the man to leave after taking his details. Julius Dennis Jaffe said worshippers arrived at the synagogue on Monday morning with incredible spirit to continue marking Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of light. It was so heartwarming. I actually said to the people, what youre doing, is youre really living the Hanukkah spirit by being here today ... in not allowing this event to affect our way of life and our beliefs, he said. Im talking to you from a broken heart  [but] it is our firm belief that goodness will prevail. A Hanukkah event that was due to take place in a park on the Gold Coast on Monday night has been cancelled over security concerns.

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Queensland Holocaust Museum Board chair Jason Steinberg said Friday and Saturday services for the Sabbath would go ahead in Queensland. One thing that is crucial for us as a religion is to keep practising, and we wont let terror influence what we do as a community, to stop practising our religion, he said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life Landlords dominate Airbnb listings and worsen rental crisis in holiday towns Adam Carey December 16, 2025  12:00am 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

Victorias Airbnb market has become dominated by profit-driven property investors who buy multiple homes in popular tourist towns and lease them out to short-term holidaymakers, depleting rental stock for residents in the process. The creeping corporatisation of Airbnb is worsening Victorias housing affordability crisis, particularly in hotspots such as the Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula, a new report states. The Mornington Peninsula has experienced a near 30 per cent rise in non-hosted Airbnb listings within four years. Joe Armao The report, which analysed four years of Airbnb listings data, found that the short-stay accommodation platform has departed from its original sharing economy model in which travellers stay with a home owner or at an owners property while they are away. Instead, most places listed on Airbnb are now owned by a landlord who leases multiple properties through the platform and does not live or stay there, and often outsources management to a third party.

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This changing trend is significant because the growing number of non-hosted short-term rentals offered on Airbnb is removing thousands of potential long-term rental homes from the market. In 2019, 55 per cent of short-stay residential properties listed on Airbnb across Australia were hosted by a resident. By 2023, that figure had decreased to 42 per cent, with 58 per cent of listed properties not hosted. There are now more listings for entire homes than there are for hosted rentals, which is a shift away from the original premise of platforms like Airbnb for property owners to host visitors in spare rooms, Monash University research fellow Dr Michaela Lang said. Lang was the lead author of a report by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, which found Airbnb has transformed from a platform of hosts to ghosts.

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From 2019 to 2023, the number of hosted homes on Airbnb fell by 32 per cent, from 73,000 to 50,000, while non-hosted properties rose by 15 per cent from 60,000 to 69,000, the report found. Nowhere is this trend more pronounced than in coastal Victoria. The number of non-hosted properties on the Mornington Peninsula surged by 28 per cent, from about 2500 in 2019 to 3300 in 2023, making the tourist region the nations Airbnb heartland. Bass Coast Shire, which includes short-stay hotspot Phillip Island, experienced a 30 per cent surge in the same four-year period, while listings in central Melbourne fell significantly, from 2600 in 2019 to less than 2000 in 2023.

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Lang said the decline in Airbnb listings in the City of Melbourne was part of a national trend, with Sydney and Brisbane also dropping off, while the number of non-hosted listings rose sharply in holiday locations such as the Whitsundays, Noosa and the Barossa Valley. While those places have all had short-stay rental accommodation for a long time, Lang said, Airbnbs emergence as a dominant platform on the market had coincided with a worsening housing shortage. The number of non-hosted properties in the Bass Coast Shire, including the town of Inverloch, jumoed by 30 per cent from 2019 to 2023. Eddie Jim For some of these towns, housing has just become incredibly unaffordable and unavailable, she said. Tourists can be great for your business, but some of those areas are hitting densities where its difficult to get staff because its so difficult to find housing. Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh said Airbnb had changed the holiday rental landscape in the area, as relatively humble beach houses were being rented out by owners making an absolute killing.

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We get 8 million visitors a year  so there is, to some extent, a reliance on these holiday rentals. But Airbnb have changed it from the little shack that people might rent out in Blairgowrie over a couple of weeks to whats very much this commercial business model now. Related Article Homelessness Mornington Peninsula is now ground zero for rough sleeping in Melbourne Marsh said many properties could potentially serve as affordable long-term rental accommodation, but owners had calculated that renting them out for short stays was more profitable. Thinking of say, Rye, Im sure if you jump on Airbnb and look at some of the houses, theyre probably reasonably normal beach houses that are making an absolute killing during the week. But if theyre on the rental market, that would be probably considered affordable, and I think thats where its doing the biggest damage, he said. The Victorian government introduced a 7.5 per cent levy on short-stay accommodation bookings on January 1, arguing it would make more properties available for long-term rentals.

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The levy is expected to generate $75 million in revenue in its first full year, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, with all of that revenue to go to Homes Victoria, and 25 per cent directed to regional areas. Airbnb declined to comment when contacted by The Age. According to Airbnb data, the overwhelming majority of hosts  85 per cent  list just one property on the platform. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The bodies of the photographer and filmmaker behind The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally have been found in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood. Police are investigating it as an apparent homicide

Sadness, shock, and concern have gripped Hollywood. Rob Reiner, actor and director of acclaimed films such as The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally, has been found dead in his Los Angeles home alongside his wife, Michele Reiner. Their bodies were discovered with stab wounds.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner, a family spokesperson said in a statement. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

There were no signs of forced entry at the Reiners residence, according to the local outlet Los Angeles Times, which also reported that a family member was being interviewed in connection with the deaths. People magazine went further, claiming exclusively  citing multiple sources  that the couple were allegedly stabbed by their middle son, Nick, who struggled with addiction, and that it was their other daughter, the youngest, Romy, who found the bodies. This information has not been confirmed by official sources, which maintain that a homicide investigation is ongoing.

Actors Jack Nicholson (c), Morgan Freeman (r) and director Rob Reiner pose at the premiere of 'The Bucket List' in Berlin, January 21, 2008. Tobias Schwarz (REUTERS) Director of the movie Rob Reiner with cast members Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan react as they arrive for the 30th anniversary screening of comedy movie 'When Harry Met Sally' in Hollywood, California, U.S. April 11, 2019. Mario Anzuoni (REUTERS) Actor Tom Cruise (r) chats with director Rob Reiner after arriving for the premiere of Reiner's new film 'A Few Good Men' in Los Angeles, California, U.S. December 9, 1992. Fred Prouser (REUTERS) Carl Reiner (r) poses with his son Rob Reiner in Los Angeles, California, U.S. February 27, 1999, following the 14th Annual Hall of Fame Show in North Hollywood. STR New (REUTERS) Hillary Clinton gets a kiss from actor Rob Reiner (l) at a fundraising event at the Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills, California, April 3, 2008. Mark Avery (REUTERS)

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the news on Sunday, but did not provide many details. According to Captain Mike Bland, the bodies of two people  a man and a woman  had been found in a mansion in the Brentwood neighborhood, one of the citys most affluent areas. At around 3:30 p.m. local time, emergency services received a call reporting that someone needed medical assistance. The house belonged to actor and director Rob Reiner, 78  son of the late, well-known actors Carl Reiner and Estelle Reiner  and his wife Michele, 68. The couple had three children: Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 28.

Police initially provided no further details, but later revealed that the victims had both died from stab wounds. Finally, around 7:30 p.m., it became known that the deceased were Rob and Michele. The Los Angeles Police Departments Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating both deaths as an apparent homicide.

Around 9:00 p.m., the deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Departments investigative division, Alan S. Hamilton, held a press conference before a crowd of media gathered outside the Reiners home on Chadbourne Avenue. He clarified very little, other than confirming that a judicial investigation is underway regarding a crime scene and that information would be released as it is confirmed and can be made public in the coming days. Authorities intend to question all close family members. Beyond the police cordon on the Reiners street, the neighborhood had not been sealed off or evacuated.

Rob Reiner, second left, poses with his wife Michele, left, and children Nick, center, Romy, and Jake at the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall, April 28, 2014, in New York. Evan Agostini (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Half a century in Hollywood

Reiner had spent more than half a century working in film and television as an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He started acting on television in the early 1960s. His breakout role came in the 1970s with All in the Family, where he appeared in almost 200 episodes as Michael Stivic, the familys hippie son-in-law. He continued appearing in TV series throughout his life, including Frasier, The Simpsons, The Good Fight, New Girl, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and, more recently, the acclaimed series The Bear, one of his last projects.

In film, he also starred in titles such as Postcards from the Edge, Sleepless in Seattle, The Man with One Red Shoe, Bullets over Broadway, The First Wives Club, Primary Colors, and The Wolf of Wall Street. In total, he participated in around 90 productions.

But above all, his work as a director stands out, with some 30 films to his name. His directorial debut was Sonny Boy in 1974, but from there came gems of cinema and popular culture such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and Stand by Me (two of the most beloved Stephen King adaptations), A Few Good Men  the only one to earn him an Academy Award nomination, for Best Picture, in 1993  North; The American President; The Story of Us; Now and Then; Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and the various installments of the mock rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.

Rob Reiner attends the Premiere of 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Alberto E. Rodriguez (FilmMagic)

Although Rob was born in New York, in the Bronx, he moved to Los Angeles when he was just 12 years old. His family, Jewish but only casually practicing, settled in Beverly Hills, where he made lifelong friends while attending the local school, Beverly Hills High School, alongside actor Richard Dreyfuss and director Albert Brooks. He spent his entire life in Los Angeles, where he was a prominent liberal political activist, supporting the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and speaking out against Donald Trump.

Rob and Michele, a photographer, camerawoman, and producer, met during the filming of When Harry Met Sally and married months later, in May 1989. It was his second marriage; he had previously been married to the comedic actress and director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981 and adopted her daughter, actress Tracy Reiner.

In a 2016 interview with People, Nick, the couples middle child, spoke about his struggles with addiction, which began when he was very young and led him to enter rehab at age 15, with multiple stints in clinics. He left home and even lived on the streets, as he explained to the magazine. He drew on these difficult experiences to write a book, which was later adapted into the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, directed by his father.

Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in 'The Princess Bride' directed by Rob Reiner. Alamy Stock Photo / Cordon Press

A loss for Los Angeles

The couple was deeply loved in the city and across California, so much so that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement of condolences, calling it a devastating loss for our city and our country. Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights.

Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement that he and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, were heartbroken by the tragic loss. Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, he said. His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others  and encouraging us to dream bigger. That empathy extended well beyond his films. Rob was a passionate advocate for children and for civil rights  from taking on Big Tobacco to fighting for marriage equality to serving as a powerful voice in early education. He made California a better place through his good works. Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity."

In 2017, in an interview with EL PAIS, Reiner stated that Donald Trump, who was then serving his first mandate, inspired him for his work, and that he was considering doing a project about him. Everyones been suggesting it to me lately. Theyve also been asking me for a sequel to When Harry Met Sally my whole life, but thats a story Ive already told. Trump interests me more. Theres also something that fascinates me: how reality shows affect our lives. I call it the Kardashian-ization of the United States. Its impressive that the Kardashians built an empire from nothing, but its also thought-provoking. Fame as a life achievement it could make a wonderful movie.

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Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been booed and heckled at a Hanukkah event in Caulfield. The premier attended the Caulfield Shule on Monday night along with most of her cabinet ministers, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and federal MPs from across the political divide. Premier Jacinta Allan and other MPs at the Hanukkah Festival at the Caulfield Shule. Simon Schluter Despite this gesture of non-partisan support for the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi massacre, the congregation gave Allan a hostile reception.

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Wilson, by contrast, received warm applause. The biggest ovation was reserved for members of the CSG, the Jewish community security group which guards Jewish events, schools and places of worship. Allan, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, talks with a member of the Jewish community. Simon Schluter It comes as Melbournes Jewish community expressed fury and profound sadness for the victims of the horrific attack at Bondi Beach. At a Hanukkah celebration at Renfrey Gardens in St Kilda, Rabbi Effy Block lit the menorah candles, less than 24 hours after people were murdered celebrating the same festival in Bondi. We cant shy away, he said.

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We have to continue being proud. We have no other choice. Blocks friends and colleagues were among the 15 murdered, including Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Jewish organisation Beth Din; and businessman Reuven Morrison. Thats what my colleagues in Sydney, those who were murdered, they would have wanted is for us not to cower away and cancel every event but go even stronger. Rabbi Effy Block ran a Hanukkah event in St Kilda on Monday. Justin McManus His sister, Chavi Block, was with her six-month-old son at Bondis Chanukah by the Sea celebration, chatting to her friend about weekend beach plans. Everything was nice, she said, before she heard fireworks. The sky was empty.

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Then security yelled, Down, down, down, and she slumped her body over her baby, trying to protect him as he screamed. No, no, this cant be happening. I am in Australia. People dont have guns. This cant be happening, Block remembers thinking. Chavi Block and her young son were at Bondi Beach on Sunday. At the small Hanukkah celebration in St Kilda, people ate latkes and doughnuts, children played in a petting zoo and armed security guards stood by. Local Deborah Leiser-Moore, who stayed home from work on Monday, said although the event was tinged with sadness, nothing should stop her from celebrating. She had planned to bring her grandson to the event, but the family had decided not to come.

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Denise Fradkin said she felt incredibly upset and horrified about what had happened in Bondi. Its never going to be the same again, she said. Addressing the crowd, Rabbi Block asked why they lit the Hanukkah candles after dark. Its because we understand and recognise there is darkness in the world, he said. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi shooters visited Philippines weeks before beach massacre

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We dont ignore it, we dont say it doesnt exist. We embrace it. We understand we are living in a tough world; thats precisely the message of Hanukkah. We, each and every one of us, has the mandate to light up the world with kindness to eradicate evil, he said. At the Pillars of Light event at Federation Square on Monday, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann remembered Reuven Morris  who lived between Melbourne and Sydney  as a man who single-handedly built the Chabad Bondi Synagogue and who came to Australia in search of a better life. He was the most beautiful man. You would see him, and hed greet you with his Australian-Russian accent, and hed give you a handshake and hug with this gorgeous smile that would light up the room, Kaltmann told the ABC. Hed tell you youre doing well and everythings OK. Morrison is survived by his wife, daughter and grandchildren. Speaking to the small crowd of dozens of people, who were surrounded by police, Kaltmann described Sundays scenes as unimaginable.

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It is unfathomable, unimaginable, something out of our worst nightmares. Something that as Australians, we read about in the press, something that happens in lands and countries far away, not on our beautiful sun-kissed shores, he said. After calling for a minute of silence to honour the victims, Kaltmann vowed the Jewish community would not be bullied into submission, or into hiding their Jewishness in the wake of the tragedy. In Ripponlea, where the Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed in a targeted attack in December 2024, locals seethed about what they saw as a failure of governments and the broader Australian public to respond to, or even recognise, the growing threat of antisemitism. Im always hearing that were paranoid and that we somehow exaggerate these threats. But this is the reason we have to have security guards outside schools and synagogues. People just dont seem to believe us, one Jewish man, who asked not to be named, said.

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Theres this tragedy in Sydney and suddenly we have police walking up and down the street and this outpouring of concern, but none of this was a surprise. It was expected, he said. One woman from Caulfield, who asked to be identified as Lyla, said Melbournes Jewish community felt vulnerable and unsupported. It feels like were back in 1939, and not enough is being done to protect us. We should not have to hide. The people who you expect to have your back just dont do anything, she said. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes Her friend, Simon, who declined to give his surname, said most people were apathetic about the surge in antisemitic vitriol faced by Jewish people in Melbourne.

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We need to have the support of Australia. We need for people to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. This is happening, and we need to be believed, he said. Local barista Eli Leibler, who wears a kippah and shield of David to work each day, said he was proud to speak on behalf of his community. While Im grateful for the support and love of our wider community, we had the same thing on October 8 [the day after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel in 2023], and again on December 6 when the [Adass Israel] synagogue was torched. Im over it. And I think Jewish people are over being told what antisemitism is, he said. Theres enough rage and enough pain. But if I had a message, it would be that we are a forgiving people, but not a forgetful people. Countless civilisations have come and gone. We have both suffered and thrived under them, but we are not bitter. We look forward to being embraced and continuing to flourish in Australia, Leibler said. Loading

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He said his cafe had always been a junction for Jewish, non-Jewish, secular and Orthodox communities, and a sanctuary for all. Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin encouraged her community, with support from police and government, to make sure their children attended 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. Only a year ago, Levin was standing in front of the firebombed Adass Israel synagogue 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.

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We just want to live peaceful lives as Jewish people. Federal Labor member for Macnamara Josh Burns said in a statement that Hanukkah was a festival of hope, resilience and tradition. Flowers and candles left outside Bondi Pavilion on Monday. Louise Kennerley 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. State MP David Southwick, the member for Caulfield, called the shooting 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.

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This violence has been escalating over the past two years, and this tragedy represents a devastating peak. Former governor of Victoria Linda Dessau, the first Jewish person to hold the position, echoed a similar sentiment on Monday. Some of the things we feared most have now come to pass. And I think its the time, when weve seen from the countrys worst terrorist attack in our history, that the stakes are just too high to delude ourselves about whats been happening here. Across the last two years, theres been a permissiveness about antisemitism and hate often dressed up as freedom of speech, she said on radio station 3AW. Loading The Jewish community, at the moment, are in deep mourning. Theyre terrified, theyre hurt, theyre heartbroken. But that should make every Australian feel the same way.

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Victorians, meanwhile, have answered the nationwide call for blood donations to support those injured in the shootings. The response was immediate and overwhelming. By Monday afternoon, blood donation centres in Melbournes CBD and Caulfield were almost booked out for the week. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed domestic spy agency ASIO took an interest six years ago in one of the shooters in Sundays Bondi massacre as law enforcement agencies face questions about whether they could have done more to prevent the most deadly terror attack on Australian soil. Albanese and state and territory leaders also flagged on Monday evening that they would pursue major changes to strengthen national gun control laws and ensure regulations were consistent across the country after it was revealed one of the attackers legally owned six firearms. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday. Ben Symons Sydney father and son Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram have been identified as the two men who opened fire on participants at a Hanukkah ceremony at Bondi, killing at least 15 people.

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Police confirmed that the father was shot dead on Sunday, while the son was in a critical but stable condition in hospital on Monday. 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 Albanese told reporters on Monday afternoon that the son first came to attention in October 2019. He was examined on the basis of being associated with others, and the assessment was made that there was no indication of any ongoing threat or threat of him engaging in violence, Albanese said. He continued: The assessment was made because of the sons associations that he had at that time, and the investigation went for a period of six months.

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A law enforcement source told this masthead that Naveed Akram, 24, was flagged by authorities in 2019 because he was believed to be accessing extremist online material or socialising with others who had been radicalised. Authorities examined Naveed Akram but did not deem his activities sufficient to earn a charge. Sajid Akram, his father, showed none of the signs of radicalisation displayed by his son. They are probing the possibility that the son may have played a role in helping to radicalise his father. The ABC reported on Monday that ASIO took an interest in Naveed Akram because of his connections to Islamic State terrorist Isaac El Matari, who is serving seven years in jail for planning an IS insurgency as the self-declared Australian commander of the terrorist group.

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Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to this masthead that Naveed Akram had been connected to El Matari. This masthead understands that authorities concluded at the time that Naveed Akram was only an acquaintance of El Matari, rather than a close associate. Neither did they find evidence that he was radicalised, explaining why he was not monitored in the years since. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the assessment of ASIO was with respect to his associations rather than, at that point, there being personal motivation from him. Loading Burke also confirmed that Naveed Akram is an Australian-born citizen. Burke revealed Sajid Akram arrived in 1998 on a student visa, transferred to a partner visa in 2001 and after trips overseas had been on resident-return visas.

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Albanese told the ABCs 7.30 on Monday night that Naveed Akram was not on a watch list and authorities had found no evidence he was radicalised. Asked whether Sajid Akram should have been allowed to own six firearms given his son was investigated for connections to radical figures, Albanese said: The father was interviewed at the time as well [and had] shown no indication of any radicalisation. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said late on Sunday night one of the attackers was known to his organisation before the shooting, but not in an immediate threat perspective. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday that there was little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities before the attack. Lanyon said Sajid Akram had been a licensed firearms holder for the past 10 years.

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He has six firearms licensed to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday, he said. Albanese said his government was prepared to take whatever action was necessary to keep the community safe, including tougher gun laws. Related Article Bondi shooting The moment Bondis horrific reality set in for the doctor on the scene In a statement after a meeting of national cabinet on Monday afternoon, the nations leaders said they would put limits on the number of firearms a person could own, review the length of gun licences and make Australian citizenship a condition of gun ownership. Peoples circumstances change  people can be radicalised over a period of time, Albanese said before the meeting. Licences should not be in perpetuity.

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The statement also said work on the long-promised National Firearms Register would accelerate. Albanese earlier said the Howard governments widely praised gun reforms, introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, had made an enormous difference in Australia, but it was time to see whether they needed to be strengthened. If we need to toughen these up, if theres anything we can do, Im certainly up for it, he said. Greg Barton, a counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University, said: If [Naveed Akram] was of interest in 2019, people will be asking whether the authorities missed something ... People will be asking whether enough was done to monitor him. The authorities themselves will be asking that. However, he stressed that ASIO was monitoring a vast number of people at once.

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Just because you find someone with links and connections doesnt mean you have the basis for charging or arresting them, Barton said. Barton said questions should be asked about whether more armed police should have been present at Bondi Beach given the nature of the Hanukkah event and the surge of antisemitism since the October 7 attacks and subsequent war in Gaza. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack John Coyne, who worked in national security and counter-terrorism roles at the Australian Federal Police, said it was too early to say whether an intelligence failure had preceded Sundays attack. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, said Coyne, now director of the national security program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

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He noted that Burgess raised the terror threat level to probable last year and had repeatedly warned about the threat of growing radicalisation in Australia. NSW Polices designation of the shooting as a terror attack will enable ASIO to use special powers including control and detention orders, as well as working closer with state and federal police, he added. Coyne called for a royal commission into the terror attack and the surge in antisemitism over the past two years, a call backed by the head of ASPIs statecraft and intelligence policy centre, former national security official Chris Taylor. Israeli media outlets, including The Jerusalem Post, reported that Israeli authorities were investigating whether state actors, chiefly Iran, were involved in the mass shooting attack. Australian officials have not given any indication that they believe foreign state actors were involved in the attack.

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Analysis PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Albaneses response to the Bondi massacre will shape Australias future James Massola December 15, 2025  4:09pm 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

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He will face little to no resistance on these changes, which obviously need to be made. But the world has changed since 1996. Albanese has been under fire for more than two years for his handling of a rising tide of antisemitism in Australia since Hamas launched its October 7 attacks on Israeli citizens. Anthony Albanese at Bondi on Monday morning. AAP Australias social cohesion has frayed to an extraordinary extent since then, and the apparent motivations of Sajid  also killed on Sunday  and Naveed Akram are very different to those of Bryant: the father and son targeted the Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah, a religious festival that Jews have marked for more than 2000 years. This attack is truly shocking but after two years of attacks on synagogues and businesses, ugly antisemitic threats and graffiti and escalating warnings from security agencies, can anyone honestly say they are surprised it took place?

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Bondi shooting Australia has gun control under control, right? Looks like we were wrong Already, a copious amount of misinformation circulates online, accompanied by confronting, unedited footage of the massacre. Instead of a united response, the opposition is talking about the failures of governments to tackle antisemitism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australia of rewarding hatred. Netanyahu has even said Albaneses decision to recognise Palestine was partly to blame for the Bondi massacre. This is an extraordinary intervention from a foreign leader less than 24 hours after people died at Bondi. Whatever the merits of those arguments, it is true that Australias Jewish community has not felt safe in their own country for more than two years and some members of the community blame the federal government, at least in part.

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During his press conference on Monday afternoon, Albanese faced questions about his governments failure to adequately respond to envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segals report, which was released back in July. Segal said it was time for strong action, not just words from the federal government, and she is 100 per cent correct. Australias Jewish community is angry and grieving right now and so too are the vast majority of Australians, horrified by the deaths of people celebrating their holidays with their families. Related Article Bondi shooting PM says national unity is his job, as Jewish critics say he has been slow to act Albanese needs to make this a line-in-the-sand moment, to say this stops now in an environment much more febrile than Howard ever faced. We live in an age when many Australians do not agree on a set of facts any more, and trust in government, institutions and media has plummeted since the pandemic.

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Analysis PoliticsVictoriaBondi shooting Booing of Victorian premier lays bare a deep political divide Chip Le Grand December 16, 2025  7:23am 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 Beach shooting here. At the mention of Jacinta Allans name, the grief-stricken members of a Caulfield synagogue booed and hissed the Victorian premier on Monday night. When Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna, in the same breath, said that Opposition Leader Jess Wilson had also come to the community gathering to celebrate Hanukkah, the same congregation responded with a warm applause. Premier Jacinta Allan sits with state and federal MPs during Hanukkah prayers at the Caulfield Shule. Simon Schluter If it is any consolation to Allan, local MP Josh Burns, a staunch Jewish advocate within the federal Labor caucus, was also booed, though with notably less enthusiasm.

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As a snap poll of Jewish sentiment  at least the prevailing sentiment of a modern Orthodox shule in the heart of Melbournes bagel belt  it was a vocal demonstration that, in the wake of the Bondi massacre, Jews no longer believe that Labor has their backs. It also confirms the opening of a deep political divide, part real and part perceived, between our major parties about Israel, the future of Palestine and what more should have been done to keep Jews safe in Australia. Allan would not have been shocked by her reception. She understood, from talking privately to Jewish leaders earlier in the day, that she was walking into a difficult room. Premier Jacinta Allan listens to a Jewish community member at Monday nights service while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles looks on. Simon Schluter That she decided to go anyway  and bring with her every available member of her cabinet  speaks to her willingness to meet Melbournes Jews where they are and listen to their frustrations and anger.

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She was seated next to Victorias most senior federal politician, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, while Burns made a point of sitting alongside Basem Abdo, a son of Palestinian refugees who represents Labor in the federal seat of Calwell. Peter Khalil, a Labor MP targeted by Palestinian activists during this years federal election campaign, sat quietly a few rows back. The roll call of Coalition MPs included senators Bridget McKenzie, Sarah Henderson and James Paterson, federal MP Tim Wilson and state MPs Brad Battin, Georgie Crozier, David Southwick and James Newbury. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting Jacinta Allan booed and heckled while attending Hanukkah event At the end of the service, when the menorah was lit and the last prayer sung, Allan exited quickly through a side door, followed by some of her state and federal colleagues. The Liberal MPs, in no hurry to leave, climbed the stage to talk to Rabbi Daniel Rabin, Schachna and community leaders. Schachna earlier used Hanukkah and the ceremonial lighting of the menorah as a metaphor for what Australian Jews expect from their political leaders.

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For the past two years, the Jewish community has carried an unrelenting weight, she said. Hate has been normalised. Extremism has been excused, minimised and rationalised. Words that once shocked are now shouted. Threats that were once unthinkable have now become routine. During Hanukkah, the festival of lights, we are reminded that light is not passive. Light clarifies, light demands courage. We need clarity now, crystal clarity. We do not need more statements, we do not need more carefully crafted words. We need decisive action from leaders, from institutions, from law enforcement and all who claim to care about the kind of country Australia should be. Loading Zionist Federation of Australia chief executive Alon Cassuto said there was no difference, in motivation or ideological outlook, between the Hamas terrorists who rampaged through southern Israel on October 7, 2023 and the people responsible for Bondi.

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The most poignant speech came from Naomi Levin, a Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive who, for the past two years, has patiently and diligently kept open lines of communication between the premiers office and her community. Levins task was to read through the names of the dead, the 15 Jews murdered at Bondi, providing personal touches about how they lived and who they loved. When she arrived at the name of 10-year-old Matilda, Levin faltered. I have a 10-year-old daughter, she explained. Related Article Bondi shooting Australias Jewish community warned us for two years. They are furious to be proved right Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion noted that, at synagogues all over Melbournes south-east, people with no connection to Judaism had come to leave flowers, condolences and heartfelt wishes. The silent majority are speaking, and they are speaking in support, he said. They are saying no, not here, not Australia. I say to the politicians gathered here, listen to the Australian people, to the airwaves, to the talkback. They understand that the attack was not just upon the Jewish community. It was an attack upon Australian values and Western democracy.

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Allan understands this too. But this wasnt the day or the place for that argument. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Reviews & adviceSouth America Opinion Authentic insight or voyeurism? My struggle with slum tourism Gary Nunn Contributor December 16, 2025  5:00am

December 16, 2025  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

As the sun set between the two brothers mountains overlooking Rios de Janeiros Ipanema beach, it illuminated the primary colours of the favela that sprawls down to the sea, making the tightly stacked small houses resemble a rainbow model village set into the mountainside. Sugar from my luminous pink caipirinha crunched between my teeth and, gulping down the generous cachaca, I turned to my sunbathing, smoking travel buddy and said: I think I want to go to one, nodding in the favelas direction, where a million tiny windows refracted the suns sparkle back onto the sea. From a distance, Rios colourful favelas look appealing. iStock Frivolous as the scene sounds, so began days of vacillation. How do we navigate the ethics and safety of whether to tour a Brazilian favela  an impoverished neighbourhood with high population density and low-quality housing? The holiday had been luxurious enough and, given warnings about violent robberies in Rio, wed wisely stuck to the safer parts.

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While being sensible, wed also been beach bums; total tourists. I craved a deeper connection with this extraordinary, wildly undulating, world-wonder hosting, diverse city of 13.8 million people. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. After reading as much as I could on the subject, I learnt just how thorny, divisive and nuanced it is. Favela da Rocinha: Rios largest and safest favela. iStock First, I realised I had to access my own reasons for wanting to book such a tour, and see if they stacked up with my principles. It boiled down to the very core of why I travel. Many do so because, understandably, they want relaxing familiarity, ease and convenience to help them de-stress. I often want the opposite: difference, the opportunity to learn and grow, de-familiarity and the gnarly parts that make for good stories by getting me out of my comfort zone and teaching me something surprising.

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I dont just want to see polished, gentrified barrios created for the tourist gaze, or Id just go to Santorini every year. I want to see real authentic life in all its human forms. I didnt want to be squeamish or turn away from the problems, inequalities and rawness of the country I was visiting. Yet I wanted to see such sights respectfully if that was possible. Then, though, come the tougher questions. How much of this is driven by white Western guilt and my own need to check my privilege? Does my need for authenticity trump the inhabitants right to privacy from voyeurism? Would they welcome the opportunity to share their community and culture, or feel like theyre the subjects of poverty tourism? In our group, one British man, very discreetly, stood back from touring inside a shanty house, finding it awkward and intrusive, he later told me. Semantics play a role here too; the argot of favela feels exotically mellifluous. Brazilian beach-sellers commodify and glamourise the favela: beautiful multicoloured artworks of mosaic-like mini-houses are printed on the towels and paintings they hawk along Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. In reality, that beautiful one I eyed at sunset is too dangerous for non-locals; some favelas are run by organised criminal groups like drug traffickers. Tourists should only tour Rios largest and safest favela: Rocinha favela. In other countries, such improvised neighbourhoods have less flattering names which hammer home the more brutal reality: slums, ghettoes, shanty towns, townships or, in Buenos Aires, villas (pronounced, in Argentine Spanish, as visha). Its short for villa miseria  misery village.

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Another consideration before booking was my late Gran. She lived in a UK council housing estate  sometimes colloquially called sink estates. Id have felt very uncomfortable if commercial tours were organised for groups of international visitors to peek through her net curtains and see how Britains great unwashed lived. Travel writer Becki Enright, whose Borders of Adventure blog has helped me navigate such issues, advised: Research where your moneys going. Is the tour run directly by people at the favela community, or are your funds being swallowed up by a third party with no transparency on how much is passed onto the people youre visiting? She told me this is called tourism leakage  and I didnt want to add to that flood. Rocinhas residents take pride in sharing their way of life. Getty Images Hollie Youlden from youth travel agency Kilroy, which runs favela tours in Rio via a local operator, said such tours should place an emphasis on dignity and community. That means theyre led by locals, celebrate culture and create employment opportunities for the community (via the paid tours and crafts on sale during visits). Wed consider the right reasons to visit to be a sincere interest in learning more about social issues and ways they can help as a tourist, she told me.

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Even if money was going to the community, the white saviourism made me cringe; I couldnt decide if it was helpful, exploitative or if I was overthinking it. My travel buddy decided it was the latter. So, we booked a hyper-local, free Rocinha Favela Local Tour run by Luis, who lives in the favela, via GuruWalk. The expectation is you tip at the end and we did  handsomely. Rocinha was about 30 minutes in a cab from Ipanema beach. Related Article Travel tips Size matters: The worlds 10 best megacities you must visit Having read and procrastinated so much, I set some of my own rules of respect: no photos (even though Luis assured us theyd be fine and others on the tour did), and certainly no selfies; the idea of a favela selfie felt grotesque. Our chatty guide Luis assuaged many of my concerns. He wants to give these tours, not least because theyre his income. He emphasised Rocinhas uniqueness in its relative safety for tourists, how its inhabitants take pride in showing their way of life, and they encourage more eyes on their problems from richer Westerners who may be able to help. Many, though, didnt need helping or saving: their community may be cramped, but its tight-knit and, largely, self-sufficient. Theres a communal culture: thousands of overhead wires above intricate winding narrow alleyways represent the sharing of electricity to minimise costs. The most surprising thing I learnt was that this favelas gang leaders will beat up anyone displaying racist or misogynist behaviour. Woke vigilantism.

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Never wander into a slum alone without a guide; which is exactly what I inadvertently did on a long walk recently in Buenos Aires: I found myself in the middle of Villa 31, one of the citys largest slums, book-ended by some of its most exclusive suburbs, separated, literally, by railway tracks. While not set on a hillside, which gives Rios favela vistas a dramatic edge, Villa 31 has similar characteristics in its colourful houses, manifold overhead wires and bustling puddly narrow streets. I was so struck by the vibrancy, colour and tumult, I doubled back upon my return journey. Locals later told me this was a stupid gringo mistake and I was lucky to leave with all my possessions. Curiosity got the better of me, Ill admit. I was asked for money, offered drugs, followed, pointed at and barked at by unleashed dogs outside tiny shanty houses and makeshift shops. It was enlivening. It was idiotic. Slum tourism has failed to take off in Buenos Aires. iStock Pre-pandemic, you could properly tour the other side of the tracks via Ajayu Turismo Comunitario, a neighbourhood tourism agency. You could try peanut soup while listening to a traditional guitar from Peru or Bolivia, accompanied by their typical dances. The tours aimed to break down prejudices and give visibility to Villa 31 and its inhabitants at a time of gentrification and pressure to relocate, with some houses being demolished. However, by 2021, the agency reported that not a single foreign tourist had joined; most visitors were from the wealthy surrounding neighbourhoods who wanted to see inside safely. Today, no such tours exist. My Buenos Aires-based Spanish teacher, Guillermo, says thats a good thing. If you want to see inside, you should volunteer for charity on an ongoing basis, he said.

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Elsewhere in South America, precaution is wise. Medellin is a prime example: the Colombian city transformed from murder capital of the world to digital nomad haven in the last decade, but tensions exist. Last year, locals put up posters reading: Digital nomads, temporary colonizers and Gentrifyer: GO HOME. Yet the same city advertises actual slum tours of Comuna 13, the only one safe enough to visit, high in the mountains  accessible by cable car and then the tallest outdoor escalator in the western hemisphere. Treading the fine line, its important to listen to the diversity of opinion of residents. Steve Williams is a freelance journalist from Nairobi, Kenya  home to the biggest slum in Africa. While many Kibera slum tours exist online, he calls them highly unethical and plain evil. Humans arent animals to be ogled like theyre in a zoo. Anybody who participates should reassess his moral outlook and priorities, he said. Soweto in Johannesburg is worth visiting with a reputable company. Getty Images When I visited Soweto in Johannesburg in 2011, the decision was made for me: I attended a tour of the famous Soweto (its name is a syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships) as part of a delegation run by Action for Southern Africa for charity workers in the field. Youre missing out if you dont visit via a reputable tour company. I learnt much about apartheid, resistance and the community that sprung from such inequality, and Ive carried it with me ever since. I seek out the Soweto gospel choir wherever I am in the world. Their harmonies remind me of such cherished memories, and the possibility of overcoming government-sanctioned oppression through solidarity. In our group, one British man, very discreetly, stood back from touring inside a shanty house, finding it awkward and intrusive, he later told me (I was the only one who noticed).

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Its a good guiding principle: discreetly follow your own etiquette  even if that means sometimes stepping back. The writer travelled at his own expense.
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WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Ukraine drops NATO goal as Trump envoy sees progress in peace talks Friederike Heine , Matthias Williams and Olena Harmash December 15, 2025  1:42pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Key points Trump envoy says a lot of progress made in Berlin talks.

Negotiations to continue on Monday.

Volodymyr Zelensky seeks guarantees against future Russian attacks.

German defence minister warns on security guarantees.

Berlin/Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to drop Kyivs aspirations to join the NATO military alliance as he held five hours of talks with US envoys in Berlin on Sunday (Monday AEDT) to end the war with Russia, with negotiations set to continue. US President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that a lot of progress was made as he and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met Zelensky in the latest push to end Europes bloodiest conflict since World War II, though full details were not divulged. Zelenskys adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said his president would comment on the talks once they were completed.

Officials, said Lytvyn, were considering the draft documents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to drop Ukraines goal to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees. AP 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.

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Ahead of the talks, Zelensky had offered to drop Ukraines goal to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees. Related Article Putin's Russia With an army of yes-men, how Putins world turned into an echo chamber 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. 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 were also due in Germany for talks on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

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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, Zelensky 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. US negotiator Jared Kushner arrives for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. Getty Images 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 the roughly 10 per cent of Donbas that Kyiv still controls. Moscow has also said Ukraine must be a neutral country and no NATO troops can be stationed in Ukraine.

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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. Sending 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. Ukraines Secretary of National Security Rustem Umerov (right) and Merzs foreign and security policy adviser, Gunter Sautter, meet in Berlin. AP Under pressure from Trump to sign a peace deal that initially backed Moscows demands, Zelensky accused Russia of dragging out the war through deadly bombings of cities and Ukraines power and water supplies. A ceasefire along the current front lines would be a fair option, he added.

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Critical moment German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said it was a good sign that Trump had sent his envoys, while fielding questions in an interview with the ZDF broadcaster on the suitability of Witkoff and Kushner, two businessmen, as negotiators. Its certainly anything but an ideal set-up for such negotiations, Pistorius said. That much is clear. But as they say, you can only dance with the people on the dance floor. Loading On the issue of Ukraines offer to give up its NATO aspirations in exchange for security guarantees, Pistorius said

Ukraine had bitter prior experience of relying on security assurances. Kyiv had in 1994 agreed to give up its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal in exchange for territorial guarantees from the US, Russia and Britain.

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Therefore, it remains to be seen to what extent this statement Zelensky has now made will actually hold true, and what preconditions must be met, Pistorius said. This concerns territorial issues, commitments from Russia and others, he said, adding that mere security guarantees, especially without significant US involvement, wouldnt be worth much. 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 NATO ambitions 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. 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.
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WorldEuropeBondi shooting We know their grief: Bondis trauma feels painfully close to Manchesters Jewish community David Crowe December 15, 2025  11:39am 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. London: Marc Levy can feel the trauma of Australian Jews from the other side of the world  and he believes the terror attack at Bondi Beach must be a line in the sand against religious hatred. It is barely two months since Levy spoke up for his community in Manchester, in northern England, after a terrorist rammed his car into the Heaton Park synagogue and began stabbing worshippers. Marc Levy greeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria at the scene of the attack near the Heaton Synagogue in Manchester in October. Getty Images Levy can guess at the conversations Jewish Australians may be having in Sydney about whether they should leave the country.

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We want to send our love, our solidarity and support, he tells this masthead. We know their grief, trauma and pain. Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, hopes the Jewish community in Sydney recovers just as Heaton Park did. The synagogue did not miss a service despite the attack on Yom Kippur. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack I hope that they have the strength to continue because I know the conversations that will be taking place over dinner tables, he says. People there will be questioning whether their kids have a future there, the same way that weve had those conversations here in the UK.

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What were going through is, tragically, not unique. Jews have been targeted across Europe, in America, and now in Australia, simply because they are Jews, and its very painful. Were very good citizens. Were loyal, we contribute an immense amount to society. And, sadly, people have been radicalised to hate us because of a conflict taking place thousands of miles away. Just as the assailants in Bondi chose a Jewish holy day, Hanukkah, as the date to inflict terror, the killer in Manchester, Jihad Al-Shamie, chose Yom Kippur to attack the synagogue. Al-Shamie, who was born in Syria and given refuge in the UK, killed one man with a knife and wounded several others. He was shot dead at the scene. Another man was killed by a police bullet while attempting to hold the door of the synagogue closed to protect people inside. Obscene levels of hate

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Levy says nobody in his community was surprised by the terrorist attack because they had seen an increase in hatred toward Jews over recent years. He cites the slogan globalise the Intifada as an example of hate because he sees it as calling for attacks on Jewish civilians outside Israel. Weve had to endure obscene levels of hate crime targeting Jewish people going about their daily lives, whether thats in schools, universities, cultural venues, workplaces, even on the streets, he says. While governments are supportive in looking to combat antisemitism, its a very strange world we live in at the minute where people are being radicalised in their own homes. A generation ago, Levy says, extremists in Britain had to sign up for a newsletter to be told who to hate. Now they can be radicalised with a few clicks of a mouse and be told to pick up a knife and murder someone.

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Attacks on Jews surged in Britain after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, and peak groups say the data shows the increase began before the Israeli government responded to the attack. The Community Security Trust, which tracks antisemitism, says the annual count rose from 1662 to 4296 attacks in the year to the end of 2023. The Heaton Park synagogue gained enormous support after the attack. King Charles visited soon afterwards to talk to victims, as did Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. Levy praises the British Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, for the strength of her support. Rabbi Daniel Walker and King Charles during a visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester in October. Getty However, he says political leaders and the media still need to do more to stop antisemitism.

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He also worries that there is no meaningful dialogue between the Jewish community and the Muslim community in the UK to try to curb religious hatred. Weve made several overtures to the Manchester mosques, who are our equivalents in the Muslim community, and they wont meet with us because were Zionists, he says. Related Article Antisemitism Manchester attacks spark bitter domestic recriminations Theyre not prepared to meet with the overwhelming majority of Jews simply because of our beliefs, instead of looking to find a way to understand where both communities are coming from so that this conflict doesnt play out on our streets. Levy hopes that Australia treats the Bondi attack as a line in the sand so the community rejects the religious hatred that leads to terrorism.

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We need people to start listening and understanding that antisemitism is out of control, he says. Its manifesting itself right across the whole of society. Until government and the media and prominent people actually understand that, and seek to work so that they dont import this conflict onto the streets, then nothings going to change. 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.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a historical first during the formation of any Dutch Government, the Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, has formally engaged Mr. Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten, the presumptive incoming Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to ensure that the concerns and priorities of Sint Maarten are included at the earliest stage of the Dutch Cabinet formation process.

This unprecedented engagement marks a significant diplomatic milestone within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It reflects Prime Minister Mercelinas proactive approach to safeguarding the interests of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom during a critical political transition in the Netherlands.

"This engagement represents a historic first. Never before, at this stage of Dutch government formation, have the concerns of Sint Maarten been directly brought into the initial discussions shaping a new Cabinet, Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that while the meeting centered on Sint Maartens specific challenges and priorities, the initiative was deliberately pursued with a broader Kingdom-wide perspective, consciously creating space for Curacao and Aruba, as well as Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius, to be reflected in future dialogue.

In creating this opportunity for Sint Maarten, I was equally mindful of Curacao and Aruba, and of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The realities we face as small island communitieseconomic resilience, climate vulnerability, energy security, and equitable access to resourcesrequire attention at the highest level from the very beginning, the Prime Minister said.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Mercelina reaffirmed the importance of early engagement to move away from reactive policymaking and toward more inclusive and informed decision-making within the Kingdom.

Engaging at the start of a cabinet formation allows us to help inform decisions rather than merely respond to them after the fact. This approach is essential to achieving more balanced, effective, and respectful Kingdom cooperation, he added.

Prime Minister Mercelina further noted that Mr. Jetten indicated openness to continued engagement, with follow-up discussions anticipated in the Netherlands at the beginning of 2026, allowing for broader and more structured dialogue involving the Caribbean Countries and territories of the Kingdom.

Sustained and structured dialogue is critical to strengthening Kingdom relations. Early indications of continued engagement provide an important foundation for ensuring that the voices of all Caribbean parts of the Kingdom are heard and considered, Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

The Government of Sint Maarten views this historic engagement as a pivotal step toward more inclusive governance within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Prime Minister Mercelina remains committed to advocating for a forward-looking and equitable partnership that recognizes the shared responsibilities and distinct realities of Sint Maarten, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is requesting the assistance of the general public in locating a missing person.

On December 15, 2025, the daughter of a missing male reported that her father, Vendol Ezekiel FERGUS., also known by the nickname Wendell, age 67, did not return home after going fishing with friends.

Mr. V.E. FERGUS. is a national of St. Kitts & Nevis and resides at Madrid Road #49, Dutch Quarter, Sint Maarten.

According to the information received, Mr. V.E. FERGUS., who is of dark brown complexion and approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, left to go fishing on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, together with friends to the French side of Sint Maarten. He has not been seen or heard from since.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten is concerned for his well-being and urges anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. V.E. FERGUS. to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact:

 Police Station Sint Maarten (Dutch Side)

 Emergency Police Line: 911

 Police Station (Philipsburg): +1721 5422222

 Email: pr@policesxm.

If Mr. V.E. FERGUS sees this press release, he is urgently requested to contact his daughter Miss F.Gelicia Fergus @ +590-690-311531 or the nearest police station immediately to confirm his safety.

KPSM Press Release.
HNLMS Den Helder departed for the Netherlands yesterday. This newest navy supply ship has been in Caribbean waters for warm-weather trials since mid-October. The ship is now returning to the Netherlands to complete the ship's preparation phase in 2026 as planned.

After visits to Norfolk and New York, the Ministry of Defence decided last week to return the ship to the Caribbean. As an additional precaution, the ship was available there for resupply. The Ministry of Defence is now fulfilling this temporary role for HNLMS Den Helder with other resources. As a result, the ship can now return to the Netherlands. The Ministry of Defence will remain present in the Caribbean with ships such as HNLMS Groningen and HNLMS Pelikaan. The Netherlands also has transport capacity available in the Kingdom.

If all goes well, the crew can celebrate Christmas at home. After that, the navy will continue the ship's preparation phase as planned.

Hot and Cold Weather Trials

The Royal Netherlands Navy officially commissioned HNLMS Den Helder on October 1, 2025. Training and commissioning then began. The ship has now successfully completed hot-water trials in the Caribbean. These trials were part of the commissioning process. The high humidity and high seawater temperatures provided ideal conditions for testing how the ship and its installations respond to these conditions. After Christmas, the Navy will continue the commissioning process, including cold-weather trials. The ship will then be operationally available.
Nick Reiner, the middle son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Reiner, was arrested Monday morning in connection with the deaths of his parents. This was reported by outlets such as TMZ and People magazine, which also stated that the 34-year-old is being held on $4 million bail. Police have not yet officially confirmed the arrest.

Rob Reiner, 78, the renowned director of The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally, and his wife, Michele, 68, were found stabbed to death in their home in Brentwood, an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, on the afternoon of Sunday, December 14.

The Los Angeles Times and USA Today reported that Reiner Jr.s arrest is recorded in the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department records as taking place at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday and was entered into the files at 5:04 a.m. Monday. However, the news was not released until Monday morning. At 9 p.m. on Sunday, city detectives had held a press conference, stating that no one was in police custody and that they were not pursuing any suspects.

Nick Reiner struggled with addiction throughout his life. He began using substances when he was little more than a child, and by the age of 15 he was already in rehab. He distanced himself from his parents and even lived on the streets for periods of time. For more than a decade, he had been reconnected with his family. On Sunday night, the Los Angeles Times reported that detectives were investigating someone in the family in connection with the couples deaths.

According to the tabloid TMZ, Rob, Michele, and Nick Reiner were together on Saturday at a Christmas party held in the city by actor and comedian Conan OBrien, a friend of the family. At the party, the two men reportedly had a heated argument. Shortly afterward, the couple left the party. In recent months, according to the U.S. media outlet, Michele had told some of her closest friends about her concerns for her middle son over his addiction and mental health problems.

The son of renowned comedy actor Carl Reiner, Rob was one of the best-known and most prolific directors of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, directing films that became part of popular culture. His directorial debut was Sonny Boy in 1974, but from there came gems of cinema and popular culture such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and Stand by Me (two of the most beloved Stephen King adaptations), A Few Good Men  the only one to earn him an Academy Award nomination, for Best Picture, in 1993  North; The American President; The Story of Us; Now and Then; Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and the various installments of the mock rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.

Rob and Michele Reiner married in 1989 after meeting on the set of When Harry Met Sally. He had previously been married from 1971 to 1981 to actress and director Penny Marshall, whose daughter he adopted. The couple had three children: Jake, 34, Nick, 32, and Romy, 28.

The worlds of film, culture, and politics have been devastated by the deaths of the Reiners, who were known for their cultural involvement but also for their activism. The Obamas expressed their heartbreak, and former vice president Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have also shared words of affection for them. In the world of cinema, condolences have come from actors such as Elijah Wood, John Cusack, Josh Gad, James Woods, Christopher Guest, and Sean Astin, actor and president of the actors union.

One of the most controversial reactions came from Donald Trump, whom Reiner openly opposed. The president wrote on social media that the filmmaker died reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME [...] He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, the Republican said, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!

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Press Release from Business Wire: FPT Corporation



(AFP) Dec 15, 2025



TOKYO, Dec 15, 2025 (BSW) - Global IT services provider FPT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mishima Kosan Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer, to advance a next-generation AI-powered manufacturing platform and strengthen digital innovation across the sector. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step toward modernizing manufacturing environments on a global scale.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251214492274/en/

Hideo Mishima, Representative Director, Mishima Kosan (L) and Do Van Khac, FPT Software SEVP and FPT Japan CEO, FPT Corporation (R)



Combining FPT's global delivery capabilities, AI expertise and infrastructure with Mishima Kosan's industrial platform and manufacturing knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver integrated digital solutions that enhance agility and innovation for manufacturers worldwide. The unification of FPT's AI Infrastructure with the cloud-based MK Solution Cloud establishes a scalable digital manufacturing foundation that streamlines development, eliminates complex on-premises environments, and strengthens global competitiveness.

The collaboration also advances MK Solution Cloud through AI-assisted, cloud-based co-development that modernizes control system engineering, reduces reliance on individual expertise, and boosts productivity. Beyond technology, the partnership expands to workforce development via the AI Mentor initiative, which standardizes training, accelerates skill acquisition, and supports multilingual environments. In the next phase, both companies will extend deployment across domestic and global manufacturing sites, supporting the shift toward sustainable, intelligent, AI-enabled operations.

"Japan's manufacturing landscape is entering a pivotal phase, where AI-driven innovation is becoming central to strengthening productivity and long-term competitiveness," said Do Van Khac, FPT Software SEVP and FPT Japan CEO, FPT Corporation. "As an AI-First company with a long-standing presence in Japan, FPT is committed to driving this transformation. Our collaboration with Mishima Kosan brings together advanced AI, cloud, and engineering capabilities with deep manufacturing expertise, enabling organizations to modernize at speed, operate more intelligently, and advance toward a more sustainable, next-generation industrial future."

FPT recently marked 20 years of operation in Japan, solidifying its position as one of the largest foreign technology companies in the market. The company now operates 18 offices and innovation hubs across the country, supported by a workforce of 5,000 employees in Japan and more than 15,000 offshore experts serving over 450 global customers. In 2024, FPT recorded more than 500 million USD in revenue in Japan, and is now targeting 1 billion USD by 2027, with the ambition of becoming among the country's top 15 IT firms.

About FPT

FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam and operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. Over more than three decades, FPT has consistently delivered impactful solutions to millions of individuals and tens of thousands of organizations worldwide. As an AI-first company, FPT is committed to elevating Vietnam's position on the global tech map and delivering world-class AI-enabled solutions for global enterprises. FPT focuses on three critical transformations: Digital Transformation, Intelligence Transformation, and Green Transformation. In 2024, FPT reported a total revenue of USD 2.47 billion and a workforce of over 54,000 employees across its core businesses. For more information about FPT's global IT services, please visit https://fptsoftware.com.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251214492274/en/









Contact

MediaMai Duong (Ms.)FPT CorporationFPT Software PR Manager[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Colombia's Petro orders 'attack' on ELN guerilla group after its threats



Bogota, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025



Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday said security forces had been ordered to attack the ELN guerilla group, after it issued an ominous warning for civilians to avoid travel and stay away from military installations for three days.

The ELN -- or National Liberation Army -- had called on Friday for a 72-hour lockdown in areas it controlled beginning on Sunday morning, saying it would be carrying out military exercises in response to "intervention" threats from US President Donald Trump.

On Sunday, it released another statement further warning people in cities, including the capital Bogota and metropolis Medellin, to avoid military installations during the three days of what it is calling an "armed strike."

Petro, in a post on X accompanying the ELN notice, said: "These are not threats to Trump, they are threats to Colombia."

"The order given to Colombia's security forces is to attack the ELN and defend the Colombian people against any external threat," he said.

Petro urged Colombians to go out for Christmas activities without fear.

"Fear paralyzes and we will not let ourselves be threatened by foreign powers or by drug traffickers dressed as revolutionaries," Petro wrote.

Later on Sunday, the army reported it had thwarted three attempts by the ELN to carry out attacks with explosives on roads in Norte de Santander, a department on the border with Venezuela, and in southwest Cauca department.

The ELN was founded in 1964 and inspired by the Cuban revolution. Experts estimate it has a presence in at least 20 percent of Colombia's more than 1,100 municipalities.

Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and himself a former guerilla, sought to negotiate peace with the rebels after taking office in 2022, but the talks failed.

Negotiations tanked last January after the ELN killed more than 100 people in a region bordering Venezuela.

The guerrillas, who traffic cocaine, believe the US plans to carry out military operations in Colombia as part of a neocolonial plan under Trump.

Petro has similarly denounced threats from Trump of potential US military action in Colombia against drug traffickers.
Russia exporting chaos, new UK spy chief to warn



London, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



The new head of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service will use her maiden speech on Monday to warn that Russia is "exporting chaos" in a "new age of uncertainty".

Blaise Metreweli, the first woman to lead the MI6 Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), is due to speak at its London headquarters, warning about the "threat" posed by an "aggressive, expansionist and revisionist" Russia, the UK's foreign ministry said in a preview.

"The export of chaos is a feature not a bug in the Russian approach to international engagement, and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus," Metreweli will say, according to extracts released by the Foreign Office.

Metreweli was appointed in June as the 18th head of the service. The MI6 chief is the only publicly named member of the organisation and reports directly to the foreign minister.

She will warn of the increasingly complex nature of global threats and say the "front line is everywhere" as a result of cyber disruption, hybrid warfare, "terrorism and information manipulation".

The new head of Britain's armed forces, Richard Knighton will call for "national resilience" in another speech later on Monday at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a think tank specialising in defence.

"The situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career and the response requires more than simply strengthening our armed forces," the chief of defence staff will say, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) 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."

Knighton will announce pound50 million ($67 million) in funding for new "Defence Technical Excellence Colleges" to help defence employers train up staff.

The speeches come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due in Berlin later Monday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on how to end Moscow's nearly four-year invasion.

Britain has repeatedly warned of the threat from Russia, recently raising the alarm after the government said a Russian military ship was sighted near British waters.

The MoD has just launched a new organisation -- the Military Intelligence Services -- to unify intelligence gathering and sharing efforts undertaken by the army, navy and air force.

"The announcement comes amid escalating threats to the UK, as adversaries intensify cyber-attacks, disrupt satellites, threaten global shipping lanes, and spread disinformation," the MoD said on Friday.
Small firms join charge to boost Europe's weapon supplies



Paris, France, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



European nations have committed themselves to huge hikes in spending on weapons, with giant defence firms reaping the early rewards -- but the signs are that smaller companies and investors are now beginning to mobilise.

European countries spent 343 billion euros ($403 billion) on defence last year, a tenth consecutive annual increase, which is set to rise to 381 billion euros this year, according to the European Defence Agency.

Added to the general trend, NATO members have all agreed to increase spending to reach five percent of their economic output by 2035.

Giant firms from France's Dassault and Italy's Leonardo to Germany's Rheinmetall have already announced a slew of orders to deal with the rising demand.

With their order books filling up, ripple effects are spreading down the supply chain.

Factem, which makes sound equipment used by jet pilots as well as gear for civilian uses, is one of roughly 4,500 small and medium-sized defence companies in France.

The company, based in Bayeux in the north of the country, has 80 employees and generates 17 million euros in sales each year.

"Several years ago the defence industry wasn't in fashion," chief executive Alain Dulac told AFP. "Today, banks and the financial sector are more or less willing to support us."

But the change is gradual, he said, and not all defence firms are benefitting yet.

Nevertheless, the movement across Europe is clear.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto recently told Sole 24 Ore newspaper that raising defence spending was "a pre-requisite for peace in Italy".

Britain, meanwhile, is aiming to hike its spending from 60.2 billion pounds ($80.5 billion) last year to 73.5 billion pounds by 2028.



- Rare visibility -



Earlier this year, NATO nations pledged to gradually increase defence spending to reach five percent of gross domestic product by 2035, with 3.5 percent going on core defence spending and another 1.5 percent on infrastructure.

If European members meet the 3.5 percent target, their defence spending would double to around 770 billion euros, according a report by the EY-Parthenon consulting firm and DekaBank.

However small and medium-sized companies often lack the capital to invest in expansion of facilities and the development of new products.

The head of a German firm that supplies Rheinmetall, who spoke to AFP anonymously, said the question of financing was essential.

Growth has been so strong that profits are likely to double this year and he would like to build another production facility.

"But in Germany the banks traditionally don't like to lend to this sector," he said.

Instead, he has begun to test the waters with investment funds dedicated to the defence industry.

The French public sector investment bank BpiFrance recently created a fund for individual investors that aims to raise 450 million euros.

Adeline Lemaire, who leads the new fund, said she could see not only "a shift in public opinion" but also in the way major institutional investors make decisions about the sector.

Investors are beginning to view "security and sovereignty as prerequisites for being able to continue thinking about healthy economic development", she said.

Funds are springing up in other countries too.

According to Heligan Investments, a British fund that focuses on national security and law enforcement sector, private funds ploughed a record $5.2 billion into the defence and security sectors last year, a five-fold increase over six years.

French investment manager Sienna IM aims to raise one billion euros for a dedicated fund that will invest primarily in French small and medium-sized companies in the defence sector.

"Overall, some 12,000 companies work in the sector in Europe," said Laurent Dubois, Sienna IM's managing director for private credit.

These companies will need financing to purchase new equipment to expand and to hire and train additional staff, he noted.

"It's a real opportunity: it's rare that we have such visibility over three, four years," said Dubois.

lem/ak/rl/jxb

Dassault Aviation

Leonardo
Russia has thrust world into new 'age of uncertainty': UK spy chief



London, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Russia has propelled the world into an "age of uncertainty" and the UK is now operating in "a space between peace and war", Britain's new MI6 spy chief said Monday.

"Let's be in no doubt. Our world is more dangerous and contested now than it has been for decades," Blaise Metreweli, the first woman to lead the MI6 Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), warned.

"Conflict is evolving and trust eroding, just as new technologies spur both competition and dependence," she said.

In her maiden speech, the new head of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service highlighted the "threat" posed by an "aggressive, expansionist and revisionist" Russia.

In its war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin "is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population", she said.

"Russia is testing us in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war," she added.

Metreweli highlighted tactics by Moscow to "bully, fearmonger and manipulate" through cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, drones buzzing around European airports, aggressive activity on the seas and state-sponsored arson.

"Across the globe, we are now confronting not one single danger, but an interlocking web of security challenges -- military, technological, social, ethical even -- each shaping the other in complex ways," she said.

"We are now operating in a space between peace and war."

And Metreweli warned that "our world is being actively remade, with profound implications for national and international security.

"Institutions which were designed in the ashes of the Second World War are being challenged."

Metreweli was appointed in June as the 18th head of the service. The MI6 chief is the only publicly named member of the organisation and reports directly to the foreign minister.

She warned of the increasingly complex nature of global threats, adding the "front line is everywhere" as a result of cyber disruption, hybrid warfare, "terrorism and information manipulation".



- 'National resilience' -



The new head of Britain's armed forces, Richard Knighton, meanwhile was Monday to call for "national resilience" in another speech at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a think tank specialising in defence.

"The situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career and the response requires more than simply strengthening our armed forces," the chief of defence staff will say, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) 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."

Knighton will announce pound50 million ($67 million) in funding for new "Defence Technical Excellence Colleges" to help defence employers train up staff.

The speeches come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer was due in Berlin later Monday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on how to end Moscow's nearly four-year invasion.

Britain has repeatedly warned of the threat from Russia, recently raising the alarm after the government said a Russian military ship was sighted near British waters.

The MoD has just launched a new organisation -- the Military Intelligence Services -- to unify intelligence gathering and sharing efforts undertaken by the army, navy and air force.

"The announcement comes amid escalating threats to the UK, as adversaries intensify cyber-attacks, disrupt satellites, threaten global shipping lanes, and spread disinformation," the MoD said on Friday.
The arrest of an operative of the powerful CATEM labor union with links to the Sinaloa Cartel increases the pressure on the government in its challenge to curb the cartels

The year is drawing to a close at an interesting time for Mexico, as both the government and organized crime try to strengthen their positions ahead of the midpoint of President Claudia Sheinbaums term. The executive branch is rapidly accumulating power, thanks to key changes at the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) and the groundwork laid in previous months, primarily the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of the Ministry of Finance. However, the challenge is immense. Criminals and gangs are increasingly sophisticated in their disguises and protections, while simultaneously strengthening their connections to those in power. Now, criminal organizations are masquerading as unions or using legitimate organizations to exploit the legal economy, leaving citizens and business owners in precarious situations.

Alerted by citizens and local authorities, the government is monitoring and attempting to dismantle these groups. At least, thats the impression given by its operations in recent months, the most recent being the arrest of Edgar N., alias El Limones, in the La Laguna region of northeastern Mexico. El Limones was a member of one of the Sinaloa Cartels branches in the area, known as Los Cabrera, while also holding a position within the regional structure of one of the countrys largest labor unions, CATEM. The Security Cabinet, headed by the powerful Secretary of Security, Omar Garcia Harfuch, also arrested five of his associates and froze several bank accounts belonging to the criminal network, which extorted ranchers and merchants, stole fuel, and laundered money for Los Cabrera.

According to the federal government, El Limones received millions of dollars in deposits of unjustified origin, made transfers to companies linked to money laundering, and participated in the purchase and sale of real estate, luxury vehicles, jewelry, watches, and gambling. To carry out all of this, the alleged criminal wore the shirt of CATEM, both literally and figuratively. CATEM is a labor union with millions of members, founded 15 years ago by Pedro Haces, one of the ruling party Morenas leading parliamentary figures. This week, Haces posted a video on social media attempting to distance himself from El Limones, separating union activity from the extortionate plundering carried out by this individual and his group. But Hacess message quickly became outdated in the face of the flood of photos on social media showing him with Limones, and Limones with union officials in La Laguna.

Armando Cobian, Pedro Haces and Edgar Rodriguez 'El Limones.' Especial

The situation is not easy for the government, which is trying to eradicate the problem without fatally wounding one or another faction within Morena  a surgery of extreme complexity. Individuals like El Limones thrive thanks to their ability to connect with political power, whether it emanates from the administration or the unions. The passage of time only increases the complexity of the problem and deepens the criminals connections. Given the difficulties, the temptation to not intervene looms large. The arrest of the leaders is a first step. Trial and conviction are the only ways to suture the wounds and bolster the healing of Mexicos battered state.

Given the paths Sheinbaum and Harfuch have forged through the jungles of corruption and crime proliferating across the country, it seems the government understands the depth of the problem. The reality of the enemy transcends the classic, Manichean image of the evil drug lord. On the contrary, organized crime, comprised of individuals familiar with administrative bureaucracies, understands the value of a good disguise and uses it effectively. Crime operates from within the state, from its institutions. And it occurs at the local, state, and federal levels. Thus, where populism proposes heavy-handed tactics, the solution appears far more subtle and painful, for it involves attacking itself.

Other government operations in recent months reflect the evolving role of organized crime in unions. In the last six months, for example, the capture of Alejandro Gilmare, alias Choko, a former ministerial police officer from the State of Mexico, has drawn attention. He led an organization called La Chokiza, which presented itself to the public as a kind of informal union. Based in Ecatepec, the states most populous municipality, La Chokiza offered its members legal advice, advertising for their businesses, protection against extortion, and other services. They were very popular. The mayor of Ecatepec, Azucena Cisneros, a member of the Morena party, recorded a video with Gilmare celebrating the organizations anniversary. Gilmare himself had a romantic relationship with Sandra Cuevas, the former mayor of the Cuauhtemoc borough in Mexico City.

But the reality was that El Choko and his associates were using his brands positive image for their illicit activities. Now, authorities are accusing Gilmare of extortion, homicide, and property theft, as well as other former members of the gang. El Chokos trajectory offers a somewhat depressing lesson about how easily such individuals amass power and how slowly  overwhelmed or negligent  the authorities act to stop them. In any case, his arrest reinforces the governments message against this type of criminal activity and against extortion in general, a growing problem in the country that has prompted legislative reviews and special operations in various regions.

Ecatepec offers other examples, such as Guillermo Fragoso, a veteran of criminal unionism in the area. Wanted by authorities for extortion and kidnapping, Fragoso was La Chokizas rival. He was first a member of the Libertad union, which grew under the protection of the municipal government before Cisneros arrival. He later created others, such as the Union of National Unions and Organizations (USON) and the March 25th Union. Like Limones, Fragoso skillfully built a network of relationships with political power beyond Ecatepec, which allowed him to advance for years. His name even appears in the investigation against the owner of Miss Universe, Raul Rocha, and his criminal network. Its leaders, Jacobo Reyes and Jorge Alberts, speak of him as a facilitator, someone who can lend them people, introduce them to mayors, and help them move weapons.

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Turkey says out-of-control drone shot down coming from Black Sea



Istanbul, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Turkey on Monday shot down a drone that "lost control" and approached its airspace from the Black Sea, its defence ministry said, following a series of security incidents linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The device "was detected and tracked as part of routine procedures" and identified as "an unmanned aerial vehicle that had lost control", the ministry said in a statement.

Turkey dispatched F-16 fighter planes and "to prevent any adverse consequences, it was shot down in a safe area outside a populated area".

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday against the Black Sea becoming an "area of confrontation" between Russia and Ukraine, following several strikes in recent weeks on ships in the region.

A Turkish vessel was damaged on Friday in a Russian air strike near the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, just hours after Erdogan spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Turkish leader earlier complained of a "worrying escalation" in the Black Sea, after attacks claimed by Ukraine on tankers linked to Russia off the Turkish coast.

Turkey, whose northern shore faces Ukraine and annexed Crimea, has maintained close ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Lebanese army shows ambassadors efforts to disarm Hezbollah



Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Lebanon's army gave several ambassadors and foreign military officials a tour on Monday meant to demonstrate its efforts to disarm Hezbollah, as Beirut contends with fears of expanded Israeli strikes and mounting diplomatic pressure to show results.

Lebanon has committed to disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah, and the army has set a goal of dismantling the group's military infrastructure south of the Litani River -- around 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Israel -- by year's end before tackling the rest of the country.

In a statement, the military said it "organised a field tour for a number of ambassadors, charges d'affaires, and military attaches to learn about the implementation of the first phase of the army's plan in the south of the Litani sector".

Army chief Rodolphe Haykal said the tour was intended to highlight the army's commitment to the efforts in spite of its "limited capabilities".

Israel and Hezbollah clashed for over a year after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, and a November 2024 ceasefire was meant to put an end to the hostilities.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

Israel was meant to pull back its forces and halt its attacks, though it has carried out regular strikes in the south and has kept troops deployed in five border points it deems strategic.

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected calls to disarm, and many fear a wider Israeli escalation should Beirut fail to deliver on its plans.

The ceasefire is monitored by a committee that includes the United States, France, UN peacekeepers, Lebanon and Israel, and is slated to meet on December 19.
Chile elected its next president on Sunday: Jose Antonio Kast, a 59-year-old lawyer and leader of the far-right Republican Party, won with 58.1% of the vote, with 99% of the ballots counted. His opponent in the runoff election  the communist Jeannette Jara, a 51-year-old lawyer and left-wing candidate  garnered 41.3%, the worst result for progressives since the return to democracy in 1990.

The victory marks the arrival of the first leader who has not distanced himself from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) to La Moneda Palace, where he will succeed Gabriel Boric, a leading figure of the new left, who will step down at the age of 40. Kasts victory not only consolidates the conservative shift in the country, but also in much of South America, and puts Chiles institutional framework in the test, since it remains unclear how radical the policies Kast plans to implement from March 11 will be.

In any case, his phone call with President Boric was cordial in tone. At some point, you too will come to know what the loneliness of power means, Boric told him. Kast, for his part, thanked Boric for the call, invited him to a very orderly transition, and asked to count on his opinions starting on March 11.

Later, at his first rally in the district of Las Condes, Kast, in a conciliatory tone, praised his rival Jara (I recognize her courage) and said that there are good and bad people on both the right and the left. Chile does not move forward divided, he said.

Gabriel Boric speaks with President-elect Jose Antonio Kast after his election victory on Sunday in Santiago, Chile. GOBIERNO DE CHILE (EFE)

Jara had earlier quickly acknowledged her defeat: Democracy has spoken loud and clear. I just spoke with President-elect Jose Antonio Kast to wish him success for the good of Chile, wrote the left-wing candidate. Boric, speaking from the La Moneda Palace, flanked by government spokesperson Camila Vallejo and Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde, delivered a message to the nation in which he urged his successor to build bridges.

Kast, who won with the support of the other two major right-wing factions  the traditional right and the far-right Libertarian Party  and did so comfortably, as the polls predicted, with a 16-point lead over Jara. He has promised order and security in response to the main concerns of Chileans: crime and irregular migration.

Jose Antonio Kast, during the closing of his campaign at the Movistar Arena event center in Santiago, on November 11. Cristian Soto Quiroz

The election results confirm that Chile can no longer be understood in terms of the opposing sides of the 1988 referendum, when Chileans rejected Pinochets continued rule at the polls. Chile has moved beyond the Yes and No division of that referendum  that is, between dictatorship and democracy, perpetrators and victims  which has shaped Chiles political landscape for the past 35 years. Today, Chile is better understood in terms of the divisions that emerged from the social uprising of October 2019 and the first attempt to amend the Constitution, which was rejected in September 2022 by a vote of 62% to 38%: restoration versus refounding, the latter being the path pursued by the left, pushed by radical sectors. It was an irrecoverable blow for Borics government, which was just beginning its first year in office.

It is the first time that a far-right president, nostalgic for the Pinochet regime, will arrive at La Moneda. Since the return to democracy, the right-wing Sebastian Pinera governed on two occasions (20102014 and 20182022), but he was a rara avis within his political camp: he voted No to Pinochet in the 1988 plebiscite, came from a Christian Democratic family  identified in Chile with the center-left  and enjoyed independence from economic interest groups because he was a millionaire, albeit a first-generation one. During his administrations he took significant steps, such as speaking of the passive accomplices of the dictatorship, referring to civilians who supported the regime, which caused a political earthquake among his allies.

Kast, by contrast, supported the Yes option in that plebiscite and throughout his public life  he served for 16 years as a lawmaker for the doctrinaire Independent Democratic Union (UDI) party of the traditional right  has not broken with the Pinochet regime. He defends the dictatorship (in 2017 he said that if Pinochet were alive he would vote for him, although in 2021 he stated that anyone who had violated human rights, whether military or not, did not have his support). In this campaign, his third attempt, he chose not to focus on the recent past or on his positions against abortion, same-sex marriage, or on initiatives he had previously put forward, such as eliminating the Ministry of Women. He has promised to focus on governing through an emergency government.

Jose Antonio Kast celebrates his victory in the presidential elections in Santiago, Chile, on December 14, 2025. cristian soto quiroz

He will be in power for four years, until March 2030, on a promise of order and security, in a society concerned about rising homicide rates  the rate has doubled over the past 10 years, although it remains below that of most Latin American countries  and new forms of crime. Chile is the sixth most fearful country in the world, according to Gallups 2025 Global Security Report. Public fear is higher than in all Latin American countries except Ecuador, even though most of those countries have higher levels of insecurity.

Unlike the left, which was slow to take on the challenge of curbing crime and organized criminal networks that hit the poorest hardest  this was not a priority for the Boric government when it took office  the far right has centered its discourse on radical measures, such as building a mega-prison in the Atacama Desert. The public, resistant to normalizing public insecurity because it was not part of everyday life in the past, has largely backed Kast, who at the same time promises tough measures against the roughly 330,000 undocumented migrants currently living in Chile, most of them Venezuelans. During the campaign, Kast has counted down daily the days remaining until he takes office  days which, he says, are also the time left for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

Kast will pursue what he calls an emergency government to tackle what he considers Chiles three main crises: crime, irregular migration, and low economic growth. He promises to tighten the state and cut $6.5 billion in public spending  though he has not explained how  while it remains unclear whether he will push restrictions on individual freedoms that Chile has gained in recent decades, such as access to abortion under three circumstances. His main target during the campaign has been the Boric government, an administration he has labeled inept, among other criticisms. His campaign manager, Martin Arrau, in the run-up to Kasts likely victory, has worked to temper the high expectations surrounding a candidate who has promised radical change from the current government. If anyone expects everything to change on day one, its not going to happen, he said a week ago.

Jose Antonio Kast, during the presidential debate broadcast on free-to-air television, October 26. Cristian Soto Quiroz

He will not have a majority in Congress, although his party grew considerably in the Chamber of Deputies, while the left will primarily exercise opposition from the Senate, where it still holds sway. The current governing coalition, meanwhile, is beginning a long dark night in which it will have to rethink a political project that fails to inspire the social groups it claims to represent. On Sunday, Chiles popular sectors have once again shown that they are with Kast, over whom a major question looms: does he want to govern like Italys Giorgia Meloni, Brazils Jair Bolsonaro, Argentinas Javier Milei  or as a blend of all three?

The academic Stephanie Alenda believes it is too early to say the election results mark a new trend, but rather as the clearest expression of the exhaustion of a political cycle and of the failure of traditional forces  left, center, and right  to offer credible responses to a country that in recent years has been marked by overlapping crises of order, governability, and expectations.

Alenda argues that Kast did not emerge out of nowhere: his candidacy capitalizes on the fears and persistent discontent that conventional politics has been unable to process. His victory, she explains, should therefore not be interpreted as majority support for a coherent ideological project  aligned with radical conservatism and market liberalism  nor as a nostalgic vindication of the Pinochet regime.

Six years after the social uprising  which the left mistakenly interpreted as a cry for equality and against the neoliberal model  and four years after Borics election, a bet on change and on a new political generation, millions of Chileans have once again swung the pendulum and, on Sunday, voted predominantly for Kast.

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This judgment is shameful for Britain, and not just because Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. At the heart of the settlement by which Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997 was the Basic Law  the so-called one country, two systems arrangement. It protects rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech - which do not exist in mainland China - and also allows for local elections. But what price that law now? Then there was the Sino-British Joint Declaration which contains promises by China to retain Hong Kongs way of life and by the UK to monitor the situation and ensure the Chinese promises are abided by. That doesnt count for much now either, does it?
So while this paperweight by south-east London glass studio Gather (146) might be better described as a tchotchke, it will look just as lovely with the light refracting through it on a windowsill or mantelpiece as on a stack of boring documents.
We must all show allyship with our Jewish neighbours. Now more than ever, we must unite to rid our society of the evil of antisemitism, and defeat this vile form of hatred wherever it rears its ugly head.
Closer engagement with China must come in close alignment in ensuring that our interests are protected, and we are very concerned that there has been a headlong rush into closer and closer relations without ensuring that our core interests are protected, including, in particular, a British national detained behind bars.
That came the day after his sacking as Scottish secretary, with Mr Murray recalling: My big questions about coming back into Government were, why was it not offered to me at the time  and it wasnt  why has the decision now been made and why?
While the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Rosie Frew, said: The massacre of innocent people gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the first day of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is the most appalling atrocity, one felt world-wide.
In her first public speech, the new head of MI6 was due to argue that the defining challenge of the 21st Century is not which nation has the most powerful technologies but who uses them with the greatest wisdom.
A series of brutally cruel cases is forcing society to confront the deadliest side of misogyny, which kills four women every day

Feminist activist Brisa Batista took part last Sunday in one of the largest demonstrations held in Brazil against femicide  the daily drip of violence that kills four Brazilian women every day. This time, the sociologist felt supported alongside the thousands of women who took to the streets of Sao Paulo, Rio, Brasilia, and dozens of other cities to express their outrage at sexist murders and the normalization of misogyny shouting, Stop killing us. It was a massive protest, nothing like her lonely protest in 2019.

Back then, the femicide of Elitania de Souza affected her deeply, Batista recalls. It was easy for her to identify with the young woman from Bahia, shot by the boyfriend she had wanted to leave. A university student, Black, an activist. How could I have lived until now without realizing that this is such dramatic violence? she thought, astonished. She wanted to shout to the world: Stop killing us!  so she wrote the slogan on a sheet of paper, added #Elitania, and at a crowded Sao Paulo subway station, held the sign high and asked a stranger to photograph her solitary protest. She posted the photo on social media. Her protest didnt gain traction; the post never went viral.

Activist Brisa Batista during her solo protest in the Sao Paulo subway in 2019, following the murder of Elitania de Souza. CORTESIA

A string of extremely cruel femicides in just a few days  around the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women  has given unprecedented visibility to the issue. Gender-based violence has reached an unprecedented level of media and political attention.

Images of Tainara Santos being dragged for a mile along a Sao Paulo expressway by an ex-boyfriend horrified the country; she survived, but both her legs had to be amputated. Allane Matos, head pedagogue at a Rio de Janeiro educational center, and Layse Pinheiro, a psychologist, were shot and killed by a subordinate who could not accept having female bosses. Isabele de Macedo and her four children, aged one to seven, were killed by her husband and their father when he set fire to their family home in Recife. Maria de Lourdes Matos, an army corporal and saxophonist, was murdered by her boyfriend, also a soldier, in a Brasilia barracks; he stabbed her and set her on fire.

These extreme acts of cruelty have now struck a nerve. Murders of women at the hands of their partners have made front-page news, dominated television coverage, and become the focus of articles by leading columnists in major newspapers. Among the proposals being discussed are adopting a state pact against gender-based violence similar to Spains 2017 model, and implementing a similar integrated care model.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for the harshest penalties for femicide and urged men to mobilize against femicides, rapists, and abusers.

In this context, women from diverse backgrounds quickly organized marches on Sunday, December 7, which brought together 10,000 people in Sao Paulo and several thousand more across the country  a resounding success.

Douglas Alves da Silva was arrested on the night of November 30 after running over and dragging Tainara Souza for a kilometer the previous day in Sao Paulo. RR SS

Activist Batista understands well how perceptions have changed because she collaborates on the project Quem Ama Liberta (Who Loves You, Frees You), a social media memorial that commemorates every victim recorded over the past 18 years.

Batista believes there was an underground movement that has now surfaced thanks to a combination of factors, highlighting three women in particular: Supreme Court Justice Carmen Lucia Rocha, the only woman on the court, who has become a feminist icon in Brazil through her incisive speeches against gender inequality; Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, powerful and a recent survivor of sexual assault; and Janja da Silva, Lulas wife, who has ensured that more womens and feminist concerns are included in his political agenda.

Last year, 1,492 women were killed in Brazil by femicide. For the third consecutive year, the daily average reached four women  a grim statistic of four women murdered every day since the start of 2022.

Other forms of aggression have increased significantly, warns Manoela Miklos, senior researcher at the Brazilian Forum on Public Security (FBSP), an organization focused on analyzing violence. The numbers surrounding the number of lethal victims tell us that violence continues to rise, and thats important because we know that aggression doesnt begin with femicide, she says, drawing attention to the enormous spike in attempted femicides: Attempted femicides have risen by 19%; cases of stalking by 18.2%. Protective measures for victims have increased by 6%, but violations by aggressors are up 11%, she explains. And, furthermore, we must consider that non-lethal violence is more underreported than lethal violence.

Miklos cites several reasons for the rise in the violence that precedes femicide: There is a certain rebound effect, a retaliatory effect, due to feminist gains and the rise of communities that promote a concept of masculinity that hates women, along with the rhetoric of leaders who legitimize that discourse. Meanwhile, in Brazils rural areas, far from urban centers where feminist advances have not taken root, traditional violence persists.

Everyone in Brazil is proud of the Maria da Penha Law, a powerful piece of legislation against gender-based violence dating back to 2015, though much remains to be developed. Codified a decade ago, femicide carries the harshest penalty in the Penal Code  40 years in prison.

Women on stilts participate last Sunday in the march against femicide in Rio de Janeiro. Marina Calderon (REUTERS)

Hannah Maruci, a political scientist from the Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning (Cebrap), argues that public authorities focus on the aftermath of a femicide  the legal aspect, the punishment  which she considers necessary but not enough to eradicate gender-based violence. Theres a lack of investment in the before, in prevention, she says. For example, in education. But more than teaching women to defend themselves, we need to teach boys that there shouldnt be this power imbalance and this hatred so closely linked to the idea of a masculinity that reacts violently to rejection.

President Lula recently addressed this issue. We need a national movement of men against the animals who mistreat women and rape daughters, said the veteran politician during an event at an oil refinery, after recalling the most horrific femicides. Even a Catholic bishop, the Bishop of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, has joined in with a letter to men, in which he emphasizes that masculinity, according to Christian principles, does not dominate, humiliate, control, shout, threaten, or impose fear.

Year after year, the number of femicides set new records, although the rate of increase has slowed. Miklos, the gender-violence specialist, explains that when you work with these numbers, seeing a response of this magnitude is encouraging. She hopes the spiral of violence against women will be recognized as a political issue and enter the agenda for next years elections.

Political scientist Maruci prefers not to speculate about whether the spotlight on gender-based violence is a passing trend or the beginning of deeper change: When media visibility generates citizen mobilizations and political actions, we can begin to glimpse structural changes, but it needs to translate into public policies.

The most direct way to grasp the high human cost of gender-based violence in Brazil is to visit the Quem Ama Liberta Instagram profile, patiently maintained by Regina Jardim ever since a man murdered her daughter Priscila in 2007. There, she posts brief profiles of the four women murdered each day, ensuring Brazil does not forget Maria Katiane da Silva, 26; Indianara da Silva, 27; Maria Graciele Santos, 25; and Auriscleia do Nascimento, 25

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He also said one of the offenders had been known to authorities but there had been no specific threat and police were confident there was not a third person involved in the attack.
So I was just in my apartment, in my wardrobe, for the best part of I would say an hour and a half, just trying to see what was going on, trying to hear.
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.
This co-ordinated approach ensures that any concerns raised are fully examined and that appropriate steps are taken to address any criminality and to protect those who have been harmed and need help and support to access a wide range of services.
How you can help

8 could cover the travel cost for a young person who has experienced homelessness to a job interview

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45 could provide a refugee with two hours specialist career advice, supporting them to find employment
Cedar Park City Council approved sales tax rebates and job-creation funding Thursday evening to support Creative 3D Technologies Inc.s move to an 18,000-square-foot facility and the addition of 45 high-skill jobs. Creative 3D Technologies Inc.

An Austin-based 3D-printing manufacturer is moving its headquarters to Cedar Park, where it also plans to build a new manufacturing site.

The Cedar Park City Council this week is set to consider a sales tax rebate and job creation giveaways for Creative 3D Technologies Inc. to establish a new 18,000-square-foot facility in the northern suburb.

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The company plans to create 45 high-skill jobs at the site over the next two years, according to agreements outlined in city documents.

Founded in 2017, Creative 3D Technologies is an Austin-based startup focused on decentralized and sustainable manufacturing. It created buzz with its factory in a box concept, which integrates multiple production tools and production methods into one unit.

The company has been headquartered at 1600 Dungan Lane in North Austin and currently has 50 or fewer employees.

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According to city documents, the new facility at 1200 Bmc Drive will support research and development, testing and manufacturing and serve as the companys headquarters.

Cedar Park will consider job creation funding not to exceed $400,000 as well as cuts on sales tax revenue at the new facility for the first five years. The latter includes 100% sales tax rebates from 2026-28 and 80% rebates in 2029 and 2030 to be paid directly to Creative 3D Technologies.

The companys employees would be entitled to a $10,000 single lump sum relocation bonus for each residence purchased in Cedar Park, up to $500,000, under the agreement.

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The performance-based agreement is contingent upon Creative 3D Technologies leasing the Cedar Park property no later than Dec. 31, 2026, and occupying the space through the end of the agreement. The company must also create 25 new jobs with a combined annual payroll of at least $1.125 million and invest $410,000 into the site before the end of 2026. The incentive payments total $200,000, according to city documents.

An additional $200,000 payment is contingent upon Creative 3D Technologies creating 10 new jobs with a combined annual payroll of at least $1.61 million, and an additional $200,000 capital investment before the end of 2027. The agreement also requires the company to create 10 more jobs, with a combined annual payroll of at least about $2.107 million, and an additional $200,00 capital investment by the end of 2028.

The companys investment in Cedar Park is expected to advance the local innovation economy, create high-skill employment opportunities, and enhance the regions competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and emerging technology industries, the city documents say.

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The citys economic development corporation board was to consider the agreement Monday evening with City Council planning to take it up in its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday evening.
Director Rob Reiner gets a high-five over LBJ School Dean Angela Evans from actor Woody Harrelson as they speak before a screening of the film LBJ at the University of Texas campus on Oct. 23. Stephen Spillman for American-Statesman Austin American-Statesman

After news broke Sunday that Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead at their home in Los Angeles, countless people shared their memories of the esteemed director-actor and his many beloved films.

Reiner, 78, was perhaps best known for directing This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride.

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But he also directed LBJ, a 2017 film about the early days of Lyndon B. Johnsons presidency starring Woody Harrelson.

When he and Harrelson visited Austin ahead of the films release, Reiner, who was deeply active in Democratic politics and was a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, said he wasnt originally thrilled about making a film about somebody he grew up hating. But that changed as he brought LBJ  the man and the movie  to life.

I was of draft age during Vietnam, and I was passionately against the war, marched in protests and all of that, Reiner told the Statesman in 2017. The only image I had of Johnson growing up was that he was my enemy."

Nina Guidice asks a question to director Rob Reiner before a screening of the film "LBJ" at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs in October 2017. More than 4,500 people have degrees from the school. Stephen Spillman for Statesman

Part of his research came from reading Robert Caros lengthy tomes about Johnson  four books, more than 3,000 pages  and decided there was a lot more to the former president than this 'bull in the china shop' image we have of him.

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I found in him a kind of desperate need to be loved, Reiner said in the 2017 interview. He had this recurring dream of being paralyzed, and that was so interesting to me. He felt that his mother didnt love him at times, that she was very conditional with her love. And I just found myself thinking, This guy was much more complex than I had ever thought.

Reiner said he wanted Harrelson for the role of LBJ because of his humanity and sense of humor  something that mirrored the LBJ he envisioned.

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Johnson always wanted to be president, but not this way, Reiner said.

Actor/director Rob Reiner hugs actress and honoree Robin Wright at the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards. Austin 360
In "Host: Raul De Lara," wooden sculptures are arranged at The Contemporary Austin like exhibits in a natural history museum, but they could remind a visitor of a chapel or other sacred space. The Contemporary Austin

What an art show!

Host: Raul De Lara fits neatly into a rectangular gallery on the first floor of The Contemporary Austin-Jones Center on Congress Avenue.

Fewer than a dozen sculptures, carved and polished from regional wood, entice the guest to run their fingers over the surfaces.

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Dont.

Not just because it might harm the art, but because the art might harm you.

The enormous flowers, furniture and toys, along with the solar medallion at the end of the hall, many of them come armed with scary wooden thorns.

Theres a whole lot to think about  especially on the up-to-the-minute subject of immigration  but De Laras ideas about the wider world dont crowd out precious time spent with these magnificent objects.

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De Lara, who immigrated to Austin from Mexico with his family decades ago, now works in New York City. Yet he considers Texas his artistic home and returns often.

In fact, some of the sculptures in Host were inspired by De Laras study of plants at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center earlier this year. He focused on species that grow in Texas and Mexico, regions that share more than just botany.

Host represents De Laras first solo museum show in Texas. More will certainly follow. This one could easily travel to venues throughout the state.

Host runs through Jan. 11 at The Contemporary Austin-Jones Center, thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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Smooth and, at the same time, sharp

Many of the objects created by artist Raul De Lara for a show at The Contemporary Austin are covered in thorny-looking spikes. The Contemporary Austin

American-Statesman: The art in this show alternates between extraordinary smoothness and literal spikiness. The first element draws the viewer closer, especially to see the grains and colors of the wood, while the other element pushes the viewer away to physical safety. Is this how you want the viewer to feel?

Raul De Lara:There's a push and pull throughout this body of work that is both conceptual and literal. Cacti make you want to get close to them, but you cant get too close.

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There is a beauty and danger in the busyness of the spikes that echoes tragedy and comedy in both my art and life.

The entire show is made up of symbols. The flower sculptures are based on flowers native to both Mexico and Texas, and they pose the question: How come flowers can be native to two countries but not people?

The cacti sculptures are symbols that represent major chapters of my life in the U.S. The ladder represents my familys migration to the United States, the hand represents all the years I worked construction here in Austin with my parents, and the chair represents my years working as a server at Mexican restaurants in Leander and Cedar Park.

I also made the entire show out of wood that is native to both northern Mexico and Texas. I see both places as home.

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Small, delicate things reach human scale

Artist Raul De Lara immigrated with his family from Mexico to Austin more than 20 years ago. He now works in New York City but returns to Texas often. Hannah Edelman/The Contemporary Austin

Much of the art, even subjects that are small and delicate like flowers, is human-sized. How does this change the way we relate to those subjects?

I think of plants and furniture as our silent roommates.

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They get to witness our lives, our highs and lows in their own way, and they kind of absorb a personality of their own through our relationship with them.

I grew up seeing carvers in Mexico turn branches into saints and always wondered at what point in the carving process does the ghost of the saint enter that chunk of wood.

Now when I make my work, I strive to imbue a spark of life in them, as if they can look back at you.

There's something about the scale that helps me articulate the details I want to make in wood.

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Not everything looks good just being translated from reality into wood. I pay close attention to the wood and the forms to notice when they have reached their desired scale.

I don't replicate nature or things. I'm just inspired by them and I translate them in my own language.

Sacred space or natural history?

Artist Raul De Lara based his sculptural flowers on specimens he studied at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The Contemporary Austin

At the Jones Center, your sculptures are arranged in a processional manner with your spiky sun opposite the entrance like a rose window. It feels like a chapel. Was that intentional? There is something sacramental about the whole arrangement.

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I was not thinking of chapel or religious spaces, but I was going for expansive landscape or a sort of natural history-like display.

I used the architecture of the space to create a type of landscape where the sun sculpture implies a distant sunset or sunrise.

The sculptures alternate from flower on one side to cactus and vice versa. The vases also go from Walnut to Oak, and there is a visual rhythm going with the scale of the works as well.

The entire show has a visual rhythm that flows materially and formally. I was just trying to find ways to bring out the personality of each piece while still having a type of grounding structure, like we did with the concrete plinths.

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Why a ladder askew?

Small subjects are blown up to human scale, while large subjects are reduced in size in "Host: Raul De Lara." The Contemporary Austin

The angled ladder is especially interesting and seemingly apart from the other objects. To me, it brings to mind Pueblo images, and the ways that later artists have responded to those images. Thoughts?

I can't say Pueblo imagery crossed my mind while making this show, though I understand the association.

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I've used ladders in my work before to reference the passing of time aging or linear time. Again, these forms are all visual symbols for the viewer to create narrative with.

A spiky ladder would also suggest a painful ascent or descent.

I used the ladder here to symbolize my familys choice to come to the United States during my childhood.

While it has given us a beautiful life, it also came with lots of pain and sacrifices. It wasnt until last year that I was finally able to go back to Mexico for the first time after 20 years.

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That is just one of the many tragic sides of the coin of being here.

As a DACA recipient, I exist in a state of precarity, balance and limbo. I designed this ladder sculpture to be precariously balanced to imply that.

It should also be known that Texas has been the most cruel state in the country to current DACA individuals. Many of us are actively leaving the state because we are losing the very few legal capacities here with this status.

I hope this show feels like a win for the DACA community I am part of, and that it can open the eyes of those who might think we arent living around you. We are all existing around you, some of us in a more public facing way, and many others in the shadows due to fear of consequences.

Evolution of an artist

Talk about your time in Austin, including when you arrived in this country, when you left the city, when you returned to research native flora at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the process by which this became your first solo museum show in the state.

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We arrived to Austin one day before my birthday. My parents dropped me off late to my first day of school. I spoke no English and the only word they told me to say was schedule.

I have called Austin home since 2004. I went to middle school here, high school, I graduated from the University of Texas with high honors, and I was a sponsored freestyle BMX rider for years here.

I was also a cake sculptor at a local bakery and lived in a co-op on West Campus.

I grew up in an Austin where people looked at you in the eyes. I left Austin in 2015 after getting my BFA to live in Chicago and work for artist Nick Cave. I lived in Virginia and Massachusetts before arriving in New York.

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I came to Austin in the spring of 2025 to study some of the native flowers I would use in this show. I wanted to have a firsthand experience with their anatomy, personality and environment.

Being asked to have this solo show at the museum that I grew up seeing as my only beacon of contemporary art was a huge honor. I took this opportunity with the utmost seriousness.

Especially because, as you read this, I am waiting to hear back from my DACA renewal to see if I will still have legal standing in this country next year or not.

There are people just like me being deported and detained daily all over the country, and having this moment to publicly bring awareness to the richness we immigrants bring to this country was a priority for me.

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Curator Julie Le, the museum team and I worked on this show for over a year.
The Nobel laureates decision to go to Oslo has raised questions about what will happen to her leadership if she cannot go back to the country

What will happen to the Venezuelan opposition when its political and media star leaves the country and may not be able to return? That is the big question currently facing Venezuelan politics after Maria Corina Machado left the country to travel to Oslo and receive (a day late) her Nobel Peace Prize. Her journey, presented as a historic  and heroic  feat, now opens up an unpredictable scenario: what happens if the opposition figure most legitimized in recent years to challenge the Nicolas Maduro regime is unable to return?

According to her collaborators, Machado will spend some time abroad, capitalizing on the attention from the award to place Venezuela at the center of the global stage. It is not known whether this will be weeks or days, or whether Chavista regime will allow her to return when she wants to. In recent interviews, the opposition leader has repeatedly said that she plans to come back. I wont say when or how it will happen, but I will do everything possible to be able to return and also to put an end to this tyranny very soon, she told reporters in Oslo. I will return when the security measures are in place, whether or not Maduro remains in power, she added.

In her speech, read by her daughter in Oslo, Maria Corina Machado maintained the expectation of imminent change in Venezuela. The world has marveled at what we have achieved. And soon it will witness one of the most moving sights of our time: our loved ones coming home. It is still difficult to imagine under what circumstances. It is not clear what will happen next, and there are more questions than answers. Will there be a regime change soon, as she predicts? What happens if it doesnt occur and she cannot return? Will her leadership falter in exile as has happened to so many others?

Perhaps the only point of consensus is that Machados gamble was extraordinarily risky because it jeopardizes her most valuable asset: being able to challenge Maduro from within the country. Christopher Sabatini, from the Chatham House think tank, warns that if she is not physically in Venezuela, Machado will lose her emotional connection to the people  a link that made her the most influential opposition figure in recent years. Venezuelans want someone who is with them, who suffers what they suffer. If she is away  and nothing changes  they will end up looking for another figure, says Sabatini. Choosing to stay in Venezuela, he says, is a very powerful symbol in a country from which eight million Venezuelans have fled.

Its very important that Maria Corina is in Venezuela. Its part of her brand, says Phil Gunson, senior analyst at Crisis Group, from Caracas. For Gunson, Machados decision to remain in the country has been a fundamental part of her political identity, especially in contrast to other opposition leaders who, after going into exile, lost influence on the domestic stage. She says the transition has already begun, that Maduro has no alternative, but the problem is what happens if this fails, reflects the analyst, who has lived in Venezuela for 26 years. If this fails, and she stays outside of the country, she risks losing relevance, says Gunson.

Venezuelan writer and analyst Moises Naim urges against drawing conclusions too quickly. The Nobel ceremony, regardless of whether she attends or not, is a very significant element of legitimacy that puts the Maduro regime in a difficult position, he said on Tuesday, before it was known whether Machado would arrive in time for the ceremony.

Naim disagrees with the comparisons between Maria Corina Machados leadership and that of other opposition figures who ended up in exile. She is not another leader, she is not Juan Guaido [who self-declared himself president of Venezuela], she is a leader who garnered 67% of the vote [for her candidate Edmundo Gonzalez]. There is no politician more legitimate than Maria Corina, he argues. Naim also does not believe that the opposition will suffer from her being abroad: If she has managed to accomplish all this while in hiding, imagine what she can do while on the global stage.

Political scientist Marisela Betancourt, however, warns that Machado risks falling into the same trap as Guaido. That is, that international legitimacy  now amplified by the Nobel  may not compensate for the loss of real influence within the country. For Betancourt, the strength of Machados work in hiding was already waning. It was a paralysis in the face of reality. She has very important leadership, but all the bets have been placed on the United States, governed by an irrational president.

Betancourt is among those who believe that Machado would not have been able to leave without some kind of agreement with the Maduro regime. The expert argues that the regime benefited from Machado leaving the country. She is an opposition leader that Venezuelan authorities have labeled a terrorist but cannot act against without undermining its own authority. But outside the country, according to Betancourt, loses her capacity for direct action in a fractured society. Once she leaves, there is no turning back, says the political scientist.

Machados gamble has shifted the political landscape, but it hasnt reshaped it. Whether or not she can return to Venezuela will define not only her own political destiny, but also the hope that hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have placed in her. In any case, many of these developments will depend on Donald Trump, as he continues to play several games at once.

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Bronte Wittpenn/American-Statesman file

The threat of freezing weather returns to Central Texas every winter. However, many local and state resources are available for accurate, real-time weather updates. Forecasts, emergency alerts, road conditions and public health guidance are all broadcast through public channels in Travis County.

Here are some common questions, and where to turn for answers, as cold weather approaches:

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Who issues official winter weather forecasts and freeze warnings?

The National Weather Services Austin/San Antonio office is the primary authority for winter weather forecasts in Travis County. The agency issues freeze warnings, hard freeze warnings and winter weather advisories, along with hourly and extended forecasts and detailed discussions explaining what forecasters are monitoring.

Emergency managers across Central Texas use NWS alerts as the foundation for planning and public messaging.

How can I get emergency alerts specific to my neighborhood?

A house on Ray Wood Drive in South Austin is covered in ice on Wednesday January 17, 2024, after it was drenched by a water main break in freezing weather on Tuesday. Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Local officials recommend signing up for Warn Central Texas, a regional emergency alert system used by the City of Austin and Travis County.

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The system sends alerts by phone call, text or email and can be customized by address, making it one of the fastest ways to receive location-specific notifications during freezes, ice events or power emergencies.

Where does the City of Austin post winter weather updates?

The City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management serves as a hub for local winter weather information. Through its Ready Central Texas program, the city shares guidance on protecting people, pets, plants and pipes, as well as updates on city operations, shelter availability and emergency response.

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Officials also post updates through the Ready Central Texas app and the citys @AustinHSEM social media accounts.

Where can agencies and residents find county-level updates?

A house on Ray Wood Drive in South Austin is covered in ice on Wednesday January 17, 2024, after it was drenched by a water main break in freezing weather on Tuesday. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

The Travis County Office of Emergency Management coordinates winter weather response across jurisdictions and works with city, state and federal partners during severe events. The office publishes preparedness resources and situational updates.

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What about health-related guidance during freezes?

Austin Public Health provides safety guidance when winter weather poses health risks, including information on hypothermia, power outages and sheltering. The department coordinates messaging with emergency managers and shares updates during cold weather events.

How can I check road conditions during winter weather?

For travel impacts, DriveTexas is the Texas Department of Transportations real-time map showing crashes, closures and hazardous road conditions statewide. The site is especially useful when freezing rain or ice affects Central Texas roadways.
Mourners gather at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as people pay tribute to the victims of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Dec. 15, 2025. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. Izhar Khan/Getty Images

A Texas man was among those injured in the Hanukkah terror attack in Sydney, Australia.

The mass shooting occurred at Bondi Beach on Sunday, as over 1,000 people gathered to peacefully celebrate the first day of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Two suspected gunmen are believed to have opened fire on the beach, killing 15 people and injured at least 27 others. It is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 shooting in Port Arthur, which killed 35 people.

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According to CNN, those injured include six people in critical condition, six in "critical but stable" condition and 13 in stable condition.

Among the 27 injured was a 20-year-old College Station man, Houston Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff confirmed to KHOU.

"Please say Tehillim, Kapitel 21, for my nephew Yehudah Leib ben Manya Lazaroff of College Station, Texas, who was among the injured in the attack," Rabbi Lazaroff said in a statement.

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The rabbi's brother operates a Chabad branch in College Station largely made up of Texas A&M students. He said his nephew, Leibel Lazaroff, was "bustling with energy" and "always looking for ways to help," which most recently involved volunteering at the Chabad of Bondi in Sydney.

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"He was there for the year to volunteer and to give up his time, because it's a part of a, a central part of our ideology," Rabbi Lazaroff said. "You're not here on this world just to live for yourself, you're here to live to give to someone else. And so he was there to strengthen the communities."

Leibel's father, Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff, took to social media to ask for prayers. He also noted one of Leibel's colleagues, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was among the 15 innocent people killed in the attack.

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 HYD was killed. Praying for  Yossi Lazaroff  (@AggieRabbi) December 14, 2025

Rabbi Lazaroff said the family experienced difficulty when initially trying to reach his nephew. They then learned he had been critically injured and was in an ICU.

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15 victims killed in Sydney shooting

Members of the public gather at a memorial outside the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach to mourn those killed in a mass shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on Dec. 15, 2025. Claudio Galdames Alarcon/Anadolu via Getty Images

A total of 15 people, ages 10 through 87, were confirmed dead in the Hanukkah terror attack. This includes a Holocaust survivor, a French national, a volunteer and a handful of those involved in local Chabad organizations, per CNN. Two rabbis lost their lives.

Sydney shooters identified as father, son

Australian media outlets have identified the two suspected gunmen as a father and son: Sajib Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was killed in the incident, NBC News reports. Naveed Akram had been hospitalized for injuries.

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Rabbi Lazaroff gave the following statement to KHOU:

It's very hard for the family, but I think it's also, it's hard for the Jewish community everywhere. Leaders have been tepid in their response to antisemitism that's growing across America and around the world.

It's up to the leaders to speak up and to say that we will not tolerate antisemitism of any form. It doesn't make a difference what your motives are, on what's going on overseas, what your political interests are. Terrorism is definitely not an option and not something that can be accepted by anyone.

When we have people that are trying to extinguish the light of the Jewish people, we will just burn bigger and brighter. Hanukkah will burn on, the Jewish people will continue to be here.

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San Marcos Police Department American-Statesman file

San Marcos police arrested a man Friday after he allegedly impersonated a police officer and attempted to kidnap two women, including one encounter at the city cemetery, authorities said.

Police identified the suspect as Kevin Andrew Frimpong, 38, of San Marcos, who was taken into custody Friday evening following a search by officers, authorities said. He faces one charge of attempted kidnapping and two charges of impersonating a public servant, according to court records.

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According to police, one woman reported that Frimpong approached her and engaged in a brief conversation before identifying himself as law enforcement. Investigators said he displayed handcuffs and attempted to restrain her, but she broke free and immediately called police.

Officers said they had received a separate call earlier Friday reporting Frimpong acting suspiciously at a nearby residence.
At a peaceful, pro-Palestinian protest held at the University of Texas Wednesday, April 24, 2024, more than 40 people were arrested. The demonstration was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee, a registered student organization, as well as a student chapter of the national Students for Justice in Palestine, which called for an end to the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk Sept. 10 incited a national conversation this fall about campus free speech, civil discourse and what universities can do about offensive conduct.

Texas lawmakers held in November a hearing in Kirks honor to discuss how best to protect free speech while discouraging hate speech  a balance they determined was a tough line to toe. Later, the Texas House Democratic Caucus held their own meeting to elevate faculty concerns about academic freedom after the firing of a Texas A&M University professor for perceived liberal-leaning teaching.

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The confusing landscape of when speech is and isnt regulated on college campuses raises an important question: What speech is and isnt allowed?

What speech is protected?

Lawmakers at the November hearing quickly learned that the First Amendments protections are significant, only allowing a government or university to punish students when speech veers into disruptive conduct that breaks university rules; when speech imminently incites violence; or when speech becomes persistent or pervasive harassment.

University of Texas President Jim Davis testified that even though abhorrent speech is allowed, the university aims to enrich students with skills for more productive discourse without offensive or heated language.

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Universities can still make their own reasonable time, place and manner restrictions to prevent speech from interrupting a universitys function, but they must be applied neutrally to any speechs content. He said a hecklers veto, or speech that stops another persons expression, and speech that veers into disruptive conduct is not allowed at UT.

Have free speech definitions changed over time?

UT boasts a storied tradition of free speech and protest, from the Civil Rights Movement to demonstrations against the Vietnam War. But in 2024, pro-Palestinian protests spread across the nation with students camping out in demonstrations that some described as a dangerous environment for Jewish students.

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At UT, police aggressively responded to two pro-Palestinian protests, arresting more than 130 people for criminal trespassing. The charges were later dismissed, but the university stood by its decision to call in police. University officials said they were enforcing rules barring disruptive expression, camping and threats to safety.

American-Statesman reporting revealed UT changed its rules to more tightly regulate free expression time, place and manner restrictions the summer after the protests, which university officials said was necessary to clarify its rules. In the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers who supported UTs swift response to pro-Palestinian protests sought their own legislative action.

The resulting legislation, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, passed this spring. Senate Bill 2972, also known as the Campus Protection Act, prohibits non-university-affiliated individuals, from demonstrating on campus. Non-UT students and staff made up more than half of the arrests during the 2024 protests. Lawmakers also banned expressive activities at night, during finals week and in certain areas of campus.

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It was a sharp reversal from a 2019 bipartisan law that defined all outdoor spaces at Texas public universities as traditional public forums, protecting speech at a time some felt conservative voices were unwelcome.

Is the Campus Protection Act in effect everywhere?

Soon after the 2025 law took effect, the non-profit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed suit against the University of Texas System on behalf of student musicians, protesters, writers and drummers whose free speech would be unduly restricted due to this law, the organization argued.

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A judge granted the request for an injunction, preventing the UT System from enforcing two parts of the law: the overnight expression ban, end of year drum and amplified sound ban and end-of-term speaker ban. The ruling only applies to UT System schools, but the suit is ongoing.

MORE: Court stops University of Texas system from enforcing new campus free speech limits

Is speech in the classroom protected?

In the classroom, there is no law that prohibits what professors can teach. However, Creightons Senate Bill 37, a higher education reform law passed this session, gives governor-appointed regents more explicit control over which core courses and degrees are offered.

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In the aftermath of the abrupt termination of a Texas A&M University professor for teaching about gender identity in a childrens literature class, multiple university systems, including the UT System, launched course audits for content related to gender identity.

Only the Texas Tech University System, which Creighton now leads as Chancellor, has banned classes that teach that there are more than two genders, though all major medical organizations recognize transgender individuals. Texas A&M barred courses that advocate for race or gender ideology unless approved by the president or a designee, but it is not clear how many classes it will impact.

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At Burning Woman Tea, the participants got rid of the things they no longer wanted to carry with them or that reminded them of someone they had lost. Provided by Diane Owens Prettyman

From the Druids to the Native Americans to the Christians, fire has served as a portal from the earth to the heavens. The golden flame represents the Divine Light. The swirling smoke sends prayers to the heavens, the universe, the cosmos.

In fall, the Irish celebrate Samheim on Oct. 31. This ancient tradition of the Druids is thought to be the beginning of our Halloween. During the Samheim festival, fire is used to honor the dead and cleanse negativity.

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Other cultures around the world also use fire in ceremonies and rituals. The Hindu fire ceremony, Yajna, literally translates to mean sacrifice, devotion, worship, and offering."

Buddhists have four types of fire rituals. Candles are used by the Jewish community during Hanukkah. Incense is used in Episcopal, Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox churches. Fires deep spiritual significance extends to cultures around the world.

Fire has another important property  it burns. Burning ceremonies are a powerful tool to strengthen the soul. Just as gold is purified by burning, and low-intensity fires help rejuvenate forests, burning can be good for your spirit.

Burning ceremonies start with writing your intentions on a piece of paper or identifying some actual object in your life you want to burn. Then with a group of supporters, you thoughtfully burn your intention.

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Rituals around fire, whether old or new like Burning Woman Tea, bring a community together. Provided by Diane Owens Prettyman

Frequently, the tradition is used to burn negative thoughts and unpleasant feelings, journals, diplomas or any other items that no longer serve you. Think of it as Feng Shui for the soul.

Burns can also be used celebrate the life of a loved one. In a grief support group I facilitated, participants wrote a letter to their loved one, and at the end of the session they burned the letter and sent their thoughts to the heavens. A Gratitude Burn, where thanksgivings are sent off into the cosmos, provides another way to fill the soul with positive energy.

Prayers and petitions can be burned as well. Writing a prayer, desire, or aspiration, and burning it with purpose, elevates the prayer.

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I recently hosted a Burning Woman Tea. Though the idea came to me out of nowhere, Id been in conversation with many women who wondered what to do with stuff theyd accumulated over the years. That stuff was not always an actual physical object. I wanted to provide an opportunity for women to burn whatever they desired.

Around the fire pit, after tea (and wine) one-by-one women burned their items. The party evolved naturally. My instructions quickly folded into someone elses grand idea. Blazes consumed journals, divorce diaries, hostilities, past lives and regrets. The flames lifted prayers of peace, reconciliation and thanksgiving. They celebrated the lives of those living in the other world.

After each guest burned their item, as a community we acknowledged each request by saying the persons name, We roll up all our love and send it to you.

Our fire provided a receptacle to renew our earthly spirit and to connect with the souls gone before us. The flames furnished a safe place to burn, both symbolically and actually, those things distancing us from the peace we deserved.

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The author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism applauds the EUs initiatives to curb big tech and calls on the bloc not to bow to pressure from Trump

Shoshana Zuboff (New England, U.S., 1951) joins the video call from her home in Maine, in the northeastern United States, on the border with Canada, where the cold is relentless at this time of year. She sips tea to warm her throat and apologizes for being late; her schedule is so packed these days that it was impossible to find an opportunity to do this interview in person. It is difficult to speak with Zuboff, the leading thinker on surveillance capitalism, via Google Meet and not feel anxious about contributing to the very evil she has been talking about for years.

There are very few things left in this world that we can do without contributing to it. Thats what makes it intolerable, says the philosopher and professor emeritus at Harvard Business School. Next January will mark seven years since she published her book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, in which she uncovered a phenomenon that has since expanded almost unchecked: the collection and commodification of personal data by technology companies.

Technology and capitalism are two ideas that have been constantly present in Zuboffs work. But she is particularly concerned about the current state of our society, with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and leaders such as Donald Trump embracing the tech oligarchs. So much so that her next book, which she hopes to publish in 2026, will be an update of her 2019 work, but focused on artificial intelligence.

Question. What do you think about AI? How do you view this technological development?

Answer. AI is simply surveillance capitalism continuing to evolve and expand with some new methodologies, but still based on theft. We rushed to the internet, thinking of the democratization of knowledge and communication. But what we ran to with open arms has actually become a surveillance prison with no bars or guards, but also no exit, no escape. And unless and until our democratic governments pull themselves together, and we come together in new forms of collective action to put that pressure on our public leaders, this will not change.

Q. How will the time we spend connected here for this video call contribute to surveillance capitalism?

A. The problem is we dont know. Thats why its called surveillance capitalism because its core methods have to be hidden. Because if people knew what was happening, everybody would rebel. Google started out by stumbling into the discovery that every time someone engages with their search engine, they leave behind private data that can be analyzed to understand their behavior and predict it. Thats how we started to become a repository for very rich multifaceted data that gave Google, very early on, the ability to predict a persons sexual orientation, political orientation, economic or cultural status... That became the foundation for their business that changed the world, because they realized that predictions of human behavior could be sold.

Q. Why must their core methods remain hidden?

A. At the beginning, Google had a very small executive team, and there was a growing conflict within. Some people said, were secretly taking peoples data, if folks find out about this, theyre going to be furious; we have to tell them. But the other side said, if we tell people what were doing, they will never forgive us. In Im Feeling Lucky, Douglas Edwards, the first brand manager at Google, writes about a meeting where this argument was going on between the two factions. And Larry Page, the founder, was sitting there very quiet, listening. When they were done arguing, he just said: We can never tell them. He understood that they were stealing. And they were terrified of one thing then, and its the same thing theyre terrified of now: the law. That it would come into their sphere and say: this is illegal, this is theft, you cant do this.

Q. Have we made any progress of note in combating surveillance capitalism since you published your book in 2019?

A. We have, and Europe is at the forefront. Some very significant things have happened in Europe during these years: the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the AI Act. But EU leaders are currently having a moment of self-doubt. They dont know if it would be better to simply appease Trump, or if it is wiser to stand by the very important laws that they have created.

Q. The president has been insulting European leaders recently, as have members of his administration, who have criticized the EU for some of its measures against Big Tech.

A. Its because they are afraid of Europe. Weve established that the only thing that they fear is law, and the only place where that law would be coming from any time in the near future is Europe. So they insult them and degrade them to confuse them. But if I could persuade the leaders of the EU of anything is that this is the time to be fierce.

Q. The U.S. is at the opposite side of the spectrum when compared to the EU: almost a year ago, Trump was sworn in surrounded by tech oligarchs.

A. I think of the inauguration as a wedding ceremony, a marriage between Trump and the tech leaders. Why did these men, who are infinitely wealthy and powerful, who control all the worlds data, information and knowledge, need to marry Trump? Both sides needed something that only the other could give them. The tech companies needed a world where there are no laws, where no one could tell them that this is unacceptable and incompatible with democracy. Only Trump can give them that. Only he has the twisted personality that allows him to walk up to any president of any country, any parliament, and say: I dont accept your laws. And what did Trump need from them? A world in which the whole informational space is dominated by lies.

Q. Is this marriage what you have called fusion scenarios?

A. These are scenarios where the surveillance and data gathering capabilities of the private sector and those of the public sector fuse, as in the Chinese case. Thats when it becomes very dangerous. We are on our way toward that scenario in the U.S., which is why this is the moment when our European leaders must show up. This is not the time when we abandon all of that hard work.

Q. You mentioned the case of China, but under Trump, the U.S. is experiencing an expansion of government surveillance of civilians as his administration ramps up immigration enforcement. What is the difference  or the relationship  between government surveillance and surveillance capitalism?

A. This goes back to 2001. When the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11, this fusion scenario took shape very quickly. Because the government understood immediately that these companies were grabbing all this data that they needed. All that predictive analytics, all that predictive data  that was going to be essential for the Patriot Act. It was going to be essential for everything that Washington was imagining as the war on terror. And Washington wasnt alone because within a very short period of time all the worlds democracies were practicing warrantless and secret data collection. We saw that it was governmental needs that allowed Google to continue to practice its theft. And that has continued to this day.

Q. Ive noticed that beyond regulation, you also talk about reinvention...

A. And abolition. Regulation is just a step along the way  a negotiation, a compromise, a limit, but it doesnt say: you cannot exist. We can have surveillance capitalism, or we can have democracy, but we cannot have both. Because they are fundamentally at odds with one another. Regulation gets us into the discussion of whats wrong, but ultimately, we are going to need to go upstream to where it all starts to do what we should have done at the beginning: call it theft, prohibit it, and invent a better alternative centered on humanity.

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One of the overarching themes of Stream ing Media 2025 , which took place October 68 in Santa Monica, Calif., was the rise of the creator economy. Discussions centered around the changing economics of content creation, delivery, distribution, and curation (with AI playing an ever-larger role in leveling the playing field to varying degrees at all stages); evolving business models for creators looking to leverage and grow their brands and survive and thrive; and the ongoing, unignorable convergence of creator channels and traditional streaming platforms. The last topic seems like a particularly noteworthy sign of the timeshow many conversations carried on just down the 405 in Huntington Beach in the heyday of Streaming Media West concerned the convergence (or divergence) of streaming upstarts and traditional linear broadcast?

In one of the exhibit hall interviews from the show, streaming industry stalwart Timothy Fore-Siglin sat down with pocket.watch SVP David B. Williams to discuss the fast-evolving interplay of creators and audiences and social and CTV platforms. Trying to parse out pocket.watchs relationship to creators and its particular role in kids-oriented mediawhich Williams described as a network with distribution, an ad agency, and a consumer products groupand where the industry appeared to be moving from Williams unique vantage point, Fore-Siglin asked a question that cut right to the heart of how profoundly the relationship between social and scrolling platforms to the streaming establishment has changed in recent years: So if you look at social medialets say, generic platforms like YouTubeis that sort of a farm team where you can say, Heres somebody whos got some traction. We can then help take them to the next level? 

Well, sometimes its a little hard to tell which is the farm and which is the next level, Williams quipped.

Ben Relles, who runs content strategy at Reid Hoffman and spent 11 years at YouTube in various roles, including head of content strategy for

YouTube Next Lab and head of innovation for YouTube Originals, gave a fascinating talk on the first day of the show titled Creators Are Redefining Media that revealed much of how the landscape has changed and effectively obliterated the line between the farm system and the presumptive big leagues. Youre seeing some creators blowing up their channels and becoming massive media companies, he said, but youre also seeing this mid-tail of creators and more and more channels that are  building communities where they feel like they have a real chance to make this their career because they have that loyal audience that comes back.

Getting a seat at streamings big kids table isnt even on creators vision board necessarily, nor is it essential to monetize their shows or establish legitimacy with the brands that make them profitable. Although brand deals arent the only money coming in, it is also still as robust a brand market right now for creators as theres ever been, said Relles.

Relles pointed to a headline from The Ankler heralding Cannes Lions 2025 as a tipping point for the creator economy, as brands are spending $185 billion on creator content. The biggest change, Relles argued, is not so much in how brands view creators as how creators view themselves. Even though this has been a conversation since I first started a channelHow will creators make a living?over the last year or two, more creators are thinking of themselves not just as creatives, but as entrepreneurs as well.

Relles touched on the other key driver of the new creator economy: the new economics of content creation taking shape in the era of AI tools that both streamline and augment various aspects of the production process. AI is democratizing production value, and its making it possible to do things that individual creators couldnt do before.  After a lot of time in the creator economy, I love [seeing] how much creativity is in this AI community right now, because its less about views and monetization and more about whats the next creative thing we can do. Its exciting to think about.
Content Creation Consolidation: Bending Spoons Strikes Again

There are a few tools that many streaming pros have used through the years, from WeTransfer to Brightcove to Vimeo. Some are essential to content creation, OTT delivery, and live streaming. All of these tools have one important thing in common now: their recent acquisition by the Italian company Bending Spoons.

What does it mean to be acquired? One the one hand, after Bending Spoons acquired WeTransfer, it cut staff by 75%. On the other hand, Brightcove shares were up 34% after acquisition, and consolidation of complementary systems can benefit overall workflows.

In addition to these streaming-specific acquisitions, Bending Spoons has acquired Komoot, a platform for planning customized vacations. It also snapped up Issuu, a digital publishing and discovery platform that has a tool called Clip, which takes a snapshot of an online publication for sharing on social media. The list also includes MileIQ, which makes mileage-tracking software, and Evernote, which keeps track of notes and ideas. In addition, Bending Spoons acquired Remini in 2021 and Meetup in 2024. And heres the whopper: Yahoo is said to be near a deal to sell the media brand and portal AOL to Bending Spoons. AOL itself owns LifeLock and McAfee, among other assets. I have to ask: What does this all have to do with media management and OTT distribution tools?

Are the tools that we producers use in our everyday work being entrusted to a company that understands our needs and goals? Per its own website, Bending Spoons is a technology company that owns and operates leading digital products. This is quite a different mission statement from, say, the one from Videndum (formerly The Vitec Group), which owns more than nearly 2 dozen companies involved in the production space and considers itself a leading global provider of premium branded hardware products and software solutions to the growing content creation market." Thats on point, and all of the companies Videndum owns are in that channel. It makes sense.

If Videndum had suddenly acquired Fitbit, LinkedIn, or GasBuddy, youd probably wonder what the heck is going on. But it hasnt.

As someone who has used WeTransfer, Brightcove, and Vimeo, I find it unsettling to see them sit alongside mileage-tracking and (checks notes) customized vacation planning. Hacker News notes that Bending Spoons laid off more than 85% of the Brightcove staff. Vimeo was not hit as hard, laying off only 10% of staff in early September 2025.

Reports talk about making these companies leaner and more commercial. Does this also mean that costs will go up? Will the features these tools and services have be cut? Will investments in these companies also be trimmed? Its really hard to know what the future holds because Bending Spoons has not made any announcements about its plans for these acquisitions to make its intentions clearer.

But if the consolidation at the top of the studios is any indication, with the recent merger of Skydance and Paramount, Amazon acquiring MGM, and Netflix and Paramount Skydance going after Warner Bros. Discovery, maybe The Mandalorians motto applies: This is the way. I dont know why these companies feel the need to constantly merge and acquire, but that seems to be the rule of the day. What does it mean for producers who rely on these tools, especially when the company acquiring them does not have a production focus like Videndum?

For me, it means that Ill be wary. Ill keep my Vimeo account, but Ill also start looking at other solutions that can perform similar tasks in case Bending Spoons decides to morph Vimeo into something else more commercial that breaks or eliminates the functionality I need.

We dont know what the future holds, but as with climate change breaking up the Arctic ice we used to know as one big mass, tectonic shifts are happening, and theres no going back. We need to keep our eyes and ears open so we can understand whats going on, make adjustments in advance, and not be caught unaware.

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Here we reveal the 2025 Streaming Media Top 100, our list (appropriately enough) of the top 100 companies in the streaming universe outside of Europe. This list complements the 2025 Streaming Media Europe 51, which acclaims Europes key streaming innovators and high achievers.

The Streaming Media Top 100 honors many of the industrys most innovative and influential technology suppliers, service providers, platforms, and media and content companies, as recognized by our editorial collective. Some are familiar and formidable industry mainstays, while others are comparatively small and newcomers to the scene (or at least to this hallowed company). All distinguish themselves with their pathbreaking approach and their contribution to the expansion, maturation, and disruption of the streaming media universe.

In early iterations, we focused exclusively on technology vendors, rather than content companies. This list has traditionally been entirely about recognizing the companies that enable video services to deliver great content to consumers reliably at the highest possible quality on every device and hopefully to make money from it.

Back in 2018, we streamlined the list to a trim 50 honorees drawn entirely from the ranks of companies supplying products and services on the technological side of the aisle. In 2023, we returned the list to century-size to embrace the content companies that increasingly dominate the conversation. This year, weve expanded into other increasingly important areas, reflecting our expanding focus on monetization and essential players in the advertising ecosystem.

Once again, this year, we largely excluded the video production segment of the market. Also, the Streaming Media Top 100 focuses exclusively on companies with headquarters in North America. In August 2025, we published a similar list, the Streaming Media Europe 51, focusing on companies with headquarters in Europe. Of course, some companies have headquarters in both the U.S. and abroad; in those cases,

we ask the company (or they forthrightly tell us) which list they want to be considered for.

So how do we arrive at the list? We invite members of the magazines editorial inner circle to look at a master list of all of the vendors in the online video marketplace and assess their importance in the industry. We pool and average out the results, and the top 100 make the list.

This year we added top to the title because these companies are, after all, in the memorable phraseology of the early Beatles (IYKYK), the toppermost of the poppermost when it comes to all things streaming.
South Korean air force academy cadets touch the tail of an MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Dec. 10, 2025. (Karissa Dick/U.S. Air Force)



U.S. and South Korean forces have recovered an Air Force drone that crashed last month off the countrys western coast, according to the 8th Fighter Wing.

The MQ-9 Reaper, assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, was involved in an incident during a routine mission near Maldo-ri Island on Nov. 24, according to news release from the wing that day.

South Koreas Yonhap News Agency, citing unnamed military officials, reported that the Reaper crashed into the Yellow Sea off the coast of Gunsan city, 112 miles south of Seoul.

The aircraft has been recovered following a thorough and collaborative effort, Capt. Samantha Perez, a spokeswoman for the 8th Fighter Wing, told Stars and Stripes by email Monday.

The wing appreciates the strong partnership with South Koreas army, navy and coast guard during the recovery, Perez wrote.

The combined expertise and resources of our two militaries were essential to the success of this operation, she said.

MQ-9 flight operations have not ceased, Perez added.

While the incident is under investigation, all flight operations will continue with a heightened awareness and commitment to safety, ensuring that any potential issues are proactively addressed, she wrote.

The 431st  formerly a World War II fighter squadron deactivated in 1949  was reactivated as a Reaper reconnaissance unit in September at Kunsan.

The squadrons mission is to support U.S.-Korean priorities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Laura Hayden said at the time.

The Reaper is a long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a range of approximately 1,150 miles and a ceiling of 50,000 feet, according to the Air Force. It costs about $30 million to procure, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Between fiscal years 1998 and 2021, Reapers were involved in 62 Class A mishaps, with 43 of the aircraft destroyed, according to a 2022 research service report. Class A mishaps result in $2.5 million or more in damage, loss of life or loss of the airframe.

While cheaper to build and operate than manned aircraft, Reapers are more likely to be involved in Class A mishaps, according to the report. During those three years, the Reapers flew nearly 3 million flight hours and averaged one such mishap every 232,000 flight hours.
Staff Sgt. John Mwangi, 42, was arrested and charged in the Feb. 21, 2025, shooting death of his wife, Sgt. Esther Gitau, 27, in Killeen, Texas. Both soldiers were assigned to Fort Cavazos. (Photo provided by Bell County Jail)



AUSTIN, Texas  A Fort Hood noncommissioned officer was sentenced to 26 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Friday to fatally shooting his wife, who was also a soldier, in their off-post home earlier this year.

Staff Sgt. John Mwangi, 43, pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder and said he shot his wife, Sgt. Esther Gitau, on Feb. 21, according to the Office of Special Trial Counsel, which prosecuted the case.

Military Judge Col. Maureen Kohn also sentenced Mwangi to forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction in rank to E-1 and a dishonorable discharge from the Army during the court-martial held at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center at Fort Hood, Texas. He will serve his time at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Gitau was a food safety inspector assigned to the 1st Medical Brigade, base officials said. She had previously served at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., and Fort Knox, Ky.

A soldier, a mother, a sisterSgt. Esther Gitauwas tragically taken away by the accuseds reprehensible actions, said the prosecutor, Lt. Col. William Wicks, in a statement. Though nothing we can do will bring Esther Gitau back, we can only hope that the family can begin to heal as a result of [Fridays] proceedings.

An attorney listed for Mwangi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On the night of Feb. 21, Mwangi and his wife were arguing at their Killeen home when Mwangi shot her several times. He then left the home with Gitau locked in the primary bedroom, according to prosecutors.

While in his vehicle, Mwangi called his brother and informed him of the shooting. His brother notified authorities, who located her body upon arriving at the couples home.

Two children were also found in the home, according to the Killeen Police Department.

Military police detained Mwangi, an aircraft structural repairer in the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, the next day when he tried to enter the gate at Fort Hood, according to prosecutors.

Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated with Killeen police. They found blood, DNA and other forensic evidence that led to the Army charging Mwangi with unpremeditated murder April 2.

We could not have achieved this outcome without the commitment and collaboration of our Texas law enforcement partners, said Lane Allen, special agent in charge of the Army CID Central Texas Field Office. While no sentence can undo the harm caused or restore what was taken, todays outcome sends a clear message that our justice system will not waiver in pursuit of those who commit such tragic and irreversible acts.

Mwangi also has a criminal trial pending in Bell County court, where he is charged with first-degree murder, according to county court records. His next hearing is scheduled for March 20.
Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, a sergeant in the Iowa National Guard, was identified by his stepfather in a Facebook post as one of the three Americans who died following an ambush in Syria on Dec. 13, 2025. (Facebook/Meskwaki Nation Police Department)



The police chief of a small Iowa community identified his stepson as one of the three Americans who died following an ambush in Syria on Saturday.

Sgt. William Nathan Howard, 29, was one of two members of the Iowa National Guard killed when a lone gunman attacked U.S. and Syrian forces who were conducting a joint field tour near the city of Palmyra, according to Jeffrey Bunn, police chief of the Meskwaki Nation, a tribal community about an hour outside of Des Moines.

On Monday, the Iowa National Guard confirmed that Howard had been killed and identified the other deceased soldier as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar, 25, of Grimes, Iowa. The gunman also killed a civilian interpreter and injured three other members of the states National Guard and three members of Syrias security forces.

The deceased soldiers and the wounded were all members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, the National Guard said, which is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, and is currently deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve  the U.S.s anti-ISIS mission.

The Pentagon has not yet released the name of the deceased interpreter.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Bunn described Howard as a dedicated soldier through and through and said he had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy.

He was a man of faith, he added, and a dedicated husband to his wife, Arianna Howard.

He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, Bunn wrote. No one left behind.

Bunns wife, Misty, and the soldiers biological father, Brian Howard of Colorado, were devastated to learn of their sons death, Bunn wrote.

The Facebook page for Troop B, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment in the Iowa National Guard highlighted Howard in an April post, which said he had served for more than 11 years.

Howard worked at Fisher Controls as a laser engraving specialist and enjoyed shooting, woodworking and gaming. He was a native of Marshalltown and was inspired by his grandfathers service, according to the post.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, described Howard and Torrestovar as dedicated professionals who represented the best of Iowa.

Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten, Osborn said in a statement.

Two of the other guardsmen wounded in the attack required medical evacuation for further treatment and are in stable condition, the Iowa National Guard said Monday. The third soldier has been treated locally and is in good condition.

President Donald Trump vowed serious retaliation for the attack, which was the first to inflict U.S. casualties in Syria since the fall of strongman President Bashar Assad a year ago. The U.S. recently reduced its military footprint in the country to about 1,000 troops.

The mission to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group dates back more than a decade. In the wake of Assads overthrow, the new government in Damascus pledged to work with the U.S.-led coalition to counter ISIS.

The attacker, who was killed by partner forces, had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months earlier and had recently been reassigned amid suspected connections to ISIS, The Associated Press reported.
Soldiers salute during the activation ceremony for the 3rd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Drum, N.Y., Oct. 17, 2025. The unit falls under the operational control of the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, part of the 56th Multi-Domain Command-Europe, but the Army has yet to announce when soldiers will be sent on missions to Europe. (Abigail Stewart/U.S. Army)



A new U.S.-based artillery unit intended to bring more firepower to Europe is up and running, but plans for deploying troops and missiles to the Continent are undisclosed.

The 3rd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y., is part of the Armys efforts to expand long-range strike capabilities in Europe, the 56th Multi-Domain Command (Europe) said in a statement Monday.

But while the unit was activated in October, the Army has yet to announce when soldiers will be sent on missions to Europe.

The activation is historically significant because it reintroduces a modern long-range precision fires battalion and contributes to the Armys evolving future force design, the statement said. For the (European) theater, it means greater range, more flexible options and additional tools to deter or respond in a rapidly changing security environment.

The units formation is linked to a 2024 decision by former President Joe Bidens administration that called for rotating long-range fires assets to Germany in 2026 as a precursor to the permanent basing of those forces in Europe.

When fully developed, these conventional long-range fires units will include SM-6 and Tomahawk (missiles), and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe, the White House statement in July 2024 said.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa didnt immediately respond Monday to a request for details about when potential troop and missile deployments could start.

While the new unit is aligned with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, it falls under the operational control of the Germany-based 56th Multi-Domain Commands 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force.

Soldiers from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force and Navy personnel successfully launched a Tomahawk missile from the Armys prototype Mid-Range Capability system at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., in 2023. (Darrell Ames/U.S. Army)



German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters during a news conference in Berlin on Thursday that he was still under the impression that the Army would move forward with the initiative, which as originally conceived called for bringing Tomahawk missiles to Germany next year.

Still, adding long-range fires capabilities in Europe could conflict with current Pentagon strategy, which aims to have Europe shoulder a larger share of the conventional security burden so more capabilities can be shifted to the Pacific.

The Defense Departments top policy chief, Elbridge Colby, before taking up his Pentagon post earlier this year, voiced concerns about the idea of sending more long-range artillery to Europe.

After the Biden administrations 2024 decision was announced, Colby, a longtime China hawk, said the concept indicated that Biden was unwisely prioritizing Europe over the Asia-Pacific.

Thats clear as day now, Colby said in a statement at the time. So lets argue now about where we should prioritize our scarce resources.

In Europe, a new U.S. national security strategy that prioritizes security in the Americas and the Pacific has fueled concerns that the Defense Department could be planning to move assets out of Europe.

A Pentagon decision in October to end the rotation of an Army brigade to Romania was viewed by some NATO observers as a sign of more cuts to come.

In a separate talk with German officials on Saturday, Merz said Europe must prepare for a new era in which the United States cant be counted on to ensure stability on the Continent.

The decades of the Pax Americana are largely over for us in Europe, Merz said, according to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. And for us in Germany as well. It no longer exists as we know it. And nostalgia wont change that.

The Americans are now very, very ruthlessly pursuing their own interests, he added. And this cannot have a different answer than that it is time that we also pursue our own interests.
The commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford, reopens Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield alongside Okinawa Defense Bureau Director Masaru Murai on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Dec. 15, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)



IE SHIMA, Okinawa  The Marine Corps has reopened a small island airfield off Okinawas coast after two years of repairs, restoring a key training site and easing pressure on Kadena Air Base, where parachute jumps had drawn local opposition.

The auxiliary runway on Ie Shima  a 9-square-mile island northwest of Okinawas main island  resumed operations following a reopening ceremony attended by about 100 Marines, sailors and Japanese officials.

Among them was Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford, commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, who arrived aboard a KC-130J aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Ie Shima has a proud history, and today we add a new chapter  one built on trust, collaboration and a shared vision of stability in the region, he said during the ceremony.

Marine Corps Installations Pacific commander Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford speaks to reporters during the reopening of Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Dec. 15, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



The airfield is the Marine Corps only expeditionary runway in the Indo-Pacific and has undergone what Wolford described as a complete reset. Planning was conducted from December 2023 to December 2024, and construction ran from April 1 to Oct. 10 and cost $15 million, said Maj. Erich Lamm, director of the commands contracting office.

Unlike the previous concrete surface, the rebuilt runway consists of multiple layers of aggregate stone, a design intended to speed repairs and extend the airfields lifespan. The new surface supports the same training missions as before, Lamm told reporters after the ceremony.

The runway serves as a parachute training site for the Marine Corps and Air Force. During the repair period, the Air Forces 18th Wing shifted monthly training drops to Kadenas Ridout drop zone, a move that prompted protests from Okinawa prefectural officials.

The Ie Shima airfield remains the primary drop zone under bilateral agreements with Japan, the wing said in an unsigned email Monday. However, the command noted that weather, sea conditions and other operational factors may still require occasional jumps at Kadena under an exceptional use clause.

A KC-130J with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 takes off from Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Dec. 15, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)



As of November, the U.S. military had carried out seven parachute drops at Kadena this year, according to Okinawas Military Base Affairs Division. Prefectural officials sent protest letters in October arguing the training could no longer be justified as exceptional.

Ie village Mayor Masahide Nashiro did not attend the reopening ceremony, citing consideration for residents, some of whom oppose base activity. The village has also raised concerns about dust generated by runway operations.

To address those complaints, the Marine Corps installed a sprinkler system along the flight line and uses tarps to cover aggregate stockpiles, Lamm said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report.
(Henry Hansen/Stars and Stripes)



South Vietnam, January, 1968: Sen. Edward M. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) talks with refugees at Thuong Duc during his fact-finding mission to South Vietnam.

Upon his return he called for the U.S. to shift its emphasis in Vietnam from search and destroy operations to the protection of civilians in populated areas if peace negotiations were not begun soon. He also urged the Johnson administration to threaten Saigon with complete withdrawal of U.S. armed forces if the South Vietnamese government failed to seriously tackle the corruption plaguing the government.

Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Vietnam War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
Piper Parker, front, a sixth-grader at Ryukyu Middle School, plans a shot for a Christmas video during a cultural exchange at American Village in Chatan town, Okinawa, Dec. 13, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



CHATAN TOWN, Okinawa  American and Japanese middle school students recently swapped holiday traditions and sharpened their storytelling skills by producing short Christmas-themed videos in one of Okinawas busiest tourist districts.

About 50 students teamed up Saturday at American Villages Mihama Media Center for the voluntary cultural exchange hosted by Department of Defense Education Activity and the Chatan Tourism Design Lab Incorporated Association.

Working in mixed groups, students storyboarded, filmed and edited one-minute videos highlighting Christmas decorations and seasonal scenes across the popular shopping and dining area.

Kadena Middle School students Logan Pontious, left, and Ahrie Valencuela edit video on a tablet during a cultural exchange at Mihama Media Center in Chatan town, Okinawa, Dec. 13, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



Twenty-four DODEA students from Kadena, Lester and Ryukyu middle schools partnered with Japanese junior high school students in 10 groups. They will reconvene on Jan. 31 at Chatan Vessel Hotel to screen their completed projects.

Our partnership is big with Chatan and the business owners there, so its a great way to promote what they do as well, DODEA Pacific South superintendent Melissa Hayes said at the event. But more so for our kids to come together and share their vision  to share and create and to come up with basically what brings you joy at Christmas and why were here together.

Inside the media center, students crowded around laptops and huddled over smartphones, editing footage of Santa figures, reindeer and nutcracker statues filmed earlier in the day. One group of two American and two Japanese students fine-tuned clips while discussing movies.

American and Japanese students work on their videos during a cultural exchange at Mihama Media Center in Chatan town, Okinawa, Dec. 13, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



Outside, another group filmed a wide shot of a towering Christmas display at the entrance of the American Depot store before heading back indoors to edit.

The best thing was actually doing this experience with everybody else and having the opportunity to do this, said Kadena sixth-grader Logan Pontious.

Ryukyu sixth-grader Piper Parker said she signed up because she likes meeting new people, like Japanese people, and I love the culture here.

Parker said her group planned to incorporate images of KFC, a popular Christmas Day meal for Japanese families, in their video.

A group of American and Japanese students films the American Depot storefront for a Christmas video, part of a cultural exchange at American Village, Chatan town, Okinawa, Dec. 13, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



Her groupmate, Saki Uenohara, a first-year student at Kuwae Junior High School who speaks English, said she hopes similar exchanges continue.

I wish that (there were) more places that American and Japanese people and a lot of countrys people could enjoy, she said.

The event marked the second holiday-themed exchange between DODEA and Chatan. Last year, students painted Christmas ornaments and decorated trees. The partnership began in May 2023 with a scavenger hunt in American Village, Hayes said, and has focused exclusively on middle-schoolers.

Its a changing time for kiddos at the middle school level, she said. I think it really helps them understand and find themselves in a sense of being  social enough to say, Hey, Ive got something to bring to this situation and other people are just like me.
(File)



South Koreas Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence for a former U.S. forces employee convicted of smuggling illegal drugs into the country using the military mail system.

On Nov. 13, the court unanimously dismissed an appeal by the unidentified defendant, confirming a June 25 ruling by the Suwon High Court, according to a document posted Friday on the courts website.

In August 2021, the defendant imported about 15 pounds of methamphetamine into South Korea through military mail sent to a U.S. base in Pyeongtaek, about 40 miles south of Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported Friday, citing unidentified legal sources.

Pyeongtaek is home to Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military installation on the Korean Peninsula.

Prosecutors said the defendant colluded with an accomplice in the United States to traffic the drugs and also possessed and used cocaine in December 2021, Yonhap reported.

The court rejected the defendants claim that they had simply allowed their military address to be used to receive a package they believed contained powdered milk and baby products, according to the ruling.

U.S. Forces Korea did not immediately respond to questions emailed Monday about the case.
Lithuanian soldiers take part in an exercise with NATO troops at Pabrade training area in eastern Lithuania. The Baltic country announced Dec. 15, 2025, that it plans to build a new training area near the Suwalki Gap and expand an existing one farther west. (Keith Anderson/U.S. Army)



Lithuania plans to build a new military training area near the Suwalki Gap, a strip of land separating Russias Kaliningrad exclave from Kremlin ally Belarus thats widely regarded as one of the most strategically sensitive places in Europe.

In addition to the new site near the town of Kapciamiestis, the country will also double the size of the Taurage training area in western Lithuania, national public broadcaster LRT reported Monday.

U.S. land forces have conducted rotational deployments in Lithuania since spring 2014 as part of NATO deterrence efforts, and sustained rotations of U.S. heavy battalions have been in place since 2019.

As of last month, more than 1,000 rotational American troops were deployed to Lithuania, where they operate, train and take part in joint NATO exercises, according to the Army.

Western military officials have long assessed that in a conflict, Moscow could attempt to link Kaliningrad with Belarus, severing the Baltic states from NATOs main forces.

Lithuania is strengthening its national defense with plans for new and expanded military training ranges, boosting NATOs rapid response capabilities and securing the strategically crucial Suwalki Corridor, the Lithuanian defense ministry said in a statement Monday on X.

Lithuania's defense ministry announced Dec. 15, 2025, that the Baltic country plans to build a new military training area in Kapciamiestis, near the Suwalki Gap, and expand its Taurage training area. (X/Lithuanian defense ministry)



The roughly 40-mile stretch of territory along Lithuanias border with Poland is the only overland route connecting Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to the rest of the alliance.

Amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia over the war in Ukraine, Deividas Matulionis, chief national security adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, said the Suwalki Gap is receiving special attention from the alliance.

The chosen site is the most suitable from both a military and national security perspective, Matulionis said of the Kapciamiestis location, as reported by LRT. These training areas are vital for ensuring conditions for the largest possible presence of allied forces in Lithuania.

The new training area will be large enough to support brigade-level training involving several thousand troops, LRT said.

In March, four U.S. soldiers died during an exercise at a military training area in eastern Lithuania near the Belarus border. Their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became submerged in swampy terrain.

After a nearly weeklong search and recovery operation involving U.S., Lithuanian and allied forces, the soldiers were found dead.

Lithuania has yet to announce when development work at Kapciamiestis will begin or is expected to finish. Initial estimates put the construction time at four years, the Baltic Times reported in September.

Mondays announcement comes as Lithuania works to establish a full army division for the first time in its modern history, driven by growing numbers of conscripts and reservists. Germany has also pledged to deploy a brigade of several thousand troops to the country by 2027.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany at dusk. (Facebook/Landstuhl Regional Medical Center)



The average wait for urgent medical appointments at U.S. military bases outside the continental United States was as long as three weeks in some locations and even longer for routine appointments in 2024, a Pentagon watchdog agency said in a new report.

Treatment delays that service members and their families face while stationed outside the United States increased the risk for negative outcomes and preventable complications and decreased patient satisfaction, according to a Defense Department Office of Inspector General audit published last week.

The report also found that personnel working in military medical clinics and hospitals overseas experienced burnout and low morale and were at risk of decreased readiness.

Personnel at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka in Japan train on a simulated patient during a mass casualty drill Feb. 20, 2025. (Daniel Taylor/U.S. Navy)



The agency reviewed 15 out of 79 military treatment facilities in overseas locations as well as Hawaii and Alaska, looking at 2024 data and conducting employee interviews.

The evaluation sought to assess how effectively the Defense Health Agency was managing care for its overseas patients, following the agencys transition in 2022 to assuming full control of the Pentagons health care system.

Auditors highlighted several shortcomings, including wait times for medical appointments that exceed the federal and Defense Department guidelines, the IG said.

Between February and July 2024, service members and their families faced delays in access to care ranging on average from 1.2 days to 21.1 days for urgent appointments and from 7.2 days to 36.8 days for future routine appointments, the report said.

Federal and DOD guidance requires the military health care system to see patients within 24 hours for urgent appointments and seven days for routine care, according to the inspector general report.

While the guidelines allow for patients to be referred to a Tricare-approved civilian provider within the allotted time frame, finding care outside the military network overseas can be challenging due to language barriers, cultural differences and denial of U.S. health insurance claims, the report said.

DHAs management of staffing at overseas locations is one area that needs to be improved to reduce appointment delays, the audit team determined.

Medical personnel told the team that clinics were not always fully staffed, particularly with nurses, who receive and prioritize messages that patients send to providers.

They also said that they had difficulty managing the volume of messages received from the online patient portal and that sometimes messages could be missed, putting patient safety at risk.

At one clinic, for example, providers did not see a prescription refill message and the patient did not follow up with another request. As a result, the patient did not take prescribed antidepressant medication for two to three weeks, according to the report.

At another military treatment facility, personnel said shortages in medical technicians led to canceled ultrasound appointments, delaying follow-on medical care and leading to an increased risk of preventable complications, according to the report.

Staffing data also showed shortages in personnel, according to the report. In September 2024, for example, one facility had only 27 of the 36 civilian personnel and 27 of the 37 contractors that it was authorized.

Another facility lost more than half its primary care clinic active-duty doctors between 2019 and 2024 and saw a 20% decrease in active-duty technicians, medics and licensed nurses, while patient workload remained steady, according to the report.

Hiring civilian staff, meanwhile, isnt always an option due to funding and lengthy hiring timelines, personnel told auditors.

In 2024, DHA left some civilian vacancies unfilled because of budgetary constraints, and the average total days to hire in some locations ranged from 155 to 213 days, the report said.

Moreover, the agency did not have a process to identify why some civilian medical personnel left for other employment, auditors said.

To address staffing issues, the inspector general team recommended that the DHA director track data on why personnel are leaving military treatment facilities, review authorized staffing at its overseas locations, track support staff availability and better balance its workforce.

Though DHA agreed with the recommendations, auditors said they were still awaiting specific actions on how the agency plans to make a comprehensive review of staffing at overseas military treatment facilities.

The inspector general issued 11 recommendations in total, including directing DHA to issue finalized guidance to its personnel and better manage data discrepancies reported to the team.
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to follow an accelerated schedule for integrating its new electronic health records system at all hospitals and clinics nationwide by 2031. In addition to keeping patient records, the platform helps coordinate certain health-care functions, such as managing patient bed flow, generating routine documents, and collecting revenue. (Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs is accelerating a systemwide rollout of its new electronic health records platform, with full deployment at all medical sites by 2031, according to the contractor handling the project.

In 2026, the modernized health records system is scheduled to go live at hospitals and clinics in Michigan, Ohio, Alaska and Indiana.

In 2027, the system will be installed at VA facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas.

Seema Verma, executive vice president at Oracle Health and Life Science, Oracle Corp., offered that timeline at a hearing Monday of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on technology modernization.

The latest cost estimate for the system is $37 billion, said Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., subcommittee chairman. Will the system deliver and do what is needed? Veterans expect safe and timely care and a system that supports our doctors, not works against them, he said.

The purpose of the hearing was to assess the progress in implementing the platform, as well as addressing problems identified by early users of the electronic health records program.

The program is designed to do more than digitize and manage patient records. It is a platform for sharing health information securely and managing the delivery of care at hospitals and clinics.

Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., raised questions about reports of the new system causing prescription errors and providing incomplete patient data. She asked for updates for addressing data migration problems and software bugs that led to the problems.

Dr. Neil Evans, acting program executive director of VAs Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, said 1,500 changes have been made to address problems, improve user experience, and provide upgrades to the base platform.

I believe we are seeing direct line improvement and delivering those in a way where users feel supported and get training with the changes, Evans said.

VA also needs to update life-cycle cost estimates for completing the project, so lawmakers can understand the full magnitude of the investment, said Carol Harris, director of information technology and cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office.

Cost estimates include all the money spent and how much more is needed to finish the project, go live and carry out operations with staff to support them, Evans said.

The new system includes bed-capacity management software that gives staff real-time numbers on bed availability and patient flow, replacing manual spreadsheets.

Oracle also will introduce a virtual clinical agent that uses artificial intelligence. The AI assistant does not replace clinicians but automates administrative functions, such as the creation of routine documents, so physicians can devote more time to patient care.

Improvements also have been made to oversight and management of pharmacy prescriptions, patient referrals, revenue collection and clinical documentation, Verma said.

For example, pharmacists work within a unified, queue-driven system with a patients clinical information integrated into pharmacy workflows. This helps to reduce the risk of dosing errors and support timely prescription processing, Verma said.

Budzinski cautioned that the integration of the platform at all medical centers in five years should not be done without fully addressing problems.

We need to make sure we have a no-fail mindset, Barrett said.

Oracle is responsible for deploying the system at VA sites, resolving technical issues and working with the VA to improve workflows and reduce errors.

Since 2017, the VA has worked to replace its electronic records system with a modern, commercial platform. The Oracle Health electronic health records system is the same commercial system the Defense Department implemented across the military health system.

The system is stable. Overall system performance is strong, Verma said.
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. 
EP Madrid / Sevilla Monday, 15 December 2025, 19:58 Share

The Guardia Civil have delivered a blow to a drug-trafficking organisation that was linked to the transfer of hashish from Morocco to southern Spain via helicopters. Six people have been arrested for making air shipments of between 500 and 900 kilos of drugs to the provinces of Malaga, Almeria and Murcia, where the substances were hidden in warehouses and farms.

Operation 'Giro' has led to the seizure of 657 kilos of hashish, five firearms, one of the helicopters, cash and several vehicles.

The investigation started when the late-night movements of several persons under investigation between Malaga and Almeria raised suspicions of possible large-scale drug-trafficking among the Guardia Civil.

The police discovered that these movements were the result of close collaboration with other people who were constantly sending drugs from Morocco.

Zoom Guardia Civil

The investigators found that the suspects used helicopters with the capacity to transport between 500 and 900 kilos of drugs which, after spending some time in industrial warehouses and farms in the area, were transported by road to European countries.

The aircraft from Morocco would land in unpopulated areas in the province of Almeria, where several people were waiting to unload the hashish and take it in vans to the different warehouses, while the helicopters were hidden, awaiting further shipments.

With all this information gathered, the Guardia Civil searched a farm located in Nijar (Almeria), where they found 25 bales of hashish weighing 657 kilos.

Five other searches were then carried out in different locations in Malaga, Almeria and Murcia, where one of the helicopters, five long firearms, 2,900 euros in cash and several vehicles, among other items, were seized.

In total, six people have been arrested for drug-trafficking, illegal possession of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation. They have already been brought before the courts.

Police authorities from several countries (Morocco, Belgium and Sweden) collaborated with the Spanish units in the operation.
The Local Police have arrested a 51-year-old man for reportedly threatening to kill his wife with a kitchen knife. The incident happened in Malaga shortly before 6pm on 8 December, when the victim called the emergency services.

The Local Police arrived at the scene and found the suspect collecting his belongings from the house. They interviewed both him and his wife. The victim told the police that the violent episodes were regular. On this occasion, he had reportedly slapped her before threatening to kill her.

The police proceeded to seize the knife and arrest the suspect, who was handed over to the National Police.

The 016 telephone number attends to cases of gender-based violence 24 hours a day and in 52 different languages. The call is free of charge and does not appear on the phone bill. Cases of abuse or risk of abuse can also be reported, either by the victim herself, family members or witnesses, by emailing 016-online@igualdad.gob.es. The service can also be contacted by WhatsApp at 600 000 016.

In an emergency situation, you can call 112 or the National Police (091), the Local Police (092) or the Guardia Civil (062). If it is impossible to make a call, you can use the ALERTCOPS app, which sends a signal with your location to the police.
Malaga's two big hospitals - Hospital Regional Universitario and Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria - have made the use of face masks compulsory. An internal order from Hospital Regional's management department, to which SUR has had access, states that the decision has been taken "in view of the early flu season and the increase in acute respiratory infections in the province".

The measure is taken in accordance with the regulations of the regional ministry of health and the 2025-26 action plan. "It is mandatory for all staff, as well as for patients, visitors and providers, in care and common areas of the hospital," the centre informed, referring to consultations, emergencies, waiting rooms, hospitalisation floors, corridors and lifts, among others.

Order

The order came into force on 15 December and will remain until 8 January. It will be subject to review according to epidemiological developments. "This measure aims to protect the patient population and professionals," the centre said.

Hospital Regional includes the general hospital (Carlos Haya), Hospital Civil, Materno Infantil and CARE Jose Estrada. Clinico's affiliated centres are Hospital Maritimo de Torremolinos, Hospital Valle del Guadalhorce (Cartama) and Hospital de Alta Resolucion de Benalmadena, as well as speciality centres such as San Jose Obrero in Barbarela.

Hospital Clinico sources told SUR that, in their case, this measure has been operational since Saturday, given the "fourfold increase in acute respiratory infections in Malaga" in the past two weeks. Cases also include the new K flu variant, which is more contagious than its previous mutations and also more resistant to vaccines, although coronavirus infections and colds are also being diagnosed.

Flu and other respiratory diseases are particularly dangerous for chronically ill patients with heart, lung, respiratory or oncohaematological problems, among others.
Maria Jose Diaz Alcala Monday, 15 December 2025 | Updated 16/12/2025 06:54h. Share

Around a hundred people gathered outside the courthouse in Malaga on Monday to demand justice for the death of Haitam Mejri, 35, who suffered a cardiac arrest on 7 December after he was restrained by the police with two Tasers in Torremolinos.

According to his family and friends, he was in a call shop only to charge his phone and pay an Uber driver, while the police hold that they were called because Haitam was attempting to rob the establishment. Haitam's circle describes his death as "police abuse".

"Justice for Haitam," could be heard outside the courthouse on Monday. The demonstrators were addressing the police deployed in the area. They demanded clarity in the investigation into that Sunday evening on Calle Hoyo. They say the Haitam "was not a thief" and that his posthumous reputation should be cleared of the crime.

"They want to make him out to be a thief to justify this tremendous injustice that has ended his life and unfortunately that of his family (...) He did nothing to deserve this terrible end. We are going to bring everything to light and condemn this act," Haitam's brother Naser said. He received the news about his brother's death the following morning, while in Peru. The last time he spoke to Haitam was on Thursday or Friday, by video call. "How could I imagine that this would be the last time?" he asks.

Neither he nor his family witnessed the moment, but they say that their account is based on the videos recorded by witnesses. "They could have restrained him in a thousand ways but they used the least correct one. They acted with no professionalism, no mercy, no conscience," they state. Naser claims that a new recording reveals that "once he was already restrained, they were brutal".

For the moment, Haitam's family has not had access to the definitive autopsy report, which will clarify the cause of the cardiac arrest. They have access to a forensic evaluation from that Sunday, in which the cause of death is described as "violent", i.e. death caused by an external force, whether accidental, homicidal or suicidal.
Chus Heredia Monday, 15 December 2025, 15:08 Share

Huelin beach in Malaga city woke up to a carpet of wet wipes on Monday morning, following a stormy weekend and rainfall. The strong easterly wind that accompanied storm Emilia wreaked havoc, especially on Saturday. With these phenomena, the dragging of reeds and all kinds of debris to the coast is expected.

The weather is not only to blame for the picture on Monday morning. Civic awareness is essential to keeping the sewage network in good condition. Wet wipes are a huge environmental problem for the coast. They should never be flushed down the toilet, even if the label says they are biodegradable. They are not. Even when they break up, they end up forming clumps and causing blockages. They clog pipes, pumping stations and wastewater treatment systems, and release microplastics.

92% of the solid waste entering the sewage treatment systems are wet wipes

According to data from municipal water company Emasa, wet wipes account for 92% of the solids that reach the city's wastewater treatment plants. The problem is particularly serious in San Andres, Huelin, La Termica and Sacaba Beach. In many cases, they take 600 years to disappear.

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Emasa removed a total of 2,197 tonnes of solid waste from wastewater last year - 6% less than in 2023, which reflects the downward trend that has been recorded in recent years, from the 3,721 collected in 2017. However, most of this decrease is a consequence of the measures and investments that Emasa has been implementing to ensure that the waste is drier and more compact in order to reduce weight and volume, which is why Malaga city council is insisting on greater citizen collaboration.

1.9 million euros a year is what Emasa spends on removing wipes and other waste from sanitation systems

The cleaning and removal of solid waste in the networks, pumping stations and treatment plants, as well as the transfer of this waste to the Los Ruices environmental centre, costs Emasa 1.9 million euros per year, to which must be added the investments made to reduce the presence of solid waste. Of the waste, 45.7% was extracted in the periodic cleaning of the municipal sewage network; 40.3% was retained in the screening systems of the Guadalhorce and Penon del Cuervo wastewater treatment plants (EDAR); and 13.9% was evacuated from the wastewater pumping stations (EBAR) operating in the city which are equipped with solid waste removal systems.

2,197 tonnes of waste are recovered each year from sanitation, mostly wet wipes

The figures for the two treatment plants (Guadalhorce and Penon del Cuervo) show 874 tonnes of waste, compared to 697 tonnes the previous year.

The sewerage network is made up of collectors, pipes, treatment plants, pumping stations. There are clogs across the entire network, which costs a lot for the municipal coffers. Five years ago, Emasa undertook work costing more than 600,000 euros to minimise the impact of this waste, which can consist of various items: baby wipes, eyeglass cleaners, hydrogel for hands, cleaning leather, windows, dashboards, make-up removers. Other high-impact items include cotton swabs and condoms.

Emasa infrastructure

In addition to investments in cleaning, the water company has launched numerous campaigns, the most recent one last summer. The company has now once again urged the public to cooperate.

To reduce these environmental damages and costs, in recent years Emasa has installed more screens at pumping stations to remove as much waste as possible before it reaches treatment plants and to minimise the damage it causes to installations and processes. It also has a plan in place for the installation of roughing systems at storm relief points to minimise incidents. The company's investment plan also includes improvements to the sewerage network.
A national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims is held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

By Chen Zhuo

NANJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- 3,000 doves soared into the sky amid echoes of the Bell of Peace on Saturday in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, carrying both grief for the dead and a quiet call for lasting peace.

Thousands dressed in dark attire with white flowers pinned to their chests stood in silence at the public square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, marking China's 12th national memorial day.

At 10 a.m., the national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims began. The national anthem was played and when the final note faded, the crowd bowed their heads for a minute of silence in memory of the victims.

Eight wreaths were laid at the altar by honor guards. Later, young people recited a declaration of peace, followed by three resonant strikes of the Bell of Peace.

Eighty-eight years have passed since invading Japanese troops launched a six-week rampage that claimed the lives of approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers. Yet for many gathered at the ceremony, the chill of that winter still lingers in memory.

One of the remaining 24 registered survivors of the massacre, Liu Minsheng, bears the scar from injuries inflicted in 1937. "The past offers lessons for the future," the 91-year-old said. "China has become prosperous and we must never forget history and always cherish peace."

Nearby stood Hu Jingya, who lost family members in the Nanjing Massacre. Her great-grandfather was shot dead by Japanese soldiers as the family fled burning homes. "Only when we face this history honestly, can we truly understand the value of peace today," she said.

China officially designated December 13 as a national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in 2014.

Zhang Qing, whose great-grandfather once testified about the atrocities, said national commemoration ensures that individual testimonies are not lost to time. When a country remembers at this level, it stresses the importance of the history and tells future generations why strength and vigilance matter, she said.

The testimonies of survivors about the massacre were listed by UNESCO in the Memory of the World Register in 2015.

Chinese-American Lu Zhaoning, who has donated more than 3,000 historical artifacts and materials related to the massacre to museums and institutions, believes the decision to designate a national memorial day makes the tragedy internationally visible. "Global awareness of the massacre increased significantly," he said.

Six members of Lu's family were killed by the Japanese invaders. "That intertwining of family loss and national trauma fueled my decades-long effort to collect historical evidence," said Lu.

Many citizens also commemorated the victims by visiting monuments across the city on Saturday.

"It was a painful memory for our nation," said Zhang Yonggang who joined in the commemoration activities in the city. "We should cherish the peace today and make due contributions to our country."

Doves are released during a national memorial ceremony for the Nanjing Massacre victims held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. The 12th national memorial day was observed in Nanjing on Saturday to honor about 300,000 victims killed by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, in a year that marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII). (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
Andalusian healthcare is facing a serious challenge - the shortage of professionals, especially general practitioners. Just over 300 GPs (18%) out of a workforce of between 1,700 and 1,800 in Malaga province will retire by 2030 and there are not enough doctors to make up for the loss, which will affect the base of the system's pyramid - prevention.

The Simeg Vicente Matas study centre foundation of the Andalusian medical union (SMA) has drawn attention to the workforce shortage in the healthcare field. The number of new specialists who have completed their training in recent years is lower than that of doctors around the age of 60, who are soon to retire. In addition, the union adds, "many of those who finish their training prefer to work in hospitals, private healthcare or abroad, where the working, professional and remuneration conditions are much better".

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On 28 December 2022, the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration published an amendment to the general social security law allowing for enhanced active retirement so that 75% of the retirement pension could be combined with work in primary care for GPs and paediatricians.

This pilot plan ends on 28 December. In order for those doctors to take advantage of it, they had to have reached the ordinary legal retirement age, which depends on the number of years they have contributed and ranges from 65 to 66 and eight months, depending on the case. Some of those who have taken advantage of it have been able to continue working until the age of 70 on an exceptional and voluntary basis, as explained by the SMA in the report drawn up by Dr Vicente Matas.

Last week, minister of health Monica Garcia said that she had already set in motion the protocol that will lead to the extension of early active retirement for doctors. She stated that both her ministry and that of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration are committed to the measure, but she did not give any details about a decision that must be taken before 28 December, which continues to worry doctors, as SUR has learned.

More than 1,100 doctors across the country are covered by this measure, but there are health centres that will no longer be able to see patients from 28 December, which is far from what the minister announced.

Zoom Regional minister of health, presidency and emergencies Antonio Sanz. SUR

The SMA report said that "it is necessary and very urgent to extend [active retirement] for a few more years, as the problem in primary care will persist past 2025 and there are some specialties that may need this aid".

Health committee supports the extension

It is worth noting that, within the public healthcare system (and the civil service as a whole), there has long been a mechanism allowing staff to remain in active service until the age of 70. This is voluntary, must be applied for by the doctor and authorised by the administration, but it is entirely separate from the enhanced active retirement scheme.

The health commission of the lower house has proposed extending this type of retirement to 72 years of age and "not the current 70". The SMA has submitted a letter to the ministry of Elma Saiz in which it says that, at present, "public health suffers a serious lack of specialist doctors caused by the increase in retirements due to the population pyramid and the deficit of specialists that has been dragging since 2008, which is not compensated by the rate of new doctors".

The SMA demands the extension of active retirement to all specialties in the national health system where there is a lack of professionals. There are 1,100 doctors affected throughout Spain by the elimination of enhanced active retirement.

The regional government demands an extension

Regional minister of health, presidency and emergencies Antonio Sanz has also called for the extension of the measure until the age of 72, "given the structural deficit of professionals in the country" and in order to avoid "the loss of thousands of medical appointments in Andalucia, guaranteeing continuity of care in health centres".

The emergency department to extend the health decree to more specialities due to possible lack of staff

Royal decree-law 20/2022 is due to expire, in response to which Sanz said: "Not acting and not extending it will mean the loss of hundreds of qualified professionals and general practitioners, who provide services in public health centres." He urged the minister of health to extend the royal decree-law until 31 December 2028 and to consider extending it to other specialties, not just GPs.

President of the Malaga medical union (SMM) Antonio Martin Noblejas believes that "there are people who voluntarily want to prolong their career and the measure should be extended". "It should be extended not only for GPs, but also for hospital specialities where there are shortages," he said.

According to Noblejas, the extension should encompass internal medicine, digestive medicine, neurology and anaesthesiology.

'An exceptional and voluntary measure'

The official college of doctors of Malaga believes that "this measure must be exceptional, voluntary and it must allow compatibility with private healthcare practice". It also believes that GPs must be retained "with an attractive environment, with salaries in line with the rest of Spain, with time for training and research and, most importantly, with stable, long-term contracts". "These are the key points. There is an urgent need for a profound reform in primary care," it said, adding that inaction would lead to "a deep structural problem".

According to data from the college of Malaga, around 369 doctors specialising in primary care could retire by 2032, i.e. in seven years' time. The retirement age is 65, but this may vary because there are others who retire at 70. The total number of specialist doctors currently working in Malaga province and registered in the college's database is 1,554 (different from the Andalusian helthcare service's data), although this does not include general practitioners (those who did not obtain the MIR speciality and work in primary care) or foreigners who do not have an approved speciality but nevertheless practice in health centres.

The SAS will be able to hire doctors and nurses from outside the EU without Spanish nationality in the face of the shortage

The regional government of Andalucia has taken further steps in this direction: on Tuesday, it approved the exemption of the nationality requirement (being Spanish or born in an EU country) for non-EU foreign specialist doctors and nurses to be recruited by the healthcare service (SAS).

It has also approved a decree regulating the specific competitive selection procedure for posts that are difficult to fill.
The number of property sales continues to grow this year in Malaga thanks to new flats being built, but lower than on a national level.

Cristina Vallejo Monday, 15 December 2025, 19:37 Share

During October, a total of 3,451 homes were sold in Malaga, 6.68% fewer than in the same month last year. This decrease occurred in both newly built and pre-owned homes: the former fell by 12.3% compared to last year, to 1,215 transactions, while the latter fell by 3.3%, to 2,236. It should be noted that housing sales in 2024 were the highest recorded since 2007.

The fall in property sales is not unique to the Costa del Sol. It is a trend throughout Spain, albeit less so in other areas. Total housing sales in October fell by 2.46% year-on-year, to 67,789. This was solely due to the slump in sales of newly built homes, which fell by 12% year-on-year, to 14,464 transactions. However, transactions involving pre-owned homes remained practically flat at just over 53,000.

In Andalucia as a whole, however, the story is quite different, because property sales rose by 4% in October year-on-year, to 13,813, with an increase in both brand new and pre-owned flats. As a result, Andalucia is the region with the second highest increase in sales and purchases in Spain, only behind Cantabria. This is because in all of the provinces of the region, with the exception of Malaga, Cadiz and Huelva, real estate sales are increasing.

The largest declines were recorded by the region of Madrid, which recorded a fall of 11.7%, followed by the Canary Islands (-11%) and the Balearic Islands (-11%).

31,127 sales in Malaga in 2025 is 6% higher than in the first ten months of the previous year. This result is mainly due to the performance of new housing sales, where sales grew by almost 18%.

Despite this setback in October, 2025 continues to be a year of growth in property sales and purchases in Malaga province. In the first ten months of the year, sales amounted to 31,127, an increase of almost 6% compared to the same period in 2024. And this improvement is due to the construction of new homes, where sales grew by almost 18%, over the previous record of 10,100. However, sales of pre-owned homes remain practically at the same levels as last year.

However, some of the figures for Malaga pale in comparison to those for Spain as a whole. This is because the 601,543 property transactions this year are 12.25% higher than those for the first ten months of 2024. This is because the more than 470,000 sales recorded nationally between January and October are 10.5% more than those recorded in the first ten months of 2024. Given that the increase in new home transactions is identical to that recorded in Malaga: the 131,474 brand new homes sold nationwide so far this year are 18.7% more than those recorded at this point in 2024.
Jose Antonio Guerrero Madrid Monday, 15 December 2025, 10:55 Share

In 2024, the Catholic Church in Spain recorded a decrease in all sacraments (marriages, baptisms, first communions, confirmations and anointing of the sick), except for baptisms of those over 7 years old, which continued to grow and increased by 12.6% compared to 2023. This is what has been found in the report on the activities of the Catholic Church 2024, drawn up by the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) and presented last week by the secretary general and spokesman of the CEE, Cesar Garcia Magan, and Ester Martin, director of the transparency office, in charge of creating this document full of figures and statistics that summarise the work of the Church.

According to the report, the largest decrease is in church weddings, which fell by 6.08%, from 33,500 in 2023 to 31,462 in 2024; followed by first communions, which fell from 162,580 to 154,677 (4.86% less). The total number of baptisms also fell by almost 4%, from 152,426 in 2023 to 146,370 in 2024. However, there is a 12.57% increase in baptisms of people over 7 years old (in practice), they rose from 11,835 in 2023 to 13,323 in 2024, an increase of 12.6%.

Furthermore, the data in the report shows that in 2024 there were a total of 103,535 confirmations, 3.38% fewer than the previous year, when there were 107,153; and 26,013 anointings of the sick, 0.41% down on 2023, when there were 26,120.

The Episcopal Conference blames this decline in sacraments as "a natural trend of the population" and the fall in the birth rate ("40% less since 2008"), as well as the increase in the number of people without partners. "The INE updated its data last week. There are now 1.2 million more singles in the last three years and only 105,000 married couples. This is reflected in the sacraments received in our country," said Ester Martin at the press conference held at the Episcopate's headquarters.

Magan, on his end, welcomed the increase in the number of baptisms of older people (2,053 more in two years) because of the degree of commitment and the degree of responsibility involved in these baptisms "is assumed to be greater, because it is born of a personal conviction and, furthermore, in a socio-cultural context where there is no longer a convention or, rather, a collective faith, in which all children are baptised", the spokesman explained.

Mass still strong

The report's data illustrates the Church's powerful social, pastoral, cultural and economic presence. "The Church is the largest social network that exists in Spain", Martin stressed. Among other noteworthy data, participation in liturgical life stands out: more than 8,236,000 people over the age of ten (0.3% more than in 2023, some 26,000 more) regularly attend mass in one of the 22,922 parishes in the country (11,479 rural and 11,443 urban), which confirms the validity of worship in an increasingly secularised society.

The document shows that in 2024 more than 9.5 million Eucharists were celebrated in Spain, which 14,994 priests sustain by dedicating nearly 26.5 million hours to masses, spiritual guidance, service in parish offices and visits to the sick.

For the first time, the number of priests has fallen below 15,000. In 2023 there were 15,285 and in 2022, 15,699, i.e. 4.5% less in these three years. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of seminarians, who in 2024 were 1,036 compared to 957 in 2023, which is 8% more. Magan views these new vocations "with hope" and trusts that they will allow us to continue to guarantee pastoral care in both rural and urban Spain in the future. "We are opening new parishes in the cities, but we cannot close those in rural Spain because there are elderly people to care for," he said.

There has also been a decline in the monastic life: from 703 operational monasteries in 2023 to 690, and from 7,664 nuns and monks in 2023 to 7,449 in 2024, 215 fewer.

In terms of spreading the faith, the Church highlights the work of 82,106 catechists, 34,494 religion teachers and 9,648 Spanish missionaries present in 1,131 mission territories in 133 countries. Peru, with 524, is the country with the highest number of Spanish missionaries, followed by Venezuela (397) and Argentina (330). There are even Spanish Catholics on mission in Australia (18).

Educational and fraternal work

The 2,527 Catholic educational establishments, chosen by almost 1.5 million students, continue to be one of the pillars of ecclesiastical activity. According to the report, these schools save 5,067 million euros per year for the State. Almost three million students chose to study Religion as part of their academic education.

The document also highlights the cultural and social dimension of religious celebrations: 426 events are listed as being of interest for tourists, more than 5,500 brotherhoods bring together a million members and millions of visitors come each year to the 638 sanctuaries spread throughout Spain. In Santiago de Compostela, almost half a million pilgrims completed the Camino in 2024.

The cultural heritage of the Church also occupies a prominent place: 3,161 properties of cultural interest and 842 construction, conservation and rehabilitation projects carried out during the last year reflect, according to the bishops, "the contribution of the Church to Spanish cultural identity".

164,000 sick visitors

The report particularly highlights the care work: almost 4 million people were cared for in more than 9,000 health and care centres. The 972 health centres - hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes - cared for 1,330,128 people, while the 8,088 care centres cared for 2,482,107.

The largest number of resources is dedicated to the fight against poverty: 6,282 centres provided shelter and support to almost 2 million people. Other key areas include assistance to migrants and refugees, integration into the labour force, protection of women, rehabilitation of drug addicts and the defence of life and the family.

The Church also highlights the work of the Prison Pastoral, with 159 chaplains and 2,047 volunteers in 84 prisons; and the Health Pastoral, with 882 chaplains and 18,832 volunteers, responsible for more than 164,000 monthly visits to the sick in hospitals and homes.

The economic section of the report highlights that diocesan expenditure amounted to 1,428 million euros, a figure that multiplies 3.3 times what was received from the IRPF tax allocation (429 million), thanks to the 9 million taxpayers who marked the 'X' for the Catholic Church on their income tax return.

Both Ester Martin and Cesar Garcia Magan underlined the Church's "growing commitment" to transparency and pointed out that beyond figures and statistics, the Report is "an exercise in transparency of what we do and who we are".

Before the end of the press conference, Magan wished the journalists a merry Christmas and expressed the EEC's wish for Pope Leo XIV to visit our country in 2026. The spokesman recalled some recent words of the pontiff who said that this visit to Spain next year was "a real possibility".
Antonio Tavora Seville Monday, 15 December 2025, 20:02 Share

If you're thinking of catching a flight on 25 December, you might be surprised to see that there are no options with one of Europe's cheapest airlines: Ryanair. This is no oversight, nor is it because the route you are looking for is fully booked. The explanation is much simpler and, also, quite unusual. Ryanair does not operate any flights on Christmas Day at any airport in its European network.

This is nothing new. Every 25 December, Ryanair planes remain grounded, as the Ireland-based airline adheres to this policy of completely halting operations on Christmas Day. While it may come as a surprise to most, it is a deeply ingrained tradition within the company.

The main reason is to allow its staff - pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and operations teams - to enjoy the holiday with their families. In Irish culture, Christmastime is particularly significant and the company has chosen to honour this custom for its employees, even at the cost of foregoing one of the busiest days of the holiday season.

In practice, this policy means that Seville Airport, like all others across Spain and beyond, will be without Ryanair flights on 25 December. The airline is one of those that operatesmost flights and routes from Seville, with direct connections to dozens of domestic and international destinations. Therefore, the lack of options available on 25 December is a significant inconvenience for those needing to travel to or from Seville with this particular airline on that day.

That is why neither travel websites nor Ryanair's own website allow you to buy a ticket for 25 December, regardless of the destination selected. In fact, when searching for flights from Seville for that day, the website displays a message indicating that there are no availabledestinations .

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Which airlines fly (and which don't) on 25 December

Although Ryanair suspends all flights, other airlines do operate from Seville on Christmas Day, though generally with a reduced schedule. Companies such as Iberia, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum maintain their domestic and international flights, especially on key routes such as Seville-Madrid and Seville-Barcelona. Also Vueling offers several connections, primarily domestic.

Other options include Transavia, EasyJet, Lufthansa, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines and Air France . However, flight frequency is not always the same as on a normal day, as lower demand on Christmas Day leads these airlines to reduce their schedules on some routes.

So, if you were thinking of travelling from Seville to one of Ryanair's usual destinations, or vice versa, it is important to note that the company operates no flights on 25 December. It is advisable to look for alternatives with other airlines that do fly that day and book your trip as soon as possible.
Alvaro Soto Madrid Monday, 15 December 2025, 19:51 Share

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has ruled out calling early elections, insisting it is "an honour to govern, even under these circumstances", as he addressed supporters in Caceres ahead of Sunday's regional vote in Extremadura. Speaking at a rally marked by his party's (Socialist PSOE) recent scandals over corruption and sexual harassment, Sanchez defended his government's social agenda and voiced support for PSOE candidate in Extremadura Miguel Angel Gallardo, whose campaign faces a daunting challenge according to the polls.

It was possibly one of the most complicated rallies of Sanchez's political career: with corruption and cases of gender-based violence rampant in the PSOE. However, he stoked fear against the right and the far-right and recalled the founder of the PSOE, Pablo Iglesias, saying that the Socialists have never had it easy in their history.

The main takeaway from the rally was that Sanchez will remain head of the government, with no eary elections planned. "When I get asked whether I am tired, I say that this government is tireless. To govern means facing up to problems and providing solutions," he said.

The audience in Caceres chanted "presidente, presidente!" Sanchez told them that "it is an honour to govern, even in these circumstances". He took pride in the growth in pensions and the minimum wage, both of which have happened during the PSOE's time heading the government. He also defended the party's role in protecting the rights of women in the face of gender-based violence. "Of course, having a progressive government pays off," he said.

Given these achievements, Sanchez does not believe that there is need for an early election despite the latest revelations about corruption and sexual harassment within his party. He mocked the leader of the PP, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, for demanding elections, having already done it twice - in 2019 and in 2023, always without results. Sanchez firmly stated that the elections will be held when they are due - in a year and a half.

However, Sanchez could not avoid addressing the two main issues within PSOE. On the topic of sexual harrassment, he said that PSOE was the first party to proclaim itself feminist and the first to implement an anti-harassment protocol. "We have made mistakes, like everyone else," he acknowledged, adding that they have acted with "decisiveness and transparency" against the cases of harassment that have surfaced in recent months.

He also took pride in acting against corruption within his own party, which he described as a "betrayal of the principles of the PSOE". "But the difference with the PP is that we have extirpated the cases while, on the right, there is collusion with them. Or has Feijoo forgotten that he is head of the PP because his predecessor, Casado, denounced the cases of corruption linked to Ayuso? What lessons are they going to give us?" Sanchez said.

The prime minister did not mention Jose Luis Abalos, Santos Cerdan, Koldo Garcia, Leire Diez, his former adviser at La Moncloa, Paco Salazar, or any of the protagonists of the latest corruption or sexual harrassment scandals linked to PSOE, but he did speak up against president of Conferencia Episcopal Luis Javier Arguello who, in an interview in La Vanguardia, suggested that the central government has only three options: "a motion of confidence, a motion of censure or to call elections". "I say to Arguello that there is a fourth option: that he should respect the election result, even if he doesn't like it. Or he can stand for election with the far-right Abogados Cristianos organisation and see what result he gets. The time when bishops interfered in politics ended when democracy began," he said.

Support for Gallardo

Sanchez gave his support to Miguel Angel Gallardo. He asked the people of Extremadura to support Gallardo "because the future is not written and every vote counts". The Socialist candidate is being prosecuted for crimes of prevarication and influence peddling in relation to the hiring of David Sanchez Perez-Castejon, brother of the prime minister, for a post in the provincial authority of Badajoz when Gallardo was the head of this institution.

"In our party, there is no room for those who say they are comrades, but who are whoremongers, who are abusers," Gallardo said. He expressed his belief that on 21 December "the right is going to be surprised". "Extremadura has never fared well with the right. Neither in democracy nor in dictatorship. The policies that really boosted this land were made by the Socialist governments," he pointed out.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Veteran developer and hotelier Norm Swanson is proposing to build an 88-unit apartment building on University Hill, but he says it wont be limited to students.

Swanson has submitted plans to the city for a five-story apartment building on a vacant lot at 201 S. Crouse Ave. It would have 88 studio apartments.

He has applied to the Syracuse Planning Commission, via 700 Out Parcel LLC, for site plan approval and a resubdivision that would allow him to combine two parcels into one.

In addition to the apartment building, Swanson plans to renovate a late-1800s home next door at 1010 E. Washington St. into a unique event space for tenants of the apartments.

Rendering depicts an 88-unit, five-story apartment building proposed by developer Norm Swanson at 201 S. Crouse Ave. in Syracuse. (Mosher Architects) Mosher Architects

The project location is just a few blocks north of Syracuse University, but Swanson said it will be open for leasing to students and non-students. The location should appeal to both students and professionals seeking proximity to University Hill or downtown, he said.

Rents have not been determined yet, he said.

Update: The planning commission was scheduled to consider the project at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, but city officials said the item has been pulled from the agenda and will be considered at a later meeting. The Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board will also review the project.

Swanson is best known for developing hotels. His portfolio includes the Hotel Skyler and the Parkview Hotel in Syracuse, Tailwater Lodge in Altmar, and Skaneateles Boutique Hotel and Skaneateles Fields Resort & Spa in Skaneateles. He has also developed Skyler Commons and Copper Beech Apartments.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Mayor Ben Walsh will start a new job in February as director of the state Canal Corp., which oversees New Yorks canal system, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today.

His state salary will be $215,000. As mayor, he earns $150,000.

Walsh, 46, will oversee tourism, recreation and economic development efforts along the states four historic canals -- the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and CayugaSeneca  which traverse a combined 524 miles. He will be based in Syracuse.

Hochul said Walsh achieved significant progress as mayor of Syracuse, where he worked with state officials on projects like Interstate 81, the STEAM school and the redevelopment of Syracuse Developmental Center.

His experience driving collaboration and transformative growth will be an asset as we move into the historic canal systems third century, Hochul said.

The Canal Corp. is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, which oversees state-owned electric generation and transmission facilities. The corporation has 537 employees and an operating budget of about $117 million, according to its 2026 budget.

Walsh said he looks forward to managing the canal systems infrastructure, which includes 57 locks and 17 lift bridges, and to promoting recreation and tourism.

Ive really grown to enjoy being an executive and managing, you know, a large enterprise and the people and places that come along with it, he said.

Walsh will replace Brian Stratton, who has held the job since 2011 and recently announced plans to retire this month. Stratton is a former mayor of Schenectady.

Staff writer Tim Knauss can be reached at:email|Twitter| 315-470-3023.
The opening ceremony of the 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition is held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 14, 2025. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition commenced at Nepal's Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Themed "Civilizational Mutual Learning, Technological Innovation," the event utilized a rich array of forms, including animated film screenings, craft workshops, cultural creative displays, and cinematic dialogues, to bring an audiovisual feast where traditional Chinese culture seamlessly blends with modern technology to young students.

"By showing the Chinese films in Nepal, we can witness Chinese culture and development," said KP Pathak, a renowned Nepalese filmmaker and chairman of Nepal International Film Festival. "Such events create an environment for exchanging ideas and may also create an environment for co-producing movies."

The event began with an opening featuring an AI-produced promotional short film, followed by the screening of The Spirit of the Mountains, an AIGC (AI-Generated Content) full-process animated short film that showcased the unique synergy between artificial intelligence and traditional culture.

After the screening, the film's director Pang Jia demonstrated the AI scene-generation process in real-time through video connection.

"I have seen very few AI-based films in Nepal. In fact, the industry here is in its infancy. There is room to learn from Chinese filmmakers about how they use AI in filmmaking," renowned Nepali actor Buddhi Tamang told Xinhua.

The inaugural stop of the touring exhibition at Tribhuvan University was widely welcomed by the faculty and students.

Many students said that the screenings and exchange sessions allowed them to appreciate the unique aesthetic style and exquisite production techniques of Chinese animation. Meanwhile, they also expressed great anticipation for the potential of bilateral cooperation in the field of digital creation.

This event has not only injected new topics and vitality into Nepal's local cultural and artistic exchange but has also opened a more intuitive dialogue window for humanistic interaction in the Himalayan region, becoming an innovative practice in China-Nepal cultural exchange and building a solid "culture bridge" for the youth in the area, said Zhang Xingnian, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University.

The eight-day touring exhibition, featuring four Chinese animation films, will also make stops at Kathmandu University and Lumbini Buddhist University. 

Nepali actors, directors and filmmakers attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 14, 2025.

The 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition commenced at Nepal's Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Themed "Civilizational Mutual Learning, Technological Innovation," the event utilized a rich array of forms, including animated film screenings, craft workshops, cultural creative displays, and cinematic dialogues, to bring an audiovisual feast where traditional Chinese culture seamlessly blends with modern technology to young students.

The eight-day touring exhibition, featuring four Chinese animation films, will also make stops at Kathmandu University and Lumbini Buddhist University. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Nepali actor Buddhi Tamang speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 14, 2025.

The 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition commenced at Nepal's Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Themed "Civilizational Mutual Learning, Technological Innovation," the event utilized a rich array of forms, including animated film screenings, craft workshops, cultural creative displays, and cinematic dialogues, to bring an audiovisual feast where traditional Chinese culture seamlessly blends with modern technology to young students.

The eight-day touring exhibition, featuring four Chinese animation films, will also make stops at Kathmandu University and Lumbini Buddhist University. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Attendees talk at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 14, 2025.

The 2025 Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition commenced at Nepal's Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Themed "Civilizational Mutual Learning, Technological Innovation," the event utilized a rich array of forms, including animated film screenings, craft workshops, cultural creative displays, and cinematic dialogues, to bring an audiovisual feast where traditional Chinese culture seamlessly blends with modern technology to young students.

The eight-day touring exhibition, featuring four Chinese animation films, will also make stops at Kathmandu University and Lumbini Buddhist University. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)
Syracuse, N.Y.  The annual lighting of a public menorah started Sunday evening in downtown Syracuse to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport, of the Chabad chapter in Syracuse, and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh climbed into a city fire truck to light the menorah. The mayor is concluding his eight years in office at the end of the year.

Rapoport and Walsh said they were disturbed by an antisemitic terror attack earlier Sunday in Australia. Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration there, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more.

Rapoport said it was important that Jews not let a global rise in antisemitism deter them from practicing their faith.

We Jews have faced adversity for thousands of years, he said. Were still here and were still bringing light to the world.

Our message is that we fight darkness with light, he added.

On the first night of the Jewish holiday, special prayers are recited and one candle is lit on the menorah. Each night another candle is lit. The eight-night commemoration of Hanukah is based on the lunar calendar and can fall anytime from late November to late December.

This is the 44th year that Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York has set up the public menorahs.

Here is the schedule for the lighting of the Clinton Square menorah:

Sunday, Dec. 14: 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 15: 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16: 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 17: 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18: 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19: 3:35 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20: 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21: 4:30 p.m.

Other public menorahs are located at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, near the Fayetteville Fire Department and in Cazenovia.

Hanukkah marks the victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, against Greek persecution more than 2,000 years ago. When the Maccabees came to rededicate their temple, they found only a small amount of oil, thought to be enough for only one day, to light the menorah. But the oil is said to have lasted eight days.

For more information, contact the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse at 315-445-2360, or Chabad-Lubavitch of Central New York at 315-727-0973.
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As Hollywood mourns the recent death of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner, many fans are looking for ways to revisit his most iconic works. Known for directing classics such as The Princess Bride, Stand by Me and When Harry Met Sally..., Reiners filmography spans a range of genres, from heartfelt dramas to romantic comedies.

Heres a guide on where to stream his best-loved films, including options to watch for free.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer

Synopsis: This Is Spinal Tap is a satirical mockumentary about a fictional British heavy metal band on their disastrous American tour.

Stream: This Is Spinal Tap is available to stream on HBO Max and Philo. HBO Max is available as an add-on through Hulu or can be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu.

Stand by Me (1986)

Stars: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry OConnell

Synopsis: Based on Stephen Kings novella The Body, Stand by Me follows four young friends on a journey to find the body of a missing boy in rural Oregon. Along the way, they confront their own fears and insecurities.

Stream: Stand by Me is available to stream on Philo, Fubo and Netflix. Fubo is the only of the three services that offers a free trial.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Stars: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon

Synopsis: The Princess Bride tells the story of a young woman, Buttercup, and her true love, Westley, as they face adventure and danger to be together.

Stream: The Princess Bride is available to stream on Disney+ or Hulu. Bundle Disney+ and Hulu for $12.99/month.

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Stars: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan

Synopsis: This romantic comedy centers on the evolving relationship between Harry (Crystal) and Sally (Ryan), who meet in college and, over the years, debate whether men and women can ever truly be just friends.

Stream: When Harry Met Sally... is available to stream on STARZ. New users can access a free trial through platforms like Philo, Fubo, Sling, Hulu and Prime Video.

Misery (1990)

Stars: Kathy Bates, James Caan

Synopsis: Based on Stephen Kings novel, Misery is a psychological thriller in which an author (Caan) is held captive by an obsessed fan (Bates) after a car accident.

Stream: Misery is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

A Few Good Men (1992)

Stars: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore

Synopsis: This legal drama revolves around a military trial where two Marines are accused of murder, and a lawyer (Cruise) must uncover the truth.

Stream: A Few Good Men is available to stream on Philo and Sling with AMC+. Sling offers a free trial with AMC+.

North (1994)

Stars: Elijah Wood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Synopsis: North tells the story of a young boy (Wood) who decides to find new parents after feeling neglected by his own.

Stream: North is available to stream on Roku, or you can rent or purchase it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

The American President (1995)

Stars: Michael Douglas, Annette Bening

Synopsis: The American President follows a widowed U.S. president (Douglas) who embarks on a romance with an activist (Bening) while navigating political pressures.

Stream: The American President is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

The Story of Us (1999)

Stars: Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer

Synopsis: In this drama, a married couple (Willis and Pfeiffer) face the challenges of a deteriorating relationship while reflecting on their past.

Stream: The Story of Us is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Alex & Emma (2003)

Stars: Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson

Synopsis: A romantic comedy about a writer (Wilson) who hires a stenographer (Hudson) to help him finish his novel. As they work together, a romance begins to develop.

Stream: Alex & Emma is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

The Bucket List (2007)

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman

Synopsis: Two terminally ill men (Nicholson and Freeman) embark on a road trip to fulfill their bucket lists.

Stream: The Bucket List is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Flipped (2010)

Stars: Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe

Synopsis: A coming-of-age film following two middle schoolers, Juli and Bryce, as they experience their first crushes and the complexities of young love.

Stream: Flipped is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)

Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer

Synopsis: The long-awaited sequel follows the reunion/final show of legendary rock band Spinal Tap.

Stream: Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is available to stream on HBO Max and Philo. HBO Max is available as an add-on through Hulu or can be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu.

About Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner was a prolific filmmaker whose career spanned multiple decades. After gaining fame as an actor in All in the Family, he transitioned to directing with the groundbreaking mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap in 1984.

Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead on Dec. 14, 2025. The two met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally. Their deaths are part of an ongoing investigation into a possible homicide.
This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2025 shows a view of Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, south China's Hainan Province. (Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

HAIKOU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- While studying at a German university without ever leaving China was once unthinkable, for 21-year-old Tao Nijia, the journey meant traveling not to Europe but to the tropical island of Hainan, where China is testing a new model of independently operated foreign universities.

Tao is part of the first cohort at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, a campus established by Germany's Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI) under policies to build Hainan Island into a free trade port (FTP) with the highest level of openness.

Now in his third year, Tao, a computer science major, is among nearly 600 students at the university drawn from 29 provincial-level regions across China.

The university has imported HSBI's "work-integrated" model, which emphasizes industry cooperation and application-oriented training. Tao studies programming, deep learning and neural networks in English and has already completed internships at China Mobile and German automation firm Weidmuller.

Students must also study German, and those who meet language and academic requirements may spend a year at HSBI in Germany and obtain a dual Chinese-German degree.

"It isn't a slogan. The practical training really runs through the entire four-year curriculum," Tao said. "Going into companies helps me understand how the knowledge actually works."

As China's largest special economic zone, Hainan holds unique advantages in serving as a testing ground for reform and opening up. In April 2018, China announced plans to transform the island into a pilot free trade zone, with a long-term vision of developing a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.

A master plan released two years later aimed to build Hainan Island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. Under the plan, high-level overseas universities and vocational institutions in science, engineering, agriculture and medicine are permitted to operate independently in the Hainan FTP.

To date, Hainan has partnered with 48 domestic and overseas universities, and won approval for two independently operated campuses of foreign universities and 26 Sino-foreign higher-education institutions and programs, according to the provincial department of education.

Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences enrolled its first students in 2023, marking the first time China allowed a foreign university to operate independently without a local partner. The second such campus -- Hainan Lausanne Tourism University -- opened in September in Sanya, offering majors in hotel management, exhibitions, tourism, and culinary and nutrition education.

Hainan's endeavor is part of a broader opening-up push in China. The country has engaged in educational cooperation and exchanges with 183 countries and regions, signed mutual agreements on the certification of academic qualifications and degrees with 61 countries and regions, and collaborated with 42 countries and regions to operate joint educational institutions and programs.

For Dirk Klann, a German instructor at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, the development of the FTP has created real opportunities. "It sends a signal not only within Hainan but beyond the island that policies here are not just announced, they are actually implemented," said Klann, who joined the university in August.

On Thursday, Hainan FTP will launch island-wide special customs operations, a major milestone in the opening-up drive of the world's second-largest economy.

"In today's world, with all the disruptions around us, removing obstacles to trade matters," he added. "When you take those barriers away, trade will naturally find its path. The opening-up measures here contribute exactly in that direction."

"Cultivating talent is a universal endeavor. It transcends national borders," said Zeng Weilu, vice president of the university. "The school was born out of the Hainan FTP and China's broader opening-up."

Zeng said the school is permitted to recruit international students and is considering admitting its first cohort, likely from Europe and Southeast Asia, next year. It aims to grow to about 6,000 students and staff within five years, he added.

Looking ahead, Tao is considering staying in Hainan after graduation. With the Hainan FTP expected to attract more multinational and high-tech companies, he believes the island offers room to grow.

"Hainan is still growing, and the policy advantages are strong," he said. "My international training and language skills match the direction this place is heading." 

Dirk Klann (C), a German instructor, guides students at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. (Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

Students attend a German language class at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 26, 2025. (Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

Students participate in a music club activity at Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences in Danzhou City, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 26, 2025. (Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)
Flash floods kill 21 in Moroccan coastal town



Rabat, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Flash-flooding caused by sudden, heavy rain killed at least 21 people in the Moroccan coastal town of Safi on Sunday, local authorities said.

Images on social media showed a torrent of muddy water sweeping cars and rubbish bins from the streets in Safi, which sits around 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of the capital Rabat.

At least 70 homes and businesses in the historic old city were flooded, authorities said.

Another 32 people were injured and taken to hospital, but most of them have been discharged.

Damage to roads cut off traffic along several routes to and from the port city on the Atlantic coast.

"It's a black day," resident Hamza Chdouani told AFP.

By evening, the water level had receded, leaving people to pick through a mud-sodden landscape to salvage belongings.

Another resident, Marouane Tamer, questioned why government trucks had not been dispatched to pump out the water.

As teams searched for other possible casualties, the weather service forecast more heavy rain on Tuesday across the country.

Severe weather and flooding are not uncommon in Morocco, which is struggling with a severe drought for the seventh consecutive year.

The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) said 2024 was Morocco's hottest year on record, while registering an average rainfall deficit of -24.7 percent.

Moroccan autumns are typically marked by a gradual drop in temperatures, but climate change has affected weather patterns and made storms more intense because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and warmer seas can turbocharge the systems.
AMMAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A year after Syria's political transition, Jordan continues to grapple with security threats along its northern border, with experts pointing to persistent smuggling activities and regional instability as ongoing concerns.

Jordanian military and strategic analyst Nidal Abu Zeid told Xinhua in a recent interview that despite improvements, security concerns along Jordan's northern frontier remain.

"The geographic nature of the border between Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, which extends across rugged and sparsely populated terrain, makes full control a continuous challenge," Abu Zeid said.

Smuggling operations have increasingly shifted to more isolated and uncoordinated attempts, he noted.

Public law professor and political analyst Muath Abu Dalou told Xinhua that Jordan is closely monitoring developments in southern Syria. "The continued activity of smugglers and armed groups requires Jordan to maintain a high level of vigilance."

Many Jordanian experts have linked long-term border security directly to Syria's stability and unity, as Jordan shares a border of some 375 km with Syria.

Syria entered a political transition in December 2024 following the collapse of the former government after years of conflict. Over the past year, the country has witnessed a gradual reopening of public institutions, a partial return of services in major cities, and diplomatic outreach with regional and international actors.

However, large parts of the country continue to face reconstruction challenges, particularly in areas heavily damaged during the conflict, while security incidents persist along the border regions.

Warning that instability in Syria's southern governorates, such as Sweida, could still pose risks, Khaled Shneikat, head of the Jordanian Association for Political Science, said that "Jordan's fundamental interest lies in a unified Syria."

"A single central authority enables effective security cooperation and limits reliance on informal armed groups," Shneikat told Xinhua.

Echoing this view, Hassan al-Daja, professor of strategic studies at Jordan's Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, said that the stability of southern Syria is linked to the existence of a unified Syrian state capable of controlling its borders, thereby limiting the expansion of criminal networks and mitigating cross-border threats.

Experts have also stressed the importance of broader regional and international cooperation.

Abu Zeid highlighted Jordan's diplomatic efforts, including support for multilateral mechanisms, such as the Amman Quintet, that brings together Syria and its neighboring countries, as part of a comprehensive approach to ensuring long-term border security.

Shneikat noted that international engagement with Syria's new leadership, including discussions on easing sanctions and reintegrating Syria into regional and international frameworks, enhances "Syria's ability to fulfill its security responsibilities, which directly supports Jordan's stability and that of the wider region."

Jordan knows that relying solely on bilateral coordination with Damascus is insufficient, said al-Daja. "Regional and international partnerships are essential." 
Far-right Kast wins Chile election in landslide



Santiago, Chile, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Chile elected its most right-wing president in 35 years of democracy on Sunday, with arch-conservative Jose Antonio Kast scoring a thumping victory over his leftist runoff rival.

With almost all the ballots counted, Kast won some 58 percent of the vote and held an unassailable lead over Jeannette Jara, a communist who headed a broad leftist coalition.

Kast campaigned on a promise to expel more than 300,000 immigrants, seal the northern border, take a "firm hand" on near-record crime rates and restart the stalled economy.

"Chile wanted change" he told thousands of elated supporters Sunday evening, vowing to "restore respect for the law," while pledging to govern for all Chileans and to listen to critics.

Once one of the Americas safest countries, Chile was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, violent social protests and an influx of foreign organized crime groups.

In Santiago, Kast supporters beeped car horns, waved flags and cheered a man who has repeatedly defended the bloody dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Retiree Gina Mello hoped Kast would "deploy the military" to the streets from day one, "lock up all the drug traffickers and deport anyone who came here to commit crimes."

Supporters sang the national anthem, chanted "Pinochet! Pinochet!" and clasped portraits of the late autocrat. Another Kast voter came dressed as US President Donald Trump.

For Kast, a 59-year-old father of nine, it was third time lucky, after two failed attempts at the presidency.

It is the latest victory for Latin America's right, after winning elections in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador and Ecuador.

Quickly after the polls closed and the scale of the victory became clear, Jara called Kast to concede defeat, saying voters had spoken "loud and clear."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Argentina's Javier Milei were among those who sent their congratulations.



- Extreme measures -



Kast is far to the right of most Chileans on many social issues, including abortion, which he opposes without exceptions.

But many Chileans fed up with high crime and slow growth during four years of leftist rule said they would vote for change, despite misgivings.

Polls showed more than 60 percent of Chileans thought security is the top issue facing the country.

And while statistics show that violent crime -- fueled by Venezuelan, Peruvian, Colombian and Ecuadoran gangs -- has risen in the last 10 years, fears about crime have risen even faster.

Richard Kouyoumdjian, a security expert and former naval officer, said Kast would have to quickly develop a strategy to secure the border, strengthen the police, bring immigration under control and end an Indigenous insurgency in the south.

"On security its very basic what he's said," Kouyoumdjian told AFP. "It's policy in 200 characters on Facebook or Twitter."



- 'Pinochet out of uniform' -



Kast's hardline positions have raised fears that he will try to rewrite the history of a dictatorship that tortured and imprisoned tens of thousands of people.

"I'm fearful because I think we are going to have a lot of repression," said 71-year-old retiree Cecilia Mora.

"I see him as a Pinochet out of uniform," she said.

Pinochet left power in 1990, after Chileans rejected a bid to extend his 17-year rule via referendum. At the time Kast campaigned for Pinochet.

Kast's family background has also raised questions. Media investigations have revealed his German-born father was a member of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party and a soldier during World War II.

Kast insists his father was a forced conscript and did not support the Nazis.



- Incumbent blues -



Jara's stint as labor minister under outgoing leftist President Gabriel Boric proved to be an Achilles' Heel.

Boric's term was crippled by repeated failed attempts to reform the Pinochet-era constitution.

Since 2010, Chileans have alternated between left- and right-wing governments at every presidential election.

Kast will take office in March.
Far-right Kast wins Chile election landslide



Santiago, Chile, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Chile elected its most right-wing president in 35 years of democracy on Sunday, with arch-conservative Jose Antonio Kast scoring a thumping victory over his leftist runoff rival.

Kast won some 58 percent of the vote and held an unassailable lead over Jeannette Jara, a communist who headed a broad leftist coalition.

Kast campaigned on a promise to expel more than 300,000 immigrants, seal the northern border, take a "firm hand" on near-record crime rates and restart the stalled economy.

"Chile wanted change" he told thousands of elated supporters Sunday evening, vowing to "restore respect for the law," while pledging to govern for all Chileans and to listen to critics.

Once one of the Americas safest countries, Chile was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, violent social protests and an influx of foreign organized crime groups.

In Santiago, Kast supporters beeped car horns, waved flags and cheered a man who has repeatedly defended the bloody dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Retiree Gina Mello hoped Kast would "deploy the military" to the streets from day one, "lock up all the drug traffickers and deport anyone who came here to commit crimes."

Supporters sang the national anthem, chanted "Pinochet! Pinochet!" and clasped portraits of the late autocrat. Another Kast voter came dressed as US President Donald Trump.

Police said they detained one person in a small anti-Kast demonstration in the capital.

For Kast, a 59-year-old father of nine, it was third time lucky, after two failed attempts at the presidency.

It is the latest victory for Latin America's right, after winning elections in Argentina, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador and Ecuador.

Quickly after the polls closed and the scale of the victory became clear, Jara called Kast to concede, saying voters had spoken "loud and clear."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Argentina's Javier Milei were among those who sent their congratulations.



- Extreme measures -



Kast is to the right of most Chileans on many social issues, including abortion, which he opposes even in cases of rape.

But many Chileans fed up with high crime and slow growth during four years of leftist rule said they would vote for change, despite misgivings.

Polls showed more than 60 percent of Chileans thought security is the top issue facing the country.

And while statistics show that violent crime -- fueled by Venezuelan, Peruvian, Colombian and Ecuadoran gangs -- has risen in the last 10 years, fears about crime have risen even faster.

Richard Kouyoumdjian, a security expert and former naval officer, said Kast would have to quickly develop a strategy to secure the border, strengthen the police, bring immigration under control and end an Indigenous insurgency in the south.

"On security its very basic what he's said," Kouyoumdjian told AFP. "It's policy in 200 characters on Facebook or Twitter."



- 'Pinochet out of uniform' -



Kast's hardline positions have raised fears that he will try to rewrite the history of a dictatorship that tortured and imprisoned tens of thousands of people.

"I'm fearful because I think we are going to have a lot of repression," said 71-year-old retiree Cecilia Mora.

"I see him as a Pinochet out of uniform," she said.

Pinochet left power in 1990, after Chileans rejected a bid to extend his 17-year rule via referendum. At the time Kast campaigned for Pinochet.

Kast's family background has also raised questions. Media investigations have revealed his German-born father was a member of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party and a soldier during World War II.

Kast insists his father was a forced conscript and did not support the Nazis.



- Incumbent blues -



Jara's stint as labor minister under outgoing leftist President Gabriel Boric proved to be an Achilles' Heel.

Boric's term was crippled by repeated failed attempts to reform the Pinochet-era constitution.

Since 2010, Chileans have alternated between left- and right-wing governments at every presidential election.

Kast will take office in March.
Press Release from Business Wire: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award



(AFP) Dec 15, 2025



DUBAI, Dec 15, 2025 (BSW) - HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), announced the opening of applications for the 5th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, offering USD 1 million in prizes. The award seeks to inspire innovative, clean energy-powered solutions for water production, distribution, storage, desalination and purification, supporting global sustainability efforts.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215897854/en/

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) - (Photo: AETOSWire)



"Since its establishment, Suqia UAE, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has provided clean water to nearly 15 million people in 37 countries worldwide through sustainable development and humanitarian projects. Additionally, Suqia UAE, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, continues to motivate innovators and researchers around the world to develop practical and sustainable solutions to address the water scarcity crisis, which remains one of the most prominent humanitarian and development challenges. UN reports indicate that about 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water services and that around 10% of the global population lives in countries experiencing high or critical water stress," said Al Tayer.

"I urge universities, research centres, companies, organisations, and innovators worldwide to participate so that, together, we can help provide clean water to communities most in need," added Al Tayer.

Mohammed Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia UAE, said the award has received hundreds of applications over four cycles, recognising 43 innovators from 26 countries for pioneering, affordable and sustainable water technologies.

Prizes totalling USD 1 million

The award comprises four main categories: the Innovative Projects Award, which includes the Large Projects Award and the Small Projects Award; the Innovative Research and Development Award, which includes the National Institutions Award and the International Institutions Award; the Innovative Individual Award, which includes the Distinguished Researcher Award and the Youth Award; and the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award.

Applications are open until 30 April 2026 via www.mbrwateraward.ae/awards. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Source:AETOSWire







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215897854/en/









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Shaikha Almheiri+971552288228







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Thousands of glaciers to melt each year by mid-century: study



Paris, France, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



Thousands of glaciers will vanish each year in the coming decades, leaving only a fraction standing by the end of the century unless global warming is curbed, a study showed on Monday.

Government action on climate change could determine whether the world loses 2,000 or 4,000 glaciers annually by the middle of the century, according to the research.

A few degrees could be the difference between preserving almost half of the world's glaciers in 2100 -- or fewer than 10 percent.

"Our results underscore the urgency of ambitious climate policy," said the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change and led by glaciologist Lander Van Tricht.

Researchers usually focus on the loss of mass and area of the world's ice giants, but Van Tricht and his colleagues set out to determine how many individual glaciers could melt away annually in this century.

While the melting of smaller individual glaciers may have less impact on sea-level rise than larger ones, their loss can significantly harm tourism or local culture, the scientists said.

"The disappearance of each single glacier can have major local impacts, even if its meltwater contribution is small," Van Tricht from ETH Zurich and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, told reporters.

Co-author Matthias Huss, also a glaciologist at ETH Zurich, took part in 2019 in a symbolic funeral for the Pizol glacier in the Swiss Alps.

"The loss of glaciers that we are speaking about here is more than just a scientific concern. It really touches our hearts," he said.



- 'Peak extinction' -



The scientists examined the satellite-derived outlines of 211,490 glaciers from a global database to determine the year when the largest number will disappear -- a concept they coined "peak glacier extinction".

They used glacier computer models under several different warming scenarios -- ranging from a world in which temperatures rise by 1.5C from pre-industrial levels to one where they climb by 4C.

Today, the world is losing around 1,000 glaciers every year but the study warned that the pace is set to accelerate.

The number of glaciers disappearing annually will peak at 2,000 by 2041, even if warming is limited to 1.5C -- the threshold countries pledged to pursue under the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

At that pace, 95,957 glaciers would be left standing around the planet by 2100, or just under half.

The United Nations, however, has warned that warming is on track to exceed 1.5C in the next few years.

Using projections showing temperatures would rise 2.7C under government policies, around 3,000 glaciers would disappear every year between 2040 and 2060, the glaciologists said.

By 2100, only one in five glaciers, or 43,852, would have survived in a 2.7C world.

Under a worst-case scenario where temperatures rise by 4C, as many as 4,000 glaciers would disappear each year by the mid-2050s.

Only nine percent of glaciers, or 18,288, would remain by the end of the century.



- Almost zero -



The timing of peak glacier disappearance varies between regions, depending on their size and location.

In areas with predominantly smaller glaciers, such as the European Alps and subtropical Andes, half could be gone within two decades.

In parts of the world with larger glaciers, such as Greenland and the Antarctic periphery, peak glacier disappearance will occur later in the century.

The researchers stressed that while glacier disappearances will peak in every scenario, the pace only begins to decline because there are fewer glaciers left and the bigger ones take more time to melt away.

For example, Van Tricht said, the loss rate in the Alps will fall to almost zero by the end of the century "just because there are almost no glaciers left".
Press Release from Business Wire: Textron Inc.



(AFP) Dec 15, 2025



INDEPENDENCE, Dec 15, 2025 (BSW) - Textron Aviation Inc. , a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the world's largest operator of Cessna aircraft, is strengthening its national mission capabilities with an order for 15 additional piston-engine aircraft, including seven Cessna Skyhawk 172 and eight Cessna Skylane 182 models scheduled for delivery throughout 2026. The order follows recent deliveries of an additional two Cessna Skylane and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD aircraft, expanding CAP's fleet to more than 500 Cessna aircraft nationwide.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215613573/en/

Delivery of an additional two Cessna Skylane and one Cessna Turbo Stationair HD aircraft joins CAP's fleet of more than 500 Cessna aircraft nationwide.



Cessna aircraft are designed and produced by Textron Aviation.

"Civil Air Patrol's missions demand aircraft that are reliable, versatile and ready to perform in critical moments," said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales. "We're honored that CAP continues to choose Cessna aircraft to support life-saving operations across the country."

As a nonprofit and the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, CAP is a cost-effective force multiplier providing warfighter support and other crucial services for federal, state and local agencies. The organization operates in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico (including the U.S. Virgin Islands), the District of Columbia and in more than 1,400 communities.

In 2025 alone, CAP:

-- Flew more than 100,000 hours;

-- Completed over 400 search and rescue missions;

-- Recorded more than 200 finds;

-- Saved at least three dozen lives; and

-- Logged 82 percent of flying hours on Air Force-assigned missions

"These new aircraft strengthen our ability to respond quickly, train effectively and support communities nationwide," said Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, national commander and CEO, CAP. "Textron Aviation has been a steadfast supporter in helping us fulfill our mission to serve and protect."

Endless Special Missions Possibilities

When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The company's aviation solutions provide the high performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are chosen for air ambulance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, utility transport, aerial survey, flight inspection, training and a number of other special operations.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders.

About Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol is the congressionally chartered civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and a volunteer-based national service organization committed to serving America's communities, saving lives and shaping futures. With thousands of trained aircrew and ground volunteers operating across all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories and more than 1,400 communities worldwide, CAP uses a versatile fleet of aircraft, ground teams and cadet programs to deliver emergency services, aerospace education and youth-leadership development. Through its nationwide network, CAP responds quickly to support first responders with crises ranging from search and rescue and disaster relief to humanitarian support and Air Force-assigned missions, and it helps foster aviation awareness and leadership skills among young people. For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

About Civil Air Patrol Mission Support

Civil Air Patrol serves as a trusted force multiplier for military, civil and government agencies by providing dependable and affordable mission support across the country. CAP works alongside military partners through joint training such as JSTARS support, Surrogate Remotely Piloted Aircraft flights, low-level route surveys and missions for Task Force North. Its search and rescue network combines skilled air and ground teams with national specialty units including the National Cell Phone Forensics Team, National Radar Analysis Team and small unmanned aircraft systems to help locate missing persons and aircraft quickly and effectively. CAP also brings advanced technology to emergency and disaster operations, offering high-definition imagery, LIDAR 3D scanning, geospatial products and cellphone forensics to support decision-makers in the field. Additional services such as natural disaster damage photography from air and ground, airborne tsunami-warning support and airborne communications relay ensure agencies have the information and connectivity they need when traditional systems are disrupted. For more information, visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215613573/en/









Contact

Media Contact:Doug Scott+1.316.347.0116[email protected] txtav.com







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
At least 20 dead in eastern Bolivia floods



La Paz, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



At least 20 people were killed and dozens remain missing after a major river in eastern Bolivia burst its banks at the weekend following heavy rains, authorities said Monday.

The Pirai river flows through Bolivia's most populous city, Santa Cruz, which is also the country's economic capital.

The worst-affected areas were the districts of El Torno to the southwest of the city and Colpa Belgica in the northwest, deputy minister for civil defense Alfredo Troche told local radio.

Families in El Torno climbed onto the roofs of their homes or trees to escape torrents of muddy water which poured through the streets, coating everything in mud.

Helicopters were dispatched to rescue them.

A bridge over the river collapsed in the floods.

"My son ended up sleeping on the roof and saved some people, including a man with a disabled leg," Elia Castro Suarez, a teacher in El Torno, told AFP on Sunday.

Vice President Edmand Lara said some families had lost all the animals they use for agriculture, as well as their personal belongings.

Over the weekend, President Rodrigo Paz convened a crisis meeting of key ministers and senior police and military officials to discuss the situation.

He warned that Bolivia was experiencing a "very complex moment" due to the convergence of the La Nina and El Nino climate patterns.

"In these first few days of the rainy season, we have broken all the reported records of the last 100 years," Paz said.

El Nino warms the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean, leading to hotter weather globally.

La Nina has the opposite effect. It cools surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
After cars, EU truck-makers urge reprieve from CO2 fines



Brussels, Belgium, Dec 15 (AFP) Dec 15, 2025



European truck-makers urged the EU to delay or suspend stiff emission reduction fines on Monday, as car producers look set to win a much-clamoured-for reprieve from Brussels.

The European Commission is expected to do away with a 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars on Tuesday, as part of a package of reforms in support of the auto industry, which lorry producers fear will neglect them.

They point in particular at penalties for failing to green their fleets in line with climate targets set by the European Union.

The commission allowed automakers more time to reach their own targets earlier this year -- in the face of competition from China, US tariffs and a slow uptake of electric vehicles.

But no such leeway has been granted to heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers who complain of similar challenges.

Christian Levin, the head of Swedish lorry producer Scania, said the industry faces about two billion euro ($2.34 billion) in annual fines if the rules are not changed.

Such penalties do "not make sense", Levin told AFP in an interview in Brussels, saying he hoped for a "grace period" or "a delay" in application.

He said sanctions were initially useful to spur investments in production capacity, but that companies were now past that point.

Scania for example can make 20,000 electric trucks a year but in 2025 produced only about 1,000 as buyers are not forthcoming.

"We did the homework. We developed the vehicles. We would love to sell them, but we need their help," Levin said, referring to the EU.

EU regulations require truck and bus makers to reduce the emissions caused by the vehicles they sell by 15 percent by this year, 43 percent by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040 from 2019 levels.

Producers would like sales exceeding the lower, early targets, to count as credits towards the later, higher targets.

Electric trucks currently account for less than four percent of new sales, according to industry figures.

The lack of dedicated charge points -- there are only about 1,500 for heavy-duty trucks across Europe -- is stifling uptake, Daimler Truck CEO Karin Radstrom told a press conference called by European auto lobby ACEA to put pressure on the commission.

As an electric truck costs on average twice as much a diesel lorry, producers want more incentives for buyers.

Only two of the EU's 27 nations have so far made use of bloc rules allowing for trucks running on batteries to be fully exempt from paying road tolls.

Heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for more than 25 percent of road transport emissions and six percent of planet-warming releases in Europe, according to the EU.

ub/ec/jh

ACEA

CROWN HOLDINGS

Daimler Truck

Traton
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Britain issued a statement on Monday to condemn British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's remarks on the conviction of Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong.

Lai was found guilty on Monday on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

The verdict was handed down by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the national security case of Lai and three companies linked to the now-defunct Apple Daily.

Extensive facts revealed during the trial of this case fully prove that Jimmy Lai was the primary planner and participant in a series of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, a pawn for external anti-China forces, and the behind-the-scenes instigator of the turbulence over the amendment bill in Hong Kong, the embassy's statement noted.

"We urge the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong's judicial affairs and China's internal affairs, stop making the case for anti-China rioters bent on destabilising Hong Kong, and stop going further down the wrong path," the statement said. 
WELLINGTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has ramped up security for Jewish communities following a fatal antisemitic mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Monday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Jewish leaders privately, Luxon called the attack "antisemitism in all its ugliness and cruelty," vowing solidarity with Jewish communities in Australia, New Zealand and worldwide.

"Terrorism and hate have no place in our societies, violence of any kind is unacceptable whether it is targeted at people of Jewish or any other faith," Luxon said.

New Zealand police are patrolling synagogues, schools and sites of worship nationwide. Hanukkah events are now confined to gated venues with security amid fears of violence, according to a report of Radio New Zealand (RNZ).

The national terrorism threat level around New Zealand remains unchanged.

Australian authorities have confirmed that 16 people aged between 10 and 87 years old, including an alleged shooter, have been confirmed dead after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd who had gathered at the iconic beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday night.

The RNZ report also cited Abdul Rassaq, chair of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, as saying that they had offered the Jewish community their sympathy and thoughts. 
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The Russian anti-Kremlin feminist punk collective Pussy Riot has been officially designated an extremist organisation by a Moscow court, effectively banning its activities within Russia.

The ruling, announced on Monday by Moscow's court service, came at the request of the General Prosecutor's Office.

This decision follows a September court judgment that saw five members of the group sentenced in absentia to up to 13 years in jail.

They were found guilty of spreading what authorities termed "lies" about the Russian army. The group's members, who have been labelled "foreign agents" by the authorities, previously rejected these charges, asserting they were politically motivated.

open image in gallery Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of female Russian punk band Pussy Riot, shows her hand cuffs inside a defendants cage in a Moscow court, on July 4, 2012 ( AFP/Getty )

Pussy Riot, whose members are currently outside Russia, gained global recognition in 2012 after being imprisoned for staging a protest against President Vladimir Putin in a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow. The collective has since become a prominent symbol of anti-Kremlin dissent, particularly in its opposition to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Nadya Tolokonnikova, the group's founder, who resides in the United States and is sought for arrest by Russian authorities, last month dismissed the move to brand the group as extremist. Writing on X, she stated: "If telling the truth is extremism, then we are happy to be extremists."

Follow band member Maria Alyokhina fled Russia in 2023, disguised as a food courier, after criticising Vladimir Putins regime.

After being released from prison, she continued her activism and was in April 2023 placed on house arrest to crack down on protesters who were against Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

Ordered to spend 21 days in a penal colony, she managed to find a way to escape Moscow police, disguising herself as a food courier in the process.

The 33-year-old was then able to cross into Lithuania after seeking the help of an artist from Iceland who secured her travel documents.

open image in gallery Pussy Riot first rose to notoriety after a protest in a Moscow cathedral ( PA Archive )

When Ms Alyokhina arrived at the Belarus-Lithuania border, she found that she had been placed on a Russian wanted list, and was refused entry on account of her Russian passport having been confiscated by authorities.

Ms Alyokhina said she was eventually let through on her third try as she had friends outside the country helping her, including Icelandic performance artist Ragnar Kjartansson.

Pussy Riot first came to the attention of Russian authorities in 2012 when they staged a protest inside Moscow Christ the Saviour Cathedral.
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The overwhelming success of the Netflix drama Adolescence at the Emmy Awards necessitated an unexpected purchase for its co-creator, Stephen Graham and actress-producer Hannah Walters: a new suitcase to accommodate their haul of trophies.

Walters, who stars in the Netflix drama, revealed the couples impromptu shopping trip after the series secured eight Emmy Awards, including one for her and three for Graham. Speaking to the Christmas edition of the Big Issue magazine, she reflected on the shows meteoric rise.

"The past three years has been chaotic and exciting, and it ramped up this year," she said. "Its gone pretty bonkers, we never imagined it would be like this."

She recounted the moment they realised the extent of their success: "We had to buy another suitcase when we came back from Los Angeles, because Stephen got three and I got one (trophy). When the luggage was coming round on the carousel, we let our bag of clothes go round about four times because we were too busy looking for the new suitcase with all the Emmys in it."

open image in gallery Actor Stephen Graham and his wife, actress Hannah Walters ( PA Archive )

The four-part drama also saw 16-year-old Owen Cooper make history, becoming the youngest male actor to win an Emmy at just 15 for outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie.

Three-time Oscar-winner Daniel Day Lewis lauded Coopers performance and the series as a whole in the Big Issue, calling Adolescence an "outstanding piece of work".

He remarked: "That lad, Owen Cooper, is extraordinary, the scene he has with Erin Doherty, who is a wonderful actress, the two of them, is incredible." Day Lewis praised the shows intricate construction, adding: "Everything. Theres no point separating one piece from another because its so integral."

He also expressed admiration for the productions ability to film in challenging environments: "Even the stuff they shot in the school, I couldnt believe it. How did you do that with these throngs of hostile school kids roaming around? Somehow they made it work. Im so proud of Stephen Graham  we worked together briefly many years ago and kept in touch."

Adolescence features This Is England star Graham as Eddie Miller, father to 13-year-old Jamie, played by Cooper.

The narrative unfolds as armed police raid their home to arrest Jamie, with Eddie subsequently becoming his sons appropriate adult during police interviews, uncovering the full extent of the accusations.

open image in gallery Owen Cooper in Adolescence  ( Cr. Courtesy of Netflix  2024 )

Co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne, the programme delves into the disturbing phenomenon of "incel" (involuntary celibate) culture, exploring its links to online misogyny and social media bullying.

The series has ignited a vital national conversation surrounding online safety, prompting Graham and Thorne to accept an invitation to a parliamentary meeting on the subject from Labour MP Josh MacAlister. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commended the series, urging Parliament and schools to watch it, and revealing he viewed it with his own children.

The full interviews are available in the Big Issue Christmas Spectacular, on sale from Monday for the next two weeks from street vendors across the UK.
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Anthony Geary, who starred as Luke Spencer for four decades on General Hospital, has died. He was 78.

The Utah-born actor earned significant acclaim for his soap opera role, winning a record eight Daytime Emmys, and was part of the most-watched soap opera episode in American television history.

He died in the Netherlands on Sunday, December 14, of complications following an operation.

His husband, Claudio Gama, said in a statement to TV Insider: It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.

His longtime co-star Genie Francis wrote on X: He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life. I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner. Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.

Geary was born on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah. His father was a contractor and his mother stayed home to raise him in the Mormon faith.

open image in gallery Anthony Geary with his longtime 'General Hospital' screen partner Genie Francis at the Daytime Emmys in April 2015 ( Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NATAS )

He made his television debut at the age of 23 in a 1970 episode of the James L Brooks comedy-drama series Room 222. In subsequent years, he made guest appearances in several hit shows, including All In The Family and The Partridge Family.

Geary landed his first significant soap role when he was cast in the college-set series Bright Promise in 1971. He went on to appear in The Young and the Restless in 1973.

In 1978, Geary landed what would become the defining role of his career. He was originally cast to play Luke Spencer over a 13-week storyline which saw his hit man character rape and then fall in love with Laura Webber, played by Francis.

The couples story proved so popular and compelling that Geary was retained by the show, and their characters eventually became engaged. When Luke and Laura married onscreen in General Hospital on November 17, 1981, approximately 30 million viewers tuned in to make it the highest-rated soap opera episode in the history of American daytime television.

Geary won his first Daytime Emmy in 1982 before leaving the show for almost a decade, during which time he acted in several theatre productions and films, including the surreal Weird Al Yankovic comedy UHF in 1989.

Geary returned to General Hospital in 1991, initially playing Lukes cousin Bill Eckert before resuming the character of Luke in 1993 when Francis also returned to the show.

In 2015, he won his record-setting eighth Daytime Emmy (having been nominated 17 times) before announcing his retirement. He made a brief return in 2017, meaning that in total he appeared in 1,997 episodes of General Hospital.

He moved to Amsterdam after retiring, where he lived until his death.
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A high school teacher has gone viral for her atypical appetite, but one of her simplest snacks is winning people over.

Courtney Cook Bales, 36, has acquired a devoted TikTok following for her video series about her daily lunches, which usually consist of unusual, savory pairings that she puts together in her Georgia classroom. While Bales has used ingredients like whole green onions, marinated eggs, and spicy ramen, the snack that has captured the internets attention is simply made up of a sweet potato and a block of cheese.

The mom-of-four often constructs easy ploughmans lunches in her classroom that do not require much cooking or too many complicated ingredients. While the exact sweet potato and the cheeses vary in the recipe, Bales typically bakes the potato for over an hour and stuffs the cheese inside the potato so that it all melts together and can be eaten with just her hands  no silverware needed.

Its just so wholesome, so filling, it really gives me energy, Bales said in a video posted December 10, which has since garnered over five million views.

Courtney Cook Bales has gone viral on TikTok for her unusual snack pairings ( TikTok/Courtney Cook Bales )

The teacher uses Japanese or white sweet potatoes and adds dairy like cheddar, butterkase, and cottage cheese. In a video earlier this month, Bales recommended letting the potato cool for hours so that it becomes syrupy before the cheese is added. Although the only two ingredients really needed are the potato and cheese, Bales often adds toppings like macaroni salad, sweet onion cups and pickles.

TikTok users have been equally grossed out and delighted over the addictive snacking series, with one comment on Baless posts reading: Im disturbed but intrigued at the same time.

Girl youve got TikTok on a sweet potato/cheese chokehold, another wrote, with a third chiming in: The amount of people youve influenced between the ploughman lunches and the sweet potatoes need to be studied.

Youd make a good saleswoman. Everything you eat, I WANT. Even if I know I dont like it I want it. And on that note tomorrow I will be getting sweet potatoes for lunch, another wrote.

Other TikTokers shared their experience trying Baless snack, with one writing: I know this wasnt really your intention, but you have me eating a sweet potato and cheese every dang day and it keeps me so full and cuts out so much food noise!! So not only have I added more fiber, Im eating way less junk. So thank you!

Bales told People that she did not expect viral fame from her cravings, gaining more than one million followers in under seven months, but said, We are all figuring things out for the first time, and people will always have opinions, but I am learning to live for myself rather than shaping my choices around people who may not understand me.

If my videos help someone feel more confident, joyful, and free with their own food choices, then that is exactly the message I hope to share.
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Dame Judi Dench has expressed concern that the proliferation of social media is contributing to a marked lack of interest in the arts among younger generations.

The 91-year-old actress voiced her fears ahead of the release of Sky Arts Tea With Judi Dench, a one-off special featuring her friend Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Dame Judi reflected on the evolving landscape of performance, stating: All I can hope is that theatre has evolved. With the onset of social media and, I believe, a marked lack of interest in the arts, I fear that the younger generations wont have the benefit or interest in the theatre like we all had.

Offering guidance to those embarking on an acting career today, the former James Bond star advised: Firstly, there is no point being an actor unless youve got enormous energy.

In Tea With Judi Dench , the veteran actress chats about her life and career with fellow actor Sir Kenneth. ( Getty Images for BFI )

The audience have paid to see a particular production, and it is our duty to tell the story to the best of our ability.

I remember playing Ophelia at the Old Vic when the Asian flu epidemic was rife and coming on and crying all the way through one scene early on in the play.

I was told off severely after the scene and reminded that the audience had come to see Hamlet without the extra bits added from me.

If you cant perform if you are not well, let your understudy go on.

In Tea With Judi Dench, the veteran actress chats about her life and career with fellow actor Sir Kenneth.

Asked if there was anything she wished she could revisit in her career, Dame Judi said: I would revisit any role of Shakespeare that I have played, as I feel I never explored it entirely by the end of the run.

As my passion is Shakespeare and his plays, I would welcome the challenge to play any part in any play  anything opposite Ken Branagh.

In 2022, Dame Judi and Sir Kenneth jointly received the Freedom of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, for their contributions to promoting his work on stage and screen.

Tea With Judi Dench airs on December 22 on Sky Arts, Freeview and streaming service Now.
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More than 30 tons of cooked chicken have been recalled in the U.S. due to a major health risk.

Suzannas Kitchen, based in Georgia, has announced a nationwide recall on approximately 62,550 pounds of fully cooked, bone-in breaded chicken products, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recall is due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not present on the label.

The recall affects eight-piece cut, bone-in breaded chicken portions dispatched in 18-pound cases. The cases had four units of the FULLY COOKED BREADED CHICKEN PORTION, with the case code P-1380 126237 B30851 23:11 K04 printed on the side of the packaging.

Products that are subject to the recall have the USDA mark of inspection on the cases label and establishment number P-1380 printed on the side of the package.

Suzannas Kitchens chicken was recalled after soy, which is not a listed ingredient, was found in product ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

The issue was discovered after Suzannas Kitchen told FSIS that it identified chicken product containing soy that had been mislabeled with a non-allergen containing product code, according to the announcement.

The recalled cooked chicken was shipped to restaurants nationwide. While no illnesses have been reported to date, the FSIS is concerned that restaurants still have the product in their freezers and is urging businesses to throw the chicken away immediately.

Soybeans are identified as one of the nine major food allergies in the U.S., along with wheat, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, milk, peanuts, and sesame. Allergic reactions to these nine foods vary but can involve hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock, according to the FDA.

In October, another popular chicken product was recalled. Hormel Foods recalled nearly 4.9 million pounds of its frozen boneless chicken products distributed to restaurants, cafeterias, and other commercial food outlets.

The recall came after customer reports of metal fragments found in chicken breast and thigh products. FSIS said Hormel traced the contamination to a damaged conveyor belt used during production. No injuries or illnesses have been reported. The products are only sold to food service companies, not directly to consumers.

There have been many different food recalls in the U.S. this year due to allergy risks. Last month, Silvestri Sweets Inc. recalled two different varieties of its Choceur-branded Holiday Barks  Cookie Butter flavor and Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon flavor  both sold at Aldi.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that there was a packaging mix-up, as the Cookie Butter Holiday Bark was placed in the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon packaging and vice versa. Because of the packaging error, the cookie butter bark may contain undeclared pecans, and the other bark may contain undeclared wheat, posing the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions to consumers allergic to the ingredient.
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Brian Walshe has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of his wife, Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found.

Walshe was emotionless in a Massachusetts courtroom Monday as the jury reached a verdict after only hours of deliberations. He will be sentenced Wednesday and faces life in prison.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old Serbian immigrant and real estate executive, was last seen in the early hours of January 1, 2023, after a small New Years Eve gathering at the couples home in Cohasset.

Her 50-year-old husband had admitted to dismembering his wife and lying to police, but maintains he did not kill her. In November, he pleaded guilty to two lesser charges of misleading police and improper conveyance of a human body.

Walshe claimed that she left for an emergency work trip to Washington, D.C., ordering a car to take her to Logan International Airport in Boston. But her company, the first to report her missing, said there was no work emergency.

open image in gallery Brian Walshe stares at the jury on Monday as he is found guilty of killing his wife Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found ( The Patriot Ledger )

Prosecutors said that Ana never got into a ride share and there was no evidence of her boarding a flight. Her cellphone, as well as her credit and debit cards, remained inactive after her disappearance.

Ana Walshe is dead because he murdered her, and he intended her death, prosecutor Anne Yas told the court during closing arguments Friday. She wasnt going to D.C. for a work emergency; there was no emergency. Its just a story that the defendant told people.

Walshe claimed that after his wife left the house, he visited his mother in Swampscott, went shopping at CVS and Whole Foods, and spent time with his children.

But prosecutors said that he spent New Years Day traveling to several pharmacies and hardware stores, buying heavy-duty cleaning supplies, a Tyvek protective suit and a utility knife  purchases they say were preceded by online searches such as How long before a body starts to smell? and Dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body.

Over the next several days, investigators said, he continued searching for how to dismember a body with a hacksaw. He did not report his wife missing until January 4, when her employer contacted police after failing to get in contact with her.

Surveillance footage later showed a man resembling Walshe discarding heavy trash bags in dumpsters. A search of a trash facility near his mothers home uncovered bags containing a hatchet, hacksaw, towels, a protective suit, cleaning agents, a Prada purse, boots like the ones Ana was last seen wearing and her Covid vaccination card. Prosecutors said many items tested positive for her DNA.

The defendant did not want anyone to find Anas body and to know how she died, Yas said in court. So the defendant bought cutting tools ... and he cut up Anas body, the woman he claimed to love, and dumped her into dumpsters, she said.

He didnt just want her dead, he needed her dead, Yas said. It was a marriage in crisis.

Before he was a murder suspect, Walshe was awaiting sentencing in a federal fraud case after pleading guilty in a scheme to sell counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings.

open image in gallery Ana and Brian Walshe were married in Serbia in 2015 and have three children together ( Facebook )

In 2024, Walshe was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $475,000.

Yas pointed out that at the time of Anas disappearance and murder, Walshe had no assets and was on home confinement for his federal case.

Ana was beginning to thrive as the marriage was beginning to deteriorate, Yas told the court, adding that she had set up rooms at a D.C. townhome she owned for their children.

Yet Walshe needed the children with him so he could be the primary caregiver in an effort to avoid prison, Yas said. At the time, Ana had also taken out $2.7 million in life insurance, naming her husband as the sole beneficiary, prosecutors said.

In a move that surprised courtroom observers, the defense rested earlier this week without calling any witnesses. Brian Walshe did not testify, despite speculation that he might take the stand to explain his version of events.

During closing arguments, defense attorney Larry Tipton repeatedly called Brian Walshe a loving husband and a loving father with no motive at all to kill his wife. He had previously told the court that his client had panicked after a sudden unexplained death, claiming Walshe found Ana unresponsive after their New Years Eve celebration.

When he entered the bedroom and began to get into bed, he sensed something was wrong, Tipton said, recalling Walshes claim that Ana rolled off the bed.

You have a sudden unexpected event that results in confusion, panic, and fear, Tipton said Friday. All of those things that are so troubling, horrific and could be argued to be showing consciousness of guilt, Tipton said, referring to Walshes disposal of her body. But Tipton insisted he did not kill his wife.

Tipton also addressed Walshes Internet searches, claiming that if he made them with murder in his heart, why does the first search referencing murder occur six hours later on Jan. 1, 2023?

open image in gallery A missing person poster that the Cohasset Police produced while searching for Ana Walshe shown on the first day of the Brian Walshe murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court on December 1, 2025 ( The Patriot Ledger )

Context matters, Tipton said. The first time the word murder is used in these horrific searches is six hours after they start.

Tipton also argued that the searches about dismemberment and cleaning did not mean he murdered her, claiming there wasnt anything that referred to a plan or intent to kill Ana.

Even though they dont talk about murder, they are equally upsetting, Tipton said. Hes thinking about how you clean a concrete floor in the basement.

Ask yourself, why is the man searching now if he had intended to kill his wife? Tipton asked.

The defense acknowledged that Walshe lied to investigators but argued that his actions reflected fear, not guilt. With no body, Tipton emphasized, investigators have been unable to determine a cause of death.

Mr. Walshe loved Ana Walshe, the mother of his three children," Tipton added. Mr. Walshe is not guilty. Hes not guilty.

open image in gallery William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, is shown a picture of her while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial ( The Boston Herald )

During the closely watched trial, the court heard from William Fastow, the man prosecutors identified as Ana Walshes boyfriend.

Fastow said he met Ana in March 2022 when he sold her a townhouse in Washington. Their relationship quickly intensified into an intimate relationship. They shared dinners, nights on his sailboat, overnight stays at his home and even a Thanksgiving trip to Ireland.

Ana felt it was really important that when Brian was to find out about the relationship that he would hear it from her, he said. She had expressed great concern and I think she felt it would be a strike against her integrity if he found out a different way.

Fastow said they planned to ring in the New Year together on January 4 and talk about the future. He last heard from her on New Years Eve. His follow-up texts and calls went unanswered.
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Monday criticized Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te for selling war anxiety to justify his secessionist agenda.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, commented in response to Lai's recent remarks on so-called enhanced self-defense and preparedness to avoid war.

Jiang condemned Lai for repeatedly exaggerating the so-called military threat from the mainland and escalating cross-Strait tensions.

The provocative actions of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities led by Lai are the worst "tumor" harming and destroying Taiwan, he said, affirming that cross-Strait reunification is the best choice for Taiwan to achieve lasting peace.

The spokesperson called on people in Taiwan to be fully aware of the danger and harm posed by the Taiwan authorities led by Lai and firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist acts to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as their own safety and well-being. 
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The loved ones of the two students killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday have spoken out, as the investigation into the attack in Rhode Island continues.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who was killed on Saturday, was an aspiring neurosurgeon and was described by his family as the most kind-hearted person.

Ella Cook, a student from Alabama, also died from her injuries and was described as her familys bright light.

The shooting unfolded at 4 p.m. local time at the Barus and Holley engineering building, where students final exams were taking place.

Rachel Friedberg, a professor at the university, told the BBC that the shooter burst into the room and yelled something before opening fire.

open image in gallery Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was one of the people killed on Saturday ( GoFundMe )

Eight other students were injured in the assault, with a Wisconsin man being detained in connection with the crime shortly after.

He was later released for having no basis for suspicion, according to a statement from Brown.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov wanted to be a surgeon

Umurzokov was studying at Brown University to become a neurosurgeon before the shooting, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family.

He was described as being incredibly kind, funny and smart and that he was the 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, Samira Umurzokova wrote. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss.

As of Monday, the GoFundMe campaign has already raised nearly $190,000 of its $200,000 goal .

Money raised by the fund will be used to support his family with expenses, with the rest being donated to charity.

open image in gallery Ella Cook was confirmed as one of the victims of the shooting by a Reverend at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama ( College Republicans of America )

Khimari Manns, Umurzokovs roommate and a member of the schools wrestling team, told CBS News that he sheltered in a restroom when he heard about the shooting.

While waiting for a sign that it was safe to leave, he tried to contact Umurzokov and began to grow concerned when he did not hear back during the lockdown.

Something didn't feel right. I texted him, and then he didn't text back, he said.

Manns repeatedly called the police to get an update on the situation and only learned that his roommate had died on Sunday, saying that it did not feel like reality when he heard the news.

Just a ball of joy, ball of energy, Manns said, describing his late roommate. He raises everybody else to a certain level.

He made sure I had my stuff done. He made sure he had his stuff done. He was just always there," he continued. Hed come in there and cheer me up.

open image in gallery The shooting took place at the Barus and Holley engineering building ( REUTERS )

Umurzokovs aunt told NBC News that the late student wanted to be a neurosurgeon because he had a very serious, eight hours-long brain surgery when he was ten years old.

She also told the broadcaster that she had hoped her nephew had a bright future before she found out the news in the middle of the night.

Uzbekistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the news of Umurzokovs death on Telegram, where a spokesperson described his killing as a heavy loss for us all.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the Republic of Uzbekistan has contacted the family of the victim and is working closely with U.S. law enforcement.

Ella Cook was a bright light in the community

Alabamian student Ella Cook was also killed in the gunmans attack on Saturday at Brown University in Rhode.

The College Republicans of America shared a message dedicated to Cook, who was the vice president of the groups chapter at Brown.

We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook, Martin Bertao, president of the College Republicans of America wrote. Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.

Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CRs and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

Reverend Craig Smalley, from the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, urged parishioners to pray for the late student during a Sunday service.

open image in gallery A vigil for the victims was held on Sunday evening, at what was supposed to be a Christmas tree and menorah lighting ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday, he said, according to AL.com.

And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light.. not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.

Christina H Paxson released a statement in the wake of the shooting, describing the event as a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community.

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, she continued.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary echoed Paxsons message on X.

There are no words, Leavitt wrote. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.

A vigil was held for both Cook and Umurzokov on Sunday night, with attendees holding candles and flowers in a show of support for the victims families, according to a report from NBC Boston.

The event had been originally scheduled as a Christmas tree and menorah lighting in Lippitt Memorial Park.

Police have not confirmed a possible motive for Saturdays attack, and no charges have been filed yet.

No investigation is perfect and youre going to go through ups and downs, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Steve Moore said.

He described the arrest of the now-released suspect as obviously an error and said that investigators have restarted their search at square one.

During a Christmas reception at the White House, Donald Trump offered his condolences in an unscripted, 40-minute speech.

I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately, the president said. Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven.

He also offered his condolences to those killed in a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, adding, I just want to pay my respects to everybody.
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A Florida man says he lost thousands of dollars after he was reportedly targeted by scammers pretending to be Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

George Hendricks, a 69-year-old from Leesburg, a suburb of Orlando, told ClickOrlando he lost $45,000 after a scammer targeted him with a deepfake video of Musk. Deepfakes are digitally-altered videos often used to impersonate notable public figures.

Now, Hendricks tells the outlet that his wife wants to get a divorce over the scam.

The incident unfolded after Hendricks commented on a post in a Facebook group claiming to advertise car giveaways, ClickOrlando reports.

Shortly afterward, Hendricks received a Facebook message congratulating him on winning a new car and $100,000. Then, he received another message via WhatsApp that contained a video message he believed to be from Musk.

open image in gallery George Hendricks reportedly had $45,000 stolen by scammers ( ClickOrlando )

In the video, obtained by ClickOrlando, an AI-generated, deepfake version of Musk said: My good friend Mr. George, I just want you to listen to what Im telling you. I promise that youre going to receive your package.

Hendricks was told he had to pay $7,500 in cash for the cars shipping, which he sent to the scammers. He was also asked to make a $10,000 investment and was promised a $120,000 return, the outlet reports.

After exchanging several messages with the scammers, he says he drained his accounts and sent them nearly $37,000 more.

At one point, Hendricks even told the scammers he was concerned about their requests, the outlet reports. But then, they sent Hendricks another video message, which said: Id never take advantage of you or your funds. Trust me with your whole heart. God knows I have no bad intentions.

I know its going on all the time, you just never think its going to be you, Hendricks said.

Scammers claiming to be the worlds richest man appear to be on the rise.

In another popular scam, retirees are asked to invest in a fraudulent crypto scheme, according to an AARP. These scammers also send their victims AI-generated deepfake videos of Musk to add legitimacy to their claims.

Scammers know that he is well-known and the richest person in the world, so they use the allure of his success to try and manipulate you with FOMO, the fear of missing out, Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network, said in a statement

Kieran Human, the security enablement lead with cybersecurity company ThreatLocker, told ClickOrlando that deepfake videos are only going to get more accurate as the technology develops.

Its just going to be a matter of time until people do start adding that breathing to the videos, and people are just going to have to be more cautious, he warned.
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Federal authorities say they thwarted a credible terrorist threat led by a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government and anti-capitalist group that was planning a series of bombings in California on New Years Eve.

Four members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, who were connected to the alleged plot, were arrested over the weekend, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.

The subjects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology, he wrote.

The group was allegedly planning to target five separate locations across the Los Angeles area with homemade explosive devices in what Attorney General Pam Bondi said would have been a massive and horrific terror plot. They were also planning to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles, Bondi said.

They are apparent members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. An Instagram account associated with TILFs founding chapter in Los Angeles calls for liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty, and had about 850 followers Monday morning.

Federal authorities say they stopped a terrorist threat being planned for New Years Eve in California. Four people were arrested in connection with the alleged planned attack, officials said ( AFP/Getty )

The Turtle Island Liberation Fronta far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist groupwas preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Years Eve. The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles, Bondi claimed on X.

Four alleged members of the group were arrested last week in Lucerne Valley, a desert city east of Los Angeles, where authorities believe they were testing improved explosive devices, according to a federal complaint filed Saturday that was obtained by the Associated Press. A fifth person arrested by the FBI in New Orleans was allegedly planning a separate attack, according to Patel.

Each face charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, court documents showed.

Evidence photos included in the court documents show a desert campsite with what investigators said were bomb making materials on plastic folding tables.

The suspects all brought bomb-making components to the campsite, including various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, among others, the complaint states.

This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys Offices and the @FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace, Bondi wrote. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.

With reporting by the Associated Press.
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An Uber passenger was killed after a man fleeing from police crashed his car into the rideshare in Philadelphia, officials say.

Members of the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office were attempting to serve a warrant against Joseph Cini, 35, for alleged domestic assault early Monday morning when they say he took off in a Nissan Maxima.

As Cini drove away, he crashed into an Uber, a red Jeep Patriot. He then fled the scene on foot, investigators told NBC Philadelphia.

A 63-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Uber was pronounced dead at the scene. The Uber driver, a 51-year-old man, was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Witness Joey Johnson told NBC10 the crash sounded like a bomb.

open image in gallery Philadelphia authorities are searching for a man they say crashed into an Uber, killing a passenger, before fleeing the scene ( Philadelphia Police Department )

Seeing the parts fly all over the place and then seeing the person in there gasping for life. It was bad, Johnson said.

The grisly fatal crash unfolded just before 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.

Video obtained by NBC10 showed the crash and Cini running away from the scene immediately after.

Details about the warrant authorities attempted to serve Cini were not immediately known.

Cini remained on the loose Monday afternoon, according to the report.

Authorities ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Philadelphia Police Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3181. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling or texting the Philadelphia Police tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
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The manufacturer of the popular Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, iRobot, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US, succumbing to intense pressure from more affordable competitors.

The move is part of a restructuring plan that will see Shenzhen-based Picea Robotics, which serves as iRobots primary supplier and lender, acquire all outstanding shares in the company.

This development follows the collapse of Amazons proposed 1.3 billion takeover of iRobot in January of last year.

The e-commerce giant had agreed to the acquisition in August 2022, but the deal faced significant opposition from EU competition regulators.

The European Commission expressed concerns that the merger could harm competition for rival products on Amazons online marketplace, specifically citing potential negative impacts in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Their investigation concluded that Amazon might reduce the visibility of competitor products should the acquisition have proceeded.

open image in gallery Roomba maker iRobot has filed for bankruptcy in the US and will be bought out by its Chinese manufacturer and supplier after the robotic vacuum cleaner firm came under pressure from cheaper rivals ( Alamy/PA )

Gary Cohen, chief executive of iRobot, said: Todays announcement marks a pivotal milestone in securing iRobots long-term future.

The transaction will strengthen our financial position and will help deliver continuity for our consumers, customers and partners.

Together, we will work to continue advancing the industry-leading Roomba robots and smart home technologies that have defined the iRobot brand for more than three decades.

By combining iRobots innovation, consumer-driven design, and research and development with Piceas history of innovation, manufacturing and technical expertise, we believe iRobot will be well equipped to shape the next era of smart home robotics.

Massachusetts-based iRobot has been knocked by competition from cheaper Chinese rivals, as well as surging US tariffs, which have seen import levies increased to 46% on goods from Vietnam, where most of its products are made for the US.

open image in gallery Amazon had agreed a proposed $1.7 billion (1.3 billion) acquisition of iRobot in August 2022, but the European Commission said the deal could harm competition for iRobots rivals on Amazons online marketplace, particularly in France, Germany, Italy and Spain ( iRobot )

The firm launched its first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002 and has since gone on to sell millions of robots worldwide.

It is best known for its robotic vacuums, but also develops smart-home technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation.

Picea is a global manufacturer and service provider of robotic vacuum cleaners, with research and development and manufacturing facilities in China and Vietnam.

It has has some 7,000 employees globally and has sold more than 20 million robotic vacuum cleaners.
MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The horrific six-week period of catastrophe that befell Nanjing 88 years ago during World War II is still causing great indignation in today's world. Bloodstained and perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army, this chapter of history stands as a stark warning against historical amnesia.

At the entrance of the Victory Museum in Moscow, 70-year-old local resident Alexander described the massacre as "a tragedy, a catastrophe, a most real crime," likening it to the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany against the Soviet people.

Growing up in the Soviet era, he recalled that the Nanjing Massacre was mentioned in school history textbooks and remains etched in the memory of many people of his generation.

Ilya, an environmental engineer in his early 30s from the northwestern Russian city of Cherepovets, said he learned about the massacre online. "It is an extremely sorrowful page in world history. Hundreds of thousands of unarmed Chinese civilians were brutally killed by Japanese invaders," he said.

At the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, first-year student Anastasia said her secondary school teacher once required students to read materials about the massacre.

"The Nanjing Massacre was a genocidal atrocity devoid of any justification. Japan must apologize and repent, and the international community should condemn it," she said. "I hope such a tragedy will never happen again."

"One cannot live without understanding history, especially World War II," Alexander said. "It has left an indelible mark on our nation and on humanity as a whole. We must pay tribute to all defenders of the motherland and pass on the truth, both heroism and suffering, to the younger generation."

The Nanjing Massacre inflicted profound trauma on the Chinese people. Yet in the postwar years, Japanese right-wing forces have refused to reflect on their past, denying well-documented facts and attempting to whitewash aggression through glorifying war, visiting the Yasukuni Shrine where class-A war criminals are honored, and revising history textbooks to falsify history.

Mikhail, a 45-year-old middle school teacher leading students on a visit to the Victory Museum, said that denying the Nanjing Massacre is hypocritical and shallow, showing disregard for historical truth. "It is fundamentally wrong. It violates humanity and morality," he said.

"Those who cannot even say 'sorry' are in fact the weakest," Mikhail added. "Forgetting the past, distorting right and wrong, and justifying one's own mistakes without admitting them will never lead to anything good."

Grigory, a third-year student at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, said that the denial of history has become a consistent approach of the Japanese government. "They refuse to acknowledge crimes committed during the war of aggression against China, and even claim that this history never existed. Essentially, they are trying to erase it from memory," he said.

Alexander stressed that Japan's series of provocative words and actions is undermining the postwar international order. "If Japan fails to draw lessons from history," he said, "the result will ultimately be a tragic one." 
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BusinessThe economyTrump's White House Opinion Trump loves a deal, but these two are not going to plan Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist December 15, 2025  11:59am

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Donald Trump has been planning to get his hands on some of the $370 billion of Russian funds frozen within Europe while also taking a multibillion-dollar slice of Nvidias potential revenue from sales of its more advanced chips to China. Neither ambition is tracking exactly as planned. In the bilateral peace negotiations the US has been having with Russia, a key element for gaining American support for a plan that favours Russias interests over Ukraines is the establishment of two US-led joint venture investment vehicles with Russia, funded by most of the 210 billion ($370 billion) of Russian foreign exchange reserves held within Europe. Donald Trump loves to turn international negotiations into transactions. AP Earlier this month, Trump, after heavy lobbying by Nvidias Jensen Huang, said he would allow the company to sell its H200 chips  a generation behind its most advanced Blackwell chips  to China in exchange for a 25 per cent cut of the revenue from the sales. On Friday, the European Union, which has been dithering and divided for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, most of which are held by the Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear, invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes those assets indefinitely.

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Previously, approval for the freeze had to be renewed every six months, which provided a half-yearly opportunity for pro-Russian countries  Viktor Orbans Hungary being the most obvious  to veto the renewal and any attempt to use the funds to provide aid to Ukraine. Related Article Opinion

Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine is running out of cash. Can Europe seize Russian money to help? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The use of the emergency powers means a majority of the EU members can now extend the freeze, which will be reviewed annually. While that would make it easier for the EU to use the frozen funds as collateral for a reparations loan to Ukraine, it also gives Europe a seat at the negotiating table for a peace deal using the fate of those funds as leverage. The US and Russia now cant dispose of those assets  Russia cant use them to help buy Trumps support for a deal on its terms  without EU approval.

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Not surprisingly, Russia has immediately filed a lawsuit in Moscow seeking damages from Euroclear and has threatened to sue for damages in other jurisdictions and use all available legal and other mechanisms to protect its interests. It has also looked at seizing assets held by Euroclear and other Western interests  funds and businesses  within Russia. The EU was aware of the likely Russian response when it decided to freeze the funds indefinitely. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After dithering for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, the EU has invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes them indefinitely. AP Trumps willingness to trade Ukraines sovereignty for cash has echoes within the Nvidia deal. In 2022, the Biden administration, as part of its small yard, high fence strategy of limiting Chinas access to strategic technology, banned sales of Americas most advanced semiconductors  critical to artificial intelligence technologies  to China. The decision was made on national security grounds.

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Trump partly lifted the ban earlier this year, allowing Nvidia to sell a specially created custom chip to China, the H20, which was much less sophisticated than Nvidias most powerful chips. China, however, didnt buy the H20 chips and the Trump administration hasnt collected any revenue from the 15 per cent share of sales of the chips to China that it negotiated with Nvidia. Then, last week, Trump shocked the US security establishment by announcing that he would allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips to China in return for 25 per cent of the revenue. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia. Nvidia had argued that, with China throwing its entire system behind development of chips that are competitive with Nvidias, including subsidies, cheap electricity and mandated procurement by government agencies, the best strategy for the US was to make China and other countries dependent on US technology and its Nvidia-centric hardware and software ecosystem.

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In effect, Trump traded the prohibition of sales of a technology where the US has a material competitive advantage over China to its main technological, economic and geopolitical rival for dollars. Its not clear that he has the power to do that. Related Article Media & marketing Time magazine names its person of the year for 2025 The administration doesnt have the authority to levy export taxes, which is why it appears it is trying to construct a work-around, with the chips being made in Taiwan, shipped to the US, subjected to a 25 per cent tariff as if they were imports and then, ostensibly after a security review, shipped to China. China, however, while it has advocated for access to the latest US chips, isnt exactly swooning at the opportunity Trump has presented.

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As happened earlier this year in relation to the H20 chips, it would seem China may ban, or at least limit access for its companies, to the H200. That may be because of its own national security concerns  it has expressed fears that US chips might come with embedded kill switches or (and Nvidia has been developing this) a location tracker  but it is more likely driven by the flip side of the US argument that making China more reliant on US technology would hinder the development of its homegrown chips. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. AP China is pursuing self-sufficiency across its economy, including the tech sector. It wants its national champions like Huawei to continue to invest in the research and development that might close the gap with the US. It doesnt want those R&D funds siphoned off by Nvidia and Trump. China has used a less efficient approach to AI than the US, linking hundreds of processors to offset the lower performance of its chips and subsidising the energy required because the chips are less energy-efficient, to close some of that gap and, according to Bloomberg, is considering a new $US70 billion ($105.4 billion) package to support its domestic chipmakers.

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It is almost inconceivable that China would allow its tech sector to become reliant on US chips or take their foot off the pedal in developing domestic alternatives, although it is possible it might selectively allow some purchases of the H200 to help fast-track the training of its AI models. The H200 is about six times more powerful than the H20s Nvidia was previously allowed to sell to China, but the Blackwell chips are far more powerful again. Nvidias next-generation chip, the Rubin, will again raise the bar in terms of speed, memory and efficiency when it is released next year. Thus, while the H200 would narrow the gap, thought to be about two years, between Chinas tech and the bleeding-edge US chips, it is chasing a moving target. It is unlikely that China will deviate from a strategy dedicated to self-sustenance and therefore the $US10 billion to $US15 billion of extra Nvidia sales that analysts think Nvidia might generate if China embraced the opportunity to buy H200s (and $US2.5 billion to $US3.75 billion of revenue for the US government) is unlikely to be realised. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. Trump is transactional and loves his reputation as a dealmaker. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia.

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CultureMoviesVale Rob Reiner remembered: Spinal Tap creator was a gentle giant of American comedy Karl Quinn December 15, 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

Rob Reiner, who has died aged 78 in a stabbing attack in his home in Los Angeles alongside his wife Michele, was one of the most influential and successful figures in American screen comedy in the last 50 years. Reiner had comedy in his veins, being born in New York in 1947 to writer-producer-actor Carl Reiner, who created and appeared in The Dick Van Dyke Show, and singer Estelle, who would utter the famous line Ill have what shes having in her sons 1988 rom-com When Harry Met Sally. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday (Monday AEDT). Getty Images His showbiz career started as an actor, first in theatre and then with small roles on TV. His screen debut came on a show called Hey Landlord, co-written by Garry Marshall, who would go on to create Happy Days (on which Reiner briefly worked as a writer), and whose sister Penny (star of Laverne & Shirley and, later, a successful director in her own right, including of the features Big and A League of Their Own) became Reiners first wife in 1971. I played Guy Number One or Guy Number Two or something like that, Reiner said in a 2009 interview for the Television Academy. I think I was 19  I did a lot of television shows when I was young.

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He had small parts in Gomer Pyle, USMC and The Beverly Hillbillies and Batman  I was delivering room service to The Penguin, he told the Academy  but it was the Norman Lear sitcom All in the Family, in which he played Michael Meathead Stivic, the liberal son-in-law of working-class grouch Archie Bunker (Carroll OConnor), that made him a star. Based on the English series Till Death Do Us Part, the sitcom was the most-watched show in the US for five years straight, and won Reiner two Emmy awards. Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner at a function in Los Angeles in March. AFP It was as a director, though, that Reiner made his greatest mark. His 1984 feature debut This Is Spinal Tap wasnt the first mockumentary, or even the first rock-mock, but it was the film that set the benchmark, and did more than any other to establish the conventions, of this quirky sub-genre. The film about the trials and tribulations of a slightly past-it English hard rock band on tour in the US was so successful in aping the style of legitimate music docs, in fact, that many viewers at first took it to be the real thing. Entirely improvised, the comedy became a bona fide classic of the genre, and this year spawned a belated sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, as well as a memoir, A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever.

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I interviewed Reiner in September for the 40-years-in-the-making sequel, and found him generous, cheery and humble about the contribution he and his co-creators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer had made to the culture. Related Article Review The true story behind the worlds most famous fake band We had no idea, he said when I asked if they had any inkling that they were onto something. We were making fun of documentary films and also making fun of rock n roll, so it was two things going on. We had no idea that there would be, you know, Parks and Recreation and The Office and Abbott Elementary and all of these other kinds of docs that they do with this form. We had no idea thats what we were doing. Reiner was no one-trick pony, though. In rapid succession he directed a string of classics: the nostalgic coming-of-age drama Stand By Me (1986), starring a young River Phoenix and based on a Stephen King story; the fantasy romance The Princess Bride (1987); the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally (1988), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal as a pair of friends who spend years resisting the attraction they clearly feel for each other; Misery (1990), a psychological thriller based on another Stephen King story and for which Kathy Bates won a best actress Oscar; and the courtroom drama A Few Good Men (1992), starring Tom Cruise as a young military lawyer and Jack Nicholson as the commanding officer who famously tells him under cross-examination: You cant handle the truth! The famous diner scene from When Harry Met Sally.

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It was a remarkable run of commercial and critical success that few others in the business could equal at that time. Reiner continued to write and often appeared in small roles in his films (in the Spinal Tap movies he plays the clueless documentary filmmaker Martin DiBergi) as well as the films of others. He also produced his own work. In 1987, he co-founded the production company Castle Rock, named after the fictional town that features in many Stephen King stories. Its prodigious output includes the feature films The Polar Express, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and Michael Clayton, as well as the long-running sitcom Seinfeld. He and Michele remained active with the company at the time of their deaths. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in Reiners The Princess Bride. Though few would count it among his greatest efforts, the 2016 film Being Charlie might rank as his most personal.

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Co-written by his son Nick Reiner, the movie is the story of an addict attempting to get clean and reconnect with his family. It starred Nick Robinson as Charlie, the son of a famous former actor now running for California governor (The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes). It drew heavily on the younger Reiners own experiences of addiction, homelessness and rehab. Its not my life, Nick Reiner told People in 2016, [but] I went to a lot of these places, so I had a lot of these stories. I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas, he said, during an interview that took place in his fathers office in LA. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun. Reiner was a lifelong advocate for liberal political causes. He was a co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which fought for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, was involved in the taxing of tobacco products to fund early childhood services (he was also a strong anti-smoking advocate), and campaigned against Donald Trump. A long-time Democrat, in 2006, he was touted as a possible candidate for California governor (to run against Arnold Schwarzenegger) but ultimately decided not to run. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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CultureMusicArts Melbourne wasnt ready for their music in 1982. Things have changed Will Cox December 16, 2025  5:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Essendon Airport are a band all about repetition. We sort of enjoy the persistence of playing something over and over again, says co-founder and synth player David Chesworth. We enjoy the hypnotic effect. David Chesworth (left), Robert Goodge, Graham Lee and Barbara Hogarth of Essendon Airport. Jason South In November, the Melbourne band launched their new album, MOR  their first since 1982  to a crowd at the Northcote Social Club. That repetition was in full effect: there were the studied, hypnotic rhythms, the pulsing electronica overlaid with calm analogue warmth. Then there was the fact that the new record largely consists of material the band wrote nearly 50 years ago, and have been playing intermittently ever since. And yet their audience keeps refreshing itself. The record was sold out after the show and is now being re-pressed.

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These days our musical peers will come up to us after a show and say, How do you get young people? says guitarist Graham Lee. Well, we really dont know. Audiences have changed in the way they approach music, says bassist Barbara Hogarth. Back then it was kind of tribal what music that you liked. Now audiences are so open. Back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there was empty space where Australian music history should have been. Guy Blackman of indie record label Chapter Music Essendon Airport, formed in 1978 by Chesworth and Robert Goodge, became a mainstay of Melbournes experimental music scene, centred on the Clifton Hill Community Music Centre. Over the next five years, they expanded to a five-piece and played wherever they could, including house parties, art galleries and the famed St Kilda punk venue the Crystal Ballroom. For those whose interests lay outside the mainstream, 1970s Melbourne wasnt an easy place to be. Imported records were rare, and the radio was almost all top 40.

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That was all we mainly had access to, and it was kind of exhausting, says guitarist Goodge. We tried to find something that would work for us, that we could fit together, that would give us pleasure. They came up with an esoteric blend of proto-electronica, with drum machines, organs and elements of experimental jazz. Essendon Airport perform at the Crystal Ballroom in 1982. Janis Lesinskis The band found that when they played rock venues, their often abrasive sound slightly annoyed people, as Chesworth puts it. People werent ready for it, he says. They would be hanging around for Midnight Oil or the Boys Next Door or whatever. Yeah, it would aggravate them.

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But the varied audience at the album launch and the gig invitations they now receive  from indie festival Jerkfest to the very hip club Miscellania  tell a different story. It seems that audiences have caught up to Essendon Airport. It was Guy Blackman of indie record label Chapter Music who kickstarted the bands renaissance. As Chesworth remembers, he got a call from Blackman out of the blue in the early 2000s, asking Are you the David Chesworth on this record I found in a bargain bin in Adelaide? I really like it. Can I come and see you? Editor's pick Comedy Why cult favourites Aunty Donna are back in Melbourne  just in time for pud season Blackman recalls picking up Essendon Airports EP Sonic Investigations of the Trivial in a secondhand store and hearing it for the first time. I got it home and it blew me away, he says. It was so just different and kind of magical. That kind of quirky, ambient, oddball, investigative, inquisitive atmosphere of it. Blackman got the phonebook out and started calling every Chesworth until he found David. Soon after, Essendon Airport were included on Cant Stop It!, Chapters compilation detailing Australias neglected post-punk history from 1978 to 1982 (reissued on vinyl earlier this year). After that, Chapter began re-issuing Essendon Airports recordings.

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Back in the late 90s, early 2000s, there was empty space where Australian music history should have been, says Blackman. Its been filled in a bit over the last few decades, and now everyones really proud of the stuff that that our artists achieved. In the intervening decades, Essendon Airports members have remained active in music and art. Chesworth has put out solo albums and created soundscapes and installations with his partner Sonia Leber, from Birrarung Marr to the Venice Biennale. Goodge and Hogarth went on to form Im Talking with Kate Ceberano. Relative newcomer Lee is a former member of legendary 80s band The Triffids. And Paul Fletcher has been an artist, horticulturalist and lecturer in animation at the Victorian College of the Arts. But this weird little project from their youth has endured. They were so prescient in what they were doing, says Blackman. It takes aspects of kind of ambient music and electronica, and dance music culture that didnt exist at the time. The minimalism, the easy listening aspects of it, all things that have been reappraised by younger people in successive generations. On the new album, some of the abrasiveness has worn away. Thats partly down to the bands changing make-up, with Ian Coxs saxophone being replaced by Lees slide guitar. But its also down to the gradual wear of repetition  the same tracks re-rendered and rerecorded across the decades.

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I think the music doesnt really date, says Chesworth. It may become less relevant, and flow in and out, but it cant be dated against whats currently happening, because it doesnt bear any resemblance to it. Editor's pick Charity It started with one orphan. Now dozens call this Aussie expat auntie Meanwhile, theyll continue to exist outside the mainstream, playing small venues to the growing audience for the eclectic. Were sort of known about, just fizzing away in the background, says Chesworth. Weve never peaked and were never going to. MOR by Essendon Airport is out now on Chapter Music. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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Review Eating outSydney Buzzing with Italian energy, Grill Americano brings the theatre back to a night out Does Sydney have the appetite for another CBD steakhouse? This Melbourne import, all Italian flair and big-grill energy, says yes. David Matthews December 16, 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

As featured in the January 2026 hit list. See all stories .

1 / 11 Grill Americano at Chifley Square is a 170-seat spin-off of the original in Flinders Lane. Edwina Pickles 2 / 11 Octopus carpaccio. Edwina Pickles 3 / 11 Bistecca funghi e cipolle. Edwina Pickles 4 / 11 Edwina Pickles 5 / 11 Chef Vincenzo Ursi. Edwina Pickles 6 / 11 Lobster agnolotti with sauce Americaine. Edwina Pickles 7 / 11 Edwina Pickles 8 / 11 Tiramisu. Edwina Pickles 9 / 11 Tiramisu. Edwina Pickles 10 / 11 The long Grill Americano bar. Jason Loucas 11 / 11 The entrance and the curved Qantas House building at Chifley Square. Edwina Pickles Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Italian$$$$ The ceilings soar. Behind the counter  white marble stretching to infinity  coals flare up on the Josper grills. A martini, nestled on ice in a mini carafe, lands on a silver tray alongside a couple of olives. Men in suits slap backs and delight at the candle in their meringue-coated layer cake. Women stride by like the rooms a catwalk. The amaro trolley clinks. And every so often, a glass bowl of tiramisu, the top perfectly flush, makes its way to a table, heads turning, waiting for that single, satisfying scoop. Tiramisu is scooped tableside. Edwina Pickles

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Why do we even go out to eat? Its not about sustenance, its about being in the room. Go to a steakhouse and dinner is secondary. Conspicuous consumption, blood and money and glamour and glitz come first. Currently, no restaurateur in the country understands this more than Chris Lucas. Dinner as theatre has been Lucas Collectives modus operandi ever since it threw out the bookings and turned up the volume at Chin Chin in the laneways of Melbourne, bumped in the colossal crystal chandeliers at Society. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Grill Americano, first launched in the Victorian capital on Flinders Lane in 2022, is Lucas homage to the old Italian steakhouses of Manhattan, Melbournes historic grills and brasseries, and to Harrys Bar in Venice, his beloved lodestar for the concept, realised in cobalt, studded leather, velvet and chrome. The success is such that a 170-seat Sydney spin-off has been loading for at least a year, since Lucas secured the lease to the long-vacant Qantas House building at Chifley Square. Rockpool Bar & Grill may be on the same block, but theres a carefree, spirited air here that, coupled with the Italian angle, gives it more universal appeal than any of the CBDs more traditional steakhouses. Just try to get a booking. For plenty of diners, being here is enough. Whether its dressing for dinner, working clients, or  like one couple  ordering the $185 hand-cut lobster taglioni and the tiramisu, photographing them, picking at them, then leaving. But if youre interested in actually eating the food, theres more than enough to justify the buzz.

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Octopus carpaccio. Edwina Pickles Octopus carpaccio, strewn across the plate with a dressing of lemon, parsley, chilli and olive oil is pretty and bright. Oysters, including candy-sweet royal miyagis from Tasmania, are sourced from as many as 12 farms at a time, shucked cleanly, and plated on ice with a teeny bottle of Tabasco. Mozzarella, air-freighted from Campania twice a week, is torn over whorls of prosciutto. My mozzarella comes from Italy, darling, how about yours? Pasta whiz Simone Giorgianni has joined executive chef Vincenzo Ursini in making the move from the Melbourne original, and its where the kitchen does some of its best work, the dough laminated to achieve maximum spring and bounce. Order lobster agnolotti and the parcels are impossibly plump, the curves thrown into relief by high-gloss sauce Americaine that clings to the ruffled edges. Buffalo ricotta ravioli balances acid with the oceanic depth of bottarga. Bistecca funghi e cipolle. Edwina Pickles

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Oysters, pasta and steak are the staples, and theyre where youll have the best luck. Stay simple and prime cuts come unadorned. Go bigger and its either steaks on the bone or three signature bistecche, each properly crusted, rested, then served in its own style, including pizzaiola of tenderloin over a caper-infused sugo or a high-spec citrus-fed Chauvel hanger steak under mushroom and eschalot jus. Classicists might prefer to steer clear, but the ease and appeal is undeniable. Also undeniable is the expense. Its justified when its pulled off, but its hard to see the value in a cocktail of three tired-looking king prawns for $55. Fried cacio e pepe polenta  the weakest snack in an otherwise solid line-up of cicchetti  lands as a handful of stubby polenta chips under a snowstorm of pecorino thats clumped together from sitting too long under lights. Other fumbles come from the floor. We order a single bowl of stuffed, fried Sicilian olives, but were served two. Another visit, were encouraged to split the agnolotti, then unwittingly served extra and charged for it. Theres also a charge for the clotted cream that doesnt arrive with the apple pie because we ordered vanilla gelato as an add-on. These may be teething issues, but the corporate crowd wont indulge them. Photo: Edwina Pickles The general air, though, is of charm and polish. White-jacketed waiters rattle off essentials. A fleet of nine expert sommeliers take as much satisfaction from pouring an abridged list of more affordable bottles as they do barolo and burgundy for five figures.

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Desserts  crafted by head pastry chef Michaela Kang, whos also moved interstate  bring the magic, too, from the seam of tempered chocolate in the tiramisu that cracks as your spoon makes contact, to light-as-air sponge cake, its meringue peaks kissed by the heat of a blowtorch. Do we need another grill? At this point were asking the wrong question. This isnt about need, its about want. The desire to glance at the next table, flirt with your bank balance, play the part and look good doing it. Chris Lucas, and Grill Americano, get this maybe better than anyone. My mozzarella comes from Italy, darling, how about yours? The low-down Atmosphere: Expansive, expensive, intimate and theatrical all at once Go-to dishes: Octopus carpaccio ($43.50); bufala ricotta ravioli, lemon, bottarga ($39.50); bistecca funghi e cipolle ($135.50); tiramisu Americano, served tableside ($28.50) Drinks: A Bellini channelling Venice, a Campari Seltz straight from Milans Galleria, followed by a wine list so hefty its indexed Cost: About $220 for two, excluding drinks, more if you order the headline steaks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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NationalBondi shooting Opinion Australia is not a nation familiar with massacre on its streets, and we must never become one Tony Wright Associate editor and special writer December 15, 2025  7:30pm

December 15, 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

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting here It is counter-intuitive and possibly wise on a day like this to reflect that Australia is not a nation familiar with massacre on its streets. The appalling scenes on what is a quintessentially Australian place of ease, Bondi Beach, are shocking not merely for the unthinkable human tragedy visited upon families and a community that was doing nothing but celebrating a sacred festival. Flowers laid outside Bondi Pavilion on Monday. Louise Kennerley It has rocked Australia because it is so desperately abnormal.

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There have been mass shooting murders over the past 40 years in Australia  the Hoddle Street and Queen Street massacres, both in Melbourne in 1987, come to mind, and massacres of Aboriginal people were common in early colonial times  but there is only one modern Australian horror that can be compared to the Bondi bloodbath. The killing of 35 people and the wounding of 23 others by Martin Bryant at Port Arthur, Tasmania, on April 28, 1996, remains lodged deep in the Australian consciousness. That the Port Arthur massacre retains such dominance in the national memory almost 30 years after it occurred is not simply because of the horrifying toll of dead and injured. It remains remarkable because Australias leaders chose to confront the fact that Bryant used semi-automatic weapons to carry out his senseless carnage, and to do something momentous about it. Then-prime minister John Howard took opposition leader Kim Beazley and the leader of the Australian Democrats, Cheryl Kernot, to mourn side by side with him at Port Arthur within days of the massacre.

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John Howard took then-opposition leader Kim Beazley (left) with him to visit Port Arthur after the 1996 massacre along with Australian Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot. Dallas Kilponen He then used the resulting bipartisanship alongside his large store of political capital, having just won a big majority at the 1996 election, to outlaw semi-automatic weapons, with courageous cover provided by the leader of the National Party, Tim Fischer. In short, Australias political leaders employed their combined leadership to turn a tragedy of immense proportions into lasting change, despite a backlash from some sections of the community, particularly in Fischers rural constituency. It might be argued that the gun laws and the resulting wide community change in attitude towards guns are significant parts of the reason that the terror at Bondi is such an aberrant episode in the modern Australian story. This time, however, the massacre was perpetrated not as a random act, but a merciless attack on Jewish Australians.

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Mourners pay their respects at a Port Arthur memorial. Bruce Miller That guns were used is secondary in gravity this time to the identity of the targets and the presumed motives of the attackers. The killings come amid a swirl of antisemitic behaviour that has injected fear into Australias Jewish communities over recent years. Members of this community, and those who have come to torment them, live in Australia, a world from the Middle East. Yet, it has become all but impossible in many quarters to separate in normal discourse repugnance at the slaughter of Israelis by Hamas attackers on October 7, 2023, from revulsion at the overwhelming retribution visited upon the people of Gaza by Israeli forces.

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Loading There is obvious potential for the Bondi massacre to morph into a deeper, insuperable divide in Australian society if inspired steps are not taken now to convert the immense tragedy into lasting change. There is an opportunity and surely a duty for Australias political leaders to act together to harness the national shock and mourning to try to lead Australia out of this cultural and religious quagmire. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, like Howard all those years ago, has a large store of political capital and a big parliamentary majority to expend on such an effort. Whether he and other leaders are up to the task is less clear.

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A blame game has begun, despite fine words of comfort and support for the Jewish community from the prime minister, the opposition leader and the leader of the Greens. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley inserted the following political jibe into her otherwise supportive statement: Weve seen a clear failure to keep Jewish Australians safe. Weve seen a clear lack of leadership in keeping Jewish Australians safe. We have a government that sees antisemitism as a problem to be managed, not evil that needs to be eradicated. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes Within hours of the massacre, Pauline Hanson, leader of a party said to be on such a rise it may yet eclipse the Liberals and Nationals, issued a media statement blaming Albanese for failing to heed the warning signs of antisemitic protests, plus hate speech from certain religious clerics, whats happening in our obnoxious universities and the probable terrorist threat alert. It seems a long stretch from the considered and sombre reaction to the Port Arthur massacre, when leaders of all Australias major political parties mourned together and took Australia with them to reduce what they saw as the danger that had killed so many innocent citizens.

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MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States has not shared with Russia the proposals discussed with Kiev to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Sunday for talks with a U.S. negotiating team led by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Following the five-hour talks, Witkoff said on social media that "a lot of progress" had been made.

However, the U.S. side has yet to provide Russia with any details of the vision presented during the discussions, Peskov noted, adding that Moscow hopes to see concrete proposals for resolving the Ukraine issue once the talks are concluded.

Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine would be willing to abandon its bid to join NATO if it received security guarantees from the United States and European countries based on NATO's Article 5.

Peskov stressed that guarantees ensuring Ukraine's non-accession to NATO constitute one of Russia's fundamental positions, describing the issue as "one of the cornerstones" of any settlement process. 
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NationalBondi shooting Haunting reminders of an afternoon at the beach that turned to tragedy Amber Schultz and Max Maddison December 15, 2025  12:08pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. Personal items such as shoes, thongs and childrens toys, discarded as beachgoers fled for their lives when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish festival on Sunday night, have been lined up on a concrete path at the beach in Bondi for the shell-shocked community to collect. Hundreds of residents visited the site of the massacre on Monday, coming to lay flowers, hold hands, hug and process the terror event that sent shockwaves across the globe. At man runs along Bondi Beach near the abandoned possessions belonging to people who fled Bondi Beach last night. Kate Geraghty Children at the northern end of Bondi Beach near possessions abandoned by fleeing beachgoers during the shooting on Sunday. Kate Geraghty

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Many who arrived were still in shock, struggling to understand the carnage that unfolded as people attended the event celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. Much of the beachside is still an active crime scene as forensic teams scour the area to collect bullet casings and document the gunmens movements. Until the early hours of Monday morning, bodies lay where they fell, covered with tents and tarps away from the publics eye. There were multiple pairs of Crocs, a childs pram and a booster car seat. Items were still strewn on the grass at the open-air cinema. In the strong evening winds, umbrellas and fences toppled, adding to the sense of carnage. Floral tributes outside the Bondi Pavilion. Louise Kennerley The Jewish community paying their respects at Bondi. Louise Kennerley

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A memorial was growing at Bondi Pavilion, with dozens of flowers laid. An Australian and an Israeli flag have been strung from the buildings gates. A second, smaller memorial has been set up at the northern edge of the crime scene, with locals laying rocks, called visiting stones, as is custom in the Jewish faith. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid flowers early in the morning, stopping briefly to chat with locals. Alex Ryvchin, chief executive the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, wrapped black ribbon around his arm at the gates. The ribbon, called tefillin, contains scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. He was embraced by NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who also laid flowers at the site. People collecting items left on Bondi Beach. Louise Kennerley Australian Red Cross trauma teddies were handed out to children near the crime scene. Kate Geraghty

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A tight-knit community, many Jewish residents know someone injured or killed in the attack. The chief executive of Jewish House, Rabbi Mendel Kastel, said he lost multiple members of his extended family. His brother-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, is one of the confirmed 16 dead, along with an employee of Jewish House. Both had young children. Schlangers youngest is just a few months old. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes Kastel said he spent Sunday evening travelling between the scene, hospitals and families, attempting to locate the missing or identify those killed. Kastel said while it was important to allow those who needed support to vent without judgment, he urged the Jewish and broader Australian community to choose love over hate.

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People dont want to see this kind of behaviour. Its unacceptable, its disgusting, its vile. What we want to see is people coming together, he said. We need to hold strong. We cant let darkness overtake our community. Mark Hochstadt, a Paddington resident and son of a Holocaust survivor, catches himself as he attempts to make sense of Sundays senseless violence. We were a lucky country, the 58-year-old says.

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He breaks down in tears as he asks why the Jewish community continues to be persecuted in the 21st century. We have three-metre high fences around schools and security guards outside synagogues. Who lives like this?, he asks. Nearby, flags outside North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club are flying at half-mast in honour of those murdered just metres away. Related Article Exclusive

Bondi shooting Hero who wrestled gun from terrorist says hed do it again despite being riddled with bullets The owners of Depot cafe are giving out free coffee to support the community. We just wanted to give people a place to chat and reflect and talk to each other, owner Johnny Kelly said.

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NationalBondi shooting Opinion I told a friend the world was trembling, then Bondi erupted David Leser Senior freelance writer December 15, 2025  7:30pm

December 15, 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

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting It was only on Saturday that I commented to a friend that it felt like the world was trembling; as if we were all birds taking flight, or animals seeking higher ground, in the face of an approaching storm. I didnt quite know what was registering in my body  starvation, slaughter, war, the relentless cooking of the planet, the never-ending hallucination of a mobster in the White House, the housing crisis, social media-fuelled disinformation, a collective loss of trust, an end to any shared reality, or all of the above. Digitally altered image. Photo: Mark Baker/AP Id been feeling for a long time that this was no ordinary time, that somewhere in my nervous system  perhaps in all our nervous systems  Id been tuned to a frequency bandwidth of disturbance, and that a great disturbance was coming our way.

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It was with relief, therefore, that I went down to south Bondi on Sunday evening to have dinner with my partner and two friends  two Jewish men and two non-Jewish women together at Gelbison, a family-run restaurant that has been serving our community its own Italian comfort food for nearly four decades. We were there for about five minutes when the gunshots rang out. I didnt hear them at first because of the noise of people screaming and diving under tables, and then the mad rush to the back of the restaurant, where there was no exit. I cant believe my daughter is consoling me, one stricken mother said, as we pressed against the walls, mostly in stunned silence. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi shooters visited Philippines weeks before beach massacre Hundreds of people were running past the restaurant, but still I wasnt sure this was a mass shooting, at least not until the next round of gunfire set off another stampede and we finally joined the rush through the backstreets to my home. My first thought in the restaurant had been, not that this was the first night of Hanukkah  which it was  but that the Middle East conflict had finally smashed its way onto our shores. My second thought was the question of an Israeli friend whod visited me in Bondi a few years ago: What do people worry about here? shed asked, watching all the lovely tanned men and women rushing to the sea with surfboards under their arms.

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Oh, we worry about all the normal things, I replied. Death, illness, pain, unrequited love, loneliness, the cost of living  and I could see in her bemusement my own good fortune and all the assumed dispensations of a country rarely, if ever, at war. After leaving Gelbison restaurant, we got home and immediately turned on the television news  the ABC spectacularly missing in action  to discover the carnage that had just taken place a few hundred metres from where wed been sitting. The numbers of dead and injured kept changing as the sky slowly turned from soft pink to inky black and the chopper rotor blades kept thumping above us. Related Article Analysis

Bondi shooting Australia has gun control under control, right? Looks like we were wrong I didnt know then that my elder daughter and son-in-law had been swimming at North Bondi 30 minutes before the two gunmen, father and son, had begun their murderous rampage. I didnt know until yesterday that Rabbi Eli Schlanger had been the first murder victim identified and, that about 6pm on Sunday, writer Nikki Goldstein had been talking to friends about the book she and Schlanger were near completing. Conversations with my Rabbi is to be loosely based on the set of moral commandments presented by God to Noah following the Great Flood of biblical times, and, as Goldstein said, their book is about how we might learn to live harmoniously, Jew and non-Jew, in a collapsing world.

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Eli was such a beautiful man, she told me, and I was telling the story only last night of how we met, just as he was about to die. Strangely, that reminded me of how, just before the bomb had ripped through the Sari Club in Balis Kuta beach in 2002, killing and injuring hundreds, the song blaring from the loudspeakers had been Sophie Ellis Bextors Murder on the Dancefloor. Sometimes, the presentiment of things comes roaring through the loudspeakers of a nightclub, at other times, floating in on a frangipani breeze. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting You let the disease spread: Netanyahu accuses Albanese of failing to curb antisemitism Heres another foreboding, although it feels more like fact now  that the usual suspects will seek to extract as much political capital from this catastrophe as possible. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, of course, been quick to accuse Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of fuelling the antisemitic fire by recognising a Palestinian state, as if Israels campaign of mass murder in Gaza had had no bearing on the global tidal wave of support for the Palestinians.

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The Murdoch press predictably attacked the Labor government immediately for its weakness in the face of antisemitism, as if the virus of antisemitism hasnt been a light sleeper in the dreamscape of nations for centuries. The Liberal Party under Sussan Ley inevitably accused the Albanese government of ignoring Jewish Australians for two years; so, too, on cue, Pauline Hanson. And Jillian Segal, Australias special antisemitism envoy, unsurprisingly called on the government to fully endorse her controversial strategy for combating antisemitism, a strategy that, in this Jewish mans opinion, holds terrifying implications for how justifiable criticism of Israel will be further conflated with antisemitism. Related Article Exclusive

Bondi shooting Hero who wrestled gun from terrorist says hed do it again despite being riddled with bullets All this finger-pointing before weve even had a moment to collectively mourn the dead and injured. How about we pause and consider the two lasting images that the December 14, 2025, Hanukkah massacre presents us with? One is of two men in black shooting innocent people; the other is of a man in white  an angel with the perfectly Muslim name of Ahmed al Ahmed  running towards the gunman.

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Who do we choose to be in the midst of this national tragedy? The ones who pick up the guns  figuratively or literally  to cause harm to others, or the ones who run towards danger to save them? David Leser is an author and Walkley Award-winning journalist. He is a regular contributor and former staff writer with Good Weekend. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalInvestigations Mother hit by Liberal pamphlets tells inquiry Brethren made voting unsafe Michael Bachelard December 15, 2025  11:10am 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 young mother has given evidence of being hit repeatedly with Liberal National Party pamphlets as she and her three-year-old child ran a gauntlet of Exclusive Brethren men on the way to vote at the May federal election. Voter Cassandra Barrett, who at the time was a victim of domestic violence at home, said the behaviour from a throng of young men canvassing for the LNP candidate outside a polling place in Queensland had left her son terrified and her on the verge of tears. Cassandra Barrett says the behaviour of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members at the last election had made her feel wary about voting in person. I felt really intimidated and unsafe  I just wanted to cry, she told a hearing of the parliaments post-election inquiry. I was trying to vote people should feel safe to vote. Barretts is one of dozens of shocking stories from around the country provided in submissions and evidence to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which is holding an inquiry into the conduct of the federal election.

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Members of the religious sect, now known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, turned out in huge numbers in marginal electorates to campaign for then-Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. The effort prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to label the church a cult, to ask what was the arrangement between them and Dutton, and to suggest there was a policy quid pro quo. The committee inquiry is exploring whether the Brethren effort nationwide amounted to domestic interference in the poll, and whether the church should have been registered under electoral law as an independent third-party campaigner, given its large cash and in-kind investment. Exclusive Brethren members in Liberal shirts gather in Sorell, Tasmania, in the marginal Labor seat of Lyons. The joint committee has heard evidence from voters and volunteers nationwide that the church members presence overwhelmed and intimidated people, creating a threatening atmosphere in many polling booths. A hearing of the committee on December 11 suggested ground zero for poor behaviour in Queensland was the marginal Labor seat of Blair  an outer-suburban electorate of the kind targeted by Dutton.

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It was like a war zone, it didnt feel like an election campaign, Labor campaign director, Madonna Stott, told this masthead after giving evidence to the committee. I really like campaigning. I like the challenge, I love the adrenaline  everything that goes with it. But the thought of an election now sends a shiver down my spine. And yeah, it profoundly changed the way we look at campaigns. Brethren members, wearing clothes to make them unrecognisable as such, head to a polling booth in Kooyong in support of the Liberal candidate. The Australian Electoral Commissions acting deputy electoral commissioner Kath Gleeson agreed in her evidence that there were challenges from the behaviour of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members. It really disappoints and concerns the AEC because we want voters to feel safe, and we want our staff to feel safe in their workplace, Gleeson said in October. However, she said most of the problems had happened outside the six-metre zone around polling places controlled by the AEC.

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In the commissions view, she added, there was not interference in the election such that the integrity of the election was compromised or Australians wouldnt trust the result. In its submission, the Brethren church made a complicated argument that the church was not involved in coordinating the campaign, but its community did coordinate after senior members  said that they would be volunteering. The churchs leader, Bruce Hales, encouraged their involvement in a church-wide message in April. A Plymouth Brethren Christian Church service with women, in headscarves, at the back of the church. Nathan Perri The submission revealed that individual parishioners donated approximately $700,000 to the political entity Advance. Cassandra Barrett told the inquiry that, on the footpath leading to the pre-polling station she encountered a sea of blue  the colour of the Liberal t-shirts. As she walked down the path, the tunnel of Brethren members leaned in, crowding her and her son, who clung to her leg. After she declined to take one of their how-to-vote cards, they started hitting me in the back with the cards.

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It was like a tap, but startling, she told this masthead, and it was multiple times. I didnt expect it. It was very jarring. I froze for a second trying to figure out what to do, then I grabbed my son and picked him up, clinging to him as I tried to get through this gauntlet. It was very overwhelming. I felt like crying. Once inside, Barrett said she had complained to an AEC official. He sighed and said, Yeah, weve gotten heaps of complaints about that, and then he walked off, she said. Barrett, who after the election began working in the office of Labors MP for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said she had brought her son to the booth because, I want him to be part of the process as he grows up  but then it was horrible experience. In future, she was likely to postal vote.

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Former ALP state MP Rachel Nolan said elections should be celebrations of democracy, but the Brethren behaviour in Blair in 2025 had changed the tone. People wont want to vote  if people feel that they have to run a gauntlet in order to vote, that obviously has quite a profound consequence for community acceptance of the act of voting, she told the inquiry. Former Queensland state MP for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the tone of the election had changed. Labor campaign manager Madonna Stott said Labor campaigners, including her, had been followed at night by Brethren volunteers in large work utes, to the point where she once drove into a police station carpark to seek refuge. Labor election posters were systematically destroyed within an hour of being put up and Stott said another female Labor volunteer had been told by a Brethren member, I know your car and I know where you live.

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Stott said she had seen voters having Labor how-to-vote cards pulled out of their hands, being told you dont need that, or those who resisted accepting the Liberal candidates card being told you cant enter the booth if youre not carrying one of these cards. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations Im glad we didnt win: Liberal campaigners feared Brethren-fuelled Dutton victory Women with prams or people in a wheelchair, theyd throw them in the babys prams or into the lap in the wheelchair, or wave them in peoples face, saying, Cmon, cmon you have to take this, Stott said. If Neumann, the Labor member, came to the booth, there would be a chant, Shame, Shayne, and theyd gather around and yell at him, Youve done nothing, youre lazy, whats he done? Stott said she was used to occasional catcalling, but this was different: It was en masse  whole hordes of people screaming the same stuff together in unison. And theyd gather really close to make sure Shayne couldnt get close to people. You cant put into words what it was like.

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She also said one Brethren businessman had tried to infiltrate the Labor campaign. The man, Leon Attwood, contacted the campaign and asked to join Labor chats or forums. Text messages reviewed by this masthead show Attwood asking for a list of activities where I could put my name down to. Related Article Special series

Investigations A decapitated doll and a prayer for my death: The many, many threats of the Exclusive Brethren Stott said her spidey senses tingled and she asked to meet Attwood in person. He did not show up. Attwood, a general manager at Brethren-owned company Atlan Stormwater, responded to questions saying: You cant blame a guy for trying!  I cant believe you called this an infiltration. He said it had nothing to do with any political party, church, or where I work, however, this masthead can confirm the company is owned by the Hales family, and its chief executive was coordinating the Brethrens pro-LNP Blair campaign. The deputy chairman of the electoral matters committee, Tasmanian Liberal senator Richard Colbeck, asked a Labor witness to the inquiry if she was just having a bit of a whinge because you were outnumbered? and that union volunteers were regularly flown in to Tasmania to campaign for Labor.

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Contacted later, however, Colbeck agreed what he had heard of the experience at Blair appeared to be worse. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations Game On: The minute-long message that unleashed the Brethrens election machine I think the point is  if it is coordinated, it should be declared. Unions are a registered third party, and if were looking at it in the right context  and I think we are  [the churchs involvement] should be declared, he told this masthead. They had registered material and ... members of the Plymouth Brethren were volunteering through the Liberal Party. The question was were they completely coordinated through that process? In 260 submissions and eight days of public hearings, the electoral matters committee has heard stark stories from independent, teal and Labor campaigners around the country. Dr Deborah Campbell, a volunteer in the Victorian regional seat of Wannon, wrote that groups of youngish Brethren men monstered, harassed and jeered at other volunteers and voters. She described them as Brethren bros.

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Catherine Duloy, a volunteer in the Sydney seat of Bennelong wrote Brethren volunteers would jeer at voters who did not take their material or who took material for another candidate, for example yelling at them they were an idiot or un-Australian, or that they wanted to ruin Australia. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations God, Christ, man, woman: The divine order that defines life for Exclusive Brethren women Carol Berry, the new Labor member for Whitlam in NSW and former disability worker, said a group of Liberal volunteers including at least some Brethren members, acted as a pack of men mounting a running commentary on  what I was wearing. I was jeered at and belittled. It felt hostile, tedious, sexist and unpleasant. An unnamed candidate for the seat of Forrest in Western Australia described Brethren members being brought in by bus. They aggressively shouted slogans and harassed electors and in one case abused [a volunteer] about her partys position on gay and trans rights.

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Nicolette Boele, the successful independent candidate for the Sydney seat of Bradfield, told the committee via video link; that Brethren activists would stand in between me and potential people who wanted to come and talk to me and make sure I didnt have a good spot to engage with people as they approached the booths. In Bradfield, Airtags attached to eight stolen Labor election signs led police to the house of a Brethren man. The signs later ended up in landfill. The day after the theft, the anonymous submitter says, a large bag of dirty nappies [was] placed over the locked gate on my property (from where one corflute had been removed). I found this act both disgusting and frightening. An anonymous submission from the seat of Calare, in regional NSW, said a group of about 20 Brethren members followed two of the candidates as they moved from one booth to another. The actions of the church community are separate to the church. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church submission to the inquiry. They had obvious instructions to position themselves in such a way as to obstruct volunteers for candidates other than the partys and to be as noisy and intimidating as possible, the submission said. Their aim was to negate the presence of other candidates by surrounding and isolating them, then shouting them down.

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Another submission, from an unidentified electorate, said Brethren members had ambushed a street walk by the MP, aggressively jostled staff and volunteers, surrounded the [MP] and tried to drown out his conversations with local residents and his media interviews. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church ignored a question from this masthead about whether it had offered its members pastoral counselling about their behaviour. Instead, it made a submission it said was prompted in part by the unprecedented assault which has been launched against us by members of Parliament. Two posters, authorised by Freedom Party founder Morgan C. Jonas, that echo Plymouth Brethren Christian Church talking points on the campaign. Australia is a free country, where people quite rightly expect to be able to practice their religion free from persecution, discrimination, name-calling or anything of that nature, the submission said. It argued the church did not participate in the election nor coordinate the political involvement of those who did. However, it conceded that its members clearly were coordinated.

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The actions of the church community are separate to the church, the submission argued. There were senior members of our church who said that they would be volunteering  What followed here was a strong showing of volunteers from members of our church. But to say that was organised by the church would be wrong. Gareth Hales (centre, in blue Scott Yung T-shirt), the son of the Brethrens world leader, Bruce Hales, at the Bennelong polling booth in Sydney on April 30. This masthead revealed in June that the world leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, Sydney-based Bruce Hales  who is regarded as next to Jesus in godliness  told his members via their central communication channel in April that Australia needs to smile again. Shortly afterwards, compulsory gatherings played a video of three of Hales sons, Gareth, Charles and Dean saying: Make sure our booths are manned and volunteers fired up each day to dominate the play  Its game on ... Make sure we dont leave any gas in the tank!

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The submission from the Liberal Party, national director Andrew Hirst contains no mention of the Brethren, adding: Liberal Party volunteers have been the subject of aggressive bullying, physical and verbal abuse from the Left for decades. The National Partys federal director Lincoln Folo also does not mention the Brethren but expressed concern that public commentary had devolved into faith-based discrimination, saying Labors critique had degenerated to labelling people of faith as a cult. A church spokesman said 61 members of his church had reported being bullied, filmed, name-called and so on. He did not answer questions about whether his parishioners the behaviour constituted interference in the election, nor whether it should affect the churchs charitable status. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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Letters NationalVictoriaLetters Is anyone surprised? Because Jews are not December 15, 2025  8:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Illustration by Cathy Wilcox To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. BONDI ATTACK Is anyone surprised? Because Australian Jews are not. There has been a quiet shift in what is considered acceptable to say about Jews in public life.

Not a sudden one. A gradual one. The sort of shift that happens when people stop objecting, then stop noticing, then start explaining. Language that once set off immediate alarms is now waved through if it comes wrapped in the right moral vocabulary. What matters is not the content, but the cause it claims to serve.

This has produced a strange inversion. Ideas with a long and ugly history  collective blame, insinuations of covert power, moral contamination  are no longer treated as warning signs, but as evidence of political sophistication. To object is to be accused of bad faith. To point out the pattern is to be told you are imagining it.

Meanwhile, Jews are instructed to listen rather than speak. To accept context. To separate threats from atmosphere, rhetoric from consequence. Each incident is handled in isolation, drained of continuity, stripped of accumulation. No single moment is allowed to mean anything. Yet the accumulation is precisely the point.

When public figures, including ex-premiers, repeat old tropes and face no real sanction, when explicit threats are met with procedural indifference, when intimidation becomes background noise, a signal is sent  not just to Jews, but to everyone watching. The signal is that this is tolerable. That this is not urgent. That no firm line exists.

Eventually, someone takes the signal seriously.

This is not about surprise. It is about denial  sustained, deliberate, and convenient. And it has reached its limit. If there is still a line, now is the time to draw it.

Simon Tedeschi, Newtown NSW Australia has changed forever

This recent act of terrorism at Bondi Beach targeting Jews celebrating Hannukah means that no person in Australia is safe anywhere or at anytime. It has changed Australia forever.

We must all support whatever resources are used to counter threats such as these from haters. We have come a long way in educating everyone about tolerance and acceptance of differences, but now stronger action is required.

Whatever funds Anthony Albanese needs to minimise risk to every Australian, we should wholeheartedly support. Zero tolerance from now on. My beloved friends could have been killed that day.

Bronwyn Scaletti, East Bentleigh

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Those pointing fingers should be ashamed

A day after this terrible tragedy at Bondi Beach, the blame game has started. Pollies pointing the fingers, people pointing to police, so many people are being blamed.

There are only two people to blame and that is the two gunmen and their hatred of those of the Jewish faith. Sadly, this hatred is worldwide, yet the Jewish religion is a religion based on peace and harmony, not hatred.

At this time of sadness, we need to be helping those that lost family and friends by offering our condolences for their loss and those that have family and friends injured best wishes for a speedy recovery.

The blame game is a disgrace so soon after the tragedy and all those pointing fingers should be ashamed. Respect those directly involved, dont try scoring points at their darkest time.

Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry, Tas Heroism must be recognised

In tackling and disarming one of the shooters, Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed has shown the courage under fire, the resultant saving of lives and protection of those nearby that a Victoria Cross is the reward in the defence forces.

The father of two young children has been shot, thankfully not critically. His heroism will, and must be, recognised by all Australians for us to heal.

Ross Kroger, Barwon Heads Two truths at once

In the wake of this horrific antisemitic terrorist attack, it is natural for the Jewish community and Australians more broadly to search for explanations. However, blaming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is misplaced.

The Albanese government, like many liberal democracies, has consistently criticised the Israeli governments conduct in Gaza while deliberately separating those criticisms from Australias Jewish community. That separation is crucial: it is intended to prevent anger over Israels actions being redirected towards innocent Jewish Australians.

Sections of conservative tabloid media have worked in the opposite direction. By repeatedly conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, they have reinforced the very connection the government has sought to dismantle.

In doing so, they risk legitimising the idea that Jewish people are collective proxies for the actions of the Israeli state; a logic that underpins acts of antisemitic violence.

Condemning an antisemitic terror attack and condemning the Israeli government are not mutually exclusive. A serious response to the Bondi massacre must be capable of holding both truths at once.

Tim Wright, Point Lonsdale Scoring political points

The terrorist attack in Sydney is a tragedy for the victims, their relatives and friends, as well as all the people of Australia. The victims were innocent and to target them in this way was cowardly.

It will damage many groups in Australia which want peace in the Middle East.

No politician should jump to score political points  this event is a tragedy.

If Sussan Ley wants to score appreciation from the rabid right then she should join Barnaby Joyce in one of the fringe parties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to deflect the blame from his government by accusing the Australian government that it let the disease of antisemitism spread. It is his government that has alienated many people and let the disease spread.

The massacre carried out by Hamas was unforgivable and cowardly. The Israeli response was expected but crossed the boundary between an acceptable response and punishment of the innocent.

Let our country mourn the loss of all these innocent people.

Adrian Tabor, Point Lonsdale Failure of leaders

What is it that the prime minister doesnt understand when successive virulent demonstrations of Jew hatred occur at iconic and loved Australian sites; where not only Jews gather but people from all over the world.

Firstly at the Sydney Opera House on October 8, 2023, and now on December 14, an appalling massacre at Bondi Beach, a seaside destination for international tourists and local residents.

Albanese and Penny Wong and others have failed dismally to show the strong moral leadership demanded of them to keep Australian citizens safe, their most important task, in fact. They have allowed our hitherto peaceful and cohesive nation, our very democracy to be threatened and damaged.

We all need to stand strong and together against the malign forces that seek to destroy our precious way of life, and we must insist that our leadership act decisively and with a wide reach to put a stop to the escalating vitriol and violence we are seeing in our beloved country.

God forbid our leaders continue to fail in this endeavour, because if they do, I fear that we will see more of the same and much worse.

Ruja Varon, Malvern

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Unchecked antisemitism

For two years, the rampant antisemitism has run largely unchecked. We have witnessed this on the streets, on university campuses, at demonstrations complete with Nazi slogans, and at Melbournes Adass Israel Synagogue which was torched.

It is time that all Australian governments take action to stem the violent antisemitism that is rife in our community.

William Holme, Kew Dont blame governments

As a Jew, I categorically state that I do not blame the federal or NSW governments for the Bondi massacre. They cant control the actions of all Jew haters in the world. And no, they didnt contribute to creating a climate of hatred.

Michael Helman, St Kilda East Work for peace

The horrendous attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, was absolutely shocking and appalling to see. My prayers are with all those who suffered during this vile attack. I pray for those that have passed away that they may rest in peace and I wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.

As someone who has grown up in Australia, I can affirm that violence and hatred has no place in Australia.

This is not a time to be divided, rather, we must stand united against all forms of atrocities committed against humanity and work to promote peace, compassion and harmony.

Fareeha Ahmed, Officer Not alone

To the Jewish community, I am so sorry for the murderous violence enacted by racist, evil and cowardly men who attacked you, not just in Sydney on Sunday, but on other previous occasions everywhere. I only wish my words could heal your fear and hurt. I would like you to know that you are not alone.

Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights Grave consequences

Bondi Beach is now clouded in misery  not leisure and joy. Our pleasure at meeting for community events and activities is sadly diminished.

This mass shooting is not only a shock to Australians but has possible grave consequences. It will invariably ignite more antisemitic and ultra right wing occurrences and will also glorify the gunmen as martyrs for the extremists among us.

Needless to say, we must stay strong and refuse to be intimidated by such gross, violent and anti-humane acts of aggression.

Carol Marshall, Williamstown,

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Leys point-scoring

While Australias collective heart goes out to all those affected by the appalling events at Bondi, Sussan Ley chooses to try to make political mileage out of the horror.

This is a time for unity, not party political point-scoring. We need to stand together, and work together, to stamp out this evil.

Kerry Lewis, Williamstown Appalling politicisation

At a time when anybody with even an iota of decency would have hoped that politicians would come together, Sussan Leys appalling politicisation of the Bondi shootings is about as low and opportunistic as a politician can go.

It is exactly the unconstructive nonsense that we all expect from her daily. And they wonder why theyre going out backwards.

Julie Conquest, Brighton Hansons hypocrisy

One day, Pauline Hanson is seen prancing around parliament in a burqa managing to offend and enrage as many people in the Muslim community as possible.

A few days later, she is standing on her soap box blathering about Albanese not doing enough to cool racial tensions. The vile hypocrisy of these right-wingers is just staggering.

Dean Wotherspoon, Northcote Not only in America

I thought the Port Arthur massacre meant that we had closed the door to mass shootings and we had nothing to worry about.

And now after this terrorist attack, my American relatives are asking me, I thought Australia had no gun deaths because of gun control?

Naosheyrvaan Nasir, Quakers Hill, NSW More gun control

As there are now more weapons in the community than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre, is it not about time that the government revisited the John Howard legislation regarding gun control in this country?

Its clear from the Bondi massacre and reported daily shootings that there are far too many weapons in the hands of potential terrorists and crooks. If reports that one of the alleged terrorists had six guns, then surely the question should be asked why any reasonable person would need that much firepower for legitimate purposes.

After Port Arthur, Howard didnt waste any time in implementing gun controls, and one would hope that Anthony Albanese grows some backbone and follows that lead to do what is not only necessary, but essential to restore law and order to the community.

John de Kever, Kew

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Respect for difference

On the same day as another mass shooting in the US, we in Australia, mercifully unaccustomed to such violence, were shaken to the core by the events in Bondi. It is confronting and deeply saddening to be reminded that no society is entirely immune.

Yet, Australia is a nation built on respect for difference. We are enriched by many cultures and faiths, and we must not allow this act of violence to fracture our belief in tolerance, decency and care for one another.

Hate, whether spread anonymously online or voiced by those in positions of power, must never be allowed to take root unchecked.

The most devastating loss is that of an innocent 10-year-old girl. No celebrations, no growing up, no future  only a family left to endure a grief no parent should ever know. In mourning her, we will be reminded of what truly matters: our shared humanity, and our responsibility to protect it.

Darren Grindrod, Glenroy AND ANOTHER THING Matt Golding Bondi terror attack

To those who always said that it cant happen here  it can.

Les Aisen, Elsternwick Regrettably, the inevitable outcome of the atrocity committed at Bondi will be to further fuel the migration debate. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has flagged shes looking for people to blame; however, we should not conflate the two issues.

Ian De Landelles, Murrays Beach, NSW

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What a great time for Sussan Ley and her party to work with the government to combat antisemitism. It requires a combined effort.

Lesley Grant, Carlton The response of Sussan Ley as the leader of the opposition to respond so soon to the horrific Sydney shootings clearly indicates she is an unsuitable option as a potential political leader of Australia.

Malcolm Pollitt, Preston How dare Sussan Ley politicise the tragic event at Bondi. There is a need to come together to end racism, not be driven apart by more Liberal rage bait.

Judy Loney, Drumcondra Australia will not be lectured by Benjamin Netanyahu on how to avoid a terrorist attack. Bebe has no agency with Bondi.

Rob McCasker, Murdoch, WA As a gentile, I say that Jews are my fellow Australians  and I deplore and condemn each and every attack on my fellow Australians.

Rodger Smith, Edithvale

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What I fear the most in the aftermath of the events of Bondi is the coming inevitable political point-scoring by some in elected high office who are, lets say, less sympathetic and tolerant.

Bruce Crowe, Sunbury Furthermore

Thank you, Geoffrey Robertson, (Opinion, 15/12) for articulating so clearly the war crimes of Donald Trump and Peter Hegseth. As he says, there can be no peace without justice.

Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn The opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
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NationalVictoriaVCE The VCE high scorers charting path to success via road less travelled Nicole Precel and Craig Butt December 16, 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

Caulfield Grammar student Angus Grant took the road less travelled to score himself a top VCE score and hopes it will rocket him into a career with international significance. Studying Indo-Pacific politics wouldnt be every students key to success, but Angus near perfect study score of 47.5 in a subject thats popularity has been declining helped him record an overall ATAR score of 97.85. Angus Grant and Julia Ades studied politics, a new VCE subject after global politics and Australian politics were merged into one subject. Joe Armao To be honest, I was hoping for a 50, he said. Australian politics as a VCE subject attracted only 86 enrolments in 2024, so it was rolled into a wider subject alongside global politics. The broader subject focuses on the study of contemporary power, conflict and global co-operation.

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Angus school, which has campuses in Wheelers Hill and Caulfield, may well be nurturing Australias next generation of diplomats, having received the most VCE scores of 40 and above in the subject. He said being able to directly relate what he was learning to current events helped keep his interest. I just think because we are about to vote, we are going to turn 18, its really important to know what Australia itself is trying to do, our motivation, Angus said. Finding out why countries do what they do and the reason behind decisions, I think thats so interesting. Angus plans to study law and international relations and hopes to either work in corporate law or as a diplomat.

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Fellow student Julia Ades is also considering international relations and diplomacy as a career. She intends to study politics, philosophy and economics abroad, and has been offered a place at the University of Edinburgh. Julia achieved a study score of 46 in politics and an overall ATAR of 97.95. Related Article VCE The top-performing VCE schools for 2025 revealed All study scores are between zero and 50. This year, 719 students achieved at least one perfect study score and 23,494 students achieved at least one score above 40. Caulfield Grammars bumper politics results follow calls for urgent action to arrest the decline in Australian secondary school students knowledge of civics and citizenship.

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A national assessment conducted by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority measures knowledge of Australias government, rights and legal obligations and national social values. Figures released in February found just 28 per cent of year 10 students passed. Caulfield Grammar principal Ashleigh Martin said he was proud of the class of 2025, not only for their academic achievements but for their integrity, resilience and generosity. Success is never measured by numbers alone. It is found in the character of our young people and the way they contribute to something bigger than themselves, he said. Students at other schools also scored highly in less-popular subjects. At Yarra Valley Grammar in Ringwood, 11 students scored a 40 or higher in product design and technologies. Two of them received perfect scores.

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Principal Mark Merry said their teachers had a great passion for the subject. I think youve got a team of teachers up there who are absolutely committed to it, Merry said. He credited the schools overall results, which included nine perfect study scores, to supportive parents, good teachers and very aspirational students. Melbourne Grammar School students excelled in classical studies and philosophy, with eight students achieving a score of 40 or above in each subject. Five Melbourne Grammar School students received ATAR scores of 99.95. From left are Nicholas Wang, Tahj Kumar, headmaster Philip Grutzner, Daniel Gao and Andison Zhang. The fifth student was Georgios Pirpiris.

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Principal Philip Grutzner said students achievements in philosophy were no surprise as the school encouraged curiosity and exploration. We value big ideas and differences of opinion, and that reflects our approach to teaching and learning across the school, he said. Melbourne Grammar achieved 20 study scores of 50 this year, with 14 students achieving a perfect score in one subject, three students achieving a perfect score in two subjects. Glen Waverley Secondary School had seven students score 40 or above in systems engineering, which explores the core concepts and principles of mechanical and electrical systems and engineering fundamentals. At Scotch College, six students scored 40 or above in Latin, while 14 students at McKinnon Secondary College scored 40 or above in geography.

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Updated NationalWABondi shooting Perth Rabbis emotional as local synagogue is patrolled by police Heather McNeill and Hamish Hastie Updated December 15, 2025  4:27pm ,first published 11:37am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting here. WAs new gun laws would make it harder for a tragedy similar to the Bondi Beach mass shooting to occur in the state, Police Commissioner Col Blanch has suggested. Blanch met with senior members of the Jewish faith at the JHUB in Yokine on Monday alongside Premier Roger Cook and members of his cabinet, where they discussed the security of the Jewish community in WA following the Bondi mass shooting on Sunday, which left 15 innocent people dead, many of whom were attending a Hanukkah event. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch. Hamish Hastie NSW Police have revealed the six firearms used in the shooting were registered to 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who used them in the terror attack, allegedly alongside his son Naveed, who had come to the attention of ASIO in the past.

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The shooting has prompted a promise from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to strengthen gun laws in the country. When asked how concerned he was that the firearms were legally owned, Blanch reflected on the powers in the 2024 Firearms Act that gave WA Police powers to take guns from offenders known to police. WA Premier Roger Cook, along with the Minister for Police Reece Whitby, Police Commissioner Col Blanch and Attorney General Tony Buti, arriving to speak with Perth Jewish leaders on Monday. Hamish Hastie I think every Australian should be very concerned that registered, lawful firearms were used in this attack. Thats why Im very proud that we have the strongest laws in the country that we dont want guns in the hands of criminals or those that are known by police, he said. I think the way Western Australian laws work, we should be proud that these laws do exist here. So in this particular instance, perhaps that could not have occurred here.

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Under the laws, WA Police can take guns from people they believe are no longer fit and proper people to own guns. They can also take guns from people who live with or are close acquaintances of anyone on the radar of police. The powers were used on a large scale in November when police took hundreds of guns from so-called sovereign citizens. They may be an outlaw motorcycle gang member. They may have a mandatory disqualification offence, like family violence, and we can take firearms off other members of that same household who may not have that history because of their close association, he said. In the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, WA Police have launched Operation Dalewood, which includes increased police presence around centres of Jewish faith. That included a heavy presence of regular uniform and tactical police officers outside the JHUB building in Perths northern suburbs.

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Members of the public help emergency services following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Flavio Brancaleone Blanch said police were also reviewing the threat level in the state and any threats posed by those on the WA terror watch list. Blanch urged anyone espousing anti-semitic hate or hate toward any group in the state to ring Crime Stoppers or police. We will take action here in Western Australia. We want to get ahead of this problem, and we do not want to let it manifest itself into whats just happened, he said. Cook said the government would use every tactic and measure to ensure that every member of the West Australian community is kept safe.

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Jewish community sad and angry Jewish Community Council of WA president Michael Levitt said some Hanukkah events scheduled for this week had been cancelled. Levitt said the community was reeling from Bondi but that the WA community felt safer thanks to the clearer stance on anti-Semitism from the state government and WA Police. Jewish Community Council of WA president Michael Levitt. Hamish Hastie We are sad and angry at something that we have been warning about, most predictably, has been a subject of such insufficient action in the people who might have been able to prevent it, he said.

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We are hopeful that the culprits and the many people who will have assisted and nurtured those culprits will also be identified and brought to justice. Chabad of Western Australia Rabbi Shalom White said the WA Jewish community was in shock following the mass shooting tragedy. Many people say this isnt the Australia which we know, and sadly for the Jewish people, over the last two years, this is the Australia which we know, he said. When week after week, terrorist sympathisers have been able to walk the streets, when we get told we cant go to the CBD at certain times because of our own safety, that is very indicative of the Australia that sadly we are experiencing. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes

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Emeritus Chief Rabbi and Jewish Community Council of WA interfaith spokesman David Freilich also became emotional when speaking to this masthead on Monday morning. The Sydney-born Rabbi knew Eli Schlanger, the 41-year-old assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi who was among those murdered. I know that area very well, I know the people involved, I know the Rabbi involved, he said. I feel their pain. Rabbi Freilich said the federal government had allowed antisemitism to fester since 2023 following the October 7 attacks, pointing to the demonstration outside the Sydney Opera House on October 9.

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The Prime Minister should have got up then and said we will not tolerate this in this country and anybody who spews hatred like this will not be allowed in this country, he said. Those hate preachers who were spewing hate at that time and the Prime Minister should have come down like a tonne of bricks at that time and he didnt. He didnt. Weak. Weak. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi shooters visited Philippines weeks before beach massacre Chief Rabbi Marcus Solomon, who is also a WA Supreme Court Justice, said Australia was no longer the sanctuary for Jewish people it had been since World War II, but he would continue practising his faith. Im not going to change. Im going to stick around in this country, and Im going to practice Judaism to the full extent that I wish to and bring my family, my friends and colleagues and congregants with me to be proudly Jewish in what has historically been a great haven for the Jewish people, he said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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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.

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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
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Analysis PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Australia has gun control under control, right? Looks like we were wrong Jacqueline Maley December 15, 2025  3:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

F ollow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting News of the Bondi massacre led bulletins around the world, even in the United States, where mass shootings are common as dirt. They are so common that there was one on the weekend, at the prestigious Brown University in Rhode Island. In a horrible coincidence with our own tragedy, students there endured a terrifying Saturday night as a lone gunman stalked the campus, killing two people and injuring nine. Horrendous. Tragic. But not out of the ordinary.

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Weapons collected in 1997 during the buyback that was part of John Howards gun control reforms. Craig Sillitoe On the New York Times website, the Brown shooting was bumped to second billing  after Bondi. In the cold calculus of news editing, there were several things that made the Bondi attack a bigger story. Firstly, the scale  the number of dead and injured, and the fact that it was two gunmen who mowed down innocents, not a lone one. Add to that, they appeared to be motivated by antisemitic hatred, possibly imported from an overseas conflict that has metastasised to other countries.

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But the Bondi incident had greater news value for another reason  it was truly shocking in a way that a US shooting could never be. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack Despite the warnings from Jewish leaders and security forces that such an attack was probable  the natural consequence of what the author Simon Sebag Montefiore calls the end of the taboo on antisemitism  most Australians would never have expected it. This sort of thing is not supposed to happen in Australia. It is certainly not supposed to happen at Australias most iconic beach, where the lifestyle is the embodiment of the national traits that John Howard once enunciated as his aspiration for Australia.

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He said he wanted us to be safe, relaxed and comfortable. Howard, of course, was the great leader who clamped down on gun ownership when the unthinkable happened at Port Arthur in 1996 and Martin Bryant slaughtered 35 people in cold blood. The then PM famously led a national campaign to drastically reduce the numbers of firearms, particularly semi-automatic assault rifles, in the country. He achieved it in the face of huge internal party pressure, as well as pressure and even threats from some gun enthusiasts. But he fixed the problem; at least, that has been our national narrative since.

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We dont have mass shootings like they do in the United States. We dont have a problem with gun violence. But Sundays massacre shows we can no longer rest on those laurels. Loading Evil intent will always seek to exploit regulation, whether that intent comes in the form of anti-semitism, organised criminal violence or coercive control in a domestic context.

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For those of us who sat through the inquest, and for many people who worked for it, it was deeply shocking to learn how lax the systems were. We had thought we were being kept safe by an orderly process of gun control. We were wrong. There was inadequate information-sharing between the police and the registry. The computer systems were unable to flag risk when new information was entered.

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And individual gun clubs did not routinely share information on suspicious people such as Edwards. Since then, the NSW Firearms Registry has undergone an extensive restructure, according to reports, taking in recommendations from the Edwards inquest. The circumstances of the Bondi massacre are wholly different to that tragedy. Related Article Bondi shooting Port Arthur-era National Firearms Agreement to be renegotiated after Bondi Beach massacre NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Sunday that there was little knowledge of either of these men by the authorities.

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But reports have emerged that Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old alleged assassin, was known to ASIO for his association with ISIS cell members. His father and accomplice, Sajid Akram, had been a licensed gun holder for 10 years, was a member of a gun club and owned six guns, including the high-powered firearms used in Sundays attack. Thanks to John Howard, they were not automatic weapons. But they were powerful enough. And so, one question stands out, just as it did with Edwards  how were these men able to legally acquire huge, high-powered guns?

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Why would any outer-suburban fruit shop owner need six deadly weapons? Its too late for the victims of Sundays massacre. And it feels far too late for the United States to do anything about its crisis of gun violence  a barbaric cultural marker that Australians find mystifying, not least because America has no consensus political will to address it. Australians are different. But we must use this moment to double down on our exceptionalism.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already said he will propose strengthening Australian gun laws and NSW parliament could be recalled before Christmas to pass urgent legislation to that end. We have motivation and reason to tighten gun control now and cease the back-sliding that appears to have happened since Howards life-saving work in the 1990s. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- On the weathered stone steps leading to the summit of Mount Tai, China's revered "Peak of the East," throngs of climbers pressed on with determination, while one figure stood out for having completed the ascent three times in a single day.

Wang Qinrui, 26, a professional climbing companion, wore a windbreaker and carried his signature backpack, equipped with a small speaker that blared energetic music, while he engaged climbers with stories of Mount Tai's rich historical legends, lifting the spirits of even the weariest travelers.

Wang knew exactly who would need his help. "Some new mothers want to hike with their infants, middle-aged visitors bring along their elderly parents, young couples plan romantic ceremonies, and parents hire guides to accompany their teenage children," he listed.

Wang, a native of Tai'an city at the mountain's base, is one of more than 300 Mount Tai climbing companions from across China. They are tapping into the country's burgeoning "companionship economy," a market fueled by growing demand for paid company that supports both physical endurance and emotional well-being.

According to industry insiders, their primary target customers are young adults and the elderly, with services ranging from game buddies and chatting partners to patient escorts, or simply providing a reassuring presence. Sinolink Securities predicts the market will exceed 50 billion yuan (about 7.08 billion U.S. dollars) this year.

China is placing strong emphasis on consumption to drive economic growth. At the annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week, Chinese leaders pledged to expand the supply of high-quality consumer goods and services, aiming to unlock the potential of service consumption.

Yang Suchang, a professor of economics at Lanzhou University in northwest China, said the novel service of companionship has emerged in response to the call of the times as young people in the country grapple with loneliness and anxiety, often stemming from the intense pressure of work or academic pursuits.

Born in 1998, Liu Xue (pseudonym) heads a companionship business online. Under her management, dozens of the "companions" wait for orders at peak business time, generally from 8 p.m. into the late night. "Our customers are mostly young office workers in cities. Many of them are game lovers, but have few friends to play with," Liu said.

Liu and her colleagues generally charge 60 yuan an hour for chatting, while the price for game companionship varies depending on the duration of each gaming session. Liu said she earned over 20,000 yuan in a single month at her peak time, ranking among the top earners in the industry.

Having worked different jobs before, Liu said she enjoys this one despite having to work in excess of 10 hours a day and with no official weekend to speak of. "My work gets rewarded immediately. Plus, I can take a break any time I want to."

The market demand for companionship services also arises from the rapid aging of the Chinese society and shifts in family structures, a by-product of decades of urbanization, leaving a substantial number of the elderly living in solitude, according to analysts.

Official data show that over 300 million Chinese had reached the age of 60 or older by 2024, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total population. Almost half of these seniors live in "empty nests," facing frequent challenges in daily caregiving and managing affairs away from home.

Among these challenges, seeking medical treatment stands out as a particularly pressing issue. The China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service (CASWSS) said that nearly 90 percent of the elderly living in the community have experienced the lack of family accompaniment for medical appointments, with the figure even higher among those residing in nursing homes.

Xu Jianzhong, executive president of the association, said elderly patients tend to find it overwhelming to memorize hospital routes and navigate intricate medical protocols, particularly amid the pervasive digitization of appointment scheduling and payment systems. "A professional escort would come in handy for them, and they can certainly use some emotional support as well."

Xue Chongjia, 39, fits in the role of such an escort. On a typical workday, her bag is stocked with tissues, water and snacks, and she carries a notebook, her "magic tool" for jotting down the needs of her clients.

"Most of them feel lonely deep down. My job is not simply getting registration numbers for them, waiting in lines, or picking up medicines. It's also about being there and keeping them company," Xue said.

Guo Rong Le Yang, a company founded in Shanghai in 2023, has trained over 1,000 patient escorts, with 10 percent of them having medical backgrounds. It is now integrated into Shanghai's mobile government service platform, allowing users to place orders just as easily as booking a ride-hailing service.

Xu Yafeng, the company's general manager, said each service order mandates real-time check-ins and photo documentation, with insurance coverage for accidental risks. Xu acknowledged that the path to market-oriented operation for such services has not been smooth sailing. "We are still feeling our way in the market," he admitted.

Beyond a lack of staff and qualifications, the sector also faces hurdles in market demand, regulatory oversight and social acceptance of the profession.

In May this year, the fledgling industry welcomed its first national regulatory document, standardizing service procedures, safety regulations, personnel training and complaint mechanisms.

"This is by no means a transient endeavor; rather, it represents a service category crafted for enduring presence in the market," said the CASWSS president. He emphasized efforts to establish certification mechanisms, a tiered service system, and to integrate with primary healthcare networks such as community health centers.

Experts have also warned against hidden risks lurking in the market, including privacy breaches and vulgar conduct. The issues stem from the low barriers to entry for service providers and a lack of robust industry standards. Consumers are advised to preserve evidence, such as transaction records and communication logs, to resolve potential disputes.

Hao Xiaoning, a researcher with the National Health Commission, said developing the companionship economy is not merely an expansion into a blue ocean market, but rather a long-term endeavor that urgently requires joint efforts from multiple parties.

"Only through the combined influence of standards, ethics and regulations can 'companionship' evolve into a warm and secure service that genuinely responds to the needs of families and individuals," Hao said. 
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PoliticsFederalBondi shooting PM says national unity is his job, as Jewish critics say he has been slow to act Natassia Chrysanthos Updated December 15, 2025  8:56pm ,first published 12:00pm 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

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended himself against the criticisms of Israels President Benjamin Netanyahu, insisting his job in this crisis is to promote national unity, as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley joins prominent Jewish voices in saying his government was too slow to tackle rising levels of antisemitism before Sundays terror attack in Bondi took the lives of 15 victims. Jewish Australians, including antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal, former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Labor MP Josh Burns, said the Jewish community had been fearing a deadly attack since synagogues were burnt and armed guards were placed outside Jewish schools in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal after handing her report to the federal government in July. Dylan Coker On ABCs 730 on Monday night, the prime minister refused to engage in the criticisms from Netanyahu that he had done nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism and had replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement.

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Albanese said his job as prime minister was to provide support for the Jewish community. What they require me, as Australias prime minister at this time, is to bring the nation together, is to promote unity, is to make sure that what the terrorists seek  which is to divide us as a nation, to pit Australian against Australian  to say this is a moment of national unity.



Albanese also disputed Netanyahus claim that recognition of a Palestinian state fuelled antisemitism, saying there was no link between the governments position and the mass shooting. Most of the world recognises a two-state solution as being the way forward, Albanese said. Earlier on Monday, Albanese said the government was extending funding to Jewish community security groups and seeing how it could better support Jewish charity efforts. It will also fast-track visa processing for relatives wishing to visit Australia for funerals of the shooting victims. But Segal said the government must also immediately act on advice she delivered six months ago about countering hate towards Jewish people, starting with education in schools and communities. I have to say that Ive been holding my breath, fearing that something like this would happen, because it hasnt come without warning, Segal said on ABC Radio National on Monday morning.

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We have not come out strongly enough against [antisemitism]. The messaging has not been sufficient, and the education has not been sufficient for people to understand what antisemitism is and how it destroys the community. I think that the government has to take action, because at the moment, the community is feeling terrified. Anthony Albanese at Bondi on Monday morning. AAP Albanese has come under criticism for his response to antisemitism since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 and stoked domestic tensions. Jewish community leaders and former opposition leader Peter Dutton repeatedly accused him of failing to clamp down on antisemitism following a spate of attacks and threats at the start of the year  some of which were later linked to organised crime and Iranian interests seeking to capitalise on the crisis. David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said Sunday was a day we have long dreaded as he called for leaders to ramp up efforts to address antisemitism.

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We, as a community, have warned repeatedly that it was only a matter of time until blood was spilt, during the summer of terror earlier this year, Ossip said. Ley on Monday and said the government had taken too long to take decisive action on Segals advice. However, she did not directly blame Albanese for the attack nor endorse strong criticism from Netanyahu, who said Albaneses call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with flowers at Bondi. Louise Kennerley I will focus on the Australian national interest, and the things that need to take place now after failures of governments in this country to tackle the scourge of antisemitism, she said. Ley said the government had been warned, comprehensively and unequivocally, about the rising tide of antisemitism in this country.

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I understand the frustration being expressed today by so many Jewish Australians. I know its really vital that we focus on the recommendations that Jillian Segal made in the report that was handed to the prime minister and his ministers months ago, she said. Asked about his response to the Jewish communitys fears on Monday afternoon, Albanese said they were going through a terrible time. Terrorism is aimed at creating fear in the community, he said. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. There is no place for hatred and people who were exercising their right to express their faith through Hanukkah had every right to expect they could do that in peace. Earlier, Albanese said his government was doing whatever is necessary to stamp it [antisemitism] out.

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We have taken strong action. Well continue to work with the community. This morning, Ive already had a discussion with [Segal and Jewish leaders], he said. Well continue to work with them because this is a time where all Australians need to wrap our arms around Jewish Australians. Segal said she appreciated the non-Jewish communitys embrace after Sunday nights attack. Its not enough to just condemn it. We actually need to put in place a whole range of actions, which I articulated in my plan. The federal government appointed Segal, a lawyer and businesswoman, to the new role of special envoy to combat antisemitism in July 2024. A year later, she made a suite of recommendations for Australias media, education institutions and cultural events, some of which were controversial.

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Bondi shooting I was holding her: Shattered father reveals Matildas final moments as more families share tributes Albanese said the government was already following several of Segals recommendations. They included criminalising hate speech, creating a national student ombudsman to investigate universities, and developing a university report card to promote inclusivity for Jewish students and staff. The Home Affairs department was also reviewing how it could strengthen immigration protocols, and the government had lifted funding to several Jewish institutions. Segal agreed that government ministers and parts of the public sector had been working co-operatively with her since she delivered the plan. But I think we need to accelerate the work, she said. The government needs to come out and fully endorse the actions, so that theres no doubt in any part of the public sector, and no doubt in the community that this is a full-throttle approach to fighting antisemitism.

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Burns said the Jewish community had been worried about such an attack for a long time, and the situation required cultural responses, not just legislative ones. You cant go to a Jewish school or to a Jewish community organisation in Australia without there being some form of security, 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 What we have seen over the last two years is a dehumanisation of the Jewish community and ... a targeting of the Jewish community in a way that clearly has real-world consequences. Frydenberg said many Jewish people had warned this day would come.

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PoliticsFederalPolitical expenses Senior Coalition MPs claim $10,000 expenses at time of Liberal fundraiser Mike Foley and Nick Newling December 15, 2025  7:56pm 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

News has emerged that three senior Coalition MPs charged taxpayers nearly $10,000 for travel and accommodation while attending a Liberal party fundraiser in Sydney as the Albanese government pauses expense scheme reforms in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. The Albanese government is reeling from a series of revelations of MPs making questionable use of travel entitlements after Attorney-General Michelle Rowland revealed she would repay part of a $22,000 trip to Perth. The expenses furore was sparked by revelations that Communications Minister Anika Wells, a staffer and a public servant spent almost $100,000 on flights to New York. Deputy opposition leader and shadow treasurer Ted OBrien. Alex Ellinghausen Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week sought advice from the head of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority on possible changes to the multimillion-dollar entitlement scheme after Wells and Rowland both referred themselves for audits of their expenses. Cabinet was scheduled to discuss expense reforms on Monday morning, but that has been delayed for at least the next few days.

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Coalition MPs Ted OBrien, Michaelia Cash and Dan Tehan claimed a combined $9563 for travel, accommodation and Comcar transportation when they travelled interstate to Sydney, where they attended an event hosted by the Liberal Partys fundraising organisation, the Australian Business Network, in August. Related Article Exclusive

Political expenses Anthony Albanese to cauterise MPs expenses furore as Michelle Rowland moves to repay part of family trip The fundraiser was held in Westpacs offices at Barangaroo in Sydney. Events such as these charge thousands of dollars to buy a seat for lunch. Guidelines of the IPEA, an independent agency that oversees MPs claims, state that expenses are supposed to be used for the dominant purpose of parliamentary business. Deputy opposition leader and treasury spokesman OBrien claimed a total of $2100, including $736 for flights to and from the Sunshine Coast, $960 for accommodation and $404 for Comcars in Sydney and Brisbane. During the trip, OBrien, from Queenslands Sunshine Coast, also delivered a speech to Liberal Party think tank, the Menzies Research Centre.

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A spokesman for OBrien said he conducted parliamentary business during his trip to Sydney, including meetings and a public address. Senator Cash, the Perth-based opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman, charged a total $4247.11 including $2909.55 for a flight to Sydney, $960 for accommodation and $377 for Comcar transport in Sydney. A spokesperson for Cash said the purpose of her trip was to conduct parliamentary business. She met with representatives from the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations in her capacity as shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson said. Opposition energy spokesman Tehan, who represents Wannon in western Victoria, claimed $3215.72, including $1084.38 for flights to Sydney and back to Melbourne, $1383 for accommodation and $748.34 for Comcars.

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A spokesperson for Tehan said he conducted parliamentary business in Sydney. Related Article Inside Story

Political expenses Money Wells spent: Anatomy of an expenses scandal The purpose of Mr Tehans travel to Sydney for 2.5 days was to undertake parliamentary and shadow portfolio meetings. This included an afternoon of briefings at the Transgrid Control Centre in Eastern Creek, the spokesperson said. OBrien, Cash and Tehan did not respond to requests for excerpts of their diaries for the dates surrounding the Australian Business Network fundraiser. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was contacted for comment. Opposition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Kerrynne Liddle was also in attendance, charging taxpayers $3168.88 between August 12 and 14. However, Liddle attended a meeting with the Fred Hollows Foundation to discuss eye health in Indigenous communities.

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The Coalition is demanding Local Government and Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain refer herself to IPEA for a review of a trip she and her husband took to Sydney, and the New Years Test between Australia and South Africa in early 2023. Related Article Exclusive

Anika Wells I dont write the rules: Wells, PM defend using taxpayer funds to bring family to ski resort McBain, who lives on the NSW South Coast, and her husband took a flight from Merimbula to Sydney on January 4, returning the following day. She claimed in total $2250 in flights and Comcar travel under both family reunion and official duties rules. Health Minister Mark Butler is also being targeted by the Coalition after revelations by news.com.au that he billed taxpayers, under family travel, $5500 in flights and accommodation for the Australian Open mens final and the New Years Test in 2024, when he was minister responsible for sport. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsNSWBondi shooting Our family has been shredded: Sydneys Jewish community in mourning Alexandra Smith and Max Maddison December 15, 2025  3:37pm 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 Beach shooting Sydneys Jewish leaders have led a vigil and prayers outside the Bondi Pavilion as they returned to the iconic beach to mourn those killed in the deadly mass shooting at Sundays Hanukkah event. Flowers piled up outside the pavilion as mourners, including many Jewish people and rabbis, arrived on Monday to pay their respects to the 15 people, including a 10-year-old child, who were killed in the father-son attack on Sunday. One of gunmen was also killed. Jewish community leaders Alex Ryvchin and David Ossip say Sydneys worst fears had been realised. Oscar Colman Community leaders said their long-held fears that Sydney Jews would be targeted by terrorists had played out in the most devastating way on the first day of Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

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NSW Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the Bondi terror attack was the day that we have long dreaded. We, as a community, have warned repeatedly that it was only a matter of time until blood was spilt during the summer of terror earlier this year, Ossip said on Monday. Last night, tragically, our luck ran out when our community was subjected to a heinous terrorist attack. Ossip said antisemitism had well and truly found a place in Australia, and pleaded with leaders across the country to increase efforts to tackle hate speech against Jews. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the attack represented an almighty blow to the Jewish community and he feared the community would never recover.

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A community is but a family, and our family was ripped apart, Ryvchin said. Our family has been shredded. A vigil of about 50 people broke out in prayer and Jewish song just after midday as many others watched on in silence. Bondi man and respected music scholar Kim Cunio sang the Kaddish, a hymn recited in Jewish prayers sessions. Prayers were led by Rabbi Yossi Friedman. He arrived in Bondi early on Monday morning after a sleepless night. I just wanted to be here, he said.I found a way to get through the police bollards with many others. I wanted to do my prayers here and pray for the victims and those who are trying to heal.

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In a video message from Jerusalem overnight, Coogee Rabbi Elozer Gestetner said he was shocked and heartbroken by the news. Who would have believed and expected such a thing, Gestetner said. He urged the members of his synagogue to stand tall and proud, you are the characters and heroes of history being made in Australia and its a sad, sad history. If you can ride horseback on Bondi Beach with a Palestinian flag, this is what happens as a follow-on, he said. Marc Hochstadt, the son of a Holocaust survivor, said he was experiencing a mix of anger and sadness as he sat alone near the lifesaving club in North Bondi.

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We were a lucky country, the 58-year-old said. Loading The Paddington resident broke down in tears as he asked why the Jewish community continued to be persecuted, especially in a country like Australia. We have three-metre-high fences around schools and security guards outside synagogues. Who lives like this? Synagogues, including the Great Synagogue in Sydneys CBD, remained shut on Monday after the NSW Board of Deputies recommended that all communal institutions are closed until further notice.

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Bondi Beach incident helplines: Victim Services helpline 1800 411 822

Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228

Supply information to police on 1800 333 000 NSW Health disaster mental health support clinicians will be available at Bondi over coming days and weeks. These staff will be mobile and identified by NSW Health vests. Other support: NSW Health Mental Health Line, available 24/7 on 1800 011 511 

 For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
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Updated WorldAsiaCourts HK media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted under Beijing-imposed national security law Lisa Visentin December 15, 2025  2:03pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law, following a landmark trial that was widely criticised by democracy advocates as an attack on the rule of law in the global financial hub. Lai, 78, faces potential life imprisonment after he was found guilty by three judges in Hong Kongs High Court on two counts of conspiracy to commit foreign collusion. He was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications under a colonial-era sedition law in connection with Apple Daily, the now-closed Chinese-language newspaper he founded in 1995. Jimmy Lai (centre) is arrested by police at his Hong Kong home in 2020. AP An outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party and vocal democracy campaigner, Lai has spent much of the past five years in solitary confinement after he was arrested in August 2020 as part of Beijings crackdown on anti-government protests that swept through Hong Kong in 2019.

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There is no doubt that Lai had harboured his resentment and hatred of China for many of his adult years, Judge Esther Toh told a packed courtroom as the tycoon, wearing a pale green jumper and a grey jacket, sat with his arms folded. Related Article Hong Kong protests Who is Jimmy Lai, the media tycoon arrested in Hong Kong? Reading from an 855-page verdict, Toh said the court was satisfied that Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracies and that the only reasonable inference from the evidence was that his intent was to seek the downfall of the ruling Communist Party even at the sacrifice of the people of China and Hong Kong. His case was heard without a jury, as per all national security cases, in a significant departure from Hong Kongs common law tradition. Lais lawyer, Robert Pang, said his client had yet to decide whether to appeal against the verdict.

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Lai will be sentenced at a later date. His legal team can plead for leniency at a pre-sentencing hearing scheduled for January 12. His supporters have raised ongoing concerns about his deteriorating health due to diabetes and high blood pressure while incarcerated. Apple Daily was a prominent pro-democracy tabloid that was stridently critical of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. It closed in 2021 after authorities froze Lais bank accounts and arrested key staff members. Lais wife, Teresa, arrives at court on Monday to hear the verdict against her husband. AP In his testimony during the trial, Lai said Apple Daily embodied the core values of Hong Kong: rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religions, freedom of assembly. He is the most high-profile target of the national security law, which has been used by Hong Kong authorities to arrest hundreds of pro-democracy figures, opposition politicians, journalists and academics, crushing political dissent in the city.

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In November 2024, 45 democracy campaigners, including Australian man Gordon Ng, were jailed for subversion for their involvement in a plan to run opposition candidates in an unofficial primary election in July 2020. Related Article Updated

Australians abroad Australian man Gordon Ng sentenced in Hong Kong to more than seven years jail Lais arrest and long-running trial have drawn criticism from Western governments, including Australias, while human rights campaigners have argued the case symbolises the decline of media freedom and judicial independence in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The verdict against him is also a test for Beijings diplomatic ties. US President Donald Trump said he has raised the case with China, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his government has made it a priority to secure the release of Lai, who is a British citizen. This verdict should surprise absolutely no one, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundations UK and Europe director, Mark Sabah, said.

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The trial against Jimmy Lai has been a grotesque exercise in legal subversion and chicanery  a show trial masquerading as justice. But whats actually been on display is the complete and total destruction of Hong Kongs reputation as a global legal centre. Human Rights Watch said Lais conviction on bogus charges was both cruel and a travesty of justice and called on foreign governments to urge his immediate release. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments should pay a cost for their unrelenting efforts to muzzle Hong Kongs press, Elaine Pearson, the organisations Asia director, said in a statement. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly rejected claims that the citys rule of law has been degraded by the national security law and have defended Lais prosecution. Jimmy Lai in his office at the Apple Daily newspaper in 2000. AP

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During Lais 156-day trial, prosecutors accused him of conspiring with senior executives of Apple Daily and others to request foreign forces impose sanctions or blockades and engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. The prosecution also accused Lai of making such requests, highlighting his meetings with former US vice president Mike Pence and former secretary of state Mike Pompeo in July 2019 at the height of the protests. In addition, it presented 161 publications, including Apple Daily articles, to the court as evidence of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, as well as social media posts and text messages. Lais conviction comes weeks after a devastating fire ripped through an apartment complex in Hong Kong, killing at least 160 people. As public outrage simmered to the surface, Hong Kong authorities used the national security law to clamp down on calls for accountability, arresting several people for criticising the governments response. Election for the citys Legislative Council, held on December 7, drew the second-lowest turnout on record  a sign of the publics disengagement from a political process that was overhauled by Beijing to ensure a patriots-only system of government which excluded pro-democracy candidates from running.

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With wires Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Inside the Clintons fight to avoid testifying in the US Congress over Epstein Annie Karni December 15, 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

Washington: A quiet, months-long battle between congressman James Comer, the Republican chair of the oversight committee, and Bill and Hillary Clinton over the panels Jeffrey Epstein investigation could come to a head this week. Comer has threatened to begin contempt of Congress proceedings against them if the Clintons fail to appear in person for depositions. The threat is the starkest example yet of the attempt by House Republicans to shift the focus of the Epstein affair away from US President Donald Trump and his administration and onto prominent Democrats who once associated with the convicted sex offender and his long-time companion, Ghislaine Maxwell. Bill Clinton (right) with Jeffrey Epstein. After Democrats on his panel in effect forced him to subpoena the Justice Department for its files, Comer also issued subpoenas in August to the Clintons, as well as to eight former top law enforcement officials. Since then, the chair has withdrawn the subpoenas for five former attorneys-general who wrote in statements to the panel that they had no knowledge relevant to the investigation.

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The committee also excused former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller from giving live depositions. Only one person, former attorney-general Bill Barr, has appeared to testify. Related Article Epstein fallout Woody Allen is not sorry about his friendship with Epstein But Comer has refused to excuse the Clintons, even though they have repeatedly offered to provide the same kind of sworn statement to the committee. Instead, Comer has falsely accused them of ignoring his subpoenas and continued to demand that they appear for live depositions or face the possibility of being held in contempt, typically a first step in referring someone to the Justice Department for prosecution. For months, the Clintons have been engaging with Comer far more than was previously known, to respond to his requests and avoid having to appear on Capitol Hill. Their long-time attorney, David Kendall, has sent three letters explaining in detail his argument that the Clintons should be required only to provide sworn statements to the committee.

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Comer, in response, has only amped up his threats to penalise the Clintons if they fail to show up in person. The former president and former secretary of state have delayed, obstructed and largely ignored the committee staffs efforts to schedule their testimony, Comer said in a statement on Friday night. He again threatened to start contempt proceedings against them if they did not appear before his committee on December 17 and 18, or schedule a date in early January to do so. Former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. NYT In a letter last week, Kendall accused Comer of going after the Clintons with weaponised legislative investigations and targeted criminal prosecutions, and said that it was neither appropriate nor tenable for them to appear and be held to a different standard than others who had been excused. President Trump has consistently sought to divert attention from his own relationship with Mr Epstein and unfortunately the committee appears to be complicit, Kendall wrote in the letter, one of three that were provided to The New York Times by a Democratic lawmaker and have not been previously disclosed. He said that Comers only reason for targeting the Clintons was to catalyse a public spectacle for partisan purposes.

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Bill Clinton was acquainted with Epstein  an association the former US president described in his memoir  but never visited his private island and cut off contact with him two decades ago. He took four international trips on Epsteins private jet in 2002 and 2003, according to flight logs, and an undated photograph of Clinton and Epstein signed by the former president was part of a batch of images released by House Democrats last week highlighting Epsteins ties to powerful men. Given what came to light much after, Kendall wrote to Comer in one of his letters, he has expressed regret for even that limited association. Loading Angel Urena, a spokesperson for Clinton, said that for months, weve been offering the same exact thing he accepted from the rest, but he refuses and wont explain why. He added, Make of that what you will.

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Criminal contempt charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison, as well as a fine of up to $US100,000 ($150,500). Not every witness who defies a congressional subpoena is referred for contempt. Jim Jordan, the chair of the judiciary panel, for instance, was among the Republican members of Congress who received a subpoena but did not co-operate with the committee investigating the January 6, 2021, mob attack on the Capitol. He was not held in contempt. Related Article Epstein fallout New photos from Epstein vault show Trump, Bannon, Gates and Woody Allen For Bill Clinton to appear on Capitol Hill to testify in the Epstein case would be nearly unprecedented. No former president has appeared before Congress since 1983, when Gerald Ford did so to discuss the celebration of the 1987 bicentennial of the enactment of the Constitution. When Trump was subpoenaed by the January 6 select committee in 2022, while he was out of office, he sued the panel to try to block it. The panel ultimately withdrew the subpoena. In an October 6 letter, Kendall wrote to Comer that the Clintons should be treated the same way as the five former attorneys-general who were excused from his subpoenas because they said they had no information pertaining to the investigation. We submit that the Clintons likewise do not have knowledge relevant to the committees investigation, Kendall wrote in that letter.

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Kendall added, There is simply no reasonable justification for compelling a former president and secretary of state to appear personally, given that their time and roles in government had no connection to the matter at hand. The request for information from Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign rival, appeared to be the more perplexing of the two. Hillary Clinton had no personal knowledge of Epstein or Maxwells criminal activities, never flew on his aircraft, never visited his island and cannot recall ever speaking to Epstein, Kendall wrote. James Comer has threatened to penalise the Clintons if they fail to show up in person. Bloomberg Her connection to Maxwell, he said, involved limited contact during a time when Maxwell was in a relationship with a mutual friend. Comers subpoena cited a nephew of Maxwells who had previously worked for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign and then at the State Department. But Kendall asserted that Hillary Clinton never knew that the employee, Alexander Djerassi, was related to Maxwell.

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Nick Merrill, a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton, said that since this started, weve been asking what the hell Hillary Clinton has to do with this, and he hasnt been able to come up with an answer. Related Article Explainer

Epstein fallout More Epstein files are set to be released. Heres what we know so far In a follow-up letter he sent on November 3, Kendall wrote that subpoenaing former secretary Clinton is on its face both purposeless and harassing. When he met with Comers staff to discuss the subpoena in person, he added, no reason was given for wanting to question Hillary Clinton beyond wanting to ask if she had ever spoken with her husband about this matter. (Any conversations the two of them might have had, he noted as an aside, would be protected by marital privilege.) Kendall said that the focus on the Clintons as fact witnesses when others had been allowed decline to testify raised questions about the neutrality of what was supposed to be a non-partisan committee.

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To date, Kendall wrote in his November 3 letter, the committee has elected to forgo deposing seven of the eight individuals, all of whom are not named Clinton. Related Article Epstein fallout Woody Allen is not sorry about his friendship with Epstein The only former official who was subpoenaed and testified live was Barr, who served as attorney-general when Epstein was investigated, indicted and died by suicide while in federal custody. Kendalls most recent letter was sent on December 10. His tone and language had become more aggressive. We urge you to acknowledge that we are asking for nothing more than the same basic fairness offered to the attorneys-general who ran the DOJ while the Epstein investigations were being conducted, Kendall wrote. We remain ready, as we have been for months, to provide sworn statements to satisfy the committees oversight efforts.

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WorldNorth AmericaRussia-Ukraine war Trump offers platinum standard security guarantee for Ukraine in bid to end war Michael Koziol December 16, 2025  7:23am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A

Washington: US President Donald Trump is offering Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees in his most significant commitment to date to try to end the Russia-Ukraine war that has raged for nearly four years. Speaking amid ongoing talks in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the substantial progress and considerable US offer, but noted there were still unresolved territorial claims from both sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre) with European leaders and White House peace envoy Steve Witkoff (front, second from right) and Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner (right). Getty Images US officials confirmed security guarantees modelled on Article 5 of the NATO treaty  which states an attack on one member state shall be considered an attack against them all  were proposed during eight hours of talks in Berlin between US, Ukrainian and European teams. I think the Ukrainians would tell you, as would the Europeans, that this is the most robust set of security protocols theyve ever seen  it is a very, very strong package, a US official told reporters on a briefing call, describing it as platinum standard.

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The officials did not provide details about the proposal, but appeared to confirm it would not involve American boots on the ground. They also stressed that the offer was for a limited time only. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine drops NATO goal as Trump envoy sees progress in peace talks Those guarantees will not be on the table forever. Those guarantees are on the table right now, one official said. One of the officials on the call said the security offer involved quite a bit more than the collective defence mechanism enshrined in the NATO treaty. Its oversight and its verification and its de-confliction  anything that we felt needed to be addressed to make the Ukrainian people feel safe is included in this package, they said.

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The officials said Trump believed he could get Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to the Article 5-like security guarantee for Ukraine, and noted the Europeans were surprised by their confidence on that matter. Hopefully, the Russians are going to look at it and say to themselves, Thats OK because we have no intention  of violating, an official said. Zelensky and Witkoff in Berlin. AP The US officials did not say if the guarantee would be ratified like a treaty, but that Trump was prepared to seek Senate approval. He had been briefed twice during the negotiations and was supportive, they said. The US delegation in Berlin is being led by White House peace envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. European leaders were expected to keep meeting into the night, and several reports suggested Trump would phone in from Washington.

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Speaking to reporters amid the talks, Merz described the latest US offer as really considerable, and said it was the first time robust security guarantees from both Europe and the US were on the table. In a subsequent post on X, he wrote: For the first time since the war began, a ceasefire now seems possible. But high-stakes questions over territorial concessions remained unresolved. The US has repeatedly urged Kyiv to cede land to Moscow in ways that roughly reflect the current battle lines, while Russia has asked for territory it was unable to conquer by force. For example, Moscow has pushed for full control of the Donbas region, of which Ukraine still holds about 10 to 18 per cent. The US has suggested it could be a demilitarised, free economic zone.

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Only Ukraine can decide about territorial concessions, Merz said at a joint news conference with Zelensky. No ifs or buts. A US official said negotiators in Berlin broke off into a working group to discuss territory, and drafted a three-page document on outstanding issues. There were multiple different solutions to bridge the gap between Ukrainian and Russian demands, they said, without providing details. Zelensky called the progress substantial. He has recently offered to formally drop his demands for Ukraine to enter NATO  something the US and other NATO members have long rejected  if robust security guarantees for Ukraine were on offer. The developments came as Ukrainian officials said their underwater drones struck and disabled a Russian Kilo-class attack submarine in the Russian navys most important remaining Black Sea base, in the first operation of its kind.

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The strike carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with its Sub Sea Baby drones hit the submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, where Russia has rebased many naval vessels to put them out of reach of Ukrainian strikes. Footage published by the SBU showed a powerful explosion erupting from the water at a pier near where a submarine and other vessels were docked. Reuters confirmed the location of the video using the ports layout and piers. Moscow later denied Ukraines claims. Not a single ship or submarine of the Black Sea fleet stationed in the bay of the Novorossiysk Naval Base, nor their crews, were damaged as a result of the sabotage and are serving as usual, Russias Defence Ministry early on Tuesday (AEDT). New MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli makes her first public speech. Getty Images Meanwhile, the head of Britains MI6 spy agency on Monday, London time, accused Putin of stalling efforts to end on Ukraine and testing the West with tactics that fall just below the threshold of war.

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Blaise Metreweli said Putin was determined to subjugate Ukraine and harass NATO members. We are now operating in a space between peace and war, she said in her first public speech since becoming chief of Britains foreign intelligence agency two months ago. With Reuters, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaBondi shooting Trump praises Bondi hero as massacre darkens Hanukkah ceremonies in US Michael Koziol December 15, 2025  12:50pm 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. Washington: As American Jews lit their Hanukkah candles on Sunday, they did so under the pall of the Bondi terror attack  a reminder from the other side of the world that violence against Jews can happen anywhere, at any time. In Washington, hundreds braved bitterly cold conditions on the Ellipse, next to the White House, for a National Menorah lighting ceremony, where the horrific news and images from Sydney were top of mind. Rabbi Levi Shemtov speaks at the National Menorah lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in Washington. AP Rabbi Levi Shemtov said Jews had a decision to make about how to respond to the deadly attack, and cited the recent wisdom of his rabbi colleague, Eli Schlanger, one of the victims, about how to deal with antisemitism.

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He said, We have one response: Be more Jewish. Feel more Jewish. Look more Jewish, Shemtov said. Entertainer and activist Montana Tucker said the Bondi attack was another example of the rising tide of antisemitism around the world. To our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, and every single Jew around the world who feels shaken  we are together, you are not alone. Your pain is our pain, she said. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. AP Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is Jewish, said it had been a very difficult day not only on account of the lives lost in Australia but also the mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island and a fatal attack on three Americans in Syria.

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Today, we light the light of Hanukkah to bring light to much of this darkness, he said. It is a difficult and tough day for what weve lost, but we must always celebrate being Jews. Lutnick also praised President Donald Trump for showing moral clarity in defending Israel and condemning antisemitism. Earlier, the US president was among dozens of American political leaders who expressed their shock and sadness at the carnage in Bondi. Lighting the National Menorah in Washington. AP Trump said it was a terrible situation and praised the bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, the bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the terrorists  footage of which was watched around the world.

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Theres been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives, Trump said. A very brave person whos right now at the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. So, great respect to that man that did that. US intelligence agencies were aiding Australian authorities in the investigation. FBI director Kash Patel said he had spoken with his Australian counterpart and the bureau was providing assistance that had been requested. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended a menorah lighting ceremony in Ottawa with Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky and said Canadians stood in sorrow with Australia, while sharing a determination to never bow to terrorism and hatred. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky at a menorah lighting ceremony in Ottawa. AP In New York, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whose political opponents accused him of fanning antisemitism, made a lengthy statement noting one of the victims, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, had deep ties to the Crown Heights neighbourhood in Brooklyn.

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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. The attack quickly became politicised in the US, too. Republican senator from Texas Ted Cruz, who has recently called out rising antisemitism on the political right (and left), said the attack 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. Related Article Bondi shooting We know their grief: Bondis trauma feels painfully close to Manchesters Jewish community Democratic senator John Fetterman said he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of letting antisemitism spread in Australia, resulting in Sundays massacre. Its an absolute betrayal, Fetterman told Fox News. Our Western allies calling for a two-state solution when Hamas refuses to disarm and are actively trying to kill Jews  I cant imagine why anyone would do that.

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On the Ellipse in Washington, wind reduced the temperature of minus 7 degrees to a feels like of minus 17, making it difficult for people to speak or linger. But mother-and-son Shoshana Cox and Yeshuah Carter said they felt it was important to attend to show they were not afraid. I dont know how to think about it in political terms. I do know that the treatment of Jews speaks to the state of the world, Cox said. Were used to shootings and things happening in the US with some frequency. But this type of targeting kind of takes everyone aback. The Australian embassy in Washington plans to offer a condolence book for visitors to sign when it opens on Monday. 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.
Cambodianrocketfirecausedfirstciviliandeath,saysThailand





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 Asiannations. Both countries confirmed that large-scale fighting,which was set off by as kirmish on December 7 that wounded twoThai soldiers,continued on Sunday.The two sides are battling over long standing competing claims to patches off rontier 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 pastweeks fighting,while more than half a million have been displaced. Reporters from The Associated Pressarrived at the scene of Sundays rocket impact in Sisaket provincesKantharalak District about 10minutes after it hit.They witnessed the body of a man totally wrapped in band ages being put on a stretcher that was taken to an ambulance.

A house a couple of hundred metres 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 Patcha pan,was killed in the heart of a residential area near a school,according to aThai Army statement Evacuees line upto receive soup from local charity as they take refuge inWat Prasat Srahkandal,Banteay Menchey province, Cambodiaon Sunday,after fleeing home following fighting between Thailandand Cambodia.
BERLIN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday indicated willingness to compromise on NATO membership in pursuit of a peace settlement, but rejected any territorial concession.

After five-hour talks in Berlin with a U.S. negotiating team led by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Zelensky said he would comment on the talks once they are completed on Monday, when additional European leaders are set to join the discussions.

Witkoff said on social media that "a lot of progress" had been made during the discussions.

Before the meeting, Zelensky said Ukraine could suspend its bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees to prevent renewed conflict with Russia if a peace agreement were reached. At the same time, he rejected proposals from the Trump administration suggesting Ukraine should give up some territories currently under its control.

He said 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 ... would provide an opportunity to prevent another arrival of Russian troops," Zelensky said, adding, "It is already a compromise on our part."

He said on social media that "Ukraine needs peace on dignified terms, and we are ready to work as constructively as possible. The coming days will be filled with diplomacy. It is critically important that it delivers results."

He also criticized a U.S.-proposed plan to establish a "free economic zone" in parts of eastern Donbas as a buffer area, saying the proposal was unfair and lacked clarity over governance, adding that Ukraine would seek alternative ways to end the conflict with Russia if the current peace talks fail.

"In my view, the most important thing is that the plan be as fair as possible," Zelensky told reporters before meeting with U.S. envoys. "The plan truly should not be just a piece of paper, but a meaningful step toward ending the war."

European leaders have voiced renewed support for Ukraine amid the diplomatic push. Last Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted talks in London with Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The leaders agreed that the situation had reached a "critical moment" and pledged to step up support for Kiev while increasing economic pressure on Moscow.

The meeting came ahead of a planned gathering of European Union (EU) leaders later this week, where they are expected to discuss a proposal to channel billions of U.S. dollars from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine next year. Russia on Saturday warned that it would take retaliatory measures against what it calls the EU's illegal freezing of its assets.

The European show of unity followed criticism from Trump, who said he was "a little disappointed" with Zelensky and suggested Ukraine had not sufficiently engaged with U.S. peace proposals.

Trump on Tuesday criticized European leaders as "weak" and suggested the United States could scale back support for Ukraine, according to the BBC. "They talk, but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on," said Trump.

Meanwhile, fighting has continued on the ground. Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia launched more than 450 drones and 30 missiles in overnight attacks, targeting energy infrastructure across several regions. Ukraine's interior ministry said the strikes left more than one million households without power.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia will respond to any deployment of European military forces in Ukraine as well as to attempts to seize Russian assets in Europe.

On Sunday, Zelensky said that he believes the United States could make Russian President Vladimir Putin accept a deal.

"If the United States truly wants to end this war ... I believe the Russians will have to make compromises," he was quoted as saying by The New York Times. 
Ministry staffers wife duped of Rs 3 lakh via UPI transactions





Staff Reporter :

Cases of online fraud continue unabated in the State capital, Bhopal. In the latest incident, the bank account of the wife of an employee working at the Vallabh Bhavan Secretariat (Ministry) was allegedly drained of approximately Rs 3.30 lakh via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Following the victim's complaint, Govindpura Police have registered a case against an unknown accused and initiated an investigation.

According to the information, the major fraud targeted the account of Usha Malviya (who works in the private sector), wife of complainant Prasann Malviya, a resident of Rachna Nagar, Gautam Nagar. It is reported that a total of Rs 3,30,000 was transferred out of Usha Malviya's account in multiple small and large installments over the past month. The account holder only became aware of the fraud after checking her bank messages and noticing continuous, large deductions.

Cyber Cell complaint and case transfer Prasann Malviya lodged the complaint with the Cyber Cell on December 8. Given the seriousness of the case, the Cyber Cell transferred it to the local police station, Govindpura, where the police registered a case of fraud committed through the UPI medium based on the complaint. Statement from SI Sanjay Shukla SI Sanjay Shukla of the Govindpura Police Station confirmed the matter, stating, We had registered the complaint and started the investigation.

Considering the seriousness of the case, it has now been handed over to the Govindpura Police Station for further detailed investigation and action. We have immediately requested the bank statements of the relevant accounts to determine where and how the money was transferred. Police are currently investigating the case. No arrests have been made, and the accused remains unknown."
President Droupadi Murmu honours Miyana Railway Station with National Energy Conservation Award 2025





Staff Reporter :

Miyana Railway Station of West Central Railway, Bhopal Division has been honored with the National Energy Conservation Award (NECA) 2025 for its outstanding work in energy efficiency. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Science Bhavan, New Delhi. The accolade was received on behalf of West Central Railway by General Manager, Shobhna Bandyopadhyay.

The prestigious award is given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power to recognize the best efforts in energy conservation, innovative technologies, energy management, and sustainable development at the national level. The selection process involves rigorous evaluation, verification of energy savings, and detailed technical assessment, adding to the credibility and significance of the award. Miyana Station achieved this recognition through the implementation of LED-based energy-efficient lighting, installation of BLDC fans, and the successful operation of smart lighting circuits running at 3070 percent capacity, resulting in an annual electricity saving of over 10,000 units.

Congratulating the team, GM Shobhna Bandyopadhyay said that this achievement marks a historic milestone for West Central Railway. She appreciated the efforts of the Chief Electrical Engineer, Divisional Railway Manager, Bhopal, and all officers at the division and headquarters for their contribution to the project. The accomplishment was made possible under the technical guidance and continuous monitoring of Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (General), Sanjay Manoria.

Under his leadership, the Electrical (General) Department ensured effective and timely execution of all energy conservation projects. Key initiatives included regular energy audits, scientific load analysis, station-wise energy profiling, staff awareness training, and phased implementation of energy-efficient technologies.
Special Air India Bhopal-Bengaluru service begins to ease festive rush





Staff Reporter :

Amid the pressure of the festive season and growing business travel, there is relieving news for passengers traveling from Bhopal to Bengaluru. Air India has decided to launch an additional flight on the Bengaluru-Bhopal-Bengaluru for a limited period. This special service will operate from December 14 to December 19, 2025. This step was taken in response to the increasing demand for travel from Raja Bhoj Airport to Bengaluru, a major IT hub in South India.

According to the schedule released by Air India, Flight AI 3391 will depart from Bengaluru at 2:30 PM and arrive in Bhopal. For the return journey, Flight AI 3392 will depart from Bhopal at 3:05 PM, heading back to Bengaluru. Temporary addition to handle peak load Airline officials stated that this flight has been added temporarily to manage the increased passenger load caused by festivals and corporate travel.

Currently, Indigo Airlines operates two daily flights on this route, with the number increasing to three on weekends. With the addition of Air Indias temporary flight, a total of four flights will be available daily on the Bhopal-Bengaluru sector between December 14 and 19. This will not only improve ticket availability but also offer passengers more choices in flight timings.
State Energy Dept. Secy Gadhpale inspects SLDC





Staff Reporter :

Energy Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Energy Department and Managing Director, MP Power Management Company, Vishesh Gadhpale inspected the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) located at Nayagaon in the headquarters of Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company (MP Transco), Jabalpur. At the State Load Dispatch Centre, Energy Secretary, Gadhpale reviewed the real-time monitoring of the States power system with the help of state-of-the-art technology.

He obtained detailed information regarding data received from substations across the state and the grid, grid discipline, load patterns of extra high tension substations, energy accounting, open access and related technical operations and issued necessary directions. Gadhpale also reviewed the cyber security framework of the State Load Dispatch Centre. He was informed that the cyber security procedures adopted by Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company have been recommended by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) at the national level for compliance by load dispatch centres in other states as well.

The Energy Secretary assessed the disaster management preparedness of the State Load Dispatch Centre in case of a power crisis in the State. He was informed that periodic mock drills are conducted at the Load Dispatch Centre to test system reliability and preparedness to handle adverse situations. He also discussed several other technical aspects related to power scheduling for maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply in Madhya Pradesh, coordination with power generation units, exchange of messages during shutdowns, power flow in the States 400 kV transmission lines and renewable energy generation.

He reviewed the concept of One Nation, One Grid and obtained information about the line of action plan to address challenges in integrating the increasing solar energy generation in the state with the grid. Praising the world-class arrangements and efficient functioning of the Madhya Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre, one of the best in the country, Gadhpale said that operating such a complex system with precision on a 247 basis is a highly challenging task. During the inspection, Energy Secretary was accompanied by Managing Director, MP Power Transmission Company, Sunil Tiwari, Chief Engineer, State Load Dispatch Centre, Pradeep Sachan and other senior officers.
BEIRUT, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon announced Monday that 380,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their home country under a government-facilitated plan launched in July 2025.

Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed said on social media platform X that the returnees have been permanently removed from the UN refugee agency's registration database. An additional 74,000 refugees have voiced their intention to return before the end of the year.

This reflects the Lebanese government's "unwavering commitment to ensuring the sustainable return of displaced people to Syria," as well as "the effectiveness of the existing partnership" with national and international partners, Sayed said.

Lebanon, hosting one of the world's largest refugee populations per capita, has long argued that the presence of over 2 million Syrian refugees strains its public services, economy, and social cohesion.

In recent years, the Lebanese government has intensified calls for refugee returns as a national priority. However, humanitarian organizations have stressed that any returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, noting that conditions inside Syria remain challenging. 
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Monday denounced the Japanese side for hyping up China's regular military training as a so-called security threat, saying that it will never work for Japan to evade the real issue, to divert attention, or to recriminate.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a comment from the Japanese side about a recent flight training of Chinese carrier-based aircraft.

Explaining the incident, Jiang said that on Dec. 6, PLANS Nangchang (101) of the naval task group led by PLANS Liaoning notified the Japanese side that the task group would conduct aircraft carrier-based flight training, with Japanese Ship JS Teruzuki (116) confirming reception of the message.

Later on, PLANS Nangchang (101) again notified the Japanese side that the training was expected to start from 3:00 p.m. and last for about six hours, mainly to the south of the carrier, with JS Teruzuki (116) again confirming reception of the message, he said.

Against this backdrop, Japanese fighter jets still intruded into the training zone multiple times to harass the Chinese side, the spokesperson said, emphasizing that the Japanese side shall bear all the responsibility for endangering flight safety.

In doing so, the Japanese side has once again lied to its own people and misled the international community by hyping up a regular military training of the Chinese side as a so-called security threat and portraying itself, the real provoker, as a victim, he said.

Jiang urged the Japanese side to squarely face up to the crux of the current difficulty in China-Japan relations, and earnestly reflect on and rectify its wrongdoings.

"Those despicable moves and political manipulation to evade the real issue, to divert attention, or to recriminate will never work," he added.

Jiang also responded to another media query about memorial activities held across China on the 12th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims.

Describing the Japanese invasion and slaughter in Nanjing on Dec. 13, 1937 as "heinous crimes," Jiang urged the Japanese side to deeply reflect on the atrocities it committed against peoples of Asian countries, including China, and stop all wrong actions in distorting and whitewashing its history of aggression. 
National Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 10,182 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $501,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in Delta Air Lines by 184.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 572 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 2,280.8% during the 2nd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 619 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 593 shares during the period. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of Delta Air Lines stock opened at $69.82 on Monday. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12-month low of $34.74 and a 12-month high of $71.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $60.94 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $57.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.83, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.37.

Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.40 billion during the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 23.83%. Equities analysts expect that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were issued a $0.1875 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $72.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Delta Air Lines to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-one have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $74.08.

View Our Latest Analysis on Delta Air Lines

Insider Activity at Delta Air Lines

In other news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $858,112.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 15,816 shares in the company, valued at $968,730. The trade was a 46.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total value of $1,453,722.59. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 81,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,055,523.97. This represents a 22.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Profile

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 4,756 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $513,000.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Elequin Capital LP acquired a new position in Exxon Mobil during the first quarter worth $31,000. Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 1,500.0% during the 1st quarter. Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC now owns 320 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA purchased a new position in Exxon Mobil during the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Bare Financial Services Inc grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 121.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 366 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1248 Management LLC purchased a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the first quarter worth about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Shares of Exxon Mobil stock opened at $118.77 on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $115.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $112.29. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 12 month low of $97.80 and a 12 month high of $120.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $500.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.26, a PEG ratio of 7.48 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, June 17th. The oil and gas company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $57.55 billion for the quarter. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 8.99%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This is an increase from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.99. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $141.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Melius initiated coverage on Exxon Mobil in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a hold rating and a $111.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho increased their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup lifted their target price on Exxon Mobil from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on Exxon Mobil from $127.00 to $126.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $129.24.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on XOM

About Exxon Mobil

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of First Horizon (NYSE: FHN) recently:

12/11/2025  First Horizon was downgraded by analysts at Baird R W from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating.

12/11/2025  First Horizon had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at Robert W. Baird. They now have a $25.00 price target on the stock.

12/9/2025  First Horizon had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/3/2025  First Horizon was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating.

11/15/2025  First Horizon was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating.

11/11/2025  First Horizon had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $26.00 to $28.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

11/1/2025  First Horizon was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating.

10/16/2025  First Horizon had its price target lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $25.00 to $23.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

10/16/2025  First Horizon had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at DA Davidson. They now have a $24.00 price target on the stock.

10/16/2025  First Horizon had its in-line rating reaffirmed by analysts at Evercore ISI. They now have a $20.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $26.00.

10/16/2025  First Horizon had its price target lowered by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $25.00 to $23.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

10/16/2025  First Horizon had its price target lowered by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $24.00 to $23.00. They now have a market perform rating on the stock.

First Horizon Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. First Horizons payout ratio is presently 36.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other First Horizon news, CAO Jeff L. Fleming sold 7,619 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.74, for a total value of $165,637.06. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 128,626 shares in the company, valued at $2,796,329.24. This represents a 5.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP David T. Popwell sold 155,149 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total transaction of $3,306,225.19. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 307,432 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,551,375.92. The trade was a 33.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 1.04% of the companys stock.

First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments.

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Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 5.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $7.82 and last traded at $7.8350. Approximately 36,200,809 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 39,532,102 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.30.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACHR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on shares of Archer Aviation from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on shares of Archer Aviation from $13.00 to $10.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Archer Aviation in a research report on Monday, December 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $11.00 price objective on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.14.

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Archer Aviation Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $5.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.22 and a beta of 3.10. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $9.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 18.19 and a quick ratio of 18.19.

Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.20). On average, analysts forecast that Archer Aviation Inc. will post -1.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Archer Aviation news, CFO Priya Gupta sold 5,479 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total value of $41,037.71. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 161,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,209,807.27. This represents a 3.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CTO Thomas Paul Muniz sold 90,648 shares of Archer Aviation stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.49, for a total transaction of $678,953.52. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer directly owned 1,397,129 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,464,496.21. This represents a 6.09% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 182,635 shares of company stock valued at $1,367,936. 7.65% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Archer Aviation

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Archer Aviation by 77.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 5,225 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 2,286 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 47.3% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 12,612 shares of the companys stock worth $122,000 after acquiring an additional 4,050 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd grew its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 71.7% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 24,214 shares of the companys stock worth $232,000 after acquiring an additional 10,109 shares during the period. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. increased its holdings in Archer Aviation by 395.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. now owns 44,300 shares of the companys stock worth $424,000 after acquiring an additional 59,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in Archer Aviation in the 3rd quarter valued at about $563,000. 59.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Archer Aviation

(Get Free Report)

Archer Aviation Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in designs, develops, and operates electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility. The company was formerly known as Atlas Crest Investment Corp. and changed its name to Archer Aviation Inc The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 5,460.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Ashtead Group to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the company from GBX 5,900 to GBX 5,700 in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a GBX 4,600 target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Friday, November 7th. Peel Hunt reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 5,000 price target on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a no recommendation rating on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Thursday, November 6th.

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Ashtead Group Stock Performance

Ashtead Group Company Profile

Shares of AHT stock traded up GBX 28.80 during trading hours on Monday, hitting GBX 5,174. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,584,214 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,372,666. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 146.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 4,968.62 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 4,949.82. Ashtead Group has a 12-month low of GBX 3,477 and a 12-month high of GBX 5,616. The stock has a market cap of 21.63 billion, a PE ratio of 15.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.22.

(Get Free Report)

Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

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Auto Trader Group (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 1,119,520 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 170% from the previous sessions volume of 414,685 shares.The stock last traded at $2.00 and had previously closed at $1.96.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Auto Trader Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce.

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Auto Trader Group Price Performance

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

The firms 50-day moving average is $2.33 and its 200 day moving average is $2.56.

(Get Free Report)

Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies.

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Booking, Travelers Companies, Expedia Group, MakeMyTrip, Trip.com Group, Thor Industries, and Allegiant Travel are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business depends on leisure and business travel  for example, airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, car rental firms, online travel agencies, and tour operators. These stocks tend to be cyclical and sensitive to factors like consumer travel demand, seasonality, economic conditions, fuel and labor costs, and travel-related regulations or health crises, which can make them more volatile than the broader market. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days.

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Booking (BKNG)

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.

Travelers Companies (TRV)

The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV

Expedia Group (EXPE)

Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com.

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MakeMyTrip (MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing.

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Trip.com Group (TCOM)

Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services.

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Thor Industries (THO)

THOR Industries, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells recreational vehicles (RVs), and related parts and accessories in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers travel trailers; gasoline and diesel Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes; conventional travel trailers and fifth wheels; luxury fifth wheels; and motorcaravans, caravans, campervans, and urban vehicles.

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Allegiant Travel (ALGT)

Allegiant Travel Company, a leisure travel company, provides travel services and products to residents of under-served cities in the United States. The company offers scheduled air transportation on limited-frequency, nonstop flights between under-served cities and leisure destinations. As of February 1, 2024, it operated a fleet of 126 Airbus A320 series aircraft.

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Further Reading
Forestar Group Inc (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $32.00.

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Forestar Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Citigroup increased their target price on Forestar Group from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on Forestar Group from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Forestar Group from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Forestar Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Forestar Group

Forestar Group Price Performance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in Forestar Group by 400.0% in the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 500,000 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $13,295,000 after purchasing an additional 400,000 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of Forestar Group by 232.9% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 529,863 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $10,597,000 after buying an additional 370,685 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Forestar Group by 50.8% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 489,230 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $10,342,000 after buying an additional 164,753 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Forestar Group in the 1st quarter valued at $3,123,000. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in shares of Forestar Group by 235.3% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 159,053 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $4,229,000 after buying an additional 111,620 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.50% of the companys stock.

Forestar Group stock opened at $26.64 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $25.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $24.64. The company has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.10 and a beta of 1.41. Forestar Group has a 1 year low of $18.00 and a 1 year high of $29.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.33.

Forestar Group (NYSE:FOR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.53. Forestar Group had a net margin of 10.11% and a return on equity of 10.08%. The firm had revenue of $670.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $556.59 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.60 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 21.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Forestar Group will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Forestar Group Company Profile

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Forestar Group Inc operates as a residential lot development company in the United States. The company acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. It sells its residential single-family finished lots to local, regional, and national homebuilders. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Arlington, Texas.

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BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- All countries have the responsibility and obligation to urge Japan to thoroughly eradicate the vestiges of militarism, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday, calling for joint efforts to safeguard the outcomes of World War II victory and the post-war international order.

Guo made the remarks after China had received a batch of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II.

On Dec. 13, the National Archives Administration of China published a batch of declassified Russia-provided archives on Soviet interrogations of the Japanese Unit 731 in Khabarovsk. The archives, containing interrogation records of Unit 731 members and investigation reports on the unit's crimes, once again lay bare Japan's notorious germ warfare during its aggression against China.

The archive copies once again show that Unit 731 has committed monstrous crimes against humanity, which are backed by irrefutable evidence and must not be denied, Guo told a regular press briefing.

According to the archives, during the aggression, the Japanese military conducted various live human experiments, including experiments with germ, frostbite, corrosive liquid and erosive gas, Guo pointed out. He added that among the victims, there were not only the Chinese people, but also people from the Soviet Union and the Korean Peninsula.

The interrogation records disclosed for the first time show that the confession of Kiyoshi Kawashima, former head of Unit 731's bacterial production department, and other Japanese war criminals detailed the Japanese military's large-scale use of biological weapons in China in 1940, 1941 and 1942, and the records prove that the application of the experiments in the war aimed at the large-scale destruction of humans, Guo said.

He further noted that the trial records in Khabarovsk - supporting and adding more proofs to the files kept by China - together with the site of Unit 731 in China, clearly demonstrate how the unit committed crimes in China and proved that the germ warfare was a premeditated, organized, top-down and systematic state crime.

Besides in China, the Japanese military established Unit Oka 9420 in Singapore in 1942, conducted illicit human experiments and waged germ warfare in Southeast Asian countries, Guo said. "Their atrocities will be condemned to perpetual infamy," he added.

It is alarming that, despite these undeniable facts, right-wing forces in Japan continue to vehemently deny, downplay, or even whitewash acts of aggression and crimes against humanity, Guo noted, adding that amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells repetition of crimes.

"All countries have the responsibility and obligation to urge Japan to thoroughly eliminate the remnants of militarism, so that such tragedies are never repeated. Together, we must safeguard the outcomes of the victory in World War II and the post-war international order, and jointly uphold the hard-won peace and stability in the world," the spokesperson said. 
Shares of Warrior Met Coal (NYSE:HCC  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $74.25.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. B. Riley restated a buy rating on shares of Warrior Met Coal in a report on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Warrior Met Coal from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Warrior Met Coal in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Warrior Met Coal from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Warrior Met Coal from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th.

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Insider Transactions at Warrior Met Coal

Institutional Trading of Warrior Met Coal

In other news, CEO Walter J. Scheller sold 18,966 shares of Warrior Met Coal stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $1,422,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 394,183 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,563,725. This trade represents a 4.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 2.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. L1 Capital Pty Ltd grew its holdings in Warrior Met Coal by 175.8% during the 2nd quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 1,981,045 shares of the companys stock worth $90,791,000 after acquiring an additional 1,262,736 shares in the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 130.4% during the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,889,025 shares of the companys stock worth $86,574,000 after purchasing an additional 1,069,025 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 219.2% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,554,071 shares of the companys stock worth $98,901,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067,247 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 25.2% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,099,070 shares of the companys stock worth $187,860,000 after purchasing an additional 825,807 shares in the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Warrior Met Coal by 18.4% in the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,361,627 shares of the companys stock valued at $112,697,000 after buying an additional 367,326 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.28% of the companys stock.

Warrior Met Coal Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE HCC opened at $83.53 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.00, a current ratio of 4.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The businesss 50 day moving average is $73.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.03. Warrior Met Coal has a 52-week low of $38.00 and a 52-week high of $85.86. The firm has a market cap of $4.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 124.67 and a beta of 0.68.

Warrior Met Coal (NYSE:HCC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by $0.91. Warrior Met Coal had a return on equity of 2.01% and a net margin of 2.87%.The business had revenue of $328.59 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $302.51 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.80 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Warrior Met Coal will post 4.86 EPS for the current year.

Warrior Met Coal Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Warrior Met Coals dividend payout ratio is 47.76%.

Warrior Met Coal Company Profile

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Warrior Met Coal, Inc produces and exports non-thermal metallurgical coal for the steel industry. It operates two underground mines located in Alabama. The company sells its metallurgical coal to a customer base of blast furnace steel producers located primarily in Europe, South America, and Asia. It also sells natural gas, which is extracted as a byproduct from coal production.

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China Mengniu Dairy (OTCMKTS:CIADY  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $18.38, but opened at $19.13. China Mengniu Dairy shares last traded at $19.12, with a volume of 1,850 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Zacks Research upgraded shares of China Mengniu Dairy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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China Mengniu Dairy Stock Performance

China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile

The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $18.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.99.

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China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture and distribution of dairy products under the MENGNIU brand in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Liquid Milk Business, Ice Cream Business, Milk Formula Business, and Cheese Business, and Other segments.

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Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $68.00 to $79.00 in a report released on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the basic materials companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 11.64% from the stocks current price.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on CMC. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Commercial Metals from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $70.00 to $78.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup upgraded Commercial Metals from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $60.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Commercial Metals from $69.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Commercial Metals from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Commercial Metals from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $57.50 to $68.00 in a research report on Friday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.50.

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Commercial Metals Stock Performance

NYSE:CMC traded up $0.20 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $70.76. The stock had a trading volume of 450,194 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,100,198. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 93.10, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.49. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $60.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.34. Commercial Metals has a 1-year low of $37.92 and a 1-year high of $71.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 2.78 and a quick ratio of 2.03.

Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The basic materials company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.05. Commercial Metals had a return on equity of 8.76% and a net margin of 1.09%.The firm had revenue of $2.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.90 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Commercial Metals will post 3.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Commercial Metals

In other news, Director John R. Mcpherson acquired 1,722 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $58.09 per share, for a total transaction of $100,030.98. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,722 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $390,480.98. This represents a 34.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CMC. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Commercial Metals by 2.6% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,270,373 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $359,167,000 after acquiring an additional 161,195 shares in the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Commercial Metals by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,161,292 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $191,461,000 after purchasing an additional 539,309 shares during the period. Boston Partners grew its position in shares of Commercial Metals by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,641,930 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $208,629,000 after purchasing an additional 67,139 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Commercial Metals by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,193,930 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $156,215,000 after purchasing an additional 290,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Commercial Metals by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,823,923 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $104,474,000 after buying an additional 112,267 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.90% of the companys stock.

About Commercial Metals

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Commercial Metals Company manufactures, recycles, and fabricates steel and metal products, and related materials and services in the United States, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through two segments, North America and Europe. The company processes and sells ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals to steel mills and foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, brass and bronze ingot makers, copper refineries and mills, secondary lead smelters, specialty steel mills, high temperature alloy manufacturers, and other consumers.

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Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Sunday morning.

DELL has been the topic of several other reports. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. TD Cowen raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays cut their price target on Dell Technologies from $151.00 to $148.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Dell Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $162.84.

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Dell Technologies Stock Performance

DELL stock opened at $129.82 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $87.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.03. The businesss 50-day moving average is $143.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.54. Dell Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $66.25 and a fifty-two week high of $168.08.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology company reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.47 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $27.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27.26 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 5.01% and a negative return on equity of 234.84%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.15 EPS. Dell Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.920-9.920 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.500-3.500 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Dell Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be issued a $0.525 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 28.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies

In other news, Director Ellen Jamison Kullman sold 79,806 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.56, for a total transaction of $12,255,009.36. Following the sale, the director owned 65,662 shares in the company, valued at $10,083,056.72. This trade represents a 54.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Egon Durban sold 71,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.12, for a total transaction of $9,806,520.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 1,172,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $161,935,755.36. This represents a 5.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,008,030 shares of company stock worth $576,159,860. Insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dell Technologies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DELL. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Dell Technologies in the first quarter worth $27,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Dell Technologies by 84.7% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 218 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new position in shares of Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. 76.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Dell Technologies

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Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Monday after Kepler Capital Markets upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. The stock had previously closed at $9.4820, but opened at $9.98. Deutsche Lufthansa shares last traded at $10.00, with a volume of 5,138 shares trading hands.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Deutsche Lufthansa from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Deutsche Lufthansa in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued an underweight rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup cut Deutsche Lufthansa from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Deutsche Lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa Trading Up 5.4%

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Deutsche Lufthansa stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Deutsche Lufthansa AG ( OTCMKTS:DLAKY Free Report ) by 892.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,270 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 8,336 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Deutsche Lufthansa were worth $78,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The firm has a market capitalization of $11.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $8.88 and its 200-day moving average is $8.77.

Deutsche Lufthansa (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The transportation company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $13.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.98 billion. Deutsche Lufthansa had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 4.45%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Deutsche Lufthansa AG will post 0.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Deutsche Lufthansa Company Profile

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG operates as an aviation company worldwide. It operates in three segments: Passenger Airlines; Logistics; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services (MRO). The Passenger Airlines segment offers products and services to passengers of Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by analysts at Bank of America from $1,286.00 to $1,268.00 in a research report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 23.38% from the companys current price.

A number of other brokerages have also commented on LLY. CICC Research boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Scotiabank started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, December 1st. BMO Capital Markets set a $1,200.00 price objective on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,128.55.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.8%

LLY stock opened at $1,027.68 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The company 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. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $939.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $820.35. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $623.78 and a 52 week high of $1,111.99.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,005,392,000 after purchasing an additional 11,537,661 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth $8,827,714,000. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 20.9% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 25,088,371 shares of the companys stock worth $19,141,787,000 after buying an additional 4,332,008 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,407,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,680,004,000 after buying an additional 1,183,038 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 27.1% in the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 4,525,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,823,977,000 after buying an additional 964,675 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Ensign Energy Services (TSE:ESI  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at BMO Capital Markets from an outperform rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Monday, Marketbeat reports. They presently have a C$3.50 price target on the stock. BMO Capital Markets price target would indicate a potential upside of 41.70% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Atb Cap Markets raised Ensign Energy Services to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. CIBC upped their price objective on Ensign Energy Services from C$2.50 to C$2.75 in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded Ensign Energy Services from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from C$2.50 to C$3.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$2.88.

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Ensign Energy Services Stock Performance

Shares of Ensign Energy Services stock opened at C$2.47 on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$2.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$2.37. Ensign Energy Services has a 12 month low of C$1.73 and a 12 month high of C$3.52. The stock has a market capitalization of C$452.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.88, a PEG ratio of 202.94 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 84.02, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

Ensign Energy Services (TSE:ESI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported C($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$411.16 million for the quarter. Ensign Energy Services had a return on equity of 2.37% and a net margin of 1.86%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Ensign Energy Services will post 0.2901354 earnings per share for the current year.

Ensign Energy Services Company Profile

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Ensign Energy Services Inc offers services in drilling and well servicing, oil sands coring, directional drilling, underbalanced and managed pressure drilling, equipment rentals, transportation, wireline services, and production testing services. Ensign produces enhanced drilling with the help of its proprietary automated drilling rigs.

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Ethernity Networks Ltd. (LON:ENET  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 16.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 0.01 and last traded at GBX 0.01. 1,066,939,375 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 625% from the average session volume of 147,084,234 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.01.

Ethernity Networks Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 0.01 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 0.02. The firm has a market capitalization of 70,000.00, a PE ratio of -0.01 and a beta of 0.58.

Ethernity Networks Company Profile

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Ethernity Networks Ltd. provides technology solutions for telecom, mobile, security, and data center markets in Asia, Europe, Israel, and the United States. The company develops and delivers data processing technology and solutions for carrier Ethernet switching. It provides ENET flow processors for telco/cloud network; ACE-NIC40 SmartNIC, an open flow enabled software acceleration NIC; ACE-NIC50 SmartNIC, which offers 10/25G Ethernet connectivity and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) acceleration; and ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC that provides flexible 10/25/40/100G Ethernet connectivity and programmable FPGA acceleration.

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Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities researchers at Evercore ISI from $144.00 to $143.00 in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an in-line rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Evercore ISIs target price points to a potential upside of 7.80% from the companys current price.

MAA has been the subject of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $169.00 to $164.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from $158.00 to $146.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 10th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $142.00 to $132.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mid-America Apartment Communities currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $154.89.

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Mid-America Apartment Communities Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MAA traded up $0.54 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $132.65. The company had a trading volume of 93,596 shares, compared to its average volume of 904,239. Mid-America Apartment Communities has a 12-month low of $125.75 and a 12-month high of $173.38. The company has a fifty day moving average of $132.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $141.03. The company has a market cap of $15.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.06, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06.

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $554.37 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $557.22 million. Mid-America Apartment Communities had a net margin of 25.23% and a return on equity of 9.14%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.21 earnings per share. Mid-America Apartment Communities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.680-8.800 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.170-2.290 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Mid-America Apartment Communities will post 8.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. acquired 578 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $129.36 per share, with a total value of $74,770.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 320,391 shares in the company, valued at approximately $41,445,779.76. This represents a 0.18% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Mid-America Apartment Communities

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 6.8% in the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $169,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. grew its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. now owns 2,683 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $397,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 5.0% in the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 1,693 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 1.8% during the third quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 4,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $643,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the period. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its position in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,518 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $669,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.60% of the companys stock.

About Mid-America Apartment Communities

(Get Free Report)

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the operation, acquisition, and development of apartment communities. It operates through the Same Store and Non-Same Store segments. The Same Store Communities segment represents those apartment communities that have been owned and stabilized for at least 12 months as of the first day of the calendar year.

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Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LON:GSF  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Monday. The company reported GBX (10.67) EPS for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Gore Street Energy Storage Fund had a negative return on equity of 1.04% and a negative net margin of 80.72%.

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Trading Down 10.2%

Shares of GSF opened at GBX 53.85 on Monday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 61.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 60.62. Gore Street Energy Storage Fund has a 1-year low of GBX 42.40 and a 1-year high of GBX 69. The company has a market cap of 272.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.14 and a beta of 0.31.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Shore Capital reiterated a house stock rating on shares of Gore Street Energy Storage Fund in a research note on Friday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund currently has a consensus rating of Sell and an average price target of GBX 60.

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Company Profile

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About Us: Gore Street Energy Storage Fund plc is Londons first listed energy storage fund, launched in 2018. The Company is the only UK-listed energy storage fund with a diversified portfolio across five grid networks. The Company is one of the principal owners and operators of battery storage facilities in Great Britain and Ireland and owns and operates facilities in Western Mainland Europe and the US.

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BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Monday voiced firm support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) over its lawful verdict in the Jimmy Lai case.

Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, according to the verdict handed down by Hong Kong's High Court on Monday.

Lai was a key planner and participant in a series of anti-China activities in Hong Kong, and a behind-the-scenes figure in attempting a "color revolution" there, said an article released by the office on its social media account after the verdict.

For a long period of time, Lai aligned himself with foreign and external forces, and his actions severely undermined the principles underpinning "one country, two systems," gravely endangered national security, disrupted Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and harmed the interests and well-being of Hong Kong residents, it said.

Court proceedings presented substantial evidence showing that Lai engaged in activities endangering national security, played a key role in the unrest that gripped Hong Kong, and acted as a pawn of external forces, the office said.

Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the "one country, two systems" policy, the office said, adding that the HKSAR bears a constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security.

In today's Hong Kong, the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security have become increasingly sound, said the office, noting that the days when external forces and anti-China, destabilizing elements could act with impunity are gone for good.

Anyone or any organization that dares to challenge the laws safeguarding national security or engage in acts and activities that endanger national security will inevitably be severely punished, the office said.

The office added that acts by external forces to exert pressure or interfere in the handling of national security cases, or threats of sanctions against HKSAR government officials and judicial personnel, will not shake the strong resolve of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. 
Gray Media Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 4,758 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 183% from the previous sessions volume of 1,679 shares.The stock last traded at $8.3550 and had previously closed at $8.27.

Gray Media Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $9.10 and a 200 day moving average of $9.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.60, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $828.46 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.79 and a beta of 0.96.

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Gray Media (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gray Media had a net margin of 2.81% and a return on equity of 5.50%. The company had revenue of $749.00 million during the quarter.

Gray Media Company Profile

Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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Shares of Griffin Mining Limited (LON:GFM  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 241 and last traded at GBX 238, with a volume of 33024 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 234.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on shares of Griffin Mining from GBX 220 to GBX 240 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 200 target price on shares of Griffin Mining in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 220.

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Griffin Mining Price Performance

Griffin Mining Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.76. The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 199.07 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 189.35. The company has a market capitalization of 420.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.57 and a beta of 0.76.

(Get Free Report)

Griffin Mining Limited (Griffin or the Company) is a mining and investment company, incorporated in Bermuda in 1988 whose shares were admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM) in 1997.

The major asset of the Company is an 88.8% interest in Hebei Hua Ao Mining Industry Company Limited (Hebei Hua Ao) through its wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary, China Zinc Limited (China Zinc), which holds licences, the operating mine and processing facilities (the Caijiaying Mine) near Zhangjiakou City in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC or China).

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Japan Tob (OTCMKTS:JAPAY  Get Free Report) and British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI  Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, earnings and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

16.2% of British American Tobacco shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of British American Tobacco shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Japan Tob and British American Tobaccos revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Japan Tob $20.83 billion 3.20 $3.06 billion $0.91 20.63 British American Tobacco $33.06 billion 3.57 $3.92 billion N/A N/A

British American Tobacco has higher revenue and earnings than Japan Tob.

Volatility and Risk

Japan Tob has a beta of 0.34, meaning that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, British American Tobacco has a beta of 0.32, meaning that its stock price is 68% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Japan Tob and British American Tobaccos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Japan Tob 14.55% 11.97% 6.14% British American Tobacco N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Japan Tob pays an annual dividend of $0.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. British American Tobacco pays an annual dividend of $2.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. Japan Tob pays out 45.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Japan Tob and British American Tobacco, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Japan Tob 1 0 0 1 2.50 British American Tobacco 2 1 8 0 2.55

Japan Tob presently has a consensus price target of $17.00, suggesting a potential downside of 9.45%. British American Tobacco has a consensus price target of $51.00, suggesting a potential downside of 11.47%. Given Japan Tobs higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Japan Tob is more favorable than British American Tobacco.

Summary

British American Tobacco beats Japan Tob on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Japan Tob

(Get Free Report)

Japan Tobacco Inc., a tobacco company, manufactures and sells tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Tobacco Business, Pharmaceutical, and Processed Food. It offers tobacco products, such as cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco products, E-vapor products, fine cut tobacco products, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco products, and hookah and kretek products. The company also provides reduced-risk products, including infused tobacco capsules and heated tobacco sticks. In addition, it researches and develops, manufactures, and sells prescription drugs for the therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, kidney and metabolism, immunity/inflammation, and central nervous system. Further, the company provides frozen and room-temperature products, such as frozen udon noodles, packed rice, and frozen okonomiyaki; bakery products; and seasonings, including yeast extracts, assembled, kelp and bonito extracts, and oyster sauces. It offers its products under the Winston, Camel, MEVIUS, and LD brands. Japan Tobacco Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About British American Tobacco

(Get Free Report)

British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. It also distributes its products to retail outlets. British American Tobacco p.l.c. was founded in 1902 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF  Get Free Report) and Tamboran Resources (NYSE:TBN  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares YPF Sociedad Anonima and Tamboran Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets YPF Sociedad Anonima -2.45% 2.88% 1.16% Tamboran Resources N/A -7.49% -6.44%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares YPF Sociedad Anonima and Tamboran Resourcess gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio YPF Sociedad Anonima $19.29 billion 0.71 $2.35 billion ($1.18) -29.50 Tamboran Resources N/A N/A -$36.90 million ($2.57) -9.65

YPF Sociedad Anonima has higher revenue and earnings than Tamboran Resources. YPF Sociedad Anonima is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Tamboran Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for YPF Sociedad Anonima and Tamboran Resources, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score YPF Sociedad Anonima 0 4 2 0 2.33 Tamboran Resources 1 1 4 1 2.71

YPF Sociedad Anonima presently has a consensus target price of $41.67, indicating a potential upside of 19.71%. Tamboran Resources has a consensus target price of $36.40, indicating a potential upside of 46.79%. Given Tamboran Resources stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Tamboran Resources is more favorable than YPF Sociedad Anonima.

Volatility & Risk

YPF Sociedad Anonima has a beta of 1.44, suggesting that its stock price is 44% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Tamboran Resources has a beta of 0.31, suggesting that its stock price is 69% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

10.1% of YPF Sociedad Anonima shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Tamboran Resources shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

About YPF Sociedad Anonima

(Get Free Report)

YPF Sociedad Anonima, an energy company, engages in the oil and gas upstream and downstream activities in Argentina. Its upstream operations include the exploration, exploitation, and production of crude oil, and natural gas. The companys downstream operations include petrochemical production and crude oil refining; transportation and distribution refined and petrochemical products; commercialization of crude oil, petrochemical products, and specialties. Its gas and power operations include transportation, commercialization, and distribution of natural gas; operation of regasification terminals; conditioning, processing, and separation of natural gas; and power generation. The company had interests in oil and gas fields. It also had a retail distribution network and retail service stations. In addition, the company owns and operates refineries, as well as maintains terminal facilities Argentine ports. Further, it participates in power generation plants; offers diesel, fertilizers, lubricants, phytosanitary products, and ensiling bags; and supplies diesel, gasoline, fuel oil, coal, asphalts, paraffin, and sulfur, CO2, decanted oil, and aromatic extract. The company was incorporated in 1977 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

About Tamboran Resources

(Get Free Report)

Tamboran Resources Corporation, a natural gas company, focuses on developing unconventional gas resources in the northern territory of Australia. Its assets include a 25% non-operated working interest in EP 161; a 38.75% working interest in EPs 76, 98, and 117; and a 100% working interest in EPs 136 and 143, as well as EP (A) 197, located in the Betaloo Basin. Tamboran Resources Corporation was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (OTCMKTS:ICAGY  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Hold from the six brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company.

Several research firms recently commented on ICAGY. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on International Consolidated Airlines Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued an overweight rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded International Consolidated Airlines Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research lowered International Consolidated Airlines Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th.

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International Consolidated Airlines Group Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of OTCMKTS:ICAGY opened at $10.75 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The companys 50-day moving average price is $10.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.07. The company has a market cap of $24.56 billion, a PE ratio of 3.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.65. International Consolidated Airlines Group has a fifty-two week low of $5.60 and a fifty-two week high of $11.22.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The transportation company reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $1.09. The company had revenue of $10.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.95 billion. International Consolidated Airlines Group had a net margin of 9.52% and a return on equity of 112.24%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that International Consolidated Airlines Group will post 1.07 earnings per share for the current year.

International Consolidated Airlines Group Company Profile

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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of passenger and cargo transportation services in the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, and rest of the world. It also provides aircraft leasing, aircraft maintenance, tour operation, air freight operations, call centre, ground handling, trustee, retail, IT, finance, procurement, storage and custody, aircraft technical assistance, human resources support, and airport infrastructure development services; and manages airline loyalty programmes.

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iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF Common Class (TSE:FIE  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$9.96 and last traded at C$9.94, with a volume of 50858 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$9.90.

iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF Common Class Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$9.50 and its 200-day moving average price is C$9.10.

About iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF Common Class

(Get Free Report)

The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize total return for investors, consisting of distributions and capital appreciation. To achieve funds objective the investment strategy of the Fund is to invest its net assets, together with borrowings under its loan facility, in a portfolio consisting primarily of common shares, preferred shares, corporate bonds and income trust units of issuers in the Canadian financial sector.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $85.28 and last traded at $85.2650, with a volume of 26357 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $84.00.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Up 1.2%

The firms 50 day moving average price is $82.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $78.62. The company has a market cap of $15.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Japan ETF

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the third quarter worth about $135,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1,100.4% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 76,828 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $6,162,000 after buying an additional 70,428 shares in the last quarter. BlueCrest Capital Management Ltd acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $5,050,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 31.7% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 7,418 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 1,787 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $595,000. 64.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About iShares MSCI Japan ETF

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $104.00 to $93.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the utilities providers stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective indicates a potential upside of 8.79% from the stocks current price.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Southern from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $98.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underperform rating and set a $97.00 price objective on shares of Southern in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Evercore ISI began coverage on Southern in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They set an in-line rating and a $103.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on Southern from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Southern in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set an equal weight rating and a $97.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $97.21.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Southern

Southern Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:SO traded up $1.05 on Monday, hitting $85.49. The company had a trading volume of 2,476,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,273,828. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $92.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.32. Southern has a 1 year low of $80.46 and a 1 year high of $100.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $7.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.04 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 12.52% and a net margin of 15.42%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.39 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Southern will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SO. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Southern by 2.4% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 183,046 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,347,000 after purchasing an additional 4,263 shares in the last quarter. Innova Wealth Partners bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $226,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its position in Southern by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 141,179 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $13,380,000 after buying an additional 1,807 shares in the last quarter. Capital Square LLC raised its stake in Southern by 2.5% during the third quarter. Capital Square LLC now owns 26,213 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,484,000 after buying an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Southern in the third quarter worth $14,791,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock.

Southern Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Lundin Mining Corp. (OTCMKTS:LUNMF  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $19.72, but opened at $21.17. Lundin Mining shares last traded at $20.31, with a volume of 6,207 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on LUNMF. Cormark cut shares of Lundin Mining from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Lundin Mining from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Haywood Securities lowered Lundin Mining from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. CIBC restated a neutral rating on shares of Lundin Mining in a research note on Friday. Finally, Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Lundin Mining in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lundin Mining has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Lundin Mining Price Performance

Lundin Mining Company Profile

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $17.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.21. The stock has a market cap of $17.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 502.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

(Get Free Report)

Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Chile, Brazil, the United States, Portugal, Sweden, and Argentina. It primarily produces copper, zinc, gold, nickel, and molybdenum, as well as lead, silver, and other metals.

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Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. trimmed its position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 97.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,360 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 185,957 shares during the quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $538,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lavaca Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in TJX Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in TJX Companies by 121.1% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at TJX Companies

In related news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total value of $4,464,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 535,143 shares in the company, valued at $79,634,629.83. This trade represents a 5.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on TJX shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $181.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. TD Cowen raised their target price on TJX Companies from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Barclays set a $172.00 price target on TJX Companies and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Erste Group Bank started coverage on TJX Companies in a research note on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $161.10.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TJX

TJX Companies Price Performance

NYSE:TJX opened at $156.10 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 1.09. The company has a 50-day moving average of $146.43 and a 200-day moving average of $136.55. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $112.10 and a 52 week high of $157.72. The company has a market capitalization of $173.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.46, a PEG ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 0.76.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.53%.

TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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HONG KONG, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on Monday on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

The verdict was handed down by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on the national security case of Lai and three companies linked to the now-defunct Apple Daily.

The defendants include Lai, Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and Apple Daily Internet Limited, all facing charges of conspiracy to publish seditious materials and conspiracy to collude with external forces. Lai was also facing a separate charge of conspiring to collude with external forces.

The trial officially commenced on Dec. 18, 2023, and has been presided over by three judges appointed under the national security law in Hong Kong. The prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on June 11, 2024, and on July 25, the court ruled that all charges were substantiated. Lai's testimony began on Nov. 20, 2024, and ended in March 2025. Closing arguments began on Aug. 18 and were finalized on Aug. 28.

The three charges against Lai are all substantiated by evidence, the Hong Kong Police Force told reporters on Monday, adding that judicial proceedings of the case involved the examination of over 2,220 exhibits.

The judiciary opened over 400 seats to the public at each court hearing during the trial to ensure transparency of the proceedings, said the police.

In a statement supporting the verdict, a spokesperson of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said this is the first case in Hong Kong involving charges of colluding with external forces to endanger national security under the national security law in Hong Kong.

Noting that the verdict is supported across Hong Kong, the spokesperson said that the national security law in Hong Kong has provided a guarantee for securing the steady and continued success of "one country, two systems."

The verdict reaffirmed the zero-tolerance stance on acts and activities endangering national security, and served as a stern warning to all anti-China elements destabilizing Hong Kong that all national security offences will be punished under the law, according to the spokesperson.

A spokesperson for the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said Monday that the office firmly supports the judiciary of the HKSAR in delivering the verdict.

Safeguarding national security is a top priority in any country, said the spokesperson. Lai's acts seriously undermined the bottom line of the "one country, two systems," seriously endangered national security, and seriously harmed Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and the well-being of the Hong Kong people. Such serious crimes should be severely punished by law.

Some western politicians and anti-China media outlets smeared the rule of law in Hong Kong under the guise of "human rights" and "freedom," beautified Lai's acts of endangering national security, and brazenly interfered in the judicial proceedings of the HKSAR, the spokesperson noted.

This is political manipulation with ulterior motives and blatant trampling on the spirit of the rule of law, which fully exposed their hypocrisy and double standards, said the spokesperson.

The office will work with the HKSAR to fully and accurately implement laws for safeguarding national security, punish crimes endangering national security in accordance with the law, and resolutely crack down on acts and activities of external forces interfering in the trial of national security cases and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong.

The verdict on the national security case of Lai is well-grounded and appropriate and fully demonstrates that the court has acted strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, a spokesperson of the HKSAR government said on Monday.

Commenting on the case, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that the verdict has fully reflected the justice of the law and upheld the core values of the HKSAR.

He underscored that the HKSAR government has the responsibility to safeguard national security and will resolutely combat acts and activities endangering it.

Anyone who attempts to endanger national security will be brought to justice, Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the HKSAR government, told reporters in response to Monday's verdict, noting that Lai has used news reporting as a cover to engage in activities endangering national security. 
Mkango Resources Ltd. (LON:MKA  Get Free Report) shares were up 8.2% on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 59 and last traded at GBX 56.25. Approximately 1,063,818 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 58% from the average daily volume of 2,507,784 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 52.

Mkango Resources Trading Up 11.1%

The firm has a market capitalization of 200.50 million, a PE ratio of -12.58 and a beta of 2.17. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 52.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 38.46.

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Mkango Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mkangos corporate strategy is to develop new sustainable primary and secondary sources of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium to supply accelerating demand from electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean technologies. This integrated Mine, Refine, Recycle strategy differentiates Mkango from its peers, uniquely positioning the Company in the rare earths sector.

Mkango released a Feasibility Study for Songwe Hill, Malawi, in July 2022.

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National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 42.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,704,942 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 507,058 shares during the quarter. National Bank of Canada FI owned 0.13% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $95,736,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Corient IA LLC bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the first quarter valued at about $753,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 32.4% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,368 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $3,784,000 after purchasing an additional 18,458 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,579,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,596,483 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $145,793,000 after purchasing an additional 171,466 shares during the period. Finally, Dillon & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dillon & Associates Inc. now owns 287,433 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $16,096,000 after buying an additional 14,037 shares in the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on CMG. Barclays decreased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $43.00 to $38.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Mizuho set a $34.00 price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $40.00 price target (down from $52.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.81.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

NYSE:CMG opened at $36.13 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $47.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.97, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 0.99. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.75 and a 1 year high of $66.43. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $35.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $42.85.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.39% and a net margin of 13.04%.The firm had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.27 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current year.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE:NMM  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Navios Maritime Partners in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold.

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Navios Maritime Partners Price Performance

Shares of NMM stock opened at $51.16 on Friday. Navios Maritime Partners has a 52 week low of $28.37 and a 52 week high of $56.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a PE ratio of 5.86 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stocks fifty day moving average is $49.62 and its 200-day moving average is $45.35.

Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE:NMM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The shipping company reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.55 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $346.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $334.64 million. Navios Maritime Partners had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 20.04%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.15 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Navios Maritime Partners will post 12.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Navios Maritime Partners

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NMM. Ion Asset Management Ltd. grew its stake in Navios Maritime Partners by 2.2% during the second quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 817,963 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $30,821,000 after purchasing an additional 17,285 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in Navios Maritime Partners by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 158,749 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $7,152,000 after acquiring an additional 2,045 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 28.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 117,950 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $5,314,000 after purchasing an additional 26,340 shares in the last quarter. ING Groep NV raised its stake in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 123.6% during the 3rd quarter. ING Groep NV now owns 96,600 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $4,352,000 after purchasing an additional 53,400 shares during the period. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 92,682 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,175,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. 62.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Navios Maritime Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. owns and operates dry cargo vessels in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. The company offers seaborne transportation services for a range of liquid and dry cargo commodities, including crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals, iron ore, coal, grain, fertilizer, and containers, as well as charters its vessels under short, medium, and longer-term charters.

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Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 27.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 177,965 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 37,865 shares during the quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $99,753,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% during 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. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at $11,421,213,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 20,096,979 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $11,015,557,000 after purchasing an additional 907,184 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Mastercard by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $11,062,509,000 after purchasing an additional 542,841 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in Mastercard by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,526,118 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,413,936,000 after buying an additional 3,765,378 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on MA shares. Citigroup raised shares of Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $665.00 price objective on Mastercard and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $713.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Tigress Financial raised their price target on Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Mastercard from $645.00 to $654.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $654.81.

Mastercard Trading Up 1.4%

NYSE MA opened at $571.40 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $554.16 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $566.33. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $465.59 and a twelve month high of $601.77. The company has a market capitalization of $513.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.53, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.87.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.89 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This is an increase 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.44%.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.

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Skeena Resources Limited (NYSE:SKE  Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $24.44, but opened at $25.80. Skeena Resources shares last traded at $24.9010, with a volume of 146,398 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SKE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Desjardins raised Skeena Resources to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen raised Skeena Resources from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Skeena Resources in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SKE

Skeena Resources Stock Up 2.2%

The company has a market capitalization of $3.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.16 and a beta of 1.22. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $18.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.94.

Skeena Resources (NYSE:SKE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.06) by ($0.03). As a group, research analysts forecast that Skeena Resources Limited will post -0.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Skeena Resources

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SKE. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Skeena Resources by 4.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 45,364 shares of the companys stock valued at $719,000 after acquiring an additional 1,881 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Skeena Resources by 431.1% during the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 1,940 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank raised its holdings in Skeena Resources by 2.2% in the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 145,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,688,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares during the period. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec lifted its position in Skeena Resources by 1.2% during the first quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 275,745 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,761,000 after buying an additional 3,325 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP increased its position in shares of Skeena Resources by 40.5% in the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 13,077 shares of the companys stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 3,767 shares in the last quarter. 45.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Skeena Resources

(Get Free Report)

Skeena Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and nine mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 4,724 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims comprising 7,666 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada.

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Vizsla Silver Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:VZLA  Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Traders purchased 7,895 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 108% compared to the average daily volume of 3,789 call options.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on VZLA shares. Roth Capital raised their target price on Vizsla Silver from $6.00 to $7.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Zacks Research downgraded Vizsla Silver from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $5.13.

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Vizsla Silver Stock Up 1.0%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vizsla Silver

VZLA stock traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $5.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,090,754 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,648,928. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $4.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.82. Vizsla Silver has a 52 week low of $1.67 and a 52 week high of $5.61. The stock has a market cap of $1.81 billion, a PE ratio of -130.85 and a beta of 0.94.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sprott Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Vizsla Silver by 3.9% in the first quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 23,703,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,084,000 after purchasing an additional 898,246 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Vizsla Silver by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 15,291,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,146,000 after buying an additional 1,306,000 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its position in Vizsla Silver by 72.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 14,435,320 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,361,000 after buying an additional 6,080,923 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in Vizsla Silver by 41.7% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 13,587,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,698,000 after acquiring an additional 4,001,170 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in Vizsla Silver by 38.0% during the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,395,079 shares of the companys stock worth $49,220,000 after acquiring an additional 3,139,086 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 22.46% of the companys stock.

About Vizsla Silver

(Get Free Report)

Vizsla Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, and development of precious and base metal assets. The company explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. It owns 100% interest in the Panuco Project covering an area of 7,189.5 hectares located in located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico. The company was formerly known as Vizsla Resources Corp.

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Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:SMFG  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $19.93 and last traded at $19.8240, with a volume of 5953 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.06.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in a research report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SMFG

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Stock Up 3.5%

The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $126.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.37. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $16.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.19.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:SMFG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The bank reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.41 billion. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group had a net margin of 13.80% and a return on equity of 9.14%. On average, equities analysts expect that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 225.3% during the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,919 shares of the banks stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,329 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 163.2% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,979 shares of the banks stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,227 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.85% of the companys stock.

About Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking, leasing, securities, credit card, and consumer finance services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. It operates through Wholesale Business Unit, Retail Business Unit, Global Business Unit, and Global Markets Business Unit segments.

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Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 2,639 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $643,000.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LNG. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter worth $957,425,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new position in Cheniere Energy in the 2nd quarter worth $384,806,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp increased its stake in Cheniere Energy by 704.3% in the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 952,092 shares of the energy companys stock worth $231,853,000 after buying an additional 833,723 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 33.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,031,767 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $470,151,000 after acquiring an additional 504,960 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 25.7% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,395,267 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $554,265,000 after acquiring an additional 488,994 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.26% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Cheniere Energy from $261.00 to $257.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $268.00 to $273.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and issued a $278.00 target price (up previously from $275.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Monday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $268.47.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director W Benjamin Moreland acquired 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $208.22 per share, for a total transaction of $1,041,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 9,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,052,216.32. The trade was a 102.97% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

LNG stock opened at $189.52 on Monday. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $188.70 and a 52 week high of $257.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $213.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $227.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The energy company reported $4.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.75 by $2.00. The firm had revenue of $4.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.87 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 21.12% and a return on equity of 37.52%. The businesss revenue was up 18.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.93 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This is a positive change from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is presently 12.37%.

Cheniere Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Temple Bar (LON:TMPL  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 379.91 and last traded at GBX 375.50, with a volume of 2016830 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 368.50.

Temple Bar Price Performance

The companys 50 day simple moving average is GBX 366.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 344.91. The company has a current ratio of 5.17, a quick ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.47. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.08 billion, a PE ratio of 6.53 and a beta of 1.11.

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Insider Transactions at Temple Bar

In related news, insider Wendy Colquhoun acquired 5,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 359 per share, with a total value of 19,870.65. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

About Temple Bar

Temple Bars investment objective is to provide investors with a growing income combined with growth in capital. It aims to meet this objective by investing primarily in UK equities, across different sectors, maintaining a balance of larger and smaller/medium-sized companies. The trust has a bias towards FTSE 350 companies.

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Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lowered its holdings in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) by 36.4% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 32,982 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 18,837 shares during the quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Caterpillar were worth $12,804,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 36,842.1% in the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,833,836,000 after acquiring an additional 7,279,991 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Caterpillar during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,165,899,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in Caterpillar by 546.6% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 843,093 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $327,297,000 after purchasing an additional 712,711 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in shares of Caterpillar by 425.2% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 761,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $295,738,000 after purchasing an additional 616,739 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 36,586.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 433,631 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $168,340,000 after purchasing an additional 432,449 shares in the last quarter. 70.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CAT has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $485.00 to $555.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Caterpillar from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $380.00 to $395.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $729.00 price target (up previously from $582.00) on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $612.16.

Insider Activity at Caterpillar

In other Caterpillar news, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.44, for a total transaction of $5,714,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 55,460 shares in the company, valued at $31,692,062.40. This represents a 15.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Lange Bob De sold 14,638 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $562.36, for a total transaction of $8,231,825.68. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 80,209 shares in the company, valued at $45,106,333.24. This represents a 15.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 79,061 shares of company stock valued at $41,949,366. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Caterpillar Stock Down 4.4%

Shares of CAT opened at $597.88 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $279.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.38. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $267.30 and a 52 week high of $627.50. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $554.63 and its 200 day simple moving average is $462.36.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $4.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.43. The company had revenue of $17.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.72 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 47.16% and a net margin of 14.34%.The businesss revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.17 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be given a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Caterpillars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.01%.

Caterpillar Company Profile

(Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a celebration of Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia, his deputy spokesperson said Sunday.

The UN chief expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extends his wishes for a swift and full recovery to those injured, deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.

The secretary-general stands in solidarity with the people and government of Australia during this difficult time and expresses his solidarity with the Jewish community in the country and worldwide as they gather to celebrate peace and light, the statement said.

The secretary-general unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and reiterates that attacks on religious communities and peaceful celebrations strike at the core values of tolerance, coexistence and human dignity, the statement said. 
First Financial Bank Trust Division lessened its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Free Report) by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 75,397 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 4,171 shares during the period. The Hartford Insurance Group accounts for about 0.9% of First Financial Bank Trust Divisions portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. First Financial Bank Trust Divisions holdings in The Hartford Insurance Group were worth $10,057,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Private Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 151.1% during the 2nd quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 221 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group by 72.8% in the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 235 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 129.3% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 321 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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The Hartford Insurance Group Price Performance

HIG stock opened at $135.31 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a market capitalization of $37.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.05, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $130.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $128.84. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $104.93 and a twelve month high of $138.64.

The Hartford Insurance Group Increases Dividend

The Hartford Insurance Group ( NYSE:HIG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The insurance provider reported $3.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.53 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. will post 11.11 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This is a positive change from The Hartford Insurance Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The Hartford Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 19.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HIG has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (a-) rating on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $133.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $151.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased 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 report on Tuesday, November 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, The Hartford Insurance Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.50.

View Our Latest Analysis on HIG

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Insurance Group

In other news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were 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 owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,252,344. This represents a 29.88% 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. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

The Hartford Insurance Group Company Profile

(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.

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Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $445.01 and last traded at $453.9280, with a volume of 96 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $455.64.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on TYL. Cowen began coverage on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday. They set a buy rating for the company. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $600.00 price target on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore ISI restated a positive rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $656.75.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Tyler Technologies

Tyler Technologies Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $479.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $534.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 62.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.91.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The technology company reported $2.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.88 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $595.88 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $594.34 million. Tyler Technologies had a return on equity of 10.57% and a net margin of 13.72%.The firms revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.52 earnings per share. Tyler Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.300-11.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 8.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 1,000 shares of Tyler Technologies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $469.08, for a total transaction of $469,080.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 12,781 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,995,311.48. The trade was a 7.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Tyler Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. DLD Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Tyler Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,780,190,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Tyler Technologies in the second quarter worth approximately $712,276,000. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in Tyler Technologies by 55.1% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 850,103 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $444,740,000 after buying an additional 301,885 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Tyler Technologies by 72.5% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 600,776 shares of the technology companys stock worth $314,302,000 after buying an additional 252,488 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Tyler Technologies by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,805,036 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,036,963,000 after buying an additional 234,916 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.30% of the companys stock.

Tyler Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tyler Technologies, Inc provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Software and Platform Technologies. The company offers platform and transformative technology solutions, including cybersecurity for government agencies; data and insights solutions; digital solutions that helps workers and policymakers to share, communicate, and leverage data; payments solutions, such as billing, presentment, merchant onboarding, collections, reconciliation, and disbursements; platform technologies, an application development platform that enables government workers to build solutions and applications; and outdoor recreation solutions, including campsite reservations, activity registrations, licensing sales and renewals, and real-time data for conservation and park management.

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Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $64.87 and last traded at $63.87, with a volume of 20083 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $63.96.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on WBS. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $65.00 target price (down previously from $68.00) on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Monday, October 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. They issued an overweight rating and a $70.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Webster Financial from $69.00 to $67.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They issued a buy rating and a $78.00 price target for the company. Fourteen 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Webster Financial presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.85.

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Webster Financial Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $58.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85. The company has a market capitalization of $10.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.07.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.02. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 21.32%.The firm had revenue of $756.06 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.22 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Webster Financial Corporation will post 5.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.80%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Webster Financial news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.45, for a total transaction of $443,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 231,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,857,302.40. The trade was a 3.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Webster Financial

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WBS. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Webster Financial by 2.5% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 7,812,965 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $464,402,000 after acquiring an additional 189,399 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Webster Financial by 1.2% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,359,474 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $318,567,000 after buying an additional 63,403 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in Webster Financial by 0.9% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,597,943 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $237,025,000 after acquiring an additional 42,406 shares during the period. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in Webster Financial by 2.2% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,160,605 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $247,340,000 after acquiring an additional 89,723 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 14.5% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,453,778 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $188,576,000 after purchasing an additional 438,131 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.58% of the companys stock.

About Webster Financial

(Get Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.

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Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. (OTCMKTS:ZURVY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $37.25 and last traded at $37.23, with a volume of 8454 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.81.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Zurich Insurance Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Zurich Insurance Group has an average rating of Strong Sell.

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Zurich Insurance Group Stock Performance

Zurich Insurance Group Company Profile

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $35.63 and a 200 day moving average of $35.42.

(Get Free Report)

Zurich Insurance Group AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance products and related services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Property & Casualty Regions, Life Regions, Farmers, Group Functions and Operations, and Non-Core Businesses segments.

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Yes  its essential for fairness and democratic stability

Maybe  but only if both major parties commit in law

No  the current system gives needed flexibility

Vote

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SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's former intelligence commander was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law imposition last December, multiple local media said Monday. 
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled a plan to make childbirth essentially free under the national medical insurance system by 2026, as authorities seek to ease family financial burdens to foster a birth-friendly society.

The plan, announced at a recent national healthcare security conference, aims to ensure that the basic costs of childbirth are fully covered by insurance programs nationwide, leaving families with no out-of-pocket expenses for standard delivery services within policy limits.

Seven provincial-level regions, including Shandong, one of China's most populous provinces, already offer full coverage of in-hospital childbirth medical expenses within policy scopes.

Zhao Chunmei, vice president of a women and children's hospital in Jinan, Shandong, said that at her hospital, women covered by employee maternity insurance typically pay less than 1,000 yuan (about 141.53 U.S. dollars) out of pocket for a standard hospital delivery.

"The costs have dropped sharply from previous levels, significantly easing the financial burden on families," Zhao said.

The national free-childbirth policy applies only to standard medical services. Expenses incurred at premium-priced hospitals, or for drugs and materials not included in the basic insurance catalog, will not be reimbursed.

The National Healthcare Security Administration said it is also planning to expand maternity insurance coverage to include flexible workers, migrant workers and people in new forms of employment, among other measures aimed at encouraging childbirth.

Officials said coverage for prenatal checkups will also be expanded, depending on the sustainability of the national medical insurance fund.

China's total fertility rate has remained low for years, and since 2022, its population has entered a period of decline. China's population stands at roughly 1.4 billion.

This year's Central Economic Work Conference included fertility policy on its agenda, noting the efforts to "stabilize the number of newborns."

In recent years, a series of measures have been afoot as the government increasingly focuses on population aging and declining fertility, a challenge faced by many nations.

This July, China introduced a nationwide childcare subsidy program, which will provide families with an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan for each child under the age of three starting from Jan. 1, 2025. The program is expected to benefit more than 20 million families every year.

"This marks China's first direct cash subsidies for all families with children, sending a clear message that raising children is a shared responsibility of the country, society and families," said Du Min, a researcher at the China Population and Development Research Center.

The Chinese government has begun phasing in free preschool education, waiving care and education fees for children in their final year of kindergarten starting from the autumn semester this year. It is expected to save household spending by about 20 billion yuan in this autumn semester alone.

Notably, assisted reproductive services are now covered by medical insurance across 31 provincial-level regions and in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and painless delivery services are also covered in certain regions.

The rollout of such policies has also sparked widespread public attention. Many netizens have raised their concerns, including childcare, parenting burdens and work-life balance, in addition to financial support.

A Weibo user expressed hope that more supportive policies would follow to gradually address the wide range of challenges involved in having and raising children.

Economist Luo Zhiheng highlighted the growing emphasis among Chinese policymakers on investing in human capital, focusing on initiatives that develop people's capabilities and unlock their potential at all stages of life, including childcare, elderly care, health, education and skills training.

"Investment should be linked to population mobility, demographic structure and measures to raise the fertility rate," Luo said. "The government should increase funding to further lower the costs of childbirth, education and child-rearing, thereby boosting people's willingness to have children."

Currently, the country has 126,000 childcare service institutions, providing a total of 6.657 million childcare spots. The number of publicly accessible spots has increased noticeably, reaching 4.73 spots per 1,000 people.

In Meishan, Sichuan Province, a local childcare center is offering health checkups and developmental screenings for children. The center, which has 140 places, combines pediatric healthcare with childcare services, providing full-day, half-day and hourly care for children aged 0 to 3.

These policies are expected to continue into next year and beyond. According to recommendations for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, the country aims to encourage positive views on marriage and childbearing, refine the policies and incentives for boosting birth rates, and effectively bring down the costs of childbirth, parenting, and education through childcare subsidies and personal income tax credits. 
War against psychotropic drugs : Indias policy conundrum

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Ngangom Junior Luwang (Sr Advocate Supreme Court of India)

Contd from previous issue

in Indias National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 2012:

Synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs are illicitly manufactured in clandestine laboratories (commonly known as clan labs) the world over and India is no exception. However, the type of clans and types of drugs that they manufacture vary from place to place. Traditionally, clandestine laboratories in India are of two kindssmall, makes-shift manufacturing faci- lities which process opium into heroin and large industrial scale facilities which manufacture methaqualone.

Diversion of licit pharmaceuticals containing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for abuse has been a significant problem in India. Preparations containing drugs such as codeine, buprenorphine, diazepam and alprazolam are commonly abused.

As precursors are difficult to produce, illicit drug manufacturers usually obtain them by diverting from licit production and trade of precursors. Countries with large chemical and pharmaceutical industries like India are natural targets for traffickers of precursors. Indias policy framework needs to be re-calibrated, inter alia, by going for a stricter criminal liabilities for pharmaceutical companies in case of diversion of preparations containing ephedrine from domestic distribution channels and extraction of ephedrine there-from for ATS.

7. Indias legal system is falling short of the advancement of technology for illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and narcotic substances.

For example, there is a huge increase in use of dark web and crypto-currency such as bitcoin by drug peddlers and buyers. Even drones have become tools not only for war or espionage or surveys, but also for shipment of drugs across borders. Such an issue has been duly recognized by the Honble High Court of Punjab & Haryana in CRM-M- 20005 of 2025 (Robert Masih Vs. State of Punjab) in its Order of September 22, 2025, wherein it has been observed that there is steady increase in cross border smuggling of illicit drugs through drones these days.

8. Indias narcotic drugs policy needs streamlining of data management system on relevant strains of narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances business like number of Controlled Delivery operations with countries bordering Indias border states, details of implementation of Alternative Development Programmes, diversion of narcotic and psychotropic synthetic and semi-synthetic substances from their licit sources with specific action taken reports, abuse of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in educational institutions, food joints, prisons etc.

The case in point is that though Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) were reported to be widely consumed in India, there was no official data on consumers of such illegal substances 15 . Moreover, though the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Affairs, has reportedly identified top 100 drug traffickers/kingpins and has initiated legal action 16 , neither information on the identities of the top 100 drug traffickers/kingpins in India nor any detail of any concrete legal action is available in public domain.

Needless to say, once all the relevant facts & figures are in place, it would be possible to come up with mitigation measure for addressing the shortcomings of national schemes like the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Nasha-Mukh Bharat Abhiyaan and come up with new schemes for tackling challenging modern means of illegal trafficking of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances through drones, dark webs etc..

9. Given the severity of the issue, India should go for a harsher punishment regime. It is a matter of fact that Indias punishment regime for such offences is not as harsh as those in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, China, Iran, Indonesia etc.

Unlike many countries which provide for death penalties even for first- time offenders, Section 31A of the NDPS Act, 1985 provides for death penalty as an optional punishment for repeat offenders and that too only when such repeat offenders have been caught with scheduled narcotic drugs and psycho- tropic substances above specified quantities. India certainly needs a rethink on its penal provisions, if its war on drugs is to be taken seriously.

Courtesy LiveLaw.in
War against psychotropic drugs : Indias policy conundrum

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b. Even within the restricted policy framework on Alternative Development Programmes, nothing much has been seemingly done by the Government of India and State Governments. It is high time for the Government to go beyond the restricted Alternative Development Programme as conceptualized by the Central Government, by even providing incentives for seizure of drugs, forced eradication drives, engagement with civil society bodies and community members through appropriate legal and policy changes and emulate instances of successful reduction of opium cultivation by countries like Thailand, Afgha- nistan, Laos etc. India needs to go for stricter provisions for arresting the ever-increasing menace of Syn- thetic and semi-Synthetic drugs, which has assumed diabolic forms of lifestyle and party drugs, seriousness of which is duly acknowledged (To be contd)

Courtesy LiveLaw.in

(To be contd)

Ngangom Junior Luwang (Sr Advocate Supreme Court of India)Saddled with two of the Worlds largest cartels of illicit opium production, the Golden Crescent in North-West and the Golden Triangle in the North-East, with approximately four million psychotropic drug users, Indias legal system faces a Herculean task.Indias commitment on prohibition of intoxicating drinks & drugs is enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution, mandating the State to endeavour  to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. As regards Union/State control, drugs and poisons find mention in Entry 19 of the Concurrent List (subject to Entry 59 of List-1 in regards to opium), while Cultivation, manufacture, and sale for export, of opium is covered by Entry 59 of the Union List, but excise duty and countervailing duties on opium, Indian hemp and other narcotic drugs and narcotics manufactured/produced is with the States under Entry 51 of the State List. To this extent, State Governments and the Union Government have joint responsibilities in prevention and regulation of illicit cultivation, manufacturing, processing, trading etc. of Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances.After Indias tryst with the erstwhile Opium Acts of 1857, the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930 etc., Indias current anti narcotic &; psychotropic substances legal regime includes the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act, 1985), Prevention of illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 and other related laws (e.g. Indian Forest Act, 1972), rules and policy frameworks, mainly the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, National Policy on Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Rules, 2012.Despite a comprehensive legal regime, India still continues to be a fertile destination and route for narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances, evident from the following:A. While the number of chronic substance-dependent individuals in India were 2.3 million (cannabis) and 0.5 million (opiates) in 2004 2, psychotropic drug users totalled 4 million during 2017-2020. In fact, in 2009, the United Revised guidelines for extension of the Scheme Assistance to States and UTs for Narcotics Control for another three (03) years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 issued by the Government of India.Joint National Survey Report of 2004 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India.3 Govt. of Indias Revised guidelines for extension of the Scheme Assistance to States and UTs for Narcotics Control for another three (03) years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 for availing assistance for strengthening their enforcement capabilities in combating illicit trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance.Nations highlighted India as one of the major sources (5%) of cannabis resin, while Central Asia accounted for another 5%. Even in 2018, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) classified India as one of the major hubs for illicit drug trade, with the North-Western and North-Eastern parts of India increasingly becoming transit routes.Opioid consumption in India in 2019 was at 2.06%, while the corresponding global figure stood at 0.70% and Asia accounted for 0.46%. The number of people injecting drugs stood at 100113 in Uttar Pradesh, 34344 in Manipur, 33888 in Nagaland, 55358 in Haryana, 88165 in Punjab, 86909 in Delhi, while the all India figure was 854296. Still, as on December, 2022 7 , the conviction rates under the NDPS Act, 1985 were relatively low in some States like Assam (7.5%), Manipur (18.5%), Tripura (10.5%), West Bengal (2.9%) etc.There has been continuous seizure of substantial narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances during 2018-2023, mostly in border States like the North Eastern States, Gujarat, Rajasthan etc., which only demonstrated sizable poppy cultivation.Synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs are being manufactured in clandestine laboratories in India and there has been a frightening diversion of pharmaceutical preparations containing ephedrine from domestic distribution channels and extraction of ephedrine there from for illicit manufacture of Amphetamine- type Stimulants (ATS) for illicit consumption.There have been various instances of poppy and narcotic drugs plantations in designated Protected Forests (declared under Section 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927) and Reserved Forest areas (declared under Section 3 of the Indian Forest Act, 1972), evident from credible media reports.There has been an alarming number of cases registered under the NDPS Act,The World Drug Report, 2009 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2018 annual report of the United Nations-backed International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Magnitude of Substance Use in India released on May 14, 2019 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of IndiaThe details of cases registered (CR) and Conviction Rate (CRV) under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act for the year 2017-2021 shared by Shri Nityanand Rai, then Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 14.12.2022.The month-wise and State-wise details of narcotic drugs and psychotro- pic substances seized by all India Law Enforcement agencies from 1st January, 2018 to 31st May, 2023, shared on August 8, 2023 by Shri Nityanand Rai, the then Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. Indias National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 2012 1985, sizable cultivation of poppy in different States of India during the time frame of 2018-2023.In the context of comparative legal systems and policy frameworks across jurisdictions, some of the legal and policy shortcomings of the Indian legal system can be listed as under:1. As regards Protected Forests and Reserved Forests, a Government or a Government agency comes under the owner or occupier or having the control or use of within the meaning of Sections 25 and 46 of the NDPS Act, 1985. However, Indias legal framework lacks clarity on accountability of concerned Govt official(s) in case of transgression of any Reserved Forest or Protected Forest for purposes of illicit narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances business. Sections 25 and 46 of the NDPS Act, 1985 are reproduced as under:Punishment for allowing premises, etc., to be used for commission of an offence. Whoever, being the owner or occupier or having the control or use of any house, room, enclosure, space, place, animal or conveyance, knowingly permits it to be used for the commission by any other person of an offence punishable under any provision of this Act, shall be punishable with the punishment provided for that offence.Duty of land holder to give information of illegal cultivation.Every holder of land shall give immediate information to any officer of the Police or of any of the departments mentioned in section 42 of all the opium poppy, cannabis plant or coca plant which may be illegally cultivated within his land and every such holder of land who knowingly neglects to give such information, shall be liable to punishment.Though departmental disciplinary proceedings can be taken up against erring Government officials in charge of such a transgressed Protected/Reserved Forest, Indias legal framework does not allow concerned Government official (s) of transgressed Protected/ Reserved Forests to be criminally prosecuted, as if such officials were directly/indirectly indulging in illicit narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances trade. Such a legal regime will address suspected instances of criminal- Government official nexus in banned drugs and substances trade, especially in North-East India.The problem is further compounded by misuse of unclassified forests for illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances business. Unclassified forests can be of two types  (i) Unoccupied Forests and (ii) Occupied Forests under community ownership as per local customs & traditions in statement of Shri Nityanand Rai, the then Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India on August 8, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.States like Manipur, where vast tracks of land in remote and almost inaccessible unclassified forests are under regulatory control of Tribal Chiefs, with many such forests used for poppy cultivation. Just as in the case of Protected/Reserved Forests, Indias legal framework does not provide for criminal culpability of a concerned Government official of a transgressed unoccupied unclassified forest, as if the concerned forest official had directly/indirectly indulged in illegal narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substance business.As regards occupied unclassified forests under tribal or local chiefs in states like Manipur (where rampant poppy cultivation has been reported), Indias existing legal framework leaves a serious grey area qua the definition of persons being the owner or occupier or having the control or use of under Section 26 of the NDPS Act, 1985 and definition of holder of land within the meaning of Section. By way of illustration, land ownership in occupied unclassified forest areas of Manipur (other than Reserved & Protected Forests) is not governed by the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms Act, 1961 and such forests are community- owned under different Tribal Chiefs, locally known as Khullakpas or Khul-Ningthous. Even though the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs Rights) Act, 1967 allows the State to take away land regulatory rights of Tribal Chiefs, the same has not been done till date. Consequently, most unclassified forests of Manipur are directly or indirectly regulated by the different Tribal Chiefs, where vast poppy plantation has been reported. The difficulty is that in case of discovery of any poppy plantation in such an occupied unclassified forest area, concerned Tribal Chiefs are most often either untraceable or are in denial of control or occupation (direct or indirect), com- pounded by law enforcement agencies unfami- liarity with the hilly and remote terrains.Manipur aside, land in rural areas in North-East India in general and tribal areas in particular are largely owned by the community and the incidence of landlessness is negligible. Given such a position, holding a village headman accountable for purposes of the NDPS Act, 1985 is possible only when there is a legal/judicial clarification on holder of land or owner or occupier or having the control or use of any house, room, enclosure, space, place, animal or conveyance (otherwise unde- fined in the NDPS Act, 1985).Illegal poppy plantation usually happens in remotest of regions 13 and this could perhaps be a challenge for law enforcement agencies. The same is true not only in North-Eastern States but also in a mainland Indian state like Jharkhand. In this regard, a comprehensive policy framework needsA report on Mass Destruction of Poppy Cultivation intensifies published on January 22, 2023 in Imphal Times, Manipur.Land, Agriculture and Livelihood of Scheduled Tribes in North-East India (2017) by Mr. Reimeingam Marchang, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, Karnataka.United Nations Report on Opium poppy cultivation and sustainable development in Shan State, Myanmar, 2019 to be issued by the Central Government as well as State Governments to effectively monitor poppy cultivation in remote areas and extend the benefits of Alternative Livelihood Programs under Indias National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic Substances, 2012 to the poppy plantation dependent areas across the board.Alternative Development Programs under Indias National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic Substances, 2012 are restricted to only traditionally illicit narcotic drugs cultivating communities and the same do not allow the Government to extend benefits thereof to all illicit narcotic planters across the board.In this connection, relevant part of Indias National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psycho- tropic Substances, 2012 is reproduced below:Alternative development is a method of weaning away farmers who have been traditionally cultivating opium poppy illegally and their livelihood depends entirely on such cultivation. In such places, mere enforcement and crop destruction will not work. Farmers should be trained and helped to develop alternative means of livelihood. In some countries of the Golden Triangle such as Laos and Thailand, alternative development pro- grammes have been highly successful. However, alternative development pro- grammes require large infusion of funds as the entire sustenance of the local population depends on it.Secondly, it involves changing the lifestyle of the local population and hence takes a fairly long time. Alternative development programmes to have effect and will require continuous funding for over such a long period.The two key pre-requisites to justify an alternative development programme are(i) the farmers must be dependent on the illicit cultivation for their survival; and(ii) it must have been their traditional practice and the farmers do not know any other way of survival. If these two aspects are not considered, alternative development programmes can be counter-productive with the Government rewarding regions where farmers started illegal profits. This, in turn, can be incentive to other regions and communities and their leaders to start illegal cultivation so as to get the status of status of illegal cultivation region so as to get more funds to their region. (Emphasis Added)Having laid the above policy framework, the Policy, inter-alia, makes the following recommendations:If there are pockets where illegal cultivation has been a long tradition and the survival of the local population depends entirely on it, such areas will be identified through mutual consultations between the Central Government (Department of Revenue), the NCB and concerned State Governments after a careful study.Once the areas have been identified in a State as in (b) above, no new areas will be added to the list as new areas cannot suddenly become traditional illegal cultivating areas.Alternative development programmes may be taken up in the areas identified as in (b) above after due consideration and once the programme isA report in the Hindustan Times, Ranchi on May 4, 2017 commenced in an area, it will be continued till the local population is completely weaned away from illegal cultivation.Any alternative development programme will be coordinated by the NCB. Even Indias Revised guidelines for extension of the Scheme Assistance to States and UTs for Narcotics Control for another three (03) years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 for availing assistance for strengthening their enforcement capabilities in combating illicit trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance require States & Union Territories to implement Alternative Development Programmes; relevant part of which is reproduced below:Assistance will also be provided for special project falling within the mandate of NCB. The special projects would be those relating to non- enforcement activities. An example would be alternative development programmes in states, which have perennial problem of illicit cultivation. NCB would provide assistance for cultivation of agricultural products like cash crop, fruit crops and as such similar ventures which shall motivate cultivators to shift from illicit cultivation to other activities. Such proposals shall be mooted by the State Governments. As a National Nodal Agency, NCB shall encourage and support such programmes/activities which shall help in supply reduction.The above policy frameworks on Alternative Development Programme, however, have two major issues:a. The current Alternative Development Pro- grammes are restrictive and benefits thereof may not be available to all poppy cultivators, especially in remote areas of the country. There are antecedents of poppy cultivation having been substantially curtailed through introduction of alternative crops even in remotest of areas, especially in South Asia.Instead of a restrictive policy, the Government should consider going beyond pockets where illegal cultivation has been a long tradition.
Timing of the stand of UPF, KNO Delhi Durbar

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One has to give it to them. The United Peoples Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have mastered the art of striking out at the right moment and nothing illustrates this better than the media statement issued just one day before BJP MLAs from Manipur were set to meet the high command of the BJP at Delhi. Re-integration is the term the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki armed groups have used and this is a vile choice of term. The use of this term means that Manipur stands fragmented, nothing less. Giving a deeper meaning to the understanding of buffer zones which were drawn up under the instruction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the initial days of the bloody conflict. And the buffer zones continue to stand to this day. At the time the commentary is being penned down, the meeting between the BJP MLAs of Manipur and the Central leaders are reportedly underway and while it is not known what points may be discussed, the little information that The Sangai Express has been able to get from Delhi is, the meeting is underway between the MLAs and BJP North East in charge Sambit Patra and general secretary of the saffron party BL Santosh. No question of reintegration with Manipur is the line the UPF and the KNO reportedly made during the second round of the tripartite talks held between the representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, officials of the Government of Manipur and representatives of the two outfits at New Delhi recently. The timing, the tone of the one line statement says it all and that is the UPF and the KNO know when to come out in the public domain. One is made to believe that this is the line that was put up during the meeting recently and so should say something profound about the preparedness of the Kuki groups in presenting their case before Delhi. One wonders whether the BJP MLAs of Manipur will be able to put up anything concrete before the Central BJP leaders if one goes by the talk doing the round that the meeting may centre around the return of the popularly elected Government. Will the return of a popular Government be able to deal with the moves initiated by the UPF and the KNO and backed by Kuki civil society organisations, particularly the Kuki Inpi, Manipur ? Or is this another case of the UPF and the KNO just making some noise for sound effect with nothing of substance ? Whatever it is, the very fact that a prominent Kuki civil organisation like the Kuki Inpi, Manipur has jumped in to back to stand of the UPF and KNO should say something significant.

As repeatedly stated in this column, the focus and attention of the MLAs should be on how to work out means and steps that may be presented before Delhi to take Manipur closer to the understanding of normalcy. At the moment, this does not seem to figure high on their agenda, for the focus seems to be more on the return of the popularly elected Government. It is also important for Manipur to study who the BJP MLAs manage to meet in Delhi. Will BJP National president JP Nadda have the time and the inclination to meet the MLAs ? If yes, good and proper, but if not then who are the likely Central BJP leaders the MLAs may manage to meet ? If one goes by the reports in the last few days, the MLAs were reportedly asked to come to Delhi by the office of JP Nadda, but one cannot help but ask whether it is going to be a case of the BJP National president arranging the meeting with some other BJP leaders ? Whatever the case, it is not often that State BJP leaders get a chance to meet the top leaders of the saffron party at Delhi and any meeting, such as the one which is currently underway at Delhi, is the right opportunity for the MLAs to put up a concrete case which would be favourable to Manipur. The only thing is whether the BJP MLAs have done their homework well and in consultation with each other or not. Or is it going to be a case of each MLA having their own say or just listen to what Delhi has to say and return home ? This is where Manipur would need to get her priorities right and the first thing that is needed is to take some concrete steps towards normalcy as universally understood.
JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel issued a security warning on Sunday for its citizens abroad following a deadly shooting attack in Australia, urging them to avoid large gatherings.

In a statement, Israel's National Security Council urged Israelis overseas to "strictly adhere" to precautionary measures, including avoiding large gatherings that are not protected by security forces, such as events at synagogues.

The council also called on Israelis to "remain vigilant around Jewish and Israeli sites and report to security authorities if anything unusual is identified, such as a suspicious person or object."

It said that past experience showed there was a risk of copycat attacks inspired by such incidents, prompting heightened concern for Jewish and Israeli communities overseas.

The warning followed an attack in which two assailants opened fire on crowds attending a Hanukkah celebration organized by the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more, the statement said. 
HANOI, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam aims to raise the proportion of the intellectual workforce in high-tech and strategic industries to 25 percent by 2030, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.

The target is set out in a newly issued national strategy on the development of the intellectual workforce during the period of accelerated industrialization and modernization to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Under the strategy, the number of full-time personnel engaged in scientific research, technological development and innovation is expected to reach 12 per 10,000 people by 2030.

The proportion of learners in basic sciences, engineering and technology is set to rise to at least 35 percent, including at least 6,000 doctoral candidates and 20,000 people enrolled in talent-oriented programs.

The strategy also aims to attract about 1,000 outstanding Vietnamese intellectuals living abroad across various fields to participate in academic exchanges, research cooperation, training and technology transfer at home through flexible working arrangements. 
In 2015, after her visa to India was rejected, Pakistani author Kanza Javed launched her debut book, Ashes, Wine and Dust, in the country over Skype. A few weeks later, however, she did manage to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF). She is now back with a new book, What Remains After a Fire, published by HarperCollins.

Asked if anything has changed in the decade since, she says, I dont think I can travel to India as of now, considering the dynamics.

An anthology of eight beautifully crafted short stories, the book draws from Javeds life across borders  Pakistan, which she calls a mother: a little abusive, but loving, and the United States, a foster mother, who gives you opportunities and money, but keeps reminding you that you did not come from her home.

In a Zoom interview with The WEEK, Javed speaks about her new book, her writing choices, and how both Pakistan and the US have shaped her writing.

Edited excerpts:

Among all your short stories, Stray Things Do Not Carry a Soul is quite exceptional. Here, you explore how patriarchy shapes men through the voice of a young boy. Why did you choose his perspective over that of the sister or mother?

We come from a suppressive South Asian society that subjugates women. Over the years, weve read a lot of stories, novels, and journalistic pieces that capture womens voices, which is really necessary. Many stories in this collection do exactly that, including Rani and The Last Days of Bilquees Begum.

I wanted to do something very different with one story: Tell the story from a male perspective and show how a patriarchal father, who feels emasculated because the woman of the house is in-charge, who questions his finances, gambling habits, and how that father is grooming a young child of eight or nine, whos the narrator. Gradually, the child starts to loathe the women around him, whether his mother or his sister.

I wanted to show the vicious cycle of how this is actually an inheritance problem  this patriarchy.

In It Will Follow You Home, you use second-person narration throughout, which reads quite interesting and fresh. Why did you choose this narrative voice?

Second person is a very challenging POV. It is very dissociative. And when you're reading the second person, suddenly it feels like there's a metaphorical finger pointing at the reader and saying, you did this. Its very confrontational.

I wouldnt call it autobiographical, but the stories draw heavily from observation -- fragments from real lives, of my experiences, and those of a lot of immigrant students I was studying with when I was doing my master's in West Virginia.

Shaped by my experiences and those of fellow immigrant students I met during my masters in West Virginia. I looked at a displacement through their eyes and mine.

And the story just arrived in the second person  writing about a collective student experience of running away from a country that no longer nurtures you, yet missing it because it is your mother: a little abusive, but loving. Then you go back to another country, like a foster mother, who gives you opportunities and money, but keeps reminding you that you did not come from her home.

I also wanted to experiment with elements like a diary entry, or talking to a therapist - so a little bit of a figurative language here and there. And I thought the story would not work, but the response was overwhelming, especially from immigrant students from Pakistan and India who wrote back, and said they felt seen in the story.

In these eight stories, you move back and forth between Pakistan and the US. How did the two countries shape you as a writer?

So, for lack of a better word, most of my content comes from Pakistan, where I was born, raised and spent 90 per cent of my life.

But there isn't a publishing industry. There is a writer community, but its very elusive and elite. And coming from a middle-class family, I found it very hard to penetrate that bubble, no matter how much I tried.

So I was bumbling and fumbling in the darkness, writing by myself, draft after draft, and doing everything I could. My first book, Ashes, Wine and Dust, achieved a lot of success. But then I wanted to know more about the craft.

So while coming to America was creatively liberating, it was also quite isolating. When you're in your early to mid-20s, and you start anew, it's very difficult to find friends and a sense of semblance with the place. So that struggle gave birth to stories. Then I moved back home.

And in Pakistan, I felt an emotional displacement after a few years, because I was in an age where I should be married and having children, but I was on the self discovery path. So I was a leftover woman. And in America, I was of the wrong race, the wrong skin colour.

So both of these gave birth to this dissonance in my brain and to this book in particular. So in Pakistan, I have found my spirit and soul and my writing begins there. But with craft talks, MFA workshops, and meetings with mentors, the book took shape in America.

Youve mentioned that Pakistan, in a way, lacks a formal publishing industry. What does the publishing landscape there actually look like?

There are a few smaller publishing houses, which are trying their best. But compared to other countries, we're still working on having larger market goals. For instance, making books available on Kindle, because we still don't have Amazon, and providing shipments to other countries.

While you write on various themes in your book, death runs as a recurring thread through the book. Why does it occupy such a central place in your writing?

I think it came very naturally, or maybe there's some dark element inside of me that I gravitate towards, such as finding the dark layers in society.

But I like writing stories about death of a belief system, or death of illusion of a good marriage, or the death of self, and then rediscovering who you. So I think it's just a theme that I'm naturally pulled towards.

You write beautifully about cities. You write: 'Lahore is a delicious city, a mottled mess of vanishing history and new regimes.' And for Karachi, you write: 'After a while, she began to believe them. She began to hate the city, the way it choked and smothered her.'

A setting is always a character for me. Its not a dead creature but a backbone of my stories. They influence the way one feels and behaves. For instance, youll behave a certain way at your grandparents house versus your friends house.

So, a setting is something I enjoy. I enjoy it when it causes an emotional shift in the character. I observe how our immigrant communities behave in a very white setting or how the whites behave in a very brown setting at an Indian or Pakistani restaurant. So I like to notice these things and I like to play with these things. And, I like to also observe a complex dynamics between the main character and the setting.

When you came out with your first book  Ashes, Wine and Dust  you had to launch it at a literary festival in 2015, but couldnt as your visa was denied. Hence, you launched it on Skype. Has anything changed between then and now?

Yes, I couldnt attend then. But after a few weeks, I did go to the Jaipur Literature Festival. I got the visa then.

Coming to your question, I dont think I can travel to India as of now, considering the dynamics. However, Im still glad that we have these virtual platforms, and HarperCollins still picked up the book. I really hope like literature, art, culture, music can actually bring people closer.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr Samir V. Kamat, reiterated the importance of increasing the budgetary allocation for research and development as he pointed out that India allocates merely 0.65 per cent of the budget to R&D, while the country's competitors allocate more than two per cent.

Kamat, who was delivering the keynote address in the Air Chief Marshal (Retd) P.C. Lal Memorial Lecture, organised by the Air Force Association, listed the defence systems to be inducted in the near future.

According to news agency ANI, he spoke about how DRDO is focusing on next-generation capabilities, such as underwater domain awareness; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; space situational awareness, man-unmanned teaming; cyber defence; and ballistic and hypersonic missile defence.

"In the next one to three years, we are going to induct systems like 'Anant Shastra' surface-to-air missile, guided Pinaka, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Trawl Assembly, Infantry Floating Bridge, Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket, Very Short Range Air Defence System, Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile, Dhruvastra Anti-Tank Missile, Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range," he said.

ALSO READ: America First 2.0: What does the new US National Security Strategy mean for India

Kamat said the road ahead will be both exciting and challenging as India hopes to become self-reliant in defence by 2047. He said India needs to be totally self-reliant in missile systems, armoured vehicles, military bridging systems, artillery, guns and ammunition, light combat aircraft, ships and submarines, AEW&C, and EW Systems, among others.

More money for R&D

The DRDO chief highlighted how the nature of warfarein land, air, sea, space, cyber and informationis constantly evolving and spoke about the importance of increasing R&D budget.

"India spends about 5.5 per cent of its defence budget on R&D. If you look at US and China, they spend between 10-15 per cent of their defence budget on R&D. If we have to catch up with them, it is going to be very challenging unless we increase our defence R&D spending."

He said while India is on the way to being a leader in defence technology, there are many challenges ahead, including the lack of full control on the supply chain, and scarcity of talent in R&D.

"Academic involvement in basic and applied research on future technologies is essential," he said, adding that test facilities and infrastructure must also be established. "We have to do this; otherwise, we will remain where we are today. Capability building is also lacking. Civil-military fusion is the need of the hour," he said.
In what comes as a major enhancement to the aviation capabilities of the Indian Navy, the second MH-60R helicopter squadron of the NavyINAS 335 (Ospreys)will be commissioned on Wednesday.

MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-role maritime helicopter developed by Sikorsky (now Lockheed Martin).

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, the Indian Navy officials said.

INAS 335 (Ospreys) will be commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.

ALSO READ: Indian Navys underwater capabilities to become sharper and more efficient with commissioning of DSC A20

The commissioning will mark a pivotal moment in the Navy's continued efforts towards modernisation and capability enhancement, a Navy spokesperson said.

The defence ministry, in a statement, said the aircraft has been fully integrated with fleet operations and has proven its worth on numerous occasions.

"The Navy will receive a significant fillip in its integral aviation capabilities with the commissioning of the squadron," the statement from the defence ministry read.

The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP).

During the commissioning of the first squadron, INAS 334, in March 2024, the defence ministry had said the MH-60R helicopter would enhance Indias blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains.

"The Seahawks deployment in the IOR would strengthen the Indian Navys maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in this strategically crucial region," the ministry had then said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is among the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra to which elections will be held on January 15, Wednesday. The counting of votes is scheduled for January 16, Friday, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced on Monday.

Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are among the other prominent civic bodies going to polls. He reportedly confirmed that the election code of conduct has now come into force in all 29 local bodies. As many as 2,869 seats in these municipal corporations will be up for grabs in these local bodies, where elections are due since early 2022. Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said the nomination process will begin on December 23, Tuesday with candidates allowed to make their submissions for a week until December 30. Scrutiny of papers will be done on December 31, and January 2, Friday, will be the last date of withdrawal of nominations, he said.

Symbol allocation and the final list of candidates will be published on January 3. Polling in the 29 municipal corporations spread across Maharashtra will take place on January 15 and votes will be counted the next day, news agency PTI quoted Waghmare as saying. He said these 29 civic bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have 2,869 seats on offer and 3.48 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in these major urban centres of the state.

After long and tiring political blame games and court battles, the Supreme Court had finally given the deadline of January 31 to conduct the polls, reported Marathi media.

Full list of local bodies heading to polls:

BMC

Pune Municipal Corporation

Nagpur Municipal Corporation

Solapur Municipal Corporation

Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

Thane Municipal Corporation

Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

Nashik Municipal Corporation

Aurangabad Municipal Corporation

Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation

Amravati Municipal Corporation

New Mumbai Municipal Corporation

NandedWaghala Municipal Corporation

Ulhas Nagar Municipal Corporation

Sangli-Miraj-Kupwara Municipal Corporation

Malegaon Municipal Corporation

Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation

Akola Municipal Corporation

Bhayander Municipal Corporation

Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation

Dhule Municipal Corporation

Jalgaon Municipal Corporation

Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation

Parbhani Municipal Corporation

Chandrapur Municipal Corporation

Latur Municipal Corporation

Panvel Municipal Corporation

Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation

Jalna Municipal Corporation





Dates to remember:


The Congress has expelled the partys Odisha leader and former MLA Mohammed Moquim, who had recently sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi, expressing concern over party's national president Mallikarjun Kharges age.

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee issued an official notice, saying AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Moquim from the primary membership of the party.

Moquim, who had represented the Barabati-Cuttack assembly constituency, had said in his letter that the party should bring forward young leaders to revitalise the organisation and strengthen its connection with the electorate.

"I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership," he later told reporters.

"Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's side," he added.

#WATCH | Odisha: Cuttack Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim says, "... I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership... Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's side... We should bring pic.twitter.com/AcFPMEwpvG  ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2025

In the letter, Moquim expressed deep anguish over the Congresss organisational decline and leadership failures, and also warned that the party was losing its legacy not because of external political opponents but due to decisions taken within the organisation.

The former MLA also reportedly flagged Rahul Gandhi's inaccessibility, stating that he had not been able to meet him for the past three years.

Reacting to media reports of his expulsion, Moquim said on Monday that he had no regret in writing the letter. Speaking to News 18, he said the baton of the party should be in the hands of the new generation.

I respect Mallikarjun Kharge ji, but the thinking that is required today, especially when the Congress party is playing the role of the opposition, is different. While in opposition, a party has to rebuild itself, and considering Kharge jis age, that is not possible. We are losing elections one after another. The baton should be in the hands of the new generation," he said.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has sought an apology from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi over the alleged provocative sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Delhi.

At a hurriedly called press conference, Rijiju alleged that some Congress workers had threatened to dig the grave of the prime minister, which, he said, was the "most unfortunate and tragic" thing to happen in Indian democracy.

"What kind of mindset is this which makes a public announcement about killing rivals? If some Opposition leaders speak about killing the PM, it is really unfortunate," he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: On sloganeering against PM Modi during Congress mega rally against 'Vote Chori', Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "What kind of mindset is this which makes public announcement about killing rivals? If some Opposition leaders speak about killing pic.twitter.com/z22V5lbF7Z  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

"Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should tender an apology for the Congress workers' threat to the life of the Prime Minister. They should tender the apology on the floor of both Houses of Parliament," said the minister.

Rijiju sought to remind the opposition party that Modi is the prime minister of 140 crore people and the world's largest democracy.

"The whole world respects PM Modi, the whole of India respects PM Modi. But if some people in the opposition threaten to kill the prime minister, it is most unfortunate and tragic. It will not end by just condemning the incident," he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: On sloganeering against PM Modi during Congress mega rally against 'Vote Chori, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Congress president and LoP should apologise to the people of the country, from the Parliament. In 2014, our MP Niranjan Jyoti used a pic.twitter.com/YSzNYEfbaU  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

On Sunday, Congress organised a massive rally against the alleged "vote chori" and the Special Intensive Revision (SIT) of electoral rolls in the national capital. During the event, party leader Manju Lata Meena reportedly stated, "Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi" (Modi, your grave will be dug soon, if not today, then tomorrow).

Meena, the district president of Jaipur Women's Congress, later defended her statement, saying she was only expressing the public anger over the alleged vote rigging.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on Monday, filed a comprehensive chargesheet before a special court against six people and two terrorist organisations, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its shadow outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF), in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony operator.

The 1,597-page chargesheet, the result of the eight-month-long "meticulous scientific probe" by the agency, details the deep conspiracy traced back to Pakistan, which the probe agency said has been "unabatedly sponsoring terrorism against India".

The NIA has named LeT, headed by Hafeez Saeed, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the US as well as India, along with TRF, headed by Habibullah Malik alias Sajid Jatt, in the chargesheet for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack.

"Pakistani handler terrorist Sajid Jatt is also named as an accused in the chargesheet, filed before the NIA special court, Jammu," a statement issued by the agency said.

The chargesheet also names the three Pakistani terrorists who carried out the killings at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. All the three were killed by the Army during the Operation Mahadev at Dachigam, located on the outskirts of Srinagar, on July 29, almost 100 days after the deadly terror attack.

The three were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, the NIA statement said.

The NIA, in the chargesheet, has also invoked the penal section against the accused for waging war against India.

Two accused persons, Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, who were arrested on June 22 for harbouring the terrorists, have also been named in the chargesheet by the NIA.

During interrogation, the two men had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed LeT terror outfit.

With PTI inputs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his four-day visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman on Monday to boost bilateral ties, especially in areas of trade and defence.

Modi will visit Jordan from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchange perspectives on regional issues. Modis visit marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The prime ministers visit presents an opportunity to further strengthen India-Jordan bilateral engagement, explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity, and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability," said an official release.

In the second leg of his tour, Modi will visit Ethiopia from December 16  17. This will be his first visit to the African country.

The prime minister will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of IndiaEthiopia bilateral ties. As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation, the PMO release said.

Modis visit to Oman on December 17 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership underpinned by centuries-old bonds of friendship, trade linkages and strong people-to-people ties, the PMO said.

During the visit, the two sides are expected to review the bilateral partnership, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The Tamil Nadu police have finally granted permission for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) political rally in Erode on December 18. The rally, first in Tamil Nadu since the deadly stampede during the party's campaign in Karur in September, will test the party's organisational capabilities.

Erode police granted permission for the rally at a 16-acre land belonging to a temple in Vijayamangalam after conducting necessary inspections recently. The temple, managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), has granted the necessary NOC to conduct the event in its premises near Vijayamangalam tollgate.

According to reports, police have imposed over 80 conditions for the smooth conduct of the programme. Police have directed the party to pay Rs 50,000 as rent for the land to the temple, and to make a security deposit of Rs 50,000.

According to reports, police have capped the gathering at around 20,000-25,000 at the venue. Entry will be restricted only to individuals with passes, and the party will deploy close to 300 volunteers for crowd management. The party has been granted permission to conduct the event between 11am and 1pm.

TVK's chief coordinator, K.A. Sengottaiyan, said on Sunday that preparatory works for the major rally are underway and there is tremendous support among the public for their leader, Vijay.

The event is seen as a test of both TVK and Sengottaiyan's mobilisation strength and the party's ability to conduct large-scale meetings safely after the deadly Karur tragedy, in which 41 people died. The former AIADMK leader and a key politician from Erode, Sengottaiyan, joined TVK recently. Known for his organisational capabilities, TVK expects Sengottaiyan will help the party to win seats in western Tamil Nadu.

Restarting their political campaigns, TVK conducted a rally in Puducherry recently. During the rally, Vijay lauded the Puduhcerry government and police for the security arrangements during the event.
Residents in several areas of Delhi complained of breathing difficulty on Monday as the air quality in the national capital remained in the severe category. A thick layer of smog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and affecting vehicular movements.

"The condition of Delhi is bad. We are experiencing difficulty in breathing. Old people are distressed, a resident told ANI news agency. He alleged that the construction work was still going on in the city despite the worsening level of pollution.

Work is happening on the ground. People are distressed. There is no one to ask people. I request everyone to complain about this matter. Tell them about Delhi's condition, he said.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the Akshardham area as a thick layer of toxic smog blankets the city.



AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 419, categorised as 'Severe, as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/5wA1MtSqil  ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

Another resident, Harminder, said there was a high risk of accidents as the thick smog had sharply reduced the visibility. According to reports, in several areas, the visibility dropped to near zero, severely disrupting the morning movement.

On Sunday, too, Delhiites had reported experiencing breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other health issues due to the worsening pollution levels.

Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) stood at 457 on Monday morning. In Akshardham, the AQI was recorded at 493, followed by Dwarka Sector-14 at 469.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals around Ghazipur area this morning as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city; GRAP 4 invoked in the national capital.



AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 493, categorised as 'Severe', as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/FSFnKnDDgb  ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2025

The dense smog has hit operations at Delhi airport, with over 60 flights being cancelled and five diverted due to poor visibility conditions. Over 250 flights were delayed.

The airlines have issued travel advisories, warning that the weather situation could impact flight schedules and cause inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from Delhi.
by Nashwa Abdel Hamid

During a highway journey in China in 2024, I observed signs of progress, sophistication, and prosperity spreading along the Yangtze River, which connects Shanghai with many hinterland cities and regions.

I was particularly impressed by China's advanced and modern infrastructure, including state-of-the-art airports, highways, and high-speed rail networks, as well as the popular use and application of advanced technologies. Notably, these facilities are not limited to major metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai -- they extend across thousands of kilometers deep into the interior and rural areas.

Nowadays, even inland provinces like Sichuan, whose provincial capital, Chengdu, shines like a jewel in the Sichuan Basin at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, have risen to global prominence, with their achievements recognized as far away as the Pyramid Plateau in Egypt.

These remarkable achievements highlight the equitable distribution of development benefits and embody China's economic growth philosophy: putting people first, pursuing high-quality development, deepening reforms, aligning an efficient market with an effective government, and ensuring both development and security for all citizens.

They also demonstrate that President Xi Jinping's vision of inclusive modernization -- narrowing gaps between rich and poor, and between urban and rural areas -- has taken tangible form across China's vast, continental expanse.

CHINA SHOWS RESILIENCE AMID TRADE TENSIONS

Beyond its domestic economic progress, one of the most striking issues facing China is the U.S.-initiated trade conflicts. In my view, at least three key factors have clearly shaped its outcome.

First, China's massive domestic market. China produces tangible goods while prioritizing the well-being of its people, creating one of the world's largest consumer markets. The capacity of this market to absorb Chinese factory output far exceeds the expectations of countries imposing tariffs. China's efforts to build a "unified national market" have proven remarkably successful.

Second, China's transition from manufacturing to innovation. This represents a major shift from quantity to quality, allowing Chinese firms to capture a larger share of the global market. While remaining the world's largest producer of electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops and other high-tech goods, China now leads in the development of high-end products. For example, Chinese-made economy cars, distinguished by unique features, are favored by Egyptian buyers, and over the past two years, Chinese carmakers have also made a strong entry into the luxury car segment.

Third, the flexibility of China's foreign trade. Markets in Latin America, Africa and the broader Global South have offered China ample room to offset impacts of tariff hikes and other protectionist measures and sustain growth, reflecting the depth of China's network of partnerships. Trade with ASEAN countries and Belt and Road Initiative participants has also expanded, with strong growth in high-tech mechanical and electrical exports.

The latest GDP figures demonstrate how these factors have sustained China's trade momentum, highlighting the strengths of its economy despite the U.S.-initiated trade war.

China's GDP grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, surpassing international forecasts. Its trade surplus reached about 1 trillion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of this year despite U.S. tariffs, underscoring the effectiveness of its strategic planning.

CHINA AND GLOBAL SOUTH: PARTNERS IN GROWTH

As a major Global South nation, China's development is deeply intertwined with that of other developing countries.

On the political front, China has actively promoted the establishment of a multipolar world order, giving the Global South greater influence on international affairs. China's initiatives to improve global governance, aimed at strengthening the mechanisms and systems of the United Nations and its agencies, have exerted significant influence. Notably, China's advocacy for greater leadership roles for Global South countries contributed to the selection of an Egyptian to head UNESCO. This helps explain why, despite competition from the West, China's influence and trade in Africa continue to expand, and why it has emerged as a key partner and active participant in numerous regional and global cooperation mechanisms -- from the Pacific to West Africa.

Economically, China's economic growth offers substantial shared benefits to developing countries. China provides high-quality, technologically advanced products at highly cost-effective prices than Western alternatives. This helps developing countries meet their needs with minimal capital expenditure. China offers green products at competitive prices, which has facilitated the influx of electric vehicles into densely populated developing cities like Cairo, Karachi and Jakarta.

To further strengthen win-win cooperation between China and other Global South countries, joint efforts are needed in the following areas.

First, financial flows -- the cornerstone of development. Western capitalism centers on finance as its primary instrument, yet Western financial institutions have consistently failed to adequately meet the development needs of Global South countries. Alternatives like China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), the national clearing and settlement system for cross-border yuan transactions, are needed to support the broadest possible range of economic activities in the Global South.

Second, investment in agriculture and food production. Deploying advanced Chinese technology and machinery in the Global South, coupled with financing mechanisms that recover costs from production, holds significant potential. This sector offers particularly strong opportunities in Africa, where vast areas remain uncultivated or are farmed using primitive methods with low productivity.

Third, deepening cultural and educational exchange. Though still in relatively early stages, this effort aims to cultivate future leaders committed to participating in the development of the Global South. China is offering scholarships and research grants to the Global South, enabling thousands of Egyptian, Arab and African students, professionals and experts to study at major Chinese universities. These institutions continually expand their programs in cutting-edge fields such as green development, robotics, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Sustained efforts in these areas will strengthen communication and mutual understanding between China and other Global South nations. Enditem

Editor's note: Nashwa Abdel Hamid is an undersecretary of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) and head of the central department of the media of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia at the SIS.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
A controversy is brewing in Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkey over something as simple as a picture. The image of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paying tributes at the monument of Makarios III, a Greek Cypriot prelate and former President of Cyprus, who served as Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus.

Al Nahyan, who was visiting the Republic of Cyprus for the first time, last week met with the Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The UAE President then laid a wreath at the monument of Makarios, an act Turkish media described as treacherous.

Turkey considers Makarios III, after becoming archbishop in 1950, propagated Enosis movement ( the idea of uniting Cyprus with Greece), also secretly directed a Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla organisation which allegedly perpetrated acts of terror on the island and murdered thousands of Turks.

A report that appeared in Turkish right-wing media Yeni Akit called the visit scandalous adding that Sheikh Zayed Commits Treason in Southern Cyprus while mentioning the laying wreath at Makarios. The images that disregarded Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Yeni Akit said.

The scandalous photos and critical agreements signed during the visit have raised questions about whether a new front is being formed in the Eastern Mediterranean, excluding Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Yeni Akit said.

During his visit to South Cyprus, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan drew attention by laying a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios, the political leader behind Enosis and associated with the Akritas Plan and the forced displacement of Turkish Cypriots. pic.twitter.com/gdmab9rOTq  Umut Cagr Sar (@umutcagrisariii) December 15, 2025

The report said the agreements signed between the UAE and Cyprus on defence, energy, and strategic cooperation highlighted the UAE's controversial political stance in the Eastern Mediterranean in recent times. The cordial photos taken with the Greek Cypriot leadership during the visit were evaluated in Ankara as "a step contradicting the rhetoric of friendship," the report added.

Akit also quoted experts who said the visit was not merely a diplomatic contact but signals a new lignment on an anti-Turkey axis. These contacts, which disregard the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, are expected to further strain the regional balance, Yeni Akit said.

Another local Turkish media outlet said Ankara considered Sheikh Zayed as a friend. But, he went to the grave of a Turkish enemy, a report that appeared in Haberiniz said.
The Israeli military announced that it had killed one of Hamass senior-most commanders in Gaza in a targeted strike on December 13, in what would be the most high-profile killing of a Hamas figure since a US-brokered truce began on October 10. Raed Saad, a senior commander in the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, was targeted for his central role in planning the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The drone strike on Saads car took place near the Nabulsi junction in western Gaza City. The location of the attack was on the Palestinian-controlled side of the Yellow Line, a boundary dividing parts of the Gaza Strip that has been in place since the ceasefire came into effect. In addition to Saad, a local Hamas official said his aide and a lower-ranking Hamas figure identified as Abu Imad al-Laban were also among the dead. Around 25 people were reported to have been wounded in the explosion, including passers-by who were in the area at the time.

Israel described the operation as a targeted elimination authorised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Officials said the immediate trigger for the strike was an incident earlier that day in southern Gaza, when an explosive device detonated and wounded two Israeli reserve soldiers who were carrying out an operation to clear an area. Israeli officials argued that Saad was actively involved in rebuilding Hamass military capabilities, which they said constituted a violation of the ceasefire. The Israel Defence Forces and the Shin Bet security agency stated that Saad was responsible for the deaths of many Israeli soldiers through the use of explosive devices.

Hamas rejected Israels justification and said the strike was a clear breach of the truce. The group asserted its right to respond to what it described as aggression. The killing highlighted the fragility of the ceasefire, which had been brokered by the United States and other mediators and was intended to halt large-scale hostilities while diplomatic efforts continued.

Saad had long been regarded by Israel as a high-value target. Israeli intelligence agencies had attempted to kill him for more than two decades. Within Hamas, he was considered a key figure. He served as the head of the groups military manufacturing unit and was responsible for weapons production. Hamas sources described him as the second-in-command of the Qassam Brigades, ranking just below Izz al-Din al-Haddad.

Saad previously commanded the Gaza City battalion, one of Hamass largest and best-equipped units. He was also said to be a member of a newly formed five-person military leadership council that was established after the October ceasefire. Israel described him as one of the architects of the October 2023 attacks, saying he led several brigades during the assault. He had managed to evade capture or death on multiple occasions, including during a surprise Israeli raid on the Shifa medical complex in Gaza City in March 2024, when he reportedly fled only moments before Israeli forces arrived.

Hamass interior ministry said on Sunday that another one of its officers, Ahmed Zamzam, had been shot dead by unidentified armed individuals in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. The ministry said one suspect had been apprehended. Later, citing an initial investigation, it claimed that Zamzam had been killed by an Israeli-backed group acting under Israels orders. The ministry said the assassination was carried out by agents of the occupation under direct instructions from Israeli intelligence and added that investigations were continuing and that the remaining perpetrators were being pursued.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya formally confirmed Saads death in a speech on Sunday, marking the groups 38th anniversary. He said that Hamass weapons were a right guaranteed under international law and rejected the International Stabilisation Force proposed under Trumps Gaza peace plan, which was adopted by a UN Security Council resolution in November. Hayya said Hamas rejected all forms of external control over the Palestinian people and that the group would not give up its arms without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Hours after 15 people were killed and over 40 others injured in a deadly shooting at the iconic Bondi Beach, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the gunmen acted alone and were not part of the wider extremist cell.

"There's no evidence of collusion, no evidence that these people were part of a cell," Albanese was quoted as saying by ABC. However, he pointed out that they were "clearly motivated" by extremist ideology.

Two Islamic State (IS) flags were found in a car linked to the Bondi Beach shooting, police say. Australian authorities have identified the alleged attackers as father-son duo, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.



(Australia mass shooting, Bondi Beach, Hanukkah celebration, Sydney, pic.twitter.com/sgMd1k1H8z  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) December 15, 2025

The attackers, identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, were father and son. The men with Pakistani roots targeted a Jewish celebration on the first day of Hanukkah.

Police shot dead the father while son sustained injuries. He has been hospitalised. Police recovered IEDs and two Islamic State flags in their car, according to police officials cited by ABC.

Sajid arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son Naveed is an Australian-born citizen. Sajid had a firearms licence for 10 years and owned six guns with no previous red flags.

Albanese said the country is planning tougher gun laws in the wake of the attack. He said he would ask the Cabinet to consider a cap on the number of weapons allowed by a gun licence. Another concern was the perpetual gun licence, with the Australian PM suggesting that the government with also revise its validity.

Joining world leaders in condemning the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "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. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief," he added.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man who overpowered one of the Bondi Beach shooters, said he does not regret trying to disarm the gunman and that he would do it again.

According to Australian media reports, Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, sustained five bullet wounds across his left arm. He continues to be critical but stable.

Ahmed, who was hailed as a hero by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was seen in videos, appearing to tackle and disarm one gunman, before pointing the man's weapon at him, then setting the gun on the ground. Ahmed al-Ahmed  took the gun off that perpetrator at great risk to himself and suffered serious injury as a result of that, and is currently going through operations today in hospital, the PM had said.

Sam Issa, Ahmeds migration lawyer, has been quoted as saying, "He doesnt regret what he did. He said he would do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him.

He is not well at all. He is riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment, The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Issa as saying.

Issa said Ahmed is in a lot worse condition than expected, although he sustained bullet injuries only in his arm. He has reportedly lost a lot of blood.

Issa said Ahmed is not interested in media coverage and that he did what he was compelled to do as a human being on that day. He gets that gratitude from being in Australia. This is his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship.

Ahmed's father had said his son doesn't discriminate between one nationality and another. "Especially here in Australia, there's no difference between one citizen and another."
 #TerrorAttack | As it happened.

 Bondi Beach, #Bondi, 



Indiscriminate shooting of civilians.



1 suspect shot dead, 1 suspect in custody. pic.twitter.com/QzQ2zFmO72   Matt Blac Inc. #BeaVoice  #Helpfindme  (@MattBlacInc) December 14, 2025

ASIO, Australia's internal intelligence agency, had investigated one of the Bondi Beach shooters six years ago over his ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) cell.

ALSO READ | Pakistani media alleges Bondi Beach attackers were 'Afghan'; says country is target of media terrorism

It was Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old who is undergoing treatment, who came under ASIO's radar while he was still a teenager after the police managed to foil an IS-linked terrorist attack plan, ABC News said in a report. However, it was not immediately revealed what was his role in the failed terror plot and if he was arrested. He was investigated for around six months for his alleged ties with a jailed Australian IS commander before being let go, the report said. Back then, there was no evidence that showed his plan to execute such a sinister attack and he was young when compared to several Sydney men arrested for their IS affiliation, the report said.

ALSO READ | No, 'Bondi Hero' was not a Jew! Who is 'brave Muslim' Ahmed al Ahmed, the fruit seller who disarmed the shooter in Australia?

"One of these individuals was known to us, but not in an immediate-threat perspective, so we need to look into what happened here," ABC quoted ASIO director-general Mike Burgess as saying on Sunday.

At the Bondi Beach, at least two Islamic State flags were recovered from their cars after Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram (50) targeted a Hanukkah gathering. Sajid died on the spot after law enforcement returned fire while Naveed remains in the hospital.

Police teams on Sunday night raided their home in Bonnyrigg, in south-west Sydney, as well as an Airbnb property in Campsie where the father-son duo stayed, the ABC report said.

ALSO READ | Bondi Beach massacre: How did shooters Naveed, Sajid Akram get 6 guns despite ISIS link?

Meanwhile, the number of victims went up to fifteen with a child, a holocaust survivor and two rabbis named among the victims. A Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) comprising the ASIO, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police and the NSW Crime Commission is heading the investigation.

Some 40 people were taken to hospital, including two police and four children. Police say the attack was carried out by a father and son, and their victims' ages ranged from 10 to 87. The 50-year-old alleged gunman was killed by police. Following are details of those killed.
A father and son have been identified as the suspects in the mass shooting at a Jewish celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, police said on Monday.

The father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene, taking the number of dead to 16 in Australias worst gun violence in almost three decades. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, is in a critical condition in a hospital.

The duo have been identified as Pakistani nationals, CBS News reported.

Forty people, including two police officers, have been injured in the incident, which officials described as a targeted antisemitic attack.

The gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event attended by over 1,000 people in a small park off the beach. Videos show people running, screaming, pulling each other into buildings, under tables, and down alleyways.

A mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach has left at least 12 people dead, including one suspected shooter. The attack occurred Sunday evening during a Hanukkah celebration, when gunmen opened fire near a crowded beachfront area.



(Australia mass shooting, Bondi Beach, Hanukkah pic.twitter.com/lmu8iluMNI  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) December 14, 2025

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had called the attack a "dark moment for our nation", visited Bondi Beach on Monday morning.

"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.

'Terror angle being probed'

ABC News Australia reported that the investigators were probing possible links to the Islamic State after an ISIS flag was recovered from a vehicle linked to the attackers.

The discovery of the flag has intensified the terrorism angle of the investigation, it said.

Australia's domestic intelligence agency examined alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram six years ago for his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State group (IS) terrorism cell, @abcnews reports. pic.twitter.com/roSIAZdJth  Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) December 15, 2025

Those killed were aged between 10 and 87, and one of them was a Holocaust survivor, according to media reports.

I was just praying to God, 'Please, don't let us die. Please just keep my son safe', Rebecca, a 33-year-old woman, told the Associated Press. She was with her husband and two children when gunshots erupted.

Bondi local Morgan Gabriel, 27, told Reuters that she had been heading to a nearby cinema when she heard what she first thought were fireworks.

"I sheltered about six or seven. Two of them were actually my close friends, and the rest were just people who were on the street. But people, their phones had been left down the beach, and everyone was just trying to get away," she said.

Australia has been witnessing a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars targeting the Jewish community since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023.
Shutterstock (NYSE:SSTK  Get Free Report) and CrowdGather (OTCMKTS:CRWG  Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Shutterstock and CrowdGathers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Shutterstock 5.89% 16.30% 6.80% CrowdGather N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Shutterstock and CrowdGathers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Shutterstock $935.26 million 0.71 $35.93 million $1.68 11.18 CrowdGather N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Shutterstock has higher revenue and earnings than CrowdGather.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

82.8% of Shutterstock shares are held by institutional investors. 32.3% of Shutterstock shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 36.4% of CrowdGather shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Shutterstock has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its share price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CrowdGather has a beta of 14.04, suggesting that its share price is 1,304% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Shutterstock and CrowdGather, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Shutterstock 1 3 1 0 2.00 CrowdGather 0 0 0 0 0.00

Shutterstock presently has a consensus price target of $25.00, indicating a potential upside of 33.08%. Given Shutterstocks stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Shutterstock is more favorable than CrowdGather.

Summary

Shutterstock beats CrowdGather on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Shutterstock

(Get Free Report)

Shutterstock, Inc. provides platform to connect brands and businesses to high quality content in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers image services consisting of photographs, vectors, and illustrations, which is used in visual communications, such as websites, digital and print marketing materials, corporate communications, books, publications, and others; footage services, including video clips, filmed by industry experts and cinema grade video effects in HD and 4K formats that are integrated into websites, social media, marketing campaigns, and cinematic productions; and music services comprising music tracks and sound effects, which are used to complement images and footage. It also provides 3 dimensional models consisting of 3D models used in various industries, such as advertising, media and video production, gaming, retail, education, design, and architecture; and generative AI content comprising images generated from algorithms trained with ethically sourced content. The company offers its services under the Shutterstock, Pond5, TurboSquid, PicMonkey, PremiumBeat, Splash News, Bigstock, and Offset brand names. In addition, it operates a collection of graphics interchange format visuals and stickers that supplies casual conversational content. The company serves corporate professionals and organizations, media and broadcast companies, and small and medium-sized businesses, and individual creators through digital, live sales, and client management channels. Shutterstock, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

About CrowdGather

(Get Free Report)

CrowdGather, Inc., a social networking Internet company, develops and hosts forum based Websites primarily in the United States. It monetizes a network of online forums and message boards designed to engage, provide information to, and build community around users. The company's forum community connects a network of people sharing their questions, expertise, and experiences. It also provides targeted advertising and marketing services for online customers. The company's portfolio includes approximately 350 domain names and 70 Web properties at various stages of development. CrowdGather, Inc. is headquartered in Calabasas, California.

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Mitchells & Butlers plc (LON:MAB  Get Free Report) insider Phil Urban sold 194,357 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 260, for a total value of 505,328.20.

Phil Urban also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, December 5th, Phil Urban acquired 52 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 264 per share, with a total value of 137.28.

On Friday, November 7th, Phil Urban bought 57 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 243 per share, for a total transaction of 138.51.

On Friday, October 10th, Phil Urban bought 55 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 253 per share, for a total transaction of 139.15.

Mitchells & Butlers Price Performance

MAB stock opened at GBX 255.50 on Monday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 250.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 264.80. Mitchells & Butlers plc has a 52-week low of GBX 194.40 and a 52-week high of GBX 308. The company has a market capitalization of 1.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.56, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.46.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Mitchells & Butlers ( LON:MAB Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, November 28th. The company reported GBX 30.90 earnings per share for the quarter. Mitchells & Butlers had a return on equity of 1.89% and a net margin of 1.72%. Research analysts expect that Mitchells & Butlers plc will post 26.6341463 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a GBX 340 price objective on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Panmure Gordon reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 390 price objective on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mitchells & Butlers has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 351.25.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Mitchells & Butlers

Mitchells & Butlers Company Profile

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Mitchells & Butlers is a leading operator of managed restaurants and pubs in the UK. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2003 and is a member of the FTSE 250. Its restaurants and pubs have some of the highest average sales and profits per site in the industry and it operates the best portfolio of brands in the UK.

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MELBOURNE, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- An international study has challenged the long-held classification of one of the world's most complete ancient human fossils, raising the possibility of an unknown human ancestor.

The fossil, found in South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves in 1998 and dubbed "Little Foot," has been widely believed to be a member of the Australopithecus genus, either A. africanus or A. prometheus, a lineage of ape-like upright walkers that lived in South Africa between 3 million and 1.95 million years ago, a media release of Australia's La Trobe University said Monday.

But a peer-reviewed article published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology found that Little Foot does not share a unique suite of traits with either species, raising the possibility that it may represent a new species altogether, it said.

"This fossil remains one of the most important discoveries in the hominin record and its true identity is key to understanding our evolutionary past," said study lead author Jesse Martin of La Trobe University and the University of Cambridge in Britain.

Martin's team has become the first since Little Foot's 2017 unveiling to challenge the fossil's species classification. The skeleton, formally known as StW 573, remains the most complete ancient hominin ever found and could reshape views of human evolution in southern Africa.

"This is more likely a previously unidentified, human relative," Martin said, highlighting the need for further careful, evidence-based taxonomy in human evolution.

"It is clearly different from the type specimen of A. prometheus, which was a name defined on the idea these early humans made fire, which we now know they didn't," said Professor Andy Herries at La Trobe.

The study was conducted under an Australian Research Council grant directed by Herries, and involved scientists from Australia, South Africa, Britain and the United States.

Students from La Trobe University will now work to clarify which species Little Foot represents and where that species sits in the human family tree, the release said. 
Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $230.00 price target on shares of Leidos in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Leidos from $209.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on shares of Leidos from $185.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Leidos from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up previously from $200.00) on shares of Leidos in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $205.42.

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Leidos Stock Performance

Shares of LDOS opened at $189.83 on Friday. Leidos has a 12 month low of $123.62 and a 12 month high of $205.77. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $190.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $176.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The company has a market cap of $24.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.58.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The aerospace company reported $3.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.44. The company had revenue of $4.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.28 billion. Leidos had a return on equity of 33.02% and a net margin of 8.11%.Leidos has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.450-11.75 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Leidos will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Leidos

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LDOS. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Leidos by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 2,203 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $416,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Leidos by 1.0% during the third quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,500 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,039,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. Personal CFO Solutions LLC increased its position in Leidos by 2.0% during the second quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 2,974 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $469,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its position in Leidos by 3.7% during the second quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 1,639 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp raised its stake in shares of Leidos by 0.7% in the third quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 8,243 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,558,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. 76.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Leidos Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.

Further Reading

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Farmers Trust Co. bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 16,796 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $3,144,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust increased its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the companys stock.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Up 0.2%

Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $200.82 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.45, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.25. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $188.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

Becton, Dickinson and Company ( NYSE:BDX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 16.42%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 72.04%.

Insider Activity at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total transaction of $38,317.86. Following the transaction, the director owned 35,816 shares in the company, valued at $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 407 shares of company stock worth $73,922 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $211.00 to $202.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $204.91.

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About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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Global Ship Lease (NYSE:GSL  Get Free Report) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (OTCMKTS:NPNYY  Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Global Ship Lease and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaishas revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Global Ship Lease $711.05 million 1.70 $353.63 million $11.14 3.04 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha $17.00 billion 0.79 $1.51 billion $0.96 6.46

Volatility and Risk

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha has higher revenue and earnings than Global Ship Lease. Global Ship Lease is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Global Ship Lease has a beta of 0.98, suggesting that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha has a beta of 1.11, suggesting that its share price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Global Ship Lease and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Global Ship Lease 0 1 2 1 3.00 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha 0 1 0 0 2.00

Global Ship Lease presently has a consensus target price of $33.50, suggesting a potential downside of 1.04%. Given Global Ship Leases stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Global Ship Lease is more favorable than Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.

Profitability

This table compares Global Ship Lease and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaishas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Global Ship Lease 53.62% 23.98% 14.94% Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha 12.71% 10.10% 6.78%

Dividends

Global Ship Lease pays an annual dividend of $2.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.4%. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha pays an annual dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Global Ship Lease pays out 22.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha pays out 19.8% 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. Global Ship Lease has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Global Ship Lease is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

50.1% of Global Ship Lease shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Global Ship Lease beats Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Global Ship Lease

(Get Free Report)

Global Ship Lease, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in owning and chartering of containerships under fixed-rate charters to container shipping companies worldwide. As of March 11, 2024, it owned 68 mid-sized and smaller containerships, ranging from 2,207 to 11,040 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), with an aggregate capacity of 375,406 TEU. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Athens, Greece.

About Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha

(Get Free Report)

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha provides various logistics services worldwide. It operates through Liner & Logistics Business, Bulk Shipping Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers liner trading services, such as container shipping, and terminal and stevedoring services for containerships, car carriers, and cruise ships; and air cargo transportation services. It also provides bulk shipping services comprising transport services for finished automobiles, heavy construction machines, and used cars; transportation services for bulk freight, including iron ore, coal, and wood chips; and transportation services for crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and coal. In addition, the company is involved in the upstream areas of the supply chain for oil and natural gas. Further, it operates Asuka II, a luxury cruise ship; and manages commercial and residential buildings. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha was incorporated in 1885 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

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National Bank of Canada FI lessened its position in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 584,316 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 79,436 shares during the quarter. National Bank of Canada FIs holdings in Boeing were worth $122,427,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wallace Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of Boeing by 1.2% in the second quarter. Wallace Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,570 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $748,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Aspire Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Boeing by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Aspire Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,943 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,245,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Lantz Financial LLC grew its holdings in Boeing by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 3,072 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $644,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Blue Barn Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Boeing by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Barn Wealth LLC now owns 2,594 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $544,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Brown Inc. increased its position in Boeing by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. now owns 6,498 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,362,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock.

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Boeing Stock Performance

Shares of BA stock opened at $204.33 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $202.82 and a 200-day moving average of $214.20. The stock has a market cap of $155.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.94 and a beta of 1.18. The Boeing Company has a 52-week low of $128.88 and a 52-week high of $242.69.

Insider Activity at Boeing

Boeing ( NYSE:BA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The aircraft producer reported ($7.47) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.51) by ($6.96). The firm had revenue of $23.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.61 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($10.44) EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 30.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, SVP Dana S. Deasy bought 554 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $178.88 per share, with a total value of $99,099.52. Following the acquisition, the senior vice president owned 28,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,087,704.96. This represents a 1.99% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 1,366 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.66, for a total value of $270,003.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,656 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,896,904.96. This trade represents a 8.53% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Boeing in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Boeing from $270.00 to $255.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Boeing from $251.00 to $240.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Boeing from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Boeing currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $232.96.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BA

About Boeing

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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Kavango Resources Plc (LON:KAV  Get Free Report) shot up 8.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 0.65 and last traded at GBX 0.65. 2,552,715 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 15% from the average session volume of 2,222,377 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.60.

Kavango Resources Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of 23.62 million, a PE ratio of -0.96 and a beta of 0.69. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 0.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 0.96.

About Kavango Resources

(Get Free Report)

Kavango Resources Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration of base and precious metals in Botswana and Zimbabwe. It explores for nickel, copper, silver, platinum, iron, gold, uranium, and rare earth deposits. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

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Texas Permanent School Fund Corp decreased its position in shares of RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 35.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 93,686 shares of the companys stock after selling 50,853 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in RTX were worth $13,680,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of RTX. PFS Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of RTX by 101.1% during the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 177 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA bought a new position in RTX during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of RTX during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of RTX by 45.3% in the 2nd quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 250 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in shares of RTX in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. 86.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at RTX

In other RTX news, EVP Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. sold 4,849 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.15, for a total value of $873,547.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 59,556 shares in the company, valued at $10,729,013.40. This trade represents a 7.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.15% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on RTX shares. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of RTX from $157.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $203.00 price objective on RTX in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and set a $190.00 target price on shares of RTX in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Morgan Stanley set a $215.00 price target on RTX and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $195.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, RTX has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $182.71.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on RTX

RTX Price Performance

RTX opened at $178.59 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $239.45 billion, a PE ratio of 36.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.44. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $171.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $159.18. RTX Corporation has a 52-week low of $112.27 and a 52-week high of $181.31.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $22.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.26 billion. RTX had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 13.28%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.45 earnings per share. RTX has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.200 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 EPS for the current year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were given a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. RTXs payout ratio is currently 55.85%.

RTX Company Profile

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Bank of America from $204.00 to $220.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Bank of Americas price target suggests a potential upside of 3.95% from the stocks current price.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on JNJ. Argus set a $210.00 price objective on Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on Johnson & Johnson from $174.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $212.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $203.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $176.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Johnson & Johnson currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $208.35.

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Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance

Shares of JNJ stock opened at $211.65 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average is $196.09 and its 200 day moving average is $177.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $509.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.43, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.36. Johnson & Johnson has a 12 month low of $140.68 and a 12 month high of $212.27. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 30th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 27.26% and a return on equity of 32.73%. The business had revenue of $24.02 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in JNJ. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Clayton Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Johnson & Johnson during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 55.0% during the 2nd quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 203 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock.

About Johnson & Johnson

(Get Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension.

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Shares of ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) fell 6.4% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $600.05 and last traded at $602.55. 256 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 97% from the average session volume of 8,601 shares. The stock had previously closed at $643.69.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on ASMIY shares. Rothschild Redb downgraded shares of ASM International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Zacks Research upgraded ASM International from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of ASM International in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, ASM International has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ASM International

ASM International Stock Down 0.1%

The company has a market cap of $29.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.39 and a beta of 1.91. The businesss 50 day moving average is $611.02 and its 200 day moving average is $572.80.

ASM International (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $4.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.74 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $932.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $814.93 million. ASM International had a return on equity of 21.55% and a net margin of 24.50%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that ASM International NV will post 14.46 EPS for the current year.

About ASM International

(Get Free Report)

ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in Europe, the United States, and Asia. The companys products include wafer processing deposition systems for atomic layer deposition (ALD), epitaxy, silicon carbide, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and vertical furnace systems, including low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), diffusion, and oxidation products, as well as provides spare parts and support services.

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Oxford Industries (NYSE: OXM) has recently received a number of price target changes and ratings updates:

12/12/2025  Oxford Industries had its price target lowered by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $35.00 to $33.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

12/11/2025  Oxford Industries had its price target lowered by analysts at Truist Financial Corporation from $50.00 to $35.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock.

12/11/2025  Oxford Industries had its sector weight rating reaffirmed by analysts at KeyCorp.

12/11/2025  Oxford Industries had its price target lowered by analysts at UBS Group AG from $47.00 to $35.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

12/11/2025  Oxford Industries had its price target lowered by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $52.00 to $35.00. They now have a market perform rating on the stock.

12/5/2025  Oxford Industries had its market perform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group. They now have a $35.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $52.00.

11/25/2025  Oxford Industries was upgraded by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from a sell rating to a neutral rating. They now have a $35.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $44.00.

11/10/2025  Oxford Industries was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong sell rating to a hold rating.

Oxford Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a $0.69 dividend. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. Oxford Industriess payout ratio is -836.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Oxford Industries news, CEO Thomas Caldecot Chubb III acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $35.12 per share, for a total transaction of $175,600.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 22,709 shares in the company, valued at $797,540.08. This represents a 28.23% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 6.00% of the companys stock.

Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; and women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as children's apparel, swim, footwear, and licensed products under the Lilly Pulitzer brand.

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Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $0.8775, but opened at $0.95. Hong Kong & China Gas shares last traded at $0.95, with a volume of 897 shares.

Hong Kong & China Gas Trading Down 11.0%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.67. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $0.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $0.86.

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Institutional Trading of Hong Kong & China Gas

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 27,860 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Hong Kong & China Gas Company Profile

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas, water supply and energy services in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of smart energy, piped city-gas, upstream and midstream projects, water supply and wastewater treatment, urban waste resource utilization, and natural gas filling stations, as well as new energy exploration and utilization activities.

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SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A mass shooting took place on Sunday evening at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens of others. This marks the deadliest shooting incident in the country since 1996.

Here's what we know so far about the shooting.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The incident occurred at around 6:40 p.m. local time (0740 GMT) at the renowned attraction in Bondi Beach, where over 1,000 people had gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Two gunmen, dressed in black, "mowed down" the crowd from a nearby bridge for about 10 minutes, local media reported, citing witness accounts.

Fifteen victims, aged between 10 and 87, were killed in the shooting. Over 40 people, including two police officers, were hospitalized for treatment. By Monday afternoon, 27 patients were still receiving care across Sydney, some in critical condition, a spokesperson for the medical authority said.

The attackers have been identified as Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50. Sajid Akram was shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with police at the scene, while his son is currently in hospital under police guard.

Mal Lanyon, police force commissioner of the state of New South Wales (NSW), where Sydney is located, declared the incident a terrorist attack on Sunday night, citing "the fact that it's the first day of Hanukkah, the types of weapons, the offenders, some of the other items that we found at the scene."

Police also found an improvised explosive device in a car linked to the attackers, said Lanyon.

A video clip that went viral on social media showed a man in civilian clothes managing to tackle one of the gunmen and disarm him. "I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said NSW Premier Chris Minns, calling him "a genuine hero."

During his visit to the scene on Monday morning, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that flags would fly at half-mast across the country to mourn the victims of the shooting.

ISLAMIC STATE LINKED

Albanese confirmed at a press conference that Naveed Akram had been noticed by the intelligence agency in 2019 for "associations that he had," and had been investigated for six months, without revealing further details.

Both Naveed and his father had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing counter-terrorism officers. An IS flag was found in their car at Bondi Beach.

Lanyon confirmed that the 50-year-old Sajid Akram had been a licensed gun holder for the past 10 years, with no prior security incidents. "He has six firearms licensed to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday," he said.

On Monday morning, officers from NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police were conducting a major operation at Akram's residence in Sydney's southwest suburbs, as well as at a short-term rental in the city's west where the two men had been staying.

The investigation into the motives behind the attack is still ongoing, said Lanyon.

INT'L REACTIONS

Prime Minister Albanese called the shooting "an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation," vowing that Australia would do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.

"Australia will not be divided by hate or violence ... we will stand together in solidarity with Jewish Australians and with one another," he said in an X post on Monday morning.

Albanese told a news conference that the federal government would do "whatever is necessary" to prevent similar incidents from happening again and would consider reforming gun laws in the country.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the victims, and voicing solidarity with the people and government of Australia during this difficult time, his deputy spokesperson said in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the incident as a "horrible and purely antisemitic attack." He told Fox News that American Jews celebrating Hanukkah should not be worried about their safety following the Bondi Beach attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed both Albanese and the Australian government for failing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. "You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today," he said.

In response to the attack, Israel's National Security Council on Sunday issued a security warning for its citizens abroad, urging them to avoid large gatherings and remain vigilant around Jewish and Israeli sites. 
Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (NYSE:ECC  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $5.43 and last traded at $5.4450, with a volume of 1607203 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $5.53.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. B. Riley reduced their price target on shares of Eagle Point Credit from $10.00 to $7.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Credit Suisse Group set a $7.00 price objective on Eagle Point Credit in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Alliance Global Partners began coverage on Eagle Point Credit in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $7.75 target price on the stock. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $7.75 price target on Eagle Point Credit in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Eagle Point Credit from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $7.46.

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Eagle Point Credit Trading Down 1.0%

Eagle Point Credit Dividend Announcement

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.84. The company has a market cap of $691.67 million, a PE ratio of 28.82 and a beta of 0.28.

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be paid a $0.14 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 30.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 11th. Eagle Point Credits dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 957.89%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in Eagle Point Credit by 178.4% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 10,300 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 6,600 shares during the period. Alpine Global Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eagle Point Credit during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,203,000. Abel Hall LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eagle Point Credit during the 3rd quarter valued at $66,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Eagle Point Credit by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 100,116 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $662,000 after buying an additional 3,527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of Eagle Point Credit in the 3rd quarter worth $266,000. 19.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Eagle Point Credit

(Get Free Report)

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc is a closed ended fund launched and managed by Eagle Point Credit Management LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S.

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The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $138.70 and last traded at $138.4210, with a volume of 2244035 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $135.30.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on HIG. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $144.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of 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. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on The Hartford Insurance Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (a-) rating on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut The Hartford Insurance Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. One equities research 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 company. According to MarketBeat, The Hartford Insurance Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.50.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HIG

The Hartford Insurance Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $38.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.31, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $130.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $128.84. 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 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, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.76. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.17 billion. The Hartford Insurance Group had a return on equity of 21.07% and a net margin of 12.75%.The Hartford Insurance Groups revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.53 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Insurance Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This is a positive change from The Hartford Insurance Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The Hartford Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.61%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.41, for a total transaction of $959,816.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,252,344. The trade was a 29.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of The Hartford Insurance Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HIG. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group by 707.7% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 210 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group by 151.1% during the 2nd quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 221 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Finally, United Financial Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in The Hartford Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the companys stock.

About The Hartford Insurance Group

(Get 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.

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Orient Overseas International (OTCMKTS:OROVY  Get Free Report) and International Seaways (NYSE:INSW  Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability and risk.

Dividends

Orient Overseas International pays an annual dividend of $7.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.3%. International Seaways pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. International Seaways pays out 10.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

67.3% of International Seaways shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of International Seaways shares are owned 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.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Orient Overseas International $10.70 billion N/A $2.58 billion N/A N/A International Seaways $770.04 million 3.13 $416.72 million $4.39 11.12

This table compares Orient Overseas International and International Seawayss revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Orient Overseas International has higher revenue and earnings than International Seaways.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Orient Overseas International and International Seaways, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Orient Overseas International 0 0 0 0 0.00 International Seaways 0 2 2 1 2.80

International Seaways has a consensus target price of $52.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.87%. Given International Seaways stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe International Seaways is more favorable than Orient Overseas International.

Volatility & Risk

Orient Overseas International has a beta of 1.07, suggesting that its stock price is 7% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, International Seaways has a beta of -0.2, suggesting that its stock price is 120% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Orient Overseas International and International Seaways net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Orient Overseas International N/A N/A N/A International Seaways 28.26% 10.13% 7.30%

Summary

International Seaways beats Orient Overseas International on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Orient Overseas International

(Get Free Report)

Orient Overseas (International) Limited, an investment holding company, provides container transport and logistics services in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. The company offers supply chain management services; and containerised shipping services in various trade lanes comprising Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asia/Europe, Asia/Australia, and Intra-Asia trades. It is also involved in shipping and logistics software application development; container transport, equipment owning and leasing, container depot and warehousing, portfolio investment, trucking, ship owning, terminal operating, cargo consolidation and forwarding, liner and freight agency, property owning, and ship management businesses; operating of vessels; and provision of corporate and trucking services. In addition, the company offers AI and blockchain digital data on network applications, and platform design services. The company was incorporated in 1986 and is based in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Orient Overseas (International) Limited is a subsidiary of Faulkner Global Holdings Limited.

About International Seaways

(Get Free Report)

International Seaways, Inc. owns and operates a fleet of oceangoing vessels for the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the international flag trade. It operates in two segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned a fleet of 73 vessels. It serves independent and state-owned oil companies, oil traders, refinery operators, and international government entities. The company was formerly known as OSG International, Inc. and changed its name to International Seaways, Inc. in October 2016. International Seaways, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Flags fly at half-mast near Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025. The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday. The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers. Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday morning that 16 people have been confirmed dead after the shooting.

A police statement said that 14 people died at the scene and two others died in hospital.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference on Monday morning that the two alleged shooters were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.

The 50-year-old, who was killed at the scene, was a licensed firearm holder with six guns legally in his possession, Lanyon said.

The shooting occurred at around 6:47 p.m. local time on Sunday when the two men opened fire on a crowd of at least 1,000 people who gathered at the beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Lanyon, who on Sunday night officially declared the shooting as a terrorist attack, said Monday that investigations into motives behind the attack are ongoing.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the attack was an act of "pure evil" and that Australia would do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.

"It is a scourge and we'll eradicate it together," he said.

It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which prompted fundamental changes to Australia's gun ownership laws. 

An aerial drone photo shows the Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Flags fly at half-mast on the Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

A woman mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

People lay flowers to mourn the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Flowers are laid as tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Flowers are laid as tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

A woman mourns the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

People lay flowers to mourn the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

A pedestrian area adjacent to the Bondi Beach is cordoned off in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Streets adjacent to the Bondi Beach are cordoned off in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Australian national flag flies at half-mast at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

(251215) -- PERTH, Dec. 15, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Australian national flag flies at half-mast at Kings Park in Perth, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua)

People mourn the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Australian national flag flies at half-mast at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

People mourn the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

An Australian national flag flies at half-mast at the Melbourne Town Hall in Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Xu Haijing)

Flags fly at half-mast at the Victoria Square in Adelaide, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Lyu Wei/Xinhua)

Flags fly at half-mast at the Victorian Parliament Building in Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Xu Haijing)

Flags fly at half-mast at the Adelaide Town Hall in Adelaide, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Photo by Lyu Wei/Xinhua)

An Australian national flag flies at half-mast at the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 15, 2025.

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.

The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition. (Xinhua/Xu Haijing)
Cyclists across Ireland are being urgently warned to stop riding certain bikes immediately after a major safety recall was issued over a potentially dangerous defect that could lead to crashes and serious injuries.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has confirmed that various CUBE Agree C:62 road bikes from the 2025 and 2026 model years are being recalled because their bicycle forks may crack or suddenly break during normal use.

The alert states that cracking or breakage may occur in the bicycle forks, which can lead to falls and significant injuries. Around 190 of the affected bikes are in the Republic of Ireland, and all owners are being told to cease use without exception.

Manufacturer Pending System GmbH & Co. KG, which sells the bikes under the CUBE brand, has published a recall notice admitting that in very rare cases cracking has been found on carbon forks above the brake mount due to a resin issue.

CUBEs safety recall notice says: The use of bikes affected by this recall must stop immediately and without exception until the fork has been checked and affected forks replaced.

READ MORE | Elderly woman in her 70s dies days after late-night crash as gardai appeal for witnesses



The affected CUBE Agree C:62 models are:

2025 models

Agree C:62 ONE foggreyngrey

Agree C:62 Pro blackline

Agree C:62 Pro polarlightnaquagreen

Agree C:62 Race flashlimenblack

Agree C:62 SLX liquidrednprism

Agree C:62 SLX pigeonbluenart

Agree C:62 SLT nebulanwhite

2026 models

Agree C:62 ONE stormngrey

Agree C:62 EX topasbluenwhite

Agree C:62 Pro blackline

Agree C:62 Pro balinprism

Agree C:62 Race glaciernblack

Agree C:62 SLX nightshiftnprism

Agree C:62 SLX cosmicpurplenblack

Agree C:62 SLT blacknblack

Agree C:62 SLT greenfusionnwhite

All frame sizes are affected: 47cm, 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm and 62cm.

READ MORE | Irish celebs gush as 'lucky man' Ryan Tubridy shares rare snap from intimate wedding



CUBEs recall notice explains that after analysing a small number of reported cases of cracks forming above the brake mount on our Agree C:62 carbon fibre forks, it was found that a change in resin material from the 2025 model year may, in isolated cases, result in an insufficient resin content in this critical area.

The company warns that this issue could lead to delamination of the outer carbon layers, weakening the fork structure and increasing the risk of an accident that could cause material damage, serious injuries or even fatal injuries.

Owners of any affected bikes are being told to stop using them immediately and take them back to an authorised CUBE dealer for a free inspection and replacement fork where required.

The notice says this applies to any CUBE Agree C:62 road bike delivered or sold before 30 November 2025.

For further information in relation to this recall and how to arrange a replacement fork, please visit CUBEs recall notice.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has initiated the declaration of an amnesty, Trend reports.

The Amnesty Act submitted by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Parliament of Azerbaijan is expected to be the largest amnesty in terms of the number of persons to be applied, including the number of prisoners to be released from imprisonment.

Thus, the amnesty act is expected to apply to more than 20,000 persons in total.

It is projected that more than 5,000 convicts will be released from imprisonment, the sentences of over 3,000 individuals sentenced to deprivation of liberty will be reduced, more than 7,000 convicts will be released from sentences involving restriction of liberty, nearly 4,000 convicts will be freed from other non-custodial or conditionally applied sentences, and more than 1,000 individuals will be released from criminal liability.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Today, the opening ceremony of an exhibition organized on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the birth of Architect Ajami Nakhchivani took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, which is included in UNESCOs anniversaries program, Trend reports via the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO.

The event was organized with the support of the National Commission.

Ajami Nakhchivani (Ajami ibn Abubakr Nakhchivani) is a significant Azerbaijani architect of the 12th-13th centuries, recognized as the founder of the Nakhchivan Architectural School. He transformed Seljuk-era architecture with his innovative designs, earning the title "Sheikhul-muhandis."

His notable works include the Yusif ibn Kuseyir Tomb (1162) and the Momine Khatun Mausoleum (circa 1186), a masterpiece of architecture. His style introduced geometric ornaments and dynamic forms, marking a departure from traditional Seljuk designs, and his 1187 portal with two minarets was the first of its kind in the Muslim world, greatly influencing Middle Eastern architecture.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The Baku Network platform has released the latest episode of the analytical video project Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov, Trend reports.

Inna Kostina, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, was the distinguished guest on the program.

At the outset of the conversation, she observed that despite the prevailing global tensions, humanity consistently demonstrates its resilience through the revitalizing forces of culture and spirituality.

"As artists, it is our responsibility to nurture the soul, shape our cultural legacy, and educate future generations through beauty and kindness," she stated with conviction.

Kostina went on to discuss her most recent exhibition, "Time of Miracles," which was initially showcased in Portland, Oregon, and later presented in Baku at the gallery near the Maiden Tower. The exhibition featured more than 60 small-format pieces, each reflecting the vivid memories of childhood.

"Abroad, I represent Azerbaijani art and share the story of our country. Here, the audience is already familiar with my work, and they always anticipate something new," she explained.

Elaborating on her creative philosophy, Kostina emphasized her deliberate avoidance of negative themes. "In today's world, which is often marked by aggression, an artists duty is to bring light, not burden the viewer with additional heaviness," she remarked.

Reflecting on the period of war and occupation, Kostina acknowledged that these experiences inevitably influenced her artistic expression. On the first day of the Second Karabakh War, she created a somber landscape featuring a red moon. However, following the victory, her work took on a renewed sense of vibrancy and emotional optimism.

One of the key points was the theme of contacts in the field of culture. I think that cultured, thinking people will take steps on both sides, Kostina said, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between the creative communities of neighboring countries.

Kostina also touched on the issue of generational continuity. For more than 35 years, she has been running the children's studio Seven Bright Butterflies, and many of her students have become artists, architects, and cinematographers, studying in London and New York. In addition, she taught for many years at the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts. We have wonderful young people; there is no generation gap. I strive to support my students, especially the girls. For them, I am like a mother, Kostina emphasized.

Here is the full video recording of the program for our readers:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Import and export, transit, transport, and logistics activities in Azerbaijan are set to be digitized, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed the relevant decree.

Under the decree, a Single Window information system will be established to improve state governance mechanisms in the regulation of foreign trade, ensure effective coordination among state bodies, and create a fully digital environment based on unified access for import and export, transit, transport, and logistics operations, as well as to introduce a "smart" cargo flow management system.

Through the system, the following will be ensured for the implementation of foreign trade activities:

- submission of required documents, including commercial and transport documents;

- electronic preparation of documents and information required for vehicles and transported goods;

- provision of information on border-crossing procedures, transportation rules and conditions, as well as acceptance and response to user inquiries;

- electronic conclusion of cargo transportation contracts and submission of concluded contracts;

- tracking of transported cargo along the entire route of movement;

- execution of payments and access to statistical data related to these activities.

The Cabinet of Ministers will act as the owner of the system, while the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDDT) will serve as its operator.

Information exchange between the system and state services in the areas of licensing and permits, customs, taxation, food safety, agriculture, road transport, state registration and accounting of taxpayers, identification of individuals, entry into, registration in and departure from the country, as well as civil aviation, railways and maritime transport, payment service providers, credit institutions and insurance organizations will be carried out via the Electronic Government Information System within the limits established by national legislation.

The Cabinet of Ministers is tasked with preparing and submitting the draft regulation of the system to the head of state within 9 months, developing proposals for improving regulatory legal acts to ensure digitalization in the import and export, transit, transport and logistics sectors based on international experience, and taking necessary measures to ensure the functioning of the system in coordination with proposals from the MDDT and the State Customs Committee.

The MDDT must take the necessary steps to manage, organize and develop the system, ensure its placement and improvement in the Government Cloud (G-cloud) in line with the relevant presidential decree of June 3, 2019, include it in the Unified Register of State Information Resources, Systems and Electronic Services and the state register of personal data information systems, and submit monthly reports on operations conducted through the system to owners or operators of integrated information systems.

The MDDT, together with the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security, must also ensure the implementation of measures arising from the presidential decree of September 12, 2018, on the formation, maintenance, integration, and archiving of state information resources and systems, as well as measures related to electronic government.

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Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The composition of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC) has been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the following composition of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund OJSC must be approved:

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Members of the Supervisory Board:

Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan

Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan

Deputy Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan.
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China calls for utmost restraint and every possible measure conducive to a ceasefire to ensure de-escalation of tensions as soon as possible amid the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border clashes, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a daily press briefing on Monday. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The visa regime for holders of diplomatic passports between Azerbaijan and Bahrain has been abolished, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law on the approval of the "Agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Bahrain on the exemption of diplomatic passport holders from visa requirements".

According to the law, the above agreement, signed in New York on September 25, 2025, was approved.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijan and Angola have ratified an agreement on visa exemptions, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the law approving the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Angola on the mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports.

The agreement, initially executed in New York on September 25, 2025, enables seamless visa-exempt mobility for holders of diplomatic and service passports between the two nations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijan and the Maldives have mutually exempted holders of ordinary passports from visa requirements, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a law approving the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Maldives on the mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports.

The agreement, originally signed in New York on September 24, 2025, allows citizens of both countries to travel visa-free.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Holders of diplomatic and service/official passports of Azerbaijan and the Dominican Republic are exempted from the visa requirement, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law on the approval of the "Agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and the Dominican Republic on the exemption of holders of diplomatic and service/official passports from the visa requirement."

In accordance with statutory provisions, the aforementioned accord, executed in New York on September 24, 2025, has received formal ratification.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijan and Algeria have established a Joint Commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation, Trend reports.

This is reflected in President Ilham Aliyev's decree approving the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

The agreement, signed in Algiers on November 4, 2025, comes into force under the decree.

Following the entry into force of the Agreement referred to in Part 1 of this Decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan should ensure the implementation of its provisions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan should notify the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria of the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the Agreement to enter into force.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The agreement on cooperation in the field of protection of industrial property between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan has been approved, Trend reports.

This was reflected in the decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the approval of the "Agreement on cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the field of protection of industrial property."

According to the decree, the above agreement, signed in Astana on October 21, 2025, was approved.

After the agreement specified in Part 1 of this decree enters into force, the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the Government of Kazakhstan on the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement.

Industrial property protection encompasses legal mechanisms like patents, trademarks, and industrial designs that safeguard creations in industry and commerce, including inventions, brands, and designs. Key types include patents for new inventions, trademarks for brand identification, industrial designs for aesthetic features, utility models for minor improvements, geographical indications for location-specific products, and trade secrets for confidential business information. The primary objectives are to foster innovation, ensure fair competition, and enable creators to profit from their work.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have officially approved a strategic partnership agreement in the energy sector, Trend reports.

This follows a decree signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, approving the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Energy Sector between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The agreement, signed in Astana on October 21, 2025, will take effect upon the completion of the necessary domestic procedures. Following its enactment, Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy will ensure the implementation of the agreements provisions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has been tasked with notifying the Government of Kazakhstan that all required domestic steps for the agreement to take effect have been completed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. A number of documents have been approved between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the "Agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan", signed on October 21, 2025, in Astana, was approved. After the Agreement specified in Part 1 of this decree enters into force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the Government of Kazakhstan on the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement.

By a subsequent decree, the head of state approved the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Statistics" between the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan and the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan. This memorandum, signed on October 21, 2025, in Astana, outlines the framework for bilateral collaboration.

Upon the entry into force of the aforementioned memorandum, as stipulated in Part 1 of this decree, the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan is tasked with ensuring the effective implementation of its provisions. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is responsible for notifying the Government of Kazakhstan upon the completion of the necessary internal procedures for the memorandum's activation.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Trend reports.

''Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister,

We were deeply shocked by the news of the numerous deaths and injuries resulting from the terrorist attack during the Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

We are profoundly outraged by this horrific act of terror targeting peaceful people and resolutely condemn all manifestations of terrorism.

On this tragic occasion, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deepest condolences to you, to the families and loved ones of those who perished, and to the entire people of Australia, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,'' the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) has put out the word on its official website regarding the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), which was born in Baku when NGOs from 116 countries came together in April 2025, showcasing a fresh approach to collaboration, Trend reports.

UNOSSC has described the GSNP as one of the most inclusive civil society mobilizations in recent years.

This marks the first time that the UN Office for South-South Cooperation has highlighted a global initiative led by Azerbaijani NGOs on its official profile.

To note, the Global South, covering Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Australia and home to 80% of the worlds population, has often been excluded from international decision-making and deprived of agency at critical moments. Against the backdrop of ongoing disintegration processes, the creation of cooperation formats based on mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation, and respect for cultural diversity has never been more relevant. Established at a time when a new world order is emerging and dividing lines are being redrawn, the Global South NGO Platform is a significant manifestation of the need to unite against global isolation.

Until now, there had been no unified network bringing together NGOs across the Non-Aligned Movement region. For the first time, an initiative put forward by Azerbaijani civil society has gained international support from a vast region comprising two-thirds of the worlds countries, with NGOs from 116 countries gathering in Baku to establish a joint platform. The participation of civil society representatives from 116 of the 120 countries of the Non-Aligned Movement in this format is an unprecedented event not only for Azerbaijan but also for the Global South as a whole. While the Non-Aligned Movement has youth and parliamentary networks, it previously lacked an NGO network. The Global South NGO Platform is well positioned to serve as the NGO network of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The founding spirit of the Platform fully aligns with the historic Bandung Principles adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago. These principles reject interference in the internal affairs of states and promote the creation of a peaceful and just world order, respect for countries sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality of peoples, and mobilization to strengthen mutual interests, cooperation, and economic prosperity. Azerbaijan adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, respects the political systems and cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of peoples, and consistently promotes interfaith, intercivilizational, and intercultural dialogue.

In May this year in New York, UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib welcomed the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku, stating that the office is interested in close cooperation with the GSNP.

UNOSSCs publication of information about the GSNP on its official website once again demonstrates that the platforms activities have attracted global attention in a short period of time.

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BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China congratulates Jose Antonio Kast on his election as Chile's new president, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

According to media reports citing the electoral authorities on Dec. 14, Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president.

Noting that Chile is the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, Guo said at a daily news briefing that over the past 55 years, China-Chile relations have maintained a steady momentum of sound development, yielding fruitful cooperation across various fields.

Guo noted that China is willing to work with the new government of Chile to further enhance mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in multiple areas and promote the continuous advancement of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides to bring greater benefits to the two peoples. 
JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijani families arriving in Jabrayil district's Horovlu village today were handed the keys to their new homes, Trend's regional correspondent reports.

Families moving to Horovlu were briefed by staff from the State Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) on the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. They were advised to avoid unfamiliar objects and immediately report any suspicious items to the relevant authorities.

The key presentation ceremony was attended by representatives from the Special Presidential Envoys Office for the districts of Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan, the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and other officials. Families accepted their keys with joy and began settling into their new homes.

At this stage, a total of 22 families, comprising 85 people, have been relocated to Horovlu. These families were previously temporarily housed in dormitories, sanatoriums, camps, unfinished buildings, and administrative facilities across various regions of Azerbaijan.

07:34

As part of the "I State Program on the Great Return to the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan," the next phase of resettlement has taken place in Horovlu village of the Jabrayil district, with families returning to their ancestral homes early this morning, Trends regional correspondent reports.

Horovlu welcomed 22 families, totaling 85 residents. The families stepped into the newly rebuilt village with tears of joy, witnessing the transformation of their homeland.

The village spans 248 hectares, with the first phase covering 94 hectares where 334 individual houses have been constructed. The homes feature two to five rooms and are equipped with modern utilities, including water, electricity, gas, solar panels, and high-speed internet. Roads within the village have been asphalted, and key public facilities have been built, including a school for 624 students, a kindergarten for 220 children, a two-story administrative building, a market complex, multifunctional catering facilities, a medical center, and a sports and wellness center. Traditional irrigation canals, historically used and destroyed during the occupation, in Asgar, Shighi, Orta, Gulgasim, and Khalifa, have also been restored.

A 4.4-hectare park complex has been established in Horovlu, along with walking paths extending from the Flag Square to the market complex. 3.1 hectares of green space have been planted with olive, plane, and Eldar pine trees.

Returning residents expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support. They also thanked the heroic Azerbaijani Army for liberating their lands, paid respects to fallen soldiers, and extended condolences and patience to the families of martyrs.

Azerbaijan's "Great Return" program aims to resettle about 140,000 displaced persons (IDPs) and revitalize the liberated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur by 2026. The initiative focuses on large-scale reconstruction, including infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, with investments projected at ~$17.6 billion by 2030. The program will undergo two phases: the initial State Program (2021-2026), followed by a second phase (2027-2030) currently in planning, reinforcing the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and dignified return for IDPs and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

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KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, December 15. A "Winter Tale" holiday fair will be held in the city of Khankendi on December 31 in celebration of World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day (WASD) and the New Year holiday, Trend reports.

The "Winter Tale" fair is set to open on December 27 at Victory (Zafar) Square in Khankendi, running through January 5.

This holiday fair, now in its second edition, is organized with the support of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, as well as the districts of Aghdara and Khojaly. The event is coordinated by the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service. A wide range of enterprises and companies will participate, alongside individual vendors showcasing their products.

According to the public relations department of the service, a concert program will be held in Khankendi on December 29, followed by a spectacular fireworks display on December 31.

Preparations for the event are already underway throughout the city. A New Year tree has been erected in the square, and streets and parks are being adorned with festive decorations. In short, Khankendi is gearing up to greet visitors with a lively and vibrant holiday atmosphere.

Residents and guests are invited to the "Winter Tale" fair in Khankendi, where every step promises to turn into an adventure.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, December 15. On December 15, the Media Development Agency, the Youth Fund, and the Regional Development Public Association jointly organized the final conference of the project National Press 150  Youth and Media Literacy in the Digital Age,'' Trend reports.

Murad Gasimli, head of the public relations and communications department of the Regional Development public association, speaking at the conference, noted that the correct assessment and responsible use of information in the digital environment are among the important skills for young people. According to him, the project aims to increase the level of media literacy among young people in the regions and help them take a more purposeful position in the information environment.

Mehriban Mammadova, head of the strategic planning and project support department at the Media Development Agency, noted that the formation of a reliable information space in the modern media environment is achieved by increasing media literacy. She stressed that the agency constantly pays attention to the development of critical thinking and accurate information analysis skills among young people.

Banovsha Gasimova, Acting Head of the Program and Project Implementation Department of the Azerbaijan Republic Youth Fund, emphasized the importance of active youth participation in information processes, noting that such initiatives contribute significantly to the development of their digital skills and increase their readiness to combat disinformation.

During the event, a video was shown featuring footage from training sessions held in the regions as part of the project National Press 150  Youth and Media Literacy in the Digital Age, and a participant in the regional training sessions gave a presentation.

ITV presenter Azer Suleymanli spoke on the topics of media literacy, information reliability, and contemporary challenges in journalism, and held interactive discussions with young people. An interactive game on the topic of Real/Fake was organized with the participation of young people.

The conference, which was attended by a total of 100 young people from Baku and the regions, featured group work and presentations on the topic What is media literacy?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. As many as 18 anti-tank mines, 42 anti-personnel mines, and 683 unexploded ordnance (UXO) were found and neutralized from December 8 through 14 in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) said in a weekly statement, Trend reports.

A total of 838.2 hectares of land were cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance in the liberated areas.

The demining operations were held across the districts of Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan, as well as in the villages of Baghanis Ayrum, Ashagi Eskipara, Kerimli, and Gizilhajily in the Gazakh district by ANAMA, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the State Border Service, and four private companies.

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in 1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international and donor organizations to combat the mine threat.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The agreement between Azerbaijan and Guinea-Bissau on mutual exemption of holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from visa has been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the "Agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Guinea-Bissau on mutual exemption of holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from visa", signed in New York on September 23, 2025, was approved.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. A graduation ceremony for the next Underwater Assault Navy Special Force course was held at one of the military units of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces,Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense.

First, the Shehids memorial complex located in the territory of the military unit was visited, flowers were laid, and tribute was paid to their memory.

At the graduation ceremony, the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, was honored with a minute of silence. Then the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, accompanied by the military orchestra, was performed.

Speaking at the event, Commander of the Naval Forces Rear Admiral Shahin Mammadov congratulated the servicemen who successfully completed the course and expressed his gratitude to the staff for the high-level organization and conduct of the courses, which also involved professional instructors from the Azerbaijani and Turkish armies.

Then honorary certificates, badges, and valuable gifts were presented to the Azerbaijani and Turkish instructors, as well as to the graduates who successfully completed the course.

The top graduate attached an emblem to the symbolic stump.

At the end of the ceremony, a photo was taken.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 15. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov chaired a Cabinet meeting, reviewing the governments work in the transport and communications sector over the first 11 months of the year, Trend reports via the Parliament of Turkmenistan.

According to government officials, between January and November, the sector reported 112.8% growth in completed works and services. Passenger transport across road, rail, air, sea, and river networks reached 103.4% of the planned level compared with the same period last year. Sectoral performance included 105.9% growth in railway services, 115.4% in road transport, 110.8% in civil aviation (Turkmenhowayollary), 103.1% in sea and river transport, and 119.3% in the Ministry of Communications.

President Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need to strengthen and modernize the sectors infrastructure, further improve the transport and logistics system, expand transit services, and ensure high-quality service for the population. He instructed the deputy prime minister to focus on these priorities.

Earlier, Turkmenistan officially launched an interdepartmental electronic data exchange system based on Estonias X-Road platform as part of its broader efforts to advance the countrys digital transport initiatives. The system connects 10 ministries and government departments, along with 12 electronic state services, one of which is aimed at facilitating transportation of goods via crucial transport links.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Irans Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including crude oil, grew by 0.1% during the six months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through September 22, 2025) compared to the same period last year (from March 20 through September 21, 2024).

The data obtained by Trend from the Iranian Statistical Center shows this figure amounted to 50.7 quadrillion rials (approximately $78.2 billion) against 50.6 quadrillion rials (about $78.1 billion) in the same period last year.

Excluding crude oil, Irans GDP was 38.2 quadrillion rials (around $59 billion) during the reporting period, representing a 0.5% decline compared to the same period last year (38.3 quadrillion rials or around $59.2 billion).

Compared to the same period last year, GDP in the crude oil and gas extraction sector grew by 1.8%, mining by 2.5%, construction declined by 0.8%, and services grew by 0.5%.

However, during the reporting period, GDP in the agriculture sector declined by 3%, gas supply by 1.4%, electricity and water supply by 8.4%, and the industrial sector by 1.1%.

Meanwhile, both the Central Bank of Iran and the Statistical Center of Iran publish GDP data, and discrepancies are often observed between their reports.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Following agreements between six countries (China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkiye) on the construction of a railway from China to Europe, a freight train carrying cargo from China to Europe entered Iran on December 14, the Director General of the Iranian Railways Company's Foreign Trade Department, Shahriyar Nagizadeh, told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, this freight train is considered the second train to transport cargo from China to Europe. Earlier, in February, the first train transported cargo from China to Europe via Iran on a trial basis.

Nagizadeh also said that a freight train from Russia entered the country from Turkmenistan. The entry of two freight trains into the country for transit on the same day is considered an important step in the development of the railway sector.

The official stressed that the country's successes in the railway sector include the commissioning of container trains from Russia to Iran for transit to southern Iranian ports and Afghanistan, the launch of container trains from Turkey to Iran for transit to Afghanistan, and the resumption of traffic on the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway line.

Nagizadeh added that most trains arriving in Iran from Russia are bound for India. Thus, cargo is transported by rail to southern Iranian ports and then by sea to its final destination.

Over the past Iranian year (March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025), 5 million tons of cargo were transported in transit, imported, and exported via Iranian railways. Of this, 2.4 million tons were in transit, and 2.6 million tons were imported and exported.
KABUL, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 Afghan refugee families returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Monday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced.

The returnees crossed into Afghanistan through several border points, including Islam Qala in western Herat province, Torkham in eastern Nangarhar province, Spin Boldak in southern Kandahar province, and Abrisham in western Nimroz province, it said.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 700,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan, while more than 2 million have been forced to leave Iran since the beginning of 2025.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has been actively working to provide support to returnees, while also addressing the broader challenges of displacement and migration. 
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 15. On December 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with Prime Minister of Eswatini, Ambrose Dlamini, and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations across political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian sectors, Trend reports via the Turkmenistan's MFA.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged congratulations on the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. The Prime Minister of Eswatini emphasized the significance of the Forum as a vital platform for fostering a culture of trust and addressing critical global challenges.

The discussions underscored the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation within international organizations, with particular focus on the United Nations. The talks highlighted the importance of high-level political dialogue and exchanges, which play a crucial role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the two nations.

In this context, the sides recalled earlier meetings between the President of Turkmenistan and the King of Eswatini, notably on the margins of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) and the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. These discussions were pivotal in the signing of the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Turkmenistan and Eswatini, a milestone that opens new avenues for cooperation across trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian sectors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Azerbaijan's tourism sector finished the first nine months of this year with a net surplus of $320 million, the Director of the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Samir Nasirov, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during today's briefing on the release of the balance of payments data.

The main reason for this is related to foreign tourists visiting the country. During this period, 1.948 million tourists visited the country, he said.

Will be updated
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The services balance, a key component of Azerbaijans balance of payments, remains in deficit but has dropped by 13% compared to the first nine months of last year, said Samir Nasirov, Director of the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Trend reports.

Speaking at a briefing on the balance of payments, Nasirov pointed out that the key factors behind the deficit are tied up with the oil and gas sector.

Construction and other business services provided in the oil and gas sector are the primary contributors to the services balance deficit.

However, for some time now, transport and tourism services have shown a surplus in the balance of payments. In the first nine months of the year, the net surplus of transport services reached $1.3 billion, representing a 50% increase compared to the same period last year. The surplus in transport services mainly reflects revenues from oil and gas exports, as well as passenger and freight transport expenses.

Tourism services, meanwhile, recorded a net surplus of $320 million during the same period. This increase is primarily driven by foreign visitors, with over 1.94 million tourists visiting the country, Nasirov added.

In terms of the construction sector's contribution to Azerbaijan's GDP, it represented roughly 6.8% of the nation's total Gross Domestic Product as of October 2025. This marks a marginal uptick from 6.7% recorded in April 2025 and a rise from 6.3% noted in October 2024.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 15. Uzbekistan and UNESCO discussed initiatives aimed at improving the system of training specialists in the pharmaceutical industry, bringing educational programs in line with modern industry requirements, and improving the overall quality of education, Trend reports via the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency.

These issues were addressed during a meeting between Abdulla Azizov, Director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, and representatives of UNESCO.

During the meeting, participants were introduced to the Tashkent Pharma Park pharmaceutical cluster, alongside the reforms and innovations currently being implemented within the scope of the project.

Representatives from UNESCO provided valuable insights into the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan's education system, discussing the prevailing challenges and potential solutions. They also examined the latest trends and innovations in the functioning of technical and vocational education institutions.

UNESCO is an international coordinating organization operating globally in the fields of education, science, and culture, with a mandate to enhance standards, improve quality, and support human capital development.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and discussed the implementation of the bilateral cooperation roadmap for 20232026, with a focus on defining priorities for the next stage of partnership development, Trend reports via the press service of the Belarusian president.

Lukashenko noted that the visit provided an opportunity to take stock of progress under the existing roadmap and to outline concrete plans for the near and medium term. He stressed that political and diplomatic relations between the two countries remain stable, adding that economic cooperation forms the backbone of the bilateral agenda.

The foundation of everything is the economy, trade, and economic relations. Within the framework of the roadmap, we can achieve much more, Lukashenko said.

He proposed to identify specific areas of cooperation that should be prioritized in the coming period.

The Belarusian leader emphasized Minsks reputation as a reliable partner, recalling previous agreements reached during high-level visits and underlining Belaruss commitment to fulfilling all obligations included in the roadmap.

For his part, Araghchi said the 2023-2026 roadmap is being implemented consistently and is delivering tangible results. He highlighted the recent meeting of the intergovernmental commission and sectoral contacts, describing them as important milestones in advancing the agreed plans.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, the roadmap provides a solid framework for expanding practical cooperation, particularly in trade and industry, and both sides intend to continue close coordination to ensure its full realization.

Earlier, on December 8, Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, met with Belarus Minister of Industry, Andrei Kuznetsov. She stated that Iran is ready to increase freight transport and transit with Belarus within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

She also stated that a comprehensive freight transport agreement is being prepared between Irans Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) and the Belarusian Ministry of Road Transport. The document is expected to be signed during the Belarusian ministers visit to Iran.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200 km multimodal network connecting India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, established in 2000 to enhance regional trade. It promotes economic cooperation and offers an alternative to routes like the Suez Canal by linking Mumbai to Moscow via Iran and Azerbaijan. Originally founded by Russia, Iran, and India, it now includes several other countries as participants or observers. The corridor utilizes ships, rail, and roads, significantly reducing delivery times and costs, particularly benefiting landlocked nations by improving access to South Asian markets.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Iran Air's debt has risen to 430 trillion rials (about $653 million) over the past 11 years, CEO of the company, Taher Abdolahi, said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the Transport, Logistics, and Related Industries Exhibition in Tehran today, Trend reports.

According to him, this debt was incurred due to the purchase of 16 passenger aircraft, 13 ATRs, two Airbus A330s, and one Airbus A321 passenger aircraft.

Abdolahi noted that IranAir Airlines currently has a total debt of $15 million to the airports of Istanbul, Najaf, Dubai, Jeddah, and Medina. The hiccups with the flight arrangements to Istanbul have been smoothed over, and talks are in full swing to get those flights back in the air next week.

He also said that the sanctions imposed on Iran gradually reduced international flights in the first stage, and eventually flights to European countries stopped completely. Even airlines operating in neighboring countries and interested in transporting Iranian citizens to European countries were not given operating permits.

The corporate representative indicated that despite Iran Air possessing a fleet of 20 passenger aircraft, operational logistics are currently streamlined to facilitate flight operations utilizing merely eight of these assets.

Iran Air is a state-owned company. It's reported that this airline carries seven million passengers per year. In 2024, the U.S., UK, Germany, and France imposed sanctions on this company.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 15. Uzbekistan and Latvia have discussed ways to optimize logistics routes, ensure stable supply chains, and facilitate access for Uzbek products to major trading platforms across the Baltic region, Trend reports via the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The discussions were held during a working visit to Latvia and Lithuania, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the Andijan regional administration. The delegation comprised senior executives from prominent Uzbek textile enterprises.

Throughout the visit, the embassies facilitated a business forum, bilateral B2B meetings, and direct negotiations between entrepreneurs. Notably, Uzbek textile products were introduced to the central districts of Riga through the opening of specialized showrooms and retail outlets, with a similar showroom established in Vilnius. Additionally, several important trade agreements and export contracts were signed during the trip.

As part of the engagement, promotional materials showcasing Uzbekistans investment and industrial potential were presented, along with detailed product catalogs from Uzbek textile manufacturers.

Furthermore, during visits to the port cities of Liepaja (Latvia) and Klaipeda (Lithuania), the delegation examined avenues to ensure the timely delivery of Uzbek textile products to Western and Northern Europe. The discussions also included the potential establishment of warehouse facilities to support efficient and uninterrupted logistics operations.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistans exports to Latvia and the number of joint ventures between the two countries have tripled over the past five years.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. bp today announced the successful completion of a social initiative jointly implemented with ADA University and ADA University Foundation in Ganja and Gazakh, Trend reports via the company.

An event was held at ADA University Gazakh Centre on 13 December to mark this achievement.

The project aimed to strengthen teachers capacity to recognize and address mental health challenges among schoolchildren, contributing to the prevention of more serious mental health crises.

The overall goal of the project was to equip teachers with the necessary skills to recognize early signs of mental health challenges in children and provide initial support and early intervention.

As part of the project, a comprehensive training programme was developed for schoolteachers on identifying mental health issues and applying early intervention tools. Throughout the year, this 40-hour training programme was delivered to approximately 60 schoolteachers from regional schools enhancing their understanding of mental health issues, child psychology, and emotional well-being.

The programme was structured into four groups of 1520 teachers each, with the training for each group lasting for two months and combining offline and online weekend sessions.

The project also enabled establishment of teacher support networks to foster peer learning and continuous development, enabling teachers to share experiences and challenges in addressing mental health issues.

Addressing the event, Khalid Rajabov, bps head of social investment for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye region, said: We are proud to support initiatives that make a real difference in communities. Mental health is a critical aspect of childrens well-being. This initiative has laid the foundation for early mental health intervention in schools across the region, creating a network of trained educators who can identify challenges before they escalate. By fostering awareness and equipping teachers with the right tools and knowledge, we intended to contribute to healthier learning environments and long-term community well-being.

Natig Hajiyev, ADA University Foundation president, said: This project reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening businesseducation collaboration and contributing to meaningful social responsibility initiatives. We sincerely thank bp for its continuous partnership and for bringing greater purpose and added value to our shared efforts. We remain eager to advance this collaboration further and to reach new levels of impact together.

The project was implemented by ADA University Foundation. bps contribution to the project is 240,488 AZN ($141,464).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The transportation of Azerbaijani natural gas to Syria via Turkiye officially commenced in August this year, marking a historic milestone with the launch of a new pipeline near the Turkish city of Kilis. This development signifies the beginning of direct exports of Azerbaijani gas to Syria.

The gas is sourced from major fields in Azerbaijan, such as Shah Deniz, and transported through pipelines to Turkiye. From there, the gas is transmitted via the newly established infrastructure in Kilis, ultimately reaching Syria. Initially, the gas will supply power plants in key cities like Aleppo and Homs. This initiative is part of the broader Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Syria energy cooperation framework, aimed at fostering greater economic and energy integration within the region. As a result, the project is expected to contribute an electricity generation capacity of 1,200 to 1,300 megawatts.

Statistical data released last week revealed that Azerbaijan exported 153.15 million cubic meters of natural gas, valued at $52.5 million, to Syria. This gas, delivered in its gaseous form, marks the initial phase of a larger project aimed at exporting 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to Syria. According to official projections, this volume is expected to increase as the project progresses, with a target of reaching two billion cubic meters annually. These figures reflect the gas transported directly to Syria via transit, underscoring the project's importance in revitalizing Syria's energy infrastructure.

The ongoing Syrian conflict, which has been devastating the country since 2011, has severely damaged its energy infrastructure. The commencement of this pipeline marks a significant step in the reconstruction of that infrastructure. From a strategic standpoint, the project aligns with Azerbaijan's broader energy policy objectives, facilitating both economic diversification and bolstering its energy leadership in the region. As the supply of gas increases, it will not only contribute to Syria's energy recovery but also support its broader economic revitalization efforts.

This initiative broadens the scope of Azerbaijan's gas exports, creating a vital resource for Syria's energy restoration while reinforcing regional cooperation and energy security. While still in its early stages, the project is expected to scale up, paving the way for larger volumes and deeper strategic cooperation in the coming years. It also enhances Azerbaijan's geopolitical role, contributing to both regional stability and the peace process in Syria.

These indicators are a real result of the expansion of the geography of Azerbaijan's gas exports. The addition of the Middle East direction to the export policy traditionally aimed at Europe and regional countries indicates the beginning of a new stage in Azerbaijan's energy strategy. Although the volume of exports to Syria has a relatively small share against the background of total gas exports, its strategic and political weight is much greater than economic indicators. This is not a purely commercial project, but also an energy diplomacy project.

In general, the presented indicators prove that natural gas exports from Azerbaijan to Syria are not just a statistical phenomenon, but in a broader sense an important element of energy diplomacy, regional influence, and economic and political balancing.

Azerbaijan exported a total of 20.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas (in gaseous form) abroad, worth $7.4 billion, from January through October 2025.

Compared to the same period of last year, this figure rose by $569.3 million or 8.3% in value, but decreased by 690 million cubic meters or 3.2% in volume.

During the mentioned period, natural gas accounted for 34.28% of the countrys total exports.

At the same time, in the first 10 months of this year, Azerbaijan imported 252.15 million cubic meters of natural gas worth $39.151 million, which is $40.2 million or two times less in value terms than a year ago, and 243.6 million cubic meters or 49.1% less in volume terms.
SUVA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Meteorological Service said on Monday that Tropical Depression TD03F remains slow moving to the northeast of Vanuatu and is expected to enter Fiji waters on Tuesday.

It also said that TD03F continues to have a low potential of developing into a tropical cyclone.

The associated active trough of low pressure continues to affect Fiji with overcast conditions and occasional rain.

Persistent heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding, particularly as soils are already saturated from ongoing rainfall.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said this continues to increase the risk of flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, including downstream of major rivers and along small streams and possibly the major rivers across the country.

Weather is expected to improve from Thursday.

Fijian public is advised to remain alert, monitor official weather updates, and take necessary precautions during this period of unsettled weather. 
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Kazakhstan plans to establish a logistics center in the Ulytau Region to address a shortage of storage facilities for socially significant food products, Trend reports via the press office of the Kazakh Prime Minister.

The decision was discussed at a government meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, which focused on regulating prices for essential food and non-food goods.

The facility is expected to ensure adequate food reserves, reduce logistics costs, and serve as a regional distribution hub, the Deputy Prime Minister said at a meeting.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly reported that amendments to the existing price stabilization rules for socially significant food products are underway. The changes will require the mandatory installation of online monitoring systems.

A pilot project is currently being implemented by Kazakhtelecom at a 3,000-square-meter warehouse in Kyzylorda. Starting next year, all warehouses of Agricultural Production Cooperatives (APCs) are expected to be gradually equipped with these systems, enabling real-time monitoring of stock levels, storage conditions, and the quality of socially significant food products. The amendments are expected to take effect in the coming days.

Ahead of the New Year holidays, Kazakhstan will launch the Bereke Fest campaign in supermarkets nationwide from December 22 to 31. The initiative provides for direct supplies of socially significant goods from farmers and their sale at reduced prices.

In addition, the number of agricultural and pre-holiday fairs across the country will be increased. More than 800 such fairs are planned throughout Kazakhstan in December, including 149 held during the past week.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a 100 million loan to Turk Ekonomi Bankas (TEB) to support green investments across Turkiye, Trend reports via the EBRD.

The financing, extended under the EBRDs Green Economy Financing Facility II (GEFF II), will enable TEB to on-lend to sub-borrowers investing in projects that promote the green economy.

This transaction marks the first green-focused initiative in the long-standing partnership between TEB and the EBRD. It also aligns with the banks strategic objective of transforming the financial sector to drive the transition toward green, low-carbon economies. GEFF programmes facilitate this goal by expanding financial opportunities for climate-conscious investments, supporting local partner banks in providing financing to businesses that enhance energy efficiency, adopt renewable energy technologies, and reduce carbon emissions.

TEB, with approximately 440 branches and 8,000 employees across Turkiye, serves retail, commercial, corporate clients, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Since 2009, the EBRD has been a key investor in Turkiye, committing more than 23 billion through 500 projects and trade finance limits, primarily in the private sector.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to Japan from December 18 through 20, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh President.

During the visit, Tokayev is scheduled to meet with Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as well as Japanese business leaders.

In addition, the president will participate in the Central AsiaJapan Summit, which aims to strengthen cooperation between the two regions.

In October 2025, a meeting was held between Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Madi Oshurbaev, and a Japanese delegation to discuss preparations for the forthcoming summit. During the discussions, Oshurbaev expressed confidence that the summit would foster regional stability, strengthen bilateral partnerships, and attract Japanese investment, particularly in the green economy sector.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. In December 2025, Kazakhstan resumed oil transit to Uzbekistan, Trend reports, citing KazTransOil.

The volume of oil transit from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan scheduled for December is expected to reach up to 35,000 tons. By the end of 2025, KazTransOil plans to supply up to 30,000 tons of oil to Kyrgyzstan. Oil deliveries to Kyrgyzstan resumed in November of this year, following a previous suspension of such transportation since 2017.

The combined volume of oil supplies in both directions is projected to amount to up to 65,000 tons, including as much as 55,000 tons during the current month. Oil transportation along all routes is conducted via the trunk pipeline system to KazTransOils Shagyr oil loading terminal, where the oil is subsequently loaded into railway tank cars.

Meanwhile, in response to attacks by unmanned vessels on the marine infrastructure facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) at the port of Novorossiysk, Kazakhstan has decided to redirect a portion of its oil volumes previously transported through the CPC. Consequently, oil shipments along alternative export routes have been increased, including an additional 232,000 tons via the AtyrauSamara route.

China: by 72,000 tons;

Port of Aktau (toward the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan route): by 58,000 tons
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Kazakhstans Samruk-Energy, in partnership with Energy China, has launched the construction of a 300 MW solar power plant with an energy storage system in the Turkistan region, marking Kazakhstan's largest solar energy project to date, Trend reports via Samruk-Energy.

A time capsule ceremony was conducted to ceremonially inaugurate the construction phase. The event was officially launched by Kairat Maksutov, CEO of Samruk-Energy; Lin Xiaodan, Chairman of the Board of China Energy; and Nuralkhan Kusherov, Akim (Governor) of the Turkistan Region.

According to Samruk-Energy, construction will incorporate advanced technologies, including next-generation photovoltaic panels with solar tracking systems and energy storage solutions.

"Once completed, the solar power plant will create new jobs, attract investment to the region, and stimulate infrastructure development. With one of the largest capacities among solar facilities in Kazakhstan, the project is expected to significantly strengthen the energy balance of the southern regions," Samruk-Energy says.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, as of the third quarter of 2025, the share of clean energy generation surpassed 7% of the total electricity output in the country. Additionally, the total number of renewable energy facilities (RES) in Kazakhstan reached 159 stations.
Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Kazakhstan is currently assessing the damages following an attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a press conference, Trend reports.

On November 29, at 06:06 Astana time, unmanned vessels targeted CPCs marine infrastructure facilities at the port of Novorossiysk. The attack resulted in significant damage to the VPU-2 remote mooring device, which has since been taken out of service for comprehensive repair and restoration.

In response to the attack, Kazakhstan has increased its oil supplies through alternative pipelines: AtyrauSamara: +232,000 tons; China: +72,000 tons; Port of Aktau (toward Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan): +58,000 tons.

CPC transports crude oil from three major Kazakhstani fields: Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak. In 2024, the transhipment volume reached approximately 63 million tons of oil.
ULAN BATOR, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's external debt totaled 40.4 billion U.S. dollars in the third quarter of 2025, up 13 percent from the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office on Monday.

The growth in external debt was caused by an increase in direct investment and intercompany loans by 9.9 percent, as well as a 7.3 percent rise in government borrowing, official data showed.

It is noted that nearly 45.3 percent of Mongolia's total external debt was built up from direct investments and intercompany loans, 21.7 percent from the government's debt and 8.5 percent from debts of other savings institutions, 3.5 percent from the country's Central Bank, and 21 percent from other sectors.

Meanwhile, the Moody's Ratings has predicted that Mongolia's real GDP will edge higher to 5.5 percent this year, and hover around similar rates in 2026. 
Photo: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Over the past 25 years, electricity consumption in Kazakhstan has increased 2.5 times, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a press conference, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.

According to the minister, in the early 2000s, Kazakhstan generated around 50 billion kWh of electricity per year. By the end of last year, this figure had reached 117.9 billion kWh, while generation in 2025 is expected to total about 122 billion kWh.

To meet growing demand, the Ministry of Energy has developed a comprehensive plan to expand generation capacity, he said. By 2035, Kazakhstan plans to commission new facilities and modernize existing ones with a total capacity of 26.4 GW, effectively doubling national electricity output.

Akkenzhenov noted that rising demand is closely linked to technological progress.

"Progress does not stand still. Today, Kazakhstan operates two supercomputers - Alem AI and the computing facilities of Satbayev University. With the development of artificial intelligence, data centers, and industrial production, electricity consumption will inevitably continue to grow," the minister said.

The official emphasized that Kazakhstan will continue to advance coal-fired power generation, integrating modern and environmentally sustainable technologies. Recently, a tender was held for the construction of GRES-3, a 2,600 MW power plant located in the Pavlodar Region near Ekibastuz, which already hosts two major operational power stations.

The new facility will incorporate flexible generation units, a solution made possible by the latest technological advancements in coal-fired power plants. Additionally, the government plans to construct three combined heat and power plants in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Simultaneously, Kazakhstan is also pursuing developments in gas-fired generation. In Shymkent, the construction of a 1,000 MW combined-cycle gas turbine plant is currently underway, while three combined-cycle units of the Turkestan project, with a total capacity of 270 MW, were previously commissioned.

"These initiatives are part of Kazakhstans broader strategy to ensure the stable and efficient operation of the national power grid," Akkenzhenov remarked. "Our national goal is to double electricity generation by 2035."
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 15. Kazakhstan has commissioned 266 MW of new renewable energy projects in 2025, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a press conference, Trend reports via the ministry.

He observed that by the conclusion of Q3 2025, approximately 160 renewable energy facilities are operational within the nation, collectively delivering upwards of 7% of the aggregate electricity generation. Strategic initiatives encompass renewable energy installations such as wind energy facilities in the Karaganda and Ulytau regions, alongside photovoltaic solar parks in Kyzylorda and Mangistau, all currently contributing to the national electricity grid infrastructure.

Furthermore, Akkenzhenov emphasized that the initiation of the inaugural gigawatt-class wind power auction, integrated with energy storage systems, signifies a pivotal advancement toward a dynamic and sustainable energy framework, showcasing the market's preparedness for extensive projects and cutting-edge technological innovations.

During the media briefing, the minister highlighted the escalating energy utilization metrics within the nation. He indicated that in the early 2000s, Kazakhstan's annual electricity generation was approximately 50 billion kWh, but by the conclusion of the previous year, this metric had escalated to 117.9 billion kWh, with projections for 2025 estimating a total generation of around 122 billion kWh.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bishkek, Ryuichi Hirano, on December 15, on the occasion of presenting his credentials, and congratulated him on the start of his diplomatic mission in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan.

The Head of State noted that Kyrgyzstan considers Japan a close friend and important partner, emphasizing that friendly relations between the two countries continue to strengthen year by year.

He stated that over the years of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Japan, a solid and effective framework of collaboration has been formed. Long-term initiatives are being implemented, and high-level bilateral contacts allow for the regular expansion and updating of priority areas of partnership.

Japarov expressed confidence that the ambassadors work will contribute to the further deepening of Kyrgyz-Japanese relations and the launch of new mutually beneficial projects.

In turn, Hirano thanked the president for the hospitality and highlighted the high level of mutual understanding and partnership between the two countries.

He also conveyed warm greetings to the President of Kyrgyzstan from Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, emphasizing their readiness to host the Head of State on a visit to Japan in the near future.

The Ambassador further noted that with active cooperation and support from the leadership of both countries, Japanese-Kyrgyz cooperation is expected to develop dynamically in the near future and take on new substance.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has no right to claim inspection of Irans nuclear facilities that have been subjected to attacks, said Mohammad Eslami, Iranian Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Trend reports.

Speaking in Tehran during a briefing following the presentation of new achievements at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Eslami noted that Iran has allowed the IAEA to inspect nuclear facilities that have not been targeted in military airstrikes. For centers affected by attacks, inspections must follow an agreed protocol.

Eslami emphasized that the IAEA has not condemned attacks on Irans nuclear facilities and has no directives for such situations. He added that pressure on Iran from the European trio, the United States, and Israel is neither significant nor effective.

The IAEA Director General must answer the world. Such incidents could happen to any country. Irans nuclear facilities were under agency supervision. The agency should clarify its stance on the condemnation of attacks and the protocols concerning targeted nuclear sites, he said.

On the morning of June 13, Israel carried out military air strikes against Iran, leading to the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior personnel.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, Iran responded to Israel with Operation True Promise III: hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones were launched at several targets, including Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

On June 22, the U.S. launched military airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. It was reported that the airstrikes destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities.

In addition, on the evening of June 23, Iran launched airstrikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar.

On June 24, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement noting the cessation of attacks.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Iran may consider discussions on inspecting its attacked nuclear facilities and prioritizing national security, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), told reporters, Trend reports.

Speaking in Tehran, Kamalvandi noted that strict measures must be taken regarding the attacked nuclear sites. He emphasized that safeguard agreements do not currently address wartime conditions, making security the top priority.

The spokesperson added that Iran has faced external pressure to allow inspections quickly, but ensuring the safety of the country and its nuclear sites requires that any actions occur legally and without risk. He clarified that no inspections are currently taking place, and past inspections have been conducted only with approval from Irans Supreme National Security Council under domestic law.

The statement comes after Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, prompting Iran to minimize cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and pass legislation regulating any engagement with the agency.

On the morning of June 13, Israel carried out military air strikes against Iran, leading to the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior personnel.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, Iran responded to Israel with Operation True Promise III: hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones were launched at several targets, including Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

On June 22, the U.S. launched military airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. It was reported that the airstrikes destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities.

In addition, on the evening of June 23, Iran launched airstrikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar.

On June 24, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement noting the cessation of attacks.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Iran is interested in developing relations with Belarus within regional and international organizations in the interests of both countries, the Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said at a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, Trend reports.

According to Araghchi, both Iran and Belarus are members of key international organizations, including the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS, where they collaborate closely.

He emphasized that the Iranian government attaches significant importance to fostering relationships with countries committed to mutually beneficial and joint cooperation with Iran. "Among these nations, Belarus holds a special place in Iran's strategic vision," Araghchi stated, adding that both countries aim to advance their mutual interests, leveraging the existing potential of their respective economies.

The Iranian minister also highlighted that fruitful discussions had recently taken place between officials from Iran and Belarus, resulting in an agreement on a roadmap for bilateral cooperation in the coming year. This framework is designed to maximize all available opportunities to enhance economic ties.

Furthermore, Araghchi pointed out that both Iran and Belarus face the challenge of unilateral sanctions imposed by Western powers. In response, the two nations work together within international organizations to oppose these restrictive measures and advocate for the removal of illegal sanctions.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Aragchi visited Belarus today.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Turkish F-16 fighter jets destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that violated the countrys airspace, Trend reports via the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

The UAV was detected over the Black Sea and was reportedly out of control.

To prevent any potential incidents, the drone was shot down and neutralized in a location far from populated areas.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15. Turkiye and Poland signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing security cooperation, Polish Defense Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on his official social media account, Trend reports.

The agreement includes the exchange of information, joint military exercises, coordination between armed forces branches, development of the defense industry, and improvement of operational capabilities.

Polish Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted Turkiye's strategic importance to Warsaw and expressed interest in purchasing Polish military equipment, including passive radars produced by PIT-Radwar. He also promised Turkiyes support for European projects and the potential resumption of EU accession talks.

The visit also involves discussions on regional security architecture with Romania and Turkiye, as well as preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026. Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that such cooperation is vital for promoting a just peace in Ukraine, while noting that negotiations remain prolonged due to Russias stance.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong co-chair four bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings in southwest China's Chongqing, Dec. 15, 2025. The four meetings were the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.

Ding met with Gan prior to the four bilateral meetings. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

CHONGQING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore on Monday pledged to deepen cooperation across various sectors, and agreed to work together to safeguard the multilateral trading system to increase regional prosperity and stability.

The pledge came as Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong co-chaired four bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings in Chongqing.

The four meetings were the 21st meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council, the 17th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council, and the ninth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council.

During the meetings, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, national-level bilateral cooperation projects, and cooperation in areas such as the economy, trade, sustainable development, innovation, finance, public health and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The two sides agreed to enhance development strategy alignment and identify more shared interests and areas for cooperation, leverage policy resources to upgrade major projects, and cultivate new quality productive forces to deliver landmark outcomes.

They also committed to safeguarding the multilateral trading system to promote their own development in an improved manner, as well as regional prosperity and stability.

Ding, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Gan prior to the four bilateral meetings.

Ding said that the long-standing, stable development of China-Singapore relations is attributable to the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries and their commitment to the correct political direction.

Both sides should continue to enhance mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, and ensure the steady, sustained growth of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Singapore, Ding said.

For his part, Gan said that Singapore attaches great importance to developing relations with China, adheres firmly to the one-China policy, and opposes "Taiwan independence." Singapore is willing to work with China to enhance exchange at all levels and promote the greater development of bilateral relations, he added.

Following the meetings, Ding and Gan attended the launch ceremony of the Chongqing-Central Asia and Chongqing-Southeast Asia International Railway Express under China-Singapore Multi-Modal Demonstration Project. 
New film documents community resilience in Western Alaska

A new short film details ways that residents in Western Alaska are responding constructively to changes to their local environment.

Photo by Andrey Kahlkachan

Ryan Peterson films retired schoolteacher James Ayuluk in Chevak in 2022.

Cumikluten (Pay Attention) is a 36-minute documentary produced by Polaris, an interdisciplinary project to identify sources of resilience in the rural Western Alaska communities of Chevak and Dillingham. The film follows local residents as they describe the impacts of environmental change on the two communities and show the various ways people are confronting it.

Its really a celebration of the resilience of the communities and people of Western Alaska, said Davin Holen, coastal community resilience specialist with Alaska Sea Grant at UAF and a social scientist on the project. We want to demonstrate that even when confronted with challenges, these communities are resilient, and that people want to remain on their ancestral lands.

From 20202025, researchers with Polaris (which stands for Pursuing Opportunities for Long-Term Arctic Resilience for Infrastructure and Society) worked with Indigenous collaborators in Chevak and Dillingham to quantify environmental changes through natural science approaches. They also tracked local perception and responses through social science methods.

The communities face challenges on multiple fronts. Both are confronted with increased coastal erosion and susceptibility to severe storms, such as Typhoon Merbok in 2022 and the recent Typhoon Halong. Wildlife habitats are also changing, forcing residents to alter their subsistence practices.

Photo by Chris Maio

UAF graduate student Seth Classen carries out a coastal topographic erosion survey in Dillingham in June 2025.

The film tracks residents of the two communities as they hunt, forage, garden, teach and learn, describing in the process the changes they see around them. The narrative reveals many sources of community strength: deep veins of local ecological knowledge, opportunities for younger generations to draw on the wisdom of elders, an ingrained tradition of sharing resources, and a drive to revitalize subsistence traditions.

Holen said a major goal of the project was providing data, decision support tools and outreach products to coastal communities in Western Alaska. He said the film is a valuable method of demonstrating local residents capacity to adapt.

There has been a lot of negative storytelling about the impacts to communities of environmental change, he noted. We wanted to tell a positive story of the resilience of Western Alaska communities. And (filmmaker) Ryan Peterson really did that, he did a really good job to tell that story.

Photo by E. Lance Howe

Davin Holen, back, and Roy Atchak view the Ninglikfak River in Chevak. Atchak is first chief of the Chevak Native Village and president of the Chevak Company Corp.

The Polaris project was funded by the National Science Foundation. The project team included scientists from UAF, the University of Alaska Anchorage, The Pennsylvania State University, Michigan Technological University and Alaska state agencies, with the support and cooperation of tribal organizations in the Chevak and Dillingham areas.

Three University of Alaska faculty served as co-principal investigators: Holen, UAF professor of coastal geography Chris Maio (who is featured in the film, as is Holen) and UAA professor of economics Lance Howe.

The video was produced by Ryan Peterson of Alaskanist Stories and is dedicated to the late Todd Radenbaugh, a former professor of environmental science at the UAF Bristol Bay Campus.

The film Cumikluten (Pay Attention) is available on YouTube.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: David Holen, 907-786-0751, dlholen@alaska.edu

127-26
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
Ukraine currently has one of the best and most well-trained armies in the world, and this is its main security guarantee.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu said this ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, December 15, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Ukraine has proved that it has one of the best, better-trained armies in the world. So I think that if the case is that they are not going to join NATO and they are dropping that process, that does not mean they will not be able to defend themselves," she said, when asked how Europeans could guarantee Ukraine's security if it does not accede to NATO.

According to Toiu, another aspect is that "the main security guarantee that Ukraine, Romania, and a lot of the voices in the EU are focused on is to be sure Ukraine has a strong army, a resilient army, and a resilient society."

"In that sense, that is not connected with the decision to be part of NATO. It is something that we are already doing together in terms of providing the military equipment when that is the case," she added.

She also stressed that another significant element of security guarantees lies not only in ending the war, but also in ensuring the security that is needed for all commercial flows, all infrastructure projects, so that the region's economy, including Ukraine's, and the projects the sides are implementing together as neighbors are protected in the future and attractive to investors.

Toiu also said that Romania supports opening accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova not only on the first cluster, but also on others, since both countries have already made significant progress in reforms.

Photo: Facebook / Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania
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Outrage as Bihar CM Nitish pulls down Muslim doctors Hijab

In a bizarre and sexist incident captured on camera, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar forcibly pulled down Hijab from the face of a Muslim doctor sparking a nationwide outrage

Patna: In a bizarre and sexist incident captured on camera, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar forcibly pulled down Hijab from the face of a Muslim doctor sparking a nationwide outrage.

In a video which has now gone viral, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is seen distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors at an event held at his official residence in the state capital Patna.

During the event, when a Muslim female doctor wearing Hijab came to receive her appointment letter, Nitish gestured at her and reportedly asked her to remove the Hijab.

Even as she was confused and unable to decide what to do, Nitish himself pulled down her Hijab as cameras captured the moment.

In a further embarrassment to the Muslim female doctor, those present at the function burst into laughter as the Chief Minister forcibly removed her Hijab.

Watch Video

A Vile Act

The Congress Party, while sharing the video, termed the incident a vile act and demanded his resignation.

This is Bihars Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Look at his shamelessness, a female doctor had come to collect her appointment letter, and Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab, the Congress wrote on social media platform X.

If a person occupying the highest post in the state behaves in such a disgraceful manner in public, one can only imagine how safe women are in the state. Nitish Kumar should resign immediately for this reprehensible act, the party said.

Commenting on the incident, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) said, What has happened to Nitish ji? Has his mental state deteriorated completely, or has Nitish Babu has now become 100% Sanghi?

Nitish Kumar is Chief Minister of Bihar since 2015. He took oath as CM Bihar for the 9th times after the 2025 Bihar elections despite talks of his poor health and concerns raised about his mental state.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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BRUSSELS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's discussions on financing future support for Ukraine, including a plan to leverage frozen Russian state assets, have become "increasingly difficult," said an EU official on Monday.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas made the remarks ahead of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council session in Brussels, noting that EU leaders are due to meet on Thursday and Friday for the last summit of the year.

The bloc is working toward a decision on Ukraine's funding at the gathering. "We will not leave the meeting before we get a result," she said.

Several financing options remain on the table, but the "most credible option" is a so-called "reparations loan" backed by frozen Russian assets, Kallas added.

The financing push comes as the EU seeks to stabilize support for Ukraine into 2026 and 2027.

Western countries have frozen roughly 300 billion U.S. dollars in Russian sovereign assets since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The European Union has immobilized about 210 billion euros (about 246.4 billion dollars) of Russian central bank assets, most of it held at Belgium-based Euroclear in Brussels.

Earlier this month, EU governments agreed to indefinitely immobilize those Russian central bank assets, a shift from the previous system of rolling renewals every six months, to reduce the risk that a single member state could block the measure.

Belgium, which holds the bulk of the immobilized assets, has raised legal and financial liability concerns about the "reparations loan." Those concerns have complicated previous efforts to reach a deal on the proposed loan. 
Purdue University has become the first institution in the United States to require that every undergraduate studentregardless of majordemonstrate basic competency in artificial intelligence before graduation, marking a watershed moment in how universities prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven economy.

The Board of Trustees approved the groundbreaking "AI working competency" graduation requirement on December 12, 2025, as part of a comprehensive AI@Purdue strategy spanning five functional areas across the university. The requirement takes effect for freshmen entering in Fall 2026 at Purdue's West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses.

"The reach and pace of AI's impact to society, including many dimensions of higher education, means that we at Purdue must lean in and lean forward and do so across different functions at the university," Purdue President Mung Chiang said. "AI@Purdue strategic actions are part of the Purdue Computes strategic initiative, and will continue to be refreshed to advance the missions and impact of our university."

The decision positions Purdue at the vanguard of a broader debate about AI literacy in higher education, potentially setting a precedent that other universities may follow as artificial intelligence reshapes virtually every professional field.

What Students Must Demonstrate

Under the new requirement, Purdue undergraduates will need to prove they possess "job-ready skills and critical thinking competencies" in three core areas:

1. Understanding and Using AI Tools Effectively

Identify key capabilities, strengths and limits of AI technologies

Recognize ways AI can transform existing methods, processes and tools in their chosen field

Apply AI tools appropriately to discipline-specific problems

2. Recognizing and Communicating About AI

Develop and defend decisions informed by AI-driven insights

Recognize the presence, influence and consequences of AI in decision-making

Communicate clearly about AI use, decisions and limitations

3. Adapting to Future AI Developments

Work effectively with AI technologies as they continue evolving

Understand ongoing AI advancements relevant to their profession

Maintain adaptability as AI capabilities expand

The requirement emphasizes practical application over theoretical knowledge. Students will demonstrate competency through hands-on, often team-based projects where they interact with and utilize AI toolsnot through traditional examinations.

Embedded, Not Added

Crucially, Purdue Provost Patrick Wolfe emphasized that the AI competency will be embedded into existing programs rather than imposed as additional coursework that could delay graduation.

"We have to do it in a way that won't constrain people's schedules or add time to graduation," Wolfe told the Purdue Exponent. "We can't just keep adding requirements. Eventually you have to take something out. We're looking at some of the older requirements, maybe information literacy, and considering morphing it into something with a more modern twist."

The approach reflects pragmatic recognition that students already face packed curricula and mounting degree costs. Rather than creating a standalone "AI 101" course that every student must squeeze into their schedule, Purdue plans to integrate AI competency demonstrations into discipline-specific coursework that students are already taking.

This means an English major might demonstrate AI competency by using natural language processing tools to analyze literature, while an engineering student might apply machine learning to design optimization problems, and a business student might use AI for market analysiseach developing AI skills directly relevant to their future careers.

Discipline-Specific Implementation

The Board of Trustees delegated authority to the provost to work with deans of all academic colleges to develop discipline-specific criteria and proficiency standards. This acknowledges that AI applications differ dramatically across fields and that one-size-fits-all requirements would poorly serve students in diverse majors.

"Can we get 2,500 faculty to agree on one piece of guidance? We'll start looking into it during the spring, and we're going to make sure that we also take some student feedback," Wolfe said, noting the implementation challenges ahead.

The Office of the Provost and University Senate are partnering to update guidance on AI competency expectations, with final details expected by the end of the current academic year.

This collaborative approach aims to ensure buy-in from faculty who will ultimately design and assess the AI competency demonstrations within their courses. Without faculty support, even well-intentioned graduation requirements can become hollow checkbox exercises rather than meaningful learning experiences.

The AI@Purdue Strategic Framework

The graduation requirement represents just one component of a broader AI@Purdue strategy encompassing five functional areas:

1. Learning with AI

Implementing AI tools to enhance teaching effectiveness

Using AI-powered academic advising (Listening Companions, Chatbots, Major Change AI Support)

Leveraging AI to improve student learning outcomes

2. Learning about AI

Offering AI majors through College of Liberal Arts and College of Science

Providing AI minors and certificates across multiple colleges

Delivering online master's degree in AI and microcredentials for working professionals

3. Research AI

Establishing Purdue Institute for Physical AI (IPAI)

Advancing precision agriculture through Institute for Digital and Advanced Agricultural Systems

Researching virtual therapy, autonomous vehicles, and rescue robotics

Pursuing manufacturing innovations through Birck Nanotechnology Center

4. Using AI

Rolling out GenAI Studio for researchers to access open-source models

Bolstering cybersecurity through partnership with Rapid7

Implementing AI tools for administrative efficiency and productivity

5. Partnering in AI

Developing public-private partnerships

Collaborating with industry on AI applications

Creating pathways for AI research commercialization

This comprehensive approach positions Purdue not just as an institution teaching about AI but as one deeply integrating AI throughout its operations, research enterprise, and academic mission.

Building on Purdue Computes

The AI graduation requirement builds on Purdue's ambitious "Purdue Computes" initiative launched in 2023, which includes:

Hiring 50 new AI faculty members across multiple departments

Establishing a new AI institute

Creating infrastructure for AI research and education

Developing AI majors, minors, and certificate programs

This substantial investmentrepresenting tens of millions in new faculty lines and facilitiesdemonstrates Purdue's commitment extends beyond rhetoric to meaningful resource allocation.

Critics have questioned whether the graduation requirement primarily serves to justify these faculty hires and investments by creating demand for AI courses. However, defenders argue that given AI's transformative impact across industries, ensuring all graduates possess baseline AI literacy represents sound educational policy regardless of institutional motivations.

The Ohio State Comparison

Purdue's requirement follows Ohio State University's AI Fluency initiative launched earlier in 2025, which infuses basic AI education into core undergraduate requirements and majors.

However, Purdue's approach appears more comprehensive and formalized. While Ohio State's initiative encourages AI integration, Purdue has established an explicit graduation requirement with Board of Trustees approvalcreating accountability and ensuring universal implementation rather than leaving AI education to individual faculty or departmental discretion.

The distinction matters because graduation requirements carry enforcement mechanisms. Students cannot graduate without meeting them, creating strong incentives for academic units to develop meaningful AI competency assessments rather than treating AI education as optional or supplementary.

No States Require AI for High School Graduation

Purdue's move comes as nonprofit Code.org released its 2025 State of AI & Computer Science Education report showing that "0 out of 50 states require AI+CS for graduation" at the K-12 level.

This creates a pipeline challenge: Purdue will require AI competency for graduation while most incoming freshmen will have received no formal AI education in high school. The university will need to provide foundational AI literacy instruction before students can meaningfully demonstrate competency in discipline-specific applications.

This may be why the requirement doesn't take effect until Fall 2026allowing time for curriculum development, faculty training, and creation of support resources for students entering with varying levels of AI exposure.

Mixed Reactions

Initial responses to Purdue's requirement reveal divided opinions:

Supporters laud Purdue's foresight in preparing students for workplace realities where AI tools are rapidly becoming ubiquitous. They argue that just as computer literacy became essential in previous decades, AI literacy is now foundational for virtually any professional career.

Skeptics raise several concerns:

Environmental Impact: AI technologies, particularly large language models, consume enormous computational resources and energy. Requiring all students to use AI tools could substantially increase Purdue's carbon footprint.

Redundancy: Many students, particularly in computer science and engineering, already develop sophisticated AI skills through their major coursework. For them, a baseline competency requirement may seem unnecessarily simplistic.

Administrative Motivation: Some question whether the requirement genuinely serves student needs or primarily justifies recent faculty hiring and administrative initiativeswhat one Hacker News commenter described as a "CEO edict" where departments pivot to include AI "whether or not it makes sense."

Educational Value: Critics worry about top-down mandates that may result in superficial checkbox compliance rather than meaningful learning.

A Hacker News commenter questioned whether this represents "gimmicks" typical of "low-tier universities trying to get attention," suggesting the requirement might damage Purdue's reputation rather than enhance it.

The Cheating Conundrum

Part of Purdue's motivation appears to address the reality that AI is already transforming how students learnand cheat. By teaching students to use AI tools effectively and ethically within academic contexts, the university aims to shape responsible AI use rather than futilely attempting to ban tools that students will use regardless.

This pragmatic approach acknowledges that AI genies cannot be put back in bottles. The question isn't whether students will use ChatGPT and similar tools, but whether universities will teach them to use these tools in ways that enhance rather than replace learning.

What It Means for Other Universities

Purdue's decision will face scrutiny from peer institutions considering similar requirements. If the implementation succeedsproducing graduates who genuinely possess useful AI skills without adding time or cost to degreesother universities may follow.

However, if execution proves problematicfaculty resistance, superficial compliance, student complaints about busyworkthe experiment could serve as a cautionary tale.

The stakes extend beyond Purdue. Higher education faces mounting pressure to demonstrate value and relevance as costs rise and public confidence declines. Innovative approaches like AI literacy requirements represent attempts to prove universities are preparing students for future economies rather than past ones.

Implications for Employers

Corporate recruiters and HR departments are watching closely. Purdue's requirement creates a cohort of graduates who, in theory, all possess baseline AI capabilitiespotentially making them more attractive hires than graduates from institutions without such requirements.

Technology companies like Alphabet and Microsoft stand to benefit from a broader talent pool of AI-literate professionals across disciplines. Instead of finding only specialized AI engineers, they'll encounter marketing, finance, and operations candidates who understand AI principles and applications.

This could accelerate AI adoption across business functions as companies find employees prepared to integrate AI tools rather than requiring extensive training or struggling with AI-resistant workforces.

The Long View

Whether Purdue's AI competency requirement represents visionary leadership or administrative overreach will become clear over the next decade as graduates enter the workforce.

If Purdue alumni consistently demonstrate superior ability to leverage AI tools in their careers, other universities will rush to implement similar requirements. If the requirement proves superficial or irrelevant to actual job performance, it will quietly fade or transform into something else.

For now, Purdue has claimed first-mover advantage in mandating AI literacy for all undergraduates. President Chiang's assertion that the university must "lean in and lean forward" on AI reflects conviction that future-oriented universities must actively shape how students interact with artificial intelligence rather than passively watching AI reshape professions without preparing students adequately.

The class of 2030freshmen entering Purdue in Fall 2026 who will be the first required to demonstrate AI competencywill ultimately judge whether this bold experiment enhances or burdens their education and careers.
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Seoul Central District Court on Monday sentenced Roh Sang-won, South Korea's former intelligence commander, to two years in jail and a fine of 24.9 million won (about 16,930 U.S. dollars) in the first trial over his alleged illegal acquisition of personnel information.

Roh was indicted in June on charges of taking over military information, including personal information of intelligence agents, to form an unofficial investigation team tasked with a probe into the alleged election rigging.

He was also charged with receiving cash and department store gift certificates from others under the pretext of lobbying for their promotions.

Roh was suspected of getting deeply involved in the plotting process of the emergency martial law declaration that was issued by former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. 
West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Sunday threatened "targeted sanctions" on anyone obstructing Guinea-Bissau's return to civilian rule following last month's coup.

The announcement came as presidents from across the region met in Nigeria for a bi-annual meeting whose agenda was dominated by two recent coup attempts: a successful military takeover in Guinea-Bissau and a failed putsch in Benin.

"The authorities shall impose targeted sanctions on individuals or groups of persons that obstruct the transition process," ECOWAS commission president Omar Alieu Touray told reporters at the end of summit, held in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

Touray also said that the ECOWAS peacekeeping force deployed in Guinea-Bissau, a small, coup-prone west African country, since 2022, was "authorised... to provide protection to all political leaders and national institutions".

The twin disruptions of civilian rule -- last month in Guinea-Bissau and a week ago in Benin -- have rattled the Economic Community of West African States, which condemned both at Sunday's summit.

The failed putsch in Benin saw Nigeria deploy fighter jets and troops, alongside soldiers from Ivory Coast, to shore up the civilian government. ECOWAS has said more soldiers are on their way from Ghana and Sierra Leone.

ECOWAS was previously hit with a string of coups between 2020 and 2023 in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger -- all of whom are still under junta control.

- Sahel security on agenda -

Sunday's summit, held in a conference hall on the bucolic and highly secured campus surrounding the presidential villa at Aso Rock, was organised prior to the two recent coup attempts.

But both were high on the agenda, as were the December 28 elections in Guinea.

Junta leader Mamady Doumbouya ran for office there despite an earlier promise not to, and exiled opposition leader and former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo has been excluded from the polls.

Touray nevertheless said ECOWAS hailed Guinea's polls as "significant progress" in the "transition process".

When pressed on whether Guinea's vote will be credible, Touray told reporters: "We hope that the elections would be credible, transparent and fair."

Also under discussion was security in the Sahel region, where jihadist groups are waging insurgencies in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Under junta rule the three countries left ECOWAS and formed their own group, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Last week, Touray called for negotiations with the AES over shared security concerns as the conflict continues to spread south.

"No border can insulate us from violence," Sierra Leone President Julius Bio, who currently holds ECOWAS's rotating chairmanship, said during Sunday's summit.

Heads of state from Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, suspended after their military takeovers, were not present at the summit.

Nigerian president Bola Tinubu was not in attendance, and was instead represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In addition to military takeovers, democratic backsliding has also dogged civilian governments in west Africa.

In October, Ivory Coast elected President Alassane Ouattara to a fourth term in an election that saw his rivals barred.

Both Bio and Tinubu's 2023 elections sparked complaints of irregularities.

nro/rlp
The White Houses publication of the 2025 National Security Strategy is a game-changer. It breaks with all previous documents, including the 2017 [1] document from President Donald Trumps first term.

Both texts share a lengthy preliminary statement, but while the 2017 text aimed to replace war with trade, the 2025 text first addresses the questions of what the United States wants and what means it has at its disposal. It represents a complete reframing of national strategy.

Reframing

President Donald Trump writes: First and foremost, we desire the continued survival and security of the United States as an independent and sovereign republic, whose government guarantees the inalienable natural rights of its citizens and prioritizes their well-being and interests. We want to protect this country, its people, its territory, its economy, and its way of life from military attack and hostile foreign influence, whether espionage, predatory trade practices, drug and human trafficking, destructive propaganda and influence operations, cultural subversion, or any other threat to our nation.

To the second question, he defined the means as follows: We want to ensure that the Western Hemisphere remains sufficiently stable and well-governed to prevent and discourage mass migration to the United States; we want a hemisphere whose governments cooperate with us against narco-terrorists, cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations; we want a hemisphere that remains free from hostile foreign influence. We commit to preventing any intrusion into or takeover of key assets essential to supporting critical supply chains and to ensuring our continued access to essential strategic sites. In other words, we will assert and implement a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

In other words, the United States will focus on its sphere of influence, the Americas. It will act there like a big brother, no longer like an empire (the Roosevelt Corollary). That is to say, it will protect them from external threats and expect, in return, that the rest of the continents will contribute to its economic needs.

If this is true, they will not attack Venezuela, but they could attack drug trafficking organizations in Latin America, including in Venezuela.

He continues:

 We want to put an end to the ongoing damage that foreign actors are inflicting on the U.S. economy, while maintaining the freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific, preserving freedom of navigation in all crucial sea lanes, and maintaining secure and reliable supply chains and access to essential materials.

 We want to support our allies in preserving the freedom and security of Europe, while restoring its civilizational confidence and Western identity.

 We want to prevent an adversarial power from dominating the Middle East, its oil and gas resources, and the strategic chokepoints through which they flow, while avoiding the "endless wars" that have bogged us down in this region at an exorbitant cost.

He concludes that, ideally, the United States must once again become "the worlds leading economy, both the largest and the most innovative, generating wealth that we can invest in strategic interests and giving us bargaining power over countries that wish to access our markets."

Strategy

Only after this lengthy introduction does he address strategic issues. He warns that this strategy "is not based on a traditional political ideology. It is motivated above all by what serves the interests of the United States, or, in short, by the principle of America First."

Before becoming the rallying cry of American Nazi supporters, "America First" was the slogan of Democratic President Woodrow Wilson at the beginning of World War I and of the conservative (in the Anglo-Saxon sense of the term) Pat Buchanan when he fought against the followers of Leo Strauss.

He then defused the issue by rejecting the expansive definition of "national security" developed by previous administrations, as well as traditional classifications. Thus, he declared himself a priori "non-interventionist," while emphasizing that this position is often untenable and that action is therefore more appropriate. Ultimately, he advocated "flexible realism."

He wrote: "Our policy will be realistic about what is possible and desirable in our relations with other nations. We seek good relations and peaceful trade relations with the nations of the world, without imposing democratic or social changes that depart profoundly from their traditions and history. We recognize and affirm that there is nothing inconsistent or hypocritical about acting according to such a realistic assessment. Or about maintaining good relations with countries whose systems of government and societies differ from our own, while encouraging our like-minded friends to respect our common standards, which allows us to promote our interests."

This point marks a complete break with the thinking of previous administrations. It is a return to the traditional thinking of old Europe, which, like the United States, had abandoned. Donald Trump preaches flexibility and adaptability.

He then describes the international relations he promotes, his worldview, based on "the primacy of nations" and "respect for their sovereignty." He indicates that in this world, he does not aspire to a hegemonic position, but will ensure that no nation can either. He conceives of competition between nations as a market or a sporting event: may the best win!

He asserts that the sovereignty of nations implies the restoration of borders and the defense of human rights (in the American sense of the term, not in the French sense of droits de lhomme et du citoyen).

He also asserts that the sovereignty of nations cannot be delegated to alliances or intergovernmental organizations. Consequently, membership in NATO cannot exempt each member state from ensuring its own national defense. Similarly, membership in the World Trade Organization cannot exempt each state from defending the opening of new markets and the security of its supply chains.

This has nothing to do with the strategy of his predecessor, Joe Biden, for whom borders and nations were merely obstacles to the triumph of democracy [2]; a view that automatically led to the continuation of President George Bushs endless war, the Rumsfeld-Cebrowski doctrine [3].

The Worlds Regions

Donald Trump chose to define priority areas for action. In doing so, he expressed himself with respect for all his interlocutors and not, as he had done previously, with contempt for those he considered insignificant (those "shithole countries").

A - The Americas

Having clarified the "Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine," he established his strategy under the motto "recruit and expand." "Recruit" means relying on as many partners as possible. "Expand" means hoping that as many nations as possible will consider the United States their preferred partner and dissuading them (through various means) from collaborating with others.

In short, the goal is to ensure that the presence of foreign partners in the Americas, such as China, will not disrupt US supply chains. Therefore, "it is important to emphasize that American goods, services, and technologies represent a far more advantageous investment in the long term, as they are of higher quality and do not come with any of the same conditions as aid offered by other countries."

B - The Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region currently produces half of humanitys wealth, but US-China trade relations are increasingly unbalanced. This is both because the rules between the two countries were established when China was an underdeveloped nation and because the US economy is in decline. [This isnt what Trump says, but its what he implies.] He therefore intends to strengthen the Quad (Australia, the United States, Japan, and India) to ensure that China does not achieve a hegemonic position.

He also wants to mobilize the resources of his partners to launch a competing Belt and Road Initiative.

Focusing on the issue of Taiwan, he notes that the island holds a dominant position in semiconductor production, but above all, it offers direct access to the second island chain and divides Northeast and Southeast Asia into two distinct theaters of operation. This is why the United States will develop its economic dominance over the island while ensuring it respects Taiwans Chinese identity and never supports a conflict over it. Indeed, Donald Trump intervened with Sanae Taikachi, the Japanese Prime Minister, asking her to stop provoking Beijing.

The United States must also ensure that its supply chains in the South China Sea are never disrupted by anyone.

C - The European Union

EU production has declined, in thirty-five years (that is, not since the Maastricht Treaty, but since the completion of the single market), from 25% to 14% of global output. But this economic decline is overshadowed by the very real and darker prospect of civilizational collapse. Its restoration depends on controlling immigration (some member states could soon have a non-European majority) and abandoning its sterile obsession with excessive regulation.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Donald Trump writes that it is essential for the United States to negotiate a swift cessation of hostilities in order to stabilize European economies, prevent an escalation or unintentional spread of the conflict,

restore strategic stability with Russia, and allow for the reconstruction of Ukraine after hostilities in order to ensure its survival as a viable state.

He laments that "many Europeans consider Russia an existential threat," suggesting a solution to the war in Ukraine that they will not tolerate.

D - The Middle East

This region no longer holds the same meaning since energy sources have diversified considerablywith the United States once again becoming a net energy exporterand competition between superpowers has given way to rivalry between great powers, in which the United States retains the most enviable position. This region will increasingly become a source and destination for international investment.

While he deplores Irans rigidity, he is pleased to see the major governments fighting against radicalism. Even if he doesnt name it, he is referring here to jihadism, which the Obama and Biden administrations, like the British Empire, have long fostered.

E - East Africa

The United States strategy in Africa has for too long focused on providing and then disseminating liberal ideology. The United States should instead focus on building partnerships with certain countries to resolve conflicts, foster mutually beneficial trade relationships, and shift from a model of foreign aid to one of investment and growth capable of harnessing Africas abundant natural resources and latent economic potential.

While the United States should assist in resolving ongoing conflicts (for example, between the DRC and Rwanda, and in Sudan) and preventing new conflicts (for example, between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia), it should primarily shift from an aid-oriented relationship to a trade- and investment-oriented relationship with Africa, prioritizing partnerships with competent and reliable states willing to open their markets to U.S. goods and services.

Conclusion

Contrary to the caricature presented by his opponents, both American and foreign, Donald Trumps strategy appears extremely coherent and well-thought-out, despite being expressed simply with unnecessary references to the presidents victories.

It is entirely consistent with his 2017 project: to put an end to the "American Empire." He is the first US president in almost two centuries who believes his country has no enemies. In doing so, he opposes not only traditional imperialists, but also Straussians and neoconservatives, and even more so the warmongers of the European Union. While he develops his military according to the Roman principle Si vis pacem, para bellum (if you want peace, prepare for war), he positions himself never to provoke conflict and, on the contrary, commits to helping resolve disputes, again contradicting the strategy of his British ally, "divide and rule."
SUVA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack that struck a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, leaving dozens dead and injured.

According to the New South Wales Police, 16 people, including one of the attackers, were killed during the shooting incident.

Rabuka has offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for survivors and their loved ones, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on Monday.

He reiterated that there should be zero tolerance for terrorism, hate, violence and all forms of inhumane acts, expressing hope that justice will prevail and peace will be restored, and that the resilience of communities will endure.

Rabuka has also reached out to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to convey Fiji's solidarity and support for the people of Australia and Jewish communities affected by the tragedy, the media said. 
How the Romans Really Built an Empire on Roads: A 300,000-Kilometre Network Rediscovered

For centuries the ancient maxim tutte le strade portano a Roma  all roads lead to Rome  has captured the imagination of historians and the public alike. Now a groundbreaking digital project reveals that the size and complexity of Romes road network were far greater than anyone imagined: nearly 300,000 kilometres of ancient routes woven across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Mapping the Imperial Web

Until recently, historians thought the Roman road system spanned around 190,000 kilometres. Thanks to an international team of researchers and new digital tools, that estimate has jumped by more than 100,000 kilometres.

The project  called Itiner-e  isnt just a list of old routes. Its a high-resolution, open-access digital atlas that merges archaeology, historical texts, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to trace the roads that once criss-crossed the ancient world.

How Did They Do It?

Itiner-es team looked at a huge range of evidence:

Archaeological data and excavations, including milestones and road remains.

Historical records, such as itineraries and ancient maps like the Tabula Peutingeriana.

Remote sensing  including satellite images and aerial surveys  to spot traces of roads now hidden beneath fields, forests or modern highways.

Topographic and digital terrain models to approximate routes where physical evidence is weak.

Where older maps drew straight lines between cities, the new atlas often reveals the actual winding paths these roads took through mountains, valleys and across plains.

A Network Twice as Big

The result is astonishing: nearly 300,000 km of documented ancient Roman roads  hundreds of thousands more than in earlier estimates. This includes both the famous major highways that linked provincial capitals and countless secondary and local roads that connected villas, farms and waystations deep in the countryside.

This network formed the backbone of imperial administration, military control, trade and cultural exchange at the height of Romes power around 150 CE, when the empire stretched from Britain to Syria and from the Atlantic to North Africa.

Not Just History  A Living Research Tool

Far from being static, Itiner-e is designed to grow. The dataset includes confidence indexes for each segment, showing where evidence is solid and where gaps remain. Scholars around the world can contribute new discoveries, refine routes or add metadata about construction dates and historical context.

The platform also allows non-specialists to explore Roman roads much like modern GPS  selecting start and end points and visualizing possible ancient routes in a browser.

Why It Matters Today

The Roman road system was more than just infrastructure. It was a force of integration: it enabled armies to march, goods to flow, ideas to spread  and even diseases to travel. Mapping this network with greater precision helps historians understand the social, economic and political dynamics of one of historys greatest empires.

For archaeologists, geographers, educators and curious minds, this project offers a new window onto the ancient world, showing how the roads built over two millennia ago still shape landscapes and cultural memory today.
"I never imagined this moment would come so quickly," says Ahmed Totah, one of a few thousand college students returning to in-person classes in Gaza after two years of conflict. #GLOBALink #Gaza
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae TD met with Martin Kelleher and his son Darragh of Kellehers Christmas Tree Farm in Naas recently. The Minister told Martin and Darragh how impressed he was with the Irish Christmas tree sector and how things have changed since he was selling Christmas trees almost 50 years ago.

The Minister said: As a young fella of about 10 years of age I used to cut Christmas trees and deliver them on my bicycle around the parish. Ill never forget the joy people had when a real tree arrived at their door.

"Theres a magic in the smell of a real Christmas tree in the house. Its a tradition rooted in Irish homes for decades.

The Minister added: I am encouraging the public to support the Irish Christmas tree sector by purchasing a real Irish Christmas tree this festive season. This will support our local producers who have put in seven to 10 years of dedicated work to produce top-quality Christmas trees."

Irish growers produce around 700,000 Christmas trees each year, with 450,000 sold at home and about 250,000 exported abroad, mainly to the UK. The sector contributes an estimated 21 million to the Irish economy annually.

The Minister continued: My Departments Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector helps to support the sector by grant-aiding capital investments in specialised equipment to manage and harvest the crop.

"The 2026 scheme is currently open for applications, and I would encourage growers to apply. Information on the scheme can be found on the Department website.
A yoga teacher has received a 10-month suspended sentence after gardai found him with almost 7,000 in drugs.

Ian McCarthy (34), Apt 8, The Sycamores, Waterford, was before Waterford District Court for driving without insurance, and two counts of possession of drugs and two counts of possession with the intention to sell or supply.

The court was told that on November 28, 2024, the drugs unit was on patrol at John's Hill when they observed a vehicle drive through a red light.

Gardai stopped and seized the vehicle as it was not insured, and when they searched it, they found a large amount of cannabis herb in the glove compartment.

The value of the cannabis was 6,952.

A small amount of diazepam (30) and THC product was found in a follow-up search of the mans home.

The court was told that the defendant had no previous convictions.

Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client had worked abroad in construction until an accident brought him home and he developed a cannabis issue.

He said his client is a holistic yoga teacher and does not make a lot of money.

The reason he had the cannabis was that he had fallen into debt.

Mr Cunningham said that it was a routine traffic stop that led to the search and that no paraphernalia associated with drug dealing was found.

But his client was pleading guilty and was keen to keep the matter in the district court.

A lot of drugs

Judge John Cheatle said that the cannabis constituted a lot of drugs but that the solicitor had a point with regards to the lack of paraphernalia.

The judge said the cannabis was the major concern and that other drugs found did not amount to a sale and supply charge.

Judge Cheatle sentenced the man to 10 months in prison, but suspended that for a year on the cannabis charge.

He fined the defendant 200 for driving without insurance.

The additional drug charge was taken into consideration.

Funded under the Court Reporting Scheme
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
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BusinessThe economyTrump's White House Opinion Trump loves a deal, but these two are not going to plan Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist December 15, 2025  8:59am

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Donald Trump has been planning to get his hands on some of the $370 billion of Russian funds frozen within Europe while also taking a multibillion-dollar slice of Nvidias potential revenue from sales of its more advanced chips to China. Neither ambition is tracking exactly as planned. In the bilateral peace negotiations the US has been having with Russia, a key element for gaining American support for a plan that favours Russias interests over Ukraines is the establishment of two US-led joint venture investment vehicles with Russia, funded by most of the 210 billion ($370 billion) of Russian foreign exchange reserves held within Europe. Donald Trump loves to turn international negotiations into transactions. AP Earlier this month, Trump, after heavy lobbying by Nvidias Jensen Huang, said he would allow the company to sell its H200 chips  a generation behind its most advanced Blackwell chips  to China in exchange for a 25 per cent cut of the revenue from the sales. On Friday, the European Union, which has been dithering and divided for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, most of which are held by the Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear, invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes those assets indefinitely.

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Previously, approval for the freeze had to be renewed every six months, which provided a half-yearly opportunity for pro-Russian countries  Viktor Orbans Hungary being the most obvious  to veto the renewal and any attempt to use the funds to provide aid to Ukraine. Related Article Opinion

Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine is running out of cash. Can Europe seize Russian money to help? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The use of the emergency powers means a majority of the EU members can now extend the freeze, which will be reviewed annually. While that would make it easier for the EU to use the frozen funds as collateral for a reparations loan to Ukraine, it also gives Europe a seat at the negotiating table for a peace deal using the fate of those funds as leverage. The US and Russia now cant dispose of those assets  Russia cant use them to help buy Trumps support for a deal on its terms  without EU approval.

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Not surprisingly, Russia has immediately filed a lawsuit in Moscow seeking damages from Euroclear and has threatened to sue for damages in other jurisdictions and use all available legal and other mechanisms to protect its interests. It has also looked at seizing assets held by Euroclear and other Western interests  funds and businesses  within Russia. The EU was aware of the likely Russian response when it decided to freeze the funds indefinitely. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After dithering for two years over what to do with the Russian assets, the EU has invoked emergency powers to pass legislation that freezes them indefinitely. AP Trumps willingness to trade Ukraines sovereignty for cash has echoes within the Nvidia deal. In 2022, the Biden administration, as part of its small yard, high fence strategy of limiting Chinas access to strategic technology, banned sales of Americas most advanced semiconductors  critical to artificial intelligence technologies  to China. The decision was made on national security grounds.

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Trump partly lifted the ban earlier this year, allowing Nvidia to sell a specially created custom chip to China, the H20, which was much less sophisticated than Nvidias most powerful chips. China, however, didnt buy the H20 chips and the Trump administration hasnt collected any revenue from the 15 per cent share of sales of the chips to China that it negotiated with Nvidia. Then, last week, Trump shocked the US security establishment by announcing that he would allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips to China in return for 25 per cent of the revenue. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia. Nvidia had argued that, with China throwing its entire system behind development of chips that are competitive with Nvidias, including subsidies, cheap electricity and mandated procurement by government agencies, the best strategy for the US was to make China and other countries dependent on US technology and its Nvidia-centric hardware and software ecosystem.

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In effect, Trump traded the prohibition of sales of a technology where the US has a material competitive advantage over China to its main technological, economic and geopolitical rival for dollars. Its not clear that he has the power to do that. Related Article Media & marketing Time magazine names its person of the year for 2025 The administration doesnt have the authority to levy export taxes, which is why it appears it is trying to construct a work-around, with the chips being made in Taiwan, shipped to the US, subjected to a 25 per cent tariff as if they were imports and then, ostensibly after a security review, shipped to China. China, however, while it has advocated for access to the latest US chips, isnt exactly swooning at the opportunity Trump has presented.

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As happened earlier this year in relation to the H20 chips, it would seem China may ban, or at least limit access for its companies, to the H200. That may be because of its own national security concerns  it has expressed fears that US chips might come with embedded kill switches or (and Nvidia has been developing this) a location tracker  but it is more likely driven by the flip side of the US argument that making China more reliant on US technology would hinder the development of its homegrown chips. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. AP China is pursuing self-sufficiency across its economy, including the tech sector. It wants its national champions like Huawei to continue to invest in the research and development that might close the gap with the US. It doesnt want those R&D funds siphoned off by Nvidia and Trump. China has used a less efficient approach to AI than the US, linking hundreds of processors to offset the lower performance of its chips and subsidising the energy required because the chips are less energy-efficient, to close some of that gap and, according to Bloomberg, is considering a new $US70 billion ($105.4 billion) package to support its domestic chipmakers.

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It is almost inconceivable that China would allow its tech sector to become reliant on US chips or take their foot off the pedal in developing domestic alternatives, although it is possible it might selectively allow some purchases of the H200 to help fast-track the training of its AI models. The H200 is about six times more powerful than the H20s Nvidia was previously allowed to sell to China, but the Blackwell chips are far more powerful again. Nvidias next-generation chip, the Rubin, will again raise the bar in terms of speed, memory and efficiency when it is released next year. Thus, while the H200 would narrow the gap, thought to be about two years, between Chinas tech and the bleeding-edge US chips, it is chasing a moving target. It is unlikely that China will deviate from a strategy dedicated to self-sustenance and therefore the $US10 billion to $US15 billion of extra Nvidia sales that analysts think Nvidia might generate if China embraced the opportunity to buy H200s (and $US2.5 billion to $US3.75 billion of revenue for the US government) is unlikely to be realised. Nvidia isnt including any revenue from sales of the chip to China in its own forecasts. Trump is transactional and loves his reputation as a dealmaker. He was willing to trade Ukrainian land, including territory its forces hold, for a profit-sharing deal with Russia. He was prepared to set aside national security concerns for a revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia.

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This story is part of the December 14 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories .

Im sitting in a quiet section of a Sydney photo studio with Aussie actor and new mum Teresa Palmer. At 39 years old, and with more than 40 acting credits under her belt, Palmer positively radiates energy. Shes tired, but shes luminous. Shes simultaneously breastfeeding her new baby, Lotus Bloom, born at home in September, and answering one of my questions about her new film, Addition, when Lotus loudly and spectacularly fills her nappy. Ive never seen so much relief on such a tiny face. Wow, that smells, says Palmer. Sorry, Ill give her to my husband. Mark! she yells across the studio. Somebodys left you a big package! Her husband, American actor, writer and director Mark Webber, glides over, takes the baby and cleans her up with the ease of a parent with six kids. Apart from little Lotus Bloom, theres Bodhi Rain (11), Forest Sage (9), Poet Lake (6) and Prairie Moon (4). Webber also has a 16-year-old son, Isaac Love, from a previous marriage. Given that apart from the children, Palmer also has a blog (Your Zen Mama), a wellness company (Lovewell), a podcast (Mother Daze) and a full calendar of acting roles, I wonder how she fills her cup. The simplest answer, she says, is that she doesnt. But equally, its her children and acting career that really light her up. And when I can blend them, she says, its even better. My kids came to visit me while I was shooting last week and thats my favourite. I get to show my children off to all my friends at work. Palmer kicked off her acting career with an appearance in the 2005 Aussie horror Wolf Creek. But while shes done her fair share of thriller/splatter/slasher movies, shes no scream queen. She was Daniel Radcliffes love interest in the 2007 drama December Boys, and acted alongside Adam Sandler and Guy Pearce in the Disney comedy Bedtime Stories. In 2013, she co-starred with Nicholas Hoult in the cult zombie romance Warm Bodies, and in 2019 she played Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, in Ride Like a Girl. This year, she led the cast of the ABCs adaptation of Sally Hepworths novel The Family Next Door. Palmer says shes attracted to gritty, complex characters that require some deep digging. Theyre the ones that excite me the most, she says. To peel back the different ways that trauma manifests itself in the body  Im really fascinated by characters going through that. I recently got sent a comedy and I was like, Was this meant for me? Have they seen my work?

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The downside? Exhaustion is the main thing, she says. Years ago, I figured out a way to leave the work at work, so I usually listen to a podcast on the way home to reset before I walk in the door. And, you know, nothing quite brings you back to centre like kids. So thats been incredibly helpful. Lucy Folk Eos dress and Mantra pants. Prada shoes. Lucy Folk jewellery. Jedd Cooney Lee Mathews Billie dress. Prada shoes. Jedd Cooney Working really long hours and then coming home, seeing each one of them and finding out about their day  by the time I get into bed, its been hours and hours non-stop. But nothing a good nights sleep cant fix. In Addition, a romantic dramedy in cinemas early next year, Palmer plays Grace Lisa Vandenburg, a 34-year-old mathematician with extreme anxiety and a form of obsessive compulsive disorder which presents as compulsive counting. When we meet Grace, she is recently out of hospital, has lost her job at the university she was working at, and is teaching maths at a local high school. After a couple of encounters with Seamus, a British expat house painter played by Joe Dempsie (Skins, Game of Thrones), she begins a romance that starts off the way many new relationships do, with electrifying physical intensity. And then, as also happens in many new relationships, complications arise. For a start, theres Graces imaginary friend, genius inventor Nikola Tesla, played by Eamon Farren (Twin Peaks, The Dig). He is her lover, companion and tormentor. He is, at the heart of it, a manifestation of her OCD who might, for instance, encourage her to triple-count every one of the 2220 bristles on her toothbrush, causing her to miss a dinner date. Grace can be her weirdest, wildest, craziest, most vulnerable self with him [Tesla] and he accepts her and loves her, says Palmer, jiggling Lotus on her leg.

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Miu Miu top, skirt, socks and loafers. Jedd Cooney When the trailer came out, a lot of people reflected to me that they felt really seen, she adds. People who have OCD tendencies walk through the world in their own unique way. Sometimes that means a romantic relationship is going to be quite nuanced and complex. Diversifying romantic relationships and partnerships and showing that on screen is very important. As Grace, Palmers energy, emotion and physicality are so close to the surface, its almost as if she vibrates, from the first flush of love to greasy flatness as the monotony of coupledom takes over. Grace and I actually have similar levels of energy, says Palmer. Theres a playfulness, chaotic energy and a wildness to her which I can relate to because all of those parts also exist within me, although my life looks so different to hers. I ask Palmer if her kids have an understanding of what she does for a living. They get such a kick out of it, she says. They ask to watch my movies over and over again. My daughter Poet has seen Ride Like a Girl 20 times. Its just been such a fun thing, and now theyve all decided thats what they want to do with their lives. Freedom of choice is important to the actor. Palmers mother, Paula Sanders, a former missionary and nurse, dreamt of working in Calcutta but never did it. Instead, she focused on motherhood. I love her for that, says Palmer, but I also feel grief that she never got to do that thing. I love showing my children that there are ways in which you can do both. Prada tank, skirt and shoes. Jedd Cooney For many years, Webber and Palmer were a bit of a travelling show, living wherever in the world the next project was. But a few years ago, the pair decided to settle permanently in Australia, where theyd be able to give their children the sort of schooling and social life Palmer grew up with.

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So, the family made the move to Byron Bay, initially something of a cultural adjustment for her husband, who was more at home in New York City. Its a long way from the big smoke for him, she says. But the great thing about Byron is that theres a massive artist community, so hes found his people now. Related Article Sunday Life From The Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt found fame and a famous brother-in-law For Palmer, it was more of a professional adjustment, shifting her focus away from the US and towards local roles and production companies, a transition she says hasnt been particularly dramatic. I love Australian storytelling, she says. I love the way we make movies and television shows. Its been really good for the kids  theyre just settling in so well. I think theres a sense of familiarity there, and life balance. The kids are going surfing straight after school and walking around barefoot. And I think its really grounding for them to get back to nature. The big challenge for Palmer in 2026 will be juggling back-to-back jobs. Apart from Poor Boy, a supernatural thriller also starring Guy Pearce and Ann Dowd to be shot in Melbourne, shes also going to be working on a film created by Webber and shot in Australia with a bunch of our friends. The strength and understanding of her family and the relationship dynamic helps her with the juggling act. We just have to figure out the logistics of whether Mark stays with the boys and I take the younger three with me. Ill just do a lot of the travelling back and forth and well juggle it. This year, the family will be spending Christmas in the US with Webbers son, his ex-wife and her new partner, who are currently living in Webber and Palmers LA property. We always do a big Christmas tree in the lounge room, says Palmer. We have a beautiful extended family. Itll be so nice.

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Fifty years after the Dismissal, Gough Whitlam: the Vista of the New, by Troy Bramston, is the first full biography of Whitlam since his death in 2014. Bramston had access to previously unavailable material, personal and archival, and interviewed more than 100 people (including Whitlam, many times). The result is a nuanced biography that celebrates Whitlams personal attributes and policy and legislative achievements without glossing over his shortcomings. He portrays a man of deep conviction, dedicated to social justice reform, but with limited interpersonal skills and a reluctance to take advice. His blow-by-blow description of the circumstances leading to the Dismissal is especially riveting.

Quentin Bryce: the Authorised Biography, by writer and journalist Juliet Rieden, tells the story of how a woman raised in rural Queensland, the first girl from her school to go to university, forged a brilliant career, culminating in her becoming Australias first female governor-general. Bryce married young, had five children in quick succession, and, with the support of her architect husband Michael, worked as a legal academic before taking on senior leadership roles, including as sex discrimination commissioner and governor of Queensland. Rieden portrays a hard-working, family-centred woman with a passion for social justice  especially for women and Indigenous Australians, who called her Pretty Teeth.

Drusilla Modjeskas A Womans Eye, Her Art is a biography of a group of talented women artists working in Europe in the early 20th century. German painter Paula Modersohn-Becker ran away from her family and domesticity to paint in Paris; the gender-fluid Claude Cahun produced revolutionary Surrealist photography; Lee Miller (once Man Rays lover) and Dora Maar (once Pablo Picassos lover) cast off their roles as muses, emerging as talented artists in their own right. Drawing connections between the womens lives and their art, Modjeska explores how they defied convention to produce art that continues to inspire contemporary women artists.

Peacemaker, the biography of Burmese diplomat U Thant, the third secretary-general of the United Nations, by his grandson, historian and writer Thant Myint-U, will appeal to anyone interested in the turbulent geopolitics of the 1960s. Thant, secretary-general from 1961-71, played a critical role (acknowledged by President John F. Kennedy) in the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He was less successful in his attempts to end the Vietnam War, and resolve disputes in the Middle East, and his efforts caused tension with the United States. This biography portrays him as an optimistic, idealistic leader who championed the rights of newly independent African and Asian states in their battle against colonialism.

Elizabeth Harrower, whose (highly acclaimed) novels include The Watch Tower (published here in 1966) and In Certain Circles (2014), may be the best Australian writer youve never heard of. Susan Wyndham, former literary editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, brings her out of the shadows in The Woman in the Watch Tower. Wyndham interviewed Harrower several times before the latters death in 2020, before excavating the archives and conducting multiple interviews to uncover the story of this deeply private woman whose friends included Patrick White and Christina Stead. Wyndham interweaves the story of Harrowers personal life with a close analysis of her work, which explores subjects such as domestic abuse, the impact of childhood tragedy, and tempestuous family relationships. An important contribution to Australias literary history and a great read.

Oliphant, by Australian writer and historian Roland Perry, is about Australian nuclear physicist Mark Oliphant. He (with others) discovered how to build an atomic bomb and then persuaded the British and the Americans to collaborate on the Manhattan Project, the secret program to build atomic weapons during World War II. Perry, who interviewed Oliphant many times, depicts a brilliant, persuasive man with a strong sense of self-belief, whose sole motivation was to defeat the Nazis. After Hiroshima, he experienced feelings of guilt and became involved in anti-nuclear protests and advocacy, which led to him being refused a US visa. A fascinating portrait of a complex and conflicted man.
SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Male bottlenose dolphins with strong friendships age more slowly than their more solitary peers, an Australian-led study has found.

The research by Australia's University of New South Wales (UNSW) reveals for the first time in any non-human species that social bonds can slow ageing at the cellular level, a UNSW media release said Monday.

Dolphins, like humans, experience age-related changes, including reduced energy, wear to the skin, slower movement and fading eyesight. But scientists said they also have access to a powerful, natural anti-ageing serum: their friends, it said.

"We knew social bonds helped animals live longer, but this is the first time we've shown they affect the ageing process," said study lead author Livia Gerber, who conducted the study at UNSW and now works at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia's national science agency.

"Social connections are so important for health that they slow down ageing at the cellular level," Gerber said.

Dolphin friendships often last for decades, with males surfing waves together, resting side-by-side, and forming deep alliances akin to human bonds. In contrast, solitary dolphins face stressful lives, hunting alone, competing for mates without support, and confronting predators solo, accelerating ageing much like in humans, researchers said.

The study analyzed skin tissue samples from 38 bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, the state of Western Australia, to measure their "biological age" using DNA-based epigenetic clocks.

The study, published in Nature Communications Biology, found that male dolphins with stronger, tighter social networks showed slower biological ageing, and therefore likely had easier lives.

"The health benefits of friendship are not unique to humans, but a fundamental biological principle across social mammals," Gerber said, hoping to see similar studies in elephants, primates, wolves and other highly social species. 
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WorldEuropeBondi shooting We know their grief: Bondis trauma feels painfully close to Manchesters Jewish community David Crowe December 15, 2025  8:39am 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. London: Marc Levy can feel the trauma of Australian Jews from the other side of the world  and he believes the terror attack at Bondi Beach must be a line in the sand against religious hatred. It is barely two months since Levy spoke up for his community in Manchester, in northern England, after a terrorist rammed his car into the Heaton Park synagogue and began stabbing worshippers. Marc Levy greeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria at the scene of the attack near the Heaton Synagogue in Manchester in October. Getty Images Levy can guess at the conversations Jewish Australians may be having in Sydney about whether they should leave the country.

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We want to send our love, our solidarity and support, he tells this masthead. We know their grief, trauma and pain. Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, hopes the Jewish community in Sydney recovers just as Heaton Park did. The synagogue did not miss a service despite the attack on Yom Kippur. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack I hope that they have the strength to continue because I know the conversations that will be taking place over dinner tables, he says. People there will be questioning whether their kids have a future there, the same way that weve had those conversations here in the UK.

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What were going through is, tragically, not unique. Jews have been targeted across Europe, in America, and now in Australia, simply because they are Jews, and its very painful. Were very good citizens. Were loyal, we contribute an immense amount to society. And, sadly, people have been radicalised to hate us because of a conflict taking place thousands of miles away. Just as the assailants in Bondi chose a Jewish holy day, Hanukkah, as the date to inflict terror, the killer in Manchester, Jihad Al-Shamie, chose Yom Kippur to attack the synagogue. Al-Shamie, who was born in Syria and given refuge in the UK, killed one man with a knife and wounded several others. He was shot dead at the scene. Another man was killed by a police bullet while attempting to hold the door of the synagogue closed to protect people inside. Obscene levels of hate

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Levy says nobody in his community was surprised by the terrorist attack because they had seen an increase in hatred toward Jews over recent years. He cites the slogan globalise the Intifada as an example of hate because he sees it as calling for attacks on Jewish civilians outside Israel. Weve had to endure obscene levels of hate crime targeting Jewish people going about their daily lives, whether thats in schools, universities, cultural venues, workplaces, even on the streets, he says. While governments are supportive in looking to combat antisemitism, its a very strange world we live in at the minute where people are being radicalised in their own homes. A generation ago, Levy says, extremists in Britain had to sign up for a newsletter to be told who to hate. Now they can be radicalised with a few clicks of a mouse and be told to pick up a knife and murder someone.

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Attacks on Jews surged in Britain after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, and peak groups say the data shows the increase began before the Israeli government responded to the attack. The Community Security Trust, which tracks antisemitism, says the annual count rose from 1662 to 4296 attacks in the year to the end of 2023. The Heaton Park synagogue gained enormous support after the attack. King Charles visited soon afterwards to talk to victims, as did Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. Levy praises the British Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, for the strength of her support. Rabbi Daniel Walker and King Charles during a visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester in October. Getty However, he says political leaders and the media still need to do more to stop antisemitism.

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He also worries that there is no meaningful dialogue between the Jewish community and the Muslim community in the UK to try to curb religious hatred. Weve made several overtures to the Manchester mosques, who are our equivalents in the Muslim community, and they wont meet with us because were Zionists, he says. Related Article Antisemitism Manchester attacks spark bitter domestic recriminations Theyre not prepared to meet with the overwhelming majority of Jews simply because of our beliefs, instead of looking to find a way to understand where both communities are coming from so that this conflict doesnt play out on our streets. Levy hopes that Australia treats the Bondi attack as a line in the sand so the community rejects the religious hatred that leads to terrorism.

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We need people to start listening and understanding that antisemitism is out of control, he says. Its manifesting itself right across the whole of society. Until government and the media and prominent people actually understand that, and seek to work so that they dont import this conflict onto the streets, then nothings going to change. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Six teenagers were injured in a shooting outside a party venue in New York City early Sunday, police said.

The gunfire erupted at around 1:00 a.m. local time after a birthday party ended at an event space in the Cypress Hills neighborhood, Brooklyn, a spokesperson of New York City police said.

The wounded, aged 15 to 17, were taken to hospitals and are all in stable condition, police said.

Jessica Tisch, New York Police Department commissioner, told a press conference that security camera footage showed two unidentified men walking toward the venue before opening fire on the crowd.

"Both individuals displayed firearms and discharged multiple rounds toward a crowd gathered outside the venue," she said, adding the suspects then fled on foot.

Tisch said that the exact motive is currently unknown but it appears to be gang-related.

Investigations are underway, police said. 
MANILA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it has approved a 24.4-million-U.S.-dollar grant to rehabilitate Port Vila's wharf road in Vanuatu, which was severely damaged by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in 2024.

ADB said the financing will restore critical road access to wharves by upgrading the wharf road, Vanuatu's main trade and tourism gateway, with disaster-resilient features to reduce risks from landslides and tropical cyclones.

The earthquake that struck Vanuatu last December caused massive damage to infrastructure across the country, including schools, health facilities, airstrips, and roads.

The destruction of Port Vila's wharf road led to its closure, disrupting shipping, trade, and tourism, and hindering recovery efforts.

Vanuatu is highly vulnerable to natural hazards, such as earthquakes and tropical cyclones. The concentration of homes in low-lying areas and major road networks along coastal zones further compounds disaster risks and exposure. 
This file photo taken on Nov. 16, 2025 shows Jose Antonio Kast, candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, speaking after confirming his entry into the second round of the presidential election, in Santiago, Chile. Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Str/Xinhua)

SANTIAGO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Jose Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the far-right Republican Party, won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday.

According to Chile's Electoral Service, with 99.33 percent of the votes counted in the run-off, Kast won 58.18 percent, compared with 41.82 percent for Jeannette Jara, candidate of Chile's ruling left-wing coalition.

Jara conceded defeat to Kast and congratulated him on social media on Sunday. The current president, Gabriel Boric, also congratulated him on his victory.

Kast, 59, will take office on March 11, 2026. During the election campaign, he focused his policy efforts on public security, advocating building high-security prisons and increasing punishment for criminal groups to maintain law and order.

He also plans to deport illegal immigrants on a large scale and strengthen control over border areas.

The voting in the runoff began at 8 a.m. local time (1100 GMT) and ended at 6 p.m. (2100 GMT), with more than 15 million registered voters.

No candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round on Nov. 16, which meant Jara and Kast, who had won 26.85 percent and 23.92 percent of the votes, respectively, advanced to the runoff. 

Chile's leftist candidate Jeannette Jara (C, front) speaks after losing the second round of the presidential election in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)

Supporters of Jose Antonio Kast, candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, celebrate his winning in the presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)

Jose Antonio Kast, candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, speaks after winning the second round of the presidential election in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)

Jose Antonio Kast, candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, speaks after winning the second round of the presidential election in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)

Jose Antonio Kast (R, front), candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, gestures to supporters with his wife (L, front) after winning the second round of the presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)

Supporters of Jose Antonio Kast, candidate of Chilean far-right Republican Party, celebrate his winning in the presidential election, in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 14, 2025.

Jose Antonio Kast won the Chilean presidential runoff election, becoming the country's new president, said the electoral authorities on Sunday. (Xinhua)
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday confirmed to the media that the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on the Cambodia-Thailand situation, initially scheduled for Dec. 16, has been postponed to Dec. 22 at the request of Thailand.

The convening of the Special AMM is a follow-up to the decision of the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand in an effort to address the situation between the latter two countries, the ministry added. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78..

Tonight

Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78.
by Xinhua writer Liu Shuchen

BAKU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's upcoming development blueprint for the next five years offers valuable insights for sustainable development and long-term economic transformation for Global South countries, said an Azerbaijani analyst.

"I would like to highlight the effective and forward-looking development pathway of China," said Shahmar Hajiyev, head of department at the Center of Analysis of International Relations, an Azerbaijani think tank.

The recommendations of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, provide a reference for Global South countries seeking modernization, he said in an interview with Xinhua.

He observed that the concept of the Global South has gained prominence as these countries emerge as major actors in global economics, and stressed that mutual learning in renewable energy, climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure is essential for their collective future.

Referring to the document's call to ensure "safe, resilient and sustainable" infrastructure and to upgrade traditional infrastructure with "digital and intelligent technologies," Hajiyev deemed it crucial for Global South countries to develop a modernized infrastructure system.

"Building environmentally responsible pathways to modernization -- supported by technological cooperation, digital innovation, and expanded knowledge-sharing networks -- will unlock new opportunities for all our nations," he said.

Deepening cooperation and realizing shared potential is paramount for the Global South, he said, noting that in a world of rapid transformation and shifting geopolitics, the capacity to exchange knowledge and learn from one another would determine the future of development and stability.

"Azerbaijan is increasingly engaged in cooperation with China in green technologies, including photovoltaics and electric vehicles. Chinese companies are already participating in renewable energy projects across Azerbaijan," he said.

Citing the document's emphasis on "pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation," Hajiyev underscored the effective strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China.

Azerbaijan's strategic location within the Middle Corridor is vital for realizing the full potential of the initiative, he said, noting that Azerbaijan joined the Belt and Road Initiative to diversify its economy and enhance connectivity.

Given the initiative's focus on development and economic growth rather than political leverage, it is viewed as a pragmatic pathway for regional economic integration, he said.

"Achieving sustainable, multifaceted growth that benefits Eurasia's large population, without imposing political conditions, is essential," he said. "Such an approach is likely to attract additional states to participate in the initiative, thereby enhancing its overall value and effectiveness." 
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei is pictured during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Dec. 14, 2025. Iran is facing parties on its nuclear issue that have demonstrated a lack of respect for negotiation and diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran is facing parties on its nuclear issue that have demonstrated a lack of respect for negotiation and diplomacy, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday.

Baghaei made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran when responding to a question about the possibility of resuming nuclear talks with the United States amid Israel's continuous threats to attack Iran.

"Iran has proved its power in different areas very well, and diplomacy is one of our tools to protect our national interests," he said, adding that Tehran would employ diplomacy whenever necessary and when conditions are appropriate.

"However, we are faced with parties that have demonstrated that they do not value negotiation and diplomacy. Iran has kept its armed forces fully prepared to deal with any event and any adventurism," he said.

Baghaei said other parties were fully aware of Iran's capabilities and capacities, and had no ambiguity in that regard.

Iran and the United States had held five rounds of indirect Oman-mediated talks on Tehran's nuclear program earlier in the year, and were about to hold the sixth one when Israel launched major surprise airstrikes on several areas in Iran on June 13, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

On June 22, U.S. forces bombed the three Iranian nuclear facilities of Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

Following the attacks, Iran suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under a parliamentary law in late June, citing the agency's failure to condemn Israeli and U.S. attacks, as well as concerns over the safety of its nuclear facilities and scientists.

The IAEA has since kept calling on Iran to let its inspectors return to the country and resume inspections of nuclear facilities, including the bombed ones, a request renewed recently by the agency's Director General Rafael Grossi in an interview with an Argentine newspaper.

In response, Baghaei said Grossi had repeatedly made the same remarks, which would not change the existing realities.

Iran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has proved its commitment to the safeguards agreement with the IAEA, and is fully aware of its obligations, urging the agency's chief to adhere to his technical mandate, he said. 
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China deplores and firmly opposes certain country blatantly making false accusations against Hong Kong's judicial affairs, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Jimmy Lai's verdict by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which was criticized by Britain and some NGOs.

Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, was found guilty on Monday on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

"Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The central government firmly supports Hong Kong in safeguarding national security and punishing crimes that endanger national security in accordance with the law," Guo said.

Judicial authorities in Hong Kong fulfill their duties, safeguard the authority of the law and defend national security in accordance with the law, Guo said, adding that this is justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach.

"The relevant judicial case is purely Hong Kong's internal affair. We urge relevant country to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and refrain from making irresponsible remarks on the trial of judicial cases in Hong Kong or meddling in Hong Kong's judicial affairs and interfering in China's internal affairs in any form," he said. 
The US-UK trade deal on medicines signed this month is touted by the Labour government as a world-beating deal, under which tens of thousands of NHS patients will benefit. Far from the rosy picture, the deal could cause over 15,000 deaths a year, leaving the National Health Service with additional annual debt of up to 3 billion.

US President Donald Trumps global trade war threatened to impose tariffs on drug imports of up to 100 percent, including from UK firms, if the NHS did not pay higher prices to purchase US drugs and relocate and invest in US pharma companies. Pharmaceutical giants themselves threatened to withdraw investment from Britain if Keir Starmers government did not agree to pay more for medicines.

On December 1, the UK agreed a deal which will increase the upper threshold for which it can buy new medicines by 25 percent. The deal allows for more expensive drugs to be approved such as breakthrough cancer medicines, but, without additional funding, will mean non branded medicines that millions rely on may not be affordable due to anticipated increase in NHS budgetary demands.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle claimed the deal guarantees UK pharmaceutical exports worth at least 5 billion a year will enter the US tariff-free for a three-year period.

The repayment rates on NHS drug spending will be lowered from 22.9 percent to 15 percent from 2026. This is the amount drug firms pay back to the NHS to ensure it does not overspend its allocated budget for branded medicines.

Karl Claxton, professor of health economics, and a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) representative, responded to the deal stating: If the NHS ultimately picks up the bill, we can expect 15,971 additional deaths and 352,000 years of life in good health to be lost each year.

He added: This is a catastrophe for all NHS patients. We would expect the greatest impact on reduced survival for patients with cancer, circulatory, respiratory, and gastro-intestinal diseases, and significant impacts on the quality of life for patients suffering from respiratory, gastro-intestinal, endocrine, neurological, muscular skeletal and mental health problems.

We can also expect considerable negative impacts on the economy. A conservative estimate would be a loss of 6 billion with larger long-term effects. We also know that this will have an impact on the Adult Social Care sector, increasing local authority costs by 130 million each year.

The estimate is based on modelling of NHS expenditure and outcomes over many years: increasing drug spending diverts resources from other types of caregeneral services, staff, diagnostics, treatments for common conditionswhich could reduce survival rates or quality of life for many patients.

To force the deal, large pharmaceutical companies are holding the NHS to ransom. British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZenecawith major shareholders including BlackRock, Vanguard, Capital Research, and Swedens Investor ABannounced in October it was raising its planned investment in one of its US manufacturing sites to 3.3 billion as part of a commitment to bring critical medicine production into the country.

Together with Lilly and Merck, the company paused more than 1.3 billion of investment into Britain in the last year in its dispute over NHS value for money thresholds.

Merck scrapped a 900 million research and development centre it had started building in Britain. AstraZeneca then paused a 170 million investment in its Cambridge research site. This all came after the January cancellation of a planned new 390 million vaccine production centre in Speke, Liverpool.

Three petitions objecting the proposed plans were handed in to the government this October, signed by over 300,000 people.

Global Justice Now, one of the organisers of the petition, warned the government the deal would force the health service to go broke. Diarmaid McDonald, director of Just Treatment, said, This is daylight robbery of the NHS. Its a clear attempt to shake down the UK taxpayer for as much money as possible and will take precious funds away from other vital NHS care.

According to the Guardian, so far this year some of the biggest pharmaceutical corporations in the world have withdrawn about 2 billion in proposed investment from the UK. One has even threatened to withhold new medicines from NHS patients.

In his General Terms for the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal tariff pact agreed to in May 2025 with Trump, Starmer pledged to improve the overall environment for pharmaceutical companiesthat is to funnel more money into the pockets of global corporations at the expense of patients lives and well-being. Trump has now called in Starmers offer, with the pharmaceutical giants sniffing an opportunity to boost their already vast profits.

Starmer has rejected repeated protests, opposition and research from the health and scientific community in order to cement his relations with the Trump administration. In November, experts from across health, academia, and civil society penned an open letter to Keir Starmer calling for an urgent pause on the plans.

The signatories stated they were extremely concerned that the widely reported relentless pressure from multiple pharmaceutical corporations and the White House will lead to a deal that worsens patient outcomes, damages the NHS, and fails to serve the economic and scientific interests of the UK.

They continued: Big Pharma is attempting to create a false equivalence between the prices the NHS pays and whether the UK is a good place to invest. The reality is there is no connection and pharmaceutical companies are using this as a cynical attempt to drain yet more billions from our NHS. This money should be invested into our healthcare systems, frontline workers and staff, and lifesaving research  not used to make rich shareholders richer.

For the Starmer government the US trade deal was an attempt to secure an advantage over Europe in its dealings with America. The pharmaceuticals scandal makes clear that any favourable treatment secured by Labour was won by selling the working class down the river.

Moreover, the further leeching of funds from the NHS by global corporations is being facilitated by Labours privatisation programme. Health Minister Wes Streeting and Starmer have repeatedly denounced NHS workers, such as striking resident doctors, for opposing their agenda.

Streeting made clear his vitriolic hostility to public health funding keeping pace with historic norms by stating, Im not prepared to pour money into a black hole, and we are not going to have a something-for-nothing culture in the NHS with Labour. The health service on which millions rely was going to have to get used to the fact that money is tight.

Labours 10-Year Plansold as making the NHS fit for the futureis a blueprint for cuts, soaring workloads, and accelerated privatisation. Streeting is already preparing to drown the NHS in debt by reviving the disastrous PFI [Private Finance Initiative] schemes used widely by the 1997 Blair Labour government, funnelling tens of billions more into private hands.

Claims made by Streeting that no NHS services will be cut to fund the zero-tariff pharmaceutical deal with the US are worthless lies. Workers must counter the race-to-the-bottom trade war of the ruling class with their own unified struggle against global capitalismwhich subordinates all basic human needs to profitswaged on the basis of a socialist programme.

For more information visit NHS FightBack. Healthworkers contact us on the form below about the situation in your workplace.
The United States is experiencing its most severe measles outbreak in over 30 years, exposing the consequences of a sustained assault on public health. The rapid rise in cases in South Carolina, following earlier explosive outbreaks in Texas, threatens to end the countrys 25-year status of measles eliminationa milestone achieved in 2000 through universal vaccination.

As of mid-December 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,912 measles cases nationwide. This surpasses the peak of the 2019 outbreak and represents a staggering 571 percent increase over 2024 totals. While the resurgence is concentrated in areas where vaccination rates have sharply declined, its implications are national: the reestablishment of endemic measles in the United States would represent a historic public health failure.

South Carolina has emerged as the location of a second major wave of transmission in the latter half of 2025, demonstrating how quickly measles spreads once community immunity is breached. By December 12, the state had confirmed 126 cases, overwhelmingly concentrated in Spartanburg County, a region that voted heavily for Donald Trump in the previous election. This political geography reflects the social terrain in which vaccine refusal has been cultivated.

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the outbreak accelerated sharply. State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell described transmission as concerning and accelerating, with 27 new cases reported between December 5 and December 9, the highest weekly increase to date. A major amplification site was the Way of Truth Church in Inman, which alone accounted for 16 new cases in a single week. Additional exposures occurred through households, schools and healthcare facilities.

As a result, at least 254 individuals were placed under mandatory 21-day quarantine by December 10, with 16 isolated due to confirmed illness. These measures, disruptive and costly, underscore the preventable nature of the outbreak.

At its core, the South Carolina crisis is driven by widening immunity gaps. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage among students fell from 96 percent in 2020 to 93.5 percent in the 2024-2025 school year, below the critical 95 percent threshold required to prevent sustained transmission. Of 111 cases reported through December 9, 105, or 95 percent, occurred in unvaccinated individuals.

Children have borne the brunt of the outbreak. Seventy-five cases, or 60 percent, involved school-aged children between five and 17 years old, highlighting the central role schools play in amplifying transmission when vaccination rates fall. This pattern mirrors what has been observed repeatedly during COVID-19 and seasonal influenza waves, where policy decisions sacrificed childrens health to political expediency.

Despite active transmission, public health efforts to increase vaccination have met stiff resistance. Mobile vaccination clinics deployed by the state administered only a small number of doses, a failure Dr. Bell attributed directly to entrenched vaccine hesitancy. This hesitancy is not simply a matter of individual choice but the product of years of systematic misinformation, right-wing anti-vaccine campaigns and the erosion of trust in public health institutions.

The South Carolina outbreak is part of a broader national emergency. Earlier in 2025, a massive outbreak in under-vaccinated, close-knit communities in West Texas produced 803 cases before spreading to other regions, including a sustained outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border, which recorded 258 cases by early December.

The United States measles elimination status now hangs in the balance. Under international criteria, elimination is defined as the absence of continuous transmission for 12 months or longer. The deadline for determining the status of the US is January 20, 2026exactly one year after the Texas outbreak began.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will determine whether US health authorities can demonstrate that the outbreaks resulted from multiple unrelated importations rather than a single continuous chain of transmission. However, as epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm has bluntly stated, the house is already on fire, regardless of the formal designation.

The crisis extends beyond US borders. Canada formally lost its measles elimination status in November 2025 after recording more than 5,162 cases in a prolonged outbreak centered in religious communities with low vaccination rates. This loss triggered the revocation of measles-free status for the entire Americas region. Across the hemisphere, nearly 12,600 cases have been reported in 10 countries, with the overwhelming majority concentrated in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The human cost has already been severe. Three deaths have been confirmed in the United Statesthe first measles fatalities since 2015including two unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico. More than 214 hospitalizations have occurred nationwide, disproportionately affecting children under five.

Measles is an airborne virus requiring negative-pressure isolation rooms for treatment, placing extraordinary strain on hospitals. Complications are common and severe: pneumonia affects approximately 12.5 percent of hospitalized patients, and the virus causes profound immunosuppressionoften termed immune amnesiathat leaves survivors vulnerable to other infections for years.

These outbreaks are the predictable outcome of declining vaccination coverage, chronic underfunding of public health infrastructure, and increasingly reactionary and anti-scientific conceptions promoted by the state and the capitalist oligarchy. National MMR coverage among kindergarteners fell to 92.5 percent in the 202425 school year, while vaccine exemptions reached a record 3.6 percent.

This erosion has been accelerated by workforce reductions and funding cuts imposed in early 2025, combined with dangerously unscientific federal messaging. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged that the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles while promoting unproven treatments such as Vitamin A and presiding over deep public health cuts.

More broadly, the measles resurgence must be understood in the context of a systematic political assault on vaccination itself. Recent actions by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including its rollback of universal newborn Hepatitis B vaccination, signal the elimination of evidence-based prevention. The elevation of figures such as Martin Kulldorff, Jay Bhattacharya, Beth Hoeg and Ralph Abrahamwho have consistently downplayed infectious disease risks and opposed population-level interventionsreflects a broader shift toward policies that normalize mass illness and death.

The return of measles is especially tragic because it is entirely preventable. The vaccine, developed and improved in the 1960s, is safe, effective and has saved millions of lives globally. What is unfolding is the deliberate assault on science by a social and political system that subordinates public health to ideology, austerity, and authoritarian impulses.

As with COVID-19, the danger lies not solely in the pathogen itself but in the social conditions that allow it to spread unchecked. The resurgence of measles is a warning. Unless the anti-public health trajectory is halted and reversed, measles will not be the last disease to reclaim territory once secured by decades of collective scientific and social progress.

The Trump administration, in its rampage against science, represents a qualitative development, but in its assault on public health, as its assault on social programs and democratic rights, it is acting on behalf of the capitalist oligarchy. And it is building on decades of policy, under both Democrats and Republicans, to systematically dismantle protections against illness. The Biden administrations let it rip policy during the pandemicending masking, testing and even basic data reportingpaved the way for the further normalization of mass infection and death.

As David North, international editorial board chairman of the World Socialist Web Site, declared in the announcement of the launch of Socialism AI:

... the working class must not cede the field of technology to the oligarchy. Under the rule of this reactionary social layer, which comprises an infinitesimal fraction of the worlds population, science itself is under siege. The capitalist state is becoming a fortress of every form of backwardness and obscurantism. If present trends persist, it may not be long before vaccines are replaced with leeches and inoculation with bleeding.

The tools to prevent catastrophe exist. The science exists. The resources exist. Indeed, Socialism AI represents the opposite trajectory. It uses the most advanced technologies to arm workers and youth with the knowledge and scientific understanding necessary to fight capitalist exploitation and its consequences. It is a powerful tool for building a global movement to take control of society out of the hands of the oligarchy and place it into the hands of the working class.

What is required is the development of a mass revolutionary movement of the working class, aimed at ending a social order that subordinates life to profitand building a socialist society that places public health, human need and scientific progress at its foundation.
Activists confronted a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the largely Somali neighborhood of Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 [AP Photo/Mark Vancleave]

In their latest update, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that over 400 people have been taken in ongoing kidnapping operations led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

As has been the case throughout the United States, federal immigration agents are not conducting targeted operations focused on alleged criminals but are instead going on fishing expeditions, targeting workers on the job in public settings.

In one of several flashpoints in the last week between ICE agents and local community members, this past Saturday, dozens of people responded to ICE agents attempting to kidnap construction workers building homes in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a city located about 15 miles southwest of Minneapolis. The two workers were trapped on the roof for hours leading one of them to be hospitalized.

In a video livestreamed on Facebook, dozens of workers and residents are seen confronting ICE agents who have surrounded a home currently under construction. Under sub-freezing temperatures and through bundled jackets, anti-ICE protesters cursed the agents and lent their support to two workers trapped on the roof. One man is heard in the video telling the Gestapo, You are a fucking monster, you and all you people are fucking monsters. Putting people in concentration camps for being brown.

One of the masked ICE agents replied to the man, You dont have to be like that, which drew the quick retort, No! You dont have to be here!

Another woman told agents the workers, They are our community. They are a part of us. She added, Thank you for building our houses! Thank you!

Another man questioned the agents, What crime did they do? You guys cant tell us. You are not going after the real criminals.

ICE agents surround construction workers building homes in Chanhassen on a frigid Saturday morning, December 13. Dozens of community members confronted and surrounded the ICE agents [Photo: Miranda Ann]

Later on in the video a man arrives with hot coffee, We got coffee, not for cops, but for people who know their rights. Temperatures at the time were negative 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 Celsius).



One of the workers on the roof was brought down and taken into an ambulance along with an ICE agent. The second worker came down later and was apparently not detained by ICE.

Throughout the entire confrontation ICE agents rotated in and out of their warm vehicles while local police provided crowd control, protecting the ICE agents while at the same time preventing community members from providing aid to the trapped workers.

While the workers trapped by ICE on Saturday appeared to be Hispanic, the Trump administration has made clear that Somalis, regardless of immigration status, are being deliberately targeted by the government. For over two weeks, President Donald Trump and other top officials in his administration, have used racist and genocidal language to slander all people of Somali heritage, particularly those in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the largest concentration of Somali-Americans in the US.

Speaking from the White House on Friday, Trump said of Somalis, they dont have a country, all they do is kill each other. Referring to Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, a frequent target of Trump and the fascists due to her Somali heritage and Muslim faith, Trump said, There is nothing worse than a person who comes in and does nothing but bitch. And comes from a place where she shouldnt be telling us what to do.



That same day, on one of his many Fox News appearances in the last week, fascist White House adviser Stephen Miller accused the entire Somali community of engaging in massive, endemic, systemic fraud against American taxpayers for years. Miller claimed that 90 percent of Somali households with children were on federal welfare, the real number is probably 100 percent.

Encouraged by the fascists in the White House, immigration agents in Minnesota have been assaulting and kidnapping Somali Americans. On December 9, 20-year-old Somali-American citizen Mubashir was assaulted by ICE agents after he stepped outside during his lunch break while at work. In security footage, agents are seen grabbing and pulling on Mubashir for roughly a minute. Soon, members of the community come into frame and begin filming the ICE agents and blowing whistles.

The ICE thugs decide to drag Mubashir out into the street. Before shoving the handcuffed citizen into the back of their SUV with black tinted windows, one of the ICE thugs is seen putting Mubashir in a headlock and forcing him to the ground in the snow.

Speaking at press conference this past Wednesday, Mubashir said he told agents he was a US citizen and repeatedly asked what was going on. The agents, didnt seem to care. Mubashir was not accused of any crime before ICE agents attacked him.



Mubashir said he did not flee from agents, and that at first he did not see them. All I did was turn around. When I seen a black-topped car pull up, I just turned around to go back inside the office.

I could see him behind me just running towards me. He pushed me inside the restaurant. I thought it was random person assaulting me or kidnapping me.



Mubashir explained that the ICE agent, never identified himself, he didnt say ICE stop. I feel like I was getting assaulted, I was getting kidnapped, and thats exactly what it was.

After he was taken into ICE custody, agents demanded Mubashir allow them to photograph and scan his face, which he refused. Mubashir said he repeatedly offered the agents multiple ways to verify his citizenship, including providing his name, date of birth and a photo of his passport. The agents eventually accepted the fact he was a US citizen at which point Mubashir asked them, Can you take me back to where you picked me up from? They said No, you have to walk in the snow.

Mubashir is one of hundreds of US citizens that have been assaulted and kidnapped by ICE this year. The week before Mubashir was taken, Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old citizen, was seized and detained by ICE agents for over five hours for having the temerity to record ICE kidnapping operations.

In an interview that aired over the weekend, Rep. Omar revealed that her son, an American citizen was also recently targeted by ICE. This past Friday, Omar sent a letter to DHS accusing the agency of engaging in blatant racial profiling and an egregious level of unnecessary force.

In the interview, Omar detailed how her son has already had two separate interactions with ICE agents. The first occurred last week when agents menaced a restaurant her 20-year-old frequently eats at, along with other members of the community. Omar said the agents came into the restaurant and then left.

Omar then revealed that roughly a week later, on Saturday, December 13, her son was pulled over by ICE after stopping at Target. Omar said agents briefly held him, but that once he was able to produce his passport ID they did let him go.

In response to Trumps attacks on her, her family and other Somalis, Omar said Trump was creepy and accused him of scapegoating the community to deflect from the failures of his presidency.

Omar said Trump, doesnt want to answer for the possible war crimes of shooting down those boats in the Caribbean. He does not want any conversations about releasing the Epstein files, he wants to continue to protect pedophiles.

The Democratic congresswoman did not propose any concrete actions to oppose ICE operations or remove Trump from the White House. In an op-ed published Saturday by MS Now, Omar detailed some of the many crimes ICE agents have conducted but did not call for any criminal investigations, much less a mass political struggle to take down the Trump government.
25 years ago: Chinese security officials sequester strike leader in psychiatric hospital

Fearing the potential of massive worker unrest, Chinese authorities moved to crush a month-long strike at the Fuming County Silk Factory and block the creation of an independent workers organization there. On December 15, 2000just one day after strike leader Cao Maobing spoke publicly to international mediamanagement and police in Jiangsu Province seized the 47-year-old electrician and rank-and-file leader, committing him to a psychiatric hospital.

Without producing a shred of evidence, factory management and the police cited an alleged prior mental health diagnosis to justify Caos detention. His coworkers, however, denounced the confinement as blatant political persecution for his leadership role in the strike and for his growing authority among them.

Factory in China at the Yangtze River [Photo by High Contrast / CC BY 2.0

Cao vocalized rank-and-file anger toward both management and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), which nominally represented workers at the silk mill. When silk workers had first appealed their grievance to the official trade union for support, they received only empty promises. In response, workers launched a wildcat strike over unpaid wages, pensions, and food subsidies, and drafted a petition declaring their intent to form an independent organization at the plant. After ACFTU officials denied this request, the workers picketed the local headquarters, proclaiming the slogans, We demand the right to elect our own leaders, and The official trade union of China has not spoken for workers.

The bureaucracys fear of the working class was well-founded. Even during the government-approved strike-breaking operation at Fuming County Silk Factory, over 1,000 workers at a fertilizer plant surrounded local government buildings to obtain pay and pension benefits after being laid off. Brewery and paper mill employees threatened to organize similar protests if their demands were refused. Cao warned, If the workers real problems are not dealt with, the situation will explode.

The Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) restoration of capitalism over the preceding years had wreaked havoc on workers living standards, turning them into a source of cheap labor for international capital. The closure and privatization of state-owned enterprises destroyed millions of jobs and resulted in the theft of wages, pensions and other benefits.

Chinese workers responded by mounting a wave of militant protests, leading to over 120,000 recorded labor disputes in 2000. Any working class leaders, like Cao, who threatened to upend the pro-CCP ACFTU and its labor peace with management, were inevitably targeted for defending the interests of the rank-and-file.

50 years ago: Algeria deports 350,000 Moroccans

On December 18, 1975, the Algerian military government of President Houari Boumediene ordered the mass expulsion of Moroccan nationals from Algeria. Around 350,000 people were forced from their homes and deported across the border.

The move came in response to Moroccos recent annexation of Western Sahara. In November, King Hassan II had staged the Green March, sending 350,000 unarmed civilians into the disputed Spanish colony to assert sovereignty after Spains withdrawal. The annexation was formalized through the Madrid Accords, signed amid Spains internal turmoil following the death of dictator Francisco Franco. Eager to avoid an expensive colonial war, Spain hastily ceded control to Morocco.

Houari Boumediene

The Madrid Accords excluded both Algeria and the indigenous Sahrawi population. In retaliation, Algeria began political and military support for the Sahrawi independence movement, the Polisario Front. Algerias mass expulsion of Moroccans marked a major escalation, timed to coincide with the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Up to 45,000 familiesmen, women, and childrenwere rounded up, given minutes to gather belongings, and stripped of property and livelihood. Families were divided as Moroccan husbands or children were expelled while Algerian spouses were forced to remain behind. Many deportees had lived in Algeria for generations, integrated into its economy and culture but denied citizenship and political rights. Most were not political activists but ordinary workers and small business owners who suddenly became refugees. Driven to the border in successive waves over two months, they were left on the Moroccan side with no shelter or resources, often in a country they barely knew.

The crisis deepened regional hostility. Algeria intensified its aid to the Polisario Front, and tensions persisted for years. Free movement across the border and family reunifications did not resume until 1983.

75 years ago: Truman announces US national emergency

On December 16, 1950, President Harry S. Truman signed Presidential Proclamation 2914, formally declaring a state of national emergency and directing that the military, naval, air, and civilian defenses of this country be strengthened as speedily as possible. Truman had announced the measure on the radio the night before, invoking the great danger he claimed flowed from the Soviet Union. The proclamation further attempted to justify the invocation of national emergency with the grave threat to the peace of the world posed by the Korean War and so-called communist imperialism.

Truman signing Cold War "state of national emergency" order on December 16, 1950.

In reality, it was principally the United Statesalong with its imperialist alliesthat were relentlessly pursuing ambitions in East Asia through an increasingly aggressive war effort. Truman had approved the National Security Report 68 in September, which resulted in a massive expansion of US military capabilities, including a tripling of the defense budget and doubling of military personnel.

But the defeats suffered by US forces in Korea during November and December prompted an even sharper use of wartime measures, including on the domestic front. General Douglas MacArthur, commander of the US-led forces in Korea, stated a few weeks before that there now existed a state of undeclared war between the Chinese Communists and the United States forces. Trumans response to the US defeats in North Korea caused by Chinas involvement was to begin active consideration for the use of the atomic bomb against both countries.

The declaration was aimed at consolidating emergency powers to prosecute the war effort in anticipation of widespread anti-war sentiment. Proclamation 2914 contained numerous passages of Truman summoning citizens, farmers, workers, and the entire population to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for the welfare of the Nation. But public support for Americas involvement with the Korean War had dropped substantially in the months since it began, with particularly strong opposition to the proposal of dropping an atomic bomb on Korea.

The official state of national emergency remained in force until September 1978, when the US Congress passed the National Emergencies Act to terminate all previous national emergencies.

100 years: Fourteenth Congress of the Russian Communist Party formally adopts socialism in one country

At the 14th Congress of the All-Union Communist Party, which opened in Moscow on December 18, 1925, the Stalin-Bukharin leadership formally embraced the anti-Marxist theory of socialism in one country, proclaiming the USSR a self-sufficient economic unit building socialism. In practice, this orientation sanctioned a deeper adaptation to market forces and to the wealthier strata of the peasantry.

The shift found its clearest expression in Stalins economic program, developed with Nikolai Bukharin, which called for allowing the wealthier layers of the peasantrythe kulaksto enrich themselves. This was justified as a means of creating demand for industrial goods and thereby, supposedly, stimulating a protracted, market-led development of Soviet industry. From the standpoint of class relations, the strengthening of the kulaks provided a useful social buffer for the growing party-state bureaucracy against the urban working class.

April 1925 Kremlin photograph showing the top Soviet leadership after Lenins death. From left to right, Joseph Stalin (General Secretary of the Communist Party), Alexei Rykov (head of government), Lev Kamenev (deputy head of government), and Grigory Zinoviev (head of the Comintern)

Trotsky and the Left Opposition had warned that the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1921 as a temporary necessity to revive the economy after war, revolution and civil war, carried inherent dangers by permitting the resurgence of capitalist tendencies in the countryside. Trotsky counterposed a program of rapid industrialization, the strengthening of the proletariat, and an international revolutionary strategy aimed at mobilizing the global working class to assist the embattled Soviet workers state.

Trotskys warnings were vindicated. The policies adopted by the 14th Congress would soon have disastrous consequences. As the kulaks consolidated their position, they came to dominate grain markets, depriving the Soviet state of the grain necessary to feed the cities and to export abroad. Faced with this deepening crisis, Stalin abruptly reversed course in 1928, initiating repression and the catastrophic policy of forced collectivization.

The congress itself was a contentious and embittered gathering, and it marked the first time that a majority of a Bolshevik congress gave open adulation to Stalin. It was also the first congress at which Stalin delivered the main political report. Trotsky, though reelected to the Politburo, was ill and unable to attend, and his position had already been marginalized. Meanwhile, Stalins faction opened an offensive against the New Opposition of Grigorii Zinoviev, who had previously allied with Stalin against Trotsky and the Left Opposition.
If a person walks two miles east, two miles west, two miles north and two miles south, where will he or she end up?

Ask AI, ask anyone .

He or she will end up back where he or she started because the two miles east and two miles west cancel each other out, as do the two miles north and two miles south, resulting in zero net displacement on a flat plane.

Ayo Edebiri and Julia Roberts in After the Hunt

This is the general experience of After the Hunt, directed by Luca Guadagnino, with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg, Ayo Edebiri and Chloe Sevigny. It sets out the various sides in an episode where a sexual assault has been alleged with such even-handedness that drawing larger conclusions is challenging. The various ambiguities remain largely that, ambiguities.

The film is set on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut. It opens in September 2019.

Alma Imhoff (Roberts), a philosophy professor, is married to calm, Zen-like therapist Frederik Mendelssohn (Stuhlbarg). She has recently returned to work, and obviously still suffers from either anxiety, a serious medical problem, or both.

Alma is good friends withand a former lover ofcombustible younger colleague Hank Gibson (Garfield), and both are up for tenure (Its just a threshold to more freedom). The day after an alcohol-soaked party at Alma and Fredericks, Maggie Resnick (Edebiri), a promising black PhD student from a wealthy, donor family, shows up outside their house and alleges that Hank assaulted her the previous night.

-He crossed the line. He kept going after I said no.

-But what actually happened?

-Why do you need to know? He assaulted me. Does it need to get worse than that?

Hank strenuously denies the incident (an utter fabrication), insisting that Maggie is revenging herself on him because he accused her of plagiarizing her dissertation. She is also involved with a non-binary partner, Alex (Lio Mehiel).

Both Maggie and Hank ask for Almas support. He gets summarily fired, prior to any inquiry. Alma seems caught in the crossfire. Maggie finds a newspaper clipping revealing that Alma, at 15, had accused her fathers friend of rape, but later admitted she lied. Maggie tells her version of what happened with Hank to a reporter.

Alma forges a prescription for her difficulties, and gets caught. Hank admits his continuing feelings for her, and presses the issue, forcing her to kick him out of her studio. When Alma returns to the Yale campus, she gets surrounded by #MeToo protesters, claiming she hasnt sufficiently supported Maggie. She collapses in pain.

An epilogue takes place five years later. The various characters have moved forward with their lives and careers.

First of all, the picture of the academic life and milieu presented in the film is not a flattering one. Various names are dropped: Nietzsche, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Aristotle (xenophobe), Freud (a misogynist), Giorgio Agambens Homo Sacer and postmodernist Michel Foucault and the Panopticon. All of this to little effect. The professors and students are mostly concerned with their academic ambitions, rivalries, identity politics issues and, frankly, showing off. The state of the world and the pursuit of methods of thinking, for example, that would allow them to make better sense of it dont appear to be of interest to anyone.

After the Hunt

Is Guadagnino satirizing these people and this world? One would think (or hope) so, but it might not be the case. The Italian director plays his non-judgmental cards close to his vest.

Guadagnino (I Am Love, A Bigger Splash, Call Me by Your Name) has made a series of intelligent, rather vague films about the upper middle class and its discontents. He set A Bigger Splash, a pseudo-erotic thriller (according to the WSWS) about a rock star and her filmmaker boyfriend whose idyllic holiday is disrupted by the arrival of her ex-lover and his daughter, on the island of Pantelleria, off the coast of Sicily. The island was one of the main arrival points for desperate, impoverished refugees fleeing Africa and the war-torn Middle East. The film barely touches on that appalling situation.

Justifying his decision not to concentrate more on the refugee issue, the director asserted in an interview at the time that, You have to stick to your point of view when you do a movie. It seems, the WSWS noted, that Guadagnino consciously decided not to shift the focus from his inconsequential reality to one a hundred times more compelling and tragic.

Roberts, Garfield, Stuhlbarg and Chloe Sevigny perform effectively and convincingly. Roberts-Alma, stumbling blindly through the goings-on, is genuinely moving in a number of scenes. After the Hunt, whether it fully means to or not, does portray a social grouping entirely unprepared for the war on democratic rights to come, including the assault on universitiesfor the attempt to establish a police-state dictatorship. These are self-involved, complacent individuals. Maggie, with her insufferable smugness, may be the worst.

One character (Sevigny), a therapist, observes:

But after all these years, its gotten so f hard for me to listen to these kids when they have had everything, everything handed to them in their lives, insist that the world stop at the first small injustice. Theres almost this possessiveness they have to their pain. How they nurse every slight, every bump in the road every blip of victimization as if its the only thing that can affirm them.

Well said! Unfortunately, Nora Garretts script generally turns around at such points and, according to the principle of equal time, offers the other side of the story.

Is After the Hunt, when all is said and done, hostile to the #MeToo witch-hunt? It certainly raises questions about it. (According to the New York Times Michelle Goldberg, the film Seethes With Anti-Woke Resentment. The opening credits deliberately pay homage to Woody Allens style, using the same white font on a black screen, listing the cast members alphabetically, etc.) Hanks firing, on the basis of one claim, is obviously unfair and undemocratic. There has been no time for any investigation whatsoever. But Hank later proves to be brutish when drunk, so could he perhaps be guilty of something?

Maggie has possible reasons for fabricating the incident or exaggerating it. She appeals to Alma:

-Alma, Alma. It really happened? I didnt just make it up, right? Its real?

-If its real to you, its real.

Andrew Garfield and Julia Roberts

Now thats helpful. Either a sexual assault, or semi-assault, occurred or it didnt. Guadagnino and Garrett could have shown us or otherwise indicated what took place. This isnt a documentary about an incident the truth of which is unknown to anyone except the participants. The filmmakers invented it. Even if the episode was messy or its unfolding indistinct, occurring in some sort of moral or sexual grey zone, the film could have been perfectly clear about its unclarity.

Is Maggie to be believed or not?

Alma: I think Hank crossed a line. I think he violated something she held to be deeply sacred. The student-teacher relationship. And I think one could make the argument that, when a power differential is involved consent and the ability to give it is inherently incapacitated to the point of rendering the question all but moot.

Later, however, as the tensions and pressures mount, Alma turns on Maggie and speaks some harsh truths:

Not everything is supposed to make you comfortable, Maggie. Not everything is supposed to be a lukewarm bath for you to sink into until you fall asleep and drown.  Its all lies. Living in an apartment thats ten times cheaper than what you can afford? Dating a person you have nothing in common with because you think their identity makes you interesting? Fawning over me because you think my affection offers you credibility, another adoptive mother to replace your own insufferable one. Its all lies. Christ, its no wonder everyone thinks you lied about Hank, too.

Sharp words are also spoken at other moments about the privileged coddled hypocrites at Yale, about kowtowing to a mediocre student with rich parents, about the fact that rich kids are filthy, because theyve been looked after their entire lives.

Alma, because of her history of falsely accusing that older man when she was a teenager (he later committed suicide), treats Maggies account with a degree of skepticism. But in regard to that earlier incident, Frederik points out that, at 15, it doesnt matter if you wanted him, it doesnt matter if you threw yourself at him, he should have rejected you outright.

So, back and forth, back and forth, sometimes interestingly, sometimes not. Nobodys right, nobodys wrong. Everyone has his reasons. And everyone comes across as somewhat shabby, selfish, underhanded. After the Hunt apparently owes its title to a remark attributed to Bismarck, There is never as much lying as before an election, during a war and after a hunt. Its odd for filmmakers to choose such a cynical title, which suggests we are going to watch liars tell lies for two hours.

#MeToo wasnt primarily about who was making things up and who wasnt. Nor was it about the basic right of women not to be assaulted in the workplace, classroom or anywhere else. It was an eruption in the upper middle class, manipulated by the Democratic Party, the New York Times, etc., as a diversion in 2017 from a genuinely left-wing movement against Donald Trump and, simultaneously, as a means for already privileged layers to settle professional scores and reorganize the executive suite (or staffroom), to gain privileges and milk positions.

Furthermore, it should be recognized by now that #MeToos systematic attacks on due process and the presumption of innocence, and its resorting to anonymous sources and unproven allegations to end careers, only smoothed the path for the extreme right in its assault on elementary constitutional rights.
A Bud Light sign is illuminated by street lights on the side of the Anheuser Busch factory in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. [AP Photo/Richard Vogel]

Anheuser-Busch (AB), Americas largest brewing company, has announced plans to close three facilities across the country. AB will shut down the 50-year-old complex at Fairfield in the San Francisco area, cutting 238 jobs; its Merrimack, New Hampshire plant, cutting 124 jobs; and its its 75-year-old facility in Newark, New Jersey will be sold to the Goodman Group to be repurposed for industrial manufacturing and logistics, affecting over 110 employees.

Together, around 475 workers will be affected.

Beyond the immediate loss of jobs there will be ripple effects to other industries. The workforce development board for Fairfield stated that the brewery closure will cut more than $10 million in tax revenue to the city and contribute to an additional 306 job losses. Furthermore, as the largest water user in the city, local officials expect that the closure of the plant will disrupt water utility finances and result in higher rates for the rest of the community.

These brewery closures come as nationwide job losses for the year surge past 1.2 million in total. The holidays have seen no letup in the jobs massacre , three in 10 companies are planning layoffs before the new year, according to one poll. The capitalist class is using emerging artificial intelligence technology to lay off vast sections of the workforce, in an attempt to pay for unsustainable levels of debt and prop up financial bubbles by intensifying exploitation of the working class.

In announcing the closures, AB has stated that employees will be offered jobs at other locations or a severance package if they decide to not relocate. These provisions were included in last years national contract with the Teamsters unioncovering 5,000 workers at AB, including at the Newark locationpassed last year. Their existence, which the union crowed about in statements to encourage ratification, indicated that the Teamsters were fully aware of plans to implement plant closures, although it did nothing to warn workers.

While the relocation packages will preserve some jobs, it is not clear how many workers are willing to relocate their families across the country, or what positions will be available to them. Neither the contract nor the companys statements indicate that workers will be guaranteed a position in their craft or current level of pay. The contract language only lays out terms for a nondescript maintenance workforce and nontraditional work.

Closures began just a month after the contract was passed, when AB sold off its two facilities at Medford, Massachusetts and Canton, Ohio. At Canton, workers were denied their bumping rights to new positions at other facilities. At Medford, 100 workers were denied severance packages, according to local news reports.

These facility closures are part of a broader strategic realignment from management at ABs parent company, AB InBev, a multi-national conglomerate of beer companies that bought Anheuser-Busch in 2008 and is the largest brewing company in the world.

The company said in a statement that it had invested $2 billion in its other 100 facilities around the country, which will absorb production from the closed facilities.

AB InBev is seeking to pivot to emerging and developing markets, particularly in Latin America, Africa and China where it can leverage its market dominance to fuel growth. In developed markets such as North America and Europe, AB InBev is seeking to consolidate and streamline its infrastructure to adapt to trends of reduced alcohol consumption, especially among young people, and preferences for beyond beer products like hard seltzer and non-alcoholic drinks that are growing in sales.

Part of this strategy is the turn to premiumization, the cooling down of cheap, mass market beers like ABs flagship Budweiser brands and increased focus on premium brands like Michelob Ultra. AB InBev plans to increase Michelob Ultra production at its Van Nuys facility in Los Angeles. Van Nuys is the target of millions of dollars in investment to increase production and absorb much of the capacity from Fairfield.

These trends reflect a general decline in beer sales, from 192 million barrels in 2015 to 158 million in 2024, according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The Brewers Association reported that 2024 saw more brewery closures than openings for the first time since at least 2010.

AB InBev still posted profits in the billions this year, but has seen reduced profitability compared to recent years. By shedding what it deems to be suboptimal facilities, paired with modernization of its larger ones, AB InBev hopes to increase profitability by squeezing out profit growth and chasing higher yield markets. This will shift the cost of the transition onto workers who will either lose their jobs or be forced to move across the country with little to no guarantee of the quality of the job that awaits them.

Workers at AB InBev must fight against these closures and the near certainty of more to come. This fight will take place against both management and the Teamsters bureaucracy, which is doing nothing to fight layoffs.

To oppose brewery closures and job cuts workers must organize independently of the union apparatus, building rank-and-file committees to take matters into their own hands and return power to the shop floor. This struggle must connect with other sectors of workers facing layoffs in a global movement. Workers should contact AB InBev workers across the the companys global footprint, to prepare for a worldwide counter offensive against the destruction of jobs and living conditions.
The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has called for an independent investigation, led by rank-and-file workers, into the recent deaths of US Postal Service workers Nick Acker, 36, in the Detroit area and Russell Scruggs, Jr., 44, near Atlanta. We urge postal workers to come forward with information about safety conditions at their facilities by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A USPS worker drives a delivery truck away from the Canal Street station loading bay in New York. [AP Photo/John Minchillo]

A 28-year postal worker died overnight in early December at the Morgan Processing and Distribution Center (Morgan P&DC) in New York City while working near an Automated Package Processing System (APPS) machine, multiple workers at the facility have told the WSWS. At the time of writing, neither the United States Postal Service nor the postal unions have issued any public statement acknowledging the workers death or explaining the circumstances surrounding it.

Workers told the World Socialist Web Site that the death occurred on Tour 1, the overnight shift, sometime around 2:30 a.m. The workers name has not been publicly released. Conflicting accounts circulated among workers as to whether the death was caused by a heart attack or an aneurysm, underscoring the absence of any transparent investigation or communication.

The Morgan Processing and Distribution Center is a major USPS facility serving the New York metropolitan area, including Wall Street and surrounding financial districts. Despite the size and strategic importance of the facility, workers report that the death was not formally announced, no meeting was held and operations continued as usual.

The death at Morgan follows a series of recent fatalities at USPS facilities across the country. On November 8, maintenance mechanic Nick Acker was killed inside a mail sorting machine at the Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, Michigan. His body was not found for another eight hours. One week later, Russell Scruggs, Jr., a mail handler assistant, died after falling and hitting his head at the Palmetto Processing and Distribution Center in Georgia. In each case, union officials have deferred to management-led or OSHA investigations, which will inevitably lead to whitewashes.

In response, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee has launched its own independent inquiry. In a statement last week urging workers to come forward with testimony, the committee explained that the inquiry will collect testimonies, inspect machine lockout/tagout records, document the bypassing of safety features, obtain grievance histories and witness statements, and preserve photographic and video evidence.

The purpose is not only to establish responsibility for these deaths but to produce clear demands and plans to enforce safe working conditions under workers control, it added.

At Morgan, workers say a brief inquiry was conducted by postal inspectors. One worker said inspectors appeared on a later tour and questioned workers who were not on duty when the death occurred, focusing on personal background questions rather than conditions on the shop floor.

They didnt ask me anything, the worker said. They talked to one of my coworkers. They asked if she had known her a long time, if she had problems with other employees. That kind of thing.

To WSWS reporters, the worker raised questions about the lack of cameras in large areas of the facility where high-speed automated equipment operates continuously. Its a huge area, she said. How can they not have cameras? Supervisors dont walk around.

Another concern cited by workers was the absence of visible medical preparedness during overnight shifts. One postal worker recalled a prior incident in which a coworker attempted to revive someone suffering a medical emergency despite not being a certified medical personnel. The experience, she said, was traumatic and left workers fearful of similar situations occurring without adequate response.

One worker interviewed by the WSWS explained the responsibilities of expediters on APPS operations. These are clerks responsible for supplying rolling carts and other equipment needed to move parcels on and off automated machines, ensuring production continues without interruption. The job requires constant movement throughout the facility, giving workers broad exposure to conditions on the shop floor.

Workers report they were given no explanation of what happened, no opportunity to ask questions, and no acknowledgment of the death beyond informal word of mouth. The first thing the union does, one worker said, is take people off the clock. Thats the first thing they care about. Its like were just numbers.

Neither the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) nor the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) has issued a statement regarding the death at the Morgan facility. This silence mirrors the response to recent deaths in Michigan and Georgia, where union officials called for investigations to be handled by USPS management and OSHA, institutions workers say have repeatedly failed to protect them.

In its statement, the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee called on postal workers nationwide to come forward with information on workplace deaths and unsafe conditions, warning that management and the union bureaucracy are seeking to sweep these horrific deaths under the rug. The committee stressed that only an independent worker-led inquiry can establish the facts, determine responsibility and prevent further loss of life.

The limited information currently available about the death at the Morgan facilityno confirmed name, no public timeline, no medical findings and no explanation of working conditionsraises urgent unanswered questions. Why did a postal worker with nearly three decades of service die overnight near an APPS operation? What conditions prevailed on the shop floor that night? What emergency protocols were in place? And why have postal workers been left to piece together the facts themselves?

As with the deaths in Michigan and Georgia, the lack of transparency surrounding the incident at Morgan underscores the need for postal workers to speak out collectively, document conditions and participate in a worker-led investigation independent of USPS management and the union apparatus.

Postal workers with information about this death or other unsafe conditions are urged to come forward and contact the World Socialist Web Site and the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee.
The mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach yesterday evening, targeting a Jewish religious festival, has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuries to 42 people, some of whom are in critical condition. One of the alleged shooters has also been killed.

Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Baker]

From what the police and intelligence agencies have so far reported, the shootings were carried out by a father, Sajid Akram, 50, and son, Naveed Akram, 24, from Sydneys working-class western suburbs, using rifles for which the father had held licences for a decade. The father was reportedly shot dead by police and the son is in a critical condition in hospital. No evidence has been suggested by the police of any wider involvement.

Those killed ranged in age from 10 to 87, including a young girl, a Holocaust survivor and a rabbi. The target was evidently a Chanukah by the Sea event for children that was scheduled to take place at a beachside playground from 5 p.m., and had begun, marking the start of the eight-day Rabbinic Jewish festival of lights.

While the motives of the alleged shooters remain to be determined, this is a reactionary and tragic event. Jewish people and their children living in Australia bear no responsibility for the ongoing slaughter by the Israeli Zionist regime in Gaza and the occupied West Bank of Palestine. In fact, many Jewish people have joined the anti-genocide demonstrations, in Australia and globally, as part of the wider disgust and outrage.

Police have remained tight-lipped about the two suspects, refusing to discuss anything about their motives, while saying that one was known to police and the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), and previously suspected of links to an Islamic State group.

As shown on widely broadcast video footage, further deaths were prevented, in part, by a 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed Al Ahmed, who crept up on a shooter and managed to wrest a rifle from him.

New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said two basic explosive devices were found in a car at the Bondi Beach scene and were removed by bomb squad specialists.

But before anything was known, or reported by the police, about the motivations of the two men, the attack was seized upon by the Australian Labor government, its international counterparts and the corporate media, to conflate it with the mass, often weekly, protests in Australia against the Gaza genocide and to demand further measures to outlaw anti-genocide and other political dissent.

This mass shooting only plays into the hands of those responsible for the historic crimes in Palestine, including the Australian and other Western governments that have backed and armed the Netanyahu regime and slandered and suppressed anti-genocide protests, falsely accusing them of antisemitism. In fact, Israel does not speak for the Jewish people, a lie promoted by the Israeli government and the imperialist powers that have backed the genocide in Gaza.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns last night declared their intent to take what Minns described as massive action to react to the shootings, including by large police mobilisations and new legislation, adding to the already extensive battery of hate crime and terrorism laws.

For more than two years, the NSW Labor government has repeatedly sought to have peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstrations banned.

Albanese described the shooting as an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation. He convened a meeting of the National Security Committee, which includes leading cabinet members and police, intelligence and military chiefs.

He then held a media conference, flanked by ASIO chief Mike Burgess and Australian Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner for National Security Nigel Ryan, to pledge that he would eradicate this kind of hate, violence, and terrorism. He declared: This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians.

At another media conference this morning, Albanese went further, vowing to stamp out the scourge of antisemitism, doing whatever is necessary, including a legislative response. There is no place for this hate violence and terrorism in our nation, he said. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.

Last night, the Minns state Labor government issued a terrorist declaration. That activated sweeping police and ASIO powers, including to stop, search and detain persons and vehicles in designated areas, use lethal force, detain and interrogate people without charge, and conduct covert entry, search and surveillance operations.

Using these powers, police gave a taste of what this means by conducting violent raids on two residences in south-west Sydney linked to the two suspects. At the familys Bonnyrigg home, heavily armed police, backed by a Bearcat armoured vehicle and under police helicopter floodlights, forced individuals to walk out with their arms raised and sit on the ground.

The Albanese governments Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, a Zionist lobbyist, sought to link the shootings to the large anti-genocide protests, from an initial one at the Sydney Opera House on October 9, 2023, to the mass march, joined by some 300,000 people, across the Sydney Harbour Bridge this August 3.

This rhetoric slanders the hundreds of thousands of people who have joined the Gaza demonstrations against Israeli atrocities and mass murder, and blames the protesters for the shootings. Segal called for even more repressive action by the Labor governments, which have repeatedly denounced the protests and sought to halt them.

Segals diatribe matched that of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Overnight he accused the Albanese government of doing nothing to stop the alleged spread of antisemitism in Australia. He said it had replaced weakness with weakness.

Netanyahu is a war criminal whose regime has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza over the past two years, systematically violating international humanitarian law and committing crimes against humanity, backed and protected by the United States and other major capitalist powers.

US President Donald Trump and European government leaders, such as the UKs Keir Starmer, who have armed, financed, politically protected and diplomatically normalised Israels actions, also sought to conflate the shootings with opposition to the genocide. That was an antisemitic attack, obviously, Trump told the media.

Likewise, media outlets internationally presented Australia as hosting a plague of antisemitism. The Murdoch medias Australian was typical. The newspapers chief international correspondent Cameron Stewart claimed that pro-Palestinian activists should hang their heads in shame. He insisted: We dont yet know the motivations or details of who committed this horrible crime, but this massacre will put Australia on the world map as a hotbed of anti-Semitic terror.

It must be recalled that over the past two years, Australian governments and authorities have inflated and misclassified incidents, including peaceful anti-genocide protests, as antisemitic to criminalise and suppress proPalestine dissent and expand police powers. The NSW police later admitted these figures contained false or misleading entries.

Many people in Australia are shocked and distressed by what has happened at Bondi Beach, which is known as a place that attracts tourists and visitors from around the world. This is the worst mass shooting in the country since a mentally ill man killed 35 people at Port Arthur, south of Hobart, in 1996.

But efforts are being made to twist and manipulate these sentiments to demonise opposition to the continuing mass killings, displacement and oppression of Palestinians, and to support police-state measures that will be used more broadly against all forms of political dissent under conditions of staggering social inequality, austerity and US-led war preparations.

Under these conditions, it is essential that workers and young people reject ethnic division and scapegoating, defend Jewish, Islamic and other targeted communities, and oppose the assault on basic democratic rights and the plunge toward war.

Reactionary antagonisms are being generated and magnified by the crisis of global capitalism and imperialist interventions, such as the Gaza genocide and the underlying US drive to dominate the Middle East. The only solution is the building of a unified international workingclass movement for socialism to expropriate the oligarchs and ruling elites that profit from war, repression and division.
The trial proceedings around Greeces spyware and phone-tapping scandal finally commenced on October 22 after repeated delays. At the centre of the scandal is the use of the spyware Predator by Greeces National Intelligence Agency (EYP) to hack the phones of leading politicians (including ministers of the ruling New Democracy party), journalists, government officials as well as high ranking military, police personnel and even EYP operatives.

With the witness list exceeding 50 people, the trial is expected to continue well into next year.

In June 2022 it was revealed that an attempt had been made to infect with Predator the phone of Nikos Androulakis, leader of the social democratic PASOK. Androulakis was then a candidate in the PASOK leadership election and the surveillance reportedly stopped shortly after he was elected party leader in December 2021.

A few months before the Androulakis revelations, it emerged that EYP had also been granted permission to tap the phone of journalist Thanassis Koukakis on national security grounds. Analysis of Koukakis phone by the University of Torontos Citizens Lab subsequently confirmed that it had been infected by Predator.

The scandal led to the resignations in August 2022 of EYP chief Dimitris Kontoleon and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chief of staff and nephew, Grigoris Dimitriadis. In a televised address shortly after Mitsotakis denied any knowledge of the hacking. Claims of ignorance are belied by the fact that one of the first interventions he made after assuming power in July 2019 was to transfer the oversight of EYP from the Ministry of Civil Protection to the prime ministers office.

Predator was developed by North Macedonian start-up Cytrox in 2017 and was acquired in 2019 by Israeli cyber-security company Intellexa. Insight into how Predator works was provided by a report published this monthbased on leaked internal Intellexa documents and a forensic analysis carried out by Amnesty Internationals security lab.

The version of Predator at the centre of the scandal uses a so-called 1-click attack method. This requires a malicious link to be sent and then opened on a targets phone, which installs the spyware. The report outlines the vast amount of data available once infection has occurred including ability to access encrypted instant messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp, audio recordings, emails, device locations, screenshots and camera photos, stored passwords, contacts and call logs, and also to activate the devices microphone.

Leaked marketing brochure image presenting the capabilities of Intellexas spyware product [Photo: Amnesty International Security Lab]

The report highlights the limitations of the 1-click method in that it risks the attack being exposed, given that a suspicious target may share the attack link with digital forensic experts, which could reveal the attack attempt and operator. This is what happened in the case of Androulakis. To overcome this Intellexa has developed a new generation of Predator spyware that enables zero-click functionality, without the need for the target to click a link. This puts Predator on par with its main competitor Pegasus, which is developed by the NSO Group, another Israeli-based cyber-security firm. Pegasus was used to spy extensively on journalists and politicians across the globe.

The trial is the culmination of the judicial investigation carried out by Greeces Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Achilleas Zisis, which in the end propped up Mitsotakis narrative. Commenting on Zisis report following its publication in July 2024, Supreme Court prosecutor Georgia Adeilini stated that it is indisputably concluded that there was absolutely no involvement with the Predator spyware or any other similar software of a state agency... or any state official.

Yet Zisis own investigation found that out of 116 numbers that received malicious SMS messages from Predator, 28 were confirmed as being under surveillance from EYP. The report dismissed this fact, absurdly claiming the affected numbers made up a minor proportion of the whole.

Unable to fully bury the affair, prosecutors chose instead to initiate criminal proceedings against senior individuals linked to Intellexa and Predators wider supply chain:

 Tal Dillian founder of Intellexa and a former Israeli commander with Unit 81the Israeli Armys secret technology unit.

 Dillians wife Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou who also held a senior role at Intellexa.

 Felix Bitzios, a Greek businessman who was Intellexas former deputy director in Greece.

 Yiannis Lavranos, the owner of government-linked security firm Krikel, which is reportedly part of Predators supply chain in Greece.

Despite efforts to absolve the government of any wrongdoing, the incriminating evidence is so overwhelming it has proved impossible to keep a lid on it during court proceedings.

On December 2, former Intellexa employee Panagiotis Koutsios contradicted the governments narrative by testifying that Intellexa collaborated only with state authorities, given that police and army officials were always present in state premises where the company would showcase its products.

Dimitris Terzis, an investigative journalist, testified in court on November 21, submitting evidence that Lavranos firm Krikel issued sham invoices to disguise the direct provision of equipment to the security services involved in the spywares deployment.

Asked his view on the defendants motivation to engage in illegal surveillance, Terzis replied: I think that the motive was financial. My own assessment is that there is a joint EYP and Predator surveillance centre.

Koukakis, the journalist targeted by Predator has testified multiple times during the trial. He shed light on the financial motives that saw him targeted, stating that his surveillance began in 2020. In the preceding period Koukakis had written extensively on financial irregularities involving the Bank of Piraeus with Lavranos and Bitzios named in some of his pieces.

A deposition was submitted on November 25 by Pinelopi Miniati, formerly the Greek police head of forensics. She testified that her phone became infected by Predator in 2021around the same period she received death threats related to her work. Miniati was cashiered from her position in the spring of 2022. Asked whether she knew why, Miniati answered: . I can speculate without being sure. Various cases I was working on that annoyed certain people.

The highest profile of these was the assassination of Star Channels crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in April 2021. Karaivaz had been investigating a ring of organised criminals and police officers involved in extorting money from nightclubs in exchange for protection.

The picture that emerges is of a ruling elite deeply steeped in criminality and rapidly moving towards the dictatorial rule associated with the military junta that ruled Greece between 1967-74. This is a manifestation in Greece of a global phenomenon. Over a decade ago former National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden revealed the vast scale of surveillance employed by the US government and its Five Eyes counterparts in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Edward Snowden speaks about the NSA leaks in an interview with reporter Glenn Greenwald at the hotel The Mira Hong Kong. [Photo by Laura Poitras/Praxis Films / CC BY 3.0

As opposition grows to war and austerity policies, ruling elites in every major capitalist country are preparing to confront this by dispensing with democratic forms of rule. The spyware industry is tapping the growing demand for surveillance capabilities by governments that dont have Washingtons resources to develop these in-house. According to a 2020 estimate by Moodys the industry was worth $12 billion and the market growing at an estimated 25 percent a year. In a December 2021 report, Citizens Lab noted that its internet scanning for Predator servers across the world found likely Predator customers in Armenia, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Madagascar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia.

The fallout from the Predator crisis has prompted opposition parties to posture as defenders of democratic rights, claiming that the surveillance began when Mitsotakis entered office. In his deposition to the court on November 3, Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) MP Christos Spirtziswhose phone was also targeted by Predatorstated, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was responsible for who was under surveillance and for what reason. The government wanted to build a regime in the country that would control political life, the media, the army, the police as well as economic life since businesspeople were also under surveillance.

Facts show his own party is just as implicated.

Wiretapping increased under Mitsotakis, but it was under the 2015-19 Syriza government, in which Spirtzis served as minister that surveillance by EYP really took off. The number of approved wire-tapping requests surged from 4,871 in 2015 to 11,680 in 2019. The Syriza administration also streamlined the wire-tapping approval process in 2018 by cutting the number of prosecutors required to approve an operation from two to one. The relationship between the Ministry of Civil Protections and Lavranos Krikel was established under Syriza in 2018 when two contracts worth over 2 million were signed to maintain the Greek polices digital radios and communication system for the next five years.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the Israeli Air Force and called the F-35I "Adir" [Photo by Wikipedia / CC BY 4.0

US President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States would begin ground attacks in the Caribbean Basin pretty soon, raising the prospect of a US aerial bombardment of Venezuela.

We knocked out 96% of the drugs coming in by water, and now were starting by land... Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding, Its going to be starting on land pretty soon.

Trumps threat Friday followed his declaration earlier in the week that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros days are numbered. When asked whether he would send ground troops into Venezuela, he refused to rule it out. The Wall Street Journal editorial board characterized Trumps actions as a pledge to carry out regime change, writing that Trump is now obliged to follow through on his commitment to oust Maduro.

The administrations threats are accompanied by an unprecedented buildup of military assets in the Caribbean. According to reports this week by The War Zone and Breaking Defense, the Pentagon is rapidly deploying advanced combat aircraft to former US bases in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in preparation for airstrikes on Venezuelan territory.

F-35A stealth fighters from the Vermont Air National Guards 158th Fighter Wing have received federal mobilization orders to deploy to the Caribbean, The War Zone reported Thursday. The deployment of F-35As, which can carry 2,000-pound guided bombs and strike targets deep inside Venezuelan airspace, represents a significant escalation of the US military posture in the region. The War Zone noted that the F-35A deployment is a major signal of what type of operations could be on the horizon.

Six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets arrived at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Puerto Rico on December 10. According to Breaking Defense, the Growlerswhich are designed to jam enemy radars and communications and suppress air defensesare possibly the most glaring sign that the U.S. is preparing for airstrikes as any over the last few months.

HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue (CSAR) planes and HH-60W Jolly Green helicopters have also arrived at Roosevelt Roads. The War Zone reported that the deployment of dedicated CSAR aircraft to the region is a sign that the Trump administration could be about to drastically increase its pressure on Maduro and go after the cartels inland with strikes. The aircraft are needed for rapid rescues of any aircrews that are lost during military operations, specifically over contested territory.

Combined with the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, more than 15,000 forward-deployed troops and scores of aircraft already in the region, the military buildup represents the largest American force in the Caribbean since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

The US media is actively promoting regime change in Venezuela. In a fawning interview on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, Maria Corina Machadothe Venezuelan opposition figure who recently fled the country under US military protection to collect a Nobel Peace Prize in Norwayopenly called for the overthrow of the Maduro government and praised Trumps military build-up.

I absolutely support President Trumps strategy, Machado declared. 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.

When asked whether she would welcome US military action in Venezuela, Machado replied: I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go, that his time is over.

Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump and stated that she believes the regime has its days numbered. She has previously outlined a $1.7 trillion privatization plan for Venezuelas economy.

The Democratic Party has refused to condemn Trumps moves toward regime change in Latin America. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, appeared on ABCs This Week on Sunday. When host Martha Raddatz asked Warner do you agree with Trumps effort to oust the dictator Maduro, Warner, replied, I agree that the Venezuelan people want Maduro gone.

Warner also justified the administrations massacres of civilians on boats. Since September, US forces have killed at least 87 people in drone and missile strikes on vessels the administration claims are smuggling drugs. Democratic Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut said last weekend on Face the Nation that attacking survivors of destroyed boats is a violation of the laws of war.

Yet Warner declared that he is reluctant to kind of reach the conclusion that some of my colleagues have that this was an illegal strike.

On September 2, a strike that targeted survivors clinging to the wreckage of a destroyed boat has been characterized by independent experts as a potential war crime. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly told commanders to kill everybody on targeted vessels.

The administrations claim that it is combating drug trafficking is a transparent fraud. Trump has threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro, declaring Petro is nextmaking clear that the campaign extends to any Latin American government that fails to submit to Washingtons dictates.

The administration is also preparing an economic blockade of Venezuela. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the threat of further tanker seizures has already paralyzed tanker traffic in and out of Venezuela. On Thursday, a dozen ships waited outside Venezuelas main oil port, but none moved to load crude. A Venezuelan port official told the Journal that employees around the country are calling in sick or skipping work as tensions escalate.

The tanker seized Wednesday was carrying roughly $80 million of oil, equivalent to about 5 percent of what Venezuela spends monthly on imported goods, raising the prospect of shortages. The Journal noted that the seizure raises an existential crisis for a regime that runs on oil revenue.

If the U.S. seizes one tanker a month, that would push Venezuela into a recession, Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez of the University of Denver told the Journal.

The military buildup must be understood in the context of the administrations National Security Strategy, which establishes the goal of restoring American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere while denying China the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities in the region. Latin America is being targeted as a captive source of resources and a power base for US imperialisms escalating confrontation with China.
BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Monday expressed the hope that more people will gain a real, multidimensional, comprehensive understanding of the Chinese armed forces through their new X social media account.

"We will publish information promptly, share stories, and respond to public concerns," Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a press conference.

He noted that the ministry will improve its work through sincere, attentive dialogue with overseas followers, and play a better role as a bridge between the Chinese people and people in the rest of the world.

Opened last week under the name "Ministry of National Defense of China," the account has already gained more than 340,000 followers. 
At least two Brown University students are dead and nine others are wounded after a gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the Barus & Holley engineering building late Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, police detained a person of interest, a man in his 20s from Wisconsin, whose identity has been widely reported but not officially confirmed, as the police investigation continues.

According to Providence police, the shooting began during an exam period inside a classroom in the large engineering and physics facility on Browns College Hill campus. Witnesses reported a burst of rapid gunfire as the shooter opened the classroom door and fired more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun into students who had no possibility of defending themselves.

Law enforcement officials later stated that two handguns and loaded 30round magazines were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody at a hotel roughly 15 to 20 miles from Providence, indicating preparation for sustained, indiscriminate killing.

The victims, all Brown students according to reports, were attending a regularly scheduled class as final exams approached. Two were pronounced dead, while nine others were transported to area hospitals. City officials have said that seven remain in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has already been discharged. The victims names have not yet been released, as authorities notify their families.

Police began receiving 911 calls shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday with reports of an active shooter and multiple victims inside a classroom. Browns emergency alert system ordered students and staff to run, hide, and fight, locking down the campus and parts of surrounding neighborhoods as terrified students barricaded themselves in labs, libraries and dormitories.

A police vehicle is parked at an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island, following a Saturday shooting at the university. [AP Photo/Steven Senne]

Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez told reporters that more than 400 law enforcement officers ultimately responded to the scene and that the incident produced a multi-agency investigation that extended through the night and into Sunday.

At an early press briefing, Perez confirmed that two were dead and nine wounded. He said authorities were combing the building and surrounding area for evidence. He stressed that the probe is complex, refused to speculate on the motive, and would not confirm whether the gunman had any connection to Brown, saying that those issues were part of an ongoing investigation aimed at securing a successful prosecution.

The person of interest, identified by multiple media outlets as a 24yearold man from Wisconsin, was detained early Sunday at a Hampton Inn in a Rhode Island community outside Providence, after what officials described as intensive overnight investigative work. Federal and local law enforcement used digital and geolocation tools to track the suspect, with FBI units and U.S. marshals assisting in the arrest in a hotel room that had become a temporary refuge for the alleged gunman.

While police have not publicly announced any charges, they have made clear that the individual is being held in connection with the Brown shooting and that further information will be released only as it does not jeopardize the case.



Providence Mayor Brett Smiley praised the extraordinary coordination among local, state and federal agencies, and repeatedly referred to the complexity of the investigation, while offering no insight into for the cause for the type of massacre that happens on a regular basis in the US.

Browns president, Christina Paxson, issued a campus-wide letter mourning the dead and invoking the resilience of the student body, even as students gathered in vigils that manifested the grief and anger within the campus community over the violence.

President Trump, speaking to reporters on the White House grounds, responded in characteristically perfunctory fashion, declaring, its a terrible thing and that all we can do is pray for the victims and those who were badly hurt. On social media, Trump initially claimed that the suspect was already in custody, a statement that contradicted police at the time and had to be hastily revised.

Other leading figures in the political establishment responded with the ritualistic combination of platitudes, appeals to unity, and calls for prayers. Rhode Island politicians and national Democrats echoed the familiar script, offering condolences to the families and vague commitments to do better, while scrupulously avoiding any indictment of the social order that produces an unending stream of such tragedies.

The official reaction to the Brown shooting follows the line of previous campus mass shootings that have become so frequent that they now form a grim catalogue stretching back decades. This list includes:

Virginia Tech in 2007, 32 killed across multiple buildings

Northern Illinois University in 2008, five killed in a lecture hall

The University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010, three killed during a faculty meeting

Oikos University in Oakland, California in 2012, seven dead

Santa Monica College in 2013, six killed after the shooter turned a domestic dispute public on campus

The University of California, Santa Barbara in 2014, six killed in the college town area

Umpqua Community College near Roseburg, Oregon in 2015, nine killed in a writing class

The University of Virginia in 2022, three killed on a returning charter bus

Michigan State University in 2023, three students killed across two buildings

Florida State University in April 2025, two killed and multiple wounded.

Each new atrocity is briefly described as unthinkable and shocking, as families experience the agony of loss and the event is normalized, training to treat lockdown drills and active-shooter protocols as a permanent feature of academic life.

Browns position in the elite Ivy League shows that no sector of higher education is immune from the carnage. Campus shootings have struck institutions ranging from small religious colleges to large public universities and private research institutions, indicating that the phenomenon is not rooted in any type of campus culture but in broader characteristics of American society.

The same government that oversees a vast apparatus of military violence abroad also presides over a domestic landscape in which young people cannot go to class or gather at social events without the ever-present possibility of being shot and killed.

The massacre at Brown University is also one more episode in the larger epidemic of mass shootings in the United States, which has no parallel in any other advanced capitalist country. Year after year, databases compiled by independent monitors and the media record hundreds of incidents in which four or more people are shot, with totals routinely exceeding one mass shooting per day.

The Brown attack joins a list that encompasses not only colleges and universities, but K-12 schools, workplaces, supermarkets, nightclubs, movie theaters, churches, synagogues, mosques and festivals, indicating that all of public and semi-public life has been transformed into potential soft targets.

Within the mass shooter epidemic, school and campus incidents are especially revealing because they expose the inability of the existing order to guarantee even minimal safety for children and young adults. From Columbine High School in 1999 to Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Uvalde, Michigan State and now Brown University, a full generation has come of age with the knowledge that death by gunfire is a possibility in the classroom, cafeteria or playground.

The bankruptcy of the capitalist political system is revealed both by what it refuses to address and by what it actively promotes. Successive administrations, Democratic and Republican, have poured trillions into war, surveillance and repression, while presiding over extreme social inequality, precarious employment, student debt and a mental health system gutted by budget cuts and privatization.
Autoworkers: Take up the fight against layoffs! Fill out the form at the end of this article to speak out against layoffs and learn more about joining the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee.

Factory Zero workers on December 1, 2005

Unless it is halted by collective action by workers themselves, the coming week could be the last for 1,145 workers at the General Motors Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit. The automaker plans to slash production to a single shift beginning January 5, 2026. The permanent layoffs are being imposed on the eve of the holiday shutdown, which runs from December 24 through January 4, leaving workers to face unemployment and the loss of healthcare during the most financially precarious time of the year.

The job cuts follow a brutal year in which Factory Zero workers were subjected to extreme levels of overtime, routinely working between 72 and 80 hours a week for much of 2024. These conditions were followed by irregular temporary layoffs, creating a cycle of exhaustion and insecurity. Both shifts were placed on temporary layoff until November 24, 2025, before GM announced the move to permanently eliminate more than 1,000 jobs.

The United Auto Workers bureaucracy has not even made a pretense of opposing the mass layoffs, which will only deepen the social crisis in the city which houses the headquarters of both GM and the UAW. The official poverty rate in the Motor City is already 35 percent, with 51 percent of children living in poverty, according to the census report.

In the statement Mobilize to stop GM layoffs at Factory Zero in DetroitBuild rank-and-file committees, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has called on workers to form independent committees capable of organizing a real fight, unifying workers across plants and borders and breaking out of the isolation imposed by the union bureaucracy. Only the mass, collective action by workers can stop the layoffs and fight for the right to secure, good-paying jobs for all.

The layoffs are not the result of any financial losses for GM. In October, the company raised its projected 2025 net profits to between $12 billion and $13 billion, up from a prior estimate of $10 billion to $12.5 billion. This followed record profits of $14.9 billion in 2024. GM stock has risen approximately 55 percent over the past year.

According to an investor note published December 12 on the financial website Trevis, In the last decade, General Motors (GM) stock has returned $45 [billion] back to its shareholders through cold, hard cash via dividends and buybacks. This represents 58.4 percent of GMs current market capitalizationmore than double the median payout ratio for companies listed on the S&P 500.

GM is also indefinitely laying off 550 workers at the Lordstown, Ohio Ultium Cells battery plant. An additional 850 workers there will be placed on temporary layoff effective January 5. And 710 workers will be temporarily laid off at the Spring Hill, Tennessee Ultium Cells battery plant beginning the same day.

Hundreds of workers at the nearby Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, also remain on layoff, with company executives considering whether to scrap the F-150 Lightning EV pickup truck altogether.

This is part of a global jobs massacre in the auto industry. VW, Bosch, ZF and other German auto and auto parts companies have announced 50,000 job cuts in the first 10 months of 2025 alone.

Together, these cuts expose the fraudulent character of the claims by the automakers and the UAW that the electric vehicle transition would bring stable, high-quality jobs.

A young worker who was laid off from Factory Zero several months ago told the World Socialist Web Site that he had heard through the rumor mill that the GM Lake Orion plantwhich has been closed for retooling for two yearscould ramp up or resume production in the third quarter of 2026. The facility is currently being reconverted back to internal combustion engine production, after earlier being tooled for electric vehicles at enormous cost.

When I was at Factory Zero, I think I was, for the first year, working 12-hour shifts, he said. After being laid off for at least the second time in just a few years at GM, I lost my healthcare. The Affordable Care Act subsidy is probably not going to be continuing next year, so it will be really tough for some of us.

He described the complete lack of information from the United Auto Workers. One of my buddies was like, dont really expect much from the local. I dont think any of the people involved in working in the union actually know whats going on  theres just a lot of uncertainty.

Contrasting the companys soaring profits with the conditions facing workers, he said, The stock price of the company keeps going up and up. He noted that GM and other automakers had received massive tax cuts. I thought the whole point of trickle down was for the money to trickle down. Stock prices are going up, and its not trickling down.

He added that there had to be a way to tax people that are getting rich off of stock buybacks and said younger workers were increasingly alienated from both corporate-backed parties. My generation, we are just tired; and weve only been doing the adult thing for a few years now. There has not been a single good president in my lifetime  were looking for an alternative.

Anger over the unions complicity is widespread. A veteran worker at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Plant told the WSWS, The union just doesnt back the people. We had this Stand Up strike [in 2023], and Jeep was one of the few plants that were called out. That was stupid. We should all have been out at the same time.

The union gives in to the company so much. Theres never a 40-hour week. Its like my life is Jeep. You cant plan anything for your family. Weve got more than 1,000 guys on layoff, and they dont want to go back to three shifts. Thats why were working all these hours, and guys are getting hurt.

When I first hired in there in the late 1990s the union was still strong. But, man, how things have changed. He voted against the 2009 concessions, explaining, I wasnt going to give up anything.

I pay $100 to the UAW every month, he said. I dont call it union dues anymore. I call it medical insurance. Thats the way you have to look at it, because its gotten so bad, and its just going to get worse.

He pointed to the vast VEBA (Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association) retiree healthcare trust as a source of corruption. Theres enough in there to take care of great, great grandchildren. He said second-tier workers, who do not get pensions and retiree healthcare, constitute more than half the workers at Stellantis. When we workers with pensions die off, the UAW and the company are going to dip into that money for themselves. You follow the money, and youre going to see the corruption. Its billions and billions, and its going up every month.

On the rank-and-file campaign of Will Lehman for UAW president in 2022, he said simply, It was great, great, great. I voted for him because he was rank and file and was trying to get the people on the shop floors together. Its hard but thats what we have to do.

The worker also expressed anger over Trumps witch-hunting of immigrant workers and war threats against Venezuela. Im against them blowing up fishing boats and killing people. They dont even know what cargo they had.

Hundreds of thousands of workers have viewed WSWS videos featuring Factory Zero workers, reflecting the depth of opposition. Online comments echo the same concerns. One worker wrote on Reddit, GM is going to transfer the laid off workers to St. Louis or Texas and 90% will decline, resulting in being fired and disqualified from unemployment.

Another asked, Should we just call jobs in the automotive industry temp jobs from now on?

Responding to a discussion of the UAWs role, one worker explained, Because the UAW and Shawn Fain supported Trump, and the reason this plant is closing is because Trump removed the EV tax credit essentially killing demand for EVs  and the UAW didnt do anything to fight against those policies.

The layoffs at Factory Zero are the predictable outcome of capitalist restructuring driven by investor demands, automation and profit maximization. Under capitalism, workers livelihoods are subordinated entirely to Wall Street.

The role of the UAW apparatus has been to facilitate this process. By refusing to mobilize the membership and by backing nationalist policies that divide workers by country and plant, the bureaucracy has functioned as an arm of corporate management.

What, then, should GM workers do to oppose the impending layoffs?

Asked this question Socialism AI, the new chatbot launched by the World Socialist Web Site, emphasized that workers cannot rely on appeals to management or the union leadership. The defense of jobs requires independent, democratic organization on the shop floor.

Rank-and-file committees, formed by trusted workers in every department and shift, must take control of the struggle, demand an immediate halt to layoffs, and fight for full pay and benefits for all affected workers.

Such committees would unify workers across plants and industries, prepare collective actionincluding strikes and mass protestsand link Factory Zero workers with autoworkers nationally and internationally through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). Only by breaking from the nationalism promoted by the UAW apparatus and advancing an internationalist perspective can workers counter the global auto industrys restructuring strategy.

The fight to defend jobs at Factory Zero raises fundamental political questions. It is not simply a dispute with one company but a confrontation with the capitalist system itself that sacrifices workers lives and livelihoods for private profit. The transformation of the auto industryautomation, EV production and technological changemust be placed under democratic workers control and reorganized to meet social needs, not the further enrichment of wealthy shareholders.

The impending layoffs at Factory Zero are a warning. They demonstrate that without independent organization and collective action workers will continue to pay the price for the capitalist crisis. The growing anger among autoworkers points to the possibility of a broader movementone that links the defense of jobs to the fight for political independence of the working class and the reorganization of society on socialist foundations.

To get information about building a rank-and-file committee to fight the job cuts, fill out the form below.
ISTANBUL, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police have detained 26 suspects and seized more than 1.1 tons of drugs along with nearly 6.9 million narcotic pills in a month-long anti-narcotics operation across Istanbul, authorities said Monday.

The raids were carried out in 11 districts of the city. Following legal procedures, 22 suspects were remanded in custody, while the other four were released under judicial supervision, the Istanbul Police Department said.

Istanbul Provincial Police Chief Selami Yildiz described the fight against drugs as a humanitarian struggle to protect society, particularly the youth, and thanked the public for their cooperation.

Turkiye, used by illegal drug dealers as a transit hub to European markets, has stepped up its efforts to combat drug use and trafficking. Heightened border inspections and nationwide crackdowns have resulted in significant seizures and the arrest of several suspects.

However, drug consumption is on the rise in Turkiye despite harsh legislation and government efforts, especially among young urbanites, according to media reports. 
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with a Malaysian delegation led by Anthony Loke Siew Fook, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and transport minister of Malaysia, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with a Malaysian delegation led by Anthony Loke Siew Fook, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and transport minister of Malaysia, in Beijing on Monday.

He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have met twice since the beginning of this year, leading bilateral relations to a new level. China is willing to work with Malaysia to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance mutual learning among civilizations, promote open and inclusive global development, and create a new "50 golden years" for China-Malaysia relations, he noted.

He also introduced the guiding principles set out at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC.

Loke said that Malaysia is willing to enhance interparty exchange with China and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations. 
Barbie is not who we think she is.

For nearly seven decades, Mattel has sold Barbie as a true original: a revolutionary and empowering alternative to the baby dolls before her. In her new book, Barbieland: The Unauthorized History (Atria/One Signal Publishers), Tarpley Hitt provides a surprising counternarrative.

Barbie, per Hitts lens, was not a groundbreaking novelty. Rather, she is a cheap knockoff elevated by strategic marketing, exploitation, bullying, backstabbing and espionage.

A new book is full of shocking allegations related to Barbie and Mattel.

Mattel had spent years obscuring Barbies backstory, the author writes. (A Mattel spokesperson told The Post that the company is aware of the book.)

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The prevailing Barbie myth has long been that, in 1959, a businesswoman named Ruth Handler (who founded toy company Mattel with her husband, Elliot) introduced an 11.5-inch plastic doll to the market  and changed girlhood, the toy industry and pop culture forever.

This doll boasted big breasts, long legs and a killer wardrobe. She wasnt a baby like the playthings that came before her; she was a fashion model with clothes that mimicked the latest couture collections. Ruth called her Barbie after her own daughter, Barbara.

In reality, Barbie was not the first adult doll. There were others, Hitt notes. And one, the German dolly Bild Lilli, had a much bigger influence on Barbies creation than Ruth would ever admit.

Lilli started life as a ribald comic strip in the German tabloid Bild  a blonde bimbo whose adventures in gold-digging often ended in wardrobe malfunctions. She became a doll in 1955, sold in tobacco stands and toy stores throughout Europe. In 1958, she starred in her own live-action movie  65 years before actress/producer Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig brought Barbie to the silver screen.

The book claims that the leggy doll isnt the revolutionary original shes been sold as. Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Decades after her Barbies debut, Ruth admitted she saw Lilli in Switzerland in 1956, but insisted she had the idea for a grown-up doll years before.

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When Mattel engineer Jack Ryan  a former missile designer and sexual libertine who would later patent Barbies hips  went to check out some factories for Japan, Ruth allegedly stuck a Lilli doll into his briefcase. See if you can get this copied, she told him, according to the book.

By the time the German company got its American Lilli patent approved in 1960, Mattel had already sold nearly $1.5 million worth of Barbie, Hitt writes.

Barbie bares a striking resemblance to the German Bild Lilli doll. SSPL via Getty Images

Eventually, Mattel bought the worldwide rights to the Lilli doll  and buried her. Investigations into Lilli had a habit of disappearing from the public record, Hitt claims.

It wasnt just Barbies origin story that Mattel tried to control. When the company commissioned an Art of Barbie coffee table book in 1994, it nixed photographer Nancy Bursons contribution: an aged Barbie with crows feet. When Sharon Stone pitched a Barbie movie to Mattel in the 1990s, the actress said she was given a lecture and an escort to the door, according to Hitt.

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For Mattel to tolerate a reproduction of Barbie it had to be, as [one publisher] put it, as identical to the doll as possible she writes.  Perfect, not only in its aesthetic faithfulness to the doll itself, but existentially: Barbie could not be flawed.

Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler admitted that she had seen Lilli in Switzerland a few years before she launched Barbie, but insisted she had the idea for a grown-up doll years before. Getty Images

As the 1990s wore on, Mattel ramped up its petty lawsuits.

When the company sued the Europop band Aqua for its 1997 song Barbie Girl, the exacerbated judge  who ruled in favor of the song  advised the toy company to chill.

Barbielands last third details Mattels decade-long battle against Bratz, MGAs popular line of teen fashion dolls that debuted in 2001  claiming that a Barbie designer had come up with the idea at Mattel. MGA then alleged that Mattel had spied on employees and maintained a long-running corporate espionage operation to steal trade secrets. One of these spies took the stand, recalling using fake names and business cards to sneak into competitors showrooms and reporting his findings back to Mattel. The jury, on appeal, found that Mattel had actually stolen from MGA, and Mattel was ordered to pay its rival $85 million in damages. (A later court struck down the award on a procedural issue, per Hitt, and in the end Mattel only had to cover MGAs legal fees.)

Mattel took issue with the 1997 song Barbie Girl by the Europop band Aqua. Aqua

Its astonishing that Mattel allowed Gerwig to make a movie that somewhat skewers the dolls image. In the 2023 Barbie film, the titular doll, played by the lissome Robbie, goes into an existential spiral after she spots cellulite on her leg.

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But, according Hitt, by 2018, Mattel was in bad shape, and it needed to shed its uptight image and make money. Its new CEO claimed he wanted to turn Mattel into an IP-driven company. He understood that the screen was the medium on which Barbies future would be made, she writes.

Margot Robbie portrayed the doll in the 2023 movie Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

The movie, in its own cheeky way, ultimately upholds the Barbie mythology: the idea that this doll changed the way that girls saw themselves, not as future moms but future designers, adventurers, businesswomen, even presidents.

Barbie had become not just a childs accessory but a symbol, as synonymous with American consumerism as the Golden Arches and French fries, Hitt writes. She was forever, like diamonds or microplastics.
The cast of Emily in Paris touched down in the City of Lights wearing their finest Armani threads for the Paris premiere of the Netflix original series fifth season on Monday.

Cast members and special guests from series star Lily Collins to Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver and more paid homage to the late couturier, who died at the age of 91 in September. WWD breaks down those Armani designs and more ahead.

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Lily Collins

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Lily Collins attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Lily Collins, who regularly collaborates with stylist Andrew Mukamal, wore a Giorgio Armani Prive black backless gown with a plunging neckline entirely embroidered in crystals. The gown, which hails from the fall 2025 haute couture collection, included an exaggerated black velvet bow at the waist and a front slit. Collins accessorized her Armani gown with pieces of jewelry by Cartier, including the Onja earrings and statement necklace.

Minnie Driver

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Minnie Driver attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Minnie Driver opted to go retro with her Armani look. The Oscar-nominated Good Will Hunting actress wore a vintage Giorgio Armani black sleeveless silk column gown fully embroidered in silver sequins from the fall 1998 collection.

Raoul Bova

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Raoul Bova attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Raoul Bova kept it classic, wearing a Giorgio Armani black velvet mandarin collar jacket along with black trousers and a black shirt.

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Since Giorgio Armanis passing in September, several high-profile stars have gravitated toward his designs for red carpet moments. Among them, Margot Robbie memorably wore a look from the designers Prive spring 2025 couture collection to the A Big Bold Beautiful Journey premiere in London just days after Armanis passing.

Emily in Paris Season Five takes the Netflix romantic comedy series to Rome, where Emily, played by Lily Collins, runs into more obstacles than she bargained for while trying to establish a new agency in the Italian capital. Season Five of Emily in Paris debuts on Netflix Thursday.

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Lily Collins attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Lily Collins attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 15: Maeva Coucke attends the "Emily In Paris" - Season Five - Netflix Paris Premiere at Le Grand Rex on December 15, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: 'Emily in Paris' Season Five Premiere Photos: Lily Collins, Ashley Park and More

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Rachael Carpani's loved ones are in mourning.

The Australian actresswho appeared on N.C.I.S.: Los Angeles, A&E's The Glades, Lifetime's Against the Wall and the 2020 Ben Affleck film The Way Backdied at the age of 45, her sister Georgia announced.

"It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December," she wrote on Instagram Dec. 15. "The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends."

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She added, "The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements."

While comments were turned off on Georgia's post, fans flooded the comments on a 2024 photo she had posted with Rachaelwho was best known for playing Jodi Fountain on the Australian soap opera McLeod's Daughters for nearly 180 episodes.

"Condolences to your family," one user commented. "I loved your sister Rachael on Mcleod's Daughter's. She was too young and so beautiful. Life is so unfair sometimes."

Another user wrote, "On behalf of all from the Mc Leods Tochter Facebook Group Germany, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Rachel was such a wonderful woman who gave us many beautiful moments and hours in the series. We will always carry them in our hearts."

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"Condolences to your family," one user commented. "I loved your sister Rachael on Mcleod's Daughter's. She was too young and so beautiful. Life is so unfair sometimes."

Another user wrote, "On behalf of all from the Mc Leods Tochter Facebook Group Germany, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Rachel was such a wonderful woman who gave us many beautiful moments and hours in the series. We will always carry them in our hearts."

Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images for AFI

Commented a third user, "I am so incredibly saddened to learn of your darling sisters passing. I am so sorry. I grew up watching & wanting to be her. Sending much love and enveloping hugs to your family."

Back in September, Rachael had gushed about how loved she felt after celebrating her 45th birthday with her family.

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"Despite existing in this waking nightmare of a world losing its humanity," she wrote on Instagram at the time, "you all reminded me how much we should treasure what we have. And against the current backdrop, how enormously grateful we should all be, everyday."

"Thank you for bringing joy and ridiculous into my world, even for a day or two," Rachael added. "Didn't realise how much I needed it, or how much I would love all that love."

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
OnlyFans Bonnie Blue may have avoided a long-term arrest by the skin of her teeth following her antics in Bali, Indonesia. Still, the content creator seems utterly unfazed by the ordeal, as evidenced by her reaction upon returning to the UK. Blue was caught sticking her tongue out after arriving in London, all the while sporting a broad smile.

Bonnie Blue makes faces as she arrives in UK amid Bali arrest

On December 13, Bonnie Blue, real name Tia Billinger, finally returned to the UK after being deported from Indonesia. The English pornographic film actress landed at the London Heathrow Airport on Saturday afternoon. She stuck her tongue out for the cameras before heading out of the establishment. Blue smiled gleefully while holding a teddy bear and a beverage in one hand and her luggage in the other.

When asked by on-site reporters about getting arrested in Bali for allegedly playing a sex game, Bonnie Blue remarked, Im rich and have good lawyers. Did you really think Id face jail time? The online content creator added that she was looking forward to showing people what got me into all this trouble. Blue even joked that she would have to recuperate her huge losses after paying an insignificant 9 fine to evade further prosecution, as per The Daily Mail.

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Notably, authorities in Bali had arrested Bonnie Blue, along with 17 male tourists, for allegedly violating Indonesias morality laws. Officials accused Blue and her acquaintances of making immoral or pornographic content in a rented studio, before detaining them.

As such, Blue faced a hefty penalty of 270,000 and a 15-year prison sentence. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old only had to fork out a petty fine of 9 in the end. She was also banned from the country for a decade due to traffic violations involving her pickup vehicle, Bangbus.

Talking about whether shell miss visiting Indonesia in the future due to her ban, Bonnie Blue noted, I wont miss looking at the starving dogs, according to The Sun.

Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory.

The post OnlyFans Bonnie Blue Poses For The Camera After Deportation appeared first on Reality Tea.
OnlyFans Bonnie Blue may have avoided a long-term arrest by the skin of her teeth following her antics in Bali, Indonesia. Still, the content creator seems utterly unfazed by the ordeal, as evidenced by her reaction upon returning to the UK. Blue was caught sticking her tongue out after arriving in London, all the while sporting a broad smile.

Bonnie Blue makes faces as she arrives in UK amid Bali arrest

On December 13, Bonnie Blue, real name Tia Billinger, finally returned to the UK after being deported from Indonesia. The English pornographic film actress landed at the London Heathrow Airport on Saturday afternoon. She stuck her tongue out for the cameras before heading out of the establishment. Blue smiled gleefully while holding a teddy bear and a beverage in one hand and her luggage in the other.

When asked by on-site reporters about getting arrested in Bali for allegedly playing a sex game, Bonnie Blue remarked, Im rich and have good lawyers. Did you really think Id face jail time? The online content creator added that she was looking forward to showing people what got me into all this trouble. Blue even joked that she would have to recuperate her huge losses after paying an insignificant 9 fine to evade further prosecution, as per The Daily Mail.

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Notably, authorities in Bali had arrested Bonnie Blue, along with 17 male tourists, for allegedly violating Indonesias morality laws. Officials accused Blue and her acquaintances of making immoral or pornographic content in a rented studio, before detaining them.

As such, Blue faced a hefty penalty of 270,000 and a 15-year prison sentence. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old only had to fork out a petty fine of 9 in the end. She was also banned from the country for a decade due to traffic violations involving her pickup vehicle, Bangbus.

Talking about whether shell miss visiting Indonesia in the future due to her ban, Bonnie Blue noted, I wont miss looking at the starving dogs, according to The Sun.

The post OnlyFans Bonnie Blue Sticks Her Tongue Out As She Arrives in UK appeared first on Mandatory.
Today, the Cinema Eye Honors has shared a raft of exciting new announcements and its last batch of nominees for the 19th Annual Cinema Eye Awards Ceremony, recognizing artistic achievement in nonfiction and documentary films and series.

First up: the creation of a brand new honorary award  billed the Cinema Eye-Con Award for Career Achievement  and its first recipient. Danish editor Janus Billeskov Jansen will receive the inaugural Cinema Eye-Con Award at the 19th Annual Cinema Eye Awards Ceremony, to be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the New York Academy of Medicine.

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Janus Billeskov Jansen is one of the worlds greatest living editors, said Cinema Eye Founding Director AJ Schnack in an official statement to IndieWire. His work across nonfiction and fiction over five decades has changed the way we look at film and has positioned Danish cinema as among the most exciting and vital in the world.

Among Jansens many achievements are long-running collaborations with filmmakers Bille August and Thomas Vinterberg, including their Oscar-winning films Pelle the Conqueror and Another Round, as well as some of the most vital nonfiction films of the past two decades. These include Cinema Eye winners and Oscar nominees Burma VJ, The Act of Killing, Strong Island, and Flee.

I see myself as a storyteller, said Jansen in a statement. In fiction I can reshape characters freely, but in documentary films I hold a moral responsibility: the people in our films are real individuals whose lives continue long after the credits. Theyre not narrative devices, and every cut has the power to shape how theyre seen  even how they see themselves. In the edit room, I search for that one true moment where reality and story meet. Editing always involves selection, omission, and framing, and each choice influences the viewers understanding of what is true. I must constantly negotiate the tension between narrative clarity and factual integrity.

The organization has also announced that four influential documentaries will be added to the organizations Legacy Award canon, plus the final nominations for the 2026 Awards in the categories of Nonfiction Short Film and the Heterodox Award.

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The four films added to the Legacy Award canon are Portrait of Jason by Shirley Clarke, Burden of Dreams by Les Blank, Sans Soleil by Chris Marker, and Tongues Untied by Marlon Riggs. The nominees in the Heterodox Award category are BLKNWS: Terms and Conditions by Kahlil Joseph, East of Wall by Kate Beecroft, Peter Hujars Day by Ira Sachs, To a Land Unknown by Mahdi Fleifel, The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania, and The Rehearsal (Season 2) by Nathan Fielder.

The nominated nonfiction short films are All the Empty Rooms by Joshua Seftel, Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud by Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud, The Devil Is Busy by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, Mama Micra by Rebecca Blocker, perfectly a strangeness by Alison McAlpine, and We Were the Scenery by Christopher Radcliff.

With this nomination, Geeta Gandbhir is nominated for three different projects this year  the first time this has occurred in Cinema Eye history. She is also nominated for Outstanding Nonfiction Feature and Direction for The Perfect Neighbor, as well as in the Anthology Series category for Harlem Ice.

Also of note: documentary film fans have just a few hours remaining to vote for this years Audience Choice Prize. Already, more than 100,000 votes have been cast to determine this years winner. Fans around the world have until 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT today, Monday, December 15, 2025, to vote for the Audience Choice Prize. You can see the list of nominees here.

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In Proud Jewish Boy, documentarian Isri Halpern sets out to find the truth about the 17-year-old Jewish refugee who assassinated a German diplomat in Paris in 1938.

Isri Halperns latest documentary, Proud Jewish Boy, which will be shown at the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival at the Jerusalem Cinematheque on December 18, tells one of the most bizarre, complex stories from World War II. Despite Halperns deep dive into this twisty tale, many questions remain unanswered.

The festival, which features dozens of dramas and documentaries about Jewish life and Jewish history, runs till the end of the week (https://jer-cin.org.il/en/JJFF2025_ENG).

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The movie, which won the Best Israeli Documentary Award at the Haifa International Film Festival this year and which will be shown on KAN 11 to mark Israeli Holocaust Remembrance Day in the spring, is about Herschel Grynszpan, a name many have heard but few know much about. When Grynszpan is mentioned at all, it is as a footnote to Kristallnacht. He was a 17-year-old Jewish refugee who assassinated a German diplomat in Paris in 1938, an act the Nazis cynically used as a pretext for one of the most violent pogroms in modern European history, which led directly into the Holocaust. The assassin was arrested, but in most accounts, thats where the story ends.

For Halpern, one of Israels most acclaimed documentary filmmakers, whose film, Pole, Dancer, Movie won the Best Israeli Film Award at Docaviv in 2013, thats where the story gets interesting. Everybody knew about the assassination at the time. And then his trial was canceled, postponed, and the story faded away. People more or less forgot about him.

Proud Jewish Boy, Halperns meticulously researched and fascinating documentary, sets out to find the truth. The film does not simply retell a historical episode; it investigates why Grynszpan was erased and how his story became something of an inconvenient truth for all sides.

A PAST Jerusalem Film Festival. (credit: ITAMAR GINSBURG/JERUSALEM CINEMATEQUE)

How a seventeen year old triggered Kristallnacht

Grynszpan was born in 1921 in Hanover to Polish Jewish parents who had lived in Germany for decades but were never granted citizenship. Like tens of thousands of Jews classified as Polish nationals, the family existed in a legal limbo that became deadly once the Nazis came to power. In October 1938, the German government abruptly expelled more than 17,000 Polish Jews, dumping them at the Polish border. Grynszpans parents were among them, stranded in appalling conditions in the border town of Zbaszyn.

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Seventeen years old, stateless, living illegally in Paris, Grynszpan received a postcard describing his parents expulsion. Days later, he walked into the German embassy, asked to see an official, and shot Ernst vom Rath, a minor diplomat, who died two days later.

The Nazis seized on the killing as propaganda gold. Kristallnacht followed within 48 hours. Synagogues were burned, Jewish businesses were destroyed, and thousands of Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Grynszpans act was reframed as proof of an international Jewish conspiracy, even as he sat alone in a French prison.

What interested Halpern was not only what happened, but what did not.

There are almost 20 books about Grynszpan, he said. Most of them tell the first story  the assassination  but not what came after, and not what was buried.

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It was no accident that the story was pushed into the shadows. When France fell to the Nazis in 1940, Grynszpan was transferred into German custody. The regime initially planned a spectacular show trial that would place him at the center of its antisemitic mythology. But something went wrong.

According to documents unearthed years later, Grynszpan told German interrogators that his relationship with vom Rath had been intimate, likely sexual and romantic. Whether the claim was true is still a matter of debate, but its implications were explosive. The German criminal code criminalized homosexuality, and Nazi leadership was obsessed with the idea of sexual degeneracy. A public trial risked exposing a scandal within the diplomatic corps  and undermining the very propaganda the regime hoped to stage.

The irony is that saying he was gay may have saved him from becoming a symbol forever  but it also erased him, said the director.

The trial was quietly canceled. Grynszpan disappeared into the Nazi prison system. No execution order was ever found, nor was a grave or a reliable death certificate. Official records list 1945  the year the war ended  as his date of death, not because it is known he died then, but because criminals in the system with no known date of death are listed as having died when Germany surrendered.

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He died many times, Halpern says wryly. 1942, 1943, 1945  depending on who you ask.

Proud Jewish Boy does not claim to solve the mystery of Grynszpans fate. Instead, it presents the evidence, the contradictions, and the silences. Halpern traces postwar legal battles in Germany over Grynszpans reputation, including lawsuits by the diplomats family attempting to deny the possibility of a homosexual relationship. He follows obscure archival trails, including testimony from a Jewish doctor who claimed to have treated vom Rath for a sexually transmitted disease, and intelligence files suggesting that Grynszpan may have been deliberately kept alive because his testimony was still considered valuable.

There were even postwar sightings. A photograph from a displaced persons camp, allegedly of Grynszpan, was published in major newspapers, although Halpern said he doubted it was genuine. A letter was sent to German authorities protesting that Grynszpan had been declared dead while still alive. There was even a 1960s court case in which a judge reportedly refused to grant immunity to a key witness who claimed he could produce Grynszpan to testify.

There will probably never be a way to know for sure about what really happened, but for Halpern, getting closure is not the issue: What bothered me is that people decided it was easier not to know.

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Only a handful of photographs of Grynszpan survived the era, so Halpern incorporated handmade drawings to bridge the gaps, by the acclaimed artists David Polonsky and Michael Faust, best known for their work on Ari Folmans Waltz with Bashir and Gidi Dars Legend of Destruction. These haunting, brilliant drawings make the teen assassin vivid and vulnerable, crucial qualities in a film where the protagonist cannot speak for himself.

We didnt want AI, Halpern says. We wanted something human. Something that admits uncertainty.

That uncertainty is the films center: Grynszpan is neither saint nor simple martyr. He was impulsive, angry, politically naive, and yet also acutely aware of symbolism and publicity. Halpern emphasizes a crucial point often overlooked: Grynszpan did not try to escape. He surrendered to French police. He wanted a trial so he could tell the world what was happening to Jews who had nowhere left to go.

Even when later given opportunities to reshape his defense, Grynszpan refused to perform the role the Nazis wanted.

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The films title, Proud Jewish Boy, deliberately reclaims language used by Nazi propaganda to demonize Grynszpan. It also challenges the discomfort that has lingered around his story  discomfort with ambiguity, with his sexuality, and with a Jewish figure who does not fit a heroic mold but nevertheless risked his life to defy the Nazis.

Thats why hes interesting, Halpern says. You cant say he was only good or only bad. History prefers clean heroes. Real people arent clean.

Proud Jewish Boy has already begun its international festival run, including Jewish film festivals in North America and Europe. Halpern hopes the film will travel beyond Jewish audiences.

Most of the researchers who worked on this were not Jewish, he said. They were historians who just couldnt understand why this story was dropped.

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In restoring Herschel Grynszpan to history  not as a symbol, but as a human being caught in an impossible moment  Halpern does not offer comfort. Instead, the documentary forces the viewers to sit with unresolved claims and to decide for themselves what they believe.

We dont know exactly how he died, Halpern says. But we know why people stopped asking.
Michael B. Jordan discussed his role in Sinners in Varietys Actors on Actors interview with Jesse Plemons. Notably, Jordan played the dual roles of the Smokestack twin brothers, who return to their hometown, where they are confronted by a supernatural evil.

Michael B. Jordan reveals how he differentiated Sinners twins

Michael B. Jordan opens up about his double role in Sinners and how he made the twin brothers (both played by him) unique. Plemons watched Sinners on the plane ride from Venice to Telluride and said he was blown away by the film.

He asked Jordan, Youd probably follow Ryan Coogler almost anywhere, but where do you start when youre preparing to play two characters? (via Variety).

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Jordan admitted that he felt a lot of nerves playing two identical twins. He explained his thought process: Lemme just focus on building out from their childhood trauma forward. How did that kind of manifest in each brother differently?

Jordan explained that one of the characters is more internal with his pain and doesnt say a lot. On the other hand, the other brother conceals his inner turmoil behind his smile and charisma. Understanding that those are two sides of me also helped, the 38-year-old actor added.

Furthermore, Jordan explained how he styled his wardrobe choices according to his character. He revealed he wore shoes that were too small for Stack because I liked him angsty. Jordan also described Stack as someone who was impatient and fidgety. However, for the other twin brother, Smoke, Jordan wore a size too big because he didnt move much.

The Creed star explained, It all started to take shape, with Ryan (Coogler) being the perfect North Star for where the storys going. Elsewhere in the interview, Jordan described filming as an organized chaos because artists have a limited amount of time.

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The Sinners star shared that he would do a few takes as each brother and then go to his trailer for more character building. Jordan shared, Music was really helpful to listen to as I took off a piece of clothing and put another one on. And I took off my gold caps, which naturally hold my mouth differently and [affect] how I speak.

He reminisced, Youre listening to the music and going through key phrases, running myself through that brothers perspective of what got them to that day.

The post Michael B. Jordan on How He Made His Sinners Twins Unique appeared first on Mandatory.
From the family of the late Norman Lear to Elijah Wood to Nancy Pelosi, Hollywood expressed grief and shock at the news that Rob Reiner, one of the most successful and beloved directors to ever sit behind the camera, was found dead Sunday along with his wife in their Brentwood home.

The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, the family of the late All in the Family creator wrote in a statement. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world. Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.'

Reiner, the comedic actor and filmmaker behind hits like This Is Spinal Tap and When Harry Met Sally, was found dead in his Brentwood home on Sunday, along with his wife Michele. LAPD officers responded Sunday afternoon to a death investigation in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue, where officers discovered two bodies.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner, his family said in a statement. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

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John Cusack, who starred in Reiners The Sure Thing in 1985, expressed shock on X, calling the legendary filmmaker a great man.

Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner  a great man .  John Cusack (@johncusack) December 15, 2025

President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi all expressed their condolences over the tragic news.

Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Robs achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 15, 2025

Rob Reiner's work has impacted generations of Americans. The characters, dialogue, and visuals he brought to life in film and television are woven throughout our culture. Rob loved our country, cared deeply about the future of our nation, and fought for America's democracy.



Rob  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 15, 2025

The news of a deadly assault on Rob and Michelle Reiner in their home is devastating. Its hard to think of anyone more remarkable and excellent in every field and endeavor they pursued. Rob was creative, funny, and beloved. And in all of their endeavors, Michelle was his  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 15, 2025

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The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, meanwhile, shared a photo of their chairs together on set, captioning the picture: No words

Grieving the loss of my favorite director of all-time, wrote Paul Walter Hauser.

A Few Good Men is THE reason I became an actor, and Robs filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do, Hauser wrote on Instagram. I met Rob Reiner on a Sunday at UCB theatre in Los Angeles on Franklin in 2010. I got very nervous realizing he and his wife and daughter were sitting behind me  The guy just treated me with the friendliness and intimate details that few people of his stature would bother recounting to a total stranger.

Elijah Wood said he was horrified by the news, while Stephen King and Ron Howard shared similar sentiments.

Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family.  Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) December 15, 2025

Im horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele. Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me.  Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 15, 2025

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#RIPRobReiner Our careers and lives intersected often over the decades from Rob writing the pilot script for Happy Days and then as we each shifted from acting careers into directing and producing. He proved to be a superlative filmmaker, a supportive colleague and at all times  Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) December 15, 2025

Horrible.I didnt think the day could get worse, actor Jon Cryer posted on Threads.

Josh Gad called Reiner one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us.

Damn this awful news out of Brentwood, actress Virginia Madsen wrote. God be with those who love them. Thank you Rob for giving us so much joy to hold on to. Life and talent always turned up to 11. z

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Like so many others, actress Mira Sorvino express absolute shock at the revelation of Reiners death.

Rob Reiner was a legend and a kind, brilliant man, a wonderful actor to work opposite on Hollywood, an iconic director, she wrote on Instagram.

Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor director Paul Feig shared a photo together with Reiner at Comic-Con on X saying that he was my true here. A true visionary titan and a lovely, lovely person.

One of my most cherished pictures. Rob was my true hero. A true visionary titan and a lovely lovely person. One never knows if its proper to post during something as tragic as this. But I just want the world to know what so many of us know in the industry. Rob was the best.  pic.twitter.com/oDn1FW1vqb  Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 15, 2025

This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiners contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice. An acclaimed actor,  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) December 15, 2025

And L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the Reiners death is a devastating loss four our city and our country.

Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights.

The post Rob Reiner Grieved as Hollywood Reels From Beloved Directors Death: Will Never Be Anyone Better appeared first on TheWrap.
Thirty-five countries are set to participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said on Monday, following the decision by a number of nations to boycott the event after Israel was allowed to take part.

EBU member broadcasters cleared the way for Israel's participation earlier this month, despite calls to exclude the country from Eurovision over its military campaign in Gaza.

In response, broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland plan to boycott next year's edition.

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Three other countries - Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova - are set to return to Eurovision for the first time in several years.

At this year's competition in Basel, 37 countries competed for the votes of the jury and the audience.

The competition remains "a place where voices, cultures, languages and music are woven together," said EBU Director Martin Green, "where people from many backgrounds can show that in a difficult world a better one is possible."

Eurovision, the world's largest song contest, has been overshadowed for several weeks by the debate about Israel's participation.

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Last week, the Swiss winner of the 2024 Eurovision, Nemo, pledged to return the trophy in protest of Israel's participation in the next edition of the event, citing the country's military actions in Gaza.

The EBU and Austrian host broadcaster ORF have repeatedly stressed that Eurovision should not be political.

Vienna is hosting the music competition for the third time, following events in 1967 and 2015. The final will take place on May 16.
According to data from Hefei Customs, in the first 11 months of this year, Anhui Province's total import and export value reached 901.57 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.3%. This growth rate ranks fourth nationwide, and the scale of foreign trade has already surpassed that of the entire previous year. Amid a complex and challenging year for global trade, Anhui's foreign trade surpassed the 900 billion yuan milestone, largely due to a "corporate task force" increasingly equipped with a global vision and operational capabilities. Among this force, private enterprises accounted for over 51% of the total import and export value, while foreign-invested and state-owned enterprises each accounted for less than a quarter. This reflects an enterprise structure that is continuously trending toward rationalization and optimization. As this foreign trade "corporate task force" continues to deepen its presence in the complex global market, its defining characteristics have become increasingly clear: it is capable of seizing global "technological innovation pursuits" such as green transformation and digitalization to continuously build its own "moat" advantages; it possesses the courage to venture into the "uncharted waters" of global markets, gradually adapting to new market environments, diversifying its market reach, and reducing dependence on single markets; and it is advancing international operations systematically and strategically, moving beyond the mindset of "taking orders as they come" and focusing solely on product exports. Instead, it is elevating its global market capabilities through methods such as brand exports and even creating international IPs. China is "an indispensable link in the global supply chain," with its trade structure continuously optimized and moving toward the high-end of the industrial and value chains. Within this trade structure, industrial finished products such as automobiles, integrated circuits, and machinery products serve as crucial pillars and engines driving overall trade growth. Consumers worldwide are increasingly favoring automobiles "made in Anhui." According to the latest data from Hefei Customs, in the first 11 months of this year, Anhui Province exported 1.056 million automobiles (including chassis), surpassing the one-million mark in annual exports for the first time and maintaining its position as the top exporter nationwide. The export value reached 112.51 billion yuan, up 29.5% year-on-year. The export performance of high-value-added "new trio" products in foreign trade is equally impressive, emerging as a new engine driving trade growth. In the first 11 months of this year, Anhui Province's exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic productscollectively known as the "new trio"totaled 85.29 billion yuan, ranking sixth nationwide. This represents a remarkable year-on-year growth of 88.2%, accounting for 14.1% of the province's total export value. During the same period, Anhui Province exported 47.08 billion yuan worth of laptops and 32.81 billion yuan worth of household appliances, representing year-on-year growth rates of 19.2% and 5.2%, respectively. The growth in exports of the "new trio" products, as well as laptops and household appliances, has been positively supported by trends such as rising global market demand. As the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation deepens, one of its significant spillover effects is the increasingly robust global demand for efficient, eco-friendly, and intelligent products, particularly in the fields of new energy and high-tech products. The international market's pursuit of sustainable development and technological innovation has provided a broad development platform for Anhui enterprises. Adapting to this global trend of demand upgrading by continuously enhancing technological capabilities and strengthening core competitiveness is becoming a key "moat" advantage for Anhui enterprises in global competition. In recent years, Anhui has deeply advanced its "Anhui Going Global" overseas initiative and partnership program, actively promoting the "Going Global" strategy for local enterprises. In the first 11 months of this year, Anhui's exports to ASEAN and the EU grew by 37.4% and 18.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, Anhui's total imports and exports with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 488.36 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.9%, accounting for 54.2% of the province's total foreign trade value. Continuous breakthroughs in diversifying market access have bolstered business confidence. The combined effects of trade structure upgrading and market diversification have provided a sustained and resilient foundation for exports, consistently exceeding expectations. Data show that in the first 11 months, Anhui's foreign trade exports reached 605.26 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.9%, while imports amounted to 296.31 billion yuan, up 14% year-on-year. In the first 11 months of this year, private enterprises in Anhui recorded a total import and export value of 460.45 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 14.9%, accounting for 51.1% of the province's total foreign trade. Foreign-invested enterprises achieved an import and export value of 220.5 billion yuan, up 18.1% year-on-year, representing 24.4% of the province's total foreign trade. State-owned enterprises posted an import and export value of 220.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.3%, making up 24.5% of the province's total foreign trade.

Source: Anhui Daily
HANOI, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung expressed concern over the complicated developments along the Thailand-Cambodia border during talks with his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Thailand on Sunday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Trung called on the parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and resolve differences by peaceful means, through dialogue, and in accordance with international laws and existing regional agreements and mechanisms, according to the report.

Vietnam stands ready to coordinate with other ASEAN countries, including Thailand, to actively contribute to collective efforts towards long-term regional stability, he stated. 
Anthony Geary, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his decades-long role as Luke Spencer on the daytime soap opera "General Hospital," has died at age 78, it was reported Monday.

Geary, who lived in the Netherlands, died Sunday from complications following a scheduled operation three days earlier, according to the website TV Insider.

"It was a shock for me and our families and our friends," his husband, Claudio Gama, told the website. "For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband."

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Geary  a Utah native who relocated to Los Angeles with help from actor Jack Albertson  appeared on "All in the Family" and later starred on the daytime soaps "Bright Promise" and "The Young and the Restless" before arriving on "General Hospital" in 1978.

Geary became a pop culture sensation as Luke opposite Genie Francis' Laura Webber, a pairing that transformed "General Hospital" and daytime television itself. What began as a controversial storyline evolved into one of the most famous romances in soap opera history, culminating in Luke and Laura's 1981 wedding. It drew an estimated 30 million viewers and remains one of the most-watched events in daytime TV history.

The couple's popularity helped propel "General Hospital" to the top of the ratings and turned Geary into one of the genre's most recognizable stars.

Geary left the series at the end of 1983 but returned full time in 1991, initially portraying Luke Spencer's lookalike cousin, Bill Eckert. Luke soon reappeared as well, and Geary remained a fixture on "General Hospital" until his final episode as a regular aired July 27, 2015.

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"This show has been a huge part of my life for over half my life, and Luke Spencer is my alter ego," Geary told TVLine in 2015.

"But I'm just weary of the grind and have been for 20 years. There was a point after my back surgery last year where it became clear to me that my time is not infinite. And I really don't want to die, collapsing in a heap, on that `G.H.' set one day. That wouldn't be too poetic."

Born Tony Dean Geary on May 29, 1947, in the small town of Coalville, Utah, he later adopted the name Anthony, telling Soap Opera Digest in 1996 that "Tony is a nickname."

Raised by Mormon parents alongside three sisters, Geary was drawn to performing at an early age.

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He won a scholarship to study theater at the University of Utah, began his career on stage and moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, supporting himself with a series of odd jobs, including selling toys at a department store, while waiting for his breakthrough.

Geary made his television debut in 1970 on "Room 222," a groundbreaking ABC television drama.

Soon after, he appeared on CBS' "All in the Family" as Roger, a man Archie Bunker wrongly believes is gay.

Geary then landed his first soap role on NBC's "Bright Promise," playing a man misdiagnosed as mentally impaired and institutionalized at birth.

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In 1973, he joined CBS' "The Young and the Restless" as George Curtis, a rapist. After six months, producers asked him to stay on as they planned to rehabilitate the character, but Geary declined, believing it was time to pursue a film career.

That film career never materialized, though Geary found steady work on Quinn Martin-produced series such as "Dan August," "Barbary Jones" and "The Streets of San Francisco."

In 1974, he played a psychotic killer who takes hostages in the ABC television movie "Sorority Kill."

In 1978, Geary was cast in what was intended to be a 13-week arc as Luke Spencer on ABC's "General Hospital." Introduced as a hit man who raped Laura Webber, the character evolved into her romantic partner and eventual husband. The storyline made Geary a series regular, and the pairing of Luke and Laura became a pop-culture phenomenon.

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Geary won a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

Geary met his husband, Gama, in February 1995, and the couple married in February 2019.

After Geary retired from acting in 2015, the two moved to the Netherlands, where Geary had owned a home in Amsterdam for several years.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Anthony Geary dies, played Luke Spencer on 'General Hospital'
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Credit: HBO

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for the IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1 finale. If you have not yet watched, take advantage of your HBO subscription and do so immediately!

More IT: Welcome To Derry Easter Eggs

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Over the last two months, IT: Welcome To Derry has provided audiences with not only a constant stream of horrors, but also an unyielding flood of love for Stephen King. Whether it be deep cut ties to the novel on which the series is based, sly connections to the movies that preceded the show, or nods to other stories in the King canon, every single episode has provided fans with a plethora of easter eggs and references to catch. You didnt really think that the finale would be any different, did you?

Titled Winter Fire (which is itself a reference to the poem that Ben Hanscom writes for Bev Marsh in IT), the last episode of IT: Welcome To Derry has aired, and there are a great number of special details to notice. Ive done my best to catalogue them all as they appear, and Ill start with one that arrives in the very first scene

Credit: HBO

A Mist Of Doom

To begin the episode, a mysterious mist quickly falls over the town of Derry, Maine, and while the icy fog is a result of It being awake outside of its typical hibernation schedule and making a move toward freedom, the look of the weather condition should be reminiscent to any Stephen King fan. I am, of course, referring to the novella The Mist, which sees a small Maine town flooded with an eldritch cloud that serves as the atmosphere for an invading army of monsters from another dimension. The connection in IT: Welcome To Derry is purely aesthetic, but one also cant help but get the impression that the filmmakers knew what they were doing.

Credit: HBO

Children Locked In A Gym Echoes An Iconic Stephen King Moment

As an absolute horror unfolds on a stage, students gathered in their high school gymnasium rush panickily to the doors, only to find them locked. Am I describing part of a scene from the IT: Welcome To Derry finale or part of an iconic scene from the final act of Carrie? If your answer is, Both, you get a prize! When Pennywise successfully traumatizes the lowerclassmen of Derry High School in the episode, the shot of the scared students pounding on the exits feels like it is specifically designed as a nod to the start of Carries revenge rampage at prom  which begins with her telepathically sealing the room so that nobody can escape.

Credit: HBO

Maturin Root Cures Dick Hallorann

In Episode 5 of IT: Welcome To Derry, the show folded in elements of Doctor Sleep to be a part of Dick Halloranns story, as it was introduced that the psychic soldier was taught at a young age to cage the horrible ghosts around him in a mental box. In the finale, he gets a new way to battle back against the horrors, and its in the form of a tea made from Maturin root. If that seems somewhat familiar, its because its the name of the great benevolent turtle who is the nemesis of It. While there is a lot of turtle imagery scattered throughout IT: Welcome To Derry  from the regular presence of Bert The Turtle, to the charm on Lilys bracelet, to the casing in which one of the pillars was buried  but the finale marks the first time that Maturin is mentioned by name.

Credit: HBO

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Margaret Tozier!?

There is a line between Easter Eggs and References and Straight Plot Developments that I do my best not to cross in the writing of these features, and Ill admit that this entry gets within millimeters of it. That being said, I think its still on the side of the former, so Im going to discuss it anyway! When the action moves to the frozen Penobscot River and Pennywise singles out Marge, he reveals key elements of her future  namely that she will eventually marry a man with the last name Tozier and give birth to a son named Richie (who will grow up to kill It). While we knew that the kids were linked to the Losers Club via Will a.k.a. Mike Hanlons dad, this adds a whole extra level of connection.

Credit: HBO

Time Is A Wheel

In IT: Welcome To Derry, the audience really only starts to get a grasp on what It really is. We learn about why it stays beneath the titular town and the origins of its Pennywise form, but there are many bigger things still to learn. The finale offers a fascinating clue into this with the revelation of how It perceives time  which is forward and backward all at once, with its birth and death being indistinguishable. Understanding this, one cant help but relate it to the oft-repeated phrase in The Dark Tower series that Ka is a wheel, which is to say that there is a malleable fate that guides with an invisible hand.

Credit: HBO

Beep Beep, Margie!

If Im being honest, one of my biggest nitpicks with IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two is the deployment of Beep beep, Richie. In Stephen Kings book, members of the Losers Club say this phrase whenever their most ludicrously loquacious friends needs to shut the hell up, but the movies never get it right (Pennywise is the only one to say it in the first movie, and adult Bev says it minus any real context in the second). IT: Welcome To Derry tries a third swing at it, namely as the last words uttered at Marge before It lunges in for the kill though it still doesnt really make any sense.

Credit: HBO

Pennywise Takes An Epic Form

How story developments in IT: Welcome To Derry differ from how things play out in Stephen Kings IT is subject matter for another feature outside of this easter egg and reference collection, but spotlighting one is actually necessary in this case. In Episode 7, It arrives on the scene in Pennywise form to enjoy all of the death and chaos at The Black Spot, but this is a deviation from the source material, which has the evil entity appear as a giant, demonic bird. Whats nice about the finale is that this epic imagery doesnt go to waste: in its final bid to escape the cage called Derry, the monster desperately tries to fly across the barrier but it ends up being too late.

Credit: HBO

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Marges Eulogy Comes From The Mind Of Eddie Kaspbrak

In discussing the works of Stephen King, fans are quick to point at his brilliant ability to craft complex protagonists and antagonists who find themselves faced with extraordinary circumstances, but rarely does his prose get enough credit: not just a master storyteller, he has a special gift for building intimate worlds and expressing ineffable emotion. One of his great passages in IT, for example, has young Eddie Kaspbrak reflecting on friendship when his pals visit him in the hospital after he breaks his arm:

Maybe there arent any such things as good friends or bad friendsmaybe there are just friends, people who stand by you when youre hurt and who help you feel not so lonely. Maybe theyre always worth being scared for, and hoping for, and living for. Maybe worth dying for, too, if thats what has to be. No good friends. No bad friends. Only people you want, need to be with; people who build their houses in your heart.

Its a remarkable bit of writing, and in IT: Welcome To Derry, its the source of Marges eulogy at Richies funeral.

Credit: HBO

Dick Starts His Path Towards The Overlook Hotel

If we pin the setting of Stanley Kubricks The Shining to its release year, that means that IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1 is set about 18 years prior to Dick Hallorann meeting the Torrance family. That in mind, it would be pretty unbelievable if Dick were to end his story on the show by directly moving on to a gig in Sidewinder, Colorado but it can be said that events do at the very least point him in that direction. In the final scenes of the finale, Dick mentions that he is going to move to London to take a job as a cook at a hotel, and it will presumably be there that he hones the skills he needs to eventually become the head cook at the Overlook.

Credit: HBO

The Hanlons Bought The Farm (Literally, Not Figuratively!)

Because IT: Welcome To Derry is a prequel series, it came pre-loaded with some questions about the Hanlons. Audiences first got to meet Leroy Hanlon in IT: Chapter One, where he is introduced as Mike Hanlons grandfather living and working on a sheep farm, but how did he end up staying so long in Maine? That answer is delivered in the finale, as while the Hanlons were considering moving far, far away from Its hunting ground, they instead choose to stay on the outskirts of town and purchase Roses land after she decides its time to leave Derry. The story ends on what seems like a happy note for Will  though it gets less happy when you think about what ends up happening to him years later.

Credit: HBO

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Mrs. Kersh Meets Bev Marsh

The story of Ingrid Kersh in IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1 is included as a way for the story to link back to the characters small (and haunting) role in IT: Chapter Two, but if youre like me, youve been asking yourself, Well, where was she in 1988/1989? Thankfully, the run doesnt end without answering that question, and its terrific: not only do we learn that Mrs. Kersh was locked up in Juniper Hill for decades, but we also learn that she was present on the traumatic day when Bev Marshs mother died (making her interaction with Bev all the more sinister in Chapter Two).

With that, weve come to the end of cataloguing all of the easter eggs and references in IT: Welcome To Derry but we can keep our fingers crossed that this is just the beginning of the end and an announcement about Season 2 will be coming soon.
Kimberly Guerrero's Rose has been the heart, soul, and conscious of It: Welcome to Derry since the Stephen King prequel series debuted on HBO in October. After that epic Season 1 finale, you can add "ass kicker" to that list. The extended climax of the eighth and final episode of the show's freshman year, "Winter Fire," finds the entire cast  adults and kids  on a frozen river in the middle of a winter storm making a desperate last stand against Bill Skarsgard's Pennywise as the killer clown from outer space tries to prevent being put back into hibernation.

The united group executes a two-pronged attack against the malevolent monster. One on front, the surviving members of Derry's kid army  that would be Marge (Matilda Lawler), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), Lilly (Clara Stack), and Will (Blake James Cameron)  are on a mission to return the shard of the comet that carried Pennywise to Earth eons ago to its rightful resting place.

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Courtesy HBO Courtesy HBO (Courtesy HBO)

Meanwhile, their grown-up allies  Charlotte and Leroy (Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo), Rose and Taniel (Joshua Odijick), Hank (Stephen Rider), and Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk)  attempt to keep the clown in check with increasingly dwindling firepower. They also have to contend with General Shaw (James Remar) who has chosen to side with Pennywise over Hallorann. And, yes, you might say that he's chosen... poorly.

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Speaking with Gold Derby, Guerrero says that she'd been waiting all season to show off Rose's fighting spirit, and Derry mastermind Andy Muschietti  who directed the finale  finally gave her that opportunity. "I kept advocating for it," says the Oklahoma-born actress, who is of Salish-Kootenai descent. "I was like, 'You are going to let Rose fight, right? Your girl needs to be able to kick some ass here!' And then Andy was like, 'Go out there and do it!'"

Guerrero notes that she arrived to shoot the climax armed with her own collection of very special set of skills. "I'm from Oklahoma, so I love toting a gun and am very comfortable with firearms," she says with evident pride. And, sure enough, Rose proves herself a crack shot, firing multiple rounds at and into Pennywise that don't completely stop him  but sure do slow him down. Asked whether she apologized to Skarsgard between takes for riddling his alter ego with bullets, Guerrero replies with a hearty laugh. "Watching Bill work was incredible," she adds. "We were all experiencing deep exhaustion after working these long, long days, but kept supporting each other. And it was extraordinary to see al the practical physical elements that he brings to his performance."

Much of the climax was shot outdoors in supremely chilly conditions, which contributed to the team's overall tiredness. And Rose has the added burden of seeing her beloved nephew Taniel become a casualty of war  killed not by Pennywise, but by the soldiers under the command of her childhood love. "For me, everything after that moment started with trauma," Guerrero says. "It was really challenging to see Joshua in that [bloody] make-up, because it's something very real that happens in First Nations communities in Canada and [Indigenous] communities in the U.S. It was rooted in a lot of grief, as it needed to be."

Courtesy HBO

That palpable grief was thankfully balanced out by the joy of getting to work alongside Derry's young cast, who spent much of the series off in their own scary storylines involving Pickle Dads, bike rides through ghost-filled cemeteries, and elongated snail eyes. "We had formed relationships with the kids as best we could outside of work, but unless you're in a scene together, it's hard to build a deep connection," Guerrero says. "When we finally did all get to work together, it was something we were all looking forward to."

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Interestingly, we never get to see Rose confront Shaw over his role in Taniel's death. The general is predictably killed by Pennywise after providing the boogeyman with an unwise assist, thus denying viewers something we were all looking forward to  namely Rose knocking Francis to the ice with a single punch. And Guerrero agrees that she misses that particular beat (down). In fact, she has a pitch for how their theoretical last scene might have gone. "I would have said, 'Can you keep a secret? No you cannot!'" Guerrero says, laughing.

Still, the actress does see a parallel between Rose and Francis at the sudden and brutal end of the latter's life. "Francis has that line in Episode 7 about soldiers having to accept collateral damage," And that's interesting because it parallels Rose in the finale  she has to be a soldier. She cannot allow her emotions [to get in the way], because she has to stop this thing before it eats the whole world."

The actress adds that she mentally filled in another gap from the episode: namely, what happens in the interim following Pennywise's return to a dormant state and when Rose offers the Hanlons the opportunity to join her community as watchers awaiting signs of his awakening. "I think the tribe would have had a ceremony for Taniel and the other folks that were lost in the fight," she explains. "I'm sure the elders would have put Rose through that ceremony as well to help her on her healing journey. I do think that something has happened to her, because when she's asking the Hanlons to stay, I could feel her progress within myself. It's going to be a lifetime of working through that trauma  but I think she's made some progress."

As for Rose's next steps, Guerrero says that she sees her alter ego immediately throwing herself into the work of keeping Derry's residents safe between Pennywise's sleep cycle. She'll also keep her thrift store, Secondhand Rose, open  although we've already met the person who will inherit the business. Guerrero advises that viewers go back and watch Welcome to Derry's third episode, which features a bespectacled young man as her assistant in the store. Flash-forward to It Chapter Two  which takes place in 2016  and that employee is running in the place, having grown into none other than... Stephen King himself.

For now, at least, we won't see what the future has in store for Rose. While HBO hasn't officially renewed Welcome to Derry, the creative team has already revealed a three season plan that will move backwards in time, with the sophomore season taking place in the 1930s and the third season set in the early 1900s. That means that Rose will continue to be a presence in the series  just played by younger actors. Asked what advice she'd give the next person to take on the part, Guerrero stresses the importance of tapping into that "inner warrior" that shot Pennywise on the ice.

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"I would just say to ground your own understanding of the importance of life, the value of life, the value of community and caring for people," she advises. "Be the kind of warrior that's going to run to danger instead of away from it."

Oh, yeah  and don't forget the sass. Guerrero says that the deleted scene she misses most from the show involved the actress who played the younger Rose in flashbacks to 1908  the summer she met Francis for the first time. "There was a longer scene with the two of them where she was very sassy," the actress says with a grin. "And that connects to some of my lines to Francis. Rose has always been that girl! The actress who played the young Rose is so brilliant and we talked a lot about that. I told her, 'Bring the sass, sister!' And she did."

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Sister Wives star Janelle Brown would like to forgive Kody Brownand then forget about taking him back.

As he was apologizing to his second bride over how he'd handled the end of their marriage, a separation they shared in 2022, it did cross the 56-year-old's mind that her ex might be looking to multiply his love.

Though the dad of 18 has been a self-professed monogamist since ending his unions to Janelle, Meri Brown and Christine Brown, "At some point I thought, 'What if we worked this out?'" Janelle acknowledged on the TLC series' Dec. 14 episode. "It's just one of those thoughts, you know, you have when you sit down with an ex."

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But she wasn't exactly racing to dust off her claddagh ring.

And while her friend asked if she thought Kody might be looking for a sister wife to join his sole remaining bride Robyn Brown, Janelle was unconvinced.

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"He says all the time how much he loves Robyn and she's his true love or whatever," the mom of six explained. "And I'm like, 'That's great. You guys can have each other.'"

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Because the North Carolina transplant has found something even more valuable: closure.

TLC

Accepting Kody's apologywhich included him explaining why he claimed to have never loved his first three wivesfelt like the last piece of the puzzle for Janelle.

With the family selling Coyote Passthe 14-acre parcel of land they purchased ahead of their 2018 move to Flagstaff, Ariz.and splitting the proceeds evenly, Janelle is ready to borrow a page from Meri's divorce playbook and ask their former church for a spiritual release.

"This feels like the timing is right, now," Janelle explained. "The property is done. We've said our peace, and now it feels like it's time to really cut that and move on."

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And as she starts her next chapter with her eldest daughter Madison Brush and their North Carolina farm, she's hoping both she and Kody can live happily ever after.

"The financial ties are dissolved," noted Janelle. "Kody and I meeting sort of put a few of the little pieces that were missing out of the chapter of the book that's closed."

And while she graciously listened to what he had to say about the rocky years following their separation, "I don't really care what Kody thinks about me seeking a spiritual release," Janelle admitted. "I don't care."

Though she had previously said she didn't see the need for a formal separation, she's ready to put that exclamation point on their split.

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"I don't really know if I'll feel any different once the spiritual release is done," Janelle acknowledged, "but intellectually, I'll know that there's a difference."

Of course, that's just one tidbit she's detailed about her post-Kody life. Check out all the truths she and her former sister wives have shared this season.

Janelle Brown Is Considering a Spiritual Divorce From Ex Kody Brown

Officially done with former husband Kody Brown (and his nice pecs and six-pack abs), Janelle Brown revealed in Sister Wives' season 20 opener that she's borrowing a page from Meri Brown's playbook. Never legally entwined to Kody during their 29-year marriage, "I had sort of thought about a spiritual divorce a long time ago and didn't even realize it was an option," the patriarch's second wife detailed on the Sept. 28 premiere. "And so when Meri got one, I'm like, 'Oh, hey, Meri, who do I call?'" And her former sister wifewho was granted a spiritual release from their former church on the grounds of abandonmentwas more than happy to fill in some blanks. Said Janelle, "She has been kind of helping me get in touch with everybody."





Madison Brush Would Like to Reconcile With Dad Kody Brown

Madison Brush is still working through the sins of her father. Amid her ongoing estrangement from dad Kody, Madisonthe second oldest of his and Janelle's six kidsadmitted on the Sept. 28 episode that she's still struggling with the separation. "You want your dad to show up," the mother of four shared in a confessional alongside husband Caleb Brush. "You want reconciliation. I know I played a part and Im angry because Im still trying to learn to not be disappointed. It's a lesson she's struggling to master. "Im still learning how to just see him for who he is," she noted. "Im trying to understand that maybe he didnt know how to show up. He might be hurting." He also might not be willing to cede too much ground. Kody stressed his desire to have healing with Meri, Janelle, third wife Christine Brown and their children, explaining, "I think we're in an impasse here because this healing can only happen on their terms only."





Kody Brown Has This Concern About His Sex Life With Wife Robyn Brown

To hear Kody's fourth and sole remaining wife Robyn Brown tell it, she always wanted the family, not just the man. "I had marriage proposals," she revealed on the Sept. 28 episode. Not necessarily an on-bended-knee situation, she noted, just "different men at different times said, you know, 'I'd marry you in heartbeat.'" Her response never wavered: "I was just like, 'Well, I plan to live a plural marriage.'" And had Kody been single when he pursued her, rather than a devoted family man with three wives, "I would have said the same thing to you." But now that they find themselves as unintentional monogamists, asserted Kody, "It's you and me, baby." Though he admittedly had one concern. "There's something I want maybe more than you do," Kody told Robyn, alluding to their sex life. The way he saw it, Kody continued in a confessional, "A polygamist is getting more than he wants and a monogamist isn't getting enough."





Meri Brown Reveals an Ex Broke Up With Her Over Her Polygamous Past

Throwing herself into dating, Meri knows precisely what she's looking for in a man: In addition to a tall guy, "super important for me is to find somebody who wants to travel with me," the avid road-tripper explained in the Oct. 5 episode. "And also must not have cats. Must love dogs." And she definitely needs someone who won't scare easily. "There was a guy that I was talking to," she detailed of one of her more troubling dating adventures. Once he discovered she was a polygamist, "He was like, 'I can't continue talking to you. This is not something that I'm even interested in or open to,'" she shared. "And it was very hurtful to me. Because I was a polygamist, you're not interested in pursuing a relationship with me?" For Meri, she continued, "It was like my first real big realization that that's going to inhibit some people from even wanting to start talking to me."

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Janelle Brown Thinks No One Else Really Wanted to Live on Coyote Pass

Janelle is convinced she was the only member of her sprawling fam who truly wanted to land on Coyote Pass. Discussing the family's standoff over the 14-acre property they purchased ahead of their 2018 move to Flagstaff, Ariz., Janelle admitted on the Oct 3 episode, "I'm not actually sure I ever had the dream of us all being out on Coyote Pass." Because while Kody's second wife could imagine herself settling out there"It's a beautiful piece of property, why not?"she alleged that it was more of a passing phase for her ex and his other brides. "Nobody really wanted to live out there," she said, adding that Christine definitely didn't and Meri would have obliged "if everybody else had done it." As for Kody and Robyn, they "had a house that was pretty much there without being there on the property," Janelle surmised of the two-acre, five-bedroom spread they have since sold for $1.7 million. So as much as they all howled over the land they initially split into four separate parcels, said Janelle, "I just could see very soon after we moved to Flagstaff that that was not going to be a thing."





Why Kody Brown Thinks He Has a Strained Relationship With "Most" of His Adult Kids

Kody has a theory about why his bonds with the majority of his adult kids (save for Robyn's eldest Dayton, Aurora and Breanna) are kinda garbage. "I think most of the relationships between me and my adult children are strained," he acknowledged on the Oct. 5 episode. "It's an issue of trash talk and innuendo, and it has challenged loyalties and trust on all sides." And these days, not many of his grown kids are on Team Kody. Though Mykelti Padronone of his six children with Christinehad been the most outwardly supportive of her father, months after she and husband Tony Padron made the move to North Carolina with their three children, she gave her take on the rift. "I think that if he took more accountability in any of his actions, his kidsmaybe not all of them, but at least some of themwould reach out," she noted during an October 2024 fan Q&A shared on the Instagram account @withoutacrystalball. "Instead of blaming the children, or blaming how they feel about his relationship with his other wife or blaming the parents or blaming gossip or whatever, if he just said, 'Look, I understand I did blank wrong. Im sorry. Can we talk about it?' I feel like that would go such a long way."





Janelle Brown Admits She Would Have Taken Half of Kody Brown's Assets

With the April 2025 sale of Coyote Pass, Janelle and Meri walked away from their marriage to Kody with a nice parting gift. (Christine had already signed over her portion of the land in exchange for keeping the proceeds from the sale of her Arizona home.) As Janelle joked to Meri on the Oct. 5 episode, it was "a nice way to just be like, 'See you later. Hope I never see you again. Goodbye.'" But she certainly wouldn't have waved off an even nicer present. Had she been "legally married to Kody," she noted, she absolutely would have taken half of his assets "because it would have been half mine."





Kody Brown Agreed to Sell Coyote Pass for This Reason

Before Kody and Robyn agreed to close the door on their Coyote Pass dreams, they had to open, not a window, but the contract on their new $2.1 million manse. After months of going back and forth with his exes about unloading the massive property, "Selling Coyote Pass became a reality for us," Kody detailed in the Oct. 12 episode, "only when we, we discovered we really wanted this other house." The dad of 18 is also eager to unload the bad memories of their previous home. "We've experienced a lot of heartache here," he posited. "And we want a new beginning, something different, something new."

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Why Kody Brown Feels He Failed at Plural Marriage

Though Kody felt his love should be multipliedcommitting to four different wiveshis attention wasn't divided all that equally. "I felt like I was devoted to our family and to plural marriage, but then I struggled to be devoted specifically to every single wife and vice versa," he reasoned on the Oct. 19 episode. "I don't think the wives were devoted to me or to each other as a whole." Among his missteps, he guessed, was setting up Robyn in her $1.65 million, five-bedroom Flagstaff home while other spouses were making do with less. "I don't know what went wrong," he said of ending his unions to Meri, Janelle and Christine, "but I know that I stirred up a jealousy putting her in this house. My wives, in whatever way, couldn't handle that I was willing to fight so much to make sure that Robyn was safely kept."





Christine Brown Says It Was "A Lot of Work" Being Married to Kody Brown

For Christine, it was hard to take it easy with Kody. "We were married to a guy that was a lot of work," she mused on the Oct. 26 episode. "He had a lot of things that he liked and a lot of specifics, like certain dietary restrictions, his grooming and things like that." Bottom line, she noted, "It was a lot." Enough that Janelle isn't exactly looking to multiply her love after their split. "I think maybe Kody was a lot of work," she told Christine and her now-husband David Woolley. "So I think that a relationship must be really hard." Which is why she's so resistant to David's urges for her to sign up for FarmersOnly, telling cameras, "David just can't handle that I'm just not going to go date because I'm like, dude, I, no, no, no."





Christine Brown Says Kody Brown Sometimes Called Her By the Wrong Name

Kody was quite careful not to call his wives every name in the book. "Kody would rarely slip up and call us the wrong name," Christine insisted in the Nov. 2 episode. "There's certain moments you don't want to hear another woman's name. You know those moments that I'm talking about. Never happened." Though there were some close calls. "I would catch myself a lot," Kody admitted. "And I've certainly done it. I had a way of starting it sometimes and then pivoting."





Christine Brown Felt Betrayed By Robyn Brown

To hear Christine tell it, she felt quite stabbed in the kidney by her former sister wife. "I feel betrayed by Robyn," she detailed to David on the Nov. 2 episode "I felt like I could never really trust her, ever." The issue, she explained to cameras, is that she "would tell her things that I thought were in confidence and then I'd get in trouble for them and Kody would get mad. I can't trust her. So I stopped confiding in her." But Robyn insisted she was just trying to play marriage counselor. "Christine would say to me, 'I wish Kody would know this. I wish Kody would understand this. I'm struggling with this,'" she explained. "Me being kind of a naive fool, I thought I could help, but I should have just stayed out of it completely."

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Meri Brown Had to Draw "Hard Boundaries" With Ex Kody Brown

Once somewhat charmed by her stance as Kody's favorite ex-wife, Meri wasn't interested in indulging any of her former husband's attempts at small talk when he scheduled a video chat to discuss the potential sale of their Arizona property. "I don't know what happened with Meri because I remember helping her move to her place in Parowan, Utah, and it was all fun and games and cordial," he mused of their shared chat with Janelle on the Nov. 2 episode. "And since then to now, it's got weird." But Meri insisted she was just focused on business, not pleasure after taking in what Kody had said to cameras in previous seasons. "I just had to draw some really hard boundaries," she explained. "And when we get on this video call and he's being all friendly and trying to act like things are normal after some of the things that he has said to and about me and my friends, that's not going to fly."





Kody Brown Felt He Should Have Been Able to Vet Christine Brown's Husband David Woolley

Though Christine answered now-husband David's 2023 proposal with a very enthusiastic yes, her former spouse feels he should have had a say. "My daughter lives in David's house," Kody explained of his and Christine's youngest, Truely. "I should know David." In fact, he mused, he "should have had the right, even, to discriminate David."





Janelle Brown Doesn't Think She'll Get Back the Money She Loaned Kody Brown and Robyn Brown

Excited about recouping her share of Coyote Pass, Janelle wasn't about to howl over losing the money she'd given Robyn and Kody for their five-bedroom Arizona home. While her kids "feel like I should pursue the money that I put into Robyn's house," she shared in the Nov. 2 episode, "it's going to be a fight." Should she try to get the money out of Kody, she continued, "There's always a billion reasons why he doesn't owe it." Exhibit A: His feeling that he'd already repaid that particular favor. "Janelle helped Robyn and I buy our house and I settled that debt with Janelle back in January," he insisted. "And she just stated to me after that was done in January or February, she said, 'Our debt is settled, you're good with me. It was more than fair.'"





Kody Brown Still Has Women Asking to Join His Family

Should Kody still be interested in having his love multiplied, there's no shortage of options. As he revealed to Robyn on the Nov. 2 episode, "I got another one of those emails from some woman talking about plural marriage." The unnamed person was "kind of chastising me for deciding to quit plural marriage," he explained to his sole remaining bride. And then she offered up her services. "She's calling me out," Kody explained to Robyn, "and then asking sort of like to get to know us for the purpose of joining the family." Truthfully, it wasn't an immediate no from Robyn, who admitted in a confessional, "For a split second, I think, 'Oh, wouldn't this be great? This is what I've always wanted for my life.' And, 'Hmm, would they fit.'" Ultimately, though, it was a no. "I find it very inappropriate that they would send it to Kody," she explained of her issue with the outreach. "It's not usually proper to go hitting on a guy. You have to go through the sister wives."

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Madison Brush Hasn't Spoken to Dad Kody Brown in Years

Though Kody is now acknowledging the estrangement he's labeled "the failure of the family," he has a lot of work ahead of him if he'd like a passing grade. Discussing Maddie's fourth pregnancy on the series' Nov. 9 episode, Janelle admitted that her eldest daughter didn't even tell her dad she was expecting. "He'll find out," Kody's second wife added, noting there was no reason to keep him in the loop beforehand. "They haven't spoken for a long time. It's probably been two or three years."





Meri Brown Says Janelle Brown Made Her Feel "Special" When She Joined the Family

Seems Janelle didn't just want the man, she truly wanted the family. When she wed Kody three years into his union with Meriafter briefly being married to Meri's brother"There's so many emotions surrounding that," Meri recounted during the Nov. 9 episode. "I always felt like when Janelle got married, she was being really cool in the way that she was like including me and she didn't want to hurt my feelings." At the time, Meri was filled with jealousy and other emotions as they tried "to figure out, like, how to do this plural marriage thing," she acknowledged. "And that always made me feel very special that she did that."





Meri Brown Says Kody Brown and Robyn Brown Wanted Her to Sign a Confidentiality Agreement

Meri isn't one to be silenced. But things got hairy when the family hammered out a deal to sell Coyote Passthe 14-acre property they purchased when they moved to Arizona. "I think the issue was getting our names put on the appropriate pieces of properties," Meri explained during the Nov. 16 episode. "There was a lot of conversation surrounding that and I don't know why it couldn't just be signed on." She was also puzzled by another of Kody's moves. "He's putting the whole f--king thing on me that I slowed it down, that I'm the problem," she detailed angrily. "But it had to do with the fact that they were trying to get me to sign a confidentiality agreement that I was not willing to agree to. Why do you want me to sign a confidentiality agreement? Why are you trying to silence me?" To hear Robyn tell it, though, their discussions were nothing to howl about. "Meri and I have always been able to talk pretty frankly with each other," she explained. "I was really just trying to find out what she needed and it really, like my intention is always in her best interest."





Christine Brown Reveals She Used to Have to Put Groceries Back at the Store

For Christine, more money has definitely come with fewer problems. Because the mom of six can still remember how it felt when money was so tight for the family there was no wiggle room for grocery shopping. "It's embarrassing to be at the checkout counter and realize you've overspent," she detailed on the Nov. 16 episode. "And, yeah, you can write that check, but it's going to bounce. You had to put stuff back." Other times they had to walk back plans to pay for certain essentials. Noted Meri, "We'd have, like, our weekly or monthly meetings, like, 'All right, which bill is most important to pay this week?'"

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Robyn Brown Says She And Kody Brown Had "Big Fights" About Coyote Pass

When it came to the eventual sale of Coyote Pass, Robyn said she was willing to be the big bad wolf. "This has been important to me to make sure that everybody was treated fairly in this situation," she explained on the Nov. 23 episode after insisting that she, Kody, Janelle and Meri each walk away with a quarter of the profits. "So, yeah, I fought him. I had some pretty big fights with him about it." In the end, noted Kody, when the 14-acre parcel sold in April 2025, "We just said, OK, we'll just do the best we can to clear this up and make it. You just get everybody their 25 percent."





Janelle Brown Feels Kody Brown Stopped Working at His Marriages

While Janelle stopped short of suggesting Kody went through a mid-life crisis, she shared on the Nov. 23 episode that something shifted once he hit his milestone birthday. Happily ensconced with fourth wife Robyn at that point, "Kody turned 50 and all of a sudden he started making all this noise about he was carrying the whole family and I think he had this wife who just was his soulmate or whatever," Janelle detailed, explaining that he felt maintaining four unions was "too exhausting." But Kody took issue with the idea that he didn't put in the work. "I never shirked my responsibilities ever in this family," he insisted in his own confessional. "I was always there and I gave 110 percent every time. I felt like I wasn't getting that from the rest of my family." And, with three soon-to-be ex wives pushing him to change, "I guess we all went through menopause together," he added, "because there is such thing as male menopause and my testosterone probably just fell to the floor and I just didn't want to do the hard work anymore."





Janelle Brown Says Her Mom Married Kody Brown's Dad to Try to "Save" Her From Polygamy

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? That's the stance Janelle's mom Sheryl Usher seemed to take when she first learned her daughter was exploring plural marriage. "My mom came to save me from the polygamists because no daughter of hers was going to marry some into some crazy cult," Janelle detailed on the series' Nov. 30 episode. But instead of driving a wedge between Janelle and her soon-to-be husband, "She ended up marrying Kody's dad," Janelle continued of Sheryl's October 1992 vows to Winn Brown, "and they actually got married three months before we did." Admittedly, their union made the family tree a bit more complicated. "When they decided to get married, I was like, that's going to be a little hard to explain, but all right," Janelle acknowledged. "It was a little weird at first, but I'm like, OK, it's great. Like somebody's here with me, I guess."





Ysabel Brown Admits She and Dad Kody Brown "Do Not Talk Very Often"

To hear Ysabel Brown tell it, she wishes her time with dad Kody wasn't quite so divided. As the second youngest of Christine's six kids explained on the Nov. 30 episode, "My dad and I aren't like, close, close, close, close, close, close." Instead, noted Ysabel, her mom "can be the dad and she can be the mom and she's perfect at it." And stepdad David is "awesome, too." Still, Ysabel stopped short of labeling her relationship with Kody as fractured. "I mean, he's still my dad," she insisted, "and I love him."




As winter settles in, its not just the colder mornings and darker evenings making people feel a bit off  its the sudden surge in seasonal illnesses too. Many of us are battling scratchy throats, blocked noses and that run-down feeling that always seems to arrive ahead of Christmas.

But this year, flu season has escalated far more quickly than expected. Last week, it was reported that the number of flu patients in hospitals in England had hit a record high for this time of year, with an average of 2,660 patients in hospital each day  a 55% jump in just seven days.

Cases are also reported to be more than 50% higher than they were last winter, putting extra strain on NHS services.

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Additionally, the usual winter bugs and respiratory infections are circulating widely and COVID continues to persist in the background.

So, if youre feeling unwell and unsure whats causing it, heres a simple guide to help you make sense of your symptoms  and what steps to take next.

Differences between flu and COVID symptoms

While flu often gets better by itself, some can become seriously ill. (Getty Images) (Antonio_Diaz via Getty Images)

What is flu and what are the symptoms?

The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. Similarly to COVID, it is spread by droplets from an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking.

Flu symptoms, according to the NHS, include:

a sudden high temperature

an aching body

feeling tired or exhausted

a dry cough

a sore throat

a headache

difficulty sleeping

loss of appetite

diarrhoea or tummy pain

feeling sick and being sick

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While flu will often get better on its own, some can get seriously ill, which is why it's important to protect yourself with the NHS vaccine if you're advised to.

Symptoms present similarly in children, though they can get pain in their ear and seem less active too.

What is COVID and what are the symptoms?

A headache and runny nose are some of the main symptoms of COVID. (Getty Images) (Prostock-Studio via Getty Images)

COVID is also a contagious respiratory illness, but is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a form of coronavirus.

As per the NHS, symptoms include:

a high temperature or shivering (chills)

a new, continuous cough

a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

shortness of breath

feeling tired or exhausted

an aching body

a headache

a sore throat

a blocked or runny nose

loss of appetite

diarrhoea

feeling sick or being sick

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These are thought to be similar between adults and children.

When the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) first reported the Nimbus variant in England, it outlined that there wasn't enough evidence to suggest any new symptoms.

However, some doctors associated the Stratus variant with hoarseness  a scratchy or raspy voice.

Don't delay in getting free COVID-19 or flu jabs this winter if advised or invited. (Getty Images) (Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images)

What to do if you have flu or COVID-19

If you have flu, rest and sleep, keep warm, take recommended doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen and drink plenty of fluids.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if any of the following apply:

you or your child have symptoms of flu and you're worried about your baby's or child's symptoms

you're 65 or over, you're pregnant, you have a long-term medical condition

you have a weakened immune system

your symptoms don't improve after seven days.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call NHS 111 if:

you're feeling worried or unsure what to do

you're worried about a baby or child under five

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For either, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities (taking extra care to avoid those at high risk).

Call 999 or go to A&E if:
Peru is often defined by the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu, but the country holds far more archaeological treasures than most travelers ever discover. Across its mountains, deserts, and jungles lie ancient cities, sacred temples, and forgotten civilizations that once shaped an entire region. Many of these sites remain uncrowded, offering a rare chance to explore history without the rush of tourists streaming behind you. For curious travelers, Peru delivers an experience that feels both intimate and monumental.

These lesser-known wonders reveal how diverse and advanced Perus pre-Columbian cultures truly were. From vast adobe kingdoms to cliffside mausoleums and mysterious geoglyphs, each destination tells a different story about ingenuity, astronomy, and power. Many of them rival Machu Picchu not because they are similar, but because they offer an entirely unique window into civilizations were only beginning to understand. Visiting them feels like uncovering pieces of a puzzle still waiting for its final picture.

Choquequira

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Choquequirao, often called the sister city of Machu Picchu, is a sprawling Inca complex perched high above the Apurimac Canyon. The journey requires a demanding trek, which naturally limits crowds and preserves its serene, untouched atmosphere. The sweeping terraces and stone structures stretch across a broader area than Machu Picchu, making it feel even more monumental in scale. For many trekkers, the remoteness adds a sense of privilege, as though theyve reached a true lost city.

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The platform views reveal dramatic cliffs, distant glaciers, and lush forest stretching endlessly below. Archaeologists believe far more lies buried under vegetation, meaning the citys secrets are still being uncovered. Those who make the trek describe the site as emotionally powerful, offering a raw encounter with Inca engineering. If Machu Picchu is Perus crown jewel, Choquequirao feels like its hidden treasure.

Kuelap

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Kuelap, often described as the Machu Picchu of the North, was built by the Chachapoya people long before the Incas rose to power. The fortress sits atop a cloud-forest ridge, surrounded by towering stone walls that reach up to 60 feet high. The circular houses and ceremonial plazas give insight into a culture known for its resilience and architectural innovation. Even with modern cable cars, the approach still feels adventurous and remote.

Mist frequently rolls over the mountaintop, creating a mystical atmosphere that makes the ruins feel alive. Researchers have uncovered elaborate tombs, decorative friezes, and defensive designs that challenge assumptions about Andean civilizations. With far fewer visitors than the Sacred Valley, Kuelap provides a peaceful and immersive historical experience. For travelers seeking authenticity with grandeur, this site delivers overwhelmingly.

Chan Chan

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the Americas and the capital of the powerful Chimu Kingdom. Its sandy walls form a vast labyrinth of plazas, ceremonial chambers, and residential compounds unlike anything built in highland Peru. Intricate carvings of fish, birds, and waves reflect the coastal kingdoms deep connection to the sea. Walking through the complex feels like stepping directly into a desert empire.

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Despite centuries of erosion, the scale of the city remains staggering and humbling. Preservation work continues to reveal new details about Chimu society, their artistry, and their advanced irrigation systems. Visitors often note how different Chan Chan feels from typical Inca sites, offering a refreshing contrast in design and culture. For lovers of ancient architecture, this city is nothing short of astonishing.

Nazca Lines

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

The Nazca Lines stretch across the desert as giant geoglyphs depicting animals, plants, and geometric shapes. Their precision and scale are best understood from the air, where they become unmistakably intentional and mesmerizing. Scholars still debate their purpose, ranging from astronomical markers to spiritual pathways. This mystery only heightens their global fascination.

The flight over the desert provides a surreal sense of perspective as each figure appears suddenly against the landscape. Some lines span several miles, testifying to the extraordinary skill of their creators. Standing on the desert floor, its hard to imagine how such grand designs were planned without modern tools. The Nazca Lines offer an unmatched blend of art, science, and enigma.

Sacsayhuaman

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Sacsayhuaman overlooks Cusco with massive stone walls that fit together so precisely theyve endured earthquakes for centuries. Each stone, some weighing over 100 tons, was carved and placed without mortar, showcasing remarkable engineering. The zigzag terraces suggest both defensive and ceremonial functions. Many visitors say the scale alone surpasses anything at Machu Picchu.

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Festival grounds nearby highlight the sites continued cultural importance. During Inti Raymi, thousands gather to celebrate ancient sun-worship traditions. The panoramic views of Cusco add a breathtaking backdrop to the historic stonework. Sacsayhuaman remains a powerful symbol of Inca mastery and spiritual depth.

Ollantaytambo

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Ollantaytambo is one of the few places in Peru where people still live in an original Inca town layout. The towering fortress above the village once served as a strategic stronghold against Spanish invasion. Its terraces, stone stairways, and massive walls reveal a sophisticated urban design. The surrounding mountains give it a dramatic, fortress-in-the-clouds feel.

The town below features narrow streets, flowing aqueducts, and homes built atop ancient foundations. Visitors can sense continuity between past and present as locals maintain traditions dating centuries back. The combination of living culture and archaeological wonder makes Ollantaytambo uniquely compelling. Its a rare place where history hasnt just survived, its still alive.

Huaca Pucllana

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Located in the heart of modern Lima, Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Inca ceremonial complex made entirely of hand-placed adobe bricks. The pyramids tiers and courtyards reveal a meticulous building technique known as bookshelf style, which helped the structure withstand earthquakes. Archaeologists have discovered elite tombs, offerings, and ritual artifacts that illuminate Limas earliest cultures. Its a striking reminder of how much history lies beneath the capitals streets.

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Evening tours reveal the structure dramatically lit against the skyline, blending ancient and contemporary worlds. The on-site museum displays reconstructed burials that give emotional context to the rituals once performed here. Visitors are often surprised by how advanced this coastal society was long before the Incas. For those exploring Lima, Huaca Pucllana is an unforgettable encounter with the citys ancient roots.

Moray

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Morays circular terraces resemble an enormous amphitheater carved into the earth, but scientists believe they functioned as an agricultural laboratory. Each level creates a unique microclimate, allowing the Incas to experiment with crops at different temperatures. The precision of this design shows profound understanding of environmental engineering. Many consider Moray one of the most intellectually impressive sites in Peru.

The views over the terraces reveal patterns so perfect they feel almost futuristic. As the sun shifts, shadows highlight the terraces harmonious geometry. Standing at the bottom, visitors often describe a sense of calm and connection to the land. Moray proves that ancient innovation can be just as awe-inspiring as monumental architecture.

Chavin de Huantar

Image Credit;Shutterstock.

Chavin de Huantar was the ceremonial heart of one of Perus earliest civilizations, dating back more than 3,000 years. Its maze-like underground galleries contain carved stone figures and mysterious channels designed to amplify sound during rituals. The sites iconic Lanzon monolith reflects a complex religious system that influenced cultures across the Andes. Exploring its tunnels feels like entering another world.

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Excavations continue to reveal engineering marvels, including waterworks that manipulated acoustics and sacred space. Scholars believe priests used sound, smoke, and darkness to deepen spiritual experiences. The combination of art, architecture, and psychological design makes Chavin exceptionally sophisticated for its age. It offers a rare look into the deep roots of Andean spirituality.

Sipan

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

The Royal Tombs of Sipan are often compared to Egypts Valley of the Kings for their archaeological significance. The discovery of the Lord of Sipan revealed elaborate gold, silver, and gemstone artifacts that transformed our understanding of the Moche civilization. The site museum displays these treasures with dramatic storytelling and preservation techniques. For many visitors, the richness rivals the most famous tombs worldwide.

The surrounding platform pyramids give context to the Moches political and spiritual power. Ongoing excavations still uncover new chambers, suggesting the site was a major ceremonial center. The craftsmanship of jewelry and ceremonial armor is astonishingly refined. Sipan offers a vivid window into a culture defined by artistry and hierarchy.

Gocta Waterfall

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Gocta Waterfall, one of the tallest in the world, remained hidden from global awareness until 2005. Its twin drops cascade through dense cloud forest filled with hummingbirds, orchids, and mountain spirits from local legend. The hike to the falls reveals a landscape both wild and peaceful, offering travelers a rare immersion in nature. Reaching the base provides a thunderous, refreshing finale.

Local communities carefully manage tourism to preserve the surrounding ecosystem. The combination of dramatic scale and ecological richness makes Gocta feel like a natural temple. Visitors often describe the setting as mystical, especially when mist gathers around the falls. While not an archaeological site, Gocta rivals Machu Picchu in emotional impact and sheer grandeur.
If a steaming bowl of soup strikes you as the ultimate in old-fashioned comfort, youve got plenty of company.

Soup is one of the worlds oldest and most universal foods, said Janet Clarkson, author of the book Soup: A Global History.

Every culture has some kind of soup, she said. Its got very ancient roots. Early people simmered it in everything from turtle shells to lengths of bamboo, she writes in the book, turning out metal soup pots starting in the Bronze Age.

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Boiling food made it possible to subsist on stable grains, with herbs and other ingredients added for nourishment or medicinal purposes.

Each time you deliver a pot of hearty soup (with perhaps a side of bread) to a friend with the sniffles, Clarkson said youre in fact carrying on an age-old tradition. Separating food and medicine  thats not how ancient people thought of it, she said. I think in every country in the world, historically, some soups were seen as restorative.

Thats true no matter what you call it. Today, soup leans brothy while stews are more substantial, but the worlds spoonable foods have never fit neatly into the two English-language categories.

While Clarkson dove into centuries of etymology to trace the history of soup, potage and broth, she settled on a generously broad take. Just some stuff cooked in water, she wrote, with the flavored water becoming a crucial part of the dish.

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Its a definition that leaves room for the worlds tremendous culinary diversity. These are CNN Travels nominations for 20 of the best soups around the world:

Banga | Nigeria

Banga is so popular in Nigeria that shops sell ready-mixed packets of spice. - Shutterstock

Fruits from the oil palm tree lend both fat and flavor to this soup from the Niger Delta, which also features fresh catfish, beef and dried seafood.

Its so popular that packets of ready-mixed banga spice are sold in shops. Most blends include African nutmeg, castor seed, orima, jansa and beletete leaves.

The spices infuse a rich, red sauce thats the soups main draw: Soak it up with eba or a ball of starch, two Nigerian staples both made from cassava prepared with different methods.

Beef pho (pho bo) | Vietnam

This Vietnamese soup, which has surged in popularity around the globe, requires hours to make. - Leisa Tyler/LightRocket/Getty Images

Broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise and other warm spices to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup.

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Pho is among Vietnams most recognized culinary exports, but the soup is a relatively new food, wrote Andrea Nguyen, author of The Pho Cookbook.

And while todays pho restaurants serve a wide range of flavors, beef is the original. By 1930, Nguyen explained, the soup was served with slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth.

Today, beef pho remains the most beloved version in Vietnam, with options that include the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket and tendon.

Borscht | Ukraine

Tender beets are just the start of borscht's tangy delights. - Shutterstock

Chunks of tender beets swim in brilliant red broth for a soup thats beloved in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. Often topped with a rich dollop of sour cream, borscht is anything but basic beet soup. It gets a tangy kick from kvass, a lacto-fermented beet juice thats another regional specialty.

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And while the soup is sometimes attributed to Russian cuisine, that claim is contested.

In 2022, UNESCO declared that borscht in Ukraine unites people of all ages, genders and backgrounds at the table and placed the soup on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. And individual Ukrainian chefs are doing their part to make the soup a symbol of the nation.

Bouillabaisse | France

Bouillabaisse, which is popular in Marseille, France, contains multiple types of seafood. - Shutterstock

A fishermans stew turned culinary icon, bouillabaisse distills classic Mediterranean flavors into a dish synonymous with the coastal city of Marseille. Saffron, olive oil, fennel, garlic and tomatoes blend with fish fresh from the sea.

At one time, that fish would reflect each days catch, but things have gotten a bit stricter.

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According to signatories of the 1980 Bouillabaisse Charter  a collective attempt by local chefs to ensure the quality of the French soup  the most authentic recipe must include at least four kinds of seafood chosen from a list that includes monkfish and crab.

Caldo verde | Portugal

This hearty soup, which sometimes includes sausage, hails from Portugal's wine country. - Shutterstock

Thinly sliced greens meld with potatoes and onions in this homey soup from Portugals wine-producing Minho region. Now, the soup is a culinary star from upscale cafes to rural kitchens, the definition of down-home comfort food.

In many versions, tender Portuguese chourico sausage adds an undercurrent of smoky, salty flavor that makes the soup even heartier. Enjoy alongside a glass of Minhos famed vinho verde wine.

Chorba frik | Algeria, Libya and Tunisia

Chorba frik is popular in North Africa as a way to break the fast during Ramadan. - Shutterstock

Durum wheat harvested while green, called freekeh, adds satisfying heft and nourishment to this North African soup, which is especially beloved during the holy time of Ramadan.

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The tender grains absorb a tomato broth and aromatic spices, their flavor melding with chickpeas plus stewed chicken, beef, mutton or lamb. Serve with lemon wedges and a hunk of kesra bread.

Chupe de camarones | Peru

This hearty Peruvian soup has a kick to it and is considered an aphrodisiac. - Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty Images

This creamy shrimp chowder is a specialty of Arequipa, a historic city surrounded by towering volcanoes. Cold nights in the mountains are perfect for the hearty dish: Tender shrimp swim alongside chunks of Andean potatoes and corn.

Its got a kick, too. The addition of aji amarillo, a chili pepper with a lilting, fruity flavor, adds satisfying spice to balance out the rich and creamy ingredients. Maybe that explains the soups reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac.

Gazpacho | Spain

Gazpacho, which is served cold, is a great way to find refreshment on a hot day. - Shutterstock

Summer in Andalusia brings searing weather, ideal for cooling down with a bowl of this chilled vegetable soup. Todays most classic version includes tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic and olive oil, with a handful of stale breadcrumbs added for body.

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Arabs brought the dish to the Iberian Peninsula centuries before Spaniards tasted tomatoes, a New World ingredient. The original was a blend of bread, garlic and olive oil, pounded in a mortar and seasoned with vinegar.

Groundnut soup | West Africa

Sweet potatoes and okra are stars in this particular version of groundnut soup, popular throughout West Africa. - Shutterstock

As with so many culinary treats, groundnut soup ignores international boundaries: Meat, fish or chicken simmered into a thick peanut soup is pure comfort food in countries across West Africa. Versions range from Gambian domoda  the national dish  to a Nigerian take cooked with bitter, leafy greens.

No matter the country, such soups and stews are creamy, rich and salty, a satisfying combination that often gets a fiery jolt from the addition of Scotch bonnet peppers.

Gumbo | United States

Gumbo, which can be served with chicken, sausage and shrimp, is associated with New Orleans. - Tom McCorkle/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Cultures and flavors meld in a hearty soup thats a star of Louisiana cuisine, influenced by West African, Native Choctaw and French cuisines. Versions made with seafood, chicken and sausage are among the most popular today, but there are myriad ways to make this Southern specialty.

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Ground, dried sassafras leaves  called file and long harvested by the Choctaw people  give many gumbo recipes a distinctive spice. Some cooks thicken their soup with a cooked flour paste called roux, while others swear by sauteed slices of okra.

Every possible version is on display each year at the World Champion Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia, Louisiana, where cooks battle for some serious soup-master bragging rights.

Harira | Morocco

Moroccan harira uses chickpeas in a savory tomato broth to superb effect. - Shutterstock

When the sun sets during the month of Ramadan, many Moroccans break their fasts with a hot bowl of this comforting chickpea stew. Cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and pepper lend warming spice to the savory tomato broth, which soaks into tender chickpeas. Its also widely enjoyed in Algeria.

While vegetarian recipes are popular, the most classic version is simmered with tender chunks of lamb or other meat. Its not just fasting fare for Muslims; some North African Jews also prepare harira to break the annual fast of Yom Kippur.

Kharcho | Georgia

A plum sauce gives kharcho, a Georgian specialty, its zesty flavor. - Shutterstock

Tart plum sauce called tkemali adds bright, zesty flavor to this traditional soup, which is one of Georgias most beloved dishes.

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Its made with unripe plums, whose sour note balances the richness of fatty beef and ground walnuts cooked into the soup. The aromatic kick, though, comes from the spice mix khmeli suneli, a blend of coriander, savory, fenugreek, black pepper, marigold and more.

Lanzhou beef noodle soup | China

Homemade noodles are at the heart of the popularity of this Chinese beef soup. - Shutterstock

Shaping  or pulling  la mian noodles by hand for this traditional soup is an art in itself. Artisans use a finely milled, high-gluten flour and alkaline powder to mix a stretchy dough, then pull and fold a single piece of dough to make enough noodles for a bowl of soup.

Slip them into a bowl of beef broth for a world-class soup that includes tender beef, pale slices of radish, chili oil and fresh herbs. (At some shops, diners may even ask for noodles of a preferred thickness and shape.)

Mohinga | Myanmar

This version of mohinga features catfish, rice noodles, chicken eggs and lime. - Shutterstock

Soup is whats for breakfast in much of Myanmar, where sidewalk vendors and tea shops hawk steaming bowls of mohinga out of enormous vats. The soul of this noodle soup is the aromatic broth, which is simmered with herbs and thickened with toasted rice powder.

Fish lends added richness, while the thin rice noodles are perfect for slurping. Mohinga is so beloved that its gone from breakfast dish to anytime snack, and each region has its own twist on the classic soup.

Menudo | Mexico

Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with tripe and hominy. - Shutterstock

Tripe simmered for hours in a piquant, garlicky broth is the ultimate Mexican hangover cure, but menudo goes far beyond morning-after remedies. Its a favorite at weddings and big occasions, too, when an enormous pot of the traditional soup can feed dozens of guests.

Its sheer comfort food, with kernels of hominy that get fresh bite from a garnish of raw onions, chiles and cilantro. Choose from one of two main varieties: Menudo rojo turns a deep red from chiles in the broth, while Sonoran-style Menudo blanco is a milder alternative.

Moqueca de camarao | Brazil

Shrimp float in a coconut broth in this Brazilian soup, enjoyed even in the summer months. - Shutterstock

Palm oil and tomatoes tint coconut broth a warm, orangey red in this specialty from the Bahia region of Brazil, where locals eat steaming bowls on even the hottest days.

This soups real draw is sweet, tender shrimp floating in the broth, however. Traditionally, moqueca de camarao is cooked in a handmade pot made from black clay and the sap of mangrove trees, then brought to the table in the same authentic vessel.

Soto ayam | Indonesia

This chicken noodle soup is enjoyed throughout Indonesia, with regional twists. - Shutterstock

Chicken noodle soup may reach its culinary pinnacle in this piquant Indonesian dish. Spices such as fresh turmeric, star anise, cinnamon, lemongrass and lime leaves combine for deeply layered aroma and flavor, with the jammy yolks of soft-boiled eggs to add extra richness.

Every part of Indonesia has a local twist, and the soup is also beloved in Singapore, Malaysia and in faraway Suriname in South America, where the recipe arrived with Javanese immigrants.

Eat topped with fried shallots, fresh limes and a fiery scattering of sliced red chiles.

Tom yum goong | Thailand

This Thai soup features a broth that pairs well with shrimp or other seafood. - Natasha Breen/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Sweet, sour, spicy and salty, this soups magnificent broth is the ideal foil for sweet, tender shrimp. Aromatic ingredients include galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves, while slivers of bright red birds eye chilis add additional heat.

Tom yum goong is just one of many varieties of tom yum soup in Thailand  this version comes enriched with fat prawns, and is a favorite with many diners.

Tonkotsu ramen | Japan

This classic ramen soup, which diners love to slurp, is flavored with pork bones. - Shutterstock

Long-simmered pork bones impart intense flavor to this classic ramen, whose broth is cloudy with marrow and fat. Its a signature of Fukuoka Prefecture on the southerly island of Kyushu, but the rich soup is now served in ramen shops across the country (and world).

While the indulgent broth is the star of tonkotsu ramen, a bowl isnt complete without slices of pork belly and a tangle of noodles that are hard in the center. Eat with a pair of chopsticks and a flat-bottomed spoon, and dont forget to slurp  its believed to enhance the flavor.

Yayla corbasi | Turkey

Yayla corbasi is so prized as a dish that it's considered a homespun medicine by many in Turkey. - Shutterstock

Boiled rice or barley adds grainy sweetness to this creamy yogurt soup. Its believed to ward off colds during winter; some Turkish hospitals even serve yogurt soup to recovering patients.

A crumble of dried mint helps balance the yogurts slight tang. Serve with a pillowy round of fresh pita bread.

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Credit: Benjamin Barakat/Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

The twelfth International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest has unveiled its Special Awards winners, recognizing five extraordinary photos taken in some of the world's most challenging environments.

Selected from over 3,600 entries worldwide, these pictures represent distinct categories within landscape photography, from monochrome mastery to weather extremes.

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Interestingly, these Special Awards change annually to keep the competition fresh and engaging. This year's categories pushed photographers to excel in black-and-white composition, seascape drama, winter landscapes, storm documentation and solitary tree portraits. Each winner receives a share of the $12,500 (around 9,350 / AU$18,800) prize purse and publication in the competition's annual book.

Sitting alongside the main competition categories, the five special category winners were selected by a judging panel including David Burnett, co-founder of Contact Press Images, and Tim Parkin, editor of On Landscape Magazine.

1. 'Curves' by Torsten Pull

Credit: Torsten Pull

Curves by Torsten Pull from the USA brilliantly captures the graceful, flowing lines of Namibia's Skeleton Coast sand dunes. Winner in the Black and White category, this image highlights how removing color isn't just an "arty" flex done for effect; it can genuinely help amplify form, texture and light; essential elements in dune photography.

The Skeleton Coast's dramatic landscapes have challenged photographers for decades, but this monochrome interpretation reveals the sculptural quality of windswept sand with exceptional clarity. The interplay of light and shadow across the dune's surface creates an almost abstract composition, where the curves become the primary subject rather than the landscape itself.

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Pull's technical execution and artistic vision here showcase precisely why black-and-white photography remains such a powerful medium for landscape work; stripping away distraction to reveal the essence of natural form.

2. 'Iceberg Spiral' by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

Credit: Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove

Icelandic photographer Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove scooped up the Seascape Award this year for his mesmerizing image, Iceberg Spiral, captured in Disko Bay, Greenland. This extraordinary photograph showcases the dynamic interaction between ice and ocean, with swirling patterns of water creating a spiral formation around a glacial fragment.

Van Nieuwenhove's aerial perspective reveals patterns invisible from ground level, highlighting the complex movements and forces at play in Arctic waters. The contrast between the deep blues of the ocean and the brilliant white and turquoise of the ice creates a striking visual composition.

Capturing such images in Greenland's harsh conditions requires not only technical skill but also patience and timing, as the constantly shifting ice and water create fleeting moments of perfect composition. Van Nieuwenhove's image stands as both a beautiful artwork and a poignant reminder of the changing Arctic environment.

3. 'A Whisper of Light' by Kung-Fu Li

Credit: Kung-Fu Li

Taiwan-based photographer Kung-Fu Li earned the Snow and Ice Award in the competition for A Whisper of Light, captured at the famous Harunire Tree in Hokkaido, Japan. This ethereal image showcases a solitary tree standing in a snow-covered landscape, enveloped in soft, atmospheric conditions that give the scene a truly dreamlike quality.

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The subtle interplay of light filtering through mist or fog adds a luminous quality to the scene, with the bare branches of the tree creating delicate silhouettes against the pale sky.

It's a composition that balances minimalism with emotional impact, using the vast expanse of snow to emphasize the tree's isolation while the gentle light creates a sense of hope and tranquility.

From a technical standpoint, it also demonstrates exceptional control of exposure, in challenging high-key conditions where maintaining detail in both snow and sky will test any photographer's technical abilities.

4. 'Supercell' by Dennis Hualong Zhang

Credit: Dennis Hualong Zhang

Dennis Hualong Zhang from Armenia captured the raw power of nature with Supercell, photographed in New Mexico, USA, to win the Stormy Sky Award. This dramatic image showcases a supercell thunderstorm  one of nature's most powerful weather phenomena  with its characteristic rotating updraft creating a distinctive structure in the clouds.

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A lightning strike illuminates the scene, adding an element of danger and energy to an already impressive atmospheric display. The composition beautifully balances the massive cloud formation against the landscape below, including a dirt road that draws the eye into the scene and provides human scale to the towering storm.

Photographing severe weather requires both courage and careful planning, as you need to position yourself safely while anticipating the storm's movement and behavior.

In this case, though, it was well worth it: the layers of cloud, the gradient from dark storm base to lighter upper levels and the precise moment of the lightning strike combine to create an image that documents both the beauty and ferocity of extreme weather.

5. 'Queen Bottle Tree' by Benjamin Barakat

Credit: Benjamin Barakat

Swiss photographer Benjamin Barakat won the Lone Tree Award for this striking image of a bottle tree on the remote island of Socotra, Yemen. Socotra's isolation has led to the evolution of numerous endemic species, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dream destination for nature photographers, despite the country's political instability.

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Queen Bottle Tree showcases one of Socotra's distinctive dragon's blood trees, aka bottle trees  species found nowhere else on Earth. The tree's unusual form, with twisted branches extending from a swollen trunk, creates a dramatic silhouette against the Milky Way and colorful night sky.

Barakat's composition expertly places the tree as the central subject, emphasizing its alien appearance and unique character.

Impressively, this image combines the technical demands of astrophotography with the challenge of accessing and photographing in such a remote location, resulting in an image that captures both the tree's otherworldly beauty and the pristine darkness of one of Earth's least light-polluted regions.

For the complete collection of winners and the Top 101 images, visit the Landscape Photographer of the Year website, where the awards book is available to download for free.

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If you've ever traveled to Canada, you know just how vast it is. It is the second-largest country in the world, after all. Driving coast-to-coast across Canada can be daunting, and flying can be pricey. What if we told you that Canada is one of the absolute best places to travel by train, and there is a scenic, round-trip ride that takes you on a journey from Toronto to Vancouver, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the epic views.

While there are many must-visit spots in Toronto for tourists, such as the Evergreen Brick Works, Kensington Market, and the instantly-recognizable CN Tower, leaving the big cities and experiencing Canada by rail is especially spectacular. VIA Rail whisks travelers aboard their flagship train, The Canadian, from Toronto, Ontario to the West Coast province of British Columbia, finishing off the trip in vibrant Vancouver, where you don't need to hike to take in all the beautiful scenery this city has to offer. The Canadian also has the option to do this trip in reverse by starting in Vancouver and ending in Toronto.

Whichever direction you choose to take the four-day/four-night journey, one look out The Canadian's picture windows at the stunning scenery surrounding you will solidify why visiting Canada should be on everyone's travel bucket list. The route travels over 2,700 miles and takes guests through breathtaking landscapes. The scenery changes from the sparkling calm lakes in Northern Ontario, to the flat and sprawling Prairies. Then, when the towering Rockies come into view, you won't be able to peel your eyes away from the beauty outside.

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Read more: 15 Reasons You Should Never Take A Cruise

All aboard The Canadian for a breathtaking trans-continental journey

Train going through the forest towards mountains - Lasse Johansson/Shutterstock

Starting from downtown Toronto's Union Station, the first portion of the route takes you north through the towns of Washago and Parry Sound, before making your way towards Sudbury. As the train makes its way through the impressive Canadian Shield, an expansive natural Precambian rock barrier, guests will look out their windows to see rocky terrain and piles of logs, thanks to Canada's thriving forest industry in Northern Ontario. As the train glides past Long Lake and Lake Nipigon, you'll make your way through the small northern towns of Capreol, Gogama, Hornepayne, Longlac, and Armstrong before reaching Sioux Lookout.

Leaving Sioux Lookout, you'll make your way into the dense forest and through Whiteshell Provincial Park as the train crosses over into Manitoba before reaching Winnipeg, which was once a major trading hub during the Canadian fur trade boom. From Winnipeg, the train continues over the Saskatchewan border before reaching Saskatoon, the midpoint of the transcontinental journey aboard The Canadian.

From Saskatoon, The Canadian makes its way into Alberta, Canada's oil country. In Wainwright, you'll see the oil pumpjacks and be amazed at the 147-mile mark as you feast your eyes on the massive Battle River Valley before making your way to Edmonton. From Alberta's capital, the train makes its way through Edson where you'll catch your first views of the majestic Rockies and stop in Jasper. As the train snakes along the rails, you'll be able to see Mount Robson, the highest peak within the Rockies, before reaching Pyramid Creek Falls and finally pulling into Kamloops, British Columbia. Coming closer to your final destination, the forests transform into river canyons and rock formations before reaching the Pacific Coast and the city of Vancouver.

Luxury and comfort are ready to greet you aboard The Canadian

A train employee with passengers in a glass-domed car - joseph s l tan matt/Shutterstock

Guests can enjoy time in each of VIA Rail's cozy business lounges in both Toronto and Vancouver train stations, which makes it the perfect spot to enjoy a hot drink while relaxing as you wait for your train to depart. There are three classes of cabins on The Canadian: Economy, Sleeper Plus, and the Prestige Sleeper Cabin. Each class grants travelers access to the glass-domed viewing cars, as well as meals that are whipped up by the on-board chef  included in the price of the Sleeper Plus and Prestige cabins. Economy Class passengers can order from an a la carte menu.

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At the back of the train in the Bullet Lounge, large windows offer the perfect opportunity to snag some incredible photos. For an even better view, the domed Park Car gets passengers up close and personal with the magnificent scenery with windows that extend into the ceiling. The Mural Lounge, cozy and inviting, allows riders and concierge to mingle and share stories of their travels before reaching the next stop.

The Canadian departs twice a week and prices vary depending on the length of journey, the time of year, and the ticket class. Round-trip costs start at approximately $1,170 per person in Economy, however if you wish to do a one-way trip between Toronto and Vancouver, the price can be as low as $370 per person. Prestige Class can cost up to $5,000 during the summer one-way. Whether you choose to enjoy the colorful fall foliage, or experience Canada's snowy winter months, taking a trip on The Canadian is sure to provide scenic views no matter the time of year you embark on this journey of a lifetime. For another bucket list-worthy train ride, New Zealand has one of the best in the world.

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Food from the state of Chihuahua has a unique place in Mexico's culinary landscape. Chihuahua is located in northern Mexico, bordering Texas and New Mexico. The variety of staple ingredients commonly used there varies slightly from common ingredients you need to make good Mexican food, and Chihuahua-style dishes are quite different because of the cultural influences of Indigenous Peoples, Mennonites, and Mestizos, who have both Indigenous and Spanish ancestry.

The Indigenous Raramuri tribe contributes dishes that use corn, such as chacales (dried corn soup), pinto and black beans, and salsa. The Mennonites are known for bringing queso Chihuahua, which is a nutty, semi-soft cheese similar to Monterey Jack, used liberally on Mennonite pizza, in soups, and for other dishes. Spanish colonists brought cattle in the 1500s, and beef became a large part of Chihuahuan food as a result.

You'll find beef in carne asada, which is made with grilled meats often marinated in chiles, citrus, and spices and made into toppings for tacos and burritos. Burritos and their often larger counterparts, burros, are a regional Mexican street food every foodie should try, and in Chihuahua, they're smaller and served with flour-based tortillas, compared to the corn-based tortillas used in most of Mexico.

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Read more: The 12 Most Controversial Foods Banned All Over The World

More Chihuahua-style foods and ingredients

Beef barbacoa. - Carlosrojas20/Getty Images

Another well-known dish is Chihuahua-style beef barbacoa. This unique style, compared to the beef barbacoa from central Mexico, is heated in a pot with green and red salsa rather than being cooked in a pit. Common ingredients that round out the flavors of Chihuahuan cuisine include onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and spices such as cumin, which form the backbone of many of its dishes.

Chiles are also prolific in Chihuahuan cooking. Chilaca de Anaheim, known as chile verde, is one of the four chiles Guy Fieri uses to make pork chile verde. Another chile, found almost exclusively in Chihuahua, is chile pasado, which is a flavorful chile that is roasted, sweated, peeled, and then dried. It has a well-developed, licorice-like flavor and is often used in tacos.

In addition to savory foods, you'll find plenty of desserts and drinks as well. Mexican Wedding Cookies, known as polvorones, are similar to shortbread cookies, usually containing nuts and powdered sugar. Another Chihuahuan specialty is the Mexican spirit sotol, distilled from the region's native Dasylirion plant. If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, the sheer variety of food from Chihuahua makes this region a must-visit culinary destination.

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RIYADH, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to be the most trustworthy and reliable partner in Saudi Arabia's national revitalization process, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday when meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

China aims to strengthen all-round, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Saudi side, consolidate traditional energy collaboration, expand cooperation in emerging and future industries, and open up new prospects for the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

During the meeting, the crown prince asked Wang to convey the sincere greetings and best wishes of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and himself to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He said that Saudi leaders highly value their deep friendship with Xi and attach great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The crown prince said that the Saudi side stands ready to work with China to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, adding that Saudi Arabia always adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely opposes interference in China's internal affairs by external forces.

The Saudi side is willing to further deepen cooperation with China in areas such as oil and gas, new energy, artificial intelligence and high and new technologies, he said, adding that Saudi Arabia supports China's hosting of the second China-Arab States Summit and the second China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in 2026, and is willing to promote the early conclusion of negotiations on the China-GCC free trade agreement.

He also thanked China for its efforts in promoting the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that Saudi Arabia stands ready to maintain regular communication and coordination with China in international and multilateral affairs.

Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to King Salman and the crown prince, noting that Xi has forged deep friendship and mutual trust with Saudi leaders.

China welcomes the crown prince to visit China next year to attend the second China-Arab States Summit, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to work with GCC countries to strive for the early conclusion of the China-GCC free trade agreement.

Wang said that China also stands ready to continue close communication with Saudi Arabia to inject more stabilizing factors into peace and security in the Middle East. 
Deep within Iceland's southern highlands, Landmannalaugar lies roughly 116 miles from Reykjavik  just over a three-hour drive over raw, stony terrain. Your journey follows the Ring Road (Route 1) east from the capital, turning inland via Route 26 and onto rugged F-roads  usually F208 from the north  the least demanding route.

If driving yourself feels daunting, ride the Highland bus from Reykjavik or nearby Hella  available daily in the summer  landing you at camp in time for a hike and a soak in thermal waters. While there, make Brennisteinsalda (which means sulfur waves) a non-negotiable stop. Sulphur spots have colored the slopes in chromatic shades of green, red, and blue, while moss grows on its sides creating a surreal and beautiful palette.

Read more: 20 Most Dangerous Islands In The World

Trails, huts, and hot springs make Landmannalaugar worth the journey

A man hikes the beautiful Landmannalaugar - Earthly_Man/Shutterstock

Once you arrive, Landmannalaugar unfolds before you like a living canvas. Gentle hikes thread through the rhyolite-rich slopes and the volcanic Laugahraun lava field, while more adventurous treks  like the Laugavegur Trail  stretch four to five days from Landmannalaugar to orsmork, passing huts like Hrafntinnusker and Emstrur.

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If you're looking to keep it to a day trip, the one-hour climb to Blahnjukur, or a short hike to the Ljotipollur crater lake delivers sweeping panoramas without requiring multi-day gear. Iceland is full of natural hot springs, like the uncrowded, under-the-radar Hvammsvik, and the highlands are no different. After a day of hiking, reward yourself with a dip in the naturally steamy hot springs, right by the campgrounds.

If night comes calling, the Iceland Touring Association operates a dorm-style hut that sleeps around 78  bring a sleeping bag, pay about $75 per person, and keep in mind that showers cost extra. Prefer camping? At roughly $20 per person per night, you gain access to facilities and the hot spring. All you have to do is bring a tent, cooking gear, and good company.

Landmannalaugar: timing, tactics, and tips

A person in the distance walking amid snow-capped peaks - Carlo Alberto Conti/Getty Images

The ideal window to visit runs from mid-June to mid-September, when the highland F-roads open. Outside this season, winter roads close  though super-jeep tours still operate year-round for brave travelers. If you are a thrill-seeker, consider also exploring Fimmvoruhals, a popular trail with a dangerous secret.

If you're driving yourself, a 4x4 is mandatory. Icelandic rental agreements often prohibit traversing F-roads in any other kind of vehicle, and insurers may deny coverage for any damage. Plus, it's just the safer option. From June 20 to mid-September, you must also reserve parking in advance via parking.is for arrivals between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and pay a modest service fee (around $9.75 for a small car).

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Rather skip the stress? Take the highland bus for around $90 to $141, depending on pickup. You'll arrive refreshed, unruffled, and ready to hike. Bring layered clothing, quality hiking boots, swimwear for the hot springs, and a packed lunch  facilities are both limited and pricey.

Whether you're drawn by otherworldly trails, rainbow-hued peaks, or a soothing geothermal soak, Landmannalaugar offers a grand escape. It threads adventure and beauty into an unforgettable Highland experience that's nothing short of magical. Before you book your trip to Iceland, make sure to read up on these essential travel hacks.

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Read the original article on Explore.
Montana is known for its wide-open spaces, expansive mountain vistas, and scenic towns. Though many people visit Montana just for Yellowstone National Park, the state has plenty more to offer. Tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Belgrade, Montana, is one destination that pairs small-town charm with quick access to mountain-filled fun. Belgrade might be modest in size, with a population just over 11,000, but it offers pure Big Sky splendor  stunning views, cool mountain air, and miles of trails. It's an ideal jumping-off point for exploring Montana's wild side without the crowds.

Getting to Belgrade is easy as can be. The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is right next to town. This mountain gem of an airport offers tons of nonstop flights, making it incredibly easy to plan your trip to Belgrade. Aside from the normal rental car, rideshare, and hotel shuttle options, Bozeman Yellowstone airport also offers shuttle services to various places in southwest Montana (including Yellowstone National Park), making it easy to arrange transportation for whatever adventures you have in mind. If you're driving instead of flying, Belgrade is located just off Interstate 90 and is an easy drive from other Montana hubs like Bozeman and Missoula.

Read more: This Wildly Scenic US Train Ride Is A Coast-To-Coast Journey From Skyscrapers To Bayous

Hike Rocky Mountain trails near Belgrade, including in Yellowstone

Lake in Custer Gallatin National Forest - Photo Spirit/Shutterstock

While Yellowstone National Park is a big draw in this part of the state, there are plenty of other options for exploring the great outdoors near Belgrade. One area in particular worth checking out is the Custer Gallatin National Forest, which sits just east of Belgrade. This uncrowded, pristine Montana forest is full of wild trails and gorgeous vistas. Hikers and mountain bikers looking for moderately difficult trails should try the Truman Gulch Trail (5.3 miles) or the Corbly Gulch Trail (6.5 miles). Both of these trails wind through wooded gulches and provide excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

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For those looking for more of a challenge, Sypes Canyon Trail is an 8.9-mile hike with more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain that overlooks the Gallatin Valley. Another challenging hike near Belgrade is Baldy Peak Summit. The route is 10 miles long with about 4,500 feet of elevation gain, but the views are definitely worth the effort. The trail leads to a ridge above treeline where you can see stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

If you'd rather take a relaxing stroll closer to Belgrade, check out the Amsterdam Road River Access Trail. This easy 2-mile trail meanders alongside the Gallatin River and affords views of the water and nearby mountains. Hiking enthusiasts can also head over to Yellowstone National Park, which is a little less than two hours from Belgrade. There are a lot of great hikes in the park, like the Union Falls Trail, a 17.4-mile hike to a waterfall in the park's rarely-visited "Cascade Corner."

What to eat and where to stay in charming Belgrade

View of Tobacco Root Mountains from Belgrade, Montana - Cavan Images/Getty Images

Belgrade has several great options for grabbing a bite to eat after a day of exploring the mountain trails nearby. For a quick lunch or cup of joe, try Cafe Havana. This cozy cafe, which has 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, serves tasty breakfast and lunch items along with coffeehouse drinks. For more substantial eats, try one of the local restaurants like MacKenzie River Pizza Co. One reviewer on Tripadvisor gushed that it had "one of the most delicious pizzas I've ever had in my life." If you're looking to try some local craft beer, stop by Madison River Brewing Company, the second-oldest brewery in the Gallatin Valley. And for the perfect combo of delicious food and hand-crafted beer, Bar 3 BBQ and Brewing is the best of both worlds, and the top-ranked Belgrade restaurant on Tripadvisor.

As far as lodgings go, Belgrade has a few chain hotels as well as plenty of vacation rental options, such as Cabin Sweet Cabin. To get a taste of authentic Montana life, visitors can book a stay at Gallatin River Lodge. This charming mountain abode sits just 15 minutes outside of Belgrade, making it remote enough to give visitors a peaceful place to kick up their feet during their mountain retreat while still being conveniently located near Belgrade's amenities. Wherever you decide to stay, Belgrade's small-town charm, proximity to Yellowstone National Park, and unbeatable access to outdoor adventure make it the perfect base camp for exploring all southwest Montana has to offer.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico is known for its wealth of culture, and one of the biggest melting pots of culture in New Mexico is the unique cuisine. On this episode of Aventura, KRQE News 13s Chad Brummett takes us off the beaten path to have a look at some of the unique and special cuisine that we have here in the land of enchantment. From Albuquerque to, from burgers to French toast, join Chad as he takes you around to spots only a local would be able to show you.

Having his first stop in Albuquerque, Chad heads over to The Kosmos Astro Pub and Restaurant, where he talks with owner Jerry Miller, who opened the restaurant in 2018 with an instant hit, The Original Kosmic Burger. Next, Chad heads across town to Restoration Pizza, whose mission is to create a seamless work environment that strives to employ folks with developmental abilities, striving to serve the community and provide representation. Heading downtown, Chad visits Curious Toast, a quirky and welcoming restaurant sporting breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with a specialty in French toast.

Chad then strives to answer the all-important question What makes the perfect green chile cheeseburger? To answer this question, Chad talks with some experts first with the Isleta Grill, the winner of the New Mexico State Fairs green chile cheeseburger challenge in 2024, and then Craft Republic, which was the winner of the peoples choice the same year.

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Chad then takes a deep dive into the Escondido Restaurant in Santa Fe, where he talks with owner Fernando Ruiz talking with him about his upbringing and his time spent in prison. Fernando went on to compete on various Food Network shows, winning Guys Grocery Games, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay. After his stunt on the Food Network, Ruiz went on to open the Escondido, which has a main mission statement of helping out ex-convicts and prisoners to help break the stigma of ex-convicts and give them hope.

The last stop Chad makes is one with a sweet tooth. He starts with Kakawa Chocolate House in Santa Fe. Kakawa offers 17 elixirs and dozens of different truffles and treats, offering spreads and ice cream as well. Next, Chad heads over to Lindas Dolci, a new Italian bakery that provides authentic Italian baking to ABQ. Last but not least, Chad heads down to Pie Town, New Mexico, where he visits the towns namesake Pie Town Pie Co to take a look at the delectable Pies that are well worth the drive from Albuquerque.

About Aventura

Chad Brummetts Aventura invites the viewer on a trip through the Land of Enchantment as only a native New Mexican would know. Discover uncovered gems, best-kept secrets, and the stories and people that make our state truly remarkable. Hosted by Emmy Award Winner Chad Brummett

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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
We've all been there: the airport. A lawless place (other than the copious security, that is) where it seems like anything goes. In fact, I'd wager just about everyone has a memory of seeing something absolutely unhinged taking place there. Recently, someone posed the question over on Reddit, "What's the craziest thing you've witnessed at an airport?" and these 31 responses had my jaw on the floor:

1. "I saw a guy eating his sandwich along with the wrapping paper. When I asked him why he ate it, he looked me dead in the eyes and said, 'I paid for it.' To this day, I don't understand his thought process. Just for context, the sandwich was packed in a thick brown paper wrapping, and he ate the whole thing; even when there was no sandwich left, he just bit off pieces of the paper wrapping."

Milky Way / Getty Images

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2. "The X-ray thing buzzed on me, and during the patdown the agent literally knocked on my dong bulge like he was knocking on a door."

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3. "A bag fire/explosion at the main TSA checkpoint at the Denver airport. Flames shot like 25 feet out of the X-ray machine, and everyone started scrambling for the exits in a full-on evacuation. Bags and luggage were just left scattered behind at the checkpoint. It was difficult at first to tell if it was someone playing a prank and bringing a lit firework, or if it was a legit IED [Improvised Explosive Device] detonation attempt."

Robert Alexander / Getty Images

"Luckily, some TSA officers were able to grab some fire extinguishers and put out the small blaze in a matter of minutes. But it was nuts to see the response.

Within 90 minutes, it was determined that it was just some dudes lithium-ion battery from a vape igniting next to a can of Axe that caused the inferno, and the checkpoint was back up and running again. Made the local news that evening!"

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4. "A woman going through the security screening scanner topless. There was a language barrier, and the TSA agent insisted threateningly that she had to remove her jacket, not understanding that she didn't have anything on underneath it."

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Related: "Now My Mom Is Crying In Her Bedroom": Families Are Airing Their Messy Drama That Happened Before Noon On Christmas Day, And Oh My God

5. "Back in the late '90s, so pre-9/11, I was going through security at LaGuardia Airport in New York. There was a family ahead of me sending their bags through when the X-ray machine and everything stopped. They pulled a bag and opened it up and pulled out a big ass butcher knife."

Alexey Koza / Getty Images/iStockphoto

"The mother turned to the son, who was 11 or 12 years old, and screamed, 'WHY THE HELL DID YOU PUT THAT IN YOUR BAG!?! THATS ONE OF MY GOOD KNIVES! I PAID $80 FOR THOSE KNIVES!!!' All the kid could do was shrug his shoulders and say, 'I dont know. I thought I might need it.' They confiscated the knife, much to the moms dismay, and let them go on their way."

cotasen

6. "Probably the wildest thing Ive seen was a guy literally falling asleep standing up in the line and slowly tipping over onto people. Everyone freaked out for a second, then burst out laughing. Airports are just pure chaos sometimes."

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7. "During the late '90s at the Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport satellite terminal, Delta Connection flights boarded with no jetways  airstairs only. I saw a woman come out of the terminal, and instead of walking to our plane and climbing aboard, she headed for the first airplane she saw with a Delta logo...which was a 767 parked at the main terminal behind us, across a pretty active taxiway. About twenty of the passengers behind her followed her like baby ducks."

SolStock / Getty Images

CaptainDFW

8. "Standing in a boarding line bound for Thailand from Perth, Australia, I heard a sneeze further back in the line. About one second later, a full set of teeth went flying by with a guy chasing after them. I guess he sneezed out his set of false teeth and didnt want to lose them."

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9. "Saw a guy walk away from security, and he left one shoe. Im like, how do you not realize youre missing a shoe?"

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10. "I was at a layover in L.A., and I saw a guy meeting his wife/girlfriend that must have missed each other a whole lot, wherever she'd been. When they ran into each other's arms, he ran his hand down the front of her pants, and hers into his. I was like, 'Well, alrighty then.'"

ThinkingMonkey69

11. "September 2020, on a Los Angeles to Austin flight that is mostly empty. An older gentleman across from me takes off his mask and pulls out a potato. No beverage, no condiments, no napkins. Just slowly houses a large baked Idaho staring straight ahead. Puts his mask back up and stares for the remaining two hours. No book, no device, not a word to anyone."

Catherine McQueen / Getty Images

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Related: 21 Uncomfortable, Unhygienic, And Downright Unsettling Photos That Made Me Throw My Phone Against The Wall

12. "I saw a woman completely miss her flight while sitting at her gate. She was reading and realized just as they closed the boarding door that all zones had boarded. She wasnt even wearing headphones. Just totally unaware of her surroundings, deep in her book. The gate agent refused to reopen the door, and she watched through the window as her plane left without her."

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13. "A dude rolling on the up escalator. Not on purpose  he stumbled, dropped all his shit on the escalator, and proceeded to roll, in a kind of sideways crouched position, down the up escalator. But, because it was going up, he was staying in place. We arrived at the bottom, saved his stuff, and stopped him and the escalator. It could have been bad, and I'm sure he felt it after the alcohol wore off."

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

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14. "Saw two penguins walking through the security X-ray at the San Jose airport. No leashes, just waddling through like they knew the process."

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15. "6:30 a.m. at JFK Airport in New York, a dude pulled up to the only place open in the area and, without even a glance at a menu, just said, 'Give me the lobster ravioli.' They said, 'Sir, thats not on our menu.' Then he said, 'Fine, just a Sex on the Beach.' Which they informed him was also not on the menu. Then he said, 'Fine, a red wine.' I was DMing this girl who was also in an airport at the time, so I sent this story. Anyway, thats my wife now. Thanks, lobster ravioli."

Sbossert / Getty Images

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16. "I used to carry around a spent AK-47 round in my wallet. Long story short, when deployed with the Army, it had hit my bed while I wasn't there. I carried it as a trophy and a reminder of good luck. Anyway, I took it with me through security, and TSA freaked out. It was obviously spent with no case or powder and a deformed bullet from impact, but TSA agents reacted like it was a live round and swarmed me and held me until the police got there. The police, fortunately, laughed at them and let me keep it, but suggested I not take it through TSA security in the future. So it sits on my desk now."

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Related: 19 True Crime Cases That Were So Wild And Upsetting, The Truth Was Almost Unguessable

17. "We were going through security, and a bunch of people just in front of us were told they werent allowed to take their bottles of spirits through (I don't know why it was a surprise; that's fairly standard). They then just drank about three bottles of spirits there and then, as they didnt want to throw them away."

Jopstock / Getty Images

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18. "We were going through security at an airport in Chongqing, China, and accidentally had kept some aerosol cans of bug spray in our backpacks. The security officer took one out and started motioning to us, indicating that we were not allowed to bring the cans through. No big deal, we were fine with them being thrown away. But to emphasize her point, the officer grabbed a lighter from a pile of confiscated items and did an aerosol flamethrower demo in front of us, right there in the security line! Two or three feet of flames, it was wild. And then we were told to head on to the metal detectors as if nothing had happened."

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19. "Walked into the mens room at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and a guy was buck naked, in the middle of changing clothes, right there in the common area near the sinks."

Lu ShaoJi / Getty Images

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20. "I passed by a gate where passengers were waiting, and a man opened up his violin case and started fiddling what sounded like an Irish reel of some sort. I stopped to listen. He was very good and drew enough attention that no one noticed two of his fellow musicians sitting nearby break out their own instruments and jump in. The musicianship was so good that we all assumed they were on their way to perform somewhere. Quite a crowd had gathered, and I kinda choked up a little over this unexpected encounter with art and beauty."

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21. "Someone losing his shit trying to smash the handle off of his suitcase because it was stopping it from fitting in the little box they use to check if it will fit in the overhead compartment. The dude was screaming at everyone, frantically failing to break the handle."

Jeff Greenberg / Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lazy-Interests

22. "Back in the day, when my older cousin got her license, we went to the airport to people watch (we were bored teenagers). We watched a man kiss his wife goodbye and head toward his gate, and she was sobbing uncontrollably. She left in that state, and we watched her go down the escalator just BAWLING. Then, the guy turned around. We thought he was going to run after her, but instead, another lady came out of a restaurant, and they hugged and kissed and went down another escalator together. Scandalous!"

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23. "In Phoenix Sky Harbor, more than a few years ago, I watched (and heard) a guy clip his toenails. You just cant forget something like that."

PansLaos / Getty Images

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24. "Some kid's bag of the family that was in front of me at TSA got pulled, and they found throwing knives in it. The dad looked so pissed, and the kid was playing dumb and saying he 'didnt know they were in there' and he 'didnt know how they got there.' Dad just told the agent to throw them out and was scolding the kid."

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Related: The Internet Blessed Us With These Little Gems And My Serotonin Levels Are Finally Back Up

25. "Going through TSA at the Los Angeles airport. They used the millimeter wave scanner, where you put your feet on the shoe prints on the floor and raise your hands slightly above your head. There is an older lady in front of me, and it is her turn to enter the scanner. The agents tell her how to stand. She puts her feet on the shoe prints, leans forward, and places her hands well above her head and on the wall. An agent yells at her, asking what she thinks she is doing. She yells back, 'I thought you were telling me to assume the position!' The TSA agents all started laughing. It's a good thing I got to the airport early. That line didnt move for a while as the agents tried to explain to her how they wanted her to stand."

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

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26. "It was an overbooked flight, and two guys started arguing over which one would have the privilege of getting bumped because they both wanted a free flight voucher."

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27. "This was 2018-ish. A mid-major west coast airport, and a woman was holding up the line, arguing with a TSA agent about why she couldnt bring a gallon zip-lock bag half full of white protein powder in her carry-on. She ate some of it raw to make a point. It was hilarious. I was also shocked by how much TSA didnt give a fuck. They did a quick test and were telling her to check the bag and were still going to allow her and it on the plane."

Tetra Images / Getty Images/Tetra images RF

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28. "The actual craziest incident I saw was at JFK: a guy somehow managed to get through security with a massive frozen turkey in his carry-on bag. When TSA finally noticed the density on the X-ray, they pulled him aside, and he started yelling about how it was a necessity for a family reunion and demanded to speak to a turkey lawyer. It was just absurd."

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29. "I once had a short layover in Chicago. While waiting at the gate, this lady was sitting there calmly puking into a clear gallon-sized zip-lock bag. Didn't even try to hide it. The bathroom was RIGHT OVER THERE."

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30. "Late at night after a series of flights halfway around the world, sitting at the gate, this obviously drunk guy walks in and sits down with his back against the window. He pops in some chew and boots up his laptop, realizing he has nothing to spit into, he spits on the floor. People look, but nobody says anything; we're all tired. The booted-up laptop starts showing porn visible to anyone with the right angle on the glass. Security comes and takes him away."

wayne63

31. And finally, "Airport security, baggage handlers, and airport rescue/fire trucks chasing down an escaped Dachschund through the grass on the airfield."

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railker

Now I've gotta know: do you have a wild airport story? If so, please, please share it in the comments. And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.

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A new eight-part docuseries spotlights one family's journey running a multigenerational ranch, and how the demands of the land can both strain and strengthen a family

"Its a lot of work. I hope people who arent from this world have a new appreciation for how much goes into it. Were fighting to keep this ranch going," Luke Long tells PEOPLE

Diamond Cross Ranch premieres Dec. 14 on Cowboy Channel+

What happens when two brothers walk away from high-powered, big-city corporate careers to return to their family ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo.  and try to help keep it alive?

The new eight-episode docuseries Diamond Cross Ranch, named after the legacy family business and premiering Dec. 14 on Cowboy Channel+, gives viewers an intimate look at the realities of running a multigenerational ranch, and how the demands of the land can both strain and strengthen a family.

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My wife Lauren and I were doing the nine-to-five in Washington, D.C., suit and tie, and we kept looking back at the family business, Peter Long, 41, tells PEOPLE of the decision to move back home and help run the ranch. We just said, Why dont we go for it? It was a leap of faith, but we wanted to move back and help continue to grow the business.

Chris Douglas/Sheplers Peter Long in 'Diamond Cross Ranch' Peter Long in 'Diamond Cross Ranch'

Peters older brother, Luke, 44, had a similar moment of clarity. I was in New York, locked in an office on the 50th floor, 78 hours a week," he says. "You work with amazing people on Wall Street, and there are financial rewards, but I looked at people 10, 20, 30 years ahead of me and thought, Are you really happier with two garages instead of one, or five cars instead of one? Money can buy a lot, but theres real reward in spending time doing what you love, and my wife Kirby and I really love the ranch.

When the brothers returned to the ranch, their mom, Jane Golliher, and stepdad, Grant Golliher, were overseeing operations. The series follows a pivotal summer in Jackson Hole as the family evaluates the future of the ranch  which now includes lodging cabins, a meat business, weddings and events, merchandising and horses, among other things  while navigating tensions around growth, investors, authenticity and the desire to remain family owned.

There was this notion that we all had different visions and were fighting over the path forward, but through those hard conversations, I gained a greater appreciation for what each of us brings, Luke, who runs the business of the ranch and cabins alongside Kirby, 27, who handles merchandising and social media, says. We were finding our lanes and finding ways to work together. We grew a lot as a family. The people we were and the people we are today have changed so much.

Chris Douglas/Sheplers Luke Long in 'Diamond Cross Ranch' Luke Long in 'Diamond Cross Ranch'

Peter, who previously managed the cabins and now spearheads the meat business, while Lauren, 39, runs events, agrees: Familys tough, right? Layer a family business on top of that, and it can be even harder. But thats also what makes us really strong as a family and a business. Were all in it together, and we have each others backs.

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Both brothers say the most important part of the work is creating something lasting for the next generation. Peter and Lauren share son Walker, 7, while Luke and Kirby are parents to Stetson, 2, and River, 8 months. Seeing our little guy experience the things I grew up with  riding horses, working with livestock, being outdoors  is so fulfilling, Peter says. Were really just stewards of the land. Its not mine; its just my turn. Were shepherding this for the next generation. It's hard to even imagine what that will look like, just because I'm sure they'll have ideas that we haven't and never could dream of.

Luke adds, There are a ton of small family businesses that are trying to figure out how to get to the next generation. At the end of the day, the fact that we're here  my kids are fifth generation, and along the way, there were these challenges and tough times, and our family overcame them. To me, thats a really hopeful story.

Chris Douglas/Sheplers From left: Luke, Kirby, Grant, Jane, Peter, Lauren and Walker in 'Diamond Cross Ranch' From left: Luke, Kirby, Grant, Jane, Peter, Lauren and Walker in 'Diamond Cross Ranch'

He hopes viewers feel the same. Shows like Yellowstone have increased interest, but they romanticize cowboy life, Luke says. Its a lot of work. I hope people who arent from this world have a new appreciation for how much goes into it. Were fighting to keep this ranch going.

Peter agrees. We really feel this valley is a remarkable place. To be able to share that in a small way for us is a rewarding thing.

Diamond Cross Ranch premieres Dec. 14 on Cowboy Channel+.

Read the original article on People
The Shinkansen, or bullet train, is as much a means of transport as a cultural touchstone, evincing Japan's storied engineering prowess. Boarding the train with a bento box and zipping across the country at speeds up to 200 mph has become an attraction in its own right, spurring an influx of YouTube vlogs on how to have the best Shinkansen experience. But as travel in Japan continues to boom  it's the most popular country in the world for repeat visitors  society is keeping a keener eye on tourist etiquette. This has, in part, contributed to the country revising luggage rules for its Shinkansen trains.

The rules are quite basic, covering size limitations, storage instructions, and reservation requirements. But Japan is a fastidiously rule-oriented country, and not adhering to a rule, even when it seems innocuous, could add fuel to the anti-tourist sentiment building in some corners of the country. Articles titled "The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people" or "Should Tourists Be Fined for Stealing Reserved Shinkansen Seats?" are now dishearteningly commonplace. You don't want to be the unwitting subject of one of these pieces.

The thing is, you'll probably want to use the Shinkansen. It's a cool experience, especially if you're used to basic intracity commuter trains. On top of that, the efficiency, punctuality, cleanliness, and regularity of bullet trains put other national rail networks to shame. Also, if you're a tourist, you'll have access to the Japan Rail Pass, which, despite the occasional price hike, makes the Shinkansen a super-affordable way of traveling throughout Japan. Ultimately, the best way to enjoy your Shinkansen ride is to rest easy, and the best way to do that is to ensure your luggage is all in order.

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Read more: Subtle Airplane Cabin Features Only Frequent Flyers Notice

What kind of luggage is allowed on a Shinkansen?

Passengers waiting to board a Shinkansen - KELENY/Shutterstock

Shinkansen travelers are allowed two pieces of luggage, excluding handbags, small backpacks, tote bags, and other personal items. If the total dimensions of each unit of luggage (meaning height + length + width) are 160 centimeters (63 inches) or less, then you should be able to store these on the overhead shelves, or if need be, in the space between your legs and the seat in front. It's best to avoid the latter if you're sitting in the middle or aisle seat, as other passengers may need to shuffle past. Plus, train conductors are starting to tire of suitcases idly rolling down the aisles.

This is a fairly generous limitation. Medium-sized suitcases tend to top out at 70 x 30 x 50 centimeters (totaling 150 centimeters or 60 inches), which is quite a bit roomier than your average airline-approved cabin bag. Some airlines even require checked luggage to be no larger than 158 centimeters (62 inches). Luggage with total dimensions between 160 and 250 centimeters (63 and 98 inches, respectively) is considered oversized. These pieces are allowed on the train but must be stored in the designated oversized luggage areas. If you have a humongous piece of luggage with total dimensions exceeding 250 centimeters, you won't be permitted to bring it on the Shinkansen.

If your luggage is below the oversized threshold but no space remains in the designated storage or legroom areas, then you can place it in the oversized luggage areas as well. In this case, you're expected to inform a conductor and pay an additional fee. For this reason, it's best to pack wisely before hurtling cross-country on the Shinkansen.

Oversized luggage on Japanese bullet trains

Inside Shikansen Green Car - 365 Focus Photography/Shutterstock

Oversized luggage generally applies only to the largest suitcases. For these items, you'll need to reserve either a seat at the back of the car with an oversized luggage space behind it  though this will prevent you from reclining  or a special luggage compartment located between the cars. These special luggage compartments are connected to specific seat numbers within the car, and you'll need an IC card (a digitized transport card used for commuter buses and trains) to lock them in place.

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You can reserve either type of seat at ticket machines in the stations or through staff members at official ticketing booths. There is no extra charge for booking these seats, but if you're traveling with oversized baggage and you don't have a reservation, you may have to pay a 1,000 ($6.40) fee to store it. If no oversized baggage seats remain, a third option is to book a similar seat in the train's premium Green Car, which is technically business class, but the seats aren't much pricier than those in standard cars.

When the train is busy, like if you're traveling in Japan for cherry blossom viewing or during the chaos of Golden Week, you can instead send luggage through Yamato Transport's super-efficient, user-friendly TA-Q-BIN service. TA-Q-BIN also has limits on sending packages larger than 200 centimeters (78 inches) or weighing more than 30 kilograms (66 pounds), but it can often guarantee doorto-door delivery within 24 hours, or 48 hours for more remote locations.

Are there exceptions to the rules?

Skiers at Echigo-Yuzawa Station - Miunmiunan/Shutterstock

At the time of writing, luggage reservations only apply to travelers on four bullet train routes: the Tokaido Shinkansen, traveling from Tokyo to Osaka; the Sanyo Shinkansen, from Osaka to Fukuoka; the Kyushu Shinkansen, from Fukuoka to Kagoshima; and the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, from Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki.

Tokaido is the busiest route, which the majority of first-time travelers will use, running along Japan's most densely populated urban belt and featuring destinations like Yokohama, Mt. Fuji, Nagoya, and Kyoto. The Sanyo Shinkansen, connecting two of Japan's liveliest cities and making stops in Himeji and Hiroshima, also ferries a lot of tourists across the country. Somewhat confusingly, trains on these routes are running a trial period of unknown length  in operation at the time of writing  where luggage can be stored in the compartments between cars, free of charge without prior reservation, if there is enough space.

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For special luggage  strollers, skis, musical instruments, bikes, surfboards  you don't currently require a reservation on any Shinkansen train, irrespective of the luggage's size or the irregularity of its dimensions. That said, reserving oversized luggage space for a snowboard, for example, is probably a good idea. This will keep it from getting in your way, or that of the passengers around you, and is a more secure way to store the equipment. If you're heading for the slopes of a remote mountain town, like Zao Onsen or Minakami, you could either book an extra seat for said snowboard or use the TA-Q-BIN delivery service, as outlined above.

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Read the original article on Islands.
Welcome to Taste Test, where every week our critic Jonah Flicker explores the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Sunday for his latest whiskey review.

Theres no use sugarcoating itMGP has hit a bit of a rough patch over the past year. As weve previously reported, the Indiana distillery decided to scale back production about a year ago, and then reported some significant drops in profit over the past six months. Still, it continues to release some truly excellent whiskey, the best of which often comes out under its own in-house brands and not for its many outside contracts. The latest example of this is the new Remus Gatsby Reserve, MGPs annual top-tier bourbon that continues to stand out in a very crowded field.

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Despite all of the bad news about the whiskey industry, we can still argue over the main driversmaybe this is a real downturn that marks a major shift in alcohol consumption and a sign of a substantial whiskey glut, or perhaps this is a course correction and a minor blip in a cycle that will return to its former glory. Either way, the market for sourced and contract-distilled whiskey has softened, meaning that distilleries like MGP are having to alter their production output. Still, it should be noted that Bardstown Bourbon Company, another major contract distiller and producer of its own fantastic whiskey, just announced significant expansion plans for 2026. Its unclear who is the real soothsayer in this situation.

Whatever the case, MGP continues to release some really great bourbon and rye whiskey under its Ross & Squibb division, which is responsible for the in-house brands produced at the distillery. Remus Gatsby Reserve is the premier expression of the Remus Bourbon label, a brand named after a pretty terrible Prohibition figure. Gatsby Reserve is obviously named after the titular character of The Great Gatsby, another complicated and semi-tragic figure, and the whiskey is also complicated (in a good way) but not tragic at all. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the books release, so master distiller Ian Stirsman wanted to pull out all the stops for the 2025 edition, and Id have to say that he succeeded.

Remus Gatsby Reserve is a 15-year-old bourbon bottled at cask strength 102.8 proof. Its made from MGPs 21 percent rye mashbill (the rest is 75 percent corn and four percent malted barley), which provides a nice bit of spice to balance the whiskeys sweetness. Fifteen years is getting up there for a bourbon, but as evidenced by releases like Russells Reserve 15 and Knob Creek 15, and even older whiskeys from Knob Creek and Redemption, bourbon can still be pretty delicious at that age. And that is certainly the case here. The palate is rich with a textured mouthfeel and notes of cherry syrup, maple, caramelized brown sugar, vanilla custard, licorice, toasted oak, and cola, and theres a nice bit of heat as you sip. This is a really delicious bourbon and theres not much to find fault with here.

While MGP hit it out of the park again with this release, that might not be enough to ease the jitters that the corporate board must be feeling about the current state of American whiskey. But hey, if the ship is doing down, we might as well drink some really excellent bourbon while the band plays its last tune. Actually, the American whiskey industry most likely has some fight left in it, but if there is currently more than enough bourbon to use for superb releases like this, especially one that is priced relatively reasonably (SRP is $200), thats a good thing for whiskey fans.

Score: 97

100 Worth trading your first born for

95  99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet

90  94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram

85  89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market

80  84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable

Below 80 Its Alright: Honestly, we probably wont waste your time and ours with this

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If you live in the United States and want to experience the charm of an Alpine-style village, you don't need to travel all the way to Europe. Swiss culture and architecture can be found right in the heartland of America in Sugarcreek, otherwise known as the "Little Switzerland" of Ohio. This might seem like a random pairing, but there is a reason for it. Many of the region's first settlers were Swiss families who brought their culture and cuisine with them. By the mid-19th century, Sugarcreek became known as a hub for Swiss cheese production, a status it still holds today, with roughly half of American Swiss cheese coming from this region of Ohio.

Sugarcreek is located in Ohio's Amish Country, less than 20 miles east of Millersburg, home to America's second-largest Amish community. The railroad was key to Sugarcreek's early growth, as the current downtown area grew around the depot that was built in 1882. These two features of the region are combined at the Sugarcreek Village Inn, which offers some of the most unique accommodations you'll find in northeast Ohio: the opportunity to spend the night in what they call Victoria Station, a caboose and two train cars that have been renovated into charming and comfortable hotel rooms.

Read more: This Wildly Scenic US Train Ride Is A Coast-To-Coast Journey From Skyscrapers To Bayous

The Sugarcreek Village Inn

The caboose room at the Sugarcreek Village Inn - Terri Brehm Stokley / Facebook

The Sugarcreek Village Inn is located on Factory Street, about a four-minute walk from the central square where the cuckoo clock's animatronic band plays a polka every half hour. The inn's main building has a tranquil farmhouse feel, with rocking chairs lining its broad front porch and what one visitor described as a "homey labyrinth of halls and stairs" leading to guest rooms. While the inn's vibe is old-school, the rooms are fully modern, with luxury features that you might not expect to find in a small Ohio town, like in-room massage chairs and bidet toilets.

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But what really makes the inn unique is located across the parking lot from the main building. Here, you'll find seven rooms, one in a caboose and six in train cars, all of which offer similar amenities as the rooms in the house. The caboose is the largest, offering a kitchenette and breakfast nook along with a full bath and queen bed. The train car rooms offer a choice of king or queen bed, along with features like a private bath and an in-room fridge.

Lots of non-traditional lodging options charge a premium for their gimmick, but that's not the case at Sugarcreek Village Inn. Its train car rooms cost about the same as the standard ones, and all of them are quite reasonably priced. Guests consistently praise the rooms' cleanliness and comfort, too. One Tripadvisor reviewer noted that "everything is upgraded to the highest standards and in good working order." Another described their room as "impeccably clean" with a comfortable bed and quiet location that gave them the "Best night sleep I've had in a long time!!"

Planning your trip to Sugarcreek

Main Street in Sugarcreek lined in buildings with Alpine-style facades under a blue sky - Kenneth Sponsler/Shutterstock

Swiss heritage is a main draw in Sugarcreek. Every fall since 1953, the town has hosted the three-day Ohio Swiss Festival, which features Swiss food, cheese-making demonstrations, and events like the Cheese Chase footrace and Steinstossen, a Swiss stone-throwing sport. Downtown Sugarcreek is chock-full of Swiss culture all year, with many buildings featuring Alpine-inspired architecture as well as landmarks like the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock in the town square. Collectors Decanters and Steins is part museum and part antique shop, offering over 3,000 collectibles like cuckoo clocks, vintage bottles, and, of course, the namesake decanters and beer steins.

You'll find other attractions in the area that make it worth the trip, too. Railroad enthusiasts will want to visit the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, which is open for public tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from April through November. Along with a collection of railcars and locomotives, the museum has a functional roundhouse and hosts events like the free Fall Steam Festival. Sugarcreek also marks the start of the Amish Country Byway that runs for over 150 miles through scenic hills dotted with idyllic farms and quaint villages. It passes through historic towns like Winesburg and Berlin and offers beautiful views of the northern Appalachian foothills. This makes Sugarcreek an excellent home base if you're interested in exploring Ohio Amish Country towns like Dover, a charming small town full of unique museums, shops, and outdoor fun.

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There are several larger cities within reach of Sugarcreek. It's about 90 miles south of Cleveland and a similar distance from Columbus, Ohio, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All three cities have international airports, making them easy transportation hubs for visitors who live outside driving distance.

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Read the original article on Islands.
If Bolivia has ever crossed your mind as one of the vacation spots to be added to your bucket list, then 2026 might be your year to finally go. Thankfully, the Bolivian government has now scrapped its longtime visa rule for U.S. visitors. U.S. citizens can now come into this country for tourism or business without any visa at all. As long as you have a passport that's still valid for a minimum of six months, you're all set for up to 90 days. You no longer have to deal with embassy appointments, going through paperwork stress, or paying a $160 visa fee again.

This new policy took effect on December 1, 2025, and travelers are already buzzing about it. "I'm traveling there in February," Redditor SaltLiving2080 said via r/travel. "I was considering going to a Bolivian embassy before to get the visa, but maybe it's not worth the hassle  Bolivian embassies are hard to locate anyways." Officials in Bolivia say they're opening the doors to more visitors from around the world, especially after several years of tougher entry rules largely informed by political ideologies. Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo noted that they want to modernize Bolivia's image by making it more welcoming and accessible.

As Aramayo told VisasNews, "There are no longer any political criteria holding back our growth or our relationship with the world." Now it's bye-bye to all those document headaches and long waits, making it easier than ever to plan your dream trip to Bolivia. You can experience the beautiful Salt Flats of Salar de Uyuni, or take a dive into the Andean and Amazonian cultures. Just like that, Bolivia has become one of top destinations U.S. citizens can travel visa-free to.

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Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth

Other things worth knowing about this Bolivian visa-free policy for Americans

Cars on the road at major urban square in La Paz, Bolivia - Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock

Without a doubt, this new policy is great news if you're heading to Bolivia for a vacation. However, it's very important to understand where the line is drawn: Visa-free entry into Bolivia is only applicable to tourism and business-related activities. Anything else still requires paperwork. As such, if you're thinking about studying, working, interning, volunteering long-term, or applying for residency, you'll still need to get a visa the old-fashioned way.

Bolivia is hoping these changes will bring in a wave of travelers from the U.S. and seven other affected countries such as Romania, South Africa, Bulgaria, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, Israel, and South Korea. This ultimately translates to big money for the local economy  with the possibility of generating tens of millions of dollars. Indeed, more tourists means more business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, and people working in the travel sector. And for you as a traveler, this means you're going to have more choices in terms of tour routes, and overall improvements in hotspots like Santa Cruz, and La Paz: a win-win situation.

Nonetheless, the fact that you may not need a visa doesn't mean you shouldn't make adequate preparations. It's advisable to bring along a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate in case you're planning to visit tropical regions; according to the U.S. embassy in Bolivia, it may actually be requested. It's equally wise to keep an eye on travel advisories for areas with safety concerns. If you plan well ahead and take advantage of this new visa-free policy, Bolivia's jaw-dropping scenery and rich culture are more within reach than ever. Your next trip might even be a visit to one of Brazil's secluded beaches known as Trancoso.

Getting to Bolivia and enjoying your visit there

Amazonian forest in Madidi National Park Rurrenabaque, Bolivia - BAUER Alexandre/Shutterstock

You can start off with a flight to either Santa Cruz de la Sierra or La Paz. If you're flying in from the U.S., you'll find direct flights through Miami. You may also transfer to Bolivia through major South American cities like Sao Paulo in Brazil or Buenos Aires in Argentina. Once you land, you can catch an affordable domestic flight and bounce around the country. One interesting thing about Bolivia is that its regions are so wildly different that you'll want to see more than one.

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The world's biggest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, looks almost unreal with a mirror-like effect especially when wet; the spot is also popular for stargazing. To get there, take a flight from La Paz to Uyuni (about an hour), or you could opt for a bus or drive  which will take at least seven hours. From there, you can join a tour for up to three days. For high-altitude city experience, you could even linger in La Paz for a while. The unusual Witches' Market is amazingly wild, and the city's cable cars give you sweeping and memorable views of the Andes. Lake Titicaca is another great place to visit, as it's a peaceful spot with serene villages, boat rides, and roots in Aymara and Quechua traditions.

If you want something warmer and more tropical, Santa Cruz should be your target. From there, Amboro National Park is within reach, with its cloud forests and tons of wildlife. The Madidi National Park area near Rurrenabaque is another fascinating place for a less-crowded Amazon adventure experience. Bolivia offers a lot of fun for U.S. citizens seeking to unwind in a beautiful destination.

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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."

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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".

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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.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian soldier was wounded on Monday in an armed attack in western Aleppo province, marking the second such incident in northwestern Syria within 24 hours, according to a human rights monitor and state media.

Unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on military personnel of the 80th Division near the city of Daret Azza, wounding one soldier, Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported, adding that the assailants fled northward after the shooting.

A Syrian military source quoted by state-run SANA news agency confirmed the attack, saying it took place near the town of al-Ghazawiya.

The shooting came amid heightened security concerns in Syria, a country that entered a political transition in December 2024 following the collapse of the former government after years of conflict.

On Saturday, a gunman opened fire during a joint Syrian-U.S. patrol near the city of Palmyra in Syria's central Homs province, killing two Syrian security personnel, two U.S. soldiers, and one U.S. civilian interpreter. The incident prompted expanded security operations against suspected Islamic State cells in central Syria.

On Sunday evening, a deadly ambush took place in the city of Maarat al-Numan in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, where gunmen opened fire on a patrol of Syria's Internal Security Forces, killing four of them and wounding a fifth.

Analysts have noted that newly-established security units in Syria's former conflict zones remain vulnerable to hit-and-run attacks aimed at undermining stabilization efforts during the ongoing political transition. 
NEED TO KNOW

One of the two people killed in the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, Dec. 13 has been identified

19-year-old student Ella Cook was confirmed as one of the victims by Rev. Craig Smalley during a service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Ala., where she attended

Rev. Craig Smalley described Cook as a bright light

One of the two victims killed in the mass shooting at Brown University has been identified.

19-year-old Brown student Ella Cook was confirmed as a victim in the Dec. 13 shooting. Her name was announced during a church service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Ala., where she attended, on Sunday, Dec. 14.

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The churchs Rev. Craig Smalley described Cook as a bright light as he addressed her death in the service, which was streamed live on Facebook.

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday, said Smalley. She was an incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light. Not only growing up here in the ways she encouraged and lifted up those around her, but at Brown University. She was an incredible light [there] as well.

Smalley got emotional as he urged the congregation to pray for Cooks family during this difficult time. PEOPLE has contacted the Cathedral Church of the Advent and Brown University for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Bing Guan / AFP via Getty A view of University Hall on the campus of Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island on December 14, 2025. A view of University Hall on the campus of Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island on December 14, 2025.

Cook was one of two people killed in the shooting at Brown University, after a gunman entered an engineering building on campus and opened fire at around 4 p.m. local time on Dec. 13. Nine others were injured in the attack.

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According to her LinkedIn page, Cook began studying at Brown University in 2024 and planned to conclude her studies in 2028.

Cathedral Church of the Advent Facebook Cathedral Church of the Advent Cathedral Church of the Advent

Although the Providence Police Department had detained a man they initially identified as a "person of interest," the individual has been released for lack of evidence. "There is no basis to consider him a person of interest," said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

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In an open letter from Brown University published Sunday, the college wrote in response, As Providence police continue to lead this investigation, they have informed Brown that they are continuing their search efforts, which includes ongoing coordination with multiple agencies.

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...We know that this update may prompt numerous questions. This remains an active police investigation, and the University must defer to the Providence Police Department to release information as they deem appropriateWe continue to make every effort to ensure the safety and security of the campus, the college concluded.



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A diver with one of the timbers from the newfound wreck. The plank is scrawled with unreadable graffiti in Greek letters that have been dated to the first half of the first century. | Credit: Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

While diving off the coast of Egypt, underwater archaeologists found the 2,000-year-old remains of a boat that may have been a luxurious "pleasure barge" for the ancient elite.

The team discovered the barge in the ancient harbor of Alexandria, the capital of Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (304 to 30 B.C.) and a major city when the Roman Empire later dominated the region.

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The wreck consists of several well-preserved timbers, about 90 feet (28 meters) long, from a barge that had been about 115 feet (35 m) long and 22 feet (7 m) wide, according to a statement from French underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio . He thinks it was a "thalamagos" (also spelled "thalamegos"), a Greek word that literally means "cabin carrier" and was used to describe Ptolemaic Egypt's floating palaces.

Goddio said his team discovered the remains of the vessel in October, during underwater excavations of now-sunken ruins of a Temple of Isis. The temple once sat on the island of Antirhodos, which now lies underwater, and was within the "Portus Magnus," or Great Harbor, used at Alexandria during the Ptolemaic period. The temple there was destroyed, probably during an earthquake in about A.D. 50, and the island sank beneath the waves between the fourth and the eighth centuries.

Goddio thinks the pleasure barge would have carried a luxuriously decorated central cabin and been propelled by oars. No remains of such a vessel have ever been found, although they were described by ancient writers and portrayed in Egyptian art.

The researchers have made a 3D model of the wreck from precise digital photographs. | Credit: Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

Among the lotuses

Giant pleasure barges were popular during the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt and were described by the first-century-B.C. Greek geographer Strabo as ferrying the wealthy between choice spots: " they hold feasts in cabin-boats in which they enter the thick of the cyami [Egyptian lotuses that grow in fresh water] and the shade of the leaves."

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In Strabo's time, Alexandria was under direct Roman control  an ancient regime change that began at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C., when naval forces commanded by Roman leader Octavian ( later Augustus ) defeated the navy of Cleopatra VII (the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty) and her lover, the Roman rebel Mark Antony .

Exactly how the newfound vessel ended up by the island of Antirhodos is unclear.

"This intriguing shipwreck could have been used along the canals in Alexandria as Strabo described," Goddio said in the statement. But it was found near the underwater ruins of the Temple of Isis on Antirhodos and may have been caught up in the destruction there.

A map of the Great Harbor at Alexandria showing (in red) the areas excavated by the researchers. Antirhodos was southwest of the harbor's center. It sank, along with many other parts of the ancient harbor, between the fourth and the eighth centuries. | Credit: Franck Goddio IEASM

As a result, the researchers suggested "a ritual use for this barge," Goddio said. It may have been part of the "navigatio iside," a naval ceremony held in Roman-era Alexandria when a procession celebrating Isis carried a richly decorated vessel called the "Navigium" through the streets. The mock-up boat represented the solar barque that the Egyptian gods used to navigate across the heavens. (Isis was the goddess of the sea.)

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That, in turn, could mean that "this vessel was performing a yearly ritual voyage of the goddess from the Portus Magnus of Alexandria to the sanctuary of Osiris at Canopus, alongside the Canopic Channel" of the Nile, Goddio said.

Early Roman Egypt

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The research into the wrecked vessel is at a very early stage, but it "promises to be a fascinating journey into life, religion, luxury and pleasure on the waterways of early Roman Egypt," Goddio said.

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The vessel is a "spectacular find," said Timmy Gambin , a maritime archaeologist at the University of Malta whose research covers ancient vessels as well as wartime wrecks . However, it has not yet been scientifically determined if the vessel is actually a thalamagos, said Gambin, who was not involved in the discovery.

"It is yet early days to determine exactly what the vessel was used for," he told Live Science in an email.
Aldi fans champion the discount grocer for providing quality products in its stores for affordable prices. In return, the chain is always looking for ways to improve its products and services for shoppers. Among the big changes to Aldi in 2025, for instance, it endeavored to ensure the responsible sourcing of all its private-label coffee, and to support future chain growth with an expansion to its headquarters in Illinois. And the retailer has no plans to stop over the coming year.

With the continuation of an aggressive expansion, Aldi is predicted to be one of the grocery chains that will take over in 2026. But that's not all Aldi has up its sleeve. It plans to make history by rebranding all of its private-label products under its own name. These two major changes are sure to cause a bit of a stir in the grocery market throughout the year, so here's everything there is to know so far.

Read more: 11 Foods You Might Want To Avoid Buying At Aldi

A historic private-label rebranding under the Aldi name

Examples of new Aldi-branded packaging - Aldi

For nearly 50 years, Aldi has been providing quality products to U.S. customers for low prices, introducing new items regularly. Among the best new items in 2025 were Season's Choice chili lime waffle fries and new flavors of Benton's soft baked cookies. These brands are just some of the private labels that make up more than 90% of Aldi's products.

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As of September 2025, the company started slowly rolling out new packaging with its own name instead, but only on a few items so far. One example is Baker's Corner dark melting wafers, which still dons that brand in the website image but is listed under the Aldi brand. Meanwhile, the image for the white melting wafers has the new packaging with the chain's name. Other products with the new branding include a variety of deli meat, cheese slices, guacamole, and potato salad. So shoppers are likely to see many more of the store's products appear on shelves with the Aldi name and a fresh look in 2026. On top of that, the company will use a few nicknames that loyal fans have given some items, such as Red Bag Chicken.

Chief executive officer Atty McGrath said in a press release, "The new look and feel of our products is the next step in our journey to modernize our simpler, quicker shopping experience. Now, it's easier than ever for shoppers to instantly spot the value and quality only Aldi can deliver." Chief commercial officer Scott Patton added, "Our customers already call our private labels 'Aldi brands,' and we're excited to officially recognize them with a name they can see and trust."

Continued aggressive expansion across the country

Ribbon cutting at grand opening of Aldi in Rainbow City, Alabama - Jerry Ramsey / Facebook

In March 2024, Aldi announced a plan to open 800 stores by 2028 throughout the West, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast with the acquisition of the Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery brands. It opened about 120 of those locations in 2024, and then it became the major US grocery chain promising its biggest ever expansion with 225+ store openings in 2025. With more than half of this goal left to go, it looks like 2026 will be another big year of openings for the grocery chain.

Where the new stores will be is a little harder to determine at the time of writing because Aldi hasn't updated its dedicated online list yet. So far, only one location in Port Orange, Florida, has a January 8 grand opening date, while two other Florida locations are still just listed as coming soon. Looking through local newspaper reports, Daily Meal was able to find that at least Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, and Wisconsin will be getting new stores. Aldi is also opening its first store in Maine, which will be located in Portland, and a location in New York's Times Square.

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Once 2026 gets going and Aldi can better determine when new stores will open, it's likely to update its grand openings page, which is beneficial to check occasionally. It pays to go to Aldi grand openings in your area because the first 100 arrivals receive one of the rare Golden Ticket rewards for the chance to get either a $10, $25, or $100 store gift card. They often get a free goodie bag of Aldi products, too, while free shopping totes are handed out while supplies last. At some store openings, shoppers also have the chance to win a $500 gift card.

Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

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Director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead inside their Los Angeles home on Sunday.

Homicide detectives are on scene in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Senior law enforcement sources told ABC News that the Reiners were stabbed to death. Nobody is in custody, sources said.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time, the Reiner family said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The fire department responded to the scene at 3:38 p.m. local time and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead. They were later identified as the actor-director and his wife.

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The LAPDs Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the investigation, and the departments senior leadership is responding to the scene.

Reiner, the son of comedy legends Carl and Estelle Reiner, started acting in the 1960s. He became best known for his role on All in the Family as Michael Meathead Stivic, the Bunkers son-in-law.

He went on to direct several films that proved to be cult classics, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap.

He and his wife, Michele Singer, married in 1989 and have three children, Jake, Nick and Romy.

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach to Earth mere days from now, coming within just 167 million miles  a significant gulf, but a mere stones throw on the cosmic scale.

Its an exciting moment thatll give astronomers an unprecedented chance to point both ground- and space-based telescopes at the unusual visitor. Theyve been following the object, which is broadly believed to be a comet, for months now as it screams through the solar system.

Ever since NASAs Hubble Space Telescope first gazed upon the object on July 21, scientists noticed a strange protrusion jutting out of the object, a second tail that counterintuitively points directly at the Sun, not away from it like the characteristic tails of familiar solar system comets.

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This anti-tail could be the result of enhanced mass loss in the Sun-facing side, as Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb told Futurism earlier this year, which causes larger fragments to be broken off. These larger fragments are less susceptible to being affected by the Suns radiation pressure, causing them to move more slowly and accumulate on the Sun-facing side.

Over a month after its perihelion, or closest pass of the Sun, observations still clearly show 3I/ATLAS anti-tail, as Loeb noted in a new update on his blog. A December 13 image taken by the Teerasak Thaluang telescope in Rayong, Thailand shows a prominent anti-tail, uncommon for comets, pointing in the direction of the Sun, he wrote.

Judging by the thousands of images taken since Hubbles July observations, which show 3I/ATLAS anti-tail, Loeb argued that its not a perspective effect, but a real physical jet.

Its nature is a mystery because gas and micrometer-dust particles are expected to be pushed away from the Sun by solar radiation pressure and the solar wind, creating the appearance of a tail  as routinely seen in solar-system comets, Loeb wrote.

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As he tends to do, Loeb argued that theres still a chance we could be looking at an alien spacecraft instead of a natural comet. He posited that the anti-tail could be a swarm of objects that lag behind 3I/ATLAS because of its non-gravitational acceleration away from the Sun, as he detailed in a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper.

However, others arent convinced of such a possibility, arguing the objects two tails are nothing out of the ordinary, even despite 3I/ATLAS interstellar origins.

Its ejecting dust particles towards the Sun, because the day side of the nucleus is the hot side, UCLA astronomy professor and comet expert David Jewitt told Sky and Telescope last month.

All these things are consistent with a comet nucleus of typical size or smaller, sublimating in sunlight and blowing out dust particles, he added. Nothing really shocking there.

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In a September 29 blog post, Pennsylvania State University astronomer Jason Wright also criticized Loebs unusual conclusion that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft, pointing out several previous observations of similar sunward enhancement caused by large, ejected dust grains that dont get swept up by the solar wind on the Sun-facing side of a comet.

European Space Agency scientists have also suggested the secondary, observed tail could be a dust tail made up of tiny solid particles, which are typical for solar system comets.

Even Loeb himself is leaving every possibility open, authoring two other papers suggesting the anti-tail is the result of the scattering of sunlight by fragments of ice shed from the sun-facing side of 3I/ATLAS.

These tiny ice particles evaporate before they get pushed back significantly by the solar radiation pressure and so they never appear as a conventional cometary tail, he wrote in his latest blog.

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Nonetheless, Loeb argued that we should be ready to expect the unexpected.

By recognizing anomalies, we can learn something new, he concluded. By ignoring them, we remain ignorant.

More on 3I/ATLAS: Mysterious Interstellar Object Now Approaching Earth
Four schools are currently on a lockout due to police activity in the area, Duval County Public Schools said.

The schools affected are:

Chets Creek Elementary School

J. Allen Axson Elementary School

Kernan Middle School

Kernan Trail Elementary School

A lockout means that no one is allowed to enter the school, and no one is allowed to leave the school.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said it was assisting with a school police issue and directed Action News Jax to reach out to DCPS for more information.

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We have reached out to DCPS to get more details on the police presence in the area.

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Below is the following message that was shared with the families of these schools:

This is an important message for families of J. Allen Axson, Chets Creek, Kernan Middle, and Kernan Trail Elementary.

As a precaution due to police activity in the area, these schools have been placed on a lockout in coordination with law enforcement. All students and staff are safe. While on a lockout, no one is allowed to enter or leave the campus; however, schools will dismiss at their regularly scheduled times with police presence.

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We will share additional updates as soon as they are available. Thank you for your patience and continued support.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

DCPS shared an updated message with families just before 3 p.m.:

Dear Families,

This is a follow-up to our earlier message. All students and staff at Chets Creek, J. Allen Axson, Kernan Trail Elementary, and Kernan Middle remain safe.

The schools will stay on a lockout through dismissal, which will occur at the regularly scheduled time with police present to ensure safety.

Standby for additional updates. Thank you for your patience and support.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Wesley Diggs said he never knew who killed his wife and four children inside their Teaneck home in December 1975  a claim he would take to his grave 12 years later when he died of a heart attack.

Diggs returned to his home on Carlton Terrace late in the afternoon of Dec. 6, 1975, to find his entire family  wife Jean, 39, daughters Audrey, 17, and Allison, 16, and sons Wesley Jr., 12, and Roger, 5  dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Initially deemed the prime suspect, Diggs passed two lie detector tests after the killings and was cleared by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

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Still, suspicions swirled around Diggs, an entrepreneur who owned four bars with his brother, plus a card store and two apartment buildings in Harlem. Many wondered if he was somehow involved through his bar businesses, and Diggs spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name.

The case had eerie parallels to another high profile mass killing in New Jersey  the murders of the five members of the List family systematically executed in their Westfield home in 1971.

In that case, John List was finally apprehended nearly 18 years later and charged with killing this wife, mother and three children after an investigation that became the subject of numerous books, films, documentaries and the NJ Advance Media podcast Father Wants Us Dead.

But 50 years later, the Diggs case is as cold as the ground in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus where Diggs is buried next to his wife and four children.

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Maureen Parenta, a spokeswoman for the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, acknowledged the trail was cold. But she said the investigation remains active, and anyone with information can call investigators at 201-226-5532.

Diggs family murder

The police tried to connect him to it, and the media assumption, as well as the assumption of many of his friends, was that he had to be part of it, said Bob Chase, a retired minister who was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck, where the funeral for the Diggs family drew over 1,000 people.

He was condemned right from the beginning, Chase said. But he was never charged.

Chase, who was 27 years old at the time and five days into his tenure as pastor when the Diggs family was murdered, so believed in Wesleys innocence that he wrote a book about it. The book Diggs didnt sell much and is long out of print, but the mystery of who did it  and why  lives on.

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I was convinced he didnt do it, and I wrote the book to clear his name, said Chase, who is now 77 and lives in Palisades, New York.

Wes was one of the kindest, most generous people I ever met. He was generous with his time, and generous to people in the community in Harlem. He worked hard to find the killer; he hired a private detective. He hired a psychic, Chase said.

Fifty years later, the question remains: Who killed the Diggs family?

The investigation into what remains the largest homicide in Bergen County history began shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, 1975, a Saturday. Diggs first discovered his daughter, Audrey, lying in a blood-spattered bed upstairs. After finding the phone lines dead, Diggs raced next door to a neighbors house to get help.

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The neighbors, a mother and her daughter, returned to the house with Diggs. The mother went downstairs and discovered Jean in the basement, dead from gunshot wounds to the chest and head. The daughter went upstairs, then quickly came back down to tell Diggs that his daughter Audrey was dead.

Police were called, and while Wesley was kept downstairs, checked the house and discovered Wesley and Roger, still in their pajamas, and Allison in her attic room, the television still on.

Former Teaneck mayor Paul Ostrow was 25 years old that day and a volunteer on the ambulance squad. Ostrow recalls responding to an initial call of multiple injuries at a house on Carleton Terrace.

But when he got there, the police tape had already gone up and the emergency was over.

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By the time I got there, the house was being cordoned off and the police were waiting for the prosecutor to come. It was obvious that everyone in the house was dead. Im glad I didnt have to go inside, Ostrow said.

Diggs was distraught at the scene and had to be restrained, according to news reports at the time. Inside the house, investigators found 23 shell casings, all .22 caliber. All but three of the casings were near the bodies.

All the children had been shot multiple times in the head execution-style. Jean Diggs was found in the basement with a bullet wound to her chest and to the head.

Diggs family murders

Chase writes that Diggs did not know his entire family had been slain when he was taken to Teaneck police headquarters for questioning. Cops wanted to know his whereabouts, and Diggs told investigators hed spent Friday night with his girlfriend in Harlem after attending a political fundraiser for a New York state assemblyman at one of his bars.

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Diggs told cops that although his wife didnt approve of his infidelity, she tolerated it. The friction in the marriage and the nature of the crime initially made Diggs the prime suspect.

Wes, on the spot, had to decide: Am I going to create a false narrative or tell the truth? Chase said. To his credit, he decided to tell the truth.

But if Diggs wasnt the killer, then who was? The Bergen County Prosecutors Office estimated the shootings took place between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., but there was no sign of forced entry or robbery.

Investigators on both sides of the Hudson turned their focus on activities at the four bars that Diggs owned with his brother. Diggs denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, but cops kept looking for a revenge or robbery motive.

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Six months after the murders, New York Police Department Detective Lt. James Vitti thought hed cracked the case. Based on information he obtained from a paid informant, Vitti claimed that three people  the informant, another man and a woman  went to Teaneck to rob the house and shot the family in the process.

Problem was, the informant disappeared soon after the NYPD paid him to wear a wire. And the other man he pointed to was already in prison for murder; the woman had just been paroled.

Vitti went public with his claim in October 1976, but Bergen County Prosecutor Joseph C. Woodcock wasnt buying it.

We know the people he is talking about, Woodcock said in an article published in the Herald-News on Oct. 22, 1976. We talked to at least one of them and there isnt anything there.

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Diggs personal finances also came under scrutiny. An article published in The Record days after the murder revealed that Diggs owed more than $100,000 to a loan company and was struggling to keep his bar businesses afloat.

Bars, particularly those in Black neighborhoods, often had trouble obtaining credit from banks, which forced them to find other lenders.

The Record reported that in an unusual arrangement, Diggs was paying back his loan in weekly installments, not monthly, which is the norm with banks.

Diggs said he never went back to the house after his family was murdered. He said cops ripped out the radiators and wall fixtures looking for drugs, but didnt find any.

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He sold the house in August 1976 and moved back to New York City, where he opened a card shop and sold his bar businesses to his brother. From there, he tried to keep pressure on the police to keep looking for the killer, and complained bitterly about being treated as a suspect.

Diggs family murders

Diggs struggles daily to find new leads to track down his familys killer, Lawrence Hall wrote in an article in The Star-Ledger published on Dec. 4, 1977, nearly two years after the murders. This detective work he claims law enforcement authorities in Bergen County should be doing. He also lives in the shadow of suspicion and whispers.

Its like Im supposed to be the bad guy because I was not killed, Diggs told Hall. People are saying I had to be doing something wrong to have this happen.

Diggs suggested investigators were blinded by racism, convinced that he had to be involved somehow.

They were looking for narcotics, not the person who murdered my family, he said. I guess a Black guy in Bergen County is not supposed to own a $50,000 house and be a bar owner.

Of his debts, Diggs wondered, why cant a Black man have $138,000 in credit when a white businessman can have a $2 million credit line?

But it was Diggs infidelity that led one Teaneck detective, Fred Greene, to chase the most bizarre theory in the case  that it was Jean Diggs, distraught over her husbands extra-marital affairs, who killed her children.

As the theory goes, Jean methodically went from room to room killing her children, and when she was finished, she turned the gun on herself. Only she didnt die, according to the theory, and someone else  not Wesley  shot her and then escaped with the gun.

Police never recovered the weapon, or weapons, used in the murders.

The theory that Jean was responsible for the murders is the scenario laid out in the fictionalized film version of the Diggs murders, American Wisper, that is streaming on Amazon Prime.

The film follows Harlem bar owner Josiah Wisper in his search for justice after his wife and three children have been murdered in their North Jersey home.

The producer, Howard Nash, said he first tried to produce a documentary on the Diggs case during the 1980s. He read the Chase book, met with the author, and produced a script.

Nash said he met Wesley Diggs several times and believed him. But CBS ultimately let go of the project, Nash said

After the script sat around for decades, he added some fictional elements to the script and sold the project to Amazon Prime, where since 2016 it has been streamed more than a million times.

Nash hoped his based on true story narrative would pressure the Bergen County Prosecutors Office to reopen the case. But after 50 years, is there anyone still out there who knows what happened?

Even though hes no longer alive, it would be better to get the truth out, Nash said.

Ostrow, the former mayor, is now 75 years old and knows any hope of finding the killer dims with each passing day. Short of a deathbed confession, he cant imagine the case will ever be solved.

As time goes by it becomes a fading light, Ostrow said.

A former Teaneck resident, Jackie Kates, believes the Diggs family is worth remembering. Kates, who now lives in Fort Lee, met Jean Diggs only once, at a birthday party for her nephew.

Weeks later, her husband was at a dinner in New York and she was home alone with her two children on a Saturday night.

She turned on the 11 oclock news and saw the headline flash across the screen, family murdered, accompanied by a graphic showing a map of Teaneck.

She quickly locked all the doors. I couldnt wait for my husband to get home, she recalled. Soon after, she learned Jean, the pleasant woman shed met at the birthday party with her cute little son Roger, was dead, along with the rest of the Diggs children.

The most shocking thing is that something like that could happen, a woman and all her children murdered, she said. The second most shocking thing is that its never been resolved.

Kates said the shock of meeting someone at a birthday party and then learning theyve been murdered has never worn off.

No one has ever been brought to justice, and I think its worth remembering these five people who lost their lives, she said.

Diggs family murders

More than 1,000 people attended the funeral service at the Presbyterian Church of Teaneck on the Saturday after the murders. Chase, in his first week as pastor, met with Wesley Diggs to make the arrangements.

He said Diggs wanted to keep the funeral low-key, which was impossible given the publicity of the case. Diggs didnt speak at the funeral but instead had a friend read a letter he wrote to his wife and family that spoke of the survivors guilt that would follow him all the days of his life.

I consider myself your protector, your shelter in the time of storm, he wrote to his family, as reported in The Star-Ledger on Dec. 14, 1975. Now I ask you to forgive me for not sheltering you in your greatest hour of need.

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The cadets failed to complete a special training program that was supposed to culminate with a weekend at a hotel, under strict conditions requiring them to remain isolated.

The Israel Air Force on Monday announced that it has kicked out two pilot cadets from the current officers course due to potential security leaks, requiring them to wait until the next course to continue their training.

On December 7, the IDF announced that it had sent 15 pilot-cadets to military jail for periods of three to six days due to the leaks.

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Of those 15, only two have received the more serious punishment of a significant delay in their training.

The pilot cadets course only takes place twice a year, such that the delay will push the two individuals off by several months.

In addition, one of their commanders, at the rank of major, will be court-martialed for his role in the incident.

IAF pilots and crew prepare fighter jets for strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, August 24, 2025 (credit: IDF Spokespersons Unit)

Special IDF training for pilot cadets

According to the IDF, the pilot cadets had completed a special, intense training time period that was supposed to conclude with a weekend at a hotel but with the strict conditions of remaining isolated from any civilians at the hotel.

Many of the pilot cadets hosted visitors, including significant others, at the hotel in violation of the rules for the weekend and drank alcohol, creating a risk of leaking classified information.

Some of the stricter punishments resulted from the cadets failing to initially confess to their violation of the rules, with the IDF requiring two separate probes into the weekend until they discovered the full details involved in the incident.
An Alabama woman was among the victims of a deadly shooting at Brown University yesterday.

Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham said one of its parishioners, Ella Cook, was killed when a gunman opened fire at a building in the Rhode Island university Saturday afternoon. Cook was a sophomore at Brown.

One other person also died in the shooting.

Speaking during the Sunday morning service, Rev. Craig Smalley said Cook was a bright light in the world.

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Cook was a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and had worked at the Mountain Brook Creamery ice cream shoppe.

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday. And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light.. not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.

Smalley urged the congregation to pray for Cook and her family.

AL.coms efforts to reach Smalley were not immediately successful.

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The shooting happened shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday in the engineering building. Seven people injured in the shooting are hospitalized in critical but stable condition and one person was treated and released.

A person of interest in the shooting was detained but was ultimately released.

The disclosure of the release of the person of interest represents a dramatic setback in the investigation and leaves law enforcement without any known suspect.

We have a murderer out there, said Attorney General Peter Neronha, while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged that the news is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community."

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One student of the nine wounded students had been released from the hospital, said University President Christina Paxson. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition.

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.

This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the original article on al.com.
Cast almost entirely of lead, the pendant is decorated on both sides with an identical image of a menorah framed within a circular border.

A remarkably rare 1,300-year-old lead pendant bearing a seven-branched menorah has been uncovered in Jerusalem, shedding new light on Jewish presence in the city during a period when imperial authorities officially barred Jews from entering, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.

The discovery was made in an archaeological park adjacent to the Temple Mount during large-scale excavations conducted in recent years.

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The small, disk-shaped pendant dates to the 6th to early 7th centuries CE, during the Late Byzantine period. Cast almost entirely of lead, it is decorated on both sides with an identical image of a menorah framed within a circular border. Only one other ancient lead pendant bearing the menorah symbol is known worldwide, an object of unknown provenance housed at The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

The pendant was discovered by chance within the rubble of a Late Byzantine structure buried beneath an approximately eight-meter-thick layer of fill. That fill was deposited in the early 8th century as part of extensive construction associated with the erection of monumental Umayyad buildings in the area.

One day while I was digging inside an ancient structure, I suddenly saw something different, gray, among the stones, said Ayayu Belete, a City of David worker who uncovered the artifact. I picked the object up and saw that it was a pendant with a menorah on it. I immediately showed the find to Esther Rakow-Mellet, the area director, and she said it was an especially rare find. I was deeply moved and excited!

Valeria Fenik works at a digging site in the Givati Parking Lot excavation grounds, at the City of David National Park, on July 22, 2019. The most recent digging site currently under work is attributed to the Muslim, Byzantine, and early Roman periods. (credit: HADAS PARUSH/FLASH90)

A rare and intriguing find

Archaeologists determined that the pendant was designed to be worn on a necklace, with a loop cast at its top. One side of the object was well preserved, while the other was partially obscured by patina, a natural weathering layer. Each menorah features a central shaft with three arms extending from each side, topped with horizontal bars and stylized flames. An XRF test carried out at the Israel Antiquities Authoritys analytical laboratories found the pendant to be composed of approximately 99% lead.

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According to Israel Antiquities Authority researchers Dr. Yuval Baruch, Dr. Filip Vukosavovic, Esther Rakow-Mellet, and Dr. Shulamit Terem, the object is exceptional not only for its iconography but also for its material.

A pendant made of pure lead, decorated with a menorah, is an exceptionally rare find, they said. The double appearance of the menorah on each side of the disc indicates the deep significance of this symbol, and the central place of the menorah in the visual expression of connection to the Temple and its memory, even in periods long after the destruction of the Temple.

The historical context of the discovery raises intriguing questions. During the Byzantine period, Jews were formally prohibited from entering Jerusalem, making the presence of a personal Jewish object in the city difficult to explain. Scholars are left to consider whether the pendant belonged to a merchant, an official visitor, a clandestine pilgrim, or someone who managed to reside in the city despite the ban.

This is an unusual find, said Dr. Baruch, who has directed excavations at the site for nearly 25 years. This pendant, bearing the symbol of the menorah, is not just a material object; it is a personal seal, an emblem of memory and identity, which probably belonged to an anonymous Jew who chose to wear it around his or her neck.

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He added that the choice of lead suggests the pendant may have served as an amulet rather than jewelry, noting that lead was commonly used for amulets in the Byzantine period. During the Byzantine period, the menorah became a symbol of national memory, and it expressed the expectation of national revival among the Jewish communities in the Land of Israel and the Diaspora, Baruch said. Despite prohibitions and difficulties, Jews did not stop coming to Jerusalem.

IsraeliMinister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu said the find reinforces a broader historical narrative. The exciting find of the menorah pendant joins a series of testimonies that continue to be discovered in Jerusalem, and that tell the story of the continuity and devotion of the Jewish people in the city, he said.

A menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that is one of the oldest and most important symbols of Judaism.

In antiquity, a menorah of pure gold stood in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and was lit daily by the priests. It assumed greater symbolic significance in the 2nd century BCE following the Maccabean Revolt. When they sought to rededicate the Temple, the Maccabees found only one small jar of ritually pure oil  enough for a single day. Miraculously, the menorah remained lit for eight days, enough time to prepare more.

The pendant will be displayed to the public during Hanukkah in Jerusalem.
TOKYO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed after a fire broke out at a private-room sauna in central Tokyo on Monday, police and fire officials said.

At around 12:25 p.m. local time, emergency services received a call reporting that an alarm was sounding at a sauna located on the third floor of a five-story building in Akasaka.

According to the Tokyo Fire Department and the Metropolitan Police Department, part of the interior wall in one of the individual sauna rooms was burned, and the fire was extinguished about an hour later.

A man and a woman, believed to be customers in their 30s, were found unconscious inside the room and later confirmed dead at the hospital.

A representative of the facility told the Asahi Shimbun that it had been operating since the morning and the authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 
Atlanta Police Department is asking for the publics help to identify two suspects in a home burglary.

The incident happened around 10:54 p.m. at 928 Garrett Street SE on Nov. 18.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The suspects were captured on surveillance footage forcing entry into the residence and stealing $5,000 in cash along with two diamond bracelets. They left the scene in a black Ford Expedition SUV.

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Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification of the suspects. Tips can be submitted anonymously via phone, online or text.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are hopeful that public tips will aid in identifying the suspects and resolving the case.

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Australia's government said it will consider tightening the country's already strict gun laws following a deadly shooting attack on participants at a Jewish festival at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised on Monday that the government was prepared to take "whatever action is necessary" in response to what authorities have classified as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack, which killed 15 people. The ages of those who died range between 10 and 87.

One of the two suspected shooters was killed by police.

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A day after the attack on a Hanukkah event being held on the famed beach, 27 people remained in hospital with six in critical condition, health authorities said.

Speaking after an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday evening, Albanese said police and prosecutors had been asked to draw up policy options, although no specific reforms had yet been agreed.

Measures under consideration include banning weapons that can be produced using 3D printers, limiting the number of firearms an individual can own, tightening controls on weapons imports, and restricting gun licences to Australian citizens.

"People's circumstances can change, people can be radicalized over a period of time, licences should not be in perpetuity," Albanese said.

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The attack on Sunday shocked Australia and was the country's deadliest gun-related incident in three decades. Australia introduced sweeping gun control laws after a 1996 mass shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania, that killed 35 people.

Albanese rejected claims from Israel that Australia's formal recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year was linked to the attack, saying he saw no connection. He added that Australia must take a tougher stance against anti-Semitism.

Father and son identified as suspects

Investigators have identified the attackers as a father and son. The 50-year-old father was shot dead by police at the scene, while the 24-year-old son was arrested and remains in hospital with serious injuries.

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Albanese said that Australia's domestic intelligence agency had investigated the son six years ago over alleged links to a Sydney-based cell of the Islamic State group. Police declined to confirm media reports that two Islamic State flags were found in the attackers' vehicle, citing the ongoing investigation.

Local media reported that the father entered Australia in 1998 on a student visa and that the son was born in Australia. Family members had been told the pair were going on a fishing trip over the weekend.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the father was a member of a hunting club and held a firearms licence allowing him to own long guns. He legally possessed six firearms, authorities said.

Holocaust survivor among the victims

On the first day of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, the two gunmen opened fire with long guns on a crowd celebrating at Bondi Beach.

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Among the victims was Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, local media reported. His wife, also described as a Holocaust survivor, told The Australian newspaper the couple had been at Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah. They had emigrated from Ukraine to Australia and had been married for nearly 60 years.

The dead also included a 10-year-old girl and two rabbis.

Many people attended a memorial ceremony on Monday, and Albanese laid flowers near the site of the attack.

The Australian Jewish Association accused the government of not taking a harder line on anti-Semtism, saying it had "blood on its hands."

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Amid the war in Gaza, Israel has faced growing international criticism, alongside a global rise in anti-Semitism that has at times led to attacks on individuals and Jewish institutions.

In Australia, a synagogue in Melbourne was set on fire in December 2024. Albanese described the arson attack as anti-Semitic and life-threatening.

Authorities blamed Iran and expelled the Iranian ambassador, but Israeli politicians have continued to accuse the Albanese government of being too lenient on anti-Semitism and failing to adequately protect Australia's Jewish community of around 120,000 people.

A Rabbi lights a Menorah during a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, where gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people in an attack designed to target the Jewish community. Bianca De Marchi/AAP/dpa
Alex Ryvchin, the co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, called the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday a logical conclusion to the rising antisemitism in his country.

Look, in a way, this was the logical conclusion to whats been simmering in this country for two years, Ryvchin said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union.

At the start of the year, in January, my former home was firebombed and targeted in an attack. Theres been firebombings of synagogues and child care centers. There have been over 2,000 incidents reported in the last year, he continued.

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So, in a way, you look at it, and the writing was on the wall, he added. This sort of thing was always bound to happen.

Ryvchin noted Australia is not a country with a high level of gun violence. Authorities have said the massacre on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Sunday was the deadliest mass shooting the country has seen since the 90s.

Ryvchin said he speaks at the Chanukah by the Sea event every year and only missed this years event because it was his daughters best friends bat mitzvah.

He said he always stands on stage next to the rabbi, who was one of the at least 16 people killed in the shooting. The death toll rose overnight from 12 people. Another 38 people were injured.

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One man believed to be an attacker was killed by police, authorities said. A second alleged gunman is in critical condition.

Im always there with my three daughters. Its one of the happiest days of the year, Ryvchin said. Its a family event. Theres a petting zoo and face painting and a jumping castle and food stalls. Its one of the most joyous days of the calendar. And to think that people plotted to target this event, came there with automatic weapons and massacred people in cold blood. I cant believe it.

Ryvchin said that, amid rising antisemitism, Australia has to come to terms with the fact that the latest incident isnt an anomaly.

Its still beyond comprehension that this is what weve become as a country, Ryvchin said. We, as Australians, like to view ourselves as being open and multicultural and peace loving, but after a while, when this sort of thing happens, this marks our country. This defines our national character. This is no longer an aberration. This is part of who we are, and I think we have to come to terms with that.

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Ryvchin criticized his government for the response to the growing antisemitism, saying, I think its self-evident that they havent taken it seriously.

Ryvchin said while the government has taken some limited steps to respond to the threat, officials never understood the menace of antisemitism and viewed supporting the Jewish community as coming with a political price.

Perhaps they viewed it as unpopular, and so they were always slow and reticent in their reactions. And I think that its created an environment where, step by step, things were degraded in this country, our social harmony was eroded.  The things that have been tolerated have become more and more extreme and severe, and now we are where we are, he said.

So, I mean, the primary responsibility is with those who planned this, who carried this out, who incited it, but we look to our government to keep us safe, to set the tone, to lead. And clearly, theres been a colossal failure of that.

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VIENNA (AP)  An Austrian appeals court has rejected a request to extradite Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash to the United States in a case of alleged corruption through a plot to pay bribes in India.

The Vienna high regional court dismissed the appeal of a lower court ruling last year in the long-running legal saga. The high court said its decision announced on Dec. 10 was final.

Firtash faces a U.S. indictment accusing him of a conspiracy to pay bribes in India to mine titanium, which is used in jet engines. He has denied any wrongdoing.

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The Vienna court said the extradition request was related to the payment of bribes in the tens of millions of euros (dollars) for mining licenses in India, but ruled it was inadmissible because of immunity under international law.

Robert Kert, a professor at the Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law, said the ruling was not a substantive decision but more of a formality following the lower court's verdict last year.

He said prosecutors missed the deadline to file their appeal against Firtash, who had claimed diplomatic immunity as a one-time representative of Belarus to international institutions in Vienna.

"I have the impression the interest in seeing Mr. Firtash extradited is not that big," Kert said Monday by phone.

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Six years ago, a Chicago federal judge rejected a motion to dismiss the indictment against Firtash, who has argued that the U.S. has no jurisdiction over crimes in India. However, the judge ruled that it does, because any scheme would have impacted a Chicago-based company.

American aviation company Boeing, based in Chicago, has said it considered business with Firtash but never followed through. It is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Firtash was arrested in Austria in 2014, and then freed on 125 million euros ($131 million) bail, kicking off the ongoing legal saga. A Vienna court initially ruled against extradition on the grounds that the indictment was politically motivated.

A higher court in February 2017 rejected that reasoning as insufficiently substantiated and ruled that Firtash could be extradited. Austrias Supreme Court of Justice upheld that ruling in 2019.
Last night, we were celebrating the occasion of our second sons bar mitzvah at an event hall on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with Israeli music, hora dancing, a blue-and-white flag and 12-year-old children proud of their Jewish identity. I am an Israeli emissary for Keren Kayemeth-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) Australia, proud to promote and strengthen the connection between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel and proud to work for a Zionist organization in a foreign country. The celebration was meant to be an evening of joy and connection to Judaism, even on the other side of the world.



And then we heard the gunshots.



Fifty meters. That was the distance between us and the shooting. At first, people thought it was fireworks, but very quickly we saw people running and screaming, terrified. Their faces said it all. Some of the children at the party fled with the crowd; others stayed inside, following our instructions. We locked ourselves in the event hall for nearly two and a half hours. Crying children, panicked parents and absolute chaos met us in a room full of 12-year-olds experiencing, for the first time in their lives, what real existential fear feels like.



And amid all of this, there is one image I will never forget. The people who fled the beach  complete strangers, families, including Muslim men and women wearing hijabs  came into our bar mitzvah hall seeking shelter from the horrors outside. Some of them didnt know what a bar mitzvah was, but they did recognize the falafel and hummus we had at the venue. So we invited them to sit and eat with us. For a brief moment, humanity prevailed over everything else.



The fear did not subside even after the incident was over, and we left the building under police escort. In the moments afterward, I saw security personnel with blood on their uniforms and sat next to a woman who had lost her husband. The community here is small  there are 120,000 Jews in all of Australia  and everyone knows someone who was at the candle-lighting on the beach. As in Israel, there is no real sense of distance here; we all know someone who was hurt or injured.



But this pain is added to a complex daily reality that existed even before the shooting. Throughout the entire period of the war in Israel, Australia  a democratic, liberal, Western country  has become a space where criticism of Israel is sharp, one-sided and, at times, blind. Palestinian flags were waved at demonstrations, chants reduced a complex reality to slogans, and an atmosphere prevailed in which Jews are repeatedly required to explain themselves, or apologize for their existence. Many times, we were also expected to remain silent in order to prevent the situation from getting worse.



I know people who removed mezuzahs from their front doors. Parents who were afraid their children would walk around with a Jewish school backpack with Hebrew writing on it. In Sydney, in 2025. Its not something I ever thought I would experience outside history books. But I refuse to hide. I am proud to be a Zionist, proud to be Israeli and proud to be Jewish. Even when it is uncomfortable, even when it sparks arguments and even when it is frightening, I am proud.



About three years ago, our eldest son celebrated his bar mitzvah, and that same night there was a terror attack in Tel Aviv, half a world away from Australia. The irony that at the bar mitzvah of my second son  an event that symbolizes maturity, entry into his Torah journey and into the community  another attack took place, this time right outside our door, is unfathomable.



The attack on Bondi Beach will not cause us to stop living or to stop celebrating. We wont stop dancing, as they say in Israel. Today, I know this is not an empty slogan. It is a daily choice to continue sustaining a community, to gather in synagogues even when there is fear, to support one another and to live as Jews in the world.



Our son celebrated his bar mitzvah in the shadow of gunfire, but also surrounded by the values of solidarity, courage and humanity. Perhaps this is the most painful lesson, but also the most meaningful one, that he received on the evening he became a Jewish man.



Sarah Vanunu is a shlicha (Israeli emissary) for Keren Kayemeth-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) Australia.





The post The bar mitzvah next door to the Bondi Beach shooting appeared first on eJewishPhilanthropy.
The stability of any peace settlement to end Russia's war in Ukraine will depend crucially on security guarantees for the country, the German government said on Monday.

"Core European interests are at stake," government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told reporters in Berlin, adding that if those interests are to be upheld, they would require solid underpinning.

US and Ukrainian officials are currently holding talks in the German capital to discuss the latest version of a US-backed peace proposal.

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Kornelius said US negotiators had also been invited to a meeting of European heads of government and state scheduled for Monday evening in Berlin as part of ongoing talks on Ukraine, although it was initially unclear whether they would attend.

Outlining European priorities, Kornelius said negotiations centre on territorial issues and security guarantees.

"The issue of security, in particular, will ultimately determine whether this war truly comes to a standstill and reignites, or whether a resurgence can be deterred and prevented," he said.

Kornelius said it was important to discuss the details, adding that the presence of numerous European leaders underscored European unity.

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Asked whether Germany itself might seek to open new talks with Russia, Kornelius said the government continually reassesses whether direct discussions would be useful.

"At this time, there are no concrete plans," he said.

The specific proposals currently on the table in Berlin are not publicly known, but negotiations are focussing on the issue of territorial concessions, Western security guarantees for Kiev to deter Russia from attacking again after a peace deal is reached, as well as Russian assets currently frozen under EU sanctions.
While the 21st century has been bumpy, it has also ushered in monumental scientific and technological breakthroughs that have changed our world for the better. Advances in medicine have allowed for the creation of unprecedented genetic cures, fusion power has inched closer to reality, weve learned more about the ancient past on Earth, and in astronomy, we have glimpsed at things once thought to be impossible to render, like a black hole.

I think there's been a terrific amount of momentum in science in the last quarter century, says France Cordova, an astrophysicist who currently serves as the president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance and formerly led the U.S. National Science Foundation. I would like to see that accelerated with investment. We really need to let a thousand flowers bloom.

Weve pulled together a list of the most exciting discoveries of the past 25 years, along with five tantalizing unresolved mysteries to watch that could be solved in the coming decades.

The completion of the Human Genome Project, and the advent of synthetic life

Launched in 1990, the Human Genome Project successfully sequenced a complete human genome for the first time in 2003, creating a powerful reference point for the approximately three billion base pairs of DNA that make up the genetic blueprint of our species. It was the largest collaborative biological project in history, and its completion sparked a new era of genomics that transformed countless fieldsfrom forensics, to anthropology, to DNA ancestry tests, to gene treatments for Huntingtons disease and others.

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Spearheaded by the U.S. National Institute of Health, the Human Genome Project helped to accelerate the novel field of synthetic biology, which aims to engineer new forms of living systems and organisms. The ability to sequence genomes of real organisms, from roundworms to humans, opened the door to rewrite that code in creative ways. To that end, scientists developed the first synthetic cell in 2010, the first synthetic DNA in 2012, and the first synthetic chromosomes in 2014.

These 60 trays contain the entire human genome as 23,040 different fragments of cloned DNA at the Sanger Centre in Cambridge, England. The goal of the human genome project was to find the base sequence of all the genes in human DNA, allowing for improved drug design and a greater understanding of genetic diseases. James King-Holmes, Science Photo Library

Colored scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 cells. Developed by researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute, JCVI-syn1.0 was the first self-replicating cell controlled by a synthetic genome. Thomas Deerinck, NCMIR/Science Photo Library

The discovery and development of CRISPR

Decades ago, scientists observed that some bacteria have a kind of genetic immune system; when viruses attack them, they capture pieces of the invaders DNA and insert them into their own genome to better protect against future attacks.

This natural system called CRISPR, which stands for clustered interspaced short palindromic repeats, has now been adapted into a gene-editing tool that has revolutionized countless fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. It lets scientists cut and paste any piece of DNA, from single base pairs to whole sets of genes.

First released in 2012, CRISPR-based gene editing has led to many medical breakthroughs, including the first approved genetic cure for sickle-cell disease and beta-thalassemia (Casgevy) and enabled the birth of Baby KJ, a child born free of an otherwise fatal genetic condition. Jennifer Doudna and Emanuelle Charpentier, pioneers of CRISPR, earned a Nobel Prize for the technology in 2020.

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The development I'm most excited about happened this year, says Doudna, who is the founder of the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI). Researchers developed and delivered a personalized CRISPR therapy for an infant with an ultra-rare disease in just six months. Its a proof of concept that on-demand gene editing for rare diseases is now possible, she says. This will change what can be offered to the thousands of children born each year with conditions medicine has never encountered.

CRISPR is also fueling a boom in climate and architectural biotech, from disease-resistant crops to carbon-capturing microbes.

(Jennifer Doudna reflects on her career in an interview with Nat Geo.)

The first three parent baby

Nearly a decade ago, in 2016, a baby boy became the first child to inherit DNA from three parents. Though the vast majority of the childs DNA came from a mother and father, a third donor provided healthy mitochondrial DNA to the babys genome. This technique, called mitochondrial replacement therapy, is used to reduce the risk of passing on rare mitochondrial diseases. As of 2025, babies born with three parents appear to be healthy so far.

AlphaFold solves the protein folding problem

For decades, biologists sought a way to predict the three-dimensional shape of proteins, the building blocks of life, from a simple readout of their chemical components. A proteins shape determines how it works, much like a keys shape determines which lock it can open. So, solving the protein folding problem, as the puzzle was called, would give scientists a superpowered ability to bioengineer molecules, accelerating development of life saving drugs.

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Enter AlphaFold. Developed by Alphabets DeepMind laboratory, this AI program has revolutionized the process of predicting protein structure, DNA/RNA patterns, and with other cellular enigmas. The program has enabled researchers to game out how cell components fold and interact much faster than ever before, with an accuracy that approaches meticulous and time-consuming experimental results. The major leg-up has accelerated research into drug candidates and the mechanisms that undergird life. It earned the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

A healthcare worker injects a patient with a COVID-19 trial vaccine in this infrared image from 2020. Giles Price, Nat Geo Image Collection

Vaccine breakthroughs save millions of lives

One of the greatest achievements of the 20th century was the widespread distribution of vaccines, an effort that helped to eradicate devastating diseases, like smallpox and polio.

The 21st Century has kept the momentum going. Notably there was the development of the first Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which was approved in 2006, and contributed to a 62 percent drop in deaths from cervical cancer. Global efforts to distribute the vaccine are believed to have prevented 1.4 million future deaths.

The rapid development and approval of RNA vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 was a historic victory that curbed the spread of Covidsaving millions of lives. Now, RNA vaccine technology is being developed to prevent a host of infectious diseases and even some cancers.

CAR T-cell immunotherapy for cancer

After years of research, the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy was approved in 2017. This therapy uses genetically modify human T-cells (which are part of our immune system) to recognize and destroy cells from certain cancers. The approach has proved to be highly effective for certain cancers including lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma.

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More than 90 percent of patients go into remission after the treatment, which is estimated to have saved tens of thousands of lives so far.

Graphene invented

Graphene is the strongest and thinnest material known, made of carbon atoms latticed into a two-dimensional honeycomb pattern. It was first theorized in 1947, but it wasnt until 2004 that scientists produced the first graphene in the laboratory. The breakthrough won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Beyond its superlative thinness and strength, graphene is extremely conductive and transparent. Because of its exceptional qualities, graphene has advanced many fields, and helped produce much more efficient water filters, fast-charging batteries, highly durable solar cells, and precise biosensors, to name a few technologies.

Higgs boson discovered

The Higgs boson is a small particle, with a mass just 150 times that of a proton, but its scientific impact is colossal. First predicted in 1964 by researchers, including its namesake Peter Higgs, the particle existed only in theory for decades as the hypothetical crown jewel of the standard model of particle physics, which describes the universes fundamental forces and elements. The particle is associated with the Higgs field, a quantum field that spans the universe and gives all elementary particles their mass.

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But the detection of the Higgs boson remained out of reach until the construction of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, which is the biggest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world. In 2012, CERN finally confirmed detection of the particle, ending a decades-long search and corroborating the standard model. The achievement earned the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics.

The Large Hardron Collider (LHC) at CERN occupies a circular underground tunnel nearly 17 miles (27 kilometers) in circumference. Thomas Pflaum, VISUM/Redux

A compact muon solenoid (CMS), which despite its name is a massive general-purpose particle detector at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) being used to search for the Higgs boson particle. Mark Thiessen, Nat Geo Image Collection

Gravitational waves detected for the first time

Albert Einstein first proposed the idea of gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of spacetime, in 1916, but he was doubtful any instrument would ever be sensitive enough to capture them. After nearly a century of grit, scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) finally cinched that dream with the first detection of a gravitational wave, forged by the merger of two black holes about 1.3 billion years ago.

As of 2025, hundreds of gravitational waves have been captured by LIGO and other detectors, opening a whole new window into the universe.

It's not only a different way of looking at the universe, but its a technology that couldn't be imagined 100 years ago, says Cordova. There's a lot more to go, but it's just opened up so many discoveries.

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For example, gravitational waves have revealed unexpectedly massive mergers and confirmed several theories about black holes put forward by luminaries like Stephen Hawking and Roy Kerr. The achievement also earned the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Fusion power briefly achieves net gain

The Sun, and all other stars, produce voluminous light and energy by fusing atoms together in their coresa process called nuclear fusion. Harnessing this literal star-power could potentially supply the world with abundant clean power.

While fusion power is still far from being realized, it has reached a major milestone. In 2022, scientists in the U.S. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory demonstrated net energy gain, in which a fusion reaction produces more energy than was directly fed into the experiment. The success was repeated in 2023.

These results represent a physics breakthrougha fuel that generates more energy than it directly absorbs. However, the experimental apparatus where these net gains were performed still burns way more power than the fuels output, so practical fusion plants are still a distant goal.

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(Squeeze inside a fusion reactor with a Nat Geo photographer.)

First interstellar objects discovered

In 2017, astronomers discovered the first known interstellar objectan object that originated from another star systemspeeding through the solar system. Known as Oumuamua, its strange properties have generated debate ever since (and no: its not aliens.). Two more interstellar objects, both clearly comets, have since been spotted: 2I/Borisov in 2019 and 3I/ATLAS in 2025.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which began operations in 2025, is expected to spot many more of these fascinating travelers in the coming years.

(Read more about the new observatory will search for interstellar objects.)

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 5, 1977, at 8:56 a.m. local time. In 2012, it became the first spacecraft to leave our solar system. NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

This narrow-angle color image of the Earth, dubbed Pale Blue Dot, is a part of the first ever "portrait" of the solar system taken by NASAs Voyager 1 on February 14, 1990 at a distance of 3.7 billion miles from the Sun. NASA/JPL

Event Horizon Telescope creates the first image of a black hole

Organizing a photoshoot for a black hole is no easy feat, but the global collaboration that created the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) got it done in 2019. By synchronizing radio telescopes all around the worldessentially creating one Earth-sized observatorythe EHT team was able to capture incredible visuals of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy some 55 million light-years from our solar system.

Robots make it to the very farthest reaches of the solar system

Over the past 25 years, our robotic space explorers have, to channel Star Trek, boldly gone where no probe has gone before. Our spacecraft have now journeyed everywhere from the solar corona to the interstellar wilds.

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NASAs Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space in 2012; at the other end of the solar spectrum, the Parker Solar Probe has dared to dive seven times closer to the Sun than any previous mission.

NASAs New Horizons probe also became the first spacecraft to flyby Pluto in 2015, while several missionsfrom Japans Hayabusa spacecraft to NASAs OSIRIS-RExhave returned snatched samples from asteroids and returned them to Earth.

This image, among the first released by the James Webb Space Telescope, shows the Carina Nebula amid a speckled field of stars. NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

James Webb Space Telescope gives us the oldest ever look at the universe

On December 25, 2021, space enthusiasts around the world held their breath as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful space observatory ever built, launched from French Guiana. From orbit about a million miles from Earth, JWST has peered into the dawn of the universe (discovering new mysteries therein), glimpsed the skies of distant exoplanets, provided a fresh look at objects in our own solar backyard, and produced mesmerizing views of our cosmos. With 100 times the power of the Hubble Telescope, JWST is our sharpest eye on the universeand its just getting started.

Thousands of planets discovered orbiting other stars

Though the first exoplanets were spotted in the 1990s, it wasnt until the 2009 launch of NASAs Kepler telescope that the age of exoplanetary discovery really got rolling. Over its nearly decade-long run, Kepler discovered over 2,600 exoplanetsan astonishing haul that confirmed, at last, that planets of all kinds are common around stars in our galaxy.

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Since Kepler retired in 2018, a new generation of planet-hunting telescopesincluding JWST and NASAs Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)have continued to shed light on the many tantalizing worlds beyond our solar system. Weve discovered planets that rain metal, potentially habitable planets, and rogue planets that roam interstellar space. As of 2025, were at 6,000 confirmed exoplanet detections and counting.

We can now directly attribute weather disasters to climate change

Scientists have known for decades that humanitys consumption of fossil fuels is causing global temperatures to rise, and therefore amplifying extreme weather events like heatwaves, hurricanes, and wildfires. But it wasnt until 2004 that researchers specifically attributed the severity of a natural disaster to climate change the severityin that case, the deadly 2003 heatwave in Europe.

This study marked the dawn of climate attribution, a field that isolates our own human contribution to Earths complex climatic and environment shifts. Since then, weve learned that climate change can raise the odds of a severe weather event, such as the 2019 European heatwave, and can also intensify these natural disasters. For example, human-driven warming was linked to intense rainfall in Hurricane Harvey and the exceptionally dry vegetation that fueled the 2025 Los Angeles fires.

(Heres how researchers connected the L.A. fires to climate change.)

The deep ocean reveals how life might have started

The century started off strong with the 2000 discovery of the Lost City, a vast field of hydrothermal vents that are similar to environments where life might have first emerged on Earth. Since then, scientists have mapped hidden seamounts, probed mysterious seafloor ecosystems, and discovered countless weird lifeformsincluding the first known animal to lay its eggs on vents.

Long lost archeological treasures found with lidar

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote-sensing method that bounces laser light off surfaces to create precise 3-D maps. This technique has become widely affordable and practical for archaeological surveys over the past two decades, leading to an avalanche of discoveries about bygone cultures and settlements.

For example, archaeologists have spotted hundreds of previously unknown settlements across Mesoamerica, while also revealing fascinating new structures at established sites like Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Lidar has been a game-changer in particular for regions covered with dense foliage or remote wilderness, like Mesoamerica and the Amazon basin, by peering through the canopies to spot ancient structures.

Polar shipwrecks re-discovered after more than a century

In 1845, an expedition led by Captain Sir John Franklin set off from Britain to search for the fabled Northwest Passage that could connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through the Canadian Arctic. The expedition ended in horror and ruin; both its ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were abandoned, and all the crew members died of disease and exposure.

This 3-D scan shows the Endurance as it was found in its final resting place at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust

Seventy years later, Ernest Shackleton set out to Antarctica on the polar ship Endurance, which the crew also had to abandon in the ice, though most of the sailors luckily survived the ordeal.

All three of these ill-fated ships have been re-discovered: Erebus in 2014, Terror in 2016, and Endurance in 2022. The amazing effort to locate the ships reflects advances in polar exploration, marine archaeology, and, in the case of the Arctic ships, the essential input and memory of Inuit communities, who had passed stories about the ships down for generations.

The human family tree got more branches

Our species, Homo sapiens, is the sole surviving human lineage on Earth, but many extinct members of our hominin family have been discovered, or are now better understood, since 2000. Homo floresiensis, discovered in 2003, lived on the Indonesian island of Flores some 50,000 years ago; these relatives have been nicknamed hobbits for their small stature.

First discovered in Africa in 2008 and 2015 respectively, Australopithecus sediba lived around two million years ago, while Homo naledi emerged around 300,000 years ago. Both revealed transitional states between earlier hominins and later lineages, including our own. So, while we are the last humans standing, we are far from the only ones to walk the Earth.

A composite skeleton of Homo naledi surrounded by some of the hundreds of other specimens found in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa. Robert Clark, Nat Geo Image Collection

An Australopithecus sediba juvenile male skeleton from the Malapa site, also in South Africa. Brent Stirton, Nat Geo Image Collection

Ancient DNA extraction rewrites history

In addition to discovering the bones of new relatives, scientists have also pioneered the field of ancient DNA to probe their genetic relationships. The methods used to extract and analyze this ancient DNA were perfected in the past 25 years.

In 2010, for example, scientists reported the discovery of Denisovans, an archaic human lineage that went extinct around the same time as the Neanderthals, using mitochondrial DNA from a finger bone. The remains of the first ancient human hybrid, the offspring of a Neanderthal and Denisovan, was discovered in 2012 and confirmed with ancient DNA in 2018.

Ancient DNA has also revolutionized our understanding of modern human history by reconstructing the lineages of various cultures in recent millennia and even tracking the spread of infectious diseases through these bygone peoples.

Dinosaur feathers discovered

The discovery of the first dinosaur soft tissue in 2005, along with many preserved samples of feathers, have confirmed earlier theories that even heavyweights like Tyrannosaurus rex likely sported feathers, perhaps with colorful displays. This updated decades-old assumptions that dinosaurs were scaly creatures.

Impeccably preserved Ice Age mummies found in permafrost

As global temperatures rise, the remains of many extinct Pleistocene Ice Age creatures are melting out of once-frozen soil called permafrost. Though permafrost thaw is a very concerning trend, the silver lining is the surfacing of exquisitely preserved mummies, such the 40,000-year-old mammoth and the 28,000-year-old cave lion cub "Sparta." Scientists have even managed to revive a roundworm that was frozen in permafrost 46,000 years ago, which may well be the worlds most impressive cryo-nap.

(The worlds first saber-toothed cat mummy has been found in Siberia.)

These tentative discoveries will be a big dealif confirmed in the coming years.

A possible ninth planet in the solar system

In 2016, astronomers Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin speculated that a hypothetical giant world might lurk about 20 times farther from the Sun than Neptune, a tantalizing claim that might explain the strange movements of objects observed in the far reaches of the solar system.

Ever since, scientists have been searching for any sign of this so-called Planet Nine, which is estimated to be anywhere from five to ten times as massive as Earth. The newly operational Vera C. Rubin Observatory may well shed light on this mystery in the coming years. As a fun twist, Mike Brown is also the astronomer who led the charge to demote Pluto to a dwarf planet. If Planet Nine is ever discovered, Brown will have the rare honor of having helped to both subtract and add a ninth planet to the solar system.

Google claims quantum supremacy

Quantum supremacy, also known as quantum advantage, is the threshold at which a quantum computer can perform a specific task that a classical machine would not be able to complete in any practical timeframe. Google, in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NASA, claimed that they had achieved this supremacy in 2019 after its Sycamore quantum processor performed a sampling task in 200 seconds that would take a classical supercomputer about 10,000 years.

This early claim on supremacy has generated debate and pushback, so it remains to be seen whether it will be considered the inaugural example of quantum supremacy.

The Milky Way and Jupiter, the brightest object in the sky over Kitt Peak Observatory. The Mayall 4-meter telescope, the largest on the mountain, houses the Dark Energy Spectoscopic Instrument. Babak Trafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection

Dark energy may not be a constant

For decades, scientists assumed that the universe was expanding at a constant rate of acceleration, with dark energy being the term given to this constant. However, new results from the Initial Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) in Arizona, which started surveying the sky in 2021, suggest that the universes accelerating expansion has actually been slowing down.

This tantalizing surprise hints that dark energy is an evolving force, and may not be a constant at all, upending one of the core assumptions of the standard model of cosmology.

(How will the universe end?)

New treatments and preventions for neurological disorders

An estimated 50 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimers disease, a neurological disorder that causes memory loss, confusion, mood swings, and other symptoms that severely disrupt life. But a new class of recently FDA-approved drugs called anti-amyloid therapies hold some promise for treating this disease by targeting and removing amyloid plaques from the brain, which can slow its progression. Because these drugs have only been available to patients for a few years, their long-term efficacy is still being evaluated.

In addition, after a connection between the Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis was discovered, scientists renewed hope they could better treat or even prevent the autoimmune disease that gradually weakens nerve communication between the brain and body.

Now, a new clinical trial in the U.K. is testing this hypothesis with a vaccine.

Possible biosignatures discovered on Mars, Venus, and exoplanets

Science has entered a new phase in the search for alien life with the detection of multiple possible biosignatures inside our solar system, and beyond it. In 2019, a team reported the presence of the chemical phosphine on Venus, which could have a geological or biological source. Just within the past year, a team reported a possible biosignature in the skies of an exoplanet (the studys results are still being debated), while NASAs Perseverance rover discovered potential signs of ancient microbial life on Mars.

None of these discoveries are remotely slam dunk evidence of alien life, and all three have generated controversywhich will likely be the norm as similar discoveries rack up in the coming years. But though these results remain inconclusive, they demonstrate that the search for extraterrestrial life is starting to become grounded in a growing body of empirical evidence, not just theory and speculation.

What will the next 25 years bring?

Its hard not to wonder what scientific advances the next 25 years will bring. How will new technologieslike AI, green energy, or quantum computingreshape our lives and world by 2050?

Nobody knows, but Doudna has a recommendation.

What strikes me most about the past 25 years is how many breakthroughs trace back to fundamental research that had no obvious practical application at the time, she says. CRISPR is a perfect example: my collaborators and I were studying how bacteria fight off viruses and that curiosity-driven work led to a technology now transforming medicine, agriculture, and even approaches to fighting climate change.

Scientific momentum needs to be sustained, but even in the best conditions, there still will be challenges. Getting these tools to the people who need them mostthat's the harder problem we're still solving.
The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

Imagine new parents born and raised in Nebraska wondering if their bouncing bundle of joy is truly an American. Weird, huh?

Lets start at Grand Islands Howard Elementary School when the world had fewer sharp edges and television was turning to color. Thats when sixth graders there could try out to deliver the oratory I Speak for Democracy, in front of an assembly of students and parents. Aspirants had to memorize the 700-odd words. While I put in the work, I bowed out before auditions, the smart play since brilliant and formidable future scientist Nancy Johnson was among the competitors.

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Among a few words and phrases I remember are these, confirmed by Google: I am an American. Apparently sixteen-year old Elizabtheth Evans who wrote the essay knew she was.

She used those four words to begin the first, fifth and penultimate lines of her paean to democratic principles. She wrote them in 1953, about the time U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy was looking for commies in State Department closets and under Hollywood Hills beds, so her warnings to fascists and communists rang true for McCarthyites.

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She also paid homage to Americas melting pot, our vast assortment of cultures, religions and people, what some today call the salad bowl. Whatever name one uses for our heterogeneous home, Im afraid Elizabeths work  even by its Wonder Year standards  would today run afoul of the woke police, those anti-D.E. I. nosey parkers preaching the goodness of homogenization and the evils of diversity.

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I Speak for Democracy came to mind recently after I read that the U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear arguments that could end birthright citizenship. The case is fueled by a presidential executive order, one of many that have undone much of the governments processes and procedures and certainly impacted our economy.

The High Courts decision to essentially entertain just who is an American stopped me cold.

Thats because at issue here is the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which clearly says if youre born here, you are a citizen: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Thats how I became an American. Elizabeth Evans, too. My guess is thats how you did, as well.

Specifically, the January 2025 order  blocked by a number of lower courts  would exclude from U.S. citizenship any infant born to a mother illegally in the country and a father who is neither a citizen nor permanent resident. Babies born to a mother with temporary status and a father who is neither a citizen nor permanent resident would also be denied citizenship.

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Details aside, the administrations headlong rush to deport immigrants once again comes face-to-face with the 14th Amendment, an obstacle to carrying out its crackdown on those in the country without permission, although horror stories are plentiful of American citizens and those here legally being arrested or detained.

Would SCOTUS really upend a constitutional amendment? Why not involve Congress, should that august assemblage want to leave the sidelines where it has been the last 11 months? Why not give the American people a voice in the matter?

Instead we have the highest court in the land listening to an argument that an executive order can undo a constitutional amendment and nearly 130 years of precedent.

SCOTUSs case poses larger questions, too. Who is an American? Who gets to decide who is an American? Can an executive order undo other amendments such as speech? Or the right to bear arms? The 14th Amendment undid the Supreme Courts most dubious decision: the 1857 Dred Scott decision.

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Justices then determined that those of African descent  slave or free  were not citizens and, as such, had no legal standing to seek a legal solution in court. In other words, not really Americans.

Scott and his wife Harriet had argued that living in a free territory  Wisconsin  made them free citizens. SCOTUS disagreed, handing down what many legal scholars consider a low point in the High Courts history. The 14th Amendment rectified the Dred Scott decision, but not before it became a compelling force on the march toward the Civil War.

Youre right. The Supreme Court hasnt made a decision in this case. Still, the idea that a president could undo a constitutional amendment with the High Courts blessing once seemed unthinkable.

Not any more  and along with it, a potentially new definition of who and what exactly is an American.

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It's been a rough couple of years for the Boeing Company's reputation. First, there was the infamous Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024 when a Boeing 737 aircraft's door flew off during the flight. Then, in June 2025, Air India Flight 171 crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. So why are so many Boeing airplanes having accidents, and is traveling on an Airbus, Boeing's longtime competitor, actually safer? Spoiler alert: When it comes to accident rates, there's not a significant difference between the two manufacturers.

According to a recent analysis of data furnished by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and reported by Jalopnik, a news website covering the transportation industry, Boeing and Airbus have very similar safety records. The information looks at accident rates for flights operating in the United States between 2014 and 2024.

It's important to note, of course, that aircraft manufacturers are not responsible for all in-flight incidents. Bad weather and bird strikes are among the most common plane problems that lead to accidents. To properly consider the safety records of Boeing and Airbus, it's essential to focus on accidents caused by equipment malfunction or mechanical issues related to the engine or landing gear. And in the ten-year period in question, with six million flights in the air each year, both manufacturers experienced just two to six such accidents. And none involved fatalities of passengers or crew.

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Read more: Flight Attendants Reveal Disturbing Secrets Airlines Don't Want You To Know

Boeing and Airbus planes are equally safe

Airport workers check cargo hold of Lufthansa Boeing 747 jet - Ceri Breeze/Getty Images

If Boeing and Airbus have nearly identical records when it comes to accident rates in U.S. airspace, why does the former seem to have a worse reputation? It's partly because Boeing operates notably more flights than Airbus does, so in terms of sheer numbers, Boeing has more accidents. It should be noted that the Jalopnik report adjusts the data for the number of flights to more fairly compare the two manufacturers' records.

Boeing's bad rap is also amplified by other factors, including quality control issues widely reported in the media. As the NTSB acknowledged in a statement, the blowout of a faulty door plug produced at a Boeing factory was the cause of the Alaska Airlines incident in 2024. There's also misinformation circulating. Last year, a chart comparing Boeing and Airbus "airline incidents" was spread on LinkedIn and other social media sites, but it was later revealed that the data included incidents involving Boeing-manufactured aircraft (World War II bombers, cargo jets, and the like) that were built decades before Airbus was founded. Needless to say, the information was skewed, and the analysis therefore, was flawed.

The bottom line is clear: Boeing and Airbus aircraft are similarly safe for travelers, and plane accidents are still extremely rare. Still nervous about flying? Consider these expert tips for feeling safe in the air, from deep breathing to chatting with a therapist.

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Read the original article on Islands.
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A soldier and seven militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, the military said.

The operation was conducted in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district on the report of militants presence, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement. One soldier was killed during the firefight.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed militants, the statement added.

A search operation was underway, the ISPR said. 
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Newly released court records are shedding more light on the murder of a Charlotte mother and why the suspect will remain in jail without bond.

According to Mecklenburg County court documents, Lorenza Inman, the boyfriend of Frezja Matisse Baker, appeared in court on Monday, Dec. 15, where a judge issued no bond.

Inman is facing felony murder, assault on a female, and a domestic violence charge.

Suspect: Lorenza Inman via Mecklenburg County Jail

Last seen alive at gas station

Court documents state that Baker, 31, was reported missing by her family on December 6, after they last spoke with her two days earlier on December 4. Family members told police they could hear her boyfriend in the background during that final phone call. Baker had dropped off her young son earlier that day and was never heard from again.

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Investigators noted in their report that surveillance video from a Mobil gas station on Lasalle Street captured violent moments between the couple on the night of December 4. They state the video shows Inman putting his hand on the back of Bakers head and neck, forcefully pushing and shoving her inside the store, and throwing an item that struck her in the back. The two then reportedly left together in Bakers blue-gray Honda, with Inman driving.

Court records state Bakers phone activity stopped later that night.

Suspect allegedly admits to murder

On December 11, police found Bakers vehicle parked behind a church on Sanders Avenue in north Charlotte. Inside the front passenger seat, officers discovered Baker deceased, suffering from apparent head trauma. According to court records, she was wearing the same clothing seen in the gas station video, with a jacket placed over her.

Photo: Frezja Matisse Baker via CMPD and QCN

Court documents also reveal that investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip claiming Baker had already been killed and left inside her car.

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A witness later reportedly told detectives that Inman admitted to killing Baker, saying the two had argued and that a gun went off, striking her in the head. The witness described details of the crime scene that CMPD said only someone with firsthand knowledge would know.

PREVIOUS: Suspect accused of killing Charlotte mother found in vehicle arrested in Robeson County

Inman was arrested days later in Maxton, North Carolina, about two hours from Charlotte. He has a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for assault and firearm-related offenses. Inman remains in the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.

This case is due back in court in early January.

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When two armed attackers descended on a Hanukkah celebration at a park opposite Australia's iconic Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, dozens of bystanders began video recording the deadly assault.

Among the gruesome and terrifying images that circulated online, the videos captured a riveting moment when an unarmed civilian tackled one of the gunmen and seized what appeared to be a rifle. The man, a Muslim father named Ahmed al Ahmed, is now being lauded as a hero by the Bondi Beach community, the Australian government and international leaders.

More: The horrific Bondi Beach shooting and the message of one of the victims

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Australian law enforcement authorities and political officials called the evening attack an antisemitic act of terror. Two suspected gunmen, a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son, opened fire on a celebratory barbecue and picnic held to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah, officials said.

Health workers move a woman on a stretcher to an ambulance after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec.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. People walk on Bondi Beach after a shooting incident in Sydney on Dec. 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. A member of a jewish community reacts as he stands at the site of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025. Towels, bags and baby strollers littered Sydney's Bondi Beach Sunday -- the harrowing aftermath of the country's worst mass shooting in years. Sixteen people were killed and many more rushed to hospital in what Australian police are now calling a "terrorist" attack targeting the city's Jewish community during a celebration of Hanukkah. Members of the public look at the scene at Bondi Beach after a mass shooting on Dec. 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen dressed in black fired several shots at Sydney's world-famous Bondi Beach, causing at least 16 fatalities and several more casualties, as New South Wales police said the toll was very likely to climb. Police first responders speak to members of the public at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Dec.14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen dressed in black fired several shots at Sydney's world-famous Bondi Beach, causing at least 16 fatalities and several more casualties, as New South Wales police said the toll was very likely to climb. 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 Dec.14, 2025. Two suspected shooters opened fire at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, killing eleven people and wounding multiple others in an attack that spread panic, with bodies reported lying on the ground. Health workers move a man on a stretcher to an ambulance after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 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. A woman holds her baby in a blanket after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 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. A police officer walks along cordon tapeline at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen dressed in black fired several shots at Sydney's world-famous Bondi Beach, causing at least 16 deaths, and setting off mass panic on a Sunday evening. TOPSHOT - Police work on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 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. Health workers wait on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 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. A member of the Jewish community reacts as he walks with police towards the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 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. People react after a shooting incident at the Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025. Towels, bags and baby strollers littered Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14 -- the harrowing aftermath of the country's worst mass shooting in years. Eleven people were killed and many more rushed to hospital in what Australian police are now calling a "terrorist" attack targeting the city's Jewish community during a celebration of Hanukkah. Girls react as they leave the site of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025. Towels, bags and baby strollers littered Sydney's Bondi Beach Sunday -- the harrowing aftermath of the country's worst mass shooting in years. Eleven people were killed and many more rushed to hospital in what Australian police are now calling a "terrorist" attack targeting the city's Jewish community during a celebration of Hanukkah. A resident crosses the road near the site of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 14, 2025. Towels, bags and baby strollers littered Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14 -- the harrowing aftermath of the country's worst mass shooting in years. Eleven people were killed and many more rushed to hospital in what Australian police are now calling a "terrorist" attack targeting the city's Jewish community during a celebration of Hanukkah. Police tape cordons part of the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 killed in Bondi Beach "terrorist" attack in Australia 1 of 16 Health workers move a woman on a stretcher to an ambulance after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec.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.

As of Dec. 15, authorities say 15 people were killed in the massacre. Police killed the 50-year-old gunman at the scene. Victims include a Holocaust survivor, a rabbi and a 10-year-old girl, according to interviews, officials and local media reports. More than 40 people were taken to an area hospital with injuries, officials said on Dec. 14. It's one of the deadliest attacks in Australia's history.

Here's what we know about the man who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen during the deadly attack.

Video shows Ahmed tackle armed attacker

In footage that circulated widely on social media in the hours after the attack, a man, later identified as Ahmed, is seen crouched behind a car in the parking lot opposite the park. He then charges toward one of the shooters and quickly wrestles away a rifle he was holding, then points it toward the attacker.

A screengrab from a video shows a man tackle one of the alleged gunman at Sydneys Bondi Beach.

The gunman, who fell to the ground in the scuffle, is shown backing away as Ahmed points the weapon at him. Ahmed then appears to attempt to flag down law enforcement, who are at the scene at the time. The attacker is then shown escaping Ahmed and moving toward the other armed attacker.

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Ahmed, 43, was taken to a regional hospital following the attack. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he sustained two gunshot wounds from the second perpetrator. Jozay Alkanji, Ahmed's cousin, said he received initial surgery and may need more to address his injuries.

Who is Ahmed al Ahmed, the man being lauded as a hero?

Ahmed's parents, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp., or ABC, about their son.

Belongings left behind by people are gathered at the beach near the scene of a shooting on a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 15, 2025.

The pair told ABC they landed in Sydney only a couple of months ago from Syria, and had been separated from their son since he came to Australia in 2006. They said he has two daughters who are 3 and 6.

Ahmed's father said his son is an Australian citizen and sells fruits and vegetables.

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His parents told the media outlet their son was having coffee with a friend in Bondi when he heard gunshots ring out.

"When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood, quickly his conscience pushed him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon," his father, Mohamed Fateh, told the news outlet.

People pay respects at Bondi Pavilion to victims of a shooting during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 15, 2025.

More: Video shows hero wrestling gun away from Bondi Beach shooter

International praise, donations pour in

Albanese has described Ahmed as the best of humanity," and said people who rushed toward danger, both citizens and first responders alike, "show the best of the Australian character."

President Donald Trump called him a very, very brave person."

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Chris Minns, the premier of the state of New South Wales, posted an image of himself visiting Ahmed in the hospital.

Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.



It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW. pic.twitter.com/3xNBW8vxvZ  Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) December 15, 2025

"Ahmed is a real-life hero," Minns said in the social media post. "Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk."

Minns added there is "no doubt" that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed's actions.

Over $1.5 million has been donated to help al Ahmed and his family through the recovery on GoFundMe. The donation platform posted on social media that it is receiving an "outpouring of love" for al Ahmed and is working directly with fundraiser organizers to ensure the funds safely reach him and his family.

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Contributing: Reuters.

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al Ahmed?
A hero who disarmed one of the two gunmen at Bondi Beach told his cousin he thought he was going to die before taking on the attacker.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian national who served in the police, said: Im going to die  tell my family I saved peoples lives, before he charged at one of the shooters and wrestled away his rifle.

Mr al-Ahmad, a 43-year-old father of two, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery for multiple gunshot wounds.

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Outside the hospital on Monday morning Jozay Alkanj, told reporters of his cousins bravery, saying: He said: Im going to die, please see my family and tell them that I went down to save peoples lives.

Credit: X

Mr al-Ahmeds father said his son served with the police and under central security forces and had the impulse to protect people. It was not clear if he had served in the police in Syria or in Australia.

Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed said: When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists. I feel proud and honoured, because my son is a hero of Australia.

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Mustafa al-Asaad, a cousin of the hero, said: When he saw people dying and their families being shot, he couldnt bear to see people dying. It was a humanitarian act, more than anything else.

Mr al-Ahmed, the father of two young daughters, arrived in Australia from Idlib, Syria, in 2006. His parents had only recently joined him in Sydney after years of separation.

A GoFundMe campaign established for Mr al-Ahmeds recovery raised more than 1m Australian dollars (496,000) within hours. Bill Ackman, the billionaire hedge fund manager, contributed nearly $100,000 and shared the fundraiser on social media.

At least 16 people were killed, including 15 victims and one of the assailants, in Australias worst mass shooting in nearly three decades. Police said 42 people remained hospitalised as of Monday evening.

Credit: Sky News

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Mr al-Ahmed, who owns a fruit shop in the Sydney suburb of Sutherland, was shot four to five times in his shoulder, arm and hand after seizing the gunmans rifle from behind, according to his family.

Video footage widely shared on social media showed the Australian citizen hiding behind parked cars before rushing towards the gunman, leaping on him and taking the weapon from his hands.

Social media footage showed Naveed Akram, one of the alleged attackers, using what appeared to be a Beretta BRX1 straight-pull hunting rifle.

Experts said his shooting technique revealed prior training. The suspects tactical reload, sight alignment, and target transitions suggested he had undergone firearms instruction before carrying out the terror attack.

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Mr Al-ahmeds father said his son was having coffee with a friend when he heard gunshots ring out. He added that his son would have acted to protect anyone, regardless of their background.

When he did what he did, he wasnt thinking about the background of the people hes saving, he said. He doesnt discriminate between one nationality and another.

Mr al-Ahmeds mother told ABC: He saw they were dying, and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him.

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Anthony Albanese, Australias prime minister, mentioned Mr Al-Ahmed at a Monday press conference, paying tribute to his actions as an example of Australians coming together.

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Ahmed al-Ahmed took the gun off that perpetrator at great risk to himself and suffered serious injury as a result, Mr Albanese said.

Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, called Mr Al-Ahmed a genuine hero, saying the video footage was the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen.

Donald Trump, the US president, also praised him, calling him a very, very brave person who had saved many lives.

Mr Alkanji said Mr al-Ahmed underwent surgery on Monday and faced two to three more procedures at St George Hospital in Kogarah.

Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, visited genuine hero Mr al-Ahmed in hospital - @ChrisMinnsMP via X

Outside the hospital, strangers arrived to show their support. Misha and Veronica Pochuev brought their seven-year-old daughter, Miroslava, to drop off flowers.

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Miroslava held a bouquet with a note reading To Ahmed: for courage and saved lives.

Lubaba Alhmidi AlKahil, the media director for the Australians for Syria Association, visited Mr Al-Ahmed with food and flowers Monday afternoon.

What he did, he really is a superhero, she said. The community is very proud of him.

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Brian Walshe has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of his wife, Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found.

Walshe was emotionless in a Massachusetts courtroom Monday as the jury reached a verdict after only hours of deliberations. He will be sentenced Wednesday and faces life in prison.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old Serbian immigrant and real estate executive, was last seen in the early hours of January 1, 2023, after a small New Years Eve gathering at the couples home in Cohasset.

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Her 50-year-old husband had admitted to dismembering his wife and lying to police, but maintains he did not kill her. In November, he pleaded guilty to two lesser charges of misleading police and improper conveyance of a human body.

Walshe claimed that she left for an emergency work trip to Washington, D.C., ordering a car to take her to Logan International Airport in Boston. But her company, the first to report her missing, said there was no work emergency.

Brian Walshe stares at the jury on Monday as he is found guilty of killing his wife Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found (The Patriot Ledger)

Prosecutors said that Ana never got into a ride share and there was no evidence of her boarding a flight. Her cellphone, as well as her credit and debit cards, remained inactive after her disappearance.

Ana Walshe is dead because he murdered her, and he intended her death, prosecutor Anne Yas told the court during closing arguments Friday. She wasnt going to D.C. for a work emergency; there was no emergency. Its just a story that the defendant told people.

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Walshe claimed that after his wife left the house, he visited his mother in Swampscott, went shopping at CVS and Whole Foods, and spent time with his children.

But prosecutors said that he spent New Years Day traveling to several pharmacies and hardware stores, buying heavy-duty cleaning supplies, a Tyvek protective suit and a utility knife  purchases they say were preceded by online searches such as How long before a body starts to smell? and Dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body.

Over the next several days, investigators said, he continued searching for how to dismember a body with a hacksaw. He did not report his wife missing until January 4, when her employer contacted police after failing to get in contact with her.

Surveillance footage later showed a man resembling Walshe discarding heavy trash bags in dumpsters. A search of a trash facility near his mothers home uncovered bags containing a hatchet, hacksaw, towels, a protective suit, cleaning agents, a Prada purse, boots like the ones Ana was last seen wearing and her Covid vaccination card. Prosecutors said many items tested positive for her DNA.

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The defendant did not want anyone to find Anas body and to know how she died, Yas said in court. So the defendant bought cutting tools ... and he cut up Anas body, the woman he claimed to love, and dumped her into dumpsters, she said.

He didnt just want her dead, he needed her dead, Yas said. It was a marriage in crisis.

Before he was a murder suspect, Walshe was awaiting sentencing in a federal fraud case after pleading guilty in a scheme to sell counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings.

Ana and Brian Walshe were married in Serbia in 2015 and have three children together (Facebook)

In 2024, Walshe was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $475,000.

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Yas pointed out that at the time of Anas disappearance and murder, Walshe had no assets and was on home confinement for his federal case.

Ana was beginning to thrive as the marriage was beginning to deteriorate, Yas told the court, adding that she had set up rooms at a D.C. townhome she owned for their children.

Yet Walshe needed the children with him so he could be the primary caregiver in an effort to avoid prison, Yas said. At the time, Ana had also taken out $2.7 million in life insurance, naming her husband as the sole beneficiary, prosecutors said.

In a move that surprised courtroom observers, the defense rested earlier this week without calling any witnesses. Brian Walshe did not testify, despite speculation that he might take the stand to explain his version of events.

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During closing arguments, defense attorney Larry Tipton repeatedly called Brian Walshe a loving husband and a loving father with no motive at all to kill his wife. He had previously told the court that his client had panicked after a sudden unexplained death, claiming Walshe found Ana unresponsive after their New Years Eve celebration.

When he entered the bedroom and began to get into bed, he sensed something was wrong, Tipton said, recalling Walshes claim that Ana rolled off the bed.

You have a sudden unexpected event that results in confusion, panic, and fear, Tipton said Friday. All of those things that are so troubling, horrific and could be argued to be showing consciousness of guilt, Tipton said, referring to Walshes disposal of her body. But Tipton insisted he did not kill his wife.

Tipton also addressed Walshes Internet searches, claiming that if he made them with murder in his heart, why does the first search referencing murder occur six hours later on Jan. 1, 2023?

A missing person poster that the Cohasset Police produced while searching for Ana Walshe shown on the first day of the Brian Walshe murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court on December 1, 2025 (The Patriot Ledger)

Context matters, Tipton said. The first time the word murder is used in these horrific searches is six hours after they start.

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Tipton also argued that the searches about dismemberment and cleaning did not mean he murdered her, claiming there wasnt anything that referred to a plan or intent to kill Ana.

Even though they dont talk about murder, they are equally upsetting, Tipton said. Hes thinking about how you clean a concrete floor in the basement.

Ask yourself, why is the man searching now if he had intended to kill his wife? Tipton asked.

The defense acknowledged that Walshe lied to investigators but argued that his actions reflected fear, not guilt. With no body, Tipton emphasized, investigators have been unable to determine a cause of death.

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Mr. Walshe loved Ana Walshe, the mother of his three children," Tipton added. Mr. Walshe is not guilty. Hes not guilty.

William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, is shown a picture of her while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial (The Boston Herald)

During the closely watched trial, the court heard from William Fastow, the man prosecutors identified as Ana Walshes boyfriend.

Fastow said he met Ana in March 2022 when he sold her a townhouse in Washington. Their relationship quickly intensified into an intimate relationship. They shared dinners, nights on his sailboat, overnight stays at his home and even a Thanksgiving trip to Ireland.

Ana felt it was really important that when Brian was to find out about the relationship that he would hear it from her, he said. She had expressed great concern and I think she felt it would be a strike against her integrity if he found out a different way.

Fastow said they planned to ring in the New Year together on January 4 and talk about the future. He last heard from her on New Years Eve. His follow-up texts and calls went unanswered.
Former Florissant, Missouri, police officer Julian Alcala pleaded guilty to 20 felony counts after stealing intimate photos and videos from the phones of women he pulled over during traffic stops. Prosecutors say Alcala allegedly stopped women for minor traffic or vehicle-document checks, took their phones under the pretense of checking insurance or registration, and then searched their photo albums, copying or forwarding nude images and videos to his own device. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of no more than three years in prison.

The post Brickbat: Prying Eyes appeared first on Reason.com.
While Sunday started with news that authorities had detained a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University, the day ended without an announcement of charges or any significant updates in the incident, but rather news that the person in question would be released.

Two were killed and nine were injured in the shooting that took place on Dec. 13 in the school's Barus and Holley Engineering Building.

While the mass shooting incident is still fluid, and information about what exactly happened 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.

Police initially described the suspect as male, wearing all black and possibly in his 30's. Perez later confirmed on Sunday that the person of interest is in his 20s.

The suspect was seen leaving the building and exiting onto Hope Street

The Coventry Police Department confirmed that the person of interest in the Brown University mass shooting was taken into custody at a hotel on Centre of New England Boulevard. That hotel was later identified as The Hampton Inn.

Law enforcement are continuing to gather evidence near Brown University buildings.

Throughout Sunday, elected officials and law enforcement were guarded in providing information about the person of interest or details of the shooting.

Hundreds gathered at a vigil in Lippitt Park in Providence to begin healing.

Several hundred people gathered in Providences Lippitt Park Sunday, Dec. 14, to honor victims of the mass shooting at Brown University a day earlier that claimed two lives.

Gov. Dan McKee ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for the victims of the shooting at Brown University.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media platform X giving additional insight into the FBI's role in responding to the mass shooting at Brown University and tracking down the person of interest. He said that the FBI Boston office established a command post to take in, analyze and run down leads. He said that the FBI also activated the "Cellular Analysis Survey Team, to provide critical geolocation capabilities."

The Rhode Island Blood Center called for donations, especially of Type 0 blood, as they've been asked for additional blood units to local hospitals to support patient care.

Brown canceled all final exams, papers and projects and informed students there were permitted to leave campus for the winter break.

The shelter in place on the Brown University campus was lifted at 5:42 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said that it also extended to the adjacent neighborhoods during a 7 a.m. press briefing.

Two victims have been identified. One of the students killed in the mass shooting at Brown University is Ella Cook, who was a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, the church announced during its Sunday, Dec. 14, service. WRAL News and the News & Observer, in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported that Kendall Turner, a Brown freshman, is among the injured students. The email said that Turner underwent surgery and is now resting in critical but stable condition.

What we don't know so far

Who is the person responsible for the shooting?

As of 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, it was not known which families had been notified if their child was a victim of the shooting. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said not all families had been notified.

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

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown University mass shooting: What we know on Dec. 15
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Amid an "all-hands-on-deck" manhunt for the shooter who killed two students at Brown University, police in Rhode Island on Monday night released new photos and videos of the possible shooter two hours before the attack on Saturday.

Earlier Monday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the attacker was at large and there were "no credible threats" after a person of interest detained early Sunday was released.

Providence police Chief Oscar L. Perez, Jr. gave a briefing update Monday night in connection with the shooting that also injured nine people.

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No more news conferences were planned for Monday.

Crime scene tape hangs in front of a row of flowers for the victims of a mass shooting Saturday at Brown University in Providence, R.I. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI 1/4 We are requesting the public's assistance in identifying a person of interest in Saturday's incident at Brown University. Please share these video clips and direct all tips to 401-272-3121 or https://t.co/8a1yEMYJya pic.twitter.com/D63mcbnq8J Providence Police (@ProvidenceRIPD) December 15, 2025

Perez showed visuals of a man walking on a sidewalk in the area, who appeared to be dressed in black with a face mask and a beanie. A poster released by the FBI says the shooter is "approximately 5'8 with a stocky build."

Police crime scene tape Monday hangs in front of the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building at Brown University after a mass shooting that left two dead and nine injured in Providence, R.I. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

The @FBI and @ProvidenceRIPD are releasing new images of a person of interest in the mass shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025. A woman stops to pay her respects Monday to the victims of a mass shooting at Brown University that left two dead and nine injured Saturday. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual.... pic.twitter.com/8LdPVxn7EV FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 15, 2025

The new visuals may be a useful clue, CNN senior law enforcement analyst Andrew McCabe said.

A man on Monday walks past flowers left for the victims of a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

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"He kind of walks the same way when he's on the sidewalk or crossing the street, and he appears to favor his left leg just slightly, not so much that it would be indicative of any sort of permanent disability, but maybe the remnant of an old surgery or a knee injury or something like that," McCabe, the former deputy FBI director, said.

And McCabe said other visual descriptions might be helpful, because "it could maybe trip somebody's recollection that this is someone they know in their lives."

"It's all hands on deck," Perez told reporters, noting state police and federal agencies are assisting in the search.

Police asked for tips if anyone recognized the individual. The FBI also announced it's offering a $50,000 reward for information about the shooter.

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The FBI's evidence response teams are on Brown University's campus, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field office Ted Docks said Monday.

FBI agents were seen on Monday clearing snow from a cement wall in front of a house near the intersection of Cooke Street and Waterman Street

Dock said agents "are documenting the trajectories of the bullets to reconstruct the scene. It's painstaking work. We are asking the public to be patient as we continue to run down every lead so we can get victims, survivors and their families, and all of you the answers you deserve."

Perez said are looking at different aspects of the case.

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"All detectives throughout this nation and in the world understand that when you investigate in a case, it takes different paths," Perez said.

"You know, you start somewhere, you start here, and all of a sudden, something else pops off, and you're going in a different direction. And that's what happens. It's complex."

That includes determining whether the shooter is still in the Providence area.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said authorities are working to reconstruct the person's movements before and after Saturday's shooting.

"I would describe today's work as making steady progress to identifying the person that we saw in the video that was released yesterday," Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said during a news conference.

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"And the sooner we can identify that person, the sooner we can, I think, blow this case open."

President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Brown University for the failure to quickly identify a suspect in connection.

"You'd really have to ask the school a little bit more about that, because this was a school problem. They had their own guards, they had their own police and their own everything," Trump said in the Oval Office.

"But you'd have to ask that question, really, to the school, not to the FBI. We came in after the fact, and the FBI will do a good job, but they came in after the fact."

Situation in Rhode Island

Smiley said there is an enhanced police presence on campus and in the city, noting "Providence receives really the best law enforcement, you know, I believe in the country," but acknowledged "it is going to be hard for my city to feel safe going forward, this has shaken us."

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Smiley told ABC News earlier Monday: "We understand that there's a high degree of anxiety and after this individual was released last night, I understand that anxiety level has risen in our community. But it's no different than a day ago, which is that we've received -- continue to receive - zero credible threats to our community, Brown or the broader community."

Brown has canceled the remainder of its fall semester classes and exams.

An introductory economics final exam review session was being held in the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building when the shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Saturday.

The private Ivy League school has a total enrollment of 11,956 students, including 7,272 undergraduate students.

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Public schools in Providence were all open with "planned support and increased safety presence" in coordination with city officials, a spokesperson for the public school district told CNN.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee the state is reassessing safety issues in schools following the shooting at Brown University.

"We are reassessing all safety issues in all our schools in the state of Rhode Island and more to come on that," McKee said during the evening news conference.

The victims

The two victims who died were identified as Muhammad Aziz Umurzakov of Uzbekistan and Ella Cook of Birmingham, Ala. Cook was vice president of Brown's chapter of College Republicans.

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Cook's church, Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, said she was "incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light" growing up in the church "but at Brown University, she was an incredible light in that particular place as well," NBC News reported.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt retweeted a statement from the Brown College Republicans President and said, "There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them." She has not mentioned Umurzakov.

There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them. https://t.co/226sRCSXgs Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) December 15, 2025

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said on X: "I am heartbroken to hear that Mountain Brook's Ella Cook was among those killed over the weekend at Brown University. Our hearts and our prayers are with the Cook family and everyone impacted by this senseless killing."

Rep. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said on X: "There are no words that can ease the pain Ella's family and friends are enduring right now. ... Our hearts are breaking for the Cook family.

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The Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on Telegram, "The loss of innocent lives as a result of this tragedy is a heavy loss for all of us."

Umurzokov's aunt, Karina Gabit, told NBC, "He was very kind, smart. [He] attended talented and gifted schools." He "wanted to be a neurosurgeon 'cause when he was 10 he had a very serious eight-hours-long brain surgery."

About Brown University

Brown University, founded in 1764, was originally named Rhode Island College. It was renamed in 1804 in honor of businessman and alumnus Nicholas Brown Jr. in recognition of a significant donation he made to the institution.

Brown, who was in the Class of 1786, over the years gave $160,000 to fund additional buildings and endowments.

The endowment is $8 billion, which contributed a record $352 million to the university's operating budget, accounting for 23.3% of total revenue. That includes funding scholarships for students.

The total estimated cost of attendance, including fees, housing, food and other personal expenses, is approximately $95,984.
Three days after the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, Dec. 13, the gunman remains at large and several private schools have announced closures.

On Sunday night, the "person of interest" originally detained was released by authorities, with Attorney General Peter Neronha saying that the "evidence now points in a different direction."

"We have a murderer out there, frankly," Neronha said.

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Two Brown students were killed in the shooting. They include Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama who was the vice president of the Brown Republicans, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an aspiring neurosurgeon who was in his first semester at Brown.

Nine people were injured, including eight Brown students. On Sunday, Brown University President Christina Paxson said that seven of the students are in critical but stable condition but one remains in critical condition.

Developments in the mass shooting Saturday have unfolded rapidly over the past couple days. 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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10:30 p.m. Ella Cook identified as one of two victims of the shooting.

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.

Several hundred people gathered in Providences Lippitt Park on Dec. 14, to honor victims of the mass shooting at Brown University.

Monday, Dec. 15, 2024

Early morning: A number of private schools in the vicinity of Brown University announce they are closed Monday.

8 a.m.: Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov identified as the second victim of the shooting.

5 p.m.: In the 49th hour after a mass shooting on Brown Universitys campus left two students dead and nine students injured, the Providence Police and the FBI released several new videos and photos showing the person of interest in the neighborhood surrounding Brown University hours before the shooting. The Brown University shooter targeted the university and used a 9mm firearm, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said at a 5 p.m. press conference at the Providence Public Safety Complex. What I can tell you is that this individual definitely targeted Brown University, Perez said. He did not indicate why the university was targeted. The FBI also announced a $50,000 reward for the capture of the suspect.

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5:03 p.m.: RIDE is advising school leaders to review and retrain school safety protocols as necessary. Of specific concern are making sure all exterior doors are closed and locked at all times, interior doors remain closed, and all visitors come through one single secure point of entry. A

6 p.m.: The FBI "sent additional resources and personnel" to Providence Monday "to help track down leads, canvass neighborhoods, and develop intelligence," FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.

6:26 p.m.: Brown University sent out a campus alert that Providence Police want to interview anyone who was in the Barus & Holley building on Friday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Dec. 13, noting that even an incidental detail may be helpful to the investigation.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Early morning: Some Rhode Island private schools remain closed; other schools and colleges in the state continue with increased police and security.

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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: Recap of Brown University shooting: Timeline of events through Monday
The person of interest, who was detained early Sunday morning in connection with Saturdays shooting at Brown University, has been identified.

According to CNN, sources within law enforcement say 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson has been identified in connection with the person of interest.

Erickson, a native of Wisconsin, served in the United States Army as an infantry soldier, serving as a rifleman from 2021-2024. Erickson passed sniper training and had experience with firearms instruction.

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According to Ericksons LinkedIn profile, he received a good conduct medal, participated in security duties near the President, and assisted with funeral ceremonies at Arlington. His LinkedIn also said that he planned on continuing his college education at Brown for the Fall 25 semester.

An Army Spokesperson told CNN that Erickson had no deployments and left the Army at the rank of Specialist.

After graduating from high school in July 2020, Erickson took online classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, focusing on Psychology. After leaving the military, he transferred to Brown. Authorities said the person of interest was not a current student at Brown, but law enforcement sources indicated to CNN that he might have been recently enrolled.

Ericksons LinkedIn page also showed that he helped out at a horse rescue center, Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland. CNN reached out to the center, where a staff member said that Erickson was part of an Army unit, the Caisson Detachment of the U.S. Armys 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, training for escorts for military and state funerals.

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CNN had found an X profile page that might have belonged to Erickson, with posts from 2016-17 about wrestling, music, and political satire.

A former high school classmate of Erickson, Bryce Jankowski, told CNN that he was recently in contact with Erickson, who texted Jankowski saying he was studying at Brown.

He said he was doing good, Jankowski said. He said he was living at a hotel because his apartment flooded, though he said that did not seem to bother him.

Jankowski also said that Erickson was a wicked smart and well-behaved guy. Jankowski never recalled any concerning behavior from Erickson.

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Another high school classmate, who asked to be unnamed, described Erickson as a nice, quiet guy.

He becomes really outgoing when you get to know him, but hes pretty quiet when you dont.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The two people who were killed in a shooting at Brown University on Saturday have been identified as students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov.

The shooting took place in a classroom on the university's campus in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday evening, according to authorities. At least nine other people were wounded.

Authorities have released photos and videos of a possible suspect and offered a reward as the manhunt continues. The school said in a statement that "local police have advised they do not believe there is any immediate threat to Brown or the local community."

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Many students stopped by a makeshift memorial to remember the victims before leaving for winter break.

"It's just heartbreaking for the community, we're all really in shock right now," student Jack Cox told CBS News Boston.

Brown University students Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook were killed in the shooting on campus on Dec. 13, 2025.

Ella Cook

Cook was a sophomore from Alabama, the state's Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth said in a post on X. She was vice president of Brown's College Republicans, according to the College Republicans of America.

"Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama," Ainsworth said. "A bright future was ended much too soon."

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X, "There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them."

Official Statement on the loss of Brown University College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook. pic.twitter.com/IJoQsvyOsI  College Republicans of America (@uscollegegop) December 15, 2025

Sen. Katie Boyd Britt said she and her husband Wesley "join the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own." Mountain Brook is a suburb of Birmingham.

Cook was a member of Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham.

"She was an incredibly grounded and generous and faithful bright light, here at the Advent for many years as she was engaged and involved in our worship and our community," a spokesperson at the church said, according to CBS Birmingham affiliate WIAT.

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An obituary posted by Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood, Alabama, says Cook "carried a kind of personal magic within her, from her quiet smile, to her consistent openness to new challenges and places, to her heartfelt Christian faith, to her kind encouragement of all whom she met who needed encouragement, to her persistent courage in following both heart and conscience. ... Ella Cook lit up our world and her reflected glory will be with her family and friends forever."

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was an 18-year-old freshman studying biochemistry and neuroscience, The Associated Press reports. His sister, Samira Umurzokova, said that at the time her brother was shot he was helping a friend during a review session for an economics final.

She also told the AP that her brother had suffered a neurological condition when he as a kid that required surgery, and he later used a back brace due to scoliosis.



"He had so many hardships in his life, and he got into this amazing school and tried so hard to follow through with the promise he made when was 7 years old," she told the AP.

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Samira Umurzokova also said their family immigrated from Uzbekistan to the United States when they were young.

"Mukhammad Aziz was known for his sharp intellect, kind heart, and quiet willingness to help anyone in need," the American Uzbekistan Association said in a post on social media. "He carried himself with humility and compassion, earning the respect and affection of those around him. His curiosity, discipline, and generosity reflected both his character and the values of the community that raised him."

"He had a future filled with promise, and his life was cut short far too soon," it said. "His passing has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of his family, friends, classmates, and the broader Uzbek American community."

His roommate said he was extremely smart and described his friend as a "ball of joy."

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"He was kind. He reached out to me as soon as we got roommate assignments," freshman Khimari Manns told CBS News Boston. "Most importantly, he was just present. Whatever you asked him to do, he was always there for you," he said.

"What I do know is that Brown is grieving. I am grieving," Manns said. "The loss of him will be felt throughout this community. His soul truly did reverberate throughout the community."

The U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, called Umurzokov's death tragic and said he was deeply saddened.

"We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Umurzokov's family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future," Henick said in a statement.

Person of interest identified in deadly Brown University shooting

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Displaced people take a break in Uvira, a city in South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Dec. 14, 2025. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)

KINSHASA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Over 500,000 people, including more than 100,000 children, have been displaced since Dec. 1 due to intense fighting in South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Sunday.

In a statement, UNICEF said it is "deeply alarmed" by the rapid escalation of hostilities in South Kivu, which has forced hundreds of thousands of children and families to flee for safety, both within the DRC and across borders into the neighboring Burundi and Rwanda.

UNICEF called on all parties to the conflict to protect children and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.

As violence continues to spread, displacement figures are expected to rise further, said UNICEF, noting that hundreds of people, including at least four children, have been killed since Dec. 2 amid heavy fighting in South Kivu.

A sudden influx of people fleeing violence has also been registered in neighboring Burundi. Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, more than 50,000 new arrivals were identified, nearly half of them children. The figure is expected to increase as authorities continue to identify people seeking refuge, said UNICEF.

Earlier this week, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group announced that it had seized Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu near the Burundian border, amid the latest round of offensives in the province.

Uvira served as the provisional administrative center for South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to the M23 in February. A major commercial hub near the Burundian border, the city holds significant strategic importance in eastern DRC.

Analysts and local sources warned that Uvira's loss could, over time, open a corridor toward DRC's southeastern provinces, including Haut-Katanga, a key economic region, as clashes between M23 fighters and DRC government forces have also been reported further south in the Baraka and Fizi areas. 

An abandoned vehicle is pictured near Uvira, a city in South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Dec. 14, 2025.

Over 500,000 people, including more than 100,000 children, have been displaced since Dec. 1 due to intense fighting in South Kivu Province in eastern DRC, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Sunday.

Earlier last week, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group announced that it had seized Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu near the Burundian border, amid the latest round of offensives in the province. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)

An abandoned police vehicle is pictured near Uvira, a city in South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Dec. 14, 2025.

Over 500,000 people, including more than 100,000 children, have been displaced since Dec. 1 due to intense fighting in South Kivu Province in eastern DRC, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Sunday.

Earlier last week, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group announced that it had seized Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu near the Burundian border, amid the latest round of offensives in the province. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)
One of the students killed in the mass shooting at Brown University is Ella Cook, who was a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, the church announced during its Sunday, Dec. 14, service.

"Many of you heard about the tragedy ... And sadly, tragically, one of those people is one of our parishioners," Rev. Craig Smalley said in livestreamed remarks.

Smalley described Cook as a "bright light" who was engaged in the church and the broader community, and "incredibly grounded and generous and faithful."

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Cook's LinkedIn profile indicates that she began attending Brown in 2024.

She was vice president of the Brown Republicans, according to a social media post from Alex Shieh, who left the school earlier this year amid a furor over his DOGE-inspired "bloat @ Brown" campaign.

"Being a conservative at Brown isn't always the easiest, but Ella was never afraid to share her beliefs on an overwhelmingly liberal campus and support others in doing so," Shieh wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Last spring, while I was under a disciplinary investigation for reporting on Brown's administration for the conservative student paper, almost nobody wanted to be associated with me," he added. "Ella was one of the few who were willing to stand with me in public and help hand out newspapers in front of the dining hall."

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt says Ella Cook 'taken far too soon'

Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt expressed her condolences to the family of Ella Cook, calling the students death heartbreaking and senseless," according to reporting from the Montgomery Advertiser.

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In a statement, Britt said she and her husband, Wesley, joined the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Ella Cook, who was senselessly killed over the weekend on Brown Universitys campus.

She offered comfort to those who knew Cook, noting that her life was taken far too soon and expressing gratitude to law enforcement officials working on the investigation. Britt also asked that Ellas loved ones and community be kept in prayers during this difficult time.

Additional injured victim identified

Earlier on Sunday, Dec. 14, WRAL News and the News & Observer, in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported that Kendall Turner, a Brown freshman, is among the injured students.

Turner is an alumnus of Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina, said an email sent to the school community, according to reports from both outlets.

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The email said that Turner underwent surgery and is now resting in critical but stable condition. Her parents arrived in Providence on Saturday night.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown University student killed in mass shooting ID'd as Ella Cook
Brown University students from Chicago arrived home on Sunday night after finals were canceled following Saturday's deadly mass shooting.

The students and their parents spoke with ABC7 at Chicago Midway International Airport, recalling the terrifying moments they experienced.

It is a bittersweet return home for the holidays for the Cavallo siblings.

Natalie, her sister, and her brother, all Brown University students, reunited with their parents, who are also Brown alums, on Sunday.

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Two of Natalie's best friends were inside the building where the shooting took place when gunfire first erupted.

Brown Club of Chicago Co-President Giovanna Cavallo is grateful that her three children are safe at home. She told ABC7 that two of her kids, who are engineering students, would spend most of their time in that building.

"They're there all the time. They just happen to not be there yesterday," she said.

Video captured the terrifying moments when students were placed on lockdown, many hiding in classrooms or sheltering under desks after a gunman opened fired as final exams were taking place.

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Giovanna texted with her children minutes after shots were fired.

SEE ALSO | 'A bright light': Brown University student identified as shooting victim by church

"The last thing any parent ever wants to see," she said. "And just so devastating for the parents whose kids won't be coming home."

That lockdown was lifted early Sunday morning after authorities announced they had detained a person of interest. Late Sunday night, officials said they will release that person.

The Brown community is in mourning as Chicago-area alums mobilize to offer whatever support they can to their alma mater.

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"We've had an outpouring of messages and support from our alum, you know, asking us what they can do to help, how they can support what's happening on campus and the students and the families there," said Brown Club of Chicago Co-President Grisel Maldonado.

So far, no charges have been filed, and no motive has been released by authorities.
The loved ones of the two students killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday have spoken out, as the investigation into the attack in Rhode Island continues.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who was killed on Saturday, was an aspiring neurosurgeon and was described by his family as the most kind-hearted person.

Ella Cook, a student from Alabama, also died from her injuries and was described as her familys bright light.

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The shooting unfolded at 4 p.m. local time at the Barus and Holley engineering building, where students final exams were taking place.

Rachel Friedberg, a professor at the university, told the BBC that the shooter burst into the room and yelled something before opening fire.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was one of the people killed on Saturday (GoFundMe)

Eight other students were injured in the assault, with a Wisconsin man being detained in connection with the crime shortly after.

He was later released for having no basis for suspicion, according to a statement from Brown.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov wanted to be a surgeon

Umurzokov was studying at Brown University to become a neurosurgeon before the shooting, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family.

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He was described as being incredibly kind, funny and smart and that he was the 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, Samira Umurzokova wrote. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss.

As of Monday, the GoFundMe campaign has already raised nearly $190,000 of its $200,000 goal .

Money raised by the fund will be used to support his family with expenses, with the rest being donated to charity.

Ella Cook was confirmed as one of the victims of the shooting by a Reverend at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama (College Republicans of America)

Khimari Manns, Umurzokovs roommate and a member of the schools wrestling team, told CBS News that he sheltered in a restroom when he heard about the shooting.

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While waiting for a sign that it was safe to leave, he tried to contact Umurzokov and began to grow concerned when he did not hear back during the lockdown.

Something didn't feel right. I texted him, and then he didn't text back, he said.

Manns repeatedly called the police to get an update on the situation and only learned that his roommate had died on Sunday, saying that it did not feel like reality when he heard the news.

Just a ball of joy, ball of energy, Manns said, describing his late roommate. He raises everybody else to a certain level.

He made sure I had my stuff done. He made sure he had his stuff done. He was just always there," he continued. Hed come in there and cheer me up.

The shooting took place at the Barus and Holley engineering building (REUTERS)

Umurzokovs aunt told NBC News that the late student wanted to be a neurosurgeon because he had a very serious, eight hours-long brain surgery when he was ten years old.

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She also told the broadcaster that she had hoped her nephew had a bright future before she found out the news in the middle of the night.

Uzbekistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the news of Umurzokovs death on Telegram, where a spokesperson described his killing as a heavy loss for us all.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the Republic of Uzbekistan has contacted the family of the victim and is working closely with U.S. law enforcement.

Ella Cook was a bright light in the community

Alabamian student Ella Cook was also killed in the gunmans attack on Saturday at Brown University in Rhode.

The College Republicans of America shared a message dedicated to Cook, who was the vice president of the groups chapter at Brown.

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We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook, Martin Bertao, president of the College Republicans of America wrote. Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.

Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CRs and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

Reverend Craig Smalley, from the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, urged parishioners to pray for the late student during a Sunday service.

A vigil for the victims was held on Sunday evening, at what was supposed to be a Christmas tree and menorah lighting (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday, he said, according to AL.com.

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And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light.. not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.

Christina H Paxson released a statement in the wake of the shooting, describing the event as a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community.

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, she continued.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary echoed Paxsons message on X.

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There are no words, Leavitt wrote. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.

A vigil was held for both Cook and Umurzokov on Sunday night, with attendees holding candles and flowers in a show of support for the victims families, according to a report from NBC Boston.

The event had been originally scheduled as a Christmas tree and menorah lighting in Lippitt Memorial Park.

Police have not confirmed a possible motive for Saturdays attack, and no charges have been filed yet.

No investigation is perfect and youre going to go through ups and downs, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Steve Moore said.

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He described the arrest of the now-released suspect as obviously an error and said that investigators have restarted their search at square one.

During a Christmas reception at the White House, Donald Trump offered his condolences in an unscripted, 40-minute speech.

I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately, the president said. Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven.

He also offered his condolences to those killed in a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, adding, I just want to pay my respects to everybody.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed multiple women in the Chicago suburbs was ordered detained pending his trial on Monday.

An indictment unsealed last week in Chicago charges Luis Uribe, a 44-year-old Pingree Grove man, with 10 counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Uribe performed customs and immigration duties for CBP in the Chicago area, and he was authorized to carry a firearm and make arrests, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Illinois.

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Court documents say Uribe was working at Chicago O'Hare International Airport at the time of the allegations. Prosecutors say he abused his authority to assault and try to assault multiple women, some of them sex workers, at various suburban hotels.

Uribe allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed two women in Schaumburg and Naperville in 2022. He allegedly brandished a firearm in at least one of the sexual assaults.

Uribe also robbed and tried to sexually assault two other women, the indictment alleges.

After word of the attacks started to spread among the sex worker community, court documents say that in early 2022, one worker arranged to meet Uribe at a restaurant, where they snapped a photo of him. That witness then shared the photo with others, in order to warn potential victims.

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Months later, prosecutors say, Uribe assaulted a woman, identified as Victim C, in a Schaumburg hotel room. She was able to provide police with the photo taken at that restaurant, clearly identifying the suspect.

The FBI pulled tollway data showing the suspect had traveled between Devon Toll Plaza and Elgin Toll Plaza. The hotel where the alleged attack happened is located between those toll plazas.

Uribe, arrested Tuesday morning, pleaded not guilty during his afternoon arraignment that day.

The government urged the judge to deny bond for Uribe, saying, "there may be additional victims identified in the future."

If convicted, Uribe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.

The U.S. Attorney's Office asked anyone with information to call 312-239-7423.
The Chicago budget showdown that showed hints of progress earlier Monday has now taken a significant step backwards.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, for the first time, met with 11 leaders of a group of Chicago City Council members who are pushing an alternative budget at City Hall. It is something the group has been asking for over the past couple of weeks as they try to negotiate a budget deal.

Both sides held press conferences after that meeting, which, it appears, did not do much to solve the problem. While the group of alderpersons have offered some compromises in their plan, there are still several sticking points between the two groups.

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Earlier Monday morning, a city council meeting on the floor was over before it began. Thirty alderpersons did not show up, so there was no quorum.

"People have been working all through the weekend, but I think just the decency and respect we call the meeting to show up for the meeting, and I'm disappointed that our colleagues have not decided to show up today to do the business of the people," said Budget Committee Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin.

The empty seats included those members who are trying to advance their own budget without the mayor's controversial corporate head tax, which takes aim at 175 of the largest companies in Chicago and remains one of the central sticking points.

The group of alderpersons who are backing the alternative budget asked the mayor, during their meeting, if he would veto their current plan. But, they say, he would not give them an answer.

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"Today, we posed a simple question to the mayor: If we pass a budget with no head tax, would he veto it? And he did not give a straight answer," said Budget Committee Vice Chair Ald. Nicole Lee. "Our coalition came together around the head tax, and that was that's our red line and our values. So, we also have non-negotiables, if you will, our values as well."

The mayor complained that the alderpersons, he says, did not present any of their proposals to him.

"My hope and expectation that they would actually present me with ideas that I could work with, and they failed to do that. There was not one proposal or idea that was put on the table for us to discuss," Johnson said. "I've never said that I would veto a budget that did not have a head tax in it. What I said was, it really just depends on what they have proposed... So, their obstinance is not only disappointing. Quite frankly, it's surprising... They didn't show us anything."

RELATED | Chicago City Council revises alternative budget proposal, mayor defends head tax as deadline looms

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Earlier, the alternative budget group announced that they had restored the summer youth jobs to the number the mayor's budget called for. They also removed the hike in the garbage collection fee, which had prompted the mayor to promise a veto.

"As part of this collaborative process among Alders, we have come to an agreement to remove the garbage tax as part of our proposal and maintain funding for youth jobs as initially proposed in the FY26 budget," Ald. Gilbert Villegas said in a statement. "Additionally, we have figured out how to balance this proposal while fully funding the collections budget in the Chicago Public Library and providing additional funding for gender based violence."

Before meeting with the alderpersons, Johnson acknowledged those compromises as progress.

"At least they did do what I did ask, which was to turn something in so that we can review now we can have some substantive conversations around the pathway moving forward, but making it very clear that, look, let's not burden working people," Johnson said.

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But after Monday's meeting, the opposing group of alderpersons is now planning to move forward and present their own plan starting Tuesday.

"We're going to be happy to continue to talk to people, but we've got a balanced budget that we're presenting. It's a responsible one. It's one that's been vetted. In fact, in places we feel like we went very conservatively," Lee said.

The mayor and his team called the projections by the alternative budget group either exaggerations or inaccurate.

"I, to this day, have not received any thing from this group that backs up why they lead their forecasts are accurate, nor have I received anything from this group which backs up why they think ours are under forecasted," said City Budget Director Annette Guzman.

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Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez is among those who support the mayor's budget proposal.

He is glad that the opposing council members are deciding to fund youth jobs, but he believes taxing the corporations is the only way to balance the budget without harming Chicagoans.

READ MORE | Chicago budget discussions reach stalemate, raising possibility of 1st-ever city government shutdown

"Have a balanced budget that is not balanced on the backs of working people," Sigcho-Lopez said. "We cannot afford higher property taxes, higher fees and fines. I'm glad we defeated the garbage fees. I think that was completely out of touch. Property taxes are skyrocketing, so we want a balanced budget not on the backs of working people and we do think that corporate head tax is a valid alternative that should've never been phased down."

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Without a balanced budget by Dec. 30, the corporation council made it clear there is not a stop gap option to avoid a government shutdown.

"So, we then move into a category called essential worker designation, and even in the instance of an essential worker, because we have to pay to. And, there would have to be, those individuals will be working without pay, until such time that we have a balanced budget," said Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson Lowry.

This showdown is a sign that the city council is not afraid to flex its political muscle. The mayor is not backing down either. So, does this make a shutdown seem more likely than ever?

"I am not going to allow for our government to be shut down. It is it is it is reckless," Johnson said. "And quite frankly, it only hurts working people. So, I'm going to do everything in my power to try to avoid doing that."
CHICAGO  The trenches are dug in Chicagos slow-moving budget battle. And as he seeks to gain ground with a government shutdown weeks away, Mayor Brandon Johnson keeps lobbing the same ordnance: harsh words.

Last week, opponents of his plan to implement a corporate head tax were cowards. He tagged them with a pair of new epithets Wednesday.

They are immoral. They are wicked, Johnson said during a City Hall news conference, a remark a spokesperson later said was aimed not at aldermen opposed to his budget, but at mostly anonymous wealthy Chicagoans bankrolling a pushback campaign.

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The mayor is far from the only one firing shots. Those groups opposed to his budget have spent tens of thousands of dollars on ads blasting his spending plan, and specifically the controversial head tax at its center.

Chicagoans deserve honesty and transparency and real solutions that make our neighborhood safer, one ad from a dark money group opposed to the head tax says. Not a slush fund that puts politics over people.

Aldermen in the opposition have harried the mayor with daily news conferences and jabs.

I dont think he understands the foundational issues of governing, much less how to do a budget and whats really in there, Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, a leader of that pushback, told the Tribune.

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Other organizations allied with the mayor have spent big too, even depicting Johnsons aldermanic opponents as marionettes controlled by billionaire hands.

Its essentially a public relations campaign aimed from both sides at the hearts and minds of Chicago residents, a war of words waged on TV, online and in the pages of papers. Such campaigns are a routine part of politics, but this budget year they are taking place as aldermen decry a lack of meaningful private negotiations where the real work to craft a municipal budget often takes place.

Johnson remains stuck short of the 25 votes he would need to break a tie and pass a budget. Similarly, the aldermen trying to pass their own plan remain far shy of the 34 votes they would need to overcome the veto Johnson has promised if they hike garbage fees as they have proposed. The two sides remain deadlocked as the city races closer each day to the end-of-year budget deadline.

The mayor has barely budged on his head tax push, though he altered the proposal last week to target companies with more than 500 Chicago employees monthly, at $33 per job. A majority group of aldermen has rejected the proposal, in a committee vote and petitions.

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The static back-and-forth has kept City Halls focus squarely on the head tax, right where Johnson wants it.

He has pitched the tax as the key component of negotiations and a critical test in which aldermen will either support working people or the ultrawealthy. And he has carefully cast himself as a foil to his opponents, a move that reaffirms his progressive bona fides with a reelection campaign set to start in mere months.

Earlier this month, Mayor Johnson sounded a lot more like activist Johnson in a private huddle with the Progressive Caucus.

Johnson addressed the bloc made up of his closest ideological allies in the council for over 20 minutes and sought to remind them of where they came from. The Chicago Teachers Union organizer-turned-mayor stressed that this budget was not his, but a product of the progressive movement after over a decade of organizing to reach our moment, according to two sources familiar with the caucus meeting.

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He repeated that he needs all 19 progressives to unite on his spending plan, sources said. It was a revealing window into how Johnsons team continued to view these negotiations through the lens of being with his leftist coalition or against it.

But right now, caucus members Aldermen Desmon Yancy, Ruth Cruz, Ronnie Mosley, Andre Vasquez and Matt Martin have all expressed concerns with the overall budget to varying degrees. And the moderate-led council opposition is looking to pounce.

For his part, the mayor says the alternative budget so far backed by a council majority is no budget at all because it relies on unfounded assumptions that make it unbalanced. The groups opposing the head tax arent motivated by public interest, but by the bottom line, how they can get richer, the mayor again argued Wednesday.

Those opponents have scheduled a series of council meetings for this week as they attempt to pass their version over Johnsons objections.

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Johnson has repeatedly identified as backers of the attempted aldermanic end run the groups One Future Illinois, led by former Rahm Emanuel campaign manager Michael Ruemmler, and Common Ground Collective, led by Chuck Swirsky, once chief adviser to former Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.

The mayor has taken particular aim at investor Michael Sacks, a close Emanuel adviser who is one of around 90 donors to contribute $10 million to the latter group. Meanwhile, the groups and their allies have helped aldermen opposing Johnson organize news conferences and publicize analysis to undercut the mayors efforts.

They have also purchased dozens of social media ads, both slamming the Johnson budgets supporters and praising its critics. Altogether, the two groups have spent around $100,000 on Facebook ads, according to the social media platform. They have also run TV ads.

Asked about the mayors criticism and the ad buys, Swirsky said Johnson and his allies are trying to bully their way to a budget.

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Everyone knows you have to stand up to a bully, he said.

On the other side, the Atlanta-based Black Voters Matter Fund has spent around $80,000 on Facebook ads to back up Johnsons head tax push. That effort to pass Johnsons tax is further backed by a fleet of local progressive groups.

Facing backlash, at one point last month the group suspended an ad campaign depicting several aldermen as puppets and clarified in a post, The ad was never meant to attack any elected official personally.  We are always willing to adjust our messaging. Since then, the organization has put new ads up.

Though both opponents and proponents of the head tax have pointed to employment data as evidence it would either hurt or have no effect on local jobs, experts have said the data is inconclusive.

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The Institute for the Public Good, a think tank whose leadership has ties to Johnson, has also shared data on federal tax rates for corporations, arguing that changes in rates dont impede economic activity and that companies are benefiting from historic levels of tax breaks under Trump. There is less analysis on the impact of municipal-level head taxes, however, as few places have tested them out in the U.S.

Denver and Mountain View, California, both have a version of the head tax; the latter is home to Google headquarters. Seattles head tax  implemented then quickly repealed  was replaced by its JumpStart tax on payroll expenses, which faced fierce opposition from Amazon.

The CTU launched a barrage of robocalls last week, charging specific aldermen with cutting millions from neighborhood schools after they officially introduced their alternate budget without the head tax. The tweaked counterproposal retains Johnsons record $1 billion tax increment financing surplus for CPS, however.

If you believe (they) should stand with Chicago families instead of protecting big corporations, please  let them know you want them to tax ultrawealthy corporations, the message said.

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A coalition of unions and progressive community groups even held a rally earlier this month outside the office building of GCM Grosvenor in a bid to target Sacks, who led fundraising for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

How dare we protect CEOs who are living in mansions and having expensive meals when you have seniors standing in lines, begging for groceries, close Johnson ally Ald. William Hall, 6th, told the crowd.

At the end of the protest, police detained several demonstrators dressed as Santa Claus as they blocked a Michigan Avenue intersection.

Johnsons side has argued the tax revenue would go into a lock box to support existing community safety efforts, such as summer jobs for teens and neighborhood violence intervention work. Opponents have slammed that idea that the money truly funds such services as, in the words of Ald. Matt OShea, 19th, a gimmick.

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Several attack ads from Johnson allies have zeroed in on Progressive Caucus aldermen who have shown a willingness to break from the mayor, including Yancy, Vasquez and Martin.

Vasquez, 40th, who was depicted as a puppet in front of the likes of Trump and Elon Musk in a Black Voters Matter Fund ad, told the Tribune Wednesday he has no problem with a head tax, but has concerns about the revenue estimates from the mayors team. He accused Johnsons administration of withholding the data needed to explore changes to the mayors plan: Theyre asking us to help them cook when they wont show us the ingredients, he said.

According to Johnson spokesperson Cassio Mendoza, the projected $82 million haul from the tax is based on the number of 500-plus employee companies the administration estimates operate in Chicago using census data, city business licenses and data from the old Chicago head tax rescinded by Emanuel. Johnsons administration has repeatedly said it cannot share a list of the companies it expects to be taxed, citing rules around sharing tax information.

But the North Side alderman, who called Johnsons head tax focus insincere, disingenuous and a cynical way to try to pass a budget, is instead troubled by Johnsons plan to cut a planned $260 million advanced pension payment down to $140 million and borrow $166 million to pay for firefighter back pay and $283 million for police settlements. The borrowing will carry $42 million in interest costs.

Martin, 47th, who joined Vasquez to vote against Johnsons budget last year, also cited the borrowing and shrunken advance payment as key shortcomings.

I dont get the impression that those concerns are really understood by as many people who should know about them and be concerned, he told the Tribune.

To pressure Yancy, 5th, Johnson supporters dialed up a flurry of urgent texts from former colleagues during Yancys time as a leftist labor organizer. In one response, Yancy retorted he had similar data concerns, all while this administration has failed to build relationships with allies to pass his agenda.

The problems with this budget are more related to a lack of Goodwill and preparing a budget than anything, he wrote.

The ads and rhetoric from Johnson and his allies have also driven away aldermen in the councils ideological middle. Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, whom Johnson picked to lead the Finance Committee, noted the jabs tied to her backing of the alternative proposal.

She has been falsely accused of supporting a property tax increase, trying to take meals away from seniors and wanting to cut youth summer jobs, she said.

No one likes the attacks when they are not true, Dowell said. Many of the priorities that the mayor has, I also share, but we have to figure out how to fund those.

For his part, Johnson earlier this month couched his budget defense in deeply personal terms.

If youve never gone hungry, you wouldnt know why I had that urgency, a hoarse Johnson said about his budget proposal during a City Hall news conference. If youve never opened up your refrigerator and theres nothing in it  poverty sucks  and we have alders that are more interested in defending these big corporations than families like mine who went without food and electricity and could not afford rent and mortgage.

Cruz, 30th, a freshman progressive, said she doesnt question the pain behind the mayors plea. But the Northwest Side alderman said her hesitation on which side shell take on the budget fight doesnt mean shes siding with billionaires either.

I know what it is to be poor and hungry as well, Cruz, an immigrant from Mexico, told the Tribune last week as she said a budget needs to include the full advance pension payment to get her vote. I think we get caught up on saying what is progressive, what is not progressive. Progressive is being fiscally responsible.

_____

(Tribune reporter A.D. Quig contributed.)

_____
Beijing has accused Manila of organising a "premeditated" provocation and dangerous manoeuvres near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, and Washington of making false statements that have escalated tensions in the region.

Manila said Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal had been targeted with water cannons by Chinese coastguard ships in an incident on Friday, while Beijing said Philippine personnel had threatened Chinese officers with knives.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the Philippines had assembled a large number of vessels "in an organised and premeditated manner to provoke trouble" in waters near the shoal.

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Guo said Philippine vessels had "repeatedly carried out dangerous manoeuvres", and Philippine personnel had threatened Chinese coastguard officers with knives.

"The measures taken by China were necessary to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, were reasonable and lawful, professional and restrained, and beyond reproach," he said.

"The Philippine side should immediately cease its infringement and provocations, stop hyping and spreading inflammatory narratives, and end the endless self-staged maritime farce."

A video shared by the Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday shows the encounter between a China Coast Guard vessel and a Philippine fishing boat near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout alt=A video shared by the Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday shows the encounter between a China Coast Guard vessel and a Philippine fishing boat near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout>

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Sabina Shoal, known as Xianbin Jiao in China and Escoda Shoal in the Philippines, has been a flashpoint in a string of stand-offs in contested areas of the South China Sea.

It is one of many atolls in the Spratly Islands, called the Nansha Islands in China. China and the Philippines are among the rival claimants to the archipelago.

On Friday, the Chinese coastguard said it had acted against several Philippine vessels near the shoal that were operating "under the guise of fishing" and "ignored repeated warnings and admonitions from the coastguard".

"The Chinese coastguard took necessary control measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with laws and regulations, including issuing warnings and expelling them," Chinese coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said.

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The Philippine coastguard said on Saturday that three Filipino fishermen had been injured and two fishing vessels had been damaged when Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannons. It added that a small Chinese coastguard vessel had cut the anchor lines of several Philippine boats.

The Philippine coastguard in a statement called on China "to adhere to internationally recognised standards of conduct, prioritising the preservation of life at sea over pretensions of law enforcement that jeopardise the lives of innocent fishermen".

The US State Department in a statement on Sunday said it condemned China's water cannoning and cutting of anchor lines of Filipino fishers.

"These aggressive actions endangered Filipinos fishing for their livelihoods. We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China's provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbours, which undermine regional stability," it said.

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The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday accused Washington of "inciting confrontation".

"The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to intervene in maritime matters between the parties concerned," Guo said.

"Washington should stop making statements that distort facts and incite confrontation, and stop indulging and supporting the Philippines in provoking trouble in the South China Sea."

Tensions between China and the Philippines have been escalating for more than a year with a series of confrontations in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

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The Philippines, a long-standing US ally, has moved to strengthen its defensive ties with Washington and regional allies in recent years, heightening Beijing's concerns.

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.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Saturday for mocking millions of Americans grappling with soaring health insurance costs, calling the response "just pathetic."

Schumer Slams Trump Over Soaring Health Premiums

Schumer posted on X, saying, "Donald Trump is telling the 24 million Americans wondering how they will cover their skyrocketing premiums (including many who voted for him) that they are Democrat sycophants.'

He added, Just pathetic  he has failed the American people, and especially his own supporters."

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The senator's comments come as health insurance premiums have surged in many parts of the country, leaving millions of Americans concerned about covering basic medical costs.

Donald Trump is telling the 24 million Americans wondering how they will cover their skyrocketing premiums (including many who voted for him) that they are "Democrat sychophants."



Just pathetic  he has failed the American people, and especially his own supporters. https://t.co/eT6GAHp3Db  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 13, 2025

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Democrats Criticize Republicans Over Rising Health Costs

On Saturday, Democratic leaders took to X to criticize Republican approaches to healthcare amid rising costs and expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) new Republican healthcare plan "toxic" and "deeply unserious" because it fails to extend expiring ACA tax credits, warning it would harm everyday Americans.

Mike Johnson just released a toxic Republican Healthcare plan that hurts everyday Americans.



It fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire this month.



And is a deeply unserious proposal. pic.twitter.com/htoqLFGBrC  Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) December 13, 2025

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) highlighted that 10,000 people in Massachusetts lost their health insurance in a single month, double the number from last year, blaming Republican inaction for the surge.

In just a month, 10,000 people in MA dropped their health insurance. That's 2x more than last year.



10,000 mommas, grandpas, aunts, neighbors, and friends who looked at their bill and said "I can't do this."



Because Republicans won't lift a finger to lower health care costs. pic.twitter.com/LW8hjZ2wke  Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 12, 2025

See Also: Fast Company Calls It a Groundbreaking Step for the Creator Economy'  Investors Can Still Get In at $0.85/Share

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) emphasized that 27% of farmers, including those in Polk County, Iowa, rely on the health insurance marketplace, and said Republican opposition to extending ACA tax credits 13 times could make premiums double or triple.

27% of farmers, including Aaron from Polk County, Iowa, are on the health insurance marketplace.



Because Republicans have voted against extending the health care tax credits 13 times, these farmers could see their premiums double or even triple. pic.twitter.com/i7LbbCyIYh  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 13, 2025

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Republicans for offering no serious solutions, noting that the U.S. spends far more on healthcare than most countries, faces the highest prescription drug prices in the world, and leaves 85 million Americans uninsured or underinsured.

We spend twice as much per capita on health care as almost any nation on Earth. We pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured.



Republicans  pathetically  have nothing serious to say about the health care crisis. pic.twitter.com/8voOnj2HT1  Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 12, 2025

Johnson Pushes Plan To Lower Health Care Premiums

House Republicans introduced the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, presenting it as a "common-sense" solution to reduce healthcare costs for Americans.

Johnson criticized Democrats, saying the Affordable Care Act caused skyrocketing premiums and waste, fraud, and abuse.

He emphasized that Republicans are stepping in to "fix the mess Democrats created."

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This article Chuck Schumer Calls Trump's Response To Rising Health Insurance Costs 'Pathetic:' 'Failed The American People' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
AMMAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday dispatched a humanitarian aid convoy to Syria through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO).

According to a statement by the JHCO, the convoy consists of 21 trucks carrying prefabricated housing units and food supplies for families in need of humanitarian assistance.

The organization said the initiative, coordinated with the Jordanian Armed Forces, is part of Jordan's ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by King Abdullah II, to support neighboring countries during times of crisis.

Jordan continues to play an active regional role in delivering humanitarian assistance, relying on its logistical capabilities.

Syria has been grappling with overlapping crises, with an estimated 16.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2025, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, an independent conflict monitor. 
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday outlined how consumers can receive payments from a $700 million multistate antitrust settlement with Google stemming from the companys unlawful monopolization of Android app distribution.

The settlement resolves claims that Google used anticompetitive contracts and technical barriers to block competition in the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023. Attorneys general from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands joined the lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2021.

Under the settlement, $630 million will be distributed to eligible consumers, while an additional $70 million will be paid to states in penalties.

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I encourage every Texan affected by these unlawful actions to claim their share of the penalty Google had to pay for breaking the law, Paxton said in a statement. There will be zero tolerance for any Big Tech company that chooses to ignore the law, drive up costs for consumers, and destroy competition in the Lone Star State.

Who Is Eligible

Consumers may qualify for a payment if they:

Purchased apps or made in-app purchases through the Google Play Store

Lived in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands

Made those purchases between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023

Google has denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement.

How Payments Will Be Issued

Most eligible consumers will receive payments automatically once the settlement is finalized by the court.

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Payments will be sent via:

PayPal (email notification), or

Venmo (text message notification)

The notification will be sent to the email address or phone number associated with the consumers Google Play account. If that contact information does not match an existing PayPal or Venmo account, consumers may create a new account or redirect the payment to an account under different contact information.

Supplemental Claims Process

A supplemental claims process will open after automatic payments are completed for consumers who:

Do not have a PayPal or Venmo account and do not wish to create one

No longer have access to the email address or phone number tied to their Google Play account

Expected to receive a payment but did not

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Consumers may sign up on the settlement website to receive notifications when the supplemental claims process begins.

Opt-Out and Objection Deadlines

Consumers who wish to pursue independent legal action against Google must opt out of the settlement by February 19, 2026. Written objections to the settlement terms must also be submitted by that date.

A federal court in the Northern District of California is scheduled to hold a final approval hearing on April 30, 2026. If approved, the settlement will become final and payments will proceed.

Background on the Case

State attorneys general alleged Google unlawfully monopolized Android app distribution and in-app payment processing by:

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Preventing rival app stores from being preloaded on Android devices

Paying developers not to launch apps on competing platforms

Discouraging consumers from downloading apps outside the Google Play Store

The settlement also requires Google to modify certain business practices related to app distribution and billing.

Additional information and updates are available at the official settlement website maintained by the court-appointed Notice Administrator.
Cold air is moving into Central Florida Monday morning following an overnight front.

The system is bringing windy conditions to the coast with a wind advisory in place until 9 a.m.

Mondays weather will be mostly cloudy, breezy, and cool, with temperatures reaching highs in the 60s.

Overnight, temperatures are expected to drop further, with lows in the 40s and 50s, and some areas in Marion County may experience lows in the upper 30s.

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This cool down is expected to be short-lived, as temperatures are forecasted to rise to the 70s by tomorrow afternoon.

The warming trend will continue throughout the week, with highs reaching the upper 70s and low 80s by the end of the week.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was seriously injured after a pedestrian crash Sunday evening, Dec. 14, on Doniphan Drive in Northwest El Paso County, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said.

The Sheriffs Office said that just after 7 p.m. on Sunday, deputies were dispatched to assist the Anthony Police Department regarding a pedestrian crash along the 8500 block of Doniphan Drive near Valley Chili Road. A man was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries.

The Sheriffs Office also posted on social media, saying that the crash had closed the road in both directions. The road was closed for about seven hours before reopening overnight.

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Roads opened up at around 2:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, according to TxDOT.

As of Monday morning, the victim remains in critical condition, the Sheriffs Office said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
About 200 people attended a public vigil Sunday night at Lippitt Memorial Park in Providence hosted by Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois and the Providence City Council to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Brown University Saturday. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

PROVIDENCE  It was supposed to be a joyful event. But a Christmas tree and menorah lighting scheduled for late Sunday afternoon at Lippitt Memorial Park was turned into a vigil for the victims of Saturdays shooting at Brown University.

Despite the mid-20-degree weather and falling snow in Providence, over 200 people gathered to light candles to honor the two students who were killed and nine others who were wounded inside the Barus and Holley engineering building.

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Councilor Sue AnderBois began the holiday event at the park near the Pawtucket line last year.

Instead, we are gathered here to share light with one another in one of Providences darkest times, AnderBois told the crowd. Were here together to be together and to support.

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos hugs Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois during a vigil at Lippitt Memorial Park in Providence on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

AnderBois was joined by several of Rhode Islands elected officials including Gov. Dan McKee, who earlier in the afternoon ordered flags at all state buildings and facilities to be lowered to half-staff as a sign of respect for the victims of the shooting.

McKee did not speak during the vigil, nor did most elected officials in attendance. Remarks during the 10-minute ceremony were given by AnderBois, Mayor Brett Smiley and Sarah Mack, senior rabbi of Temple Beth-El near Wayland Square in Providence.

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Smiley, who converted to Judaism last year, invoked the first night of Hanukkah in his remarks, noting that the initial lighting of the menorah represents a small spark that grows into a bright light by the end of the eight-night festival. He said he hoped the vigil would be the first little flicker for our community to start to heal and get better together.

Its going to be a long road, but what I know about this community is that we will be here for one another, Smiley said.

Mack similarly spoke of the need for Rhode Islanders to come together as a way to provide light in these dark times.

We can use our light to kindle other lights  to care for one another, she said. That is how we get through this dark moment.

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After Mack concluded her speech, the crowd spontaneously began to sing Amazing Grace. Officials had no further press briefings scheduled for Sunday night on the status of their investigation.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley speaks during a public vigil Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at Lippitt Memorial Park in Providence to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Brown University Saturday. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The Jewish Federation of Peoria gathered the community Sunday evening to mark the first night of Hanukkah, turning the annual celebration into a moment of unity and resilience amid a tragic attack overseas.

The Community Hanukkah Party brought together members of the Jewish community from across the region, welcoming people of all backgrounds to celebrate the holiday and its central message of light over darkness.

Hanukkah or Chanukah? Well discuss that and more with this holiday primer

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This is our first night of Hanukkah events, said LaDona Fishkin, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Peoria. We dont represent one specific group. Its just everybody in the community that would like to come. We want to start sharing the light.

The event featured traditional foods, such as potato latkes and jelly-filled doughnuts, commonly eaten during Hanukkah, along with candle lighting and time for families to gather together.

Fishkin said it was important to make the event open to the public, emphasizing that Hanukkah is a celebration of religious freedom.

Its a statement of being able to stand up and believe in what you want to believe, and that you should be free to do that, she said. Its winter, its dark, and what we do is light the menorah to represent bringing light into darkness.

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This years celebration came as Jewish communities around the world are mourning after a deadly attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, where multiple people were killed during an incident tied to a Hanukkah gathering.

Local leaders said the tragedy has deeply impacted Jewish families, even thousands of miles away.

Its devastating, Fishkin said. The last couple of years have already been very difficult with the rise of antisemitism. When something like this happens on the first night of Hanukkah, it almost freezes you.

She said news of the attack spread quickly through the Jewish community, reinforcing how closely connected people feel across borders.

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Jewish geography, somebody always knows somebody, Fishkin said. We feel like one heart. We bleed for everybody.

Despite the pain, Fishkin said coming together for events like the Hanukkah party is a powerful reminder of strength and solidarity.

When we can gather and support each other, theres nothing like it, she said. Theres nothing like a hug, nothing like listening, and just being there for one another.

Organizers said the celebration was intentionally scheduled on the first night of Hanukkah to allow different Jewish organizations in the area to host their own events throughout the holiday week, while still providing a shared space for the broader community to come together.

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As candles were lit and families gathered, the message of the night remained clear that even in moments of grief and uncertainty, light and community endure.

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 CIProud.com.
In North Dakota, farmers arent neighbors  theyre family.

When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.

Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.

Randy Fyllesvold, seen here with his wife Kharra, was killed in September. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

Thats when the close-knit community stepped in.

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Two of Randys pals  Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates  decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pals crops.

First, they put out a call for help.

And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment  along with willing hands.

They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.

Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husbands final crop was nothing short of breathtaking and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.

The tiny North Dakota community banded together to help the family bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

But they wouldnt have it any other way.

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To know Randy was to love Randy, said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. ..The reach that he had was kind of endless.

Kharra said shell never forget what they did for her.

More than 75 volunteers stepped up to help bring in the harvest. Kharra Fyllesvold/Facebook

As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you, she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.

The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold  but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.

God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.

I know you are smiling down.
Republicans are frantically searching for more ways to keep the House next Congress after Indiana legislators decided not to redraw their states congressional districts.

The decision could deter parallel pushes in other states.

There will be a lot of primaries against Indiana lawmakers who voted no, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., warned on Fox News. Its not about Donald Trump; its about the country, its about keeping the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

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The president made similar comments earlier in the weekend.

Expect Indianas decision to hang over the chamber this week as vulnerable Republicans make the case for extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, warning of a loss of more seats in the midterms. GOP leaders have promised them a vote on their health care proposal as an amendment to a narrow package of other changes.

Meanwhile, Trump isnt even sure his economic policies  like the sweeping tax bill  will help Republicans hold the House, he told The Wall Street Journal.
PRAGUE (AP)  A new Czech coalition government led by populist billionaire Andrej Babis took office on Monday with an agenda to steer the country away from supporting Ukraine and reject some key European Union policies.

President Petr Pavel swore in the Cabinet at the Prague Castle, ending a pro-Western coalition under former Prime Minister Petr Fiala that made the country a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a haven for hundreds of thousands Ukrainian refugees.

Babis, previously prime minister in two governments from 2017-2021, and his ANO, or YES, movement, won big in the country's October election and agreed to form a majority coalition government with two small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.

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The parties, which share admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump, created a 16-member Cabinet. ANO holds eight posts and the prime ministers office. The Motorists have four and the Freedom party three.

The political comeback by Babis and his new alliance with two small government newcomers are expected to significantly redefine the nation's foreign and domestic policies.

Babis is set to join the ranks of Viktor Orban of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia, whose countries have refused to provide military aid to Ukraine and which oppose EU sanctions on Russia.

Babis has rejected any financial aid by his country for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion.

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He already joined forces with his friend Orban last year to create a new alliance in the European Parliament, the Patriots for Europe, to represent hard-right groups. Previously, he was a member of the liberal Renew group.

Babis suggested his government would abandon a Czech initiative that has managed to acquire some 1.8 million much-needed artillery shells for Ukraine only this year on markets outside the EU.

The Freedom party sees no future for the Czechs in the EU and NATO and wants to expel most of 380,000 Ukrainian refugees in the country. The group does not consider Russia a threat and its members repeat its propaganda.

The Motorists, who are close to former euro-skeptic President Vaclav Klaus, rejected the EU Green Deal and proposed revivals of coal and relations with Slovakia, Hungary and Poland in an informal group known as V4 whose activities has been stalled over different views of the Russian war against Ukraine.

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The Motorists, whose head Petr Macinka became the foreign minister, blamed the former government of damaging relations with Slovakia and Hungary.

The new government promised to present a plan to reduce electricity prices, revoke a pension reform and change the financing of the public radio and television that critics say would would bring the broadcasters under government control.
Chris Mooney is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and a CNN Climate contributor. He is currently a professor of practice in the Environmental Institute at the University of Virginia.

Planet-warming pollution rates exploded after the end of World War II. James Watts steam engine launched the Industrial Revolution in 1769. Before that, for thousands of years, humans were clearing forested land for farming, releasing carbon from trees and plants into the atmosphere.

The severity of global warming has long depended on your frame of reference  on what temperature you think was normal for the Earth before humans began changing it. But what year should mark that moment?

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Thats what makes a groundbreaking new temperature dataset released by a group of scientists based in the United Kingdom so striking. The datasets used to diagnose the modern history of the planets climate  and to proclaim that the world is now very near to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming  typically begin with the year 1850.

The new one goes all the way back to 1781.

This extended time frame matters because greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increased 2.5 percent between 1750 and 1850, enough to have caused some warming that the data hasnt accounted for.

Circa 1899: James Watt's "Sun and Planet" steam engine, patented in 1781. The action of the beam engine, which operated cogs, meant that the steam engine could be applied to factory machinery. - Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The new temperature record, dubbed GloSAT, helps contribute to the growing sense among scientists that the Earth has warmed more than what calculations based on the 1850 starting year would suggest.

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That 1850 start time is one thats chosen for essentially practical considerations, given the information thats available, said Colin Morice, lead author of the new study and a scientist with the Met Office Hadley Centre in the UK. For sure, 1850 is not the start of industrialization.

The new dataset, published in Earth System Science Data by 16 scientists, shows a significantly cooler Earth from the late 1700s through 1849 compared with 1850-1900  the latter being what scientists have defined as the preindustrial baseline period used to assess the planets temperature change.

However, not all of the warming between the two early periods can be attributed to human activities, scientists caution.

Among other factors, two very powerful volcanic eruptions in the early 1800s had a marked cooling effect on the Earth. Particles from those eruptions spread around the planets stratosphere and blocked some sunlight.

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We know 1815 was Tambora, with well documented impacts, said Ed Hawkins, a researcher with the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and one of the studys authors. The 1808 eruption was nearly as big, but we have no idea where it happened.

Some of the warming that occurred by the late 19th century is a natural recovery from the cooling effect of these eruptions. But perhaps not only.

The leading climate science authority, the U.N. Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, concluded in 2021 that there had probably been some human-caused warming between 1750 and 1850, assessing that it was between 0 and 0.2 degrees.

The scientists behind GloSAT come down right in the middle of that range.

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Morice and many of the same researchers contributed to a second study, accepted in the journal Environmental Research Letters, which uses the new dataset and climate models to analyze how much additional warming humans may have caused between 1750 and 1850. That study, led by Andrew Ballinger of the University of Edinburgh, determined that 0.09 degrees of warming occurred that was attributable to humans, as opposed to other factors, such as the waning effect of the large volcanic eruptions seen in the early 1800s.

This period of time is just so interesting, its got this large amount of volcanism in it, said Andrew Schurer, one of that studys authors and a researcher at the University of Edinburgh in the UK.

Piers Forster, a climate scientist at the University of Leeds in the UK, landed on a similar number using a very different approach in a study last year. Forster used the very strong and simple relationship between the planets temperature and how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere.

It led him to conclude that the very early rise in carbon dioxide levels would have had a significant effect.

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We think you get between an extra .1 and .2 degrees if you try and look at the total effect of human activity going back a bit further, Forster said.

Hohenpeienberg weather station with the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of the Virgin rises out of the fog on November 9, 2018. - Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/Picture Alliance/Getty Images

Old thermometers and ship records

No one was keeping track of global temperature changes 300 years ago. But there were lots of people documenting local temperature change. Combinging their efforts helps modern researchers understand what was happening at a global scale.

The study of the oldest temperatures recorded by human observers is interwoven with the history of science, exploration and, frequently, the commercial activities that required businesses to collect the data.

Early modern records go back to the 17th century. Following the path of the scientific revolution generally, measurements began in Europe  and then spread to North America and around the globe. The Central England Temperature series, the longest of its kind, begins in 1659, stitching together the work of many observers. A temperature record in Uppsala, Sweden began in 1722, aided by the work of Anders Celsius, himself.

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These very old temperature records feed into the new GloSAT analysis  and in some locations, they show a very large amount of warming.

Consider a record that has been kept in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps at Hohenpeissenberg since 1781, when Augustinian clerics first began recording temperatures. They were contributing to the Societas Meteorologica Palatina, an early coordinated scientific effort that created a network of weather stations centered in todays Germany, but extending as far afield as St. Petersburg in Russia.

This record is lucky to have survived, said Wolfgang Steinbrecht, a scientist with the German Weather Service who works at the observatory.

During the Napoleonic wars, all the monasteries were disbanded, Steinbrecht said. All the measurements were taken by people at monasteries, they were the ones who could read and write. But Hohenpeissenberg survived, now we have measurements more or less without gaps.

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The Hohenpeissenberg temperature record shows nearly 3 degrees of regional warming when the last 10 years are compared with temperatures between 1781 and 1849.

But how many local measurements, like this one, do you need before you can begin to deduce the the temperature of the entire planet? And how do you deal with the oceans?

After all, measurements at Uppsala, Hoehenpeissenberg and other similar locations track early temperature changes on Earths land. But oceans cover about 70% of the planet. Reconstructing temperatures here, too, is a key addition of the GloSAT record.

Ships measured temperature in the 18th century, though not as systematically as people did on land. The British East India Company for instance, often took air pressure, temperature and other measurements as they sailed and traded silk, spices and sometimes slaves between Europe and India, China, and other locations in the late 18th century.

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These ships provide a particularly detailed record, although scientists have had to carefully adjust the measurements because of biases  ships heat up dramatically during the day, for instance  and other factors.

The East India Company made their measurements for competitive advantage, said Elizabeth Kent, a scientist with the National Oceanography Centre in the UK and one of the studys authors.

They wanted to know the prevailing winds so they could do their trading faster, and the temperature of the currents helped them understand if they were catching the currents, Kent continued. So, we know that they were seriously trying to measure these things as well as they [could].

Many whaling vessels also took temperature measurements in the Atlantic ocean off the US coastline, and their records were compiled by Matthew Fountaine Maury, a US naval officer and early oceanographer. Trade routes meant ocean air temperatures were far better measured in the Atlantic and Indian oceans than over the vast Pacific.

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The new dataset relies on all of these sources. It uses a measurement of marine air temperatures  not the temperature of the water itself, as in other datasets  because these were more frequently taken aboard ships in these early years. (This approach actually shows a slightly lower level of warming during the years of overlap with current temprature datasets, the authors note.)

The scientists fully admit that measurements become much more sparse as one goes back further in time, and indeed, their map of the Earths temperatures in the period from 1781-1800 comes with a lot of gaps. For this reason, the researchers ascribe a higher level of uncertainty to their estimates of the Earths true temperature during these early years.

As the authors themselves make clear, there is larger uncertainty prior to 1850. But it is cooler, its undoubtedly cooler, said Peter Thorne, a climate scientist at Maynooth University in Ireland, who served as a reviewer for the new study.

What it means

If that additional bit of warming did occur, though, what might it mean for how we understand the state of the planet today, and how much humans have changed it?

It might seem daunting or disheartening to contemplate that climate change is an even bigger problem than we thought, or that weve done more to cause it than we realized. But its not so simple, scientists say.

Zeke Hausfather, a researcher with Berkeley Earth who is familiar with the GloSAT work, says he thinks its a significant advance. But he cautions about leaping to the conclusion that this realization of some additional early warming undermines climate goals, such as those written into the Paris climate agreement, as those are generally understood to be based on the 1850 to 1900 baseline.

A view of Funafuti, Tuvalu, from satellite shows one of the most climate-threatened places on Earth. This low-lying island faces rising sea levels, coastal erosion and freshwater shortages, with tidal flooding now common during high tides. Most of Funafuti sits barely a meter  3.3 feet  above sea level. - Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025/Getty Images

I think it tells us something about pre-1850 warming, Hausfather said, I just dont think we should read too much into what that implies for our ability to meet climate goals.

Thorne, who reviewed the new study, agrees to a point. But he says the finding of earlier warming isnt irrelevant  you just need to think carefully about what it means and doesnt mean.

It does mean we warmed the Earth more, but it doesnt mean the impacts are suddenly going to occur sooner, Thorne said. They are where they are. And theyve almost invariably been calculated relative to a much more recent reference period.

Still, that additional warming cant be ignored in assessing the total human impact on the Earth. It could even be part of what forced changes in some Earth systems.

Ultimately, for Thorne, its all part of a picture in which we should be increasingly concerned about the potential for mounting impacts.

It changes our perception of how far we have already pushed the climate system in important ways, he said.

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House Democrats say theyre lining up to support a bipartisan extension of enhanced ObamaCare subsidies  if they get a green light from party leaders.

Supporters of two bipartisan proposals to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to expire on Dec. 31, have launched discharge petitions to force votes on their legislation over the opposition of the GOP leaders who control the chamber.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has declined to weigh in on either of the proposals, which would extend the subsidies for one or two years, pressing instead for his partisan plan to extend those benefits for three years. His strategy has been for Democrats to keep their powder dry and let Republican infighting on health care take center stage.

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But a growing number of rank-and-file Democrats say they expect that to change next week if it becomes clear that none of the partisan plans  Republican or Democratic  have the support to move to the Senate.

In that case, theyre expecting Democratic leaders to rally around at least one of the bipartisan bills, which would open the floodgates of Democratic signatures on at least one of the petitions and force the legislation to the floor.

Weve got to do one or the other.  We need to make sure that something is done so the health care costs for these American citizens on the Affordable Care Act dont go crazy, said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.).

That is such a critical bill, he added, I think people will line up to sign.

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Asked if the Democrats were simply waiting on the OK from Jeffries, Meeks didnt pause a moment.

Thats exactly right, he said.

We havent been given any guidance, echoed Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.). But my opinion would be  if nothing happens, if they cant pass a vote  I think well probably try to force a vote.

Bipartisan lawmakers this week launched two discharge petitions designed to force votes to prevent the subsidies from lapsing. One of them, sponsored by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine), combines a two-year subsidy extension with a series of policy reforms, including new income eligibility limits, the elimination of no-premium plans and the promotion of health savings accounts.

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The other, sponsored by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), features a one-year subsidy extension, with less stringent changes to eligibility.

Both petitions have won the endorsement of more than 10 Republicans  an extraordinary show of discontent by a majority party toward its leadership. But the success of either petition hinges on overwhelming Democratic support that hasnt yet arrived. Indeed, Democrats are approaching the process with notable caution.

Were actively reviewing those two discharge petitions, and well have more to say about it early next week, Jeffries told reporters Friday in the Capitol.

There are several reasons why Democrats, after fighting to extend the subsidies for months  a push that led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history  have suddenly adopted a wait-and-see approach in the final stretch toward the expiration deadline.

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For one thing, Republicans are currently at each others throats over the fate of the subsidies, and Democrats dont want to distract the publics attention from that GOP infighting.

For another, Democrats dont want to rush madly to sign the petitions, which might create appearances that the effort was being led solely by Democrats rather than the bipartisan coalitions that have championed the discharge campaigns. Theyre pumping the brakes in hopes that GOP leaders  including President Trump  might get anxious about the political blowback of inaction and move on an ACA extension bill of their own.

If all the Democrats come rushing onto one bill or the other, itll be like a Democratic bill, it wont be like a bipartisan bill anymore. So weve got to figure out whats the right way [to do this], said one House Democrat who spoke anonymously to discuss party strategy.

Will the Senate, or the White House, or the Speaker, say, We really should try to get something done here, and try to adopt one of these? Or will they continue to just use messaging bulls? the lawmaker continued. If I was counseling anyone, I would just say, Keep your powder dry and lets see if we hear anything. And then pull the trigger.

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Democrats also cited a third reason for withholding their signatures last week: The delay, they say, puts more pressure on centrist Republicans to endorse Jeffriess discharge petition on the three-year extension.

It still remains the case that the most direct path forward is a straightforward extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Jeffries said. And theres one discharge petition that does that, and it has 214 signatures, and all we need are four Republicans to join us.

Yet Republicans, even those pushing hardest for a legislative fix, say that will never happen, since Jeffriess bill is a clean extension without any structural changes to the enhanced benefit program.

Just to say, Three-year extension, and were not going to make any improvements or changes or anything  I mean, come on, said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.). He called the Democrats plan bankrupt.

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GOP leaders, meanwhile, are pressing ahead with their own partisan health care package, which is expected to hit the floor this week. That legislation features a host of conservative policies, including an expansion of health savings accounts and association health plans. And it allows for a vote on a separate amendment to extend the ACA subsidies.

Yet its unclear if the Republican bill has enough support to pass through the House, let alone the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. And the Democrats three-year extension also faces long odds, since it failed in the Senate on Thursday with support from just 51 senators  nine shy of passage.

That leaves the two bipartisan bills as the last best chance for Congress to prevent health costs from spiking for more than 20 million Americans, supporters say.

If you want a deal, youre going to have to work with the Republicans, Golden said. And the same is true in the other direction.

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Democrats are favoring the Kiggans-Gottheimer bill, because it has fewer eligibility restrictions and other conservative policies. That petition already has 39 signatures  28 of them Democrats  versus 24 endorsements on the Fitzpatrick-Golden petition, split evenly between the parties.

Well probably be more inclined to support the Gottheimer [petition], Bera said. But the Fitzpatrick one is acceptable, as well.

Its unclear, however, if all Democrats would get on board. Already there are policy concerns being voiced by more liberal Democrats, who have always been wary of the shift away from federal subsidies to health savings accounts and other conservative policies.

Given that this is going to need a lot of Democratic votes to get across the finish line, its got to be something we actually believe in. And its got to be something that is not restricting the use of these subsidies when people need it so deeply, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), former head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

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Still, after bashing Republicans for months on the urgency of averting the cost cliff, Democrats would also face their own pressures to swallow the policy changes in order to secure an extension of the subsidies  and relief for millions of Americans.

Its a wait-and-see [scenario], Bera said. But obviously we dont want folks to get hit with these insurance premium hikes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Trucks loaded with goods are seen aboard a flat-bottomed ferry crossing the Euphrates River in Deir al-Zour province, eastern Syria, Dec. 12, 2025.(Str/Xinhua)

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

DEIR AL-ZOUR, Syria, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A rusting, flat-bottomed ferry crawls across the Euphrates, its deck crowded with passengers and their belongings, including a fully loaded truck.

The vessel lurches forward, the river's restless current slapping against its hull, occasionally sending water spilling over the sides. Onboard, the atmosphere is tense, as people cling desperately to anything they can grasp, their eyes fixed on the churning water below, fearful that one wrong move could send them plunging into the swift current.

For residents of eastern Syria's Deir al-Zour province, such perilous crossings have become an inescapable part of daily life, as the makeshift ferries, known locally as Abarat, now serve as the only means of crossing the Euphrates after the destruction of all major bridges during the country's years of conflict.

"Transportation here has become a matter of survival," said Adnan al-Dakhil, a member of the executive office of Deir al-Zour province. "These ferries are primitive and dangerous, but people have no alternative."

Deir al-Zour once had six major bridges linking the eastern Jazira region with the western Shamiya bank, but all were destroyed by late 2017 during the intense fighting. Today, only one temporary earthen bridge, constructed in 2022, connects parts of the riverbanks in the northern urban area. For the vast rural region, river ferries remain the only viable option.

"These crossings are essential, especially for people from the Jazira region who need medical treatment, work, or basic services," al-Dakhil told Xinhua. "But the real danger is the distance. The ferry crossings often take place in extremely remote areas. In the event of an accident, rescue teams simply cannot reach in time."

"With no bridges, we're left with no choice but to depend on the ferries to get by," said Diaa al-Shaabi, a local resident. "But these ferries are falling apart, breaking down, drifting with the current, and sometimes even sinking with the vehicles on board. It's a constant, creeping terror."

Over the course of his many crossings, he has encountered mechanical failures, collisions between ferries, and water creeping through cracked hulls. "Most breakdowns happen in the engine. Once that fails, the ferry starts taking on water, and there's nothing you can do," he said.

"Using the ferries is pure suffering," said Hussein al-Issa, a resident of the nearby village of Tabiya al-Jazira. "When there's a medical emergency, we're left waiting in line, not knowing if we'll even make it to the other side."

He recounted how ambulances have flipped over in the past, and cars frequently tumble into the river, "almost daily."

Compared to the residents, for the ferry operators, this danger is an even more inescapable, almost daily reality they must confront.

"Before the war, I sold vegetables," Bahaa al-Wiyas, a ferry operator from eastern Deir al-Zour, said. "After the bridges were destroyed, this became my new job, ferrying people and vehicles across the river."

He said the ferries often carry loads far beyond safe limits. "Some trucks weigh 10 or even 13 tons. One small leak and the ferry tilts and overturns immediately."

"When a bus with 60 people boards the ferry, you could only pray nothing goes wrong," he said.

Now, with the situation in Syria gradually stabilizing, local residents are urging the authorities to prioritize the welfare of the people by improving infrastructure, including rebuilding bridges.

"We want the new state to rebuild the bridges. That is our only demand," al-Wiyas said. 

A truck loaded with goods is seen aboard a flat-bottomed ferry crossing the Euphrates River in Deir al-Zour province, eastern Syria, Dec. 12, 2025.(Str/Xinhua)
The visit came hours after gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney, killing at least 15 people, including Chabad of Bondi emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Israels Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli visited Chabads emergency and security operations center in Kfar Chabad on Sunday night, as he traveled to Sydney to meet local Jewish leaders and mourners after the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, his office said.

The visit came hours after gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney, killing at least 15 people, including Chabad of Bondi emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

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Chabads security center, known as the CWA, has become a focal point for shluchim seeking guidance and real-time support, and staff were in continuous contact with relevant security and community bodies as details from Australia emerged, Chabad officials said.

Chikli began his stop by lighting a Hanukkah candle at the centers offices alongside the centers leadership, then delivered remarks of condolence and encouragement to Chabad emissaries, according to a statement shared by Chabad representatives.

Amichai Chikli visited Chabads emergency and security operations center in Kfar Chabad. (credit: CWA)

The attempt to extinguish the eternal flame will not succeed

In his remarks, Chikli described the shooting as part of a broader pattern of antisemitic violence, referencing the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and warning that Jews remain a target abroad as well as at home, according to the statement.

They shoot men, women, and children at a Hanukkah celebration, but the attempt to extinguish the eternal flame of the eternity of Israel, the people of Israel, and the Torah of Israel will not succeed, Chikli said, urging emissaries to continue public Hanukkah observances worldwide.

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Chikli also praised the CWAs around-the-clock work to protect Chabad houses and Jewish communities globally, calling it holy work carried out 24/7, according to the statement.

Trip to Sydney amid rising concern over antisemitism in Australia

Chikli flew overnight to Sydney, where he is expected to visit Jewish institutions and bereaved families in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, according to his office.

The Sydney massacre has intensified scrutiny of antisemitism and security threats in Australia, with recent Jerusalem Post reporting tracking a series of incidents ranging from intimidation and vandalism to violence.

The ministers visit to the Chabad security hub concluded with a message he repeated throughout the stop: The attempt to extinguish the eternal flame will not succeed, the statement said.
One of the people shot at Brown University was a former student at Durham Academy.

Kendall Turner's family said she was in critical but stable condition, according to Durham Academy.

Turner, 19, a 2025 Durham Academy graduate, was wounded in the mass shooting on Saturday at Brown University.

"Her parents are with her. We hope for her continued strength and recovery," Michael Ulku-Steiner of Durham Academy told ABC11. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family, and all members of the Brown University community during this incredibly difficult time.

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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," Ulku-Steiner said.

A person of interest was detained early Sunday in connection with the mass shooting that left two people dead and nine wounded.

Eight of the nine who had been injured remained in the hospital on Sunday morning, officials said.

WATCH: Person of interest detained after Brown University mass shooting

A gunman opened fire as final exams were going on, killing two students and wounding nine others, police said.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

.
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio  East Cleveland Mayor Lateek R. Shabazz on Friday announced the immediate termination of longtime police officer Todd Carroscia, saying a city investigation uncovered nearly two decades of fraud, falsification, unlawful service and misconduct within the department.

According to a news release from the city, Shabazz said the firing is effective immediately and follows findings that Carroscia repeatedly violated civil service laws, fabricated training records, committed insurance and FMLA fraud and served as a police officer and supervisor without holding legally required certifications. City documents released also detail sexually explicit messages sent to female employees that triggered harassment complaints.

The documents further cite unwelcome personal remarks, and demeaning language directed at co-workers, contributing to the decision to terminate Carroscia.

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According to the citys investigative findings, Carroscias misconduct includes falsely reporting an off-duty injury as job-related, ignoring medical compliance orders and returning to work without authorization. City records accuse him of submitting fraudulent claims to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and refusing mandatory examinations required for his position.

The investigation also concluded that Carroscia had no lawful civil service appointment since 2008 and continued to serve, including in supervisory ranks, despite lacking Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification and failing to complete annual continuing professional training requirements for more than a decade. Every arrest he made over that period may now require case-by-case review due to unlawful authority, according to the termination letter.

The letter also said Carroscias actions caused extensive harm, including a $12 million civil judgment tied to a 2008 crash, millions in improper wages and pension payouts, potential contamination of criminal cases dating back to 2011 and staffing losses resulting from his supervisory conduct.

The letter ordered Carroscia to surrender his badge, firearm and city equipment and he is prohibited from entering any city facility or representing himself as an employee. The city is preparing criminal referrals to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.

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The residents of East Cleveland deserve honest, lawfully appointed and trained law enforcement officers who serve with integrity, Shabazz said in a statement. Mr. Carroscias unlawful service and misconduct have undermined public trust and harmed this community. Todays action ensures accountability and begins the process of restoring integrity to our police department.

Read the original article on cleveland.com.
The deadline for the Justice Department to release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is fast approaching as Democrats continue to apply pressure with more photo dumps.

In November, President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law after both chambers of Congress backed the legislation.

The law gives the Justice Department 30 days to release most of its files related to its investigations of Epstein  and the clock is ticking.

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In the weeks since the law was enacted, some courts have given the green light to release documents about Epstein. On Dec. 10, a U.S. District Court judge in Manhattan ordered the release of records from a grand jury investigation into Epstein. Another judge a day earlier granted a similar request in the case of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Lawmakers have hoped the materials on Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, will shed more light on his ties to the rich and powerful.

More: New Epstein photos show Trump, Clinton, more VIPs in Dems' latest drop

House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epsteins email that show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epsteins email that show Epstein with Woody Allen. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epsteins email, including this one showing Richard Branson, on the right. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epsteins email that show Woody Allen with Epstein. This image was redacted by the Committee. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show President Donald Trump with Epstein. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, show Bill Gates with an unidentified person. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Epstein with Alan Dershowitz. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein on Dec. 12, 2025.

High-profile figures in Epstein's emails: See newly released images 1 of 10 House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epsteins email that show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee.

When will the Epstein files be released?

The Justice Department has 30 days to release its documents on Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

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Because Trump signed the bill into law on Nov. 19, the files must be released by Dec. 19.

However, because of an exception in the law, it's possible that not all of the documents will be released. The law says the Justice Department can withhold documents that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary."

Jeffery Epstein survivors Danielle Bensky, left, and Anouska De Georgiou, hug one another during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., Sept. 3, 2025. The bipartisan group pushed for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case.

Trump ordered the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Democrats linked to Epstein in November. Because of the provision in the law, Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi could cite the federal investigation as a reason not to release some documents.

The law also allows authorities to withhold records that violate victims' privacy or contain sensitive material on child sexual abuse.

More Epstein photos released

Since the order was enacted, some House Democrats have released pictures related to Epstein's inner circle.

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On Dec. 3, Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee released pictures from Epstein's private island. The photos show a variety of rooms and items found throughout the island, including a dentist's chair, a wall of masks and a phone with speed-dial listings.

Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee said the visuals are "never-before-seen photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein's private island that are a harrowing look behind Epsteins closed doors."

Then, on Dec. 12, the House Democrats released 89 images, which included photos of sex toys and bondage gear and, separately, snapshots of Epstein with big names like Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

Contributing: Joey Garrison, Kinsey Crowley and Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will the Epstein files be released? Latest updates.
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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European Union foreign ministers are to impose sanctions on around 40 additional vessels that are used to circumvent the penalties imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said.

Sanctioning more ships of the so-called shadow fleet means "depriving Russia of the means to fund this war," Kallas said on Monday in Brussels.

The newly sanctioned vessels would be barred from entering European ports and from obtaining insurance. Sanctions such as asset freezes are also planned against those who support the operation of the shadow fleet.

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In addition, the bloc intends to open talks with states under whose flags the vessels are registered, seeking their agreement to allow EU naval forces to inspect the tankers.

The shadow fleet is Russia's response to the international oil price cap imposed on Russian fossil fuel exports.

Moscow has been trying to conceal the origin of its oil using various methods like switching off or manipulating satellite transponders or transferring oil between tankers on the high seas.
The European Union has started airlifting humanitarian aid to the Sudanese region of Dafur, the European Commission announced on Monday.

"A total of eight flights will bring life-saving supplies into Darfur, as mass atrocities, starvation, and displacement linked to the conflict in Sudan have left millions in need of humanitarian assistance," the commission said in a press release.

A first flight delivered around 100 tons of aid on Friday and further flights are planned throughout December and January, it said.

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The goods delivered include shelter materials, water, sanitation and hygiene items as well as health supplies.

The humanitarian situation in Dafur "deteriorated sharply" after the city of El Fasher was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in October, the commission said.

"The loss of the city marked a major escalation of an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, and further restricted aid access. Civilians who managed to flee are reporting widespread violations of international humanitarian law."

The air bridge will cost 3.5 million ($4.1 million) and will be funded from the EU's humanitarian budget, the commission said. The EU has so far made available 270 million for humanitarian aid for Sudan this year.

The RSF in Sudan launched attacks on military and civilian targets in April 2023 after resisting integration into the army. The brutal power struggle that emerged has created what the UN describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
AMMAN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Ayman Safadi, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and expatriates of Jordan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, paid a visit to Jordan from December 14 to 15.

Both sides emphasized that leaders of the two countries are willing to strengthen cooperation to bring tangible benefits to the friendly peoples of both countries. They spoke highly of bilateral cooperation across various fields, affirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and coordination, and vowed to expand cooperation, so as to achieve the goals of both countries' development policies.

The two sides discussed deepening cooperation in traditional areas such as trade and economy, infrastructure, energy, defense, transportation, and the judiciary sector, as well as exploring potential cooperation in new areas including scientific and technological innovation, communication technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green energy. They also agreed to expand cooperation and exchanges in culture, tourism, media, education and student exchanges, and think tanks. In addition, the two sides talked about measures to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

The Jordanian side reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle, emphasizing that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

Both sides stressed the importance of conducting people-to-people exchanges through culture and art, and of strengthening cooperation between their legislative bodies.

Both sides noted the effective cooperation they have conducted in multilateral diplomatic occasions and emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen coordination. Jordan appreciates the series of major initiatives and proposals put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Both sides stressed the need to effectively implement the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by the two countries to serve their common interests and achieve shared goals.

The two sides discussed the regional situation, including the developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They emphasized the need to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure urgent, immediate, and sustainable access to aid to address the humanitarian crisis.

Both sides stressed that the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement should be combined with genuine political efforts aimed at establishing a sovereign and independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

Jordan highly appreciates President Xi's initiatives and proposals for resolving the Palestinian issue as well as his announcement of a new batch of aid to Palestine. China appreciates Jordan's efforts to promote regional security and stability, as well as its significant contributions to facilitating humanitarian aid in Gaza, and affirms the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites.

Both sides emphasized that the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum serves as a comprehensive platform for active interaction between China and Arab countries, and has played an important role. Jordan supports China in hosting the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026. 
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday that talks on finding a solution for financial support for Ukraine for the coming years are proving difficult.

"The most credible option is the reparations loan, and this is what we are working on," she said, arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"We are not there yet and it is increasingly difficult, but we're doing the work," she said.

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The ministers' meeting comes days ahead of an EU summit in Brussels where leaders are due to decide on whether they are ready to make available Russian state assets frozen in the EU to Ukraine as a loan to cover the country's long-term financial needs.

On Friday, EU countries agreed by a large majority to indefinitely freeze the around 210 billion ($246 billion) in Russian state assets held in the bloc, clearing the first hurdle in making the money available to Ukraine as a reparations loan.

Agreeing on other financing options, like taking on joint debt for new grants to Ukraine, had proven impossible in the past because they needed unanimous approval among all EU members, Kallas said.

The reparations loan only requires a majority vote, the EU's foreign affairs chief noted. But she stressed that EU countries should not outvote Belgium, where the lion's share of the Russian funds are held in the financial depository Euroclear.

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Belgium has so far resisted the plan, fearing it exposes the country to major legal and financial risks.

"I think it's important that they are on board whatever we do," she said.

Agreeing on the reparations loan would send "a clear signal that if you do all this damage to another country, you have to pay for the reparation," Kallas said.

EU to sanction 40 more 'shadowfleet' vessels

EU ministers are to be joined by their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha by video-link for an exchange on Kiev's most urgent needs and further EU support for Ukraine.

EU chief diplomats are ready to impose sanctions on around 40 additional vessels that are used to circumvent the penalties imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine, Kallas announced.

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Sanctioning more ships of the so-called shadow fleet means "depriving Russia of the means to fund this war," she said.

The newly sanctioned vessels would be barred from entering European ports and from obtaining insurance. Sanctions such as asset freezes are also planned against those who support the operation of the shadow fleet.

In addition, the bloc intends to open talks with states under whose flags the vessels are registered, seeking their agreement to allow EU naval forces to inspect the tankers.

The shadow fleet is Russia's response to the international oil price cap imposed on Russian fossil fuel exports.

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Moscow has been trying to conceal the origin of its oil using various methods like switching off or manipulating satellite transponders or transferring oil between tankers on the high seas.

Middle East and relations with China also on agenda

Ministers are also to consult on the situation in the Middle East, as well as the bloc's relationship with China.

On the agenda is a discussion on the situation in Gaza and the implementation of the ceasefire there as well as the situation in Syria one year after the fall of the al-Assad regime.

The EU has been calling on Israel to let more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and has been waiting to redeploy its border assistance mission to help monitor the crossing in Rafah in the south of Gaza, on the border with Egypt.

EU relations with China are also on the agenda.
NEED TO KNOW

Three Seattle suburbs have been evacuated after a levee failed as historic flooding continues in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest



NWS Seattle warned of life threatening" conditions near Tukwila as a result of the breach

The warning impacts more than 47,000 people, according to the Associated Press

Evacuations have been ordered in three Seattle suburbs after a levee failed amid historic flooding in the Pacific Northwest.

A flash flood warning was issued on Monday, Dec. 15, after the Desimone Levee along the Green River was breached in Tukwila, Wash., according to a series of posts shared by the National Weather Service's office in Seattle.

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A GO NOW evacuation notice was issued for King County, with residents and businesses east of the Green River in the Orillia area ordered to leave immediately by the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

The warning impacts nearly 47,000 people in parts of Kent, Auburn and Tukwila, according to the Associated Press.

King County county dispatch reported the failure of the Green River levee at 11:51 a.m. local time on Monday, according to NWS Seattle.

NWS Seattle warned of life threatening" conditions near Tukwila as a result, telling locals to move to higher ground now and act quickly to protect your life.

Natalie Behring/Getty Signs and other objects are submerged in the swollen Snohomish River on December 12, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. Signs and other objects are submerged in the swollen Snohomish River on December 12, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington.

The Flash Flood Warning is set to expire at 9 p.m. local time on Monday, according to NWS Seattle.

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Conditions are dangerous and access routes may be lost at any time, King County OEM said in its bulletin.

The Washington National Guard has announced that it is sending members to King County "for support" in wake of the flash flood warning.

Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes amid the historic flooding in Washington state, according to NBC News.

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on Wednesday, Dec. 10, one week after a significant atmospheric river and winter weather event began on Tuesday, Dec. 2.



Brandon Bell/Getty In an aerial view, a person stands atop of property engulfed by floodwater on December 14, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. In an aerial view, a person stands atop of property engulfed by floodwater on December 14, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington.

As of Monday morning, more than 250 Guard members were out "supporting on-going flood response operations in Western WA," according to a post on X from the Washington National Guard.

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"Our team has filled nearly 15,000 sandbags, continue to support traffic control points, evacuations, hoist missions and swift water rescues," they stated.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a separate a post on X, Ferguson said he "deeply" appreciates the work being done by the National Guard as the flood disaster unfolds.

"If you see National Guard service members out in our communities, they're here to keep Washingtonians safe," Ferguson added.

Read the original article on People
On the Monday, December 15 2025, episode of The Excerpt podcast: In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to hold the position of Speaker of the House. Now after nearly four decades of service, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic representative of California, has announced she will be stepping down in January 2027. What will her legacy be?

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

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Susan Page:

In 2007, she became the first woman to hold the position of Speaker of the House. She led Democrats in the House for two decades and was crucial in passing the signature legislation of Obamacare. Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Susan Page, USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief. Today is Monday, December 15th, 2025.

Now, after nearly four decades of service, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic representative of California, has announced she will be stepping down in January 2027. What will her legacy be? Speaker Pelosi, thank you so much for joining us.

Nancy Pelosi:

My pleasure. Thank you.

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Susan Page:

You were just mentioning your grandchildren at Thanksgiving. Were your grandchildren surprised by your decision not to seek another term?

Nancy Pelosi:

I don't think they saw me as a speaker, I think they saw me as a grandmother, and I'm not giving up that. No, I don't know whether they were surprised. It really didn't come up. We don't really talk about my career when we're there for Thanksgiving.

Susan Page:

How about your husband, was he surprised?

Nancy Pelosi:

No, I don't think so. I mean, I basically said last year that I would run one more time in order to win the election for the Democrats. In order to be a factor in an election, it's easier to do so legally, with all the rules that govern as a member of congress. And so this is my mission. And I told people then, they said, "You are setting out to win? Are you going to win?" I said, "I'll let you know in one year." And one year from then, now, yes, we are going to win. It's absolute.

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Susan Page:

We were all so sorry by the attack on your husband. How is he doing?

Nancy Pelosi:

He's doing okay. I think getting hit on the head is something that is... Although, it's all reconstruction, the brain, the whole thing is traumatic, and as well as physical. However, it stays with you. You get dizzy and you can fall, you break something. So it has ramifications beyond the incident. But he's lovely. I feel terrible because they're looking for me, they get him. He pays the physical price. Our children pay it traumatic. Our children and grandchildren, a traumatic effect. But he's lovely and good.

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Susan Page:

Well, that's good to hear. Was this a hard decision to make?

Nancy Pelosi:

No, it wasn't hard at all. I don't know why people even think it was. No, it was time. I mean, I've been ready for a while, too. My life does not depend on my being in congress. And I was hoping Hillary would win. Was really shocked when she didn't. And then decided that we had to come back and win, which we did in '18, winning 40 seats, 31 of them in Trump districts. And now we have to win again and we will.

Susan Page:

But you stuck around because Donald Trump was going to become president and you've certainly played a big role in his first term in regaining the House. And I know that you're not a person given to regrets, but I wonder if you regret leaving this official job in Washington at a time President Trump is still in power in The White House.

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Nancy Pelosi:

No, because I have, shall we say, no power right now, nor would I... I'll have less when I'm not in congress, but that doesn't mean I'm without influence. And there are many people outside the congress, including I will be one in a year, who can be making the fight. And I have no regrets about that. And no, I don't regrets because we have great people. And our leadership in the ranks of the Democratic Party in the House, I'm so proud of them. They're going to do a great job. Bring a new, fresh perspective.

Susan Page:

You think Democrats will win the House back in the midterms?

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Nancy Pelosi:

I don't think they're going to win, I know that Democrats are going to win. It is absolutely so. We only need three seats for Hakeem to be speaker. I want more like 30. Somewhere in between or maybe beyond that. We will win the House.

Susan Page:

One more thing, touching on the 2024 election. You played a key role in encouraging President Biden to think about withdrawing as the nominee. I know that was tough. Have you and President Biden spoken since then?

Nancy Pelosi:

No, but I want to just recharacterize what you said. My conversations with the president were more about, let's make sure we're understanding what the polls say and there's certain attitudes that the public have that have they been taken into consideration. If they had sat down with more pollsters, it might have come to a place where we said, "This is it. The president should go." But they just decided that their polls were right and that was that. So I didn't go in there to say to the president, "You shouldn't run." I said, "We've got to compare polls, because we have different numbers."

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Susan Page:

You and President Biden have been friends for so many years. Is it disappointing to you that you haven't spoken?

Nancy Pelosi:

Well, I'm saddened by it because I love him and respect him, but I respect his decision in that regard. He did make a lovely statement when I announced my future plans, and I'm grateful to him for that. It was very lovely, yeah.

Susan Page:

Just talking about President Trump, not about his ideology, which of course you disagree with in many ways, but in terms of his health, his cognition, his vigor, do you have concerns about that or not?

Nancy Pelosi:

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I have concerns about it, but it isn't about his ideology, it's about his lack of success. We have an administration that is corrupt, incoherent, chaotic, cruel, young. So if you're talking about policy, that's one thing. If you're talking about what is this guy doing for the American people, it's just ain't there, except giving tax cuts to the rest of people in America while he cuts millions of people out of Medicaid, while he cuts half a trillion dollars out of Medicare, while he says he can't afford... appeals to the Supreme Court to not make him feed the children in the SNAP Act during the shutdown, so that he could have more money to give tax cuts to the richest people in America. I think that's sick.

Susan Page:

I wonder, you're confident Democrats will regain the House in the midterms, should Democrats think about impeaching President Trump if they do?

Nancy Pelosi:

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The person most responsible for impeaching President Trump when I was speaker was President Trump. He gave us no choice. He crossed the line in his telephone call with President Zelensky as one manifestation of his disrespect for the constitution, his jeopardizing the sanctity of our own elections in our country and the rest. And then of course, January 6th. He can try to change the narrative all he wants, but we will be there to make sure the public knows the truth about January 6th. Was an insurrection incited by the President of the United States. Then he goes and pardons people who are beating up cops, thinking he's pro safety. Beating up cops and then now... Look at this, freeing a drug dealer who was president of Honduras, responsible for participating in 400 tons of drugs coming into the United States and saying, "We're going to jam them up in the noses of the gringos." And the president pardons him. And then he's bombing ships that says they have drugs coming into the country. There's something wrong with this picture.

Now, okay, let me just say this, that's that. I'm here on the positive side to make sure great people, values-based, honoring the vision of our founders, especially in the year of our anniversary of our country, honoring the vision of our founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the dreams and aspirations of our children. I'm really not here to talk about the incoherence, the cruelty, the corruption of the current President of the United States.

Susan Page:

But just to make sure I understand you, this should not be the agenda of Democrats for this last years.

Nancy Pelosi:

No. I mean, let's see if he crosses the border again. But that's not an incidental thing you say, "We're going to do that." No, there has to be cause. There has to be reason. We had review. This was a very serious, historic thing. And our founders knew that there could be a rogue president, and that's why they put impeachment in the constitution. They didn't know there'd be a rogue president at the same time a rogue senate that didn't have the courage to do the right thing. It was bipartisan in the senate, but it wasn't enough.

Susan Page:

You'd mentioned that you won't have the power that you've had in the past when you're out of congress, but you will have influence. Tell me what you envision yourself doing after you're out of congress.

Nancy Pelosi:

Well, there are many options. It's a funny thing, because people say that to me and they say, "Well, what are you going to do next," and how about would you consider this or that? And I said, "I don't have to do... I'm old, I don't have to do anything else." But I have the energy. I think it's from being Italian. I think it's from eating a lot of dark chocolate. Whatever it is, I don't ever feel any less energetic than I ever have. But it's about the children and it's about our country. I mean, I grew up in a very patriotic family in little Italy in Baltimore. We were devout Catholics. We were proud of our Italian American heritage. We were fiercely patriotic. And in our case, staunchly Democratic.

Susan Page:

You see yourself raising money, giving advice.

Nancy Pelosi:

Yeah, all that. Well, advice that people wanted. But basically they have to be themselves. And the best advice I ever got when I was running for office, especially... well, the first time was when I ran for congress, was, "Just be yourself, the authentic you." That is what matters to people, the sincerity, the integrity of it all.

Susan Page:

Is there anything you couldn't do in congress, that you can do when you're out of congress that you're looking forward to doing?

Nancy Pelosi:

One thing that I say from time to time, is being in congress for all these years, you really don't have as much time as you would like to be a friend. Your friends have ups and downs and this or that, and you really can't be there for them because you have to be there for the vote.

Susan Page:

Your proudest achievement?

Nancy Pelosi:

Affordable Care Act. There's absolutely no question. For a hundred years, presidents had tried, Democratic presidents, it was Republican, too. Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman got close with Medicare, LBJ, so fabulous Medicare and Medicaid, the Clintons, everybody tried, but Barack Obama came with the intention to do this and we have plans for it. We've always been... When I came to congress, that was my issue, healthcare. And of course relating to HIV and AIDS at that time, but the larger issue as well. So when he was president, it gave us the opportunity. And he knew it chapter and verse. But when it's accomplished, it's really an accomplishment. And he called and said, "When you pass the bill, I'm happier tonight than I was when I was elected President of the United States." And I said, "Well, Mr. President, I don't agree. I'm happy tonight, you can be sure, but if you had not been elected President of the United States, we would not have this victory tonight."

Susan Page:

So that's your proudest achievement. What's been your biggest disappointment?

Nancy Pelosi:

My disappointment, always have and I'll never give up on it, is guns. A four letter word, guns. Guns. That children would be dying in a classroom that families... Just the saddest thing. But it's about two things, that politicians should think that their political survival is more important than the survival of children and families in our country. And that the gun industry, I'm not talking about lobbyists here, I'm talking about the gun industry with endless, big money, just deciding that they are going to have it their way at the cost of lives in our country so they can make a profit. And it's a global issue, too. I mean, you understand that guns are very a border issue as well. But they don't care. They just care about making money. So it's money and power and kids pay the price and families pay the price.

Susan Page:

When you arrived, there were 12 Democrats, Democratic women in congress, now there are 96.

Nancy Pelosi:

96.

Susan Page:

Quite the increase. Democrats have nominated two women for president and they both lost to Donald Trump. What's the lesson of that experience? And do you think a woman will be elected president in your lifetime?

Nancy Pelosi:

I certainly hope so. How I think about it is I always thought that a woman would be President of the United States long before a woman would be Speaker of the House. This place is just so, it's not a glass ceiling, it's a marble ceiling. So 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.

As it turns out, I became speaker because one thing was we decided we're going to have more women in congress, and that gave us more members of congress, and therefore we had the majority. I helped create that. I became speaker. But I would never have thought that. I would have thought outside there's more interest in it. There's so much enthusiasm. As I said, I think Hillary Clinton was the best qualified person. And I think that Kamala Harris did a great job. There's so much enthusiasm that she engendered in her campaigns. But I think people are getting more ready for it. I think it's probably, maybe, maybe not in my lifetime, but within this next generation, there'll be a woman. Yeah.

Susan Page:

I wonder what you think about the direction of the Democratic Party that you've led for so long. Is mayor like Mamdani the new face, do you think, of the Democratic Party?

Nancy Pelosi:

I don't think any mayor is the new face. I mean, we have a great mayor in San Francisco, and he's wonderful and he's doing a great job. I wish the mayor success. I want mayors to succeed, coming from the mayor's family where I lived my whole life, when my father was mayor and my brother was mayor. But I don't think you define who the face of the party is, that has to emerge from the party. And here's the thing, and count on this, in '05 we said in the first year, the president's numbers, President Bush was 58% in January, 38% in September, because he gave us a gift, he was going to privatize social security. He says, "Nancy, I was only partially privatizing." And I said, "Yes, that's good enough for me." Take his numbers down.

Trump, the next time in September, we went out there 10,000 events on the Affordable Care Act and what it meant to people. I'm not talking about the provisions or the politics, I'm talking about, "My wife had breast cancer, and this is what the bill meant to me, the law meant to me." "My father had a stroke." "My baby came home from the hospital with a heart condition." That we won 40 seats, 31 of them in Trump districts.

So a year in advance is where you see what that is. Okay, so we knew in '06, when we won, that we were going to win The White House. We knew in '18, when we won, we knew we were going to win The White House in '20. And now we know when we win the House, next year is our path to The White House. And we have a big bench, some women on it. Maybe more women will join that bench. And we have a Democratic congress to talk about the issues in a way that the press will cover. The press doesn't really cover so much in the House, Democrats in the House, because we don't have power. We have power, it's a different story. We won't be able to get his signature on things maybe, but we'll be able to slow down the terror that he is inflicting on the country.

Susan Page:

You talked about the fundamental concerns you have about President Trump and his leadership. Do you think that democracy is in peril now?

Nancy Pelosi:

Yeah, of course it is. What is democracy? Democracy is free and fair elections. I rest my case on him. It's an independent judiciary. Okay? It's due process. Right? It's freedom of the press. All of those factors are a part of a democracy. I think freedom of the press is the biggest defender of democracy. And what did he do? He did what autocrats do, try to diminish the power of the press, the influence of the press. That's a vicious thing to do. But I don't think you save it by having that conversation. That was what the conversation was before. You save the constitution of the United States, you save our democracy. You celebrate our 250th anniversary at the kitchen table. What are the issues that matter to people in their lives? The health, education, the economic security of their families, that's what saves the democracy. When people vote, see their interests served by one party or another.

Susan Page:

Speaker Pelosi, thank you so much for joining us.

Nancy Pelosi:

You're welcome. My pleasure.

Susan Page:

Thanks to our senior producer, Kaely Monahan for her production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Susan Page, USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Without a doubt, Obamacare is her greatest accomplishment, says Pelosi | The Excerpt
Funding to research new ways to control the sea lamprey, the invasive vacuum cleaner of the Great Lakes, is at risk. The development is prompting concerns from locals and observers.

What's happening?

Wisconsin Public Radio reported on how threatened funding and potential newfound resilience could lead to a comeback for the prolific fish-killer. The invasive lamprey uses a powerful suction-cup mouth to attach to fish, employs its 100 jagged teeth, and then kills them at a ruthless six-in-seven rate.

"They're kind of something out of a horror movie," journalist Katie Thornton told WPR. While the lamprey spares humans from its wrath, its presence can devastate native fish such as lake trout and whitefish.

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That was what happened from 1944-1954, when Lake Michigan's commercial trout harvests decreased by a remarkable 98%. The government responded by forming the nonprofit Great Lakes Fishery Commission in the 1950s.

This organization discovered a chemical that specifically targeted lampreys, leading to a revival of native fish populations. From there, it was smooth sailing until the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, cuts by the Department of Governmental Efficiency impacted treatment.

While that funding and staffing have been restored, there are concerning signs that the lamprey may be developing immunity to the pesticide. That alarm is heightened by the Trump administration's proposed 79% funding cut to the Great Lakes Science Center, a key player in researching alternative treatments.

Why are potential cuts to lamprey research important?

Left untreated, the invasive sea lamprey is a complete menace. During COVID, Thornton revealed that one lake exploded with a tenfold rise in lampreys in just one year. That spells certain doom for fish that are both food and livelihood for many Midwesterners.

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While the threat has been neutralized for some time with an effective pesticide and treatment, resting on those laurels is a dangerous proposition. The invader is lethal and can make an impact incredibly quickly. Getting caught flat-footed would be devastating to the local fish population.

Thornton revealed that the process of identifying the chemical that controls lamprey took over five years and 5,000 attempts, which shows the dangers of waiting.

What's being done about potential cuts to lamprey research?

Thornton suggested to WPR that even in a Michigan region that is generally pro-Trump, there was widespread support for preserving the research funding. Locals remember the havoc the sea lamprey can wreak on the fish population and aren't eager to take their chances.

While the funding remains in balance, scientists are working on alternative paths to controlling the invasive species.

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These involve a lot of cutting-edge technology, like electric dams that keep lampreys out through transmitted electric currents. Artificial intelligence is another option for detecting fish and blocking them from entering unwanted waters.

A different approach includes using the scent of dead lampreys to control their movements. Another venture includes introducing sterile males into the population.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Chileans elected a hard-right candidate who has pledged to build a border wall to deter migrants as president on Sunday.

Far right former congressman Jose Antonio Kast, 59, son of a Nazi party member, built his campaign on a promise to remove tens of thousands of undocumented migrants from the country.

He beat Jeannette Jara, 51, a former labor minister in the administration of center-left president Gabriel Boric. Jara conceded defeated just before the polls closed.

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"Democracy has spoken loud and clear," she wrote on social media. "I have just spoken with president-elect [Kast] to wish him success for the good of Chile."

"To those who supported us and were inspired by our candidacy, rest assured that we will continue working to build a better life in our country. Together and standing strong, as we always have."

Jara, the leading candidate of the left-wing coalition, finished the first round of polling with 27%, but right-wing candidates, including Kast, secured more than half of the votes.

Kast is a known admirer of Chilean military strongman Augusto Pinochet, and a staunch opponent of abortion rights and same sex marriage.

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It was Kast's third attempt at the presidency, and his success mirrors a trend of ultra-right conservative victories across Latin America, including in Chile, which has seen a sharp upturn in murder and other violent crime in recent years as international criminal groups have stepped into a country that has long been considered relatively docile.

The fear has spread to other Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, Ecuador and Argentina.

The Chilean presidential campaign featured a bitter fight between Jara and Kast, with each attacking the other's ability to address crime, migration problems and a lagging economy.

Jara pledged to attract more investment in the country and to secure the border while also addressing health care needs. Kast, who fashioned his policies and campaign style after U.S. President Donald Trump, ran on corporate tax cuts, deregulation and deporting undocumented migrants.

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Both used the approval rating of the outgoing Boric's flagging approval rating, hovering at 30%, as a platform for their campaigns, pledging to improve on the job he has done.

Boric is considered to have failed to fulfill most of his stated agenda to strengthen public services. He also fell short on his mission to address problems brought on by organized crime, election watchers have said.

Voters have called for more migration reform, tighter security and for the country to distance itself from Boric's failed policies.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to P&F USA to begin the randomised, controlled TRICAV II pivotal trial of the TricValve transcatheter bicaval valve system for individuals with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and right heart failure (RHF).

The study compares the system with optimal medical therapy (OMT) against only OMT.

TricValve is a minimally invasive treatment and has secured a breakthrough device designation, offering a treatment pathway for those who do not have surgical or transcatheter alternatives which are commercially available.

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P&F USA is the subsidiary of Austria-based P&F Products and Features, a heart valve manufacturer.

The US regulator previously granted authorisation for the early feasibility trial, TRICAV I, assessing the system in 110 individuals at 50 sites in the US.

In December 2024, the FDA approved the TRICAV Is system expansion from 15 to 50 patients at 50 US sites via the investigational device exemption (IDE) G240065.

The system has received CE Mark and is available in approximately 70 nations, with more than 3,000 patients receiving the treatment.

According to P&F USA, severe TR is linked with progressive RHF, diminished quality of life, and frequent hospitalisations.

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Comprising two biological, self-expanding valves, the system is intended to address haemodynamically significant tricuspid insufficiency and caval reflux.

P&F USA noted that the system is a heterotopic solution in which the valves are implanted percutaneously into the right atrium and secured using long stents placed in the vena cava.

P&F co-founder and CEO Katharina Kiss, alongside COO and president Siegfried Einhellig, said: The TRICAV II pivotal trial offers new hope for patients with severe TR who currently have no suitable surgical or transcatheter treatment options.

The TricValve system was developed specifically to address this underserved population with a safe, minimally invasive solution.

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"FDA approves P&Fs transcatheter bicaval valve system trial" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Current and former lawmakers from both major parties are demanding accountability and change from state leadership and the Maryland National Guard after The Baltimore Sun uncovered repeated staff abuses of the vulnerable teens enrolled over the last six years in the states Guard-run camp for at-risk youth, the Freestate Challenge Academy.

Internal incident reports, investigative and disciplinary records, as well as criminal charges The Sun reviewed showed teens at the camp were subject to violent attacks 14 times since 2019. Nine of the attacks teens suffered were by the very staff charged with caring for them.

Calling the reports out of Freestate deeply concerning and unacceptable, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, called for the program to take accountability for its failures and work to ensure its cadets were safe from harm in the future.

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While the camp repeatedly dismissed staff who were violent with the 16- to 18-year-olds, each year, more staff hit and humiliated the teens  or encouraged them to hurt one another. Staff punched, slapped, and screamed at teens.

Two staff members were dismissed and charged with starting an after-hours fight club in which they encouraged the teens to beat each other. A lawsuit brought by one of the staff members, who alleged he was wrongfully dismissed from the camp, Marcus Lisbon, details that he and the other staffer participated in the fight club, beating the teens themselves.

A youth advocate and a clinical psychologist who studies youth and violence told The Sun the reports of regular abuse indicated staff training was insufficient.

Lisbons fellow staffer, Michael Roundtree, wrote to Adjutant Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, who heads the Maryland National Guard after his dismissal, alleging the same. The letter was included in Lisbons suit against the Maryland Military Department.

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During my brief time at Freestate, I have always put my best efforts to fulfill my job responsibility, his fellow staff member, Michael Roundtree, said in the letter. Without having the proper training in policy and procedure, I was left to model myself after the example of my leadership, but to no avail. It led me on a path of unprofessional and self-destructive behavior. While this is no excuse  it did directly affect my understanding and knowledge of how to properly perform my duties.

Lisbon referred The Sun to his lawyer, who hung up on a journalist. Roundtree did not respond to a request for comment.

State failed Freestate teens

When these things fail, they fail the victims in three ways, said former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich, a Republican. Its a bad investment of taxpayer dollars, state and federal, and youve failed these kids. Youve made them worse and youve made the streets more unsafe. Its lose-lose-lose.

Theres so many related issues  challenged families, failing schools, troubled kids, drugs. Sometimes, youre creating a more dangerous kid whos going to end up in the adult system, Ehrlich said.

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Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, declined to comment on the abuses The Sun reported, or say if there were plans to improve staff training or implement stricter hiring standards.

Birckhead closed Freestate in September after an inspection by a National Guard representative found the facility inadequate to house the teens; the Maryland Guard has said it plans to reopen Freestate after renovations are completed.

But state leaders, past and present, say Freestate needs to make significant changes to its culture before reopening.

The Challenge Academy serves especially vulnerable young people, Alsobrooks said. I, alongside our federal delegation, expect to see full accountability for these horrific acts and a plan of action that will prevent such violence from happening once the Academy reopens.

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Her counterpart, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, called on the Guard to implement stronger hiring and training practices before reopening the camp.

I have been deeply troubled by reports that call into question the ability of Freestate Challenge Academy to provide its cadets with a quality education in a safe environment, Van Hollen said to The Sun in a statement. While Ive been encouraged to see some accountability, the persistent pattern of violence that has been demonstrated is simply not acceptable. The Maryland National Guard must ensure full accountability for these actions.

Van Hollen told The Sun in November he was in conversation with the Guard following earlier reporting about its duty to ensure the physical safety and mental well-being of [Freestate] cadets. He did not respond to a question asking what the conversation entailed or revealed.

A familiar story

The Maryland Military Department and Maryland National Guard declined to tell The Sun what training Freestate staff are given for dealing with adolescents, what backgrounds they hire from and how staff are qualified to work with and reshape adolescent behavior.

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The current Maryland Military Department leadership remains committed to providing the safest possible environment for young people who choose to participate in the Freestate Challenge Academy, said Maryland Military Department Public Affairs Manager Chazz Kibbler in November. We take seriously any allegation of misconduct and acted quickly and appropriately whenever concerns were brought to our attention.

The Challenge program is federally funded and free to attendees, created in 1993 using Department of Defense monies, but each Challenge Academy is overseen by its states Guard. Governors serve as the commander-in-chief of their states National Guard troops.

Ehrlich, who governed the state from 2003 to 2007, told The Sun these abuses were worrisome, but unsurprising.

This has been a troubled agency for decades, Ehrlich said. Its a familiar story for those of us in public service.

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The general concept of these tough-love, boot camps and all that, its a good idea and they have worked at certain times. But, he said, Theres some essential elements. You have got to have a sound plan, quality staff and leadership. In this case, all three appear to be lacking.

Ehrlich said hed like to see joint leadership from the governor, the state secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, and the General Assembly.

This is all happening here, Ehrlich said. These are our kids.

State leader urges public schools to avoid recommending Freestate

State Del. Lauren Arikan, a Republican in whose district resides Aberdeen Proving Ground, home to Freestate, told The Sun she was sharing the papers reporting with Harford County Public Schools and would encourage them to refrain from recommending the program to Harford County students and families.

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Until the public has a clear understanding of what kind of staff training there is and how the program intends to make sure this never occurs again through strengthened hurting processes, Harford County Public Schools should absolutely not be recommending this program as an option for our struggling students, Arikan said.

A former Bel Air public school student who enrolled in the camp in 2022 told The Sun he was attacked by other teens in the middle of the night and beaten in the head with a homemade blackjack. Despite staff knowledge of earlier nocturnal attacks, he said, they did not maintain a consistent watch throughout the night, leaving the teens unattended for up to a half-hour at a time.

(The attack the former cadet, Nathanael Royal, described did not appear in the incident report records the program provided The Sun.)

The public also deserves to understand why there have been repeated staffing failures leading to harm to kids. Its beyond disturbing, Arikan said. Even one staff member behaving in such a manner should have launched a hiring process overhaul. The fact that multiple  employees have been fired over violent behavior is unacceptable.

Contact investigative journalist Kate Cimini at 443-842-2621 or kcimini@baltsun.com.
The Madison Social Security Administration field office. The federal Administration for Children and Families is calling on states, including Wisconsin, to stop diverting Social Security and other federal benefits that are supposed to be made available to foster children. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Federal officials are urging 39 states, including Wisconsin, to quit hoarding federal benefits that are supposed to go to children in foster care, but that agencies instead take to help pay for their foster care expenses.

The practice has been going on in various states for two decades or more, according to advocates who have been calling to ban it for nearly as long.

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Wisconsin is among the states that received letters last week from the federal Administration for Children and Families, calling on them to stop diverting Social Security survivors benefits that are supposed to go to foster children.

Every earned benefit dollar belongs to these foster youth, not the government agencies or bureaucrats, said Alex J. Adams, the ACF assistant secretary, in a press release from ACF and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ACF has notified all 39 governors who allow this practice and aims to work with states to end it, the press release stated. The goal is to ensure these earned benefits are no longer taken from foster youth and are instead preserved to support them as they transition out of state care.

In Wisconsin, the office of Gov. Tony Evers pointed to a provision Evers included in his proposed 2025-27 state budget to end the practice, but that Republican lawmakers removed without comment at the start of budget deliberations.

Daniel Hatcher (University of Baltimore photo)

Its been a long-time issue now, but unfortunately it has been largely under the radar, said Daniel Hatcher, a University of Baltimore law professor and an early critic of the practice. Hatcher has advocated on behalf of affected foster children for more than two decades and written extensively about the issue, including in the Wisconsin Law Review.

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A Marshall Project-National Public Radio project in 2021 found that 49 states at the time were rerouting foster childrens federal benefits to cover some of their costs. Hatcher said that has helped raise more attention to the issue.

I think most people, when you talk to them about this practice, when they understand whats going on, theyre outraged, Hatcher told the Wisconsin Examiner.

Foster children who would qualify for Social Security survivors benefits or veterans survivor benefits because their parents have died, as well as foster children who themselves have disabilities and qualify for Social Security disability payments (SSI) have all been affected, Hatcher said.

Hatcher first publicized the practice in a 2006 law review article that documented how state and local child welfare agencies, or the private contractors that they engage to manage their programs, were intercepting federal benefits that are supposed to go to foster children.

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The agencies identify foster children who are disabled or have deceased or disabled parents, apply for Social Security benefits on the childrens behalf, and then take the childrens benefits to reimburse foster care costs for which the children have no legal obligation, Hatcher wrote.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2003 upheld the practice, but advocates have been fighting to end it ever since.

In Wisconsin, Hatcher wrote in a 2018 op-ed article for the CapTimes, the administration of then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a contract in 2011 with Maximus Inc. that the management company used to increase the number of children classified as disabled and to locate children with deceased birth parents  not to provide more services to the children, but so the state can take their resources.

Drawing on public records, Hatcher estimated that the contract yielded at least $3 million in survivor and disability benefits from foster children each year in Milwaukee County alone, and the state has been taking millions more from foster children in other jurisdictions.

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Earlier this year the Evers administration estimated that about $3.2 million each year was being diverted from foster childrens SSI or Social Security survivors benefits, with about 95% going to fund the foster care system. The figures were cited in a Legislative Fiscal Bureaus March summary of Evers proposed 2025-27 budget.

The governors budget proposal included a provision to end the diversion and instead deposit the benefits in trust funds for each child in foster care.

The proposal also included language to prohibit the Department of Children and Families or county child welfare agencies from using those funds to pay for foster care. DCF officials said the department would seek additional funding in the state budget to replace what counties lost as a result, according to the fiscal bureaus summary.

The proposal to stop diverting the benefits was one of more than 600 items in Evers draft budget that the Republican majority on the Legislatures budget-writing Joint Finance Committee deleted on the first day of budget deliberations.

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Asked whether the Evers administration had any comment on the federal notice last week, the governors communications director, Britt Cudaback, replied in an email message, Nothing beyond the fact we already tried to address this, but Republican lawmakers rejected the effort.

Before his confirmation as ACF assistant secretary, Adams was director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. In May, he directed the department to stop diverting foster childrens survivor benefits, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

Idaho is one of 11 states that have ended the diversion of survivor benefits, according to the DHS/ACF press release.

Amy Harfeld (Courtesy photo)

The Childrens Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego has identified at least eight states and the District of Columbia that have completely banned the diversion of all benefits designated for foster children. A number of other states have attempted to stop the diversion of selected benefits.

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The federal notice marks an important step in the campaign to end the practice, said Amy Harfeld, the institutes national policy director.

Were very excited about what this does, Harfeld told the Wisconsin Examiner. It doesnt fix the whole problem but it sets a really solid marker in the ground that not only keeps states moving forward but leads toward the next changes that need to be made to actually put an end to it.

The Childrens Advocacy Institute acknowledges Wisconsins unsuccessful attempt to curb the practice in the 2025 budget.

With the failure of that effort, however, Wisconsin isnt looking so good right now, Harfeld said. Its one of only 11 states that havent done anything.

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The Reichstag building is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Dec. 15, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday concluded two days of talks with U.S. representatives in Berlin, describing them as "productive," while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said recent diplomatic momentum has made a ceasefire conceivable. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

BERLIN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday concluded two days of talks with U.S. representatives in Berlin, describing them as "productive," while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said recent diplomatic momentum has made a ceasefire conceivable.

Zelensky's discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner lasted several hours on Sunday and Monday.

Speaking later Monday at the 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum in Berlin, Zelensky said the important conversations with the U.S. side are always complex, difficult, but very productive this time. He stressed the need to preserve Ukraine's dignity and said the diplomatic efforts to end this conflict would continue.

Ukraine's top peace negotiator Rustem Umerov said on social media platform X that the talks have been constructive, with "real progress achieved."

"We hope we will reach an agreement that will bring us closer to peace by the end of the day," said Umerov, who also serves as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Umerov added that the American team led by Witkoff and Kushner is "working extremely constructively" to help Ukraine find a path to a lasting peace agreement.

German newspaper Die Welt reported that U.S. negotiators were pressing Ukraine to give up the Donbas region as part of the settlement.

Asked at a press conference on Monday whether the United States was demanding Ukraine's withdrawal from territory it controls, Zelensky said the U.S. side was not making its own territorial demands. He acknowledged, however, that Ukraine and the United States still hold differing positions on territorial issues.

Before the Monday meeting, Zelensky had voiced rejection of the U.S.-proposed plan to establish a "free economic zone" in parts of the eastern Donbas region, saying it is unfair due to a lack of clarity over governance. He stressed that Ukraine needs clear security guarantees before making decisions on the front line.

At the same press conference, Merz said that the United States had offered security guarantees, and that the recent diplomatic momentum had made a ceasefire "conceivable."

He stressed that any ceasefire must be secured by substantial legal and material security guarantees from the United States and Europe.

While the peace process is still at an early stage, the chance for progress is real, Merz added.

EUROPEAN LEADERS' GUARANTEES

A group of European leaders, including Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday evening issued a joint statement welcoming the "significant progress."

The leaders committed to working together to provide robust security guarantees, including maintaining Ukraine's armed forces at a peacetime level of 800,000 troops.

According to the statement, the guarantees include a European-led "multinational force" operating inside Ukraine to help secure the country's skies and seas, as well as a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.

On the issue of territory, the leaders emphasized that decisions are "for the people of Ukraine" once security guarantees are effectively in place.

During his visit, Zelensky also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner.

In a statement, Zelensky said that he and Steinmeier shared a position on the importance of ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of its national interests. He also discussed with Kloeckner mechanisms to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

Commenting on the diplomatic talks in Berlin, Armin Laschet, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Germany's Bundestag, said the efforts have demonstrated a will to strengthen Europe's role in diplomacy.

Given shifts in U.S. security strategy, Europe needs greater strength and sovereignty of its own, Laschet said.

During Zelensky's visit, Germany announced a new 10-point plan to support Ukraine's defense industry, including weapon procurement and high-level consultations.

German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems said Monday it is working with Ukrainian company Frontline Robotics to establish Europe's first "fully automated, industrial-scale" foreign production line for drones for the Ukrainian armed forces.

The cooperation will supply the Ukrainian army with thousands of drones, said Frontline Robotics CEO Yevhen Tretiak.

In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Europe's role in the Ukraine conflict. He blamed Europe for providing Kiev with weapons, money, and intelligence, saying Europe is "waging a war" with Russia. 
Fire breaks out at 3-story motel on Las Vegas Strip

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas Fire & Rescue crews responded to reports of a building fire at an abandoned motel along the Las Vegas Strip Sunday morning.

The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue received multiple callers reporting smoke and flames just after 9 a.m. at the Three Story Motel, located at 1508 South Las Vegas Boulevard.

Firefighters found flames originating on the first floor, with the fire extending into four units. Crews quickly began searching the building to make sure no one was inside.

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The first floor was declared clear at 9:22 a.m., and firefighters continued checking the upper levels to ensure the fire had not spread further. A primary all clear for the entire building was given at 9:29 a.m.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not yet been released.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
WASHINGTON  A top official at the U.S. Department of Education has been keeping a controversial flag linked to Christian nationalism and the Jan. 6 insurrection hung outside his office, according to the agency's union and a department employee who has observed it.

It's the latest in a series of instances in which the flag  which depicts a pine tree and the words "An Appeal to Heaven"  has been associated with agencies and figures at the highest levels of the federal government.

Though long tied to the American Revolution, the banner in more recent years "has been adopted primarily by evangelical Christian nationalist groups," as well as the Proud Boys and certain neo-Nazi groups, according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, an independent nonprofit organization. It was flown in 2021 by rioters at the U.S. Capitol as they tried to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results.

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The symbol's emergence at the agency responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in federal funding for the nation's schools is already raising concerns about the separation of church and state.

Read more: Education Department braces for further dismantling

Protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. A pro-Trump mob later stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. An "Appeal to Heaven" flag is seen being flown by a supporter.

Rachel Gittleman, the president of the union for Education Department workers nationwide, said in a statement that the agency "has no place for symbols that were carried by insurrectionists."

Since January, hardworking public servants at the U.S. Department of Education have been subjected to threats, harassment, and sustained demoralization," she said. "Now, they are being asked to work in an environment where a senior leader is prominently displaying an offensive flag  one that, regardless of its origins in the American Revolution, has come to represent intolerance, hatred, and extremism."

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In a statement to USA TODAY, the Education Department did not confirm the flag's existence or address concerns related to its ties to extremist ideology.

"As usual, union members are more concerned about imagined grievances and silly political fights than the abysmal test scores of our nations students," said Madi Biedermann, the deputy assistant secretary for communications.

It's not clear how long the banner has been hung outside the D.C. office of Murray Bessette, the principal deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.

Before joining the Trump administration, Bessette previously oversaw academic programs at the Alexander Hamilton Society, a nonprofit that prepares young people for careers in foreign policy and national security. Earlier in his career, he worked at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. He has a doctorate in political science from Claremont Graduate University.

An "Appeal to Heaven" flag is seen outside of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) office on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2024. The flag was touted by rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

In June, the Small Business Administration flew the "An Appeal to Heaven" flag during a ceremony, but it was only raised for about a day, according to the magazine WIRED. Last year, The New York Times reported that the banner was spotted outside the vacation home of conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in the summer of 2023. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has at times displayed the symbol outside his Capitol Hill office.

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Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'An Appeal to Heaven' flag seen hanging at Education Department office
Dec 15 (Reuters) - A levee breach in Washington state following days of heavy rain led to a flash flood warning and evacuation orders, but authorities said on Monday that repairs were underway.

King County's director of emergency management Brendan McCluskey told the Seattle Times that repairs could take several hours and that officials were closely monitoring the Desimone Levee in Tukwila along the Green River, about five miles south of downtown Seattle, where a car-sized chunk of the levee was washed away by floodwaters.

Images showed workers using heavy equipment to drop large sandbags into the hole, working to keep it from growing.

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Calls to McCluskey's office, along with that of the state Emergency Management Division, were not immediately returned.

The National Weather Service said its flood warning related to the levee failure would remain in effect until at least 9 p.m. (0500 GMT Tuesday).

The Washington National Guard said that it was sending Guard members to King County. The Guard has already been helping flood-impacted residents in the western part of the state over the weekend.

Authorities have been concerned about levee breaches for days around Washington state, as torrential downpours hit a wide swath of the Pacific Northwest.

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The rains were spawned by a string of atmospheric river storms, vast airborne currents of dense moisture siphoned from the ocean, that swept inland over the Pacific Northwest, including parts of northern Idaho and western Montana, with upward of 20 inches of rain falling in some areas over the course of a week.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; editing by Donna Bryson, Nick Zieminski and Shri Navaratnam)
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Ex-Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala was sentenced Monday in France to 30 years in prison over atrocities committed two decades ago during the Second Congo War, in a verdict that rights groups hailed as overcoming long-standing impunity in the Congo.

Lumbala was found guilty in a Paris criminal court on charges of complicity of crimes against humanity. A lawyer for Lumbala, who has ten days to file an appeal, called the sentence excessive.

The 67-year-old led the Congolese Rally for National Democracy, a rebel group backed by neighboring Uganda and accused of atrocities against civilians, particularly targeting the Nande and Bambuti ethnic minorities in eastern Congo in 2002 and 2003.

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The group committed widespread torture, executions, rape, forced labor and sexual slavery, according to U.N. reports.

Victims open up about abuses

David Karamay Kasereka, 41, one of the victims testifying at the trial said his father and several of his neighbors, all of the Nande ethnic group, were tortured and killed by Lumbalas men.

The Congolese Rally for National Democracy specifically targeted the Nande people, which they suspected of supporting a rival militia.

Kasereka described how one of his neighbors had his ear cut and was forced to eat it. When he refused, they cut his right forearm before shooting him.

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I was just a teenager at the time, Kasereka said. The consequences still affect me to this day, he added, describing regularly breaking down.

Pisco Sirikivuya Paluku, 50, another victim who testified, said the rebels stormed his uncle's home, where he was staying, and looted all his belongings and cash. They then forced him, at gunpoint and under beatings, to perform hard labor for three weeks, including building huts, slaughtering others livestock, and carrying the stolen goods to the rebels base.

These atrocities took place over 20 years ago and I had already lost hope, so I am happy that justice was finally served, Paluku told the AP after the verdict.

Lumbala claimed the French court had no legitimacy to try him, and was absent for most of the proceedings. He was present only for trial's first day and for the verdict, thus missing the victims' testimonies.

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A landmark trial

The trial was possible under a French law that recognizes universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity. Lumbala's case marks the first time a Congolese political or military leader has been sentenced for mass atrocities before a national court under the universal jurisdiction principle.

Leaders of armed groups that committed widespread atrocities during the Second Congo War have faced little accountability, some even later serving in high positions within the army or in government, a pattern that has fueled recurring violence and undermined trust in the state, according to analysts.

After the war, Lumbala served as minister of foreign trade in Congos transitional government from 2003 to 2005 and later as a member of parliament. The Congolese government issued an arrest warrant in 2011 over his alleged support of the M23 rebel group, prompting him to flee to France, where he had previously lived before the war.

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Today the court made one thing unmistakably clear: architects of mass violence will be held to account. Neither time nor political power will shield them, Daniele Perissi, head of the Democratic Republic of Congo program at TRIAL International, one of the groups representing civil parties, said in a news release.

Several victims of sexual violence also testified during the trial.

Their voices were central to the pursuit of accountability for sexual violence crimes, which remain widely under-prosecuted in conflict settings, said Yasmine Chubin, Legal Director at the Clooney Foundation for Justice, another group representing the victims.

Phillipe Zeller, one of Lumbala's lawyers, called the verdict excessively harsh and questioned the French court's legitimacy.

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Congo has been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east since the 1990s with more than 100 active armed groups. The conflict further escalated last week when the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seized a key city in eastern Congo.

The rebels latest offensive came despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington.

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Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo contributed to this report.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A Wisconsin judge ruled Monday there is enough evidence to proceed to trial in a felony forgery case against an attorney and an aide to President Donald Trump for their role in the 2020 fake elector scheme.

The charges relate to attempts by the former aides to present a slate of Republican electors to Congress falsely claiming that Trump had won Wisconsin that year even though he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

The Wisconsin case is moving forward even as others in the battleground states of Michigan and Georgia have faltered. A special prosecutor last year dropped a federal case alleging Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election. Another case in Nevada is still alive.

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Dane County Circuit Judge John Hyland ruled that there was probable cause to proceed with the 11 felony forgery charges against Jim Troupis, who was Trumps campaign attorney in Wisconsin, and Mike Roman, Trumps director of Election Day operations in 2020.

Those charged claim they committed no crime and were just trying to keep their options alive in case a court ruled that Trump had actually won the state.

Thats not a forgery, Troupiss defense attorney Joe Bugni said.

But the judge said communication from the defendants showed their intent to present as legitimate a certificate awarding Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes to Trump, not a document to be accepted only if a court ruled that Trump won the state.

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The preliminary hearing of a third person charged, former Trump attorney Ken Chesebro, was postponed amid questions about what statements the man made to prosecutors that could be admitted in court.

The judge said he wanted to hold a separate hearing on whether comments Chesebro made in an agreement with Wisconsin investigators were allowed to be admitted at trial.

Chesebro made his comments to investigators voluntarily and there was no immunity agreement given to him in exchange for talking, said Assistant Wisconsin Attorney General Adrienne Blais.

She called the move by Chesebros attorney to not allow his comments at the preliminary hearing a clear sandbag.

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The Wisconsin charges, brought by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kauls Department of Justice, allege that the three defrauded the 10 Republican electors who cast their ballots for Trump in 2020.

The states only witness, a special agent with the state Department of Justice, detailed the allegations.

Prosecutors contend Troupis, Chesebro and Roman lied to the Republicans about how the certificate they signed would be used as part of a plan to submit paperwork to then-Vice President Mike Pence, falsely claiming that Trump had won the battleground state that year.

A majority of the electors told investigators that they did not believe their signatures on the elector certificate would be submitted to Congress without a court ruling, the complaint said. Also, a majority said they did not consent to having their signatures presented as if Trump had won without such a court ruling, the complaint said.

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Lawrence Lessig, law professor at Harvard Law School, was the only person to testify for the defense.

Lessig said that if a court ruled later that Trump had won Wisconsin, the states 10 electoral votes could only have been awarded to him if a certificate was submitted on time signed by the Republican electors.

I dont see how anybody could fairly conclude thats fraudulent, he testified.

Mondays hearing came a week after Troupis alleged misconduct by the judge and tried unsuccessfully to get him to step down and move the case to another county. Troupis alleged that the judge did not write a previous order issued in August declining to dismiss the case. Instead, he accused the father of the judges law clerk, a retired judge, of actually writing the opinion.

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Hyland said he and a staff attorney alone wrote the order. Hyland also said Troupis, who served one year as a judge in the same county where he is now being prosecuted, presented no evidence to back up his claims of bias.

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the allegations.

The state charges against the Trump attorneys and aide are the only ones in Wisconsin. None of the electors have been charged. The 10 Wisconsin electors, Chesebro and Troupis all settled a lawsuit that was brought against them seeking damages.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the attorneys who are charged formerly worked on Trumps campaign, but are still practicing attorneys.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Four people in Steuben County have been arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Last Tuesday, the Steuben County Sheriffs Office searched a home on County Rt. 17 in the Town of Bradford. At the residence, investigators reportedly found 11 dogs and four cats in need of medical attention. All of the animals were taken to the Finger Lakes SPCA for housing and treatment.

Deputies said they arrested the homes four tenants  41-year-old Steve Button, 29-year-old Chance Gilbert, 39-year-old April Culbertson, and 24-year-old Jasmine Randall on charges related to animal cruelty. Culbertson was additionally accused of acting in a manner that would be injurious to the welfare of a person under the age of 17 that was present.

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All four have been charged with 11 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals: failure to provide proper sustenance. Culbertson was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

The suspects have been released on appearance tickets.

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 RochesterFirst.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of ongoing talks aimed at finding a peace settlement to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Steinmeier welcomed Zelensky at Bellevue Palace, where the two leaders embraced on the steps upon Zelensky's arrival.

The visit took place under tight security. Police cordoned off the area around the president's official residence, snipers were positioned on the roof of Bellevue Palace and a helicopter circled overhead.

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Later on Monday, Zelensky is also due to hold talks with Bundestag President Julia Klockner and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Zelensky and Merz are also set to jointly attend the 8th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum, which is also being held in Berlin.

In the evening, Merz is to host several European leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer among those attending the talks with Zelensky.

Intensive diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year-old war have been under way in the German capital since the weekend. Talks between the Ukrainian delegation led by Zelensky and a US delegation headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff started on Sunday and were continuing.
Jen Davenport, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrills pick to be attorney general, speaks alongside Sherrill during a press conference at Rutgers University-Newark on Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has chosen an ex-prosecutor, former assistant attorney general, and top lawyer for PSE&G to be the states next attorney general.

Jen Davenport is the second person Sherrill has chosen to lead her cabinet when she becomes governor on Jan. 20. The first, Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell, will be secretary of state.

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Sherrill, speaking to reporters in Newark alongside Davenport and Caldwell, said Davenport has the respect and trust of law enforcement and of the communities they serve. During her campaign for governor, Sherrill told police officers she would appoint an attorney general who works well with law enforcement.

I know she will stop at nothing to ensure justice is served to everyone, Sherrill said Monday.

Davenport said as attorney general, she plans to address gun violence and human trafficking, ensure affordability, and defend the state from attacks out of Washington.

One of the greatest threats to affordability is coming from Washington, which is issuing policies that raise the costs on everything from housing to health insurance to household goods. So when the folks in Washington issue policies that drive up costs or otherwise harm our residents or violate the Constitution, I will be there alongside the governor-elect protecting you, Davenport said.

Jen Davenport with Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill during a press conference at Rutgers University-Newark on Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)

Davenport would replace the current attorney general, Matt Platkin, who praised Sherrills choice.

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Jen is, without question, one of the finest public servants I have ever known, and will do an extraordinary job as our States chief law enforcement officer, Platkin said in a statement.

Davenports nomination must be approved by the Senates judiciary committee and then the full Senate. Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Declan OScanlon (R-Monmouth) said in a joint statement that they support her selection and will work with their colleagues in the Senate to confirm her. Because the two men represent Davenports home county, their support is critical to her nomination moving forward.

Davenport served as first assistant attorney general for four years in the state Attorney Generals Office during Gov. Phil Murphys first term. After leaving that office, she joined PSE&G as a director and now serves as deputy counsel and chief litigation counsel. She also worked at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey for seven years.

A Monmouth County resident and mother of two children, Davenport graduated from DeSales University and Seton Hall University School of Law.

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In a statement on December 14, Hamas tied its anniversary to the October 7 attacks and alleged Israeli violations of a ceasefire framework, as mediators continued talks on a broader deal.

Hamas called the October 7 massacre a towering milestone in a statement commemorating the 38th anniversary of its founding.

Al-Aqsa Flood was a towering milestone in our peoples march toward freedom and independence, and it will remain a firmly established landmark marking a true beginning for repelling the occupation and ending its presence on our land, the Sunday release stated.

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The terror group then said it would pursue its objectives regardless of the sacrifices while asserting that Israel had failed to achieve its war aims.

We stand with pride and honor before the steadfastness, bravery, sacrifices, and resilience of our great people in all arenas, foremost among them our people in Gaza, the land of dignity, defiance, and loftiness, who struggled, persevered, and stood guard in defense of the land and holy sites on behalf of the entire nation, the statement added.

Hamas called on mediators and the United States to enforce a ceasefire framework, open crossings, and accelerate humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Hamas terrorists in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip December 3, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Hamas says Oct. 7 massacre a victory on 38th anniversary of founding

It rejected any external guardianship over Gaza or wider Palestinian territories, insisting that Palestinians alone should decide governance, placed the release of Palestinian prisoners at the top of its priorities, and urged continued proceedings at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

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The release said that Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque remain the core of Hamass conflict with Israel and would remain purely Islamic.

Hamas then praised its supporters across the region and internationally, calling for expanded solidarity actions.

Hamas was established in 1987. It is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. According to its charter, the organization was established to liberate Palestine from Israel in order to establish an Islamic state. It holds aspirations on all territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River and refuses to acknowledge Israel in any capacity.
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian visitor Ralin Havila was enthralled on Sunday when she saw a Chinese intangible cultural heritage exhibition and watched a vivid Chinese robot dog show. The 17-year-old high school student said it was the first time she experienced such an amazing event, where people could enjoy diverse cultural activities, including an intangible cultural heritage market, a traditional Chinese attire parade and a traditional musical performance. "Moreover, I'm quite impressed with the stunning performances by a pair of Chinese robot dogs," she told Xinhua. "I'm lucky to see this unique show by chance while I'm strolling along the riverside." Havila said the robot dogs are brilliant as they engaged the audience with an array of interactive gestures such as jumping, stretching, shaking hands, cheering and pouncing. "The robot dogs are adorable as they clap their front legs together in a greeting gesture and drew a heart shape," she said while taking her smartphone to capture the performance. "I really admire China for its cutting-edge technology and innovation," she said. Held at the pedestrianized walking street along the riverside Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, the event was hosted by China Intercontinental Press & Media Co., Ltd., and supported by the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. The two-day event, which started on Saturday, has attracted crowds of strollers along the riverside at the weekend. Kim Srey Pov, a 27-year-old private company employee in Phnom Penh, said she was thrilled to experience Chinese culture, arts, food, and daily life displayed at the event. "I have tasted a Chinese needle soup, it's really delicious, just a bit spicy, but I like it," she told Xinhua. Pov believed that the event injected vigorous impetus into Cambodia-China cultural ties and further deepened the bond of friendship between the two countries and peoples. "This event not only creates a joyful atmosphere for visitors, but also promotes cultural exchange, people-to-people contact, and mutual learning and understanding between Cambodia and China," she said. Vinh Bun Eang, an assistant to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron, said that Cambodian cultural treasures, such as traditional clothing, exquisite leather carvings, and distinctive cuisine, were displayed alongside Chinese Hanfu, calligraphy, and Chinese cuisine, creating a harmonious and vibrant exchange. "Today, we gather not only to admire exquisite works of art and spectacular performances, but also to learn together about the history of friendship between our two civilizations," he said at the event on Sunday. Vinh Bun Eang said Cambodia and China have always been close and reliable friends and that this friendship is deeply rooted in the shared aspirations for peace, the common pursuit of development, and the mutual appreciation of mutual cultures. He added that educational exchanges and cultural interactions helped strengthen the public opinion foundation of the Cambodia-China community with a shared future. "The mutual understanding between the people of our two countries, especially the active exchanges among the younger generation, is the best embodiment of the continuation and flourishing of our traditional friendship," he said. Va Bophary, deputy director general of the General Department of Cultural Techniques at Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the event not only showcased the unique cultures and civilizations of Cambodia and China, but also reflected the long-standing and strong friendship between the people of both countries. "Culture is the strongest bridge that has connected the hearts of our two peoples since ancient times," she said at the event. She added that the event embodied the shared aspirations of both countries to promote mutual learning between civilizations and deepen people-to-people friendship. "Through this event, the public will be able to experience intangible cultural heritage such as food, youth-to-youth dialogue, and digital technology exhibition that enhance the deep cultural and emotional ties between the two countries," Va Bophary added.
Millions of Americans could soon see their health insurance premiums jump as Congress heads home for the holidays, likely without a deal. With enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the month, lawmakers are scrambling and coming up short.

Clock running out on ACA subsidies

The enhanced ACA subsidies, first expanded during the pandemic, are scheduled to expire Dec. 31. If that happens, premiums for many enrollees are expected to rise sharply, and some could lose coverage altogether.

Last week, the Senate failed to advance two competing health care bills. One was backed by Democrats and would have extended the subsidies for three years. A Republican proposal focused on directing aid into health savings accounts.

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Neither cleared the 60 votes needed.

House steps in, but with limits

Now, attention shifts to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans will hold a vote on a GOP-led health care package this week. The bill aims to lower premiums through cost-sharing reductions and other market changes, but it does not extend the expiring ACA subsidies.

GOP leaders are also considering allowing a floor amendment that would temporarily extend the credits. It comes after pressure from swing-district Republicans who want a vote on the issue, according to CNN. Even so, the odds of passing a clean extension before lawmakers leave Washington on Friday appear slim.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has sharply criticized the Republican plan. He called it inadequate and warned that it fails to address the looming premium hikes.

Cassidy sees a narrow path forward

Despite the setbacks, Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who chairs a key health committee, says he believes a compromise is still possible, even if it comes at the last minute.

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Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Cassidy suggested a hybrid approach that addresses both sides' priorities: easing premiums while also helping patients afford high out-of-pocket costs.

"Republicans have pushed that we would put money in the patients' pocket so that she has something to pay the out-of-pocket. Democrats are saying let's do something about premiums," Cassidy said. "There is a deal that could be made. Why don't we do both?"

On CBS's "Face the Nation," Cassidy acknowledged frustration with the stalled talks. However, he said he's still searching for common ground that could include a short-term extension of the tax credits.

"I would be willing to do a short-term extension of the premium tax credit for those people with higher premiums if they will concede that we've got to do something for the $6,000 out of pocket," Cassidy said. "I think there's a deal to be had here. We need to push for that deal."

White House weighs in

President Donald Trump has made clear he prefers a system that sends federal aid directly to individuals through health savings or insurance accounts, rather than continuing broad subsidies to insurers.

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Still, he has left the door slightly open to a limited extension, if it comes with changes Republicans support.

What happens next

Even if the House passes something this week, the Senate is unlikely to act before lawmakers leave town. That makes a lapse in subsidies increasingly likely, at least temporarily.

Democrats warn the consequences could be severe. Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia, speaking to CNN Sunday, called the potential loss of coverage for hundreds of thousands of people in his state a "life and death" issue.

"The vote that members cast, whether to extend these tax credits means people will live or people will die," Ossoff said.

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The post Health care deal slipping away as ACA subsidies near expiration appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Days after the former owner of a popular brewery in Charlotte was arrested and charged with statutory rape, the company released an additional statement Saturday.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, co-founder and former co-owner of Sycamore Brewing, Justin Brigham, was charged with statutory rape of a child, first-degree burglary, and indecent liberties with a child by the Stanly County Sheriffs Office.

Photo: Justin Tawse Brigham via Queen City News/SCSO

The company says they are heartbroken for the victim, calling the accusations unforgivable.

MORE | Bars across North Carolina clearing Sycamore beer from their shelves

Justin made horrible decisions and now he must deal with the consequences, the brewery wrote in a social media post Saturday. We hope that justice is rapid and allows for the victim and her family to begin the healing process.

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Since the news broke of Brighams arrest, breweries and retailers across the Carolinas have pulled the companys products from the shelves. A bar in Rock Hill is donating 100 percent of its Sycamore proceeds to a local nonprofit that supports victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.

Following the arrest, co-owner and Brighams wife, Sarah Taylor, shared a statement stating that Brigham is no longer an owner or manager of Sycamore.

For our community, friends, customers, neighbors  we realize that trust has been violated. We know you are angry. We are angry too and still learning and processing the full scope of what happened, the company says.

The post goes on to say that Sycamore will not be helping Justin with his legal defense, stating that they trust the legal system to hold Brigham accountable.

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This is about doing right by all of those who have been affected by this  first and foremost, by the victim and her family. But, also by Sarah and her daughter, and by the innocent people whose livelihoods depend on Sycamore, the post ends.

Brigham is being held on a $10 million bond. This case is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 29.

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 Queen City News.
The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected one of Israels legal challenges seeking to block an investigation into its actions in the genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, dealing a blow to Israels efforts to derail the case.

In their decision issued on Monday, judges refused to overturn a lower court decision allowing the ICC prosecutor to investigate alleged crimes in Israels war on Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The decision clears the way for the continuation of the courts Palestine investigation, which led to the issuance of arrest warrants in November last year for Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Israel does not recognise the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and has repeatedly denied committing war crimes in Gaza.

The ICC had also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, but later withdrew it after credible reports of his death.

The appeal focused on whether the ICC prosecutor was required to issue a fresh notification to Israel before investigating events that took place after October 7, 2023. Israel argued that the post-October 7 assault on Gaza constituted a new situation, triggered by additional referrals submitted to the court by seven other countries since November 2023, including South Africa, Chile and Mexico.

Judges rejected that argument, ruling that the original notification issued in 2021  when the ICC formally opened its investigation into alleged crimes in occupied Palestine  already covered later events.

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They said no new notification was required, meaning the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant remain valid.

The ruling comes as Israels assault on Gaza continues to exact a devastating toll. Since a ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, at least 391 Palestinians have been killed and 1,063 wounded, and 632 bodies recovered, according to Gazas Ministry of Health.

Since October 7, 2023, the ministry says, at least 70,663 Palestinians have been killed and 171,139 injured.
The Department of Homeland Security has quietly moved to tone down its immigration enforcement tactics after polling revealed their heavy-handed raids failed to impress the public.

Sweeping immigration raids carried out under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems commander-at-large Gregory Bovino will now be more focused, according to a new report citing unnamed DHS officials. The shift comes after months of large-scale raids that were billed as targeting the worst of the worst, a claim that has unraveled as more and more reports have surfaced of ordinary U.S. citizens being scooped up by federal agents.

DHS sources said the changes mean agents will now have specific targets rather than simply joining sweeping raids in a given area, NewsNation reported.

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The reported changes come a few days after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 54nicknamed ICE Barbie for her camera-ready immigration crackdowns endured a rough ride at a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee.

Were not going to be seeing them necessarily grabbing people off the streets, NewsNation border correspondent Ali Bradley told The Hill.

Instead of large sweep operations, like the ones carried out at places including Home Depot, agents are expected to narrow in on specific targetsparticularly undocumented immigrants already convicted of serious crimes, according to the report.

It comes less than a week after Noem walked out early from a bruising appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, where she was questioned on whether her immigration arm was really going after the worst of the worst, as DHS insists is the case.

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At the same time, public sentiment suggests the aggressive dragnet approach of Trump, Noem, and DHS on immigration is sinking fast.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies at the uncomfortable House Homeland Security Committee hearing that preceded a reported policy change. / SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

NewsNation says DHSs updated policy does not mean an end to enforcement activity, including in New Orleans, where Catahoula Crunch has produced more than 250 arrests in about a week and has a stated goal of 5,000.

Fox News also cited NewsNation reporting that traffic-stop enforcement will continue, but that onlookers are less likely to see agents rounding people up in the indiscriminate manner that has fueled viral confrontations and street protests.

The timing tracks with bleak numbers for Trumps immigration project. An AP-NORC poll conducted Dec. 4Dec. 8 found 38 percent approval for Trump on immigration, down from 49 percent approval in late March.

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A separate PRRI survey released last week said approval of Trumps handling of immigration among Americans in border states dropped from 42 percent in March to 33 percent. YouGov reported 53 percent of Americans disapprove of how ICE is handling its job.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino of the El Centro Sector stands amid a protest outside an ICE facility in Broadview in late September. / Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Bovinos roving Border Patrol Green Machine has developed a reputation for made-for-camera theatrics, which have ended in courtroom trouble.

In Chicagos Operation Midway Blitz, U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis said the accounts of Bovino, 55, and the government were not credible andafter reviewing bodycam footagefaulted agents for reckless, heavy-handed tactics, including gassings and aggressive takedowns that hit bystanders and journalists.

Plaintiffs and the judge accused DHS and Bovino of fabricating a story that he was struck by a rock before he fired tear gas at demonstrators, with DHS refusing to provide unedited drone footage while pushing curated clips online.

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In late October, Evanstons mayor accused agents of forcing a crash and beating up bystanders as DHS floated a salacious explanation for a punch-filled arrest video.

Bovino, a leading public mouthpiece for the immigration push, has led staged photo shoots with masked agents, including at Chicagos Bean, which prompted artist Anish Kapoor to warn them off.

Noem's love for dolling up for the cameras on ICE raids has earned her the nickname ICE Barbie. / Homeland Security/Handout/Getty Images

Noems toe-curling Dec. 11 House appearance on Capitol Hill saw her face a tense hearing that was repeatedly disrupted by protesters and dominated by Democratic criticism over raids, deportations, and the administrations claims about targeting violent offenders.

She denied under oath that DHS had deported military veteranstelling Rep. Seth Magaziner, Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veteransbefore Magaziner confronted her with a veterans case live on a tablet.

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Protesters also disrupted the hearing with angry chants as lawmakers pressed Noem over the administrations raid tactics, leading her to walk out early.

A spokesperson for DHS told the Daily Beast, We have always been going after the worst of the worst first. There are no operational changes to announce.
The IDF Operations Directorate issued a statement emphasizing its security recommendations for soldiers abroad, while it also pointed out the recent increase in antisemitic attacks.

In response to the terror attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, where 15 people, including one Israeli, lost their lives, the IDF issued a series of new recommendations to soldiers and personnel who are currently abroad, Army Radio reported on Monday.

According to the report, the IDF recommended that its soldiers not disclose that they are IDF soldiers, not discuss IDF issues in general, and classified issues in particular. The military also reportedly recommended that they remain especially vigilant about personal security while abroad and avoid creating an online or media footprint.

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The IDF also added that it was important to increase vigilance in the civilian sphere and stay away from demonstrations for and against Israel, in light of the increase in antisemitism and recent events among the Jewish community.

Finally, the IDF urged its soldiers to report any incident that happens abroad to a commander.

Members of the local Jewish community embrace at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney on December 15, 2025. (credit: SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Gov't issues warnings for Israelis abroad after Bondi Beach shooting

Previously, on Sunday, the Israeli government issued a series of warnings and recommendations for Israelis abroad, following the shooting at Bondi Beach.

"History has taught us that it is possible that terror supporters will try to carry out copycat attacks, inspired by this event," the National Security Council stated on Sunday.

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The guidelines caution against attending unsecured public events, including Hanukkah parties, Chabad houses, and synagogues. They also remind Israelis to remain vigilant and to report suspicious individuals or objects to local security authorities.

Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.
Rep. Ilhan Omar said her son was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota and asked to provide proof of citizenship.

The Democratic representative from Minnesota, a Somali American, recounted the incident in an interview with a Minnesota CBS affiliate, WCCO, on Dec. 14.

"Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents," Omar said. "Once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go."

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Omar said her son, who was born in the U.S., always carries his passport with him.

A Mexican migrant, who was brought to Kansas City illegally as a child at age 2, is transferred by ICE officers John and James after being arrested on drug charges. James informed him he would have a hearing before an immigration judge or could waive his rights to due process and be deported immediately to Mexico. An undocumented female migrant is shackled by her feet as she waits in a van to be loaded onto a plane for deportation at Kansas City International Airport on Nov. 18, 2025. Undocumented migrants are loaded onto a plane for deportation at Kansas City International Airport on Nov. 18, 2025. Shackles lie on the ground as migrants are loaded onto a plane for deportation on Nov. 18, 2025. The shackles belonged to a county jail; migrants were later restrained with shackles provided by ICE for the flight. Behind the scenes of an ICE immigration arrest 1 of 4 A Mexican migrant, who was brought to Kansas City illegally as a child at age 2, is transferred by ICE officers John and James after being arrested on drug charges. James informed him he would have a hearing before an immigration judge or could waive his rights to due process and be deported immediately to Mexico.

In December, immigration agents converged on Minnesota's Twin Cities, the latest stop in President Donald Trump's wide-reaching immigration crackdown. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are home to the nation's largest Somali immigrant community, estimated to be between 60,000 and 80,000.

Omar said in the interview that ICE agents also recently entered a mosque where her son was praying, and spoke of her concern for her son as agents visited neighborhoods he frequents.

More: A 'volcano' of controversy has hit the Minnesota Somali community

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"I had to remind him just how worried I am, because all of these areas that they are talking about are areas where he could possibly find himself in and they are racially profiling," Omar said. "They are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented."

The Somali-American community has become a target for the president's growing anti-immigrant rhetoric over the past month, as he has issued several insults toward Somalia, the Somali-American population and some of Minnesota's Democratic lawmakers.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) laughs as she campaigns with Minneapolis mayoral candidate State Senator Omar Fateh (L) on Election Day at the University of Minnesota on November 4, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Starting on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, Trump posted about a massive fraud and money laundering investigation in the state, in which a group of people allegedly perpetuated what the state's district attorney's office called the "largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the country." Many of those accused in the scheme, though not all, are of Somali descent.

The president also used a word to describe Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz that is considered a slur that references people with developmental disabilities in the posts, and falsely said refugees from Somalia were completely "taking over" Minnesota. A few days later, the president called Somali immigrants "garbage," and at a Dec. 10 rally, Trump called Somalia "filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime." He also made fun of Omar's hijab, which she chooses to wear as a practicing Muslim, calling it her "little turban."

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Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ilhan Omar says son pulled over by ICE agents, denounces crackdown
The Virginia House of Delegates convened Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 at the state Capitol in Richmond for a special session called by Speaker Don Scott. On a party-line vote, Democrats approved a procedural resolution expanding the sessions scope to include a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting, a move Republicans denounced as unconstitutional and politically motivated just one week before the Nov. 4 election. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

In joining a national redistricting arms race sparked by President Donald Trump, Virginia Democrats say they may impose a maximalist gerrymander that would disadvantage four of the states five Republican congressional representatives.

Republicans are crying foul.

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But 12 years ago, Republicans in the Virginia Senate broke tradition by trying to force through a mid-decade redistricting of their own in an effort to win an outright majority in the chamber, which at the time was locked in a 20-20 partisan tie.

Back then, Democrats were the ones howling with indignation.

The Senate Republicans 2013 redistricting bid caused such an uproar that major legislative issues that year grounded to a halt for two weeks. A semblance of order was restored only after House Speaker Bill Howell  resisting tremendous pressure from fellow Republicans  ruled the Senate action out of order.

Outgoing Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, L, and Speaker William J. Howell, R, are greeted by outgoing Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell as McDonnell prepares to deliver his final State of the Commonwealth address before newly elected Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe takes office at the Virginia State Capitol on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, in Richmond, VA. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The 2013 incident is a reminder of the length politicians of either party can go when given the opportunity to perpetuate their political power.

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A pox on Republicans for starting it, said former Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling in a recent interview, and a pox on the Democrats for now wanting to be part of it.

The redrawing of Virginias legislative districts has happened only once every decade, soon after Census population totals are updated. The only exceptions have been when courts ordered the General Assembly to correct violations of the federal Voting Rights Act.

But in 2013, Senate Republicans didnt want to wait the better part of a decade (and two election cycles) to reverse maps that Democrats had forced on them two years earlier.

The Senate GOP came up with a mid-decade surprise. They drew more favorable maps that, if adopted, would have put the GOP in a much stronger position in the next general election, which was scheduled for November 2015.

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They waited for the House of Delegates to send over a routine bill that contained small, technical adjustments to existing House districts. The plan was to amend the bill to include wholesale changes to all 40 districts.

With Bollings tie-breaking vote, Republicans could push the GOP-friendly measure through the Senate. Then, all they would need was the House of Delegates (controlled by a GOP super-majority) to go along and for Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell to sign it into law.

Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, left, with former Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who restored his voting rights after a felony conviction, at the state Capitol in January 2024. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Jeff Ryer, the political staffer for the caucus, said he worried for months that the word would get out. It had to be one of the best-kept secrets Ive ever seen in the General Assembly, he said.

But the plan hit a snag.

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Bolling, who in December 2012 bowed out of a bitter gubernatorial nomination contest with conservative Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, told GOP senators that they could not count on his tie-breaking vote.

It was not something I was comfortable with, Bolling recently said of the mid-decade changes.  I was exploring the possibility of an independent campaign for governor. I kind of carved out a different path. I think a lot of guys (in the caucus) understood it.

Senate Republicans had to put their surprise plan on hold for a day when at least one Democrat was absent.

The opportunity came on Monday, Jan. 21, when the late Sen. Henry Marsh, D-Richmond skipped the daily floor session to attend President Barack Obamas second-term inauguration in Washington.

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Marshs empty seat on the Senate floor gave the Republicans a temporary majority of 20-19.

To present the plan, the caucus turned to a moderate with a good-guy image. Sen. John Watkins, R-Midlothian, was the most unlikely legislator to pull what the Charlottesville Daily Progress editorial page would call one of the most politically cynical and morally flawed maneuvers in years.

It wasnt something I dreamed up, Watkins said in an interview earlier this month. The leadership told me, Youre probably the only person who can stand up on the floor and get this through.

Stunned, Democrats exploded with fury. They called the move unconstitutional. They vowed to sue. They threatened to throw sand in the legislative gears. The collateral damage from this will be immeasurable, thundered Democratic Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax.

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Undaunted, Republicans rammed through the new maps on a party-line.

The bill moved back to the House, where its fate rested with Howell. The Speaker was charged with determining if House rules would allow the amendment to proceed.

In a recent interview, Howell said that almost from the start he believed the Senate amendment was not germane because it went far beyond the narrow scope of the House bill. But he faced pushback from within his own caucus.

House Republicans excluded Howell from some closed-door caucus meetings, an extraordinary challenge to his power. There was a group within the caucus who said, Why in the world would you not do it? said Howell, who served as Speaker from 2003 until 2018.

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There was one guy who said, Why dont we rush the podium and take him out? Howell deadpanned. Luckily that didnt happen.

As pressure built on Howell and the legislative uncertainty entered a second week, Senate Republicans sought to justify their mid-decade surprise.

In a Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed, Sen. Ryan T. McDougle said the GOPs action was justified in undoing Democratic maps that he said broke up communities of interest, manipulated population deviations and ignored opportunities to create a sixth minority-majority district.

Those opposed to (the new maps) may call it a gerrymander, but theyre wrong, both historically and technically  the current districting scheme is a gerrymander, McDougle wrote.

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Some Senate Republicans were more candid about the political motivations of their plan.

Then-Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment chided Senate Democrats, who had similar partisan incentives when they held power in 2011, of wrapping themselves in a shroud of political virtue.

Then-Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City, in 2018. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

In a recent interview, Norment said his biggest objection to the 2011 maps was that they broke up Yorktown, Jamestown and Williamsburg, known as the Historic Triangle.

My interest was more geographic than partisan, he said.

In the GOP redo, Williamsburg was removed from the district of Sen. John Miller, a Newport News Democrat, and restored to Norments domain.

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But the tinkering with Millers district didnt end there. Republicans stripped 16 precincts from Millers home base of Newport News and pushed a portion of his district across the James River, where it cut a narrow, 40-mile path from Smithfield to the outskirts of Petersburg, breaking up communities of interest along the way.

If the Senate plan had become law, Millers district would have gone from +15-D to +5-R  a rightward swing of 20 points.

As the standoff dragged on into February, Watkins came to regret his decision to go along with the January surprise. His nice-guy image was compromised and Democrats support of his two big initiatives  transportation funding and uranium mining  evaporated.

With a single, premeditated act of political survival, the 31-year lawmaker and chairman of the Senate committee that oversees big business managed to get on nearly everyones #%!@ list, observed Jeff Schapiro in the second of two columns in the Richmond Times-Dispatch that excoriated Watkins.

Meanwhile, then-Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, took the floor to lay bare the pretense of Senate Republicans claim that their maps had been motivated by being good to Black folks. He noted that the plan would pack Black people into districts, diluting their power in the suburbs.

That is plantation politics, McEachin said.

On February 6, the crisis ended when Howell issued his ruling that the Senate amendment strayed too far from the narrow, technical intent of the House bill.

Looking back, Howell said that most people who pressed him to rule otherwise understood his belief that the legislatures institutional integrity depends on consistent application of the rules.

They did not try to make the case it was germane, Howell recalled. They were just saying, Bill, this would really help if you saw it this way.

Those who know Howell well say he was placed under an incredible amount of pressure to look the other way.

Bill Howell paid dearly for that decision, recalled Del. Bobby Orrock, R-Spotsylvania, one his lieutenants.

When asked if the ruling was the most significant decision in his 15 years as speaker, Howell said, It was up there pretty high.

Howell added that he wasnt looking to open old wounds or make himself appear holier than thou. It was an easy thing to do what I did because it was right, he said.

Looking back, Watkins regrets his decision to go along with the plan. He agrees that Howell made the right call.

You go through life and sometimes you screw up. This was one of them, said Watkins, who announced in 2015 that he would not seek re-election, ending a legislative career that began in 1982.

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India, now the sole operator of the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar strike aircraft, is to acquire surplus examples of the Cold War-era jets from Oman, which retired the type in 2014. The decision reflects the continued value of the Jaguar to the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also points to the services shrinking fighter force and delays in acquiring new equipment.

Now retired, a Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar taxies toward the runway at Thumrait, Oman, during Exercise Magic Carpet 2005. Crown Copyright

Multiple reports indicate that India and Oman have come to a deal that will put an undisclosed number of former Omani Jaguars into Indian hands. Starting in 1977, the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) received a total of 27 British-made Jaguars, comprising 20 single-seaters, five two-seaters, and two ex-U.K. Royal Air Force aircraft used as attrition replacements. At least 13 of these were involved in various accidents, which would leave a maximum of intact airframes at 14 for India. Potentially, some further components could also be harvested from Omani aircraft that were written off while in service.

A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar intercepts a Soviet Navy Il-38 May maritime patrol aircraft in 1987. Public Domain

As for the IAF, the service selected the Jaguar for its Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft (DPSA) in 1978 and received 18 aircraft from U.K. Royal Air Force stocks as interim equipment, 40 flyaway aircraft direct from British Aerospace (BAe), plus around 128 more that were license-built in India under a transfer-of-technology agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

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The ex-Omani jets wont be inducted into IAF service but will be broken down into spare parts to support the aging but still in-demand Indian Jaguar inventory. TWZ contributor and IAF historian Angad Singh told us that the jets will be dismantled in Oman and then shipped to India for ease of transport.

The IAFs demand for increasingly hard-to-find Jaguar spares saw India turn to France in 201819. France, which retired its last Jaguars in 2005, shipped 31 complete airframes plus various spare parts to India, with New Delhi paying only for the cost of transport.

A Tennessee Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a French SEPECAT Jaguar. Both aircraft were operating out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, supporting NATO missions in the Balkans during the 1990s. U.S. Air Force

These airframes and spares are being used to support the IAFs current six Jaguar squadrons, each of which has between 18 and 20 aircraft on strength. However, the fleet is being slowly eroded by attrition, with three Jaguar losses this year alone.

The last new Jaguar to be built in India came off the HAL production line in 2008; British and French production had long since ceased by this date. Since then, obtaining spare parts and components, including new or refurbished engines, has become much more complex. Already, India is reportedly having to cannibalize some aircraft to keep the others in the air.

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Further evidence of the importance of the Jaguar to the IAFs plans comes from the continued efforts to upgrade the jets, the oldest of which are now around 45 years old.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E, top, flies in formation with an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI Flanker, middle, and Jaguar over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Indian Ocean in March 2021. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carlos W. Hopper

At the center of this effort is the Display Attack Ranging and Inertial Navigation (DARIN) modernization program for the Indian Jaguars, which first began in the 1980s and which has since progressed through three rounds of upgrades.

The first of these, DARIN I, kept the Jaguars original chisel nose profile but added a new Sagem navigation/attack system, a combined map and electronic display, and a head-up display and weapon-aiming computer. A new Mil Std 1553B databus was added, making it easier to integrate new weapons and sensors. This would pay dividends during the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan, during which Jaguars employed laser-guided bombs.

Indian Air Force Jaguars prepare for the Iron Fist firepower demonstration at Pokharan, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in February 2013. The two-seater leads four single-seaters with the original chisel nose configuration. Indian Ministry of Defense

Starting in the early 2000s, DARIN II changed the nose profile, with a new Thales laser targeting and designation system fitted. Other new additions included an Israeli-made Elbit head-up display, an inertial navigation/GPS system, and a multifunction display in the cockpit. Self-protection was enhanced with an Israeli-made Elta EL/L-8222 jammer, locally made Tarang radar warning receivers, and new countermeasures dispensers. New weapons included the ASRAAM air-to-air missile and the Textron CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon.

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In a category of their own are Indias Jaguars tasked with maritime strike. These were originally fitted with a radar nose accommodating an Agave radar, used in conjunction with Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles. Under DARIN II, these items were replaced with the Elta EL/M-2032 and the AGM-84 Harpoon Block II, respectively.

An Indian Air Force Jaguar IM tasked with maritime strike. This upgraded aircraft is armed with an AGM-84 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile. IAF

The most significant of the upgrades is DARIN III, begun in 2008, which includes a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the Israeli-made Elta EL/M-2052. The Jaguar became the first Indian combat jet to feature an AESA, and you can read more about the upgrade here.

The DARIN III program, led by HAL and informed by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft program, saw the first flight of an upgraded Jaguar in 2012, but thereafter it suffered significant delays. Issues included integration of the locally developed open-system-architecture mission computer as well as a re-engining effort, which planned to replace the original Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour afterburning turbofans with Honeywell F125-INs. Replacement engines were finally canceled in 2019, after they were judged to be too expensive.

Other advanced DARIN III features include a fully glass cockpit with three multifunction displays, an engine and flight instrument system (EFIS) digital display, and a digital head-up display. Also new is the Elbit Display and Sight Helmet (DASH), which is used to cue the ASRAAM missile. The ASRAAM, like the Magic 2 before it, is carried on the Jaguars unique overwing missile pylons.

Maintainers from the Indian Air Force work to change a shock absorber on their Jaguar at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during a Red Flag-Alaska exercise in April 2016. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released

The DARIN III program is planned to extend the life of at least some of the Indian Jaguars until 2050. However, the initial phase-out of the aircraft will begin before then. As Singh explained, the oldest (British-made) jets will not undergo the full upgrade, meaning that at least two of the IAFs six Jaguar squadrons are due to disband in the near future.

Fabulous photos shared by Sanjay Simha, taken by his father, Mr TL Ramaswamy, in June 1982  the maiden flight of the first Indian assembled Jaguar. Still in primer, piloted by HAL Chief Test Pilot Wg Cdr MW Tilak. Ferried out to Ambala on 21 Sep 1982, and still in service! pic.twitter.com/UcRxbapkPN  Angad Singh (@zone5aviation) November 28, 2020

Even the India-made HAL jets are now getting long in the tooth, but with examples still going through the DARIN III upgrade, at least some of them will be able to see out another 10 years or more of service.

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The Jaguar is still useful as a strike aircraft, and has been kept relevant with upgrades to electronic warfare, nav-attack systems, standoff weapons, and so on, Singh told TWZ.

The fact that New Delhi has pressed on with upgrades to the Jaguar is a testament to the rugged reliability and precision-attack capabilities of the jet, despite its age, but it also points to underlying problems in the IAF, especially in terms of the size of its combat jet fleet.

A DARIN III Jaguar recovers from a night-bombing mission during training. Angad Singh

Faced with the dual threats of Pakistan and China, the Indian government has said that the IAF needs at least 42 squadrons of combat aircraft. Currently, it has just 29, meaning the service is operating its smallest combat force since it went to war with China in 1962. The retirement of the veteran MiG-21 Fishbed has not helped matters in this regard.

Meanwhile, Indias plans to buy new off-the-shelf fighters are going nowhere fast.

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After buying 36 Dassault Rafales, India announced a requirement for 114 fighters, initially specifying single-engine types. Subsequently, the competition appeared to be wide open, with the F-15EX, for example, now also being offered to India, and with the Rafale and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet also in the running. If India decides to procure another single-engine fighter, after all, the Indian-specific F-21 configuration of the F-16 is also a viable candidate. But with no decision made, and with homegrown combat aircraft programs also proceeding slowly, the squadron gap is only set to grow.

A DARIN II Jaguar launching with a pair of slick 1,000-pound free-fall bombs. Angad Singh

The Indian Air Force is at 70 percent of its planned 42-squadron fighter strength  a number that was arrived at in the 1960s and will only be revised upward on any fresh assessment. Given this dire situation, the brass simply has no choice but to keep aircraft around, no matter how old, Singh concluded.

Faced with this stark reality, it is less surprising that India is now searching far and wide for spare parts that will ensure its prized Jaguars can see out their service life as maintaining them becomes ever more of a challenge.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
The Iowa National Guard on Dec. 15 identified the two soldiers killed by a gunman with suspected ties to the Islamic State in Syria.

They are Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, Grimes, Iowa.

The two sergeants were members of an Iowa Army National Guard unit deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's counter-ISIS mission, the Iowa National Guard said in its announcement.

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The soldiers were killed alongside their interpreter in an "ambush by a lone ISIS gunman," U.S. Central Command said in a Dec. 13 statement. "The gunman was engaged and killed."

Three servicemembers were also injured in the attack, according to the statement.

Howard's father, the chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in central Iowa, shared on Facebook that his son was one of the soldiers killed.

"My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us," Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote in a post on Dec. 13.

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Bunn identified the interpreter killed as Ayad Sakat.

The troops were killed while they were on a "key leader engagement" in Palmyra, a city in central Syria, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on X. "Partner forces" killed the attacker, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media.

Howard and Torres-Tovar deployed on May 28 of this year, according to Jackie Schmillen, a spokesperson for the Iowa National Guard.

Two Iowa National Guardsmen were killed by an attacker in Syria.

The shooter was a member of the country's security forces who had been investigated and assessed to harbor possible extremist views just days before the attack, according to Syria's government.

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President Donald Trump vowed to retaliate after the attack. "There will be very serious retaliation," he wrote in a social media post.

Trump has tightened ties with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida fighter who toppled his predecessor, Bashar al-Assad, in a stunning overthrow late last year.

Attack could strain US-Syria military partnership

An expert and one person who served in the same unit as the two soldiers killed said the attack could put heavy strain on the relationship between the U.S. and the Syrian government.

The person who previously served in the same unit said the shooting had sparked anger and questions of whether it could have been prevented. The person asked to remain anonymous because they still serve in the military.

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Joshua Landis, a director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said it could be a moment of reckoning for Sharaa.

Sharaa, a former al-Qaida fighter, was designated a terrorist by the U.S. in 2013. The U.S. said he was seeking to overthrow Assad and establish sharia law in Syria.

More than a decade later, Sharaa has met with Trump at the White House and received accolades at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. But, Landis said, he is still trying to juggle multiple constituencies of his supporters, which include ISIS fighters who hoped the overthrow of Assad would pave the way for sharia law in Syria.

Hes telling the West, I embrace you. I want an alliance, and Im willing to go counter terrorism. But hes telling the Islamists at the same time that hes not really a part of this Western world, that hes sticking true to the principles of the religion, Landis said.

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In the wake of Assads overthrow, according to Landis, some ISIS fighters migrated into the governments security forces.

Americas going to come up with a long list of people they want fired after this attack, Landis said.

Nathan Sales, a counterterrorism coordinator during Trump's first term, said the U.S. would likely go into "verify mode" towards Sharaa and his government.

"Sharaa is saying the right things about renouncing his terrorist past," Sales said.

But after the attack, the U.S. "is going to look to Sharaa to say, 'What are you going to do to prevent this from happening again?'" Sales added.

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Sales said the ongoing campaign against ISIS in Syria will likely become "more ad hoc and situational," unlike the "sustained military campaign" during the first Trump administration. That could consist of more "one-off raids where local partner forces are kicking down doors, taking people into custody," using U.S. intelligence and other support.

U.S. forces have been on the ground in Syria on a mission to combat the Islamic State, abbreviated as ISIS, since 2015, as the country was locked in a bloody civil war.

As Assad regained his power over the country in the ensuing years, Trump announced in 2019 that U.S. troops would begin to withdraw. Around two months before Assads overthrow, the U.S. announced that, within the next year, it would withdraw the roughly 900 troops still stationed in Syria to fight ISIS over the next year, along with around 2,500 in Iraq.

In Syria, that withdrawal doesnt appear to have taken place. The Pentagon announced in October that it would refocus troops on the country amid a brewing ISIS resurgence.

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There are roughly 1,000 troops still in Syria, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command.

This article has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa National Guard names 2 soldiers killed in Syria 'ambush'
Rescuers from the local security and civil defense department work in a flood-hit area in Safi province, Morocco, Dec. 14, 2025. At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday. In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals. In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

RABAT, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday.

In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals.

In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported.

The statement said the floods in Safi were caused by intense thunderstorms that occurred within about one hour.

Dozens of homes and shops in the city of Safi were flooded, while vehicles were overturned or washed away by torrents. Roads were also damaged, leading to widespread traffic disruptions.

Moroccan authorities warned that more rainfall is expected in the coming days. Schools in four provinces were closed on Monday, and large-scale emergency response operations were launched. 

Rescuers from the local security and civil defense department work in a flood-hit area in Safi province, Morocco, Dec. 14, 2025. At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday.

In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals.

In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

Rescuers from the local security and civil defense department work in a flood-hit area in Safi province, Morocco, Dec. 14, 2025. At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday.

In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals.

In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)

Rescuers from the local security and civil defense department work in a flood-hit area in Safi province, Morocco, Dec. 14, 2025. At least 41 people were killed in flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Morocco on Sunday, authorities said on Monday.

In the Atlantic coastal province of Safi, local authorities said in a statement that the death toll had risen to 37, with 14 injured people receiving treatment at local hospitals.

In the southern province of Tinghir, four people were killed after their vehicle was swept away by strong currents and overturned into a river between the areas of Fezou and El Hafira, local news outlet Hibapress reported. (Photo by Saouri Aissa/Xinhua)
Iran has arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, her supporters said on Friday.

A foundation in her name said she was detained at a memorial for a human rights lawyer recently found dead under disputed circumstances.

There was no immediate comment from Iran over its detention of Mohammadi, 53. It wasnt clear if authorities would immediately return her to prison to serve the rest of her term.

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Her supporters on Friday described her as having been violently detained earlier today by security and police forces. They said other activists had been arrested as well at a ceremony honoring Khosrow Alikordi, a 46-year-old Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate who had been based in Mashhad.

The Narges Foundation calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained individuals who were attending a memorial ceremony to pay their respects and demonstrate solidarity, a statement read. Their arrest constitutes a serious violation of fundamental freedoms.

Alikordi was found dead earlier this month in his office, with officials in Razavi Khorasan describing his death as a heart attack. However, a tightening security crackdown coincided with his death, raising questions. More than 80 lawyers signed a statement demanding more information.

File picture dated 4 September 2001 shows Iranian peace activist Narges Mohammadi at her home in Tehran following her release from prison after posting 100 million rials (12,000 USD) in bail (AFP/Getty)

Alikordi was a prominent figure among Irans community of human rights defenders, the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran said Thursday. Over the past several years, he had been repeatedly arrested, harassed and threatened by security and judicial forces.

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Footage purportedly of the ceremony showed Mohammadi on a microphone, calling out to the crowd gathered without wearing a hijab, or headscarf. She started the crowd chanting the name Majidreza Rahnavard, a man whom authorities hanged from a crane in a public execution in 2022.

Supporters had warned for months that Mohammadi was at risk of being put back into prison after she received a furlough in December 2024 over medical concerns.

While that was to be only three weeks, Mohammadis time out of prison lengthened, possibly as activists and Western powers pushed Iran to keep her free. She remained out even during the 12-day war in June between Iran and Israel.

Mohammadi still kept up her activism with public protests and international media appearances, including even demonstrating at one point in front of Tehrans notorious Evin prison, where she had been held.

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Mohammadi had been serving 13 years and nine months on charges of collusion against state security and propaganda against Irans government. She also backed the nationwide protests sparked by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which have seen women openly defy the government by not wearing the hijab.

Mohammadi suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned before undergoing emergency surgery in 2022, her supporters say. Her lawyer in late 2024 revealed doctors had found a bone lesion that they feared could be cancerous, which was later removed.

Mohammadis doctors recently prescribed an extension of her medical leave for at least six more months to conduct thorough and regular medical examinations, including monitoring the bone lesion which was removed from her leg in November, physiotherapy sessions to recover from the surgery and specialised cardiac care, the Free Narges Coalition said in late February 2025.

The medical team overseeing Mohammadis health has warned that her return to prison  especially under stressful conditions of detention and without adequate medical facilities  could severely worsen her physical well-being.

An engineer by training, Mohammadi has been imprisoned 13 times and convicted five times. In total, she has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison. Her last incarceration began when she was detained in 2021 after attending a memorial for a person killed in nationwide protests.
An Israeli flag and flowers are laid outside Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach as people gather to mourn in the wake of a mass shooting on December 15, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (photo credit: Audrey Richardson/Getty Images)

This regime is the root cause of global terror and instability, one user wrote, as others called for the implementation of the Cyrus Accords and for Israel to destroy the regime.

Many Iranians took to social media to express their support for Israel and the Jewish community with the hashtag #IraniansStandWithIsrael following the Bondi Beach terror attack, where 15 people were murdered, and dozens more were injured at a Hanukkah party on Sunday.

This regime is the root cause of global terror and instability, one user wrote on X/Twitter, as others called for the implementation of the Cyrus Accords and for Israel to destroy the regime.

Light triumphs over darkness, and the hearts of we Iranians across the world are with you, my Jewish friend, another user wrote, sharing a photo of two women draped in the Israeli and Iranian dresses.

Son of regime member shared antisemitic message hours before Sydney attack

Ahmad Ghadiri Abyaneh, the son of Irans former ambassador to Australia, Mohammad-Hassan Ghadiri Abyaneh, posted an antisemitic message on X just hours before the event, where he labeled Hanukkah celebrations as a platform for satanic rituals of Masonic circles and called for defense.

Every breath of these illegitimate offspring tied to the wretched Islamic Republic regime reeks of blood, one user responded.

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Global security means the downfall of this satanic terrorist regime #IraniansStandWithIsrael.

Israel investigates Iranian involvement in shooting

Shortly after the attack, Israeli authorities launched an investigation into whether the Iranian regime was involved.

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.

Officials were also probing links to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is connected to al-Qaeda.

Fraidy Moser and Pesach Benson/TPS contributed to this report.
ISHI Health has launched virtual heart failure (HF) clinics in California and Arizona, US, expanding access to specialist-driven cardiac care.

The virtual clinic initiative involves partnering with cardiologists to ensure timely access to HF and palliative-care programmes when required.

This programme is powered by HeartInsight AI, which is co-developed with Mayo Clinic Platform, and ISHI's CardioCommand cardiac device-agnostic platform.

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It enables earlier HF screening, proactive care-pathway activation, and drops in visits to emergency departments and hospitalisations.

ISHIs model integrates AI with cardiology, offering a workflow-integrated approach.

The company digitises HF care delivery, transforming traditional, personnel-heavy models into technology-enabled solutions that combine remote monitoring, validated AI and a multidisciplinary virtual care team.

ISHI Health founder and CEO Dr Ajay Srivastava said: HF remains a devastating diagnosis - nearly 50% of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction die within five years, and too many HF and cardiometabolic patients still present late, after opportunities to intervene have passed.

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After more than a decade caring for complex HF patients, I saw firsthand how fragmented care is, and how overburdened teams are. ISHI was built to close that gap - combining AI and technology with a specialised virtual care team to deliver proactive, scalable HF care without adding workload for clinicians.

ISHI incorporates AI-driven screening of HF, guideline-directed medical therapy optimisation algorithms, and a remote cardiac-care team for enhancing clinical outcomes, along with patient experience.

It is structured to align with emerging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cardiac payment and care-delivery models, including Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) and the Ambulatory Specialized Model for HF.

ISHI provides support to health systems, cardiology groups, and risk-bearing entities taking part in alternative payment models, through longitudinal care delivery enabled by technology.

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"ISHI Healths new virtual clinics in US expand access to cardiac care" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




The problem for Israel is that ceasefires on two borders are not bringing calm. Israeli leaders and officials appear to think that new rounds of conflict are only a matter of time.

For Israel, there are many challenges that will occur as the last weeks of December come and fade, including the fact that going into 2026, Jerusalem still has unsettled conflicts on many borders. In Gaza, the military is dealing with daily threats amid the ceasefire, and in Lebanon, the IDF is also eliminating Hezbollah terrorists.

The problem for Israel is that ceasefires on two borders are not bringing calm. Israeli leaders and officials appear to think that new rounds of conflict are only a matter of time.

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This is partly a result of post-October 7 thinking, where there is a sense that Israel has to be constantly active, pushing back enemies and preempting attacks. This has led to Israels policy in Syria and predictions that more conflict is inevitable there.

This sense of endless conflict on numerous borders is very much a feature of daily news discussions in Israel. However, it is not the same in the rest of the Middle East, where the sense is that stability and peace could be emerging.

This contrast between hopes and expectations, as well as assessments, will drive the tempo of IDF operations in the coming months and also possibly lead to chafing between Israels policies and those of other countries.

The US, for instance, wants calm in Gaza in order to move forward with the International Stabilization Force.

The challenge for Israel is clear. Early Monday morning, the IDF said, A short while ago, following an attempted stabbing attack against IDF soldiers in the area of Kedumim, an IDF soldier and an Israeli civilian opened fire in order to eliminate the threat.

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The day before, just after the lighting of the first candle of Hanukkah, the IDF put out a statement about operations in Lebanon.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir conducting a situational assessment in the Gaza Strip, December 7, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

IDF troops, led by the Northern Command, under the direction of the Intelligence Directorate and in cooperation with the Israel Air Force, have eliminated approximately 40 terrorists in about 30 different areas across southern Lebanon since the beginning of October. These terrorists are among more than 380 terrorists who have been eliminated since the ceasefire and understandings came into effect, during which the Hezbollah terrorist organization violated the agreement more than 1,900 times, the report said.

This followed a strike on Zakaria Yahya al-Hajj, a senior terrorist of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Jwaya area in southern Lebanon.

Syria, Lebanon, Gaza are main challenges for Israel

IDF CHIEF of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir was in northern Israel with the 91st Division, responsible for the border with Lebanon, on Sunday for the candle lighting.

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He said, We will not allow the enemy to build up power, and we will respond to any violation; our pattern of operation is clear. Yesterday, we eliminated Raad Saad, a senior operative in the Hamas military wing, who led and carried out terrorist activity for more than 30 years and was one of the orchestrators of the October 7 attack. His involvement in the attempts to reestablish and rebuild Hamass capabilities constituted a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Within a short period of time, we eliminated Hezbollahs chief of staff and the head of Hamass production headquarters. We will not allow the enemy to reestablish themselves and will respond to any violation of the agreement. Our policy is clear: in all sectors, here, as well as in Lebanon, we will continue to operate and thwart emerging threats.

The 91st is one of the divisions that is dealing with the multifront threat and the new tempo of operations. On the border with Syria, the 210th is doing the same work. These are territorial divisions, responsible for these various borders. The IDF also has a new Mountain Brigade in the North, securing the Hermon and Mount Dov.

This unit, the 810th, was created during the Israel-Hamas War and operates in the 210ths sector. In December 2024, the IDF seized the peak of the Hermon and moved into a buffer zone along the Syrian border. Since then, these units have had to deal with the pressures of the border with Syria. This includes more operational activities and raids.

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Further south, the IDFs 96th Division, which was also formed during the war, conducted a major training in November. In a speech on December 3 to the IDFs 80th Division, which deals with areas of southern Israel, Zamir also spoke about the 96ths role today.

Part of the adaptation and strengthening of the defense strategy is changes in our force buildup, including the establishment of the 96th Division, responsible for defending the eastern border, and the establishment of additional border defense battalions. These are significant steps in shaping the IDFs defensive capabilities for the coming years.

When one zooms out and looks at all this from above, it is clear that Israel faces many challenges. The forward doctrine of trying to preempt threats, operating in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria at the same time, and dealing with terror threats in the West Bank and potentially along the Egyptian and Jordanian borders is a major task for Israel today.

Without getting to a clear ceasefire or a goal in Gaza and Lebanon or an agreement with Syria, Israel will face these hurdles in December and into the next year. Its possible that the norm becomes managing the conflicts in all these areas and arenas. Its also possible that one of the fronts careens toward another conflict, as many have been warning regarding Hezbollah.
BEIRUT (AP)  Qassim Hamadeh woke to the sounds of gunfire and explosions in his village of Beit Jin in southwestern Syria last month. Within hours, he had lost two sons, a daughter-in-law and his 4-year-old and 10-year-old grandsons. The five were among 13 villagers killed that day by Israeli forces.

Israeli troops had raided the village  not for the first time  seeking to capture, as they said, members of a militant group planning attacks into Israel. Israel said militants opened fire at the troops, wounding six, and that troops returned fire and brought in air support.

Hamadeh, like others in Beit Jin, dismissed Israels claims of militants operating in the village. The residents said armed villagers confronted Israeli soldiers they saw as invaders, only to be met with Israeli tank and artillery fire, followed by a drone strike. The government in Damascus called it a massacre.

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The raid and similar recent Israeli actions inside Syria have increased tensions, frustrated locals and also scuttled chances  despite U.S. pressure  of any imminent thaw in relations between the two neighbors.

An expanding Israeli presence

An Israeli-Syrian rapprochement seemed possible last December, after Sunni Islamist-led rebels overthrew autocratic Syrian President Bashar Assad, a close ally of Iran, Israels archenemy.

Syrias interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the rebels who took over the country, said he has no desire for a conflict with Israel. But Israel was suspicious, mistrusting al-Sharaa because of his militant past and his groups history of aligning with al-Qaida.

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Israeli forces quickly moved to impose a new reality on the ground. They mobilized into the U.N.-mandated buffer zone in southern Syria next to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed  a move not recognized by most of the international community.

Israeli forces erected checkpoints and military installations, including on a hilltop that overlooks wide swaths of Syria. They set up landing pads on strategic Mt. Hermon nearby. Israeli reconnaissance drones frequently fly over surrounding Syrian towns, with residents often sighting Israeli tanks and Humvee vehicles patrolling those areas.

Israel has said its presence is temporary to clear out pro-Assad remnants and militants  to protect Israel from attacks. But it has given no indication its forces would leave anytime soon. Talks between the two countries to reach a security agreement have so far yielded no result.

Ghosts of Lebanon and Gaza

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The events in neighboring Lebanon, which shares a border with both Israel and Syria, and the two-year war in Gaza between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas have also raised concerns among Syrians that Israel plans a permanent land grab in southern Syria.

Israeli forces still have a presence in southern Lebanon, over a year since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. That war began a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, with Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel in solidarity with its ally Hamas.

Israels operations in Lebanon, which included bombardment across the tiny country and a ground incursion last year, have severely weakened Hezbollah.

Today, Israel still controls five hilltop points in southern Lebanon, launches near-daily airstrikes against alleged Hezbollah targets and flies reconnaissance drones over the country, sometimes also carrying out overnight ground incursions.

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In Gaza, where U.S. President Donald Trumps 20-point ceasefire deal has brought about a truce between Israel and Hamas, similar buffer zones under Israeli control are planned even after Israel eventually withdraws from the more than half of the territory it still controls.

At a meeting of regional leaders and international figures earlier this month in Doha, Qatar, al-Sharaa accused Israel of using imagined threats to justify aggressive actions.

All countries support an Israeli withdrawal" from Syria to the lines prior to Assad's ouster, he said, adding that it was the only way for both Syria and Israel to "emerge in a state of safety.

Syria's myriad problems

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The new leadership in Damascus has had a multitude of challenges since ousting Assad.

Al-Sharaa's government has been unable to implement a deal with local Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria, and large areas of southern Sweida province are now under a de facto administration led by the Druze religious minority, following sectarian clashes there in mid-July with local Bedouin clans.

Syrian government forces intervened, effectively siding with the Bedouins. Hundreds of civilians, mostly Druze, were killed, many by government fighters. Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights.

Israel, which has cast itself as a defender of the Druze, though many of them in Syria are critical of its intentions, has also made overtures to Kurds in Syria.

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The Israelis here are pursuing a very dangerous strategy, said Michael Young, Senior Editor at the Beirut-based Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.

It contradicts, he added, the positions of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt  and even the United States  which are "all in agreement that what has to come out of this today is a Syrian state that is unified and fairly strong, he added.

Israel and the US at odds over Syria

In a video released from his office after visiting Israeli troops wounded in Beit Jin, barely 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the edge of the U.N. buffer zone, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel seeks a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the (U.N.) buffer zone, including Mt. Hermon.

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It is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians, but we will stand by our principles in any case, Netanyahu said.

His strategy has proven to be largely unpopular with the international community, including with Washington, which has backed al-Sharaas efforts to consolidate his control across Syria.

Israels operations in southern Syria have drawn rare public criticism from Trump, who has taken al-Sharaa, once on Washington's terror list, under his wing.

It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syrias evolution into a prosperous State, Trump said in a post on Truth Social after the Beit Jin clashes.

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Syria is also expected to be on the agenda when Netanyahu visits the U.S. and meets with Trump later this month.

Experts doubt Israel will withdraw from Syria anytime soon  and the new government in Damascus has little leverage or power against Israel's much stronger military.

If you set up landing pads, then you are not here for short-term, Issam al-Reiss, a military adviser with the Syrian research group ETANA, said of Israeli actions.

Hamadeh, the laborer from Beit Jin, said he can no longer bear the situation after losing five of his family.

Israel, he said, strikes wherever it wants, it destroys whatever it wants, and kills whoever it wants, and no one holds it accountable.

___

Associated Press writer Omar Albam in Beit Jin, Syria, contributed to this report.
Daniel Hodges thinks of himself as an introvert  he's soft-spoken and says he's averse to the spotlight. At night, he's a local police officer in Washington, D.C. But during his off-duty hours this year, Hodges has become a unique and very public advocate on Capitol Hill.

He told CBS News he's trying to be a firewall to block the whitewashing of the history of the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol siege.

"The only thing that will stop me is if people stop lying about Jan. 6 and just acknowledge what the day was and what really transpired," Hodges said.

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He was among the more than 140 police officers injured while trying to stop the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

With Republicans now in control of the White House and Congress and some in the party downplaying the severity of the Capitol siege, there are limited platforms for victims of the attack to talk about its impact on their lives.

Hodges has become a go-to witness for Democrats in congressional hearings about police safety.

The mission generates some stress and conflict for Hodges. At an October subcommittee hearing in the Senate, Hodges watched as three of his fellow witnesses raised their hands, when asked if they supported President Trump's pardons of the Jan. 6 attackers, including those who had beaten Hodges. One of the witnesses who raised his hand was a former homeland security secretary during President Trump's first administration.

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As the minority in the House and the Senate, Democrats are permitted to call one witness at most hearings, to serve as a "minority party" witness who provides a counterpoint to the witnesses called by the majority.

Twice this autumn, Democrats have called on Hodges.

"The power of Dan Hodges's narrative comes from the self-control he displays," said Sen. Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat who is the ranking Democrat of a Senate judiciary subcommittee that called Hodges to testify in October. Welch said Hodges, "erased any of the legitimate anger he may have had about Jan. 6, to just tell us what happened during the hearing."

Democrats argue Hodges' testimony and presence at congressional hearings underscores the hypocrisy of Trump supporters who are making public statements in support of tougher laws or policies to protect police at the same time they're downplaying the attacks on law enforcement officers on Jan. 6.

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Welch noted that Republicans declined to ask Hodges any questions or speak to him in the hearing room after the testimony.

"You have to do an immense amount of intellectual and emotional jujitsu to pretend you didn't hear what Hodges said or acknowledge the reality of what he experienced," Welch said.

At a Dec. 3 hearing convened by the House Homeland Security Committee titled "When Badges Become Targets: How Anti-Law Enforcement Rhetoric Fuels Violence Against Officers," Hodges testified that Mr. Trump's mass pardon of more than 1,500 Capitol riot defendants emboldens and encourages further violence against police.

"The press release announcing this hearing made it sound like certain participants were going to spend a few hours scratching their heads and pretending to not understand why threats against law enforcement have risen so sharply this year, and I cannot abide such a farce," Hodges said in his opening statement.

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Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who called Hodges as a witness for the hearing, said he did so to combat "pervasive misinformation."

Thompson told CBS News, "Everybody saw Jan. 6 with their own eyes. But Trump has convinced a large percentage of the population that those were not insurrectionists."

At an October hearing in the Senate titled "Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order," Hodges was the sole witness called by Democrats.

"I am intimately familiar with political violence, as when I fought to defend the United States Capitol and many of your very lives, I was beaten, bloodied, and crushed, with my eye gouged and skull smashed with my own baton," Hodges testified.

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He criticized Republicans on the panel for not acknowledging the Capitol riot, telling them, "My colleagues were under attack by a mob."

Hodges said Republican members of the panels did not ask him questions about Jan. 6 during the public hearings of the committees, nor did they thank him after the proceedings. Spokespeople for the Republican chairmen of the panels at which Hodges has testified this year did not respond to CBS News requests for comment about Hodges's testimony.

At a House hearing this month in which Hodges appeared as a witness, the Republican chair of the committee opened the proceedings with broader statements about the risk of "inflammatory rhetoric" endangering the lives of law enforcement and risking homeland security, including recent rhetoric criticizing federal immigration agents.

Hodges spoke with CBS News as a private citizen, not as a representative of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C.

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He had testified previously before a national audience, in 2021 at a public hearing of the House Jan. 6 select committee, which investigated the causes and impact of the riot.

Mr. Trump's victory in 2024 and his first-day pardons of the riot defendants have triggered criticisms of the administration that it is ignoring  or rewriting  the history of the siege.

In issuing the clemency of Capitol riot defendants, the White House said the President's decision "ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation."

Hodges acknowledges he also has received threats and menacing amid his public statements.

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Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who has attended some congressional hearings to support Hodges, told CBS News, "Danny has been unwavering and cleared every obstacle he's faced, while continuing to serve."

Dunn, who also testified and appeared at hearings of the House Jan. 6 select committee in 2021-22, said, "Danny's and my mission has been the same. We're seeking accountability and justice against those who were responsible for the worst days of our lives."

Hodges told CBS News it will be impossible to convince all Americans about the truth of the impact of Jan. 6 on the police victims. When asked if he's optimistic that the deniers of the violence of the siege will change their minds, Hodges paused before answering.

"There are still people out there who think the moon landing was fake and that the Holocaust wasn't real," he said. "So you are not going to get 100%."

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HONG KONG (AP)  To his supporters, former media mogul Jimmy Lai is a fighter for democracy. To his opponents, he's a traitor to his motherland.

Now, he could face life in prison after being convicted of conspiracies to commit sedition and collusion with foreign forces in a landmark trial that began in 2023.

Lai, 78, is an outspoken critic of Chinas ruling Communist Party who was arrested in 2020 under a national security law following massive anti-government protests that rocked Hong Kong the year before.

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His arrest and the closure of his Apple Daily newspaper, a tabloid-style publication that backed the democracy movement, dealt a blow to free speech in a city that was once a bastion of press freedom in Asia.

From China to Hong Kong

Born in mainland China, Lai was just 12 when he arrived in Hong Kong on a fishing boat as a stowaway, hoping for a better life in the then-British colony. He began working as a child laborer in a glove factory, where he was introduced to the garment industry. He later founded the popular casual wear chain Giordano in 1981.

But a pivotal moment for Lai was the Beijing deadly crackdown on the 1989 student-led pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square: His company printed T-shirts in support of the protests and he became interested in media to disseminate information.

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He founded Next Magazine in 1990, and five years later, Apple Daily. The news outlet attracted a strong following with its sometimes sensational reports, investigative scoops and short animated video reports. Being openly critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, the newspaper was well-received among pro-democracy readers.

In 1994, he insulted then-Chinese Premier Li Peng, calling him the son of a turtle egg, an offensive slur in Chinese culture, after Li justified the Tiananmen crackdown. China pressured the Giordano brand and Lai had to sell his stake in the company.

An outspoken pro-democracy activist

His long-time friend Lee Wing-tat, also an activist, said Lai was a firm believer in democracy, freedom and the small government, big market economic principle, which emphasizes minimal state intervention and free trade. This was shaped by his childhood experience in mainland China, where his family suffered under the Communist Party's rule, and his rags-to-riches journey in the city, Lee said.

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Lai organized informal gatherings for pro-democracy lawmakers and scholars to discuss policies over meals in the 1990s, in the hopes of influencing politicians, Lee said.

He also took to the streets, including massive pro-democracy protests in 2014, known as the Umbrella Movement, and made donations to pro-democracy parties, including one that Lee used to chair. His newspaper often urged readers to join protests.

Lai was among the demonstrators in the leaderless anti-government protests in 2019. He met with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the time to discuss the developments linked to a now-withdrawn bill that sparked the unrest, angering Beijing.

A crackdown under national security law

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In 2020, China's national security law for Hong Kong, meant to quell the protests, loomed. In response, Apple Daily launched a campaign encouraging readers to petition U.S. President Donald Trump, during his first term, to save Hong Kong.

During his trial, Lais Apple Daily executives said he had influenced the newspapers coverage, with one saying objections to the petition campaign were brushed aside. Prosecutors accused him of asking staff not to target Trump, and Lai later testified he hoped the American president could help stop the national security law.

After the law took effect in June 2020, Lai told The Associated Press that Hong Kong is dead.

More than a month later, Lai was arrested under the law as police raided Apple Daily's building. The operation sent shockwaves through the local press scene. In 2021, arrests of the newspapers top executives and freezing of some of its assets forced the publication to cease operation.

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The trial

Since December 2020, Lai has been in custody, during which he was sentenced to five years and nine months for fraud allegations in a case unrelated to the security law.

During his current trial, prosecutors alleged he had conspired with others to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious materials, saying he had clearly betrayed national interests. They pointed to Lai's articles, text messages, social posts and livestream shows. Lai admitted he had advocated for foreign sanctions against China earlier, but stopped once the law kicked in. He argued in court that he wrote without seditious intent.

For truth prevails in Gods kingdom, and thats good enough for me, he said.

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The court rejected these arguments, writing in an 855-page verdict that Lai had never wavered in his intention to destabilize the ruling Chinese Communist Party, and continued in a less explicit way after the law's passage.

There is no doubt that (Lai) had harbored his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years, Juder Esther Toh said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

Health concerns behind bars

The food lover, who is nicknamed Fatty Lai, has shrunk in size while in prison. His lawyer in August said he had experienced heart palpitations, though the government said a medical examination found no abnormalities.

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Lai, a Roman Catholic, drew multiple crucifixions behind bars, and his friend Robert Sirico, a U.S.-based priest, received one of the pictures.

Beijing has called Lai an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces." But Sirico said Lai had told him he wanted China to be better and the priest visited mainland China after Lai encouraged him to.

He had a great love of China, Sirico said, pointing to Lai's art at home and the meals they shared.

In the AP interview in 2020, Lai appeared undaunted.

If I have to go to prison, I dont mind. I dont care, he said. It wont be something I can worry about, Ill just relax and do what I have to do.
This month will mark 29 years since 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was mysteriously found dead in her Boulder, Colorado, home.

Police say her murder case remains a top priority.

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On Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenet Ramseys mother found a ransom note saying she had been kidnapped. The note demanded the family pay $118,000 if they wanted to see their daughter again.

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Hours later, Ramseys family found the 6-year-old strangled and beaten to death in the basement of their home. No one has ever been charged and its one of the highest-profile murder mysteries decades later.

Each year, the Boulder police department provides a statement on where the investigation stands. Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn post a video on Friday.

This case remains a top priority for our department, he said. This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips weve received. We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing.

Redfearn said his department cant release additional details on what was tested and who was interviewed. He said its never too late for anyone who has knowledge of the crime to come forward.

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And I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us, Redfearn said.

Following JonBenets death, the Ramseys moved to the Atlanta area in 1997 to get away from media attention and the intense scrutiny the family underwent following the murder.

The Ramseys and their son were cleared as suspects in 2008. Patsy Ramsey died in 2006. She is buried next to her daughter in Marietta.

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Jury deliberations continue Monday in the high-profile murder trial of Brian Walshe.

Proceedings in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court were delayed a couple of minutes on Monday because an alternate juror was absent.

Brian Walshe has been returned to the courtroom. He nodded to his mother as he walked by her. @boston25 #brianwalshetrial  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 15, 2025

Prosecutors, Brian Walshe's mother, have returned to the courtroom. @brianwalshetrial @boston25  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 15, 2025

After two hours of deliberation in Brian Walshe trial, there is activity in the courtroom. Defense attorneys are back in courtroom. Zoom meeting is set up. Don't know if it's a question or something more. @boston25 #brianwalshetrial Jury has been deliberating 5 hrs 45 mins.  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 15, 2025

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Back in session in Walshe trial. Interesting. Late start, because a juror is absent. Judge said "Luckily, it's juror 15, an alternate juror. @boston25 #brianwalshetrial  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 15, 2025

Follow Boston 25s Bob Ward on X for live updates from court

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Closing arguments were delivered on Friday morning. Walshes attorney, Larry Tipton, opened with closing remarks on behalf of the defense. The prosecution followed with Anne Yas.

Judge Freniere sent 12 jurors off to begin their deliberations shortly before 12:30 p.m. after instructing them that they must decide the case on evidence, not on sympathy for Brian Walshes wife, Ana.

After hours of deliberating on Friday, jurors were sent home, as they were not able to reach a verdict.

Walshe is accused of killing and dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, in their Cohasset home around New Years Eve 2022. Her body has never been found.

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He still faces a first-degree murder charge after previously pleading guilty to misleading police and unlawful disposal of a body.

Defense strategy

Brian Walshe chose not to testify in his own defense, and his attorneys did not call any witnesses.

Legal experts say that the decision suggests the defense relied heavily on cross-examination rather than presenting new evidence.

The defense argues Ana died of a sudden, unexpected medical event and that Walshe panicked after finding her dead in bed.

They did not call a medical expert to support that claim but insisted that such deaths, while rare, can happen.

Prosecutions case

Prosecutors allege Walshe murdered Ana as his marriage unraveled, then covered up the crime by dismembering her body and disposing of the remains in area dumpsters.

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Boston defense attorney Elyse Hershon told Boston 25 News the defense likely felt they had accomplished enough during cross-examination.

They must have felt through the cross-examination of the medical examiner and the life insurance agent that they got what they needed. Theres never a right or wrong answer, and a lot of times those decisions are made with the client in real time.

The verdict slip offers three options:

Not Guilty

Murder in the First Degree

Murder in the Second Degree

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Officials and experts from China and Africa attend the Fourth Taklamakan Desert International Forum in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Dec. 14, 2025. Officials and experts from China and Africa on Sunday called for stronger scientific and technological cooperation to address desertification and land degradation, urging closer coordination to advance Africa's Great Green Wall initiative. The calls were made at the fourth Taklamakan Desert International Forum, held in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, where participants stressed that desertification remains a shared global challenge requiring joint action and the sharing of experience.(Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography/Handout via Xinhua)

NOUAKCHOTT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Officials and experts from China and Africa on Sunday called for stronger scientific and technological cooperation to address desertification and land degradation, urging closer coordination to advance Africa's Great Green Wall initiative.

The calls were made at the fourth Taklamakan Desert International Forum, held in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, where participants stressed that desertification remains a shared global challenge requiring joint action and the sharing of experience.

Duan Weili, vice president of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China has developed a distinctive approach to combating desertification through more than 70 years of sustained efforts, combining scientific management, integrated treatment and livelihood-oriented ecological restoration.

China has taken the lead globally in achieving "zero growth" of land degradation, Duan noted, adding that practices from the management of the Taklamakan Desert, including ecological barriers and vegetation restoration along desert margins, could offer valuable references for arid and semi-arid regions in Africa.

He said China stands ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in research platforms, technology sharing and capacity building to support the localization and practical application of desertification control technologies.

Sidna Ahmed Ely, director general of Mauritania's National Agency of the Great Green Wall, said the Sahara Desert and the Taklamakan Desert share many similarities in ecological characteristics and governance challenges, making the forum an important platform for dialogue between the two major desert ecosystems.

In recent years, Mauritania has worked with Chinese research institutions on pilot projects involving dune fixation, vegetation restoration and soil improvement, Ely said, expressing hope for expanded cooperation in information exchange, joint research and environmental monitoring.

Xiao Wensheng, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Mauritania, said combating desertification is an integral part of global governance. Since joining the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, China has explored solutions suited to its national conditions and accumulated experiences that are both replicable and scalable, he said.

China is willing to strengthen policy coordination and scientific cooperation with African countries to support the Great Green Wall initiative and enhance regional ecological governance capacity, Xiao added.

Mauritanian Minister of Trade and Tourism Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah said climate change and land degradation have become critical issues affecting food security and socio-economic stability across Africa, noting that cooperation between Mauritania and China in combating desertification has become a practical example of South-South cooperation.

Jointly organized by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Mauritania's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Alliance of International Science Organizations and the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall, the forum featured keynote speeches, thematic discussions and a roundtable dialogue between experts on the Taklamakan and Sahara deserts. 
The Indiana Senate Chamber during session on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

President Donald Trumps failed push for an Indiana congressional redistricting exposed divisions among Republicans who dominate the state Legislature and with Gov. Mike Braun.

The question of just how much the monthslong debate bruised those relationships will be a question when lawmakers return to the Statehouse in three weeks for resumption of their legislative session.

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Several legislators interviewed following Thursdays Senate vote rejecting the House-approved redistricting plan said they anticipated cooperation come January. Some put most of the blame for any animosity on national groups that tried to pressure legislators into supporting the new maps.

I dont think anybody wants to have a lasting impact, said Sen. Sue Glick of LaGrange, who voted against redistricting. There will be some hard feelings. But I thought that we kept it under control. There didnt seem to be the acrimony on the floor that you might have anticipated. Most of that was coming from outside.

Republican ties frayed by debate

But some were clearly offended by Brauns threats to support election challengers against Republican senators who didnt support the redrawn maps  including the chambers GOP leader, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray.

Sen. Jean Leising of Oldenburg, who has been a senator for 25 years and voted against redistricting, said she believed Braun owed Bray an apology.

Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, speaks during a March 2024 Senate debate. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

I dont know if he will, Leising said. If he were asking me, What should I do next? Id say, You need to apologize to Senator Bray, our pro tem. Because he actually said that he wanted to work against him.

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The governors office did not reply to a request for comment about Leisings remarks.

In a statement following the Senate vote, Braun said he will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers.

Bray acknowledged the redistricting debate as a hard one but downplayed the possibility of an ongoing split between the Senate, the House and the governor.

Theres been a difference here, but weve got lots of important things to do over this next legislative session and over the next few years, Bray told reporters after Thursdays vote. I have zero doubt that well get that done together.

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Republican House Speaker Todd Huston said he was disappointed with the Senate vote while expressing optimism for the legislative session thats set to resume Jan. 5.

Im confident we will have a productive session that will address the issues that most impact Hoosiers, Huston said in a statement.

Will grudges remain?

Bray repeatedly said mid-decade redistricting had insufficient Senate support for it to pass, even with a pressure campaign that included two trips by Vice President JD Vance to Indianapolis and phone calls by Trump to individual senators.

Some senators, however, denounced what they regarded as bullying to win support for the proposed maps crafted to produce a 9-0 Republican delegation. It aimed to do so by carving up the two districts currently held by Democratic Reps. Andre Carson in Indianapolis and Frank Mrvan in the area along Lake Michigan near Chicago.

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Several senators opposing the redistricting plan cited their support for Trump and hopes to see Republicans retain their U.S. House majority after the 2026 midterm elections.

But some redistricting advocates framed the debate in stark terms, such as when Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten called on senators to be active agents of American greatness by supporting the 9-0 map plan.

Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney of Indianapolis, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2008, said he was frustrated with the time he believed was wasted on the redistricting debate but that Braun was duty bound to patch up his relationship with lawmakers.

I get along with him, I see him more than any governor Ive ever seen, DeLaney said. I think hes got the right personality to say, Lets just do the job, move forward under the facts as they are. I think he does. Now, whether he gets pushed from Washington to be a cheerleader in a raid on Indiana.

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Republican Sen. Eric Bassler of Washington said he believed Bray and Huston were rationalists about running things and would not hold grudges over the redistricting dispute.

Theres going to be some wounds between the governor and our chamber, Bassler said. But my hope is that the governor and his staff and team will be adult about this and work well with us, just like I hope that the Senate will be adults about it and work well with the governor.

Senate leadership shakeup?

The split among Republican senators  21 voting joining 10 Democrats against redistricting and 19 in favor  prompted speculation over whether Bray was secure in the president pro tem position hes held 2018.

Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, speaks during the Senate redistricting debate on Dec. 11, 2025.(Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

That possibility was dismissed by senators following Thursdays 31-19 outcome.

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Absolutely not, Leising said. No, and his vote was even a little stronger than I predicted. I was, in my mind, saying 27 to 30 (against redistricting), and it was 31 so that made me really happy for him.

Glick said she doesnt expect any threats to Brays leadership, noting that I cant reveal what we discussed in caucus, but I can tell you that while all of this, the yeas and the nays have both complimented him on its fairness, on his willingness to address their issues.

One fallout from the debate was the decision by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, to step down from her position as Senate assistant majority floor leader in charge of communications while remaining a senator.

Brown said in a statement that she and other redistricting supporters recognize the consequences of what it will mean to have socialists control Congress and that the Senate had failed our conservative voters.

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Our caucus will have rebuilding to do to repair communication and trust with voters, and I will focus on that effort outside of Senate leadership, Brown said.

Republican Sen. Linda Rogers of Granger was among the 10 senators who had kept quiet about their redistricting stance until Thursdays vote, when she pushed the red no button on her desk.

When asked whether there would be lingering hard feelings over the maps decision, Rogers said: I hope not, I dont think so.

Some of my very closest friends here and I voted differently, she said, and we are still very close friends.

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President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Monday seeking $10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices.

The lawsuit accuses the BBC of broadcasting a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump, calling it a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

It accused the BCC of splicing together two entirely separate parts of President Trumps speech on January 6, 2021 in order to intentionally misrepresent the meaning of what President Trump said.

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The BBC apologized last month to Trump over the edit of his speech but said it had not defamed him.

The speech took place before some of Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was poised to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election that Trump falsely alleged was stolen from him.

Here's the latest:

What BBC broadcast is Trump suing over?

The BBC had broadcast an hourlong documentary titled Trump: A Second Chance? days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It included parts of his Jan. 6, 2021, speech, which took place before some of Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was poised to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election that Trump falsely alleged was stolen from him.

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The BBC spliced together three quotes from two sections of the speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march with him and fight like hell. Among the parts cut out was a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.

The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Trump sues BBC for $10 billion, accusing it of defamation over editing of his Jan. 6 speech

Trump filed a lawsuit Monday seeking $10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices.

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The lawsuit accuses the BBC of broadcasting a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump, calling it a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

It accused the BBC of splicing together two entirely separate parts of President Trumps speech on January 6, 2021 in order to intentionally misrepresent the meaning of what President Trump said.

Abrego Garcia is still hoping to find justice after his wrongful deportation, his lawyer says

Kilmar Abrego Garcia wasnt an activist and he didnt choose to become locked into what has become one of the most contentious immigration issues of the Trump administration, his lawyer told The Associated Press.

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But as he experiences some of the few days hes had with his family since being sent erroneously to an El Salvador prison in March, his lawyer said hes still hoping for a just resolution to his case.

Hes been through a lot, and hes still fighting, said his lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg during an interview with AP following Abrego Garcias court-ordered release from detention last week. What it is he can fight for is circumscribed by the law and by the great power of the United States government, but hes still fighting.

Abrego Garcias mistaken deportation to El Salvador helped galvanize opposition to Trumps immigration policies. He was held in a notoriously brutal prison there despite having no criminal record.

 Read more about Abrego Garcias case

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Sen. Mark Kellys attorney warns Trump administration of dangerous overreach

The attorneys letter comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of the Democratic senator who was among a group of lawmakers in a video calling on military personnel to defy illegal orders.

There is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power, wrote Paul J. Fishman in the letter to Navy Secretary John Phelan.

Trump himself had lashed out at the lawmakers, who all have military backgrounds after years of service.

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Kellys attorney warned of legal action if the department sought to pursue the senator in any forum  criminal, disciplinary, or administrative.

Fishman wrote they would take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kellys behalf to halt the Administrations unprecedented and dangerous overreach.

Secret Service official says ballroom construction doesnt yet meet agencys security standards

In its Monday court filing, the Trump administration included a declaration from the deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service saying more work on the site of the former White House East Wing is still needed to meet the agencys safety and security requirements.

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The administration has offered to share classified details with the judge in-person without the plaintiffs present.

The project has prompted criticism in the historic preservation and architectural communities, and among Trumps political adversaries, but the lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded group, is the most tangible effort thus far to alter or stop the 90,000-square-foot (8,361-square-meter) addition.

The lawsuit seeks to block construction until the project goes through comprehensive design reviews, environmental assessments, public comments and congressional debate and ratification.

Trump administration says White House ballroom construction is a matter of national security

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For that reason, the construction project must continue, the Trump administration said in a court filing Monday.

The filing came in response to a lawsuit filed last Friday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation asking a federal judge to halt the project until it goes through multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress.

Executive order directs whole of government mobilization against drug traffickers

The order instructs the State and Treasury departments to pursue the financial assets of and sanctions on financial institutions and groups involved in fentanyl trafficking. It also calls for greater cooperation between the Pentagon and Justice Department on fentanyl and drug trafficking issues.

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The order directs the homeland security secretary to identify threat networks related to fentanyl smuggling by using intelligence resources that in the past were devoted to the detection of other weapons of mass destruction.

The federal government by law has a wide range of national security and law enforcement capabilities to combat drug smuggling, including asset forfeiture, targeted arrests and surveillance of criminal organizations.

The Trump administrations earlier this year designated some drug cartels as terror groups, a move that may unlock more coordination between the armed forces and domestic law enforcement but has been questioned by legal analysts over its scope and legality.

Wisconsin judge allows case against former Trump aides to proceed to trial

A Wisconsin judge has ruled there is enough evidence to proceed to trial in a felony forgery case against an attorney and an aide to President Donald Trump related to action taken after 2020 election.

The judge on Monday at a preliminary hearing found there was probable cause to proceed with the charges after taking testimony from a special agent with the state Department of Justice who detailed the allegations.

The charges relate to attempts by the former aides to present a slate of Republican electors to Congress falsely claiming that Trump had won Wisconsin that year.

Former Trump attorney Jim Troupis and former Trump aide Mike Roman were in court for the hearing but did not testify. The judge postponed the preliminary hearing for a third person charged, Ken Chesebro, amid questions about what comments he made to prosecutors could be admitted in court.

Pences group urges Trump to fire RFK Jr.

Former Vice President Mike Pences group Advancing American Freedom on Monday called on Trump to fire Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over what the group argues has been a slow-walked safety review of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone.

Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have pledged to review the drugs safety but are facing mounting pressure from abortion opponents to move more quickly. Mifepristone, which was approved 25 years ago, has repeatedly been deemed safe and effective by FDA scientists.

In a statement alongside Mondays memo, the Republican Pence accused Kennedy of being unable or unwilling to keep promises to abortion opponents and said he should step aside.

The attacks come as Kennedy has faced criticism from both sides but also waves of support as he seeks to dramatically reshape the nations health agencies and target vaccines.

Trump again says hes ended hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia. But fighting continues

The two countries agreed to a ceasefire in July, and formalized the deal in October when Trump was in Malaysia. But lately, fighting has resumed. Trump on Friday said he had called the leaders and got them to agree to another truce -- but officials said heavy combat continues.

Nevertheless, Trump on Monday said in the Oval Office that we were able to straighten that out.

The two countries were having a little problem yesterday, Trump said. I called them and I said, look, fellas, relax. You gotta take it easy. They started the war again, and I got it ended.

Trump says he has asked Xi to free Jimmy Lai

President Donald Trump said he feels so badly about Jimmy Lai, a former Hong Kong media mogul who on Monday was convicted in a landmark national security case.

Lai, 78, now could spend the rest of his life in prison. On Monday, Trump confirmed that he has brought up Lais case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and asked for Lais release.

I spoke to President XI about it, and I asked to consider his release, Trump said. Hes not well, hes an older man, and hes not well, so I did put that request out. Well see what happens.

In London and Washington, Jimmy Lais children have expressed gratitude for the support from the Trump administration.

President Trump praises Jose Antonio Kasts win in Chilean presidential election

Trump touted the win by Kast, a far right conversative who comfortably defeated his left-of-center opponent in Sundays election, as a sign of his broader influence on politics across the Western Hemisphere.

I look forward to pay my respects to him here, Trump said of Kast. Hes a very good person.

Kast is the most conservative candidate to win Chiles presidential election in 35 years. He won 58.2% of the votes on a campaign heavily centered on crime and immigration.

Trump defends Syrias new leader after attack that killed three Americans

Trump said Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa feels very badly about an attack over the weekend that claimed the lives of two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian.

Trump said the attack happened in a region of Syria that the new government doesnt control.

This had nothing to do with him, said Trump, speaking of al-Sharaa. He hosted al-Sharaa at the White House in November.

He feels very badly about it. Hes working on it. Hes a strong man, and this had nothing to do with the Syrian government, Trump said.

The U.S. military and Trump have blamed the attack on the Islamic State group. Trump has threatened to retaliate.

Trump defends FBI and calls Brown shooting a school problem

Trump defended the FBI after a mass shooting at Brown University, arguing that questions about the case should be directed to officials at the Ivy League school in Rhode Island.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that authorities do not yet know a motive in the shooting that killed two and injured others.

Pressed about why the FBI has not been able to identify a shooter, Trump called it a school problem. Brown had their own guards, they had their own police and their own everything, he said.

Trump told reporters to ask that question, really, to the school, not to the FBI, which he said came in after the fact.

He said the FBI will do a good job, and cited the Charlie Kirk assassination as an example. In that case, the alleged killers family helped turn him in to authorities.

Trump says the administration is considering changing how it treats marijuana

We are considering the idea because a lot of people want to see it, the president said.

Trump had said in August that he was reviewing whether the federal government should reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Such a step could move the federal government closer to an approach already embraced by many states.

We are looking at that very strongly, Trump said at the White House.

Trump doubles down on criticizing Reiner and calls him deranged

The president was asked if he stood by his social media post in light of the pushback he was getting, including from those in his own party.

Using the third person, Trump said Reiner was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned.

I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way shape or form, Trump said. I thought he was very bad for our country.

Trump signs executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction

He signed the order in the Oval Office on Monday while flanked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine, White House border czar Tom Homan and other top military officials.

Trump says his administration is formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is. No bomb does what this is doing.

It was not immediately clear how the new designation would affect administration policy or what the legal implications would be for those impacted by fentanyl use or drug traffickers.

The term weapon of mass destruction has typically referred to nuclear, biological, chemical or kinetic threats capable of causing overwhelming and lasting damage to a population, infrastructure or environment. The term has also been hotly debated in American politics since the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Trump is recognizing 13 military service members with a Mexican Border Defense Medal

The president is in the Oval Office with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump border czar Tom Homan, all of them hailing the border defense portion of his immigration crackdown.

Military commanders and the award recipients looked on as Trump, Hegseth and Homan declared the border secure. Trump said his administration has stopped the invasion in its tracks, and we are dismantling the cartels very rapidly.

He added many hits from his 2024 campaign speech, blasting the immigration policies of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and declaring migrants who crossed the border some of the worst people on Earth.

Homan praised greatest president of my lifetime  yes, I said it. Hegseth said the medal is a reprisal of a military honor awarded previously in the early 20th century

Trump expresses optimism that Russia-Ukraine war is nearing the end

I think were closer now than we have been, ever, Trump said while recapping war talks in Europe at the start of an unrelated White House event.

Trump said he had a long talk with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also spoke with the leaders of several European countries, including Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom as well as NATO.

Things are going along pretty well, the president said.

Trump said everyone wants to see the war end.

President Trump to deliver remarks in North Carolina on Friday

The presidents upcoming trip to Rocky Mount was confirmed by Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, a close Trump ally who was chair of the Republican National Committee during the 2024 election.

Lets give him the North Carolina welcome he deserves, Whatley wrote on social media. Whatley did not describe a reason for the trip in his social media post.

The event will take place at the Rocky Mount Events Center. Trump last week traveled to Pennsylvania to discuss the economy and cost of living.

Speaker Mike Johnson urges an appeal to our better angels after weekend violence

Were seeing a lot of tragedies, the GOP speaker said as he arrived at the Capitol.

He drew on scripture to provide comfort to the Reiner family and others after the senseless violence this past weekend in Australia and at Brown University.

We have to appeal to our better angels, Johnson said, and I think we have to amplify those voices.He declined to answer questions about Trumps insensitive remarks after Reiners death.

US, Paraguay sign agreement setting out legal basis for American troops in the country

The United States and Paraguay have signed an agreement laying out the legal framework for American troops to be stationed the in the South American country and clearing the way for further defense and intelligence cooperation between the two as the Trump administration steps up military operations throughout the western hemisphere.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez signed the so-called status of forces agreement on Monday at the State Department. Both men hailed the deal as a step forward in relations that would enhance already strong counter-terrorism and -narcotics measures.

Such agreements outline the legal requirements and immunities for U.S. troops to be present in other countries, although there was no immediate announcement of any deployments to Paraguay.

California hires two former CDC officials who rebuffed Trump, Kennedy

California is hiring two former top federal health officials, state officials said Monday.

Susan Monarez, the former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is helping California launch an effort to maintain trust in science-driven decision-making and improve public health infrastructure.

Monarez is being joined by Dr. Debra Houry, CDCs former chief medical officer. Both will be advisors, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced.

The White House fired Monarez in August when she fell out of favor with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after only one month on the job. Houry and some other top CDC officials resigned in protest.

A few Republicans speak out against Trump post on Reiner

A few Republican members of Congress are calling out President Donald Trumps insensitive social media post regarding the deaths of director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky tweeted ox X that regardless of how one felt about Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said of Trumps post: This statement is wrong. Regardless of ones political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. Its a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period.

And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia tweeted: This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies. Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. Its incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.

NY Attorney General Letitia James makes first comments on the repeated efforts to revive a criminal case against her

James said Monday she isnt spending a lot of time thinking about the Trump administrations repeated efforts to revive a criminal case against her.

James, a Democrat, made her first public comments about the matter at an unrelated press conference after the news last week that a second federal grand jury had declined to indict her on charges related to her purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020.

I dont really spend a lot of time focused on this campaign of retribution, said James. Ive got a lot of work on my hands  standing up and defending the rights of New Yorkers, protecting them from harms coming from Washington, D.C.

A judge last month threw out an indictment charging James with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the case at Republican President Donald Trumps urging was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

Ive got a job to do, said James, who had pleaded not guilty to the earlier indictment and denies any wrongdoing.

Poll shows health costs are a rising concern among Americans

About 3 in 10 Americans cite the cost of health care as the most urgent health problem facing the country, and about one-quarter say the health care system is in crisis, according to a new Gallup poll released Monday.

The poll also shows that only 16% of Americans are satisfied with the cost of health care in the U.S.

The findings from the survey conducted in November come as Congress has yet to address the spiking health insurance premium costs facing millions of Americans when Affordable Care Act health subsidies expire at the start of the new year.

It also comes as health expenses have risen across the board in response to a variety of factors, including inflation and the increasing use of expensive medications such as GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

Hunter Biden disbarred in Connecticut after complaints about federal convictions

Biden agreed to the penalty and admitted to violating the states attorney conduct rules, but he did not admit to committing any crimes.

His father, former President Joe Biden, pardoned him last year after he was convicted of three felonies relating to a 2018 gun purchase and pleaded guilty to failing to pay federal taxes. He previously was disbarred in Washington, D.C.

A Connecticut judge ordered the disbarment on Monday. Hunter Biden did not speak and he and his lawyer appeared via video at the virtual court hearing in Waterbury.

The judge found that Hunter Biden violated several lawyer ethics rules, including engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

In a court document, Hunter Biden admitted to some but not all of the misconduct allegations. The judge also cited the Washington disbarment. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1997, a year after graduating from Yale Law School.

White House views Russian openness to Ukraine joining the EU as a big deal

The U.S. officials who briefed reporters after Witkoff and Kushner met with Zelenskyy and other European officials in Berlin over the last two days said such an offer over Ukraine joining the EU would be a major concession by Moscow. But Russia has previously said it doesnt object to Ukraine joining the EU.
Kansans have the right to videotape actions in public spaces of law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, just as long as they don't interfere with those officers' duties.

That issue has come up this year as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have increased enforcement considerably nationwide, including making arrests caught on cellphone video by citizens seeking to deter unlawful behavior and document evidence of altercations.

A member of the public videotaped the arrest by federal agents last month of five Hispanic men in Lenexa.

A woman is detained during a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a meat production plant in Omaha, Nebraska.

Here's what citizens can and cannot do

"While the United States Supreme Court has not yet weighed in, numerous Federal Appellate Courts have held that there is a First Amendment right to record law enforcement officers exercising their official duties," said the website of Ohio litigation firm Faruki PLL.

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Still, Kansas law bans the public from getting involved in a manner that interferes with the duties of an officer or agent.

Such laws as those Kansas maintains allow for members of the public to get as close as they wish, as long as they do not hinder agents, said the website of Faruki PLL.

Agents cannot push members of the public to be out of camera range, that website added.

It said ICE agents also may not confiscate a member of the public's phone or review its contents without a warrant, nor can agents compel individuals to unlock a phone or provide a password without a warrant.

Here's what Kansas law says about obstruction and inteference

Kansas Statute 21-3808 establishes the crime of "obstructing apprehension or prosecution" while banning the public from harboring, concealing or otherwise aiding a felon or person charged with a felony or misdemeanor.

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Kansas Statute 21-5904 establishes the crime of "interference with law enforcement," which it says includes the act of "knowingly obstructing, resisting or opposing any person authorized by law to serve process in the service or execution or in the attempt to serve or execute any writ, warrant, process or order of a court, or in the discharge of any official duty."

That law also bans fleeing from a law enforcement officer, making a false report to a law enforcement or investigative agency and concealing, destroying or materially altering evidence.

Interference and obstruction in Kansas can be either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the actions and circumstances involved.

Topekan made practice of videotaping law enforcement

Topeka teenager Addison Mikkelson on various occasions in 2013 and 2014 shot video of law enforcement officers on duty in Topeka.

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A video he posted online showing police ticketing him for crossing a street against a red light went viral.

Some of the officers involved made it clear they didn't appreciate being videotaped.

Police three times ticketed Mikkelson for city ordinance violations committed as he videotaped them or soon afterward.

Records show Mikkelson was convicted in Topeka Municipal Court of failing as a pedestrian to obey a dont walk sign, inattentive driving and not stopping at the end of a drive before pulling out.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Is it legal in Kansas to use your phone to videotape ICE agents?
The Virginia state Capitol in January, 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

Last spring Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed more energy bills than he signed, killing legislation designed to increase rooftop solar and energy storage, strengthen utility planning requirements, and make efficiency improvements more available to low-income residents.

Now, with Abigail Spanberger set to replace Youngkin in the Governors Mansion and Democrats in a position of legislative strength, those bills are back.

Members of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation (CEUR) met several times this fall to examine last years failed energy bills to determine which should get the commissions endorsement this year. CEUR is comprised primarily of legislative leaders from the Senate and House committees that hear energy bills, so endorsements signal a strong likelihood of passage.

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But while the bills CEUR endorsed show promise, I cant help thinking they had better be just a starting point.

Energy affordability and making data centers pay their fair share are supposed to be the top objectives for legislators this year. That makes it interesting, and concerning, that even as CEUR went beyond the vetoed bills to endorse some small new initiatives, it didnt propose any legislation that would either supercharge generation in Virginia or put the onus on the tech companies to solve their supply problem themselves.

We know bills like that are coming. Ann Bennett, the lead author of the Sierra Clubs comprehensive report on the state of the industry in Virginia, was, I hope, being hyperbolic when she told me she expects a hundred data center bills this session. Regardless, there will be a lot of them.

Many will be land use bills that dont go to the energy committees, but others will tackle the central contradiction at the heart of Virginias data center buildout: our leaders want the industry to grow, but havent faced squarely the problem of where the energy will come from.

Getting more power on the grid (or freeing up capacity)

Some of the vetoed bills returning this year will put more energy on the grid. They wont be enough to power the data center industry, but every bit helps. This includes one of the environmental communities top priorities, a bill that expands the role of rooftop solar in Virginias renewable portfolio standard (RPS).

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A new bill permitting balcony solar also got CEURs endorsement. Balcony solar  two or three panels that plug into a wall outlet, reducing a residents need to buy power  is the buzziest new idea of the year. The systems are too small to make much of a difference in megawatt terms, but by democratizing access to solar they counter the reputation of solar as a technology for rich people and will make it possible for solar skeptics to see for themselves that solar does actually work and save money.

Another CEUR initiative is a bill similar to one Youngkin vetoed that creates a carveout in the states renewable portfolio standard specifically for geothermal heat pumps. Like balcony solar, geothermal heat pumps dont put electricity onto the grid, but by freeing up power for other customers it has the same effect.

CEUR also endorsed a bill to simplify billing in the shared solar program in Appalachian Power Companys territory, but a far more significant proposal to greatly expand shared solar in Dominion territory was deemed not ready for consideration after one of its patrons, Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, said it was still in negotiation.

The SCC recently directed a change in the calculation of Dominion Energys minimum bill that industry advocates say should make the program workable for customers beyond the low-income residents who were the only ones formerly able to access it. As currently drafted, the bill would allow shared solar to increase up to a maximum of 6% of Dominions peak load. That gives this bill the potential to make a meaningful dent in Virginias energy shortfall  if Dominion doesnt block it.

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That assumes developers can get the community solar projects permitted at the local level.

Virginia localities are notorious for denying permits to solar projects of all sizes, a recalcitrance that has contributed to Virginia having to import fully half of the electricity consumed in the state. CEUR has now scrapped last years big idea of allowing solar developers to appeal local government permit denials to the SCC, after failing to persuade enough legislators to vote for it last year. All that is left of that bill is a piece that establishes a university consortium to provide research and technical assistance.

Luckily, last years other major solar siting bill lives on; it codifies best practices for solar projects without removing localities ability to deny permits even for projects that meet the high standards. New this year, however, is a requirement that localities provide a record of their decisions to the SCC, including the reason for any adverse decision.

Its not the solution the industry and landowners need to bring predictability to the local permitting process, but it does ratchet up pressure on county boards that have a habit of denying projects without articulating a legitimate reason. And sure enough, imposing that modest amount of accountability was enough to get Joe Lerch from the Virginia Association of Counties to speak against the proposal at the CEUR meeting.

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VACO seems likely to lose the fight this time around, and it should. Blocking solar development leads directly to higher electricity prices for consumers across the state. Moreover, it denies even a minimum of due process to landowners who want to install solar on their property  including farmers who need the income just to hold onto their land. For VACO to insist on counties having carte blanche to reject projects, with no responsibility to justify their decision, is arrogant and an abuse of the local prerogative.

Making the most of whats already there

Anyone who keeps up with energy news has learned more in the past year about how the grid works than most of us ever wanted to know. There is widespread agreement that grid operator PJM has mismanaged its job, keeping new low-cost generation from interconnecting and driving up utility bills for customers across the region. Unfortunately, there is little that Virginia can do by itself to fix PJM.

But one key bit of information we can use is that utilities and the grid operator build infrastructure to meet the highest levels of demand on the hottest afternoons and coldest nights of the year, leaving much of that infrastructure sitting idle at other times. A recent study showed the grid could absorb far more data center demand than it can now if it werent for the 5% of the time when demand is at its highest.

The issue is framed in terms of data centers being willing to curtail operations at times of peak demand, a solution for the companies that can do it. But there is also a broader point: we dont need as much new generation if we use what we have better.

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Thats the principle behind several bills that CEUR endorsed. The most significant of these is a bill vetoed by Youngkin last year that almost doubles the targets for short-term energy storage laid out in the Virginia Clean Economy Act and adds targets for long-duration energy storage. As currently drafted, the 2026 version also adds new fire safety standards.

But CEUR did not discuss another obvious approach to increasing storage capacity on the grid: requiring data centers to have storage on-site, replacing highly-polluting diesel generators for at least the first couple of hours of a power outage and using spare battery capacity to assist the grid at other times. If Virginia is going to keep adding data centers at the current rate, this simply has to be part of the plan. We need far more storage than the CEUR bill calls for, and tech companies, not ratepayers, should bear the cost.

CEURs utility reform proposals would also help Virginias grid get the most out of what we already have. A bill to improve the integrated resource planning process (again, vetoed by Youngkin) requires utilities to consider surplus interconnection service projects to maximize existing transmission capacity.

Helping low-income residents save money

CEUR endorsed several proposals that could help residents save money on energy bills. Some, like shared solar, balcony solar, geothermal heat pumps and the distributed solar expansion bill, would benefit anyone willing to make the investment.

Solar panels being installed on a low-income house in Norfolk. (Photo courtesy Norfolk Solar Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund)

For low-income residents, weatherization and efficiency upgrades remain the focus. Last year the governor vetoed legislation from Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax and Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, which would have required Dominion and APCo to expand their low-income weatherization assistance to reach 30% of qualifying customers. Sickles has already reintroduced his bill as HB2. CEUR endorsed a different recommendation from staff that the two utilities be required to extend their spending on energy assistance and weatherization programs.

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CEUR did not examine a related bill that has been reintroduced this year following a Youngkin veto last winter, establishing an income-qualified energy efficiency and weatherization task force to produce policy recommendations to ensure repairs and retrofits reach all eligible households.

However, CEUR endorsed a bill that will require all utilities to disclose to the SCC information about electric utility disconnections, which presumably will inform the work of the task force.

Were going to need more

Even taken together, CEURs initiatives dont fully address the biggest energy crunch Virginia has ever faced, and the rising utility bills that result. Possibly that is intentional; Democrats will continue to control the governors seat as well as the legislature for at least two years, giving them time to ramp up programs and see what works.

But data center development is so far outstripping supply side solutions that if legislators arent more aggressive this year, next year they will find themselves further behind than ever.

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As more bills are filed over the coming weeks, we are likely to see plenty of bold proposals. Hopefully, legislators now understand the urgency, and will be ready to act.

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(FOX40.COM)  One person became nearly $2 million richer after buying a winning Powerball ticket at a Sacramento liquor store, according to the California Lottery website.

The winner took home $1,975,554, according to the website. The ticket was sold at Lichines Liquor & Deli on 7107 South Land Park Drive.

The website shows that the ticket purchased on Saturday night matched five out of the six numbers, which were 1, 28, 31, 57 and 58, with a Powerball of 16.

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At this time, no one in California has claimed all six numbers, leaving Mondays Powerball drawing at $1.1 billion.

You win the lottery in California, heres whats next

Many people in the Sacramento region are heading to Lichines ahead of Mondays drawing, as many members of the community find luck at the liquor store despite the long lines.

It just really shows the support and the community that were getting from the larger lottery community, said Ken Cheng, an employee of Lichines Liquor & Deli, to FOX40.

According to Powerball officials, the upcoming jackpot ranks as the sixth-largest Powerball in history.

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This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year, said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.

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 FOX40 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated over the weekend, after he was found passed out in his vehicle in a Horizon neighborhood, according to the Horizon City Police Department.

Police say just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, a suspicious vehicle was reported in the area of the 1400 block of Sabio Drive in Horizon.

Israel Spencer.

Officers were dispatched to the area and located the vehicle, which was parked in front of a residence with the engine running.

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Police say they saw the driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Israel Spencer, 44, passed out in the drivers seat, and an open container of alcohol was found in the vehicle.

After several attempts to wake Spencer, officers saw signs of intoxication once he regained consciousness. Spencer took a breath test, which showed it was above the legal limit, police said.

Spencer was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Jail for a second offense of driving while intoxicated. He was booked under a $7,500 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
STRASBURG BOROUGH, Pa. (WHTM)  Police in Lancaster County arrested a man after a rape investigation at a local hotel.

Strasburg Borough Police said Jose L. Izquierdo-Sanchez, of Cardenas, Mexico, was arrested after an incident at the Clarion Inn on Historic Drive on Dec. 11.

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Izquierdo-Sanchez, 34, is facing two counts of rape  forcible compulsion, as well as felony strangulation, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault without consent charges.

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According to court records, Izquierdo-Sanchez is being held at the Lancaster County Prison without bail due to the severity of the charges, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and his lack of ties to the community.

Izquierdo-Sanchez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 23.

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 ABC27.
A man and a woman were found shot dead inside an apartment, Raleigh Police said Sunday evening.

Officers responded just after 3 p.m. to the 7000 block of Fox Cliff Lane for a shooting call.

They arrived to find the two people dead inside a home. RPD said it had not yet been able to confirm the relationship between the two people.

Investigators said they believe there was no ongoing threat to the community.

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The incident remains under active investigation.

Anyone who believes they have information that might assist the investigation is asked to call the Raleigh Police Department at (919) 996-3335.

ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Raleigh and in your neighborhood

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A Providence Police officer takes down crime scene tape across the street from Barus & Holley School at Brown University, the day after two people were killed and nine people were injured by a gunman on December 14, 2025. Credit - Jessica RinaldiThe Boston Globe/Getty Images

The manhunt for the shooter who opened fire in a final exam study session at Brown University on Saturday, killing two students and wounding another nine, remains ongoing after authorities announced Sunday night that a person of interest they had detained was being released.

We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said during a late Sunday press conference as he sought to address public concerns about safety. We believe that you remain safe in our community, though we will continue to have an enhanced police presence throughout the city and on the Brown campus.

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A 24-year-old person of interest was taken into custody Sunday after the FBI fielded a tip that led investigators to the individual, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said during the press conference. But Perez said that following an investigation, authorities had insufficient evidence to prosecute the individual.

We have not yet solved this case, said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, but Im confident were going to do that, and I am confident were going to do that in the very near future.

Smiley asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as law enforcement continues to scour for additional video evidence. Officials said there was limited surveillance footage because the building where the shooting happened is an old building attached to a new one and doesnt contain many cameras. Community members, Smiley added, should expect to see officers going door to door as they look for more video evidence.

We do have a small, short clip of video footage that we do believe is the person that were looking for, the mayor said Monday on ABCs Good Morning America. And right now we dont have any evidence to suggest that it was more than that individual which has been seen in that video.

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The shooting occurred in Browns Barus & Holley engineering and physics building at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to university President Christina Paxson. Paxson said Sunday that seven of the victims wounded in the attack were in critical but stable condition, while one remained in critical condition.

The College Republicans of America identified one of the students killed in the attack as Ella Cook, the vice president of the Brown College Republicans.

Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates, the national organization wrote in a post on X.

The other student killed in the attack was identified as Muhammad Aziz Umurzakov by the Uzbekistan Foreign Affairs Ministry.

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He was very kind, smart. Attended talented and gifted schools," Umurzokovs aunt, Karina Gabit, told NBC News. He "wanted to be a neurosurgeon 'cause when he was 10 he had a very serious eight-hours-long brain surgery."

Brown University said in a statement Sunday night that law enforcement did not believe that there were any additional threats to campus or the local community. The school advised students and faculty to expect a continued presence of law enforcement as the investigation continues, however.

As Providence police continue to lead this investigation, they have informed Brown that they are continuing their search efforts, which includes ongoing coordination with multiple agencies, the university said. There continues to be a heightened amount of local, state and federal police activity in the area as law enforcement continues to investigate and patrol with increased vigilance.

Smiley said that he did not intend to reinstate a shelter-in-place advisory that had previously been lifted following the detainment of the person of interest. Providence Public Schools still opened on Monday, though several other private schools in the area remained closed in light of the shooting, according to the Providence Journal. Brown has cancelled classes and exams for the remainder of the semester.

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Saturdays attack happened on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which took the lives of 26 victims, including 20 elementary school students. At least two students at Brown were survivors of a previous school shooting.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Maria Alejandra Cardona, Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Rich McKay

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Police officers were going door-to-door on Monday seeking footage from home surveillance cameras as investigators renewed a manhunt for the gunman who killed two students and injured seven more in a classroom at Brown University.

The search for the suspect, which included posting new video footage of the possible shooter, resumed after authorities released a man they had detained over the weekend as a "person of interest."

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The news that the gunman remained at large put Providence back on edge, though officials said there were no credible threats to the community and that they would not reimpose a shelter-in-place order for the campus and the surrounding area that had been lifted earlier.

"People are very confused and nervous," said Sue Erkkinen, a real estate agent. "We are staying indoors. We have all been glued to the TV, and it looks like the manhunt is now back on."

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez told reporters at an evening press conference that law enforcement was trying to reassure residents by keeping a visibly high profile in the community.

Perez played three short video clips from home surveillance footage of the suspect, a man of stocky build dressed in a dark jacket, hat and face mask, walking through the College Hill neighborhood near campus about two hours before the shooting.

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One showed him pacing along a white picket fence, another crossing a street corner and another walking past a gated home. Two still photos of him on a sidewalk were also shown. But the man's face was obscured by the mask he wore.

"The sooner we can identify this person, the sooner we can blow this case open," state Attorney General Peter Neronha said at the briefing.

An FBI special agent in charge from Boston, Ted Docks, said a $50,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect, who he said was presumed to be armed and dangerous.

Perez said the murder weapon was a 9mm gun from which several rounds were fired.

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The neighborhood was eerily quiet on Monday, several residents told Reuters, as most people were staying behind locked doors. Officers were knocking on doors, asking whether anyone had seen anything or had any cameras that might have caught a glimpse of the suspect, while police helicopters whirred overhead.

One family left to stay with friends in another town, while a first-floor tenant was so frightened that she asked her landlord to let her spend time on the second floor, neighbors said.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley's home, less than a block from the site of the shooting, served as ground zero for officials to gather over the weekend.

EARLY LEAD FIZZLES AS EVIDENCE SHIFTS

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The gunman fled after opening fire on Saturday in a classroom in Brown's Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, where outer doors had been left unlocked while exams were taking place, according to police.

Students spent hours barricaded in classrooms or hiding beneath furniture as officers fanned out across campus searching for the attacker.

Officials said late on Sunday there had been enough evidence to justify taking into custody the unnamed person of interest, a man in his 20s. The announcement of the detainment early on Sunday provided what turned out to be a short-lived measure of relief for students and city residents.

Neronha said hours later that investigators had determined there was "no basis to believe that he's a person of interest, so ... he's being released."

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On Monday, the attorney general said the individual "has been cleared," adding, "The investigation has now gone in a different direction.

Brown is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. The Ivy League school, which has nearly 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students, canceled exams and classes for the rest of the year.

SHOOTING VICTIMS MOURNED

The two students killed were Ella Cook, a sophomore from Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a Uzbekistan-born Virginian.

Cook was vice president of the school's College Republicans and a "leading Republican voice at Brown," according to an X post from the New York Republicans Club. Her LinkedIn profile included jobs as an ice cream server at a Mountain Brook creamery and a program assistant in New York.

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"Wesley and I join the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Ella Cook, who was senselessly killed over the weekend on Brown University's campus," U.S. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama wrote in a statement with her husband, Wesley.

Umurzokov, an aspiring neurosurgeon, was his family's "biggest role model," according to a GoFundMe campaign set up by his family.

"He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew," the family wrote. "Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss."

He graduated from Midlothian High School in Virginia this spring as one of the top-10 students in his class, according to video of the school's graduation ceremony. In a statement, the U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, mourned "the loss of his bright future."

(Reporting by Maria Alejandra Cardona in Providence, Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Helen Coster and Maria Tsvetkova in New York and Rich McKay in Atlanta; Writing by Joseph Ax and Steve Gorman; Editing by Donna Bryson and Bill Berkrot)
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Jurors found Brian Walshe guilty of murdering his wife on Monday, nearly three years after she vanished on New Year's Day in a case that grabbed headlines when prosecutors said he searched online for "dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body."

Jurors in Dedham, Massachusetts, rejected Walshe's assertion that his wife Ana, a real estate executive, died suddenly in their home before he began the internet search. Her disappearance and death drew global attention as details emerged.

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Her body has never been found. The day jury selection was to begin, Brian Walshe, 50, pleaded guilty to misleading police and illegally disposing of a body, but his lawyers argued he was not responsible for her death.

He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing was scheduled for Wednesday.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old Serbian immigrant, worked in real estate company Tishman Speyer's office in Washington, D.C., which she commuted to from Cohasset, Massachusetts, where she lived with her husband and three children.

At the time, Brian Walshe was awaiting sentencing for engaging in a scheme to sell Andy Warhol art forgeries.

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He was charged in January 2023 with his wife's murder days after her employer reported her disappearance. Walshe initially told police she took an Uber or Lyft on New Year's Day to fly to Washington for a work emergency.

At the beginning of the trial on December 1 this year, Assistant District Attorney Gregory Connor told jurors that Walshe killed his wife and, on the day she disappeared, Walshe searched online for "best way to dispose of body parts after a murder" and "can you throw away body parts?"

Surveillance video showed Walshe visiting pharmacies and a hardware store to buy cleaning supplies, a Tyvek suit, a hacksaw and cutting shears.

Authorities later recovered trash bags that contained items stained with blood, including a rug from his living room, as well as a hacksaw and Ana Walshe's COVID-19 vaccine card.

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Prosecutors said that before Ana Walshe died, the federal art fraud case was straining the family. They said she had begun an affair, and his online searches revealed he was researching divorce.

Defense attorney Larry Tipton argued there was no evidence of violence, claiming Ana Walshe died a "sudden unexplained death" in their home, which Brian Walshe, awaiting sentencing, believed no one would believe.

He was ultimately sentenced in February 2024 to more than three years in prison in the art fraud case.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Diane Craft and Howard Goller)




What began as open fields east of Houston is slowly taking shape as a new hometown: Riceland, a sprawling 1,500-acre community in Mont Belvieu, TX, is underway-and its backers say it will offer 4,500 homes, 30 miles of trails, lakes, parks and a full town center once completed.

The development, according to Realty News Report, is located along Eagle Drive near FM 565 and is being led by Riceland Holdings and The Woodlands-based McGrath Real Estate Partners. Organizers say the project is designed to function as a self-contained community rather than a traditional subdivision.

The 1,500-acre project includes lakes, parks, a town-center district and the Millhouse community hub. (McGrath Real Estate Partners)





Early phases include single-family neighborhoods, walking and biking trails, and water features intended to anchor the layout of the community. One of the project's signature elements is The Millhouse, a 16,956-square-foot building intended to anchor Riceland's "town center" district. Developers describe it as a civic and social hub-part event space, part community gathering point-with food, retail, and outdoor programming planned around it.

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"The Millhouse represents our commitment to work with the City of Mont Belvieu and their vision to return a 'town center to the community,'" Barrett Kirk, McGrath's chief investment officer, said. "The Riceland Town Center will deliver thoughtful commercial amenities that elevate daily life for residents while also attracting regional visitors."

The 1,500-acre project includes lakes, parks, a town-center district and the Millhouse community hub. (McGrath Real Estate Partners)





City officials say the project is part of a larger village-center concept that includes commercial parcels, greenspace, and walkable streets.

"We are excited to see the groundbreaking for the Riceland Millhouse," Mont Belvieu City Manager Brian Winningham said. "The beginning of the Christmas season starts a new chapter for Mont Belvieu City Hall and the first building of the Riceland Town Square."

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Once a rural pocket 30 miles east of downtown, Mont Belvieu has exploded in population over the past decade, according to the city's website. Riceland represents one of its most ambitious undertakings yet-a master-planned community large enough to shift the area's long-term housing, retail and civic footprint. Developers say the trail network-planned to stretch roughly 30 miles-will weave through parks, lakes, wetlands and residential districts, forming the backbone of the community's outdoor amenities.

The 1,500-acre project includes lakes, parks, a town-center district and the Millhouse community hub. (McGrath Real Estate Partners)





The project's scale resembles suburban developments more commonly seen west or north of Houston. But Riceland's location-just off I-10, with access to Baytown, Beaumont and the Ship Channel corridor-could make it a new focal point for growth on Houston's east side.

More News

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This article originally published at Massive 1,500-acre development poised to become Houston's new suburb.
Bad weather has been wreaking havoc throughout the Northeast over the last few days, from extreme cold to significant accumulations of snow. New York City and its surrounding areas were hit with a noteworthy amount of the white stuff overnight into Sunday, causing travel to be impacted.

Several airports were affected by the sizable storm, with LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York hit the hardest.

Traffic snarled at LaGuardia

According to the New York Post, LaGuardia remained under a ground stop as of noon Sunday, with flight delays up to six hours.

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Additionally, 322 incoming and outgoing LaGuardia flights have been canceled, with 447 delayed as of 2:45 p.m. ET, per FlightAware.

"Weather conditions have caused LGA Airport flight disruptions. Check with your airline to determine the status of your flight," the official LaGuardia X/Twitter account said.

Other area flight hubs strained as well

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was experiencing delays of up to three hours, according to PIX11. The Essex County facility also has the second-most delays and cancelations in the country Sunday, trailing only LaGuardia.

JFK International Airport, LaGuardia's neighbor, also had delays of multiple hours and was under a ground stop for much of the morning, per the Post.

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"Due to snow or ice, this is causing some arriving flights [into JFK] to be delayed an average of three hours and 16 minutes, not exceeding four hours and 53 minutes," the Federal Aviation Administration said, via the Daily Mail.

A ground stop was also issued at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

How much snow fell in New York, New Jersey?

As of Sunday morning, just under four inches of snow had landed in New York City, with totals up to six inches on parts of Long Island, according to CBS News.

Some areas in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey saw eight inches of snow, per NJ.com, with more northern locations in the neighborhood of 5-to-7 inches.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Perkins American Food Co. has named Matt Carpenter as its new brand president, bringing more than 40 years of experience to the role.

Carpenter has served in various roles in the industry, including chief executive officer of Toms King Services, a major Burger King franchisee. Under his leadership, the organization expanded to nearly 140 restaurants across multiple states and generated more than $200 million in revenue.

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He also served as CEO of Olgas Kitchen and chief operating officer of Frischs Restaurants. He began his career as general manager of Hillstone Restaurant Group before becoming vice president of operations services at Applebees for 11 years, according to his LinkedIn page.

Carpenters appointment comes on the heels of Paul Damicos appointment as CEO of Perkins parent company Ascent Hospitality.

We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our leadership team with his impressive career achievements and extensive industry experience, Damico said in a statement. His track record, particularly in operations and franchising, aligns perfectly with our strategic vision for Perkins. As we continue investing in growth and modernization, Matts expertise will help set the new standard for what family dining can be for todays consumers and into the future.

In addition to his roles with major franchisor organizations, Carpenter has also been a franchisee with brands including Golden Corral, Round Table Pizza, and Burger King, and will bring that unique perspective to Perkins.

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I believe the best way to grow a brand is to grow the people who run it. We can do this by giving them a clear playbook, consistent support, and accountability, Carpenter said in a statement. Having worked as both a franchisor and franchisee, I understand the pressures and opportunities on each side. Im excited to bring that perspective to Perkins and help set the brand on a strong path for sustained growth and success.

Perkins American Food Co. rebranded from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in 2024. The chain currently operates nearly 300 company-owned and franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Contact Alicia Kelso at Alicia.Kelso@informa.com

Follow her on TikTok: @aliciakelso
A dramatic defeat on redistricting in Indiana is the latest sign that President Trumps grip on the GOP is loosening  slightly.

Hoosier State senators on Thursday voted emphatically against a redistricting plan that Trump had pushed with fervor. More than half the 40 Republicans in the 50-member state Senate broke with Trump, dooming the measure to a 31-19 loss.

The previous day, Trump had made the latest in a string of threats, mostly centered on how Indiana Republicans who defied his wishes would face primary challenges.

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Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the Trump-friendly Heritage Foundation think tank, wrote on social media that the president had made it clear that if redistricting did not go through, all federal funding will be stripped from the state.

But none of it mattered in the end  and Trumps strong-arm tactics backfired for once.

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), writing in The Washington Post, in part ascribed the outcome to an instinctual rebellion against being ordered around, especially by outsiders.

This effort, Daniels added, had encompassed a White House-led arm-twisting campaign, including Oval Office wooing and social media name-calling by the president himself.

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Some of the Indiana lawmakers central to the debate argued that their constituents did not want them to proceed with a plan that, in all likelihood, would have ensured a GOP sweep of all nine of the states House districts.

Currently, Republicans hold seven of those nine districts.

One GOP opponent of Trumps plan, state Sen. Spencer Deery (R), told reporters, I see no justification that outweighs the harms it would inflict upon the peoples faith in the integrity of our elections and our system of government.

Beyond Indiana, Trump was handed a higher-profile defeat on a national level last month when a handful of Republicans joined Democrats to force the release of materials relating to sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.

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In that case, a quartet of GOP House members  Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.)  held the line on whats technically known as a discharge petition.

In doing so, they resisted considerable pressure from Trump and his allies  including, in Boeberts case, a meeting in the White House Situation Room with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, among others.

Meanwhile, Greene and Trump have become rapidly, fiercely estranged.

Even before the Epstein vote, she had become increasingly willing to criticize a drift on the administrations part away from what she considers America First values, especially in foreign affairs.

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She was the first Republican in either the House or the Senate to call Israels actions in Gaza a genocide and has complained about the GOP not paying enough attention to Americans domestic concerns.

More recently, Trump has taken to referring to the congresswoman as Marjorie Traitor Brown. For her part, she blamed him for sparking some of the death threats she has received, and talked in a CBS 60 Minutes interview about the dim view some Republicans secretly hold of him.

Put all these incidents together and its clear that Trump is not immune from the lame duck dynamics that sap the power of second-term presidents.

There are also Trumps poor approval ratings and the looming midterms to consider.

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A poll from YouGov and The Economist this week indicated that 55 percent of Americans disapprove of Trumps job performance in office while just 41 percent approve. Going into a midterm election year, Republicans show a palpable lack of enthusiasm for Trumps contention that the concept of affordability is a scam pushed by Democrats.

To be sure, the degree of Republican dissent to Trump should not be overstated. And thats true even on matters adjacent to those mentioned above.

The actions of the Indiana Republican lawmakers were notable in part because of how different they were from redistricting efforts in Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina. GOP lawmakers in all those states have advanced redistricting efforts in accordance with Trumps wishes.

The Epstein-related discharge petition never expanded its GOP support above four members, prior to Trumps U-turn on the matter.

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The backers of the measure needed every single vote, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was able to impede its passage merely by delaying the swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for more than seven weeks after she was elected.

(Johnson denies he was motivated by the Epstein matter, and instead cites the government shutdown as the main factor behind the delayed swearing-in of Grijalva.)

As for Greene, she is leaving Congress in January, a full year before her term is due to end. That means she will join the long ranks of Republicans whose careers in elected office have ended after breaking with Trump.

The bottom line is that Trump remains the Sun King for most Republicans. They compete for his praise, jockey for his endorsement in primary campaigns and strain to be in his vicinity. His priorities are echoed by most members of his party, who also nimbly follow him anytime his positions shift.

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The party as a whole is also reticent about engaging in full-throated speculation about who its next presidential nominee will be  an unusual circumstance when there is a president almost a year into his second term.

Yet now, from Washington to Indiana, there are some signs that may be beginning to change.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

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.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the fighting in Ukraine over Christmas.

"Perhaps the Russian leadership has a shred of human decency left and will at least leave the population in peace from this terror for a few days over Christmas," Merz said in Berlin on Monday evening at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Evidently in response to Merz's remarks about human decency, Zelensky added, according to an official translation: "There are no such remnants [of decency], but anything is possible."

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Merz described the Russian attacks on kindergartens, hospitals and energy supplies as "terror against the civilian population." He added that perhaps a ceasefire over Christmas "could also be the beginning of reasonable, constructive talks on how lasting peace in Ukraine can be achieved."

When asked if he expected a ceasefire by Christmas, the German chancellor was cautious. "That now depends entirely on the Russian side," he said.

In Berlin, joint European, Ukrainian and US proposals had been developed during two days of negotiations, Merz said. These would now be presented to the Russian side.

"It is now solely up to Russia whether a ceasefire can be achieved by Christmas," Merz emphasized.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes Dick Schoof, President of the Netherlands, at the Chancellery. Consultations on a possible peace plan in Ukraine are taking place in Berlin. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chancellery. Consultations on a possible peace plan in Ukraine are taking place in Berlin. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a joint press conference at the German Chancellery. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a joint press conference at the German Chancellery. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Iowa National Guard Sgts. William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar were killed in an attack in Syria Dec. 13, 2025. (Photo via Iowa National Guard)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa lowered in honor of the two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria.

The two service members were killed Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, by a lone gunman suspected to be affiliated with ISIS. The two individuals were identified in a news release Monday as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of Grimes. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.

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Reynolds said she and her husband, Kevin Reynolds, offer offer our prayers and condolences to their families and ask that Iowans stand united in support of them during this difficult time.

Howard and Torres-Tovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice, Reynolds said. We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.

Reynolds and Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn confirmed during a Saturday news conference three other soldiers were injured in the attack  one of the injuries was superficial, Osborn said, while two others were significant, and both were stable but in critical condition receiving treatment at the Jordan air base. One civilian, an interpreter who was not from Iowa, was also killed in the attack.

In a social media post late Saturday, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote that his son, Howard, was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

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My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have, Bunn wrote. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.

The attack, currently under investigation, occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement, according to Sean Parnell, the U.S. assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The soldiers mission was in support of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the area. Osborn said at the Saturday news conference the Iowa National Guard forces in Syria operate as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, an international union led by the U.S. focused on fighting ISIS in the region.

Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism, Osborn said. They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice, and we will continue to stand strong as a team united in the purpose and resolve their mission.

There are currently 1,800 Iowa soldiers in the Middle East, Osborn said, deployed in May 2025. Of that group, between 200 and 250 are National Guard members deployed in Syria.

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President Donald Trump pledged a strong U.S. response to the ISIS attack in a Truth Social post Saturday mourning the deaths of the three Americans.

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 write. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.

Other Iowa leaders shared their condolences for the fallen soldiers and their families following the news Saturday. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran who served with the Iowa National Guard, asked Iowans to join her in praying for the families of these American heroes.

Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded, Ernst said in a statement. These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.

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The last death of an Iowa National Guard member in service occurred in 2011 in Afghanistan.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths of the Iowa National Guard members was absolutely shocking news in a statement Saturday.

The National Guard represents the best of us  citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors, Hart said. May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.

This story has been updated to include information released Monday and to correct the spelling of Edgar Torres-Tovars surname.
Happy Holidays from Native News Online. We know our readers are busy during the holiday season  many of you may have attended your childrens or grandchildrens sporting events. Here are some of the stories you may have missed over the weekend:

Wounded Knee Massacre Site Protection Bill Passes Congress

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.

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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.

Johnson released a statement saying the time is now here to properly memorialize the lost and preserve the land.

Read the entire article.

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Two Murdered on Colville Indian Reservation

Tribal officials say two people were fatally shot Thursday night in a double homicide that has left the tight-knit tribal community grieving.

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In a news release issued on Friday, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation confirmed the victims were Laura Dick, a clerk for the Colville Tribal Court, and her son. No additional details about their identities or the circumstances of the shooting were immediately released Friday.

Jarred-Michael Erickson, chairman of the Colville Business Council, described the killings as a senseless act of violence and said the loss has deeply affected residents. Erickson said he had known Dick since childhood.

Read the entire article.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairman Addresses Homeland Security Contract

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairman Joseph Zeke Rupnick released a YouTube video on Friday addressing concerns that surfaced after the announcement that KPB Services  a subsidiary of Prairie Band, LLC, the Nations economic arm  had received a $29.9 million Homeland Security contract.

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Questions emerged because the contract calls for KPB Services to conduct early-phase planning, research, technical assessments, and concept designs for secure structures that meet U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operating requirements.

"We know our Indian reservations were the governments first attempts at detention centers. We were placed here because we were treated as prisoners of war. So we must ask ourselves why we would ever participate in something that mirrors the harm and trauma once done to our people." Rupnick said.

Read the entire article.

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A legally binding renunciation of Ukraine's ambition to join NATO is a key point in current negotiations on a potential peace deal, according to Moscow.

"Of course, the issue is one of the cornerstones and is subject to special discussion against the backdrop of the others," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Monday.

Russia has made a number of demands to agree to end the war launched nearly four years ago, including for Ukraine to hand over territory that it currently still holds.

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While Kiev has consistently rejected making territorial concessions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested his country might be willing to forego NATO membership if it is granted binding "bilateral security gurantees" from the US and others to deter Russia from attacking again following a potential peace deal.

When asked whether a deal could be found by Christmas, Peskov said only that he did not want to give any specific dates.

He said Russia has so far not been updated regarding the ongoing negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Berlin, but reiterated that Moscow would insist on its demands being met before ceasing hostilities.

He said while Putin was ready for peace, "he is absolutely not open to any tricks aimed at wasting time and creating artificial temporary respites."

Moscow has repeatedly accused Kiev of planning to use a potential ceasefire to rearm and reorganize its armed forces.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  After a shooting at Brown University sent shockwaves through another college campus, former and current Michigan State University students say the news brings back memories they never fully leave behind.

For those who lived through the 2023 shooting at MSU, learning about another university facing the same kind of trauma comes with a familiar sense of dread.

Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that killed 2 and wounded 9

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Its so sad to say that Im not surprised anymore, said Rayna Gold, a 2024 MSU graduate who was a junior when a gunman opened fire on campus nearly three years ago. I dont want it to desensitize me from these things happening because theyre not normal and they shouldnt be normal.

Gold remembers the fear and confusion of that February night vividly. She spent hours hiding, calling family members and trying to stay quiet. She said it forever changed how campus life felt afterward.

Inside WOODTV.com: Michigan State University shooting

We all started getting texts like theres a shooter on campus, like lockdown, she said. So we closed the doors and barricaded them with chairs. Im glad Im not a student anymore because I dont have to worry as much about that, which is really sad.

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Dan Brown, now a Michigan State University law student, said the tragedy at MSU became deeply personal when he lost a close friend in the shooting.

I lost one of my good friends, Brian, in the MSU shooting, he said. It was just a pattern of inaction. It just felt devastating, especially once it was personal.

Hes now the vice president of Future Lawyers Against Gun Violence at MSU, a student group pushing for policy change.

Brown says the impact of campus violence never really stays in the past.

Id say every day it crosses your mind whenever youre in a place where theres a large group of people, such as a lecture hall, he said. These tragedies are just becoming more and more frequent.

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I miss him: Cook at MSU Union recalls night of 2023 shooting

Alongside other law students, Brown advocates for legislative action to address gun violence.

While currently its inevitable, it doesnt have to be in the future, said Josh Kaplanski, another MSU law student involved in the organization. We may be in a position as a generation to have to suffer these evils to make sure our kids dont.

He said the cost is being carried by younger and younger students.

I read that it was a freshman class or predominantly freshman (at Brown) meaning theyre 18 years old, Kaplanski said. They were in kindergarten when Sandy Hook happened, in middle school when Stoneman Douglas happened, in high school when Uvalde happened. My reaction is just sadness that its another generation going through it.

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For students whove lived through campus shootings, the message to Brown University students is one of solidarity and support and a reminder not to accept this as normal.

Its something that we can change if we all try to do it, Brown said.

We want Brown students to know that there are organizations across this country like ours and there are plenty of others who are fighting to make this change, and whether that change is going to be next week or in 20 years, we will not stop until we see something change, said Kaplanski.

He believes nothing will change until the gun manufacturers are held accountable.

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Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the state. And as of July 1, 2026, there is going to be a prohibition of assault rifles, said Kaplanski. So they have pretty extensive gun regulations. However, these things are still occurring and that goes to the accountability of the gun industry that you can have these laws in place and they are effective. However, until the gun industry has to pay money for whats occurring, nothings going to change.

Father and son gunmen kill at least 15 people in attack on Hanukkah event at Sydneys Bondi Beach

Those impacted say community support is critical in the aftermath of violence and encourage students to lean on loved ones during this time while continuing to push for solutions so this doesnt happen again.

I think the opposite of fear and  horrific violent acts is love and community, said Gold. So I think its really important for the Brown community to come together after this and really support each other.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Driven by its G20 presidency and a series of government measures, South Africa is expected to see this year's international tourist arrivals exceed pre-COVID-19 levels, a government official has said.

Darryl Erasmus, acting chief executive officer of South African Tourism (SAT), told Xinhua in a recent interview that the country's G20 presidency has helped promote South Africa as a tourism destination.

As the first African country to hold the G20 presidency, South Africa hosted over 130 G20-related meetings across different parts of the country, with the G20 Leaders' Summit attended by delegations from more than 42 countries and international organizations. .

"Surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels requires sustained effort and a combination of marketing and policy measures," said Erasmus, adding that the G20 platform has positioned South Africa "top of mind" in key source markets.

"It has strengthened international partnerships, showcased our capabilities as a meetings and events destination, and opened new opportunities for inbound travel. Combined with targeted marketing efforts, this sets the country on a solid path toward not only matching but exceeding pre-pandemic performance," said Erasmus.

According to Statistics South Africa, South Africa received more than 10.2 million international visitors in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, while a total of 8.92 million tourists visited the country in 2024.

Erasmus said South Africa also leveraged its G20 presidency to boost international media exposure and showcase the country's tourism attractions, hospitality sector, infrastructure, and world-class business events capabilities.

"The G20 presidency elevated South Africa's global profile at a crucial time," said Erasmus, adding that it reaffirmed international confidence in the country as a destination, demonstrated its ability to host complex, high-level events seamlessly, and reinforced its reputation as a stable, welcoming and globally connected country.

According to Erasmus, accommodation occupancy across host cities remained at full capacity during the G20 year.

"Hosting the G20 meetings generated broad-based benefits across the tourism value chain," he said, adding that restaurants, transport operators, tourist attractions, as well as small, micro and medium-sized enterprises in various provinces all benefited from the increased business.

South Africa's Department of Tourism said that from January to October 2025, the country received 8.56 million international tourists, an increase of 1.3 million arrivals compared with the same period in 2024.

In October alone, international tourist arrivals reached 927,426, marking a 32 percent year-on-year increase.

As part of broader efforts to sustain tourism recovery, South Africa in February launched the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) to streamline visa applications for tourists from key source markets, including China and India.

Under the scheme, 110 tour operators from South Africa, China and India were vetted and authorized to process applications. From February to August, the TTOS facilitated the arrival of 25,024 tourists from the two countries.

Erasmus said the feedback from international visitors has been positive, and expressed confidence that many would return to South Africa with their families and friends. 
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against logistics giant UPS for unpaid wages of seasonal delivery workers in the state.

The investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that UPS allegedly "shortchanged seasonal workers who keep the company running during peak holiday demand by failing to record all hours worked, requiring widespread off-the-clock labor, and manipulating timekeeping systems to reduce paid hours."

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, asks for restitution for the workers.

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"UPS built its holiday business on the backs of workers who were not paid for their time and labor," Attorney General James said in a statement. "UPS's seasonal employees work brutal hours in the cold to deliver the holiday packages families across the country count on. Instead of compensating these workers fairly for their labor, UPS has played the Grinch. I am fighting to get these workers their money back and stop UPS from continuing its cruel and unlawful wage theft."

"Each year, UPS commits wage theft against these workers in myriad ways," the civil complaint said.

The suit notes that during its peak season, from October to January, UPS hires thousands of temporary workers at at least 55 facilities in New York.

"Seasonal Delivery Workers have worked off-the-clock before the beginning of the shift, after the ending of the shift, and at various other times, including at the beginning and end of employment, between shifts, and during meal breaks. Additionally, UPS's timekeeping practices and edits to records have introduced and compounded timekeeping errors," the suit said.

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UPS said in a statement, "We are aware of the news from the New York Attorney's General Office and, as a matter of policy, do not comment on ongoing litigation. UPS takes all accusations of wrongdoing seriously and is thoroughly investigating the matter," NBC News reported.

"We offer industry-leading pay and benefits to our more than 26,000 employees in New York, and we remain committed to following all applicable laws," the company said.

Vincent Perrone, president of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 804, said in a statement, "UPS thought they could exploit seasonal workers by not paying them for all time worked. But the Teamsters and the State of New York will always stand up to corporate greed and abuse. Thank you for standing with us and with working people across our great state."
The Warrick County Coroner's Office has named the two people who died Saturday in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide.

Coroner Alissa Salee-Enright on Monday morning identified the deceased as Chandler, Indiana, resident Brian Collins, 35, and 31-year-old Ashley Collins of Newburgh, Indiana.

Autopsies for both were scheduled for Tuesday. Salee-Enright didn't provide their causes of death.

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"This incident remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Warrick County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from the Warrick County Coroners Office," the release stated. "... No additional information will be released at this time."

According to court records, a judge finalized Ashley and Brian Collins' divorce on Oct. 30. It was listed as a "domestic relations without children" case. Records list Ashley Collins' address on Yosemite Drive, the same road the Warrick County Sheriff's office responded to on Saturday.

The Courier & Press reached out to Sheriff Mike Wilder for comment Monday.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Names released of Warrick residents killed in reported murder-suicide
Workers rebuild a home damaged by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell County, North Carolina on Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

North Carolina has launched its program to repair rental properties damaged by Hurricane Helene.

The program, which will be funded with federal grant dollars, began accepting applications Monday morning. Owners of properties with one to four rental units are eligible. If they participate in the program, they must agree to provide affordable rent rates in those units for a decade.

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Stephanie McGarrah, who leads the N.C. Department of Commerce division overseeing housing recovery, said the program will deliver critical relief for the rental housing supply in western North Carolina.

The small rental rebuild program is the first step in the states multi-family housing recovery effort. Grants will total just over $57 million, with projects receiving anywhere from $250,000 to $1.5 million. It will be a first come, first serve program, with no set deadline.

A separate program to build new, larger rental housing projects will launch next year, according to state officials. That program will use about $134 million from the same pool of federal money.

In the year since Helene, advocates and officials in western North Carolina have pushed state and federal leaders to provide more aid for renters. The states program, in requiring affordable rates, aims to do that  in a region that has seen high costs of living even before the storm.

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To qualify for the small rental program, property owners will be required to lease a projects units to tenants with a household income of 80% or less of the areas median income. They also have to follow separate federal limits on rent costs.

It remains to be seen how many applications the state will receive for the small rental program. We dont know yet what the demand is, McGarrah told the governors advisory committee Monday.

Those looking to apply for the program and for more details can visit apply.renewnc.org.

State sends infrastructure money to local governments

Gov. Josh Steins office also announced 80 grants for local governments to repair and replace storm-damaged infrastructure on Monday.

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The grants are part of a state program allocated by the legislature, designed to pay for $50 million in key projects that are either not eligible for or were denied federal aid.

Steins state budget director Kristin Walker said in a news release that theres high demand for the money. The Office of State Budget and Management received grant applications totaling more than twice the amount of available funding, Walker said.

Among the grants: just under $2.5 million to relocate a fleet management facility in Haywood County, $2.1 million for a Henderson County sewer project and $1.3 million in utility improvements in the town of Beech Mountain.

You can see the full list of awards here.
A late-night disturbance at the Jacksonville Beach Pier parking lot turned violent this weekend, leaving several people under arrest and prompting a strong response from police.

Jacksonville Beach Police said the situation escalated quickly just after 2 a.m. when officers responded to a disturbance involving alcohol, aggressive behavior, and interference with law enforcement.

One local, Jacobe Saturday, said the area is often crowded late at night and that alcohol can contribute to dangerous situations.

Ive been in a situation where I felt too drunk here. The officers are here to protect the situation. Its very packed out here most Friday and Saturday nights in Jax Beach, Saturday said.

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According to police, officers temporarily cleared the Pier parking lot after noticing people drinking alcohol inside a vehicle and revving the engine in the public lot. When officers attempted to intervene, police said the situation escalated.

A police report states that two individuals became aggressive and violent toward officers. A third person ignored repeated commands to back away and interfered with the arrest, leading to additional charges under Floridas HALO Law, which is designed to protect first responders from interference while on duty.

Jacobe said knowing when to remove yourself from a situation can prevent serious consequences.

If you feel like youre that intoxicated and you are arguing with friends and the best situation is to find a way to leave, Saturday said.

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Police arrested three men in connection with the incident: Joseph Chiarle, Michael Whitaker, and Dayshon Milo. Authorities said multiple charges were filed, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and DUI.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The Jacksonville Beach Police Chief called the attack on officers unacceptable, stating the department will use whatever force is necessary to stop violence.

Saturday said confrontations with police can quickly put many people at risk.

At that point, when a cop is trying to protect someone and their lives feel threatened, then you put multiple peoples lives in danger, he said.

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Action News Jax Nicholas Brooks went business to business along Jacksonville Beach to see if any surveillance cameras captured the incident, but none of the owners contacted said their cameras recorded what happened.

Saturday said the long-term consequences of such incidents can be severe.

Now you gotta deal with multiple felonies, court dates, and money. Its a loose for everyone and also affecting these officers who are out here protecting everybody, he said.

Jacksonville Beach Police said they will continue enforcing the law and are urging anyone who plans to drink to do so responsibly.

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HONG KONG, Dec 15 (Reuters) - China will cover all out-of-pocket expenses related to childbirth next year, said the country's national healthcare security administration, as authorities try to incentivise more young couples to have children.

By 2026, China will aim to offer nationwide full reimbursement for all policy-covered medical expenses related to childbirth, including prenatal checkups, the administration said.

It would "improve the level of medical expense coverage for prenatal examinations, striving to achieve 'no out-of-pocket expenses' for childbirth," it said in a report on Saturday.

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The move comes as Beijing grapples with how to boost the country's flagging population.

China's population dropped for the first time in decades in 2022 and has continued to slide through to 2024.

Demographers expect the trend to continue due to declining birth rates, while the country's shrinking workforce and growing elderly population is likely to create additional strains for already indebted local governments.

China's birth rates have been falling for decades as a result of the one-child policy that was in place from 1980-2015, as well as rapid urbanisation. The high cost of childcare and education, as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy, have also discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family.

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Some Chinese provinces, including in Jilin, Jiangsu and Shandong, have already unveiled policies to make childbirth almost free of charge.

China said in March that it would "actively" respond with policies for its rapidly growing elderly and its young people, including providing childcare subsidies and making preschool education free.

Authorities have previously tried to encourage couples to have babies by expanding maternity leave, financial and tax benefits, and housing subsidies.

(Reporting by Farah Master and the Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Michael Perry)
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A towering menorah now stands once again inside Northwoods Mall, but this years display carries a deeper and more somber meaning.

Rabbi Eli Langsam of Chabad Jewish Center of Peoria said the annual Hanukkah menorah installation, a tradition now in its 24th year at the mall, comes just hours after a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia.

Hanukkah or Chanukah? Well discuss that and more with this holiday primer

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According to Langsam, 16 people were killed while lighting a menorah on the beach, including two rabbis he personally knew, in what authorities overseas are calling a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.

The significance of setting up the menorah today takes on a whole new dimension, Langsam said. They were murdered simply because they were doing what rabbis do best, bringing light and kindness to the world.

Langsam says the tragedy underscores the central message of Hanukkah. Light over darkness and good over evil.

Even though those who try to diminish the light want fear to win, we will continue bringing light no matter where, no matter how, no matter when, he said. Light and kindness can overpower anything.

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The public menorah at Northwoods Mall, Langsam said, is intentionally placed in a highly visible space to send a broader message beyond the Jewish community.

The message of Hanukkah is not just a Jewish message, he said. The menorah is a symbol of religious freedom, for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.

He adds that moments of tragedy are when unity matters most.

Hate and violence have no place in society, Langsam said. The response has to be unity, kindness and standing together.

Langsam also encouraged community members to check in on one another during the holiday season and to choose compassion in the face of fear.

Go into a dark room and light a small candle, it makes a difference, he said. Thats why during Hanukkah, we dont just keep the same light. We increase it every night. For those who may need Hanukkah supplies, Langsam says Chabad Jewish Center of Peoria is offering menorahs, candles and dreidels to anyone who needs them. Residents can call (309) 692-2250 or visit JewishPeoria.com for more information.

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 CIProud.com.
Members of New York Citys Jewish community lit candles during a vigil in Manhattan Sunday evening in remembrance of the 15 people killed in a mass shooting at a menorah-lighting ceremony on Australias Bondi Beach, with some attendees recounting that they had relatives caught in the attack half a world away.

Were all reeling. Our hearts are shattered. Its an attack on all of us. We take this very personally, said Rabbi Ben Krasniaski, director of the Chabad of the Upper East Side.

About 100 people gathered at the Carl Schurz Park Promenade at E. 86th St. and East End Ave. just after sunset for the remembrance.

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Police in New South Wales said 42 people were injured in addition to the 15 killed in the attack at the iconic Sydney beach, where Jews in Australia gathered to light the menorah and celebrate the first night of Chanukah. The dead victims included a rabbi with ties to Crown Heights, a holocaust survivor and a 12-year-old girl, Australian officials said.

They were attacked because they were Jewish and cut down in the prime of their life [at] the first Chanukah gathering in the world, Krasniaski said at the Manhattan.

Krasniaski and others at the gathering struck a defiant tone in line with the holiday, which celebrates Jewish victory over oppression.

If our enemies think that we are going to cower and we are going to cancel our public menorah lightings, they have no idea who they started up with, Krasniaski said. They have no idea what the Jewish people are.

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This will only create an avalanche of light and wholesomeness and kindness and goodness that will overwhelm the darkness, he added. It hits home very strongly.

Krasniaskis son-in-law is from Sydney, and his family was at the beach attending the celebration when they were attacked, he related, acknowledging, So its very personal.

Toward the end of the vigil, a candle was lit on a large menorah. The vigil was initially planned as a first night of Chanukah celebration and menorah-lighting ceremony, but the organizers changed it to a vigil when they heard about the Bondi Beach attack.

Donuts and latkes  traditional Chanukah treats fried in oil  were passed around to attendees at the vigil.

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Anthony Bennett, 55, an Upper East Side resident and marketing consultant stood in the crowd, eating a latkah with his son.

We came because of what happened in Australia. The rabbi sent out an email saying, You know, you can hide under your covers, or you can show youre proud in being Jewish, he said. We wanted to come out. It wasnt for the latkes.

UJA Rabbi Menachem Creditor, 50, whose organization co-hosted the vigil, said his brother-in-law, Arsen Ostrovsky, was injured in the attack in Sydney.

He is one of the leaders of Australian Jewish community. He just moved there two weeks ago with his family, my sister and their two daughters, from Tel Aviv, Creditor said.

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So they landed, they wanted to celebrate Chanukah with this very big gathering for families at Bondi Beach. And they were there together. He took a step away from them and heard what he thought were balloons bursting, said Creditor, who said he spoke to Ostrovsky on the phone earlier Sunday.

He realized it was gunshots, and he stood up to look for his family and was shot in the back of his head. The bullet somehow grazed his skull, so hes in the hospital recovering, but thank God hes recovering, Creditor said.

Shmuel Kramer, 32, called on New York politicians, including Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, to make sure a similar attack doesnt happen in New York, which has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.

As a new administration takes office, Jewish Americans are watching closely, especially Jewish New Yorkers. We expect real protection, real accountability, and zero tolerance for rhetoric that fuels hate, Kramer said. We will stand openly and proud and without fear.

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Like other attendees, Kramer spoke of the resilience of the Jewish people.

History has already tested us, Kramer said. Hitler didnt erase us. Stalin didnt silence us, and Hamas wont break us. This is the real story of Chanukah were living now: a people who refuse to disappear or hide.
Last week, the U.S. Senate rejected two health care bills intended to resolve the impasse over COVID-19era Affordable Care Act (ACA), a.k.a. Obamacare, subsidies and, to one extent or another, concerns over the cost of medical coverage. Both were blocked by the near impossibility of advancing anything in that body without 60 votes in support. The Democrat-sponsored legislation would have kicked the can down the road on Obamacare plans' inherent flaws by extending "temporary" subsidies for another three years. The Republican bill was a more serious effort that would bring some reform to the system by expanding Americans' access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). But neither is going anywhere right now.

Maybe that's for the best. Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) proposes better legislation that expands Americans' access to HSAs and to group health plans offered by all sorts of organizations across state lines.

Obamacare is 'Junk Insurance at Outrageous Premiums'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) admitted that the Democrats' bill was a "clean three-year extension of ACA tax credits." That's unfortunate, because Obamacare is what the Cato Institute's Michael F. Cannon describes as "junk insurance at outrageous premiums."

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From the beginning, Obamacare came with built in subsidies for low-income consumers to conceal the program's expense, and those subsidies remain in place, unaffected by the current controversy. What's at stake now are enhanced subsidies, many for higher-income Americans who couldn't meet the price of the program's rising premiums during the pandemic yearsor now, as they continue to soar. The program may have been enacted into law as the Affordable Care Act, but the only thing keeping it affordable was a flood of taxpayer money to conceal its true expense. As costs rise, those subsidies have been extended to increasingly prosperous people.

Those subsidies have also become a target for scammers who, the Government Accountability Office found, enroll "consumers in insurance through the federal Marketplace by falsifying information on their applications," resulting in rampant fraud.

A "clean three-year extension of ACA tax credits" would do nothing more than briefly hide the need to scrap Obamacare and replace it with a reformed healthcare system.

The Republican bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Crapo (RIdaho) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (RLa.) took the need for reform more seriously. It would expand access to Obamacare "bronze" plans which are the closest remaining plans to old-fashioned "catastrophic" or real insurance, which cover unexpected costs rather than prepaying for medical care. These would be linked to HSAs with which patients control spending.

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As Crapo described it, "Americans could use the permanent, original premium tax credits to purchase qualified bronze plans with a Health Savings Account (HSA) attached, and they would then receive monthly contributions into that HSA, totaling $1,000 to $1,500 annually. Instead of lining the pockets of big insurance companies, like these subsidies, our HSA contributions would help patients pay expenses not covered by their insurance plan."

Dump Obamacare and Make Room for Individual Choice in the Market

Neither the Democrat subsidy extension nor the Republican HSA plan made it through the Senate. Hopefully, that leaves room for an even more comprehensive reform plan put forward by Paul.

"I, for one, continue to support the repeal of Obamacare and replacing it with true free market reforms, not just some rearranging of the current system," the Kentucky senator commented before the vote. "Legalizing cross-state health care buying co-ops and letting everyone have an HSA is the only truly conservative option."

Like Crapo and Cassidy's bill, Paul's legislation would increase access to HSAs by removing income caps. HSAs wouldn't be contingent on specific types of insurance plans, as they now are. It would also raise HSA contribution limits from $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families as of 2026 to $24,500. That's money put away without paying taxes on ita significant advantage in terms of saving not just for medical expenses, but for retirement since HSA money can be used for non-medical expenses once you hit age 65. Even before then, Paul's bill would expand what HSAs could cover.

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Just as importantly, Paul's legislation would expand Association Health Plans to allow as he puts it "any membership organization" to sponsor employer-style health coverage "creating new coverage options through groups such as rideshare services, online retailers, wholesale clubs, credit unions, churches, and other associations that bring people together." You could get medical coverage from any group you cared to join and keep it even as you switched jobs. And such health plans could be purchased across state lines, freeing consumers from the limited options available in some states, as well as the constricting requirements imposed by many governments that drive up costs.

The Bill Proposes Reforms Touted by Health Care Experts

Those are precisely the kinds of reforms recommended over the years by health care experts. In 2019, Cato's Cannon called for "large" HSAs to give Americans increased control over their healthcare expenses. "With these changes, the tax code would no longer force workers into health plans they don't want. Workers would be free to remain in their employer's plan; to buy ObamaCare plans; to buy ObamaCare-exempt plans that make coverage more secure for the sick; or just to save their money tax-free for future medical expenses," he commented at the time.

And both Reason contributing editor Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center and Curtis Dubay of the Heritage Foundation have called for extending the advantage in terms of tax benefits granted to employer-sponsored health plans to other plans and to allow coverage to be purchased across state lines. People could then take and leave jobs as they please without any impact on their medical coverage.

"Consumers should have the ability to choose how to meet their health insurance needs in a free market for insurance," wrote Dubay in 2013. "Taxpayers should benefit from a more efficient and affordable system for helping those who need health care but cannot afford it. Above all, patients, with their doctors, should make their own health care decisions free from government interference."

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Continuing "temporary" Obamacare subsidies for another three years won't improve Americans' healthcare, and it will barely hide the rising costs and growing inefficiencies that government meddling has created in medicine. Paul's bill would be a good step toward real reform that would expand both access to health care and Americans' ability to make their own decisions.

The post Obamacare Subsidies Can't Fix a Broken System. Rand Paul's Bill Could. appeared first on Reason.com.
Providence officials said Sunday night that a person previously detained as a person of interest in the Brown University shooting will be released from custody, as investigators continue pursuing additional leads in the case.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced the decision while speaking to reporters, saying authorities do not plan to file charges against the individual at this time.

We will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today, Smiley said. He acknowledged that the development could raise new concerns in the community but emphasized that officials have not identified any ongoing public safety threat.

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We have not received any credible or specific threats to the Providence community, Smiley said. The status of safety in our community remains unchanged, and we believe that you remain safe.

The individual had been detained early Sunday morning at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, following an overnight investigation into Saturdays shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others wounded. Authorities said federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies assisted in the operation.

Police have not released the identity of the individual and said the investigation remains active. No charges have been filed, and officials declined to discuss potential suspects or motives.

Brown University has postponed all remaining classes and exams for the Fall 2025 semester. Portions of the campus remain active crime scenes, though shelter-in-place orders have been lifted.

Officials said investigators continue reviewing evidence, executing search warrants, and conducting interviews. Additional updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
The sign for the Oklahoma Air and Spaceport in Burns Flat is pictured. (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics)

The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission voted Wednesday to allocate $490,900 to designs for a spacecraft hangar.

The commissions decision comes after the states $17 million agreement with international space company Dawn Aerospace was approved earlier this year. The uncrewed plane is suborbital and can be used for life science research and defense.

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Oklahomas Burns Flat air and space port was chosen to be the first in the United States to host Dawn Aerospaces plane, which is set to begin flights in 2027.

Now, the port needs a place to store the spacecraft.

Plans for the new facility include a control room with a viewing area and a payload processing facility, according to Nick Young, airports division manager for the state Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. It would also include office space and a meeting room.

The design could take between six and eight months to complete, said executive director Grayson Ardies. Construction could last up to 10 months.

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Once in operation, Ardies said the planes first 100 flights will be gifted to researchers from Oklahoma institutions.

We will do a selective process on what we believe are the best research projects, and those will be able to go up free, he said.

In July, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) merged into the Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics after the passage of Senate Bill 912 , authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City. Although OSIDA is still operating, the legislation phased out its board and gave its responsibilities to the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission.

The commission also voted to spend about $160,000 on a statewide space industry study, likely conducted by the consulting firm Artemis Group. The company is currently contracted by the department to help with workforce recruiting.

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Ardies said the recent restructuring is part of the reason for investing in the plan.

 We felt like it would be best for them to work on this strategic plan given their knowledge of the space industry in Oklahoma, he said.

This article was originally published by StateImpact Oklahoma. StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahomas public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond.

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UVIRA, DR Congo, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- In Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), streets are being swept, shops are cautiously reopening, and residents are stepping back into public spaces as daily life begins to move again.

After days of intense fighting, the once temporary administrative center of South Kivu has begun a fragile recovery, with uncertainty over whether calm will last.

Early Saturday morning, three days after the March 23 Movement (M23) claimed to have seized the city, residents in several neighborhoods emerged to clean main roads, sweep streets, and clear debris left by recent clashes.

"This is the first time we've come out since the fighting," said Ndugu Bahambwe, a local of Kalundu neighborhood, holding a broom. "We were afraid, but we also want to show that life has to continue."

Bahambwe said the citywide clean-up was meant to prepare for a possible reopening of economic activities as early as next week, "if the situation remains calm."

While the atmosphere felt quieter than before, caution governed daily routines, especially after dark. Many shops shut their doors, public transport operated at reduced capacity, and most residents only went out for necessities.

From daytime till after dark, this tentative return unfolded under a heavy military presence, with M23 fighters deployed around key sites and stationed at major intersections across the city.

Uvira is functioning again, residents told Xinhua, but under close watch. Those bullet holes and damaged vehicles still stayed, highlighting how the recent violence shattered daily life.

In recent weeks, fighting between the Congolese military and the M23 has spread across several territories in South Kivu, displacing over 500,000 civilians, including over 100,000 children, and disrupting economic activity, according to the United Nations Children's Fund.

Uvira's strategic location off the shores of Lake Tanganyika and on the border with Burundi, with an active crossing point, makes its stability particularly sensitive.

As a commercial crossroads in South Kivu, Uvira plays a crucial role in cross-border trade with Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, particularly in food, fuel, and mineral supplies.

The uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict continues to shape civilian behavior more than any official declaration of calm.

Aganze Aristote, who fled Uvira during the fighting, said his family lost most of their belongings while escaping gunfire. "We abandoned many things while running," he said.

After hearing that the area had been secured, he decided to return. "Life became very difficult when we fled. We didn't know where to go," he said. "I came back and reopened so that the children would not die of hunger."

Munyasole Yve made a similar decision after fleeing. "Where we went, we realized we risked dying of hunger," he said. "The money ran out, and the local authorities couldn't support everyone. We had no choice but to return."

The instability has also affected foreign workers.

As M23 forces entered Uvira, Burundian authorities closed the border with the DRC, citing security concerns.

On Sunday, a one-day, limited passage was granted to allow hundreds of Burundian nationals stranded in South Kivu to go back home, following consultations between the M23 and Burundian authorities.

At the border, a long queue of visibly anxious people formed under the sun. Many carried all they had left -- bundles wrapped in cloth and balanced on their heads, sweat running down their faces as they stood in line waiting for their turn.

Among them was Fulgence Ndaizehe. "We were working in Uvira," he said. "But given the situation, we decided to go back to Burundi."

As residents cautiously tried a return to daily routines, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka on Saturday urged youth to avoid violence, looting, and retaliation, noting residents themselves, particularly young people, as a key force in stabilizing the city.

Briefing the United Nations Security Council on Friday, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, warned that the DRC continued to face a deep security and humanitarian crisis, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

Lacroix said the latest M23 offensive in South Kivu had "revived the specter of a regional conflagration with incalculable consequences," and warned of a "serious risk" of further fragmentation as the conflict becomes increasingly regionalized.

Analysts and local sources have warned that Uvira's loss could open a corridor toward the DRC's southeastern provinces, including Haut-Katanga, a key economic region, as clashes have also been reported further south in the Baraka and Fizi areas.

For many civilians, however, confidence will depend less on speeches than on whether calm holds over time. 
As a wild bird rehabilitator, Sheida Soleimani doesn't typically rescue parrots, but she has a couple of birds that parrot her  even speaking in her native Farsi.

Pluto, a blue jay in Soleimani's care, also does an impressive impression of a cat, as well as car alarms and even a washer and dryer.

Soleimani, an artist of Iranian ancestry, is the founder of Congress of the Birds, which rescues and rehabilitates wild birds at clinics in Providence and Chepachet. Through November, Congress of the Birds had taken in 1,540 wild birds this year. Many of them display unique traits and talents.

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On Dec. 5, Soleimani posted a video to Facebook of Pluto sounding as catty as an American shorthair.

"Our blue jay has decided shes actually a cat. Lately, Plutos favorite thing to mimic are the feral cats she hears outside her window  and its not only their meows  its their hissing and growling sounds, too!"

"Blue jays are famous for their mimicry, often imitating hawks and other birds, but Pluto has taken the art form in her own  feline direction," Soleimani wrote.

If you're wondering why blue jays imitate hawks, it's so they can scare other birds away from feeders and have more to eat themselves. As Soleimani can attest, they're resourceful birds.

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At Congress of the Birds, the goal is to restore the health of the birds and return them to the wild, but Pluto cannot safely be put back in the wild, so she's staying with Soleimani. Congress of the Birds took in Pluto from another rescue, but she didn't spend any of her time there with other blue jays and spent too much time with humans.

"She sees people as her family," Soleimani said in an interview.

Hanging around, Pluto has picked up other sounds, too. In an Instagram reel, Soleimani said Pluto can also imitate mechanical noises.

Congress of the Birds Executive Director Sheida Soleimani, at the nonprofit's rehabilitation center in Chepachet.

"In this specific case, our resident Blue Jay, Pluto, has learned how to imitate the sound of our clinics washer and dryer!" Soleimani wrote."Every day, she surprises us with a new sound, but this one really makes us laugh! From chirps to machine-like hums, Pluto is definitely keeping us on our toes. Who knew that a bird could give our appliances a run for their money?" she wrote.

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In another post, Soleimani wrote, "Remember the video of Pluto mimicking the washer/dryer sounds? Well now, shes moved on to us! Lately, Plutos been trying to sound out 'hi' and even 'how are you'  we hear it most when shes feeling chatty in the mornings."

It's not "totally surprising" that Pluto has impersonation skills rivaling Kate McKinnon's, according to Soleimani. Jays are part of the corvid family, like crows and ravens; they're "super smart and known for their impressive mimicking skills," she said.

Another corvid in Soleimani's care is Zia, a raven that can imitate a barking dog and, even more impressively, imitates Soleimani in more than one language.

"When people pass by my house, they often think they can hear me outside  so they stop to say hi. The big joke is that its not me at all  its my raven Zia, who has mastered my Ohio-accented Farsi a little too well," Soleimani wrote. "Here he is casually dropping 'hi Zia,' 'salam,' and 'chetori.'"

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"Salam" means "hello," and "chetori" means "How are you?"

Soleimani wrote, "When I spend time with them, I speak Farsi, and apparently these are the words that they hear me say the most."

Zia and another raven, Zola, were both rescued after being shot with a pellet gun. Their initial rescuers spent too much time with them, and they can't be released into the wild. Their aviary is right below Soleimani's bedroom window.

"My alarm clock" is Soleimani's own voice coming from the ravens, Soleimani said. And then Pluto starts mimicking the washer and dryer.

"It really is quite an orchestra," she said.

View posts by Congress of the Birds on Instagram at instagram.com/congress.of.the.birds and Soleimani at instagram.com/sheidajanam.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Congress of Birds residents imitate cats, appliances, speak Farsi
Angela Wallace never planned to launch a school on her own. But after 18 years of teaching in public schools, she wanted to do more for her gifted, twice-exceptional and underserved students. So in 2024, she helped found a microschool in Mereaux, Louisiana, a small town not far from New Orleans.

Although she had a doctorate in educational leadership and extensive teaching experience, she quickly discovered that passion and pedagogical expertise were necessary but insufficient ingredients of her new school vision. As it turns out, the business side of running a school  from securing facilities to establishing a sustainable financial model  presented hurdles she hadnt anticipated.

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Among microschool founders, Wallaces story isnt unique. They face the same startup challenges as small business entrepreneurs  facilities procurement, building and zoning regulations, not to mention standing up payroll and other administrative tasks. The difference is that most small business entrepreneurs benefit from volumes of self-help guides, experts and influencers. Perhaps most importantly, they have access to guidance and counseling from both banks and federal small business development centers.

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Most microschool founders simply dont.

For traditional lenders like banks, a new, small school is simply too risky and the return too small to justify the effort necessary to qualify the applicant and underwrite the loan. Their processes are designed for larger, more established ventures, and it can cost just as much to underwrite a $10K loan as a $500K loan.

Earlier this year, our nonprofit launched the nations first open-access loan program for microschools. The idea was simple: offer relatively small, low-interest loans of $5,000 to $50,000 for each entrepreneur to provide the helping hand these small schools need to get up and running.

Related

New Microschool Accreditation Pathways Are Opening Doors for Founders & Families

In the first 30 days, the program attracted interest from 258 schools across 36 states. The demand was overwhelming. But what we learned while reviewing the applications might surprise you: Of the 54 schools that ultimately submitted full applications, 80% didnt even meet underwriting criteria to qualify for the unsecured loans we offer. In those instances, we shared specific denial reasons with each applicant and connected them to technical assistance, depending on whether theyre for-profit or nonprofit organizations.

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The mismatch between the significant interest in the loan program and the lack of financial and accounting acumen signaled to us that this critical, burgeoning sector needs much more focused support than we had thought. Here were some of their biggest barriers:

Business Fundamentals Gap: Most founders excel at education but struggle with basic business operations. In reviewing applications, we found consistent problems with financial planning: unrealistic budgets, inadequate pricing strategies and poor accounting practices. Many resort to personal credit cards or retirement savings to fund operations, a practice that threatens both personal and school finances. Our analysis shows that even experienced educators often lack the business-modeling skills needed to build sustainable institutions.

Building Code and Zoning Challenges: Finding appropriate, affordable space remains a major hurdle. While many founders eye church facilities as a solution, they quickly encounter complex zoning restrictions  Sunday school rooms rarely meet weekday classroom requirements. The regulatory maze includes building codes, occupancy limits and safety requirements that can overwhelm new founders. Some states are developing solutions, including public-private partnerships and revised zoning laws that could ease these barriers.

Sustainability: Early financial missteps, particularly around facilities and debt, can create nearly insurmountable challenges for growth. Schools operating with high debt loads or unfavorable leases struggle to achieve the scale needed for stability. Whats missing is the kind of technical support that traditional small businesses receive  guidance on financial planning, facility management and operational efficiency that could help these innovative educators build lasting institutions.

For founders like Wallace, the Microschool Loan Program offers more than just capital: It provides a pathway to establish proper facilities and implement sustainable business practices while maintaining focus on their core mission of transforming education. With the loan, she has a strong start, serving her initial 17 students who need alternative learning environments.

The challenges that microschools are facing are so intimately related to the hurdles charters faced in the early days of that sector: Theres so much energy, so many important ideas and so many dedicated and enthusiastic people. But many lack good business fundamentals. We must help ensure people do things the right way so they are positioned to launch successfully and flourish.

The next three to five years will be monumentally important in cementing this sector. This grand experiment  supporting microschool startups  shows the importance of building scalable, sector-wide support for nontraditional school models. There is a critical need here, and we can, in fact, help solve their biggest challenges.




Off-campus lunch has been a rite of passage for juniors and seniors across San Antonio high school campuses for years. Though, with urban sprawl leading to denser traffic and more dangerous conditions for students, the Alamo City's biggest public school district is looking at a major policy change to reduce the number of students wandering beyond their safe keeping for their afternoon meal.

Many of the high schools owned and operated by Northside Independent School District are now in dense areas with changing roadway infrastructure. This is particularly concerning when students qualify for off-campus lunch privileges, leaving the campus and the safeguards put in place by the district.

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These concerns came to a head back in September when a 16-year-old John Jay High School junior was hit by a car, and eventually died from their injuries weeks later, according to reports from the San Antonio Express-News. The student was reportedly hit while traversing a marked crosswalk in the 7700 block of Marbach Road seemingly while off campus for lunch at around 2 p.m.

Another high school student, 17, at Harlan High School was reportedly hit by car while off campus for lunch just over a year ago, according to reports from KENS 5 back in November of 2024.

"My son goes to Harlan High School, and we were notified by the school that one student as hit by a car crossing the street for lunch. It's on Culebra, and it's very busy. It's on Culebra, and it's very busy," Kimberly Harlan tells MySA. "That said, only juniors and seniors can go off campus, and there are restaurants located right next to the school I feel OK with my son leaving campus for lunch, but he's very cautious and responsible. I think it depends on the kid."

In speaking with NISD officials, there's been some misunderstanding in what the future holds for off-campus lunch privileges at their high schools. While rumors have swirled that only a certain list of schools will see crackdowns on lunchtime leaves, a spokesperson assures that any district policy updates will apply to every high school across the ISD.

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Further, there's been a misconception spread that it would be a hard end to off-campus privileges. In reality, an NISD spokesperson told MySA this has been a discussion underway for some time as traffic and density around the high schools skyrockets. Though the recent tragedy seems to have upped the urgency on the timeline for finding a solution.

The district is reportedly thinking of adding more qualifiers for off-campus privileges, like limiting it to students that meet College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) guidelines.

It's all in an effort to reduce the number of students leaving the safety confines of their high school campuses on any given day  a liability nightmare for public school districts who are responsible for students from the time the first bell rings in the morning until the final class period ends on weekdays.

While an exact number of students who currently meet CCMR guidelines is difficult to nail down, NISD officials estimate about 70% of students will meet those standards  whether enrolled in dual credit courses, registering for and taking college or career exams or partaking in educational pathways toward industry certifications.

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NISD officials are set to continue nailing down the details of this change through the holiday season and come back to parents with a final policy change in the new year. But any changes won't go into effect until the 2026-27 school year. In the meantime, opinions among parents is entirely split with some feeling it's a time honored tradition that shouldn't be taken away and others siding with the district over safety concerns.

"I graduated in 2020 and was never allowed to leave campus during lunch. That's not OK. Parents should be able to expect their kids are at school through the entire day," Olivia Alvarez told MySA. "There's no reason to leave campus for lunch as a [junior] or senior, just causes unnecessary dangers and freedoms."

This article originally published at Parent reactions surge over new policy in San Antonio's largest school district.
A combination of new interceptors and launchers is set to give the Patriot surface-to-air missile system an over-the-shoulder engagement capability, the U.S. Army has disclosed. What this means is that future Patriot systems will have critical additional flexibility to engage threats, even ones that may have already passed overhead. This is something the system cannot currently do without physically reorienting its launchers, creating challenges in various intercept scenarios.

Army officials discussed current and future planned capabilities for Patriot with Secretary Pete Hegseth during a recent tour of Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, at which members of the media were also present. Hegseth had traveled to Redstone last week primarily for a ceremony marking the designation of the facility as the new headquarters for U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM).

Secretary Hegseth, second from the left, seen in front of a launcher for the Patriot surface-to-air missile system during a recent tour of Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. DoW/USN Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza

For some immediate context, a current Army Patriot battery typically consists of eight M903 launchers, as well as an AN/MPQ-65 multifunction phased array radar and other fire control, communications, and support equipment. Each trailer-based M903 can be loaded with a mix of PAC-2 and PAC-3 series interceptors, the exact capabilities of which you can read more about here. The launchers have a degree of ability to traverse left and right, and fire interceptors at an upward angle in whichever direction they are pointed. Overall, the systems are deployed in static positions aimed in a largely fixed direction.

A graphic depicting the components of a typical US Army Patriot battery. via GlobalSecurity.org

A graphic showing various Patriot launcher types (including the M903) and possible load configurations. Lockheed Martin A graphic showing various Patriot launcher types and possible load configurations. Lockheed Martin

So, the current [M903] launcher will slew, Army Lt. Col. Steven Moebes, currently Product Manager for Lower Tier Interceptors, told Hegseth at the recent Redstone show-and-tell. I will put in a plug that this year were starting a new interceptor program that will have longer range [and] higher altitudes.

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Moebes did not name the new interceptor program. However, the Army had indicated earlier in the year that it was looking to reboot the Lower-Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI) effort for Patriot, which we will come back to later on. Lower-tier in this context refers to the lower end of the ballistic missile defense spectrum. Patriot is otherwise in the upper-end of the Armys current slate of air and missile defense capabilities.

The Lower Tier Interceptors Program Manager was also responding to a direct question from Hegseth, which is largely inaudible in the available video from the event that multiple outlets captured. The Secretary can be heard saying that the focus of his question is something of personal interest to President Donald Trump.

All of our digital simulations are showing that with that new interceptor, we will have the ability for what we call [an] over-the-shoulder shot, Moebes continued. So, it will have the kinematic power to be able to launch and actually engage behind us.

Its a software problem. On this system right now, the software does not allow us to fire behind, Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Costello, head of the Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, who was also present during Hegseths tour of Redstone, added. The Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher [CAML] that were developing  is going to be more vertical [in terms of launch profile], too.

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Even if were doing over-the-shoulder launches, we lose some probability [of kill], we lose some lethality  [when the] missiles wasting energy going forward and turning around, Costello continued.

CAML is a planned family of different autonomous launcher vehicles, which the Army wants to use to fire a variety of offensive and defensive munitions, as you can learn more about here. The Army has said previously that it envisions the heaviest tier of CAML, or CAML-H, being able to launch Patriot surface-to-air missile interceptors, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Extreme Multi-Mission Autonomous Vehicle (X-MAV) from Oshkosh Defense seen here is one of a number of launcher vehicles now in development with the Armys CAML requirements in mind. Jamie Hunter

As an aside, Lockheed Martin has already demonstrated the ability to fire the latest Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) variant of the PAC-3 interceptor vertically from a containerized launcher derived from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) used on various U.S. Navy and foreign warships. That testing is part of a larger push primarily aimed at promoting PAC-3 MSE for naval applications, though it could be relevant to the Armys future plans, as well.

A picture of a test launch of a PAC-3 MSE interceptor vertically from a containerized launcher. Lockheed Martin A picture from the PAC-3 MSE test launch. Lockheed Martin

It is also interesting to note here that many surface-to-air missile systems in service globally, including ones that are loosely comparable to Patriot, such as Russias S-400 and Chinas HQ-9, already feature launchers that fire their interceptors vertically.

Transporter-erector-launchers (TEL) for the S-400 surface-to-air missile system seen deployed. The TELs associated with Chinas HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system are very similar in form and function. Sergei Malgavko / TASS

Details about the Armys new Patriot interceptor program otherwise remain limited. As mentioned, the service has been talking about restarting the LTFI effort for some months now. Last year, the service had announced plans to cancel that program, ostensibly over high projected costs. While the estimated unit cost for LTFI is unknown, each PAC-3 MSE interceptor currently has a price tag in the $4.6 million range, according to Army budget documents.

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There are some aspects of the LTFI program that are still somewhat pre-decisional, but I believe that we will get support for the program, and I may be in a position this time next year to begin program-of-record execution, Army Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, then Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space, had said in October during a panel discussion at the Association of the U.S. Armys (AUSA) main annual conference. I think right now the glass is probably half full that well get to run that program, and so were really in the planning process in figuring out what thats going to look like moving forward.

Lozano, who now has the title of Director of Hypersonic, Directed Energy, Space, and Rapid Acquisition, led the recent tour for Hegseth at Redstone.

A Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor seen being fired during a test. DoD A Patriot launcher fires a newer PAC-3-series missile during a test. DoD

Regardless, new interceptors and launchers that allow for over-the-shoulder shots would be an important, if not essential, capability boost for Patriot. The air and missile defense threat ecosystem includes a growing number of faster-flying air-breathing and ballistic threats, many of which also come along with more complex and/or erratic flight profiles.

Earlier this year, the U.S. military notably confirmed that Russian tactical improvements, including enhancements that enable their missiles to change trajectory and perform maneuvers rather than flying in a traditional ballistic trajectory, had created real challenges for Patriot systems supplied to Ukraine. This is a prime example of the threat picture the Army is already faced with.

A stock picture of a Russian Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile being launched during an exercise. Iskander-M is chief among the ballistic missiles Russias forces have been employing against Ukraine. Russian MoD

In speaking at Redstone with Secretary Hegseth, Lt. Col. Moebes did highlight the immense role that Patriot has played to date in Ukraine, despite the aforementioned issues, especially as the countrys only real option for engaging incoming ballistic threats.

A Patriot missile system operator urged Americans to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians, saying:



We want to thank the American people for supplying us with the weapons we need. Your support allows us to protect our cities and the people who live in them. pic.twitter.com/Ikb01YOutE  Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) March 6, 2025

Patriot systems with expanded engagement envelopes, as well as launchers that do not need to slew to face the direction of the target before firing, would also offer benefits for responding to large volume strikes, especially ones where targets are incoming from multiple vectors simultaneously. A future Patriot launcher capable of firing different types of interceptors vertically would offer further advantages for addressing complex attacks that include varied threats with different performance profiles, as well.

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Uncrewed launcher vehicles with high degrees of autonomy, whether loaded with Patriots or other munitions, offer additional benefits, including additional operational capacity without major demands for more additional personnel. The launchers also help reduce risk to human operators, even when pushed forward in higher-risk environments. This all creates new targeting dilemmas and different risks of pop-up threats for adversaries.

The Army is already working to expand Patriots ability to spot and track targets with new Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radars that offer 360-degree coverage. This is a major improvement compared to the more limited, forward-facing field of view provided by the AN/MPQ-65. The new Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) network also gives Patriot systems significantly greater access to offboard tracking and targeting data. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, over-the-shoulder engagement and vertical launch capabilities would be critical to get the most out of LTAMDS.

All this being said, it is important to point out that the Armys Patriot force overall is highly strained. A succession of crises in recent years, together with support to Ukraine, have underscored how the services capacity to provide Patriot support is worryingly inadequate to meet current operational demands, let alone those of a future high-end fight. These concerns extend to stockpiles of interceptors, as well as the total number of systems available. TWZ has been calling attention to these issues for years now.

The Army, together with Raytheon (the Patriot systems prime contractor) and Lockheed Martin (the prime contractor for the PAC-3 MSE), has been trying to take steps in recent years to reverse these trends. This includes work to ramp up PAC-3 MSE production and plans to establish four new Army Patriot battalions in the coming years. However, questions remain about the speed with which any of that will actually arrive, especially given the demand for Patriot globally, which has grown in light of its performance in Ukraine. Earlier this year, deliveries of new Patriot systems to Switzerland were notably delayed to help meet the urgent demands of the Ukrainian armed forces.

What is clear is that the Army is now actively pursuing critical new capabilities to help prevent air and missile threats from slipping behind its Patriot batteries.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Mike Pence has split with President Donald Trump once again. Giving voice to anti-abortion advocates increasingly frustrated with the inaction of the current White House, the former vice president is calling on his old boss to fire Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Pence alleges that Kennedy broke his promise to lawmakers, and the social conservatives who make up a large part of the MAGA base, when the Food and Drug Administration failed to follow through with a safety review of the abortion drug mifepristone.

"Its time to kick this progressive wolf in pro-life sheeps clothing to the curb," reads a memo from Pences group, the Advancing American Freedom Foundation, first reported by RealClearPolitics. "RFK Jr must go."

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The dissent signals that the Trump coalition may be fraying. Evangelical voters helped make him president twice. The Make America Healthy Again contingent, including a large number of disaffected Democrats, followed Kennedy into the Trump camp last year, increasing his margins of victory. Back in the White House, Trump has focused more on the alleged dangers of food dyes, Tylenol, and vaccines than on curbing abortion access.

In a statement to RCP, Pence noted the "key role" pro-life voters played in returning Trump to the Oval Office before blasting Kennedy for being "unable or unwilling to deliver on his many promises to the pro-life movement." The HHS secretary hasnt even cleared the lowest bar, he added, pointing to a still-incomplete review "of the dangerous chemical abortion pill that millions of pro-lifers consider the bare minimum for a pro-life administration."

"Kennedy should step aside and give President Trump the opportunity to select a new HHS Secretary who will deliver pro-life results for the American people," Pence said.

Discontent has boiled beneath the surface with an administration led by the self-described "most pro-life president" in U.S. history. The issue has receded from the White House policy portfolio even as the annual number of abortions has increased after the Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade. Anger bubbled over last week after Bloomberg News reported that the Trump administration was delaying a long-promised review of mifepristone until after the midterm elections.

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A senior White House official denied that allegation, telling RCP, "The study is not being slow-walked. Comprehensive and exhaustive reviews take time."

The frustration was initially focused on FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America first called for Makary to be fired. Lila Rose, president of Live Action, followed suit. "Its politics over women," complained Brad Kehr, government affairs director for Americans United for Life. "Votes over safety." On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, wrote on social media that the "FDA lied to me and other members of Congress."

In response, the White House shrugged.

"FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is working diligently to ensure that Americans have the best possible, Gold Standard Science study of mifepristone. The White House maintains the utmost confidence in Commissioner Makary," Trump spokesman Kush Desai told RCP, pointing to "one landmark victory for the American people after another" from his crackdown on artificial food ingredients to the first safety review of baby formula in decades.

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Pence joined the chorus of conservatives arguing last week for the FDA chief to be fired. Now he has escalated the argument by going after Makarys boss, HHS Sec. Kennedy. A source familiar with the strategy told RCP that the goal is "to set the edge" for Republican lawmakers and "give them more running room to do what they need to do: Tell Trump RFK Jr needs to go."

"If he wants to keep his coalition together," the source said of the president, "its critical that he take this seriously. No one in his cabinet seems to be saying this to him."

Kennedy, a pro-abortion Democrat before finding his way into the GOP fold, had to overcome lingering Republican skepticism during his confirmation hearing. He promised, among other things, to direct the FDA to conduct a safety review of mifepristone. The work was ongoing, he testified later in September, telling lawmakers that the Biden administration "actually twisted the data to bury one of the safety signals." The next month, the FDA made the drug more available by approving a generic version of the abortion drug, infuriating social conservatives.

Prescriptions of the drug surged after the Supreme Court overturned the national right to an abortion in 2022, and the total number of abortions has increased nationally year after year. Nearly two-thirds of abortions are now carried out using the medication, which is readily available through the mail after the Biden administration reversed rules requiring an in-person doctor visit for a prescription.

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In August, 22 Republican attorneys general called on the Trump administration to reinstate safety protocols for mifepristone, saying it poses "serious risks to women" and citing a study by the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, which claimed that one in 10 women experience a "serious adverse event," including hemorrhage, emergency room visits, and ectopic pregnancy.

Republican states argue that so long as mifepristone remains available through the mail, state laws can easily be circumvented. Their concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The Biden-era policies continue under Trump.

The delayed review of mifepristone, the approval of a new generic version of the abortion drug, and the failure to reverse Bidens policy on prescription, according to Pence, are strike one, two, and three for RFK Jr. The former vice president had already accused the Trump administration of stonewalling Congress, and in October, AAF filed a Freedom of Information Act request and later took HHS to court for documents related to the approval of a new generic. Their requests have not been answered.

The messy divorce between Pence and Trump concluded long ago. The former vice president fell out of favor when he refused to go along with a scheme to throw out the results of the 2020 presidential election. Their split was finalized when Pence unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the Republican nomination four years later. Trump later moved on to select JD Vance, another staunchly anti-abortion Republican, as his vice president.

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Pence and Trump do not speak regularly. But it was Pence who calmed the concerns of social conservatives over a decade ago when the president was better known as a celebrity real estate tycoon who donated to Democrats. During their four years in office, the pair delivered numerous victories for an anti-abortion coalition, including the successful confirmation of three Supreme Court nominees who later voted to overturn Roe. A longstanding ally of anti-abortion activists, Pence now leans on that record in arguing that the HHS secretary should get the boot.

"Republicans gave RFK Jr a chance and he has failed. RFK Jr was confirmed under the belief that he would protect vulnerable women and children - not to pursue four more years of progressive pro-abortion policies at HHS," concludes the memo from Pences group. "RFK Jr. must go."

Philip Wegmann is White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics.
Hi, I'm Alexa, and I usually use this space to track Donald Trump's "hot" economy, but we also need to examine how his policies are affecting everyday people  especially his loyal followers. So, welcome to Donnie Hate Watch.

BuzzFeed

As you likely know, during all of his campaigns, Donald Trump drew a hard line when it came to immigration and border security. Ahead of the 2024 election, Trump promised , On day one... We will begin the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.

Andrew Caballero-reynolds / Getty Images

Somehow, though, it seems like many among his base didn't get the memo...

Leon Neal / Getty Images

Related: A Trump Supporter Said They're "Living On Credit Cards" And Begged Him To Send A Stimulus Check Amid Rising Costs...And The Internet Reacted Exactly How You Think

...despite the literal signage.

Scott Olson / Getty Images

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Now, Trump voters experiencing deportations within their families, work, schools, and communities are expressing their regrets.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Among them is this MAGA supporter, who only appears to regret their vote now that it's affecting their employeers and therefore their business.

"Let me start by saying I voted for Trump," the business owner shared in a recent rant online. "He was the best option on the ballot. I didn't agree with all his ideas but over all I was hoping he would be the a vast improvement over the past administration. In a lot of ways I think he has been."

Related: "Put This On A T-Shirt"  People Are Praising This Anti-ICE Protestor's 3-Word Response To Getting Tear-Gassed At The LA Protests

"However, this hellbent notion of deporting all illegal aliens is wrong in my opinion."

"Yes there are many bad illegal immigrants here, and they need to be deported. I'm all for it. That is the exception not the norm."

"I'm a 67 year old white small business owner," they continued. "We are a concrete construction company. I have Hispanic finishers and carpenters that have worked for me for years. A couple for over 20 years."

"They are not employees to me. They are family. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them. They are honest hard working, dependable guys who exceed expectations. They care, take pride in what they do. A couple of them have their sons help on occassion."

"They don't even have family in Mexico now.If they were to get deported they would have nowhere to go or family."

"If you have never been to Mexico, before you judge these people, you need to experience Mexico for yourself. These people come from poverty. Backbreaking work for $70 a week."

"I realize the majority of people don't get it or probably care," they concluded. "This is not what America should be about. Shame on Trump and anyone who thinks this is the right thing to do."

"I breaks my heart to see these fine families getting separated and having to live in fear here, when all they want is to make a honest living. They don't live extravagent lives, because they send money to help there parents and loved ones get by so they don't have to work for the cartel."

Related: Sorry, But If You Can't Get At Least 5/10 On This Weekly News Quiz, You've Officially Been Living Under A Rock

A screenshot of the full post went viral on Reddit:

Commenters granted all of their sympathy to the employees affected, but certainly held nothing back when it came to their boss. Here's what they're saying:

"'There's nothing I wouldn't do for them.' Except vote in their best interests (and my own)."

 SmellGestapo

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"He was willing to do anything except sponsor, fund, or take any action whatsoever to protect their status in this country. They were such family to him, yet he decided to exploit them for the fact they were not naturalized citizens, and is now just fucking gutted that he's no longer able to exploit his family for another two decades."

 TheDevil-YouKnow

"What part of 'deport the illegals' did this guy not understand?"

southofakronoh

"Best option? He meant wasn't a Black woman."

 Commander-of-ducks

"Ding ding ding. To him, Trump was clearly the white choice."

 GhostofZellers

"You shouldve voted for the well-educated woman of color, instead of the clueless angry white guy, lol. If you can listen to a former president ramble on for hours and not take every single thing he said at face value, then shame on you."

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TravelerMSY

Related: This Trump Supporter Posted A Viral Rant About Their Rising Insurance Bill, And It Completely Backfired

20th Television

contude327

"Hope he has to work until he dies and can never retire. Fuck that guy."

 vonhizzle

"So it affects his bottom line and hes not fine with that. Everything else"

 PhoenixCogburn

YIKES. What are your thoughts?

 Share your views on this regretful MAGA supporter in the comments. I neeeed to know what you're thinking.

Want to know if Trump's economy is actually doing as well as he promised? Subscribe to the Economy Hate Watch newsletter and never miss our monthly update.

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Also in In the News: Top Democrats Just Dropped A Bombshell Accusation About Trump's Mental State, But The White House Has Consistently Denied It

Also in In the News: Donald Trump Hated His Time Magazine Cover... But He'll Probably Hate These 16 Photos Wayyyyyyyyyyyy More

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com
A person of interest who had been detained overnight in connection with the deadly shooting at Brown University is set to be released, officials said Sunday night.

Two people were killed and nine others were wounded in the shooting Saturday afternoon in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams.

Attorney General Peter Neronha said Sunday night that while some evidence had "pointed to" the person of interest, the evidence now "points in a different direction."

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"So what that means is that this person of interest needs to be released," Neronha said.

Providence Police chief Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. said Sunday night, "We followed on a lead. And we followed on a specific lead ... That's how investigations work."

"It's not a mistake. It's just how investigations work," he said.

A police vehicle in an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, following Saturday's shooting. / Credit: Steven Senne / AP (Steven Senne / AP)

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters on Sunday that seven of those hospitalized remain in stable condition and one is in critical condition. One person with less severe injuries was discharged. In the afternoon, he said the conditions had not changed, but he confirmed that he had spoken to four of the victims.

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"This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence and Brown  for all of us," he said.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that a command center had been set up, as well as "digital media intake portal to ingest images and video from the public related to this incident."

University President Christina Paxson told reporters on Saturday that all the victims, those killed and wounded, were students. Smiley said Sunday afternoon that not all the victims' families had been notified yet.

"Everybody's reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us," Paxson said at the news conference Sunday. "Our community's strong and we'll get through it, but it's devastating."

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Surveillance video released by police showed the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. His face is not visible in the video and investigators said it wasn't clear whether the suspect is a student.

Perez on Sunday night, after saying a previous person of interest was being released, confirmed officials were still looking for the person seen in the video.

Security video that police believe shows the suspect fleeing the scene of the deadly shooting on the campus building at Brown University on Dec. 13, 2025. / Credit: Providence Police Department

A shelter-in-place for Brown University and the surrounding areas that was in place on Saturday has been lifted.

"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."

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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, Smiley said on Saturday.

On Sunday, university officials said remaining classes and exams for the semester have been cancelled and students are free to leave campus. 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.

Smiley said Sunday that there will be an enhanced police presence around the city to comfort the community, but not because the area is part of the investigation.

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President Trump, at an event at the White House on Sunday, offered his condolences and respects to the victims.

"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 respect from the United States of America," he said.

Editor's Note: CBS News has removed the name of the person of interest after police released them from custody.

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8:40 PM PT -- In a major twist ... Authorities are releasing the person of interest in the Brown University mass shooting because they had "some degree of evidence" against him, but the "evidence now points in a different direction," according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

Continue reading original story below.

The person of interest taken into custody in connection to the Brown University shooting is reportedly a 24-year-old with U.S. Army training.

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CNN -- citing multiple law enforcement sources -- has identified the person of interest as Benjamin Erickson ... a man from Wisconsin who served in the army from 2021 to 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile, which has been taken down.

Erickson reportedly passed sniper training, worked in firearms instruction and ultimately left the military after having attained the rank of Specialist.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Army told the outlet he was never deployed ... and his social media indicates he served at Arlington National Cemetery.

Brown University Shooting Suspect CCTV Footage

As you know ... a person of interest was taken into custody Sunday morning at a Rhode Island hotel where he was reportedly found with a pair of firearms.

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The POI's detention came after authorities released video of the suspect fleeing the scene ... making a sharp turn around a corner and keeping his head down in his all black outfit.

Brown University Mass Shooting - Click image to open gallery

2 people were killed and 8 more were injured after Saturday's shooting which took place in a building on the school's campus. The shooting sparked a massive police response and has led to vigils in the Providence area.
Flash: Special investigation files charges against 24 people on martial law in S. Korea, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol
If youre dreaming of sunny days on Kauais famous shores, theres a new rule you should know before heading to the beach. In a landmark environmental move, Kauai County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed Bill No. 2976 on December 10, 2025, which will ban the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable polystyrene foam bodyboards across the island.

This may sound like a small policy change, but for locals, visitors, business owners, and ocean lovers alike, it marks a significant shift in how Hawaiis communities are choosing to protect their beaches and marine ecosystems.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more travel news!

Kauai Country Press Release (Kauai Country Press Release)

Whats being banned

Under the new ordinance, disposable bodyboards made of polystyrene foam, which is the inexpensive, lightweight boards commonly sold at beachside shops, will no longer be allowed to be sold, rented, or handed out anywhere in Kauai County. The ban doesnt go into effect immediately, but will begin one year after the bills approval, giving local businesses and vendors time to adjust and transition to alternative products.

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The foam was previously banned in January 2022 for all food related use, including cups, plates, and bowls (with exceptions for foods prepared off-island and shipped in, as well as containers used to package raw or butchered meats, poultry, fish and eggs). After this ban occurred under Bill 2775, all four of Hawaii's counties officially had polystyrene foam food bans, making Hawaii a foam free state, one of only five in the U.S.

The law creates a new environmental section in the Kauai County Code aimed at reducing pollution and safeguarding coastal habitats. It also sets up civil penalties for violations, including escalating fines for businesses that dont comply once the law is in force. Enforcement is expected to be handled by the countys Public Works Solid Waste Division, with further legal action possible through the County Attorneys office.

This ordinance reflects our responsibility to care for Kauais environment. By encouraging durable alternatives, we are reducing waste, protecting marine life, and ensuring our islands remain beautiful for generations to come, said Councilmember Fern Holland, who introduced the bill.

Related: There's a new way to get to Hawaii from popular city for the first time in 20 years

Why Kauai is taking this step

At the heart of the ban is concern for the islands environment. Disposable polystyrene foam boards, often inexpensive and popular with casual beachgoers, are typically used only a few times before being thrown away. But that lightweight foam material doesnt just disappear. Over time, these boards can break apart into tiny fragments, which are then carried by wind and waves into the ocean, onto shorelines, or into landfill sites.

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Once in the environment, these tiny particles, often referred to as microplastics, pose a real threat to wildlife. Sea birds, fish, turtles, and other marine animals can mistakenly ingest this debris, leading to digestive issues, starvation, or even death. Fragmented foam can also entangle wildlife and contribute to larger pollution problems that harm reefs, beaches, and even water quality.

Mayor Kawakami summed up the reasoning succinctly: Disposable bodyboards may seem small, but their impact has been anything but small. By eliminating polystyrene foam boards from stores and rentals, we are protecting our beaches, our ocean, and the wildlife that calls Kauai home.

Unsplash- Luke McKeown (Unsplash- Luke McKeown)

Alternatives beachgoers can use

Just because disposable bodyboards are on their way out doesnt mean youll have to ditch beach fun altogether. In fact, Bill 2976 itself encourages more sustainable alternatives.

Instead of polystyrene boards, the ordinance recommends bodyboards made from higher-density, longer-lasting materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. These materials are more durable, meaning they dont break apart as easily, and they have a smaller environmental footprint over their lifespan.

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Many experienced riders already prefer these more robust boards because they provide better performance, last for years instead of days, and can even be rented or resold. Local surf shops and rental outlets on Kauai are expected to adjust their inventories to stock these eco-friendlier options before the ban takes effect.

For tourists, this could also be an opportunity: hotels, vacation rentals, and tour companies may begin offering board rentals or lending durable boards to guests, making it easier to enjoy Kauais surf without contributing to pollution.

Related: If you're booking a 2026 Hawaiian vacation this is the best (and worst) time to go

A model for sustainable tourism

Kauais bodyboard ban might seem niche, but it reflects a broader shift in how coastal communities manage tourism and natural resources. As beaches around the world face rising pollution and climate pressures, local governments are increasingly looking for balanced solutions that protect nature while still allowing people to enjoy outdoor recreation.

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By phasing out cheap, throwaway beach gear and promoting longer-lasting alternatives, Kauai is hoping to set an example for sustainable beach culture in Hawaii and beyond.

So next time you visit, dont be surprised if that classic foam bodyboard you once knew is gone. But with the right board in hand and a bit more awareness, youll be helping protect the waves, wildlife, and wonder that make Kauais beaches truly special.

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows for the expropriation, or nationalization, of unused residential properties in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian troops.

Article 21 states that "residential buildings, flats and rooms that show signs of being abandoned are recognized as the property of the Donetsk People's Republic or its municipalities."

The self-styled Donetsk People's Republic was created by Russian-backed paramilitaries back in 2014 in part of the Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine. It has since been annexed by Russia.

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Similar regulations exist for the provinces of Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson, which were also illegally annexed and are at least partially occupied by Russia.

The law also provides for the later re-privatization of the properties. These could, for example, be transferred to citizens who lost their homes due to Ukrainian attacks, according to he text of the law.

Additionally, local authorities are being given the option to use them as official residences for civil servants.

Since the start of the invasion ordered by Putin, millions of people have fled from eastern Ukraine to escape destruction and violence. Some have since returned, including to areas now occupied by Russia.

However, many have settled in other parts of Ukraine or abroad. These people, who had to leave behind their often privately owned homes when fleeing, are affected by the regulation.
The president filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 15 against the BBC, alleging the worldwide news organization "put terrible words" in his mouth and made it seem in a video that he called for violence in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots that ended with thousands storming the U.S. Capitol.

"Im suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth," President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. "They actually put terrible words in my mouth having to do with January 6 that I didn't say."

The $10 billion lawsuit for defamation comes in response to a documentary segment the British news broadcaster published last year before the presidential election. It featured edited video of a speech Trump gave to supporters on Jan. 6 before rioters took the Capitol building; BBC officials later admitted the video was edited in a way that didnt accurately represent what Trump said.

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More: A 'doctored' Trump speech. Allegations of systemic bias. Turmoil hits the BBC

President Donald Trump speaks during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 15, 2025.

"The beautiful words I said, the beautiful words, talking about patriotism and all of the good things I said" were cut, Trump said of the video.

Trump accused the BBC of defaming him by splicing together parts of a January 6, 2021 speech, including one section where he told supporters to march on the Capitol and another where he said "fight like hell." It omitted a section in which he called for peaceful protest.

The president also suggested Monday the British company used AI to "have me saying things I never said."

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BBC leadership has apologized to Trump, admitted an error of judgment and acknowledged that the edit gave the mistaken impression that he had made a direct call for violent action. But it has said there is no legal basis to sue.

The filing on the evening of Dec. 15 comes hours after the president told reporters in the Oval Office that he planned to sue the company. The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida.

"The formerly respected and now disgraced BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2024 Presidential Election," a Trump legal team spokesperson said in a statement on Dec. 16.

"The BBC has a long pattern of deceiving its audience in coverage of President Trump, all in service of its own leftist political agenda. President Trumps powerhouse lawsuit is holding the BBC accountable for its defamation and reckless election interference just as he has held other fake news mainstream media responsible for their wrongdoing."

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Trump's lawsuit alleges the BBC defamed him and violated a Florida law that bars deceptive and unfair trade practices. He is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the lawsuit's two counts.

In a response to a request for comment, a BBC spokesperson on Dec. 16 said the company would defend itself in the case and would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

A BBC statement from Nov. 13 says, "While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim." According to the statement, BBC Chair Samir Shah sent a personal apology letter to the White House and the company had no plans to rebroadcast the Trump: A Second Chance? documentary.

Contributing by Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump sues BBC for $10B over edited Jan. 6 video: 'Putting words in my mouth'
The small figures huddled together at Miami International Airport carried backpacks, stuffed animals and three suitcases. One wore a silver cross necklace.

Families of the seven travelers  ages 3 to 15  have been torn apart this year by the Trump Administrations deportation campaign. The children left the United States on Thursday for a new life in the mountains of Guatemala. For some, Florida is the only home theyve ever known.

Three of the children are US citizens; the other four grew up in Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach County, long home to a large Guatemalan community.

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They are among 58 children that the Guatemala-Maya Center, a local social service agency, has helped reunite with their parents in Guatemala this year. Staff said that they have organized power-of-attorney documents for 200 other children, whose parents are worried about what will happen if they are detained.

Separating a child from their parents is not a lesson for anyone, there are no winners in doing it, said Diego Serrato, who accompanied the kids to Guatemala City with his wife, a University of Miami employee. The only losers are the children.

The couple volunteered to chaperone the children on their flight  because they have two young daughters of their own.

As President Donald Trump carries out a mass deportation campaign, families have been caught in the middle, and parents facing detention or deportation are making difficult decisions about how best to care for their children, many of whom are US citizens.

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Asked how Homeland Security is protecting children when their parents are detained or deported, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Herald in an emailed statement that ICE does not separate families.

Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrations immigration enforcement, McLaughlin said. Parents who are here illegally can take control of their familys departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now.

We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the US the right legal way to live American dream [sic]. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return, she said.

In Lake Worth Beach, arrests have been non-stop.

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Christopher McVoy, city commissioner for District 2 of Lake Worth Beach, said he has yet to see evidence that officers are arresting violent criminals or gang members. Florida Highway Patrol did not have much of a presence in Lake Worth before this year  but now he sees them regularly parked on the street.

And the deportations are leaving families and children without breadwinners, he said, or the funds to cover their bills.

A large part of our population is at risk, and living in fear, McVoy said. Hoping for the best, but afraid. And its hard not to be, once you become aware of how often these raids are happening.

At the American Airlines check-in desk, the children were waiting at 10am, as their chaperones gathered their boarding passes, identification and passports. Each of their flights had cost between $370 and $560, which the Guatemala-Maya Center paid through fundraising.

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When they reached security for Terminal D, Mariana Blanco, the director of operations at the center, pulled the children together in a circle. She told them to charge their phones; the oldest to hold the hands of the toddlers; and to say goodbye to their relatives.

The children walked hand-in-hand, following Serrato and his wife, Luisa Gutierrez.

Its a sad, cruel moment, Blanco said, crying as she watched them leave. Especially for the children who have to decide between going with one parent, and leaving the other behind.

Blanco said that five children had one or both parents deported; one childs father is still detained; and one girls father chose to send her, for fear he too would be detained.

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Andres Osvaldo picked up his nephew, 6-year-old Andy, when Florida Highway Patrol detained his father driving home from school. At the airport, Osvaldo pulled Andy into a hug before he left. The Herald is identifying the children by first name only because they are minors.

Enriques father is in a detention center in Louisiana, after officers arrested him on his way to work. Enrique, 13, is returning to his mother in Guatemala, who he hasnt seen since he was 4.

In manila folders, Blanco held the childrens documents and notes about what happened to their parents.

Franklin, 3, and Garibaldi, 6, are the only siblings. Both born in Florida, they held hands and wore matching backpacks that were nearly as big as them. Franklin carried a stuffed animal wearing a Santa hat and himself wore a Spider-Man shirt.

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Their father was deported, Blanco said. Their mother works six days a week, 6 am to 9 pm, at a local nursery. Unable to care for them alone, and afraid of being detained herself, she chose to send the children to their father.

Alexis, 11, has been staying with a family friend after his father and step-mother were both deported a couple weeks ago, Blanco said. His mother lives in Guatemala and he hasnt seen her in eight years. At the airport he wore a stuffed monkey he got at Target wrapped around his neck.

The oldest of the group, Areimy, is 15. Her father was deported and her mother is in Guatemala.

Her cousin, Mariela, 11, traveled with her. Marielas father was taking care of both girls, but chose to send them to Guatemala, afraid he could soon be detained.

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Blanco said the children had mixed feelings  most were excited to see their parents again, others were sad to leave behind a parent, others were just confused about why they were leaving.

When they arrived in Guatemala City around 2:40 pm local time, family members were waiting outside with balloons, running to hug the children in tears. Serrato shared videos of the reunion with the Herald.

So sad for the situation, Serrato texted the Herald, adding that the children had all been reunited with relatives. But its a new beginning with their families.

The entrance to a church where a sign informs the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that officials are not allowed to enter without a court order. Opposition is growing to the number of protestors and activists opposing the administration's mass deportations. Luzia Geier/dpa

Hundreds gather for the anti ICE and Deportation protest as the US administration cracks down on immigration. Christopher Oquendo/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged a review of his countrys gun laws and added support for Jewish Australians, as his government faces scrutiny following a deadly shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach.

On Monday afternoon, Albanese faced reporters to answer questions about the shooting, which took place a day earlier, during a local Hanukkah celebration. At least 15 people have died, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens are reported injured.

What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of terror, an act of anti-Semitism: an attack on the first day of Hanukkah, targeted at the Jewish community, Albanese said in prepared remarks, after visiting the crime scene.

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A dark day in Australias history, on what should have been a day of light.

The Australian government has yet to name the suspected attackers, identifying them only as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son. The father died in a shootout with police, while the son is currently being treated at a local hospital.

Hanukkah is sometimes called the Festival of Lights, and in Mondays news conference, Albanese encouraged Australians to participate in a show of solidarity with the countrys Jewish community.

I would urge and join with others who have urged Australians across the country to light a candle, put it in their front window tonight at 6:47pm [19:47 GMT] to show that light will indeed defeat darkness  part of what Hanukkah celebrates, of course, he said. We are stronger than the cowards who did this.

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But while Albanese and other officials urged calm, critics questioned whether the government had done enough to curtail both anti-Semitism and gun violence.

Netanyahu spurs scrutiny

One of Albaneses highest-profile critics in the wake of the attack was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The right-wing Israeli leader blamed Albaneses centre-left government for failing to protect Australias Jewish community. He also linked the shooting to Australias recent decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the anti-Semitic fire, Netanyahu said in remarks directed at Albanese, voicing sentiments he later repeated in a social media post.

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It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.

Those remarks fuelled outrage and accusations that Netanyahu was leveraging the tragedy for political aims.

In a post on social media, UN special rapporteur Ben Saul also criticised Netanyahu for linking Australias recognition of Palestinian statehood to Sundays shootings.

I am disgusted that the Israeli PM links Australias principled support for a Palestinian State with yesterdays terrorist attack in Bondi, said Saul, who also serves as an international law chair at the University of Sydney.

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Australia has taken extensive measures to prevent anti-semitism, Saul added.

When asked on Monday morning about Netanyahus remarks, Albanese said his focus was on bringing people together.

This is a moment for national unity, the Australian prime minister told reporters in Sydney. This is a moment for Australians to come together. Thats precisely what well be doing.

He also said his government would beef up funding and support to protect Jewish community members, including covering the costs of guard services.

Were extending the funding for the National Council for Jewish Community Security and its state-based community security groups, to provide overall security cover to the Jewish community, Albanese said.

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Were also working with Jewish community organisations to see how we can best support charity efforts, including through tax-deductible status for donations.

Mourners gather by floral tributes at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on December 15, 2025 [Saeed Khan/AFP]

Australias gun reforms under scrutiny

Albanese also told reporters on Monday afternoon that he would be convening a meeting of state premiers to discuss tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals.

Peoples circumstances change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity, said Albanese.

His remarks follow questions about the six guns recovered from the scene of the shooting and the revelation that the 24-year-old suspect had previously come under police scrutiny.

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Officials have repeatedly said the 50-year-old suspect had met the eligibility criteria for a firearms licence, and that the 24-year-old was previously not deemed to be a threat.

Australia introduced some of the worlds strictest gun laws, including bans on automatic and semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, after a shooter killed 35 people in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur in 1996.

The 1996 reforms, introduced under former Prime Minister John Howard, were hailed as a success after Australia saw no mass shootings occur for close to two decades.

However, according to a recent report from the Australia Institute, the implementation of the laws has lapsed in recent years, with more guns now in the country than before 1996.

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On Monday, Albanese said the reforms had made an enormous difference and were a proud moment of bipartisan action, but that reviews were now needed to ensure better coordination between states.

Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, where the shooting took place, also told reporters on Monday he would be reviewing gun laws.

We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact, Minns said. Its not the last time Ill be mentioning it, and you can expect action soon.

Sundays shooting at Bondi Beach follows several other mass shootings in recent years, including a 2022 attack in Wieambilla, Queensland, linked to Christian fundamentalist ideology that left six people dead.

An Australian man was also responsible for the attack in 2019 that killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, where semiautomatic weapons are still sold.
State police are investigating a homicide at an apartment complex on Falls Boulevard in Quincy, according to a statement released by the office of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

New murder case details: Did Quincy man kill girlfriend over an affair?

Responding to a 911 on Saturday, Dec. 13, Quincy Police arrived at the apartment at 11 p.m. where they found a 26-year-old woman and 34-year-old man, both with serious injuries, Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy said.

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The woman was pronounced dead. The man, identified as Guiovani Garcia, of Quincy, was brought to a Boston hospital with "apparent stab wounds," the statement says.

Garcia faces murder charges and is expected to be arraigned on Monday, Dec. 15 at the hospital where he is receiving treatment, according to the Quincy District Court's clerk's office.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Homicide investigation in Quincy. One dead, one injured
An Italian archaeological mission has discovered the remains of a sun temple belonging to an ancient Egyptian king near Cairo, the Egyptian antiquities ministry said.

The temple of King Nyuserre is believed to be from the Fifth Dynasty and the remains were found in the Abusir necropolis south of the Egyptian capital.

It is part of a monumental complex dedicated to the cult of the sun god Ra and is one of the few solar temples identified to date.

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The site was identified as early as 1901 by the German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt --known for his 1912 discovery of the famous bust of ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti -- but a high water table prevented any excavation at the time.

According to the ministry, the mission has uncovered for the first time more than half of the temple, long buried under River Nile sediment.

The ministry described a colossal structure of over 1,000 square meters "with a unique architecture that ranks it among the largest and most remarkable valley temples in the Memphis necropolis", a stretch of ancient funerary complexes.

Architectural features including column bases, wall coverings, and granite thresholds have been identified, as well as a sloping ramp "likely connecting the temple to the Nile or one of its branches", the ministry said.

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The team also found two wooden pieces of the ancient Egyptian "Sunnat" game, resembling modern chess, te ministry added.

An Italian archaeological mission has discovered the remains of a sun temple belonging to an ancient Egyptian king near Cairo, the Egyptian antiquities ministry said. / Credit: Egyptian antiquities ministry (Egyptian antiquities ministry)

Abusir, about 12 miles south of Cairo, is an archaeological site that notably contains the pyramids of several pharaohs, though they are modest in size compared to the pyramids of Giza.

Six solar temples are believed to have been built during the reign of the pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty, according to the University of Leicester.

Only the remains of two temples have been confirmed to date, including that of Nyuserre, according to the British university, which is famous for identifying the remains of Richard III, the English king who died more than five centuries ago.

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Earlier this month, a treasure trove of 225 funerary figurines was discovered inside a tomb in the ancient Egyptian capital of Tanis in the Nile Delta. The royal symbol on the figurines solved a long-standing mystery by identifying who was buried in the sarcophagus: It was pharaoh Shoshenq III, who reigned from 830 to 791 BC.

Egypt reveals restored colossal statues of pharaoh in Luxor

Meanwhile, Egypt on Sunday revealed the revamp of two colossal statues of a prominent pharaoh in the southern city of Luxor, the Associated Press reported.

The giant alabaster statues, known as the Colossi of Memnon, were reassembled in a renovation project that lasted about two decades. They represent Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt about 3,400 years ago.

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"Today we are celebrating, actually, the finishing and the erecting of these two colossal statues," Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told The Associated Press ahead of the ceremony.

Ismail said the colossi are of great significance to Luxor, a city known for its ancient temples and other antiquities. They're also an attempt to "revive how this funerary temple of king Amenhotep III looked like a long time ago," Ismail said.

A hot air ballon flys over the assembly of two giant alabaster statues for Pharoah Amenhotep III, before the official opening, in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. / Credit: Amr Nabil / AP

Amenhotep III, one of the most prominent pharaohs, ruled during the 500 years of the New Kingdom, which was the most prosperous time for ancient Egypt. The pharaoh, whose mummy is showcased at a Cairo museum, ruled between 13901353 BC, a peaceful period known for its prosperity and great construction, including his mortuary temple, where the Colossi of Memnon are located, and another temple, Soleb, in Nubia.

The colossi were toppled by a strong earthquake in about 1200 BC that also destroyed Amenhotep III's funerary temple, said Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

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They were fragmented and partly quarried away, with their pedestals dispersed. Some of their blocks were reused in the Karnak temple, but archaeologists brought them back to rebuild the colossi, according to the Antiquities Ministry.

In late 1990s, an Egyptian German mission, chaired by German Egyptologist Hourig Sourouzian, began working in the temple area, including the assembly and renovation of the colossi.

"This project has in mind  to save the last remains of a once-prestigious temple," she said.

The statues show Amenhotep III seated with hands resting on his thighs, with their faces looking eastward toward the Nile and the rising sun. They wear the nemes headdress surmounted by the double crowns and the pleated royal kilt, which symbolizes the pharaoh's divine rule.

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Two other small statues on the pharaoh's feet depict his wife, Tiye.

Sunday's unveiling in Luxor came just six weeks after the inauguration of the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum, the centerpiece of the government's bid to boost the country's tourism industry and bring cash into the troubled economy. The mega project is located near the famed Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.

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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said her adult son was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday in Minnesota and asked to provide proof of citizenship.

Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents, Omar, who said her son was born in the U.S., told WCCO-TV of the Twin Cities in an interview Sunday. Once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go.

Omar, who immigrated to the U.S. when she was 12 after having fled Somalias civil war, also accused ICE of racially profiling her community.

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They are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented, she said.

About 80,000 people of Somali descent live in Minnesota.

Representatives for ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and Omars office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An administration official previously told NBC News that ICE was not specifically targeting Somali immigrants.

Omars on-air remarks came after she sent a letter to DHS on Friday about this months immigration operations in her state while signing onto another letter to DHS with other Democratic lawmakers the same day requesting answers about President Donald Trumps pledge last month to immediately end temporary legal protections for Somalis living in Minnesota. The administration has taken steps to end similar protections for Haitians, Afghans and Venezuelans living in the U.S.

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Trump has repeatedly disparaged Omar, Somalia and Somali immigrants.

We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Trump told a crowd of supporters last week in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime.

Trumps recent focus on Minnesota and Omar comes after The New York Times reported that dozens of people of Somali descent have been convicted in connection with fraud schemes related to the theft of around $1 billion in Covid relief funds.

Here in the United States, we dont blame the crimes of an individual on a whole community, Omar said in Sundays interview. We are, as Minnesotans, also outraged, the fact that our tax dollars were defrauded.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the heinous attack against Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan on Saturday.

Six peacekeepers from the Bangladesh Army were killed and eight others were injured after attackers targeted a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan, the Bangladesh Army confirmed on Saturday night.

"Pakistan expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of Bangladesh on the loss of precious lives, and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families in this tragic hour," Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in a statement.

He said that the UN peacekeepers remained at the forefront of international efforts to prevent conflict, protect civilians and support peace under the UN flag.

"We pay homage to the ultimate sacrifice made in the line of duty for peace and stability in the region. Pakistan calls for a swift investigation to identify the perpetrators of the cowardly attack and to hold those responsible accountable," he added.

The spokesperson also reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work closely with members of the UN Security Council and the international community to ensure the safety and security of all UN peacekeepers. 
Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad is reportedly warning about an expected wave of terrorist attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets following the deadly attack in Sydney.

There are concerns about further attacks on Jewish targets worldwide. Israeli TV channel News 13 reported on Monday that the Mossad was warning of "an unprecedented increase in alliances to carry out terrorist attacks against Jews and Israelis abroad by Iranians and Palestinians."

A spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said she could not share intelligence information.

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According to the report, Mossad chief David Barnea has passed on warnings to his counterparts in several European countries and other locations around the world.

In these warnings, he pointed to growing Iranian preparations for attacks in retaliation for the war between Israel and Iran in June, during which Iranian nuclear facilities were also bombed. Barnea also warned of Palestinian attacks in the wake of the Gaza war.

On Sunday, two attackers  a father and son  shot at people celebrating a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing 15 of them. One of the two suspected shooters was also killed by police.

News 13 reported that, according to Mossad estimates, the two attackers had been trained in Pakistan by members of the terrorist organization Islamic State.

The Israeli news portal ynet reported that Israel's security authorities had warned of copycats. According to the report, both Jewish community facilities and official Israeli diplomatic missions were among the potential targets. Israeli embassies and missions worldwide had therefore been instructed not to hold any outdoor celebrations for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah this week.
A North Carolina community is livid as its city allegedly refuses to control discharges of a toxic chemical into its drinking water.

What's happening?

Community members in Asheboro, North Carolina, spoke out at a recent Environmental Protection Agency hearing about the town's 1,4-dioxane problem, Inside Climate News reported.

This industrial solvent and likely human carcinogen is being dumped into the Upper Cape Fear River Basin by the city's wastewater treatment plant, polluting the drinking water of 900,000 people downstream. ICN added that research has found that the state has some of the highest levels of 1,4-dioxane in the country.

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While some local towns have taken action to reduce their 1,4-dioxane discharges, Asheboro community members and activists say Asheboro has refused. Previously, the city challenged the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's authority to include a 1,4-dioxane water quality limit in its wastewater permit. While a state administrative judge voided this limitation, the EPA sent an objection letter supporting the state's permit and inviting anyone to request a public hearing.

"Our community has been and remains a target," Casey Dixon, who lives in Sanford, a community downstream from Asheboro, said during the hearing, per ICN. "While this hearing might be one evening for you, it's the rest of my life."

Why is this contamination concerning?

Several federal agencies have determined that 1,4-dioxane is a probable human carcinogen. Exposure has also been associated with miscarriages and stillbirths, and there are concerns about breast milk transfer from mothers to infants.

North Carolinians aren't the only ones dealing with this chemical in their drinking water. In Florida, industrial activities around Orlando have led to 1,4-dioxane contamination in the local water supply, and one city is suing.

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There is no federal maximum contaminant level for 1,4-dioxane. One recent study found that nearly a third of Americans are exposed to unregulated contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, 1,4-dioxane, 1,1-dichloroethane, and chlorodifluoromethane, in their drinking water.

What's being done about water contamination?

The source of Asheboro's 1,4-dioxane problem, manufacturer StarPet, has installed a pretreatment system to reduce the amount of this chemical that gets sent to the wastewater treatment plant. However, ICN reported that this system frequently fails or is shut down for maintenance.

Meanwhile, scientists are making advances in the cleanup of another water contaminant: PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. For instance, researchers at the University of Illinois found a way to remove the full spectrum of PFAS from water in a single process.

How would you describe the quality of your tap water? Great Just OK Not great I won't drink it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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Selim Suner, an emergency medicine doctor at Rhode Island Hospital, said it was business as usual on Saturday, Dec. 13.

It was a busy day. It usually is in the emergency department these days, especially on the weekends, said Suner, who is the hospitals director of disaster medicine and emergency preparedness.

But when word came that a shooting had taken place at Brown Universitys Barus and Holley Engineering Building, the staff at the hospital went into action.

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We have a plan  a disaster response plan or a mass casualty plan  that we put in effect where we move existing patients to other parts of the emergency department and clear up the critical care trauma rooms and staff them with teams, and that was done very quickly, Suner said. And as the patients came in, each team took care of the patients.

Law enforcement and EMS respond to reports of an active shooter on Brown University's campus on Dec. 13, 2025.

Suner is no stranger to such incidents: he has deployed to several disaster locations before, including New York during 9/11 and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. He also responded to The Station nightclub fire in 2003, one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.

Rhode Island Hospital is the only level one trauma center in the state. Trauma centers are recognized by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. Level one is the highest designation awarded by the committee. The committee has 15 pages of criteria that a hospital must meet to be designated a trauma center, which includes in-house trauma doctors present 24-7, neurosurgery staff, vascular surgery and other requirements.

To have a trauma surgeon in-house 24-7 is difficult for a lot of places. That's why there are only a certain number of trauma centers in the country, Suner said.

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Suner said usually there is only one or two trauma surgeons in-house, but on Saturday, working with the chief of trauma, the hospital was able to rally 14 operating room teams in case they were needed.

The first step in caring for the patients was controlling the bleeding  a step that begins with emergency medical technicians, police and fire rescue responding to the event.

And then, you know, we need to determine is there any injury that requires an operating room, operative treatment or not? And then we go from there down our algorithm of identifying the injuries and mitigating them, treating them, Suner said.

He added, Everything went very smoothly from a medical perspective.

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The hospital went on lockdown Saturday, meaning entry and exit of the facility were monitored and controlled, a standard procedure when shootings happen.

As of 1:15 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, the hospital had treated nine victims from the shooting. Six of them are in critical but stable condition, a seventh is still in critical condition, an eighth is stable and a ninth was discharged.

Call for blood donations leads to significant response

Hundreds of Rhode Islanders lined up to donate blood in the wake of the shooting at Brown University, according to the Rhode Island Blood Center.

The RIBC's donor centers saw 647 self-booked appointments on Sunday, Dec. 14th, compared to 75 on the average Sunday. There were also 78 contact center appointments booked, compared to an average of 41 on a typical Sunday.

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"We've been overwhelmed by your response and are so thankful for each and every one of our donors," the RIBC said in a statement. "Over the last 24 hours, we've seen a significant increase in appointments. Although our appointment schedules for the next few days may be very full, we encourage you to make an appointment on the next available day."

The RIPC said that it is has already provided more than 120 units of blood, platelets, and plasma to Rhode Island Hospital in response to the incident, and is on standby to supply additional blood as needed.

Eligible donors are still encouraged to schedule an appointment "to help ensure a strong blood supply in the days and weeks ahead." Type O blood, which is the most commonly used, is the most needed.

The RIBC's Providence donor center has extended its hours until 7 p.m. today, Dec. 15th.

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"Tragedies like this are a painful reminder that blood must be on the shelves before emergencies strike," the RIBC said. "Every donation saves lives."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How Rhode Island Hospital responded to the Brown University shooting
The exterior of the Hyattsville Immigration Court on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/Capital News Service)

David sat at a table in Hyattsville Immigration Court waiting for his asylum hearing to begin, with his advocates, two law students from the Immigration Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, next to him.

His wife and three children huddled nearby on the churchlike wooden benches, dressed in their best, a few days before Thanksgiving. The long windowless corridors of the courthouse were far from welcoming, but they were all required to be there for their asylum hearing. David  Maryland Matters has agreed not to use the familys name because of fear they may be targeted  was speaking for the family at the hearing.

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Its been a long road to get this far. The family fled government violence in their native Nicaragua in 2019 and sought asylum in neighboring Costa Rica. From there, they fled to the U.S. after reports of Nicaraguan forces crossing the border to target refugees.

They crossed the border in Hidalgo, Texas, seeking asylum in 2021. They moved to Maryland where, four years later, David was having his day in court.

But just days before the hearing, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a new ruling that requires all immigration judges to rule first whether an asylum seeker could be safely deported to a third country. The Department of Homeland Security claimed that the asylum case should not be heard because the family could safely be relocated to a third country.

University of Maryland Immigration Clinic Cori Alonso Yoder with student attorneys outside the Hyattsville Immigration Court courtroom, (Photo by Rosanne Skirble)

This decision could suddenly take away our clients right to due process while the [asylum] case was still pending, said Cori Alonso-Yoder, the director of the Immigration Law Clinic and supervising attorney in Davids case. This is particularly concerning given that our clients activities included protected political speech that led to his persecution.

Call me David

Davids journey began when he was very young, not long after the Sandinistas toppled the Somoza regime in 1979.

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After seizing power, the [Sandinista] party leader Daniel Ortega, created what can only be called an oppressive dictatorial regime, a campaign against political dissent, killing and torturing all those who opposed him, David says now.

He said his mother, a housekeeper for a high-ranking official in the Somoza government, was held hostage, starved and tortured when her employers house was raided by Ortega sympathizers. Davids father was killed fighting alongside the U.S.-backed Contra rebels in Nicaraguas civil war that stretched through the 1980s, leaving his mother to raise eight children.

Growing up he says his family was monitored for its politics, a politics that favored the rule of law, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, political freedom and freedom of religion, he said.

As a teenager he worked on the margins of the electoral system. As he got older, he joined political parties that nurtured his hunger for democracy and fight against corruption. He served as an election observer and as president of a polling station board. Eventually, he took his politics to the streets and participated in anti-government protests in his hometown and in other parts of the county.

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But in April 2018, the situation drastically worsened, as protesters  at first, largely senior citizens and university students  rallied against a policy that would raise taxes and reduce pensions. Ortega forces retaliated by firing into the crowds, leaving many injured and dead.

David joined to stage successive massive rallies in many cities across Nicaragua that met with increasingly repressive assaults.

Nicaraguan citizens take to the streets in 2017 in defense of civil rights. (Photo courtesy Davids family)

He says pictures of him were posted on social media. As a popular barber in his home town, paramilitary thugs knew where to find him, and where his wife worked, making them easy targets to capture. At one point they were run off the road by a police truck, in what David believes was an attempt to kill them.

It was no longer safe in Nicaragua. I knew it wasnt safe for me or my family, he said.

Seeking sanctuary in Costa Rica

They fled to Costa Rica in early 2019 and requested asylum. They were among the 300,000 Nicaraguans who had entered that country since 2018 according to a 2025 UN Refugee Agency Report. They could be waiting years for that application to be processed, and lived in constant fear, David says.

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It is common that members from the Nicaraguan government would cross over the border to threaten, harm or even kill Nicaraguans in Costa Rica that opposed Ortegas regime. We had to flee, he said.

Once again, the family was on the move. From Costa Rica, they flew to Mexico, and later crossed the border at Hidalgo, Texas in 2021. There again they made a plea for asylum, and traveled to Maryland, settling in Montgomery County.

The next year the case reached the Immigration Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, which monitors dozens of cases, and where law students, as a requirement for graduation, work on cases and represent clients under the guidance of Alonso-Yoder.

In the days after Davids hearing, asylum cases have become fraught after the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan refugee, which had led to a general crackdown on immigration cases. But the third-country ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals has directly affected Daniels case.

Safe third country

That safe third country would be Honduras or Guatemala, both of which recently signed Asylum Cooperative Agreements with the United States. Alonso-Yoder said that since the hearing, Ecuador has been added to the list of third countries. Davids two law student lawyers and Alonso-Yoder rushed to prepare a response they could argue in court.

Outside immigration court building in Hyattsville, Cori Alonso-Yoder with the student attorneys who will argue the asylum case for a Nicaraguan family. (Photo by Rosanne Skirble)

Alonso-Yoder says with reports of extrajudicial killings, their legal team was fairly confident that the family would face same the same issues that led them to leave their home country.

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The fact that operators from the Nicaraguan government can move and operate within Central America with impunity, without any kind of a consequence or prosecution for those crimes, is part of the concern, she said.

David wants none of it.

Honduras is not safe. Guatemala isnt either. If these countries were safe for me, why are so many [there] fleeing to the United States? he asked.

Once in court, Immigration Judge Alison Igoe almost immediately moved to postpone the hearing to give all parties time to review the facts and law surrounding the new ruling. When they appear before her again this month, should she rule in their favor, their advocates can then proceed to argue the merits of their case for asylum.

Asylum claim

The two student attorneys said their claim is based on the fact that David was persecuted for his political opinion in Nicaragua, buttressed by first-person accounts from the family, statements from others who were persecuted and reports from nongovernmental organizations and the State Department. All the statements agree that David would be harmed or killed if returned to Nicaragua.

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They paint a picture of a family man, who one described as the pinnacle of what I think we should be showcasing when people talk about immigrants.

Both believe Davids would have been an open-and-shut case a few years ago, but say that immigration cases have become more of a challenge given the ever-growing changes in immigration law.

But both believe they will get a fair hearing from Igoe when the return to her court this month. Data from TRAC, a nonpartisan research center that follows court decisions, showed that of the 405 asylum cases Igoe decided from fiscal 2020 through the first 11 months of fiscal 2024, she granted 53.6% and granted other relief to 3.2%. She denied 43.2%. Thats one of the highest approval rates of the 22 judges in the Hyattsville court.

David, an evangelical Christian, is a man of deep faith.

I am a pilgrim on this earth, a Nicaraguan seeking safety in the world. I need security. I need to live in peace. I need to live without fear, he said.

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told ABC News during an exclusive interview on Monday that he believes the warring parties are "on the verge" of a diplomatic solution to end Moscow's war.

"We are prepared to have a deal," Ryabkov said of Russian President Vladimir Putin's government. The deputy foreign minister added that he hoped an agreement would be reached "sooner rather than later."

U.S. administration officials signaled on Monday that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be closer than ever, telling reporters on the condition of anonymity that "literally 90%" of the issues between the two warring countries had been solved.

ABC News - PHOTO: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov speaks with ABC News in Moscow Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 15, 2025.

But Ryabkov also reiterated long-held demands from Moscow that Kyiv says it cannot accept as part of any peace deal. Among those is Russian control of Crimea, which was occupied in 2014, and four other partially-occupied territories -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson -- in the south and east of Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out territorial concessions to Russia.

In the dark and under fire, Ukraine strains to keep the lights on

"We have five altogether and we are not able, in any form, to compromise on this," Ryabkov said of Russia's control of the territories.

Ryabkov spoke to ABC News as both Moscow and Kyiv work with American representatives on the White House's latest peace push, intended to secure an end to Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor which began in February 2022.

Another sticking point for Moscow has been the possible deployment of troops from NATO nations to Ukraine after the war.

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He said Russia would not agree to a deal that included their presence on Ukrainian soil, even if they were there as part of a security guarantee or as members of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing," as a group of mostly European leaders refer to themselves.

"We definitely will not at any moment subscribe to, agree to, or even be content with, any presence of NATO troops on the Ukrainian territory," Ryabkov said.

Ryabkov -- a high-profile figure within Russia's Foreign Ministry who regularly speaks with international media outlets -- has served as the deputy foreign minister in Moscow since 2008, working under Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who has been in his post since 2004.

Ryabkov was among those Russian officials downplaying the threat looming over Ukraine in the lead up to Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbor. As Russian troops massed along Ukraine's borders in January 2022, Ryabkov said Moscow had "no intention of attacking, staging an offensive on or invading Ukraine."

ABC News - PHOTO: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov speaks with ABC News in Moscow Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 15, 2025.

Speaking with ABC News on Monday, the deputy foreign minister refused to refer to Russia's ongoing invasion as a war, instead using the Kremlin's preferred phrase of a "special military operation."

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"We do what we do, we want to stop it and whether it would be stopped depends much on how people who support authorities in Kyiv recognize the inevitable outcome of our success," Ryabkov said.

Russia ready to 'fight to the last Ukrainian,' Putin says amid US peace drive

Russian officials have framed their invasion as a necessary measure to protect ethnic Russians living in Ukraine. When asked about the suffering and deaths of members of that community as a result of Moscow's war, Ryabkov said he had sympathy for those affected.

ABC News - PHOTO: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov speaks with ABC News in Moscow Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 15, 2025.

"The whole purpose of what is being done by us there is to ensure that at least some of those people, majority of those people, find it better and find it, I would say, more appropriate to be where they belong, which is Russia."

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Ryabkov has regularly commented on various aspects of U.S.-Russian relations during the ongoing war. He has, for example, repeatedly called for renewed focus on bilateral nuclear and arms control treaties.

However, Ryabkov said this month that progress on that and topics "will only become possible for us after we become convinced of substantive and irreversible improvements in Washington's policy toward Russia."

Ryabkov last month told the state-owned International Affairs magazine that a new meeting between Trump and Putin was possible as Ukraine peace talks continued. "I wouldn't rule anything out," he said.

ABC News' Mariam Khan and Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Several dozen people protested on Sunday in the Siberian city of Tomsk against Russia's ban on U.S. children's gaming platform Roblox, a rare show of public dissent as popular irritation over the ban gains some momentum.

In wartime Russia, censorship is extensive: Moscow blocks or restricts social media platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube while distributing its own narrative through a network of social media and Russian media.

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Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said on December 3 it had blocked Roblox because it was "rife with inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children".

In Tomsk, 2,900 km (1,800 miles) east of Moscow, several dozen people braved the snow to hold up hand-drawn placards reading "Hands off Roblox" and "Roblox is the victim of the digital Iron Curtain" in Vladimir Vysotsky Park, according to photographs provided by an organiser of the protest.

"Bans and blocks are all you are able to do," read one placard. The photographs showed about 25 people standing in a circle in the snow, holding up placards.

In Russia, the ban on Roblox has triggered a debate over censorship, child safety in relation to technology and even the effectiveness of censorship in a digitalised world where children can bypass many bans in a few clicks.

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Many Russians simply circumvent bans by using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), though some young Russians have questioned the logic of a ban if it can be so easily bypassed while others have questioned why there are so few Russian alternatives to the apps which the state has banned.

Some Russian parents and teachers have said they were concerned Roblox allowed children to access sexual content and communicate with adults.

Roblox, headquartered in San Mateo, California, has been banned by several countries including Iraq and Turkey over concerns about predators exploiting the platform to abuse children.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. When the Russian ban was introduced, Roblox said it has "a deep commitment to safety" and provides "rigorous built-in protections to help keep users safe".

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Russian officials say they need censorship to defend against a sophisticated "information war" unleashed by Western powers, and what they cast as decadent Western culture which undermines "traditional" Russian values.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge;Editing by Helen Popper)
Saskatoon city hall is ramping up efforts to address the homelessness crisis, including proposing to buy six west-side properties with federal money.

The vacant lots are located inside or near the Riversdale and Pleasant Hill neighbourhoods.

City council will consider the potential purchases at its next meeting on Wednesday.

The properties include two sites owned by Imperial Oil Ltd., and come with concerns about contamination and remediation. The city administration is proposing to buy the sites for $700,000, using money from a federal fund intended to address homeless encampments.

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Those two properties are located in the West Industrial area, on the western periphery of Riversdale near the Canadian National train tracks along 19th Street West and directly north of Optimist Park.

The adjacent Imperial Oil properties at 1112 19th St. W. and 301 Avenue K South are located next to a city-owned property at 1202 19th St. W.

Both Imperial Oil Limited properties and the city-owned property  have been vacant for decades, primarily due to historical environmental impacts, a city report says.

The city acquired its property in 2001 due to unpaid taxes. City hall and Imperial Oil combined forces to clean up all three properties, the report explains.

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The federal funding includes stipulations on how the properties can be used.

The report suggests the combined properties could be used to establish services for unhoused people, perhaps even a central hub for homeless services.

Administration believes the site is well situated to support a development that could include social housing as well as navigation-related services, fostering an inclusive neighbourhood development which meets the needs of vulnerable populations, the report says.

A separate report proposes the city buy a vacant lot at the southwest corner of 20th Street West and Avenue J South in Riversdale and three adjacent properties at the southeast corner of 22nd Street West and Avenue 0 South in Pleasant Hill.

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The combined cost of those properties is just over $1 million; that money would also come from the federal government to address homelessness and encampments.

These properties could be used to partner with Indigenous organizations for future supportive housing development, the report says.

In September, council backed the idea of a single central navigation hub for services for homeless and vulnerable people, with possible locations expected to be identified by city hall in spring.

(Phil Tank/CBC)

Warming up

Council will also be tasked Wednesday with approving a lease for a warming centre in Riversdale.

Council voted in October to buy and renovate a former restaurant on Avenue C South in Riversdale, with the federal government covering the $1-million-plus cost.

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The Saskatoon Tribal Council is expected to run the warming centre on behalf of the province, according to a report by the city administration. The city would lease the building to the provincial Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for the equivalent of $10 a year, far below market value. The lease would run until the end of March.

The tribal council is running a temporary warming centre for women at the former Saskatchewan Transportation Company depot on 23rd Street downtown until the Avenue C location is ready.

The report fails to say when the Riversdale location would be ready, but it does say the space would be limited to 150 people and the province would cover all operational costs.

The city estimates its costs for the lease at $55,160, including $24,000 for forgoing market rent for four months, $6,160 for a property tax exemption and $25,000 in security costs.

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The province, city hall and the tribal council are developing a safety plan for the site, the report adds. Concerns have been raised about the location of the warming centre being next to an existing shelter run by the Salvation Army.

Earlier this month, Mayor Cynthia Block got support from the planning, development and community services committee to spark talks between the city administration and the Riversdale Business Improvement District on a plan to increase safety and economic resilience in the area.

The Riversdale BID did not immediately respond to a message from CBC seeking its perspective.
A research team examined how increasing Arctic rainfall is driving significant changes  and the implications hit closer to home than some might think.

What's happening?

The researchers used climate model simulations to study how sea-ice retreat impacts summer rainfall patterns. The results, published in Geophysical Research Letters, showed that rainfall would increase by 17% if global temperatures rise to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, with 16% of the uptick attributed to sea-ice retreat.

This is because melting sea ice alters the "white cold cap" effect, weakening the region's ability to reflect solar radiation and thus pushing the Arctic toward a warmer, "rain dominated" water cycle, according to a Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) analysis published in Phys.org.

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Researchers from the CAS' Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Beijing Normal University, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences also participated in the study.

Why is this important?

First author Yang Jiao explained that in the Arctic, animals that depend on sea ice for food and shelter, such as reindeer and polar bears, would "face survival crises," per Phys.org. These crises would disrupt the region's ecological balance, which is vital for limiting disease spread and supporting the food web.

And what happens in the Arctic wouldn't stay in the Arctic. Increased rainfall would accelerate permafrost thawing, releasing additional gases that warm the planet, per the study.

While extreme weather phenomena occur naturally  and events can't be solely tied to a warming planet, as complex factors influence weather, per the NOAA  human activities are pumping billions of tons of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere each year.

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This has led to more intense extreme weather, according to scientific consensus. At home, this can mean sky-high insurance premiums, shortages of essential goods, and a higher risk of grid outages.

What's being done about this?

The researchers believe their insights into this critical climate issue could help in developing more accurate predictive models for Arctic weather.

"This study not only deepens our understanding of the warming and humidification processes in the Arctic, but also establishes a quantitative relationship model of 'sea ice-precipitation,' providing a powerful tool for enhancing the prediction capability of extreme weather and climate events in the Arctic," Yang said, per Phys.org.

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Researchers have found evidence of a rare whale species near the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Details about the first-ever live sighting of a ginkgo-toothed beaked whale were published in the journal Marine Mammal Science.

Using a small arrow, the researchers collected a bit of skin tissue from a whale they had seen near their boat. They analyzed the sample to determine that the mammal was indeed the elusive creature.

Since 2020, Henderson and her colleagues from Mexico and the US had been tracking a group of whales producing a distinctive call, tagged as BW43, which they initially thought was Perrin's beaked #whale, another species that had never been seen in the wild. https://t.co/DRGnOyesA0  UBC Oceans (also found at ubcoceans.bsky.social) (@UBCoceans) November 17, 2025

"I can't even describe the feeling because it was something that we had worked towards for so long," Elizabeth Henderson, a researcher at the U.S. military's Naval Information Warfare Center and lead author of the paper, told The Guardian.

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Beaked whales, in general, are difficult to track. They are deep divers that only surface for air for a few minutes. There are quite a few types of beaked whales, but scientists have struggled to identify them.

"The Society for Marine Mammalogy has a list of 94 accepted species of cetaceans," Robert Pitman, a retired researcher at Oregon State University, told The Guardian.

"A quarter of those are beaked whales, but most people have never even heard of them. These are the largest, least-known animals left on the planet."

This research highlights the importance of tracking and conserving rare species. Preserving biodiversity across the world's ecosystems is critical for the health of our environment.

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Thousands of wildlife species have become endangered due to human activity, which poses a threat to us too. When biodiversity is lost, there is an increased risk of new disease spread and unstable food supplies.

Now that scientists have a better idea of where the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale lives, they can better protect them.

The team explained that these animals are sensitive to military sonars. The signal can cause the mammals to ascend to the ocean surface too fast, causing fatal injury. It can also interfere with their foraging habits.

With a clearer picture of where these animals live, researchers can advise the military on what areas to avoid to protect the whales.

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Further studies into the habits of these elusive whales will help conservationists preserve their habitats.

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.








KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to assess the latest developments in the border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand has been postponed, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said here on Monday.

"It allows us to ensure that everything is properly in place," he told the media, adding that Malaysia continues to coordinate efforts and closely monitor the situation.

"We continue to appeal to both sides to stop the fighting...I remain in virtual contact with them on a daily basis," he said.

Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday also confirmed that the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, initially scheduled for Dec. 16, has been postponed to Dec. 22. 
Spiders from Mars? Try Europa.

A team of planetary scientists from Ireland have examined and named an intriguing feature on the surface of Jupiters icy moon that resembles the shape of an arachnid  or perhaps an exploded asterisk.

Theyre calling it Damhan Alla, which is Gaelic for spider, or in a particularly evocative phrasing, wall demon.

The teams analysis, published as a study in The Planetary Science Journal, suggest that Damhan Alla, and other features like it, may be the festering wounds formed by torrents of water erupting through Europas icy shell.

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The significance of our research is really exciting, lead author Lauren Mc Keown, a physicist at the University of Central Florida, said in a statement. Surface features like these can tell us a lot about whats happening beneath the ice. If we see more of them with Europa Clipper  NASAs new space probe currently en route to Jupiter  they could point to local brine pools below the surface.

Europa is the smallest of Jupiters four Galilean moons, and is of interest to astronomers because its suspected to harbor a saltwater ocean underneath its icy surface, making it one of the most promising candidates for off-world life in the solar system. Its spider-like feature was first observed by NASAs Galileo mission, which lasted between 1989 and 2003, during which the spacecraft performed 11 flybys of Europa.

For the study, Mc Keowns team compared Damhan Alla, which is roughly a kilometer across, with similar formations on Earth called lake stars, sometimes called ice stars. Typically a few feet in size, lake stars form when snow falls on the surface of a frozen lake and holes form in the ice, letting water melt away some of the snow in radial, branching patterns. Scientists call these patterns dendritic, and that theyre seeing such patterns on Europas surface suggest another sign of water breaking through its surface.

The hypothesized scenario, in this case, is that some sort of impact to the moons icy shell allowed briny water to seep through the shattered ice. This would also point to the existence of a vast subsurface ocean, or at least small pools of water right beneath the surface.

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Lake stars are really beautiful, and they are pretty common on snow or slush-covered frozen lakes and ponds, Mc Keown said. It is wonderful to think that they may give us a glimpse into processes occurring on Europa and maybe even other icy ocean worlds in our solar system.

More on space: Mysterious Interstellar Object Now Approaching Earth
WASHINGTON D.C. (AP)  The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about aviation safety. The AP will publish a corrected version of the story. In the initial story published Dec. 15, 2025, the AP erroneously reported that Sen. Ted Cruz was threatening another federal government shutdown if new restrictions on military flights are not approved by the end of January. Cruz says he will try to get the restrictions passed before the end of January as part of any appropriations measure.
Senators in both parties are bracing for another government shutdown next year after Republicans blocked a proposal to extend expiring health insurance subsidies, the issue that triggered the 43-day closure that consumed much of the fall calendar.

Liberal Democrats in the Senate are fuming that Republicans blocked a proposal to extend the subsidies, which are due to expire in January, through 2028.

A group of eight Democrats, mostly centrists, voted last month to reopen the government in hopes that Republicans might agree to a bipartisan compromise to prevent health insurance premiums for plans on the ObamaCare marketplace from soaring by double digits.

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Instead, the bipartisan talks to extend the subsidies foundered, setting the stage for a massive spike in health care premiums next year.

This has given new momentum to liberals to argue Democrats should use the upcoming Jan. 30 government funding deadline as leverage  just as they did in September and October  to force Republicans to make major concessions on federal health care spending.

After Republicans defeated a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said the next government funding deadline is a leverage point.

The fight is not over, she said.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), another prominent progressive voice in the Senate Democratic Caucus, called the Republican vote against extending the enhanced subsidies an outrage.

Asked if Democrats should threaten another shutdown to pressure Republicans to agree to extend the subsidies, Sanders said he didnt want to speculate but declared the expiration of tax credits is going to result in a lot of pain for a lot of people.

Congresss failure to extend the enhanced subsidies means an estimated 4.8 million Americans will lose health care coverage in 2026 and more than 20 million Americans will see their health care costs rise dramatically.

Insurance companies are projected to charge people who buy their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace 26 percent more if the enhanced subsidies expire in January.

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A third member of the Senate Democratic Caucus who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the political situation said another government shutdown is possible if Republicans dont agree to pass a package of regular spending bills known as the minibus by the end of next month.

The Democratic senators said Democrats would have far less leverage if the Senate appropriations package, which covers the departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Commerce, Justice and Interior, among other agencies, passes next month.

If President Trump signs that package into law, it would result in approximately 85 percent of the federal government being funded through September 2026, leaving Democrats much less leverage to threaten a shutdown to get Republicans to agree to an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits  the issue that triggered the shutdown in October.

If they [bring] the group of five bills to the floor and we get them coordinated with  the House, then essentially you have appropriations bills for 85, 95 percent of the government by the end of January, and shutdown doesnt mean much, the lawmaker said.

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However, if those bills stall, then the likelihood of a shutdown skyrockets, the lawmaker said.

Then that raises this interesting question: Do we shut down over health care or Venezuela or Epstein files not being delivered? the senator warned.

The Democratic lawmaker said if Trump initiates a large-scale bombing campaign against Venezuela, the issue will become a flash point on Capitol Hill that could spur Democrats to oppose any government funding bill in order to get the White House to back down.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pushing hard to get the package of five appropriations bills passed next month to take away leverage from Senate Democratic progressives who want to threaten another government shutdown to pressure Republicans to back an extension of the expiring health care subsidies.

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Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) warned that if most of the annual appropriations bills are left in limbo by the end of January, Democrats could replay the strategy that led to the longest shutdown in American history earlier this year.

They may be tempted to do it, as disastrous as the last one was, he said.

Cornyn predicted Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) would come under heavy pressure from liberals  both in the Senate and back home in New York  to force another government shutdown.

Schumers not in any different political position than he was back then, he said, referring to Schumers opposition in September and October to a clean, seven-week continuing resolution to keep the government operating.

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Hes afraid of the Democratic base, Cornyn added, warning that Republicans would be taking a risk of another shutdown if they dont hammer out a bipartisan deal to pass the regular appropriations bills in January.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said shes worried about another shutdown if the five-bill spending package fails to move soon after New Years Day.

My worry is if we dont pass this five-bill package, we will end up in a shutdown, she said.

The five-bill appropriations minibus is being delayed in the Senate by conservative Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who are objecting to the number of earmarks in the appropriations bill, authorizing language they said should be attached to spending legislation, and the sheer size of the package.

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Another major obstacle is that House GOP leaders havent yet agreed to the top-line spending numbers for 2026. Collins told The Hill that shes waiting to hammer them out for several bills with the House.

There arent top lines on several bills. There are [top-line spending agreements] on some but not on Labor, H, not on DOD, not on CJS, she said, referring to the bills funding the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, Commerce and State.

Appropriators are making some progress on resolving their disagreements with conservatives, which have stalled progress on the spending package for weeks.

Lee said he is negotiating over the authorizing language that falls within his jurisdiction as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The language was added without his consent to the Interior appropriations bill.

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I agreed to accept some of it. Were negotiating the final details about exactly whats going to be included, he said of the language in the Interior bill that spurred him to put a hold on the spending package.

Lee said hes gotten commitments on scheduling votes to strip some of the earmarks out of the package.

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.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Serbia's prosecutor for organized crime on Monday charged a government minister and three others with abuse of office and falsifying of documents to help pave the way for a real estate project linked to Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Proposed criminal charges were announced against Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic, who is a close ally of autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic, and three other officials, according to a statement published on the official website of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime.

The investigation centers on a controversy over a bombed-out military complex in central Belgrade that was a protected cultural heritage zone, but that is facing redevelopment as a luxury compound.

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Last year, Serbia's government signed a 99-year-lease agreement with Kushner-linked Affinity Global Development in the U.S. At the time, Kushner confirmed reports that his company plans to finance the $500 million project. It would feature a high-rise hotel, a luxury apartment complex, office spaces and shops.

Selakovic and others allegedly illegally lifted the protection status for the site by forging documentation.

It wasn't immediately clear when a trial could be held.

The proposal to build a high-rise hotel, offices and shops at the site is backed by Vucic's government, but has met fierce opposition from experts at home and abroad, as well as the Serbian public.

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Serbian lawmakers passed a special law last month clearing the way for the construction, despite the ongoing investigation. Vucic has said that the project would be good for Serbia's relations with the United States and that he would pardon anyone convicted in the case.

I am guilty, he said recently. I am the one who wanted modernization of Serbia. I am the one who wanted to bring in a big investor."

The U.S. administration has imposed tariffs of 35% on imports from Serbia. It has also sanctioned Serbias monopoly oil supplier, which is controlled by Russia.

Critics say the building is an architectural monument, seen as a symbol of resistance to the U.S.-led NATO bombing that remains widely viewed in the Balkan country as an unjust aggression.

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Serbia was bombed in 1999 for 78 days to force then President Slobodan Milosevic to end his crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. Anti-NATO sentiment remains strong in Serbia, and the U.S. role in revamping the military buildings is particularly sensitive among many Serbians.

The buildings are seen as prime examples of mid-20th century architecture in the former Yugoslavia.
On Thursday, Rowan County Sheriffs deputies arrested two people after a traffic stop in Salisbury led to the discovery of drugs and firearms.

From left: Christopher Michael Russell, Trina Beth Taylor

Deputies stopped a white Nissan on East Innes Street for a motor vehicle violation and conducted a probable-cause search, uncovering a concealed firearm and suspected fentanyl and cocaine.

ALSO READ: Narcotics investigation in Rowan County yields $350,000 in seized cocaine

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Sheriff Travis Allen stated, These arrests demonstrate how Crime Stoppers plays a vital role in solving crime through community cooperation and anonymous reporting.

Following the initial traffic stop, deputies obtained a search warrant for a local hotel in Salisbury, where they seized additional suspected fentanyl and another firearm.

Christopher Michael Russell was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, possession with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Trina Beth Taylor was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

VIDEO: Missing 16-year-old found in human trafficking sting in Rowan County
Governor Josh Stein announced the launch of the Small Rental Rehabilitation Program to aid in the repair or rebuilding of small rental properties in western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.

The Small Rental Rehabilitation Program is designed for owners of one to four rental units per property that were damaged by Hurricane Helene, according to WLOS.

The launch of this program is another important step in our western North Carolina housing recovery initiatives, said North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley.

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ALSO READ: DOT worker recognized for saving driver from floodwaters during Helene

The Small Rental Rehabilitation Program is part of the Renew NC recovery initiatives offered by the North Carolina Department of Commerces Division of Community Revitalization.

It is funded through a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Eligible property owners in the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (28214 ZIP code only), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey can apply for the program.

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Applications for the program can be submitted online, over the phone with a case manager, or through the Renew NC app. For more information, interested parties can visit renewnc.org or call 1-888-791-0207.

VIDEO: Ashe County man saves driver from rising floodwaters during Hurricane Helene
Environmental advocates are hailing new findings that show that hypoxia in the Long Island Sound is at its lowest level in nearly four decades, according to the Long Island Sound Partnership.

Hypoxia is an environmental condition where low dissolved oxygen levels are found in the water. The primary cause of hypoxia is nitrogen pollution, which comes from a variety of sources including sewage treatment plants, stormwater runoff and atmospheric conditions. According to officials, hypoxia has impacted up to half of the Long Island Sounds waters each summer.

Results from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections 2025 Long Island Sound Water Quality Monitoring Program showed that hypoxia covered a maximum area of 18.34 square miles this year between July 29 and July 31. Hypoxia conditions also lasted for just 40 days, from July 14 through Aug. 22, a shorter duration than in previous years.

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Over the past decade, there were only three other years where the duration of hypoxia was 40 days or less.

Officials said the five-year rolling average for 2021 through 2025 showed 83 square miles of hypoxia in the Long Island Sound compared to an average of 208 square miles from 1987 through 1999, a 60% reduction. This decline in hypoxia in the open waters of the Long Island Sound is being hailed as a massive environmental victory.

This years historic decrease in hypoxia illustrates 40 years of amazing progress through the Long Island Sound Partnership, said EPA Region 2 administrator Michael Martucci. Dedicated efforts and investments by EPA, Connecticut, New York and local governments have drastically reduced the amount of nitrogen pollution entering the Sound, resulting in smaller affected areas and fewer days of low oxygen.

Advocates say this is welcome news for protecting wildlife in the Long Island Sound. Hypoxia is one of the main contributors to mass fish die-offs and can have devastating impacts on fish and shellfish that rely on high levels of oxygen saturation in the water. Save the Sound, an environmental advocacy group, said these results are the reward after decades of improvements in water quality.

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This is a great success story for a rebounding ecosystem, said Peter Linderoth with Save the Sound.

In the 1980s, dissolved oxygen leaves were very low and fish die-offs were very common and organisms were dying, literally suffocating in the water because there wasnt enough oxygen, Linderoth said. Hypoxia has plagued the Sound for a very long time, so to see the area of hypoxia to hit such a low last year, its just such an amazing success.

Linderoth noted that Connecticut and New York teamed up in 2000 to implement a plan to limit nitrogen seeping into the Long Island Sound. That plan, he said, made both states take measurable action steps, including fixing old wastewater infrastructure, to ensure less nitrogen gets into the Sound each year. This year also marked the first test of a new Long Island Sound Hypoxia Forecasting Model.

Developed with scientists from the U.S. EPA, the model projected that up to 31 square miles of bottom waters could experience hypoxia, peaking around mid-August. The actual results showed a smaller and earlier event, roughly two weeks ahead of the forecast but within the predicted range, according to officials.

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While the data shows a big improvement in the Long Island Sounds water quality, Linderoth said there is still work to be done.

The findings mostly show areas on the open waters of the eastern side of the Long Island Sound and not the coastline, bays or beaches. Linderoth said those areas, often more impacted by humans and stormwater runoff, continue to show signs of hypoxia each year.

The western side of the Long Island Sound, which is closer to large population centers like New York City, is still impacted by hypoxia, Linderoth said.

As encouraging as this is, there is still hypoxia in the western Sound, Linderoth said. Then we have to calibrate for climate change. Long Island Sound is warming up, and warmer waters cant hold as much oxygen. So as the waters warm up, there might be a need to reassess nitrogen unloading into the Sound at current levels and try to ratchet that down a little more as the Sound continues to warm.

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This also doesnt take into account some of the hyper-local pollution that goes into our bays and harbors that leads to adverse ecological impacts, Linderoth added. Stormwater runoff and local pollution sources can be harder to pin down. Thats the next big thing that the EPA will be addressing in their Long Island Sound plan.

Save the Sound offers a yearly Long Island Sound Report Card, which grades water quality in five open water regions of the Sound and 57 bay segments along coastlines and estuaries. The advocacy group also releases a yearly Beach Report that scores nearly 200 public and private beaches along the Sound for water quality. More information on the Long Island Sound can be found at savethesound.org.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
Citing statements by Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Abyaneh wrote that spiritual defense during Jewish Hanukkah ceremonies is necessary.

Ahmad Ghadiri Abyaneh, the son of Irans former ambassador to Australia, Mohammad-Hassan Ghadiri Abyaneh, posted an antisemitic message on X just hours before an attack on the Jewish gathering in Sydney on Sunday.

In the post, he labeled Hanukkah celebrations as a platform for satanic rituals of Masonic circles and called for defense.

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Citing statements by Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Abyaneh wrote that spiritual defense during Jewish Hanukkah ceremonies is necessary.

Starting from tomorrow, from 23 to 30 Azar (8 days), the Jewish Hanukkah celebrations will begin as a platform for holding satanic rituals by Masonic circles, the individual, familial, and social harmful effects of which will become apparent in faith-based communities, he added.

He concluded, Spiritual defense during these days, through reciting the Surah and supplications emphasized by the Leader of the Revolution, has an added necessity.

IRGC backs foreign terror plots

Additionally, in August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and law enforcement officials alleged in a press briefing that the Islamic Republic was the mastermind behind at least two major antisemitic arson attacks in Australia and was likely responsible for more incidents among a wave of anti-Jewish episodes in the country since the October 7 massacre. Albanese further declared that, as a consequence, the Iranian ambassador to Australia would be expelled and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would be legislated as a terrorist organization.

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The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had gathered enough intelligence to determine that the Islamic regime had directed the December 6, 2024, Adass Israel synagogue arson attack in Melbourne and the October 20, 2024, Lewis Continental Kitchen arson attack in Sydney.

These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, said Albanese. They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
Local and federal law enforcement officials on Monday celebrated the foiling of an alleged terrorist plot to detonate explosives in Los Angeles and Orange counties on New Years Eve.

As of Monday morning, heres what we know  and dont  about the scheme and those reportedly involved.

What we know

Four people were arrested near Twentynine Palms on Friday while they planned and rehearsed their attack, said Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office Akil Davis.

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Those four people are:

Audrey Carroll, 30

Zachary Aaron Page, 32

Dante Gaffield, 24

Tina Lai, 41

They are alleged members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which Attorney General Pam Bondi called far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government and anti-capitalist.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said they were targeting at least five Amazon-type logistics centers for their attacks.

In addition, a fifth person was arrested by the FBIs New Orleans Office.

What we dont know

Officials on Monday outlined the plot and the arrests in broad strokes, though many details have not yet been disclosed.

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Aside from Bondis description of the group, a motive for the attack has not been disclosed.

Similarly, the specific targets the group had allegedly chosen have not been made public. Its unclear if Amazon-type logistics centers includes Amazon itself, its competitors or other industries.

Questions also remain about the Louisiana arrest, as officials said that person is linked to a Turtle Island subgroup created by Carroll called the Order of the Black Lotus but was not directly tied to the Southern California plot.

Its possible more arrests are coming, as Essayli said the investigation is ongoing.

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As we review that evidence, if we determine there were any other individuals who knew about this or provided any assistance, we will obviously charge them as well, Essayli said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- One of the men allegedly responsible for the fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night was previously investigated over ties to a local Islamic State (IS) terrorism cell, local media reported on Monday.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), 24-year-old Naveed Akram was in 2019 examined by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) for his close ties to the Sydney-based IS cell.

The ABC reported that both Naveed Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, had pledged allegiance to IS and that an IS flag was found in their vehicle at Bondi Beach following the shooting.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday morning that 16 people have been confirmed dead, including Sajid Akram, after the gunmen opened fire on a crowd who had gathered at the iconic beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Another 40 people were being treated in hospital as of Monday, five of whom were in critical condition, and the deceased were believed to range in age from 10 to 87 years old, police said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited Bondi Beach on Monday morning, said that flags would fly at half-mast across Australia on Monday to mourn the shooting.

NSW's Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at a press conference on Monday that 328 officers had been deployed to Sydney suburbs with significant Jewish populations.

Officers from NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police were conducting a major operation at Akram's residence in Sydney's southwest suburbs on Monday morning as well as at a short-term rental in the city's west where the two men were staying.

Lanyon on Monday confirmed that the 50-year-old shooter was a licensed firearm holder and had six guns legally in his possession.

The federal government's special envoys to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, both of whom were appointed to the new roles by Albanese in 2024, on Monday condemned the attack.

Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal told ABC radio that government education in Australia has not been sufficient for people to understand how antisemitism "destroys" the Jewish community.

"It's been seeping into society for many years and we have not come out strongly enough against it," she said.

A report released by Segal in July found that antisemitism is ingrained and normalized in Australia and called for a comprehensive long-term response.

Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik said in a statement on Monday that there is no justification for the sickening violence or hatred and that the attackers had a clear purpose to spread fear, terror and division within communities. 
MADRID (AP)  Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros ($75 million) for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals, officials said Monday.

The move is the latest government action in Spain against short-term rental companies such as Airbnb and Booking.com as the country grapples with a housing affordability problem, particularly in city centers.

The consumer rights ministry said the rentals didnt include license numbers  a requirement in many regions in Spain  or listed license numbers that didnt match what authorities had. Other had incorrect information about hosts, it said.

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Airbnb said that it plans to challenge the fine in court. The company said it was working with Spanish authorities to comply with a new national registration system for short-term rentals, and that more than 70,000 listings on the platform had added a registration number since January.

Spain's leftist government and many Spaniards across the political spectrum see short-term rental companies as bearing responsibility for driving up housing costs.

The nation on the Iberian Peninsula is one of the world's most visited countries and short-term holiday rentals have cut into many cities' stretched supply.

There are thousands of families living on the edge because of the housing crisis, while a few enrich themselves with business models that evict people from their homes, Spains consumer rights minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said Monday in a statement.

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In May, the consumer rights ministry ordered Airbnb to take down around 65,000 listings because of rule violations.

In 2024, Spain's anti-trust watchdog fined Booking.com 413 million euros ($448 million), saying the the online travel company had abused its dominant market position in the country over the previous five years.

Local authorities in Barcelona have said they plan to phase out all of the 10,000 apartments licensed in the city as short-term rentals by 2028 to safeguard the housing supply for residents.
Spanish police have arrested five people and charged four others in Denmark over the kidnapping and killing of a man who was targeted for his cryptocurrency holdings, authorities said Thursday.

Key Takeaways:

Police arrested suspects in Spain and Denmark over a violent, crypto-linked kidnapping and killing.

The case involved physical coercion to access victims cryptocurrency wallets.

It highlights growing security risks for individual crypto holders.

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The arrests follow a joint investigation that uncovered what police described as a cross-border criminal group focused on stealing digital assets through violent means.

Spanish and Danish authorities coordinated the operation, which involved multiple raids and the seizure of weapons and electronic devices.

Masked Gunmen Abduct Couple in Malaga Crypto Case

The case came to light in April, when a woman reported to police in Malaga that she and her partner had been abducted in the nearby town of Mijas.

According to investigators, the couple was ambushed by three or four masked men dressed in black and armed with handguns.

Police said the man was shot in the leg as he attempted to flee. Both victims were then forced into a vehicle and taken to a house, where they were held for several hours.

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During the captivity, the attackers attempted to gain access to the couples cryptocurrency wallets.

The woman was released around midnight. Her partner did not survive. His body was later discovered in a wooded area, showing signs of violence in addition to the gunshot wound, authorities said.

As part of the investigation, police carried out six raids at properties in Madrid and Malaga. Officers seized two handguns, one real and one imitation, along with a baton, blood-stained clothing, mobile phones, and documents believed to be linked to the crime. Biological evidence connected to the scene was also recovered.

In Denmark, police charged four suspects in connection with the case. Two of them were already serving prison sentences for similar offenses, according to authorities.

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The incident highlights a growing concern within the crypto industry: physical attacks aimed at forcing victims to surrender access to digital wallets.

Often referred to as wrench attacks, these crimes have drawn increased attention in recent months, prompting renewed calls for better personal security practices among crypto holders.

Violent Wrench Attacks on Crypto Holders Surge

Violent attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders are on track to reach record levels in 2025, according to a report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

As of July, 35 so-called wrench attacks have already been recorded worldwide, putting the year on pace to surpass the previous peak seen during the 2021 bull market.

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Chainalysis said crypto-related crime is increasingly shifting from online exploits to real-world violence. More than $2.17 billion has been stolen from crypto services so far this year, already exceeding the total for all of 2024, with nearly a quarter of losses now coming from personal wallet attacks.

Bitcoin holders are facing higher average losses, as criminals focus on large-value wallets, particularly in regions with growing retail adoption.

The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as one of the hardest hit, ranking second globally for Bitcoin stolen and third for Ether theft.

Countries including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines have reported a rise in incidents, some with severe outcomes.

Read original story Spanish Police Arrest Five in Cross-Border Crypto Kidnapping Case by Amin Ayan at Cryptonews.com
Coats line the hallways of Rochester Child Care Center in Rochester, where 60% of students qualify for the Child Care Scholarship Program. The scholarship program received a payment system update and will implement presumed eligibility for applicants going into the new year. (Photo by Maya Mitchell/New Hampshire Bulletin).

As 2025 comes to an end, two new programs are being introduced to help child care providers make the most out of New Hampshires Child Care Scholarship Program: presumptive eligibility and prospective payments.

The scholarship program helps eligible New Hampshire families pay for child care by providing direct payments for care to qualified early childhood and out-of-school providers for children under 13.

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While the program allows child care providers to care for more children without taking on a heavier financial burden, some said the scholarships payment interface was challenging to navigate, the schedule for payment was not timely, and the scholarship applicant process can lead to loss of funds due to current eligibility requirements.

To address those issues, House Bill 2, the states budget bill signed in June, included two initiatives to help ease the administrative burden of the program.

Presumptive eligibility

Children and their families will soon be allowed to use the scholarship program before being formally approved.

The pilot program will allow every applicant to be presumed eligible for the states scholarship program and receive financial assistance while undergoing the lengthy application process.

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Scheduled to start on Jan. 1, the new eligibility program will allow a family to receive benefits from their initial screening date through 60 days after, or to a date the Department of Health and Human Services determines as the expiration of application submission, as stated in the law.

The current scholarship program application requires families to be interviewed and verified by the state in addition to providing identification and income documentation. A family must have selected a child care program by the end of the 30-day period  the total amount of time the application process should take, according to the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start. However, the process can take longer if a family does not complete the application correctly or encounters issues during the process.

Program eligibility was expanded to include families earning up to 85 percent of the state median income, which was $113,431 for a family of four as of February 2024. According to the Carsey School of Public Policy, approximately 55,000 children were eligible for the scholarship program as of October 2024. According to Health and Human Services, 5,841 children are enrolled in the program as of November 2025.

As the child care industry struggles with program capacity and workforce issues, increasing the number of children receiving care while maintaining a sustainable financial situation is important to most providers. Payouts from the scholarship program can contribute to salaries, benefits, food costs for students, insurance, and more.

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In a meeting with child care providers on Nov. 13, Jotham Spreeman, administrator of operations at the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start, said the pilot program should help improve cash flow for providers.

This is going to allow a center to bill the state much earlier than previous, Spreeman said. Its not necessarily going to be like day one [a child will] be in the system  as soon as that kid is in their care theyll be able to bill for that kid.

Providers and families will not be held responsible for the costs of care during presumptive eligibility, even if the child is found ineligible at the end of the application process. Applicants would, however, be liable for the costs in the event of fraud or intentional violation of program rules.

Additionally, the pilot program could be suspended in the event of an active waitlist for the Scholarship, according to Jake Leon, Health and Human Services director of communications and public information. Leon did not respond to questions about what could cause a waitlist to start. Currently, there is no waitlist for the scholarship program.

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The pilot program is being funded through $100,000 of federal funds, some of which is allocated to child care providers and to conduct a study on the program after it ends in 2027. New Hampshire joins four other states  Delaware, Maryland, Montana, and Wyoming  along with Monroe County, New York, in offering presumptive eligibility for child care subsidies.

To qualify for the scholarship program, a child must be under 13 years old (or under 18 years of age if they have a disability); parents must be working, looking for work, or in a training program; and a family must meet certain income eligibility requirements.

The scholarship operates on a cost-share model. Families pay a discounted rate to their child care provider and the state pays the difference of what a provider offers or the NH Weekly Standard Rate per child  whichever is less. Rates are based on a percentage of the familys gross income and a familys determined eligibility level, meaning the cost share amount varies from family to family.

Prospective payment

On Dec. 1, Health and Human Services launched a new payment program that allows providers to bill the state a week in advance or at the beginning of each pay period for the scholarship program, a change from previous billing practices. Additionally, a new payment system interface was unveiled to providers to streamline the payment process.

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The budget law required Health and Human Services to establish new data entry requirements for the scholarship program to reduce administrative burden for providers. Using the new interface, providers are no longer required to report hourly attendance for scholarship recipients; instead, they will report the total number of hours a child is in care each week.

Previously, providers had to enter the in- and out-times of scholarship children manually each day. Kitty Larochelle, executive director of The Growing Years in Manchester, said it took her about 45 clicks per child to enter information for each of her 40 scholarship students under the old system.

According to Spreeman, the goal is to help child care providers have a steady stream of income from the scholarship program and a more predictable billing flow.

Thats the hope, that this is going to level the playing field and stabilize cash flow for providers, he said.

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Despite Health and Human Services providing training for providers at the end of November and early December, the process has not been straightforward for providers. During a Child Care Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, some providers expressed confusion with the new system to them.

Larochelle told the Bulletin that the new system doesnt appear to take much off her plate because it asks her to bill a week ahead while also requiring her to enter billing information from two weeks prior.

I have to change my processes and my thinking process in configuring my reports differently in order to report the total hours a child has been in attendance with us, she said. So now sitting down to do the week of Dec. 1, I had to go back and figure out a way to do my reporting to get the total amount of hours per child for the week of Nov. 17. Its like a totally different thought process, because Im potentially billing for next week, but looking at the hours for the week of Nov. 24.

The law states that first payments using the new system may be delayed if a child starts in the middle of the pay period.

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Were committed to making sure that this goes smoothly, or at least that we smooth over those rough patches as they happen, Spreeman said on Nov. 13.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to questions about system issues or how they are navigating complaints about the new billing process.
The two people killed in a mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday that left nine others injured were identified Monday.

The Brown University College Republicans posted on X Monday that Ella Cook, the organizations vice president, had been killed in the shooting.

Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates, reads the post from College Republicans of America President Martin Bertao. Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CRs, and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

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The other victim was identified as Muhammad Aziz Umurzokov, according to NBC News, which cited the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The loss of innocent lives as a result of this tragedy is a heavy loss for all of us, the ministry said in a post on Telegram, according to the outlet.

Late Sunday night, authorities announced the release of a man who had been detained as a person of interest.

The release of the person of interest left law enforcement without any known suspect, with officials pledging to redouble their efforts by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killers identity.

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We have a murderer out there, said Attorney General Peter Neronha.

The shooting occurred as final exams were underway.

The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, getting off more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told AP. Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity.

Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom in a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department.

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The attack set off hours of chaos on campus and in the surrounding Providence, Rhode Island neighborhoods, as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter. 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.

During the lockdown, which wasnt lifted until Sunday, after the person of interest was taken into custody, many students remained barricaded in rooms while others hid behind furniture and bookshelves as police searched for the shooter.

One of the nine wounded students has been released from the hospital, Paxson said Sunday. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition.

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. The school canceled all remaining classes and exams for the semester.

Brown University shooting

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Shots were fired at a semi-trailer on I-70 in Clark County over the weekend.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Saturday, Dec. 13, just before 3:45 a.m. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers were called to a reported road rage incident.

State troopers said it happened on I-70 near milepost 62 in Clark County near Springfield.

TRENDING STORIES:

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An initial investigation found that a semi-truck was traveling west on I-70 when the driver said he heard five to six loud bangs and saw a lifted black pick-up truck also traveling nearby.

The semi-truck driver stopped and saw bullet holes on the passenger side.

Troopers confirmed there were multiple bullet holes.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has any information is asked to contact the Springfield Post of OSP at (937) 323-9781.

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Christmas cheer made its way to the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, where hundreds gathered to raise money for a cause that is lifting spirits and changing lives.

Sunday marked the 22nd year of Sweet Home Chicago, an annual benefit that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for WINGS, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and services for survivors of domestic violence.

Money raised at Sunday's benefit went directly to WINGS' two critical safe houses.

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Guests go into the Christmas spirit by spending time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Kiddos built gingerbread houses, created ornaments, and were greeted by Christmas carolers.

Service dogs were even on hand to provide some peace and relaxation for guests.

The CEO of WINGS, along with the event's co-chair, say they are so grateful for the public's generosity.

"We're the only ones in Illinois who have two safe houses. It's still not enough, but we are doing what we can. And everyone who comes here today to have fun, while they are having fun, they are helping people in distress to not stay in that situation," said WINGS CEO Rebecca Darr.

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"It really is remarkable. It's something you can't even explain, because it's just that good, you know? One event, and all these people coming together for a good cause," said Sweet Home Chicago Co-Chair Shea Mausser.

Sweet Home Chicago is a family tradition for many of the guests.

ABC7 spoke with some of the youngest attendees about what they look forward to most each year.

"It's a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. I always remember coming and making the gingerbread houses," said guest Jeffrey Podjasek.

"I feel like kind of like the scene and the setting, the carolers and all that," said guest Carmella Lupo. "I really like to make the little jingle, or like the ornaments."

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Just this year alone, well over $720,000 was raised, bringing the grand total collected to more than $14 million since the event's launch back in 2004. And it is all supporting WINGS and its mission to fight domestic violence.

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.
Though tanning may be far from people's minds this winter, a new study out of Northwestern Medicine is highlighting the risks of tanning beds, and showing how they can lead to skin cancer.

Not only is the use of tanning beds associated with nearly triple the risk of developing melanoma, but heavy users of tanning beds also had more damage to the DNA of their skin cells, according to the study published Friday in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.

Dr. Pedram Gerami, a professor of skin cancer research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, decided to look into the issue of tanning beds and melanoma after noticing that an unusually large number of his patients were women younger than 50 who had melanoma multiple times.

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Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, though it is highly curable if caught early.

Youd see the common thread linking all these women was a history of tanning bed exposure, said Gerami, who is also director of the Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Clinic at Northwestern Medicine.

Gerami teamed up with researchers from the University of California, San Francisco to examine the medical records of nearly 3,000 patients who used tanning beds at least 10 times in their lives and nearly 3,000 patients who never used tanning beds. They found a 2.85-fold increase in melanoma risk for patients who used tanning beds compared with those who did not, after adjusting for age, sex and sunburn and family history, according to the study.

The researchers then sought to find out how much DNA damage may be caused by tanning beds by examining skin samples from 27 patients. Eleven of those patients reported that they had used tanning beds at least 50 times in their lives, nine patients were at high risk for skin cancer but not from frequent tanning bed usage, and six of the skin samples were taken from cadavers, to augment the control group.

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The researchers used relatively new technology to perform single-cell DNA sequencing on melanocytes, which are the skin cells that produce pigment.

They found that skin cells from patients who used tanning beds had nearly twice as many mutations as skin cells from patients who didnt use tanning beds, and they were more likely to have melanoma-linked mutations.

In the skin that looks normal in a tanning bed patient, you can find that their skin cells will have the DNA mutations that we know predispose (a person) to melanoma, Gerami said.

(For) a lot of these patients, the majority of their tanning bed exposure occurred in their youth, maybe even when they were minors, he said. Now, as adults, often early adults or mid-adult life, is when theyre finally dealing with the consequences of those exposures.

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Thats what happened to Heidi Tarr, a patient of Geramis who agreed to be part of the study.

In high school and college, Tarr said she used tanning beds multiple times a week. At the time, she thought it was safer than potentially burning in the sun.

My friends and I, in high school and through college we used tanning beds regularly, Tarr said. It was part of feeling beautiful, I guess, having a tan.

In 2011, she noticed that a mole on her back had changed in color and size. She underwent a biopsy and learned that she had melanoma. Luckily, she caught it early, underwent surgery and has been cancer-free ever since. But she must continue to get her skin checked every six months for the rest of her life, she said.

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You think youre getting a tan but what you dont see is youre damaging your skin cells, and that damage can lead to melanoma, Tarr said.

Tarr didnt hesitate to participate in Geramis research. I wanted to help the medical community and his research, but I really wanted to help other patients, she said. I just wanted to do anything I could to give back.

Pedrami would like to see more states limit use of tanning beds among minors and stronger warnings of the risks of tanning beds. A number of states prohibit people younger than 18 from using tanning beds.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration already requires tanning beds to have labels informing people of the risks of using them and urging against their use for people younger than 18.

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Industry group the American Suntanning Association has criticized past research on tanning beds and skin cancer, saying on its website that many of the studies have relied on self-reported survey data and fail to isolate independent variables, such as assessing whether subjects sunburned repeatedly or exposed themselves responsibly.

We acknowledge that there are risks associated with overexposure to the sun and sunbeds, including skin cancer, the association says on its website. But its important that we keep these risks in perspective while determining public health policy decisions. Discussion of the nuance and critical confounding factors in the research isnt happening yet.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Dermatology association opposes indoor tanning and would like to see a ban on the production and sale of indoor tanning equipment for nonmedical purposes.

____
This article was originally published in Texas Tribune.

The Texas Education Agency is replacing the elected school boards of the Beaumont, Connally and Lake Worth school districts, Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced Thursday.

State law allows Morath to either close a campus or appoint new leadership if at least one school in the district receives five consecutive failing grades in Texas academic accountability system. Each of the districts met that threshold.

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Pending appeals, the commissioner plans to replace each districts school board with a state-selected board of managers. Morath will also appoint a conservator with governing authority over current district and campus leaders during the transition, which typically takes several months to complete.

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The education agency will solicit applications from local community members interested in joining each districts board of managers. Morath will also appoint superintendents to lead the districts.

The takeovers add to the growing list of districts subject to state interventions, which also includes two of Texas largest: Fort Worth and Houston. The Fort Worth school board has said it plans to appeal the commissioners decision, which was announced in October.

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The education agency said in August that five school districts were at risk of intervention after enduring five consecutive years of unsatisfactory ratings. Since then, it has announced plans to take over four of them: Fort Worth, Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont. Morath has not said whether he plans to intervene in the fifth district, Wichita Falls.

Each of the schools that triggered takeovers in the Beaumont, Connally and Lake Worth districts educates a majority Black and Hispanic student population, and the overwhelming majority of their children come from low-income families.

Lake Worths Marilyn Miller Language Academy triggered the intervention in that district. In letters informing the districts about the takeovers, Morath noted that during the latest round of accountability ratings, all but one of Lake Worths six campuses earned failing grades. Meanwhile, five campuses have received unacceptable ratings for more than a year, while only 22% of students are meeting grade level across all subjects.

Lake Worth school district leaders were acutely aware of the challenges facing the school district leading up to the takeover, said Superintendent Mark Ramirez, who was hired this year. Ramirez said the district has focused on addressing the challenges facing each campus, which should serve as a foundation for the incoming board of managers to build upon.

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Our preparation ensures zero instructional loss for our children, Ramirez said.

The Connally district had two campuses that met the states takeover threshold: Connally Junior High and Connally Elementary. Since the 2022-23 school year, the number of campuses with academically unacceptable scores in the district has doubled, Morath noted. Only 24% of students in the district are meeting grade level. The junior high improved from an F to a D in the most recent ratings.

In a statement, the Connally district thanked the efforts of Superintendent Jill Bottelberghe in boosting academic performance in recent years but acknowledged the need for improvements.

We recognize that there is still work that needs to be done, the statement said. It is our hope that the appointed Board of Managers will work to not only improve our districts academic performance, but also serve our community with the same passion and sincerity as our Board of Trustees has.

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ML King Middle School and Fehl-Price Elementary in the Beaumont district have also endured five consecutive years of failing grades. The commissioner cited data showing that the elementary school has never earned an acceptable rating, while the middle school has gone 11 years without one. The district has seven campuses with unacceptable ratings for more than a year and has not earned an overall acceptable rating since 2019. Thirty percent of students in the district are meeting grade level.

Thomas Sigee Sr., president of the Beaumont school board, said the district had sought to help its struggling campuses  including by partnering with charter schools  but ultimately could not lift them up to state standards. He questioned why the commissioner opted to take over the entire district instead of shutting down the schools.

We could have closed the schools for a year and facilitated those students to other campuses and go forward, Sigee said. I didnt want the takeover because I knew it would spread chaos in our community.

If the decision is finalized, it would mark the second time the state has placed the Beaumont district under its oversight. The education agency did so from 2014-2020 due to financial mismanagement.

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Each of the three districts will have opportunities later this month to attend an informal hearing with the commissioner to make their appeals. If Morath stands by his decision to intervene, they can then formally appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Takeovers were once rare in Texas, but they have grown more common in the last decade, thanks to the 2015 law that made it easier for the state to step in after five consecutive F grades. It also expanded the commissioners ability to initiate special investigations, which could lead to an intervention.

That A-F grading system is largely based on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, a standardized exam that lawmakers voted this year to replace in 2027.

Before 2015, El Paso experienced the only academic takeover in Texas, due to a widespread cheating scandal. Since the laws passage, the education agency has officially taken over three districts because of low academic performance: Marlin, Shepherd and Houston.

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Morath and state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles believe the Houston ISD intervention was warranted, and they tout as evidence the improved test scores in the two years since it started. Students have improved in every tested subject. None of the districts campuses received an F on the states accountability ratings in the 2024-25 school year, a drastic improvement from the 56 underperforming campuses in 2022-23.

But the intervention has also run into strong criticism. Teacher departures have skyrocketed. Thousands of students have unenrolled. And improved test scores have sparked concern that the district has accomplished its gains, in part, because of a hyperfocus on testing and moving students into less rigorous math and science classes.

Stephen Simpson, Jess Huff and Alex Nguyen contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.
A firefighter atop a ladder sprays a pile of scrap metal that caught fire at Rhode Island Recycled Metals in Providence on Wednesday, July 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Emergency Response)

Linda Perri has seen  and smelled  a lot in the more than 40 years she has lived in Washington Park in Providence. Some days are worse than others.

You cant open your windows in the summer, you cant sit outside in your yard, front or back, Linda Perri, who is president of her neighborhood association, said in a Nov. 14 interview.

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For decades, many South Providence residents have suffered from pollution caused by industrial businesses on Allens Avenue and the Port. Some recall being awoken by the pungent odor of asphalt and experiencing nausea, headaches, and fatigue. In 2022, a school was even evacuated due to smells from the Port being mistaken for a gas leak. And though hundreds of air quality complaints have been made, Rhode Island has continued to prioritize economic profit over the wellbeing of its people. The time has come for the state to put the health of its people first and hold these entities accountable.

Allens Avenue, home to asphalt plants, scrap metal dealers, oil and gas companies, and salt distributors, has been called the most toxic and polluted stretch of roadway in Rhode Island by the Providence Streets Coalition, a group of over 40 community organizations, local businesses, schools, associations, and individuals supporting safe and healthy streets.

The impact of this pollution on surrounding communities is severe. The combination of noxious emissions from I-95 and pollution from businesses along Allens Avenue and the Port may contribute to Rhode Islands asthma rate for adults exceeding the national average. In 2021, 12.6% of the states adult population had the condition, far above the national average of 9.7%. Rates among Rhode Island youth have decreased in recent years but were at 6.6% compared to the national average of 6.5%.

Its a struggle. Theres so much pollution. Theres so much road debris. Perri said. Theres a lot of things that could be done in this neighborhood to create a healthier, more environmentally-friendly port area.

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State officials are not doing enough to prevent bad actors from hurting the environment and these communities for their own monetary benefit. Since 2009, Rhode Island Recycled Metals has conducted its operations without proper permits from the state, contaminating the Providence River and Narragansett Bay with runoff and fuel from unlicensed vessels and defying stormwater discharge permits. Even after a series of fires led to its temporary closure in 2024, attempts to bring the company into compliance continue to fail. Meanwhile, nearby communities continue to pay the price.

Over the past few years, government action has shown that the state prioritizes the interests of these industrial businesses over the wellbeing of affected communities. In 2019, Mayor Jorge Elorza applauded the industrial waterfront as a driver of economic development. And when asked why some businesses in the area were not being held accountable by the city for environmental violations, Elorzas office told ecoRI News that the City is not responsible for air emissions or coastal regulations, passing this responsibility to the DEM and Coastal Resources Management Council.

Mayor Brett Smileys 2024 Comprehensive Plan has taken a step in the right direction, but further action is needed. The plan emphasizes the development of clean and sustainable industries, laying out objectives to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of pollution. It also notes that the city may prohibit future industrial uses in the General Industrial District, M-2, that it determines go against the public interest of public health and quality of life in near-industry neighborhoods. However, will the state actually do this when the time comes? Or will more businesses like Rhode Island Recycled Metals be allowed to emerge? Without concrete accountability measures and enforcement strategies, these goals risk becoming empty words.

It is difficult to strike a balance between economic growth and public wellbeing, but it is essential that the state do so. Without immediate government intervention, the health of thousands of Rhode Islanders will remain at risk. Left to their own devices, these industrial businesses will continue to prioritize economic growth over public health.

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Many residents worry that their voices will be drowned out by lobbyists and developers, who have greater influence in determining governmental outcomes. The state should propose an environmental justice law that will give residents in these communities a prominent voice in future developments. The state must enact legislation that reflects not only the interests of industrial developers, but also the concerns of those affected most acutely. Additionally, to decrease industrial operations in specific areas, the state should rezone parts of Allens Avenue and impose stricter penalties on businesses that violate environmental regulations.

I imagine a future where children can play outdoors without worrying about inhaling harmful pollutants  a future where every Rhode Islander has access to clean, healthy air. Thousands are counting on the state to act.

So the question I ask is this: Will it continue to prioritize economic growth over peoples health, or will it finally listen to the voices of those crying out for help and deliver justice to these communities?

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The Japanese government has spelled out its position on Taiwan - although only in part - based on the 1972 document that normalised diplomatic ties to ease tensions, but insists the Taiwan issue should be resolved "peacefully through dialogue".

In a parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi repeated Tokyo's position on Taiwan stated in the document that established and normalised diplomatic ties with Beijing and severed ties with Taipei - language Beijing has repeatedly urged Japan to restate in recent weeks.

However, he did not read out a portion of the relevant clause reflecting China's position, even as Beijing has repeatedly urged Tokyo in recent weeks to restate the wording in full.

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Motegi made the remarks during a question session at the Japanese House of Councillors' budget committee on Monday afternoon, when Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Taku Yamazoe asked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to elaborate on Tokyo's position on Taiwan as set out in the document.

"Regarding Taiwan, Japan's fundamental policy is, as the prime minister has clearly stated, in line with the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communique," Motegi said.

"The document states that the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation."

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He did not read out the first half of the cited clause, which states "the Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China".

But after further grilling by Yamazoe, Motegi went on to outline the substance of Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration signed in 1945 - a step Beijing has also repeatedly urged Tokyo to take during the latest diplomatic row - although he again omitted some of the details.

"Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration incorporates the provisions of the Cairo Declaration. Japan was not a party to the Cairo Declaration itself, but the Potsdam Declaration stipulates that its provisions must be carried out," Motegi said.

"The Cairo Declaration set out the policy objectives of the Allied Powers at the time, including the return of Manchuria, Taiwan and other territories from Japan to what was then the Republic of China. [The Potsdam Declaration] states that the terms shall be carried out,'' he added, noting that "Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration".

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Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration issued by the United States, Britain and China, stipulates that "Japanese sovereignty shall be limited to the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku and such minor islands as we determine".

The Cairo Declaration of November 1943 says "it is their [China, Britain and the US'] purpose that Japan shall be stripped of all the islands in the Pacific which she has seized or occupied since the beginning of the First World War in 1914".

The two documents are often cited by Beijing as legal treaties supporting Taiwan as a part of China.

When pressed by Yamazoe on whether a potential military involvement by Japan would run counter to the long-standing consensus between Beijing and Tokyo on Taiwan, Takaichi said, "Japan's consistent position is that issues surrounding Taiwan should be resolved peacefully through dialogue".

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She was repeating the remarks made minutes earlier by Motegi in which he cited the 1951 San Francisco peace treaty, formally known as the Treaty of Peace with Japan.

Beijing was not invited to sign the treaty and has rejected it as illegal and invalid, arguing that it failed to specify to whom Taiwan's sovereignty was to be transferred.

More to follow ...

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Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many (2nd R) attends the 2025 "Silk Road People-to-people Connectivity" China-Cambodia Exchange Event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Dec. 15, 2025. The event was held here in the Cambodian capital on Monday, aiming to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' youth. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 "Silk Road People-to-people Connectivity" China-Cambodia Exchange Event was held here in the Cambodian capital on Monday, aiming to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' youth.

Under the theme of "Silk Road People-to-People Connectivity," the event brought together more than 300 Cambodian and Chinese youth.

Speaking at the event, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Civil Service Minister Hun Many said the event was crucial to boost relations and traditional solidarity between Cambodia and China even closer.

China is Cambodia's key trading partner and investor, he said, adding that China is also a major source of foreign tourists to the Southeast Asian country.

The event was organized by the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship (YHCCF) in collaboration with the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD).

YHCCF's vice chairman Sok Soken said people-to-people exchanges, entrepreneurs, investors, and youth are the main driving forces in promoting relations and cooperation in all sectors between the two countries.

"I firmly hope that this important event will help inspire the minds of the youth of our two countries to move towards friendship and unity," he said.

Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said that this China-Cambodia friendly exchange activity will undoubtedly provide an important platform and inject strong momentum for young people from both countries to enhance mutual understanding and deepen practical cooperation.

"The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia will continue to provide strong support for young people from both countries to deepen exchanges and strengthen cooperation," he added.

CFPD's secretary general Wang Heming said this event was designed to deepen exchanges and cooperation between young people of the two countries in the fields of people-to-people communication, innovation, economy and trade.

"The event lays a solid foundation for youth to the everlasting friendship between China and Cambodia," he said.

He said 2025 is the "China-Cambodia Tourism Year", which provides an important opportunity for the two countries to deepen non-governmental exchanges and promote youth interactions.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, CFPD will take youth as the bridge and people-to-people bond as the goal," Wang said. 

This photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025 shows Chinese and Cambodian youth attending the 2025 "Silk Road People-to-people Connectivity" China-Cambodia Exchange Event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The event was held here in the Cambodian capital on Monday, aiming to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' youth. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
White House Border Czar Tom Homan is begging Democratic politicians to stop criticizing ICE and Border Patrol agents, saying their job is already hard enough and that they dont need American politicians putting targets on their backs for apprehending illegal immigrants.

Homan made his plea during a press conference in San Diego on Saturday.

He was discussing how border crossings have plummeted during President Donald Trumps first year back in office  hitting a 50-year low at the southern border; Homan said that work is being undermined by Dems who are publicly ridiculing ICE and Border Patrol agents for doing their jobs.

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Im begging the politicians, the governors and mayors who constantly attack these men and women, please stop, Homan said. I dont wanna bury anybody else. Its not a joke, were out there enforcing laws.

NOW  Border Czar Tom Homan: "I'm begging the politicians, the governors, the mayors who constantly attack these men and women, please stop the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol are patriots. Hard stop." pic.twitter.com/pQD2BAxIMU  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) December 13, 2025

He did not call any politicians out by name, but there are a few prominent examples to point to this year.

Notably, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) have lambasted the Trump Administration for its crackdown on illegal immigrants, with Pritzker comparing ICE raids to Adolf Hitler rounding up Jews and other minorities in Nazi Germany.

This is how authoritarian regimes do it, Pritzker said in October.

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And Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist who will soon be New York Citys mayor, put out a video last week on how NYC residents can resist ICE agents.

No ICE or Border Patrol agents have died in 2025, it appears, based on news reports. The Cato Institute reported 15 agents died in 2021, which has been the most in a year since 2003. Homan said on Saturday that he has went to too many funerals since joining ICE in 1984.

I go to bed every night and pray that no one dies during these operations, no one dies on the border. Ive seen too much death, Homan said. And for those who dont like me, wear my shoes for four years.

He said ICE and Border Patrol agents were patriots who put their lives on the line to protect America, and added that, despite what a lot of the media says, we are prioritizing public safety threats and national security threats.

Homan added:

We will not rest until we make sure every public safety threat, every illegal alien, is removed. Thats the priority. But if youre in the country illegally, you are not off the table.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Tom Homan Begs Democratic Politicians to Please Stop Demonizing ICE Agents: I Dont Wanna Bury Anybody Else first appeared on Mediaite.
Officers seized around 10,000 archaeological artifacts, including 7,000 coins issued by various Greek city-states that existed on Sicily in ancient times.

Italian authorities said on Friday they had arrested 34 "tomb raiders" suspected of looting treasures from archaeological sites in Sicily and the neighboring region of Calabria.

The looting of Italy's rich artistic and archaeological heritage is a centuries-old problem, but the Carabinieri police art squad has had some success in recent years in recovering stolen artifacts.

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In Sicily, nine people were placed in pre-trial detention, and 14 under house arrest on charges including criminal conspiracy, theft of cultural property, trading in stolen goods, and counterfeiting, police and prosecutors said.

Officers seized around 10,000 archaeological artifacts, including 7,000 coins issued by various Greek city-states that existed on Sicily in ancient times, the Catania prosecutors' office said in a statement.

Police also seized hundreds of clay and terracotta vases, bronze rings, brooches, and arrowheads. The estimated total value of the recovered goods is 17 million euros ($20 million), prosecutors said.

Remains of a roman bath in Bath, Somerset, UK (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The word "tombaroli," or tomb raiders, is applied in Italy to criminals who loot any archaeological treasures, not only those found in ancient tombs or graves.

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Authorities also discovered a clandestine lab in the eastern Sicilian province of Catania, which produced fake ancient coins, pottery, and copper, and seized some looted coins in Germany, where they had been smuggled for resale.

Agricultural code words

In Calabria, two people were put in pre-trial detention and nine under house arrest on similar charges. Prosecutors from the town of Catanzaro said the suspects had operated with the "implicit consent" of a local Ndrangheta mafia clan.

The suspects kept phone contacts to a minimum for fear of being wiretapped, and used agricultural code words in their conversations, such as "asparagus" or "fennel," to disguise their illicit activities, prosecutors said.

In the suspects' lingo, "chainsaw" stood for "metal detector," they added.

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Sicily is home to various ancient Roman and Greek archaeological sites, including the spectacular Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Calabria also has a rich historical heritage.

"We are talking about territories as vast as the cultural heritage that lies under their ground," General Antonio Petti, head of the Carabinieri art squad, told a press conference in Rome.




It's a hard act to follow. But Theo Baker, who managed to oust the president of Stanford University while a freshman reporter on his student newspaper, is now poised to explain "How to Rule the World," the title of his forthcoming book about Stanford's role in cultivating billionaires and other potentates.

Baker's book, subtitled "An Education in Power at Stanford University," is due out May 19, about a month before the author earns his college diploma - on time - in June.

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Baker was 17 in fall 2022 when he began working for the Stanford Daily and got a tip that scholarly papers co-authored by the university's president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, contained errors, including manipulated imagery.

Baker transformed into a dogged reporter not unlike his father, Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, and his mother, Susan Glasser, a staff writer on the New Yorker.

The freshman's dozen or so investigative stories - tracked and followed by journalists across the country - prompted a Stanford investigation that found "serious flaws" among papers co-authored over 20 years by Tessier-Lavigne, a neuroscientist. He ultimately retracted three studies. The probe found no evidence that he knowingly falsified data.

By summer 2023, Tessier-Lavigne resigned and Baker became the youngest recipient of the George Polk Award, one of journalism's most prestigious prizes.

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With more than five months left before Baker's book is out, neither he nor his publisher are talking about it yet or sharing early copies. A book description from Penguin Press sheds light about its focus.

Theo Baker showed up for freshman year at Stanford University as a tech-obsessed coder. It seemed like paradise. There were Rodin sculptures next to nuclear laboratories and inventors lounging with Olympians. But Baker soon discovered a culture that embraced corner-cutting, that vested infinite excess and access in the hands of kids with few safeguards to catch bad behavior.

"How to Rule the World" is part expose of Stanford - "less a school than a business" where certain wealthy, brainy students are cultivated as future members of the "ruling elite" - and part memoir of the wunderkind who peeled back the curtain and revealed what he saw.

Baker, now 20 and majoring in history, spoke with more than 250 people for his book: not only professors, students and campus administrators, but also former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, director of Stanford's conservative Hoover Institution, and Stanford dropout Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI.

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To write the book, Baker took off the fall and winter terms of his junior year - and no, no professor offered academic credit for his extracurricular efforts.

Baker took high-unit courses to graduate on time. He also received course credit for helping teach "Coding for Social Good," and relied on college-level credits he earned in high school.

Between writing "How to Rule the World" and toppling the leader of the nation's third wealthiest university, Baker, as a sophomore, also gave the nation an in-depth account of campus tensions following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of Israel, and Israel's counterinvasion.

On March 26, 2024, the Atlantic Magazine published "The War at Stanford: I didn't know that college could be a factory of unreason," which begins with an account of a 23-year-old student in Baker's computer science class telling student protesters that he supported killing then-President Joe Biden for being "guilty of mass murder" and that Hamas should instead govern the U.S.

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While Baker acknowledged that this student's views were atypical, "few students would call for Biden's head - I think," his article introduced readers to a historic period of rising student hysteria on the private, elite campus while mirroring the tensions on university campuses across the country at the time.

Generations of students have protested Wall Street excesses, South African apartheid, the Vietnam War, and for civil rights  and been injured or even died for those causes. But until the current Middle East conflict, they rarely turned on each other.

Stanford became "fractured" as the Middle East war escalated, Baker wrote. "Extremism has swept through classrooms and dorms, and it is becoming normal for students to be harassed and intimidated for their faith, heritage, or appearance - they have been called perpetrators of genocide for wearing kippahs, and accused of supporting terrorism for wearing keffiyehs."

As for where Baker stood in all of this, he wrote, "I grew up secularly, with no strong affiliation to Jewish culture." He learned as a teenager that dozens of his relatives had died in the Holocaust, but said he did not feel a stronger emotional connection to having Jewish roots until "I saw so many people I know cheering after Oct. 7."

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But his frustration about the conflicts on campus had "little to do with my own identity." Instead, at one of the world's greatest academic institutions, he discovered "a persistent anti-intellectual streak."

He offered the example of complaints made to the university about parties where, in order for students to get in, they had to say "f Israel" or "free Palestine."

"A place that was supposed to be a sanctuary from such unreason has become a factory for it," he said, quoting a friend's email.

Baker's book isn't out yet. But some of his observations in the Atlantic piece nevertheless shed light on the university, historically an incubator of American leaders.

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"Readers may be tempted to discount the conduct displayed at Stanford," he wrote. "After all, the thinking goes, these are privileged kids doing what they always do: embracing faux-radicalism in college before taking jobs in fintech or consulting. These students, some might say, aren't representative of America.

"And yet they are representative of something: of the conduct many of the most accomplished students in my generation have accepted as tolerable, and what that means for the future of our country."

This article originally published at He toppled Stanford's president as a freshman. Now he's written a tell-all about the university.
A murder trial is set to begin on Monday in Lake County for Alex Lopez, who is accused of killing a convenience store clerk last year.

The case, which shocked Central Florida, led to a month-long manhunt that ended with Lopezs capture in Osceola County.

Raied Shihadeh, the victim, was working at M&M Food Mart in Leesburg when he was shot while on a video call with his wife last July. Surveillance footage shows the gunman entering the store and immediately shooting Shihadeh before moving around the counter to shoot again at close range.

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The gunman fled the scene with less than $100, prompting a widespread search that concluded 27 days later when detectives tracked down Lopez at a motel in Kissimmee.

Shihadehs wife expressed her desire for justice, stating that the death penalty would be the easy way out, leading prosecutors to seek life imprisonment instead of capital punishment.

As the trial begins, the community and Shihadehs family hope for justice to be served, with Lopez facing life in prison if convicted.

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MILWAUKEE (AP)  Prosecutors played audio recordings Monday as they tried to show jurors that a Wisconsin judge knew what was at stake earlier this year when she directed an immigrant to a private door while federal agents were in the courthouse to arrest the man.

Ill get the heat," Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan told her court reporter as they discussed who would assist Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, according to courtroom audio.

Federal prosecutors charged Dugan with obstruction and concealment in April, an extraordinary consequence of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. According to an FBI affidavit, a team of six federal agents and officers traveled to the Milwaukee County courthouse on April 18 to arrest Flores-Ruiz, 31, for being in the country illegally.

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Flores-Ruiz was facing state battery charges and was scheduled to appear at a hearing in front of Dugan that morning. The team planned to arrest him when he came out of the hearing.

According to the affidavit, Dugan learned the agents and officers were in the hallway waiting for Flores-Ruiz. She left the courtroom and told them to consult with the chief judge. After several agents left to see the chief judge, she led Flores-Ruiz out of her courtroom through a private back door.

The private door led Flores-Ruiz back to the public hallway. Agents followed him outside and eventually arrested him after a foot chase. He was deported months later.

Courthouse video shows Dugan directing members of the arrest team toward the chief judge's office and she hasn't disputed that she led Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom. The case hinges on whether she was intentionally trying to prevent his arrest.

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Prosecutors opened her trial Monday in federal court in Milwaukee by working to show that the judge told the agents to see the chief judge to create an opening for Flores-Ruiz to escape.

FBI Special Agent Erin Lucker testified that while agents were in the chief judge's office, Dugan moved Flores-Ruiz's case to the top of her docket, scheduled another hearing for him and told him he could appear via Zoom before directing him out through the back door. All this was done within minutes, Lucker said.

Prosecutors played audio from her courtroom in which Dugan and her court reporter discussed who should lead Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom. After the reporter offered to help him, Dugan said that she'd do it.

I'll get the heat, Dugan said.

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The arrest team "did not expect a judge, sworn to uphold the law, would divide their arrest team and impede their efforts to do their jobs, Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Alexander told jurors.

Defense attorney Steven Biskupic countered that the judge had no intention of obstructing agents. He said during his opening statements that Dugan was following a draft courthouse policy that called for court personnel to refer immigration agents looking to make an arrest in the courthouse to supervisors.

Dugan didn't obstruct the team, Biskupic said, pointing out that two agents who didn't go to the chief judge's office could have arrested Flores-Ruiz as soon as he stepped into the public corridor but instead followed him outside before trying to apprehend him.

Now, after the fact, everyone wants to blame Judge Dugan, Biskupic told the jury.

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The governments case is expected to run through Thursday, with roughly two dozen witnesses expected to testify. The maximum sentence for the more serious charge, obstruction, is five years in prison, though federal judges have much discretion to go lower.

Ahead of the trial, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman declined to dismiss the charges, saying there was no firmly established immunity for Dugan.

Democrats say Trump is looking to make an example of Dugan to blunt judicial opposition to immigration arrests. Dugan told police she and her family found threatening flyers at their homes this spring. The administration has branded her an activist judge.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a fierce Trump loyalist running for Wisconsin governor next year, urged authorities to lock her up in a recent tweet.

___

Associated Press writer Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Trinidad and Tobago announced Monday that it will open up its airport to U.S. military flights as tensions escalate between the United States and Venezuela.

The country's foreign ministry announced it has "granted approvals" to military jets to use its airports, adding that the United States said the flights would be "logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routing personnel rotations."

"The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs maintains close engagement with the United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago," an announcement from Trinidad and Tobago said.

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"The honorable prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has affirmed the government's commitment to cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of safety and security for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region. We welcome the continued support of the United States."

At its closest point, Trinidad is just 7 miles from Venezuela.

The country allowed the USS Graverly to dock Oct. 26 and conducted joint military drills with the U.S. 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit in October and November.

The U.S. military also installed a high-tech radar unit, AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, on Tobago, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking.

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Persad-Bissessar initially denied reports of Marines being in Trinidad and Tobago. She retracted those statements last month, saying there were Marines working on the radar, runway and road.

Some on the island have expressed concern that it could be used as a launchpad for fighting with Venezuela, but Persad-Bissessar has denied that. She has voiced support of the U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean.

The United States has placed a large number of ships in the Caribbean, including warships, fighter jets, Marines and the USS Gerald R. Ford to show force against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a foe of President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump said he was signing an executive order that officially designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, saying the drug is more potent and damaging than any bomb.

The announcement, made during a press conference at the White House on Monday, comes as the presidents administration has waged its own war on drugs by striking more than 20 boats filled with narco-terrorists, as President Trump has called them, in recent months. The strikes have killed some 90 people and sparked controversy as critics have denounced them as war crimes or extra-judicial killings.

Theres no doubt that Americas adversaries are trafficking fentanyl into the United States, in part because they want to kill Americans. If this were a war, it would be one of the worst wars, Trump declared.

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Trump said he believed over the last half-decade that fentanyl has killed between 200,000 and 300,000 people per year; he said reports are the drug has killed around 100,000 annually, but the true figure is much higher.

He said fentanyl and other popular street drugs have destroyed countless American families, which he said spurred him to sign his latest executive order.

Thats why today Im taking one more step to protect Americans from the scourge of deadly fentanyl flooding into our country, with this historic executive order I will sign today, formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is, Trump said. No bomb does what this is doing.

Before signing the order, Trump awarded medals to 13 service members for protecting the southern border with Mexico. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth then spoke, lauding Trump for stopping the invasion of illegal immigrants that he said was allowed to happen under ex-President Joe Biden.

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Hegseth has spearheaded 22 military strikes on suspected drug boats since September. President Trump also warned Latin American drug dealers earlier this month that he is willing to attack on land, not just on sea, to block drugs from entering the U.S. He reiterated that plan during his press conference on Monday.

Watch above, via Fox News.

The post Trump Designates Fentanyl an Official Weapon of Mass Destruction  Says Drug Causes More Damage Than Any Bomb first appeared on Mediaite.
President Trumps vow to seek revenge against the Indiana Republicans who rejected a new House map risks further dividing the party as it looks toward the midterms.

The president and his allies have made it clear they intend to support primary challenges against the Hoosier State Republicans who refused to vote for the map, but some fear the effort could divert the partys focus and splinter the party at a time when the GOP is desperately vying to keep its majority next year.

Its an odd way to try to build a party, let alone one that can act and legislate, said former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), who opposed efforts to redistrict mid-cycle.

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Theyd be a lot better advised, I think, to spend time trying to deliver results on things that are troubling the American people as opposed to shooting allies in the back, he added.

Indiana Senate Republicans dealt a blow to Trump and his allies on Thursday as 21 of their 40 members voted against a new congressional map that would have given the party two additional pickup opportunities in the House next year. Overall, 31 Indiana senators rejected the map and 19 supported it.

The result came after weeks of uncertainty over whether the upper chamber would approve it. Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) had signaled earlier that his caucus didnt have the votes to move forward with a map, though he eventually said his caucus would convene this month to make a final decision on a proposal.

In the lead-up to the vote, Trump and others warned they would primary any Republicans who voted against it, even those not immediately up for reelection like Bray.

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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) said he would support Trumps primary efforts. Allies of the president on Capitol Hill, too, say they support the primary threats and pushed back on the idea that it could hinder the partys midterm efforts.

Absolutely not, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), whos pushing for redistricting in South Carolina, said when asked if the redistricting battle was creating unnecessary division within the party.

President Trumps doing the right thing, added Norman, whos running for South Carolina governor next year.

I think the president has shown more than any president [in] American history he can do a lot of things at the same time, said Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), who previously served on a Florida House districting panel.

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Yet the potential primary efforts set up a clash within a party thats already contending with internal divisions heading into next year.

A number of House GOP members have voiced their dissatisfaction with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), though they say hes safe from being ousted for now.

And members have taken steps that have put themselves at odds with the president and the White House. Most recently, 20 Republicans voted alongside Democrats on Thursday to nix an executive order that would have taken away many federal workers collective bargaining rights  the first time during Trumps second term that an executive order has been rejected in the lower chamber.

Some Republicans question the logistics  as well as the wisdom  of primarying the Indiana Republicans, noting that it could divert resources away from other important congressional races as the party looks to protect its slim House majority.

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Thats a choice that those behind the effort to supposedly primary candidates are going to have to decide: Is it really worth it to go after people because youre upset at them over one vote when those dollars could be spent on vulnerable Republicans who are on the ballot running for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives or mounting their first campaign for a seat or against a vulnerable Democrat? asked Pete Seat, a former White House spokesman and Indiana GOP strategist.

Allies of the president  and even some skeptics of the primaries  say financing challenges in the Hoosier States legislative races would be less expensive than fielding resources for a congressional bid.

Theyve added that GOP donors have said theyre interested in helping finance the primary challenges.

I dont know if people have put the full consideration to is how much money did they just cost us? said a person familiar with Trump World thinking, referring to the Indiana Republicans who rejected the map.

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That person suggested the maps failure to pass cost Republicans as many as four House seats. Allies point to an interview that Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) did with The New Republic this week, in which the congressman noted that Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D), a staunch opponent of redistricting in his state, had spoken to the Republican president of the Indiana Senate, who said he was going to stay out.

Trump allies suggested there was a deal between the two men to not redistrict in either of their states. If Maryland Democrats redistricted, some Republicans think, the court would strike it down and potentially create a new map that offers several opportunities to the GOP.

Politico reported, citing four sources familiar with Ferguson and Bray, that two had spoken several times. Bray spokeswoman Molly Swigart denied those allegations in an email to The Hill.

There was no deal made between Sen. Bray and Pro Tem Ferguson regarding redistricting efforts in their respective states, Swigart said.

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The Hill reached out to Fergusons office for comment.

Some Republicans also reject the idea that the primary challenges brewing in Indiana will divert the GOPs attention or further divide the party, noting that Democrats are grappling with their own divisions in Senate races like Texas, Maine and Michigan.

Let me ask this: For those people, do they think the Presidents team shouldnt be fighting the Democrat litigation in Utah thats been going on for years that has, for now, knocked out a GOP seat and made it safely Blue? That battle was launched by the Democrats long before Redistricting this year, said a source familiar with White House thinking.

Or do they think the [Presidents] team should stop defending our incumbents in Wisconsin that Democrats are on their third round of litigation trying to knock out through the courts  which was also going on long before this year? they added.

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Some members say conversations are still ongoing about redistricting in Indiana, though Thursdays vote makes that hill a steeper climb for Republicans with a candidate deadline in February fast-approaching.

Florida, too, is also expected to redistrict, though the timeline remains unclear.

The redistricting wars come as Republicans look to maintain their majority in the House, which is seen as Democrats best pickup opportunity in Congress next year. On paper, Republicans could net up to nine additional seats right now, while Democrats could net up to six.

Those numbers dont take into account states like Florida, Virginia and elsewhere, which could also redistrict. A decision on the fate of Louisianas congressional map and the Voting Rights Act is also expected to come by June, which could alter the midterm landscape completely.

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While the redistricting battle and its aftermath in Indiana could fracture the GOP, at least one member sees an unintended upside to the squabbling.

If the White House has more Republican targets to go after that benefits me, because Im their No. 1 target right now, quipped Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has emerged as one of the partys most vocal critics of the president and is facing his own primary threat. So maybe itll divert their resources away from me.

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President Donald Trump issued a message Sunday marking the start of Hanukkah, extending greetings to Jewish communities in the United States and around the world and reaffirming his administrations support for religious freedom and the right to worship without fear.

I extend my warmest greetings to the Jewish community in the United States and all around the world as they begin their celebration of Hanukkahthe Festival of Lights and a joyous season of reflection and hope, Trump said in a statement released by the White House on December 14.

The president reflected on the origins of Hanukkah, recounting the Jewish peoples resistance to religious persecution more than 2,000 years ago and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following their victory over occupying forces.

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Following their tremendous victory, they sought to rededicate their Holy Temple, Trump said. As tradition tells us, although they only had enough oil to light the lamp in the Temple for one night, in a glorious sign of the Almightys divine providence, it remained aflame for 8 days.

Trump noted that the lighting of the menorah remains a central tradition of the holiday and a symbol of enduring faith.

In remembrance of this great miracle, over the next 8 days, families and loved ones will gather to light the menorah, which serves as an enduring symbol of lights victory over darkness and the eternal triumph of good over evil, he said. Hanukkah is a thanksgiving for these miracles.

The statement also referenced Americas historical commitment to religious liberty, citing a 1790 letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island.

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To this day, the menorah stands as an enduring symbol of liberty, of the idea that each citizen, in the words that George Washington wrote to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid, Trump said.

The president emphasized that protecting religious freedom remains a priority for his administration.

This holiday season, my Administration continues to stand firmly with the Jewish people and defend the right of every believer to worship freely and without fear of persecution, he said.

Trumps Hanukkah message follows recent actions by his administration to elevate religious liberty as a national priority, including the Religious Liberty Commissions meeting in Dallas earlier this month, where local civic, faith, and military leaders testified about religious discrimination and First Amendment protections, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

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Trumps message was released as Jewish communities in the United States mark the start of Hanukkah amid heightened security at public celebrations following recent attacks targeting Jewish gatherings abroad.

Concluding the message, Trump drew parallels between the perseverance of the Jewish people and the founding of the United States, describing America as a nation sustained by faith and divine providence.

Just as the grace of the Almighty brought the Maccabees to victory, it has sustained the miracle of Americaa shining light to the entire worldfor nearly 250 years, Trump said. As we continue to usher in the Golden Age, may the blessings of this season bring renewed peace, joy, and warmth to all those who celebrate. Happy Hanukkah!
By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump mocked Rob Reiner in a social media post on Monday, suggesting the slain actor and director died because of his anti-Trump views  a remark that triggered swift and bipartisan backlash for injecting politics into a family tragedy.

A vocal Democratic activist, Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found dead in their home on Sunday. Their son Nick Reiner was arrested on homicide charges. Police have yet to ascribe a motive.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Rob Reiner as "tortured and struggling" and said Reiner and his wife had passed away "reportedly due to the anger he caused" by opposing the Republican president.

"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump," the president said.

The White House reposted Trump's comments on its official "Rapid Response" account on X.

The president, who frequently lashes out at his opponents and praises public figures who support him, offered no evidence that Reiner's political views contributed in any way to the couple's death.

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Trump's comments on Monday drew criticism from across the political spectrum.

"Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," wrote Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

"This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," wrote Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Both Massie and Greene are Trump critics, a rarity within the president's party.

But even House Speaker Mike Johnson, a major Trump ally, distanced himself from the president's post. "We have to appeal to our better angels, and I think we've got to amplify those voices and those sentiments. So that's my position on it, he told reporters when asked about Trump's comments.

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Asked in the Oval Office if he stood by the post after the Republican criticism, Trump replied that he was not a Reiner fan.

Reiner told Variety in 2017 during Trump's first term that Trump was "mentally unfit" and called him "the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States."

Trump said in his post on Monday that Reiner had the "mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME," a term the president uses for many of his critics.

The Democratic Party called Trump's post "heartless."

David Axelrod, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, called it perverse. "The absence of empathy & grace for the Reiner family in their moment of profound loss and grief is sad and revealing," he wrote on X.

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Republicans and Trump supporters were sharply critical of anyone who highlighted right-leaning activist Charlie Kirk's controversial views in the aftermath of his murder in September.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by David Morgan and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Daniel Wallis and Howard Goller)
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of displaced Cambodian civilians has risen to nearly 395,000 as the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has entered its eighth day, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said in a press release on Sunday.

Among the displaced are 204,889 women and 95,949 children, according to the press release.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict is still going on as of Sunday, Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said. 
Donald Trump on Sunday paid his respects to two people killed and nine who were injured in a shooting at Brown University.

Before we begin, I want to just pay my respects to the people, unfortunately two are no longer with us, Brown University, nine injured and two are looking down on us right now from Heaven, the president told guests at a holiday reception at the White House.

Brown University, Trump added, great school, really one of the greatest schools anywhere in the world. Things can happen.

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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. The attack 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.

Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, drew parallels to the 2012 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.

Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that left two dead

A person of interest in the shooting that killed two people and wounded nine others at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday has been detained, police have said.

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Col Oscar Perez  the Providence police forces chief  confirmed at a news conference on Sunday that the person of interest was in their 20s. Perez did not provide many other details about the person, including whether that person was connected to Brown.

Read the full story

Experts urge caution as Trumps big bill incentivizes AI in healthcare

For states to receive certain funding stipulated in the Trump administrations big, beautiful bill, they must meet three of 10 criteria  including integrating more artificial intelligence (AI) technology in healthcare settings  which experts say could have major benefits and liabilities for under-resourced hospitals, depending on how its implemented.

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Manchin: stop acting in attack mode amid political violence

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.

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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.

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Trump says building DC triumphal arch is domestic policy chiefs primary thing

Amid concerns that he has failed to address a worsening affordability crisis, with health insurance premiums about to spike dramatically for over 20 million Americans, Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that his domestic policy chiefs main priority is building a triumphal arch for Washington DC.

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Immigration forces teens to take over detained parents roles

Vilma Cruz, a mother of two, had just arrived at her newly leased Louisiana home when federal agents surrounded her vehicle in the driveway. She had just enough time to call her oldest son before they smashed the passenger window and detained her.

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Cruzs detention forced her son, Jonathan Escalante, an 18-year-old US citizen who finished high school this year, to care for his nine-year-old sister, who has a physical disability. Escalante is now trying to access his mothers bank account, locate his sisters medical records and doctors, and figure out how to pay bills in his mothers name.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

National Labor Relations Board , the federal watchdog for workers rights, has been rendered toothless as employees grapple with corporations. Its five-seat board requires at least three members to issue a ruling. But days after regaining power, Trump fired senior official Gwynne Wilcox from the board, leaving it without this crucial quorum.

Journalists of color being laid off amid Donald Trumps push against DEI initiatives have spoken out about being let go from CBS, NBC and Teen Vogue.

Catching up? Heres what happened on 13 December 2025.
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing intense backlash after officials released a person of interest in connection to the deadly mass shooting at Brown University over the weekend.

A gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building on Saturday afternoon, killing two people and injuring nine others. Local authorities said on Sunday that they planned to release a person of interest detained in connection to the shooting after officials determined there was no basis to keep the individual in custody.

Police said the FBI located the person of interest after receiving a tip about a possible suspect responsible for the shooting. This comment sparked outrage on social media, with many pundits questioning the FBIs response to the shooting.

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Many social media users criticized Patel for posting about the person in custody just hours before the individual was released. Officials now have no person of interest in custody nearly 48 hours after the shooting.

Some social media users pointed out that Patel prematurely claimed there was a suspect in custody after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September. Patel faced intense criticism for that claim as well after he had to retract the statement.

How many times is Kash Patel going to do this exact same thing? Pretty soon Patel publicly taking credit is going to become a form of exculpatory evidence. This is the amateur hour of amateur hour, one user wrote on X.

MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote: Everyone in this admin, from the president on down, rushes to social media to put things out rather than act responsibly and prudently. Always looking to declare victory while seeking praise.

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Keystone Kash f---s up again. How many times are we going to let this moron screw up investigation after investigation. Can we get the serious people back in?? This whole administration is full of frauds from top to bottom and the effects are devastating, Brett Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, wrote on X.

Political commentator Adam Cochran called on Patel to resign in his post.

So we have yet another high profile case, where the FBI cannot correctly [identify] a shooter who was active in a location with tons of cameras. And now they hope someone turns him in like in Utah The incompetence is astounding. Kash Patel needs to immediately resign his post! Cochran wrote on X.

Author Don Winslow said Patel is unfit for the role.

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The SAME thing happened before. @FBIDirectorKash is a MORON of EPIC PROPORTIONS and totally UNFIT for his job IMO, Winslow said on X.

The release of the lone person of interest leaves law enforcement without any known suspect, with officials pledging to redouble efforts in the investigation by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killers identity.

We have a murderer out there, said Attorney General Peter Neronha, while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley acknowledged that the news is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.

Despite an enhanced police presence at Brown, officials are not recommending another shelter-in-place order like the one that followed the Saturday afternoon shooting, when 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 Associated Press contributed to this report.

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President Trump early Saturday reupped his vow to support primary challenges against Indiana Republicans that opposed redistricting efforts, singling out GOP leader state Sen. Rodric Bray.

Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves, Trump posted on Truth Social. Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be primaried, and I will be there to help!

Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this! he added.

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The president has lashed out at Hoosier State senators in the days since the upper chamber failed to advance a new GOP-favored map. He has also suggested Bray is out the door after senators voted 19-31 vote against the state House-passed measure  with 21 Republicans joining 10 Democrats to reject it.

Ahead of the vote, Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith (R) warned the senators that the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if the redistricting effort failed.

That decision comes as other states  including California, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, among others  are embroiled in their own redistricting battles. Both sides of the aisle are looking to add more pick-up opportunities in the 2026 midterms.

Well be launching primary challenges against every last traitor who voted no, effective immediately! Pack your bags, your time is up! Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz wrote on social platform X, responding to the vote.

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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) on Thursday offered his help to the Trump administration, as the president looks to unseat what he considers disloyal party members.

I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump. Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences, Braun wrote in a post on X.

I will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers, he added.

Trump is expected to be a constant presence on the campaign trail in 2026 after a string of GOP losses in the 2025 election. Some lawmakers in other states have supported his effort to oust incumbents while others have questioned the presidents method.

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Its an odd way to try to build a party, let alone one that can act and legislate, said former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R), who opposed efforts to redistrict mid-cycle.

Theyd be a lot better advised, I think, to spend time trying to deliver results on things that are troubling the American people as opposed to shooting allies in the back, 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.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump has taken action classifying fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction" as his administration escalates efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.

Trump signed an executive order on Monday, Dec. 15, to formalize the designation, which comes after the president signed off on unprecedented airstrikes on suspected drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean from Venezuela.

"No bomb does what this is doing," Trump said in the Oval Office, pointing to overdose deaths caused by fentanyl in the United States. "So we're formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction."

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Trump signed the order as he awarded service members medals for their work securing the U.S.-Mexico border after aggressive actions the president pushed during the first year of his second term to crack down on illegal immigration.

More: 11 men killed in strike had loose cartel ties, officer told lawmakers

Sept. 15, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a boat allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea. Sept. 15, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a boat allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea. Oct. 3, 2025: The U.S. military killed four people in a strike on a vessel that was allegedly transporting substantial amounts of narcotics, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 3. Oct. 3, 2025: The U.S. military killed four people in a strike on a vessel that was allegedly transporting substantial amounts of narcotics, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 3. Oct. 17, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a vessel alleged to be smuggling drugs for Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 17. Oct. 17, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a vessel alleged to be smuggling drugs for Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 17. Oct. 21, 2025: The U.S. military killed two people in a strike on a vessel allegedly smuggling illicit narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 22. Oct. 21, 2025: The U.S. military killed two people in a strike on a vessel allegedly smuggling illicit narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 22. Oct. 22, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a vessel allegedly smuggling illicit narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 22. Oct. 22, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a vessel allegedly smuggling illicit narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 22. Oct. 24, 2025: The U.S. military killed six people in a strike on a boat in the Caribbean, alleged to be carrying narcotics, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 24. Oct. 24, 2025: The U.S. military killed six people in a strike on a boat in the Caribbean, alleged to be carrying narcotics, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Oct. 24. US military conducts deadly boat strikes against alleged drug traffickers 1 of 12 Sept. 15, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a boat allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea.

It is unclear whether the classification will mean significant changes to the Trump administration's efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates killed more than 48,000 Americans in 2024.

The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately pursue "investigations and prosecutions" related to fentanyl trafficking. It commands the State and Treasury departments to target assets and financial institutions of people involved in drug trafficking.

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The order further calls for War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Bondi to determine whether threats posed by fentanyl warrant resources from the War Department (formerly the Defense Department) and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to identify networks responsible for smuggling fentanyl to "support the full spectrum of counter-fentanyl operations."

"Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic," the order reads. "Two milligrams, an almost undetectable trace amount equivalent to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, constitutes a lethal dose. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from fentanyl overdoses."

President Donald Trump speaks during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 15, 2025.

The government has historically used the term "weapons of mass destruction" to describe weapons of war. The Department of Homeland Security defines weapons of mass destruction as "radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people."

In February, Trump designated some drug cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations," a move administration officials argue gives them legal justification for striking suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean.

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Trump's latest order said the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl  like traditional weapons of war  "threatens our national security and fuels lawlessness in our hemisphere and at our borders." It also said the two cartels responsible for the distribution of most of the fentanyl in the United States engage in "large-scale violence and death that go beyond the immediate threat of fentanyl itself."

"Further, the potential for fentanyl to be weaponized for concentrated, large-scale terror attacks by organized adversaries is a serious threat to the United States," the order said.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump signs order classifying fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey shot down an out of control aerial drone that approached its airspace from the Black Sea, the Defense Ministry said Monday.

The incident came after Ukrainian attacks on Russian  shadow fleet  tankers off the Turkish coast and warnings from Turkish politicians about the dangers of the war in Ukraine spreading.

F-16 fighter planes were scrambled after an object was detected, the ministry said in a statement. To avoid any potential harm, it was shot down in a safe area outside of populated area, it added. The statement gave no further details of the location or time of the incident.

Ukraine said its naval drones struck two tankers on Nov. 28. A third vessel was struck Dec. 2 as it headed toward the Turkish port of Sinop. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the earlier attacks as a threat to navigational safety, life and the environment, especially in our own exclusive zone.
Two Iowa National Guard members who were killed in an ambush in Syria have been identified.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, died in the attack Saturday, which the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group.

The Pentagons chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has said a civilian working as a U.S. interpreter also was killed. Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, the Iowa National Guard said Monday, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.

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President Donald Trump promised serious retaliation against ISIS after the attack, writing. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS].

The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.

This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard (Iowa National Guard)

Trump welcomed al-Sharaa, who led the lightning insurgency that toppled Assad's rule, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in the soldiers honor, saying, We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.

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The ambush was a major test for the rapprochement between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago, coming as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.

The shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country's security forces and killed the gunman. The assailant had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS, a Syrian official said.

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, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.

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.

This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar (Iowa National Guard)

The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation, but military officials have blamed the attack on an IS member.
By Phoebe Seers

LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Britain will start regulating cryptoassets from October 2027, the finance ministry said on Monday, rules it hopes will give the industry certainty while keeping out "dodgy actors".

The new law - the government will introduce legislation into parliament later on Monday - will extend existing financial regulation to companies involved in crypto, aligning Britain with the U.S. rather than the European Union, which has built rules tailored to the industry.

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A draft bill giving effect to regulation has undergone only minor changes since it was published earlier this year, a ministry spokesperson said.

Globally, interest in cryptoassets has surged since U.S. President Donald Trump came to power promising to embrace the industry, although the price of the largest cryptocurrency, bitcoin, has fallen sharply in recent months after hitting a record high.

The U.S. is pursuing what is perceived by the industry to be a more crypto-friendly approach than Britain, while the European Union's Markets in Cryptoassets rules took effect in 2024.

Britain has said it would collaborate with the U.S. on the best approach to digital assets through a "transatlantic taskforce".

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Finance minister Rachel Reeves said the rules would provide clear rules of the road, strengthen consumer protections and keep dodgy actors out of the market.

Natalie Lewis, a partner at Travers Smith, told Reuters she hoped the changes in the final legislation would be more than minor as there were quite a few technical legal problems with the original draft".

Britain's regulatory regime for cryptocurrencies is taking shape, with the Financial Conduct Authority planning bespoke rules for trading and market abuse, custody and issuance, and the Bank of England last month unveiling its proposals for regulating stablecoins - a type of cryptocurrency - that are used for everyday payments.

At the same time, regulators continue to warn about the risks, including that investors in cryptocurrencies should be prepared to lose all of their money.

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Both the BoE and the FCA have promised to finalise their rules by end-2026.

Daniel Slutzkin, head of UK at crypto exchange Gemini, said firms had long awaited regulatory clarity and could now start preparing to meet the new requirements.

(Reporting by Phoebe Seers; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Alex Richardson)
Credit: Telegram/@SBUkr

Ukraine has claimed to have blown up a Russian submarine using underwater drones for the first time.

The submarine, which was carrying Kalibr cruise missiles and is estimated to cost close to 300m, was critically damaged after being hit in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Monday.

The SBU did not specify the date or time of the attack. If verified, this would be the first time an underwater drone has hit a Russian submarine since the invasion began in 2022.

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Russias Black Sea Fleet said a Ukrainian attempt to attack the Russian naval base failed, according to news agencies.

Not a single ship or submarine of the Black Sea Fleet located at the base in Novorossiysk Bay was damaged, agencies quoted the Black Sea Fleet as saying on Monday. There were no injuries to crew.

Video footage purportedly of the attack shows multiple Russian warships and a surfaced submarine, before theres a sudden explosion in the water.

The clip has not been independently verified, but Reuters confirmed the location as Novorossiysk using the ports layout and piers.

Footage shows an underwater explosion in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk - Ukraine Security Service

The SBU claimed the 636.6 Varshavyanka-class submarine, which carried four Kalibr cruise missile launchers, had been left effectively inoperable.

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Replacing it, considering international sanctions imposed on Moscow, would cost up to 370m, the SBU said.

The Security Service of Ukraine carried out another unique special operation and launched a naval attack in the port of Novorossiysk, the SBU said in a statement.

For the first time in history, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones blew up a Russian... submarine.

Ukraines upgraded Sub Sea Baby drones were unveiled in October, according to the statement.

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The drones reportedly operate at distances of more than 1,500km and carry a payload of up to 2,000kg, around double the previous limit.

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According to Kyiv, they have previously been used to strike the support columns of the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea with mainland Russia, and three sanctioned oil tankers linked to Russias shadow fleet in the Black Sea.

Dmytro Pletenchuk, the Ukrainian navy spokesman, told Reuters the operation to hit a submarine marked another turning point in the naval battle between Ukraine and Russia.

Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, wrote on X that it was the first time in history that an underwater drone had neutralised a submarine. Ive been waiting for this day, he said.

The Kalibr is one of the most modern and accurate cruise missiles in Russias arsenal. They are expensive and there are doubts about how many Moscow has left owing to difficulties procuring Western electronics.

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The Varshavyanka submarine is known as the Black Hole because of the hulls ability to absorb sounds and remain invisible to sonars.

Russia is believed to have just 12 Varshavyanka submarines  six in its Black Sea fleet and six in its Pacific fleet, according to Ivan Stupak, Ukrainian military analyst and former SBU officer.

A Russian submarine. Analysts believe the attack has reduced Moscows missile stockpile - Crown copyright

He added on social media that Novorossiysk is a heavily guarded port. This is a real game-changer. As a result, one more Kalibr cruise missile carrier is lost and the potential total missile salvo against Ukrainian territory is slightly reduced, said Mr Stupak.

Ukraine has become a world leader in sea drones and is thought to have carried out at least 13 attacks with them.

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Kyiv has used them to attack Russian military ships and a naval base in Sevastopol, which forced Moscow to relocate its vessels from the Crimean port to the one in Novorossiysk.

Ukraine has stepped up its naval attacks in the Black Sea in recent weeks. Russia regularly strikes the Ukrainian port of Odessa.

Drones have become a crucial part in Kyivs fight against Russia, as the devices are cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional weaponry.

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Ukraine's Security Service said it has struck and disabled a Russian submarine using an underwater drone at the Black Sea port Novorossiysk, Russia.

The service said it completed a "unique special operation" against a Kilo-class submarine, damaging and disabling it for the first time. It said the attack used its "Sub Sea Baby" drones, which are the underwater version of the Sea Baby drones it uses against surface vessels and ports.

"As a result of the explosion, the submarine suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action," CNN reported the SBU said.

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The agency said the submarine is known as a "Black Hole" because of the hull's ability to absorb sound and stay undetectable by sonar. It said that class of submarine costs around $400 million to build, but international sanctions make it cost up to about $500 million.

Russian officials have not commented on the incident.

The agency also said the success of Ukraine's past sea drone operations forced Russia to move many of its ships and subs from Sevastopol Bay in the Crimean Peninsula, which is why the submarine was in Novorossiysk.

The submarine had four launchers of Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia regularly fires at Ukrainian cities, the agency said. It didn't say when the attack happened.
SYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government will consider introducing stricter gun ownership laws in response to the fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Albanese said at a press conference that he would discuss tougher gun laws at an emergency meeting with state and territory leaders scheduled for Monday afternoon.

He said that the federal government is prepared to take "whatever action is necessary" to prevent future similar attacks and identified limits on the number of guns that can be licensed by individuals and a review of firearm licenses over time as possible areas for reform.

"People's circumstances can change. People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity," Albanese said.

Authorities in the state of New South Wales (NSW) previously confirmed that one of the two alleged shooters, a 50-year-old man who was fatally shot by police on Sunday night, held a firearms license and legally owned six guns.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said earlier on Monday that it is time for "a change" to the state's gun ownership laws.

There have been 16 confirmed deaths, including that of the 50-year-old shooter, following the shooting.

It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were fatally shot at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which prompted a major overhaul of Australia's gun laws that included strict regulations on automatic and semi-automatic firearms. 
Ukraine is having domestically developed combat drones manufactured in industrial quantities in Germany, Ukrainian drone maker Frontline Robotics and German defence company Quantum Systems said on Monday.

Production is being carried out on behalf of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, the companies announced at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin on Monday.

Matthias Lehna, head of the joint venture Quantum Frontline Industries, spoke of the construction of tens of thousands of drones per year.

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The company says the project is "Europes first fully automated, industrial-scale foreign production line for drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

The battlefield-tested Linza logistics drone, the Zoom reconnaissance drone and the Buria remote-controlled machine gun and grenade launcher point are all to be produced in German factories.

The cooperation is taking place as part of the Ukrainian government's "Build with Ukraine" initiative.

Kiev is attempting to relocate part of Ukraine's arms production to safe European countries to avoid disruption caused by attacks from Russia.
Ukraine's internal security agency said it used an underwater drone to damage a Russian submarine.

The agency described the attack as a first, potentially signaling a new chapter in drone warfare.

Ukraine has long been using naval drones to target Russian surface ships.

Ukraine carried out a first-of-its-kind attack on a Russian submarine using underwater drones, Kyiv said on Monday, revealing a new use for its explosive-packed uncrewed systems.

The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, said it executed a "unique special operation" using an underwater drone to strike a Russian Kilo-class submarine at the Black Sea port Novorossiysk, damaging and disabling the boat.

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The SBU, Ukraine's main internal security agency, disclosed that the attack involved the employment of its "Sub Sea Baby" drones, which appear to be an underwater version of the Sea Baby naval drone Ukraine uses to target Russian surface vessels and port infrastructure.

The SBU said in a statement that the submarine was equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia regularly fires at Ukrainian cities.

The security agency did not specify when the operation took place, but it said it was carried out in coordination with the Ukrainian navy. The SBU published footage that appears to show the moment the underwater drone impacted the submarine, causing a large explosion.

Neither Russia's defense ministry nor its US embassy immediately responded to requests for comment.

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The Kilo-class submarines are diesel-electric boats that have been in service since the 1980s. Russia has dozens of active subs, which make up one of the largest submarine fleets in the world.

A Russian Kilo-class submarine on the way to the Black Sea. OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

The SBU said a Kilo-class submarine costs around $400 million, but the agency added that sweeping international sanctions would make it notably more costly for Russia to build a replacement.

The submarine attack marks the latest against Russia's naval force in the Black Sea. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has employed drones and missiles to damage and destroy dozens of warships and other vessels.

The asymmetrical campaign has forced Russia to relocate the bulk of its battered Black Sea Fleet from the long-held headquarters on the occupied Crimean peninsula across the region to Novorossiysk. However, Ukraine has demonstrated it can target Russian ships there as well.

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The SBU said on Monday that the damaged submarine was in Novorossiysk due to the Ukrainian operations that drove the Russian Navy away from Crimea earlier in the war.

More significantly, the submarine attack appears to signal a new chapter in drone warfare. Ukraine has used naval drones, such as the Sea Baby, to strike Russian surface ships and used underwater drones to target Russia's "shadow fleet" vessels moving oil and circumventing sanctions.

However, a strike on a submarine with what has been likened to a slow-moving mine or torpedo suggests an expansion of Ukrainian capabilities.

Beyond Ukraine, Russia and NATO countries have actively developed their own underwater drone technology as militaries look to augment traditional naval capabilities with more uncrewed systems.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines ambassador to the U.S., called for ironclad security guarantees for her country as part of a deal to end its war against Russia.

It should be legally binding in every form, which would not allow its reversal in anytime of the history. And Im sure that [the] United States leadership [will] make sure that there is some form that might work, Stefanishyna told host Jacqui Heinrich on Fox News Sunday.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law, in Berlin.

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Prior to the meeting, Zelensky said on the social platform X that only reliable guarantees can deliver peace, reiterating a long-standing priority.

The Ukrainian leader said earlier in the week that he was finalizing a 20-point peace proposal to send to the Trump administration. He noted Thursday that the new proposal includes the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the Donbas region.

Zelensky expressed reservations with the administrations initial peace plan, which would place the Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk regions under de facto Russian control. It would also decrease the size of the Ukrainian military and bar NATO from stationing in the country.

On Sunday, Stefanishyna noted that the guarantees from the U.S. could be passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. The Ukrainian ambassador noted that any ceasefire agreement should also prevent any other aggression from happening through such security measures.

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Well see how it works, she added. And the main point is the substance. And when the substance is there, then the form will be agreed [to].

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The child's parents, a haredi couple residing in Modi'in Ilit, were located on Monday morning and subsequently taken into questioning by police officers.

A three-year-old haredi (ultra-Orthodox) child was found alone in the early hours of Monday morning at the Kalandiya West Bank crossing, Israel Police said.

According to police, the child was found at around 2:15 a.m. by a civilian employed at the crossing, who immediately contacted Israeli authorities. The three-year-old was found at the crossing's bus terminal, located on the Israeli side of the border.

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Police officers then took the three-year-old to a local station, where initial efforts to communicate proved unsuccessful, as the child only spoke Yiddish. Further attempts to communicate using a translator throughout the early morning also proved unsuccessful.

Parents say child was forgotten on bus home from Bnei Brak

The child's parents, a haredi couple residing in Modi'in Ilit, were located on Monday morning and subsequently taken into questioning by police officers.

A Palestinian crosses an IDF checkpoint in Kalandiya, in the West Bank, March 7, 2025 (credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

In their initial testimony, his parents said that the family had returned late Sunday night from a family event in Bnei Brak, before heading back to Modi'in Ilit via bus, where the child was forgotten.

The parents, who traveled with their 11 children, claimed they had not noticed the three-year-old was left in the bus.

The two were questioned on suspicion of child neglect, and are expected to be released to their home following the conclusion of their interrogation.
A billboard advertises an artificial intelligence company in San Francisco in September. California is among the states leading the way on AI regulations, but an executive order signed by President Donald Trump seeks to override state laws on the technology. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

After President Donald Trump signed a much anticipated and controversial executive order aiming to preempt states from governing artificial intelligence, Utah leaders have some concerns, but ultimately they say it wont stop them from trying to regulate the technology, especially in childrens hands.

The Republican-controlled Utah Legislature and Gov. Spencer Cox have shared mixed thoughts on both social media and AI, encouraging energy expansion to accommodate the data centers that sustain them, but also deeply criticizing their role in peoples mental health.

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They have championed legislation reining in deepfakes and chatbots used for mental health or legal advice. They also have plans for more next legislative session. And, earlier this month Cox said hed defend the states ability to act to address digital issues.

Herriman Republican Rep. Doug Fiefia, who co-chairs a national task force on state AI policy, described the order as an overreaching act that fundamentally disregards the Tenth Amendment and the necessary role of the States in technology governance.

While he supports the idea of a national framework, he said in a statement that the standard must be developed through a proper legislative process in Congress that ensures full debate and transparency, not through unilateral action that threatens state funding with no federal standard to replace it with.

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States must retain their authority as laboratories of democracy. Because AI is evolving so quickly, States are closer to the ground and uniquely positioned to adjust quickly and develop tailored regulations, he said. Bypassing Congress undermines policy stability and dangerously ignores the need for critical state guardrails.

Only a law passed in Congress can guarantee that the framework aligns with all states needs, he said.

However, Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, said the order shouldnt interfere with Utahs future plans to regulate AI.

I think hes looking more at California, Colorado, New York, who are looking to regulate the models of AI, which can stifle the entrepreneurship, stifle the innovation, Cullimore said. And, theyre imposing values that dont necessarily represent all Americans on these regulations, on the baseline models of AI.

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He referred to examples like one cited in the order that bans algorithmic discrimination on so-called high-risk AI systems in Colorado.

However, Cullimore believes the order will still allow Utah lawmakers to continue on their quest to make AI safer for consumers, giving states space to regulate the use of AI as it interfaces with citizens.

The order creates a task force to review and challenge state laws in court. According to the text, its goal is to ensure a national standard on AI.

It also calls for a federal department to make legislative recommendations that dont preempt states on AI law relating to child safety protection, data center infrastructure, state government procurement and use of AI, among others that will be determined in the future.

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I have some concerns, but that seriously decreases my concerns, Cullimore said.

Let us know what you think...

Still, Cullimore worries about executive orders acting as legislation, something he described as not proper for any administration.

He also worries about the states ability to regulate the interface between business and consumers, a topic that states have traditionally managed.

For example, in Utah, Cullimore said, companies have developed therapy chatbots that have been studied at an AI learning lab for future policy recommendations in the state.

So its actually encouraging people to use AI and to develop it because they have the confidence that theyre operating within appropriate boundaries with state law, he said. And so I think there are appropriate ways that states should and could regulate the uses of AI, and that will actually encourage innovation and encourage entrepreneurship.

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Coxs office did not reply to a request for comment Friday. However, before Trump signed the order Thursday evening, Cox said on a social media post that an alternative AI executive order focused on human flourishing would strike the balance we need: safeguard our kids, preserve our values, and strengthen American competitiveness. States must help protect children and families while America accelerates its leadership in AI.

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An aerial view of the bridge over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. (Courtesy of Friends of the Shenandoah Rail Trail)

The Virginia Department of Transportation stunned Virginias transportation community by proposing a plan last Tuesday to potentially develop a multi-use trail and restore a deteriorated rail corridor in the Shenandoah Valley, with a possible price tag of nearly $700 million.

Plans for a recreational trail on the 50-mile Shenandoah rail corridor, backed by the Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership  a coalition of counties, towns, planning bodies and nonprofits  aim to boost the regions economy and promote healthy lifestyles after 36 years of rail inactivity. The Shenandoah Rail Corridor Coalition also proposed restoring the Manassas Gap rail line and building a parallel trail.

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Projections indicate that converting the corridor into a recreational trail would cost $164 million compared to the $687 million to restore the rail line and add an adjacent trail, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller at Tuesdays Commonwealth Transportation Board work session, faced questions about the various costs of the project, stated, I dont know what to say about all that.

The legislature has given us $35 million and said go forth and conquer and dont eliminate our trail with rail from your thought process, Miller said.

In 2023, Virginia lawmakers set aside up to $35 million for the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail. The money was appropriated to buy land and to plan and start building a trail. VDOT was also tasked with thinking about ways to keep trains running in the area. Last Tuesday, the agency proposed advancing the trail concept alongside preservation of the railroad corridor for potential future rail service.

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The plan will transfer the project to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the state agency that manages and expands passenger rail in the commonwealth. The Authority, partnering with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, will execute development. VDOT said that the proposal aligns with the 2021 feasibility study, which identified state agency involvement or a regionally sponsored nonprofit as potential methods for owning and maintaining the rail corridor.

Miller remains skeptical about rails economic feasibility. He said that state funds support only trail development, and stressed that future rail options will require additional fundraising. For now, he said, the proposal covers the trail while preserving the possibility of rail if it becomes viable.

Some Commonwealth Transportation Board members, including at-large member Becky Norton Dunlop, expressed general support for preserving both trail and rail options as well as the partnership between the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, which has been supportive of a rail with trail.

I think this is a fabulous idea, Dunlop said last week. I love the idea of the rail, the options. Most Civil War organizations have deep pockets. They have lots of access to lots of donors, and I love the idea of the trail.

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Other members questioned costs, foundation selection, and risk management, urging more oversight.

Secretary, Ive been in this type of government long enough to know that if it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true, and wed better read that contract, said Laura Sellers, a board member representing the Fredericksburg District. Im not really following what youre doing here.

The board did not take a vote during the work session.

Battlefields Foundation proud to be considered

Keven Walker, executive director for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, did not go into specific details, but did tell the Mercury after the work session the organization has been in touch with the governors administration about the project, including after the foundations agreement with the rail corridor owner Norfolk Southern Corporation ended after more than a year.

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When asked about the foundations ability to work on the project, Walker highlighted the groups long-term involvement and track record in managing similar projects and overseeing millions in state funds. In 1996, Congress created the foundation to preserve the regions Civil War battlefields and related historic sites around Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Staunton.

Walker said the foundation also included the rail corridor in its 2000 management plan.

We were set up, now for more than two decades, to be a potential lead managing partner for any massive project regarding this corridor, Walker said. I think thats one reason why were being looked at as a potential leader on this issue.

On the subject of costs, Walker said experts who have worked with the foundation have determined the costs to be much lower than VDOT has estimated. The Shenandoah Rail Corridor Coalition, which represents a group of businesses and organizations including the Foundation, estimates the rail with trails project to cost $142 million.

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The foundation was embroiled in a court fight over the issue, after one of its members argued that the organization has no legal authority to restore commercial freight service on the rail corridor and that the foundations involvement strays far from its mission and threatens its federal tax-exempt status.

In the spring, Walker said the foundation will return to court to prove that it did not act beyond its authority through its involvement with the rail trail project.

This is a preservation project for us, first and foremost, Walker said. This is an economic development project for us, for heritage tourism and the ag industry, and it touches every aspect of who we are as an organization. We are well fitted to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity that were honored to have, and we would not be living up to the directives and responsibilities given to us by Congress if we didnt continue with this project.

Reaction to proposal

Del. Tony Wilt, R-Harrisonburg, who represents a portion of the area where the corridor sits, responded soon after the proposal became public, arguing that the latest study points to the trail-only option as a feasible path forward and the one with the broadest community support.

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Wilt, who carried the budget request to study the feasibility and benefits of a rail trail in 2021, also questioned how likely the proposed rail-with-trail project would be, since no credible rail operator has ever been identified or come forward with a serious proposal.

Del. Tony Wilt speaking at a committee meeting on April 8 in Alexandria. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Additionally, he pointed out that references to public hearings and opportunities for community input on the third and final assessment report have been removed from VDOTs website.

Instead, the secretarys office presented a new proposal that has not been publicly vetted, is inconsistent with the findings of the latest VDOT study, allows no opportunity for competing proposals, and asks CTB to act within roughly a month without sufficient transparency or public engagement, Wilt said in a statement.

Wilt said pursuing the rail-with-trail option could derail the whole plan.

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Most concerning is that the proposal seems to require that the existing rail infrastructure remain in place, effectively forcing a rail-with-trail scenario that, as previously outlined based on the study, poses steep hurdles to success. This provision alone may function as a poison pill and could prevent any trail infrastructure from ever being developed.

The new proposal also prompted the Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership and its members to question the process, costs, and threats to the rail-to-trail project in a letter to the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. The partnership also claimed the proposal was rushed.

We dont want them to just rush and be done with it, said Kate Wofford, executive director of the Alliance for Shenandoah Valley. We want them to make a good decision for our communities and the taxpayer dollars in the future.

Don Hindman, project director for the Shenandoah Rail Trail Exploratory Partnership, said he was optimistic the cost outlined in the third report would encourage the state to move forward with the rail-to-trail option, arguing that it would provide the most economic and health benefits to the highest number of Virginians for the least capital investment in the shortest time.

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It is unclear if the board members received copies of the third assessment report on Tuesday, which was not included in the agenda. One member requested a copy of the report and was told it had been released publicly in November and that a copy could be provided.

Whats next?

VPRAs Board of Directors is scheduled to hold a meeting on Tuesday to authorize Executive Director DJ Stadtler to revise the authoritys budget to accept the funds from the CTB and provide funding for the proposed plan. If successful, the CTB will meet in January to transfer the funds to the VPRA.



Wilt asked the VPRA board to delay any action.

The best path forward in the immediate (future) is for VDOT to complete the public hearings promised as part of the study, he said. After the conclusion of that process, if the consensus is for an entity other than the commonwealth to take over the project and manage or own the corridor, then a competitive RFP style process should be undertaken so all qualified organizations may submit proposals. CTB could then select the option that is most viable and most likely to succeed.

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Vaxxas has received a manufacturing licence from Australias Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for its high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) for clinical studies at a biomedical facility in Brisbane.

This development follows the installation of the companys first robotic lines for aseptic (sterile) production.

The HD-MAP is tailored to deliver all types of vaccines to the skin using a simple applicator, with the aim of providing a universal solution for self-administration of a vaccine.

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The licence enables Vaxxas and its worldwide partners to advance vaccine delivery.

It covers aseptic manufacturing and incorporates principles and procedures, ensuring the produced vaccines meet the quality standards set by the Australian regulator and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.

According to the company, the HD-MAP consists of several microscopic projections that are moulded into a tiny patch, each printed with a dried formulation of a small vaccine dose.

On applying to the skin, it is said to deliver the vaccine to immune cells located just beneath the skins surface.

Vaxxas said that the patch has been administered to over 750 participants in early-stage clinical studies.

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Six first-in-human studies have so far been completed by the company with support from the US Government, SK bioscience, Wellcome Trust, and the Gates Foundation.

These trials evaluated the HD-MAPs potential to deliver vaccines against Covid-19, pre-pandemic and seasonal influenza, rubella, and measles.

The company noted that vaccines delivered via the Vaxxas HD-MAP remain under investigation and are available only for investigational purposes.

Vaxxas' chief technology officer Dr Angus Forster said: This licence unlocks the way forward for Vaxxas to continue developing our world-leading HD-MAP technology.

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We are proud to contribute to Queenslands growing biotech sector and to advance sovereign manufacturing capabilities that translate cutting-edge research to address real-world health solutions.

"Vaxxas gains Australias TGA licence to manufacture HD microarray patch" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Dec 15 (Reuters) - Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA has been subject to a cyberattack, it said on Monday, adding its operations were unaffected, even though four sources said systems remained down and oil cargo deliveries were suspended.

Tensions are high between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments, amid a large-scale U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, U.S. strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats and comments from U.S. President Donald Trump that land operations may begin soon in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government has said the U.S. is seeking regime change to take over the country's vast oil reserves. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized a very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying some 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy oil sold by PDVSA.

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PDVSA and the oil ministry blamed the U.S. for the cyberattack on Monday, saying it was carried out by "foreign interests in complicity with domestic entities who are seeking to destroy the country's right to sovereign energy development."

They alleged the attack was part of U.S. efforts to control Venezuela's oil through "force and piracy."

However, a PDVSA source said the company had detected a ransomware attack days ago, and the antivirus software it used to try to fix the problem affected its entire administrative system.

In a ransomware attack, malicious software encrypts a victim's files or locks its computer, with attackers sometimes also stealing data and threatening to leak it. These cyberattacks happen via phishing, malicious downloads or infected websites and can cause severe disruptions.

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The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PDVSA provided no further details, although the company said it had recovered from the attack. Venezuela's government regularly blames problems like blackouts on conspirators from the opposition and foreign entities like the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, without giving evidence.

Sources said the effects were ongoing.

"There's no delivery (of cargoes), all systems are down," one company source said.

A shipper involved in Venezuelan oil deals confirmed that all loading instructions for the export market remained suspended.

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Oil output, refining and domestic distribution were not affected, the sources said, but the company on Monday failed to restart administrative systems, forcing workers to keep written records of operations.

Two other sources said PDVSA ordered administrative and operational workers to disconnect from the company's systems and to limit access of indirect workers to the company's facilities.

TANKERS TURN AROUND

Last week's VLCC seizure was the first interception of a tanker or cargo coming from Venezuela, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2019, and a sign of growing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

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The seizure has already led to a sharp fall in Venezuelan oil exports, also hitting crisis-stricken Cuba, which is facing daily power cuts.

More than 11 million barrels of oil are stuck on board other vessels in Venezuelan waters since last week. Among the few tankers setting sail are the ones chartered by oil firm Chevron, one of PDVSA's key partners, which continue departing to the U.S. under an authorization previously granted by Washington, according to shipping data.

At least one crude tanker per day bound for Asia has been able to set sail since last week from Venezuelan waters in "dark mode," which means it navigates with all its localization systems off, the PDVSA source said.

But a tanker carrying Russian naphtha for PDVSA and at least four supertankers due to pick up crude cargoes in Venezuela have made u-turns, ship monitoring data showed on Monday.

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Benin-flagged tanker Boltaris, which was carrying some 300,000 barrels of Russian naphtha bound for Venezuela, made a u-turn late last week and is now heading for Europe without having discharged, according to LSEG vessel monitoring data.

At least four VLCCs that were in PDVSA's schedules to load crude at Venezuelan ports in the coming weeks have also made u-turns in recent days, monitoring service TankerTrackers.com said.

Venezuela's crude output averaged 1.17 million barrels per day last month according to official figures, while oil exports rose to some 952,000 bpd, according to shipping data.

(Reporting by Reuters; additional reporting by Arathy Somasekhar. Editing by Julia Symmes Cobb, Nathan Crooks and Nia Williams)
Russia is a growing threat to the UK and the nations sons and daughters must be ready to fight in the event of an attack, the head of the British armed forces has warned.

Making the case for a society-wide approach to defence and deterrence, chief of defence staff Sir Richard Knighton said the situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career.

He called on people who are not soldiers, sailors or aviators to nevertheless invest their skills  and money on building up national resilience.

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Sir Richard said: Sons and daughters. Colleagues. Veterans. will all have a role to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means.

That is why its so important we do explain the changing threat and the need to stay ahead of it.

Chief of defence staff Richard Knighton will call on people who are not soldiers to invest their skills (PA)

It comes as the new head of MI6 warned that Britain is already on the front line against Russia and the UK is facing an age of uncertainty as the rules of conflict are being rewritten by hostile actors.

In her first public speech taking up the role, Blaise Metreweli addressed the acute threat posed by an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia.

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During his speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) on Monday, Sir Richard said: Our armed forces always need to be ready to fight and win  thats why readiness is such a priority.

But deterrence is also about our resilience to these threats, its about how we harness all our national power, from universities, to industry, the rail network to the NHS.

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.

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Sir Richard warned that Russian leadership has made clear its wish to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy Nato.

Discussing the threats faced by Britain, he said: The situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career and the response requires more than simply strengthening our armed forces.

Members of the Finnish army and British Army in an armoured vehicle during a major Nato training exercise on the border with Russia (PA)

A new era for defence doesnt just mean our military and government stepping up  as we are  it means our whole nation stepping up.

He announced 50m for new defence technical excellence colleges, which provide short courses aimed at ensuring training can be accessed for new and existing staff in the defence sector more quickly.

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On defence spending, Sir Richard said: 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.

And that is because the price of peace is increasing.

Meanwhile, speaking from inside MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall, London, Ms Metreweli said: Putin should be in no doubt, our support is enduring. The pressure we apply on Ukraines behalf will be sustained.

The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement; and we should be ready for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus.

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She also argued that the front line is everywhere as a result of the Kremlins use of hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation, sabotage and cyber attacks.

Knighton will call for a society-wide approach to defence and deterrence (PA)

It comes after the head of the Royal Navy warned earlier this month Britain must step up on defence or risk losing its advantage in the Atlantic, as Russia continues to spend billions on its capabilities at sea.

In a speech in London, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said there was no room for complacency while Moscow invests heavily in its northern fleet.

Sir Gwyn said there had been a spike in Russian incursion in our waters  activity which is most visibly seen in the presence of spy ships like the Yantar near UK waters  but warned: Its whats going on under the waves that most concerns me.

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The government announced earlier this year that UK defence and security spending would rise to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 at the latest.

Last week, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte warned Europe was Russias next target and said countries should prepare for a scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured.
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Navy on Monday successfully conducted a live weapon firing of the extended-range surface-to-air missile in the North Arabian Sea, the military said in a statement.

The Pakistan Navy ship effectively engaged highly maneuverable aerial targets during the firepower demonstration, reaffirming the navy's war-fighting capability and combat readiness, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in the statement.

Commander of the Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, witnessed the live firing at sea onboard a Pakistan Navy fleet unit, the statement said.

The commander commended the officers and men involved for their high level of professionalism, dedication and operational competence, the ISPR added. 
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip deteriorated sharply late last week during Storm Byron, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Widely circulated video on social media showed Palestinian Civil Defence teams scrabbling through the rubble of fallen buildings, trying to rescue people trapped beneath.

But why did those homes fall? And what has the impact been on people in Gaza? Heres what we know:





What is happening in Gaza?

Many damaged homes in Gaza collapsed during the recent storm, trapping people in their rubble.

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At times, parts of buildings and walls fell onto nearby tents where displaced Palestinians were living, compounding the risks for civilians already enduring precarious conditions.

Thousands of Gaza families are sheltering in structurally compromised buildings, having lost their own homes during the war, with no safe alternatives available.

The heavy rainfall of Storm Byron turned these weakened structures into direct threats as floodwaters inundated tens of thousands of tents.





Why are these houses falling?

Its not just the rain that caused the collapses, rather it is because two years of intense bombing during Israels genocidal war on Gaza have made these structures unstable.

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In addition, Israel has imposed a siege on Gaza that prevents the entry of any building materials people can use to fix their homes.

Thousands of residential buildings were damaged by direct strikes, nearby bombardments and ground incursions, leaving cracks in columns and foundations, separation of load-bearing walls and partial roof collapses.

People with nowhere to go have little choice other than to shelter wherever they can, including in homes that are only partially standing.

Heavy rain exacerbates the damage. Water seeps into cracks, weakening foundations and columns while saturated soil erodes beneath buildings, increasing the risk of sudden collapses.

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Overcrowding inside damaged homes further stresses weakened structures as multiple families are often forced to live together in a single house or floor.





In many cases, displaced residents pitch tents next to or even on top of the ruins of damaged buildings, exposing themselves to falling walls and concrete blocks during storms.

Displaced people often cannot leave, even when they know the risks. Often, they have no other option, or they see damaged homes as better shelter than deteriorating tents.

In late September, Gazas Government Media Office estimated that 93 percent of tents (about 125,000 out of 135,000) were no longer suitable for habitation.

How many people have been hurt or killed by these collapsing homes?

The recent storm killed 11 Palestinians in less than 24 hours and caused widespread structural damage.

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According to the Government Media Office, 13 homes collapsed and 27,000 tents were flooded or swept away.

Civil Defence and Ministry of Health sources said the 11 victims were found dead under rubble in collapsed homes or in nearby tents. Another six were injured.





Fatalities included children, women and elderly people, and officials confirmed a baby girl died from extreme cold. Incidents were reported in Gaza City, northern Gaza, and central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip.

Collapses occurred in Gaza Citys Nassr neighbourhood, Shati refugee camp and Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood.

One man was killed when a wall collapsed in the Shati camp.

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During the storm, the Civil Defence received more than 2,500 distress calls from displaced people.

Authorities warned that the death toll is likely to rise as further low-pressure systems and rainfall continue to cause homes to collapse.





Has there been any help for these impacted people?

Because of the conditions imposed by Israel, the emergency response has been limited.

Civil Defence teams struggled to evacuate those trapped under rubble because they face a shortage of heavy machinery, rescue equipment and fuel as well as flooded roads.

The Civil Defence has urged residents to get out of damaged homes during the storms.

Authorities stressed that the continuation of Israels blockade increases the likelihood of similar incidents during future storms.

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Authorities have not been able to provide alternative shelters or habitable tents for unhoused families.

In some areas, aid has been limited to small distributions of blankets and basic relief items that are insufficient to meet the needs of Palestinians facing falling temperatures and widespread infrastructure damage.

Municipalities have been unable to carry out preventive drainage or repair work due to the destroyed infrastructure and a lack of resources, so the people of Gaza remain vulnerable to future storms.





Is there anything that people in Gaza can do to stay safe?

Unfortunately, options are extremely limited or nonexistent.

Thousands of people are unable to relocate due to the absence of safe housing or shelters.

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There are also restrictions on movement imposed by the yellow line demarcating the portion of Gaza under Israeli army control. People in at-risk areas cannot move to safer locations.

On top of that, people lack tools for structural reinforcement, waterproofing or heating.

People can take only minimal measures, such as moving children to more stable areas, using blankets or raising their belongings off the ground, but these do not prevent collapses or flooding.

UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, said the suffering could be reduced if humanitarian aid were allowed to enter Gaza without obstacles.

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It said flooded streets and soaked tents are worsening already dire living conditions and increasing health risks.

Despite a ceasefire that began on October 10, conditions for Palestinians in Gaza have not improved due to Israels obstruction of aid, which violates the truce.




The Pacific Northwest has always carried an air of quiet menace  a region where breathtaking beauty overlaps with a geological time bomb ticking beneath the soil. For decades, scientists have warned that this postcard-perfect landscape sits atop one of the most volatile volcanic systems in the world. Now, new research and simmering seismic activity suggest the threat is far more immediate  and far more catastrophic  than most Americans realize.

While locals joke about the Big One, volcanologists arent laughing. Theyre tracking rising magma, mysterious ground swelling, ancient eruption patterns, and a supervolcano whose last major explosion altered the global climate. The unsettling truth? A single eruption could erase entire cities, disrupt global food chains, and plunge the world into a volcanic winter.

Heres why experts believe a major volcanic event could one day obliterate the Pacific Northwest  and why the rest of the country should be paying very close attention.

1. They Blame the "Cascadia Subduction Zone"

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You might not be familiar with it, but the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a geological feature that should definitely be on your radar. This massive fault line stretches from Northern California to British Columbia and is capable of producing megathrust earthquakes and significant volcanic activity. A study published in the journal Science highlights that the geological pressures building up in this zone could eventually trigger a major volcanic event. So, while it might seem like just another scientific concern, the reality is that this subduction zone has the potential to cause a chain reaction of natural disasters.

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Why does this matter to you? Well, if youre living in or planning to visit the Pacific Northwest, its crucial to be aware of the geological dynamics at play. Knowing the risks can help you prepare and make informed decisions about earthquake and volcanic readiness. Plus, understanding the science behind these phenomena can make the concept less abstract and more a part of your everyday considerations. It's all about staying informed and prepared for what nature might throw your way.

2. They're Analyzing Historical Eruptions and Patterns

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History has a way of repeating itself, especially when it comes to natural events like volcanic eruptions. Mount St. Helens 1980 eruption might be etched into public memory, but its just a part of a long history of volcanic activity in the region. Geological records indicate that the Pacific Northwest has been a hotspot for eruptions over millennia, each leaving a mark on the landscape and human history. By studying these past events, scientists can identify patterns and predict future activity with more accuracy.

This isn't just a theoretical exercise; its about learning from the past to protect the future. For people living in the area, this means understanding the very real possibility that another eruption could occur. It underscores the importance of having evacuation plans, emergency supplies, and community resources in place. After all, being prepared is about more than just peace of mindits a practical step towards ensuring your safety.

3. They're Using Volcano Monitoring and Technology

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You might think that technology would give us the upper hand against volcanic threats, and you'd be rightto an extent. Advances in

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monitoring and satellite technology have dramatically improved our ability to detect early signs of volcanic activity. For instance, the US Geological Survey (USGS) regularly updates its Volcano Hazards Program to provide real-time monitoring and alerts. This means that scientists are more equipped than ever to provide early warnings, potentially saving lives and minimizing damage.

However, technology isnt a silver bullet. While it can offer crucial lead time, there's still an element of unpredictability in how a volcano might behave. For residents in the Pacific Northwest, this means remaining vigilant and responsive to official alerts and updates. Understanding that technology is a toolnot a guaranteecan help you remain proactive and prepared.

4. They've Considered Population Growth and Urban Development

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As cities expand and populations grow in the Pacific Northwest, the stakes of a volcanic eruption increase significantly. More people mean more infrastructurehomes, roads, and schoolsthat could potentially be affected by volcanic activity. Urban areas like Seattle and Portland are particularly vulnerable given their proximity to active volcanoes. The combination of dense populations and natural hazards is a recipe for complex emergency management challenges.

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For you, this means that living in or near these urban centers requires a heightened awareness of both natural and man-made risks. While urban living offers convenience and opportunity, it also demands that you stay informed about local emergency plans and resources. The responsibility is twofold: enjoying the benefits of urban life while being mindful of the geological realities. After all, being aware is the first step towards being prepared.

5. They Say the Economic Impact Will Be Devastating

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When you think of a volcanic eruption, economic implications might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But the financial consequences of such an event could be staggering. According to a report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a major eruption in the Pacific Northwest could result in billions of dollars in damages. From disrupted trade routes to destroyed infrastructure, the economic ripple effects would be felt far beyond the initial blast zone.

This isnt just a concern for government officials or business ownersit's something that could impact you directly. Think about rising insurance premiums, increased cost of goods, and potential job disruptions. Understanding the economic stakes can help you make more informed financial decisions and encourage you to support policies that prioritize disaster readiness. In a way, being economically aware is just another form of preparedness.

6. They Also Blame Environmental Consequences

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Volcanic eruptions dont just alter landscapesthey can also have profound environmental impacts. The release of ash and gases can lead to short-term climate changes, affecting everything from air quality to agricultural productivity. For the Pacific Northwest, which is rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, a major eruption could pose significant threats to ecosystems. Understanding these potential consequences can help you appreciate the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world.

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This isnt just about preserving beauty; its about maintaining the health and sustainability of the environment you depend on. For people who live in the region, it means being mindful of how human actions can exacerbate natural risks. Its a call to action to support environmental initiatives and policies that aim to protect and sustain the area's natural resources. After all, the environment is not just a backdrop to your lifeits an integral part of it.

7. They're Advocating for Community Preparedness and Education

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While scientists and government agencies play a crucial role in disaster preparedness, community-level efforts are just as important. Programs focusing on public education and community drills are vital tools for ensuring that people know what to do in the event of a volcanic eruption. According to the National Academies of Sciences, investing in community preparedness can significantly mitigate the impact of natural disasters. This means that you, too, have a role to play in making sure your community is ready.

Community preparedness isn't just about attending meetings or drillsit's about fostering a culture of readiness and resilience. It involves knowing your neighbors, understanding local resources, and having a clear plan for how to respond to emergencies. By participating in community efforts, you help create a network of support that can make all the difference when disaster strikes. After all, when it comes to facing natural threats, theres strength in numbers.

8. They're Looking at Early Warning Systems

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Imagine receiving an alert on your phone that a volcanic eruption is imminent. Thats the power of early warning systems, designed to give people crucial lead time to evacuate and take protective measures. These systems utilize a combination of seismic data, satellite imagery, and other technological tools to provide timely alerts. For the Pacific Northwest, where the risk of an eruption is ever-present, these warning systems are a vital part of disaster management.

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But early warnings are only as effective as the response they trigger. This means that you need to be ready to act quickly and decisively when an alert is issued. Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of volcanic activity and make sure you know the evacuation routes in your area. In doing so, you can turn a few moments notice into a potentially life-saving opportunity.

9. They Are Hopeful About Geological Research and Innovations

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The field of geology is continually evolving, and thats good news for anyone concerned about volcanic hazards. Ongoing research and technological innovations are providing new insights into the behavior of volcanoes. From advanced computer models to drone technology, scientists are developing tools that can help predict eruptions with greater accuracy. For the Pacific Northwest, this means a more robust understanding of the regions volcanic threats.

Staying informed about these scientific advancements can be both reassuring and empowering. Its an invitation to engage with the science thats shaping your world and to advocate for continued research and funding. Understanding the complexities of volcanic activity can transform fear into informed awareness. After all, knowledge is the best defense against the unknown.

10. They Fear Changing Weather Patterns

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Climate change is altering weather patterns and environmental conditions worldwide, and its impact on volcanic activity is a growing area of study. Some researchers suggest that melting glaciers and shifting precipitation patterns could influence volcanic behavior. While the science is still evolving, its clear that climate change adds an extra layer of complexity to the already intricate dynamics of volcanism. For the Pacific Northwest, understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehensive disaster planning.

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For you, this underscores the interconnectedness of environmental issues. Its a reminder that addressing climate change is not just about reducing carbon footprintsits about understanding and mitigating its broader impacts. By supporting climate action, youre contributing to a more stable and predictable natural environment. In a world of constant change, that kind of stability is invaluable.

11. They're Concerned About Emergency Response Infrastructure

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In the event of a volcanic eruption, the effectiveness of emergency response infrastructure can be the difference between chaos and order. Robust communication systems, efficient transportation networks, and well-trained emergency personnel are all critical components. In the Pacific Northwest, efforts to strengthen this infrastructure are ongoing, but challenges remain. Understanding these efforts can help you appreciate the complexities of disaster management and the importance of supporting local initiatives.

For residents, this means being proactive in understanding the capabilities and limitations of local emergency services. Familiarize yourself with the resources available and how to access them in a crisis. By staying informed and engaged, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to a more resilient community. After all, successful emergency response is a collective effort.

12. They Say the Cultural and Social Impact Will Be Reshaped

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Volcanic eruptions dont just reshape landscapesthey also impact the cultural and social fabric of affected areas. The Pacific Northwest, with its rich indigenous history and diverse communities, faces unique challenges and opportunities in this regard. Disasters can strain social bonds but also foster resilience and solidarity. Understanding the social dynamics at play can help you appreciate the human dimension of volcanic threats.

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For you, this means recognizing the importance of community cohesion and cultural sensitivity in disaster preparedness. Its about valuing the diverse perspectives and knowledge systems that can contribute to effective response and recovery efforts. By engaging with your community and honoring its cultural heritage, you help build a more inclusive and resilient society. In the face of natural threats, its this sense of community that often proves most enduring.

13. They Need Everyone to Be Prepared and Feel Responsible

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Ultimately, the responsibility for preparedness doesnt just lie with scientists, government agencies, or community leadersits a personal obligation as well. Having an emergency plan, maintaining a supply kit, and staying informed are crucial steps you can take. In the Pacific Northwest, where the risk of a volcanic eruption is ever-present, personal preparedness is not just advisableits essential. By taking these steps, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to the safety and resilience of your community.

This isnt about living in fearits about living with awareness and intention. Its about being proactive and empowered, understanding that preparedness is an ongoing process. In doing so, you not only mitigate the risks but also enhance your sense of control and peace of mind. After all, being prepared is not just about survivalits about thriving in the face of uncertainty.
By Diana Novak Jones and Andrew Goudsward

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. prosecutor told a jury on Monday that a Wisconsin judge "crossed the line" when she allegedly helped a migrant appearing in her courtroom evade an immigration arrest, kicking off a trial that will test President Donald Trump's efforts to punish alleged obstructions of his mass deportation efforts.

A lawyer defending Hannah Dugan, an elected judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, countered that the judge was following policy as Immigration and Customs Enforcement escalated operations in courthouses early in Trump's second term.

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Dugan faces federal charges accusing her of concealing a person from arrest and obstructing federal proceedings. Dugan has pleaded not guilty to the charges, brought by Trumps Justice Department.

'I'LL GET THE HEAT'

Prosecutor Keith Alexander said Dugan was allowed to have strong views about the Trump administration's immigration policy, but not to attempt to thwart federal agents.

Those strongly held views motivated her to make a decision to cross the line," Alexander told the jury during his opening statement. He referenced a remark Dugan allegedly made on the day of the April 18 incident: "I'll get the heat."

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The rare trial of a sitting judge reflects tensions over the Trump administrations immigration enforcement tactics, including positioning federal agents in courthouses to make arrests. The Justice Department has directed prosecutors to investigate activists and officials it accuses of hindering immigration operations.

The case against Dugan stems from an April 18 incident in which a group of agents from ICE and other agencies planned to arrest a migrant from Mexico set to appear in Dugan's Milwaukee courtroom on domestic violence charges.

COURTHOUSE UPHEAVAL

Steven Biskupic, a lawyer for Dugan, told the jury during his opening statement that the Milwaukee courthouse was in a state of upheaval in the weeks before the incident as judges faced ICE agents making arrests in courthouse hallways.

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Biskupic said Dugan followed courthouse policies directing staff to alert a supervisor about the presence of ICE agents.

"She sent them to the chief judge's chambers like she was told to do," Biskupic said, referring to the agents. "That fact is not going to change."

The indictment alleges Dugan diverted the agents away from the hallway where law enforcement planned to arrest the man, identified as Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, after the hearing. It also accuses her of escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a non-public door after privately addressing his case.

Flores-Ruiz walked through a public hallway and was arrested following a brief pursuit outside the courthouse, according to court documents.

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Dugan has been suspended from judicial duties by Wisconsin's top court while the case unfolds.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TACTIC

Prosecutors must show that Dugan acted corruptly to impede Flores-Ruiz's arrest. In court filings, they cited witnesses describing Dugan becoming visibly angry when she learned ICE agents were outside her courtroom and falsely telling law enforcement they needed a judicial warrant to carry out an arrest.

Dugan's lawyers questioned why agents did not arrest Flores-Ruiz as planned when he appeared in the hallway after leaving the courtroom, suggesting their plans had changed. They pointed to text messages exchanged between agents discussing plans not to immediately arrest Flores-Ruiz and instead to follow him as he walked down the hallway.

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The Trump administration has loosened restrictions on immigration enforcement operations at local courthouses as part of a push to deport millions of migrants living illegally in the U.S.

Many advocates and some judges have condemned the practice, arguing it dissuades people from seeking justice in courts and risks undermining public trust in the legal system.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones and Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone, Bill Berkrot and Daniel Wallis)
Two lawsuits urging Wisconsin to redraw its congressional maps that currently favor the GOP may not be resolved until after the 2026 midterm elections, which could help President Trumps push for red state redistricting in order for Republicans to keep control of the House of Representatives.

Julie Zuckerbrod, an attorney representing Democrats in one of the lawsuits, argued to one of the two three-judge panels overseeing these cases that its absolutely possible for a ruling by March 1, the deadline for when these maps would have to go into effect.

Lawyers from each of the respective cases asked the panels for a March 2027 trial. Dane County Circuit Judge Julie Genovese said the panels will make a ruling or dismiss the cases when we can decide them.

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Democratic voters filed the first lawsuit, which argues that the current congressional district makeup packs Democrats into two districts, while Democratic-leaning communities are broken up into the other six Republican-leaning districts.

The Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracys lawsuit argues that the states congressional maps are an anti-competitive gerrymander, which violates the constitution. The median margin of victory for candidates in Wisconsins eight districts is near 30 percentage points.

When the outcome is predetermined, it discourages challengers from running, voters from voting, and insulates politicians from their constituents demands, according to Law Forwards summary on the lawsuit.

Independent political strategist Brandon Scholz told NBC News that the panels are biased.

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Call a spade a spade, Scholz said. This is a partisan, political move by whats supposed to be a nonpartisan court. It really seems like a push to have two partisan panels in place to determine redistricting on a congressional level.

Wisconsins Supreme Court approved of the current district makeup in the state in 2010. The year before, Democrats held five seats. Republicans now hold six seats, with Reps. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) as the states only two Democratic representatives in the House.

Democrats are hopeful that they can unseat Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.) and Bryan Steil (R-Wisc.) in 2026. Kind told Wisconsin Public Radio in September that they both risk losing their seats due to their support for Trumps agenda.

Theyre just jamming things through  and therefore they own it, Kind said. And theyre going to have to own that going into the crucial midterms.

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The Associated Press contributed.

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.
Former Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice, left, sits with his attorney, Bill Pickett, during a hearing in Yakima County District Court Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Curtice is charged with evidence tampering, lying to police and official misconduct after he admitted to Yakima police that he had been snorting drugs he found on dead bodies.
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Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday. The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time. The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday.

Meanwhile, the number of displaced persons in Cambodia has exceeded 403,000, including approximately 208,000 women and about 96,000 children, according to the spokesperson.

Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said that from Sunday midnight until Monday morning, the Thai military forces continued to fire artillery shells at multiple locations in Cambodian territory.

The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, and both sides have accused the other of initiating the attack. 

Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)

Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)

Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)

Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)

Civilians flee Srei Snam district in Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Dec. 15, 2025. Thai military forces' attack on Cambodia in the 4th Military Region has entered further deep into Cambodian sovereign territory, said the Cambodian Ministry of Defense on Monday.

The Thai military forces have expanded their airstrikes to a location in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, the ministry said in a press release, adding that the Thai military used an F-16 fighter jet to drop two bombs near a displaced civilian camp in the province at 10:00 a.m. on Monday local time.

The fresh border conflict with Thailand has left 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, Cambodia's Interior Ministry Spokesperson Touch Sokhak said at a press briefing on Monday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse via Xinhua)
PRAGUE, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Czech President Petr Pavel on Monday appointed a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Andrej Babis, completing the government formation after October's parliamentary elections.

The appointment marks Babis' return to the national administration power as leader of the ANO party, who previously served as prime minister from 2017 to 2021.

Babis was sworn in as prime minister on Dec. 9, promising to make the Czech Republic "the best place on our planet."

The new cabinet is a coalition consisting of the prime minister and 15 ministers from Babis' ANO party, the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD) and the Motorists for Themselves. The coalition holds a majority of 108 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies.

Under the coalition agreement, the ANO party secures eight ministerial posts, such as the finance minister and the interior minister, in addition to the position of prime minister. The Motorists party heads four ministries, including the foreign ministry, while the SPD takes three, including the defense ministry.

Four cabinet members also serve as deputy prime ministers, including Karel Havlicek and Alena Schillerova from ANO, Petr Macinka from the Motorists party, and Jaromir Zuna, nominated by the SPD. 
The time has come for Make Europe Great Again, that is, for a redrawing of European politics. Based on a complete, unpublished American strategy, Washington wants to build a new European federal system, and Hungary is among the privileged states.

Based on the leaked U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), the Trump administration would reshape Europes future along cultural and political lines.



One of the most important elements of the document is that it mentions Hungary among the key countries with which Washington would strengthen ties with the aim of weakening the EU.



The document leaked by Defense One outlines a completely new direction in U.S. foreign policy, especially towards the European Union. It is much more sharply worded than the officially published NSS: the U.S. wants to form closer alliances with countries that are committed to preserving traditional European values  and that represent a political shift to the right.



Four countries are mentioned by name in the list: Hungary, Austria, Italy, and Poland.



This American approach represents a clear break from previous EU-centered diplomacy. Based on the document, Europe is heading toward a civilizational breaking point due to immigration and restrictions on freedom of speech, so Washington believes that the continents future can only be reshaped by allying with right-wing, pro-sovereignty governments.



Part of the document is practically addressed to Hungary: We must support those parties, movements, and cultural actors who serve to preserve sovereignty and the traditional European way of life  while being pro-American, the document reads.



Washington considers it a priority to protect partner countries from Brussels influence, and to this end, diplomatic and economic support can be expected.



This would be a huge diplomatic boost for the Hungarian government: the U.S. would see the country as a partner through which it could counterbalance the influence of EU institutions.



Another key element of the strategy is that the Trump administration would relinquish Europes military defense, saying that striving for hegemony was a mistake. However, this does not mean that they would hand over the continent to Moscow or Beijing. The document proposes a new model: the U.S. would work with regional champions who would ensure stability in their own regions.



In Europe, this champion role would not be based on NATO alliance logic, but on political and ideological proximity. This is where the aforementioned countries reappearprimarily Hungary and Poland, which Washington would consider a kind of cultural and pro-sovereignty counterweight in its attempt to rewrite the European status quo.



The document also contains another radical idea: replacing the G7 with the C5, a new group of populous powers. Its members would be the U.S., China, Russia, India, and Japan.



This would make it clear to Washington that Europe, under its current leadership, cannot be part of Trumps geopolitical priorities, as Brussels has no place at the table as a great power and U.S. ally.



The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political and economic forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; additionally, the European Union (EU) is a non-enumerated member. It is organized around shared values of pluralism, liberal democracy, and representative government.



Based on the proposal, the agenda for the first C5 summit would be the settlement of the Middle East, mainly the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.



If this strategy becomes real policy, the following can be expected:



* Hungarys influence would grow in Washingtons eyes because it would be at the center of a culture-based policy.

* In the event of conflicts with Brussels, the U.S. could side with Hungary more openly, especially on issues of sovereignty.

* The Hungarian governments diplomatic weight could increase because the U.S. would also support the right-wing European power bloc.



The White House denies for now that any longer or secret version exists. But if the leaked material truly reflects strategic thinking, then Hungarys role could be dramatically enhanced in U.S. European policy, at a time when the rift between Washington and Brussels is deepening.



MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only



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First Lady Of Jordan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. During his visit to Jordan, PM Modi will likely meet King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein. Another major figure who will be in the spotlight is the First Lady of Jordan, Rania Al Abdullah. Take a look at her early life, social work, professional career, and global presence.
LJUBLJANA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua)-- Slovenia on Sunday condemned a deadly attack at Australia's Bondi Beach, expressing solidarity with the Australian people and the victims' families.

Earlier on Sunday, authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales said that 12 people were killed and 29 others injured in a shooting targeting Sydney's Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

On the government's X account, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said violence and antisemitism have no place in society and described the shooting as a horrific event.

He extended his condolences to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and to the families of those killed. "My thoughts are with the Australian people."

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon also expressed her condolences on X, saying she was heartbroken by the shooting and that her thoughts were with all those affected and their loved ones. 
MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov on Sunday criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's recent remarks urging alliance members to prepare for a large-scale conflict with Russia as "irresponsible."

In a speech on Dec. 11, Rutte warned member countries to prepare for a possible war on a scale similar to that "our grandparents or great-grandparents endured," adding that NATO could become "Russia's next target."

The NATO chief "simply does not understand what he is talking about," and his remarks appeared to be made by "a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman emphasized that Russians remember the horrors of war and cherish the legacy of their forefathers and the sacrifices made to save Europe from fascism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently declared that Russia is prepared to "document in any form" its commitment not to attack Europe. 
MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained 10 Russian citizens in five regions of the country on suspicion of carrying out sabotage and terrorist activities under threats from Ukrainian intelligence services.

According to a statement published Monday on its official website, the FSB foiled multiple sabotage attempts in Russia's Komi Republic, the Astrakhan, Vologda and Volgograd regions, as well as Krasnodar Krai, without specifying the timing of the arrests.

The FSB said that the 10 Russian citizens, acting on instructions from Ukrainian intelligence agencies, set fire to law enforcement vehicles and illegally disrupted the operations of energy and transportation facilities. "Those involved in these crimes face up to 20 years in prison."

The FSB said the detainees confessed that they had fallen victim to telecom fraud. They took out loans ranging from 300,000 to 1.6 million rubles (from 3,784 to 20,000 U.S. dollars) and transferred the funds to so-called "safe accounts." Afterward, individuals posing as Russian law enforcement officers contacted them via the Telegram messenger, inducing them to carry out sabotage activities on the pretext of not prosecuting them for financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces, claiming the acts were to test the anti-terrorism security of Russian facilities.

Since the start of this year, the FSB has issued multiple statements on foiling sabotage activities carried out in Russia under the direction of Ukrainian intelligence services.

Meanwhile, on the military front, Russia's air defense systems have shot down 17 U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, one Ukrainian Grom-2 operational-tactical missile, and 545 Ukrainian drones in the special military operation zones over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. 
BERLIN, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday concluded lengthy talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Berlin, describing the talks as "productive."

His discussions with Witkoff and Kushner lasted over five hours on Sunday and for about two hours on Monday.

Later on Monday at the 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum in Berlin, Zelensky said he had "important conversations" with the U.S. side, which are "always complex, never easy."

"But this one was very productive," he said, adding that the two sides were able to discuss many details.

Zelensky stressed that it is vital to preserve Ukraine's dignity, and the efforts to end this conflict through diplomatic channels will continue.

After Monday's talks with the U.S. side, top Ukrainian peace negotiator Rustem Umerov said on social media platform X that negotiations have been constructive and productive, with "real progress achieved."

"We hope we will reach an agreement that will bring us closer to peace by the end of the day," said Umerov, also Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Umerov added that the American team led by Witkoff and Kushner is "working extremely constructively" to help Ukraine find a way to a peace agreement that lasts.

Witkoff said on Sunday evening on X that "representatives held in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more."

According to German newspaper Die Welt, U.S. negotiators are urging Ukraine to give up the Donbas region.

Zelensky said on Sunday that the U.S.-proposed plan to establish a "free economic zone" in parts of the eastern Donbas region is unfair, citing a lack of clarity over governance.

After the talks, Zelensky met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner.

Zelensky said in a statement that he and Steinmeier discussed the development of a framework document for ending the conflict and the content of specific points. Both sides shared a position on the importance of ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of its national interests, said the statement.

Zelensky also discussed with Kloeckner mechanisms to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. He added that he appreciates Germany's leadership on this issue. 
12 dead as shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach declared "terrorist" attack

Xinhua) 08:15, December 15, 2025

Police vehicles are seen near the shooting site at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- New York City on Sunday increased security measures around Hanukkah events and synagogues, following a mass shooting targeting a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

At a press conference on Sunday, Jessica Tisch, New York Police commissioner, said that there are no known connections between the Sydney attack and New York City, and no credible threats to events in the city's five boroughs.

However, the New York Police Department is deploying additional officers and resources "out of an abundance of caution," she said.

"You will see an enhanced uniform presence, specialized patrols, heavy weapons teams, community affairs officers, counter-terrorism resources, and bomb squad deployments where appropriate," Tisch said. "We are marshaling all available resources to ensure the safety of New Yorkers."

At the press conference, New York Mayor Eric Adams called the Sydney attack an example of globalized extremism.

Adams said the city stands with Jewish New Yorkers as they begin the holiday. "We will celebrate the first night of the miracle of Hanukkah, no matter the tragedies we have experienced as a city, as a country and as a globe in the last 24 hours," he added.

"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," the mayor wrote on the social platform X. 
by Xinhua writer Xu Yongzheng

PANAMA CITY, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Following the Dominican government's recent decision to temporarily grant the U.S. access to an air force base and the country's main international airport under the pretext of "combating drug trafficking," several U.S. military aircraft have arrived in the Dominican Republic, drawing widespread attention.

Experts interviewed by Xinhua have said the latest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean is vast in scale and has heightened regional sensitivity.

Dominican society, shaped by the historical memory of the 1965 U.S. military intervention, has reacted with unease to the presence of foreign troops.

In recent days, large military aircraft have landed at Dominican airports. Fuel tanker trucks, buses, vans, light vehicles, communications equipment and other military supplies were seen in surrounding areas under tight security measures.

Many sectors argue that although the operations are presented as part of anti-drug cooperation, their impact goes far beyond technical law enforcement.

Following the arrival of the first military aircraft, the National Popular Coordination staged a civic protest in the capital, Santo Domingo, where demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Yankees out of the Caribbean."

The group said the U.S. military presence at airports and strategic infrastructure constitutes an "unacceptable intrusion" that could embroil the country in regional tensions and jeopardize peace in Latin America.

Manolo Pichardo, former president of the Central American Parliament, said public concern is shaped by historical memory, noting that U.S. military interventions have left deep scars, with memories of the violence and loss in 1965 still passed down across generations.

"These painful events remain present ... in the collective memory of Dominicans," he said.

Pichardo said the controversy over the U.S. military presence extends beyond drug control, human rights or democracy, and reflects Washington's broader regional and global geopolitical strategy.

He warned that alleged anti-drug operations, which may involve violations of international law such as extrajudicial killings, could entail future legal consequences for both the United States and the Dominican Republic -- an aspect often overlooked in such debates.

Central American Parliament lawmaker Esmeralda Mancebo said the official justification of combating drug trafficking is unconvincing.

"Paradoxically, they are fighting drug trafficking abroad when we do not see equivalent actions inside the United States, where the drugs ultimately arrive," she said. "Every power in a period of decline ends up in war."

Eduardo Klinger, a member of the Dominican Academy of Sciences, said the U.S. deployment represents "the largest armed positioning in the Caribbean since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis."

Although the operations are not officially described as military actions, he warned that they could escalate into confrontations, including indiscriminate attacks on suspected vessels.

Klinger added that the Dominican Republic has been internationally praised for its anti-drug efforts in recent years, raising questions about the necessity of granting U.S. access to Dominican airports and concerns about being drawn into a controversial regional operation that could worsen tensions with Venezuela.

Mihail Garcia, a senior leader of Fuerza del Pueblo, said the Dominican Republic has a tradition of mediating regional conflicts, recalling its role as the "Capital of Peace," including hosting the 2008 Rio Group summit, which helped defuse tensions between Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia.

"That is the role the Dominican Republic should continue to play," Garcia said.

Because of this tradition, many sectors fear the country could now be perceived as aligning itself with military escalation, a shift from its historical stance as a peacebroker.

As U.S. logistical operations continue at the country's San Isidro and Las Americas airports, the debate over the Dominican Republic's role, regional stability and its historical memory intensifies.

Experts agree that amid a complex geopolitical landscape, it is essential for the Dominican Republic to preserve Caribbean stability and avoid becoming entangled in conflicts unrelated to its national interests. 
Customers shop for fruit at a supermarket in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 15, 2025. Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2 percent year on year in November, matching the increase in October, Statistics Canada said on Monday. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

OTTAWA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2 percent year on year in November, matching the increase in October, Statistics Canada said on Monday.

According to the national statistical agency, prices for services rose at a slower pace in November compared with October. Lower prices for travel tours and traveler accommodation, in addition to slower growth for rent prices, put downward pressure on the all-items CPI.

Offsetting the slower growth in services on an annual basis were higher prices for goods, driven by price increases for groceries as well as a smaller decline for gasoline prices, said the agency.

Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 2.6 percent for the third consecutive month, it added.

The CPI rose 0.1 percent month over month in November, it said. 

Customers shop for groceries at a supermarket in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 15, 2025. Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2 percent year on year in November, matching the increase in October, Statistics Canada said on Monday. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

A customer shops for groceries at a supermarket in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 15, 2025. Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2 percent year on year in November, matching the increase in October, Statistics Canada said on Monday. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
A police officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is on duty at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, the United States on Dec. 15, 2025. Four people accused of plotting New Year's Eve bombings in California have been arrested, U.S. authorities said Monday. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Four people accused of plotting New Year's Eve bombings in California have been arrested, U.S. authorities said Monday.

After an intense investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice, working with the FBI, "prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles)," U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X.

According to Bondi, the arrested are members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), which she described as "a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group."

The group was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year's Eve and also planned to target agents and vehicles with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bondi noted.

"Over the weekend, the FBI disrupted a credible, imminent terrorist threat and arrested four individuals connected to the Los Angeles area," FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.

"The subjects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front" were allegedly planning coordinated IED (improvised explosive device) bombing attacks on New Year's Eve, targeting five separate locations across Los Angeles, Patel stated.

The FBI in New Orleans also arrested a fifth individual believed to be linked to the group for allegedly planning a separate violent attack, the FBI director added.

TILF describes itself on Facebook as an organization that seeks "liberation of occupied Turtle Island and liberation of all colonized people across the world."

U.S. federal and local officials disclosed the identities and ages of the four suspects during a news conference Monday morning, confirming that all are from the Los Angeles area. The suspects face multiple charges, including conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Providing more details on the arrests, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office Akil Davis said the four were arrested near Twentynine Palms, a desert city in Southern California's Mojave Desert, on Friday "while they planned and rehearsed their attack," local media reported.

"The subjects arrested envisioned planting backpacks with improvised explosive devices to be detonated at multiple locations in Southern California targeting U.S. companies," Davis was quoted as saying, adding that the bombs were to blow up at the same time at midnight this New Year's Eve. 

Police officers of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are on duty at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, the United States on Dec. 15, 2025. Four people accused of plotting New Year's Eve bombings in California have been arrested, U.S. authorities said Monday. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Police officers of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are on duty at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, the United States on Dec. 15, 2025. Four people accused of plotting New Year's Eve bombings in California have been arrested, U.S. authorities said Monday. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Police officers of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are on duty at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, the United States on Dec. 15, 2025. Four people accused of plotting New Year's Eve bombings in California have been arrested, U.S. authorities said Monday. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
Key Points

Altria is a stable blue chip play in an unstable market.

But Coca-Cola offers better diversification, more vigorous growth, and more reliable dividends.

Both stocks could attract more investors if the broader market experiences a downturn.

10 stocks we like better than Altria Group 

Altria (NYSE: MO), the top tobacco company in America, is generally a safe income play for conservative dividend investors. Its flagship Marlboro brand still controls nearly half of the retail cigarette market, and it's expanding its portfolio with more smoke-free products -- like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches -- as adult smoking rates decline. It also constantly raises its prices, cuts costs, and buys back its shares to boost its earnings per share (EPS) as its revenue growth slows down.

Altria has increased its dividend every year since it spun off its overseas business as Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) in 2008. It currently pays a forward yield of 7.2% and it trades at just ten times forward earnings. That high yield and low valuation should limit its downside potential even if the broader market swoons. It should also become more attractive as interest rates decline and drive more investors back toward high-dividend stocks.

Image source: Coca-Cola.

I personally own shares of Altria, and I recently called it a great defensive play in this messy market. But if you don't own Altria yet, there's another reliable blue chip dividend stock you should probably buy first: Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). Let's see why the world's largest pure-play beverage company might be a more compelling long-term investment than the tobacco giant.

Coca-Cola is more broadly diversified and growing faster

At first glance, Coca-Cola might seem to face some of the same challenges as Altria. Just as fewer adults in America are smoking cigarettes, consumers are drinking less soda worldwide.

However, over the past few decades, Coca-Cola has developed and acquired more brands of bottled water, fruit juices, teas, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and even alcoholic beverages, thereby diluting the importance of its sugary flagship sodas. It also refreshed its sodas with smaller serving sizes, new flavors, and healthier versions to attract younger consumers.

That's why Coca-Cola's organic sales rose 16% in 2022, 12% in 2023, and 12% in 2024 -- even as inflation curbed consumer spending and drove up its prices. Altria's sales (net of excise taxes) declined 2% in 2022, 1% in 2023, and nearly flatlined in 2024. It still generated 87% of its sales (net of excise taxes) from its slow-growth smokeable products in 2024.
During this season where predictions are made for the coming year, one always feels a little left out. Thats probably because its easy to recognize the folly of trying to predict the S&P or other market indices when no one can know with certainty. (Personally, I just know I dont know.) However, that is not to say there arent predictions to offer, as well as some advice based on those predictions, that might actually help increase returns in the new year.

SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free Advisor Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Why Schwab Raised Asset Minimums on Fly Paper Referral Program and Finfluencers Can Say Whatever They Want Online. FINRA Is Paying Attention

Youre Not as Risk-Tolerant as You Think

Its as predictable as the sunrise. Stocks hit an all-time high and statements like I want to be 100% stocks and VTI and chill are bravely made. Bonds are wimpy, some will say. But inevitably, a bear market comes and those same people are often the ones to panic and sell, saying: Im using new information because this has never happened before. The problem is they werent in touch with their feelings, and didnt realize the pain they would feel when they saw their financial independence slipping by many years.

It turns out that every market surge and plunge is different, and some markets can take decades to recover. A balanced portfolio where one picks an asset allocation between stocks and bonds and sticks to that allocation is superior for reaching client goals. If stocks surge, clients must sell to get back to their asset allocation target. If they plunge, clients must buy. Yes, it is better to buy low and sell high rather than the reverse.

Hundreds of New ETFs Are Launched; Most Eventually Fail

Nearly 800 new funds hit the market in the first nine months of 2024. Likely, most performed spectacularly on a back-tested basis before the launch. That is simply (as I call it) predicting the past. If you look at thousands of different strategies, you are bound to find some that produced great returns in the past. Yet correlation isnt causation, no matter how its explained.

Buying an ETF whose strategy worked in the past typically involves reversion to the mean. That means, clients are buying high and then other factors have their day in the sun and the ETF underperforms. Last year, 622 ETFs closed, and 179 closed in the first four months of this year. What do the new funds and closed funds have in common? They are narrow and expensive. Its better to own everything in total index funds with the lowest costs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Student loan borrowers who qualified for loan forgiveness in 2025 will not have to pay taxes on their discharged loans.

Borrowers must have made a certain number of payments and be on an eligible repayment plan to have their loans dismissed.

While the Department of Education has resumed student loan forgiveness, you may still need to complete a few tasks to ensure your loan is dismissed without having to pay federal taxes.



The Department of Education resumed granting student loan forgiveness on most income-driven repayment plans earlier this month. However, there is no confirmed date for when qualifying borrowers will receive their forgiveness. Borrowers who became eligible in 2025 may have to wait until next year to get their paperwork processed and their loan discharged.

More from Yahoo Scout How many payments qualify borrowers for loan forgiveness? Which student loan forgiveness programs qualify for tax-free discharge? What steps ensure tax-free loan forgiveness in 2025? Which states still tax student loan forgiveness amounts?

Many borrowers have worried they will not receive their forgiveness before a temporary tax rule created by former President Joe Biden ends on Jan. 1, 2026. However, the Department of Education confirmed that if a borrower becomes eligible for forgiveness in 2025, they would not have to pay federal taxes on their discharged loan.

Borrowers should take some steps before the end of the year to ensure they will not be taxed on the forgiveness they achieve in 2025.

Why This Matters to You

Next year, student loan borrowers will be required to pay taxes on their loan forgiveness, which could result in them owing the IRS thousands of dollars. For those who qualified for loan forgiveness in 2025 but have not yet received it, there are steps they can take to ensure they receive tax-free forgiveness.

1. Verify Your Repayment Plan Qualifies for Forgiveness

The Department of Education said it is resuming processing tax-free loan discharges for borrowers under the Income-Based Repayment, Pay As You Earn, and the Income-Contingent Repayment plans.

However, borrowers under the Saving for a Valuable Education are still unable to receive forgiveness. The income-driven repayment plan, also known as SAVE, was created under former President Joe Bidens administration and is still blocked by ongoing lawsuits.

SAVE borrowers are still in forbearance, where any payments made do not count toward forgiveness. Still, some may have reached the threshold of the number of payments eligible for forgiveness before the forbearance period began. If these borrowers request to be transferred to IBR, ICR, or PAYE by December 31, 2025, their loans will be discharged tax-free.

Borrowers can request a transfer of repayment plans on the Federal Student Aid website.

2. Verify Your Payment Count

Borrowers who have made 240 or 300 months of payments by 2025, depending on their repayment plan, qualify for tax-free forgiveness. They can contact their loan servicer to determine how many qualifying payments they have made and if their loan balance is being forgiven.
A bedridden 91-year-old grandmother may soon be evicted from her Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, home over what her family and attorneys say was an oversight that led to an unpaid tax bill and eventually a lien on the property.

Gloria Gaynors family recently received a warning she would be forcibly removed by the new owners  who bought the house from under her  with the help of authorities, according to 6abc Philadelphia. (1)

She's in a hospital bed. Are they going to lift the bed up with her in it and take her and put her on the steps? Gaynors daughter, Jackie Davis, told the broadcaster in a story that aired Nov. 17.

Must Read

Davis, who lives in Florida, has been left scrambling to find accommodations for her mother.

But those close to Gaynor say none of this should have happened in the first place. Heres how the events unfolded, and how to keep this from happening to you.

Unpaid tax bill, and a lost home

In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, afraid to leave her home, Gaynor didnt pay property taxes that year, despite having the means to do so, her attorneys told 6abc Philadelphia. Davis She caught up the following year, but somehow the payment wasnt applied to taxes in arrears.

The original $3,500 debt ballooned to $14,419 with fees and penalties, and a lien was placed on the home, per 6abc Philadelphia. (2) The property ended up being sold to a real estate firm, CJD Group, for the sum of the debt in whats known as an upset sale to recover the unpaid taxes in September of 2022.

Davis claims Gaynor was unaware of the sale, and suddenly the home shes lived in for nearly 25 years was no longer hers.

She bought this house to die in, Davis said.

Her attorneys fought the sale, calling it a rare case given Gaynors age and apparent displays of dementia, but the courts repeatedly ruled in favor of the new owners.

This is not every tax sale situation, Alexander Barth, who represents the family, told 6abc Philadelphia. (3) Most tax sale situations are houses that are damaged or underwater. This is the exception again, but this is stripping generational wealth from a family. This is a sole asset that the mother had to pass on to her children.
SPX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SPXC) is one of the 10 Data Center Cooling Companies to Invest In. On December 8, the company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Crawford United Corporation (OTC:CRAWA), a Cleveland-based holding company. The deal is valued at approximately $300 million. This acquisition is part of SPX Technologies expansion plans. As per the agreement, Crawford United will be merged with a subsidiary of SPX. With this acquisition, SPXC will expand its HVAC capabilities by incorporating the Commercial Air-Handling Equipment segment of Crawford United. This segment contains Rahn Industries and Air Enterprises.

Over the past 12 months ending September 30, 2025, this segment reported $22.8 million in operating profit and $81.6 million in sales. SPX Technologies (NYSE:SPXC) also reported total revenue of $2.16 billion over the last 12 months, with solid revenue growth of 12.6%.

After the deal closes, SPXC will merge Crawford Uniteds Commercial Air-Handling Equipment segment with its HVAC segment. Meanwhile, the company intends to divest the Industrial & Transportation Products segment of Crawford United. The reason for its divestiture is that this segment does not align with the firms long-term strategy.

Gene Lowe, SPX Technologies President & CEO, highlighted the potential of this acquisition by mentioning:

Their commercial air-handling business is an excellent fit for our HVAC platform, strengthening our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions to customers in healthcare, universities, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, and commercial markets.

SPX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SPXC) operates as a supplier of infrastructure equipment to global markets. It mainly serves the cooling (HVAC), heating, ventilation, and detection & measurement markets. The company operates through HVAC and Detection and Measurement segments. It sells its products through retailers, third-party distributors, and independent manufacturing representatives.

While we acknowledge the potential of SPXC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Cathie Woods Stock Portfolio: Top 10 Stocks to Buy and 30 Most Fantastic Stocks Every Investor Should Pay Attention To.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
(Corrects paragraph 1 to remove erroneous reference to tanker being Venezuelan)

By Siyi Liu and Chen Aizhu

SINGAPORE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The volume of Venezuelan oil already headed to China before the U.S. seized a tanker off the South American country's coast last week, plus a glut of crude in storage and weak demand, will limit the near-term impact of the move in the Chinese market, traders and analysts said.

Exports from the South American producer have fallen sharply since the U.S. seized a tanker off Venezuela's coast and imposed new sanctions on shipping firms and vessels doing business with it, with the prospect of further seizures deterring shipments.

China, the world's no. 1 oil importer, is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, though Venezuelan supply accounts for only around 4% of its total crude imports.

Venezuelan oil arrivals to China are on track to rise this month and next, traders and analysts say, thanks to a spate of exports over the previous four months, deepening discounts on crude that can take up to 60 days to reach the independent refiners that are its main buyers.

"The surge in Venezuela flow to China increased in anticipation of sanctions," said Mukesh Sahdev, founder & CEO of energy consultancy XAnalysts. He predicted that the impact of the tanker seizure, and any additional sanctions or seizures, would be seen in February.

December China arrivals of Merey crude, Venezuela's main export grade, are expected to exceed 600,000 barrels per day, according to analysts at tanker tracker Vortexa. Kpler puts December Merey arrivals at 664,000 bpd, subject to revision, which it said would be a record.

MOUNTING VOLUMES OF OIL IN FLOATING STORAGE

The Venezuelan supply comes on top of ample deliveries from other sanctioned producers Russia and Iran, which have led to mounting volumes of oil in floating storage in Asia.

Asian floating oil storage hit 71 million barrels last week, rising from 53 million barrels at end-October and about 33 million barrels in early September, Kpler data showed, adding to pressure that had deepened discounts on Venezuelan crude.

At least one-third of the estimated 650,000 bpd of Merey discharged in November in China is still looking for end-buyers, said Vortexa analyst Emma Li.

Two trade sources said plentiful Russian and Iranian supply, along with barrels on the way to China from Venezuela, had limited market worries for now.

Another trading manager at a regular buyer said it would take time to gauge the impact of the seizure on supplies, but that his company had shifted to buying "small amounts" of Canadian TMX crude to hedge against geopolitical risk.
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is one of the 14 Most Promising Fintech Stocks to Invest In. On December 4, TipRanks reported that Goldman Sachs analyst Tito Labarta reaffirmed a Buy rating on Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) with a price target of $21.

Earlier, on November 25, BofA Securities increased its price target on Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) from $16 to $18 and reiterated a Neutral rating on the stock. This update came after investor meetings in New York and Boston with the companys Investor Relations Officer, Guilherme Souto, who shared an optimistic view of the companys business.

Analysts Optimistic on Nu Holdings (NU)?

BofA Securities noted that the companys AI initiatives are supporting the re-acceleration of growth in Brazil while also managing risks. The research firm believes this is valuably extending Nu Holdings Ltd.s (NYSE:NU) first growth curve.

Additionally, BofA Securities pointed out that the companys operations in Mexico have hit a key turning point, shifting from building up to scaling up. This is the second growth curve for Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU).

The research firm noted that the company has applied for a US national bank charter, which could be a transformational opportunity. According to BofA Securities, this could possibly represent the third growth curve for Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU). The companys management is still focused on growing its operations in Brazil and Mexico in the short and medium term.

Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is a financial technology company that operates a digital banking platform. The company has a fully digital model and offers a wide range of financial services to customers in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

While we acknowledge the potential of NU as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 15 Best Technology Penny Stocks to Buy and 15 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Evoke stock has seen a modest reset in its fair value estimate, nudging lower from 0.87 to 0.82 as analysts factor in a tougher UK tax backdrop and more tempered growth expectations. While the updated target reflects a more cautious stance, unchanged discount-rate assumptions and an all cash deal price still anchor the story in a defined valuation range. Read on to understand what is driving this shifting narrative and how you can stay ahead of future updates as the investment case evolves.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Evoke shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Evoke.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Jefferies analyst James Wheatcroft keeps a Buy rating on Evoke, arguing that despite a tougher UK gaming tax regime, the firm still sees long term value for UK betting names, including Evoke, relative to their cash flow potential.

The Jefferies work highlights that the market had been braced for a lower 25% to 30% tax rate, so part of the negative impact from the roughly 35% blended rate may already be reflected in sector valuations, supporting a more constructive stance from neutral to bullish investors.

Across the more supportive commentary, analysts continue to reward Evoke for its ability to navigate regulatory changes and preserve growth momentum, while still flagging that near term tax and regulatory risks could limit immediate upside.

 Bearish Takeaways

JPMorgan analyst Karan Puri cut Evoke plcs price target from 82 GBp to 66 GBp and maintains a Neutral view, indicating a more cautious stance on upside as the new UK tax burden weighs on earnings and compresses the valuation range.

Jefferies expects UK betting names, including Evoke, to react negatively to the UK budgets roughly 35% blended gaming tax rate, highlighting uncertainty around future revenue headwinds as higher iGaming taxes could push some UK consumers offshore.

Analysts broadly flag that the combination of a higher effective tax rate and regulatory uncertainty introduces meaningful near term risk to Evokes growth trajectory, suggesting that a portion of the prior upside case is now priced out of the shares.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

LSE:EVOK 1-Year Stock Price Chart

What's in the News
A growing number of mainland Chinese tech firms are tapping Hong Kong for research talent and overseas expansion, as the Asian financial hub moves to attract Big Tech and start-ups to boost its technology sector.

Arm China, the Chinese unit of British semiconductor firm Arm Holdings, would establish a chip intellectual property research and development centre in Hong Kong in 2026 that would focus on artificial intelligence and robotics, Arm China senior technical director Zou Wei said last month.

The new centre would be located at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and aimed to recruit around 100 people within three years, according to Zou.

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.

Hong Kong had a "significant advantage" that brought together global innovation resources, top-tier industry talent and a mature capital ecosystem, Zou said.

Arm China is among the fifth batch of companies brought to Hong Kong by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). It had so far drawn more than 102 firms, which were expected to bring around HK$60 billion in investment and create about 22,000 job opportunities, executive director Bryan Peng said in November.

Ten of the 102 companies were currently planning to go public, Peng said.

A screen displays the Hang Seng stock index at the Hong Kong stock exchange, May 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters alt=A screen displays the Hang Seng stock index at the Hong Kong stock exchange, May 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters>

One of the firms with initial public offering plans in Hong Kong is Shenzhen-based start-up RabbitPre, a provider of text-to-video artificial intelligence models. The firm last year launched an open-source video model called Open-Sora Plan, which it said aimed to "reproduce" a "simple and scalable" version of OpenAI's video generation model Sora.

RabbitPre was focused on commercialising its video AI solutions by offering them to cross-border e-commerce merchants to generate product images, company partner Yingsai Dong said.

The start-up recently established its international headquarters at Hong Kong's Cyberport business park, according to Dong.

RabbitPre would use its Hong Kong operation for overseas expansion, aiming to reach consumers and enterprise clients in regions including the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia, Dong said.
Spanish lender Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) has announced a strategic partnership with US-based artificial intelligence (AI) organisation OpenAI to advance the application of AI in the banking sector.

Under the partnership, both organisations will develop AI-driven solutions for customer service, internal operations, and employee productivity.

The agreement follows two years of collaboration between BBVA and OpenAI, and involves joint investments and shared objectives.

OpenAI will support BBVAs AI strategy to improve customer experiences and optimise the banks operations.

Also, the partnership allows BBVA to access OpenAIs latest AI models and expertise, and work closely with its engineering, research, and development teams.

BBVA chairman Carlos Torres Vila said: We were pioneers in the digital and mobile transformation, and we are now entering the AI era with even greater ambition.

Our alliance with OpenAI accelerates the native integration of artificial intelligence across the bank to create a smarter, more proactive, and completely personalised banking experience, anticipating the needs of every client.

The collaboration will focus on creating an intelligent conversational assistant designed to assist customers with their daily financial activities.

OpenAI and BBVA plan to set a new standard for customer engagement and develop additional tools to help relationship managers provide personalised support.

They will develop systems to streamline risk analysis and transform operational processes, such as software development and routine employee tasks.

Also, a digital alter ego will be created, which can learn from employees work habits, remember ongoing projects, and carry out tasks with oversight.

BBVA will extend the use of ChatGPT Enterprise to its workforce of more than 120,000 employees, following an initial phase involving 11,000 staff.

In the initial phase, the technology showed consistent usage, with 80% of participants accessing the assistant daily and reporting an average weekly time saving of three hours on routine activities.

BBVA is also working on integrating its products and services directly into ChatGPT, allowing users to interact with the bank through OpenAIs platform.

The Spanish bank has already demonstrated a ChatGPT-integrated app for its digital banks in Italy and Germany.

The agreement aims to establish a new industry benchmark for AI-driven transformation in financial services, BBVA stated.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: BBVA is a strong example of how a large financial institution can adopt artificial intelligence with real ambition and speed.
$3.2 billion Eisler told investors it was closing down due to the high costs of talent in September.

The firm had more than 250 people based in nine offices across the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

The manager has had discussions with onetime rival funds about purchasing their risk system, Photon.

Shutting down a hedge fund isn't as simple as turning off the lights and handing the office keys to the building manager.

Trades need to be wound down slowly to make sure backers don't lose money in a fire sale. Employment contracts with payouts and deferred compensation need to be honored. Anything worth selling needs to find a buyer.

At $3.2 billion Eisler Capital, the London-based multistrategy fund founded by Goldman Sachs veteran Ed Eisler, the firm's late September letter to investors about liquidating the firm was just the first step.

Ed Eisler, founder of Eisler Capital David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Mulberry

The firm had transformed itself from a macro shop into a fund with dozens of different teams trading their own specialities and had ambitious goals. In a conversation with Business Insider at the end of 2023, Eisler's COO, Chris Milner, said the manager had increased head count by more than 40% that year and had "a lot of support from our capital partners and the Street right now and don't feel constrained."

"What we don't want to do is grow for growth's sake. Against that, though, we are an ambitious organization," Milner said.

Unfortunately, 2023 was a high point for the firm. The firm made 3% in 2024, trailing its larger multistrategy peers, as costs mounted. Key moneymakers Adrien Delattre and Lewis Morton left the firm despite being named partners at the end of 2023.

"The challenge of attracting and retaining experienced money managers capable of deploying capital at scale within a cost structure acceptable to investors has grown significantly," the firm told investors in its letter.

Compared to the typical fund liquidation, Eisler has the ongoing attention of the industry due to its high head count and a possible sale of some of the firm's intellectual property.

In talking with backers of the firm, people close to the manager, and industry experts, Business Insider has pulled together the latest on the firm's potential sale of its risk system, Photon, the portfolio manager rival funds are trying to hire, and where some of the fund's investing talent has already landed.

The manager declined to comment.

The battle for Eisler's risk system

While Eisler's returns lagged behind those of its peers in 2025, with a loss of 1.7% through August, the firm's risk and analytics system, developed by Eisler and his right-hand man, Sam Wisnia, was known throughout the industry as well-designed. One person at a rival fund said Eisler's macro background gave the system a unique feel compared to others in the industry, which were made with long-short equity or quant trading in mind.
Key Points

Berkshire is about to experience more change than ever.

In 2026, for the first time in the company's public life, Warren Buffett will not be CEO.

The company just announced several other notable changes to its management team.

10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway 

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B), one of the world's largest conglomerates, has made beating the broader stock market a habit, generating market-crushing returns for six decades.

However, this year, Berkshire faced a new challenge: preparing for a significant transition. Warren Buffett, the legendary leader of Berkshire, announced that he would step down as chief executive officer at the end of 2025. Buffett will remain as chairman of the company's board, while Berkshire veteran Greg Abel will become the new CEO.

Berkshire's shareholders have never seen a Berkshire Hathaway without Buffett at the helm. Uncharted territory lies ahead. Is Berkshire Hathaway stock a buy now?

Image source: Getty Images.

Changing tides, same business

Not only is Buffett stepping down, other changes are taking place within management. Berkshire's longtime chief financial officer, Marc Hamburg, will retire in 2027 after being at the company for four decades. Hamburg is believed to be one of the more underappreciated leaders at Berkshire. Todd Combs is also leaving the company. Combs was CEO of GEICO, and he also helped manage 10% of Berkshire's massive $312 billion equities portfolio. We also can't forget that Berkshire's vice chair, Charlie Munger, one of Buffett's closest confidants, passed away in 2023.

Make no mistake, the Berkshire that people knew is now gone, and like it or not, Abel is going to have an intense spotlight on him as he tries to fill arguably the biggest shoes in the financial world.

But amid all the changes, Berkshire's business remains the same, and Buffett is leaving it in a very strong position. In 2024, Berkshire generated nearly $89 billion in net earnings. However, shareholders should note that a significant portion of this amount stems from unrealized investment gains in Berkshire's large equities portfolio, which can fluctuate substantially from year to year due to market changes.

Still, in 2024, Berkshire's insurance businesses generated more than $22 billion of earnings. Berkshire also operates many diverse business lines, including Berkshire Hathaway Energy, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and other large companies in the manufacturing, service, and retail sectors. Berkshire's huge equities portfolio owns a wide variety of well-established companies in different industries.
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.

Bill Morrissey, the head of the independent channel at Atria Wealth Solutions, has exited the firm, as LPL Financial continues to integrate the business in the wake of its acquisition, according to regulatory filings.

In recent months, LPL has been pruning Atrias executive ranks via layoffs, according to published reports. Morrissey and an LPL spokeswoman did not return requests for comment. The firm filed Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification, or WARN, notices in May outlining layoffs in California, Texas and New York.

Morrissey was previously registered with Cadaret Grant and Western International Securities, two broker/dealers acquired by Atria, but those firms are no longer registered as broker/dealers.

In its third-quarter earnings results, LPL said it had completed the conversion of Atria and its $115 billion in total brokerage and advisory assets, assuming 100% retention. As of Sept. 30, retention was approximately 82%, the report stated.

Atria was founded in 2017 by former Morgan Stanley executive Doug Ketterer as a holding company that would acquire wealth management firms. When LPL announced plans to acquire Atria in 2024, the holding company had seven broker/dealers under its umbrella, including CUSO Financial Services, Sorrento Pacific Financial, Cadaret Grant, NEXT Financial Group, SCF Securities, Western International Securities and Grove Point Financial.

Atria hired Morrissey in 2022 to lead and grow the firms independent channel through same-store sales, retention of existing clients and recruiting.

Prior to joining Atria, Morrissey was with Guardian Life Insurance Company, where he served as head of wealth management.

The acquisition of Atria put Morrissey right back at LPL. He joined LPL in 2004 as senior vice president of advisory consulting services. In 2014, he was promoted to managing director of independent advisor services, taking over for Derek Bruton, who stepped down from the role.

Morrisseys exit follows the departures of other senior executives at Atria. Atria Founder Doug Ketterer and his founding partner and Chief Operating Officer Eugene Elias Jr. stepped down in April .

A slew of top Atria executives departed the firm this summer, including several senior marketing executives, as well as employees in investment solutions, practice management and product strategy.

In October, Kevin Beard, a founding partner and former chief growth officer at Atria, joined WealthVest, a Bozeman, Mt.-based wholesaler of annuities and structured products, as chief strategy officer.

Just last week, Equity Services Inc. said it hired Brian Nelson, former managing director and head of practice management at Atria, as its head of growth strategy, a newly created role.
Key Takeaways

The amount of Bitcoin needed to retire varies widely by location.

The independent researcher provided a bullish outlook for Bitcoin.

Market outlook remains divided.

The amount of Bitcoin required to retire by 2035 varies sharply by country, with most of the world needing less than one coin, according to new research examining retirement costs across nearly 100 economies.

It comes as Bitcoins future value continues to be the subject of fierce debate, with a recent prediction going as high as $6 million in the near future.

How Much Bitcoin Is Needed To Retire per Country?

The study, conducted by independent researcher Sminston With, suggests that residents of high-income jurisdictions would typically need between one and five bitcoins, depending on age.

Younger people in countries including Ireland, Bermuda, Norway, and Luxembourg face higher requirements due to longer expected retirement periods.

How much BTC will you need to retire? | Source: Sminston With

By contrast, the research reveals substantially lower thresholds in countries with lower living costs, such as South Sudan and Cameroon.

In these countries, retirement could be funded with as little as 0.01 to 0.05 Bitcoin for some age groups.

In the U.S. and the U.K., the estimated requirement for most age brackets ranges from about 0.5 to 1 Bitcoin, while Canadas projections start closer to 0.3 Bitcoin.

Bitcoin to $6M

The independent researcher has also provided a bullish estimate for Bitcoin using the so-called 2x/60x rule, which links the assets age to its historical price growth.

Under the model, each doubling of Bitcoins lifespan has been associated with a roughly sixtyfold increase in price.

Bitcoin is currently about 6,200 days old, or just under 17 years.

Many people in the industry are extremely bullish on Bitcoins outlook.

Applying the same framework, the researcher projected that when the asset reaches roughly 34 years old, its price could exceed $6.7 million.

Garry Krugljakow, head of Bitcoin strategy at Aifinyo, said that the real surprise in fifteen years wont be a multi-million dollar Bitcoin.

The real surprise will be how obvious it looks in hindsight, he added.

Bullish Senses or Optimism?

Over the past few months, several industry leaders have issued highly bullish predictions for the price of Bitcoin, both in the near term and over the long term.

Tom Lee, chairman of BitMine, reiterated at Binance Blockchain Week that the asset was going to get to $250,000 within a few months.

Meanwhile, at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Strategy CEO Michael Saylor claimed that Bitcoin would increase about 30% a year for the next 20 years.

If this were to occur, CCN calculated that Bitcoin would be worth around $17 million in 20 years.
Bluevine, a digital banking platform for small businesses in the US, has announced the launch of its Tap to Pay.

The new feature, powered by Stripe, allows any small business to accept in-person payments anywhere, without the need for hardware or complex setup.

Payments are deposited directly into the Bluevine Business Checking account, enabling businesses to start earning interest as soon as funds arrive.

This latest addition to Bluevines all-in-one small business banking platform is claimed to position it as the first digital-first banking platform to offer a high-yield checking account, company-wide cards with spend controls, financing, and full-scale accounts receivable solutions in a single place.

The Tap to Pay feature is designed to fit the realities of modern small businesses, whether they are HVAC contractors, caterers, or craft retailers at local markets.

This launch follows Bluevines unveiling of its invoicing and payment links product, also developed with Stripe, in May.

With the introduction of Tap to Pay, customers can now accept secure payments without a card reader or physical hardware, simply by using the Bluevine app on their mobile devices.

This simplifies payment acceptance for businesses operating on-the-go or outside traditional retail environments.

Bluevine SVP and GM of Checking and Payments Kyle Cooper said, We understand that modern small businesses aren't bound to offices and store spaces, and so the ability to accept payments should also be without physical limitations.

He added, We've seen strong uptake of our invoicing with online payments processing, and are excited Bluevine customers can now accept in-person payments simply using their Bluevine mobile app. Our customers love the ease of use, value, and robustness of the Bluevine platform, and Tap to Pay makes running their businesses even easier.

The adoption of contactless payments is increasing rapidly. According to Mastercard, more than 70% of all face-to-face transactions within its ecosystem are now contactless.

This trend highlights the growing demand for flexible, hardware-free payment solutions among small businesses and their customers.

Since its founding in 2013, Bluevine has served more than 750,000 customers, delivered over $17bn in loans, and currently manages over $1.8bn in customer deposits.

The companys customer base spans a wide range of industries and business types, reflecting the versatility of its banking platform and services.

Bluevine is supported by a range of private and institutional investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, 83North, Citi Ventures, ION Crossover Partners, SVB Capital, Nationwide Insurance, and M12, the venture arm of Microsoft.
Bottling company Swire Coca-Cola is set to build a new production facility in the US.

Swire Coca-Cola has a franchise to manufacture, market and distribute The Coca-Cola Co. products in Greater China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and western states in the US.

The group is constructing a new facility in Colorado Springs to replace a plant in Denver, which dates back around 90 years. Building work on the 620,000-square-feet facility is scheduled to begin in 2026.

In July, Swire Coca-Cola described the York Street operation as the oldest Coca-Cola bottling facility in the US and said it had reached the end of its planned life.

In a statement, the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation (EDC) said the project represents a capital investment of $475m.

Bryan Sink, senior vice president of supply chain at Swire Coca-Cola USA, said: Colorado Springs has been a great partner for our existing distribution facility where we employ 170 people. The city offers a highly skilled workforce and a strong sense of community  all of which make it an ideal location for this strategic investment.

According to the statement, the new plant will give Swire Coca-Cola the capacity to provide its workforce with a modern working environment, meet rising customer demand and advance its sustainability goals.

Once operational, the Colorado Springs facility is expected to manufacture products sold under more than 60 brands, including sparkling soft drinks, teas and juices.

Headquartered in Utah Swire Coca-Cola's US arm generates more than $3bn in revenue and and distributes products across 13 western US states.

In 2023, Swire Pacific struck a deal to offload Swire Coca-Cola unit to its controlling shareholder John Swire & Sons.

Last week, The Coca-Cola Co. announced it had promoted chief operating officer Henrique Braun to the position of CEO.

Braun will assume the new role on 31 March, succeeding James Quincey, who, after almost nine years as CEO, will become the drinks giants executive chairman.

"Bottler Swire Coca-Cola to build plant in US " was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.




Brazils largest privately-owned asset manager, Itau Asset Management, has recommended investors allocate 1% to 3% of their portfolios to bitcoin (BTC).

In a year-end note, Renato Eid, head of beta strategies and responsible investment for Itau Asset Management, argued that bitcoins lack of correlation with traditional local assets makes it a useful diversification tool.

The note echoes the bitcoin allocations recommended by other major asset managers. Earlier this month, Bank of America greenlit wealth advisors to recommend a BTC allocation of up to 4%, while BlackRock has pointed to 2%.

Eid emphasized a measured approach, not turning crypto into the centerpiece of a portfolio but using it as a complementary asset that can help absorb shocks from currency depreciation and global volatility.

The idea is not to make cryptoassets the core of the portfolio but to include them as a complementary component  sized appropriately to the investors risk profile, Eid wrote.

This year, bitcoin surged to a record near $125,000 before falling back to around $90,000. For local investors, the ride was even bumpier due to currency fluctuations.

Products like BITI11, a bitcoin ETF traded in Brazil, saw their performance in reais affected by the weakening fiat currency. But in periods of stress, such as late 2024, the global nature of BTC provided some insulation.

Eid warned against trying to time the market and suggested a disciplined, long-term mindset. A small, steady exposure to bitcoin, he says, can act as a partial hedge and offer access to global returns, especially as traditional asset correlations become less reliable.

It calls for moderation and discipline: set a strategic slice (for example, 1%3% of the total portfolio), keep a long-term horizon and resist the temptation to react to short-term noise, Eid wrote.
Dec 15 (Reuters) - The AI spending boom is entering a "dangerous" phase as Big Tech firms increasingly tap external investors to cover mounting costs, a top executive at hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates said on Monday.

The warning underscores the degree of unease rippling through markets as several investors have begun to question the sustainability of massive capital spending on AI.

More from Yahoo Scout How much has AI data center financing increased? What triggered recent anxiety over AI trade investments? What makes AI spending 'dangerous' according to Bridgewater Associates? What constraints limit AI data center expansion?

While the technology has deeply permeated the economy, critics are beginning to wonder how severe the fallout could be if the boom fails to translate into tangible profits.

"Going forward, there is a reasonable probability that we will soon find ourselves in a bubble," Bridgewater's Co-Chief Investment Officer Greg Jensen wrote in a note.

With costs rising beyond what internal cash flows can support, companies are turning to outside sources of funding to pursue their ambitions.

A UBS report last month said AI data center and project financing deals surged to $125 billion until November this year, from $15 billion in the same period in 2024.

The latest bout of anxiety over the AI trade was sparked by Oracle's weak sales and profit forecasts for the third quarter, issued last week.

Jensen said the surge in demand for computing power would need an unprecedented physical buildout of data centers, which faces many constraints.

At the same time, valuations across the AI ecosystem have soared, and the U.S. economy is becoming increasingly concentrated around the technology, he added.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
Australian oil and gas company Buccaneer Energy has announced plans to advance the next stage of development in the Fouke area of the Pine Mills field in Texas, US.

The company intends to implement a secondary oil recovery scheme (waterflood) in the Fouke area, where it holds a 32.5% working interest, using water injection.

This decision follows a technical review of the Allar #1 well and the recent acquisition of adjacent acreage.

Buccaneer said that the waterflood scheme will use the Turner #1 and Daniel #1 wells as dedicated injection points.

The two wells are located at the downdip edges of the productive reservoir interval, which the company has identified as suitable for water injection.

The newly acquired lease provides the necessary locations to begin this phase.

By injecting water, Buccaneer aims to increase reservoir pressure, which is expected to stabilise and improve oil recovery rates from the field.

The company has been using waterflooding in the Pine Mills region for more than five decades. Primary recovery in the area reached 333,851 barrels (bbl) of oil as of September 2025.

Buccaneer estimates that the waterflood could yield an additional 667,0001,002,000bbl of recoverable oil.

The Turner #1 well will return to production before the waterflood system becomes operational, providing additional output during the preparation phase, the company said.

In the Pine Mills field and surrounding areas, primary recovery typically accounts for 520% of the original oil in place, with an average of around 15%.

Waterflood operations have historically increased recovery rates to between 30% and 50% of the original oil in place, according to the company.

Buccaneer expects similar improvements in the Fouke area, with recoverable volumes projected to rise by two to three times.

The company plans to drill the Fouke #4 well and sidetrack the Allar #1 well after the waterflood system is commissioned.

Before the start of water injection, the Texas Railroad Commission requires the creation of a waterflood unit, comprising all leaseholders and royalty owners in the area.

Buccaneer expects the process of forming the unit and constructing waterflood facilities to take up to six months.

Meanwhile, the company will reinstate production from Turner #1, contributing to field output as preparatory work continues.

Buccaneer Energy CEO Paul Welch said: The decision to initiate a waterflood in the Fouke area marks a key step forward in maximising long-term value from our Pine Mills assets. Waterflooding has a proven track record in these reservoirs, and we believe the Turner #1 and Daniel #1 wells provide ideal injection points to support a highly effective recovery scheme.
Q : Can you discuss the UK government's request for proposals on new energetics production and the potential risks if other companies enter the UK market? A : Michael Ord, CEO, explained that Chemring is well-positioned to support the UK government's initiative to establish energetic materials production. They have completed feasibility studies for their site in Scotland and are exploring the production of high explosives like HMX and RDX. Ord sees no competitive threat from other companies entering the market, as Chemring's strong position in Norway and potential UK collaborations offer significant opportunities.

CapEx for 2026 is projected to be in the range of 100 to 110 million, mainly due to higher costs in Norway.

Interest costs are expected to be about $10 million due to higher net debt and rates not decreasing as anticipated.

Higher infrastructure and groundwork costs in Norway led to an increase in expected total costs from $145 million to $180 million.

Chemring Group PLC ( CMGMF ) continues to advance its safety and ESG agenda, with a reduction in the total recordable injury frequency rate to 0.448 from 0.69.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q: Is the Norwegian government still expected to commit to the next phase of expansion by the end of the year? A: Michael Ord confirmed that the Norwegian government has allocated funding for the second phase of the feasibility study for a new greenfield production facility. They expect to sign the contract before Christmas, with the study taking 6 to 8 months. This phase will determine the facility's configuration and production capacity.

Q: How confident are you in Roke's recovery in the second half of the year, given the current order cover? A: James Mortensen, CFO, stated that Roke is expected to recover to near FY24 levels, with a strong second half driven by product and national security business growth. The renewal season is anticipated to be robust, and while Storm orders will contribute, the recovery is not solely dependent on them.

Q: Are there any signs that customers might start producing HMX and RDX themselves, affecting Chemring's market share? A: Michael Ord clarified that while some companies are vertically integrating, Chemring's primary customers are in the missile domain, not munitions. They have long-term supply agreements, and the trend of vertical integration does not impact Chemring's market share.

Q: Can you provide an update on the progress of the German blending facility? A: James Mortensen reported that the blending facility in Germany is progressing well, with plans to break ground soon and operations expected to start in 2027. This facility will supply MCX for the 155 munition line under a contract with Diehl Defense.

Q: How do you view the potential for joint ventures to drive revenue growth? A: Michael Ord mentioned that Roke collaborates with many defense companies, either as partners or subcontractors. While joint ventures could be a possibility, Chemring is open to various forms of collaboration to enhance growth.

Q: What is the potential market opportunity for the Cortexa counter-drone system? A: James Mortensen highlighted that Cortexa has both military and civil applications, with significant market potential. The system has been well-received, and Chemring has already sold units to a high-end military customer in Europe.

Q: What happened with Alloy Surfaces, and are there concerns about other businesses experiencing similar issues? A: Michael Ord explained that Alloy Surfaces faced declining demand for pyrophoric decoys due to changing US DOD mission configurations. Chemring acted quickly to address this, and there are no concerns about similar issues in other businesses. They are in the process of selling Alloy Surfaces to realize value.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Chinese electric vehicle makers are stepping up their overseas push as domestic competition intensifies, and recent developments in Thailand suggest pricing has become the primary weapon. BYD (BYDDF) has cut prices by as much as 38% on its Seal sedan and is offering compensation should further reductions follow this year, signaling a willingness to protect early buyers while keeping volumes moving. At the same time, rivals have adopted similarly aggressive tactics, with SAIC Motor discounting the MG4 by 27% and Chery's Jaecoo J5 entering the market with promotional pricing that translated into almost 20,000 orders despite a two-month delivery wait. Dealers on the ground describe showroom traffic as unusually strong, reflecting a more than 20% jump in EV sales in October and November and a faster shift away from long-dominant Japanese brands.

Industry participants caution that the surge is being driven less by underlying demand strength and more by the need to clear inventory and meet policy-linked production targets. Repeated price cuts are starting to weigh on buyer confidence, as consumers increasingly worry that waiting could unlock even better deals. Some dealers report selling vehicles at cost or at a loss to sustain volumes, while tighter auto-loan conditions and a softer economic backdrop are adding friction. Industry advisers have warned that excess supply is not aligning well with current market conditions, raising the risk that near-term gains could give way to a pause in purchases.

The pressure point sits squarely within Thailand's EV incentive framework, which offers subsidies of up to 150,000 baht per vehicle but requires manufacturers to meet strict local production commitments or repay the support. With roughly 30,000 vehicles needing to be produced domestically in the final two months of this year, authorities have already extended some deadlines amid concerns over oversupply, echoing patterns seen in China's own EV market. While recent discounts could ease once quotas are met, analysts note that stricter policies, rising production obligations and intensifying competition in the coming years may keep pricing under pressure, potentially reshaping the market for longer than many investors expect.
By Kane Wu

HONG KONG, Dec 15 (Reuters) - HashKey Holdings, Hong Kong's largest licensed crypto exchange, is set to raise about HK$1.6 billion ($206 million) after pricing its Hong Kong initial public offering at HK$6.68 a share, one source with direct knowledge said on Monday.

HashKey launched the IPO last week, offering 240.6 million shares at a price of HK$5.95 to HK$6.95 each.

More from Yahoo Scout How much will HashKey raise from its IPO? What services does HashKey Holdings currently offer? Who are the cornerstone investors in HashKey's IPO? How does Hong Kong's crypto stance differ from mainland China's?

The company did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Bloomberg first reported about HashKey's IPO pricing on Monday.

HashKey, founded in 2018, offers a wide range of services including asset management, brokerage and tokenisation, and runs the city's largest licensed crypto exchange.

It is scheduled to start trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 17.

UBS, Fidelity and Chinese investment firm CDH are among cornerstone investors in the IPO, HashKey's offering prospectus shows.

The IPO comes as some of the world's major cryptocurrencies have been on a roller-coaster ride in recent months after repeatedly hitting record highs earlier this year.

Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, plunged as much as 36% in around a month's time after reaching an all-time peak above $126,000 in early October. Authorities in Beijing, which banned cryptocurrency trading in 2021, have recently renewed their warnings about virtual currencies.

The People's Bank of China last month reaffirmed its tough stance, cautioning against a resurgence of speculation and vowing to crack down on illegal activities involving virtual currencies. However Hong Kong, which operates under a freer economic system than mainland China, has embraced digital assets as it seeks to strengthen its reputation as a leading financial hub.

(Reporting by Kane Wu; Additional reporting by Jiaxing Li; Editing by Louise Heavens)
D-Wave Quantum is a technology company specializing in quantum computing hardware, software, and cloud-based services. The firm leverages its proprietary quantum systems and developer ecosystem to address complex computational challenges for enterprise clients. With a focus on commercial applications, D-Wave Quantum positions itself as a leader in delivering practical quantum solutions across multiple industries.

What is the prevailing market context for this transaction? As of Dec. 15, 2025, D-Wave Quantum's one-year total return was 373%, indicating substantial recent price appreciation and a markedly elevated valuation for the underlying equity.

How significant is this transaction relative to Markovich's prior activity? The sale of 200,000 shares is the largest single administrative (option exercise and immediate sale) disposition reported by John M. Markovich, exceeding the historical median sell-only transaction of 7,994 shares.

What was the structure and intent of this transaction? The filing reflects an exercise of 200,000 stock options, with all resulting shares immediately sold in the open market. This is a derivative-based event.

John M. Markovich, Chief Financial Officer of D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS), exercised 200,000 stock options and immediately sold the resulting common shares for a transaction value of $4,588,000 according to the SEC Form 4 filing .

Story Continues

Foolish take

Quantum computing may be in its early stages, but investors are already picking winners and losers. One name investors have backed is D-Wave Quantum. One thing enticing to investors is D-Wave's Advantage2 quantum annealing system. It's an industry leader with over 4,400 qubits. Qubits, or quantum bits, make it possible to explore multiple problems at once.

That helped lead to parabolic stock returns. Even after a nearly 50% drop off its October high, returns have been strong this year. That's not specifically what prompted the chief financial officer to sell, however.

This transaction represented an options exercise from a trading plan adopted by the CFO in August, prior to a sharp share price spike to its record high.

Mr. Markovich also retains more than 900,000 direct shares in addition to 545,315 shares of unvested restricted stock units.

Investors interested in the quantum computing space should monitor developments in the technology. This insider sale isn't a sign of any lower conviction on the company itself.

D-Wave has revenue coming in and a strong balance sheet with $800 million in net cash. That puts the company in a strong position as quantum computing gains use cases. Risks, including competition, remain, however, as the technology remains in its early stages.

Glossary

Stock options: Contracts giving the right to buy company shares at a set price within a specific period.

Option exercise: The act of using stock options to purchase shares at the predetermined price.

Open market sale: Selling securities directly on a public exchange, available to any investor.

Derivative-based event: A transaction involving financial instruments whose value depends on an underlying asset, such as options.

Direct ownership: Shares held and controlled directly by an individual, not through intermediaries or funds.

Insider: A company executive, director, or major shareholder with access to non-public information.

Form 4: A required SEC filing disclosing insider trades of company securities.

Weighted average purchase price: The average price paid per share, adjusted for the number of shares bought at each price.

Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

Quantum computing: Advanced computing using quantum-mechanical phenomena to process information far beyond classical computers.

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D-Wave Quantum CFO Sells 200,000 Shares for $4.6 Million. Is the Quantum Computing Trade Dead? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Key Points

Many investors made predictions about Bitcoin's price this year.

Those predictions were, almost without exception, much too high.

That doesn't mean it's a bad asset to buy and hold forever.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Reality was a lot less dramatic than what many high-profile Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) investors hoped for this year. Its price spiked to a record high of more than $126,000 in early October, but then slumped back toward the low $90,000s after the Oct. 10 flash crash, giving back all of its gains for the year. That left many investors' price targets looking absurdly high in retrospect.

But what were people actually predicting, why did those numbers seem plausible at the time, and what should you take away from the gap between narrative and outcome here? Let's dig in and hash it out.

Image source: Getty Images.

How the forecasts stacked up

Let's take a quick look at Bitcoin price predictions from some of the top investors, asset managers, and crypto industry figures, as shown in the table below.

Forecaster Timeframe and price target for Bitcoin JPMorgan ~$165,000 by the end of 2025 VanEck ~$180,000 during 2025 Standard Chartered ~$200,000 to $250,000 by year-end 2025 Robert Kiyosaki ~$250,000 by the end of 2026 Larry Fink ~$500,000 to $700,000 over a long period of time Chamath Palihapitiya ~$500,000 by October 2025 Michael Saylor ~$150,000 before 2026 Cathie Wood ~$300,000 to ~$1.5 million by 2030

There are two things to notice right away.

First, not all of these were literal end-of-2025 calls, which matters because it means that some of the predictions could still be proven true in due time. Some are talking about late-decade regimes where Bitcoin prices soar to be more than $1 million, whereas BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink is describing a hypothetical world where sovereign wealth funds actually shift between 2% and 5% of their vast holdings into Bitcoin.

Second, the drivers behind the forecasts were broadly the same. Many cited the 2024 halving as a catalyst for slower supply growth, which would in turn support higher prices. Likewise, some argued that inflows into U.S. Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) would send the coin much higher, and the same goes for inflows into corporate balance sheets and potentially sovereign wealth funds. Another common theme was the existence of an unstable macroeconomic environment where investors would want non-fiat currency-denominated assets outside any single government's control.

Using that logic, the more ambitious forecasts weren't completely ridiculous. They probably were just too aggressive on the timing. For the record, my price target for Bitcoin this year was about $175,000.
Venture capitalist and "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary has taken a hard stance against policies that restrict foreign students, calling them one of the "worst ideas" for the U.S. economy.

O'Leary said that the true return on investment of U.S. universities is in the global talent network they foster, recently posting on X that students in his Harvard classes will forget everything he tells them.

"What you're not going to forget are the people sitting beside you  they're becoming your network for the rest of your life," he said.

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Drawing the world's best and brightest students to the U.S. is a powerful economic engine, he said. They become indoctrinated into American society, stay in the country, build companies and hire people.

"If we don't take them, the Chinese are going to take them," he said. "I am vehemently against this idea that we're not going to give visas to some genius in wherever to come over here to MIT or Harvard."

But many of O'Leary's followers were skeptical about his logic, saying in the post's comments U.S. should build its own talent pool before extending opportunities to foreign students.

"It's a balance between diversity and vetting foreign students who are stealing intellectual property at the direction of their government," one person posted. "Let's focus on lowering the high cost of college tuition so more Americans can afford to attend."

Trending: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed MarketplaceNow You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform

Another person posted that if the value is in the network, the U.S. shouldn't be giving people born abroad lifelong wealth.

"In many cases [we are] awarding those who are less qualified because they checked a box," he wrote. "Kevin overlooks the fact that our MOST qualified would've outperformed as well."

O'Leary's comments come amid a national debate over immigration and talent retention, particularly in light of some of President Donald Trump's proposals.

The Trump administration proposed a policy that would effectively block foreign students from obtaining green cards or citizenship after graduating from American colleges.

Critics like O'Leary say that historically, immigrants have been disproportionately responsible for founding high-growth, high-value companies in the U.S. Restricting their ability to stay, work and found businesses essentially exports American-educated innovators to competing nations.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

A deluge of Donald Trump-related investments made in the aftermath of his victory last November have now ended in disaster more than a year later.

Sometimes irrational exuberance meets the brick wall of logic, Art Hogan, chief market strategist at investment management platform B. Riley Wealth, told CNN in summing up the downward trend.

According to the networks analysis, perhaps the most devastating market turn has been in the value of the presidents very own meme coin, $TRUMP.

Trump's eponymous meme coin has declined by approximately 88 percent of its value since its launch in January. / Jonathan Raa/Getty Images

The value of the digital asset, launched shortly before the MAGA leader assumed the presidency for the second time in January, initially rocketed up to $9 billion before steadily declining to $1.1 billion, representing a loss of 88 percent.

Investors in First Lady Melania Trumps coin, MELANIA, will have suffered worse, with the crypto having faceplanted so spectacularly that the coin is now worth just 11 cents. Valued at just under $100 million, its down almost 99 percent on its value of $1.6 billion in February.

Even the president's immigration crackdown has failed to yield the kind of gains ruthless investors might have expected to see in private prison stocks. / Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns the presidents favored social media platform, Truth Social, has also apparently lost much of its appeal for traders.

They reportedly flocked to the firm, which has never turned a profit, in the weeks leading up to last years election, more than tripling its value to $11 billion.

But today, its worth less than $8 billion, representing an 80 percent decline.

Even among investments only tangentially related to Trump and his associates, the markets have reportedly not fared much better.

Investors were apparently hungry for shares in private prison companies in anticipation that the presidents promised anti-immigration crusade would bring a boom in their value.

Stocks in detention facility giant GEO Group, for instance, rocketed up by more than 175 percent in the days before Trump was sworn in. Since that time, however, theyve lost more than half of that value.

Ive given up on private prisons, Matthew Tuttle, chief investment officer at wealth management group Tuttle Capital Management, told CNN. A lot of people, myself included, thought ICE would round up people and they would sit in private prisons.

I was not expecting sending people to El Salvador and other places, he added.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based EQT Corporation (EQT) explores and produces natural gas, with a primary focus on the Appalachian Basin in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Valued at $34.7 billion by market cap, EQT sells natural gas and natural gas liquids to marketers, utilities, and industrial customers through its pipelines.

Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks." EQT fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the energy sector. Alongside, the company also provides marketing services and contractual pipeline capacity management services.

More News from Barchart

EQT touched its all-time high of $62.23 on Dec. 5 and is currently trading 10.7% below that peak. Meanwhile, EQT stock prices have gained 9.1% over the past three months, notably outperforming the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 3.7% uptick during the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

EQTs performance has remained impressive over the longer term as well. EQT stock prices have soared 20.5% on a YTD basis and 21.2% over the past 52 weeks, outpacing SPXs 16.1% gains in 2025 and 12.8% returns over the past year.

EQT stock has traded mostly above its 200-day moving average over the past year and mostly above its 50-day moving average since late September, with some fluctuations, underscoring its bullish trend.

www.barchart.com

Despite delivering better-than-expected results, EQT stock prices dropped nearly 4% in the trading session following the release of Q3 results on Oct. 21. During the quarter, the companys sales volumes increased 9.1% year-over-year to 634.4 Bcfe, coming in at the high end of managements guidance. Further, its average sales prices soared 39.7% year-over-year to $2.64 per Mcfe. Overall, the companys topline soared 52.3% year-over-year to $1.96 billion, beating the consensus estimates by a notable margin. Meanwhile, its adjusted EPS skyrocketed 225% year-over-year to $0.52, surpassing the Streets expectations by 10.6%. Following the initial dip, EQT stock prices remained in the green for three subsequent trading sessions.

Moreover, EQT has notably outperformed its peer, EOG Resources, Inc.s (EOG) 11.9% decline on a YTD basis and 14.7% plunge over the past 52 weeks.
As the European market navigates a mixed landscape with slight declines in the STOXX Europe 600 Index and varying performances among major national indices, investors are closely monitoring economic indicators and central bank policies for signs of future growth. In this context, companies with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they often signal strong internal confidence in the business's long-term prospects.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Europe

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Warimpex Finanz- und Beteiligungs (WBAG:WXF) 25.9% 100.6% S.M.A.I.O (ENXTPA:ALSMA) 16.1% 72.8% MilDef Group (OM:MILDEF) 13.7% 83% Magnora (OB:MGN) 10.4% 75.1% KebNi (OM:KEBNI B) 36.3% 61.2% DNO (OB:DNO) 13.5% 97.5% CTT Systems (OM:CTT) 17.5% 52% Circus (XTRA:CA1) 24.1% 66.1% CD Projekt (WSE:CDR) 29.7% 51.8% Bonesupport Holding (OM:BONEX) 10.4% 49.6%

Click here to see the full list of 210 stocks from our Fast Growing European Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Straumann Holding AG is a global provider of tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions, with a market cap of CHF15.19 billion.

Operations: Straumann Holding's revenue is derived from its operations in various regions, including CHF1.38 billion from Operations, CHF0.66 billion from Sales Asia Pacific (APAC), CHF0.78 billion from Sales North America (NAM), CHF0.29 billion from Sales Latin America (LATAM), and CHF1.14 billion from Sales Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Insider Ownership: 32.3%

Straumann Holding demonstrates potential as a growth company with high insider ownership, despite moderate revenue growth forecasts of 8.3% annually. Its earnings are expected to outpace the Swiss market at 14.3% per year, supported by strategic partnerships like the one with Smartee Denti-Technology to enhance its clear aligner business. Trading significantly below estimated fair value and leveraging global partnerships could bolster Straumann's profitability and innovation in orthodontics, positioning it well for future expansion.

SWX:STMN Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Dec 2025

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: CD Projekt S.A., along with its subsidiaries, focuses on developing, publishing, and digitally distributing video games for personal computers and consoles in Poland, with a market cap of PLN24.75 billion.
Cairo Communication S.p.A. presents a mixed picture as an investment in the European penny stock landscape. The company has demonstrated stability with its short-term assets exceeding liabilities and a seasoned board boasting an average tenure of 21.3 years. Despite a modest earnings growth of 1.1% over the past year, which surpasses industry averages, it falls short of its five-year trend of 8.5%. Trading at a significant discount to estimated fair value and maintaining high-quality earnings, Cairo's financial health is bolstered by cash exceeding debt and strong interest coverage ratios; however, long-term liabilities remain uncovered by current assets. Recent earnings showed slight declines in sales and net income compared to the previous year but remain relatively stable overall.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from RCS (850.6 million), Licensee (350.4 million), Editoria periodici Cairo Editore (77.7 million), and La7 Television Publishing and Network Operator (124.1 million).

Overview: Cairo Communication S.p.A. is a communication company operating in Italy and Spain with a market cap of 325.63 million.

We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool.

As the European market navigates a period of mixed performance, with indices like Germany's DAX showing gains while others such as France's CAC 40 experience declines, investors are keenly observing economic signals for future trends. In this climate, penny stocksoften representing smaller or newer companiescontinue to capture attention due to their potential for unexpected returns. Despite being an outdated term, these stocks remain relevant and can offer valuable opportunities when they possess strong financial foundations and growth potential.

Story Continues

BIT:CAI Debt to Equity History and Analysis as at Dec 2025

Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: 

Overview: Aramis Group SAS operates in the online sale of used vehicles across France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, and Spain with a market cap of 360.59 million.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from four segments: Refurbished Cars (1.56 billion), Pre-Registered Cars (554 million), B2B (145.1 million), and Services (123.7 million).

Market Cap: 360.59M

Aramis Group SAS, operating in the used vehicle market across Europe, offers a compelling profile within the penny stock sphere due to its robust financials and strategic initiatives. The company trades at nearly 60% below its estimated fair value, with strong cash flow covering debt and short-term assets exceeding both long-term and short-term liabilities. Aramis has shown impressive earnings growth of 296.3% over the past year, surpassing industry averages. Recent announcements include a share buyback program aimed at rewarding key managers and employees, reflecting confidence in future performance despite a modest net profit margin of 0.8%.

ENXTPA:ARAMI Financial Position Analysis as at Dec 2025

Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: 

Overview: Kongsberg Automotive ASA develops, manufactures, and sells products to the automotive industry worldwide, with a market cap of NOK2.21 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue through its Flow Control Systems segment, which accounts for 306.5 million, and its Drive Control Systems segment, contributing 324.6 million.

Market Cap: NOK2.21B

Kongsberg Automotive ASA, with a market cap of NOK2.21 billion, presents an intriguing case in the penny stock landscape. Despite being unprofitable, it maintains a satisfactory net debt to equity ratio of 34.1% and has not diluted shareholders recently. The companys short-term assets (329.3M) comfortably exceed both its short-term (175.1M) and long-term liabilities (221.3M), indicating solid financial footing despite negative return on equity (-14.62%). While the board and management team are relatively new, Kongsberg's positive free cash flow provides a cash runway exceeding three years, suggesting financial resilience amidst ongoing restructuring efforts.

OB:KOA Financial Position Analysis as at Dec 2025

Turning Ideas Into Actions

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include BIT:CAI ENXTPA:ARAMI and OB:KOA.

This article was originally published by Simply Wall St.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
The investigation also presented a disconcerting trend: homeowners who try and drop their cases are unable to do so. The rules of the DOAH are such that a case cannot be dropped unless both parties agree. According to ProPublica, Citizens routinely pursues fees and costs against individuals who do not withdraw their claim early in the DOAH process. An attorney interviewed in the report characterizes the actions as vindictive.

The ProPublica report found in the more than 1,500 disputes that Citizens has taken to mandatory arbitration, it won more than 90% of the final hearings. By comparison, the insurer won 55% of the time when cases went to circuit court trials, over the past five years.

The neutral arbitrators, the judges in DOAH, are basically hand-picked by Citizens. A lot of them are former defense lawyers that represented insurance companies, Lopez said.

According to the WFTS, Miami-based attorney Anthony Lopez, who represents Luby in the mediation, questioned the neutrality of the DOAH judges.

According to a recent ProPublica investigation, lawmakers and Citizens said this change, passed in 2023, would speed up hearings and save money (2). The report notes that some DOAH judges have denied motions requesting that they disclose any potential conflicts they might have as arbitrators.

Critics are sounding the alarm on the new mediation process, which sees lawsuits against the insurer routed to arbitration through the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), as opposed to being heard in Floridas circuit courts.

They dont want to take it, because you cant win, Luby said. There's nothing I can do.

But under Floridas insurance reform laws, Luby cant take the insurance company to court. Because his claim has been denied twice by the company, Luby says, he is now being forced into mediation. He also said that he had taken his case to three different attorneys, and they all turned his case down

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Tom Luby told WFTS Tampa Bay 28 that Citizens Insurance twice denied his nearly $100,000 vandalism claim on a rental property he owns. According to WFTS, the insurer said the extensive damage was an incomplete remodel of the home by the tenant, and not vandalism (1).

A resident of Spring Hill, Florida, is grappling with a state-backed insurer after his insurance claim for nearly six figures was denied.

Story Continues

In an interview with WFTS, Citizens CEO Tim Cerio defended the mediation process, noting that there is a 6-step review of the claim before a policyholder is forced into a DOAH hearing and, he says, of all disputed claims sent to DOAH, 37% are settled before the final hearing.

"We've tried very hard to get it right, and if we think we've made a mistake, to go back and fix it. If we think we need to take the second look, we'll take a second look, a third look, Cerio said. By the time that final hearing comes, we are pretty certain about the outcome.

After the interview with Cerio, Citizens said they will review Luby's case again, WFTS reported.

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

What to do if your claim is denied

If you are concerned about what your home insurance covers, and whether a claim you make would be denied, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

The first step you can take is reviewing your policy. Be sure that you understand what exactly is covered by your home insurance, and what is not.

Things that are often not covered include flooding, earthquakes or landslides, insect or rodent damage, damage from war or civil unrest, normal wear and tear and results of neglect, such as mold, rust or a leak you neglected to fix. If you are concerned about flooding or natural disasters, you may consider investigating whether you can purchase a separate insurance policy that covers these events.

In some states where wildfire risk is high, homeowners have increasingly struggled to find insurance companies that will cover their homes, as was widely reported amid the January wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles.

If you need to make an insurance claim, and you have checked that it is covered by your policy, make sure that you also file the claim by the deadline stipulated in your policy; extensively document the issues with photos, video, any receipts youve collected and any other evidence; and wait to undertake major repairs until an insurance adjuster has assessed the damage.

If your claim has been rejected, you will need to contact your insurer and request that they reevaluate your claim. Be sure to document all communication with your insurer. You may need to take the step of filing an appeal; the process of how to file an appeal should be detailed in your policy.

You can also reach out to your states insurance department, which may, depending on your state, help mediate your dispute, but also can help explain your rights.

There is also the option of hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster works for you, the policyholder, as opposed to the adjuster that works for your insurer. Public adjusters charge a fee, which can be up to 15% of your settlement.

When hiring a public adjuster, check if they are required to be licensed in your state, check if your state insurance department has resources for finding a public adjuster, or search the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Be sure to check their references, and avoid anyone who tries to pressure you.

Check whether your state sets the percentage that a public adjuster is allowed to charge you. If you experience a natural disaster, be wary, warns the Insurance Information Institute (3), of public adjusters who go door to door afterward offering their services.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

WFTS Tampa Bay 28 (1); ProPublica (2); Insurance Information Institute (3)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Ford's manufacturing complex is located along Interstate 65 at Glendale in Hardin County. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Ford Motor Co. will lay off about 1,500 workers in Kentucky as it converts a ballyhooed plant in Hardin County from making batteries for electric vehicles to making batteries for a new energy storage business.

Ford on Monday also announced that it is taking a $19.5 billion writedown and canceling several electric vehicle models in the face of Trump administration policies and lackluster demand for electric vehicles.

In a press release, the company said the conversion of the Glendale plant, which began operations in August, would serve the rapidly growing battery energy storage systems market by leveraging currently underutilized electric vehicle battery capacity to create a new, diversified and profitable revenue stream for Ford. The company said it would invest $2 billion over two years to scale the energy storage business and deploy at least 20 gigawatt-hours annually of energy storage batteries by late 2027.

Ford plans to produce LFP prismatic cells, battery energy storage system modules and 20-foot DC container systems at this facility. These systems are at the heart of the energy storage solution market for data centers, utilities, and large-scale industrial and commercial customers, the company wrote in its press release.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that Ford executive Andrew Frick said the BlueOval SK battery plant is expected to lay off all of its approximately 1,500 employees in the near future, though the final date of employment has not been announced. The newspaper reported the retooled plant would employ 2,100 workers with some currently employed workers anticipated to reapply.

Workers at the battery plant had sought to unionize with the United Auto Workers, with the results of an union election held in August still being contested before the National Labor Relations Council.

Ford said production of a previously announced electric truck and universal electric vehicle platform to be built in Louisville continues to progress with production set to start in 2027.

The battery plant located on Interstate 65 in Glendale, was previously a joint venture between Ford and South Korea-based SK On. The companies announced last week they were ending the partnership.

Originally planned to be two plants with billions of dollars of cumulative investment, the companies announced in 2023 that the second plant would be indefinitely idled due in part to softening electric vehicle demand.
Volker Treier, foreign trade expert of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), attends an event in Berlin. Soeren Stache/dpa

Germany's government should firmly support the conclusion of the EUMercosur trade agreement, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) said on Monday.

"The EU must not miss the opportunity to forge closer ties with its important trading and raw materials partners in South America and to dismantle existing trade barriers," DIHK head of foreign trade Volker Treier said in a statement.

The deal is intended to boost trade between the EU and the four Mercosur countries  Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. According to the European Commission, the free trade zone, with more than 700 million people, would be the largest of its kind in the world.

A decision to approve the signing of the agreement had been expected ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. However, it remains unclear whether the necessary majority can be secured. The plan had been to sign the deal this coming weekend on the sidelines of a Mercosur summit in Brazil.

DIHK's appeal came after the French government on Sunday once again called for revisions to the deal and a delay to its approval.

Treier said the German government should must respond by "clearly and decisively" pushing for ratification. The agreement would offer significant economic potential through tariff reductions and market openings, he said.

"After more than 25 years of negotiations, companies in Germany expect the European Council and the European Parliament to finally conclude the agreement with the Mercosur partner countries," Treier added.
Gold (GC=F) trimmed gains on Monday but was still within striking distance of a new record as pending labor data this week could push prices in either direction.

Gold futures hovered around $4,300, less than $100 off its October high. Meanwhile, silver (SI=F) also inched closer to its record north of $64 hit last week, capping a stunning rally for precious metals.

Gold and silver have risen steadily after the Federal Reserve implemented its third cut of the year last week, signaling next year will likely include looser monetary policy.

President Trump has also expressed his preference for a new Fed Chair to take over Powell's position when his term ends in May. The shortlist includes White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh.

The expectation of lower rates has put pressure on the US dollar index (DX-Y.NYB), lifting commodity prices invoiced in greenback currency.

Read more about today's market action

Analysts expect gold's next move could come on the heels of the US nonfarm payrolls data for October and November, due on Tuesday.

"If the data point to a meaningful slowdown, I believe this would reinforce bets on rate cuts and push gold to test higher levels," XS.com senior market analyst Rania Gule said.

"Conversely, stronger-than-expected data could trigger a limited correction, though it would not, in my view, alter the underlying bullish trend," Gule added.

The strategist noted gold's rise this year has placed it at "the forefront of the financial landscape as a strategic hedging tool rather than merely a speculative asset."

UBS strategists on Monday said they "expect gold prices to be supported by lower real yields and continued US dollar weakness as the Fed's easing cycle likely continues into early 2026."

The firm expects gold will reach $4,500 per ounce by June 2026.

Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs analysts reiterated a "structurally bullish" outlook for the precious metal as central bank demand remains robust. Their target, however, does not take into account whether more US investors decide to own it as a way to diversify their portfolios.

"As several investors have recently called for positive gold allocations, we see significant upside to our end-2026 $4,900 gold price forecast in a scenario where there's additional investor diversification because current gold positioning remains low," the analysts noted.

Gold and silver bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, on Jan. 10, 2025. (Reuters/Angelika Warmuth)  Reuters / Reuters

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.
Investing.com -- Goldman Sachs has downgraded both Texas Instruments and Arm Holdings to Sell in a note on Monday, arguing that neither stock is well-positioned to capture the next phase of the semiconductor upcycle, despite a broadly constructive backdrop for AI-related spending into 2026.

In its sector outlook, Goldman Sachs said it sees AI spending among hyperscalers continuing to move higher, supporting Digital, Memory, Storage and semiconductor production equipment names in 2026.

Analyst James Schneider also expects a gradual industrial & automotive recovery lifting analog chips, but warned that the upcycle will be uneven, driving more discrimination in Semiconductor stocks, according to Goldman Sachs.

Texas Instruments was downgraded to Sell from Buy, with Goldman Sachs citing company-specific execution risks.

While Schneider anticipates a constructive backdrop for a broader analog recovery in 2026, he said Texas Instruments strategic capacity and capital choices this cycle will serve as an idiosyncratic drag that will weigh on the companys margin and earnings recovery relative to peers.

The analyst added that inventory is at record levels, leading to muted margin and earnings expansion into the upturn.

He also warned that missing free cash flow targets will likely weigh on the shares in the medium term.

Arm was also downgraded to Sell, but from Neutral, with Goldman Sachs pointing to limited upside to fundamentals.

The firm highlighted Arms high Royalty revenue exposure to the smartphone market (~60%) and stated that locked-in royalty rates and low unit growth limit upside to fundamentals in the near term.

Goldman also expects higher R&D spending to pursue AI custom chips, resulting in less financial leverage over the next several years.

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Key Points

FMC's stock has badly underperformed the S&P 500.

The board of directors recently slashed the quarterly dividend.

10 stocks we like better than FMC 

Some people like to talk about how their investments have performed. While it's natural to selectively mention those that have done well, investors should periodically review their stocks as part of their investment process. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether to buy, hold, or sell shares.

FMC (NYSE: FMC) certainly had an eventful year. How would shareholders have done if they'd bought $3,000 worth of shares a year ago?

Image source: Getty Images.

Calculating the investment total

The last year hasn't been kind to FMC's shareholders. The share price lost 75.8% in the year up to Dec. 11. By comparison, the S&P 500 index gained 13.4%.

FMC had a total return of negative 74.4%, which includes the price change plus dividend payments. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 returned 14.9%.

Notably, shareholders can't expect the same level of dividend payments. The board of directors recently slashed the quarterly dividend by more than 86% to $0.08 per share.

Your $3,000 investment is only worth $768 today. Had you invested in the S&P 500 index, you'd have $3,447.

Value stock or value trap?

It's typically not a good sign when companies cut dividends, which explains the reluctance of many to do so.

FMC hasn't been performing well. Adjusted third-quarter revenue dropped 11%. Management also lowered its full-year revenue outlook. It's now calling for a 7% decline.

It's difficult to measure the company's earnings, given the various charges. Therefore, the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio seems like the better valuation metric. On that basis, FMC's P/S multiple has dropped from 1.6 to 0.5 over the last year.

However, this looks like a value trap. Given the company's top-line challenges and cash flow constraints, as evidenced by the need to cut dividends, I'd pass on the shares.

Should you invest $1,000 in FMC right now?

Before you buy stock in FMC, 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 FMC 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!*
Hain Celestial has named Alison Lewis as the US food groups permanent president and CEO, seven months after she stepped in on an interim basis.

Lewis, a former Kimberly-Clark and Coca-Cola executive who has been on Hains board since September last year, took up the roles in May as a temporary assignment to replace Wendy Davidson.

She had already sought to make her mark on the better-for-you food and drink business when she announced in November plans to cut around 30% of the companys SKUs in North America, Hains largest market.

We remain committed to building a winning, simpler portfolio by exiting unprofitable or low-margin tail SKUs, refocusing resources on brands and categories with the highest growth and margin potential, Lewis said at the time.

Commenting on her appointment today (15 December), Lewis said: I am honoured to lead Hain Celestial and look forward to delivering our strategy to reposition the company for a stronger future.

Over the last several months, the company has been intensely focused on our initiatives to stabilise sales, improve profitability, optimise cash, and deleverage our balance sheet.

Lewis will continue to serve on the board. Her career history also includes an executive at Johnson & Johnson and Kraft Foods.

Hain had employed the services of Goldman Sachs to assist with the portfolio review for a company that operates across snacks, meal preparation, baby foods, beverages and personal-care products.

Specific brands or categories that might be up for disposal were not named or identified in November when the portfolio trimming was quantified.

Looking ahead, we are targeting the elimination of approximately 30% of our SKUs in North America through fiscal 2027, representing low value in our portfolio and enabling us to improve supply chain efficiency and shelf productivity, Lewis said last month.

We have implemented a disciplined portfolio management review process designed to continuously assess, add, or retire SKUs, maintaining an optimised winning portfolio, and eliminating reliance on large episodic rationalisation efforts.

Board chair Dawn Zier said today: The board has had the opportunity over the past few months to observe Alison in action. We are pleased with the bold moves she has already taken to reduce costs, the turnaround agenda she has put in place designed to drive margins and growth, and her focus on progressing the strategic review with Goldman Sachs."

Davidson departed the company in May after only joining the group in 2023. During her tenure, she disposed of the snacks brands ParmCrisps and Thinsters but had ruled out the divestment of personal care.
Finnish food company Apetit has issued a profit warning for its fiscal 2025, citing delays in harvest production".

Excluding the impact of its acquisition of Foodhills, completed in November, the group is forecasting an operating result of 5.6-6.6m ($6.7-$7.8m) for 2025, compared with 9.3m in 2024.

The company said it had previously guided that its operating result, without the acquisition effect, would slightly decrease from the prior year.

In a statement on Friday (12 December), Apetit said "timing of harvest production and its completion affects the inventory valuation in its fiscal year.

It added that harvest delays linked to production-related reasons and smaller production volumes than anticipated for the year together will decrease the operating results of its Food Solutions business, which makes frozen vegetables and ready meals.

While Apetit said it did not anticipate the delay will have a significant impact on the underlying Food Solutions unit, the timing effect will still depress the divisions operating profit.

When the acquisition of Foodhills was disclosed two months ago, Apetit said it was acquiring all of the Swedish pea supplier's share capital for Skr100 (then $10.56).

As part of the transaction, it repaid Skr20-30m of loans previously granted by the former owner, resulting in a final purchase price of Skr60m.

Foodhills operates one production plant located in Bjuv, Sweden, and supplies customers in foodservice primarily for the Swedish market. The group posted net sales of Skr167.8m in 2024 but made an operating loss of Skr54.7m.

Apetit said on Friday it expected the contribution from Foodhills operating performance in December on its Food Solutions segment to be negative.

The Finnish company also flagged a significant non-cash accounting impact arising from the bargain purchase of Foodhills.

Apetit estimates that this positive impact on its operating result will amount to 8-10.5m and will be recognised in its annual figures for 2025.

"Harvest delay to hit Apetit profits" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




When it comes to investing, there are some useful financial metrics that can warn us when a business is potentially in trouble. A business that's potentially in decline often shows two trends, a return on capital employed (ROCE) that's declining, and a base of capital employed that's also declining. Trends like this ultimately mean the business is reducing its investments and also earning less on what it has invested. In light of that, from a first glance at Hays (LON:HAS), we've spotted some signs that it could be struggling, so let's investigate.

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Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Hays, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.063 = UK45m  (UK1.8b - UK1.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025).

So, Hays has an ROCE of 6.3%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Professional Services industry average of 15%.

Check out our latest analysis for Hays

LSE:HAS Return on Capital Employed December 15th 2025

In the above chart we have measured Hays' prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for Hays .

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

The trend of ROCE at Hays is showing some signs of weakness. The company used to generate 13% on its capital five years ago but it has since fallen noticeably. In addition to that, Hays is now employing 32% less capital than it was five years ago. When you see both ROCE and capital employed diminishing, it can often be a sign of a mature and shrinking business that might be in structural decline. If these underlying trends continue, we wouldn't be too optimistic going forward.

On a side note, Hays' current liabilities have increased over the last five years to 59% of total assets, effectively distorting the ROCE to some degree. Without this increase, it's likely that ROCE would be even lower than 6.3%. What this means is that in reality, a rather large portion of the business is being funded by the likes of the company's suppliers or short-term creditors, which can bring some risks of its own.
Key Points

Coca-Cola has increased its dividend payout in a jaw-dropping 63 straight years.

This is a high-quality business, but its shares arent going to beat the market over the long term.

10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola 

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is a household name, with strong brand recognition that helps it remain relevant over time. The business has a presence all over the world, offers over 200 different drinks, and sees 2.2 billion servings of its products consumed every single day. This indicates tremendous market power.

The company's success has resulted in sizable profits that management prioritizes paying out to shareholders. Income investors might be wondering how many shares of Coca-Cola they'd need to earn $10,000 in yearly dividends.

Image source: Getty Images.

Coca-Cola has a stellar dividend streak

Coca-Cola's Board of Directors approved an increase to the dividend earlier this year in February, with the business now paying $0.51 per share each quarter. This makes 63 straight years that Coca-Cola has raised its payout, an unbelievable streak.

Investors who want to generate $10,000 in passive income from this beverage stock must own about 4,902 shares if Coca-Cola keeps its dividend at current levels. With a stock price of $70.50 (as of Dec. 12), this amounts to nearly $346,000 worth of shares.

Coca-Cola is a safe stock to own

Coca-Cola's powerful brand supports its wide economic moat. The company experiences stable demand regardless of economic conditions. And it's highly profitable, with a third-quarter operating margin of 32%.

The stock trades at a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio of 23, too. But Coca-Cola isn't going to outperform the broader market over the long term, as the last 10 years suggest.

Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?

Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, 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 Coca-Cola 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 193% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is one of the 14 Most Promising Fintech Stocks to Invest In. On December 7, HSBC upgraded its rating on Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) from Hold to Buy and raised its price target from $335 to $389. The firm said that the stocks underperformance has created an attractive entry point.

HSBC analysts noted that Visa Inc.s (NYSE:V) strong financial performance and good valuation support the firms positive stance on the company. The research firm expects Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) to see about 10% annual growth in net revenue and low double-digit growth in earnings per share through 2027. HSBC prefers Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) because it has a lower valuation multiple compared to peers and the companys services and commercial payments units offer meaningful long-term upside.

HSBC and JPMorgan Positive on Visa (V)

Previously, on December 4, TipRanks reported that JPMorgan expects payments and fintech stocks to see a reset in 2026 after a tough 2025. JPMorgan analysts mentioned in a note to clients that they are happy to flush 2025 and noted that slower growth and concerns about fintech returns on investment weighed heavily on share prices this year.

Despite this, the research firm is optimistic about 2026 and pointed out that Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is its top overall pick in the fintech industry for the coming year. JPMorgan highlighted that the company checks all the boxes for a strong setup heading into 2026.

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is an American multinational digital payments company that provides a wide range of payment products and payment processing to facilitate electronic payments in over 200 countries and territories.

While we acknowledge the potential of V as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 15 Best Technology Penny Stocks to Buy and 15 Best Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Quick Read

iShares Core MSCI Europe (IEUR) posted a 33.85% YTD return. This significantly outpaced the S&P 500s 18.7% return.

IEUR gained momentum starting in April as tariff concerns and dollar weakness drove institutional investors toward European markets.

The ETF holds 992 stocks with ASML as its largest holding at 2.87%. Its expense ratio is 0.10%.

If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here

Despite increasing threats to the European Union from waves of illegal migrants, a large energy dependence on Russia, and in-fighting among its core members, the European markets have emerged surprisingly resilient in 2025. In fact, iShares Core MSCI Europe (NYSE: IEUR), an ETF that tracks the MSCI Europe Investable Market Index, is sporting a YTD return of 33.85%, dwarfing the 18.7% YTD return of Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: VOO), and 18.6% for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: SPY).

Theres a joke about European Heaven and Hell that goes like this: Do you know the definitions of European Heaven and Hell? Answer: the definition of European Heaven is when:

The French are the cooks.

The English are the police.

The Germans are the engineers.

The Italians are the lovers.

And the Swiss run everything.

The definition of European Hell is when:

The English are the cooks.

The Germans are the police.

The French are the engineers.

The Swiss are the lovers.

And the Italians run everything.

Of course, the underlying theme is that each European nation has developed a reputation for its cultural strengths and weaknesses. These cultural identities often do not play well with others whose own specialties may be in conflict with each other. As a result, the European Union has always been a tenuous assembly of disparate interests and agendas. Although classified as developed nations, the entirety of Europes countries have been eclipsed by China both economically and militarily, despite it ironically being classified as an "emerging nation.

iShares Core MSCI Europe

George Khelashvili / Shutterstock.com  George Khelashvili / Shutterstock.com

IEUR holds 992 stocks from 15 different European nations.

Europe is facing numerous challenges due to questionable policies that have put its citizens at considerable personal risk of harm and threaten to upend its constituent economies. Nevertheless, its market has demonstrated unexpected strength this year. As December nears the half-way mark, the relatively low profile iShares Core MSCI Europe (NYSE: IEUR) is an ETF that has started to garner attention since April, when it was trading at $53. Since then, it has climbed up over 33% and is reaching new highs at the time of this writing.
Intel just got some breathing room in Europe, and investors have a new reason to look more closely at who is in charge.

The EU's General Court upheld Brussels' antitrust ruling but lowered Intel's fine to 237 million euros, Reuters reported. Days later, CEO Lip-Bu Tan is getting a lot of criticism for making deals that could help his own business while he runs the chipmaker's AI reboot.

You don't want to preclude making good investments because your CEO is well connected, Wharton professor Daniel Taylor said. Still, those same ties raise red flags when the company is cutting checks to his portfolio companies, according to Reuters.

Intel strongly opposes the notion that Tan's network of investments is a bad thing, Reuters reported. In fact, a company spokesperson told the news service of Intel's "unwavering commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance, integrity, and accountability."

Intel also touted Tans extensive relationships across the global semiconductor ecosystem, describing them as invaluable as Intel positions itself to capitalize on a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

Now, shareholders want to know whether that network will be Intel's best advantage in AI or its worst danger, on top of the fact that Europe still remembers Intel's antitrust past.

Europe eased the pressure, but Intels next test may come from within.Photo by picture alliance on Getty Images  Photo by picture alliance on Getty Images

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tans AI deals blur the line between strategy and self-interest

Intel didn't employ Lip-Bu Tan to improve things quietly.

The board hired him in March because he is a longtime venture investor and operates at the core of Silicon Valley's semiconductor and AI ecosystem.

That network is already working. Intel has secured a $5 billion investment from Nvidia and a $2 billion commitment from SoftBank to help pay for its foundry and AI plans since Tan took over. The investment is critical funding for a business that lost $19 billion last year and is racing to remain competitive in the AI server boom.

More Tech Stocks:

However, a closer examination of the same network of connections is now underway.
Intel is advancing towards a potential acquisition of SambaNova Systems, an AI chip company, for approximately $1.6bn, including debt, according to a report by Bloomberg News.

The report cites individuals familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.

The parties could finalise the agreement in January 2026, although the terms may still be subject to change.

SambaNova has also engaged with other potential investors, having signed preliminary agreements with them.

This acquisition could significantly enhance Intels AI capabilities by incorporating SambaNovas specialised chip designs into its portfolio.

In 2021, SambaNova was valued at $5bn in a funding round led by SoftBank Group's Vision Fund 2.

The potential acquisition aligns with Intels strategy to strengthen its position in the AI sector, where customised chip solutions are increasingly important.

Founded in 2017 by Stanford University professors, SambaNova concentrates on developing advanced AI chips that compete with Nvidias offerings.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who serves as chairman of SambaNova, has been integral since its inception through his venture capital firm Walden International. Walden led a $56m Series A funding round for SambaNova in 2018.

Based in Palo Alto, California, the company has attracted investment from prominent entities including SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and BlackRock.

In November 2025, SambaNova partnered with OVHcloud to enhance ultra-low latency inference solutions aimed at rapid processing across sectors such as financial trading and cybersecurity. This collaboration seeks to address the growing demand for faster data processing capabilities that are crucial in high-stakes environments where every millisecond counts.

The partnership aims to unlock a wide range of use cases, potentially improving operational efficiency and reducing latency-induced errors in critical applications. By leveraging SambaNova's technology, OVHcloud expects to deliver more responsive and reliable AI-driven solutions to its clients across various industries.

Additionally, SambaNova secured an agreement in October 2025 with Infercom to deploy its SambaManaged platform for Europes first sovereign Inference-as-a-Service offering.

"Intel pursues SambaNova acquisition amid AI expansion plans" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




Dec 14 (Reuters) - iRobot (IRBT), the maker of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, filed for bankruptcy protection on Sunday, saying that it would go private after being bought by Picea Robotics, its primary manufacturer.

The company, which raised concerns about staying in business in March, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware bankruptcy court as it grapples with increased competition from lower-priced rivals and new U.S. tariffs.

iRobot generated about $682 million in total revenue in 2024, but its profits have been eroded by competition from Chinese rivals like Ecovacs Robotics. iRobot remains dominant in key markets like the U.S. and Japan, but competition forced it to lower its prices and make substantial investments in technological upgrades, according to bankruptcy court filings.

New U.S. tariffs have also harmed the company, especially a 46% levy on imports from Vietnam, where iRobot manufactures vacuum cleaners for the U.S. market. The tariffs raised the companys costs by $23 million in 2025, while making it more difficult to plan for the future, according to iRobot's court filings.

The company, which was the target of a thwarted $1.4 billion buyout by Amazon.com, has about $190 million in debt.

The debt stems from a 2023 loan that iRobot used to refinance its operations while a European competition investigation stalled the Amazon (AMZN) deal.

After the Amazon deal fell apart and iRobot fell behind on payments to Picea, the China-based manufacturer acquired iRobot's debt from a group of investment funds managed by the Carlyle Group, according to court documents.

The stock fell 68% during early trading on Monday.

Under iRobot's bankruptcy plan, Picea will take 100% of the company's equity and cancel the $190 million remaining on the 2023 loan, as well as an additional $74 million debt that iRobot owes to Picea under the companies' manufacturing agreement.

Other creditors and suppliers will be paid in full, according to iRobot's bankruptcy court filings.

iRobot said the bankruptcy is not expected to disrupt its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships or product support.

The loss-making company was valued at $3.56 billion in 2021, driven by pandemic-fueled demand, but it is now worth around $140 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

iRobot was founded in 1990 by three Massachusetts Institute of Technology roboticists. It initially focused on defense and space work before debuting the Roomba robotic vacuum in 2002.

The Roomba was an immediate success and it holds about 42% of the U.S. market share and 65% of the Japanese market share for robotic vacuum cleaners, according to the company.
By Yukiko Toyoda and Kentaro Okasaka

TOKYO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Japan needs to take a niche approach to chip manufacturing - rather than trying to compete on scale and price - as it aims to revive its once-mighty chip industry, the chairman of telecom heavyweight NTT told Reuters in an interview.

NTT is one of a number of major Japanese corporations invested in Rapidus, the government-backed chipmaker that plans to start mass production of advanced semiconductors in 2027. Set up in 2022, Rapidus is central to the government's $65 billion plan to boost the chip and artificial intelligence industries that was unveiled last year.

Japan's top three banks plan to lend around 2 trillion yen ($12.9 billion) to Rapidus, Reuters reported last week.

In the 1980s, Japan was one of the world's most dominant players in chips, a position it has since ceded to rivals in Taiwan and South Korea. Japan's industry lost its competitive edge by chasing low-cost, high-volume production, something it needs to avoid this time around, NTT's Jun Sawada said.

"In terms of economies of scale, we can't beat Taiwan's TSMC or South Korea's Samsung Electronics," Sawada said in an interview last week. "We should aim for high mix, low volume," he said, referring to a strategy that some chipmakers use to produce a wide variety of highly specialised chips at lower volumes, allowing them to charge more for niche products.

Japan's plan to revive its chip industry is in tandem with Washington's drive to ensure stability of the chip supply chain in response to China's rapid advances in technology.

NTT would like to see Rapidus adopt its IOWN technology, which uses light to transmit data, and is faster and consumes less power than standard technology, Sawada said.

Sawada, who chaired the Japan-U.S. Business Council until October, said U.S. President Donald Trump's policies also had positives for Japan. While there has been much hand-wringing in Japan about U.S. tariffs, Sawada pointed to Japan's pledge this year to invest $550 billion in the United States as an opportunity.

"You can view it positively. While tariffs are high, Japan is able to get into the market and take market share," he said.

($1 = 155.0700 yen)

(Reporting by Yukiko Toyoda and Kentaro Okasaka; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Meat giant JBS is closing a case-ready production plant in the US, impacting more than 300 jobs.

According to a WARN notice filed with Californias Employment Development Department, the Swift Beef Company facility in Riverside will shut down on 2 February. Some 374 jobs will be affected, the filing noted.

In a statement to Just Food, JBS USA, the US unit of the Brazilian meat giant, said the move is part of a strategy to optimise its value-added and case-ready business and simplify operations.

Production is being shifted to other, undisclosed JBS plants.

"Opportunities will be made available at other JBS facilities, including relocation support for those interested," the statement added.

Workers who cannot or do not wish to relocate will receive a 60-day notice period.

Last month, JBS rival Tyson Foods announced plans to close beef-processing plant in Nebraska, under a plan to right size the struggling segment of the US giants meat business.

After reporting a year of declining beef volumes earlier in November and pointing to an adjusted operating loss for the segment in fiscal 2026, the meatpacker said it will also convert its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, to a single, full-capacity shift.

JBS, meanwhile, has made efforts to expand its footprint elsewhere in the US this year.

In February, the company announced a $200m plan to boost beef capacity in Texas and Colorado.

In May, JBS said it would invest $135m in a new sausage factory in Perry, Iowa, creating 500 jobs.

A month later, the company acquired a former Hy-Vee facility in Ankeny, Iowa, and plans to spend $100m to buy and equip the site for bacon and sausage production.

"JBS to close case-ready meat plant in US" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Jeff Bezos didn't just move back to Miami for nostalgia's sakebut it sure helped that the sunshine, salsa, and tax code all aligned.

The Amazon founder and Blue Origin visionary returned to his hometown roots with serious style, snapping up three neighboring properties in the exclusive Indian Creek VillageMiami's so-called "Billionaire Bunker"for a combined total north of $237 million. According to a report from the New York Post, he's currently living in the $90 million mansion while renovations are underway on the others. And if that sounds like overkill, remember: this is a man who builds rockets for fun.

Dont Miss:

At the 2025 America Business Forum, Bezos was candid about why he's glad to be back. "I love the Latin part of the culture here," he said. "As soon as I land, I feel the energy." He also praised the city's transformation, noting, "Miami has completely transformed over the last four years"a change he clearly sees as positive.

While Bezos hasn't publicly attributed his relocation exclusively to any one factor, he did explain his reasons in his own words. In announcing his move from Seattle, he said that his parents had recently returned to Miami  the place where he grew up and attended high school  and that he wanted to be close to them. "My parents have always been my biggest supporters... I want to be close to my parents, and Lauren and I love Miami," he wrote on social media.

His mother, Jackie Bezos, passed away in August 2025, and his stepfather still lives in nearby Coral Gables. While that personal connection is clear from his statement, another noteworthy feature of Florida is its tax structure: the state does not impose an income tax or a capital gains tax, unlike Washington, where a 7% capital gains tax on profits above $250,000 took effect in 2022.

When Bezos sold nearly 3 million Amazon shares in July 2025worth $665.8 million over just two daysit came with a major perk: no state capital gains tax. Updated estimates suggest his move to Florida may have saved him around $1 billion in taxes just from that sale alone. Not to mention, Florida also has no estate tax, which could help preserve billions more for his heirs over time. For someone reshuffling billions in stock through a plan to offload up to 25 million shares by mid-2026, that's not a minor footnote.
Johnston Carmichael, a UK-based accountancy firm, has appointed Chris Forgan as a new tax director to bolster its tax advisory team as part of its strategy to enhance growth in Scotland and beyond.

Forgan has joined the UK accountancy and business advisory unit, with more than a decade of experience in tax compliance and advisory, and a background that includes training as a Tax Inspector with HMRC prior to entering the private sector.

Forgan's career includes roles at a Big Four accounting firm, advising a wide range of businesses in the UK and abroad.

He has rejoined Johnston Carmichael after previously serving in the role of tax manager.

Chris said: Its great to be returning to Johnston Carmichael at such an exciting stage in its growth journey. I loved my time here previously, and the organisation has a real family feel to it, which has helped me to settle back in.

The firm has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality, partner-led tax advice, and I look forward to helping our clients navigate an increasingly complex tax landscape while supporting the continued expansion of our corporate offering.

Forgan will be responsible for overseeing tax compliance and advisory work for a varied client base, with most of his time focused on large corporate entities.

He will collaborate with the firms international tax director Amanda Collinson, on developing and supporting corporate clients.

His work covers areas such as corporate interest restriction, debt and loan structuring, international taxation, and tax reporting.

He also regularly advises owner-managed businesses, offering clear and practical guidance suited to commercial realities.

Johnston Carmichael Corporate Tax head and Tax Partner John McAuslin said: Chris has spent years growing his knowledge and experience, so its brilliant to have him back to the team. Attracting and welcoming back talented people who know the business and share our values is a key focus for us as we continue to grow.

Chris will take on a key leadership role in our Edinburgh office, helping support our wider client base, as well as working closely with intermediaries in the local area.

The appointment follows a period of team expansion, with eight new staff members added to the corporate tax function during the year.

In June 2025, Johnston Carmichael appointed Adrienne Paterson as tax director in its Newcastle office.

"Johnston Carmichael names Chris Forgan as new tax director " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.
Key Takeaways

The amount of Bitcoin needed to retire varies widely by location.

The independent researcher provided a bullish outlook for Bitcoin.

Market outlook remains divided.

JPMorgan Chases latest move into blockchain-based finance is adding fresh institutional weight to Ethereum, as it launches its first tokenized money fund.

The development comes as Fundstrats Tom Lee says Ethereum could be poised for a major price move early next year, driven by growing adoption of tokenized assets.

JPMorgan Goes All-In on Ethereum

JPMorgans asset-management division is introducing a private tokenized money-market fund backed by Ethereum, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

The fund, called the OnChain Net Yield Fund, has been backed by $100 million of the banks own money before opening to outside investors on Tuesday, the publication reported.

Eligibility requirements include individuals with at least $5 million in investable assets and institutions with a minimum of $25 million in investable assets.

Tokenized money-market funds aim to combine the stability and yield of traditional cash-management products with blockchain features, such as faster settlement.

JPMorgan executives told WSJ that demand for tokenized products has increased as regulatory clarity improves.

There is a massive amount of interest from clients around tokenization, said John Donohue, head of global liquidity at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Tom Lee Sees Ethereum Set for Breakout

JP Morgans move follows a bullish thesis outlined by Fundstrats Tom Lee, who argues that Ethereum stands to benefit disproportionately as Wall Street embraces tokenized securities.

Speaking recently at Binances blockchain conference in Dubai, Lee said most tokenization activity by financial institutions is being built on Ethereum.

Data from RWA.xyz shows Ethereum accounts for more than 70% of tokenized real-world asset value when layer-2 networks are included.

Lee also reiterated his view that the traditional four-year cryptocurrency market cycle is breaking down.

The bigger the base, the bigger the breakout, Lee said.

He added that Bitcoin is likely to track the performance of the S&P 500 next year and could reach $300,000, potentially making new highs in early 2026.

If thats the case, I think Ethereum is lights out, Lee said, adding that Ether could exceed $20,000 within the next year.

Analysts Unconvinced

Not all analysts agree that Ethereum is on the verge of the kind of explosive move outlined by Lee.

Valdrin Tahiri, a technical analyst at CCN, said recent chart action suggests Ethereum may outperform Bitcoin in relative terms, but without validating the extreme price targets being discussed.
JPMorgan Chase will begin offering an Ethereum-based, tokenized money-market fund to qualified investors this week, according to a Monday press release.

The private fund, dubbed My OnChain Net Yield Fund, or MONY, will be seeded with $100 million of the banks capital before it can be accessed on Tuesday by individuals with at least $5 million in assets or institutions with $25 million or more, the bank said.

MONY, which requires an investment of at least $1 million, represents JPMorgans continued experimentation with digital assets, following the debut of its Kinexys Digital Assets platform a year ago. JPMorgan said its MONY fund is available on its Morgan Money platform.

The bank said investors are able to earn a yield while holding the funds associated token on-chain, mirroring the functionality of BlackRocks BUIDL fund. When BlackRock debuted its $1.8 billion fund last March, the Wall Street heavyweight also tapped Ethereum.

JPMorgan said that the debut of its MONY fund underscores the industrys growing shift toward tokenization of assets on public networks, noting that money-market funds have historically provided investors with liquidity and stability, in addition to yield.

In a statement, John Donohue, head of global liquidity at JPMorgan Asset Management, said that the bank expects other Globally Systemically Important Banks (or G-SIBs) to follow our lead in providing clients with greater optionality in how they invest in money market funds.

BlackRocks BUIDL fund is available on eight different networks, including Solana, according to data provider RWA.xyz. The funds ability to operate across multiple blockchains is enabled by tokenization specialist Securitize and interoperability protocol Wormhole.

JPMorgan Analysts Doubt Crypto Winter Is Coming, Despite 'Meaningful' Bitcoin Sell-Off

Franklin Templeton debuted the first mutual fund on-chain in 2021, which is called the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund. In addition to Ethereum and some layer-2 scaling networks, Franklin Templetons fund is available on Avalanche, Stellar, and Aptos.

JPMorgan has made a series of announcements with regards to an expanding line on crypto-focused products in recent weeks. Last month, it proposed structured notes tied to Bitcoins price, while reportedly debuting a deposit token on Coinbases Base.

Although the banks latest was aimed at Ethereums ecosystem, the JPMorgan recent activity suggests a multi-chain approach. For example, the bank recently arranged the issuance of commercial paper on Solana on behalf of institutional crypto firm Galaxy Digital.
SEOUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Korea Zinc's board will meet on Monday to vote on a plan to build a smelter to refine key minerals in the U.S. under a joint venture with the U.S. government and companies, a source familiar with the issue said, adding investments would total 10 trillion won ($6.78 billion).

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that the U.S. government and companies will hold a 20% stake in the joint venture with an investment of 2 trillion won, saying the facilities are expected to produce antimony and germanium.

A spokesperson for Korea Zinc was not immediately available for comment.

China dominates the supply of critical minerals such as antimony and germanium, used in telecommunications, semiconductors and military technology. Beijing banned exports of these minerals to the U.S. on December 3, 2024, following Washington's crackdown on China's chip sector. The ban has been suspended since November.

Korea Zinc is the world's largest zinc smelter but also produces antimony ingots, as well as other metals and minerals.

In August, Korea Zinc agreed with Lockheed Martin to produce germanium using raw materials procured outside China from 2028 to ensure a stable supply of the materials for the defense and space industries.

Korea Zinc shares surged 7.5% after media reports of its plans for a U.S. joint venture.

($1 = 1,475.5400 won)

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin, Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies)
By Hyunjoo Jin

SEOUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Korea Zinc's board will discuss on Monday a plan to build a 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion) smelter to refine critical minerals in the United States by forming a venture with the U.S. government and U.S. companies, a source familiar with the matter said.

The news sent shares in Korea Zinc surging 11% in Monday morning trade. But major shareholders, who have been seeking to oust the refiner's chairman, lambasted the plan, saying it was aimed at cementing management's hold on the company.

The new smelter would produce zinc, antimony, germanium and other critical minerals and would be part of efforts by Washington to reduce U.S. reliance on China amid heightened trade tensions, local media reported.

The source was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. A spokesperson for Korea Zinc was not immediately available for comment.

According to South Korean newspaper Joongang Ilbo, the U.S. government and U.S. defence companies will invest 1 trillion won in the venture, and the U.S. side will also acquire a 10% stake in Korea Zinc. Most of the funding for the smelter will come from borrowings, it added.

The Young Poong conglomerate, which together with a private equity firm MBK Partners held about 41% of Korea Zinc's voting rights as of last January, criticised the plan.

It is rare for the U.S. government to acquire a stake in a foreign company and Korea Zinc's management was simply attempting to secure a "white knight" so that Chairman Yun B. Choi can retain control, Young Poong said in a statement.

Young Poong and MBK failed in an attempt earlier this year to secure a majority of board seats at Korea Zinc, the world's largest zinc smelting company.

In a separate deal announced in August, Korea Zinc agreed with Lockheed Martin to produce germanium from 2028 using raw materials procured outside China.

China dominates the world's supply of critical minerals such as antimony and germanium, which are used in telecommunications equipment, semiconductors and military technology.

Beijing banned exports of these minerals to the U.S. on December 3, 2024, following Washington's crackdown on China's chip sector. The ban has been suspended since November.

($1 = 1,475.5400 won)

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies and Edwina Gibbs)
SEOUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Korea Zinc said on Monday that it plans to build a smelter to produce key metals and minerals in the United States in a project that would cost $7.4 billion.

Korea Zinc said the U.S. government asked the company to build the facilities, to respond to the expansion of global supply chain risks and the increasing demand for non-ferrous metals and strategic minerals in the United States.

The smelter plans to produce major non-ferrous metals such as zinc, lead, and copper, precious metals such as gold and silver, and strategic minerals such as antimony, germanium, and gallium. It will start commercial operations gradually in 2027, it said.

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Heejin KimEditing by Ed Davies)
Lantmannens meat arm Scan Sverige has acquired the Swedish charcuterie brand Slaktarkorv.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed as Lantmannen said in a statement the deal concerns the brand itself and builds on an existing collaboration under which Scan Sverige has been handling Slaktarkorv's processing and production.

The Swedish agricultural cooperative added that the acquisition enables Scan Sverige to strengthen Swedish food production and its attractive offering in sausages and charcuterie.

Lars Appelqvist, MD of Scan Sverige, said the deal is another step to increase the availability and range of Swedish meat and charcuterie.

Appelqvist continued: Slaktarkorv has experienced solid growth in the market over the past year in terms of both turnover and volume, and there is great potential to further develop the business."

Slaktarkorv was launched in 2013 by agricultural entrepreneurs Asa Lillbro and Per Karlsson.

Currently, the brand is well-established, with a broad geographic presence and nationwide sales, Lantmannen said.

Its portfolio focuses on products made from Swedish meat.

Karlsson said: We are proud of the journey we have made with Slaktarkorv  from idea to established brand with a presence among all major players in retail.

That it is now being sold to Swedens leading meat and charcuterie company, which will continue to develop the brand.

The deal follows another move by Scan Sverige earlier this year, when it agreed to buy Swedish meat producer Lindvalls Chark in order to broaden its business portfolio.

Lantmannen is owned by around 17,000 Swedish farmers and employs approximately 12,000 people in more than 20 countries. Among its consumer-facing food brands are Kungsornen, Scan, and GoGreen.

Its turnover increased 4.2% last year to Skr68bn ($7.3bn). Operating income rose 22.6% to Skr2.87bn while net income climbed 32% to Skr2.06bn.

Lantmannen reports interim figures in four-month segments. The most recent, covering May to August, showed net sales slipped 3.2% to Skr19.48bn.

Operating income declined 53% to Skr655m, affected by restructuring charges of around Skr340m tied to an ongoing savings programme.

Net income fell 35.8% to Skr439m.

The groups food division, which also includes Cerealia and Unibake, reported operating income of Skr519m, up 3.8% from a year earlier.

Net sales dipped 1% to Skr10.2bn. Scan Sverige's sales rose 8% to Skr3.19bn.

Announcing the results in October, Lantmannen said the Scan Sverige business is developing positively, and increased both its results and market shares during the four-month period.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that the Trump administration expects the US Supreme Court to rule in its favor in a case that challenges the legality of President Trump's tariffs.

The court's decision could not only invalidate most of the tariffs but possibly force the government to issue refunds of up to $100 billion, which Hassett told Face the Nation would create major administrative problems.

Hassett also said he thinks the $2,000 tariff rebate checks President Trump has floated seem much more likely to happen. "In the summer, I wasnt so sure that there was space for a check like that, but now Im pretty sure that there is," he said, adding he expects the president to bring a formal proposal to Congress in the new year.

Meanwhile, Trump announced a $1,776 "warrior dividend" payment to nearly 1.5 million US service members in an address last week.

Trump did not say how the program would be enacted or funded. But even before the "warrior dividend," Trump had floated at least nine different plans for how revenue from his tariffs could be spent, according to an analysis from Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul.

In addition to the $2,000 tariff dividend checks, the promises included paying for the tax cuts that Republicans instituted over the summer.

But after lifting some tariffs on items like coffee, oranges, and cocoa, monthly tariff revenues dropped, from $31.35 billion received in October to $30.76 billion last month. That marks the first decrease since Trump began implementing the duties.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

What else to know about Trump's tariffs:

The US government announced on Tuesday that it plans to put tariffs on China's semiconductor industry, placing new duties on chips from Beijing from June 2027, though that delay is considered a signal that the Trump administration is looking to continue rebuilding ties with Beijing amid a broader trade truce.

US companies looking to increase cash flow are hedging their bets on the Supreme Court case against President Trump's tariffs by selling their rights to collect government refunds of taxes to outside investors.

Several US companies, such as Costco (COST), have filed lawsuits and claims to the US government for tariff refunds in the belief that Trump's tariffs will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. If the courts rule against Trump's tariffs, the president may be forced to repay billions of dollars in collected revenue from imports.

The office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada and the US will launch formal discussions to review their free trade agreement in mid-January. But discussions on key sectors were unlikely, with Carney saying the issue would be covered in a planned review of the United States-Canada-Mexico (USMCA) trade pact next year.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER

183 updates
Microsoft has been mentioned in the same breath as OpenAI ever since that initial investment.

For Microsoft, the deal was never just financial  it was a gamble that AI would become the next major platform shift , one that could redefine the industry, much as Windows once did for personal computing. Since then, Microsoft has reportedly invested about $13 billion in the ChatGPT maker  a figure CEO Satya Nadella recently confirmed .

This investment gave Microsoft preferential access to cutting-edge AI models, a key advantage over rival tech giants. In return, OpenAI gained the computing muscle, infrastructure, and distribution needed to train and deploy AI tools, along with long-term funding and stability.

The deep relationship began in 2019, when Microsoft made an initial $1 billion investment in the Sam Altman-led OpenAI  a bet on next-generation artificial intelligence that could dramatically shift the future of computing and cloud services.

Gates expects the nascent technology to "get extremely powerful" in the next three to five years, adding that in the AI arms race, Microsoft is a clear "competitor."

"I'm thrilled that Microsoft is making those investments," co-founder Bill Gates previously told Yahoo Finance , noting that while AI is growing at a "rapid rate," there is still "a great deal of uncertainty there."

She added that to meet high compute demand, which she said is the "foundation" that will power the next era of AI, the company will likely continue working with third-party companies  cue Microsoft.

"We've seen ... a lot of the ecosystem really start to move towards us to help us create this future," OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar exclusively told Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi (video above).

While Microsoft's $5 trillion train is on track, its most critical passenger remains OpenAI.

"Microsoft will be at a $5 trillion market cap in 2026 as the AI revolution hits its next stage of growth," Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives told Yahoo Finance. Microsoft's current market cap : $3.59 trillion.

And that could put the 50-year-old tech icon, known for its Windows operating system, Azure cloud services, and, more recently, Copilot chatbot, in a prime position to add trillions to its market cap over the next decade.

Microsoft ( MSFT ) and Yahoo Finance 2025 Company of the Year award winner OpenAI ( OPAI.PVT ) may still be deeply intertwined, but Wall Street thinks the real story is how the former has begun to dance in the surging world of AI all by itself.

Story Continues

OpenAI's Friar noted that the company "had really been funded largely by Microsoft."

Even with OpenAI now valued at $500 billion and Microsoft holding an estimated 27% stake following a revised partnership arrangement in late October, experts tell Yahoo Finance that Microsoft's future is not defined by its stake in Altman's company, which he has called "the largest nonprofit ever."

That stake may have bought Microsoft a ticket to the AI ball  but the company's real play is owning the stage every other Big Tech company is dancing on.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been heavily involved in the AI arms race. (Jason Redmond/AFP)  JASON REDMOND via Getty Images

Microsoft beyond OpenAI

Microsoft's AI advantages stem from how it has threaded AI through every layer of its technology  from Azure and Office to developer tools, enterprise software, and consumer products like Bing and Edge.

This deep integration is most visibly represented by Copilot, Microsoft's suite of generative AI assistants, which is utilized in workflows such as productivity apps like Microsoft 365, in operating systems like Windows, and in tools like GitHub Copilot.

Logan Brown, founder of software development platform Soxton.AI, told Yahoo Finance that Microsoft's ability to integrate AI tools like Copilot across its suite of products uniquely positions it in the AI landscape.

"They [Microsoft] have such a dominating presence across their suite, they're going to be able to integrate and become a Copilot in that sense of the word." She pointed out that "most folks are renting out" Microsoft's infrastructure base.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Yahoo Finance the company is watching seven key trends in 2026 as it aims to nab a big slice of that AI pie, including amplifying human capabilities, equipping agents with better safeguards, and closing the health disparity gap.

The pace of AI innovation within Microsoft  and its massive scale  matters for investors, who increasingly see Microsoft's dependence on OpenAI easing, not rising, even as the partnership remains financially and technically important.

"From a business strategy point of view, it feels like what they're [Microsoft] doing is continuing to rely on a really, really important partner, but also hedging their bets a little bit by developing their own AI internally as well," NYU Stern professor Robert Seamans told Yahoo Finance.

OpenAI won Yahoo Finance's annual Company of the Year award. CFO Sarah Friar talks with Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi about the company's path forward.  Yahoo Finance

This "hedge" allows Microsoft to serve its "huge array of customers" with tailored AI solutions from both internal and external sources, he added.

Analysts remain split on how essential OpenAI is to the investment thesis in Microsoft at this point.

RBC analyst Rishi Jaluria argues that Microsoft still enjoys a "multiyear head start" in AI because of its early OpenAI bet, which gave it intellectual property (IP) rights, preferred pricing, and research access that helped it plant an early flag in the AI race.

"You don't want a company as powerful as Microsoft being so reliant on OpenAI," Jaluria said. In the same vein, "you don't want a company like OpenAI, that's becoming more and more powerful, to be all reliant on one company, right?"

The financial upside from OpenAI is also more limited than some investors assume.

Despite its 27% stake, Microsoft does not recognize profits from OpenAI on its income statement  only its share of losses. The only meaningful upside is the rising value of the stake, which won't matter until OpenAI goes public or becomes significantly profitable. Both are unknown outcomes.

DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria estimates that of Microsoft's total Azure revenue, only 17% comes from AI workloads. More critically, he estimates that the revenue directly tied to reselling OpenAI's models is just 6% of that total, while approximately 75% is generated from Azure AI, Microsoft's own infrastructure and services, "considering OpenAI is helping Microsoft generate revenue elsewhere," per Luria.

The financials suggest that the independent Azure AI business, not the OpenAI equity stake, is the key driver of value.

The ties that bind

The duo's revised partnership was intended to finally loosen ties  for the benefit of both.

Microsoft lost its "right of first refusal" but retained long-term IP rights through 2032, including artificial general intelligence (AGI) rights, and secured favorable application programming interfaces (API) economics. That's crucial because every time an enterprise app calls the OpenAI API  from Salesforce's (CRM) Agentforce to ServiceNow's (NOW) Now Assist  Microsoft gets paid.

An eventual OpenAI IPO could shift the balance of power between the two, but analysts aren't convinced it would materially weaken Microsoft.

At the same time, the new arrangement gives both companies permission to diversify. OpenAI can pursue deals with other cloud providers  which it has already done, through a barrage of partnerships with players like Oracle (ORCL), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Samsung (005930.KS), and Nvidia (NVDA).

Microsoft, meanwhile, is free to deepen work with other model providers, most notably Anthropic (ANTH.PVT). Microsoft announced a $5 billion investment commitment in Anthropic in November. Crucially, Anthropic committed to purchase $30 billion of Azure compute capacity, securing massive future revenue for Microsoft. Most recently, Microsoft said it would invest $17.5 billion in India over the next four years as it ramps up its AI roadmap.

KeyBanc analyst Jackson Ader told Yahoo Finance he sees this shift as a "move for independence" on the part of Microsoft, not a hedge.

"Going outside is fine and a good diversification strategy," he said. "I just don't see it as all that impactful, because they're still partnering with the best partner [OpenAI]."

High demand for its AI-powered cloud services, particularly Azure and Copilot, is driving the aggressive investment.

The bottom line on Microsoft

Microsoft's ultimate advantage over the next decade, experts tell Yahoo Finance, is the breadth of its AI footprint.

RBC's Jaluria points to Azure's training and inference workloads, such as GitHub Copilot for developers and AI-infused enterprise apps through Office. Even Microsoft's LinkedIn and its Activision Blizzard gaming division carry AI-driven monetization potential.

"There's no other company with this kind of portfolio," he said. Currently, Jaluria has a Buy rating and $640 price target on Microsoft. Yahoo Finance data shows a generally bullish Wall Street on Microsoft.

The next major unlock for Microsoft, analysts believe, may be agentic AI  AI agents capable of performing multistep workflows. The firm expects Microsoft to be a top player alongside ServiceNow and Salesforce.

And while Copilot adoption remains early, Jaluria said adoption is likely to grow "slow and steady" as AI features become more deeply embedded in everyday workflows. "Office is going to be the front door," he said.

That optimism doesn't erase the risks for Microsoft on AI.

The Street remains bullish on Microsoft shares, Yahoo Finance data shows.  Source: Yahoo Finance

A big one is overbuilding.

Microsoft previously said it was on track to spend $80 billion on AI infrastructure through fiscal 2025. Meanwhile, a separate, large-scale project with OpenAI titled Stargate, with an initial $100 billion investment, is reportedly in the early stages of planning. There have been subsequent reports that the project is now a multipartner joint venture involving the duo and other players, like SoftBank (9434.T), Oracle (ORCL), and Metagenomi (MGX), with an ultimate plan to invest up to $500 billion by 2029.

Still, investors are cautious about the rate of Microsoft's investments.

If AI demand slows or if competing models meaningfully outpace GPT, Ader warns, Microsoft could look like it "bought a Ferrari when a Prius would've done."

The second major risk is sentiment.

"If AI doesn't deliver," he said, "Microsoft will be caught up in a negative AI trade," even if its fundamentals remain strong.

Still, most analysts agree the company remains one of the strongest AI plays of the decade. OpenAI gave Microsoft a head start, but its widening network of AI partners gives the company staying power that doesn't depend on any single model.

StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market.

Francisco Velasquez is a Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. Story tips? Email him at francisco.velasquez@yahooinc.com.

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Shes essentially committed identity theft and fraud, said Kamel of Edens fiancees mother , assuming the accusations are true. And Delony agreed, calling the situation a huge red flag.

While Eden cant quite confirm that his future mother-in-law is stealing money from her own daughter, there seems to be enough evidence to suggest its a possibility. And that, as Kamel mentioned, would be a crime.

And making matters worse, Edens future mother-in-law seems to dodge the question whenever he and his fiancee ask about the savings account. With this in mind, Kamel and co-host John Delony weighed in with what could be a hard truth for Edens fiancee to accept: This may not just be a case of an overbearing, helicopter mother  it could be financial fraud.

Edens fiancee had recently transferred from university to community college in order to complete her nursing program. And while the couple confirmed that Edens fiancees student loan payments were being sent to the university, the couple isnt sure that the student loan funds are now making their way to the community college.

What in the Britney Spears conservatorship is going on here, dude? asked host George Kamel. Why does she have control of a grown womans finances?

But Edens fiancee doesnt control this savings account and can only view the accounts balance with permission from her mother.

According to Eden, his fiancees mother has been managing her daughters finances for years. In fact, his fiancees student loans have been going directly into her mothers checking account and from there the mother has been transferring her daughters money into a savings account that belongs to her daughter.

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

Take Eden, for example. Eden, who lives in Missouri, called in seeking help on an alarming situation (1): How do I stop my fiancees mother from stealing her student loans?

While many people call into The Ramsey Show seeking advice on things like buying a home or getting out of debt, some people call in sharing situations that weave in prickly relationship dynamics.

Story Continues

Kamel and Delonys advice was blunt: Edens fiancee needs to take control of her finances immediately. That starts with freezing her credit report to prevent new loans from being taken out in her name, pulling her credit history to review all current debts and contacting the community college to confirm whether student loan funds were actually paid toward tuition.

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

Without those steps, Edens fiancee risks being on the hook for thousands of dollars in student loans that werent applied to her tuition.

The hosts also pointed out how this dynamic could impact Edens marriage. As Delony warned, if Edens fiancee cant stand up to her mother now, the lack of boundaries could spill into every aspect of Edens future with his fiancee, like raising kids and buying houses.

Its a big old red flag, Kamel added. I would not get married until we solve this.

Kamel and Delonys response touches on a broader issue that many people likely dont recognize: familial financial abuse. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases and can be hard to spot (2).

It often involves controlling a victims access to money, taking out loans in their name or closely monitoring spending. Even outside of physical abuse, this kind of control can trap someone by keeping them from building credit, saving money or making independent decisions.

How to navigate financial control and protect your money

Whether the perpetrator is a parent, a partner or another family member, losing control of your finances due to familial financial abuse can create lasting damage to both your mental health and finances. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself or a loved one from financial manipulation or fraud.

Open accounts in your name only

If someone else is a custodian or co-owner on your bank account, they may have legal access to your funds. Open new checking and savings accounts in your name only and redirect all deposits to these accounts. You may also want to consider opening accounts with different banks to avoid confusion.

Monitor your credit and freeze it if necessary

A credit freeze stops anyone, including family, from opening new accounts or taking out loans in your name. You can freeze your credit for free online, over the phone or by mail. However, keep in mind that youll have to freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus  Experian, TransUnion and Equifax  in order to completely protect your credit. If you decide to take out a loan later, you can easily pause the freeze to do so.

Review your credit report

Check your credit reports at least once a year, or more if you suspect unauthorized activity. When checking your credit reports, look for unfamiliar accounts and incorrect balances that could indicate someone has opened credit in your name. If you find anything suspicious, file a dispute immediately and report the issue to your bank, as well as the Federal Trade Commission.

Seek professional help

If you discover that a family member is misusing your money, contact your banks fraud department or local law enforcement. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also offers resources and complaint channels for financial abuse and identity theft.

Financial control may start out small  like a parent helping to manage your money, or a partner insisting on handling the shared bills  but it can quickly create a pattern of dependency and manipulation. If you think a family member is stealing your money or your identity to commit fraud, dont wait to take action to protect your finances.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

The Ramsey Show Highlights (1); National Network to End Domestic Violence (2)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
In addition to being outbid when they put offers on some properties in Milwaukees still-hot market, the young couple faced sellers who said they did not accept their offer because they had an FHA loan, Alex Derenne, the couples real-estate agent, told MarketWatch.

For the Johnsons, instead of providing a gateway to homeownership, the FHA loan soon became a problem.

Still, the loans carry a stigma, in part because sellers view the more generous terms as a sign buyers may struggle to repay and also because the FHA places more requirements on the sale. Its legal for home sellers to reject buyers because they have an FHA loan.

The government first launched FHA loans during the Great Depression to encourage Americans to buy homes. Home buyers usually opt for them instead of a conventional mortgage because they allow smaller down payments. In some cases, buyers may use one because they dont qualify for a conventional mortgage. Even though FHA loans offer more generous terms, theyre open to borrowers at all income levels.

FHA loans allow buyers with lower credit scores to put down only 3.5% of a homes purchase price, much less than the 10% typically required for a conventional mortgage from a private lender. FHA loans also usually have lower mortgage rates. As a result, these loans have become increasingly popular as the housing market has grown less affordable because of high home prices and mortgage rates.

As first-time buyers, the Johnsons choose a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that insures home loans for lenders.

After living with their parents for a few years, the couple got married in 2023 and started looking for their own place. They hired a real-estate agent in February 2025 with an eye on houses priced around $400,000.

When Andrea and Colin Johnson started looking at homes to buy in Milwaukee, the last thing they expected was to get pushback from sellers about the type of mortgage they had.

Story Continues

They would write fantastic offers and beautiful, heartfelt letters to the sellers, saying how much they loved and would care for these homes, Derenne, who works as an agent with The Real brokerage, said. Yet the couple kept losing out to rival buyers.

The Johnsons experience isnt unique. Some home sellers are reluctant to work with buyers who have FHA loans, and will even reject otherwise qualified buyers simply because they have that type of loan, industry veterans told MarketWatch.

Research has shown that FHA buyers have been intentionally excluded from the housing market in the past. Whats surprising is that the bias against FHA borrowers has persisted even in todays buyers market, when desperate sellers are offering discounts and other incentives to close the deal.

Why home sellers can be wary of buyers with FHA loans

Real-estate agents say home sellers perceive FHA loans as a headache to deal with, in part because the loans come with certain requirements.

An appraiser approved by the federal government must conduct an appraisal to assess the propertys market value and make a minor inspection for safety and soundness before the agency can approve the loan.

Buyers with conventional loans, on the other hand, can waive these contingencies, which they often do as a way to make their offer more attractive to the seller.

FHA loans also carry a stigma because some sellers assume FHA borrowers are financially worse off than borrowers with conventional loans, Mike Steele, a mortgage-loan officer in southwest Florida, told MarketWatch.

People think youre less qualified because of lower down payments, or that you may have credit issues, or because you have a high debt-to-income ratio, he said. But really, these loans are no different than a conventional loan.

More buyers are turning to FHA loans in the current market

The share of mortgages that are FHA-backed grew from 15% in 2022 to 18% in 2025 thus far, according to data from Intercontinental Exchange. Its no coincidence that buyers were coping with fast-rising home prices and mortgage rates shooting up to over 7% during that period.

As buyers continue to struggle with affordability, interest in FHA loans is expected to remain strong. In a speech presenting a forecast for 2026, Joel Kan, deputy chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association, said mortgage-loan borrowers have increasingly shifted to  FHA loans to manage [housing] affordability challenges.

In the first week of December, the number of applications for a conventional mortgage fell from the previous week, but FHA applications rose by 5%, Kan said, as prospective home buyers continue to seek lower down payment loans.

But buyers with FHA loans sometimes face flat-out rejection, and some sellers state upfront that they wont do business with FHA buyers.

Absolutely no FHA buyers, one for-sale listing for a house in Norristown, Pa., stated.

No FHA or VA, said one listing for a three-bedroom home in Owasso, Okla.

Conventional and VA loans only. No FHA loans on this home, said the listing for a three-bed single-family home in Detroit.

How common is it for sellers to reject buyers because they have an FHA loan? This is difficult to track. Listing agents typically collect buyers offers and present them to the seller, who then decides which one to accept. Sellers are legally allowed to refuse an offer if they have concerns about the financial risk or the complexity of the loan  so the seller has the right to refuse an FHA loan, according to Sharon Cornelissen, director of housing at the consumer-advocacy group Consumer Federation of America.

In the early- to mid-2000s housing boom, about half of for-sale listings stated that the seller would not accept FHA buyers, according to a 2024 paper circulated by the Philadelphia Fed. The authors analyzed for-sale listings from 2001 to 2021 to see how many excluded FHA as a form of acceptable financing.

FHA loans were less common before the Great Recession, when there were a lot of alternative financing options available for people who had trouble getting a mortgage, Sonia Gilbukh, a real-estate professor at CUNY Baruch College and a co-author of the paper, told MarketWatch. These alternative, private-label lending options also helped fuel the housing bubble and subprime mortgage crisis.

In the subsequent bust, the share of for-sale listings that accepted FHA loans grew to 80%, the authors found. That was partly because the private-credit market dried up, so the only real other option was FHA, Gilbukh said, and also because buyers were scarce.

FHA mortgages subsequently became more common and accepted. Corresponding data from that period from ICE shows that the share of FHA mortgages used to purchase a home jumped from 4.6% in 2006 to 41% in 2010.

In spite of FHA loans becoming more widely used, over the last 10 years that shes been a real-estate agent, the FHA stigma has always been there, Michelle Vega told MarketWatch. Most of her buyers have used FHA financing, she said.

The pandemic made these agents feel even more entitled to say were not going to accept [FHA financing], added Vega, who works with eXp Realty in North Carolinas Raleigh-Durham area. Home sales were brisk during the COVID era as people relocated and embraced remote work.

And that sentiment hasnt really changed, in her experience. Vega said she has lost offers recently because listing agents believed the home would probably not qualify for FHA financing.

To be sure, some homeowners could be upfront about their preference for non-FHA loans because they expect the property to not pass an FHA appraisal if the home is very old or dilapidated.

But other sellers agents have told her that your client had a harder time qualifying for the loan or that FHA loans are for people that have less means to buy a house. That is not entirely true, however: People with high incomes can also qualify for FHA loans, and they arent restricted to people under certain income levels.

The comments have been absolutely ridiculous, Vega noted.

Some states have antidiscrimination laws that prohibit landlords from rejecting tenants because of the source of their income  for example, tenants who use government assistance to pay for their housing.

Cornelissen, of the Consumer Federation of America, says these laws should be expanded to fight discrimination against FHA borrowers. Cornelissen interviewed buyers, lenders and real-estate agents in the Boston area and co-authored a 2024 report on challenges faced by FHA buyers.

The result of sellers bias against FHA loans is that even though the FHA program was designed to level the playing field, we found that many FHA buyers unfairly lose out when competing to buy a home, Cornelissen wrote in a 2024 blog post.

She suggested that state attorneys general should prosecute real-estate agents whose listings consistently exclude FHA borrowers.

This problem not only hurts individual consumers: It is tilting opportunity towards wealthier buyers and investors with cash, Cornelissen added.

How home buyers can get around FHA stigma

If youre a house hunter looking to buy a home with an FHA loan, there are two key things to keep in mind when dealing with sellers who prefer non-FHA loans.

FHA loans require the home to be appraised at the propertys market value, and the appraiser also checks for specific safety features in the house. This is because there can be legitimate concerns about the condition of these properties, Neil Brooks, president of NewDay USA, a mortgage lender, told MarketWatch. Brooks is also a real-estate agent.

A lot of people out there are trying to sell their junk, and the  FHA doesnt want to have a first-time home buyer or a veteran buy a house thats going to cost them a ton of money that they may or may not have to fix up after they move in, Brooks said. VA loans face similar requirements from sellers, he added.

Secondly, the FHA has stricter appraisal requirements because the government is backing the mortgage, and it wants to make sure that the propertys value is not inflated. Home sellers also cannot sell flipped properties to FHA buyers if they had bought it less than 91 days prior, Vega said.

Given these contingencies, there is a risk that the buyers offer may fall through, which means the seller would have to find a new buyer. And that makes the FHA loan seem less desirable to some sellers, the Philly Fed researchers noted.

But experienced real-estate agents can work around these issues.

If the propertys sale price is lower than the appraised value, some appraisers give the sellers agents the opportunity to argue why the home should be valued higher, Brooks said.

They may reach out before finishing the appraisal and ask for a list of improvements done to the house or upgrades that can help support this value, he added.

Buyers can also combat the negative perceptions of FHA loans by putting more money down to show how serious they are about buying the house.

Buyers could also schedule a private home inspection with the sellers before submitting an offer, so that all parties are aware of the propertys deficiencies and whether it would pass an FHA appraisal.

Why the Johnsons chose an FHA loan

Back in Milwaukee, an FHA loan worked well for the Johnsons because the loan requirements allowed for a higher debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, which measures how much monthly debt a buyer has compared to their income.

Andrea Johnson runs her own hair salon and her income varies significantly each year  as does her DTI, which proved a challenge when trying to qualify for a conventional mortgage.

Lenders typically dont want home buyers to have a high DTI. The most common reason that lenders reject a buyers mortgage application is because of a high debt-to-income ratio, according to an annual report by the National Association of Realtors.

Related: The 5 most common reasons home buyers get rejected for a mortgage

Conventional loans which are resold to Fannie Mae only allow buyers DTI to go up to 50%  meaning that no more than 50% of their gross monthly income should be allocated to their total monthly debt payments, including the new mortgage payment. FHA allows buyers DTI to go up to 57%.

After losing offers to other buyers, the Johnsons real-estate agent, Alex Derenne, found her own way to address the FHA-loan stigma.

When touring homes, the agent and the couple started looking for any property defects or issues that could pose a concern for an FHA appraiser. By keeping an eye out for possible concerns that could be a problem during the sale, they were able to address them in their initial offer to the sellers so their purchase agreement would go through smoothly.

Derenne noticed some sagging on the roof and worn-out shingles during their first showing at the house the Johnsons ended up buying. She highlighted these to the seller as possible flaws that an FHA inspector would flag.

We were transparent with the seller that we were certain an FHA inspector would not pass the roof in its current state, she explained, and were able to negotiate with the seller to replace the roof prior to the closing at the sellers expense.

The Johnsons decided on a four-bedroom, nearly 2,700-square-foot home listed at $495,000, and offered $510,000. As the only buyers to place an offer on that house, that helped them gain leverage to negotiate with the seller.

Andrea and Mike Johnson closed on the home in early July.

Most Read from MarketWatch
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is included among the 13 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy Under $50.

Morgan Stanley Starts Ford (F) Coverage With $14 Target Amid Prolonged EV Slowdown

On December 8, Morgan Stanley began coverage of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) with an Equal Weight rating and $14 price target. The move is part of the firms 2026 outlook for the autos and shared mobility sector following the change in analysts. The firm said it is leaning more cautious heading into next year, expecting the electric vehicle winter to continue through 2026. This cautious view is partially balanced by a moderately more positive outlook on internal combustion engines and hybrids, the analysts noted in a research update.

On December 9, Renault announced a partnership with Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) to develop small, more affordable electric vehicles for the European market and to jointly produce commercial vans. The collaboration is aimed at reducing costs and addressing rising competition from Chinese automakers.

As part of the partnership, the first of the two planned small EVs will be built at a Renault plant in northern France and is expected to reach European showrooms in 2028. According to Farley, CEO of Ford, these vehicles will be smaller than anything Ford plans for the US market and will fill a gap in the automakers lineup.

The two companies will also work together to develop Renault and Ford brand vans for Europe. The partnership came together after a renewed team visited Fords Detroit headquarters in March.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) designs, manufactures, markets, and services a full range of vehicles, including cars, trucks such as F-Series, SUVs, commercial vans, and luxury Lincoln models.

While we acknowledge the potential of F as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 15 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term and11 Best Low Priced Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance recently announced the biggest shake-up to its leadership structure since Richard Teng succeeded Changpeng Zhao as CEO last year.

Teng on Dec. 3 announced that Binance co-founder and Chief Customer Service Officer Yi He assumed the role of co-CEO of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume.

While Yi He has been with Binance from the beginning, she has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

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Who is Yi He?

Yi He has been described by Bloomberg as cryptos most powerful woman and by The Wall Street Journal as the crypto queen.

Yi He helped start Binance with Zhao, who is also her life partner and the father of her three children, in 2017. She also reportedly holds a 10% stake in the company, according to The Journal.

The two, as has been widely reported, met in 2014. Yi He had hired Zhao as chief technology officer at OKX, while she was co-founder and vice president of marketing at cryptocurrency exchange, The Journal reported.

It was at OKCoin that Yi He and Zhaos romance reportedly began before Zhao branched out to build Binance and convinced Yi He to come along.

Trending: Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real EstateGet Institutional Access Yourself

Yi was widely seen as the second-most-powerful executive at Binance, while Zhao held the reins, according to The Journal. She is credited with ingratiating the exchange with the Chinese-speaking cryptocurrency community, leveraging social capital she built in a previous role as a television host. She also created the Binance Angels program, which uses volunteers to build communities for the exchange worldwide.

However, before Yi became cryptocurrency royalty, she was a poor village girl in Chinas Sichuan province, she told Fortune. At 9 years old, she lost her father, and at 16, she promoted soft drinks outside a supermarket to make ends meet. She has said that these humble beginnings allow her to relate to Binances everyday customers.

See Also: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets  Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform

Binances announcement said Yi He would bring this user-centric focus to her new role as co-CEO. The announcement also suggested that the exchange is ready to enter a new growth phase.
Dec 15 (Reuters) - Elon Musk on Monday became the first person ever worth $600 billion, Forbes said, on the heels of reports that his SpaceX startup was likely to go public at a valuation of $800 billion.

Musk, who was the first to surpass $500 billion in net worth in October, owns an estimated 42% stake in SpaceX, which is preparing to go public next year, Reuters reported last week.

The SpaceX valuation would strengthen Musk's wealth by $168 billion to an estimated $677 billion as of 12 p.m. ET on Monday, according to Forbes.

Musk's wealth also got a boost from his roughly 12% stake in EV maker Tesla, shares of which have risen 13% so far this year, despite flagging sales. They were up nearly 4% on Monday after Musk said the company was testing robotaxis without safety monitors in the front passenger seat.

In November, Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay plan for Musk, the largest corporate pay package in history, as investors endorsed his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.

As well, his artificial-intelligence startup xAI is in advanced talks to raise $15 billion in fresh equity at a valuation of $230 billion, according to a media report.

Musk, Tesla, SpaceX and xAI did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
According to a Sky News report, Next is one of several parties considering involvement with Russell & Bromley, although other interested groups have not been publicly identified.

Next declined to comment when approached by Just Style, but the talks are said to be during the Christmas shopping season as retailers monitor consumer spending amid economic uncertainty.

In October this year, Russell & Bromley appointed advisory firm Interpath to review options for securing new funding.

The 145-year-old company, which operates a network of 37 stores, introduced footwear styles such as the Chester and Keeble loafers.

According to Sky News, Andrew Bromley, representing the fifth generation of his family, currently leads Russell & Bromley. The company has more than 450 employees.

A potential transaction involving Next would follow its previous acquisitions of brands including Cath Kidston, Joules, Seraphine, Made.com, and FatFace.

Next has also implemented a platform that offers logistics and digital services to other retail brands. Victoria's Secret and Gap are among those using this service for UK operations.

It is not known whether Next would pursue a full acquisition or a minority investment in Russell & Bromley.

In October this year, Russell & Bromley's leadership indicated that it is seeking opportunities to obtain investment for the company's next stage of development.

Sky News quoted Bromley as saying: "Since the announcement of the Re Boot earlier this year we have made significant progress, positioning us well to build on our momentum and continue along our journey.

"We are looking forward to working with our advisory team to secure the necessary investment to accelerate our expansion plans."

The report follows Nexts decision to increase its full-year profit forecast after reporting better-than-expected results for the third quarter.

In the 13 weeks to 25 October (Q3), Nexts full price sales rose 10.5% year on year, 76m ($100.44m) ahead of guidance.

"Next is potential investor for Russell & Bromley amid funding review" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




General view of the main sign and entrance to a Lowe's department store - Kirk Fisher/Getty Images

The notion of massive corporate monopolies is one that often gives consumers a reason to be wary. That's why many people go down the rabbit hole of company ownership, because it's good to know where your money's really going. When it comes to Lowe's, a random online rumor suggests that either Walmart or even Lowe's top competitor, Home Depot, is the owner. But in actuality, Lowe's isn't owned by any one entity.

Lowe's, the home improvement corporation that owns four tool brands, is a publicly traded company. This means that Lowe's isn't owned by a single parent organization, with true ownership instead being distributed among its shareholders. Some of Lowe's biggest shareholders are large investment firms, including JPMorgan Chase, as well as BlackRock and The Vanguard Group, both of which own stock in Ford Motor Company. These three firms together hold a major portion of the company's institutional shares, around 21.1 percent.

In fact, nearly 3,800 institutions combined own nearly 498 million shares, around 79 percent, of Lowe's stock. Meanwhile, individual investors and the general public own about 21 percent. Insiders, most often believed to be board members, own less than 1 percent of the company. All of this means that no single shareholder has a controlling ownership majority. However, institutional investors together likely have more influence than anyone else over company decisions.

Read more: Here's Who Really Owns All Of The Major Tool Brands

From hardware store to home improvement giant

Lowes Hardware Brand Company Logo on Screen with Stock Chart Trends - PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock

Before Lowe's went public in 1961, the company was owned by H. Carl Buchan. Buchan was one of the two original founders, next to his brother-in-law and business partner James Lowe. Lowe had sold his part of the company to Buchan in the 1950s. Buchan took Lowe's from a single hardware store in North Carolina to a chain of stores across the state. Business increased as the company continued to expand over the years, and by 1982, Lowe's had its first billion-dollar sales year.

Lowe's is now the second-largest home improvement company in the world, right behind Home Depot. Even though Home Depot wasn't founded until 1978, the company achieved rapid growth and expansion through the years, both domestically and internationally. This growth led to Home Depot taking the lead over Lowe's by the early 1990s. Since then, the two companies have provided customers with competitive prices and products, becoming a massive 1-2 punch in the home improvement market.

As of November 2025, Lowe's has 1,759 stores across all 50 states and U.S. territories, selling a wide selection of tools, equipment, and home improvement products you didn't realize existed. With a 2025 3rd quarter profit of $1.6 billion on $20.8 billion in sales, the company remains a major player. Online sales rose by 11 percent in 2025, as professionals continued to be the company's driving force. Lowe's is forecasting a total of $86 billion in sales for the entire year.
Olympus Corporation has committed $150m to a new venture capital (VC) fund, aiming to deploy the capital to promising medtech startups in the gastrointestinal (GI), urology, and respiratory sectors.

Olympus Innovation Ventures (OIV) Fund II is being established by OIV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation of the Americas. The fund aims to generate a pipeline of M&A opportunities, partnerships, and valuable market insights.

OIV Fund II is positioned as a stage-agnostic VC fund that aims to prioritise early to growth-stage companies globally with therapeutic solutions for targeted medical specialities. Olympus highlighted that OIV will also continue assisting its existing portfolio companies that were added via its first VC fund, which was launched in 2021.

The inaugural fund, called OIV Fund I, had a capital allocation of $50m and has invested in nine medtech startups, including US-based molecular imaging agent developer On Target Laboratories and Spain-based non-invasive colorectal cancer test developer Universal Diagnostics.

Olympus's chief strategy officer and OIV Investment Committee chair Gabriela Kaynor commented: With an additional commitment to corporate venture capital, we will continue to make investments in startup teams who are building unique solutions in endoscopy-enabled care.

Corporate VC specialist Cerity Partners Ventures will continue to help manage OIVs second fund, having partnered with the VC arm since its first funds launch.

Cerity partner Kindra Tatarsky said: "The Cerity Partners Ventures team is excited to continue working with Olympus, leveraging our collective technical strengths, industry relationships, and subject matter expertise to fund and support leading entrepreneurs.

This fund will build on Olympus Innovation Ventures mission to be the partner of choice for innovators, creating a competitive advantage for their startups.

In confluence with its fresh focus on GI startup investment via OIV, Olympus is aiming to carve out its own position in the market. In July, Olympus founded a new endoluminal robotics startup named Swan EndoSurgical Robotics alongside private equity firm Revival Healthcare Capital.

Swan will focus on developing an endoluminal surgical robotics platform for treating lesions or tumours in the GI tract, with the company stating that Swan aims to develop a system that improves minimally invasive options for treatments such as cancer resection by overcoming the ergonomic limitations of manual endoscopy.

"Olympus launches second VC fund with $150m commitment" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
A brisk tour of the passing scene:

~My hometown has changed a bit since the boring old "Toronto the Good" I was born into 137 sod-bollocking years ago. But, as we all know, diversity is our strength, so get with the programme!

When they tell you who they are, believe them. pic.twitter.com/0iqllNmZfQ  Vivid. (@VividProwess) December 11, 2025

The Pallie fetishists didn't exactly do a great job these last two years of pretending to distance themselves from gang rape as a legitimate tool of war, so it's good to see them 'fessing up and coming clean: Rape a Jewess today! It's the enlightened and progressive thing to do!

~I always enjoy Liam Neeson in those films where he flies to Europe and guns down large numbers of foreigners. I'm less keen on him when he's doing other things, like his mopey widower routine in Love Actually. But I'd gotten the impression that his Taken shtick had elevated him to near national-treasure status in America. And now he's been vaporised in an instant:

So what's the problem? Well...

Neeson, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2011 who praised vaccines as one of the "biggest collective achievements in human history" just three years ago, provides narration for "Plague of Corruption: 80 Years of Pharmaceutical Corruption Exposed." The documentary bills itself as an examination of "how pharmaceutical giants systematically captured governments and deceived families and communities worldwide." It features interviews with anti-vaxxers, such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose HHS leadership has been condemned by medical experts and critics over the past year. "Plague of Corruption" is based on a book co-authored by a pair of anti-vaxxers and published by Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group that Kennedy founded.

So the "progressive" groupthinkers are hammering the poor fellow: "How to set your career on fire, a memoir", "I am now vaccinated against Liam Neeson", etc. To take Mr Neeson's critics at their word, presumably they feel that, if Big Pharma really were totally corrupt, they'd have heard something about it - notwithstanding that TV "news" broadcasts are essentially funded by advertising from Big Pharma, which is illegal in almost all other developed nations, and that in non-election years such as 2025 seventy-five per cent of Fox News ad revenue, per the late Roger Ailes, is pharmaceutical.

Yet beyond that is the underlying reality: US children are the most vaccinated - the most medicated - on the planet, and overall are the sickest in the developed world. No one who swings by the average grade-school would bet the future on America. My own state has the least worst infant-mortality rate in the nation, but among the thirty-eight members of the OECD the US as a whole is bottom save for Chile, Turkey and Mexico, which are not generally countries the US compares itself with. As summarised by the US National Institutes for Health:

The United States ranks lowest among OECD countries for child physical health.

Yes, yes, correlation is not causation. But, given what America spends per capita on "health" "care", you'd think a) that it's obvious the current system isn't working; and b) that one ought to be able to bring up the topic without getting Taken 27 cancelled.

A nation is its people, no more or less: if its people "rank lowest ...for child physical health", that's a problem.

~But, as the lefties would no doubt respond, that's why we need immigrants to come here and do the jobs Americans won't do - like stealing from the rube native taxpayers:

81% of Somali families in Minnesota are on welfare vs 21% of American families pic.twitter.com/fzLOSumE8d  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 10, 2025

If you like those numbers, wait'll you drill down:

Nearly every Somali household with children (89 percent) receives some form of welfare.

And Somalis have a lot more kids than you do: 5.91 births per woman vs 1.599 for Americans. So Minnesota taxpayers are basically paying for their own demographic eclipse.

~Finally, for those of you anxious to know who's two points up in Iowa, well, don't forget to send money now to SendMoneyNow.com. You'll love what they do with it!

The GOP still hasn't confirmed a large chunk of Trump's appointments They refuse to take political advantage of redistricting, the refuse to reward their voters, they refuse to punish their opponents In any other contest what would you call this behavior?  Auron MacIntyre (@AuronMacintyre) December 12, 2025

Gee, it's almost like this Thune guy and the rest of the Republican establishment figure that, if we can just run out the clock for another year, everything'll be back to normal.

Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)
Dec 15 (Reuters) - OpenAI on Monday confirmed that it has appointed Albert Lee, senior director of corporate development at Google, as its vice president of corporate development.

Lee will start his role at Microsoft-backed OpenAI on Tuesday and report to finance chief Sarah Friar.

The goal of bringing Lee "on board is to ensure we have a senior leader with broad visibility across the company who is empowered to move quickly," an OpenAI spokesperson told Reuters.

At Alphabet's Google, Lee had been leading corporate development for Google Cloud and DeepMind, and the strategy and scouting team. Since he joined the company in 2011, Lee has worked on over 60 transactions spanning acquisitions and strategic investments totaling more than $50 billion, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The Information was the first to report Lee's move earlier in the day.

His hiring follows OpenAI's recruitment of former Amazon executive Torben Severson as its new vice president and head of global business development last month.

OpenAI in September hired Mike Liberatore, former finance chief at Elon Musk's xAI, as the artificial intelligence startup's business finance officer.

Lee is also on the advisory board of Alphabet's independent growth fund, CapitalG, which has invested in companies such as CrowdStrike and Airbnb.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City and Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model .

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Oxford Innotech Berhad ( KLSE:OXB ) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

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 (3.7%) 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 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM36m (1 + 3.7%)  (11% 3.7%) = RM543m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM543m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM197m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM352m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.3, the company appears quite good value at a 33% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

KLSE:OXB Discounted Cash Flow December 15th 2025

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the 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 Oxford Innotech Berhad 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 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.161. 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.

View our latest analysis for Oxford Innotech Berhad

SWOT Analysis for Oxford Innotech Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Oxford Innotech Berhad, there are three important factors you should further examine:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Oxford Innotech Berhad you should know about. Future Earnings: How does OXB's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian 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.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has again demonstrated her real estate prowess, netting a $10 million profit by selling a piece of her sprawling Montecito, California, estate.

Known as the "Promised Land," the historic 4-acre Spanish Revival ranch, which Winfrey purchased from actor Jeff Bridges, sold for $17.2 million in an off-market deal to musician and TV personality Adam Levine and his wife, model Behati Prinsloo, according to Robb Report.

The deal showcases Winfrey's real estate acumen of buying low and selling high in one of California's most exclusive enclaves. She acquired the property in 2019 for $6.85 million, the same price Bridges paid five years earlier. The sale price translates into a roughly 150% return on Winfrey's initial investment.

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The property was a late addition to Winfrey's 66-acre Promised Land compound in the Hedgerow District. She waited for the price to drop before purchasing it. Bridges first listed the range in late 2013 for $8.5 million. The price was later slashed to $7.5 million, but Winfrey secured the deal for even less.

The ranch, which dates to 1919, has been restored and renovated over the years. Architectural highlights include hardwood floors, soaring exposed-beam ceilings and five curved fireplaces.

The primary suite has a fireside seating area near bay windows, dual walk-in closets and a bathroom with heated teak floors and a pedestal soaking tub, Robb Report said.

The grounds offer grassy lawns, a large red brick courtyard with a central fire pit and a pool with a spillover spa. The property also has multiple guesthouses, a barn and horse stables.

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Winfrey, who Forbes reports has a $3.2 billion net worth, owns a real estate empire with an estimated value of $150 million.

Though she sold another Montecito property to actress Jennifer Aniston for $14 million in 2021, she still owns dozens of homes across the U.S. Her portfolio stretches from her main Montecito compound to a chalet-style ski retreat in Telluride, Colorado, and more than 1,000 acres of land on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Real estate isn't the only investment Winfrey focuses on. She also invests in art, collecting pieces ranging from masterpieces by renowned artists such as Gustav Klimt and Black artists whose works have been underrepresented and undervalued in the art market.
PNC Financial Services Group has secured all necessary regulatory approvals to proceed with its acquisition of FirstBank Holding Company and its subsidiary, FirstBank.

The company received clearances from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Colorado Division of Banking.

PNC expects to finalise the transaction by 5 January 2026, pending the completion of standard closing requirements.

Upon closing the deal, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national operations, including treasury management, payments, and digital banking services.

The full conversion of FirstBanks customer accounts is anticipated in mid-2026.

PNC chairman and CEO William Demchak said: Final regulatory approval of this acquisition marks an important milestone for PNC as we continue to expand our coast-to-coast franchise and bring our full breadth of capabilities to more customers and communities.

We look forward to welcoming FirstBank's employees and clients to PNC.

The transaction was first announced in September this year, when PNC entered into a definitive agreement to acquire FirstBank Holding Company.

Under the agreement, the deal includes around 13.9 million shares of PNC common stock and $1.2bn in cash, bringing the total transaction value to $4.1bn.

Based in Lakewood, Colorado, FirstBank privately held bank with assets totalling $26.8bn as of 30 June 2025.

The bank provides retail and commercial banking services through 95 branches located across Colorado and Arizona.

This acquisition is expected to expand PNCs reach in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest, particularly in Colorado and Arizona.

"PNC secures regulatory approval for FirstBank acquisition " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Poor people keep paying the price for being wrong while powerful leaders collect huge rewards. Executives avoid consequences for failures that would bring severe penalties for ordinary Americans.

"No one believes the institutions are credible  and I struggle to believe they're credible too," Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) CEO Alex Karp recently said at The New York Times DealBook Summit. He added, "We at Palantir absorb the full risk of our failure," describing what he sees as a widening gap between public accountability and executive outcomes.

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Karp said "poor people" are "the only people who pay the price for being wrong in this culture," referencing soldiers and people living in low-income neighborhoods. He said mistakes in those environments can lead to prison or death.

Karp Says Institutional Trust Is Weakening

Karp said institutional trust declines when executives make "stupid decisions," seek federal help and later receive large bonuses. He said these actions have raised doubts about how major institutions operate. At the summit, he also discussed Palantir's long-term strategy, saying decisions that were once widely viewed as "stupid" in the tech sector are now being adopted by competing firms.

According to Karp, companies that dismissed Palantir's approach "went broke, are going out of business or now have to copy us." He described how views of the company's direction have shifted as earlier decisions align more closely with current industry trends.

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Government Support And Executive Compensation

"Somehow your salary should be capped to the point where you make a lot of money for the American people," Karp told DealBook Summit host Andrew Ross Sorkin. He added that executives who request government assistance should not later receive substantial compensation packages. Karp said companies that approach the White House for help after missteps should accept the full consequences of their decisions.

He repeated that Palantir "absorbs the full risk of our failure," describing it as central to how the company manages internal decisions. He continued to highlight the disparity he sees in the consequences faced by poor people compared with company leaders.
Over 20 years of cumulative experience at Intel werent enough to save Sriram Ramkrishnas senior community manager and developer relations job at the company.

In June, the 56-year-old Portland, Oregon resident heard his division was in danger, and he officially lost his position in a round of layoffs this July.

To make matters worse, on the day of Ramkrishnas departure, his wife lost her job, too.

Must Read

In an as-told-to essay for Business Insider, he said the months-long job hunt has been challenging, but it will be a while before I start panicking about finances (1).

In addition to his severance package, the couple has a savings cushion. Plus, even with increased job competition, Ramkrishna says he feels better prepared than before.

This isnt the first time Ramkrishna has dealt with a layoff in his career. In fact, he worked at Intel from 1996 to 2016. Ramkrishna also says he has a stronger sense of his interests and skills, as well as an extensive support community with former Intel employees and professional connections.

But even with these strengths, Ramkrishna admits it will take luck and timing to land a new job.

If an employer I'm interested in posts a job, there's bound to be at least 400 applicants. I've had to find a way to stand out, especially when going through the front door doesn't feel like a viable option, he said.

The race to reduce costs reshapes tech

Unfortunately, Ramkrishnas situation is becoming all too common as Big Tech companies continue to announce massive layoffs.

Recent data from the executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that technology companies have some of the highest job cuts in 2025, with 153,536 between January and November, up 17% from the 130,701 announced through November 2024 (2).

Besides Intel, major companies like Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta have all announced job cuts from various divisions. Unsurprisingly, AI is one of the most commonly cited reasons for layoffs this year.

Major CEOs like Klarnas Sebastian Siemiatkowski arent hiding that AI will change things dramatically.

I feel a lot of my tech bros are being slightly, you know, not to the point on this topic. I think there is a massive shift coming to knowledge work. And its not just in banking, its in society at large, Siemiatkowski said in an interview with Bloomberg Television (3).
Key Points

Archer Aviation is an early pioneer of the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft market.

Management expects the company to begin recognizing revenue in early 2026.

Positive business updates could inspire renewed buying activity in Archer stock next year.

10 stocks we like better than Archer Aviation 

Every now and again, a start-up becomes a household name overnight after it raises a huge round of funding from top-tier venture capital firms and achieves unicorn status -- that is, a valuation of $1 billion or more.

When this happens, it's common for investors to wonder how they could have gotten in on the action. Unfortunately, investing in start-ups is off limits for most people. Unless you are an accredited investor or have access to secondary market sales, investing in private companies is tough to do.

A decent substitute, however, could be allocating a small portion of your portfolio to speculative assets. One of the most popular speculative opportunities in recent years is electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In particular, Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) stock has become a favorite among eVTOL enthusiasts.

With shares down 50% from all-time highs, I think Archer stock could soar to new heights in 2026. Let's explore what makes Archer such an interesting opportunity and assess why shares could be headed for liftoff in the new year.

What is Archer Aviation and why is it important?

Archer Aviation manufactures electric air taxis. While this sounds like some sort of technology straight from The Jetsons, Archer is bringing it to life -- and Wall Street is on board. Research from Morgan Stanley suggests that the low altitude market could be worth $9 trillion by 2050 given its applications to upend urban mobility and defense operations.

To date, Archer has signed a number of strategic partnerships with commercial airliners, including United Airlines, Korean Air, and Soracle -- the latter being a joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo.

Outside of traditional airline networks, Archer has also partnered with Palantir Technologies on developing a next-generation aviation system, bringing a new level of innovation to much-dated flight mechanics and operations.

In addition, Archer is branching into the defense space. Specifically, the company has received interest from the U.S. military for its aircraft and has also partnered with Anduril in its pursuit of building autonomous drone systems.

Image source: Archer Aviation.

What makes Archer stock move?

While the details above might inspire some excitement around Archer, investors should be aware that the company has not yet achieved commercial adoption. Against this backdrop, the stock tends to move based on headlines and news updates.
Qargo, a Belgium-based transportation management system (TMS), has secured $33 million in a Series B funding round led by Sofina, with participation from Balton Capital. The round brings Qargos total funding to $54 million. The cloud-based TMS platform aims to digitize operations for carriers, freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers.

Since entering the European market less than 18 months ago, Qargo has quadrupled its customer base and grown its revenue fivefold. The company expanded from two to six European logistics markets during that time.

According to a company news release, Qargos platforms AI engine has helped logistics companies automate many parts of their end-to-end transportation workflows, including order creation, route planning, trip optimization, load building, invoicing and booking time slots for warehousing. The automation has helped customers reclaim 75% of their time previously spent on these manual tasks.

The rise of agentic AI and its incorporation into TMS platforms also has boosted Qargos platform by reducing its overhead costs and enabling it to grow its scale.

The recent funding follows Qargos Series A round in May. Customer invoicing processed through Qargos platform rose from $560 million to $2.5 billion annually as its customer base expanded from about 100 to more than 400.

This round is a strong endorsement of our progress and our mission to modernize transport management, said Adriaan Coppens, CEO and co-founder of Qargo, in a company news release. Since our Series A, weve grown revenue, our customer base and our team at an exceptional pace while remaining highly capital efficient. The Series B funding allows us to continue investing and growing the team so that we can keep offering the same level of customer service.

The post Qargo lands $33M Series B to fuel AI-driven TMS growth in Europe appeared first on FreightWaves.
Pampa Energia's latest research update keeps the fair value estimate steady at ARS 5,016.5 per share and the discount rate unchanged at 24.22%, underscoring confidence in the company's risk and return profile. Slightly higher revenue growth assumptions of 12.21% are now being tied more explicitly to structural improvements in power generation and tighter integration with gas operations. Together, these factors support a more constructive narrative without forcing a full model reset. Stay tuned to see how you can track these evolving assumptions and the narrative shifts that may drive future revisions to the stock's target value.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Pampa Energia shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Pampa Energia.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Citi upgraded Pampa Energia to Buy from Neutral, signaling increased conviction in the stock's risk reward profile.

The firm raised its price target to $113 from $92, reflecting a more optimistic view on value creation from the current strategy and asset base.

Citi highlights significant benefits from recent and ongoing changes in Pampa's power generation business, which it sees as a key driver of improved earnings quality and growth visibility.

Analysts at Citi also point to higher monetization potential in the gas upstream segment and stronger integration between power and gas operations, which they partially incorporated into their updated model.

 Bearish Takeaways

Even after the upgrade, Citi notes that only part of the expected gains from power generation and gas upstream integration are reflected in its model, which implies room for execution risk and uncertainty around the full upside.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

BASE:PAMP 1-Year Stock Price Chart

How This Changes the Fair Value For Pampa Energia
SoundThinkings latest price target update leaves its core valuation drivers largely intact, with fair value holding steady at $15.50 per share and long term revenue growth assumptions virtually unchanged around 9.11% and a stable risk profile signaled by an 8.61% discount rate. Bulls see this as evidence that the long term public safety tech story remains on track despite near term contract noise, while bears argue that recent delays and a softer 2026 outlook justify a more cautious stance on upside. Read on to see how you can track these shifts in expectations and stay ahead of future narrative changes around the stock.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for SoundThinking shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on SoundThinking.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Lake Street, via analyst Eric Martinuzzi, continues to rate SoundThinking shares as Buy, signaling conviction that the long term story and execution capability remain intact despite recent volatility.

The firm highlights that the company "remains well positioned," pointing to a potentially positive outcome on the key Chicago RFP as a driver that could support growth momentum and underpin the current valuation.

 Bearish Takeaways

Lake Street cut its price target to $14 from $19, a notable reset that reflects concern over a Q3 top line miss tied to contract delays and a softer outlook for 2026, which tempers expectations for upside from here.

The lower target reflects a more cautious stance on near term execution risk and the timing of revenue conversion from delayed contracts, which could pressure growth and limit multiple expansion if uncertainties persist.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

NasdaqCM:SSTI 1-Year Stock Price Chart

What's in the News
The News in Brief Monday, December 15, 2025

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen sharply criticized the Georgian government during a speech in the Senate marking International Human Rights Day, accusing Tbilisi of taking actions that undermine democracy and serve the interests of Moscow.Shaheen said that Russia's efforts to influence neighboring countries extend beyond Ukraine, arguing that the Kremlin uses pressure and coercion to shape political outcomes across the region."Ukraine is not the only place where the Kremlin uses coercive methods to control its neighbors and shape their political course," the Democratic senator said.Turning specifically to Georgia, Shaheen said the government had crossed a dangerous line over the past year. "Last year, the Government of Georgia took unprecedented steps to silence its own citizens and weaken the democratic system," she said.According to Shaheen, those actions included the adoption of what she described as repressive legislation, a retreat from Georgia's constitutional commitment to Euro Atlantic integration, and a crackdown on civil society and political opponents."It adopted repressive laws. It renounced the constitutional commitment of Georgia to join the Euro-Atlantic community. It took harsh measures against civil society and arrested representatives of the political opposition," she said, adding that "these steps fully align with Moscow's interests."Shaheen also highlighted the risks faced by Georgian civil society leaders who continue to speak out despite pressure from authorities. She singled out Nino Dolidze, a recipient of the National Democratic Institute's Democracy Award, as an example of those working to defend fundamental freedoms."Leaders of Georgian civil society are working at personal risk to protect basic rights," Shaheen said. "Their struggle is part of a broader global resistance."Georgia's ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, has met with Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma amid growing uncertainty over the future of the MEGOBARI Act, a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting officials linked to Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party.The meeting took place as supporters of the legislation acknowledged that efforts to move the bill forward in the Senate have faltered. The MEGOBARI Act, which passed the House of Representatives in May with strong bipartisan backing, has been stalled for months in the upper chamber. Recent attempts to attach the measure to the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense bill widely seen as must-pass legislation, were unsuccessful despite earlier expectations that such a move could revive momentum.In a Facebook post published on December 12, Taliashvili said her discussion with Mullin focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Georgia and the United States. "During the meeting, the perspectives to foster Georgian U.S. relations were discussed," she wrote, thanking the senator for his "personal contribution" to relations between the two countries and describing him as "a true friend of Georgia."According to the ambassador, the talks also touched on regional security issues, recent political developments, and international affairs more broadly. She said the conversation included discussion of President Donald Trump's peace initiatives and opportunities for cooperation on the global stage.Mullin has been widely reported as one of the senators whose opposition has contributed to the delay of the MEGOBARI Act in the Senate. The bill would require the United States to impose sanctions on Georgian officials accused of corruption and abuses tied to efforts to block Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration.
Key Points

Tax considerations with RMDs are especially important.

Retirees should also evaluate when the best time is to take their RMDs.

Reinvesting RMDs is often a smart move for retirees, but it isn't always the best approach.

The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook 

What's the most critical age for retirees after their retirement date? A good case can be made for age 73. Anyone who has money in a tax-deferred retirement account such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k) plan must begin withdrawing required minimum distributions (RMDs) once they reach age 73.

Some retirees use the money to pay their bills or go on vacations. However, others put their RMD to work by reinvesting it. If you're in the latter category, here are five things you need to know about reinvesting your RMD as a retiree.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. You must pay taxes on your RMD

All RMDs you receive are taxable. The second the money leaves your tax-deferred retirement account, it becomes taxable income for you  regardless of what you do with the RMD.

However, there's good news for some retirees. Nine states don't tax income at all. If you live in one of the following states, you won't have to pay state taxes on your RMD (although you could still owe federal taxes):

Alaska

Florida

Nevada

New Hampshire

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Washington

Wyoming

Additionally, four other states have income taxes but don't tax retirement income. If you live in one of these states, you won't have to pay state taxes on your RMD, either:

Illinois

Iowa

Mississippi

Pennsylvania

2. You can't roll over the money back into another tax-advantaged retirement account

On a similar note, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) won't allow you to roll over money received from an RMD into another tax-advantaged retirement account. Many retirees instead put their RMD into a taxable brokerage account. They can then invest in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other assets.

There's one exception to this limitation, though. You can reinvest your RMD into a Roth IRA (assuming you meet the eligibility requirements). A key difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA is that you must pay taxes on all contributions.

3. You can still invest your RMD in tax-efficient ways

That sets the stage for the next important thing to know about reinvesting your RMD. You can still invest the money in tax-efficient ways even though you can't roll it into a traditional IRA or a 401(k).

The Roth IRA is an excellent example of this. All contributions to a Roth IRA will grow tax-free. You could also invest RMD money in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which provide significant tax advantages.
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. In a perfect world, we'd like to see a company investing more capital into its business and ideally the returns earned from that capital are also increasing. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. So when we looked at VSTECS Berhad (KLSE:VSTECS) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.

This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for VSTECS Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.19 = RM105m  (RM1.1b - RM525m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2025).

Thus, VSTECS Berhad has an ROCE of 19%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 11% generated by the Electronic industry.

See our latest analysis for VSTECS Berhad

KLSE:VSTECS Return on Capital Employed December 15th 2025

In the above chart we have measured VSTECS Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering VSTECS Berhad for free.

What Does the ROCE Trend For VSTECS Berhad Tell Us?

VSTECS Berhad is displaying some positive trends. Over the last five years, returns on capital employed have risen substantially to 19%. The amount of capital employed has increased too, by 69%. The increasing returns on a growing amount of capital is common amongst multi-baggers and that's why we're impressed.

On a side note, we noticed that the improvement in ROCE appears to be partly fueled by an increase in current liabilities. Essentially the business now has suppliers or short-term creditors funding about 49% of its operations, which isn't ideal. And with current liabilities at those levels, that's pretty high.

What We Can Learn From VSTECS Berhad's ROCE

To sum it up, VSTECS Berhad has proven it can reinvest in the business and generate higher returns on that capital employed, which is terrific. And a remarkable 368% total return over the last five years tells us that investors are expecting more good things to come in the future. Therefore, we think it would be worth your time to check if these trends are going to continue.
UK-based financial technology company Revolut has announced plans to form a private markets team to expand its wealth management services, according to a Bloomberg report.

Revolut is looking for asset managers, junior investment bankers or private capital advisers to help develop private market fund investment options for its users.

The job listing specifies that the role involves establishing connections with fund managers across the private capital ecosystem.

According to the report, the development comes as private markets continue to increase in size and relevance. Major global exchanges are exploring new futures and options products linked to the $16tn privately-held assets sector.

However, some industry personnel have expressed concerns about rising valuations, limited regulatory oversight, and broader economic factors, the publication said.

These factors are said to contribute to increased risk in certain segments of the private markets.

Revolut currently provides its nearly 70 million users with access to US and European equity trading through its app.

In November last year, the company extended its offering to include British blue-chip stocks after obtaining a UK trading licence.

Earlier this year, Revolut introduced its Robo-Advisor service in Singapore to facilitate automated investing. This service is designed to simplify the investment process for customers by providing a customised portfolio management solution.

The Robo-Advisor allows Singaporean customers to invest in a diversified portfolio without the need for extensive research or active management.

It is particularly beneficial for those with limited time or trading experience, stated the company.

"Revolut to recruit new team to expand wealth management offering " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




MOSCOW, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A Russian court has ruled in favour of Rusal in the aluminium giant's 104.75-billion-rouble ($1.32 billion) lawsuit against global mining and metals company Rio Tinto, according to court documents.

The ruling intensifies a legal battle over a joint alumina refinery in Queensland, Australia, that Rio took sole control of after Australia imposed sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The lawsuit was heard in closed session, and its details have not been disclosed. Rusal declined to comment. Rio Tinto was not immediately available.

RUSAL SEEKS SUPPLIES FROM ELSEWHERE

Rusal filed the lawsuit after losing a case in Australia in 2024 to restore its rights to a 20% stake in the alumina plant Queensland Alumina Ltd (QAL).

Australia responded to the 2022 launch of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine with sweeping sanctions, including a ban on exports of the aluminium raw material to Russia.

Shortly after the ban was imposed in March 2022, Rio took sole control of QAL, sidelining Rusal and cutting its access to the refinery's output. Rio owns 80% of the refinery.

Rio has no assets in Russia, but among the defendants in Rusal's lawsuit were Rio subsidiaries that own 66% of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold deposit in Mongolia, a country Moscow calls "friendly" and which has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

Australia's alumina export ban and the suspension of operations at a refinery in Ukraine prompted Rusal to seek additional supplies from China and other countries to feed its Siberian aluminium smelters in 2022.

In 2025, Rusal said it would gradually acquire up to a 50% stake in an alumina plant in India. It also announced plans to build a new 4.8-million-ton alumina plant in Russia's Leningrad region in 2028.

In 2023, Rusal acquired a 30% stake in a Chinese alumina refinery to support feedstock from its assets in Russia, Ireland, Jamaica and Guinea.

($1 = 79.2000 roubles)

(Reporting by Anastasia Lyrchikova in Moscow. Additional reporting by Clara Denina in London. Editing by Mark Potter)
The share price of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) surged by 9.22% between December 5 and December 12, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week.

Sable Offshore (SOC) Continued to Gain This Week. Here is Why

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is an independent upstream company focused on developing the Santa Ynez Unit in federal waters offshore California.

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) continued its upward trajectory following reports that the company is now seeking federal approval to restart its defunct oil and gas pipeline near Santa Barbara after hitting a roadblock with California state authorities. Investors reacted positively after Sable filed a formal request with the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to shift its Santa Ynez-Pentland Station pipeline from state to federal oversight, as it meets the definition of an interstate pipeline facility under the Pipeline Safety Act.

The company is hopeful that, if approved, the transition will help the line finally restart, given the White Houses support for offshore drilling projects along the US coast. Just last month, President Trump announced a plan to dramatically expand oil and gas drilling rights auctions in American waters, including six new leases off the coast of California.

While we acknowledge the potential of SOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Retirement Stock Portfolio: 11 Energy Stocks to Buy and 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.
By Nathan Vifflin

Dec 15 (Reuters) - STMicroelectronics has shipped more than 5 billion radio-frequency antenna chips to Elon Musk's SpaceX for the Starlink satellite network, and chips delivered under the partnership in the next two years could double that number, a senior executive at the chipmaker told Reuters.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Ten years after Musk met with the CEO of one of Europe's largest chipmakers, Jean-Marc Chery, STMicroelectronics is disclosing the scale of their fast-growing space contract that has become a driver for its specialised chip business.

KEY QUOTES

"The past 10 years of user terminals in terms of volume could actually double over the next two years," Remi El-Ouazzane, president of STMicro's microcontrollers and digital integrated circuits division, said in the interview without giving specific targets.

"I expect many lower-orbit satellite players to leverage the technology," El-Ouazzane said about the BiCMOS-based antenna chips used in Starlink user terminals.

CONTEXT

The space industry is shifting from government-led projects to a fast-growing commercial market, driven by companies like SpaceX, Eutelsat's OneWeb and Amazon's planned Leo network.

This boom is creating demand for specialised chips that can handle high data rates and survive harsh conditions in space.

BY THE NUMBERS

STMicro has delivered more than 5 billion radio-frequency "front-end modules" or antenna elements to SpaceX since their collaboration began around 2015.

Starlink operates in more than 150 markets and has around 8 million users, according to its website.

WHAT'S NEXT

STMicro will supply the upcoming inter-satellite laser links for SpaceX platforms and is working with European players such as Thales and Eutelsat on projects including the European Union's planned Iris 2 satellite constellation.

(Reporting by Nathan Vifflin in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
A higher-than-average household income helps residents build stronger retirement savings than many of their peers, while homeownership rates remain robust. That financial foundation gives Minnesota retirees a solid cushion, though the states higher cost of living can erode some of those advantages. For retirees who have already built up a healthy nest egg, Minnesota offers a stable environment, but it may be less attractive for those who need to make every dollar stretch.

Still, the states higher overall tax burden can offset some of those gains, making Illinois best suited for retirees who value stability over extremes.

The state doesnt top the charts in any single category, but it performs solidly across the board: retirement income, savings and homeownership rates are all close to national averages. What helps Illinois stand out is its relatively affordable housing market compared with coastal states, which can make fixed retirement budgets stretch further.

Below are the five states that scored highest in the study, and why each one stands out for retirees looking to make their money last.

The results reveal a clear top five: states where income, affordability and supportive tax structures combine to stretch retirees dollars further. Below, we break down why these states scored so well and what their strengths can teach you about choosing the right place to live later in life.

A recent study from Caring.com compared states across several key measures of retirement readiness, including average retirement income, accumulated savings, homeownership rates and the annual cost of maintaining a comfortable lifestyle (1). The researchers then ranked each state on how well it positions retirees for long-term financial success.

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Retirement decisions often come down to two numbers: how much youve saved and how far that money will actually go once you stop working. But geography plays a bigger role in retirement security than many people realize, and a new analysis shows that some states give older Americans a much stronger financial cushion than others.

Story Continues

3. Connecticut

Retirement Score: 6.53

Connecticut, at No. 3, has the highest average retirement savings. And retirees with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 are partially exempt from taxes on Social Security.

Connecticut is also one of 10 states with active state-sponsored retirement plans, which can make it easier to contribute to savings (since its automatic). Many other states are considering retirement mandates.

But if you live in Alabama, Florida, Montana, South Dakota or Texas, youre out of luck. No steps have been taken toward state-sponsored retirement mandates at this point.

2. Virginia

Retirement Score: 7.20

Virginia, which came in at No. 2, has a high median household income of $89,931, which could explain why Virginians have more retirement savings than many other Americans, averaging $492,965, the sixth-highest amount in the country.

1. Delaware

Retirement Score: 7.45

According to Caring.coms study, Delaware is the state that sets people up for the most success in retirement. This is because in Delaware, the average retirement income is eighth-highest in the country (at $31,300 per household). While its not the highest, residents have a relatively lower cost of living than many other states, spending on average 16% less on groceries than Colorado and California.

But the state has other perks for seniors: their Social Security retirement benefit isnt taxed and theres no shopping tax, either. And, with certain retirement plans like 401(k)s, residents aged 60+ can deduct up to $12,500 from their taxable income. That means they can hold onto more of their money.

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

What else matters when choosing where to retire

Of course, the top five arent the only states worth considering. Your personal priorities, from affordability to health care, could matter even more than a high rank in one study.

Affordability and cost of living: While retirees in Connecticut might have a larger-than-average nest egg, they still fall short of what they need in retirement by 35%, according to the Caring.com study (2). In part, thats because the state has a higher cost of living, including the cost of health care.

In states that have a lower cost of living for housing, health care, transportation and food, retirees can stretch their dollar further.

When thats taken into consideration, West Virginia is considered the most affordable state because of its low property costs and lower-than-average costs for groceries and utilities, which allow retirees to live comfortably on $58,190 a year. Trailing behind West Virginia is Oklahoma and Kansas.

Homeownership and housing costs: The Caring.com study focuses on monetary assets rather than physical assets like property. But, if you pay off your mortgage before you retire, youll have fewer fixed costs in your golden years, especially if you live in a state that provides property tax relief for seniors.

Almost four in five West Virginians (79.1%) own their homes, followed by Mississippi (75.8%) and Delaware (75.1%), according to Caring.com. While Delaware was the top state for setting up retirees for success, West Virginia and Mississippi didnt crack the top 10. So while homeownership is important, its not the only factor for a successful retirement.

However, owning your own home could potentially serve as a source of passive income as you get older (by renting out a room or basement suite). Or, you could sell and downsize, using the difference to help fund your retirement. And, if necessary, you could access equity in your home.

Tax structure: While federal income tax applies no matter where you live (even abroad), some states have no income tax. Some states dont tax Social Security benefits or distributions from retirement accounts.

The most tax-friendly state for retirees is Mississippi, according to Kiplinger data (3). Social Security benefits, private and public pensions and withdrawals from retirement accounts like 401(k)s are exempt from state taxes. And theres no estate or inheritance tax.

However, while tax breaks may be appealing, its also important to consider the broader picture when deciding where to retire. For example, Mississippi has a high homeownership rate and tax-friendly environment for retirees. But it also consistently ranks low in healthcare access and outcomes (4).

Health care strength and access: Even if youve saved well for retirement, limited access to high-quality health care can increase long-term costs and risks. States with stronger hospital systems, more primary care providers per capita and reliable long-term care options can significantly improve retirees quality of life.

Some of the states that rank well for affordability or taxes perform poorly in national health care rankings. Meanwhile, higher-cost states like Minnesota often offer better access to hospitals, specialists and preventive care. For retirees managing chronic conditions or anticipating long-term care needs, this may outweigh other factors entirely.

Retirement readiness isnt defined by savings alone, its shaped by the state you call home. Delaware, Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota and Illinois rise to the top thanks to strong incomes, manageable costs and policies that support older Americans. But your best-fit state depends on your personal priorities, including affordability, taxes, housing stability and access to quality health care.

A thoughtful look at all these factors can help you choose a place where your savings go further and your retirement lifestyle feels secure, sustainable and satisfying.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Caring.com (1, 2); Kiplinger (3); Mississippi State Department of Health (4)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Many Americans have access to retirement planning through their employers via a 401(k) plan. These employer-sponsored retirement plans simplify saving for retirement in various ways. For years, most plans were traditional, meaning the funds went into your 401(k) account pre-tax, giving you the tax benefit now.

Roth 401(k) plans have grown in popularity in recent years, which gives the tax benefit upon withdrawal of funds. While 85% of employer-sponsored plans offer a Roth 401(k) option, only 18% take advantage of it, according to Vanguard. Such a choice could cause problems for many Americans.

Check Out: Suze Orman Calls This $1.6 Million 401(k) Rollover Move Crazy  What She Recommends Instead

Read More: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K Per Month From Home

In a recent article on her website, personal finance guru Suze Orman expressed concern about the choices many Americans are making in their retirement planning. Here are three reasons why Orman said you shouldnt overlook saving in a Roth 401(k) account when given the choice.

There Is No Income Limit

Roth 401(k) plans act similar to their IRA counterpart, except for one major difference: Roth IRAs have income limits. If you earn over a certain amount, you may not be able to contribute to a Roth IRA.

The Roth IRA phaseouts in 2025 are $150,000 to $165,000 for single filers and $236,000 to $246,000 for joint filers, according to the IRS. The lower tier is when the phaseout begins, and once you pass the higher tier, youre unable to contribute to a Roth IRA.

Thats not the case for Roth 401(k) plans. Financial advisors commonly argue that high earners should focus on traditional IRAs or 401(k) plans to take advantage of the tax benefits now. Orman argues differently.

I dont care what tax bracket youre in. You have to be crazy to do anything other than a Roth retirement account, Orman recently told CNBC. The lack of an income limit is just one more reason, in Ormans eyes, that the Roth 401(k) plan is a compelling option.

Try This: Major 401(k) Change Coming in 2026  High Earners Must Act Now

It Provides Tax Benefits Later

Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax. Americans get the tax benefit upfront. Unfortunately, distributions in retirement are taxed as income, which can be problematic.

Alternatively, Roth IRAs provide tax benefits in retirement.

Roth 401(k) [plans] are funded with money you have already paid tax on. The upside is that when you eventually make withdrawals from a Roth 401(k) [account], the money will be tax-free if you follow a few simple rules, Orman said in a recent article on her website.
Tesla (TSLA) stock rose over 3.5% on Monday following more positive developments in its Robotaxi business, with a prominent Wall Street bull claiming the "autonomous chapter has begun for the EV maker.

On Sunday, an X.com user posted a video of a Tesla Robotaxi driving without a safety driver in Austin, Texas, where Tesla operates its Robotaxi service. Ashok Elluswamy, who heads Tesla AI initiatives like autonomous driving, responded, writing, And so it begins!

Tesla CEO Elon Musk later confirmed the video, posting on Sunday, "Testing is underway with no occupants in the car.

Tesla's climb Monday put it within striking distance of its all-time high reached almost one year ago.

The appearance of a Robotaxi testing in Austin without a safety driver echoes what Musk claimed earlier this month when he predicted Tesla was weeks away from unsupervised robotaxis.

Musk also claimed last month that the Tesla Robotaxi fleet would double in December, with the company poised to expand testing beyond Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area to Phoenix and Nevada.

The next step for Tesla will be the full removal of its safety driver from the Austin service.

Tesla bull Dan Ives of Wedbush believes the Robotaxi game plan is all coming together, with 2026 being the big year.

Heading into 2026 this marks a monster year ahead for Tesla and Musk as the autonomous and robotics chapter begins, he wrote in a note published Monday morning. In our view we expect an accelerated Robotaxi launch across the US with importantly volume production of Cybercabs starting in the April/May timeframe.

Teslas purpose-built Cybercab kicked off the companys robotaxi hype train last October when Musk revealed a futuristic two-seater that lacked a steering wheel and pedals at a glitzy event from a Hollywood soundstage.

With Cybercab production seemingly on schedule, according to Ives, 2026 will likely be a game changer for the company, he said: In a nutshell, we believe Tesla is taking major steps in advancing its AI Revolution path with autonomous and robotics front and center heading into 2026 that will be a game changer and define Tesla's future.

Other commentators who have tested Teslas latest version of FSD (full self-driving) said the service is much better than recent iterations, with smoother driving and far fewer driver interventions needed.
Combs, who previously served on JPMorgan Chase 's board of directors, is leaving to join the U.S.'s largest bank. He will run JPMorgan's new $10 billion Strategic Investment Group, which will invest in companies to "enhance their growth, spur innovation and accelerate manufacturing, primarily in the United States." Over time, JPMorgan plans to commit a whopping $1.5 trillion to bolster economic growth.

However, arguably the most notable change is the departure of Combs, who, in addition to managing a portion of Berkshire's investment portfolio, was also the CEO of GEICO.

Michael O'Sullivan will become senior vice president and general counsel, starting on Jan. 1. O'Sullivan comes to Berkshire from Snap , where he served as the general counsel. This is a new role at Berkshire.

Berkshire's senior vice president and chief financial officer, Marc Hamburg, will retire from Berkshire on June 1, 2027, after 40 years of service. Charles Chang, the current CFO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, will replace Hamburg upon retirement.

NetJets CEO Adam Johnson will become president of the consumer products, service, and retailing businesses of Berkshire Hathaway, effective immediately, while continuing in his role at NetJets.

Nobody expects Abel to ever fill the large shoes left by Buffett, who will likely go down as the greatest investor of all time. However, there have been many questions about how Abel would lead the company, especially given Berkshire's relatively conservative approach in recent years, which included building a huge hoard of cash. Investors just got their first clue, with a slew of management changes:

When Buffett , who is now 95 years old, announced that he would step down, he also appointed Greg Abel, vice chair of Berkshire's non-insurance operations and chair of Berkshire Hathaway Energy , as the new CEO.

Berkshire also recently announced several other significant changes. Does this bode well for the stock?

Earlier this year, Warren Buffett announced that he would step down as chief executive officer of B erkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) after six decades at the helm of the company. If investors didn't think the times were changing then, they likely know now. Recently, Berkshire announced a major shake-up to its core management group. Todd Combs, who joined Berkshire in 2010 and managed a portion of Berkshire's enormous $312 billion equities portfolio, is leaving the company.

CEO changes often lead to broader changes within the C-suite and upper management.

Warren Buffett will step down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the year.

Story Continues

Based on most media reports, Combs appears to have made the decision to leave Berkshire independently. A significant change in the CEO of a company can prompt people to reassess their positions within a company and in life. It is widely believed that Combs and Ted Weschler, another of Berkshire's investing lieutenants, managed about 10% of Berkshire's portfolio. The two are also believed to have been responsible in large Berkshire investments such as Sirius XM Holdings, DaVita, Kroger, Visa, VeriSign, and Amazon, according to Barrons.

In losing Combs, Berkshire loses one of its key utility players. Not only did Combs play a big role in Berkshire's investments, he also ran GEICO, the company's largest insurance brand. Combs is also only 54 years old, which, in the corporate world of executives, is relatively young.

How does this bode for the stock?

It's ultimately tough to say right now. Some turnover amid a CEO change is always normal, and Berkshire's CEO change is the ultimate regime change. In the near term, it is likely to raise questions, such as whether Weschler will remain with the company. Investors who bought the stock for Buffett are likely to be a little concerned, because the easiest transition would have been the minimal change possible.

These changes are also likely to place a greater spotlight on Abel, who will now bear more of the praise and blame for the decisions he makes. In the near term, Berkshire may need to prove itself a bit and may no longer be viewed as the haven investment it once was.

However, investors should still be confident in Abel as a capital allocator. After all, Buffett hand-picked him to run the company. In addition, Berkshire's businesses have built strong moats that are difficult to replicate at this point. Long term, I am not worried about the stock, but it may experience some transitional pain as investors adjust to living without Buffett's reassuring presence at the top.

Should you buy stock in Berkshire Hathaway right now?

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The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Berkshire Hathaway 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!*

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bram Berkowitz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Chase, VeriSign, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Kroger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Todd Combs, Key Investment Manager, Just Left Berkshire Hathaway for JPMorgan Chase. Does the Shakeup Bode Well For the Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Trane Technologies Plc (NYSE:TT) is one of the 10 Data Center Cooling Companies to Invest In. On December 4, Trane Technologies Plcs (NYSE:TT) price target was raised by $11 to $506 by Barclays. The firm maintained the previous Overweight rating on the stock. This nudges Barclays price target closer to the $550 mark, which is the highest rating among 26 analysts the stock is covered by on Wall Street. It is well above the $470 median target price, which offers an 18.31% upside from here.

Watsco, Inc. (WSO): Among Benjamin Graham Stocks for Defensive Investors

The price target boost follows a development on December 2 when the company acquired Stellar Energy Digital, a data center cooling solutions provider. The move will help the company further advance its thermal management ambitions in the growing data center market.

The company did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition. However, it can be confirmed that the deal involves the companys Florida-based operations, which are currently managed by 700 employees, comprising two assembly facilities in Jacksonville. After the acquisition, the operations will continue under the same brand but will become a part of TTs Commercial HVAC business unit. The transaction is expected to be executed in the first quarter of 2026.

These developments will boost the companys near-term prospects, which are well complemented by its services business, which accounts for one-third of revenue. On December 2, Bank of America had already assigned a $550 price target to the stock, upgrading its rating to Buy from Neutral.

Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT) is a manufacturer, seller, designer, and servicer of solutions for air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and custom and transport refrigeration. The company provides airside and terminal devices, dehumidifiers, energy recovery ventilators, air-sourced heat pumps, coils and condensers, energy and water efficiency programs, and other products. It is headquartered in Swords, Ireland.

While we acknowledge the potential of TT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Cathie Woods Stock Portfolio: Top 10 Stocks to Buy and 30 Most Fantastic Stocks Every Investor Should Pay Attention To.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
German energy company Uniper has signed a two-year contract with Vermilions local subsidiary to procure all its natural gas production from German operations.

The agreement covers both low and high-calorific natural gas, with Uniper set to distribute the locally produced supply to its customers across Germany.

Uniper, one of Germanys major energy utilities, aims to strengthen the diversification of its gas portfolio through this contract.

The company said that the current gas supply contract with Vermilion will support the reliability of the domestic energy supply.

Uniper chief commercial officer Carsten Poppinga said: Extending this collaboration sends a clear signal of security and stability for the German energy market.

In times of geopolitical uncertainty and the ongoing transformation of the energy system, it is crucial to rely on competitively priced supplies of locally produced natural gas and further strengthen the diversification of our portfolio.

This agreement underscores our role as a reliable partner for industry, municipalities and households across Germany.

It demonstrates how we take responsibility for a secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply. Our cooperation with Vermilion is an important building block in this strategy.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Vermilion has been operating in the German market since 2014 and has expanded its presence through acquisitions and partnerships.

The company is said to hold the largest exploration acreage in Lower Saxony and is focused on producing domestically sourced natural gas with a lower carbon intensity.

This year, Vermilion expects to produce approximately 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours of natural gas in Germany.

This is estimated to meet the annual gas needs of around 220,000 households.

Vermilion Energy Germany business unit managing director Jefferey Lawrance Davies said: We are proud to contribute to Germanys energy supply with responsibly produced domestic resources.

As long as natural gas remains part of the energy mix, local production should be the preferred option.

Supplying German-produced gas to Uniper not only helps reduce CO emissions compared with natural gas imports but also strengthens the resilience of the German energy system during the transition period.

Our operations meet extremely robust safety and environmental standards, deliver a significantly lower carbon footprint than imported natural gas, and create regional value through continuous economic and social investment and our Community Investment Programme.

In July this year, Uniper signed an eight-year gas supply agreement with Canadian gas producer Tourmaline, which is expected to commence in November 2028.
Key Points

Warren Buffett has frequently recommended that non-professional investors periodically buy shares of an S&P 500 index fund.

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF offers easy exposure to many of the most influential companies in the world, including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft.

The S&P 500 advanced 1,810% during the last three decades, which is equivalent to 10.3% annually, a pace that would turn $400 per month into $835,000 over three decades.

10 stocks we like better than Vanguard S&P 500 ETF 

Warren Buffett, who took control of Berkshire Hathaway six decades ago, has earned a reputation as one of the greatest investors in American history. He has consistently given the same advice: Buy an index fund that tracks the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC)

"In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is to own the S&P 500 index fund," Buffett told attendees at Berkshire's annual meeting in 2021. He has suggested the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO).

Here's how that advice could turn $400 invested monthly into $835,000 over 30 years.

Image source: Getty Images.

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF provides exposure to many of the most influential companies in the world

The Vanguard S&P 500 measures the performance of the S&P 500, which tracks 500 large U.S. companies. It includes value stocks and growth stocks from all 11 stock market sectors, and covers about 80% of domestic equities and 40% of global equities by market value.

The index fund provides exposure to many of the most influential businesses in the world. The top 10 positions are listed by weight below:

Nvidia: 8.4% Apple: 6.8% Microsoft: 6.5% Alphabet: 5% Amazon: 4% Broadcom: 3% Meta Platforms: 2.4% Tesla: 2.1% Berkshire Hathaway: 1.5% JPMorgan Chase: 1.4%

One risk associated with owning an S&P 500 index fund is the extraordinary concentration of the underlying index. The top 10 companies account for 41% of the S&P 500 by market-cap weight, which means a large decline in two or three of those stocks could really drag on the entire index.

However, the top 10 companies also account for approximately 33% of the S&P 500's earnings, so the statistic is not as alarming as many pundits make it out to be. Their price-to-earnings multiples are above average, but their strong competitive positions warrant premium valuations.

Warren Buffett likes S&P 500 index funds because they have regularly generated attractive returns over long periods

There is a simple reason Warren Buffett believes an S&P 500 index fund is the best way for the average investor to get stock market exposure: Buying individual stocks requires more work than most people are willing to take on, and beating the S&P 500 is challenging even for professional money managers.
motorbike on a sandy road outside a Harley Davidson branded building - Biswarup Ganguly/Wikimedia Commons

It might be hard to imagine Harley-Davidson ever failing, but when a company has been in business for over 120 years, it's most assuredly going to go through some ups and downs. It's simply the way of business, especially for one with such a vast global appeal as H-D. Such was the case in India, where the company found out the hard way that not everywhere is a good place to operate a big ol' Hog.

H-D opened its first dealership in Hyderabad in July 2010, and a 70,000-square-foot building at Bawal in Haryana  referred to as a "complete knock-down" assembly plant  that merely assembled kits received from plants in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. This reduced import duties and lowered the bike's overall cost, while expanding their market presence. At the time, it was the company's second attempt at an operation outside the U.S., the first being located in Brazil. And why not? For a country with a population well over one billion, two-wheeled vehicles were by far the most popular mode of transportation, creating a perfect target-rich environment.

Harley-Davidson left India in September 2020, having sold just 27,000 units over a decade of operations. By comparison, Royal Enfield (Harley's main competition in the region) sold twice that amount  every month. During the fiscal year of 2019, H-D sold approximately 2,676 motorcycles, and only 100 between April and June of 2020. Several factors contributed to the legendary bike maker's overall Indian demise, but they all focused on one simple, ironic fact: the bikes were too much of a hog for India.

Read more: 10 Of The Most Reliable Motorcycles Ever Built

Too big, too expensive, too thirsty

A green an gold Royal Enfield Classic fuel tank. - Neil.Dsouza/Shutterstock

During the fiscal year (2019) before Harley pulled the plug, over 17 million two-wheelers were sold in India, 90% of which were powered by engines under 150 cc. Sales of bikes with engines above 500cc only sold 25,000 units a year. But the smallest bike Harley offered in India came with a 750 cc engine.

What's more, the venerable bike maker Royal Enfield, which had a longstanding history in India dating back to 1949, was a significant problem for the iconic American company. Royal Enfield was accustomed to producing motorcycles that were far more affordable, got better gas mileage, and were much lighter, easier, and cheaper to maintain. All of which was borne out by the fact that it continuously outsold Harley (by exponentially large margins) each and every month. Royal Enfield wasn't the only bike maker Harley had to worry about, though. Triumph, Jawa, and Norton were all producing bikes that directly competed with Harley. Plus, Jawa and Norton had partnered with other Indian companies (Mahindra & Mahindra and TVS Motor Company) to build bikes in the country, making them much more affordable and practical.
Key Points

Archer Aviation is an eVTOL start-up aiming to fly its Midnight craft commercially.

The company has partnerships with big names in aviation and manufacturing.

Even so, Archer is a high-risk, high-reward bet on the future of urban mobility.

10 stocks we like better than Archer Aviation 

If you have ever sat in gridlock watching your GPS insist that the next half-mile stretch of highway will take about 30 minutes to drive through, you already understand the pitch for flying taxis.

But, to be more explicit, picture yourself above that trafficked road entirely, flying in a quiet electric aircraft that takes you directly to wherever you're trying to go. That, in a nutshell, is what Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is trying to build.

A growing number of cities and airlines seem at least willing to experiment with this idea. Miami, Los Angeles, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates are all working with Archer to see if it can move its idea of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft into an everyday reality.

On that front, 2026 could be a breakout year for Archer, or it could be a letdown.

The story of Archer through 2025

Archer is developing an eVTOL aircraft that's designed to operate short hops in and around congested cities, especially between urban hubs and airports. Its flagship craft, the Midnight, is a piloted four-passenger eVTOL with targeted trips between 20 and 50 miles and top speeds of 150 miles per hour.

An Archer eVTOL. Image source: Archer Aviation.

Over the years, the company has stacked up a set of heavyweight partners. United Airlines was one of its first major corporate friends and has ordered hundreds of aircraft, with plans to deploy them in dense urban hubs like New York City. The automaker Stellantis has also partnered with Archer and plans to help it scale up its Midnight production.

Meanwhile, Korean Air has signed a memorandum of understanding to possibly use Archer aircraft for South Korea's urban mobility programs, while Saudi Arabia is working with the company to launch its services in the kingdom.

Archer has also been named the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and is buying the municipal airport in Hawthorne, California, to use as both a Los Angeles hub and test site for artificial intelligence technology.

Archer 2026: Tailwinds (and turbulence)

Clearly, Archer sits at the center of some powerful trends. Traffic congestion in the U.S. is getting worse, with the average commuter losing about 63 hours a year to traffic and roughly $1,480 in extra congestion costs. Cities are under pressure to reduce traffic and cut emissions, both of which Archer's aircraft seem capable of alleviating in some degree.
JFrogs stock narrative is shifting as fresh Street research nudges its price target higher, even while fair value stays anchored near $69.22 per share and long term revenue growth assumptions remain close to 16.69%.

The modest uptick in the discount rate to about 8.44% reflects a slightly higher required return on equity, but bullish analysts still see accelerating cloud and security momentum as enough to support higher target ranges in the $60 to $70 band.

As this debate between bullish growth conviction and valuation caution evolves, stay tuned to learn practical ways to track these narrative shifts and updated price targets over time.

Analyst Price Targets don't always capture the full story. Head over to our Company Report to find new ways to value JFrog.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Truist, Baird and BofA all lifted their targets into a higher band, with Truists Miller Jump taking JFrog to $70 from $55, Baird moving to $70 from $58 and BofA nudging to $62 from $60, reflecting growing conviction in the companys execution and multi year growth runway.

Several firms highlight accelerating cloud and security momentum as core drivers, with Truist pointing to the enterprise strategy firing on all cylinders and Baird citing blowout Q3 results led by Cloud and Security.

BofA views Security as an incremental growth engine, estimating it could add 1 to 2 pts to revenue growth through FY27, which underpins a more confident view on JFrogs medium term growth profile despite a higher share price.

Across the bullish camp, analysts effectively reward management for strong execution and converging growth initiatives, seeing the recent string of beats as evidence that the long term growth story remains intact even as targets move closer to current trading levels.

 Bearish Takeaways

Piper Sandler, while raising its target to $60 from $48, maintains a Neutral stance and flags valuation as a key overhang, noting that an EV of roughly 11x 2026 revenues may leave limited upside unless growth continues to accelerate.

Barclays, which took its target to $57 from $52, characterizes channel checks as ok but not stellar, a reminder that near term conditions may be more mixed than headline price target hikes suggest.

Together, these more cautious views temper the bullish narrative by emphasizing that much of the perceived upside could already be priced in, making future gains more dependent on sustained outperformance rather than merely solid execution.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!
Key Points

Bloom Energy stock is closely tied to wider market AI sentiment.

The company has seen four consecutive quarters of record revenue.

10 stocks we like better than Bloom Energy 

Shares of Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) were down more than 12% last week. This is partly due to investors, including several insiders, selling to lock in profits, as well as broader market speculation about a potential artificial intelligence bubble.

Company insiders and retail investors locked in profits after the company's stock rose 365% since the start of 2025. Insiders sold more than $19 million in shares in November 2025. This may have shaken investor confidence a bit. The stock is now well off its 52-week high of $147.

Image source: Getty Images.

There are also lingering inflated valuation concerns. Bloom Energy has consistently beaten quarterly earnings expectations this year, but the stock is trading at an extraordinarily high price-to-earnings ratio of over 1,300.

AI sentiment affects Bloom stock

Across the broader market, there are real worries about an AI bubble. Bloom Energy rises and falls with AI-related sentiment, as demand for energy infrastructure is closely tied to the industry.

So far, Bloom Energy's stock is holding strong in 2025. The triple-digit gain over the past 12 months was driven more by investor enthusiasm than by fundamentals, so investors needed to reset their expectations somewhat. A corrective fall this week shouldn't scare off potential buyers.

Bloom Energy continues to deliver despite short-term turbulence

For long-term investors, Bloom Energy remains a compelling buy. The demand for clean energy solutions and AI infrastructure is growing, but how that looks in the near term is far less certain. Over the next several years, however, investors in Bloom Energy have every reason to be optimistic.

Bloom's revenue ballooned to $519 million in the third quarter, a 57% increase from the same period a year ago. The company stated that this was the fourth consecutive quarter of record revenue. Gross profit and margins are also increasing, a promising sign for Bloom Energy's future.

Should you buy stock in Bloom Energy right now?

Before you buy stock in Bloom Energy, 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 Bloom Energy 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!*
A woman and her pet dog have filed a lawsuit against the IRS, claiming that the pooch she be able to be claimed as a legal dependent for tax benefits (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A lawyer and her golden retriever are suing the Internal Revenue Service to try and get pets classified as legal dependents  a change that would have some tax benefits for pet owners.

Canine Finnegan Mary Reynolds and her owner, attorney Amanda Reynolds, filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of New York, arguing that the pooch relies entirely on Reynolds for food, shelter, medical care, training, transportation and more, Forbes reported.

Reynolds argued that Finnegan, an eight-year-old golden retriever, has no independent income, resides exclusively with her and has annual expenses exceeding $5,000  all requirements for a legal human dependent under IRS rules.

While the IRS defines pets as property, Reynolds says this does not reflect Finnegans role in their household, according to QZ.

For all intents and purposes, Finnegan is like my daughter, and is definitely a dependent, the case reads, noting that while the subject may seem unusual, it is not frivolous or meritless.

Since dogs rely on their owners for everything from food to medical care, one owner has argued that the IRS needs to change their legal standings. (AFP via Getty Images)

Reynolds goes on to argue that not classifying all pets as dependents is an unfair burden to taxpayers, especially since the IRS says that some pets  namely, service animals  can qualify for tax advantages.

Claiming a dependent can result in tax-favored credits and deductions, according to Forbes. This includes Child Tax Credit (and Additional Child Tax Credit), the Credit for Other Dependents, and the Earned Income Tax Credit, the outlet reports.

There isnt, however, any language in case law or statutes that would allow pet owners to claim those tax breaks, Forbes reports.

While pets have a special place in many households across the country, as seen by a recent study that found an increasing number of owners have begun to regard their dogs as their children, the case seems unlikely to move forward.

Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks, who is overseeing the case, has granted a motion to pause the discovery process as the IRS will likely file a motion to dismiss the case.
Texas recently purchased $5 million worth of bitcoin. While the cryptocurrency soared early this year, fears have since grown about a cooling economy and potential AI bubble that could dent the stock market. Valuations of cryptocurrencies have also dipped. Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/dpa

The state of Texas recently purchased about $5 million worth of bitcoin through a BlackRock-administered exchange-traded fund, a representative for the state comptrollers office confirmed in an email to The Dallas Morning Newson.

The purchase came several months after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 21, a high-profile and controversial legislative effort that enabled the Texas comptrollers office to establish a publicly funded strategic cryptocurrency reserve.

It also amounts to one of the first-ever cryptocurrency transactions by a state government amid a broader federal and state government embrace of the recently surging crypto industry. Other states, including New Hampshire and Arizona, have passed similar crypto reserve bills.

And last year, Wisconsins and Michigans pension funds also purchased crypto, although with the comptrollers purchase Texashas now become the first state to actually fund such a reserve.

The industry is maturing and growing  itll continue to become more mainstream, and I think Texas staking out a leadership position will be very beneficial to Texans over time, similar to what the oil and gas industry has done over the last century, said Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, a crypto lobbying group that championed the state legislative effort.

I think were only scratching the surface, Bratcher said.

The state made the roughly $5 million purchase through BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), a fund managed by the major asset management firm that trades in US dollars but generally reflects the price of bitcoin. IBIT was recently trading around $48, reflecting a roughly 20% loss over the past month and a 13% decrease since the beginning of the year.

Those valuations broadly align with the recently highly volatile price of bitcoin: Early this year  amid a crypto frenzy inspired largely by the new, extremely crypto-friendly administration under US President Donald Trump  the worlds predominant cryptocurrency soared to above $100,000 for the first time in its history, and then in early October reached an all-time high above $126,000.

Since then, though, as fears have grown about a cooling economy and a potential AI bubble that could send the stock market plummeting, valuations of cryptocurrencies have also dipped. One bitcoin recently traded at around $85,000, near the digital coins lowest price since April.

Placeholder investment

The state of Texas made its purchase late last month at a price around $87,000, according to a social media post by Bratcher, who said he first learned of the states purchase through a recent Zoom call that included acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock. The comptrollers office did not respond to a question from The News asking about the specific price the state paid for its IBIT purchase.
"Living-fossil" folk opera connects SW China village to its past

Xinhua) 09:44, December 15, 2025

Fang Renliang (L) displays a lacquered wooden mask of Dixi opera in Malu Village of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua)

GUIYANG, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- For centuries, the world beyond the karst hills has fascinated the residents of Malu Village. But they don't need to travel to find adventure. Instead, they can don the lacquered wooden masks of Dixi opera, embodying legendary marshals or military advisors on ancient battlefields.

Though this deeply local folk opera is still unknown to many Chinese people, it is now finding foreign fans. Staged by farmer performers across terraced fields and village courtyards, Dixi opera has been hailed a "living fossil" of Chinese opera due to its rich legacy and vitality.

Fang Renliang, 81, is a performer whose lifelong passion for Dixi has helped preserve this 600-year-old art form. His dedication has also impressed an unlikely admirer of the opera, Garvin Hoefig from Germany.

Fang hails from Malu Village in the Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Guizhou Province. Malu is the village that gave the local style of Dixi its name: Malu Tunpu Dixi.

The village has a history of anthropological significance as its residents are descendants of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) soldiers who had relocated mainly from central China to garrison and farm in the remote region, and who later formed the fortified community of Tunpu.

Born from this distinct military culture, Dixi was originally performed by soldiers to boost morale. Its stories celebrate patriotic generals, with lyrics passed down through fixed, traditional scripts.

When the gongs crash and the drums sound, performers, wearing masks and costumes in vibrant colors, strike poses to the rhythm of ancient verses. And the people of Malu don't just perform or watch these operas -- they connect with their ancestors.

Masks, known as "faces" by the villagers, are key to performers' transformation. Fang once wore one such mask to embody legendary Tang Dynasty (618-907) general Xu Maogong. Over a lifetime, he has grown attached to these magical objects that have transformed him into larger-than-life characters.

After a recent performance, Fang carefully opened a worn camphor wood chest containing over 100 neatly arranged "faces" with a myriad of colors and expressions, their lacquer coating shimmering in the light.

Though performing has become physically demanding at 81, Fang's bond with Dixi is unbreakable. He now contributes as his troupe's drummer, his hands keeping the opera's timeless rhythm.

"Despite my age, I still want to be involved. Our goal is to help people understand our culture and to spread awareness of it," Fang said.

As a designated practitioner of this form of intangible heritage in Guizhou, Fang stands at a crucial intersection of past and future. Fortunately, others are now taking up the baton. Jin Tian, a 47-year-old self-taught villager performer, feels the weight of this responsibility keenly. "A 200-year-old mask was handed down to us," he said, "and we need to pass it on."

Jin's own journey of inspiration illustrates the deep source of Dixi's vitality, or perhaps that of any folk opera style. "Growing up, whenever I heard the gongs and drums in the village, I knew a performance was on," he said. "I'd grab a stool and sit in the crowds, watching, while dreaming of one day joining them."

Yet inheritance faces modern challenges. "With many young people leaving the village to seek jobs elsewhere, it's not easy to gather a full team," Jin admitted. Still, he and his troupe have continued recruiting and training new members.

Garvin Hoefig, who has made China his second home since 2012 and is now the CEO of BITZER Rotary Compressor (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. in east China's Jiangsu Province, was first mesmerized by the masked performers in 2015. Later, due to his frequent visits to his wife's hometown of Changshun, he had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the art form.

Having learned about its history and preservation efforts, Hoefig now sees Dixi opera as more than a spectacle, but an art that gives him "really emotional feeling to be part of it."

"We saw a performance from more than 600 years ago, with masks over 200 years old. It's a treasure," Hoefig said. "I could feel that it is from the soul."

Hoefig is now a keen advocate for Malu Tunpu Dixi and has taken friends from different countries to watch performances. His friends have been very impressed, especially by the entirely handmade "faces" which bestow buoyant personalities onto characters.

"I'm sure they want to see this old culture -- this is real China," Hoefig said with conviction.

A lacquered wooden mask of Dixi opera is pictured in Malu Village of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua)

A villager checks a lacquered wooden mask of Dixi opera in Malu Village of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nazrin Abdul



Representatives of Sino-Foreign Economic Cooperation (Beijing) Science and Trade and its partner company Wuyan Jiangsu Biotechnology, which act as the investor and operator of Azerbaijans trade houses in China, have paid a visit to Azerbaijan.

As reported by Azernews, the visit was organized jointly by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) and the office of Azerbaijans Trade Representative in China. As part of the visit, the delegation toured several regions of the country and familiarized themselves with the operations of local enterprises engaged in the production of food, wine, and cosmetic products within the agricultural and chemical industries.

During meetings with Azerbaijani companies, discussions were held on expanding opportunities for exporting locally produced goods to the Chinese market. The talks focused on strengthening trade ties and increasing the presence of Azerbaijani products in China.
At Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City, cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, smooths out patients fine lines and wrinkles using neurotoxins like Botox ; she contours their bodies by removing excess skin and fat; and she reduces the appearance other skin imperfections through lasers and light-based therapies.

But in recent months, one cosmetic treatment in particular has become especially popular among her patients, she says. So popular, in fact, that shes hardly had the time to try the treatment for herself. Its name? Monopolar radiofrequency. We have a lot of patients coming in for that, she says. It looks like they had a lower facelift and it doesnt hurt.

Meet the experts: Dendy Engelman , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City. Helen He , MD, is an assistant professor of dermatology and director of lasers and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai. Arash Akhavan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City. Sachin M. Shridharani , MD, FACS, the founder and director of Luxurgery in New York City.

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To be sure, monopolar radiofrequency is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure (like radiofrequency microneedling and ol' fashioned microneedling) which means itll never truly replicate the results youll get from plastic surgeries like a deep plane face lift . But as far as non-surgical treatments go, its really good for skin tightening, Dr. Engelman says.

Monopolar radiofrequency technology is nothing new, but in recent years, innovative aesthetic devices have made the procedure a much more worthwhile experience for patients, Dr. Engelman adds. It used to be intolerable, the amount of pain and the amount of time that it took to do the treatment, she says. But the code has been tricked to make it comfortable.

Heres everything you need to know about monopolar radiofrequency, from what the procedure entails, to the benefits it can provide the skin, and the risks you should bear in mind before booking your own appointment.

What is monopolar radiofrequency?

Monopolar radiofrequency is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that delivers controlled heat to the skin in the form of radiofrequency energy, explains Dr. Engelman. It works by sending a radiofrequency electrical current from a handheld, stamp-like device into the middle layer of skin called the dermis, adds Helen He , MD, an assistant professor of dermatology and director of lasers and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai.

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To control how that electrical current (and the heat it generates) disperses throughout skin tissue, clinicians place a sticker called a grounding pad on another area of the patients skin, she adds. So basically, the electric current flows from the initial electrode on the tip of the device, throughout the body and towards the grounding pad, where the current gets absorbed, Dr. He explains.

This is in contrast to bipolar radiofrequency treatments, explains Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City, in which the electrical current travels between two electrodes that are both located on the tip of the device. The radiofrequency energy travels a very short distance with bipolar devices, Dr. Akhavan says, meaning the treatment is more surface-level. But during monopolar radiofrequency, the energy penetrates deeper and more broadly into the skin.

How long a monopolar radiofrequency treatment takes varies on how much skin youre treating, but it normally takes between 25 and 90 minutes, Dr. Engelman says. And it might sound painful to heat up the skin using an electrical current, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated among patients. People say it feels like a hot stone massage, Dr. Akhavan says.

Pain is subjective, of course, and the intensity of the procedure depends on the exact device being used. Some devices may require some topical numbing cream, Dr. He says, but others are generally considered comfortable enough that numbing isn't necessary, she adds.

What are the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency for the skin?

When heat is delivered into the dermis layer of the skin during a monopolar radiofrequency treatment, it denatures the skins natural collagen a protein thats crucial for keeping skin firm, elastic, and young-looking, Dr. Akhavan explains. Essentially youre cooking the collagen, he says. Youre heating it up to a point where the collagen in the skin contracts, similar to how the second you put steak down on a hot skillet, it shrinks down.

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Since collagen is crucial to smooth, bouncy skin and fighting wrinkles, it might seem counterintuitive to intentionally damage it. But this process actually kickstarts the wound-healing process in the body, Dr. Akhavan says, which leads to the formation of new collagen in the skin over the course of several months. Thats the real magic behind it, he says.

Here are all the perks monopolar radiofrequency can offer your complexion:

Tighten skin: As we get older, our skin tends to lose its firmness and elasticity, which leads to cosmetic concerns such as turkey neck , undefined jawlines, and jowls. Skin laxity is caused by the breakdown of collagen and elastin, another protein that helps make skin bouncy. Since monopolar radiofrequency triggers the formation of new collagen (a process that experts call neocollagenesis) monopolar radiofrequency is an effective way to treat those concerns. However, people who have extremely saggy skin, to the point where someones coming in and using their hands to pull on their skin or you see folds and folds on skin in front of their face, this is not someone whos going to get the outcome that theyre looking for, says Sachin M. Shridharani , MD, FACS, the founder and director of Luxurgery in New York City. In those cases, plastic surgery to remove excess skin is going to be a better bet. Monopolar radiofrequency is a better option for folks experiencing mild skin laxitysuch as a little bit of sagging around the jawline or mild jowls, Dr. Engelman says.

Reduce signs of aging: Similarly to saggy skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be attributed to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. So by the same mechanism, monopolar radiofrequency is able to fade those signs of aging.

Improve skin texture: The treatment may also be able to further plump the skin by increasing your bodys natural production of hyaluronic acid, Dr. Akhavan says, a powerful humectant thats crucial to keeping your skin hydrated. So if youre struggling with dry or crepey skin, this procedure might be just what you need, Dr. Engelman adds.

Body contouring: Monopolar radiofrequency isnt only for the face and neck. Certain devices can be calibrated to treat other parts of the body, too, Dr. He says. For instance, the heat settings on the device can be amped up to reach the subcutaneous layer of skin (a layer that contains fat cells) and essentially melt away the fat there. That means the procedure can be helpful for areas of the body that tend to have cellulite, Dr. He says. It can also help reduce the appearance of a double-chin, Dr. Akhavan adds. Sign me up!

Keep in mind that many patients are happy with their results after just one treatment, Dr. Engelman says, but the effects dont fully set in immediately. In fact, visible improvement usually starts around six to 12 weeks after the procedure, she says. And full results often wont appear until three to six months afterwards.

To compound your results and reach your desired effect, however, you may need to undergo a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart, Dr. He adds. And regardless of whether you get one treatment or multiple, this procedure is not an overnight fix, she adds. I think its good to temper expectations.

What are the risks and what can I do about them?

All cosmetic medical procedures come with risk. But before delineating those, its important to note that certain people shouldnt get the procedure at all. For one, those with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea should avoid the procedure during active flare ups. So should those with any sort of open wound or skin infection, Dr. Shridharani says.

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Folks with any sort of electronic implant in their bodysuch as a pacemaker, neurostimulator, or implantable cardioverter defibrillatorsshouldn't get the procedure either. The electric current emitted by monopolar radiofrequency devices can stop those devices from working properly, which can potentially be life threatening, Dr. He explains.

People with metal implants in their body should avoid the procedure directly over or near the implant as well, Dr. He adds, because the electric current can heat up the metal. And finally, as is the case with pretty much all cosmetic procedures, monopolar radiofrequency hasnt been studied in pregnancy, so its best that pregnant people avoid the treatment altogether, Dr. He says.

When it comes to monopolar radiofrequency for the general population, however, there are two categories of risk to bear in mind: typical downtime that happens after the procedure, and poor outcomes that can occur if something goes wrong. Lets break them down.

Downtime

Heres some good news: Theres little downtime after monopolar radiofrequency, says Dr. Shridharani. At the very most, you might experience a bit of redness or swelling, Dr. He adds, but thats normal, and its very, very mild in the vast majority of cases, she says. In more rare cases, such as when a monopolar radiofrequency device is used on a high-heat setting, its possible to experience mild hives after treatment, but thats very transient and it resolves pretty quickly, Dr. He says.

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In Dr. Akhavans practice, downtime is practically nonexistent for this procedure, he says. Some people are pink for 15 minutes or a couple hours, he says. But since were not breaking the skin, theres really no downtime. The point is, any side effects you might experience in the few hours or days after the procedure shouldnt interfere with any activities in your day-to-day life, experts say.

Despite these relatively mild side effect, its still a good idea to be extra vigilant about protecting your skin afterwards to allow it heal properly and optimize your results. For instance, youre going to want to avoid direct exposure to sunlight for the first 24 to 48 hours after a treatment, Dr. Shridharani says, and be sure to apply SPF to protect your skin from the sun. Youll also want to avoid excessive sweating to prevent any sort of irritation as your skin heals, he adds.

Your provider may also recommend that you avoid active skincare ingredients for the first few days after the procedure, such as retinoids and exfoliating acids. Instead, you might consider sticking to only hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. But, again, because the outermost layer of skin doesnt get injured during this procedure, if you really think about it, theres no reason to avoid actives, Dr. Akhavan says.

Poor outcomes

Before you worry, keep in mind that monopolar radiofrequency is considered a very safe procedure as long as the provider knows what theyre doing. But its possible for things to go awry if a practitioner doesnt know how to properly use the device involved in the treatment.

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Monopolar radiofrequency devices get hotlike really hot. Im talking anywhere between 45 and 70 degrees Celsiusthats 113 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The devices typically incorporate cooling technology to ensure the temperature of the visible, outermost layer of skin doesnt reach above 45 degrees Celsius, Dr. He says. But if a device is used incorrectly, and your skin heats up too much, you can develop burns and scars. Yikes.

And as previously mentioned, one of the perks of monopolar radiofrequency is that the treatment can result in some fat loss. Sometimes this is intentional and desirable, especially in places like the under the chin, Dr. He says. But if the device is used on aggressive settings unintentionally, the procedure can result in accidental fat loss in other places such as the cheeks. And if you lose fat there, you lose some structural support, Dr. He says. That can potentially create a more aged appearance.

How can I reduce my risk?

The risks above can sound frightening, but rest assured that theyre very unlikely if you visit an experienced medical professional such as a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. These experts understand anatomy and know how to calibrate a monopolar radiofrequency device for different parts of the body and varying aesthetic goals.

But to be upfront, getting a monopolar radiofrequency treatment from an experienced doctor will likely cost you more money than visiting a medical spa, for instance. (At a doctor's office, you can expect to shell out anything from $800 to more than $3,500, Dr. Engelman says.) But since youre starkly reducing your risk of complications, its well worth the cost, Dr. Shridharani adds.

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So many patients that we end up taking care of on a yearly basis had poorly performed procedures elsewhere. And the only reason those people had procedures with those clinicians was because they were more affordable. But now theyre spending a lot more to fix a problem, he says. I can tell you that its expensive to be cheap.

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GUEST OPINION: In 2026, success in Australia will belong to businesses that can move as fast as the technology they depend on. The themes of the year  AI agility, data sovereignty, subscription-first models, and energy efficiency  all point toward a single truth: adaptability is the new edge. Those who design for flexibility, think beyond compliance, and act with speed will not just weather uncertainty  theyll define the next era of growth. The announcement of the Federal governments National AI plan will accelerate this race.

Agility, not scale, will define AI leadership in 2026

By 2026, AI leadership in Australia will be defined by an organisations ability to reconfigure its AI infrastructure models, inference engines, and deployment platforms regularly. Companies that build modular, provider agnostic AI stacks will outpace those that bet on large fixed infrastructure or single vendor architectures.

As foundation model capabilities leapfrog every few months and cost/performance curves shift unpredictably, enterprises will no longer gain advantage by scaling static AI systems. Instead, the winners will implement infrastructure that allows them to:

swap models and inference providers within weeks

orchestrate workloads across cloud, on-prem, and edge based on cost and capability

absorb rapid changes in GPU hardware, quantization formats, and model architectures

redeploy AI copilots or agents to production multiple times per quarter

In 2026, competitive advantage wont come from how large your AI infrastructure is, but how quickly you can adapt it.

In 2026, data sovereignty emerges as the next frontier of resilience

In 2026, data sovereignty will evolve from a compliance checkbox into a boardroom priority. Spurred in part by the governments relatively light regulatory approach to AI, Australian companies will win by gaining clear visibility into where their data resides, who controls it, and how easily it can move when markets shift.

The reality is that governments, including in Australia, will continue to tighten data localisation laws and trade relationships reshape digital borders. The Australian government's AI plan will incorporate this approach. Companies need to start preparing for its implications.

Forward-looking businesses will map their digital supply chains, ensuring applications and assets can move across jurisdictions with minimal friction. With rising geopolitical volatility, 2026 is expected to bring tighter and more fragmented supply chains, making such agility even more essential. Organisations that can pivot between sovereign, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments will be best equipped to navigate geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain constraints while maintaining business continuity. Treating data sovereignty as strategy, not policy, will define resilience.

In 2026, subscription becomes the language of flexibility

In 2026, subscription overtakes ownership as the dominant model for how organisations fund and deploy AI and digital infrastructure. Faced with economic uncertainty, rapid AI capability changes, and unpredictable compute demand, enterprises will no longer commit to large capex-based or multi-year infrastructure bets.

Instead, they will construct modular, subscription-driven stacks where compute, AI models, storage, cybersecurity, and even industry-specific capabilities can be scaled up or down monthly. This shift allows organisations to redirect workloads, budgets, and markets at the pace of change, making subscription-based architecture a core enabler of resilience and growth.

In 2026, the C-suite will make diversification mandatory across supply chains, cloud, and GTM.

In 2026, diversification becomes a non-negotiable priority for APJ leadership. Escalating geopolitical tension, concentrated digital infrastructure risk, and rising regulatory fragmentation push enterprises to abandon single-market and single-provider dependencies.

C-suites will actively redesign their operating models around multi-market supply chains, multi-cloud and multi-AI-provider architectures, and multi-channel GTM strategies. The goal is explicit: reduce vulnerability to regional shocks while positioning the business to capture growth across both emerging and mature APJ economies.

By broadening their operational, digital, and commercial footprints, APJ enterprises will replace the old optimise for efficiency playbook with a new one built on structural resilience.

In 2026, energy will decide who wins the AI race

2026 will be the year the regions AI ambitions collide with its energy realities. As GenAI workloads surge and national grids strain under unprecedented demand, power, not performance, will become the ultimate constraint on innovation.

Across APJ, organizations will be forced to re-engineer their infrastructure around energy efficiency. The shift from spinning disk to flash will accelerate, driven not just by performance gains but by necessity. Data centers will evolve into energy-aware ecosystems, where every watt counts, and technologies like modular design, advanced cooling, and intelligent workload placement will define competitiveness.

In 2026, the winners wont just be those who scale AI, but those who can sustain it. Energy will emerge as the new currency of digital progress, reshaping how businesses design, deploy, and differentiate their technology strategies.

Nathan Hall is the APJ GM and VP of Pure Storage

Here is additional commentary from Altay Ayyuce, ANZ Area VP for Pure Storage:

In 2026, we will see a significant acceleration amongst thousands of Australian organisations to adopt AI models as they seek to take advantage of AI to grow productivity, reduce costs and become more competitive.

The Federal governments National AI plan will spur this investment.

Altay Ayyuce, ANZ Area VP for Pure Storage

Like many wide-ranging government initiatives, the plan isnt perfect but it would be naive to suggest it should be. Governments play a role in supporting industry but we shouldnt expect them to be overly proscriptive.

In fact, it may take company CIOs and their company boards some time to fully understand and react to the implications of the National AI plan.

But they should recognize two things.

Firstly, that the race to win in AI is now on - the government has fired the starting pistol and secondly, the National AI plan is relatively light touch from a regulatory perspective. There is no stand-alone AI Act, for example, and while the plan talks about the need to ensure data centres construction and management is sustainability aware, the plan goes no further in its specifics. So, we expect the surge in data centre construction to continue and AI adoption to accelerate.

Skills are now a significant differentiator

One of the biggest implications of this new AI playing field will be a rush by Australian companies to find the people with the skills to integrate a subscription based, data sovereignty and energy efficiency aware approach to AI.

Its a good time in Australia to have skills in data centre energy management, subscription based AI modelling and data sovereignty expertise.

There are few people with all these skills in Australia, as we identified a few years ago in an investigation with the University of Technology Sydney. As a consequence, we expect that companies will increasingly rely on their technology partners to provide these solutions.
Carol-Ann Gough, Vice President Customer Success and Professional Services APAC, Guidewire

While AI automation will continue to be a key priority for all insurers, with adoption accelerating in the areas of claims, fraud and risk modelling, another emerging trend will be around regulation. Compliance will become increasingly data-driven and automated, as insurers will be expected to demonstrate compliance in near real time - not just declare retrospectively. Compliance will move from reactive reporting to continuous controls monitoring. Compliance will need to be industrialised, and insurers will require modern technology and data capability to operate at the standard expected. Whilst this sounds onerous, the enhanced automation capability and data insights will also be key enablers for further improving operational efficiency and effectiveness, as well as customer experience, if applied and designed with these outcomes and benefits in mind.

Simon Wistow, Co-Founder & VP of Strategic Initiatives, Fastly

As the race to develop and implement AI-powered tools continues in 2026, organisations that foster close collaboration between developer and security teams will come out ahead. Developer teams are under pressure to innovate and implement AI quickly, while security teams are tasked with identifying and fixing security issues before deployment. When developers and security professionals work in tandem from the early stages of AI model-based development, they can put proper safeguards in place and mitigate potential security gaps before they arise. This new developer-security partnership model will result in a more secure and reliable AI ecosystem, where innovation and security go hand in hand.

Andre Durand, Founder and CEO, Ping Identity

As AI agents become part of daily workflows, a new threat is emerging: the agent-in-the-middle. These agents can see screens, move cursors, and act on our behalf. Its the next evolution of man-in-the-middle attacksonly now, the intruder is software you invited. Detecting and governing those agents will be one of cybersecuritys defining challenges. Knowing when AI is acting, and who its acting for, will separate the secure from the exposed.

In 2026, identity will become the universal language of accountability. Every action will need to show proof: who or what did it, under what policy, and with whose consent. Trust wont hinge on claims; it will hinge on proof. The organisations that can verify both identity and intent will define the new standard for digital trust.

Matt Rider, Global VP of Customer Technical Support, Exabeam

During 2026, well see identity-first security move beyond users and devices to include APIs, machine identities, and AI agents. Organisations are increasingly automating workflows and assigning tasks to AI chatbots, and this will drive the need for each AI agent to have its own identity, privileges, and monitoring. The challenge in securing these agents will lie in determining intent, as AI identities differ from human behaviour patterns. This will accelerate the need for unified governance that can track, validate, and revoke permissions for both humans and AI entities. Organisations that fail to modernise their identity stack will face critical visibility gaps that leave them vulnerable to AI-enabled breaches.

Jonathan Zanger, Chief Technology Officer, Check Point Software Technologies

As enterprises embed generative AI into everything from customer service to threat hunting, the models themselves have become attack surfaces. In 2026, adversaries will exploit prompt injection, inserting hidden instructions into text, code or documents that manipulate an AI systems output, and data poisoning, where corrupted data is used to bias or compromise training sets. These attacks blur the boundary between vulnerability and misinformation, allowing threat actors to subvert an organisations logic without touching its infrastructure. Because many LLMs operate via third-party APIs, a single poisoned dataset can propagate across thousands of applications. Traditional patching offers no defence; model integrity must be maintained continuously. CISOs must treat AI models as critical assets. This means securing the entire lifecycle, from data provenance and training governance to runtime validation and output filtering. Continuous red-teaming of models, zero-trust data flows, and clear accountability for AI behaviour will become standard practice.

Markus Nispel, Head of AI Engineering and EMEA CTO, Extreme Networks

The top technologies people are likely to be talking about in 2026 will go beyond todays LLMs. Well see a lot of focus on increasing the capabilities AI can provide through multi-agent systems, leveraging small and domain-specific language models, and exploring how to achieve artificial general intelligence with a new category of AI, world models. Another big conversation will be around the impact of these advancements on global GPU infrastructure, including how data centres will need to scale to support these next-generation AI systems.

Jeb Horton  Senior Vice President of Global Services, Hitachi Vantara

With AI, we live in a real-time world. To enable faster decision-making and automated responses  especially in customer-facing interactions  enterprises will need real-time infrastructure, which is the technology foundation that captures, processes and acts on data the moment events occur. This combines fast compute, high-speed networking and powerful storage to support instant decision loops and responsive operations. In 2026, this capability will move from innovation to expectation.

David Lloyd, Chief Data & AI Officer, Dayforce

After over two years of AI frenzy, companies are learning that speed without a destination is just noise. The smartest leaders in 2026 arent chasing the next model or "agentic"  theyre asking what truly deserves automation. This isnt the end of innovation  its the start of intelligent restraint. Strategy, not spectacle, will define the next era of AI.

Pierre Lamy, Principal Threat Intelligence Researcher, Anomali

The job market will continue to feel the effects of the mass layoffs that defined 2025, not just driven by shrinking budgets but by a growing divide between workers who have embraced AI technologies and those who havent. Productivity never fully recovered after COVID, and companies are increasingly unwilling to retain employees who arent leveraging AI and LLM tools to enhance their performance. By late 2026, well see a course correction: hiring will pick back up, but it will be significantly more selective, favouring individuals who have upskilled into AI fluency and can blend human intuition with AI-powered processes to deliver outsized productivity.

Chris Calverley, Head of Sales and Partnerships ANZ - Avalara

Lets be honest, no one starts a retail business looking forward to managing the complexity of tax compliance. But AI is finally making it less of a slog. Next year, smart retailers will use AI to handle the boring stuff like spotting data errors, crunching reports, and keeping everything tidy behind the scenes. It wont replace your team, but it will give them more time to focus on customers and growth. Think of AI as that reliable mate who quietly gets the job done while you handle the big stuff that promotes business growth.

Pieter Danhieux, CEO and Co-Founder, Secure Code Warrior

Research from Aikido Security has revealed that a staggering one in five security breaches is now thought to be caused by AI-generated code. The same report also found that when AI tooling and the code it produces malfunction, security teams and developers still tend to get the blame. In 2026, its highly likely that we will live through a high-impact security incident that can be pinned solely on the use of AI-generated code.



It is clear that unchecked use of AI across multiple disciplines, with no guardrails or safety nets, presents an unacceptable risk profile for most, and coding is no different. Websites tracking global AI regulation and policy are helpful, but they give the impression that security leaders will not be subject to GDPR-like legislation that will result in a unified, global push for AI safety as it relates to coding assistants and agentic agents.



In the absence of regulation, these same leaders must still ensure prominent internal guardrails around AI use and developer upskilling in security.

Morey Haber, Chief Security Advisor, BeyondTrust

The speed at which OT entered our homes and businesses from cameras to thermostats can be measured in days verses years or decades. While very few other technologies including electricity, television, radio, and even the Internet were adopted faster, Agentic AI is poised to dominate our lives in days as well in 2026. In the next year, nearly every technology we operate will be connected to agentic ai and claim benefits from booking travel to optimising the temperature in our homes. While some claims may really help, others will be empty promises or actually make things worse. On the pessimistic side, the rush to deploy agentic AI everywhere will lead to a plethora of attack vectors, breaches, and new security concerns due to excessive privileges, confused deputy problems, and a general lack of guardrails instrumented during typical secure by design processes. The speed to make a name with agentic AI will reflect cybersecurity an afterthought and in the end, the user community will suffer at a rapid rate of adoption and threats.

Navneesh Garg, CEO, Adactin

With AI usage soaring, were seeing an extraordinary demand for computing power, with some research suggesting Australia will need up to 175 new data centres by 2030. The demand for electricity to power those centres will ensure the issue of environmental and social responsibility stays squarely on state and federal government agendas next year and every one after that.

Businesses will increasingly be expected to do some heavy lifting: finding ways to reduce the carbon footprint of IT workloads; utilising carbon aware scheduling; deploying digital twin technology to simulate and optimise energy consumption across physical assets, supply chains and operational environments; and reducing e-waste via more rigorous re-use and recycling campaigns.
Australian biotech innovator Vaxxas has secured a major milestone in its journey to revolutionise vaccine delivery. The company has been granted approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to begin manufacturing its groundbreaking needlefree vaccination patches at its biomedical facility in Brisbane.

The licence covers production of Vaxxas highdensity microarray patches (HDMAPs), a nextgeneration technology designed to deliver vaccines through the skin without needles.

The approval comes ahead of a series of latestage clinical trials and follows the installation of the companys first robotic lines for aseptic (sterile) manufacture.

In a statement, Vaxxas said the licence provides the company and its partners with a clear competitive advantage, strengthening its leadership in vaccine innovation.

Founded in 2011 by Australian biomedical engineer Mark Kendall, Vaxxas captured global attention during the COVID19 pandemic. In 2022, its proteinbased vaccine patch demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in mice against all major variants of the virus.

Article continues below the video, taken from the HD-MAPs next-gen tech page:

Weve tested it against ancestral Wuhan, the original virus, weve tested it against Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Kappa, Lambda and Omicron. And we see no significant loss in virus neutralising potential, explained David Muller, senior researcher at the University of Queenslands School of Chemistry.

At the time, Vaxxas held exclusive rights to produce patches using HexaPro, a proteinbased vaccine developed by the University of Texas.

Founding CEO David Hoey outlined ambitious plans to scale production to as many as 300 million patches per year, highlighting the accessibility of the technology.

You can send the device through the mail for somebody to apply in their own home, which prevents them from having to go to a central location, he said. Whether a health worker applies a patch, or if somebody applies it to themselves, there is no difference in the way the dosing works.

He said patches were cheaper to produce than traditional needles and syringes.

The new TGA licence sets out strict principles and procedures to ensure vaccine quality.

Vaxxas chair Sarah Meibusch described the approval as a significant milestone in the companys path toward commercialisation. By reducing coldchain requirements and enabling selfadministration, this innovation addresses key barriers to vaccine access and uptake worldwide, she said.

The Brisbanebased company has recently expanded its 5,500m facility with robotic manufacturing lines to support largescale production. In 2025, Vaxxas announced a $90 million funding round and, in October, signed a threeyear agreement with ObvioHealth, a provider of digital clinical trial solutions.

Under the deal, Vaxxas will use ObvioGo as its preferred platform for managing latestage clinical trials.

In November, the company further strengthened its leadership team by appointing Brent MacGregor, CEO of Medical Developments International and a veteran of the vaccine industry, to its board.

Chris Griffth's personal website is here.
Laman Ismayilova



An exhibition, "A Life Preserved on Canvas", commemorating the artist Rasim Nazirov (19492023), has opened at the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the opening, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, People's Artist and Professor Farhad Khalilov, reflected on Nazirov's creative legacy, noting that the display of his paintings and graphic works marks the artist's first solo exhibition.

Rasim Nazirov was a member of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union and had been an active participant in national and international exhibitions since 1979. Working in both painting and graphic art, he was particularly recognized for his still lifes, portraits, and landscapes.

His works have been exhibited in Georgia, Russia, Poland, Afghanistan, Turkiye, and other countries. In addition to his artistic practice, Nazirov authored scholarly publications addressing key issues in contemporary visual art.

The opening ceremony also included remarks by Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov; Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Gunay Afandiyeva; and Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People's Artist Natig Aliyev.

They spoke about Nazirov's life and artistic journey, highlighting the distinctive qualities of his work and the high artistic merit of the exhibited pieces. The artist's spouse, Sevil Badalova, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the Azerbaijan Artists' Union for organizing the exhibition.
A Bunch of Stuff- Johnny Depp (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



Catching up on the local news recently, I came across an article about actor Johnny Depp visiting Japan. A fan of his movies, I was excited to learn that Depp would be having an art exhibit titled A Bunch of Stuff in Tokyo, and immediately reserved tickets for my wife and me.

At 7,591 yen (about $48) for two tickets, it was very affordable. Tickets are for 50-minute sessions and its important to arrive on time. Once your time slot starts, thats it.

I chose weekday tickets, so it would be easier to find parking. The venue wasnt at the usual Tokyo hotspots like Shinjuku or Shibuya. It was at NEWoMan, a department store in Takanawa City, a place I had never heard of. I wanted to minimize my chances of getting lost or being stuck in traffic, so coming early was important.

Basic and Accent (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



The department store had parking, so after driving through the underground maze, we got a spot and had plenty of time for some exploration and a bite to eat.

The City Bakery NEWoMan

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



To avoid a food coma prior to entering the exhibit, we opted for a quick meal at City Bakery, a chain restaurant serving cakes, sandwiches and a variety of breads.

We ended up ordering small slices of apple pie and carrot cake, a bagel cream sandwich and a ham and cheese sandwich for a meal. The bread was decent, and the ham sandwich was served hot. Of the sweets we selected, my favorite was the apple pie because it was similar to the ones I had on a previous trip to Aomori Prefecture. The bagel was good but it was a little messy to eat with the cream inside.

Although we ordered a lot, our meal only cost 3,750 yen (about $24). It also validated our parking ticket, so it was a win-win.

Johnny Depps Bunch of Stuff

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



As we prepared to enter the art show, I was incredibly excited to see how empty it was on the weekday, allowing us to enjoy the exhibit without crowds pushing and shoving inside.

The exhibit was broken into three areas. The first area was a labyrinth of red curtains with Depps art displayed throughout. It gave me a very goth feeling, but it also gave me the expression of wanting to see and venture deeper.

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

five different writings on the curtain (Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



The second area, with many acrylic, posters and mural art, I enjoyed the most. More so for the sense of humor in the art and the Gonzo-style posters, which were my favorite.

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



The third section was the most visually stunning. One of the rooms felt like a mental mess with cluttered items. The video display narrated by Depp was amazing and described his story through art. He mentions having a dark sense of humor, which I can relate to from my military experience.

In this room, one piece of art caught my attention. It was a large acrylic painting of a dog. I have no idea what it was about, but my love for dogs made me admire it.

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



As we finished, I was amazed how fast the 50 minutes went by. We checked out the gift shop and decided to bring home a few souvenirs. Before leaving, visitors can leave a drawing or message behind. I decided to keep it old school and leave a drawing on the wall, a great way to wrap up the experience.

(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)



The exhibition also features a concept cafe and bar, which according to the website, has a menu of items inspired by Depps creative world.

The show runs through May 6 and is a must for Johnny Depp fans. And I discovered Takanawa City is a good spot to explore, so you might want to make a day of it.

Dates: Through May 6, 2026

Time: 10 a.m.- 8:50 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)

Address: 2-21-1 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0074

South, 2nd Floor

URL: https://www.abunchofstuff.com

Tickets: https://johnnydepp-abos.zaiko.io/?_=1765762804202

Price: 3,190 yen per person (plus additional 495 yen for handling)

Notes:

Nearest train station is Takanawa Gateway Station.

Paid parking lots are available in the area.

If you drive, limited parking is available at 2-21 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0074.
Stranger Things pop-up store (Photo courtesy of JUN Co., Ltd.)



Although the mega-hit Netflix series Stranger Things is drawing to an end, if youre in Tokyo, you have a chance to head back to Hawkings, Indiana, one more time at VA | STRANGER THINGS HOUSE, a themed pop-up in Shibuya for a limited time.

Released in 2016, the sci-fi series follows a group of pre-teens in a small town fighting otherworldly creatures and entering different dimensions to rescue themselves and each other. To mark the series finale, the pop-up store in Shibuya will run until Dec. 28.

The VA | STRANGER THINGS HOUSE offers photo ops in recreated sets, a merch shop and cafes for some exclusive themed items.

Take pics inside Wills house at the Byers House photo spot. Pick up exclusive pop-up merchandise, including brand collaborations from Palladium, Converse and more. And before you leave The Upside Down, grab a slice at Surfer Boy Pizza, a Demogorgon drink at the Stranger Things Cafe, and a tasty ice cream treat from Blue Seal Ice Cream at Scoops Ahoy.

Volume 1 of the final chapter is on Netflix now, Volume 2 is slated for release on Dec. 25, and the final episode will air on Dec. 31.

Admission to this fun pop-up is free and the merch and food items range in prices. Mark the end of a celebrated era with Demogorgon, Vecna, Eleven and the gang in Shibuya before its times up!

(Photo courtesy of JUN Co., Ltd.)

(Photo courtesy of JUN Co., Ltd.)

(Photo courtesy of JUN Co., Ltd.)



THINGS TO KNOW
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If you're a Republican, you can explain away the troubling results of the special election in Tennessee's Seventh Congressional District any way you want. But what about the dozens of other special elections in 2025 that saw your party underperform?

And that's the problem for the GOP .

The 13-percentage-point shift toward the Democratic Party in Tennessee's 7th, a ruby red seat anchored in Nashville , compared to the outcome there in 2024, wasn't just a one-off that can be dismissed as a fluke, or the result of voter disinterest or lower turnout  as happens from time to time with mid-cycle special elections. Nope.

What happened in the Volunteer State is part of a pattern; a grim pattern if you're a Republican, but one that has Democrats smiling from ear to ear as they angle to recapture the House and take a stab at putting the U.S. Senate in play in the 2026 midterm elections.

This year, from coast to coast, in roughly five dozen special elections for seats in Congress and in statehouses, Republican candidates underperformed President Donald Trump's numbers by an average of 13 points  the same shortfall that characterized the GOP's win in Tennessee 7.

In other words, rather than matching Trump's 60% to 38% 2024 victory in the district over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris , the Republican nominee, now-Representative Matt Van Epps , managed only a 54% to 45% win over a progressive arguably more left-wing than the former vice president, Democrat Aftyn Behn .

Nonpartisan political handicapper Kyle Kondik told me that what we're witnessing is reminiscent of what occurred ahead of the midterm elections during Trump's first presidency. "I do think that 2025's results have been similar to 2017's, and the specials  and the November elections  are reflective of a poor electoral environment for Republicans," explained Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball , at the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia .

In 2018, this similarly poor electoral environment fueled a blue wave that saw Democrats flip 40 House seats and wrest control of the chamber from the GOP .

Nevertheless, Republicans are attempting to project calm and confidence.

Trump called Van Epps' ascension to Congress a "great night" for the GOP , noting, accurately, in a Truth Social post that Democrats invested heavily in Behn, only to come up short. "The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at" Van Epps, is how the president put it. House Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed Van Epps' narrower victory margin compared to Trump's commanding win in the district 13 months earlier. "I'm not concerned at all," the Louisiana Republican said, when a reporter asked him about the implications for next year.

Johnson can be forgiven the political spin. He's trying to hold together a majority that now numbers a paltry 220 seats  including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia , who has announced she plans to resign from the House in January. But the speaker was on target about one thing: "Special elections are odd things."

Historically, turnout in these mid-cycle contests is not only lower than normal compared to midterm and presidential elections, but the makeup of the electorate can be much less predictable. Over the years, that has led to outcomes that do not fit the partisanship of a particular congressional or state legislative district.

That has meant that special elections are imperfect political weathervanes. Indeed, sometimes, they can be downright lousy forecasters of upcoming midterm elections. Plus, as Kondik highlighted in our exchange, these days, Democratic voters are more likely than Republicans to participate in irregularly scheduled special elections.

And so, if this discussion was only about the results in Tennessee 7, Johnson might have a point. Or at least, his argument might be more compelling. But with this year's special elections for House seats now behind us, this is about a consistent pattern throughout the first year of Trump's second term  a pattern that has seen the Democrats significantly improve on their 2024 margins in the four such contests held prior to last week's in Tennessee . Per a handy chart put together by NBC News' Steve Kornacki , the average movement toward the Democrats in those four specials was 18 points.

Nathan Gonzales , a nonpartisan political prognosticator in Washington who has been covering congressional races for more than two decades (and who I worked with years ago at Roll Call), confirmed to me that this is, in fact, something for Republicans to be concerned about.

"We've learned from 2025 that it's not 2024 anymore," said Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales . "It's easy to dismiss single special elections or single races. But when you look at both the congressional special elections combined with the 2025 regular general elections, Democrats are overperforming across the board."

"Margins matter," Gonzales continued. "We've learned from the past that even special election victories can be ominous for a party."

The midterm elections are almost 11 months away. Between now and then, the cost of living might yet decline and voters' perceptions of the economy might yet improve. But nothing we've seen in the special elections held this year should give Republicans comfort that they're on their way to sunnier political skies. And that includes the fact that the GOP has won every special congressional election held this year in a district that Trump carried in 2024.

Sometimes winning isn't enough.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

David M. Drucker is columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a senior writer for The Dispatch and the author of "In Trump's Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP ."
Here we are, though.

Influential voices on the right have become more and more conspiratorial in recent years  and now, the paranoia is being wielded against its own.

In the aftermath of the Kirk assassination, the talk was of an energized MAGA movement picking up his baton.

Instead, TPUSA has been slandered nearly every single day by one of the loudest right-wing voices on the internet for allegedly carrying out a murderous coup against its own leader.

Podcaster Candace Owens, a former TPUSA employee and friend of Charlie Kirk, has been the primary author of this libel.

She's taken an open-and-shut murder case and turned it into a whodunit.

In episode after episode, she invests enormous significance in minutiae, asks for help from listeners in tracking down supposedly crucial information, attacks anyone who pushes back against her accusations, and suggests that she could be killed at any time by the same shadowy forces that took out Kirk.

And it all comes back to TPUSA, whose leaders were allegedly in on the crime in order to elevate themselves once Charlie Kirk was out of the way.

This is fantastical, vile stuff  but no one can say, "Oh, we're so disappointed in Candace. What happened to her?"

She believes the moon landing was a fabrication (Stanley Kubrick filmed the whole thing) and dinosaurs are "fake and gay."

The Jews have a special place in her conspiracies.

Harvard is a Mossad base. Israel was involved in the 9/11 attacks.

The Holocaust is exaggerated or fake, and Elie Wiesel is a liar.

The Jews carried out the Bolshevik Revolution in order to exterminate Christians.

The Jews killed JFK and, for some reason, also Michael Jackson.

Tucker Carlson, Owens' friend and ally, is adopting a judicious, wait-and-see attitude about whether TPUSA killed its own leader or not.

But he, too, is a fount of conspiracies, most recently promoting the idea that the government is seeding the sky with toxic "chemtrails."

Whereas once conspiratorial thinking was a guarantee of marginality, now it is no bar to obtaining a huge audience. It may even help.

Outlandish theories generate passion and interest, and are rewarded by social-media algorithms.

It can all be very profitable, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine irrationality and rank moneymaking.

A Candace Owens lacks conventional influence; officeholders aren't seeking her favor or asking for her advice.

But she has single-handedly defined the debate in the aftermath of Kirk's death in a way few other media figures could.

It's a symptom of the state of the influencer ecosystem that many of the MAGA figures now  thankfully  denouncing Owens for her crackpot Charlie Kirk theories have plenty of crackpot theories of their own.

It was telling that when Carlson interviewed white nationalist Nick Fuentes, each confessed that he thought the other was a "fed," or working undercover for federal law enforcement.

Now, of course, we should expect anything the government or any other official body tells us to be backed up by reliable evidence.

And sometimes conspiracies are real: There were indeed attempted cover-ups of the likelihood that COVID emanated from a Chinese lab, and of the senescence of President Joe Biden.

There's a difference, though, between a healthy skepticism and runaway paranoia; the former requires a careful adherence to facts, the latter dispenses with them.

The Candace Owens take on the Kirk assassination is supposed to be hardheaded in rejecting the official "narrative."

In actuality, it depends on the credulousness of her listeners, who are asked to buy into a fanciful counter-narrative that depends entirely on one cynical podcaster's say-so.

In this regard, maybe her audience isn't conspiratorial-minded enough  and the psyops are so subtle and far-reaching that even Candace Owens isn't on the up-and-up.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
 Vacaville, California, resident Ken Wilson is VERY careful about his consumption of electricity.

"I was being very vigilant on this," he told KMAX-TV. "Every day that I go to work, I turn the breakers off."

He also purchased a device that tells him how many watts of energy his appliances use. But recently he noticed that his bill was higher than normal.

Wilson has lived in an apartment, unit 91 of his building, for 18 years.

After Wilson called PG&E to come out and check his meter, he discovered he's been paying for unit 90's electricity usage for years.

PG&E admitted the mix-up and said it is "fully committed to rectifying the situation."

Wilson said he hopes the story can help others with similar problems. [KMAX, 9/16/2024]
Far from helping kids think for themselves, today's artificial intelligence tools offer an irresistible cognitive shortcut they'll likely depend on through their adult lives and careers. RIP critical thinking.

So Estonia is pioneering a better way of using ChatGPT to learn  by making it harder and retraining the model to pose more questions than answers. The effort challenges ChatGPT's core appeal and could get the cold shoulder from OpenAI, but it could also unlock AI's true potential in education in a way no one else has managed.

Estonia , which has a population of 1.4 million, has long been a technology pioneer. A 1990s effort to digitize all government services turned it into one the most digitally sophisticated countries. This January, it'll also become the first to give all schools access to ChatGPT Edu, a version of the popular chatbot developed for universities. OpenAI has mostly given it stronger privacy protections, but Estonian scientists also want to modify the model in the coming months to make it a better teacher.

Fine tuning changes an AI model's behavior. Engineers retrain an existing model on new data  in this case, conversations with students  and give it new instructions to alter how it responds, so it prompts the user to think instead of giving a polished answer. That, however, can make it feel less helpful by ChatGPT's usual standards.

Generative AI's value to both businesses and consumers is its output. It's why Estonia's high school students got instantly hooked on ChatGPT a couple of years ago. The country's students bring in Europe's highest PISA scores,(1) which rank the scholastic performance of 15-year-old students in reading, math and science, and with pressure high to maintain those grades, many turned to AI. "We started noticing with my fellow teachers that the text quality changed," says Ivo Visak , a former high school principal who is now heading Estonia's AI-in-schools effort. "Sometimes it turned better but sometimes it turned weird."

Visak foresaw a rise in academic fraud and decline in critical thinking; Estonia could either race to catch up with the future or try to steer it, he says. Fortunately, the country is used to being an early adopter: As part of its digital leap forward in the 1990s, it gave every school computers with fast internet access and trained teachers to use them.

Now, with its next leap into AI, older teachers are the most enthusiastic users because they lived through that earlier tech transition and know the drill.

Katriin Henrietta Kriisa, a 16-year-old high school student in the city of Tartu, says her biology teacher regularly asks the class to use AI. One recent assignment was to ask ChatGPT to play the role of the 19th century eugenicist Francis Galton , interview the bot and then write an article  "NOT with AI assistance!" the brief emphasized  about the ethics of eugenics. Her school is one of nine in a pilot program using ChatGPT Edu.

Another English teacher told the class to type the prompt "Ask me deeper and deeper questions about the novel. Don't give me answers  only questions that help me think" into ChatGPT on their laptops. "The whole point was to make us trust using it but to still be as critical as when you search something on the internet," Kriisa says.

Her principal, Mari Roostik is trying to steer students away from using ChatGPT for answers only, which is about as easy as telling a kid who's been eating McDonalds every day for lunch that they should now switch to vegetables. "The fact that it is so helpful and pleasant goes against learning," says Jaan Aru , a computer science professor at the University of Tartu , who's leading the research team studying how Estonian schools use ChatGPT Edu and recommending changes to OpenAI. "Learning always requires some friction. You learn only when it's a bit hard."

Aru and his colleagues are analyzing anonymized transcripts of how Estonian students are using the chatbot to see how often it gives them answers versus prodding them with questions like "What would be your first step in solving this problem?" Large language models are uncannily good at sympathizing, but Aru also wants to see the AI encourage students to keep going, especially when tasks become complex. Some of those changes are taking effect for the Estonian version of ChatGPT Edu, but slowly. Over the coming months, he hopes the transcripts show less instances of "I don't know" and "just give me the answer" from the students and more evidence that they are thinking through a problem.

The biggest challenge is that OpenAI doesn't have to apply any of Estonia's feedback to the worldwide version of ChatGPT Edu, especially around adding friction to make it a better teacher. Make the AI too tough a taskmaster and students may switch to another AI model, even if the more challenging chatbot produces better learning outcomes. And retraining ChatGPT Edu would probably cost millions of dollars; OpenAI is already burning through cash.

If Aru and his team can push for necessary changes in ChatGPT, they could end up doing the rest of the world a favor. But changing habits won't be easy, even at home. In a recent biology test, Kriisa says her classmates were complaining that the bot kept giving them questions.

"I somehow got lucky," she says, laughing. "It just gave me answers."

(1) PISA stands for Programme for International Student Assessment and the scores are collated by the OECD .

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of "We Are Anonymous."

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As former President Ronald Reagan famously noted, if you subsidize something, you'll get more of it. But when it comes to higher education, that's only half the story.

For decades, America's education establishment pushed most students toward attending college. This year, The New York Times described the phrase "college for all" as "an American rallying cry." It reported, "The goal inspired a generation of educators, offered a north star to students and united political figures from George W. Bush to Bernie Sanders ."

Pushing college attendance seems like a logical move. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that, in 2024, college graduates had a lower unemployment rate than those with only a high school diploma. Those with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of more than $1,500 compared with less than $1,000 for high school graduates.

Via massive subsidies, the federal government has encouraged students to pursue a college degree. It spends around $30 billion annually on Pell Grants. It also provides student loans with more generous terms than those available in the open market. In 2024, the Department of Education spent more than $160 billion on federal student aid.

These efforts have certainly led to more students starting college. In 1965, colleges enrolled fewer than 6 million high school graduates. Today, it's more than 19 million. That's a substantial increase, even after adjusting for population growth.

For some students, college has opened up a world of opportunities. But for many, the pipeline to college has resulted in debt, not degrees. Around 40 percent of college students don't graduate within six years. In 2024, Pew Research found that borrowers who didn't complete their bachelor's degree had median debt levels of between $10,000 and $14,999. In 2023, 25 percent of them had at least $25,000 in debt.

One problem is that many students graduate high school without foundational academic skills. Their time in college is spent taking remedial courses, which makes completing the whole endeavor much harder.

But there's also a flawed assumption at work. Obtaining a respectable career with strong earning potential doesn't require a college degree. Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley recently said that his company can't fill 5,000 mechanic jobs. Those positions pay $120,000 a year. And that's just one company.

This is stunning until you think about it. Many high schools have cut shop classes. The federal government has pushed too many students toward college. Some in society look down on people who go into the trades.

That's a major mistake. And if the country wants a functional society  literally  this needs to change. America needs more vocational schools and a greater appreciation of those who work with their hands.

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Nikol Pashinyan has once again spoken publicly about Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, stating that he considers it necessary to raise concerns regarding the current state of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Armenian prime minister accused Garegin II of actions and leadership approaches that, in his view, have caused serious damage to the Church and alienated many believers. Pashinyan noted that he himself had refrained from attending church services for a long time, explaining that the prevailing atmosphere discouraged him and many others from participating in church life. According to him, these circumstances have led tens of thousands of people to distance themselves from the Church.

Through the actions of certain high-ranking church figures, thousands  if not tens of thousands  of people like myself have effectively been pushed away from the Church. It is simply impossible to remain in such an environment indefinitely, Pashinyan said.

He further criticized Garegin II, holding him responsible for what he described as a crisis of faith and trust among believers, and accused him of undermining religious values rather than strengthening them.

As tensions between the government and the church leadership continue to intensify, speculation is growing in Yerevan that the upcoming Christmas celebration, observed by the Armenian Apostolic Church on January 6, could be Garegin IIs last in his current position.
The news about the possibility of exporting Azerbaijani petroleum products to Armenia has seriously alarmed the expert community of the neighboring country. The transit of grain was not greeted so emotionally, because the origin of the goods belonged to third countries. The prospect of receiving oil and petroleum products directly from Baku caused a slight hysteria. Not at the official level, but at the level of the expert community and the opposition. That is, those who are not burdened with responsibility for the future of Armenia and can afford the luxury of demagoguery.

The official circles are enthusiastic about this prospect. Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan confirmed to reporters that Azerbaijan and Armenia are discussing the possibility of cooperation in the supply of Azerbaijani fuel. He added that discussions on other types of goods are continuing. Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan also believes that there should be a trade turnover of all types of goods between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia, he told the media, should use all possible alternatives in energy supplies and provide Azerbaijan with the opportunity to have its own interests in exporting oil and petroleum products through Armenia to Nakhchivan and Turkiye.

But the reasonable approach of the establishment is not noted in expert circles. Armenian experts met the prospect of Azerbaijani oil supplies with doubt and discontent. And not at all because it can somehow harm the interests. Not at all. But on the other hand, it may meet the interests of Azerbaijan, and this cannot be allowed in any way.

Economist Ashot Tavadian scared the readers of the publication, to whom he commented on the issue of Azerbaijani oil, saying that there is a great political factor in this deal, and it also does not fit into any economic logic. Tavadian believes that the Azerbaijani side is much more interested in the deal, which wants to increase Armenia's dependence on Azerbaijan. Responding to a journalist's remark that the Armenian energy market is monopolized and diversification of supplies can have a positive effect on prices, economist Tavadian proudly stated that "this is another problem, and it should be solved in a completely different way, and not by importing petroleum products from Azerbaijan."

Energy security expert Vahe Davtyan also considers the upcoming deal a political action. But this expert went even further, saying that such steps fit into the general course of Azerbaijan and the EU to reduce Russia's role in the South Caucasus. In his opinion, Azerbaijan wants to show the West that it is ready to unblock communications, which is important for it to strengthen its key role in the Middle Corridor, which is designed to bypass Russia. And Armenia is just one of the elements, an object of the emerging architecture. Nevertheless, the Armenian expert is confident that Azerbaijan will not be able to strengthen its energy influence on Armenia, as it itself does not have enough refining capacity. And anyway, it remains to be seen to what extent Russia will allow its interests in the Armenian energy market to be harmed. Etc.

Armenian experts are panicking about the situation that has not yet developed. And the fears are completely in vain. Azerbaijan does not make any plans for the limited and weak Armenian market in terms of solvency. Experts, who are confident that Armenia can solve the problem of diversification "in another way," forget that for many decades Armenia depended on Azerbaijani oil and gas, and in Soviet times enjoyed all the preferences, often receiving oil and petroleum products for free. Even Stalin couldn't contain his emotions.: "I found out that Georgia and Armenia receive oil products from Azerbaijan for free, which is an unthinkable case."

It seems that Armenia hardly remembers this, as well as the fact that the first gas to this country came from Azerbaijan in 1960. Armenia has always been supported and saved by Azerbaijani energy resources, and as long as it was possible, it had no problems. The problems began when she herself cut this "umbilical cord" with the Karabakh conflict. With the beginning of the military aggression, all pipelines were blocked, as the resource of good neighborliness was exhausted. After that, the Armenian side did not receive a canister of gasoline or a cubic meter of gas. In the 90s, Armenia was in an acute energy crisis, in fact, in darkness, until Russian gas supplies began in 2003, and Iranian gas began in 2009.

A few years ago, plans were made in Armenia to turn into a regional oil refining center and get rid of dependence. Since the end of the noughties, Yerevan and Tehran have begun discussing the construction of a refinery on the border in Meghri. But it did not go beyond the empty statements of officials. The construction of the refinery is a very expensive project, Armenia had no money, and Iran had no reason to invest in a senseless enterprise. It makes no sense, because Armenia does not have its own oil for refining and would have to build an oil pipeline, which would require high costs. The option of pumping Iranian oil through a gas pipeline also disappeared, as it threatened to leave Armenian power plants without fuel. The factor of sanctions against Iran also hindered. The Europeans on whom the calculation was made could refuse to buy gasoline produced from Iranian oil. In short, the idea to get rid of addiction failed.

Armenia has always been dependent on others. She's no stranger to it.

By the way, the situation with the refinery was commented on by the media in 2020 by the same Vahe Davtyan. Then the refinery issue was back on the agenda, and the expert warned that the United States might not like it. And today, the factor of sanctions and the potential dissatisfaction of the White House with the expansion of energy cooperation between Armenia and Iran is escalating even more. Because of the difficult geopolitical situation and also because the United States is joining Armenia itself. How do the demagogues propose to diversify supplies by excluding Azerbaijan from them? Any other options will cost many times more and may incur the displeasure of Armenia's new partner.

Azerbaijan's energy resources can be the only source of diversification. Of course, Baku pursues political interests. Any mining country invests in its transactions and political interest, if it is subject and independent in decision-making. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Southern Gas Corridor were also built not only for economic benefit. By contributing to Europe's energy security, Azerbaijan has strengthened its political positions and expanded its circle of friends and partners.

Speaking last April at the international forum on "COP29 and Green Vision for Azerbaijan" at ADA University, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Armenia could potentially be a recipient of Azerbaijani gas following the example of Georgia. It will be beneficial for her, given the preferential price for gas supplied to Georgia. "And from the point of view of proximity, from the point of view of infrastructure, of course, it would be natural to have this kind of cooperation," the head of state said.

Yerevan immediately seized on this idea. Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said that Armenia is ready to discuss the issue of gas purchases from Azerbaijan. In his opinion, it will be good if Armenia buys Azerbaijani gas.

As we can see, the Government of the Republic of Armenia perceives the realities more objectively than in expert circles.

Unlike oil and petroleum products, which were delivered to Armenia by rail, gas pipelines were built for gas supplies. They stretched from the Caspian coast to the borders of Armenia, through the former NKAO. While many districts of the Azerbaijan SSR were not gassed, Armenian homes were heated by Azerbaijani gas. However, Soviet-era altruism is a thing of the past. It was forced and imposed. The fact that our energy resources warmed and illuminated the Armenians, set their vehicles in motion, often for free, was seen as something self-evident and even a kind of obligation of Azerbaijan.

If Baku agrees to export oil, gas or gasoline to Armenia, it will not try to bring its neighbor to his knees. Georgia has not suffered at all from the fact that it depends on Azerbaijan in many matters. Now Armenia can also count on some benefits, but now in exchange for something substantial, and not for a big human thank you.

However, Baku has also never heard a big human thank you from the Armenian side.
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Two public bike parking facilities in Mexico City, built with resources earmarked for improving urban public space, remain closed, without maintenance, and out of operation.

These are the bike parking facility at the Insurgentes Roundabout, inaugurated in September 2024, and the Camarones bike parking facility, opened in 2020. During a site visit conducted by La Silla Rota, it was confirmed that both are abandoned, filled with trash, lack security, and have been vandalized.

Insurgentes bike parking facility inaugurated in a rush

The bike parking facility at the Insurgentes Roundabout, with capacity for 99 bicycles, was inaugurated in September 2024 as part of the comprehensive redevelopment project of the roundabout, four days before theninterim Head of Government Marti Batres left office.

The project cost 14 million pesos, funded through two trusts managed by the thenMinistry of Urban Development and Housing (Seduvi): the Zona Rosa Master Plan Trust (10 million pesos) and the Transfer of Development Rights Trust (4 million pesos).

However, former officials from the Ministry of Mobility (Semovi), consulted anonymously, stated that the project was built in a rush to finish it before the change of administration.

As a result, it was inaugurated without a security system or closed-circuit video surveillance, equipment that exists in other bike parking facilities across the city.

Raul Estrella / La Silla Rota

The temporary measure was to assign an Auxiliary Police officer to guard the site, with the expectationaccording to the same sourcesthat the new Semovi would complete the equipment once Clara Brugadas administration began. That did not happen, and within a few days the space was closed.

La Silla Rota requested information about the project from the current Semovi, headed by Hector Ulises Garcia, as well as an interview with a responsible official, but received no response.

Currently, the bike parking facility remains out of service, with access points closed, trash accumulated around the area, and a persistent smell of urine beneath the roundabout. The metal structure shows dirt and lack of maintenance.

Miguel, an employee at a nearby business, says that the parking facility never worked and that at times it is used by government personnel to store vehicles or things.

Cyclists unaware of the existence of the Insurgentes bike parking facility

The abandonment is such that even cyclists who ride through the area daily were unaware that a bike parking facility exists on Insurgentes.

This is the case of Jorge, who has worked in the area for more than five years and says he has never seen the space open.

I didnt know there was a parking facility here. It would be very useful if it worked, because many people come by bicycle and theres nowhere to leave them. My friends have had theirs stolen. I would leave mine here without a problem.

Just a few meters from the main entrance, shoe shiners who work at the roundabout offer bicycle storage for a voluntary fee. Several cyclists interviewed said they prefer this service due to the lack of formal alternatives.

Camarones: an abandoned bike parking facility whose cost no one can specify

The second case involves the bike parking facility located near the Camarones Metro station. It was inaugurated in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It had more than 120 spaces, security cameras, on-site guards, lighting, and a tool totem. Operations ran from 6:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. the following day.

The facility was built as part of mitigation works for Plaza Destino Azcapotzalco and is located just a few meters from several bike lanes, including the Metropolitan bikeway that connects Ciudad Satelite with the capital.

Raul Estrella / La Silla Rota

It had very good equipment, there was security, police presence, and it was very well maintained. It was used by both residents and workersfrom tamale vendors and bakers to delivery workers. It was a very safe space, with cameras, lighting, and even a fence around it, says activist Antonio Roa.

You would arrive, register, and a guard would take a photo of your bike and your ID. They also gave you a token with an identification number; it was very safe. I would come, leave my bicycle, and go downtown by Metro, the cyclist recalls.

La Silla Rota consulted Vidal Llerenas, the borough chief who promoted the project, about the cost of the bike parking facility; however, he said he doesnt remember, but assured that it wasnt very expensive.

I dont remember the cost; Id be lying. It also wasnt very expensive because the space already existed. What was purchased were the racks.

The current Azcapotzalco administration and officials from the then Seduvi also did not provide this outlet with information about the budget used.

Running the bike parking facility was very expensive

Despite the investment, the bike parking facility was closed after Margarita Saldana took office in 2021.

In an interview, the former borough chief said she made this decision because operating the site was very expensive, since, she said, they had to pay the salaries of three shifts of security personnel for a bike parking facility that almost nobody used.

She also maintained that the borough never had full possession of the facility because, being located under a bridge (on Aquiles Serdan Avenue), responsibility for the space lay with the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing (Seduvi).

It operated for free; practically nothing was charged, but it wasnt used. There was one security person assigned and the number of bicycles was very lowat most 10 bikes, the PAN member stated.

However, residents argue that the bike parking facility was indeed used, but that from one day to the next, public registration to use the facilities was suspended, preventing new users from accessing the bike parking.

The infrastructure was top-notch, but in January 2021 they no longer allowed you to sign up to leave your bicycle. Months later, they simply closed it and let it die, without any explanation, says Fernando Rivera, a resident of the Claveria neighborhood.

Currently, Fernando is forced to leave his bicycle in the parking lot of Plaza Destino Azcapotzalco, located just a few meters from the abandoned facility, where he is charged 16 pesos per hour to park his bike.

Surely the mall exceeded its capacity and they started charging, he says.

Two infrastructures without use

As of today, both the Insurgentes and Camarones bike parking facilities remain closed.

One was inaugurated without security systems and stopped operating days later; the other operated with security and high demand, but closed after a change in administration, with no clarity regarding its cost.

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Sitting on the Cedar River in East Iowa, Cedar Rapids is a mid-size city that sees its fair share of people coming and going every year. If you're preparing to move in the Cedar Rapids area, finding the right mover can make all the difference. We've aimed to give you a head start on your journey by evaluating and ranking the best moving companies in Cedar Rapids based on customer reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation status, proper licensing and more. We then called each of our featured movers to get a look at their rates, deposit policies and everything else you need to make an informed choice.

Top Cedar Rapids movers

The best moving company in Cedar Rapids for YOU

Picking the right move can be hard, but there are some important factors that can help you decide. The most important is your budget, because it factors into everything from your choice of mover to what services you decide to use. Pay extra attention to any additional fees that companies may charge beyond the hourly rate, including travel, fuel and material charges. Also consider your timeline, as some moving companies may be busier than others, especially during periods at the beginning and the end of each month.

Our pick for the best overall mover in Cedar Rapids is Adamantine Spine Moving due to its stellar reputation for providing quality moving services in several locations around Iowa. It's also a BBB-accredited mover with an A+ rating. If you want a second quote or an alternative option, White Glove Movers is our second pick for the Cedar Rapids area, thanks to its commitment to customer service, no deposit requirement and a low one-hour minimum.

Table of contents

Best moving companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Adamantine Spine Moving is the best overall Cedar Rapids moving company

The Adamantine Spine Moving team posing for a group picture in front of a moving truck

Established in 2002, Adamantine Spine Moving was created with a goal to make every move as fun and stress-free as possible. The company provides local and long-distance moving services, along with packing, storage, piano moving and white-glove options.

The representative we spoke with quoted us a rough price range of $1,200 to $1,500 for a local move for a three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot home. That price includes labor ($65 per mover, per hour), a 26-foot truck and a local travel fee ranging from $90 to $250. The travel fee depends on how far your home is from the companys nearest warehouse. To receive an exact quote, youll need to schedule a virtual survey call, during which a team member will walk you through your home to assess the volume of items that need to be relocated.

Services offered

Local moving and long-distance moving

Packing services

Storage services

Piano moving

White-glove services

Packing materials

A deposit is necessary to confirm your booking, though the amount varies depending on the total cost of your move. In our case, the deposit came out to roughly $420 and was non-refundable. The company also has a three-hour minimum, which can increase the total cost for smaller moves. Based on the hourly rate, mover minimum and deposit, the overall cost is likely to start around $810, covering two movers but not including travel or fuel charges.

Payment can be made via cash, ACH or credit card, though card payments come with a 2.9% processing fee. All movers are trained, background-checked and drug-screened. The representative mentioned that most of the crew members have been with the company for many years and bring a great deal of experience to each job.

Adamantine Spine Moving is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating and no recorded complaints. It holds a perfect five-star rating on Google (143 reviews) and 4.7 stars on Yelp (55 reviews).

The companys office is located at 3227 12th Avenue Southeast, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52403. For a free quote, you can call 319-600-6167 or visit the companys website. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is closed on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

Drew and Aaron with Adamantine Spine Moving did a great job with our recent move! They were kind, professional, punctual, and moved with care. I appreciated that they were super communicative and covered our floors to avoid any potential damage. Someone with Adamantine even followed up post move to ensure our satisfaction. Hiring the Adamantine Spine crew helped relieve the stresses of moving and I highly recommend them for any upcoming move! - Madison S., Google reviews ()

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Adamantine Spine Moving Best overall Cedar Rapids mover Adamantine Spine Moving Adamantine Spine Moving has been in the moving industry for more than 25 years, servicing the state of Iowa and Madison, Wis. The company has a three-hour minimum for every moving job, and the total price you'll pay depends on the number of items that need to be moved. We found the deposit costs to be higher than other companies we've called, requiring a hefty non-refundable down payment. There's also a 2.9% processing fee to watch out for if you decide to pay with a credit or debit card. Pros Local and long-distance moving

Packing and storage services

Moving crew is background-checked and drug-screened Cons High deposit

Processing fee for card payments Get estimate

White Glove Movers is our top alternative Cedar Rapids mover

A White Glove Movers company truck sits parked ahead of a move (White Glove Movers)

White Glove Movers gets its name from the level of service it aims to provide with every move. Located in nearby Marion, the company was founded in 2004, giving it more than 20 years of experience moving locals in the Cedar Rapids area and beyond. Over that time, it's built up a reputation for excellent service, with reviews saying they had a "fantastic experience" and praising the crew's "professionalism and work ethic."

When we called White Glove Movers, we asked about the cost of moving a roughly 1,500-square-foot three-bedroom house. The representative we spoke with said we'd likely need a team of three movers and one truck, which would cost $225 per hour. There's an additional gas surcharge of $30. All moves require a one-hour minimum, with subsequent time charges in 15-minute increments.

Services offered

Local and long-distance moves

Residential and commercial services

Packing

Specialty item moves

Supports move for hunger

One major positive of White Glove Movers is that it doesn't require a deposit to schedule your move. The company accepts all forms of payment, including cash, checks, credit and debit cards. However, credit cards come with a 3% transaction fee. Debit cards aren't subject to the same fee.

If you want to give back to the community, White Glove Movers works with Mover for Hunger. The company can take your unopened, non-perishable food items and ensure they go to needy families.

White Glove Movers is not accredited by the BBB, but it has an A+ rating and only one registered complaint related to a damaged item. However, it carries a 4.8-star rating on Google from 284 reviews and 3.9 stars on Yelp from 22 reviews. The representative we spoke to said crews aren't background-checked, but its movers are all employees who go through a screening process.

To book a move with White Glove Movers, you can call 319-393-3000 or visit its website to learn more. Its office is located at 4600 Commercial Avenue, Marion, Iowa, 52302. It's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

Customer testimonial

We had a fantastic experience with Kaden, Blake, Shawn, and Braylan handling our move. They were efficient, detail-oriented, and polite. I especially appreciated their kindness to my son with special needs. This is the fourth move White Glove has coordinated for our family, and I cannot recommend them enough. - Susan B., Google reviews ()

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White Glove Movers Top alternative Cedar Rapids moving company White Glove Movers White Glove Movers lives up to its name, providing great moving services in the Cedar Rapids area with no deposit required and a low one-hour minimum. Its hourly rate is relatively high at $225 for a team of three movers, and there's a 3% transaction fee for credit card payments. However, this is a solid choice if you want the help of a reputable mover. Pros No deposit

One-hour minimum

Supports Move for Hunger

A+ BBB rating Cons 3% credit card fee

Relatively high hourly rate Get estimate

BLVD Moving is the best national moving company

Members of the BLVD Moving team load a company truck during a move (BLVD Moving)

At Yahoo Local, were here to help make moving choices feel less overwhelming. We love spotlighting local businesses, but depending on your specific situation, a national mover could be the better call, especially if you're heading across state lines. If you're weighing your options, check out our guide on local vs. national movers. For those going with a national provider, BLVD Moving is our top pick.

BLVD Moving operates from four locations in California and provides both local and long-distance services across the U.S. Its a family-run, independent company with its own trucks and movers on staff. According to its terms, subcontractors or third-party agents may be used, a common practice across the industry, especially during busy periods.

We asked BLVD Moving for a quote on a 500-mile move involving around 1,340 cubic feet of items, which is about what you'd expect for a three-bedroom home without large appliances. The estimate came in at roughly $6,700, which falls in line with other national moving companies. To secure your move, it requires a 33% deposit, with half of the remaining balance due at pickup. The final payment is collected on delivery.

Services offered

Local and long-distance moves

Residential, office and commercial moves

Packing services

Storage

Financing

If your plans change, BLVD Moving offers a full refund on your deposit as long as you cancel at least two full business days before your scheduled pickup. The company provides a delivery window between two and 21 business days, depending on the distance. That window begins from your preferred delivery date. If you're ready for your shipment, the wait could stretch just over a month.

BLVD recommends scheduling your move at least 30 days in advance, or earlier if you're moving during peak times like summer or the start or end of a month. (See our full guide on the best and worst times to move.) The quote process is simple: you can request a virtual walkthrough or fill out an inventory form online. BLVD also offers financing for qualified customers, with interest starting at 0%.

BLVD Moving is accredited by the BBB and has a B rating, with 99 complaints currently on record. While that number might seem high, its typical for national movers. The company also holds a 4.4-star rating on Google (1,411 reviews) and a 2.4-star average on Yelp (393 reviews). All movers are full-time employees who pass background checks.

The companys headquarters is located at 21622 Plummer St., Chatsworth, Calif., 91311. Its open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. You can reach BLVD Moving at 844-274-0500 or submit a request for a quote online.

Customer testimonial

They were excellent! Very communicative and well organized and skilled in getting difficult things out of tight spaces. I had Jerome, Harrison and Arturo and they were so nice, positive, and upbeat. They were fast and treated my items with care. I'm happy I went with them because the team was honestly great. - Emily V., Google reviews ()

* See Google reviews * See Yelp reviews

BLVD Moving Best national moving company BLVD Moving BLVD Moving is our top pick for a national mover due to its combination of experience, flexibility and relatively strong Google reviews. It has background-checked crews, but it also reserves the right in its terms and conditions to subcontract your move or assign it to agents. The quote process is smooth, in our experience, requiring a simple online inventory, and BLVD's cancellation policy is relatively good. Pros Has its own movers and fleet

Background-checked crews

Local and long-distance moves

Offers virtual estimates Cons Can subcontract jobs to other movers

Relatively high deposit

No GPS tracking

Mixed Yelp ratings Get estimate

More best Cedar Rapids movers

Porter Moving Company Best for junk removal Porter Moving Company Started in 2013, Porter Moving Company covers a huge range or territory, stretching from Northwestern Illinois throughout most of Iowa. The company is a great option if you need some assistance with donations and junk removal during your move. It also has a wide range of other services available, ranging from white glove moving to furniture delivery and labor-only services. While it has a 4.9-star Google rating from over 1,000 reviews, its Yelp rating is 2.8 stars (though from a much lower 12 reviews). Pros Donations and junk removal

Labor-only services

White glove services

Delivery services Cons Middling Yelp ratings Get estimate

Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage Great long-distance and international mover Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage traces its roots back to 1922, giving it more than a century of experience in the moving industry. As an Allied Van Lines agent, it also has the ability to coordinate long-distance and international moves from its offices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines. While it has a 4.4-star Google rating, it only has around 66 reviews between Google, Angi and Yelp. Pros Allied Van Lines agent

Certified ProMover

Storage Cons Large company may have less personal service

Low number of reviews Get estimate

NeX Level Moving Huge range of services NeX Level Moving NeX Level Moving really lives up to its name. Not only is it a reputable moving company based out of Cedar Rapids with plenty of related offerings, but it also offers cleaning, lawn care and snow removal services. It's also open every day of the week and carries a 4.7-star rating on Google from around 100 reviews. However, that's a relatively low number of reviews compared to some others on this list, with just over 100 between Google and Yelp. Pros Local and long-distance moving

Labor-only services

Cleaning, lawn care and snow removal

Open every day of the week Cons Relatively low number of reviews Get estimate

You can count on Yahoo Local moving advice, and this is why

We've spent a long time providing accurate information about local businesses at Yahoo (decades, in fact). Our Yahoo Local guides continue that tradition, aiming to give you the most accurate information possible about which local businesses are worth your time and hard-earned money. We don't just want you to trust our word on that, though  we show you by providing all the details behind our methodology and what goes into our picks. Using a custom ranking system built by our team, we've created what we think is the most objective way to highlight the very best local companies in your area. We never accept payment to be included in our lists and you won't find us using sponsored picks. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page.

Below is everything that went into the rankings for our list of the best moving companies in CITY NAME:

19 movers evaluated

3,261 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

14 ranking criteria incorporated

Interviewed or connected with all three featured movers

Independent price quotes sought from all three featured moving companies

Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Iowa moving FAQs

What info should you have when requesting an estimate?

Moving companies may vary slightly on what information they need to give you an accurate estimate, but many will ask for the same sorts of details. The most basic things you should be prepared to provide are related to your home's size, including its square footage and number of bedrooms. Many will also ask for your starting and ending addresses to help calculate travel fees.

Some moving companies prefer to provide flat-rate estimates based on your overall inventory. If you're obtaining a quote over the phone, they may ask for a full inventory of your belongings, which can take some time. Others may ask to do an in-person or virtual inspection to see what you have to move before providing a quote. Also be sure to note any specialty items you have to move, such as pool tables of pianos, which can come with extra charges.

For more, read our guide on the information you need to get an accurate moving estimate.

What should you know about packing and storage in Iowa?

Iowa is known for its frigid winters and hot, humid summers, so protecting your stuff from the elements is a must. If you plan to store your belongings for a while, opt for climate-controlled storage if possible. Sensitive items like electronics, wooden furniture, cosmetics and fabrics are among some of the items that do best in a climate-controlled unit.

It's also worth considering whether you want to pack yourself or have movers do it. Both have their pros and cons, but it's worth paying the professionals if you're short on time and have the money to spare.

What's different about condo and apartment moving in Iowa?

Condos and apartments in multi-story buildings present unique challenges to moving. Check with your movers about whether they charge extra fees to navigate stairs or elevators. You should also ask your building manager if there are any restrictions on when you're allowed to move and if you have to reserve an elevator. Coordinate these times with your moving company.

Finally, check if your building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI). A COI is a document you can obtain from your moving company that proves to your building management that they carry enough insurance to cover any damage they may do to the building during your move.

Do you need moving permits or licenses to move in Iowa?

In Iowa, moving companies that transport household goods are required to obtain an Intrastate Motor Carrier Permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation. While Iowa doesn't maintain a database where you can verify a mover's license status, you can contact Iowa DOT's Office of Motor Carrier Services directly at 515-237-3268 or email omcs@iowadot.us to do so.

For more, read our full guide to Iowa's moving company licensing and regulations.

How much should you tip movers in Iowa?

The most common guideline for tipping movers is to give between 10% and 20% of the overall move cost to split between your crew members. However, tipping is completely optional, so don't feel obligated if you aren't satisfied with your moving crew's work.

More Yahoo Local-approved Iowa providers

Best Iowa movers

Cedar Rapids / Des Moines
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have officially approved a strategic partnership agreement in the energy sector, Azernews reports.

This follows a decree signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, approving the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Energy Sector between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The agreement, signed in Astana on October 21, 2025, will take effect upon the completion of the necessary domestic procedures. Following its enactment, Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy will ensure the implementation of the agreements provisions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has been tasked with notifying the Government of Kazakhstan that all required domestic steps for the agreement to take effect have been completed.
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22:56 TMC to conduct door-to-door scrutiny in Mamata's seat The Trinamool Congress leadership has decided to instruct party booth-level agents (BLAs) to carry out fresh, door-to-door scrutiny of deleted voters' names in Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assembly constituency, after nearly 45,000 electors were struck off from the draft electoral... Read more >

22:49 Messi visits Vantara Global football icon Lionel Messi on Tuesday visited Vantara, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation centre in Jamnagar, where he participated in traditional rituals and interacted with conservation teams at the facility founded by Anant Ambani.Messi, accompanied by his Inter Miami... Read more >

22:38 Rupee breaches 91 mark against US dollar The rupee sank to a fresh record low, breaching the 91-a-dollar mark for the first time on Tuesday, even as the government attributed the currency's slide to the widening trade gap and developments related to the India-US trade deal.During the session, the local unit tanked below 91 and hit its... Read more >

22:04 Luthra brothers likely to be brought to Goa by tomorrow Gaurav Luthra and his brother Saurabh, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire on December 6, are expected to be brought to the state on Wednesday morning by the local police, which secured their transit remand from a Delhi court, a senior official said.The Luthra... Read more >

22:00 SIR in 3 states, 2 UTs: Over 1 crore voters left out As many as 12.32 crore electors have found their names in the draft electoral rolls of three states and two Union territories published on Tuesday as part of the ongoing special intensive revision as compared to the 13.36 crore people who were part of the voters' list on October 27.Election... Read more >

20:35 Cong asks MPs to be present in LS for next 3 days The Congress on Tuesday issued a whip in Lok Sabha, mandating its MPs to be present in the Lower House for the next three days as key legislations such as the VB-G RAM G and a new bill to overhaul laws governing India's civil nuclear sector are likely to come up for consideration and passage.The... Read more >

20:10 Goa club fire: Luthra brothers produced in Delhi court Luthra brothers, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire on December 6, were produced in a Delhi court on Tuesday.The Goa Police produced both the accused in Patiala House Court before Duty Metropolitan Magistrate Twinkle Chawla to... Read more >

19:11 Nitish was being fatherly: Bihar minister on hijab row Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had acted in a 'fatherly' manner when he pulled the hijab off a young woman's face, Minority Affairs Minister Zama Khan said on Tuesday.The incident, which happened on Monday at a function where AYUSH doctors were handed appointment letters, triggered a... Read more >

18:44 Nearly 42 lakh names deleted in Rajasthan draft electoral rolls Nearly 42 lakh voter names have been deleted in draft electoral rolls in Rajasthan during Special Intensive Revision (SIR), according to state Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan.Mahajan said on Tuesday that enumeration forms of 41.85 lakh voters out of 5.46 crore voters could not be collected... Read more >

18:22 Rupee falls to record low of 91.01 against Dollar The rupee fell 23 paise against the greenback to settle at a new all-time low of 91.01 (provisional) on Tuesday, as the government in the Rajya Sabha attributed the sliding value of domestic currency to widening trade deficit and the ongoing developments related to the India-US trade... Read more >

18:18 Modi arrives in Ethiopia Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Ethiopia on the second leg of his four-day, three-nation tour.In his first visit to Ethiopia, the prime minister will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the 'Mother of Democracy' and the value... Read more >

17:48 Messi event fiasco: Bengal sports minister resigns West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event recently, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.Biswas, who had written to... Read more >

17:13 Delhi environment minister apologises for air pollution, blames AAP govt Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday apologised for the air pollution crisis in the national capital and acknowledged its impact on children's health.He asserted that it was the result of the policies pursued by the previous Aam Aadmi Party government.Addressing a press... Read more >

16:52 Bondi beach shooting suspect originally from Hyd: Cops Sajid Akram, one of the suspects in the recent mass shooting at Bondi beach in Australia, is a native of Hyderabad, the Telangana Police said on Tuesday. He migrated to Australia 27 years ago and had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad, the Telangana DGP office said in a... Read more >

16:07 Woman throws daughter to death from building in Hyderabad Representative image A 37-year-old woman allegedly threw her eight-year-old daughter to death from the fourth floor of a residential building in Hyderabad following an argument with her family members, police said on Tuesday.The incident happened on Monday afternoon, resulting in the girl's death, a police official... Read more >

15:59 Elderly passenger booked for touching female crew member inappropriately on flight A case has been registered here against an elderly passenger for allegedly touching a female crew member inappropriately during a flight from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, police said on Tuesday.After the flight landed here, the cabin crew filed a complaint with the RGI airport police station on December... Read more >

15:55 'Ram ka naam badnaam na karo': Tharoor on G RAM G bill Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took a sharp dig at the BJP-led Centre on Tuesday while opposing the VB-G RAM G Bill in the Lok Sabha, recalling the 1971 hit Bollywood number -- Dekho o deewano (tum) ye kaam na karo, Ram ka naam badnaam na karo.The MP from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram asserted that the... Read more >

15:35 Married man's lover found murdered at his home; parents, sisters on the run A 31-year-old married woman in Sahavpur town of the Barabanki district was found dead, allegedly hacked to death, at the house of her lover, who, too, was married, police said on Tuesday. Police suspect the role of the married man's parents and his four sisters, who are allegedly... Read more >

15:05 Bondi beach attack: 3 Indian students among injured Three Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday. Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported. The... Read more >

14:48 Actor Rakul slams 'doc' claiming she had plastic surgery Actor Rakul Preet Singh slammed a self proclaimed doctor on social media who claimed she went under the knife and urged her fans not to believe such fraud people making statements without factual checks. A user named Dr Prashant Yadav, who is a board certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon,... Read more >

14:20 Goa club fire: Luthra brothers brought back to India Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, brothers and co-owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people, landed in Delhi on Tuesday after they were deported from Thailand. They were handed over to Indian authorities immediately on arriving at the airport and taken into custody for... Read more >

14:15 126 flights cancelled as low visibility disrupts flight ops at Delhi airport Low visibility conditions disrupted flight operations at Delhi airport on Tuesday, leading to widespread cancellations, a Delhi International Airport Ltd official said. So far, 49 departures and 77 arrivals have been cancelled due to poor visibility, he added. At the... Read more >

14:04 G RAM G bill introduced in LS amid objections by Oppn The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, that seeks to replace the existing rural employment law MGNREGA, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid strong objections by the opposition to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from it.Union... Read more >

13:54 In special gesture, Jordanian Crown Prince drives Modi Jordanian Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday personally drove Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Jordan Museum here, in a special gesture reflecting the warmth of ties between India and the Arab nation. The Crown Prince is a 42nd-generation direct descendant of... Read more >

13:16 'RAM G Bill will weaken MGNREGA,' says Priyanka Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday attacked the government over its bill to replace MGNREGA, saying that it stands to weaken the original Act's guaranteed 100 days of employment to the poorest of the poor. The Congress general secretary also said she does not understand... Read more >

13:04 Modi govt's illegality exposed: Cong on relief to Gandhis The Congress on Tuesday claimed the illegality of the Narendra Modi government and its politically motivated prosecution stands fully exposed after a court here refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's National Herald money laundering case against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and... Read more >

12:54 Gunmen abduct 18 bus passengers in Pakistan Eighteen people were abducted by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's Sindh province while they were en route to Quetta in a bus. The incident took place near the Ghotki area on Monday night when the attackers opened fire on the bus at the Highway Link Road close to the Sindh and Punjab... Read more >

12:21 Rupee hits record low against US dollar, breaches 91-mark Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The rupee plunged 36 paise to breach the 91-mark against the US dollar for the first time in intra-day trade on Tuesday, weighed down by sustained FII outflows and a lack of clarity on the India-US trade deal. The rupee fell from 90 a dollar to 91 in the last 10 trading... Read more >

11:59 After viral video, Sohail Khan apologises for riding bike without helmet Actor Sohail Khan issued an apology for riding the bike without a helmet and said, although he is claustrophobic, he will ensure to follow all the rules. Khan, known for featuring in films such as Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Veer, Tubelight, and Dabangg 3, uploaded a picture of himself on... Read more >

11:47 Relief for Gandhis; ED's National Herald chargesheet rejected A court in Delhi on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering charge against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case.The ED said it would file an appeal against the court order.Special Judge Vishal Gogne... Read more >

11:35 Drone spotted over explosives company airstrip in Nagpur; probe on An unidentified drone has been spotted flying over the airstrip of Nagpur-based Solar Industries, manufacturer of defence-related products, prompting authorities to launch an investigation, officials said on Tuesday. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged... Read more >

11:18 Delhi HC Rules In Bata's Favour The Delhi high court on Monday upheld an order restraining a footwear manufacturer from using the mark 'POWER FLEX', ruling in Bata India's favour in its trademark infringement suit.A division bench led by Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla dismissed two cross-appeals, one filed... Read more >

11:15 Delhi's air quality 'very poor', haze persists The national capital's air quality saw some improvement on Tuesday morning, with an AQI of 377 as against 498 a day ago, even as smog blanketed the city, shivering at 8.3 degrees Celsius during the morning hours, reducing visibility. The air quality in the city at 9 am was in the 'very... Read more >

10:49 Bengal SIR: EC publishes deleted voters' list from draft roll Barely hours ahead of the publication of the draft electoral rolls of West Bengal, where assembly elections are due early next year, the Election Commission on Tuesday morning released the names of deleted voters on its website.The list features voters whose names were included in the electoral... Read more >

10:38 Chidambaram slams use of Hindi words in bills' names Congress leader P Chidambaram has slammed the increasing practice of the government using Hindi words in the titles of the bills and said the change is an affront to the non-Hindi-speaking people. Chidambaram said the non-Hindi-speaking people cannot identify a Bill/Act with titles... Read more >

10:28 Nepal allows Indian high-value notes after a decade-long ban Nepal has eased restrictions on carrying high-denomination Indian currency in the Himalayan nation, ending a decade-long ban, according to an official statement.Individuals can hold Indian banknotes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 up to a maximum limit of INR 25,000 per person. The decision was made during... Read more >

10:06 Soldier dies in landmine blast in J-K's Kupwara Representative image An Army soldier died in a landmine blast in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. Havildar Zubair Ahmad of the Army's 13 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was injured in a land mine blast at Putaha Khan Gali in the Trehgam area of the border district on... Read more >

10:00 Flipkart Gets NCLT Nod To Shift From Singapore To India Ecommerce giant Flipkart, which is owned by Walmart, has been granted approval by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to shift its domicile from Singapore to India.With the NCLT nod, the company comes one step closer to filing its draft papers in the next calendar year.'In light of the... Read more >

09:59 Luthra brothers, owners of Goa nightclub, deported to India Thailand authorities on Tuesday deported Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire on December 6, to India. The deportation comes amid an ongoing probe into the deadly blaze, which triggered widespread outrage and led to scrutiny... Read more >

09:38 Goa nightclub fire aftermath: 'The Cape Goa' sealed for violation Charred remains of the Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant, in Arpora, Goa Authorities have sealed 'The Cape Goa', a prominent restaurant located on a cliff in South Goa district, for violation of fire and other safety norms, officials said on Tuesday.The Tourism Department had granted permission for one temporary private shack, but it was observed that the... Read more >

09:01 4 dead as vehicles catch fire after collision on UP e-way Four people were killed in a major road accident on the Delhi-Agra Expressway in Mathura on Tuesday morning after several buses and cars collided due to dense fog.The incident took place in the Baldev area of Mathura at 4:30 am on Tuesday. Three of the four deceased were in the buses, while... Read more >

08:44 NCLAT: WhatsApp Must Seek User Consent Before Sharing Data With Meta The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday ruled that WhatsApp could not share user data with Meta or its group entities without obtaining explicit user consent, irrespective of whether the data was used for advertising or non-advertising purposes.The Competition Commission of... Read more >

08:32 Sydney beach shooting 'motivated by...': Australia PM Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the deadly terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach was driven by Islamic State (IS) terror group's ideology.It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology, Albanese said, as per excerpts shared with news agencies by his office from... Read more >

00:49 Cough syrup case: HC dismisses pleas seeking quashing of FIR, stay on arrest The Allahabad high court on Monday dismissed writ petitions seeking to quash FIRs filed against two men for allegedly trafficking adulterated cough syrup and stay their arrests. A bench comprising Justice Ajay Bhanot and Justice Garima Prasad said the petitioners were accused of committing a... Read more >

00:34 Leopard kills eight-year-old boy in Junnar near Pune In the latest incident marking the escalation in the human-animal conflict, an eight-year-old boy was killed by a leopard in Junnar tehsil of Pune district in Maharashtra on Monday. The big cat hiding in the bushes pounced on Rohit Kapare at a farm while his mother was working nearby in... Read more >
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai will visit Beijing from Dec. 1517 to report to central authorities on the Macao SAR governments 2025 performance and outline key priorities for the 2026 Policy Address. The annual duty visit was announced in a Government Information Bureau press release yesterday. During Sam Hou Fais absence, Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak will serve as acting Chief Executive.

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The girl lay in a makeshift health clinic, her eyes glazed over and her mouth open, flies resting on her lips. Her chest barely moved. Drops of fevered sweat trickled down her forehead as medical workers hurried around her, attaching an IV drip.

It was the last moment to save her life, said Bethsabee Djoman Elidje, the womens health manager, who led the clinics effort as the heart monitor beeped rapidly. The girl had an infection after a sexual assault, Elidje said, and had been in shock, untreated, for days.

Her family said the 14-year-old had been raped by Russian fighters who burst into their tent in Mali two weeks earlier. The Russians were members of Africa Corps, a new military unit under Russias defense ministry that replaced the Wagner mercenary group six months ago.

Men, women and children have been sexually assaulted by all sides during Malis decade-long conflict, the U.N. and aid workers say, with reports of gang rape and sexual slavery. But the real toll is hidden by a veil of shame that makes it difficult for women from conservative, patriarchal societies to seek help.

The silence that nearly killed the 14-year-old also hurts efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

The AP learned of the alleged rape and four other alleged cases of sexual violence blamed on Africa Corps fighters, commonly described by Malians as the white men, while interviewing dozens of refugees at the border about other abuses such as beheadings and abductions.

Other combatants in Mali have been blamed for sexual assaults. The head of a womens health clinic in the Mopti area told the AP it had treated 28 women in the last six months who said they had been assaulted by militants with the al-Qaida affiliated JNIM, the most powerful armed group in Mali.

The silence among Malian refugees has been striking.

Speechless after an assault

The aunt of the 14-year-old girl said the Africa Corps fighters marched everyone outside at gunpoint. The family couldnt understand what they wanted. The men made them watch as they tied up the girls uncle and cut off his head.

Then two of the men took the 14-year-old into the tent as she tried to defend herself, and raped her. The family waited outside, unable to move.

We were so scared that we were not even able to scream anymore, the aunt recalled, as her mother sobbed quietly next to her. She, like other women, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, and the AP does not name victims of rape unless they agree to be named.

The girl emerged over a half-hour later, looking terrified. Then she saw her uncles body and screamed. She fainted. When she woke up, she had the eyes of someone who was no longer there, the aunt said.

The next morning, JNIM militants came and ordered the family to leave. They piled onto a donkey cart and set off toward the border. At any sound, they hid in the bushes, holding their breath.

The girls condition deteriorated during the three-day journey. When they arrived in Mauritania, she collapsed.

The AP came across her lying on the ground in the courtyard of a local family. Her family said they had not taken her to a clinic because they had no money.

If you have nothing, how can you bring someone to a doctor? the girls grandmother said between sobs. The AP took the family to a free clinic run by MSF. A doctor said the girl had signs of being raped.

The clinic had been functioning for barely a month and had seen three survivors of sexual violence, manager Elidje said.

We are convinced that there are many cases like this, she said. But so far, very few patients come forward to seek treatment because its still a taboo subject here. It really takes time and patience for these women to open up and confide in someone so they can receive care. They only come when things have already become complicated, like the case we saw today.

As Elidje tried to save the girls life, she asked the family to describe the incident. She did not speak Arabic and asked the local nurse to find out how many men carried out the assault. But the nurse was too ashamed to ask.

Scratch marks are part of story she could not tell

Thousands of new refugees from Mali, mostly women and children, have settled just inside Mauritania in recent weeks, in shelters made of fabric and branches. The nearest refugee camp is full, complicating efforts to treat and report sexual assaults.

Two recently arrived women discreetly pulled AP journalists aside, adjusting scarves over their faces. They said they had arrived a week ago after armed white men came to their village.

They took everything from us. They burned our houses. They killed our husbands, one said. But thats not all they did. They tried to rape us.

The men entered the house where she was by herself and undressed her, she said, adding that she defended herself by the grace of Allah.

As she spoke, the second woman started crying and trembling. She had scratch marks on her neck. She was not capable of telling her story.

We are still terrified by what we went through, she said.

Separately, a third woman said that what the white men did to her in Mali last month when she was alone at home stays between God and me.

A fourth said she watched several armed white men drag her 18-year-old daughter into their house. She fled and has not seen her daughter again.

The women declined the suggestion to speak with aid workers, some of whom are locals. They said they were not ready to talk about it with anyone else.

Russias Defense Ministry did not respond to questions, but an information agency that the U.S. State Department has called part of the Kremlins disinformation campaign called the APs investigation into Africa Corps fake news. MONIKA PRONCZUK & CAITLIN KELLY, DOUANKARA, MDT/AP

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Israel on Saturday said it killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territorys south.

Hamas in a statement did not confirm the death of Raed Saad. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10.

Saad served as the Hamas official in charge of manufacturing and previously led the militant groups operations division. The Israeli statement described him as one of the architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, and said that he had been engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organization in a violation of the ceasefire.

The Israeli strike west of Gaza City killed four people, according to an Associated Press journalist who saw their bodies arrive at Shifa Hospital. Another three were wounded, according to Al-Awda hospital.

Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of truce violations.

Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 386 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has said recent strikes are in retaliation for militant attacks against its soldiers, and that troops have fired on Palestinians who approached the Yellow Line between the Israeli-controlled majority of Gaza and the rest of the territory.

Israel has demanded that Palestinian militants return the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza and called it a condition of moving to the second and more complicated phase of the ceasefire. That lays out a vision for ending Hamas rule and seeing the rebuilding of a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision.

The initial Hamas-led 2023 attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Almost all hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.

Israels two-year campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,650 Palestinians, roughly half of them women and children, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between militants and civilians in its count. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

Much of Gaza has been destroyed and most of the population of over 2 million has been displaced. Humanitarian aid entry into the territory continues to be below the level set by ceasefire terms, and Palestinians who lost limbs in the war face a shortage of prosthetic limbs and long delays in medical evacuations. MDT/AP

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Macaus hospitality sector took center stage at the Stelliers Greater China 2025 Awards, with local professionals capturing the top honors during a glamorous black-tie ceremony at the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau.

The event celebrated outstanding individuals across every department of hotel operations, showcasing the people behind the regions premier hotels.

Now in its 12th edition, Stelliers recognizes hoteliers who embody passion, dedication, and leadership.

This evening was a celebration of people who pour their hearts into what they do. Many of the professionals we met started in the most junior roles and have worked their way forward through sheer dedication. Their stories remind us that hospitality is built by individuals who truly care about the guest experience and about their teams, said Stelliers co-founder Stephane de Montgros.

 The emotion we saw on stage was genuine, and it reflects the pride these individuals take in their craft. If tonight helped them feel seen and valued  even for a moment  that is what we are honoured to be a part of, he added.

Macau winners included Jan Ruangnukulkit, executive chef at Banyan Tree Macau, named Chef of the Year, and Mavis Lai, executive housekeeper at City of Dreams, recognized as Housekeeping Hotelier of the Year.

James Li, director of Engineering at The Ritz-Carlton, Harbin, also received accolades, while Hugo Montanari, managing director at Rosewood Hong Kong, took General Manager of the Year.

The awards, spanning 24 categories from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, honor professionals from butlers and concierges to revenue managers, mixologists, and wellness leaders. Winners were selected by a panel of industry veterans, including former Marriott and Four Seasons executives, and leaders from American Express and DONG Luxury Travel.

The ceremony drew 300 VIP guests and reflected the vibrancy and depth of Greater Chinas hospitality talent.

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The core principle of Trap, Neuter, Return is to avoid euthanasia and give every dog a fair chance at survival, but despite persistent advocacy from local animal welfare groups for its implementation, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) has reiterated that Macau currently lacks the conditions to fully execute the TNR program for stray animals across all districts.

In Macau, Zoe Tang, president of the animal rights protection group Anima Macau, has repeatedly urged the local government to implement a TNR policy for stray animals instead of TNA (Trap-Neuter-Adopt).

In various interviews with both Chinese- and English-language media, she highlighted that under TNA, stray animals are neutered but placed up for adoption rather than returned to their original locations. This approach has contributed to an increase in Macaus stray dog population, creating a mismatch between capture and adoption rates that often results in euthanasia.

Tang acknowledged that the government had previously discussed a pilot TNR program for cats with animal welfare groups, which would involve volunteers trapping stray animals in designated areas, transporting them for sterilization, and then releasing them back into their communities.

However, challenges such as volunteer coordination, time constraints, and limited government resources ultimately hindered agreement among stakeholders, leading to the suspension of the TNR pilot program.

Reviewing past records, lawmakers have repeatedly urged authorities to implement TNR programs, but no such measures have been enacted. Just last month, the proposal resurfaced in the Legislative Assembly, with lawmaker Leong Hong Sai submitting a written inquiry questioning how the authorities could effectively enforce regulations to restore an ideal community environment.

In response to Leong, the Municipal Affairs Bureau emphasized its ongoing commitment to addressing the root causes of stray animals.

The bureau has been implementing multi-faceted policy measures  including law enforcement, patrols, trapping, legal education campaigns, adoption promotion, and sterilization initiatives  to reduce and manage stray animal populations at their source, it said.

It further stated that, given Macaus high population density, a review of international experiences and careful consideration of impacts on residents lives, mountain forest ecosystems, public health, and other factors indicate that Macau currently lacks the conditions to implement a comprehensive TNR program for stray animals across all districts.

Regarding the case raised by Leong about reports from residents of Hac Sa Village concerning households sheltering nearly 70 dogs, which has led to nighttime noise disturbances and raised concerns about community safety, the IAM statement  citing the police forces response indicated that if stray dogs are found to be affecting community safety, the relevant authorities will be notified immediately for follow-up action.

Additionally, any requests for assistance or reports of noise disturbances from pets within private residences during designated quiet hours will be promptly addressed in accordance with local law.

The IAM president, Chao Wai Ieng, addressed the topic of TNR as early as the Legislative Assemblys policy debate session in late November.

He emphasized the bureaus commitment to collaborating with animal welfare groups to implement practical methods for controlling stray animal populations. At that time, Chao cited data highlighting the effectiveness of the current TNA policy, noting a 5.6% decrease in the number of stray animals captured this year compared to the same period last year, while adoption figures remained stable.

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Chinese coast guard ships used powerful water cannons and blocking maneuvers against 20 Philippine fishing boats off a disputed South China Sea shoal, injuring three Filipinos and damaging two of their boats in a life-threatening assault, the Philippine coast guard said Saturday.

Chinese coast guard personnel aboard smaller rubber boats later deliberately cut the anchor lines of several of the Philippine boats Friday afternoon off Sabina Shoal, endangering the vessels and their crews amid strong currents and high waves, the coast guard said.

The Chinese coast guard took necessary control measures, including issuing verbal warnings and expelling by external means, in accordance with laws and regulations against multiple batches of Philippine vessels that deliberately intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiaounder the pretext of fishing, the Chinese Embassy in Manila cited coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun as saying in China in a statement. It used the Chinese name for Sabina shoal.

The Chinese coast guard will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under Chinas jurisdiction in accordance with the law, resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Liu said.

Two Philippine coast guard ships were deployed to help the Filipinos off Sabina but faced dangerous blocking maneuvers by the Chinese coast guard. One of the Chinese ships approached as close as 35 yards to one of the Philippine ships at nighttime, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said in an online news briefing.

The Chinese coast guard is now targeting ordinary fishermen, ordinary civilians and they are endangering the lives of the Filipino fishermen, Tarriela said. MDT/AP

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Overall crime fell in the first three quarters of this year compared to the same period in 2024, despite significant increases in territorial crimes, which rose by 23%, and violent crimes, which increased by 6.1%.

The data were released on Friday at a press conference held by the Office of the Secretary for Security (GSS), where Secretary for Security Chan Tsz King made his first presentation since taking office.

Territorial crimes rose by 23%, with 380 cases recorded  71 more than the 309 cases reported in the same period last year.

Major contributors to this category included 172 cases of disobedience and 116 cases of false statements, representing increases of 39.8% and 22.1%, respectively.

Regarding violent crimes, 1,833 cases were recorded. Child sexual abuse showed the most dramatic rise, surging 86.7% to 28 cases, up from 15 last year.

Among these, 13 cases involved consensual sexual acts between minors of similar age, the transmission of pornographic material, or minor sexual harassment; cases involving individuals with family relationships were also reported.

Assaults were a primary driver of the increase in violent crime, with 883 cases contributing to a 5.6% rise within the first nine months.

While many crime categories saw individual increases, the overall crime rate decreased by 4.1% compared to 2024.

Notable surges were recorded in several areas: illegal gambling crimes skyrocketed by 985%, drug trafficking and sale increased by 37.1% (48 cases), fraud rose by 12.3% (91 cases), and drug use (smoking narcotics) jumped by 72.7% (19 cases).

Two murders were recorded, up from one last year, both linked to family disputes. In one case, a man killed his wife with a bladed weapon over trivial matters; in the other, a man killed his brother due to a financial dispute. Separately, on November 13, a homicide occurred in a hotel room in a crime of passion.

Transport crime saw a 70.6% surge in the theft of light/heavy motorcycles, with 29 cases recorded 12 more than last year.

Regarding juvenile delinquency, there were 98 cases in the first three quarters of this year, an increase of seven cases compared to the same period last year.

Among these, bodily harm cases were the most frequent, totaling 39 cases, though this represents a decrease of five cases compared to the same period last year.

Most of these cases involved minor physical conflicts among friends or classmates during play or sports, with relatively minor injuries.

The number of individuals handed over to the Public Prosecutors Office rose to 362. Youth crime contributed to this, showing an increase of two cases (a 25% rise), which helped drive the total increase in prosecuted cases to 8.8%.

Meanwhile, 64 illegal immigrants were detected, a significant reduction of 66.5%, or 127 fewer individuals, compared to 2024. Additionally, 10,862 people were registered as overstaying their visas, a minor decrease of 0.2% (26 people) from last year.

Secretary Chan noted that the Eyes in the Sky surveillance system helped in investigating 7,131 cases, including serious violent crimes such as homicide, robbery, and arson.

Robbery and theft cases decreased, with 32 and 1,386 recorded, respectively, in the first three quarters. One notable case was a jewelry store robbery in July, where the suspect fled to mainland China. The Judiciary Police (PJ) reported the case to Zhuhai authorities, leading to the suspects apprehension within three hours.

A total of 21 arson cases were recorded, a decrease of seven from 2024. While these often involved improperly discarded cigarette butts, a significant reduction was noted compared to past years. Contributing factors included minors and individuals with mental health conditions misusing fire.

Construction is currently underway on the 6th phase and Zone A of the New Urban Reclamation for the Eyes in the Sky system, with plans to install 680 and 120 new cameras, respectively.

Rape cases dropped significantly, falling by 40% (16 cases) compared to 2024. Most of these incidents occurred in hotel rooms, with over 70% of the victims being non-residents; some cases involved financial disputes between victims and suspects.

Domestic violence cases also declined, with 80 preliminary cases registered in the first three quarters  24 fewer than last year. As of October 31, after investigation, seven were confirmed as domestic violence crimes, 59 as physical assault offenses, two as domestic conflicts, five as other crimes, and seven remain under investigation.

According to Secretary Chan, authorities have actively implemented various security measures to ensure the smooth operation of major ongoing events, including the 8th Legislative Assembly Election and the 15th National Games. Ricaela Diputado

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Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and tinnitus are associated with worse physical, psychological, and social health, according to a study published online in Frontiers in Public Health.

Lu Zhang and Yong Liao, M.D., from The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in China examined determinants of ARHL and tinnitus in older persons in a retrospective study composed of 1,000 patients aged 60 to 85 years. Demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics were obtained from structured interviews and medical records.

The researchers observed strong associations for increasing severity of ARHL and tinnitus with older age, male sex, comorbidities, lifestyle risk factors, and psychological burden. The highest odds of impaired global quality of life (QoL), psychological distress, and social limitations were seen for severe ARHL combined with tinnitus (odds ratios, 5.548, 6.89, and 5.72, respectively).

Poorer outcomes were independently predicted by tinnitus alone, while a modest, but nonsignificant, protective effect was seen for hearing aid use. QoL declines were further exacerbated by depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, social isolation, and comorbid medical conditions.

"These studies demonstrate how sociodemographics, lifestyle, and medical conditions affect auditory, psychological, and social health," the authors write.

"These findings emphasize the need for early detection, thorough hearing testing, and integrated therapy such as hearing rehabilitation, psychological support, and lifestyle adjustments to reduce ARHL and tinnitus."

Publication details Lu Zhang et al, Retrospective analysis of hearing loss and tinnitus determinants and their health impact among old adults, Frontiers in Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1720441 Journal information: Frontiers in Public Health

Copyright  2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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New research shows that one in four children with major traumatic injury do not receive care in a pediatric trauma center, where outcomes are generally better than in adult centers.

The authors of the study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, recommend evidence-based strategies to improve care for this vulnerable age group.

"Given the strong evidence of improved clinical outcomes associated with care in pediatric trauma centers, access to these centers in Canada must be improved urgently," writes Dr. Lynne Moore, professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Universite Laval, Quebec, Quebec, with co-authors.

"Since most severely injured children first present to nonpediatric hospitals, the most effective strategies lie in strengthening decision support in prehospital environments and nonpediatric hospitals, not in costly new infrastructure."

Researchers found that in a study across nine Canadian provinces over five years (2016 to 2021), 3,007 children were admitted to an acute care hospital with major traumatic injuries. Of these, 2,335 (77%) were directly transported (879, 29%) or transferred (1,456, 48%) to a pediatric trauma center.

Pediatric trauma centers offer specialized health care and support for the specific physical and psychological needs of children and their families.

Variability in access to pediatric trauma centers exists, with higher access in Alberta and Manitoba than in Ontario, and lower access in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces.

The authors suggest that provincial trauma systems integrate evidence-based strategies to improve access to pediatric care. A standardized prehospital triage tool adapted to pediatric patients, pediatric readiness assessments for nonpediatric hospitals, and teleconsultation pathways between referring hospitals and pediatric centers are some strategies.

"Immediate implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve care for children with major trauma, coupled with targeted research and national data coordination, would save lives and provide more equitable trauma care for children in Canada, regardless of where they live," the authors conclude.

Key medical concepts Acute Care Hospital
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Drug screening for DSB repair pathway modulators. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67243-0

In a new study, scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig analyzed the impact of more than 2,000 clinically approved drugs on DNA repair and CRISPR genome editing outcomes. They found compounds that can be used to improve genome editing, molecules that selectively kill cultured cancer cells, and further identified novel roles in DNA repair for two proteins.

How DNA repair affects genome editing

DNA double-strand breaks are crucial lesions in the genome that can be repaired in several ways. Some repair processes act quickly and introduce additional mutations at the lesion site, while others take longer but allow for precise correction. These pathways can be exploited in genome editing to introduce mutations into human cells. This involves cutting the DNA at a specific location in the genome using programmable CRISPR-Cas gene scissors. The resulting break must be repaired by the cells in order for them to survive, and researchers can provide a DNA template carrying the desired mutation. The efficiency with which this mutation is incorporated largely depends on the activity of the repair pathway, calling for tools to inhibit competing pathways to increase the efficiency of the desired outcome.

A team of scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology investigated the effects of FDA-approved drugs on the selection of DNA repair pathways. "Understanding how everyday medicines interact with CRISPR-based treatments will be increasingly important as these therapies enter real-world clinical use," says Dominik Macak, one of the lead authors of the study published in Nature Communications.

Drug interactions and new discoveries

With the first CRISPR gene therapy approved in the U.S., U.K., and EU in late 2023, patients receiving such treatments may also be taking common drugs for infection or chronic conditions. Some of these routine medications can influence cellular processes such as DNA repair that may, in turn, affect how well a therapy works or how safely it performs.

The scientists created a comprehensive atlas showing how clinically approved drugs affect the way human cells repair broken DNA. They tested more than 7,000 drug conditions to determine how each compound alters the choice of DNA repair after a targeted CRISPR cut. "We anticipate that this catalog will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers working in disease modeling, gene therapy and oncology," adds co-lead author Philipp Kanis.

The team found several pharmaceuticals that can influence major repair pathways. Using the screening data, they further explored previously unrecognized drug targets that most strongly influence repair outcomes. Notably, they uncovered novel roles in DNA repair for two proteins not previously associated with genome editing. These proteins are estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) and aldehyde oxidase 1 (AOX1). Targeted inhibition of ESR2 can increase efficiency of precise edits by up to fourfold, while drugs that inhibit AOX1 can be used to kill cultured cancer cells, which lack one repair pathwaya condition that applies to many cancer cells.

"Our study identifies several approved medicines as promising candidates for treating cancers with DNA-repair deficiencies, offering potential options beyond current therapies," says Stephan Riesenberg, senior researcher on the project. "Nevertheless, additional research is needed to validate if our findings obtained from experiments with cultured cells would actually translate to real-world medical use."

Publication details Dominik Macak et al, Repurposing clinically safe drugs for DNA repair pathway choice in CRISPR genome editing and synthetic lethality, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67243-0 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Birdie Ganz, a professor of special education and communication disorders who led research into improving communication support for children with autism. Credit: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

For people with autismespecially those with intellectual disabilities, or others with extensive support needscommunicating needs and ideas can be difficult. Many rely on intense individualized support and educational interventions.

When spoken words are not enough, alternative and augmentative communication is often needed to meet their daily needs and wants. Common methods include gestures or facial expressions, sign language and speech-generating mobile apps for tablets or phones. While these methods can be helpful, they can also be costly and tricky to use effectively as treatments.

Birdie Ganz, professor of special education and communication disorders, recently led a project focused on developing guidelines for teachers and parents on how to select and implement communication enhancement treatment for children with autismsuch as speech therapy, or behavioral therapy aimed at changing the environment and how interventions are implemented, which can support learning and communicationor alternative and augmentative communication, with the goal of improving outcomes.

The study analyzed existing, published data to see how treatment intensitysuch as how often and how long it is providedrelates to how well it works for autistic and intellectually and developmentally disabled children.

Findings showed that despite promising advances in alternative and augmentative communication and other communication supports for those with autism, more research is needed. Researchers discovered that many studies did not fully report the intensity of treatments, making it hard to understand what level of support works best.

"Children with autism, in particular, and intellectual disabilities tend to require more intense interventions than kids with other disabilities, or typically developing kids," said Ganz, a CYFS research affiliate. "Given these limited resources, we need to figure out the most efficient ways of providing these services while still having good outcomes."

Ganz analyzed articles on alternative and augmentative communication for school-aged autistic and intellectually disabled children, including 70 experiments encompassing 192 participants. Their investigation focused on how treatment intensity was measured and reported, and how child characteristics interacted with intensity levels.

"The biggest takeaway is that AAC is effective, but also that researchers need to better report dosage and treatment intensity," Ganz said.

Ganz found that most treatment intensity variables were not systematically linked with how well alternative and augmentative communication works, and that "massed trials"practicing the same skills multiple times in a rowhad significantly higher effects than "distributed trials," in which new skills were practiced more naturally and interspersed with other skills. However, more frequent implementation of massed trials skewed results.

To better understand how to serve all minimally verbal and nonspeaking children, Ganz said, studies must include participants from a wide range of backgrounds.

"Often, researchers don't report race/ethnicity and language, and when they do report it, we have found that participants are mainly white and English-speaking," Ganz said. "So we don't know what kinds of cultural or linguistic adaptations will best serve this population."

Ganz aims to use findings to recommend standards for more complete reporting so additional studies can be conducted and replicated.

"Communication opens the door for almost all areas of learning, especially social learning and literacy," Ganz said. "It's important that everyone has opportunities to learn such foundational skills."
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Pregnant people who received a COVID-19 vaccine were far less likely to experience severe illness or deliver their babies prematurely, according to a major new UBC-led study published in JAMA.

Drawing on data from nearly 20,000 pregnancies across Canada, the research found that vaccination was strongly associated with lower risks of hospitalization, intensive care admission and preterm birth. These benefits persisted as the virus evolved from the delta variant to omicron, which has evolved into newer sublineages that still dominate today.

"Our findings provide clear, population-level evidence that COVID-19 vaccination protects pregnant people and their babies from serious complications," said Dr. Deborah Money, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UBC and senior author of the study. "Even as the virus evolved, vaccination continued to offer substantial benefits for both mother and child."

The study was conducted by the national CANCOVID-Preg surveillance network, led by UBC researchers, and represents one of the largest datasets on COVID-19 and pregnancy worldwide.

The findings revealed that vaccinated people were about 60% less likely to be hospitalized and 90% less likely to require intensive care compared with those unvaccinated at the time of infection. Vaccination was also linked to fewer premature births (deliveries before 37 weeks of pregnancy), reducing the risk by 20% during the delta wave and 36% during the omicron wave.

Notably, the analysis found that people vaccinated during pregnancy, as opposed to before pregnancy, had even lower rates of preterm birth and stillbirth.

"There is never a bad time to be vaccinatedwhether you're currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy," said Dr. Elisabeth McClymont, lead author and assistant professor in UBC's department of obstetrics and gynecology. "But our data suggest there may be added benefits to receiving the vaccine during pregnancy."

Informing maternal vaccine guidelines

The findings arrive amid evolving vaccine guidance for pregnant people in some jurisdictions.

In the U.S., the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently did not include a specific recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy in its updated adult immunization schedule. Meanwhile, public health officials in Canada and at the World Health Organization continue to recommend that pregnant people receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The researchers say their findings provide timely evidence to inform ongoing policy discussions.

"The body of evidence is overwhelmingly clear: COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective in pregnancy," said Dr. Money. "These latest findings provide critical information for pregnant women and their care providers and strongly support public health guidance that recommends vaccination during pregnancy."

A pan-Canadian effort

The analysis included data from nine Canadian provinces and one territory. Researchers used population-based health data to track outcomes from nearly 20,000 pregnancies affected by SARS-CoV-2 between April 2021 and December 2022.

Even after adjusting for age, body mass index, and pre-existing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, vaccination remained associated with markedly lower risks of hospitalization.

Beyond COVID-19, researchers say the study underscores the importance of including pregnant people in vaccine research and planning for future respiratory virus outbreaks.

"Pregnancy is a unique period of vulnerability but also of opportunity for prevention," said Dr. McClymont. "This study reinforces how vaccination can make a real difference to maternal and newborn health."

Publication details The Role of Vaccination in Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Associated with COVID-19 in Pregnancy, JAMA (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.21001 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association
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A largescale, comprehensive study has found that individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of being convicted of crimes compared to those without ADHD, and that this association extends to their relatives, suggesting shared familial factors such as genetics and environmental conditions.

The new study in Biological Psychiatry emphasizes the need for timely support to help reduce impulsive or risky behaviors that might otherwise escalate. It suggests that understanding familial patterns encourages clinicians to be more attentive to ADHD symptoms in relatives, thereby helping to interrupt cycles across generations.

ADHD affects 5% to 7% of children and adolescents worldwide, and about 2.5% of adults. Characterized by impaired attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or both, ADHD is associated with adverse outcomes, including elevated risk of crime.

Crime risk and ADHD in families

Meta-analyses show that individuals with ADHD are 23 times more likely to be arrested, convicted, or incarcerated, often at a younger age and with higher rates of reoffending. Additionally, about 25% of incarcerated individuals meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, far exceeding general population rates. However, the link between ADHD and criminality remains poorly understood.

Hazard ratios for any, violent, and non-violent criminal convictions in the general population and familial co-aggregation estimates. Credit: Biological Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.10.007

John Krystal, MD, Editor of Biological Psychiatry, comments, "We have long known that ADHD puts people at risk for risky, impulsive behaviors, including crime. We have also been aware that ADHD risk has a genetic component. This important paper now brings these threads together to show that families that carry ADHD risk are also at risk for having family members who engage in criminal activity. These data highlight the importance of early identification and treatment of ADHD in high-risk families to mitigate this risk."

Using Swedish national registry data, investigators followed more than 1.5 million people born between 1987 and 2002, linking medical diagnoses of ADHD to official crime records. They then compared risks of criminal convictions both within individuals and across multiple degrees of relatedness: twins, siblings, half-siblings, and cousins.

Key findings and implications

"We found that individuals with ADHD were several times more likely to have criminal convictions for both violent and non-violent crimes. Importantly, relatives of individuals with ADHD also showed increased risk, even if they themselves did not have ADHD, pointing to shared familial liability. The associations were to some extent stronger among women than men, indicating possible sex-specific factors in how ADHD relates to criminal outcomes," explains lead investigator Sofi Oskarsson, Ph.D., School of Behavioral, Social and Legal Sciences, Orebro University, Sweden.

"Because ADHD may be underdiagnosed or mischaracterized in females, the higher relative risk among women may indicate that when ADHD does occur, it reflects a more severe or concentrated set of underlying risk factors."

The researchers point out that this study was conducted in Sweden, a high-income Western country with universal health care and relatively low incarceration rates. Cultural, legal, and health care system differences may influence both ADHD detection and conviction likelihood. However, a systematic review of worldwide ADHD prevalence suggests that rates are relatively consistent across regions when comparable diagnostic criteria are applied.

"This indicates that our findings may extend beyond Western context, although studies in underrepresented regions are clearly warranted to confirm the generalizability of co-aggregation patterns," says Dr. Oskarsson.

The findings of the study highlight that preventive and intervention strategies should be implemented for both sexes, while also addressing potential sex-specific mechanisms and the additional challenges faced by females with ADHD, including stigma and late detection. Early identification and treatment of ADHD, especially in families with a history of ADHD, could play a critical role in mitigating associated risks.

Dr. Oskarsson concludes, "At a time when awareness of ADHD is increasing, understanding the broader familial patterns helps us recognize ADHD not only as an individual challenge but also as part of a family-level risk profile. These insights are critical for informing early intervention and support strategies that could reduce negative outcomes like criminality."

Publication details Sofi Oskarsson et al, The Familial Co-Aggregation of ADHD and Criminal Convictions: A Register-Based Cohort Study, Biological Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.10.007 Journal information: Biological Psychiatry

Key medical concepts Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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There is no cure for the rare disease Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), but researchers from Drexel University's College of Medicine and the UMass Chan Medical School have achieved proof-of-principle success with "silence and replace" gene therapyan approach that uses a viral vector to silence genes with disease-causing mutations and replace them with healthy genesto prevent and even reverse disease progression.

In this case, the team, led by Drexel College of Medicine Professor Peter Baas, Ph.D. and Research Instructor Emanuela Piermarini, Ph.D., who was chief scientist on the project, were able to prevent nerve breakdown and symptoms of HSP in a mouse model of the disease.

Their findings are published in the journal Molecular Therapy.

Understanding HSP and its challenges

HSP can be caused by mutations in any of more than 90 different genes, each with a numbered name, such as SPG1, SPG2 and so on. The team studied SPG4, the most common form of HSP, making up about 40% of cases and caused by mutations in the SPAST gene. Patients are generally categorized as having uncomplicated HSPthe majority of casescategorized by gait defects, such as muscle stiffness and weakness in leg muscles or complicated HSP, which, in addition to muscle weakness and stiffness, may also include symptoms impacting upper limb mobility, speech or intellectual abilities and/or bladder control, among other symptoms.

The number of people living with the disease is uncertain due to misdiagnoses, as HSP shares symptoms with other neurological conditions. There is an estimate of between 1 and 5 cases of HSP among every 100,000 individuals worldwide.

Collaboration and patient advocacy efforts

Like with many other conditions, families and advocacy groups are among the strongest catalysts for research. Patient advocacy groups connected the team at Baas's lab at Drexel's College of Medicine, who have studied the mechanistic basis of SPG4 for many years, with experts on gene therapy from UMass Chan Medical School, led by co-senior author Miguel Sena-Esteves, Ph.D.

"Our two teams were introduced by parents of children with SPG4 who created foundations seeking therapies or cures for their children," said Baas, who was co-senior author on the research. "Our team at Drexel University joined forces with Dr. Esteves and his team, who generated the gene therapy vector, which includes both micro-RNA, which turns off the expression of the mutated SPAST genes, and cDNA to replace them with expression of normal human SPAST gene, called spastin."

Symptoms, progression, and current management

Patients can experience significant differences in symptoms, which vary by severity and typically worsen over time. Without a cure, the main options are going to clinicians and physical therapists for help in managing fatigue, spasticity and other effects of the disease. Onset of the disease varies significantly; some patients first experience symptoms as late as their senior years while others first experience symptoms as children.

"The protein encoded by the SPAST gene is a microtubule-severing protein that is vital for healthy function of nerve cells," added Baas. "When SPAST mutations occur, and more than 200 different mutations have been identified, certain nerve cells are unable to maintain long axonswhich comprise the long tracts that act as connections between the brain, spinal cord and legsleading to this disease."

Mouse model research and gene therapy approach

Baas's team previously developed a mouse model for this disease by introducing the human mutant SPAST gene into mice. The mice developed a gait defect similar to those experienced by human patients.

Through the silence-and-replace strategy, the team swapped the mutant SPAST gene with a healthy human SPAST gene. The researchers introduced the vector in a newborn mouse before it experienced symptoms as a proof-of-principle that the technology can work by shutting down the faulty gene and replacing expression with a healthy gene. Then those mice grew up without any gait defects or degenerative symptoms.

"While most patients suffering from SPG4 inherit the mutated gene from a parent, mutations in the SPAST gene can also arise for unknown reasons," said Piermarini. "In these cases, families don't know why their kids are having these symptoms, and the symptoms tend to be more severe and start earlier in life."

Challenges in translating findings to humans

Translating this discovery into humans presents new challenges for the research.

"As spastin is a microtubule-severing protein, too much expression would destroy the microtubules and kill the cells," said Baas. "The variant of spastin that becomes disease-causing when mutated also becomes long-lived and can accumulate in the nerve tracts. Turning off expression of the mutant gene will not necessarily lead to the degradation of the existing protein, so it's complicated.

"The spinal and other tracts that potentially degenerate will not necessarily regenerate just because the silence and replace components of the vector are successful in what they can do. This is where a deep understanding of the disease is so important for advancing the work into treatment for patients."

Future directions and ongoing research

In addition to gene therapy, Piermarini is also working on blood biomarkers to monitor progression of the disease and assess when to best start the therapy and evaluate how well it's performing. She also noted that the team is working on another therapy aimed at degrading the mutant protein that has already accumulated in the nerve tracts.

Baas and Piermarini hope to move the gene therapy into symptomatic mice, which is a greater challenge because many axons have already lost their connections. After calibrating just how much good the therapy can do at various stages of disease progression, other therapies can then be added, in combination, to restore what the gene therapy cannot do on its own. For example, they hope that adding in exercise therapy, neurotrophins, and/or neurostimulation will help sprout healthy nerves to restore lost function in areas like speech and movement.

"The success we're seeing with gene therapy is exciting but will take more work to optimize for human patients," said Baas. "It's important that we continue developing this and other therapies, so we get help for patients as soon as possible."

Publication details Emanuela Piermarini et al, Intracerebroventricular SPAST-AAV9 gene therapy prevents manifestation of symptoms in a mouse model of SPG4 hereditary spastic paraplegia, Molecular Therapy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2025.11.029 Journal information: Molecular Therapy
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Zhejiang University School of Medicine investigators reported that higher maternal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels across pregnancy aligned with lower odds of early childhood caries in children.

Early childhood tooth decay, defined as one or more cavities or noncavitated lesions, missing tooth surfaces due to caries, or filled tooth surfaces in children up to 71 months of age, is a major pediatric health burden.

Painful teeth can derail chewing, invite secondary pulp and apical diseases, alter appearance, and spill into school life. Chewing problems, secondary pulp and apical diseases, appearance-related impacts, academic performance effects, and added family and societal costs are downstream consequences of early disease.

An evaluation across 193 United Nations countries from 2007 to 2017 reported a mean early childhood caries prevalence of 23.8% in children younger than 3 years and 57.3% in children aged 3 to 6 years. China's 2015 Fourth National Oral Health Survey reported dental caries prevalence reaching 71.9% among 5-year-olds.

Tooth mineralization begins during pregnancy. Some studies have suggested gestational weeks 13 to 17 as a critical period for mineralization of maxillary anterior teeth, and most primary teeth begin to mineralize from the second to the third trimester.

Vitamin D supports calcium and phosphate homeostasis during enamel formation and later supports remineralization after enamel eruption. Functional vitamin D receptors appear in ameloblasts and odontoblasts at levels described as sufficient to support enamel matrix formation and prismatic organization.

Current recommendations call for maintaining maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 30 ng/mL during pregnancy, though vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent.

In the study, "Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Offspring," published in JAMA Network Open, researchers tracked maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D across pregnancy to evaluate links with early childhood caries in children.

Clinic visits in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China, created a trimester-by-trimester trail of blood measurements that later met dental examinations in early childhood. No treatment and control groups appear in the design.

The Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort included 4,109 mother-offspring pairs. Early childhood caries appeared in 960 children at the last dental examination, with 3,149 children without early childhood caries.

Maternal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements were taken in the first, second, and third trimesters, alongside categories that included vitamin D deficiency defined as less than 20 ng/mL.

Pediatric dental examinations recorded decayed, missing, or filled teeth in primary dentition, with early childhood caries defined as a score of 1 or higher. Observational epidemiologic modeling linked trimester vitamin D levels with caries status, time to first diagnosis from ages 1 to 6 years, and repeated dental examinations across early childhood.

Vitamin D and cavity odds

Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels tracked with early childhood caries in several ways. At the last dental examination, higher trimester-specific 25-hydroxyvitamin D aligned with lower odds of early childhood caries, with odds ratios of 0.98 in the first trimester, 0.98 in the second trimester, and 0.99 in the third trimester when treated as a continuous measure.

Group comparisons placed second-trimester and third-trimester maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels lower among mothers of children with early childhood caries, while first-trimester levels showed no difference in that comparison.

Follow-ups from ages 1 to 6 years told a similar story for timing, with hazard ratios of 0.99 in the first trimester, 0.98 in the second trimester, and 0.99 in the third trimester for maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D treated as a continuous measure.

Higher maternal vitamin D levels across pregnancy aligned with lower odds of early childhood caries in offspring, suggesting supplementation before conception or during pregnancy as a potential lever for lowering the risk and severity of childhood tooth decay.

Mid-to-late pregnancy stood out as a window where higher vitamin D levels had the strongest correlation with fewer childhood caries and less decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth.

Written for you by our author Justin Jackson, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

Publication details Nuo Xu et al, Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Offspring, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.46166 Journal information: JAMA Network Open

Key medical concepts 25-hydroxyvitamin D

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Bartonella bacilliformis (blue) infecting human erythrocytes. Credit: Juergen Berger, MPI for Biology, CC BY

The so-called "Oroya fever" is an extremely severe infectious disease, yet it is classified among the so-called neglected tropical diseases. This is because the infection occursso farexclusively in high-altitude valleys of the South American Andes, primarily in Peru, but also in Ecuador and Colombia. As a result, it has received little attention from research and pharmaceutical development.

Oroya fever is caused by the bacterium Bartonella bacilliformis, which is transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia. The disease typically begins with high fever and massive destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes), resulting in a severe hemolytic anemia. Without antibiotic treatment, Oroya fever is fatal in up to 90% of cases, and 26% of the pathogens are resistant to the standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin, making antibiotic treatment significantly more difficult.

Lutzomyia sandflies are so far found only in South America. However, due to global warming and increasing travel, experts expect that the habitat of these sandflies could expand to other continents and even into Europe.

New research reveals disease mechanisms

In a new study published in Nature Communications, an international research team led by Professor Volkhard Kempf from Universitaetsmedizin Frankfurt and Goethe University has now generated and analyzed more than 1,700 genetic variants of the pathogen, identifying two proteins that Bartonella requires for the destruction of red blood cells: a so-called porin, which enables the exchange of substances such as ions with the environment, and an enzyme called /-hydrolase. Together, these two proteins are responsible for hemolysis.

Structural analyses and targeted point mutations showed that the hemolytic activity of Bartonella bacilliformis strictly depends on the enzymatic integrity of the /-hydrolase. "Both proteins work together to destroy human erythrocytes and thereby provide an explanation for the characteristic clinical presentation of Oroya fever," explains Dr. Alexander Dichter, first author of the study. "This makes the /-hydrolase a suitable target protein for therapeutic agents."

Potential for new treatments

In laboratory experiments, the researchers also identified an inhibitora phospholipase inhibitorthat blocks the activity of the /-hydrolase and can also prevent the hemolysis of erythrocytes. "If we succeed in selectively disabling the disease-causing effect of the bacterium in the human body in this way, we may have a therapy against which resistance is unlikely to develop," Dichter is convinced.

"Oroya fever is a serious public health problem in Peru and South America, killing hundreds of people every year without drawing attention from the rest of the world. The disease is poverty-related and belongs to the neglected tropical diseases, which receive far too little attention," says Professor Volkhard Kempf, Director of the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, which also hosts the German Consiliary Laboratory for Bartonella Infections (appointed by Robert Koch Institute, Berlin).

"We are therefore all the more pleased that we have laid the foundation for developing novel therapeutic approaches for Oroya fever and thus made an important contribution to the fight against this deadly neglected tropical disease."

Next steps in Oroya fever research

With the project's funding period now ended, efforts are underway to secure further financial support to continue the research, Kempf explains. "Now that we have elucidated the mechanisms of hemolysis, our next goal is to understand how the pathogen binds to erythrocytes, since adhesion of pathogens to host cells is always the first step in any infection. We were able to elucidate the adhesion mechanisms of a related pathogen, the bacterium Bartonella henselae, several years ago."

Publication details Alexander A. Dichter et al, Porin A and /-hydrolase are necessary and sufficient for hemolysis induced by Bartonella bacilliformis, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66781-x Journal information: Nature Communications
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A health worker, right, administers a polio vaccine to a child at a neighborhood in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad

Pakistani authorities on Monday launched the final nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of the year, aiming to protect 45 million children after more than two dozen cases of the potentially paralyzing disease were reported, officials said.

According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where polio has not been eradicated.

Pakistan has reported 30 polio cases since January, down from 74 during the same period last year, according to a statement from the government-run Polio Eradication Initiative.

The campaign is the country's fifth national vaccination drive this year. Pakistan regularly conducts such campaigns despite persistent security threats.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams. "This is not just about numbers. Each case threatens a child's future and the safety of our communities," Kamal said about the latest polio cases.

According to the statement, more than 400,000 front-line health workers are going door-to-door across Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and in Islamabad, to ensure no child is missed.

A health worker administers a polio vaccine to a child at a neighborhood in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad

Militants have repeatedly targeted vaccination workers and the police assigned to protect them, falsely claiming the campaigns are a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children.

Authorities have deployed thousands of police officers to protect vaccination teams following intelligence reports warning of possible militant attacks.

Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and police officers assigned to guard them have been killed in such attacks.

A police officer stands guard as a health worker, right, administers a polio vaccine to a child at a neighborhood in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad

"The December polio campaign is synchronized with Afghanistan, ensuring both countries boost immunity together to interrupt cross-border transmission," the statement said.

Officials said Pakistan has made significant progress in containing the virus.

"We are closer than ever to achieving eradication, and this campaign represents a vital final push to stop the virus everywhere it still circulates," it said.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Bekki Holzkamm has been trying to hire a lab technician at a hospital in rural North Dakota since late summer.

Not one U.S. citizen has applied.

West River Health Services in Hettinger, a town of about 1,000 residents in the southwestern part of the state, has four options, and none is good.

The hospital could fork over $100,000 for the Trump administration's new H-1B visa fee and hire one of the more than 30 applicants from the Philippines or Nigeria. The fee is the equivalent of what some rural hospitals would pay two lab techs in a year, said Holzkamm, who is West River's lab manager.

West River could ask the Department of Homeland Security to waive the fee. But it's unclear how long the waiver process would take and if the government would grant one. The hospital could continue trying to recruit someone inside the U.S. for the job. Or, Holzkamm said, it could leave the position unfilled, adding to the workload of the current "skeleton crew."

The U.S. health care system depends on foreign-born professionals to fill its ranks of doctors, nurses, technicians, and other health providers, particularly in chronically understaffed facilities in rural America.

But a new presidential proclamation aimed at the tech industry's use of H-1B visas is making it harder for West River and other rural providers to hire those staffers.

"The health care industry wasn't even considered. They're going to be collateral damage, and to such an extreme degree that it was clearly not thought about at all," said Eram Alam, a Harvard associate professor whose new book examines the history of foreign doctors in the U.S.

Elissa Taub, a Memphis, Tennessee-based attorney who assists hospitals with the H-1B application process, has been hearing concerns from her clients.

"It's not like there's a surplus of American physicians or nurses waiting in the wings to fill in those positions," she said.

Until recently, West River and other employers paid up to $5,000 each time they applied to sponsor an H-1B worker. The visas are reserved for highly skilled foreign workers.

The new $100,000 feepart of a September proclamation by President Donald Trumpapplies to workers living outside the U.S. but not those who were already in the U.S. on a visa.

West River lab teacher, Kathrine Abelita, is one of nine employeessix technicians and three nursesat the hospital who are current or former H-1B visa holders. Abelita is from the Philippines and has worked at West River since 2018. She's now a permanent U.S. resident.

"It's going to be a big problem for rural health care," she said of the new fee. She said most younger American workers want to live in urban areas.

Sixteen percent of registered nurses, 14% of physician assistants, and 14% of nurse practitioners and midwives who work in U.S. hospitals are immigrants, according to a 2023 government survey. Nearly a quarter of physicians in the U.S. went to medical school outside the U.S. or Canada, according to 2024 licensing data.

The American Hospital Association, two national rural health organizations, and more than 50 medical societies have asked the administration to give the health care industry exemptions from the new fee. The new cost will disproportionally harm rural communities that already struggle to afford and recruit enough providers, the groups argue.

"A blanket exception for health care providers is the simplest path forward," the National Rural Health Association and National Association of Rural Health Clinics wrote in a joint letter.

The proclamation allows fee exemptions for individuals, workers at specific companies, and those in entire industries when "in the national interest." New guidance says the fee will be waived only in an "extraordinarily rare circumstance." That includes showing that there is "no American worker" available for the position and that requiring a company to spend $100,000 would "significantly undermine" U.S. interests.

Taub called those standards "exceptionally high."

Representatives of the NRHA and the American Medical Association, which organized a letter from the medical societies, said they've received no response after sending requests to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in late September and early October. The AHA declined to say whether it had heard back.

Homeland Security officials directed KFF Health News' inquiries to the White House, which did not answer questions about individual waiver timelines or the possibility of a categorical exemption for the health care industry.

Instead, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers sent a statement defending the new fee, saying it will "put American workers first." Her comments echo Trump's proclamation, which focuses on accusations that the tech industry is abusing the H-1B program by replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign ones. But the order applies to all trades.

Alam, the Harvard professor, said the U.S. reliance on international providers does raise legitimate concerns, such as about how it takes professionals away from lower-income countries facing even greater health concerns and staffing shortages than the U.S.

This decades-long dependency, she said, stems from population booms, medical schools' historical exclusion of nonwhite men, and the "much, much cheaper" cost of importing providers trained abroad than expanding health education in the U.S.

Internationally trained doctors tend to work in rural and urban areas that are poor and underserved, according to a survey and research review.

Nearly 1,000 H-1B providers were employed in rural areas this year, the two rural health organizations wrote in their letter to the Trump administration.

J-1 visas, the most common type held by foreign doctors during their residencies and other postgraduate training in the U.S., require them to return to their home country for two years before applying for an H-1B.

But a government program called the Conrad 30 Waiver Program allows up to 1,500 J-1 holders a year to remain in the U.S. and apply for an H-1B in exchange for working for three years in a provider shortage area, which includes many rural communities.

Trump's proclamation says employers that sponsor H-1B workers already inside the U.S., such as doctors with these waivers, won't have to pay the six-figure fee, a nuance clarified in guidance released about a month later.

But employers will have to pay the new fee when hiring doctors and others who apply while living outside the U.S.

Alyson Kornele, CEO of West River Health Services, said most of the foreign nurses and lab techs it hires are outside the U.S. when they apply.

Ivan Mitchell, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska, said most of his hospital's H-1B physicians were inside the U.S. on other visas when they applied. But he said physical therapists, nurses, and lab techs typically apply from abroad.

Holzkamm said it took five to eight months to hire H-1B applicants at her lab before the new fee was introduced.

Bobby Mukkamala, a surgeon and the president of the American Medical Association, said Republican and Democratic lawmakers are concerned about the ramifications for rural health care.

They include Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who said he planned to reach out about possible exemptions.

"We want to make it easier, not harder, and less expensive, not more expensive, for people who need the workforce," the Republican told KFF Health News in September.

Thune's office did not respond to questions about whether the senator has heard from the administration regarding potential waivers for health workers.

The Trump administration is facing at least two lawsuits attempting to block the new fee. One group of plaintiffs includes a company that recruits foreign nurses and a union that represents medical graduates. Another lawsuit, by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, mentions concerns about the physician shortage and health systems' ability to afford the new fee.

Kornele said West River won't be able to afford a $100,000 fee, so it's doubling down on local recruiting and retention.

But Holzkamm said she hasn't been successful in finding lab techs from North Dakota colleges, even those who intern at the hospital. She said West River can't compete with the salaries offered in bigger cities.

"It's a bad cycle right now. We're in a lot of trouble," she said.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Listen to the influencers, skin-care specialists say, and your daily shower could do more harm than good.

"Your skin is a barrier," said Dr. Nicole Negbenebor, a dermatologic surgeon at University of Iowa Health Care, told The Associated Press. "So you want to treat it right, and then sometimes there can be too much of a good thing."

If you're double-cleansing, exfoliating, piling on scented body rubs and shower oils and spending a lot of time in the water, you're probably going overboard, she and other skin-care experts agree.

A daily shower with lukewarm water and hypoallergenic cleanserpreferably one that's fragrance-free, and a slather of lotion or oil afterward are all you need, they say.

Here's a guide from dermatologists to sudsing up without getting carried away:

Pay attention to time and temperature. Staying in the shower too long or cranking the temperature up too high can strip away natural oils your skin needs. The upshot: You'll be dry and irritated.

Pick the right soap. Choose one, dermatologists suggest, for sensitive skin and avoid antibacterial soaps, which can cause dryness. (Antibacterial soaps can, however, be beneficial for folks with hidradenitis suppurativa, an autoimmune condition that causes abscesses and boils on the skin, they point out.)

Despite the influencers, double-cleansing isn't necessary. No need, doctors say, to use oil-based cleansers to break down makeup and excess oil and then a water-based cleanser to remove any residue. And, they add, you sure don't need to do that to your whole body.

"People overuse soap all the time," Dr. Olga Bunimovich, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh, told The AP. "You should not be soaping up all of your skin period." Instead, she advised, use soap to wash skin folds and your privates.

Oil up. Once you're out of the shower but still damp, an oil will lock in moisture that hydrates the skin, Negbenebor said. Just remember: Oil itself is a sealant, not a moisturizer.

Don't go overboard with exfoliating. Using a body scrub or loofah to remove dead cells is good for the skin, but not every day, especially if you have dry skin, acne or eczema. Using products that contain lactic or glycolic acid is a gentler way to exfoliatebut not all the time.

While you're being kind to your skin, think about the environment, too.

Nearly 17% of U.S. indoor water use is in the shower, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Shorter showers are good for the earthand a lukewarm one that lasts long enough to clean your body should be sufficient most of the time.

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Schematic of the function of tsRNA-Glu-CTC in regulating lipid homeostasis and atherosclerosis development. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67387-z

A team of researchers led by University of California, Riverside biomedical scientists has identified a small, previously overlooked small RNA molecule that plays a major role in controlling the body's cholesterol production and the development of heart disease. The molecule, named tsRNA-Glu-CTC, could be a potential new target for future therapies aimed at lowering high cholesterol.

Using PANDORA-seq, a sequencing technology developed at UC Riverside, the scientists were able to detect hidden types of small RNAs in the liver, the organ central to cholesterol metabolism. They found that tsRNA-Glu-CTC is highly abundant in the liver (more than 65% of all detectable tsRNAs or tRNA-derived small RNAs) and responds directly to changes in cholesterol levels. The study was done in mice.

The research established a direct link between tsRNA-Glu-CTC and SREBP2 (Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 2), a key protein known as the "master regulator" of cholesterol production.

"We found that when tsRNA-Glu-CTC levels rise, it boosts SREBP2 activity, which switches on the genes that synthesize cholesterol," said Changcheng Zhou, a professor of biomedical sciences in the UCR School of Medicine and the lead author of the study published in Nature Communications. "This mechanism directly contributes to higher cholesterol levels and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, or the clogging of arteries."

Atherosclerosis is a common and serious disease caused by the slow accumulation of sticky plaquemade of cholesterol, fat, and other substancesin the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues and organs. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 50% of Americans between the ages of 45 and 84 are living with undiagnosed atherosclerosis.

In their mouse models, the researchers successfully used an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)genetic material designed to block RNAto lower tsRNA-Glu-CTC levels. This resulted in a reduction in cholesterol and less severe atherosclerosis in the mice.

Zhou explained that this approach offers an "upstream" advantage over existing cholesterol medications like statins, which act further down the metabolic pathway.

"By targeting the molecule that initiates the cholesterol production boost, it may be possible to achieve a more fundamental and earlier regulation of the process," he said.

Zhou's team also found that the naturally occurring, chemically modified form of tsRNA-Glu-CTC was more effective at regulating cholesterol than synthetic versions, a finding that could guide the development of future targeted drugs.

While much of the initial work was conducted in mouse models, the relevance to humans is strong. The researchers analyzed human blood samples and observed that individuals with elevated levels of tsRNA-Glu-CTC tended to have higher circulating cholesterol, suggesting the newly discovered regulatory mechanism is active in human physiology.

"Our study marks the first evidence that a tsRNA can directly influence cholesterol metabolism and heart disease, pointing to a new direction for preventing cardiovascular events," Zhou said.

Publication details Xiuchun Li et al, A cholesterol-responsive hepatic tRNA-derived small RNA regulates cholesterol homeostasis and atherosclerosis development, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67387-z Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Fifteen new cases of measles have been reported in the Upstate since Dec. 9, more schools have had infected students, 303 people are in quarantine and 13 are in isolation, the South Carolina Department of Public Health reported on Dec. 12.

The total number of cases in South Carolina related to the Upstate outbreak is 126 and 129 this year.

Quarantine involves staying home 21 days after a known exposure to monitor symptom development. Students who are not immunized and were exposed to a known case are not allowed to attend school.

Isolation is indicated when an individual has the measles and is infectious, which is four days after the rash appears.

Six of the 11 schools affected reported immunization levels in the low 80s. The Department of Health said 95% offer herd immunity. Statewide, the immunization level has dropped to 90%.

Two of the schools with quarantinesDorman Freshman Campus and Fairforest Middle have 94% and 90% immunization levels respectively. Chapman, Hendrix and Tyger River reported high 80s.

Here are the schools and numbers quarantined:

Campobello Gramling School67 students in quarantine

Boiling Springs Elementary 16 students in quarantine

Fairforest Elementary 27 in quarantine

Hendrix Elementary40 in quarantine

Mabry Middle School13 in quarantine

Chapman High School5 in quarantine

Rainbow Lake Middle School60 in quarantine

Tyger River Elementary21 in quarantine

Fairforest Middle School3 in quarantine

Dorman High School-Freshman Campus8 in quarantine

Inman Intermediate43 in quarantine

2025 The State. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Factors influencing pairwise transmission risk, as tested across the different models used in the study. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65283-0

Today's influenza vaccines primarily prevent infection in individuals, but new research led by the University of Michigan and the Institut Pasteur suggests that incorporating antibodies generated after infection could lead to more powerful vaccines by also reducing person-to-person transmission.

Future vaccines that boost the antibodiesneuraminidase, or NA, in particular, along with, HA head and HA stalk (HA stands for hemagglutinin)may add an important layer of community protection, the researchers say.

"NA is a part of the influenza virus that has been relatively overlooked in vaccine design, yet they play a key role not only in lowering infection risk but also in reducing how contagious someone becomes when infected," said Aubree Gordon, co-senior study author and director of the Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats and Pandemic Preparedness.

Study details and global flu impact

The study is published in the journal Nature Communications. It comes amid warnings of a severe flu season ahead and as the first deaths of the 20252026 flu season are being recorded in the Northern Hemisphere. Influenza infects upwards of 1 billion people and leads to some 650,000 deaths globally each year. Lost productivity and hospitalizations due to the flu also result in major economic loss and burden.

"Modifying vaccines to include NA antibodies provides an extra layer of defense that's especially important for infants, immunocompromised individuals and others who can't mount strong vaccine responses," Gordon, an epidemiologist from the School of Public Health said. "This could also be very important if we were to have an influenza pandemic."

Research methods and findings

She helped lead a multinational research team that followed 171 Nicaraguan households and their 664 contacts over three influenza seasons2014, 2016, 2017. Almost all of the participants had never been vaccinated, allowing researchers to observe transmission patterns driven primarily by antibodies from infection.

Through bloodwork, virologic testing and the power of mathematical modeling, the researchers identified which antibodies were most effective at limiting spread.

Simon Cauchemez, epidemiologist and infectious disease modeler from Institut Pasteur and its Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases Unit, is senior co-author with Gordon and said the detailed household data and modeling methods let the researchers chart and document how the antibodies reacted and which were most powerful in keeping an infected person from spreading the flu to people they came into contact with.

"Understanding which factors drive the spread of influenza is essential to designing more effective control strategies but is often challenging. Here, we were able to obtain such insight thanks to the analysis of very detailed data documenting influenza transmission in households with state-of-the-art modeling techniques," Cauchemez said.

Immunity insights and vaccine implications

Very few people in the study were vaccinated, giving the researchers the opportunity to watch how immunity, primarily from prior infection, impacts the chances you'll get influenza and whether you spread it to others. It's an important distinction, because people who get influenza can be strongly protected against that same type of influenza for many years, while vaccines for influenza tend to provide moderate protection for less than a year.

"By studying immunity after infection," the authors wrote, "we can identify which antibody responses are most protective and translate those insights into improved vaccine designs that provide stronger and longer-lasting protection."

Publication details Gregory Hoy et al, Anti-neuraminidase and anti-HA stalk antibodies reduce the susceptibility to and infectivity of influenza A/H3N2 virus, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65283-0 Journal information: Nature Communications
After three days, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is on the verge of calling off the intensive hunt for the Goregaon dog, responsible for a terrifying spree that resulted in 15 to 16 reported bite cases.

Officials express the possibility that the dog might have died, so on Monday, the BMC will decide whether to continue this intensive search operation.

The civic bodys intense three-day hunt has yielded no sign of the dog in Goregaon West. A senior official has expressed concern, speculating that the dog, which may have sustained injuries, might have died elsewhere, as there have been no fresh cases reported in the last two days. Officials previously claimed that if the dog were alive, its distinctive aggressive behaviour would make it visible within three days. Around 20 people are working on the dog search.

Dr K L Pathan, Chief of the BMC Veterinary Department, confirms that the dog is still untraceable. We have deputed four dog-catching vehicles, including two NGO and two civic-owned vehicles, he stated.

We cant deploy manpower in one ward only, so we will decide whether to call off the intensive operation. Instead, we will deploy one catching van, an official added. According to the BMC data, last year Mumbai reported 1.28 lakh dog bite cases, while this year the city reported 96,757 cases. This data was submitted in the winter state assembly session. There are eight animal birth control centres in Mumbai. In the dog census of 2024, the BMC found 90,000 street dogs in the city. According to the data, the BMC and NGO conduct sterilisation of 57 dogs each day.


The generals say all goals of the war will be achieved. The economists say despite the pressure the economy will outlast Ukraines. Even President Donald Trump says that Russia is much stronger and Kyiv has no cards left to play in the war. Hearing only reassurance, it is little wonder that President Vladimir Putin sees no reason for real concessions on Ukraine. From the vantage point of the Kremlin, the war is going according to plan.

It is unclear whether Putin will accept the latest United States peace plan, which most analysts have called slanted towards Russia, since it does not achieve all of his goals in the war. Since he believes he is winning and thinks the economy is strong, there is little reason for any sort of concessions. Putin has long been surrounded by a chorus of supportive voices, but over the past 25 years of his rule, the range of views reaching him has narrowed dramatically.

Boris Bondarev, a Russian diplomat who resigned in 2022 over the full-scale invasion, explains, One of the invasions central lessons had to do with something I had witnessed over the preceding two decades: what happens when a government is slowly warped by its own propaganda. The war is a stark demonstration of how decisions made in echo chambers can backfire.

Dissenting voices vanish

Yet it was not always this way. An archival Instagram project called Achtopotv offers glimpses into that earlier period, resurfacing moments when Russian public discourse reflected a far wider range of opinions than it does today. One of the clips shows a young Russian senator and historian, Vladimir Medinsky, in 2005 arguing passionately against the restoration of monuments to Joseph Stalin. He warned of the dangers of glorifying a system built on mass repression and the sacrifice of individuals for imperial ambitions.

Two decades later, Medinsky is Russias chief negotiator in talks with Ukraine and one of the most prominent advocates of Putins attempt to pull the former Soviet satellite nations back into Moscows orbit. A new bust of Stalin appeared in the Moscow subway this spring.

Another video unearthed by the project shows Putin in 2000, his first year in office, saying that independent media and civil liberties are necessary to keep Russia from sliding into totalitarianism, and arguing that a free press was vital for the countrys future. In the ensuing two decades, Putin shed his interest in independent media and civil liberties and turned his focus to restoring the sphere of influence of the old Soviet Union  and those around him fell in line.

Perhaps the most stunning transformation is that of Dmitry Medvedev, who as prime minister swapped the presidency with Putin in 2008-2012 and whose term was marked by a brief liberal thaw, a friendlier attitude towards the West and a love for Western gadgets and social media. Now, he has reinvented himself as a hawk who repeatedly wished nuclear destruction on the West in his blog posts. Analysts have attributed his transformation to a bid to avoid political obscurity and make up for his past more liberal views.

A long-lasting effect

Russia analysts have identified different events as watershed moments. For some its Putins return to power in 2012 after Medvedevs slight thaw. Others put the 2014 annexation of Crimea as a point of no return. Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, Russian investigative journalists reporting on special services, wrote in their book Our Dear Friends in Moscow that the transformation began much earlier, in Putins first terms, describing how many of their colleagues and acquaintances adopted the Kremlins point of view in private early on.

By the time Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it had become unimaginable for any senior official to oppose any of Putins decisions in public. During the now-infamous Russian Security Council meeting three days before the full-scale invasion, many of Russias top officials appeared visibly startled when Putin called on them one by one to deliver a speech, on camera, and endorse his plans.

Behind the scenes, however, there was at least one exception. Dmitry Kozak, a longtime aide who had worked with Putin since the 1990s and served as his chief negotiator on Ukraine, was his go-to man for some of the most sensitive tasks. He was reportedly the only senior figure to present arguments against military action during that meeting. His alleged remarks did not appear in the televised version of the meeting and he has not appeared publicly since. His duties at the Kremlin slowly drifted to a rival aide until his resignation this fall.

Bondarev described how for years diplomats were sent abroad with the task to echo the Kremlins version of events without questioning it. Then, in cables and internal reports, he said, the diplomats were gradually expected to tell the leadership that Russias narrative had succeeded and that Western opposition had been disarmed. What has unsettled many Russians most has been the speed with which powerful figures in Washington have adjusted their positions. Marco Rubio, now serving as secretary of state, was once one of the most forceful Republican voices arguing that abandoning Ukraine would shatter American credibility.

Trumps main envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been criticised for advising Russia how to negotiate with Washington to get a better deal, including extracting territorial concessions from Ukraine. Bondarev said on X that while Witkoffs faults lie in that he sees the world exclusively through the prism of Putin. Its unpleasant to admit  he owes [Ukraine] nothing, Bondarev wrote. He works for the US, or, as he understands it, for the US presidentHis goal is to hand Trump some kind of peace here and now. The first year of Trumps second term has been the subject of a joke among Russias anti-war exiles: America appeared to be speedrunning parts of Russias recent political history.

Its a common human trait of adaptability, including political adaptability, Badanin said. But, particularly in authoritarian countries like Russia, anyone whos ever entered the system, even if well-intended at the start, over time becomes either an indirect or direct accomplice to something bad.


Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has launched a sharp attack on Jubilee Party deputy leader Fred Matiangi, dismissing his sustained criticism of President William Rutos administration and questioning his credibility to lecture Kenyans on governance.

Speaking during a public event over the weekend, Duale challenged Matiangis moral authority to criticise the current government, arguing that his record while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary under the previous administration disqualifies him from attacking President Ruto.

Duale said Matiangis tenure at the Interior Ministry was characterised by controversy and heavy-handed policing, adding that the former powerful Cabinet Secretary should be the last person to speak about the rule of law and good governance.

He went further to allege that numerous cases of extrajudicial killings occurred during Matiangis time in charge of internal security, insisting that Kenya needs leaders who respect the Constitution and uphold the law.

According to Duale, leadership must be anchored on integrity, accountability, and respect for democratic institutions, values he said Matiangi failed to demonstrate while in office.

What is he trying to tell us about Rutos government? He should be the last person to critique Ruto, Duale said.

The Health CS also dismissed what he described as Matiangis growing political ambitions, rejecting attempts by the former Interior CS to reinvent himself as a reformist figure.

He is chest-thumping all over, yet we know him, Duale added.

At the same time, Duale strongly defended President Rutos development record, arguing that no previous administration has matched his performance in such a short time. He said much of the criticism directed at the Head of State stems from personal dislike rather than an honest assessment of facts on the ground.

People just hate the name Ruto, but if you look at the three years he has been president, if you look at the roads, no one has performed like him, Duale said.

I have worked with Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, and now I am with Ruto. In three years, no one can compare with the work he has done for Kenyans.

Matiangi recently described Rutos administration as highly incompetent.

Speaking at his Nyamira home over the weekend, the former Interior CS claimed Kenyans were suffering under the current leadership and said he was ready to play a role in rescuing the country.

We are struggling against a barbaric, draconian and highly incompetent administration, Matiangi said.

He further accused President Rutos administration of adopting a leadership style similar to colonial regimes that cling to power at all costs.

This administration is completely unpopular and determined to hang on to power like colonialists, but it will not be a walk in the park for him, he said.
Kikuyu Member of Parliament and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah has expressed confidence that Kiambu County will overwhelmingly support President William Rutos re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Sunday during a church service at the Africa Inland Pentecostal Church Assembly (AIPCA), Gatundu North Diocese, Ichungwah said Kiambu remains firmly in President Rutos political corner, just as it was during the 2022 elections when the county played a key role in delivering votes for the Head of State.

Your Excellency, I want to assure you that even in 2027, Kiambu County will give you more votes than any other region in the country, Ichungwah declared.

The Leader of Majority said visible development projects across Kiambu demonstrate President Rutos commitment to improving the lives of residents and justify the countys continued support.

According to Ichungwah, Kiambu is already experiencing the impact of the Presidents development agenda, particularly in road infrastructure, which he described as evidence that the country is moving beyond promises to real transformation.

In Kiambu County, we are not living in a promise but in the reality of transforming from a Third World to a First World country, he said.

He highlighted major infrastructure projects underway in the county, including the dualling of the Western and Northern Bypasses and ongoing works along the MuthaigaKiambu Road corridor.

Ichungwah also shared a personal experience to illustrate the traffic challenges faced by commuters on major highways and the need for improved infrastructure.

Four weeks ago, I left Parliament for an engagement at Kenyatta University, and it took me one hour and 15 minutes, way more than it should take, he said.

He welcomed President Rutos recent pledge, made during Jamhuri Day celebrations, to construct a new expressway from Museum Hill to Thika, describing it as a timely solution to congestion along the busy Thika Road.

I am glad to report that during Jamhuri Day celebrations, you promised a new expressway from Museum Hill all the way to Thika, Ichungwah added.

The proposed expressway, unveiled by President Ruto during the national celebrations, is expected to ease chronic traffic congestion along the heavily used Thika Super Highway, a critical corridor linking Nairobis Central Business District to Thika town.

Spanning approximately 45 kilometres, the project aims to significantly cut travel time for thousands of daily commuters while boosting economic activity along the route, further strengthening Kiambu Countys support for the Presidents development agenda.
Seven individuals appeared before Mombasa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Gladys Olimo over the possession of 24 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at Ksh192 million. The consignment is believed to be part of a larger drug shipment stolen from a Multi-agency operation earlier this year.

Authorities suspect the seized narcotics originated from a massive 1,024-kilogram methamphetamine haul worth Ksh8.2 billion intercepted in October during a coordinated sting on a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean.

Methamphetamine, a powerful synthetic stimulant, is commonly produced in illegal laboratories and found in powder, tablet, or crystal form. The drug is notorious for inducing intense euphoria and heightened physical and mental activity.

The Multi-agency operation included officers from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Magistrate Olimo approved an application by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), allowing investigators 10 working days to conduct forensic analysis, profiling, and sampling of the seized narcotics. The suspects are scheduled to appear in court again on December 22, 2025.

Also Read  How Womans Arrest Linked KDF Officers to Alleged Ksh8.2B Meth Theft

Prosecutors Yassin Mohamed and Brenda Oganda, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that the case is of significant public interest.

The accused are Duke Nyamwaya, Juma Mwinyifaki, Michael Kariuki, Elijah Mbogo, James Ekiru, Abdulrehman Salad, and Abdirahman Abdi Kuno. They were arrested on December 11, 2025, in a coordinated operation by ANU officers from DCI Headquarters and the Mombasa Regional Office.

According to an affidavit by investigating officer PC Isaac Njoroge, officers recovered large quantities of suspected methamphetamine from the suspects homes and workplaces, including 24 kilograms of crystalline material packaged in white packets.

Police also seized 11 mobile phones of various brands, including Redmi, Tecno, Itel, Samsung Galaxy, Vivo, and Oppo. Investigators say the devices are crucial for tracing communication patterns, identifying accomplices, and mapping the wider alleged trafficking network. The court authorised cyber-forensic analysis of all seized devices.

The affidavit further indicates that the suspects digital footprints and communication records link them to a broader methamphetamine syndicate involved in trafficking and distribution across the region.

Investigators argued that releasing the suspects could jeopardise the case by enabling interference with witnesses, destruction of digital evidence, or coordination with accomplices still at large.

The court ruled that the high value of the drugs, the technical nature of ongoing forensic procedures, and the potential flight risk justify the extended detention of the accused.
Nairobi City County Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has defended former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, dismissing claims of rivalry between the two ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Sunday, December 14, 2025, via X, Mosiria urged Matiangi to work with President William Ruto, framing their political alignment as a strategic move to strengthen government and advance opportunities for the Gusii community ahead of the polls.

Mosiria rejected suggestions that he would oppose Matiangi, the Jubilee Partys 2027 presidential hopeful, describing him as a brother already serving government interests from a different position.

I cannot fight my brother, who is already in government. Instead, I am working to mobilise more numbers to add value to him in 2027, Mosiria said.

He argued that political competition within the same camp would be counterproductive, stating that his efforts focus on amplifying Matiangis influence rather than undermining it.

Mosiria also highlighted Matiangis political consistency over the years, noting that even when opposition leaders criticised him publicly, he remained aligned with the State. He described these moments as strategic positioning rather than defiance.

Remember, he was once a mole within the opposition, even when one opposition leader publicly attacked him. This is a clear indication that our brother is a mole, Mosiria stated.

Framing politics as a game of strategy, Mosiria explained that while he operates from a formal government position, Matiangi works from outside the structures to weaken the opposition and consolidate power for the ruling establishment.

The difference is I hold a government position; my brother is playing his cards from outside to divide the opposition and continue holding the government firm, he said.

Mosiria maintained that both individuals serve the same political cause and that their approaches, though different, are complementary and designed to achieve shared objectives.

In response to critics questioning his loyalty, Mosiria said any scrutiny aimed at him should also apply to Matiangi, underscoring their shared mission to advance opportunities for their community.

So if you must crucify me, then my brother is no different. We are all fighting for opportunities for our people, he concluded.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Simon Karatu, an Anglican Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) bishop from Gatundu North, has publicly reaffirmed Mt Kenyas political support for President William Ruto, dismissing growing speculation that the region could abandon him before the 2027 General Election.

Rt. Rev. Karatu made the remarks on Sunday during a church service, where he told congregants that Mt Kenya residents remain firmly behind the Head of State. He rejected claims circulating in political circles suggesting the region was reconsidering its loyalty to President Ruto.

Addressing the congregation, Bishop Karatu described President Ruto as a caring and attentive leader who listens to the concerns of ordinary citizens. He framed the relationship between the President and Mt Kenya residents as one built on trust, dialogue, and shared purpose.

As our father, we shall bring all our needs to your attention because you love us. Some people were saying that our President Ruto should forget Mt Kenya votes. Mt Kenya is us, Bishop Karatu said.

Also Read  Mount Kenya Knows Who to Chase Away, Gachagua Warns Ruto

The cleric went further to assure the President that the region would not only support him but would also turn out in large numbers to vote early and decisively in his favour during the next election cycle.

Bishop Karatu urged President Ruto to remain focused on his development agenda and ignore political narratives suggesting weakening support in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region. He emphasized that loyalty to the President remained intact and unwavering.

We want to assure our President that the person who was claiming that we shall not give you our votes, that early in the morning, we shall vote in our President to continue with work, Karatu added.

He concluded his remarks with a strong message of unity and commitment, assuring President Ruto that Mt Kenya would continue walking with him politically.

Amen, President Ruto, you should not worry. We love you and we shall continue with this journey together.
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has firmly dismissed claims that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is grappling with internal divisions.

Speaking on Saturday in Muranga County, Winnie rejected suggestions that ODM has splintered into rival factions, saying the party continues to operate under collective leadership led by Oburu Oginga. She insisted the party remains united, stable, and rooted in the principles laid down by its founder, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga

I dont know where you have seen those factions, she said.

Winnie emphasized her personal and political loyalty to ODMs leadership, making it clear that she has never aligned herself with any faction within the party.

The party leader is my uncle. I love him. He is the only father I have left. There is never a day I would be in a faction, and he is not there. He is the head of my family, and I am always with him.

She acknowledged that internal debates and differing opinions exist within ODM, noting that such discussions are normal in any large political organization. However, she cautioned against interpreting healthy debate as division.

We are together. Weve had differences of opinion on certain things, but the most important thing is we stick together, Winnie saidy.

The EALA legislator further stressed that the party remains anchored in the values and discipline instilled by her father, which she said continue to guide its members and leadership.

Baba taught us well. Nobody is leaving. The only ones who leave are those who have a problem with what he taught us.

Her remarks come amid speculation about the future of ODM and shifting political alignments, with party leaders insisting that unity and adherence to founding ideals remain central to its identity and direction.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Adalwin is a name deeply rooted in Germanic history and aristocracy, originating from the Old High German elements 'adal' meaning 'noble' and 'win' meaning 'friend'. The name was particularly prominent during the Carolingian era and early Middle Ages, often borne by bishops, nobles, and ecclesiastical figures who played crucial roles in the Christianization of Germanic tribes. Its usage reflected the importance of nobility and loyalty in medieval Germanic society, where names carried significant social and cultural weight.



The name's association with both nobility and friendship made it particularly appealing for those in positions of leadership and spiritual guidance, embodying the ideal combination of high status and trustworthy character that was valued in medieval Germanic culture. Throughout history, bearers of this name were often involved in important religious and political missions, helping to shape the cultural landscape of Central Europe during the formative centuries of European civilization.
People named Ailbert are often characterized by their strong sense of duty, integrity, and natural leadership abilities. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who consider both tradition and innovation in their approach to challenges. Their 'noble' namesake frequently manifests in a dignified demeanor and a commitment to ethical principles, making them trusted figures in both personal and professional contexts. Ailberts typically value knowledge and wisdom, often becoming respected for their insight and judgment.



In social settings, Ailberts may appear reserved initially but reveal deep loyalty and warmth to those they trust. They possess a quiet confidence that inspires respect rather than demanding it, and they often serve as stabilizing influences in their communities. Their combination of traditional values and adaptability allows them to navigate complex situations with grace and effectiveness. While they may not seek the spotlight, Ailberts frequently find themselves in positions of responsibility due to their reliability and strong moral character.
Individuals named Aisley are often characterized by their strong sense of integrity and deep-rooted values, reflecting the name's Christian heritage. They tend to be thoughtful and contemplative, with a natural inclination toward spiritual matters and community service. Aisleys typically demonstrate remarkable resilience, much like the ash trees their name references, showing strength in adversity while maintaining flexibility in their approach to life's challenges. They are often described as grounded individuals who provide stability and shelter to those around them, embodying the protective qualities of their namesake grove.



Many Aisleys exhibit a quiet leadership style, preferring to lead through example rather than authority, and they often excel in roles that require patience, wisdom, and long-term vision. Their connection to nature often manifests in environmental awareness and appreciation for simple, meaningful living. While they may appear reserved initially, Aisleys typically form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their loyalty and dependability. The combination of spiritual depth and practical wisdom makes them valued members of any community, often serving as mediators or counselors who help others find their own path to growth and understanding.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Amada holds deep cultural significance in Spanish-speaking communities as a name that embodies the cherished values of love, devotion, and family bonds. Historically, the name has been popular in Spain and Latin America, often given to express the profound love parents feel for their daughter. In many Hispanic cultures, the concept of 'amada' extends beyond romantic love to encompass the sacred bonds of family and community, making the name a reflection of cultural values that prioritize strong interpersonal relationships and emotional connections.



The name frequently appears in religious contexts, particularly in Catholic communities, where it symbolizes the beloved nature of the Virgin Mary and other female saints. Throughout Spanish literature and poetry, 'amada' has been used as both a proper name and a term of endearment, appearing in works by renowned authors like Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Neruda, where it represents idealized feminine virtues and deep emotional attachment. The name's cultural resonance extends to music and art, where it often appears in romantic ballads and visual artworks celebrating love and beauty.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Arwin has evolved as a name with strong Christian cultural roots, particularly in English-speaking Christian communities where it embodies the biblical values of friendship, service, and community. The name gained prominence in the 20th century as Christian families sought names that reflected virtues of companionship and loyalty, drawing inspiration from biblical teachings about friendship and brotherly love. In many Christian traditions, the name Arwin has been associated with the concept of being a 'friend to all' - reflecting Jesus's teaching to love one's neighbor and the early Christian communities' emphasis on fellowship and mutual support. The name carries connotations of approachability, trustworthiness, and the Christian ideal of building strong, supportive communities where individuals look out for one another's spiritual and practical well-being.



Throughout Christian history, names carrying meanings related to friendship and community have held special significance, as they align with core Christian principles of love, service, and unity. Arwin fits within this tradition, representing the ideal Christian who bridges divides and creates harmonious relationships. The name's usage patterns reflect its appeal to families who value these Christian virtues and wish to instill them in their children through meaningful nomenclature. Its cross-cultural variations demonstrate how the core values of friendship and community resonate across different Christian traditions worldwide.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Cain holds a complex position in Irish cultural history. In ancient Ireland, before the widespread influence of Christianity and the biblical narrative, Cain appeared in early Gaelic records and mythology as a legitimate given name, often associated with warriors and chieftains. The name appears in various ancient Irish texts and genealogies, suggesting it was used among Gaelic nobility prior to the biblical story becoming dominant in Irish consciousness. Following Christianization, the name's usage declined significantly due to its association with the biblical figure Cain, who committed the first murder in the Book of Genesis. However, in some regional Irish traditions, the name persisted in modified forms and continued to appear in certain family lineages, particularly in Ulster and Connacht regions where ancient naming customs endured longer than in other parts of Ireland.



The cultural significance of Cain in Ireland reflects the broader pattern of how indigenous naming traditions interacted with imported religious narratives. While the biblical association eventually overshadowed the original Irish usage, the name's presence in early Irish records demonstrates the richness of pre-Christian Gaelic naming practices. Modern Irish cultural revival movements have shown renewed interest in such archaic names as part of reconnecting with Ireland's ancient heritage, viewing them as important cultural artifacts that predate later religious influences and represent a distinctively Irish identity.
The name Capucine suggests a personality that beautifully balances delicate sensitivity with resilient strength, much like the nasturtium flower that can thrive in challenging conditions while maintaining its vibrant beauty. Individuals with this name are often perceived as having an innate artistic sensibility and aesthetic appreciation, drawn to creative expression whether through visual arts, music, writing, or fashion. They possess a natural elegance that isn't pretentious but rather emerges from genuine self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Their creative nature is typically complemented by strong observational skills and intuition, making them excellent judges of character and situations.



Capucines are often described as having a warm, approachable sophistication that makes them equally comfortable in formal settings and casual gatherings. They tend to be excellent communicators who express themselves with clarity and grace, while also being attentive listeners who make others feel understood. The name carries an expectation of resiliencethe ability to adapt and flourish like the hardy nasturtium plant. This combination of artistic sensitivity and practical strength often leads Capucines to careers in creative fields, education, or helping professions where they can use their natural empathy and aesthetic sense to make meaningful contributions. Their personality typically reflects the name's French origins: sophisticated yet down-to-earth, creative yet grounded, delicate yet surprisingly tough.
Women named Dustee are often perceived as grounded, practical individuals with strong moral foundations. They typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern adaptability, making them well-suited for leadership roles in community and religious settings. Dustees are frequently described as resilient and dependable, with a quiet strength that inspires confidence in others. Their earthy name often correlates with a nurturing personality and strong connection to family and community.



Many Dustees demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and maintain calm under pressure, making them natural peacemakers in challenging situations. They tend to be loyal friends and dedicated team members who value authenticity in relationships. The name's informal quality often translates to an approachable, down-to-earth demeanor that puts others at ease. Dustees typically possess strong intuition and practical wisdom, combining emotional intelligence with pragmatic decision-making abilities that serve them well in both personal and professional contexts.
Women named Eglantina are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of delicate grace and resilient strength, much like the wild rose that inspires their name. They typically exhibit refined sensibilities, artistic appreciation, and natural elegance, combined with an underlying toughness that allows them to thrive in challenging circumstances. Eglantinas are frequently described as intuitive and emotionally intelligent, with a deep connection to nature and beauty in all its forms.



Their personality often balances traditional femininity with independent thinking, making them both charming and determined individuals who value authenticity and meaningful relationships. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach life with both sensitivity and practicality. The name suggests someone who is adaptable yet principled, capable of maintaining their core values while navigating complex social and professional environments. Eglantinas are often seen as nurturing yet self-sufficient, embodying the wild rose's ability to flourish without cultivation.
Individuals named Eritha are often characterized by their gentle yet resilient nature, much like the flowers their name represents. They typically possess an innate sensitivity to beauty and harmony, with a strong appreciation for art, nature, and emotional depth in relationships. Erithas tend to be nurturing personalities who create warm, welcoming environments for those around them. Their growth-oriented mindset means they're constantly evolving and adapting, showing remarkable resilience when faced with challenges. While they may appear delicate initially, Erithas often demonstrate surprising strength and determination when pursuing their goals or protecting loved ones. They excel in creative fields and helping professions where their natural empathy and aesthetic sensibilities can flourish. Their communication style is typically diplomatic and thoughtful, making them excellent mediators and trusted confidants who bring people together through their understanding and compassionate approach to relationships.
Individuals named Giomar typically exhibit strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and natural confidence that often positions them as natural leaders in various settings. They tend to be decisive, action-oriented, and possess remarkable resilience when facing challenges. Their innate sense of responsibility and protective nature makes them reliable partners and loyal friends who others naturally look to for guidance and support.



Beyond their strong exterior, Giomars often demonstrate deep analytical capabilities and thoughtful consideration before making important decisions. They balance their assertive nature with surprising emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect with others while maintaining their authoritative presence. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective in both professional leadership roles and personal relationships, where they excel at navigating complex situations with both courage and compassion.
Individuals bearing the name Gustav typically exhibit a distinctive combination of intellectual depth, practical wisdom, and natural authority. They often possess a methodical approach to problem-solving and a strong sense of responsibility, traits that align with the name's royal connotations and historical association with leadership. Gustavs tend to be perceptive and analytical, capable of seeing both the big picture and important details, which makes them effective in positions requiring strategic thinking. Their personality often reflects a balance between tradition and innovation  they respect established ways while being open to new ideas that demonstrate practical value. This makes them particularly successful in fields that bridge creative and analytical domains, such as architecture, engineering, or academic leadership.



Socially, Gustavs often present as reserved initially but reveal warmth and loyalty to those who earn their trust. They value meaningful relationships over casual acquaintances and typically maintain strong family bonds and long-term friendships. Their communication style tends to be thoughtful and precise, sometimes appearing formal but always sincere. While they can be perceived as serious, most Gustavs possess dry wit and subtle humor that emerges in comfortable settings. They generally prefer quality over quantity in all aspects of life  from friendships to possessions to professional accomplishments. This selective approach, combined with their inherent dignity and reliability, often earns them respect and trust from colleagues and companions alike throughout their lives.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Hamlett carries significant cultural weight primarily through its association with Shakespeare's tragic hero Hamlet. While the spelling differs slightly, the name evokes immediate connections to one of literature's most complex characters - the contemplative Prince of Denmark torn between duty and morality. This literary connection has shaped the name's perception for centuries, imbuing it with intellectual and philosophical connotations. Beyond Shakespeare, the name has Germanic roots as a locational surname derived from 'hamel' meaning 'crooked' or 'bent' and the diminutive '-ett', originally describing someone from a small settlement or village. In German tradition, such names often indicated one's origin or ancestral home, serving as important identifiers in medieval communities. The name also appears in various forms across Scandinavian folklore, particularly in the Amleth legend that predates Shakespeare's version.



The cultural impact of the name extends beyond literature into psychology and philosophy, where 'Hamlet-like' has become shorthand for indecisive but deeply thoughtful behavior. In German-speaking regions, the name maintains its original geographical significance, connecting individuals to specific places and family histories. The spelling variation 'Hamlett' often indicates a deliberate distinction from the Shakespearean character while preserving the name's Germanic heritage. This dual identity - both literary and ancestral - gives the name unique cultural resonance that bridges artistic achievement and personal heritage.
Individuals named Hotuaekhaashtait are typically perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of responsibility and protection toward their community. They embody the bull's characteristics  steadfast, reliable, and possessing immense inner strength that others naturally gravitate toward. These individuals often display remarkable resilience in facing challenges, much like the bull that withstands harsh conditions while maintaining its dignity and power.



Their 'tall' nature manifests not just physically but in their broad perspective and ability to see the bigger picture. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who consider long-term consequences, yet when action is required, they move with decisive force. While they can be formidable when challenged, their strength is typically tempered with a deep sense of responsibility and care for those under their protection. They often serve as pillars in their families and communities, providing stability and guidance through difficult times, and are respected for their unwavering commitment to their principles and people.
Individuals named Jaylynn are often perceived as creative, adaptable, and socially aware. They tend to possess a natural grace and ability to navigate different social situations with ease. Many Jaylynns demonstrate strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, making them effective in relationships and collaborative environments. There's often an artistic or expressive quality to their personality, whether through verbal communication, creative pursuits, or personal style.



They typically value harmony and seek to create positive environments around them, while maintaining a sense of independence and individual expression. This combination of social grace and personal authenticity makes them well-liked and respected in their communities. Jaylynns often show resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, drawing on both their intuitive understanding of people and their creative problem-solving abilities. Their balanced approach to life allows them to maintain strong relationships while pursuing personal goals and aspirations.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Jela holds deep cultural significance in Swahili-speaking communities, particularly along the East African coast. It represents a tradition of naming children after significant life events, in this case commemorating the father's emotional experience during a challenging childbirth. This naming practice reflects the Swahili cultural value of honoring family experiences and creating living memorials to important life moments. The name serves as a testament to paternal love and concern, embedding within the child's identity a story of their entry into the world and their father's emotional journey.



In many Swahili families, names like Jela are considered sacred markers of family history, passed down through generations as oral histories. The name connects the child to their ancestral stories and reinforces the importance of paternal bonds in Swahili society. It represents not just an individual identity but a family narrative, reminding both the bearer and the community of the sacrifices and emotional investments that accompany new life. This cultural practice demonstrates how Swahili naming traditions weave personal experiences into the broader tapestry of community and heritage.
Women named Katriel typically exhibit a remarkable blend of strength and sensitivity that reflects their name's royal and spiritual connotations. They often possess natural leadership qualities combined with deep empathy, making them effective in roles that require both authority and compassion. The 'crown' aspect of their name frequently manifests as a dignified presence and strong sense of self-worth, while the 'God' component tends to translate into spiritual awareness and ethical integrity.



Katriels are often drawn to creative or intellectual pursuits where they can express their unique perspective on the world. They tend to be perceptive and intuitive, with an ability to understand complex situations and people's underlying motivations. While they can be private about their inner lives, they form deep, meaningful relationships with those they trust. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth makes them valuable advisors and friends, though they may sometimes struggle with the weight of others' expectations given the lofty meaning of their name. Overall, they carry themselves with a quiet confidence that inspires respect without demanding it.
Iran dismisses Lebanese claims of interference, urges focus on Israel

Xinhua) 09:48, December 15, 2025

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cultural & Historical Significance

Kazemde holds significant cultural importance in Egyptian society, rooted in the Arabic tradition of names that reflect virtuous qualities. The name derives from the Arabic root 'kazm' meaning to suppress or control, particularly in reference to controlling anger. In Egyptian culture, this name has been traditionally given to boys with the hope they would embody the ideal of emotional restraint and wisdom - qualities highly valued in both personal relationships and public leadership. Historically, the name has been associated with diplomatic families and educated classes who appreciated its connotations of measured response and intellectual control.



Throughout Egypt's modern history, bearers of this name have often been noted for their roles as mediators, scholars, and community leaders who exemplify the cultural ideal of maintaining composure under pressure. The name reflects the deep Egyptian appreciation for balance and moderation, principles that have guided Egyptian social interactions for centuries. In contemporary Egyptian society, Kazemde continues to represent these traditional values while adapting to modern contexts, serving as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary aspirations.
Individuals named Lurleen are typically characterized by a compelling blend of Southern grace and formidable determination. The name's 'temptress' meaning suggests a natural charisma and emotional intelligence that allows them to navigate social situations with remarkable effectiveness. They possess an innate ability to read people and situations, combined with a persuasive communication style that makes them natural leaders and influencers. This emotional perceptiveness is often paired with strong convictions and resilience, creating personalities that can charm while also commanding respect.



Lurleens are often seen as bridge-builders who can connect different groups through their diplomatic skills and genuine interest in others. They tend to be deeply loyal to their communities and traditions while also possessing the vision to push for meaningful change. The historical association with political leadership suggests traits of courage and principle, even in challenging circumstances. Their personality typically balances warmth with strength, making them both approachable and authoritative. This combination of traditional feminine qualities with modern leadership capabilities creates a distinctive personality profile that reflects the name's unique cultural heritage and symbolic meanings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Maeadam holds deep significance in Scottish culture as a patronymic surname-turned-given name meaning 'son of Adam.' In Scottish tradition, such names originally served to identify lineage and clan affiliations, with 'Mae' or 'Mac' prefixes denoting 'son of' in Gaelic. The name reflects Scotland's complex history of clan systems, where family names carried weight in social hierarchies and territorial claims. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many Scottish families began using traditional surnames as first names to preserve heritage, particularly during periods of English cultural dominance and the Highland Clearances. The name Maeadam represents this practice of cultural preservation through naming conventions. It also connects to Scotland's Christian heritage through the biblical Adam, while maintaining distinct Gaelic linguistic roots that distinguish it from English naming traditions. The name embodies the Scottish spirit of resilience and cultural pride, serving as a living link to Gaelic language and clan history that survived centuries of political and cultural challenges. As Scotland navigated union with England and modernization, names like Maeadam became symbols of cultural continuity, reminding subsequent generations of their distinct heritage and the importance of maintaining Scottish identity in a changing world.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Mairead represents a vital link in the chain of Irish cultural preservation, serving as the authentic Gaelic form of the internationally recognized name Margaret. The name gained historical significance through its association with Saint Margaret of Scotland, an 11th-century English princess who became Queen of Scotland and was celebrated for her religious devotion and charitable works. This saintly connection gave the name religious credibility within Irish Catholic communities while maintaining its distinct Gaelic character.



In contemporary times, Mairead became globally recognized through Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire, who co-founded the Peace People organization in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. This modern association added layers of meaning to the name, connecting it to peace activism and social justice. The name continues to symbolize Irish cultural resilience and the preservation of linguistic heritage, representing how traditional Gaelic names have maintained their relevance and distinct identity despite centuries of English cultural dominance in Ireland.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mayir holds deep significance in Jewish tradition, deriving from the Hebrew root meaning 'to enlighten' or 'to illuminate.' Historically, it has been associated with scholars and leaders who brought wisdom and clarity to their communities. During the Talmudic period, several prominent rabbis bore variations of this name, contributing to the development of Jewish law and philosophy. The name embodies the Jewish value of Torah study as a source of enlightenment and spiritual illumination.



Throughout Jewish history, the name has maintained its association with intellectual and spiritual leadership, representing the ideal of using knowledge to illuminate the world and guide others toward understanding and truth. In various Jewish communities across different eras and geographic locations, the name has been chosen to express hope that the child would grow to be a source of wisdom and guidance, carrying forward the tradition of enlightenment that the name represents.
Individuals named Midas are often perceived as ambitious, resourceful, and possessing a natural talent for turning opportunities into success. They tend to have a magnetic personality and an intuitive understanding of value and potential, whether in business, creative pursuits, or personal relationships. This 'golden touch' perception can create high expectations from others, and Midas-named individuals often feel pressure to consistently deliver exceptional results.



However, the mythological association also suggests potential challenges, including a tendency toward materialism or workaholism if not balanced with wisdom and perspective. Those named Midas may need to consciously cultivate humility and emotional intelligence to avoid the isolation that can come with constant success. They often possess strong leadership qualities but must learn that true wealth encompasses more than material gain, embracing the lesson from the original myth about what truly matters in life.
Individuals named Perdix are typically characterized by exceptional creativity, quick wit, and natural problem-solving abilities. They possess an innate curiosity and mechanical aptitude that allows them to see innovative solutions where others see only obstacles. Like their mythological namesake, they often demonstrate precocious talent and may excel in technical fields, engineering, or artistic pursuits. However, this brilliance can sometimes make them targets of envy or misunderstanding from those who feel threatened by their abilities.



Perdix personalities tend to be independent thinkers who challenge conventional wisdom and established methods. They approach life with a combination of intellectual curiosity and practical application, often becoming pioneers in their chosen fields. While generally optimistic and forward-looking, they may carry a subtle awareness of vulnerability, understanding that exceptional talent can sometimes provoke negative reactions from others. Their resilience mirrors the mythological transformation, showing an ability to adapt and continue thriving even when faced with adversity.
Individuals named Tabia are typically perceived as naturally gifted, creative, and intellectually curious. They often demonstrate exceptional problem-solving abilities and artistic talents from a young age, living up to their name's meaning of 'talented.' Tabias tend to be confident yet humble about their abilities, using their gifts to help others rather than for personal glory. They possess strong intuition and emotional intelligence, making them excellent communicators and natural leaders in group settings. Their multifaceted talents often lead them to excel in multiple areas simultaneously, whether in academic, artistic, or professional pursuits.



Tabias are known for their perseverance and dedication to mastering their crafts, combined with an innate ability to inspire and mentor others. They typically balance traditional values with innovative thinking, creating a unique blend of wisdom and creativity that makes them stand out in any field they choose to pursue. Their natural empathy allows them to understand different perspectives easily, while their analytical skills help them find practical solutions to complex problems. This combination of emotional depth and intellectual rigor makes Tabias particularly effective in roles requiring both human connection and strategic thinking, from education and healthcare to business leadership and creative industries.
Moscow files US$229b assets lawsuit as EU fight looms

Brussels-headquartered Euroclear holds the bulk of the frozen Russian Central Bank assets. File photo: Reuters

A Moscow court on Monday said it had received a lawsuit from Russia's central bank that sought US$229 billion in damages from Belgian central securities depository Euroclear.



News of the lawsuit came as the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the bloc must take "very important" decisions on funding Ukraine at a crunch summit this week, but that talks over using frozen Russian assets were getting harder.



"We are not there yet, and it is increasingly difficult, but we're doing the work and we still have some days," she said.



"We will not leave the meeting before we get a result."



Kallas was speaking days after the European Union on Friday indefinitely froze Russias assets in Europe to ensure that Hungary and Slovakia, both with Moscow-friendly governments, cant prevent the billions of euros from being used to support Ukraine.



Using a special procedure meant for economic emergencies, the EU has blocked the assets until the Russian-Ukraine conflict ends and compensates its neighbour for the heavy damage that it has inflicted for almost four years.



EU Council president Antonio Costa said European leaders had committed in October to keep Russian assets immobilised... today we delivered on that commitment.



Its a key step that will allow EU leaders to work out at a summit how to use the tens of billions of euros in Russian Central Bank assets to underwrite a huge loan to help Ukraine meet its financial and military needs over the next two years.



Next step: securing Ukraines financial needs for 202627, added Costa, who will chair the December 18 summit.



The move also prevents the assets, estimated to total around 210 billion euros, from being used in any negotiations to end the conflict without European approval.



A 28-point plan drafted by US and Russian envoys stipulated that the EU would release the frozen assets for use by Ukraine, Russia and the United States.



That plan, which surfaced last month, was rejected by Ukraine and its backers in Europe.



French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X that the EU decision means that no one will decide in place of the Europeans the use of these funds.



The vast majority of the funds  around 193 billion euros at the end of September  are held in Euroclear, a Belgian financial clearing house.



The money was frozen under sanctions the EU imposed on Russia over the Ukraine conflict that began on February 24, 2022, but these sanctions must be renewed every six months with the approval of all 27 member countries. (Reuters)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 14 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates and the European Union officially launched the process of negotiating a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The start of negotiations was announced by EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, whose portfolio includes the European Union''s relations with the Gulf countries, and Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This marks an important milestone in strengthening and institutionalising the bilateral relationship in key areas of shared priority, alongside the ongoing negotiations on an EU-UAE Free Trade Agreement. The SPA will provide a comprehensive institutional underpinning for the full spectrum of UAE-EU cooperation, and is part of the ambitious agenda put forward by the leaders at the 2024 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Brussels. It also advances the goals set out in the 2022 EU Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf (Gulf Strategy) and the 2018 Cooperation Arrangement between the European External Action Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. Dubravka Suica and Lana Nusseibeh reaffirmed their shared determination to deepen and strengthen the strategic UAE-EU partnership in areas like trade, investment, and humanitarian assistance. They underlined the important role both sides can play in building bridges between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The agreement will strengthen collaboration to promote regional peace and stability, and to safeguard multilateralism and international law. It will accelerate ongoing efforts to explore new opportunities in areas such as connectivity, research and innovation, energy, green and digital transition, and artificial intelligence. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advance an ambitious, future-oriented partnership which further elevates the enduring UAE-EU bonds, amidst an increasingly challenging regional and international landscape, for the benefit of the people of Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and their shared neighbourhood. (ANI/WAM)
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)
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)
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration has uncovered a human trafficking network during operations at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, exposing schemes to smuggle women and other passengers abroad under false pretences, ARY News reported. The case first came to light when FIA officials stopped and questioned a young woman who was travelling on a visit visa to Dubai. She told officials that she had been promised a hotel job, but during questioning revealed details that pointed to a larger trafficking operation. Her statement led investigators to uncover a network involved in sending girls abroad for prostitution under the guise of overseas employment. Based on the woman''s identification, FIA arrested a suspected human smuggler named Shahzaib. Investigators said Shahzaib had arranged her visa and airline ticket using money provided by another trafficker, identified as Nadeem, as per ARY News. According to the FIA spokesperson, a total of Pakistani currency (PKR) 420,000 was paid to facilitate the travel, including PKR 40,000 given to an agent for airport clearance in Karachi. The FIA said further evidence was recovered from Shahzaib''s mobile phone, including WhatsApp conversations that showed his links with other individuals involved in prostitution-related activities. The victim has since been shifted to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for further legal proceedings, while Shahzaib remains in FIA custody as the investigation continues. In a separate but related operation at the same airport, the FIA arrested eight more people who were allegedly planning to travel illegally to Albania by sea. Officials said the passengers had each paid around PKR 1 million to human smugglers to arrange the journey. The FIA spokesperson said the agency took into custody several agents and facilitators after the passengers identified them during questioning. Investigators confirmed that the arrested individuals were part of an organised human smuggling network, according to ARY News. According to the FIA, the agents belonged to different areas of Pakistan''s Gujrat, and further inquiries revealed that other accomplices were operating parts of the network from Saudi Arabia and Greece. During the operation, FIA officials recovered fake airline tickets and foreign currency, including Euros, US Dollars, and Iranian Riyals, from the passengers'' possession. (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)
Indian solar companies are earning very high profits right now, but these profits are expected to slow down in the coming years as more factories open and competition increases, according to a report by DAM Capital. The report explained that domestic solar module and cell makers are currently enjoying super-normal margins. This is mainly because imports are restricted and India does not yet have enough domestic manufacturing capacity. Due to limited supply and strong demand, companies are able to earn higher returns at present. It stated, "Domestic manufacturers are earning exceptionally high returns currently due to import restrictions and limited domestic capacity. However, rising competition and rapid expansion in module and cell capacities will normalise profitability over the next three years." The report also said that many companies are rapidly expanding their module and cell manufacturing capacities. As more players enter the market and supply increases, competition will rise. Because of this, profit margins are expected to come down gradually over the next three years. By FY27E, the report expects module margins to fall sharply. At the same time, returns from cell manufacturing are also likely to moderate as large-scale capacities start operations. This means companies may not earn the same level of profits as they are earning today. Even so, the report added that profits in the solar industry will not disappear completely. Instead, the profit pool is expected to move towards upstream products. As government policies change and supply chains become stronger, companies that make products higher up in the value chain are likely to benefit more. The report noted that companies that can quickly move into backward integration will be in a stronger position. By making more parts of the solar value chain themselves, these companies can capture a larger share of profits before competition increases further. The report also expects this focus on local manufacturing to expand further into areas such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), inverters and other related products. This is expected to create new opportunities for companies to grow, diversify and build stronger businesses. Overall, the report said that while current high profits may reduce, companies that expand smartly and move up the value chain will continue to benefit from India's fast-growing solar sector. (ANI)
Indian companies look financially stronger after the Covid period, but they are struggling to find new growth opportunities because demand in the economy remains weak, according to a report by Nuvama. The report said that India Inc's improvement in internal return on invested capital (I-CRoIC) after Covid happened mainly due to restructuring and cost control, and not because of strong demand growth. This improvement phase is now largely over, with the five-year I-CRoIC settling around the high teens. However, demand growth has remained below 10 per cent year-on-year and has been slowing down further. It stated "India Inc as of FY25: All dressed up, but nowhere to go India Inc's post-covid I-CRoIC improved owing to restructuring rather than demand". The report said the weak demand is mainly due to soft exports and slow wage growth. This situation could hurt long-term growth, as weak demand today can reduce the economy's growth potential in the future. The report pointed out that the 10-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of demand across sectors is only around 10 per cent. In fact, in seven out of the last ten years, growth has stayed below 10 per cent. This is very different from the 2000s, when demand was strong and grew at around 20 per cent CAGR for many years. It also highlighted that the slow demand cycle of the last decade has made reinvestment risky for companies. After Covid, a short demand jump pushed sectors like IT, consumer durables, quick service restaurants (QSR), and chemicals to invest heavily in new capacity. But since the demand rise did not last long, profitability in these sectors fell sharply. Because of these wrong investment calls and high stock market valuations, many stocks have given flat returns over the last four years. This again contrasts with the 2000s, when strong demand easily absorbed rising supply and allowed companies to protect their profit margins. The report added that improved technology and easier access to capital are reducing the strength of traditional advantages like brand power and distribution networks. This means companies trying to keep high profit margins may face slower growth or more competition, similar to what has been seen in the FMCG and paint sectors. At high valuations, this also leads to weak medium-term stock returns. The report warned that reinvestment risks are rising in sectors such as power, industrials, hospitals, automobiles, and cables and wires. These sectors have performed well in the last few years but are now facing rising supply, weakening demand, and peak profit margins, making future growth more uncertain. (ANI)
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15: Mumbai's Fine Arts Centre, came alive as the 21st Ryan International Children's Festival (RICF) kicked off, bringing together students from 15 countries and thousands from Ryan Group of Schools across the city. The week-long festival celebrates cultural exchange, creativity, and global friendship -- and this year, it holds special significance as the Ryan Group unveiled its commemorative 50 Years logo, marking the beginning of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. The festival was inaugurated by Mr. Patrick Duffy, Consul General of Ireland, who declared the event open amid cheers from young participants followed by a vibrant performance, their colourful costumes symbolising unity and celebration. Dr. Grace Pinto, Managing Director of the Ryan Group, shared her vision for the festival: "Festivals like this show that learning goes beyond books. By performing, creating, and connecting, children grow into confident, compassionate global citizens." Now in its 21st edition, the festival is one of India's largest student cultural diplomacy platforms. Over the next week, participants will engage in international performances, collaborative workshops, students' engagement, and the much-anticipated Global Carnival -- a two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and outstanding performances. "Today's learners grow up in a world where ideas, culture, and opportunity move seamlessly across borders. Geography matters far less than mindset," said Mr. Ryan Pinto, CEO of the Ryan Group. "At Ryan, we give students a first-hand experience of the world they will grow into, preparing them to thrive in it." For decades, the Ryan Group has combined academic excellence with values-driven, holistic learning. Festival Performance Highlights * Denmark: KAMLISKA - Gentle beings explore an unfamiliar world with childlike wonder, spreading joy, love, and connection. * Poland: Vibrant regional dances from Krakow, Lublin, and Kaszuby reflect resilience, unity, and Polish heritage. * Paraguay: Land of Art and Joy: Blends Guarani roots and Spanish heritage in dance-theatre celebrating nature, tradition, and joyful spirit. * Latvia: Folk Dances: Expressive dances evoke stunning landscapes, resilience, and deep-rooted cultural pride. * Estonia: Who We Are?: Captures growing up's joy, confusion, and adventure through curiosity, friendship, and self-discovery. * Estonia: Roomupakad: Joy of Dance: UNESCO-recognized 90-year Estonian folk dance tradition woven into daily life. * Germany: Kinder- und Jugendtanzensemble Neuenhagen: Authentic folklore dances in regional costumes, showcasing cultural charm and stories. * Germany/Ukraine: Fun with Circus: Lively acrobatics, juggling, and teamwork celebrating creativity and joyful performance. * Greece: R/ZA: Explores borders, exile, and belonging through poetic movement, rhythm, and voice. About the Ryan Group of Institutions The Ryan Group of Institutions is one of India's largest K-12 school networks, with over 150 schools across 18 states. Over the past 50 years, the Group has focused on academic rigor, values-based education, and global exposure through international programs, cultural immersion, and student leadership initiatives. For further information, contact: Ms. Shabina Shaikh +91 98333 06967 | shabina.shaikh@ryangroup.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2844913/Ryan_Group_of_Schools_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2844912/Ryan_Group_of_Schools_1.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], December 15: Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science is one of India's well-known and trusted institutes. This institute is truly considered the best because here, practical education is given more importance than the theoretical part. Every student - no matter their age, gender, or background- receives personal attention. At Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science, the teachers, the founder, and the entire team remain deeply committed to supporting students, forming one of the institution's core strengths. The institute offers a wide range of courses, including Astrology, Vastu, Numerology, Palmistry, and Reiki. Each program is thoughtfully designed in a simple and accessible manner, enabling even beginners with no prior knowledge of occult sciences to learn with ease. Established in 2002, the Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science was founded by Gurudev, a renowned celebrity astrologer, Vastu expert, numerologist, and palmist. Through his guidance and expertise, thousands of students have transformed their lives, earning the institute its reputation as the best astrology institute. Astrology Courses - Simple and Effective Structure The astrology course is divided into two levels: 1. Advanced Astrology Course In this level, you learn: * Basics of astrology and astronomy* Introduction to planets* Zodiac signs and their meanings* Role of houses* Different types of horoscopes* Panchang (tithi, nakshatra, yog, karan)* What yogas are formed in a kundli And much more, this level gives you a strong foundation. 2. Professional Astrology Course In this level, you learn about: * Marriage and ashtakoot matching* Manglik concepts* Important varg charts* Planet transit* Strengths and weaknesses of planets* Balarishta yog* Relationship readings* Vimshottari dasha* Event timing* Career yog* Special yogas in the kundli, and much more Although the institute's astrology course is extensive, the faculty ensures that every concept is explained in clear, simple language. Each subject is taught by experienced experts, enabling students to develop a strong and practical understanding. Regardless of the course chosen, the institute assures skill development and confidence, which is why students regard it as one of the best astrology institutes. Remarkably, within just four to five classes, learners gain the confidence to read charts and make basic predictions. Why Students Call Us the Best Astrology Institute 1. Focus on Authentic Knowledge, Not Marketing The institute prioritises genuine, time-tested knowledge over promotional gimmicks. Its core emphasis remains on delivering honest, practical, and authentic learning. 2. 100% Placement Support With established tie-ups with leading online astrology platforms, the institute actively supports students in career placement. Those aspiring to become educators may also receive opportunities to join as faculty. 3. Highly Experienced Faculty All teachers possess a minimum of 10+ years of professional experience. Teaching is enriched with real-life examples and case studies, enabling students to develop a deep and practical understanding of chart analysis. 4. Authentic and Exclusive Study Material Course notes are prepared using ancient Shastra references, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. These materials are exclusive, not available online, and serve as a valuable lifelong resource for students. 5. Lifetime Academic Support The institute maintains a lifelong relationship with its students. Even after course completion, learners can approach the faculty anytime to clarify doubts and seek guidance. 6. Government-Registered Institute Being a government-registered institution adds credibility, trust, and professional recognition to the courses offered. 7. Globally Recognised Certification The institute provides certificates that are recognised both in India and internationally. Many students have successfully built careers in astrology across the globe. Why Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science Is Different From OthersBhartiya Institute of Vedic Science distinguishes itself from other institutes through its strong emphasis on authentic teaching rather than promotional marketing. While many institutions charge high fees for limited or basic content, the institute remains committed to delivering in-depth, meaningful education. By offering high-quality courses at affordable fees, Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science ensures that genuine learning remains accessible to all students, allowing them to pursue knowledge without financial pressure. The value delivered by the institute far exceeds the investment made by students. Learners benefit from Shastra-based study materials, instruction from multiple subject-matter experts, lifetime doubt-clearing support, practical case studies, and structured, step-by-step guidance. In addition, the institute offers 100% placement support and follows an open learning system that provides unrestricted access to study notes, recorded sessions, practice classes, and ongoing doubt-resolution support-ensuring continuous learning without limitations. The institute's primary focus is to ensure that every student gains a clear and thorough understanding of each concept. Rather than rushing through the curriculum, the faculty continues teaching until learners develop complete confidence and practical clarity. This student-centric approach has enabled graduates to emerge as professional astrologers, Vastu experts, numerologists, palmists, and Reiki practitioners. With an unwavering commitment to honest, authentic knowledge, Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science sets itself apart from other institutions in the field. According to students, Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science is regarded as one of India's most trusted and respected astrology institutes. The only common feedback is that classes often run longer than scheduled. However, this reflects the institute's commitment to quality education. Rather than focusing solely on completing the syllabus, the emphasis remains on imparting genuine understanding. Faculty members ensure that concepts are fully clarified before progressing to advanced topics, reinforcing the institute's dedication to delivering real and meaningful knowledge. For over 23 years, Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science has earned its reputation as one of India's most trusted astrology institutes. With expert faculty, affordable fee structures, authentic Vedic knowledge, and lifelong academic support, the institute has empowered thousands of students to build successful careers in Astrology, Vastu, Numerology, Palmistry, and Reiki. For those seeking to learn true Vedic Sciences with credibility, guidance, and confidence, Bhartiya Institute of Vedic Science stands as the ideal place to begin their journey. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 15: In every generation, there are students who don't just want a degree -- they want a direction. A path that leads them beyond familiar boundaries and into the world of global finance, investment strategy, and leadership. For these aspirants, the Bcom CFA journey is far more than an academic choice; it is a statement of ambition. At JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)'s School of Commerce, this ambition finds its true home through the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours / Honours with Research) in Strategic Finance integrated with CFA. What sets this pathway apart is not only the world-class curriculum but the environment that nurtures thinkers, analysts, and future investment leaders. This is why many consider JAIN University among the best bcom strategic finance integrated with CFA colleges in Bangalore, where learning becomes a transformational experience. "Strategic Finance is not merely a subject -- it is the language of modern business leadership," says Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Director, Admissions, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). "Our aim is to help students grow into confident global professionals who understand financial systems deeply and make decisions that shape the future of organisations." His perspective reflects why JAIN is often recognised among the best Bcom CFA colleges in Bangalore. Where Academic Depth Meets Global Financial Expertise The Bcom CFA structure at JAIN University is crafted with a singular vision: to align academic excellence with world-class professional training. Integrated with MILES Education, the curriculum brings CFA Level 1 and Level 2 competencies right into the classroom. This makes the program one of the top Bcom CFA colleges in Bangalore, as students don't just learn finance -- they experience it through real-world models, analytical frameworks, and global market case studies. Students are introduced to ethical standards, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting, portfolio management, equity valuation, and corporate finance. The depth of learning prepares them not just for exams but for the actual terrain of global investment professions. This blend of academic and practical learning is what positions JAIN among the best BCom CFA colleges in India for students seeking a global edge. A Program Built for the Future of Global Finance The fourth year of the program -- the Honours specialisation -- pushes students beyond traditional boundaries. They work on research, data analytics, financial modelling, investment strategies, and global policy analysis. This rigorous exposure strengthens the foundation that distinguishes the BCom CFA graduates of JAIN University from conventional commerce learners. Real-world case studies, capital market simulations, international finance workshops, and financial technology exposure further ensure that students graduate with practical insight and strategic clarity. These attributes are precisely what global recruiters look for when they seek emerging talent from the best BCom strategic finance integrated with CFA colleges in Bangalore. Industry Exposure That Prepares Students for High-Impact Careers Interactive masterclasses with analysts, wealth advisors, risk managers, and portfolio experts allow students to immerse themselves in the finance world. Internships with leading firms offer direct exposure to equity research, corporate finance, investment banking, and risk analysis -- the core career outcomes for any strong BCom CFA candidate. This hands-on preparation contributes to why JAIN University is recognised among the top BCom CFA colleges in Bangalore. "Our students graduate with confidence because they learn to think, analyse, communicate, and lead like true finance professionals," says Mr. Mackey Agarwal, Head - Admissions & Marketing, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) and JAIN College. His view reflects why industry experts often call JAIN one of the best BCom CFA colleges in Bangalore for strategic finance aspirants. A Launchpad for Global Investment Careers Whether students dream of becoming portfolio strategists, financial analysts, investment bankers, equity researchers, or corporate finance advisors, the JAIN University BCom Strategic Finance pathway gives them the tools to thrive. International credentials, academic depth, industry exposure, and a strong ethical foundation together create a powerful springboard. This is why many rankings place JAIN University among the best BCom CFA colleges in India for future-ready finance education. A Call to Every Ambitious Finance Aspirant If you are seeking a place where your financial curiosity can grow and your ambition can evolve into global capability, JAIN University stands ready. Here, every classroom, every discussion, and every challenge becomes a step toward becoming the investment professional you aspire to be. Contact Details: Website: www.jainuniversity.ac.in Email: enquiry.ug@jainuniversity.ac.in Phone: +91 7899759344 | +91 7899090958 (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15: Brandcare has been named India's Health Agency of 2025 by TopFICE, an independent global ranking platform. This is a big deal for Indian healthcare communications. This recognition places Brandcare alongside the world's most acclaimed healthcare specialist agencies, including Klick Health (Canada), Igloo Lab (Colombia), VML Health (Spain and Italy), and Area 23 (USA). The recognition is based on Brandcare's exceptional performance across the world's leading international creativity and effectiveness festivals during 2024-25. TopFICE's ranking looks at 72 award shows and more than 11,000 trophies won around the world, making it a complete measure of creative excellence. About Brandcare Brandcare is India's pioneering independent healthcare advertising agency, established with a singular mission: to give healthcare communication the creativity, sensitivity, and impact it deserves. Over the years, the agency has become synonymous with campaigns that transform mindsets across Southeast Asia. What sets Brandcare apart is its ability to blend scientific accuracy with creative storytelling, making complex medical concepts simple to understand. With offices in India and Singapore, Brandcare has evolved from a creative agency into a full-service healthcare communications partner, incorporating digital capabilities, analytics, and even health tech investments. This change shows that the agency is dedicated to its core of health and wellness. Campaign Excellence: Award-Winning Work The recent TopFICE recognition as the Healthcare Agency -India is based on Brandcare's performance in the world's leading international creativity and effectiveness festivals in 2024-25. The ranking evaluates 72 award shows and more than 11000 trophies earned worldwide. Some recognised campaigns from Brandcare are: 1. Edema Pranaam: Culture Drives Awareness Brandcare transformed the traditional Indian gesture of pranaam into a powerful screening cue for edema awareness. Pedal edema--commonly dismissed as an age-related condition--can signal early heart risk and requires timely treatment. This campaign for a leading edema brand of Cipla, encourages younger generations to observe these signs when they bend for pranaam, turning a cultural practice into an opportunity for health screening. 2. Drain Edema: Making the Invisible Urgent A doctor's desk overflowing with charts, risk scores, and endless medical diagrams. It's important to break this visual clutter. This campaign leverages a striking and unconventional metaphor--a gumboot filled with water, as a part of the actual foot. The image creatively brings the science of edema to life, illustrating the accumulation of excess fluid in the body in a way that is instantly relatable. Supported by in-clinic materials and edema risk scores, the campaign reframed pedal edema. 3. Gram Health Locket: Wearable Health Records for Tribal Communities In partnership with Keshav Srushtee, Brandcare developed a secured, digitized wearable health device for tribal communities in Western India. The Gram Health Locket, designed with local tribal art sensibilities, has reached 31 tribal villages and touched 11,000 families, receiving acclaim at the African National Rural Development Organization. About TopFICE TopFICE is a global ranking system that is not connected to any one company. It rates and honours advertising agencies, networks, and producers based on how well they do at major international creative festivals and how many awards they win. It gives an unbiased, overall picture of the best people in the industry, celebrating creativity and strategy excellence in a number of categories. This year marks a milestone for TopFICE as its first edition evaluates agencies from Asia and Africa, completing the platform's goal of offering a truly global evaluation of creative excellence. TopFICE consolidates results from more than 60 major international festivals, with no ties to festivals, media, brands, or holding companies, ensuring a neutral, transparent, and unbiased ranking. Leadership Perspective "The TopFICE global rankings recognition for Brandcare as India's Health Agency of the Year is a testament to Indian creativity and effectiveness," said Rashmi Thosar, Founder, CEO, & CCO of Brandcare. "As an independent agency from India, we are proud to stand amongst the best in the world. This award confirms our belief that healthcare communication needs special care, cultural sensitivity, and creative excellence. Our campaigns show that we can make communications that not only inform but also change health outcomes when science and sensitivity come together." Looking Ahead Brandcare has won awards on global platforms like One Asia, Spikes Asia, New York Health Festivals, and Saniss Health, as well as Indian platforms like e4m, IHW, and Rx Club. This TopFICE award is a big step forward for Indian healthcare communication on the world stage. Brandcare's TopFICE recognition is strong proof of what can happen when creativity and credibility come together in healthcare. For healthcare brands looking for a partner that knows both the science and the soul of health communication and can work with cultural differences while still meeting global standards, this is a great example. For more information: Website: https://www.brandcare.net/ TopFICE Winners: https://topfice.com/winners/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 15: Sanlayan Group company Versabyte Data Systems transferred its indigenously developed high-voltage power supply for active self-protection jammers to the Armed Forces. The handover took place at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi last week and was formally showcased among seven other technologies, all developed under the Technology Development Fund of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. A Major Milestone in India's Indigenous Electronic Warfare Capability The high-voltage airborne power supply from Versabyte Data Systems Private Limited (Versabyte), now officially transferred to the Armed Forces, is a mission-critical subsystem used in active self-protection jammers (pulse and continuous wave), enhancing aircraft survivability and mission success. The system was co-developed through close collaboration between DRDO scientists and Versabyte's engineering teams, reflecting the company's nearly four decades of expertise in rugged, high-reliability power electronics. This technology is among the seven innovations handed over under DRDO's Technology Development Fund (TDF), each designed, engineered, and validated entirely by Indian industry. The milestone underscores the Government's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India's ability to produce complex strategic subsystems domestically. How Public-Private Partnership Is Accelerating Defence Innovation Public-private collaboration is becoming a defining driver of India's defence modernisation. Through TDF, DRDO has created a structured pipeline for industry, start-ups, and MSMEs to take on advanced R&D, work alongside DRDO labs, and mature prototypes into deployable systems. This model is enabling a diverse set of companies, from agile deep-tech firms like Sanlayan to established defence OEMs like Versabyte, to develop indigenous sensors, power systems, electronics, propulsion units, and materials that previously required foreign sourcing. Driving Technological Sovereignty Through Faster Innovation Cycles India's expanding TDF portfolio reflects a clear national strategy: accelerate indigenous capability in critical technologies, reduce external dependencies, and shorten the timeline from lab innovation to field deployment. Committee deliberations have emphasised the need for streamlined acquisition pathways to enable TDF-developed technologies to transition rapidly into service. This clarity is enabling innovators, whether start-ups or legacy defence manufacturers, to align development cycles with operational requirements and prepare solutions for scale. Collectively, this reinforces a robust, future-ready defence ecosystem driven by innovation and self-reliance. Versabyte and Sanlayan: Strengthening India's Defence Manufacturing Value Chain Speaking on the occasion, Shri R. Chandra Kumar, CEO of Versabyte, said, "This recognition reinforces Versabyte's mission to build world-class indigenous power systems for India's most advanced defence platforms. We are proud to support the nation's growing strength in electronic warfare and airborne mission systems." Shri R. Chandra Kumar, CEO of Versabyte, formally handed over the technology to Air Marshal Awdhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, DCAS, in the presence of DRDO Chairman Shri Samir V. Kamat and Vice Admiral Vineet McCarthy, AVSM, DCIDS. Versabyte's recent integration into the Sanlayan Group has significantly expanded the Group's capabilities across the defence electronics value chain, accelerating India's push for import substitution in strategic subsystems. According to Rahul Vamshidhar, Co-founder & Chief Business Officer, Sanlayan, "Just two months earlier, Sanlayan received the Most Innovative Project Award from DRDO's Electronics & Communication Systems (ECS) Cluster for its airborne EW payload solution. The recognition was conferred during Samanvay 2025, highlighting the Group's momentum in cutting-edge defence technologies." He further added, "This milestone now reflects what's possible when India's scientists and industry engineers build together. With Versabyte Data Systems now part of the Sanlayan Group, our combined strength is accelerating indigenous defence innovation like never before." Together, Sanlayan and Versabyte are shaping a stronger, more self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem, advancing critical technologies that enhance India's operational readiness and strategic autonomy. About Sanlayan Technologies Private Limited Sanlayan is addressing deep-tech challenges critical to India's defence sector. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Sanlayan has grown into a vertically integrated group with capabilities across Radar, Electronic Warfare, Avionics, Power Systems, and AI/ML-based Signal and Data Processing Software. Sanlayan is backed by top-tier Indian venture capital, with a vision to accelerate indigenous technological development and defence dominance for Bharat. Visit Sanlayan at https://www.sanlayan.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2845237/Sanlayan_DRDO_Technologies.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], December 15: In an increasingly competitive academic environment, GyanTaal Institute of Advanced Studies has emerged as one of India's most trusted platforms for student counselling and university admissions support. Known for its transparency-driven approach and student-first values, the institute is helping learners across the country make informed and confident educational decisions. Founded under the dynamic leadership of CEO Ishank Mittal and strengthened by the operational expertise of COO Himaanshu Saraf, GyanTaal has quickly grown into one of India's most trusted names in educational counselling and career guidance. A Vision with Purpose GyanTaal was established with a clear vision--to simplify the academic journey for students by providing honest information, accurate counselling, and guidance tailored to each learner's abilities and aspirations. "Our purpose has always been simple--to ensure every student receives the right advice at the right time. Education shapes lives, and students deserve guidance that is honest, accurate, and supportive," said Ishank Mittal, CEO of GyanTaal Institute of Advanced Studies. A Comprehensive Support System Operating as a dedicated counselling and admissions partner for multiple reputed universities across India, GyanTaal provides an extensive range of services through its website www.gyantaal.com, including: * Personalised academic and career counselling* University and course selection assistance* Documentation and admissions support* Regular student follow-up and progress tracking* Complete end-to-end guidance until convocation This structured model ensures that students experience a smooth, transparent, and stress-free admissions journey. "At GyanTaal, we believe that no student should ever feel lost or alone in their educational journey. Our goal is to provide structured guidance with empathy, discipline, and consistency," said Himaanshu Saraf, COO of GyanTaal. Rapid Growth and Student Trust With more than 5,000 students already connected through its various counselling and academic support pathways, GyanTaal has built a reputation for clarity, reliability, and outcome-focused guidance. Students and parents value the institute's sincerity, practical advice, and its ability to simplify complex decisions. By helping learners identify their strengths, explore relevant options, and secure admissions into credible universities, GyanTaal ensures that each student is equipped with direction, confidence, and purpose. Shaping Futures Through Innovation GyanTaal is currently working on several future-focused initiatives, including: * Advanced digital counseling tools* Expansion of university partnerships nationwide* New skill-development and career-readiness modules* Stronger community-driven student support networks These efforts reflect the institute's commitment to innovation and its dedication to enhancing the student experience further. As GyanTaal continues to expand its offerings, the institute remains committed to its core vision: to make high-quality education accessible and impactful for every learner. Plans for academic partnerships, new program launches, and the development of enhanced digital tools reflect the institute's commitment to long-term growth. With its innovative approach, student-first philosophy, and strong leadership team, GyanTaal Institute of Advanced Studies is building the foundation for thousands of bright futures -- one learner at a time. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
PNN New Delhi [India], December 15: The Indian Industries Association (IIA), Delhi State, successfully hosted the IIA Udyog Samman 2025 at the JNU Convention Centre, Auditorium 1, New Delhi, marking a defining milestone in IIA's 40-year legacy of empowering India's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The prestigious ceremony was organised under the leadership of Dr Mamtamayi Priyadarshini, IIA Delhi State Chairperson, with the guidance of Mr Dinesh Goyal, National President, IIA. Held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, startups and MSME entrepreneurs from Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting the growing national and global relevance of India's MSME ecosystem. Delivering the welcome address, Dr Mamtamayi Priyadarshini described IIA Udyog Samman 2025 as a grand twin celebration--honouring four decades of IIA's dedicated service to the MSME fraternity, while celebrating the pivotal contribution of MSMEs to India's GDP, employment generation and the nation's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Her address set an inspiring tone, emphasising excellence, collaboration and inclusive industrial growth. The event witnessed distinguished participation from senior leaders and subject experts. Dr Sanjay Mayukh, National Media Co-Head, BJP, highlighted how trust, national narrative and effective media engagement play a critical role in strengthening confidence within India's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Mr. Dinesh Goyal, National President, IIA, in his keynote address, underscored the expanding role of MSMEs in India's economic transformation and announced two upcoming national expos--the IIA International Tourism & Hospitality Expo 2025 (18-19 December at Hotel Taj Ganges, Varanasi) and the India Food Expo 2026 (16-18 January at Regalia Greens, Lucknow)--urging MSME leaders to participate actively. Representing the government perspective, Dr R. K. Bharti, Director, MSME, spoke on regulatory reforms and policy initiatives aimed at easing compliance and enabling business expansion. Mr C. Shivam Aggarwal, Scientist, BIS, emphasised the critical importance of quality standards and certification in building global trust and ensuring market access. The knowledge sessions featured eminent speakers, including Dr Lakshmikant Pandey (IIA CEC Member), who encouraged MSMEs to adopt an innovation-led growth approach; Dr Jagannathan and Dr Saurav Kumar Sharma (AIC-JNU), who shared insights on incubation and startup ecosystems. CA J. K. Jain stated that financial strategic planning is essential for MSMEs to scale sustainably and compete globally. CA Hemendra Gupta emphasised the importance of innovation and export readiness in building resilient enterprises. A key highlight of the ceremony was the felicitation of nearly 30 outstanding entrepreneurs from across India, including rural innovators, women entrepreneurs, high-impact startups and enterprises excelling in manufacturing, services and social impact--symbolising India's inspiring journey from grassroots to global. A significant milestone during the event was the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Atal Incubation Centre - JNUFI, World Sikh Chamber of Commerce, and Udaan Media, aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems, expanding market access and enhancing institutional support for entrepreneurs nationwide. The seamless execution of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the IIA Delhi State organising team, supported by the IIA Head Office. Key contributors, including Neeraj Bajaj, Mriggendra Kumar, Charanjeet Singh, Madhukar Sahay, Jatin Sharma, Manish Chawla, Ayush Jadon, Shorya Mittal, and CA J. K. Jain, were acknowledged for their leadership and coordination. The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini, who expressed sincere gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, sponsors, partners, delegates, volunteers and the wider MSME community for making the 40-year celebration and the IIA Udyog Samman 2025 a resounding success. The programme concluded with the National Anthem, followed by media interactions, group photographs and a networking lunch. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 15: Involute, a long-standing leader in powder metallurgy innovation, has unveiled a breakthrough suite of proprietary technologies aimed at solving one of India's most urgent industrial and environmental challenges--the large-scale accumulation of iron ore tailings. With more than one billion tons of tailings currently lying unused across the country, Involute's solutions promise to convert this underutilized waste into high-value industrial materials. Since iron ore is primarily used for iron and steel production, the following categories of processed ore materials are classified as tailings: Processed ores containing less than 50% iron,Processed ores in the form of dusts and fines (particle size below 50 microns), andA combination of both (i) and (ii) above.Specifically Iron ore tailings are fine particles left after ore processing--occupy thousands of hectares across mining belts in India and pose significant environmental hazards due to their silica-, alumina-, and trace-element content. Traditionally considered a waste burden, these tailings now represent a major opportunity for value creation through Involute's process-driven innovations. INVOLUTE's solutions are not only designed to address a critical national challenge, but they also create a strong impetus for deploying multiple Involute process technologies. These technologies enable significant value addition to otherwise classified "wastes," while simultaneously facilitating the reclamation of vast tracts of land for vegetation, green cover, and other productive infrastructure developments. Involute's Breakthrough: Turning Tailings into High-Value Powders Through decades of research, field trials, and the integration of previously held patents, Involute has developed advanced technologies including double-stage reduction, DRI-based processing, and specialized powder metallurgy routes. From tailings that cost roughly 500-1,500/tonne, it is possible to produce High worth Sponge-iron powders with a market value of 75,000-90,000/tonne. These processes convert low-grade ores, ultra-fines, and dusts (below 50 microns) into: * Sponge iron powders * Magnetite powders * Ferrous and non-ferrous alloy powders This innovation has the potential to reduce India's reliance on powder imports from China, Spain, and the US by up to 45%, directly strengthening India's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India ambitions. A National Impact Across Core Industries The high-value powders produced from tailings support critical sectors such as: * Steel * Automotive and EV manufacturing * Aeronautics and aerospace * Defence and strategic materials * Advanced engineering and metallurgy By integrating waste back into the production cycle, Involute brings a major boost to India's manufacturing competitiveness while offering a sustainable, circular-economy model. Environmental & Economic Transformation Involute's technology ecosystem not only converts waste to wealth but also: * Reclaims vast land areas occupied by tailings * Reduces pollution and ecological risks * Supports vegetation, land restoration, and eco-rehabilitation * Enables downstream MSMEs with cost-efficient raw materials The solution represents a convergence of industrial innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic value creation. A Strategic Call for Industry & Policy Collaboration Head of Involute Metal Powders, Ms.Soumya Vilekar, shared, "Involute emphasizes that wider adoption of tailings-to-powder technologies--supported by policy incentives, reduced raw material taxes, and manufacturing subsidies--could reshape India's industrial landscape. With coordinated support, India can emerge as one of the world's largest producers of iron-based and alloy powders" .With over four decades of expertise in powder metallurgy and material sciences, Involute continues to drive innovation in the utilization of waste materials, advanced reduction processes, and industrial sustainability. The company remains committed to building technologies that align economic growth with environmental responsibility. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
NewsVoir Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 15: Oakridge International School Bachupally turned October into a month of ideas, performance, and purpose, hosting a series of flagship events that reflected its standing as a leading international school. From the fourth edition of TEDxOakridgeBachupally Youth 2025 themed "Kairos - When the Right Moment Unfolds" to the dual Annual Day showcases SPARSH and TRANSCEND, the campus became a stage for student voice, cultural celebration, and global-minded thinking. The TEDxOakridgeBachupally Youth event brought together a diverse line-up of youth leaders and mentors who shared personal stories of courage, change, and possibility under the lens of "Kairos" - the power of recognising and seizing the right moment. Speakers explored how mindset, resilience, and intentional choices can turn everyday experiences into turning points, reinforcing for students that their "right moment" is often created, not simply found. The atmosphere felt less like a formal conference and more like a shared conversation, with peers listening intently to ideas that spoke directly to their own journeys. Reflecting on the experience, Principal Anuradha Varma said the event reaffirmed the school's belief in giving young people authentic platforms to lead the discourse. "TEDxOakridgeBachupally Youth 2025 was not just about talks; it was about students learning to trust their voice, think critically, and act when the moment calls for it - all of which are central to our vision as an international school," she shared. A student organiser added that curating the event around "Kairos" pushed the team to step out of their comfort zones and take ownership, describing it as a journey that changed how they see opportunity and responsibility. Later in the month, Oakridge Bachupally celebrated its Annual Day through two distinct yet complementary showcases - SPARSH for the CBSE segment and TRANSCEND for the international curricula. SPARSH, themed "Bridging Worlds through Culture and Connection," offered a warm tribute to India's cultural heritage through music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, reminding the community that progress is most meaningful when anchored in one's roots. TRANSCEND, inspired by "Thinking the Unthinkable," invited students to imagine futures beyond conventional limits, blending performance and storytelling to highlight innovation, creativity, and a global outlook Both events drew enthusiastic participation from students across grades, with parents and guests applauding not just polished performances but the confidence and authenticity with which learners owned the stage. "SPARSH and TRANSCEND are more than annual showcases; they are living portraits of our students' journeys - rooted in culture, yet unafraid to question, experiment, and re-imagine," said Principal Anuradha Varma, noting that the combination of TEDx, SPARSH, and TRANSCEND in a single month demonstrated the school's holistic approach in action. A student leader from the international segment shared that preparing for TRANSCEND felt like "putting our learning to the test in the real world," as teams collaborated across disciplines to build performances that carried strong messages about change and possibility. Guest dignitaries at the events lauded Oakridge Bachupally for creating experiences that stretch students academically, artistically, and emotionally, describing the campus as a place where global education standards are reflected not only in curriculum but also in the culture of everyday school life. One guest of honour remarked that the consistent thread running through "Kairos," SPARSH, and TRANSCEND was the confidence with which young people articulated who they are, where they come from, and where they aspire to go. For the school community, Month became a reminder that when youth voice, cultural depth, and global vision come together, the result is not just successful events, but a learning environment that genuinely prepares students for the world ahead. Oakridge International School Bachupally, part of the Nord Anglia Education family, is a leading international school offering CBSE, IBDP, and other globally benchmarked curricula for learners from early years to Grade 12. With a focus on academic excellence, holistic development, and global citizenship, the school provides a dynamic learning environment where students engage with rigorous academics, arts, sports, leadership opportunities, and community initiatives. Through world-class teaching, international collaborations, and future-ready programs, Oakridge Bachupally prepares students to thrive as confident, compassionate, and innovative leaders in an increasingly interconnected world. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL Thane (Maharashtra) [India], December 15: Giridhar Pai Associates LLP (GPA), a prominent Asian distributor of non-toxic pest management products, proudly marks its sixth anniversary on January 10, 2026. Founded by industry veteran Giridhar Pai, GPA has established a strong foothold in the Asian pest management industry, focusing on sustainable solutions inspired by organic farming principles. A Visionary Journey After 25 years in corporate roles, including a pivotal tenure as a food safety manager and as the business head of India's largest pest control company, Pest Control India Pvt. Ltd. (PCI), Giridhar Pai embarked on a mission to revolutionise structural pest management (performed inside buildings). Motivated by Masanobu Fukuoka's renowned book, The One Straw Revolution, he sought to offer pesticide-free alternatives, leveraging his 25 years of experience and contacts in the food and pest control industries. His hands-on experience establishing Pestinct Pro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in 2007 and growing it into India's second-largest pest control company over about a decade stood him in good stead in nurturing and growing his own start-up between 2020 and 2026. In partnership with his wife, Padmakshi Pai, Giridhar launched GPA on January 10, 2020, to offer innovative pest management solutions free of chemical pesticides. Starting with a single global partnership, the firm has expanded its product portfolio to include products of seven international partners, serving markets across India and the rest of Asia. GPA operates as a self-funded micro-enterprise using a working capital loan from HDFC Bank and has made significant strides in the domestic market, pan-India, and export markets, with overseas customers in the Middle East, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Key Partnerships Fuelling Growth GPA's first collaboration began in 2020 with Singapore's Pestroniks Innovations Pte. Ltd. (Pestroniks Innovations), introducing their patented bio-visual enhancer (bio-VE+) technology through the FLYght trap range and the Aedes-X Smart Gravitrap. While FLYght Traps provide effective indoor fly monitoring, aesthetically and unobtrusively, Aedes-X is an outdoor trap that requires only a water top-up to control Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that cause chikungunya and dengue. GPA launched the FLYght One in 2020, the FLYght Duo in 2021, and the FLYght Deco in 2025, and established them as the only India-made UV LED Insect Light Traps, proudly made in India by its partner, Pestroniks Innovations. GPA is Pestroniks Innovations' leading distributor and has contributed immensely to the design, development and marketing of its FLYght Trap range. FLYght traps are a highly sustainable fly monitoring solution that uses very low energy and feature UV LEDs that last 50,000 years (or more than 6 years). FLYght Traps are a radical replacement to conventional UV fluorescent tube insect light traps (that consume nearly five times the energy of FLYght Traps), require annual fluorescent tube replacement and generate hazardous waste containing mercury. FLYght Traps are glass-free and a perfect substitute for glass fluorescent UV tube containing insect light traps in the food industry, which mandates restrictions in the use of glass in food handling areas. The company's growth trajectory continued in 2022 with a partnership with Denmark's RodeXit N.A. ApS, offering India's first custom-made rodent-proofing solution, the RodeXit All-In-One rodent seal (RodeXit). GPA made India the second country in the world to introduce RodeXit, after the United States of America. RodeXit remains India's only custom-made rodent-proofing product to eliminate gaps below doors and shutters that mice and rats commonly use to enter buildings. RodeXit has become a revenue generator for Pest Control Operators (PCOs), who now offer rodent-proofing services to their customers. GPA has sold thousands of metres of RodeXit in India and other countries to widely enhance product adoption, far from its country of origin, Denmark. In 2023, GPA expanded its offerings by teaming up with Trece, Inc. (Trece), from the USA, and Fuji Flavours Company Ltd. (Fuji Flavours), from Japan, making their leading stored-product insect (SPI) monitoring tools available to Indian food companies. Pheromone traps are SPI monitoring tools that attract insects through odour and trap them in a sticky glue or oil-like substance. Trece's Storgard Dome Traps and moth traps are globally the best and are now available with expert guidance on their use through GPA's expertise. Fuji Flavours New Serrico Trap is a tool used to monitor cigarette beetles in the tobacco, food, and other industries. It has a four-decade legacy as the gold standard of cigarette beetle monitoring. SPI Pheromone traps detect and estimate target insect populations and help improve chemical pesticide application planning by highlighting hygiene deficiencies and areas of pest presence. They lead to lesser pesticide use and contribute to sustainable food industry supply chains. In export containers, pheromone traps are an accepted proof of absence of infestation when the customer receiving the containers finds no insects in the pheromone traps placed in the containers. Looking to the future, GPA collaborated with GIE Media Inc. (GIE Media), a U.S.-based company, in 2024 to distribute reputed pest management reference books across Asia. GIE Media owns the Pest Control Technology (PCT) Magazine and GPA markets GIE Media's PCT Field Guides as reference books for the pest control industry. In 2025, GPA also launched the eleventh edition of GIE Media's Mallis Handbook for Pest Control, considered the most important reference book in the pest control industry. More recently, in October 2025, GPA joined forces with Spain's Barlesa, S.L., to introduce rodent-fill fabric containing steel and poly fibres, used as a rodent deterrent in building gaps. Complementing RodeXit, the rodent-fill fabric (branded Rodent Proof by GPA) provides another revenue-generating opportunity for PCOs to offer rodent-proofing services to building owners. GPA is the only marketer of two custom-made rodent-proofing products, RodeXit All-In-One rodent seal and Rodent Proof fill fabric in India. Another recent partnership with Purdue University (Purdue) in the United States reinforces GPA's commitment to the continuing education of Asian pest management professionals (PMPs) by distributing the acclaimed Truman's Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. The Truman's Guide is a textbook for Purdue's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) courses, the only one of its kind in the world that lets PMPs gain professional credentials remotely through online education. Through its partnership with Purdue, GPA has made the IPM course textbook easily accessible and affordable to Asian PMPs. Adaptable Business Model GPA has successfully implemented a hybrid distribution model that blends direct sales with reseller networks, enabling significant reach in India and across Asia. GPA's resellers are pest control companies (also called Pest Control Operators or PCOs) that provide pest control services to food and other industries and need GPA's pest prevention and pest monitoring tools. GPA's products help its PCO resellers cross-sell to their pest control service customers, generate additional revenue, and reduce operational costs by enabling more effective pest management. GPA emphasises a lean operational approach, outsourcing logistics and operational functions to enhance efficiency while minimising overhead costs. With reliable partners such as DTDC and Indiafilings, GPA ensures timely deliveries through DTDC and compliance with Indian regulations through Indiafilings. GPA's digital marketing strategy, including a robust website and engaging social media presence aided by Webchirpy (Vheeds Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd.), has positioned GPA as a thought leader in the pest management domain. A Bright Future Ahead As GPA celebrates six remarkable years, Giridhar Pai envisions an even wider adoption of non-toxic pest monitoring and prevention solutions within the pest control and food industries. The company is set to explore innovative bird-deterrence solutions to address a significant industry challenge. Like its other innovative products, GPA shall launch innovative auditory, visual, and electromagnetic deterrents against pest birds, a major menace across India, for numerous customer segments. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to sustainability, Giridhar Pai Associates is poised to become the leading distributor of pest management solutions in Asia, reinforcing its non-toxic approach. www.giridharpaiassociates.com https://www.youtube.com/@GiridharPaiAssociatesLLP https://www.linkedin.com/company/giridhar-pai-associates-llp/ giridhar@giridharpaiassociates.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
This reflects a strengthening trade demand and improved export performance in the current financial year.

Exports stood at USD 12.22 billion in April-November 2025, up from USD 9.20 billion in April-November 2024, data released by the Commerce Ministry said.

During 2025-26, exports began at USD 1.39 billion in April, climbed to USD 1.62 billion in May, and after a brief moderation in the mid-year months, gained momentum from September onward. Exports rose from USD 1.46 billion in September to USD 1.63 billion in October, reaching a peak of USD 2.20 billion in November.

In comparison, exports during 2024-25 remained relatively subdued, starting at USD 1.25 billion in April and dipping to USD 0.99 billion in August before recovering modestly to US$1.16 billion in November.

Further, India's US exports rose over 21% year-on-year to USD 6.92 billion in November, compared to USD 5.71 billion last year.

In October, US exports fell nearly 9% year-on-year to USD 6.31 billion from USD 6.91 billion a year ago.

As per the data released by the Commerce Ministry, India's trade deficit narrowed to USD 24.53 billion in November from USD 41.68 billion in October.

Overall trade, including merchandise and services, recorded exports of USD 73.99 billion in November 2025, up from USD 64.05 billion in the same month last year.

Imports during the period declined marginally to USD 80.63 billion from USD 81.11 billion.

The overall trade deficit narrowed sharply to USD 6.64 billion in November 2025, compared to a deficit of USD 17.06 billion in November 2024. (ANI)
India's competitiveness in advanced manufacturing will depend on how effectively its MSME clusters transition to advanced and digitally driven production models. As the servification of manufacturing, where products are integrated with advanced services and digital technologies, India's strong IT capabilities offer a natural and strategic advantage, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, highlighted this at the CII Smart Manufacturing Summit 2025, themed 'Frontier Technologies: Driving Competitiveness and Powering Growth', held on held on Monday here in the national capital. Mukherjee underscored the critical importance of building a future-ready workforce to enable this transition. She highlighted the PM SETU scheme, which carries a Rs 60,000-crore commitment over the next five years to establish an industry-led, industry-owned skilling architecture through the Hub-and-Spoke model, upgraded ITI clusters, world-class Centres of Excellence, and an expanded apprenticeship ecosystem. "We are creating the skilled talent that industry needs. With hyperlocal district-level planning and AI-driven skill mapping, we aim to ensure that every enterprise can access the right people at the right time. The opportunity is now--the next five years are critical for India to lead the shift toward smart manufacturing," she added. Addressing the Summit, Dilip Sawhney, Chairman, CII National Committee on Smart Manufacturing and Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India Pvt Ltd, noted that technologies such as CAD/CAM, 3D printing, smart sensors, RFID, blockchain, GenAI, and machine vision are transforming design, production, quality, and safety across sectors, from textiles to electronics, accelerating India's journey toward smarter and more competitive manufacturing. Ravi Raghavan, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Capital Goods and Engineering, and Managing Director and CEO, Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd, stressed that Industry 4.0 is not limited to large enterprises. "Mid-sized companies can often see faster impact with small, scalable digital steps. True transformation occurs when technology works alongside skilled people. As factories become smarter, human capability becomes even more critical, making skill development a central pillar of India's manufacturing competitiveness," he said. CV Raman, Member of the Executive Committee and former Chief Technology Officer, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, highlighted the need for stronger domestic innovation in the automotive ecosystem. "Technology is advancing rapidly, and the auto industry must strengthen its position in global value chains. India's R&D intensity, particularly among Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, lags behind global peers. As we move toward electrification, batteries, hydrogen, and advanced electronics, building indigenous R&D capabilities through industry-government collaboration will be vital for future competitiveness," he stated. Highlighting challenges in digital adoption, Tejpreet Singh Chopra, CEO, Bharat Light and Power, noted that India must first build a strong data foundation for AI-enabled manufacturing. "Linking machines with AI/ML data models, extracting usable data, and integrating AI meaningfully on the shop floor remain major challenges. For MSMEs, ROI concerns persist, so AI must deliver clear operational value and incentives. Scaling applied AI use cases, such as predictive maintenance, quality, safety, and energy efficiency, from large enterprises to MSME clusters is essential," he said. Neeraj Huddar, Resident Fellow, NITI Aayog, Lead Architect NITI Frontier Tech Hub, emphasised the economic imperative for India to accelerate advanced manufacturing. He stated, "The vision of Viksit Bharat targets manufacturing contributing 25 per cent of GDP by 2047; however, under a business-as-usual scenario, India would fall short by a Rs 5.1 trillion gap. Bridging this gap will require transformative interventions anchored in advanced manufacturing, with focused action across five key clusters--Engineering, Consumer Products, Life Sciences, Electronics, and Chemicals--where frontier technologies can drive higher value addition, productivity, and global competitiveness." The Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers, and experts to discuss strategies, opportunities, case studies, and best practices for positioning advanced manufacturing as a strategic priority for India's growth and competitiveness. (ANI)
Chilean Ambassador in India, Juan Angulo, is hopeful that the next round of talks with India for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would be the final round and may end up in the finalisation of the trade pact. "The idea is that in December, January, we can still have a new round of negotiation, could be a final round of negotiation," the Chilean envoy told ANI, speaking on the sidelines of the Indo-South America Trade and Investment Conclave, organised by PhDCCI. The CEPA aims to build upon the existing PTA between the two nations and seeks to encompass a broader range of sectors, including digital services, investment promotion and cooperation, MSME, critical minerals, etc., thereby enhancing economic integration and cooperation. India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 08 May 2025, marking a significant advancement in their bilateral trade relations. "...the negotiations, these negotiations have started in May and we just had the fourth round of negotiations. It was a very successful one and we are very close to finish several chapters of negotiation. The idea is to that in December, January we can have a still a new round of negotiation, could be a final round of negotiation. Of course that will depend on the negotiation itself. I cannot say of course how it could be but we are confident in going into the right path," the envoy said today. Delving into the services sector collaboration, he said the negotiation is in process and the chapters around services are "well advanced". Without getting into specifics, he affirmed that it will be beneficial for both sides, especially for Indian companies that want to enter into the Chilean market and also for Chilean companies doing in the same sector. "Services have been a success story in Chile in the last years, a lot of exports on that so we are looking forward that our CEPA will contribute to the same objective," the Chilean envoy said. He also confirmed there would be a chapter on critical minerals in the CEPA. "India is one of the few countries, which we have a chapter special in this area. We know of the interest and the need of India for strategic minerals, copper, lithium and others, and we are of course very much in favor of collaboration in the exploitation and added value of these products into the value chain. So yes, it is definitely part of the negotiation," he noted. Asked whether there is a great scope of further investment from India into Chile and what could be the potential sectors, he said mining and green energy may be tapped. "Many sectors are open to investments in the country. Mining is one of those, as we have projects on it continuously. But a lot of projects on infrastructure are also there. There is a calendar of projects with a huge amount of volume as the market. And green economy, of course, energy, clean energy. are receiving a lot of investments in photovoltaic, and new technology linked to this new investment is very important. Innovation in this area is very important areas like that are of interest and possibilities for Indian investors," the envoy supplemented. Bilateral ties have steadily strengthened over the years with the exchange of high-level visits. A Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed between the two countries in January, 2005, followed by Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in March, 2006. Since then economic and commercial relations between India and Chile have remained robust and continue to grow. (ANI)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15: Modern Indian homes are evolving, and so are the expectations of homeowners. Today's families no longer want mass-made pieces; they want furniture that reflects their lifestyle, personality, and the warmth of a truly elegant home. Stepping into this shift, Wootique, India's fast-growing premium wooden furniture brand, is redefining luxury living with fully customised, handcrafted wooden furniture designed for modern Indian spaces. From bespoke dining sets to elegant console tables, handcrafted live-edge masterpieces to custom teak wood creations, Wootique's furniture blends art, nature, and personal expressio,n turning homes into spaces that feel deeply personal and beautifully elevated. Luxury You Can Feel: Crafted One Piece at a TimeEvery piece at Wootique begins with a conversation:How do you live? What do you love? What does "luxury" mean to you? With this philosophy at its core, Wootique has become a preferred choice among homeowners, architects, and interior designers who value craftsmanship over convenience. The brand works with: - Premium teak wood & solid wood - Hand-finished detailing - Custom sizing, color, and design - Live-edge slabs sourced from ethically managed forests - Modern-meets-traditional design sensibilities The result? Furniture that doesn't just sit in your home it becomes part of the home's soul. What Luxury Means in Today's Indian HomesLuxury living in India has undergone a dramatic makeover. Today's homeowners seek: - Minimal, nature-inspired aesthetics - Sustainable and long-lasting wooden furniture - Personalised design - Curated spaces with unique character - Warm-toned, handcrafted elegance Wootique brings all of these elements together in every piece they create. Their designs effortlessly complement modern apartments, spacious bungalows, premium villas, and boutique commercial spaces each crafted to elevate the lifestyle of the owner. A Deep Commitment to CraftsmanshipBehind every Wootique's furniture lies an army of experienced artisans and woodworking experts who combine technical precision with artistic intuition. - Handcrafted joinery - Precision cutting and polishing - Natural textures are preserved carefully - Custom finishing for durability and elegance Each piece undergoes a multi-step crafting journey, slow, intentional, and incredibly detailed, ensuring furniture that lasts generations. A Word From Wootique"Luxury isn't something you buy off the shelf, it's something that's built for you, around you, and inspired by you. At Wootique, our mission is to bring that level of emotional connection into every piece we craft. When someone takes home our furniture, they're taking home a story,"Wootique Team Designed for the Modern Indian HomeownerWhether it's a minimalist Mumbai apartment, a Jaipur villa, a Bengaluru penthouse, or a vacation home in Goa, Wootique's custom furniture fits seamlessly into diverse interiors. The brand specialises in: - Custom teak wood furniture - Live edge dining & centre tables - Premium solid wood bedroom furniture - Custom console, TV units, and storage solutions - Office & study furniture crafted to order Every piece is uniquely made, a one-of-one creation. About Wootique Wootique is a premium handcrafted furniture brand based in India, known for its elegant designs, artisanal craftsmanship, and sustainable wood sourcing. Specialising in solid wood and teak wood furniture, the brand combines modern luxury with timeless woodworking to create spaces that feel personal, warm, and beautifully designed. Website: wootique.inInstagram: @wootique.inShop: https://wootique.in/catalog/table/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Maruti Suzuki has assured customers that the pricing of its much-anticipated e Vitara electric vehicle will be worth the wait, according to Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer at the company. "Pricing of e-Vitara will not disappoint the customers. It will be worth the wait," Banerjee told ANI in an exclusive interview. The senior executive, who has played a key role in developing the market leader's first electric car, emphasised the company's commitment to customer satisfaction. In a first-of-its-kind strategy for the Indian car market, Maruti Suzuki will allow customers to test drive the e-Vitara before opening bookings. "Very soon, we are going to start the test drive campaigns from the beginning of next month. We feel that letting customers take the test drive and experience the product before booking makes much better sense," Banerjee explained. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in August, flagged off the first batch of the e Vitara at Maruti Suzuki's Hansalpur plant in Gujarat. The made-in-India electric vehicle will be exported to over 100 countries, including markets in Europe and Japan. Banerjee revealed that the e-Vitara is performing well in the United Kingdom market, with its launch in Japan expected soon. The vehicle offers an ARAI-claimed range of approximately 543 kilometres on a full charge, with battery options of 49 kWh and 61 kWh. To demonstrate the vehicle's capabilities and India's EV ecosystem readiness, Maruti Suzuki flagged off four cars to the four corners of India--Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Bhuj to Kaziranga. "Happy to share that they have completed 20,000 kilometers in 11 days, and the experience has been fantastic," Banerjee said. The teams are scheduled to share their experiences this evening, once all four vehicles have completed their journeys. Highlighting the vehicle's unique selling points, Banerjee emphasised that the e-Vitara is built on a dedicated EV platform. "The benefit of the born EV platform is you get a longer wheelbase, which helps you get more cabin space and the most space inside for daily usage for customers," he explained. The vehicle features all the digital amenities today's generation expects and has earned a five-star safety rating. "Very plush interiors, panoramic sunroof--it's a head turner," Banerjee added. Maruti Suzuki aims to enable over one lakh public charging points by 2030. The company is collaborating with 13 different Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to expand the network nationwide. More than 2,000 exclusive Maruti Suzuki charging points have already been established across its dealer network in over 1,100 cities. Charging points are being positioned approximately every 5-10 kilometres in key locations across India's top 100 cities, with DC fast chargers also deployed along major highways. The company has launched the 'e for me' app, allowing users to locate and access both partner-operated and Maruti Suzuki charging stations, manage home charging, and make payments. Maruti Suzuki has invested approximately Rs 250 crore in charging infrastructure development and the 'e for me' app, signalling its serious commitment to electric mobility in India. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 15: CurlSek, a next-generation AI-powered cybersecurity company, announced it has raised an undisclosed angel funding round from US-based VC Capital3. The investment will accelerate the deployment of the CurlSek Intelligence Suite, an autonomous Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform designed to close the critical gap between the velocity of modern software engineering and the speed of security assessments. As enterprises increasingly integrate AI into their development stacks, traditional security testing - often manual, periodic, and slow - has struggled to keep pace. CurlSek addresses this challenge with a "continuous offensive security" model. The company's flagship platform utilizes a modular, agentic architecture where autonomous AI agents (Threatmesh, Probe, Vulnauts, and Fixly) perform real-time penetration tests, validating vulnerabilities with a precision that rivals human experts. "The security market is shifting from manual testing to intelligent, autonomous systems, and we are building the infrastructure for that future," said Mohd Sohaib, Co-Founder and CEO of CurlSek. "Companies are adopting AI across their stacks, yet their security assessment processes remain reactive. CurlSek is closing that gap. This investment accelerates our roadmap and helps us bring continuous, AI-driven pentesting to a global market that demands speed, precision, and reliability". Validated Precision at Machine SpeedUnlike traditional scanners that flood developers with false positives, CurlSek's platform focuses on validated exploitability. The company reports that its agents have achieved over 90% accuracy across eight major categories of the OWASP Top 10 benchmarks. By simulating real-world attacker behavior, the platform can identify and validate complex business logic flaws that conventional tools often miss. The platform's capabilities were recently demonstrated during the emergence of the "React2Shell" vulnerability. CurlSek's engine rapidly deployed a Proof of Concept (PoC) to detect the flaw, showcasing the system's ability to adapt to new threats instantly - a critical advantage over static testing schedules. Rinkish Khera, Co-Founder and Chief Information Officer, emphasized the operational impact: "We see a clear inflection point: organizations want deeper security coverage without increasing operational overhead. With CurlSek, we are delivering validated offensive security at scale, not just scan results. The support from Capital3 is a strong signal that the market is ready for autonomous security testing that actually reflects attacker behavior". Backed by Deep Technical ExpertiseCurlSek was founded by industry veterans with deep roots in offensive security and large-scale system design. Sohaib, a former Director of Engineering at a high-growth fintech startup, brings expertise in building AI-driven risk platforms. Rinkish, a recognized security researcher featured in the Google Hall of Fame, has secured mission-critical systems for major financial institutions across the Middle East and Asia. Capital3 LLC, known for investing in deep tech startups, cited the team's technical maturity as a key driver for the deal. "CurlSek stood out to us for two reasons: the strength of the founding team and the maturity of the product at this stage," said a representative from Capital3. "Achieving this level of accuracy and exploit validation with autonomous agents is incredibly difficult, yet CurlSek has done it with a lean, highly technical team". AvailabilityCurlSek is currently working with select design partners in India and the US and will begin broader customer onboarding in January 2026. The platform supports seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, allowing engineering teams to automate security within their existing workflows. About CurlSekCurlSek is an AI-first cybersecurity company redefining web vulnerability assessment through autonomous Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS). Headquartered in Uttar Pradesh (India) with a focus on the global market, CurlSek combines the rigor of manual red teaming with the speed of AI to deliver continuous, validated security for modern enterprises. Media Contact: Email: media@curlsek.ai Website: www.curlsek.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curlsek/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
NewsVoir Panipat (Haryana) [India], December 15: The second workshop under the EU Green Deal Awareness Series, organised as part of the SWITCH-Asia Green Threads Project, concluded successfully at Days Hotel, Panipat. The session brought together MSMEs from Panipat and Amroha for an in-depth understanding of evolving European Union sustainability expectations and their implications for India's textile and home furnishing exporters. The workshop is jointly executed by the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation, SIDBI, and Copenhagen Business School. The event opened with remarks from Mr. Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director, FMC, who emphasised the urgency for MSMEs to align with global sustainability norms. "Sustainable fashion presents a Rs. 9-lakh-crore opportunity in the coming years, an opportunity that Panipat can easily tap into because of its immense potential. To build a collaborative ecosystem, we need strong linkages, partnerships, and cooperation from Panipat's MSMEs so we can support each other. These projects are essential because sustainable fashion will soon become the norm. Understanding the CO emissions of each garment and establishing traceability mechanisms will be critical. The European Union's Green Deal is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. Our early preparedness will determine how strongly our MSMEs can compete in global markets." Ms. Harshitha Venati, Senior Impact Programme Manager, (GFA) provided a recap of Workshop #1, covering Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs). She then followed with an insightful presentation on the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) and its potential implications for India's textile exporters. "Panipat has to ensure that there is traceability and visibility in their business processes and procurement to build trust with their EU partners," she noted. Mr. Bishesh Rajput (FMC) facilitated the workshop activity and led an open discussion where MSMEs expressed interest in more hands-on, cluster-specific sessions and smaller, focused group workshops. Rajat Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Stenum Asia, delivered an insightful introduction to Resource Efficiency Solutions for Sustainable Production, highlighting practical approaches that MSMEs can adopt to enhance environmental performance and operational efficiency. The formal closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Vinod Dhamija, President, Haryana Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Panipat, who highlighted the importance of proactive compliance. "Emerging EU regulations are reshaping global trade. Panipat's MSMEs must prepare collectively to safeguard and strengthen their export competitiveness, by following the compliance and the chemical which is going banned is good for us and our future generation too," he stated. Dignitaries who attended the workshop included: * Mr. Anil Mittal, Secretary, Haryana Carpet Manufacturers Association* Parvinder kadiyan, Chairman, GATS Association Their presence underscored the shared commitment of industry leaders to guiding MSMEs through sustainability-driven market transitions. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Abhishek Naga (FMC), DGM, FMC who appreciated the active participation and reaffirmed FMC's commitment to supporting the textile ecosystem on its sustainability and compliance journey. The Green Threads Project, supported by the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme, aims to accelerate the transition of India's textile and apparel sector toward more sustainable, circular, and resource-efficient production practices. As global markets - especially the European Union - tighten sustainability regulations, MSMEs face rising pressure to demonstrate compliance, transparency, and environmental responsibility across their supply chains. The project focuses on capacity building, policy dialogue, awareness creation, and technical support for MSMEs to help them: * Understand upcoming EU regulations such as ESPR, DPPs, and WSR* Improve circularity practices, waste management, and product design* Strengthen competitiveness in global markets* Build long-term resilience through sustainable business models The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) is implementing the project in India to ensure that MSME clusters - especially in textile hubs like Panipat and Amroha - are not left behind in the global shift toward greener manufacturing. FMC's involvement reflects its long-standing commitment to helping MSMEs adopt better practices, access new opportunities, and remain globally competitive. Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), a leading non-governmental, not-for-profit public charitable trust, established in India in 2005. FMC has made remarkable strides in fostering sustainable livelihoods and environmental progress through our innovative cluster development approach. Our work spans more than 300 MSME clusters, supporting over 100,000 artisanal and industrial units, ranging from household operations to medium-sized production entities. As an empanelled Nodal Agency with the Ministries of MSMEs and Rural Development, FMC extends support to prominent schemes like SFURTI, and is also providing technical, research, and evaluation support to various organizations such as SIDBI & KVIC. FMC has implemented multiple projects on environment and livelihoods with support from agencies like NABARD, UNIDO, UNDP, EU, ADB, and major corporates such as Cisco, Mahindra Finance, HCL, Yes Bank, and Hindalco. For more information, please visit website fmc.org.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 15: In a dynamic equity market where performance varies across sectors and market caps many investors rely on flexicap funds for their adaptability and long term wealth creation potential. Among these the Kotak Flexicap Fund - Direct Growth has emerged as a consistent performer delivering an impressive ~18.6% CAGR over 5 years. This strong performance not only showcases its resilience across market cycles but also highlights the value of active fund management and flexible asset allocation Key Takeaways- Kotak Flexicap Fund - Direct Growth delivered ~18.6% CAGR over 5 years outperforming its benchmark - Dynamic allocation across large, mid and small caps helps manage volatility and capture growth - Large cap allocation (~74%) provides stability while mid & small cap exposure adds growth potential - Managed by experienced fund manager Harsha Upadhyaya known for disciplined stock selection - Direct plan offers a lower expense ratio enhancing long term return potential - Suitable for long term (5+ years) investors looking for balance, diversification and steady compounding - Ideal for SIP investors who want consistent performance across market cycles What Makes Kotak Flexicap Fund Stand Out?The Kotak Flexicap Fund is designed to offer investors an all weather investment approach. While markets move through phases of volatility, corrections and rallies the fund's ability to dynamically shift between large cap, mid cap and small cap stocks gives it a unique advantage The fund currently invests predominantly in large cap stocks (around 74%) ensuring stability and lower volatility. At the same time its mid cap exposure of nearly 19% and small cap allocation of 4-5% provide an additional growth kicker creating an optimal balance between return potential and risk management The fund is managed by Mr. Harsha Upadhyaya a respected and experienced fund manager who has been managing Kotak's flagship equity funds for more than a decade. His strong bottom up approach focus on quality businesses and disciplined stock selection have helped the fund navigate multiple market cycles successfully Strong 5 Year Performance - Outpacing BenchmarksFor long term investors the fund's 5-year performance is a meaningful indicator of consistency. Based on the official scheme data - Kotak Flexicap Fund (Direct - Growth) 5-year CAGR ~18.66% - Benchmark (Nifty 200 TRI - Tier 2) 5-year CAGR ~18.38% This consistent outperformance shows that the fund has delivered alpha through active management, strong stock picking, and timely allocation shifts across market capitalisations The Flexicap Advantage - Freedom to Move Across Market CapsFlexicap fund are uniquely positioned to respond to changing market environments. Unlike multicap funds which must maintain fixed minimum allocations across segments, flexicap funds like Kotak Flexicap have the freedom to increase or reduce exposure to large, mid or small caps based purely on opportunity and risk levels This provides benefits such as- Higher flexibility during volatile marketsMore allocation to large caps ensures stability- - Aggressive positioning during growth phasesMore mid and small cap allocation captures high growth opportunities - Reduced reliance on timing the market Investors do not need to decide which segment will outperform the fund manager does this for them Why Investors Prefer the Direct Growth OptionThe Direct Growth plan of Kotak Flexicap Fund comes with a lower expense ratio compared to the regular plan. This reduction in annual expenses leads to better long term returns. For long term investors especially those investing through SIPs this cost efficiency compounds meaningfully boosting the overall wealth creation potential Who Should Consider Kotak Flexicap Fund? - The Kotak Flexicap Fund may be suitable for - Investors seeking a long term (5+ years) wealth creation option- - Those wanting a balanced equity exposure without selecting individual stocks - Investors who want a mix of stability (large caps) and growth potential (mid/small caps) - Individuals preferring the direct plan for lower costs and higher potential returns - SIP investors who want a fund that performs well across market cycles Benefits of Investing in Kotak Flexicap Fund - Dynamic allocation based on market conditions - Balanced risk return through large, mid and small cap mix - High potential for alpha generation due to active stock picking - Strong long term performance track record - Professional research backed management - Cost efficient direct plan structure - Reduced volatility compared to pure mid/small cap funds Conclusion The Kotak Flexicap Fund - Direct Growth stands out as a strong long term investment option for investors seeking a mix of stability, flexibility and growth. Its impressive ~18.6% 5-year CAGR backed by active fund management and the freedom to allocate across market caps, shows its ability to navigate diverse market conditions. With a balanced portfolio, experienced fund manager and lower expense ratio in the direct plan the fund offers long term wealth creation potential for both SIP and lump sum investors. For individuals looking for a resilient, research driven and performance oriented equity fund, Kotak Flexicap Fund continues to be a compelling choice FAQs1) What type of fund is Kotak Flexicap Fund? It is an open-ended equity scheme that invests flexibly across large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap stocks. This dynamic structure helps the fund adapt to changing market conditions and maintain a balanced risk-return profile. 2) Who should consider investing in Kotak Flexicap Fund? It may be suitable for investors who: - Prefer long-term wealth creation (5+ years) - Want diversified equity exposure in a single fund - Are seeking a mix of stability (large caps) and growth opportunities (mid/small caps) - Are comfortable with market-linked volatility - Want an actively managed, research-driven investment approach 3) Is Kotak Flexicap Fund a good option for SIP investors? Yes. The fund's flexible allocation approach can help SIP investors benefit from different market phases. SIPs can also help spread out investment risk and reduce the impact of market volatility. 4) What is the advantage of the Direct Plan for this fund? The Direct Plan typically has a lower expense ratio since it does not involve distributor commissions. This can help investors retain more of their returns over the long term through lower annual costs. Investors should choose between Direct and Regular plans based on their need for advice and guidance. 5) What are the key risks of investing in this fund? The fund carries equity market risks. While large-cap exposure adds stability, the mid and small-cap portion can be more volatile. Investors should be prepared for fluctuations and invest with a long-term perspective that aligns with their risk appetite. 6) How does a flexicap fund differ from a multicap fund? Flexicap funds have complete freedom to change allocations across large, mid and small caps based on opportunities and market outlook. Multicap funds must maintain a fixed minimum allocation in each segment. This flexibility gives flexicap funds more room to manage risk and capture opportunities. Disclaimers Investors may consult their Financial Advisors and/or Tax advisors before making any investment decision. These materials are not intended for distribution to or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution would be contrary to local law or regulation. The distribution of this document in certain jurisdictions may be restricted or totally prohibited and accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions. MUTUAL FUND INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISKS, READ ALL SCHEME RELATED DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 15: The Growth Multiplier FinFest & Awards 2025, organised by AAFM India and Amar Ujala Bonus, concluded on Saturday with a grand finale in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Bollywood actor Saurabh Shukla. The two-day event brought together stalwarts from the BFSI industry to deliberate on expanding their contribution to India's fast-growing economy. The event commenced on Friday at The Lalit Hotel in Mumbai and was inaugurated by Shashi Krishnan, Director, NISM. This was followed by in-depth discussions and presentations by leaders from mutual fund companies on key industry trends and opportunities. After a full day of sessions and panel discussions, the evening concluded with a vibrant Sufi music night. Delhi-based Usool Band captivated the audience with soulful performances, setting a celebratory tone for the event. On Saturday, industry leaders from the mutual fund, technology, insurance, and banking sectors reconvened for further deliberations. One of the most engaging sessions of the day was a high-energy debate on the theme 'Gold vs Sensex: Who Will Win the Race?' Equity market experts Rachit Khandelwal and Chandan Taparia presented arguments supporting equity investments, while commodity experts Ajay Kedia and Jaiprakash Gupta strongly advocated the case for commodities. Bollywood actor Saurabh Shukla also participated in an engaging conversation with Anshuman Tiwari, Editor, Amar Ujala Bonus, where he spoke candidly about money management, investments, savings, and shared several interesting personal anecdotes. The event concluded with a keynote address by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with Saurabh Bhardwaj, who shared their perspectives on India's development roadmap. The dignitaries also felicitated individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to the financial sector. Award Winners - Change Maker of the Year - Dr. Vishnuvajjala Aditya Srinivas - Bharat Inclusion Award - Akash Ashok Sharma, CWM / Augmont Gold - Best IPO Analyst - Arun Kejriwal - Best Mutual Fund Distributor - Nivas Narasimhan - Agri Research Award - Rahul Chauhan, Director, iGrain India - Investor Empowerment Award - Skillspade Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - AIF Performance Excellence Award - Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC - AIF Innovation Leader - Carnelian Asset Management & Advisors Pvt. Ltd. - Men in Finance Trailblazer - Shivalik Fund - Thought Leader of the Year - Alchemy Capital Management - Innovation Fund House in Distribution Development - Mirae Asset Investment Management India - Communication & Trust Leadership Award - Mehak Chaudhary, Edelweiss Mutual Fund - Investor Education Impact Award - Canara Robeco Asset Management Company - PMS Innovation Leader - Siddharth Vora, PL Capital - Prabhudas Lilladher Group - PMS Digital Transformation Champion - Bhavin Shah, Samiksha Capital - Gold Investment Platform of the Year - Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Bharat Batuk Pvt. Ltd. - India's Most Trusted Entrepreneur-Focused PMS - ASK Investment Managers - Most Admired Event Excellence - Dinesh Kriplani, Founder, Host My Journey - Bullion Award - Nitin Kedia, Founder, Kedia Fincorp - Energy Award - Ankit Kapoor, Co-founder & Head of Research, Commodity Samachar Securities - Fintech Innovation of the Year - Turtle Wealth Management Pvt. Ltd. - Best Wealth Manager - Wealthleaf Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. - Emerging Equity Analyst - VLA Ambala (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
The meeting, held on Monday, brought together government officials, diplomats, and industry leaders who stressed that both regions hold strong potential to work together.

K. M. Praphullachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary (South America), Ministry of External Affairs, said the relationship between India and South America continued to grow. He pointed to political trust, strong trade systems, better connectivity, and partnerships in critical minerals and technology as key to unlocking economic opportunities.

Diplomats from South America shared how their countries were ready to welcome Indian businesses. Chile's Ambassador, H.E. Juan Angulo, spoke about Chile's stable economy and its strengths in minerals, clean energy, agri-exports, and innovation. He said the India-Chile CEPA/SEPA talks were moving forward and noted openings in lithium, green hydrogen, fintech, startups, and pharmaceuticals.

Guyana's High Commissioner, H.E. Dharamkumar Seeraj, explained that Guyana's fast economic rise, supported by new energy discoveries, had created space for investment in agro-processing, renewable energy, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure.

Venezuela's Minister Counsellor, Juan Goldnick, said his country was ready to draw global investors through special economic zones and cooperation in oil, gas, minerals, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Peru's Counsellor, Enrique Descalzi, highlighted the nation's mining and mineral strengths, along with its agri-exports and rare earth resources. He mentioned that India-Peru trade agreement talks were underway.

Colombia's Deputy Chief of Mission, Juan Carlos Rojas Arango, noted that Colombia's location, strong FDI inflows, infrastructure growth, and opportunities in manufacturing, services, agribusiness, tourism, and Industry 4.0 made it a promising partner.

From Ecuador, Deputy Chief of Mission Jorge Anrango Cabascango underlined the country's dollarized economy, stability, and scope for investment in renewable energy, mining, agri-industry, infrastructure, tourism, and pharmaceuticals.

Vice President Sanjay Singhania said India's manufacturing and digital strengths aligned well with South America's resources.

Nishant Berlia, Chair of the International Affairs Committee (Americas), said the region's USD 4 trillion economy and population of over 430 million made it important for India, stressing improved trade facilitation and investment-led partnerships.

Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, added that cooperation with South America was important for food security, energy security, and access to critical minerals.

The conclave ended with PHDCCI reaffirming its commitment to support trade missions, investments, and industry collaborations to turn diplomatic goodwill into real economic outcomes. (ANI)
India's external trade performance showed marked improvement in November 2025, with exports rebounding strongly and the merchandise trade deficit narrowing to a five-month low, reflecting easing import pressures and resilient overseas demand. According to Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA Ltd, "Following supply normalisation after the holidays and decreased demand post the festive season, merchandise exports rose and imports declined sharply, compressing the trade deficit to a five-month low of US$24.5 billion in November 2025 from US$41.7 billion in October 2025 and US$31.9 billion in November 2024." "With the increase in the average merchandise trade deficit in October-November 2025, we estimate the current account deficit to widen to US$20-24 billion in Q3 FY2026 from US$11-12 billion each in Q3 FY2025 and Q2 FY2026," she said. As per GTRI, "India's exports to the United States in 2025 followed an unusual path as U.S. tariffs rose sharply. Shipments initially held up despite a 10 per cent reciprocal duty, increasing from $8.4 billion in April to $8.8 billion in May, before easing slightly in June and July. The impact became clear in August, when exports fell to $6.8 billion as tariffs were raised in quick steps, eventually reaching 50 per cent by the end of the month. In September, the first full month under the higher tariff, exports dropped further to $5.5 billion, the lowest level of the year." "The surprising development came afterwards. Even with 50% tariffs still in place, exports recovered to $6.3 billion in October and $7.0 billion in November. This rebound suggests that exporters may have shifted toward products less affected by tariffs. Detailed product data for November are not yet available, but tariff-exempt items such as smartphones and pharmaceuticals may have helped cushion the blow," GTRI added. GTRI further said India's rebound in exports to the US should strengthen, not soften, its negotiating stance. New Delhi has a strong case to press Washington to cut tariffs from 50% to 25%, especially after India substantially reduced imports of Russian crude, addressing a key US concern. "India must also insist on a balanced trade agreement, and resist pressure to concede on non-trade issues, whether diluting data protection laws, opening the door to inventory-based e-commerce models, or accepting GM agricultural products. Export resilience is a signal of bargaining power," it said. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman, EEPC India, said, "Cumulatively, the total engineering goods exports recorded 4.25% year-on-year growth in the April-November period of the current financial year and stood at US$79.74 billion." "The latest numbers are quite encouraging, especially in light of the 50% punitive tariff imposed by the Trump administration on the bulk of items in India's export basket. The strong performance in November 2025 shows the resilience of the engineering industry and also how it has been swiftly adapting to the evolving global situation with constant support from the government." "Going forward, we hope that the Indian engineering sector will successfully diversify its market," he said. Speaking on the trade deficit, Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI, highlighted that the key drivers of merchandise export growth in November 2025 included iron ore (70%), cashew (57%), oil meals (40%), electronic goods (38%), and coffee (34%), among others. Despite global headwinds, India registered positive export growth with 14 out of its 20 major trading partners, reflecting increasing diversification and resilience in external trade. Looking ahead, Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, said that India's exports are expected to continue on a resilient growth trajectory, supported by sustained government efforts to diversify export markets and enhance global competitiveness. He noted that the government's Export Promotion Mission (EPM) and deeper engagement across regions, including the US, EU, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Asia-Pacific, will play a pivotal role in propelling India's export growth. India's trade deficit narrowed to USD 24.53 billion in November from USD 41.68 billion in October, according to government data released on Monday. This was driven by a fall in gold, oil and coal imports, it said. (ANI)
Eutelsat, a satellite communications provider, and Airtel are providing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to support the Indian Army's relief efforts in flood-hit parts of Sri Lanka, where conventional communication lines have been disrupted. The Indian Army continues to assist with rescue and relief operations in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah late last month. According to a Eutelsat press release, its OneWeb LEO services are providing the Army with a reliable way to communicate in areas where roads, phone lines, and other ground systems are not functioning. This connectivity is helping teams share updates quickly and carry out tasks without delays. It is also allowing 24/7 telemedicine support, linking soldiers in the field with specialist doctors who guide emergency treatment for people affected by the floods. The satellite link has become critical for the Indian Army as it seeks to reach isolated communities. With steady communication, teams are able to check on villages, report medical needs and coordinate rescue movements in real time. The release says that this work shows why strong satellite systems matter during disasters, when other networks fail. Neha Idnani, Regional Vice President for APAC at Eutelsat, said the company is working closely with Airtel and the Indian Army to keep these lines open. "Eutelsat is deeply committed to supporting the Indian Army's relief efforts with OneWeb LEO connectivity, delivered in partnership with Airtel. The ability to maintain high-quality communications in crisis situations is vital, and we remain committed to equipping organisations on the ground with secure, resilient connectivity required to safeguard lives and enable essential services," she said. Eutelsat says its LEO technology is designed to provide high-speed links with low delay, which helps during emergencies when teams must respond fast. Eutelsat became a combined GEO-LEO operator after joining with OneWeb in 2023. It now has 34 geostationary satellites and more than 600 LEO satellites, serving video, mobility, fixed connectivity and government needs across many countries. (ANI)
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased to 55.8 per cent in November 2025, the highest level recorded since April 2025, showing a steady improvement in the labour market, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. The rise in participation came mainly from rural areas. The overall LFPR for persons aged 15 years and above reached a seven-month high in November. Rural LFPR moved up to 58.6 per cent, compared to 58.0 per cent in April and 57.8 per cent in October. Urban LFPR showed a marginal dip to 50.4 per cent from 50.5 per cent in the previous month, indicating stable but slower movement in cities. Female participation continued its upward path during the period. Overall, female LFPR rose from 32.0 per cent in June 2025 to 35.1 per cent in November. The increase also came mainly from rural areas, where female LFPR climbed steadily from 35.2 per cent in June to 39.7 per cent in November. Urban female LFPR remained broadly stable at around 25.5 per cent, showing limited change over the months. Employment levels also showed improvement. The Worker Population Ratio for persons aged 15 years and above increased to 53.2 per cent in November, up from 52.5 per cent in October. Rural areas drove this rise, with WPR improving from 55.4 per cent in April to 56.3 per cent in November. Urban WPR remains largely unchanged during the same period. Women's employment showed clear gains in rural India. Rural female WPR rose from 36.9 per cent in October to 38.4 per cent in November. This increase pushed the overall female WPR from 32.4 per cent to 33.4 per cent within a month, reflecting stronger work participation among women outside cities. Unemployment showed a clear decline in November. The overall Unemployment Rate for persons aged 15 years and above fell to 4.7 per cent from 5.2 per cent in October, marking the lowest level since April 2025. Rural unemployment dropped further to 3.9 per cent, while urban unemployment stood at 6.5 per cent, matching its earlier low recorded in April. Both men and women saw lower unemployment. Female unemployment declined to 4.8 per cent in November from 5.4 per cent in October. Rural female unemployment fell to 3.4 per cent, while urban female unemployment eased to 9.3 per cent. Male unemployment also reduced to 4.6 per cent from 5.1 per cent in the previous month, with declines seen in both rural and urban areas. (ANI)
Several leaders from different political parties, including Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, MPs Jaya Bachchan, Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari and Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, among others, attended the screening of the movie 'Paro Pinaki Ki Kahani' in New Delhi on Monday. 'Paro Pinaki Ki Kahani' stars Eshitta Siingh and Sanjay Bishnoi in the lead roles. The movie is directed by Rudra Jadon. The film follows the story of Pinaki, a manhole cleaner from a small town who shares an unusual yet tender bond with Mariyam, a vegetable vendor he meets during their daily commute to the city. When Mariyam suddenly disappears one morning, Pinaki is left anxious and searching for answers, setting him on an emotional journey that challenges his courage, hope, and love. After attending the movie screening, Samajwadi Party MP and Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan hailed the film's subject, calling it a necessity. While talking to the media, Jaya Bachchan said, "This is a subject which is very close to my heart. I have raised it many times in parliament, and it's very moving, and it's very torturous that even today, something like this still exists...We have been saying this to the government for 20 years. Every day we read in the newspaper. Women are getting raped." AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal highlighted the movie's key themes, including manual scavenging and women's extortion. "We just watched the film 'Paro Pinaki Ki Kahani'. The film was very good. I want to congratulate the director and actors of the film. This film raises two important issues. Even today, in the 21st century, some people are sent inside sewers for cleaning, and many of them die. The film also raises the issue of the purchasing and selling of girls," said Arvind Kejriwal. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also praised the lead actors for sensitively portraying a disturbing social reality that reflects on the gap between national progress and basic humanity. "First, I want to congratulate this young heroine and hero who have done such an outstanding job...They have portrayed this very delicate and difficult subject so well. It's very disturbing. We think that after so many years of independence, we have achieved this and that. But in reality, we are still stuck in the same place where our humanity has somehow died. If people are still living in such an environment and under such circumstances today, then it's a collective shame. We can send a man to the moon with Chandrayaan, but if these conditions still exist on the ground, beneath the surface, then we are all complicit in this filth. It's a collective shame," said MP Renuka Chaowdhury. Apart from the lead cast, the film also stars Dhananjay Sardeshpande, Hanuman Soni, Prernaa Mohod, Madan Deodhar, Sanjay Dhole, Hemant Kadam and Yogesh Sudhakar Kulkarni. (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], December 14 (ANI/TPS): Israeli and Dutch researchers have unveiled a new technique that allows scientists to precisely measure toxic protein clumps associated with Alzheimer''s disease -- something that has long been out of reach and could open new paths for studying and eventually diagnosing dementia. The technology, known as FibrilPaint combined with the FibrilRuler test, makes it possible to directly measure the length of Tau amyloid fibrils while they are still suspended in fluid, even at extremely low concentrations. Because the buildup and growth of these fibrils are closely linked to Alzheimer''s disease and related dementias, the ability to quantify their size represents a major advance for the field. The research was led by Prof. Assaf Friedler of the Institute of Chemistry at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Prof. Stefan GD Rudiger of Utrecht University, and was published in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Alzheimer''s disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders are marked by the abnormal accumulation of Tau proteins in the brain. Tau proteins are normal, essential proteins in the brain that help nerve cells maintain their internal structure and function. But problems arise when Tau changes shape and begins to clump abnormally. Over time, these proteins misfold and assemble into elongated amyloid fibrils, structures believed to track with disease progression. Despite their importance, scientists have struggled to measure fibril length directly in solution under realistic biological conditions. "The length of Tau fibrils is not just a detail -- it is a key parameter of the disease process," Friedler said. "Until now, it has been extremely difficult to measure fibril size directly in solution, especially at the tiny concentrations found in real biological samples." Most existing techniques rely on microscopy or bulk biochemical methods that require large amounts of material, remove fibrils from their natural environment, or provide only indirect estimates of size. These limitations have made it difficult to observe how fibrils grow, fragment, or respond to potential drugs and biological pathways. At the heart of the new approach is FibrilPaint1, a short, 22-amino acid peptide engineered to act as a highly selective fluorescent probe. Unlike conventional dyes, FibrilPaint1 binds tightly to amyloid fibrils while ignoring individual Tau molecules that have not yet aggregated, allowing researchers to distinguish harmful structures from harmless proteins in complex samples. "We wanted a probe that behaves like a smart key," Rudiger said. "It finds amyloid fibrils, including very early ones, and ignores the rest of the crowded biological environment. FibrilPaint1 does exactly that." The probe recognizes a broad range of Tau fibrils, including those derived from patients with Alzheimer''s disease, corticobasal degeneration, and frontotemporal dementia. It also binds fibrils formed by other disease-related amyloid proteins, such as Amyloid-b, a-synuclein, and huntingtin, while showing negligible background binding to blood serum, cell lysate, or non-amyloid aggregates. To transform this selective probe into a quantitative measuring tool, the researchers combined it with a microfluidics technique known as flow-induced dispersion analysis. In the FibrilRuler test, FibrilPaint1 binds to fibrils in solution, and the sample flows through a microscopic capillary. The way the fluorescent signal spreads during flow reveals the effective size of the fibril-probe complex, allowing researchers to calculate fibril length directly. "This is essentially a molecular ruler that works inside the fluid itself," Friedler said. "We no longer need to immobilize fibrils on a surface or rely on large amounts of material. We can quantify fibril length directly in solution." Using submicroliter sample volumes, the team measured Tau fibrils ranging from as few as four molecular layers to more than 1,100 layers, even at nanomolar concentrations. The researchers said this level of sensitivity and resolution had not previously been achievable for amyloid fibrils in solution. The new technique has immediate value for basic research into Alzheimer''s disease and related dementias. By allowing scientists to directly measure the length of Tau fibrils in solution, at very low concentrations and in complex biological mixtures, the method makes it possible to closely track how these toxic protein structures form, grow, and break apart over time. Researchers can now study the earliest stages of fibril development, compare fibrils from different diseases or patient samples, and observe how environmental conditions influence fibril behavior, all under conditions that more closely reflect what happens in the body. Beyond basic research, the approach could also accelerate drug development and inform future diagnostics. And in the longer term, "if we can directly measure amyloid fibril size in patient material, such as cerebrospinal fluid, we may gain a new type of biomarker for dementia," Rudiger said. Friedler stressed that clinical use would require further development and validation. (ANI/TPS)
The accident claimed the life of a schoolgirl and left 31 others injured. The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wished a speedy recovery for the injured students.

CM Saini approved financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh for the family of the deceased student and Rs 50,000 each for the eight critically injured victims undergoing treatment.

"In this difficult time, the government will stand with the affected families and provide all possible support," CM Saini said. (ANI)
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said elaborate arrangements are being put in place to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Assam, asserting that the renewed push to industrial and agricultural self-reliance in the state reflects the Prime Minister's decisive leadership. "Proper arrangements are being made to welcome PM Modi. The public is very excited for his visit," Sonowal said in Dibrugarh, adding that a long-pending aspiration of the people of Assam has finally been fulfilled under the Prime Minister's leadership. "The fourth fertiliser plant at Namrup reflects the Prime Minister's deep commitment to the Northeast and his resolve to strengthen India's agricultural and industrial self-reliance," he said. The remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Modi's two-day visit to Assam on December 20 and 21, during which he is scheduled to participate in multiple programmes across Guwahati and Upper Assam. A key highlight of the visit will be the laying of the foundation stone for a major ammonia-urea project at Namrup, estimated to cost around Rs 12,000 crores and having a production capacity of 12 lakhs metric tonnes per annum. Earlier on Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Dibrugarh to review preparations for the Prime Minister's visit to Namrup on December 21. The meeting was attended by several state ministers, MLAs and senior officials. During the visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the new terminal building of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar in Guwahati and unveil a statue of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi. He is also scheduled to address a public rally in Upper Assam. Chief Minister Sarma issued detailed instructions to ensure seamless arrangements for all events, with special emphasis on security, crowd management and public convenience. He directed the administration to ensure adequate drinking water, light refreshments, hygienic facilities, traffic and parking arrangements, and access to primary medical care for attendees. The review meeting was attended by ministers, including Ranoj Pegu, Pijush Hazarika, Prasanta Phukan, Bimal Borah, Jogen Mohan and Rupesh Gowala, along with Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and other senior officials. (ANI)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday will move an Appropriation (No. 4) Bill 2025, in the Lok Sabha, seeking authorisation for the payment and appropriation of certain additional sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for meeting the expenditure requirements of the financial year 2025-26. The Lok Sabha will convene at 11 am today with a full agenda, including questions, laying of papers, committee reports, and legislative business. According to the List of Business, the Finance Minister will seek the House's leave to introduce the Bill, which pertains to approving supplementary financial requirements for various government services during the current financial year. She will also move that the Bill be taken into consideration and passed. The Lok Sabha will take up obituary references, key committee reports, ministerial statements, Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26 and crucial legislative business, including the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, when it meets at 11 am today. The House will begin with obituary references to mark the passing away of former Members of Parliament Subhash Ahuja (Sixth Lok Sabha), Prof. Salahuddin (Eighth Lok Sabha) and Bal Krishna Chauhan (Thirteenth Lok Sabha). This will be followed by Question Hour, with questions entered in a separate list to be asked and answers given. Under Papers to be Laid on the Table, several Union Ministers are scheduled to place official documents before the House. These include Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for the Ministry of Culture; Jayant Chaudhary for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Education; Pankaj Chaudhary for the Ministry of Finance; Shobha Karandlaje for the Ministry of Labour and Employment; Kirti Vardhan Singh for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Suresh Gopi for the Ministry of Tourism; Sukanta Majumdar for the Ministry of Education; and Harsh Malhotra for the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The papers are printed on a separate list. The House will also witness the presentation of reports of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for 2025-26. KC Venugopal and Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy will present the Thirty-fourth Report on the subject 'Irregular grant of incentives and allowances' and the Thirty-fifth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the observations and recommendations contained in the PAC's One Hundred and Forty-second Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on the 'National Social Assistance Programme'. Both reports will be presented in Hindi and English. Under committee-related business, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Malvika Devi will lay the Final Action Taken Statement of the Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The statement pertains to action taken by the Government on recommendations contained in Chapter I of the Tenth Report (Eighteenth Lok Sabha), which reviewed action taken on observations and recommendations of the Sixth Report on Demands for Grants (2024-25) of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Food and Public Distribution. In the Statements by Ministers segment, Pankaj Chaudhary will make four statements on the status of implementing the recommendations of various Standing Committees on Finance reports. These include reports on Demands for Grants (2024-25) and (2025-26) related to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, as well as reports on cyber security and the rising incidence of cyber and white-collar crimes and Demands for Grants (2025-26) pertaining to the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. All statements will be made in Hindi and English. Additionally, Suresh Gopi will make a statement on the implementation status of recommendations contained in the 379th Report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on Demands for Grants (2025-26) relating to the Ministry of Tourism. The agenda also includes Matters under Rule 377, followed by further discussion and voting on the Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch for 2025-26, and additional consideration of the cut motions moved on December 12, 2025. (ANI)
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has approved the proposal for the expulsion of former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim from the primary membership of the party for alleged anti-party activities. Mohammed Moquim had represented the Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency in Odisha. An official notice issued by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) informed about the decision taken by the party's central leadership. The notice stated, "This is for the information of all concerned that AICC has approved the proposal for the expulsion of Md. Moquim from the primary membership of the party, due to anti-party activities." The development comes shortly after Moquim wrote a letter to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday, expressing concern over what he described as the difficult phase currently being faced by the Congress party. In the letter, Moquim sought Sonia Gandhi's guidance and called for changes in leadership to address organisational challenges and electoral setbacks. "I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi stating that the party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership," he said. "Age is not on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's side," he added, saying that the Congress should bring forward young leaders to revitalise the organisation and strengthen its connection with the electorate. Expressing confidence in the party's internal decision-making process, Moquim said that his concerns would be examined by the top leadership. "I know Sonia ji and the CWC members will definitely discuss this," he added. Meanwhile, in his letter to Sonia Gandhi, Moquin expressed deep anguish over the Congress Party's organisational decline and leadership failures. He warned that the party was losing its legacy not because of external political opponents but due to decisions taken within the organisation. Describing the situation as unprecedented, he said it was demoralising for party workers at various levels and urged urgent corrective steps along with renewed leadership. Moquim also flagged what he described as Rahul Gandhi's inaccessibility, stating that he had not been able to meet him for the past three years. He asserted that Congress was slipping away due to internal decisions rather than external defeats. Further, he cautioned that the party's six consecutive Assembly election losses in Odisha since the year 2000, along with national-level setbacks, were the result of decisions made within the party and not due to opposition strategies. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is all set to file a chargesheet on Monday in the Pahalgam terror attack case, in which 26 people were shot dead by Pakistan-based terrorists. The anti-terror agency will present the chargesheet before a special court in Jammu later today. The move comes almost seven months after the agency arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others. The two men, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote in Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam, have reportedly disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack. The duo further confirmed that the attackers were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever. NIA, which has arrested the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is further investigating the case (RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU), registered after the attack that shook the world on April 22, 2025. Earlier in July, in a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police, three terrorists, Suleman, Hamza Afghani (Afghan) and Zibran, were eliminated under Operation Mahadev in the Dachigam area in Kashmir. Suleman was an 'A' category commander of LeT who was involved in the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and Gagangir. Afghan and Jibran were also category 'A' terrorists of LeT who killed our innocent civilians in Baisaran Valley. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday made serious allegations against former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, claiming that they had allowed the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to install nuclear-powered surveillance equipment on the Nanda Devi peak in the Himalayas during the 1960s, ostensibly to monitor China. In a post on the social media platform X, Dubey alleged that the covert operation was carried out in multiple phases, first in 1964 during the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru, and later in 1967 and 1969 under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He claimed that the nuclear-powered espionage equipment was eventually abandoned on the mountain after American operatives withdrew, leaving behind hazardous material in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. https://x.com/nishikant_dubey/status/2000391113174397280?s=20 In his post, Dubey wrote, "India's first Prime Minister, Nehru Ji, in 1964, and former Prime Minister Indira Ji, in 1967 and 1969, collaborated with America's CIA to install nuclear espionage equipment for China on Nanda Devi in the Himalayas. All the equipment was left there as the Americans fled. Isn't this the reason why cancer rates are rising among people living along the banks of the Ganga from Uttarakhand to Bengal? Is this the cause of glaciers melting in the Himalayan regions, cloudbursts, and cracks appearing in houses? In the Lok Sabha in 1978, then Prime Minister Morarji Desai Ji acknowledged this. Recently, the famous American newspaper The New York Times has prominently published this news. It is time to save our children." The BJP MP linked the alleged CIA operation to long-term environmental and public health concerns, suggesting a possible connection between the abandoned nuclear device and rising cancer cases, melting glaciers, frequent cloudbursts, and structural damage reported in several Himalayan regions. Earlier, on July 14, Dubey had also targeted the Congress party over the same issue, questioning the role of a missing American nuclear device near the Nanda Devi mountain and linking it to recent natural disasters in the country. In another post on X, the BJP MP shared a copy of a 1978 letter written by members of the United States Congress to the then US President. The letter expressed concern over a secret CIA operation in the Himalayas and the potential radioactive leakage from a plutonium-powered surveillance device believed to have been lost in the Himalayas. https://x.com/nishikant_dubey/status/1944583044662182299?s=20 The US lawmakers, according to Dubey, had urged their government to investigate the matter thoroughly and take responsibility if the claims regarding radioactive contamination were found to be true. He referred to a past CIA operation in the 1960s, which allegedly involved placing nuclear-powered surveillance equipment on the Nanda Devi peak to monitor Chinese activities. One such device reportedly went missing after being buried by an avalanche, raising concerns that it may have leaked radioactive material. Dubey asked whether the Kedarnath disaster, the Teesta River flooding, melting glaciers in Gangotri and Yamunotri, and even the decreasing water level of the Ganga River could be linked to this incident. Dubey also alleged that the Nehru-Gandhi family, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, had compromised national interests by surrendering to foreign powers, causing long-term harm to India's environment, farmers and future generations. (ANI)
IndiGo Airlines on Monday issued a travel advisory warning passengers of possible flight cancellations due to dense fog in Delhi, which has significantly reduced visibility in and around the capital. The airline also highlighted that some flights may be proactively cancelled to prioritise passenger safety and minimise extended waiting at airports. In a post on the social media platform X, IndiGo informed passengers about the prevailing weather conditions and their potential impact on operations. "Travel Advisory...Due to dense fog in Delhi this morning, visibility has reduced drastically, impacting flight operations. As a precaution, some flights may be proactively cancelled throughout the day to prioritise safety and help minimise extended waiting at the airport." IndiGo noted that the airline staff are promptly working at the airports to assist the travellers and manage flight operations. "We understand how inconvenient this can be, especially when travel plans are important. Please be assured that our teams across airports are working continuously to manage operations as smoothly as possible, and keep you informed as the situation evolves..." the airline added in its advisory. The airline cautioned the passengers against slow road traffic and urged them to allow extra travel time than usual. The passengers can check their flight status on IndiGo''s official website and request a refund in case of a flight cancellation. "With slower road traffic expected, we recommend allowing extra travel time. We also encourage you to check your latest flight status on our website or app before heading to the airport. In case of a cancellation, you may conveniently rebook or claim a refund online via https://goindigo.in/plan-b.html...Thank you for your patience and understanding. We remain closely aligned with air traffic authorities and will resume normal operations as soon as conditions permit," IndiGo said in another post. Earlier in the day, IndiGo had informed passengers about low visibility and its potential impact on flight schedules. "Travel Advisory...Low visibility and fog over #Delhi will impact flight schedules. We''re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly," IndiGo stated in a post on X. Meanwhile, IndiGo is back on track after a chaotic period, operating over 2,050 flights today with minimal cancellations. (ANI) Meanwhile, IndiGo, which recently faced operational disruptions, is now gradually stabilising, operating over 2,050 flights on with minimal cancellations, maintaining connectivity across its network. (ANI)
The residents of Delhi on Monday complained about worsening air quality and a thick layer of smog, as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'Severe' category, recording 452 at 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city's residents complained of breathlessness and urged everyone to report the deteriorating air quality to the authorities. "The condition of Delhi is bad...we are experiencing difficulty in breathing....old people are distressed...they are feeling sick...construction work has not stopped.... work is happening on the ground...people are distressed...there is no one to ask people...I request everyone to complain about this matter...tell them about Delhi's condition..." a resident told ANI. Additionally, residents reported low visibility and expressed concerns about accidents due to the thick smog blanketing the city. Harminder, a local, said there was a high risk because an accident could happen at any time due to the thick fog. "Not able to breathe...we came to India Gate...there was a lot of risk due to fog as an accident could happen anytime," Harminder told ANI. Ishan Shom, the cyclist, echoed similar sentiments and expressed concerns about reduced visibility in the city due to fog. "Today Delhi has less visibility...we are not able to see cars...only street lights are visible...we are not able to see anything," he said. Meanwhile, Delhi continued to experience hazardous air conditions, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 493, placing it in the 'Severe' category. Thick smog also engulfed areas around Kartavya Path, Akshardham, AIIMS, and Yashobhoomi. Other parts of the city were similarly affected, including Aya Nagar (406), Chandni Chowk (437), RK Puram (477), and Dwarka Sector 8 (462), all classified as 'Severe'. Wazirpur reported the highest AQI at 500, reflecting extremely poor air quality. The CPCB categorises AQI levels as follows: 0-50 'Good', 51-100 'Satisfactory', 101-200 'Moderate', 201-300 'Poor', 301-400 'Very Poor', and 401-500 'Severe'. The current readings indicate that residents are exposed to serious health risks and are advised to limit outdoor activities. The poor air quality continues a trend from Sunday, when Delhi's AQI was recorded at 461 at around 4 pm, indicating prolonged exposure to hazardous air conditions across the capital. (ANI)
A day after being appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national working president, Bihar minister Nitin Nabin on Monday paid tribute to his father, veteran BJP leader and former MLA Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, in Patna. Speaking to reporters, he said the party leadership had consistently guided workers and that he was beginning the journey ahead with his father's blessings. He also visited the Mahavir Mandir here to offer his prayers. State BJP chief and Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied him during his visit to the temple. "...I have come to pay tribute to my father. I also had the darshan at Mahavir Mandir, which fills us with energy. It is with the blessings of my father that I could reach where I am in these 20 years. I will begin the journey ahead with the blessings of my father..." Nabin Recalling the philosophy of his father and the BJP, the 45-year-old said, "They say to always keep your country first and yourself second, and we have tried our best to work with that mindset..." "I am going to the temple to seek the blessings of the Almighty... The party has always entrusted the party workers with responsibilities and motivated them to work harder. I will strive to stand up to the expectations of the party leadership..." Nabin said. Nabin, a five-time MLA, will take formal charge as the BJP's National Working President at the BJP headquarters later today. Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal said, "Our newly appointed acting president is going to Delhi today. We will depart from here for Delhi. At Delhi airport, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and officials at both the national and state levels will welcome him. From there, we will go directly to the headquarters, where he will assume the charge... It is a source of great pride that someone from Bihar has become the national acting president..." "Nitin Nabin is young, and this sends a message throughout the country and to the youth that the BJP has appointed a 45-year-old young man to the national president's chair." The BJP Parliamentary Board approved the appointment of Nabin yesterday. He will succeed Union Minister JP Nadda, who has served as the BJP National President since January 2020. A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department. The son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Nabin, combines administrative experience with a long organisational career within the party. He has been closely associated with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, serving as a National Executive Committee member and Co-in-charge in 2008, National General Secretary between 2010 and 2013, and Bihar State President of the youth wing from 2016 to 2019. He has also handled key organisational responsibilities outside Bihar, including serving as the BJP's election in-charge and organisation in-charge for Sikkim. (ANI)
Mike Andrews, lead lawyer representing over 65 victim families of the AI171 crash, during his third visit to India, reaffirmed his commitment to assist the affected families and emphasised the importance of meeting them to understand their concerns and helping them with forms and related queries. "This is our third visit back to India, we're trying to meet with the families to understand what questions they have to try to help them with the forms and the questions of that nature, but also to understand that this is a process and that patience obviously is necessary in a situation like this..." Andrews told ANI on Sunday. The lawyer stressed that a formal case will be filed once the investigation provides sufficient information or reveals exact details. He highlighted the critical role of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) in determining the cause and taking appropriate action. "We are still following the evidence very much, and as soon as we know exactly what's happened or have enough information to file a case, then we'll act. I think for anyone, myself included, to say that we know what happened would be improper and inappropriate at this point. We do not think it's appropriate to guess or speculate. We have some theories that we're looking at, and they're all based on the evidence... Which is why again the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder are so important, because they have that crucial information..." he added. The AI171 tragedy occurred on June 12, when the Air India flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, claiming 260 lives, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India later released the preliminary report into the tragic crash, outlining the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. The report noted that both engines of the aircraft unexpectedly shut down during the initial climb, resulting in catastrophic loss of thrust and a rapid descent. The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history, leaving a profound impact on the victims' families and the aviation community. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, remembering him as the "Iron Man of India" and highlighting his contribution to the country's freedom movement and national unity. Addressing a gathering, CM Yogi said, "Today the entire country is remembering the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and expressing gratitude for his services to the nation... He was born into an ordinary farmer's family, acquired higher education, the purpose behind which was not to take up a job in the foreign regime but to dedicate the benefits of his talent at the feet of Mother India by understanding the country and the world. He led the freedom movement. Endured the tortures of jail many times... He strongly opposed the partition of India as well." Yogi Adityanath also referred to the historical context of Jammu and Kashmir after Independence. He said that the situation in the region had long remained contentious and went on to link it with recent political developments. "Jammu and Kashmir was in the hands of Pandit Nehru. He made Jammu and Kashmir so controversial that it has continued to plague India after its independence... This country is grateful to the Prime Minister, who fulfilled the dreams of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, by ending Article 370 in Kashmir, to make Kashmir an integral part of the state of India," CM Yogi added. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the 75th anniversary of his death, remembering the Iron Man of India for his pivotal role in unifying the nation and laying the foundation for a strong, undivided country. Sharing a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "My respectful salutations to the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his 75th death anniversary. He dedicated his life to weaving the country into a single thread. The grateful nation can never forget his unparalleled contribution to the creation of an undivided and strong Bharatvarsha." Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, is widely credited with the integration of more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence to build the Republic of India. His leadership and firm resolve earned him the title of the Iron Man of India, and his legacy continues to inspire generations in nation-building and governance. He passed away on December 15, 1950. (ANI)
Calling it a moment of great pride for Bihar, Bihar Minister and state BJP President Dilip Jaiswal said newly appointed BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin will leave for Delhi today to assume charge at the party headquarters. Jaiswal will accompany Nabin on his visit to the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior party officials at the national and state levels will receive him at the Delhi airport. "Our newly appointed acting president is going to Delhi today. We will depart from here for Delhi... At Delhi airport, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and officials at both the national and state levels will welcome him. From there, we will go directly to the headquarters, where he will assume the charge. It is a source of great pride that someone from Bihar has become the national acting president," Dilip Jaiswal said. Jaiswal said the appointment of a "young" leader would send a positive message to the country's youth. "Nitin Nabin is young, and this sends a message throughout the country and to the youth that the BJP has appointed a 45-year-old young man to the national president's chair," he said. Before leaving for Delhi, Nitin Nabin visited Mahavir Mandir in Patna to seek blessings for his new responsibility. He also paid tribute at his father's statue. "I have come to pay tribute to my father. I also went for darshan at Mahavir Mandir, which always fills us with energy. It is with the blessings of my father that I have reached where I am in these 20 years. I will begin the journey ahead with the blessings of my father," Nabin told ANI The newly appointed BJP National Working President thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for their guidance and the opportunity. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations 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. After arriving in Delhi and meeting the Chief Minister, Nabin will proceed to the BJP headquarters to formally assume charge of his new role. (ANI)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday strongly criticised the opposition over sloganeering against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Congress mega rally against alleged 'Vote Chori' claims, drawing attention to remarks made by some opposition leaders vocalised the idea of killing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the controversy, Rijiju said, "What kind of mindset is this which makes a public announcement about killing rivals? If some Opposition leaders speak about killing the PM, it is really unfortunate." He further condemned the remarks and demanded that the Congress party apologise formally in Parliament. "Merely condemning is not enough. The Congress president and the LoP should apologise in the Parliament; they should apologise to the country. I think that if any humanity is left with them and if the Congress party wants to give any respect to the country, they should not delay and apologise to the country from the Floor of the Parliament. Only then will we agree that they committed a mistake and the Congress party admitted the mistake," Rijiju added. Earlier, Congress leader Manju Lata Meena, during a rally organised by the party against alleged "vote chori," had reportedly stated, "Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi" (Modi, your grave will be dug soon, if not today, then tomorrow). On Sunday, Meena defended her statement, claiming she was only expressing public anger over alleged vote rigging and accusing the Prime Minister of failing to address key issues. "There is so much anger among the public regarding vote rigging. They (BJP) have formed these governments by rigging votes, and the Election Commission is also acting according to their instructions. He (PM Modi) doesn't talk about employment, youth, women, or farmers. He distracts from the issues," Meena said. She is also the district president of the Jaipur Women's Congress. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday appointed Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry as the Election Incharge for Tamil Nadu, while BJP MP Baijayant Panda takes charge of the state of Assam. Both states will go to the polls in 2026. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (IC) for Law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Muralidhar Mohol, Minister of State Civil Aviation & Co-operations have been appointed as the Election Co-Incharge, for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly elections, while Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA, Leader of Opposition, Jammu & Kashmir Assembly and Darshana Ben Jardosh, Former Union Minister, are co-incharge of Assam. Meanwhile, a day after being appointed as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national working president, Bihar minister Nitin Nabin on Monday paid tribute to his father, veteran BJP leader and former MLA Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, in Patna. Speaking to reporters, he said the party leadership had consistently guided workers and that he was beginning the journey ahead with his father's blessings.He also visited the Mahavir Mandir here to offer his prayers.State BJP chief and Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied him during his visit to the temple. "...I have come to pay tribute to my father. I also had the darshan at Mahavir Mandir, which fills us with energy. It is with the blessings of my father that I could reach where I am in these 20 years. I will begin the journey ahead with the blessings of my father," Nabin said. Recalling the philosophy of his father and the BJP, the 45-year-old said, "They say to always keep your country first and yourself second, and we have tried our best to work with that mindset..." "I am going to the temple to seek the blessings of the Almighty... The party has always entrusted the party workers with responsibilities and motivated them to work harder. I will strive to stand up to the expectations of the party leadership..." Nabin said. Nabin, a five-time MLA, will take formal charge as the BJP's National Working President at the BJP headquarters later today. (ANI)
The Central government will introduced the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevil Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with an employment guarantee scheme. The Centre will introduce the Bill in the Lok Sabh, which, if passed, will reframe MGNREGA to transform rural development and provide statutory wage-employment guarantees to rural households. The Bill envisions aligning rural development with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision focusing on empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation to build a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat Under the Bill, public works will be aggregated to form the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, prientising water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related projects, and climate-resitent inibabives, it also aims to ensure adequate farm-labour avaliability during peak agricultural seasons and to istitutionalise Vilksit Gram Panchayat Plans for integrated, saturation-driven planning These plans will be linked with PM Gati Shakti, powered by geospatial systems digital public inhastructure, and district- and state level planning mechanens The Bill mandales a modem digital governance framework that incorporatis biomeltic authentication, GPS and mobie-based monitoring real-time dashboards, proactive disclosures and Artificial Intelligence tools for planning, auditing, and fraud risk mitigation The major definitions under the Bill include adult members (1 years or older), households, Blocks, implementing agencies unskilled manual work, and the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan The legislation also establishes Central and State Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Councils, as well as National and State-level Steenng Committees to oversee implementation. Highlighting the need for this strengthened framework, the Ball notes that over the past two decades, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA has provided quaranteed wage-employment, but rural transformations, including enhanced social security coverage, connectivity housing, electrification, financial inclusion, and digital access, requite an integrated and future-ready rural development strategy "To cater to the changing aspirations, stronger convergence is required to establish on integrated, Whale of Government rural development tramework covening several complementary Government schemes. It is essential that rural intrastructure creaton must transition from fragmented provisioning to a coherent and future onented approach, and it is also essential that resources are distributed in a fair manner to reduce dispanties and promote inclusive growth across all rural areas of the country based on objective parameters the Bill cites. The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission aims to transition rural intrastructure creation from fragmented provistorving to a coherent, growth-oriented approach while erturing equitable resource distribution to reduce diaparities and promote inclusive development. The legislation will come into effect on dates notified by the Central different states or areas. Central Government and allows for phased implementation across MGNREGA an employment scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development that provides at least 100 days of guaranted wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adull members volunteer for unskilled work. Any Indian citizen aged 18 of above and residing in a rural area can apply to this scheme. The applicant receives quaranteed employment within 15 day application date (ANI)
Tejaswi Ghosalkar officially joined the BJP during a function at the party's Mumbai office at 10:00 am today.

The former corporator, who is the widow of the late Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar, comes from the politically influential Ghosalkar family. Abhishek Ghosalkar was tragically murdered in his office by an individual named Maurice Bhai.

Tejaswi's father-in-law, senior Shiv Sena UBT leader and former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, has long-standing political ties with the Thackeray family, dating back to Balasaheb Thackeray's era.

The Ghosalkar family has historically wielded significant influence in North Mumbai, including constituencies such as Dahisar and Magathane, which are also represented by Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Tejaswi's departure from Shivsena UBT, just ahead of the BMC polls, is seen as a major setback for the party, potentially giving the BJP an electoral advantage in areas traditionally dominated by the Ghosalkars.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections are likely to be held between 12 and 18 January 2026, after eight long years, the Shiv Sena said.

The Supreme Court of India has directed the State Election Commission to complete all local body elections by 31 January 2026, as the polls have been due since 2022.

The estimated budget of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for 2025-26 is Rs. 74,427 crore, and expenditure stands at Rs. 43,162 crore, representing 58% of the total budget allocated to development projects. This gigantic budget is unmatched by any other state or municipal corporation in the country, cementing the BMC's status as Asia's wealthiest civic body.

As Mumbai is the financial capital of India, the BMC plays a critical role in governance, overseeing essential services and infrastructure, including health, roads, water supply, transport, power, education, and sanitation. (ANI)
Newly appointed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Working President Nitin Nabin on Monday left for Delhi to assume charge of his official responsibilities at the party headquarters, marking a significant milestone in his political career. Speaking to ANI before his departure, Nabin expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and his constituency, crediting their blessings for his elevation to the national role. "People of my constituency gave me blessings. With their blessings, this is happening," he said. Nabin also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for entrusting him with the responsibility. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations 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.", Nubin added. Before leaving for Delhi, the Bihar minister visited the Mahavir Mandir in Patna to seek blessings. He also paid tribute to his father, the late veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, by visiting his statue. Reflecting on the moment, Nabin said that the party's leadership has always encouraged its workers not only to learn and work but also to move forward with confidence. "I have come to pay tribute to my father. I also had the darshan at Mahavir Mandir, which fills us with energy. It is with the blessings of my father that I could reached where I am in these 20 years. I will begin the journey ahead with the blessings of my father..." he said. Bihar BJP President and Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied Nabin during his departure and said the appointment of a young leader to a key national post sends a strong message to the youth of the country. "Nitin Nabin is young, and this sends a message throughout the country and to the youth that the BJP has appointed a 45-year-old young man to the national president's chair," he said. The 45-year-old leader is now set to take charge at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, where he is expected to begin officiating his new responsibilities, reinforcing the party's emphasis on nurturing and promoting young leadership. (ANI)
The Supreme Court has asked an advocate who filed a public interest litigation (PIL) plea regarding a recent crisis involving a surge in flight delays and cancellations by the airline company Indigo to approach the Delhi High Court. Observing that the issue is already 'seized of' by the Delhi High Court, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant requested the High Court to allow the PIL petitioner to join the proceedings related to the Indigo crisis, pending before it. "All the issues raised by the petitioner are pending consideration before the Delhi High Court. The petitioner has also expressed that he will join the proceedings pending before the High Court. We request Delhi High Court to allow the petitioner to intervene in the said proceedings and enable him to raise all the contentions as has been raised by him in the instant petition. It goes without saying that nothing precludes this person or any other party to approach this Court regarding any other issues", the Court noted. However, the court emphasised that, if the Delhi High Court does not address the petitioner's grievances, then the advocate may approach the apex court. The Court verbally said to the petitioner, "They (High Courts) are also Constitutional Courts. If your grievance is not taken care of there, you're welcome here." Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sacked four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) in connection with the recent IndiGo flight cancellation crisis. According to the notice issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the four Flight Operation Inspectors dismissed are Rish Raj Chatterjee, Seema Jhamnani, Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, and Priyam Kaushik. The notice read, "Consequent upon approval of the Competent Authority, the following Fols under various categories, on contract basis, in DGCA are hereby relieved from DGCA with immediate effect to join their respective parent organisations: Rish Raj Chatterjee, Consultant [Dy. CFOI(A)], Seema Jhamnani, SFOI(A), Anil Kumar Pokhariyal, Consultant[FOI(A)], and Priyam Kaushik, Consultant[FOI(A)]. (ANI)
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Monday highly condemned the remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Congress mega rally. Demanding an apology, she slammed into the opposition, saying that just because of the political rivalry, it's not right to wish death upon someone, further underlining that he is democratically elected as the Prime Minister. "In which civilised country are public announcements for someone's killing made at public events?... We have different ideologies, but it doesn't mean that we are enemies and would wish death upon someone... The entire country is hurt because he is democratically elected PM... This is not right... An apology must be made because if we have such opposition leaders, they will not set a good precedent before the world..." she stated. Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also demanded that the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, should apologise on the floor of the Parliament for the alleged threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's life by the workers of the Congress party. "We are working for the country, and it is most unfortunate and tragic that Congress workers openly declared to dig the grave of Prime Minister Modi," Rijiju said, addressing a press conference in the national capital today. Rijiju said that the workers and leaders of the Congress and the BJP are political rivals, not enemies. "We propagate different ideologies but work together for a developed India as dreamt by Prime Minister Modi," he said. Earlier, at a rally of the Congress in the national capital on Sunday, some party workers had threatened to dig the grave of the Prime Minister, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said. Congress leader Manju Lata Meena, during the rally of the party at the Ramlila Maidan against alleged "vote chori," had said "Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi" (Modi, your grave will be dug soon, if not today, then tomorrow). She defended her controversial statement, stating that she was only showing the public anger which exists regarding vote theft, and that no real issues have been discussed by the PM till now. "There is so much anger among the public regarding vote rigging. They (BJP) have formed these governments by rigging votes, and the Election Commission is also acting according to their instructions. He (PM Modi) doesn't talk about employment, youth, women, or farmers. He distracts from the issues," said Meena, who is also Jaipur women's Congress district president. (ANI)
Major General Ali Saif Humaid Al Kaabi, Commander of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi on Monday, marking the beginning of his four-day official visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral defence ties. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi formally welcomed the visiting dignitary at the ceremony, which showcased the professional camaraderie and mutual respect between the armed forces of both nations. Earlier in the day, Major General Al Kaabi paid solemn tributes to India's fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The gesture symbolised the shared values of honour, sacrifice, and service that underpin the armed forces of India and the UAE. In a post on X, the Indian Army wrote, "Major General Ali Saif Humaid Alkaabi, Commander of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates, today paid solemn tributes to India's #Bravehearts by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, #NewDelhi. He also reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at #SouthBlock." https://x.com/adgpi/status/2000466645920211249 "Major General Ali Saif Humaid Alkaabi is on a four-day official visit to India from 15 -19 December 2025. The ceremonies reflected the shared military ethos, mutual respect and camaraderie between India and the UAE, underscoring the strong, enduring and growing defence partnership between the two nations," the post futher read. The visiting commander also reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at South Block, a key administrative complex housing the Ministry of Defence and other strategic establishments. The ceremonial events highlighted the deep-rooted camaraderie and professional bonding between the Indian Armed Forces and the UAE Presidential Guard. Major General Al Kaabi is on an official visit to India from December 15 to 19, during which he is expected to hold a series of high-level interactions with senior Indian defence officials. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Piyush Goyal, among others, welcomed Nabin amid rousing sloganeering by the party's workers.

Nitin Nabin, 45, is the youngest BJP National Working President. A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department.

The son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Nabin, combines administrative experience with a long organisational career within the party. He is set to assume the office today.

Speaking to ANI before his departure for Delhi, Nabin expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and his constituency, crediting their blessings for his elevation to the national role. "People of my constituency gave me blessings. With their blessings, this is happening," he said.

Nabin also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for entrusting him with the responsibility.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations 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.", Nubin added.

Bihar BJP President and Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied Nabin during his departure and said the appointment of a young leader to a key national post sends a strong message to the youth of the country.

"Nitin Nabin is young, and this sends a message throughout the country and to the youth that the BJP has appointed a 45-year-old young man to the national president's chair," he said. (ANI)
According to a release, during the meeting, a wide range of matters concerning Assam's economic growth, infrastructure development, and public welfare initiatives were deliberated upon. The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation between the Centre and the state to accelerate Assam's growth trajectory further.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Union Finance Minister for her continued support and guidance in advancing Assam's development agenda, and reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Central Government for the overall progress and well-being of the people of the state.

Later, taking to X, formerly Twitter, Chief Minister Sarma wrote, "Honoured to call upon Hon'ble Union Finance Minister Smt @nsitharaman ji in New Delhi today. We discussed several issues related to Assam's development and the welfare of our people."

"I expressed my gratitude to the Hon'ble Minister for her continued support in our growth journey," CM Sarma said.

Earlier on Sunday, CM Sarma paid a courtesy call on the Vice President CP Radhakrishnan in the national capital on Sunday.

During the meeting at the Vice President's enclave, Chief Minister Sarma personally congratulated Radhakrishnan on his appointment as Vice President of India. The Chief Minister also extended a formal invitation to the Vice President to visit Assam and witness the state's transformation and recent development progress.

According to a release, the Vice President appreciated the gesture and interacted warmly with the Chief Minister during a 30-minute meeting.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Sarma said, "Honoured to call upon Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri CP Radhakrishnan ji in New Delhi today."

"I personally congratulated him on assuming the august office of @VPIndia and invited him to visit Assam to witness the State's transformation in recent years." (ANI)
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Delhi BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva and other party senior leaders were also present on the occasion.

Nitin Nabin, 45, is the youngest BJP National Working President. A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department.

Nitin Nabin arrived at the BJP headquarters in Delhi amid rousing sloganeering by the party's workers. He paid his tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deem Dayal Upadhyaya at the party headquarters.

The son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Nabin, combines administrative experience with a long organisational career within the party.

Speaking to ANI before his departure for Delhi, Nabin expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and his constituency, crediting their blessings for his elevation to the national role. "People of my constituency gave me blessings. With their blessings, this is happening," he said

Nabin also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for entrusting him with the responsibility.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations 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.", Nubin added.

Bihar BJP President and Minister Dilip Jaiswal accompanied Nabin during his departure and said the appointment of a young leader to a key national post sends a strong message to the youth of the country.

"Nitin Nabin is young, and this sends a message throughout the country and to the youth that the BJP has appointed a 45-year-old young man to the national president's chair," he said. (ANI)
Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Monday said that he will announce the details of the party's alliance on February 23 ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Thanjavur, Dhinakaran expressed confidence over victory in elections, saying that the AMML's alliance will win the Assembly polls. Dhinakaran called the elections a four-cornered contest. He said, "I will definitely announce the details of our alliance on February 23. The alliance that includes the AMMK will certainly win this election. I am not saying this out of overconfidence. In the current political situation, there is a four-cornered contest. I am stating this with a full understanding of the ground realities." After quitting the AIADMK and BJP-led NDA bloc, Dhinakaran hinted at not rejoining the alliance. Speaking about Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran's statement that parties which left the NDA may rejoin it, Dhinakaran said, "That is his personal opinion. I will act based on the wishes of my party workers and office-bearers. You will understand the AMMK's stand clearly within the next one and a half months." Invoking former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, he asked her supporters to unite under a single front. He said, "When I said that Amma's supporters should unite under one front, I did not say that they must join a single party. Amma herself had said that only if they unite under one front can they win this Assembly election. In this Assembly election, the people will deliver the right verdict. No alliance other than the one that includes us can win. The AMMK will be part of the winning alliance." "We will definitely announce our alliance in February. The decision of the party workers and office-bearers who have stood by me continuously for the past eight years, despite various issues, will be my decision," he added. Addressing the Madurai Karthigai Deepam row, he criticised the DMK and INDIA bloc leaders demanding the impeachment of Justice GR Swaminathan. He said, "In the Tirupparankundram issue, demanding the removal of a judge is not appropriate. Our objective is that no one should engage in politics that divides people in the name of God, religion, or caste. Among the people of Tamil Nadu, who live like one family--as brothers and sisters--there should be no attempt to create divisions." The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had directed that the petitioner, along with ten others, be permitted to go up to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop to light the Karthigai Deepam. The Presiding judge, Justice GR Swaminathan, instructed state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill; however, Tamil Nadu government officials maintained that this violated the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual observed for several years. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said that a special one-day session of the state assembly will be held on December 17 to mark the completion of 69 years of the first session of the state legislative assembly. Madhya Pradesh was formed on November 1, 1956, and its first assembly session was held on December 17 that same year. "The first session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly was held on December 17, and this day holds great significance in the history of the state assembly. A special session is being organised on this occasion. In this session, all members will discuss what needs to be done to build a Vikshit Madhya Pradesh (developed MP)," Tomar told reporters. He further said, "We all know that our previous generations worked hard to advance the state under challenging circumstances. Today, we are far more capable, and Madhya Pradesh is counted among the developing states, having set several benchmarks in various fields as well. To achieve the goal of making Madhya Pradesh a developed state, we should discuss and move forward based on its conclusions. From this perspective, I believe this session will prove to be very productive." Tomar, along with BJP MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani and others, also paid floral tribute to former Chief Minister of the state, late Bhagwantrao Mandloi, on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Monday. "Late Bhagwantrao Mandoli had been the chief minister of our state. It is the birth anniversary of Mandoli and we gathered here to pay floral tribute to him. He was a highly dedicated and inspiring personality. He achieved many milestones in political and public life. From the freedom struggle to independent India, he successfully discharged several responsibilities," the assembly speaker said. Remembering the former Chief Minister's contributions, Tomar said that although he was not physically present among them, his way of life and contributions continue to inspire them. On behalf of the state assembly family, he offered floral tributes at his portrait in the state assembly. (ANI)
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has called an urgent meeting of the Motor Transport Department on Wednesday at 10.30 am after a driver of an app-based bike taxi service provider allegedly molested a female passenger in Kalyan. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 AM in Sarnaik's chamber at Mantralaya. Senior officials are expected to discuss the legal status of these bike taxi services, compliance issues and passenger safety. Earlier this July, in a major initiative to create employment opportunities for youth, the Maharashtra government plans to launch its own app-based transport service. The new service, which will include app-based autorickshaws, taxis, and e-bikes, will no longer be confined to private companies. The government-run app is likely to be named Jai Maharashtra, Maha-Ride, Maha-Yatri, or Maha-Go, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced. He added that the final launch of the government app will take place after approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Sarnaik further stated, "To develop the app, discussions are underway with the Maharashtra Institute for Transport Technology and MITRA, along with private firms. The app will include all necessary provisions to maintain transparency and will be developed soon." Earlier, Mumbai's Regional Transport Office (RTO) launched a joint crackdown through 20 units across different parts of Mumbai and seized around 78 bike taxis. The transport office had also taken action against 123 vehicles in Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Vashi, and Panvel. "Against this backdrop, special teams of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mumbai launched a joint crackdown through 20 units across Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Vashi, and Panvel. During the operation, action was taken against a total of 123 vehicles engaged in illegal transport activities, out of which 78 bike taxis were seized," RTO said in an official statement. "Additionally, criminal cases have been registered against the concerned drivers under the Motor Vehicles Act, and further legal proceedings are underway against the operators of these unauthorised apps as well," it added. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the Defence Estates Day celebrations at Raksha Sampada Bhawan in Delhi Cantonment on December 16, 2025, according to an official release from the Ministry of Defence. Rajnath Singh will confer the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence in public service in the field of Defence Land Management and Municipal Administration of 61 Cantonment Boards spread across the country. According to the Ministry, this year's celebrations hold special significance as the Department steps into its 100th year, commemorating a legacy that traces its origins to 1765, when the first Cantonment was established in Barrackpore, West Bengal. Over the subsequent century and a half, cantonments such as Danapur (1766), Meerut (1803), Ambala (1843), Delhi (1915) etc followed, laying the foundation of Defence and Land Administration in India. The Department was later formalised on December 16, 1926, as the Department of Land and Cantonments under the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Estates Department today manages the largest landholding of the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence. While steeped in history, the Department has undertaken an exceptional modernisation journey, transforming itself into a pioneer in digital and tech-enabled land management, the release stated. The Department has successfully implemented the E-Chhawani project by providing 100% municipal services online to 20 lakh Cantonment residents. The Department's efforts towards water conservation and rejuvenation of water bodies has been acknowledged at the highest level as it received the National Water Awards for Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari. The Department has undertaken complete digitisation of legacy land records, ensuring their preservation for the future. Entire File Management system has been modernised with Nationwide adoption of a secure, technology-backed file management system, enabling seamless retrieval and safe archival. A centralised software platform 'Raksha Bhoomi', hosted on secure servers, now serves as the unified repository of all defence land records. The Department has developed core competency in Land Survey with extensive adoption of Continuously Operating Reference Stations-enabled Differential Global Positioning System, Geographic Information System-based tools, and high-resolution satellite imagery to strengthen accuracy. A Centre of Excellence on Satellite and Unmanned Remote Vehicle Initiative, leveraging Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and emerging technologies to build next-generation solutions for defence land management. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana from December 16 to 22, according to the President's Secretariat. On December 16, the President will inaugurate the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli, Mandya district, Karnataka. On December 17, the President will perform darshan and aarti at the Golden Temple, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Later, she will reach Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, for a winter sojourn. President Murmu will inaugurate the National Conference for the Chairpersons of Public Service Commissions, being organised by the Telangana Public Service Commission at Hyderabad on December 19. The President will address a conference on 'Timeless Wisdom of Bharat: Pathways of Peace and Progress', being organised by Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar to mark its 21st Anniversary at Hyderabad on December 20. Earlier on Sunday, President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 and National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation prizes on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day in New Delhi on Sunday. According to Rashtrapati Bhawan's office, the President said that energy conservation is the most environmentally friendly and reliable source of energy. Energy conservation is not just an option; it is the most crucial need of today. She emphasised that saving energy doesn't simply mean using less; it means utilising energy wisely, responsibly, and efficiently. President Murmu said that when we avoid unnecessary use of electrical appliances, adopt energy-efficient devices, utilise natural light and ventilation in our homes and workplaces, or embrace solar and renewable energy options, we not only save energy but also reduce carbon emissions. The Rashtrapati Bhawan's office said that energy conservation is also essential for maintaining clean air and safe water sources and a balanced ecosystem. She stated that every unit of energy we save will be a symbol of our responsibility towards nature and our sensitivity towards future generations. The President emphasised that if the youth and children are aware of energy conservation and make efforts in this direction, then the goals in this area can be achieved and the sustainable development of the country can be ensured. The President said that access to affordable and clean energy empowers communities. It stimulates the local economy and creates new growth opportunities. Therefore, green energy is not limited to electricity generation; it is a powerful means of empowerment and inclusive development. The President was happy to note that the initiatives, such as Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, are reducing dependence on fossil fuels. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the practice of allowing affluent people to do 'special pujas' in temples after paying money, saying that the "current setup" amounted to exploiting the deity. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, "After closing the temple at 12 noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute. They rely most on the deity at this time. All affluent people who can pay the most hefty amounts are allowed to do special pujas." It also issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the court-constituted High Powered Committee on a plea challenging the changed temple 'darshan' timings and discontinuation of Dehri Puja at the Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple, at Vrindavan in Mathura. The top court was hearing a petition filed by the Management Committee of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple. The apex court has posted the matter for hearing on January 7, 2026. The plea objected to the 'darshan' timings and temple practices set by the court-constituted committee at the Bankey Bihari Ji Temple. It objected to certain decisions by the High Powered Committee formed by the top court in August this year. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the petitioner, raised concerns over changes in 'darshan' timings and temple practices. "These 'darshan' timings are part of tradition and rituals. The temple's public hours are part of a long tradition. The change in temple timings has led to a change in the internal temple rituals, including the timings when the deity wakes up in the morning and sleeps at night," he argued. To this, CJI responded that after closing the temple at 12 noon they do not allow the deity to rest even for a second and the so-called affluent people, those who can afford to pay hefty amounts, they are allowed to do 'special pujas'. "This is the time when they indulge in all kinds of these practices that they invite people who can pay, and 'special pujas' are done," CJI said. The plea stated that it is contrary to the earlier direction of the top court in the order dated August 8, where it was clarified that there will be no intervention by the High Powered Committee in the internal temple functioning, which included the practice of conducting of puja/seva and prasad. The plea also stated that the High Powered Committee's stopping of the Dehri Puja, done between Guru and Shishyas, is also contrary to the August 8 directions. On August 8, the apex court suspended the operation of the Committee under the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which has been vested with the management of the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. It had constituted the High Powered Committee led by Justice Ashok Kumar, former Allahabad High Court judge, to oversee and supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple. While relegating the challenge to the Constitutional validity of the Ordinance to the Allahabad High Court, the apex court had said that till the High Court decides the matter, the High-Powered Committee constituted by it will be in charge of the temple. Earlier, the top court had questioned Uttar Pradesh over its "tearing hurry" in promulgating the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, for taking over the management of the temple. The 2025 UP Ordinance was stated to vest the temple administration with a statutory trust. According to it, the management of the temple and the responsibility of facilities for the devotees shall be handled by the 'Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir Nyas'. As per Ordinance, 11 trustees shall be nominated, a maximum of 7 members can be ex officio and government and non-government members shall be followers of Sanatan Dharma. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed confidence in Mahayuti's victory in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections next month. Speaking to reporters in Pune, CM Fadnavis said that, given the government's work, people will vote for Maharashtra's ruling alliance. "Mahayuti will contest the elections in Mumbai and, considering the work done by our government, the people will once again hand over Mumbai to us in the form of a municipal corporation. This is my belief," the CM said. The polling for the elections for 29 Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra, including the BMC, will be held on January 15, with the results to be announced on January 16, the State Election Commission said on Monday. From December 23 to 30 is the period to file nominations, and scrutiny of the nominations will be done on December 31. January 2 is the last date to take back nominations, as symbols will be distributed on January 3. The Supreme Court had directed the State Election Commission to complete all local body elections by January 31, 2026, as the polls have been due since 2022. The BMC polls are expected to witness a direct contest between two major alliances in the state- the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Mahayuti, which governs the state, comprises the Bhartiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The opposition alliance includes the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Shard Pawar-led faction, NCP-SP. It will be the first BMC election after the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena and a direct contest with the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Recently, after 20 years apart, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together following a row over Hindi imposition in the state and have vowed to contest the BMC polls together. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Chief Minister also congratulated the BJP's newly appointed National Working President Nitin Nabin. Fadnavis said, "I am happy that the party has appointed a young worker like Nitin Nabin as the National Working President. I have known Nitin Nabin for many years. I congratulate him. I am confident that under his leadership, the party will progress further." Bihar Minister and MLA Nitin Nabin took charge as the Bharatiya Janata Party National Working President in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the party's National President JP Nadda in the national capital on Monday. Nitin Nabin, 45, is the youngest BJP National Working President. A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department. (ANI)
Emphasising Nabin's journey, Prasad said the elevation of a grassroots worker to such a key national post highlights what sets the BJP apart from other political parties.

"It is a matter of great joy that a worker whose dedication and humility we all know about, who is a five-time MLA, state minister, has been in charge of several states, the party has decided that all workers across the country are delighted. Only the BJP can elevate a party worker to such heights," Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media in Delhi.

Earlier today, Nitin Nabin formally took charge as the BJP National Working President at the party headquarters in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda.

Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Delhi BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva and several senior leaders were also present at the ceremony.

At just 45, Nabin has become the youngest National Working President of the party.

A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department.

He paid his tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deem Dayal Upadhyaya at the party headquarters.

The son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Nabin, combines administrative experience with a long organisational career within the party.

Speaking to ANI before his departure for Delhi, Nabin expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and his constituency, crediting their blessings for his elevation to the national role. (ANI)
Highlighting India's defence capabilities, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat asserted that India will be a "strong pole" in the emerging multipolar world. Addressing the 40th Air Chief Marshal PC Lal Memorial Lecture, the DRDO Chairman said, "The world we live in today is in a phase of transition, we are in a state of geopolitical churn, moving from a unipolar world to a multipolar world, and in this, India is going to be one of the strong poles in this emerging multipolar world. Our rise cannot be stopped." Samir V. Kamat noted India's growing self-reliance in the defence sector. He also mentioned the arsenal that is likely to be added to the country's armoury in the upcoming years. "The systems which are likely to be inducted in the next 2-3 years are Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, Long Range-Land Attack Cruise Missile, Air to Air Missile, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, Surface to Air Missile, light tank, High Endurance, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Long Range Guided bomb, among others," he added. However, Samir V Kamat said that to catch up with China, the country needs to prioritise the Research and Development spending, pointing out the stark difference between both countries' defence budgets. "India spends about 5.5% of its defence budget on R&D. If you look at the US and China, they spend between 10-15% of their defence budget on R&D. If we have to catch up with them, it is going to be very challenging unless we increase our defence R&D spending," he said. The DRDO Chairman also emphasised the need to focus on defence exports to sustain the production. "Last year, we exported around Rs 23,000 crore worth of defence equipment. Raksha Mantri has set us a target of Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. If we have to sustain defence R&D and defence production, then exports have to be looked at very seriously," he said. Sharing a Defence Capability Pyramid which has seven criteria to measure a country's defensive strength, Samir V Kamat said that the government is performing "fairly good" at all seven criteria, but "needs to look at how to build capacity" The Seven criteria mentioned in the Defence Capability Pyramid are: 1. System configuration and design; 2. System engineering and integration; 3. System testing and evaluation, qualification, certification; 4. Sub Systems; 5. Components, devices manufacturing; 6. Machines, tools and fixtures for manufacturing; 7. Material development and production at scale. (ANI)
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party after a bill to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (MGNREGA) was introduced in the Parliament, calling it a "conspiracy of BJP-RSS to end MGNREGA." In a post on X, Kharge alleged that this move was part of a larger attempt to weaken and ultimately dismantle the flagship rural employment scheme. "This is not just about renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. This is a BJP-RSS conspiracy to end MGNREGA. Erasing Gandhi's name on the centenary of the Sangh shows how hollow and hypocritical those are who, like Modi ji, offer flowers to Bapu on foreign soil. The government that recoils from the rights of the poor is the one that attacks MGNREGA," Kharge posted on X. Emphasising that the Congress would not remain silent, Kharge said the party would oppose any such decision against the poor and workers, both inside and outside Parliament. "The Congress Party will strongly oppose in Parliament and on the streets any such decision of this arrogant regime that is against the poor and workers. We will not allow the rights of crores of poor people, laborers, and workers to be snatched away by those in power," the post added. https://x.com/kharge/status/2000520844385419275?s=20 This comes after the Centre introduced the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, replacing the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill (MGNREGA) with a modern, infrastructure-focused and digitally governed statutory system aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevil Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, aims to envision aligning rural development with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, focusing on empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation to build a prosperous and resilient rural Bharat. Under the bill, public works will be aggregated to form the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, prioritising water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related projects, and climate-resilient initiatives. It also aims to ensure adequate farm-labour availability during peak agricultural seasons and to institutionalise Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans for integrated, saturation-driven planning. These plans will be linked with PM Gati Shakti, powered by geospatial systems digital public infrastructure, and district- and state-level planning mechanisms. The bill mandates a modern digital governance framework that incorporates biometric authentication, GPS and mobile-based monitoring, real-time dashboards, proactive disclosures and Artificial Intelligence tools for planning, auditing, and fraud risk mitigation. The major definitions under the bill include adult members (aged one year or older), households, Blocks, implementing agencies, unskilled manual work, and the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan. The legislation also establishes Central and State Grameen Rozgar Guarantee Councils, as well as National and State-level Steering Committees to oversee implementation. (ANI)
While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has ruled out the possibility of snowfall in Himachal Pradesh for more than a week, clear skies, clean air and a pleasant climate are attracting a large number of tourists to the hill state ahead of the Christmas and New Year season. The capital, Shimla, and other tourist destinations are seeing an influx of visitors enjoying the clean, fresh environment. However, the lack of snowfall has left some tourists slightly disappointed, even as they continue to enjoy the overall weather. According to the Meteorological Centre, Himachal Pradesh has been experiencing a prolonged dry spell for over 65 days. The IMD has forecast no rain or snowfall across most parts of the state for the next five days. A weak western disturbance is expected to approach around December 20, but it is unlikely to have any major impact. Light precipitation is possible only in the higher reaches of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Speaking to ANI, Senior Scientist at the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, Sandeep Kumar Sharma, said there will be no major weather activity apart from the feeble western disturbance on the 20th. "During the past 24 hours, a weak western disturbance affected the state, due to which light snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts. In the mid-hill areas like Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una, there was light clouding during the morning hours, but no rainfall was recorded," said Sandeep Kumar Sharma. "From December 15 to 19, the weather will remain mostly clear across the state. On December 20, a weak western disturbance may have some effect, resulting in light snowfall or cloud cover in the higher reaches of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kullu. On December 21, light rain may occur at one or two places in Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra and Lahaul-Spiti, while higher areas may witness light snowfall. Except for this brief activity on December 20 and 21, the weather will remain clear across the state," he added. "During the past 24 hours, Una recorded a maximum temperature of around 24 degrees Celsius. Daytime temperatures in Kangra, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur ranged from 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. In Shimla, Bhuntar and Kalpa, day temperatures are running two to three degrees above normal. Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 17.6 degrees Celsius, which is about four degrees above normal," Sharma said. He further stated that morning temperatures may fall slightly. In contrast, daytime temperatures could rise by one to two degrees over the next two days, after which no significant change is expected. Highlighting the severity of the dry spell, Sharma said it has been prolonged, including a 95% dry spell in November. "Rainfall was recorded only during the first two weeks of October. From the third week of October till December, the state has received about 95 per cent less rainfall than normal. No major rainfall station has reported significant precipitation so far. Light snowfall has been reported only at high-altitude passes like Rohtang and Baralacha pass," he said. He cautioned that soil moisture and water sources are currently very low and advised farmers to undertake agricultural activities only after consulting agricultural experts, adding that no major weather events are expected in the near future. Meanwhile, tourists continue to enjoy the pleasant conditions. Shubhal Kumar, a tourist from Panipat, told ANI that the weather is pleasant and it would have been better if there had been a show or rain. "It feels very nice here. In Panipat, where we live, pollution is very high due to industries. Here, the air is neat and clean. If there had been snowfall, it would have been even more enjoyable. Even light rain would have added to the experience, but that is not happening right now." Said Shubhal. "Still, the weather is clean and pleasant, and we are enjoying it. We are visiting for the first time. Around 40 of us have come together. We are staying in Kasauli and will be here for three days. After enjoying the beautiful environment, we will return," he added. Despite the lack of snowfall, the clean environment and clear weather continue to make Himachal Pradesh an attractive destination for tourists this winter season. (ANI)
The Opposition MPs have demanded the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 'Atomic Energy Bill', and the VB-G RAM G Bill to Standing Committees, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said on Monday. Jairam Ramesh stated that the three Bills require "deep study and wide consultations." "The entire Opposition is demanding that the following three far-reaching Bills be referred to the Standing Committees concerned. We are hopeful that, in keeping with the best of Parliamentary traditions and practices, this demand will be agreed to by the Government. The Bills require deep study and wide consultations. 1. Higher Education Commission Bill 2. Atomic Energy Bill 3. G-RAM-G Bill," the Congress MP posted on X. Centre introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, while the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, is set to be introduced, replacing the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Amid the opposition to the Bill, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Replacing MGNREGA, the proposed Bill has drawn criticism from the Opposition for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the nation's flagship rural employment scheme. Earlier today, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, calling it a "conspiracy of BJP-RSS to end MGNREGA." In a post on X, Kharge alleged that this move was part of a larger attempt to weaken and ultimately dismantle the flagship rural employment scheme. "This is not just about renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. This is a BJP-RSS conspiracy to end MGNREGA. Erasing Gandhi's name on the centenary of the Sangh shows how hollow and hypocritical those are who, like Modi ji, offer flowers to Bapu on foreign soil. The government that recoils from the rights of the poor is the one that attacks MGNREGA," Kharge posted on X. Emphasising that the Congress would not remain silent, Kharge said the party would oppose any such decision against the poor and workers, both inside and outside Parliament. "The Congress Party will strongly oppose in Parliament and on the streets any such decision of this arrogant regime that is against the poor and workers. We will not allow the rights of crores of poor people, labourers, and workers to be snatched away by those in power," the post added. The new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. Assets created under the programme will be aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, enabling unified planning, monitoring and integration with national spatial platforms such as PM Gati-Shakti. The Bill also mandates Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans. Meanwhile, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, establishes the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan to facilitate Universities and other higher educational institutions to become independent self-governing institutions. The Bill also proposes to constitute Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad as a regulatory council, Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad as an accreditation council, and Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad as a standards council. The Bill aligns with the NEP 2020. The Bill has been sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill aims to provide for the promotion and development of nuclear energy and ionising radiation for nuclear power generation, application in healthcare, food, water, agriculture, industry, research, environment, innovation in nuclear science and technology, and for a robust regulatory framework for its safe and secure utilisation. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to hold discussions with the central government on the issue of establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the state. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan also asked the Tamil Nadu government to ascertain the extent of land necessary for establishing JNVs. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the Madras High Court's order directing the State government to establish JNV schools in the State. During the hearing, Senior counsel P Wilson, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, argued that the Centre should adopt a two-language formula in line with the State government's policy, instead of a three-language formula, as has been adopted in the Centre's 2020 National Education Policy (NEP). The counsel representing the Centre, on the other hand, contended that the State government want to thrust the Hindi language. However, the top court urged the parties not to make this a language issue. It asserted that the aforesaid directions regarding the establishment of JNVs are in the interest of education among rural students. "Don't make it into a language issue. We are a federal society. You are part of the Republic. If you come one step forward they will also come one step forward. We have passed the aforesaid directions only in the interest of those students who are entitled to be admitted to such schools in the state of Tamil Nadu. We are not on Hindi we are on rural students getting the education", Justice Nagarathna said. The Supreme Court told the Tamil Nadu government that it could place its two-language policy before the Centre and the latter would consider the same, rather than spatting over the issue. "You can't have this my state, my state. This attitude must go. You come one step. They will also come one step", the apex court verbally said. Further, the apex court said the state government should view this as an opportunity rather than an imposition. "Don't take it as an imposition, it is an opportunity for your students. You can say this is our language policy. They cannot also discredit your policy", the top-court judge said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday congratulated Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin for his appointment as the National Working President of the BJP, saying that his experience will be valuable in taking the NDA forward. "I congratulate Nitin Nabin. He is an experienced leader. His experience will be valuable in taking the NDA forward. As a constituent party of the NDA, we warmly welcome him. He has worked as a dedicated party worker," Eknath Shinde said. Nitin Nabin took charge as the Bharatiya Janata Party National Working President in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the party's National President JP Nadda today. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Delhi BJP Chief Virendraa Sachdeva and other party senior leaders were also present on the occasion. Nitin Nabin, 45, is the youngest BJP National Working President. A five-time MLA from Bihar, Nabin currently serves as the state's Road Construction Minister and has previously held portfolios including Urban Development and Housing and the Law Department. Nitin Nabin arrived at the BJP headquarters in Delhi amid rousing sloganeering by the party's workers. He paid his tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deem Dayal Upadhyaya at the party headquarters. The son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, Nabin, combines administrative experience with a long organisational career within the party. Speaking to ANI before his departure for Delhi, Nabin expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and his constituency, crediting their blessings for his elevation to the national role. "People of my constituency gave me blessings. With their blessings, this is happening," he said. Nabin also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for entrusting him with the responsibility. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations 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.", Nubin added. (ANI)
The India Youth Congress on Monday held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the central government over alleged "vote chori." The party workers and leaders, carrying placards and flags, raised slogans. In the images, some party workers are seen standing atop police barricades. The protest witnessed a strong police presence at Jantar Mantar, with security personnel deployed to maintain law and order. Speaking to the reporters, Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has presented the facts that Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister by doing "vote chori." "Rahul Ji has presented with facts the facts that Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister by doing 'vote chori'...A law has been formed which provides immunity to the Election Commissioner...All the demands made by Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will bring transparency in the elections...," Chib said. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Monday strongly rejected Union Minister JP Nadda's demand for an apology from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over alleged derogatory slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the mega rally organised by the Congress against alleged 'Vote Chori' in Delhi, dismissing the controversy as "baseless drama" orchestrated by the BJP to divert attention from the opposition's successful protest at Ramlila Maidan.Speaking to reporters, the Congress General Secretary said, "This is baseless drama they have created today because we conducted a successful rally in Delhi yesterday. I asked Kiren Rijiju ji: Did any Congress leader say anything? They said some people in the rally had said it. This is baseless. It is not our custom to use unacceptable language against any political leader, even if they are our political rivals. On the other side, we can see the language Amit Shah ji used in Parliament last week. No leader, be it from the state level or the district level, would do any such thing." Venugopal's remarks came after Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi, holding her responsible as the senior-most leader of the Congress party. Earlier in November, Rajasthan Youth Congress workers staged a protest outside the Chief Minister's residence in Jaipur against alleged "vote chori," farmer issues, and unemployment. Police used water cannons on the workers. During the protest, National President of the Indian Youth Congress, Uday Bhanu Chib, said that the organisation will not allow the country's democracy to be "destroyed," asserting that its members are not afraid and will continue efforts to safeguard democratic values. (ANI)
Both Houses of Parliament on Monday witnessed strong objections from BJP leaders to a Congress leader's controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress dismissed it as "baseless drama" and questioned the need to raise the issue in Parliament. Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, strongly condemned the slogans raised against PM Modi during the mega rally against the alleged 'Vote Chori' in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan the previous day, demanding a public apology from senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. Addressing the Upper House, Nadda said the slogans reflected the Congress party's "thinking and mentality". He said, "Sonia Gandhi ji should apologise to the nation for slogans raised against PM Modi in the Congress rally yesterday. At yesterday's Congress rally, slogans were raised against PM Modi. This shows the Congress party's thinking and mentality. Saying such things against a Prime Minister is condemnable. Sonia Gandhi ji should apologise to the nation for this." Nadda's remarks came in the wake of statements made by Congress leader Manju Lata Meena, where she reportedly said, "Modi teri kabar khudegi, aaj nahin toh kal khudegi" (Modi, your grave will be dug soon, if not today, then tomorrow). She is also the district president of the Jaipur Women's Congress. The Upper House witnessed sloganeering from the Congress MPs during Nadda's address. In the Lower House of the Parliament, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue, demanding an apology from Congress. He said, "We are not each other's enemies, just opponents. In 2014, a BJP MP used inappropriate language toward the Opposition, and Prime Minister Modi asked her to apologise, which she did. Yesterday, during Congress' rally, their leader talked about digging the Prime Minister's grave. Senior Congress leaders were present at the rally. There is nothing more unfortunate for this country. I want Congress leaders to apologise." Rijiju's objection in the Parliament witnessed strong sloganeering from both sides. The Union Minister had raised the issue even before the Parliament proceedings for the day began. "Merely condemning is not enough. The Congress president and LoP should apologise in the Parliament; they should apologise to the country. I think that if any humanity is left with them and if the Congress party wants to give any respect to the country, they should not delay and apologise to the country from the Floor of the Parliament. Only then will we agree that they committed a mistake and the Congress party admitted the mistake," Rijiju had said. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also condemned Manju Lata Meena's remarks and said, "In which civilised country are public announcements for someone's killing made at public events? We have different ideologies, but it doesn't mean that we are enemies and would wish death upon someone. The entire country is hurt because he is the democratically elected PM. This is not right. An apology must be made because if we have such opposition leaders, they will not set a good precedent before the world." Whereas, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the need to raise the issue in Parliament, alleging that the Union Parliamentary Minister was disrupting proceedings and accusing the ruling side of blocking discussions on key issues such as pollution. Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "You (the media) don't ask why the Union Parliamentary Minister himself was disturbing the proceedings of the House. No one from the stage said anything like that. Then we learned that someone from the public or a worker made that statement, but it is unclear who it was. Then, why is this matter being raised in the House? They (the ruling side) don't want the House to run. We had demanded a discussion on pollution, but they are not doing even that." Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal rejected JP Nadda's demand for an apology, dismissing the controversy as "baseless drama" orchestrated by the BJP to divert attention from the rally. Speaking to reporters, the Congress General Secretary said, "This is baseless drama they have created today because we conducted a successful rally in Delhi yesterday. I asked Kiren Rijiju ji: Did any Congress leader say anything? They said some people in the rally had said it. This is baseless. It is not our custom to use unacceptable language against any political leader, even if they are our political rivals. On the other side, we can see the language Amit Shah ji used in Parliament last week. No leader, be it from the state level or the district level, would do any such thing." Meanwhile, Congress leader Manju Lata Meena defended her statement, claiming she was only expressing the public's anger over alleged vote rigging and accusing the Prime Minister of failing to address key issues. "There is so much anger among the public regarding vote rigging. They (BJP) have formed these governments by rigging votes, and the Election Commission is also acting according to their instructions. He (PM Modi) doesn't talk about employment, youth, women, or farmers. He distracts from the issues," Meena said. On Sunday, Congress held a 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, heightening the party's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. The party intensified its campaign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. (ANI)
Delhi's Karkardooma Court on Monday rejected a revision moved by a husband and upheld the order of Rs 80000 monthly interim maintenance to his wife and minor child. The man had challenged the order of the Judicial Magistrate directing him to pay the interim maintenance to his estranged wife and child. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Surbhi Sharma Vats rejected the revision moved against the order passed by the judicial magistrate on October 16, 2025. The revision court said that there is no error or illegality in the order passed by the Magistrate. The court said, "The facts and circumstances of the present matter, as discussed above, do not call for any interference in the order of interim maintenance dated 16.10.2025 passed by Mahila Court." "Accordingly, in view of the foregoing discussion, the present appeal stands dismissed, and the impugned order dated 16.10.2025 passed by Learned Trial Court is hereby upheld," ASJ Vats ordered on December 15. While rejecting the revision, the court said that the appellant husband has failed to produce any cogent material to rebut the findings of the judicial magistrate or to show that his wife is financially independent. "The necessities of respondent wife, the responsibility of appellant husband to maintain his wife, taking into consideration the status of parties and the standard of living that the respondent wife/ parties is accustomed to, considering the assets, liabilities and income of the Appellant, this Court is of the considered opinion that the Trial Court has correctly assessed the paying capacity of the Appellant husband and an amount of Rs 80,000 per month awarded for wife and minor child, as an interim maintenance, does not seem to be on higher side in the present case," the Court observed in the order. Husband had challenged the magistrate's court order on the grounds that the interim maintenance order was passed without considering the facts and circumstances of the husband. On the other hand, Advocate Vivek Sharma appeared for the wife (respondent). He submitted that the appellant has deliberately suppressed material facts, made repeated false statements regarding his employment and financial capacity, and has consistently attempted to mislead both the Trial Court and the Revision Court in order to evade his lawful obligation to maintain his legally wedded wife and minor daughter. It was also submitted that the appellant persistently claimed to be unemployed and without any regular source of income before the Trial Court, and relying on his misrepresentations, the Trial Court initially awarded a meagre sum of Rs 6,000 per month as interim maintenance to the respondent/wife and minor child. However, only after the respondent/wife produced documentary evidence showing that the appellant was, during the relevant period, employed with a foreign company and drawing a respectable salary, the appellant/husband was constrained to admit the truth, the counsel said. (ANI)
Telangana Jagruthi President Kalvakuntla Kavitha reiterated that achieving Samajika Telangana is her goal. She categorically announced that they will contest the 2029 elections. On Monday, she responded in detail to several questions posed by netizens on X under the hashtag #AskKavitha. According to the press release, netizens raised questions on her vision for Telangana, the future roadmap of Jagruthi and the failures of the Congress government, among other issues. Kavitha's responses to these questions made the Ask Kavitha interaction rank number one in the X Politics category. Kavitha said that Samajika Telangana remains her mission. She stressed that youth and women should get opportunities in the fields of their choice and that they must be encouraged accordingly. She stated that Jagruthi will work to create political opportunities for youth and women. Responding to a question about a new political party, she gave clarity that they will contest the 2029 elections. She said the party will be named based on the suggestions given by the people. She emphasised that to achieve empowerment in Telangana, improved and quality free education and healthcare must reach the people. She expressed that a situation should be created in Telangana where parents do not have to spend even a single rupee on their children's education. When asked whether jobs, skills or security should be prioritised, she said providing jobs to youth is her top priority, along with ensuring their security. She stated that Jagruthi will continue its struggle for social justice and that the organisation will be strengthened gradually. She also announced that a Jagruthi membership drive will be launched soon and noted that in the committees formed by Jagruthi, opportunities have already been given to all sections. As per the press release, several netizens questioned Kavitha about Revanth Reddy's governance. Responding to a question on the state of governance, she said the Congress has been an utter flop in fulfilling its promises. She stated that people are deeply dissatisfied with the Congress government. She expressed concern that lakhs of students are being forced to discontinue their studies due to the non-payment of fee reimbursement and said the government's negligence has become a death knell for girls' education. She described the continuing farmer suicides after the Congress came to power as extremely painful and said they are proof of the government's incompetence and negligent attitude. Kavitha strongly criticised the hype around "Future City" on lands acquired for Pharma City and said she would soon launch a struggle in support of the affected farmers. She alleged that the Singareni Collieries Company is being severely neglected after the Congress came to power and said Jagruthi, along with HMS, will fight against the government on Singareni-related issues. She expressed shock over the failure to provide even basic infrastructure facilities to the people of Hyderabad, stating that while attention has been given to West Hyderabad, the same focus has not been shown towards developing East Hyderabad. Netizens also asked Kavitha questions about her personal preferences. When asked to describe Ram Charan in one word, she said he is a very humble person and a good dancer. She added that she is a fan of Chiranjeevi and that Ram Charan comes next after him. She said the moments she spent in Erramanzil during her childhood gave her great happiness. When a netizen suggested that she should focus on business instead of politics, Kavitha responded calmly, saying that social media often contains a lot of negativity and advised people to ignore it and think positively. According to the press release, the Ask Kavitha interaction lasted for about one and a half hours. Hundreds of netizens asked questions on X, and Kavitha responded to them. On Monday, the interaction secured the number one position in the X Politics category. (ANI)
Following political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Kinnaur district administration has initiated preparatory measures for the re-commencement of Indo-China Border Trade through Shipki La during the 2026 trading season. A review meeting of line departments and key stakeholders was held here on Monday under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur-cum-Trade Authority, to assess institutional readiness and logistical arrangements ahead of the proposed start of trade from June 2026. During the meeting, the administration reviewed critical areas, including road connectivity in the Shipki La-Namgia sector, security arrangements, customs preparedness, medical and emergency services, trader registration procedures, and interdepartmental coordination. Emphasis was laid on ensuring seamless infrastructure and a secure environment for traders and officials involved in the cross-border trade. Security arrangements along the trade route and at trading points will be jointly supervised by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the local police to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth conduct of trade activities. It was informed that the registration of traders will be carried out by the Tehsildar, Pooh. Only verified and approved traders will be issued trade passes. Applicants will be required to submit valid proof of identity, residential certificates, passport-size photographs, and details of past trading records, if any. The Trade Officer-cum-Tehsildar, Pooh, will coordinate closely with the local Traders' Association to facilitate a transparent and efficient registration process. The administration clarified that import and export activities will be strictly limited to items notified by the Government of India. The Customs Department has been directed to ensure adequate deployment of staff at the Local Customs Station, Shipki La, and to widely disseminate the approved list of tradable items among stakeholders. Reiterating its commitment to an orderly, well-coordinated resumption of historic border trade, the district administration sought active cooperation from traders, local institutions, and other stakeholders during the preparatory phase to ensure a successful start in 2026. The meeting was attended by ADM Pooh Ravinder Thakur, DSP Kinnaur Umeshwar Rana, District AYUSH Officer Dr Parveen Sharma, General Manager DIC Guru Lal Negi, Tehsildar Pooh Bhim Singh Negi, SDO Moorang Nitesh Thakur, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Dr Ajay Negi, Assistant Commissioner (Excise) Rishav Kumar, and other concerned officials.(ANI)
Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast has emerged victorious in Chile's presidential runoff, becoming the country's 38th president and ending the tenure of the centre-left government, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, preliminary results on Sunday showed Kast defeating the former Labour Minister Jeannette Jara, a Communist Party politician representing the governing centre-left coalition. Jara and her coalition, Unity for Chile, conceded shortly after polls closed. Following her defeat, Jara took to X, hailing the democratic mandate of the country, adding that her supporters would continue working for a better future for the country. "Democracy spoke loud and clear. I just communicated with the President-elect, Jose Antonio Kast, to wish him success for the good of Chile. To those who supported us and were rallied by our candidacy, rest assured that we will continue working to advance a better life in our homeland. Together and standing tall, as we have always done," she stated. Kast's victory marks another win for the far right in Latin America, where right-wing leaders, once seen as political outsiders, have recently gained power in countries such as Argentina and Ecuador, Al Jazeera reported. At 59, Kast leads Chile's Republican Party and secured the presidency on his third attempt. He had lost the 2021 election to outgoing President Gabriel Boric by nearly 10 points. Boric, who became Chile's youngest president, saw his popularity drop to around 30 per cent by the end of his term and was ineligible to run for a second term, as reported by Al Jazeera. Voter frustration over rising crime, immigration, and a slowing economy contributed to Kast's success. During his campaign, Kast promised to tackle these issues with strict measures, including mass deportations, harsher sentencing, and isolating cartel leaders in maximum-security facilities. His security platform, known as the "Implacable Plan", emphasises cracking down on criminals while protecting ordinary citizens. Kast has also taken conservative positions on social and health issues, notably opposing abortion even in cases of rape, Al Jazeera reported. His views have drawn criticism, especially given his past praise for Chile's former dictator, Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990 following a military coup. "If he were alive, he would vote for me," Kast said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. The candidate's family background has also been scrutinised, with his father, Michael Martin Kast, being a former Nazi Party member who emigrated to Chile in 1950. An Al Jazeera correspondent reporting from the capital noted that Kast's victory represents a historic moment for Chile's far right, the first conservative government since the return to democracy in 1990. While Kast moderated his platform to broaden voter appeal during the campaign, his alignment with Pinochet's legacy raises questions about the extent of his conservative policies, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
India highlighted its civilisational values and commitment to global harmony at the 11th United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) meeting held in Riyadh on Sunday. Secretary (East) P. Kumaran led the Indian delegation and delivered India's national statement at the High-Level Meeting of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations. In his remarks, he emphasised UNAOC's role in promoting harmony and understanding among nations and cultures worldwide, as per MEA. Kumaran also spoke about India's position on the global stage as a country shaped by an ancient civilisation and marked by cultural and religious diversity. He cited the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which views the world as one family, and Sarva Dharma Samabhav, which stands for equal respect for all religions. The Ministry of External Affairs said the remarks reflected India's long-standing commitment to dialogue, inclusivity and peaceful coexistence. "Secretary(East) highlighted the role of UNAOC in promoting harmony among nations and cultures worldwide. He also underscored India's standing on the global stage as a nation rooted in an ancient civilisation and rich diversity, and referred to the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam--the world as one family--and Sarva Dharma Samabhav, which upholds equal respect for all religions, " wrote MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2000382578361344094?s=20 Earlier on Saturday, India and Georgia held the 8th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Tbilisi to review and strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions covered the entire spectrum of bilateral engagement, including political cooperation, trade and economic ties, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts. Both sides also explored ways to expand cooperation in new areas. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) Sibi George, while the Georgian side was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvitisiashvili. "The 8th India-Georgia Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held in Tbilisi on December 13, 2025. Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," the MEA said. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed from Delhi on a three-nation tour, beginning with a visit to Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. He will be in Jordan from December 15 to 16 during which time he will hold talks with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of India-Jordan relations and exchange views on regional developments. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a milestone expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister will also meet members of the Indian community in Jordan. In his departure statement today, Prime Minister Modi said, "I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations." In the second leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17. This will be his first visit to Ethiopia. He will hold detailed discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral ties. Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, also serves as the headquarters of the African Union. Talking about his Ethiopia visit, Prime Minister Modi said, "I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India's G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20. In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there." PM will also address the Joint Session of Parliament of Ethiopia. He further said, "I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India's journey as the 'Mother of Democracy' and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South." The Ministry of External Affairs said the Ethiopia visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to deepen friendship and bilateral cooperation. In the final leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This will be his second visit to Oman. "In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship. I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country's development and in enhancing our partnership," the Prime Minister said. The MEA noted that India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership based on centuries-old ties of friendship, trade and strong people-to-people links. The visit will coincide with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the Sultan of Oman's State visit to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to comprehensively review cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, along with exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (local time) held a call with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to discuss the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which targeted members of the Jewish community celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. In a statement attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the US State Department said Secretary Rubio "had a call today with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to discuss the antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach." "The United States strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Hanukkah celebration hosted by Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi. As Prime Minister Albanese said, this was 'an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism,'" the statement said. "We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and with the Australian people as we pray for the victims and their families. We are grateful to Australian first responders and bystanders for their heroic response," it added. Referring to the significance of the festival, the statement said, "As Jews around the world light Hanukkah candles tonight, they commemorate the triumph of light over darkness and the long history of Jewish resilience in the face of oppression. No community should have to fear publicly celebrating their faith and traditions due to the threat of extremist violence and terror. There can be no compromise with antisemitism - this scourge must be confronted and defeated." The call came as Australian authorities confirmed that the death toll from the shooting has risen to 16, with at least 40 people still hospitalised. The New South Wales Police Force said in a post on X, "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." According to CNN, a Jewish community representative confirmed that a 12-year-old girl and a rabbi are among those killed in the attack. Police said the area around Bondi Beach remains sealed off as investigations continue. "Bondi Beach and surrounding roads in the Bondi area will be closed today as investigators continue to work through the crime scene. Aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying over the crime scene," the police said in a separate post. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident in an address to the nation, describing it as a "devastating terror attack" and expressing solidarity with the country's Jewish community. In a post on X on Monday, Albanese also thanked police officers for their response. "The dedication and commitment of police officers were on full display last night, when off-duty officers turned up at Bondi to help.They are the best of Australia. I received a briefing at Bondi Police Station and was able to thank many Officers personally. Thank you to all our police for your courage and your service," he wrote. Earlier, Rubio had also posted on X, saying, "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration." He added, "Antisemitism has no place in this world," and said, "Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia." (ANI)
Chinese FM calls for pushing China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership to higher level

Xinhua) 10:09, December 15, 2025

ABU DHABI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that China is willing to work with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to advance the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.

The UAE is a country in the Middle East with distinctive importance and influence. The development strategies of China and the UAE are in alignment, the philosophies of governance are similar, and the economies are highly complementary, making the two countries natural friends and partners, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In the more than four decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and the UAE have respected and supported each other, and the bilateral ties have withstood the test of the changing international landscape and maintained a sound and steady development, Wang noted.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the UAE, implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, stay committed to the original aspirations of diplomatic ties, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and carry forward the traditional friendship, so as to jointly push for a higher level of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.

Noting the second China-Arab States Summit is scheduled to be held in China next year, Wang said he expects to welcome the participation of Arab leaders, and expressed the hope that, with the support by the UAE and other Arab nations, the summit will yield positive outcomes and elevate China-Arab states relations to a new level.

Sheikh Abdullah said that over the more than four decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations, UAE-China relations rapidly developed based on mutual respect and trust, witnessing fruitful cooperation across various fields and deepening people-to-people friendship, thus becoming a model for state-to-state relations.

He stressed that the UAE firmly adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and in achieving national reunification, and resolutely opposes foreign interference in China's internal affairs.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the situation in the Middle East.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Citizenship Clause surreality: The clause's own author said it doesn't include aliens By Selwyn Duke

web posted December 15, 2025 Early in my commentary career, I found myself debating the meaning of one of my articles in an online chat with a woman who'd read the piece. Why the argument? Well, I was mischievous, I'll confess, and, having a little fun, didn't tell her I was the author. Towards our interaction's conclusion she told me, quite confidently, that I didn't understand what the writer was trying to say! (I lack self-knowledge, I guess.) At least, though, inherent in the exchange was the idea that original intent matters. I mention this because people today often behave as if it's irrelevant. Just consider, for instance, the "birthright citizenship" issue, currently before the Supreme Court. Do you know that Senator Jacob Howard of Michigan, a man who coauthored the Citizenship Clause, clearly explained what we're all now arguing about? Read on. For more than 100 years, the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause has been (mis)interpreted to mean that anyone born on U.S. soileven an illegal alienis automatically a citizen. It's such an insane standard, and leads to such nation-rending mischief, that we could wonder how the provision's framers could have legislated such destructiveness. Well, they didn't. In a documented conversation in the U.S. Senate, Howard first explained that he considered the 14th Amendment to simply be declaratory of what I regard as the law of the land already, that every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. In other words, it wasn't meant to alter, just clarify. And then he clarified, saying that his provision will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It doesn't get much clearer than that. For even more perspective, however, consider that the 14th Amendment was proposed in 1866, the year after the War Between the States' conclusion. The timing was no coincidence: The Citizenship Clause was meant to guarantee citizenship to ex-slaves and their descendants. Moreover, the man who introduced it, coauthor and Ohio senator Benjamin Wade, originally formulated it to read that it would apply to "persons born in the United States or naturalized by the laws thereof." As the Federalist pointed out Monday, too, "Such language may have lent slightly more credence to the left's claim that anyone born here is a citizen." And to avoid such misunderstandings is apparently why Senator Howard altered the text, adding the "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" caveat. It thenceforth read: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. This version, not Wade's, is the one that made it into the Constitution, and Howard's elaboration upon the exceptions explains why. It clarifies what "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means, that illegal aliens are not, as the radical immigrationists claim, thus subject. Given this, how can anyone argue for a different interpretation? The answer lies in dishonestyand sometimes in a currently popular "legal philosophy" called "textualism." Advocated by figures such as Justice Neil Gorsuch, it states that constitutional provisions should be interpreted via a "plain reading of the text." Sounds good, I know. The problem is that textualists believe this should be done even when it yields a result contrary to original (to the author's/framers') intent. Why, commentator Bill O'Reilly himself has expressed this notion. He claims there's nothing we can do about birthright citizenship for all because that's what "the Constitution says," and that changing it would require an amendment (impossible to pass). So I'm going to leave you with some relevant food for thought. An analogy: One day a couple's little daughter comes crying to the father, saying "Tommy hit me!" So the dad summons his boy, gives him a tongue lashing and says, "Now, if you hit your sister again, you're going to be sorrier than you can imagine!" So everything is OK for a few hours. But then the girl comes bawling again. "Tommy kicked me!" she wails to dad. So, livid, the father grabs the boy and says, "That's it! You're finished now! You know what I told you just this morning!" "No, no, dad," interjects Tommy, unfazed. "You said not to hit Sarah. You didn't say anything about not kicking her!" Now, what if the father then replied, "Well, ya' got me there, kiddo! That's some good lawyering! I should've phrased that more clearly!"? "Here's your allowance." Ridiculous? Insane? Yes, but it's also something else. Textualism. The father's "ruling"ignoring his "law's" true meaning in favor of wording and denying his daughter justicewas absurd. But it's no more so than thinking a slavery-inspired, 1866 constitutional provision should be used to justify anchor-baby artifice by third millennium Third Worlders. In other words, even if "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" could somehow be interpreted to cover illegals, it matters that the line's author himself specified otherwise. It wouldn't matter, though, to "textualists"; their reading trump's a framer's meaningin their minds. It's crazy. For just as how it's said that the Constitution is not a suicide pact, constitutional interpretation is not supposed to be a stupidity pact. Contact Selwyn Duke , follow him on X (formerly Twitter ), Truth Social , MeWe , Gettr , Tumblr , Instagram or Substack or log on to SelwynDuke.com . Home

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The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has expressed grave concern over the imminent deportation of Guan Heng, a Chinese national whose secret recordings of internment camps in East Turkistan were instrumental in revealing widespread abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic communities. In its press release, WUC stated, "In 2020, Guan Heng secretly documented large-scale detention compounds in East Turkistan, producing rare visual evidence that corroborated survivor testimonies and investigative reporting on the Chinese government's mass repression campaign. His footage was later shared with journalists and researchers and contributed to the growing public record of mass detention, including reporting by BuzzFeed News' Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative team." The press release added that after escaping China, Guan undertook a perilous journey through several countries before arriving in the United States in 2021 in search of protection. Since then, he has lived openly, secured a valid US work permit, and pursued asylum through the US immigration system. WUC highlighted that despite these circumstances, Guan is currently being held at Broome County Jail in New York and is facing deportation not because his asylum application was rejected but solely due to the way he entered the country. Human Rights in China reports that he is awaiting a court hearing in New York scheduled for December 15. WUC stressed that returning Guan Heng to China would place him at serious risk of imprisonment, torture, or enforced disappearance. Because of his efforts to document state abuses and his cooperation with international media, he would likely face retaliation under China's broad national security laws. Chinese security authorities have already interrogated and harassed his family members. The press release noted that the case has sparked deep concern among journalists, human rights groups, and China specialists, who caution that deporting Guan would send a chilling signal to whistleblowers and witnesses to mass atrocities around the world. The World Uyghur Congress urged US authorities to immediately halt all deportation actions against Guan Heng and to ensure that his asylum application is fully and fairly reviewed in accordance with US refugee law and international non-refoulement obligations. The statement emphasised that Guan risked his life to expose crimes the Chinese government sought to hide and that, in light of the United States' recognition of the Uyghur genocide, he must not be returned to the persecution he helped reveal. (ANI)
The alleged enforced disappearance of Farzana Zehri, a resident of Zehri in Balochistan's Khuzdar district, has drawn sharp condemnation from Baloch rights groups and activists, who say her case reflects a troubling pattern of targeting Baloch women. According to Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Farzana, daughter of Muhammad Bakhsh Zehri, was forcibly taken by Pakistani forces on the night of 1 December 2025 while returning home from a hospital in Khuzdar. "Her whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities have neither acknowledged her detention nor provided any legal justification," the group said in a statement. Paank described the incident as "a clear case of enforced disappearance" and a "grave violation of fundamental human rights and international law." The group further noted that the disappearance occurred shortly after Farzana's family had migrated from Zehri to Khuzdar due to security concerns, suggesting a continued pattern of targeting Baloch civilians even after displacement. Paank held the state and its security institutions fully responsible for her safety and demanded her immediate production before a court or unconditional release. Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) said Farzana's disappearance was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of state repression. "These cases reflect the state's fear of Baloch women who are conscious, active, and courageous in their role in the national movement," BVJ said. The group cited other recent cases, including Mahjabeen Baloch, a 24-year-old student abducted from Quetta Civil Hospital in May 2025; 15-year-old Nasreena Baloch, who disappeared in November 2025; and Rahima Baloch, 20, taken from her home in Dalbandin in December 2025. "These incidents suggest a deliberate and organised policy of intimidation and silence," BVJ added. The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) echoed the concerns, describing Farzana's disappearance as part of "a series of shameful state acts in Balochistan." The forum warned that there appears to be a gradual attempt to normalise the enforced disappearance of Baloch women, noting that at least eight women were reportedly disappeared in 2025 alone, though the actual number may be higher. Human rights groups have called on both national and international bodies to take serious notice of Farzana Zehri's case and press Pakistani authorities to end the longstanding practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. (ANI)
The much-anticipated deportation of Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, from Thailand to India is now in its final stage, with top sources indicating they are likely to be sent back to India soon. The brothers are expected to land in Delhi following the deportation. Indian authorities have furnished all required documentation to the Thai side, including the necessary Emergency Certificates (ECs) issued after the brothers' passports were cancelled. Sources confirm that procedural bottlenecks have been largely resolved. Thai immigration authorities are coordinating closely with Indian officials and are preparing to present the case before a local Bangkok court. This court appearance is understood to be the final, mandatory legal requirement under Thai law before a formal deportation order can be executed. Sources close to the matter says,"Relevant documentation is submitted. The matter now moves for its last legal review by a local Bangkok court." Earlier in the day, a legal team representing the Luthra brothers met them in Thai custody for approximately 30 minutes. Thai Police had detained the brothers from a resort in Phuket on Thursday after India had moved to suspend their passports, reported local media. Local police say the detention followed a request from Indian law enforcement. According to Thai authorities, an Indian law enforcement team is also coordinating formalities for the brother's return. This is possible due to an extradition treaty between two countries that is in force since 2015. Thai officials stressed that due process will be followed while cooperation continues between the two countries. Authorities say they will work with their Indian counterparts to ensure a prompt lawful handover. The Embassy of India in Bangkok is also actively coordinating with the Thai authorities regarding the ongoing case. The swift developments signal a breakthrough after earlier reports suggested the case was headed for a prolonged legal battle in Bangkok due to competing claims and human rights issues stemming from the cancellation of their travel documents. On December 6, late at night at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, a devastating blaze claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members. Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra own the restaurant. (ANI)
A. It is strongly recommended to avoid attending mass events that are not secured. This includes events at synagogues, Chabad houses, Hanukkah parties, etc.

B. Be vigilant around Jewish/Israeli sites and report to security forces if anything unusual is detected (suspicious person, suspicious object. (ANI/TPS).
Members of the Indian diaspora in Jordan are enthusiastically preparing to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Amman, with excitement and anticipation building ahead of his visit as part of his ongoing overseas tour. As part of the preparations, cultural performances are being organised, with members of the community expressing pride at the opportunity to present India's traditions before the Prime Minister. One member of the Indian diaspora, who will perform a dance recital, described the moment as both exciting and nerve-wracking. "I am pretty excited as this is a big opportunity to show my talent in front of Modi ji. At the same time, I am nervous. I have been preparing for a week for my dance performance," she said. The sense of honour associated with the Prime Minister's visit is widely shared among Indians living in Jordan. Another member of the diaspora highlighted the significance of the occasion, saying, "It is an honour to welcome PM Modi in Jordan. We are really looking forward to meeting him." Echoing similar sentiments, another community member spoke about the mix of excitement and nervousness ahead of performing for the Prime Minister. "I am really excited, but at the same time I am quite nervous to present my talent in front of PM Modi," the member said, reflecting the collective mood among the Indian community in Amman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, aimed at expanding India's engagement with countries that share deep-rooted civilisational connections and strong contemporary bilateral ties with New Delhi. In his departure statement, PM Modi underlined that the visit would focus on advancing political cooperation, boosting economic engagement and strengthening people-to-people links across West Asia and Africa. "Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilizational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations," he said. The Prime Minister's tour begins in Jordan at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. The visit holds added significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan. Highlighting the milestone, PM Modi said, "This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries." During his stay in Amman, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, with discussions expected to focus on further deepening bilateral cooperation. He will also interact with members of the Indian community in Jordan, whom he has described as having made "significant contributions" to strengthening ties between the two countries. From Jordan, PM Modi will travel to Ethiopia on his first-ever visit to the African nation, following an invitation from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The visit will include discussions with Abiy Ahmed and interactions with the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia. A key highlight of the Ethiopia leg will be PM Modi's address to a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. He said he looks forward to sharing his perspective on "India's journey as the 'Mother of Democracy' and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South." The final leg of the tour will take PM Modi to Oman, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate. In Muscat, he will meet the Sultan of Oman to explore avenues for further strengthening the strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on commercial ties and economic cooperation. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a ceremonial welcome on his arrival in Amman on Monday, marking the start of his official visit to Jordan. Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan received Prime Minister Modi at the airport, formally welcoming him as he began the Jordan leg of his overseas tour. PM Modi is in Jordan from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold talks aimed at reviewing the entire spectrum of India-Jordan relations and exchanging views on regional developments. The Prime Minister will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in the country. Emphasising the importance of the visit ahead of his departure from Delhi, PM Modi said, "First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries." After concluding the Jordan visit, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first visit to the African nation. He is expected to hold detailed discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of bilateral relations. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, also serves as the headquarters of the African Union. Speaking about the Ethiopia leg, PM Modi said, "I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India's G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20." He added, "In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H E Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there." The Prime Minister will also address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. "I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India's journey as the 'Mother of Democracy' and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South," he said. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to strengthening friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation. In the final leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. The MEA said India and Oman share an all-encompassing Strategic Partnership rooted in centuries-old ties of friendship, trade and strong people-to-people connections. The Oman visit coincides with 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations and follows the Sultan of Oman's State visit to India in December 2023. Both sides are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of cooperation across sectors including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Speaking about the Oman leg, the Prime Minister said, "In Muscat, I look forward to my discussions with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and towards strengthening our Strategic Partnership as well as our strong commercial and economic relationship. I will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in Oman, which has contributed immensely to the country's development and in enhancing our partnership." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed a cultural performance on his arrival at a hotel in Amman, marking the beginning of the Jordan leg of his official overseas tour. The cultural reception reflected the warmth extended to the Prime Minister at the start of his visit and set the tone for his engagements during the bilateral trip, with members of the Indian community coming together to welcome him. Sudeshna, a member of the Indian diaspora in Jordan, expressed pride and gratitude after performing a classical dance during the Prime Minister's visit. Sharing her experience, she said, "I performed a classical dance. It's about Lord Shiva. I am thankful to the Indian Embassy for this opportunity to perform before our Prime Minister. I will cherish this moment forever. I'm from Kerala..." Members of the Indian community participated in cultural performances as part of the welcome, reflecting enthusiasm and a strong emotional connection with India during the Prime Minister's visit. Prior to arriving at the hotel, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the Jordanian capital. Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan received him at the airport, formally welcoming the Indian leader as he commenced his official engagements in the country. PM Modi is visiting Jordan from December 15 to 16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold talks aimed at comprehensively reviewing India-Jordan relations and exchanging views on regional developments. He will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora living in the country. The visit assumes added importance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan, lending special significance to this bilateral engagement. Jordan marks the first stop of PM Modi's four-day, three-nation tour, which will also include visits to Ethiopia and Oman as part of India's wider diplomatic outreach. As part of his engagements in Amman, the Prime Minister is set to meet King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein for a one-on-one meeting. The meeting will be followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides. On Tuesday, both leaders are expected to jointly address an India-Jordan business event attended by leading business representatives from the two countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this is Prime Minister Modi's first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan. He had earlier transited through the country in February 2018 while travelling to Palestine. "Even though it was a transit visit, exceptional courtesies" were extended to him by the King, the MEA said at a special briefing in New Delhi last week. It added that "the current full bilateral visit (by an Indian prime minister) is taking place after an interval of 37 years." India and Jordan share strong economic ties, with India being Jordan's third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at USD 2.8 billion, while Jordan remains a key supplier of fertilisers to India, particularly phosphates and potash. (ANI)
Members of the Indian diaspora in Jordan expressed pride and happiness after interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Amman, describing the experience as memorable and deeply emotional. A member of the Indian community who has been residing in Jordan for the past two years said meeting the Prime Minister personally for the first time was a special moment. "I have been in Jordan for the past two years. I am very happy to meet Modi ji face-to-face for the first time," he said. Another diaspora member, Pradeep Agarwal, recalled meeting Prime Minister Modi for the second time and reflected on his earlier interaction during a previous visit. "I got the opportunity to meet Modi ji for the second time. I met him the last time when he came to Jordan, and it was a wonderful experience. When he arrived, I was speechless. We are so proud of him," Agarwal said. The reactions came as Prime Minister Modi was accorded a warm and enthusiastic reception by members of the Indian community on his arrival at a hotel in Amman during his two-day visit to Jordan. The gathering reflected strong emotions and a sense of connection with the Prime Minister. Members of the diaspora assembled with Indian flags and raised slogans of "Modi Modi" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," creating a vibrant atmosphere. Prime Minister Modi interacted with those present, including children, and also watched a cultural performance organised as part of the welcome. Responding to the reception, Prime Minister Modi shared a message on X, expressing his appreciation. "Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman. Their affection, pride in India's progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora. Also grateful for the role the diaspora continues to play in strengthening India-Jordan relations," he said. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2000542222513775055?s=20 In a separate post on X, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Jordanian leadership for the welcome and expressed optimism about the visit. "Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations," he said. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2000528409651531916?s=20 Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan personally received Prime Minister Modi at the airport, a gesture underscoring the significance of the visit, which is being undertaken at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. The visit marks a full bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Jordan after a gap of 37 years. During his stay, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah II, with discussions expected to cover the entire range of India-Jordan relations as well as regional issues of mutual interest. The visit also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan, adding further importance to the engagement. In his departure statement ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Modi highlighted its significance, saying, "This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. During my visit, I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E. Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of Jordan, and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. In Amman, I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to India-Jordan relations." This visit represents Prime Minister Modi's first full-fledged bilateral engagement with Jordan, following his brief transit through the country in February 2018 while travelling to the State of Palestine. (ANI)
Minister for Information Technology and Communication Jagdish Kharel, who is also the government spokesperson, said the Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to allow the import and export of Rs 200 and Rs 500 denomination Indian notes.

"But the cap remains up to Rs 25,000 to be carried between India and Nepal," Kharel told ANI over the phone.

Further elaborating, Kharel said, "The provision has been made for Nepalese or Indian citizens to bring Rs 25,000 per person from India to Nepal and take the same amount from Nepal to India. With the government lifting the ban on high-denomination Indian notes, those notes issued after November 9, 2016, can be brought into circulation."

India had demonetised high-denomination currency notes in 2016, following which the import and export of such notes from Nepal was banned.

Earlier, India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), had made arrangements to allow the import and export of high-denomination Indian notes to Nepal.

After India eased restrictions, the Nepal government also lifted its ban. The RBI had amended the Foreign Exchange Management Regulations, 2015, to permit the import and export of high-denomination Indian notes between Nepal and India.

Following India's demonetisation move in 2016, large-denomination Indian currency notes were not exchanged in Nepal. As a result, Nepal also imposed restrictions on the circulation of Indian currency notes of denominations higher than Rs 100.

The Nepal government has now lifted the ban, taking into account the open border between the two countries and Nepal's trade dependence on India.

At the time of demonetisation, around Rs 50 million worth of Indian currency was present in Nepal's banking system, which is yet to be exchanged. (ANI)
In his message, Lula underscored the central role of democratic values, constructive dialogue among nations, and the importance of maintaining South America as a peaceful and cooperative region.

According to Brasil 247, the statement was released after electoral authorities confirmed the second-round outcome, which signalled a political shift in Chile.

Kast's victory marks the return of right-wing leadership to the La Moneda presidential palace after four years under the left-leaning administration of President Gabriel Boric.

The transition represents a significant change in Chile's political direction.

As highlighted by Brasil 247, Lula also commended the integrity of Chile's electoral system and the strong participation of citizens throughout the voting process.

In a message issued through official presidential channels, Lula congratulated both Kast and the Chilean electorate, praising what he described as a democratic, transparent and well-organised election.

He emphasised that such processes strengthen democratic institutions and public trust.

The Brazilian president went on to wish Kast success as he prepares to assume office and reaffirmed Brazil's willingness to continue and deepen cooperation with Chile, regardless of ideological differences between the two governments.

Lula stressed the importance of preserving robust bilateral relations, particularly in areas such as economic collaboration, trade and regional integration.

He reiterated Brazil's commitment to working with Chile to promote stability and peace across South America.

According to the report, Jose Antonio Kast, a 59-year-old lawyer known for his ultraconservative views, achieved the presidency on his third electoral bid.

His victory aligns with a broader trend of increasing support for far-right political figures in various parts of the Americas.

Kast secured more than 58 per cent of the vote in the runoff, defeating his opponent, Jeannette Jara, who received approximately 42 per cent of the ballots cast. (ANI)
On civilizational erasure By Todd Gregory and Erik Gregory

web posted December 15, 2025 Civilizational erasure, as it relates to Europe, has been in the news lately, with the renewed and scaled-up predations of Islam once again commanding center stage. Islam's resurgence has been a full century in the making, enabled in large part by Western ignorance and enforced taboos against discussing Islam's highly relevant 1,400 year history of mass bloodshed and conquest. Indeed, that history is completely whitewashed by Western academics, whether pseudo-historians like the late Edward Said or execrable and ahistorical oikophobes like Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky. Wikipedia, Google, and Artificial Intelligence also play outsized roles in the academic and historical whitewash. The true history of Islam and what it has wrought through the centuries is not taught to Western schoolchildren. Modern Westerners have zero historical memory of Islam extending back more than a few decades, nor would they be in the least bit curious if they were taught this hugely important but ignored and forgotten topic. Armed instead with the fake morality of luxury beliefs about alleged Western racism or Islamophobia, and fetishizing whatever seems exotic, today's decadent Westerner lacks both the moral and physical courage that enabled his distant forebears to beat back the centuries-long Muslim onslaught, which finally ignited Europe's Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment. Regionally, and over the centuries, Muslims were known to Europeans by many names. The Muslim Moors of North Africa (Berbers and Arabs) invaded, conquered, and occupied a vast swath of Western Europe, including present day Portugal and Spain (for nearly 800 years), along with significant territory in France. Al Andalus is romanticized by fawning, servile Western scholars as a great flowering, with Muslims, Jews, and Christians all living side by side in multicultural harmony, singing Kumbaya together for almost a full millennium. Indeed, to this day, many Spaniards and Hispanics bear Arabic names like Omar and Medina. The reality behind this sanitized gossamer of ahistoricism was the opposite. Before they were finally evicted from Spain in 1492, the Moors brutally subjugated and pacified their European victims, murdering, taxing, and enslaving millions, with countless women and children taken as unwilling concubines and war booty (the double entendre applies in the worst way). It certainly was a Golden Age for Islam as Muslims appropriated European culture and knowledge for their own ends, but it was no Golden Age for its millions of dhimmified European victims. In medieval Europe, the Muslims were also known as Saracens. The swarthy Saracens did not invade Europe in order to liberate or enlighten the supposedly backward, pale-skinned European Christians, but rather to rape, plunder, and appropriate Europe's treasures and human capital. Europe's so-called Dark and Middle Ages, its relative stagnation, had far more to do with unwanted and uninvited Islamic occupiers than with the fall of Rome or the Spanish Inquisition. Muslim pirates (largely of the Barbary Coast; modern Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco) were also known as Corsairs. Well over one million Europeans were kidnapped and killed by the African Barbary Muslim pirates, with many surviving captives enslaved and sold at market. Their stories are untold today. Indeed, most Westerners have a benign mental image of the fun-loving Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and their eyes glaze over if you try to explain the truth of the African Muslim pirates. In Southeastern and Central Europe, Muslim Turkic invaders were known as Ottomans. The Ottoman Empire largely eviscerated present day Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and other Balkan nations, along with Hungary and parts of Poland and Austria in Central Europe. The story in the Balkans was the same as elsewhere  conquest, displacement, wholesale slaughter, rape, widespread concubinage of women and children, little Christian boys kidnapped and converted into Janissaries, and attempted genocide as Muslims annexed territory by the sword. Indeed, Christian Armenia endured a genocide at the hands of the Muslim Turks early in the 20th century, before Ataturk abolished the Caliphate. Since the end of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924, Islam has terrorized, murdered, and enslaved millions of Christians throughout Africa and the Middle East, but was too weak and divided to attack and terrorize the modern West; that is, until fairly recently when Western governments began loudly encouraging and facilitating large-scale Muslim migration into Western countries. The exhaustively long list of terror attacks against the West in recent years needs no recounting; for both a historical and updated list, see here. If you are a reader of European descent, it is almost certain you had a distant genetic ancestor who was killed, raped, or enslaved by Muslims somewhere in Europe. And as most Enter Stage Right readers are aware, Muslim depredations against a nascent America's merchant ships in the 1790s became the raison d'etre for America's navy. Beyond Europe, in what historian Will Durant labeled the bloodiest chapter in human history, the Mughal empire (Mongolian-Turkic Muslims of Central Asia) conquered and subdued the Indian subcontinent, slaughtering tens of millions of polytheistic Hindus. With unmistakable relish, Western educators attack the British empire for its (comparatively tame) subsequent exploitation of the Indian subcontinent (while also bringing education and infrastructure and eliminating cultural barbarities like suttee), while completely ignoring the exponentially more destructive and deadly Muslim Mughal conquest and occupation of India. Further, in keeping with their largely stunted hereditary IQs, Muslim invaders were hardly known for their accurate record-keeping, so a full tally of the astronomical death toll in India and Europe wrought by the Mughals, Moors, Arabs, Ottomans, and others is beyond reach. By contrast, the British colonizers who arrived later in India kept reasonably accurate records, recording censuses, deaths by starvation, disease, rebellion, droughts, cyclones, and the like, all of which gives us a better guesstimate of the suffering in India under British rule. Returning to the theme of civilizational erasure, sadly, that horse already left the barn in Western Europe. Nations in Central and Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia (the Visegrad Four) still have a fighting chance to resist the crescent tide that has swept away Western Europe  but only if they keep their borders completely closed to Muslims and eventually extricate themselves from the clutches of the European Union. Many Christmas markets in Europe are now closed due to "uncontrolled vehicles" and related Islamist threats while church bells and caroling fall silent in order to avoid offending Muslims. Meanwhile, the Muslim muezzin sounds triumphantly throughout Western Europe, and even in American cities of the Upper Midwest. Islamic supremacism is on the march, its triumphalism further augmented by its allyship with Western progressives who denounce any reminders of Christianity, including celebrations of Christmas. Every Muslim terror organization is merely a branch on a very large tree (an alphabetized list starting with Al-Qaeda would produce dozens of known terror groups). The tree is Islam, and it has many branches, a sturdy trunk older and more fire-resistant than most of the Sequoias, and deep roots. Islamists see the world as a Manichean binary; there is the Dar al-Islam (House of Islam) and the Dar al-Harb (House of War, lands not under Islamic Sharia law). While difficult for Westerners to comprehend, Islamists deploying terrorist organizations to advance the cause of their religion are perversely akin to the international Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Elks clubs and charities administered by non-Muslims. When terrorist attacks happen in America, Islamist front groups like CAIR are often compelled to issue rote, generic condemnations (e.g. we condemn terrorism against innocents in all its forms). Note the qualifiers in such press releases; CAIR never specifically condemns Islamist-inspired terrorism. Moreover, CAIR doesn't consider non-Muslim victims of terrorism to be innocent. Only Muslims can be considered innocent, and criticizing fellow Muslims is considered haram, with only one exception: It is OK to to criticize a Muslim for being insufficiently observant or Islamic. For non-Muslims in most Western countries, simply noticing or drawing attention to the puritanical teachings and practices of Islam is now grounds for arrest and incarceration. Burn a Koran or post a meme mocking Islam and go to prison for a hate crime. Burn a Bible and, hey, you're a progressive rock star bravely speaking truth to power. Cowardly, corrupt Western governments have chosen sides, and citizens of the West all know the drill by now. Will the governments of the Anglosphere learn their lesson from the Western European canary that dropped dead in the coal mine? Events in locales as varied as Australia, Minnesota and the United Kingdom (indeed, it appears as if all of native Albion is bent over and grabbing its ankles, undergoing a government-administered and Muslim-approved cavity search) strongly suggest the answer is No. To paraphrase the otherwise cartoonish James Carville, it's the demography, stupid. The brothers are previous contributors to Enter Stage Right. An abridged version of this article appeared in American Thinker. Home

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in Amman on Monday, expressing appreciation for the warm reception accorded to him and reiterating India's resolve to strengthen bilateral relations with Jordan further. During the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked the Jordanian leadership for their hospitality and noted the constructive suggestions to enhance cooperation between the two countries. "I express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation. You have shared very positive ideas for taking India-Jordan relations to new heights. I sincerely thank you for your friendship and your deep commitment to India," PM Modi said. Highlighting the broader significance of the engagement, the Prime Minister referred to the milestone year in bilateral ties. "This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. This milestone will continue to inspire us to move forward with renewed energy for many years to come," he said. Looking ahead, PM Modi expressed confidence that the discussions would inject fresh momentum into cooperation across key areas. "I am confident that today's meeting will give a new impetus and depth to our relations. We will cooperate in areas such as trade, fertilisers, digital technology, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges," he added. The talks took place during the Jordan leg of Prime Minister Modi's three-nation tour. On arrival in Amman, the Prime Minister was received by Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, marking the formal start of the visit, which coincides with 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan. India and Jordan share long-standing friendly relations based on mutual respect and cooperation, with their first cooperation agreement signed in 1947 and full diplomatic relations established in 1950. After concluding his engagements in Jordan, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17 for his first official visit to the African nation. He is expected to hold talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, in Addis Ababa, which also hosts the headquarters of the African Union, set to be a key venue for discussions. The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to strengthening friendship and expanding cooperation. In the final leg of the tour, Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. The MEA said India and Oman share a comprehensive Strategic Partnership shaped by centuries-old ties of friendship, trade and strong people-to-people connections. The visit comes at a time when India and Oman mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and follows the Sultan of Oman's State visit to India in December 2023. During the visit, both sides are expected to take stock of cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, technology, agriculture and culture, while also exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded Jordan's leadership for projecting a "strong and strategic message to humanity" in confronting terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, highlighting the close alignment between India and Jordan on these issues during his visit to Amman. At delegation-level talks with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, Prime Minister Modi said both countries share a "common and clear position" against terrorism. He noted that his earliest interactions with the Jordanian monarch took place at international forums focused on countering violent extremism, underscoring a long-standing convergence in their perspectives. Recalling those engagements, the Prime Minister said, "Our first meetings were at global platforms focused on fighting violent extremism. Even then, Your Majesty spoke with clarity and conviction. Under your leadership, Jordan has consistently conveyed a powerful message against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation." Prime Minister Modi also referred to Jordan's role in efforts aimed at peace and stability in West Asia, particularly on Gaza. "You have played a very active and positive role on the issue of Gaza from the very beginning. We all hope that peace and stability will prevail in the region," he said, while thanking the Jordanian leadership for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation. He added that the discussions and ideas shared during the talks would help take India-Jordan relations to "new heights," indicating scope for deeper engagement across several areas of cooperation. In response, King Abdullah II said Prime Minister Modi's visit symbolised decades of friendship, mutual respect and productive cooperation between the two countries, placing the current dialogue within the broader framework of bilateral relations. The Jordanian monarch said India and Jordan enjoy a strong partnership and share a common vision of advancing prosperity for their people. "Over the years, our collaboration has expanded across multiple sectors. Your visit provides an important opportunity to chart new paths of economic cooperation in areas such as industry, ICT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and energy, among many others," he said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Amman as part of his three-nation tour covering Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. He was received at the airport by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded him a formal welcome. Ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Modi had said the tour would focus on countries with which India shares deep civilisational links as well as strong contemporary partnerships. From Jordan, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. In the concluding phase of the tour, the Prime Minister will visit the Sultanate of Oman, where he is set to interact with the Indian diaspora and hold discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral cooperation. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a series of high-level meetings in Abu Dhabi during which he held discussions with the UAE's Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Investment Company, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. In a post on X, EAM stated that discussions were focused on strengthening economic and defence cooperation during his meeting with UAE VP Sheikh Mansour. "Honoured to call on Vice President HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of UAE today in Abu Dhabi. Had a productive discussion on deepening economic and defence cooperation," the EAM said. Following his meeting with Sheikh Mansour, the EAM also met Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, during which they held talks on the evolving global geo-economic landscape and the importance of further strengthening India-UAE relations, while also highlighting emerging avenues for economic cooperation. "Pleased to meet HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, MD & Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company. Exchanged views on the global geo-economic situation and the need to further strengthen relations between India-UAE. Also apprised him of emerging opportunities for economic cooperation," Jaishankar said in another post on X. The meetings came as part of the EAM's ongoing trip to the UAE, where he co-chaired the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Jaishankar will also be visiting Israel following his engagements in the UAE, during which he will hold bilateral consultations with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, the Minister of External Affairs said in a statement. "Following his participation in Sir Bani Yas Forum, EAM will co-chair the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, in Abu Dhabi today. He will thereafter pay a visit to Israel and hold bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar," the MEA statement read. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) stated that the peace deal to end the four-year-long running war between Ukraine and Russia is 'closer than ever' following ongoing talks between European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. Speaking at the White House, Trump emphasised that the United States is receiving "tremendous support" from European leaders, including Germany, Italy, France, the UK, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands, who also wish to see an end to the conflict. "We are going to get it done. I think we are closer now, and they will tell you that they are closer now with numerous conversations with President Putin of Russia. And I think we are closer now than we have ever been... We want to save a lot of lives," Trump said. "We are getting closer. We are having tremendous support from European leaders that want to get it ended also," he added. The US President also noted the challenge of aligning Russia and Ukraine on the timing and terms of a potential deal, saying, "At this moment, Russia wants to get it, but the problem is they will want to end it, and all of a sudden they want it, and Ukraine will want to get it ended and all of a sudden they won't. We have to get them on the same page." Trump's comments come after hours-long diplomatic discussions between the US, European, and NATO leaders and Zelenskyy in Berlin to negotiate a resolution to the war in Ukraine. According to Al Jazeera, European leaders have agreed to be part of any Western security guarantees for Ukraine, with control over territory remaining one of the main obstacles. Earlier, the Ukrainian President previously indicated that Ukraine is ready to forgo its NATO membership ambitions in exchange for security assurances from the West. Meanwhile, overnight, Russia launched 153 drones at Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials reporting that 17 reached their targets, while Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its forces destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
TOKYO, Dec 15 (News On Japan) - A fire broke out inside a private sauna facility in Tokyos Akasaka district, leaving a man and a woman in their 30sbelieved to be customersdead as investigators began examining how the blaze started and why the pair were unable to escape.

The incident was discussed with former Tokyo Fire Department Special Rescue Team member Akira Tanaka, who noted that an alarm reportedly sounded, suggesting that the saunas automatic fire detection system had been activated by heat or smoke. Tanaka said this indicates that an actual fire had occurred inside the facilitys third-floor sauna room.

Anchor Minoru Aoi asked about the scale of the fire, noting that the exterior walls did not appear heavily damaged. Tanaka explained that saunas use stoves as a heat source and manufacturers specify the minimum safe distance between the stove and any combustible materials, adding that whether those standards had been maintained would likely become a focus of the investigation.

Anchor Manami Miyaji pointed out that the saunaoperated under the name SAUNATIGERoffers private rooms where customers may bring in personal items such as smartphones, according to available information. She asked what could serve as an ignition source inside a sauna. Tanaka replied that towels or other items brought into the room can ignite if placed too close to the stove, and he added that smartphones equipped with lithium-ion batteries can pose a risk in the high-temperature, high-humidity sauna environment. He said investigators will examine whether such factors played a role.

Miyaji also asked about the circumstances in which the two victims were found collapsed near the saunas entrance. Tanaka said it is possible they succumbed not directly to flames but to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide created by incomplete combustion, which could have caused oxygen deprivation and made normal breathing impossible.

Aoi then turned to commentator Akiko Iwata, noting that sauna culture has grown increasingly popular but incidents like this raise broader safety concerns. Iwata said that while many people enjoy saunas, operators must reinforce fire-prevention measures and customers should remain cautious about flammable objects and ensure they know evacuation routes.

Aoi added that facilities are required to meet fire-safety standards before opening. Tanaka confirmed that saunas must comply with strict installation criteria under the Fire Service Act and local fire-prevention ordinances, with authorities inspecting equipment before granting operating permits. He said investigators will also review whether maintenance and regular inspections of alarms and related devices had been properly conducted.

Asked about the key points for the ongoing investigation, Tanaka said authorities will seek to determine the exact cause of the fire and clarify why the two victims were unable to escape, with police and fire officials expected to work jointly on the case.

Source: FNN
Gaza after the war: Hamas, society, and the problem of what comes next By Noor Dahri

web posted December 15, 2025 Any serious assessment of Gaza's future after the war must begin with an unflinching recognition of what Hamas has been in Gaza: not merely a militant faction, but a ruling system embedded in society. For nearly two decades Hamas served as Gaza's only effective governing authority, enforcing order through fear, Islamist legitimacy, and a deep administrative network rooted in Muslim Brotherhoodstyle institutions. That long tenure produced a political reality in which Hamas became an "institute across Gaza," shaping culture, education, and everyday life. Consequently, the question of Gaza "after Hamas" is not only military or politicalit is also social and generational. Hamas After the War: Weakened but Not Erased Militarily, Hamas has been badly damaged. Its command structure has suffered heavy losses; much of its tunnel and base infrastructure has been dismantled; recruitment hubs such as mosques have been hit; and its capacity to administer the Strip from inside Gaza is sharply reduced. Yet Hamas retains the ability to regenerate. The group has reportedly recruited large numbers of new fighters since October 2023, replenishing manpower even if those recruits lack the earlier professional command-and-control systems. Hamas's ideological appeal remains durable because hostility toward Israel in Gaza is not dependent on Hamas alone; rather, Hamas has cultivated a social base that can keep it alive even without formal rule. This produces a strategic paradox: Hamas may be too weakened to govern Gaza effectively in the short run, but still strong enoughthrough ideology, loyalty networks, and residual armed capabilityto prevent stable alternatives from taking root. The Limits of Disarmament and "Demilitarization" From a doctrinal standpoint, Hamas is not structured to surrender arms. The organization's self-identity is inseparable from jihad, martyrdom, and resistance; disarmament is framed internally as betrayal of a divine cause. Unless Hamas loses popular legitimacy for armed struggle, and unless credible paths to security guarantees and political inclusion are offered, voluntary demobilization is close to impossible. None of those enabling conditions currently exist. Hamas thus has every incentive to reorganize under another name or structure rather than dissolve. Even if Hamas were hypothetically to accept disarmament, Gaza's wider armed ecosystem would still remain. The Strip contains dozens of jihadist factions and clan-based militias, many of which are hostile to Israel and in some cases more extreme than Hamas. The power of guns in Gaza is not exclusive to Hamas; it is a defining feature of governance and social hierarchy. Demilitarization, therefore, is not a discrete technical step but a multi-layered conflict over authority. Deradicalization as a Generational Challenge The third constraint is social: Hamas is sustained by a public it helped shape. Over decades Hamas embedded religious and political indoctrination into schools, mosques, charities, youth institutions, and cultural life, producing a population in which jihadist framing became routine and institutionalized. This is particularly acute in what can be called the "Hamas Generation"roughly 1.4 million Palestinians across Gaza and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) born and raised under Hamas's ideological influence. For these cohorts, Hamas is not simply a faction; it is part of the worldview they inherited. Accordingly, deradicalizing Gaza is measured in decades, not months. It cannot be achieved only through counter-terror measures, because radicalization is tied to broader structural factors: clan authority, militia culture, unemployment, weak justice systems, political instability, and the absence of credible civic opportunity. Without improvements in security, governance, services, and economic dignity, the public will not abandon violent ideologiesregardless of who is ruling. Israel's Divide-and-Weaken Strategy and the Clan Question Faced with Hamas's resilience and the vacuum left by war, Israel has revived a divide-and-weaken strategy, backing clan-based militias opposed to Hamas. Israeli leadership has publicly acknowledged activating these clans and providing them support. The logic is straightforward: if Hamas cannot be uprooted directly, it may be contained by empowering rivals inside Gaza. However, this strategy has severe structural risks. Clan militias are weaker, less cohesive, and less legitimate than Hamas. Many have criminal affiliations or ideological ties to extremist currents. Supporting them may fragment Gaza further, worsening the "power vacuum" rather than resolving it. The precedent is not encouraging: earlier Israeli divide-and-rule efforts against the PLO helped Hamas rise in the first place. The documents underscore the core dilemmatoday's tactical partners can become tomorrow's strategic threats. The Governance Deadlock Gaza cannot stabilize without a strong, coherent, and legitimate governing authority capable of monopolizing force. Yet every plausible governance option is constrained. Hamas is rejected by Israel and much of the international community, but remains socially rooted and militarily adaptive.

The Palestinian Authority is viewed by Israel as unacceptable, and by many Gazans as no more legitimate than Hamas.

Clan militias are too fragmented and weak to govern, and may deepen lawlessness.

External Arab or international stabilization forces are hesitant to deploy deeply, fearing entanglement with Hamas and tunnel warfare, and lacking a clear mandate accepted by locals. Thus, Gaza sits in an unresolved triangle of problems: disarmament without political settlement is unrealistic; deradicalization without social transformation is impossible; and governance without credible sovereignty is unstable. Gaza's post-war trajectory will be decided less by declarations of peace plans and more by the hard realities of ideology, society, and power. Hamas is militarily weakened yet unlikely to disarm; its influence persists because it is embedded in a radicalized society and reinforced by generational continuity. Israel's divide-and-weaken approach may disrupt Hamas tactically but risks accelerating fragmentation. Meanwhile, demilitarization and deradicalization are not single policiesthey are long-term transformations requiring security, governance legitimacy, and economic reconstruction simultaneously. In short, Gaza's future turns on whether a non-Hamas authority can emerge that is strong enough to govern, legitimate enough to win public compliance, and capable enough to dismantle the wider militia culture that Hamas helped entrench. None of those conditions currently exist at scale. Until they do, Hamas, or its successor forms, will remain a central actor in Gaza's political ecosystem, regardless of whether it sits formally in government. Noor Dahri is a British-Pakistani writer, public speaker, and a counter terrorism researcher. He is executive director at Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism- ITCT and is a contributing writer at Homeland Security Today. He is the author of two books, "Global Jihad, Islamic Radicalisation and Counter Strategy," and "Terra Nullius: The Rebirth of a Land Without Peace." Noor is currently studying toward an MSc in Terrorism, Policing, and Security at the University of Leicester. Home

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Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said on Dec 15 it will launch nine new direct routes next year across Europe, Africa and the Americas, advancing its strategy to position Casablanca as a global hub and deepen Moroccos international connectivity.

RAM confirmed, in a statement, it will start CasablancaSaint Petersburg in January 2026 and CasablancaLos Angeles in June 2026.

From April 2026, the carrier will add five more routes from Casablanca to Bilbao and Alicante in Spain, Beirut in Lebanon, Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo, and Tripoli in Libya.

The Italian routes will be strengthened with a nonstop CasablancaVerona service from June 20, 2026, complementing existing links to Rome, Milan, Bologna, Naples, Catania, Turin and Venice.

In France, RAM plans to open a CasablancaLille route in July 2026.

These new lines mark a key step in our growth plan, Chairman and Chief Executive Hamid Addou said in the statement.

Since 2023, we have welcomed around ten additional aircraft, increased frequencies on several strategic destinations and opened nearly twenty international routes. In 2026, we take another step with at least nine new routes, strengthening Moroccos connectivity with major global cities and contributing to the Kingdoms economic and tourism prominence, he said.

RAM said the move is anchored in a dual-track expansion: scaling up the medium-haul network while extending long-haul operations as new aircraft enter the fleet.

The airline also intends to raise frequencies on long-haul routes it deems strategic, including Sao Paulo, Miami and Washington, as well as Dubai. The incoming long-haul aircraft are slated to feature upgraded cabins, higher comfort standards and connected onboard services aligned with international benchmarks.
Despite a lastminute venue ban and what organizers described as attempts by Algerian authorities to derail the event, the Kabyle independence movement MAK on Dec 14, as planned, proclaimed the independence of Kabylia at a ceremony in central Paris, unveiling the name Federal Republic of Kabylia.

The event took place in a venue near the Arc de Triomphe before a large audience of activists, movement cadres and foreign guests.

After the formal declaration, Ferhat Mehenni, the president of the MAK- introduced as president of the new republic- delivered a speech, followed by the Kabyle national anthem.

Organizers said parliamentarians, association leaders and activists from France, Canada, Israel and the United Kingdom addressed the gathering, calling the announcement historic.

The ceremony, they added, drew wide attention on social media, even as travel and security disruptions affected some international invitees.

The proclamation went ahead amid heightened tensions and logistical hurdles. The ceremony had been scheduled at the Palais des Congres in Versailles (Yvelines) but was prohibited by a prefectural order citing a serious risk of public disorder.

The MAK filed an urgent appeal with the administrative court, though organizers said the court did not rule within the timeframe they had hoped.

The movement then shifted to a private venue to comply with French law and avoid a public street gathering.

A significant police presence surrounded the site to prevent incidents. According to organizers, Algerian authorities and allied groups sought to torpedo the event, mobilizing members of the diaspora and arranging buses from across France to stage counterrallies. No major clashes were reported during the indoor ceremony.

The unilateral proclamation marks an unprecedented moment in Algerias post1962 political history, signaling what the MAK describes as a transition from identity advocacy to an openly independencefocused strategy.

Movement leaders say the move is designed to internationalize the Kabyle question and engage public opinion, foreign chancelleries and international institutions.

The MAKs announcement comes amid what the movement characterizes as a period of heightened nervousness in Algerias leadership. While the organizers presented Sundays ceremony as a peaceful and legal act held on private property, they acknowledged the broader contest over narrative and legitimacy that will follow, including diplomatic outreach and efforts to secure recognition.

MAK activists have faced years of persecution, surveillance, raids, and prosecutions under Algerias expanded terrorism laws, since authorities designated the Kabyle movement as a terrorist group in May 2021, a label used to justify sweeping arrests of dissenters.

Foreign governments have repeatedly questioned that designation. In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2021, the U.S. State Department assessed the MAK as more political than security focused, noting the groups do not appear to have committed what the United States defines as terrorist acts, while later human rights reporting highlighted Algerias overly broad terrorism provisions and their use against peaceful activists.

This pattern of repression echoes the 2001 Black Spring in Kabylia, when security forces met protests with lethal force, leaving 126 dead and thousands injured, a trauma that continues to shape Kabyle grievances today.
A rights group in Sudans North Kordofan state said on Sunday, 14 December, it documented the rape of 12 women by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the town of Bara, following the groups seizure of the area in late October.

The Gender Equality Network said it verified that the assaults occurred during the RSFs invasion of Bara, adding that the victims are currently receiving medical care and shelter in displacement camps within the state. The findings align with a report by the Sudan Doctors Unions Preliminary Committee, which said on 6 November that 11 women were treated for sexual assault at El-Obeid Teaching Hospital.

Medical sources said the hospital continues to receive one to two victims of sexual violence from Bara each day. Doctors also warned of a worsening health crisis linked to the conflict. Six pregnant women reportedly suffered miscarriages due to trauma and exhaustion while fleeing the town, while dozens of displaced pregnant women are facing anemia and malnutrition. More than 150 children were reported to be malnourished amid acute food shortages and limited access to healthcare.

Violence in Bara forms part of a broader escalation in Greater Kordofan, which has emerged as a major conflict zone since late October. The United Nations reported on 4 December that at least 269 civilians had been killed in Bara since the RSF takeover on 25 October, citing airstrikes, shelling and summary executions.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), on Sunday, 14 December, commended Libya for completing the third phase of its municipal elections, describing the process as largely calm and orderly, with voter turnout estimated at 69 percent.

In a statement posted on X, UNSMIL, citing the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), praised the role of local authorities, security agencies and observers in ensuring a safe and credible voting process. The mission stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the elections and resolving any disputes through established legal mechanisms, while reaffirming its support for Libyan-led efforts to advance inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes.

Libyans cast their ballots on Saturday in nine municipalities  Tobruk, Qaminis, Sebha, Tokra, Al-Abyar, Suloug, Benghazi, Sirte and Qasr Al-Jadi  with 922 candidates, including 284 women, contesting 87 municipal council seats. The municipal elections have unfolded in phases. The first phase concluded on 16 November 2024 in 58 of Libyas 143 municipalities, followed by the launch of the second phase on 16 August.

Alongside municipal polls, many Libyans continue to push for long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections to resolve the political deadlock that has persisted since early 2022. The country remains divided between a Benghazi-based administration appointed by the House of Representatives and led by Osama Hammad, and the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.
The installation of General Abbas Ibrahim as head of the Central Directorate of Army Security (DCSA) on December 13, under a presidential decree dated December 8, is the latest move in a pattern of rapid rotations across Algerias security and executive branches. He replaced Mahrez Djeribi, who had led the military intelligence service since March 2023.

Recent years have seen serial changes at the top of Algerias intelligence organs, most notably the DGSI, where veteran officer General Abdelkader Ait Ouarabi (Hassan) returned to lead the service in May 2025.

The cadence extends well beyond the security sphere. Since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune took office, Algeria has cycled through four prime ministers: Abdelaziz Djerad (20192021), Aymen Benabderrahmane (20212023), Nadir Larbaoui (November 2023August 2025), and Sifi Ghrieb (appointed interim in August 2025 and confirmed in midSeptember).

Foreign policy leadership has also turned over. In March 2023, Ahmed Attaf replaced Ramtane Lamamra as foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle.

The finance portfolio has seen multiple switches since 2020: Benabderrahmane (20202022), Abderrahmane Raouya (FebJun 2022), Brahim Djamel Kassali (Jun 2022Mar 2023), Laaziz Fayed (Mar 2023Feb 2025), and Abdelkrim Bouzred (since Feb 2025).

Frequent reshuffles can allow the presidency to reset priorities quickly and project responsiveness. But they also shorten planning horizons, disrupt institutional memory and complicate coordination with external partners, especially in intelligence and finance, where continuity is central to performance and credibility.

The latest change at the DCSA underscores how rotation has become a governing tool, not an exception contributing to uncertainty and dysfunctional governing style that has become a distinctive feature of the regime under the leadership of the civilian-military duo of Tebboune and Chengriha.
An oil tanker carrying crude from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) unloaded its cargo at a U.S. port at the very end of last month  the first since the reopening of the critical Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) around two months ago. According to industry data, many more such cargoes are expected in the coming day, weeks, and months. Although the U.S. has a genuine use for the medium-heavy sour Iraqi Kurdish blend, these imports are about a lot more than oil and following the recent rocket attack on the KRIs Khor Mor gas field, the timing of this resumption of oil exports to the U.S. looks particularly well-judged.

The Khor Mor attack was the most significant since the July barrage of drone strikes on several of the KRIs oilfields that reduced output by around 150,000 barrels per day (bpd). This gas field in the Sulaymaniyah region of Iraqi Kurdistan did not affect the regions oil production or exports, but it is a key provider of energy for the areas power generation, so the attack caused widespread power outages. Although there were no official claims of responsibility for the attack, senior security sources close to Iraqs Oil Ministry highlight the likely involvement of Iran  through one of its many Iraqi conduits  as ultimately being behind it for two reasons. First, as a warning of more to come if the KRI continues to develop its still largely latent gas potential, which would allow Iraq as a whole to more easily reduce its long-running dependence on Iran for up to 40% of its power needs through gas and electricity imports. Second, to re-enforce the wedge between Iraq and the U.S. that centres on this continued relationship between Baghdad and Tehran, which looks to be reducing with a recent influx of Western firms back into the country.

Related: Kazakhstan Battles Big Oil in $3.5 Billion Arbitration Case

Several such companies have been working on allowing Iraq to capture more of the gas that emerges as a by-product of oil drilling (associated gas) and was for decades just burned away. The raw figures for these operations has always looked compelling, with official estimates that Iraqs proven reserves of conventional natural gas amount to 3.5 trillion cubic metres (tcm) or about 1.5% of the world total, placing it 12th among global reserve-holders. This said, around three-quarters of these proven reserves consist of associated gas. However, Iraq did not revise its figure for proven gas reserves in 2010 at the time of the upwards revision of proven oil reserves, and logical figures for non-associated gas were not provided at the time  or since  from the Iraqi oil and gas authorities either. The International Energy Agency (IEA), though, estimates that ultimately recoverable resources will be much larger than the official estimates of 3.5 tcm  its estimate is 8.0 tcm, of which around 30% is thought to be non-associated gas. This means that almost 40% of the resources yet to be found are expected to be in non-associated gas fields.

Nonetheless, there has been some progress in recent years, with the most notable being British energy giant Shells efforts relating to the Basrah Gas Company, focused on turning associated gas from Iraqs southern oilfields into fuel for power and exports. More recently, Frances TotalEnergies launched its own Gas Growth Integrated Project with a similar aim as part of its broader US$27 billion four-pronged deal with Iraq. As fully analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order, several earlier attempts led mainly by U.S. firms had failed to make meaningful headway on Iraqs gas flaring  and reducing its energy dependence on Iran  principally because of deep-rooted opposition to this change in Baghdad, supported by Tehran. That said, the Kurdistan Region had long looked a better prospect to the West, before Russian influence dramatically expanded there with Rosnefts effective takeover of the regions oil sector in late 2017, as also detailed in my latest book.

At the time of the last major analysis done by the IEA in 2012, it was estimated that the KRI area held 25 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves and up to 198 tcf of unproven gas resources, around 3% of the worlds total deposits. The figures looked realistic, given that the U.S. Geological Survey believed that undiscovered resources in just the Zagros fold belt of Iraq, a large part of which falls in the KRG area, amounts to around 54 tcf of gas. Discovered reserves, though, total less than 10 tcf of proven plus probable reserves and less than 30 tcf of contingent resources. The bulk of these are non-associated gas deposits located in the Regions central and southern areas, especially those in the Bina Bawi, Khor Mor, Khurmala, Miran and Chemchemal fields. Additionally, the IEA highlighted that judging from the 65% success rate of drilling activity in its oil operations, a high degree of prospectivity in gas operations was likely and this was set to push up gas to the near-1,300 mmcf/d forecast by the end of 2025.

At that point, given the relative lack of focus on its gas sector, Kurdistan still did not possess a fully developed gas infrastructure. Aside from a gas pipeline that ran from Khor Mor via the then-relatively undeveloped Chemchemal field and the Bazian power plant to the Erbil power plant, and a short pipeline that links the Summail field with the Dohuk power plant, facilities for processing plants and pipelines for domestic gas transmission to power plants still needed to be fully completed. This lack of internal and external infrastructure had tended to deter investment in the past, leaving several fields  most notably Miran and Bina Bawi, which together hold 12 Tcf of recoverable gas  effectively stranded and offering operators little value for gas exposure in the market given the lack of export infrastructure. It was this lack of development that Iran has long wanted to keep in play, both through attempting to thwart attempts at investment from the West and in the event that any went ahead trying to disrupt them on the ground using their proxy militia assets in the country.

Consequently, the ongoing investment into the KRIs gas sector by foreign firms, especially directly from the West, has been the target of Iranian-backed destabilisation operations. These have morphed more broadly in recent months into similar operations in the KRIs oil sector too, as seen with the drone attacks in July. As underscored exclusively to OilPrice.com some time ago by a senior energy source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry, Irans view is that: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. On the other side of the power equation, the U.S. and its key allies want the Kurdistan Region (and Iraq more broadly) to terminate all links with Chinese, Russian and Iranian companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the long term. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Kurdistan Region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran. Once these basic elements are understood, then everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen, makes perfect sense.

As such, the continued importation by the U.S. of Iraqi oil source through the KRI should be seen in this context. This is a clear statement of intent by the U.S. and its core allies that they are there to stay, not just in the KRI but in Iraq, and that this will not only involve a surge in exploration and development deals across the entire country, but also financial support to north and south during the entire oil and gas process  from excavation to delivery. Moreover, the on-the-ground presence of Western security personnel will also continue north and south, as is permitted under international law when relating to the safeguarding of valuable assets in a foreign jurisdiction. In short, as a senior Washington-based legal source connected to the U.S. Treasury Department exclusively underlined to OilPrice.com last week: This [the recent oil shipment from Iraq to the U.S.] is just part of the whole which says, were here again now, and this time were not going away.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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What looked at first like a bizarre local accident in western Norway should have set off every alarm bell in Europe.

In April 2025, someone remotely seized control of a hydroelectric dam in Bremanger, opened its floodgates, and let millions of cubic meters of water roar downstream for hours. Only months later did Norways intelligence service quietly confirm that the culprits were linked to Moscow. And this act wasnt meant to destroy the dam  it was a calling card.

Most Europeans still think the war stops at Ukraines border. It doesnt. While Russian artillery pounds Kherson and Kharkiv, a parallel, quieter campaign is being fought inside the engine rooms of Europes economy. The weapons are not tanks but malware, forged documents, anonymous leaks, shadow tankers and well-timed grassroots protests.

The targets are the very things Europe needs to free itself from Russian energy and Chinese raw materials: new liquid natural gas terminals, wind-farm control systems, undersea data cables, rare earth element mines, and the companies bold enough or foolish enough to build them. The numbers can no longer be ignored.

In 2024 alone, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity logged more than 11,000 serious cyber incidents across the European Union, with attacks on industrial control systems jumping to nearly 20 percent of the total. The pattern is unmistakable. When Germanys Enercon lost remote access to 5,800 wind turbines after the 2022 Viasat hack, it was an early proof of concept. Related: ICE To Expand Europes Gas Futures Trading Amid Surging U.S. LNG Demand

Since then Vestas, Nordex, French grid operators, and Italian substations have all been hit. In the Netherlands, someone briefly took over port-logistics systems in Rotterdam and Eemshaven  just as new liquid natural gas import facilities came online.

Coincidence? Hardly.

At sea, the sabotage has moved from plausible deniability to routine. The ruptured Baltic Connector gas pipeline and the severed Estonian data cable in 2024 both carried the same forensic fingerprints European services have learned to recognize. Meanwhile, Russian research ships linger suspiciously close to the arteries that carry 70 percent of Europes internet traffic. And Moscows shadow fleet  comprising hundreds of aging and uninsured tankers  keeps Western sanctions at bay while creating convenient cover for accidental anchor-dragging exercises near critical infrastructure.

On dry land, the Kremlin has turned expropriation into an art form. For example, the Russian subsidiaries of Danone and Carlsberg were simply confiscated in 2023 and handed to regime-friendly oligarchs. Any Western company trying to leave Russia faces a forced fire-sale at a 50 percent discount, plus a 15 percent exit tax that has quietly transferred more than $60 billion into Moscows war chest since 2022. As a result of these onerous conditions, more than 11,000 companies  most from Germany and the U.S.  have remained in Russia, where they contribute an estimated $5 billion in taxes to the Kremlin.

The information war runs in parallel, and it is getting surgical. The DoppelGanger network of fake news sites is the blunt instrument; the sharper tool is the anonymous drip of real but carefully edited corporate documents to journalists and activists.

One of the most instructive current cases is Norge Mining, a British-Norwegian venture sitting on what may be Europes largest undeveloped deposit of phosphate, vanadium and titanium  minerals the continent desperately needs for fertilizers, batteries and fighter jets. Ever since the project moved toward final permits, it has been buried under waves of leaked emails, doctored environmental studies, sudden whistleblowers, cyberattacks and remarkably well-funded local opposition.

Western security services that track Russian economic-intelligence operations say they have seen this playbook before. It works. Even inside Ukraine, corruption is being weaponized. Recent multibillion-dollar scandals in the energy sector did not just enrich a few well-connected oligarchs; they delayed repairs to the grid, slowed the integration of Western aid, and increased the risk of winter blackouts. Some of the key figures involved have direct ties to Andriy Derkach, a former Ukrainian member of parliament now sitting in the Russian Senate and formally designated as a Russian agent.

Kiev has to start treating certain corruption cases as hostile intelligence operations, not just domestic graft. Europe is defending itself the way a porcupine defends itself against a swarm of hornets  one quill at a time, in every direction, never quite sure where the next sting will land. That has to change. What is needed is simple in theory, but difficult in practice: Governments must finally accept that a phosphate mine in Norway or a liquid natural gas terminal in Germany is as strategic as an airbase, and protect them accordingly with intelligence coverage, mandatory cyber standards, and real-time monitoring of subsea infrastructure.

Companies have to grow up fast: early-warning systems for disinformation, proper supply-chain security, and crisis playbooks that do not begin with issue apologetic press release.

The West needs to get serious about offensive countermeasures  targeted sanctions that actually hurt the specific Russian intelligence units, cut-out companies, and oligarchs who finance and execute these operations.

Russia long ago updated its doctrine for 21st-century warfare. Europe is still fighting with 20th-century tools and reflexes as it pretends this is just hybrid mischief rather than an economic war it is now losing piece by piece.

By James Durso via The Hill

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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.

By RFE/RL

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DOJ's opioid war continuing to hurt ordinary Americans in pain By Rachel Alexander

web posted December 15, 2025 The government has been cracking down on the misuse of opioids, but the restrictions have gone too far , hurting ordinary Americans who need them  approximately one quarter of the nation's population suffers from pain. The latest assault causing problems for those suffering, which includes many elderly people, is the Biden DOJ's lawsuits against the pharmacies CVS and Walgreens for prescribing them.



This has resulted in repeatedly denying those in pain the prescriptions their doctors wrote, forcing them to try to convince pharmacists who know nothing about their conditions that they're not criminals, but patients in need of relief. The DOJ launched its nationwide case against CVS about a year ago. Today, we're no closer to a resolution. The lawsuit alleged that CVS "knowingly filled prescriptions for controlled substances," a dramatic headline that masks something much simpler, instead portraying it as far more dangerous. What the DOJ really believes is that pharmacists should second-guess doctors, interrogate patients and override the medical judgment of licensed doctors who have actually examined the people they're treating. CVS responded in its defense that standards for rejecting prescriptions are "vague, undefined, and ever-changing standards of practice," that all filled scripts were from government-licensed prescribers for FDA-approved drugs and that they've led industry efforts against misuse, such as by blocking over 1,250 suspicious prescribers. The DEA published a policy statement in the Federal Register in 2006 admitting that "one cannot provide an exhaustive and foolproof list of 'dos and don'ts' when it comes to prescribing controlled substances for pain or any other medical purpose." Notably, federal law does not "impose a specific quantitative minimum or maximum limit on the amount of medication that may be prescribed on a single prescription, or the duration of treatment intended with the prescribed controlled substance." Walgreens gave up trying to fight and settled with the government earlier this year. However, it responded in a statement after the lawsuit was filed, "We are asking the court to clarify the responsibilities of pharmacies and pharmacists and to protect against the government's attempt to enforce arbitrary 'rules' that do not appear in any law or regulation and never went through any official rulemaking process. We will not stand by and allow the government to put our pharmacists in a no-win situation, trying to comply with 'rules' that simply do not exist." CVS has set up numerous safeguards to prevent fraud, such as voluntarily blocking the dispensing of controlled substances for doctors whose prescribing patterns have raised concern, and developing cutting-edge algorithms to identify forged prescriptions. Their systems provide safety alerts for certain opioid prescriptions, such as those written for particularly high dosages. Pharmacists have access to state prescription drug monitoring databases and are trained on appropriate opioid dispensing multiple times each year. However, "Our past efforts to work with the DEA to improve this situation have been routinely and flatly rebuked by bureaucrats that have no interest in disrupting the status quo," CVS said. Pharmacists are not detectives. They are not DEA agents. Their role in the healthcare system is to dispense medications that doctors determine are medically necessary after evaluating their patients. For over a decade, the government has shifted blame for addiction onto others instead of those misusing drugs and the suppliers. Instead of focusing on illegal fentanyl streaming across the southern border  the real driver of today's overdose crisis  federal prosecutors go after pharmacies filling legitimate prescriptions written by real doctors treating real pain. Only about 1 percent of fentanyl-involved deaths are estimated as due to pharmaceutical fentanyl. Recent figures from the CDC reveal that there were 105,000 drug overdose deaths in 2023, with about 80,000 due to opioids. We've seen where this leads. Overly aggressive opioid crackdowns don't save lives. They push desperate patients into agony, disability and even suicide. Many people, abandoned by the medical system, turn to the streets, where counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are killing Americans at record levels. Pain patients are not the source of the overdose epidemic, yet they are the ones paying the steepest price. By suing CVS and Walgreens, the DOJ sends a chilling message to every pharmacy in America: If you fill opioid prescriptions, you could be the next target. Pharmacies are already responding by refusing to fill legitimate prescriptions, red-flagging ordinary patients and imposing blanket restrictions that override doctors' decisions. This is not justice. It is what happens when bureaucrats believe they understand medicine better than doctors who treat patients face-to-face. Most Americans would be shocked to learn how restricted opioid access has become. The pendulum has swung so far that cancer patients, seniors recovering from major surgery and people with chronic pain that makes daily life excruciating are being denied the medication they need. CDC data shows opioid prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. fell from 46.8 per 100 people in 2019 to 37.5 in 2023  a dramatic drop in just a few years. Meanwhile, research suggests clinicians might now be under-prescribing opioids even for severe conditions like chronic cancer pain due to fear of lawsuits. Yet politicians continue congratulating themselves for "fighting the opioid crisis," even as overdose deaths climb, driven not by prescriptions, but by fentanyl manufactured in Mexico and China. The DOJ's lawsuit won't stop addiction. It won't slow fentanyl trafficking. It won't save a single life. But it will make doctors more fearful and pharmacists more unwilling to fill prescriptions, abandoning legitimate pain patients who depend on the healthcare system for survival. If the DOJ truly wants to protect Americans, it should stop punishing pharmacies for filling lawful prescriptions and start focusing on the real source of overdose deaths. Doctors and patients should be making medical decisions, not prosecutors. Until that changes, the casualties of this misguided crusade won't be narcotics traffickers, but law-abiding Americans, trapped in a war on the wrong drugs. The truth is simple: addiction and chronic pain are two entirely different issues, and Washington's refusal to distinguish between them has caused tremendous suffering. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home

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In a remarkable turnaround, the tiny South American country of Guyana, once one of the continents poorest nations, now ranks among the worlds top 10 wealthiest countries by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In a mere decade, Guyana went from first discovery to be lifting nearly 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the prolific 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block. This, despite the lopsided deal favoring the ExxonMobil-led consortium, which controls the oil acreage, has delivered a massive economic windfall. There are concerns that this breakneck economic growth and the massive income generated by oil will see Guyana struck by the oil curse.

In a recent survey ranking the worlds wealthiest countries using projected 2025 GDP by purchasing power parity per capita, Guyana ranked in 10th place, compared to 107th a decade earlier. This put the former British colony behind wealthy countries like Brunei, Switzerland and Norway but, surprisingly, ahead of the worlds second largest economy, the United States of America. Indeed, Guyanas GDP by purchasing power parity has skyrocketed since oil production began in December 2019. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it rose sevenfold, from $10.69 billion that year, to an estimated $75.24 billion for 2025.

That immense economic expansion saw Guyana, for a brief period, become the worlds fastest-growing economy. From 2022 to 2024, the tiny country of less than one million reported annual GDP growth rates of 63.3%, 33.8% and 43.6% respectively, by far the highest each of those years for a sovereign state.

While growth has dropped off over recent months, despite petroleum output rising because of the start-up of the Yellowtail project, the former British colonys economy is forecast to expand by 10.3% in 2025. This makes Guyana the worlds third fastest-growing economy this year.

The latest government data shows Guyana is pumping around 900,000 barrels per day, making the tiny country South Americas third-largest oil producer behind Brazil and Venezuela. Petroleum production will continue to grow with Exxon developing three additional projects in the Stabroek Block. These are the Uaru, Whiptail and Hammerhead developments with a proposed fourth facility, Longtail, subject to regulatory review. On completion of those three facilities, which start up between 2026 and 2029, will add 650,000 barrels daily, lifting Guyanas total potential production to 1,5 million barrels per day.

There is a fourth facility under development, although it has yet to be approved. This is the 2018 Longtail discovery, which was the Exxon-led consortiums fourth find in the Stabroek Block. The $12.5 billion Longtail project, unlike earlier developments, will be a natural gas and condensate facility. It is currently undergoing environmental permitting, with Exxon expecting to make a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026. Once approved, it is anticipated Longtail will come online during 2030, adding up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 290,000 barrels of condensate daily. This will lift Guyanas hydrocarbon output to over 1.7 million barrels per day.

Once those offshore petroleum assets are operational, the oil produced will boost the former British colonys GDP. The IMF predicts that between 2025 and 2030, Guyanas GDP, based on purchasing power parity, will more than double from $75 million to $156 million. That for a country of less than one million translates to an impressive GDP per capita of just under $193,000. When using this metric, it will make Guyana the worlds second-wealthiest nation, behind Liechtenstein and ahead of Singapore. Such a massive concentration of wealth generated by a single resource, petroleum, is sparking considerable fear that Guyana will be impacted by the oil curse.

This is a phenomenon where a country blessed with copious petroleum resources becomes completely economically and financially dependent on crude oil. This typically leads to poor governance, extreme corruption, malfeasance, democratic backsliding, political instability and eventually internal conflict. A prime example of the oil curse, along with the social, political and economic impact it has on petroleum-dependent nations, is Venezuela. Decades of economic over-dependence on crude oil negatively affected Venezuelas development, destabilising the country and eventually leading to dictatorship and economic collapse.

Incidentally, the Stabroek Block, which is estimated to contain recoverable oil resources of at least 11 billion barrels, has become a target for Caracas. After Exxon made a swathe of world-class discoveries in the offshore acreage, Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, ratcheted up his sabre-rattling and aggressive rhetoric as part of his campaign to reclaim the long-disputed Essequibo region. This area, comparable in size to the state of Georgia, comprises two-thirds of Guyanas territory and is rich in precious metals, diamonds, copper, iron, aluminium, bauxite, and manganese.

You see, the prolific Stabroek Block lies in Guyanas territorial waters that are part of the disputed Essequibo region, an area claimed by Venezuela since independence. Caracas over the last three years has intensified its campaign to regain control of the Essequibo, even threatening to invade the region. There are regular skirmishes between Guyanas army and Venezuelan gangs on the border between the two countries in the Essequibo. Venezuelan military vessels have entered the Stabroek Block to harass and intimidate the crews of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) operating in the offshore oil acreage.

There are very real fears that Guyana, which is a developing country with a history of corruption, lacks the good governance and institutional stability to effectively manage this massive economic windfall generated by this once-in-a-generation oil boom. Already, concerns are emerging about how Georgetown is spending the vast oil profits flowing into government coffers. Georgetown has embarked on a massive infrastructure boom, budgeting $1.2 billion in public works for 2025 to fund new roads, bridges, the development of a world-class deepwater port and public goods such as hospitals. There are, however, considerable concerns that many Guaynese are not benefiting from the tremendous economic windfall generated by oil.

Despite the economy growing at a stunning rate, a sizable portion of the population still lives in poverty. Analysts claim that up to 58% of Guyanese live below the poverty line, although an accurate number is difficult to determine because of a lack of official data. The World Bank estimated in 2019 that 48% of Guyanas population lives below the poverty line. Despite the economys rapid growth, community leaders, nonetheless, claim that much of the wealth generated by the oil boom has yet to trickle down to Guyanas poorest communities, especially in rural regions.

Those fears are exacerbated by Georgetowns growing dependence on volatile international energy markets, at a time when the outlook for crude oil is poor. The international Brent benchmark price is down 17% over the last year, which is sharply impacting oil revenues. Analysts from major financial institutions are forecasting that Brent could plunge into the $30 per barrel range by 2027 due to overwhelming market supply. Unsurprisingly, the rapid development of Guyanas offshore oilfields is a key contributor to this massive jump in non-OPEC global supply growth.

This will sharply impact Georgetowns newly found oil riches. As international oil prices plunge due to an overwhelming supply glut, Guyanas petroleum revenue will plummet. This will be exacerbated by 75% of the petroleum produced from the Stabroek Block being classified as cost oil, thus seeing it excluded from royalties and profit-sharing payments with Guyana. While this will not be enough to roil Guyanas newfound economic boom it has the potential to trigger corruption and malfeasance, leading to uneven development while damaging an increasingly petroleum-dependent economy.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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Chinas LNG demand is disappointing in 2025 for a second year in a row, just as new U.S. export projects ramp up and Qatar is nearing start-up of the first new facilities in its huge capacity expansion.

The wave of new LNG supply that will come online by the end of the decade, mostly from the top exporters, the United States and Qatar, has prompted many analysts to expect an oversupplied LNG market by 2030 that would weigh on prices.

Lower prices could incentivize additional demand from price-sensitive buyers in south and Southeast Asia, but projects for nuclear capacity expansion in the worlds top LNG importers, China and Japan, could reduce demand for imported gas in the long term.

China could even launch the worlds first small modular reactor (SMR) as early as 2026.

If further tests and construction prove successful, a buyers market would give LNG importers new leverage in contract negotiations for long-term supply into the 2030s and 2040s.

The question isnt which technology prevails. The question is how Asian utilities reprice long-term contracts when two clocksLNG expansion and nuclear validationstart running in parallel, each generating data that forces the other to justify its risk premium, geopolitical risk analyst Guney Y?ld?z writes in Forbes.

We are years away from SMRs replacing any gas demand in China. But Japan is working to restart more of its nuclear reactors that were shut down for safety checks after the Fukushima disaster in 2011potentially reducing demand for LNG in the resource-poor G7 nation.

Japans Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, favors accelerating the restart of nuclear reactors as a way to reduce the economys dependence on energy imports.

Related: LNG Supply Expands Faster Than Chinas Demand Growth

Before Fukushima, nuclear energy accounted for about 30% of Japans electricity mix. The disaster prompted the closure of all reactors for safety checks. Since 2015, Japan has restarted 14 reactors out of 33, while 11 others are currently in the process of restart approval, including two reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the worlds largest in terms of nameplate capacity.

In the short term, analysts expect well-supplied and even oversupplied LNG markets amid lower Chinese demand while new supply comes online.

The U.S. is set to export 14.9 billion cubic feet per day of LNG this year, up by 25% from 2024, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) last week. With new projects ramping up, the EIA expects U.S. LNG exports to jump to an average of 16.3 billion cubic feet per day in 2026.

At the same time, Chinas LNG imports have been falling over the past year as domestic production and pipeline imports increase.

Despite warnings of a near-term global LNG glut, top exporters in the Middle East, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), see strong demand going forward and flag insufficient investment in supply in the medium to long term.

The UAE is growing its LNG exports to meet surging global demand that will outpace investment in supply, Energy Minister Suhail al Mazrouei told Reuters last week.

I agree with his excellency, Minister of Qatar, that the demand is going to be much, much more than the projects that we are seeing, the UAE official added.

Earlier this month, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, QatarEnergys CEO and the Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar, said that global LNG demand will grow, led by increased power needs from AI-related data centers.

I have no worry at all about demand in the future. I have a worry about the lack of investment for additional supply in the future, which will cause prices to spike, said Al-Kaabi.

Global supply is currently around 400 million tons of LNG annually, but demand will jump to 600-700 million tons by 2035, the Qatari official noted.

That is an additional 200-300 million tons spearheaded by growth mostly in Asia, but also in the rest of the world, there is also something that we never counted on, whether in 2017 or even just a few years back, and that is artificial intelligence (AI), Al-Kaabi told the Doha Forum in early December.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Advancing ice has prevented an LNG carrier from loading a cargo at Novateks Arctic LNG 2 plant, Bloomberg reported today, citing ship-tracking data.

The Buran, an Arc4 ice-class vessel that can move through icy waters, but up to a point, set off for the Arctic LNG 2 project on the Gydan Peninsula in Western Siberia last month. It reached the Gulf of Bo, where it circled for a while before apparently giving up and set off back to Murmansk. The Buran is under U.S. sanctions.

Earlier reports said loading cargoes from Novateks Siberian LNG facilities had already become challenging as early as October. At the time, it was reported that the same vessel, Buran, had offloaded a cargo at a Kamchatka floating storage unit on October 26, reached the Northern Sea Route north of the Bering Strait on October 29, and had then started trying to make its way along the North Sea Route amid early winter ice.

After more than a year of attempts to sell cargoes amid Western sanctions, Arctic LNG found the usual customer, one LNG import terminal in China, which has been receiving the sanctioned cargoes on blacklisted vessels since August. Chinas Beihai has received at least 11 shipments of Arctic LNG in just two months.

The Arctic LNG 2 project roared back to life in August, in a sign that Russia could be testing the Trump administrations willingness to sanction Russias LNG customers in China. The start of the Russia-China trade from the U.S.-sanctioned project coincided with Vladimir Putins visit to China in late August-early September.

Since June, Novatek has sold more than 1 million tons of liquefied gas from Arctic LNG 2, despite sanctions. Cargo-loading accelerated markedly since August, with Vortexa reporting in September that there were six loaded LNG carriers in transit, carrying gas from the Gydan Peninsula.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on nine entities and individuals for supporting Russias shadow fleet moving oil, as the bloc seeks to further restrict Moscows ability to generate revenues from energy exports.

The Council of the EU sanctioned five individuals and four entities responsible for supporting Russias shadow fleet and its value chain.

The designated individuals are businessmen directly or indirectly linked to Rosneft and Lukoil, which were sanctioned by the United States in October as the White House sought to force the Kremlin to sit down for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

The individuals sanctioned by the EU today are all involved in an economic sector providing a substantial source of revenue to Russias government, the EU said. They also control vessels transporting crude oil or petroleum products, originating in Russia or being exported from Russia, concealing the actual origin of the oil, while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices, the bloc noted in a press statement.

The sanctioned individuals are Murtaza Lakhani, a Canadian-Pakistani oil trader, Valery Kildiyarov, finance director of Lukoils Litasco Middle East DMCC, and Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, and Etibar Eyyubshareholders and/or directors of 2Rivers Group, a UAE based oil-trading company previously known as Coral Energy.

The four entities included in the new sanctions are all shipping companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam, and Russia. These firms either own or manage tankers blacklisted by the EU or by other countries for being part of Russias shadow fleet.

UAE-based Nova Shipmanagement LLC-FZ and Citrine Marine SPC, Vietnam-registered Hung Phat Maritime Trading, and Russia-based SeverTransBunker Company Limited are the companies designated by the EU today.

The fresh EU sanctions come amid still chaotic trade with Russian crude after the U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil upended the buying plans and patterns of most Indian refiners.

Meanwhile, falling oil prices and strengthening Russian currency are set to slash Russias oil and gas revenues by nearly 50% in December from a year earlier, to the lowest level since August 2020, according to Reuters calculations.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The European Union is backtracking on its plan to prohibit the sale of new combustion-engine passenger cars after 2035, as the de facto ban came under fire from major carmakers and strong auto industry lobbies in Germany and Italy.

The EUs executive arm, the European Commission, is expected on Tuesday to push back or ease indefinitely the 2023 decision to end sales of new carbon dioxide-emitting cars and vans in 2035.

The Commission will either postpone the ban by five years or soften the CO2-emitting targets indefinitely, sources from the industry and EU officials told Reuters on Monday.

At the end of last week, Manfred Weber, head of the European Peoples Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, said that a real milestone achieved for millions of employees and the automotive industry: the end of the combustion-engine debate is behind us.

We are delivering on our campaign promise: technological neutrality  we are combining climate protection with economic success, Weber posted on X.

The European Commission will be putting forward a clear proposal to abolish the ban on combustion engines, Weber also said, as carried by Reuters.

According to the official, the ban was a serious industrial policy mistake.

Two of the biggest EU economies, Germany and Italy, have recently pleaded with the EU to allow plug-in hybrids and highly efficient conventional cars to be sold in the bloc even after 2035, as governments look to prop up their massive but currently ailing auto manufacturing industry.

The EU auto industry has suffered in recent months from the U.S. tariffs, the Chinese curbs on rare earth exports, falling EU demand, and competition from the cheaper vehicles made in China.

As early as last year, Germanys car manufacturing giant BMW warned that the EU ban on the sale of gasoline and diesel cars from 2035 is no longer realistic, and the European auto industry would see a massive shrinking with such a ban.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has revealed plans to extend trading hours for its European gas and power futures to match the 22-hour trading cycles of the United States Henry Hub and JKM (Japan Korea Marker) markets. ICE aims to streamline trading flows between Europe, the United States and Asia, giving traders more ways to manage risk amid volatile gas markets. ICE is also helping traders hedge risks by pricing these contracts in USD/MMBtu.



More than 103 million Dutch TTF gas contracts have changed hands on ICE in the current year, a record for the exchange as Europes demand for U.S. LNG keeps climbing. TTF and JKM LNG futures contracts also set new records, signaling deeper liquidity as well as Europes shift away from Russian gas. ICE is expanding its toolkit to help energy investors bridge regional markets, manage wild price swings and adapt to unpredictable supply routes. Longer trading windows coupled with stronger currency flexibility are expected to attract even more participants to the markets and tie global gas hubs closer together.

Europe's LNG imports surged in early 2025, driven by strong demand and efforts to replace Russian pipeline gas, with imports from Russia reaching record highs despite political tensions, though the EU agreed to phase them out by 2027.

While overall gas consumption was expected to slightly decline in 2025 due to renewables, LNG volumes significantly increased in the first half of the year, making Europe the key driver in the global LNG market and impacting Asian buyers. The continent increased its LNG imports in the first half of 2025, reaching a record 75 billion cubic meters (bcm), good for a robust 40% Y/Y increase. The U.S. supplied 29.6 million tons (about 40 bcm) while Russia supplied 8.0 million tons in H1 2025.

The U.S. natural gas rally has lately hit the skids, with prices pulling back from a two-year high of $5.22/MMBtu on December 5 to $4.06/MMBtu in Mondays session, the lowest level since late October. Europes natural gas prices have also continued their downtrend, falling to 27.50/MWh on Monday.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Key crude prices in the Middle East have dropped to their weakest level against the Brent benchmark in two months, signaling oversupplied markets as output from both the Middle East and the Americas rises amid tepid demand.

The premium of Abu Dhabis flagship Murban grade over Brent, the international benchmark, has narrowed in recent weeks and is now at its lowest level since early October, according to estimates by Bloomberg.

In Dubai, the discount of the benchmark against Brent had grown to its widest in seven weeks. The Brent-Dubai EFS (Exchange of Futures for Swaps) indicates the spread between the light sweet Brent crude in the Atlantic basin and the medium sour Dubai crude. The discount has widened in the past two months amid ample global supply.

The weaker Middle Eastern benchmarks signal more than enough crude from the Middle East, and elsewhere, available to cover the demand from Asia and other parts of the world.

Following weaker spot Middle East benchmarks, early this month Saudi Arabia slashed the prices for its crude bound for Asia in January to the lowest premium to benchmarks in five years, as the worlds largest crude exporter looks to preserve market share.

The Saudi price cut was widely expected by the market and refiners due to plentiful supply as OPEC+ raises output through December, and Saudi Arabia is raising production by the most as its share of the quotas is the biggest.

Due to whats expected to be a year of oversupply, most investment banks expect Brent prices to average below $60 per barrel next year, with WTI prices even lower.

The surplus in the oil market is set to grow in 2026, following OPEC+'s decision to unwind supply cuts at a quicker-than-expected pace, Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, said last week.

Non-OPEC supply is also expected to grow at a healthy clip despite this year's price weakness.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Oil tanker rates are set to stay elevated in early 2026 as crude supply is rising while the number of available vessels is shrinking due to the U.S. sanctions on Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, officials and analysts in the shipping industry tell Reuters.

The daily rates for chartering a vessel to transport commodities have surged this year, with oil tanker rates skyrocketing by 467%, as shippers of a growing commodity supply are grappling with a series of route disruptions and sanctions.

Despite the typically weaker commodity demand period toward the end of each year, the last weeks of 2025 dont show any weakness in the vessel rates for transporting crude oil.

This year, the supertanker market has tightened as crude supply from OPEC+ and the Americas rises and vessels make increasingly longer trips. So much has the market tightened that several new-built very large crude carriers (VLCC) have made empty maiden voyages from yards in Asia to pick supply from producing countries in the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa, instead of loading fuels made in Asia on their first journey.

At the end of November, supertanker rates on the route between the Middle East and China hit their highest in five years as traders sought alternatives to Russian crude after the U.S. sanctioned Russias biggest oil producers and exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil. Rates for smaller tankers have also shot up as traders turn to all available vessels to transport crude.

It's a very strong market now, Jan Rindbo, chief executive of Danish shipping group Norden, told Reuters.

Last month, Norden revised up its 2025 net profit guidance, on the back of better-than-expected operational performance and rising markets.

Supertanker fleet utilization, the rate of how many vessels are currently hired out of all available ships on the market, is set to surge to a seven-year high of 92%, up from 89.5% in 2025, per estimates by Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta cited by Reuters.

New-build tankers set for delivery in the latter half of 2026 could cap daily rates but for the next few months, its a tight tanker market with high shipping costs, analysts say.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The United States insists that the European Union exempt it from obligations to report data under the EU Methane Regulation until 2035, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a U.S. document circulated to EU governments.

The U.S. and its gas industry have lobbied this year for repeal or significant amendments of the EUs climate laws and regulations which, the U.S. says, threaten Europes energy supply and security.

The EU Methane Regulation, effective from August 4, 2024, aims to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector. For imports, the next milestone in the regulation is the monitoring, reporting, and verification requirement.

Under this requirement, importers must demonstrate  as of January 2027  that the crude oil, natural gas, or coal imported into the EU was produced in a jurisdiction with monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements equivalent to those applied domestically in the EU.

However, the U.S. has told the EU governments that if the legislation isnt fully repealed, the United States should be given a delay requiring U.S. emissions data reporting under ?the EUMR [EU methane regulation] until October 2035, according to the U.S. government document seen by Reuters.

The U.S. and another major LNG exporter, Qatar, are also spearheading efforts to have the European Union repeal or materially amend another controversial legislation, the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which imposes penalties on companies in case of non-compliance and has drawn the ire of Qatar and the United States and supermajors including ExxonMobil.

Importers of LNG may have to divert cargoes away from the EU as of 2027 due to non-compliance with the legislation, which would reduce gas supply just as Europe will have phased out Russian gas flows, according to gas producers and traders and the worlds biggest LNG exporters, the United States and Qatar.

Exxon would be forced to quit its business in Europe if the EU doesnt materially ease or repeal the corporate sustainability directive, CEO Darren Woods said last month.

Exxons top executive has told Bloomberg recently that the directive is the worst piece of legislation Ive seen since Ive been in this job.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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By Kathryn Hickok

How much money does it take to fully fund Oregons public schools? In November, the Joint Committee on Public Education Appropriations of the Oregon Legislature released a Report on the Adequacy of Public Education Appropriations, which examines the level of funding provided by the Legislature and other sources for public schools. The Legislative Fiscal Office and the Legislative Policy and Research Office prepared the report.

It concluded that public schools are receiving the full $13.5 billion recommended by Oregons Quality Education Commission in 2024 to fully fund schools because the Legislature appropriated $11.36 billion and schools receive another $2.2 billion from the corporate activities tax (also known as the Student Success Act).

According to a recent Oregonian article analyzing the report, advocates of public education funding, like PPS board member Christy Splitt, dispute that the Legislature has met the Quality Education Commissions recommendation. Splitt argues that school funding is complicated and that the conclusion is the result of a political narrative.

However, the facts remain that school funding has increased over the years while academic outcomes have declined. Legislators are asking for accountability for how schools are spending state dollars and the scores are discouraging. This years National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) scores show only 24 percent of Oregon eighth graders are at or above proficient in math, and 27 percent are proficient in reading.

Maybe more money is never enough because money is not the solution to Oregons education problems. Maybe more options in education would make better use of the funding we already have and allow parents to have a greater say in choosing schools that meet their childrens learning needs.

Kathryn Hickok is Executive Vice President at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization, and Director of Cascades Childrens Scholarship Fund-Oregon program. She specializes in research and policy in school choice legislation and other key issues relating to education.
Some thoughts on the traditional context of romance, marriage, and sexuality (Part Four) By Mark Wegierski

web posted December 15, 2025 In terms of the relations between men and women in marriage there are number of things which should be taken into consideration. First of all, there is in nearly every marriage a kind of constant interplay between the man and the woman. However, it so much better if it is viewed as a game of love rather than of power. Indeed, the feminist deconstruction of marriage tends to have horrible marital consequences. Secondly, it is undoubtedly true that the arrival of children in the marriage may often turn into a crisis for the romantic engagement of the couple. However, in nearly all cases, the crisis can be successfully worked through, and an intensification of the romantic engagement should usually happen. Thirdly, it is usually the case that, if a husband sincerely loves his wife, virtually anything the wife strongly enough wants to happen, will in the end happen. Fourthly, as Camille Paglia has pointed out, capable women often have an arrangement where they give their husband the illusion that he is in charge, by deferring to him on some issues the wife considers trivial, while mostly doing whatever she wants in those areas that the wife thinks truly important. This arrangement, however, is entirely different from that of today's craven "Mr. Mom"  as the former has probably been going on for thousands of years. The recognition that the woman really usually holds all the cards in marriage is one of the sociological reasons for the persistence in law (until comparatively recent times), of the provision (seen with such horror today) that a wife could not normally be allowed to charge her husband with rape. In a social environment where men were certainly far, far more self-restrained and socially well-conditioned than today, the risks of the careless deployment of such a charge were seen as too potentially socially-disruptive. It was seen that, setting aside what could be called his polygamistic inclinations, a man would undertake a vast struggle and sacrifice to obtain that one desired woman. So, society was patently unwilling to introduce potentially troubling ambiguities into the institution of marriage. The putative defense of "familialism" today should probably focus on three main issues  which are interwoven below. First of all, there is the opposition to neopuritanism, to quasi-arranged marriages, to excessive practicality in male-female sexual relations. Although the Catholic Church has now semi-officially recognized the importance of female pleasure in marriage (in the writings of John Paul II), the various outlooks being discussed in this article are not necessarily tied to Christianity or any other traditional religion. Secondly, there is the opposition to the general feminist deconstruction of male-female sexual relations, and especially the deconstruction of marriage. One must dare to make some especially pointed criticisms of the radical feminist agenda. Thirdly, there is an opposition to generalized sexual decadence and debauchery. The one man-one woman, basically monogamous ideal need not at all be necessarily tied to received religion. Let it be said at the beginning, that the thought of marriage as a strictly "practical arrangement" is repellent to a romantically-minded person. If one does not feel any passion, there is probably no love either, and without love, how can any marriage begin? (Later on, undoubtedly, habituation becomes the main factor holding the two persons together, but that's five, ten, twenty years on.) One might note here the possible opposition between romance and marriage -- at one extreme, the notion that "romance and marriage don't mix", and at the other, that old cliche, "love and marriage go together like a horse-and-carriage". Many traditional societies sometimes have, in effect, different women fulfilling the roles of mistress and wife for one man. Some cynics might argue that romantic love comes to an end several months or maybe years after marriage. It is a pointed question whether the idea of "the beloved" (to use the poet's language), or of a wife, sounds more intriguing. One of the major issues of medieval "courtly love" was in fact whether the consummation of the love was a good or necessary thing. The beloved was usually (if not preferably) a woman already married to someone else. Is there not a general feeling that romance is "fun", while marriage is "boring"? It should be noted however, that romance in the high Romantic sense does not mean unrestricted copulation, a point often forgotten. The "common-sense" traditional view is as follows: marriage as a "practical arrangement", romance mostly superfluous, the woman's main role is as the children's mother. The Romantic view is as follows: marriage only for love, romance is the point of the relationship, the woman's main role is as the man's lover. Although the two outlooks are somewhat reconcilable, it is also possible to see a very clear tension between the first view and the second. Perhaps true, genuine romance exists only for those rarefied men and women who are capable of experiencing it. Is "romance" a nice word for an agenda of unlimited sex? Although some might see it that way, romance has its own strict rules, conventions, and disciplines, e.g., possessiveness, total commitment to the other person, etc. -- which are sometimes not easy to follow, and in fact, can probably be fully achieved only by a comparatively small number of persons. Possessiveness is a critical aspect of romance -- i.e., I want that person, to the exclusion of all others (hence a link to marriage). Marriage, it might be argued, is in its primeval essence the ritual of a woman's symbolic submission to a man, in exchange for protection from other males, and his commitment to long-term help in raising their children. The feeling of romance which typically leads to marriage must be linked to love and the desire for the abolition of the narrow self. Kissing, for example, expresses a desire to "encompass" the other person, "where two become one". Deep kissing is arguably more intimate in some ways than sexual intercourse. Today, of course, terms such as "love" and "romance" have been greatly devalued, meaning just "sex" in whatever shape or form -- the term "sex" functioning as a great devaluer. Some have made the point about the impact of a single technology, the birth control pill (whose importance is attested to by the fact that some simply term it "the Pill"), and of other methods of birth control that arose at about the same time. In the past, most acts of sexual intercourse could end in pregnancy. Hence, human sexuality was almost automatically more traditional. Another single technology, antibiotics, made most venereal diseases curable -- and hence reduced the need for self-limitation. (Although AIDS is said to have made many persons more sexually cautious, there are also simple preventative measures available.) As seen from the vantage point of traditional societies, the valuing of chastity is arguably an evolutionary survival mechanism. One could indeed make the argument for "fecund chasteness" or "fecund virtue" vs. "sterile promiscuity". For example, the pop-star Madonna, renowned for her engorged sexuality, only carried her first child to term past her mid-30s, as a result of a very casual relationship with a "stud-male", whom she had no intention of marrying or staying with for any great length of time. Her second child, however, did domesticate her a bit, as she has consented to enter a longer-term relationship with a man. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home

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By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

An investigation has been launched on Service Employees International Union 503 Executive Director Melissa Unger.

Eight Oregon House lawmakers submitted an Ethics complaint against her saying that she presented misleading testimony against a bill using citizen opposition that was not true. Some people who opposed the bill found that their name was used on a personal appeal postcard in support of the bill, using their name.

Here is a sample of the Ethics complaint:

Specifically, SEIU Local 503 and its representatives violated ORS 171.764 when, on or around April 28, 2025, they provided constituent postcards to legislative officials that misrepresented individuals support for House Bill (HB) 3838 and contained explicit statements of personal support for the bill that, in at least some cases, SEIU Local 503 and its representatives knew to be false.

The complaint goes on to say:

On April 28, 2025, the legislatures House Committee on Rules held a public hearing on HB 3838. That same day, representatives of SEIU Local 503 visited legislators offices to drop off boxes containing approximately 1,000 constituent postcards expressing support for the bill.The front of each postcard stated, I Support House Bill 3838. VOTE YES! Protect Oregons Seniors, People with Disabilities, & Long-Term Care Workers.8 (Emphasis in original). The back of each postcard was addressed to the senator or representative to whom it was delivered, listed the name and city of the individual constituent it was supposedly from, and contained the following message attributed to that individual:

Please vote yes on House Bill 3838 to protect seniors, people with disabilities, and long-term care workers. Its time for Oregon legislators to address the crisis in our long-termhome and community-based care system. You have my COMPLETE support and I urge you to do the right thing! Thanks!

The content of each postcard was entirely pre-printed. Aside from the state legislator to whom it was addressed and the name and city of the individual it was from, each of the postcards was identical. Upon information and belief, SEIU Local 503s representatives delivered identical boxes of approximately 1,000 postcards to every Oregon state legislator. In subsequent conversations with SEIU Local 503-represented care providers who were opposed to HB 3838, the state representatives bringing this complaint were asked to help find whether their names, or the names of any other care providers known to be opposed to the bill, were printed on any of the postcards.

On June 12, 2025, Rep. Ed Diehl received a voicemail from Nicki Douglas, an adult foster care home provider from Bend who had learned that her name and city were printed on one of the postcards.Ms. Douglas explained that she did not support HB 3838 and stated adamantly that she had never signed anything or otherwise provided her name to SEIU Local 503 for the purpose of supporting the bill. Despite the fact that Ms. Douglas strongly opposed HB 3838 and never agreed to support the bill, SEIU Local 503 and its representatives provided legislators with a postcard explicitly stating that she supported HB 3838. On or around June 13, 2025, Rep. Diehl discovered that another postcard identified Shannon Carskadon, an adult foster home owner and provider from Forest Grove who had publicly opposed HB 3838 in written testimony submitted to the House Committee on Rules.

In an email to Rep. Diehl, Ms. Carskadon expressed her shock, disgust and disappointment over learning that [her] name appears on a postcard mailer stating [that she] support[s] SEIUs HB 3838.15 She further explained how she had, in fact, vocalized her opposition to HB 3838 directly to SEIU Local 503s executive director long before SEIU Local 503 delivered the postcards to legislators: I was present at the capital, at the very first hearing where I met [SEIU Local 503 executive director] Melissa Unger with [another care provider]. Melissa was very surprised to see [the other care provider] there and in a face-to-face conversation with her, I expressed my concerns and opposition to the bill, again directly to her personally. Ms. Carskadon went on to point out that SEIU Local 503s postcard falsely stating that she supported HB 3838 likely stems from a very misleading Facebook post on April 3, 2025.

It also states;

In fact, none of the individuals who filled out the form on SEIU Local 503s Facebook post truly consented to making the statements contained in its constituent postcards, because neither the post nor the form provided by SEIU Local 503 contained any mention of HB 3838, any other piece of legislation, or disclosed the statement that would be attributed to them. At most, Ms. Carskadon and others expressed support for the general idea of a workforce standards boardyet legislators were provided with postcards stating that these individuals Support House Bill 3838 and were asking legislators to Vote yes on House Bill 3838.31 In short, there is no question that SEIU Local 503s postcards misrepresented and attributed false statements of support for HB 3838 to Ms. Douglas, Ms. Carskadon, and perhaps many or all of the other individuals who were named on the cards.
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A rendering of the human-AI collaboration: The AI explored at lightning speed, while the human promptly responded to block mistakes. Through this fast iterative interplay, the right path was eventually uncovered. Credit: Lisa Jansson/Brookhaven National Laboratory

By partnering with artificial intelligence (AI), a researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has solved a long-standing physics problem and uncovered the mathematical trickery that underlies the generalization of recently discovered, extremely surprising new states of matter. The work exemplifies the paradigm shift that is taking place in research, as scientists learn to see AI as a valuable asset in advancing knowledge and discovery.

The study, conducted by Brookhaven theoretical physicist Weiguo Yin and described in a recent paper published in Physical Review B, is the first paper emerging from the "AI Jam Session" earlier this year, a first-of-its-kind event hosted by DOE and held in cooperation with OpenAI to push the limits of general-purpose large language models applied to science research. The event brought together approximately 1,600 scientists across nine host locations within the DOE national laboratory complex. At Brookhaven, more than 120 scientists challenged and evaluated the capabilities of OpenAI's latest step-based logical reasoning AImodel built for complex problem solving.

Yin's AI study focused on a class of advanced materials known as frustrated magnets. In these systems, the electron spinsthe tiny magnetic moments carried by each electroncannot settle on an orientation because competing interactions pull them in different directions. These materials have unique and fascinating properties that could translate to novel applications in the energy and information technology industries.

In the 1960s, physicists reported exact solutions to the simplest case of a one-dimensional (1D) chain of atoms, which permits only two spin orientations: pointing up or pointing down. This is known as the 1D frustrated Ising model. But in many other systems that Yin studies, where the strange rules of quantum physics apply, there can be infinite orientations, making computational modeling very difficult. For example, the Potts model generalizes the Ising model to permit up to infinite spin orientations. It turns out that this 1D frustrated Potts model was just difficult enough to remain unsolved, even for only three spin orientations, and here is where AI comes into play.

Testing the AI

"We know AI is powerful in data analysis and optimization," Yin said. "But I was skeptical about what it could do in theoretical physics, which is deeply grounded in mathematics. Still, I was willing to give it a tryespecially in the classroom-like, synergetic atmosphere of the Jam."

To gauge the validity of the work of the AIOpenAI's then-latest reasoning model, "o3-mini-high"Yin first fed it a study it could not already know: his recent unpublished paper on a new model for frustrated magnets. He asked the AI to derive the underlying complex mathematics that make that model possible.

To Yin's surprise, for a critical equation, the AI did not reproduce his exact result but instead produced a mathematically equivalent oneexpressed in a form that was far more elegant.

"This is proof that the AI did its own math," he said. "It was a turning point, and now I was fully convinced that the AI could be my research partner."

Solving the Potts maze: From the specific to the general

The 1D frustrated Potts model can be likened to a square-shaped maze. The challenge arises from the rapid increase in the maze's size as the maze becomes more complex.

"We used to hesitate at the entrance of even the next simplest maze for three spin orientations, because its corridors look endlessly long," said Yin. "It was the AI's lightning speed that made us dare to walk into it."

Indeed, AI exploited symmetry to simplify the maze and solved the case for three spin orientationsin only one day.

Like any colleague, the AI was not perfect. It did often make mistakes during the prompts, exactly like what happens when one navigates a maze.

"It is up to us to spot its errors quickly," Yin said. "By effectively blocking AI's wrong moves, we help it to find the right oneseven when we have no idea of the right direction ourselves."

Now having the results for two simplest cases in hand, Yin identified a pattern and worked out a rigorous proof for an arbitrary number of spin orientations. The result was a remarkably simple solution that extended all the way to infinite possible spin orientations. This 1D frustrated Potts modelonce a daunting, fundamental problem in statistical mechanics and materials sciencewas thus fully solved.

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Unveiling the unknowns

Yin's general solution revealed a rich phase diagram that could explain how atomic layers stack in materials that have applications in traditional computing, electronics, and next-generation quantum and photonic devices. The solution also uncovered several unexpected novel results, including an exact mapping of this frustrated Potts model onto a simpler Potts model in an effective external magnetic field.

The existence of infinitely many exact mappings raises the general question of to what extent the frustration induced by an external magnetic field corresponds to the geometrical frustration arising spontaneously from competing spin interactions. These unknowns can guide not only fundamental research but also material designs. These insights have already been used in Yin's recent work with experimental groups at Brookhaven.

"Interacting with AI is like engaging with the collective knowledge of the world," said Yin.

He noted that he appreciated the conversational aspect of the AI reasoning system because interaction felt not just logical but dialogical.

"Like in a Socrates-style dialogue, both people are trying to find the 'magic' in the other person's argument and then identify something new that inspires them to solve a problem," he said. "The solution, or even the problem, emerges from the conversation."

As a next step, Yin will use this AI-aided approach to model systems with more complex atomic and electronic structures, such as strongly correlated electronic systems with intertwined charge, spin, orbital, and lattice characteristics that can host exotic phenomena, including high-temperature superconductivity and quantum entanglement vital to energy and information technology applications.
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Lake Manly from Badwater, Death Valley, Dec 2023. Credit: Nomdeploom Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

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 it's 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 doesn't really compare, locals say.

"It's an attraction but it's 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. "It's the size of a lake but it's not deep. ... It's more like a very, very large riverbed without the flowa 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 isn't 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, Dante's View, Badwater Basin and Mesquite Sand Dunes remain accessible and open.

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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 there's 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 it'll 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 Dante's 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 the 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 Valley's low elevation means that any rainfall that does arrive usually evaporates due to the heat.

Key concepts Lakes

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The "slave-making ant" Temnothorax americanus (left) and its host Temnothorax longispinosus. Credit: Romain Libbrecht

Two new studies show how climate influences behavior, communication, and genome evolutiondriving adaptation in a long-running conflict.

The battle between ant hosts and their social parasites is strongly influenced by climate. Temperature and humidity shape how the ants behave, communicate, and even evolvewhile host and parasite respond with very different genetic strategies. These are the findings of two recent studies in which researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center combined behavioral experiments with state-of-the-art genomic analyses.

"Climate clearly explains the variation in host and parasite behavior better than parasite prevalence itself," says Professor Susanne Foitzik, senior author of both studies and chair of Behavioral Ecology and Social Evolution at JGU.

In the first study, published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, the team examined a parasite, the so-called "slave-making ant" Temnothorax americanus, and its host, the ant Temnothorax longispinosus. The social parasite invades host nests and steals their brood, which later grows up to work for the parasite colonyan extraordinary form of social parasitism.

The researchers focused on how the ants' behavior and chemical communication vary across different climates. By comparing 10 natural populations along a 1,000-kilometer north-south gradient in the United States, they found that climate influenced the conflict more strongly than the local frequency of parasite colonies.

Differences in aggression

"Host and parasite populations differ in aggression, raiding activity and their chemical profiles, and these differences follow the temperature and humidity gradient," explains first author Dr. Erwann Collin, who recently completed his doctoral research at JGU's Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution.

"In warmer and drier regions, host ants showed reduced aggression and often carried their brood away rather than defending the nest. Social parasites from these regions, on the other hand, were more active and more aggressive during raids." In cooler, humid northern sites, the opposite pattern emerged: hosts defended their nests vigorously, while parasites behaved more cautiously.

Chemical communication also shifted systematically with local climate conditionsspecifically in terms of the cuticular hydrocarbons, the waxy surface chemicals ants use to recognize nestmates and prevent drying out. Because all colonies were kept under identical laboratory conditions for a full year prior to testing, these differences reflect evolved, long-term adaptations rather than short-term environmental responses.

Genetic adaptations to climate

Building on these findings, the second study, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, investigated the genetic basis of these climate-dependent differences in traits. Using advanced molecular methodsincluding whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomics, the analysis of active genesthe researchers explored how natural selection shapes the genomes of host and parasite populations along the same climatic gradient.

"We discovered a 'geographic mosaic of coevolution,' with parasite populations differing more strongly from one region to another than host populations," explains Dr. Maide Macit, first author and recent doctoral graduate of JGU. "Despite these differences, the two related species show similar genetic adaptations to climate, including genes involved in stress tolerance and resistance to drying out." However, their responses to the parasite-host-conflict diverged strongly.

In the host ants, evolution has acted on genes involved in signaling and chemical sensinggenes that help them detect and defend against invading parasites. Several of these genes showed clear signs of selection imposed by the social parasite. Although these genes normally produce immune-related proteins that fight microbes, they appear to be deployed here against a very different kind of enemy: another ant species. In the parasite, evolution has instead targeted regulatory genes that control how raids are coordinated and carried out.

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Changing ways of defense

Gene-expression analysesshowing which genes are actively switched onfurther underscored how differently the two species respond. "In the hosts, gene activity mainly reflected how common parasite colonies were in each area, whereas in the parasites it was influenced much more strongly by local climate," explains Dr. Barbara Feldmeyer, co-senior author of the study and researcher at the Senckenberg Center.

"We also found that variation in these chemical profiles was linked not only to genetic changes in the enzymes that produce them, but also to changes in odorant-receptor genesthe genes coding for proteins which enable ants to sense chemical signals." This pattern shows how central chemical communication and chemical recognition are to the conflictand that evolution repeatedly acts on these traits as hosts and parasites adapt to each other.

Together, the two studies offer one of the most integrated perspectives to date on how strongly environmental conditions and biological conflict shape evolution across landscapes. "Host-parasite systems are classic evolutionary arms races," says Foitzik. "Because both species rely on chemical communication to recognize each other, their interaction provides a powerful framework for future studies on molecular coevolution."

Publication details Erwann Collin et al, Climate and parasite pressure jointly shape traits mediating the coevolution between an ant social parasite and its host, Journal of Evolutionary Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voaf129 Maide Nesibe Macit et al, Genomic Signatures of Selection Across Climate Gradients and a Geographic Mosaic of Coevolution in an Ant Social ParasiteHost System, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaf293 Journal information: Journal of Evolutionary Biology , Molecular Biology and Evolution
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Colorado Parks and Wildlife re-released a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, according to a news release.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured gray wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.

Colorado wildlife officials decided to release the wolf in Grand County yesterday because of the proximity to "an unpaired female gray wolf," nearby prey populations and distance from livestock, according to the release.

"Gray wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and released in a location where it can best contribute to CPW's efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population while concurrently attempting to minimize potential wolf-related livestock conflicts," said acting director of CPW Laura Clellan, according to the release.

The wolf was once a member of the Copper Creek pack but departed from it this fall.

A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any gray wolves that leave Colorado and enter those states be returned. That was created in part to maintain the integrity of a Mexican wolf recovery program.

"We recognized during the planning process that we would need to have consideration and plans to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf recovery program, while also establishing a gray wolf population in Colorado," said CPW's Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, according to the release.

Key concepts reintroduction (organisms)

2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: NASA

On 13 November, the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamic Explorers (EscaPADE) mission launched to space on the New Glenn rocket provided by Blue Origin.

That's quite a sentence so let's unpack it.

EscaPADE is a NASA mission consisting of two identical spacecraft, about a meter in size, named Blue and Gold, whose purpose is to study the magnetic and plasma environment around Mars.

Scientists want to know how Mars's magnetic field interacts with the solar windthe constant stream of high energy charged particles that emanates from the sunand how this interaction affects Mars's atmosphere.

Unlike on Earth, where our planet's strong magnetic field comfortably deflects most of the solar wind safely around us, the weak and inconsistent Martian magnetic field is nowhere near as effective, allowing the solar wind to interact much more strongly with the atmosphere of Mars and, over millions of years, strip it away from the planet.

Ultimately, the mission's goal is to understand more about the puzzling history of Mars and its water.

Marss magnetic field and atmosphere interact with the solar wind in a complex way. Credit: NASAs Scientific Visualization Studio, overlay courtesy of Anil Rao/University of Colorado/MAVEN/NASA GSFC

A tenuous atmosphere

As a result of billions of years of exposure to the solar wind, Mars as we know it today has an extremely tenuous atmosphere, 150 times thinner than Earth. Consequently, the air pressure is so low that liquid water can't exist on the surface of the planetit just immediately evaporates away or freezes, or both.

There are no rivers or lakes on Mars today. However, the extensive presence of sedimentary rocks and clay mineralsthings that can only form in bodies of liquid watertells us the planet used to have great bodies of water on its surface.

This means the atmosphere of Mars in the distant past was once much thicker and at a high enough pressure to be able to support liquid water. Thus, the need to understand how Mars lost its atmosphere.

Sedimentary rocks on Mars photographed by the Perseverance Rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Measuring magnetic fields

Blue and Gold are both equipped with magnetometers to measure the magnetic field strength around Mars, as well as instruments that measure the energy and density of ions and plasma around the planet.

After an 11-month flight to Mars, the two spacecraft will operate a year-long science mission collecting data around the planet.

Cleverly, the spacecraft will spend six months orbiting Mars in the same orbit, allowing them both to collect measurements from the same part of the magnetosphere.

Then, they will each shift to different orbits, allowing for measurements of different and distant parts of the magnetosphere at the same time.

Plan A, B or C

That's the plan anyway. The spacecraft were supposed to be launched in October 2024 but were delayed by the late development of the New Glenn rocketthe rocket responsible for launching the EscaPADE spacecraft.

Workers inspect the New Glenn booster after landing. Credit: Blue Origin

Because Earth and Mars are always moving, there are only certain times of year you can launch a spacecraft directly between themknown as a launch window.

November 2025 is not an open launch window between Earth and Mars, but the looming threat of budget cuts potentially canceling the program encouraged NASA to try a creative launch trajectory.

Instead of Blue and Gold launching directly to Mars, they will hang around at a point about 1.5 million km from Earth called L2 until late 2026. When the window to Mars opens, they will swing back past Earth and be on their way to the Red Planet.

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New Glenn is hefty

The flight was exciting as the second test flight of the shiny new New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin.

Blue Originowned by Jeff Bezosis an aerospace company mostly known for their space tourism flights on the New Shepard rocket. You know, the one that is shaped like an aubergine.

For the past decade or so, they have quietly (and somewhat secretively) been developing the New Glenna 100-meter-tall heavy lift vehicle designed to haul satellites and spacecraft into Earth's orbit and beyond.

At seven meters in diameter and capable of launching 45 tonnes of cargo into low Earth orbit, New Glenn was comically overpowered for the 2 x 500kg spacecraft of EscaPADE.

To truly get a scale for how big this thing is, here's some people for comparison:

The successful landing, and eventually, reuse of the New Glenn booster will allow Blue Origin to be more competitive in the commercial satellite launch market, a market currently dominated by SpaceX.

In case you're wondering

The New Shepard and New Glenn get their namesakes from American astronauts. Alan Shepard was the first US citizen to go to space. His flight on the Freedom 7 spacecraft launched straight up and down, just like the New Shepard does today. John Glenn was the first US citizen to orbit Earth on the Friendship 7 spacecraft, as New Glenn is designed to do.

Provided by Particle

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Standing stones in Carnac, France. Built between 6,5005,300 years ago by Europe's first farmers. Credit: Jonny Gordon.

Although humans are to blame for nature's recent decline, a new study shows that for millennia, European farming practices drove biodiversity gains, not losses.

A team of researchers at the University of York analyzed fossil pollen records from Europe to track vegetation changes stretching back 12,000 years. They discovered that as new populations of farmers from Turkey moved into Europe 9,000 years ago, far from destroying plant diversity, they actually enriched it.

Dr. Jonny Gordon is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity and lead author of the new paper, "Increased Holocene diversity in Europe linked to human-associated vegetation change," which has been published in Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Important

He says, "Our models show that humans were the most important force affecting plant biodiversity over the last 12,000 years in Europeand their effect was overwhelmingly positive.

"We think that as farming communities expanded from Turkey into Southern Europe, and then into Northern and Western Europe, they chopped down some of the forest that met them, planted crops and grazed their sheep and cows."

Beneficial

Rather than harming the diversity of Europe's plant communities, Dr. Gordon explains that this partial clearing of trees was beneficial. By opening up the canopy, early farmers created a "mosaic" of habitatsa patchwork landscape that made space for a range of other plants that could not survive in dense forests.

"Where there was once mainly forest, there were now smaller patches of forest interspersed with new fields of crops, such as wheat, weeds that grew around the edges of these fields, as well as species that thrived in meadows and when grazed. A farmed Europe had a wider range of habitats for plants to live in than an unfarmed Europe."

Influence

Dr. Gordon believes these findings challenge the common assumption in conservation that human influence must be removed for "nature" to thrivea concept embedded into many "restoration" strategies, such as rewilding. Instead, the research suggests that in a European context, low-intensity, traditional farming methods practiced over multiple millennia were the very driver of the elevated biodiversity levels that conservation today seeks to protect.

"This provides hope for the future," he says. "Humans need not be in opposition to biodiversity; in fact, if you consider the last 12,000 years, our work shows that humans and biodiversity can thrive together."

Publication details Jonathan D. Gordon et al, Increased Holocene Diversity in Europe Linked to HumanAssociated Vegetation Change, Global Ecology and Biogeography (2025). DOI: 10.1111/geb.70166 Journal information: Global Ecology and Biogeography

Key concepts wildlife
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Just 20 days earlier, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig had exploded, killing 11 people and igniting one of the worst environmental disasters in modern history. A pelican and a Northern gannet were the first two birds plucked by wildlife rescuers from the oily waters near the disaster zone. Once-regal feathers had been doused with dark, sticky oil.

After days of cleaning and rehabilitation, the avian duo was released into Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge on Florida's east coast. Baker recalls the oil-free feathers as a vivid streak in the sky as the birds flew away.

"It was very impressive to me that we could do this," said Richard Baker, who, as a local Audubon society leader, released the pelican and gannet alongside federal veterinarians. "The birds seemed thankful for us."

But not all birds were as lucky. By some estimates, more than a million were killed by the spill.

Their deaths added up to an enormous fine for BP: $100 million of its whopping $4 billion penalty was for killing birds protected by one of the nation's oldest environmental laws, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

But now, the Trump administration has weakened that law's protections, just as it proposes bringing oil drilling closer to Florida's coasts. The result: Gulf Coast birds could be more vulnerable than ever to the offshore oil industry.

"We cannot let this happen again," Baker said. "It was awful."

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act passed in 1918a time when species were disappearing because of demand for feathers in fashion and hunting for sport. It prohibits the unauthorized harming of birds.

Regulators have used the law to penalize oil companies after spills, including Exxon after the 1989 spill in Valdez, Alaska, as well as BP. Members of more than 100 species were hurt by the Deepwater Horizon disaster, including black skimmers, brown pelicans, laughing gulls and terns.

But regulators don't just use the law after the worst happens on a rig. The act also requires oil companies to get federal permits for the birds they will unintentionally hurt and kill through normal, day-to-day operations.

Scientists estimate hundreds of thousands of birds are burned, poisoned by oil or otherwise killed each year near drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The birds will strike equipment, for example, after being attracted to lights or the prospect of human food.

The law's power, said Tara Zuardo, a senior advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, comes from its emphasis on prevention: The permit process encourages companies to improve practices and reduce bird deaths.

But earlier this year, the Trump administration announced it would change the way the federal government interprets the law so that oil companies won't be penalized for birds they harm unintentionally.

The change was a victory for the oil industry, which says bird protections remain strong.

"Our industry is committed to safe, responsible energy development in the Gulf of America and has taken significant steps to protect wildlife," said the American Petroleum Institute, an industry lobbying group, in an emailed statement.

"Operators are already subject to robust federal laws and oversight that hold companies accountable and ensure strong environmental protections remain in place."

The administration is taking the opposite approach to renewable wind energy.

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In July, the U.S. Department of Interior announced the agency would review bird death rates from wind energy projects to determine whether those deaths violate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, running counter to its softened stance on the law for the oil industry.

Zuardo said it's unlikely the administration's watering down of the law would hold up in court, pointing to a 2020 legal decision.

"But at the same time, what matters here is enforcement," she added, noting that the administration could try to weaken actions against fossil fuel companies.

This isn't the first time the administration has taken this position on the bedrock bird protection lawit launched a similar rollback during President Donald Trump's first term.

But this time, the move is coinciding with the federal government's proposed expansion of offshore drilling into waters closer to Florida, despite heavy opposition from the state's Republican U.S. Senators, all its members of Congress and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Opposing offshore oil drilling has long been a point of bipartisan agreement in a state with an economy that depends on tourism and pristine beaches. Florida officials like DeSantis have also said offshore rigs would hamper military training efforts for bases in the Panhandle.

Ann Paul, president of the Tampa Audubon Society, remembers the images of birds covered in oil, and the ones who died after swallowing oil-slicked fish after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. She worries about rigs inching closer as wildlife protections wane.

"Are we willing to risk that along the coast of Florida?" she said. "What we need to be doing is increasing enforcement of this lawinstead of diluting it."

Key concepts birds

2025 Tampa Bay Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The Pacific Australia Labor Mobility scheme was established to provide economic opportunity for temporary migrants from the Pacific and address labor shortages in specified sectors in Australia.

However, elements of its highly regulated structure have had the unintended consequences of leaving participants open to exploitation without realistic avenues for redress.

These are the disturbing findings of a new survey of 370 PALM scheme workers conducted by the Migrant Justice Institutea national research and policy organization supported by University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Law Faculty and UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice.

Study co-author, UTS Associate Professor Laurie Berg, Co-Director of Migrant Justice Institute, said, "Unless workers have the possibility to change employers when things go wrong, they won't speak up. Ninety-seven percent of workers in our survey want to work in Australia again. Fear of losing their job, and their ability to participate in the program and return, are powerful forces keeping them silent."

"The federal government has allocated significant resources to worker support in the PALM scheme. But these initiatives are not empowering workers to come forward with concerns about working conditions or even workplace safety," she said.

The PALM scheme does provide avenues for workers to air their grievances including a dedicated service line within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Country Liaison Officers from the workers' home governments.

However, the survey found that these safeguards do not work and do not offer aggrieved workers effective avenues for redress.

"Palm workers can't talk because they don't have any right. This is due to the visa status Palm workers are holding. They can't leave their work if they find hardship at work," said a female aged care worker from Fiji living in NSW.

"We do as we are told, take whatever you're given and be thankful that you're given a job with good money, compared to what you get in Fiji," said a female aged care worker from Fiji living in Queensland.

In addition, tying workers to a single employer leaves them at the mercy of the employer and without any effective ability to bring their working conditions up to the standard Australian workers would expect and to which they are entitled.

For example, the survey found that:

64% of survey participants would change their employer if labor mobility were allowed

30% stated they wanted to move because their workplace was unsafe

60% wanted to move "to be treated better"

The survey also found significant reluctance among workers to report workplace problems despite the avenues available. For example:

42% of respondents stated that no or few workers would tell anyone if they weren't paid correctly, other than friends or co-workers

Only 34% said they would tell someone other than a friend or co-worker if a supervisor told them to do unsafe tasks

The reasons given for the workers' reticence included:

64% were afraid they might lose their job

33% were worried about causing problems for co-workers

32% were afraid they would be given less or worse work

25% feared their employer may not invite them, family or community workers to work in Australia again

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These disturbing findings demand that the government provide greater opportunities for labor mobility for PALM workers.

The only alternative is that many PALM workers will remain trapped in working conditions unacceptable to Australian workers.

Study co-author UNSW Associate Professor Bassina Farbenblum, Co-Director of Migrant Justice Institute, said the survey findings, "serve as a wake-up call for businesses who think that Pacific workers in their operations will report problems to auditors or government helplines.

"The workers want to stay in the PALM Scheme and return to Australia, and that matters more than poor conditions at work or anything else.

"By tying PALM workers' visas to a single employer, we've placed them in a trap: report problems at work and risk you'll be dismissed and have to leave Australia and not be invited back, or stay silent and keep your job and the opportunity to return."

More information The report is available at www.migrantjustice.org/2025palmreport
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An international study led by researchers from Australias La Trobe University and the University of Cambridge has challenged the classification of one of the world's most complete human ancestral fossils, raising the possibility of a new human species. Credit: La Trobe University

An international study led by researchers from Australia's La Trobe University and the University of Cambridge has challenged the classification of one of the world's most complete human ancestral fossils, raising the possibility of a new human species.

The fossil, found in South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves in 1998 and dubbed "Little Foot," has been widely believed to be a member of the Australopithecus genus, a lineage of ape-like upright walkers that lived in South Africa between 3 million and 1.95 million years ago.

Paleoanthropologist Ronald Clarke, who led the team that took 20 years to excavate and analyze the skeleton, attributed Little Foot to the species Australopithecus prometheus when the fossil was first revealed to the world in 2017. Others maintained it was Australopithecus africanus, a species first described by Australian anatomist Raymond Dart in 1925 and which was already known from the same site and South Africa more broadly.

New findings challenge previous classification

But in an article published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, a team led by La Trobe University adjunct Dr. Jesse Martin found that Little Foot does not share a unique suite of traits with either species, raising the possibility that it may represent a new species altogether.

"This fossil remains one of the most important discoveries in the hominin record and its true identity is key to understanding our evolutionary past," Dr. Martin said. "We think it's demonstrably not the case that it's A. prometheus or A. africanus. This is more likely a previously unidentified, human relative.

"Dr. Clarke deserves credit for the discovery of Little Foot, and being one of the only people to maintain there were two species of hominin at Sterkfontein. Little Foot demonstrates in all likelihood he's right about that. There are two species."

Implications for human evolutionary history

Little Foot, known formally as StW 573, remains the most complete ancient hominin in the fossil record.

Dr. Martin's team is the first to have challenged the species attribution of Little Foot since it was unveiled in 2017. "Our findings challenge the current classification of Little Foot and highlight the need for further careful, evidence-based taxonomy in human evolution," Dr. Martin said.

Dr. Martin, who is an adjunct at La Trobe and a postdoctoral research fellow at Cambridge, and students from La Trobe University will now work to clarify which species Little Foot represents and where that species sits in the human family tree.

Professor Andy Herries at La Trobe said Little Foot was one of the most complete and important fossils ever discovered in terms of what it could tell us about early human diversity and how our ancestors adapted to the different environments of southern Africa.

"It is clearly different from the type specimen of Australopithecus prometheus, which was a name defined on the idea these early humans made fire, which we now know they didn't. Its importance and difference to other contemporary fossils clearly show the need for defining it as its own unique species."

The research involved collaboration between institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and the United States.

More information Jesse M. Martin et al, The StW 573 Little Foot Fossil Should Not Be Attributed toAustralopithecus prometheus, American Journal of Biological Anthropology (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.70177

Key concepts vertebrate paleontology
Ethan Hawke thinks Paul Dano is a "world-class human being".

Ethan Hawke has praised Paul Dano

The Blue Moon actor thinks the recent "hateful" comments situation, which saw director Quentin Tarantino brand the Swiss Army Man actor "weak sauce" and the "worst f****** actor in SAG", was a "great lesson" in dealing with negativity because so many people then spoke out to defend and praise Paul.

Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, Ethan said: I dont think Paul Dano ever knew that so many people loved him.

Hes gotta wake up one morning and find out this directors went off on him and saying these hateful things, but anyone who knows Quentin knows he just talks and talks.

"Anyone who knows Paul knows hes a world-class human being.

All this love for Paul is coming out. Theres a great lesson in that. You dont have to worry about the negativity people send your way.

ulp Fiction filmmaker Tarantino named Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 drama There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favourite movie of the 21st century, but admitted it would have been higher in the list if he hadn't been so unimpressed by Paul's performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.

Speaking on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, he said: "There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number one or number two if it didn't have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is Paul Dano.

"Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, and it's also so drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander.

"He is weak sauce, man. He's a weak sister.

"Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy."

After his remarks went viral, a host of stars leapt to Paul's defence.

Filmmaker Matt Reeves, 59, took to social media to describe the star, who he directed in 2022 movie The Batman, as "an incredible actor".

Reeves wrote on X: "Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person."

Hollywood actor Ben Stiller, 60, replied to Reeves' message with a Hallelujah emoji, and he also praised Paul, 41, on his own X account.

He posted: "Paul Dano is f-ing brilliant (sic)""

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu, 36,also praised the Fabelmans actor.

He wrote on X: "idk man i think paul dano is an incredible actor".

The Batman Part II screenwriter Mattson Tomlin posted: "I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week.

"Not only is he a terrific actor, but hes an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy. Check out Wildlife if you havent seen it."
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Credit: Brandon Morrison from Pexels

Bermuda may well be associated with exaggerated stories of missing ships and planes, but there is another mystery about this part of the Atlantic that has been puzzling scientists for decades: Why does the island appear to float above the surrounding ocean? A new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters could have the answer. Researchers have discovered a massive 12.4-mile (20-kilometer) thick layer of rock beneath Bermuda between Earth's crust and mantle.

Bermuda is something of a geological anomaly, fundamentally different from other volcanic islands. Like them, it sits on a huge, elevated bulge of the seafloor known as a bathymetric swell. According to the standard model of volcano island formation, this swell forms in part when heat from a rising column of hot rock, called a plume, makes the tectonic plate above it bulge.

But scientists can't find any signs of a hot mantle plume beneath Bermuda today, and there haven't been any active volcanoes here for more than 30 million years. Also, the swell should have subsided long ago. So what is holding it up?

Probing the deep

To get to the bottom of the mystery, the researchers analyzed data from a single seismic station permanently installed on Bermuda. They used recordings of distant earthquakes to build a picture of what lies below the island.

(a) Map of earthquakes used in this study. (b) Piercing points for PpSs phases for the interpreted Moho and underplated layer for seismic events in (a) for the velocity model presented in Table 1. Background bathymetry comes from Smith and Sandwell (1997). Credit: Geophysical Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025gl118279

When sound waves from earthquakes hit different rock layers, they create tiny echoes. By measuring the time it took for those echoes to travel to the station, the scientists could precisely map subsurface structures.

They identified the expected layers of the island's base, the oceanic crust and the boundary between the crust and the mantle (the moho). But they also discovered a hitherto secret layer about two to three times thicker than what is observed at most other ocean islands.

A new view of ocean swells

The researchers propose that this massive layer, known as underplating, is composed of magma that cooled into a rock type slightly less dense than the mantle material around it. This difference is what they believe provides the buoyancy needed to hold up the massive swell from below, not heat or volcanic activity.

"We identify features associated with a ~20 km thick layer of rock below the oceanic crust that has not yet been reported. This thick layer beneath the crust likely was emplaced when Bermuda was volcanically active 3035 million years ago and could support the bathymetric swell," the researchers explain.

Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, 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 William D. Frazer et al, Thick Underplating and Buoyancy of the Bermuda Swell, Geophysical Research Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025gl118279 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters

 2025 Science X Network
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Explosive lunar ejection model. Heating of the core generates the Ma-Tkalcic belt and two proto-LLVPs enriched with light elements. Due to energy trapping, supercritical zones arise in the proto-LLVPs with elevated pressures and temperatures. An explosion in the Pacific proto-LLVP ejects the moon-forming material. Credit: Matthew R. Edwards

One of the oldest unsolved riddles in planetary science concerns the origin of the moon. Over a century ago, George Darwin proposed that tidal and centrifugal forces on a rapidly rotating proto-Earth caused the moon to be spun off into an Earth orbit.

This idea later ran afoul of conservation of angular momentum. A proto-Earth rotating with a two- to three-hour day would have had four times the angular momentum of the present Earth-moon system. Where was all that angular momentum now?

The prevailing theory eventually came to be that a Mars-sized body, nicknamed "Theia," struck the proto-Earth. This collision drove material from Earth and Theia into a low orbit, where it coalesced to form the moon.

Once moon rocks were returned to Earth in the Apollo missions, however, a problem arose. Their isotopic compositions were found to be nearly identical to those of rocks from Earth's mantle and crust. This was unexpected, as model simulations had shown that most of the moon should have come from Theia material. A strong Theia signature should thus have been found in moon rocks. What had become of Theia?

Over the years, numerous explanations have been made for Theia's vanishing act. Maybe the shards of Theia fused directly with Earth's core after the collision or became the two large low-velocity provinces sitting atop the core-mantle boundary.

But what if a simpler explanation is available? Darwin's fission hypothesis naturally explains the isotopic compositions precisely, since the moon rocks would have been formed entirely of material from Earth's mantle and crust. Could the hypothesis be saved?

About a decade ago, some researchers in the Netherlands and Russia thought it could. They proposed that lunar fission was assisted by a huge nuclear explosion occurring at the core-mantle boundary. With this explosive mechanism, the proto-Earth could have had a longer day of four to six hours and an angular momentum similar to that of the present Earth-moon system.

Yet this idea was also problematic. It required a huge concentration of fissile elements to have somehow arisen at a specific point on the core-mantle boundary. Geochemical evidence for this was lacking.

An explosive lunar ejection model must thus be able to answer two questions: what was the energy source for the explosion and how did that energy become focused at a precise point within Earth?

On the first one, I knew from my theoretical studies in astrophysics and geophysics of a possible energy source. In mass systems on all scalesfrom atoms to the universe as a wholemy research indicated that their internal gravitational potential energy is slowly being converted to photons and heat.

The research is published in the journal Acta Geochimica.

The simple equation for this is L  = UH 0 , where U is the internal gravitational potential energy (negative), H 0 is the Hubble constant and L  is what I term the Lambda () luminosity.

Since the Hubble constant is so tiny, laboratory confirmation for this is extremely challenging. The main evidence for this process thus comes from astrophysics and geophysics. In stars like our sun, the Lambda luminosity is masked by stellar fusion. In white dwarfs and neutron stars, however, it becomes immensefar greater than the sun's luminosity.

New models of gravity and cosmology could also be premised on L  . In cosmology, the energy released from the gravitational energy of the entire universe due to L  can function as Einstein's original cosmological constant , preventing cosmic collapse into a singularity. Gravity can be modeled as just the flipside of this process.

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The link between L  and the lunar ejection model is geophysical. The 'slab pull' mechanism of mantle convection has lately become problematic, since cold lithospheric slabs may not be subducted all the way down to the lower mantle after all. I proposed that the Lambda luminosity could drive plate tectonics using mantle plumes alone.

Minerals carried by plumes to the upper mantle transition to lower density minerals due to the reduced pressures there. If not fully balanced by subduction, this would induce minuscule annual increases in Earth's radius and volume. Remarkably, satellite evidence for this has been found.

Inside the proto-Earth, much of this  energy would have been released into the core. With plate tectonics and its cooling effects not yet in place, core energy could have accumulated over millions of yearsuntil enough was present to drive the lunar ejection.

This still left the second problem. Why would this energy have been focused in a cataclysmic explosion at one particular site in Earth?

Here recent developments in geophysics came to the rescue. Tremendous progress has been made in characterizing the large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs) and their possible roles in planetary evolution.

The origins of these two antipodal, continent-sized structures sitting on the core-mantle boundaryone below the Pacific and one below Africahad long been a puzzle. They have been pictured variously as piles of subducted lithospheric slabs, the remains of a basal magma ocean or, as mentioned already, shards of Theia.

In some recent seismological studies, however, the LLVPs have shown themselves alternatively to be bundles of thermochemical plumes. This is compatible with models of global heat flow characterized by two antipodal thermal anomalies. LLVPs could then act as conduits not only for heat from the core but also for core elements like iron, oxygen and hydrogen.

A pathway to moon ejection then became apparent. Immediately after the proto-Earth was formed, the Lambda luminosity started pumping heat into the core. This gave rise to a heated equatorial belt in the outer core and the two antipodal proto-LLVPs.

The LLVP plume bundles mechanically and thermally weakened regions of the overlying mantle, thus paving the way for the ejection event. Energy steadily accumulated in the LLVPs, forming supercritical zones of heated light elements. An explosion in the proto-Pacific LLVPwhich can be likened to a planetary kimberlite eruptionthen launched mantle, crust and LLVP material into a low Earth orbit, there to form the moon.

In my picture, the Lambda luminosity shaped the entirety of Earth's evolution. It is a relentless process that triggered most major mass extinction events and will do so again. In future work, I will argue that the Himalayan uplift could herald the next big one.

On the brighter side, a corollary of L  is a slow increase in gravitational orbits over time, for which evidence once again already exists. This could mean that Earth remains habitable for longer periods, as its recession from the sun would protect it from the sun's increasing size.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate.

More information Matthew R. Edwards, Explosive lunar fission above a large low-velocity province, Acta Geochimica (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11631-025-00834-2

Matthew Edwards works at the University of Toronto Library. For many years he has written on diverse theoretical topics, including the origin of life, gravitation physics, geophysics and cosmology. In 2002, he edited the book "Pushing Gravity: New Perspectives on Le Sage's Theory of Gravitation". Recently he has proposed models of gravity and a shell black hole universe based on the Lambda luminosity.
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Actin polymerizing motors were encapsulated in the lumen of an artificial cell, where they exhibited motion and actively generated actin filament. Credit: Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, Aarhus University

No one has yet created a fully functioning artificial cell. But a research team at Aarhus University has taken a step in that direction:

They have equipped artificial cells with tiny motors inspired by an unusual movement mechanism found in naturespecifically from the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The result: artificial cells that can form internal networks of protein filamentsa function otherwise unique to living cells.

The study is published in ACS Nano.

Inside living cells, Listeria monocytogenes propels itself forward by forming long filaments of the protein actin (a structural protein found throughout the cell), which push it ahead like a microscopic rocket engine. The researchers mimicked this principle at the nanoscale.

"We wanted to find out whether nanomotorsnanoparticles capable of moving via actin polymerizationcould help us build a kind of internal skeleton inside artificial cells," explains Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Assistant Professor at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University. "The nanomotor uses a movement mechanism invented by naturebut we use it for a very different purpose."

Confocal laser scanning microscope images showing an overview (left) and a close-up (right) picture of artificial cells (in white) containing the nanomotors (in yellow) and producing the actin cytoskeleton-like network (in purple). Credit: Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Aarhus University

Motors trigger internal network formation

The artificial cells consist of vesiclesmembrane-bound spheres with a liquid lumeninto which the researchers embedded the nanomotors. On the surface of these motors, actin polymerization was activated, causing long protein filaments to grow in all directions. At the same time, the nanomotors started moving faster as the actin filaments pushed them forwardjust like Listeria. The resulting network resembles the cytoskeleton (the cell's internal scaffold and transport network) found in living cells.

However, unlike natural cells, where movement and organization are controlled by complex biological signaling, the artificial cells and nanomotors rely on a simpler mechanism.

"Our artificial cells don't move or organize like real cells. But by repurposing Listeria's propulsion strategy, we can make synthetic systems that self-organize," says Brigitte Stadler, Professor at iNANO.

Collaboration across disciplines

The research team combines expertise in chemistry, biophysics, nanotechnology, and mathematics. This interdisciplinary collaboration was essential for understanding and modeling how the tiny motors move and organize inside the artificial cells.

Specifically, the researchers have broken new ground by integrating two different and distinct research areas that are usually not investigated together: artificial cells, which are at the core of bottom-up synthetic biology, and nanomotors, an area of research that typically would be associated with active matter (systems capable of self-propulsion).

"Living systems are extremely complex," says Stadler. "Mimicking even a small part of their behavior requires combining experiments, theoretical modeling, and nanotechnological design. This work demonstrates how motion and structural organization can be linked within one coherent system."

A first step toward self-organizing man-made cells

In living cells, the cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure that constantly assembles and disassembles. The artificial version is still far from that level of complexity, but the study shows how motion and internal organization can emerge in synthetic systems.

"This is an early step, but it helps us understand what it takes to mimic even a small part of a cell's function," says Ramos-Docampo. "It shows that we can build functionality from the bottom upwithout copying all of biology's complexity."

They are now exploring how to design artificial cells that can not only form internal structures but also respond to their environment or interact with living cells.

"We're not trying to recreate life," says Stadler. "We're trying to understand and replicate selected life-like functions. Our artificial cells are simple and stable, and we can program their behavior. That opens new doors for both fundamental science and future technologies.

Publication details Miguel A. Ramos Docampo et al, Actin Polymerizing Motors to Assist Cytoskeleton-like Networks Formation in Artificial Cells, ACS Nano (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c12624 Journal information: ACS Nano
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

President Donald Trump is making full use of his pardon power. This year, Trump has issued roughly 1,800 pardons, or nearly six times the number he issued during the four years of his first term. Granted, about 1,500 of them involved individuals charged for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on Congress. Still, the pace of Trump's pardons this year has been nearly unprecedented.

That is, until you remember his predecessor. Joe Biden, at the end of his term, issued a full and sweeping pardon to his son Hunter for gun and drug charges. This was an unprecedented action by a president to pardon his own child, which had never been done before. Biden also granted pardons to several other family members on his final day in office.

Despite serving a single term, Biden holds the record for the most acts of clemency (pardons combined with commuted sentences) of any president. It's a record that's not hard to imagine Trump could break.

As a political scientist who has studied pardons and other aspects of presidential power, I believe that the founders of our nation would be horrified by the contemporary use of the pardon power, which represents a far cry from the unifying act of mercy it was intended to be. While Biden issued pardons to family members, Trump has handed them out to political allies.

It remains to be seen whether this is a slight deviation from course or becomes a permanent pattern for all presidents in the future.

A clear break

There's no question that Trump and Biden have acted within their authority in issuing pardons for federal offenses. Presidents can extend a pardon (complete legal forgiveness of a crime) or a commutation, which is the reduction of a sentence. However, individuals pardoned for federal crimes may still face peril in state courts.

This extraordinary power may seem kinglike at first glance, but it was given to the president with a different vision in mind. The founders of the country viewed the pardon power not as a personal token for the president to hand out, but as an act of mercy meant to check the other two branches.

If Congress passed a law that the president believed was poorly written, or if the courts unfairly punished someone for breaking it, the president could step in and right the wrong. This was seen by the founders as a merciful act, stemming from the tradition of old English law.

Throughout American history, we have seen presidents mostly adhere to this pattern. Both Abraham Lincoln and his successor Andrew Johnson issued pardons and amnesty to former Confederate citizens, with the aim of helping the nation come back together after secession and the Civil War. Harry Truman granted amnesty to certain World War II deserters, while Jimmy Carter granted pardons to hundreds of thousands of individuals who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.

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But toward the end of the 20th century and into the 21st, presidents have used the pardon pen increasingly for personal and political reasons. The inflection point is undoubtedly the pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon in 1974 by his former vice president and successor, Gerald Ford. This was issued a month after Nixon's resignation in the wake of the Watergate scandal, which involved Nixon's 1972 reelection campaign spying on his political enemies.

Ford justified his action by citing the need for national unity, saying the pardon would spare the country from a messy and dramatic public trial of a former president. Never before had a high-profile public politician received such a presidential grant, which caused Ford's public standing to take a hit. Scholars and historians believe the act contributed to his reelection loss in 1976.

We have since seen Ford's decision open the door to more pardons of political allies or personal friends. In 1992, George H.W. Bush pardoned officials he had served with in the Reagan administration who were tangled up in the arms-for-hostages, Iran-Contra scandal; Bill Clinton pardoned Democratic donor Marc Rich in 2001; and George W. Bush commuted the sentence of vice presidential aide Scooter Libby in 2007.

Trump's expanded use

As it happens, Trump issued a full pardon to Libby in 2018. During his first term, Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

At the end of his first term, Trump pardoned his former campaign manager Paul Manafort and his friend Roger Stone, among other political allies.

Trump's second term has seen clemency for his former lawyer and friend Rudy Giuliani, as well as crypto executive Changpeng Zhao, whose ties to Trump family businesses have raised questions about the pardon.

Trump's use of the pardon power does not seem to follow a consistent doctrine or philosophy. Some of his clemency actions seem to contradict his administration's policy, such as dozens of pardons of drug traffickers, despite the effort to stop drug trafficking in the Caribbean.

The pace of Trump's pardons and commutations, however, suggests little hesitation. The question looking forward, beyond his presidency, is how much of a precedent his actions, along with Biden's, may set for their successors.

We know this from earlier expansions of the pardon's reach, as well as other areas of presidential authority: Few presidents willingly relinquish powers accrued by their predecessors. Once chief executives have exercised a certain type of authority, their predecessors seldom give it back, ultimately increasing the power of the presidency.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The words we use to describe gender-based violence (GBV), such as "victim," "survivor" and "person with lived experience," aren't neutral. These labels are powerful. They can affirm dignity or reinforce stigma. They can mobilize movements or obscure systemic issues.

GBV can include sexual, physical, mental and economic abuse. Coercive control and manipulation in intimate partner relationships are an example, as is sexual assault, child marriages or technology-facilitated violence. And in Canada, GBV disproportionately impacts women and girls.

As GBV evolves across digital and in-person contexts, the stakes of language are especially high.

Drawing on our research and practice, we explore what these labels mean, how they are used and the impact they have on people's lives. Our aim is to support intentional language as part of the broader work of violence prevention, collective action and addressing harm.

Two starting points help anchor this discussion. The first is that when you are in direct contact with someone who has experienced GBV, follow their lead in how they describe their own experience. The second is to recognize that different communities use terms rooted in their own histories that demand our respect, not our translation.

What 'victim' reveals and what it distorts

"Victim" centers the harm experienced by individuals and the impacts it has had on their lives. It first gained prominence early in the women's rights movement, when it was deployed to evoke sympathy and action. Today, it remains central to the legal system.

Research indicates that labeling someone as a victim frames them as someone in need of saving or protection rather than being recognized as knowledgeable and capable.

The label has also been criticized for reinforcing the "perfect victim" stereotype, suggesting that only those who appear innocent or socially respectable deserve empathy or justice. This stereotype often dismisses and blames certain groups, including Black women and women with disabilities who face compounded discrimination and disbelief.

Yet some individuals embrace the label of "victim" as an honest reflection of what they endured.

As American writer Danielle Campoamor states: "As a victim of sexual assault, I am not a happy ending. I do not exist for others to feel better about a systemic problem."

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'Survivor'the resilience story

"Survivor" foregrounds empowerment and resilience. People labeled as survivors are generally perceived more positively than people labeled as victims.

For men who have experienced sexual violence, "survivor" can offer a way to name harm in a context where acknowledging victimization is socially discouraged.

However, the label can shift attention away from aggressors and toward expectations that individuals demonstrate strength or recovery. Healing is not a linear process, and the label of "survivor" can create pressure that a person or community simply "get over it." These expectations stigmatize people whose healing does not align with socially accepted ideas of recovery or "good" behavior.

A focus on personal resilience can also reflect society's discomfort with GBV by celebrating endurance rather than confronting the systems that create harm.

"Victim-survivor" has also been proposed as an umbrella term that aims to disrupt the victim/survivor binary, though it can reproduce some of the same pressures attached to both.

Does person-first language respect or obscure?

Person-first language, such as "individual who experienced GBV," emerged from disability activism. It leads with the person rather than the label, offering an alternative to identity-first terms like "victim" or "survivor."

Person-first language has been found to affirm dignity and emphasize that violence is only one part of a person's story. It highlights individuality and complexity, reflecting the wide range of experiences within this group.

But person-first language can unintentionally portray the person's identity as inherently negative or shameful. It can also individualize violence, obscuring the broader social and political structures that enable it.

Ultimately, the value of person-first language depends on how it is applied and whether it recognizes both personal experience and systemic accountability.

Navigating labels in real-life contexts

Every label captures something true while also missing something else.

The goal is not perfection or consistency; it is intention. Ask: What purpose does this label serve? How is it shaping assumptions about harm and agency? How might you capture what the label misses? Are you imposing one term universally or making space for the multiplicity of language people actually use? If you are speaking to or about an individual, what term do they prefer?

While we recognize that institutional settings often limit the language used, these questions remain useful because they help guide how those terms are applied, offering space to challenge harmful assumptions even when the terminology itself cannot change.

No single label can fully and accurately summarize experiences of violence. Labels often overlap, shift with context and evolve over time.

What matters most is using language that reflects care and respect. Our words should neither confine people to their experiences of violence nor erase the realities of that harm. Intentional language is one way we move closer to a world where GBV is actively named and dismantled.

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FS of BaFe2Al9 at different pressures calculated using DFT taking the experimentally obtained lattice parameters (with the fractional coordinates of Al fixed to the ambient condition data). Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/dxzf-fx8k

Scientists have discovered a way to efficiently transfer electrical current through specific materials at room temperature, a finding that could revolutionize superconductivity and reshape energy preservation and generation.

The paper is published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

The much-sought-after breakthrough hinges on applying high pressure to certain materials, forcing their electrons closer together and unlocking extraordinary electronic behaviors.

"Our research explores how electrons interact inside solid materialsinteractions that give rise to remarkable phenomena such as high-temperature superconductivity and charge-density waves (CDWs)," said Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiez, associate professor of physics at the University of Sharjah.

"These effects are important because they influence how efficiently electricity can move through a material, and they have the potential to transform future technologies."

In most materials, electrons move independently. However, in select materials, they interact collectively, producing powerful new behaviors. "We wanted to understand how these interactions change when the material is placed under high pressurewhen electrons are forced closer together," explained Dr. Abdel-Hafiez, the study's lead author.

(a) M(T) under various fixed pressures measured during the heating process. (b) Pressure dependence of CDW extracted from both cooling and heating measurements. The dotted line is included as a guide to the eye to emphasize the overall trend of TCDW with pressure. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/dxzf-fx8k

How charge-density waves behave under pressure

The study reveals that CDWs' behavior not only strengthens under extreme pressure but can also emerge at room temperature, a rare and exciting discovery, according to the authors. This finding contrasts sharply with what is typically observed in other two-dimensional materials, where CDWs weaken under pressure.

"Our finding opens the door to new possibilities in materials science. The key takeaway is that electrons inside certain materials can behave in surprising and powerful ways when the material is placed under high pressure," emphasized Dr. Abdel-Hafiez.

"Instead of weakening, one important electronic pattern called a CDW becomes stronger and can even exist at room temperature. This is unusual because, in almost all similar materials, CDWs disappear when pressure is applied."

Scientists from leading universities and scientific institutions across Germany, Sweden, India, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates contributed to the groundbreaking study that could pave the way for next-generation technologies, from ultra-efficient energy transmission to advanced quantum devices.

These findings are significant because strengthening these electron interactions brings society closer to transformative breakthroughs, including room-temperature superconductors and ultra-efficient electronic systems. The research demonstrates that pushing materials to extreme conditions can uncover hidden behaviors that may refine the technologies of tomorrow.

"This discovery will attract considerable scientific interest," said Prof. Olle Eriksson, professor of materials theory at Sweden's Uppsala University and chair of the Nobel Prize Committee for Physics.

"Techniques such as muon resonance spectroscopy, neutron scattering, and ARPES will be essential to fully understand why the charge-density wave becomes so robusteven at room temperature."

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Implications for future technologies

Strengthening electronic behavior under pressure suggests new possibilities for future technologies. If science controls these material interactionsa breakthrough this study proves to be attainablethe world will move closer to developing materials that conduct electricity with little or no energy loss, and devices that operate faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Overall, the research shows that by pushing materials to extreme conditions, scientists can reveal entirely new behaviors that were previously hiddendiscoveries that may play a role in the next generation of electronic and energy technologies.

"This result is remarkable because it challenges our current understanding of how electronic order behaves under pressure," said Prof. Rudiger Klingeler of Germany's University of Heidelberg.

"Observing a charge-density wave that not only survives but strengthens up to room temperature opens entirely new pathways for exploring correlated electron systems. It is a discovery that will undoubtedly motivate further experimental and theoretical studies across the field."

The findings could have far-reaching implications for both industry and society, pointing toward materials that can handle electricity more efficiently.

"If electronic behaviors like charge-density waves can exist at room temperature, as our study suggests, this could lead to devices that use far less energy and generate less heat. That means longer-lasting electronics, lower electricity costs, and reduced environmental impact," Dr. Abdel-Hafiez said.

"The results also hint at progress toward future technologies such as highly efficient power systems or faster computing devices. Industries working on advanced electronics, communication technologies, and clean energy could benefit from materials that perform better under everyday conditions."

In the long run, understanding how to control these electronic behaviors could bring society closer to breakthroughs like room-temperature superconductors, which would transform everything from power grids to transportation.

Potential applications and societal impact

The research demonstrates that charge-density waves can strengthen at room temperature under pressure, a discovery that points to creating materials that can work more efficiently without requiring extremely low temperatures, making advanced electronic technologies easier and more cost-effective to deploy.

"One real-world application is in designing faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices. If materials can naturally control the flow of electrons at room temperature, computers, sensors, and communication systems could operate with less power and produce less heat. This would help extend battery life and reduce energy consumption in everyday devices," Dr. Abdel-Hafiez explained.

"Another potential application lies in next-generation power systems. Understanding and controlling electron behavior could bring us closer to technologies like room-temperature superconductors, which could allow electricity to travel long distances without any energy loss. This would revolutionize power grids, lower costs, and support cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions."

Publication details Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiez et al, Anomalous Pressure Dependence of the Charge Density Wave and Fermi Surface Reconstruction in BaFe 2 Al 9 , Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/dxzf-fx8k Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Interracial couples often face unique social pressuresfrom strangers' stares to family disapprovaland two recent studies from the University of Toronto Mississauga shed light on how these stresses affect the relationship.

One study finds that social disapproval can heighten jealousy in interracial couples, while another shows how the cultural sacrifices partners make to bridge differences in upbringing, values and traditions have both positive and negative consequences.

Together, the studies suggest that building a strong, shared identity as a couple can help partners weather challenges and deepen their connection.

Vikki Pham knows these pressures firsthand. In one of her relationships, she faced a lot of external disapproval and found herself feeling unusually threatened by potential romantic rivalsa reaction her own research now helps explain.

"We found that people in interracial relationships report experiencing jealousy more often and more intensely and had bigger worries about possible rivals than people in same-race relationships," says Pham (BSc 2024), the lead author of the study, with psychology professor Emily Impett, the director of the Relationships and Well-Being Laboratory at UTM.

The study surveyed about 400 participantsmostly heterosexual and married or engagedfrom Canada and the United States.

Previous research has shown that people with an "anxious attachment style" (a characteristic of which is fear of being left by a partner) are more likely to be jealous. So, Pham and her research team assessed individuals' attachment styles to make sure they were taking this into account when assessing experiences of jealousy.

This led to a key finding: interracial partners report greater attachment anxiety than same-race partners.

To better understand why, Pham and her team looked at participants' experiences of social disapproval. Not surprisingly, says Pham, social disapproval is more common in interracial partners, and it predicts higher attachment anxiety.

"We reasoned that social disapproval primes them to be vigilant of outsiders to the relationship, which may extend toward possible romantic rivals."

One of the important takeaways from Pham's study, according to Impett, is that experiencing more jealousy in an interracial relationship does not necessarily signal a problem between partners. "Rather," she says, "it may reflect the added stress of being in a relationship that's often judged or questioned by others."

The researchers identified a protective factor in interracial relationships that can mitigate the harmful effects of this stress and reduce jealousy.

"When people had a strong couple identitya sense of unity and being a teamit buffered against the impact of jealousy on relationship satisfaction," says Pham.

The lab's second recent study, led by Ph.D. student Hanieh Naeimi, focuses on another stress in interracial partnerships. This research explores "cultural sacrifices"the negotiations, adjustments and trade-offs people make to manage cultural differences in their intimate lives.

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"All relationships require some kind of sacrifice, yet couples from different cultural backgrounds often have to make some compromises related to their cultural identities and upbringings," says Naeimi.

Nearly 600 people in intercultural relationships from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdommostly female, white and in their 30sparticipated in the study.

The participants revealed that cultural sacrifices can lead to challenges and a sense of lost identity, but also to personal growth and stronger relationships.

"Several respondents talked about the difficulties of acting as a translator for their partner when their families visited, or feeling left out of conversations at family events," says Naeimi. Others saw language differences as an opportunity to learn something new.

Respondents also said that being exposed to new foods, cultural celebrations and religions could be rewarding, while navigating gender role expectations or managing prejudice from a partner's family could be stressful.

The individuals in the study who found ways to create a sense of togetherness with their partner that honored both of their cultural backgrounds were more likely to feel connected and satisfied in their relationships. This finding points to one of the studies' key results.

"Even though we focused on different kinds of challenges, the takeaway is the same," says Impett. "Building a strong, shared sense of 'we' can help couples navigate the emotional ups and downs that come with being in a relationship that sits outside the cultural mainstream."

Naeimi says this insight has practical applications. "If couples' therapists are aware of the cultural sacrifices people make, they can help partners navigate the relationship complexities. But this research is also about validating intercultural relationships, and showing people they're not alone."

The researchers say there is societal value in this new, more nuanced understanding of cultural sacrifices and the benefits and drawbacks in intercultural relationships.

"Cultural sacrifices can lead to the blending of cultures within families, which can create positive change in society," Naeimi says.

Pham agrees, and looking back now on her earlier relationships, wishes she'd had this knowledge. "An 'us against the world' attitude could have helped shield us against the outside forces."
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A 'chiral' molecule is one that is not superposable with another that is its mirror image, even if you rotate it. Credit: NASA

When NASA scientists opened the sample return canister from the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample mission in late 2023, they found something astonishing.

Dust and rock collected from the asteroid Bennu contained many of life's building blocks, including all five nucleobases used in DNA and RNA, 14 of the 20 amino acids found in proteins, and a rich collection of other organic molecules. These are built primarily from carbon and hydrogen, and they often form the backbone of life's chemistry.

For decades, scientists have predicted that early asteroids may have delivered the ingredients of life to Earth, and these findings seemed like promising evidence.

Even more surprising, these amino acids from Bennu were split almost evenly between "left-handed" and "right-handed" forms. Amino acids come in two mirror-image configurations, just like our left and right hands, called chiral forms.

On Earth, almost all biology requires the left-handed versions. If scientists had found a strong left-handed excess in Bennu, it would have suggested that life's molecular asymmetry might have been inherited directly from space. Instead, the near-equal mixture points to a different story: Life's left-handed preference likely emerged later, through processes on Earth, rather than being pre-imprinted in the material delivered by asteroids.

If space rocks can carry familiar ingredients but not the chemical "signature" that life leaves behind, then identifying the true signs of biology becomes extremely complicated.

These discoveries raise a deeper questionone that becomes more urgent as new missions target Mars, the Martian moons and the ocean worlds of our solar system: How do researchers detect life when the chemistry alone begins to look "lifelike"? If nonliving materials can produce rich, organized mixtures of organic molecules, then the traditional signs we use to recognize biology may no longer be enough.

As a computational scientist studying biological signatures, I face this challenge directly. In my astrobiology work, I ask how to determine whether a collection of molecules was formed by complex geochemistry or by extraterrestrial biology, when exploring other planets.

In a new study in the journal PNAS Nexus, my colleagues and I developed a framework called LifeTracer to help answer this question. Instead of searching for a single molecule or structure that proves the presence of biology, we attempted to classify how likely mixtures of compounds preserved in rocks and meteorites were to contain traces of life by examining the full chemical patterns they contain.

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Identifying potential biosignatures

The key idea behind our framework is that life produces molecules with purpose, while nonliving chemistry does not. Cells must store energy, build membranes and transmit information. Abiotic chemistry produced by nonliving chemical processes, even when abundant, follows different rules because it is not shaped by metabolism or evolution.

Traditional biosignature approaches focus on searching for specific compounds, such as certain amino acids or lipid structures, or for chiral preferences, like left-handedness.

These signals can be powerful, but they are based entirely on the molecular patterns used by life on Earth. If we assume that alien life uses the same chemistry, we risk missing biology that is similarbut not identicalto our own, or misidentifying nonliving chemistry as a sign of life.

The Bennu results highlight this problem. The asteroid sample contained molecules familiar to life, yet nothing within it appears to have been alive.

To reduce the risk of assuming these molecules indicate life, we assembled a unique dataset of organic materials right at the dividing line between life and nonlife. We used samples from eight carbon-rich meteorites that preserve abiotic chemistry from the early solar system, as well as 10 samples of soils and sedimentary materials from Earth, containing the degraded remnants of biological molecules from past or present life. Each sample contained tens of thousands of organic molecules, many present in low abundance and many whose structures could not be fully identified.

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, our team of scientists crushed each sample, added solvent and heated it to extract the organicsthis process is like brewing tea. Then, we took the "tea" containing the extracted organics and passed it through two filtering columns that separated the complex mixture of organic molecules. Then, the organics were pushed into a chamber where we bombarded them with electrons until they broke into smaller fragments.

Traditionally, chemists use these mass fragments as puzzle pieces to reconstruct each molecular structure, but having tens of thousands of compounds in each sample presented a challenge.

LifeTracer

LifeTracer is a unique approach for data analysis: It works by taking in the fragmented puzzle pieces and analyzing them to find specific patterns, rather than reconstructing each structure.

It characterizes those puzzle pieces by their mass and two other chemical properties and then organizes them into a large matrix describing the set of molecules present in each sample. It then trains a machine learning model to distinguish between the meteorites and the terrestrial materials from Earth's surface, based on the type of molecules present in each.

One of the most common forms of machine learning is called supervised learning. It works by taking many input and output pairs as examples and learns a rule to go from input to output. Even with only 18 samples as those examples, LifeTracer performed remarkably well. It consistently separated abiotic from biotic origins.

What mattered most to LifeTracer was not the presence of a specific molecule but the overall distribution of chemical fingerprints found in each sample. Meteorite samples tended to contain more volatile compoundsthey evaporate or break apart more easilywhich reflected the type of chemistry most common in the cold environment of space.

Some types of molecules, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were present in both groups, but they had distinctive structural differences that the model could parse. A sulfur-containing compound, 1,2,4-trithiolane, emerged as a strong marker for abiotic samples, while terrestrial materials contained products formed through biological process.

These discoveries suggest that the contrast between life and nonlife is not defined by a single chemical clue but by how an entire suite of organic molecules is organized. By focusing on patterns rather than assumptions about which molecules life "should" use, approaches like LifeTracer open up new possibilities for evaluating samples returned from missions to Mars, its moons Phobos and Deimos, Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus.

Future samples will likely contain mixtures of organics from multiple sources, some biological and some not. Instead of relying only on a few familiar molecules, we can now assess whether the whole chemical landscape looks more like biology or random geochemistry.

LifeTracer is not a universal life detector. Rather, it provides a foundation for interpreting complex organic mixtures. The Bennu findings remind us that life-friendly chemistry may be widespread across the solar system, but that chemistry alone does not equal biology.

To tell the difference, scientists will need all the tools we can buildnot only better spacecraft and instruments, but also smarter ways to read the stories written in the molecules they bring home.

Key concepts Artificial intelligenceXenobiology

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Vikings Heading for Land, by Frank Dicksee (1873). Credit: Christie's via Wikimedia

About 2,400 years ago, before the emergence of the Roman empire, a small armada of boats approached the island of Als off the coast of southern Jutland in modern-day Denmark. The armada carried around 80 warriors armed with spears and shields. Some of them were officers, and these men carried iron swords.

The seafarers had traveled across what is now the Baltic Sea in sleek plank boats some 20 meters long. The planks were sewn together as boats at this time did not use metal nails, and the seams were caulked (waterproofed) with tar.

At some point along the voyage, they had stopped to repair their vessels. One of them left a partial fingerprint in the soft, newly applied caulking material between the plank seams. This sea-warriorage and gender unknownwas inadvertently leaving a message for scientists (including me) who, more than two millennia later, would finally recognize the fingerprint's significance using cutting-edge technology.

The small army was planning a quick marine assault on their enemies in Denmarkbut their plans failed. Soon after they jumped on to the beach, these warriors were killed by the local defenders.

To give thanks for their victory against this invading force, the locals filled one of the boats with the weapons of the invaders and sank it into a local bog as an offering to the gods. Their decision to sink the boat in the bog has allowed future archaeologists to piece together clues about the events surrounding the attack, as well as the technology and society of these ancient people.

Today, this island bog in southern Denmark is known as the Hjortspring bog. In the late 19th century, the remains of the ancient boat were discovered, well preserved in its low-oxygen environment. At the time, the region had recently been conquered by Prussia and was part of the German empire, so the local Danes who found the boat kept their discovery secret until Als rejoined Denmark in 1920.

The boat was finally excavated in 1921, and has been on display at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen ever since. The excavation used the best archaeological methods that were available in the 1920sbut the scientific techniques of modern archaeology were not yet available.

In 2023, researchers from Lund University and the University of Gothenburg began a collaboration with the national museum in order to use modern scientific methods to study the materials pulled out of the Hjortspring bog over a century earlier. Some of these samples had never been studied since the original excavationmeaning that a major mystery had surrounded the Hjortspring boat ever since. Where did these invading warriors from the 4th century BC come from?

A surprising result

The weapons such as swords and spears found in the boat were used widely across northern Europe during the early iron age, giving few clues as to the boat's provenance. Most archaeologists had assumed the boat came from somewhere nearby in Jutland, or perhaps from northern Germany.

By analyzing the boat's caulking material using a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we were able to determine what chemical compounds the caulking tars were made froma combination of animal fat and pine pitch.

This was surprising, since nearly all the pine forests in Denmark and northern Germany had already been cut down to make room for agriculture during the Neolithic period. We know this because geologists have studied ancient pollen in lakes and bogs to determine what species grew in different parts of Europe and at what times.

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While the people who built the Hjortspring boat may have traded items to acquire their tar, it was at that time possible to waterproof boats using materials local to Jutland such as linseed oil and tallow (cow fat). So our investigation suggests the Hjortspring boat probably did not come from Jutland or northern Germanybut rather, from a more distant location with access to abundant pine forests.

The closest large pine forests during the 4th century BC were located along the coasts of the Baltic Sea to the east of modern-day Denmark. This means the crew of the Hjortspring boat, and their fellow seafarers, may have traveled hundreds of kilometers across open sea to launch their attack on Als.

We already knew that such long-distance voyages took place during the Bronze Age, when Scandinavians traveled far from home in search of copper. Iron was locally produced in Scandinavia, however, making the economic need for such voyages less obvious during the Iron Age.

Nonetheless, our results indicate that long-distance trading and raiding continued well after the end of the Bronze Age. While we will never know exactly what drove the warriors to launch this particular attack, our research suggests that back thenjust as todaypolitical conflicts spanned regional borders and led young warriors to travel far from home.

We were also able to carbon-date some of the lime bast rope used on the boat, giving the first absolute date from the original excavation material. The cordage dated to between 381 and 161BC, confirming the boat was from the pre-Roman Iron Age.

While selecting tar samples for our scientific analysis, we made another fantastic discovery: the "secret message" left by one of the crew in the form of a partial fingerprint left by one of the mariners on a small clump of tar.

Using X-ray tomography, we have made a digital 3D model of the fingerprint, accurate to the nanometer scale. From our analysis of the print, we believe it was left by an adult, although we cannot say much more at present about who this individual was. This exciting find gives us a direct connection to this ancient warrior who once voyaged across the Baltic Sea.

Within the next year, we hope to be able to extract ancient DNA from the caulking tar on the boat, which could give us more detailed information about the ancient people who used this boat.

At present, our results show that the practice of long-distance maritime trading and raiding, which came to characterize the famous Viking age, persisted over nearly 3,000 years of Nordic history. By studying this ancient boat, we can peer deeper into Scandinavia's origins as a seafaring society.

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Angela Scanlon found Lord Sugar "intimidating" on The Celebrity Apprentice.

Angela Scanlon feared Lord Sugar on The Celebrity Apprentice

The 41-year-old presenter is among the contestants in the two-part Christmas special of the BBC reality show and explained how the host wasn't afraid of shooting some withering glares in the direction of the candidates on the show.

Angela told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "He was intimidating, honestly.

"Obviously, you know it's a character... but, then is it? He's got real presence and he's got a 'stink eye' that I've not seen in real life very often."

Angela features in the show with the likes of TV presenter AJ Odudu, JLS star JB Gill and EastEnders actor Jake Wood and explained that things got competitive at times as the candidates were tasked with making and selling festive biscuits for BBC Children in Need.

She said: "It's only two episodes, so it's definitely shorter and punchier and I would say a little off the rails in places.

"I want to say, maybe we're a competitive bunch, even though we're not actually jostling for an apprenticeship. There's definitely a kind of thirst and determination for people to win."

Scanlon admits that she isn't concerned if she looks "foolish" at points during the show.

The Irish star said: "Maybe I should have thought about that a bit more deeply! But no, when I'm in, I'm in. I definitely did look foolish at points. But you know, I can live with that."

Angela has been tipped by Richard Osman as a potential candidate to host Strictly Come Dancing once Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman depart the BBC Saturday night staple and she is flattered to be mentioned in such conversations.

The broadcaster  who danced on Strictly in 2023  said: "Richard is amazing and to be uttered in the same breath as Tess and Claudia, who I admire so much? It's phenomenal."

However, Angela is less struck on the idea of taking part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! as she doesn't know if she can cope with the eating trials.

She said: "I'm not sure my stomach would handle it. If it's vitamins or healthy food and you're telling me it's going to make my memory better or something, I'll eat anything.

"But I just don't know if I want visuals forever of me projectile vomiting kangaroo balls out my mouth. But look, never say never."
Abductor sentenced to 100 years for forced disappearance of two Cancun construction workers

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun judge has sentenced an abductor to 100 years in prison. Jose Asterio Triano Castillo was found guilty of the forced disappearance of two Cancun construction workers back in 2022.

On Monday, he was ordered to spend 50 years in prison for each of the men he was found guilty of abducting. According to local officials, Jose Asterio Triano Castillo was part of a criminal group who forced workers at a Cancun Hotel Zone construction site to sell drugs on their behalf.

The two workers he is accused of abducting were last seen in his company in September of 2022 after leaving home to go to work. They were never heard from again.

Police say Jose Asterio Triano Castillo took them to a wooded area where cries for help were heard after they refused to sell narcotics. Their bodies have never been recovered. Neither of the missing men have been publicly named.

In a statement, local police reported that the crime for which the accused was convicted occurred on September 15, 2022 in Cancun. Jose Asterio Triano Castillo was a member of a criminal group that operated in the construction area of a lodging center located in the hotel zone which was dedicated to the sale and distribution of narcotics among the workers of the place.

A Cancun judge sentenced him to two 50-year sentences for each of the men.

The two victims, who worked on the construction site, were systematically forced to buy drugs from the criminal group, of which the now-convicted man was a member.

On September 14, 2022, the victims left their homes to go to work. When they did not return and all contact with them was lost, a search and investigation began.

The suspect was one of the last people to have contact with the victims and participated in their abduction by taking them, along with other individuals, to a wooded area near the lagoon from where cries for help were heard.

The motive for this action stemmed from the victims refusal to buy drugs; the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.

Jose Asterio Triano Castillo was charged and handed down an exemplary sentence of 100 years in prison, 50 for each of the victims, in addition to a fine of 1,731,960 pesos and the amount of material damages of 864,350 pesos for each victim.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

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Family car a complete loss in fiery single vehicle rollover

Cancun, Q.R.  A family was lucky to walk away from an accident that left their car rolled and completely burned. On Sunday evening, the Cancun fire department were dispatched to the site of the single vehicle accident on Arco Vial Norte.

The driver was taking a corner at Monte de Gibraltar Avenue near the Real Valencia subdivision when he lost control and left the roadway. The vehicle hit a city streetlight and then rolled onto its roof.

Within minutes the car caught fire. All four people from inside the vehicle were able to get out before it burst into flames.

The accident was reported to emergency services around 7:00 p.m. Cancun firemen worked to combat the blaze while paramedics provided a roadside medical evaluation of the accident victims, none of whom, required a hospital transfer.

Cancun firemen worked to combat the blaze Sunday evening. December 14, 2025.

The car is believed to have caught fire due to a fuel spill. Firemen were unable to save the car. In a statement, they reported that the vehicle was a total loss.

Personnel from the Cancun Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on a public road. The vehicle was a total loss as a result of the blaze, Bomberos Cancun said.

Our firefighters carried out complete fire suppression maneuvers, securing the area to prevent further risks and safeguard the well-being of those present. Emergency services and relevant authorities provided support during the incident.

Prevention and vehicle maintenance are key to avoiding these types of emergencies. Regularly inspect your vehicle, avoid transporting flammable materials, and in the event of any fire, move away from the area and immediately call 911 for help. To Serve and Protect!

The car was completely destroyed due to a fuel spill. December 14, 2025.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
German Cyber Unit trace online child porn exchange to Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  The Attorney General says a suspected member of a child pornography ring has been arrested in Puerto Morelos. His arrest was made after the German Cyber Unit traced an online child pornography exchange to Puerto Morelos.

Authorities say so far this year, a total of seven people have been taken into custody from around the state for the same crime.

On Monday, prosecutor Raciel Lopez Salazar said a suspected distributor of child pornography has been taken into custody. His arrest was made due to cooperation between European and Mexican authorities.

With this arrest, the number of people detained in Quintana Roo this year for crimes related to this type of content has risen to seven, Lopez Salazar reported Monday morning.

Lopez Salazar explained that the investigation originated from an alert issued by the German Cyber Unit who detected the circulation of child sexual abuse material across websites.

After tracing the source, it was determined that the activity originated in Quintana Roo at which time German officials notified the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) who in turn, notified the Quintana Roo FGE (State Attorney General).

As a result of an investigation, Jose Efrain N was identified and located. He was arrested by Investigative Police. During his arrest, authorities found a cell phone containing sexual videos and photographs of minors.

During a Monday news conference, Lopez Salazar explained that Jose Efrain N used various profiles and aliases on social media. Names such as Tomas Balam, Armando Canul Castillo, Tom and Tom Jr. where some of the online aliases he used to exchange illicit files with other users through online groups.

He also reported that the arrest of Jose Efrain N stems from a complaint filed by the Prosecutors Office of Cologne, Germany

The complaint regarding these events was received by the FGR from the Cologne Prosecutors Office, Central and Contact Service for Cybercrime of North Rhine-Westphalia (ZAC-NRW), Germany. It is an agency that reported on a case concerning the alleged dissemination and possession of files with characteristics of child sexual exploitation. They noted that between June 24 and August 9, 2020, the accused participated by sending files and links to similar groups in addition to being associated with various digital identities.

After investigative work, both in the field and in the office, once the corresponding arrest warrant was obtained, Jose Efrain N was arrested. Likewise, in compliance with the search warrant at his home located on Javier Rojo Gomez Avenue, in Superblock 2 of Puerto Morelos, the agents secured electronic devices and USB drives.

The suspect, as well as the evidence secured, were placed at the disposal of the requesting authority; his legal status will be determined within the constitutionally established timeframe.

Jose Efrain N is currently being held in pretrial detention. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 17 and is facing charges of human trafficking in the form of child pornography.

Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014

Your online newspaper
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You've likely encountered Milwaukee socket sets if you've shopped for tools at Northern Tool, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot. While the Milwaukee Tool brand may be more well-known for its M12 and M18 power tools and Pack Out tool storage options rather than its mechanic's hand tools these days, Lowe's doesn't sell those Milwaukee tools either.

The Milwaukee Tool company was founded in Wisconsin in 1924. While the company was acquired by Techtronic Industries (TTI) in 2005, the Milwaukee Tool "Contact Us" page lists an address on West Lisbon Road in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

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TTI was founded by a German entrepreneur in 1985 and now oversees a diverse line of product manufacturing that includes Milwaukee socket sets. As a publicly traded company listed on China's Hong Kong Stock Exchange, TTI is a global entity with manufacturing interests in multiple countries, including the United States of America. While Milwaukee Tools proudly proclaims the Made in USA status for some of its pliers and screwdrivers, the company's website is more cryptic about the origin of its socket sets. Some digging through the question and answer section of a few Milwaukee socket sets on Home Depot's product pages reveals a response from "Milwaukee Tool" indicating the ratchets are made in Taiwan, while the sockets are made in China. Other Home Depot users say the packaging indicates similar information.

Read more: 5 Tools Ryobi Makes That Milwaukee Doesn't

What you need to know about Milwaukee socket sets

Using a wrench to turn a Milwaukee socket. - Milwaukee Tool

In addition to the retailers listed above, Milwaukee socket sets are available at many outlets that carry other Milwaukee tools, such as Acme Tools, ToolUp, Zoro, Max Tool, and Grainger, to name several, according to the "Where to Buy" button on Milwaukee's 98-piece Ratchet and Socket Set product page. Milwaukee tools may not be any cheaper at Ace Hardware since most retailers have similar prices, although sometimes the cost of certain tools can vary.

Milwaukee sockets have a distinctive feature not seen on other brands: four flat areas located around the perimeter of the sockets. In addition to setting them apart from other socket brands, there are useful reasons for the Milwaukee sockets' square shape. Milwaukee says the shape of its sockets "deter rolling" and makes them "wrench compatible."

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While the option to turn a Milwaukee socket with a wrench can come in hand when working in spaces too tight to allow a ratchet, keep in mind that it works best with open-end wrenches. Closed-end wrenches, including ratcheting styles, won't make contact with much of the socket's square end.

Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on SlashGear.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu auditioned for a part in The White Lotus but lost out to actress Aimee Lou Wood.

Ekin-Su Culculoglu is returning to her acting roots

The 31-year-old Love Island star has revealed she was given the chance to try out for the third season of Mike White's hit TV series but she missed out on landing her big break in Hollywood as the role of Chelsea went to Aimee instead admitting the audition wasn't her "strongest work" and didn't come at the right time.

During a question-and-answer session with fans on Instagram, Ekin-Su explained: "I auditioned for the role of Chelsea on @thewhitelotus in 2023.

"It wasnt my strongest work or even the right time so it didnt go through for a reason."

Ekin-Su previously starred in a soap opera in Turkey before appearing on ITV dating series Love Island and since winning the show in 2022 she has embraced reality TV by appearing in Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Big Brother.

However, Ekin-Su is now keen to walk away from reality TV and return to her acting roots.

She told her followers: "Im stepping back into acting and focusing more on passion projects. I know many people discovered and supported me through reality TV but that was a temporary direction I took after Love Island.

"Acting has always been the bigger picture for me and something I was doing in Turkey before LI."

Although she plans to focus on acting, Ekin-Su would happily return to reality TV if she was offered the chance to appear in ITV's I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

She explained: "There are still certain reality appearances Id consider if the timing is right. Ive mentioned the jungle is one of them, but for now Im excited to see where this new direction takes me."

When a fan asked what she has been up to recently, Ekin-Su teased she has a high-profile project in the pipeline.

She shared: "[I've had] productive meetings, laying the groundwork for the New Year with my team.

"As well as kicking off a project I cant share just yet but will do soon. Its different to anything Ive done, thats all I can hint."
CCTV: On December 13, the National Archives Administration of China published a batch of declassified Russia-provided archives on Soviet interrogations of the Japanese Unit 731 in Khabarovsk. The archives, containing interrogation records of Unit 731 members and investigation reports on the units crimes, once again lay bare Japans notorious germ warfare during its aggression against China. Whats your comment?



Guo Jiakun: The archives transferred by Russia are yet another piece of ironclad evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the Japanese Unit 731 during its aggression against China and theres no room for denial.

According to the archives, during the aggression, the Japanese military conducted various live human experiments, including experiments with germ, frostbite, corrosive liquid and erosive gas. Among the victims, there were not only the Chinese people, but also people from the Soviet Union and the Korean Peninsula. The interrogation records disclosed for the first time show that the confession of Kiyoshi Kawashima, former head of Unit 731s bacterial production department, and other Japanese war criminals detailed the Japanese militarys large-scale use of biological weapons in China in 1940, 1941 and 1942, and the records prove that the application of the experiments in the war aimed at the large-scale destruction of humans.

The trial records in Khabarovsksupporting and adding more proofs to the files kept by Chinatogether with the site of Unit 731 in China clearly demonstrate how the unit committed crimes in China and prove that the germ warfare was a premeditated, organized, top-down and systematic state crime. Besides in China, the Japanese military established Unit Oka 9420 in Singapore in 1942 and conducted illicit human experiments and waged germ warfare in Southeast Asian countries. Their atrocities will be condemned to perpetual infamy.

Alarmingly, despite those solid facts, right-wing forces in Japan are still trying every means to deny, whitewash and even gloss over the aggression and crimes against humanity. Amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells repetition of crimes. Every country has the responsibility and obligation to urge Japan to have a complete reckoning with the specter of militarism that still haunts it, never let tragedy repeat itself, jointly uphold the outcomes of the WWII victory and the post-war international order, and safeguard the hard-won world peace and stability.

Xinhua News Agency: Its reported that the Republican candidate Jose Antonio Kast won the second round of Chiles presidential elections and was elected as the next president on Sunday, defeating the candidate of the left-wing governing coalition Jeanette Jara. Whats Chinas comment?



Guo Jiakun: China congratulates Mr. Jose Antonio Kast on his election as the President of Chile.

Chile is the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with New China. Over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has maintained a sound momentum of development with fruitful cooperation outcomes in various fields. China stands ready to work with the new government of Chile to further step up mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation on all fronts, continue to take China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

TV Asahi: The twin giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo are scheduled to return to China in late January 2026, which will leave Japan without pandas. Giant pandas are popular among the Japanese people. Does China plan to continue its international cooperation on giant panda conservation with Japan?



Guo Jiakun: Id refer you to competent authorities for the specifics.

Kyodo News: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today countermeasures against Shigeru Iwasaki, former senior official of Japans Self-Defense Forces. Whats the reasons behind this move?



Guo Jiakun: The Taiwan question is at the core of Chinas core interests and is the red line that must not be crossed. China firmly opposes Shigeru Iwasaki, the former chief of the Joint Staff of Japans Self-Defense Forces, taking the post of so-called political consultant of the Taiwan authorities. We have protested to the Japanese side more than once and took countermeasures against Iwasaki. Rather than reflect on and correct his wrongdoings, Iwasaki went down the wrong path by colluding with Taiwan independence separatist forces and making provocations. This amounts to a severe violation of the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, a blatant interference in Chinas internal affairs, and a grave infringement on Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity. In response to his egregious moves, China, in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, announced in the decree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs countermeasures against Shigeru Iwasaki for his collusion with Taiwan independence separatist forces and provocations.

CGTN: On the afternoon of December 14, a mass shooting occurred in Sydney, Australias largest city, and caused heavy casualties. Can I have your comment on that?



Guo Jiakun: Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a message of condolences to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong over the incident. China mourns for the victims and expresses sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.

Bloomberg: The U.S. State Department has said that Chinas water cannoning and cutting of anchor lines in the South China Sea has endangered Filipino fishers. The State Department said that the U.S. will stand with the Philippines to confront Chinas provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?



Guo Jiakun: Xianbin Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, which include Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters. On December 12, the Philippines has taken organized and orchestrated moves to send a large number of ships to make provocations and create trouble in the waters off Xianbin Jiao and intruded into the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. The Philippines so-called fishing ships, despite Chinas repeated dissuasion and warning, have deliberately anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao and repeatedly conducted dangerous maneuvers including veering suddenly off course. The Philippine personnel even threatened China Coast Guard officers with knives who were carrying out rights-defending law enforcement activities. The Philippines moves seriously infringe upon Chinas sovereignty and rights and interests, violate international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and sabotage maritime peace and stability. It is legitimate, lawful, professional, restrained and beyond reproach for China to do what is necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines needs to immediately stop its infringement, provocations and vilification, stop its endless self-directed stunts at sea, and refrain from challenging Chinas firm resolve to safeguard our sovereignty and rights and interests.

The U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the maritime issues between parties concerned. The U.S. needs to stop making fact-distorting and provocative remarks, and stop abetting and supporting the Philippines attempt of creating troubles in the South China Sea.

AFP: Id like to ask about Jimmy Lai who is convicted today in Hong Kong. The UK, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and some NGOs have criticized the conviction today. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this?



Guo Jiakun: Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. The Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing crimes that endanger national security in accordance with the law.

China deplores and firmly opposes certain country blatantly making false accusations against Hong Kongs judicial affairs. Judicial authorities in Hong Kong SAR fulfill their duties, safeguard the authority of the law and defend national security in accordance with the law. This is justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach. The relevant judicial case is purely Hong Kongs internal affair. We urge relevant country to respect Chinas sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and refrain from making irresponsible remarks on the trial of judicial cases in Hong Kong SAR or meddling in Hong Kongs judicial affairs and interfering in Chinas internal affairs in any form.

Shenzhen TV: Despite recent calls made by leaders of relevant countries to leaders of Cambodia and Thailand calling for an early ceasefire, the conflict continues along the border of Cambodia and Thailand. What is Chinas comment? What effort has China made to promote a ceasefire between the two countries?



Guo Jiakun: As neighbors and friends of both countries, China follows closely the current developments along the border of Cambodia and Thailand. We are deeply saddened by the casualties inflicted on both sides and express heartfelt sympathies. Cambodia and Thailand are and will always be neighbors. Amity and good-neighborliness are invaluable to a country. The top priority now is to stop the fighting and protect civilians. We hope the two sides will, in light of safeguarding peace and stability of the border areas and the interests of the peoples, exercise maximum restraint, take all measures conducive to realizing a ceasefire, and deescalate as soon as possible.

Since the outbreak of the conflict along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, China in light of the will of the two sides has maintained close communication with both sides via multiple channels and at various levels. We have been actively going between Cambodia and Thailand to promote peace talks, and have created conditions and provided platforms for dialogue between them. China supports the two sides in having direct dialogue and consultation, supports the effort for peace made by ASEAN, especially Malaysia, and supports the effort of finding the solution acceptable to both sides under the framework of ASEAN. China is and will continue to do everything we can to promote talks for peace and play a constructive role in our own way to bring about a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand and restore peace.
On December 12, President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio hosted the 7th Anniversary Banquet of the Hands Off Our Girls Campaign at the State Lodge. The Banquet was attended by First Ladies of multiple African countries and people from various sectors of Sierra Leone. Charge d Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Zhang Dianbin was invited to the event.





In their respective remarks, President Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio reviewed the work and achievements made by Sierra Leone in promoting the rights and interests of women and children, expressed appreciation for the support provided by all partners and friends to Sierra Leone, and promised that Sierra Leonean government will remain committed to promoting the protection of girls and the empowerment of women.

At the event, President Bio presented Charge d Affaires a.i. Zhang Dianbin with a certificate of appreciation. Mr. Zhang Dianbin said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the fourth World Conference on Women, and that China once again successfully held in Beijing a Global Leaders Meeting on Women with the aim to promote gender equality and all-round development of women globally. As a good friend of Sierra Leone, Mr. Zhand emphasized, China will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of its ability to protect girls in Sierra Leone.




On December 12, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust held in Ashgabat in Turkmenistan.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the year 2025 marks the International Year of Peace and Trust, which was proposed by Turkmenistan and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. Today also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's status as a permanently neutral state. China and Turkmenistan are good friends with shared aspirations and good partners for win-win cooperation. China firmly supports Turkmenistan in pursuing its policy of permanent neutrality and commends its active efforts to safeguard global and regional peace and stability and to promote common development among all countries.

Xi Jinping stressed that at a time when global challenges are mounting and conflicts and confrontations continue to flare up, the world is calling for peace and trust more than ever. History shows that the more turbulent and chaotic the international landscape becomes, the more the international community must stand together and support one another. It is essential to uphold mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual understanding, bridge the peace deficit, firmly safeguard the authority and standing of the United Nations, resolve disputes through peaceful means, and oppose hegemony, bullying and the pursuit of selfish interests at the expense of others. Xi Jinping also called for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to address the trust deficit, ensure fairness and justice through the rule of law in international affairs, and advance solidarity and cooperation through multilateralism. Global affairs should be discussed by all, the international order should be safeguarded by all, and the outcomes of governance should be shared by all.

Xi Jinping emphasized that his recent proposal of the Global Governance Initiative offered China's plan for reforming and improving the global governance system. China looks forward to working with all countries to uphold world peace, promote common development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. (Its anonymous!)

Dear Prudence,

Im a 28-year-old man, and my wife, who is 25, and I have been married for a bit over a year now. One thing is increasingly becoming a bit of a snag: kids.

About three years ago, we tried for a while to get pregnant, but it didnt really happen. Then she changed her mind and told me she liked her life as it was. I was honestly fine either way. But now she keeps going on about how she absolutely does not want to get pregnant, due to the effects on her body. I absolutely do not want to adopt, which is a hill I will die on. I guess children arent something I wish for above all (maybe yet), but at this rate, the option might just not be there at all. Should I wait for her to change her mind or just accept that I likely will never be a dad?

Potentially Childless

Dear Potentially Childless,

This all depends on whether and how much you want to be a dad. I had to reread your letter about four times as I prepared to write this because it was so difficult to get a good sense of your actual feelings. I guess children arent something I wish for above all (maybe yet) is the line that really captures the lack of clarity about what you want, how much you want it, and how important it is to you to allow for the possibility that your desire might change.

Heres my best guess: You were at one point truly ambivalent about having kids. But since then, youve gotten older, and you actually would like to be a dador at the very least to have the option. At the same time, your wife has moved in the opposite direction, and it looks like that option may not exist anymore, which is putting your ambivalence to the test. Thats what I think. Double-check it with yourself first and then communicate your stance clearly to your wife. In the same conversation, do some digging about her position. Is she saying she absolutely does not want to get pregnant now because of the effects on her 25-year-old body, or does she think theres a good chance shell feel this way forever? Is it possible shes decided she wants to be child-free because those first attempts didnt work out, and she doesnt want to be disappointed again? Or could it be that her anti-procreation stance is partly a reaction to her belief that you dont care one way or the other? Might she be hesitant to change your life with a child because youve indicated youd be just as happy with a dog, and she doesnt want to be responsible for something that is great in a lot of ways but also comes with major lifestyle downsides?

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I have no idea, but it would be worth your time to make absolutely sure that you each understand not just the other persons stance in this moment, but how strongly they feel about it, what informs it, and how likely it is to change.

Maybe youll find out that your wife is totally against being pregnant and embracing a lifestyle change now, but she might think shell feel differently at the ripe old age of 30. Or maybe she would be willing to face all the emotions that come with tryingpossibly unsuccessfullyto conceive if she knew youd be by her side, just as invested in the process, rather than shrugging your shoulders, going Whatever happens, happens. On the other hand, your wife could be alarmed to know that you sort of want children because she absolutely 100 percent does not. Or maybe when you hear about how certain she is, and you know for sure the option will never exist, youll feel devastated in a way that is clarifying.

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I want to be really clear that almost any distance between your positions on the issue is grounds to reconsider whether you should be together. We dont want the same things out of life is a top reason for divorce. So this conversation will be heavy, but your goal should be clarity, not compromise. You both need the truth!

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The good news is that you have plenty of time. Biological clock-wise, youre both pretty young. I think you can afford a year or two, to talk about and deeply reflect on this question. Part of the conversation should also be about how youll manage if you both decide youre all in on becoming parents and it doesnt happen the old-fashioned way. What kinds of medical interventions are you open to? How much would you spend? Would it be a deal breaker for her if you refused to adopt?

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During all these talks, if you hear yourself saying youll be fine or you guess about anything, force yourself to be clearerand more honest. You deserve to say exactly how you feel about having children, and your wife deserves to hear it.

Get advice from Prudiesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit

Dear Prudence,

I work in a demanding industry that requires being at peak performance, making difficult decisions, and juggling many different people. As a result, I have developed a type-A personality; this environment feeds that.

The problem is that this spills into my personal life, and I have been told by my mother and husband in separate instances that I boss people around in day-to-day situations. This is apparently exhausting and anxiety-inducing to many close family members around me. Because I am a provider and people always view me as an outlet for their personal issues, I feel that giving advice and problem-solving is something that I need to do to help.

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I am worried that I will do this to my kids as they get older and that it will backfire. I dont want that. I wasnt aware how this affected people. From now on, I have just decided to be a listener and offer no more problem-solving or advice. I do need a script, though, when my family asks for my help from now on, or they want me to be involved.

Overbearing in Seattle

Dear Overbearing in Seattle,

Im glad you told me about that. You know Im working on not being overbearing and not bringing my work personality home and bossing people around, so let me think before I respond. Do you want me to give any advice or problem-solving, or should we just talk more about how the situation is affecting you?

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Prudie Wants to Hear From You!

Readers often have great suggestions for our letter writers, occasionally disagree with a point Prudie makes, or simply want to provide some additional advice. Each week, Prudie will be replying to some of these comments and suggestions from readers, which will be featured on the site on Fridays for Slate Plus members. Write to us! Or submit a question here.

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Dear Prudence,

Last year, my best friend (who has a long history of tumultuous, unstable relationships and cutting people out of her life) decided to end our friendship out of the blue. It was painful but also a relief. Unfortunately, she also decided to ruin as many of my other relationships as possible, and I lost some other friends as well. Shortly after that, my closest male friend confessed that he had fallen in love with me. He ended our friendship because it was too painful for him to continue.

It was a very difficult time for me as I lost a huge portion of my social circle and support network basically overnight. My mental health and self-esteem suffered badly. Shortly after all that, another good friend, Tamara, had a birthday party, but told me that I wasnt invited. Between the partners of friends and out-of-town family, there was no room for me on the guest list at the venue they had booked. My already fragile feelings were a little hurt, but I understood her reasoning and did not get upset. I texted Tamara on her birthday, but did not receive a response. I tried texting her a few more times, and she didnt respond to any of them. I assumed yet another friendship was over and stopped contacting her.

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I became deeply depressed. Three of my closest friends, all independently of each other, had decided to end our friendships. I thought I must be a truly horrible person for this to happen, and withdrew from my other friendships as well.

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Finally, after six months, I heard from Tamara. She apologized and told me that she felt so guilty over the birthday party that she couldnt bear to face me, and the longer she went without talking to me, the harder it felt to reach out. She knew what I had gone through with my other friends and felt horrible for ghosting me right after that. The apology seemed genuine, and I was relieved to find out that I hadnt done anything to upset her.

However, I am struggling to move past it. Its been another six months, and I have been unable to forgive her or rekindle our friendship. Every time I try, there is still so much pain there, and I cant bring myself to do it. She abandoned me at a very vulnerable time because she was too cowardly to face the fact that she hurt my feelingsironically though, I got over the lack of invite easily! It was the six months of radio silence with no explanation that truly hurt. I also think that the pain of losing all those friendships at once has been unfairly dumped onto her. How do I move past this and forgive her? I dont want to lose yet another friend, especially one who (other than this one instance) has always been good to me.

Holding on and Letting Go

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Dear Holding On and Letting Go,

I really do understand that you dont want to lose another friend, but this situation is totally unresolved. Tara hasnt really explained why she didnt invite you to her birthday party. If it were me, Id need a really good reasonor a story about a massive misunderstandingbefore deciding to smooth things over.

Not enough room doesnt make sense. Why were you the last priority when it came to squeezing people in? I know why: Because she values other people more. Its frightening to think about losing her completely, and I get that, but I cant encourage you to fight to get yourself to an emotional place where you forgive someone who has shown you that you dont matter that much to her.

Classic Prudie

My oldest son, Ryan, is 20 and instead of living in the college dorm has recently moved in with his first (and only) girlfriend, Stacey. My wife and I are helping cover his expenses, and her parents are helping cover hers but the finances are definitely not equally shared, with the extras being covered by our son via us. We were initially supportive of the move but since theyve started living together his stress level has skyrocketed and his overall mental health seems to have declined
This recipe is one of Slates 10 Best Recipes of 2025.

Having introduced my friend Ali to the Lao Gan Ma (Old Godmothers) chili crisp, I soon discovered that his obsession with it exceeded even my own. With its complex, savory flavors, the chili crisp can be used in so many waysas a condiment, a marinade, a dipping sauce 

Ali also happens to be a dedicated camper, and I had the idea, a bit of a joke at first, to add his new favorite condiment to some cheese crackers I was making for him to take on a trip. As it turns out, the trusty Godmother added a fantastic spicy kick to the biscuits. Its umami richness complements the buttery dough and sharp cheese well and adds an appealing crunch to the biscuits. Serve these with drinks and watch them disappear.

Servings: 25

Ingredients

2 tablespoons black and/or white sesame seeds

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons (150 g) all-purpose flour

 cup (70 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

 teaspoon fine sea salt

6 tablespoons (80 g) unsalted butter, cold and diced

2 tablespoons (25 g) chili crisp (see Preparation Tip)

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoons lemon juice

1 ounces (40 g) (about 4 stalks) green onion, thinly sliced

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Preparation

Place the sesame seeds on a baking sheet and set aside.

Place the flour, Parmesan, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add the butter and process until the mixture is crumbly, then add the chili crisp, egg yolk, and lemon juice. Pulse until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand, then tip it into a large bowl and add the green onion. Stir to incorporate, then knead gently to form a ball.

On a clean work surface, roll the dough into a log about 10 inches (25 cm) long and 1 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Place the log on the sheet with the sesame seeds, then roll the log until it is covered in the seeds. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Dont worry if the dough is slightly soft and misshapen for now.

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After the stint in the fridge, remove the dough and, without removing the plastic wrap, roll it into a more even log, then refrigerate until firmup to 3 days.

When ready to bake, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Slice the cheese log into coins that are just under  inch (1 cm) thick and place them  inch (3 mm) apart on the lined baking sheet. If they break, just smoosh them back together. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. The bottoms of the crackers will be a deeper reddish-brown from the chili oil as well as the direct contact with the heat of the sheetthis is as it should be.

The crackers are soft when warm but will crisp up when they cool down.

Preparation and Serving Tips

Use your favorite brand of chili crisp or your own homemade version. I use Lao Gan Ma brand, but they will all work. Too much oil will make the dough soft and waxy, so leave as much of the oil in the jar as possible.

The crackers can be eaten on the day they are baked but are at their best a day or two after, when theyve dried out a little and the flavors have had time to meld together. They will keep, loosely wrapped in foil, for up to 5 days.

Reprinted with permission from Abrams Books.

See all the Best Recipes of 2025 here.
This recipe is one of Slates 10 Best Recipes of 2025.

Minutes after landing in Bangkok, I took a tuk-tuk 40 minutes out of the city to a neighborhood restaurant called Baan Pee Lek, where I instantly fell in love, not with a man, but with an omelet. It was what most other eggs could only dream of becoming: ribboned white and gold, wrinkled, and wobbly in the center. As simple as it is, for me it is the beating heart of this book. Its easy, beautiful, and really, truly delicious. The nam pla sauce adds another string to this omelets bow, allowing it to mix more easily with rice and become a complete meal.

Note: Make the rice first if youre eating it alongside. Youll need a good nonstick pan for which you have a lid. Youll also need a quality vegan fish sauce, such as Tofuna Fysh Sauce.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 birds-eye chili, finely sliced

2 tablespoons vegan fish sauce

1 tablespoon lime juice, from 1 lime

8 large eggs

 cup canola oil

 teaspoon salt

To serve:

Cooked jasmine rice

Vegan fish sauce

Mayonnaise, ideally Kewpie

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Preparation

First, make the nam pla: Put the chili, 2 tablespoons of vegan fish sauce, and the lime juice into a little bowl and stir, then set aside.

To make the omelet, crack the eggs into a bowl and add  tablespoon of vegan fish sauce and the salt. Pierce the yolks with a fork, then gently mix so that the yolks and whites are ribboned or marbled together.

Put the oil into a wide nonstick pan, for which you have a lid, over a medium heat and have a wooden spoon on standby. Check the temperature of the oil by dipping the wooden spoon into the pan: When bubbles form around the tip of the spoon, the oil is hot enough.

Pour the eggs into the pan and, with a wooden spoon and treating the pan as if it were a clock face, push the wet egg mixture into the center of the pan at the 1-, 2-, 3- (and so on) hour marks, continuing in a clockwise direction until youre back to where you started. Do this twice in fairly quick succession (it should take around 2 minutes), then pop the lid on for the final 30 seconds to just cook the egg on top.

Cut into quarters and serve over freshly cooked rice with the nam pla, extra vegan fish sauce, and Kewpie mayonnaise on the side.

Excerpted from Dinner: 120 Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes for the Most Important Meal of the Day by Meera Sodha. Copyright  2025 by Meera Sodha. Reprinted with permission from Flatiron Books. All rights reserved.

See all the Best Recipes of 2025 here.
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Donald Trumps grip on the Republican Party has survived countless political setbacks, a global pandemic, and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. It will survive his ugly Monday morning social media post about the death of Rob Reiner too. However, the immediate backlash to that post, in which Trump suggested that the Hollywood director had somehow brought death upon himself due to his disdain for the president, illustrates just how much that grip has slackened.

So far, in the intervening hours, congressional Republicans and other figures on the right have taken to the internet, without being prompted, to criticize Trump. The critics arent just swing-district Republicans, like Rep. Mike Lawler, of New York, or Trump adversaries, like libertarian Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky. Instead, even an otherwise loyal Republican, Rep. Stephanie Bice, of Oklahoma, has chastised the president for the post. A father and mother were murdered at the hands of their troubled son. We should be lifting the family up in prayer, not making this about politics, wrote Bice on Twitter.

Its not a full-scale rebuke of Trump by any means. But after years of hearing Republican members of Congress insist I havent seen the tweet to avoid commenting on the presidents latest post, the proactive engagement is notable.

As one longtime party operative, granted anonymity in order to speak frankly, pointed out to Slate: Trump rules by fear. And people are a lot less afraid of Trumpand the political ramifications of challenging himnow than they were months or even weeks ago. In particular, the operative highlighted the presidents failure to rally Indiana state senators to vote to gerrymander the state last week, a failed bid to deny Democrats representation in the states delegation.

It wasnt simply that Trump lost the vote in the state Senate. It was that a majority of the Republicans in that chamber voted against himeven despite threats of primary challenges and political retribution from the president and his allies.

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Further, as another veteran Republican politico mentioned, Trump is not yet a lame duck, but hes getting there. People are looking at whats next, said the politico.

At the same time, while the GOP may still be wary of challenging the president on issues where he is popular, there is not a strong constituency for dancing on Rob Reiners grave. Particularly in the aftermath of Charlie Kirks assassination and coming after a weekend that saw a mass shooting at Brown University and a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, theres little appetite for bloodlust save among the sycophantic pro-Trump online influencers.

This means that politicians pushing back on Trumps post are likely to face far fewer consequences than what theyd experience from challenging the president on any other priority. After all, whereas millions of Republican primary voters believe that the 2020 election was somehow stolen from Trump, their credulity does not extend so far as to accept that the 78-year-old mans criticism of the president somehow led to his killing.

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Related From Slate The Greatest Fantasy About Barron Trump Was Just Thoroughly Shattered Read More

The combination of all of these circumstances has meant that Republicans slowly but surely are dipping their toes into the water to reproach Trump.

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Donald Trump isnt going away anytime soon. His endorsement is still tantamount to near-automatic victory in a Republican primary, and he will still control all the levers of power in the federal government for the next three years.

But its clear he is slowly but surely diminished as his approval ratings approach all-time lows, and as Democrats have so far overperformed in almost every election held during his second term.

The result is that Republicans are less willing to excuse the inexcusable, like his post about Reiner. Even if hes still an incumbent popular among the GOP faithful, Trump is no longer the political juggernaut he was only months ago.

Certainly, with his doubling down on his comments from the Oval Office on Monday afternoon, calling the deceased director a deranged person, hes not making it any easier for Republicans to ignore this.
A survivor of the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach has issued a stark condemnation of the police response, alleging that officers 'froze' and failed to confront the gunmen during a prolonged and unchallenged assault.

The account, provided by eyewitness Shmulik Scuri, has intensified scrutiny of the New South Wales Police tactics during the attack, which has been declared a terrorist incident that left at least 12 people dead and 29 injured.

Chaos And Criticism: Witness Accounts Of The Attack

Those attending the Chanukah by the Sea event said the atmosphere was joyful moments before gunfire erupted. Families, children, and elderly attendees suddenly found themselves fleeing for their lives as automatic weapons echoed across the park landscape.

Mr Scuri, who was with his family, told reporters that for '20 minutes' shooters continued to fire while approximately four police officers stood by without returning fire. He said one suspect reloaded openly, uninterrupted, and that officers did not engage.

'Nobody gave fire back. Nothing. Like they froze,' he said. 'I don't understand why.'

Video footage emerging on social media captured frenzied crowds sprinting for cover, some seeking refuge in nearby businesses or behind beach structures. Many described hiding in doorways and behind playground equipment as bullets flew over the lawn.

Police Response Under Fire

New South Wales Police have faced intense scrutiny following the attack, with questions being raised about tactical decisions during the critical early moments of the incident. Official police communications confirmed officers were on site and responding, but they have not publicly detailed the timing and nature of their engagement with the gunmen.

Authorities have declared the incident a 'terrorist attack' after at least 12 people were killed and 29 injured, including two police officers. Police later located and removed suspected improvised explosive devices from a vehicle linked to the suspects.

In contrast to the claims of inaction, police statements suggest that officers were actively responding to the developing situation, although precise timelines for engagement have not been released.

Politicians have publicly supported law enforcement, while also condemning the attack. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called the violence 'evil beyond comprehension' and lauded the bravery of bystanders who intervened during the assault.

Heroism Amid Horror

Amid the widespread tragedy, dramatic footage circulated showing a civilian confronting one of the gunmen. In the video, a man later identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed approached an active shooter from behind, wrestled the firearm from him, and at least momentarily halted further violence.

Local media reports described al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father and fruit vendor, as a hero whose bold action likely saved many lives. He was reportedly wounded in the confrontation and remains hospitalised.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Minns both praised the bystander's intervention, with Minns saying there are 'many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery.'

Other civilians also stepped forward, offering first aid and shelter to the wounded and traumatised. Bystanders tended to victims, applied pressure to wounds, and helped move the injured to safer locations while emergency services arrived.

However, the contrast between civilians' proactive actions and the perceived hesitation of uniformed officers has fuelled an intense debate. Critics have demanded a transparent review of police protocols in active shooter scenarios.

@metrouk The hero of Bondi Beach who was shot twice in his attempt to disarm one of the killers has been revealed. Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, was named by family as the man who wrestled one of the gunman to the ground before aiming the gun back at the attacker and forcing him to retreat. Mr al Ahmed, a Muslim father-of-two with no gun experience, was passing Bondi Beach when he heard the shooting erupt. The fruit seller was shot twice by the other suspect after he snuck up on one of the gunmen and managed to disarm him. #sydney #bondi #shooting #news #australia  Prelude Noir VII (Felt Reframing) - Alfonso Peduto

Broader Impact and Ongoing Questions

The Bondi Beach massacre has deeply shaken Sydney's Jewish community and Australians at large. This attack, declared the deadliest since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, has ignited conversations about terrorism preparedness, community safety, and police readiness in the face of sudden mass violence.

Australian leaders, including rival political figures and community advocates, have called for comprehensive investigations into the planning and execution of the police response. The goal, they say, is to ensure that emergency protocols are updated and that future tragedies are met with swifter and more decisive action.

Families of the deceased and survivors like Mr Scuri are now looking for answers as well as accountability. Many survivors continue to grapple with the trauma of the attack, with support services being mobilised across Sydney in the days following the shooting.

The questions raised by the survivor's claim of police inaction will persist as authorities review the timeline of events, release more footage, and respond to a public demanding clarity on how those charged with protection reacted when every second counted.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Huawei Technologies' latest Mate 80 series smartphones are powered by an upgraded in-house chip after its foundry partner made improvements to the 7-nanometre node process despite US export restrictions on advanced technology, according to a new report.

The Kirin 9030, the processor behind Huawei's Mate 80 Pro Max, was manufactured by China's top foundry Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) using the N+3 process, which is a "scaled evolution" of the chipmaker's previous 7-nm node technology, according to Canadian semiconductor research firm TechInsights.

Despite "meaningful density improvements" in its N+3 process, SMIC's capabilities were still behind leading chipmakers Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics, the report showed.

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"In absolute terms, N+3 remains substantially less scaled than industry 5-nm processes from TSMC and Samsung," TechInsights analyst Rajesh Krishnamurthy said in the report.

Huawei's flagship Mate 80 series smartphones. Photo: Handout alt=Huawei's flagship Mate 80 series smartphones. Photo: Handout>

The process was also expected to struggle with "significant yield challenges", as it relied on deep ultraviolet (DUV) multi-patterning to achieve aggressive metal scaling, according to Krishnamurthy.

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The findings reflected China's ongoing abilities to push the limits of advanced chipmaking using DUV lithography, as Chinese companies are barred from accessing the most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, creating a key bottleneck for China's semiconductor manufacturing progress.

Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

The Kirin 9030 chip was unveiled with the launch of the Mate 80 series smartphones in late November. Huawei claimed the chip delivered up to 42 per cent better performance than the Kirin 9020, the processor behind the Mate 70 smartphones.

The industry closely watches chip developments by the Shenzhen-based telecommunication equipment giant as a barometer of the nation's overall chip progress.

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TechInsights' previous reports showed that the Kirin 9020 and the Kirin X90 processor in Huawei's MateBook Fold Ultimate Design laptop were made with SMIC's 7-nm process, dampening speculation that Huawei had made the leap to SMIC's 5-nm process.

Huawei has grappled with sweeping US export controls since Washington added it to a trade blacklist in 2019, which cut off its access to US-origin semiconductor technology. SMIC was added to the same blacklist in 2020.

In October, TechInsights, which regularly publishes reports on Huawei's chip progress, was added to China's "unreliable entity list" by the Ministry of Commerce, which prohibited it from doing business with the country.

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.
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:

Sandia National Laboratories engineers Elijah Jans, right, and John Murray (no relation to Jon Murray) test a thermal protection system material in an inductively coupled plasma torch. Material such as this protect hypersonic vehicles from the intense heat of traveling at more than 3,8000 miles per hour. Credit: Craig Fritz

From the tragedy of the space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003 to the now-routine return of commercial spacecraft, heat shieldsformally called thermal protection systemsare critical for protecting vehicles from the intense heat and friction of atmospheric reentry or traveling at many times the speed of sound.

Now, a team of engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed ways to rapidly evaluate new thermal protection materials for hypersonic vehicles. Their three-year research project combined computer modeling, laboratory experiments and flight testing to better understand how heat shields behave under extreme temperatures and pressures, and to predict their performance much faster than before.

Hypersonic flight means traveling at speeds of at least five times faster than the speed of sound, or more than 3,800 miles per hour. Other vehicles, such as ballistic missiles, can travel this fast, but hypersonic vehicles are far more maneuverable and unpredictable, making them harder to intercept. Unlike reusable spacecraft, the thermal protection systems used on U.S. hypersonic missileswhich solely deliver conventional weaponsare designed for a single use.

Sandia National Laboratories engineers testing a heat-shield material in an inductively coupled plasma torch. This torch is very similar to the University of Texas at Austin torch used to test heat-shield materials for this project. Data from the lab tests was used to refine a computer model to more rapidly evaluate materials for hypersonic vehicles. Credit: Craig Fritz

"This project came about because I was talking with Jon Murray one day and he told me he needed to predict the response of heat shields more rapidly to assist his Department of Defense customers," said Justin Wagner, an aerospace engineer and the project's lead researcher. "He said, 'Can we find a way to use the science tools that are being developed here and combine that with our systems integration know-how?' Ultimately, the project is focused on trying to understand what will happen in flight more quickly. It will limit how many materials we need to qualify and help us understand them better."

The project tested materials ranging from common graphitethe same carbon used in No. 2 pencilsto more exotic carbon-based and ceramic composites. Hundreds of samples were made by the materials science team led by Sandia researcher Bernadette Hernandez-Sanchez, with contributions from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Laboratory tests on the ground

The intense shock of reentry comes from distinctive aerodynamics that include high temperature, intense pressure and vibration. These conditions are impossible to replicate completely on the ground, but researchers can create experiments that mimic portions, Wagner said.

For example, the team used an inductively coupled plasma torch to study the chemical and physical changes in small samples of heat-shield materials as they burn up, or ablate. They recently shared their results in the Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer. For this experiment, the researchers scorched materials with plasma hotter than the surface of the sun. This work was primarily done at the University of Texas at Austin, Wagner said.

To test larger slabs of potential heat shields, the team turned to Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility, which uses sunlight concentrated by a field of mirrors to generate extreme temperatures. The team also used a hypersonic shock tunnel to mimic the aerodynamics of flying at Mach 10. The tunnel can produce both extremely high temperatures and Mach-velocity gas bursts, but only for a fraction of a second.

The researchers compared the results to advanced ablation models developed by collaborators at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Additional materials science data came from collaborators at the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign and Kratos Inc., Wagner said.

Building better, faster models

The modeling team, led by chemical engineer Scott Roberts, used data from the lab experiments to develop a computer model of the heat-shield material properties, aerodynamics and heat-transfer physics of a hypersonic vehicle in flight.

Then a team led by aerospace engineer Jon Murray took the results of the full-physics model to train a reduced-order model.

If the full-physics model is a bitmap version of an imagea file that contains data for each pixelthe reduced-order model is like a JPEG, which still shows the important features while compressing the less important areas, Murray explained. The big challenge was determining the best method to identify the most important features and the equations that best describe their behavior, he added.

Murray's team trained the reduced-order model on several sets of results from the full-physics model, using machine learning to identify the important features, he said. The resulting model was 90% accurate compared to the full-physics model for missions and vehicle designs similar to those trained upon, Wagner added.

The reduced-order model can simulate the response of a heat-shield material thousands of times faster. While the full-physics model can take days to produce results on a supercomputer, the reduced-order model produces results in seconds on a desktop computer, Murray said. This allows researchers to rapidly design vehicles for new missions or assess whether an existing design would work for a new mission.

"What we're trying to do is make it seamless to go from the full-physics model to this reduced-order model so that any time they make a change in the properties of the heat-shield material in the full model, we can incorporate that in a more or less automated retraining of the reduced-order model," Murray said.

Validating via flight tests

To demonstrate the credibility of both models, the team flew samples of the heat-shield materials on rockets.

"Flight tests are really important because they provide the actual environment you're trying to qualify these materials for," said aerospace engineer Katya Casper, who coordinated the flight testing. "While we do our best to replicate pieces of flight on the ground, we can't replicate everything at the same time. Flight gets you everything."

So far, the team has flown samples on two suborbital rocket launches through the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program. These rockets host experiments from 10 to 20 research teams per mission, as each launch is expensive, she added.

For the test flights, the team used samples ranging from the size of a quarter to 4-inch-long wedges. Both sizes were outfitted with temperature sensors to track how hot the materials got during flight.

The flight test team also included sensors to study chemical changes that occurred during flight to validate the results from ground-based experiments. The first flight included an optical emission spectrometer, and the second flight included a laser absorption spectroscopy system developed in partnership with Purdue University and PSE Technology, Casper said.

Next, the team will test a new tile built with multiple material samples and temperature sensors on the nose of a reentry capsule scheduled to launch in summer 2026. This will be an Air Force Research Laboratory-sponsored test flight through the Prometheus program.

"This flight is exciting because if all goes well, we'll get the tile with the samples back," Casper said. "We'll get to see what it looks like and characterize the materials afterwards." This includes measuring how much material ablated away and studying the chemistry of the remaining material to add even more credibility to the models.

More information: Dan Fries et al, Coherent Raman Measurements of Temperature and CO/N 2 Concentration During Plasma Torch Graphite Ablation, Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer (2025). DOI: 10.2514/1.t7080
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 11, 2025, that aims to supersede state-level artificial intelligence laws that the administration views as a hindrance to innovation in AI.

State laws regulating AI are increasing in number, particularly in response to the rise of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT that produce text and images. Thirty-eight states enacted laws in 2025 regulating AI in one way or another. They range from prohibiting stalking via AI-powered robots to barring AI systems that can manipulate people's behavior.

The executive order declares that it is the policy of the United States to produce a "minimally burdensome" national framework for AI. The order calls on the U.S. attorney general to create an AI litigation task force to challenge state AI laws that are inconsistent with the policy. It also orders the secretary of commerce to identify "onerous" state AI laws that conflict with the policy and to withhold funding under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program to states with those laws. The executive order exempts state AI laws related to child safety.

Executive orders are directives to federal agencies on how to implement existing laws. The AI executive order directs federal departments and agencies to take actions that the administration claims fall under their legal authorities.

Big tech companies have lobbied for the federal government to override state AI regulations. The companies have argued that the burden of following multiple state regulations hinders innovation.

Proponents of the state laws tend to frame them as attempts to balance public safety with economic benefit. Prominent examples are laws in California, Colorado, Texas and Utah. Here are some of the major state laws regulating AI that could be targeted under the executive order:

Algorithmic discrimination

Colorado's Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence is the first comprehensive state law in the U.S. that aims to regulate AI systems used in employment, housing, credit, education and health care decisions. However, enforcement of the law has been delayed while the state legislature considers its ramifications.

The focus of the Colorado AI act is predictive artificial intelligence systems, which make decisions, not newer generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, which create content.

The Colorado law aims to protect people from algorithmic discrimination. The law requires organizations using these "high-risk systems" to make impact assessments of the technology, notify consumers whether predictive AI will be used in consequential decisions about them, and make public the types of systems they use and how they plan to manage the risks of algorithmic discrimination.

A similar Illinois law scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to make it a civil rights violation for employers to use AI tools that result in discrimination.

On the 'frontier'

California's Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act specifies guardrails on the development of the most powerful AI models. These models, called foundation or frontier models, are any AI model that is trained on extremely large and varied datasets and that can be adapted to a wide range of tasks without additional training. They include the models underpinning OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini AI chatbots.

The California law applies only to the world's largest AI modelsones that cost at least US$100 million and require at least 1026or 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000floating point operations of computing power to train. Floating point operations are arithmetic that allows computers to calculate large numbers.

Machine learning models can produce unreliable, unpredictable and unexplainable outcomes. This poses challenges to regulating the technology.

Their internal workings are invisible to users and sometimes even their creators, leading them to be called black boxes. The Foundation Model Transparency Index shows that these large models can be quite opaque.

The risks from such large AI models include malicious use, malfunctions and systemic risks. These models could potentially pose catastrophic risks to society. For example, someone could use an AI model to create a weapon that results in mass casualties, or instruct one to orchestrate a cyberattack causing billions of dollars in damages.

The California law requires developers of frontier AI models to describe how they incorporate national and international standards and industry-consensus best practices. It also requires them to provide a summary of any assessment of catastrophic risk. The law also directs the state's Office of Emergency Services to set up a mechanism for anyone to report a critical safety incident and to confidentially submit summaries of any assessments of the potential for catastrophic risk.

Disclosures and liability

Texas enacted the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act, which imposes restrictions on the development and deployment of AI systems for purposes such as behavioral manipulation. The safe harbor provisionsprotections against liabilityin the Texas AI act are meant to provide incentives for businesses to document compliance with responsible AI governance frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.

What is novel about the Texas law is that it stipulates the creation of a "sandbox"an isolated environment where software can be safely testedfor developers to test the behavior of an AI system.

The Utah Artificial Intelligence Policy Act imposes disclosure requirements on organizations using generative AI tools with their customers. Such laws ensure that a company using generative AI tools bears the ultimate responsibility for resulting consumer liabilities and harms and cannot shift the blame to the AI. This law is the first in the nation to stipulate consumer protections and require companies to prominently disclose when a consumer is interacting with a generative AI system.

Other moves

States are also taking other legal and political steps to protect their citizens from the potential harms of AI.

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said he opposes federal efforts to override state AI regulations. He has also proposed a Florida AI bill of rights to address "obvious dangers" of the technology.

Meanwhile, the attorneys general of 38 states and the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands called on AI companies, including Anthropic, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity AI and xAI, to fix sycophantic and delusional outputs from generative AI systems. These are outputs that can lead users to become overly trusting of the AI systems or even delusional.

It's not clear what effect the executive order will have, and observers have said it is illegal because only Congress can supersede state laws. The order's final provision directs federal officials to propose legislation to do so.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Digital concerns around privacy, online misinformation, and work-life boundaries are highest among highly educated, Western European millennials, finds a new study from researchers at UCL and the University of British Columbia.

The research, published in Information, Communication & Society, also found individuals with higher levels of digital literacy are the most affected by these concerns.

Study methodology and data sources

For the study, the researchers used information from the European Social Survey (ESS)a project that collects nationally representative data on public attitudes, beliefs and behavior, from thousands of people across Europe every two years.

They analyzed responses from nearly 50,000 people in 30 countries between 2020 and 2022.

For the ESS, participants were asked how much they thought digital tech infringes on privacy, helps spread misinformation, and causes work-life interruptions. Combining responses to the questions into a single index, the researchers generated a digital concern scale, ranging from 0 to 1, where a higher score indicates greater concern.

To establish their digital literacy and digital exposure, the respondents were asked how often they use the internet and to rate their familiarity with preference settings on a computer, advanced search on the internet, and using PDFs. At the country level, digital exposure was captured through the percentage of the population using the internet in each country.

The researchers looked at the levels of concern across different countries, as well as how the concern varies across social groups. They also looked at patterns relating to people's digital literacy and their exposure to digital tech.

Key findings on digital concerns

They found millennials (those aged 2544 in 2022) reported greater concerns, compared to younger (1524) and older adults (75+). They found no significant differences in the level of digital concerns between men and women, nor between income groups or between urban and rural residents.

Across the board, people were more concerned about the potential harms of digital technologies than not. Bulgaria was the only country in the study that did not exceed the mid-point (0.5) on the digital concern scale (01). Of all the countries studied, digital concern was lowest in Bulgaria (with a score of 0.47) and highest in the Netherlands (0.74), followed by the UK (0.73).

Compared with native-born citizens, migrants reported lower levels of digital concern, and those who were in work had a lower level of digital concerns than those out of work.

People with middle/high school education and those with a university degree reported greater levels of worry compared to their peers with no education or only primary school education.

The researchers found that those with greater tech know-how are more concerned about the negative impacts of digitalization, but this association is only observed among people who use digital technology on most days or on a daily basis.

Interpretation and expert commentary

The findings suggest that individuals may perceive the potential harms of digitalization as something that is beyond their control. So, the more they know about and are exposed to the issues, the more powerless and concerned they may feel.

Lead author Dr. Yang Hu (UCL Social Research Institute) said, "Our findings call into question the assumption that greater exposure to the digital world reduces our concern about its potential harm.

"Rather than becoming desensitized, greater use of digital technology seems to heighten our concerns about it, particularly among people who have a high level of digital literacy.

"Anxieties about digitalization have become a defining feature of today's world. As our use and understanding of technology grows, concern about its potential harm can impact individuals' mental health and quality of life, as well as wider societal well-being.

"As businesses, governments, and societies embrace new technologies, tech has become ubiquitous and digital literacy is essential for most people. The rapid development of AI is undoubtedly accelerating this process, so digital concern is not an issue that can be ignored."

Co-author Dr. Yue Qian (University of British Columbia, Canada) said, "Our results reveal dual paradoxes: those who are supposedly most vulnerable to digital harmsyoung people, older adults, and those with a low level of digital literacyappear least concerned about the harms, while those with advanced digital skills report the most concern.

"While mainstream efforts at improving digital literacy have focused on bolstering practical skills, authorities should not ignore people's concerns about what rapid digitalization means for the subjective well-being of individuals and societies."

More information: Hu, Y., et al. Who is concerned about digitalization? The role of digital literacy and exposure across 30 countries, Information Communication & Society (2025). DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2025.2592771
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:

HAADF image (A) corresponding B-cation displacement map (B) and iDPC image (C) of LPMN-33PT ceramic. The pixel size of experimental HAADF and iDPC images is 9.168 pm. The average length of the displacement vector is about 3.3 pm. Simplified atomic models showing positions of A- (blue) and B- cations (yellow) as well as oxygen atoms (red) are indicated. In the iDPC image, positions of oxygen atomic columns visible in the center of squares formed by A- and B- cation unit cells are marked with red circles, while arbitrary displaced O-columns are shown with red arrowheads. Credit: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c15699

A new class of ceramics are not only transparent, but they can control light with exceptional efficiencybetter than any theories predicted. Now, an advanced theory put forth by researcher at Penn State may explain why this material is so good at light control, which could lead to large-scale manufacturing of these materials for faster, smaller and more energy efficient technologies used in high-speed communications, medical imaging and advanced sensing.

To solve the puzzle of why transparent ceramic's electro-optic propertiesthe ability to change how they bend or transmit light when a voltage is appliedperformed far better than predicted, Haixue Yan, reader in materials science and engineering from the Queen Mary University of London, reached out to Zi-Kui Liu, a Penn State professor of materials science and engineering.

Liu previously developed an advanced theory of entropy, or the concept that systems trend toward disorder if no energy is applied to keep the chaos at bay. This advanced theory, known as zentropy theory, blends quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics into a single predictive framework. Together, along with a team representing multiple institutions across six countries, they solved the mystery and published their work in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

A new physics theory called zentropy could help explain why recently developed transparent ceramics control light far better than expected, a discovery that could lead to faster, smaller and more energy-efficient optical technologies used in communications, sensing and medical imaging. Credit: Zi-Kui Liu/Phases Research Lab

Ceramics and their optical advantages

Ceramics offer major advantages for optical technologies because they are far cheaper to manufacture than single crystals, easier to scale into usable components and allow precise control of composition. However, to function in electro-optic devices, the material must be transparent so that light passes through it smoothly, a longstanding challenge that recent processing advances have finally overcome.

"Ceramics are much cheaper, easier to manufacture and allow precise control of the material's chemical composition," Liu said. "The challenge is that ceramics must be transparent, so the light can pass through them smoothly without distortion, before they can function as electro-optic materials."

Researchers achieved transparency by using improved manufacturing techniques that smooth out the tiny imperfections inside the ceramic, the same imperfections that would normally scatter light and make the material look cloudy. These newer methods help the ceramic's internal grains line up more evenly with far fewer defects, allowing light to pass straight through. The research team used these techniques to create the fully transparent ceramics used in the study. This, in turn, enabled the strong electro-optic results, which were a surprise to the researchers.

Unexplained performance and new theories

"There was no existing theory in the ferroelectrics community that could explain these results," Liu said, explaining that Yan learned of his zentrophy theory and reached out to collaborate. Liu said the team was motivated by hints in the scientific literature that transparent ferroelectric single crystals with dense domain walls could show unusually strong electro-optic behavior.

Scientists suspected that if unusual electro-optic behavior appeared in single crystals with many domain wallsthe internal boundaries that separate differently oriented regions inside the materialthe same underlying mechanism might also show up in ceramics, which naturally contain even richer domain structures.

From analyzing the transparent ceramic materials, Yan, Liu and the rest of the team found that the same mechanism did appearand enabled a much stronger performance. The problem, they explained, was understanding why. To understand these results, the team zoomed farther into the material than scientists normally look.

Atomic-scale insights and zentropy theory

In typical ferroelectric materials, the electric charge is arranged into large "domains," which are regions made of thousands of atoms that all line up and flip direction together when a voltage is applied. These big domains work well for technologies that operate at slower, radio-frequency speeds, but they simply can't move fast enough to respond to the incredibly rapid light waves used in photonics. According to the researchers, big domains could not account for the unusually strong electro-optic effects they saw in transparent ceramics.

So, the team turned to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and advanced computer simulations to look at the material on a much smaller scale. Instead of large, slow-moving domains, they found the material contained tiny pockets of polarization only a few atoms wide. These small, fast-responding structures, almost like "mini-domains," helped explain the ultrahigh performance.

"These very small polar features have extremely fast relaxation times," Liu said. "They can adjust their electronic polarization almost instantly under an applied field."

He explained that these tiny polar regions are not static. Instead, they fluctuate continuously and are dynamic, which allows them to respond at optical speeds. "This behavior is very different from typical ferroelectrics," Yan said.

Liu's zentropy theory helped the team make sense of why the new ceramics behaved so differently from what existing ferroelectric models predicted. Zentropy is designed to capture how atoms inside a material constantly shift, vibrate and rearrangebehavior that traditional theories often treat as background noise, Liu said.

Through the lens of zentropy, the researchers mapped out all the tiny structural states the atoms can adopt and then calculated how those rapid fluctuations add up to influence the material's overall performance. This approach is especially useful for ferroelectrics, whose internal structures are highly dynamic, particularly at the high frequencies used in photonics, according to the researchers.

They found that the theory of zentropy could explain why the small, fast-moving polar regions they observed were able to respond at optical speeds. When a material's internal structure breaks down into these tiny, fluctuating units, the energy needed for the polarization to flip becomes extremely low. That means the material can adjust to an applied electric field almost instantly, producing the ultrahigh electro-optic response seen in the experiments.

Traditional theories, which assume larger and slower-moving domain structures, simply couldn't account for this behavior. Liu noted that zentropy showed that the remarkable performance was not a lucky accident but a natural consequence of the material's atomic-scale dynamics.

"By breaking the larger system into smaller atomic units, the energy barrier for polarization changes becomes much lower," Liu said. "That allows the response to be extremely fast."

Future applications and industry impact

This understanding is key to being able to scale up future production of transparent ceramics, Liu said. The researchers have already demonstrated that their ceramics can be produced reliably at laboratory scale, and they are now working to scale production, evaluate long-term reliability and develop safer lead-free versions for industry.

"With progress in these areas, we are optimistic that practical devices could follow in the near future," Liu said.

Such practical devices could reshape key optical devicesfiber optic internet infrastructure to self-driving car guidance systems and precision medical diagnostics, to name a few examples that power the modern digital economy, the researchers said, explaining that lithium niobate has been the standard material in these devices for decades. Applying electricity changes how lithium niobate bends light, but only by an amount so small, it is like nudging a ruler by the width of a few atoms. The ceramics developed in this new study demonstrate coefficients far beyond that level.

"These materials could pave the way for a new generation of electro-optic devices that are smaller, faster, more energy efficient and lower cost," Yan said. "Potential applications include optical modulators, optical switches, communication components, sensors and integrated photonics."

More information: Qinghui Jiang et al, Dynamic Atomistic Polar Structure Underpins Ultrahigh Linear Electro-Optic Coefficient in Transparent Ferroelectric Ceramics, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c15699 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society
Vietnams first LNG-fueled power plants inaugurated

By Minh Hue Mon, December 15, 2025 | 11:36 am GMT+7

Nhon Trach 3 and 4, Vietnams first LNG-fired power plants, were inaugurated on Sunday and are scheduled for commercial operations in early 2026.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (middle) visits the operational system of Nhon Trach 3 and 4 LNG power plants in Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam on December 14, 2025. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

Located in the southern province of Dong Nai, the two plants have combined investment capital of about $1.4 billion and total capacity of 1,624 MW.

Petrovietnam's subsidiary PV Power is the investor, while a consortium of Lilama and Samsung C&T is the EPC contractor.

Once operating at full capacity, they are designed to generate more than 9 billion kWh of electricity annually, providing a large-scale baseload power source for the national grid, particularly in southern Vietnam.

The plants are equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring U.S. firm GEs 9HA.02 gas turbines - currently among the most advanced in the world in terms of technology, capacity, and efficiency. Thanks to this technology, the facilities are expected to achieve an efficiency of 62-64%, among the highest levels today.

The 9HA.02 technology meets stringent emissions standards and allows flexible fuel conversion, from LNG to co-firing up to 50% hydrogen, with the potential to transition to 100% hydrogen in the future.

According to Petrovietnam, the project is a model for the LNG power plants that the corporation plans to develop in the future, laying the foundation for an era of modern gas-fired power in Vietnam.

This is the first power project in Vietnam to successfully secure international loans (over $1 billion) without a government guarantee. The implementation process faced numerous challenges due to the lack of a specific mechanism for LNG power generation, obstacles in negotiating the power purchase agreement (PPA), and environmental commitments.

"Committing to a minimum output guarantee for gas-fired power projects is a major challenge because LNG prices depend on the international market," said Nguyen Duy Giang, deputy general director of PV Power.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Nhon Trach 3 and 4 as "a particularly important piece in strengthening national energy security and supporting Vietnams rapid and sustainable development in the new period.

Drawing on international experience, the Prime Minister noted that countries achieving fast and sustainable growth all possess strong, stable, and modern energy infrastructure. The power sector must move one step ahead, paving the way for industrialization and enhancing the competitiveness of both the economy and the nation, he said.

Vietnams peak electricity demand currently stands at about 54,500 MW and is increasing by an estimated 6,500-8,200 MW each year. This underscores the urgent need for reliable power supplies, especially as the country accelerates strategic breakthroughs in high technology, semiconductor manufacturing, large-scale national data centers, digital transformation, green transition, and major infrastructure projects such as high-speed and urban rail systems.

The cabinet leader emphasized that with annual output exceeding 9 billion kWh, the commissioning of Vietnams first LNG power complex has laid a solid foundation for the development of a gas-fired power market, providing a proactive and stable electricity source.

He highlighted the projects standout features, including its low investment cost, the largest scale, the most advanced technology, the highest capacity, the shortest EPC contractor selection period (11 months), and the most competitive commercial electricity price.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the inauguration ceremony of Nhon Trach 3 and 4 LNG power plants in Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam on December 14, 2025. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

Under the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII, Vietnam aims to add nearly 37,500 MW of new gas-fired power capacity, with LNG accounting for around 60%. However, many projects are facing challenges in securing output offtake agreements to ensure stable cash flows, as well as in planning long-term fuel supply volumes and prices.

To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister requested ministries and agencies to review and remove procedural bottlenecks, particularly by finalizing policies for LNG-fired power plant operations and the LNG power supply chain.

He also urged enterprises to prepare plans and engage early in negotiations with partners on spot LNG imports to reduce price risks, lower input costs, and enhance project efficiency.
Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova said she did not regret anything as she spoke to reporters Sunday after her surprise release brokered by the United States.

The 43-year-old was released on Saturday along with 122 other prisoners after more than five years in prison for opposing Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko.

"I don't regret anything. I believe that there are times when we face such questions, difficult questions, and we must make difficult choices," she said during a news conference in Ukraine, where she was taken after her release.

"I made this difficult choice very easily because I was and remain absolutely confident that I supported the right idea."

Those freed also included Viktor Babariko, a former banker who sought to run against Lukashenko in the 2020 election but was arrested.

At the press conference, Babariko, 62, said detainees in Belarus had access only to state-controlled media and therefore had no objective view of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"You only know what they show on Belarusian television. And they show almost nothing," he said.

The 123 people, who included prominent opposition figures and activists, were freed under a deal with US President Donald Trump that includes Washington lifting US economic sanctions on Minsk.

A total of 114 of those freed were transferred to Ukraine.

Kolesnikova thanked the United States, Ukraine and also Lukashenko himself.

A trained musician, she was one of the leaders of protests against Lukashenko's disputed re-election in 2020.

In September that year, she was abducted by Belarusian security services and taken to the Ukrainian border for expulsion.

She tore up her passport, making her deportation legally impossible and turning herself into a symbol of resistance against the president, in power since 1994.

Babariko lost a lot of weight in prison and said his priority now was his health.

But he added: "Belarus needs me, I will try to do something."

He urged people not to forget the more than 1,200 political prisoners who rights group Viasna says are still held in Belarus, including his own son, Eduard.

"We must not forget those whose surnames we have never heard... That would be a great betrayal."

bur-rco/rlp/jj
Reparative education initiative by the Global Survivors Fund, Neem Foundation and local partners  part of an Education Cannot Wait grant  helps survivors of conflict-related sexual violence rediscover confidence, connection and the joy of learning in Nigeria.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a quiet corner of Maiduguri, children settle into their seats at Lafiya Sarari School, notebooks open and pencils ready. The morning is calm, a feeling many students are still learning to trust after years of insecurity, displacement, and loss. For them, school is more than a place to learnit's a place to heal.

Students in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Lafiya Sarari School in Nigeria.  ECW

Sixteen years of violence by Boko Haram and other insurgent groups have deeply affected the childhoods, safety, and education of countless children in northeast Nigeria, with schools and homes often targeted in attacks and kidnappings.

Every student at Lafiya Sarari has lived through the insurgency, and many continue to carry the weight of that experience. Fatima is one of them, a student who has rebuilt far more than her academic skills within these walls.

"Here, I started to see that I have a bright future," said Fatima.

Her words echo the purpose of a groundbreaking initiative led by the Global Survivors Fund ( GSF ) alongside Neem Foundation and local partners, the Youth Initiative Against Terrorism and Future Resilience and Development Foundation . With support from an Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ) Acceleration Facility grant, they are providing trauma-responsive, reparative education to children affected by conflict-related sexual violence across Borno State.

Fatima's Journey Back to Learning

Fatima recalls the moment her life shifted in 2014 when Boko Haram attacked her town.

"The attack was loud and it scared us all. I had to hide with my family," said Fatima. "After a few hours, we thought they had left, and that no one would save us so we had to save ourselves. We stepped out. Boko Haram captured us."

They were taken to the insurgents' village, where Fatima witnessed her father's death and endured horrors no child should.

Eventually, her family escaped. "We walked for 11 days. We couldn't sleep  it was raining. Only a few of us made it back. We lost many on the way."

Returning to education felt impossible until she joined Neem's trauma-responsive education programme at Lafiya Sarari. There, she found stability, routine and support. After joining, she could imagine a future again.

Her experience mirrors many survivors in northeast Nigeria, where insecurity and crises have forced over 18 million children out of school, according to UNICEF. Protection risks like abductions and attacks on schools have escalated.

After release or escape, Boko Haram survivors face revictimization and stigmatization  often seen as tainted or labeled "Boko Haram wives," assumed to hold insurgent ideologies. Survivors carry heavy psychological burdens that disrupt all aspects of life.

Education stands as a right and form of reparation that helps children like Fatima reintegrate, build skills and transform their futures.

A School Designed for Learning

At Lafiya Sarari, all students have been affected by the insurgency and ~80% are survivors of conflict-related sexual violence  many having struggled to return to conventional schooling.

Educational progress is measured over six years rather than annual benchmarks, allowing students to learn at their own pace. The curriculum emphasizes values such as peace, integrity, respect, honesty and tolerance  values systematically targeted by Boko Haram.

"Formal education wasn't a thing for these children," said Philemon Nyminiba, biology teacher and educational psychologist. "Sometimes you feel a wall around them. Through art, movement and one-on-one support, we help them express what's hard to say."

The school has 17 teachers, two counselors and four psychologists, all trained in trauma-responsive care and psychological first aid. In play-based therapy, staff see anxiety and anger surface, psychological wounds often overlooked elsewhere. "When some children joined, I couldn't have a session without them crying. They didn't feel safe. We had to create activities to make them feel free," said a school psychologist.

Reimagining Futures

With ECW grant support, GSF and Neem are helping children re-enter education with dignity, safety and tailored support. The initiative is rooted in co-creation with survivors to ensure they help define what reparations and supportive learning mean for them.

Every step forward matters. Fatima has now graduated from the programme, stepping into her next chapter with renewed confidence. She exemplifies resilience and possibility as others follow in her footsteps through Lafiya Sarari's doors. "Almost everything we need to progress in life is provided here. This school makes us feel we have hope," said a student.

Their journeys reveal a powerful truth: with the right support, education becomes more than a pathway to learning. It becomes a pathway to healing.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2845866/Students_in_front_of_the_Education_Cannot_Wait_supported_Lafiya_Sarari.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg
(TBTCO) - Nhung chuyen bien tich cuc mang tinh nen tang trong nam 2025 uoc ky vong tao be phong cho chu ky phuc hoi va tang truong cua thi truong bao hiem nhan tho tu nam 2026 tro i. Trao oi voi Bao Tai chinh - au tu, ong Bae Seung Jun - Tong Giam oc Shinhan Life Viet Nam chia se nhan inh ve trien vong thi truong cung nhu chien luoc phat trien cua doanh nghiep trong giai oan moi.
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Chinese delegation visits Sri Lanka to enhance friendship

Xinhua) 10:11, December 15, 2025

COLOMBO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A delegation led by Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), concluded a three-day visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday at the invitation of the Sri Lankan side.

During the visit, Yang met respectively with Bimal Rathnayake, member of the Politburo of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), chair of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association, and minister of transport, highways and urban development, and Vijitha Herath, minister of foreign affairs, foreign employment and tourism. He also met with Sunil Kumara Gamage, minister of youth affairs and sports, and Vraie Cally Balthazaar, mayor of Colombo.

Yang held a group discussion with Indrananda Abeysekera, president of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation, and heads of other Sri Lankan organizations committed to friendship with China, on deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Yang said CPAFFC will provide assistance within its capacity to friendly organizations and support Sri Lanka's efforts in flood relief and post-disaster reconstruction.

All parties expressed their willingness to jointly implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, promote exchanges in people-to-people, local, cultural, and youth fields, and advance the strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
LUXEMBOURG, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE: AGRO) ("Adecoagro" or the "Company"), a leading sustainable production company in South America announces that YPF S.A. ("YPF") has accepted the offer to acquire the remaining 50% stake in Profertil S.A. ("Profertil"), the largest producer of granular urea in South America.

After successfully closing the acquisition of Nutrien's 50% stake in Profertil on December 10th, structured through an 80%-20% partnership with Asociacion de Cooperativas Argentinas ("ACA"), the Board of Directors of YPF has accepted the Company's offer to acquire YPF's 50% stake in Profertil.

As a result, Adecoagro will become the controlling shareholder of Profertil with 90% of equity in the company, and ACA will retain the remaining 10%. Upon completing the acquisition, Adecoagro will have paid approximately US$1.1 billion for its stake.

In addition to the use of existing cash balances and a long term credit facility, a portion of the acquisition financing was secured through Adecoagro's recently completed US$300 million equity issuance  through the sale of 41,379,311 common shares at US$7.25 per share. The offering attracted strong demand from global investors and was anchored by a US$220 million commitment from Tether Investments S.A. de C.V., Adecoagro's controlling shareholder, along with US$26 million from members of Management and Friends & Family.

Mariano Bosch, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Adecoagro, stated: "This acquisition is a transformative milestone for Adecoagro. It greatly expands our scale, enhances our production capabilities, and further diversifies our portfolio, strengthening the Company's ability to perform across different market cycles. Profertil is uniquely positioned as a low-cost urea producer, leveraging the vast potential of Vaca Muerta to boost Argentina's competitive advantages and support sustainable, long-term growth."

He further added: "With this transaction, we will become a company generating over $2 billion in sales, nearly doubling our Adjusted EBITDA, and more than doubling our ability to deliver net results for our shareholderswhile maintaining financial discipline and keeping our debt at appropriate levels."

Regarding the equity sale, Mr. Bosch stated: "For the first time since our IPO in 2011, we are successfully accessing the public market. We deeply appreciate the trust shown by both new and existing investorsespecially Tether and management, who served as anchor investors in our equity offering. Their support and commitment strengthen confidence in our strategy, highlight the importance of remaining a publicly listed company, and underscore the value this transaction will deliver to all stakeholders."

Juan Sartori, Head of Special Projects of Tether and Executive Chairman of Adecoagro's Board of Directors, added: "As we have said since day one, we are here to support Adecoagro. We have consistently expressed our confidence in the Company, in its management team, and in its strategic vision. Today, that commitment is reflected in a tangible investment of $220 million to back Adecoagro at a key moment in its evolution and to support this transformational acquisition. By integrating this asset, Adecoagro will not only increase its exposure to sustainable, real-economy businesses, but also reinforce its position as a key player in the region."

About Profertil:

Profertil is a company devoted to the production of the fertilizers needed to optimize crop yields in a sustainable manner. Profertil has its production plant located in the port of Ingeniero White, Province of Buenos Aires. There, it produces 1,320,000 tons of granulated urea annually, the main nitrogen fertilizer for the soil in the production of different oilseeds and grains. In addition, it sells other fertilizers and prepares tailor-made mixtures to provide each territory and crop with the nutrition required. It has administrative offices in Buenos Aires and logistic terminals in Bahia Blanca, Necochea, San Nicolas (Buenos Aires) and Puerto General San Martin (Santa Fe).

About Adecoagro:

Adecoagro is a leading sustainable production company in South America. Adecoagro owns 210.4 thousand hectares of farmland and several industrial facilities spread across the most productive regions of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, where it produces over 3.1 million tons of agricultural products and over 1 million MWh of renewable electricity.

For questions, please contact:

Adecoagro

Victoria Cabello - IR Officer

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Adecoagro S.A.
If I asked you (the reader): do you think most people can be trusted? Would you answer yes o
At 4:00 p.m. on December 15, the first aircraft successfully landed at Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province. The landmark event posed considerable pressure on Vietnams aviation authorities, but the entire process was executed precisely according to plan with absolute safety.

Flight VN5001, operated by Vietnam Airlines using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, departed from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) at 3:20 p.m. and made a technical landing at 4:00 p.m. at Long Thanh Airport in Long Thanh Commune, Dong Nai.

This was the first civilian aircraft to touch down at Long Thanh, serving as a final evaluation of operational conditions ahead of the official flight scheduled for December 19.

Inside the air traffic control tower, controllers closely monitored all technical parameters throughout the aircrafts approach and landing. This is a special, milestone flight. The pressure was immense, but every step went according to the plan and was conducted with complete safety, said Nguyen Anh Tuan, an air traffic controller.

The technical flight included representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines' flight crew, and specialized teams tasked with conducting the flight inspection.

As is customary for inaugural landings, the aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute. Long Thanh International Airport is a national key project, envisioned to become a modern gateway and one of Vietnams major air transit hubs. It is designed to meet growing aviation and international trade demands.

At this stage, the terminal building at Long Thanh remains under construction, with several components still being installed. Ahead of the landing, teams were deployed to clean the tarmac and prepare the taxiway area.

According to the plan, the aircraft was scheduled to depart from Long Thanh and return to Tan Son Nhat about two hours after landing, completing the technical test flight. This event plays a critical role in assessing the airports infrastructure, service procedures, and coordination capacity between operational units at Vietnams largest airport.

According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, runway 1, the taxiway system, aircraft apron in front of the terminal, and supporting elements like signal lights, signage, and pavement markings have all been completed. Load-bearing capacity tests have also been conducted to confirm that the airport meets operational requirements for large aircraft as per the design.

Dang Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, stated that the successful technical landing marks a significant milestone in the airports commissioning process. He emphasized that it lays the foundation for Long Thanh to become a new regional aviation hub. Vietnam Airlines is committed to close coordination with regulatory agencies and partners to ensure safe operations, efficiency, and high service quality for passengers.

Three airlines to operate flights to Long Thanh on December 19

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has instructed Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways to implement their plans for the first official flights to Long Thanh International Airport on December 19.

Vietnam Airlines will deploy one code E aircraft (Boeing 787) on the route between Noi Bai and Long Thanh, carrying senior Party and State officials (this is not a commercial flight). Following this, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways will each operate a code C aircraft (A320/321) on the Tan Son Nhat  Long Thanh  Tan Son Nhat route, with only flight crews and technical personnel onboard.

All carriers are required to coordinate closely with Long Thanh International Airport to ensure full operational readiness, including aircraft deployment, flight crews, and technical staffing. They must also review and update the airports published technical data to support these flights on December 19.

In addition, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways must work with aviation service providers to finalize their service plans and collaborate with authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security to complete flight licensing and ensure aviation security compliance.

VN5001 flight lands at Long Thanh International Airport, Dong Nai, on December 15.

This is the first civilian aircraft to touch down at Long Thanh Airport.

Air traffic controllers monitor technical data during the landing.

Technical representatives and Vietnam Airlines crew take part in the test flight.

The aircraft is welcomed with a water cannon salute upon landing.

Long Thanh Airport terminal is still under construction.

Personnel clean the tarmac before the plane arrives.

VN5001 is scheduled to return to Tan Son Nhat two hours after landing.

Completed runway, taxiway, and apron systems are ready for large aircraft operations.

Hoang Ha - Hoang Anh
The Ministry of Public Security has completed its investigation and proposed charges against Nguyen Thi Nhu Loan, chairwoman of Quoc Cuong Gia Lai, and former Ho Chi Minh City deputy chair Nguyen Thi Hong, along with 20 others, for five different offenses.

The Ministrys Investigation Police Agency has finalized the probe into a major corruption case involving violations of regulations on the management and use of state assets causing loss and waste; offering bribes; receiving bribes; abuse of position and power while performing official duties; and negligence leading to serious consequences. The case implicates Vietnam Rubber Group, Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, Ba Ria Rubber Company, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and several related entities.

Authorities have proposed prosecuting 22 defendants under the aforementioned five charges. Among them, Le Quang Thung, former acting chairman of the board and CEO of Vietnam Rubber Group, faces charges of violating state asset management regulations and receiving bribes.

According to the investigation, Le Quang Thung is accused of causing losses to the state exceeding 542 billion VND (over USD 22 million), receiving USD 3 million in bribes, and personally profiting an additional SGD 200,000 and USD 300,000 - amounting to more than USD 450,000.

Le Y Linh, former director of Viet Tin Co., Ltd., is also recommended for prosecution for state asset misuse and bribery. Investigators allege she caused state losses exceeding 542 billion VND (USD 22 million), personally profited over 82 billion VND (USD 3.3 million), and offered bribes totaling more than 56 billion VND (USD 2.25 million).

Linh is accused of bribing Thung with 11 billion VND (USD 440,000); Tran Ngoc Thuan, former CEO of Vietnam Rubber Group, with 45 billion VND (USD 1.8 million); and Doan Ngoc Phuong, former chairman of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environments valuation council, with 200 million VND (USD 8,000).

In connection with the case, Dang Phuoc Dua, former chairman of Viet Tin Joint Stock Company, is charged with misusing state assets and offering bribes. Authorities allege he caused similar state losses of over 542 billion VND and personally profited more than 74 billion VND (USD 2.96 million). He is also accused of giving Thung over 11 billion VND, Thuan 45 billion VND, and Phuong USD 10,000.

Nguyen Thi Hong, former deputy chair of Ho Chi Minh City and deputy head of the city's Steering Committee 09, along with Dao Thi Huong Lan, former director of the citys Department of Finance and standing member of the same committee, are charged with abuse of position. They are accused of causing over 542 billion VND in losses, with Hong personally benefiting by more than 1 billion VND (USD 40,000).

Quoc Cuong Gia Lai chairwoman allegedly caused $22M in state losses

Among those charged with violating state asset management regulations are Vo Sy Luc, former chairman of the Vietnam Rubber Group board; Tran Thoai, board member and deputy CEO; Pham Van Hien, former deputy CEO; Huynh Trung Truc, also former deputy CEO; and Pham Van Thanh, head of investment planning.

Nguyen Thi Nhu Loan, chairwoman and CEO of Quoc Cuong Gia Lai, is accused of causing more than 542 billion VND (USD 22 million) in state asset losses. Investigators say she personally gained over 297 billion VND (USD 11.9 million). Vo Sy Luc, Tran Thoai, and Pham Van Thanh each allegedly profited around 2.5 billion VND (USD 100,000).

In Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, former chairman Nguyen Thanh Chau, former chairman Le Xuan Hoe, former CEO Nguyen Thi Gai, and planning head Nguyen Van Minh are alleged to have caused over 390 billion VND (USD 15.6 million) in losses. Chau reportedly personally gained 250 million VND (USD 10,000).

At Ba Ria Rubber Company, Nguyen Cong Tai, former chairman and CEO, and Nguyen Trong Canh, former deputy CEO, are said to have caused over 151 billion VND (USD 6 million) in losses. Tai personally gained over 1 billion VND (USD 40,000).

Separately, Tran Khac Chung, former controller at Vietnam Rubber Group, faces prosecution for negligence causing serious consequences, with losses linked to his oversight totaling more than 542 billion VND (USD 22 million).

T. Nhung
HCM City (photo: Nguyen Hue)

Speaking with VietNamNet on December 8, Du Phuoc Tan, former head of the urban management research department at the HCMC Institute for Development Studies, analyzed the breakthrough elements in the draft resolution that will replace resolution 98/2023 on piloting special mechanisms for HCMC, currently being submitted to the National Assembly.

The most notable point is the expanded list of priority projects aimed at attracting strategic investors, especially those that unlock capital flows into two sectors that are desperately short of resources: environment and social welfare.

The draft resolution proposes supplementing clause 1, article 7 of resolution 98 related to the 11 priority project groups to attract strategic investors. The focus is on the environment and social welfare. How should this targeted but expanded approach be assessed?

First of all, as someone who contributed opinions to the draft, I fully agree with this policy direction. Expanding the priority list to include environmental treatment and social welfare projects is not only necessary but urgent in the current context.

We must recognize the reality that, after mergers and expansion of space, HCMC is transforming into a megacity with enormous potential. To seize the "golden opportunity" over the next five years and successfully implement the breakthrough goals according to the Politburo's Resolution 24 and Resolution 31, the city has to solve two difficult problems.

The first is how to mobilize enormous capital. The second is how to minimize the investment time to quickly put strategic projects into operation. Only a special mechanism to attract strategic investors, or "eagles" as we call them, can help the city solve both problems simultaneously.

Besides the capital needs, is the pressure from the green development trend also a reason why we must give special priority to the environment right now?

HCMC, in particular, is an economic locomotive but also a source of very large emissions. Prioritizing the "red carpet" for environmental projects, green transition, and ensuring social welfare is a mandatory step for developing a sustainable green economy.

Without mechanisms to attract strategic investors into these essential projects, it would be very difficult to quickly resolve long-standing issues related to pollution and quality of life.

Which "addresses" in the environmental and social welfare sectors are awaiting strategic investors?

The list of proposed projects is very specific and all are infrastructure "bottlenecks" that the state budget can hardly fully cover.

Six key project groups can be mentioned. First are clean energy and waste treatment projects. Next is the complex, years-long problem of projects to renovate and relocate houses on and along rivers and canals, with a capital scale of VND6 trillion or more.

In addition, there are investment complex projects requiring capital of VND2 trillion or more, including green parks, parking lots, clean energy infrastructure, public restrooms, waste-to-energy plant projects, and especially the projects to treat and convert the function of closed garbage landfills into economic-social development zones requiring capital of VND10 trillion or more. Finally, urban waste collection and wastewater treatment systems with a capital scale of VND3 trillion or more.

These are all large-scale investment items; and if done well, they will have a direct and positive impact on the people's lives and the urban landscape.

To attract investors of sufficient caliber for these multi-trillion VND projects, procedural "barriers" must certainly be considered for removal. In your opinion, are the amendments to the conditions in this draft sufficient?

I highly appreciate the innovative thinking in this draft. We have removed the previous rigid regulations on charter capital, total assets, or similar investment experience. Instead, the most important criterion is actual financial capacity, demonstrated through the ratio of equity contributing to the project.

Investors only need to ensure a minimum equity capital of 20 percent for projects under VND30 trillion and 15 percent for projects of VND30 trillion or more. This approach is more substantive, more transparent, and maximizes convenience for investors with genuine potential.

The incentive mechanism is designed to be very attractive. Strategic investors will enjoy a corporate income tax rate of 10 percent throughout the project implementation period.

Regarding cash flow, the disbursement period is also relaxed to be more flexible. For "super large" projects of VND100 trillion or more, investors are not bound by a 5-year limit as before, but can disburse a minimum of VND50 trillion in the first 10 years and extend for a maximum of no more than 20 years. This helps investors proactively balance resources for long-term projects.

Quoc Ngoc
In its recent release, "Florida Domestic Property Insurer Market Update" ALIRT Research discusses the current financial performance of this once troubled property insurance market and its radical improvement since market reforms in 2022 and 2023.

HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ALIRT Insurance Research today announced the publication of its 2025 Florida Domestic Property Insurer Market Update, revealing a dramatically strengthened homeowners insurance marketplace following transformative legislative reforms enacted in late 2022 and early 2023.

According to ALIRT's analysis, the Florida market has transitioned from a near-collapse in 2022marked by rampant litigation abuse, soaring loss costs, and a wave of insurer insolvenciesto a revitalized environment that is attracting both new capital and renewed underwriting appetite. Eighteen new or re-launched insurers have entered or announced plans to enter the market since the reforms, signaling an industry-wide return of confidence. Six insurers began writing homeowners coverage in the 2024-2025 period alone.

"The transformation of the Florida property insurance market in just three years is extraordinary," said ALIRT Insurance Research. "The combination of litigation reforms, strengthened underwriting discipline, and stabilizing reinsurance dynamics has reshaped one of the nation's most challenged insurance markets into a more sustainable and investable environment."

The report discusses several key indicators of renewed market health, including:

The rapid depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state's property insurer of last resort, over the past two years,





A radical improvement in insurer financial quality based on ALIRT Scores, a proprietary measure of operating performance and solvency trends,





The advent of new carrier formations over the past two years, including a surging number of reciprocal insurance exchanges dedicated to the market. This reflects, in part, growing interest in catastrophe-exposed property risks by MGAs, private-equity, and third party reinsurance structures.

Focusing on ALIRT's 37-company Florida Domestic Insurer Composite, the report discusses the varying ownership structures and business strategies for these carriers. It then reviews several key indicators of renewed market health, including premium growth, underwriting and operating earnings, and capital generation, as well as the overall relative financial performance of these property specialists, as measured by ALIRT Scores.

A Stabilized but Still Delicate Market

ALIRT concludes that the Florida homeowners insurance market is in its strongest position since the mid-2010s, with broad-based improvements in revenue growth, profitability, surplus levels, and capital inflows. The analytics firm underscores one caveat, however: i.e., that history has shown this corner of the insurance world to be prone to sharp reversals. Besides the ever-present risk of large storm losses and vagaries of global reinsurance pricing, regulatory and political pressuresincluding proposed legislation that re-tinkers with the three-year old market reformsremain ever-present wild cards shaping the future landscape of the Florida property insurance market.

For more information, please contact David Paul at [email protected]

About ALIRT Insurance Research

ALIRT Insurance Research is an independent financial analysis firm specializing in monitoring insurer solvency and performance trends for institutional clients. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, ALIRT provides analytical insights that assist organizations in managing insurance company exposure and maintaining fiduciary oversight.

SOURCE ALIRT Insurance Research
Associate Prof Bui Anh Thuy, dean of the Faculty of Law at Van Lang University

The seminar "Law Training in Vietnam Today," held on December 10 in HCMC, organized by Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh newspaper, disvussed the issue and challenges in this field.

Nguyen Duc Hien, deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper, said international integration has sharply increased the demand for high-quality legal human resources, while training programs remain slow to innovate, lack balance between theory and practice, and have not ensured quality.

Associate Prof Bui Anh Thuy, dean of the Faculty of Law at Van Lang University and a member of the executive board of the network of legal training institutions in Vietnam, said that before 2020 there were more than 40 higher-education institutions providing training in law at the bachelor level, with some also training masters and doctoral students.

This number has increased to around 90 institutions. Currently, there are four universities officially named law university, namely Hanoi Law University (Ministry of Justice), School of Law under the Vietnam National University Hanoi, School of Law under Hue University, and HCMC University of Law (Ministry of Education and Training).

In addition, many public and private universities have established Faculties of Law and developed for many years, offering multi-level enrollment and supplying human resources to the labor market. Many institutions, whether specialized in law or multidisciplinary, have built prestige and their brand, attracting learners with their accredited programs and practical requirements.

The employment rate for bachelors and masters of law six months to one year after graduation is high, with stable income. This is a positive sign reflecting the efforts of training institutions and learners in response to the increasingly high demands of the labor market.

However, not every law training institution achieves such results. There are many institutions that rush to open the major, with impractical curricula, a weak faculty team, inadequate facilities, and superficial study assessment processes.

This negatively affects the quality of training, creating mixed reactions and disappointment in society, and even within the team of civil servants, leaders, and managers of the state, according to Thuy.

He noted that Vietnam has over 104 million people, nearly 60 million of whom are of working age, but the percentage of adults with university degrees is still among the lowest in the region. This shows that higher education must strive harder to improve quality and expand learning opportunities.

For the law major, despite the high number of training institutions, the demand for legal personnel remains large and has not been met. He emphasized that the need for legal personnel is still huge, spanning from the judicial system to businesses to the public sector.

5 problems

According to Thuy, training institutions fully support improving quality. However, quality cannot be improved merely by an administrative order, but must be based on foundational factors.

Thuy pointed out five major problems in law training: the curriculum is heavy on theory; output standards lack practicality; the faculty team lacks professional experience; integrity risks from digital technology; and limited foreign language skills make it difficult for graduates to integrate.

Furthermore, the gap between training and recruitment needs remains large.

He believes that law training institutions need to improve physical and technical facilities and build a modern learning environment. Along with that, the teaching team must be developed toward having high qualifications and rich practical experience in the judicial and legal fields, helping learners not only grasp knowledge but also gain professional skills and experience.

He also emphasized that the training curriculum must be regularly updated to match the pace of social change, the process of integration, and the new requirements of the economy. The learning materials system, libraries, legal practice centers, legal clubs, and simulation rooms need investment to support learners in accessing practical experience.

Tran Cao Thanh, Secretary of the Executive Board of the Network of Law Training Institutions in Vietnam, proposed key solutions to improve the quality of law training.

Among them, he emphasized reviewing the implementation of standards for opening new majors and faculty standards, ensuring that faculty members listed are directly teaching.

The training management model needs to be innovated according to labor market needs; and the faculty team must be standardized, increasing the proportion of professors with the correct doctorate degree and attracting experts from the judicial system and businesses.

Thuy Nga
On December 15, the Ministry of Public Security held a press briefing to report on public security developments in 2025 and outline tasks for 2026.

During the event, a representative from the Criminal Police Department for Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Smuggling (C03) confirmed that the owners of Mailisa Beauty Clinic had paid approximately 300 billion VND (around 12 million USD) to mitigate consequences in an ongoing criminal investigation.

Phan Thi Mai (left) and Hoang Kim Khanh (right). Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Previously, on November 21, the Investigative Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security prosecuted and detained Phan Thi Mai, Director of Mailisa Beauty Clinic Co., Ltd., and Hoang Kim Khanh, its General Director, along with seven others, on charges of smuggling.

According to C03, Mailisa had expanded into a chain of 17 branches nationwide, distributing over 8 million cosmetic products under the Doctor Magic brand across nearly 100 product codes.

Among their top sellers were M01 pigmentation removal cream, M03 brightening and anti-dark spot cream, and M23 BB Nano sunscreen. Mailisa sold more than 3.2 million units of these three products alone, generating illegal profits worth thousands of billions of dong.

These products - including face washes, sunscreens, and skin treatments - were outsourced from workshops in Guangzhou, China, at costs ranging from 30,000 to 150,000 VND per item (1.206.00 USD). They were then routed through Hong Kong, where two shell companies, registered under Mai, Khanh, and Chinese nationals, rebranded them as Hong Kong-made products using fake invoices and counterfeit international payment documents.

Upon importation into Vietnam, these shipments were legalized through MK Skincare Company, owned and managed by Khanh. To meet legal distribution requirements, the couple allegedly obtained fake certificates of free sale in Hong Kong and used them to register cosmetics with the Drug Administration under Vietnams Ministry of Health via the online public service portal. Using these falsified documents, they released 162 cosmetic products into the market at prices many times higher than their actual value.

During the investigation, police recovered 3 billion VND (about 120,000 USD), 400,000 USD in cash, 300 taels of SJC gold, and 100 land use right certificates (commonly referred to as red books).

In a move to mitigate penalties and support the investigation, Mai and Khanh voluntarily submitted 300 billion VND to the state treasury, turned over 12 luxury vehicles, and handed in several other high-value assets.

Ongoing fallout from the Mailisa scandal

The investigation continues to shed light on how the Mailisa empire was built through deceptive marketing and fake international documentation. Many consumers were led to believe they were buying premium foreign cosmetics, while in fact the products were cheaply made and falsely labeled.

Authorities are also working to assess the legal status of affected customers and may expand the investigation into the Mailisa supply chain and promotional practices.

Dinh Hieu
The amended Law on Tax Administration draft has been sent by MOF to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for review after incorporating feedback and revisions from the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

It is expected that the law will be voted on and passed by the National Assembly on December 10, 2025, and will take effect from July 1, 2026.

In the ninth version of the draft, the drafting agency added provisions on building the tax administration workforce compared with the 2019 Law on Tax Administration.

Regarding the support regime for tax officials, MOF proposed two options.

Option 1 (if the Politburo gives approval before the law is passed): tax administration officials will receive a monthly support equal to 100 percent of their current salary based on the current salary coefficient (excluding allowances).

This monthly support will be paid together with their salary and will not be used as a basis for calculating social insurance contributions or benefits. Income from this support will be exempt from personal income tax and other financial obligations to the State.

Option 2 (if the Politburo has not given approval before the law is passed): the Government will regulate additional income for tax administration officials and employees after approval by competent authorities.

According to the draft law, tax administration officials will also be subject to specific titles, standards, salaries, incentives, uniforms and badges appropriate to the tax administration workforce, in order to ensure effective tax management and to encourage responsibility, professionalism and work efficiency.

The State role ensures financial resources for the operation of the tax administration force and tax administration agencies, prioritizing annual State budget allocation for the development and operation of the information technology system, digital transformation in tax administration, electronic invoices, physical facilities, equipment, and professional tasks serving the work to enhance tax administration effectiveness.

The tax administration agency is responsible for training and developing the team of tax administration officials to perform tax administration functions as prescribed by law.

Can Van Luc, Chief Economist of BIDV and Member of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, said the proposal should be carefully considered to ensure fairness among different groups of public officials. Vietnam has many sectors with special characteristics, so income and job nature must be evaluated comparatively.

According to Luc, there are many ways to support staff in special fields without creating precedents that may trigger public backlash.

MOF must clearly state what the special nature of the tax sector is, and no one understands this better than the ministry itself. For instance, officers in this sector may need to work day and night, especially at the end of quarters or year-end, but many other sectors face similar workloads. Therefore, a comprehensive review is needed, especially for special fields and professions, to ensure fairness, Luc emphasized.

Nguyen Duc Loc, Director of the Institute for Social Life Research, said that social fairness is a mandatory criterion for any proposal involving legislation or legally binding documents.

According to Loc, any proposal to support 100 percent salary for tax officials or other public officials must clearly state its legitimate basis.

Each sector has its own characteristics and level of contribution. Therefore, only when there is a separate legal provision should a special mechanism be applied; otherwise it may cause public debate on fairness, Loc said.

Furthermore, all policies that bring benefits to a group of civil servants must ensure the universality of the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants.

When you want to change something, there must be a justification for that change. If this case is opened and other sectors also propose similar mechanisms, will the original law still retain its value? he said.

In principle, all policy proposals must not conflict with the current legal system; otherwise, it will lead to inconsistency in implementation. When drafting legal normative documents where each sector only focuses on its own benefits, it easily leads to asynchronous and unsustainable development in the relevant legal system, Loc warned.

Nguyen Le
Phuong stated this during a recent meeting in Hanoi with Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor to the JapanVietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Vietnam-Japan University.



The Vietnamese official sincerely thanked Takebe for his dedication and efforts in promoting VietnamJapan relations over the years, and spoke highly of recent positive developments of the VietnamJapan University project, as well as the universitys vision and orientation in training human resources for digital transformation and green transition to meet the high-quality workforce demands of both countries.



The Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies have worked together to address difficulties related to the project, which has received in-principle approval of the Vietnamese PM, with Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) preparing the feasibility study, he noted, adding that the MoF has pledged full cooperation and support to ensure smooth implementation.



For his part, Takebe highlighted the rapid and substantive development of the VietnamJapan comprehensive strategic partnership, while hailing the Vietnamese Governments education reforms, particularly in higher education.



He proposed signing a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to serve as a framework for implementing the Institute of Japanese Culture, Technology and Language (VJU Academy) project, aimed at training high-quality and practice-oriented human resources equivalent to a university degree.



Regarding the establishment of VJU Academy, Deputy Minister Phuong called it a promising and fully feasible initiative, emphasising that the academys training model aligns well with Vietnams strategic education and training directions and future resource utilisation linked to national development.



He stressed that Vietnams high-growth orientation in the coming time draws lessons from Japans past miraculous growth, making Japanese experience highly valued, particularly in human resources, which is seen as a key breakthrough supporting Vietnams goal of double-digit growth.



The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation in a spirit of friendship and collaboration with relevant parties to kick off construction of the project and put it into operation soon./. VNA
Colonel Le Khac Son at the press conference. Photo: Dinh Hieu





At a press conference held on December 15, a representative from the Criminal Police Department (C02) under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the unit is urgently coordinating with local police forces to investigate allegations concerning the Nuoi Em charity project.

The press event, hosted by the Ministry of Public Security, was organized to review policing efforts in 2025 and to outline tasks and strategies for 2026.

Speaking at the briefing, Colonel Le Khac Son, Deputy Director of the Criminal Police Department, said that as soon as media reports and social media discussions surfaced about the Nuoi Em project, the Ministry directed police in 13 provinces and cities to conduct reviews and inspections.

C02 subsequently instructed and worked with PC02 units in these localities to swiftly and decisively verify information and determine whether fraud or deception had occurred in the projects charitable activities.

Founded in 2014 by Hoang Hoa Trung, Nuoi Em is a charity initiative aimed at providing nutritious lunches to schoolchildren in remote mountainous areas. The project allows individual donors to "adopt" a child through small daily contributions, which help sustain kitchen operations at satellite schools and reduce school dropout rates.

What began as a small group initiative gradually evolved into a broader support ecosystem for disadvantaged children, including the construction of schools, boarding houses, access to clean water, and library projects.

However, on the evening of December 6, suspicions surrounding the Nuoi Em project began circulating on social media, with several accounts sharing screenshots of messages and raising questions about the transparency of its finances.

Some users also reported cases where their Nuoi Em sponsorship codes were duplicated - appearing identical to those assigned to other donors.

The fact that, despite operating for many years, the project continued receiving donations through the personal bank account of its founder, Hoang Hoa Trung, further fueled debate and public concern.

Dinh Hieu
Police remove boxes of documents from the villa of QCGLs CEO. Photo: Nguyen Hue

As previously reported by VietNamNet, the case is part of a broader investigation involving the Vietnam Rubber Group, Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, Ba Ria Rubber Company, HCMC People's Committee, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The Ministry of Public Security has completed its investigation and recommended that 22 individuals be prosecuted for five separate charges.

Nguyen Thi Nhu Loan (born in 1960), CEO and Chairwoman of QCGL, has been proposed for prosecution for violating regulations on management and use of state property causing loss and waste.

Investigators found that the land lot at 39-39B Ben Van Don originally belonged to the former regime and was appropriated by the HCMC Peoples Committee and assigned to the Vietnam Rubber Group for business use.

As this land was public property, it was required to be handled under Decision No. 09/2007/Q-TTg. However, Le Quang Thung, then acting Chairman and CEO of the Vietnam Rubber Group, failed to implement the approved plan.

In December 2009, Thung reached an informal agreement with Le Y Linh (former Director of Viet Tin Co., Ltd.) and Dang Phuoc Dua (then Chairman of Phu Viet Tin Co., Ltd.) to transfer the 39-39B lot for 1,200 USD per square meter, using a scheme involving capital transfer via the shell company Phu Viet Tin.

As part of the agreement, Linh would return 3 million USD to the Vietnam Rubber Group, with Thung personally receiving 1.2 million USD (200 USD/m).

On November 30, 2009, Linh and Dua signed a joint investment agreement for the 39-39B Ben Van Don project. Linh would finance the project, Dua would handle the legal work, and profits would be split 80/20.

Acting on this deal, Thung directed his subordinates to establish Phu Viet Tin and petitioned the HCMC People's Committee to reassign the land to this company. All legal documentation and the company seal were handed over to Linh and Dua.

By January 27, 2010, Thungs subordinates submitted a proposal to transfer 99% of Phu Viet Tins shares to Retro Harvest Finance, owned by Le Y Linh, for over 7.1 million USD.

Linh and Dua later negotiated a lower price of 950 USD/m due to a planned road cutting through the property, and the land area was reduced from 6,201.9 m to 5,725 m.

In late 2011, shortly before Thungs retirement, Linh allegedly gave him 300,000 USD in a Hermes orange bag during a dinner meeting to thank him for approving the share transfer and to request further project support.

Additionally, Linh and Dua allegedly gave 250 million VND to Nguyen Thanh Chau, Chairman of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, during Tet 2011, and 50,000 USD to Nguyen Cong Tai, Chairman and CEO of Ba Ria Rubber, upon his retirement in March 2013, as gifts of appreciation.

The fate of 39-39B Ben Van Don

In November 2013, Nguyen Thi Nhu Loan learned that Linh and Dua intended to sell the project. She visited the site and reviewed the zoning plans, fully aware that Phu Viet Tin had not yet paid land use fees or obtained land title certificates.

Nonetheless, she negotiated with them and authorized Dua to sign a sale commitment agreement on December 6, 2013, agreeing to buy 100% of Phu Viet Tins shares for 460.9 billion VND (including land use fees).

Before finalizing her ownership of Phu Viet Tin, Loan had already signed an investment agreement with Bui Cao Nhat Quan, Chairman of Thinh Vuong Real Estate JSC (part of Novaland Group), pledging to resell her stake for over 846 billion VND. After expenses, she reportedly gained more than 297 billion VND (nearly 12 million USD).

Investigators found that the current owner of the land - Nova Phuc Nguyen Real Estate Investment and Development Co., Ltd. - is a third party acting in good faith. The company has executed the project according to HCMC's zoning and has sold units to buyers.

However, buyers have yet to receive ownership certificates. Investigators have transferred the case files to the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court, recommending that the matter be addressed during the trial to protect the interests of these buyers under Vietnamese law.

T. Nhung
Colonel Nguyen Duc Long, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Police Department. Photo: Dinh Hieu

Colonel Nguyen Duc Long, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Police Department, revealed the latest development in the ongoing investigation tied to the AntEx cryptocurrency project, which has rocked Vietnams tech and investment communities.

Along with Nguyen Hoa Binh, two other individuals - Nguyen Huu Tuat and Do Cong Dien - have also been charged with tax evasion.

Prior to this, Binh had already been indicted on charges of fraudulent appropriation of assets and violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences.

According to Colonel Long, investigators have frozen and seized assets including cash, gold, and property titles with a total estimated value of approximately USD 36 million.

Back on October 10, Hanois Criminal Police Department officially launched a criminal investigation, arrested Binh and several accomplices, and placed them in temporary detention for their alleged involvement in the AntEx project.

Defendant Nguyen Hoa Binh. Photo: CACC

Authorities allege that although the AntEx project was launched, it was never properly implemented. Binh and other shareholders of the NextTech Group allegedly used the AntEx project as a front, directing investors funds into various cryptocurrency platforms and other financial instruments under different aliases.

This scheme caused significant losses to both individual investors and companies. Investigators estimate that as many as 30,000 people fell victim to the fraudulent operation. NextTech, the company Binh co-founded, has since ceased operations.

In addition to seizing assets such as nearly 600 gold bars, 18 land ownership certificates, two vehicles, and large sums of money, authorities say they have evidence of financial cover-ups.

Colonel Long reported that Binh ordered subordinates to forge documents, contracts, and payment receipts in an effort to conceal illicit financial transactions. These actions resulted in substantial financial damage to investors and violated numerous financial regulations.

Dinh Hieu
The more famous an artist becomes, the heavier the burden to protect their reputation and legacy. Often, this means sacrificing personal freedom and spontaneity for carefully curated public personas. In this special series, VietNamNet explores the brand-building journeys - and potential pitfalls - of Vietnams biggest music stars, including My Tam, Tung Duong, Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, Ho Ngoc Ha, Vo Ha Tram, Toc Tien, Quoc Thien, Chi Pu, Son Tung M-TP, Soobin, and HIEUTHUHAI.

Among Vietnams new generation of male artists, Son Tung M-TP, Soobin, and HIEUTHUHAI stand out for their distinct, well-established personal brands. They represent a modern class of entertainers who have moved beyond fame based on hits alone, toward strategic identity management.

Out of the shadow: from fame to legacy

HIEUTHUHAI, Son Tung M-TP and Soobin. Photo: FBNV

According to media expert Hong Quang Minh, this trio exemplifies stars who have passed through the fog - a metaphor for breaking out of a phase where artists lack clear direction and are overly influenced by fleeting trends or viral hype.

Each artist moved beyond merely chasing views or creating viral moments. They evolved into long-term strategists who understand the deeper mechanics of branding - image, values, audience alignment, public behavior, and consistent storytelling.

What sets them apart is a proactive approach to self-image. Rather than follow trends blindly, they curate and align their appearance and behavior with personal values and audience preferences.

They are highly selective about media appearances, avoiding overexposure. In fact, they actively build their own narrative frameworks around fashion, music style, and communication rhythms.

Their brands dont rely solely on hits. Audiences never have to ask Who are they, and what do they represent? - and that clarity is more powerful than a 100-million-view song, Minh noted.

Personal branding decoded: Three distinct identities

Son Tung M-TP operates under his own artistic framework. Photo: FBNV

Minh associates each star with specific brand keywords:

Son Tung M-TP is synonymous with symbolic  mysterious  exclusive institution.

Rather than being marketed as a regular celebrity, he is branded like a high-end luxury label. His minimal public appearances, high fashion, and conceptual music releases are all part of a meticulously crafted persona.

He has transcended mainstream pop to become a cultural figurehead - representing a generation seeking individuality and independence.

HIEUTHUHAI represents a new kind of approachable, lovable brand. Photo: ELLE

HIEUTHUHAI reflects approachable  modern  subtle.

The Gen Z rapper is a perfect example of a clean yet relatable brand - free from scandals but never boring. His communication style is calm and calculated: say less, but make it count.

He maintains trust through measured exposure and emotional authenticity, while still managing to go viral - something few young artists achieve today.

Soobin is defined by rebirth  balance  urban sophistication.

He has undergone the most visible transformation - from a romantic balladeer to an introspective R&B and urban soul artist.

What makes his evolution compelling is that its never chaotic. Every pivot is smooth, stylish, and intentional. He gives off the vibe of a balanced artist - mature, tasteful, and well-timed, Minh observed.

Soobin brings a mature, urban musical identity. Photo: FBNV

The golden cage: when branding becomes a trap

Despite their success, Minh warns that even the most well-branded artists are at risk of becoming prisoners of their own image.

This so-called golden cage emerges when artists are boxed in by the very personas they created - afraid to experiment for fear of alienating their audience.

For Son Tung M-TP, the danger is brand stagnation. If he continues to favor long silences and aloof positioning, he may become increasingly distant and irrelevant, especially as younger fanbases form more rapidly.

Son Tung M-TP is rebuilding fan rapport after a long silent phase. Photo: FBNV

Tung may need to balance exclusivity with emotional resonance, perhaps through culturally rich projects that still reflect his aesthetic. One-off gestures like fan giveaways or surprise meet-ups may not sustain interest over time.

For HIEUTHUHAI, the threat is being replaced by emerging stars with similar boyfriend-next-door appeal.

To remain irreplaceable, he should focus on deepening his artistic content and engaging in social storytelling, adding more emotional and thematic layers to his work.

HIEUTHUHAI earned the national boyfriend title - but that status is easily replaced. Photo: FBNV

Meanwhile, Soobin faces the risk of losing direction.

Frequent reinvention requires enormous creative stamina. Without a cohesive artistic theme, he may appear scattered or inconsistent.

Minh suggests anchoring his identity in a singular concept such as urban storyteller, then innovating within that framework.

Of course, his current path still has momentum. After Anh trai vuot ngan chong gai, Soobin finally has the platform to claim his spot. Hes brilliant and in his prime - he just needs to maintain clarity.

Soobin is recognized as an all-round artist, but needs a more focused identity. Photo: archive
Suspect Le Khac Ngo. Photo: Provided by authorities

Colonel Nguyen Duc Long, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Police Department, announced that on December 13, Hanoi police, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Agency (C01), brought Le Khac Ngo back to Hanoi from the Philippines.

Previously, on November 14, during the premiere of the film Trang An Firewall  The Digital Trap Operation, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of Hanoi Police, highlighted several major achievements by Hanois police force. Among them was the successful collaboration with Philippine authorities to arrest Le Khac Ngo, who played a critical role in the Mr Pips fraud scheme.

Hanoi police subsequently reported to the Ministry of Public Security to finalize extradition procedures for both Le Khac Ngo and another suspect.

In connection with the case, investigators have prosecuted 48 individuals and seized or frozen assets valued at over 5.3 trillion VND (approximately 217 million USD).

Lieutenant General Tung emphasized that this operation has been praised by law enforcement agencies in other countries, as Vietnamese police achieved what many others struggled with - capturing a cybercriminal who orchestrated a sophisticated global scam.

Earlier, on October 6, during a third-quarter press briefing, Colonel Nguyen Duc Long provided updates on the investigation into a large-scale fraud involving foreign exchange trading platforms. The operation was allegedly led by TikToker Pho Duc Nam (30, formerly of Ba Ria  Vung Tau, now residing in Ho Chi Minh City) and Le Khac Ngo, also known as Mr Hunter.

Hanoi police confiscated 69 billion VND (around 2.8 million USD) in cash, 2.3 million USD, 890 SJC gold bars, 246 kg of raw gold, 156 billion VND (6.4 million USD) held in various bank accounts, and 41 high-end luxury vehicles.

On September 24, police also seized an additional Volvo XC90, 59 luxury-brand watches, numerous pieces of gold jewelry, designer handbags, and froze transactions involving 133 real estate properties.

Mr Pips case: Victims and ongoing investigation

Authorities revealed that the fraud network, spearheaded by Pho Duc Nam (alias Mr Pips), impacted over 2,600 victims nationwide. Thousands of people are now seeking to recover the money they lost.

Le Khac Ngo reportedly controlled a vast fortune spread across multiple countries, and his wife was arrested while attempting to flee to Turkey.

As the case continues to unfold, victims remain hopeful that justice will be served and their losses recovered.

Dinh Hieu
German partners welcomed the event initiated by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Germany diplomatic ties, saying that it contributed to fostering cultural and culinary exchanges, especially by the iconic noodle soup to the host public.

At the event in Germany (Photo: VNA)

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.

In Sofia, a key attraction was a live pho preparation demo, capped by tastings of traditional Hanoi-style beef pho crafted by chefs from Thang Long restaurant. First-time tasters among attendees voiced delight at the dish's rich, enticing flavours.

Many guests also tried Vietnamese coffee, expressing admiration for its distinctive taste. As the event drew to a close, they departed with lasting impressions of flavours tied to Vietnam's heritage, alongside greater fondness for its culture.

December 12 has been designated as Pho Day since 2017. Over eight years, it has evolved into a flagship effort for culinary and cultural promotion, helping elevate Vietnamese pho globally while connecting artisans, companies and localities.

The Pho Week in Europe 2025 started on December 8, attracting over 230 units, including restaurants, eateries and food businesses from 21 European nations, plus Japan and Vietnam, marking the largest scale yet for a Vietnamese food campaign.

The week is initiated by the We Love Pho group to make pho as an emblem of Vietnamese gastronomy in Europe, with plans to make it an annual fixture for ongoing elevation of the country's food and cultural profile on the continent.

We Love Pho is a non-profit group dedicated to safeguarding and promoting Vietnamese culinary heritage, centering on pho as its core icon./.
COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Authority Brands, one of the largest multi-brand franchisors in the home services sector, today announced the hiring of Steve Clemente as the new President and COO of Trades Brands. Clemente's appointment follows the additions of Josh Greear as Chief Financial Officer in September and Jay Caiafa as Chief Executive Officer in August, marking continued growth within the company's executive leadership team.

Clemente brings over 30 years of proven leadership, transforming multi-unit service and retail businesses into high-performing organizations. With a track record of accelerating growth, maximizing profitability, and elevating operational standards, Clemente is recognized for driving results through strategic leadership and innovation. He most recently served as President of Primrose Schools, a national premier early childhood education and care franchise, where he led all internal operations and key strategic growth initiatives. Throughout his career, Clemente has played a pivotal role in driving success at leading organizations, from publicly-traded giants like Dick's Sporting Goods and Target to privately held businesses such as Nebraska Book Company.

As President and COO of Trades Brands, Clemente will spearhead initiatives to enhance operational excellence, drive organic growth, and unlock cross-selling opportunities across Authority Brands' four trade brands: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Mister Sparky Electric, and DRYmedic Restoration Services.

"I'm honored to join an organization as highly respected as Authority Brands and work alongside such an impressive team of franchise owners and company leaders," said Clemente. "Throughout my career, I've been results-driven and focused on building strong, collaborative cultures  and that's exactly what I'm excited to bring to the trades brands. I'm committed to empowering our trades community to deliver exceptional service and build trust with those they serve. I'm excited for the future and ready to support our franchise owners with the tools and guidance they need to succeed."

Clemente, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree from Webster University, will transition into the role as part of the planned leadership change following the retirement of current leader, Lance Sinclair.

"We're incredibly excited to welcome Steve to the team," said Jay Caiafa, Chief Executive Officer, Authority Brands. "Our trade brands represent our largest and one of our most essential segments, playing a critical role in Authority Brands' path forward. Supporting our franchise owners and elevating the customer experience they provide is central to the promise of Authority Brands, and Steve understands this. His business acumen, operational expertise, and proven leadership make him the ideal choice to champion our franchise owners and drive continued growth across the trades. We're energized by the direction we're heading and look forward to the positive impact Steve will have on our business."

With more than 2,700 locations and over $2 billion in annual sales across its portfolio, Authority Brands remains committed to accelerating growth, expanding its market-leading brands and providing world-class support that helps franchise owners thrive. All franchise brands within the Authority Brands portfolio, including the trade brands, are looking to grow with qualified franchise owners across the United States. To learn more about Authority Brands' companies, the executive team and available franchising opportunities, please visit AuthorityBrands.com.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 15 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky Electric, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See AuthorityBrands.com for more information.

Contact:

Alexis Paul

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Authority Brands, LLC
Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong advisory urging all Vietnamese citizens in border areas between Cambodia and Thailand to leave immediately due to the escalating armed conflict.

In light of the complex and deteriorating security situation at the CambodiaThailand border, the Ministry called on Vietnamese nationals currently in affected provinces to swiftly evacuate from the conflict zone.

Citizens are also advised to stay updated with local authorities' announcements and strictly comply with any instructions issued for safety and security.

Vietnamese nationals in need of assistance are urged to contact the nearest Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Cambodia and Thailand.

The Ministry provided the following emergency contact details:

Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia

Phone: +855977492430 / +855316199999

Email: ttcpc@mofa.gov.vn / consularcpc@gmail.com

Consulate General in Battambang (Cambodia)

Phone: +855979439888

Email: tlsq.battambang@gmail.com

Consulate General in Sihanoukville (Cambodia)

Phone: +855979732255

Email: tlsqsiha@gmail.com

Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand

Phone: +66898966653

Email: vnemb.th@mofa.gov.vn / consular.section.bkk@gmail.com

Consulate General in Khon Kaen (Thailand)

Phone: +66935367869

Email: konkaen.th@mofa.gov.vn

Citizen protection hotline  Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Phone: +84981848484

Email: baohocongdan@gmail.com

Online contact form: https://forms.gle/itWPGTWbTpRiV7LE8

According to Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, most Vietnamese citizens residing near the CambodiaThailand border had already been evacuated to safe areas under the guidance of local authorities as of December 11.

Over the past week, multiple skirmishes have erupted between Cambodian and Thai military forces along disputed border areas. As tensions escalated, both countries launched large-scale evacuations and shut down hundreds of schools near the conflict zones.

Heavy weaponry, including F-16 fighter jets and multiple-launch rocket systems, has reportedly been used to strike targets along the border, resulting in casualties.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung have held discussions with regional leaders expressing deep concern over the rising hostilities.

In recent high-level dialogues, ASEAN leaders have collectively called for restraint, urging both parties to cease the use of force and resolve disputes through peaceful negotiations.

The current conflict follows a deadly border clash between Thailand and Cambodia in July, which led to casualties and injuries on both sides. A peace agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 under the witness of U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Tran Thuong
During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed the importance they attach to the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, and agreed to continue strengthening political trust through maintaining high-level and all-level delegation exchanges, particularly in 2026, when the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.



They consented to enhance contacts between their ministries, sectors, and localities, and to effectively implement the outcomes of the fourth Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, including coordination to soon develop an Action Programme to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026-2030 period with practical and concrete contents.



The two ministers noted that economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a pillar of bilateral relations, and agreed to continue efforts to soon achieve the target of 25 billion USD in two-way trade. They also concurred to effectively implement the Three Connections strategy and to step up cooperation in areas with strong potential and complementarity, such as energy, green transition, circular economy, digital economy, and logistics.



Both sides will encourage enterprises of the two countries to expand investment in each others markets, contributing to balanced, stable, and sustainable bilateral economic development.

An overview of the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Thailand on December 14, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides welcomed the close and effective cooperation between their defence and security agencies, reaffirmed their commitment not to allowing any organisation or individual to use the territory of one country to act against the other. They agreed to continue coordination in combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, and high-tech crime.



Exchanging views on regional and international issues, the two ministers stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety in the region; underscored ASEANs central role; and agreed to strengthen ASEAN unity and cohesion, as well as coordination of ASEANs common positions and voice on regional and global issues.



After the Thai FM shared information on recent tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, Trung expressed concern over the complicated developments in the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia. He called on the parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and resolve differences by peaceful means, through dialogue and in accordance with international law and existing regional agreements and mechanisms.



The Vietnamese minister affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to coordinate with ASEAN countries, including Thailand, to actively contribute to joint efforts to maintain long-term peace and stability in the region.



On this occasion, Trung visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and met with its staff. He appreciated the embassys efforts in diplomatic work, citizen protection, and the promotion of Vietnam-Thailand friendship and cooperation, and urged the embassy to continue promoting its bridging role and increase support for the Vietnamese community in Thailand, helping further strengthen bilateral relations and making positive contributions to the host country./. VNA
HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enginprime Medical Inc ("Enginprime"), an emerging leader in percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) technologies and a Voyagers Capital portfolio company, today announced that its industry leading pVAD, OpusOne, has entered its first-in-human clinical study at The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University ("SAHZU"). This milestone marks the first clinical evaluation of the device's safety and performance in patients.

First-in-Human Study of OpusOne pVAD at SAHZU

PVAD supports the cardiac output via a percutaneously implanted pump, reduces the load of left ventricle, relieves heart failure symptoms, and bridges to transplantation or recovery. It also delivers temporary hemodynamic support during Complex Higher-risk Indicated Patients Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CHIP PCI) procedures by augmenting cardiac output, preserving organ perfusion, and stabilizing hemodynamics for safe intervention. While over 60,000 pVAD procedures are performed globally each year, no pVAD product has been approved in China yet, underscoring the significant unmet medical need.

OpusOne features an ultra-low profile down to 8F, external durable motor placement, and an all-new design of foldable, self-expanding impeller, capable of delivering 45 L/min of average flow with peak flows exceeding 7 L/min. Notably, this ultra-compact device integrates invasive blood pressure monitoring and patented perfusion purification system, enabling migration detection alerts while preventing wear particles from entering the patient's body. With high durability, enhanced reliability, OpusOne simplifies clinical procedures, improves patient accessibility, and emerges as a highly competitive pVAD - rivaling Abiomed's Impella, Magenta's Elevate, and Supira's pVAD systems.

"Enginprime's OpusOneTM exemplified a promising approach to temporary ventricular supportespecially for high-risk patients who can benefit from enhanced hemodynamic stability. Co-developed by the interventional cardiologists and Enginprime, this promising solution is tailored to address unmet clinical needs." said the study's lead investigator Jian'an Wang, MD,PhD, Director of the Cardiac Center at SAHZU. "I am impressed by its ability to achieve high flow with such a low-profile design. OpusOneTM's optimization of access and positioning options increases procedural safety."

Co-investigator of the study, Jun Jiang, MD, PhD, Executive Associate Director of the Department of Cardiology at SAHZU added, "We are pleased to perform the first procedure with OpusOneTM, seeing the patient's chest tightness was significantly alleviated. Its robust initial performance marks a meaningful advancement in circulatory support and great potential for expanding patient eligibility."

"The development of OpusOneTM reflects our mission to bring globally competitive, exceptional performance and high reliability, cost-effective next-generation circulatory support products to patients who need them most," said the CEO of Enginprime. "We look forward to advancing this innovative device rapidly through further clinical validations."

About Enginprime Medical Inc.

Enginprime was established in 2023 and incubated under majority ownership by Voyagers Capital, leveraging cross-disciplinary engineering capabilities, systems integration expertise, and advanced manufacturing methodologies. OpusOne is the company's first flagship medical device platform and reflects Voyagers' long-term commitment to supporting breakthrough healthcare technologies.

About Voyagers Capital

Voyagers Capital is a leading healthcare venture capital firm focused on investing in groundbreaking biotech and medtech innovation. By leveraging our expertise and network, we partner with visionary entrepreneurs to bring transformative solutions to the global market.

OpusOne is an investigational device, not yet approved for commercial use.

For more information, please contact:

[email protected]; [email protected].

SOURCE Enginprime Medical Inc; Voyagers Capital
On December 12, Daikin Industries, Ltd. announced it will acquire Anh Nguyen Trading Technical Service, a Ho Chi Minh City-based leader in instrumentation and building systems integration. The deal, executed through its subsidiary Daikin Air Conditioning Vietnam, is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, pending regulatory approval.

Vietnam's rapid economic growth is being accompanied by a sharp increase in energy consumption. In line with the countrys commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050  supported by policies centred on the Vietnam-National Energy Efficiency Programme for the 2019-2030 period  improving energy efficiency has become a top priority for businesses.

As a result, demand is rising across factories, hotels, and commercial facilities for advanced building management solutions that enhance energy efficiency and operational control. In particular, the deployment of advanced technologies for sophisticated operation and control of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems  one of the largest energy users in buildings  has become essential.

In Vietnam, Daikin has been strengthening its solutions business by complementing HVAC equipment sales with energy-efficient operations, maintenance services, and other value-added offerings. The planned acquisition of Anh Nguyen represents a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating the integration between HVAC systems and building management systems (BMS), enabling Daikin to deliver more comprehensive and intelligent building solutions.

Anh Nguyen is recognised for its strong engineering capabilities in BMS design, installation, and project management, and has earned the trust of major local developers and general contractors.

Leveraging Anh Nguyens technical expertise and customer base  especially in factory and hotel sectors  Daikin will establish a framework for delivering unified HVAC and building control solutions. Through this integration, Daikin aims to help customers maximise energy efficiency while enhancing comfort and reliability across their buildings. The company will continue contributing significantly to Vietnams energy-saving efforts and its long-term goal of realising a carbon-neutral society.

Daikin Industries to expand M&A and investments in Southeast Asia and India Japanese multinational air conditioning manufacturing company Daikin Industries announced its plan to spend approximately $711 million, including its investment and merge and acquisition (M&A) plans, over the next four years in Southeast Asia and India to produce core components and smaller air conditioners.

Japanese investors pursue M&A strategies with long-term vision in Vietnam Japanese investors in Vietnam are shaping a dealmaking approach defined by long-term vision, cautious execution, and investment priorities.
On December 8, South Koreas Kolon Industries signed a long-term supply contract with Autoliv, the worlds largest vehicle safety parts company. The agreement follows an MoU signed in April, under which Kolon Industries committed to increasing supplies of airbag materials.

In accordance with the contract, Kolon Industries will build a new airbag material production facility in Vietnam, which will commence operation from 2028 with the latest production technology. The facility is estimated to have an investment capital of approximately $48 million.

Autoliv is an automotive safety supplier that manufactures systems including airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major brands.

Meanwhile, Kolon Industries is operating a plant in Vietnam, specialising in producing airbag cushions. With the new investment, Kolon Industries will have a fully integrated airbag manufacturing operation in Vietnam, including both fabric and airbag production.

As reported by South Korea's Yonhap News, the new plant is expected to generate more than $33.8 million in annual sales upon operation in 2030.

Huh Sung, CEO of Kolon Industries, said, "This long-term supply deal demonstrates Kolon Industries' automotive materials capabilities are recognised globally. We will supply world-class airbag materials to Autoliv, one of our most important customers."

Christian Swahn, executive vice president of Autoliv, said, "Kolon Industries remains one of the company's most trusted partners, with production bases across Asia, China and North America. We look forward to continuing our cooperation in the future."

Korean firm expands tire cord plant in Vietnam Kolon Industries, an industrial materials producer of the Republic of Korea (RoK), on January 12 said it will expand its tire cord plant in Vietnam to increase exports from the Southeast Asian country, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
On December 15, Flight VN5001, operated by Vietnam Airlines with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying a full commercial payload, took off from Tan Son Nhat Airport at 3:20 PM and landed at Long Thanh International Airport at 4:00 pm. The milestone marks a key step in the airports final assessment of operational conditions ahead of its official inaugural flight on December 19.

Shortly after, Flight VN5002 departed from Long Thanh Airport, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of the airports technical infrastructure, service procedures, and coordination between units at Vietnams largest airport.

During the operational tests, Vietnam Airlines and Long Thanh International Airport jointly reviewed the runway, apron, navigation system, passenger terminal, ground handling facilities, technical operations, and overall management, providing final confirmation of the airports readiness for its first official commercial flight on December 19.

Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Following the successful flights, Vietnam Airlines confirmed its readiness to provide full commercial services at Long Thanh International Airport. The airline has prepared personnel, equipment, and technical facilities to handle passengers, baggage, and cargo, conduct aircraft inspections, provide in-flight meals, and manage refuelling, all in compliance with safety standards and procedures set by the authorities.

Dang Anh Tuan, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines, said, The successful landing of commercial aircraft at Long Thanh International Airport is a significant milestone in the preparation process for the airport's operation, thereby creating a foundation for the Long Thanh airport to become a new regional aviation hub.

We are committed to working closely with relevant authorities and partners to ensure safe and efficient operation and provide the best service for passengers at the new airport, he added.

Long Thanh International Airport is a key national undertaking, envisioned to become a modern air gateway and one of Vietnam's new transit hubs in the future, meeting the strong growth needs of the aviation industry and international trade.

Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport spans 1,810 hectares and has been under construction since January 2021. The airport is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, with full commercial operations targeted for mid-2026.

Solving problems to ensure completion schedule of Long Thanh International Airport Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has asked agencies to resolve any problems preventing the completion of Long Thanh International Airport.

Vietnam Airlines kicks off $72M catering and maintenance projects Vietnam Airlines launched two key Long Thanh Airport projects on June 15  an in-flight catering facility and an aircraft maintenance centre  with a combined investment of VND1.8 trillion ($72 million).

Vietjet starts work on aircraft maintenance facility in Long Thanh Vietjet has started construction of an Aircraft Maintenance Technical Centre at Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai.
Performance Brokerage Services, the leader in dealership buy-sell activity, announces the sale of Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina from Brian Smith of Dick Smith Automotive to Charlie Tomm of Pablo River Partners

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Brokerage Services, North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina from Brian Smith of Dick Smith Automotive to Charlie Tomm of Pablo River Partners.

Dick Smith Automotive was founded more than 60 years ago by the late Dick Smith, Jr., a longtime automotive dealer in Columbia, South Carolina. The dealership group consists of five dealerships in South Carolina, representing Ford, Infiniti, and Nissan.

Performance Brokerage Services - Dick Smith Hyundai - Pablo River Partners

Reflecting on the sale, Brian Smith, son of Dick Smith, Jr. and President of Dick Smith Automotive, shared, "I recently sold Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville and had the pleasure of working with Weldon Mann of Performance Brokerage Services. Weldon's experience, steady guidance, and attention to detail made the entire transaction seamless from start to finish. He anticipated challenges before they arose and kept the process organized and stress-free. I was extremely pleased with his professionalism and highly recommend Weldon to anyone considering the sale of their dealership."

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of nearly 400 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. George C. Chaconas, Senior Partner, and Weldon Mann, Partner of the Southeast Office for Performance Brokerage Services, were the exclusive sell-side advisors for this transaction.

Weldon Mann commented, "I was honored to represent Brian Smith in the sale of Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina, to Charlie Tomm. I've always believed that the true measure of a successful transaction is when both sides feel they've achieved a fair and equitable result. This deal is a great example of that balance, and I'm proud to have guided the process."

George Chaconas added, "It was an honor and a privilege to represent Brian Smith alongside my partner, Weldon Mann, whose hard work and dedication were instrumental throughout this transaction. Congratulations to Pablo River Partners on acquiring their second Hyundai store in the Southeast, and I look forward to supporting their continued growth."

Pablo River Partners is a Jacksonville, Florida-based investment firm. Charlie Tomm, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, previously held executive positions at several automotive groups. Earlier this year, he acquired Mayberry Hyundai in North Carolina, and the acquisition of Dick Smith Hyundai in South Carolina further expands his presence in the automotive market.

Charlie Tomm shared, "Working with Weldon Mann of Performance Brokerage Services on the acquisition of Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina, was a very positive experience. Weldon is a clear communicator with deep industry knowledge and was a true professional throughout the process. He facilitated a smooth and efficient transaction, and both parties moved forward with confidence. We appreciated his guidance and look forward to working with him again on future acquisitions."

Dick Smith Hyundai will be renamed Hyundai of Greenville and will remain at its current location.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships.

With over 30 years of experience, 900 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the company's reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity.

The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Headquartered in Irvine, California and supported by 12 regional offices across the United States and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation.

As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.

Media Contact:

Jesse Stopnitzky, Co-Owner

(949) 309-2851

[email protected]

SOURCE Performance Brokerage Services, Inc.
The VinhThanh Thuy expressway will link Hanoi with Vientiane and connect to the Eastern NorthSouth Expressway and Ho Chi Minh Highway. The route is a key infrastructure project with strategic importance for socioeconomic development, national defence, and regional and international transport integration.

The integrated East-West transportation route is expected to meet the growing transportation needs and provide new impetus and space for development.

Once completed, the expressway will connect the two capitals and also link with the Eastern North-South Expressway and the Ho Chi Minh Highway, thereby enhancing competitiveness, boosting socioeconomic development of the region and related localities, and contributing to the achievement of development goals and strategies according to the Party's Resolution.

The National Assembly also agreed to invest in approximately 60km of expressway within Nghe An province through public investment, divided into 10 component projects.

The project applies advanced and modern technologies, ensuring safety, consistency, quality, and efficiency; it encourages the application of high technology in construction organisation and adaptation to climate change. During operation, the expressway will implement electronic toll collection without stopping.

The preliminary land requirement for the venture is approximately 648 hectares, including about 223ha of rice paddy land, 368ha of forest land, and about 57ha of other land types as stipulated by the Land Law.

The area of forest land slated for conversion to other purposes is approximately 354ha, including about 180ha of upstream protection forest. Land acquisition, compensation, support, and resettlement will be carried out in one go according to the planned scale of the entire route.

The preliminary total investment for the undertaking is approximately VND24 trillion ($958 million), using state budget funds, including increased central government revenue in 2024, and central and local government budgets for the period 2026-2030.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 and be completed in 2029. The commissioning phase is planned to begin in the same year.

Over 6.2 billion USD needed for expanding North-South expressway The Ministry of Construction has proposed expanding the 1,144-km eastern wing of North-South expressway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from four to six lanes

Government pushes to complete four expressway projects in 2025 Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh led a government delegation to the central province of Binh Dinh on June 7 to work with local authorities, contractors, and investors working on four expressway projects, seeking solutions to complete them in 2025.
The opening day of the 2025 National Achievements Exhibition, running from August 28 to September 15, attracted a large number of visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with pride and optimism. Beyond revisiting Vietnams development journey over the past 80 years, the exhibition also provides a platform for Vietnamese enterprises to showcase their contributions to the countrys overall progress.

At the exhibition, SABECO introduced a dedicated display area that recounted its 150-year history through key milestones: from its origins in the late 19th century, the launch of the iconic 333 beer brand closely associated with generations of Vietnamese consumers, to major turning points marked by the introduction of Saigon Export canned beer, the expansion of modern breweries, and the launch of new products over the past decade.

The exhibition space also features a dedicated section highlighting domestic and international awards earned by SABECO in recent years, underscoring the quality and credibility of a leading Vietnamese brand. In addition, visitors have the opportunity to explore the companys full product portfolio, ranging from long-established brands such as 333 and Saigon Lager to newer offerings that reflect innovation and appeal to younger consumers, including Saigon Chill, 333 Pilsner and Lac Viet.

The display also showcases SABECOs achievements in environmental, social, and governance practices over recent years. Through this, visitors gain not only a view of the brands growth, but also a clear sense of its commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection and community engagement.

The seamless integration of heritage and modern elements has turned SABECOs exhibition space into a distinctive highlight. More than recounting a corporate history, it evokes shared memories among visitors  from familiar products embedded in everyday life to the spirit of innovation and international integration embodied by a Vietnamese enterprise.
A SABECO representative receives the Top 8 Large-cap Companies for Corporate Governance Excellence award. Photo: Le Toan

On December 3, at the Annual Listed Companies Conference organised by the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, SABECO was named one of the Top 8 large-cap listed companies for corporate governance. The event brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the State Securities Commission, the Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi stock exchanges, and nearly 300 listed companies, fund managers, and financial institutions.

The recognition was part of the Vietnam Listed Company Awards (VLCA) 2025, presented to companies demonstrating strong performance in corporate governance, transparency, and investor relations. VLCA, supported by Dragon Capital, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Vietnam Institute of Directors, International Finance Corporation, and leading audit firms such as PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and EY, ensures a transparent and credible evaluation process.

According to the organisers, corporate governance remains a key focus for listed companies and the investment community, particularly as Vietnams capital market continues to deepen its integration with global markets. Transparent, effective governance aligned with international best practices is increasingly regarded as a critical foundation for enhancing corporate competitiveness and ensuring long-term, sustainable growth.

Photo: Le Toan

In 2025, the VLCA further strengthened its assessment of corporate governance among listed companies, aiming to align domestic practices more closely with regional and global standards. This year, the evaluation methodology was significantly updated, incorporating the latest international benchmarks, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Principles of Corporate Governance and the Vietnam Corporate Governance Code of Best Practices.

The panel noted that large-cap companies, including SABECO, continued to lead the market thanks to well-established governance frameworks, standardised internal processes and senior management teams experienced in applying international best practices. These companies typically demonstrate stronger board structures, a clear separation between management and oversight functions, and consistently high standards of information disclosure.

Beyond regulatory compliance, high-performing companies were also recognised for proactively adopting practices that go beyond minimum requirements. These include early disclosure of general meeting materials, implementation of shareholder consultation mechanisms prior to annual meetings, and transparent criteria for board nomination and selection. In particular, companies achieving high scores showed a high level of maturity in complying with regulations related to board structure and the appointment of corporate governance officers and company secretaries.

As a constituent of the VN30 Index, representing the 30 largest and most liquid companies on Vietnams stock market, SABECO is recognised for maintaining stable business performance while continuously strengthening its corporate governance framework. The company places strong emphasis on protecting the legitimate interests of shareholders and stakeholders, while positioning transparency and accountability as core pillars of its long-term development strategy.

Accordingly, SABECO has continued to diversify and enhance the quality of its information disclosure channels. Shareholders and investors are provided with comprehensive and timely access to information on strategic direction, business performance and corporate governance matters. All disclosures fully comply with regulatory requirements for listed companies and are made available in both Vietnamese and English on the companys website and relevant platforms, facilitating access for domestic and international investors.

In addition, information on ownership structure and operating model, major and internal shareholders, members of the Board of Directors and Executive Board, as well as related-party transactions, is publicly and regularly updated through SABECOs annual reports and official disclosure channels. The company also maintains regular engagement with investors, media representatives and other stakeholders, reinforcing transparency, dialogue and market confidence.

SABECOs inclusion among the Top 8 large-cap companies for corporate governance at VLCA 2025 reflects the companys ongoing efforts to align its governance practices with international standards. The recognition reinforces its credibility, supports the attraction of long-term investment, and contributes to the continued development of Vietnams capital market.
On December 12, the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development (NATEC) and the National Startup Support Centre, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, partnered with non-profit MSD United Way Vietnam to launch the Social Open Innovation for All Resilience (SOAR) initiative. The programme aims to harness social innovation to accelerate the countrys digital transformation and support sustainable national development.

The launch took place during a seminar on social open innovation held as part of the national innovation and startup festival  TECHFEST Vietnam 2025.

The event comes as Vietnam conducts a mid-term review of the implementation of Resolution No.57-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo at the end of 2024, which sets out breakthroughs in science, technology, and digital transformation.

Pham Hong Quat, director general of NATEC, stressed the pivotal role of open innovation in Vietnams national development journey. "Vietnam is facing multiple challenges, including the middle-income trap, population ageing, environmental pollution, and mounting pressure on megacities," he said. "The implementation of the social open innovation community within TECHFEST 2025 is expected to deliver new technological solutions that generate tangible socioeconomic value for diverse communities."

Pham Hong Quat, director general of NATEC

Quat asserted NATECs commitment to continuing its close partnership with MSD United Way Vietnam, the Social Open Innovation Community, and industry associations to promote fast, sustainable development towards greener and smarter cities.

From an international perspective, Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam, described social open innovation as a vital bridge between economic development and community wellbeing.

He noted that the Netherlands highly values Vietnams efforts to utilise inclusive innovation and digital transformation, viewing them as powerful drivers of meaningful change in the digital era.

The implementation of Resolution 57 underscores the imperative that technology must serve people and ensure that no one is left behind, said Baar. A human-centred approach is essential, guaranteeing equitable digital access for all segments of society, including youth, women, and vulnerable communities. Innovation can only thrive in an open society where people are free to experiment and explore.

Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam

The ambassador noted that Netherlands-Vietnam relations extend beyond trade, describing them as a values-based partnership, and reaffirmed the Netherlands commitment to supporting Vietnam in initiatives that advance innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

Providing strategic context, Nguyen Phuong Linh, director of MSD United Way Vietnam, presented key analyses of Vietnams social entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, identifying major constraints related to data access, collaboration mechanisms, impact measurement, and human resource capacity.

She stressed that for the ecosystem to develop sustainably, Vietnam must strengthen the pillars of innovation, openness, connectivity, inclusiveness, and uplift.

Innovation does not reside solely in advanced technologies, but in our ability to open new spaces where people can participate, be heard, and co-create solutions, said Linh. When an elderly person in a rural area, a woman with disabilities, or a student in a remote region can contribute data and feedback, the ecosystem not only becomes smarter, but also more equitable and humane, addressing root causes and advancing sustainable development.

Nguyen Phuong Linh, director of MSD United Way Vietnam

The true power of social open innovation lies in connection, she added. It connects community voices with startup capabilities, business challenges with academic knowledge and support organisations, and mobilises all resources so that no one is left behind. Genuine connections, grounded in real data and real needs, are what enable Vietnams innovation ecosystem to truly SOAR, in line with the SOAR model of Social Open Innovation that promotes responsible collaboration nationwide.

From a business perspective, Sun Sukkun, director of Shinhan Square Bridge under the Shinhan Financial Group Hope Foundation, shared insights into the social open innovation model that Shinhan has developed in South Korea and expanded to Vietnam since 2021.

He explained that Shinhan Square Bridge is designed as a cross-sectoral and cross-border platform where startups, enterprises, social organisations, and communities co-create solutions, pilot business models, and scale social impact. Mentorship and capacity-building play a central role, supported by experienced experts who guide startups and enterprises throughout the collaboration process.

Open communication is critical to the effectiveness of the model, especially when startups work with large corporations, where mentors act as connectors and barrier-breakers, said Sukkun. Social open innovation is not just about economic value creation, but also about delivering social value aligned with environmental, social, and governance objectives and broader impact.

Sun Sukkun, director of Shinhan Square Bridge under the Shinhan Financial Group Hope Foundation

Le My Nga, chairwoman of WeAngels Capital, analysed the evolving capability requirements of the new generation of startups and the types of ecosystem support they need. While Vietnams innovation ecosystem is vibrant, she noted that the key question is how startups can generate real value and choose appropriate entrepreneurial pathways.

In an increasingly competitive environment, especially when collaborating with large partners, startups must focus on innovation that delivers social value, said Nga. Many small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam still lack this dimension and need support to evolve into truly innovative businesses that create new value for the market.

She explained that innovation is a matter of survival for startups, particularly during their first two years of operation, while underscoring the importance of accurately identifying community needs and building suitable governance models.

These insights further clarified the link between innovation, competitiveness, and business resilience amid rapid transformation, she added.

Three in-depth panel discussions during the conference offered diverse perspectives from policymakers, businesses, academia, and social organisations. The ideas, experiences, and proposals generated were widely regarded as a valuable foundation for TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 to continue advancing a social open innovation ecosystem that is sustainable, inclusive, and driven by broad-based participation in Vietnams national innovation journey.

14 million USD invested in start-ups at Techfest Around 14 million USD in investment was pledged during the national innovative start-up day, Techfest 2019, in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.

Vietnam's innovation start-up ecosystem investment forecasted to hit $2 billion Vietnam's innovation start-up ecosystem is forecast to see an investment of US$2 billion, maintaining the form of a "rising star" of start-ups in South Asian countries.
The 'Touch to Share, Give Hope' programme, held on December 14, provided 2,010 free cancer screening packages for disadvantaged and vulnerable women across several localities. Beneficiaries included female factory workers and women employed in export processing zones and industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hung Yen, and Bac Ninh, as well as migrant workers from other provinces.

Photo: Vietnam Womens Union

According to the organising committee, the scheme focuses on screening for cancers that are most prevalent among women, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. In addition, HPV testing is included as a critical screening method to help detect early risks of cervical cancer.

The estimated cost of screening for these cancers, together with HPV testing, is more than $80 per person, a figure that remains beyond the reach of many low-income women.

Of the 2,010 free screening and HPV testing packages distributed, 1,000 were allocated to the Vietnam Womens Union, while the remaining 1,010 were delivered through the Youth Union of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority.

Up to 400 women have already undergone cancer screening at Hanoi Medical University Hospital. The remaining beneficiaries are scheduled to receive screening services from December through to the end of January at Thanh Nhan Hospital, the University Medical Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, and Gia Dinh Peoples Hospital. These reputable medical facilities are expected to ensure both service quality and timely follow-up for participants with abnormal screening results.

Vietnam records around 24,600 new cases of breast cancer each year, along with more than 4,600 cases of cervical cancer and nearly 1,500 cases of ovarian cancer, resulting in thousands of related deaths.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, vice president of the Vietnam Womens Union, warned that the cancer burden is rising rapidly and increasingly affecting younger age groups. She attributed this trend to multiple factors, including lifestyle changes, work-related stress, environmental pollution, unbalanced nutrition, and limited awareness of regular health check-ups.

Many women, especially freelance workers, migrant workers, and single mothers, place family responsibilities above their own health because of financial pressures, Hien said. As a result, cancers are often detected at a late stage, when treatment is more expensive and less effective.

Photo: Vietnam Womens Union

Launched in 2023, Touch to Share, Give Hope is jointly organised by NAPAS, Mastercard, and Payoo. The 2025 edition, running from October to December, engaged the community through two main activities.

The tap-to-pay initiative contributed around 7.6 cents to the cancer screening fund for each successful transaction, recording over 2.2 million transactions nationwide using NAPAS and Mastercard cards.

The Healthy Miles, Healthy Life running campaign linked exercise with charitable donations, contributing approximately 7.6 cents per kilometre for online runs and 76 cents per kilometre for offline runs. Nearly 3,000 participants completed almost 12,000 km in offline events, while more than 4,400 online participants logged over 240,000 valid km across 32,000 runs in 30 days.

Thanks to widespread community support, particularly from younger generations, this year's Touch to Share, Give Hope drive raised more than $160,000. The funds will be used to finance free cancer screening packages and HPV tests for vulnerable women.

Ngo Trung Linh, CEO of Viet Union Online Services Corporation, representing Payoo, explained its long-term vision, saying, "Touch to Share, Give Hope will not stop here. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with like-minded organisations and businesses to develop annual social welfare programmes that create more opportunities for vulnerable people and contribute to Vietnams sustainable development."

The 'Zero-Dong Stalls' initiative also continued at hospitals this year, providing essential items such as rice, cooking oil, fish sauce, salt, shampoo, and body wash to help ease daily needs and financial pressures for women undergoing treatment and recovery.
Speaking at a conference on green finance and sustainable growth hosted by VIR on December 15, Nguyen Ngoc Canh, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), stressed that green transition is no longer a policy option, but an inevitable requirement as the world faces profound challenges related to climate change, environmental degradation, and socioeconomic development.

Green transition has now become a defining trend of our time. Countries around the world, including Vietnam, are being compelled to recalibrate their development strategies towards greater sustainability, striking a balance between economic growth objectives and strong commitments to global climate goals, moving towards a low-carbon and highly resilient economy, said Canh.

Nguyen Ngoc Canh, deputy governor of the SBV. Photo: Dung Minh

According to Canh, Vietnam has issued and is implementing a wide range of strategies and development plans aligned with green growth and sustainable development objectives, particularly as the country enters a new era of national advancement, with an eye towards the 100th anniversary of the nations founding in 2045. This phase places growing emphasis on the quality of growth, inclusiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Citing a report by the Ministry of Finance, the SBVs deputy governor noted that the financial resources required to realise Vietnams green growth targets and its net-zero emissions commitment by 2050 are substantial.

Under the carbon neutrality scenario, Vietnams total long-term investment demand for green and sustainable development is estimated at $670700 billion by 2050, with climate change adaptation alone accounting for around $368 billion, or nearly 6.8 per cent of GDP per year, he added.

The sheer scale of capital demand, according to Canh, underscores the need for Vietnam to mobilise all available financial resources for its national green growth agenda. Beyond state budget funding, the roles of the capital market, green bonds, green credit, the carbon market, and international financing sources are becoming increasingly critical.

Within the national policy framework, the banking sector has been clearly identified as one of the key capital mobilisation channels for sustainable development.

Recognising the vital role of green credit and sustainable finance, the SBV has continuously improved the legal framework and policy mechanisms, while rolling out comprehensive measures to boost green lending and strengthen the management of environmental and social risks in credit activities, said Canh.

At the implementation level, the deputy governor observed that credit institutions have proactively researched and developed a range of green funding and green credit products to finance projects delivering environmental benefits, supporting climate change adaptation, promoting circular economy models, and fostering sustainable production.

As a result, green credit in Vietnams banking system has expanded rapidly in both scale and growth momentum. According to data released by the SBV at the event, as of November 30, outstanding green credit reached approximately $30 billion, with average annual growth exceeding 21 per cent from 2017 through September this year, significantly higher than overall credit growth across the economy.

This clearly demonstrates that banks and credit institutions are increasingly prioritising the development of dedicated capital channels for green growth and sustainable development, noted Canh.

Nevertheless, the SBVs deputy governor candidly acknowledged that the efforts of the banking sector alone are insufficient to meet the economys growing green transition needs.

We must continue to diversify financial resources, with stronger participation from both domestic and international capital channels, particularly the private sector and the capital market, to share the burden with the banking system, he added.

Photo: Dung Minh

According to Canh, while expanding green finance channels helps alleviate pressure on banks, it can, more importantly, enable the mobilisation of medium- and long-term capital in a more flexible, secure, and efficient manner, in line with global green finance trends and international best practices.

The conference provides a space for stakeholders to exchange views, share experiences, and discuss the role of various capital sources in advancing sustainable development, thereby identifying practical and concrete solutions to mobilise and deploy financial resources effectively for Vietnams national green transition, stated Canh.

Commending VIR for organising the event, the SBVs deputy governor expressed confidence that, with active participation and a strong spirit of collaboration among stakeholders, the conference would deliver tangible outcomes and help shape the next steps in Vietnams strategy to mobilise capital for green growth and sustainable development.

Green finance tapped into via carbon arena The formation of a domestic carbon market and international connectivity opportunities have opened up a sustainable green finance channel to support Vietnam in achieving its green growth goals.

Green finance framework vital for reshaping industrial future Vietnam is in critical need for a clearer framework for green finance to develop its carbon trading and renewables ecosystem and reshape its industrial future.
Speaking at the 'Diversifying Capital Sources for Sustainable Development' conference held in Hanoi on December 15, VIR's editor-in-chief Pham Van Hoanh reconfirmed that sustainable development is a process of harmoniously balancing the three pillars of economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection, to ensure prosperity without compromising the future of coming generations.

For Vietnam, the effective implementation of sustainable development is an urgent requirement, not just to achieve long-term growth objectives but also to respond to increasingly severe challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and environmental pollution, said Hoanh.

VIRs editor-in-chief noted that in recent years, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable development through a series of international pledges and domestic policy initiatives. These range from commitments made at COP conferences on achieving net-zero emissions, reducing methane emissions, and ending deforestation, to the issuance of Resolution No. 136/NQ-CP on sustainable development, the National Climate Change Strategy to 2050, the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, along with multiple schemes related to energy transition and the circular economy.

In particular, Decision No. 21/2025/QD-TTg, issued in July this year on the criteria and procedures for certifying green initiatives, was described as a significant turning point.

With this decision, Vietnam has, for the first time, established a national green taxonomy, providing a foundation for eligible projects to access preferential credit and state support, thereby guiding investment flows towards sustainability and expanding the space for the green finance market, he added.

However, according to the Hoanh, the most pressing challenge remains capital mobilisation.

To successfully implement sustainable development goals, Vietnam requires a considerable volume of capital, far beyond the capacity of the state budget and the banking system alone, without the concerted participation of other capital channels, he said.

VIR's editor-in-chief Pham Van Hoanh. Photo: Dung Minh

Hoanh noted that, in practice, over the past five years, under the governments direction and with the active involvement of the banking sector, capital mobilisation for sustainable development has made notable progress. International partners have committed to mobilising $15.5 billion to support Vietnams net-zero target, while financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have provided approximately $3.8 billion for renewable energy and green infrastructure projects during the 2020-2024 period.

At the same time, by the end of 2024, Vietnam had attracted nearly $32 billion in foreign direct investment related to renewable energy, the circular economy, and emissions-reduction technologies.

According to the State Bank of Vietnams (SBV) Green Credit Report 2025, outstanding green credit across the entire banking system is estimated to reach around $34 billion by the end of 2025, accounting for nearly 6 per cent of total outstanding credit, with commercial banks playing a leading role.

Nevertheless, compared to the estimated demand of around $20 billion per year for the green transition, current resources remain modest. This requires Vietnam to further and more strongly diversify its capital sources, develop additional appropriate green financial instruments, and continue improving the legal framework in line with international standards to ensure capital is allocated to the right targets and used effectively, said Hoanh.

Hoanh also highlighted the pivotal role of businesses in this process.

Companies need to shift their governance mindset, viewing information transparency and long-term commitments as key assets to secure sustainable capital at reasonable costs. Adopting international reporting standards and investing in digital infrastructure to track emissions will increasingly become mandatory, he said.

As the organiser of the seminar, the VIR Editorial Board expressed hope that the event would serve as an effective platform connecting regulators, economic experts, financial institutions, and the business community, helping to clarify the role of each capital channel in promoting sustainable development.

Drawing on our years of work in sustainable development and the dual transition, we believe that policy dialogue, experience sharing, and resource connectivity are crucial for Vietnam to achieve its green growth goals, Hoanh concluded, expressing gratitude to the State Bank of Vietnam, Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh, and partner banks including Agribank, SHB, and BIDV for supporting the conference.

Four Vietnamese banks join $5.6 trillion green finance alliance Four Vietnamese banks have joined the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, signalling a major step in advancing sustainable finance in the country.

AgriS, DEG strengthen partnership for sustainable agriculture Thanh Thanh Cong  Bien Hoa JSC (AgriS) has strengthened its partnership with Germanys DEG to advance sustainable, high-tech agriculture in Vietnam.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), together with eight other professional accounting organizations representing approximately 1.5 million accounting and finance professionals, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education expressing strong opposition to any draft regulation which would exclude accounting programs from a professional degree designation and urging that accounting programs be included as a professional degree in the proposed rule.

The Department of Education's recent proposed regulation would exclude accounting programs across the country from a professional degree designation for the purposes of graduate student loan eligibility, which will do great harm to the profession.

"Accounting is a profession. It is statelicensed, built on rigorous education beyond a standard bachelor's degree, validated by the Uniform CPA Examination and governed by ethics and competency standards. Students pursuing this pathway should have equitable access to graduatelevel financing, consistent with other recognized professional programs that serve critical public needs," the group states in the letter.

While the group appreciates the Department's broader effort to align lending with workforce needs, it also asks that a parity approach be employed to sustain the pipeline of future accountants and protect communities and markets.

The coalition is comprised of the following organizations:

AGA  formerly the Association of Government Accountants

American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)

American Accounting Association (AAA)

Center for Audit Quality (CAQ)

Financial Executives International (FEI)

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

NABA, Inc.

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA)

About the American Institute of CPAs

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world's largest member association representing the CPA profession, with 397,000 members and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.

SOURCE AICPA
Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home  you can find them all here.

In this months column, Andrew Ranger MP said:

It was wonderful to see the return of the Victorian Christmas Markets for four days at the end of November. The city centre was bustling and busy with a lovely atmosphere.

Small Business Saturday which is always on the first Saturday in December, is also an opportunity to shop local and I was delighted to visit the Wrexham Makers Market in Ty Pawb as well as the Wrexham Street Market at Eagles Meadow. It was the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts and do some Christmas shopping.

UK Parliament Week in the last week of November had fantastic engagement with 36 youth organisations and schools across the constituency signing up to take part, the highest number of any constituency in Wales.

It was brilliant to hear from schools about their activities. Gwenfro Primary were writing persuasive speeches and Rhosnesni High who held their own General Election and had a 360 virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament.

I met Dosbarth Harlech at St Marys Brymbo as well as Ysgol Clywedogs School Council and both sets of pupils were keen to engage the whole school in their ideas and campaigns. It was great to see.

Senedd Yr Ifanc held their UKPW event at the Guildhall and this was really well attended. Questions ranged from farming inheritance tax to drug and alcohol mis use and the use of cover and supply staff in schools.

In Westminster, the recent budget saw the end of the 2-child limit in Universal Credit which will mean an estimated 2,370 children will no longer be in poverty in Wrexham. This will be partly funded by a rise in duty on remote gaming duty (associated with the highest rate of gambling related harm) from 21% to 40%, along with other measures.

The UK Governments Youth Guarantee scheme will mean 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit. Youth Hubs, where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track regardless of whether they are receiving benefits, will be expanded to every local area of the country, bringing the total to over 360. In Wrexham, 440 young people could benefit from this.

The Jobs Guarantee which is part of these measures means that 18-21-year-olds on Universal Credit who have been searching for work for 18 months or more will be provided with six months of paid employment.

Connectivity is vital to growing opportunity for our communities and is something I campaigned on last year. I am pleased that on Sunday, December 14, Transport for Wales will double frequency of train services between Wrexham and Chester.

This will increase the number of trains operating through the day by 100%  made possible through UK and Welsh Governments working in partnership to invest in the line and trains.

To enable the doubling to enable the doubling of Wrexham-Chester services, more trains were ordered by Transport for Wales. This means Wales will soon have more than 480 trains in operation, compared to just 270 that were inherited in 2018 from Arriva Trains Wales.

Finally, may I wish you and your family a warm Nadolig Llawen/Merry Christmas. My office will remain monitored over the festive season so please reach out at andrew.ranger.mp@parliament.uk if you require any assistance.
JCB toy drive sees Christmas gifts delivered to Salvation Army

Generous JCB employees in Wrexham have helped to deliver another record year for the companys annual Christmas Toy Appeal  with an amazing 1,787 gifts donated.

Gifts poured in across the companys 15 different different collection points when the appeal was launched in November.

In Wrexham, toys donated by JCB Transmissions employees are being given to the Salvation Army for local distribution.

Hubb Foundation Operations Manager Tom Beecham said: JCBs Christmas Toy Appeal means so much to us as a charity and it means so much to the children and families we work with in Stoke-on-Trent.

Christmas is a challenging time of year, so to bring some happiness and positivity to children at this time of year is wonderful.

We cant thank JCB and all the employees enough for their ongoing generosity.

The first batch of gifts was delivered to thrilled pupils at the New Ford Academy in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent by JCB-sponsored athlete and Olympic silver medallist Adam Burgess and JCB apprentices Kitty Hulme, Lewis Durham, and Lucy Pepper.

Deputy Head Tracy Moller said: It was wonderful to see the excitement on the childrens faces as the gifts were distributed. We would like to thank all the fabulous employees at JCB for their generous donations.

Since the appeals launch in 2022, employees have donated almost 6,000 gifts for distribution to children and young people.
FDA expands labels for Roche's PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test* and VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail, which can now be used to identify HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients that could be eligible for ENHERTU.





Roche's PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test is the only test approved to identify all levels of HER2 expression.





Roche's breast cancer diagnostic portfolio now provides clinicians with a comprehensive solution to assess HER2 expression and guide treatment decisions for this challenging disease.

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved additional indications for its PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody and VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail tests. These tests are now approved to aid in identifying HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients who may be eligible for treatment with ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and being jointly developed and commercialised by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Until now, Roche's PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test had been approved for identifying mBC patients with HER2-low and HER2-ultralow expression. With this expanded approval, Roche's PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test in combination with the VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail can now be used to identify patients across the full spectrum of HER2 expression for potential eligibility for ENHERTU. This approval reflects the vital role of advanced diagnostics in guiding precise treatment decisions to address the diverse needs of mBC patients.

"Metastatic breast cancer remains a significant challenge," said Laura Apitz, Head of Pathology Lab at Roche Diagnostics. "Diagnostic advances like these bring much-needed hope for patients. With this approval, our breast diagnostic portfolio can further guide therapy decisions for clinicians, enabling a more personalised approach."

Advancing Science in HER2 Breast Cancer

Breast cancer now represents one in four of all cancers diagnosed in women worldwide.1 Despite advances in care, metastatic breast cancer poses a growing challenge, especially in younger populations,2,3 where cases among women aged 25 to 39 increased by 32% between 2009 and 2015.2,3

However, treatment for metastatic breast cancer is evolving alongside a deeper understanding of HER2 biology, which now shows that HER2 expression exists on a continuous spectrum rather than as distinct "positive" or "negative" categories.4

These diagnostics strengthen Roche's broader breast cancer portfolio, which offers solutions that cover the full spectrum of breast cancer management, including important predictive assays. Roche remains committed to supporting patients with advanced diagnostic tools that help clinicians improve outcomes and deliver more personalized care at every stage of the disease.

About PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody

The PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody delivers timely, clear and reliable results, driving diagnostic certainty and enabling therapeutic decisions that can lead to better outcomes for patients. Previously indicated as an aid to identify certain breast cancer patients eligible for HER2-targeted treatment with Herceptin, KADCYLA, or ENHERTU,5 the test is used in combination with the fully automated BenchMark ULTRA and BenchMark ULTRA PLUS staining platforms.

The assay standardizes all IHC processes from baking through staining, and reduces the possibility of human error.5 It also minimizes inherent variability resulting from individual reagent dilution and other processes found in manual and semi-automated IHC methods. The HER2 (4B5) clone achieves consistently high proficiency assessment scores compared to other clones6 and demonstrates high concordance with HER2 FISH,7.8 empowering laboratories to employ the most widely adopted and reliable HER2 IHC primary antibody.

About the VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail assay

The VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail assay is a fully automated, ready-to-use brightfield solution for determining HER2 gene status. VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH helps identify breast cancer patients eligible for personalized treatment with HER2-targeted therapies. The VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail assay is optimised for use with the VENTANA Silver ISH DNP Detection Kit and the VENTANA Red ISH DIG Detection Kit on the fully-automated BenchMark ULTRA and BenchMark ULTRA PLUS staining platforms.9

The VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail assay is an enhanced version of the previous-generation test. New oligonucleotide probes and highly sensitive detection kits provide clear results to pathology labs more quickly, allowing clinicians to make treatment decisions earlier.

For more information, please visit the Roche Diagnostics Pathology Lab companion diagnostics page.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com .

* Hereafter referred to as PATHWAY HER2 (4B5) test

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References

[1] Breast Cancer Resource Foundation [Internet; cited 21 Nov 2024] Available from: https://www.bcrf.org/breast-cancer-statistics-and-resources/

[2] Breast Cancer Resource Foundation [Internet; cited 2024 Oct 8] Available from: https://www.bcrf.org/blog/metastatic-breast-cancer-symptoms-treatment/#:~:text=In%20the%20U.S.%20today%2C%20there,cancer%20diagnoses%20in%20young%20women.

[3] Hendrick RE, Helvie MA, Monticciolo DL. Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Have Stopped Declining in U.S. Women Younger than 40 Years. Radiology. 2021 Apr;299(1):143-149.

[4] Morrar D, Brogi E, Schwartz CJ, Pareja F, Wen HY, Ross DS, HER2-ultralow Breast Cancer: Incidence, Clinicopathologic Features and Need for Refined Scoring System, Modern Pathology (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.modpat.2025.10091 [5] Roche. PATHWAY anti-HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody, US Package Insert (D218295 Rev 2). 2025.

[6] NordiQC Assessments. https://www.nordiqc.org/epitope.php?id=11. Accessed January 28, 2025.

[7] Mayr D, et al. Comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of Her-2/neu oncoprotein overexpression in breast cancer: HercepTest (Dako) for manual testing and Her2/neuTest 4B5 (VENTANA) for VENTANA BenchMark automatic staining system with correlation to results of BenchMark automatic staining system with correlation to results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Virchows Archiv. 2009; 454(3):241248.

[8] Brugmann A, Lelkaitis G, Nielsen S, et al. Testing HER2 in breast cancer: a comparative study on BRISH, FISH, and IHC. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2011;19(3):203-211.

[9] Roche. VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail, US Package Insert (D218296 Rev 1). 2025.

Roche Media Relations

Jo Lynn Garing

Phone: +1 317-363-7286

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Roche
Future Bars, the citys prolific bar group, first garnered attentionand hundreds of flocked wallpaper copycatswith its modern speakeasy, Bourbon & Branch.

Now, 19 years later, theyre flipping the script with the groups most ambitious undertaking to date. Continuing the brands hallmark of theatrical interiors, Long Weekend radiates with the rhythms, hues, and rum-spiked drinks of Havana, Cuba. Yet, unlike its precursors, the daiquiris will stop flowing in the summer of 2026 when the Cuban theme shifts to the next location in a series of rotating, global-inspired pop-ups, each of which is a nine-month, three-dimensional travelogue of the worlds great cocktail hubs.

The decor at Long Weekend can be switched out like the skin on an avatar (Courtesy of Long Weekend Bar)

Why a Pop-Up?

While famed for its spectacular, thematic interiors, hidden behind each lush, detailed environment is an arduous process involving architects, permits, and lengthy build-outs. While a bar-going audience eagerly packs the latest spot for the first few months, they soon move on to the next new thing.

Opening a cool new bar every few years is hard work, shares CEO Brian Sheehy, who concedes the groups winning formula is up against not only city planning department hurdles but shorter attention spans, too.

The solution? A venue that can accommodate multiple new pop-up concepts. A rotating concept keeps crowds coming back while giving the bar group the opportunity to sample different ideas, noting which spark the most patronage. If any iteration of Long Weekend is packed every night, well look at a permanent space for it, says Sheehy.

While the space was born as a strategic solution to real problems, Future Bars may have stumbled into its most ingenious venture yet. Sheehy, who picked up a general contracting license during the pandemic, designed the new, multi-storied space with a clever infrastructure that allows themes to be swapped out like skins on an avatar. A complete transformation from Havana to Tokyo, for examplecan be done in one weeks time and without filing a single permit.

The downstairs nightclub space, La Boveda (Courtesy of Long Weekend Bar)

The Dynamic Space

With 7,000 square feet spread over four levels, the 1923 Italian American Bank building at Columbus and Broadway in North Beach offered the perfect blank slate for the Long Weekend. Working with long-time collaborator and architect, Andrea Marie Gifford, the Future Bars team decked the airy main floor in pastels, oil-burning hurricane lamps, and Cuban flags. Yet, while the tikis of Pagan Idol or whiskey barrels at Rickhouse might function simply as decor, Long Weekend brims with more cultural authenticity.

Without the cultural insight, youre doing no better than building an Irish bar in an airport, Sheehy remarks. With original artwork, video, and audio captured on the island, the space ends up functioning as a de facto art gallery as much as a bar.

Thousands of feet of cabling and a hidden network of hundreds of mini speakers embedded in the walls hum with a layered, re-engineered soundtrack of interviews and musicians recorded by Sheehy and his team while in Havana. On a hidden mezzanine level, which offers the best seats in the house, guests can simultaneously peer over the main bar and Broadway Street, in addition to a color-saturated cityscape of Havana via video sequences blending famous landmarks such as the domed National Capitol building into a continuous horizon with passing cars, fluttering palms, and shifting sun and moon cycles. Once recorded soundtrack and visuals are ready for the next pop-up, the team can flip a switch and swap out all the audio and video throughout the bar.

The space also highlights original print artwork. Tucked behind the bar, a cozy nook dubbed La Galeria displays prints of the gorgeous, vintage product design-inspired artwork of Havana artist, Reynerio Tamayo. When the Havana theme shutters, the pieces will be auctioned off in support of Tamayo's community education efforts back home.

(Courtesy of Long Weekend Bar)

Downstairs, the subterranean La Boveda, named for the extant vault, is an homage to the underground nightclubs of Havana that have popped up in abandoned buildings, including former banks. Sheehy and his business partner, Doug Dalton, photographed local Havana street art and wheat pasted the oversized prints throughout the low-ceilinged space; a San Francisco artist tied it together with additional artwork. Future iterations will be layered on top, adding to the patina.

There is one space that will remain untouched at Long Weekend: a stunning rooftop where a restored 2003 Banksy mural is complemented by striking views of the twinkling Transamerica Building and Salesforce Tower. While not normally open to the public, you might be able to coax a staff member for a peek on a slow night or special occasion.

The Drinks

While the atmosphere may serve as the headliner at fellow Future Bars spaces such as The Dawn Club, drinks remain at the heart of each new venture. True to the concepts intention, the cocktail menu reminds guests how many iconic drinks originated from Cuba. Youll find usual suspects like daiquiris and hand-muddled mojitos with both American and Cuban mint grown in rooftop planters, alongside lesser-known drinks like the sugar cane-redolent Canchanchara with salted honey and butterscotch foam.

The groups bar director and prolific cocktail hitmaker Jayson Wilde designed the menu, as he did for all Future Bars properties. Because Cuban rums are prohibited from being sold in the U.S., the bar team created proprietary blends to approximate those that would normally inform classics such as an El Presidente or Hotel Nacional. Youll have to look elsewhere for a Cubano sandwich, though. Youll find plenty of good food throughout North Beach, just not here, says Sheehy.

(Courtesy of Long Weekend Bar)

Whats Next

Sitting alongside the Columbus Street side, an LED screen displays another Havana streetscape with a vintage-inspired billboard and a countdown clock to the next theme, plus a QR code to vote for the next city they honor: Tokyo, Mexico City, or Rio de Janeiro.

The well-traveled team started with a highly debated list of top ten cities that have contributed to drinking culture, and it quickly got whittled down to three. The goal is not just dreamy destinations that populate many peoples bucket list, but also concepts that would work well in San Francisco and that the bar team can get behind.

As for an Irish theme, Sheehys childhood home, he simply says, Were not ready for that.

// Long Weekend is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30pm to 12am, Friday through Saturday from 4:30pm to 2am, and Sunday from 3pm to 11pm; 270 Columbus Ave. (North Beach), longweekendbar.com
Australian Clinical Utility Study demonstrates PromarkerD test offers improved treatment options for Doctors in the fight against diabetic kidney disease



PromarkerD changes how Doctors manage DKD - study published

Perth, Dec 16, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd ( ASX:PIQ ) ( PIQLF:OTCMKTS ) announced that a study demonstrating the clinical utility of the PromarkerD test in predicting diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (DKD) in Australia has been published in the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ).



- Peer-reviewed study published in the Internal Medicine Journal demonstrates that PromarkerD risk scores significantly change clinical decision-making among Australian doctors



- For type 2 diabetes patients at risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) PromarkerD results prompted earlier initiation of renoprotective therapies and reduced prescribing of potentially nephrotoxic drugs



o High-risk patients saw a 20-30% increase in prescribing intentions for SGLT2 inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, ARBs and statins



o Moderate-risk patients also had significant treatment adjustments



- 89% of physicians believed the use of PromarkerD would improve clinical outcomes



- Study supports the clinical utility of PromarkerD in Australia which is home to 1.5 million adults with type 2 diabetes



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.



The web-based clinical utility study surveyed 178 general practitioners and clinical specialists presenting them with multiple real-life scenarios for patients with type 2 diabetes, and PromarkerD referred to as "Test X" to blind respondents as to its commercial identity. When asked about DKD, 89% of physicians believed the use of PromarkerD would improve clinical outcomes.



Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said, "This new Australian study reinforces the growing body of evidence demonstrating that PromarkerD provides actionable information that can meaningfully change how clinicians manage patients with type 2 diabetes."



Senior author of the study Professor Merlin Thomas, a nephrologist and Professor of Medicine at Monash University, said PromarkerD provides an opportunity to identify those at risk of chronic kidney disease much earlier before clinical signs of decline are evident.



"When presented with moderate or high-risk PromarkerD results, clinicians in the study were significantly more likely to initiate renoprotective therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors, increase monitoring frequency, and avoid nephrotoxic medications like ibuprofen than if they did not have the PromarkerD test results. These changes can help prevent or delay progression to kidney failure and reduce the need for interventions such as dialysis or kidney transplant. In contrast, when presented with low-risk PromarkerD results, clinicians appropriately reduced unnecessary treatment escalation and healthcare utilisation."



The results for PromarkerD in the Australian healthcare setting closely align with the positive results previously reported in the United States [ASX 2 August 2022]. IMJ is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the leading internal medicine publication in the region, covering laboratory and clinical research relating to human disease.



Summary of Study



The clinical utility study, conducted in collaboration with TKW Research Group and Illuminate Health Consulting, surveyed 178 Australian clinicians including primary care physicians and specialists (endocrinologists, nephrologists and diabetologists) to evaluate how PromarkerD risk scores could influence treatment decisions in people with type 2 diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (DKD) (normal eGFR greater than or equal to 60 mL/min/1.73m2 and normal or moderately increased albuminuria).



Key findings:



- Early intervention: 97% of clinicians agreed that early intervention before clinical DKD symptoms is ideal and that there is a significant unmet need for tests to detect early DKD, quantify risk and predict disease progression. PromarkerD addressed this gap by prompting earlier treatment in patients often missed by standard screening.



- Increased use of renoprotective therapies: High-risk patients saw a 20-30% increase in prescribing intentions for sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and statins. Moderate-risk patients also had significant treatment adjustments.



- Medication optimisation: Clinicians increased dosages of renoprotective drugs and reduced exposure to potentially nephrotoxic medications, including ibuprofen.



- Enhanced monitoring and referral: High-risk scores led to more frequent kidney monitoring (every 3-6 months) and higher specialist referrals. Low-risk scores allowed safe reduction in monitoring intensity.



- Clinical acceptance: Over 85% of clinicians considered PromarkerD useful for guiding treatment decisions; up to 89% saw potential benefits for patient outcomes and healthcare cost reduction.



Conclusion: PromarkerD could enable earlier, more targeted intervention in Australia for type 2 diabetes patients, complementing existing DKD screening methods and supporting improved patient outcomes.



The full paper, titled 'Evaluating the potential clinical practice impact of the PromarkerD blood test in people with type 2 diabetes in Australia', is available from IMJ.



To view the Paper, visit IMJ:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imj.70294



About Promarker(R)D (www.PromarkerD.com)



Diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious complication arising from diabetes which if unchecked can lead to dialysis or kidney transplant. PromarkerD is a prognostic test that can predict future kidney function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes and no existing DKD. The patented PromarkerD test system uses a blood test to detect a unique 'fingerprint' of the early onset of the disease. The multivariate test measures a select panel of protein and clinical biomarkers, before a cloud-based algorithm integrates the results into a patient risk report. In clinical studies published in leading journals PromarkerD correctly predicted up to 86% of otherwise healthy diabetics who went on to develop diabetic kidney disease within four years. Country specific use of this product is subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.



Proteomics International recommends that patients concerned about DKD seek advice from their doctors.



Further information on DKD is available through the MYTEST HEALTH web portal, please visit:

https://www.mytest.health





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.

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Great news from the North Pole: Santa Claus's reindeer have been officially cleared for their Christmas Eve journey following their annual veterinary checkup by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

AVMA President Dr. Michael Q. Bailey and certified veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, representing the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), traveled to the North Pole earlier this month to ensure that Dasher, Dancer, and the rest of the sleigh team are healthy, fit, and ready for their global mission.

Santa Clause (right) holds Dasher as veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, RVT, and AVMA President Dr. Michael Q. Bailey perform a health check

"Our exam confirmed that the reindeer are in excellent condition," said Dr. Bailey. "From antlers to hooves, these magical animals are thriving. It's a joy to help ensure they're ready for the biggest night of the year."

The comprehensive checkup included physical exams, blood tests, and screenings for infectious diseases such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, and chronic wasting diseaseconditions that could impact both animal and public health during international travel. The team also reviewed the reindeer's health records and verified that their vaccinations and travel documents, including the official North Pole Certificate of Animal Export--which certifies that the reindeer meet global health standards and can safely cross country borders--were in order.

(View video of Dr. Bailey and Mossor's trip to the North Pole: https://vimeo.com/1145773928/962faa9b38)

Dr. Bailey and Mossor conducted a full-body examination of all nine reindeer, checking for signs of illness, injury, or parasites that could endanger their health or the health of other animals they might encounter during their travels. These checks included x-rays, blood tests, and inspections of their antlers, hooves, fur, and vital signs.

The North Pole visit also highlighted the broader contributions of veterinarians and veterinary technicians to global public and animal health. Dr. Bailey noted that the care given to Santa's reindeer underscores the work that veterinary professionals perform for all animals, regardless of size or species. "This work reflects what veterinary professionals do every daykeeping animals healthy and safe while protecting public health," he said.

Santa expressed heartfelt thanks to the veterinary team, saying, "My reindeer aren't just my supporting cast  they're the ones that make it possible for me to deliver toys to all the good children every Christmas," said Santa. "That's why I make sure they get the best possible care thanks to my friends at the American Veterinary Medical Association. And please be sure you do the same for your animal companions!

"Ho, ho, ho," Santa added.

Dr. Bailey and Mossor will return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve for a final pre-flight check of the reindeer and will examine them again upon their return. This level of care ensures that Santa's team is not only ready for the big night but is also protected from the risk of spreading or contracting diseases during their journey.

For those looking to help support Santa's reindeer, Dr. Bailey and Mossor recommend leaving out their favorite treatgraham cracker cookieson Christmas Eve. Not only does it make Santa's stops a little sweeter, but it also helps give the reindeer a tasty energy boost.

Become one of Santa's E.L.V.E.S.

While only one veterinarian and veterinary technician can serve on the official veterinary team of the North Pole, every veterinary office can help the cause by volunteering to be part of Santa's emergency veterinary staff on Christmas Eve. AVMA members can download a badge to let their clients know they are part of Santa's Emergency Landing and Veterinary Expert System (E.L.V.E.S.) support team. Veterinarians and their teams are invited to help spread holiday cheer by displaying their official E.L.V.E.S. badge on their clinics' social media channels and educating clients on the various ways that veterinarians and their support teams can help keep all animals healthyeven reindeer.

AVMA members can visit the AVMA website to download the official E.L.V.E.S. badge

To learn more about Dr. Bailey's role as North Pole Veterinarian, including answers to kids' questions about reindeer, visit avma.org/Santa

For more information about the role veterinarians play in global health, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Bailey, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations manager, at 847-732-6194 (cell/text) or [email protected].

About the AVMA

Serving more than 108,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world.

About NAVTA

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is a dynamic community of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians. We are dedicated to advancing the profession of veterinary nursing through advocacy, awareness, and professional development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Michael San Filippo

Senior Media Relations Manager

American Veterinary Medical Association

Cell/Text: 847-732-6194

[email protected]

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association
Adviser workloads are set to rocket in the run up to pension IHT changes set for 6 April 2027. The implications are significant with 77% expecting their workload to rise ahead of April 2027, with an average increase of 20%. The plight of hard-working advisers is revealed in new research from Standard Life as a large volume of their clients will need reviews of financial plans. Advisers estimate around 40% of clients require a review of their existing plans. The change, announced in last years Budget, is designed to discourage the use of pensions as a wealth transfer tool, which has grown in popularity since the introduction of the pension freedoms in 2015. Voice of Reason

Advisers also have an important role in reassuring clients and explaining the new regulations. 76% say their clients are concerned about the upcoming IHT change, and 30% report that these concerns are very high. For clients in the accumulation phase, concerns are focused on decisions about pension contributions. Nearly half of advisers surveyed (48%) say clients have asked whether they should reduce or stop contributions. And a further 38% expect additional queries around this in the near future. Planning assumptions turned on their head

For clients in decumulation, the most immediate concern is around the pension fund itself. For the last decade, the general principle for wealthier individuals has been to draw income from ISAs, savings, and other investments first, leaving the pension to grow in a tax-efficient environment, with any unused funds passing on IHT-free. The upcoming policy change has turned this assumption on its head, prompting advisers to reassess retirement strategies and explore alternative solutions. Warren Bright, Head of Retail Intermediary and Private Client Distribution at Standard Life, comments: The aftershock of the 2024 budget announcement continues to be felt across the pensions industry as the reality of pensions coming into scope of IHT from April 2027 sinks in. What might appear to be a simple change is far from straightforward and advisers are at the sharp end, supporting their clients through the change. Its clear from our research that advisers have an uphill challenge reviewing financial plans and making adjustments for those affected before the implementation date. Worryingly, the long-term effect on saving behaviour remains uncertain, but it would be disastrous for the financial health of generations of savers if this change discourages them from pension saving. Importantly, for most people, IHT on pensions will not apply because their estates fall below the threshold. Pensions will continue to be one of the best ways to save for retirement, benefiting from tax-relief and employer contributions, and this wont change under the new rules. Alternative solution knowledge gap For some advisers, particularly those whove entered the industry in the last ten years, theres been much more limited use of alternative product solutions. 57% of advisers say they need to refresh or improve their knowledge on alternative strategies. Trusts, onshore and offshore bonds, gifting, and annuities are all expected to increase in popularity. Standard Life has been supporting advisers through this change developing resources and content. The most recent IHT webinar attracted nearly 1,000 registrations with around 100 follow-up questions. The most common questions were around ways to reduce pension IHT exposure.
Male Wardens Posted in Girls Hostels: Major Safety Violation Sparks Uproar in Maharashtra Assembly 2

A major safety breach in Maharashtras nursing training institutes has triggered outrage in the Assembly after it was revealed that male wardens were appointed inside girls hostels, in clear violation of established norms and regulations. Legislators demanded answers on how such a serious lapse in protocol was allowed to occur.

The government admitted that under the 1996 recruitment rules and Indian Nursing Council standards, only female wardens are permitted in girls hostels. Despite this, male wardens were posted  raising grave concerns about student safety and administrative accountability.

The controversy deepened when the government acknowledged that official written directives had already been issued to Mumbai, Nagpur and Aurangabad mandating the appointment of female wardens only. Yet male wardens were still placed at three locations, a move the administration attempted to downplay, further fuelling public suspicion.

Questions now loom large over how these appointments were approved, who authorised them, and why corrective action was not taken immediately despite clear rules. Lawmakers stressed that this was not a minor oversight but a systemic failure that compromised the safety of young women in state-run facilities.

As outrage grows, demands for strict action and accountability have intensified. Observers warn that unless strong corrective measures are enforced, such violations may continue unchecked  leaving the safety of thousands of female students at risk.
HELSINKI, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2026, Helsinki invites international visitors to experience a city where design icons, Nordic wellbeing, and a dynamic food and culture scene come together. From major Alvar Aalto milestones and renewed landmarks to beloved sauna traditions, seasonal flavours and standout new openings, the Finnish capital offers fresh reasons to visit throughout the year.

Aalto 2026: Design milestones and a UNESCO decision ahead

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark Alvar Aalto anniversary year. It marks 90 years since the creation of the avant-garde Aalto vase and 50 years since the death of the master himself. In addition, a decision is expected on the proposed inscription of 13 Aalto-designed buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Five of the nominated sites are located in Helsinki: the Aalto House, Studio Aalto, Finlandia Hall, the House of Culture, and the headquarters of the National Pensions Institute.

Following extensive renovations, Finlandia Hall reopened in early 2025. The Grand Exhibition inside the building offers an excellent starting point for discovering the work of Alvar Aalto and his wives and collaborators, Aino and Elissa Aalto.

At the Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki, a brand-new exhibition, Aalto Design  Shapes of Wellbeing, will open in June 2026. The exhibition explores how Aalto's design philosophy fostered wellbeing, a sense of connection to the natural world, and harmony between people and nature.

Seurasaari welcomes its first new site in 40 years

For visitors interested in exploring Finnish architecture and culture more deeply, a new destination will open in summer 2026: a traditional Finnish summer cottage relocated to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. It is the first entirely new site introduced to the museum in 40 years. Completed in 1953 and designed by architect Erkki Koiso-Kanttila for his family, the cottage has remained in the family's summer use until now. The 41-square-metre interior includes a living room, a kitchenette, and a sleeping alcove. Illustrating the simplicity and functionality of Finnish summer homes, the cottage offers everything essentialand nothing excessive.

A Nordic classic returns: Yrjonkatu Swimming Hall reopens

In the heart of Helsinki, a true hidden gem is set to reopen in renewed splendour after an extensive renovation. Yrjonkatu Swimming Hall is the oldest still-operating public swimming hall in the Nordics, built in 1928. Designed by architect Vaino Vahakallio, the building represents Nordic Classicism, while its interiors also feature Art Deco influences. The swimming hall and its saunas will reopen to the public in February 2026. The upper floor offers a spa-like experience, with several different types of saunas, a private relaxation cabin, and delicious refreshments from Cafe Yrjo. The long-standing tradition of separate swimming hours for women and men will continue, and visitors may still choose to swim without a swimsuit.

From fine dining to Helsinki's kiosk cafes

Helsinki's food culture is rooted in the innovative use of local ingredients and seasonal flavours. Beyond Michelin-starred restaurants, high-quality food can be found in cafes and lunch spotsand, increasingly, at Helsinki's kiosk cafes, which have spread across the city, many of them along tram routes. To the delight of residents and visitors alike, some remain open even in winter. In the run-up to Christmas, enjoy warm drinks from Helsinki Distilling Company and rice porridge in Esplanadi Park. Vinolippa in Kruununhaka offers Mediterranean flavours, while Piirakkaleipomo Raty's kiosks by Pitkasilta Bridge and in Ruskeasuo sell a range of baked goods throughout the winter. In summer, when all kiosks are open, the selection widensfrom Kapyla's bohemian cafe atmosphere to drinks at Cafe Brera in Eira and frozen yogurt in Johanneksenpuisto Park. Read more from MyHelsinki.

New Visitor Experiences at Helsinki Central Railway Station

Helsinki's tourism offering will see major highlights in 2026. At Helsinki Central Railway Station, the restored Kellotorni (clock tower) originally designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1919now serves as a unique venue for dining, tower tours, brewery visits, and curated experiences that celebrate the building's historic character. In the station's historic dining hall, also a new restaurant called Taulu (painting in English) has opened. It combines a cafe, bar and restaurant into a relaxed yet stylish whole, putting Eero Jarnefelt's national romantic painting in the well-deserved spotlight.

Light art, Moomins and new noir: culture in 2026

Early in the year, Helsinki's cultural calendar offers a rich selection of events across art, literature, and light. Lux Helsinki, the city's annual light art festival, expands to six days and takes place on 611 January, with installations across the city centre from Kansalaistori to Hietalahdentori, Vanha Kirkkopuisto, and the Espa Stage. Under the theme Stop Time!, works will also appear at Kanneltalo and in ten central art galleries.

Although the Moomins' 80th anniversary year has concluded, there is still plenty for fans to experience in Helsinki. The Architecture and Design Museum's exhibition Escape to Moominvalley is open until 27 September 2026. At HAM Helsinki Art Museum, the newly expanded Tove Jansson Gallery opens in February 2026 with an inaugural exhibition focusing on Jansson's artistic family and the theme of courage, inspired by Comet in Moominland.

Courage may also come in handy at the new Helsinki Noir festival (28 February1 March 2026), a two-day crime literature event at the Aleksanteri Theatre, where leading Finnish and international authors explore crime fiction, thrillers, and true crime through panel discussions and conversations.

Find more events in MyHelsinki's event calendar.

More information

Leena Karppinen

Senior Manager, Brand & PR

Helsinki Partners

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/helsinki-partners/r/what-s-new-in-helsinki-2026--architecture--design--wellness-and-culture,c4281081

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The last stretch of 2025 forced America to confront a reality that had been building quietly for decades.

What unfolded in Minnesota wasnt a sudden crisis, but the exposure of one long ignored. Courtrooms, federal agencies, and national headlines converged on a single uncomfortable truth. The Somali resettlement experiment in the United States has failed in ways that now directly affect public trust, public safety, political stability, economic prosperity, and the very integrity of the social contract.

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On Nov. 25, a Minnesota judge overturned a unanimous jury verdict that had convicted Abdifatah Yusuf of stealing $7.2 million from Medicaid, money prosecutors said funded luxury vehicles and vacations rather than patient care. Per the jury, there was gargantuan billing for services that never existed. The Democrat-appointed judge said she was disturbed by what the jurors found, though obviously not enough to let the conviction stand.

Her decision stunned legal observers and ordinary taxpayers alike. It was not an isolated case. This ruling came amid state investigations showing that hundreds of millions of dollars had already been lost to similar schemes.

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By Nov. 29, the scale of the problem became undeniable. Investigators revealed that Somali run organizations in Minnesota had siphoned more than $1 billion from child care programs, food aid, and pandemic relief during the COVID era. President Donald Trump publicly described Minnesota as a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity, reflecting the growing outrage of hard-pressed residents who saw taxes rise while services declined.

This reckoning did not emerge from nowhere. It is the product of policy choices stretching back 60 years. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated national origin quotas and replaced them with a system emphasizing family reunification and, at least superficially, skills. 15 years later, the Refugee Act of 1980 created a permanent framework for what was promoted as humanitarian admissions.

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These reforms were rooted in allegedly humane intent, but they actually removed the guardrails that once prioritized the interests of people already in America.

After Somalia collapsed into civil war during 1991, the United States began issuing refugee visas in 1992. Initial arrivals scattered, but secondary migration soon concentrated Somalis in Minnesota, drawn by nonprofit infrastructure and meatpacking jobs. In 1990, the Somali population in America was virtually nonexistent. By 2010, approximately 85,700 Somali Americans were recorded. By 2020, that number had surged to 221,043. This tally, beyond question, is much higher today.

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Few immigrant groups in modern American history have expanded so rapidly.

Rapid growth carries rapidly transformational consequences. Minnesota now hosts the largest Somali community in the country, wielding significant political influence through leftist representatives who support sanctuary policies for illegal aliens and expanded welfare for immigrants moreover. Representative Ilhan Omars district reflects this shift, featuring voting patterns aligned closely with the Democrats hard-left.

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The financial toll of Somali interests is measurable. In December 2025, federal prosecutors charged 77 individuals tied to Somali networks with stealing COVID relief funds. Social services meant for the downtrodden were embezzled on an industrial scale, hollowing out trust and draining resources from American families in genuine need.

The crisis extends beyond economics.

For years, federal authorities have warned that Minnesota has produced more individuals who joined or attempted to join foreign terrorist organizations than any other location in the United States. Al Shabaab, an Al Qaeda affiliate, has repeatedly recruited from Somali communities in America. Research shows these recruits are often drawn in through appeals to Somali nationalism, combined with radical interpretations of Islam, frequently spread through personal networks.

In December 2025, renewed concern followed reports of informal Sharia enforcement and expressed preferences for Islamic law within Minneapolis Somali neighborhoods. Such developments deepen credible fears that large parts of the diaspora reject American legal norms outright.

President Trump responded decisively. On Nov. 22, he terminated Temporary Protected Status for approximately 700 Somali immigrants, citing improved conditions in Somalia and the need to prioritize American citizens. ICE followed with enhanced enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, reporting at least 19 arrests in the first week. Trumps blunt rhetoric during a December cabinet meeting further intensified scrutiny of Somali impact on American society.

Yet policy alone cannot address deeper structural challenges rooted in culture and biology.

Numerous studies have documented high rates of consanguineous marriage among Somalis. Genomic analysis shows nearly half of sampled Somalis exhibit inbreeding levels equivalent to second cousin unions. Longstanding reports from Minneapolis observed disproportionately high rates of severe autism among Somali children, often linked to cousin marriage traditions. More recent research confirms elevated autism referrals in Somali diaspora communities, with consanguinity cited as a contributing risk factor.

Clinical studies reinforce these concerns. Somali children in Minneapolis are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with autism accompanied by intellectual disability compared to other groups. Psychometric testing of Somali refugee children yielded average IQ scores around 67. Scores in the 65 to 68 range fall within mild intellectual disability.

This pattern is not unique to Somalis. Decades of research show that consanguinity consistently lowers cognitive outcomes. Studies in Israel, India, and Japan demonstrate measurable IQ declines and higher rates of intellectual disability among offspring of inbred unions.

Lower cognitive capacity has predictable social effects. Large cohort studies link reduced IQ to higher rates of criminal offending, including violence. UK population data shows violence rates more than five times higher among those in the lowest IQ brackets. At the state level in America, lower average intelligence correlates with weaker economic performance and higher crime.

These are not moral judgments. They are empirical realities. When a society imports large populations from environments marked by severe underdevelopment, generations-long conflict, entrenched self-destructive cultural practices, and genetically corrosive reproductive strategies, it imports those challenges as well. Needless to say, these problems beget new ones, fostering a cycle of worsening, and entirely avoidable, societal decline.

America now faces this sad state of affairs with the Somalis imported, and even born, here.

The Somali crisis in America will not be solved by racial epithets, which certain profoundly misguided right-wingers may use. Of course, the self-styled compassion which regressive leftists dole out can only make the situation worse. In fact, these same lefties created Americas Somali quagmire. Through their purportedly good intentions, they fostered, perpetuated, and encouraged use of an immigration system which brought Mogadishus problem children upon American shores.

Dealing with the myriad of issues posed by Somalis in America is about accountability. It is about whether a nation can remain first world when its immigration system prioritizes so-called progressive ideology over real-world outcomes. The events of late 2025 did not create this reckoning. They merely stripped away the illusion that it could be avoided.

America is now paying the price for decades of policy that assumed good intentions, rooted in liberal values, were enough. They are not. Most of the world, including Somalia, has no penchant for Western liberalism. Regardless of what anyone believes, immigrant quality matters. Immigration standards matter. And ignoring hard data does not make consequences disappear.

The problems within Americas Somali community are massive. Any remedies for them must be gargantuan in size and scope. The cost of doing nothing is ultimately measured in the pain of watching Western civilization sink into the abyss of Somali warlord-ism.

Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cotto's Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.

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Civilizational erasure, as it relates to Europe, has been in the news lately, with the renewed and scaled up predations of Islam once again commanding center stage.

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Islams resurgence has been a full century in the making, enabled in large part by Western ignorance and enforced taboos against discussing Islams highly relevant 1,400-year history of mass bloodshed and conquest.

Indeed, that history is whitewashed by Western academics, whether pseudo-historians like the late Edward Said or execrable and ahistorical oikophobes like Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky. Wikipedia, Google, and artificial intelligence also play outsized roles in the academic and historical whitewash.

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The true history of Islam and what it has wrought through the centuries is not taught to Western schoolchildren. Modern Westerners have zero historical memory of Islam extending back more than a few decades, nor would they be the least bit curious if they were taught this hugely important but ignored and forgotten topic.

Armed instead with the fake morality of luxury beliefs about alleged Western racism or Islamophobia, and fetishizing whatever seems exotic, todays decadent Westerner lacks the moral and physical courage that enabled his distant forebears to beat back the centuries-long Muslim onslaught, which finally ignited Europes Renaissance and Age of Enlightenment.

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Regionally, and over the centuries, Muslims were known to Europeans by many names.

The Muslim Moors of North Africa (Berbers and Arabs) invaded, conquered, and occupied a vast swath of Western Europe, including present-day Portugal and Spain (for nearly 800 years), along with significant territory in France.

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Al Andalusia is romanticized by fawning, servile Western scholars as a great flowering, with Muslims, Jews, and Christians all living side by side in multicultural harmony, singing Kumbaya together for almost a full millennium. To this day, many Spaniards and Hispanics bear Arabic names like Omar and Medina.

The reality behind this sanitized gossamer of ahistoricism was the opposite. Before they were finally evicted from Spain in 1492, the Moors brutally subjugated and pacified their European victims, murdering, taxing, and enslaving millions, with countless women and children taken as unwilling concubines and war booty.

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It certainly was a Golden Age for Islam as Muslims appropriated European culture and knowledge for their own ends, but it was no Golden Age for its millions of dhimmified European victims.

In medieval Europe, the Muslims were also known as Saracens. The swarthy Saracens did not invade Europe in order to liberate or enlighten the supposedly backward, pale-skinned European Christians, but rather to rape, plunder, and appropriate Europes treasures and human capital. Europes so-called Dark and Middle Ages, its relative stagnation, had far more to do with unwanted and uninvited Islamic occupiers than with the fall of Rome or the Catholic Church and the Spanish Inquisition.

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Muslim pirates (largely of the Barbary coast  modern Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco) were also known as Corsairs. Well over one million Europeans were kidnapped and killed by the African Barbary Muslim pirates, with many surviving captives enslaved and sold at market. Their stories are untold today. Indeed, most Westerners have a benign mental image of the fun-loving Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and their eyes glaze over if you try to explain the truth of the African Muslim pirates.

In Southeastern and Central Europe, Muslim Turkic invaders were known as Ottomans. The Ottoman Empire largely eviscerated present-day Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and other Balkan nations, along with Hungary and parts of Poland and Austria in Central Europe.

The story in the Balkans is the same as elsewhere: conquest, displacement, wholesale slaughter, rape, widespread concubinage of women and children, little Christian boys kidnapped and converted into janissaries, and attempted genocide as Muslims annexed territory by the sword. Indeed, Christian Armenia endured a genocide at the hands of the Muslim Turks early in the 20th century, before Ataturk abolished the Caliphate.

Since the end of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924, Islam has terrorized, murdered, and enslaved millions of Christians throughout Africa and the Middle East. It was too weak and divided to attack and terrorize the modern West  that is, until fairly recently, when Western governments began loudly encouraging and facilitating large-scale Muslim migration into Western countries. The exhaustively long list of terror attacks against the West in recent years needs no recounting; for both a historical and updated list, see here.

If you are a reader of European descent, it is almost certain you had a distant genetic ancestor who was killed, raped, or enslaved by Muslims somewhere in Europe. Muslim depredations against a nascent Americas merchant ships in the 1790s became the raison detre for Americas navy.

Beyond Europe, in what historian Will Durant labeled the bloodiest chapter in human history, the Mughal empire (Mongolian-Turkic Muslims of Central Asia) conquered and subdued the Indian subcontinent, slaughtering tens of millions of polytheistic Hindus.

With unmistakable relish, Western educators attack the British empire for its (comparatively tame) subsequent exploitation of the Indian subcontinent (while also bringing education and infrastructure and eliminating cultural barbarities like suttee), while completely ignoring the exponentially more destructive and deadly Muslim Mughal conquest and occupation of India. Muslim invaders were hardly known for their accurate record-keeping, so a full tally of the astronomical death toll in India and Europe wrought by the Mughals, Moors, Arabs, Ottomans, and others is beyond reach.

By contrast, the British colonizers who arrived later in India kept reasonably accurate records, recording censuses, including deaths by starvation, disease, rebellion, droughts, cyclones, and the like, all of which gives us a better guesstimate of the suffering in India under British rule.

Returning to the theme of civilizational erasure, sadly, that horse left the barn in Western Europe. Nations in Central and Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia (the Visegrad Four) still have a fighting chance to resist the crescent tide that has swept away Western Europe  but only if they keep their borders completely closed to Muslims and eventually extricate themselves from the clutches of the European Union.

Many Christmas markets in Europe are now closed due to uncontrolled vehicles and related Islamist threats while church bells and caroling fall silent in order to avoid offending Muslims. Meanwhile, the Muslim muezzin sounds triumphantly throughout Western Europe and even in American cities of the Upper Midwest. Islamic supremacism is on the march, its triumphalism augmented by its alliance with Western progressives who denounce any reminders of Christianity, including celebrations of Christmas.

Burn a Koran or post a meme mocking Islam, and go to prison for a hate crime. Burn a Bible, and hey, youre bravely speaking truth to power. Citizens of the West all know the drill by now.

Will the governments of the Anglosphere learn their lesson from the Western European canary that dropped dead in the coal mine? Events in locales as varied as Minnesota and the United Kingdom (it appears as if all of Albion is bent over and grabbing its ankles, undergoing a government cavity search) suggest that the answer is probably no.

To paraphrase the otherwise cartoonish James Carville, its the demography, stupid.

The brothers Todd and Erik Gregory are previous contributors to American Thinker.

Image: Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
An extinction event is a rapid, sweeping collapse -- something so disruptive that what emerges afterward is unrecognizable from what came before. Volcano eruptions or meteor strikes can trigger such events in the natural world.

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Washington, D.C. may be approaching a political version of the same phenomenon, and Republicans seem disturbingly unprepared for what is coming.

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The GOP currently holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress -- seven seats in the House and six in the Senate. Those margins are razor-thin by any measure, and fragile given that five senators, three Republicans and two Democrats, are over eighty years old. But demographics are only part of the problem. History is another.

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According to the Khan Academy: The presidents party often loses seats during midterm elections, a trend seen 93% of the time in the House and 70% in the Senate.

If historical trends hold, Republicans are not merely at risk; they are heading into a storm they may not survive.

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But history alone is not what endangers todays GOP. It is performance, or more accurately, the lack of it.

Two weeks ago, in these pages, I documented Congresss astonishing lethargy. In case you missed it, heres the summary:

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President Donald Trump has issued 217 executive orders, 54 memoranda, and 110 proclamations in his second term, yet Congress has codified only 28 of those EOs, around 13 percent, into law.

Confirmation of key positions is equally dismal. Of roughly 1,300 Senate-confirmable posts, the Senate has approved only 265. More than 100 nominations sit untouched in procedural purgatory. An advice and consent duty becomes meaningless when the Senate refuses to advise or consent on anything.

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Then there is Congresss public standing. Gallup pegs congressional approval at 15 percent, barely above the margin of error for zero.

Americans have always harbored some resentment toward Washington, dating back to the Puritans rallying cry, Throw the bastards out. But when voters believe Congress is ignoring them entirely, that cry becomes more than rhetorical.

Assuming the Trump administration succeeds in reforming what two-thirds of Americans view as a system rife with election cheating, the question becomes: How does a deeply unpopular Congress survive a midterm that historically punishes the presidents party?

Republicans may assume the public will re-elect them simply because Democrats are worse. That is wishful thinking. Voters can decide they dislike everyone and punish the party in power regardless. Or tune out.

You might argue: So what? Both parties are the same anyway. True in many respects. But the consequences of handing full control back to Democrats -- House, Senate, and White House -- would be immediate, sweeping, and devastating.

Start with impeachment. Does anyone doubt that DNC lawfare architects Mark Elias and Norm Eisen already have impeachment articles drafted, gift-wrapped for the opening day of a Democrat-controlled Congress? One article a day, a new one each morning, an impeachment advent calendar for the Christmas season.

An impeachment a day keeps MAGA away.

A Democrat House would vote 'yes' on every count. Then comes a Senate trial, where President Trump and his senior officials would effectively live in Senate chambers for months. Picture the spectacle: 24/7 cable news coverage framing Trump as a criminal reprobate. Removal is unlikely, but paralysis is guaranteed.

Judicial confirmations? Forget it. Any Trump nominee, even to the Supreme Court, would need to be to the left of Merrick Garland just to receive a hearing. Democrats eliminated the filibuster for judicial appointments years ago; a simple majority can block or pass any nominee.

Expect Congress to defund Trumps policy programs as well. Yes, Trump can veto. No, it wont matter. Corporate media will brand him President Veto, and his approval ratings could slide toward Congressional levels.

And then comes 2028. Whether through legitimate results or the same irregularities that delivered 15 million more votes to Joe Biden than Barack Obama, Democrats will likely reclaim the White House if Republicans cannot govern or inspire their own base.

What about election integrity? Rasmussen Reports found that almost two-thirds of voters are concerned about election cheating. Outdated voter rolls, ballot harvesting, drop boxes, and no-excuse mail-in ballots all demand reform. Yet this GOP Congress has done nothing.

If Democrats regain full control, buckle up.

Democrats have already introduced the Judiciary Act of 2023, proposing four new Supreme Court seats. Under unified Democrat power, imagine the potential nominees: Letitia James, Fani Willis, James Boasberg, Eric Holder, Kamala Harris, and other leftist partisans elevated to lifetime tenure.

Goodbye First and Second Amendments. Think thats hyperbole?

A British mother of four was convicted of a hate crime for texting the man who beat her up, calling him a slur. Meanwhile, he faced no charges.

Bye-bye First Amendment.

A British man was arrested for posting photos of himself legally holding guns during a July 4 trip to Florida.

Bye-bye Second Amendment.

This is the direction the Left wants to steer America.

Democrats also want to add more Democrat Senators. The Association of State Democratic Committees endorsed D.C. statehood in 2019. The House passed the Puerto Rico Status Act in 2022. Why stop at two extra senators when four is within reach?

Think the judiciary will stop them? Trump can hardly get federal judges confirmed now due to the extra-constitutional blue slip courtesy extended to Senate Democrats. Republicans could end this practice tomorrow. They choose not to. The Democrats would eliminate it in five minutes if it stood between them and power.

And what happens when Democrats circumvent the Electoral College by enacting the National Popular Vote interstate compact? Once enough states join, large blue cities - Los Angeles, Chicago, New York -- will choose every future president.

As for retribution, Democrats have already signaled what comes next. A Democrat congressional candidate from New York, Paula Collins, told supporters Trump voters should be sent to reeducation camps. They mean it.

Then there is the border. Expect an immediate reopening, mass amnesty for tens of millions, automatic voter registration, ballot-harvesting, expanded welfare benefits, and a permanent Democrat electoral majority.

Meanwhile, the MAGA movement itself is fracturing. Influencers like Tim Pool and Candace Owens, each with massive, influential followings, are engaged in high-profile infighting. Their audiences overlap with the activist base Republicans depend on. A divided movement becomes demoralized. And demoralized voters stay home.

Republicans ask, Why vote for us? and increasingly, their own voters have no answer.

This is how some extinction events unfold -- not with a meteor, but with complacency.

Republicans hold the majority today. They enjoy the perks, the staff, the titles, the fundraising, and the committee chairs. But their Alfred E. Neuman What, me worry? attitude may soon leave them as a powerless, legislatively irrelevant minority, watching America accelerate into a constitutional and cultural abyss.

Extinction doesnt announce itself. It simply arrives. And unless Republicans change course immediately, the next midterm election may be their meteor.

Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and email [email protected].
Whether referred to as undocumented individuals or illegal aliens, millions have entered the United States without authorization during the Biden administration.

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Estimates of how many vary widely, from a low of 5.5 million or 6 million to the 10 million people here who don't have documents that Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago suggested, or as many as 14 million.

Meanwhile, as of Oct. 27, 2025, following stepped-up efforts at enforcing immigration law, the Department of Homeland Security reported that [m]ore than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and more than 527,000 deportations.

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Responding to this crisis, by a vote of 216 votes in favor, 5 against, and 3 abstentions, the Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a Special Message  on immigration, essentially criticizing the policies of the Trump administration during their meeting in Baltimore.

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The last time the USSCB released such a special message was in 2013, in response to a mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services voice that would have required employers, regardless of their religious beliefs, to provide employees with abortifacient drugs and devices, sterilization, and contraception without exception.

At the risk of being accused of whataboutism, the bishops stance is inconsistent. Their stance on this moral matter stands in stark contrast to their silence in the face of the putatively Catholic Joe Biden's approach to abortion and the sanctity of the lives of the unborn after he repudiated his earlier pro-life positions, and conducted his administration accordingly.

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Archbishop Joseph Naumann, then Chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life activities, questioned Bidens having described himself as "devout" given his support for abortion and other positions inconsistent with his professed Catholic beliefs. But even that didn't rouse the bishops to speak out.

Returning to the immigration controversy, the bishops wrote [w]e are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. Thus, they declared that we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity . . . [as] Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nations immigration laws and procedures.

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Not surprisingly, Pope Leo XIV supported the bishops, stating [w]e recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. He added that [n]o one has said that the United States should have open borders. I think every country has a right to determine who and how and when people enter.

Bu the Special Message cautioned against language vilifying immigrants while referring to reports of parents no longer dropping their children off at school, skipping church and granting them dispensations from attending weekly Mass.

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Yet, why did the bishops not ask whether these undocumented individuals had given thought to applying to enter the country legally, perhaps even offering assistance when they seek to enter?

Rather than applaud themselves on approving their Special Message, the bishops should have taken three important points into account.

First, they should have distinguished between those who entered the United States lawfully and those who did so unlawfully when describing those subject to arrest and detention, amid accusations that federal officials are acting indiscriminately by engaging in mass deportations.

On the one hand, the bishops and pope aptly recognized the right of nations to control their borders in not calling for open borders. Yet, by criticizing the Trump administration in way they have not done in other situations, even recognizing that without appropriate laws procedures immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation, they failed to distinguish between those who are peaceful and the estimated 40% with criminal convictions, of whom 8% have violent convictions, by lumping all immigrants in one group.

Second, amid the bishops' simplistic 'welcome the stranger' exhortations of pastoral concern, they failed to look at other dimensions of the situation.

More specifically, even if one were to say that such incidents were limited, where were the bishops expressions of concern and prayer for the victims such as Laken Riley and others who were raped and murdered by those who entered unlawfully while others were subjects of other violent crimes and/or lost their lives in drunk driving accidents caused by individuals who entered the United States illegally?

Rather than simply criticize the administration perhaps the bishops could have offered resources, or suggestions to help those who have not entered the United States legally to comply with the law if they wish to remain and pursue citizenship

Third, amid resistance to agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, who are trying to perform their legal duties, the bishops statement pray[ing] for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence ... directed at law enforcement officials may not have been strong enough.

Perhaps the bishops should have more explicitly urged immigrants to follow the law while reminding them and their supporters to remain peaceful and non-violent when interacting with ICE agents.

Unfortunately, the bishops rhetoric risks placing ICE agents and other law enforcement officials at risk. In fact, as threats of violence increase, from Jan. 21 through Nov. 21, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security recorded 238 assaults on ICE officers an increase of 1,150%, up from just 19 during the same timeframe in 2024. Further, officials faced a surge in vehicle ramming attacks as they attempt to carry out their duties.

In refusing to render unto Caesar, the bishops appear to be ignoring the reality, that most, if not all, of these adults, broke the law in entering the United States without documentation or following the prescribed immigration process; of course, this is to acknowledge that children have no choice but to be with their families, but the problem remains for most. This mass unchecked entry is a far cry from what happened during the wave of mass immigration in the early 20th century when people immigrated into the U.S. through Ellis Island, and other locations, and then completed processes enabling them to achieve legal status.

As religious leaders, one can understand the bishops' concerns about members of their flocks.

However, by focusing on the immigrants without looking more closely at their legal status and the dysfunctional system, the bishops did not go far enough. Instead, the bishops risk breaching the Jeffersonian wall of separation by engaging in what may be perceived as political activism.

Rather than having released a document that risked being perceived as overtly political, the bishops should have offered practical suggestions designed to help ameliorate the crisis by encouraging those who wish to enter the United States to do so legally.

Charles J. Russo holds a J.D. and Ed.D. from the University of Dayton. He has contributed to Catholic World Report.

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Top theft targets during holiday season

Cash and documents

Cash and documents were the number one theft target from Victorian homes in the year ending June 2025, according to CSA data, with a total of $13,151,815 in value reported stolen.

Cash is commonly left in easy-to-find or predictable areas of the house, making it easy to steal. If you do keep cash at home, consider keeping it in a safe. Never leave cash near exterior doors or in obvious places such as kitchen tops and shelving near the doors.

"Cash is a commonly stolen item in burglaries, largely because of its liquidity and lack of traceability," says Gordon.

Sensitive documents such as passports are also targeted by burglars.

"Passports allow the offender to create a false identity that can be used to commit fraud," says Gordon. "They can help criminals open fraudulent accounts, apply for credit cards, or even enter a country illegally."

How to protect your cash and documents at home

Avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home, especially when travelling. Store any cash in less obvious locations rather than leaving them beside beds or on counters.

It's important to safeguard your passport and other important documents by keeping them in a secure location, such as a locked safe or hidden drawer. Immediately report a stolen passport to the relevant authorities to protect yourself from potential identify theft or fraud.

More: Common holiday items you might forget to insure

Cars

Cars are often the single most valuable item that people own, underlining their appeal to thieves. CSA data shows 12,969 motor vehicles were stolen from Victorian residential locations in the year ending June 2025: an almost 30 per cent year-on-year increase.

Keep your car locked (including boot and windows), remove any valuables from your car, and fit anti-theft devices to your vehicle, such as a car alarm, steering wheel lock, and anti-theft number plate screws. In addition, keep your car keys hidden and ideally locked away. If you're leaving your car at home while you're away, take the car key with you.

"Many cars are stolen from driveways, garages or carports using the owner's set of keys, which are often easy to find in the home," Gordon says.

How to protect your car at home

Keep keys out of sight in a drawer or cupboard, preferably in a location not visible from any windows. Avoid leaving them near entry points or on benchtops. Consider keeping your electronic key fob in a Faraday bag.

More: What is a Faraday bag and why might you need one?

If you're away for a long trip, consider storing your car in a locked garage, disconnecting the battery or even using a steering wheel lock to deter opportunistic thieves.

More: What to do if your car is stolen

Electronics

CSA data shows that 10,125 electrical appliances were stolen from Victorian homes in the year ending June 2025. Portable technology like mobile phones, tablets and laptops are attractive to burglars because they're highly portable and quick to resell on online marketplaces, often for a high value price.

They can also contain a wealth of personal and sensitive information, such as social media accounts, banking apps, and email access - all of which a criminal could use to commit extortion, identity theft, or fraud.

"All too often, mobile phones (and laptops) are left on kitchen bench tops, dining tables, bedside tables and other easy-to-see places from windows," Gordon says.

When you're not using your electronic devices, keep them out of sight and not in an obvious location like your desk or living room table. Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or online cloud storage so that you don't lose your files in the event of a burglary. You can also install tracking software to help police locate your tech if stolen.

In addition, you can take precautions against a stolen mobile phone being used to access your information, such as using strong passwords, biometric authentication methods, and remote wiping features.

How to protect your electronics at home

Store devices in inconspicuous places and avoid leaving packaging lying around, which can signal recent purchases. Where possible, lock portable electronics inside a safe or a secure cupboard. Back up your data before leaving and enable strong passwords or remote lock capabilities.

A security camera system or smart doorbell can further deter thieves and provide valuable evidence if a break-in occurs.

More: Insurance for laptops
Do you remember the great Ebonics controversy of the 90s? Briefly, it was the discovery of an entirely new language spoken by black Americans. Allied with the idea that every culture, means of expression and way of knowing was equally valuable and no culture was better than any other, a great many academics and leftist politicians tried to push aside standard English in favor of the lazy articulation, obscenity-laced slang and misogynistic immersion of inner city, black ghetto culture.

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In the name of equity and authenticity, black kids were supposed to be able to ignore standard English in writing and speech and teachers were to give not only equal, but more credit for their substitution of Ebonics. To do otherwise was to bewait for itracist and a white supremist continuation of the horrors of slavery.

Democrat politicians gladly embraced the lunacy. In a 2007 speech at a black Baptist church, Hillary Clinton trotted out her best faux-black accent and drawled: I dont feel noways tarrrred.

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That cringeworthy attempt at racial pandering spawned more than justified ridicule since:

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Circa 2025, even black politicians with private school educations like Jasmine Crockett perfectly capable of speaking Standard English, which is their default mode of speech, often slur into Ebonics when they think its in their political interest:

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Despite being raised in the suburbs, educated in private school, and trained as a lawyer, Crockett speaks to black audiences as if theyre incapable of understanding plain English. She doesn't simply advocate for policies. She doesnt just present facts. Everything she communicates is filtered through a forced, exaggerated, hyper-stylized ghetto effectbecause she believes thats what black people need in order to understand or connect with anything.

While Ebonics as an educational/political movement dissolved of its own pretense, its now called, among linguists, African American Vernacular English. That doesnt mean, however, its offspring have entirely disappeared. The political implications are just too useful to totally abandon.

Metropolitan State University of Denver would appear to be in Crocketts linguistic corner:

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Metropolitan State University of Denver flags Standard American English as a concern for anti-racist initiatives on a web page dedicated to Linguistic White Supremacy. The page appears on the schools Writing Center section and prompts professors to counter white supremacy in the classroom through initiatives such as Grading with Equity, Restorative Justice Approaches to Plagiarism, and an Anti-Racist Book Club. Advertisement Consider how you can design assignments, pedagogy, response/grading practices that acknowledge that racism exists in our assignments, pedagogy, response/grading practices, the center says. The university also warns against Standard American English, which is a social construct that privileges white communities and maintains social and racial hierarchies.

Keeping in mind these ideas come from a college, consider this:

The Writing Center names an example of an assignment that may exploit students: Write About the Biggest Obstacle Youve Overcome in Life. This prompt is alienating because the biggest struggle some of your students may have faced is losing a pet, while others may be refugees from war-torn countries, the page says. Provide prompts that will not force a student to relive trauma. The page further advises that professors should [a]void assumptions of American cultural knowledge.

Wouldnt marvelously diverse essays about students personal experiences be inclusive? Wouldnt non-standard English expositions of their strength and perseverance be antiracist?

Whats the purpose of higher education if not to provide students with the background of American cultural knowledge and the culture and immeasurable contributions of western civilization? Students should pay as much as $100,000 a year to advance not at all beyond their level of knowledge when first setting foot on campus?

Sadly, Metropolitan State Universitys folly is unsurprising and all too familiar. Ive found more than a few teachers of college English caught up in this kind of nonsense. I discovered that stance made life far easier for them. If one doesnt have to worry about such things as grammar, punctuation or coherence in writing, grading is a breeze. If one can ignore the canon and require no evidence of actual learning, substituting alternate ways of knowing instead, teaching prep time is slashed to virtually nothing.

And if everyone is a white supremacist and everything is racist, all one need do is mouth the usual antiracist platitudes rather than teach any sort of meaningful content.

So, the dumbing down of education, and American culture, continues apace.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
The attacks at Bondi Beach, Australia and at Brown University remind us western democracies remain uniquely vulnerable to terrorist attacks, even terrorists armed with common firearms rather than the automatic weapons employed in the Middle East and other hot spots.

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In Australia at least 16, aged 10-87, were killed and some 40 were wounded at a Chanukah by the Sea celebration. Yes, the victims were largely Jews, and amazingly, the police think it was terrorism.

In this case, the two killers were apparently not known wolves.

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Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father, Sajid, allegedly stormed the family-friendly Chanukah by the Sea event armed with shotguns and a bolt-action rifle

Akram was disarmed by a bystander and eventually critically wounded by police during the 20-minute attack, while Sajid was killed.

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At Brown University, during final exams, a man dressed in black entered a lecture hall, yelled something and opened fire, apparently with a handgun. Two were killed and nine were wounded. A person of interest was detained but was apparently released and the actual killer remains at large. As this is written, there is no apparent motive.

What both attacks have in common is that once they began, the victims were sitting ducks. Gun laws and regulations assured the killers their victims would be unarmed.

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Australia doesnt absolutely ban private ownership of guns, but is an anti-liberty/gun paradise that recognizes no right to self-defense. Citizens may own a narrow range of guns, but restrictions are sufficient to make Australia the envy of American gun grabbers. The entire nation is essentially a gun-free zone. With nearly all of what anti-liberty/gun cracktivists say is necessary to ensure absolute public safety, the Bondi Beach massacre should not have been possible. The Premier of New South Wales, therefore, wants even more gun control:

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Graphic: Fox Social Media Post

The horrifying weapons that have no practical use in our community were a shotgun and bolt action rifle.

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At Brown, the gun was reportedly a handgun, not an assault weapon. Rhode Island, which recently passed a ban on many types of semiautomatic firearms, does not ban most guns outright and does grudgingly issue concealed carry permits, but has magazine restrictions and a seven day waiting period for gun purchases. Unsurprisingly, Brown prohibits all firearms on campus.

By the rhetoric of anti-liberty/gun cracktivists, the Bondi Beach and Brown attacks should have been impossible. Both are magical gun-free zones expressing the good intentions of the morally and intellectually superior. Good intentions, however, inevitably fall prey to reality. Between 1950 and 2024, 92% of American mass attacks occurred in gun-free zones.

But arent mass shooting deaths higher in gun-crazy America than anyplace else? Not quite. From 2009 to 2015, America was #11 in the world. The most dangerous county? Norway. Even France and Belgium were more dangerous.

In 2015, the Texas Legislature allowed concealed handguns on college campuses. A professor who was about to retire resigned in protest, and students affixed colorful dildos to their backpacks in another act of protest whose connection to guns remains mysterious. With all those dildos, one was bound to go off? Just as anti-liberty/gun cracktivists wailed when concealed carry laws swept the nation, there would be blood running in the streets and classrooms and gunfights would be as common as sunshine.

None of that came to pass. Americans taking the time and effort to obtain concealed carry licenses are uncommonly law-abiding. The same has been true in the 29 constitutional carry states that require no vetting or permit for concealed carry.

But wont the police protect us? Not hereconsider Uvalde--or in Australia:

Graphic: Social Media Post

To be fair, the police did eventually shoot both attackers and stop the attack, but by the time they managed that the damage had been done. At Brown, the only factor limiting damage was the killers lack of marksmanship and eventual decision to quit shooting.

The only thing that can stop a mass attack is armed citizens who then and there recognize whats happening and deal with it. By the time the police can be notified, arrive and orient themselves, a great many people are going to be dead or wounded. The police would love to stop a mass shooter, to be a hero, but they just cant. All the anti-liberty/gun laws in the world arent going to stop someone planning mass murder, and theyre going to continue to choose gun-free zoneslike Australia.

An enduring mystery is why any Jew, circa 2025, would go about unarmed.

Here and in Australia, were on our own. We always have been.

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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.
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Not only do you need to police your kindergarteners school library for graphic gay cartoon pornography and information on how to masturbate, now you need to be on the lookout for books that teach them all about the superpower that abortion is, because it gives women the ability to shape their destinies and change the world!

As the books summary on Google describes it, its a marriage of bright, charming illustrations and accessible language with non-judgmental facts. The cover features simplistic watercolor splotches, no doubt geared toward a very young mindis there a better word than predatory to describe these people?

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Heres the rest of the books description:

Abortion is Everything speaks directly to five to eight-year-olds about what abortion is, how it might feel, and why people have abortions. With accessible, inclusive language, Abortion is Everything frames abortion as the actualization of a uniquely human superpower: our capacity to imagine the future and make choices that lead us towards the life we envision. Abortion is a tool that allows human beings to shape our destinies, and which has shaped the entire world around us. Advertisement

Now, to give credit where credit is due, murder is in fact a uniquely human capability, and the indiscriminate and wholesale slaughter of entire groups of people does in fact shape the world around us. I guess that much is accurate.

Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin shaped the world around them, making it drastically less Christian, through a tool identical to abortion: mass executions.

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Mao did as much, shaping his nation into a place with tens of millions fewer Chinese, through tools like collectivization and again, mass executions. So did Maos successors, ironically, through the same tool applauded by the Abortion is Everything authors, starting with Deng Xiaoping in 1979, continuing until about ten years ago, when the Chinese government under Xi Jinping officially ended the one-child policy.

Of course, Pol Pot was a world-shaper, eliminating those pesky free thinkers and lovers of liberty, making Cambodia a stronghold of communist thoughtall it took was the right tools, like torture, and again, lots of murder.

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As someone online quipped, these authors could make this the first installation of a series:

The Superpower of Murder

The Superpower of Deceit

The Super power of Mutilating Yourself

The Superpower of Being Gay

The Superpower of Being Trans

The Superpower of Worshipping Satan

The book is expected to hit shelves next monthIm wondering if itll coincide with the former date of Roe v. Wadeso be on the lookout.

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Image: Pavel student, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
If you build it, they will come, to paraphrase Kevin Costners Field of Dreams, a delightful movie about making dreams come true. Unfortunately for Joe Biden, the dream of a presidential library appears to be out of reach. For a man who supposedly won 81,000,000+ votes, the biggest vote haul in American history, it seems odd he cant raise the money for a library like pretty much every other former president of the modern era. Or does it?

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Graphic: X Post

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Barack Obama, The One, The Lightbringer, the man who won a Nobel Peace Prize for being Barack Obama, is apparently having less difficulty raising money for his, um, library which will reportedly house not a single book, The design of his monument to himself isnt exactly getting rave reviews, is behind schedule and is the subject of lawsuits and cost overruns reportedly related to DEI hiring:

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Since leaving office, Biden has occasionally surfaced to deliver faltering speeches where he yelled angrily at the audience and couldnt pronounce United States of America. Obviously, no one is paying him hundreds of thousands for token speeches, nor is he apparently getting millions to serve on this or that board of directors. Inexplicably, no one is buying Hunter Bidens art, nor is he getting board of director offers from foreigners.

Still, the Bidens are offering their invaluable political services to the Democrat Party:

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After Bidens successor replacement, Vice President Kamala Harris, was trounced on Election Day, with Democrats also losing the Senate in spectacular fashion, the Bidens mostly faded from the scene for a short time  outside of Biden taking the time to pardon family members  to lick their wounds and regroup. When they tried to return in March, with Joe Biden talking to DNC Chair Ken Martin behind the scenes to let him know he wanted to campaign and fundraise on behalf of Democrats again, Biden reportedlygot the cold shoulder: Advertisement Former President Joe Biden has told some Democratic leaders hell raise funds, campaign and do anything else necessary for Democrats to recover lost ground as the Trump administration rolls back programs the party helped design, according to people close to him. So far, Bidens overture seems to have fallen flat. Democrats find themselves adrift, casting about for a compelling messenger. Advertisement Whoever that is, its not Biden, many party activists and donors contend. Hes tethered to the 2024 defeat and, at 82, is a symbol more of the partys past than its future, they argue.

This is stunning for a POTUS Nancy Pelosi described as a giant who deserves to be added to Mt. Rushmore. Democrats had long wanted to add Obama to the monumental carving, and even Donald Trump joked that his face on the mountain would be yuuuuuge! But alas, it was not to be, as I wrote in 2024:

Twas not politics defeated The One, the little girl sniffer and the party of science, but geology.

There just isnt enough stable rock remaining on the mountain to add another face and any attempt would likely damage the existing sculpture.

This should have been an obvious warning:

Not long after that, the floodgates opened, with books being released and discussions about Bidens decline by reporters who had previously tried to assure the American people that Biden was just fine and capable of leading the country in a second presidential term. In the middle of all this, it was revealed that the Biden Inc. financial pipeline was drying up.

With the reelection of Donald Trump, Americans breathed a collective sigh of relief. Joe Biden was gone and hopefully forgotten. But the sigh of relief became a shout with the realization Bidens Handlers, including Dr. Jill, were also gone. There is, however, some talk of a Biden Library where Joe stored at least some classified documents:

Partly because of that poor fund-raising, discussions are underway about consolidating a potential Biden library with pre-existing Biden institutions at the University of Delaware, the New York Times also reported.

The lack of interest in funding a Biden presidential library is surely a direct reflection of Americans lack of appreciation for all he did to them. Even Democrats who proclaimed him among the greatest presidents of all time, ready and rarin to go for a second term are, with their silence, agreeing with Normal Americans. Biden was always a mistake, a disaster and an international embarrassment.

Oh well. Perhaps Biden might have to settle for a little less:

Graphic: X Post

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
In the modern American psyche, few illusions are as pervasiveand as corrosiveas the belief in government money. It is a phrase repeated with reverence and entitlement, invoked to justify social programs, subsidies, and entitlements. Yet beneath its comforting veneer lies a tragedy: the government has no money of its own. It produces nothing, manufactures nothing, and earns nothing. Every dollar it spends is extracted from the labor, consumption, and compliance of the American people. And most disturbingly, the people have stopped noticing.

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The federal government collected over $5.23 trillion in revenue in fiscal year 2025. That staggering sum came from a mosaic of sources: income taxes, payroll taxes, excise taxes, customs duties, fees, fines, and tariffs. But regardless of the mechanism, the origin is always the same, the taxpayer. Whether through direct taxation or indirect cost pass-throughs, the American worker funds the entire operation. Even so-called non-tax revenue, such as leasing federal land or charging for national park access, is ultimately paid by citizens. The government does not earn; it collects.

This reality is obscured by complexity. The tax code is a labyrinth of deductions, credits, and withholding schemes. Most Americans never see the full scope of their contribution. Their paychecks are docked automatically, their purchases taxed invisibly, and their benefits framed as gifts. The IRS processed over 163 million individual tax returns in 2025, yet few filers could trace a single dollar from their labor to its final destination. The system is designed not for transparency, but for detachment.

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And detachment breeds desensitization. Americans have become numb to the scale of government spending. Trillions are allocated annually, yet the average citizen reacts with a shrug. The numbers are too large, too abstract, too distant. As long as life feels livablegroceries are bought, roads are paved, checks arrivethe machinery of extraction goes unquestioned. The taxpayer becomes a passive participant, unaware of the magnitude of their own sacrifice.

There are an estimated 2030 million illegal aliens receiving taxpayer-funded support in the form of housing, medical care, education, and other assistance. Yet many Americans fail to connect the dots: it is their money being spent, not some abstract pool of government funds. The disconnect allows billions to be redistributed without sparking the outrage one might expect from those footing the bill.

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Billions in fraud scandals erupt across the country with alarming regularity. In Minnesota, a massive scheme has left billions unaccounted for, with members of the Somali community now under investigation and facing charges. Yet, despite the staggering scale of the theft, taxpayers respond with indifferencea collective shrug instead of outrage.

The Justice Departments takedown of 324 defendants, including nearly a hundred medical professionals, should have sparked widespread alarm. Instead, the public reaction has been largely mute, as if such losses are simply the cost of doing business in a system riddled with corruption. This absence of civic outrage underscores a troubling complacency: billions in taxpayer dollars vanish, yet the collective response is a shrug. The silence reveals how normalized fraud has become in the public imagination.

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Consider the payroll tax. It is deducted automatically from every paycheck, funding Social Security and Medicare. Most workers never question it. They assume they are paying into a system that will one day reward them. But the money is not savedit is spent immediately to fund current beneficiaries. Todays worker funds yesterdays retiree. It is not a savings plan; it is a generational transfer. And yet, the illusion persists.

Half of Americans shoulder 97% of the nations federal income taxes, while the other half contribute just 3%. Yet there is no outrageno recognition from taxpayers, no alarm from the media, only a quiet acceptance of the status quo. The imbalance is hidden in plain sight, as billions are siphoned away through fraud and redistribution. At what point will the American taxpayer finally awaken to the truth: there is no such thing as government moneyonly their money, taken and misused while they remain silent?

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Because the truth is this: every road paved, every subsidy granted, every benefit distributedwas funded by someones sweat. Every dollar spent by the government was first earned by a citizen. And every act of redistribution is a moral decision, not a mechanical one.

So let us remember. Let us reconnect the dots. Let us lift the fog of trillions and restore the clarity of civic life. Because the government has no moneyit only has ours. And just as families demand accountability in their own household budgets, the American taxpayer must take greater interest in where every dollar goes. It is not enough to shrug; it is our duty to demand transparency of the resources we provide.

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Image from Grok.
Oh! What a fall was there my countrymen; then I and you, and all of us fell down, whilst bloody treason flourished over us.  William Shakespeares Julius Caesar

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On November 18, 2025, a group of six Democrat lawmakersSen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Chris DeLusio, Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, and Rep. Jason Crowtook to the airwaves to address the U.S. military. In this message they reminded military personnel that they must refuse to obey illegal orders, and failing to do so means they could potentially be held responsible. Hyperbole and emotion aside, and there is plenty of both; what they said was perfectly and legally correct and right out of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Military personnel are under no obligation to obey illegal orders. Although the lawmakers did not identify who these supposed illegal orders came from, nor did they cite any examples of what would constitute an illegal order, nor did they say that an illegal order had been given. There can be no doubt at whom these admonitions were aimed: the current president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

The wording of these comments were very carefully crafted and choreographed. The insertion of a single word changes the focus of these warnings: illegal. There have been many opinions offered by numerous politicians, journalists, and lay-persons alike from both sides of the aisle, with terms such as treason and sedition being used. Both are very serious charges. Treason is defined as the betrayal of ones country by aiding an enemy, while sedition is defined as conduct or language inciting rebellion against the state.

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The successful plot against Julius Caesar in 44 BC by a cabal of Roman senators led by Brutus and Cassius, is an example of a successful plot against a perceived threat to the Roman Republic. In truth, Rome at that time was neither a true republic, nor for that matter, was it a democracy. Rome then, can best be described as an oligarchy: rule by a self-professed elite. The ruling senate was composed entirely of members of the Patrician class, the elites of Roman society, as opposed to the mere Plebeians. This was Romes version of the Deep State. Julius Caesar was not killed just because he aspired to dictatorial powers, but because he was an extremely competent and skilled leader who commanded the respect and admiration of friend and foe alike. In short, he was someone who got things done. He was his own man and someone who could not be controlled. He was also quite popular with the Roman masses: the mob of plebeian commoners, whom every Roman senator had to cater to. As the saying goes, he who could rule the mob could rule Rome.

To put this in proper perspective: During the previous administration, there were no known plots to assassinate Joe Biden of which we are aware. He was not deemed to be a threat to the power of the elites. The comparison between the plot against Julius Caesar and the various plots against Donald Trump are eerily similar.

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The addresses to the U.S. military by the six Democrat lawmakers does not rise to the level of treason as some, including Trump, have insinuated. They have not betrayed their country by aiding some unnamed unknown enemy; nor did they rise to the level of true sedition. They did not directly incite the military to disobey orders from the commander-in-chief. It is more a case of wishful thinking; a clarion call to the U.S. military, or segments thereof, to rise up and depose the illegal racist Nazi dictator who currently occupies the White House. It is in short, treason and sedition without legally being treason and sedition. How convenient! This can be construed as an act of desperation on their part. Like a fisherman, they have cast their rod in the water hoping to get a fish to bite. The fish in this case being the U.S. military.

On January 3, 2017, before Trump was sworn in for his first term, he issued a statement that was critical of the intelligence community: The Intelligence briefing on so-called Russian hacking was delayed until Friday. Perhaps more time was needed to build a case? Very strange! Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) responded: When you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you. So even for a practical supposedly hardnose businessman, hes being really dumb to do this. The Deep State is indeed deep.

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The moral of this sordid tale for any aspiring candidate for political office is this: Dont come across as a threat to the power of the elites. It is a lesson that if any aspiring politician ignores, it will be at their own peril.

Caren Besner is a retired teacher who has written articles published by American Thinker, Sun-Sentinel, The Algemeiner, The Times of Israel, Dr. Rich Swier, Published Reporter, The Jewish Press, Jerusalem Post, Jewish Journal, IsraPost, The Jewish Voice, Independent Sentinel, San Diego Jewish World, Arutz Sheva, The Front Page, The Florida Veteran, Jootube, The Moderate Voice, and Israel National News.

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A few days ago, President Trump said this:

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President Trump said the cultural and ideological changes caused by mass immigration are "decaying" European nations, to the point where they may no longer be U.S. allies. "They should be freaked out by what they're doing to their countries. They're destroying their countries," Trump told Politico's Dasha Burns in an interview aired Tuesday. "It gets to a point where you can't really correct it. There'll be a point, and it's very close to that point." Advertisement "It will mean that they're no longer going to be strong nations, or they won't be allies," Trump said. "They'll change their ideology, obviously, because the people coming in have a totally different ideology. They'll be much weaker, and they'll be much different."

Well, the Europeans are freaking out. They don't like to be insulted, they say. Deep inside, they must know that President Trump is right. This is not your dad's Europe, to recall the old car commercial.

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It sure looks like a perfect storm has hit Europe.

As we know, they grew accustomed to being protected by the U.S. We defended them and they spent all their money on generous social programs. It worked until U.S. taxpayers told them to spend more money on their own defense. It's tough to defend people who won't spend any money to defend themselves. To be fair, they are paying more but are their armed forces combat ready?

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Furthermore, they are not reproducing, and God only knows what Europe is going to look 30 years now. It certainly won't look it did on VE Day 1945. Watch a video of Londoners celebrating that victory 80 years and see if it looks like London does today.

Last but not least, their immigration policies did not bring them people who want to be Europeans. They want the welfare program but not the integration into whatever country they are residing. Just ask the women who can't walk their streets safely anymore. To be fair again, they are talking more about it now, but it may be too late for some countries.

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So Trump can be blunt, but sometimes you have to be, as the Europeans are finding out. The truth hurts, as someone said.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.
One of the most notable accomplishments of President Trumps recent swing through China was his success in persuading Chinas President Xi to liberalize export controls on rare earths. This was no small matter, as these minerals are fundamental to Americas economic and national security. But Chinas weaponization of access to rare earths is a reminder of the countrys hostility to the United States and the risks in America being captive to Chinese products and companies.

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Rare earths is a catch-all term for 17 elements (neodymium, praseodymium, etc.) that need to go through extensive processing  largely removing them from other minerals  so they can become high-value refined formats. Notably, China does 91% of the worlds rare earth processing, according to the International Energy Agency.

There is a long list of consumer products that are made with rare earths: smartphones, MRI scanners, cancer treatments, LED lights, wind turbines, and batteries in electric vehicles. Theyre also essential for F-35 fighter jets, lasers, Tomahawk missiles, submarines, and satellites. Theyve been described as the backbone of modern industrial supply chains.

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Alas, production of these and other products depends on having access to rare earths from other countries. And theyre heavily sourced from China  it accounted for 56% of U.S. consumption of rare earths from 202023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (The United States has only one rare earths mine  Mountain Pass in California.)

Such a high level of dependence on China leaves the United States highly exposed if bilateral trade tensions return, which is very likely. China could resurrect its original measure, which would have blocked companies connected to a foreign military from exporting any goods made with Chinese-originated rare earths.

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Had that measure been in force for long, it could have been devastating for the United States. Because even before this ban had been announced, the U.S. defense industrial base faced significant challenges and had limited production capacity and limited ability to rapidly scale to meet rising defense technology needs, points out Gracelin Baskaran of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Baskaran has also warned that the new restrictions would deepen these vulnerabilities, further widening the capability gap and allowing China to accelerate the expansion of its military strength at a faster pace than the United States.

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While the export ban has been lifted, China has a long history of manipulating the rare earths market. A recent U.S. congressional committee report asserts that China has

engaged in a decadeslong strategy to dominate the rare earth supply chain. It did so by luring in mostly western companies to collaborate with PRC companies, then selling products significantly below existing market participants prices to put competition out of business. Finally, after establishing its dominance, the PRC wielded this market clout as a geopolitical weapon.

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The committee also found that the Chinese government has worked to manipulate the price of rare earths  trying to keep them low in order to disincentivize Western companies from trying to enter the market.

Excessive dependence on rare earths is only one dimension of U.S. economic vulnerability to China. Another area is telecommunications.

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A China-based company, Huawei, is the worlds largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment. It is closely aligned with the government in Beijing, which has prompted policymakers to try to curb its use.

Recently, Bloomberg reported that the European Commission is likely to press member states to stop using Huawei equipment on their 5G and next-gen networks. The company has also been indicted in the United States on 16 counts.

In late June, the Trump administration moved to minimize Huaweis heft in the United States by approving a settlement agreement so two of its U.S.-based competitors  Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Juniper Networks  could merge. A senior U.S. national security official told Axios: In light of significant national security concerns, a settlement ... serves the interests of the United States by strengthening domestic capabilities and is critical to countering Huawei and China. The official said blocking the deal would have hindered American companies and empowered Chinese competitors.

Besides, rare-earth supply chains can only be rebuilt if the United States has strong downstream manufacturers whose scale justifies investment in domestic processing and magnet production. China dominates rare earths not only because it controls the mines, but because it also controls the downstream industriesEVs, wind turbines, smartphones, and data-center equipmentthat create stable demand and keep processing profitable. By contrast, the U.S. has a mine at Mountain Pass but lacks enough downstream electronics and magnet producers to sustain a competitive ecosystem. A consolidated, more powerful HPE-Juniper strengthens Americas high-performance hardware sector, expands domestic demand for advanced components, and therefore helps create the market pull necessary to support U.S. rare-earth processing, magnet manufacturing, and other mid-stream capabilities. In this way, the merger indirectly contributes to reducing Americas long-term vulnerability to Chinas rare-earth dominance.

China is in the midst of a multi-year, multi-dimensional campaign against the United States. Thats worrying, given the U.S. economic dependence on China. And thats exactly why President Trump was right to strike an agreement that maintains access to Chinas rare earths supplies.

But China is not to be trusted, and, in the longer term, the United States will need to find new sources for these elements.

Dr. Deyu Wang is a research fellow at Citizen Power Initiatives for China.

Image from Grok.
About one hundred km northwest of Vienna, in northern Austria, lies a small village called Dollersheim. Eighty years ago, this tiny Austrian village was wiped off the map by a certain German dictator with a comically short moustache in an attempt to erase the disreputable origins of his family.

Image credit: allentsteig.at

It was here, in Dollersheim, in the year 1837, that a woman named Maria Schicklgruber gave birth to an illegitimate child. That child was Alois Schicklgruber, the father of Adolf Hitler. The identity of the man who impregnated the forty-two-year-old unmarried serving woman was not disclosed on the baby's baptismal certificate filed in her parish church. Later, when Alois was five, his mother married Johann Georg Hiedler and Alois took the name Hitler, after Hiedler.

Ever since Adolf Hitler came to political prominence, historians have been trying to crack the mystery of Hitlers true originan important factor, since Hitler claimed to be of Aryan descent. Among the several candidates proposed as Alois's biological father, historian Werner Maser suggested that Aloiss real father was Johann Nepomuk Hiedler, brother of Johann Georg Hiedler, who raised Alois through adolescence and later willed him a considerable portion of his life savings. According to Maser, Nepomuk was a married farmer who had an affair and then arranged to have his single brother Hiedler marry Alois's mother Maria to provide a cover for Nepomuk's desire to assist and care for Alois without upsetting his wife.

Related: The Good Hitlers of Circleville

Another unproven theory is that Alois father was a Jew named Leopold Frankenberger, with whose family Maria Schicklgruber was employed as a cook in the town of Graz. But this theory is dismissed by historians because there was no Jew living in Graz at the time Maria Schicklgruber became pregnant. These rumors often threw Hitler into apoplectic rage.

People must not know who I am,  he was reported to have said. They must not know where I come from.

In 1931 Hitler ordered the SS to investigate the alleged rumors regarding his ancestry, and found no evidence of any Jewish ancestors. He then ordered a genealogist to prepare a large illustrated genealogical tree showing his ancestry, which he published in the book Die Ahnentafel des Fuehrers ("The pedigree of the Leader") in 1937, where Hitler showed that he had an unblemished Aryan pedigree.

Not content with that Hitler decidedit has been allegedto eradicate the entire village of Dollersheim where sceptics went to make enquires. Shortly after Hitler invaded Austria, Hitler ordered Dollersheim, along with several other neighboring villages to be evacuated so that a large military training camp could be built. Over two thousand residents were forcibly resettled and their houses bombed as part of the training exercises.

After the end of the Second World War, the training ground was seized by the Soviet Army and it remains a military exclusion zone to this day, now operated by the Austrian Armed Forces. Since 1981, however, the main square, the ruins of the Romanesque parish church of Saints Peter and Paul, and its surrounding graveyard have been made accessible to visitors.

Village church and cemetery. Image credit: GuentherZ/Wikimedia Commons

The house where Alois Hitler, father of Adolf Hitler, grew up, in Spital, Lower Austria. Image credit: Johnny Saunderson/Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: GuentherZ/Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: GuentherZ/Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: ansichtskarten-center.de

Image credit: allentsteig.at
Commentary: Japanese right-wingers must face up to real historical accounts

Xinhua) 10:13, December 15, 2025

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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loyalty to Trump evaporated

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Donald Trump issued a sabre-rattling ultimatum to Indiana Republicans on Thursday.

Anybody that votes against redistricting, and the SUCCESS of the Republican Party in DC, will be, I am sure, met with a MAGA primary in the spring, the president warned.

Yet despite the presidents threats, the state legislature torpedoed the proposal, designed to help flip two seats for the party in next years midterm elections, with a remarkable 21 Republicans crossing the aisle to join all 10 Democrats in a 31-19 vote.

The startling display of defiance was the latest sign that the presidents vice-like grip on his party is loosening, amid grumblings in the halls of Congress over affordability, rising healthcare costs and Venezuela boat strikes  not to mention the lingering spectre of the Epstein files.

Where absolute loyalty was once the calling card for this administration, blind obedience has evaporated in recent months. In its place, a growing number of Republicans are speaking out as the presidents priorities clash with the interests of voters.

The midterms are about fighting for your own political survival, and the fact is Trumps not running again, said John Feehery, a Republican strategist.

Donald Trump speaks at the Congressional Ball in the White House on Thursday - Alex Wong/Getty Images North America

Pressure on Indiana Republicans could hardly have been greater.

JD Vance, the vice-president, was twice dispatched to the state to lobby senators in person. Mike Johnson, the House Speaker, made calls to individual senators to bring them on side. Mr Trump allegedly threatened to withhold funding from the state. And a handful of state legislators were subject to bomb threats as the temperature soared.

The coordinated push for the state to redraw its maps  as Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have all offered to  was part of a bid to maintain the partys narrow 220-213 majority in the House.

Relinquishing the lower chamber could see the Democrats thwart the presidents agenda and launch investigations into his administration.

Yet for local Republicans, many of whom long pre-date the Maga movement, it became a question of principle  and a golden opportunity to stick it to the White House.

Hoosiers (people from Indiana) are very independent, Vaneta Becker, a veteran state senator, told The Washington Post. And theyre not used to Washington trying to tell us what to do.

In the wake of the landslide defeat, Mr Trump was cold-eyed. Hell probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because hes done a tremendous disservice, he said of one legislator who defied him.

The local redistricting defeat comes as Mr Johnson is facing down a revolt from disgruntled House Republicans, who have criticised him for ignoring the concerns of the party rank and file to appease the administration.

Mike Johnsons leadership has been criticised by Republicans - JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/Shutterstock

You got moderates who are trying to deliver for their constituents and avoid poking the Trump bear, said Mr Feehery. Others are trying to be the next big thing.

Last week, Elise Stefanik, the New York representative, accused Mr Johnson of lying after he left out a provision she had championed in a defence bill.

Nancy Mace, the South Carolina representative, penned an op-ed for The New York Times in which she accused House leadership of marginalising female members.

Meanwhile, the presidents explosive fallout with Marjorie Taylor-Greene, the former Maga firebrand who has announced she will retire in January, has driven a wedge between him and a faction of his Maga base.

Central to their fallout was Ms Taylor Greenes increasingly strident opposition to the administrations adventurist foreign policy and failure to renew the premium health insurance tax credits relied on by millions of Americans.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has withdrawn her support for Donald Trump - Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS

With healthcare premiums set to spike when subsidies expire at the end of the year, several Republicans from battleground districts have broken ranks to approve a Democratic proposal to extend them.

We need to actually pass something that will become law that will stop that healthcare cliff, Kevin Kiley, the California representative, said.

Amid the chaos, Ms Taylor Greene is said to be taking the signatures of members in an effort to oust Mr Johnson, according to MS Now. The Georgia representative has denied the reports but is at loggerheads with Mr Johnson, whom she claimed earlier this week does not take women seriously.

Unsettled by a spate of Democratic wins in off-year elections, Senate Republicans have been urging the president to do more to respond to voters concerns around the cost of living.

Mr Trump took to the campaign trail for the first time in months last week for the first stop in his affordability tour. However, his insistence that financial pains are a con job manufactured by the Democrats did little to appease party officials.

You cant call it a hoax and suggest that people are going to believe it, said Lisa Murkowski, the senator for Alaska.

Critics have dismissed the presidents strikes on boats off Venezuela as a wag the dog tactic designed to distract from his economic woes.

Mr Trumps campaign of strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean Sea have split his party - @Southcom

Yet a double-tap strike that tested the limits of international law has angered traditional conservatives and isolationists alike, sparking calls from Republican senators for footage of the attack to be released.

These come on top of the presidents decision last month to sign a bill ordering the release of the Epstein files, after he was forced into a bruising U-turn following pressure from within his own party.

Clearly theres a sense that Trump has become more of a lame duck so people are trying to figure out their own political future, said Mr Feehery. Trump is still the 800lb gorilla in the Republican Party so people dont necessarily want to pick a fight, but they are doing it strategically on issues that work for them.

Talk of a lame duck presidency may be premature. But as Republicans look ahead to 2026, some are starting to test whether running against their party may provide the surest path to victory.
Adolescence actress and producer Hannah Walters said she and her husband, co-creator Stephen Graham, had to buy a new suitcase in order to hold the shows many awards.

The 51-year-old said they had to make the purchase after the Netflix drama series won eight Emmy Awards, including one for Walters and three for Graham.

She told the Christmas edition of the Big Issue magazine: The past three years has been chaotic and exciting, and it ramped up this year.

Walters won one Emmy and her husband won three (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Its gone pretty bonkers, we never imagined it would be like this.

We had to buy another suitcase when we came back from Los Angeles, because Stephen got three and I got one (trophy).

When the luggage was coming round on the carousel, we let our bag of clothes go round about four times because we were too busy looking for the new suitcase with all the Emmys in it.

The star of the four-part drama, Owen Cooper, 16, become the youngest male actor to win an Emmy, when he took home the award for outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie, then aged 15.

Speaking in the Big Issue, three-time Oscar-winner Daniel Day Lewis praised Cooper, and called Adolescence an outstanding piece of work.

He said: That lad, Owen Cooper, is extraordinary, the scene he has with Erin Doherty, who is a wonderful actress, the two of them, is incredible.

Everything. Theres no point separating one piece from another because its so integral.

Even the stuff they shot in the school, I couldnt believe it. How did you do that with these throngs of hostile school kids roaming around?

Somehow they made it work. Im so proud of Stephen Graham  we worked together briefly many years ago and kept in touch.

The front page of the Big Issue Christmas special (Big Issue/PA)

Adolescence features This Is England star Graham as Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by Cooper, when armed police burst into his home to arrest his son.

Eddie is then chosen as Jamies appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing.

The programme, co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne, examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media.

Adolescence has prompted a national conversation around online safety, with Graham and Thorne accepting an invite to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also praised the show, urging Parliament and schools to watch it, and saying he had watched the show with his own children.

The full interviews can be read in the Big Issue Christmas Spectacular, on sale from Monday for the next two weeks from street vendors across the UK.
Bashar al-Assad with his wife, Asma, walking with their children in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in 2022. Photograph: Former Syrian presidency Facebook page/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Former Syrian presidency Facebook page/AFP/Getty Images)

In 2011, a group of teenage boys spray-painted a warning on to a wall in their school playground: Its your turn, Doctor. The graffiti was a thinly veiled threat that Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad, a London-trained ophthalmologist, would be next in the line of Arab dictators toppled by the then raging Arab spring.

It took 14 years, during which 620,000 were killed and nearly 14 million displaced, but eventually the doctors turn came and Assad was deposed, fleeing to Moscow in the middle of the night.

But after relinquishing his dictatorship for a gilded exile in Moscow, Assad is reportedly giving his medical training another go. The leader of the Middle Easts last Baathist regime now sits in the classroom, taking ophthalmology lessons, according to a well-placed source.

Related: Its a breach of trust: fear and frustration over countries push to return Syrians home

Hes studying Russian and brushing up on his ophthalmology again, said a friend of the Assad family who has kept in touch with them. Its a passion of his, he obviously doesnt need the money. Even before the war in Syria began, he used to regularly practice his ophthalmology in Damascus, they continued, suggesting the wealthy elite in Moscow could be his target clientele.

A year after his regime was toppled in Syria, the Assad family are living an isolated, quiet life of luxury in Moscow and the UAE. A friend of the family, sources in Russia and Syria, as well as leaked data, helped give rare insight into the lives of the now reclusive family who once ruled over Syria with an iron fist.

The family are likely to reside in the prestigious Rublyovka, a gated community of Moscows elite, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. There they would rub shoulders with the likes of the former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, who fled Kyiv in 2014 and is believed to live in the area.

The Assads are not wanting for money. After being cut off from much of the worlds financial system by western sanctions in 2011 after Assads bloody crackdown on protesters, the family put much of their wealth in Moscow, where western regulators could not touch it.

Despite their cushy abode, the family are cut off from the elite Syrian and Russian circles they once enjoyed. Bashars 11th-hour flight from Syria left his cronies feeling abandoned and his Russian handlers prevent him from contacting senior regime officials.

Its a very quiet life, said the family friend. He has very little, if any, contact with the outside world. Hes only in touch with a couple of people who were in his palace, like Mansour Azzam [former Syrian minister of presidency affairs] and Yassar Ibrahim [Assads top economic crony].

A source close to the Kremlin said Assad was also largely irrelevant to Putin and Russias political elite. Putin has little patience for leaders who lose their grip on power, and Assad is no longer seen as a figure of influence or even an interesting guest to invite to dinner, the source said.

Assad fled with his sons out of Damascus in the early hours of 8 December 2024, as Syrian rebels approached the capital from the north and the south. They were met by a Russian military escort and were taken to the Russian Khmeimim airbase, where they were flown out of the country.

Assad did not warn his extended family or close regime allies of the impending collapse, instead leaving them to fend for themselves.

A friend of Maher al-Assad, Bashars brother and a top military official, who knows many former members of the palace said: Maher had been calling Bashar for days but he wouldnt pick up. He stayed in the palace until the last second, rebels found his shisha coals still warm. It was Maher, not Bashar, who helped others escape. Bashar only cared about himself.

The lawyer of Bashars uncle Rifaat al-Assad recalled how his clients called him in a panic, unsure of how to escape Syria after Bashar fled. When they arrived to Khmeimim, they told the Russian soldiers that they were Assads, but they didnt speak English or Arabic. So eight of them had to sleep in their cars in front of the base, Elie Hatem, Rifaats lawyer said. It was only after the intervention of a senior Russian official that the family managed to escape to Oman.

In the first months after the Assads escape, his former regime allies were not on Bashars mind. The family gathered in Moscow to support Asma, the British-born former first lady of Syria, who had had leukaemia for years and whose condition had become critical. She had been receiving treatment in Moscow before the fall of the Assad regime.

According to a source familiar with the details of Asmas health, the former first lady has recovered after experimental therapy under the supervision of Russias security services

With Asmas health stabilised, the former dictator is keen to get his side of the story out. He has lined up interviews with RT and a popular rightwing American podcaster, but is waiting for approval from Russian authorities to make a media appearance.

Russia appears to have blocked Assad from any public appearance. In a rare November interview with Iraqi media about Assads life in Moscow, Russias ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, confirmed that the toppled dictator was barred from any public activity.

Assad may live here but cannot engage in political activities  He has no right to engage in any media or political activity. Have you heard anything from him? You havent, because he is not allowed to  but he is safe and alive, Kutrashev said.

Life for the Assad children in contrast seems to continue with relatively little disruption, as they adjust to a new life as Moscow elite.

The family friend, who met some of the children a few months ago, said: Theyre kind of dazed. I think theyre still in a bit of a shock. Theyre just kind of getting used to life without being the first family.

The only time the Assad family  without Bashar  have been seen together in public since the end of their regime was at his daughter Zein al-Assads graduation on 30 June, where she received a degree in international relations from MGIMO, the elite Moscow university attended by much of Russias ruling class.

A photograph on MGIMOs official website shows the 22-year-old Zein standing with other graduates. In a blurry separate video from the event, members of the Assad family, including Asma and her two sons Hafez, 24, and Karim, 21, can be seen in the audience.

Two of Zeins classmates who attended the ceremony confirmed that parts of the Assad family were present, but said they kept a low profile. The family did not stay long and did not take any pictures with Zein on stage like other families, said one of the former classmates, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Hafez, once groomed as Bashars potential successor, has largely withdrawn from public view since posting a Telegram video in February in which he offered his own account of the familys flight from Damascus, denying they had abandoned their allies and claiming it was Moscow that ordered them to leave Syria.

Syrians quickly geolocated Hafez, who took the video while walking the streets of Moscow.

Hafez has closed most of his social media, instead registering accounts under a pseudonym taken from an American childrens series about a young detective with dyslexia, according to leaked data. The children and their mother spend much of their time shopping, filling their new Russian home with luxury goods, according to the source close to the family.

Zein al-Assad regularly shops for high-end clothing, has registered at an upmarket pedicure salon and is a member an elite gym in Moscow, leaked Russian data shows.

The Assad children also frequently visit the UAE, with Asma joining them on their trip on at least one occasion. Leaked flight records seen by the Guardian from 2017-23 suggest the UAE had long become a favourite destination for the Assad family even when they were in power. Karim and Hafez made repeated trips between Abu Dhabi, Moscow and Syria, including flights in November 2022 and September 2023.

Originally, the Assad family were hoping to relocate from Moscow to the UAE. The UAE was a much more familiar location for them. They did not speak Russian and struggled to locate themselves within Russian social circles, according to the family friend. However, the family now realise that permanently relocating will not happen for a while, as even the UAE, which houses many of the worlds shady elite, is uncomfortable hosting Assad.

As rebels swept across Syria, they shared pictures they found in Assads estates. Social media was flooded with images of a young Bashar in underwear, Bashar swimming  a far cry from the autocratic self-portrait that stared out at Syrians from every corner.

It was the first crack in a steely image of a dictator whose rule, until a year ago, was seen as impregnable. Syrians, however, still have few details about the man who oversaw 14 years of killing that left hundreds of thousands of Syrians dead.

Kamal Alam, a former non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who engaged in track two diplomacy during the Syrian civil war, said: It took the fall of the regime for those pictures to come out. I would say that the family is very private and they never liked to be exposed and they still wont going forward.
The shooting at Bondi Beach has sparked intense debate in Australia about the state of the countrys gun control laws.

On the first day of Hanukkah, at least 15 people were killed by a father and son who allegedly targeted a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

In response, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese held an emergency national cabinet meeting to discuss whether gun laws need to be changed.

After the meeting, all states and territories have agreed to strengthen gun laws. Ideas for reform include limiting how many guns one person can own, the types of guns deemed legal and making Australian citizenship a condition of holding a licence.

There will also be consideration of restrictions on the importation of guns, including 3D-printed weapons.

People grieve at Bondi Beach, where the attack happened (AFP via Getty)

People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity and checks, of course, making sure that those checks and balances are in place as well, Mr Albanese said at a press conference.

Previous shooting incidents and the history of gun laws in Australia

Gun laws in Australia first came under intense scrutiny in 1996, after the country faced the worst mass shooting in its history at Port Arthur in Tasmania, where 35 people were killed and 23 were injured.

Martin Bryant, 28 at the time, began his attack at Seascape bed and breakfast, killing two people 12 hours before beginning a shooting spree.

Bryant used two semi-automatic rifles and attacked a small cafe at Port Arthur, which is a popular tourist site, before moving to a gift shop and car park.

He then stole a car and drove to a nearby service station, killing a woman and abducting her partner. Bryant returned to Seascape and killed his hostage, set fire to the property and was captured the following morning.

Martin Bryant killed 35 people during a shooting spree in Tasmania in 1996 (AFP/Getty)

The incident sparked national debate on the state of Australias gun laws. Before the Port Arthur massacre, any person with a regular shooters licence could legally hold any number of rapid-fire weapons and ammunition.

Then-prime minister John Howard dramatically altered Australias gun laws. This included enacting a uniform national legislation banning pump-action, automatic and semiautomatic firearms.

The sale or supply of weapons was also limited under the National Firearms Agreement, which also required registration and safe storage.

Australias gun laws were drastically changed after the Port Arthur massacre (AFP/Getty)

Mr Howard faced pressure from anti and pro-gun groups, as protests against the changes took place. At one stage, Mr Howard stood before thousands of pro-gun protesters in the rural town of Sale in Victoria wearing a bullet-proof vest.

The strict laws were ultimately passed and have largely succeeded in preventing mass gun violence in Australia.

How the Bondi Beach shooting unfolded

While the country has a reputation for strict gun control, a recent report by the Australia Institute in January 2025 revealed gun ownership had crept up.

In 1996, there were about 3.2 million licensed firearms, while in 2024, there were more than 4 million licensed firearms.

The state of New South Wales  where the Bondi shooting happened  had the highest number of registered guns in 2024, with more than 1.1 million. The report argued that the assumption that rural areas would own the most guns due to farming was not the case.

On the contrary, there are significant numbers of guns in major cities in NSW, the report stated.

Fifteen people were killed during a terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney on Sunday (Reuters)

The report also warned there were inconsistent state and territory regulations for gun laws. In Australia, state and territory governments have law-making powers over gun regulation, not the federal government.

The National Firearms Agreement, conducted by Howard, which was agreed by all states and territories, was found to have few changes since 1996 and was rarely reviewed.

For example, the NFA has yet to be amended to recognise pump-action rifles, which are now available in some states and territories but not others, the report stated.

While NSW Police are yet to confirm the type of guns the Bondi Beach attackers used, John Coyne, director of national security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told The Sydney Morning Herald the guns appeared to be a bolt-action high-powered rifle and shotguns.

Over the last several years, theres been this proliferation of what you call straight-pull guns, he said.

Its because they are faster.

Mr Coyne added the trend was more pronounced in Australia because people couldnt get access to semi-automatic firing weapons, and they get closer to that speed for repeated fire.
Have you ever asked yourself what baby elephants and toddlers have in common? Well, the answer is a little bit of everything! Young elephants are playful, adorable, and even a little sassy, much like human children. The dance to the beat of their own drum, and although they require plenty of oversight, theyll happily try to convince you theyre completely independent of those that care for them!

Recently, Kaikai the baby elephant discovered just how much she loves mud, and the fresh mud pit has quickly become her favorite place to hang out. In a recent Instagram clip, the baby elephant is rolling around in the wet dirt while keepers use shovels to toss even more mud her way. Shes like a pig in a pen, and its clear this is absolutely the favorite part of her day.

Kaikai, a 7-month-old African baby elephant, is the most recent rescue baby under the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and shes showing a little more of her personality each and every day. Despite having several tough months at the beginning of her life, shes now really beginning to flourish under the loving care of her dedicated keepers. Thanks to @sheldricktrust on Instagram, we have a ringside seat to the action.

It must feel amazing to let loose like a baby elephant splashing around in a giant muddy puddle. The scene is a familiar one for many parents when they see toddlers wearing oversized rubber boots, making a mess in the water and absolutely loving every second of it. Kaikai just cant get enough.

Related: Playful Young Elephant Dances in the Rain Like No One Is Watching

Just when you think shes done, Kaikai climbs out over the edge of the mud poolbut tricks the keepers and turns right back around and throwing herself back into the mess again. This time, she stretches out her entire body, making sure every inch is covered in mud.

Viewers React to Muddy Elephant Playtime

Fans of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust just adore Kaikai, and many left comments expressing joy while watching her muddy playtime. Here are a few highlights:

And that is the secret to her highly coveted beauty routine!!

Hey, my baby girl, you just go on with your spa time. Too frickin' hilarious!

Maybe we should change the saying to, just like an elephant in mud!

This sweet baby elephants muddy antics are a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the messiest moments turn out to be the best moments!

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Brian Walshe found guilty of wifes murder after admitting he disposed of her body - which has never been found

Brian Walshe has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of his wife, Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found.

Walshe was emotionless in a Massachusetts courtroom Monday as the jury reached a verdict after only hours of deliberations. He will be sentenced Wednesday and faces life in prison.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old Serbian immigrant and real estate executive, was last seen in the early hours of January 1, 2023, after a small New Years Eve gathering at the couples home in Cohasset.

Her 50-year-old husband had admitted to dismembering his wife and lying to police, but maintains he did not kill her. In November, he pleaded guilty to two lesser charges of misleading police and improper conveyance of a human body.

Walshe claimed that she left for an emergency work trip to Washington, D.C., ordering a car to take her to Logan International Airport in Boston. But her company, the first to report her missing, said there was no work emergency.

Brian Walshe stares at the jury on Monday as he is found guilty of killing his wife Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found (The Patriot Ledger)

Prosecutors said that Ana never got into a ride share and there was no evidence of her boarding a flight. Her cellphone, as well as her credit and debit cards, remained inactive after her disappearance.

Ana Walshe is dead because he murdered her, and he intended her death, prosecutor Anne Yas told the court during closing arguments Friday. She wasnt going to D.C. for a work emergency; there was no emergency. Its just a story that the defendant told people.

Walshe claimed that after his wife left the house, he visited his mother in Swampscott, went shopping at CVS and Whole Foods, and spent time with his children.

But prosecutors said that he spent New Years Day traveling to several pharmacies and hardware stores, buying heavy-duty cleaning supplies, a Tyvek protective suit and a utility knife  purchases they say were preceded by online searches such as How long before a body starts to smell? and Dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body.

Over the next several days, investigators said, he continued searching for how to dismember a body with a hacksaw. He did not report his wife missing until January 4, when her employer contacted police after failing to get in contact with her.

Surveillance footage later showed a man resembling Walshe discarding heavy trash bags in dumpsters. A search of a trash facility near his mothers home uncovered bags containing a hatchet, hacksaw, towels, a protective suit, cleaning agents, a Prada purse, boots like the ones Ana was last seen wearing and her Covid vaccination card. Prosecutors said many items tested positive for her DNA.

The defendant did not want anyone to find Anas body and to know how she died, Yas said in court. So the defendant bought cutting tools ... and he cut up Anas body, the woman he claimed to love, and dumped her into dumpsters, she said.

He didnt just want her dead, he needed her dead, Yas said. It was a marriage in crisis.

Before he was a murder suspect, Walshe was awaiting sentencing in a federal fraud case after pleading guilty in a scheme to sell counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings.

Ana and Brian Walshe were married in Serbia in 2015 and have three children together (Facebook)

In 2024, Walshe was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $475,000.

Yas pointed out that at the time of Anas disappearance and murder, Walshe had no assets and was on home confinement for his federal case.

Ana was beginning to thrive as the marriage was beginning to deteriorate, Yas told the court, adding that she had set up rooms at a D.C. townhome she owned for their children.

Yet Walshe needed the children with him so he could be the primary caregiver in an effort to avoid prison, Yas said. At the time, Ana had also taken out $2.7 million in life insurance, naming her husband as the sole beneficiary, prosecutors said.

In a move that surprised courtroom observers, the defense rested earlier this week without calling any witnesses. Brian Walshe did not testify, despite speculation that he might take the stand to explain his version of events.

During closing arguments, defense attorney Larry Tipton repeatedly called Brian Walshe a loving husband and a loving father with no motive at all to kill his wife. He had previously told the court that his client had panicked after a sudden unexplained death, claiming Walshe found Ana unresponsive after their New Years Eve celebration.

When he entered the bedroom and began to get into bed, he sensed something was wrong, Tipton said, recalling Walshes claim that Ana rolled off the bed.

You have a sudden unexpected event that results in confusion, panic, and fear, Tipton said Friday. All of those things that are so troubling, horrific and could be argued to be showing consciousness of guilt, Tipton said, referring to Walshes disposal of her body. But Tipton insisted he did not kill his wife.

Tipton also addressed Walshes Internet searches, claiming that if he made them with murder in his heart, why does the first search referencing murder occur six hours later on Jan. 1, 2023?

A missing person poster that the Cohasset Police produced while searching for Ana Walshe shown on the first day of the Brian Walshe murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court on December 1, 2025 (The Patriot Ledger)

Context matters, Tipton said. The first time the word murder is used in these horrific searches is six hours after they start.

Tipton also argued that the searches about dismemberment and cleaning did not mean he murdered her, claiming there wasnt anything that referred to a plan or intent to kill Ana.

Even though they dont talk about murder, they are equally upsetting, Tipton said. Hes thinking about how you clean a concrete floor in the basement.

Ask yourself, why is the man searching now if he had intended to kill his wife? Tipton asked.

The defense acknowledged that Walshe lied to investigators but argued that his actions reflected fear, not guilt. With no body, Tipton emphasized, investigators have been unable to determine a cause of death.

Mr. Walshe loved Ana Walshe, the mother of his three children," Tipton added. Mr. Walshe is not guilty. Hes not guilty.

William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, is shown a picture of her while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial (The Boston Herald)

During the closely watched trial, the court heard from William Fastow, the man prosecutors identified as Ana Walshes boyfriend.

Fastow said he met Ana in March 2022 when he sold her a townhouse in Washington. Their relationship quickly intensified into an intimate relationship. They shared dinners, nights on his sailboat, overnight stays at his home and even a Thanksgiving trip to Ireland.

Ana felt it was really important that when Brian was to find out about the relationship that he would hear it from her, he said. She had expressed great concern and I think she felt it would be a strike against her integrity if he found out a different way.

Fastow said they planned to ring in the New Year together on January 4 and talk about the future. He last heard from her on New Years Eve. His follow-up texts and calls went unanswered.
Donald Trump paid tribute to the victims in the attack. Speaking at the White House, the US president said: I want to just pay my respects to the people, unfortunately two are no longer with us, Brown University, nine injured and two are looking down on us right now from Heaven. The president added: So 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, from the United States of America. Thank you very much. Its a very important thing to say, and we mean it.
The loved ones of the two students killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday have spoken out, as the investigation into the attack in Rhode Island continues.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who was killed on Saturday, was an aspiring neurosurgeon and was described by his family as the most kind-hearted person.

Ella Cook, a student from Alabama, also died from her injuries and was described as her familys bright light.

The shooting unfolded at 4 p.m. local time at the Barus and Holley engineering building, where students final exams were taking place.

Rachel Friedberg, a professor at the university, told the BBC that the shooter burst into the room and yelled something before opening fire.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was one of the people killed on Saturday (GoFundMe)

Eight other students were injured in the assault, with a Wisconsin man being detained in connection with the crime shortly after.

He was later released for having no basis for suspicion, according to a statement from Brown.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov wanted to be a surgeon

Umurzokov was studying at Brown University to become a neurosurgeon before the shooting, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family.

He was described as being incredibly kind, funny and smart and that he was the 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, Samira Umurzokova wrote. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss.

As of Monday, the GoFundMe campaign has already raised nearly $190,000 of its $200,000 goal .

Money raised by the fund will be used to support his family with expenses, with the rest being donated to charity.

Ella Cook was confirmed as one of the victims of the shooting by a Reverend at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama (College Republicans of America)

Khimari Manns, Umurzokovs roommate and a member of the schools wrestling team, told CBS News that he sheltered in a restroom when he heard about the shooting.

While waiting for a sign that it was safe to leave, he tried to contact Umurzokov and began to grow concerned when he did not hear back during the lockdown.

Something didn't feel right. I texted him, and then he didn't text back, he said.

Manns repeatedly called the police to get an update on the situation and only learned that his roommate had died on Sunday, saying that it did not feel like reality when he heard the news.

Just a ball of joy, ball of energy, Manns said, describing his late roommate. He raises everybody else to a certain level.

He made sure I had my stuff done. He made sure he had his stuff done. He was just always there," he continued. Hed come in there and cheer me up.

The shooting took place at the Barus and Holley engineering building (REUTERS)

Umurzokovs aunt told NBC News that the late student wanted to be a neurosurgeon because he had a very serious, eight hours-long brain surgery when he was ten years old.

She also told the broadcaster that she had hoped her nephew had a bright future before she found out the news in the middle of the night.

Uzbekistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the news of Umurzokovs death on Telegram, where a spokesperson described his killing as a heavy loss for us all.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the Republic of Uzbekistan has contacted the family of the victim and is working closely with U.S. law enforcement.

Ella Cook was a bright light in the community

Alabamian student Ella Cook was also killed in the gunmans attack on Saturday at Brown University in Rhode.

The College Republicans of America shared a message dedicated to Cook, who was the vice president of the groups chapter at Brown.

We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook, Martin Bertao, president of the College Republicans of America wrote. Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.

Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CRs and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

Reverend Craig Smalley, from the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, urged parishioners to pray for the late student during a Sunday service.

A vigil for the victims was held on Sunday evening, at what was supposed to be a Christmas tree and menorah lighting (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday, he said, according to AL.com.

And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light.. not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.

Christina H Paxson released a statement in the wake of the shooting, describing the event as a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families and our local community.

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, she continued.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary echoed Paxsons message on X.

There are no words, Leavitt wrote. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.

A vigil was held for both Cook and Umurzokov on Sunday night, with attendees holding candles and flowers in a show of support for the victims families, according to a report from NBC Boston.

The event had been originally scheduled as a Christmas tree and menorah lighting in Lippitt Memorial Park.

Police have not confirmed a possible motive for Saturdays attack, and no charges have been filed yet.

No investigation is perfect and youre going to go through ups and downs, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Steve Moore said.

He described the arrest of the now-released suspect as obviously an error and said that investigators have restarted their search at square one.

During a Christmas reception at the White House, Donald Trump offered his condolences in an unscripted, 40-minute speech.

I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately, the president said. Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven.

He also offered his condolences to those killed in a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia, adding, I just want to pay my respects to everybody.
Jewish people are living in fear in Britain, says Downing Street as it urged the police to crack down on hate speech at pro-Gaza marches in London and other cities.

No10 insisted that Sir Keir Starmer was determined to tackle the rise in anti-Semitism in the country following the anti-Semitic terror attack in Australia on Sunday.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We see with every anti-Semitic attack whether thats October 7, the Manchester attack or yesterdays horrific events in Australia that many Jewish people are living in the UK in fear and the Prime Minister has resolved to stand with Jews in Britain.

That includes giving the Jewish community the security they deserve, starting with a more visible security presence, including at Hanukkah events here in the UK.

He stressed there was an urgent review of anti-Semitism in the NHS, new powers were being brought forward for the police to put conditions on repeated protests, demonstration and hate crime laws were also being re-examined, and universities were being urged to take firm action to protect Jewish students from harassment.

One of the gunman on Bondi Beach was over-powered by a man hailed a hero for intervening (X)

On the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London and other cities, he added: We have seen anti-Semitic incidents proliferate at these marches and we wont tolerate that.

The police have existing powers and we would expect them to be used more robustly.

Earlier, Britains Chief Rabbi called for more hate speech arrests at pro-Gaza protests as a minister told of an abhorrent rise in anti-Semitism.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described his feeling on hearing of the terror attack on Bondi Beach as devastation but no surprise.

He stressed: Its the kind of thing that we knew was inevitable.

We were praying, hoping it would never happen, he explained on Sky News.

But no surprise because of the tone on the streets in our societies, with the hatred that is being expressed to the Jewish state, to Jews and to Judaism and therefore what is happening around us is inspiring some people to translate hate speech into hate action.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (PA Wire)

Pressed on what his message is to the Government, he added: We have to crack down on hate speech in a far more forceful and emphatic way.

Lets take for example cries such as from the river to the sea or globalise the intifada...what does globalise the intifada mean, it means what happened at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, it means what happened on Bondi Beach.

The time has come once and for all not to allow such rhetoric to poison the minds of people.

Sir Keir had phoned him to express support and solidarity following the Bondi Beach attack.

The Chief Rabbi said he appreciated actions by the Government and police in responding to anti-Semitism.

But he added: There is far more that must be done in terms of hate speech, in terms of policing, in terms of arrests, in terms of controlling social media which is so poisonous.

Earlier, victims minister Alex Davies-Jones told of an abhorrent rise in anti-Semitism in Britain.

Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones (PA Media)

She stressed that the Government, other organisations and citizens needed to get a grip on the growing number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK.

The Community Security Trust, a charity which seeks to protect British Jews from terrorism and anti-Semitism, says there were more than 1,500 anti-Semitic cases reported in the first six months of this year, or an average of eight a day.

Thats totally abhorrent, the rise in anti-Semitism that we are seeing, not just in the UK but around the world, Ms Davies-Jones told LBC Radio.

We all need to get a grip on anti-Semitism, she added, including the Government.

We are going further whether thats with legislation, financial support for the Jewish community, with introducing new offences of protest outside religious places of worship to protect those who are just seeking to celebrate their faith.

The Prime Minister had spoken to the Community Security Trust, she added, to ensure that any Hanukkah events that are taking place will be secure.

Security is being stepped up and the Jewish community have all of our support, and we stand with them, Ms Davies-Jones stressed after the terror attack on Bondi beach which left 15 people dead including a London-born Rabbi.

London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of the Bondi Beach victims (.)

Ms Davies-Jones also emphasised that people should refrain from using chants like globalise the intifada and from the river to the sea at pro-Gaza protests in London and other cities being held to condemn Israels military onslaught on the besieged strip following the Hamas October 7 terror attack.

I want to be very, very clear that chants like that, any chants that are designed to intimidate, call for violence, call for the murder of Jews, are totally unacceptable, she told Sky News.

The Government has introduced new legislation in order to protect religious places of worship, because anyone who is seeking to protest outside of those venues needs to be very mindful of what theyre doing.

Ms Davies-Jones stressed that there is a fundamental right to protest.

But she added: What they do not have is a right to intimidate British citizens or call for violence in our streets, because sadly, we have seen the consequences of what happens when that is done.
The chief rabbi in the United Kingdom Sir Ephraim Mirvis has said his family members spent 15 terrifying minutes hiding under a doughnut stand during the Bondi Beach attack.

Chief rabbi Mirvis said his cousin and his cousins wife were forced to take cover when a gunmen opened fire in Sydney in a terror attack at a Jewish even that left 15 people dead on Sunday.

People to their right and left were being shot dead, he told BBC , blaming toxic antisemitism for the attack.

[People were] targeted for the simple act of gathering together, visibly and peacefully, as Jews, chief rabbi Mirvis said, who will be travelling to Sydney in support of the local Jewish community.

Jews have lived with security concerns for as long as I can remember, but the fact that today every public Jewish gathering must be weighed for risk is a sign of something deeply wrong.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis (PA Archive)

Chief rabbi Mirviss comments come after Sir Keir Starmer called for a police crackdown on antisemitic chanting at demonstrations, saying the government would not tolerate hatred.

A spokesperson for the prime minister noted the importance of free speech, but said the police will use their powers more robustly to tackle antisemitism. Sir Keir had also spoken to chief rabbi Mirvis in a telephone call since the attack took place.

At least 15 people died from the Bondi Beach shooting, including a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis and a Holocaust survivor.

Chief rabbi Mirvis said allowing people to chant phrases such as globalise the intifada incited hatred and inspired people to engage in hate action.

Why is it still allowed? What is the meaning of globalise the intifada? Ill tell you the meaning  its what happened on Bondi Beach yesterday.

Mourners gather at the Bondi Pavilion as people pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting (Getty Images)

We have to be far stricter with regard to what people are allowed to say and to do in a way that incites the hatred, which produces the violence that we have witnessed.

Accounts of what globalise the intifada means vary. Britannica states the phrase originated from the 1987-93 and 2000-05 Palestinian uprisings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The slogan has since been adopted by protesters calling for pressure on Israel to allow self-determination for the Palestinian people. However, other people associate it with targeting Israeli Jewish civilians through violence, encouraging antisemitic terrorism.

Speaking also to the Press Association, chief rabbi Mirvis stopped short of challenging whether Sir Keirs government was doing enough to challenge antisemitism.

The UK government is doing a lot, we appreciate what the UK government is doing. We appreciate what the police forces in this country are doing to protect Jewish people physically, he said.
(Pexels)

Different cocktails suit different occasions. Pina coladas brimming with crushed ice are built for faraway places, or summer nights in stuffy London, but rarely wanted in the depths of midwinter. Martinis, still cool again, suit evenings in restaurants that look like film sets; champagne stirred with brandy and sugar in old hotels that will forever charm.

Beyond what you're drinking, it's the sense of occasion that truly makes the drink. What's important is considering what's what  and when. Christmas, when you're likely entertaining guests, is made for this sort of thinking.

Below is a range of drinks: cocktails to stimulate the appetite before dinner; large format numbers to share throughout the evening; digestifs for when the food baby needs nursing; drinks that double as dessert. The best way to impress is focusing on quality over quantity. That might mean an exquisite concoction to pair with your laborious roast and a pre-dinner aperitif to ease company into conversation, or a champagne cocktail to toast with and a signature dessert cocktail to wrap things up. Pick and choose, in other words. Trying to manage them all is unlikely to go quite as it should.

Regardless of which get the nod, think about pairing drinks with the various phases of the night. To execute flawlessly  and leave your guests dazzled by your mixological prowess, obviously  here are a few Christmas-friendly recipes to try at home.

A welcome cocktail: Bubbles & Banana Bread

(Tyler Zielinski)

Starting any evening with a champagne cocktail is an elegant touch. Its the perfect way to say hello and let guests know theyre in for a night of good food and drink. This simple twist on the bare bones classic gets a touch of banana liqueur which, when paired with the notes of baking spices in the Angostura bitters, conjures flavours reminiscent of banana bread (something that was always being baked in my household growing up during the holidays). Here, instead of champagne, the Bubbles & Banana Bread celebrates the rise to prominence of English sparkling wine; my choice in particular would be Gusbournes Brut Reserve, which is fresh and lively with notes of pastry and red fruit that make this cocktail an absolute delight.

Ingredients

15ml banana liqueur (I use Giffard Banane du Bresil)

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Top with English sparkling wine

Garnish with a discarded orange or lemon peel

Method

Pour the liqueur and dashes of bitters into a chilled tulip or flute glass, then top with bubbly and garnish. Couldnt be simpler.

A punch to break the ice: Royal Navy Punch

(Tyler Zielinski)

A large bowl of boozy punch often does the trick for getting guests talking. To make this one, I opt for Black Tot Finest Caribbean rum  a blend of rums from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica. Black Tot is an homage to the British Royal Navy, with the rum blend inspired by the daily rum rations sailors received until July 31 1970  the day when the rations ceased (aka Black Tot Day). Its a communal libation full of spice and warming flavours thats perfect for hosts who enjoy telling a good story, or piece of British drink history. It tastes terrific and can easily be made en masse; take the measures below, which are for an individual serve, and scale-up by multiplying the measurements by the number of drinks needed.

Ingredients

50ml dark rum

10ml Earl Grey honey syrup (2:1 honey to Earl Grey tea)*

30ml lemon juice

5ml allspice dram, preferably St. Elizabeths allspice dram

10ml ginger beer

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Garnish either with a lime twist for an individual serve, or with cinnamon sticks, lemon wheels, grated nutmeg and orange peels for a punch bowl.

Method

To make one for yourself, combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled, then strain into a rocks glass, or tea cup, and garnish with a lime twist.

For a punch bowl, scale the recipe , then pour ingredients into a large punch bowl. Add five or six large ice cubes, or one large block of ice, to the bowl and stir the ingredients to chill. Then garnish with cinnamon sticks, lemon wheels, grated nutmeg, and orange peels. Ladle into a rocks glass or tea cup to serve and garnish with a lime peel.

*To make the Earl Grey honey syrup: brew a strong cup of Earl Grey tea by oversteeping. Remove the tea bag or leaves, then heat in a saucepan with honey at a 2:1 ratio of honey to tea. Simmer until the honey dissolves, then remove from heat and allow the syrup to come to room temperature before bottling.

One to drink all night: The District Line

(Tyler Zielinski)

If your gathering is an all-day affair  or filled with hefty drinkers  then a sessionable cocktail thats light on the booze is a good way to have the team go the distance. Oftentimes, a gin and tonic is the simple mixed drink thats consumed throughout the day, but that doesnt always end well...

This low-ABV take on the beloved gin highball uses Martini Ambrato vermouth specifically as the base, supported with a bit of dry gin, a touch of the gorgeous Italicus for some body and elegance, lime juice and tonic water. Its best garnished with a refreshing cucumber ribbon and herbaceous rosemary, which both looks and smells good. Preparing the cucumber ribbons can admittedly be quite the faff, but for the ambitious super hosts who spare no details, this simple serve has the potential to be a showstopper if you go all-in for it.

Ingredients

30ml Martini Ambrato vermouth

15ml London Dry gin

10ml Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

10ml lime juice

Top with tonic water

Garnish with a rosemary and an optional cucumber ribbon

Method

To prep the cucumber ribbon, peel a cucumber with a y-peeler or mandolin to get a long, thin strip. While the ribbon is fresh, set it inside of a chilled highball glass (from the freezer is best), using a long bar spoon to set it against the side of the glass. Once the cucumber ribbon is set, add ice, then pour the vermouth, gin, Italicus, and lime juice. Add more ice if needed before topping with tonic water, then garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

To pair with dinner: Bitter Pinot

(Tyler Zielinski)

Executing a thoughtful and complementary food-pairing cocktail is no easy task; and having a general cocktail that pairs well with a range of dishes is even more challenging. The Bitter Pinot, however, is up to snuff.

When pairing cocktails with food, its best to tame the alcohol content to not overpower the subtleties of a dish, so low-ABV drinks are optimal  unless youre cooking BBQ, but thats an entirely different conversation. The Bitter Pinot  a cocktail which falls somewhere in between the Negroni, Americano and Milano-Torino  calls for bitter Campari, Azaline sweet vermouth, a touch of sloe gin and a splash of soda water. Azaline is best as the sweet vermouth here as its built on a base of pinot noir, and is aromatised with a range of botanicals found on the silk road, including saffron, as well as blackcurrant, juniper and orange peel. This vermouth, paired with the fruitiness of the sloe gin and Camparis bittersweet flavour, almost sips like a glass of bitter red wine bursting with red fruits. It plays well with cranberry sauce, any roast meat, and is even a complementary accompaniment to cheeses. Its simple, but its versatility and general ability to please a crowd is, Id argue, undeniable.

Ingredients

30ml Campari

30ml Azaline sweet vermouth

10ml sloe gin

Splash of soda water

Garnish with an olive

Method

Add all of the ingredients apart from the soda water into a mixing glass and stir with ice until chilled. Strain the drink into a rocks glass over a large cube, add a splash of soda water and garnish with a briny olive.

Post-dinner pours: Coquito or Irish Coffee

(Tyler Zielinski)

Im typically one to drink my dessert if its an option. Two of the most festive seasonal cocktails to enjoy during the post-dinner phase in the evening are the Irish Coffee, pictured at the top of this page, and Coquito, pictured directly above. The former, youre likely well-familiar with: fresh coffee, simple syrup, Irish whiskey and freshly whipped heavy cream floated on top. Delicious, uplifting, pure joy in a glass.

Coquito, however, is lesser known in the UK, as its a traditional Puerto Rican beverage. Essentially, its a vegan Eggnog  which is to say, it has all the creamy deliciousness of eggnog, just without the egg. Coquito, which means little coconut, is a mix of cream of coconut, coconut water, evaporated and condensed milks, cinnamon, nutmeg and rum. Its easy to serve because its made in large batches, whereas Irish Coffees require more technique, but both are ideal festive serves to enjoy after a long meal. Ive been making Coquito every year since 2017, and its a tradition I anticipate carrying on for many years to come. After making your own batch and developing your own recipe, you might just feel the same.

Coquito

Ingredients

500 ml light rum

680g evaporated milk

800g condensed milk

200g coconut milk

200g cream of coconut, preferably Coco Lopez

140g coconut water

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp nutmeg

3 cinnamon sticks

4 star anise

Method

In a large container, combine the rum, cinnamon sticks and star anise and infuse for two hours. Then weigh the rest of the ingredients in a large pot, and whisk to combine (note: you can add low heat on the stove at this point to help integrate, but do not let the mixture simmer or boil). Finally, strain the solids out of the infused rum and whisk it in with the coconut and cream mixture to combine. Add this mixture to a blender, briefly pulse to integrate, then bottle. Coquito gets better with age and is best prepared days or weeks ahead of time to allow the flavours to marry. To serve, just pour it into a glass (ice is optional) and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients

30ml Irish whiskey

15ml demerara syrup (2:1 sugar to water)

100ml arabica or robusta coffee

Top with freshly whipped heavy cream

Method

Start by whipping heavy cream in a protein shaker, or by hand with a whisk until slightly thickened, like the head on a pint of Guinness. Pre-heat a six ounce Irish Coffee glass with boiling water, then toss out the water and build the cocktail in the glass, leaving about half an inch of room for cream. Layer the cream on top of the base mix of whiskey, sugar syrup and coffee, then garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

The nightcap: Better Than Coffee

(Tyler Zielinski)

The ritual of having a nightcap to finish an evening is one that feels almost requisite during the holidays. By this point in the night, everyone is feeling a bit looser and relaxed, stuffed to the gills, and looking forward to retiring to the comfort of their own beds in the not too distant future.

The Better Than Coffee is a twist on the Old Fashioned which calls for a split base of Armagnac, rum and is given depth and balance with Mr. Blacks unctuous coffee amaro and a strawberry syrup which just livens the cocktail up a touch. Whisky lovers are guaranteed to find this spirit-forward libation compelling enough to have a round or two, while its approachable enough to appeal to even the casual cocktail enthusiast. Be warned, its damned delicious, so your guests might end up lingering longer than you might like because of it.

Ingredients

45ml Armagnac

15ml dark, spicy rum (I recommend Plantation Isle of Fiji specifically)

15ml Mr. Black coffee amaro

7.5ml macerated strawberry syrup*

Garnish with an orange twist and coffee bean

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled and slightly diluted. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube, and garnish with an orange twist and coffee bean.

*To make the acerated strawberry syrup: slice the strawberries in half, then weigh. Once you calculate the weight of the strawberries, add them to a plastic bag. Next, weigh and add sugar to the bag at the same weight of the strawberries, and let macerate for 24 hours. The sugar will extract the water from the strawberries, creating a pure strawberry syrup. If some sugar is still undissolved, add a splash of water; stir to mix, then strain out the strawberries and bottle the syrup. (Note: the candied strawberries can be added as a topping to a dessert, or snacked on at your leisure.)
US President Donald Trump has been criticised for claiming that the killing of American filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife photographer Michele Singer Reiner was politically motivated.

The pair were found dead in their home on Sunday night with their son, Nick Reiner, 32, arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on suspicion of murder.

The floods of tributes that were paid to the couple clashed with a comment made by the US president on his social media site Truth Social where he described Rob as a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.

Director Rob Reiner arrives for the UK Premiere of The Bucket List at the Vue West End, London. (Joel Ryan/PA) (Joel Ryan)

He went on to suggest that the couples killing was politically motivated.

Mr Trump claimed Rob and Michele died reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome.

He added: He was known to have driven people crazy by his raging obsession of President Donald J Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.

May Rob and Michele rest in peace!

The president later claimed that Reiner was very bad for our country when asked if he stood by his post at a press conference on Monday.

He said: I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form.

Georgia Republican and former ally-turned-critic of the president after he branded her a traitor for disagreeing with him, representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, posted on X: This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.

Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak. This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies. Many pic.twitter.com/uVd3lGVEgm  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 15, 2025

Her comments were echoed by Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Mr Trump, who said: A man and his wife were murdered last night.

This is NOT the appropriate response.

The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirks death.

This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency.

Others who have spoken out against the president include British broadcaster Piers Morgan who wrote on X: This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President.

This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President @realDonaldTrump . pic.twitter.com/LP9cTIPNiQ  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 15, 2025

Kentucky Republican representative Thomas Massie, who also reshared Ms Greenes post on X, added: Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because theyre afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.

Hollywood stars have also taken to X to criticise the US president including White Lotus star Patrick Schwarzenegger, who wrote: What a disgusting and vile statement.

Actress and presenter Whoopi Goldberg responded by referencing the comments Mr Trump made against critics of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.

Speaking on ABCs The View, Goldberg said: I dont understand the man in that White House, because he talked so much about Charlie Kirk and caring, and suddenly this is what he puts out.

Have you no shame? No shame at all, can you get any lower? I dont think so.

And what do you have to say about whats happened around the world? Where is our voice as Americans?

Somebodys got to speak up for us. Our hearts are breaking through all of this, through Rob, through whats happened at Bondi Beach, what happened at Brown and you dont find the time to say, as Americans, we hate whats happening. You aint my president man.
England have recalled Josh Tongue for their must-win Ashes Test in Adelaide, but spinner Shoaib Bashir has again been omitted.

Tongues return, replacing the out-of-sorts Gus Atkinson in the pace attack, is the only change from the side beaten by eight wickets at the Gabba to slip 2-0 behind.

That means Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks retains his place as the designated spinner, in what equates to a significant vote of no confidence in Bashir.

 Gus Atkinson Josh Tongue We've made one change to our starting XI for the third Test in Adelaide   England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 15, 2025

The 22-year-old has long been earmarked for a major role in this series but, after missing out on pacy pitches in Perth and Brisbane, he has failed to dislodge a player better known for his white-ball batting than his red-ball bowling.

Captain Ben Stokes had previously reassured Bashir that Jacks was a horses-for-course pick for the day/night second Test, explaining: He knows if it was down to picking our best spinner, hed have played. If it ever comes down to picking our number one spinner, selection would go the other way.

That assessment has been stretched to breaking point after he was left out again on what is widely considered one of the best grounds for slow bowlers in the country.

Pitch curator Damian Hough appeared in front of the media on Monday and promised a surface that would offer turn, with Australia bringing their own first-choice Nathan Lyon back into the XI.

Speaking before England announced their team, Lyon said: I would be surprised if their number one spinner isnt playing, if Im honest with you.

Jacks gave a good account of himself in Brisbane, although a spectacular catch and some impressively resolute batting earned more praise than the 11-overs of part-time off-breaks he was handed.

Shoaib Bashir has yet to find his rhythm on Englands Ashes tour (Robbie Stephenson/PA) (Robbie Stephenson)

Handing him what is sure to be an inflated role with the ball is a gamble England are now prepared to take.

Bashir has 68 victims in 19 Tests at an average of 39 and took the match-winning wicket against India while bowling with a broken little finger in his last appearance in July.

He has struggled badly for rhythm since landing in Australia. He bowled a total of 24 overs for 151 in the warm-up match at Lilac Hill last month, leaking runs at 6.3 an over as he bowled for both England and England Lions in the same game.

Released from the Test squad to face Australia A at Allan Border Field during the second Test, he returned nought for 115 against Australia A.

Atkinson has been dropped after managing just three wickets at 78.66, with Tongue returning to the line-up.

He was Englands top wicket-taker against India in the summer and took five in his only previous Ashes Test at Lords in 2023, when he dismissed Steve Smith in each innings.
Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced on Sunday night that she will be privately meeting on Monday with far-right provocateur Candace Owens, the former Turning Point USA staffer who has peddled multiple conspiracy theories about Kirks death.

Amid the announcement, TPUSA canceled a much-anticipated livestream in which the right-wing youth organization  which Erika Kirk now leads following her husbands killing  had planned to debunk Owens conspiratorial claims about the September assassination.

The private one-on-one summit also comes after Kirk has spent the past few days denouncing Owens for pushing various unfounded theories about the death of her husband, which has seen the one-time close friend of Charlie Kirk wildly speculate that he was assassinated by a pro-Israel henchman with the help of TPUSA associates and the US military.

Candace Owens and I are meeting for a private, in-person discussion on Monday, December 15. @RealCandaceO and I have agreed that public discussions, livestreams, and tweets are on hold until after this meeting, Kirk tweeted on Sunday evening. I look forward to a productive conversation. Thank you.

Owens quickly replied on X that she was very much looking forward to this discussion, adding a raised hands emoji.

Amid a growing rift within MAGA world over Candace Owens conspiracy theories on Charlie Kirks death, Erika Kirk has scheduled a private meeting with the provocateur (Getty)

Shortly after Kirk was killed in September while holding a Utah campus event, Owens  who is currently being sued for claiming the French first lady is a transgender woman  began insisting that Kirk had come around to her views on Israel shortly before his death.

While Kirks allies denied her claims, she started suggesting that powerful pro-Israeli figures made threats against Kirk in the days before his assassination, adding that he was offered a ton of money that he declined to accept  and was on the brink of changing some of his perspectives on Israel and the war in Gaza. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old man from Utah, has been charged with Kirks murder.

Eventually, Owens turned her attention to another culprit in the supposed assassination plot  TPUSA itself. Earlier this month, she claimed that Charlie Kirk was betrayed by the leadership of Turning Point USA and began pointing fingers at specific TPUSA employees. After Owens claimed that Charlie Kirk had been concerned about how the organizations finances were being managed just before he died, the Treasury Department  at the request of Erika Kirk  released a letter confirming that the group was not under IRS investigation.

With Owens increasingly fantastical claims sparking a rift within the MAGA universe, which has been dealing with a larger civil war between various factions over the direction of the movement, TPUSA challenged the popular podcaster to defend her claims at an in-person livestream meeting in Phoenix.

The showdown, however, was not to be. Set just ahead of TPUSAs flagship AmeriFest conference, Owens demurred and said she would not be able to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Still, TPUSA leadership declared that they would still hold the live fact-checking seminar on Monday.

That all changed on Sunday night, however, when Erika Kirk revealed that she would be personally meeting with Owens to discuss her assassination conspiracy theories, prompting TPUSA to cancel the livestream.

Erika Kirk has been all over television in recent days talking about her late husband while rebuking conspiracies about his death (AP)

Throughout her monthslong diatribe on the Kirk assassination, which has resulted in millions of views to her top-ranked podcast, Owens had largely steered clear of directly attacking Erika Kirk. However, once Erika Kirk began rebuking Owens  even if not directly by name  the former TPUSA communications director began taking direct aim at the MAGA youth groups current leader.

When you go after my family, my Turning Point USA family, my Charlie Kirk Show family, when you go after the people that I love, and you're making hundreds and thousands of dollars every single episode going after the people that I love because somehow they're in on this, no, Kirk said on Fox News last week.

Stop. That's it. That's all I have to say. Stop, Kirk, when asked to deliver a message to Owens, stated in a CBS News town hall that aired this weekend.

Owens, meanwhile, reacted to Kirks pleas by saying her multiple television appearances completely missed the mark for me before lashing out at her deceased friends widow.

None of this is passing the vibe check, she added. You are not changing my mind about the fact that something weird happened that day and that TPUSA is acting funny because you give an impassioned plea and speak about Nehemiah on Fox News.

Owens also accused Erika of displaying Meghan Markle syndrome, explaining that as where you want privacy when you want it, you want publicity when you want it.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at Bellevue Palace in Berlin for the talks. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP (Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP)

Europe is ready to lead a multinational force in Ukraine as part of a US proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, European leaders have said.

In a statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and eight other European countries said troops from a coalition of the willing with US support could assist in the regeneration of Ukraines forces, in securing Ukraines skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine.

The proposal was part of a new package of security guarantees, backed by the White House, that could mark a breakthrough in reaching a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv, US and European leaders have said. But they added that significant differences remained over the future status of the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday he had very long and very good talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European and Nato leaders, adding: We had numerous conversations with President Putin of Russia, and I think were closer now than we have been ever, and well see what we can do.

Asked if he had recently spoken directly to Vladimir Putin, Trump replied yeah, I have, but did not give any details.

But Trump appeared to suggest that in exchange for security guarantees, Ukraine must agree to give Russia the parts of the eastern Donbas region that Kyiv still holds  something Zelenskyy has previously ruled out.

Well, theyve already lost the territory, to be honest, he said when asked what incentive Ukraine would have to give up land.

Zelenskyy said talks with Trumps envoys were not easy but brought real progress on the question of security guarantees. However, differences remained on the question of what territory. There has been sufficient dialogue on the territory, and I think that, frankly speaking, we still have different positions, Zelenskyy told reporters.

Under the proposal, Ukraine would have western support to maintain a standing army of 800,000 troops, the US would lead a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism to provide early warning of any future attack, and the European countries would also sign a legally binding commitment, subject to national procedures, to take measures to restore peace and security in the case of a future armed attack. Europe would also back Ukraines accession to the European Union.

The deal would effectively provide article five-like guarantees to Ukraine, according to two US officials briefed on the negotiations, comparing the security guarantees to those provided to Nato allies from foreign attacks.

The US presented the new package at talks in Berlin this week with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as senior diplomats and security officials from European allies. The US officials said that they believed Russia would accept the security guarantees presented at the talks, which would mark a significant relaxation in the Kremlins demands for limitations on the size of Ukraines army and opposition to troops from Nato countries operating in Ukraine.

The American delegation, which was led by the US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, said Zelenskyy and European leaders had responded positively to the White Houses latest proposal for security guarantees resembling those given to Nato allies, and intended to prevent Russia from resuming its invasion if a peace agreement is reached.

Related: Any Russia-Ukraine deal is doomed without security guarantees, says Starmer

I think the Ukrainians would tell you, as would the Europeans, that this is the most robust set of security protocols they have ever seen, said one US official briefed on the negotiations. It is a very, very strong package. I think hopefully the Russians are going to look at it and say to themselves: Thats OK, because we have no intention [of restarting the war]. Were going to take them at their word.

US officials declined to give specific details of what that security package would include and who would defend Ukraine if Russia resumed its invasion after a peace deal was reached. They confirmed the US would not put boots on the ground in Ukraine as part of the deal.

Nonetheless, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, told a news conference on Monday he believed the two sides were the closest to a real peace process since Russias large-scale invasion began in 2022.

What the US has placed on the table here in Berlin in terms of legal and material guarantees is really considerable, Merz said during a joint press conference with Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian president said he welcomed the productive discussions, as Kyivs top peace negotiator hailed real progress in the second round of talks in Berlin.

The security guarantees are considered a key factor of a potential peace deal. Britains prime minister, Keir Starmer, had said earlier that a deal between Russia and Ukraine would fail if it did not include robust security guarantees from the west.

Its really important we attend to this in detail, he said. [Vladimir] Putin has shown time and again that he will keep coming back for more if he sees the chance.

Related: Any Russia-Ukraine deal is doomed without security guarantees, says Starmer

US officials said on Monday they were still brainstorming the future status of the occupied territories of Ukraine under a peace deal, adding that they were considering these areas becoming an economic free zone. But they said there remained significant differences on the control and status of the territories taken by Russia.

Ultimately, if we can get that defined, then it will really get to [Russia and Ukraine] to work out the final issues of sovereignty and to see if theres a deal that can be done between them, said a US official briefed on the talks.

The two sides were also not in agreement on the future operations of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is located in Ukraine but is under Russian control. US officials said they wanted the two sides to split the power produced by the plant 50/50. US negotiators claimed they had resolved 90% of the disputes between the Russian and Ukrainian sides.

Zelenskyy described the talks with the US side as not easy but said they had made headway. He said Russia was using its relentless strikes as leverage in negotiations and noted that not a single power station in Ukraine had been spared attack.

Rustem Umerov, the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, also struck an upbeat note on the discussions: Over the past two days, Ukrainian-US negotiations have been constructive and productive, with real progress achieved, he said.

Umerov wrote on X that Witkoff and Kushner were working extremely constructively to help Ukraine find a way to a peace agreement that lasts.

A German government spokesperson said earlier that Witkoff and Kushner had also been invited to the working dinner. Witkoff said in a social media post that a lot of progress was made after he and Kushner met Zelenskyy for five-and-a-half hours at Merzs chancellery on Sunday, without disclosing details.

A picture released by Merzs team showed him sitting beside Zelenskyy in a gesture of solidarity, across the table from Witkoff and Kushner, but the chancellor did not join their talks.

Trump has appeared increasingly impatient to bring about an end to four years of fighting, which he at first sought by Thanksgiving at the end of November. Zelenskyy has said the US leader is targeting Christmas as a deadline for a full understanding on a peace plan.

The search for viable terms for an end to the war has run into major obstacles, including a dispute over control of Ukraines eastern Donbas region, which is occupied mostly by Russian forces.

Zelenskyy on Sunday expressed readiness to drop his countrys bid to join Nato if the US and other western nations gave Kyiv legally binding security guarantees similar to those offered to alliance members.

He also said he hoped Washington would accept freezing the frontline where it was, rather than Ukraine ceding the entire Donbas region, which comprises Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Putin has described Ukraines drive to join Nato as a major threat to Moscows security and a reason for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Naturally this issue is one of the cornerstones and, of course, it is subject to special discussion, the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Monday, adding that Moscow was expecting a US briefing on the Berlin discussions when they were over.

European leaders stressed that the outcome of the talks on Ukraine would affect their own countries security for decades to come. Merz said at the weekend that Putins goal 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, the German chancellor told a conference of fellow conservatives in Munich.

Russia has denied it intends to attack Nato members.

In London, meanwhile, the head of Britains foreign spy service, MI6, has warned that Russia poses an aggressive, expansionist threat in her first speech since taking office.

Blaise Metreweli took over from Richard Moore in October, becoming the first woman to lead MI6.

She said Putin was not serious about trying to end the war in Ukraine, describing him as dragging out negotiations and shifting the burden of the conflict on to his own population.

The EU, meanwhile, is scrambling this week to agree a plan on financing Ukraine in the coming years by using frozen Russian assets. A leaders meeting is scheduled to begin on Thursday and a deal still appears elusive.

European leaders including Zelenskyy will also meet in The Hague on Tuesday to launch an International Claims Commission to compensate Kyiv for hundreds of billions of dollars in damage from Russian attacks and alleged war crimes.
Terrorist gunmen have killed 15 people including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi in the Bondi Beach attack.

The father-and-son shooting has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a celebration in Sydney, Australia, on the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.

Heres what we know so far:

What happened?

Two gunmen, 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 Australia's most famous beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday.

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.

Local residents and emergency services worked desperately to help the injured while beachgoers fled the scene.

The older of the gunmen, a 50-year-old man, was shot by police and died at the scene while his 24-year-old son suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard.

Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, has been hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen (X)

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, New South Wales (NSW) state police commissioner Mal Lanyon said the younger gunman is expected to live to face criminal charges.

"We do have a 24-year-old male in hospital at the moment. Based on his medical condition it is likely that person may face criminal charges," he said.

A total of 42 people were taken to hospital where the 10-year-old girl was among those who died, the force said.

Two "active" explosive devices were found and taken away by a bomb disposal unit, with a third device found at the Bondi scene on Monday and taken away for forensic examination.

Who are the victims?

The age range of those who died is from 10 to 87 years old.

A total of 14 people died at the scene with a 10-year-old girl and 40-year-old man dying in hospital.

Police also said 42 injured people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across Sydney.

As of late Monday afternoon, 27 people were receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, NSW Health said.

Six people remain in critical conditions with the others in serious and stable conditions.

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger is among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack (Supplied)

Two police officers: a constable and probationary constable, suffered gunshot wounds, and both remain in serious but stable conditions.

British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, was the first victim to be identified.

His family has described him as a "joyful rabbi".

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.

The youngest victim has been named as 10-year-old Matilda, whose full name was not released. French national Dan Elkayam and former police officer Peter Meagher have also been named as victims of the attack.

Who were the attackers?

Mr Lanyon said the older of the two gunmen, named in reports as Sajid Akram, had a licence for six weapons and added that these were the guns found to have been used in the attack.

Akrams son, Naveed Akram, 24, has been identified as the other attacker.

It was revealed on Monday the man was part of a gun club, but Mr Lanyon said on Monday police were still gathering information about the attackers.

Properties in the Campsie and Bonnyrigg areas of the city have been searched.

One of the attackers has been named as Naveed Akram (.)

At a press conference, the commissioner said reports that a black Isis flag was draped over the attacker's car "would form part of the investigation".

He added that police were confident 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".

What have witnesses described?

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."

Finn, who did not give his surname, heard gunshots from the living room of his apartment near the beach.

He told ABC News at the scene: "I just hear a few fireworks going off, that's what it sounded like anyway.

Mourners gather by floral tributes at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims (AFP via Getty Images)

"My parents were saying, 'take cover, take cover, take cover'.

"I didn't know what to do because obviously I was on my own.

"So, I was just in my apartment, in my wardrobe, for the best part of I would say an hour-and-a-half, just trying to see what was going on, trying to hear.

"I was so shaken up," he added.

How has the UK responded?

In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack".

The Prime Minister is understood to have been in touch with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

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."

People during a vigil outside the Australian High Commission in central London on Sunday night (PA Wire)

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told any British people caught up in the shooting to contact the British consulate for support.

Police forces said they will put more officers into Jewish communities after the attack.

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.

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.
Every year, hundreds of people have to be rescued from Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), more than any other mountain in the UK, but rescuers have warned that numbers of callouts are rising to unsustainable levels and are partly being driven by social media.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team  the busiest in the country  has seen rising numbers of unprepared young men routinely being rescued.

In October, the team had to make 33 rescues, including 18 full team deployments, and in November, 22 incidents occurred with 15 full team deployments to rescue people.

With the arrival of winter, many of Snowdonias iconic routes such as the Llanberis Path to reach the summit of Mount Snowdon, and the spectacular tooth-like Crib Goch (Red Ridge) become increasingly dangerous due to snow and ice, and much shorter days. Meanwhile, their appeal is growing as people upload footage of their climbs to social media.

Searches for Crib Goch, Snowdonia and Llanberis Path return hundreds of videos on TikTok and Instagram, many showing precarious climbs along the jagged ridge of Crib Goch, with its sheer drops on either side.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said a third of all of the callouts were to assist people who had got into difficulties on Crib Goch, and of these, all of them were males under 24.

They warned that the route is a Grade 1 scramble, which becomes far more serious in winter conditions.

To tackle the ridge, the team warned that it requires experience, appropriate equipment, good weather judgement and a realistic understanding of your own abilities.

Jurgen Dissmann, Chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said: Weve had multiple callouts through November and now another at the start of December for people getting into serious difficulty on Crib Goch  often because the terrain has been underestimated or experience overestimated. At this time of year everything becomes far more serious. Winter weather, high winds, storms and low visibility can turn a manageable day into something extremely dangerous very quickly.

Its important to understand that there will be times when we simply cant reach you. If the weather is too severe, we may have to wait until conditions improve, and that delay could be long. We are highly trained and experienced, but rescuer safety will always be a major part of our decision making.

He added: Please make sure your experience, skills, fitness and equipment match the route and the conditions  especially in winter.

A hiker crosses a narrow ridge in Snowdonia National Park, Wales, where rescues call outs have shot up (Getty/iStock)

One TikToker, a fitness instructor from London, named Nathan Buru, saw a huge spike in views after uploading a video of getting into difficulties and being rescued from Crib Goch last month, but he also used the video to warn others not to do what he and his friends did and underestimate the weather and the scale of the mountain.

In the video he describes how he got into a very sticky situation, and almost died.

The clouds were engulfing the mountains, but we thought yeah, its the norm.

The higher we got, the more intense and more extreme the weather was getting.

By the time they reached the summit, Mr Buru had developed severe cramp. My leg stopped working, he said in the video, unable to move amid high winds and lashing rain.

After calling 999 it took over 4 hours for the rescue team to locate and reach them, by which time night had fallen.

When the mountain rescue team arrived, we couldnt have wished for more professionalism in that moment, Mr Buru added. If they hadnt come that night, Id be dead.

In a YouTube video published last month highlighting the challenges posed to mountain rescue teams as visitor numbers rise, Mr Dissmann said the number of fatalities have also gone up in Snowdonia.

We used to have about 4-6 fatalities a year, but this year weve already gone over that. Just in the last couple of months weve had three.

If the rise in callouts keeps climbing, then Mr Dissmann said we are not going to actually cope with it.

The rise is exponential now. There are so many jobs and theyre all serious  people falling off the ridge or collapsing. All that co-ordination becomes really tricky to manage, and at some point if it all carries on like it is, then we will not be able to respond. We will be able to get to people, but if youre just a bit tired or a bit hurty ankle, rather than falling off the ridge, it might take us 5 hours to get to you, not two hours.
There are a lot of people that are scared to even talk about whats going on because it is their livelihood, says Jim Delmage who runs the blog and YouTube channel Sip and Feast with his wife, Tara. Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images (Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images)

This past March, when Google began rolling out its AI Mode search capability, it began offering AI-generated recipes. The recipes were not all that intelligent. The AI had taken elements of similar recipes from multiple creators and Frankensteined them into something barely recognizable. In one memorable case, the Google AI failed to distinguish comments on a Reddit thread from legitimate recipe sites and advised users to cook with non-toxic glue.

Over the past few years, bloggers who have not secured their sites behind a paywall have seen their carefully developed and tested recipes show up, often without attribution and in a bastardized form, in ChatGPT replies. They have seen dumbed-down versions of their recipes in AI-assembled cookbooks available for digital downloads on Etsy or on AI-built websites that bear a superficial resemblance to an old-school human-written blog. Their photos and videos, meanwhile, are repurposed in Facebook posts and Pinterest pins that link back to this digital slop.

Recipe writers have no legal recourse because recipes generally are not copyrightable. Although copyright protects published or recorded work, they do not cover sets of instructions (although it can apply to the particular wording of those instructions).

Related: One of the most disgusting meals Ive ever eaten: AI recipes tested

Without this essential IP, many food bloggers earn their living by offering their work for free while using ads to make money. But now they fear that casual users who rely on search engines or social media to find a recipe for dinner will conflate their work with AI slop and stop trusting online recipe sites altogether.

There are a lot of people that are scared to even talk about whats going on because it is their livelihood, says Jim Delmage who, with his wife, Tara, runs the blog and YouTube channel Sip and Feast.

Matt Rodbard, the founder and editor-in-chief of the website Taste, is even more pessimistic. Taste used to publish recipes more frequently, but now it mostly focuses on journalism and a podcast (which Rodbard hosts). For websites that depend on the advertising model, he says, I think this is an extinction event in many ways.

The holiday season is traditionally when food bloggers earn most of their ad revenue. For many, this year has been slower than usual. One blogger, Carrie Forrest of Clean Eating Kitchen, told Bloomberg that in the past two years, she has lost 80% of her traffic.

[People are] absolutely trusting in the [search] results that are getting thrown in their faces Karen Tedesco

Others, like Delmage and Karen Tedesco, the author of the blog Familystyle Food, say their numbers, and ad revenue, have remained steady  so far. They attribute this to focusing their energies less on trying to game the search engines than on the long-term goal of attracting regular followers  and, in Delmages case, viewers.

Tedescos strategy has been to create recipes that rely on her experience and technical knowhow honed by years in restaurant kitchens and as a personal chef. Her Italian meatball recipe, for example, based on her mothers, includes advice about which meat to use, an explanation of why milk-soaked breadcrumbs are essential for texture, and a dozen process photos and a video.

But she is still worried about the potential impact of AI. When she recently did a Google search for Italian meatballs, Familystyle Food appeared as the top result. Then she switched to AI Mode. There, she found the recipe had been Frankensteined  or synthesized as Gemini put it  into a new recipe with nine other sources (including Sip and Feast and a Washington Post recipe for Greek meatballs). The AI-generated recipe was little more than a list of ingredients and six basic steps with none of the details that make Tedescos recipe unique.

AI Mode linked to all 10 recipes, including Tedescos, but, she says, I dont think many people are actually clicking on the source links. At this point, theyre absolutely trusting in the results that are getting thrown in their faces.

Other bloggers have seen a more definite impact on their viewership. Adam Gallagher, who runs Inspired Taste with his wife, Joanne, and who has become an outspoken critic of AI on social media, told the podcast Marketing OClock that since spring, he has noticed that while the number of times viewers saw links to the site on Google has increased, the number of actual site visitors has decreased. This indicates, to him, that users are satisfied with the search engines AI interpretation of Inspired Tastes recipes.

[With] so many pop-up windows and so much crashing, we kind of lost as publishers Matt Rodbard

After the Gallaghers posted about the discrepancy on X and Instagram, a number of readers replied to say they had not realized there was a difference between the recipes on the blog and the version that showed up in Google searches. Perhaps they had also appreciated the convenience of not having to click on another website, especially when Googles page design was so clean and uncluttered.

Rodbard acknowledges that many food blogs have gotten ugly and overloaded with ads, which has exacerbated the problem. Ad tech on these recipe blogs has gotten so bad, so many pop-up windows and so much crashing, we kind of lost as publishers, he says.

According to Tom Critchlow, the EVP of audience growth at Raptive, a media company that works with many food bloggers to find advertisers, it isnt ads that are driving viewers away. Its Google itself, with its changes to the algorithm and now with AI Mode, thats making the sites harder to find.

There is some hope though: a survey of 3,000 US adults commissioned by Raptive showed that the more interaction people had with AI, the less they wanted to engage with it, and nearly half the respondents rated AI content less trustworthy than content made by a human.

But unless the public rebels against AI Mode, there is only so much bloggers can do. They can block OpenAIs training crawler, which gathers information that ChatGPT uses to create content, including its own recipe generator, but theyare not necessarily willing to make themselves invisible to web searches; as Delmage puts it: You cant bite the hand that feeds you.

There is also the option of moving over to a subscription model, such as Substack or Patreon, and keeping the recipes behind a paywall, but both Tedesco and Delmage point out that the most successful Substackers, like Caroline Chambers or David Lebovitz, came to the platform with much more substantial followings than they have. If I were to give up my website or even try to go over to Substack, I would be broke, Tedesco says.

Rodbard suggests that the analog version of the recipe blog, the cookbook, might be due for a comeback. Cookbooks, after all, offer the same experience of spending time and learning from a trusted source, and its likely the recipes have been tested. As a bonus, unlike phones or laptops, they dont go dark when you neglect them for too long and you can splash tomato sauce on them without inflicting permanent damage. According to the market research firm Circana (formerly BookScan), sales of baking cookbooks are up 80% this year, but other areas have been relatively flat.

Related: Eat the future, pay with your face: my dystopian trip to an AI burger joint

But AI bots are stealing from published cookbooks, too. When Meta was training its own AI, it used Library Genesis (LibGen), a pirated books database. Now unscrupulous publishers have raided LibGen and repackaged some of the books into dupes, which they are selling on Amazon.

As more people become aware of the amount of AI slop on the internet and how to identify it, Critchlow believes they will develop a greater appreciation for content produced by humans. People will ultimately place a higher premium on being able to know that these recipes have been tested and made by somebody that I follow or somebody I respect or somebody that I like, he says.

The recipe creators themselves are not so sure. Im putting my faith in that theres always going to be a segment of people who really want to learn something, Tedesco says. But as for the business of blogging itself, its like a rolling tide. Its always up and down and you have to roll with it and adapt.

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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.

 This article was amended on 16 December 2025. An earlier version referred to an instance of the Google AI advising users to cook with non-toxic glue, after failing to distinguish legitimate recipe sites from the satirical website the Onion. That should have referred to comments on a Reddit thread, not the Onion. In addition, when Meta was training its own AI, it did not compile books into the pirated books database Library Genesis (LibGen) as an earlier version said. Rather, Meta used LibGen to train its AI.
Groundbreaking research has uncovered genetic patterns associated with pancreatic cancer, a discovery that could revolutionise early identification and intervention for the deadly disease.

Currently, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most prevalent form of pancreatic cancer, often goes undetected until its advanced stages due to a lack of effective early diagnostic tools.

The team, based in Southampton, Hampshire, and supported by the Planets cancer charity, believes their findings could lead to the development of personalised risk prediction tools.

Such advancements would enable doctors to pinpoint individuals who might benefit from earlier screening and potentially life-saving treatments. Known risk factors for the disease include smoking, diabetes, obesity, and inherited genetic predisposition.

At the moment, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often goes undetected until its advanced stages due to a lack of effective early diagnostic tools (Alamy/PA)

Dr Georgios Ioannis Verras, clinical research fellow at the University of Southampton, who presented the research at the British Association of Surgical Oncology (BASO) conference this month, said: Our early analyses suggest new genetic patterns that may be relevant to pancreatic cancer risk in the UK population.

If these findings are replicated in further studies, they could eventually feed into more refined risk prediction tools that combine genetics with age, sex and lifestyle information to help identify people who might benefit from closer monitoring in the future.

While much more work is needed before this could have any impact on individual patients, it is an encouraging direction for future research.

The scientists used data from UK Biobank, a database containing genetic information from 500,000 participants  to identify variations in genes connected to PDAC which, when combined with age, gender and lifestyle factors, could help doctors identify individuals at higher risk of contracting the disease.

Dr Zaed Hamady, of University Hospital Southampton, said: By expanding our knowledge of genetic risk, we hope to develop more accurate models to predict.

This could then form the foundation for targeted screening programmes, especially for those at highest risk, and ultimately save lives.
The boss of drugmaker Hikma will be replaced by the firms former chief executive, the company has announced, after a sharp drop in its share price this year.

Riad Mishlawi is stepping down from the top role by mutual agreement with the firms board of directors.

Said Darwazah will take over as chief executive with immediate effect, the firm told investors.

Mr Darwazah joined Hikma in 1981 and was its chief executive between 2022 and 2023, and 2007 and 2018. He has also served as its executive chairman for more than a decade.

Mr Mishlawi said he would move into retirement after stepping down.

The UK pharmaceutical business, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, creates medicines for people around the world including for respiratory, oncology and pain management.

Its share price has tumbled by about a quarter since the beginning of the year amid declining profits.

The pharmaceutical industry has faced uncertainty this year amid the threat of higher tariffs on US imports under president Donald Trump, and industry frustration at how much the NHS pays for medicines.

Hikma said in the summer that the trade plans were being closely monitored and it was taking some actions to mitigate the situation.

But a new UK-US tariff deal, reached earlier this month, will mean zero tariffs on imports of UK pharmaceuticals to the US in return for the NHS raising spending on medicines.

The deal followed warnings that US pharma firms would shut down their sites in the UK if the NHS did not pay more for drugs.

Dame Emma Walmsley, the outgoing boss of pharma giant GSK, said recently that the US is the best place to invest as it was the leading market in the world for new drugs and vaccines.
Home and Away and McLeod's Daughters star Rachael Carpani has died unexpectedly but peacefully, aged 45.

The news was announced by the Australian actors family, who said she had a long battle with an unspecified chronic illness.

It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away, a statement said.

Carpani, who recently appeared as Claudia Salini in soap Home and Away, died on 7 December and will be laid to rest privately.

She was also known for playing Jodi Fountain in 2000s series McLeod's Daughters, for which she received two Logie nominations.

Her film credits included The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back, a 2010 film directed by Peter Weir and starring Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell. She also appeared in an episode of US procedural NCIS: Los Angeles in 2009.

In 2021, Carponi spent a few days in the ICU after being rushed to hospital with acute abdominal pain.

She told her fans: Basically, it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill.

Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because "there's no time" or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.'

Rachael Carpani has died after long battle with chronic illness (Getty Images)

Tributes are pouring in for Carpani, with her McLeod's Daughters co-star Bridie Carter writing: Rest in Peace, our beautiful girl.

One fan wrote on X/Twitter: This is incredibly sad. I loved her in McLeods Daughters. May she rest in peace.

Another fan added: Just heard the news. Like many Aussies, I loved McLeods Daughters growing up. I still re-watch it every year.

Rachael Carpani in 2000s show 'McLeod's Daughters' (Nine Network)

Australian drama series McLeods Daughters, following two estranged sisters who inherit their familys cattle station, ran for eight seasons from 2001 to 2009.

The series was created after an original pilot, released in 1996, became the highest-rated television movie in Australian broadcasting history.
A court in Hong Kong has found the British media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai guilty on multiple charges of sedition and foreign collusion, in a landmark moment for the citys draconian national security laws and sliding press freedoms.

Mr Lai, 78, faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison. He is expected to be sentenced early next year.

The British national, who was the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong, was arrested in 2020 shortly after Beijing introduced tough new national security laws as part of a crackdown on massive anti-government protests in 2019.

He was charged with collusion with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed national security law, conspiracy to publish seditious publications under colonial-era sedition laws, and fraud related to alleged breaches of lease conditions for his companys office premises.

Mr Lai pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.

Three judges announced the verdict on Monday as Mr Lai sat in a glass box in a small courtroom where his wife and son were also present.

Teresa Lai (centre) and Lai Shun-yan (right), the wife and son of Jimmy Lai, and Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, arrive at the West Kowloon Law Courts building for the expected verdict (AFP via Getty)

Judge Esther Toh said Mr Lais actions left no doubt that he had harboured resentment for the Chinese government.

There is indisputable evidence that [Lai] conspired with the named conspirators in count three ... to request foreign countries to impose sanctions, blockade, or engage in other hostile activities against the PRC, HKSAR or both, she said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Judge Toh said that the court was satisfied that Mr Lai was the mastermind of conspiracies against the Chinese government and said Mr Lais evidence was at times contradictory, inconsistent and unreliable.

Armed police stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts following the verdict for Hong Kong activist publisher Lais national security trial in Hong Kong, Monday (AP)

The court released an 855-page verdict that included 161 publications, including Apple Daily articles, as evidence of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, as well as social media posts and text messages.

Three business entities related to Apple Daily  Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD Internet Limited  which were also co-accused, were found guilty on two charges of foreign collusion.

Mr Lai appeared calm as the verdict was announced and pressed his lips and nodded to his family before being escorted out of the courtroom by guards.

Mr Lais team said they are yet to make a decision on whether to appeal the verdict.

Mr Lais spirit is okay. The judgement is so long that well need some time to study it first. I dont have anything to add at the moment, said Robert Pang, who represented the media mogul at his trial, when asked about their next steps.

Mr Lais family have repeatedly raised concerns over his deteriorating health throughout his five years in detention, much of it spent in solitary confinement. His family say he has become weaker and skinnier during a marathon trial process, while he already suffers from pain, diabetes, heart issues and high blood pressure.

A prison van believed to be carrying Lai leaves court after the media moguls guilty verdict (Reuters)

Monday mornings verdict was denounced as a brutal end to free speech and a sham conviction of the media mogul.

The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a US-based, non-profit advocacy organisation, said Mr Lai was an iconic figure in the battle between those who uphold democratic values and Hong Kongs authoritarian government.

This verdict should surprise absolutely no one, said its UK and Europe director Mark Sabah. The trial against Jimmy Lai has been a grotesque exercise in legal subversion and chicanery  a show trial masquerading as justice. But whats actually been on display is the complete and total destruction of Hong Kongs reputation as a global legal centre.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. His release should be a condition of prime minister Keir Starmers planned trip to Beijing in January.

File. Copies of the last Apple Daily newspaper, which Lai owned, are seen stacked in Hong Kong early in June 2021 (AFP via Getty)

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said every day that Mr Lai was kept in prison increased the risk of his dying behind bars.

This sham conviction is a disgraceful act of persecution, said CPJ Asia-Pacific director Beh Lih Yi. The ruling underscores Hong Kongs utter contempt for press freedom, which is supposed to be protected under the citys mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

He demanded that Mr Lai be reunited with his family.

Reporters without Borders said it was outraged by Mr Lais conviction. It said the judgment marks the alarming deterioration of media freedom and that Mr Lai embodied the courage of independent journalists in Hong Kong.

Amnesty International said the verdict was dismaying, calling it a death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong.

Lai has been jailed simply because he and his Apple Daily newspaper criticised the government ... This verdict shows that Hong Kongs so-called national security laws are not in place to protect people but to silence them, Amnestys China director Sarah Brooks said.

It should also serve as a warning to all people doing business in Hong Kong: that pursuing opportunities in the city comes with severe legal risks.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is led into a police van as he heads to court to be charged in 2021 (AFP via Getty)

A long queue of residents and supporters of the pro-democracy icon was seen outside the West Kowloon district court building, waiting to secure a seat in the courtroom. Many remained outside as police tightly controlled the security around the court premises on the historic day in the 156-day trial.

Two of his supporters were seen holding bright red apples to represent his now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper.

Former Apple Daily employee Tammy Cheung arrived at 5am, saying she wanted to know about Mr Lai's condition after reports of his health.

She said she felt the process was being rushed since the verdict date was announced only last Friday, but added: Im relieved that this case can at least conclude soon.

Mr Lais conviction comes just weeks ahead of Sir Keirs expected visit to Beijing. A British citizen, Mr Lai has been at the centre of a case the UK government has described as a politically motivated prosecution, with Sir Keir facing growing pressure to demand Mr Lais release.
Sir Keir Starmer has landed in China for the first trip to the country by a UK leader in eight years, telling reporters that he will raise the issues that need to be raised with president Xi Jinping.

The prime minister has come under pressure from human rights groups to press for the release of British national Jimmy Lai, a former media tycoon and pro-democracy activist.

Mr Lai is facing a life sentence in prison after a Hong Kong court found him guilty of national security offences last December. He has already spent five years behind bars for his role in Hong Kongs 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Sir Keir told reporters on his flight: In the past on all the trips Ive done, Ive always raised issues that need to be raised. But part of the reason for engaging with China is so that issues where we disagree can be discussed.

Lai was arrested just two months after this photo was taken in June 2020 (AFP/Getty)

Mr Lai, 77, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper, which was forced to close after a police raid and asset freeze in June 2021, pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.

But after a two year trial, three judges handed down a guilty verdict, with Judge Esther Toh saying Mr Lais actions left no doubt that he had harboured resentment for the Chinese government.

She said that the court was satisfied that Lai was the mastermind of conspiracies against the Chinese government and that his evidence was at times contradictory, inconsistent and unreliable.

Who is Jimmy Lai?

Born in mainland China, Mr Lai fled to Hong Kong aged 12 by stowing away on a fishing boat, where he began work as a child labourer in a garment factory.

He built his fortune through fashion empire Giordano, before becoming an outspoken democracy advocate following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters fighting for political reforms in Beijing were killed.

In 1994, Mr Lai become a full British citizen. Despite having never held a Chinese or Hong Kong passport, he is regarded as a Chinese citizen by Hong Kong authorities.

Mr Lai began the producing Chinese-language and pro-democratic newspaper Apple Daily before the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China, as he aimed to maintain freedom of speech in the territory. The paper was openly critical about the Chinese government.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, 72, poses during an interview with AFP at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong (AFP/Getty)

Why was he imprisoned?

A known pro-democracy campaigner, Mr Lai was known to Chinese authorities ahead of the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, prompted by Beijings growing crackdown on wide-ranging freedoms through the national security law.

Mr Lai described the legislation as "a death knell for Hong Kong", and his Apple Daily newspaper was critical of the reforms while being supportive of the protestors.

On 10 August 2020, Mr Lai was arrested alongside his sons on the accusation of collusion with foreign forces and fraud. Later that year he became the first high-profile figure to be charged for allegedly conspiring and colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, under the new legislation.

He has since been charged and banned on separate cases of unlawful assembly and other crimes relating to pro-democratic protests in Hong Kong.

Lais declining health

Mr Lai has spent much of his imprisonment in solitary confinement  and his son has been outspoken about fears over his health.

The millionaires son, Sebastien Lai, claimed last year that his father, who suffers from diabetes, had lost a significant amount of weight and that he had been denied independent medical care.

Jimmy Lais son, Sebastien has hit out at his fathers treatment (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Lai's lawyer, Robert Pang, told the court that he had experienced some episodes where he felt that he was collapsing and had heart "palpitations", prompting the court to adjourn proceedings and order that he be provided with a heart monitor and medication.

The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a US-based, non-profit advocacy organisation, said Mr Lai was an iconic figure in the battle between those who uphold democratic values and Hong Kongs authoritarian government.

Responding to his conviction in December, its UK and Europe director Mark Sabah said: The trial against Jimmy Lai has been a grotesque exercise in legal subversion and chicanery  a show trial masquerading as justice. But whats actually been on display is the complete and total destruction of Hong Kongs reputation as a global legal centre.

Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. His release should be a condition of prime minister Keir Starmers planned trip to Beijing in January.

My father has been treated inhumanely, his son, Sebastien Lai, previously told The Independent. But he is defiant and strong. It is ridiculous that in his display of bravery, the prime minister [Sir Keir] will not meet with me, he added.
Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon, is facing life in prison after being found guilty of national security and sedition offences, in one of the most closely watched rulings since the citys return to Chinese rule in 1997.

Soon after the ruling was delivered, rights and press groups decried the verdict as a sham conviction and an attack on press freedom.

Britain reiterated its stance that the prosecution was politically motivated and called for the immediate release of Lai, who is a British citizen. Lais conviction comes just weeks before an expected visit to Beijing by the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer.

Related: The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself

Lai, 78, has been in jail since late 2020 on remand and serving several protest-related sentences totalling almost 10 years. Mondays conviction, in which judges called him a mastermind of conspiracies designed to destabilise the Chinese government, came after a controversial trial that stretched for more than two years.

Lai appeared in the West Kowloon district court on Monday, in a grey jacket, flanked by armed guards as he sat in the glass-walled dock, as his family sat nearby. Crowds of supporters and onlookers, some of whom had queued overnight, had packed the main courtroom and several spillover rooms to see the highly anticipated  but widely predicted  verdict delivered.

Lai had been charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion, under the citys punitive national security law (NSL), introduced in 2020, and a British colonial-era sedition law that has seen renewed use in recent years by authorities.

Prosecutors had accused Lai of using his media outlet, Apple Daily, and foreign political connections to lobby for governments to impose sanctions and other punitive measures on Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.

He had pleaded not guilty to all charges, but in their 855-page judgment the judges, who are picked by the government for national security cases, said the evidence was clear.

Related: Hong Kongs last major opposition party disbands amid Chinese pressure

There is no doubt in our mind that the first defendant never wavered in his intention to destabilise the governance of the CCP [Chinese Communist party], and despite the enactment of the national security law, he was intent on continuing, though in a less explicit way, the high court judge Esther Toh told the court on Monday, reading out a written judgment.

The next court date is 12 January, and Lai has an opportunity to appeal.

The ruling was welcomed by Hong Kongs chief executive, John Lee, and its security police chief, Steve Li, who said the judges were professional. In Beijing a foreign ministry spokesperson said the Chinese government supported Hong Kong authorities efforts punishing criminal acts that endanger national security.

Rights groups condemned the verdict, with the Committee to Protect Journalists calling it a sham conviction and a disgraceful act of persecution.

The ruling underscores Hong Kongs utter contempt for press freedom, which is supposed to be protected under the citys mini-constitution, the Basic Law, said the Asia-Pacific director of the committee, Beh Lih Yi.

Jimmy Lais only crime is running a newspaper and defending democracy. The risk of him dying from ill health in prison increases as each day passes  he must be reunited with his family immediately.

Amnesty Internationals China director, Sarah Brooks, said the verdicts predictability didn not make it any less dismaying. Elaine Pearson, the Asia director at Human Rights Watch, called the conviction cruel and a travesty of justice. The Chinese governments mistreatment of Jimmy Lai aims to silence everyone who dares to criticise the Communist party, Pearson said.

Taiwans mainland affairs council, the government department in charge of China policy, also called for Lais release. This ruling serves as a declaration to the world that Hong Kongs freedoms, democracy and judicial independence have been systematically eroded, it said.

Three Apply Daily entities  Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited  which were co-accused with Lai, were also found guilty of the two foreign collusion charges.

Lai had pleaded not guilty to all charges, telling the court he had hoped against hope that the US president, Donald Trump, would stop Beijing imposing its national security law on the city, but that he had never tried to influence foreign policy or ask foreign officials to take concrete action on Hong Kong.

A frequent criticism of the Hong Kong authorities national security prosecutions is that they at times appear to apply it retrospectively, even though it is not supposed to be applied that way. Messages and meetings from before the law was imposed formed a major part of the prosecution against Lai.

In its judgment the court said it was very clear to them that Lai had harboured his hatred and resentment for the [Peoples Republic of China] for many of his adult years, and had been thinking about how the US could apply leverage towards China from long before the national security law was introduced.

The only reasonable inference we can draw from the preponderance of the evidence, is that the first defendants intention  pre or post NSL  was to seek the downfall of the CCP, even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the people of the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] and HKSAR [Hong Kong Special Administrative Region].

Samuel Chu, the head of the US-based Campaign for Hong Kong, said the case was a grave miscarriage of justice, tried under a legal architecture fundamentally remade to ensure conviction.

For anyone who has engaged Hong Kongs legal system in good faith  as lawyers, advocates, or observers  this represents a decisive rupture with the citys common-law tradition, he said.

On Monday, there was a large police presence  uniformed and in plainclothes  outside the West Kowloon district court, as well as a large media gathering. The queue for the public appeared smaller than on previous key moments, such as the day Lai gave testimony, and big days for other cases such as that of the Hong Kong 47, which drew hundreds of people.

Lais national security trial had lasted more than two years. During that time the Hong Kong government had laws rewritten to limit bail rights and restrict foreign lawyers from defending Lai. Final arguments were delivered in August.

Lais family have repeatedly raised concerns about his ailing health, as he languished in solitary confinement, allegedly subjected to petty efforts designed to demoralise him. Hong Kong authorities repeatedly rejected the accusations.

Supporters and observers had queued outside the court on Monday, some arriving the previous night to gain entry to the court complex. Passersby noted widespread allegations that some people were often paid by pro-Beijing groups to reserve seats that might otherwise be taken by supporters and international observers. But none of those in the queue would speak to the Guardian.

Simon, an older Hong Kong man, said he wanted to support Lai and his wife, Teresa, by being here. He and a friend were holding bright red apples, to represent the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper which Lai founded and which stands as his co-accused.
December 15, 2025: In September the USAF successfully operated with Norwegian forces in the Norwegian Sea to test the Quicksink maritime weapon system in a realistic combat situation.

The test involved a B-2 bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri with Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s to caddy out a long-range attack operation against a surface vessel. The B-2 used a Quicksink bomb to attack and sink an unmanned vessel. This Quicksink incorporated a 228 kg GBU-38 JDAM guided bomb.

Three years ago the U.S. Air Force and Navy developed a cheap alternative to the torpedo called Quicksink. This weapon uses a modified version of the JDAM kits that turn an inexpensive unguided dumb bomb into a GPS guided bomb. Quicksink, like regular guided bombs, can be released up to 24 kilometers from the target. The GPS coordinates are programmed into the JDAM kit before releasing the bomb or altered after launch from the aircraft. When the Quicksink bomb gets close to the target, it goes underwater and glides to the nearby ship, detonating against the hull like a torpedo. The U.S. conducted a test against a large cargo ship scheduled for scrapping that was towed into position on a maritime test range. The Quicksink bomb performed as intended and hit the ship underwater, blowing it in half like a heavy torpedo, costing millions of dollars. The ship sank within minutes.

Quicksink was not intended for use against warships equipped with air defense systems, or commercial ships escorted by such warships. Even in wartime a lot of large cargo ships travel alone and Quicksink would be a more efficient and cheaper alternative than using torpedoes. Quicksink is resistant to GPS jammers because its alternative INS Inertial Navigation System is unjammable although less accurate. When the target is a large commercial ship moving at its normal slow cruising speed to reduce fuel costs Quicksink still works.

The warplanes carrying Quicksink also carry targeting pods that enable pilots to see, in great detail, what's happening on the surface, even when the aircraft is flying at 6.8 kilometers altitude. For example, the pod users can tell if someone down there is dressed as a man or a woman, or is carrying a weapon. With much larger naval targets, identification is a lot easier. Any aircraft, including heavy bombers, can use the pods for attacking ships at sea. In 2011 a B-1B successfully used laser guided JDAM bombs against moving naval targets. These tests involved the B-1B using its Sniper targeting pod to put the laser beam on the target. The JDAMs homed on the laser light reflecting off the moving target ships. The laser guided bombs are more expensive than Quicksink and do not attack underwater like a torpedo.

Targets would be enemy shipping, especially in the early stages of a war. Quicksink could also be useful in some wartime situations, like a Chinese amphibious attack on Taiwan. The Chinese plan to use dozens of large R0/Ro, or Roll on/Roll off ships that could put hundreds of armored and unarmored vehicles on certain beaches or any dock. These ships are unarmed and American or Taiwanese aircraft could launch several Quicksinks at each target, using accompanying EW Electronic warfare or SEAD Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses aircraft to suppress anti-aircraft air defenses long enough for the Quicksinks to be launched and reach their targets. At the very least, Quicksink forces China to reconsider their current invasion plans. A Quicksink kit with small wings would provide an even longer over 60 kilometers glide range for Quicksink.

With Quicksink available China has to worry about their commercial shipping in general, especially in the early stages of a war when many of those ships operate independently and are vulnerable to Quicksink.

Quicksink builds on the American experience with air dropped naval mines. These were used since World War II, with each generation of air-deliver mines becoming more capable. In 2018 the U.S. successfully used a JDAM glide and satellite navigation kit to deliver a 909 kg Quickstrike naval mine to a location over sixty kilometers from a B-52 bomber that can carry dozens of these mines. For this test Quickstrike had no explosives, just inert material to maintain the proper weight. The Quickstrike had its naval mine sensors and other electronics plus a locator device. That enabled a ship to locate and recover the Quickstrike, which was found to be functioning properly.

These tests began in 2015, using a 228 kg Quickstrike and later a 456 kg Quickstrike. Now the Air Force or Navy can deliver all three sizes of these Quickstrike ER extended range mines using JDAM.

The original Mk-62 Quickstrike was basically a 500-pound bomb, with a sensor package attached to the rear. There were three different sensor packages, each providing a different set of sensors to detonate the mine. The Mk-62 is a bottom mine, which is dropped in shallow water, and then detects a ship passing above using pressure of the ship on the water, magnetism of the metal in the ships hull, or vibration. The sensor also comes with a computer, to enable the mine to follow certain instructions, like only detonating for ships that meet certain criteria. Think of Quickstrike as the ultimate underwater weapon, being relatively inexpensive, autonomous and relentless in carrying out its mission.

One drawback with the Quickstrike is that the aircraft delivering it had to drop the mines at an altitude of 300 meters or less while moving at 500-600 kilometers an hour. The mines are usually dropped in known shipping lanes, especially those that serve as approaches to a major port. World War II air dropped mines proved devastating to Japanese shipping. Same thing with their use against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Any bomber aircraft that can go in low and slow can deliver Quickstrike. The F-35, F-18, B-2, B-1B, P-8 and P-3C can also deliver naval mines. The U.S. air force and navy revived regular Quickstrike bombing exercises nearly two decades ago and publicized them to send a message to North Korea, Iran and China about how quickly their seaborne lifelines could be cut. China responded by stationing air defense systems to cover the shallow water sea lanes that Quickstrike could be used in.

The United States has since developed Quickstrike ER. The current JDAM smart bomb kit comes with wings that enable the bomb to glide up to 70 kilometers thus avoiding many enemy air defenses. It also means you dont have to risk your nuclear subs for the delivery of these mines. Subs have long been an effective way to plant mines in enemy waters. The JDAM approach does not eliminate all risk from anti-aircraft systems. China and Russia have modern S-300 and S-400 systems with ranges of over 200 kilometers. But the farther away the attacking aircraft are the less they are at risk. Thats because American aircraft go into combat with EW electronic warfare aircraft and EW devices on all aircraft. That provides a lot of protection but it is not 100 percent and the less time you spend in the danger zone the less risk you are exposed to.

More improvements are planned for Quickstrike. The next step is to test longer range glide bombs like JASSM, with a range of up to 900 kilometers. The original JDAM bomb kit, added to 500, 1,000, and 2,000-pound bombs, costing $26,000 each. The longer range, 120 kilometers JSOW JDAM with larger wings and more powerful guidance system, cost $460,000 each. The even longer range JASSM cost $500,000, the 400 kilometers version to $930,000 the 900-kilometer JASSM ER each. Air defense systems can detect JDAM, JSOW and JASSM but with some difficulty because these glide bombs are small, low and slow moving.

China has not developed systems similar to Quickstrike or Quicksink in part because Western nations have more commercial ships operating over a wider area than China, which only has one coastline that is much smaller than the combined coastline of Western nations.
The working group to come up with a new definition of Islamophobia was originally convened by Angela Rayner - Leon Neal/Getty Images

The Government was due to publish its watered-down definition of Islamophobia today, with the Communities Secretary giving it his seal of approval before rolling it out across public bodies.

But the murder of 15 people on Bondi Beach by Islamist terrorists has led to a rethink. Is it too much to hope that this misguided project will now be shelved indefinitely?

According to Baroness Gohir, a member of the working group convened by Angela Rayner that came up with the new definition, free-speech campaigners like me should welcome it. Its of anti-Muslim hatred rather than Islamophobia, so wont target criticism of Islam.

Its better to have one that addresses the [free speech] concerns out there rather than the one that people are criticising, says the Labour peer.

Thats a reference to the definition of Islamophobia the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims came up with in 2018 and which was enthusiastically adopted by the Labour Party. Admittedly, that was worse than the new one. It said anyone using the phrases Muslim grooming gangs and Asian grooming gangs was an Islamophobe. According to Baroness Caseys 2025 report on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, it was fear of appearing racist that made some people reluctant to speak out about the grooming gangs.

But just because the new definition isnt as bad as the old one doesnt mean it wont have a chilling effect on free speech. It includes prejudicial stereotyping as a form of anti-Muslim hatred, and that could inhibit a social worker or school teacher in a Muslim area from drawing attention to child sexual exploitation, not to mention female genital mutilation or forced marriages.

It might also give news organisations pause before mentioning the religion of the father and son who carried out the terrorist attack in Australia. The danger of any definition, however carefully drawn, is that it will make people think twice before referring to Muslims doing anything wrong, prioritising them above people of other faiths.

Indeed, that perception  that the Government is granting Islam a privileged status  may itself fuel anti-Muslim hatred. Recent polling by JL Partners found that only 20 per cent of the public is in favour of an official definition, with 31 per cent thinking it a wholly or somewhat bad thing.

Whether framed as anti-Muslim hatred or Islamophobia, semantics are not going to save the prospect of a new definition from sinking badly with the British public, said pollster James Johnson.

Defenders of this initiative point to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which was adopted by Theresa Mays government in 2016 and endorsed by all her Conservative successors. Why should Jews have an official, state-approved definition of anti-Semitism, but not Muslims of anti-Muslim hatred?

The obvious rejoinder is that Jews are more likely to be the victims of violent attacks. Theres also the thin-end-of-the-wedge argument. If Muslims, then why not similar protections for Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists? Except theyre not necessary because stirring up religious hatred is already prohibited by the Public Order Act 1986 and discriminating against people on the basis of their religion or belief is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.

To my mind, the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is more defensible because it was produced by an alliance of 35 governments around the world committed to Holocaust education, Holocaust remembrance and Holocaust research, not a working group convened by a now disgraced Labour politician.

But if the object of the exercise is to reduce attacks on British Muslims, the experience of British Jews in the wake of October 7 2023 tells us that rolling out state-approved definitions of racial and religious hatred doesnt work. In 2024, the Community Security Trust recorded 3,528 anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, the second-highest annual total on record, and 1,521 in the first half of 2025.

According to Tell MAMA, anti-Muslim hate incidents have also increased since the terrorist attack on southern Israel. But if the Government is truly concerned about this, why embrace a solution we know doesnt work?

Theres a risk that senior politicians will now think theyve done what they can to address the problem of anti-Muslim hatred and neglect other initiatives that might actually make a difference. Rolling out the IHRAs definition of anti-Semitism may have contributed to the chronic complacency of successive British governments when it comes to protecting British Jews.

Another concern I have is that once this new definition has been officially adopted the police will feel obliged to investigate reports of anti-Muslim hatred that clearly arent criminal offences and record them as non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs).

Last year, Yvette Cooper, then the home secretary, said she wanted the police to record more NCHIs in relation to Islamophobia. Not only is that a waste of police time  Policy Exchange estimates the police spend 60,000 hours a year investigating and recording NCHIs  but the fact that youve committed a non-crime can show up in an enhanced criminal records check, preventing you from getting a job as a teacher or a carer.

I appreciate Baroness Gohirs efforts to come up with a definition that isnt as bad as the previous one. But wouldnt it be better not to have one at all? Addressing racial and religious hatred requires governments to do more than making these virtue-signalling gestures.

Lord Young of Acton is the director of the Free Speech Union
Photographs of the four suspects, who all live in Los Angeles - Damian Dovarganes

A far-Left New Years Eve bomb plot has been thwarted by the FBI.

Four suspects, who are in custody, planned to set off improvised explosive devices in California after testing them in the desert, the FBI said at a press conference.

One of the ringleaders allegedly presented an eight-page handwritten document to an informant titled Operation Midnight Sun describing the plot.

All the individuals arrested were part of the far-Left, pro-Palestine, anti-capitalist group The Turtle Island Liberation Front, according to officials.

The bureau said the plan was foiled as a direct result of the order signed in September by the Trump administration designating Antifa as a terrorist organisation.

Bill Essayli, the first assistant United States attorney for the Central District of California, said the suspects were part of a far Left, anti-government domestic terrorism cell.

The four people arrested in connection with the plot are: Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30, Zachary Aaron Page, 32, Dante Gaffield, 24, and Tina Lai, 41. They are all residents of Los Angeles.

Akil Davis, the FBI assistant director in charge, announces four people have been arrested - Damian Dovarganes

Ms Carroll and Mr Page were described as the leaders of the alleged group.

All four have been charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

They plotted to plant backpacks containing explosive devices at five locations at midnight on New Years Eve in the Los Angeles area, the document said.

Two companies, which have not been identified, were the main targets, investigators said.

Mr Essayli said they were Amazon-style logistics companies.

A posted shared by Turtle Island Liberation Front

The alleged terrorists drew up step by step instructions to build IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, and listed multiple targets.

At one point Ms Carroll is even said to have remarked: What we are doing will be considered a terrorist attack.

The group also allegedly discussed plans for follow up attacks targeting ICE agents and vehicles with pipe bombs, which Caroll said would take some of them out and scare the rest.

On Dec 12th the group allegedly travelled to a remote part of the Mojave desert where they had brought bomb making materials to assemble and test them.

They had everything they needed to make an operational bomb at that location, Mr Essayli said. The group were allegedly arrested as they were about to run the test.

The group were arrested while assembling bombs in the desert, the FBI said

Material that was found during the raid on the Turtle Island Liberation Front group - Department of Justice/UPI/Shutterstock

After the arrests, FBI agents searched Ms Carolls residence and found posters which read: Death to America. Long Live Turtle Island and Palestine.

Mr Essayli said that the group were willing and wanting to do more if they could recruit more members.

He said: This case is another reminder about the dangers that radicalised Antifa-like groups pose to public safety and the rule of law.

All four suspects were also members of an even more extreme group called the Order of the Black Lotus, he added.

Speaking after the arrests, Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, said that the FBI prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot.

She said: The Turtle Island Liberation Front  a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group  was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Years Eve.

Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, said the bureau disrupted a credible, imminent terrorist threat and arrested four individuals connected to the Los Angeles area.
The son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner has been arrested after the filmmaker and his wife were found dead at their home in Los Angeles.

Family members confirmed the deaths of Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, who married in 1989. Police earlier said that they were treating the deaths as homicide.

Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on Sunday and charged on Monday - he is now being held in custody on $4 million bail, according to inmate records at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time, a spokesperson for the Reiner family said in a statement.

The couple were found in their $13.5 million Brentwood mansion by their daughter, Romy, People magazine reported.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele pictured at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 2018 (REUTERS)

Both appeared to have suffered stab wounds, sources familiar with the matter said.

The New York Post earlier reported that the couples 32-year-old son, screenwriter Nick Reiner, was a person of interest.

Nick has previously spoken about his issues with addiction, which on one occasion led to him being homeless.

His experience with addiction led him to co-write the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie.

Nick told People in 2016: I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.

Reiner was one of Hollywoods most popular directors. He is best known for a slew of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and 90s, including This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride.

Reiner with his son Nick (WireImage)

When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal and comedian Larry David arrived separately at the home and stayed briefly; Crystal looked like he was about to cry, a neighbour told ABC.

US actor James Woods said he and Reiner had been friends since they made 1996 thriller Ghosts Of Mississippi together.

In an online post, he said: "The studio didn't think I was old enough to do the part, but Rob fought for me.

"Political differences never stood in the way of our love and respect for each other. I am devastated by this terrible event."

Frozen actor Josh Gad described Reiner as "one of the greatest directors of our time" in a post on Instagram.

He said: "He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine.

Police stop vehicles from entering the Brentwood Park neighbourhood where the bodies Rob Reiner and wife Michele were found (REUTERS)

"He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us."

John Cusack, who starred in Reiner's film The Sure Thing, wrote on X: "Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner - a great man."

The Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood, who appeared in Reiner's 1994 family film North, posted: "Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle. So much love to their kids and family."

Prominent political figures also paid tribute, including former US president Barack Obama, who wrote on X that he and his wife Michelle were "heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele".

He added: "Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people-and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiners death a devastating loss for the city.

Rob Reiner's contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice, Ms Bass said in a statement.

An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.

California state governor Gavin Newsom said: "Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity."

Reports say authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the people found dead.

US publication Variety said a family spokesman for Reiner confirmed "the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner" to them, in a statement that added: "We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."
Keir Starmer speaks at a liaison committee hearing in London on Monday - AFP/PRU

Everyone got what they wanted for Christmas. Nigel Farage was endorsed by a porn star. Kemi drove a racing car. And Keir Starmer addressed a committee representing the heads of other committees, who mostly raised questions about procedure.

Hopefully this wont put you off politics for life, joked liaison committee chairman Meg Hillier to a school trip sitting in the audience. But that, presumably, was the point. People now take their pupils to Parliament the way they used to make them visit a prison  behave yourself laddie, or youll end up here  and the old saying that anyone can grow up to be prime minister is no longer an aspiration. It is a stark warning.

Behold Keir Starmer, the leader of the half-free world! His hair neatly bostiked; his face, blamelessly smooth.

This is a man who, famously, doesnt dream (as opposed to Mrs Thatcher, who never slept)  but if he did, this committee would be it, and it would be his idea of erotic. Alberto Costa, a quiet Scotsman, kicked things off on ethics, by reading out vast chunks of the ministerial code and asking the PM to shout if hes breached any of them. Paragraph 1.6/D states, and I quote...

My golly, politicians are weird. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown used his one question to ask why the PM hadnt promptly replied to a letter. Mandarin Meg asked: You talk about having a conversation and leading a conversation, who are you having conversations with? My conversations need to be more formalised, admitted the PM, and that needs to be fast-forwarded.... We need to be fixing things more fundamentally, which involves pulling levers to cut through the thicket of reasons why you cant do anything.

Keir Starmer with the liaison committee in the House of Commons on Monday - House of Commons/UK Parliament

The kids looked dumbstruck, open-mouthed, dead inside. A boy at the back with ginger hair seemed to close his eyes and scream inwardly. He was thinking he shouldve done drama, not politics. They got to see Cats.

The show livened up with a debate about the BMA strikes: Theyve lost the sympathy of the public, said Sir Keir, and he can sure sympathise with that. Even Labour MPs seem browned-off: Cat Smith asked if hed reconsider the agricultural death tax, claiming that farmers were considering suicide over it. And Patricia Ferguson broke the news that green jobs arent keeping pace with the fossil fuel jobs theyve replaced, listing dying projects with depressing names, such as Grangemouth or the oil refinery at Dead Mans Gulch.

Is there a danger, asked Bill Esterson, that people will say you havent kept your promises? One might answer that this is the least of his worries. When youve an approval rating lower than Liz Truss or Saddam Hussein, surviving the week without a leadership challenge becomes the real Christmas miracle.

Still, the PM was unusually upbeat, light on his feet  and, in the final round of questions, it became obvious why. Tell us about Ukraine, asked Meg.

Im meeting Zelensky tonight in Berlin, replied Keir, with shades of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Why?  because no one can figure out what purpose such meetings serve. Except, I suppose, as a nice Christmas break. Skating at Alexanderplatz and Fidelio at the opera house. Frohe Weihnachten, Prime Minister!
Museum employees hold a banner reading Louvre on strike near the institutions glass pyramid in Paris. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters (Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

The crisis-hit Louvre museum in Paris was closed on Monday as workers began a strike to demand urgent renovations and staffing increases, and protested against a rise in ticket prices for most non-EU visitors, including British and American tourists.

The worlds most-visited museum  which has had a difficult few months after a jewel heist, a damaging water leak and safety fears over a gallery ceiling  could face days of partial or total closure at one of its busiest times of the year if many of its 2,100-strong workforce vote to continue striking this week.

The Louvre is still reeling from the theft on 19 October, when a four-person gang raided the museum during daylight hours, stealing an estimated 88m (77m) of French crown jewels in seven minutes before fleeing on scooters. Four men have been arrested and placed under formal investigation, but the jewels have not been found.

In November, a water leak damaged 300 to 400 journals, books and documents in the Egyptian department. A gallery housing nine rooms containing ancient Greek ceramics was then closed because of fears about ceiling safety.

All three trade unions at the Louvre  the CGT, Sud and CFDT  announced a rolling strike, saying: Staff feel today like they are the last bastion before collapse.

At a general meeting, 400 employees voted unanimously to begin the strike on Monday morning. At the picket line, one night security guard who said he had been working at the museum for 20 years said: Ive never seen staff this angry. Another daytime security guard, who had worked for 14 years checking visitors entering the museum, said: The pressure in our working lives is extreme.

The unions said the jewel robbery had shed light on years of difficulties, staff cuts and state underinvestment at the museum, which had 8.7 million visitors last year.

Many staff and union representatives said it was discriminatory that the Louvre was raising ticket prices by 45% for visitors from outside the European economic area to raise revenues to fund structural improvements.

People from countries including the US, Britain and China, which represent some of the highest numbers of visitors to the museum, will have to pay 32 to get in from January.

On the picket line, Vanessa Michaut-Valora of the Sud Culture trade union, who works in security in several wings of the Louvre, said the price increases for non-Europeans were unacceptable. She said: For example, how can you charge Egyptian visitors extra when they are coming to see their own works in our Egyptian collection? And the same goes for our Mesopotamia collections and other works.

She called for a stop to the major project announced by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, last January to build a new museum entrance and give the Mona Lisa, the worlds most famous portrait, its own room.

Money should be put into restoring and consolidating the building instead of building a new entrance to bring in even more people, she said.

Christian Galani, a CGT union official representing Louvre workers, said it was unacceptable discrimination to raise ticket prices for some nationalities. Worse still, these visitors would have to pay more to see a dilapidated museum, where they cant access the whole collection because we are chronically lacking staff and rooms are regularly closed off.

He said it was an absolute scandal to make visitors from certain countries pay for years of accumulated failings at a museum whose collection was made up of works from across the world.

It goes against the universality of culture and the idea of equal access, Galani said. For example, this will impact British tourists, yet if I go to the British Museum, its free.

Unions are concerned about staffing and working conditions after 200 jobs have been cut since 2015  many in security.

Galani, who works in the museums security control room at night, said of the strike action: We are so exasperated; this is the only way left to make ourselves heard. Problems have accumulated for years and the robbery has brought it all to light. There has been neglect of both building renovation and security measures to protect the collection.

Last month, Frances state auditor said security upgrades had been carried out at a woefully inadequate pace and the museum had prioritised high-profile and attractive operations instead of protecting itself.

Guy Tubiana, a senior police officer and security adviser, who took part in an investigation ordered by the culture ministry after the jewel robbery, told senators he was stunned by what he had discovered at the museum.

There was a succession of malfunctions that led to catastrophe but I never would have thought the Louvre could have so many malfunctions, he said.

The preliminary investigation ordered by the government revealed a chronic underestimation of the risks of a break-in and underinvestment in security measures, the culture minister, Rachida Dati, said.

Philippe Jost, who headed the rebuild of Pariss fire-damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, is to undertake a study next month into a deep reorganisation of the Louvre.

The Louvre director, Laurence des Cars, as well as unions, had warned repeatedly before the break-in about conditions inside the museum and the cost of maintaining the vast former royal palace. In January, she said visiting the overcrowded building had become a physical ordeal.

A general meeting on whether to continue the strike is scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
A place of refuge  Coco Chanel in the lavender field at La Pausa in 1938 Photograph: Roger Schall  Schall Collection (Photograph: Roger Schall  Schall Collection)

It is the place where Salvador Dali painted The Enigma of Hitler, a haunting landscape featuring a giant telephone receiver that seems to be crying a tear over a cutout picture of the Fuhrer. Conceived in 1939, the work seems to anticipate war. It is also the place where Winston Churchill penned parts of his multi-volume A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, and painted its dappled-light view. Somerset Maugham would visit, too, as well as novelist Colette, composer Igor Stravinsky and playwright Jean Cocteau, partaking in lunches that lasted all day and night, with debates and discussions around artistic ideas.

This place is La Pausa: the Mediterranean villa in the hills of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, once owned by husband-and-wife writing duo Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson, followed by French fashion designer Gabrielle Coco Chanel, who had it rebuilt from scratch at the end of the 1920s. She later sold it to an American publishing couple, Emery and Wendy Reves.

Sprawling yet monastic, the white-walled house  with blue shutters and black crittall windows clustered in groups of five in homage to Chanels No 5  has just been restored to its original specification, after being bought back by the luxury fashion brand in 2015. Architect Peter Marino studied countless photographs to get it right: from the concrete squares that sit in a quilt-like grid atop the lawn, to the potted cacti at the foot of the staircase. Original bedframes were bought, too, as well as the installation of an entirely mirrored bathroom, not unlike the one at 31 Rue Cambon, Cocos address in Paris.

But when youre restoring a place with such a rich past, how do you capture its spirit and honour its history, bringing to life the words and minds of its illustrious guests to create the most multi-layered portrait of all? Simple. You build a library.

Bookshelves are, after all, a record of the knowledge, characters and ideas that have swirled around someones mind, reflecting their interests, desires, and  often in the case of artists or writers  their friends. Whenever I go to an artists studio, or visit someones house, I am always intrigued about what lives on their shelves  especially if the writers are no longer alive. Its an intimate way to get to know someone. It deepens our understanding of them, gives us access to their interior worlds, takes us to places we didnt know theyd been to.

I remember visiting Alice Neels Manhattan apartment and seeing her many books on topics that ranged from socialism to psychoanalysis. And Leonora Carringtons Mexico City home was filled with texts on Buddhism, magic, Celtic history, as well as books on loneliness.

But what if someones library could continue to grow after they had gone? Had the residents of La Pausa lived on, what books would they continue to read, and how might we perceive them in the present day?

This was the challenge set by Chanel during the restoration, aided by the specialist booksellers at Hatchards in London (where Cocos lover, the Duke of Westminster, had an account) and 7L in Paris. Given a list of 100 books that Chanel was known to have cherished and read, the team set about choosing titles in line with her scholarship. But they also wanted to create a broader portrait of her friends and interests, and who and what passed through La Pausa. And what has happened since, across music, architecture and fiction, says Yana Peel, president of arts, culture and heritage at Chanel.

Entering the wood-panelled library was like stepping into the minds and worlds of those who stood there before me. Adorning the shelves were biographies of Picasso by John Richardson, rare editions of Cecil Beatons Scrapbook, dust jackets designed by Vanessa Bell for her sister Virginia Woolfs book, The Waves; plus first editions of those who frequented the French Riviera, such as F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. There were also books by (or about) guests who visited the villa, from Somerset Maugham to Greta Garbo, as well as glimpses into their private worlds, with the bound volumes of Jean Cocteaus letters.

We believe the future is made with fragments of the past, says Peel, which is why the library is also brought up to date with works by Hilary Mantel, Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith and Rachel Cusk. To make it even more contemporary, says Peel, as our guests come to visit, they will leave their own books.

Standing back and admiring the library as a whole, you sense a sprawling web of artists who worked, conversed, inspired and consumed each others works  directly and indirectly  across centuries. And at its centre was a woman who shaped, and is still shaping, culture today. But why would a library be important to her?

Books were the very medium Coco harnessed to escape from her hard and humble beginnings. Aged 11, she was left parentless after her mother died of tuberculosis and her father abandoned his daughters at an orphanage run by Cistercian nuns at the abbey of Aubazine. Never with much money, she found canny ways to access books: I read everything  We never bought books at home; we cut out the serial from the newspaper and we sewed together long sheets of yellow paper. Thats what little Coco lapped up in secret  I copied down whole passages from novels  [they] taught me about life.

Books were a place of refuge, a conduit for Coco to dream about being the heroine in her own fabulous tale and imagine countless other lives for herself. One has to remember how difficult it would have been for her as a woman to build an empire from scratch, decades before women even got the vote in France. It would have required huge amounts of imagination and storytelling. As she said: Books have been my best friends.

So when it came to restoring La Pausa, the library was to be its beating heart and pensive mind, the place that held everything together. In many ways, arent all of our bookshelves? They reflect back to us what weve done, learned, and have stored inside of us; who weve met (sometimes literally as well as imaginatively) and how weve escaped. As with Neels and Carringtons, they reveal our curiosities, secrets and desires. Memory palaces housing our sprawling inner worlds, they can be the most intimate portraits of all. Take a look at your own bookshelves and ask: What do they say about me?
Almost 800 migrants made the journey across the English Channel in small boats over the weekend after crossings stopped for the longest period in seven years.

Bad weather prevented crossings for 28 days during November and into December, but 737 people arrived in the UK on Saturday as conditions improved. A further 52 came to Britain on Sunday, Home Office data shows.

There is understood to be a backlog of migrants in France waiting to make the perilous journey.

A total of 11 boats carrying more than 700 people arrived in Kent on December 13, according to Government figures. One boat made the crossing on December 14.

It brings the total for the year so far to 40,081 people. The last time more than 40,000 migrants crossed the Channel was in 2022 when 45,755 made the journey.

Migrants were last recorded as arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel on Sunday, November 14 (PA Wire)

The total for 2023 was 29,347, while 36,816 crossed last year.

The period of 28 days without migrant boats is the longest uninterrupted run since 2018.

The French Maritime Prefect said it had received reports of several migrant vessels departing on Saturday.

At about 10.50am, four people are reported to have fallen in the sea in the Sangatte area.

They were recovered from the water, all of them suffering from hypothermia.

Later than afternoon another small boat suffered from engine failure and 28 migrants were recovered before the vessel restarted and continued its journey across the Channel.

The French Maritime Prefect said in a statement: "Given the structural fragility of systematically overloaded boats, the choice is made not to force migrants to embark on the (French) state's rescue means, to avoid endangering their lives in the event of a shipwreck."

People thought to be migrants onboard a small boat in Gravelines, France (PA Wire)

Home Office efforts to tackle small boat crossings have been ramped up in recent months.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy met ministers from other European nations earlier this month to discuss reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) that would make it easier to deport illegal migrants.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in November announced a raft of immigration changes, which included making refugee status in the UK temporary and subject to review every 30 months.

Refugees would also be sent home if their country is deemed safe under the proposals.

The Government's "one in, one out" agreement with France began in August and as of 27 November 2025, seeing some 153 people sent back across the Channel.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better. This Government is taking action.

We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.

The Home Secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here.

It comes as it was revealed that the number of asylum seekers waiting to appeal against the rejection of their claims to remain in Britain has almost doubled in the last year.

More asylum claims are now stuck in the appeals pile-up than are waiting for an initial decision, which is frustrating the Governments attempts to close migrant hotels.

Ministry of Justice figures show the backlog reached 69,670 by September, up from 34,234 in September last year.

Meanwhile there are a total of 62,171 asylum claims relating to 80,841 people awaiting an initial decision.
Heritage Cheese has been fined 75,000 for food hygiene offences (Ray S / Google Streetview)

A cheese shop in south London has been fined 75,000 after food hygiene inspectors uncovered a "widespread infestation" of mice.

Heritage Cheese Kitchen Ltd was convicted in November for breaches of food safety standards at its two sites in Dulwich and Tower Works, near Tower Bridge.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard the first breach occurred in May 2024, when officers found mice droppings on the floor, shelves and food preparation areas at the Dulwich store.

A walk-in fridge contained a kilogram of ham that had been gnawed at by rodents and contaminated by their faeces. The sullied ham was immediately destroyed by officers onsite and the shop agreed to close down.

Further safety failings were uncovered during a visit to the Tower Works site in June 2024, with "extensive mouse droppings" found on shelves, in storage areas and in crates used to transport cheese. There was no running hot water and equipment used to cut food was unhygienic and unsanitary.

When asked by inspectors, staff were unable to provide expiry dates for 30kg of cheese, which was destroyed. The business closed its doors.

Over 30kg of cheese was destroyed as workers were unable to provide expiry dates (Southwark Council)

The Dulwich store was previously honoured as a cheese monger named by the Dulwich Estate in 2021 and it ran stalls at markets in Crystal Palace, Horniman, Victoria Park and Alexandra Palace, as well as cookery classes.

The business attracted food enthusiasts from far and wide and their produce was served during art exhibitions

But Southwark Council launched a prosecution following the discovery of rodent droppings, which led to a 75,000 fine, plus a 2,000 victim surcharge and almost 3,000 in prosecution costs - totalling 79,979.60.

Cllr Natasha Ennin, portfolio holder for community safety at Southwark Council, said: "These were extremely serious breaches that put the public at risk. Our officers found unacceptable hygiene conditions, contamination of food, and a complete disregard for basic food safety standards.

"Businesses serving food in Southwark must meet their legal responsibilities, and where they fail to do so, we will not hesitate to take action."

The company's activities will reportedly be monitored by Southwark Council. An 82-year-old Italian woman, residing in Italy, is named as the sole director of Heritage Cheese Kitchen Ltd.

The business's address has changed multiple times from Walthamstow, to South Woodford, to East Dulwich, and Beckenham.
A Labour minister has publicly criticised Sir Keir Starmer after he received no explanation about why he was sacked from his cabinet role earlier this year  adding his wife was furious about the decision.

Culture minister Ian Murray has broken ranks and lashed out at Sir Keirs decision to replace him as Scottish secretary, a move which many in the Scottish Labour Party remain unhappy about.

Mr Murray was the first to be sacked in Septembers reshuffle, caused by the resignation of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner over her failure to pay 40,000 of stamp duty on her new flat in Brighton.

He was only appointed to a senior role in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport after a backlash when he was replaced by the current Scottish secretary, Douglas Alexander.

Ian Murray is angry over his sacking in September (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

But in an interview with Holyrood magazine, Mr Murray has made it clear he is still bitter about the experience.

He said he has been given no explanation about why he was sacked, despite asking on a number of occasions.

Mr Murray said: For me, the hardest part was the complete lack of any sort of recognition for doing a half-decent job. Thats the hardest bit.

The second hardest bit is having no explanation of why I was sacked, and as we sit here today, I still dont have that, despite me asking on a number of occasions.

The third bit is that I didnt think I deserved the public humiliation of it all. I genuinely dont know why it happened and that feels like an unfair gap.

Speaking about his wife, he added: Its fair to say that Mariam was absolutely f****** furious.

Mr Murray said his wife felt he was massively underappreciated in the cabinet, as he tried to balance family life, working with dozens of Scottish Labour MPs elected last year, being in government and travelling between London and Scotland.

She was most angry about the fact that the prime minister didnt have an explanation, he added.

It comes as another minister in Sir Keirs cabinet told The Independent last week that sacking Mr Murray from the Scotland Office role was a mistake.

The minister warned: Ian was a team player and never made it about him. Removing him was very bad for morale. Douglas will want to take credit if there is a victory [in the Holyrood election in May] but will likely blame [Scottish leader] Anas [Sarwar] if things go badly.

However, it is understood that Mr Alexander, who was Scottish secretary in Sir Tony Blairs government, is seen as a big beast by key figures in Downing Street, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, with extensive experience as an election campaign strategist.

He told journalists last week that he is optimistic about Scottish Labours chances, not least with the arrival of former Tory minister and merchant banker Lord Offord as Reforms likely leader in Scotland.

He believes that Mr Sarwar can win in a presidential style contest between SNP first minister John Swinney and Lord Offord.

The Holyrood elections are likely to be a pivotal point for Sir Keirs potential survival as prime minister.

If the results for Labour are bad in Scotland, Wales and London in May, he will likely be ousted, with speculation that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is planning a return to take over.

Downing Street briefed that health secretary Wes Streeting was planning a coup and there is also speculation about energy secretary and former leader Ed Miliband wanting to return, as well as a plot around Ms Rayner becoming leader.

Sir Keir has already had to endure one humiliation from a cabinet minister he sacked in the reshuffle after former Commons leader Lucy Powell immediately won the deputy leadership contest, beating his preferred candidate, education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander replaced Mr Murray (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Meanwhile, Mr Murray also told how when offered his current ministerial posts in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, he took five hours to consider whether to accept them.

That came the day after his sacking as Scottish secretary, with Mr Murray recalling: My big questions about coming back into government were, why was it not offered to me at the time  and it wasnt  why has the decision now been made and why?

If Im not good enough for the Scotland Office, why am I now number two in two major UK departments?

However, he said he is now enjoying his meaty policy portfolio, and the experience has taught him to shout about his achievements more  a lesson he believes Labour ought to take ahead of next years Holyrood election.

Mr Murray said the party has already done so much in government at Westminster and it is up to us as a party to shout about our achievements, because no one else will do it for us.
Nazli Merthoca, 24, was found guilty of manslaughter (Met Police)

A mother who killed her three-month-old daughter by violently shaking her when she lost her temper has been jailed for nine and a half years.

Nazli Merthoca, 24, was convicted of the manslaughter of her daughter Kaylani Kalanzi, who died after being admitted to hospital with brain injuries, a broken leg and fractured ribs.

The Old Bailey heard Kaylani was on the radar of social services even before she was born and placed on a child protection plan.

On July 8 2024 she was admitted to hospital having been violently shaken, with an impact to her head. She died in hospital 15 days later.

Merthoca faced trial over her death, and in October a jury cleared her of murder but found her guilty of the lesser alternative charge of manslaughter.

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC said the 24-year-old lost her temper with the baby after an accumulation of factors and also challenged social workers instead of accepting their help.

Jailing her for nine and a half years on Monday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, called the death of the baby a loss of a precious life.

The impact of the death of Kaylani will be felt by many, he told Merthoca.

You will have to live with the knowledge that you killed your daughter.

Benjamin Aina KC, defending, told the Old Bailey that his client had faced a number of significant challenges in her life, including suffering physical abuse as a child and entering the care system when she was 12 years old where she started being groomed by older men and relying on cannabis and alcohol.

He also told of her grief over Kaylani.

Merthocas partner, Herbert Kalanzi, 35, had also been on trial, accused of causing or allowing Kaylanis death, but was cleared by jurors.

He had been formally acquitted of her murder on the directions of the judge.

The two, from East Ham, east London, did not give evidence at their trial.

During the trial, Ms Johnson told jurors that Merthoca was in a mutually abusive relationship with Mr Kalanzi.

Kaylani had been born prematurely and spent 29 days in the special care baby unit at North Middlesex Hospital before being allowed home on May 13 2024.

Social services were involved with the family and allowed the defendants custody of Kaylani after they demonstrated they were fit parents, jurors heard.

Mr Kalanzi had agreed to attend Caring Dad, a programme aimed at engaging fathers to enhance the safety and wellbeing of their children.

But the prosecution asserted the defendants relationship was so damaged that the social services strategy was doomed to fail.

Ms Johnson told jurors that on July 8 2024 the ever-present risk to Kaylani became a fatal reality.

Shortly before 10.30pm, the defendants called emergency services from Merthocas grandmothers flat in Homerton, east London, where the family was staying at the time, saying Kaylani had stopped breathing.

When paramedics arrived, Merthoca failed to inform them that Kaylani had been shaken, causing bleeding to the brain, damage to her eyes and fractures to her tibia and ribs, the court was told.

Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital noted Merthoca had become upset at being questioned about what happened, and had claimed she was being blamed because of her race and gender.
December 15, 2025: The Cuban economy is in freefall along with infrastructure and living standards. Most Cubans try to survive on a monthly salary of about $15. Nearly 90 percent of families live in extreme poverty. Electrical power is shut down four hours a day in most areas and is completely absent in many rural regions. This means no running water, air conditioners, working toilets or sanitary food preparation.

Public transportation has largely disappeared, as have a quarter of the population, most of them to the United States. These expatriates send money back to their families in Cuba, making these people relatively affluent. Exports and imports have shriveled. In the last six years the economy has contracted 11 percent.

The real power in Cuba is the military organization called Grupo de Administracion Empresarial/Gaesa. This group considers itself Communist and most Cubans blame communism for all their current troubles. Unless the current government can somehow deal with the current disasters, the result will be a new government that Cubans believe will succeed. That would likely be a more democratic government that is willing to restore good relations with the United States. Thats an impossible dream to many Cubans, having lived under Communist rule for so long. Then again, impossible dreams often come true once all the other alternatives have been tried and failed.

This all began at the end of the 1990s when Cuba sought new partners to replace the defunct Soviet state. The Russians were once a valued communist ally. That is now over, never to return. Rescue came in the form of Chinese intelligence officials looking for a suitable place to set up a surveillance system that would monitor the Americans. By 2023 Cuba was a base for secret Chinese espionage operations. China paid Cuban officials billions of dollars for this opportunity. This money was welcomed because Cuba, since the 1960s, had cheated foreign companies out of billions of dollars by preventing these firms from getting their money and other assets out of the country. Cuban government officials simply seized foreign assets.

It wasnt always this bad. In the 1950s Cuba had the largest economy in the Caribbean. When the communist rebels took over in 1959, the economy fell apart. Russian advisors arrived to establish and operate an efficient police state. While the Soviet Union eventually collapsed because of economic failure, they left behind all the tools and assets needed to create a Cuban police state. Cuban officials now controlled employment and any misbehavior or threat to the state meant the offenders were out of work. The government could also jail anyone for any reason at any time. The only ones getting rich were the Cuban officials who controlled the jobs and judicial system. This is still how it works in Cuba

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro died in 2016. There were concerns about what happened next. This was particularly the case with the Cuban military. The Cuban Army regularly displayed its elderly and obsolete Soviet tanks and other light armored vehicles. But the primary power was the large number of troops armed and trained as paramilitary forces. The Soviet tanks, trucks and other equipment were poorly maintained, if at all, and left to rot in ramshackle warehouses. Troops used bicycles to get around. Some active duty troops and forces and specialized units are capable. There are lots of rifles, pistols and other weapons in the country. About ten percent of the population is alleged to be still willing to fight in support of whoever came after Fidel. Practically, only some of the paramilitary forces might be still willing to try.

Most communist dictatorships have been replaced by democracies since 1989, and all have prospered. North Korea and Cuba remain faithful to communist rule and their citizens are unhappy with this arrangement. At least Fidel Castro had the personality, and the popularity needed to placate the population. His less effective successor was his brother Raul, who fancied himself a dictator that was not to be questioned. Raul was aware of his shortcomings when thousands of Cubans fled the country for the United States. Raul announced that he sought to improve relations with the United States. That was different because Fidel Castro had exploited the testy relationship with the United States as part of an effort to stay in power. Fidel used the threat from the north angle since the 1960s to keep the impoverished and imprisoned Cuban people with him. He worked until he died in 2016. His brother Raul succeeded him and retired in 2021.

The resulting Cuban unrest resonates in the United States, which is only 150 kilometers away. In Florida, a key state in national elections, the well-organized Cuban American minority is a political force to be reckoned with. And then there are also the problems that would accompany Cuban Americans getting actively involved in post-Fidel politics. Some Cuban American leaders have made no secret of their eagerness to do this. Trying to figure out what the current Cuban leader, Miguel Diaz-Cane, is up to is a pressing issue in the Pentagon, as it is back in Cuba.

Meanwhile Cuba has become the central asset for the new Chinese signals intelligence/SIGINT site that gathers information on American military operations throughout the southeastern United States. China built the islands telecommunications infrastructure. Cubas sole internet provider is the Chinese Huawei firm. Cuba uses Huawei software to filter internet searches. By doing so, China created a system capable of surveillance and much more. This was obvious in mid-2021, when Cuban government officials shut down internet and telephone services, preventing Cuban protestors from communicating with anyone outside their island country. Cuba receives an undisclosed annual payment from China, most of it disappearing into the pockets or offshore bank accounts of a few Cuban leaders.

The United States has 572 military personnel in the Guantanamo enclave in eastern Cuba.
To absolutely no ones surprise, after a two year trial, the Hong Kong democracy activist and former media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, has been convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kongs National Security Law and publishing seditious material. His sentence may be life imprisonment, but given that he is 78 and suffering from diabetes which has not been properly treated in detention, this may not last long. In any event he has already spent more than 1800 days in solitary confinement.

He was notably cheerful in court as his sentence was pronounced  perhaps because his family was present  but it is a grim prospect for him and, as is the intention, for anyone else thinking of criticising Chinese rule within Hong Kong. All his co-defendants pleaded guilty; chillingly, five became prosecution witnesses. The judgment was, however, applauded in a statement by China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, which, in Mao-speak, called Lai a "running dog" and a "lackey" for external forces.

His son, Sebastian, put the matter another way in a press conference today. His fathers offence for China, he said, was that he "essentially said stuff that they didn't like".

Jimmy Lai is a rich man and he could have got out of China before his arrest in 2020 under the new National Security Law. He didnt though. He stayed put to show solidarity with other democracy protesters.

And who are the individuals with whom he is found to have had seditious contact? They include the last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patter, David Alton, the human rights campaigner in the Lords, Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader and Benedict Rogers, head of the organisation, Hong Kong Watch. Scary, huh? Plus Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Mike Pence and Nancy Pelosi, among others.

Ben Rogers, who was named 95 times in the judgments tells me that being given this sort of prominence was a surprise to me because there was nothing dangerous or seditious about our contactsthey were innocuous. We talked about our shared Catholic Faith, and democracy; we were not plotting to do anything dangerous.

Prosecutors accused Lai of using his media organisation Apple Daily  a pro-democracy newspaper - to conspire with others to publish seditious materials between April 2019 and June 2021. Some 161 articles were found to be seditious, including 33 opinion columns written by Jimmy Lai. For his part, Lai told the court the Apple Dailys editorial policy reflected the core values of Hong Kong citizens who cherished greater freedom and democracy. He also denied lobbying for sanctions after the introduction of the National Security Law, saying that it would have been suicidal to do so.

But really, as Ben Rogers observes, for many years Beijing has seen him as one of their strongest opponents. It was to do with this remarkable story of rags to riches and becoming a successful entrepreneur and using his wealth to support the democracy campaign.

For now, says Rogers, theres nothing left in terms of anything organised or active of the democracy movement; theres no space in Hong Kong to carry out pro-democracy activities. The conviction comes immediately after the decision yesterday of the one remaining opposition party, Democratic Party, to disband. No democracy movement can operate in Hong Kong now, Rogers says.

The conviction comes straight after decision yesterday of the one remaining opposition party, Democratic Party, to disband

This judgment is shameful for Britain, and not just because Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. At the heart of the settlement by which Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997 was the Basic Law  the so-called one country, two systems arrangement. It protects rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech - which do not exist in mainland China - and also allows for local elections. But what price that law now? Then there was the Sino-British Joint Declaration which contains promises by China to retain Hong Kongs way of life and by the UK to monitor the situation and ensure the Chinese promises are abided by. That doesnt count for much now either, does it?

Britain was the colonial power for a century; it was under British rule that Hong Kongs people acquired their awkward taste for freedom of expression and freedom of speech which now can get you put in prison. It is time for the two British judges, Lord Neuberger and Lord Hoffman, who sit on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal to leave that post; they want to uphold the judicial independence of Hong Kong, but they are operating within a system in which that isnt possible.

More to the point, the Government should put Jimmy Lai and the 200-odd political prisoners in Hong Kong at the very centre of its dealings with China. That decision about the mega embassy in Royal Mint? That should be seen off on national security grounds but if it is approved it should be conditional on Jimmy Lais release. The PM is to visit China in January; any trade deal should also be conditional on his release.

And not just Jimmy Lai. David Alton, the peer mentioned numerous times in the trial, hosted Jimmy Lai and his wife at the House of Commons and remained in touch with him. He says that As we condemn this predetermined verdict, we must remember that this sham trial is only one of many in Hong Kong under the National Security Law. Many thousands of individuals languish in Hong Kong prisons on national security charges that range from the draconian to the simply ludicrous.

This matter concerns Britains honour, if we can still talk in these terms. The Government must insist on Jimmy Lais release, not only on account of his failing health, but because of this countrys own obligations to Hong Kong as the former colonial power. These things matter. We are righteously indignant about Russian aggression in Ukraine; well, the plight of Jimmy Lai and democracy activists in Hong Kong is actually Britains direct responsibility. Jimmy Lai is a brave man; he deserves our support. Over to you, Sir Keir.
Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever met with defeat for the first time after failing to reel in Oldschool Outlaw on her hurdling debut at Naas.

Winner of her only start in the point-to-point field, the Willie Mullins-trained Bambino Fever carried all before her in the bumper sphere last season, scoring at Punchestown and at Leopardstowns Dublin Racing Festival before beating the boys in Grade One company at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring.

She was the 1-4 favourite to pick up where she left off in the Care At Home Services Mares Maiden Hurdle, with Paul Townend taking over in the saddle from his sister, Jody, but while the market leader jumped well in the main she was unable to peg back a talented and race-fit rival.

A first career defeat for Bambino Fever! The top bumper horse from last season has to give best to Oldschool Outlaw on her return and hurdles debut in yet more success for the flying-along @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/pMbdanAtI4  Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 15, 2025

Oldschool Outlaw (3-1) had won a Listed bumper at Navan last month on her first start since joining Gordon Elliott and after taking the lead racing down the back straight, she kept finding for Jack Kennedy to keep the closing Bambino Fever at bay by half a length.

Elliott, completing a treble on the card, said: You should never be afraid of one horse and if you were afraid of one every day youd never run. In Ireland you cant duck and dive  there is no hiding place.

I thought it was a good performance from our mare, albeit we had fitness on our side. Jack said she wasnt for passing and said she was very gutsy. He felt she was in front too soon.

I think shell be better over a bit further. We knew she was jumping well at home and she had a couple of runs in point-to-points.

Paddy Power cut Oldschool Outlaws odds for the Mares Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham to 6-1 from 33-1, with Bambino Fever remaining their 7-2 favourite.

Elliott added: Well probably keep her to her own sex, and I think she could be one for the mares race at Cheltenham. Id imagine one more run and then straight to Cheltenham.

Open Secret was a second winner on the card for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy (Alan Magee/PA)

Elliott also denied Mullins in the curtain-raising BAR 1 Betting NEW APP OUT NOW Beginners Chase, with Kennedy conjuring a late charge out of Prends Garde A Toi (5-1) to get up and beat the front-running King Alexander by a neck. The latters stablemate and 8-13 favourite Funiculi Funicula was back in third.

The Cullentra teams second winner came via Open Secret, who romped to a seven-length success in the BAR 1 Betting Merry Christmas Maiden Hurdle.

Id say Prends Garde A Toi is more of a handicapper than a graded horse, but hell win his races and he could make a nice three-mile chaser down the road, said the trainer.

It was a good performance from Open Secret. Hed a good run the last day in Wexford and probably should have nearly won but he stumbled at the back of the last.

He stays well and Jack said he loved that ground.
Patients who experience a sudden dental crisis are meant to be able to get help from their own dentist or by calling NHS 111. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images (Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

People needing emergency dental care in England are being denied help from the NHS despite guidance saying that it should be available, in some cases resorting to risky self-treatment such as pulling out their own teeth, the patient watchdog has found.

Patients who experience a sudden dental crisis such as a broken tooth, abscess or severe tooth pain are meant to be able to get help from their dentist or by calling NHS 111.

But research by Healthwatch England shows that people in pain are unable to get an appointment and in some cases are being forced to travel more than 100 miles, spend hundreds of pounds going private or even travel abroad to get care.

In some cases people are turning to self-treatment including pulling out teeth or taking unprescribed antibiotics.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

Related: Plan to increase access to NHS dentists in England a complete failure, MPs say

In a blog, Healthwatch England said: People across England tell us they are unable to sign up with an NHS dentist for routine care. Even when they have been taken on as regular patients at an NHS dentist, many people wait months for a routine appointment. We have repeatedly highlighted these significant issues with accessing NHS dentists.

As a result, problems are not being prevented or treated early enough, and urgent care becomes the only form of dental care people can access.

The government has committed to delivering 700,000 additional urgent appointments a year through to 2028-29.

In a dental emergency people should be able to get an urgent appointment within 24 hours or seven days, depending on the symptoms. Sometimes this is through a persons regular NHS dentist, or via an urgent appointment arranged by calling 111, who may have details of practices that will see urgent cases.

NHS 111 data shows that calls about dental issues in England have risen recently. Between July and September 2025, call volumes were about 20% higher than in the same period the previous year.

When local Healthwatch teams in the north-east recently conducted mystery shopping calls to urgent services, volunteers made up to 15 calls without finding any available urgent care.

People told the watchdog about long and exhausting attempts to secure an urgent NHS dentist appointment. For some, this meant hours spent on hold to 111, while for others it meant being referred to urgent care and then being told that no appointments were available.

Elsewhere, the watchdog found when patients managed to get urgent dental treatment, the relief was only temporary.

The blog said: When urgent dental services shift from being a safety net for occasional crises to a default route for care, prevention is neglected, and patients suffer.

It added: People report extreme pain, sleepless nights and worsening dental health. Many people feel forced to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds for private treatment, borrow money from family and friends, or use their pensions or benefits to cover costs.

Practices offering urgent dental appointments are often located far from peoples homes. People have described journeys of up to 110 miles, round trips taking two to five hours, with some even travelling abroad for treatment. Some people told us they resorted to self-treatment or unprescribed antibiotics, raising serious risks.

The watchdog has made a number of recommendations, including calling for the NHS Business Services Authority to publish monthly progress data on the 700,000 urgent appointments target. As part of dental contract reform, it says the government should introduce a legal right for people to register with an NHS dentist to improve access, strengthen prevention and patient pathways and support long-term planning.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: This government inherited a NHS dental system decayed after years of neglect. We are working hard to turn things around, rolling out extra urgent dental appointments and reforming the dental contract to increase capacity and get more NHS dentists on the frontline. There is more to do but this government is determined to fix Britains broken dental sector.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Jason, 56, has been missing for the past month (The Metropolitan Police)

The Metropolitan Police continue to search for a man who went missing from Hackney and have launched another urgent appeal to find him.

Jason, 56, has not been seen for the past month since leaving his home in Hackney, east London, on November 5.

He is described as 6ft tall, with a skinny build, and was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black bottoms and black Sketchers.

Photos of Jason, which were taken in January 2024, have now been provided by his family.

Jason can be better seen in CCTV from October 22 taken in a shop on Theydon Road, Hackney.

Jason, 56, seen on CCTV footage (Metropolitan Police)

Officers believe that this footage, taken before he went missing, better show what Jason looks like now.

Jasons sister Amanda said, Jason, if you see this, we love and miss you. Knowing you are safe will be the best Christmas present we could ask for.

We need to find Jason, as he is vulnerable. If you see him, please contact the police."

Sergeant Kevin Hook, of the Central East Command Unit, said: "We remain increasingly concerned for Jasons welfare, as he has now been missing for several weeks.

Officers are working tirelessly to locate him as soon as possible.

Jason is described as 6ft tall with a skinny build (The Metropolitan Police)

Jason is seen here on CCTV (The Metropolitan Police)

Id like to thank Jasons family for working so closely with us during this investigation. They grow more anxious by the day to see him returned to them safe and well.

We are asking anyone who may have seen Jason or has information about his whereabouts to contact police immediately.

They have asked that anyone who might have information that could help police with their investigation to call 101, quoting ref 876/07NOV.
A family-run pork scratchings factory in the West Midlands has been gutted by a devastating fire ahead of Christmas, putting supplies of the snack at risk.

West Midlands Fire Service dispatched more than a dozen crews on Sunday evening to tackle a large blaze at G. Simmons & Sons Pork Scratchings in Bloxwich, Walsall.

Witnesses reported thick smoke billowing across the area as firefighters worked through the night to contain flames that engulfed the industrial unit.

The company, a wellknown supplier of pork scratchings and crackling snacks, has now issued a statement to customers, which read: Last night our factory [...] experienced a fire. This has been a devastating event for our family-run business and our team, and it is something we are still coming to terms with.

We are incredibly grateful that no one was injured. Right now, we are carefully working through the recovery process, assessing the damage, and doing everything possible to rebuild and resume operations as soon as we are able.

Witnesses reported thick smoke billowing across the area in Bloxwich, Walsall (West Midlands Fire Service)

Pork scratchings, strips of salted pigs skin cooked until crisp, are believed to originate in the area known as the Black Country, and boomed in popularity in the early 20th century. The fire has left the business temporarily unable to produce any products, raising concerns about supply chains and availability in shops.

Local residents expressed sympathy on social media, while firefighters said the blaze involved two large drums of cooking oil and took more than 14 hours to fully extinguish.

The company added: This situation is challenging, and we truly appreciate your patience, understanding, and support during this difficult time. Your continued trust means a great deal to us.

One well-wisher wrote: Tragic news but as you say no one was injured. Hope you get things sorted quickly and can put this behind you. As a retired small business owner I understand how upsetting these things can be.

The companys roots are in the Black Countrys hearty food tradition, evolving from a small butchers shop to one of the UKs leading producers of pork scratchings.

Founded over 40 years ago by Graham Simmons, the business began by making sausages, burgers, black pudding, faggots, and pork scratchings at the back of the family shop in Walsall. Over time, the scratchings proved so popular that they became the companys signature product. In 1994, Simmons moved into the purposebuilt factory in Bloxwich, where production expanded.

The business is run today by Grahams sons, Shaun and Mark, and supplies supermarkets including Asda and Morrisons.
Reform UK has announced plans to cut 68,500 civil service jobs should the party win the next general election.

The proposal, led by East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger, who is overseeing the partys preparations for government, aims to reduce the salary bill by 17 per cent and save taxpayers 5.2bn each year.

Speaking in Westminster, Mr Kruger detailed the financial impact: Thats 4bn in averted salary costs, which will be realised within two years, and 1bn in averted pension contributions that will be realised in the years ahead.

The partys initial reform phase also includes investing an additional 400m, totalling 500m, into a bonus pot.

This fund is intended to reward high-performing civil servants, moving away from what the party views as over-generous pension contributions.

Mr Kruger insisted these plans would improve central government operations, describing them as radical and thorough.

Reform UK MP Danny Kruger, who is leading efforts to get ready for government, said the plan would cut the salary bill by 17 per cent and save the taxpayer 5.2bn a year (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He said: Someone once said that a hard rain is going to fall on Whitehall, and I do see the need for serious weather, but after the rain, after the storm, there will be sunshine  its going to be a better place to work.

Asked how he expected to attract talent to the civil service by reducing pension contributions that form a key draw for many to apply, he said: We value people who have a long career in the civil service. Obviously, their pension should reflect their service.

Nevertheless, we dont want an organisation in which the main reason to work there is that you can look forward to a good pension once you retire.

We want people to work for the public interest, and we want the type of people who will be incentivised by the opportunity of performance-related pay, rather than a distant and over-generous pension.

He said he expected the cost of civil service redundancies to pay for itself within two years under Reform UK plans, based on it costing around 60,000 to let someone go.
Russia would accept Ukraines accession to the European Union as part of a U.S.-brokered agreement to end the bloody and protracted war Vladimir Putin started nearly four years ago, U.S. officials said Monday following talks with Ukrainian representatives in Berlin.

The surprising revelation came as officials were briefing reporters after several days of negotiations between U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and a delegation from Kyiv that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his National Security and Defense Council head, Rustem Umerov.

One of the U.S. officials involved in the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the proposed 20-point agreement would include a very, very strong security package that would provide Ukraine with Article 5-like security guarantees from the U.S. and other allies, akin to those enjoyed by NATO members, without Kyiv becoming a part of the 32-member defensive alliance.

Steve Witkoff meets with Zelensky in Berlin (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)

The official called the security guarantees the biggest win in the talks for Ukraine and Europe, and said Moscow would accept those and other provisions that would provide for a strong and free Ukraine following implementation of the proposed agreement.

He also said Russia is open to Ukraine joining the E.U. and suggested that the development would be the largest expansion of the 27-member common market since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A second U.S. official said the right framework in an agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war could create a new path forward under which Europe and Russia can finally have an arrangement and understanding that can lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone.

News of Moscows potential willingness to accept Ukraine joining the E.U. as part of a deal, with strong security guarantees from the U.S. and others, comes less than a day after Zelensky offered to drop Kyivs longstanding desire for NATO membership at the outset of the talks between himself, Witkoff and Kushner.

Trump with Zelensky in the White House earlier this year (AFP/Getty)

In a WhatsApp chat with reporters, Zelensky noted that some partners from the U.S. and Europe did not support this direction of NATO membership for his country.

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, he added.

For the U.S. to guarantee a NATO-like response to an attack on Ukraine, any agreement would have to be submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification as a treaty, but one of the U.S. officials said Trump was willing to do this in order to give Kyiv the platinum standard for what can be offered.

He [Trump] sees this as a strategic priority that hes willing to do to end the war, because he thinks theres a lot of good things that can happen for the U.S. if this is done, he said.

If Moscow accepted a decision by Ukraine to join the E.U., it would represent a massive shift on an issue that helped spark the current conflagration between the two countries.

After the former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, rejected an agreement that would have led to greater ties between Ukraine and the E.U. in November 2013, subsequent protests and outrage over a bloody crackdown ordered by Yanukovych led to his ouster and replacement by a more pro-Western government in February 2014.

That same month, Russia invaded and illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean peninsula while also supporting separatist movements in the Eastern parts of the country that remain the focus of fighting nearly four years after the February 2022 invasion.
Russias central bank said it was claiming 18 trillion roubles from Euroclear. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters (Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Russias central bank has said it is seeking $230bn (170bn) in damages from Euroclear, as the Kremlin fired a warning shot against the use of Russian frozen assets to aid Ukraine.

The Russian central bank said on Monday that it was claiming 18 trillion roubles, according to local state media reports about the case launched last week.

EU leaders will decide later this week whether to use 210bn in Russian frozen assets to provide Ukraine with a loan to fund its defence and keep the economy afloat. Most of the assets, 185bn (162bn), are held at the Euroclear central securities depository in Brussels, which is the keeper of most of the Kremlins immobilised money.

EU officials have argued that the plan is legally sound because Russia remains the owner of its sovereign wealth, which was frozen in European jurisdictions days after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Moscow, however, said that using the assets is theft and has threatened to seize European private investors holdings in Russia. Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund, who has assumed a key role in peace talks, wrote on X that Russia will win in court and get [the assets] back, adding that the EU, the euro currency and Euroclear will suffer from the plan.

In an apparent attempt to draw a wedge between Europe and the US, Dmitriev described the assets plan as a vicious attack on property rights and the international reserves system created by the United States.

Euroclear declined to comment. It has previously said it is facing more than 100 lawsuits in Russia.

While judges in EU countries will not recognise Russian court judgments, analysts expect Russia to seek enforcement in countries with ties to Moscow. The Bank of Russia may attempt to enforce a Russian courts decision against Euroclear in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, Kazakhstan and other friendly jurisdictions, if such assets can be identified, Gleb Boyko from the NSP law firm told Reuters.

EU officials said they are working on measures to discourage other countries from aiding any Russian legal action against Europeans, as well as safeguards to protect EU member states with assets in Russia from illegal expropriation.

Under the complex scheme, the EU would provide an initial 90bn loan for Ukraine using the cash at Euroclear, but Russias claim on the funds would remain untouched. Kyiv would only repay the money if and when Russia agreed to pay reparations for the immense destruction inflicted during nearly four years of full-scale war.

Belgium, backed by Italy, Bulgaria and Malta, has asked the EU to look seriously at an alternative way of funding Ukraine: common EU borrowing to fund a loan secured against using unallocated funds in the EU budget.

That move requires unanimity among the 27 member states, and Hungarys Kremlin-friendly government has already signalled its opposition.

Speaking on Monday, the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the reparations loan was the most credible option for funding Ukraine. The reparations loan is based on the Russian frozen assets, that means it doesnt come from our taxpayers money, which is also important, she said. It also sends a clear signal that if you do all this damage to another country, you have to pay for the reparations.
When The Observer released its investigation into The Salt Path, it shocked book lovers worldwide. According to original reporting by journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou, it appeared that author Raynor Winn had lied about  or omitted  many serious aspects of her life story.

The Salt Path, released as a book in 2018 and a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in 2024, details how Raynor and her husband Moth, lost their house after a friend invested their money poorly. It charts their fall into homelessness and the long walk that miraculously eased symptoms of Moths rare, terminal neurological disease (corticobasal degeneration or CBD). But the investigation put this whole narrative into question. It was alleged that Raynor had stolen large amounts of money from her place of work, gone into hiding, lost the house after borrowing around 100,000 from a family member, and owned land in France where she and her husband could have lived.

Experts on CBD interviewed by The Observer were highly cynical about Moths multiple miraculous recoveries across Raynors various memoirs, as well as the idea that he would have lived this long with the terminal disease.

Raynor has strongly denied the allegations against her, stating they are highly misleading.

The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives, she said. This is the true story of our journey.

Raynor and Moth Winn with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs at a special screening of The Salt Path (Getty)

Raynor also called the investigation grotesquely unfair and shared photographs of redacted clinic letters, addressed to her husband, that appear to show that he was treated for CBD/S [corticobasal syndrome] and has been for many years.

Now, Sky has released a documentary, The Salt Path Scandal, which not only recaps the saga in vivid detail but poses new questions about Raynors alleged myriad half-truths. Here is everything we are told by the film.

The Independent has contacted Raynors representatives for further comment.

The unravelling of this scandal all began with a juicy tip-off from a stranger

My first instinct is not to trust [a tip-off], says journalist Hadjimatheou, as she sits in front of an email she received. In the email, the sender writes that the couple had made up key pieces of information about their story, including the fact that their real names were Sally and Tim Walker, and gave the name of the village in Wales where theyd lost their house. None of that information was public. Journalistically, my instinct is if your real name isnt out there, what are you hiding? That was the first thing that made me think maybe theres something in this, Hadjimatheou continued. On screen, we see the email, which says: If you keep digging it will just go deeper and darker than even we can imagine.

People written about in the book come forward for the first time to dispute events

A man called Warren Evans read Hadjimatheous article and reached out, wanting to talk. In the book, he is called Grant and is framed as a superficial, wealthy person, who only seems to offer the couple sanctuary (and a portion of lasagne) because he thinks Moth is the poet Simon Armitage. What a bunch of crap, Evans says about this. In the book, when the couple get to Grants house, Moth is greeted by three beautiful women who flutter around him, offering him a massage  but that never happened. He never had a massage, says Evans. Certainly our autistic sons childminder was not going to go and wash somebody elses feet. No way.

Hadjimatheou also visits a healer woman from Glastonbury who remembers Raynor and Moth attending one of her sessions, though she says the author lied about marijuana being used and that Moth did not seem as described in the book.

The front cover of bestseller The Salt Path (Penguin)

Raynor Winn seems to have a victim complex

She really has a divisive us and them mindset, in which her and Moth are really the only victims in the book, says Hadjimatheou, having met some of the real people behind the books characters. And this isnt just with Grant, its with lots of the characters she meets along the Salt Path but of course the readers didnt know any of that, and they really open their hearts to Raynor and Moth and felt very sorry for them.

The couples neighbour in Cornwall figured out the scandal before The Observer did

Between 2019 and 2022, the couple lived on a farm in Cornwall where Raynor wrote her third memoir, Landlines. Unfortunately for them, they were under the casually watchful eye of neighbour and fellow author Ruth Saberton. Saberton found Moth to be extraordinarily full of life and vibrant, so she was shocked when she read Landlines. The more I read it the worse I felt... I felt bad for not realising what was going on. But I was confused because that wasnt what Id seen, says Saberton. He seemed OK. Ive got this cognitive dissonance between what Im reading and what Im seeing. So she went back through all Raynors books and made copious notes about what made sense and what didnt. Suddenly, with a critical eye, she realised that the truth had been glaring everyone in the face the entire time: this was obviously a work of fiction.

Anderson and Isaacs in the 2024 film (Black Bear Films)

Even if the publishing industry is to blame for this scandal, it is unlikely to change

Why was Raynor even allowed to sell her muddy story, asks Hadjimatheou. While no one at Penguin wanted to speak to the reporter, she tracks down Amelia Fairney, who had a career at the publisher for two decades and amusingly now works for a disinformation charity. There is no formal fact-checking process for memoirs, says Fairney, but Raynor would have signed something in her author contract confirming that everything she has written is true. After The Salt Path achieved bestseller status, it would be difficult for a lone voice at Penguin to raise concerns about potential mistruths in the book, says Fairney, as the pressure is on to keep pumping out follow-ups.

People do trust books... And I think it would be a huge shame to jeopardise that, she says, of the legacy of this scandal. However, she makes the depressing point that while the publishing industry needs to look in the mirror, there is little incentive to: the scandal sent The Salt Path back to the top of the charts. I helped, admits Hadjimatheou.

Author Winn has said that her book is my honest recollection of the time when we lost our house and found hope (DPA)

A damning confession letter from Raynor Winn comes to light

A member of Raynors family comes forward with a confession letter apparently written by the author, who admits to stealing money from multiple people across her and Moths families and forging bank statements. Please dont look any further for the money. Ive taken it. All of it, the letter reads.

Its finally happening, someone knows! Cecile, Moths niece, says of the moment they saw the original investigation online.

If youre a person with a shady past, why would you write a memoir?

After uncovering all this information, Hadjimatheou still cant understand why Raynor has done this. Raynor Winn just suddenly seemed like a very different person. Shed taken real aspects of her story and cast them in a very different light, Hadjimatheou says. Maybe we all do this to some extent but when you market a memoir as unflinchingly honest, and youre prepared to go on the sofa on The One Show and say this is the truth, then I think there is a public interest in telling the reality as very, very different. Why didnt she lay low with her husband in France and have a nice, normal life after getting away with her multiple alleged thefts relatively unscathed? That is the true mystery here.

Raynor has denied the allegations in the documentary, stating on her website: Tortoise Medias Observer and documentary makers continue to spread a false narrative about my life, despite me having addressed them in my earlier statement.

As with most peoples lives, there will always be someone willing to criticise you, thats part of life. However, it is a great source of sadness that Tortoise Medias Observer and documentary makers are now seeking to drive a wedge between our family members. The family have always been able to share their concerns privately, and they still can.

I did not steal from family, as others can confirm. Nor have I confessed to doing so and I did not write the letter suggesting I did. Moth was diagnosed with CBD, now known as CBS, which is an Atypical Parkinsonism  this is a fact. We were homeless and we lost our house because of a financial dispute with a lifelong friend, as described in the book.

To everyone who has read and loved my books, thank you. Nothing has changed. The Salt Path remains my honest recollection of the time when we lost our house and found hope on the Coast Path.

Except in limited cases, where names of people or details of places and events were changed to protect privacy, as explained at the front of every copy.

Thank you to the thousands who have written offering love and support, it has meant so much to us.

The Salt Path Scandal is on Sky Documentaries at 9pm on Monday 15 December
Samsung is reportedly developing a new camera sensor that will fix the problems its Galaxy smartphones have, which is the motion blur when taking photos.

Samsung Develops New Camera Sensor to Fix Motion Blur

Sisa Journal reported that Samsung is currently developing a new camera sensor that will fix the issue on its Galaxy smartphone cameras called the motion blur, which many users have complained about in the past.

Motion blur happens when the shutter speed is set slowly on regular cameras like DSLRs, mirrorless, film cameras, and smartphones, and then users move slightly before the lens finishes capturing the image.

Historically, Samsung's smartphones have had issues with motion blur because of their camera lenses' shutter speed, and this especially happens when shooting low-light images.

However, this problem will no longer be an issue on future Galaxy smartphones as Samsung reportedly has a workaround to fix the problem, focusing on a unique technology for mobile devices.

According to the report, Samsung is developing a "global shutter-level image sensor" that is set to replace the rolling shutter method that the company used in the past, including the Galaxy S25 series.

The report said that any camera that uses a global shutter-level image sensor will capture all the pixels seen by the lens at once, instead of sequentially, based on pixel lines.

Read Also: Samsung Partners with Turkish Airlines to Track Lost Luggage Using SmartThings Find

Camera Sensor Has Drawbacks, but Samsung Has a Fix

There are various drawbacks to this new camera sensor that Samsung is developing, and the first issue was reportedly centered on slower processing, among other problems. Next, capturing every pixel at once will require a large sensor that could not fit in most smartphones on the market.

However, Samsung already thought ahead and has a workaround for the problems, and it addresses both issues already.

First, Samsung is answering the slower processing by combining a "pixel structure and algorithm technology based on existing rolling shutter hardware," focusing on an analog-to-digital converter within the pixels to read its own data (via 9to5Google).

Next, the company plans to keep it in a 1.5m pixel size within a "22 bundle," where one converter addresses every four pixels.

According to a Samsung official, a 2x2 bundle also brings a problem on its own, particularly as it could produce images with a "slight image distortion." That said, the company's new camera algorithm will fix this issue as it will apply motion compensation to images that it captures.

Samsung's Galaxy Phones to Receive New Camera Sensor

The report claims that this new camera technology is now in development for the Galaxy S-series of the company, but it was not explicitly mentioned which specific model it would first arrive with.

Next year's Galaxy S26 lineup is already being speculated to follow the usual release timeline of the company in early 2026, but this new camera sensor is still under development.

That said, it may be that this development is already nearing the final stage as a Samsung official already commented on the matter, and it may arrive for smartphones released later in the year, like the Galaxy Z foldables.
NewsNation, the cable news upstart that has positioned itself as a centrist alternative to CNN and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), has once again dipped into the Fox News well to fill out its programming lineup.

Days after the network announced that former CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield was stepping down from her primetime hosting duties to lead its true crime digital vertical, NewsNation revealed that Banfields old 10 p.m. ET time slot would be taken over by longtime Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich.

Pavlich will be the second ex-Fox personality to host a primetime show for the Nexstar-owned cable outlet. Leland Vittert, a former Fox News anchor and correspondent, currently hosts On Balance at 9 p.m. ET.

Were pleased to give our primetime viewers an additional hour of political news and analysis that helps them make sense of the days most important headlines, Nexstar Networks president Sean Compton said in a statement. NewsNation has always been committed to delivering straightforward, fact-based journalism for all Americans, which includes presenting diverse viewpoints and original ideas. Katie is a seasoned journalist and commentator, and we believe her unique voice will be a tremendous asset to our primetime audience.

In a press release touting the hiring of Pavlich, who also spent 16 years as the news editor of right-wing site Townhall, the network stated that Pavlich would offer her sharp insight on major news and current events, covering topics such as free speech, culture, immigration, national security, and foreign policy.

Longtime Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich has joined cable news upstart NewsNation to host her own primetime show (screenshot via Fox News)

The network also noted that Pavlichs new show, which will debut in early 2026, will feature spirited debates along with dynamic panel discussions and in-depth conversations with key newsmakers.

During her time at Fox News, besides serving as a political analyst, Pavlich regularly was a co-host of the conservative cable giants top-rated panel show The Five and filled in as a host for several of the networks opinion programs.

I am honored to join NewsNation during this dynamic period in its development, and the opportunity to anchor a primetime program is an exceptional privilege, Pavlich said in a statement. I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective on the news to Americans across the country, while presenting a venue for thoughtful debate across a wide spectrum of opinions. Its a front row seat to history  I cant wait to buckle in and get started.

Since its launch a few years ago, NewsNation has positioned itself as a middle-of-the-road option for viewers who felt the cable news landscape was too partisan. At the same time, Nexstar chief Perry Sook acknowledged that this meant that the network would appear to be more conservative when compared to many of its would-be rivals.

Sook told staffers that the goal from the start was to produce a telecast that reflects centrist views. As such, NewsNation would naturally lean more to the right than other mainstream news outlets because, in Sooks view, the political perspectives of journalists in most newsrooms lean to the left, Variety reported in March 2021, noting staffers in the early days of NewsNation were worried about conservative bias at the network.

Meanwhile, Pavlich joins a growing roster of ex-Fox News hosts and correspondents at the network, which has seen a steady growth in its ratings over the past year. In September, for instance, the channel saw a 23 percent bump in its primetime audience and an eight percent increase in the key demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54.

Besides Vittert, other one-time Fox employees hosting shows on NewsNation include former Fox Business Network correspondent Blake Burman, ex-Fox Business anchor Connell McShane, former Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Anna Kooiman, and longtime Fox News correspondent Laura Ingle.

The networks political director is Chris Stirewalt, who was fired from Fox News after defending the networks early but accurate Arizona call for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, Geraldo Rivera  who left Fox News after 20+ years in 2023 amid a feud with host Greg Gutfeld  joined NewsNation last year as a correspondent-at-large.

While much of NewsNations on-air roster has increasingly come from Fox News, the most-watched program on the network is hosted by ex-CNN star Chris Cuomo (NewsNation)

Of course, the network isnt completely manned by denizens of the Murdoch-owned right-wing empire, especially as it pushes its brand of centrism and both-sides news analysis as a key selling point.

The channels most-watched show is anchored by ex-CNN star Chris Cuomo, who has increasingly become more critical of liberals since returning to primetime television. Cuomo, who was dismissed from CNN for advising his then-governor brother on how to handle sexual harassment allegations, has raged that Democrats are dead following Andrew Cuomos mayoral primary loss to Zohran Mamdani.

At 7 p.m. ET, anchor Elizabeth Vargas will continue to lead the networks nightly newscast delivering the days biggest news stories with agenda-free reporting, NewsNation said in its statement on Pavlich's hiring. Host Chris Cuomo will continue to anchor CUOMO at 8 p.m. ET, bringing a no-nonsense approach to the days top news headlines while On Balance with Leland Vittert at 9 p.m. ET will keep exploring issues from both sides of the political aisle.

Pavlich joins NewsNation shortly after the network brought on so-called MAGA leftist Batya Ungar-Sargon to host a weekend show. The network called Ungar-Sargon a brilliant voice who understands the current sentiment of the country when announcing her new program earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Banfield  who had been hosting her primetime show at NewsNation since early 2021  will transition to leading true crime digital content for the network, which will include her sharing content from her Drop Dead Serious podcast with NewsNation. She will remain with the channel as a contributor and anchor her final broadcast of Banfield next month.
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol plotted with senior aides to provoke an armed aggression from North Korea to justify declaring martial law last December, the special prosecutor claimed.

The plot was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a coordinated strategy going back to 2023 which involved covert drone operations aimed at escalating tensions and plans to suspend the parliament, Cho Eun Seok said.

We know well from historic experience that the justification given by those in power for a coup is only a facade and the sole purpose is to monopolise and maintain power, Mr Cho told reporters on Monday.

He said investigators had concluded Mr Yoon and his senior officials sought to provoke a military response from Pyongyang ahead of the short-lived martial law declaration in December last year. The plan failed because Pyongyang did not take the bait, he added.

Mr Yoon and his five cabinet ministers were among 24 people charged with offences related to insurrection following a six-month inquiry.

Mr Yoon and his defence minister, Kim Yong Hyun, had designed a scheme to suspend the National Assembly and replace it with an emergency legislative body once martial law was declared, Mr Cho alleged.

To create justification for declaring martial law, they tried to lure North Korea into mounting an armed aggression, but failed as North Korea did not respond militarily, the special prosecutor said.

Investigators previously accused Mr Yoon and military leaders of authorising covert drone flights into North Korea to inflame tensions. When the plan failed to spark a confrontation, prosecutors said, Mr Yoon moved ahead with declaring martial law anyway, branding political opponents  including the then head of his own People Power Party  as anti-state forces.

File. South Koreas impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, centre, arrives for a court hearing in Seoul on 9 July 2025 (AFP via Getty)

In July, the defence ministry suspended its drone operations chief, Major General Kim Yong Dae, amid an investigation into whether military drones were illegally flown into the North.

The commander claimed the drone flights were part of a clandestine military operation to respond to the Norths act of sending trash balloons and werent intended to provoke the neighbour.

Mr Cho was appointed as one of three special prosecutors to investigate the martial law declaration after Lee Jae Myung won the snap presidential election necessitated by Mr Yoons removal from office by the Constitutional Court in April.

Mr Yoon is standing trial on insurrection charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death.

Several of his former ministers and officials face additional charges linked to the failed martial law bid.

South Korean Lawmakers, led by the liberal Democratic Party, voted to overturn Mr Yoons martial law decree within hours of its announcement on 3 December. The parliament later impeached the president for breaching his constitutional duties.

File. South Koreas special prosecutor says Yoon Suk Yeol sought to provoke a military conflict with North Korea ahead of his martial law declaration in 2024 (Getty)

Mr Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee, remains under a separate investigation by another special prosecutor over alleged corruption tied to activities before and during his presidency.

Prosecutors acknowledged that growing political pressure from the allegations could have influenced Mr Yoons actions but said that there was no evidence linking Ms Kim to the alleged conspiracy.

Park Ji Young, a spokesperson for the prosecution team, said Mr Yoons intelligence chief was due to travel to Washington the day after martial law was declared to pre-empt any objections from the US.

December was chosen deliberately to coincide with political distraction in Washington following Donald Trumps election victory, she added.

Mr Yoon has consistently rejected the accusations, insisting that declaring martial law was within his presidential authority. He has argued the move was intended to warn against what he described as the oppositions abuse of parliamentary power.
Sir Keir Starmer has called for a police crackdown on antisemitic chanting at demonstrations, including pro-Palestine marches, saying the government wont tolerate it.

The prime ministers official spokesperson said that while free speech is an important right in this country, that cant extend to inciting hatred or harassing others, saying the police will use their powers more robustly to tackle the proliferation of antisemitism.

It comes after two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday, killing 15 people and injuring a further 27.

On Monday, a spokesperson for a Jewish security charity warned that violent chants at protests if they are left unchecked can lead to deadly atrocities like the Bondi Beach attack.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said the police will use their powers more robustly to tackle antisemitism (PA)

Dave Rich, director of policy at the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said it is not a difficult connection to make between hatred directed at Israel during marches and this kind of violent terrorism.

He said calls for intifada and the phrase river to the sea, used by some protesters at pro-Palestine demonstrations, had not been challenged properly.

Meanwhile, chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis warned that hate speech has the potential to become translated into hate action.

He said: We have seen on a weekly basis, people out in the streets of cities in our country crying slogans which incite hatred  from the river to the sea; globalise the intifada.

What does globalise the intifada mean? Well, on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, we discovered what it means. On Bondi Beach, Australians discovered what is meant by those words.

And the time has come for us to make it absolutely clear that such speech is unlawful. Its not going to be accepted. Its gone on for far too long. So much of hate speech has the potential to become translated into hate action.

Asked whether the government would legislate to ban antisemitic chants, the prime ministers official spokesperson told reporters: The prime minister agreed that these particular slogans are calls to attack Jewish communities around the world.

Rabbi Levi Wolff lights a menorah at Bondi Pavilion to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach attack (Reuters)

He added: Free speech is an important right in this country, but that cant extend to inciting hatred or harassing others.

Weve seen antisemitic incidents proliferate at these marches, and we wont tolerate that.

The spokesperson continued: In addition to the police using their existing powers more robustly, the home secretary is also looking at the cumulative effect of marches and protests... and that includes looking at marches that happen in the same place every time, where they happen repeatedly, and the distress and effect that that has on parts of our community, such as Jewish people living in the UK.

Clearly the police also have existing powers and we expect them to use more.

In October, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said police forces would be granted powers to put conditions on repeated protests.

It comes after Mr Rich told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Weve had these huge protests that have been ongoing in our city centres and university campuses with language like calls for intifada, for calls for resistance, all sorts of violent rhetoric, calls for the state of Israel to be destroyed, the phrase river to the sea, which is taken by a lot of Jewish people to imply that.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said police forces would be granted powers to put conditions on repeated protests (PA)

And none of this language has been challenged or really addressed properly, either through law enforcement or by the organisers of these demos or by wider society. And Jewish people see a connection.

I think people see a connection between violent words, if they are left unchecked, and violent actions.

And so when you get terrorist attacks like the one we had at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, or the appalling atrocity weve just seen on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Jewish people make the connections.

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said people should refrain from using chants like globalise the intifada and from the river to the sea after the terror attack in Sydney.

Asked about the phrases, she told Sky News: I want to be very, very clear that chants like that, any chants that are designed to intimidate, call for violence, call for the murder of Jews, are totally unacceptable.

She said while people have a fundamental right to protest, they do not have a right to intimidate British citizens or call for violence in our streets, because sadly, we have seen the consequences of what happens when that is done.

Intifada is an Arabic word which means to shake off, according to the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU).

The phrase is used by pro-Palestinian activists that calls for aggressive resistance against Israel and those who support Israel, the American Jewish Committee says.

Mr Rich said such phrases should not be allowed in demonstrations, adding that there have been record levels of antisemitism in this country for two years.

He said: Every Jewish person has felt it and experienced it, and right across society  in workplaces, in institutions, regulators  people are too often turning a blind eye or taking the path of least resistance and allowing this problem to grow, and then we end up in situations where Jews get killed on the streets.

The latest official statistics, published in October and covering England and Wales, showed that Jewish people had a higher rate of religious hate crimes targeted towards them than any other faith group when all police forces were taken into account.

In the year to March, there were 106 religious hate crimes per 10,000 population targeted at Jewish people, the Home Office data showed.
Suspected looters are using kayaks to rob homes impacted by flooding in Washington, cops say

Looters used kayaks to float over to a vulnerable home affected by the devastating floods in Washington and rob it, cops say.

The historic floods have been battering towns in the state since last week, washing away homes and forcing full evacuations of some areas.

Now, according to deputies from the Snohomish County Sheriffs Office, some criminals have seized upon the chaos to carry out raids.

On Saturday, a homeowner told deputies from the SCSO that their property had been vandalized and their belongings stolen by burglars who had arrived on kayaks and other boats.

Bob Ferguson, the Washington Governor, has described the flooding situation as truly historic (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

When the homeowner confronted the rogue kayakers, they managed to recover their belongings, according to a statement from the SCSO seen by KOMO News.

These people have already been victimized enough and are trying to recover after a natural disaster, the department said.

Lieutenant Glenn DeWitt told The Seattle Times that residents should lock up their valuables and write down serial numbers to track stolen property.

Dewitt also had a message for any looters planning a raid in the near future.

Thou shalt not steal, its immoral and a crime. We will find you and arrest you, he said.

The SCSO says that criminals are using the flood to rob vulnerable homes (AP)

Deputies said they responded to reports that people had launched kayaks in a restricted zone earlier that day, at around 11 a.m.

Although they made contact with some of the kayakers, they did not confirm any criminal activity at the time and released the people that they encountered.

It is not yet clear whether the kayakers were the ones who carried out the alleged robbery.

According to PBS News, an evacuation of the entire floodplain of the Skagit River forced 78,000 residents to leave their homes ahead of an expected flood on Friday morning.

Residents, including Carter Johnson and his five-year-old brother, Milo, have been forced to used boats to escape climbing waters

On the same day, the Snohomish River was recorded at a record-breaking 34.15 feet deep, Fox Weather reported. When the heavy rain resumes during the upcoming week, the river could deepen even further.

The situation is truly historic, Governor Bob Ferguson told reporters, as rescue crews worked to get residents to safety. Rivers like the Skagit River and the Cedar River are literally facing and experiencing historic levels of flooding.

So, this is something the people of the state of Washington have not faced before, this level of flooding.

An emergency declaration was signed by Donald Trump on December 12, authorising the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to residents.

Meteorologists at Fox Weather said that the cooler air will move into the area by the middle of the week, which means some areas could see snow before the chaotic conditions settle down.
Sadly, there are so many animals who have been abandoned and left to fend for themselves. But there are shelters all over the world doing their best to help find humans to care for them. Even so, there are still so many lovable furry friends that still need good homes.

Social media has helped many shelters tell the stories of these animals and even help get some adopted. Albert Harris (@aharrisphoto) is reminding TikTok audiences of one shelter cat's story that was told a few months ago. In this new video, the on-screen text explains, "You met her in March. A million people online did but the one person who could've ended her three-year wait."

This sweet cat is about to spend Christmas in a shelter for the third year in a row. That will be true unless she finds her forever family. Go ahead and learn about her story, but get your tissues ready because it will absolutely have you in tears.

This poor kitty has been through so much! The video shows moments in the shelter with her, and the captions go into more detail about this cat, also known as Wacky Cathy. In the video, @aharrisphoto shared, "Wacky Cathy is about to spend her third Christmas homeless curled up wondering why no one chooses her." Poor kitty!

She's really come so far, and it goes on to describe how much. The video noted, "She came to the rescue as a trembling shadow in 2023. No name, no past, just hurt. But slowly she bloomed."

Related: Orange Cat Who 'Cries at Door' of Cat Cafe Hoping Someone Will Adopt Him Is Breaking Hearts

Harris continued on to talk about their bond and added, "When I met her She leaned into every touch as if to say, 'my heart still works. Please take it.'" How touching! It's clear this cat has people looking out for her.

Find Out How To Adopt This Cat

To end the video, Harris had one request and wrote, "Lets make sure she's loved this Christmas. You know what to do." Harris is asking people to help spread the word about this precious cat's story. I'm sure Harris is hoping this video will reach someone truly interested in adopting her and becoming her pet parents.

Harris also posted about Cathy on Facebook and told interested commenters that Cathy is at an animal rescue in New York. To learn more about adoption, visit the Puppy Kitty NY City Inc. website.

As more and more people learn about this kitty's story, I hope she'll find her forever family soon!

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jimmy Lai has been in prison since December 2020 - Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

Jimmy Lai, who was convicted in Hong Kongs High Court on Monday of sedition and colluding with foreign forces, is a British citizen. All he ever committed were daily acts of free speech, both from his own lips and through ownership of his independent and best-selling Hong Kong newspaper, Apple Daily (now suppressed).

Mr Lai was convicted under the trappings, but not the reality of English law. Three Hong Kong judges found him guilty of these crimes. All began their legal careers under the English law which applied in Hong Kong. Two of them, Esther Toh and Susana DAlmada Remedios, were called to the bar in London. Indeed, the Hon Madam Justice Remedios was educated at the Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells and the University of London.

All three judges have betrayed the independent, non-political legal system which was the foundation of their careers. They wear English judges wigs, but they risk looking like they are taking political orders from the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing.

The continuation of the English system was an important feature of the Sino-British Agreement on Hong Kong which came into force when Britain handed over to China in 1997. The deal was constructed round the concept of One Country: Two Systems. The continuity of law was supposed to guarantee freedom of speech, of contract and of commerce in general.

To this day, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal operates, according to the agreements Basic Law, free from any interference. It contains non-permanent judges from Common Law jurisdictions, pre-eminently Britain. One of these is Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, the former president of our own Supreme Court.

China, however, imposed a National Security Law on Hong Kong in 2020 and has held Mr Lai in prison since August of that year. The interference is legion. The whole Common Law fairness notion has become a mockery, but one that earns Lord Neuberger something in the region of 40,000 for each visit he pays to the territory.

Throughout this period, British governments have made only feeble representations about Jimmy Lai and the corruption of the system. Next month, Sir Keir Starmer will fly to Beijing to do further homage.

I find the whole thing shaming. Part of the shame is that the world now assumes Britain will make no serious protest, let alone act. Almost all political pressure against Chinese oppression now comes from the United States.

The price of wokery

Last week, Maria Balshaw announced her resignation from running the Tate galleries. Attendances at Tate Britain have fallen, under her rule, by 32 per cent below their pre-Covid levels.

Ms Balshaws tenure has been notable for the extreme wokeness of her attitudes, including her preference for didactic messaging and social activism over great art. A friend who walked into Tate Britain last week reports that the kiddies area is awash with books of diversity propaganda. One picture shows a drawing of a little brown girl aged perhaps six, who tells her multiracial class, My Arabic teacher exclaims, Beau-ti-ful Beautiful hijab.

Even fanatical Muslims do not tell girls that young to wear hijabs.

There may be a wider point here. One reason woke has ruled the roost for so long is that it seemed to offer career advancement. As time passes, this wanes. Audiences/customers are bored or offended, and staff often find working in a woke environment unpleasant. It tends to carry an atmosphere of threat to those who do not toe the line. It particularly persecutes workers who like the actual subject matter of their jobs  caring for heritage, teaching history, serving parishioners, and so on.

It has already been stated, as a business rule, Go woke, go broke, most notably in relation to net zero and DEI. A similar principle may apply even in organisations where profit is not the driving force.

There are now several examples of leaders whose capitulation to woke forces helped encompass their fall. Ms Balshaws is only the latest.

Others include Stephen Toope, former vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, who was embroiled in a free speech row and had to resign; Penny Mordaunt, whose chances of leading the Conservatives fell away because of her insistence that trans women are women; Justin Welby, who lost his natural support base in the Church of England because of his efforts to disparage monuments to people allegedly involved in slavery and to find a backdoor way of blessing same-sex marriages; Tim Parker, who stepped down as chairman of the National Trust after its tendentious and inaccurate report about its properties connections with slavery and colonialism; Tim Davie, who never quite confronted the blatant bias of his BBC journalists especially over Israel/Gaza; and commissioners of the Metropolitan Police, too numerous to mention.

By contrast, those great institutions which have not grovelled to wokery are in better shape. As Tate flounders, the National Gallery flourishes and has just collected two enormous donations amounting to 375m.

When will the West wake up?

Globalise the intifada, shouted pro-Gaza crowds , after the most recent version of it on October 7 2023. Many raised this cry as they marched through the streets in London, unhindered by police.

That intifida (uprising) murdered well over a thousand people, and kidnapped about 250 hostages. That is what they want globalised, and that is what they started attempting in Manchester last month and on Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Seen in that light, their atrocities so far look almost feeble.

They want a fight about small bits of land in the Middle East to threaten the life of every Jew everywhere.

If only the leaders of the Western world were prepared to see this, they might be prepared to unite to stop it. But they arent, so they wont.
Former allies of Donald Trump have joined those calling out the president after his comments on the deaths of Robert and Michele Reiner.

In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump suggested that their deaths were due to Robert Reiners "paranoia" and obsession with him.

The post drew immediate outcry on social media, as critics, including former MAGA stalwart Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned the presidents words as inappropriate and disgraceful, and called for the dreadful message to be taken down.

Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS, Trump wrote Monday.

The 78-year-old and his wife, 68, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home Sunday evening. The couples son Nick Reiner has since been taken into custody.

The tone of Trumps post varied wildly, describing the situation as very sad before going on to blast the actor  who has known to have been a vocal critic of the current administration.

He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace! the president wrote.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment on the presidents post and the backlash to it.

At a press conference the Oval Office later Monday, the president doubled down on his remarks, telling reporters "I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned.

He said...that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia, you know, the Russia hoax, he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career wise, Trump continued.

He became like a deranged person, Trump derangement syndrome. So I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all in any way, shape or form. I thought he was very bad for our country."

Donald Trump has suggested that the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were due to the Oscar-nominated directors paranoia and obsession with the president (Getty)

Prior to his death, Reiner had consistently questioned Trump and his ability to serve as president, telling Variety in 2017 that he was the single-most unqualified human-being to ever assume the Presidency of the United States.

He is mentally unfit. Not only does he not understand how government works, he has no interest in trying to find out how it works, Reiner told the outlet, following the release of his biopic LBJ.

In October, during an interview with MSNBC, Reiner even issued a call to action to high-profile figures against Trump, saying it was our job now to push back against the presidents actions, following the mobilization of the National Guard in multiple major cities across the country and Trumps attacks on free speech.

Its beyond McCarthy era-esque, Reiner said. That feels quaint compared to whats going on in America right now. The Hollywood community is very much aware of their First Amendment rights being infringed. So, were well aware of whats happening. 

But our job now, as communicators, is to start communicating to the rest of the country, to let them know what is going to happen to them, he added.

Reiner was a stanch Democrat and was very active in politics, hosting fundraisers and campaigning for progressive causes throughout his lengthy career (The Courier)

Reiner was a stanch Democrat and was very active in politics, hosting fundraisers and campaigning for progressive causes throughout his lengthy career. He co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which challenged Californias ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8.

He also chaired the campaign for Prop 10, funding early childhood development services through a tobacco tax. In 2006 he was tipped to run for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger, but later declined due to personal reasons. He endorsed Joe Biden for president in the 2020 presidential election.

Reiners engagement in activism stemmed from his family; with his father Carl Reiner a fierce opponent of McCarthyism, while his mother, Estelle Reiner, protested the Vietnam War.

The 78-year-old and his wife, 68, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home Sunday evening. The couples son Nick Reiner has since been taken into custody (Getty)

High profile names in politics and media also hit out at Trump over his comments.

Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically killed at the hands of their own son, who reportedly had drug addiction and other issues, and their remaining children are left in serious mourning and heartbreak. This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies, Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X.

Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. Its incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.

This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President, added British TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote on X.

GOP rep. Thomas Massie wrote: Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

This is a sick man, added California Governor Gavin Newsom, in response to the post.

Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, appeared to become choked up as she remembered Reiner as an engaged advocate for social justice and defender of democracy.

This is a tragedy, not just for the family, but for all who knew and loved him, she said. And for the President of the U.S. to make this about him, and a way to attack Rob Reiner, because he exercised his American right to speak up with what he disagreed with is shameful, is disgraceful, and out of all the disgusting things that Donald Trump has done, this is right up there.

Reiner has consistently blasted Trump and his ability to serve as president, telling Variety in 2017 that he was the single-most unqualified human-being to ever assume the Presidency of the United States (Alamy/PA)

Others pointed to the difference in how Reiner himself had reacted to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this year. The presidents Truth Social post about the Reiners horrific deaths is quite a contrast from how Rob Reiner reacted to the murder of Charlie Kirk, wrote CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

In an interview with Morgan following Kirks death, Reiner described the incident as beyond belief. That should never happen to anybody, I dont care what your political beliefs are, that should never happen to anyone, he said.

The bodies of Reiner and his wife were reportedly discovered by their daughter Romy, who lives nearby. The deaths are being investigated as homicides.

Nick Reiner, the celebrity couples son, was arrested at 9.15 p.m. Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department records show, and is being held on $4 million bail.

The 32-year-old has been charged with a felony but no other details were immediately available.
Rob Reiner speaks in Hollywood, California, on 25 April 2025. Photograph: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for TCM (Photograph: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for TCM)

Celebrities and lawmakers have condemned Donald Trump after the president blamed the death of Rob Reiner on what he described as the acclaimed Hollywood directors dislike of him.

Related: Rob Reiners lesson on power for Trump

After the killings of Reiner, 78, and his 68-year-old wife, Michele, who were found dead at their home Sunday in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, Trump took to social media to call the director tortured and struggling. Trump also claimed Reiner died due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.

Trump then pivoted to praising his own accomplishments, asserting that Reiners alleged raging obsession and obvious paranoia toward him stood in contrast to his administration. Trump also maintained that he had surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness  with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before.

Later on Monday, Trump responded to a reporters question during an unrelated White House event by doubling down and mocking the director. I wasnt a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned, the president said.

He knew it was false, in fact it was the exact opposite, but he said that I was a friend of Russia, controlled by Russia, the Russia hoax, he was one of the people behind it. I think he hurt himself career-wise. He became like a deranged person, he added.

Los Angeles police on Monday confirmed the Reiners 32-year-old son, Nick, had been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths of his parents. His bail was set at $4m.

Celebrities and lawmakers were swift to lambast Trump over what they described as petty and disgusting comments.

What a disgusting and vile statement, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger wrote on X.

Similarly, television host Whoopi Goldberg, who described Reiner as her friend and quite an amazing man, condemned Trump.

Goldberg referenced Trumps attacks on critics of the far-right political commentator Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead in September. That killing prompted reprisals from the White House against those who cited Kirks history of hostile rhetoric toward immigrants, women and other marginalized groups. And Goldberg said: I dont understand the man in the White House. He spoke at length about Charlie Kirk and about caring, and then this is what he puts out. Have you no shame? No shame at all? Can you get any lower? I dont think so.

Meanwhile, Californias Democratic governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: This is a sick man.

Echoing Newsom, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Florida Democrat, said: What a despicable piece of garbage.

US senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, similarly said of Trump: Hes just lost it. Now saying Rob and Michele Reiner caused their own murder because they didnt support him. So sick.

US House member Zoe Lofgren, another California Democrat, called Trumps comments a new low for this petty, hateful man. Lofgren added: His party needs to condemn this.

Similarly, US House member Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote: This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.

Greene also seemingly alluded to Nick Reiners experiences with addiction and homelessness, writing: Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. Its incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder.

Greenes fellow Republican Thomas Massie struck a similar chord. The Kentucky representative said: Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered.

Massie also said he challenged anyone in his party  including vice-president JD Vance and White House staff  to defend Trumps commentary.

Reiner had long been a vocal critic of Trump. In a 2017 interview with Variety, he said Trump was mentally unfit to be president. And Reiner warned the Guardian that the US could slide into autocracy if Trump successfully ran for a second presidency in 2024  which he did.

We see autocracy making its move around the world, Reiner said at the time. If we [the US] crumble, theres a danger that democracy crumbles around the world.

Despite his criticisms of Trump and far-right Christian nationalist movements, Reiner expressed absolute horror and unequivocally condemned political violence after Kirk was shot.

Its beyond belief what happened to him, Reiner said at the time. That should never happen to anybody. I dont care what your political beliefs are. Thats not acceptable. Thats not a solution to solving problems.

Reiners wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was the photographer behind the cover image of Trumps 1987 book The Art of the Deal.

My wife, Michele, who is a professional photographer  she took the photo thats on the cover of the book The Art of the Deal, Reiner told Politico. He also said: They were up on this high-rise that he was constructing, and they were going to take the pictures overlooking [New York Citys] Central Park. And the wind was blowing, and he said: I got to get this hairspray, you know, I need this special hairspray.
Donald Trump has filed a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC over the Panorama that sparked a crisis at the broadcaster.

The BBC said documents filed at a court late on Monday in a federal court in Miami asked for $5bn (3.7bn) in damages for defamation, as well as the same amount for a claim of violating trade practices.

Sir Keir Starmer is now under growing pressure to intervene, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urging the prime minister to stand up for the BBC against Trumps outrageous legal threat.

In a statement to The New York Times, the presidents legal team said the lawsuit was designed to hold the British network accountable for what it described as wrongdoing.

The formerly respected and now disgraced BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2024 presidential election, the statement reportedly said.

Trump has filed a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC (PA)

Speaking to reporters in Washington DC earlier on Monday, the US president accused the BBC of putting terrible words in my mouth that I didnt say and suggested they may have used AI.

The programme, which was broadcast just a week before the 2024 US election results, is accused of misleading viewers by editing a speech Mr Trump delivered on 6 January 2021.

It spliced two distinct clips, creating the impression that Mr Trump instructed the crowd: Were going to walk down to the Capitol  and Ill be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.

The controversy, first revealed by The Telegraph last month, led to the resignations of the BBCs director general Tim Davie and CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness.

The president said: In a little while, youll be seeing Im suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth. Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things I never said.

They actually have me speaking with words that I never said, and they got caught because I believe somebody at the BBC said this is so bad, it has to be reported. Lets call [it] fake news.

Responding to the filing of the lawsuit, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed said: Keir Starmer needs to stand up for the BBC against Trumps outrageous legal threat and protect licence fee payers from being hit in the pocket.

The Trump administration has clearly set out they want to interfere in our democracy, which includes undermining our national broadcaster. The prime minister needs to make clear this is unacceptable.

Minister Stephen Kinnock said the Labour Party will always stand up for the BBC as a vitally important institution but insisted that it is an independent organisation.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer should defend the broadcaster against Mr Trumps threats, Mr Kinnock told Sky News: It's absolutely right that the BBC is an independent organisation.

BBC chair Samir Shah said the corporation was determined to fight Trumps legal challenge (Getty)

I think they have apologised for one or two of the mistakes that were made in that Panorama programme, but theyve also been very clear that there is no case to answer in terms of Mr Trumps accusations on the broader point about libel or defamation.

I think its right that the BBC stands firm on that point. Theyre right to stick by their guns on that.

He added: The government is a massive supporter of the BBC. The Labour Party will always stand up for the BBC as a vitally important institution in both our political life and, of course, in terms of entertaining and informing the British public.

The threat of legal action followed the leak of a document written by Michael Prescott, the former independent external adviser to the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee, which made accusations of several instances of bias, including the doctored Panorama episode.

BBC chair Samir Shah apologised for an error of judgement, but said there was no basis for a defamation case.

In an email to staff, Mr Shah said: There is a lot being written, said and speculated upon about the possibility of legal action, including potential costs or settlements.

In all this we are, of course, acutely aware of the privilege of our funding and the need to protect our licence fee payers, the British public.

I want to be very clear with you  our position has not changed. There is no basis for a defamation case and we are determined to fight this.

In the wake of the revelations, Mr Shah also sent a personal letter to the White House to apologise for the editing, while lawyers for the corporation wrote to the presidents legal team, a BBC spokesperson said.

The former BBC director general Tim Davie resigned in the wake of the scandal (PA)

In a legal filing from November, Mr Trumps lawyers wrote: Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC have been widely disseminated throughout various digital mediums, which have reached tens of millions of people worldwide.

Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.

Mr Trump has a history of suing news outlets in the US, and is currently engaged in legal action with the NYT and the Wall Street Journal.

In September, he filed a $15bn defamation and libel lawsuit against the NYT, calling it one of the most degenerate newspapers in the US, days after the newspaper published articles about his alleged ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In July, he launched legal action against the Wall Street Journal after it first reported the existence of a note featuring Mr Trumps signature which was allegedly given to Epstein for his birthday.

Previous lawsuits against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, as well as the CBS news program 60 Minutes for its interview with Kamala Harris, were settled for $15m and $16m respectively.
A son of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner is in custody after the couple was found dead at their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon, according to the LA County Sheriffs Department.

Nick Reiner, 32, has been arrested and booked for murder at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed at a Monday press conference. Police said in a statement that an investigation revealed that Reiner was responsible for their deaths.

Officers were called to the family home on Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood around 3:40 p.m. Sunday. The bodies of the director, 78, and his wife, 68, were discovered by their daughter Romy, who lives nearby, according to reports.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Reiners, a tragic incident, Chief McDonnell said.

Nick was arrested around 9:15 p.m Sunday. He was initially held on $4 million bail but is now being detained with no bail, records showed late Monday morning.

The last known public photo of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner with their children (from left) - Romy Reiner, Jake Reiner, Jakes wife Maria Gilfillan, and Nick Reiner - at the LA premiere of ''Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' on September 9 (Reuters)

"As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide," the LAPD statement reads. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration Tuesday.

Reiner is also slated to be in court Tuesday morning, records show.

There was no sign of forced entry at the Reiners sprawling home on Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood. The couple had injuries consistent with being stabbed, sources told the Los Angeles Times.

TMZ reported that the couples throats were slit following an argument at the home.

Nick Reiner and his father got into an argument at a party at Conan OBriens home on Saturday night, family friends told the Los Angeles Times. The same friends further said that several people had noticed that Nick was acting strangely at the party. Reiner and wife Michele were found dead at their home the next day.

The entrance to Rob Reiner's residence is shown Monday. Officers removed police tape near the home, saying they are reopening the street (AP)

Members of the media work outside director Rob Reiner's home on December 15 (Getty Images)

The 32-year-old, who has been open about his struggles with addiction, co-wrote the 2015 film Being Charlie. The movie, directed by his father, was inspired by his own experiences with drug addiction, rehab, and homelessness.

I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas, Nick Reiner said at the time. I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.

After he got sober, he told People in 2016: Ive been home for a really long time, and Ive sort of gotten acclimated back to being in L.A. and being around my family.

Actors Billy Crystal and Larry David were spotted at the home Sunday night, a neighbor told ABC7, adding that Crystal looked like he was about to cry (Getty)

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner, a family spokesperson said in a statement. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.

Tracy Reiner, the biological daughter of Reiners ex-wife Penny Marshall and his adopted daughter, told NBC News that she was in shock after hearing about their deaths.

I came from the greatest family ever, she told the outlet Sunday. I dont know what to say, Im in shock.

Hollywood stars, Billy Crystal and Larry David, were spotted at the home Sunday night, a neighbor told ABC7, adding that Crystal looked like he was about to cry.

Police took down crime scene tape and reopened the street in front of the couples Brentwood home. Fans have left flowers and notes to the legendary director in front of his home and on his Walk of Fame star.

Flowers cover the Walk of Fame star for Rob Reiner Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles (AP)

Reiner and his wife, Michele, right, with daughter Romy in 2018. The couple married in 1989 and also have two sons Jake and Nick. Reiner also had another daughter, Tracy, from his first marriage (Invision/AP)

Reiner was one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and 90s, including This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and The Princess Bride.

Tributes poured in for Reiner who was an actor, writer and liberal activist as well as a director. He first rose to prominence after playing Mike Meathead Stivic on the CBS series All in the Family, a role that garnered him multiple Emmy Awards.

The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Reiner was married to photographer Michele since 1989. The two met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally and had three children together, Jake, Nick, and Romy.

Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that it was a devastating loss for our city and our country.

Rob Reiners contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice, she said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it had proposed a joint settlement with Missouri aimed at officially ending the student loan payment pause that was put in place under former President Joe Biden. This move could have significant implications for millions of borrowers who have been temporarily excused from making payments during the pandemic relief period.

Terminating the 'Saving on a Valuable Education' (SAVE) plan could force approximately 7.6 million enrolled individuals to resume their loan repayments. The US Department of Education stated in a press release that borrowers currently in the SAVE plan forbearance will need to select a new repayment option.

The forbearance, which has been in effect since February, was challenged in court following a ruling by the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with Republican-led states opposing Biden's relief measures. These states argued that the President lacked the constitutional authority to establish such a relief programme.

No New Enrolments Into SAVE

The proposed settlement would effectively dismiss ongoing litigation surrounding the SAVE plan. In addition, the Department of Education has agreed not to enrol new borrowers into the scheme, to deny pending applications, and to transition those already enrolled into standard legal repayment plans. However, any final agreement will require approval from a judge.

Early Exit for Borrowers

Alarmingly, according to education expert Mark Kantrowitz, borrowers could be required to exit the SAVE forbearance as early as 2026. This is a timeline significantly sooner than most had anticipated. The Trump administration's legislation, often referred to as the 'big beautiful bill', set the expiration of the SAVE programme for 1 July 2028.

The Department of Education has indicated that it will begin outreach efforts to affected borrowers in the coming weeks, providing guidance on how to manage their loan repayments moving forward.

Political Statements and Reactions

Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent criticised the Biden administration's approach, stating: 'For four years, the Biden administration sought to unlawfully shift student loan debt onto American taxpayers, many of whom either never took out a loan to finance their postsecondary education or never even went to college themselves, simply for a political win to prop up a failing administration.' He added, 'The Trump Administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme. The law is clear: if you take out a loan, you must pay it back.'

Kent further expressed appreciation for the US states that challenged the relief measures, emphasising that taxpayers can now be assured they will no longer be compelled to shoulder the burden of what he called irresponsible student loan policies.

Legal Battles and Political Controversy

The GOP-led states had argued in their lawsuits that Biden's use of the SAVE programme was an attempt to find a way to forgive student debt after the Supreme Court blocked his broader debt cancellation plan in 2023.

Controversy Over the Settlement

The SAVE provision included the lowest monthly payments compared with other federal student loan repayment options, which helped borrowers with smaller balances to pay off their debt more quickly. The settlement comes months after the Department of Education began charging interest on the loans of borrowers in SAVE forbearance.

Consumer groups have criticised the development. Persis Yu of Protect Borrowers described the move as stripping 'the most affordable repayment plan' from borrowers.

With over 42 million student loan borrowers holding outstanding debt exceeding $1.6 trillion, according to the Congressional Research Service, the proposed deal, if approved, would primarily impact low earners relying on the lower payments offered by the SAVE plan.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Two Iowa National Guard members who were killed in an ambush in Syria have been identified.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, died in the attack Saturday, which the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group.

The Pentagons chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has said a civilian working as a U.S. interpreter also was killed. Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, the Iowa National Guard said Monday, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.

President Donald Trump promised serious retaliation against ISIS after the attack, writing. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS].

The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.

This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard (Iowa National Guard)

Trump welcomed al-Sharaa, who led the lightning insurgency that toppled Assad's rule, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in the soldiers honor, saying, We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.

The ambush was a major test for the rapprochement between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago, coming as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.

The shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country's security forces and killed the gunman. The assailant had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS, a Syrian official said.

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, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.

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.

This undated photo released by the Iowa National Guard shows Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar (Iowa National Guard)

The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation, but military officials have blamed the attack on an IS member.
The governor of Rhode Island insisted on Monday evening that everything was being done by law enforcement to catch the person responsible for the mass shooting at Brown University in the states capital on Saturday that killed two people and wounded nine others, as a huge manhunt continued.

We want to see the individual that pulled the trigger on these young kids identified, apprehended and brought to justice, Daniel McKee, the states governor and a Democrat, said at a press conference early on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, the authorities released several excerpts of video footage of a fresh person of interest wanted in the deadly shooting.

Related: Brown University shooting: what we know so far about the attack in Providence, Rhode Island

Clips showed a person in dark clothing walking briskly and alone on a sidewalk not far from the university campus in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.

We are asking the public for assistance, Providence police chief Oscar Perez said at the press conference. He said the weapon used in the shooting was a 9mm handgun.

The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the case being solved. The video clips were recorded before the shooting, the authorities said, on Saturday afternoon.

The police do not have an identity of the person of interest or clear images of the persons face. The new clips and stills unveiled on Monday evening appeared to showed the person wearing a hat or winter head covering that came down over their ears and covered the lower part of their face. The person was not visibly carrying anything in their hands.

The individual is considered likely to be armed and dangerous, the Rhode Island attorney general, Peter Neronha, earlier told a reporter for CNN on Monday afternoon.

This followed the release from custody by the authorities of a previous person of interest who had initially been detained in the case.

The atmosphere on campus and in the New England city remained one of fear and intense vigilance on Monday.

The two students who died in Saturdays tragedy at the elite Ivy League university in Rhode Island were being remembered.

Ella Cook, a second-year student from Alabama, was an incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light, according to the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham, which paid tribute to her at a service on Sunday.

Cook was vice-president of Browns chapter of College Republicans of America, the group said. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, also posted condolences to X, saying in part: There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents.

The other person killed was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national in his first year of studies at the university, family members said.

Umurzokovs identity was confirmed by Uzbekistans foreign ministry.

He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people, his sister, Samira Umurzokova, said in a tribute on a GoFundMe campaign meant to support his family.

Nine other people were hurt in Saturdays attack in the engineering building of Browns campus in Providence, during the schools final exam period.

Authorities said late Sunday that a 24-year-man arrested in a raid at a Hampton Inn about 17 miles from the campus earlier in the day was being released.

We have a murderer out there, Neronha said at a press conference.

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.

Brett Smiley, Providences mayor, acknowledged: We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community.

The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building on Saturday afternoon, firing more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.

Law enforcement that raided the hotel recovered two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines when the initial person of interest was taken into custody, the news agency reported.

Of the nine hurt, one student was released from the hospital, said Christina Paxson, Browns president. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition, police said on Sunday.

Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, said Kendall Turner, a recent graduate, was among those critically wounded.

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 in a statement, adding that her parents were with her at the hospital.

Cook was remembered at a church service in Birmingham on Sunday. She was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light not only here growing up here at the advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully, and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well, said the Rev R Craig Smalley.

Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America, posted a statement from the group to X. Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and fellow classmates, he said.

Our prayers are with her family, our Brown [College Republicans], and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.

Jonathan Henick, US ambassador to Uzbekistan, said he was deeply saddened by Umurzokovs death in a tribute posted to his embassys website.

We extend our sincere condolences to Mr Umurzokovs family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future, he wrote, adding the Uzbek words marhumni Xudo rahmat qilsin, which means may God have mercy on the deceased.

He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew. Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss, Umurzokovs sister said in a statement accompanying the GoFundMe appeal.

Saturdays killings at Brown, the nations seventh-oldest higher education institution with about 7,300 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students, occurred during one of at least 392 mass shootings reported in the US so far in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Monday was the 349th 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.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
Jimmy Lai, 78, was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion. Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images)

The UK government and international rights groups have condemned the conviction of former pro-democracy newspaper owner and British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong on national security charges.

On Monday, Lai, 78, was found guilty in West Kowloon district court on one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion. The charges were brought under the citys punitive national security law (NSL), introduced in 2020, and a British colonial-era sedition law that has been used in recent years by authorities.

The pro-democracy activist and former media mogul now faces spending the rest of his life in prison.

Yvette Cooper, the British foreign secretary, said: The UK condemns the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai that has resulted in todays guilty verdict.

Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression  We continue to call for Mr Lais immediate release.

Lai is the founder of Apple Daily, a hugely popular pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong that was forced to close in 2021. Lai was arrested in 2020 and has spent more than five years behind bars, in a lengthy trial that has been delayed several times.

Sarah Brooks, the China director for Amnesty International, said: The conviction of Jimmy Lai feels like the death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong, where the essential work of journalism has been rebranded as a crime.

This verdict shows that Hong Kongs so-called national security laws are not in place to protect people, but to silence them. It should also serve as a warning to all people doing business in Hong Kong: that pursuing opportunities in the city comes with severe legal risks.

Speaking to reporters in London on Monday, Lais son Sebastien Lai said while the guilty verdict was not a surprise, it was still painful.

It signifies a Hong Kong that has completely changed, Sebastien said.

Sebastien and Lais international legal team called on the UK government to make the release of Lai a pre-condition for closer relations between London and Beijing. The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has called for Lais release and has raised the case directly with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. Starmer is expected to visit Beijing in January.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, the head of the international legal team, said that there was no use shouting into the wind and statements in support of Lai needed to be backed up by concrete action. China needs to see there are real consequences for Lais prosecution, Gallagher said.

Thibaut Bruttin, the director of Reporters Without Borders, said: We are outraged that Jimmy Lai, Hong Kongs symbol of press freedom, has been found guilty on trumped-up national security charges. This unlawful conviction only demonstrates the alarming deterioration of media freedom in the territory: make no mistake: it is not an individual who has been on trial it is press freedom itself, and with this verdict that has been shattered.

Related: The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself

Cooper also called for Lai to be given full access to independent medical professionals. There have been increasing concerns about the 78-year-olds health. Lai has diabetes and has been kept in solitary confinement for more than 1,800 days. Earlier this month his family said that Lai had lost a significant amount of weight, his nails were discolouring and falling off, and his teeth were rotting. The closing arguments in Lais trial were delayed at one point because he was suffering from heart palpitations.

Lais daughter Claire Lai said: Having spent the last few years in Hong Kong, I have personally witnessed my fathers rapidly failing health. He is 78 and has spent five years in terrible conditions, we are worried about how much more he can bear.

Chinas foreign ministry said: We urge the relevant countries to ... not make irresponsible remarks on the trial of judicial cases in Hong Kong and not to interfere in Hong Kongs judiciary or Chinas internal affairs in any form.

The Chinese embassy in London criticiseds the UK governments statement. The embassy said that Coopers comment blatantly interferes in Chinas internal affairs and tramples on the rule of law, and seriously violates the basic norms governing international relations. We strongly oppose and condemn such an unjustified move by the UK side.

We urge the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kongs judicial affairs and Chinas internal affairs, stop making the case for anti-China rioters bent on destabilising Hong Kong, and stop going further down the wrong path.
The vigil took place on the second night of the Jewish festival Hanukkah (AFP via Getty Images)

A vigil for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre was held in Westminster on Monday evening, on the second night of the Jewish festival Hanukkah.

The ceremony, held in Parliament Square, commemorated those killed in the tragic shooting that took place in Australias Bondi Beach.

Fifteen people were killed when father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration. Sajid, 50, died at the scene. Naveed, 24, was allegedly on the Australian counter-terrorism radar.

Attendees were pictured holding their phones up in solidarity in Parliament Square (AFP via Getty Images)

The list of fatalities tragically included a holocaust survivor, a 10-year-old girl, and a British-born rabbi. Six people remain hospitalised, some in critical condition.

At the Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in Westminster, hundreds have gathered to pay their respects to the victims of this attack.

The event falls on the second night of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light.

The vigil took place to commemorate the fifteen killed in the tragic Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday (AFP via Getty Images)

The ceremony, which was organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Jewish organisation Chabad, has urged action against antisemitism, not just words.

This comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised "the need for tougher gun laws".

Speaking of the dangers of the current regulations, he said, "people's circumstances change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity."

Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, paid tribute to the victims of the tragic incident and emphasised the importance of the ceremony.

He said, Im proud that London is once again hosting a large menorah in the centre of London during Chanukah.

Sir Sadiq Khan: Faced with darkness, I urge all Londoners to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters (PA Wire)

Sir Sadiq reiterated his commitment to tackling antisemitism. He said, As Jewish Londoners come together to celebrate Chanukah, I want to reassure them that we will do everything in our power to keep them safe.

He urged solidarity during this devastating event, adding: Faced with darkness, I urge all Londoners to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.

We must all show allyship with our Jewish neighbours. Now more than ever, we must unite to rid our society of the evil of antisemitism, and defeat this vile form of hatred wherever it rears its ugly head.
A vehicle drives through floodwaters in Kent, Washington, on Thursday. Photograph: Nick Wagner/AP (Photograph: Nick Wagner/AP)

Officials in Washington state ordered immediate evacuations in three south Seattle suburbs on Monday after a levee failed following a week of heavy rains.

The evacuation order from King county covered homes and businesses east of the Green River in parts of Kent, Auburn and Tukwila.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning covering nearly 47,000 people. In their message, NWS warned that the failure could lead to life threatening flash-flooding on the east side of the levee.

The Desimone levee, located about 5 miles (8km) south of downtown Seattle, breached following a week of record-level flood waters that triggered widespread evacuations.

The levee was significantly damaged from flooding back in 2020, and long-term repairs are not anticipated to be completed until 2031. King county crews are installing an emergency measure to help stabilize the levee now and minimize flooding risk for the community, which will remain in place until the long-term repairs are complete.

King countys director of emergency management Brendan McCluskey told the Seattle Times that the repairs could take several hours, and that officials were closely monitoring the Desimone levee.

A car-sized chunk of the levee was washed away by flood water. Images showed workers using heavy equipment to drop large sandbags into the hole, working to keep it from growing.

The Washington national guard said that it was sending troops to King county. The guard has already been helping flood-affected residents in the western part of the state over the weekend. Authorities have been concerned about levee breaches for days around the state amid the torrential downpours.

An extraordinarily strong system known as an atmospheric river dropped more than a foot of rain, flooding rivers that stretch across the state toward Canada to dangerous levels. Mudslides tore through communities, washing away homes and stranding families on rooftops as they waited for rescue.

Atmospheric rivers are large systems that transport water vapor from the tropics and are essential to the worlds annual water supplies. While not uncommon in the Pacific north-west, these severe water events can lead to dangerous floods and mudslides, as is currently the case.

Researchers have seen water vapor increasingly transported to the west coast over the past 70 years, according to studies conducted by the US Geological Survey. This increase in water vapor has been directly associated with the warming of the oceans surface linked to climate change.

In Sumas, Washington, the US Coast Guard deployed two helicopter crews to rescue people from their homes where the water had already risen to the second floor, effectively trapping them.
Credit: Eyepress

An asylum seeker intervened in the Bondi Beach terror attack but was shot at by police and attacked by members of the public.

New video footage from the scene shows the man climbing the stairs to the bridge where the two gunmen lay injured after being shot by police marksmen.

The member of the public is seen kicking a weapon away from the terrorists  but police continue firing at the bridge, causing the man to duck for cover.

As police close in on the injured gunmen, the refugee is then challenged by members of the public, who mistake him for a terrorist.

Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed and 40 injured in the shooting by Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, at the Sydney beach on Sunday evening. Sajid Akram was killed, and his son is in hospital under police guard.

The second hero has been identified as a Middle Eastern refugee with an Australian wife and children. He is understood to have lived in Australia on a temporary visa for about a decade.

The second hero of the Bondi Beach shooting puts his hands in the air as police move onto the bridge

Alison Battisson, an immigration lawyer who represents him, said he had only just arrived at the beach when he heard gunfire and decided to act rather than flee, according to the Daily Mail.

She said: He got out of a taxi, heard the shooting, other people ran away and he ran towards the sound of the shooting.

She said her clients immigration status remains unresolved and that he has no guaranteed path to permanent residency.

She added: Hes got an Australian partner and Australian children, but he has no right to stay in Australia long term to be with them.

Its open to public opinion as to whether somebody who put himself in significant danger to help the Australian community has earned a right to stay in Australia.

Ahmed Al Ahmed, who tackled one of the gunmen, is now in hospital

Another man who disarmed one of the alleged attackers, being shot multiple times in the process, has been hailed as a hero who potentially saved many lives.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit seller who is originally from Syria, is in hospital. A GoFundMe page set up on his behalf has reached nearly $1m (496,000).

Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said: We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.
Jose Antonio Kast, of the Republican Party, and his wife wave to jubilant supporters in Santiago - Matias Delacroix/AP

Chile has elected its most Right-wing president since the Pinochet dictatorship fell, with the conservative Jose Antonio Kast defeating his communist rival.

Mr Kast won 58.2 per cent of the vote in a victory that harnessed voter anger over crime and migration to drive the country into its most dramatic Rightward shift in decades.

The son of a Nazi party member who fled to Chile after the Second World War, Mr Kast is a divisive figure who has repeatedly defended the bloody Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

The father-of-nine ran for his self-founded Republican Party of Chile, defeating communist candidate Jeannette Jara, who took 41.8 per cent of the vote.

Speaking on Monday, the president-elect promised to build a government of national unity and to safeguard institutions.

We all share concerns about security, health, education, and housing, he said. This is not one persons or one partys government. It will be broader to achieve consensus on fundamental issues.

His success makes Chile the latest nation in Latin America to tilt Right after Bolivias election in August and Javier Mileis success in Argentinas midterm vote in October.

Jose Antonio Kast defeated Jeannette Jara as Chile went to the polls - Pablo Sanhueza/Reuters

Inspired by Donald Trumps crackdown on immigration, Mr Kast has vowed to build border walls and form a specialised police force modelled on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to track down and deport migrants in the country illegally.

He has pledged to build a trench on the northern border to help stem migration from countries such as Venezuela.

Last year he visited the mega-prison system built by El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, and said he would copy the model. He has also visited other Right-wing leaders, including Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Hungarys Viktor Orban.

After winning all 16 regions of Chile, Mr Kast will take office on March 11, vowing an emergency government to crack down swiftly on irregular migration and cut taxes and public spending.

While Chile remains one of the safest countries in Latin America, an influx of organised crime has led to a rising murder rate and hurt economic growth, with a recent spike in high-profile incidents such as kidnappings and assassinations.

Changes will start immediately, said Mr Kast in his victory speech at his Santiago headquarters. But he warned that it will require perseverance.

Supporters of Jose Antonio Kast celebrate after his election victory - Juan Gonzalez/Reuters

The Trump administration was quick to praise the election winner. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said: Under his leadership, we are confident Chile will advance shared priorities to include strengthening public security, ending illegal immigration and revitalising our commercial relationship.

Mr Kasts father was a Nazi party member and army lieutenant who fled to South America after the Second World War, where he eventually founded a lucrative sausage business south of Santiago. Mr Kast has said his father was a forced Nazi conscript.

His eldest brother, Miguel Kast, was a government minister and central bank president in the early 1980s under the Pinochet dictatorship, during which more than 40,000 people were executed, detained and disappeared, or tortured.

As a law student, Mr Kast campaigned for the yes vote in a referendum on whether Pinochet should remain in power in 1988  a vote that Pinochet lost.

After serving as a congressman for the Right-wing Independent Democratic Union party for more than a decade, Mr Kast stepped down in 2016 to pursue the presidency as an independent but ended up winning less than 10 per cent of the vote. He gained more traction in 2021, running under the banner of his self-founded Republican Party.

As a law student, Mr Kast campaigned for the yes vote in a referendum on whether Augusto Pinochet should remain in power in 1988  a vote that Pinochet lost - Claudio Santana/Getty Images

His style is quite different to that of Mr Milei or Mr Bukele, Nicholas Watson, the Latin America managing director at Teneo, told Reuters.

He said: He is much less flamboyant and more reserved. He is also more of a political insider; he has not burst onto the political scene in the way that Milei did.

David Altman, a political scientist at Chiles Pontifical Catholic University, added that Mr Kast had benefited from a growing rejection of the incumbent government led by Gabriel Boric, the Leftist president.

Mr Altman said: Its not that people became more fascist in the space of four years. People abandoned the Left and, as there essentially was not a political centre, they went Right. It was the only place where they could land.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
YouGov has revealed the UK's favourite Christmas films, and Elf is one of them, but which one came out on top? (New Line Cinema)

Christmas movies are a staple of the festive period, and if a film cracks the code, viewers will return to it year after year.

Now the UK has revealed its favourite Christmas movie of all time in a new YouGov survey, which was conducted with a total sample of 4,243 Britons aged 18 and above, to reveal insight into the public's thoughts on Christmas. The survey asked a range of questions about festive traditions, Christmas music, and gift buying.

But one of the main topics was, of course, around Christmas films, and so for those curious to know which films are Britons' favourites, look no further.

The UK's favourite Christmas movie

Home Alone was named the UK's favourite Christmas film. (Credit: Fox)

According to the survey, Home Alone is the best-loved Christmas movie for Britons, earning 19% of the total vote. YouGov revealed that more than 100 films were mentioned in the survey, but it was the Macaulay Culkin-led feature that won out.

Home Alone is certainly a classic, as it follows Culkin's Kevin McCallister when he is left behind by his family over the holidays and must protect the house from two burglars, the Wet Bandits, by devising ingenious contraptions to stop them. It's hilarious and silly, and an all-around good time, which is why it stands to reason it won the top spot.

Home Alone is Britain's favourite Christmas film, according to YouGov's Big Survey on Christmas



Home Alone: 19%

Die Hard: 11%

Elf: 9%

Love Actually: 7%

It's a Wonderful Life: 6%

A Christmas Carol: 5%

The Muppet Christmas Carol: 5%

The Holiday: 5%

The Grinch: 4%

Miracle on 34th pic.twitter.com/6HjRY1Cwd3  YouGov (@YouGov) December 15, 2025

Elsewhere, the highly debated Die Hard came in second with 11% of the vote, despite some believing it isn't a Christmas movie, despite it taking place over Christmas. While Will Ferrell's delightful film Elf came in third place with 9%.

Die Hard came in second to Home Alone, proving for most Britons it is considered a Christmas movie. (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

The former is an action hit starring Bruce Willis as policeman John McClane, who tries to save his wife and others who are being held hostage in a New York high-rise by a foreign group. The film's status as a Christmas movie is debated because the blockbuster was released in the summer and isn't a traditional festive film in the sense of the word; however, it is set on Christmas Eve.

The next movies most beloved by Britons are Love Actually and It's a Wonderful Life, which both earned 6-7% of the total vote in the survey.

Elsewhere, The Holiday came in at 5%, alongside The Muppet Christmas Carol; the same proportion of the vote went to A Christmas Carol (though all versions of Charles Dickens' classic, apart from the Muppets parody, were amalgamated into one).

Love Actually is a firm favourite of the romcom genre, but didn't top the charts for all Britons. (Credit: Universal) (Yahoo Movies UK)

The Grinch movies, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, earned 4% of the overall vote, followed by Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus: The Movie, and The Polar Express, which all earned 3%.

Movies that earned 2% of the total votes were also included by the survey, and the films to come in this category included National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Nativity, The Snowman and White Christmas.
Rob Reiner pictured in April 2025, the director has died aged 78. (Getty Images for TCM) (Jesse Grant via Getty Images)

American filmmaker Rob Reiner has died aged 78 alongside his wife, Michele, in their Los Angeles home in an apparent homicide on Sunday, 14 December. And Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most acclaimed directors.

A spokesperson for the family said in a statement: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."

Reiner had a prolific career in the movie industry, making some of the greatest films of the '80s and beyond, including The Princess Bride and This is Spinal Tap. The filmmaker has worked with icons like Jack Nicholson and Billy Crystal, and also appeared in several major projects, including Sleepless in Seattle and All in the Family, leaving behind a legendary run of movies.

His run of five movies back to back  Stand By Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), Misery (1990) and A Few Good Men (1992)  is considered by many to be one of the greatest uninterrupted runs of movie masterpieces by a director in Hollywood history

Here are some of Reiner's greatest films as a director, along with their lasting impact.

Read more: Tributes pour in for Hollywood icon Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner on the set of Stand By Me (Alamy) (COLUMBIA PICTURES / RGR Collection)

Rob Reiner's best movies

This is Spinal Tap

Rob Reiner's debut film was This is Spinal Tap, which he made a sequel to in 2025. (PA) (Moviestore Collection, Moviestore Collection Ltd)

The mockumentary genre owes everything to This Is Spinal Tap, the rock mockumentary that served as Reiner's debut film. The 1984 film followed the exploits of the titular band during their 1982 US tour to promote their most recent album, and the hilarity that ensues as things get turned up to 11.

Reiner appeared in the film as director Martin "Marty" Di Bergi, and the project was a love letter to rock music as much as it was a spoof of it. The film proved what cinema was capable of and nurtured a new genre as a result. A sequel was released earlier this year and is now Reiner's last movie.

This is Spinal Tap is available to buy and rent.

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride became a cult classic and is widely seen as one of the best films ever made. (20th Century Fox)

Few fantasies are as quotable as The Princess Bride, a swashbuckling adventure story about a farmhand named Westley (Cary Elwes) who embarks on a quest to save Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the awful Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon).

Hilarious, action-packed, and swoonworthy, the movie is rightly regarded as one of the greatest films of the '80s and, indeed, one of the best films of all time.

The Princess Bride is available on Lionsgate+.

A Few Good Men

Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men. (Colombia) (Cinematic Collection, Cinematic)

Reiner took on the political drama genre in A Few Good Men, which starred Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore. It followed the court-martial case of two US Marines charged with the murder of a fellow soldier, and is most famous for Nicolson's delivery of the phrase: "You can't handle the truth".

A thrilling court drama that kept viewers gripped from start to finish, the film helped put Cruise on the map and also landed four Oscar nominations.

A Few Good Men is available to watch on Prime Video.

When Harry Met Sally...

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal starred in When Harry Met Sally. (PA)

Romcoms don't get much more iconic than When Harry Met Sally..., the instant classic starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the titular roles. A sweeping romance told over several years, the film was infused with Reiner's unique visual style, which highlighted author Nora Ephron's delightful script.

It also proved that there was no genre that Reiner was incapable of making his own (and succeeding in).

When Harry Met Sally... is available on Mubi and MGM+.

Stand By Me

Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell and Corey Feldman in Stand By Me. (Columbia Pictures)

Reiner has worked with numerous iconic actors over the years, and Stand By Me provided the director with the opportunity to showcase some of Hollywood's brightest young stars, including the late River Phoenix. The coming-of-age drama, based on Stephen King's book of the same name, is widely regarded as one of the best in the genre. It follows four boys as they go on a quest to find a missing boy.

It starred actors who would go on to become big names in the industry like Keifer Sutherland, Wil Wheaton, and Corey Feldman.

Stand By Meis available to buy and rent.

Misery

Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in Misery, one of her most iconic films. (PA) (TCD/Prod.DB, TCD/Prod.DB)

There have been many Stephen King adaptations, but not all of them have been as great as Misery. The psychological horror stars Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes, a woman who kidnaps her favourite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), whom she is obsessed with.

Brought to life by Bates' terrifying performance, Reiner proved that he could turn his skills to horror as well, and it marked his second collaboration with author William Goldman, who also penned the script for The Princess Bride. The movie earned Bates an Oscar, the first and only Stephen King adaptation to achieve this feat.

Misery is available to buy and rent.
Naveed Akram and his father Sajid have been named as suspects by police

As footage hit social media of two gunmen running amok at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, one of the many things that shocked Australians was the sheer size and power of the guns involved.

Australians have become accustomed to believing that the country does not have a gun problem. A 1996 mass shooting at Port Arthur, Tasmania, led to a ban on semi-automatic weapons.

As the ban came in, Australians saw television images of pile upon pile of surrendered guns being scrapped. They imagined that carnage like Port Arthur would never happen again.

But in Bondi on Sunday, the two men had bolt-action rifles of a heft that seemed out of kilter with any legitimate recreational use. It later emerged that one of the alleged shooters owned at least half a dozen weapons.

The number of guns in Australia has increased relentlessly since the late 1990s, to the point where there is now one licenced firearm for every seven Australians.

Anthony Albanese, Australias prime minister, has quickly moved to reopen a debate about gun control.

In its response to the Bondi attacks, the government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary, he told reporters on Monday. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws.

The sheer size and power of the guns involved in the shooting at a Hanukkah celebration has shocked many Australians

But he risks also reopening a deep political fissure, which his populist opponents will not hesitate to exploit. The schism pits metropolitan liberals against rural Australia and white collar against blue.

Pauline Hanson, the veteran populist senator who recently generated international headlines for wearing a burka on to the floor of parliaments upper house, has already laid out the dividing lines.

This horrendous event was not perpetrated by Australian farmers or any other legitimate firearm user, she posted on the Facebook page of her party, One Nation.

One Nation will not support changes to the already stringent gun laws in Australia. Instead, lets deal with the real debate on radical Islam that is proving more deadly than anything else in this country.

The father and son whom police have named as suspects, Sajid and Naveed Akram, lived in outer suburban Sydney, about 25 miles inland from Bondi.

According to media reports based on police briefings, the father migrated to Australia from Pakistan as a student in 1998. He acquired a firearms licence for recreational hunting in 2015, belonged to a gun club and had six registered weapons.

Ballistics experts quoted in Australian media reports said at least one of the weapons in the massacre footage was a rifle with a straight-pull bolt-action. These can be reloaded in a single movement, making them the best proxy for a semi-automatic weapon.

The shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney has reopened a debate about gun control in Australia - Reuters

Under Australian rules, Sajid Akram would have had to demonstrate a genuine reason for needing to own a firearm, particularly in that category of lethality.

The list of permitted reasons includes occupational use, membership of an authorised target-shooting club or hunting (with proof of permission from a rural landowner).

The most common licensees of a fast-action model would be recreational hunters or farmers needing one for pest control.

The reason people give is that they want to shoot a whole mob of animals, multiple shots, quick shots, John Coyne, a former police officer, told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The licencing regime and semi-automatic weapon ban came in after Port Arthur, where Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured another 24 in a deranged shooting spree at a historic monument.

Gun licencing is administered by the countrys six states and two territories  but the national government, at the time led by John Howard, the conservative prime minister, knocked heads together and created a unified national umbrella regime.

The ban on semi-automatic weapons prompted owners to turn in more than 600,000 guns in the space of a year, which were stockpiled and destroyed. A second gun buyback, in 2003, confiscated 68,000 handguns.

After Port Arthur, Australians saw television images of pile upon pile of surrendered guns, which were destroyed - William West/AFP via Getty Images

The new licencing regime requires every aspiring gun owner to pass a fit and proper person test, including police checks. They also have to attend a course in firearm safety.

A permit is then required for each firearm purchase. The buyer must provide a genuine reason, then wait 28 days.

Guns can be sold only by licenced dealers, who record each sale with the police. There are also limits on how much ammunition can be bought in a given period.

The scheme had its successes. Until this weekend, in almost 30 years, there had not been another shooting on the scale of Port Arthur. Firearm homicide and suicide rates, which were already in steady decline, dropped sharply in the post-1996 decade.

But the regime has not curbed the number of guns in circulation. The number of licenced firearms dropped from 3.2 million in 1996 to 2.5 million the year after, but has recently topped four million.

b'

1612 Since Port Arthur, the number of guns in Australia has increased

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The number of licenced owners has fallen from 6,500 per 100,000 people in 1997 to 3,339 last year  suggesting that fewer Australians now own more guns apiece.

The government had already noticed that gun ownership was creeping up and had proposed a new national register to better link the various state regimes.

b'

1612 Australia still has higher gun deaths than other OECD nations

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But Sajid Akram may have owned his guns legitimately.

The question Albanese asked on Monday was, in effect: why did the system not pick up the question marks over Sajid Akrams fitness for a licence, or at least ask what he was doing with such an arsenal?

Albanese said reforms could include limiting the number of guns one individual could own and requiring owners to periodically renew their licence.

Peoples circumstances change, people can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity, Albanese said.

Hanson blamed lax administration, rather than the laws themselves.

As a licenced firearms owner myself, I have been through the rigorous background checks including a fit and proper person test, her Facebook post said.

You cannot tell me that a person on a terror watchlist, or those living in the same house as a suspected violent extremist, is a fit and proper person.

Howard, the former Australian prime minister, faced down the opposition in 1996  although when he addressed a crowd of angry gun owners in Queensland, he famously chose to wear a bullet-proof vest.

Albanese may face some brickbats too. When the West Australian government this year limited the number of guns a single licensee can own, firearm advocacy groups put up a fight.

The gun lobby is not as powerful and pervasive as in the US and has thus far chosen to remain quiet during the white heat of the Bondi aftermath.

Albanese is planning to move quickly, hoping to use that heat to push through reforms before his opponents can rally the resistance.

He will probably emulate Howard in successfully tightening up the rules.

But will he have more success than the post-1996 regime in curbing gun ownership and preventing massacres? Thats another question altogether.
Moazzam Begg has alleged that he was tortured in Guantanamo Bay - Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images

A pro-Palestine activist described Osama bin Laden as a voice of freedom just hours after news of the Bondi Beach terror attack started to emerge, The Telegraph can reveal.

Moazzam Begg, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, claimed The Guardian removed the former Al-Qaeda leaders infamous manifesto from its website because young Westerners were beginning to understand the groups motivation for the Sept 11 attacks.

The article, A letter to the American people, gained viral traction on TikTok in Nov 2023 amid Israels war in Gaza, more than 20 years after it was first published by the newspaper in 2002.

In the essay, Bin Laden argued that the United States was an imperial power hostile to the Muslim world and that American civilians were legitimate targets because they supported the state by paying taxes.

Mr Begg cited an Osama bin Laden letter that appeared on The Guardian website - Reuters

Praising Gen Zs renewed interest in the article at a panel event in Glasgow on Sunday, Mr Begg said: At the beginning, or not long after the genocide in 2023 had begun, there was a series of videos that went viral amongst young American girls [...] in their early 20s.

[The videos] went so viral that the cause of [them] being viral had to be removed  and that was a letter written by Osama bin Laden to the people of America that was published in The Guardian and remained on their website for the past 20-plus years. Its called Osama bin Ladens Letter to America.

He went on: He mentions in that letter one place 20 times: Palestine and Israel. Not Afghanistan, not Iraq, not Somalia, though those were all places of conflict with the United States of America. He mentions Palestine.

Agree with him, disagree with him, condemn him, praise him; he mentions it. And the girls on TikTok, you know what they started to say? Now I understand. Now I understand why 9/11 happened. And as if by magic, The Guardian removed that voice of freedom and opinion. Removed something that had been on their website for over two decades: we dont want anybody to think to make those connections.

Mr Begg insists that the voice he was referring to was that of The Guardian, not Bin Laden.

The activist made the comments during a speech on the centrality of the Palestinians conflict with Israel to the wider war on terror that took place in the 2000s.

He was speaking on a panel at a conference on Islamophobia organised by Scotland Against Criminalising Communities (SACC), which was attended by around 20 people.

Mr Begg made the remarks within hours of news that a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in Sydney had been attacked by two terrorist gunmen. He did not mention the attack in his speech. Posting on X on Monday, he said the attack was callous but added that what the IDF does in Palestine was depraved.

Mr Begg was arrested during a demonstration in Parliament Square in October

Lord Walney, Labours former anti-extremism tsar, said: Even given his controversial past, it is astonishing that Moazzam Begg has apparently referred to the architect of the 9/11 terror attack as a voice of freedom.

Mr Begg has complained he is the victim of prejudice when people object to his vile views. The fact he made these remarks at a conference about Islamophobia underlines why it is so important the Government does not accept a definition that protects abhorrent views like this from scrutiny and criticism.

Birmingham-born Mr Begg, a dual British-Pakistani national, was detained in Pakistan in 2002 and handed over to American authorities in Afghanistan.

He was transferred to Guantanamo Bay the following year over suspicions he was a member of Al-Qaeda. Mr Begg has alleged that he was tortured in the facility and witnessed the murders of other detainees.

In August, Mr Begg was arrested at a demonstration in Westminster for his alleged support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation.

The incident led to calls for Yvette Cooper, the then home secretary, to revoke his UK passport, which has happened three times since he returned to Britain from US custody in 2005.

Annie Wells, a Tory MSP for the Glasgow region, said: Scots will be appalled that this vile hate speech took place in our largest city as the world was reacting to the horrendous terrorist attacks in Australia.

Serious questions must be asked as to why the organisers deemed it appropriate to give a platform to this individual. There is no place for such views in our society, let alone encouraging material from Bin Laden being shared around social media.

Either this individual offers an immediate apology for spouting this opinion or the organisers do to the thousands of victims of Al-Qaedas atrocities.

SACC was approached for comment.
The British Medical Association said its members have rejected the improved offer from the Health Secretary - Jack Taylor/Getty

Elderly patients risk being stranded in hospitals for Christmas because of the doctors strike.

Thousands of doctors will strike for five days from Wednesday, despite the Health Secretary warning they have chosen the moment of maximum danger during the winter flu crisis.

A tidal wave of influenza has left a record number of cases for this time of year in hospital, particularly over-75s.

Hospitals have now been told to make a huge effort to discharge safely as many patients as possible. NHS figures show that almost 13,000 patients fit enough to be sent home are instead stuck in hospital.

Mike Prentice, NHS national director for emergency planning, wrote in a memo that the impact of strikes by resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, would be more severe ... due to the proximity of winter pressures and proximity to Christmas.

His warning, seen by The Telegraph, urged hospitals to focus on reducing bed occupancy ahead of, during and after the industrial action, as we go into the peak holiday period.

He added: These strikes will be followed by two full working days before Christmas (and the bank holidays that follow) where huge effort will be needed to safely discharge patients and get people home in time for Christmas.

Despite concerns of the impact on hospitals, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, described the prospect of banning strikes as political nonsense on Monday night.

The flu virus is particularly affecting children, prompting a last minute scramble to vaccinate millions.

But older people are far more likely to suffer serious consequences from flu viruses, and to need hospital treatment.

The loss of thousands of junior doctors for five days in the run-up to Christmas will make it far more difficult to carry out the checks needed so patients can be discharged.

With reduced staff, hospitals will attempt to prioritise urgent and emergency care and cancer patients.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: With services already under extreme pressure, prolonged strike action risks hitting vulnerable patients the hardest.

Older people are already the most likely to be admitted to hospital with flu, and many will now face the very real prospect of being stuck in hospital over Christmas, and potentially well beyond it, because there simply wont be enough staff to safely discharge them.

She added: Being trapped in a hospital bed over the festive period will be distressing and dangerous. Every extra day in hospital increases the risk of infection, loss of mobility, and further decline ... in beds urgently needed by acutely unwell patients.

The strikes will go ahead after the British Medical Association (BMA) polled resident doctors on a new offer from the Government.

In total 83 per cent of those who took part rejected the terms, which included emergency legislation to ensure UK graduates were prioritised for training places, as part of efforts to tackle bottlenecks in training.

The BMA on Monday said the offer  which made no increase to headline pay  wasnt good enough.

Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Streeting urged doctors not to abandon patients in their hour of greatest need.

He said: The BMA has chosen Christmas strikes to inflict damage on the NHS at the moment of maximum danger, refusing to postpone them to January to help patients and other NHS staff cope over Christmas.

There is no need for these strikes to go ahead this week, and it reveals the BMAs shocking disregard for patient safety and for other NHS staff. These strikes are self-indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous.

The Governments offer would have halved competition for jobs and put more money in resident doctors pockets, but the BMA has again rejected it because it doesnt meet their ask of a further 26 per cent pay rise.

Resident doctors have already had a 28.9 per cent pay rise  there is no justification for striking just because this fantasy demand has not been met.

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The Conservatives said they would ban strikes, claiming that the NHS was now being held hostage by militant unions because Labour had capitulated to previous pay demands.

Stuart Andrew, the shadow health secretary, pointed to government plans which will make it easier to strike by lengthening mandates and removing turnout requirements.

He said: The BMA rejecting Labours offer just shows how weak this Government is in the face of militant unions.

We Conservatives repeatedly warned Labour that by giving inflation-busting pay rises last year they would set a dangerous precedent. And now we see the consequences of their capitulation, with more disruption, more demands and no end in sight.

But at the same time, this Government is literally making it easier for unions through their Employment Rights Bill. When the NHS is under this level of pressure, families deserve the reassurance that care will be there when they need it.

In response, Mr Streeting told MPs: I will ignore the political nonsense about banning strikes and clamping down on trade unions.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, meeting staff at a London hospital with the Chancellor last month - Adrian Dennis/PA

Sir Keir Starmer urged doctors to push back against the BMA, telling the Commons liaison committee on Monday: I think theyre losing the support of the public, theyre losing the support of their colleagues in the NHS.

They have lost the sympathy of the public frankly and I think they have lost the sympathy of their non-doctor colleagues who are getting on with their jobs, many of them on a much lower rate of pay increase than the doctors have got.

Last night, the Treasury warned public sector workers that pay rises would be smaller in the coming years, in its recommendation to the Pay Review Body.

Dr Jack Fletcher, the BMA resident doctors committee chair, said the ballot should leave the Health Secretary in no doubt about how badly he has just fumbled his opportunity to end industrial action.

He added: There are no new jobs in this offer  he has simply cannibalised those jobs which already existed for the sake of new jobs on paper. Neither was there anything on what Mr Streeting has said is a journey to restoring our pay  that has clearly hit the buffers.

This weeks strike is still entirely avoidable  the Health Secretary should now work with us in the short time we have left to come up with a credible offer to end this jobs crisis and avert the real-terms pay cuts he is pushing in 2026. Were willing to work to find a solution if he is.

We remain committed to ensuring patient safety, as we have done with all previous rounds of strike action, and urge hospital trusts to continue planning to ensure safe staffing.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said: This vote is a bitter pill which will inevitably result in harm to patients and damage to the NHS.

We had hoped that the Governments recent updated offer would be enough to head off another walkout at a time when so many people are suffering with flu, and the NHS needs all hands on deck.

Trust leaders and staff will be working now to minimise the impact of the strike, but sadly it will mean further disruption and delays, and a very difficult Christmas for the health service.
Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao was born and raised in Beijing and later studied in the US and UK - Kristina Bumphrey/Getty Images

The director of Hamnet has said she only understood a third of Paul Mescals to be or not to be speech as William Shakespeare in her new film.

Chinese-born filmmaker Chloe Zhao said that the lead actor urged her to feel the reaction to the lines of the famous Hamlet soliloquy instead of comprehending them in the upcoming movie about the British playwright and his wife, Agnes.

The Oscar-winning Nomadland director told the New Yorker Radio Hour podcast: I didnt speak English [at school], so when you dont speak English and you have Romeo and Juliet in front of you in the equivalent of the ninth grade... still when I was on set of Hamnet, when Paul was delivering his speech I only understand a third of it, technically, because I dont understand what those words mean.

You feel it in the body

Zhao, who was born and raised in Beijing and later studied in the US and UK, explained: Look, I can study it and translate it and understand what it all means, but Paul said to me, Listen, if Shakespeare is performed right, you dont have to understand what theyre saying.

You feel it in the body, the language is written like that. And so in a way, me and ukasz [Zal]  who also doesnt speak much English  we sat there and we watched Pauls performance and in a way we kind of embodied Agnes, who doesnt quite understand everything, but we feel it.

The to be or not to be soliloquy is from Act 3, Scene 1 of one of Shakespeares seminal works, Hamlet. It grapples with the themes of suffering, death, existence and the fear of the unknown.

Paul Mescal as Shakespeare in the forthcoming film Hamnet - Landmark Media/Alamy Stock Photo

Asked how she approached writing Shakespeares lines for the screenplay adaptation with Hamnet author Maggie OFarrell, Zhao said she made Mescals depiction of the famed playwright as less expressive and talkative than the one portrayed in OFarrells 2020 novel, explaining: I find a lot of male artists get into expressing themselves in their arts because they never felt safe to express their emotions in real life.

She added: I think the reason why the producers and also Maggie [OFarrell] chose me is because I dont feel that way about William Shakespeare  I dont have the same reverence.

I do have reverence intellectually, but I dont have the burden on my shoulders as many people in the West do.

The director said: I didnt come [to the project] feeling that hes any different than a man who fell in love with a woman and couldnt quite express his feelings.

She went on to say that the pressure of performing Shakespeare is on the actors, explaining: Its on Paul, who does have a lot of reverence.

Speaking about reacting to Mescals performance with Hamnets cinematographer ukasz Zal, Zhao said: So in those days [filming] in the Globe, Im judging by me and ukaszs physical reaction.

We start crying or we go ugh or our throat is tight, our stomach turns. Then we know its the right take.

We didnt even have to understand every word, which is really magical. Its made me think about Shakespeare completely different [sic].

Zhao is the writer and director of the upcoming film, released in early January, which is based on the historical novel of the same name by OFarrell.

The bestseller is about Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway (Agnes), being consumed with grief after losing their young son, Hamnet, aged 11.

Zhaos adaptation stars Gladiator IIs Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as Agnes. Ireland-born Buckley, 35, has been widely tipped by critics as an Oscar frontrunner for her depiction of the grieving mother.

OFarrells 2020 book suggests Hamnet was killed by the plague, and is told non-chronologically from the perspectives of the young boy and his parents. It also predominantly explores the playwrights grief inspiring his writing of Hamlet.
JK Rowling said people had the right to expect better from judges after claims Judge Alexander Kemp used AI in the Sandie Peggie trans tribunal judgment - Getty Images/Rob Stothard

JK Rowling has criticised absolutely scandalous errors in the Sandie Peggie trans tribunal judgment.

The Harry Potter author was reacting on social media after the 312-page ruling was amended following claims that Judge Alexander Kemps judgment contained made-up quotes.

Nobodys surprised when sloppy students use AI shortcuts, or when internet activists intentionally or accidentally propagate falsehoods, but were supposed to be able to trust the judiciary, Rowling posted on X.

This is absolutely scandalous behaviour coming from a judge.

A certificate of correction was released on Thursday which amended a paragraph in the 312-page judgment.

The quote in question concerns a previous employment tribunal involving Maya Forstater, chief executive of the charity Sex Matters and a supporter of Ms Peggie.

In the amended version of the judgment a different passage from the earlier case is quoted.

On Thursday, Ms Forstater suggested the error might have been because of the use of AI.

She also gave a statement after the amended ruling was announced saying the judgment contained several errors.

I knew this was wrong, and its good its being amended, but I am astonished that it happened and I would like an explanation of how it happened, Ms Forstater said. Claimants and witnesses going to court swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and we expect nothing less from the judges.

There are several errors in the judgment beyond the made-up quote attributed to my judgment.

There is a partial quote from the Supreme Courts judgment in the For Women Scotland case that has been edited so that its meaning is completely reversed.

Mistakes like this severely undermine peoples confidence in the legal process.

Maya Forstater, seen here with Sandie Peggie said the error might have been because of the use of AI - PA/Jane Barlow

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters, the sex-based rights charity which supported Ms Peggies case, said: It is concerning to see a misrepresentation that is common from trans activist social media accounts in a tribunal judgment, and I hope the error will be rectified in an amended version.

The amendment came on the day Ms Peggies legal team announced their intention to appeal against the tribunals ruling, saying some of its findings are highly problematic.

Ms Peggie, a veteran nurse, was suspended by NHS Fife after complaining about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on Christmas Eve 2023.

She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about patient care.

Ms Peggie had lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment, harassment related to a protected belief, indirect discrimination, and victimisation, and hearings took place in Dundee in February and July.

The tribunal ultimately upheld her claim of harassment but dismissed allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation.

Ms Peggie later confirmed that she will appeal against the judgment, telling an event in Dundee: I am not a campaigner and [had] never heard of the phrase gender critical.

When I first raised complaints over two years ago about my employers decision to allow men into female-only changing rooms, I just knew instinctively that it wasnt right that women were expected to undress in front of men in private spaces, and I still believe this to be the case.

Whilst I am delighted that the tribunal was critical of Fife health board and found they had harassed me, their judgment, I believe, falls short in many respects, and that is why I certainly wont be giving up this legal fight any time soon.

The Judicial Office declined to comment when approached by The Telegraph.
Blaise Metreweli makes her first public appearance as the head of MI6, addressing the media at its headquarters in Vauxhall, south London - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

The new head of MI6 has said Vladimir Putin is dragging out negotiations over Ukraine.

In her first speech, Blaise Metreweli said Russia was trying to subjugate Ukraine and harass Nato members.

Ms Metreweli issued the warning as Sir Keir Starmer travelled to Berlin to join Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky for a fresh round of talks to end the conflict. Donald Trumps envoys, Nato chief Mark Rutte and the leaders of France and Germany are also due to take part in the discussions.

On the eve of the critical summit, Ms Metreweli said Putin was dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war on to his own population.

She said that support for Ukraine was fundamental not just to European sovereignty and security but to global stability, saying we are now operating in a space between peace and war.

Western intelligence agencies believe that the Russian leaders participation in negotiations is merely a delaying tactic aimed at stalling Ukraines efforts to bolster its defences.

Mr Trump, who is keen to secure a peace deal in time for Christmas, had previously suggested that Putin was stringing him along over peace talks.

Vladimir Putin and his aides met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec 2 - Alexander Kazakov/AFP via Getty Images

In April, the United States president said the Russian leaders decision to strike civilian areas makes me think that maybe he doesnt want to stop the war, hes just tapping me along.

However, in recent peace proposals, Mr Trump has applied more pressure to the Ukrainian side, pushing Kyiv to accept major territorial concessions, including areas of the Donbas not currently held by Russia.

On Sunday night, Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said he was prepared to give up his ambitions for Nato membership in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe.

But Ms Metreweli, 48, said: We all continue to face the menace of an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia seeking to subjugate Ukraine and harass Nato members.

Ms Metreweli is the first woman to be named chief in the Secret Intelligence Services 116-year history - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

The speech at MI6s Vauxhall headquarters marks her first public engagement as the head of the foreign spy agency. She is the first woman to be named C, or chief, in the Secret Intelligence Services 116-year history. In contrast to her predecessors, she declined to take any questions.

Addressing reporters in her private dining room, Ms Metreweli said she would break with tradition in her address by declining to offer a global threat tour and instead focus on Putins Russia.

She said: Alongside the grinding war, Russia is testing us in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war.

Ms Metreweli described how this form of hybrid warfare involved cyberattacks on critical national infrastructure, drones crippling airports, aggressive activity in British waters, state-sponsored arson, and propaganda operations that exploit fractures within societies.

Kyiv residents attend a farewell ceremony on Dec 14 for Dmytro Ostrovskyi, a 21-year-old sniper killed on the front line - Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images

She said it was in her last role, serving as Q, the gadget master popularised by the James Bond franchise, that I could most see the world changing.

I saw how technology was rapidly reshaping not just our capabilities but also conflict and trust, truth and global power, she said. This new digital battleground, she said, required data and tools to meet the threat.

In an age of misinformation, she said, wider society has a role to play too in checking sources, considering evidence, and being alive to social media algorithms that trigger intense reactions, like fear.

That includes work that takes place in schools across the country so our children dont get duped by information manipulation, she said.

The aftermath of a Russian attack on a residential area in Druzhkovka in Donetsk Oblast on Dec 15 - Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images

She also warned that the race for tech supremacy had made some algorithms as powerful as states and created a new vector for conflict.

In a veiled allusion to social media companies and tech barons such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, she said: Power itself is becoming more diffuse, more unpredictable as control over these technologies is shifting from states to corporations, and sometimes to individuals.

She made only passing reference to China, stating: MI6 must inform the Governments understanding of Chinas rise and the implications for UK national security.

Ms Metrewelis intervention came as the head of Britains military warned on Monday evening Britain faced an onslaught of cyber attacks from Moscow every day.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of defence staff, said Russia was something to fear with its hard power growing rapidly despite its heavy losses in Ukraine.

The military chief said Russia was now developing deadly new weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear-armed torpedoes and nuclear-powered cruise missiles.

In a speech at the United Royal Services Institute, Sir Richard said: Every day the UK is subject to an onslaught of cyber attacks from Russia and we know that Russian agents are seeking to conduct sabotage and have killed on our shores. But Russias hard power is growing quickly.

He added: While I have argued that Russias campaign in Ukraine has, so far, been a strategic failure with Nato bigger, more united, stronger and spending increasing amounts on rearmament, we should be under no illusions that Russia has a massive, increasingly technically sophisticated, and now, highly combat-experienced, military.

It is absolutely clear that Russias hard power is something to fear.
The crew of a Merlin Mk4 land on a school playing field for an early Christmas operation - Lee Blease/SWNS

Military helicopters stood in for reindeer to help deliver presents and spread Christmas cheer in schools.

The Royal Navy and Army Air Corps aircraft flew Father Christmas to 30 schools in Somerset and Dorset last week.

Excited children watched as the helicopters touched down on playing fields and collected letters to deliver to Santa Claus.

The helicopters also visited Charlton Farm, a childrens hospice near Bristol, from their base at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, during Operation Santas Sleigh.

With the reindeer resting up for an intensive Christmas period, naval helicopters from Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton were drafted in for Operation Santas Sleigh, the Royal Navy said.

The festive operation involved flights to 30 schools - Lee Blease/SWNS

Chard Prep School, in Somerset, was one of the schools visited, and a spokesman said the special sorties had brought Christmas excitement.

The flying crew from RNAS Yeovilton brought Santa in a Merlin helicopter, creating an unforgettable moment for the children, he added.

A big thank you to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and Holyrood Academy for the use of their fields.

The visit created an unforgettable moment for the children, said a spokesman for Chard Prep School, in Somerset - Lee Blease/SWNS

Dave Gordon, the headmaster of Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel, Somerset, said: The children were delighted to watch Father Christmas touch down with the help of Yeoviltons 846 Naval Air Squadron this year.

We value our strong links with the base and appreciate their support in providing special opportunities to our children in this way.

All Saints Church School in Montacute, Somerset, said: Thanks to the incredible support and festive spirit of the Royal Navy and RNAS Yeovilton, Father Christmas was delivered straight to our village primary school, bringing magic, excitement and big smiles to all our children.

We are so grateful for this unforgettable visit  what a wonderful way to sprinkle some Christmas joy across our school.

The Santa Drop delivered gifts and collected childrens letters - Lee Blease/SWNS

The helicopters deployed for the Santa Drop operation included Wildcats from 815 and 825 Naval Air Squadrons, plus one from 1 Army Air Corps, and a Commando Merlin aircraft from Commando Helicopter Forces 846 Naval Air Squadron.

Cmdr Sammy Haynes, of 825 Naval Air Squadron, said: Bringing Santa into local schools in a Wildcat helicopter not only allows 825 Naval Air Squadron share some Christmas magic, but it also helps us maintain our strong links with our community.

My team enjoy the challenge and teamwork of visiting lots of different schools, and the reward is seeing the excitement on the childrens faces.
Rape charities and campaigners have filed a rare super-complaint against the police forces of England and Wales.

They claim inhumane delays in investigating sexual offences have forced some victims to wait up to nine years for justice, causing them serious harm and trauma.

More than 37,000 sexual offence investigations have taken more than three years to be completed over the past decade, of which more than 13,000 are still open, according to Home Office data obtained by Channel 4.

A super-complaint can only be lodged by designated organisations and triggers a mandatory investigation by His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, alongside other agencies and a response from police chiefs. A previous super-complaint on stalking led to inspectors issuing the Government and forces with 29 recommendations to tackle failings.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, is on Thursday expected to unveil the Governments strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

She has called violence against women and girls a national emergency and has ordered all 43 forces to set up dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams by 2029.

Ms Mahmood has called violence against women and girls a national emergency - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The super-complaint has been submitted by Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, Rape Crisis England and Wales, Centre for Womens Justice, and Bindmans LLP, a legal company specialising in major cases.

It accuses police of routine de-prioritisation of sexual offence cases, poor case management, inadequate collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service and failings in bail practices. These shortcomings amount to inhumane treatment of survivors, according to the complaint.

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.

At the end of April this year, 13,949 investigations had been open for more than three years, including 1,716 ongoing for more than seven years  a timeframe campaigners compare to the length of a childs entire primary school education.

One survivor, Ocean (not her real name), reported abuse in 2020 but is still awaiting a charging decision nearly six years later.

My biggest regret has been reporting it in the first place  the justice system is skewed against survivors of sexual violence, she told Channel 4 News.

Another woman, who reported an incident in 2022, said: The way I have been treated has left me feeling as though they are simply pushing for me to give up. No one should be left to feel invisible and abandoned inside a system that is meant to protect them.

Ellie Ball, manager at Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, described the experience as torturous, warning that some perpetrators died before facing justice. What message does it send if nothing happens for five or six years? It might embolden some people, she said.

India Cooper, a public law solicitor at Bindmans, added: Were really concerned that these excessive delays may amount to breaches of many survivors human rights by denying them an effective investigation and, in some cases, preventing justice altogether.

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.

A Home Office spokesman said: We have declared violence against women and girls as a national emergency, and are deploying the largest crackdown in British history to halve it within a decade.

Rapists, sex offenders and abusers will have nowhere to hide, as all police forces will introduce specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams. This will replace the outdated system where police did not have specialist knowledge to investigate these crimes, leaving vile predators free to walk the streets.
A pro-trans group has funded a campaign against men being punished for hiring prostitutes, it can be revealed.

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation gave nearly 580,000 to a charity lobbying Scottish parliamentarians to oppose legislation that would make it a crime to buy sex, documents show.

National Ugly Mugs, a charity supporting prostitutes, is campaigning against a private members bill currently making its way through Holyrood.

At present, while soliciting in public and brothel-keeping are illegal, paying for sex is legal.

The reforms, spearheaded by Ash Regan, the ex-Alba member for Scottish Parliament, would decriminalise the selling of sex and fine those who buy it up to 10,000. It could also give them possible jail sentences as part of a wider approach described as the Nordic model.

The bill has been backed by Police Scotland and  in principle  SNP ministers, who say it needs more work before they will give it parliamentary support.

But it can now be revealed that Ugly Mugs, the group which has campaigned against the bill, is being funded by one of the UKs largest progressive foundations.

Since 2017, the charity has received 578,200 in grants from the Esmee Fairbairn foundation.

Propaganda machine

Ugly Mugs has circulated media briefings to newspapers, which one supporter of the bill likened to a propaganda machine, and lobbied MSPs on the flaws of the legislation.

One press release sent by the charity to journalists in June cited government research that argued the bill would have a limited impact on sex trafficking.

Another briefing in October claimed that enforcing the proposals would require a government bailout.

The briefing cited police evidence that had been submitted to MSPs scrutinising the legislation, which claimed that they would need 175,000 per year to enforce the law.

In August, Ugly Mugs chief executive Lynsey Walton explained the issues with the bill in front of an audience of MSPs as part of a panel conveyed by Maggie Chapman, a Green MSP.

Ugly Mugs was set up in 2012 as a project where prostitutes could share information about dangerous clients.

Ash Regan, the former Alba MSP, is spearheading the bill that would criminalise the use of prostitutes - Jane Barlow/PA

The charity now provides legal support to sex workers who have been the victims of crime.

Ugly Mugs is among several other progressive charities that have been funded by the Esmee Fairbairn foundation.

The London-based foundation was founded in 1961 and is one of the UKs most generous grant makers: giving a total 45.1 million to charities last year.

In recent years, the charity has increasingly prioritised grants for social causes over its schemes for creative and environmental organisations.

Since 2023, it has given nearly 5 million to charities involved with gender justice.

Alongside Ugly Mugs, several transgender charities have also received donations from the foundation.

Gendered Intelligence (GI), a trans-run group that delivers inclusivity training to organisations, has received 755,808 in grants from the foundation since 2017.

In 2023, the foundation brought in Dr Jay Stewart, GIs founder and CEO, as an advisor to oversee its Fairer Future strategy that focused on grants to social justice charities.

Last October, the foundation also gave 180,000 to Equality Network, an LGBT charity which runs the controversial Scottish Trans project campaigning for gender self-ID. It also gave 90,000 in April to advocacy group Trans Actual.

Foundations donations appalling

Ms Regan, now an independent MSP, said: It is not surprising to see significant overlaps in the funding given to organisations promoting gender self-ID and those campaigning against criminal sanctions for sex buyers, given the tactics used by both campaigns.

The commonality is the weakening of safeguards through the attempted erosion of legal protections for vulnerable women and children. These campaigns rely on emotional appeals over evidence, smear critics and dismiss survivor testimony that exposes the raw reality of exploitation and male violence.

My Unbuyable Bill is backed by the Scottish public, justice bodies and critically, survivors of prostitution, as it shifts accountability on to the exploiters. It is now every legislators responsibility to criminalise men buying sexual access to groomed, care-experienced children, trafficked women and traumatised individuals.

Susan Smith, the director of the For Women Scotland group which brought the challenge on the definition of a woman to the Supreme Court, said: The Esmee Fairbairn foundation claims to stand against systemic injustice and inequity.

Few things in this world are more unjust or unequal than the exploitation and trafficking of women whose bodies are treated as commodities for men to exploit.

It is appalling that the foundation has given huge grants to an organisation that is currently lobbying the Scottish Government to stop them legislating to better protect these women.

A spokesman for Ugly Mugs said: National Ugly Mugs, along with many others, is opposed to Ash Regans bill because it would put sex workers at much greater risk of harm. We note that the Scottish Government has said there are significant questions and concerns regarding the workability of the bill, and we hope it will soon be dropped.

A spokesman for the Esmee Fairbairn foundation said: [We] support many organisations set up to reduce violence against women and girls. National Ugly Mugs is one of them. We fund a range of organisations that have differing views on the criminalisation of sex work, all of whom share the same view on the importance of keeping women safe.
A fighter raises the Islamic State flag on the border of Syria and Iraq - Images Live/Alamy Stock Photo

As the civilised world united in horror at Sundays terrorist atrocity on Australias Bondi Beach, one man far away in the Middle East may well have felt somewhat pleased with himself. Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi is the current global head of Islamic State  the terror group in whose name at least one of the gunmen apparently acted.

He took over as the groups fourth caliph, or leader, back in 2023  although these days, that title is something of an affectation. Unlike in Islamic States heyday 10 years ago, when it controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, today Isis has no caliphate to speak of  just a few isolated hideouts.

As much as it encourages lone wolf attackers to strike in the heartlands of its Western enemies, in recent years, such willing footsoldiers have become thin on the ground.

Sundays slaughter on Bondi Beach  in which father-and-son duo, Sajid and Naveed Akram, shot dead 15 people was a stark reminder, though, that even when at an ebb, the threat from Islamic State remains a real one.

Naveed Akram, one of the gunmen behind the Bondi Beach terror attack, allegedly acted in the name of the Islamic State

Sydneys beach-goers were not the only Western lives claimed by the terror group over the weekend  Islamic State fighters also killed two US soldiers and their interpreter in Syria.

But were these just one-offs  a bloody last-blast from a dwindling cohort of diehard followers? Or might they be part of a wider resurgence in the groups fortunes, one which, in part, is capitalising on Muslim anger over the post-Oct 7 war in Gaza?

A new wave of jihadist terrorism

Few experts, it should be stressed, believe the group is yet capable of repeating the well-organised, large-scale horror attacks of the past, such as the 2015 Bataclan attack in Paris, in which 132 people were killed.

Indeed, the days of random, indiscriminate slaughter  a hallmark of Isiss trademark nihilism  may well be over. Instead, its followers seem more likely to go for explicitly Jewish targets  attempting to make common cause with the more radical elements of pro-Gaza movements in the West.

My core prediction was that Oct 7 and the subsequent conflict would trigger a new wave of jihadist terrorism, with Jewish and/or Israeli targets at its centre, says Dr Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London, and the founder of the colleges International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation.

Unfortunately, that does seem to be borne out by events  we have already seen a marked increase in both attempted and executed attacks, and I would be surprised if this trend did not continue.

In the two years since Oct 7, there have been thousands of recorded attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets across the West.

Among them are Octobers Manchester synagogue attack, where Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British-Syrian, drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard. Prior to his attack, he made a 999 call, pledging allegiance to Islamic State. The month before, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani living in Canada, was arrested on suspicion of planning a mass shooting at a Jewish centre in Brooklyn in support of the Islamic State. Khan pleaded not guilty to the two terror-related charges he is facing after being extradited to the US.

Regaining momentum on old turf

There will be fears that the high death toll from the Bondi Beach attack may spark further copycat acts. Worryingly, that comes at a time when the group appears to be regaining momentum on its old turf in Syria, where the two US troops and an American civilian interpreter working with local security forces were killed on Saturday during an ambush by a lone gunman in the city of Palmyra.

President Trump has expressed fury over the incident, saying: There will be very serious retaliation. The US maintains hundreds of personnel in eastern Syria, as part of a coalition force aimed at preventing the Islamic State from rising once again.

But it has seemingly not been able to prevent a mounting campaign by the groups remaining fighters in the country, where Bashar al-Assad was unexpectedly ousted by an Islamist coalition led by Ahmed al-Sharaa in December last year.

While al-Shara was himself a paid-up Islamic State fighter, he has since disavowed their cause. As Syrias new president, he has courted Washingtons help in his bid to rebuild the nation. That, however, has acted as a galvanising force for Syrias Isis remnants, who now see him as a traitor to their cause. His pragmatic, non-confrontational approach to Israel has infuriated them even further. Isis propagandists have dubbed him Jewlani, accusing him of being a Mossad agent installed to do the Jewish states bidding.

The new Syrian president is having to tread on difficult territory as many of the jihadists arent happy with his dealings  in general, there is a sense of some Islamic resurgence, says Dr Antonio Giustozzi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Although the Islamic State no longer controls territory in Syria, and its numbers have dwindled from roughly 100,000 fighters to an estimated 2,500 today, it is nonetheless exploiting the post-Assad chaos.

In June, for example, a suicide bomber attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, killing 25. Two months later, the group launched more than two dozen attacks targeting military checkpoints and government vehicles. Last year, the Islamic State claimed nearly 300 attacks in Syria, up from 121 in 2023.

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Among the Islamic States other sworn enemies in Syria are the US-backed Kurdish forces in the countrys semi-autonomous north-east, who maintain the vast prison camps where tens of thousands of the terror groups followers remain in custody since the caliphates collapse in 2019. Among them is British-born Shamima Begum, whose legal bid to return to Britain has failed.

Camp administrators have long warned the prisons have become a breeding ground for a new generation of Isis cubs, fully indoctrinated by their parents radical worldview. Indeed, there are concerns that the facilities are in fact little more than ticking time bombs.

Isis has repeatedly attempted to free its detained adherents, albeit with very limited success. But there are now fears Syrias new political masters  some of whom still harbour Islamist sympathies  may yet offer amnesties to inmates best kept behind bars, effectively allowing them to walk free without a shot being fired.

Recruiting British radicals

Isis also maintains franchises outside the Middle East, with varying success. Its central Asian chapter, known as Islamic State Khorasan Province, claimed responsibility for last years attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, which killed more than 130 people. Its central African operations, meanwhile, operate in swathes of the Sahel region, including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

However, such franchises have little direct contact with Isiss Middle Eastern operation and, in some cases, face strong pressure from rival Islamist groups. For example, the Islamic States Somalia chapter, run by Abdul Qadir Mumin, a former preacher at London mosques, is confined largely to operating in remote mountain caves. Security experts argue that it is better to have them there than running local towns or cities.

Closer to home, meanwhile, are the Britons who answered the call of Islamic States original founder, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, when he first established the caliphate in the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. It is estimated that at least 1,000 Britons went to fight for Baghdadis cause, and while around 100 were killed, the majority eventually returned to the UK.

Although some were disillusioned by the caliphates brutality, others have remained under the watch of the security services, who feared they might mount attacks on home soil.

US soldiers patrol the Syrian city of Qamishli, which is mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - Delil Souleiman/AFP

By and large, however, that has not happened. Most Isis supporters, after all, were social misfits looking for a bandwagon to jump on  once Isis was no longer a winning cause, few may have wanted to go to jail or die in its name.

Giustozzi also argues that because of the tight weapons controls in Britain, the kind of Bataclan-style armed spectaculars that might attract Isis wannabees is difficult.

Nonetheless, the Islamic State is believed to be engaged in a fresh campaign to recruit British youngsters. Last month, a teenager from London appeared in court charged with terror offences after he was arrested at Gatwick Airport and accused of preparing to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State.

The new recruitment campaign has deployed AI tools that can translate Arabic videos and pamphlets in Arabic into English at the press of a button. However, in the narcissistic, self-involved minds of Isiss lone wolf attackers, often the real trigger is not events in the outside world, or even Isiss warped spin on them, but dramas in their own lives.

When it comes to stabbings or running people over, the perpetrators often have a slow fuse on them  its just a case of their life getting s--- enough to the point where they pop a circuit, says Michael Knights, an expert on jihadism at Horizon Engage, a geopolitical risk advisory firm. Its often just violence looking for an excuse, and doing it in the name of jihad gives it meaning.

Whatever the motivation, though, the result is the same in terms of victims maimed or killed. And every time it happens, the Islamic States leadership can claim it as yet another block in the rebuilding of the caliphate.
A father-son duo opened fire on a crowd gathered on Sydneys Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, police said, killing 15 people in the worst shooting in Australia in almost 30 years.

The 50-year-old father was killed at the scene while his 24-year-old son was in critical condition in the hospital and is expected to face criminal charges, police said in a news conference.

About 40 people were hospitalized immediately following the attack, including two police officers who are in serious but stable condition, police said. The victims are between 10 and 87.

Police said around 1,000 people had attended the targeted Jewish celebration, which was held in a small park off the beach. Witnesses said the attack at the famed beach, which was packed on a hot evening, lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets.

The attack, which occurred on the first day of Hanukkah, was declared a terrorist incident.

Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, called the attack a "shocking, shocking act of violence" that "needs to be met with overwhelming police and community response."

When is the first night of Hanukkah? See 2025 dates of observance.

At least 16 killed in Bondi Beach "terrorist" attack in Australia Health workers move a woman on a stretcher to an ambulance after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec.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.

Some victims of Bondi Beach mass shooting identified

Among the 15 victims of a mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach targeting an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday were a rabbi who was a father of five, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old-girl, according to interviews, officials and local media reports.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was one of the victims of the shooting. He was assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi, which put on the event. Chabad is a global Jewish organisation whose mission is to foster Jewish identity and connection. Schlanger was British born but had lived in Sydney for the past 18 years, and had recently become a father for the fifth time.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French national, Dan Elkayam, was killed in the shootings. Elkayam, who local media reported was in his late twenties and had gone down to celebrate at the festival, had been providing technical support to global media company NBC Universal in Sydney since last December, according to his LinkedIn page. He had a Bachelor's degree of computer systems and a Master of engineering systems, and was previously based in Paris.

A primary school student, 10-year-old Matilda, died on Sunday night, her aunt confirmed on social media, according to local media. She was a former student at Harmony Russian School of Sydney. She has been described as a "bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to those around her", local media reported.

Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, attended the event with his children and grandchildren, Chabad said.

What we know about the victims in mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach shooting suspects: What we know

Officials confirmed that a father and son are the suspects in the shooting that left a total of 16 people, including one of the gunmen, dead.

The father, 50, a licensed firearm holder under Australian law for 10 years, was shot by police and died on the scene, according to officials. The son, 24, suffered "critical injuries" and was taken to the hospital under police guard.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon added that the father was part of a gun club and licensed for six firearms. He said that officials are investigating whether they're connected to the shooting.

Two improvised explosive devices were found at the scene, which Lanyon said were "found to be active" before they were seized and deactivated by authorities.

Have police identified the suspected shooters?

NSW police spokesperson Jo Elliott told USA TODAY officials had not yet released the suspects' names.

While officials did not name the father, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and other media, including the BBC, identified him as Sajid Akram. Akram had previously been investigated for ties to the Islamic State, according to The Independent. Two flags of the militant group Islamic State were also found in the gunmen's vehicle, the ABC reported.

Police identified the second shooter as the man's 24-year-old son. The son, officials reported, suffered "critical injuries" in the shooting and was taken to a hospital under police guard.

Multiple media outlets named the son as Naveed Akram.

Police have not specified what type of injuries the suspected second shooter suffered.

What we know: Who were the shooters in attack at Australias Bondi Beach?

Bystander wrestles gun from shooter

A man identified by Australian media as 43-year-old Sydney fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen during the attack.

Video captured by a bystander shows the man identified as Ahmed creeping through a parking lot before tackling the gunman from behind. He was shot by the second gunman and remains in hospital, police said.

"There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales state.

Ahmeds family told 7News Australia that the fruit shop owner is stable following surgery for bullet wounds to his arm and hand.

Shooting stokes fear as 'tsunami of anti-Jewish hate' grows

Australia has experienced a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues and sites since the war in Gaza began in 2023.

Jewish leaders in Australia have been warning the government for months that tragedy was going to strike unless they did something to prevent it, Joel Burnie, executive manager at the Australia, Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, said during a phone interview from Melbourne.

This year alone, 1,654 incidents targeting the Jewish community have been reported in Australia, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Last year, there were 2,062. For comparison, just 495 cases were reported in 2023 and 478 in 2022.

"Here in the U.S. and around the world, weve been seeing a tsunami of anti-Jewish hate in the past two years, especially post-Oct. 7, 2023," said Marina Rosenberg, the Anti-Defamation Leagues senior vice president for international affairs.

 Michael Collins

'Well be looking at change' to gun laws

Despite having some of the world strictest gun control measures, NSW Premier Chris Minns wants to make changes to gun laws, specifically introducing legislation that makes it harder to obtain "these horrifying weapons" that have "no practical use in our community."

"Not everybody needs these weapons of mass destruction. You dont need them on these New South Wales streets well be looking at change," he said.

Mass shootings in Australia are relatively rare, but the Bondi Beach shooting appears to be the worse one in the countrys history since the Port Arthur attack in 1996, when a lone gunman killed 35 people at a historic site in Tasmania.

That incident led the Australian government to impose an almost total ban on all automatic and semiautomatic weapons.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Australia shooting updates: 15 people, gunman dead in Bondi attack
A woman kneels and prays at a flower memorial to shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 15, 2025. - Mark Baker/AP

Australias deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years targeted Jewish families on Sydneys Bondi Beach, one of the countrys most iconic locations, on one of the most festive days of the Jewish calendar.

Crowds of people had gathered near the beach to celebrate Hannukah, the festival of lights, at an event widely publicized as a Jewish community family festival that promised free donuts and face painting and to fill Bondi with joy and light.

But an hour before sunset, two gunmen  the suspects revealed as a father and son  opened fire from a bridge near Archer Park, a grassy area near the famous beach, as tourists and residents wandered along Campbell Parade, enjoying the final minutes of what had otherwise been a glorious Sunday.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like fireworks, before the horrifying realization that it was gunfire  a largely unfamiliar sound in Australia where strict firearm laws mean shootings are rare. The last time this many people were killed was in 1996 at the Port Arthur massacre, when one man armed with multiple weapons opened fire at a tourist site in Tasmania.

This attack was far closer to home. It happened in Sydney, one of the main hubs of Jewish life in Australia, home to a community of around 120,000 people in a population of 27 million.

The indiscriminate massacre took the lives of multiple generations, from a 10-year-old girl to a Holocaust survivor.

Belongings of members of the Jewish community are seen at the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 15, 2025. - David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

Bondis famous white sand beach is promoted as a place visitors can soak up the sun and escape from the world beyond with friends. In the aftermath of the attack, strollers were left behind on the lawn, discarded as parents grabbed their children and ran, throwing off their flip flops, to flee the bullets and find shelter.

Standing before the nation late Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an act of evil.

There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it, he said.

Rise in antisemitism

Australias Jewish leaders have been urging the Australian government for years to do more to address rising antisemitism in the country.

Australia has seen huge public protests over the magnitude of Israels war in Gaza, and after a surge in reports of attacks against Jewish sites and property, Albanese appointed a Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism last year  handing the role to Jillian Segal.

Security patrols were ramped up around Jewish sites in Sydney, but the Executive Council of Australia Jewry (ECAJ), which represents 200 Jewish organizations, said Sundays attack proved more needed to be done to ensure the safety of Jewish people.

The writing was on the wall, said Alex Ryvchin, ECAJ co-CEO, referring to statistics that show 1,654 reported antisemitic attacks reported in Australia last year.

This sort of thing was always bound to happen. But at the same time, were not a country with a high level of gun crime This sort of thing just doesnt happen here, he added.

Albanese was directly asked on Sunday if hed taken antisemitism seriously enough. Yes, we have taken it seriously, and weve continued to act, he said.

On Monday, he listed the actions taken based on a report filed by Segal in July. They included millions of dollars spent on social cohesion projects and upgrades to Jewish museums and education centers. Reviews are also underway into university programs to promote inclusivity for Jewish students and staff, he said.

Some of Segals recommendations had earlier been criticized as too sweeping, and an infringement on the right to free speech.

The Albanese government has tried to walk a fine line to to ensure tensions overseas arent imported into Australia. Along with an antisemitism envoy, he appointed an anti-Islamophobia envoy, to address retaliation against the Palestinian community and their supporters.

In August, the government took the extraordinary step of expelling the Iranian ambassador to Australia after the countrys security agency linked Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to two arson attacks on Jewish properties in 2024. It was the first time Australia had expelled a foreign ambassador since World War Two.

They have sought to harm and terrify Jewish Australians and to sow hatred and division in our community, Albanese said at the time. Though, at the same press briefing, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess said Iran couldnt be held responsible for every antisemitic attack on Australian soil.

Fears of rising tensions

The massacre at Bondi Beach marks an unimaginable escalation in violence for a country with one of the worlds lowest gun homicide rates, where mass shootings are something that happen elsewhere.

Strict gun laws mean its difficult to legally access firearms, but those rules look now set to be tightened further following a National Cabinet meeting Monday.

State and territory leaders agreed to work on new rules restricting gun licenses to Australian citizens, with limits on how many guns they can own, and how long their license remains valid. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said Monday that state laws would change too.

The older of the two suspects, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was a member of a gun club and had a recreational hunting license that entitled him to own the long arms used in the attack, authorities said.

Officials clarified on Tuesday that Sajid Akram was granted a gun license in 2023 after submitting an application in 2020. An earlier application he made in 2015 lapsed when he didnt submit a photo, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son Naveed remains in hospital and is likely to face charges, police said. Hundreds of police were deployed across the city to gather evidence as Australians questioned how such a devastating attack could have been planned and executed in a public space without prior detection.

Investigators raided a home in the western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg late Sunday that is believed to be connected to the Bondi attack. A team of half a dozen forensic experts were seen arriving in full protective gear on Monday, as police tape ringed the property.

Locals told CNN of their shock that suspects could have been living nearby.

Police officers stand guard outside the house searched by police in relation to the Bondi Beach shooting, at Bonnyrigg, Sydney on December 15, 2025. - Alasdair Pal/Reuters

Neighbor Renato Padilla said he was watching the aftermath of the Bondi tragedy unfolding on television, when all of a sudden his street filled with police cars.

We were so worried last night that there might be a gunfight and things like that. Or because they said in Bondi there are some explosives in the car, said Padilla, of a car found parked on nearby Campbell Parade in Bondi that had been fitted with several improvised explosive devices.

Lanyon, the NSW Police Commissioner, urged caution against any member of the community who seeks to further unsettle a shaken city with acts to avenge Sundays shooting.

This is a time for calm. Retribution or acts against any part of any community will not be accepted, he said.

But the fear now is that the tensions the Australian government had been trying to keep from the countrys borders will bubble up more aggressively than ever, as communities search for answers about what motivated two men to commit such a heinous act, and what authorities did  or didnt do  to stop it.

CNNs Rhea Mogul contributed reporting.

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FILE - Ukrainian oligarch Dymitro Firtash waits for the start of his trial at the courts of justice in Vienna, Austria, Feb. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

VIENNA (AP)  An Austrian appeals court has rejected a request to extradite Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash to the United States in a case of alleged corruption through a plot to pay bribes in India.

The Vienna high regional court dismissed the appeal of a lower court ruling last year in the long-running legal saga. The high court said its decision announced on Dec. 10 was final.

Firtash faces a U.S. indictment accusing him of a conspiracy to pay bribes in India to mine titanium, which is used in jet engines. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The Vienna court said the extradition request was related to the payment of bribes in the tens of millions of euros (dollars) for mining licenses in India, but ruled it was inadmissible because of immunity under international law.

Robert Kert, a professor at the Institute for Austrian and European Economic Criminal Law, said the ruling was not a substantive decision but more of a formality following the lower court's verdict last year.

He said prosecutors missed the deadline to file their appeal against Firtash, who had claimed diplomatic immunity as a one-time representative of Belarus to international institutions in Vienna.

"I have the impression the interest in seeing Mr. Firtash extradited is not that big," Kert said Monday by phone.

Six years ago, a Chicago federal judge rejected a motion to dismiss the indictment against Firtash, who has argued that the U.S. has no jurisdiction over crimes in India. However, the judge ruled that it does, because any scheme would have impacted a Chicago-based company.

American aviation company Boeing, based in Chicago, has said it considered business with Firtash but never followed through. It is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Firtash was arrested in Austria in 2014, and then freed on 125 million euros ($131 million) bail, kicking off the ongoing legal saga. A Vienna court initially ruled against extradition on the grounds that the indictment was politically motivated.

A higher court in February 2017 rejected that reasoning as insufficiently substantiated and ruled that Firtash could be extradited. Austrias Supreme Court of Justice upheld that ruling in 2019.
Back in February, I spent three days embedded with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while reporting a TIME cover story on his world-first under-16 social media ban. But while observing parliamentary sessions in Canberra and visiting flooded towns in northern Queensland, it was starkly apparent that neither childrens mental health nor extreme weather was necessarily top of the national agenda.

Albaneses press conferences and spot news appearances were dominated by the same topic: rising antisemitism following a spike in the vandalism of synagogues and harassment of Jewish people. The burning question was whether American support for Israels offensive in Gaza, and Canberras close alliance with the U.S., was putting Australian Jews in danger.

The Australian government doesn't have a direct role in the Middle East, Albanese told me on his Australian Air Force 737 when asked about the issue. We're not participants. We don't supply weapons. Overwhelmingly, Australians want there to be peace. And they don't want conflict brought here.

Read More: A Timeline of Rising Antisemitism in Australia Since the Gaza War

That last hope was sadly shattered on Sunday when at least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of hundreds at Sydneys Bondi Beach. The exact motive has yet to be determined, but given that the victims had gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Albanese decried the attack as antisemitism and a horrific act of terrorism.

According to police, the two attackers were a 50-year-old father, who was killed at the scene, and his 24-year-old son, named as Naveed Akram, who was tackled and disarmed by a bystander and remains under arrest in a Sydney hospital in critical condition. It is Australias deadliest mass shooting in three decades, with victims aged between 10 and 87, including two rabbis and at least one Holocaust survivor.

Australias population of 28 million includes around 117,000 Jews, who have reported an almost five-fold rise in firebombing, arson, graffiti, and hate speech incidents since Israels military response to Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, according to Executive Council of Australian Jewry data. The surge in hate crimes was pronounced enough to prompt Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), to say that the prospect of deadly antisemitic violence was his top priority.

Responding to Sundays atrocity, Albanese insisted that an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. He also has highlighted his efforts tackling the issue, including appointing a dedicated Antisemitism Envoy and imposing mandatory jail sentences for Nazi salutes.

Yet it didnt take long for criticism to begin, with Australias opposition leader Sussan Leys accusing Albanese of failing to protect Australian Jews and for allowing antisemitism to fester. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also laid blame firmly with the Australian government, which let the disease of antisemitism spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today. Albanese, whose government in September recognized Palestinian statehood, had replaced weakness with weakness and appeasement with more appeasement, Netanyahu added.

Still, not everyone agrees that pandering to extremism is the problem. Clarke Jones, a criminologist focused on terrorism at the Australian National University, tells TIME what transpired on Sunday doesn't surprise me [as] this sort of thing is bubbling away. However, Jones says that marginalized people in a pressure cooker of isolation, disaffection, and resentment can feel denied being able to voice concerns or perspectives without the fear of trouble or being silenced.

This Palestinian-Israel situation has been going on for a long, long timewell before the Hamas attacks, says Jones.

Discerning the true motivation for the violence will take the focus of ongoing police investigations, with ASIO revealing Akram had been questioned for extremist links in 2019 but deemed not an immediate threat. Australias already strict gun laws are also poised to be reviewed after it emerged the weapons involved were obtained legally. Three improvised explosive devices were also found at the scene, spotlighting that the carnage might have been much worse.

Read More: Hero Bystander Who Tackled Bondi Beach Gunman Identified By Relatives

The next hours and days will be tense as community groups rally to try to lower the temperature. A broad swathe of local Muslim groups including the Darulfatwa Islamic High Council of Australia, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, and the Bonnyrigg mosque near the alleged assailant Akrams home have all separately condemned the attack. Efforts to calm tensions have been buoyed by the fact that the man who heroically tackled Akram, fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, is himself a Muslim father of two. A fundraiser set up on behalf of al-Ahmed raised more than $365,000 in 12 hours.

But calls for unity have been undermined by several troubling incidents. A Muslim cemetery in south-western Sydney was reportedly vandalized with butchered pig heads. A woman wearing a keffiyeh has been ushered away from the Bondi memorial by police for allegedly disturbing the peace.

I hope there's going to be no copycats, says Jones. And I am aware of the good work the communities do to prevent these things happening. But terrorist attacks do happen in waves.

As the self-styled Lucky Country reels from the attack, soul-searching in such a polarized society will not be easy. What we see is Australians coming together, Albanese told a press conference on Monday. There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. There is no place for hatred.

Write to Charlie Campbell at charlie.campbell@time.com.
DEDHAM, MA  Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man charged with killing and dismembering his wife Ana in January 2023, has been found guilty of murder in the first degree.

The jury returned the verdict on Dec. 15 in Norfolk Superior Court deliberating for two days.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17. The court will hear victim impact statements that day, too.

In Massachusetts, murder in the first degree carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Walshe also awaits sentencing on charges of lying to the police and unlawfully disposing of human remains, charges he pleaded guilty to immediately before the trial started.

Who is Brian Walshe? Why is he on trial? Catch up on murder case.

Lawyers made closing arguments on Friday, the 10th day of the high-profile murder trial. The defense, led by Larry Tipton, argued that Ana Walshe died a sudden, unexpected death and that Brian Walshe dismembered and disposed of her body because he feared he would be suspected of murder and that no one would believe the truth about her death.

The prosecution, whose closing was delivered by Anne Yas, spoke of motives surrounding Ana Walshes affair with a Washington, DC, real estate broker, Ana Walshes intention to move the couples children from Cohasset to her home in Washington and Brian Walshes financial problems stemming from restitution penalties associated with his conviction in a federal art fraud case.

The defense, conversely, tried to show spouses weathering a difficult stretch in their marriage, who still loved each other and were planning for the future.

Key evidence introduced by the prosecution included grisly internet searches about disposing human remains, surveillance video showing Walshe purchase cutting and cleaning supplies and depositing trash bags in various dumpsters in eastern Massachusetts, as well as images of bloody rugs, slippers and towels.

Could Brian Walshe get the death penalty?

Massachusetts was one of the first states to carry out the death penalty in colonial times. The state abolished the death penalty in 1984, but it was effectively abolished long before.

In 1975, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled mandatory death sentences for rape-murder unconstitutional, effectively banning it.

Massachusetts has not executed anyone since 1947.

The first recorded case of the death penalty in Massachusetts is in September 1630. John Billington was tried by a jury and hanged for the murder of John Newcomen, whom he saw as an enemy.

Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Brian Walshe trial verdict is in. He is found guilty of murder.
Blaise Metreweli became the first female chief of the Secret Intelligence Services 116-year history when she took up her post this fall. - United Kingdom Foreign Office/AP

The new head of Britains foreign intelligence service MI6 has warned the nation in her first public speech that the UK is now operating in a space between peace and war and the front line is everywhere, amid growing tensions with Russia.

Blaise Metreweli became the first female chief of the Secret Intelligence Services 116-year history when she took up her post this fall. Commonly referred to as C, the chief is the only publicly named member of the famously secretive organization.

In a speech at MI6 HQ in London on Monday, Metreweli highlighted the acute threat posed by Russia, and called out Moscows attempts to bully, fearmonger and manipulate.

We all continue to face the menace of an aggressive, expansionist and revisionist Russia, seeking to subjugate Ukraine and harass NATO  (Putin) is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population, she said.

Emphasizing the need to master new technology, Metreweli said recent advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and quantum computing could converge to create science-fiction-like tools which could be used as perilous weapons.

The chief previously led the services technology and innovation teams, a position made famous as Q in the James Bond movies.

From AI-powered robots that could have devastating impacts on the battlefield, to algorithims that could become as powerful as states, the new spy chief warned of the need to harness every byte of data for the UKs strategic advantage.

She also highlighted the increasingly complex landscape of threats facing the UK, which is being contested from sea to space  battlefield to the boardroom. And even our brains, as disinformation manipulates our understanding of each other and ourselves.

Security experts say Russia has been waging a hybrid war on Western allies of Ukraine, following Moscows full-scale invasion of its neighbor. In the UK, Russian-backed operatives have set fire to Ukrainian-linked factories, police said.

Elsewhere in Europe, drones spotted near airports have halted flights, NATO airspace has been violated in Poland and Romania, and underwater cables have been disrupted in the Baltic Sea, sparking fears of sabotage. Russia has not claimed responsibility for any involvement in these incidents.

The MI6 boss also underlined the power of human agency in tackling threats to UK security.

The defining challenge of the 21st century is not simply who wields the most powerful technologies, but who guides them with the greatest wisdom. Our security, our prosperity and our humanity depend on it, Metreweli said.

In a more dangerous, tech-mediated world, the chief called for the rediscovery of our shared humanity, to determine how the future unfolds.

Our world is being remade. And for the first time, we are all at the heart of it, she said.

It is not what we can do that defines us, but what we choose to do. That choice  the exercise of human agency  has shaped our world before, and it will shape it again, she added.

The MI6 chiefs address comes just a week after a speech by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, in which she highlighted the threat of information warfare. The government had sanctioned numerous organizations and individuals responsible for delivering Russias information warfare, Cooper said, as well as two China-based companies for their vast and indiscriminate cyber activities against the UK and its allies.

Earlier this year, MI6 launched an online portal aimed at using the dark web to entice potential spies to send secrets, particularly targeting Russia.

The portal, called Silent Courier, allows anonymous access to a secure MI6 messaging platform where users can send information to UK intelligence services from anywhere in the world. The launch came after the former spy chief Richard Moore used a rare public speech in Prague in July 2023 to appeal to Russian citizens to spy for the UK.

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A member of a Thai Explosive Ordnance Disposal team shows pieces of shrapnel as they inspect the site of a rocket attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Kantharalak district of Sisaket province, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

MONGKOL BOREY, Cambodia (AP)  Heavy combat between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second week on Monday, with Phnom Penh claiming that Thai bombing is hitting deeper into its territory, coming close to shelters for people who had already fled dangerous areas along the border.

According to Cambodias defense and information ministries, Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped two bombs shortly after 10 a.m. near camps for displaced people in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces.

The bombing in Siem Reap's Srei Snam district, more than 70 kilometers (43 miles) inside Cambodian territory, targeted a bridge, Cambodian authorities said. The province is home to the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the countrys biggest tourist attraction.

Asked about the attack at a news conference, Thailand's Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai, spokesperson of the air force, offered an oblique confirmation of the bombing.

According to the international law and the rules of engagement, a military target is not defined based on the distance from the border," he said. Its actually defined based on the characteristic and objective of the use of that facility for military purposes.

He said Thailand's air force abides by international law by not targeting civilians and that Monday's operation didnt impact Cambodian civilians nearby.

Access to the combat zone and nearby areas is limited, so few claims by either side can be independently verified.

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, according to officials.

Thailand claims to have badly hurt Cambodia's military

Thai officials issued an estimate of what damage has been inflicted on Cambodias military since a skirmish on Dec. 7 that wounded two Thai soldiers ignited large-scale fighting. They said Cambodian losses included 12 tanks, 10 armored vehicles, four anti-aircraft artillery systems, seven artillery pieces, five anti-drone systems, 175 drones, five communication hubs and one BM-21 mobile rocket launcher.

Thailand says Cambodia has fired thousands of rockets from the truck-mounted BM-21 launchers, which have a range of 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) and can fire up to 40 projectiles at a time.

Thailands government announced on Sunday that a rocket attack from Cambodia had killed a 63-year-old villager, its first civilian death reported as a direct result of combat.

Col. Ritcha Suksuwanon, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said on Sunday that an intact Chinese GAM-102LR guided anti-tank missile system was seized. Thailand estimates among Cambodias losses some 82 military positions and 505 Cambodian military personnel reportedly killed.

Cambodia has dismissed as disinformation previous Thai estimates of its military death toll but has not released its own figures. Thailand acknowledges the deaths of 16 of its troops.

Phnom Penh said Monday that 15 civilians have been killed and 73 wounded.

Thailand seeks to choke off supplies to Cambodia

Thai officials also said they were trying to cut off the supply of fuel and weapons to Cambodia, but denied reports that a full-scale naval blockade would be mounted. Capt. Nara Khunkothom, assistant spokesperson for the Thai navy, said only Thai-registered vessels would be subject to their controls in what they have officially designated a high-risk area in the Gulf of Thailand.

Officials also said fuel and weapons would no longer be allowed to go through a major land checkpoint to neighboring Laos that is close to Cambodian territory, declaring that military supplies and logistical support must be cut off.

In a surprise admission, Thai officials implicitly acknowledged that attacks had damaged centuries-old Ta Kwai temple  known to Cambodians as Ta Krabey  in a disputed area, but blamed Cambodia for allegedly using it as a military stronghold.

Phnombootra Chandrajoti, director-general of Thailand's Fine Arts Department, said that historical sites should not be used as bases for military operations and that the most important priority is that Thailand must secure and preserve the area.

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.



Associated Press writers Grant Peck and Wasamon Audjarint in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Students work on laptops at desks in a modern library with bookshelves in the background. Photo: Kampus Production / Pexels

(The Center Square)  Thanks to additional funding by the Texas legislature, career and technical educational opportunities are expanding in public schools statewide.

The programs are introducing trained graduates into the workforce, contributing to Texas continuing to lead in job creation every month and every year, Gov. Greg Abbott argues. Texas again led the U.S. in job creation, again breaking three of its employment records, according to new labor data, The Center Square reported.

Students are taking advantage of new opportunities through several programs, including, Early College, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), Rural Pathways Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) and the Jobs & Education for Texans Grant Program, among others.

In his 2025 State of the State Address in February, Abbott made expanding career training an emergency item for the legislature to address to support Texas workforce, The Center Square reported. Not soon after, the legislature passed two bills that he signed into law, House Bill 20 and House Bill 120.

"Career training is a game-changer for our students, for our state, and for our employers," Abbott said earlier this year when signing them into law. "A four-year college degree is not the right pathway for every student. It may be a smarter pathway for a student to get career training. In just the past two years, the State of Texas has invested more than $7 billion in career training programs across Texas. Career training and technical education is bigger and better than it has ever been with the signing of these two laws."

HB 20 established the Applied Sciences Pathway Program for 11th and 12th grade students to earn high school diplomas while completing certificate programs at higher education institutions. Through the program, students may substitute graduation requirements with CTE credits.

HB 120 expanded access to high-quality CTE programs by ensuring counselors use up-to-date workforce data. HB 120 also provided funding for military training programs, raised the cap on new instructional facility allotments to $150 million, increased the funds to cover CTE exam costs, and increased the per-student P-TECH allotment, among other measures.

The state legislature also allocated more funding for JET training grants. Abbott recently announced more than $14 million in grant funding for 16 public junior, technical, and state colleges and 36 independent school districts. The funds support CTE programs to purchase new equipment and initially train more than 6,500 students, enabling them to earn licenses, certificates or college degrees.

Abbott also announced an additional $1 million in grants to help six ISDs purchase, repair, or replace equipment for CTE programs that train students to obtain jobs in high-skill industries while earning a degree or certificate. The programs give students a significant advantage in the job market, which can open pathways to higher salaries and faster career progression in high-demand occupations such as nurses, welders, and automotive technicians, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza said.

Public high schools are participating in the Texas Education Agencys Early College High School initiative. The open-enrollment program blends college and high school coursework, enabling students to earn up to two years of college credit (60 hours), tuition-free, TEA explains. Its goal is to support historically underserved and at-risk students, providing an access ramp to postsecondary education for those most in need, TEA says.

Successful ECHS examples include Tyler ISD, renowned for its commitment to student success, with an impressive 99% graduation rate for students earning an associate degree, TEA said. PSJA Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School students are actively involved in NASA initiatives, pursuing associates degrees and assuming leadership roles, TEA said.

In the Houston area, several districts are expanding their CTE programs.

Houston ISDs college readiness program includes 40 schools that offer dual credit through Houston Community College or its University of Texas OnRamps program. Earlier this month, it announced it is expanding its program to another five high schools next year.

Fort Bend ISD announced its expanding its CTE program, adding new biomedical science classes and a new drone program. Its CTE classes span agriculture science to business marketing to law and public service to engineering, as well as career readiness as early as middle school.

Next year, Katy ISD is adding 12 high demand workforce CTE classes including in finance, business, real estate, architecture, construction and others. Its CTE program is extensive, including transportation, distribution and logistics, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, manufacturing, art, health sciences, hospitality, agriculture, among others. Its Raines Academy launched a Water Operations Licensing Program, a two-semester CTE partnership with Inframark, a water infrastructure and management services company.

Its Miller Career Training Center has a cybersecurity program starting in junior high, emergency medical technician training and law enforcement and public service CTE courses for upper high school students, among many other advanced technological and manufacturing programs.
A corrections officer secures handcuffs on an inmate in an orange uniform. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

(The Center Square)  A trio of men from Chile who are believed to be illegally in the United States have been arrested and charged for a series of home burglaries in the Milwaukee suburbs.

All are being held in Waukesha County jail with hearings scheduled for Wednesday.

The men face multiple felony charges. Enjerbet A. Rojas Silva, Luciano A. Silva Cifuentes and Leandro F. Pino Uribe were all charged with burglary of a building or dwelling and possession of burglarious tools.

The Mequon Police Department sent out a warning about burglaries in November which alerted the public to coordinated property thefts at area homes during the early evening hours on Thursdays through Sundays.

We are working closely with the Waukesha County Sheriffs Office and our other law enforcement partners to determine whether the individuals that were arrested by WCSO may be connected to the burglaries that occurred in the City of Mequon, Mequon Police Operations Commander John Hoell told TCS on Monday. Our priority is keeping the community informed while also ensuring a thorough and successful investigation. To protect the integrity of this ongoing work, no additional information is available at this time. We appreciate the communitys patience and cooperation.

The criminal complaint said the investigation began with a home jewelry theft in Delafield where 100 pieces of jewelry were reported missing, according to the Waukesha Freeman.

Police were able to locate the subjects through a tower dump where they were able to identify phone numbers or devices used near the burglary sites.

A group of four international numbers appeared in both Delafield and Mequon during the burglaries, according to the complaint.

The numbers were found to move across the country regularly but were believed to originate in Florida, the newspaper reported.

The phone numbers and new phone numbers from the group were linked to burglaries in Mendota Heights and Edina along with Fox Point, De Pere and Middleton, according to the complaint.

A white Nissan Rogue believed by prosecutors to be driven by the suspects was found to travel regularly between Florida and Wisconsin. The group was then arrested Wednesday by Waukesha County Sheriffs deputies along I-43 in Mukwonago.

The suspects were found with a Dewalt Sawzall, 13 red Diablo Sawzall blades, and 26 block radio antennas resembling those used in Wi-Fi signal jammers, along with window punchers similar to those used to break patio doors in the burglaries and multiple fraudulent IDs and passports, according to the newspaper.

Prior to publication, TCS was unsuccessful getting a copy of the criminal complaint by contacting the Waukesha County Sheriffs Office, district attorneys office or clerk of the court.
A US and a Chinese flag wave outside a c  (TEH ENG KOON/AFP via Getty Images)

A growing number of ultra-wealthy Chinese nationals are turning to U.S. surrogates to have children on American soil, taking advantage of Americas largely unregulated market and birthright citizenship, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

In one such case, Chinese video game billionaire Xu Bo has sought parental rights for at least four unborn children in Los Angeles, having already fathered or arranged surrogacy for at least eight additional children, according to the WSJ. The trend coincides with intensifying debates over the 14th Amendments guarantee of U.S. citizenship for anyone born in the country, a policy the Trump administration has sought to reinterpret.

Xu appeared in a 2023 confidential court hearing by video from China, telling the judge he hoped to have about 20 U.S.-born children, with a preference for boys, to inherit his business, the outlet reported. Several of the children were reportedly being cared for by nannies in Irvine, California, while awaiting paperwork to travel to China.

Last month, Xus ex-girlfriend claimed in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo that he had 300 children living across multiple properties in different countries, according to the WSJ. Duoyi Network, Xus company, disputed the 300 figure but confirmed that through years of U.S. surrogacy, Xu has only a little over 100 children. (RELATED: Chinese Couple Renting American Womens Wombs Exposes Dark Side Of Surrogacy Industry)

Chinas President Xi Jinping delivers his speech during a reception at the great hall of the people to mark Martyrs Day, on the eve of Chinas National Day, in Beijing on September 30, 2025. (Photo by Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images)

The boss does not accept interview requests from anyone for any purpose, a representative for Duoyi Network said in an email to the WSJ, adding that much of what you described is untrue.

Neither the Duoyi Network nor Xu could be reached for comment.

Xu is far from alone.

In May, police launched a child abuse investigation into Chinese national Guojun Xuan and his wife after a two-month-old in their care was hospitalized with a head injury. The Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services subsequently removed 21 children from the couples custody, including some born to surrogates.

Notably, Xuan served as a senior Chinese government official for at least two decades with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Peoples Congress, responsible for repressive policies contributing to ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found in July.

Nathan Zhang, founder and CEO of IVF USA  a network of fertility clinics in the U.S. and Mexico catering to wealthy Chinese clients  also told the WSJ that a growing number of extremely wealthy foreign clients are commissioning dozens, or even hundreds, of U.S.-born children to create what he described as an unstoppable family dynasty.

One Chinese businessman reportedly sought more than 200 children at once through surrogacy. Zhang said the individual was speechless when asked how he planned to raise all the children, according to the outlet.

Another California surrogacy agency owner said he had helped fulfill a request from a Chinese parent seeking 100 children, with the order spread across multiple agencies.

Wang Huiwu, another Chinese executive, reportedly used U.S. surrogates and egg donors to father ten girls, with the intention of marrying them off to influential men. He purchased dozens of eggs from models, a finance Ph.D. and a musician at costs ranging from $6,000 to $7,500 each, people familiar with his company told the WSJ.

The CEO of a New York IVF clinic helping connect Chinese parents with surrogacy agencies said that when a client requests three or four simultaneous surrogacies, agencies  which typically receive $40,000 to $50,000 per surrogacy, in addition to payments to the surrogate carriers  often respond enthusiastically.

Im getting positive feedback from the surrogacy agencies, theyre like, This is a big one! I want to do this!' the CEO told the outlet.

U.S.-based surrogacy arrangements involving foreign nationals more than quadrupled from 780 carrier cycles in 2014 to 3,240 cycles in 2019, accounting for nearly 40% of the U.S. total, researchers from Emory University found. Between 2014 and 2020, 41% of international surrogacy clients were from China.

Following reports of Chinese national Guojun Xuans abuse of children in his care, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida introduced the Stopping Adversarial Foreign Exploitation of Kids in Domestic Surrogacy Act, which would ban the use of surrogacy in the U.S. by people from certain foreign countries, including China.

Americas surrogacy system is meant to help individuals build families  it should never be the avenue to allow abuse, neglect, or deceit of innocent women and babies, Scott said in November while introducing the bill. And its terrifying that this might be at the hands of foreign adversaries with the sole intent of having a child that is a U.S. citizen.

The Supreme Court is expected to consider President Donald Trumps executive order limiting birthright citizenship in early 2026.

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As the first week of Christmas travel kicks off, a storm may cause messy travel conditions for some in the central and eastern parts of the United States during the middle and latter part of this week.

The snow on the ground in many areas now may not last the week as warmer air arrives.

Hanukkah has begun as universities conclude the fall semester, and many students and workers prepare to travel on roads and airports late this week into the weekend. AAA expects a record 122.4 million people to travel more than 50 miles between Dec. 20 and New Year's Day.

AccuWeather.com

One of the new storms forecast to bring renewed flooding and major travel disruptions to western Washington and Oregon this week will roll across the U.S. as persistent Arctic air finally exits.

In a rather unusual occurrence, the cold air gave up rather easily. High pressure moved off the mid-Atlantic coast instead of lingering over Atlantic Canada, allowing warmer air to continue to push east.

This setup will allow minimal resistance from the cold air, with some exceptions.

Pockets of cold may remain in portions of the Appalachians and New England, so as the leading edge of the storm's rain arrives, it could freeze on some colder surfaces. This will primarily be a concern in the higher terrain of northern New England.

For most locations, actual temperatures will surge into the 40s, 50s and even the 60s from Wednesday to Thursday night, but the breeze may result in AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures some 10-15 degrees lower.

AccuWeather.com

Motorists should anticipate wet travel conditions from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians, spanning from Wednesday to Thursday evening.

The rain will then spread to much of the Atlantic Seaboard Thursday night. The combination of wet roads and runways and low visibility will lead to slick highways and airline delays.

Where snow is piled up, street flooding is possible due to blocked storm drains as rain, melting snow and rising temperatures boost runoff.

AccuWeather.com

Gusty winds will accompany the storm as it moves across the eastern U.S. Gusts as high as 50 mph can occur across portions of the mid-Atlantic coast and Appalachian mountains up into New England. Higher gusts as much as 60 mph can occur near lakes Erie and Ontario, along the Northeast coast as well as some of the higher terrain in New Hampshire and Vermont. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 80 mph.

AccuWeather.com

Next round of cold arrives the weekend before Christmas

A surge of cold air will sweep in behind the storm from the northern Plains and Midwest Friday and then the Northeast during Friday night and Saturday.

Most roads will have a chance to dry off in the wake of the storm as colder air moves in. However, there may be some exceptions, especially in the Midwest. AccuWeather meteorologists are closely watching for the potential of rain changing to snow in the Appalachians Thursday night and Friday.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

A brief period of lake-effect snow is expected to follow the storm from Thursday night to Friday night. Motorists may encounter difficult travel, especially in parts of Michigan, western and northern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania as a result.

Gusty winds may lead to airline delays in the Midwest and Northeast regions Thursday and Friday.

AccuWeather.com

Moderate to major travel disruptions are anticipated from Washington to Northern California, Montana, Wyoming, northern Colorado and the Dakotas to end the week.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
A Vote Here sign stands outside a polling place. Photo: Lorie Shaull / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

(The Center Square)  Voter list sharing agreements are being launched between Ohio and 10 other states from Texas to Pennsylvania, the secretary of state said Monday.

EleXa, as the project is known, uses a symbolic X representing removal of ineligible or illegal voters identified through cross-state election data sharing agreements, second-term Republican Secretary Frank LaRose said. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia are signed to the agreement. Pennsylvania is finalizing.

LaRose said more states could join.

Ohio has the most aggressive and effective voter list maintenance process in the nation, in part, because of the work weve done to enhance these data-sharing partnerships, LaRose said in a release. "I look forward to expanding EleXa to include other states and continuing to build on our partnership with the federal government to prioritize election integrity in our state.

The fifth-year secretary has made ballot integrity a focal point since winning election in the 2018 midterms.

These data-sharing agreements allow Ohio to work with our colleagues in other states to identify people who try to vote illegally, often by having more than one active voter registration and then casting multiple ballots in the same election," LaRose said.
A DoorDash driver has been arrested after allegedly spraying a customers food with an irritant substance before delivering the order.

The incident, involving worker Kourtney Stevenson, was captured on December 7 by a doorbell camera.

In the footage, Stevenson can be seen dropping off an Arbys order at an Indiana residence and seemingly taking a confirmation photo. She then sprays the bag with a substance, believed to be pepper spray, before leaving.

The DoorDash driver accused of tampering with a customers order offered a bizarre explanation after being arrested



Image credits: ghostpants8012

Mark Cardin, who had placed the order with his wife, immediately realized something was wrong when he saw his wife in pain.

I noticed my wife had started eating, and she started choking and gasping, Cardin told local media WFIE.

After she had a couple bites of her food, she actually threw up. I had a look at the bag and saw that there was some kind of spray or something. The bag had been tampered with.

Image credits: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office



He said he confirmed his suspicions when he checked his doorbell camera and claimed the driver had tampered with their food on purpose.

The Evansville resident added that he did not know the woman, suggesting the attack was random.

He said he tried to reach out to Stevenson through the DoorDash app but discovered she had already blocked him.

He then posted photos of the woman on Facebook, which helped Indiana authorities identify her.

Stevenson now faces charges that include consumer product tampering and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury.

Image credits: Mark Cardin

She was reportedly arrested in Kentucky and will be extradited to Indiana.

The driver was visiting her father in Evansville on the night of the order that shes suspected of tainting.

Its horrific, Cardin described. We assume its pepper spray. Thats more than likely what it is, but now, in this day and age, it couldve been anything. It couldve been rat p*ison. It couldve been fentanyl. I mean, my wife couldve been d*ad.



The woman claimed she used pepper spray to scare off a spider

Image credits: NBC News

Following her arrest, Stevenson allegedly told investigators she was trying to protect herself from a spider and attempted to scare it off with the aerosol substance.

She claimed she didnt mean to pepper-spray the food and had instead aimed at a spider because shes terrified of them.

However, authorities did not believe her, noting it was too cold at the time of the delivery35F (1.7C)for the creature to be out.

At that temperature, outdoor spiders in Indiana are not active and would not be capable of crawling on exposed surfaces, the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

According to the statement, Cardin and his wife reported experiencing burning sensations in their stomachs, throats, mouths, and noses after consuming the food.

Kourtney Stevenson could be seen in Cardins doorbell camera using an aerosol substance



Image credits: ghostpants8012



Cardin said that he wants to see the 29-year-old driver prosecuted.

We live in a terrible world right now. People are mean for no reason. There was no reason to do what shes done, he stated.

Image credits: ghostpants8012



Food delivery service DoorDash refunded Cardins order and told Fox News Digital that it terminated Stevenson following the incident.

We have zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior, a DoorDash spokesperson said.

The Dasher in question has been permanently removed from the platform, and our team is standing by to support law enforcement with any investigation.

Cardin said he doesnt think hell order food through an app ever again

Image credits: NBC News

Cardin urged people to remain alert when ordering food through an app and to consider having a doorbell camera as a precaution.

He said the incident has made him extremely cautious, and hes not sure whether he will order food from a platform again.

Image credits: ghostpants8012

Vanderburgh countys sheriff, Noah Robinson, said his agency investigated 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.

People did not buy Stevensons explanation for why she sprayed the food
Chief Pamela A. Smith of the DC Metropolitan Police Department at a news conference on January 6, 2021. - Daniel Heuer/AFP/Getty Images/File

A new House committee report alleges the former DC police chief pressured officers to manipulate crime data to create the appearance of a safer city.

The report, released Sunday by the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, claims there was an active effort to downplay crime in the nations capital and that Chief Pamela A. Smith fostered a toxic management culture.

The report comes as President Donald Trump has sought greater control over law enforcement in the district, citing a public safety emergency in August. Trump deployed National Guard troops and put the police department under direct federal control for 30 days.

The committees report said the panel interviewed several current DC district police commanders who claimed Smith retaliated against officers who resisted pressure to skew crime data, including through demotions and transfers.

The report went further and stated Smith propagated an ecosystem of fear, retaliation, and toxicity, claiming she placed intense pressure on district commanders to produce low crime statistics by any means necessary.

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet its now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nations capital, House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement.

Smith, who was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2023, announced last week she was stepping down. In her resignation announcement, she said she was profoundly grateful to serve in her role and that she believes she left the department in a strong position.

Smith began serving as police chief in an acting capacity in July 2023 and was confirmed to the role by the DC City Council that November.

Smith took over the department during a period of high crime in the city. The Metropolitan Police Department has put out several reports since then showing a steady decline of crime. Its data as of December 12 found that violent crime declined 28% year to date from 2024.

The Metropolitan Police Department and Smith did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment.

Smith has previously denied allegations that she manipulated crime data when she helmed the department.

I have never and will never authorize or even support any thought processes or activities in regards to crime numbers being manipulated, she said in a recent interview with local station FOX 5.

The committee recommended that Bowser appoint an independent police chief to restore transparency and morale.

The mayor told CNN in a statement in response to the report that The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smiths leadership. I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of DC residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.

CNN previously reported that the Trump Justice Department is also investigating whether the Metropolitan Police Department manipulated crime data.

Despite Trumps claims this year that crime is out of control, data shows violent crime in Washington, DC, has been declining since its 2023 spike, with two years of sustained improvement.

There were 274 reported homicides in 2023, the citys highest number since 1997. But there was a 32% drop in 2024 to 187 and another 12% fall through August of this year.

Carjackings saw a similar trend. After surging to 959 in 2023, the number of reported carjackings dropped to around 500 in 2024.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Afghanistan's neighbors met in Iran and agreed to deepen regional coordination to address political, economic and security challenges, as well as calling for sanctions on Afghanistan to be lifted. The only absent party? Afghanistan itself.

China, Pakistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan all joined the talks organized by Iran, as did Russia, according to a statement released after the meeting on Sunday.

Afghanistan was invited but decided not to attend. Its Taliban-led government was tight-lipped on the reasons, with the foreign ministry saying only that it would not participate because Afghanistan currently maintains active engagement with regional countries through existing regional organizations and formats, and has made good progress in this regard.

The statement from the talks in Iran stressed the importance of maintaining economic and trade ties with Afghanistan to improve living conditions and called for the countrys integration into regional political and economic processes.

The Taliban were isolated after they retook power in Afghanistan in August 2021, but in the past year, they have developed diplomatic ties. They now raise several billion dollars every year in tax revenues to keep the lights on.

However, Afghanistan is still struggling economically. Millions rely on aid for survival, and the struggling economy has been further impacted by the international community not recognizing the Taliban government in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops in 2021. Natural disasters and the flow of Afghans fleeing Pakistan under pressure to return home have underlined Afghanistans reliance on foreign aid to meet essential needs.

The countries at the talks also voiced security concerns and pledged cooperation in combating terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling, while opposing any foreign military presence in Afghanistan. They underscored the responsibility of the international community to lift sanctions and release Afghanistans frozen assets, and urged international organizations to support the dignified return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries.

The participants backed efforts to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been particularly strained, with border clashes killing dozens of civilians, soldiers and suspected militants.

The violence followed explosions in Kabul on Oct. 9 that Afghan authorities blamed on Pakistan. A Qatar-mediated ceasefire has largely held since October, although there have been limited border clashes. The sides failed to reach an overall agreement in November despite three rounds of talks.

Asif Durrani, Pakistans former special representative for Afghanistan, said the Taliban governments decision to skip the meeting reflected a lack of political maturity. Writing on X, Durrani said the move reinforced concerns that the Taliban were unwilling to negotiate, instead adopting an I dont accept stance that he said would do little to resolve serious regional problems.

Mohammad Sadiq, the Pakistani special representative for Afghanistan who attended the talks, wrote on X that the Afghan people had already suffered enough and deserved better.

Only an Afghanistan that does not harbor militants would inspire confidence among neighboring and regional countries to engage meaningfully with Kabul and help unlock the countrys economic and connectivity potential, he wrote.

Participants agreed to hold the next meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistans neighboring countries as soon as possible in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and welcomed Pakistans offer to host the next round of special envoys talks in Islamabad in March.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Afghanistans participation in regional integration would serve the interests of both Kabul and its neighbors.

Tehran does not recognize the Taliban government but has handed Afghan diplomatic missions in Iran to its representatives. Iran hosts millions of Afghan refugees as the countries wrangle over shared water resources and efforts to combat drug trafficking.



Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Elena Becatoros in Athens and Abdul Qahar Afghan in Kabul, Afghanistan contributed to this report.
The Walt Disney Company; Live with Kelly and Mark Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa and Lola Consuelos (left); Mark Consuelos hugs Lola and Kelly Ripa

NEED TO KNOW

Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa made a surprise appearance to celebrate their daughter

The daytime talk show hosts surprised their daughter Lola in London, during her debut singing performance

Ripa and Consuelos first became parents in 1997, a year after tying the knot

Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa made a surprise appearance to celebrate their daughter.

The daytime talk show hosts surprised their daughter Lola, 24, in London, during her debut singing performance for her EP's launch. On the Monday, Dec. 15 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the proud parents talked about how the moment came to be, sharing that they "pulled off a caper" by being there since their daughter told them not to attend.

"She was so nervous leading up to this thing. And we wanted to go, but we didnt want to add any more pressure by us being there," Consuelos, 54, told viewers, with Ripa, 55, adding, "She told us not to go, specifically."

"Told us not to go, so we thought we would sneak into London and just kind of be on the side, somewhere in the crowd. And the first part of the caper is we went and bought hats," he said, adding, "Like Peaky Blinders style."

While preparing to show up incognito, the doting mom shared a funny story about how they tried on hats at a local shop and ended up "looking like two dudes"

"At a hat shop, to put ourselves in disguise, we looked like two dudes," she said. "They were like, Maam there are ladies hats! I was like, 'I need a dude hat. "

Consuelos went on to share more details about the launch party. He noted that the venue was small, fitting only about 150 people inside.

"To enter the venue you had to go right by the stage, so we couldnt enter. So we had to stay around the corner and Kelly was filming it like this," he said, demonstrating how she was recording. "And I was crouched down underneath her arm, because I wanted to see it. I wanted to see her live, not just watching her on a video screen. And she was wonderful."

Ripa echoed his sentiments, praising their daughter's talent by saying, "She was incredible. So, so proud of her. So impressed. She was so funny. She was really funny."

Live with Kelly and Mark Kelly Ripa (left) and Mark Consuelos on 'Live with Kelly and Mark'

In a clip, captured by HELLO!, Lola spots her parents standing on the side while she's onstage. Later in the clip, the 24-year-old can be seen embracing her parents offstage.



Consuelos and Ripa, who married in May 1996 after meeting on the soap opera All My Children, share two sons  Joaquin, 22, and Michael, 28  in addition to their daughter. During an episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Ripa opened up about how the loyal viewers of her talk show are like extended family members, especially when it comes to her and husband's three children.

"Our children are fully aware. They'll meet people on the street that will come up to them and say, 'I watched you grow up. It is such a pleasure to see you as an adult,' " Ripa told host Amanda Hirsch.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Live with Kelly and Mark Lola Consuelos performs in London

She explained, "When my kids were little, they had the opportunity to come on and do, like, little segments ... and people got a glimpse into their lives. And then they grew up, and they move on, and they move out, and they move out of the country in some cases, and and people don't get to regularly check in with them."

"And so I feel like, once in a while, it's important to sort of let people in because I feel like they had a group experience. My kids had a group childhood. It was like they had lots of aunties, lots of uncles, lots of grandparents," Ripa continued.



The talk show host went on to say that her kids didn't just have their parents and siblings as their village. Instead, they have people all across America and in Canada "raising them in some way."

"It wasn't just our parents and our siblings They had, like, America and Canada raising them in some way," she said. "And so and [the viewers] really looked out for them and rooted for them, and they are fully aware of that."



Kelly Ripa/Instagram Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and their children

These days, Consuelos and Ripa are enjoying their time as empty nesters. During a February appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Live with Kelly and Mark duo opened up about life with their three now-adult children out of the house, with Consuelos revealing the one thing he does now.

"[Their rooms are] pretty much preciously how they left them, but I've been going around and using their bathrooms," he admitted to host Jimmy Kimmel. When he asked why Consuelos was using his kids' bathrooms, he responded, "Because we paid for the house and I've never sat there, so I wanted to sit there."

After his explanation, Ripa jokingly added, "And, I, for one, am thankful."

Read the original article on People
Mourners gather at a tribute at the Bondi Pavillion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney on December 15, 2025. Credit - Saeed KhanAFP/Getty Images

A Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl are among the at least 15 people who were killed by two gunmen during a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.

Officials have called the attack Australias deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and are still in the process of naming those who were killed. Dozens of others were wounded by gunfire in the shooting.

Thousands of supporters have already returned to the scene of the attack and paid tribute to the victims, who were aged between 10 and 87 years old.

Read more: A Shooting That Strikes at the Heart of Australia

Heres what we know so far about the victims.

Matilda Britvan

The youngest victim who has been identified is 10-year-old Matilda Britvan, who was at Bondi Beach with her parents, younger sister, and friends celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. After being wounded in the shooting she was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

Kids are supposed to be happy. They should be playing on the beach, not thinking about bullets flying around, Matildas aunt Lina told CNN.

Her language teacher, Irina Goodhew, called her a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her on a fund-raising page opened for Matildas family.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger

An organizer of the event where the shooting took place, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was also killed in the attack. He served as the assistant Rabbi at the Chabad of Bondi, which was hosting its Chanukah by the Sea party Sunday.

For 18 years, the Schlangers served the Jewish community, but the rabbis influence extended far beyond the walls of a single synagogue, the Chabad said in a statement. He served as chaplain to NSW Corrective Services and NSW Prisoners of War; he was also chaplain at St. Vincents Hospital in Darlinghurst, where he ministered to patients and families.

Rabbi Schlanger, 41, was a father of five. His youngest son was born in October, according to the Chabad.

Schlanger will be laid to rest in Sydney, the Jewish organization said.

Alex Kleytman

Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, died in the attack while protecting his wife Larisa from the gun-fire, according to the Chabad.

Kleytman, 87, had two children and 11 grandchildren, the Jewish organization added. Kleytman and his wife migrated from Ukraine to Australia and had been married for nearly 60 years, CNN affiliate 9News reported.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, was also killed in the attacks. He was deeply involved in Chabad operations in Sydney, the Chabad said.

Yaakov Levitan was a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community, a fundraising page for his family reads. Yaakov Levitan was a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community.

Boris and Sofia Gurman

Boris and Sofia Gurman attempted to stop one of the suspected gunmen, according to dashcam footage, before they were ultimately killed in the attack.

The dashcam footage appears to show the couple confronting a man on a road near Bondi Beach and Boris successfully taking a gun from him. Separate drone footage taken later shows the Gurmans lying on the ground by the pedestrian bridge where the suspects were shot by police officers, however. The couple were identified by their family.

Boris, 69, was a retired mechanic according to ABC Australia, and Sofia, 61, was an Australia Post employee.

They were people of deep kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering care for others. This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk, the Gurmans family said to ABC.

The couple are being hailed as heroes for their bravery.

Dan Elkayam

Dan Elkayam, a French national, has been identified as one of the victims as well.

We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the bereaved Australian people, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a post on X.

Elkayam moved from France to Australia and had been working for NBC Universal in Sydney for roughly a year, according to his LinkedIn page.

France will spare no effort to root out antisemitism wherever it emerges and to combat terrorism in all its forms, Barrot said.

Reuven Morrison

Reuven Morrison, a businessman and longtime Melbourne resident, discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney, the Chabad said on X.

He had a wife and a daughter, according to the Jewish organization.

Peter Meagher

Former New South Wales detective Peter Meagher was also among those killed in the shooting, Randwick DRUFC, Meaghers rugby club, confirmed. He served in the police force for nearly 40 years and retired as a Detective Sergeant.

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, his club wrote.

Tibor Weitzen

Seventy-eight-year-old grandfather Tibor Weitzen, a member of Bondis Chabad Synagogue, was celebrating at Bondi Beach with his wife and grandchildren before he was killed in the Sunday attack. His granddaughter Leor Amzalak told Australias ABC News Weitzen had come to Australia from Israel in 1988.

"My grandfather was truly the best you could ask for," Amzalak told the outlet. "He only saw the best in people and will be dearly missed."

Marika Pogany

Marika Pogany, an 82-year-old Slovak citizen, was also killed during the shooting, 9News reported.

Slovakias former President Zuzana Caputova, a close family friend of Pogany, said she was an extraordinary woman who lived her life to the fullest in a statement posted on The Slovak Jewish Associations Facebook page on Monday. In her last message to me, Marika said Live is a fight, take it as it is.

Edith Brutman

Edith Brutman, vice-president of the New South Wales branch of international Jewish group B'nai B'rith, was confirmed by her family to be one of the victims killed at Bondi Beach to ABC Australia.

"Our beloved Edith was a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day, her family said. She met prejudice with principle, and division with service. Our family mourns her deeply, but we ask that her life, not the senseless violence that took it, be what endures. We hope her memory calls us as a nation back to decency, courage, and peace."

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Los Angeles  A man suspected of killing his wife and dumping her body in a Southern California forest has been extradited back to the U.S. from Peru to face a murder charge, Los Angeles officials said.

Jossimar Cabrera, 36, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday night after being held in Peru since late August, according to the LA County Sheriff's Department. He had turned himself in there, Peru's National Police said at the time.



The district attorney's office has filed a murder charge against him. It wasn't known Sunday if he has an attorney.

Sheylla Cabrera's body was found Aug. 16 at the bottom of an embankment in Angeles National Forest south of the L.A. County city of Lancaster, where the couple lived with their three young sons. The 33-year-old had been reported missing on Aug. 12.



Homicide detectives said they located surveillance footage of Jossimar Cabrera dragging a heavy object wrapped "in a large piece of material" from their apartment complex. When the victim's body was discovered, it was wrapped in similar material, the sheriff's department said.



The suspect had fled to Peru with the couple's three sons. Peru's foreign ministry said Aug. 16 on social media that it had repatriated the children back to Los Angeles to be reunited with their mother's family.

They had been reported missing shortly after their mother was found dead.



Sheylla Cabrera's cause of death has not been disclosed.





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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) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SYDNEY (AP)  At least 11 people were killed Sunday in a shooting attack during a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach, police said.

Mass shootings are rare in Australia, where gun ownership has been tightly controlled since a massacre in 1996.

Here is a timeline of some recent shootings.

April 28, 1996

Gunman Martin Bryant killed 35 people and wounded 23 in a rampage at the Port Arthur tourist precinct in the state of Tasmania.

In the wake of the attack, the federal and state governments agreed to ban semiautomatic and pump-action shotguns and rifles. A gun buyback scheme saw more than 700,000 firearms surrendered.

In the decade before the massacre, there had been 11 mass shootings with at least four dead victims. There were none in the decade that followed.

Sept. 8, 2014

A farmer shot his wife and three children near Lockhart in New South Wales state before killing himself.

Dec. 16, 2014

Three people died when police stormed the Lindt Cafe in Sydney, where an Iranian-born self-styled cleric had taken 18 people hostage. The dead included hostage-taker Man Monis, shot by police, a hostage hit by fragments of a police bullet, and one who was shot by Monis.

May 11, 2018

A farmer killed six family members before turning a gun on himself in Western Australia state.

June 4, 2019

A man who was out on parole fatally shot four men and wounded a woman in the northern Australian city of Darwin.

Dec. 12, 2022

Six people died in a gunbattle at a rural property in Wieambilla, Queensland state. Two police officers were shot and killed by extremist Christian conspiracy theorists; the three shooters and one of their neighbors were shot dead by police.

Dec. 14, 2025

Gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah ceremony at Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 in what authorities called a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) predicted in a recent interview that the United States will have its first female president within this next generation.

Democrats have nominated two women for president, and they both lost to Donald Trump. Whats the lesson of that experience? And do you think a woman will be elected president in your lifetime? USA Todays Susan Page asked Pelosi in an interview released Friday.

I certainly hope so. How I think about it is, I always thought that a woman would be president of the United States long before a woman would be president  Speaker of the House, Pelosi responded. This place is just so  its not a glass ceiling, its a marble ceiling. So, 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.

The California Democrat, who was the first female Speaker of the House, stated later that she believed its probably, maybe, maybe not my lifetime, but within this next generation, therell be a woman.

In two out of the last three presidential elections, the Democratic presidential candidate for the general election has been a woman, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris both ultimately losing to President Trump. Harris herself was the first woman to become vice president after running with former President Biden in 2020 against Trump.

Pelosi announced in early November that she would not make another bid for Congress, ending a notable four-decade career.

I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative, Pelosi said in a social media video at the time. As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have made history, we have made progress, we have always led the way.

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